Release Blitz + Giveaway: Liam (Love @ the Haven #4) by Stella Shaw

 Author Stella Shaw returns with new release blitz from her rent boy series, Liam (Love @ the Haven #4)! Read more about the BDSM lite romance and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Book Title: Liam, Love at the Haven book 4
Book Author: Stella Shaw
Publisher: self-published
Length: 55,000
Release date: 21 June 2021
Subgenres: Contemporary, MM, romance, BDSM-lite
Other: Available at Amazon and in KU
BUY LINK: books2read.com/liamhaven4

Book Blurb:

The brawny Dom and the beautiful Diva—and the secrets they keep.

A personal trainer and part-time escort, Liam is burly, bossy, and perfectly cast as the resident Dom at the Haven Hotel. And if anything falls outside that box—like the lacy lingerie he keeps hidden in his gym bag—that’s easily ignored, right?
Felix’s career as a successful model means being at the beck and call of anyone who requires him. He’s expected to be satisfied with glamour, money, and subservience. No one would ever believe his secret desire to take control. When Liam agrees to show the outrageously pretty and delicate Felix around Liam’s infamous Room 8, neither one expects the disobedient desire that sparks between two such opposite men.
Felix is looking for a lover who’ll let him call the shots, whereas Liam is fighting the desire to submit. Their passion and power could make for a kinky role reversal.
They just have to surrender to their deepest needs.

General Excerpt:

Felix’s curiosity was fascinating. In many ways, he was so cool and so confident: he made me feel large and clumsy when he strolled past me to peer in the top drawer. And I was well aware of the looks he drew, both at the gym, and when we arrived at the Haven. But the longer he was in Room 8, just the two of us together, the more the surface glamour faded and he just seemed like… another guy.

He made an irritated noise and pushed back his hair. It had worked loose from its topknot, as I’d noticed it often did. A drop of sweat glimmered under his ear. I had an irresistible urge to lean forward, settle my hand at the base of his skull, and lick that up.

“Here. Let me.” I stepped behind him, swept his hair up in my hand, twisted it, and fastened it back into place.

“What did you use?” he asked.

“It’s just a leather tie.” There was a pile of them in the drawer, of various lengths. This one was dark red, glossy, and looked good against his blond hair. The tips were pale green today, and brought out a muted hint of the same colour in his irises.

I watched the pulse in his throat as he swallowed, my hand lingering, brushing my fingertips over the shorter hairs on his nape. I wanted to take hold of him; to stroke him all over.

“Did you ask me?” he said softly.

I paused, because there was a jarring, yet strangely familiar edge to his voice. “Ask you what?”

“If you could touch my hair.” His casual tone had faded, the laughter no longer behind his words. “If you could touch me.”

I’d just wanted to help. But something stopped me saying that aloud.

“I should have checked first,” I said, instead.

“Yes. Just remember that.” He turned until he faced me, his eyes unnaturally bright. There were spots of colour high on his cheeks as if he was already aroused. He cupped my jaw with his left hand, and brushed his thumb over my lower lip. “Though my answer would have been Green.”

About Stella Shaw

Stella Shaw is a pen name of the best-selling author of MM romance, Clare London. Stella's series of Rent Boy romances, Love at the Haven, launched in January 2021.

Join Stella's newsletter at http://bit.ly/stellashawNews or find her on Facebook at StellaShawAuthor

Author links*

Website www.stellashawauthor.com
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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Fallen For You by Jules Dee

Author Jules Dee and IndiGo Marketing celebrate the release of paranormal romance, Fallen for You! Learn more today and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!

Title: Fallen for You

Author: Jules Dee

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: July 16, 2018

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 70100

Genre: Paranormal, romance, paranormal, BDSM lite

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Synopsis

When you work with someone for years, you think you know them pretty well.

Casey Wicker and Martin Bishop are a British Secret Service team with a reputation for ignoring rules but delivering results. They’ve also built a tight friendship, with more than a spark of unspoken attraction.

While on assignment to Scotland Yard, Martin rescues Casey and exposes him to a life-changing secret. Martin is not what he seems, and now that Casey is aware of that, the knowledge most likely comes with a death sentence.

When a way to avoid the tragic ending is suggested, it may very well take more cooperation than anyone is willing to expend.

Excerpt

Fallen for You
Jules Dee © 2018
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One
“You’re utter rubbish at this, you know that, right?” Casey shouted as Martin’s long legs ate up the distance ahead of them, arms and shoulders bunching and rolling in graceful synchronicity.

