A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Winter’s Knight (New Amsterdam #2) by Kelly Wyre

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

If you want a continuation of Clark and Daniel from book one, there is a short story numbered 1.1. This second book in the series actually gives more details on the backstory of how clubs Bliss and Break came to be. There is finally more shown about Clark’s side job with Lucien, complete with glimpses of Lucien and Clark’s complicated relationship as friends, business owners, and employee/employer, which help address one criticism I had for book one. Apparently they are not just bar owners, but they and their friends/employees have formed a vigilante group bent on taking down a BDSM club involved in the skin trade, run by the mob.

Lucien hasn’t seen his friend Shea for three years, since he quit his job and vanished. Lucian has kept tabs on him and he seemed alright: maybe just dropped out of the rat race to sidestep the expectations of his family. This had some amazing parts, and then had things that just didn’t work for me. Lucian is in love with him, yet stops talking to him? It’s weird that Lucian just decides to finally ask Shea out on a date under these circumstances. One thing that confused me was how close Lucian seems to Shea’s family, and how Shea is supposedly close to his family, yet when Shea just stops going home, no one goes to see him? He built his house on the family property! The author tries, unsuccessfully in my opinion, to explain this away. Could Shea really stay hidden just by selling his things and changing his job? His parents go to society and charity galas; could Shea really be that much of an unknown quantity with the mob looking for him?

They have known each other since they were six, so the three years apart helps separate the love of a childhood friend from the love for an adult. This unravels slowly, the reader working out the story of Shea from Lucien’s point of view. Shea has a country accent at the beginning, fine since he grew up on a farm, albeit a wealthy successful one. Yet, at times he is very loquacious. At first it seemed to only be pretty protocol speech when they Scene, but then it fades in and out at other times also. Yes, he is well educated, but it just doesn’t seem to me like this character ever found a consistent voice. I struggled with Lucian as well. Some of his dialogue is so pretentious, “and thus you please me greatly,” not just when they Scene, but all the time. Yes, they call him Prince, and he plays that up, but…at times his words still seemed forced, awkward, and highly stylized–like he was trying too hard to be posh. This too is weakly explained away by, a lisp? My theory is that the author is too caught up in dichotomy, but opposite sides to everyone doesn’t always translate into successfully making them complex characters.

This becomes about taking down the bad guys in military mode with guns and state of the art equipment. Though, Lucian is aware of his “arrogant insanity at orchestrating such chaos.” Although dubcon and murder are mentioned, they happened previous to the events in this book and are not described. There is, however, on page torture. I couldn’t help but think of the Unbreakable Bonds series by Drake and Elliot, so if you liked those, you might like this, but the sense of closeness, of friends as family, is not quite realized. Lucien’s father is a corrupt politician with ties to the mob, so although Shea’s storyline finds resolution here, there could be more bad guys for the vigilante friends to go after in the future. Yet, they also introduce a criminal named Kris Fawkes with the enemy of my enemy is my friend type of scenario.

The sex scenes here are tempered a bit at the beginning due to Shea’s past trauma, which is actually very effective. It’s when the BDSM becomes more involved that I think it falls down. “Shea had to trust that what he longed for wouldn’t harm him so long as he did it with the man who claimed to love him.” This needed more deft handling. So, for me the erotic parts where a mixed bag. Since this is a romance, I’m going to judge it on that part of the book, more so than anything else, and even relying on a shared history, this didn’t sparkle where it could have.

The cover design by Natasha Snow matches the series, but I have no idea what this cover is about.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:Kindle Edition, 183 pages
Published September 8th 2019 by JMS Books LLC (first published April 2012)
Original Title Winter’s Knight
ASINB07XD9162C
Series New Amsterdam #2

A MelanieM Review : A Thousand Lifetimes by Kate Hawthorne

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 6

My name is Ezra Clarke, and I’m twenty-three.

Forever.

If you’re counting in vampire years, I’m actually two-hundred and eight, and if living that long has taught me anything, it’s that nothing lasts forever. And that’s been fine. It’s… whatever. I’ve never wanted anything that long, anyway, which is why I’ve never taken a mate, but that all changed when I met Declan Byrne.

He’s young, handsome, and he doesn’t do what I tell him to. He smells like cinnamon and has eyes that remind me of the daytime sky. Every kiss we share feels like home, and no touch lasts long enough.

I need him to be mine.

And for the briefest moment he is, and life is perfect… and then it isn’t. Rogue vampires threaten to pull us apart, and complicated politics are painful reminders that a world exists beyond our privacy of our bedroom.

But if anyone thinks they can keep me away from Declan, they have another thing coming. My mate and I have a thousand lifetimes to live, and we’re just getting started

A Thousand Lifetimes by Kate Hawthorne is a story that has me waffling on the rating. I go up on certain elements and down on others, falling smack dab in the middle where I”m still not sure it belongs. It is the first novel by this author I have read. The reader sort of falls into the story where Ezra has already turned Declan into a vampire, so there is a somewhat established relationship. It’s a bit confusing because what the reader is missing is any sort of universe building.

