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Lessons in Discovery by Charlie Cochrane

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Lessons in Discovery by Charlie Cochrane

Blurb:
Orlando’s broken memory may break his lover’s heart.

Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, Book 3

Cambridge, 1906.

On the very day Jonty Stewart proposes that he and Orlando Coppersmith move in together, Fate trips them up. Rather, it trips Orlando, sending him down a flight of stairs and leaving him with an injury that erases his memory. Instead of taking the next step in their relationship, they’re back to square one. It’s bad enough that Orlando doesn’t remember being intimate with Jonty—he doesn’t remember Jonty at all.

Back inside the introverted, sexually innocent shell he inhabited before he met Jonty, Orlando is faced with two puzzles. Not only does he need to recover the lost pieces of his past, he’s also been tasked by the Master to solve a four-hundred-year-old murder before the end of term. The college’s reputation is riding on it.

Crushed that his lover doesn’t remember him, Jonty puts aside his grief to help decode old documents for clues to the murder. But a greater mystery remains—one involving the human heart.

To solve it, Orlando must hear the truth about himself—even if it means he may not fall in love with Jonty the second time around…

This book has been previously published and has been revised from its original release.

 

Review:

 

Continuing my reviews of this series, we’re now into book three. The series has definitely settled into a pattern with good characters that develop slowly in the context of each book while having a parallel light mystery occurring at the same time. The mystery is afforded as much page time as the actual relationship of Orlando and Jonty, yet the focus is firmly on the characters themselves. The solid writing is more engaging in this offering and the humor and light hearted wit bring more entertainment within the wonderfully historical setting. Although this book is a bit of a throwback to the original, this is the most enjoyable of the series so far and has got me hooked for future offerings. This is a reprint so those who have already read this series probably don’t need to re-buy but those new to the author/series definitely should.

 

In this installment Jonty and Orlando are celebrating their one year anniversary in decadent style. It’s been one wonderful year since Jonty attempted to abscond with Orlando’s chair in the Senior Common Room and Jonty proposes the two move into a house together away from St. Bride’s. Reluctant to change, the always cautious Orlando doesn’t immediately agree but has other thoughts on his mind at present. When those distracting thoughts lead to an injury, the entire last year is lost from Orlando’s memory. As part of his recovery, Orlando attempts to solve an old mystery at the college while reconnecting with his best friend and forgotten lover, Jonty.

 

The story is quick and entertaining as the relationship of Orlando and Jonty takes a step back when the shy and gentle Orlando forgets he ever had a friend, let alone a male lover. At the same time, there is the mystery of a missing heir that has become lore within the college. The two storylines share equal page time yet the focus is on the relationship first and foremost. The relationship between Orlando and Jonty harkens back to the first book when Jonty slowly seduces the other man, yet thankfully the development Orlando has had over the course of two books and one year has not disappeared. The changes evident in the man are still there and he reacts rather well to the new information, so much so that the actual injury is almost unimportant. Almost but not quite as it does lend itself well to the story and plays into the relationship in a fun and entertaining way.

 

The mystery is rather light and solved by the characters without much intuition from the reader. The additional information needed is within the set of letters, something the reader can’t deduce, and thus this has a disconnected quality to the story. I was always reminded I’m reading a story rather than experiencing it since all the details are available to the characters but not to the reader. However, the light mystery is engaging and enjoyable to read as it doesn’t overpower the book but introduces the lovely character of Miss Peters. Far from being the token females, her character and that of Mrs. Stewart are delightful and almost steal the scenes.  This combined with the charm of watching Orlando fall in love with Jonty all over again, but thankfully quicker this time, made for a surprisingly quick, thoroughly enjoyable tale.

 

The writing is very affected with the style of speech and even phrasing always being very true and authentic to the historical time period. When reading this story there is no doubt of the time period and the frequent reminders are wonderful, adding to the experience of reading a story fully engaged in that setting. The thorough research is evident and very few – if any – concessions are made for the time in an attempt to accept the relationship. The threat of exposure is always present and the men behave in a suitable manner, yet the humor and love between the two is constant and obvious. An example of what I mean is below:

 

Jonty had readily agreed—if he was to be forbidden some of the usual festive amusements, then a little cerebral exercise would be most welcome. As much as he looked forward to being home again, and for all that he said regarding his mama, he’d missed her enormously while he had been ill. He kept muttering that it didn’t seem like it would be a real Christmas without a proper Hogmanay ball and, although his mother had promised that the event would take place, it was to be a modified version with the minimum of dancing and frolicking. When Jonty had said he was determined to put some sort of spanner in those works, Orlando dreaded to think what the little toad had in mind.

