Review: Prince & Pirate by Elliot Cooper

Prince Gavin is powerless to refuse when his father demands he secure an alliance with a distant kingdom. At first, he sees the journey as a chance to prove his worth and indulge in the grand adventures of his dreams. Yet nothing seems right about his father’s paranoid insistence he travel by merchant ship while disguised as a diplomat. Once out on the open sea, Gavin learns he’s been tricked into boarding an infamous pirate ship: the Ebon Drake.

Captain Marcas Drake is delighted to discover the courtier he’s kidnapped is really a prince. Acquiring such a hefty ransom will prove once and for all he’s a brilliant pirate in his own right, not riding the coattails of his father’s fame. And using his charms to seduce his prisoner makes for an entertaining pastime. But unfortunate events turn the Ebon Drake’s crew against their captain before the ransom can be carried out.

Marooned, Marcas and Gavin’s new equal footing turns the pirate’s sensual game into something else entirely. However, being stranded on a tiny island becomes the least of their worries when rescue arrives in the form of the bloodthirsty Crimson Queen, a pirate who’s been chasing Marcas for years. Working together to escape the queen is their only hope of freedom and a chance their growing love might outlast their misadventures.

This is going to be one of those reviews that make no sense. So be warned. I’m sure I’ll be going back and forth over what was good and what was average. The thing is, the good was very good, but there was a lot of average, so I found it hard to rate. Hence the middle of the road rating.

Okay, so story: Gavin is the Prince and only heir to a kingdom in a fantasy universe that is very similar to the 1600’s. His father is going senile and decides to send Gavin across the seas on a mission which will undoubtedly end in Gavin’s death. It doesn’t of course, but it does end in his capture by the notorious pirate, Captain Marcus Drake.

The best way to describe this book would be: Adventure! There are sea creatures, commandeering ships, kidnappings, marooning, pistols, swords and blood and of course escaping the clutches of psychopathic bad guys. It was just so much fun, and something was always happening. Marcus and Gavin escape from one misfortune to fall into another.

Marcus was also a real pirate, even though he describes himself as a terrible pirate… which I kind of have to agree with in the end. I don’t want some goody-two-shoes sailor, I want someone who kills and steals, which is want Marcus does. He’s nothing compared to Deckard’s Baltsaros so don’t expect that dark, but it's not fluffy and light.

So the romance is really what makes or breaks an adventure story for me. It's so easy for the adventure to overtake the romance and I think that did happen here, but it's not that simple. Marcus and Gavin had a really well written build up to their relationship, and it’s a constant presence in the story. They start off as enemies, turn to allies, then friends and then lovers. Each step of the way we are shown how their relationship progresses, not told, if that makes sense. However there was a weird development, when Marcus suddenly confesses his love… it came much sooner than I was expecting and it felt misplaced. The couple seemed like they were both in the stage of friendship and lust, when suddenly there was a forever kind of love mentioned. I liked how Gavin didn’t reciprocate it automatically, he was at the same stage as me it seems. This was good because the author did justify the suddenness of Marcus’s feelings. It just felt a little… rushed.

Also, here I go again on the sex rating, but there was only a blowy and then some frottage at 95%... boo! I really wanted more, especially because I could tell Gavin wanted more as well! Come on Marcus, just give it to him!!

Then there was the ending. It was most definitely an excellent HEA, I struggled to pick how it was going to end until it actually happened which was good. However, it was sudden and I wanted it to end on a more romantic note for Marcus and Gavin, not so much a political one.

Do I recommend this book? Yes, if you're ok with minimal sex and maximum adventure. The relationship between these men was certainly well done and unique, despite my little niggles here and there. It's an excellent voyage adventure.

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Review: Safe Haven by Caitlin Ricci

Being alone was what Blake had always needed before his new team of bodyguards arrived.

Now things might be very different. At seven years old, Blake’s life was destroyed when he and his parents were abducted and he watched them being murdered. Now, twenty years later, he refuses to leave the house and he lives in a constant state of fear. He has a bodyguard around the clock, a housekeeper who has never seen his face and an uncle who checks on him often but isn’t all that close to him. Blake likes his isolation where only his cat really knows him. 

His bodyguard of eight years is ready to retire, leaving his life in turmoil again. Blake isn’t good with people in general, and new people are the worst. But he needs someone in his house all the time to make him feel safe. His uncle hires a team of bodyguards to replace his old one—Malcolm, CJ and Rex. They come highly recommended, and they’re good at what they do.

They’re also together and it’s a relationship that Blake is instantly fascinated by. He’s never been interested in another person before, and he hasn’t had a real friend since his parents died, because he has refused to leave the house. But with the three of them trying to be there for him, he begins to want a life he has been convinced up to now would be completely impossible.

After I read this one I had to sit on it for a few days. I’ve come to the same conclusion after a couple of days that I had right after I finished. This story is slightly fucked up. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, I mean, if the bodyguard trope with a big side of hurt/comfort is your jam, you’ll eat this one up. I found the blurb a little misleading and you should know that before going in. I had the impression this was going to be a four way relationship story, but it was really more of a character study on Blake. This bulk of the book is in his head and his struggles to work through his trauma. I could have gotten behind that story, it would have been really interesting if incredibly heavy.