Vampire family structure, politics, how they and the humans interact, if at all in this world. All that comes into play and any information is gleaned is in bits and pieces as the story builds. To say, that leaves the reader floundering a bit would be correct. When the huge fights and story resolution comes, you finally get some of the structure you should have had all along. But a foundation? No, I can’t say I ever felt I got any. It’s all rather vague. Which is alarming because so much of the heavy narrative lifting depends of the impact of the political activity here. To not understand it, takes away the value of the actions.

My other concern? The main character of Ezra. Hawthorne has built some intriguing characters here, ones I did or do believe in. I especially wanted to know more about Ezra’s vampire family (mother and father) and brother. That relationship needing further exploration and held my interests more than Ezra and Declan. And with far less page time. For me (and this is absolutely a subjective view), I never liked Ezra. As the narrator of the story, he was just plain unappealing. His actions felt selfish and self involved to the point of endangering the family. And at one point he commits an act that for me is one he never recovers from, a shocking case of cowardice and betrayal. Believable? Yes. But it made me dislike him all the more and care less about the couple.

So. Well done characters, interesting story that certainly needed more foundation. I’m intrigued enough to hope that another story with the family trio comes along. As I said you might feel differently about Ezra. If you love vampire stories, check it out and see for yourself.

Cover art is certainly dramatic but he looks more like a mentalist than a vampire. At least to me.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 192 pages

Published October 3rd 2019 by Amazon Digital Services

ASIN B07XYJHRQ5

Edition Language English

Love a Supernatural Romance? Check Out the Blog Tour for A Thousand Lifetimes by Kate Hawthorne (guest blog, excerpt and giveaway)

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Kate Hawthorne here to talk about her new release A Thousand Lifetimes. Welcome, Kate.

✒︎

Writing Ezra and Declan was a lot of fun because Ezra really is terribly broody. He’s been without a long term partner the entire time he’s been a vampire (over two-hundred years), and all he sees are the downsides to what his life has become. Then, he meets Declan, who is absolutely thrilled with the turn of events, including his intense connection and attraction to Ezra.

I’ve realized one thing I really like to write about, whether it’s contemporary or paranormal is star-gazing. I know that’s such a weird kind of thing to have your characters be into, but I think there’s something to be said for being out in nature with your partner and realizing how vast the universe is and how small you are in comparison. I have a lot of characters star gaze, and Declan and Ezra actually have another conversation later in the book about all the stars Ezra wants Declan to see. While lying on his back. Getting laid.

In the below excerpt, they’re on their first proper date, and they’re playing the good old get to know you game. They’ve gone through favorite colors and movies, and things are about to get real.

—

I sigh, “How old are you, even?”

“Twenty-three. Well, almost. My birthday is in six weeks.”

Fuck. I’ve cursed him to an eternity of being twenty-two.

“What day?”

“Thursday. June seventeenth.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Enough. When is your birthday?”

“February ninth.”

“Is that, like, when you were born born, or when you were turned? Is that what it’s called? Turned, right?”

“That’s my actual birthday. I don’t celebrate the day I was turned.”

“Ezra, I’ve got to be honest.” Declan pulls his legs up onto the bench and he sits cross-legged so he can look at me. “You’re really fucking broody. I get the whole vampire aesthetic, but you’ve got to relax a little.”

“It’s difficult for me to believe that you’re so okay with what’s happening.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He jumps up and spins in a circle with his arms in the air. He drops his head back and stares at the sky and I know from experience he can still make out every single star and galaxy up there. He spins and spins, then comes to a stop and drops to his knees at my feet. He’s smiling up at me so wide, with all these straight white teeth and his bright blue eyes, and I thread my fingers together behind his neck and box him in between my legs.

“I didn’t have anything before I met you,” he whispers. “And you’ve given me the entire world, Ezra. How do you not see that?”

Kate Hawthorne has a new MM paranormal romance out: “A Thousand Lifetimes.”

My name is Ezra Clarke, and I’m twenty-three.

Forever.

I need him to be mine.

But if anyone thinks they can keep me away from Declan, they have another thing coming. My mate and I have a thousand lifetimes to live, and we’re just getting started.

Get It On Amazon

Giveaway

Kate is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win:

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Excerpt

The whole drive back to the house, Declan smiles at me like I’ve given him all of his Christmas presents a day early. It’s unreal, the way it makes hope and want and happiness bloom inside a place that’s sat vacant for two centuries. As soon as we get out of the car, he’s at my side, lacing our fingers together and he presses against me like he wants to be attached, and I don’t hate it. The way Declan acts around me makes me feel like I’m bigger than I am, like maybe I didn’t do such a bad thing after all.

I unlock the front door and hear clinking glassware from down the hallway. My parents are up, obviously. I want to pull Declan upstairs because I’m not ready to share him yet. I only want him to be mine and I want this time to be ours. Just for one more night.

That’s a lie.

A lot more nights.