“In what particular way—” Martin ducked around a corner and took off down the next street, shouting back over his shoulder “—am I rubbish?”

“You, Martin Christopher Bishop—” Casey suddenly grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him into a shadowed doorway. “—are rubbish at the whole secret part of secret agent.”

They stood close together, heads almost level, breathing hard and grinning in spite of the danger as the sounds of angry shouting faded in the distance.

“We got the document we were after, didn’t we? I don’t see the problem.” Martin’s eyes sparkled bright blue even in the dimly lit recess as he ran a hand quickly through his short dark hair. Casey smiled at the familiar habit that tended to appear when in risky situations.

“You don’t see—” Casey took a moment to bend, putting his hands on his knees, and gasped great lungfuls of air as his shaggy blonde hair fell over his eyes. “You don’t see the problem? We can never come back to Liberec, you idiot. You might as well have signed into the hotel as James Bond if you intended to grab the papers in broad daylight.”

Martin leant against the rough bricks, chuckling as he tucked the documents in question away inside his jacket. “Don’t make such a fuss. What’re the chances we’ll ever need to come back to this area of Prague anyway?”

Casey straightened and tried for his most withering stare, his brown gaze meeting Martin’s, before giving in and laughing along with his partner. “Hopeless. You’re hopeless. Why do I work with you?”

“My rakish charm, my scintillating conversation? C’mon, admit it, you love me.” He ducked his head out, casting a quick glance both ways. “The coast is clear. Ready for another sprint?”

“Always.” He took one last breath and broke into a run. “And I don’t love you, for the record. You’re a complete tit.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Jules Dee doesn’t understand what she has done to deserve her magnificent life. She is surrounded and supported by her husband and her friends. Her cats appreciate that her habit of writing creates long hours of lap-time, which they are happy to consume and repay her with purrs.

When she isn’t writing, she spends her days running the Technology Service Desk for a Local Council in Metropolitan Melbourne and fixing things that are broken.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

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Review: Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews

This hot-headed rookie needs discipline—on and off the field.

Pitcher Nico Agresta is desperate to live up to his family’s baseball legacy. Since he was a teenager crushing on his big brother’s teammate, he’s known he can’t act on his desires. His father made it clear there should be no queers on the field, but if Nico can win Rookie of the Year like his dad and brother did, maybe he can prove he’s worthy after all.

At 34, veteran catcher Jake Fitzgerald just wants to finish out his contract and retire. His team doesn't have a prayer of making the playoffs, but who needs the stress? Jake lost his passion for the game—and life—after driving away the man he loved, and he swore he’d never risk his heart again.

Then he’s traded to a team that wants a vet behind the plate to tame their new star pitcher. Jake is shocked to find the gangly kid he once knew has grown into a gorgeous young man. But tightly wound Nico is having trouble controlling his temper in his quest for perfection, and Jake needs to teach him patience and restraint on the mound.

When their push and pull explodes into the bedroom, Nico and Jake will both learn how much they’ll risk for love.

This gay sports romance features men who have been repressing their feelings far too long, light BDSM, an age difference, sweaty locker rooms, and a happy ending. 

Finally! A quality sports romance that involves a sport that I'm passionate about! And just in time for the MLB Playoffs!

Not to get too Annie Savoy (Bull Durham reference) but I love baseball. I love going to the ballpark, the chants, Sweet Caroline, the wave, the vendors hawking all sorts of things, the superstitions, the rituals, the uniforms, how long the season is, sabermetrics and most especially the Boston Red Sox. I've been known to get a little exuberant and get a little glassy eyed at certain significant moments-the WS win in 2004, the first time Strasburg pitched, Varitek's last game and undoubtedly will during Papi's last game. There are some great baseball movies but great baseball MM romances are few and far between, at least in my experience.

I don't even have words for how thrilled I was to discover that not only was there superb baseball knowledge in this book, but a moving romance that will go down as one of my favorites.