 

This is another well written offering in the series and with several more to come, the possibilities are intriguing. The character of Orlando has developed and changed the most so the next book promises to delve more deeply into Jonty’s personality. Given the wealth of opportunity with their respective pasts, I’m very curious where the author will go next. The romance is not explicit and often uses analogies for any sexual act, giving a very sweet, light feeling to those scenes. So those looking for scorching hot explicit sex are going to be disappointed. However those who enjoy an accurate historical setting with well developed characters and a wonderful romance without needing to ignore the consequences and actions of the time period will be very pleased with this series. Start at the beginning and you’ll likely be hooked as well. One of my few qualms about this piece is that there are numerous editing errors and considering this is a re-released, I’m surprised there are that many. 

Get it HERE!

Book 1 Lessons in Love Review

Book 2 Lessons in Desire Review

Ghost Star Night by Nicole Kimberling

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Ghost Star Night by Nicole Kimberling

Blurb:
Desire. Destruction. Destiny.

Thomas Myrdin knows that intrigue is part of life at court, but that doesn’t make his king’s betrayal any easier to take. Yet heartbreak troubles him less than the apocalyptic visions that haunt him. Fiery premonitions that show the world burning in ruins—and the cause, the king’s daughter. Visions and vengeance awaken a strange new power within him, but not even he is sure if he is the kingdom’s savior, the king’s pawn.

Lord Adam Wexley harbors a secret longing for the elegant Thomas, but his duty is to protect the newborn princess. When a sudden threat arises, Adam seeks to procure services of Grand Magician Zachary Drake. Even if it means sacrificing his own soul—and his body.

Drake has seen the worst of kings and courtiers. Now he protects himself with powerful sorcery and the adamant refusal to affiliate with any of the Four Courts. But the grand magician isn’t without weaknesses and Adam may be the one enticement that could draw him to ruin.

In a rising storm of magic with the power to strip away men’s souls, the thread of desire connecting three men could be the kingdom’s last lifeline…

 

 

Review:

Without a doubt this is a stunning piece of fantasy fiction. The fabulous and intricate world building explodes and overwhelms the story as the creativity and imagination of the author expand to offer a new unique, absorbing world. The story itself is just as complex with twists, turns, assassinations, betrayals, possessions, murders, and a thin romance. The short length of the story – a mere 116 pages – doesn’t do the entire plot justice as the romance is definitely the weakest aspect. However, fantasy lovers will clamor for this world and forgive the almost non-existent romance element in favor of the intricate world building.   

The plot is complicated with a large cast of characters and the intricacies of the world often come into play. This is a world with all the seedy court politics where magic, favors, and souls are the currency over money. The city is ruled by four courts of power and the jockeying for power, souls, and position happens almost constantly. The large cast involves kings, heirs, courtiers, magicians, and a bevy of inhabited creatures. Inhabited creatures are animals, insects, and objects inhabited by a human soul that has been stolen, bought, transferred, or bartered. The most precious commodity is a soul and that is also the most often used in negotiations. These apes, spiders, rings, lions, birds, and so on perform a variety of jobs from nanny to driver to family pet. These souls are also the source of power for all magic.

The plot is dense with details and world building. While this fantasy creation is truly wonderful, engaging and fascinating, it is also riddled with information and detail so it’s thick to read. There is a large cast that is all important, many more characters than just the blurb suggests, but they are easy to follow once the basics of the world are established. The theme and central plot at its core is timeless with greed, avarice, and selfish choices of revenge and regret. Although the story changes point of view several times to follow various characters and their thought process, the main character could arguably be Grand Magician Zachary Drake. His point of view offers the most information with regards to the plot while Lord Adam Wexley’s point of view enhances the complexities of the courts and their politics.

