Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with their new re-release Blood Bathory: Be Not Proud, we have a fantastic giveaway where you could win a copy of Blood Bathory: Like The Night, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Be Not Proud
(Blood Bathory 03)
by
Ari McKay
Death, be not proud…
The conclusion of the war between Elizabeth Bathory and the Guardians of Gaia draws closer, but the theriomorphs and their allies are caught between vampires loyal to Elizabeth Bathory’s daughter, Anna, and humans controlled by Elizabeth and her sire, Thrace. With the forces of evil now pressing on them from two sides, the theriomorphs need help, and they need it fast!
And soonest our best men with thee do go…
It has been five hundred years since Antonio de Barajas, one of the oldest surviving theriomorphs, lost his mate at the hands of his worst enemy. But Gaia never revealed the whole truth about Raphael’s fate, and Antonio is shocked when Raphael arrives to train Evan St. John and Adam Carson as true Dark Guardians. Yet the man who returns after so long is not the same man Antonio once loved. The hard and lonely life as Gaia’s hunter has changed Raphael almost as much as his lost memories of Antonio and the love they once shared.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men…
Antonio must work with the stranger who wears his lover’s face, and while Raphael is welcomed by most of the team, one member sees his return as a threat to his own place in Antonio’s life. But Thrace has allied himself with terrorists who possess a weapon of mass destruction. Now the theriomorphs and Dark Guardians must work together in a race against time to discover Thrace’s plan. Even as Antonio and Raphael are irresistibly drawn to one another, Antonio risks losing far more than his heart this time. If he and his team fail in their mission, millions will die, for Thrace will stop at nothing to destroy Gaia once and for all.
As theriomorphs in the service of Gaia, Tyr Gustavson and his lover Aaron fought against the vampires aiding the Third Reich during WWII. But even the fierceness of Tyr’s tiger form couldn’t save Aaron from being torn apart when a mission went horribly wrong. Lost in his pain, Tyr remained feral until he was unwillingly recalled to Gaia’s service seventy years later.
In the forests of the night…
When fighter pilot Adam Carson’s plane was shot down, he thought the worst that could happen was being sent to a Nazi prison camp. Little did he know there were other monsters in the shadows, and one of them wanted to claim him. But refusing Elizabeth Bathory had a price. Adam was turned against his will and trapped in a coffin as punishment for his resistance.
What immortal hand or eye…
While hunting ghouls, Tyr and his colleagues discover Adam’s prison. Believing he could be an asset, Marielle Du Lac frees him. Adam joins the team and is drawn to Tyr, despite Tyr’s hatred of vampires. When Tyr rejects Adam out of fear, Adam accepts a suicidal mission to find Thrace, the original nosferatu. If their desperate plan works, the theriomorphs could destroy not only Elizabeth, but the sire of all vampires as well. But if it fails, they could unleash a force leading to the destruction of them all… and perhaps of Gaia herself.
Review: Adam Carson is taken prisoner after his pane is shot down. Only to be taken to Elizabeth during a transport where he’s turned. After the turnng he’s put in a coffin where he stays for a long time. Tyr has been feral and grieving since losing his other half. Now many years later he’s approached with a task to locate Elizabeth.
I loved Adam and Tyr. Tyr grief stricken even now and Adam who finds himself drawn to Tyr. But this story is not all romance and flowers. There is still the ongoing hunt to find Elizabeth and do away with her. Suspenseful and mysterious this story takes you on an adventure where all is not as it seems. The characters are intriguing and fascinating.
Even though some are highly questionable in their actions they all added that special element to bring the story into the light. I truly enjoyed this story and looking forward to reading more.
Title: Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together (2nd Edition)
Author: Ari McKay
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Novella (111 Pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th July 2018)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Aerin
Blurb: When a Christmas shopping expedition brings Tomy Peralta into Jason Winters’s yarn store, both men feel an immediate and intense spark of attraction, but dance instructor Tomy intends to propose to his boyfriend, Sean, at Christmas. Unfortunately for Tomy, marriage isn’t on career-minded Sean’s agenda. Heartbroken, Tomy throws himself into his work until his mother convinces him that learning to knit might help take his mind off his failed romance.
Jason falls hard for Tomy, but he knows Tomy needs time to heal and to trust in love again. As Jason teaches Tomy to knit, Tomy teaches him to dance in return. Just when it seems Tomy is ready for a new romance, Sean shows up, wanting Tomy back. Will Tomy give his heart to Sean once more, or will Tomy finally see Sean for who he truly is, and choose the man who helped him knit his heart together again?