I actually told SRAL that I felt like this book was written for me which is delusional I know, but when I find a book that works on so many different levels I feel like I've won the lottery. Reading the Signs made me feel like I had hit the jackpot, won the lottery and saved some kids from a burning building. Too much? *shrugs*

Jake Fitzgerald is a veteran catcher who's lost his passion for the game. He seems a little depressed to me and he's definitely lonely in denial about it and isolated. He gets traded from San Francisco to an up and coming team chock-a-block with young players. He's brought on to help rookie pitcher Nico Agresta mature. Nico's a hothead and has a tendency to psych himself out at the first sign of trouble. He's also waaaaayyyy too hard on himself with some bad habits and puts WAY too much pressure on himself to live up to his father and brother, both of whom sound like Hall of Famers. And you know what? There's nothing I like better than couples that affect each other in positive ways and Jake and Nico do. Both on and off the diamond! 

"Tell me how you feel," he whispered.  

"Like there's no going back." 

And as the words left Nico's kiss-swollen lips, Jake recognized that truth deep in his bones.

Both men are closeted to varying degrees. Nico more so than Jake. Plus, he's dealing with more than his fair share of self-loathing for being gay in a family headed by an outspoken bigot. He's also been smitten with Jake since he was a pimply faced teen playing catch in the backyard. As their connection grows it becomes increasingly difficult to hide their attraction. Both have baggage which added depth to them as well as the story. The scenes with Nico's family were meaningful and poignant. They don't get it right and they're certainly not perfect but they make an effort, they try and that's what's most important to Nico. 

The clubhouse dynamics were just fun to read about and I still contend that's the essential element to a great sports romance. Andrews clearly knows a lot about the game, but it's the players, coaches and sometimes owners relationships that make a great story and the Ottawa Caps made for a great story.

The kink is unfussy just like I like it with a little spanking and some rope bondage. Jake is also possessive and protective! I thought my head was going to spin off! The only thing that was missing were manties and I might've passed out if they were included. Really, who needs that? I was already woozy from all the dirty talk, fuckhot sex and how prettily Nico begs. DAMN! He begs like a champ.

The only thing that slightly disappointed me was how the season turned out. But... that's baseball.

This was my first but will most certainly not be my last Keira Andrews. I loved this so much I was sad when it was over, almost immediately wanted to start reading it again and even days later am still thinking about these characters and this story.

Highly recommended. Period.

Now, for a little gratuitous fangirling. Since today opens the MLB Playoffs...

#WinItForPapi
#RSN
#RedSox


According the the Author's Note and a tweet that tickled me...

Keira Andrews is a Jays fan so I wanted to not be hella obnoxious extend my congratulations on making the Wild Card and say good luck in the playoffs. Not too much luck! Just, y'know, a polite amount for all the good feels this book gave me. 

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

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Review: Gays of Our Lives (Queers of La Vista #1) by Kris Ripper

Emerson Robinette only leaves his apartment to get laid and go to work. Having MS—and trying to pretend he doesn’t—makes everything more complicated, especially his fantasies of coming on strong and holding a guy down. Finding a partner who’ll explore that with him isn’t Emerson’s idea of a realistic goal.

Until a chance meeting with a hipster on a bus makes him reconsider. Obie is happy, open-hearted, and warm; what’s more, he gets his kicks being physically dominated, spanked, and teased until he’s begging. It would be perfect, except for one thing: Emerson isn’t made for happiness, and he doesn’t see how a guy like Obie would settle for a cynic like him.

But as far as Obie’s concerned, the only thing keeping them apart is Emerson. Can Emerson handle a boyfriend who’s more invested in his future than he is? Emerson’s barely convinced he has a future. But when Obie’s smiling at him, anything seems possible.

Finally! I've read a Kris Ripper book. I've been meaning to for something like 2 yrs now and now I'm kicking myself for having been such a slacker.

This is book one of the Queers of La Vista series and features Emerson and Obie. Honestly, I was expecting something akin to a soap opera. Because, Days of Our Lives. Gays of Our Lives is more serious than I expected, but there's no "melo" in the drama. 

Emerson is a complex character and this is his story told from his perspective of finding love in a crafty hipster named Obadiah Magovney. Emerson was diagnosed with MS about a year ago and he's rightfully angry about it. He spends a lot of time angry at his body and might be a little bit in denial. I think he thinks if he ignores it it'll go away. I also think he's depressed and funny in that self-deprecating way. There's a good deal of backstory on him that explains his actions and reactions and somewhere in the middle I felt like I knew him. I could predict that the conflict would be some sort of self-sabotage and that he'd hate himself for being an asshat.

He could use this printed on a t-shirt as a sort of caution to randoms.

Cuz he can be kind of a dick. I actually like the grumps and curmudgeons. Anyone who works at a community center helping people get their GEDs can't be all bad. He's just not great at connecting with people on a romantic or deeper level and there's a reason for that.

