A Paul B Review: Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper (Tales of the Briny Nyx) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Wooing the LIghthouse KeeperCharlie Richards has begun a new paranormal series.  This time, her focus is on briny nix, or mermen.  The first book is Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper.

Wayne Thorpe has enjoyed being a high school teacher.  He is shocked when he is accused of inappropriate behavior with an ex-lover.  While the allegations are being looked into by the school board, Wayne decides to get away from the controversy.  He decides to fill in for a friend’s father who happens to be a lighthouse keeper, who is attending his daughter’s wedding.   

Zarek Rudiman is about to celebrate his birthday.  With this birthday, he can petition the nix court to change how relations with the human world are dealt with.  However, someone does not want this to happen.  The royal guard has come to arrest Zarek for treason to the crown, even though he is a distant relative of the king.  With the help of his valet, Zarek narrowly avoids arrest at the house but he is followed by the guards.  Through the help of a friend in the guard, Zarek escapes through a cave.  As he escapes though, one of the guards strikes his tail with a trident, severely injuring him.  As he swims out the other side, he must avoid the sharks that will sense blood in the water.  Exhausted, Zarek finally washes ashore beneath a steep cliff.

Wayne and a friend have just finished dinner one night when they notice a naked man below on the beach, obviously injured.  Wayne feels an instant attraction to this man, who is bleeding from both legs.  When the man wakes up, Zarek recognizes that Wayne is his Adelfi Psychi, his soul mate.  However, Wayne is not buying his story of how he landed up naked on the beach.  Zarek must convince Wayne that not only is he not in danger but also not to call the police.  Zarek is worried about undercover nixes who serve as spies in the human world, reporting to the court on the current condition of the human world.  Will Zarek be able to convince Wayne that mermen exist and that he is Zarek’s mate?

I feel that this new series is off to a good start.  Unlike the author’s other paranormal series, which featured scientists as the primary antagonist, this series starts off with internal turmoil within the briny nix.  It will be interesting to see how Zarek is able to return to the world of the nix.  Meanwhile, he bides his time with Wayne on shore.  Tran and Easton’s unintended initiation to the world of the nix set up future mating for this series.  This sets up what looks like another enjoyable series from Ms. Richards.

The cover art by Angela Waters shows a shirtless Zarek coming out of the surf with a lighthouse in the background.  It is a perfect cover for this book.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | Amazon

Book Details

EBook, 76 pages

Edition Language:  English

Published:  May 15, 2016 by eXtasy Books

ISBN:  978-1-4874-0709-4

Series:  Tales of the Briny Nix

Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper (Tales of the Briny Nix #1)

An Ali Review: Mongrel Trilogy Bundle by K.Z. Snow

Mongrel Trilogy Bundle CoverOne day a shadow is cast on the Mechanical Circus, a rollicking seaside carnival where imagination meets machinery, when a tall, cloaked figure approaches the stand of Will Marchman, a young patent-medicine salesman. Thus begins the adventures of Will; Fanule Perfidor, commonly known as the Dog King; vampire Clancy Marrowbone; and Clancy’s former lover, the mortal Simon Bentcross.
book one:  Mongrel
 Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Hunzinger’s Mechanical Circus, a rollicking seaside carnival where imagination meets machinery, shines as the only bright spot in the dreary city of Purinton. A shadow is cast there one day when a tall, cloaked figure approaches the stand of Will Marchman, a young patent-medicine salesman. Fanule Perfidor, commonly known as the Dog King, isn’t welcome at the Circus. No resident of Taintwell is; they’re all Branded Mongrels, officially shunned. But Will is beguiled by the stunning, mysterious Perfidor. Their mutual wariness soon gives way to desire, and a bond forms.Soon the naive but plucky pitchman becomes embroiled in a dangerous quest. Fanule suspects Alphonse Hunzinger and Purinton’s civic leaders are responsible for the disappearance or incarceration of countless Branded Mongrels. But why? As Will’s passion and regard for his tormented lover grow, he’s determined to help Fanule get answers and prevent any further persecution… or worse. They just have to stay together-and stay alive long enough-to see their plan through.
I enjoyed this and found the world building really good.  The author created a really unique and creative steampunk world here.  The writing was so descriptive I could easily imagine it in my mind.  I liked the main couple and their friends.  It was a bit of insta-love but it still worked for me.  My only issue was the dialogue was a bit stilted in places.  The writing style when it came to their conversations was just a bit simplistic.
book two:  Merman
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

When vampire Clancy Marrowbone returns to Purin province after nearly two years, he intends only to visit with his dear friend, Fanule Perfidor, and find out how his former lover, the unfortunately mortal Simon Bentcross, is faring. But two developments change Marrowbone’s itinerary: the appearance of a drastically altered man from his past, and the reawakening of his passion for Simon.

