Category: Fantasy

An Alisa Review: Malachite (Brotherhood of Ormarr #4) by Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

Malachite~

I have a wonderful life. I have no room to complain; between my brothers and their new mates, this is the most alive our home has felt since my parents died. Unfortunately, all of them being mated is making me miserable. When it was just the four of us, it was us against the world. Now they’re paired up and it’s only me and my dragon, Kesia. Until I happen to walk into the Overlord’s Lair and I see him: Quentin. Mine. Mate. As much as I want to win him over without telling him I’m a dragon rider and we’re mates—which I know he’d love—I’m not sure I can. The minute I’m around him I act like an idiot.

Quentin~

Every time the goofy guy walks into my store, he brightens my day, and I look forward to his daily visits. There’s just something about him that draws me to him, to the point he leaves me pining after him the moment he’s gone. But the thing is, I can tell he’s hiding something, and my wild imagination is coming up with the craziest explanations of the secrets he’s keeping. Maybe he’s a vampire that’s come to whisk me away—ridiculous, right? But a guy can dream. And I’ve definitely been dreaming of that big, muscular man wrapping me in his arms at night.

Malachite is the final book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc concludes in this installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Malachite is a m/m romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

This story was the perfect ending to this series and there were a few more surprises thrown in.  Malachite is so adorable for such a big guy and Quentin is just a great guy who seems to see the positive side of things.  Again Kesia is her own dragon and I love how much she wants them to keep Quentin right away.

I was glad that this family was able to get the closure they needed after all they had been through in these books.  I hurt for them when they found out how deep the wraiths touch went in the order but loved the Quentin ended up being the one to help the wraiths once again become the dragons they were meant to be.

Malachite was so adorable and clumsy when it came to courting Quentin but most of all he is the so sweet with everyone.  Quentin hadn’t had the best childhood but his connection to the dragons from the very beginning was absolutely wonderful.  Even more I loved the epilogue and seeing how these brothers have expanded their family in the years since they freed the wraiths.

I once again loved the cover art by Jay Aheer and liked getting to see Kesia in her warrior form.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 254 pages

Publication: June 10, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Brotherhood of Ormarr #4

Brotherhood of Ormarr Series by different authors:

Azaran (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #1)
by Jacki James

Zale (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #2)
by Michelle Frost

Eeli (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #3)
by Steph Marie, Bobbie Rayne

Malachite (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #4)
by Michele Notaro

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review :Single (Single Dads #1) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Finally, an RJ Scott novel that gave me feels similar to those I got when I first read Heart of Texas. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but this refreshing story of a young man who moved forward with surrogacy after his life partner left and is now the proud—and exhausted—father of seven-week-old Mia gave me all the feels. Sleep deprived, his nerves shot, when he answers a pounding on his front door in the middle of the night, little does he know his life is going to take an upswing. And no, it’s not the guy who pounds on the door who sets his heart on fire—it’s the sweet doctor who is the man’s roommate and bestie who eventually convinces the frazzled single dad that there’s more to life than the little bundle of joy he’s fiercely protecting.

The main and secondary characters in this story are a delight. Ash, the single dad, and Sean, the ER doc neighbor, took a very slow route to romance. In fact, they didn’t even kiss until the 50% mark. This book is more about family and relationships—both of family and of friends—and less about a quick jump in the sack. And I loved every minute. The secondary characters, including Ash’s twin sister and Sean’s two roomies and besties—Eric, a firefighter, and Leo, a cop—along with their dog, Cap, and a host of online single dads Ash meets through a forum, added so much depth and dimension to the story that I didn’t want to put the book down.

Now, I’m totally looking forward to the next installment in this series where big, strong firefighter Eric, will be matched with sweet, shy Brady, Ash’s online friend. I have a feeling I know what Brady’s back story is and I can’t wait to read to find out if I’m right or wrong. In any event, if it’s half as good as this one, I know I’m going to love it. I highly recommend this book, the start of what promises to be a terrific series. 

