A Vampire Called Leander wraps up Michelle Frost’s trilogy about a Paranormal Council’s arranged matings between paranormal beings and humans in order to unify their world.
It’s been a while since I read this series but it was easy to fall back into the universe and characters. At only 90 pages, Frost gets immediately into the storyline, the first meeting and mating of the two characters.
The short length doesn’t allow for much background or depth of culture, but the characters are engaging and the nature of their mating process intriguing.
It’s a fated mates without the buildup of anticipating or the recognition by one that normally occurs. There’s an ongoing conflict by a Human only faction that’s a series element and a fabulous side character, Ammon, who’s a bodyguard of both Leander and his human mate, Merrick.
The ending sets the stage for a sequel series to come. I can only hope that one of those characters that gets a story will be Ammon.
Vampire Called Leander (Mated to a Human Book 3) by Michelle Frost is highly entertaining and I recommend it and the series. Read them in the order they are written to understand the events and characters.
Can an uptight vampire and a free-spirited human find some common ground?
Merrick’s family name is one of the oldest and most influential in Solston, but maintaining an empire has never interested him. He prefers his books, the company of his cat, and to his surprise, his new prickly vampire mate.
Leander refuses to take part in the Council’s arranged matings until the most alluring scent catches his nose. Once their mating is finalized though, he finds he has no idea how to meld their two lives together.
A Vampire Called Leander is the third and final book in this fast-paced novella series where the paranormals are all deliciously protective of their humans…no matter what type of trouble they get into. Series is best read in order.
It’s hard to rate exactly which of Sherwood’s many series are my favorites, but The Sorcerer’s Grimoire is, even at two books, among those I hold dear.
It’s in the universe she’s created, so recognizable and yet not, magical, imaginative and with our histories carefully bound together. It’s in the beautifully crafted, multidimensional characters she’s created and then given such emotional histories that, as readers we can’t help but attach ourselves to them, investing in their lives and stories.
Whether it’s the boys, Julian and MacMallin, and their horrific start on the streets before Adrien’s rescue or Adrien himself and his abysmal family life, there’s so many backstories to these characters. The strength and wonder of this dynamic that builds between the three of them is such a heartwarming element. The boys each develop into young men with their own unique powers and interests while gaining confidence in themselves. The same goes for Adrien and his new relationship with Hugh.
That’s Sir Hugh Quartermain, a businessman, engineer extraordinaire, and someone who’s coming to love Adrien, despite all the barriers he’s raised. And in a time and land when homosexuality isn’t legal.
The tapestry on which these relationships play out is a magical trip to Brazil to a manganese mine. There’s jungle monsters holding up the mining, killing the workers, and Hugh needs their help.
It’s everyone off to an epic adventure! The first one abroad for the boys and an old enemy and a meeting with even older friends for Adrien.
Sherwood even gives us some major drama on the home front which will lead into the next book.
I will say that I was surprised but happy to see that Adrien and Hugh were able to move forward with their relationship. I thought Sherwood was going to stretch out the romance into a really slow burn. But it makes sense given the context.
The boys are such an amazing aspect of this series. They show such growth in their personalities and interests, yet retain the same fears still that the horrors of the street instilled in them. Julian and MacMallin are truly unforgettable young men. So are their Masters, Adrien and Hugh. I need more of all four plus their dog, Darby.
I’m highly recommending this book but read the series in order to understand the universe and the relationships.
As Shakespeare once said, the course of true love never did run smooth.
Since parting with Adrien after their first case, Hugh Quartermain has committed himself to one fact: he wants Adrien. With the months’ long trip to Brazil ahead of them, Hugh should have no problem confessing, right?
The problem is the universe seems determined to thwart Hugh. Between creatures terrorizing his worksite, bothersome Americans, and not having any alone time with Adrien, Hugh’s foiled at every turn. When Hugh does get Adrien one-on-one, his advances always hit the wall Adrien refuses to lower, but the rare flare of desire in Adrien’s gaze motivates him to keep trying.