Both of these unexpected reunions become increasingly complicated. The connection between Simon’s new creation, a bathysphere-like submersible, and a clandestine underwater-research project results in Marrowbone and Bentcross becoming hunted men. But sometimes, it takes danger to make a star-crossed affair seem worth saving.

I really enjoyed the plot in this story.  Again the world building was excellent.  The main couple here were the side characters in book one but there is still a lot of Fan and Will in this one.  I never really felt the attraction between these two so the romance aspect was just ok for me but the overall plot was good.
book three:  Machine
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The closing-day flea market at the Marvelous Mechanical Circus always draws a colorful crowd, but salesman Will Marchman doesn’t expect to see a large, elaborate gold wagon on the plaza—especially one called the Spiritorium. The wagon’s exotic looking owner claims he can perform “cleansings and siphonings” via a miracle-working machine housed within. He can supposedly flush the wickedness out of people and places.

The Spiritorium appears in the Mongrel village of Taintwell the next day, setting off a potentially tragic chain of events that begins with a shocking revelation. To make matters worse, Fanule Perfidor, de facto mayor and Will’s lover, has been neglecting to take the tonic that stabilizes his moods. Besieged by his illness, Fan drives Will away. Then Fan’s best friend, vampire Clancy Marrowbone, vanishes, causing a rift between him and his mortal lover. Then Will disappears.

As Fan regains control of his mind, he knows what he must do to save his village and the people most important to him. He must solve the mystery of the Spiritorium and confront a man he’d hoped never to see again.

This story was back to Fan and Will and they are going through a difficult time due to some evil forces that come in to their village.  Their relationship is put to the test as is their friend’s Clancy and Simon’s relationship.  Through the course of the story the guys all end up working together to rid their town of the bad guy.
Overall I really enjoyed this trilogy.  I had some minor issues with the relationships being insta-love and the dialogue not being as good as I would have liked in places but the good things outweighed the bad in my opinion.  There is great world building in the series and really interesting plots and characters.  I would read other books in this series if the author ever wrote any more and they would make a great movie or television show.  These are a recommend for those who enjoy the steampunk genre and I also think these would be a good starter place for those who haven’t read steampunk before but would like to try it.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon
 
Book Details:
ebook, 475 pages
Published April 29th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634774493 (ISBN13: 9781634774499)
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL

Why Don’t More Readers Read Historical Romance or Fiction? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Devil Lancer cover

Why Don’t More Readers Read Historical Romance or Fiction?

Today, I’m returning to the theme of under-read tropes in  M/M or LGBTQIA novels and stories, romance or otherwise. In case this I’m not just singling out the historical western but the historical genre in general.  Now maybe I’m wrong, and  I’m hoping to hear from you that I am, but again, on the list of tropes people are reading, the list falls out something like: contemporary romance, contemporary  action/adventure, contemporary  western, contemporary mystery, contemporary whatever I’ve left out, supernatural shifters (this could be higher), paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, historical.  Yep.  Historical normally falls in the last couple of slots.

Now that’s not my list personally because fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction are top areas of interest for me.  But I’m talking in general….or do you all think I have it wrong?

Historical fiction, romance or otherwise, has always required more thought, more expectations of the readerI guess to look outside our time frame at ideologies, cultures, and see how  things might actually have been through the words and stories of talented authors.  And we have some  outstanding ones!    Charlie Cochrane leaps to mind with her Cambridge Fellows Mysteries (Orlando and Jonty).  Cochrane makes the Edwardian period of England come alive with every street, dinner, word, and mystery. Elin Gregory (A Taste of Copper, On a Lee Shore) has many time periods and does them all justice in her wonderful stories.  Astrid Amara?  Oh my, The Devil Lancer bring the Crimea war and its tumultuous stomach churning sea crossing vividly to life in a book that I’ve reread several times as have several reviewers here.  I have quite a few more, including Rebecca Cohen of The Crofton Chronicles and Erastes, author of M/M historical fiction and  the moderator of Speak Its Name, a blog dedicated to gay historical fiction which I love.  Check out her blog here.  That’s just for starters.

Then again maybe I’m completely wrong.  The whole lot of you are going, “pshaw, I’ve been reading historical fiction and historical romance all along.  What’s this nutty woman talking about?” Or words to that effect.  I would certainly be happy to hear that.

