Review: DSP Advent: Homemade for the Holidays Week 2

Choosing the right gift for that special someone can be the most daunting part of the holidays. In a sea of mass-produced items, why buy when you can DIY? The end-of-the-year festivities are the best time for crafts, whether they’re made from yarn, paper, flour, or even code. And with some love and luck, these special presents might inspire a romance that lasts an evening… or a lifetime. Nothing makes the season merry and bright like a gift handmade from the heart, and to bring smiles to the faces of the ones they care about, these guys are willing to get creative.



YAY Week 2!






Finding Yuletide Karol by L.A. Merrill

Fifty years ago, during the Vietnam War, Lee Elbridge fell in love with an Army cook nicknamed Yuletide Karol, but they haven’t seen each other since.

Now, led by a clue in an old cookbook, Lee sets off on a road trip to find his lost love. He arrives on Karol's upstate New York farm to find preparations for a handfasting in full swing, and is mistaken for the wedding planner’s assistant. As Lee is roped into folding hemp napkin goats and mashing fresh sweet potatoes, he is welcomed by Karol's large, eccentric family of witches and pagans. When Lee and Karol finally get a moment alone, Lee tells him the truth, but it will take more than a little Yuletide magick to bring them together again after almost a lifetime.

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3 Hearts

If you’re itching to read about a mature couple for the holidays, look no further!

What I enjoy most about Christmas stories is the whimsical feel that anything can happen through the magic of the holidays.

Lee has been searching for a man he only briefly knew during the Vietnam War. Though their time together was seriously short, it was impactful enough for both men to use those memories to get them through some very very difficult life situations. When Lee finally finds Karol, he hopes he can rekindle what they had so many years ago.

 The feel good feels overcome what any quibbles one may have about the set up and progression, and the old saying “love is the only thing that matters” rings true for these two men who finally get their well deserved ending that really is just the beginning!

Ann - 3 Hearts

Such a refreshing change to read about mature characters, I loved that!

Lee has been in love with Karol since they were both very young men in the Vietnam War. Lee was coming off a traumatic mission and Karol literally and figuratively saved his life. It altered Lee forever and no one could live up to the memory of Karol. Which, was incredibly sweet and also so sad. The two knew one another for less than 24 hours but the impact was profound.

Through serendipity, tenacity and a cookbook the two are reunited and the reconnection is lovely, but busy. Karol lives a unique lifestyle surrounded by his pagan friends and family. It’s very different than what Lee is used to, but having Karol back in his life makes Lee see that it’s time for him to embrace something different.


Flour, Eggs, Sugar and Magic by Daniel de Lorne

Wannabe witch Will Brand’s attempts at making magic cookies for the kids at a local shelter go awry when his ex-boyfriend messages and turns Will’s good energy to anger. Will has no idea there’s anything wrong with the cookies until his hunky roommate, Lucas, scarfs three of them, cursing himself with bad luck, unfettered hate, and ill health. In a race against time, Will must find a way to break the spell before accidents, ex-lovers, and a sudden illness make this Christmas Lucas’s last.

Ann - 3 Hearts

Will has a crush on his roommate Lucas. Lucas has a crush on his roommate Will. But, circumstances being circumstances, neither of them has acted on or acknowledged said crush. Will is also a very amatuer witch who tries to do a very good thing that turns out very bad.

I just loved Lucas. And also felt bad for the guy! He’s accidentally cursed by Will with his tasty baked goods and when things started going downhill, they went downhill fast. The drama was a little much for a short story, but the characters were likable enough to make up for it.

The ending was satisfying, especially considering everything Will and Lucas went through, they deserved their HEA by then!


For Joy by Crystel Greene

When college athlete Chad comes out to his parents and gets a nasty reaction, sparkly twink Joaquin “Joy” Acosta offers him shelter in his tiny apartment. Joy’s the sweetest, most beautiful roommate on the planet, and every day, Chad falls in love a little bit more. The problem is, Joy will never know since his banter-loving hipster friends make bear-sized Chad feel all hulking and tongue-tied.

Joy is a sucker for anything handmade, though, and eventually Chad decides to tell him he loves him with a self-knitted pair of gloves. But it turns out knitting is way harder than Chad expected. Fortunately, Joy knows just how to save the day….