Come hell or highwater, Hugh will confess to Adrien. He just has to figure out how first. Tags:
Adventures in Brazil, commence!, magical AU, friends to lovers, healthy communication, Hugh’s genius saves the day, confessions in unusual locations, apprentices being awesome, Prince Henry to the rescue, and yes he quite enjoyed that, portals, fights, and shenanigans, oh my!, monsters are always in the most inconvenient locations, romantic getaway in Thailand, oh look relationship development, pesky Americans, romantic getaway, cheeky apprentices, minor home renovations as a romantic gift, Darby is best girl.
What a wonderful story and fantastic way to send off the series and this team.
The interactions between holdover player, defensive end Deacon Harris and the new owner of the Charleston Condors, security industry billionaire Grant Green, has been a subtle but significant part of the series and team’s dynamic. It was always clear that the two men had a strong connection and attraction to each other. But, throughout each book it was clear that they never actually had acted on it due to their roles in the organization. And we wanted them to have their romance.
The Play returns us to the beginning of their history together, back in college as student tutor and college football player needing help. The chemistry that’s never acknowledged but present is cut short by choices made for career reasons that will quickly separate them until years later. Because of the realness of these scenes we feel every bit of the pain and frustration of this unexpected change in this new relationship. And the startling moment when they meet once more.
Bolden’s writing has never been better. Her characters go from uncertain college youth with the future ahead of them to seasoned men who have been living full lives. One, Grant, now at the pinnacle of his career and the other , Deacon, ready to retire after a shattering year of betrayal and disappointment. Each has made big impacts in their professional careers but their emotional relationships haven’t been as successful. The reason is because they have been only interested in one person.
How Bolden works the past and present together, weaving the emotions that never left either man back together into a tight layered narrative of sports, team dynamics, partnership, and a deep bond between them is a read that can’t be missed.
We get the present day run for a playoff spot, as intense as can be and fantastically realistic. Bolden gives us boardroom NFL drama such as what might be likely to be played out across CNN and sports coverage alike, and then while all that is happening, layers into the story, all the human drama we love.
Grant and Deacon trying to find a way to each other in an organization where Grant is the owner and Deacon a player, albeit a retiring player who wants to continue to work with the club. This is a complicated situation that’s believable and loving. They are great, they communicate, and we love them.
And finally, as if I hadn’t just bawled my eyes out over Jason Kelce’s retirement speech, here comes another. Deacon’s speech was a fabulous second. And all the players from the other series who meant so much to the readers are there as well as the important individuals from this series. It’s a testament to Bolden’s ability to create great characters and deeply moving moments that everything about the scene is beautiful and real. And I was bawling again.
Tissues had a workout this week.
Read this book. But not without reading the stories that come before. It’s a great series. And Bolden’s an auto read for me. The Play is simply another example why.
Charleston Condors:
✓ The Star #1
✓ The Game #2
✓ The Score #3
✓ The Play #4 – finale
Bolden’s connected Football series in order they are written:
Last year, defensive end Deacon Harris witnessed the very worst of the Charleston Condors. After everything he and the team went through, he promised himself he’d walk away from football. But before he can retire, the team is sold to the last person he ever expected to see again.
Deacon stays because the Condors are going into major rebuilding mode. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t fall in love with the owner of your football team.
Grant might be brilliant and a billionaire, but Deacon only remembers Grant as his tutor in college—and as the one who got away.
In all his dreams about reconnecting, he never imagined that Grant would end up as his boss. Both his downfall, and also his salvation.
Or that they’d be forced into confronting the Condors’ most difficult challenge yet—but that they’d face it together, hand in hand, tackling their critics and proving once and for all that love doesn’t take sides.
“Hanahaki: A fictional disease popular in the fanfiction community. According to the lore, a person develops Hanahaki when they fall in love with a person so deeply that they can’t live without them.”
Well, this was just adorable. From the cover to the predictably cute HEA ending, Fated was a quick fun fantasy short .