So what say you all?  Am I wrong, am I right or somewhere in between?  How do your lists of genres shake out?  What historical authors do you read?  I really want to know.

And now onto this week’s schedule.

************

 This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, June 5

  • Why Don’t More Readers Read Historical Romance or Fiction?
  • This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, June 6

  • Riptide Tour and Contest for 24/7 by JA Rock
  • Return to Zero by Isobel Starling Tour and Giveaway
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: 24/7 by JA Rock
  • A BJ Review: The Silvers by J. A. Rock
  • An Ali Review: Hat Trick by Meg Harding

 

Tuesday, June 7:

  • Blog Tour for Breathing Betrayal by Bellora Quinn and Sadie Rose Bermingham.
  • An Ali Review: The Mongrel Trilogy by KZ Snow
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Clockwork Tangerine by Rhys Ford
  • A Paul B Review: Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper by Charlie Richards
  • A Jeri Review: A Good Enough Reason by CE Lievens

Wednesday, June 8:

  • Acceptance—Cover Reveal and giveaway
  • A BJ Audio Review: Where Nerves End by L.A. Witt
  • A Stella Review: Under a Sky of Ashes by Brandon Witt
  • An Ali Audiobook Review: Resurrecting Elliot by Cate Sherwood

Thursday, June 9:

  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North
  • A Jeri Review: Out in the Field by Kate McMurray
  • A Lila Review: Crashing Blue by Della Boynton
  • A BJ Audiobook Review: Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

Friday, June 10:

  • Always Another Side – Annabelle Jacobs Tour Signal Boost Tours
  • Set Me Free by Kitty Stephens   Excerpt Tour and Giveaway
  • A Jeri Review: Debt by KC Wells
  • An Alisa Review: Dirty Angel by Barbara Elsborg
  • A Paul B Review:  Alexi’s Mouse by A C Katt

 

Saturday, June 11:

A Free Dreamer  YA Review:Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

 

 

A Lila Review: Chevalier (Romanus #2) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

ChevalierFireman Mason James thought finding out he is a Romanus—a rare class of gargoyle—would be the surprise of a lifetime, but he’s proven wrong when he discovers he is the son of a comte and goji nobility. But his newly discovered family doesn’t think his gargoyle lover, Luc, is good enough for a goji of Mason’s stature—how could a warrior ever be? But despite the Moreaus’ uncertainty and elitism, they are Mason’s only chance to unravel the mystery behind his mother’s death, find a solution for the class divide that might separate him from Luc, and discover what it truly means to be a Romanus.

 

Chevalier is an interesting addition to this series. It answers most of the questions left lingering at the end of Romanus. It can be read as a stand-alone if you like stories with established couples. There’s enough information and world-build involved to get right into the story. Perhaps, they should have been combined into one book instead of two separate stories.

Luc still my favorite character. He’s always there for Mason. Their connection deepened during this story, and I loved the easy banter between them and Luc’s playfulness. He also provides physical comfort to Mason with his presence and soft caresses. And there’s a new development about Luc’s position in the chasse.

Mason still has to deal with the repercussions from learning he’s a Romanus and where did he come from. We get to find out more about the meaning and the powers behind his new designation. Plus, he learns the reasons behind his family past; which takes them to France.

In this story with see more of romance, a relationship, between the MCs. Yes, they still have time for some smexy bits during the changes in their lives, but it’s more part of who they are as a couple, instead of an instinct.

There are a lot more characters in this book, but they’re easier to remember. Not all of them are relevant to the story, at the moment, but are worth mentioning even if in passing. I’d like to learn more about Gabriel’s story and Finn’s & Raoul’s.

As always, the author delivers a fantasy story with a world to be explored and characters interesting enough to want to read more about them. On the flip side, the info dump can be overwhelming and the world too much at times for such a simple story.

Another beautiful cover by Reese Dante showing one of the settings in the story. The font, the only thing bringing the two books in the series together.

I think the paperback edition combines the two covers perfectly.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe

Book Details: 

ebook, 118 pages
Published: May 27, 2016, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634772457
Edition Language: English

Series: Romanus
Book #1: Romanus
Book #2: Chevalier

A Paul B Review: Seducing His Reluctant Vampire (A Loving Nip #9) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Seducing His Reluctant VampireAbyzou is a demon approaching his thousand year anniversary of service to the horseman Pestilence.  The time has come to find his amina, or the one who will bind his soul to earth.  With this he will also be freed from the daily task of spreading disease through the world and train new demons in their duty.  Instead of being called to new duties elsewhere, his instincts tell him to stay in his current area.  His last assignment was to give colds to some cubs at the rescued shifter pack.  There he finds Toni Bastille, a vampire enforcer whom he tangled with in the past.  Abyzou realizes that Toni is his amina.

