I struggled with the rating for many reasons. I had been looking forward to a story that was about the strange dynamic between Seven and Xander, two of my favorite characters. And I wondered how James would create a perfect person to fold into the existing tight relationship. And what that personality would be like.
Honestly, Molly wouldnât be my choice of person or character to fit into the tight family. But thatâs just me. I found Molly swung between irritating or grating while still appreciative of some of the aspects of his personality that Jamesâ wrote into his character.
I thought her portrait of Sevenâs as someone afraid of being hurt, again was so well done. Of being open to the exact same emotions that ended up being the thing that damaged him was so beautifully written. It goes perfectly with the well established abuse suffered by Xander. The reader can understand how their dynamic developed and why they are so codependent upon each other still, deeply emotional as family/brothers.
Itâs such a strong element here that Molly , is a lesser player just by being himself. I liked that James wrote in the way he was able to examine his own actions and past experiences. And then try to understand how to use peopleâs help to move on. But he equally at times just feels too superficial in comparison.
I donât know. I just felt that his character, theâIâm so cute â personality came across as too much so often of the time. Couldnât invest in his character or his romantic life.
Which was a shame because I adore Seven and Xander. So two thirds of this story I was anticipating a different kind of partnership. Oh well.
Many will feel differently.
Iâm enjoying the series and look forward to the next book.
Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.
I have new roommatesâquirky, sometimes strange, roommatesâa nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still donât feel like I belong. Plus, it turns out the men in Seattle are exactly the same as the ones I left behind, and my string of romantic disconnections continues.
Itâs not until one of my roommates, Seven, hits me with some hard truths that I realize where I was going wrong.
Maybe the men arenât the problem.
I am.
And thereâs only one way to fix that.
SEVEN
Being found tied up naked to my bed by my cute new roommate isnât an ideal way for us to start a friendship.
But apparently a quid-pro-quo is.
He keeps his pretty lips zipped about the compromising position, and I step in as his dating coach. We go out, I note where heâs going wrong, and he magically becomes dating material.
The problem is, between my codependent brother Xander and a new best friend I canât get rid of, Molly and I are the target of a matchmaking scheme. My life is way too busy to add another person to it, and Molly is the kinda guy who needs to be made a priority, which I just canât do. Xanderâs medical anxiety takes up too much of my time, and Iâve never found a partner who doesnât resent it.
Iâm determined to help Molly find his ever after.
Jennifer Cody has started a serialized fantasy story thatâs an absolutely fantastic read and entertaining adventure. The drawback? Itâs in a serialized format so each story is short and ends far sooner than the reader wants.
I was totally immersed in the characters, the storylines, and the journey they were about to embark on when this tale ended. Argh ! But thatâs absolutely in keeping with the spirit and tradition of a serialized story.
So if thatâs an issue, then waiting until all the stories are published, then reading them together is probably the best option for you.
But otherwise, dive into a lively tale of a half orc and a necromancer who meet and go on a journey to find the enemy whoâs destroying their Kingdom. Each character is intriguing, well fleshed out, and full of great elements. Thereâs plenty of interesting side characters and an established world thatâs further explored as they get closer to their next stage in their relationship.
The sorcerer is a popular character, especially in this form but I really like where Cody is taking Lawton in terms of family dynamics and powers. And of course, his new role and relationship with Berklak, the half-orc. Berklak is another being thatâs got plenty of depth and room for growth. Equipped with what we already know about Berklak, heâs already a great main character.
I believe Cody intends to have the installments released pretty quickly. I canât wait.
Need a new fantasy read? Hear a new addiction for you!
Being a half-orc is fun most of the time. Most people think Iâm all orc, and that usually slicks things up so I can glide in and out of town without much fuss. Most of the time things go really smoothly for me. Sometimes, young watchmen from small towns with too much time on their hands pick a fight with half-orcs just trying to get some mead, and sometimes that ends up with me taking a kid all the way to the capital to become a bard, and sometimes that means I discover along the way a new questline that I need to follow. Sometimes. Well, this time, at least, and my companion for this quest is the cutest little necromancer Iâve ever seen (heâs the only one Iâve ever seen, but heâs adorable).
