Tag: gay fiction

Review: The Trials (The Spell Saga Book 4) by Cari Z

Rating: 4 🌈

The Trials is the fourth and looks to be the final story in Cari Z’s Spell Saga series. The author’s note sort of leaves it open as to whether we will return to this universe and couple or not.

So I’m treating it as a finale. And that comes with additional expectations. The Tank, the previous book, showed us different characters, a unique location, and deepened the histories and dynamics between the people involved. But in some respects it restricted it’s narrative down to further explore on a different, more detailed front what was happening with the war, magic, and our characters.

Here we get to see the consequences of those actions and decisions in The Trials. The Trials refers to the magical spell weapon Anton Seiber promised to deliver, under threat, to the Emperor of France. A spell not even his lover, Imperial Investigator Camille Lumière, wanted to see in their hands.

The Institute, that locked down tight magical fortress, is the main location once more, albeit more research prison than educational institution.

Where this story absolutely excels is in the tormented status of Anton Seiber, the horrifying reasons behind it, and the new dynamics it forces into the relationship between Anton and Camille.

The author’s creativity when crafting both the new spell and it’s effects upon others, Anton included, are so terrifying because it’s the readers imaginations that fill in all the horrors and unimaginable emotions that the spell initiates. Then we see what is doing to Anton, someone we’ve come to connect with, and the spell becomes vile beyond belief.

When Anton and Camille, and the spell are at center, the story is incredible.

However, for one that’s a finale, other aspects seem lackluster, rushed, or just one dimensional.

The entire element with the old and new emperor is lacking any grounding here. The actions of various characters (important ones) seem oddly flexible considering it’s war, the fact that the Lord in question is acting beyond rational thought into obsession about the magical weaponry and it’s devastating effects. Dr. Grabler, in particular, goes from one stance in The Tank, to another where his prize former student/friend is almost expendable without any foundation laid out for any of the elements here. These haphazard storylines (magical corruption, major characters who sort of disappear at the end, rushed exposition in the epilogue) all works against the finely crafted parts of the series and main storyline. That of Anton and Camille’s romance and history.

It all feels just so unfinished. Not at all what a finale book should be.

It was exciting, truly excellent in sections, and absolutely entertaining.

For that I’m definitely recommending The Spell Saga series and this novel.

The Spell Saga series:

✓ The Train #1

✓ The Tower #2

✓ The Tank #3

✓ The Trials #4

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com › Trials-S…The Trials: The Spell Saga: Book Four – Kindle edition by Z, Cari. Romance Kindle eBooks …

Blurb:

All Anton Seiber, newly-minted Master Thaumaturge, wants is to use his training to support himself out in the world. Well, that and to see the man he loves, Imperial Investigator Camille Lumière, more than once every six months.

What he gets instead is an invitation to visit L’Institut D’Ingénierie Technologique in Paris, the foremost research institution for thaumaturgy and the arts of war in the world. It’s an offer he can’t turn down…quite literally.

Getting to the Institute is a mess that Anton barely survives, and that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Drawn into a web of lies and betrayals, Anton will have to use every trick he can conjure to survive—and perhaps hand over the most diabolical spell in the world in exchange for saving the life of someone he loves.

—-

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

Review: The Heart’s Blood (San Amaro Investigations#5) by Kai Butler

Rating: 5🌈

The Heart’s Blood hits every marker, nails and surpasses all expectations I have for the characters, the storylines , and the journey Butler is taking us on. It’s a superlative narrative smorgasbord where Butler’s characters get to demonstrate genuine personal growth and maturity, often at huge emotional and physical cost. The imaginative series landscape broadens to embrace new mythic characters and their often murderous tumultuous history, new worlds and the refugee aliens who’ve fled them. But it also, in an equally outstanding manner, concentrates as well as on narrowing the storylines down to tangle with the intricacies of romantic and family relationships and the dynamics of love.

I couldn’t put this story down.

Fast paced, full of suspenseful moments and white knuckle action, it’s heart, as it always does, remains firmly centered around Parker Ferro, the PI who’s still adjusting to the idea of his heritage, Nick his alchemist PD boyfriend with his family dynamics, and the found family that Parker has been building around him.

