Blurb: Alexus’ role in life as a Slayer is to remove or eliminate preternatural beings as dictated by his town’s bishop, Mathias. He is deeply in love with Josiah, the town apothecary, who also creates weapons and protective garb for Alexus. When dealing with the latest supernatural threat to the town, however, Alexus quickly realizes that the real threat is something far darker and more deadly than it first appears.
When Josiah is attacked, Alexus goes after his abductors and uncovers the true evil. But in trying to save Josiah, will his own life be forfeit?
Review: Alexus is a Slayer, he eliminates evil on the command of his Bishop Mathias, but he is starting to yearn for the quite life with his lover, Josiah. Josiah is the town apothecary and is always waiting for his lover, Alexus, when he returns from a journey. But, this time there is a threat to the town and they both fall under danger. Alexus has to make life and death decisions and can only hope to defeat the evil haunting the town.
This is a great little story that shows love, danger and a solution to Alexus and Josiah’s problems. Alexus has spent most of his life working for the church. he knows that his love for Josiah would be frowned upon if he wasn’t a Slayer, but he now wants out to be with his lover, vowing that it will be his last mission he and Josiah look into the preternatural goings on around town. Josiah just wants Alexus and will have him anyway he can. He knows that if Alexus ever gets away from the church, then they will have to leave and he is perfectly happy with that. But, first they have to face the horrors in the mist.
Alexus and Josiah are really great characters and the opening scene in the book shows us how much they love and need each other. The supporting characters are good and add a little extra and the storyline is good with an added twist. This story is one that could be expanded if Pelaam ever wish to; it has such potential and not just as a Slayer story and I am hoping that there are follow-up stories with the various characters in this book. I must admit it reminded me a lot of Van Helsing with a twist and the added bonus of hot sex.
I will recommend this to those who like old world paranormal, nasty surprises, good surprises, hot sex, abiding love and a happy ending.
Blurb: In the slave city of Spire, Ellis has been discarded. His former master, a man who was supposed to teach him and take care of him, passed away, leaving Ellis alone and in danger of being taken to the Facility. Ellis is desperate to avoid that fate. He seeks a master to take him on, guiding him into adulthood as well as a profession. Ellis has had desire stolen from him—he’s been trained to blush, to submit, to give in. He doesn’t know how to cope with William, a man who wants the real Ellis.
William is a Master, a man born in a neighbour city that does not deal in slavery. He has had bad experiences with slaves in the past, but all that changes when he rescues Harte, a young slave whose abusive master had all but destroyed him. Together, they are content in their mutual roles, not looking for anything more. But when Ellis catches the eye of Harte, and by extension, William, their relationship changes in ways for which they are unprepared.
Harte is a born submissive, a young man who lives for his role. He’s bratty but genuine. William, his master, is his entire life. Harte never expected to have room in his heart for another, but Ellis is beautiful and different and fills a place in his life that he hadn’t known was empty.
If only Ellis could learn to ask for what he desired, what he needed, then maybe William and Harte could help him. But Ellis is trapped inside himself, insecure and afraid. To stay with William, he only has to ask…but that’s the one thing Ellis cannot do…
Review: The most intense thought that burned my head the moment I reached the end of this book was “I must read this again… Now!” The very next one was of how horrific this read was. There is this constant feel of fear all through the book that doesn’t let go, even when I reached the end and there was no more, I still had this fear in me that the next page is going to bring a greater devastating event that would literally kill me reading it. How very fascinating that this author maintained that level of intensity throughout the book. Terrific!
This book is narrated entirely by Ellis point of view. Ellis is unfortunate enough to be smart. In the city of Spire that means that when he reaches the age of 16 years old he must be put for servitude until he’s twenty. And that means that his body, mind and soul no longer belong to his but his master. He is to be trained his master’s profession, he is to serve that master in any sexual way and obey his every whim. He is his property. The unfortunate event of his master’s death leaves Ellis facing the Facility, a place where slaves without a Master to claim them go. A place to avoid at all cost.
In his desperation to find an owner Ellis comes across Harte and his Master, William. Not a very conventional Master/slave relationship one might say. It seems that Harte has his Master wrapped in his little finger. It seems that Harte is a spoilt slave. But those two are perfect and content in their relationship, for that is what it looks like to Ellis, who is dumbfounded to witness how Master William truly cares for his slave. That is almost unbelievable and causes great jealousy to Ellis who wants nothing more than a master to claim him, to own him and care for him like William does.
In an attempt to help a fellow slave from facing the Facility, Harte begs his Master to sponsor Ellis and so Ellis is taken into their home. However, the wonderful environment and care he experience there has Ellis scared. Scared that he will want to be a part of that, and if he’s honest the three of them seem perfect together. But Ellis is the kind of submissive that will never ask. He is not Harte, he will not want or if he does he will never show it.
And this is how a very painful emotionally story begins. A story that follows the horrors a slave endures in the hands of cruel masters, a story that follows the attempt and often failures of those kind Masters to change the law, a story that shows that cruelty is more acceptable than love in this peculiar world.
This is a love story first and foremost. A non-conventional love story between three people who literally go through hell, pain and horrors, a love story that goes against the world itself in order to survive and bloom. I loved all three main characters here. I adored Harte, a seemingly weak person who had an incredible strong will to live and love. I loved William, an amazing Master with an iron personality that bend enough to reach the sweetest feeling and conveyed a strong desire to love and respect him. Most of all I loved Ellis. That character was supreme in his beauty. Insecure most of the time he reached an amazing level of power in the end, when he finally sorted in him what was it that he wanted and that he must take it upon himself to make those wants reality for him.
And as you probably figured out, this book being about slavery, the sexual content was a bit more than explicit. The entire plot revolves around the sexual exploit of people, people being forced for years and years to endure horrible sexual tortures. The scenes are horrible and do not shy away from the gruesomeness or the pain. Many of those scenes may make your stomach churn and cause bile rising in your throat. However there is the threesome relationship of William-Ellis-Harte that will make up for it with a beauty and a balance that might leave you panting. I found them amazingly hot. The scenes were gorgeous and the writing was perfect even if it was seen in only one POV. The dramatic flavor of finality and the loss that was feared at every corner made for some very intense scenes as well. It was a feeling that will keep you constantly on your toes and won’t let you relax at all unless you reach the end line. I loved it, every single bit of this book.
And if you are so inclined and enjoy the hard-core BDSM read you will too love this book. As I said in the beginning of this review, my very first thought when I was done was that I must re-read this book… Now!
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (21st November 2012)
Heat: Low – Moderate
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When the Queen is struck down by a deadly curse, Leal’s only chance of saving her depends on cooperating with the Dragon Master, Hawk. But Hawk, like the rest of the palace, has no love of the foreign Leal or his magic, and would much rather throw Leal in prison until he has good enough reason to execute him.