For all the wealth of information and characters offered, this is a completely engaging and entertaining read. The ending is slightly complicated, yet beautifully drawn with evocative imagery and a solid resolution. While the plot does have extraneous information, the details add such flavor and color – it’s easy to see where the author got carried away and a pleasurable trip for readers to do so as well. If there is anything lacking, the romance element and characters lack some depth. The intricacy of the plot and world building overwhelms the story, so much so that the characters themselves are often very superficial. Their motivations are explained, but often just stated without the complexity of their personalities. This plays into problems with the shorter length for such a packed story. Along those lines the romance between two of the characters is very superficial and poorly developed. There is almost no chemistry and interest between the two men as politics, intrigue, and soul catching dominate their interactions.

The modern aspects such as cars, cell phones, elevators, clubs, and shops mixed with court politics make for a somewhat jarring reading experience at first until the pacing and flow get their stride. The absentee romance may frustrate some but the brilliant fantasy world should engage readers even over objections. The tight writing and descriptive prose create a story within the story, and a must read for fantasy lovers. Such a complex and creative world demands a sequel (or maybe that’s just me) but hopefully there will be more of this wonderful new fantasy in the future.

 Get it HERE! 

 

Lessons in Desire by Charlie Cochrane

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 Lessons in Desire by Charlie Cochrane

Blurb:

Perfect love casts out fear. If you let it.

Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, Book 2

Jersey, 1906

St. Bride’s English don Jonty Stewart is in desperate need of a break from university life. A holiday on the beautiful Channel Island of Jersey seems ideal, especially if he can coax his lover Orlando to step outside the college’s walls to come along.

Orlando Coppersmith is scared. Within the safe confines of the school it’s easy to hide the fact that they are not just friends, but lovers. In an unknown place, in full view of everyone, how will they keep their illegal affair private—much less dare to make love, even in the security of their suite?

A brutal murder at their hotel forces their personal problems into the background—at first. The race to catch the killer gets complicated when the prime suspect finds Orlando irresistible. Suddenly keeping their affair clandestine isn’t only a matter of legality. It’s a matter of life and death…

 

 

Review: 

The second book in the Cambridge Fellows series is another wonderfully lyrical story that engages the reader with the slow pace of life in the early 1900s. This beautiful writing, clever mystery, touches of humor, and engaging characters create an interesting story that never sacrifices the pace and time for quick action or sex scenes. Although the pace may drag in some places, this is very likely to be reader specific. Be sure to pick up this story when you want an easy, languid journey filled with gentle laughter, love, and a touch of very English mystery. The lovely prose and delightful characters carry the book when the action is light.

Ten months have passed since Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith have been more than friends and Jonty decides it’s a perfect time for a vacation. The reserved and shy Orlando has great trepidation about a vacation away from St. Bride’s but is convinced to travel by his lover and best friend Jonty. Once on the island, Jonty and Orlando settle into the relaxing, enjoyable pace with new friends and childhood antics. Unfortunately their vacation is marred when one of the guests is found murdered and the amateur sleuths can’t help peeking into the investigation.

This story is set with a languid pace where there are no big action sequences, gunfights, dramatic scenes, or hysterical ranting. Every character is far too refined and English for such displays and thus even murder is handled in the most upright and gentlemanly fashion. The gentle flow of the vacation is filled with small delights. The antics remembered and reproduced from Jonty’s happy childhood scare and charm Orlando as he struggles to let go of his own unhappy past. Their relationship is revealed more as Orlando’s past is highlighted with his difficult parents and their affect on his current views. This even extends into Orlando’s fears of ultimate consummation, a fear that greatly frustrates Jonty. As Orlando and Jonty seek more intimacy in their relationship, they are hampered by the untimely murder of another guest in addition to Orlando’s paranoia at being discovered and his fears of change of any kind. 

The characters of Jonty and Orlando are once again beautifully drawn and fully realized. The established nature of their relationship is a wonderful addition as their ease with each other layers more texture to the story. Their depth and interaction make the tale come alive from the good-natured teasing to gentle fits. Their conversation is filled with humor amid staid English properness. Even their arguments are easy and without great drama, but the emotion is clearly present. Their love and even unhappiness is deeply felt and expressed in the smaller details and sighs than exaggerated action and statements. This is a story filled with subtle detail and the sum of those details produce a loving relationship with its ups and downs without great drama. 