That’s not what I got though. Blake struggled and the new bodyguards, Malcolm, CJ and Rex comforted him, in . . . ways . . .I . . .just can’t even. Ok, so you know how we’re all familiar with the magic peen? How the alpha male comes along and solves ALL the problems of the hurt MC with his cure-all boner? That magic peen? Well, considering how incredibly damaged Blake was I was ready to ride the magic peen trope pony into this one, kindle a blazing. I figured it would take all three fantastical dicks to get Blake and I healed by the end. BUT, and this is a really big BUT, there is virtually no peen to be found.

In and of itself, a peen free story is not a bad thing and while it wasn’t what I expected, honestly, as messed up as Blake was, a story chock full of dong would have been super weird. My issue was with how Malcolm, CJ and Rex got through to Blake and how Blake accepted the weirdest crap from them. As I said, the story is all from Blake, so the bodyguards are never really fully fleshed out characters and the only real thing I now about them is how each of them fills a specific void in Blake’s psyche. One’s a comforter, one’s a protector and one pushes Blake to challenge his limits. Sounds pretty good huh?

I am by no means a mental health expert, but FFS, I know when a guy hasn’t had physical contact with anyone or stepped outside in twenty years, one of the bodyguards should not pin him down and tell Blake how much power he has over him and how he could hurt him but won’t and isn’t that great, doesn’t Blake feel safer now? I’m thinking that’s the exact opposite of what your bodyguard should do. Said bodyguard should also probably not beat off in front of the camera that connects to Blake’s room because he’s sure Blake is watching, will like it and “wants” them. Seriously, if I’M saying something is inappropriate, it is really, really, really inappropriate. This all happens during the first week or two they work there and while I was slightly horrified, Blake loved it, so who the hell am I to judge really.

All I can say is, if you’re going in, leave reality at the door. All the reality. Blake’s a really likable character and I couldn’t help but root for the guy, plus the story is well written and easy to get sucked into. And Blake did get his HEA, which made me happy. The four ended up with an epilogue that made all their dreams come true. We don’t really know how they got there, but they did and Blake deserved it no matter how unrealistic the journey.

For more information on Safe Haven, check it out on Goodreads.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: Alpha Barman (J.T.'s Bar #1) by Sue Brown

Jake Tyler walked out of Covert Ops two years ago, a devastated, broken man after he discovered his sister brutally murdered by her husband, Riley. Since then he’s found a kind of peace running a rural bar. The last thing Jake Tyler expects is his former team to turn up with grim news. Jake’s ex-brother-in-law has escaped from prison and is heading Jake’s way. The team is here to protect Jake, whether he likes it or not – a decision reluctantly shared by their leader, Jake’s ex-lover Mitch Mitchelson.

Mitch is angry and hurting. The man he trusted – the man he adored more than anything – abandoned both his team and Mitch. Jake never gave Mitch a chance to help or come to terms with his desertion. Regardless of mission protocols, Mitch isn’t about to open his heart again to that kind of pain.

But the strong attraction between them can’t be denied. How are they ever going to work together when Mitch still resents Jake’s disappearance, and to Jake, the team represents everything that destroyed him in the first place? And meantime they wait for Riley to find them... and to settle the threat once and for all.

This didn’t work for me and that makes me sad because this author is traditionally one that I really enjoy.

I’ll keep it simple.

I didn’t like the way Jake left Mitch. You don’t have a relationship with someone for two years and walk away without a word or a look back. That didn’t sit well with me regardless of Jake losing his shit over the murder of his sister. Just, no dude. Their reunion was full of repeat arguments that should have been put to bed with at least the third go ‘round. I never felt like they were a couple that were in love and it wasn’t because they had to hide at work. For me, that should have made them closer but, whatever.

The threat of Riley made a little sense but how this group of Alpha men that are part of a Covert Ops team did not. There are too many shows on TV today that have taught us how to profile a subject and these men, these former teammates of Riley seemed utterly clueless as to who Riley was. An actual motive was absent and really, the most action we saw was the men moving around the bar and talking about… nothing really. The additional plot of Jake’s sister’s murder was a head scratcher and so over the top that I couldn’t buy into it. I needed more.

I am okay with the relationship progression with Mitch and Jake. I’m totally fine with the side characters and their deal as well, but for me, this didn’t work at all.

The story had a lot of promise but too much was left out to make it believable while robbed me of enjoyment and yet, the last line intrigued me but I don’t know if I will move on with the series.

Find on Goodreads!

Review: Misfits (Urban Soul #1) by Garrett Leigh

LAMBDA FINALIST 2015

Restaurant owner Tom Fearnes has loved his partner Cass for as long as he can remember, but their work often keeps them apart. When he meets a striking young man named Jake on the vibrant streets of Camden Town, their heady first encounter takes an unexpected turn.

Jake Thompson can hardly believe his luck when he wakes up in Tom’s bed. Tom is gorgeous, kind, and . . . taken. Tom’s explanation of his open relationship leaves Jake cold, but Tom is too tempting, and when hard times force Jake to accept Tom’s helping hand, he finds himself between two men who’ve lost their way. 

Cass Pearson is a troubled soul. He loves Tom with all he has, but some days it feels like he hasn’t much to give. Jake seems like the perfect solution. Cass risks everything to push Jake and Tom together, but Jake resists, wary, until the darkness of Cass’s past comes to call. Then Jake finds himself the last man standing, and it’s time to dig deep and shine a light for the men he’s grown to love.

