Review: Hitman vs Hitman by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.5🌈

No idea why, but I’m fascinated by hitman romances. It’s a trope that’s been written by many authors and each one has a different interpretation of the assassins, their lifestyles, backgrounds, and, of course, professionalism.

Are they psychopaths? People lured inside the profession by expediency or blackmail? Or perhaps something in their pasts now causes them to kill. Or any number of combinations.

All of which makes for dark, entertaining reading and curiouser relationship dynamics between assassins.

Hitman vs Hitman by Cari Z and L.A. Witt is, imo, a delightful “assassin light” romantic story.

What torture there is here is minimal is in the past and off page. The killings, while often and with a “boom, explosions, boom” high body count, aren’t gruesome. Those that might sound as such, well, they are off page again.

It’s bang, boom, shots, flash bangs, quick action sequences, dead bodies sort of assassin type of story.

What Witt and CariZ did so splendidly here was in giving both the assassins such divergent personalities and backgrounds yet their characters were so alike in beliefs and values that the romance actually made sense.

There’s the sarcastic humor, snippy bits of dialogue, witty jokes, and incredibly good scenes that interspersed action with past memories and relationship growth.

I remained absolutely committed to the men, the storylines, and their relationship.

I could use several more tales with this newly adjusted killer couple in the future. Oh wait, they do. And I’m onto it next!

Such a excellent story! One I’m highly recommending.

Hitman Vs Hitman series:

✓ Hitman Vs Hitman #1

◦ Sniper vs Spotter #2

◦ Killer vs Kingpin #3

◦ Cop vs Capo #4 – Jan 4, 2023

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Hitman-…Hitman vs Hitman – Kindle edition by Z, Cari, Witt, L.A.. Romance Kindle eBooks @ …

Description:

Ricardo Torralba and August Morrison don’t agree on much besides the fact that they hate each other. According to Ricardo, August is a spoiled brat who really needs to knock off the sass once in a while. August insists that Ricardo needs a sense of humor, a good lay, or a well-placed bullet. Maybe all three.

Fortunately, the assassin’s profession is a solitary one, and they can go about their lives without getting in each other’s way.

Usually.

When a contracted hit turns out to be a setup for both of them, they narrowly escape with their lives. Now, even if they don’t like it (spoiler: they don’t), August and Ricardo have to work together if they want a shot at survival.

In between firefights and questionable interrogation methods as they hunt down their would-be killer, the cranky assassins discover that under all that mutual loathing is a spark of chemistry they can’t ignore. They want to ignore it, they probably should ignore it, but August can’t help flirting to annoy Ricardo, and Ricardo can think of at least one way to shut him up for a while.

But they need to focus, damn it, and figure out who’s gunning for them and why.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

Hitman vs Hitman is a standalone* gay romantic suspense featuring two men who’d rather chew glass than fall for each other, a whole lot of inappropriate comments, and some buttons that will need resewing.

* Okay, it was supposed to be a standalone, but August and Ricardo refused to be contained, so now they have a sequel, Sniper vs Spotter.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Nyall (Christmas Sprites Book 1) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4🌈

Nyall is a sweet holiday romance, an adorable beginning to a new Christmas series about a holiday village, Mistletoe Falls, and a special magical family of sprites looking for their HEA’s.

First up is the village baker, Nyall, who meets reporter Aaron Newton, banished to the village to write holiday fluff by his father for a past byline mistake. It becomes a delightful romance as Nyall , and his cousins, show Aaron the Christmas experience by way of all the events and the festivities that happen in Mistletoe Falls.

Of course, there’s a certain magical charm and glamour that occurs to spice things up. There’s a tiny mystery (not much of one) as well as a itty bitty drama about their relationship.

This is pretty much angst free, and a quick easy holiday read. It also sets up the next story which is cousin Oberon’s romance. There’s four books in total. I’m looking forward to reading them all.

Christmas Sprites:

Nyall #1

Oberon #2

Eldon #3 – Dec 15, 2022

Linus #4 – Dec 22, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showNyall (Christmas Sprites #1) by Macy Blake

Description:

Good things come to those who bake.

At least that’s what the sign hanging in Mistledough, the bakery owned by the gorgeous and mysterious Nyall claims.

When reporter Aaron Newton is banished to Mistletoe Falls for the holidays and forced to provide fluffy and lighthearted stories without a hint of scandal, or else, he finds himself drawn to both the bakery and the sweet taste of the man who runs it.