Review: Leal is a strong sorcerer from Serenee, brought to a new land, Ecottia, when his Prince married their Queen. None of the Serenee are trusted, because of their use of magic. And now the Queen has fallen foul of a deadly curse. Leal turns to the Dragon Master, Hawk, for help and although he isn’t trusted, Leal sets out on a journey with Hawk to find the cure for the Queen. Hawk would rather throw all the Serenee’s in the dungeon (oh he did), but even he knows that he will need Leal’s help on his quest, and Hawk also discovers that maybe there is a Serenee man that he could trust.
Ooohhhh curses, quests, backstabbing and betrayal, trust, love and rescues *happy dance* and all in 113 pages *happy sigh*. Leal knows what will happen if he doesn’t find a cure for the curse cast on the Queen. All his country men and women, as well as his Prince, face imprisonment or death and all because they have magic. Reaching out for help from the only man he can trust, the Dragon Master Hawk, they embark on a journey that will take them into the depths of the forest, to the scorching desert lands, to the island trapped by the sea and to the heights of the rocky mountains.
This story was a wonder for the imagination giving us an array of wonderful creatures, a great storyline and wonderful characters. Leal and Hawk are brilliant together. Hawk doesn’t trust Leal because he uses magic, but he has always felt an attraction towards him. Leal has always hero worshiped Hawk, but was rebuffed when they first met. On the journey together Hawk has his prejudice fall away and he sees Leal for the man he truly is, and they develop a relationship that is soon tested. This is a well written story and I really wish it was longer, but that’s just me being selfish *sigh*.
I will recommend this to those who adore fantasy, knights, dragons (Firebright is so cool), mythical creatures, sweet loving, great characters, some danger and a very happy sweet ending.
Genre: Alternative World, Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense
Length: Super Novel (326pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (7th November 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Devil Fremont’s unwillingness to divulge even the smallest details of his past makes building a relationship with his lover, Leandre, a struggle. Doubt and frustration tear at the couple and put their bond to the test when Fremont’s secrets find him after his ten years in exile and force him home to Spezia to face serious charges.
Whatever mysteries Fremont has buried, Leandre does not believe murder is one of them—though his waiting fiancé is a surprise. As Fremont trusts his lover with his past, a second murder throws him deeper into the law’s hands.
Desperate to save Fremont, Leandre searches for the truth. But the conspiracy he uncovers goes deeper than he ever imagined. With Fremont’s time running out, Leandre must act quickly to reveal the true culprit before he loses his bond mate for good.
Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Fremont keeps his past hidden from everyone. He has secrets that he doesn’t want revealed and it is putting pressure on his relationship with Leandre. When he is forced to return to Spezia, after ten years in exile, Leandre goes with him. But, Fremont’s secrets start to come spilling out and it is only Leandre’s faith that keeps them going. Leandre knows Fremont loves him and he has faith that Fremont will let him in on his past when it is the right time. But, as he discovers Fremont’s secrets, even his faith is starting to take a bashing and Fremont needs all the faith he can get when someone tries to set him up for murder… again.
This is a brilliant story set in a world of Angels, Demons, Devils and Humans. Fremont and Leandre are making their relationship work. Leandre wants more, he wants to know more but Fremont is very cagey about his past. Fremont doesn’t want Leandre to know about his past, because he doesn’t want Leandre to leave him. Fremont’s past is filled with a mystery and that mystery is about to come back to haunt him. When they both journey to Spezia, they are both pulled into a conspiracy of murder, mystery and political intrigue that is a danger to both of them. But, with the help of some friends from Fenian, they just might be able to save them all from death.
This storyline is wonderful. it draws you in from the beginning as you begin to wonder just what Fremont is hiding in his past and you begin to wonder just who could be setting Fremont up. Leandre and Fremont make a wonderful couple. Leandre has full faith in Fremont, but he wants Fremont to open up to him. Fremont would like nothing better than to be open with Leandre, but he fears that Leandre will walk out on him if he knows the truth. Fremont might seem like a fully confident character, but he is quite insecure when it comes to his love life. Leandre is a confident demon and nothing is going to make him change his mind about loving Fremont, not even a murder charge.
I loved the mystery and intrigue, the danger and threats and trying to figure just who is out to get Fremont. You have suspicions, but something always points you in another direction before you come back full circle only to be misdirected again. The story is brilliantly written. The background we are given is great and the world building for Spezia is breath-taking especially for Foxwood. Happily, we see characters from Water Waltz and we are introduced to Fremont’s family and friends, some of whom are very interesting and I would love to see more of.
I will recommend this story to those who love paranormal alternative worlds, mystery, suspense, murder, danger, intrigue, love, belief in a loved one and a happy ending that has hints for whose story might be next.
Genre: Alternative World, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel (265pgs)
Publisher: Lightbane Publications (7th July 2012)
Heat: Explicit
Heart: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Ryder has been friends with Tucker since they were in the first grade. They grew up together, they joined the Marines together and they moved to the vast metropolis of New York City together. Nothing could tear them apart.
Or so they believed. When they get bitten by a mysterious creature, they find themselves drawn together in a whole new way that is both exciting and terrifying. Neither of them is prepared to face the feelings they now have or what that could mean for their future.
This is the story of their quest for a cure, which takes them through such locales as Little Avalon, the Wild Wood and the haunted ruins of Old Syracuse. Together they must face down dangers and challenges even as they grapple with the life-shift of now being mated werewolves.
Join Ryder and Tucker for a fun, romantic adventure set in an Earth much like our own, but where magic and magical creatures are as much a part of the world as science and technology.
Review: Ryder and Tucker are the best of friends and nothing will ever change that. But, the days and weeks following an attack by a mysterious creature pushes them to the limit. Discovering they are now Lycan (a long dead race), fighting their inner battles with the wolf spirits and the sudden confusion of being attracted to each other is hard to process. But, throw in a series of quests and it just might tear them apart.
This is a great shifter & paranormal novel that delves into imagination and gives us a great mix of paranormal, myths and legends. Ryder is a man who is loyal to a fault, but is far from a push over. He will do what has to be done, but he also has a nurturing side. Tucker is a man who holds himself in tight control, terrified that he will turn into the kind of man his father was, but he is also loyal and protective and would give up his own happiness to make Ryder happy… oh and they are both very straight. The night they are both bitten is the night it all changes for them. With everything that is thrown at them from that moment on, their greatest fear is losing each other.
This is an excellent story that doesn’t just give us an adventure and action, it also gives us the complex process as Ryder and Tucker have to decide just what to do about their curse and also the new developing feelings they have for each other. The story is from Ryder’s perspective so we get all his feelings and confusion, we do get an idea of what Tucker is also deciding because Ryder knows him so well. But, there is still a touch of angst while they process what is going on.
The storyline is brilliant, far from the usually paranormal stories, the background and world building is great, so we get a good grip of what is happening in the paranormal world and Ryder and Tucker’s romance is quite realistic to the setting. I absolutely loved the adventure they found themselves on. Ending with a series of quests from finding a cure, to discovering a lost relic, to helping a haunted town AND Herne the Huntsman, all the while being chased by hunters who want blood and a Dream Speaker who wants war.