This book! It snuck up on me. I read the blurb and I thought to myself I've not read a MMM in a long time so let's give this thing a go.

Best decision I've made in quite some time.

Not only is it an incredible story of finding and falling in love in an unconventional way but it's masterfully constructed. These characters are all relatable and fallible which is what I loved most about them-how realistically they are portrayed. Never once did I think their behavior was improbable or absurd; they may be illogical at times but that's human nature and part of what made them so accessible. The fact that they keep trying even if they get it wrong sometimes resonated with me. They are always conscientious and sometimes they make educated guesses something I much prefer to omniscience. The best feeling I ever have as a reader is sinking into a character and the narrative, not just seeing the other characters through their eyes but trying to figure them out right alongside them and here I had not one, not two but three juicy characters to puzzle out-Tom, Jake and Cass.

I loved all these characters and even though we only get one chapter (the epilogue) from Cass's perspective he was my favorite. He's clearly hiding something that's eating at him. I was drawn in like the proverbial moth to his dynamic flame. I found myself constantly wondering what he thought or felt about any given situation. He's also a chef so... there is that. And he says the sweetest things.

"...I reckon you're everything me and Tom didn't know we were looking for."

Leigh did a phenomenal job of weaving this triad together. I had reservations deep into this narrative, but the way she went about making Jake and Cass friends first and seeing that friendship evolve into something more gradually solidified my belief in their longevity. Each of these men contributes to the relationship yet none of them are perfect and they realize and accept that about each other. If that's not love in its purest form, I'm not sure what is.

This is unequivocally the best contemporary MMM romance I've ever read. The sex scenes were that magical combination of a little bit kinky, a little bit dirty yet intimate and always taking care to show their connection to one another. AND THERE WAS LOTS OF COOKING! All the win! The Camden project, the concept and how it came together folding Jake into their lives seamlessly without fanfare was probably the highlight for me and I identified with the Urban Soul ethos. 

The only quibble I have is all the Brit speak, but I can't in good conscience deduct for that because (a) it lends authenticity and (b) it'd be hypocritical and American of me. So no. I just sucked it up and dealt and thought maybe I'd like to listen to this in audiobook one day to really get all the different accents.

I would recommend this to contemporary romance readers who enjoy reads without an abundance of antics who have an open mind when it comes to relationships.

A review copy was provided.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Worst Werewolf (The Immutable Moon #1) by Jacqueline Rohrbach

New author Jacqueline Rohrbach and IndiGo Marketing are taking over the clubhouse to celebrate yesterday's release, The Worst Werewolf (The Immutable Moon #1) from NineStar Press! Rohrbach shares where she writes, delivers an excerpt of the paranormal romance and hosts a giveaway--win your choice of NineStar Press eBook! Good luck!

Title:  The Worst Werewolf

Series: The Immutable Moon, Book 1

Author: Jacqueline Rohrbach

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: February 13th

Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 67600

Genre: Romance, paranormal, gay, lgbt, werewolves, vampires

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Synopsis

The werewolf said, “Race you to the road.” It was the last thing Tovin heard before his life became uncomfortably complex.

Before that night in the forest, Tovin was the type of guy to play it safe. Happy wearing the same shoes, buying the same deodorant, and eating the same meals day after day, he thought his simple existence was pretty great. At least until his boyfriend dumps him for being boring. Heartbroken but on a mission of vengeance, Tovin decides to start a new life filled with excitement, danger, and maybe a meal from a questionable food truck.

A date with Garvey would start it all. Handsome, sophisticated, the man is everything Tovin thinks he needs. It’s a pity he turns out to be a werewolf on a mission to save his pack from destruction.

Now Tovin is caught up in Garvey’s world.

Abducted and forced to be the bloodservant of a powerful Alpha, he lands right in the middle of a brewing conflict that threatens to destroy humanity.

Excerpt

City people came to the forest with heads full of Whitmanesque romantic notions. Most didn’t discover themselves there. Rather, they were found by search and rescue, cold and shivering from disenchantment. And sometimes pneumonia.

Garvey seemed to fall into that camp. At least he sounded that way when he said, “The forest is magical, right?”

Carpenter ants bit his arms and legs, rocks dug into his butt cheeks, pine needles stung the palms of his hands, and droplets of deer poo splattered around the area gave the air a musky odor. The forest sucked. It was about as non-magical as a place could get, the very definition of earthy. But his date’s ass was spellbinding, so Tovin remained agreeable. “Sure,” he said, “this is great.”

Tovin wasn’t dumb, only horny. He’d heard countless stories about people having sex in the woods that all turned out okay. Kids in high school talked about little else, each locker room story was the start of a cautionary tale that ended in sexual conquest, not anything terrible. Even adults did it. His co-workers met women out here. All of them were fine. Just fine.

“...and that’s why I’m here.” Tovin was done explaining himself to Garvey.

Garvey turned. “So you’re here because you finally decided to take a risk and treat yourself?”

“Yes.”

Garvey chuckled. “Oh dear.”

Nervous, Tovin fiddled with the edge of the blanket and sipped at overly sweet wine as his companion fussed to secure the backpack he brought with him. Garvey insisted on lugging the junk with them to, as he said, do it right. A blanket, some cheap wine, a few candles. Tovin wasn’t exactly dazzled. His date was as cheap as he was weird.