​​Cute twink and self-conscious baseball jock, flatmates to lovers, opposites attract, banter, insecurity, fluff, feels, first time, Christmas.

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3 Hearts

Take a gentle giant, a shy one at that, who’s devastated by his parent’s lack of acceptance when he comes out. Toss in some good luck, and said giant is able to crash on his crush’s couch until he gets his bearings.

Mix this with the holiday spirit, and Chad’s besotted feelings have only one direction to travel and that’s to grow deeper and deeper for Joy. He can only dream and wish that Joy would feel the same. What’s a guy to do?

Again, another easy holiday read, but beware a mean bestie, a preference towards some D/s that seemed incongruent, and the use of one of my most hated endearments. However, this was saved by two great MC’s that were just so darn likeable! Pssst…. the smexy smex didn’t hurt one bit either! Just saying.

Ann - 3.5 Hearts

Oh Chad, how do I love thee . . .

I love me a Chad type character in a story and this Chad made me all kinds of happy. He’s so much more than he seems on the surface and is underestimated entirely too often. It takes a special person who sees him for all his wonderfulness and I couldn’t have been happier to have Joey and Chad paired up.

One of the friends, Franky, was a little much and he could have been dialed down from 11 by a few notches, but he was the vehicle to see Joy’s protective streak come out and Chad and I both loved seeing that.

There was an odd little dynamic about Joy’s sexual preferences that seemed to be dropped in, but not super relevant because the intimacy between Joy and Chad didn’t need any explaining. They seemed to handle things fine all on their own.


Get Lit by Kim Fielding

Uri Kessler is a bit of a klutz. Recently divorced from a guy he married too quickly and yearning to have a holiday that feels special, he decides to make Hanukkah candles. The results are literally a blazing disaster. But Uri’s mishap helps him get to know Oscar Cortez, his sexy new neighbor, and the two men instantly hit it off. While Uri finds himself drawn to Oscar, he’s also afraid to make a mess of their budding relationship. It’ll take a small miracle to make things work between them.

Ann - 4 Hearts

This story! So damn cute with the banter and Uri’s inner musings. Uri’s craft challenged and when he attempts some holiday homemade magic he burns his condo down. Bless his heart, but he is a hot mess in the most charming of ways.

He gets to know his neighbor Oscar through his klutziness and lucky him! The two of them are a total treat together and they fall hard and fast, but in a believable and pretty reasonable way. Oscar’s efforts to learn about Uri’s faith is heartwarming and Uri’s appreciation is humbling and adorable. I just loved these two together and this story was a humorous warm hug wrapped up in just a handful of pages.


A Graphically Designed Holiday by Ren Holly

Graphic designer Eli has harbored a secret crush on nerdy math teacher Lincoln since they were at school together, and he’s perfectly content with his unrequited feelings—until Lincoln requests a special handmade holiday gift: a dating profile with all the bells and whistles Eli can include, one that will be sure to find Lincoln a boyfriend for Christmas.

Eli uses building the profile as an excuse to spend time with Lincoln, but will he be able to watch his friend find love with someone else?

 R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3.5 Hearts

Oh this went down nice and easy!

Eli has been pining for his bestie Lincoln, since college, but as usual, the typical reasons for not making a move always stems from the fear that it'll ruin the friendship. When Eli can’t say no to Lincoln’s request to help him find a boyfriend before Christmas by sprucing up his online dating page, there’s all sorts of inner turmoil.

This really does the trope of friends to lovers just right, with a bit of cluelessness, a lot of UST, with the added bonus of a virgin (though admittedly, the smexy progression rubbed me wrong). Despite that one snafu, this still left me with a smile on my face!

Ann - 4 Hearts

This friends to lovers story nailed the trope so well. The author did a great job of showing me the depth of Eli and Lincoln’s friendship through references to their history and the time they spent together. It was organically done and made me totally believe they were meant to be together well before the two of them figured it out.

And the journey was bittersweet even though I was sure they were going to get their HEA because all of the warm fuzzy love was so obviously there. But, I could also respect Eli’s wishes to protect their friendship and it was worth it to him, to sacrifice his own happiness, as long as Lincoln got his. 