I want at least four more years of nights before I need to worry about whatever my parents are about to unload on us.

“Ezra,” my father calls from the dining room, and the hope inside of me plummets into the floor.

“We’re going upstairs,” I answer.

“Ezra.” This time it’s my mother and I curse them both under my breath because they know I can’t say no to her. I’ve never been able to.

“It’s okay,” Declan whispers against my neck. “I hope they like me.”

I turn and cup his face in my hands, and I’m pretty sure it’s impossible for someone to not like him. He’s perfection.

I nod and lead him into the dining room where he stands nervously half a step behind me. My mom gets up and comes around the table and looks at me like I’ve done something wonderful. She has this proud smile on her face and her eyes shift to look at Declan.

“And who are you?” she asks in this soothing way she has about her. She’s trying to get him to relax, and I equal parts appreciate it and hate it.

“I’m Declan,” he answers, staying still. “Declan Byrne.”

“Old name.”

“That’s what Ezra said.”

Her lips twitch into a smile. “How are you feeling, Declan? Let’s come and sit down.”

She returns to her seat at the table and we both follow. Declan slips into the chair he sat at earlier, and I take mine. My parents both have drinks in front of them, and my mom asks if we want anything. Declan reaches over and grabs my thigh, his fingertips treacherously close to my sac.

“I’m alright for now, thank you,” he says.

“Declan, these are my parents, Birdie and William Clarke.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“How are you fairing, then?” my mother asks again. She slides her hand across the table, palm up, and my father tangles their fingers together.

“Fine, I think.”

“He’s fine,” I answer. “We’re both fine.”

“You, darling, were far from fine when it was your time. Have things changed so much now that such a life changing experience can be so well-received?” my mother says, and I bristle at the insinuation. I reach beneath the table and take Declan’s hand.

“Our circumstances weren’t comparable,” I whisper, clearing my throat when the words catch. I don’t want to have this conversation.

“I really am doing okay,” Declan interjects. “I think it will be an adjustment, obviously. But it’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”

A wave of fear and disgust washes over me and I blink Declan into focus. He’s looking across the table at my mother, but there’s no doubt we’re feeling the same way. I grip his hand tighter, and hope he knows that he has me now, and whatever happened to him in the past won’t ever happen again.

“I’m sure Ezra has told you the basics, yes?” My father finally speaks up.

“No sun. No food. No silver.”

“I assume since you’ve turned the two of you have… been intimate?” He looks properly embarrassed, and I wonder what he would have looked like if he could blush.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Was there… a blood exchange?”

“Yes,” I bite out.

“Good. The mate bond is sealed.”

“What now?” I cock my head to the side.

“Once the mate is turned, the bond is there, but it’s weak until it’s sealed with a blood exchange. If you’ve done that, the bond is sealed.”

“Why haven’t you ever told me that before?”

“I honestly never expected you to take a mate, Ezra,” my mother answers, taking her hand out of my fathers and folding them together neatly in front of her.

“You wanted to go to Hawaii,” I grumble.

“You’re such a wonderful boy.”

“I can hear his thoughts,” Declan blurts out. “Is that normal?”

My mother raises an eyebrow and shoots a quick glance at my father. “Sometimes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means there’re different degrees.” He waves his hand in the air with a small flourish. “Sometimes the bond between mates is stronger, more solid.”

“Like soul mates,” my mother supplies.

“Soul mates?” I ask

“What else is there?” Declan speaks over me, and my parents ignore my question for his.

“It’s a list,” my mother laughs. “It varies, I think. Some of it develops over time, some never. Like William said, it varies.”

“What kinds of things though?”

“I don’t think that’s appropriate dinner conversation.”

“I’ve had dinner.” Declan shoots a challenging look across the table.

Author Bio

Born and raised in Southern California, Kate Hawthorne woke up one day and realized she had stories worth sharing. Now existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate writes stories about complicated men in love that are sometimes dirty, but always sweet. She enjoys crafting hard-fought and well deserved happy endings with just the right amount of angst and kink.

From estate sale shopping to shoe worship, there’s something in at least one of her books that’ll tickle your fancy. Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com

Author Website: http://www.katehawthornebooks.com

Author Facebook (Personal): http://facebook.com/katehawthornebooks

Author Facebook (Author Page): http://facebook.com/authorkatehawthorne

Author Twitter: http://twitter.com/katewriteswords

Author Instagram: http://instagram.com/kate.hawthorne

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17636987.Kate_Hawthorne

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Hawthorne/e/B0791M6HFZ/

Release Blitz and Giveaway for Ready For You (Oahu Lovers #3) by Crystal Lacy

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Cover: Crystal Lacy

Length: 66,000 words approx.

Oahu Lovers Series

Book #1 – Brave For You – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book #2 – Change For You – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Blurb

After mistakenly kissing a straight guy, Reggie expects Shohei to run the other way—not continue their fledgling friendship like nothing happened. Now if only Reggie can stop thinking about how Shohei’s lips tasted.

