Category: M/M Paranormal Fiction

An Alisa Review: Rended Hearts by Riza Curtis

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

After a life on the run, witch Gabriel just wants to enjoy having a home. He’s perfectly happy pottering around his garden and using magic to quietly help people. Then the Alpha of the local wolf pack is attacked by a member of the local coven, and everything changes. There’s no love lost between the witch and the wolves, but Gabriel saves the life of the Alpha in an attempt to keep the peace.

 

Simon finds his mate in the witch that saves his life, but the coven is coming for Gabriel, and they don’t care who gets in their way…

 

This was an enjoyable story. While I say that there seemed to be a lot of background information that felt glossed over or not really given, I felt like I was tossed into a world that was historical but not and a lot of prejudices that we were just supposed to accept.

 

Gabriel has been running for what feels like forever, we were never really told when his mother died so I’m not sure how long or how old he is, and just when he starts to have a place that feels like home he is thrown another curve ball. Simon has been quietly leading his pack for years hoping that someday he will find his mate but that seems hard when he doesn’t leave his pack often, I mean Gabriel has been in town for two years and they had yet to meet. Gabriel doesn’t really accept their connection until late in the story and tries to protect Simon and his pack but it backfires.

 

I liked the story but didn’t feel like I really knew the characters or what they were doing. Simon was simple with the wolf’s mate bond and connection but Gabriel pushed and didn’t seem to understand their connection. Gabriel went through a lot of changes that I didn’t feel were described to me.

 

The cover art is nice and I like the “starry” wolf.

 

Sales Link: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 150 pages

Published: March 30, 2018 by Riza Curtis

Edition Language: English

 

A MelanieM Review: Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Mama always said, don’t go near the lake. Rin already knew the forest was filled with dark things, but aside from Mama no one had warned him about the lake. One day, Rin wanders off to the lake, where a beautiful blue horse asks him to go for a swim, and Rin learns too late it may not be a swim he survives.

I have to admit it took me a little while to connect with a character who referred to his lover as his “snack” and thought about eating him or his bone marrow.  I was dubious until about halfway through that this would have a HEA and that the old adage about creatures staying true to their nature might prove out here.  You never know….

But Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight kept taking one interesting turn after another, and eventually I even enjoyed the peculiar mindset of a Kelpie (thoughts of eating humans included).

I loved the way  Mell Eight weaves the Fae and human worlds together here, connecting them through a matter of fact woman running a stables at the edge of a special forest and lake, and her son Rin.  That lake and forest are just any plain forests but the entranceway and habitat of the fae as Rin soon finds out.

Side by side with the fae story element is an ongoing one that shows Mama, who raises and races horses, having major troubles with another horse breeder.  I thought this was a terrific idea.  Just when the whole Rin/Blue aspect of the storyline gets a little overwhelming with their  diary dialog  (they write back and forth in Rin’s diary) and relationship then we cut away to Mama’s gritty real life issues and the fight to save the farm and their livelihood.

Two thirds into the story, the drama has increased, the suspense and mystery has been raised, and I was just as interested in Mama’s story as I was in Rin’s.  Plus there is this whole other guy called Jim who runs Overhill Stables….

Anyhow, by the time the book ends (it ends way too soon), you still have some questions.  Ok, a lot of questions.  Blue is still a young Kelpie and Rin is, well, a young Rin.  Both have a lot of growing to do.  I expect Fae politics to start intruding one more into their lives so I can’t wait for the next book to appear.

By the way?  Kudos to Mell Eight for keeping Blue as completely non-human and Kelpie as possible.  It takes time to relate to him precisely because the author did her job so well.  I can’t wait to see what happens as he grows, trepidations notwithstanding.  Snack indeed.

Cover art: Michelle Seaver.  Beautiful cover and works so well for the story.

Sales Links:  Less Than Three Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published March 21st 2018 by Less Than Three Press
Original TitleKelpie Blue
ISBN139781684311989
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesOut of Underhill #1

A MelanieM Review: Velvet by Xavier Axelson

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

When an irresistible discovery unravels the forbidden secrets of a man’s heart, the very fabric of his existence is threatened.

Virago is the royal tailor of a corrupt prince. Left to care for his blind brother, Virago devotes himself to his trade until an unexpected delivery changes his life, and a wandering minstrel knocks on his door. What he discovers will test the bonds of brotherhood and unravel the forbidden secrets of his heart.

Loosely based on the 14th Century Laws of Sumptuary, Velvet takes readers to a land where cruelty is disguised as allegiance, loyalty is masked by obligation, and the laws of sumptuary govern the people. But nothing is more dangerous than Velvet.

Velvet by Xavier Axelson has all the elements I’ve come to expect from an Xavier Axelson story.  The language is lyrical, hints of the mystical float through the narrative, and the overhaul effect is just plain haunting as a whole.

