Group Review: Band Sinister by K.J. Charles

Sir Philip Rookwood is the disgrace of the county. He’s a rake and an atheist, and the rumours about his hellfire club, the Murder, can only be spoken in whispers. (Orgies. It’s orgies.)

Guy Frisby and his sister Amanda live in rural seclusion after a family scandal. But when Amanda breaks her leg in a riding accident, she’s forced to recuperate at Rookwood Hall, where Sir Philip is hosting the Murder.

Guy rushes to protect her, but the Murder aren’t what he expects. They’re educated, fascinating people, and the notorious Sir Philip turns out to be charming, kind—and dangerously attractive.

In this private space where anything goes, the longings Guy has stifled all his life are impossible to resist...and so is Philip. But all too soon the rural rumour mill threatens both Guy and Amanda. The innocent country gentleman has lost his heart to the bastard baronet—but does he dare lose his reputation too?

4.333 average!

Chelsea - 5 Hearts

Magical. Charles can do no wrong, seriously! Sweet, sexy, and beautifully romantic, this book had me doing nothing for a whole day until I'd completely devoured it.

I've never read a book by Georgette Heyer, but from what I hear people will be very excited to hear Band Sinister was inspired by Heyer’s writing. I obviously can't compare but all I know is every single character in this book was wonderfully crafted and that was KJ Charles and her alone (with the help of editors of course :-P). Once again the Charles writes amazing female characters and Amanda is one of my most favourite female characters ever! I would loooove to see a short story revolving around her love story.

Guy has not admitted his attraction to other men, therefore when Phillip starts revealing truths and demanding honesty, Guy finds his virginity in a somewhat shaky state.

“But, well. Would I like sodomy?”
“That is without a doubt the best question that has ever been asked . English was invented purely so that you could ask that.”

Let's just say I love a good deflowering and the build-up between Philip and Guy was superb. Slowly getting to know Phillip and his Murder was engaging and so much damn fun as well!!

The tension, ridiculously sexy climax and heart melting happily ever after has this book being an all time favourite and will definitely be reread many times in the future.

Adam - 4 Hearts

KJ Charles knocks it out of the park with another fun, sexy, and sweet MM historical romance.

Though they’re neighbours, Frisby siblings and Sir Philip Rookwood don’t mingle. A family scandal, and Sir Philip’s reputation, make any friendship impossible.

That is until Amanda Frisby ends up at recuperating at Rookwood Hall with a broken leg. Her brother, Guy, doesn’t leave Amanda’s side, intent on keeping her safe from Philip and his notorious friends.

But despite their mutual reservations, Guy and Philip can’t help but find each other captivating. In the midst of fields and trees, the country gentleman and the rake fall for each other.

Both have family histories that have made their interactions with society difficult. Philip’s response is a middle-finger to high society and all its expectations.

Guy, on the other hand, struggles between being the upstanding gentleman he’s expected to be, and the freer man he really wants to be. The kind of men Philip and his friends are.

The friends, by the way, were highly entertaining and added to the story.

Slowly, Philip brings Guy out of his uptight shell. What starts off as an uneasy truce becomes a tentative friendship, and then spills into something more.

I loved the progression of their relationship, and how both insisted on mutual respect and agreement before taking things further.

And they definitely set the sheets on fire once they got down to it!

The two actually communicate, which earned them bonus points from me.

And it was sweet to see how Guy and Philip filled the holes in each others’ lives. Both had people who meant to the world to them, Philip’s two childhood friends John and Corvin and Guy’s sister, but for each other they became the one that was just his own.

Overall, I really enjoyed ‘Band Sinister’. The MCs were well-rounded, the romance was sweet, the cast of characters was entertaining, and the HEA was beautiful. I’d love to read Corvin and John’s stories too!

Lost in a Book - 4ish Stars

Whoa! Anyone else have to reread the title page on this one just to make sure it was a KJC book? No murder? No angsty relational and/or time period peril? This is insanely lighthearted compared to her previous writes. It’s practically fit for teenage consumption if you throw a chastity belt on it. (Is that still a thing?) I couldn’t help comparing the feel of Band Sinister to her others and I think the Grinch KJ Charles’ heart has increased in size.

Ok, so I’m a huge fan of KJC whether we are chasing antacids with alcohol just to get through the angst/death or this spoon full of sugar featuring Sir Phillip Rookwood and Guy Frisby. The blurb does a great job setting the stage for this story so let's get this party started.

Rookwood and Frisby dislike each other greatly. It’s more of a my family has had awful interactions with yours and your family has ruined my family type dislike and not really between the two men. Unfortunately during that time period, past family shame is enough to cloud the rest of the generations. Much to Rookwood’s dismay, Frisby’s sister (Amanda) is injured on his property and will be recovering there for at least a fortnight. Guy is devastated about his sister’s injury and beside himself with the idea of staying in the same location as the Murder. Well, he is until the men of the house begin to seem actually human; kind, compassionate, sociable, and spirited.