There’s multiple storylines (all incredible and fully realized), new strides in Parker and Nick’s relationship, and entire aspects to the basics of the series foundation that get revealed.

The fifth in the San Amaro Investigations series, The Heart’s Blood dramatically increases the high risks and drama for everyone here. It’s such a superlative story.

Saffron Wilds, the 6th novel out in February 27,2023, certainly has a hard act to follow.

I’m highly recommending the series and definitely this story. But the books must be read in the order they are written in order for the relationships, characters, and events to make sense.

San Amara Investigations Series:

◦ A Haunting at Midnight #0.5

◦ A Debt Unpaid #0.75

✓ Wormwood Summer #1

✓ A Belated Burial #1.5

✓ The Oak Wood Throne #2

✓ A Gilded Iron Blade #3

✓ A Shattered Silver Crown #4

✓ The Heart’s Blood Arrow #5

◦ Saffron Wilds #6 – 2/27/2023

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Heart’s Blood Arrow by Kai Butler

Description:

An old nemesis is out for blood…

Parker Ferro’s life would be easier if his enemies stayed gone. When the man responsible for the death of Parker’s mother breaks out of prison, Parker finds himself in the crosshairs of the Bureau of Paranormal Threats when he tracks the criminal down.

With succubae going missing, an old god on the loose, and his boyfriend’s mother in town, the last thing Parker has time for is human politics. But with a marriage proposal that he can’t quite figure out and mysteries that keep landing him in hot water with the feds, Parker must keep one step ahead or end up in handcuffs himself.

The Heart’s Blood Arrow is a 130k MM urban fantasy with a HFN ending and an ongoing storyline. It cannot be read as a standalone.

———-

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

Review: Rebel (Operation Justice Force Book Four) by Reese Knightley

Rating: 3.25🌈

I was expecting much more from this story because it was the long anticipated romance of Cohen “Ace” Gray , leader of Pegasus, and Jacob Burns , the Pegasus Tech specialist and son of the men who formed Phoenix.

There was a lot to unpack emotionally between them. A big age difference, Jacob’s dad’s feelings about his future, stubbornness, arguments. Plus there’s history, some hidden and others riddled with fear and injuries layered on top of each other to form barriers against any romantic relationship.

All those elements make for a terrific romance. But here it’s delegated to almost secondary status next to a poorly crafted suspense/action storyline with Seven . That escalates and spins off into other minor threads with more characters (CIA, Pegasus, anonymous teams, agencies) with tons of shooting, a few explosions, bad guys, new characters, more characters. Then a moment or two when the shaky path to a romance gets picked up and immediately dropped for more espionage, more murky type shootouts and well , you get my drift.

If Rebel was one of those big all star action movies, you could go get a beverage of choice, some popcorn, come back to find , while the movie has progressed, the narrative is basically the same.

It’s too many characters (Including teams/couples from the Phoenix series) that make one dimensional appearances. Too many plots that have no depth or explanation that makes them especially believable. We get no foundation here for anything that would make us commit emotionally to the “high stakes” action that’s constantly happening.

Even Jacob who has a good argument stating his fathers and Ace treat him like a youngster because of his age, then proceeds to undermine his own stand by putting those around him in danger by using poor judgment in order to prove himself because. Young. SMH.

Knightley wants us to support him. Really? Those last actions are of a boy scout with street cred who’s not thinking clearly but rage and action.

In the end, it was popcorn entertainment. Taken at surface value, easy to enjoy, easy to move past.

I hope Hunter and Seven’s story has greater attention to detail and their relationship then this did. They figured in here as much as Ace and Jacob.

🔹Operation Justice Force series:

✓ Lethal #1

✓ Rough #2

✓ Honor #3

✓ Rebel #4

◦ Stealth #5 – March 21, 3023

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showRebel (Operation Justice Force #4) by Reese Knightley

Description :

One man on a journey of redemption and the other out to prove himself.