From the start, the tone is set as Virago is on board a ship.   Virago stands next to a heavily pregnant woman who’s unborn child is a seer interested in Virago.  From there, Virago recounts the journey that has led to this voyage and his strange circumstances.

From happy child with a famous, loving tailor father in a kingdom ruled by a benevolent king to a man living under the rule of a unhinged cruel despot, Virago and his brother undergo so many changes here.  Primarily Virago because he is the character who has had blinders on about so much for most of his life.  About his sexuality, about the prince and his true characters, and about those the prince has “considered his true friends and brothers”.  Things his blind brother has been aware of for far too long.

All changes  when a new fabric comes into Virago’s hands…something called velvet.  Soon an obsession and more is born just as a musician, Seton, arrives for the King’s coronation.  A sexuality awakens, forbidden by law and punishable by death.  So too does a sickness arrive in the city.

Axelson weaves a tale of revenge, cruelty, discovery, passion, and love in Velvet.  You’re never sure if this is an historical novel or if dragons will soon appear because there is an air of heavy mysticism about it that bespeaks of darkness and otherness.

As with most of Axelson’s romances, Virago and Seton find love rather quickly but here it feels natural or rather that fact is subdued under all the  other  elements here.  Perhaps it’s that all the threads are equal, the velvet vest, Virago’s feelings, the whore’s revenge, the peacocks, the court, and more.  It all builds to an uneasy crescendo.

Never was I so happy for that beginning.

Velvet will haunt you.  It leaves you with questions that will never be answered, and scenes that linger on in your mind.  That’s why I read this author.  And you should too.  I absolutely recommend Velvet as a lovely starting place.

Cover art: Winterheart Ink Designs.  Haunting, beautiful cover that is perfect for the story.

Sales Links:  JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 161 pages
Published March 24th 2018 by JMS Books LLC (first published October 25th 2012)
Original TitleVelvet
ASINB079ZXG57T

An Alisa Review: The Officer and the Vampire Chef (A Loving Nip #16) by Charlie Richards

Rating:  3.25 stars out of 5

Just a little Love Bite: When a vampire chef meets his soul mate, he must discover if the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach.

Patrick Brown knows he’s a little odd for a vampire, enjoying cooking and dancing. It works for him, though, since he’s his vampire coven’s chef, and he loves spending hours doing both as he shimmies around his kitchen. On a routine food run he stops a robbery at his local grocer’s. To Patrick’s surprise, the blood of one of the officers calls to him like nothing ever has. He realizes the human policeman is his beloved, his soul mate. While Patrick easily scents the human’s arousal, betraying his interest, Officer Allen Robinson barely gives him the time of day. Undeterred, Patrick begins a quest to learn everything about the human, and with the help of friends, he sees him again…and again. Can Patrick figure out a way to woo his closeted cop, or will fears and prejudice destroy their chance at a future?

This was a sweet short story.  Patrick enjoys his life but desires to have to have a soul mate like many around him have found.  Allen has kept his sexuality a secret forever and his strong attraction to Patrick sends him running even farther in the closet.

Patrick tries to woo Allen but it didn’t seem to do much.  Allen knows he’s running but can’t help himself and when he sees Patrick out with some friends.  I could feel Patrick’s desire for Allen and what seemed acceptance of his fate when Allen didn’t come back after his first visit.  I was able to see Allen’s fear of coming out but didn’t really connect with him.  As expected in a short story it seemed to be tied up in a bow much faster than I would have liked but I still enjoyed this story.

The cover art by Angela Waters is nice and I love the visual of Patrick in his kitchen.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 94 pages

Published: March 2, 2018 by eXtasy Books

ISBN13: 9781487418878

Edition Language: English

Series: A Loving Nip #16

A Jeri Review: Theoden: A New Haven Series Prequel by Nicholas Bella

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This is the prequel to a series that I haven’t read. It has just never been on my radar. But this looked interesting and being that it was a prequel, I was basically starting at the beginning. Vampires, dragons and werewolves oh my!

Lots of prequels (I have found) are not very long. Not so with this book. It was loooooonng. It follows the life of Theoden- starting as a young boy up until he is quite old. Being quite old as a vampire is relative though.
The first half of the book really sucked me in. (Sucked me in, vampires. Get it?) The world that is built was really interesting. The lives of the vampires, dragons who aren’t necessarily in animal form and werewolves that are used as toys.
And while the first half was interesting and I enjoyed it- there was this thing that bothered me a bit. As the youngest vampire, Theoden has to submit sexually to his brothers whenever he wants. He hates one of his brothers, but all three are rather rough with him. But he has to just submit. Seemed kind of rape-y to me. It could really turn people off.
Anyway…. after the first half being rather detailed and covering a rather short amount of time, the second half jumps centuries at a time. There is a story going on, but really it is mostly filled with sex. The whole book is filled with sex. Hate filled sex, loving sex, rape-y sex, voyeuristic sex. I think if you cut 90% of the sex scenes, this book wouldn’t even be 100 pages long.
And I get it- the author warns you that it is filled with sex. But I felt like there was a decent story there that was just overshadowed by…sex.
This was a tough one for me, but ultimately I can only give it 3 stars
Cover art: Jay Aheer.  The cover art works for the character and draws your attention. Striking.