Zile Elliven is a new author for me and immediately introduced me to the fictional disease of Hanahaki. Lovesickness in all its floral glory. Or is it gory? Hmmm.
Anyway. Max and his gamer friends are instantly recognizable, cheerful and funny. Max’s fated mate? A glorious fantasy that has been waiting for him.
And it’s even got a cute dog too.
I’m definitely seeking out more from this author and recommending this for all lovers of fantasy fiction.
Me? In love with a fictional character? Of course not! So why was I coughing up flowers every time I thought about the fictional character from my favorite video game?
Areth was a sexy, badass monster and utterly perfect, but none of that mattered because he wasn’t real. If I really was in love with him, I was going die, and there was nothing I could do about it.
This story contains:
• Unrealistic size difference resolved by magic
• Fated mates
• A very small dog
• Monster love
• Dimension hopping
• Wanton destruction of furniture
• So very many flowers
Fated is a ridiculous 16,000-word novella with super heckin’ gay monster sexy times.
I had real trouble arriving at this rating. Matrimonial Merriment is the last Valor and Doyle book by Nicky James. It’s a 7 book series that I found incredibly strong and emotionally compelling at the start, only, imo, to chart a very strange path for the characters and their various storylines.
This story has its strengths and its weaknesses, much like its characters.
Quaid Valor was a tragic character. His young sister had been kidnapped while he and his father were ‘in charge’ of her during a parade. But he was a child himself and his father was a policeman at the parade occupied with security. It destroyed his family and him emotionally, as his mother left them shortly afterwards, abandoning him. Also the devastating betrayal by a man Quaid thought loved him. These events reverberate throughout the series, including finding out how the events happened and who the kidnappers were.
Then there’s Anslan Doyle who has his own personal demons to fight. That includes his professional reputation, the on the job abuse of alcohol, his alcoholism, his emotional recovery on and off the job. He is the opposite of Quaid. Where the Doyle clan is loud and boisterous, it’s just Quaid and his now retired father, quietly playing chess in a house that’s frozen in time.
The journey that takes them through the start of their relationship, the beginnings of understanding of each other’s faults , severe struggles and strengths , all while solving missing persons cases and murders, that’s what makes the series and this couple.
But then as the author wove their personal histories and solved their mysteries into the cases each book was featuring, certain things started to unravel. The very strengths and failures that led to them becoming more powerful and complete individuals were starting to be forgotten in parts of their dynamics . In their interactions the forward movement in overcoming certain obstacles or challenges now seems stalled or even moving back towards what they were in the books that were written earlier.
Especially the penultimate book when Aslan actually caused Quaid to have an emotional breakdown over a poorly thought out proposal. In fact most of that book came close to a DNF as it felt like the author had backtracked the relationship between the two characters and their understanding of each other. The astonishing lack of communication and understanding that brought about a crushing emotional breakdown of Quaid should have been unthinkable by this point in their relationship.
Now comes the finale story and a couple of different issues. Both seen here, one of word choice and another again of author’s characterization. The word is one that’s shown itself increasingly throughout this series.
Imagine a story where the author uses the term ‘purple orb’ every few sentences. Or at least, ten times a page when speaking with regard to a character. Now how distracting would that be?
Sneering is James’s purple orb. It’s everywhere. It’s a feature of Quaid. He sneers constantly. He even smiles sneeringly. It should have been retired. The “sneering”. The overuse of this word is beyond tired. It starts in the first book as a part of Quaid’s common facial expression.
“Can you bring the binder?”
“What binder?”
I stalled and sneered at my phone. “Please tell me you’re joking. It has been attached to my hip morning, noon, and night for a week.”
“Gross. Save it, Valor.” Jordyn’s sneer won a solid silver medal on the sneer-scale, but it would never surpass the master’s.
Quaid sneered back—proving my point—then closed his eyes and let me continue to work.”
So many sneers.
Also, although I get why, James turns Quaid from a thoughtful interesting layered character with issues to caricature bridezilla. For the majority of this book he’s beyond frantic over the wedding planning process . All due to the fact that Doyle decided they must be married before Christmas.