Frisby becomes aware of Sir Phillip’s preferences and that sets off a sexual awakening long suppressed. Phillip is like a blood hound and is on the trail as soon as Frisby begins to question what he desires. The men get to know each other as Amanda heals and Phillip volunteers to teach Guy in all things pleasure.

There's some heat along the way with the MCs and the added spice of the other men in the house having the propensity to share. Throw in some family drama, town drama, a very lively Amanda, KJC’s trademark humor laced with snark, a HEA, and Band Sinister is an entertaining, low angst read. I have to mention that Amanda is a kick ass female character and I highly enjoyed when she was on page.

It took a bit of a time getting in the groove. Due to the slow start, I liked the second half more than the first. It was another enjoyable read by one of my favorite authors. I think I prefer the Tums and alcohol compared to the low angst sweetness but I can’t wait to read Corvin’s story and see him brought to his knees. I’ll definitely continue on if this is a series. Recommended.

Review: Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard

Novella (~38,000 words)
Genre(s): Fairy tale, science fiction, xenophilia, magic penis, love story, LGBTQ+

They call him Marrex the Monster.

Deformed and wretched, Captain Marrex roams the black of space with only a pair of eccentric AIs for company. The curse in his DNA means a long, bitterly lonely life for the Ghelyxian, and it’s a fate Marrex knows he can’t change.

After a long sleep in stasis, Juniper Bo wakes to discover he’s an unwelcome guest aboard Captain Marrex’s ship. Though he tries to stay away from the surly Ghelyxian, he just doesn’t get why the curse is such a big deal—then again, Juniper knows his tastes are rather… unusual for a Human.

When friendship blooms between Marrex and Juniper, they realize they face a future that neither could have predicted in their wildest dreams.

Light Bey Deckard, y'all! If his darker work scares you, this is a title that you can try.

This was light and sweet and just a bit snarky. Fun time to be had here!

Beauty and His Beast is an adaption of the famous fairy tale told in SPAAAAAAAAAAACE! And did you read the tags? The tags are everything because:

That's right, boys and girls....MAGIC. PENIS. Before you start thinking about all of the fun possibilities... let's chat about the stars of the story, hm?

Not the penis (though it definitely made my top mental list of fave magic penii). I'm talking about Marrex and Juniper Bo! Beauty in this case is a human names Juniper Bo. He's been in stasis for seventeen years and is awakened by 2 mischievous AIs, S1N and VAL. Okay really one is more the leader and the other follows. But thanks to their interference, Beauty aka Juniper was freed. Time has passed for the 22 year old and he doesn't know what Marrex's lonely ship found him. But he's grateful.

Marrex is an alien that resembles a demon in a way (red fur, four horns, fangs +> You know I was ALL over that). He is a disfigured due to a curse from puberty and banished from his home planet. He works on a space ship by himself and has his AIs for company. Finding the human scarred the loner and puts him out of his element. Being as Marrex takes his nickname 'Marrex the Monster' to heart, he acts like one in the beginning. It takes time and Juniper's charm to finally thaw the Beast.

This story has low angst. Marrex seems grumpy at first, but inside he's sweet. He's never had anyone to cal his own and he can't believe anyone would look at him favorably especially someone as beautiful as Juniper. There are so many variations of this theme and I really liked what the author did with it. There was enough time to get to know the main characters as they got more familiar with the other. And the AIs brought snark relief.

The conflict was good. I was curious about Juniper's family and wanted to really delve into why they were that way. His sisters got under my skin. The ending and epilogue were great but I wanted more resolution with the sisters. And maybe how the family aspect got to be that way as easily.

The sex was hot. Duh, magic penis.

LOL no seriously magic penis was le awesome. Marrex's anatomy was different. You'll need to read to see what it does. (Hint: O-mazing) It wasn't sex heavy, keeping with the lighter fun theme. But each sex scene was meaningful.

All in all a sweet, romantic story between an alien and his human.

Let's hear it one more time for magic penis.

Yeah, that's the stuff!

Review: I Love You More Than Pierogi by K.A. Merikan

Marek and Adrian dated in high school, but a bitter breakup led them to choose different paths. Adrian is out and proud while Marek is in the closet. Adrian embraces his eccentricity while Marek clings to a conservative image. And while Marek worked hard to build a successful life and financial stability by climbing the corporate ladder, Adrian threw caution to the wind and has spent the last five years backpacking across the world.

Now Adrian is back in Warsaw, Poland, but while Marek thinks they will have a hookup and have a blast from the past, Adrian is just looking for a place to crash. Worse still, Adrian turns up at Marek’s advertising agency for help with his outrageous new business venture, and if Marek wants to get promoted, he might have to work with the guy who broke his heart.

Second chances in love... in a job... in life... I Love You More Than Pierogi is about being able to start over, no matter your choices in your past.