I have to recommend this to those who love paranormal, primal shifters, urban fantasy, alternative world, hot primal sex in shifter form, hot sex in human form, a great adventure, a friends to lovers romance and a happy ending.
Blurb: In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.
Until recently, Roan was ahead of the curve when it came to reining in the lion that lives inside him. Now his control is slipping at the worst possible times. A new drug has hit the streets—one that triggers unscheduled changes in infected users. Street hustler Holden Krause gets attacked by one of his clients then is surprised to find himself involved in an unwanted, unexpected relationship. And a serial killer begins targeting infecteds in their cat form—something that’s 100 percent legal.
To stop the murders, Roan has to work outside the law. But his newfound thirst for violence makes him worry he might be more like the killer than he thought, and his reluctance to talk about it with his husband, Dylan, puts an extra strain on their relationship. So Roan isn’t just fighting the killer and struggling with his mutating virus… he’s trying to save himself.
Review: This book is part of a series and MUST be read in order. Roan is back and he knows that his control on his lion is slipping. It is getting harder and harder to ignore the need for bloodshed and it doesn’t help matters when infecteds become targets yet again. Holden gets in more trouble than he can handle, but payback is a bitch. Dylan is struggling to get Roan to admit to everything that is happening to him and it puts a bigger strain on their relationship. But, Roan is not just fighting for his life; he is fighting for his very Identity.
I love this series and the way it seems to grow and the characters become more involved in a world that seems to becoming more out of control. Roan and Dylan love each other, but Roan doesn’t want Dylan seeing him at his most brutal. He has Holden for that now, he needs Dylan not to be tainted by his lion side as Dylan is (as far as Roan is concerned) the only thing that is keeping Roan human. In the midst of him fighting the battle to stay human, there is a new drug designed to kill Infecteds and someone is hunting the Infecteds when they are in cat form.
For those of you not familiar with the Infected series I advise you to go and pick up the first book before even trying to read any others, especially this one. There really isn’t much that can be said about this book except bloody hell! Lesser Evil is a story that is as brutal as those that came before it but more despairing, because it forces Roan into a situation that he doesn’t want to be in, and forces him to do things he doesn’t want to do. it also makes him face just how different he is from the other Infecteds and how much humans hate them. Roan and Holden are characters that appeal to your darker side, while the hockey players and Dylan appeal to the fun, happy, more normal side of you.
This book is for those who want a true realistic side of shifters, the brutal, painful changes, and the hate from humans, the self-hate and the primal need of the beast. The push and pull of someone who loves an Infected, like Dylan, who is trying to make Roan share all of himself or the easy acceptance from the crazies (lol) like Hawk, Tank and Scott (hockey players) and Holden, especially Holden, who can easily accept the cold bloodiness of Roan’s Lion. Holden, we see a lot of in this book and we also see his confusion as he finds himself in some kind of ‘relationship’ with someone else who is close to Roan. This book also ends with a huge cliff-hanger, will Roan make it back?
This book I recommend to those who want the dark, brutal side of shifters, where being an Infected is a death sentence, and having friends is a blessing and having someone who loves you is a miracle that feels like a curse.
Blurb:Angus, an accomplished linguist who loves research, is a shy but passionate guy. Ayden is a man of action who obtains a mysterious amethyst-covered book for him. Can they overcome their differences and work together to decipher its contents?
“True love is more precious than the rarest of gemstones.” –The Collector
Angus loves ancient languages and sharing his knowledge with high school kids, but his true passion is linguistic research. Love doesn’t come easy for him; despite the amethyst ring his grandmother gave him to help him heal from the traumatic experience that still haunts him. He desperately wants a loving relationship with Ayden, despite their different temperaments, but cannot seem to overcome his fears. Ayden is not a patient man, and Angus is afraid he’ll lose him, so he decides to open up.
Ayden hates the fact he can’t seem to get closer to Angus. When he is shot on a secret mission to free a hostage in Central America, he resolves to find out what is stopping Angus from accepting physical intimacy. Ayden finds him a gift, a mysterious amethyst-covered book, hoping it will show Angus how much he loves him.
But the book has a mind of its own. Mysterious letters appear and disappear. Weird dreams challenge their very understanding of reality. Can they overcome their differences and discover the amethysts’ wisdom?
This book is the second in a series called the Gemstone Chronicles, a collection of unique love stories and romances brought to you from the Void Outside Space and Time. These volumes are hand-selected by the Chroniclers, a team of beings working tirelessly to bring you interesting sensory experiences, works of art and music, as well as entertaining stories. With several dimensions and all of time at their disposal to find the most fascinating tales, the range of adventures is as unique as each individual Collector. A special being with extraordinary imagination, he is the focal point and provides new and interesting ideas that are put together in the Hall of Collections for all to admire and enjoy.
Read more about the Gemstone Chronicles and its various worlds in the special brochure coming soon to the Silver Publishing website! The Gemstone Chronicles Companion will showcase the entire collection as it is built story by story, updated each time a new one joins the group. Don’t miss it!
Review: This book is part of a series and best read in order. Angus and Ayden have been dating for a couple of months, but at the moment seem to fight more than anything else. With Angus being a professor, he likes to research and think things through, but Ayden is a retrieval specialist and is a man of action and dive feet first into everything. Will Angus and Ayden with the help of the Book of Wisdom be able to meld together or will Angus’s past destroy them forever?
It’s so nice to see the Collector and the Chroniclers again as they work together to bring a story of love into creation. Angus has a problem. Even though he wants Ayden, he is scared after a traumatic event in his past. Now he feels like Ayden may dump him, but just when they seem to be working things out, his abuser makes himself known. Ayden knows that he has some making up to do, but finally communicating with Angus seems to be working and getting the truth as to why Angus can be skittish helps. But, accepting the hospitality of the parents of a rescued child brings danger to Ayden, Angus, the twin rings and The Book of Wisdom.
This was brilliant, an absolutely amazing combination of action, adventure, mystery, mystical, magic and love. Angus and Ayden really are a fantastic couple when they combine their strengths and they complement each other wonderfully. Angus learns to confide and trust in Ayden completely and Ayden finally figures out that sometimes it pays to think things through. I loved how both men reacted to the other and how they took their time before jumping into bed, even if they both had different reasons to wait. The reactions of both of them were great. Neither over-reacting, nor down-playing the issues, but both being determined to try to work things out.
The storyline was very interesting and added a great many new aspects to the Chronicles, including where we see the Collector coming to terms with aspects of himself. The Book of Wisdom is a very interesting aspect of the storyline, as are the Amethysians and the story behind the rings. I really can’t wait to see what Serena Yates comes up with in the Aquamarines of Courage (Gemstone Chronicles 03) because she hasn’t let us down with variety yet.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, magic and mystical, hot men working through problems, discovering a mystery and a very happy ending with some wonderful hot, gentle sex.
Blurb:Jayden Thompson is more powerful than any other necromancer in the country and that makes him perfect for Noah Michaels, who needs his help. Falling in love is easy, but watching Jayden deal with his powers isn’t.