Solution? Don’t get married before Christmas. No one is forcing them to do this, except a whimsical decision (by Aslan and the author). But no, per the author’s storyline, it increases the stress on Quaid to the point he lands in the hospital, again.
Yet, it’s never acknowledged that at least some of the issues lie with the fact that the short deadline was his partner’s choice and could be changed.
It’s all on Quaid, here. The imbalance is stark. And while the push to have Quaid seek therapy is a good sign, there’s also another side that’s being ignored.
From men who fought to get a deep understanding of each other and their relationship dynamics to people who seem to forget they know each other and each other’s foibles.
There’s good elements here. The gardener’s who marrying them. Quade’s relationship with Ruiz, something that has greatly evolved over the series has Ruiz will talk about here. That’s a remarkable and heartwarming thread.
It’s also setting up the new sequel series, which will feature Ruiz’ cousin and a ex police officer.
So this raises the question. The rating. It’s a finale book. Yes, the final part of the story with Aslan and Quaid finally getting married was heartwarming and satisfying. I think it was the best part of the story and made me happy to see this come to an end. It was time.
The narrative before was a mix of lovely bits of storytelling that reminded me why I loved this series and couple entwined with sections of scenes and moments that made me want to stop reading, remembering why I thought it had lost its charm.
So read it for all the above. To finish the series, to see the couple off, and, if you’re curious, get an introduction to the new series to come.
Quaid Andrew Valor and Aslan Ronan Doyle cordially invite you to be an honorary guest as they join their lives in matrimony. The ceremony is set to take place at Strongwind Castle on December 23rd. Save the date!
Time is short. Quaid has less than three months to plan the wedding of his dreams. A wedding that happens to land two days before Christmas. Don’t be fooled. It is not a Christmas wedding—at least not if Quaid has anything to say about it.
The wedding binder is fat and the list of things that need to be done is long, so when the department decides to implement a mandatory team-building Secret Santa event that will take up every one of Quaid’s available Saturdays, he is livid. There is no time for nonsense on his tight schedule.
When Aslan sees what the stress is doing to his fiancé, he calls in the cavalry to help plan the wedding. What could possibly go wrong with Ruiz and Torin on their side?
Relationships grow deeper. Friends and family come together to celebrate. And Quaid and Aslan finally tie the knot.
**Matrimonial Merriment is the seventh book in the Valor and Doyle series. Unlike the other books, this one does not contain a mystery and is wholly focused on our two favorite detectives finally getting married. It was meant as a bonus book but somehow came in at over 100k words. Oops. More of them to love.**
One of these days by Ofelia Gränd is going to surprise me and deliver a full length novel and I won’t know what to do. I’ll be overwhelmed and overjoyed, of course, but still. Someone will have to pick me off the floor first.
Until then, I’ll settle for these short tales of whimsical romance or whatever she decides to call them. Her mind is a decidedly different and wonderful place.
Here it has created a bar on an unknown world, The Ruby Tooth, a place where all the species can have a drink and mix, but under the most rigid rules that only the doorkeepers understand.
How I love how weirdly quirky Grand’s imagination is. The Ruby Tooth is divided into two bars, a good side and those that belong on the bad side. The veritas, the doorkeepers, with their intense glaze that see into the soul, say left or right, good or bad. And that’s where the beings go for their side of the bar, unable to switch for the night. The veritas give no clues or rationale for their actions, just the words. Left or Right.
Which is all the more intriguing when two widely different beings, one human (I’m assuming) and one a werewolf bounty hunter, each end up on the wrong side of the bar. Thats approximately where the author’s short story begins.
But it’s full of boundless possibilities, wild elements , fanciful ideas, and great characters. Honestly, why is Ilya Lewis the only one in an Elf costume and why does that bring immediate dislike? I need to know!
And don’t get me started on his friend who ends up with two bear shifters. Nope.
But even better is the new fated mate’s romance that’s a “take it slow” road romance. What a great change of pace.
