Well, that was just hilarious. And sexy. And a fabulous way to jump into a brand new paranormal series and group of amazing characters written by K.L. Hiers.
Werewolves Hate Clogs is such an entertaining and engaging read. Hiers creates in Othniel âNeilâ Ricci , a relatable, appealing character. Neilâs a bit at loose ends, so heâs come for the summer to help his traveling Uncle run his flower shop, Uranian Flora in Somerton. Itâs a city known for its azalea festivals and past criminal history.
It also has some very unique qualities that its hiding along with its citizenry.
Hier slowly builds a strong, fascinating and, well, the strangest paranormal found family Iâve read recently. And I adore it. All centered around a growing kinky romance between Neil and Lou Morenas-Mostro, werewolf , as well as an involved mystery that affects the entire paranormal community itself.
Neil, Lou, Louâs very scary family that Iâm certain will be explored in coming books, and ,my favorites, the entire found family of The Reliquary, a magical bracelet , as well as that shop, I just didnât want the book to end.
Honestly any story that contains the phrase
â Wang wizardry equals roasty toastyâ is a book I certainly needed to have on my must read list! Love , love, this!
Crocs, battles, fabulous dialogue, sexy scenes, and found crazy family ! Definitely a book and series Iâm taking to heart.
You should too. Highly recommended. Plus what a great cover.
Need that next book soon.
Pls note itâs a mate romance with bdsm D/s elements in it.
Cover Art by Christina Record of Itsy Bitsy Scissors
Othniel âNeilâ Ricci has a sweet new gig working at his uncle’s flower shopâgood hourly pay, free room and board, and he has absolutely no idea that the city is apparently infested with monsters.
Neil finds himself at odds with an entire monster family, their rebellious enemies, and his own growing attraction to Lou. He hopes he lives long enough to find out if their explosive chemistry can lead to something real, but first he has to make sure he doesnât end up as monster kibble.
Deadly Little Sparrow is K. M. Neuhold first book in the new Mafia Bound series and itâs one wild, sexy dark ride. Itâs a great combination of revenge, romance, and a combustible red hot D/s relationship set in a crime family environment and potential territory fights.
All that and some well crafted, delicious characters made for a strong story that I didnât put down until it was over.
The basis is the Italian crime family headed by Lorenzo Moretti. I suspect each member will have their own story but we start with their enforcer/assassin, the Angel of Death, Xaviaro Saviano. Deadly, calm, bespoke suits and Italian loafers. Heâs extremely efficient and considered a member of the family. Everything in his life is just rote until he runs into trouble in the form of a revenge seeking Sparrow.
I enjoy the dichotomy between them. Itâs the vibrating, smaller rage-filled Sparrow who fills the void and energy here, up against the almost rock like calm of the huge assassin. Until they actually clash, and the upheaval begins.
Their relationship is one of extraordinary chemistry, D/s, and it absolutely works. Neuhold weaves together their growing desire for each other, along with Sparrowâs hunt for revenge as well as how itâs impacting Xavâs job and professional dynamics. Itâs multilayered and well executed.
The author introduces the readers to the rest of the family, exploring the Moretti universe and encroaching crime families, while also revealing more about Sparrow and Xaviaroâs own histories.
For readers who might be anticipating scenes of extreme violence, read the trigger warnings. However, I will say I believe that this is on the less extreme side of the dark spectrum when it comes to these kinds of fiction. Thatâs my opinion at any rate.
If I had a small quibble, it was that the end was tied up too tightly and quickly. After all that build up, it felt like the revenge aspect was rushed and reduced to a few moments. Did parts of it ring true? Yes, those responsible probably didnât know what Sparrow was referring to. Too many crimes had passed. So maybe it did make sense to have it happen that way. You decide what you think.
Iâm definitely recommending Deadly Little Sparrow and canât wait for the next book in the series to be released. A absolute winner.
I may be small and pretty, but what I lack in intimidation factor, I make up for in violence.
I made a vow five years ago that the motorcycle club responsible for my brotherâs death would pay the price, and Iâm finally ready to collect. May God have mercy on the men who hurt my brother, because I donât plan to.
Accidentally breaking the nose of the deadliest man in the city wasnât my best move. Xaviaro Saviano, trigger man for the Moretti Crime Family… and now my own personal stalker. But if I have to go through him to deliver well-deserved justice, so be it.