It's a good thing Obie is persistent and loyal. He's just... good people. He's perfect for Emerson-the cheese to his macaroni, the pea to his pod, you get what I'm saying. He's the most outgoing hipster ever. He's got this whole crafting thing going on with his roommate/sister from another mother, Dred, and like a kazillion Twitter and Instagram followers and his Etsy store is on the rise. 

And... he rides a motorcycle. And knows how hot he looks leaning on it.

*bites fist*

I could gush about just how much I loved Obie, but I don't want to give the impression I didn't like Emerson. Obie's just easy to like whereas Emerson's like trying hug it out with a porcupine.

Their banter is relatable and authentic as was their relationship development. There are no magic cocks or cures or easy answers. They spend a lot of time together doing regular things and getting to know each other through pizza and porn, YouTube videos, reality TV and juicing.

"Fuck you, Obie." 

This time he mumbled, and I think it was, "That's what I'm saying." 

So I shut the door and shoved him toward the bedroom. Because what the hell else was I going to do when my boyfriend demanded I fuck him?

Emerson has kinky inclinations that are mildly explored with a bit of spanking, bondage and a teensy bit of power exchange. Also... Emerson is also not a fan of bottoming and guess who's the smaller of the two? 

Kink + Big guy bottom?!?!?!

Me. Hearing the angels singing sweet nothings about BGBs.
Yeah, it's a thing they do.

Not much makes me happier than that combo. And the sex was... intimate. How understanding Obie was of Emerson's limitations and that he was so willing to get creative added depth and intensity to their relationship.

There are great secondary characters that round out the cast and a murder of a local drag king which probably will come into play later in the series. 

I learned a lot about living with MS, just how debilitating it is and how it affects the body, but I do think the balance between Emerson battling MS and his relationship with Obie was off. Their relationship does continue to evolve through his bad days and I think that gave them a good foundation on which to build their future. I just would've liked more good days, I guess.

"manly postcoital dude-hugging"
Not cuddling. No way.

I'm glad I'm no longer in the dark about Ripper's writes and I will read something else by this author in the future. Maybe something that's been sitting on my kindle giving me the eyeballs for the last 2 yrs.

Recommended to MM romance fans who like their romance realistic.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Review: Begging to Serve (The Hampton Road Club #5) by Morticia Knight

A feisty, untrained Dominant shows up at Hampton Road. Could he be the right man who Colin’s been saving himself for?

Submissive Colin loves his new life and job at The Hampton Road Club. He doesn’t mean to make the staff angry when he reorganizes everything or frustrate the available Masters by never letting them touch him. He only wants to serve someone, to make them happy, but he’s also waiting for the right man the way his grandmother had advised him to do before she died.

Another night, another brawl. Roddy had hoped that Hollywood would have better male prospects than Louisville when it came to playing rough. When Roddy’s latest would-be conquest threatens him with bodily harm, Roddy is chased right into the path of two of Hampton Road’s Masters, Ned and Aaron. They describe a wonderful club to him, where sadomasochistic men can enjoy each other, hidden safely behind the walls of an elegant mansion.

The moment Colin and Roddy spot each other, they fall hard and fast. While Master Saul is thrilled that Colin has finally found someone, what do any of them really know about their new guest?

It seems that Saul’s fears are ungrounded until tragedy strikes in Roddy’s world. It’s then that the validity of Colin and Roddy’s new love is truly tested. Was their bond real, or did Roddy have another agenda he’d kept secret all along?

Sweet Colin just wants to make someone happy. He likes to take care of people and to serve others. So when he doesn't have that special someone, instead he succeeds at driving everyone crazy with his constant need to please. I think everyone at the club was just as eager to find him someone as he was.

When Colin meets Roddy, it was love at first sight and they hit it off pretty quick. Roddy was a sweet thing, especially for being the Dom. I've yet to read about a Dom who was just as adorable as the sub. Until now, that is.

He was so genuinely excited to find out about the Hampton Road Club that it immediately put him in the adorable category for me. Roddy had tried sating his sexual wants on his own and he found that it wasn't a safe practice. Not only was it dangerous for him to be gay at all, let alone with his preferences in the bedroom. So discovering the club was heaven-sent for him.