Shohei has never thought of himself as anything other than straight, but he can’t seem to forget the kiss he shared with Reggie. When Reggie volunteers to help him experiment with his newfound curiosity, he doesn’t resist the temptation.

It’s just a little bit of experimenting between friends, right?

A geeky, slow burn bisexual awakening MM romance with a HEA and no cliffhangers set in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Crystal Lacy lives with her loving family in Hawaii, where it is always either drizzling or sunny and never snows—which is a shame, because she prefers being cold to being damp and hot unless it’s for Very Good Reasons. She writes queer romance, mainly M/M, but also some F/F. She has aspirations to one day write a YA novel about cats.

Crystal is a long-time fangirl and writes slash fanfiction for the Harry Potter and NBC Hannibal fandoms. She has a deep love for fandom culture, and can be frequently spotted on Twitter and Tumblr reblogging pretty fan art.

Join Crystal’s readers group on FB for sneak peeks, bonus content, and ARC opportunities or subscribe her newsletter for monthly book giveaways, recs, news, and more! You can also follow Crystal on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

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Cover Reveal for First Priority by Este Holland (excerpt)

COVER REVEAL

Book Title: First Priority

Author: Este Holland

Cover Artist: The Write Designer – Lisa Messegee

Release Date: October 17, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Alpha, nerd

Themes: Overcoming anxiety

Heat Rating: 3.5 flames

Blurb

Adam:

Meeting an A-list movie star like Truman James wasn’t part of my life plan, but neither was temporarily living with my bully of a stepbrother. Being hit on by said celebrity definitely hadn’t been planned.

I wasn’t up for wild parties or talking in front of cameras, so why did I find myself answering Truman’s phone calls and texts? Even more confusing, why did I go on a date with the man?

Beating my social anxiety wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, and avoiding the stubborn actor was even harder, so when I was thrust into the spotlight, there was only one thing I could do…

Run.

Truman:

From the moment I set eyes on Adam Hendrix at my Oscar party, I was enraptured. His sweet demeanor and pretty-boy looks captured my heart from the start, and I refused to let Adam get away.

I never intended to out Adam to the media, but that’s exactly what I did. So, when the paparazzi began to swarm, I did the only thing I could to protect Adam… I whisked him away to a place no one could get to him.

Safe on the little island I loved, I let my guard down and showed Adam the real me. The one only a few people in the world know.

But will it be enough to make him stay? Will I be enough to make him happy?

This is a m/m contemporary romance; alpha/nerd; low angst novel. Trigger warning for some bullying.

Excerpt

I was in Truman James’s car, driving west to Malibu. I’d only been there twice in my life to go to the beach with some people in college. It was a nice place, and nowhere near my stratosphere of everyday life.

What the hell was I doing there? Was Truman really that pigheaded that he couldn’t take no for an answer? If I thought for one second I’d be able to handle the media or his rich lifestyle, I’d feel like a million bucks. As it was, I felt like a little kid sitting on plastic furniture in Grandma’s formal parlor, not allowed to touch a thing. Truman hadn’t told me not to touch anything; I’d imposed that rule upon myself because I was terrified I’d break some priceless work of art or some expensive piece of electronics.

Stomach aching with nerves, I blurted, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

Truman started at my outburst. “Like where? I’m not exactly inconspicuous.”

I took our general location into consideration. “Turn off at the next exit and head toward Pasadena.”

Truman glanced over at me with a pensive frown.

“What?” I asked.

“It just occurred to me that I really don’t know you very well. Are you planning on putting me in some compromising situation, taking photos, and selling them to the tabloids?” He waited a beat, then gave me a shit-eating grin.

I smacked his arm with the back of my hand. “Very funny.” Although it kind of wasn’t. It wasn’t hard to imagine people doing that to him, and it almost made me feel sorry for him. Almost.

About the Author

Este Holland is a writer and reader of all things Romance. She’s also a treasure hunter, a word wizard, a lover, and a fighter. She was born and raised in WV, and now lives in Virginia. She works in marketing during the day. She began writing novels in 2012.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram: @este.holland.writer

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A MelanieM Review: Lessons in Playing a Murderous Tune (Cambridge Fellows #12.8) by Charlie Cochrane

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Orlando Coppersmith is called in to solve not one but two problems: a suspected murder and a mysterious violin. So why is he reluctant to take the case – is it because it came from the warden of his old college? Once more, it’s up to Jonty Stewart to get his partner through the challenge and employ their own, unique, way to finding a solution.

Well a clink of the bubbly to Charlie Cochrane! The latest in the long running Cambridge Fellows series,Lessons in Playing a Murderous Tune (Cambridge Fellows #12.8 ) is a absolute delight of a mystery. Even at 107 pages, its intriguing, all the clues scattered enough to tickle the brain and keep the reader truly puzzled, along with providing new astonishing bits of information about long established characters in this series, things I never would have guessed at! Nor am I giving away here.