As strange as it sounds, Xaviaro seems to want to help me more than he wants to hurt me. I canât shake the man no matter what I do. Threatening him feels like foreplay, tying him up only turns him on⊠I could play nice, but thatâs never been my strong suit.
Iâd be lying if I said he wasnât starting to grow on me, especially when he calls me his Deadly Little Sparrow from his knees. Iâve never met a man who could handle me, let alone one who canât stop begging me for more.
Can love and revenge live in the same heart? I guess thereâs only one way to find outâŠ
Nannies of New York is one of my favorite contemporary series. Itâs been a memorable journey for a found family of Manhattan nannies who find themselves first in a position to help a family heal and thrive, then love finds them, placing them directly within the heart of the family they have come to love.
Each story has been framed out by elements of psychological drama, historical stories of love and tragedy, trauma and losses. And each new emotional venture turns into something marvelous, full of joy, laughter, often moving scenes as well as hot, sexual moments. All guaranteed to make these characters feel vivid, deeply realized and loved by the reader.
Never more so than in the story of Reid Marshall, co-founder, along with Gavin, his non sexual soulmate, of The Marshall Agency, the exclusive LGBTQIA nanny company at the heart of the series.
In the last book, we saw a hidden side of Reidâs life where his need to keep his sexual lifestyle secret, which heâs turned into a one night a week affair. Itâs complete with its own clothes and accessories, and limited to certain bars. But things immediately go awry when a distraught older royal with family problems gets added into the mix.
Maximilian, Margrave of Hessen, who has two daughters he is desperate to connect with. Max is so unique in the cast of characters we have come to know but it turns out heâs perfect. Watching him yearn for his daughterâs understanding and love is painful and heartbreaking. Getting it is heartfelt and so amazing.
And the relationship between Max and Reid that slowly built and with great emotional work is truly everything. Itâs funny, wrenching, incredibly sexy, and thought provoking.
A sticking point for Reid is his deep love and commitment to Gavin, his platonic soulmate, and their family thatâs gathered around them. He finds it difficult to believe that anyone would want to be an equal partner with him in this situation. Itâs never given a name. Gavin has a sexual relationship and loving partner in Dash who accepts that Reid will always be a part of their relationship. Polyamory? Whatâs in a name. Itâs not given one here, just that they are all a unit. Such a great well written aspect of this book and series.
Also their sexual relationship and preferences which are very D/s and beautifully layered into their own stories and personalities but into their romance as it develops.
Sterling hits one high narrative note after another. I laughed, shook my head at the antics and confusion displayed by the characters, maybe cried at certain moments, and fanned myself at certain scenes. But always I was deeply engaged and emotional involved with everyone here. Each and everyone.
I was wondering if this was the end of the nannies. But another interesting development showed up, a character who has been popping up here and there. Apparently heâs next!
This is a series Iâm thrilled to recommend. But do read them in order. Itâs a fabulous journey and watching them find love, learning about the Marshall family, and all the wonderful people and dynamics is a joy to revisit.
Especially the romance of The King of Nannies and the Prince! So fantastic!
Once upon a glitzy Manhattan night, a nanny finds himself in a royal mess.
The Marshall Agency may have begun on a whim, but itâs no accident that itâs considered the best in Manhattan. Everything goes exactly as planned because Reid Marshall only does things one way: his way.
Reidâs content with the life he has built with his platonic soulmate, Gavin, but knows his friends and family would be shocked at what he gets up to off the clock.
Maximilian, Margrave of Hessen, knows a thing or two about living a lie. Desperate to mend his relationship with his daughters, Max turns to the Marshall Agencyâs headstrong founder for help. Only to find they have already met.
Max wants more than one night with the nanny and intends to win the fiercely independent younger manâs heart. Can Reid resist, or will he too succumb to love and live happily ever after?
One Night with the Nanny is Book 6 of the Nannies of New York series. Itâs a fairytale rom-com with a twist, featuring fake dating, found family, a one-night stand that turns into more, and a struggling single dad who happens to be a Prince.
Damned Connections is the sequel series to the original Reckless Damn Series about the rebelling four sons of Lucifer, finding their mates ,and the war with their father. Itâs an excellent series.