Review: This was a very sweet and believable love story that incorporated the holiday spirit and the magic of Christmas for an ending that will make you go AWWWW!!!
Jason is an ex NFL player who suffered an injury that put an end to his career early on and destroyed his dreams for the future. In order to heal his broken heart, Jason takes up knitting and comes to love it. He is now the owner of a yarn store; Jason loves to give classes on how to knit to the women and men who are interested.
All Tomy Peralta got for Christmas is a broken heart. His boyfriend not only refused to accept his marriage proposal, but he broke up with him in order to pursue his dreams. Can knitting help Tomy put his broken heart back together like it helped Jason when he needed it?
I don’t know about that, but the relationship and friendship that form between our main characters sure will. Their romance develops slowly and sweetly, in the span of a year and it’s very believable. I liked the knitting and the dancing, and I loved how it brought them close together.
The main characters are likeable and supportive, and overall it was a pretty good story. I would’ve liked some tension and maybe a little bit of angst. This story is a little too sweet for my taste and some parts were downright cheesy, but I still enjoyed reading it.
Hi guys! We have Ari McKay stopping by today with the tour for their newest release Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together, we have great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together
by
Ari McKay
When a Christmas shopping expedition brings Tomy Peralta into Jason Winters’s yarn store, both men feel an immediate and intense spark of attraction, but dance instructor Tomy intends to propose to his boyfriend, Sean, at Christmas. Unfortunately for Tomy, marriage isn’t on career-minded Sean’s agenda. Heartbroken, Tomy throws himself into his work until his mother convinces him that learning to knit might help take his mind off his failed romance.
Jason falls hard for Tomy, but he knows Tomy needs time to heal and to trust in love again. As Jason teaches Tomy to knit, Tomy teaches him to dance in return. Just when it seems Tomy is ready for a new romance, Sean shows up, wanting Tomy back. Will Tomy give his heart to Sean once more, or will Tomy finally see Sean for who he truly is, and choose the man who helped him knit his heart together again?
Hi guys! We have Ari McKay popping in today with their new release Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together, we have great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together
by
Ari McKay
When a Christmas shopping expedition brings Tomy Peralta into Jason Winters’s yarn store, both men feel an immediate and intense spark of attraction, but dance instructor Tomy intends to propose to his boyfriend, Sean, at Christmas. Unfortunately for Tomy, marriage isn’t on career-minded Sean’s agenda. Heartbroken, Tomy throws himself into his work until his mother convinces him that learning to knit might help take his mind off his failed romance.
Jason falls hard for Tomy, but he knows Tomy needs time to heal and to trust in love again. As Jason teaches Tomy to knit, Tomy teaches him to dance in return. Just when it seems Tomy is ready for a new romance, Sean shows up, wanting Tomy back. Will Tomy give his heart to Sean once more, or will Tomy finally see Sean for who he truly is, and choose the man who helped him knit his heart together again?
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with the tour for their new re-release Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun, we have a brilliant guest post from Ari where she shares an exclusive excerpt, and a fantastic giveaway where you could win a copy of Blood Bathory: Like The Night, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun
(The Guardians of Gaia 02)
by
Ari McKay
Tyger tyger, burning bright…
As theriomorphs in the service of Gaia, Tyr Gustavson and his lover Aaron fought against the vampires aiding the Third Reich during WWII. But even the fierceness of Tyr’s tiger form couldn’t save Aaron from being torn apart when a mission went horribly wrong. Lost in his pain, Tyr remained feral until he was unwillingly recalled to Gaia’s service seventy years later.
In the forests of the night…
When fighter pilot Adam Carson’s plane was shot down, he thought the worst that could happen was being sent to a Nazi prison camp. Little did he know there were other monsters in the shadows, and one of them wanted to claim him. But refusing Elizabeth Bathory had a price. Adam was turned against his will and trapped in a coffin as punishment for his resistance.