Toni Bastille has been loaned out by his coven to help protect some longhorn steer shifters from their abusive inner circle.  However, the methods that he employed to obtain information from them did not please some members of the shifter council.  As a councilman is trying to take Toni into custody, Abyzou steps in and claims him as his amina.  Toni is horrified because he cannot believe that his beloved is a demon whose blood will kill him if he drinks it.  Fate cannot be that cruel can she?

Abyzou claims rights to bond with Toni take precedence over any attempt of the council to arrest Toni as he only has a short window to complete the bonding process.  If the process is not completed, Toni will die as he will not be able to drink from anyone else.  The councilmember leaves, silently vowing to arrest Toni at a later time.  Now all Abyzou has to do is convince Toni to do is share his soul with him over the next few days in order for the bonding process to complete.

This ninth book in the Loving Nip series continues to expand on the demons and their Four Horsemen that were introduced into the series recently.  As usual, there are some misconceptions about the different species that need to be cleared up before things work out to the happily ever after.  The demons featured so far seem to have some soul or heart for being soulless creatures.  Death’s demon from the previous book wanted the people he visited to relive happy memories before they died.  Abyzou knows that while what he does might lead to death, sometimes it is for the greater good of humanity.  I look forward to visits from demons of the other two Horsemen.

The cover art by Carmen Waters shows a well build shirtless dark haired man.  Not sure if it is supposed to be Toni or Abyzou is his human guise.  It’s a fairly standard cover for the series.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | Amazon

Book Details

ebook, 92 pages
Published April 15th 2016 by Extasy Books
ISBN 1487406975 (ISBN13: 9781487406974)
Edition LanguageEnglish

https://www.goodreads.com/series/142790-a-loving-nip

Get A Bundle of Love with the ‘Love Off the Radar Collection’ by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly (excerpt and giveaway)

 

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Title:  Love Off the Radar Collection

Author: A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly

Publisher:  Torquere Press

Cover Artist:

Release Date:  6/8/16

Heat Level: 5

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 119K

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Synopsis

Love off the Radar features fourteen tantalizing, otherworldly tales of love, romance, passion, and mystery, by the best-selling team of A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly. In Chaos, a fallen god looks for love at a truck stop. A young man hovers between love and death in Hardsex. Before Morning is an erotic, romantic, volcanic vampire tale set in Feudal Japan – with a serious twist. Mojo Rising is a scandalous tale of same-sex love set in the South Seas.

D.J. Manly addresses BDSM in Disciplining Baron, and the two authors join forces for the paranormal title story Love off the Radar. Which will kill Mo Dingley first? Love, or a curse? Speaking of curses, Have you ever read the personal journals of a werewolf, or a vampire? Now’s your chance! We’ve also got two very different love stories set in the time of Atlantis, and the sad but sweet Clean Monday, a coming-out story with a surprising hero. There are sexy, spicy tales involving zombies, where boys meet boys and almost…eat them. We have it all because love is love, and can’t always be wrapped up in a neat little bow.

Excerpt

From the title story Love off the Radar:

Mo should have suspected the universe was about to hose him when he arrived at the office and found the receptionist sniveling over her laptop. He’d assumed she was having some personal crisis. He felt a little guilty now that he’d uttered a brusque “Good morning” and had walked right by her.

When Jonathan Sampson personally buzzed Mo and invited him into the conference room for coffee, he’d assumed—again, stupidly—that he was about to be given a raise. He’d played the imaginary conversation in his mind as he quickly combed his thick, sandy-colored hair, straightened his bolo tie, and had run his fingertips over his unruly eyebrows.

He’d walked in, full of smiles, hoping to be commended for the brilliant job he’d done designing and overseeing a synagogue completely built out of recycled materials and powered by solar energy. It had appeared on the evening news, and Architectural Digest was featuring it next month.

Mo suspected that the big-bucks job hadn’t impressed Buckley and Sampson because the synagogue was a GLBT one. And gay didn’t go down too well in the company, even though their lone gay architect had, in three short months, brought them almost four million dollars in revenue.

No. What he got was a year in fingle-fangled Japan. It beat his last job where he’d spent a year in Kentucky designing the same ergonomic office spaces over and over again.

Mo stared into his still full cup of coffee, prepared for him by the sniveling receptionist. He wondered if she’d wept into his cup.

“Well?” Sampson asked.