But Iâm finding that Damned Connections is even better, imo. Itâs still got the original characters but now weâre focusing on the aftermath and the characters on the edge of their group. And the ones affected by the war. Itâs an extraordinary journey.
Now itâs Toby and Blaiseâs time for their stories to be told and Taylor has outdone herself with a narrative of incredible emotional depth and intelligence .
Taylor has incorporated the elements of BDSM and D/s in such a way that readers who donât read this type of thing or think that they donât understand it will find themselves absolutely absorbed into this relationship. Itâs a Dom/ sub relationship that works through each otherâs needs and desires as well as those aspects of play that they donât want to include. Itâs clearly discussed as adults and spanking is the top discipline here.
But Blaise is fighting for his life in that his guilt is literally driven him down. The emotional tension and despair attached to him is real and extremely intense.
Toby isnât the bartender vampire heâs seemed in the previous books and the revelations of his true nature are astonishing.
The exploration of Blaiseâs past and the journey between them drew me in like no other. It was 3 am before I realized I was still reading. And often sobbing.
The only reason this didnât get a 5 star rating is because there was so much âas told toâ sections as the author had to fill in the reader with different details about certain aspects of a coupleâs story from a book and timeline pertinent to this story.
Temperance (Damned Connections Book 3) runs in the same time period as some of the other books so itâs necessary for Taylor to pinpoint exactly where in the timeline this is happening . Especially if you havenât read the other books.
But it drags the narrative down in a way and changes the perspective in some cases.
So yes, a fantastic story and incredibly compelling plot thatâs one of my favorites. Probably be a reread.
Iâm absolutely loving this series and recommend reading it in the original as well as this.
A fire mage who believes heâs broken. A vampire who believes he can fix him. A contract thatâs going to change everything.
Blaise
Iâve never been good at doing the right thing.
A series of bad choices have left my life in tatters. Everyone is telling me to move on, but how can I? What I did was unforgivable, even if some believe otherwise. My whole world imploded the night I left a human dying on a classroom floor.
I donât deserve anything good in my life, I know that. But Iâm desperate for peace. Just a few moments where I can escape from everything Iâve done.
When Toby offers me a solution that promises just that, I jump at it. I never imagined having a Dom, but with Toby in that role?
Nothing has ever felt so right.
Problem is, this isnât a relationship, itâs a contract. A temporary one.
Which means I need to guard my heart and stop myself from falling for this enigmatic vampire.
Like I said, Iâve never been good at doing the right thing.
Toby
I never learn.
Every time I see a needy sub, I canât stop myself from offering my help. Every time, I forget that itâs a contract and fall too hard and too fast.
Iâm the one who fixes them, never the one they choose to spend eternity with. Thatâs the way it always goes.
When Blaise bursts into my life, I already know how itâs going to end. I canât stop myself from wanting to help him, but this man has the capacity to break me in entirely new ways. Maybe if I keep the boundaries strict between us, I can walk away at the end without another scar on my heart.
Like I said, I never learn.
Temperance is the third book in the Damned Connections series. Featuring a needy sub and a Dom whoâs trying to avoid heartbreak, this spicy MM PNR romance will pull at your heartstrings. Although this series can be read as a standalone, itâs better enjoyed in order. Each book follows a different couple and has a guaranteed HEA.
The Ashes of Ackonir by Jennifer Cody is a fantastic standalone novel that has the breadth and depth to be the foundation of a great series.
The author has gone to incredible detail in creating the world of Maldrin. Cody has referenced at the beginning of the book a glossary of terminology, cultural references, historical and geographic information. Itâs astonishing. Right after this comes a list of the Deities, starting with Ackonir, god of blood, seduction and immortality. A god worshiped by vampires.
Then, equally important, comes a list of trigger warnings. Theyâre too complicated and long to repeat. But do read them carefully before making your decision to continue on.
The story is a two person narrative, which is hugely important as thereâs a purposeful power imbalance from the beginning to the relationship of the main characters. Itâs implicit in their political stations and more importantly, in their personal dynamics.
Sparrow, whose painful adolescence is slowly revealed over the course of the story, is the son of King Edrickâs roaming late wife and Consort, Mara.