Adrian and Marek couldn't be more different. Adrian is out, adventurous, and willing to take risks. Marek is firmly in the closet, very cautious and conservative. After a bad breakup after high school, they spend years apart. While Marek was working himself to the bones trying to further his career, Adrian was out seeing the world.

When they met up again, they didn't automatically fall into old patterns like they assumed they would. I liked that about them. A lot of time had passed and they weren't the same people anymore. Even though they were together before, their relationship wasn't easy. They still had some of the same issues, along with some new ones. This almost had an enemies to lovers feel to me. They didn't seem to like each other much, despite not being able to stay away. The arguing got a little old for me, but when push came to shove they made the right decisions for themselves and each other.

For the first half I wanted to smack Marek more than a few times. His attitude toward Adrian seemed all over the place. Marek was so uptight and judge-y. He was hard for me to like a lot of times. Adrian was a much more likeable character. Being so open and easygoing, it's hard not to like the guy. But he wasn't perfect either. While he seemed to have taken the better path in life, he had his own mistakes, too.

The romance was light and so were the sexytimes. Especially for K.A. Merikan. Adrian and Marek were cute and sweet, but ya know... it's The Merikans.

I loved the setting. I've never been to Poland and don't know much about it. I especially enjoyed all the food! It sounds so different from anything I've had before. It definitely left me wanting to seek out some traditional Polish eats.

I Love you More Than Pierogi is sweet romance about second chances with a good dose of culture.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads and Dreamspinner Press. 

Did you see our I Love You More Than Pierogi blog tour stop here?

Review: A Bouquet for Adam by A.J. Marcus & K.T. Spence

Adam Stephens’s simple life working in Denver as a computer programmer is turned upside down when his mother suddenly dies. His crazy relatives in Virginia want him to move in with them because they believe his autism makes it impossible for him to care for himself. But life improves, at least for a time. One day while wandering through the botanical gardens, he runs into struggling wildlife photographer Trent Osborn.

As a hesitant love blossoms between the two, Adam’s aunt and uncle push for him to live with them. Adam again refuses. The struggles between his desires and what everyone else wants collide. Adam disappears, and Trent is unsure if he’s run off to escape life’s pressures made worse by his autism, or if something far more sinister has happened. Trent embarks on a cross-country journey in search of Adam. What he discovers changes the course of his and Adam’s lives and the lives of everyone connected to them.

This story was just sweet. I wasn’t completely convinced by it all, but I’d have to say this was a well thought out story.

Adam is on his own now that his mother has died, and his Uncle is trying to convince him to move to Virginia to live. While out on a walk after burying his mother, Adam meets Trent, and they start a friendship.

ASD comes in all shades (hence spectrum), so it was difficult for me to place where Adam was. The only reason this matters is because he seemed to rely heavily on his mother, which made it more difficult to believe that she wouldn’t have written anything in her Will regardless of whether it was legally necessary or not.

In any event, I let that slide because I found that I really enjoyed Trent and Adam’s relationship development. I got a pretty good impression of both characters, and even if Adam’s behaviours were a little on the suspect side, I did find that his tells were clearly defined.

Trent in Virginia, I actually believed it was possible for those things to happen. Call me a conspiracy theorist, I don’t care. I can totally see something like that happen. I have been in a small town before, where everyone is in each other’s pockets, and I have definitely seen some suspect reactions to things that would normally cause action. So yeah, I can totally see Trent being caught up in a small town, being trapped and targeted.

The flow of this story was smooth, and it was easy to follow. It was emotional without getting too dark. Trent had some issues as well, but when he decided that he and Adam were going to be together, he didn’t stop until he had him.

I would recommend this as a comfort read for those who enjoy fairly straight forward romance. There is nothing overly complicated about the plot, so it would be something light and quick to work through.

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Review: Elusive Radiance by Aidee Ladnier

A young bodyguard finds her special abilities are no match for a flirtatious delegate willing to gamble everything on the galaxy trade talks.

Assigned to guard a diplomat at the galaxy trade talks, Security Officer Anais wants to shine during her first solo mission for the Chezeray Palace Conglomerate. An Elusive with the ability to make herself invisible, Anais knows her modified genes designate her servant class, but she yearns to be more than simply a protector to the beautiful delegate.

Savea Blackmun arrives alone to the trade talks with the weight of her planet’s future resting on her slim shoulders. Flirting with her pretty bodyguard reveals Anais’ knowledge of the colony markets and Savea realizes there’s much more to her protector than meets the eye.

As their attraction grows, will the diplomat and the bodyguard reject society’s rules to give in to desire instead?

Anais is an Elusive; a genetically modified human, who has the ability to become invisible. Her duty is security, and her task is to protect the delegate of Helion, Savea. Savea is flirty, and is not shy about showing her interest in Anais. Anais is hesitant, but cannot help but feed into her own fantasy of being with the stunning delegate.