“May I think it over tonight?”

Mr. Sampson looked disappointed. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours. You’ll need to leave by Monday.”

Mo swallowed. Hard. “What about the accounts I’m working on?”

Mr. Sampson couldn’t look at him. “We’re going to hand them over to some of our junior executives.”

“But those are my accounts. My relationships brought in those deals.” Asshole. I just figured it out. They used me to get the contracts, now their straight account executives are going to complete the projects. They’ll never do the job I could do.

He left the office for the meeting he’d scheduled with the rabbi. He adjusted his black Stetson on his head, straightened his bolo tie and used a bristle brush to clean his black suit. Not that he needed it.

It was always good to make sure though. Sometimes when he morphed back into human form, he forgot himself and wolf hairs stuck to him.

Damned curse.

He stared down at his black cowboy boots. He’d come to California with three pair and these were his favorite, lucky boots. Well, they weren’t so lucky this morning.

Mo drove to West Hollywood in a daze, trying to imagine not being here anymore. He was surprised when he hit the turnoff on the ten for La Cienega Boulevard and headed south. On Pico, he found street parking and almost didn’t pay for the meter. Just out of spite. But it would be just his luck if a parking ticket haunted him across the Pacific.

He slid his credit card into the meter, paid for two hours, not that he thought he’d need it, then stood back to survey his golden beauty. From the outside, the synagogue looked very utilitarian. Inside, it was cozy, temperate, and gorgeous. As he strode into the building, he admired once again the carpet that had been fashioned by his ex-lover, Andrew, out of recycled jeans.

Each and every item used in the construction of the Temple Ruth Center had been a labor of love for Mo, and the artisans he’d brought in to help him with the project. Though not Jewish, he admired the rabbi, Beth Cohen, and the synagogue’s motto of ikkun olan (repair the world).

He believed in beautiful spaces. He believed in being responsible and being accountable. Even as he shook the rabbi’s hand and greeted the reporter from Architectural Digest, he knew his time in LA was short. He could sniff it out, like a coming Santa Ana wind and knew.

Mo Dingley was going to Japan.

He slept badly, falling into a restless snooze on the sofa whilst watching a design program on HGTV. He awoke to canned laughter and raised his head from the cushions tucked under his arm. Somehow he’d rolled over onto the remote and he’d hit an obscure cable station. An old episode of Seinfeld was playing. He’d never seen this one before, but in it, Kramer was renting out drawers in his bedroom bureau to stranded Japanese tourists. He watched as Kramer tucked them into their makeshift beds, wishing them a good night’s sleep.

I can’t sleep in a drawer! Are beds really that small there?

He hit the Internet and checked the address that Sampson had written down for him. He was astonished at how wonderful it seemed. The apartment, located in the neighborhood of Akasaka (Red Hill in English) in the Minato-ku district, was right near his new office, and two blocks from the American Embassy. According to the blogs he read, foreigners gravitated toward this area because of its international supermarkets. Almost everybody spoke English. During the day, it was a hard-working business area. At night, its restaurant and clubs ensured a busy evening, as well. Weekends, according to his research were much quieter, because the working men went to their own neighborhoods.

The ancient streets featured some geisha houses, which tickled him. He wondered if there were gay ones. How far was it from the gay district? And what was it called, anyway? He checked. Shinjuku Ni-ch?me. Popularly known as Nich?. Now that looked really cool. Saunas, coffee shops, bars. Beautiful men.

As long as he could escape into solitude each full moon, he’d be fine.

I think I could live there. He studied the apartment building. The Akasaka Tower building was so tall it made him dizzy looking at him.

This ain’t no mustang ranch, sport. He took a deep breath. He was able to view an apartment via virtual tour. It looked very modern and clean, with granite countertops in the kitchen and surprisingly huge windows overlooking the city.  The bedroom looked  big enough. It sure beat the heck out of being unemployed.

He eyed the time on his VCR/DVD player. Ten fifteen P.M.

On the TV, as Jerry and Elaine acted shocked about Kramer renting the Japanese tourists his bedroom drawers, Kramer defended himself by saying, “Have you ever seen the business hotels in Tokyo? They sleep in tiny stacked cubicles all the time! They feel right at home!”

He sighed at the racist overtones to the plotline. Maybe this was his opportunity to offer his input into ikkun olan. Maybe he could help in some way make a contribution to repairing the world.

Mo picked up the phone and called Jonathan Sampson. He wasn’t surprised when the man answered.

“I’m in,” was all Mo said. And then he started to pack.