Cohen “Ace” Gray – Pegasus Commander.
He’d buried one lover; he wasn’t going to take the chance of that ever happening again. Ace had his own demons to work on, but working closely with Jacob and having his friendship— despite their twenty-year age difference—had made life a bit easier. The void that Jacob left ate at him and burned into his brain, making him think that he might have made the biggest mistake of his life turning Jacob away.

Jacob Burns – Techie specialist, skilled in combat, expert at weapons. He never dreamed it would be this hard to cut the apron strings from his three dads. He got it. They lived a brutal life and dealt with the scum that hovered in the darkest part of society. What they didn’t fully understand was that he’d watched and learned from them, and he would leave his mark on this world. Ace and his dads thought he didn’t have what it took to be an operative.

They were so damned wrong.

One job.
One chance encounter.
When an unexpected meeting happens, both men are left stunned.

Then, shit gets all twisted up.

———-

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

Reese Knightley reading order

Code of Honor series (Phoenix)

Code Of Honor

1. Cutting It Close (2019)

2. Risking It All (2019)

3. Bringing It Home (2020)

4. Taking It Slow (2020)

5. Whatever It Takes (2021)

6. Battle It Out (2021)

7. Despite It All (2021)

8. Call It Quits (2021)

Review: Shameless Puckboy (Puckboy Book 3) by Eden Finley and Saxon James

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Shameless Puckboy brings us to Oskar Voyjik’s story, one I’ve greatly anticipated. Throughout the Puckboy series, when the Collective , a group of LGBTGIA pro hockey players, has gathered together to celebrate each other’s milestone events or to welcome another into their ranks, Oskar’s antics and outrageous personality has stood out.

Now his bad judgement with his flagrant sexual activities, caught on camera and swiftly passed to all media outlets are threatening his career. He and his actions have just gotten so out of hand that the San Jose’s PR manager decides to personally tackle reigning in the bad boy of his team if not the NHL.

I love this story. It’s a two person narrative that works remarkably well to get the reader into the mindset and hearts of PR manager Lane Pierce and gorgeous bad boy hockey player Oskar Voyjik.

It’s wonderful writing because with both men , it’s a matter of emotional defenses, of assumptions made that now have to be dropped and deep sea changes in life patterns to rearrange to move forward with each other. Finley’s and James’s carefully crafted personalities are rich with stubbornness, humor, bitterness, sexuality, and the need for acceptance.

Watching these two move towards each other while adjusting their preconceived notion’s about each other and finally realizing that they are in a real relationship is believable and moving.

There’s the inevitable drama but not an unexpected element. It feels true to the story and situation.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed each book and couples in this series, Shameless is probably my favorite.

There’s another coming out Foolish Puckboy but not until next year.

Argh!

Until then, I’ll have to fantasize. And recommend to all who haven’t read or caught up on this series, that you do so. As soon as possible.

I’ve listed them below. Happy reading!

Puckboy series:

✓ Egotistical Puckboy #1

✓ Irresponsible Puckboy #2

✓ Shameless Puckboy #3

◦ Foolish Puckboy #4 – April 13, 2023

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showShameless Puckboy (Puckboys #3) by Eden Finley

Description:

OSKAR

After a little mishap in an alleyway with CCTV, my public image needs fixing. Oops?
It might have been a stunt to get the attention of Lane Pierce, San Jose’s new PR manager, but I didn’t realize what the consequences would be when I did it. I’ve got Lane’s sole focus now in all the wrong ways.
He has designated himself as my babysitter, and while it’s fun messing with him, being bound by curfews and rules has never worked for me.
The more I push back, the more I realize what’s really on the line. My career, my future, and maybe even my heart.


LANE

Being appointed head of San Jose’s PR department was a dream come true … until I met Oskar Voyjik.
He may be San Jose royalty, but with the stunts Oskar’s been pulling, the team owner is down to his last thread of patience. Which puts me in the firing line. If I can’t turn Oskar’s entitled party boy image around, we’ll both be shown the door.
I have free rein to do whatever it takes, and it turns out whatever it takes is Oskar.
Only, the more entangled our lives become, the more I see the Oskar he’s buried deep down. The one who hurts, the one who’s sensitive and kind, the one … the one I think I’m falling for.
I can’t have him and my career, and if rumors of the professional lines I’ve crossed get out, it’s not only my dream job I can kiss goodbye; I’ll be disgraced from professional sports completely.

