Under Gorse and Stone

By: Lily Morton

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Cary Sutton isn’t surprised when his boyfriend walks out on him during a holiday in Cornwall at Christmas. It’s far from the first time that someone's accused him of being cold—both inside and out. Cary’s spent his whole life feeling like he’s separated from the world by a sheet of glass. Nothing touches him. Nothing moves him.

Which is why it’s so strange to find himself drawn to a small Cornish beach and the man he meets there. Sigurd Arvesen is handsome and charming, but he also holds a secret—one that’s big enough to overturn Cary’s whole world.

Sigurd is a centuries-old dragon, and Cary is his mate.

Whisked into Sigurd’s magical world, Cary meets strange and wonderful creatures that he’s only ever read about in books. The mystical realm is both enchanting and dark, but even scarier are the warm feelings that Sigurd brings out in Cary.

What will happen when Christmas Eve dawns and Cary must go home?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a magical Christmas story about a lonely dragon and his one true love.

©2025 Lily Morton (P)2025 Lily Morton

Cornwall Christmas Magic

I was so excited for another one of Lily Morton’s fantastical holiday books….DRAGONS!!!!! This was so good! Cary and Sigurd are simply magical. This is one of my favorites by this author and that is saying something. And Joel Leslie ALWAYS does a phenomenal job with his narration. Another winning story!!

Enjoyable

4.5 Stars
Audio
Narrator Mr. Joel Leslie

Mr. Leslie was up to the task of handling numerous characters. His very expressive voice brought light to the paranormal creatures that Lily created.

The audio version highlighted the delightful imagery the author penned of mythical beings that exist, hiding in plain sight. This tale centers around a dragon in human form and the man who completes him.

My favorite audio scene was the underwater court of the merpeople and the way the patient dragon Sigurd tried to soothe their emotions and be diplomatic. Mr. Leslie seamlessly went from character to character.

The narrator really did a fantastic job with this memorable, paranormal fantasy. There was all of Lily's wit and snark that blended beautifully with this ethereal world. I could almost see the magical elements that glowed brightly.

Storyline

Sigurd is a handsome young man who appears to be an academic to the average observer. No one can see his true magical form. Sigurd is a rare being that exists in small numbers. His dragon identity remains undetected by humans and he lives in solitude. This is about to end as he meets a bright and inquisitive young man with a penchant for history and folklore.

He recognizes Cary as his chosen one. This is his person, and Cary is equally smitten. I respected the careful way Sigurd introduced Cary to the magic that humans cannot see but exists everywhere.

If you enjoy paranormals, and visiting with magical beings, and places, you are in for a treat. Happy Listening!

Really got me by the end!

I felt like this one was a great way to launch a new series with a lot of world building and some interesting side character introduction. Felt like it took our MCs a while to get together but it was worth the wait!

Delightfully witty, whimsical and romantic!

I truly enjoyed researching the mythological and historical references I didn't recognize to Cornwall, throughout Cary and Sigurd's adventures together.
Since first hearing Peter, Paul and Mary's 1962 recording, I wanted to rescue Puff the Magic Dragon from loneliness when Jackie Paper came no more.
I knew loneliness' desperation.

Absolute masterpiece!

Wow! Just wow! Another masterpiece by the best team in the world: Lily and Joel! Thank you for bringing back childhood memories about dragons and castles and folklore! Such a beautiful beautiful story full of love, magic, and wonder! Absolutely wonderful! 20 stars!,