Both Sparrow and his mother share a complex relationship and labyrinthine history that weaves together cult like religious beliefs, hidden ancestry, and, heinously, an abandonment that left Sparrow to his fatherâs cult members for raising. A child raised within such an environment has no connection to the outside world or any idea that some of the rules or practices arenât common elsewhere. Thatâs Sparrow. And sexual activity was practiced by all members .
Edrick is a son of Ackonir. What exactly that means will become clear later on in the narrative. However, what Codyâs story brings is an immediate, and perhaps inevitable mating between the two men.
Edrickâs character is powerful, supernatural, explicitly sexual in nature, with that base of seduction and dominant sexuality laid out everywhere, from the clothes heâs wearing to the designs within the palace. Their sexual dynamics is layered with the dominance and submission thatâs part of each manâs nature, carved into them by their past history, and current roles. Cody has built a very strong and compelling relationship. One that reveals itself to be even more complex than it initially appears.
The narrative is equally complicated, containing multiple storylines and all woven together to create a mystical experience and unforgettable tale of love, death, and gods.
Iâm highly recommending this and hoping that Cody continues on with this universe and characters with another story.
Life beyond the walls of Eoam, the commune where my mother raised me, has never tempted me. My needs are fulfilled as long as I work, and if my life is full of more sorrow than most, itâs because I was born for it. But even I have my limits, and when the people whoâve raised me do the unthinkable, I burn the walls down and walk away.
My first steps away from the commune lead me straight into the company of someone I barely knew existed. Edrick was once married to my mother, but the life she lived in the palace never touched me, and Iâm surprised when Edrick brings me there.
I thought Iâd be walking into a world similar to what Iâd been taught, but the more I see of Maldrin, the more I realize that I was made powerless by the people who were meant to love me. As my anger stirs, so does Edrickâs, and he decides to empower me with a title, tutors, spies, and maybe even real, actual love.
Iâve never known what love is, but if anyone can convince me I was born for more than sorrow, itâs Edrick Dastropha, the Emperor of Maldrin.
Edrick:
I never got to live in my wifeâs company more than a few months at a time, and as much as I wanted her to myself, I couldnât keep her wild heart caged in the palace. She lived in a commune with her other lovers when she wasnât with me or traveling, but she kept that part of her life private because she knew my ability to control my jealousy had limits. Now, more than a decade after sheâs gone, she has one last surprise for me.
Sparrow is as beautiful as his mother was and far more tempting. I invited him to live with me to honor her, but when the first thing I notice about the young man is how needy he is and how beautifully he fits in my arms, the best I can offer is my solemn oath that he will always have a place under the wing of my protection.
Preparing him for life in the palace requires more than I expected, and as I spend time with him, it becomes clear that the commune I allowed to exist because my wife loved it hurt him in infuriating ways. I will do everything in my power to give him what he needs, even if that means making another sacrifice to the god of blood and seduction.
If anyone can rise from the ashes of Ackonir, Sparrow was born for it.
The Ashes of Ackonir is a MM steampunk fantasy romance between an emperor with vampiric tendencies and the tempting little lost lamb with blood that sings to him. This book includes a heavily imbalanced power-dynamic, political intrigue, war, and other complex tropes. Readers should consult the content warning at the beginning of this book before reading.
If youâre in the mood for a cute kinky adult bedtime story, Iâve got a new trilogy for you! Author Charity Parkerson is offering up a trio of short adult paranormal tales, a mixture of fang, kink, and love done weird vampire style.
Little Pestâs unique bag of elements include BDSM Daddy play, amorous tiny bats fielded by a fly swatter, a lonely ancient vampire who loves Vegas, and a sad young man who picked the wrong night to be brave and find a Daddy.
As odd a group as this sounds, as a short story, it comes marvelously together. Even if Daddy play or BDSM isnât a trope you read, the way itâs written is done well and easy for a reader to understand why it fills such an emotional need for Tate.
The ancient vampire? Draco, lonely in Las Vegas and unaware of how his long undead life is about to change. A terrifyingly good vampire and terrific character. I always suspected magicians were vampires anyway.
Tate is, uh was a vulnerable young man with a short unhappy life behind him. Parkerson creates in Tate a character of such bravery, self knowledge, and honesty that itâs impossible not to root for him and love him. Onesie and all.
And turns out heâs actually perfect for Draco, if only he can get past the ancient fears.