Aaron may not have come to the small Christmas town for love, but a little holiday magic is in the air, and the season may bring Aaron everything he’s ever wanted… if he’s willing to get whisked away by the handsome baker whose family has a secret to rival Santa Claus himself.

If you love opposites attract, small towns with holiday traditions galore, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, you’ll fall head-over-mixing bowl for this feel good Christmas romance.

Author’s Note: Although this series takes place in the Chosen Universe, it is completely stand-alone.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Chasing Shadows (Daemons of San DeLain Book 1) by M.A. Church

Rating: 3.5🌈

Chasing Shadows is the first book in M.A. Church’s new Daemons of San DeLain series. A paranormal romance, the theme and background of the central characters hints at a darker story than it turns out to be.

A physically abused child is saved from his father’s continuing brutality by a monster that’s hiding under his bed. One who announces to the child that he belongs to him.

Church could have gone so dark with that storyline but instead the monster turns out to be a guardian who acts as protector, friend, and nothing more until the boy ages. He’s been a unseen companion, a voice and glimpses of darkness under the bed.

It’s not until Austin’s an adult with a career as a successful paranormal romance author that events cause a meeting that brings them finally face to face.

Church’s universe for this series has many of the usual paranormal characters as well as the new shadow daemons the author’s created. I found so many aspects about them interesting, the use of shadows to travel. Portals. The fact that there’s gender differences in appearances. That puzzled me btw. Why automatically assume or assign gender to daemons? Why not make coloration differences according to age?

At any rate, Kage, the head of his Daemons clan, aka the Monster under the bed, just doesn’t come across as all that monstrous. Courtly, old. Just not the feared being he’s supposed to be across all paranormal species.

That’s a factor here all through the various storylines. None of the hunters, werewolves, dragons, seem especially threatening.

The promise the dark elements threaded through the description shows never arrives. Which is fine if you like your paranormal romance on the light side.

Chasing Shadows , for me, is a lighter styled romance. There’s fated mates but no kink or wild sex that you’d expect from a daemon who’s claiming his long awaited mate. The story has some mystery, some suspense but ,again nothing chilling or high anxiety.

The relationships, the danger, even the mating bond itself was more along the quick entertainment level then anything with deeper narrative expectations.

If that’s what you want in a paranormal romance, or even something you’re looking for right now, check out the beginning of this new series, Chasing Shadows (Daemons of San DeLain Book 1) by M.A. Church .

Daemons of San DeLain series:

Chasing Shadows #1

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showChasing Shadows by M.A. Church

Description:

The monster: They say I am powerful. They say I am the darkness. They say I instill fear in the minds and hearts of many.

They’re right.

I am powerful. I am the darkness. I should be feared. Then I heard his cries and everything changed. Power can be tempered. There’s safety in the darkness. And the monster isn’t always the one under the bed.

Now only the heart and mind of one human interests me. He is mine. I wait, watching over him until the time is right to claim what belongs to me.

Austin: Do you believe there are monsters under the bed? I do. I don’t just believe; I know for a fact they exist. I’ve met one. Sort of. Okay, I haven’t actually seen the monster, I’ve only spoken to it.

Kind of hard to see much of anything when you’re hiding under the covers while waiting on your father to beat your ass. The monster saved me. Literally. He says I’m his, and he’s waiting for the right time to claim me.

Someone tell him to hurry the hell up.

—-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Ruins (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 1) by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

Ruins marks the outstanding beginning of Wings ‘N’ Wands series by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake. It’s a spin-off or sequel series to their Scales ‘N’ Spells saga about dragons and their mages.

The Ice Dragon clan was introduced in the first series so we already have (if you’re a fan or reader of those novels) a solid understanding of the characters and foundation of the Ice Dragons history going into Ruin.

But for those who don’t, the authors weave the tragic past , the devastating wars and loss into the storylines here. It’s so satisfying to see King Rodrigo and Ha Na, as well as others again.

However, it’s Dr Samuel Hunter, archeologist, searching for the long lost Tupã dragon clan and the neighboring Sousa Mage clan, who’s so easy to connect with. From a mage family where his twin brother is favored because of his magical abilities and Samuel isn’t taken as seriously because of a broken core, Samuel is someone we can identify with and feel for.