Jayden Thompson is special. He’s a necromancer, but as the seventh son of a seventh son, he’s more powerful than anyone else in the country.
This is lucky for Noah Michaels when he walks into the Thompson Agency and finds out the sexy man with blue-streaked hair is the only one who can take his case.
Falling in love with Jayden is easy, but watching him try to deal with the havoc his powers create isn’t.
Purchase Link: This Edition is no longer available
Review: Jayden is a necromancer, a very powerful necromancer. But, he has kept that power hidden from everyone around him, especially his family. But, when sexy Noah comes to the agency for help, Jayden spills out that he can help. What shocks Jayden even more is that Noah is his mate. Noah needs a necromancer desperately and only Jayden can help. Discovering the extent of his connection to the sexy man doesn’t bother him, but the toll that Jayden’s powers take does.
Wow. Toni Griffin has created a new series that is unique and extremely interesting. I love when we find a new series and we can discover a new world within the pages of a book. this world that we are introduced to is just like yours or mine, but it has the added wonder of Necromancers, Shifters, Witches, Vampires and Fey (although we only meet necromancers in this one). We are given detailed information about what a necromancer does (so no zombies floating about) and the mating details as well.
Jayden and Noah make a great couple and slip into their relationship pretty easily. There was no angst or outside interference which in this instance, I found appealing. Jayden’s reaction to finding his mate was amusing and I liked the way that the mating was described as something different from having to instantly mate. Jayden does have some problems with his family, but they are minor in a way, although it affects Jayden emotionally. That is something that Noah helps with when, he sees how Jayden’s brothers treats him.
There is some danger that comes from a very unexpected direction. (Who’d have thought that a walk around the neighborhood would end like that, huh?) Everything gets wrapped up nicely and Noah and Jayden are hot together… they make a lovely couple. I loved that necromancers are shown in a very favorable light, and that the paranormals don’t seem to be shunned, but seemed to be embraced by society. a refreshing change from having to hide or being hunted. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, so I can get to know the brothers better.
I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, alternative worlds, necromancers, hot men, a great storyline, hot sex and a very, very happy ending. This is a very easy story to read and you can just relax and enjoy so give it a go.
Publisher: Silver Publishing (29th September 2012)
Heat: Moderate
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb:Joe is consumed with grief about his wife and baby and wants nothing more than to lash out. Nick is Joe’s best friend, but he will do anything to help Joe fight the people who want to kill them both.
Joe Christie is consumed with grief, and when new information about his wife and baby comes to light, his first instinct is to kill.
Nick Alexander is first and foremost Joe’s best friend. When Joe met Mara, Nick stood to one side and respected Joe’s decision to settle down, despite being in love with the man who was his lover. Now, in the middle of a case that is murder and betrayal, he has to fight his love for Joe and the people who are trying to kill them both.
Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend they be read in order. Joe is still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn baby when he is told new information about them. Rage strikes and he needs the help of his friends to get to the truth. Nick is Joe’s best friend and ex-lover and has stood on the side lines for years and is there for Joe no matter what. But, getting Joe to keep calm is next to impossible when they discover the depths that some humans have gone to.
Splintered Lies is the third book In the Shadow of the Wolf series and is an excellent addition to the series. Joe suffers from grief over the loss of his wife and baby, but he also harbors guilt over his attraction to Nick. He forces himself to ignore the attraction, as he tries to discover the truth about the new information. But, as he struggles with his emotions, his need of Nick won’t be denied. Nick stood aside when Joe chose Mara, but he never stopped loving him. After the shocking revelations concerning a senator, Nick knows that Joe needs him more than ever, but will Joe ever accept what Nick has to offer?
I must admit to being torn with some of the storyline. I wasn’t quite sure how to take Joe’s adamant vows of love for Mara, who was he trying to convince, himself or me? It was also the way that he phased his relationship with Mara as ‘He had made a choice’ and ‘The decision had been a good one’ it seemed cynical. Anyway, the rest of the book was spanking good, his guilt over feeling attraction to Nick made sense and his rage when the new information came out was not unexpected. Nick was a darling, pure and simple; he was there for Joe through everything and loved him that much, that he let him go with no recriminations.
The new discoveries that the men made were haunting and there is a bit of danger as a result. there are some passionate sex scenes with one or two tinged with guilt. Joe and Nick are great characters and we also get to see characters from previous books as they are still integral to the continued storyline. There’s angst, guilt, anger, rage, grief and some happiness. Joe has been through a lot and it leads others to make choices about how shifters should really be treated. Nick also goes through a lot and it shows just what a strong character he is, that he can let things go when some of us might have been screaming blue murder.
So, I will recommend this to those who love shifters, danger, a complex continued storyline, a range of emotional distress, some hot lovin’ and a new beginning for Nick and Joe.
Blurb: Ian was a professor in college one day and a King’s consort the next. How the hell does that happen? Come along for the journey of a lifetime where one man discovers the truth about the universe and finds love along the way.
Blake was the King of the Wizard Stratum, he had just about given up hope he would find his mate. Once he does, it seems like there is one thing after another for them to deal with, including a war, and stray shifter from another Stratum.
When Blake’s mate is threatened by the Warlock who is trying to start a war, everyone will find out just what lengths he will go to keep his mate safe. But will Ian stand back and let him?
Review: Ian is a professor who is fascinated by history, and it leads to him being in the wrong place at the wrong time and finding out that his world isn’t the only one out there. Blake has been looking for his mate for a long time. When he finally does meet his mate, he finds out that he is from the Human Stratum and that Ian believes he is dreaming the Wizard Stratum.
This story has a very good premise of having Stratums (different dimensions) and different species living on each Stratum. Ian is from the Human Stratum and Blake is from the Wizard Stratum. They meet when Ian is transported to the Wizard Stratum, when he tries to stop someone from stealing what Ian thinks is an old medallion. Later, he comes to he believes he is in a coma and is dreaming and it takes Blake’s entire family and some fancy footwork to convince him otherwise. Blake looks forward to his mating, but there are problems brewing and a build-up to a war, because someone wants to take over all the Stratums.
I actually found this story to be quite good, the storyline was great and the plot very intriguing. Ian is one stubborn man and I found him to be quite amusing in his belief that he is dreaming everything. Blake is a strong character, although he needs to share the stress with Ian better. I found the supporting characters to be great and I enjoyed their interaction with each other. Ian and Blake were great together and I loved that they got to know each other before mating. Even though it might have seemed fast on our time scale, but at least it wasn’t insta mating 5 minutes after they met.
Blake and Ian together are hot, even when they are arguing and I thought they made a great couple. I am really interested to see where this Stratum series takes us. With a war starting and support from the Shifter Stratum and with Trent (Ian’s best friend) and Logan’s (Blake’s brother) story being next, I am looking forward to the next book.
I will admit that there are some editing mistakes, with spelling mistakes and words used in the wrong context, but I didn’t have a problem with the formatting that some people are complaining about. I think that those who do find themselves with formatting problems should contact the publisher direct and explain the issue.