Now, where did I leave my barrel of mead again?
Lawton:
Being the most feared human in Fasgard is annoying and inconvenient. Itâs not like I went out of my way to be born a necromancer, but since my options are death or working for the king, I gladly accept my role as high sorcerer. It doesnât matter that Iâm a prince of the realm, at least not to anyone in the palace. When one of my fatherâs concubines loses her temper a little too hard, the things I discover lead me to the most wonderful half-orc Iâve ever met (Iâve only met the one, but heâs amazing), and my very first real adventure.
I canât believe Iâm finally going to leave the palace!
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with zen a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
Well, Bluz is by far my favorite in an extraordinary paranormal series of magical depths. In Bluz , L Eveland has given this story so many riches in terms of narrative structure and character development that its almost tactile atmosphere could be overlooked for its sublime world building.
Itâs inherit within its location, its beings, the culture in this story in a way that is so unique and deeply personal to both characters but especially one. Thatâs Greyson Boggs,human ,guitarist, a blues musician with an old border collie, Simon. Turns out Simon is also his guide dog as Greyson been going blind since early adolescence from retinitis pigmentosa, another perfectly implemented element.
But thatâs just the beginning to the layers of this man. Hereâs his voice.
âFootsteps crisscrossed in front of me, busy folk shuffling to places they didnât want to be. I used the steady beat as my percussion, counting out a one, a two, a five-six-seven-eight while the guitar cried into the humid morning, conveying all the words I couldnât.
I sang about the places Iâd been from the deep dark hollers in rural Georgia to that summer I rode the rails all the way down to New Orleans. I sang about the south, about crawdads and creeks, collard greens and running from the law. The words came with no effort, shaken free from where they rattled around in my head with no pre-planned pattern. â
Thereâs a particular melodic progression to that voice, one that the author is also born with. And one thatâs unfortunately disappearing from the world. Itâs the sound and vernacular of spoken Appalachian English language, one of the oldest nonnative spoken languages here in the US. Specifically, the Appalachian dialect or as itâs also known, Smokey Mountains Holler dialect, with its colorful imagery, slow linguistic patterns, and changing tones /spoken words. Itâs a language that might even feel a titch familiar, such as where I might say âI took the dog outâ
it becomes :
âOne night that dog was a-beggin’ and a-cryin’ to go out.â
*In The Language and Life Project that set about documenting the dialects, one man said of his talk ââŚitâs more like singing than talkingâŚâ
Thatâs pure Appalachian. A dialect so beautifully suited for an Appalachian blind blues singer named Greyson Boggs and his old dog, Simon, that it makes me question that this man is really fictional.
Except, of course, for the werewolves, demons, incubus, and such.
But they get the same layered treatment. A pack in financial straits and leadership issues. A storm coming, a real mixed community to meet, which includes a homeless shelter,imminent storms, and the raw reality of those who live life on the margins. Thatâs very much an important part of this story and Greysonâs as well.
Gaston, the chef who returned home to help out his recovering father and the packâs restaurant, Bluz, is a marvelous character. Eveland did a wonderful job in giving him his own issues to work through and challenges to overcome. Gaston is lovely. But heâs next to the powerful Greyson. And he is one of those sharp shining personalities whose life becomes important to the narrative and the reader because of who he is personally. We care so much for him that itâs hard for anyone else to measure up. Itâs that voice.
Gaston has a pansexual coming out, not that he wasnât already, but out to his parents and pack. Another nice aspect of the story because there so many equally strong emotional things that are going on in the story. That includes homelessness. A camp where people/beings live , homeless shelters and what it must feel like to have no where to go when a major disaster is occurring. And itâs done in a matter of fact way that drives home the facts about this aspect of society even more.
Thereâs a happy romantic journey with communication, some very sexy mate bonding, and very familiar faces from previous books that show up at the end for a satisfying conclusion. Love it.