———-

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

Review: Unmanageable (In Vino Veritas #3 ) by Leslie McAdam

Rating: 4.5🌈

Unmanageable (In Vino Veritas #3 ) by Leslie McAdam is another terrific contemporary romance in a series solid with them.

There’s several elements here that immediately spoke to me.

Luke Lagomarsino and his ex-wife Kira have a young daughter, Addison. McAdams makes Kira a complicated, loving individual and mother who deserves to thrive in a rewarding professional career. And has Luke acknowledge that it’s time for him to make the changes and decisions necessary for Kira to be able to take a job that’s important to her emotionally and career wise.

I love a story that doesn’t demonize the wife or any ex for that matter but looks at a family situation from a layered perspective.

That continues to happen with Luke as he has to adjust to returning to his small hometown, being a full time father, and a less “ hands on “ business career.

It’s a great portrait of a man in flux. It’s identifiable and makes Luke someone we can relate to.

Scott Malone, the romantic, sweet younger man who’s both rescued by and rescuer of Luke is a vulnerable and engaging character. So overwhelmed by debt that he’s incapable of facing it or knowing how to ask for help, he’s generous of heart and loving nature. The scenes written with him and Addison, the daughter, feel incredibly believable and grounded in reality.

Luke and Scott’s path to love and family is heartwarming and thoughtful. It’s got layers of realistic personal growth that needs to happen, and communicating between men and family for everyone to come together.

It’s wonderful to read and their happiness is everything!

I’m highly recommending this and the series. There’s something for everyone here.

I’ve listed them below. Check them out and happy reading.

In Vino Veritas series 2:

✓ Wildfire #1 – Garrett Leigh

✓ Counterpoint #2 – JE Birk

✓ Unmanageable #3 – Leslie McAdam

◦ Underdog #4 – LA Witt

◦ Wonderland #5 – Rachel Ember

◦ Dauntless #6 – Victoria DeNault

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showUnmanageable (In Vino Veritas, #3) by Leslie McAdam

Description:

I’ve never been romantic. Just ask my ex-wife.

Since she broke up with me, I get my needs met any time I want, without putting my heart on the line. Exactly how I like it.

But when she is called overseas and leaves me with our child, my bachelor lifestyle ends faster than you can say, “Daddy, I want a pony.”

I need help.

Problem is, help’s come in the form of an incredibly hot nanny.

My employee.

Who is much younger than me.

And also … a guy.

I watch Scott care for my kid and can’t help feeling like he clicks into place in her life.

When he looks at me, though … I get an entirely different feeling. One that makes me long for things I can’t have.

Like him.

Unmanageable is a contemporary m/m age gap romance about a starry-eyed nanny who wants hot-air balloon rides and singing telegrams and a grumpy single dad who most definitely does not.

The first series:

Vino and Veritas #1:

🔵Featherbed (Vino and Veritas 1) by Annabeth Albert

🔵Heartscape #2 by Garrett Leigh

🔵Headstrong #3 by Eden Finley

🔵Undercover #4 by Eliot Grayson

🔵Aftermath #5 by LA Witt

🔵Booklover #6 by JE Birk

🔵Flipcup #7 by Kim Hartfield f/f

🔵Hideaway #8 by Rachel Lacey f/f

🔵Turnabout #9 by Laurel Greer

🔵Unguarded #10 by Jay Hogan

🔵Insatiable #11 by Rhys Everly

🔵Daybreak #12 by Kate Hawthorne

🔵Heartsong #13 by AE Wasp

🔵Stronghold #14 by Ana Ashley

🔵Limelight #15 by E Davis

🔵Unforgettable #16 by Marley Valentine

🔵Showstopper #17 by Regina Kyle

🔵Undone #18 by Leslie McAdams

———-

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: Demon House by Mia Monroe

Rating: 2.75🌈

Demon House by Mia Monroe is a quick mildly entertaining Holiday read. It’s a short story with no real drama and , nothing that’s going to ask anything of a reader more then a casual connection to the characters.