Once settled, Garvey was right down to business—taking off his shirt, his shoes, and undoing the top button of his pants. “Too much too soon?” He didn’t wait for a response, only browsed through Tovin’s facial features. “Pants it is. To be clear, we did come to the forest to screw, yeah?”

Tovin nodded.
“Fantastic, then. Let’s get on with it.”
Given the precipitous nature of the man’s undressing, Tovin expected a rough, demanding mouth upon his, taking what it wanted. Screwing, basically. Instead, Garvey traced the lines of Tovin’s face with soft kisses. He used the back of his hand to tenderly follow the same path. Noses bumped. Brown eyes continually met his as if asking, Is this okay? Do you like this?

Tentative, Tovin reached out to touch the nest of hair at the nape of Garvey’s neck, drawing away when the man arched his eyebrow at the gesture. “Sorry.” Tovin mumbled to his lap.

“I’m sorry, too, sweet treat. I want you to touch it, just not like that. It’s not going to kill you.” Garvey presented his head, shook it slightly so that the hair tussled and realigned itself around his crown.

Tovin stammered out a quick reply, “No, it’s made of keratin. Keratin would not kill you. Unless it’s in horns. Or nails. Then, I guess it could.” Inwardly, Tovin sighed at himself when Garvey tilted his head and once again raised his eyebrow. “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.”

“Noted,” Garvey quipped. “Touch my glorious mane of non-lethal keratin, then. It’s the best type of keratin, I say.”

Tovin was in the process of reaching for the second time—faster, slightly more confident—when two howls interrupted. He jumped at the noise, once again pulling back his fingers. He withdrew to the edge of the blanket. “What was that?”

Garvey smiled his same swagger smile, the right side of his mouth curving so that one lone incisor poked out of his lips. “Feral dogs.” He bent again to kiss at the corners of Tovin’s mouth. “And just when I thought you were going to make your move at last. You are so much work.”

“Feral dogs? What are they doing?”

“Being feral dogs. Hunting. Don’t worry. They’re not hunting you, sweet treat.” A reassuring hand traced the length of Tovin’s jaw. “They probably got scent of a rabbit, a squirrel...a something.”

“How do you know? They sound close.”

Garvey’s eyes darkened. “I know,” he paused slightly to bring Tovin’s mouth level with his, “because you’ve already been caught.”

Where I Write

My work area is pretty sparse. Honestly, it needs to be or I get off track and don’t get any work done at all. All I really need is water, carmex, my laptop, and my desktop. I like to switch between projects a lot, and I’m terrible about remembering which draft of what story is where.

Chompsky (yes, really) protects me from any gnomes who might come along. He also provides a quick laugh if I need one.

Harry Savage (yes, really) is also in my cheering squad. He’s mostly around if I need to get myself back into Garvey’s voice. Occasionally, I’ll use him to scold one of the dogs. I sort of stopped doing that after they got him down from his safe space and slobbered on his foot. I was able to save him before they did more damage.

Actual hairy savages sleep behind me on what I’m going to call our guest bed. I gave up trying to keep blankets on it. That bed is dog territory. Whenever my husband’s grandfather comes to visit, they allow him access (although they do try to drag his stuff away). Please don’t tell him or show him the picture of how the bed looks when he’s not here. I’m pretty sure he’d be horrified.

My desktop is open so I can play Banished whenever I feel the urge to let settlers die. I’d recommend the game to other writers who love to play as they write (i.e. procrastinate). It has soothing music, and you can set up your town and then let it run and see what happens. Spoiler alert: settlers starve, they freeze, they die of the pox. The game tells you their names, their ages, and how they died. Good story material. Also, you might get a trading boat before things go belly up, and that’s an achievement.

Purchase

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

Meet the Author

Jacqueline Rohrbach is a 36-year-old creative writer living in windy central Washington. When she isn’t writing strange books about bloodsucking magical werewolves, she’s baking sweets, or walking her two dogs, Nibbler and Mulder. She also loves cheesy ghost shows, especially when the hosts call out the ghost out like he wants to brawl with it in a bar. You know, “Come out here, you coward! You like to haunt little kids. Haunt me!” Jackee laughs at this EVERY time.

She’s also a hopeless World of Warcraft addict. In her heyday, she was a top parsing disc priest. She became a paladin to fight Deathwing, she went back to a priest to cuddle pandas, and then she went to a shaman because I guess she thought it would be fun to spend an entire expansion underpowered and frustrated. Boomchicken for Legion!

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Tour Schedule

2/13 - Books,Dreams,Life

2/13 - Joyfully Jay

2/14 - Stories That Make You Smile

2/14 - Boy Meets Boy Reviews

2/15 - Prism Book Alliance

2/15 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews

2/16 - Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews

2/16 - Divine Magazine

2/17 - Happily Ever Chapter

2/17 - Love Bytes

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Group Review: The Shadow Mark (Lords of Davenia #2) by Mason Thomas

Auraq Greystone, once a military officer with a promising future, exists on the fringe of society. Accused of murder, Auraq is on the run from the ax—until two fugitives crash into his solitary life. One is a young man named Kane. The glowing marks on his arm pulse with an otherworldly power, and they have made him the target of a sinister organization called the Order of the Jackal. When the old man protecting Kane dies in an ambush, Auraq swears an oath to take his place.