So, I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, alternative world, ‘oh my god this isn’t happening to me’ stories, hot sex, danger, a good battle and a happy ending.
Blurb: In the slave city of Spire, Ellis has been discarded. His former master, a man who was supposed to teach him and take care of him, passed away, leaving Ellis alone and in danger of being taken to the Facility. Ellis is desperate to avoid that fate. He seeks a master to take him on, guiding him into adulthood as well as a profession. Ellis has had desire stolen from him—he’s been trained to blush, to submit, to give in. He doesn’t know how to cope with William, a man who wants the real Ellis.
William is a Master, a man born in a neighbor city that does not deal in slavery. He has had bad experiences with slaves in the past, but all that changes when he rescues Harte, a young slave whose abusive master had all but destroyed him. Together, they are content in their mutual roles, not looking for anything more. But when Ellis catches the eye of Harte, and by extension, William, their relationship changes in ways for which they are unprepared.
Harte is a born submissive, a young man who lives for his role. He’s bratty but genuine. William, his master, is his entire life. Harte never expected to have room in his heart for another, but Ellis is beautiful and different and fills a place in his life that he hadn’t known was empty.
If only Ellis could learn to ask for what he desired, what he needed, then maybe William and Harte could help him. But Ellis is trapped inside himself, insecure and afraid. To stay with William, he only has to ask…but that’s the one thing Ellis cannot do…
Advisory: This book contains some non-consensual sex, hardcore bondage and punishment, torture and abuse. May not be suitable for the more sensitive reader. (via Goodreads)
Review: A few words of warning ~ This book takes place in a world where intelligent children are forced into slavery from age 16 to 20, to learn their master’s trade, but are also used sexually by their masters. Many parts are hard to read, as there is non-con/dub-con, sometimes involving underage children.
That said, At His Throat, a Promise is extremely well-written. The characters all have complete, yet not overwhelming, backstories that lend credence to their actions. Their life stories are doled out at appropriate times during the book, neatly avoiding the information dump so many authors use. The build of both characters and plot is almost flawless.
I did have a few issues with William, who is the ‘nice’ master of the book, but… if he’s so nice, why is he still making his slaves have sex with him? Why does he punish his slaves? And most importantly, why does he have slaves at all? But that was me reading as though At His Throat, A Promise takes place in a world with our morals, and once I put myself into their mindset, these actions make sense.
Ellis is a bit of a snitching brat, but he has his reasons, and his actions are understandable when read contextually. Similarly, Harte has his moments of being irritating, but when you learn of his life before he met Ellis his personality makes complete sense.
There are some spelling/grammatical errors, usually a source of abject vexation, but I was so caught up in the well-planned plot that these mistakes hardly registered.
My suggestion? Suspend your reality, hide your moral compass, and read on. This book is worth it.
Blurb: Captured as a boy when Herra invaded his homeland, Micah realizes that finding his way to freedom in Alekia with his savior and lover Eli was the easier task. They now hide among the Alekites, but battle with Herra looms.
With Eli’s love, Micah must come to terms with his status as a noble and his mother’s birthright of witch’s blood inside him. The two also face the father Micah cannot forgive and Eli’s family, who very much want Eli back as firstborn heir rather than the lowly slave who rescued the king’s favorite son.
When court intrigues stir and Herran armies march to war, Micah and Eli must make their stand…or fall as plunder.
Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Micah is finding it hard to acclimatize to his freedom. The only person that he can truly feel safe with is his slave/master Eli. Micah is expected to be the savior of Alekia, but he doesn’t know how and as he learns the truth of Eli’s past, he fights to do the right thing.
This book takes up where Spoils of War finished. It continues with Micah still trying to come to terms with being free, never mind a Prince and heavily relying on Eli. Micah and Eli are ensconced in a villa that to Micah is like a gilded cage, the new things he is supposed to learn, the punishments he receives from his tutor and then discovering what his father really wants him for. Micah still struggles with his own instinctive behavior and now also the magic that he learns resides inside him.
This is an excellent continuation of Spoils of War. One that doesn’t pretend that all Micah has suffered in the past can be easily overcome. one that shows you the continued struggle that Micah is going through, not just how he views himself as a slave, but also how hard he finds it to believe that he deserves Eli’s love. Eli acts a bit out of character to try to force Micah to become the man Eli knows he can and Micah finds it very hard to believe his father ever loved him. The storyline is brilliant. Even with Micah free from his captors he still feels like a prisoner and Eli trying to find ways to make Micah realize he is still the person he was before he was taken.
Micah is a strong character; in his suffering he is so much stronger than he thinks. Eli might be the rock that he desires, but Micah can find the strength to stand by himself when he truly needs to. The mental suffering he endures as his memories return, memories he banished when he was first captured is quite harrowing, and the way that he tries to protect his love, Eli, is touching. Eli is the perfect foil for Micah, the strong slave/master who gave up everything for the man he loves and adores, who will always be there for the man he will be. There are many erotic sex scenes, many of them with Micah reaffirming to himself that he is really Eli’s and that Eli was his.
I will recommend this to those who like traumatic recoveries, prisoner of war survivors, true love in hard situations, betrayal, forgiveness, violence and finally, an ending that will hopefully lead to a happy ever after.
Blurb:Zachary is homeless after escaping his abusive family. Selling a garnet ring given to him at birth by the mysterious Messenger would be enough to rent an apartment. Zohar, a good-looking jeweler, promises to help–but can Zachary trust him?
“Good stories are as rare as flawless high carat gemstones.” –The Collector
Zachary, abused for years by his adoptive parents, finally runs away. He knows he’s safer on his own than in their so-called care. Homeless and desperate for money so he can put down a deposit for an apartment, he decides to sell the antique garnet ring his parents received from the mysterious Messenger at Zachary’s birth.
Zohar Zyngold is crown prince of Zelaria, a world very similar to Earth in a parallel dimension. On his twenty-fifth birthday, during the traditional ceremony, the antique garnet ring his father passed on to him starts emitting an intense red light. Only finding the bearer of the matching ring that has been located on Earth will allow him to fully control his new paranormal powers. Using some of them to cross into Earth’s dimension, he masquerades as a jeweler, hoping to attract the ring’s owner.
Zachary and Zohar are not only attracted to each other when they first meet, their rings emit a deep red light when they touch. Zachary gets scared and runs, but criminals attack him and Zohar when he tries to help. They flee to Zelaria to discover that their problems have only just begun…
This book is the first in a series called the Gemstone Chronicles, a collection of unique love stories and romances brought to you from the Void Outside Space and Time. These volumes are hand-selected by the Chroniclers, a team of beings working tirelessly to bring you interesting sensory experiences, works of art and music, as well as entertaining stories. With several dimensions and all of time at their disposal to find the most fascinating tales, the range of adventures is as unique as each individual Collector. A special being with extraordinary imagination, he is the focal point and provides new and interesting ideas that are put together in the Hall of Collections for all to admire and enjoy.