The mystery itself is filled with fun characters from Matthew to Mrs. T and even the return of Investigator Wilson. As with the previous mystery there is perhaps too large a cast so as to keep the ultimate culprit a mystery, although clever clues and hints along the way will allow a savvy reader to discern the true villain. Not all the characters introduced are important or memorable so there is no need to try and keep track of the cast. The gentle pace never overwhelms and it’s easy to follow where the story leads. The immense amount of detail offered about the setting and time period show incredible research and thus builds an impeccable world of that time. From the meals to activities and even thoughts, hopes and fears of the time, the story is immersed in that time period with mastery.

If there are any qualms, it is that the book for me was sometimes slow and difficult to engage. While the writing is evocative and lyrical with often creative and delightful prose, the slow pace and unresolved issues led to some reader frustration. Orlando’s fears of the bedroom were never sufficiently explored, merely dropped. Due to his constant weighted fears of any change, this is clearly a significant and important step that seems glossed over in the scheme of the book. Additionally the details of the murder dragged, as the characters seemed to rehash the same information while rarely offering anything new. The most engaging part of the story was the interactions between Orlando and Jonty alone and their discussions.

Overall, this is another excellent edition of the series and it may please readers more than it did me. Although I greatly enjoyed reading it, those who enjoy a slower pace and glee over the details of the time period will be more riveted, but the gentle romance and so very English setting is fun to read. I’m very curious about future books in the series as the men are often paranoid about discovery yet still have much to learn and grow within their relationship. The side mystery this time didn’t entice me as much as the previous mystery but the writing is incredibly well done. If you’re a fan of the series, definitely continue.

Get it HERE!

 

 

Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis

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Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis

Blurb:

I thought I knew what love was…

My name is Hunter Willis and I’ve found love. The problem? I’m not sure I’m ready for the rest of the world to know I’ve fallen for my best friend. Everyone knows Max is gay. Me? They think I’m straight as an arrow. So did I, until Max and I shared a kiss three months ago that blew that theory right out of the water.

Now, by the ocean in Florida, thousands of miles away from prying eyes, I’m finally ready to admit to myself that Max and I have something special. Max has been ready for a long time—and he’s been waiting for me.Really waiting. As in…he’s still a virgin.

There’s nothing I want more than to be Max’s first lover. But I know when Max gives away that part of himself, it won’t be just a summer fling. It’ll be for keeps. Max deserves the best. I’m just not sure, when it comes right down to it, that I won’t break his heart.

Did I mention I’m scared as hell?

 


[The cover is fitting – just the same stock used so many times.]

Review:

A truly lovely short novella about the fear of coming out overweighed with an incredible love found, regardless of gender. Sometimes in romance the simplicity of finding and holding onto love is overlooked for the drama, tension, and flash of problems, issues, and miscommunications. Conversely when the romance itself is the center point, the story is often too sweet and easy. Here the author has delivered a beautiful story showing the complexity of emotion and the ease of romance. However the path to acceptance is not always accomplished with a mild mannered announcement and here two great men struggle but focus on what is ultimately the most important element – their love.

Told in first person from Hunter’s point of view, the story follows a brief time period at the end of summer as Hunter struggles with coming out of the closet to friends. A confirmed heterosexual, Hunter has never really questioned his lackluster sexual response to women until he meets Max through mutual friends. The seeds of a crush are laid but both men seem to dance around the idea, ignoring it in favor of a slow building friendship. Finally one summer after they’ve been friends for years Max slowly opens Hunter’s eyes to the emotion between them. Although Hunter dives into the relationship with both feet, he can’t help a one step forward, two steps back attitude. He wants Max desperately yet is afraid of the stigma and label attached to admitting he may be gay.

The characters are really rich in detail and complexity. Hunter’s struggle with accepting his sexuality is layered and he stumbles several times along the way. Without Max’s patient understanding, the relationship would never have worked and Hunter recognizes this important fact. However that doesn’t stop Hunter from lashing out, running away, and inadvertently hurting Max in his fear. Hunter slowly accepts that Max wants an open relationship and won’t accept hiding for too much longer, that Max’s endless patience does indeed have a limit. What’s really touching about the emotional journey is that Hunter’s feelings for Max are never in doubt. Hunter is incredibly proud to be with Max and loves the man completely and totally. Even that deep well of emotion struggles to overcome Hunter’s resistance to accepting he is gay and facing possible repercussions from friends and family.