Little Pest is a quick fun Paranormal romance. Itâs quirky, gives the reader a new slant on types of vampires (pesky young things), and mild kinky romance.
Iâm looking forward to the remaining two tales. They look to be equally weird , different, and daffy while fangy and romantic. Gotta love that!
Draco is the oldest vamp around. Tate is the newest and possibly the most annoying. Theyâre the perfect pair.
As one of the oldest living vampires, Draco has seen a lot of history. Heâs also extremely powerful. With that power comes an allure that draws younger supernaturals to him like flies, hoping for a taste of his⊠expertise. Draco wants none of that. He lives a quiet life as a magician at a casino in Vegas. Itâs a fun gig for a retired vamp with no real responsibilities left to his name. Then Tate flies into his life. Now nothing is the same.
Tate is a little hapless. Heâs a little everything, actually. In fact, that pretty much sums up his personality. Heâs a Little. At least, he was before some dude bit him in a nightclub and now Tate is stronger than ten men, can control minds, and turn into a bat. He has no clue how heâs doing any of that. No one taught him how to be a vampire. In fact, he doesnât know how to survive. Without Dracoâs help, he wonât. If it means Tate has to make a pest of himself to get Draco to notice him and teach him the how-tos of his new life, then so be it. Falling in love, that was just another one of Tateâs little mistakes, but it might be his best one yet.
Little Pest is the first book in Charity Parkersonâs Once Upon a Bite series. These books are meant to be short, fun paranormal romps to brighten your day.
Prince and Pawn charts the course of romance for the third and oldest Sandrelle Prince and the current heir to the Kingdom, Audric.
This book differs from the others in that the younger brothers , widely considered vying for the throne themselves outside of inner circles, each traveled to find their own mates. Audricâs story takes place primarily at home.
This plot feels less complicated or perhaps less well explained with its backstories, while being more kinky within their personal relationship than the others.
This is a BDSM D/s relationship with pain play, even involving some interesting use of Audricâs plant magic , think tendrils , during sex. That aspect of their relationship comes into play quickly and with little discussion at first meeting. Only the timing and details surrounding that event keep me from bringing up more questions here.
Lark makes each manâs resigned, reckless emotional state a factor in their actions that night, both sides dismissing talk for sex. So the reader gets it.
What is more noticeable during the narrative is the lack of depth given to the details of Corinâs magic. Thereâs no information or hints as to the background for this type of magic. So it lessens in many ways the impact of Corin himself, at the end and throughout the storyline.
Whether it was Whisper the assassin in Prince and Assassin #1 (my favorite) with his believable tortured adolescent or the betrayed enemy dragonrider, Rakos, of Prince in Disguise #2, (a tight second), those strong personalities with their complicated pasts elevated their romances, built barriers to their relationships, and ultimately created a superior narrative for their storylines.
I wish I could say the same about Audric and Corinâs romance but something just feels lacking. Less depth, less focus on details about history and magic, more about their sex life.
Maybe thatâs intentional and will be addressed in future books. I donât know.
But as of now, Corinâs a bit of a weakness and not because heâs a submissive but because heâs existing in a bit of a narrative vacuum. And by hooking Audric to him, it pulls him into that as well.
The next book takes us away from the royal family of Sandrelle and to another Kingdom entirely. One we visited in Rakosâ story, and a Prince and bodyguard we met there. I canât wait.
Iâm highly recommending this series. This story moves the series arc forward and I believe that we will get more of the missing parts later on as the entire series is a complex one whose unique world is being explored book by book.
I didnât love this like I did with the others but it was entertaining.
Read them in order for event, character, and relationship development. Just marvelous!
Be obedient. Be grateful. As the neglected illegitimate son of a powerful family, Corin is expected to follow his magic-gifted brother to the palace as a servant. Heâs unwilling but resignedâand allows himself one night of distraction in a strangerâs arms.
Corin never knew pleasure and pain could be so exhilarating. So comforting. Corin only regrets heâll never again see the anonymous man who ruined him for anyone else.
Prince Audric doesnât want a loveless political betrothal, but heâll do anything for his kingdom. His last night of freedom is a rare indulgenceâand a terrible mistake. Corin is sweet, beautiful, and sees Audric like nobody else does.