Thankfully the sacrifice was unnecessary and Lincoln’s grand gesture leveled the field between them and the ending was just perfect.


The Great Aerodynamicist by A. Nybo 

Thinking he’s up to the task, droll Irishman Donnell, who is new to Australia, has almost completed assembling a model steampunk flying machine for his nephew’s Christmas present. Then an accident involving a parachute, some superglue, and his mouth lands Donnell in the emergency room with two of his fantasy men… only one of whom is real. 

Ann - 3.5 Hearts 

While this was, in all honestly, a slightly silly setup, I still totally dug on it. The characters, especially Donnell, made me laugh and also shake my head at his predicament. Even though it was slightly over the top, I had to appreciate the result of the meet-cute between Donnell and Charlie. And, as I got to know them and they got to know one another I was completely charmed by their relationship.

Also, who wouldn’t love a guy who went to that kind of effort for his nephew? The author put a perfect amount of personal quirks for the characters to make them relatable, unique and pretty adorable. I really liked the dynamics between the two of them and could completely believe in them in the long term.

**copies of the Advent stories were provided for honest reviews**

Warmest Wishes Advent 2018: Week 2

It's Week 2 of the Warmest Wishes Advent Stories! This week we're featuring stories from Emjay Haze, Blue Jones, Daniel de Lorne, A.D. Ellis and Scudder James Jr.!

ICYMI: Week 1

Warren's Peace by Emjay Haze

The holidays are a time for second chances.

Warren Blessing lost his wife (two years ago), and his kids decide he’s been alone too long. They send him on a holiday singles cruise so he can meet someone new.

On the flight from Chicago to Miami, he sits next to an attractive man, but when the flight’s over, he doesn’t think he’ll see him again.

Fletcher Hammond is a professional mystery shopper for vacation destinations and travel. After a split from his unfaithful fiancé, he’s embarking on a singles cruise. He meets a lovely gentleman on the flight, whose conversation and cocktails help Fletcher through his fear of takeoffs, but he doesn’t expect to see him again.

As if by fate, a meeting in the ship’s dining room renews their mutual attraction. But can they build a relationship with distance and baggage working against them? Or will they part ways when they return to port?

R *A Reader Obsessed - 3 Hearts

Who can resist a second chance at love especially on a luxurious singles cruise no less?

Despite understandable doubts and fears on both Warren and Fletcher's parts, this was easy and simple, if not just a tad too fast in progression and a bit awkward in execution.

Still enjoyable because of course, Warren and Fletcher find their well deserved happiness with each other, having at their disposal excellent food and entertainment, room service and spa treatments, along with endless fun time in the hot tub that further spurs their growing feelings!

If only everyone could fall in love under such ministrations! Lucky bastards!!

Fantasy Living - 3 Hearts

Set on a cruise ship from Boxing Day to New Years Day, the flow of this story started off rocky for me, but eventually the writing smoothed out and the story flowed well. I enjoyed the plot line, and the relationship development. Warren and Fletcher had great chemistry and the vacation fling was beautiful. This was sweet and sexy, and I enjoyed most of the story.

But……

I’m disappointed to have to lower my rating due to bi-erasure. It’s not cool, and I get frustrated with this being added to a perfectly good storyline. It was completely unnecessary to even mention Warren’s sexuality. It added nothing to the story, and left a sour taste in my mouth. It doesn’t make a same-sex relationship more valid . So yeah….it upset me and took me out of a very lovely story.

I know this will be a memorable story, for both the good and the bad parts. *sigh*. Some readers don’t care, but I absolutely do.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy. This has not influenced my opinion

Ann - 3 Hearts

This was a very cute and fluffy story with more mature characters, which frankly, is a nice change. The lack of any kind of conflict will keep the story from being too memorable for me, but reading it was still a Hallmark type holiday hug. Everyone was incredibly pleasant and Warren’s kids (adult level kids) were pretty invested in his love life (especially his daughter) which seemed a smidge weird, but whatever, everyone was happy and good for them. There was some opportunity for a little drama when Warren told his children that he’d met a man on the single’s cruise.. The revelation was glossed over, which is ideal obviously, but probably not super realistic. But I don’t come to a Christmas story for realism necessarily and Warren and Fletcher know how to take advantage of a high end cruise and a hot tub.