The photo cover designed by RJ Scott features a young man, holding an infant and looking off into the distance. It’s very attractive and beautifully depicts Ash’s early weeks with Mia.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book Details:

ebook
Published June 12th 2019 by Love Lane Books Ltd
ISBN139781785641701
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttp://rjscott.co.uk/books/single
SeriesSingle Dads #1

An Alisa Review: Eeli (Brotherhood of Ormarr #3) by Steph Marie and Bobbie Rayne

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Eeli~

I’ve been training my entire life for this; I need to be the best, the best fighter, the best dragon rider in the entire brotherhood. This is what I was born for. The only problem is that my bonded dragon, Bodhi, and I can’t seem to get it together. One minute I think we’re connecting properly, and the next she’s taking off, leading me to the one guy I don’t want to know: Slash. He’s basically the opposite of me in every way, and I don’t get why he’s suddenly everywhere I turn, but I can’t deny how he makes me feel when he looks at me.

Slash~

Three years ago my sister and I had to come to a new town and started new schools without our parents’ unconditional love and support. My uncle’s an uncaring drunk, so I’m doing the best I can to keep us both clothed and fed with only an after school job. If I didn’t have her to live for, the loneliness would be excruciating. Now, with only a few months until graduation, I’ve suddenly made a friend because of my sister, and another guy keeps stumbling into me who I think needs help: Eeli. I don’t understand why no one else sees how oddly he’s behaving, but I can’t deny my attraction for him is growing with every mishap.

Eeli is the third book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc continues in the next installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Eeli is a m/m NA romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

This is such an interesting world and fate is bringing together the right people together to fix everything.  Eeli and Slash have some big misunderstandings under their belts and have their work cut out for them in building their relationship.

I felt for Eeli, while he tried to succeed at everything based on a comment he heard from his brother years ago, he still feels that he is failing in regards to his dragon and then his mate.  I could see how hopeless everything felt for him but was so happy that they were able to figure it out.  Slash has purposefully kept him and his sister at arm’s length from people since their parents’ deaths but they have finally found a family to be a part of.

That Slash’s sister is basically the key to helping their Calma plant grow and the connection their family had to the clans shows how much fate is pulling the right people together.  I enjoyed seeing Az and Zale have freak outs over their little brother being in a relationship because they just couldn’t see past him being their little brother but I liked the opportunity to see Eeli as his own man.  I cannot wait to read Malachite’s story next.

The cover art by Jay Aheer is once again great and I love the picture of Bodhi.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 261 pages

Publication: June 3, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Brotherhood of Ormarr #3

Brotherhood of Ormarr Series by different authors:

Azaran (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #1)
by Jacki James

Zale (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #2)
by Michelle Frost

Eeli (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #3)
by Steph Marie, Bobbie Rayne

Malachite (The Brotherhood of Ormarr, #4)
by Michele Notaro

Release Blitz – Afflicted to the Core (Wielder World #3) by Nat Kennedy (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Afflicted to the Core (Wielder World, Book 3)

Author: Nat Kennedy

Publisher: Self-Published/Lagomorph Press

Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Design

Release Date: June 14, 2019

Genre/s: MM Urban Fantasy

Trope/s: Teacher/Student, Friends to Lovers, Threesome

Themes: Loyalty, Acceptance, mild H/C

Heat Rating: 3-4 flames (not frequent, but detailed)

Length: 93 000 words/260 pages

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Blurb

Reggie Wolfe religiously visits Kyle Landon—his student in Nerve detangling—at the Harpford Disentanglement Center, where the younger man has been incarcerated on trumped up charges.  During one of Reggie’s visits, Kyle’s able to warn his teacher of an imminent unauthorized transfer by an unknown shadow agency. Reggie demands help from his sister at the Bureau of Wielder Services but is pressed to take the matter into his own hands when bureaucratic red-tape stymies her actions.  Breaking into a secret medical installation, Reggie and August Whalen find Kyle and six other men hooked to IVs, unknown chemicals pumping into their systems.

The three are caught up in a quest to find an antidote for the drugs and discover who is behind the powerful anti-male Wielder organization.  On this dangerous road, will they forever remain friends or give in to their growing attraction?

Afflicted to the Core is the steamy third novel of the Wielder World series—gay urban fantasy full of desire, desperation, and dedication born of trial and blood.