Troubling family dynamics aside, his personality is lively and engaging. Which makes Dimitri’s drive to have a relationship believable .

The authors include an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the missing dragon and mage clans, the research for a solution to Samuel’s broken core, and an entire clan of Ice Dragons with mage mate drama.

It’s an engrossing story, full of adventure, dragon flight, romance, and poignant moments. I loved every bit of it. And I’m looking to see what shape the next story takes.

Wings ‘N’ Wands series:

Ruins #1

Buy Now or Read in KU

Description:

Samuel has one goal in life: fix his broken core.

What does he not want? A bossy, overprotective, possessive, teasing dragon sticking his nose in business that is not his.

Even if he is sexy. And supports Samuel on his quest to find the lost Sousa Mage Clan.

Utterly beside the point. He does not need a dragon boyfriend.

(Un)fortunately, Dimitri disagrees.

Tags:

Ice dragons, Brazil, fated mates, dragon shifters, not mpreg, found family, true acceptance, hurt/comfort, broken cores, lost clans, magical creatures, beware of stompers, fun with waterfalls, snowball fights in summer, ice dragons know how to stay cool, Dimitri licked him and now he’s his, overprotective and grumpy, calming cuddles, seriously Dimitri needs all the cuddles, booby traps, Sam was not trying to seduce Dimitri, it was the cuteness that snuck under Dimitri’s guard, communication, because miscommunication is the devil’s trope, Dimitri has a weakness for sassy intellects, who knew, Dimitri is a walking air conditioner, Sam approves

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Five Night Stand (A Snowed Inn story) by H.L. Day

Rating: 4🌈

The holiday stories have started to be released and H.L. Day’s Five Night Stand marks the beginning of my seasonal reading.

It’s a short sweet romance with all the elements and characters that make a heartwarming holiday story and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Nathan Nichols, action/suspense author, is on a break. Nathan is trying to salvage his latest book that’s been rejected by his publisher. And the rewrite, up in a snowy mountain inn, is going nowhere.

A one night stand with CJ, a wildlife photographer, that turns into more courtesy of a avalanche , sparks more than inspiration.

H.L. Day builds a really lovely holiday story around this theme. Nathan’s predicament and his frazzled, upset attitude with himself and the situation is perfect for this moment. CJ, there to capture snow filled wildlife photos, especially rings true. The location, the elements, and the men lead to a romantic, heartwarming journey as they make love and share histories.

Five Night Stand has so much promise for a larger novel about the men, their characters, romance , and relationship. It’s the one reason I find shorter stories so frustrating.

If you love holiday romances and a terrific couple, this is a great way to start your seasonal reading. I’m recommending it.

Description:

The advantage of a one-night stand is being able to walk away. Except, Nathan can’t.

Workaholic Nathan Nicholls hasn’t had the easiest time of late. Still reeling from his publisher’s rejection of his latest book, he seeks refuge in a remote hotel. When he’s propositioned by the sinfully sexy CJ, a man who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, why shouldn’t Nathan throw caution to the winds for once and have a bit of fun? After all, he’s leaving the next day.

When an avalanche puts paid to Nathan’s quick exit, he finds himself stuck there for Christmas. Stuck with CJ. What should be awkward, quickly becomes something else. The snow might be cold, but the time they spend together is far from it, and Nathan finds his heart warming. If only their passion and laughter didn’t have a shelf life, doomed to come to an end once the road is cleared.

Nathan Nicholls doesn’t do one-night-stands. But maybe, just maybe, if he makes a Christmas wish, this could be something more.

A sweet and steamy 43k forced proximity story which features a man who never was any good at one-night stands, a cheerful wildlife photographer who might not be as confident as he makes out, rustic log cabins, snow, Christmas cheer, and two men gaining a whole new perspective on life.