Read more about the Gemstone Chronicles and its various worlds in the special brochure coming soon to the Silver Publishing website! The Gemstone Chronicles Companion will showcase the entire collection as it is built story by story, updated each time a new one joins the group. Don’t miss it!
Review: Well, this is great start to what looks to be a brilliant collection of 12 stories. Zachary is living on the streets, he ran away from his abusive adoptive parents four years before, and now he is desperate. he decides to sell the ring that he got from his natural parents before they died and meets Zohar, who both scares him and makes him feel safe. Zohar travelled to Earth to find the match to his Garnet ring and his bond-mate, when he finally meets Zachary he’s delighted that he is his bond-mate as well as the owner of the matching Garnet ring. when they flee to Zelaria to escape the men after Zachary, they discover much more than they thought possible.
This is a brilliant story that gives a great background to the Collector, his purpose and the men who work with him. Zohar and Zachary are characters in a story written for the Collector, but are they? Or are they real people, in real worlds, living their lives for the benefit of the Collector’s story? I can’t answer that question, but what I can answer is that this is like a story inside a story. We have the story of the Collector and the Chroniclers, and the Chroniclers are the ones who create what the Collector wants. Do they manipulate time, space, people and places to create the stories? Or do they write the story which is then enacted? I really couldn’t tell you, but we get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Zachary and Zohar meet in awkward circumstances with Zachary being forced to sell his Garnet ring. Zohar knows the basics of what to expect when he meets Zachary, but he is still unsure of what will happen. Zachary is very wary of men. His experience has led him to believe that big men like to use their fists. So when he first meets Zohar, he is frightened by the feelings the bigger man invoke. Zohar has a lot to explain to Zachary, but circumstances force his hand and he has to take Zachary to his home world… and that’s the beginning of their adventure.
So, have I confused you all enough now *snicker* good! So this story has left me wanting more (Amethysts of Wisdom hurry up and get published). Because this one had sweet gentle love, a slower courtship, political intrigue, danger, persecution, physic powers, a kidnapping, a great rescue and some hot sweet loving. This story is really well written and has a fantastic plot, (I am intrigued to see what the rest of the series will be). Great characters and a softer romance, with more getting to know each other and less sex.Did I mind the less sex? Well, no. Not really. Because the sex scene that we do get means all the more for their love, because they did wait *sigh* so romantic.
I am going to recommend this to those who want a sweet gentle love story with danger, hot sex, political intrigue, with dimensional travel to alternative worlds, with physic abilities and a happy ending. Honestly this story is enjoyable and unique, I highly recommend it.
Series: Legends of the Romanorum 03 (The Prince’s Angel 03)
Author: Mychael Black & Shayne Carmichael
Genre: Paranormal, Alternative World
Length: Novel (230pgs)
Publisher: Torquere Press (10th July 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Mael Black, vampire prince of London, and his vampire-hunting angel, Cian, are back in their third and final book!
An ancient force has awakened and is hellbent on nothing short of the total destruction of the Romanorum. Mael and Cian are thrust into the middle of things, and it’s ultimately on their shoulders to save the Romanorum itself. In the meantime, they’ve got their hands full with bringing a new son into their family, and Mael’s father trying to force Mael to denounce his relationship with Cian.
Betrayals and violent court intrigue set the stage for what promises to be an epic end to Mael and Cian’s story. But it’s only the beginning for others…
Review: This book is part of a series and I would advise reading the series in order… oh and also reading the Blood series by Shayne Carmichael and also the Inferi Brotherhood series by Mychael Black as characters from both those series make appearances in this book. It’s been four years since we last saw Mael and Cian. A long, long wait but finally they are here. This book continues from not long after And The Two Shall Become One ends and Nigel (Meal’s father) is still causing trouble for Meal and Cian, but now a bigger threat is emerging that could affect the whole of the Romanorum.
This is a great final addition to The Prince’s Angel series (or Legends of the Romanorum if you prefer) that gives us excitement, danger, confusion, longing, jealousy and intrigue. Mael and Cian are struggling to find more than snatched moments together as an unknown threat drive the Weres into Vampire territory. But, the Weres are not the only ones that are targeted, as Vampires are being staked and rumors are spread. It is up to Mael and Cian along with Diocourides (father of all Vampires) to bring allies together to vanquish the enemy who threatens the entire paranormal world.
I must admit I was gobsmacked by the turn of events in this book and I had to flick through previous books to refresh my memory (all three series), because even though they are not of this series one of the characters has a fundamental part in this one. There is a lot going on with many different characters, but if you have read all three series, then you will know the characters that make an appearance and you will also understand why they were called upon. Now this is a well written story, with a strong storyline and plot, but there was so much going on that unless you have read all the books you might lose some threads.
I really don’t know where to begin… hmmm, Cian has chosen who he wants as his son. Mael and Cian have to sort out the influx of Weres and why they have headed their way. they have the warning of a powerful threat. hmmm they then have to go to Rome and Nigel starts his ranting again. Then, Christian (Mael’s son) becomes involved and Cian becomes jealous. Vampires start to get killed and the rumors begin. Nigel finds out the truth about Taylor (Cian’s new son) and rants even more. the new enemy decides to attack and the allies have a fight on their hands. And then we have the fall out after the battle is won. So, a lot going on and that doesn’t even begin to really cover it.
So, I recommend this to those who love an in-depth paranormal world, complex vampire politics, intrigue, betrayal, plots and jealousy, Love, frustration, battles and new love. There is a lot to experience in this book so I highly recommend this if you love vampires and angels.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal, Alternate World
Length: Novella (99pgs)
Publisher: Silver Publishing (23rd June 2012)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb:Frank thinks proposing to Nathan is his hardest task until an ancient evil is disturbed. The crew of the Sea Vixen faces a powerful adversary. They must prevent the evil from escaping a remote island into the world.
Frank Reinhart thinks his hardest task is plucking up the courage to propose to Nathan, his lover, until an ancient evil is disturbed on a remote island. Called in to investigate strange deaths, the crew members of the Sea Vixen find they are facing a powerful preternatural adversary–a centuries old demonic creature released from its prison. A way must be found to prevent the evil escaping from the remote island into the world at large. But in answering the call for help, Frank also finds himself vying with the beast for the life and soul of his young lover.
Review: The Sea Vixen is a submarine and its crew is tasked to missions involving the supernatural. Frank has been dithering over asking Nathan to marry him and has now plucked up the courage to ask when they are both next on leave. But, before that can happen, they are sent on a mission which makes him realize that the time for dithering is over.
This is a well written paranormal novella. Frank and Nathan have been together for five months. It hasn’t been perfect, what with different working shifts, but what time they do have together is perfect. Frank has been thinking of asking Nathan to marry him, but because Nathan is ten years younger, he worries that he will say no. But that is all put into perspective when the next mission they are on puts Nathan in danger from a supernatural being that is determined to have him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it had a great storyline where a military type unit was set up to investigate paranormal actions that would do harm. Frank and Nathan are members of that unit and began a relationship that has blossomed even under the limited quality time that they have together. Frank and Nathan love each other deeply and it is lucky for them that they do, because there is something which is determined to have Nathan after it spots him and it is only their love which stops him from succumbing to the creatures allure.