Sara - 2.5 Hearts

Boo. This one didn’t give me the warm fuzzy feeling of a holiday romance. I did like that Warren decided to explore the side of his bisexuality that he’d been missing being married to a woman for 20 years. He adored and loved his late wife and mother of his children but he admittedly missed the physical company of a man never feeling “sexually satisfied” by his wife. The meet cute with Fletcher was just that and the second meet cute was much more flirty. Things moved fast but I never got a good grasp on either man. I think all the details of the lavish cruise outweighed everything else and I got bored trying to find the romance. I did like what Fletcher did for a living and how understanding and accepting Warren’s kids were of him being with a man.

Trapped in the Valley of the Kings by Blue Jones

Rival archaeologists Will and Jude slept together a year ago, on the night of the Summer Solstice at a dig in Stonehenge. But they were both wearing masks, so Jude has no idea it was Will he slept with, and Will’s been harboring a powerful, one-sided crush ever since.

Now they’re in Egypt, competing to find the lost tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Jude falls through a crack in the cave floor, and when Will reluctantly climbs down to help him, they find themselves in Nefertiti’s tomb, surrounded by archaeological treasures—where they must spend Christmas stranded by a sandstorm.

Will a few sultry hours stripped almost bare from the heat and sharing a bottle of whiskey sort out who should get credit for the discovery—and the real reason for the tension between them?

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Hearts

The things I'm most upset about this story is 1) it’s too short, 2) where’s my damn epilogue, and 3) why hasn’t this author written more?

This has an enemies to lovers vibe, a touch of hurt comfort, and plausible twisty feels to go with some smexy smex. Throw in a grumpy bear (no, not the animal), a bit of an age gap, and two men literally trapped by circumstance that forces them to confront their feelings and make some confessions all against the backdrop of a hot night in Egypt on Christmas Eve.

Highly enjoyable. I will be on the lookout for more form this author!

Ann - 3.5 Hearts

This was a fun and unique frenemies to lovers story. The mystery identity, that wasn’t so mysterious, added a twist I appreciated. I loved Will’s appreciation of Jude even though the unrequited love portion of his feelings led to fussiness. His fussiness wasn’t mean spirited though and it led to some amusing banter between he and Jude. Will was pretty clueless when Jude was flirting with him and while it was obvious to me how Jude felt, Will was a dumb bunny. Not that I could blame him, but it did make him all the more adorable and their coming together all the more sweet.It ends rather abruptly, but the HFN is pretty solid. I would love to read where they end up for Easter.

Fantasy Living - 3.5 Hearts

This was quick and dirty, literally. Lots of sand… and sweat.

Will and Jude had great chemistry and even though Will didn’t quite get the byplay, Jude was adorable and witty.

Something fun and different, I enjoyed the setting to this story. It left me feeling warm and fuzzy and hopeful for the next adventure between these two competitors in archeology.

I could read an entire novel based on these two and their healthy competition for world changing digs.

a review copy was provided or an honest opinion

Sara - 3.5 Hearts

This was super sweet and sexy. I liked both Will and Jude though Will could be a bit clueless when adorable Jude is flirting with him. The twist on unrequited love from a masked one night stand has these two at an advantage though Will thinks it’s only one sided. I smiled non-stop while reading this and really enjoyed how they spend their holidays and hope that everyone spent together from here on out, is as sexy and breathtaking as Christmas was. Oh and… whose tomb where they really in??

The Faller by Daniel de Lorne

Being caught with another man sends Charlie Young fleeing his family to the forests of southwestern Australia to scrape together steamer-passage to the big smoke of London. But life as a timber faller isn't easy and it’s made worse when the men he works with are brash, bigoted, and often brutal. All except Jack Tapper, who’s the kind of gentle giant that sets Charlie’s heart racing.

While the other men head into town for Christmas, it’s just Charlie and Jack and acres of forest. But trees tell no tales and a few days alone is the perfect opportunity to indulge a burgeoning passion. When the men return and find things not as they once were, Charlie and Jack have to make the hard decisions about whether to stay where they are or run for their lives.