This short story is surprisingly well written and deeply emotional, given the smaller length. Thus the characterization and journey of the men are never wasted on small details or banal conversation. The tentative exploration into sex includes missteps and unfolding desire which combine to create an intimate look at a relationship as it turns from casual into serious and potentially life long.  The romance and sensuality of the relationship comes through, showing the care and love Max has shown Hunter over the course of the summer. Hunter’s slow emergence from fearful “friend” into proud lover is a lovely transformation and epitomizes the classic genre of romance.

If I had any qualms it would only be I didn’t appreciate the scene in the kitchen with Max and Hunter’s ex-girlfriends. While I understand the dynamic and the importance of the women in the men’s lives and close, supportive relationships – I felt the entire conversation is awkward and uncomfortable. I connected with Hunter on such a level, I felt his embarrassment and unease about the situation just as acutely. I didn’t feel the women’s reactions were explained or justified and thus they were somewhat odd and ill fitting to the story. However, this is a small scene in the story and the ending is beautiful and moving.

If you’re looking for a lovely summer romance story – this certainly satisfies. 

Get it HERE!

Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson

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Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson

Blurb:
How far would you dare to go…to win it all?

Maverick Holms and Duke Warren share almost everything—a college soccer team, an apartment and the same extremely competitive nature. Thanks to that never-back-down spirit, they’re about to share more than they bargained for.

The game is “gay chicken”. The rule: get as close as possible without kissing, and the one that pulls away first is the loser. The problem: neither of them likes to lose. It isn’t long before the game becomes an excuse to touch and kiss in every possible forbidden way. And after they pose for a gay website to earn extra money, things really heat up.

Suddenly Duke is talking lifetime commitment, and Mav is backpedaling as hard as he can, not sure if he’s ready to accept all his best friend is offering him. Or the truth about what he is.

 


Review:

This is a book where the readers have to suspend disbelief in a lot of areas to get sucked into the story. No doubt some will enjoy the theme and two hot, muscular men having sweaty sex but the underlying theme that the gay lifestyle is derogatory still prevails. The premise itself is frankly unbelievable, but getting beyond that and the insulting, stereotypical commentary the story is about a man coming to terms with his sexuality. However, he’s not really gay, he’s simply gay for his best friend. There’s a very thin line and really this no doubt works best as a story read for its erotica than for the content itself. Fans of the author will devour this story and love it intensely. 

The premise is that best friends Mav and Duke are fellow athletes on a star soccer team and have lived together for four years. In that time, they’ve become so comfortable around each other they frequently touch, cuddle, and even sleep in the same bed. No one questions their orientation however since they are both known to have sex with various women so their secret is safe – even from each other. Duke, secretly gay and in love with Mav, invents a game of “gay chicken” where he pushes Mav’s boundaries to get him to admit he wants to have sex with Duke. The game hinges on their competitiveness and comfort with each other while giving a reason to explain and ignore their actions.

These reasons are pretty thin and don’t get much more in depth throughout the story. Instead the two men dare each other to do more and more intimate acts, such as rubbing, blowjobs, kissing, and eventually sex. Since the story is told from Mav’s perspective, he consistently ignores the deeper meanings behind the actions, unwilling to accept or believe he may be gay. He never really accepts that sexual orientation either; instead willing to accept what Duke wants him to in order to keep his best friend and lover close to him. The implication that Mav is not gay nor would ever be comfortable in a traditional gay lifestyle is very clear throughout the book, his love and desire for Duke notwithstanding. Duke’s motivations are kept a mystery and only explained through a third party who admits that Duke “acted straight” for years due to his secret love for Mav.

The story is decent enough and the sex pretty hot but I had a lot of problems with the insulting and derogatory dialogue and characters. The few openly gay characters are all depicted as flamingly gay and several comments I found uncomfortable. Such as the conversation between Mav, Duke, and the openly gay Evan about posing for the Str8te Boys website.

“Str8te Boys? Why the hell would anybody want to see two straight guys, uh, getting it on?” Duke demanded.

 

Ethan shrugged. “For the same reason you breeders like to look at lipstick lesbians having gay sex. I know you wouldn’t want to watch two diesel dykes rug munching each other, would you?”