Constant proximity hurts when they canât be together. But avoidance is impossible when Corin might be the key to unraveling the conspiracy behind Audricâs betrothalâ
And when Corin keeps fainting into Audricâs arms.
Prince and Pawn is a high fantasy gay romance with hurt/comfort, forbidden pining, inappropriate use of vines, and more magic tigers. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.
I had known that A Scandal for Stratton was going to have it difficult as far as the expectations went as itâs preceding story, An Affair for Aument set the bar so very high for any book that followed it. If I could have given that novel a 10 I would have, it was that magnificent.
In An Affair for Aument, a brilliantly written novel, it captures the best of all the characters of every story, who, for all their vagaries in station and personality, form a odd collective of friends bound by events and relationships. Their stories naturally form the basis and universe for The Lords of Bucknall Club series, one Iâm deeply fond of.
This book has its own different elements , focuses, and characters that have existed on the outskirts of that circle. A character like Stratton, earning a meager mention or two as a horse seller in all prior books, is now one of the main characters.
A aspect that makes this more a novel that , like itâs men, something that resides just a bit on the edge of the group. In that universe, but very much itâs own different book.
I have to confess I didnât enjoy it very much. I appreciated the writing but wasnât finding the deep joy I had in the others. At least until almost until the end.
All the other books were very much within the Regency Romance format while the authors gave them narratively brilliant twists with a new rule on same sex marriages, all still keeping the same cultural rules, gossiping Ton, adding in mystery, exceptional humor and romance. And each book was centered within keeping a character driven storyline. Amazing.
Honestly those books are on constant replay.
Immediately you notice the missing dry wit and humor the preceding stories are noted for. In its place is sexuality . Itâs the scandalous stories, The Maiden Diaries, being written by âAnonymous â that have been discussed all Season. Itâs also the D/s pain kink sexual relationship thatâs key to the dynamics between the Earl of Stratton, James and his estate manager, Harold. Itâs explicit. From whipping, spanking , the huge list of pain kink is introduced here in a way itâs not in any of the other stories.
If BDSM ,D/s, pain kink relationships arenât your thing, this is not your story. Itâs a major element. Thatâs most of the book and the characters relationship. Again, a departure from the previous books.
Thereâs no mystery. A simple case of blackmail stemming from a rather nasty brother back from abroad with a large sense of entitlement ( pun intended) who wants the estate and title of Earl of Stratton.
The fun, wit, and liveliness only enters the story with the entry of The Bucknall Club gang, plus the indomitable Lady Rebecca , who gather together to save the day. Thatâs about 80 percent in. So a fairly long slog without a glint of lightness.
I really missed them Especially Soulden with his wicked sense of humor.
For me, the story sank into my heart when all the Bucknall Club characters were engaged by Harold to help with the blackmail. From there, we got a balanced storyline with strong character driven plot lines, fabulous dialogue full of humor and wry heartfelt commentary on the Ton and society. All our favorites, with their engaging dynamics were there, encircling James and Harold, with their compassion, kindness, and unique outlook, pulling them into the circle of the group.
Of enormous impact is the compassionate Warry , along with Chant, who endeavor to help James with their social anxiety, their other issues and offers of friendship. How I adore that crew.
The last section helps with my connection to the main couple. It includes a far better understanding of the personality and character of James as they try to recover from the shattering events that free them from their brother. Itâs also a far clearer picture into the dynamics between James and Harold as they weigh their future and try to get back to the stability they had enjoyed before everything fell apart.
The main couple themselves fracturing, getting a new, deeper exploration of what has made their relationship work, James trying to resolve the emotional turmoil the painful past that his brother has awakened, as well as all the damaging fallout itâs caused, this section of the story brings everything back into The Lords of Bucknall territory in an amazing way.
However, while all the other couples got their HFN in a satisfying manner, I canât help but feel that James and Harold were still in recovery, trying to see where they and their relationship went next, if it could handle the next stages of growth Harold needed.
Satisfying? That will depend on the reader.
For me, A Scandal for Stratton is an extremely well written book, one that exists more as an addendum to the series The Lords of Bucknall Club then as strictly a part of it. Itâs strongly character driven, with its main relationship bases around a BDSM D/s pain oriented dynamic thatâs constantly being explored throughout the storyline.
Jamesâs tortured persona is beautifully done as is Haroldâs dominating character. Each is layered with their painful histories driving them together, despite their differences in societal levels.