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4.5 Hearts

This short holiday historical packs a punch!

Charlie is scared, exhausted, and losing hope he’ll ever make enough money to escape his past.

It doesn't help that his coworkers put him on edge with neither a kind word or a helping hand. When left alone with the intimidating Jack over the holidays, Charlie just tries to keep his head down and off the guy’s radar. Thing is, Jack’s already noticed him.

Simply, a full of feels, angsty story with a large dose of hurt comfort going both ways and a gentle giant whom I absolutely adored. These two sweetly connect, and their newfound happiness is a hard fought, harrowing journey but a joy to witness! Read.

Ann - 3.5 Hearts

I was really anxious to read The Faller and appreciated the MC’s equally just a few pages in. While the story is from Charlie’s POV, Jack is the type of strong, silent character that always intrigues me. There’s understandable conflict and stress in this short story and I felt a little strung out while I was reading it. There’s just as much action and danger as there is love and romance and the author did a good job of balancing the two, but I did want a little bit more fuzzy love being that this was a Christmas story. I think the rather abrupt ending and HFN left me feeling that way. It’s probably way more realistic how it did end though, but I wanted, at the least, a plan for them so that I could picture it in my head. Which shows me that I was invested in their happiness which says a lot for Charlie and Jack.

Sara - 5 Hearts

Not sure if I can review this without rambling but I will try.

I loved this. I adore historicals and this is set in forests of 1912 Australia. I don’t know much about being a timber faller but my hopeless romantic heart knows a fantastic love story and this is it.

Charlie is doing what he can after being disowned by his family when they catch him kissing another boy. All he wants to do is earn enough money for a passage to London but timber falling is hard on Charlie and he struggles with the work. He also struggles with trying not to ogle the quiet giant and expert faller that is Jack Tapper. Jack, whose presence in the small camp occupies space and all of Charlie's fantasies but 1912 isn’t a time to be open about one's sexuality and with Charlie's history, he stays quiet. That is until the rest of the camp leave for the Christmas holiday and Charlie decides to stay behind to earn a bit more money, but Charlie isn’t as alone as he thought he would be.

[...] he was happy. The world outside could have ended, and he wouldn’t care.

This was so freaking good. It’s among my favorites from this years Advent stories and I fell hard and fast for Charlie and Jack. Jack, he slayed me with his yearning for Charlie and how much he will do to protect them. The gentle giant has a bit of roughness in him when it comes to getting physical with Charlie and I just adored the hell out of everything Jack Tapper is. Charlie is amazing himself, feeling like coward for being where he is when in fact Charlie is beyond brave he makes decisions that give the story enough angst and a beautiful pay off.

Some may think this ends on an HFN and not an HEA but for me, I know these two are enjoying their happily ever after living in a cabin they built with their own two hands, running their own camp that turns into a profitable business they later hand down to men such as themselves as they share cups of tea and read poetry that bruises to one another until death parts them. Yeah, Charlie and Jack totally have an HEA.

Holiday Island by A.D. Ellis

No peacocks were harmed in the making of this story.

Rafa’s nautical skills are less than stellar. He’d rather be a full-time artist, but he has a duty to the family business and a fear of standing up to his father and brother.

Carpenter Lucas is determined to rebuild his business after a lover’s betrayal nearly destroyed it. But he runs into a snag when he misses the last boat to the job site.

Rafa offers to take him, but Rafa isn’t much of a sailor.

When they end up on the wrong island, fears for survival gradually give way to an appreciation of the beauty around them—and each other. Rafa insists a holiday miracle will save them, and he teases Lucas for being a Scrooge.

In the end, Rafa’s miracle might come from the last place he expects: inside himself.