 

Mav shivered. “Uh, that’d be a no.”

 

“There you go, then,” Ethan said. “You want to see pretty girls getting together instead. The same way some people—and not all of them are gay men, mind you, a lot of them are kinky little straight girls—like to see straight boys together.” He sighed. “And besides, there’s just something so hot about the idea of two pretty straight boys having their first time…touching each other…feeling their way…not really sure what they’re doing but willing to try just about anything…”

 

Perhaps it’s a preference and other readers won’t be bothered by the comments. The story is only 60 pages long and filled with several sex scenes as well as most every other scene revolves around unfulfilled tension and desire. I didn’t hate it but Mav never felt as though he accepted his feelings for Duke and really was confident and comfortable expressing those desires. Instead the resolution felt forced and awkward, especially with the final scene among the team who barely blink at the changed status of their captains. For a fantasy piece, this ranks high if you enjoy the classic “gay for you” trope and the man in question never really comes around to accepting his sexuality. If you’re not bothered by some insulting comments, then pick this up for entertainment.

 Get it HERE!

 

 

ePistols at Dawn by ZA Maxfield

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ePistols at Dawn by ZA Maxfield

Blurb:
Choose your weapons.

Jae-sun Fields is pissed. Someone has taken the seminal coming-out, coming-of-age novel Doorways and satirized it. He’s determined to use his Internet skills and his job as a tabloid reporter to out the author as the fraud and no-talent hack he’s sure she is.

Kelly Kendall likes his anonymity and, except for his houseboy, factotum and all-around slut, Will, he craves solitude. There’s also that crippling case of OCD that makes it virtually impossible for him to leave the house. He’s hidden his authorship of Doorways behind layers of secrets and several years’ worth of lies—until he loses a bet.

Satirizing his own work, as far as he can see, is his own damned prerogative. Except now he has an online stalker, one who always seems several steps ahead of him in their online duel for information.

A chance meeting reveals more than hidden identities—it exposes a mutual magnetic attraction that can’t be denied. And pushes the stakes that much higher, into a zone that could get way too personal..

 

does shoe size *really* translate to other sizes…

Chasing Smoke by KA Mitchell

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Chasing Smoke by KA Mitchell

Blurb:

In the best of times, Daniel Gardner hates visiting his family. With his boyfriend pressuring him for a mortgage-serious commitment, Christmas in Easton, PA sounds, for once, like a welcome escape. His old house holds more than memories of a miserable adolescence, though. It has Trey Eriksson.

At seventeen, Trey was taken in by the wealthy Gardner family after his father was jailed for his mother’s murder. Until he left for the Army, he fought a double-edged battle—for proof of his father’s innocence and against his attraction to Daniel.

Fifteen years later, things haven’t changed. Trey is still looking for the real killer. And Daniel has never forgotten how Trey used to sneak into his room at night.

Now new clues to the murder are resurfacing—and so is Trey and Daniel’s sexual chemistry. Except this time, Trey has come to terms with his orientation.

But their connection may not be enough to overcome the mistakes of the past. Not while a murderer still walks free…

 

scooby-doo had more mystery ..

Dragon’s Kiss by Ally Blue

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Dragon’s Kiss by Ally Blue

Blurb:
In a future ruled by superstition and fear, wanting the wrong man can be deadly.

A Mother Earth story.

The rules governing a Pack-Brother’s existence are simple. Love your Brothers. Protect each other and your Tribe with your life. Seek sex only within the bonds of Brotherhood, or your life is forfeit. The laws are harsh, but fair. Or so Bear has always thought. Then he and his Brother Lynx capture a stranger in the Carwin Tribe’s outlying lands—Dragon, a Brother from a distant Pack, banished from his Tribe for the crime of challenging things he shouldn’t.

Dragon intrigues Bear from the start, and not just because of his exotic beauty. Interest in the decadent old world is discouraged in this post-Change society. Dragon is the first person Bear’s ever known, other than himself, who’s curious about the vanished past. That kinship sparks a forbidden attraction between them. An attraction which is, if they give in to it, punishable by death.

In the space of a day, everything Bear was raised to believe is called into question, and he must make a life-changing decision—follow the law, or follow his heart.


[More naked chests, but it’s an Anne Cain naked chest so… that’s better? It’s prettier at least.]