But the runes are far more significant than they realize. They are a message from the shadow realm, a dark memory of the past—one holding evidence of a bloody massacre and its savage architect; one that will shake the kingdom to its foundation. Risking arrest and execution, Auraq fights to get Kane to the capital city where the cryptic marking can be unlocked. And with assassins close on their trail, Auraq might never get the chance to show Kane what’s in his heart—or the way their journey together has changed him.

The Shadow Mark is an epic tale of magic, murder, conspiracy, betrayal, and—for the two men tasked with unraveling the mystery—love and redemption.

3.833 average!

Sara - 5 Hearts

This book was amazing. Gods, was it ever.

I am going to get this out of the way and say while I had fun with Lord Mouse, I fell in love with The Shadow Mark and liked it… more. Auraq’s book is much different from Lord Mouse’s and it’s obvious from the first page. The writing is brilliant but Auraq is much quieter, much more melancholy, vulnerable and subdued with his internal action than our bouncing off the walls Mouse was. Though I adored Mouse, there is something about Auraq with his restless soul that tugged on my heart and made me crush on him in the first chapter. I marinated in Auraq’s POV until my fingers and toes were pruny and fell in love with him.

There are no limits to what certain men will do to keep a dark secret from reaching the light of day. Keep him safe.

We meet Auraq as he is settling in for the night, off the road and out of sight as he is a wanted man. When two men who are travelling to Har Diamante come up and ask if they can share with him what they have with Auraq and vice versa, he decides to oblige them. The men, an older man named Tan and his young apprentice Kane not only share their wine and a small story, with Auraq, but they share hired assassins who attack the trio and murder Tan. It’s as Tan lays dying that he makes Auraq promise to take care of Kane.

The meeting of Auraq and Kane happens quickly as does their being put together for the story but the story itself isn’t quick nor is the romance between the men. This is one hell of a slow burn and it was done so damn well. It’s almost as if you get the romance as you read between the lines because even Auraq, as brilliant as he is, doesn’t see what is happening right in front of him with Kane.

This is a layered story, one I like to refer to as an onion. What you see on the surface, is just that and it’s only as the layers are removed that we get to the meat of it all and some of it will bring your eyes to tears. Yup, there are parts of this that had me tearing up as we get down to it all.

So, Auraq meets Kane, promises Kane’s Master that he will protect him and deliver him safely but Auraq needs to know what’s up. When Kane shows him the marks on his arm, Auraq puts a plan into action to make sure they learn what the marks are and that Kane is safe, no matter what. Good lord. The lengths Auraq goes through to find a way out what the marks are and simply to keep Kane safe were amazing. This man, this exiled and wanted for murder soldier who ran away to save his own life repeatedly risks his life for Kane. It’s a damn good thing Auraq isn’t only smart, but skilled as a warrior and possess the intense need to protect Kane. Ack. This book just hit me in all the right places.

“This is a terrible idea.”
“You can trust him.”
“I don’t trust anybody. Except maybe you.”

I adored Kane. He is this man who is part of something he didn’t ask for. Every time he has to show the marks on his arm I felt for him. It was almost a level of shame attached and yet he had nothing to be ashamed of. How Kane instinctively trusts Auraq was lovely and how he is as fierce in his loyalty and protectiveness of Auraq just made my heart sing. I mean, just what he does with Auraq’s father is enough to want to put the man in my pocket! He gets Auraq in so many ways that he is the perfect match for Auraq, if only Auraq would take a moment and really notice him.

The fantasy was stepped up in this story and it was a joy to read. From visiting the Academy District with mages both vintage and brand new to learning about the runes, realms and ramifications of The Order of the Jackal to just… everything that we get made this story a gorgeous read. Getting the backstory of Auraq and why he carries two swords, why he is on the outs with his father, the whole deal with Bendo, the wolvern and how anyone who comes into contact with the mark on Kane’s arm comes to harm, made me irritated that I don’t read faster. I had to know it all, I needed to know what the Shadow Mark was and when we got it? Oh Nelly, was it ever good.

So yeah, this was good. The romance between Auraq and Kane is quiet yet fierce. The fantasy elements of the story were amazing, intriguing and detailed that they gave the story another element to fall in love with. The actions scenes were intense AF but really showed just how bad ass Auraq is and hey, don’t try to mess with Kane because it’s not going to end well. Just saying. At the end, this was one hell of a story that kept me glued to the page with excitement and want. That epilogue was beautiful and I cannot wait to read more from the author.

Fantasy Living - 2.5 Hearts


Auraq is a pretty serious guy. He is on the run, still mourning his dead wife, and the loss of his life in the King’s Army, and has no interest in participating in the world with people.

Kane is young. He’s an orphan. And the man who took him under his wing has died.That’s pretty much all I really know about Kane. Oh, and he has a weird mystical mark on his arm that is burning him and is the cause of Assassin’s pursuing him.

While I got a fairly good picture of Auraq, there was no real character building with Kane, nor was there much relationship building between the two. Auraq spent most of his time avoiding conversation with Kane, and making remarks about handing him off and completing the task he promised a dying man. I am seriously underwhelmed when it comes to this pair.

I like broody damaged characters. I think they have a lot of potential, and can be awesomely complex. Unfortunately this missed the opportunity to be that for me.

The adventure story was a good concept, and I did enjoy the expansion on the world building in this book. I also found that it dragged and I was bogged down with minute details I didn’t care about and didn’t really add a great deal to my overall view of this AU. While the writing was good, and most of the editing was tight, it was the overlaying of inconsequential details about landscape or actions, that I did not enjoy and skimmed through. This is my issue really. I’m impatient and have a hard time concentrating on lots of descriptives. I like just enough to see a clear picture, but once it goes into the hues of flower petals I no longer care (this didn’t really happen in this story, but I don’t have the patience to get an exact quote).