Excerpt

From Chapter 1

A small smile brushed Kyle’s lips when he spotted Reggie through the window of the cafe. Reggie lifted his hand in a wave. Kyle jerked his chin up in acknowledgment while that hint of smile burst into a grin. His bangs nearly brushed his eyes, hiding a brow ring that Reggie knew was there. Ah, what a kid.

A kid. Recently just twenty-two. But smart and daring and gorgeous, his insistent heart kept telling him. At times, when he lay alone in bed at night, Reggie reminded himself that Kyle would find someone else. Someone more exciting, more fun, more willing to be open about his sexuality. Eventually, he would just move on.

Kyle yanked the door of Grindworks Cafe open, a gust of cool air flushing in, and joined Reggie at his table. “Going to the Black Castle tonight, wanna come?”

A cold nugget of apprehension lodged itself in Reggie’s belly. The Black Castle—a mostly gay bar and dance club that was once a haven for male cultists until the Mara Murda take down last fall. Most cultists lay low, not drawing attention to themselves. Now, those that hadn’t fled into the dark forest around the lodge occupied rooms in Disentanglement Centers. The members of other cults were keeping their noses clean, according to his sister, Bethany.

The owner of the Black Castle had also been there during the Bureau bust. One August Whalen. A man he owed on many levels.

“No, thanks for the invite though.” Reggie took a sip of coffee. “Say hi to August for me.”

Kyle leaned forward, elbows on the table, every aspect about him all youthful and earnest. “Oh, come on. August would love to see you…and it won’t be me and a ton of other students. I was hoping you could come, and me…and that’s it.” He lowered his lashes, almost shy.

Reggie’s cold knot melted and a wash of heat crawled up his neck and over his cheeks. Kyle’s hand pushed across the tabletop, meeting the halfway line. Reggie looked at it. Black fingernail polish still clung to Kyle’s cuticles. He must have been full-on goth last night, hanging out with his friends.

“Hey Reggie!”

Reggie jumped in his chair, nearly knocking over his coffee, yanking his hand away from where it had migrated to within inches of Kyle’s, and faced the newcomer.

Professor Sally Boltmier of the engineering department: his senior professor and a close friend of his on campus.

“Sally. How are you this morning?” He gripped the napkin in his lap, crumbling it up into a tight wad, and focused on her, not letting his gaze stray to Kyle.

Her welcoming smile faltered. “I’m great. Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t mean to scare you out of your seat.”

Reggie’s mind stirred to create some excuse and send her on her way, but he couldn’t say anything before Kyle stood and offered his hand.

“I’m Kyle. Reggie’s…friend.”

Reggie’s…friend.

That pause. Kyle had done that on purpose. The temperature in the room ratcheted to sauna levels. Reggie struggled to hold steady under the gaze of his senior colleague, to not look guilty. No point looking guilty. He wasn’t guilty!

“Reggie’s…oh. Oh! Oh, well, pleased to meet you, Kyle. I’m Sally Boltmier, I work with Reggie in Sloan Hall.”

Kyle’s smile brightened. “I know you. You spoke for him in that…case last fall.” Kyle at least didn’t blurt out ‘sexual harassment’ for the entire café’s knowledge.

Sally eyed Kyle, up and down, and Kyle stood tall as if meeting his prom date’s father. Then Sally’s stern appraisal softened, and she nodded and dropped her voice to say, “I knew Reggie wasn’t guilty of any inappropriate activities. So,” her consideration shifted from Kyle to Reggie to Kyle again, “you’ve been together since then?”

Reggie wanted to crawl under the table, maybe dig his way into the linoleum, and hide. He could still salvage this if he got up, spoke out, explained everything. “Well, it wasn’t…we weren’t—”

Kyle’s laughter cut off Reggie’s bumbling. He brushed through his hair, giving it a tousled look, showing off his brow piercing. “Oh, well, we weren’t together, then. But we knew each other.” He looked down at Reggie and gave him such a besotted look, that Reggie knew he was staring back like a devoted Labrador until his colleague laughed and broke him from his trance.

“Well, I’ll let you two get back to your afternoon. Enjoy the spring weather! See you Monday.” She gave Reggie a look that suggested there would be more to this conversation on Monday, but he knew she wouldn’t spread any rumors about him on campus or anywhere else. Except to her husband maybe. They shared everything.