Both Colin and Roddy were pretty new to the scene and working through all the newness together. They found out what worked and what didn't work for them together. I don't think their Dom/sub relationship was fully realized, though. Instead they felt like a couple who only likes to play around a bit in the bedroom, not a couple committed to a full time Dom/sub relationship. Which is fine, but the beginning of the book was very focused on Colin's need to serve others all the time and I don't feel like he and Roddy fully explored that part of their relationship. There was some misunderstanding that I felt was gratuitous. As a reader, I'd have liked more time spent building their relationship, especially since I found it to be fast and a little unbelievable. The story isn't long to begin with and the characters needed more time together because I didn't fully buy their HEA.

Begging to Serve was a sexy little nugget, I just wanted more feels and I didn't quite get that here.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

Review: Broken Ink by Jack L. Pyke

Novel (112,000 words) Genre(s): Contemporary, Gay, BDSM

Carrying a tattoo on your skin no longer just comes with a risk of infection. Get the composition right, you have the latest mind-control drug on the market. It’s the sex-traders’ dream, or worst nightmare, depending on the concentrated dose of the ink—and just who’s wearing it. 

For Kiyen, the ink means he’s able to strip raw the minds of the best and worst of society. He’s one of MI7’s top killers and never more driven to select and take down a target. For Falen, the ink has ensured he’s spent his early years as a willing sex slave and low-grade empath. Hiding out in a small town and trying to bury the needs running through his body, Fal’s hoping to stay under the radar of MI7 and their specialist killers. But the ink itself has a mind of its own, wanting to ignite the natural dynamics driving a Dom and sub, so when Kiyen is forced into Fal’s small world, prejudice battles a pure need to touch. Only problem is: Kiyen’s on the run, and in a world where thought can be the worst crime of all, Fal’s in for a fight for his sanity to find out just what it is that’s making a young killer run for his life. (M/M)

What. A. Ride.
There should be t-shirts printed up that say, 'I've been Pyked.' and on the back, 'And survived… Sort of.' I'd buy one. 

My second Pyking was much the same as the first-entertaining, mind bending, kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. Yeah, I needed a cocktail afterwards. What can I say? Pyke has a gift for mindfuckery. I formed and discarded so many theories I felt a little like my boy. 

Only less composed.

Now, it's well documented and partially accepted that I'm not the biggest fan of crazy trains. Thankfully, the saving grace of Broken Ink was the relationship between Yen and Fal was secondary. Broken Ink is much more a psychological thriller than a romance. I'm not going to try to explain the ink or this world that Pyke has developed because it should be experienced individually and there's a glossary. Seriously, anything that has a glossary to explain the terms and… you're on your own, kids. Suffice to say, Pyke gave me something I could sink my teeth into with covert government agencies, amnesia, possibly hallucinatory characters and freakish powers.

TRIGGER WARNINGS:  CHILD ABUSE and RAPE 
If these are triggers for you, you've been warned. I have a hard time with child abuse so I basically choked down the first three chapters (with a break), but they are vital to the plot. This alt-reality is complex with different levels of ink and powers associated with it coupled with deciphering what's truth from what's fabrication along with who knows and how much they know. Pyke weaves it all together skillfully with interesting characters. 

Yen is a survivor, though not particularly likable. He's cagey, standoffish and lacks compassion. He's also quick to anger and has a tendency to be ruthless when crossed even if  the "betrayal" is simply his perception. I suspect he's a genius but it's never confirmed. Why he reacts the way he does is completely understandable given his history and age. For him to have done otherwise would've been inconsistent with his character, but deep down he just wants someone to be on his side, to believe him, to be on #TeamYen, if you will. Why he latches on to Fal is still a mystery to me and Fal's history isn't all that much better making the two of them together… 

A couple of whackadoodles. Whackadoodles who like the word 'fuck' a little too much. Now, I'm a card carrying member of the 'Fuck is so Versatile' club, but there is such a thing as overkill. I was rolling with it as lending credence to their difficult childhoods/characterization up until the final scene where it entered ridiculous territory. There are over 500 instances of some form of the word in this book. My kindle maxed out on the fuck search. That's never happened before. Heavy handed? You decide. When it becomes a distraction during that important final scene and your readers start skimming I'd say that's not a desired outcome and I cuss like a sailor.

Why not 5 stars?

Aside from the couple things I've previously mentioned and shying away from spoilersville, I don't see the point of running; it doesn't make sense to me. There seemed to be consistenty issues with Yen's power/ink that never were explained other than them being anomalies which seemed like a cop out to me. There were sentences that I read three and four times that I couldn't make heads or tails out of not to mention SPaG errors and a couple of trivial continuity errors. But mostly it was the final scene. It dipped into melodramatic waters for me and seemed tidy, definite HFN territory here. 