All the books in the Snowed Inn collection are standalone stories and can be read in any order.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Five Night Stand

Snowed Inn story Collection:

Five Night Stand is a standalone book.. It’s a Christmas novel in the Snowed Inn Collection

All the books can be read as standalones and in any order and all are available to buy or pre-order

• RJ Scott – Stop the Wedding – https://books2read.com/StopTheWedding

• H.L Day – Five Night Stand – https://books2read.com/FiveNightStandHL

• V.L. Locey – Checking it Twice – https://books2read.com/CheckingItTwiceVL

• LC Chase – Breakfast Included – https://books2read.com/BreakfastIncludedLCC

• Xenia Melzer – The Real Kaimana – https://books2read.com/RealKaimanaXM

• Meredith Russell – Stuck With You- https://books2read.com/StuckWithYouMR

• Eli Easton – A Changeling Christmas – https://books2read.com/ChangelingChristmasE

Review: Antagonist (Dads of Stillwater #1) by Ana Ashley

Rating: 3.25🌈

Antagonist is the first of Ana Ashley’s Dads of Stillwater series. Ashley ‘s story gives us all the necessary elements we need for a first novel. A foundation in the small town of Stillwater, with major events taking place at the elementary school, bakery, and other places that will be highlighted in this and other stories. We get a feel for it’s various citizens and township. Good and bad.

A overall theme of single dads , a section of liberal families versus a conservative “embedded bunch of pearl clutchers”, change versus status.

The first couple mirrors that image in their current lives. Bisexual attorney Harrison Davis is moving with his ex wife Stella and their child, Megan to Stillwater so Megan can have a better childhood.

Several terrific elements here. Harrison, Stella, and Megan are a great family unit even though Harrison and Stella are no longer married. Everyone is a fully fleshed character. No one is demonized over the end of the marriage. These are adults who respect each other and work in the best interests of their child.

Harrison is a bit lost in a small town environment but it’s his personality. It’s all well crafted and believable.

Fletcher, the artist and another single father who is the second main character is very engaging. Ashley has the father / son dynamics down perfectly so we fall in love with them as a family immediately. Gigi is adorable.

Fletcher has moments here that just keeps me frustrated with him. I not sure if it’s the author’s creation of his character or something in the storyline but the entire element with his ex, the dithering about even thinking of giving a narcissist personality(as written by this author) custody of a child because of a old promise comes across more as a need of story inserted drama then any believable plot line.

In reality, a person would have lawyered up faster then you could have said I don’t think so. But then a lot of the dramatic narrative would have been lost. That was me being polite.

The dithering about just was unreal , frustrating, and frankly, made me disconnect from the story a bit.

So was the whole outcome from the disagreements with the “pearl clutcher “ Karen here. Very disappointing.

So some very sweet, lovely elements and a great foundation for the series. A contemporary romance with two men with wonderful children and terrific found family dynamics.

It’s a nice start with some stumbling blocks.

I’m recommending it and will definitely go on to the next installment.

Dads of Stillwater:

✓ Antagonist #1

◦ Breakthrough #2

◦ Heartstring #3 – March 14, 2023

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showAntagonist (Dads of Stillwater #1) by Ana Ashley

Description:

Single dads. Polar opposites. Undeniable chemistry.
Harrison
Meeting at a bachelor auction for charity has trouble written all over it as far as I am concerned. Especially when the guy with the winning bid seems to be after only one thing…a good time between the sheets.

Refusing the advances of a man who’s too good looking for his own good, is easy at first. But how can I stay away from him when our kids are in the same class and trouble is already brewing between the two?

Fletcher
What do you do when the guy you can’t stop thinking about—and thought you’d never see again—turns up at your kid’s school?
You bring your A-game and flirt until he caves.

Harrison is hell bent on resisting the chemistry between us.
That is until we’re thrown together to organize the school’s Spring Fair.
Will that be my only chance to prove to him that I’m looking for more than a casual fling?

Antagonist is book 1 in Ana Ashley’s new series, Dads of Stillwater. You can expect bumping heads, show-stealing kids, a school fair so heated it may just go up in flames, lovable secondary characters, and Ana’s usual happy ever after.

Review: The Dragon King’s Assassin (The Dragons of Serai Book 1) by Amy Sumida

Rating: 4🌈

Amy Sumida is a new author for me. My introduction to her writing is the first book in her series, The Dragons of Serai. I found many things here to recommend and some aspects that are just a bit much.

Sumida gives us a world where dragons are the apex being and humanity is among the lowest. Magic is taken for granted and the form of government among the various kingdoms is the Dragon Kings, a title hard fought for in a tournament.

The first story begins in the Kingdom of Racul where assassin Locrian Mahvis has been hired to kill dragon King Tarocvar Verres.

The characters and descriptions are lush and well defined. You can picture each immediately. Loch the King is all self assured power and amusement.