There’s even more going on. Fast paced action, heart stopping fights, and a happy ending. All well done in 45 pages.
Sigh. I need a full length book so badly!
Read this quirky, imaginative paranormal romance and enjoy!
I highly recommend this author in all her flights of narrative fancy.
Ilya Lewis is gonna kill his best friend Vera. She not only persuaded him off his couch and into the creepiest nightclub in the city, she also didn’t show. When Ilya learns the bar is split into two halves, and he’s been let into the wrong side, it doesn’t make things any better. Once the doorman determines which half to let you into, he won’t let you into the other.
Ulric Moon hates the Ruby Tooth. But as a bounty hunter, he must go where the trails lead him, and tonight it’s landed him in the worst nightclub in the universe. All he wants is to catch the vampire he’s hunting, but despite trying to convince the veritas doorman examining his soul that he needs to be let into the good side of the club, he’s shown to the bad. As if that wasn’t enough, his destined mate somehow manages to sneak into the bad side where he doesn’t belong.Ilya finds a way to the other side of the bar, but one look at the patrons there has him regretting ever leaving his apartment. When he tries to leave, a scary-looking man who does nothing but growl follows him.
Ulric knows he’s freaking Ilya out, but Ilya has inadvertently caught the interest of the vampire Ulric is hunting, and he has to protect him. How will Ulric keep Ilya safe when he doesn’t believe Ulric is a bounty hunter? And how do you tell someone they’re your mate when they don’t believe you’re a werewolf?
“Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?”
Faked engagement, best friends to lovers , bi-sexual awakening, hurt/comfort m/m hockey contemporary romance time! That’s a lot of tropes for a novel, and it’s not even close to covering the best elements that Vaughn includes in The Waiting Game.
This is the third in Brigham Vaughn’s Relationship Goals series, and I really enjoyed the two previous stories.
The Waiting Game has some great elements woven into its characters and narrative as well as some things I found a bit problematic.
Let’s dive into the positive aspects of this story first.
Korean Canadian history and culture that’s been used for the background and creation of Jonah Brewer , a Canadian Korean hockey player with a strong sense of community and a heartwarming grandmother who’s a great central figure in the novel. From the Korean food his grandmother, Jonah and Felix fix, to the house and gardens that mean home, the Korean culture is well established within the storyline.
Next is the story thread of Felix’s drunk driving, his temporary suspension from the team, and his ongoing treatment for alcoholism. Vaughn’s created in Felix a man still very much in the beginning stages of his recovery. This is Felix dealing with his sobriety and his alcoholism by going to his AA meetings, making those calls to his sponsor, Ismael, when he needs help, and generally within Felix’s storyline, making his journey as realistic as possible. His stress, fears, and doubts are all understandable.
Jonah too has some huge emotional baggage. His parents died in a plane crash when he was young and his life was uprooted from one culture to another. Loss upon loss. That deep seated fear of losing loved ones comes through, especially with his relationship with his remarkable Grandma Ji-min. The author’s making use of the three of them as the heart of this book is a great decision because as a family unit they are the best aspect of the story.
Now to the next part, the issues. It’s the romance that I feel wasn’t working as well. At least for about 20% of the book. From the 45 percent to about 65 percentage or over, where there’s almost no communication between them about what is happening between them, the book would have lost me except for Grandma Ji-min.
It was a great framework and friendship up to that point. Then fake engagement which was strange the way it was handled. Then more avoidance about talking. Then finally exploring new bisexuality and going forward at around 70 or so percent. When the romance felt grounded and believable.
There was, naturally, a several dramatic elements towards the end, and then moments to pull everything back together. That was terrific , and some of it was very moving.
But for me, that large passage of non communication almost derailed it. Which was a shame because, as I said, there’s so much that’s absolutely wonderful here.
The Waiting Game is a good book in the series, although not my favorite. I’m recommending it and it’s great to see diverse representations in hockey .
Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?
On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top D-pair.
The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”
Reactions are mixed.
An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”
One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”
While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”
PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.
TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.