Reggie’s eyes flicked to Kyle. Kyle knew almost everything about him, too.

About the Author

Nat Kennedy grew up living in a poorly populated desert landscape. With no neighbors in a 1-mile radius, she had to make up her own fun.

Nat strives to create plotty and imaginative fantasy worlds, with the added benefit of gay romance–steamy to tame. Bored of het romance, she jumped into writing her fantasy with gay romance swirled in, like a raspberry ribbon in vanilla ice cream.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website |  Facebook  |  Instagram

CHECK OUT THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE WIELDER WORLD SERIES HERE

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $25 Amazon Gift Card

one of five ebook copies of Edge of Desperation (Wielder World 1)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE BLITZ SCHEDULE

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

➜Sign up to become a tour host here

Release Blitz for Surviving the Shadows (The Bearer of Truth #2) by Miranda Turner (excerpt)

SurvivingTheShadows RDB Banner

Surviving the Shadows

The Bearer of Truth – Book 2

Miranda Turner

Genre: Gay Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 14th

Surviving the Shadows Cover

Cover Design: Lou Harper

BLURB

Gabriel has been gone longer than predicted, and Evander is growing increasingly worried each day that passes without his return. Confounded by their leaders’ lack of answers, Evander and the team begin to fear the worst.

In the midst of fruitlessly searching Miami for clues to the Daemon Abaddon’s whereabouts, Evander begins to have disturbingly vivid dreams. With a little help from a newly-returned and empty-handed Michael and Barabbas, Evander discovers Gabriel has been calling out for help across their nascent bond. With a little backup from an unlikely source, they set off to rescue Gabriel from the depths of the Underworld.

Gabriel is old friends with torture, and his captors haven’t been gentle. Despite growing weaker every day, Gabriel resolves to survive long enough for rescue, or to die fighting, until a Dark Seer begins to dredge up the terror of Gabriel’s horrific childhood, threatening to destroy his mind and soul. Nearing the end, Gabriel manages a last-ditch effort to contact help, reaching out to Evander in his dreams.

Against all odds, Evander and the team fight through the Underworld to reach Gabriel and come face to face with mortality. Sacrifices made for the bonds of brotherhood nearly break them, and Gabriel learns the hard way that embracing the darkness while fighting for the light may be the only way to survive.

From the underbelly of Reno to the glitz and glam of Vegas, Gabriel, Evander, and the men they call family will be tested, and the final confrontation with Gabriel’s maker may be the end of everything they hold dear.

http://getbook.at/SurvivingTheShadows

SurvivingTheShadows-Turner-promo-3

SurvivingTheShadows-Turner-promo-1-2

EXCERPT

EVANDER WOKE WITH A GASP. What the hell was that? He’d dreamt of Gabriel before, but never like that. It felt so real. The images were burned into his brain. Gabriel in chains, the elegantly muscled body he’d touched and explored so thin it almost looked like his wrists could just slip out of the cuffs, his once-vivid eyes that changed color from blue to silver to purple were a flat gray, and his vibrant spirit dulled as if it almost had been snuffed out. The listless sadness rolled off him in waves, the absence of hope, and the putrid smell somehow invaded Evander’s senses even while dreaming. How was it possible?

The strangest part had been when Gabriel seemed to know he was there. He had looked right at Evander and whispered his name with a desperation that was frightening in its intensity. Evander had felt it pull at his heart in an all too real and painful way, creating a need in him to find Gabriel and save him. Especially after seeing the dark , malevolent presence hovering over Gabriel. It was without form, faceless, but Evander could feel the noxious evil that rolled off it.

Evander had already been worried about Gabriel. He had been gone a lot longer than anyone, including Gabriel, had thought he would be. His team of Bellators, those who fight for the Light on Earth, had moved on to Miami like Gabriel had instructed and done some low-key investigation into the town’s leadership, enough to know Abaddon— Gabriel’s father and the Daemon they were currently searching for— was not there.

