In 1934, life in Brookburn, Indiana, is quiet, simple, and peaceful, but young dreamer Levi Beckerman yearns for more. When the carnival shows up for the Fourth of July, he’s entranced by its many temptations. None is more seductive than the charismatic barker, Sebastian Gustineau.<br><br>Seb’s been a part of the carnival for almost a decade. Once, it provided him the escape he needed from a life he thought he didn’t want, but now, he craves things it can never offer. Flitting from dusty town to dusty town, he loses himself in pretty dalliances. Levi seems like the perfect distraction, until a single conversation convinces him that preserving Levi’s innocence and way of life is more important than his momentary satisfaction.<br><br>However, his plan to discourage Levi goes horribly wrong. When Levi’s family is threatened, Levi fights to protect them, doing what he can to hide the secrets he’s sheltered his entire life. The only person he trusts is Seb. He just isn’t sure if the growing bond between them is enough to save them all.

A Simple Charm

“It’s short for Sebastian,” he said, and the smile was in his voice now rather than curving his wicked mouth. “But those kinds of airs don’t sit well with people I call friend. So yeah, call me Seb.”


He grinned, unable to contain it. “I’m Levi.”


“And now that introductions are out of the way…” Seb gave them one more squeeze, then let them go, hopping back onto his stage with the nimble grace of a deer in flight. “I better get back to work before I find myself without a job.” He winked at Annie. “Go have fun. And listen to your big brother.”


Annie had pulled him along several feet, hungry to get to Bertie on the other side of the tent and whatever special surprise Seb must give out to his favored customers, when Levi yanked to a halt and stared back at him.


“How’d you know she was my sister?” he asked.


Chapter 4