I’m disappointed that this was so short. I was really enjoying it. The world building was simple but good. The character development was thorough for a short story. There was a little bit of action, because what’s a sci-fi story without a little drama.

I enjoyed the exchanges between Anais and Savea. Their chemistry worked well. I thought their personalities were well defined, and strong. Anais is shy, because she’s pretty much a servant. Parentless and born in a lab, she dreams of freedom and love. Savea is confident and outspoken, honest, and real.

This felt more like a prologue to something longer, and the world was interesting enough for me to want this in a novel. The author did a great job of keeping the flow going and the plot tight.

The sex was steamy, and very enjoyable to read. It felt natural, and wasn’t over the top. This is the sort of lesbian romance I’ve been trying to find for a while, with passion and plot in equal measure.

This would be perfect for a lunch break, or train commute to or from work. Recommended for readers who enjoy sci-fi, with a light plot, and some nice heat.

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Review: Wet Heat by R.D. Hero

Most omega werewolves want a mate and pups, but Lee Aung prefers an unconventional party-boy lifestyle. Yet at forty-two, he’s stopped going into heat, which means he’s expired goods—no longer a fertile, young omega that alpha wolves drool over. So Lee uses Wet Heat, a synthetic pheromone, to reel in the alpha hookups.

After losing his job at the bank, Lee can’t afford to keep up his Wet Heat habit. His solution: scam free samples by pretending to be a happily mated test subject at Wet Heat headquarters. There, Lee spends two years being interviewed by the reserved alpha scientist, Cain, who at thirty-two is unmated and—up until this point—content with that.

Cain never really felt his alpha instincts, nor took part in the usual alpha/beta/omega social dynamics. But after discovering that Lee has been lying about his unmated status for two years, Cain finally admits that for the first time, he wants to court an omega. Unfortunately, he’s picked the one omega who doesn’t want to be courted.

You mention Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics around me equals me doing something of this nature:

Because I know it's going to go DOWN! KNOTTING is on the horizon, I can taste it. Mmhmm...

But I should've known with this author, she'd do something a little different to the popular fan fic dynamic.

KNOTTING enthusiasts, put your bibs away.
Fans of the Omega slick, don't pull out the good glasses for the gushy nectar.

Those aren't to be found in Wet Heat.

This author writes quirky and is known to throw a few twists close to the end to turn the story on it's head. In a good way, of course. The blurb really sums up the story very well, and if those aren't your kind of topics to read about. I wouldn't suggest this story.

Wet Heat is snarky, light, quirky and most of all, fun. Lee is a forty-two, dried up omega. He has no job, no money and spends his days hustling for synthetic omega pheromones aka Wet Heat so he can get fucked on a daily basis. See, in this world were werewolves are the norm (aka werewolves are known for fan fic readers), either you're alpha, beta or omega. Omegas are the ones who whelp pups, take care of their mates and the caretakers. Not what Lee wants to do. Give him hot stiff dick over babies any day!

*double wink*

The thing is he's a 42 year old brat, who clubs with the twenty-somethings and doesn't care what they think about him as long as he has his Wet Heat to make the Alphas/Betas lusty. With his precocious younger omega nephew to sort of guide in his "slutty", free loving ways, Lee can stay forever young right?

Well, it seems he finally met his match in a geeky, not-so-alpha scientist, Cain. Cain works for the Wet Heat company, and has been overseeing his subject, Lee, for two years...thinking Lee had a mate. When he finds out it's a lie, he tries to go courting.

The tone is light. Lee might grate on the nerves if brats aren't your deal. And nothing is worse than an old-head brat, but somehow, it worked for Lee. His personality is big, and he doesn't act like a typical omega. And Cain is the least aggressive alpha I've ever read. Think a strong beta with an alpha title.

Pair a not-so-omega with an not-so-alpha and it's kinda funny. But the pair worked. Cain is socially awkward but determined. He knows what he wants and he's flexible with Lee. Lee is stubborn and set in his ways.

The story is told from Lee's POV. The reader gets a decent slice of Cain and his personality, but he's more reserved. There is a suspense-ish plot, with a college/laboratory background. I found it a little weird with the laboratory right on campus but maybe it was to cut having to go to another place in the book. I liked the side characters - Shane was younger version of uncle Lee, just more bubbly and a little more airhead. I love that the alphas have like a unspoken fraternity - they must protect ALL omegas at all costs: give an unmated omega money for an item they need, protect them from unruly alphas, etc. That aspect I thought was cool, the omega reverence.

The suspense gets solved easily, I kinda figured it out in the middle, but I was hooked so it didn't matter. The sex? Not as much as you'd think, but it was hot. (Hint: there was a particularly hot little semi-public sex scene that tickled my rough sex buttons) Also, there was an on page sex moment with a MC and different character, but it didn't go into much detail. The romance is shared with Lee's sort of maturing and the suspense plot. Don't expect much romance.