And through it all, runs songs, and southern cooking. BBQ and the Blues. Do not miss out on all the recipes at the end of each book, this time for pork butt. So yummy. Put on some Etta James or Bill Whithers and grill you some BBQ.
Iâm highly recommending Bluz (a Culinary Creatures novel) by L Eveland. This series just continues to get better and expand on the topics within a paranormal realm. Fantastic.
⢠YouTube: The Language and Life Project : see video
No one cooks like Gaston, and Iâm hungry like a wolf.
Eight years ago, I missed my chance to be with the love of my life. Now, Gaston is back in town to rescue his packâs troubled bar and grill, Bluz. Heâs keen to rekindle things between us, but Iâve still got the blues over how it all went down before.
Gastonâs got a whole life out west full of fast cars, fancy dinners, and famous friends. He claims heâs ready to settle down, and that his wolf has chosen me, but Iâm just a country boy, a drifter. Gaston is refined and cultured. I donât fit into his elegant lifestyle, even if our nights together have been sizzling hot.
His wolf wants me, and I want him, but Iâm running out of time to decide. Can I put our troubled past behind me before I lose him forever? Or will our relationship finally go up in smoke?
Bluz is a smoking hot and sticky sweet second chance MM romance between an anthropomorphic werewolf and a visually impaired blues singer. This third installment of the Culinary Creatures series can be read as a standalone, and features a delicious BBQ recipe for you to try at home!
*Appalachian language: The Language and Life Project
âWelcome, Traveler! Join us for a series of M/ M fantasies by a talented group of both new and established authors. Whether you enjoy mystery, action, danger, or just sweet romance, there is something for everyone at the Carnival of Mysteries!â
Assassin by Accident is E.J. Russellâs offering to the Carnival of Mysteries series and itâs just a marvelous heartwarming fantasy read. Russell has combined her Mythmatched universe with the themes of the Carnival of Mysteries, giving each its due and letting the reader feel theyâve been immersed in a balanced narrative.
Welsh water horse Nevan Quirkeâs young sister has been kidnapped by a nasty earth mage for nefarious purposes. And in order to get her back, Nevan made a hasty bargain to do whatever the mage wants, once. Unfortunately, he didnât read the small print.
I love this story so much. It has so much depth and heart to it. Thereâs Nevan, a being who feels unloved by all, a true monster, except by his adopted sister. Heâs raised her and kept her safe and loved until she wished to visit the Outside World, and everything went wrong.
And when under the horrible geas of the earth mage to accomplish a terrible task , itâs goes wrongly right in the best of ways. In this story, a case of mistaken identity and the introduction of a truly beloved character. Seb Ardelean, a nanny whoâs mistaken for an assassin is a marvelous character. Sebâs one of Russellâs grand creations , a character who can marshal a horde of mischievous children with grubby hands to dealing with villains bent on destroying innocents. And do it with a sense of humor, compassion, and resolve thatâs sexy and admirable. Yes, totally adore Seb.
Thereâs magical shenanigans, familiar faces, among them favorites Jordan and Doop the Hellhound, a race to find the sister, two beings facing danger and falling in love while coming to terms with past issues and traumas. Itâs so lovely and heartwarming. I dove in and didnât surface until Iâd finished the book.
I like the different ways Russell plays with mythology and the types of beings found within the various cultures, here itâs the Welsh ceffyl dĹľr. The central theme is well used, but unfortunately that means clowns. *Shudders*
Assassin by Accident (Carnival of Mysteries) by E.J. Russell is a favorite in this multi-author series. One Iâm definitely recommending. And if you havenât already found this authorâs MythMatched series thatâs an element here, look those up as well for some great reads.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
â Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
â Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
â Magic Burning by Kaje Harper
â Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
â Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark
â Roustabout by Morgan Brice
â Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell
⌠Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
⌠The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
⌠Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
⌠You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
⌠Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
⌠Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
If a megalomaniacal earth mage kidnaps your little sister, do you:
A) Kill him
B) Kill him
C) Kill him
D) Magically indenture yourself to him to ensure her safe return
Welsh water horse Nevan Quirke would have happily opted for A, B, or C, but had no idea where his sister was hiddenâso, option D it is. Heâs not a fool, though. He made sure to limit his obligation to a single task.