Purchase

Torquere Press

Euphoria SquareMeet the Author

 

A.J. Llewellyn

A.J. Llewellyn’s obsession with myth, magic, love, and romance might have led to serious stalking charges had it not been for the ability to write. Thanks to the existence of some very patient publishers, A.J.’s days are spent writing, reading and dreaming up new worlds. A.J. has definitely stopped Google-searching former boyfriends and given up all ambition to taste test every cupcake in the universe to produce over 200 published gay erotic romance novels.

A.J. wants you to read them all. A.J. can be found lurking on Facebook and Twitter—part-time class clown being another occupation. When not writing or reading, A.J.’s other passions include juggling, kite-boarding, and spending a fortune buying upgrade apps for Pearl’s Peril and Farm Heroes Saga.

D.J. Manly

I write not only for my own pleasure, but for the pleasure of my readers. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t written and told stories. When I’m not writing, I’m dreaming about writing. Eroticism between consenting adults, in all its many forms is the icing on the cake of life but one does not live by sex alone. The story of how two people find love in spite of the odds is what really turns me on.

 

Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/A.J.-Llewellyn/e/B002DBJBC2

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/aj.llewellyn

http://www.facebook.com/dante.manly

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/ajllewellyn

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/ajllewellyn

http://www.twitter.com/djnovels

Website:

http://www.ajllewellyn.com

http://www.djmanlyfiction.com

Giveaway

Rafflecopter Prize: One winner will be selected to win an eBook copy or a signed paperback copy of Love off the Radar.

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A Lila Review: Guardian by Jordan Taylor

Rating: 5 stars out of 5                   

GuardianGavin lives a serene and routine life. He has no friends, and his only contact is with co-workers or acquaintances he sees over the week, during his day-to-day activities. Even when he doesn’t know of his existence, his Guardian is always with him. Trying to console him, to love him, and bring him joy.

Unfortunately, he’s not able to touch Gavin or influence his decisions. Just like the Guardian, we follow Gavin around and see, through his eyes, how Gavin lives. We experience Gavin’s depression and the Guardian’s love and desperation to make his protectee life brighter.

When the Guardian asks for help to manifest as a human, his request is granted. For the next twenty-four hours, he had the chance to meet face-to-face with Gavin and explore what he always wanted. As the time counts down, Gavin will realize that what he wants might not be what Gavin needs.

Guardian is a beautiful short story about the true meaning of love. It’s a none traditional romance, but lovely on its own right. I’m not going to spoil the twists and turns that give this story its uniqueness. I’d only say that it’s different than the blurb description.

The author did an excellent job bringing to life the Guardian’s feelings and Gavin’s misery. Also, with the changes in Gavin’s life. They were slow but significant. There’s some humor together with the pain and angst.

It takes some time to get used to the Guardian’s POV and the omniscient narration, but overall, it works well. The story is compelling enough to make the reader fall for the characters and pull them into reading faster to see what happen next.

The cover seems too severe for the story, but it matches Gavin’s state of mind at the beginning of the story. It has an old London feel, but more Gothic than contemporary.

Sale Links: NineStar | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 42 pages
Published: March 7, 2016, by NineStar Press
ISBN: 9781911153146
Edition Language: English

A VVivacious Review: Darkside (Mate of the Tyger Prince #2) by Shannon West

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5
 
Dark Side“The course of true love never did run smooth.”  – William Shakespeare
General Haggoz finds himself in the impossible situation of having to imprison his own nobyo. As he struggles to come to terms with the wrong doings of Kevin, he also realizes that he will never stop loving Kevin. Kevin finds himself imprisoned in a cell in Haggoz’s house where the only thing that breaks the pall of his existence is Haggoz and the few times he deems to visits him. But while Kevin may have reasons for his deeds, he has given up hope on ever having Haggoz forgive him.
 
On the other hand, Mikos and Ryan are trying to get through everyday life. They bicker like an old married couple but are just as much in love as they were before.
 
But when Mikos and Haggoz disappear it is up to Kevin and Ryan to find them and bring them home.
 
This book is a good companion to its predecessor.
 
The story of this book follows two couples – Mikos and Ryan; and Haggoz and Kevin. The best part about following two couples was that since both these couples where in different places in their respective relationships, it made for an interesting story as we kind of got all the phases that a relationship goes through in one go.
 
Mikos and Ryan love each other more than ever but they also argue more than ever. Their story is basically about how navigating married life has been for them so far.
 