The structure of a Regency romance, so apparent in the others, is whatâs missing here for me. Most of the time, with the few exceptions that James does visit the Club (very few) the book could be lifted into another historical series . That is until weâre almost done.
If youâre a fan of the series, Iâm recommending this on several levels. Itâs a terrific story. It enlarges on a bit character we only heard about in passing. All those horses that Warry always wanted from Stratton. Now we know who he was referring to.
We also get to see our beloved characters again as they gather to save the day, hilarious solutions not withstanding. Not a goat to be seen however. I was very sad about this. Not that type of book which is telling.
And if youâre a fan of J.A. Rockâs other novels which do have a major BDSM element, then this is exactly the book and couple for you.
I think this does see an end to the series. Iâm ok with that. I felt it had a brilliant send off in An Affair for Aument.
Thereâs nothing indicating the authors will go forward with another story.
So Iâm absolutely recommending to all what I consider the foundation series, books 1 through 5, and as a addendum, with a note about the BDSM content, pick up the sixth novel if youâre interested in learning about who was selling those horses and writing The Maiden Diaries!
Series – The Lords of Bucknall Club
â A Husband for Hartwell #1
â A Case for Christmas #2
â A Rival for Rivingdon #3
â A Sanctuary for Soulden #4.
â A Affair for Aument #5
â A Scandal for Stratford
âââ-
Unless itâs noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Sometimes it takes a new book announcement to get me to remember a series I really like (this author is highly prolific with a great many series I already devour đ).
Rainbow Cove is one of those series by Annabeth Albert that sometimes gets lost among the so many popular and outstanding series Albert writes. Solders, gamers, chefsâŠ.I crush so hard on her many characters.
So when I saw the upcoming new release Hope On the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4), I went hmmmmâŠ. had I read the third book in the series. Why no, I hadnât. And set off to correct that.
Can I say hot? Unexpectedly hot? I donât remember rope play, extremely well done rope play, in other of Albertâs storylines. Itâs been a while so I could be wrong.
But this? Down to the knot variations, apparatus, scene setting, and after care all while making it feel tender, sexy, vulnerable, and such an integral part of a burgeoning relationship? Just amazing on multiple levels,
Rope play, makeup, pink fuzzy sweaters, glitter! Sexy oh my! These men !
A short story with a extra scene that is so necessary but will still leave you wanting more of lumber jack/photog rope Dom Johnny and younger pretty makeup vlogger Cam. Age difference, mild bdsm in that Cam realizes he has a submissive side, one that rope play allows him to express .
People uncomfortable with kink and bdsm should give this story a chance. I think youâre going to surprise yourself by the feelings expressed by Cam, a complete newcomer to being tied up and how moving both the experience and their relationship makes you feel.
Albert writes characters so realistic and layered that you often forget they are fictional as are the town they live in and the issues that confront them. Iâm so quickly pulled into their lives and romance that the story is over far sooner than I wish it to be.
Hereâs hoping I see them pop up in the next book to come.
Every visit I make to Rainbow Cove and each new couple I meet has been a complete joy. Johnny and Cam were definitely my favorites.
Highly recommended.
Rainbow Cove series:
Trust with a Chaser
Trust with a Twist
Lumber Jacked
Hope On the Rocks (Rainbow Cove #4)- see link below for all the stories and buy links
The heartrending conclusion to the On My Knees Duet, a forbidden MM love story by USA Today Bestseller Ella James
Excerpt
Shit.
Dude is not a talker. I donât know if I should ask. Iâm pretty good at leaps of faith, though, so I move over to him slowlyâŠwrap myself around him from behind. I kiss his nape and stroke his back until chills move in the wake of my fingers.
He lets out a low groan, and my hand roves down his abs, stroking till I find him hard against his belly.
âYou do this.â His voice is flatâso I canât tell if heâs angry or resigned.
I grip my hard-on with my free hand, rub myself against his flank. âAnd you do this.â
âClouds my head,â he rasps.
I start to stroke him. âThatâs why I came out here. To make your head so cloudy you canât think of anything but me.â
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ella James is the USA Today and Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of more than twenty novels. She writes emotional, hard-won love stories with steam, suspense, and Kindle-throwing twists. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three young children, and hyperactive dog.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 