Ann - 2 Hearts

The idea of Holiday Island was a blurby dream but the execution was a little lacking for me overall. Rafa and Lucas had a serious case of insta love and that was the least problematic thing. I get the lust and the hope for a future, especially in a holiday short story. Both these guys needed an injection of romance in their lives and they were sappy as hell once they got together. It was really quite sweet and I liked them together very much even though that level of sweet isn’t really my thing.. But. But. When they started talking about starting businesses together and including the island they were on as part of it, my business brain couldn’t help but stomp the brakes hard. Boys, you know nothing about one another. Lucas, did you not learn from your last business venture?? Not to say that it’s going to happen again, but damn son, tread lightly. Also, you do not own this island, you can not do what you are planning, that’s just reality so I’m sorry, but I have zero confidence in either of your business acumens. Which doesn’t bode well for your futures and it made me not buy into any longevity here. Rant, complete. As for Rafa’s father and brother, that was some extreme BS and added a level of conflict that was OTT and unnecessary. It left me with a sour taste at the end and that was unfortunate.

Sara - 1.5 Hearts

Ugh. I hate to do this to a Christmas story but...ugh. There was zero connection for me to either Lucas or Rafa let alone the two men together. The writing was abrupt and the dialogue was so choppy that it was really hard to get into the story. I am a sucker for insta-love but this was even faster than that. Don’t get me started on Rafa’s family drama and then the possibilities of these two going into business on an island they don’t own with Lucas' past and just... nope. Sadly this didn’t work for me.

Boca Dreams by Scudder James Jr.

You can’t correct the past.

Or can you?

Stephen’s not proud of who he was back in boarding school—spoiled and a player. Now, at the holiday reunion ten years later, he has a chance to show his former classmates who he really is: out and proud, devoted to helping others, and partnered with Victor.

Stephen understands why Victor, who grew up in a poor and abusive household, hates the rich kids at the reunion, but his attitude is ruining everything. Luckily Stephen bumps into Aaron, a former grunge rocker who has also changed. Stephen never forgot their one steamy night together.

With the help of three very unusual personifications of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, can Stephen revisit his mistakes and find the happiness that’s eluded him?

Ann - 3 Hearts

Victor, you are a dick and I hate you. There, got that out of the way. I would have given this story another heart easily if it weren’t for Victor’s existence and if the time spent on him could have gone to the relationship development between Stephen and Aaron. Stephen could have gone to the fete after a breakup with Victor, leaving Victor to be an unfortunate footnote. In order for Stephen and Aaron to work (and I really wanted them to work) Victor had to be a caricature-type villain which really only made me question Stephen’s life choices. Basically I liked Aaron a lot and would have loved more page time with his character, and then he and Stephen together. I loved how they thought of one another after their one night “together”, even after all the years apart and I loved wallowing in their reconnection. Removing the bitter BS of Victor would have given me more wallowing time, and I would have appreciated that muchly.

Sara - Broken Heart

There isn’t anything I can find good about this book. Honestly. I don’t know what the author was going for but a fluffy Christmas read this was not. This was a messed up story with one rude and arrogant messed up Victor who should have been left off the page entirely or just briefly mentioned as Stephen’s ex-boyfriend or even the dude he was taking a break from. OMG! Why was Victor even included?

Had this been a reunion story of second chances and “what if’s” between Stephen and Aaron some 10 years later I could have bought it, even dealt with creepy assed Tony. But this? It was all sorts of nope for me.

Review copies were provided by the publisher in exchange for honest opinions.

Review: Burning Blood (Bonds of Blood, #2) by Daniel de Lorne

No-one gets to choose who they spend eternity with.

Aurelia d’Arjou has vampires for brothers, but it is as a witch that she comes into her own power, keeping balance and control, using her strength to mitigate the death and pain that her brothers bring. When she is forced to take on the centuries long task of keeping the world safe from the brutal demon that wore her father’s skin, duty dominates her life. But rare happiness comes in the form of a beguiling, flame-haired oracle who makes the perfect companion...but for one thing.

Hame doesn’t want to be an oracle, but when a demon destroys the closest thing to a father he has, he has little choice but to aid Aurelia with his visions. Unable to love her as she would wish, their centuries-old friendship comes under attack when a handsome Welsh witch enters his life – and his heart.

As treachery and betrayal push Hame to choose between his closest friend and his lover, it becomes clear that when it comes to war, love doesn’t always conquer all, and happy endings are never guaranteed.

Bloody witches!