The story ends with a HFN with a path to HEA. I liked it. I don't think it could end any other way, given both main characters' personalities. Lee's wearing Cain down, baby! I think this couple will have plenty of fun using their opposite personalities to find common ground.

Recommended for readers who enjoy A/B/O and don't mind it not being typical, quirky and has a different type of werewolf society.

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Review: The Last Favor by Meg Harding

Three years ago Andrew Wilson and Flynn Barnett were in a relationship, until Flynn made a mistake that nearly cost Andrew his life. Andrew walked away from the FBI, his home, and his partner, and started over back in Montreal, running a restaurant.

Fast forward to the present and Andrew is knee-deep in preparations for his sister’s wedding. When an ex-colleague calls to ask for one last favor, the last person he expects to walk through his door is Flynn, in need of a place to stay. Only thing is, Andrew can’t say no.

Two weeks of wedding hijinks bring back all the old feelings that have simmered below the surface. Caught in a cycle of fighting and making up, the two men try to figure out if there’s anything they can salvage. And even if there is, Andrew can’t be sure this time will be any different.

This story was sweet and light. Andrew approaches Flynn in a bar one night and they have a one night stand. The next day he finds his one night stand in his boss’ office and is told they are now partners.

This story time jumps a bit, so there really isn’t any relationship development. I was just told that they ended up being partners and lovers, and everything was fine. Until Flynn made a secret, strategic move on a case they were on, which blew up in everyone’s face.

The reader is treated to the cliffsnotes version of their romance, and then Andrew is licking his wounds three years later after leaving the FBI and becoming a chef. His sister’s wedding is in two weeks and he is asked for a favor from his ex-FBI buddy Clint. Who should happen at the doorstep the next day, but Flynn.

I didn’t really get into this couple. I enjoyed them individually, and I think I could have really loved Flynn if I knew him better. The personality that I did see worked for me. I thought they could be good for each other, but the development wasn’t really there to convince me. Andrew is more laid back and Flynn is a bit flighty but uptight. I can totally relate to Flynn. Independent and just wants things to go the way he wants without any real input from anyone else. This pisses Andrew off, and was something that was mentioned as being a problem when they were together, but it’s not really something they work through during this story. Together, or apart, I don’t know. They worked for the most part, but they could have worked just as well with other people.

I did enjoy their arguments. I enjoyed their heat. I liked that Andrew stuck up for himself and didn’t fold to his feelings. He needed to be heard, and he made sure that his issues were out in the open. I just wasn’t convinced that they had worked anything out, and the problems that made Andrew leave weren’t really resolved.

Overall, this story was fine. It was interesting enough that I didn’t get distracted. I would have preferred more relationship development, and more character development for Flynn. The writing style was good, and the overall plot was decent. I would read more from this author.

A light read with reunited lovers, with some serious moments. I would recommend it to readers who want something light, but not overly fluffy.

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Tag-Team Review: Five Sided Heart by Max MacGowan

Noah Trevelyan has lost his moorings. Disowned over his sexuality as a teenager, he hasn’t been back to his home on the Outer Banks since his fisherman father kicked him out. But when he returns for the Old Man’s funeral, he discovers his father left him the house and boat in his will. Noah must choose whether to stay or go, but he won’t be alone. There’s Ian, working to overcome the emotional scars left by a domineering ex-boyfriend, and Ty, a cheerful housekeeper who’s struggling to take care of his Alzheimer’s-stricken aunt. There’s Joshua too, running from the destruction of his old life, and Gabriel, who was once beaten and left for dead, and doesn’t know how to survive on his own.

Will they find in each other the strength and courage to keep living—and learn, together, how to love again? A polyamorous relationship is the last thing any of them expected to find in the Outer Banks, but it might be what they need most, and it might even be their redemption—if they can keep their group from breaking apart under the pressure.

What Lorix thought:

"Gabriel, looking up, was as naked as a man could be, and it had nothing to do with clothing."

This was my first Max MacGowan book - and I can tell you now, it won't be my last. I'm not one to be all grabby hands at a book featuring a polyamorous relationship - or menage of any kind really. That's not to say I won't read them (obviously) but there has to be more to the story than just good naked times for it to work for me. This book won me over for two reasons; firstly I'm taken with stories where a character revisits a childhood home. There is something about the emotional mix of past and present that works for me in books. Secondly - quite simply - I liked the cover.

"Any metaphor worth extending was worth overextending, in Ian's opinion."

There was something Arvinesque about this story. I love Eric Arvin's words and this very much has that vibe as far as I am concerned. Clever prose, witty and meaningful, worked well to bring the stories of these five virtual strangers together. To lend understanding of the emotional journey that happens when embarking on an unconventional relationship, such as shared by the men in this book,  rather than just relying on some hot sex, made me, the reader, feel a part of their story.