Need a smile? A absolutely feel happy to the , well , bones , reading experience? Look no further than A. J. Sherwood’s latest serialized book, How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy.
Now on chapter 8, the epic adventure is really about to start, especially since Tan, his necromancer brother Niran, and Devan, have accepted that their tiny charges, the powerful budding sorcerers-in-training, Lesia and Zi Rui, are coming with them.
That together, with a chatty sentient dragon skull, Steve, in search of his bone body. And barbarians everywhere! And it’s fabulous and funny! With fireballs.
And always over way too soon. But that’s the way of serialized fiction. It’s a quick, addictive tasty morsel that leaves you happy with the bite you had and wanting more. As this one does.
Bring on chapter 9!!!!
Love these covers.
💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Ribs located! Penalty activated if you refuse. Proceed with quest? (YES) (no)
Devan: But the ribs are in the middle of a barbarian village.
Tan: Historically speaking, fireball would fix–
Niran: Charred bone. No.
Devan: Time to do this the hard way.
Tags: BoooOOOooones, trekking through barbarian lands to find dragon bones is not as fun as it sounds, they marrowly escape, yes all the bad bone puns, Niran can’t help himself, dragon ribs are big, Niran has more bones in his workshop than a collector, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, and fireballs
Prince of Agony ends Tavia Lark’s wonderful Perilous Courts fantasy series. It’s been a dark journey through several Kingdoms and different characters and couples to arrive at our final dark romance.
The Prince of Agony is House Dire’s Prince Kazia. It’s fitting that Lark is circling back to the beginning, Kingdom of Draskora , the Kingdom that produced the assassin Whisper (Prince and Assassin #1), has Scalestone the necessary mineral upon which their magic and the dragons cannot exist without.
Kazia has been an enigmatic peripheral character in the previous books that featured his family and Kingdom. But even in the smallest of scenes, Kazia, long purple hair, small stature, and with a bitter personality and conversation that matches that of the finest blade, took over.
He was a mysterious figure waiting to be revealed. Which Lark does in the most painful, dark way. This element contains on page parental physical abuse to the point of torture. So if this is a trigger, you will know that leading up should you want to read ahead.
It’s an important part of his life and character. And his treatment and the reason why he endures it , and circles back to another person and storyline. This was a great aspect of Prince of Agony and I can’t help but wish it had been explored further.
I thought that about so many different threads here that there easily could have been two more books in this series instead of this being the finale.
Lucien Vaire, and his own storyline was another one I both wanted more than what we had here. His well developed relationship and role in our understanding of Kazia’s tormented history is a remarkable part of this book. I wish we had more of his magical abilities than we do. To only bring them in at the dramatic climax is to shortchange his character. The other aspect which could have done more with, especially considering its powerful nature of bonding and the increased intensity to them as a unit, is the dragon herself. She is glorious. She’s a novel.
As it’s a finale book, all the couples from the previous books make their appearances. It’s good to see them together again and interacting with each other. Especially Whisper, who’s not only my favorite character but his storyline and book have remained my favorite of this series. His complicated, intense backstory with the Hounds , an infamous group of assassins, gets a resolution of sorts here as well.
I also have thought about that element of Whisper’s life as one of the greatest aspects and most compelling things that Lark created for the series. I only wish that it could have been explored more thoroughly. Even through its own series perhaps.
Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts Book 6) by Tavia Lark ties up most of the important storylines and gives all its characters a great ending. The Kingdoms are certainly better off than when we first encountered them.
I definitely enjoyed this series. I have my favorites and Prince of Agony gave it a good send off. It’s a definite must for fantasy lovers.
Prince Kazia Dire isn’t nice. Being nice lets people close. Letting people close risks revealing Kazia’s greatest secret—the power that condemns him to a lifetime of abuse.
Until opportunity appears in the form of a captive enemy mage.
Following a dragon across the border lands Lucien Vaire in chains, and matters only get worse from there. Lucien has hated House Dire since the last war. Now, he’s under the notorious brat prince’s direct control.