In fact, I think the short length plays to the strength of the mystery. Its concise, taut, pulling all the clues and players together in a swift and timely manner for a perfect Orlando and Jonty revelation! Full of twists and as I love when it happens, helped along by some of my favorite other characters to Jonty’s father along with what we all know think of as (as Orlando would be shuddering as I type this), their very own Baker Street Irregulars, that very deeply wonderful group of scholars from St. Brides College.

As with every story, the relationship dynamics of Orlando and Jonty’s deep love for each other is a strong element here, albeit a gentle one this time. Here its Orlando’s need to prove himself to the college he’s returning to as a man but left as a boy. Their interaction shows the depth of time together, the knowledge of each other and just how deep and strong their love has become through the years and series. Gentle, heartening, and remarkable.

As are all the stories in this series and the couple at the heart.

But don’t take my word for it. Pick them all up and read them in the order they were written, at least up to book number 11, then the timeline jumps around after that. I highly recommend them all.

Cover art: Alex Beecroft. Love this cover. Perfect for the times and tone.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 107 pages
Published August 26th 2019 by The Right Chair Press
ASINB07VXWRMJ9
Series Cambridge Fellows #12.8
Characters Jonty Stewart, Orlando Coppersmith

Cambridge Fellows (all the books here at Goodreads)

A Free Dreamer Review:Kogitsune (Takamagahara Monogatari #1) by Xia Xia Lake

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A coming of age story set in medieval Japan. A friendship between a young fox god and his human childhood friend is built on deception, but grows stronger and purer as it’s driven by common purpose. However, the vast differences of the worlds they live in can’t be ignored, as their relationship is frowned upon by both humans and spirits.

As Kogitsune’s feelings for his human friend turn from friendship to something deeper, he will learn that love can be all consuming and heartbreaking.

‘Kogitsune’ is a retelling of the famous Noh theater play ‘Kokaji’, a story about a swordsmith who requests the help of the Inari god to build a sword for emperor Ichijo (980-1011).

Read it here: https://xiaxiastorylake.com/2018/11/20/kogitsune/
Or download it from Smashwords for free: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/909645

Usually I don’t read short stories, but “Kogitsune” did not just tempt me with its blurb, but also with the promise of a real novel for the next part. I just couldn’t resist a historical fantasy novel set in medieval Japan and it was absolutely worth the time.

I love Japan, I love mythology in general, and I love fantasy and Kogitsune is a combination of all three things. I’m somewhat familiar with Japanese folklore, but I’ve never heard of this play before. That didn’t stop me from fully enjoying this book. You don’t need to be an expert on all things Japanese to understand and enjoy this story, but you should probably be familiar with common Japanese terms and titles. The author did provide a link with explanations at the beginning of the story, though.

The story itself is incredibly romantic, beautiful and yet heartbreaking all at once. I don’t want to reveal any details about the plot, they would probably be a spoiler. So I’ll only say that I loved it.

Overall, the story felt a little bit short. But it definitely did it’s job. It made me curious to find out more and I happily read part two. If you’re curious too, give it a shot. It’s short and free, so there’s really nothing to lose.

The cover is cute and fits the story perfectly. I like it.

Find the story here.

Book details: ebook, 40 pages

Published November 20th 2018

A Free Dreamer Review: Shinigami (Takamagahara Monogatari #2) by Xia Xia Lake

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

A coming-of-age love story between an orphan and the heir of the richest family in the Land of Yamato. The human world meets the yōkai in a power struggle for the fate of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu.

While he battles to find his own path, Hirotsugu finds solace in a boy who will become his secret friend, then his salvation, and then as they become adults together, the love of his life.

After the good first part of the series, I was really curious about the actual novel. And I was not disappointed.

“Shinigami” is part two of the series, even though it’s set before the events of “Kogitsune”. You should read “Kogitsune” before you pick up this book. It’s a free short story, so there’s nothing to lose and it will definitely help you understand this book.

I’m not sure if the blurb quite does this amazing book justice. It sounds a little trivial, when this story is anything but. I probably wouldn’t call it a “coming-of-age love story” either, more like historical fantasy steeped in Japanese mythology with a healthy dash of heartbreaking romance.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Japan and it’s folklore and mythology. After the very good first part, I had very high expectations of this second installment. And “Shinigami” did not just live up to them, it actually exceeded them.

I’m somewhat familiar with Japanese mythology, but not an expert by any means. There’s a dictionary at the end of the book, so you can always cross check if you don’t understand something. You should still be familiar with the most common Japanese titles, though. I actually felt like I now know more about Japan than I did before starting the book, but it never felt like the author was writing a lecture.

The romance itself is rather slow burn, since the book essentially starts with Hiro’s birth. So it takes a while for Hiro and Ryu to meet and it takes even longer for a romantic relationship to develop. But that allowed for a natural growth of their feelings and it was wonderful to witness it. There’s not a ton of sex either and it’s not very explicit, but it was definitely very sensual.

