Review: Fire Up My Heart by Asta Idonea

London bartender Fane thinks he’s hit the jackpot when he finds a rare and expensive service Bot discarded in a dumpster, and he takes it home to get it working again. The Jo-E brings some much-needed companionship to Fane’s lonely life, but there’s something different about this Bot, as indicated by its odd behavior. Fane’s developing feelings toward Jo-E trouble him, and things go from bad to worse when a robotics engineer arrives on Fane’s doorstep, demanding the return of his property. Fane is forced to choose between a hefty reward and following his heart. Giving in to his forbidden desires might get him killed—or change his life forever.

Well this was a fun little ride...

New to me author Asta Idonea delivered a cool little tale about a lonely bartender and a service Bot, named Jo-E in the not too distant future in a little town you might've heard of called London.

"You make me feel so many things, Fane. When I think of you, my cogs clench and my gears grind. Electricity sparks inside of me, and power pools in my chest and groin, pulsing there, desperate for release. Do you not experience the same?"

Fane, a bartender at a seedy gay bar named Spunk. An orphan just barely scraping by sees what he thinks is a body in a dumpster and ends up winning a jackpot in the bot lottery. An expensive prototype called Joe-E that was damaged by able to be fixed by Fane. Fane fixes the Bot but something is different. Bots are made to serve humans, not in the sexy way because it's illegal. But he can't help his attraction no matter how hard he fights it. And what's more curiouser is Jo-E reacts and feels like a human. The lines are beginning to blur.

Now, I'll admit. I read the blurb and I jumped to read this because robot sex.

Don't judge.

You know you were thinking it too.

Well maybe not this image exactly...

"Uh, Jo-E, probably best not to tell the guy you were making love to that you were thinking of other things while he was jerking you off."
"I do not understand, Fane. Only 15 percent of my capacity was assigned to the problem. The remaining 85 percent was focused on you."

This story does deliver one erotic scene but what's more important is the sexual tension and budding desire between Bot and human. The author thankfully wrote alternating POV. Fane is a good guy who just didn't win the life lottery. The struggle is totally real in his case. But Jo-E was the one who clinched it for me. Reading Jo-E's thoughts and processes were a delight.

Like this:

"Hours passed as Jo-E pondered. Outside, the sky turned from #58D3F7 to #F5BCA9 to #0B0B3B."  

I actually looked it up on the Color Hexa (color encyclopedia) and it was accurate! How cool was it to describe time changes in code. (BTW, #F5BCA9 is a fave color of mine) Reading him become human like (well as close as the AI could do), reacting to Fane and being the pursuer in their relationship was pretty damn cool.

Sadly, the story wasn't just about man and Bot falling in love. There was a little suspense too. Jo-E's original owner wanted him back and did a few shady things to get Jo-E back in his greedy clutches. Eh...the villain and that plot point, the main idea of it was needed but it could have been a little sharper for me in some aspects.

The villain, an evil, overweight professor who doesn't like to get his hands dirty but loves the food. *sigh* The fat jeering: eats so much cake, looks like a "doughnut", etc...it got old pretty quick. Thankfully, it wasn't a major part of the story, but it stuck out for me. I think the villain could've been a little more detailed. He's a genius, right? He's worried more about eating and ordering others around instead of handling the retrieval himself. Or at least in charge more instead of being so lazy.

Even with the lamer villain, the story and the romance was a nice one. I really enjoyed the concept and the main theme. The HEA was tied up in a neat bow. I'd definitely read more from this author.

Recommended for readers who like light, no angst Bot/human romance that doesn't have a squicky feel to it.

Unicorn meets robots.

Check out on:

Dreamspinner Press

Goodreads

Booklikes

Review: Sharp Love by Ava March

London, 1822

William Drake has lived among thieves, bastards and beggars all his life, doing what's necessary to survive. As a young orphan, that included looking after his best friend, Jack Morgan. But as they grew older, Jack took the honest path, leaving Will behind to fend for himself the only ways he knows how.

When an unsavory errand for his employer brings Jack back to London's underbelly, he needs Will's help. It's there, among the alleys they ran through as children, that the love he's always felt for Will returns. As their nights together grow hotter, Will discovers something new about his old friend—Jack's need to serve extends into the bedchamber.

Will has never fully abandoned his dream of escaping London with Jack. But what could the Duke's driver want with a dishonest cheat like him, beyond a bit of rough sex? It takes the gamble of Will's life to find out if he can win Jack's heart…

Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: D/s theme and elements, and male/male sexual practices.

I'm so happy I was introduced to this author. I feel like I found a kindred spirit. If she would put some kilts, panties and maybe a corset on one of these cats, I'd be over the moon. No? Too much? *shrugs* The cheese stands alone.

Sharp Love overlaps All in with the Duke with the focus on Jack Morgan and his childhood friend, Will Drake. Both were orphaned as children and came to rely upon one another. Will's always been quite clever and Jack was the braun of the operation with his 6'5" burly frame. Neither of them care much for London and Jack made his way out of the stews by finding work with Max leaving Will behind to scrimp, save and engage in some unsavory deeds to accomplish his dreams of a farm in the country.

"Anything for you, Jack."

Jack comes to Will whenever he needs assistance but doesn't believe people like him are destined for everlasting love; never dares to hope that Will may reciprocate his feelings. Jack has been ridiculed and shamed for his desires leaving him defensive, vulnerable and abstinent for the past 6 years. Jack is one of the incantations of submissive that triggers all sorts of gooey feels for me, the servant. He needs to serve and protect. He feels out of sorts otherwise. He needs someone to give the orders which he will follow to the letter. Being 6'5" and massive has been counterproductive thus far, sexually.

Will recognizes "his bashful giant" needs a strong hand quickly, yet still manages to make a few missteps which is precisely what I like about these characters. They struggle, falter, miscommunicate and have both endured hardships. Ms. March has excelled at making all of the characters in this series unique. They are adults, take responsibility for their actions and have honest conversations. There was quite a bit more angst in Sharp Love which bogged down the story for me. Nevertheless, I'm a smitten kitten with this series and this author and cannot wait until the next book!

The kink is of the sugar variety with their burgeoning relationship. There also seemed to be less sexy times, but perhaps that's just my perversity being a glutton. I do love when the big guy is the little guy. A lot.

Yet Jack wanted more. Wanted to drop to his knees. To suck will's cock. To suck Will's cock until his seed was coating Jack's tongue. Wanted to give himself over to Will. Wanted Will to push him up against the door, push Jack's trousers down around his knees, and use him in that dark, dirty alley until he was sobbing with pleasure.

*sputters*
Damn, Ms. March fire off a warning shot before you throw the smack down next time, please.

Recommend to those who love Regency, believable characters who act like adults, angst lovers and great writing.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.