Everything the failed assassin is not. Except that he’s incredibly attracted to the King.

Instant lust , not love, but lust, is understandable here. The author makes a good case for Locrian’s feelings.

But this is the first instance in the book where the author’s leaning towards a certain type of purple prose starts to appear.

“Speaking of thrusting, that piece of man-flesh between those thighs would fill me as I’d never been filled before.”

— The Dragon King’s Assassin: An MM Fantasy Romance (The Dragons of Serai Book 1) by Amy Sumida

Shouldn’t that be dragon flesh? And why do those florid statements make me want to giggle instead of sigh?

There will be other instances where “he painted me with his hot desire.” So you see a pattern here.

Luckily, the fast paced action, terrific characters, magical storylines, and charisma between the leads overcome the tendency towards purple prose. Or maybe just make you accept that’s the world where that’s a statement would flourish!

I almost wish this had been a two being pov because I’d love to have had the King’s perspective on his “little mouse” throughout the relationship as it built. As it is, we only get Locrian’s and I think by not including the Dragon it lessens the impact.

There’s a great guardian hound, Ran. A group of pirates, and a setup for the next novel with a Necromancer sailing to help out a friend of the King, another Royal Dragon.

I found this and the couple entertaining so I’m onto the next. Honestly, it’s Dragons. I find them hard to resist.

I’m recommending it!

The Dragons of Serai series:

✓ The Dragon King’s Assassin #1

◦ The Dragon Prince’s Necromancer #2

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showThe Dragon King’s Assassin by Amy Sumida

Description:

My life changed the day I tried to take his.

Mhavenna is a glorious city but, like every city on the face of Serai, it’s run by Dragons. As a human, I’m on the lowest rung of the racial ladder here, as far from an illustrious Dragon as I could be, and I’ve made me peace with that. I don’t like Dragons much, but like or dislike has nothing to do with my work. So when my broker offered me the task of killing the Dragon King, I took it. It was the sort of kill that could make an assassin’s career, and I was certain that I had the skills for it.

I was wrong, nearly dead wrong.

The King caught me before I could finish the job, but instead of killing me, he made me his. I’m now the Dragon King’s assassin. A warning and a weapon. A way for him to bypass his own laws without personally breaking them. But that’s not all. He’s tasked me with guarding him against future attacks. Who better to stop an assassin than another assassin? And who better to find the one who hired us? If only the King didn’t have a body that made me salivate, a face that made my knees weak, and a pair of teal eyes that made me whimper. If only he didn’t stare at me with those stunning eyes as if I could be more than property to him. Maybe then I could do my job, find the person who wants him dead, and save my own life. But I don’t believe in miracles.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Train (The Spell Saga: Book 1) by Cari Z

Rating: 4.5🌈

What a exciting and suspenseful story! From the moment we dive into the harried life of young Anton Seiber, journeyman thaumaturge, we are plunged into a world of murder, spies, Royal espionage, and magical weaponry! On a train!

The Train (The Spell Saga: Book 1) by Cari Z has a nonstop fast action plot that’s rich with excellent characters, a multitude of themes, from those peoples wishing freedom from Royalty to dangerously magical weaponry and spells to imminent continental war. With a the hint of a romance as well.

Mystery, murder, and magic!

I’ll go ahead and throw in the mayhem that occurs when Anton Seiber misses his train to Zurich from a Paris layover. He’s got a hard earned scholarship to the Masters of Thaumaturgy program at the prestigious Universität Zürich and he must be there precisely on time or all will be lost.

So when the occasion arises where he assumes the identity of a man that will be traveling on the last train to get him there? He takes it.

Anton Seiber is such a fabulous character. He’s worked hard to become the best thaumaturge he can and you absolutely believe in his pursuit of knowledge and his magical abilities. He’s a vivid personality that makes you wonder what’s happening within his head, and heart!

The person to bring out the most confusing emotions and the best of his abilities is the French Emperor’s spy ,Lord Camille Lumière . It’s their joint investigations aboard the train, the murders and murderous attempts that keep this story rocking along at a fast pace . It also keeps us guessing as to who the next target is and where the danger is coming from. And are they ever going to kiss?

The Train and our heroes work through all the investigations to a highly satisfying ending that starts a hint of a romance for the series.

The Train leaves me in great anticipation for The Tower, coming out soon.