Unfortunately, he neglected to nail down a few tiny details before the geas brand was seared into his skin, and now:
A) He canât shift
B) He canât swim
C) He canât drink
D) If he fails, heâll be bound to the mage for eternity
Oh, and that task? Assist in an assassination.
If only he werenât so thirsty.
And if only his partner for the heinous job werenât the most appealing man Nevan has seen in his entire two-thousand-year life.
Assassin by Accident takes place in E.J. Russellâs Mythmatched universe and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameâs Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itâs on, so each visit is unique and special. This book features grumpy/sunshiny, hurt/comfort, mistaken identity, opposites attract, unexpected derring-do, and of course an HEAâno matter how little the men in question think they deserve it.
I believe that Go For The Company is a first published novel by Ander C. Lark and, if so I look forward to many more by this author. Ander C. Larkâs Go For The Company takes many popular paranormal themes and gives them the authorâs own unique insight and twist to make them feel fresh and interesting.
Several things stood out here in the narrative for me. Larkâs knowledge of various cultures mythologies which plays In beautifully to the storyline in unexpected places. I also really enjoyed the fact that Lark never forgets that while so often the characters and narrative feels light and humorous, we are dealing with some dark and hellish elements. So yes, to the lovely moments and finding an engaging found family in Hell. However , Larkâs writing will insure that lurking in the shadows is something to be truly frightened of. And that the raw reality of the beings and place these characters inhabit is never far away from current events. Reparation/road to redemption or unrelenting torture. Disneyland rides or undergoing agony. Here we get both.
And a beautiful use of the central theme of the Carnival of Mysteries and Madam Persephone. Her character as a fortune teller is so poignant and layered. So well thought out.
As is the entire concept of Hell and Heaven, and its various entities. Such an entertaining place and a wonderful read.
Gabeâs journey through the afterlife isnât one I would spoil for anyone. Itâs just too good. The characters here are so multifaceted, the world building is extensive, and the plot horrifying enough to warrant a trigger warning or two about torture scenes, on page death, and domestic violence (not together).
As I said this authorâs work was so enjoyable that I canât wait to see what they do next. Until then, Iâm highly impressed with Go For The Company (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Ander C. Lark and recommending it.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
â Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
â Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
â Magic Burning by Kaje Harper
â Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
â Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark
â Roustabout by Morgan Brice
â Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell
⌠Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
⌠The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
⌠Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
⌠You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
⌠Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
⌠Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Someone once said, “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” Gabe Rossi didn’t believe in either and figured it would be a long time until he had to deal with finding out if he was right. Instead, he’s dragged off a balcony the day after an unnerving meeting with a fortune teller and into a postmortem reality he never would have expected.
Now Gabe is in Hell, which ends up being full of some really nice people who have necessary (if unpleasant) jobs. He’s been promised a transfer to Heaven, but in the meantime Gabe will have to deal with a psychotic ex who’s turned out to be a former despotic ruler of Ancient Rome, an aged-down grandmother who keeps causing chaos, corporate politics, a pet hellhound, a lot of unanswered questions about his own existence, and a growing attachment to the guy in charge of the place. What’s a dead college student to do, aside from enjoy the company?
Go for the Company is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameâs Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itâs on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains slow-burn paranormal romance, asexual representation, and a guaranteed Happily Ever Afterlife.
Well, that was one fabulous fantasy epic romance! Thereâs forced marriages, death and deep intrigue, bloody battles, kingdoms at risk, and finally, finding true love.
I had such a fantastic time reading this and getting into the lives of these characters! And happily, this is only the first book in the Warriors series.
But starting us off is the taking of the Kingdom of Revellan by the Emperorâs son, Commander Draylon Aravaid. Heâs leading the battle and the troops to defeat the traitor King and insure that the Emperorâs orders are carried out.