Miranda Turner Logo

Miranda Turner is a single mom of eight living outside a small, hippie town in the middle of Ohio. She’s surrounded by children, chickens, and one temperamental editor kitty who is silently judging her on a daily basis. She is a voracious reader and an editor who decided she had different stories to tell. She firmly believes a happily ever after is there for everyone, but she likes to make her characters earn it.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormturner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.miranda.turner/

Email: author.miranda.turner@gmail.com

MichelleSlagan---VibrantPromotionsLogo---FiveStarDesigns---150ppi

An Alisa Review: Zale (Brotherhood of Ormarr #2) by Michelle Frost

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Davis~

It was just another job—at least it was supposed to be—but snaring the feisty blue dragon I’d been contracted to collect and her rider in my trap changed everything. Hunting dragons was my job, and I was damn good at it. I’d never missed a target. Never failed to make a delivery. So why was every step toward turning over my bounty suddenly a struggle? No quarry had ever managed to get under my skin, but something in Zale’s haunting blue eyes called to me like nothing ever had before.

Zale~

When Itsaso and I were kidnapped, we fought like hell but found ourselves at the dragon hunter’s mercy. He locked my dragon away, leaving me to face captivity alone. Now, all I have to rely on is the training that’s been drilled into me every day for as long as I can remember and biding my time, waiting for Davis to make a mistake. Or my brothers to find and rescue us. But something happened the first time I truly looked in Davis’s eyes, dark pools as deep and enchanting as the sea, and I realized I was in so much more danger than I thought. How could a ruthless dragon hunter be my perfect mate?

Zale is the second book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc continues in the next installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Zale is a m/m romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

I really liked this story and it gives some more background into what was happening in the first book, though I am starting to have my idea of who the main bad guy could be.  I guess we’ll see as the series continues.  Itsaso is much more blood thirsty that Sindri from the first book but only when it would come to protecting those she loves.  I am going to say that I don’t like Davis being referred to as a dragon hunter in the blurb for two reasons, he isn’t referred to as that at all in the book and he’s hunting wraiths or protecting his clan.

I felt for Zale and how confused he was by being kidnapped and not getting any answers.  I do like that he got the upper hand of Davis, even if Davis was just about to let him free to talk.  Now Davis, oh my, he had been hurt so bad when he lost his dragon and you could see that it still affects him today.  I could see who he really was underneath from the beginning, he was a heartless man, just doing his job but was willing to figure out the right answer in the end.  I was so glad they were able to bring Harri back from wraith form.

The cover art by Jay Aheer is once again great and the picture of Itsaso is great.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 135 pages

Publication: May 27, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Brotherhood of Ormarr #2

Tom Early on Writing, Characters, and his new release ‘The Final Season (Seasons Rising #3) 

The Final Season (Seasons Rising #3) by Tom Early

Harmony Ink Press
Published June 11th 2019

Cover Artist: Sadie Thompson; Cover Design by Paul Richmond

Sales Links:  Harmony Ink Press | Amazon

 

✒︎

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Tom Early

How much of yourself goes into a character?

  • Fay is fun. He was one of the first characters I’d ever written, and he is, at this point, rather like who I might be if my time past high school went very differently. The rest are their own, with aspects from other people I admire or am intrigued by that I went and snagged like a magpie and built a character around.

Do you feel there’s a tight line between Mary Sue or should I say Gary Stu and using your own experiences to create a character?

  • I’m not sure it matters, really. If it’s enjoyable to read, what’s the point in saying a character is too perfect? (That said, if the character is enjoyable to read, that probably isn’t a problem).

Have you ever had to put an ‘in progress’ story aside because of the emotional ties with it?  You were hurting with the characters or didn’t know how to proceed?

  • For sure! Characters often have minds of their own, and when I hit a hard scene, they like to scatter and hide until it stops smarting. I have to tempt them out sometimes to finish the scene; it’s a fun time. Usually if it happens, it’s about a week for them to come back, but I’ve hit patches with a hard ending that I had to put aside for months, and eventually realized I was being told this needed to be rewritten.

How do you choose your covers?  (curious on my part)

  • This series has had all the covers done by my childhood friend, who’s credited on the inside cover of the book. They work with me to make covers that we feel accurately reflect the core concept of the book! And wow, what wonders they’ve made…

Do you have a favorite among your own stories?  And why?