This time around we get more of the royal family. We get lots of interactions with Blake, who I have come to adore. His will is second to none. Also we get to see a whole lot more of Vannos, Anarr, Larz and Nicarr but I guess the best thing was that we got to see Blake interact with his children which is so sweet. I mean I loved the parental vibes he gives off and how well he knows all his kids and how much he loves them. Also we see more of Davos. I can probably read an entire book about Blake and Davos. But there was also a very inconspicuous absence of Blake and Davos’ fourth child Darrek, I mean this time around when we got introduced to all his other siblings, I would have thought we would get to see him too, but no there is nothing about him in this book, absolutely no mention whatsoever. Also more Mikol!
 
This time around we get a bit more on the shifting aspects of Tygerians. Well we actually get to see Haggoz in his tiger form and personally I loved the scene. But I wish we could get more of tiger Mikos, now that I would love to see.
 
Kevin and Haggoz’s story line was something extremely beautiful. I mean here are two people who love each other a lot but find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Haggoz had a horrible childhood and Kevin is his one and only shot at happiness because Kevin is his happiness. But Haggoz also has a duty to his king to keep his nobyo, Kevin as a prisoner but try as he might to hate Kevin for his actions he realises that his love for Kevin is boundless. In fact during the entire story I was positive that any hurt Haggoz had ever inflicted on Kevin actually hurt him more and hurting Kevin was actually his way of hurting himself.
 
Kevin might have reasons for his wrong doings but he doesn’t think that Haggoz will understand. But loving Haggoz is something that has become synonymous with living life for Kevin.
 
These two tortured souls who want nothing but to be together must walk a difficult and treacherous path to be together. But since their hearts are already one it won’t take long for their minds to realize how foolish their forced separation is.
 
I loved the story and how it is written the POVs alternating between the two couples, on one side there was the playfulness of Ryan and Mikos and on the other was the heartache of Kevin and Haggoz and they balanced each other perfectly. The plot was the best because seeing the Ryan and Kevin work together to get back their mates was really well done. Also it was nice to see the humans work together to rescue their more powerful Tygerian mates.
 
My only irritation with the book was that the meeting scene between Haggoz and Kevin was repeated i.e. we got that same scene from Haggoz’s as well as Kevin’s perspective but reading it again was kind of a dredge. Also the party at the end of which Mikos gets shot in the previous book was rehashed this time from Ryan’s POV, these repetitions got kind of boring. Actually as such it wasn’t the repetition of the scene that was so boring it was the fact that I was anticipating that I would have to read the events that I already knew about again that was trying.
 
Otherwise this book was a great follow up to its predecessor and I loved the epilogue, finally Mikos learns how to deal with his husband. I hope we can get more Mikos and Ryan.
 
Cover Art by E Connors. The cover is a little weird what with that huge scarf but it is actually a depiction of Kevin from a scene in the book but it makes no sense whatsoever if you haven’t read the book.
Sales Links:  Amazon  | ARe
Book Details:
ebook
Published April 5th 2016 by Dark Hollows Press LLC
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Mate of the Tyger Prince

The Importance of World Building in Fantasy/Sci Fy Fiction and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Fantasy Landscape

The Importance of World Building in Fantasy/Sci Fy Fiction

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been talking about the little overlooked trope of historical stories in LBGTQIA fiction and I’m going to get back to that next week, way back in authors and eras this time.  But for now, lets look forward.

Whereas those authors face entirely different obstacles when tackling their stories, primarily making their designated time period is accurate down to the details while still able to make their stories and characters come alive for their readers, the author that decides to write fantasy or science fiction has an entire different issue ahead of them.  They have to imagine new worlds, build them up, complete with cultures,  languages, religions, sexes or not, biologies, mythologies, or use old world gods and myths and sciences, or any combination thereof.  And make it believable.  Yes, a daunting task.

And if you notice and read our reviews here its one of the first  things we bring up in our reviews.  The line in the review usually starts something like this “the author’s ability to world build….” and then goes on for better or for worse.  And it occurs right at the beginning of the review, again in the middle and sometimes again at the end.  Why?  Because its so important.  If you don’t get this right, if you make us question parts of your universe, if its illogical, got huge holes in its fabric that makes us stop reading and start thinking about it and not your characters, then, you’ve lost us, your readers.

What elements do you find important in world building?  What do you look for in your fantasy and science fiction in order for you to feel like your world in that novel is complete?  Write and fill us in.  I’m curious.  Some seem to think its tons of pages.  Hmmm. No.

Its not volume that speaks either.  I have read books of well over hundreds of pages that made virtually no sense where the author threw in a kitchen sink worth of narrative for a space opera that was just sort of crazy…nothing made sense but it was huge in pages.   And yet a small sharp story as was noted in A VVivacious Review: Fire Up My Heart by Asta Idonea put in all out there for the reader to see in a small, terrific package.