All the characters including supporting characters are well written and you get to know them quite well, they add a lot to the depth of the story and they do intrigue you about what skills they possess. Nathan and Frank are quite something together, very hot and erotic, but you can clearly see that the sex isn’t just all that is between them. They both genuinely care about the other and it shines through in different ways for both of them. For Frank it’s his worry over what could happen to Nathan and his need to protect him. for Nathan it’s his full belief in their love and his belief in Frank as a man who keeps him tethered in his time of need.
So, I will recommend this to those who love the paranormal, supernatural, strong surviving love, military men (some who aren’t too bright) and a really happy ending.
Blurb:Nine gods ruled the world until the ultimate betrayal resulted in their destruction. Now, the world is dying and only by restoring the Lost Gods can it be saved.
The Kingdom of Piedre has been torn apart by feuding since the Basilisk was found dead. The Brotherhood of the Black Rose seeks to ensure the Basilisk is destroyed forever, while the Order of the White Rose searches desperately for a way to restore him.
The latest mortal incarnation of the Lost God of Death is Prince Culebra, the Basilisk Prince. Plagued by assassins, one lover dead and the other gone, Culebra spends his days in despair, painfully aware that his predecessors died only one of two ways: murder or suicide.
Review: Oh. I was so looking forward to this one and it was worth the wait. Culebra is the incarnation of the Lost God, Basilisk. He goes through life feared, hated and worshiped, never able to see, as his eyes are covered to prevent his deadly gaze from killing. But, now one of the Roses has him in their hands and the fate of the world rests in the hands of the lover he drove away; the Captain who comforted him, his kidnapper and his kidnapper’s closest friend.
A great re-written story based on the original blog story. The story-line may have changed, but the plot is still the same (well with one added addition). Culebra is still reeling from the shock and horror of listening to one of his lovers being killed by mermaids and driving his other lover away. When he gets a visit from Captain Midori (now a Lord), he begins to think he might be able to put the past behind him. Cortez is given little choice in the matter of kidnapping the Basilisk Prince and it leads to an outcome that nobody could have foretold. Dario was pushed away by Culebra after the death of Dario’s brother. Now, he has been kidnapped to force the prince to do as he is told. Fidel has also been kidnapped, as a way to force Cortez to do as the cult wants. Now, as they all come together, the actions of a few have terrifying repercussions that could affect the world.
Okay. After all that and getting all the main characters a mention, I’m tired *sigh*. Okay, I’m refreshed, so this installment of The Lost Gods saga has quite a bit going on and is separated to different character’s POV. Luckily, we don’t lose track of what is going on or what is happening to whom, and although there are five MCs it doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of the story. We have seen Culebra and Midori in previous books so we have a good idea of their back stories. Dario is the bodyguard who was also Culebra’s lover and also the brother to Culebra’s other lover (confused?). Cortex and Fidel are former members of The Brotherhood of the Black Rose. I will be honest, for more information you will have to read the book otherwise this review will be an essay!
Culebra and Dario’s relationship was torn apart when Granito died. The trouble they find themselves in pulls them back together and add a new third to their relationship. We get to see a bit of M/M/M and we also see some hot sex, but it is far from that important to the story; finding that Schatten (the country) and Teufel (the God Licht’s companion) is involved in the plot to harm the Basilisk prince is. We also see the Gods from the previous books as well.
Well. I recommend everyone read this book, but then I am bias, so I will just say this, if you enjoy kidnappings… well, multiply kidnappings, snakes, assassins turning good, earthquakes, sword fights, chases through the mountains, throwing ones-self over a waterfall and a happy ending then I recommend this book for you. And for those of you who read the original then this is definitely worth reading.
Blurb: Kris Ellis thought that the time of arranged marriages was long past—but that was before the Great Unveiling revealed creatures of myth living among humans. Now a routine medical test has determined that Kris has a mate, a werewolf named Rafael King.
Kris is fresh out of college and has plans for his life. None of them include being tied forever to someone he’s never met. But then Rafe calls him, and Kris starts to reconsider. After all, what must it be like to wait for your soul mate for two hundred years?
Rafe is patient, strong, and kind, not to mention attractive. True to what Kris has heard about mates, sparks fly the second they meet. But Kris and Rafe are very different, and the werewolf way of life is dangerous. Is the fight for love really worth it?
Review: Kris is about to get the shock of his life. A simple routine blood test changes his life forever, when he is matched as a mate to a werewolf. Now he has choices to make that don’t just include what he should do after college. Rafe has waited two hundred years for his mate and although he is desperate to meet his mate, he can wait another couple of weeks, while his mate gets used to the idea.
I found this to be quite a refreshing story. The whole idea of a world where every human is aware of all paranormal and mythical creatures, and together have come up with a registry where humans and paranormals can be matched is good. But, what is even better is that not all the people who are matched wanted to be matched. Kris is one of those people. He has plans for the future and if he accepts the mating, then he will have to give up his dreams. Rafe just wants a chance to meet his mate and show him his life won’t be over if he accepts the mating, but things happen during Kris’s visit that make Rafe think that Kris would be safer on his own.
A very good story that interested me from the start. When Kris and Rafe meet there is a strong sexual attraction which scares Kris. He is terrified that he will become a slave to his sexual needs and resents the power that Rafe could have over him. Rafe has a strong need to protect Kris and to love him, but it’s hard to fight someone’s fears. Kris is really resentful of being mated, of having his choices ripped away from him and is terrified of what he has heard of the mating instinct and it takes him a while to come around. Rafe is such a sweetheart that you feel sorry for him at the way that Kris keeps reacting.
I will recommend this to those who love the paranormal, shifters, hot sex, confused men, an unexpected attack, some hot sex and a happy ever after.
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Alternative World, Futuristic (2216)
Length: Novel (251pgs)
Publisher: Silver Publishing (12th May 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb:Jude’s been attacked, what has kept him alive is his strange power to set things on fire. Nicolai sees a gargoyle circling a burning building, goes to investigate to find his mate amidst the rubble. Is this love’s first fire?
Jude Jamison is a Jesuit Inquisitor, part of the pope’s force of special investigators. He suspects his cover has been blown as he’s been under constant attack. Without the gargoyles his friend Evan sent along as his guardians, and a strange ability to start fires, he’d already be dead.
Nicolai sees a gargoyle circling a smoldering building. He investigates the rare creature and is totally unprepared for the discovery of his human mate, lying amid the rubble. After waiting two millennia to find his mate, fate must be laughing. A human will never survive in his world. Yet he’s unable to leave the beautiful man behind.
Together can the two find a way to survive? Is this love’s first fire?
Review: Jude is in desperate need of help, as more and more demons are sent after him. But, there is only so much he can accept, because of the fear of hurting someone by accident. Nico is surprised to learn that his mate is human. What on Earth could fate have been thinking? But, as he gets to know his mate, he learns that Jude’s life is in grave danger and that there is far more to Jude than he first realised.