There’s some nice elements, and the witch character has real promise but Monroe doesn’t go into any depth of detail in character layering or foundation that would elevate Demon House above the uninspired or just another passable paranormal story.

Issues (Spoilers ahead fyi)

🔹Demon Zeno is sad. He must stay inside the house for breaking demon rules. His prior relationship could have been mined for real depth of character and foundation. Was it? Nope. We get pieces. Nothing on the person. Or them together.

🔹Demon sad. So human ghost hunter thinks let’s have sex asap because, you know. Sexy Demon sad.SMH.

🔹instant love- no depth. No relationship. I wuv you. Let’s have more sex.

🔹 problems solved instantly. While there’s no wands there might as well have been.

So basically. While it is a paranormal romance, there’s ways to bring depth to the characters and layering to any foundation a author is trying to create. Didn’t happen here imo.

If you don’t care, just want to zip through a story, and put it down. This just might be your story.

I’ll leave it up to you.

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Demon-…Demon House – Kindle edition by Monroe, Mia. Romance Kindle eBooks …

Description:

This house has BDE all over it. That is one big… Demon.

Bash:

One night in the most haunted house in the country could be our ticket to fame and fortune. As a group of paranormal investigators, this could be our big break. If the hauntings are real, Peaches, Chaos, and I are expecting to be terrified and catch all of it on video for our fledgling channel.

When the rumors prove to be true, and I come face to face with the resident demon, all bets are off. Turns out, demons have feelings too, and this one is possessive, touchy, and huh, kind of hot. Did I mention he has big… horns?

To make it through this night in one piece, I have to do what I can to keep him happy. Looks like our viewers are going to get way more than they signed up for, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do.

Now the only question is, when the sun comes up, will I want to walk away and will the demon let me.

Demon House is an MM paranormal romance featuring a horny demon with a taste for mortals, a paranormal investigator in over his head, a haunted house that lives up to the rumors, and enough heat to make Hades jealous. It is a standalone novella.

Review: Prince in Disguise (Perilous Courts #2) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 4.25🌈

Tavia Lark’s Perilous Courts became a new favorite based solely on its first book, Prince and Assassin. That story had a depth of layering to its storylines that began with Whisper, a infamous Hound of the Kennel. That’s a group of highly prized assassins owned by blood curse , since they bought or stolen at a young age, by a Blood mage. Their fees afforded only by the richest of men or rulers.

His background and that of some of the other Hounds provided a pathos and dimension to Whisper and the story that gave both his mission and romance a heft narratively speaking and made the novel sing with promise.

Prince in Disguise moves from Prince Julien to the youngest of the three princes of the Kingdom of Silaise. That’s Prince Bellamy. He’s had a problematic history, having been kidnapped by his biological father when younger, and prone to headaches brought on by magic. He’s been away and now been sent for due to illness among his mothers. That we knew from the first story.

We get a reminder of his history and recap here, which is good because Bellamy wasn’t a big element in that story.

I throughly enjoyed this book. While lacking the depth and layers of the first novel, the sheer chemistry between the two main characters and the addition of a blinkmink as well as dragons more than compensates for it.

It’s a rousing grand tale!

Bellamy is completely different from Julien. Lark is able to bring us a young man who’s illnesses and trouble in adolescence has made his mothers and older brothers overprotective and solicitous to the point he’s rarely alone . Until a weather related accident and a curious pet insures that he is.

Bellamy goes from scared, naive, unprepared Prince to a determined, self aware, brave individual in love. And we buy into it because we’ve been there for the growth.

The same goes for Rakos Tem, dragonrider of House Dire. I can’t go into particulars because his situation is central to so many storylines but who he is, the development of their relationship, and his personality is just as remarkable.

Plus didn’t I say there were dragons?

My only issue here is that the dragons, their true nature and bond with their riders isn’t fully explored here as I would have expected or hoped for. Especially for such a exciting and popular element.

