An Enchanted Beginning

A Nick & Carter Story, Book 1

By: Frank W. Butterfield

Narrated by: Brian Rollins

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

The enchanted story of an unusual romance in a very normal time. 

San Francisco. 1947. The war is over and the boys are home. 

Nick Williams, a native of the City, served in the Navy during the war. Now he lives with his lover Jeffery Klein, Esq., in Jeffery's house. He knows he needs to move on, but he can't. Not yet at least. 

Carter Jones, a transplant from south Georgia, stayed home during the war. His draft board said his job as a fireman was more important. He's living with his best friend and former lover, Henry Winters, who spends most nights across the Bay in Oakland with his current beau. As hard as Carter works on his body and at his job, the lonely nights are empty. 

Two handsome men in one beautiful city. Can they find each other? Across a crowded room? 

An Enchanted Beginning is the complete back story of this wonderful love affair. 

Starting in 1947, this book is composed of several parts that move the reader gently through an unusual love that starts during a time when everything and everyone was supposed to be getting back to normal. From 1947 through 1950 and beyond, Nick and Carter's love is anything but normal. 

If you're a fan of true romance and love to see it blossom in the most unusual of times, this is the book for you. 

These stories are a prequel to the Nick Williams Mystery series of books, which start in 1953 with The Unexpected Heiress. 

©2016 Frank W. Butterfield (P)2021 Frank W. Butterfield

Wonderful!

This is a collection of short stories that tell us Nick Williams and Carter Jones' story from their first meeting to the first Nick Williams Mystery.

Sweet and romantic, and yes, maybe a tad unrealistic but, you know what? I loved it. It captures the feeling of the era, it took me to the San Francisco pre-Castro, which is not usually the one we think about when thinking San Francisco, and it gave me a glimpse into the lives of these men, in times when everything was way more difficult for those 'in the life'. It's the beginning of their chosen family, and it's perfect.

I love that there isn't explicit sex, first, because is fitting with the times, and second, because it would distract us from the people and their feelings. We get to really know them, and no, they are no perfect, but they all are good people, trying to do their best.

And, as Nick says: "Do you honestly believe in all that fairy tale stuff?"
Nick - "I don't have to believe, that's what happened."

The writing of Mr Butterfield is gorgeous in its simplicity, it submerges you in the time and place without needing an excess of flourish, adjectives or hyperbole. It's powerful like that, really.

And I was again reminded of how much I love Nick and Carter's stories. Time for a re-reading :P

And Brian Rollins' narration is great, giving it the perfect tone to the stories.

A Perfect Beginning

*I received this copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
This is my go-to book for summer- it's funny, romantic and has lots of excitement! If you aren't familiar with the Nick Williams Mystery series, this is a great introduction. Frank W. Butterfield has created the perfect mix of romance and intrigue to set the stage for the stories that follow in this series. I loved learning more about Nick and Carter's humble beginnings and watching their love for each other grow. This is a fantastic origin story that does a great job of growing the characters and leaves the reader wanting more. The audio narration is perfect for travel and is an easy way to relax and escape to the beginnings of our favorite couple, Nick and Carter. I highly recommend this book and this entire series. The first three Nick Williams books are also available as audio books so you can continue the story!

Best love story ever

I love love love this book.
Romantic not sappy and so fun.
Buy it now!

Love!

Great book and great series of books! Love these characters so much! Cannot wait for more!

A fine story

The story is fine. Nothing groundbreaking or heart-stopping, but enjoyable. I did find the narration fairly annoying and almost gave up several times. His cadence and rhythm within the sentence structure is very strange, and his voice for some of the characters is awful, particularly Carter.

I was enchanted

I was given this audiobook as an advanced listener and I have to say I was enchanted.

You may already know Nick and Carter from the Nick Williams mystery series and that may give you an advantage.
However, I would argue that the way in which the book unfolds from their first meeting to the first few years of their relationship that this a good way to get good way to be introduced to Nick and Carter and their friends.

What I like about Frank W. Butterfield's writing is that the characters feels true and the details from the historical backdrop; in this case post 1945 to 1950. You may recognise a few key (real) people from that period passing through. Yes, there is humour and romance but you are also given a sense of what is what like to be gay living through this period.

Now mix this with Brian Rollins one of my favourite narrators and I think you have a dream team for this series. I finished this audiobook within 24 hours as the narration and the pacing of the book, broken into several novellas made me want to know what was over the next horizon.

I believe Brian is coming back to narrate some more of the Nick Williams mysteries and I for one cannot wait.