This is the second book in the Elements of Love series and must be read in order, as events in Adel’s Purr lead to discoveries in this book. Jude, Jesuit Inquisitor, is running for his life. He suspects a certain faction within the church is responsible, but getting the proof has been difficult. But, that isn’t his only problem, he feels like something is trying to consume him from the inside and it has something to do with his ability to suddenly create fire. Nico is seeking to protect a little gargoyle when he comes across his mate nearly unconscious and severely injured. Now, he has to help his mate delve into the underbelly of the church and help his mate control his fire.
This is a fantastic addition to the Elements of Love series and it continues with Jude’s story. As we saw at the end of the last book, Jude can now manifest fire, but the how and why is discovered in this story. Jude is drawn to his rescuer, but is terrified of hurting him. Nico tries to reassure Jude that he won’t, but he also worries that he will injury Jude. So it is an interesting beginning for our two lovely MCs, as they both come to realize that they are perfect for each other. We find out more about the Elementals and the history behind them, along with a slew of new characters, who add a broader horizon for future books.
So with the relationship between Jude and Nico, they might be a well matched pair, but that doesn’t mean that it is going to be easy for them. Both these characters are great, with Nico trying to show Jude that he will always be there for him, and Jude putting his trust in Nico although he is scared of losing him. With everything going on we mustn’t forget that they have the church to contend with and, gah, they are really nasty.
Well, what can I say? If you love paranormal, danger, rescues, gargoyles, hidden agendas, conspiracy, hot sex (lol), really hot men, and a happy ever after and an open end for the next book, then this is for you.
Blurb:In the war between the forces of light and dark, danger comes to Matteo. Seeking to unravel the mystery behind the threat brings the Team, especially the angel Priel and his partner Ull, into conflict with the powerful demon Ciaran.
In the war between the forces of light and dark, Matteo works as member of a group headed by his grandfather Julio. Danger comes to Matteo at the same time as a new member, Vilmos, joins them.
Seeking to unravel the mystery behind the threat brings the Team, especially the angel Priel and his partner Ull, into conflict with the powerful dark demon Ciaran.
Is it mere coincidence, or is it something more? Something dark and deadly seeks vengeance–and will stop at nothing to get what it desires.
Review: Matteo works with his grandfather, angels, demons and other humans on the side of good in the never-ending battle between the light and dark forces. Matteo is newly partnered with Vilmos and it falls to Vilmos to save Matteo. Priel and Ull also work with Matteo and while fighting a demon of dark, they finally find out how they feel about each other.
This is a well-written story that gives us a great story of good and evil, but also gives us two love stories that are both loving and erotic. Matteo was once shot by Ciaran, a powerful dark demon that has it in for everyone that works with Matteo. They have been trying to find Ciaran for a long time, but without much luck. When Matteo is partnered with Vilmos sparks fly, but Vilmos reacts badly. Ull has wanted Priel for years and he finally gives in to his need and he realizes that circumstances held Priel back, but he is now free to act on his desires.
There is quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between POVs, as we have Matteo’s, Vilmos’s, Ull’s and Priel’s and what is going on with each of them. Matteo’s and Vilmos’s relationship starts off rocky, but develops well and Ull’s and Priel’s finally gets started when Ull takes the initiative. We also have everyone trying to track Ciaran and to stop him from taking over the area. This is a great alternative world where humans, angels and demons mix, it has quite good world-building, but for me this story did it with the romance, love and erotic lovemaking. the descriptions between the two couples was just so well done that it made my heart ache at the obvious love that they felt for each other.
There are some great action and fight scenes. But they weren’t over the top or even too super demon or angel ;-). they were well done and added a bit of tension in just the right places. All the characters that we get to know are nice and I would love to know more about them especially Julio (grandfather).
With this one I am going to recommend it to those who love angels and demons, fantasy, danger, action, incredible lovemaking scenes, a touch of romance and a happy ending.
Blurb:Valerian is a fighter and an Alpha–dangerous, unemotional, and vicious. The passion for his cougar mate is unplanned, but Teddy shares the enthusiasm and all but bites back. Do they have a chance or will the war destroy them?
Living in a world where vampires can’t stand the sight of shifters, and shifters gag at the smell of vamps, a vicious war rages — and the vampires are winning. Clearly, this is not an ideal setting for a mixed-species shifter couple.
Valerian is the Alpha of his pack, a fighter and an unemotional killer, but one whose skill has kept him alive. On one of his missions, among captured shifters, he finds the cougar Teddy, his mate.
Things would be simpler if either of them actually wanted a mate, but on top of the fact that they don’t, there is also the small issue of clashing personalities. Attacking is their first reaction — sex is only for survivors.
Review: Valerian is one of three alphas’ in his pack. They share responsibility, with Valerian’s duty being missions and vampire politics. So when he is on a mission to rescue some of his warriors, he is less than pleased to come across his mate. Teddy is a loner and has no interest in a mate, but when he discovers he might be able to find the vampire that captured him, he decides to stick around for a while.
God, I loved this one. Two shifters, neither wanting a mate and both human sides fighting tooth and nail against their animal sides; snarling and bitching at each other as they fight the mating urge. Valerian has no interest in a mate who might die on him and leave him alone. It is easier to keep everyone at a distance, so when he meets his mate he carries on like he has always done while fighting the mating instinct. Teddy has just lost the person closest to him so now he will strike out on his own again. Once he finds the vampire who captured him, meeting his mate is not on the agenda. Especially when said mate is an alpha and an ass.
This story is well written with great world building and some pretty gruesome descriptions. A world were vampires and shifters despise each other and want to wipe the other off the face of the Earth. This is a fantastic shifter/vampire story where it is war. Shifters kill all vampires they can find and vampires snatch as many shifters as they can for their blood. If some shifters die in the process, well, then they can always hunt for more. And there’s a vamp out there who wants shifters for his own purpose, but it back fires wonderfully ;-).
Valerian and Teddy are characters that are quite similar. Both prefer to be left alone, both are stubborn and have a mouth on them and both have no intention of mating. It is like a clash of the Titans when these two get together. The sex is explosive and primal and sparks fly whenever they are close. Fighting the mating urge when all their animals want is to give in is a struggle for both of them and they are brilliant in how they handle it. And while all this is going on they have an explosion, they have to fight the vampires, deal with a traitor, then Teddy has to escape, rescue the kids and kill as many vamps as possible all while dealing with a horrific ordeal *sigh* (so much goodness).
The best thing about this is neither shifter is graceful in his denial. They are both snarly, scowlly and growly right up to the end of the book and neither will ever really be lovie dovie with the other as it’s just not them. Teddy goes through a period of doubt that Valerian helps him over, but as I said they will never be a roses and hearts couple and it makes them so much more interesting.
This one I will recommend to those who want a different type of shifter/vampire story, mates who fight the bond tooth and nail, blood, fights, and a twist for Teddy, hot explosive sex and a happy ending.
Title: Slayer