  • I’m proudest of The Final Season, because I wasn’t sure if I could write it. It gets at a feeling I’ve had very strongly for a while, of… the sense that just because you have been on a path for a long time, doesn’t mean that you are bound to it. Especially if the actions or expectations of others are what placed you on that path to begin with. It isn’t giving up to realize you aren’t who you are when you started on an ambition. And that’s okay. This last book is about that feeling.

What’s next for you as an author?

  • Good question! I have a fun book called The Kingdom and the Crow, which is YA Fantasy, and follows an assassin named Jasper who’s having a bit of an identity crisis in the middle of a world-ending conspiracy. I don’t know what will happen with it yet, but I’m hopeful. I’m also working on another novel that more or less is my take on deconstructing some of the story beats of the Ancient Greek concept of a “Hero’s Journey”. It is, unsurprisingly, a romance. A witchy one. We’ll see what happens.

If you write contemporary romance, is there such a thing as making a main character too “real”?  Do you think you can bring too many faults into a character that eventually it becomes too flawed to become a love interest?

  • Good lord, no. I believe it was Patrick Rothfuss in one of his books that said it is a beautiful thing to love “because”, but a rare and powerful thing to love “despite”. I think some of the greatest love stories out there include characters who are terribly flawed, but find ways to be loved, and to love, and to find a measure of peace despite it all.

   

Ever drunk written a chapter and then read it the next day and still been happy with it?  Trust me there’s a whole world of us drunk writers dying to know.

  • Oh my. Yes. Several. The Final Season has one. Not much of it survived, but parts of it exist near the beginning. They tend to be a little bit more embarrassing than I usually am able to write.

 

If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?

  • The Edinburgh Botanics is a lovely place to write! Big garden, lovely café, quiet and surrounded by nature. I like ambient noise and people around me when I write, so quieter but active places like that are my favorite.

 

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain?  To get away?  To move past?  To widen our knowledge?  Why do you write?

  • I write for me, and to help others like me. We could all use more of ourselves in stories. And we could all use the reminder that no matter what, it’s worth it to keep trying.

 

What’s next for you as a writer?

If you find out, please do let me know. I’m terribly curious.

 

Sequel to The Doorway God

Fay is no longer a boy haunted by the spirit of Winter—he is now the embodiment of the cruelest Season. If he thought access to the immense power that grants him would make his life easier, he couldn’t be more wrong.

 

The return of the Seasons is tearing Gaia—the magical realm that mirrors Earth—apart as factions form to either take advantage of the shift in power, fight against it, or use it to spur societal change. Terrifying enemies emerge to face Fay and the other Seasons, even as the Seasons plan their own battle strategy.

 

Fay, Sam, Tyler, and their friends and allies are facing a final test unlike any other. To survive the chaos unleashed on his world, Fay will have to choose what to hold on to and what can be sacrificed.

About the Author

Tom Early is a native Bostonian, coffee addict, and gay disaster. When he’s not off doing weatherly things for work, he can be found writing, talking about his characters with anyone who’ll listen, and giving impromptu lectures on the importance of representation in genre fiction, especially fantasy. There is a nonzero chance that he is actually a dog.

An Alisa Review: Azaran (Brotherhood of Ormarr #1) by Jacki James

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Azaran~

I was born a dragon rider. A member of the Brotherhood of Ormarr, son of Cadmar, and the eldest of four sons. I was raised to defend the innocent and protect the secret of the dragons, but when I was eighteen, my parents were brutally murdered and the training and care of my brothers fell to me. My entire adult life has been spent helping my brothers grow into the strong, brave dragon riders they were born to be. Now that the youngest of my brothers is close to adulthood, the last thing I need is someone else to worry about—someone else to be responsible for. If only the handsome doctor fate had chosen for my mate wasn’t so perfect for me.

Toby~

AlI I ever wanted was to help people, that’s why I became a doctor, but I quickly learned that modern medicine was more about the all-mighty dollar and less about saving lives. It wasn’t long before I was doubting my life choices. A vacation to the ocean was supposed to leave me refreshed and ready to get back to work, but instead, I found myself pulled into a world I never knew existed. A world where dragons are real, men fight like medieval warriors, and my soulmate has his very own bat cave. Azaran thinks the last thing he needs is a mate to worry about. Good thing I don’t need anyone to take care of me. My sexy dragon rider, on the other hand, needs someone to take care of him, and I think I’m just the man to do it.