However, once the blood is spilled, the battle ends, left standing is two young siblings guarded by the enemyâs spare heir, Prince Yarif DiRici .
With those elements solidly in place,Winter creates a fantasy world of bitter kingdom politics that incorporates spies, assassins, intrigue on a vast scale, betrayal, forced marriages, and a cast of beautifully drawn characters, from the main couple to the several villains of the story.
Both men are easily seen by the reader, well defined by their personalities and rich descriptions. Thereâs Draylon Aravaid, Commander of the Emperorâs Army. Second son, scarred, a seasoned warrior with a thoughtfulness and determination that underpins his ability to strategize and fight. Heâs such a splendid man and character. I adore him.
He plays up perfectly against his counterpart, the third son and heir spare of the traitorous and now dead King. Thatâs Prince Yarif DiRici, a multidimensional figure, protector, secretary, linguist, consort to be. And here heâs the one person protecting his younger brother and sister from the Emperor and his plans.
The Emperor is an evolving figure here , one I wish we could have had more insight into. He is more of a one dimensional character than he could have been, and the hints at the end would have made the Emperor a far more complex figure.
But the rest? Fabulous! Especially Rufe, Draylonâs best friend whoâs suffered much in his past. The red-headed king whoâs playing a big role here, no spoilers. And May from the kitchen.
Canât wait to read more about the next in this universe from Eden Winters.
Love fantasy? Big epic adventures with romance thrown in? Grand characters and world building? Warrior King is all that and more!
One man is the son of a traitor. The other is the son of a tyrannical emperor. Together, they discover the fine line between duty and justice.
Commander Draylon Aravaid doesn’t hide his lineage as the emperor’s son but doesn’t advertise his origins either. Loyal to a fault, he relies on his hard-won reputation rather than his family name, which his duplicitous father uses to full advantage.
Prince Yarif DiRici trained his entire life to become a consort in a political marriage–all while secretly yearning for love. The death of his father and older brother suddenly thrusts an unwanted crown upon his head, and Yarif into a whirlwind of dangerous plans within plans as he and Draylon are forced into marriage.
The political game is set, and Yarif is kidnapped. It’s up to Draylon to mount a daring rescue to prevent all-out war.
The two men must get past each other’s mistrust, find common ground, and defeat an enemy neither knew they had…and may not survive!
Warrior King is now available for preorder on Amazon, releasing August 25.
How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Who Woke the Dead? #4 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake feels more like a stepping stone to more adventures than it does a series finale. One of the reasons why is that this is a prequel series to the authorâs Lords of Discord series (the vampire Variks) and now, happily, a lead in to a new series about those chaotic male witches who are both Skyâs best friends and form his coven. Be still my heart.
So yes, Drake packs a ton into the fourth story of this crazy but highly entertaining serialized story about a powerful necromancer who finds a loving boyfriend in a human fantasy romance author and they continue to have grand adventures together along with their friends and demon minions!
Who Woke the Dead doesnât come together as fully as a whole storyline like the previous books have. This felt more like a group of engaging events loosely tied together leading the characters and readers to a HFN for Sky and Nolan.
In each small scenario, Nolan and Sky get to discuss their experiences and why they are so different and yet well suited for each other. Whether itâs Nolan taking care of an exhausted Sky after heâs made sandwiches for the underworld (an element I loved) or having an after party for witches, this couple just is #couplegoals. They are supportive, committed, and they communicate, with humor and sexy affection. Whatâs not to love?
So maybe it doesnât matter that thereâs not an all consuming drama here but two men finding each other and becoming boyfriends under extraordinary circumstances. Plus I love me some Dandy Dogs! More of these please!
I really hope Drake makes a second season of this series. Iâm really excited to see what happens next on this coupleâs journey.
In the meantime, Iâm looking forward to the witches series starting with the blood witch , Moon. Heâs up first.
Iâm highly recommending the series (must read all four stories) , then continue on.