The setting of ancient Japan was extremely well written. The author clearly did a lot of research and knows what she’s writing about. I loved all the details and it made it all very real to me. It’s not always an easy read, so you might not want to read while half asleep. Unless you know your Japanese history and mythology in your sleep, then you’re all set. If not, it does require a bit of concentration, because it’s a rather complex story.

I was happy to get a background story for a few characters of the first part. Biko-san makes another appearance and he’s so adorable. I’m totally naming a cat after him, if I ever get one.

There were some very emotional moments, both happy and sad. It never felt sappy or over the top, though. The ending was both heartbreaking and wonderful and I’m eagerly awaiting part three. That one will be about a minor character who only got one scene in the entire book, but I’m still curious to learn more about him.

Overall, “Shinigami” is a truly brilliant book. If you love historical fantasy, Japanese mythology and folklore and don’t mind a slow-burn, non-traditional romance, you must read this series. One of my highlights of the year.

That cover. Oh my god. So cool. I love it. I’m totally having a fangirl moment just because of the cover. It’s perfect and makes me sad I don’t own a print version. It would look great in my bookshelf.

Book 2 – Shinigami

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book details:

Kindle Edition,245 pages

Published October 1st 2019 (first published August 13th 2019)

Takamagahara Monogatari Series

Kogitsune

Shinigami

James Brock on Memories, His Time in Service and the Inspiration behind “Dog Tagged” by James Brock (guest blog, excerpt, and giveaway)

Dog Tagged by James Brock

As an overweight glasses wearing young gay man I joined the US Army in 1976 with no questions about my sexuality other than one on the entrance forms which asked you to check a box yes or no if you were a homosexual.

The recruiter signing me up, who was just trying to meet his quota, was set to take me no matter what. I doubt if I had even checked the box about homosexuality with a bold check in the yes box that he would still have managed to send me on to basic training.

While my life had been in rural, remote America I had been around all races, and sexual orientations. The only group I had not been around were other guys my age who were gay, and suddenly, despite that pesky question on the form, I found myself around meeting other young me who shared my sexual orientation.

Oh we did not sit and bond over gossip and swap kisses, we were kept far too busy for that, but there were certain moments during which something would click.

Oh. I’m not alone with this.

I remember clearly thinking this one afternoon at the range. A group of us were waiting our turn to be called up to the firing line and not being supervised very carefully by the Drill Instructor who was supposed to be watching us. Various conversations were going on and two guys were discussing a movie called Sparkle (the original, re made with no success some years back). There were giggles and discussion of the dresses. I knew the guys and wanted so badly to scoot over next to them and become a part of the talk but knew that by doing so I would be associated with them and that (girl talk), if I let myself be swayed.

Later in my service term I would happily and boldly hang out in the gay bars in the city near the base, by the time I separated I had a boyfriend off post.

Dog Tagged is a compilation of memories from my time in service and bits and pieces of stories I learned from other Gay and Lesbian service members I have talked with over the years.

It is without question that there were and are still Gay and Lesbian Drill Instructors. Which is there this story begins, with that age old question of story tellers, What if…in this case the question is What if there was a D.I., happy with his sexuality but resigned to keeping his hands to himself over the course of his career (on post, that is), until he meets that irresistible force, the guy he cannot let go of. The somewhere between love and obsession guy he loses his heart to, but unlike his heterosexual mates he cannot even declare his love. No just because he outranks someone, but because their chosen career, the U.S. Army in this case, does not allow same sex relationships.

Well, in this case they do, but you cannot talk about it.

Or conveniently act on it.

Dog Tagged is a story of love and longing, lust and passion, angst, regret and finally love.

And hopefully, someday soon, a fully equality without question, for all.

___________

James Brock has a new MM Military Romance out: “Dog Tagged.”

Drill Sergeant Clay Norris has his military life running right on schedule. Career focused he appreciates that he joined up when his sexuality is at least acknowledged under Don’t Ask, Don’t tell, even if he doesn’t get to act on his urges as much as he likes.

In formation with his new trainee group he locks eyes with Chevrolet Banks and his life, their lives, are changed forever.

Dog Tagged is an insta love military romance based on real life incidents.

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Giveaway

James is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter:

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Excerpt

What also became clear to me in my short time with the fun, cute guy was that I had fallen so hard for Private Chevy Banks that I couldn’t get him out of my head even standing next to this walking hard-on.

I did let the hot salesman give me a quick kiss on the cheek in the changing room and tried to forget the warmth of his lips as I headed out to the clubs and got some dance and further drink on, always bearing in mind that I was an officer now and had some decorum to maintain.

Okay, all that means is that I got pretty wasted.

And that I danced with all comers. I was quickly stripped out of that cute little shirt salesman Evan had put me in, my training ripped body giving me pick of the litter. Not last call litter, not still breathing and leftover litter. Porn star guys (REAL porn star guys) were fighting over me, actual pushing and shoving, it was quite the scene, the knot of men who had surrounded this former Drill Instructor.