Daniel de Lorne is back with his follow up to Beckoning Blood. This book focuses on Aurelia, the younger sister to the deadly vampire twins, her parents, and ginger haired oracle, Hame and his witch lover.  This must be read after Beckoning Blood, book #1 in the Bonds of Blood series. Trigger warnings: off page child rape & cheating

We travel to different planes, go back in history in Europe and jump to present day in this book. The blurb prior to reading made it seem like it might've been MMF (which I think would have made a better story) but the story has only on page MM relationships. This has multiple characters' POV and spans many years (don't worry it jumps to the events like book #1).

We learn more about Aurelia in Burning Blood. How hard her life was after her mother left home. It was very sad and was hinted in book #1. She gets to rise to power thanks to a surprising factor and through that factor, she meets Hame, the big red haired oracle who she fancies. Hame doesn't return the favor because he likes men. And While she understands this, she continues to carry a torch and Hame doesn't discourage her affections...for centuries. This story tries to encompass a lot, action, horror, fantasy, demon mythology, war...a bit too much, in my opinion.

I nearly DNF'd numerous times throughout this story. It wasn't as strong as the previous book for me. Too many plot lines, that paralleled book #1. While on one hand, the grand scale storytelling can be awesome...it's better when the plot and characters are well balanced, developed and  not bogged down by convolution. There was a great chance to explain why Hame made the choices he did especially in lovers but it fell off because there were demons to fight, vampires to track and power hungry witches to double cross.

I kept asking myself throughout the story...why? What was the purpose of all of this? We go from book #1 where it had badass twins, to witches and demons and ether jumping and so much stuff about withholding powers, what?

It's so many ideas, good ideas, but too many.

Because why?

How did Hame's lover make the deal? Why?

For example, if immortality is so hard to attain, how did the rest of them get it? Aurelia's is explained...the others: lost in the sauce.

Aurelia went from a bad ass witch in book #1 to a petulant immortal teenager in this book who is power hungry because why? And why string her along for over seven centuries? She pines for a man she knows she can't have for 700+ years...and no one else will do? So she has to suffer and be without love so Hame can have his cake and eat it too? Hame tells her that he loves her and can't live without her love, knowing he won't return her feelings.

Cruel.

Hame's love interest did nothing to prove he was worthy of Hame or anyone. Especially after his need to "feel" that one time, that plot point wasn't explained clearly enough. I'm basing this off of Hame's initial reaction which was total disbelief and absolute 'he's going to dump the ass' attitude to him begging for crumbs of affection. He's a mighty oracle...why go through all of that?


WHY?

If Aurelia and Hame and the other witch had a love triangle, that could have maybe made more sense as to why these three adults would stick around for this pain. Even the romance (?) thread suffered for the burdensome plot.

I read the entire novel and I am left with questions, trepidation for the next book and where this series is going. If it stuck to vampires and not get as convoluted as this book, which was going for the cliffhanger but did that and left loose ends, I might've have enjoyed it more.

This is what I deduced after reading:

Aurelia: basically did nothing but temper tantrum a lot
Hame: started off sort of strong, then became a doormat
Hame's love interest, the power hungry witch: continues to be untrustworthy and greedy
As is, I disliked just about every character especially the main characters.

Because their purpose just didn't do enough for me, their development as characters weren't strong enough. All the power and age in the world and their story read like a bad soap opera. With all the years that they've lived, they still acted like...teens.

Every time I felt like DNF-ing, something would happen that made me curious in between the dull parts that dragged. And then question the decision. Because after reading, nothing really happened. The first book came off as if it was going to be twincest, and it didn't happen. This book seemed like maybe there would be MMF action and nothing doing...I'm not really convinced to try the next one.

But I'd read something else from this author. The ideas were cool enough, the execution/editing for this book was questionable. I'd prefer reading something separate from this series though. Because the first book had something going for it before the witches and demons and centuries war got thrown in.

This book...not as much.

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

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Review: Beckoning Blood by Daniel de Lorne

A gripping, blood‐drenched saga about twin brothers, the men they love, and the enduring truth that true love never dies — no matter how many times you kill it.