How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life:
â Disaster #1: Fun With Family
â Disaster #2: Pet Problems
â Disaster #3: Date Night
â Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead? – finale
Related new series with connected characters:
Kings of Chaos- the witches of above
⌠Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1)-Nov 10,2023
Sky would like to point out that this is NOT his fault.
But, yes, something has escaped, and it has all the dead crawling out of their graves.
Naturally, the humans are freaking out.
Except for the sexy one living across the street.
Nolan is ready to jump into the fray and help Sky round up the underworld fugitive.
Sky’s going to need all the help he can get–not just from his coven but all the witches he can get his hands on.
How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life is a serial comprising four novellas that follow the insane adventures of necromancer Skylar Wallace and his next-door neighbor Nolan Banks. This is the final book and contains witches, demons, underworld minions, more sandwiches, stolen smexy time, an angry Grammy, and something scary running wild in Connecticut.
âChoose love not in the shallows but in the deep.â – Christina Rossettiâ
â French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton
French Fancy rose right into a tie for the top spot for favorite Lily Morton romances and, happily, into my small comfort read list of books I must have by my bedside to grab as needed for emergency occasions.
I picked it up when I got the notification it was out and, finished at 4 am in the morning, as a grumpy canine companion can attest to. I probably would have finished sooner but I kept going backwards over certain areas, laughing until I had tears in my eyes, or giggling in sheer appreciation of some of the sharpest dialogue and snappy interchanges in recent memory between characters.
Help me, some of those phrases are setting me off still! I donât want to bring them up here for several reasons. One, I doubt Amazon would let most of the quotes get through with their racy content but more importantly, itâs because I want the readers to have the spontaneous delight in coming across them in context and having their own reactions! Whatever they may be.
This book and characters just does it for me! Ticks all my boxes in terms of excellent storytelling, fabulous writing, and memorable characters.
I could talk about character development and depth of personality but, honestly, the best thing I can say about French Fancy is that itâs not as if Iâm reading a story about characters , but seeing people living their best lives, finding their true paths with help from their friends and families, whether they be through blood or through a foundation built by connections. I absolutely feel I know and genuinely love these people, would recognize them if I met them.
If someone asked me about them, I think I might actually reply as I would if youâd asked about a friend âyes, theyâre doing fabulous last I heard , finally!â.
Pip Simmonds, Olivier Durand, the gorgeous villa Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, they have found a permanent place in my heart. It didnât take long. My TBR pile will suffer as Iâm heading back for a reread.
I really need more of them and look forward of getting that in future books to come just as saw delightful , moving scenes with Dean and Jonas and Ruby, their daughter.
I wish I could go higher than 5. Oh well.
Lily Morton goes deep into the fears of loss, the endurance people are capable of, the strength of the support of families and friends, and, finally, how, the power of love can overcome even the most painful of barriers.
French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton is a fantastic book and one Iâll have one reread. Iâm highly recommending it!
Pip Simmonds is the twinkiest twink in London. Heâs loud, proud, and packed to the brim with sass. But when heâs laid low by illness, even his hotpants lose their sparkle and his worried boss sends him to the South of France to recuperate in his holiday home.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is beautiful, and the periwinkle-blue villa is luxurious, but the real draw for Pip is the villaâs other residentâhis bossâs younger brother, Olivier Durand.
Olivier owns a perfume empire and has spent his whole life running from any other form of commitment. Heâs worldly, carefree, wild, and the perfect choice for a holiday fling.
Drawn together by proximity, the two men become lovers and friends and then something more. Something special. But will their special bond hold true after summerâs end, when they both must return to their real lives?
This is the second book in the bestselling Model Agency series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Iâve enjoyed A. E. Waspâs hockey romance series, Hot Off The Ice, since the first book debuted back on June 29, 2017. That was the lovely City Boy, about farmer Dakota and closeted NHL player Bryce Lowery.
Now at book 7, with 2 more novels planned, the series continues with the Seattle Thunder going strong and a new troubled arrival from Las Vegas coming for a second and perhaps only last chance to make it in the NHL.
