Review: The Englor Affair (Sci-Regency #2) by J.L. Langley

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to My Fair Captain

Anxious to escape the confines of Regelence society, if only for a little while, Prince Payton Townsend poses as an admiral’s aide to further investigate a dangerous conspiracy. Payton plans only to use his computer skills to help navigate the tangled web of mystery and deceit on planet Englor, then return home, but he finds himself drawn to the charismatic Colonel Simon Hollister.

Simon, however, is no mere soldier—he is heir to the throne of Englor, and his life is meticulously planned to include a bride and heir. Unlike Regelence, the Regency society on Englor disapproves of same-sex relationships, and Payton and Simon’s attraction plays out in a daring secret affair, one Simon never expected would grow into love.

Risking scandal and certain ruin if they are discovered, Payton and Simon uncover more about a common enemy and a deadly plot that imperils both their worlds. But in this game of interplanetary intrigue, love might be the ultimate casualty….

The second in this space opera series was just as fluffy and feel-good as the first only this time it's set on the Regency "companion" planet Englor and involves Lord Plague a.k.a. Payton and the future king of Englor, Simon. Payton accompanies Nate to his home planet posing as his aide due to his computer prowess. However he finds himself drawn to the military life and enjoys assists in the investigation into the shenanigans that occurred on Regelence in book one.

One rather problematic fly in the ointment is he soon finds himself enthralled with the giant ginger at the gym.

*pause for applause on the alliteration*

The tension between Simon and Payton builds much the same as it did with Aiden and Nate with the addition of Payton essentially investigating Simon as a possible suspect in the spy game. The tension and heat builds nicely between them. I am a fan of public and or semi-public shenanigans and these two are a fan of the each other. At the gym. Though there was enough actual relationship development to satisfy me as well.

As backwards as it sounds, I'm almost more invested in the investigation than these romances which may entice me to carry on with the series. I need to know who this villainous villain is! Plus, my curiosity was piqued by the Colton pining over Sebastian that was hinted at more than once in My Fair Captain so...

Aside from the subplot, I share a fondness for a size difference that Langley seems to favor and who doesn't like a bit of feel-good fluff set in space in a Regency time period from time to time?

Say that four times really fast.

If any of the above appeals give The Englor Affair a try, though you will likely need to read My Fair Captain first.

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Tag Team Review: Diplomatic Relations (Sci-Regency #4) by J.L. Langley

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to My Regelence Rake

Opposites don’t just attract... they sizzle.

A lusty special forces soldier who lives by his own set of rules, Dalton Fairfax decided long ago to stop wishing for his father’s love, and he found his calling. Now that he’s back home and between assignments, he finds himself at loose ends. When the opportunity arises to play bodyguard and help out his country, Dalton jumps at the chance. Not only does it keep him busy, but it just so happens that his charge is the man he saw on leave last month and hasn’t been able to get out of his head.

Heir to a dukedom and a conservative politician, Blaise Thompson strives to prove himself worthy of carrying on the family legacy as the next IN Councilman. However, his closest competitor keeps getting in the way and taking credit for Blaise’s ideas. Maintaining his stellar reputation isn’t easy to do while keeping his outrageous younger brother in line and foiling his rival’s personal attacks. He has no time for a guard and even less time for romance.

When a priceless antique goes missing, Blaise and Dalton discover that Regelence has larger problems than just IN plots. Now the only way to stop a scandal that threatens both of them is to compromise, and they are forced to confront the risk of losing everything… even each other.

Averaged!

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Hearts

Again, consistent futuristic sci-fi with a historical vibe, I continue to enjoy the trope of the virginal young man and his efforts to stay so despite a deplorable rake who’s doing his darnedest to rectify the situation.

Here Dalton, the cousin of the Regelence princes who are prominent throughout this series, has sort of a reputation, one that he’s personally perpetuated due to some major unresolved issues with his dads. Though Dalton’s somewhat more respectable having served in the military, it’s hard to keep a good troublemaker down!