Maybe I was just having an off week. And after the fast pace of Lord Mouse, I probably had something else in mind, which skewed my expectations. We were also experiencing a heatwave and my a/c was broken so this could have contributed to my foul mood and overall enjoyment.
I will never really know.

I’d like the author to focus on building secondary characters. This was a complaint in my review of Lord Mouse, and I think it would really boost the story if this angle was achieved.

For those who enjoy a more descriptive Fantasy universe, this is recommended. If you’re looking for something similar to Lord Mouse, you will not find it here. This is based on a reclusive fugitive and a young man he happens to get stuck with. The highlight of this book for me was at around 70% when everything started coming together. That part of the writing was mostly tight, with action, and plot twists. I enjoyed immensely and it enabled me to complete the story feeling somewhat satisfied.

I am not done giving this author my attention. There is a lot of talent and imagination, and this world intrigues me. I just may need to ensure optimal reading conditions to ensure I am receptive before I attempt another story.

SheReadsALot - 3.75 - 4 Hearts

I jumped at the chance to review The Shadow Mark without even reading the blurb. Why? Lord Mouse is one of my favorite reads last year (my review), and Mouse is hands down one of my fave characters written. What drew me in was the adventure, the fantasy based world Mason Thomas created, the snark and wit.

And of course, Mouse.

If you've read Lord Mouse first (it's not necessary, it can be read as a standalone), you know the snark is heavy. Mouse demands attention with his very being. He's just that type of personality.

That is not to be found in The Shadow Mark.

Auraq was a soldier with a lot of promise. Now he's living on edges of society due to being accused of murder. One night, his solitude is interrupted by a pair of small townsmen. The younger of the men, Kane has mysterious magical marks that attract the wrong attention, assassin attention. Upon a dying man's oath, Auraq ends up being Kane's protector and bodyguard while they try to search for answers to the mysterious marks.

It's a mostly fast paced adventure full of backstabbing characters, killers and fighting.

A captivating read from start to finish, though I'll have to say the second half outweighs the first half.

Where I find this author flourishes: action and suspense - Thomas is clearly a gamer and it shows. He knows how to set an action scene, make it impactful enough. I appreciate sword fights, especially well-written scenes. Thomas thinks out the swing, the lunges...it's great to read. Weaving a tale, keeping the suspense and action turned up high!

Where there is improvement: editing - Though I read an ARC, the tale in Shadow Mark is definitely more linear than Lord Mouse. Less time jumping which made a smoother read. Now as to a personal enjoyment, the fantasy is stepped up in Shadow Mark. The vocabulary read less modern compared to Lord Mouse (I don't mind either approach TBH)

Areas for improvement: The story is told mainly from Auraq POV, so his 'love' interest Kane and his attributes are told from Auraq. Auraq is tight-lipped and his 'romantic' feelings are definitely buried way, way, waaay deep. There wasn't much to go from since Kane was introduced as an annoyance and someone who was told to wait here and there, while Auraq took care of the grunt work. Kane could have been more even from Auraq's POV. He's introduced as young apprentice, didn't seem on much consequence. And he seemed like the means to an oath, not much a character with depth. Then the second half happened, where a romance sort of happens in between the mystery unfolds.

The romance is secondary in stories Thomas has presented so far. But I feel the initial reaction of Kane didn't wear off until way late. Just a glimpse or inkling more of Auraq's feelings would have made more of an impact for me. I'm fine with mere kisses, but the relationship goes from 0 to 100% and I'm still having difficulties buying it.

I live for tight-lipped heroes, especially ones that are not demonstrative. Auraq took that to an extreme. His protectiveness was palpable, it's what warmed me in the end. But the romance...it needed some work.

Readable? For sure.

But if you're a reader who needs sex in your romance or overly mushy displays, I wouldn't recommend The Shadow Mark. The novel is quieter than its predecessor, more of a tactical head game waiting to be played out.

The story and mystery are the main players, along with Auraq, the seemingly irredeemable criminal warrior with a heart of loyal gold. I loved the mystery, kinda guessed who was the culprit behind the treasonous crime. But how everything came together? That was fun.

Enjoyed the last chapter even more than the epilogue. Am I seeing a possible link between book #1 and #2's Lords? I really hope so.

Overall, great story stronger in all parts but romance than book #1. I'm definitely a fan of this series.

Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Review: Silent Night by Erin E. Keller

Pete is an improbable Santa Claus ringing his bell on the sidewalks of New York. He might need this job, but he doesn't have to like it. Impulsive and a little rough around the edges, Pete has a big warm heart, and when he sees the homeless man reading a book on the pavement, he is intrigued.


Lucas is a deaf-mute who fled an ex-boyfriend who wanted to use him as a prostitute. He is cold and isolated, but the very not-ordinary Santa Claus ringing a bell nearby makes him smile.


When Lucas is attacked and robbed, it gives Pete the opportunity to invite him home for Christmas. But can they live together long-term? Will Lucas's bid for independence break their hearts or bring them to deeper understanding?

Well ho hum - this story left me with a  rating conundrum! 