Bad Boys is a hurt/comfort, age gap redemption love story. And when it works great when it stays on the main coupleâs relationship, and Noahâs journey to a more well adjusted, healthy adult who can then carry that new understanding over into his career. Those things make Bad Boys a terrific read.
Thereâs many aspects to Bad Boys that A.E. Wasp does so well narratively speaking. Her characters are so well done, layered with their own unique personalities and combined with elements that speak to their passions and strengths. If theyâre hockey players, we see the difference in physicality between them and other people. We get great team dynamics and a depth of understanding about the game. For characteristics, if theyâre cooks, business peoples or whatever, Wasp has given each the right amount of detail that they can standout and still be able to be believable and alive. This will add to the richness of the story and hurt it when certain people drop out of sight.
The relationship between Adam and Noah is engaging and wonderful to be a part of. Itâs funny, serious, sexy , and real. While there is an age gap, itâs not mentioned or discussed much here, in the relationship or elsewhere. I only found that odd when it was brought up that Adam had played with Noahâs father, however, no mention of either manâs age at the time (Adam or Noahâs dad), although it was said Noah was very young at the time.
Wasp brings therapy into the storyline as a means to get healthy and understand what is driving certain aspects of a personâs behaviors. And how to counteract these behaviors through therapy. Itâs a great tool for both men and the league. It was wonderful seeing it here.
Team dynamics, Noahâs redemption within the team and himself is real and fully worth the book. You can see him struggling with his toxic relationship with his father, itâs ramifications, and his mental awareness that allows him to move forward. All amazing elements here.
Same goes for Adamâs grief over his failed marriage and hidden secrets about his dead husband. That actually needed more page time for Adam to finish that chapter of his life. But the author is speeding towards the finish line.
Which brings me to what is still bothering me about this story.
Usually itâs a case of the disappearing animal character that has me so irritated. But here itâs a father, island, and a married couple. Read on but thereâs spoilers ahead.
Elements that werenât allowed to come to fruition or were dropped completely. âď¸ Spoiler Alert âď¸
1. Noah Bratermanâs toxic father and his relationship with him. The last mention of this man was that the coach was fielding his insistent nasty phone calls, informing Noah the man was coming across as unhinged. Not a single word or sentence afterwards was given over to this man or large section of Noahâs redemptive storyline where he dealing with the toxicity of an adolescence and adulthood under this man. Itâs an emotional matter not dealt with, and I canât understand that. Itâs not logical not to include at least some semblance of closure.
2. Then in a connected storyline thread, thereâs the unexpected, startling way that the island and mansion were made to disappear from Adamâs life. Towards the end, Dev , the BIL, arranges for a Japanese firm to buy both the island and mansion. Deal done, and a major narrative element is dealt with and vanishes. Just a few sentences and buhbye. Goodbye to all the important scenes, places, whales, the boat, everything. Which brings us to big number 3.
3. Guess who else disappeared with the mansion and island not to be mentioned again. The all important, ever heartwarming fabulous strong women characters who live on the island too. The ones who have been Adamâs support system for years and who the readers get to know and love almost as completely as everyone else in this book. Thatâs Annie or Ms Potts and her ceramic artist wife, Tracy. They live on the caretakerâs cottage on the island and are a big part of not only Adamâs life, past and present, but become part of Noahâs as well. After parting with Adam in an emotional scene to tell him to, basically, go get his man, they disappear. Not a word about these important people is written again in this book. No goodbyeâs, nothing. Not even a vague statement of missing them.
âYouâre moving off the island?â Paul asked.
âYep. Itâs sold. House and island together.ââ
â Bad Boys (Hot Off the Ice Book 7) by A. E. Wasp
A.E. Wasp writes in her authorâs notes that it took her years to finish this book. If thatâs the case, then I would have expected that the issues that popped up and have stayed with me to the detriment of the overall polished product and satisfaction I derived from Bad Boys to have been resolved.
I wonder about these issues. In the epilogue, the happy couple talk about inviting people over to their new place. Guess whoâs not included in that list? Yup, the women who held Adam together.