Sales Link: 

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Book Details:
The New Haven Series Prequel
Dark Paranormal Erotica/GLBT/BDSM
Kindle Edition, 346 pages
Published March 21st 2018 by Dark Desires Publishing, LLC
Price: $4.99 Ebook/$ Paperback $13.50

99c Book Blast – Omega Sacrifice (Pine Creek Lake #2) by Quinn Michaels (excerpt)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Omega Sacrifice (Pine Creek Lake #2)

Author: Quinn Michaels

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Quinn Michaels

Genre/s:  M/M Mpreg Romance, Mystery & Adventure

Length: 110 print pages

Blurb

Will he sacrifice his true mate for revenge?

An alpha of the Pine Creek Lake pack killed Devon’s father. But when Devon discovers his true mate amongst his enemies, will a forbidden love force Devon to choose between his pack and his heart?

Seeing the love of his life choose another, Zeke faces a bleak future as an omega with no hope of a mate. But when he stumbles into the arms of a strange and handsome alpha, is this a second chance for a happy ending? Or will he be cast aside…again?

Star-crossed mates must make the ultimate sacrifice to save each other.

Omega Sacrifice is a fast-paced, satisfying mpreg omega werewolf romance that will leave you hot and bothered with a happily ever after to melt your heart.

Short. Sweet. Steamy. No Cliffhanger.

If you love Mpreg Omega werewolf romance with knotting, true mates, and hawtness, start reading Omega Sacrifice, Book 2 of the Pine Creek Lake pack series, today!

Buy Links – Available on KU and Special 99c Offer

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads 

Excerpt

Devon froze. In his wolf sight, the omega male was a monochrome figure in gray, brown, and tan. He had a round face and light hair, escaping in scraggly curls that were tied at the nape of his neck in an elastic band. If Devon had been human, his mind might have drifted to poetry. The soft roundness of his figure was hinted at tantalizingly beneath a thin rain jacket and sodden yoga pants. His lips were full, his nose upturned endearingly at the tip.

The omega smelled like the sweetness of fresh kill, and Devon wanted to lick him. To taste him.

Stupid with desire, Devon whimpered.

This was bad. A deep, instinctual part of him recognized that the omega in front of him was his true mate.

The omega froze in place. “Who’s there?” He wiped the sleeve of his jacket over his face and blinked. Squinting into the darkness. “Hello? Who’s there?”

Devon held his breath. This omega was his true mate, and instinct demanded that Devon make his claim. But he had a job to do. If he revealed himself, he would put his entire pack in danger.

The omega sniffed the air. Between the rain and his weaker human senses, he should not have been able to smell Devon. But he tensed, and Devon recognized both fear and curiosity as the omega turned toward him. “You’re an alpha. I don’t know you.” The growing panic was evident in his tone. He would shout for help soon. Devon was surprised he hadn’t shouted yet. Maybe there was some way to salvage this. Devon shifted, and then hands raised, he stood.

Cold rain streamed down his body. Though Devon knew he lacked the essential viciousness that made an alpha truly strong, none of that was reflected in his body. A surge of pride washed over him as the omega’s lips parted, and his eyes grew wide, and Devon smelled his desire.

“I’m Devon.”

“Ezekiel. Zeke. Your, um…” Zeke ran his tongue between his lips, and imagining that tongue in those lips on him made Devon’s cock swell.

Devon kicked himself. He should have stayed hidden. He should have killed Zeke before the omega had seen him. But Zeke was his true mate, and even if he hadn’t been, Devon didn’t have it in him to kill an innocent omega in cold blood. He wasn’t his father. He wasn’t his grandfather. Which meant Devon would have to take Zeke with him, at least until all of this was over.

Zeke was his true mate, and there was no way he was going to let the omega come to harm.

But first, he had to make Zeke comfortable enough to trust him.

“I have some clothes in this backpack,” Devon said, shrugging his shoulders. “Do you mind if—?”

“Yeah! You should do that!” Zeke swallowed. “Not that I mind looking at you. I mean, you’re really hot and—” He shook his head, and judging by the tint of embarrassment in his scent, Devon guessed that Zeke had flushed as well.

It was perfect. And terrifying.

About the author 

Pennsylvania native, Quinn Michaels is a fan of fantasy, werewolves and M/M mpreg romance! She strives to write  action-packed adventures of romance, self-discovery and second chances, all served up with a hefty helping of sweet, sexy Omegas and hot, determined Alphas who will do anything to cherish, love, and protect their mates. She also enjoys the sexytimes!

Sign up for Quinn’s mailing list and get updates at http://quinnmichaelsauthor.com

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