I liked the identities of the two characters in this book. Pete, really a bit of an old grump, especially outwardly, isn't exactly loving his gig as Santa Claus. I guess I'm kind of with him on that one, walking round the streets of New York ringing a bell probably wouldn't float my boat either (there is a special kind of kindly extrovert that is the only type to take to this role IMO!!). Just because he's grumpy doesn't mean he doesn't have a kind heart though.

Lucas, a homeless deaf/mute may not be in the best situation, but he does value his independence. Life has given him one kick in the balls after another but he doesn't want to let it define him. The two may not have much in common, but opposites attract right?

At first Pete is able to give Lucas the love and protection of a relationship he'd not had before - after a  time though, the protectiveness became over-protectiveness and smothering and things took a  nosedive between the two MCs. Unfortunately this is where I started to lose interest in the story. 

Whilst i enjoyed the entire premise of the story, it turned a bit drawn out and dramatic for my tastes. I think the essence of the story, Lucas's fight to remain independent while he and Pete fell in love and adjusted to life together, was solid enough without the added hurt and drama. That is just me though, I'm sure others love the twists and turns.

A story starting at Christmas with love at its heart. It didn't 100% work for me but it might for you.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

For more information see Goodreads.

Blog Tour: Wolfmanny by Julia Talbot

Julia Talbot's here today and she brought an Exclusive Excerpt of Wolfmanny! See our Wolfmanny review here

Exclusive excerpt from Wolfmanny by Julia Talbot

Kenneth chuckled. “Ginny, no TV until you’ve bathed. Tommy, bed is ten thirty, and that means really bed.” He nodded to Simone. “Miles and I are going to have a beer and watch shift change. You’re welcome to join us.”

Jack raised a brow. “Shift change, huh? Sure. You guys holler at me if you need me, okay?” Jack winked at Simone and began clearing dishes.

“The kitchen staff will clean and put away, so we can leave them in the sink.” The beavers were picky about things.

“Good deal.” Jack gave him a sideways glance and smiled. “Your kids are way better than I was given to believe. I think your Mrs. Bec must have been a bit unbendable.”

“It was a mistake to assume that she wasn’t going to be prey, no matter how big she was. Instinct is instinct and Simone’s going to get wolfier until she’s through the whole insanity.” And the twins… well, they were still easier as wolf cubs.

“She is. That much I’m good at. You’re great with them.”

Jack’s praise made him happy, which was weird. It had been awhile since he’d cared what anyone thought of him and his methods.

Miles nodded and grabbed three longnecks. “Alpha? We’re going to miss it.”

“Right. Come on. This is something to watch, the first time.”

They went to a low glassed in sunporch, the place covered with soft places for wolves and for men.

They settled and then night shift started to come in from town, from the forest. The owl security team, the raccoons who worked maintenance, beavers, housekeeping. There was a hot slinky puma who was his IT guy and the black bear who took over from the grizzly doing landscaping. God knew what the fucking bat-shifters did. They creeped him out.

Watching this reminded him of old cartoons where the day shift and the night shift passed. The wolf and the sheepdog, or whatever, clocking out with their little lunchboxes.

“Okay, is anyone else having prey drive issues?” Jack asked.

“I know, right? This is the best.” Kenneth loved this, the weird little rush.

Miles growled, a happy little sound that made both Jack and Kenneth turn to stare at him. “What? I hunt.”

“You totally hunt.” Miles had his back, after all. He could do the same for his friend.

“I was just amazed by the sound.” Jack winked and lifted his beer. “Very sexy.”

“Thanks, man.” Miles clinked their bottles together.

“So, where do you hunt? I mean, it seems as if everyone here is a shifter.”

“We head up into the mountains proper. The vegetarians know to stay low.”

“Good deal.” Jack nodded. “This is an amazing view. If I’m talking too much, you tell me.”

“This is our time, Jack. No worries, no interruptions. Just dudes.” It was the rules. He was the alpha and this was his pack.

“Oh, good. I babble when I’m around new people.” Jack chuckled. “Maybe I’m with kids too much.”

Blurb:

Three hot werewolves, sexual tension thick enough to cut with a knife, an impending Colorado winter, and a rambunctious pack of werewolf pups. Stand back and watch the fur fly.

When Kenneth Marcon loses his nanny to a bite from one of his inherited kids, he knows he needs someone strong to contain five werewolf children. What he finds isn’t a stalwart nanny, but a werewolf manny named Jack. Kenneth and his assistant, Miles, aren’t sure if Jack is what they need, but he’s what they have to work with.

Jack’s got what it takes to keep the kids busy—and attract both Miles’s and Kenneth’s attention. The two old friends have been circling each other for years, but with Jack as the final piece to the puzzle, it’s time to finally act on those urges. When Kenneth is forced to travel instead of solidifying the bond with his new mates, Jack and Miles take desperate measures to get him back, even as they save the kids from one disaster after another. Amidst the chaos, they have to learn how to become not just a pack, but a family.

Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/wolfmanny-by-julia-talbot-8124-b

Julia bio:

Stories that leave a mark.

Julia Talbot loves romance across all the genders and genres, and loves to write about people working to see past the skin they're in to love what lies beneath. Julia Talbot lives in the great mountain and high desert Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Dreamspinner, Samhain, and Changeling Press. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. She also writes BDSM and erotic romance as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com

"The mountains are calling, and I must go”

Links:

www.juliatalbot.com

@juliatalbot on Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor

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Did you see our review of Wolfmanny yet?