Review:

I’m always up for a post-apocalyptic story and throw in some hot sex between two guys and really, can you go wrong? Dragon’s Kiss doesn’t necessarily go wrong but it focuses more on the hot sex between the men than the world building. However, the world building included is intriguing and evocative and the story has a noticeably hanging ending, fairly screaming for a sequel. For a short introduction to the concepts and ideas, this story is pretty decent. It’s not much more than an introduction and the short length would work against other stories in this universe, but for now I’m intrigued.

The world has been destroyed by a natural disaster of some kind and left small groups of people bonding together in tribes, reminiscent of early cave dwelling clans. Separate from these tribes are Packs, but the exact nature of Pack versus Tribe is not thoroughly explained and still somewhat ill described. Packs apparently are filled with all men, each containing some essential identifier that sets them apart from the Tribes, but again what exactly marks men as Pack at an early age is never elucidated. These Packs live by a set of rules which demands they only have sex with each other, no monogamous relationships, and never think or wonder about the past. These rules are enforced with a variety of archaic and barbaric rules and punishments meant to keep people docile and ignorant.

Bear is a member of a Pack and has always hidden his curiosity about the past. He knows that if he divulges that he actually wonders what life was like before the big disaster, he could be executed or exiled. So instead, Bear has ignored those thoughts and goes about his days patrolling and having sex with his various brothers. All of this changes when he meets Dragon, an exile from another Pack who questions the rules of secrecy. His interaction with Dragon rejuvenates all the queries and wonders he had ignored and the sizzling chemistry between the two is too much for Bear to ignore.

The characters of Bear, Dragon, and even Lynx are given life but no depth. The hints of personality are started but never finished as each is interrupted by a sex scene or conversation about the consequences of their actions. Bear seems more interested in finding a monogamous sex partner in Dragon than in exploring the past. Curiosity about the past is supposedly the shared bond but really the sex is too good between the men to ignore. This left all characters slightly empty as the focus on the chemistry and erotica took over the world building and plot. The hanging ending comes about abruptly and clearly was meant for more installments, so perhaps the characters will develop and grow in subsequent stories.

As a short story that focuses on the erotic element with tantalizing glimpses of characters and a world, this tale is decent. It’s intriguing enough to start the series and the writing has a simplistic yet emotive quality. The prose is easy to read while being descriptive without overly dramatic language. Additionally, there are numerous erotic scenes within the story that spans 30 pages. So if you’re a fan of the author and are looking for an introduction to a new world with hot sex – this may work for you.

Get it HERE!
 

Feral by Joely Skye

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 Feral by Joely Skye

Blurb:

Even among shifters, Ethan is a rare breed. So rare, he’s spent the last eight years in hiding from the werewolves who once captured and tortured him. Now a tranq dart has cut short his feral existence. Waking in human form in a locked room is more than a living nightmare … it’s reliving his worst one.

Yet in the troubled eyes of one of his captors, he senses a weak link. One he can use to escape ~ by seducing his jailer.

Bram’s life as pack omega isn’t easy. As long as he obeys his alpha he is protected. However, there are some things he just can’t bring himself to do. Keeping a precious cougar shifter prisoner is one of them, especially one who has somehow managed to capture his heart.

Setting Ethan free could be a death sentence for both of them, for Bram’s pack doesn’t take betrayal lightly. And the alpha is set on revenge.

Werewolf angst…

Adder by Ally Blue

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Adder by Ally Blue

Blurb:

Music. Sex. Fame. What’s missing? Surely not the “L” word…

Adder has a plan for his life: play his music for millions of adoring fans, who will reward him with money, fame and as much sex as he can handle. It’s a goal he’s been working toward since his teens and is on the cusp of achieving. The idea of a relationship never entered his mind—until a new drummer joins his band. One taste of Kalil, and all he wants is more.

For Kalil, playing drums for Adder is a dream come true, the creative connection he’s always wanted. What he never reckoned on is the deeper connection he finds with Adder. Kalil would rather avoid sexual involvement with a bandmate, but Adder seems just as determined to break through his resistance.

Attraction aside, music and sex are about the only things the hedonistic Adder and the increasingly jealous Kalil can agree on. Still, before they know it they’re on the brink of something deeper, something lasting.

And it scares the hell out of both of them.

 

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