At some point I looked up to see the smiling face of Evan the clerk from the clothing store next to me, an arm thrown protectively thrown around my shoulder. His sweet smile was the brightest of the lot, I latched onto him like an octopus gripping a clam.

I have no idea how long the revelry went on or how I got back to the hotel.

Let alone what might have happened there.

The next morning I woke not feeling well at all. Slick with sweat, sick to my stomach I rolled my head on the pillow slowly, not knowing what kind of guy I was going to find next to me. Thankfully the pillow was empty, as was the bed, although the blankets were mussed enough to let me know someone had recently nested there. Carefully lifting myself I checked the floor and was relieved to see no other bodies in the room.

But at that moment the bathroom door opened and a figure came out.

Evan, blond and sunny, cute as the night before in tattered jean and a faded green t shirt with a cracked and worn logo on it stepped into the darkened room.

“Hey buster, didn’t think you’d be up for a while,” he said with a giggle in his voice.

Flopping down onto the chair across the room he slipped his feet into athletic shoes and laced them. “Or should I be calling you Lieutenant Buster?” he added with a nod toward my dress uniform hanging neatly in the closet.

“Just call me a time machine man, I wanna go back about twelve hours and start over again.” I sighed from the bed. “What the fuck happened….”

“What didn’t happen is the better question,” Even said evenly. “you were wined and dined, if you count the bag of Dorito’s you were given to strap on like a feed bag dining, given drinks and very nearly given drugs and taken to other clubs and there was talk of taking you to that skeezy bath house connected to the dance club, but you wouldn’t go anywhere without me once I had been spotted. You seemed to be quite taken with modest little moi and since I refused to go to that bathhouse everyone was trying to get you to go to I finally got you back here where there were more drinks and salty snacks then there was some crying….” he trailed off. “I’ve ordered room service for you; hope you don’t mind.”

“Wait. Wait, wait.” I said using a nearly Drill Sergeant size voice as the handsome young man stood, “I need the whole story.”

About that time there was a knock at the door; Evan let room service in, signing the check. “You are a good tipper, just so you know,” he grinned while pushing the tray of food over toward me on the bed then pouring coffee. He motioned for me to eat then sat back down. “I was going out anyway so when I closed up I came over to the club and there you were, gaily lit as a Christmas tree and surrounded by faeries more headstrong and stubborn than Tinkerbell all out to get a piece of the hottest man in the city. Not the bar, the city. And I’m not just saying that because I am the one who ended up sleeping with you.”

I guess I looked up at him like a deer in head lights.

“Stop, don’t flatter me. I’ve got it going on but I’m not ripped like you. Word was out that there was a military hottie on the hoof in the club and every muscle queen and gym bunny in town showed up to audition as your hook-up for the night. I think guys were flying in from LA and San Francisco trying to get to you,” the blond smiled.

“So you brought me back here and we….” I said, mouth full of egg. The food was going down smoother than I expected it would.

“I didn’t get in the way of your fun too much, I just kept an eye on you. Until they started to undress you and began offering you pills, powders and potions.”

I felt myself shudder and freeze.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t let them. I just brought you back here, where you insisted on another drink or ten. Then you got weepy and I held you and let you talk about a car until you fell asleep. I dunno, everyone has a kink or two, but I’ve never heard anyone rhapsodize about a vehicle the way you went on and on about your Chevy last night.”

I was really embarrassed then.

I let a silence settle between us before taking a sip of scalding hot coffee and replying.

“Not a car, a guy,” I whispered.

“I fell off a turnip truck but that was a long time ago,” he smirked while reaching over and snagging a crisp piece of bacon off my plate and began chewing on it, “I figured as much.” Evan said with true kindness in his voice. “I had a brother in the Army and knew you were just blowing off some steam. Those wolves would have eaten you and I like to think someone would have looked after my brother the same way. Nothing happened between us.”

“That would have been the best part of the night it sounds like,” I managed, no longer interested in the food.

“You were a hot mess, but I am very glad you are alright. Now I’ve gotta go to work. If you are in town for a while here is my card.” With that Evan produced a business card with his name, number and e mail on it. “Use it at will.” he slipped the card on the breakfast tray then slid his arms around my body, giving me a very nice hug.

“Leaving tomorrow, but some other time without question.”

Stopping at the closet on his way out he reached in and touched the sleeve of my dress uniform.

“Are you going over?”

“Soon.”

There was a slight pause before he broke his eyes form the uniform.

“Be safe. E mail and let me know how you are. Promise?”

“Promise, and thanks. Is your brother back?” there was a pause before Evan answered Yesin such a quiet way that I knew the way his brother had come home.

“I’m sorry,” was all I had time to say before the cute blond turned and gave me a wan smile and slipped out of the room.

Author Bio

James Brock is an Amazon number one best selling author, with fifteen M/M romance novels published and two family autobiographies.

Once upon a time he sold comedy to Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller, was published in every gay men’s magazine on the market (when there was a market, those dinosaurs were killed off by DVD, which were in turn eaten by streaming and on demand…), the Seattle Gay News and Seattle Standard and essays with the late great Alyson Publications.