Until then, I’m highly recommending The Train, the first in this new series by Cari Z. It’s magical, suspenseful, murderous, and more entertaining then you can imagine!

The Spell Saga series:

✓ The Train #1

◦ The Tower #2 -October 11, 2022

◦ The Tank #3-October 25, 2022

The Train: The Spell Saga: Book Oneby Cari Z

Description:

Anton Seiber, journeyman thaumaturge, has finally escaped his dead-end job identifying bodies in the morgues of London. He’s off to seek a brighter future…or he would be, if he hadn’t just been robbed, mugged, and turned away from the only train that will help him reach that future on time.

A random meeting turns into a fight for his life and gifts Anton with two things: a knife that always kills whatever it stabs, and the chance to assume the identity of the man who just tried to kill him and board the train in his place.

He wasn’t counting on being found out by a lumière, one of the French emperor’s most powerful and intriguing spies. He wasn’t betting on a murder being committed on the train, or on being asked for his help identifying the culprits. He wasn’t asking to be drawn into a web of simmering insurrection, and he certainly didn’t want to find Lord Lumière so irresistible, but there’s no denying it.

Perhaps Anton will even tell him so…if he survives to the end of this journey.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Prince of Flowers (Wild Hearts #1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 2.25🌈

I really like this author’s other stories but this is a real miss on so many levels. Frankly I’m astonished.

This was a almost DNF for me. Only the fact that I always hope for a turn for the better keeps me from stopping at my real “I’m done “ point in each book this happens at.

Here it was at about 62% when the Goddess Aphrodite appeared, smug , and making all sorts of declarations about the situation the incompetent summoner has entwined the poor Princely Elf and himself in.

It came at a poor place in the narrative. After a series of tasks the idiot Summoner has forced the elf to accomplish, getting him hurt in the process.

It starts with student Lochlann Wilde, someone who’s less than studious nature has caused him to be one the the college’s oldest students and one who’s so far behind in his levels that he hasn’t earned his Crest.

The story goes on about how fabulous a summoner his father is and what enormous stress it is to live up to that. But you know what? Loch hasn’t memorized his spells, hasn’t put in the work.

So nope. No connection here. And Noor is going with the golden, gorgeous, lazy boy main character first person point of view. So you automatically must forgive his faults and sloppy behavior, because golden boy. This smacks regrettably close to a Gary Stu.

It’s a little bit much.

He decides to summon a eidolon without knowing what he’s summoning. Instead of a animal to be his familiar he summons a actual person, a being. A elf.

Which then becomes his basic captive/slave. Unable to fight back or return home due to the summoning. Instead of breaking the spell like a reasonable, rational human would when confronted with having a living sentient being accidentally enslaved, Loch takes advantage and decides he’s going to get his Crest and extra credits at College by treating the Elf like a specimen/slave/forced eidolon. As well as telling the College it’s their chance to see what a elf is all about.

Right.

So. This whole storyline has a definite bad taste to it.

If you flip the characters. Say have the Fae be the one to enslave the summoner/student by accident, then immediately, the Elf is always dark or evil because they have taken away consent. It’s entrapment. All sorts of flags.

But here, it’s supposed to be ok, because it’s a human. He has needs.

And don’t get me started on the sexual aspect that starts on Loch’s part almost immediately. That on top of the non consensual aspect of this story that gets overlooked is mind boggling.

So no. The Fae isn’t some cute pet to be treated as something to be “tamed”. Another narrative theme that is tired and is sorely overdue to be retired.

Along with the entire story.

So done.

I’m extremely disappointed with so many old, distasteful, or poorly executed elements and characters here.

◦ Main Character that’s selfish, lazy, and vain.

◦ That another race needs to be “tamed”

◦ That another sentient being can be enslaved and that’s fine by both a MC, a college, and apparently a Goddess.

◦ Old themes and thoughts on racism and sex. Especially when one has the power over another.

I’m definitely not continuing further. It’s doesn’t matter how it’s resolved because excuses are made for all of the above.

For me, those are things that shouldn’t be excused.

Any of these things sound appealing, maybe none of this will bother you, then investigate the story for yourself.

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Prince-F…Prince of Flowers (Wild Hearts Book 1) eBook : Noor, Nazri: Kindle Store

He captured a fae prince. But can he capture his heart?