Painful experience has taught Kazia to fear mages. He needs to keep Lucien at a distance even as he uses Lucien’s talents. But that distance narrows with each careful kindness. Each accidental touch. Lucien acts more like a protector than a prisoner, and Kazia is tempted by the dangerous sweetness of trust.
But Lucien is still a mage, and Kazia is still broken. And Kazia’s cruel parents may still destroy them both.
Prince of Agony is a high fantasy gay romance, featuring captivity, hurt/comfort, and enemies hiding in a linen closet together. This is the final book in the Perilous Courts series, which is best enjoyed in order.
• Publisher: (February 28, 2024)
• Publication date: February 28, 2024
• Print length: 295 pages
Content Notes: This book includes captivity, coercive magic, physical abuse, and references to past child abuse. The abuse is not between the two protagonists. There’s also an age gap, but that’s really the least of their problems.
I’m such a fan of Saxon James’ Accidental Love series. It’s centered around an old Victorian, Big Boned Bertha, and the found family of young men from disparate, often painful backgrounds that call her home.
Each roommate has slowly been finding their partner, either within the house or outside of it, experiencing and finding love with the support of their “adopted family”. It’s been great and certainly different paths for each one.
Now it’s Rush’s turn. Rush who was the first to move into Bertha, Rush who was the first of Aggie’s boys, the woman who stood in for family for Rush, and then the others. Rush who’s ADHD and how he approaches it is so much a part of both his personality and the storyline.
James’ has written a lengthy Authors note about writing sensitively about a neurodivergent character with diagnosed ADHD and Rush’s approach to medication and ADHD. I think James has done a wonderful job with Rush, especially as an individual making his own choices. Rush always comes across as a believable person, coping, messy, sexy, brave, confident, confused,all the feelings and fears. We connect with him and invest in him. Rush is amazing.
Hunter, the ex-fiancé whose world,along with Rush’s, is crushed in one night. He is a man of layers. James exceeds my expectations with Hunter. He could have been so easily a formula character. But instead, Hunter is one of a man whose personality opens up, revealing depths of vulnerability, acceptance , and generosity. As their relationship develops, the true nature of Hunter’s character that James has created starts to evolve, weaving powerfully into his and their storyline. I love him and them.
My only quibbles go back to the beginning. Whereas James has a long explanatory note about writing neurodivergent characters, there’s exactly a four word note on triggers connected to a SA and violence. That’s about a on-page event concerning a main character.
I think enough readers will see it coming so they can, if they choose, skip over this part of the story. It’s short but emotionally, realistically played out. Should an author say more about a plot point in a story when it involves a trigger? This is a question that’s very relevant and in discussion.
The Revenge Agenda (Accidental Love Book 3) by Saxon James is a fantastic read. It’s got compelling characters, an engaging story, and a satisfying ending. Big Bones Bertha has given us another great romance.
We still have another novel to come.
I’m highly recommending this and the series. Please do read the notes. It’s something I recommend no matter what the author’s subject, but in this case it’s about one of the characters and TWs.
When I show up to surprise my boyfriend in a barely-there festive outfit, I’m expecting him to be alone.
Not hosting family.
His fiancé’s family.
Down one boyfriend and up a lot of embarrassment, I flee with my tail between my legs. The broken heart will fade. My humiliation, not so much, but my saving grace is the fact that I never have to see either of them ever, ever again.
Until I walk into work and come face to face with my new boss.
Hunter
I never, in a million years, would have guessed the man hiding under his desk at work would be the one person I hoped to never see again.
My ex-fiancé’s side piece.
Apparently I can’t fire the guy because of personal issues, so I try to play nice, which is a whole lot harder to do when I find out my ex is still texting Rush. The same ex I haven’t heard from since I walked out on his begging.
Rush tells me he didn’t know about me. He tells me there were others. He also tells me our ex still wants him and so, we come up with a plan. To show him what it feels like when you want someone who doesn’t want you back.
All we need is a camera. His number. And one shared kiss.