Lest I leave you with the wrong impression, Broken Ink really is one helluva mind-bending, sci-fi thriller with a little bit of kink (mostly D/s in the consensual/erotic realm, dips into other areas in the non-con realm). Now, if you happen to like psychological thrillers with a couple of crazy train MCs you are going to feel like a kid at Christmas. Enjoy!

An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Review: Hidden Gem by Lissa Kasey

Misaki “Aki” Itou is a psi—a person with mutated DNA granting him psychic abilities. He’s also a contracted companion—a whore. It may not be the perfect profession, but having a roof over his head, food to eat, and not being subjected to torture is a dream come true. He is the top companion at the Hidden Gem, and it makes him enough money to buy the prettiest, most sparkly shoes he can find. 

Shane McNaughton is an Irishman who survived the Third World War and works as a cop. Head of Missing Persons, he’s good at finding people, but after the plague of the Third mutated his DNA, he has a hard time letting anyone see the monster inside. He’s been paying for Aki’s services for two years, both the psi and the sexual kind, but he wants more from the companion. 

Shane needs Aki’s ability to see into another person’s past to track down a serial killer murdering the children of rich and powerful men, but the more they work together, the clearer it becomes that they are linked through a darker past than either of them realizes. 

Warning: Contains mild BDSM elements.

The book that held me hostage.

This is one of those books that "happened" for me. It reeled me in from the beginning. I tried to resist, tried to read something else, but even when we separated I couldn't stop thinking about it. I guess you could say I became a little obsessed.

Hidden Gem has two story lines-the post-apocalyptic/dystopian world in which these characters live with all its political machinations and the serial killer case. The romance between Shane and Aki is interwoven between the two and provides respite from the frenetic pace, but if you're looking for oodles of romance, look elsewhere.

Aki fascinated me from the start. I knew he had to be the link between these two story lines. Damned if I could figure out how, but I do like a challenge. I also like puzzles and there are a million pieces to be put together in this story. Loads of information is thrown out and at times I felt a little overwhelmed. Even up until the very end my head was still spinning. I like when a book can surprise me again and again. Who wants dull?

Aki is a companion at the Hidden Gem. He's the most sought out companion owing, ostensibly, to his great beauty. His psi abilities preclude him from touching someone due to his clairvoyance, so no sex. Lots of gloves-both kinds. Aki has been feminized by the club to increase his desirability which means… yup! You guessed it. MANTIES!!!!!!!!!!! He also has a shoe fetish. More bonus points there.

Shane has been working missing persons for so long he has attained legendary status. He's been called in to track down a serial killer targeting wealthy kids. Shane has been utilizing Aki's services for two years. They've grown fond of each other, though Aki is wary of Shane. Aki is also submissive. The BDSM elements are mild D/s, nothing that'll send anyone screaming for the hills, but a large component of Aki's reluctance to get closer to Shane is his uncertainty that Shane will be able to provide the structure, dominance and discipline he needs.

They live in the North in City M. All cities are only designated by letters now. The North and South are in discord. The governments have launched countless projects over the years which have resulted in numerous mutations. Layer upon layer is added to the world building, each more astounding. The story is woven together so intricately. I picked up threads here, there and yon all of which had meaning, but I failed to put it together completely.

Paris was the standout secondary character for me. I'd love to know more about him. I'd also love to know what went down at his country home between him and Shane. Kinda fussy that all went down off the page. Candy has his charms and adds to the tension. I love that he's not what he appears at first glance.

Why not give it 5 Hearts then? I still have questions. I'm not sure if that's purposeful or an oversight. Plus, the overarching message conveyed in this book is 'the government knows everything' which seems to be contradicted. I have trouble believing an omnipotent entity would've lost track of something so unique and potentially lethal. Nevertheless, I cannot in good faith go lower than 4.5 Hearts because of the journey that Ms. Kasey took me on, the world she showed me and how much it captivated me or held me hostage. Tomato. Tomahto.

Truth be told, I'm still thinking about it. I'd really like to re-read it and see what I missed things or if things make more sense now that I "know". I bet thhis would make for an excellent discussion/buddy read book.

Post-apocalyptic, dystopian and thriller fans get ready to sink your teeth into this one.

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

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*Artwork by Heise.