Each character was well defined and unique - I was worried that I'd lose track of who was who with five MC's in one relationship to concentrate on, but they were easily definable. I knew who Noah, Ian, Ty, Joshua and Gabriel were. I understood their quirks and characteristics and fell a little in love with all of them.

"Everything was just half a bubble off plumb."

It was an interesting story that didn't rely on the same old tired traits, metaphors and phrases. A book I really enjoyed and an author I can't wait to read more of.

What Fantasy Living thought...

Having an orgy the night of your father’s funeral is a perfectly rational reaction to death…

But no, really, I get it. Noah wants to forget and he can’t decide which of the four hotties he has sitting in his house, to choose from, so Gabriel makes the choice for him and initiates some sort of fellacio orgy…. It is fucking hot. Seriously. Bodies are everywhere. Everyone gets lucky. Five is NOT a crowd. Promise.

See?!

In all seriousness, this was a good read. I enjoyed it immensely, and the five-way sex scenes were pretty good too.

What irritated me was the five points of view. Not necessarily their points of view, but the frequency with which the points of view changed. I felt like I barely got inside each character’s head before I was thrust into someone else’s thoughts. There was a particularly spectacular sex scene where Gabriel was getting pounded and just when I was expecting the money shot, because I needed that money shot, it switches to Josh’s point of view. I was livid.

While I got a decent background, and character development for the three locals, and Joshua, I did not get enough of Gabriel. I think his character was the one who had the most to work with, but I didn’t get nearly as much as I wanted from him.

I imagine it’s a tricky balancing act when writing a poly relationship, to ensure everyone has a decent amount of time. Plot is important, and I thought that the plot was decent to a degree. It wasn’t fantastic but it held together enough to let the relationship development work.

I just think there was too much going on. I liked all the characters, and of course they all have a past, but I found that each of them having their own plot drama held the story back a little bit.

Ian I didn’t quite understand. I couldn’t get a true read on his personality, or why he picked his ex. He was sort of a wildcard. He was put together, but made a huge error in judgement with his ex. When we first meet him he gives of a mischievous and flirtation persona, but then when we get to know him he’s somewhat conservative and a little uptight and controlling. While I liked him, his personality was contradictory and I didn’t quite get him.

Gabriel was the broken one. There was so much to work with there. Sweet and gentle, but apparently had some sort of thing… I don’t know if it was a mental health issue, trauma from his past, a neediness in his personality, I don’t really think the author knew. I thought he was a great addition to the relationship but he is still a mystery to me. I needed more from him to completely understand who he was and what got him to the place he was when he met the other men.

Ty was adorable. Goofy and light. I enjoyed him and thought he had a good back story. The boy next door, everyone can’t help but love and want to be around, his character wasn’t completely fleshed out but it was enough that I felt comfortable with the amount of information I had. He was still a bit awkward, up to the end, but I thought he belonged. He just needed a bit more nurturing to come into his own.

Noah - Again, I wasn’t quite sure what his personality was. He seemed to be the, I want to say Alpha of the group, but it doesn’t quite fit. He was definitely the one who made most of the decisions, and directed the group in a way that benefited everyone. Who he was at the funeral was not who he was when he got to his father’s house, and my head spun a bit at the difference. But he was solid and flexible with the other men.

A huge gap in the story building was the jobs. Only Ty appeared to have a J.O.B. Gabriel’s lack of employment was explained, as was Joshua’s. Ian’s profession was explained but he never seemed to leave the houses, or if he did, it was to go shopping. I can’t recall where he got his money from. Noah’s life before wasn’t really explained either. And while he inherited a house from his father, there really wasn’t anything that explained his lack of fuss over staying on the island. I just didn’t understand what he actually did, or would do. It seemed that they were all financially fine, but with no evidence to suggest this was true.

There were a fair few holes, but I still enjoyed the story. There were some great scenes, and good relationship building between the characters, some more than others. I liked all the men, and wanted their relationship to work. I enjoyed getting to know them, as much as I could, and the dialogue was fun.

The connection between Joshua and Gabriel I could see was something unique and special and I really want to explore that more. The same with Ian, Noah, and Ty. I loved their chemistry. Of course they all had great chemistry, but if their relationship ever moved on from being five, that is how I think it would go. It was clear that Ty has had a crush on Ian for a really long time, so it was great to see them together.

The conflict resolution was not believable, but because it would spoil the story, I’ll just say, ignore it, and enjoy the rest of the book for what it is.

Recommended for those who want a light-ish Poly-romance between five men.

For more information:

Dreamspinner Press

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Book Blitz: The Cattery by K.A. Merikan

The Cattery was born out of need for a bit of light-hearted writing during a month of constant traveling and overall chaos in our lives. During our vacation in Croatia last year, we spoke to many local residents about the ups and downs of working in the tourist business. It inspired some elements of Goran’s backstory. With his family in debt, he is seeking a way to earn the money they so desperately need, but his big mouth and all-too-straightforward attitude aren’t making him any friends. How ironic that it’s a sketchy-sounding online advert that changes Goran’s fate.