Lochlann Wilde walks in the shadow of his father, a legendary summoner who commanded mythical beasts in battle. But Locke isn’t legendary. He’s barely a summoner, never passing his academy’s trial of the elements.

And then he accidentally summons a fae prince with a beautiful body and a bad attitude.

Sylvain is fiery and ferocious, stronger than anything Locke has ever encountered. And hotter, too. But time is running out. Locke must tame the prince’s wild heart. If he fails his trial, he’ll lose his inheritance and ruin his family’s name.

Without Sylvain, Locke could lose his chance to become a true summoner… along with his shot at true love.

Prince of Flowers is a contemporary fantasy romance with an HFN ending. Can a snarky summoner and a fickle fae prince endure mythical creatures, meddling goddesses, the fury of the elements, and each other? Only one way to find out. If you like sorcery, spice, and everything nice, you’ve come to the right place. Start the Wild Hearts series today.

Review: The Last Nanny in Manhattan (Nannies of New York #1) by K. Sterling

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Last Nanny in Manhattan, the first in the Nannies of New York series by K. Sterling, is a snappy, sexy, sweet contemporary romance by a author that’s new to me.

I enjoyed this journey immensely. It’s got age gap, wickedly intelligent 6 year old triplets , a widower who’s overwhelmed by work but most by a sense of failure when it comes to fatherhood and parenting. And , importantly, a gay, effervescent, highly competent Mary Poppins of a nanny in need of a family to fix and fall in love with.

It helps that Fin the irrepressible, remarkable nanny has a thing for gorgeous SavageFenty underwear as well as the ability to bring the chaos the demon triplets have caused to a heartwarming close through understanding, and love.

Finley Marshall comes with an entire faction of fantastic people to support him and to act as main characters in the succeeding novels. There’s Reid, Fin’s oldest brother. Reilly, his best friend. Pennsylvania aka Penn the Gandalf of nannies. And more. The LGBTGIA nanny network of New York and the solid basis for this series. Each one a highly intelligent, and star of the nanny network of the Manhattan wealthy clientele.

What a fabulous start!

Walker Cameron III is the other side. He brings his amazing bisexual sister who I’m hoping we see a great deal more of. Plus his butler, who slowly unbends to Fin, his unusual style of doing things and welcomes Fin into the household. But it’s really about Walker. And his dysfunctional relationship to his children. Walker is a tightly wrapped bundle of pain, stress, mourning, and fear.

Sterling does an excellent job in making these characters and their relationships with all the people around them clear, layered with history and emotional, and relatable.

Walker maybe wealthy but he’s a father who’s inability to connect with his girls is hurting them all. He’s lost his way and the reader hurts for all four of them even as we might be snickering at the ingenious damage the triplets are inflicting on the household.

Watching Fin come in, assess the situation, amidst the turmoil and incoming weapons the children hurl, is amazing. So is the journey the girls and Walker start on back to being a family and normalcy. With one special addition.

It’s got obstacles of course, some drama, but there’s a HEA at the end that so wonderful and heartwarming.

Nannies of New York Book series:

✓ The Last Nanny in Manhattan #1

◦ Giles Ashby Needs A Nanny #2 – January 26, 2023

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showThe Last Nanny In Manhattan (Nannies of New York, #1) by K. Sterling

Description:

Walker Cameron III might be one of the most feared men in Manhattan, but he’s no match for his six-year-old triplets. After exhausting all other options, Finley Marshall is the grumpy widower’s last hope.

Luckily for the Camerons, Fin is a master of chaos and can calm even the most beastly of children. But Fin soon learns that the girls aren’t the problem; it’s their father. Still grieving and easily overwhelmed, Walker leaves the servants to cope with his little hellions. Fin wants to prove he’s the best nanny in the city and that his older brother, Reid, should start his own agency. Is Fin willing to risk life and limb to do it, though?

Afraid to lose the most competent caregiver to ever cross his threshold, Walker agrees to an unusual set of terms. He’ll give the girls more of his time and practice better parenting with Fin as his guide. But Walker finds himself with a new and unexpected problem. For the first time in years, he’s having very improper thoughts and can’t stop thinking about Fin. Can he keep his feelings to himself or will Walker fall for the last nanny in Manhattan willing to take on the cursed Camerons?

*The paperback edition will include additional illustrations by Jayla, a short story featuring the Camerons, recipes from the book, and a soundtrack!

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