The dragon fights are plenty great though!

There are a few weak story threads that could be tighter and I hope that their potential will be used in another story.

Prince in Disguise (Perilous Courts #2) by Tavia Lark has much to recommend it. A couple with fantastic chemistry, a blinkmink, dragons, and the potential for more to come. Plus we got to see Whisper and Julien again.

Next is Audric’s story and Bellamy falling in love has put him in a bit of a bind.

I can’t wait to see what happens.

So far , it’s been a great journey. One I’m highly recommending! Read them in the order they are written.

I’m still hoping Lark will give us more on the Hounds of the Kennel. They have never left me for a second.

Perilous Courts:

✓ Prince and Assassin #1 (Prince Julien and Whisper )

✓ Prince in Disguise #2 – (Prince Bellamy and Rakos)

◦ Prince and Pawn #3 – Jan 30, 2033 (Prince Audric and Corin)

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showPrince in Disguise (Perilous Courts, #2) by Tavia Lark

Description:

Rakos isn’t really a farmer. Bellamy definitely isn’t a minstrel.

Sheltered, sickly Prince Bellamy dreams of adventure—but not like this. Captured in enemy territory, his royal identity will get him killed. When his dangerously attractive fellow prisoner asks who he is, Bellamy claims to be a minstrel.

Except he can’t carry a tune to save his life. He panicked, okay?

Rakos was a dragonrider until betrayal landed him in chains. Now, he knows two things for certain: he can’t trust anyone, and he wants his dragon back. When the fragile minstrel asks who he is, Rakos claims he’s a farmer. When Bellamy begs for help reaching the border, Rakos refuses.

Until he can’t resist how much Bellamy needs him.

Stormy nights and deadly masquerades forge Rakos and Bellamy’s unlikely partnership into something more. Something exhilarating. Rakos treats Bellamy like a person, not a weak, untouchable prince, even as he protects him.

But Rakos’s enemies are circling in, and that very protection might be Bellamy’s undoing.

Prince in Disguise is a high fantasy gay romance, with double secret identities, Only One Bed, and a teleporting ferret. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.

———-

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

Review: The Stubborn Apprentice (13 Kingdoms #2) by H.L. Day

Rating: 5🌈

I’m so enamored of this series. From that rich, gorgeous cover to the layered, incredibly fantastical story and characters, the 13 Kingdoms has grabbed at my heart and imagination.

From its great beginning, The Reluctant Companion, where Day lays the foundation for the series and introduces us to the main characters, Jack Shaw and Sebastian Beau.

Talk about opposites! The prickly, argumentative Jack, with his roots in a large loving farm hold family versus the vain, glorious and secretive Sebastian, with magical abilities and ex boyfriend’s who pop out at every corner. Sebastian , who’s speech is suspiciously posh with martial skills too good to be true.

We came to love them both even as they formed first an affection, then something deeper, though neither would admit it, through their various adventures together.

Now, they are off again, as we left them at the end of the last story. They’ve been hired to find a religious relic for a goodly reward (something Sebastian is always up for), and the chance they might find Jack’s missing sister.

The search for the relic and their adventures they journey through to seek it out are so fascinating and well crafted.

Of course, they stumble across more of Sebastian’s near endless list of ex-lovers, to various degrees entertainment and emotional issues from all. The journeys also produces or perhaps forces the couple to talk further about their relationship. Jack wants a clarity about Sebastian’s past that’s not been given.

The reader, of course, has more than a reasonable amount of idea of Sebastian’s identity then Jack. This isn’t going to go well, given Sebastian’s personality. Oh the anticipation! And the relationship they’ve been building!

The plot, or plots, full of action, trolls, orcs, enemies, mysteries, exes, magical characters, is just one swift-moving, ingeniously crafted tale . Full of memorable secondary characters that support our heroes so well that everything and everyone becomes a rich, breathing fantasy tapestry!

I need that third novel now! Because this one ends, as I knew it eventually would, on a bit of a heartbreaker.

I’m highly recommending this series and this story. But they must be read in the order they are written for plot and character development.