By the books Blaise, is an intergalactic diplomat in training. He’s had his whole life planned out for him, and that's just the way he likes it. However, when Dalton becomes his bodyguard, Blaise can’t help being bad right alongside him as they further uncover some unsavory things about the Intergalactic Navy who has its own sinister plan to rule the galaxy.

As always, the main mystery continues to flow through each installment, where small reveals are made towards exposing said tyrannical conspiracy. Though this wasn’t my favorite, Langley delivers on her theme of progressive high society and the men who love to break its rules. This had a nice dose of punch-you-in-the-guts feels, with a good dash of sexy.

Overall, I really just enjoy this royal family and all the shenanigans they get into and try to get out of. I impatiently look forward to their next adventure!

Adam - 3.5 hearts

These Sci-Regency books were some of the first MM reads I picked up, so this series is special for me. I was over the moon to hear that JL Langley was making her comeback with book #4!

‘Diplomatic Relations’ tells the story of rakish special forces soldier Dalton Fairfox and the more tightly-laced up-and-coming politician Blaise Thompson. The two very different men are thrown together by circumstance, and soon find that the connection between them can’t be denied.

It took me a while to get in to the book, as I re-familiarized myself with the various characters and what their connections to each other were, and how the different plotlines intersected.

Once I’d gotten that straightened out though, it was smoother sailing.

I love an opposites-attract romance, and ‘Diplomatic Relations’ delivers. Dalton eschews Regelence’s social norms and can’t be bothered with love or propriety. Blaise is the meek wallflower waiting for his knight in shining armour.

The two couldn’t be more different. Yet from the moment they meet, the sexual tension is undeniable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dalton bringing Blaise’s scandalous side out, and seeing Blaise love every moment of it.

The relationship borders on insta-love, and was definitely insta-lust. But the romance was very sweet and sexy.

However, their relationship isn’t all about the physical side of things. They slowly but surely become friends, and both reveal things to each other that they’ve kept bottled up for years.

They may be opposites, but they find in each other the one man who just really understands. It doesn’t take long for Dalton and Blaise to count the minutes until they can next meet.

My only complaint is that the political intrigue aspect of the book was unnecessarily drawn out. Nothing really happens, so the build up seemed like repetitive page filler.

The angst, when it does come, was completely understandable. But it didn’t take too long to be resolved, and Blaise and Dalton end with a brilliant happy ever after!

Overall I really liked ‘Diplomatic Relations’. It wasn’t the grandest romance in the series, but I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next!

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

Review: My Regelence Rake (Sci-Regency #3) by J.L. Langley

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to The Englor Affair

Sebastian Hastings, Viscount Wentworth, is captain of the Royal Guard by day and scandalous rake by night. To protect the royal family of Regelence from the plots of the Intergalactic Navy, Sebastian makes it his priority to personally oversee their safety.

Prince Colton Townsend is done pining after the roguish viscount and focuses his attention on his second love—horses. Following his dream of owning a racehorse breeding farm distracts Colton from his heartache… until Sebastian begins shadowing him.

When a good deed at a horse auction sparks public rumors, Colton just might get the man and the marriage he’s longed for. But Sebastian’s duties and secrets keep him walled off from those who would get close.

To reach Sebastian, Colton takes one last risk that might break his heart….

Seriously, this just keeps getting better and better!

It pains me to know that this might be the only series of its kind - a space opera steeped heavily in military royalty espionage, all against a backdrop of a society that holds to Regency rules. Unless somebody knows differently?? Anybody??

Regardless, this time around focuses on Prince Colton, who has finally resigned himself to the fact that Lord Sebastian Wentworth, aka a notorious rake, is never going to notice him, and that he simply needs to move on with his life. If only…

What Colton doesn't know is that Sebastian basically feels unworthy to even contemplate being his consort and thus, the situation is moot. However, it soon becomes apparent to Sebastian that the boy has grown into a damn beautiful man that he can no longer ignore, nor does he want to.

Luckily, many a circumstance and two wonderfully mischievous dads (and their various co-conspirators) work hard to bring Colton and Sebastian together. Such humorous levity that includes a fabulous ensemble cast, juxtaposes the more serious main mystery of the series, balancing things out wonderfully to make this a really fun and entertaining installment!

