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

Except the reminder of being called a kid shamed Levi into not chasing him down. Seb didn’t respect Levi as a man, maybe because of something he saw, like his lack of experience or his starry-eyed wonder. Until he did, Levi believed he’d do exactly as he warned, which made going behind his back impossible.


His eyes burned as he watched Seb appear for a moment, this time with the pretty fortune teller molded to his side. Just like Levi had been only minutes earlier. Seb never looked in his direction, his dark head tilted down toward her, his low chuckles carrying all the way to Levi’s ears.


Tonight, the carnival was no place for him.  4


Chapter 12