He joins a group of handsome men, who spend their days having fun, and whose only job is to, every few days, pretend they are cats. As weird as it sounds at first, Goran quickly immerses himself in the outrageous luxuries of the cattery. While the promise of a large financial reward at the end remains the main motive behind his stay, the stakes become much higher when Goran’s interest in Ollie, a guy whom he antagonized at the beginning, turns from lust into something much deeper. As their feelings grow in secret, it becomes increasingly difficult not to acknowledge that they are breaking the cattery’s rules, and if their master finds out, Goran will have to leave without the money he staked everything on.

RELEASE DATE: April 8th.

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--- Role-playing a cat for six months? You said you’re paying how much? ---

Goran’s mouth has no filter, and it’s losing him job after job. Desperate and a week away from being homeless, he finds an offer online that sounds too good to be true. Spending six months in a mansion by the beach in return for a hundred thousand dollars as long as he sticks to the house rules.

This might be the one job where his unruly mouth doesn’t get in the way. After all, saying the wrong thing is impossible… when you’re role-playing a cat.

Meeting all the other guys at the cattery seems to be the icing on the cake, but the inconvenient truth he dishes out turns out to be too much. Goran makes everyone his enemy, but worst of all, Ollie, the prettiest cat of the bunch, the one who’s been in the cattery the longest, and the one who makes Goran’s heart skip a beat.

Ollie’s big blue eyes hold secrets Goran is intent on cracking, but to do so, he will need to learn to bite his tongue and listen. Too bad the pretty blond ice prince is set on getting Goran kicked out of the cattery for good.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes: debt, enemies to lovers, cat-play, Miami, immigrant, billionaire, love triangle, social anxiety, rent boy, backstabbing

Genre: M/M contemporary romance, sugar kink

Length: ~61,000 words (standalone novel)

WARNING: Adult content that might be considered taboo. Explicit content, strong language, multiple partner scenes. Reader discretion advised.

About the Author

K. A. Merikan is the pen name for Kat and Agnes Merikan, a team of writers, who are taken for sisters with surprising regularity. Kat’s the mean sergeant and survival specialist of the duo, never hesitating to kick Agnes’s ass when she’s slacking off. Her memory works like an easy-access catalogue, which allows her to keep up with both book details and social media. Also works as the emergency GPS. Agnes is the Merikan nitpicker, usually found busy with formatting and research. Her attention tends to be scattered, and despite pushing thirty, she needs to apply makeup to buy alcohol. Self-proclaimed queen of the roads.

They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and books. When you pick up a Merikan book, there’s one thing you can be sure of – it will be full of surprises.

http://kamerikan.com

Review: Dragon Dreams & Fairy Wings (Fire & Flutter #1) by Bailey Bradford

What happens when a fairy loses his wings—and his memory?

Griff was born a Love fairy, but he never quite fit in. He didn't want to be part of a harem, at least...he didn't think he wanted that. What with his wings gone and his memory damaged, he can't be certain of what he felt in the past. All he does know is, he wants his wings back. Without them, he's grounded.

Blaze is a dragon shifter who tends to stick his foot in his mouth—and some other parts in other places—when he really shouldn't. His brother is the king, and his sister-in-law Bonny is scary. Blaze's last screw-up got him grounded, unable to shift into his dragon form. His punishment seems harsh to him, but there's no escaping it.

Then the Love fairies come to the castle to work on forming an alliance. Blaze has about had it with guarding the horny beings, and he's disappointed that they don't stay small and cute. He almost commits a major faux-pas when he swats at something buzzing him, and it turns out to be a fairy on a dragonfly.

 And from that snarky meeting, something wonderful, and dangerous, will come.

A lighthearted adventure, full of magic and creatures.

Both Blaze and Griff don't really fit in with their kind. Griff is a fairy, but had a terrible accident. As a result, he lost his wings and his short term memory. Blaze is a dragon but can't control his fire and had his magic taken away from him as a punishment. Both were a little lost and felt like their life was falling apart at the seams.

When they first met, they had an instant connection. They both got a lot of flak for having interest in someone not of their kind. I liked their insistence and dedication to each other. They knew they had something special and were willing to fight their families to keep it. Things moved fast, but hey, they're a dragon and a fairy. I can forgive a little insta in this case. Besides they really needed each other and I think they each felt a great relief in finding someone they could connect with. They grasped onto each other and weren't going to let go. They set on a quest together to find Griff's fairy wings.

All the elements for a fun and engaging story are here. Blaze and Griff were nothing short of lovable and the world created was rich and vivid. Not to mention the adventure they had together and the other magical creatures they met along the way. But the story never really took off for me. I kept waiting for... more. I found myself putting it down often and wasn't very motivated to pick it back up. I wanted more depth from the characters. While they were lovable, I never felt like I really knew them. They were very surface-y. The story focused more on the fantasy and adventure aspect, and I wanted more form Griff and Blaze.