James lives in Seattle.

Author Website: JamesBrockBooks.com

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/Men-Overboard-100109810041126/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesbrockbooks

Love Fantasy and Mythology? Check out the Tour for Shinigami by Xia Xia Lake (excerpts)

REVIEW TOUR

Book Title: Shinigami

Author: Xia Xia Lake

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: October 1, 2019

Genre/s: LGBTQ fantasy, Gay fiction, Historical fiction (it’s NOT MM romance)

Trope/s: Friends to Lovers

Themes: Mythology; gods; supernatural

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 71 440 words /220 pages

Add on Goodreads

Nothing is what it seems.

Blurb

A coming of age love story between the heir of the richest family in the Land of Yamato and an orphan. The human world meets the yōkai world in a power struggle for the fate of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu. While he battles to find his own path in life, Hirotsugu finds solace in a boy who will first become his secret friend, then his salvation, then, as they become adults together, the love of his life.

The story is set during the Nara period of ancient Japan and will expand over a period of 25 years (715-740).

Buy Links

Book 1 – Kogitsune.

It’s a 40-page short story and is FREE on Smashwords.

Book 2 – Shinigami

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Excerpt

Chapter 1: Kagerō
Kagerō: The quivering appearance of the mist rising from the hot surface of the ground”

On the day Fujiwara no Hirotsugu was born, Mount Kasuga was covered in golden shimmering kagerō rising from the ground to cloak the mountain in mist. The uguisu sang from dusk until dawn, and a crane appeared in the palace garden and didn’t leave for five days.

It was late May, close to the final days of planting the rice. These were the days when finishing the paddy field work was paramount, lest next year’s crops be affected. Yet in celebration of Hirotsugu’s birth, his father, Umakai, sent an order to his bailiff to decree half a day off for all workers. Servants from the palace went down the mountain to offer rice, fish, and sake to the poor in Heijo-kyo.

Gifts poured through the gates for weeks, coming not only from the greatest families living in the land of Yamato, but also from as far away as Silla and Tang. Even the old Empress Genmei, who had no love for the Fujiwara clan, sent Hirotsugu a gift fit for royalty: a sword replica modeled after Kusanagi the Grass Slasher, the sacred imperial heirloom of the Yamato Emperors. Since it was forbidden for anyone except the reigning monarch and the High Priest of the Ise Grand Shrine to lay eyes on the real Kusanagi, no one could actually tell how good the replica was. But neither could they deny that the sword Hirotsugu received was of exceptional workmanship and extraordinary value.

The greatest gift of all came from Hirotsugu’s grandfather, Fujiwara no Fuhito. The leader of the Fujiwara clan made a secret pact with Crown Prince Obito that on the day Hirotsugu turned twenty, he would marry Princess Abe, Prince Obito’s firstborn child.

Upon Hirotsugu’s birth, the Fujiwara clan made great plans for his future, and I watched from my throne of skulls behind the kagerō veil and laughed and laughed and laughed.

SPRING

Chapter 2: Uguisu
Uguisu: The Japanese nightingale

In spring, nature was at its most beautiful at dawn, when Amaterasu’s robe touched the hills and dyed them red, and the blooming cherry trees turned a vibrant pink. Hanging from the eaves of every Fujiwara castle were tendrils of purple wisteria, their blooms awakening to welcome the Sun Goddess. The white clouds above resembled boughs of cherry flowers.

When night approached, the birdsong gently shifted from cheerful to forlorn. The uguisu went to sleep in its pot-shaped nest, and the brown-feathered night thrush—recently returned from wintering in Tenjiku—took its place and claimed the night. Now and then, a deer would call and a fawn would answer back.

The day Hirotsugu was born, a young god wandered up and down the high-forested slopes of Mount Kasuga, tired from the day he’d spent blessing the fields and the future harvest. He would have gone home to Mount Kurama in Kibune, but something was amiss with the yōkai living on Kasuga and he’d come to investigate.

At twilight, he found a group of kodama and an old kappa gathered underneath the budding leaves of a giant plum tree, transfixed by its beautiful red blossoms. When he entered the clearing, they were trying to touch the blossoms, but as soon as a hand came close, the tree would raise its branches out of reach.

“Don’t touch it,” the god commanded. His voice was calm, but it came like the snap of a whip and took them out of their reverie. “It’s a ghost tree. It’s not really here.”

The kodama stumbled backward, frightened.

“When did it appear?” the young god asked.

“This morning, Inari-sama,” the kappa answered. “When the baby was born.”

“Baby?” Inari frowned. “Come closer, child, don’t be afraid. Which baby do you speak of?”

About the Author

Xia Xia Lake is an Otaku & Slytherin that used to cosplay at every comic con she attended, until a kid asked if he could take a picture with the “old lady.”

She decided a couple of years ago that she wanted to spend her free time writing stories and partying with vampires.

She lives in Transylvania with her fiancé and is a big fan of Romanian cuisine.

Author Links

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