Azaran is the first book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc continues in the next installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Azaran is a m/m romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

This was a nice start to a new series but as they often do there was a bit of the book spent on world building.  There were some little questions I still had at the end but there is the hope that they will be answered in the other books.  I loved these dragons, they are adorable and I think it is fascinating how they can shift into different forms and how different each dragon seems to be.

I really liked Toby, he is so sweet and really just wants to help people.  I hate seeing that he was being stifled in his job and then when Azaram was ignoring him.  Now, unfortunately Azaran didn’t do much to improve my opinion of him throughout the story.  I could see that he is dedicated to his family and what they do as dragon riders but I hated his assumption that a mate would be more work for him and how he continued to hurt Toby with his actions and I had a lot of trouble accepting his sudden flip of feelings towards Toby that finally got them together.  It seems there connection is solid but it was just one of those times where one action just doesn’t out weight the others.

The cover art by Jay Aheer is great and I love the picture of Sindri in her warrior form.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 139 pages

Publication: May 20, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Brotherhood of Ormarr #1

TOUR Malachite (Brotherhood of Ormarr #4) by Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee (excerpt and giveaway)

Malachite

Malachite~

I have a wonderful life. I have no room to complain; between my brothers and their new mates, this is the most alive our home has felt since my parents died. Unfortunately, all of them being mated is making me miserable. When it was just the four of us, it was us against the world. Now they’re paired up and it’s only me and my dragon, Kesia. Until I happen to walk into the Overlord’s Lair and I see him: Quentin. Mine. Mate. As much as I want to win him over without telling him I’m a dragon rider and we’re mates—which I know he’d love—I’m not sure I can. The minute I’m around him I act like an idiot.

Quentin~

Every time the goofy guy walks into my store, he brightens my day, and I look forward to his daily visits. There’s just something about him that draws me to him, to the point he leaves me pining after him the moment he’s gone. But the thing is, I can tell he’s hiding something, and my wild imagination is coming up with the craziest explanations of the secrets he’s keeping. Maybe he’s a vampire that’s come to whisk me away—ridiculous, right? But a guy can dream. And I’ve definitely been dreaming of that big, muscular man wrapping me in his arms at night.

Malachite is the final book in The Brotherhood of Ormarr series. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc concludes in this installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. Malachite is a m/m romance, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | Goodreads

About the Series:

SERIES Brotherhood of Ormarr

Being a dragon rider for the Brotherhood of Ormarr is filled with adventure, but danger can lurk behind every corner with the Order of Amsel set out to destroy the riders. Azaran, Zale, Eeli, and Malachite have spent their whole lives training, but will it be enough?

The brothers lost their parents years ago to assassins, but they’ve never been able to figure out who was behind the attack. Follow the journey of these dragon riders, along with their faithful dragons, as they find their mates and discover clues that will lead to the final epic showdown.

The Brotherhood of Ormarr series consists of four books, each with its own HEA. While each book focuses on a different couple, the overall story arc continues into the next installment. For maximum enjoyment, we suggest reading in order. This is a m/m romance series, and is recommended for adults 18 years and older.

Other Books in the Series:Azaran (book one) | Zale (book two) | Eeli (book three)

Giveaway

Sammi & Michele are giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4770/?

Excerpt

MEME1 - Eeli

Quentin

The hot mound behind me moved a little, jostling me awake, and instead of being afraid of another body in bed with me, I felt safe enclosed in his arms. With my eyes still shut, I smiled and sunk back into Malachite. I was sandwiched between him and Gizmo, who was lying in front of me, pressing his body into my belly—though he seemed to be taking up a lot of room. My arms were under the blanket, and I could feel Gizmo on top of it, but I was hardly paying him any attention since I had a hunk of man meat behind me.

I scooted back into Malachite a little and he groaned, making me grin and open my eyes. The last thing I expected was to find giant bright green eyes staring at me. It only took a split-second to realize those eyes were attached to a face… a scaly face.