So I’m thinking its time to put together a list of recommended fantasy and science fiction authors and stories.  So gather together your recs and start sending them in.  I hope there are plenty I and our reviewers haven’t read yet, we are always looking for more, you know how we love our fantasy and science fiction here.  Come on, send us names and books…but make sure their world building is up to the challenge…

 Blue-Space-Science-Fiction-Wallpaper-in-HD-520x312

 This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, May 29:

  • The Importance of World Building in Fantasy/Sci Fy Fiction
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, May 30:

  • Riptide Publishing’s No Remedy blog tour with Christine d’Abo (giveaway)
  • A VVivacious Review: Dark Side by Shannon West
  • A Lila Review:  Guardian by Jordan Taylor
  • A BJ Review: Til Death Do Us Part by Addison Albright

Tuesday, May 31:

  • A Lila Review: First and First by Santino Hassall
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Song of Song by L.J. LaBarthe
  • An Alisa Audiobook Review: In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review:  A Helping Hand by Jay Northcote

Wednesday, June 1:

  • Cover Reveal Blitz: A Second Harvest by Eli Easton (cover reveal)
  • Dragon Men Series by Amber Kell – Series Recap Tour and Giveaway
  • A Stella Review: Stained by Chris T Kat
  • A Paul B Review: Seducing His Reluctant Vampire by Charlie Richards
  • An Alisa Review: The Pirate’s Cove by Michelle King

Thursday, June 2:

  • New Book Blitz – Love Off the Radar Collection by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly
  • The Scorpion’s Empress Release Day Blast and Giveaway
  • A Lila Audiobook Review:  Fish Stick Fridays by Rhys Ford, Narrator Spencer Goss
  • A Paul B Review: Wooing the Lighthouse Keeper by Charlie Richards
  • A Free Dreamer Review:  Lost Souls by Barbara Sheridan

Friday, June 3:

  • Book Blitz and Giveaway for Becoming Rory by Ashavan Doyon
  • A Paul B Review:  Alexi’s Mouse by A C Katt
  • A Lila Review:  Chevalier by Mary Calmes
  • An Alisa Review: Reckless by Caitlin Ricci

Saturday, June 4:

  • A MelanieM Review:  Safe In His Heart by Renae Kaye
  • A BJ Audiobook Review: Covet Thy Neighbor by LA Witt

 

 

An Ali Review: Dreamers’ Destiny by Tempeste O’Reilly

Rating:  5 stars out of 5   

Dreamers' DestinyLiam Grady is the owner of the Feathered Quill, a quirky little bookstore in Asheville, and—though he doesn’t realize it yet—a dream walker. His last relationship failed almost a year ago, and he’s not had the interest or nerve to pursue anyone he’s met since.

Cameron Danu is a tattoo artist from rural Georgia. Cameron is left without a job after his boss, José, is forced to close the shop after a heart attack. When Cameron learns José has set up an interview for him at a small tattoo parlor in Asheville, he hopes for a fresh start in a new town.

Fate brings Cameron and Liam together, and they realize they’ve met before—in their dreams. A chance encounter and a winged tattoo might lead them to their destiny—if fear doesn’t turn their dreams into a nightmare

This is another wonderful story by Tempeste O’Riley.  I have enjoyed her contemporary romances and was excited to read a paranormal by this author.

Liam and Cameron have been meeting in their dreams for years and when they actually see and meet each other in the real world it throws everything into a tailspin.  When Liam learns that he is a dream walker and dream weaver he begins to learn about his gift while getting to know Cameron in the real world.  When someone begins to attack them in their dreams they have to work together to get to the other side unharmed.

This was an emotional story and it was nice being able to feel both Liam’s and Cameron’s feelings on what was going on.  The different points of view were helpful in understanding the characters.  They both had to struggle with keeping their dream world and the real world separate from the other and when the dream world begins to invade into the real world they work together with the help of friends to get everything back on track.

This was a great story and I loved how their relationship came together.  Everything wasn’t perfect for either of them and they each had to learn how to be there for the other.  Their sex scenes in their dreams were hot, but once they actually knew each other they got even better.  The story had a great conclusion with them looking towards the future after they conquered the man from their dreams.

Cover art by Reese Dante is wonderful and depicts one of the main tattoos in the story.  Plus, a man with tattoos is always great to look at.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: May 13, 2016 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN: 9781634772136

Edition Language: English