Review: Light Up The Dark by Suki Fleet

For two years Nicky has wandered the dark empty corridors of the overgrown Thorn Hall, unseen and untouched, feeling like a ghost. His only company, the cold man who promised to keep him safe from harm, Lance.
But when Lance dies, Nicky’s assurance of safety disintegrates and his world suddenly becomes a lot more real and a lot more dangerous. Scared to leave the house, Nicky longs for daylight. He employs a gardener to clear the over-grown bushes and vines that have nearly swallowed Thorn Hall whole.

The last thing Nicky expects a little light to do is show him something to fight for.

Eighteen months in a young offenders’ institute has taught Cai two things: he occupies the playful puppy end of the How Dangerous Are You? spectrum, and he has an unfortunate knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Desperate for a job, he takes the first offer he gets. Even though Thorn Hall creeps the hell out of him and he barely knows one end of a pair of garden shears from the other.
Things start to fall apart when Cai is drawn into Nicky’s strange world of sticky notes and secrets. Cai finds he is now a target, blamed for a crime he didn’t commit. Desperate not to go back to prison, he digs deep and risks all the good things in life to help Nicky run.

But now Nicky has someone he wants to protect, he knows he can’t run any more.

It's no secret that I am a Suki Fleet fan girl so I guess it's no surprise that this book was a win for me.

It had all my favourite things about this author's writing; her characters are second to none for me, always broken but strong, interesting,emotionally wounded but not necessarily weak... they always capture my heart and imagination.

The settings too always have impact - be it the streets of a city, a canal boat or, in this case, a partly derelict house. There is always a gritty undertone to her stories, a world in which her characters have to scrap and fight just to live. Yet there is also a brightness to them. When I picture her stories they are always beautiful and bright despite the scratches and dirt.

Light Up the Dark did feel slightly different to her normal fare for me. Instead of the main impact being the emotional drama (though this was still present in abundance), it was the mystery/crime arc that caught my notice. I've always liked old house stories; there is something about the secrets of history hidden the walls and past tenant that intrigue me.

Nicky is a self imposed prisoner in the derelict manor house his past lover left him. He is a complicated person born of injury and fear. He is dark and pain and silence. Cai, on the other hand, is bright and determined and talk. What they do both have in common is they're not brimming over with good luck.

A complex story with fabulous main, and secondary characters that should please fans of this author. I can't wait for her next book.

A copy provided for an honest review.

Find on Goodreads!

Review: Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Kiernan Kelly

2nd Edition 

When a demon saves an angel’s life, he wins the chance to stay out of Hell and walk the earthly plane until the End of Days. 

Cael wasn’t aware of the loophole when he spared the angel Malak, but he plans to exploit it. All he needs to do to earn his freedom is convince Malak to give up his virginity. Three thousand years should be plenty of time. But Malak isn’t interested—not in having sex with Cael and not in being exiled from Heaven as a result. 

Time is running out, and if Cael fails, his punishment will be unspeakable. With only days left, Malak realizes he can’t let that happen—not to the demon he’s come to love. 

But the End of Days is coming sooner than either anticipated. Lucifer has found a way to unleash the Four Horseman and end all existence. If Cael and Malak want to stay together, they need to seek out all four Horsemen and stop them from bringing about the Apocalypse. 

First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2007.

A demon and an angel are saving the world. With puns.

Let me just state for the record I didn't hate this. It's cutesy and quite frankly if it were a movie I'm almost positive it would be one of those movies that I avoid talking about so I don't give away how much I secretly like it. Like Clash of the Titans or Underworld.

The plot is far-fetched from the very beginning when we meet Malak and Cael who have been thrown together through a weird biblical by-law for close to three millennia. If Cael doesn't pop Malak's cherry by the end of the third millennia he goes directly to hell to become the fucktoy of Asmodai. Asmodai is... not cute and supposedly smells like death and rotten eggs got married in the back of a non-air conditioned VW bus in the middle of a August in Texas and then spent their month long honeymoon in the back banging the hell out of each other. Without showering.

Precisely.

I guess close to three millennia is long enough for Malak to play keep away with his V-card, though so lucky Cael is lucky!

Except... dun dun duuuuuuaaahhhh

Bummer

They decide to thwart the apocalypse by going after the four horsemen in between fucking. There was even some mid-air boning whilst flying. I'm still curious as to how Cael was able generate enough torque to get the job done, but it'll remain a mystery. Unfortunately.

These characters are one dimensional, cartoonish and have an unnerving propensity towards exclaiming. All these immortals who've been around since forever yet act like they're teens. Maybe immortals age differently? Even the love between Malak and Cael smacks of puppy love.

The writing style is one note with no depth and minimal world-building. There are some transparent, borderline preachy sociopolitical jibes usually at American greed and excess which maybe would've held more gravitas had the ones espousing them not been a bunch of jokers.

C'MON! 

It's told from both Malak and Cael's perspective, but I couldn't tell the difference between them and neither left an impression. Still, I don't think the point of this book was to be taken seriously. Like I said, had this been a movie with CGI and elaborate costumes I, in all likelihood, would be marking the blu-ray release date on my calendar. But reading it knowing the endgame was a foregone conclusion there wasn't enough to entertain me or for me to invest in.

I would only recommend this to those seeking a mindless romp.

A review copy was provided.

Find out more on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.