“Ahhh!” I yelled and jumped back, hearing an “Ow” behind me as I scrambled out of the covers and over top of Malachite’s huge body. “Wh-what is that?”

Malachite sat up, holding his nose, and looked at the scaly head. “Nice way to wake our mate up, Kesia.”

I glanced between him and the scaly thing as I ducked behind Malachite’s back, then realized he was rubbing his nose. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. You’ve got a hard elbow.”

I winced. “I’m sorry.”

He grinned at me and dropped his hand. “No big deal, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“Sorry.” He waved me away, and my gaze traveled over to the scaly head that hadn’t moved. “Is that thing real?”

He sighed. “I was hoping to maybe ease you into it, but yes, she’s real. This is Kesia, my dragon.”

I blinked at him, then looked at the scaly head and back at Malachite, sure he was playing a trick on me. “Did you say dragon?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

Squinting at him, still suspicious, I turned to the scaly head and leaned over Malachite with my finger stretched out. Right before I touched it, I paused. “Is it going to jump and scare the crap out of me?”

“No, she won’t hurt you.”

Frowning and fully prepared to jump off the bed, I poked the head in the middle of its snout. The thing huffed and opened its mouth, licking its lips. Snatching my hand back, I blinked at it. “Holy shit.” I moved the blanket and pillows that were surrounding it and discovered an entire body attached to the head. It was bright green with glossy wings and sparkling green scales. “Holy crap, Malachite. That’s really realistic. Where did you get it?”

He rubbed my upper back. “She’s real, Quentin.”

Shooting him a glance, I rolled my eyes. “You know I love fantasy stuff, especially dragons, so it’s not nice to pretend it’s real and get my hopes up if you’re only playing a trick on me.”

“Kesia,” he said quietly.

The green scaly dragon stood up on the bed and moved closer to me, and my eyes widened as I veered back in surprise. The freaking dragon stretched its head toward me, and I automatically leaned farther back, not believing what I was seeing. I leaned so far, I slipped off the bed and fell on my ass.

“Oh shit,” Malachite said as he reached for me. “Sorry, I didn’t think you’d fall or I would’ve caught—”

“Malachite!” I yelled, cutting him off. I looked at him with wide eyes and a huge smile. “There’s a fucking dragon in your bed!”

His eyebrows lifted a little, but he chuckled as he pulled me back up beside him. “Her name is Kesia, and she’s couldn’t wait to say hi. She was supposed to wait until I woke up and told you about her, but apparently, she was too impatient. She’s been dying to meet you.”

“She has?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the dragon’s beautiful, bright scales. She was bigger than the average dog with spikes down her back and her wings tucked in at the sides. “You promise you’re not playing a trick on me?”

He laughed. “I promise.”

The freaking dragon scooted closer to me again, then hesitantly leaned toward me. Slowly, I lifted my hand toward her and she pushed her snout into it. The moment my hand touched her scales, I gasped. She was surprisingly soft, and very obviously a real live fucking  dragon. “Holy shit,” I whispered, completely awed. “I’m touching a dragon.”

Author Bios

Sammi Cee was raised in a family of readers. Summer vacations consisted of a good book while sitting lakeside from as far back as she could remember. After growing up and having her own children, her appreciation of how the written word could transport you on an adventure, bring you to tears, or give you hope, took on a whole new meaning.

These days Sammi is watching her children develop into fine young ladies while doing the things she enjoys most: drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and writing her own stories.

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSammiCee/

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

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammi_cee_author/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18471771.Sammi_Cee

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/sammicee

Michele Notaro is married to an awesome husband that puts up with her and all the characters in her head–and there are many. They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with their two young boys and two crazy dogs. She grew up dancing and swimming and taught dance–ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, & modern–for ten years before her kids came along. Now she stays home to write about the sexy men in her head and does PTA everything–as long as coffee is involved. Two other tattooed moms run the PTA with her, and though she wants to rip her hair out from it, she still loves it.

Author Website: https://notarobooks.com/

Author Facebook (Personal): http://bit.ly/2lMPlLk

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/author.notaro/

Author Instagram: https://instagram.com/michelenotaro.author

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16187122.Michele_Notaro

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/michelenotaro

LOGO - Other Worlds Ink