Like I said, there's a lot to love here. Especially if you're looking for some light fantasy, then Dragon Dreams & Fairy Wings is a good choice. And with a series title like Fire & Flutter, I'll probably pick up the next book.

Review: Exchange of Hearts by N.R. Walker

Eighteen-year-old Harrison Haddon has grown up alone. Surrounded by wealth, nannies, and material things, all he craves is the approval of his father. Sent away to the boarding school his father and grandfather attended, it’s assumed he will follow in their footsteps from Sydney’s prestigious Ivy League school straight into medical school.
 
But Harrison doesn’t want to be a doctor.
 
He dreams of music and classical piano. His only true happiness, his escape from the world expected of him, is dismissed by his intolerant and emotionally detached parents.
 
Levi Aston arrives from London for a three-month student exchange program. Free-spirited and confident in who he is and what he wants to do with his life, Levi convinces Harrison not give up on his dreams.
 
But convincing Harrison not to give up on his family might not be so easy.

N.R. Walker is one of my go-to authors for a light, sweet, comfort read. She creates such endearing characters that I can't help but love. Harrison and Levi perfectly fit the bill!

Harrison's a student at a private boarding school where he was detached from the other students and teased. According to him, things were only getting worse when he found out that the foreign exchange student was going to be his new roommate.

That student ended up being Levi. Then Harrison and Levi proceeded to have the cutest meet-cutes of all time. Eeeee! N.R. Walker, I'm telling you, knows how to make me squee with delight. These guys were everything I love about YA. Tentative touches, secret kisses, fumbling first times... just cuteness all around!

They met, they hit it off, they were pretend boyfriends for a bit to make Harrison's ex jealous... then moved towards the real deal. They were adorable and sweet and supportive of each other. I especially loved Levi and how much he encouraged Harrison so do what makes him happy.

Harrison was under a lot of pressure from his father to follow in his footsteps and be a doctor. But Harrison was a talented pianist and his dream was to go to school for music. He had a hard time with this, since he didn't want to disappoint his father, who never seemed to give Harrison his approval. But Levi really pushed him to do what made him happy. He was a bit relentless and I liked that about him.

There was very little angst in the relationship. They really got along wonderfully and had all the chemistry. They were just great together.

The problems with Harrison's father were solved a little too easily, but I think sometimes parents are misguided and think they're doing what's best. When they find out they're not? Well, they try and fix it. Even if it was an easy fix, it felt genuine to me and I was happy with how things ended.

Sweet, light, loving, cuteness overload... all topped with a mushy-gushy epilogue. *dreamy eyes* Perfection.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Wake Me Up Inside (Mates #1) by Cardeno C.

A powerful Alpha wolf shifter and a strong-willed human overcome traditions ingrained over generations and uncover long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny as true mates.

Regarded as the strongest wolf shifter in generations, Alpha Zev Hassick is surprised and confused by his attraction to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. A male shifter has to mate with a female shifter to keep his humanity, so shifters can't be gay. Yet, everything inside Zev tells him Jonah is his true mate.

Maintaining a relationship with the man he has loved since childhood isn’t easy for Jonah Marvel, but he won’t let distance or Zev’s odd family get in their way. When unexplained ailments begin to plague Jonah, he needs to save his own life and sanity in order to have a future with Zev.

Zev and Jonah know they're destined for each other, but they must overcome traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny.

 D'aw! What a sweet little tale. 

The story starts out with Zev dealing with his family and their frustrations with his mating. Or rather, the lack thereof. They wanted him to find a female to be with, to help keep him human. But he refused to even look, because he knew his true mate was out there and Zev was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment. 

Zev and Jonah grew up together. They were drawn to each other at a very young age, despite Zev being a shifter and Jonah being a human. Human/shifter relationships are unheard of within the shifter community, even friendships like Zev's and Jonah's. Their story is told through a series of flashbacks and from their childhood friendship, to their budding more-than-friends status.

But their road to being true mates was not an easy one. Zev made a lot of sacrifices for Jonah. While I think Zev had good intentions and his heart was in the right place, he was inadvertently hurting Jonah as well as himself. Some more communication between the guys would have helped things move along a little smoother.

Regardless of the lack of communication, you can be sure their story is not lacking in the sexy, love department. This is Cardeno C., after all. Zev and Jonah were hot and loving together. They're fated mates, but I didn't get the ista-vibe too much. Through the flashbacks their relationship was really developed from childhood and I felt that what they had was solid. Maybe there was insta-friendship, but I felt their chemistry and love for each other, even before it was anything more than friends. 

Wake Me Up Inside was a very enjoyable shifter story. I'm for sure looking forward to Ethan and Miguel's story!

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.