Fear not, there’s plenty of strict societal rules ready to be broken, with forbidden stolen kisses and fervent secret groping. This was especially extra fraught with feels, adding depth to the reliable hot UST and smexy smex, all intermingled with my favorite turmoil of insecurity, jealousy, and doubt. Yum!

So again, consistently delicious, sink-your-teeth-in goodness, blending scifi and historical genres perfectly on a futuristic planet all about men loving men.

Propriety that begs to be dismantled was never stripped so sweetly than in this series. Mmmm hmmm. I can hardly wait for the next!

A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

Audiobook Review: My Fair Captain (Sci-Regency #1) by J.L. Langley

Second Edition

When Intergalactic Navy Captain Nathaniel Hawkins goes undercover to investigate the theft of an IN weapons stash, the mission raises painful memories from his past. Using a title he fled nearly two decades earlier, Nate once again becomes the earl of Deverell, heir to the duke of Hawthorne, in order to navigate the ins and outs of a Regency world. But planet Regelence - where young lords are supposed to remain pure until marriage - has a few surprises for Nate, not the least of which is his attraction to Prince Aiden.

A talented artist, Prince Aiden Townsend isn't interested in politics and the machinations of society gentlemen, and he adamantly rejects the idea of marriage and a consort. Aiden wants the freedom to pursue his art and determine his own future. But the arrival of the dashing and mysterious Deverell awakens feelings of passion and longing the young prince can't deny.

As Nate uncovers a conspiracy reaching far beyond the stolen weapons, his future is irrevocably altered by the temptations of a life he never thought he could have. Drawn into the web of intrigue, Aiden is in danger of losing his life...and his heart.

First Edition published by Samhain Publishing Ltd., June 2007

Narrator: Joseph Morton
Listening Length: 8 hours and 21 minutes

Well if that wasn’t a tasty morsel, I don’t know what is!

I’m not sure if I would’ve necessarily immediately picked this up to read, but given the opportunity to listen to the audio of the newly released revised edition, this was quite the best way to get my feet wet because I ended up really really liking this futuristic sci-fi novel with quasi-historic undertones. Confused yet? Don't be. This world is in a galaxy far far away and branches of societies have deemed over many generations as to how they want their culture to be. Here in this realm, it’s Regency values.

As per the blurb, military man Nathaniel Hawkins, is tasked to go undercover to find a missing stash of weapons. Nate’s forced to resume his former identity of heir to a dukedom so he can re-enter society on the planet Regelence. There, Nate is the honored guest of king Steven, his consort Raleigh, and their 5 sons. One son in particular distractingly catches Nate’s eye, and he can hardly contain himself as he quickly falls for the young spirited Aiden, in and amongst trying to solve a crime.

For audio enthusiasts, be forwarded that if you want a production, you're not going to get it here. Joseph Morton does a straightforward narration with no character distinction, and though I felt his overall performance was decent, I had to pay really really close attention where multiple rewinds slowed me down, so much so I bought the book to supplement my listen. I think these days as audios are gaining more and more popular momentum, one with varied voices is what’s mostly desired and expected, and unfortunately this did not have that. As always, my motto is to sample hard before buying to minimize those pesky surprises and disappointments.

So obviously, this was a win for me. I love sci-fi, I love space operas, I love military and espionage. This too, had all the historical elements of propriety and subverting the rules that I like but none of the anxiety of being in the closet because on Regelence, society is paternalistic and genetically manipulated for all the MM goodness. I just went with this interesting fantastical setup and enjoyed myself immensely. Throw in some fun funny mostly involving Nate’s adopted son Trouble, plus the prospect of the other princes’ potential love connections, and it also doesn’t hurt one bit at all that this had an abundance of hot sexual tension as well as some very very nice smexy! Uh huh.

Granted, this didn't conclude with a definitive wrap up to the main mystery so that may irk some readers. However, because of the above reasons, no doubt I’ll be delving into book 2 soon!!



Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review.