If you’re a lover of fantasy, and magical characters and romance, don’t pass this series by!

Aren’t those covers amazing?

13 Kingdoms series:

✓ The Reluctant Companion #1

✓ The Stubborn Apprentice #2

◦ The Wandering Prince #3 – 2/28/2023

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Stubborn Accomplice (13 Kingdoms, #2) by H.L. Day | Goodreads

Synopsis:

A missing artifact. A kingdom of secrets. Two men versus a multitude of magical beasts.

Jack and Sebastian are on the move once more. This time, to the frozen mountains of Askophai in search of a kingdom’s missing artifact. The journey alone would be perilous enough, but how are they supposed to find something that no one can describe? And what does the mysterious man who can make himself invisible have to do with any of it?

Jack has enough of Sebastian’s secrets to deal with, without taking on a whole kingdom’s. He and Sebastian might be together, but Jack still has his doubts about their long-term future. Assuming they have one that is, given Sebastian’s penchant for walking them headlong into danger at every opportunity.

One thing’s for certain, they’re going to need an awful lot of luck to succeed in this mission and return home safely.

The Stubborn Accomplice is an 85k sequel that features trolls, magical knights, an unwanted orc suitor, a wizard only too familiar to one of the main characters, and two men who really need to get better at talking about their feelings. If you enjoyed The Reluctant Companion buckle up for more banter, magic, and adventures in the continuation of the 13 kingdoms series.

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

Review: Honor (Operation Justice Force #3) by Reece Knightley

Rating: 4🌈

Operation Justice Force is such a excellent series and Honor continues this with a terrific couple and exciting storylines.

Oliver Rains is a ex Special Forces who has an immediate connection with the former chief of police Parker Johnson that joins the unit.

I’m not really a fan of instant love unless the author makes a genuine case for it for their couple. Whether by being able to telegraph a overpowering chemistry or delivering a understandable connection that makes a instant love feel real.

Knightley does a great job in making us believe that Oliver and Parker’s relationship is built on a foundation of communication, chemistry, and deeper understanding. It’s a honest feel to them as a unit.

That I loved.

There were things that lessened my own depth of connection to the story. That Oliver has a dangerous stalker that he kept a secret from his friends and agency? All I thought of were don’t they conduct background checks? That’s a huge issue that would be easily found out.

The sex trafficking element. They are taking down a major sex trafficking ring. They found a small number out of all the victims indicated. The follow up on those and the aftermath was given shorter space considering what the narrative implies those children went through. And the scene we shown as they are rescued.

For me if you’re going to use it as a storyline then all aspects should be treated accordingly.

The romance, the relationship between Oliver and Parker is the best element of this story. The stalker, the sex trafficking aspect are secondary in my opinion due to a couple of factors that made them a bit less realistic.

Honor is still highly entertaining and I’m recommending it . The fourth story is due out in a few months. I’ll be waiting.

🔹Operation Justice Force series:

✓ Lethal #1

✓ Rough #2

✓ Honor #3

◦ Rebel #4 – Nov 17, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showHonor (Operation Justice Force #3) by Reese Knightley | Goodreads

Synopsis:

They really are perfect for each other with zero bullshit between them.

Oliver Rains joined Pegasus after the military to keep doing what he loves—helping out the innocent and putting scumbags in the ground where they belong. He was supposed to find a new team, not fall in love, but what he hadn’t counted on was former chief of police Parker Johnson walking into his life. The sexy man is everything he’s wanted for a long time.

Parker Johnson took early retirement from the police force after an altercation with the mayor. It wasn’t his fault the guy was a jackass. He landed a job with the elite unit of operatives known as Pegasus and it’s there he meets Oliver Rains. The ex-Special Forces soldier is the one he’s been searching for, but he’s never mixed his love life and his work before.

When Pegasus is asked to assist with taking down a sex trafficking ring, the unit jumps at the chance to help.

Then someone comes after Oliver. And Parker will do whatever it takes to keep him safe.

Get ready as Pegasus roars into action and delivers a beatdown to the bad guys.

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