Thierry d’Arjou has but one escape from the daily misery of his work at a medieval abattoir — Etienne de Balthas. But keeping their love a secret triggers a bloody chain of events that condemns Thierry to a monstrous immortality. Thierry quickly learns that to survive his timeless exile, he must hide his sensitive heart from the man who both eases and ensures his loneliness...his twin brother.

Shaped by the fists of a brutal father, Olivier d’Arjou cares for only two things: his own pleasure and his twin. But their sadistic path through centuries is littered with old rivals and new foes, and Olivier must fight for what is rightfully his – Thierry, made immortal just for him.

The d'Arjou twins...vampire twins, gruesome, twisted and quite a tale they weave.

Any True Blood or Vampire Diaries fans out there? I'm a fan of both. And surprise, surprise, I gravitate to the twisted ones. The anti-hero/villains are way better the good guys. There's just something about the depraved ones, the less morals, the better!

Think of having Damon Salvatore times two and one is without a conscience! :D

Warning for the easily squicked: There is rape, brief mention of sexual abuse, incest overtones -no actual incest happens on page and blood play. Oh and the bloody warning in the blurb isn't an exaggeration. This book has tons of blood and gore.

Twins Thierry and Olivier were human identical twins in Carcassonne, France in 1390. Sons of a mean butcher with a secretive little sister, the brothers were used to a harsh and abusive live. But Thierry had a secret lover named Etienne that he hid from his twin...even though the twins have a psychic bond. Thierry hid his lover well...or so he thought. Olivier is changed into a vampire by accident by an obsessed vampire, mistaken for Theirry. But once Olivier learns of his brother's lover and that Olivier is not number one in Thierry's life, let's just say it gets bloody.

The story spans from 1390 France to 1792 Saxony until present day Australia. during this time the twins cause mayhem and havoc. But Thierry was always the softer of the two, looking for a love to claim for his own. He's charged to keep an eye on his brother but not a leash.The trouble they cause. Whew boy! That incest line is never crossed between the brothers so if twincest isn't your thing, have no fear. (I'm still pouting about it)

Thierry is the damaged protagonist who misses his dead love Etienne so much. And he gets to meets his reincarnated love more than once in his very long undead vampire life...but Olivier. Oh Olivier is the debauched vampire hostess with the most-est.

Dayum...depraved, vile, revolting, murderer, wicked...delicious.

Olivier is a sociopath with a sick obsession for his twin. He lets nothing come in the way of having his brother in his life. And we're talking some sick shit, to be honest. Two thumbs for Olivier. I'm sure Thierry will garner sympathy but Olivier is alright with me. Finally, vampires that enjoy being a vampire. No whiny 'I want to be a human' or 'I'm drinking animal's blood to prove I'm tame and lame'.

There are issues such as the parts where it didn't fully drag but had a lull of sorts. It was not a lot of times but I felt some filler could have been dropped. Another issue is not enough description into what happened with the brothers when their relationship strained during the years. There was a period briefly mentioned where they were separated. Why? What happened? Olivier is the sick, obsessive type to not be separated from his brother without good reason for so long. also for all the centuries between them and the annoyance Thierry felt for his brother...why was he so unmotivated to pull away? He might have been the timid brother, the lover, the dreamer and romantic but he came off so resigned. And then Olivier lacks morals and is psychotic...why didn't he take what he really wanted from Thierry? And what is the purpose of the magic and the twin bond?

You see the plot lines are laced into the appropriate holes (it's why it's getting 4 Hearts from me) but it's not fully tightened. This author has room to grow. This book I enjoyed with the love of a good story. I'll ignore technical things if the story is good.

And it's good.

If the author plans to continue with more from this world, a little more description into a vampire's full extent of powers, a little more development of the important bonds between characters and (me being greedy) maybe a a little bro-on-bro action? Yes? No? It's alright. Get back to me. ;P

The story ends with a HEA but there are unresolved questions - Aurelia? Oberon? The Duke? This magic cycle?

Recommended for vampire lovers. Not the fans of the glitter-in-the-sun-woe-is-me vampires, I talking about the ones the enjoy a vampire that revels in being a bloodsucker.

I'm a proud fangbanger and I definitely will be reading more from this author.

A copy provided for an honest review.