If I was Waspâs editor, that would have been on my list for things easily inserted that would have been expected and made readers happy.
So it turned out that Bad Boys is a good book but not a great one. Iâm interested in seeing what the next two books will be about. And if some of the things that are a bit flawed here can get corrected in books to come.
Iâm recommending this as a good hockey romance, part of a terrific series, and one that fans of this author wonât want to miss.
Noah Braterman’s hotheaded attitude may cost him his NHL career before it truly begins. After alienating his current teammates, coaches, fans, and the press, Noah gets a second chance to prove his worth when heâs traded to the Seattle Thunder with one ultimatumâlose the attitude or lose his spot on the team.
Enter Adam Labatt, former NHL player, and Noahâs last, best Vegas fling.
After his own rocky past in the show, Adam turned himself around and is now being asked by his old mentor to help Noah learn to play well with others. Living in isolation on his private island and still guilt-ridden over the way his marriage ended, how can Adam possibly mentor anyone? But the man he shared an unexpectedly intimate passionate night with is worth fighting for, even if he has to fight Noah himself.
Forced into close quarters, the walls theyâve erected to protect themselves crumble as they share their hopes, dreams, and fears.
Fate brought them together. Now itâs up to them to find the courage to face the world unafraid. If they do, they just might create a future better than they could have imagined that night in Vegas under the desert stars.
Like I Pictured is the prequel to Novakâs Heather Bay series. It introduces the reader to the series setting, a richly detailed and glorious scenic Yorkshire coastal landscape, complete with horseshoe bay, quaint village and hilltop castle.
We meet several of the series regulars including the two main characters here in this romance. Thatâs the fantasy author Anders Flynn, whoâs from Heather Bay and photographer Bastian Roche, whose home it will become because of Anders.
I liked this story because of the introduction Novak gives us to Heather Bay. We see it in far greater depth and detail than we do in the later stories. From the moment Bastian views it from his car to his walks through the streets exploring shops and looking at the residences, itâs an closeup portrait of this village we wonât see again. And itâs one that will resonate with the reader, making Heather Bay come alive in every way.
Like I Pictured also does an amazing job in defining both main characters. Each totally different in from their age and outlook, Novak is able to create fully dimensional personalities with realistic backgrounds and depth of character. Itâs easy to believe in them , their professions, and the manner in which they interact with each other.
Alas, itâs the last the suffers from the shortness of length here. While Novak has written a splendid location, given the story two fully realized, well defined characters, itâs in their relationship development where the romance faltered.
It starts off promising. I love the texts between them as they get closer to each other. But for the majority of the exploratory conversations and important part of the relationship, it happens âoff page â. So the other aspect is one of a âmeet, one night, move inâ sequence. It just doesnât do justice to the rest of the story and foundation work.
Rushed? Uh yes.
Like I Pictured (Heather Bay, #0.5) by Charlie Novak lays the groundwork for the series and the group of people that will be the found family of friends to find their HEA in this magical world Novak has created.
In truth, itâs a lovely romance and I enjoyed it. Itâs just I had read the other books and backtracked to this one so I knew the voices and had them as an established couple already.
For me this is Heather Bay light compared to the other stories. But I wouldnât have readers who are fans of the series or author miss out on it. Itâs very lovely and a recommendation for you.
Bastian Roche is lonely and drifting. While he adores his photography job, he still hasnât found a place to call home. Until he takes a chance photo of the elusive fantasy author Anders Flynn and makes a life changing connection.
Anders is grumpy, reclusive, and convinced he’s better off alone. But that doesnât stop him from replying to Bastianâs emails. When Anders suggests Bastian scouts out his hometown of Heather Bay as a shoot location, Anders realises heâs falling fast for the man who brings sunshine into his life.
As Heather Bay pulls them together, both men must make a choice. Can a chance meeting give them the life theyâve always pictured?
Like I Pictured is a contemporary MM novella and is a prequel to the Heather Bay series but can be read as a standalone. Itâs got a sweetness, steam, a small, British seaside town, and some grumpy cats.