What immortal hand or eye…
While hunting ghouls, Tyr and his colleagues discover Adam’s prison. Believing he could be an asset, Marielle Du Lac frees him. Adam joins the team and is drawn to Tyr, despite Tyr’s hatred of vampires. When Tyr rejects Adam out of fear, Adam accepts a suicidal mission to find Thrace, the original nosferatu. If their desperate plan works, the theriomorphs could destroy not only Elizabeth, but the sire of all vampires as well. But if it fails, they could unleash a force leading to the destruction of them all… and perhaps of Gaia herself.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with their new re-release Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun, we have a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun
(The Guardians of Gaia 02)
by
Ari McKay
Tyger tyger, burning bright…
As theriomorphs in the service of Gaia, Tyr Gustavson and his lover Aaron fought against the vampires aiding the Third Reich during WWII. But even the fierceness of Tyr’s tiger form couldn’t save Aaron from being torn apart when a mission went horribly wrong. Lost in his pain, Tyr remained feral until he was unwillingly recalled to Gaia’s service seventy years later.
In the forests of the night…
When fighter pilot Adam Carson’s plane was shot down, he thought the worst that could happen was being sent to a Nazi prison camp. Little did he know there were other monsters in the shadows, and one of them wanted to claim him. But refusing Elizabeth Bathory had a price. Adam was turned against his will and trapped in a coffin as punishment for his resistance.
What immortal hand or eye…
While hunting ghouls, Tyr and his colleagues discover Adam’s prison. Believing he could be an asset, Marielle Du Lac frees him. Adam joins the team and is drawn to Tyr, despite Tyr’s hatred of vampires. When Tyr rejects Adam out of fear, Adam accepts a suicidal mission to find Thrace, the original nosferatu. If their desperate plan works, the theriomorphs could destroy not only Elizabeth, but the sire of all vampires as well. But if it fails, they could unleash a force leading to the destruction of them all… and perhaps of Gaia herself.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with the cover for their upcoming re-release Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun, we have a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Absence of the Sun
(The Guardians of Gaia 02)
by
Ari McKay
Tyger tyger, burning bright…
As theriomorphs in the service of Gaia, Tyr Gustavson and his lover Aaron fought against the vampires aiding the Third Reich during WWII. But even the fierceness of Tyr’s tiger form couldn’t save Aaron from being torn apart when a mission went horribly wrong. Lost in his pain, Tyr remained feral until he was unwillingly recalled to Gaia’s service seventy years later.
In the forests of the night…
When fighter pilot Adam Carson’s plane was shot down, he thought the worst that could happen was being sent to a Nazi prison camp. Little did he know there were other monsters in the shadows, and one of them wanted to claim him. But refusing Elizabeth Bathory had a price. Adam was turned against his will and trapped in a coffin as punishment for his resistance.
What immortal hand or eye…
While hunting ghouls, Tyr and his colleagues discover Adam’s prison. Believing he could be an asset, Marielle Du Lac frees him. Adam joins the team and is drawn to Tyr, despite Tyr’s hatred of vampires. When Tyr rejects Adam out of fear, Adam accepts a suicidal mission to find Thrace, the original nosferatu. If their desperate plan works, the theriomorphs could destroy not only Elizabeth, but the sire of all vampires as well. But if it fails, they could unleash a force leading to the destruction of them all… and perhaps of Gaia herself.
Hiya guys! We have Ari McKay popping in with the tour for their newest release Forged In Fire we have a brilliant guest post, a great new excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Forged In Fire
(Asheville Arcana 02 / Dreamspun Desire 19)
by
Ari McKay
The magic touch.
Ever since Harlan Edgewood was bitten by a possessed werewolf, his monthly shifts have been agonizing. When he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—the attraction is mutual. But Harlan believes his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any romantic partner.
Fortunately, Whimsy thinks he can help.
When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected change, Whimsy uses his magic to help ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf claims Whimsy as his mate.
As they draw closer, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to force back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.
Hiya guys! We have Ari McKay stopping in for a quick visit with their new release Forged In Fire we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Forged In Fire
(Asheville Arcana 02 / Dreamspun Desire 19)
by
Ari McKay
The magic touch.
Ever since Harlan Edgewood was bitten by a possessed werewolf, his monthly shifts have been agonizing. When he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—the attraction is mutual. But Harlan believes his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any romantic partner.
Fortunately, Whimsy thinks he can help.
When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected change, Whimsy uses his magic to help ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf claims Whimsy as his mate.
As they draw closer, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to force back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.
Blurb: Evan St. John, a young fashion photographer running from the pain caused by the death of his younger sister, is thrilled when he is offered a job with House of Nadasdy, a leading fashion house in Paris. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner, is a centuries-old vampire with a penchant for collecting beautiful people. To Evan’s horror, he is turned into one of her “children.”
Unable to bear what he has become, Evan flees to New York and to his best friend, police officer Will Trask. For years, Evan has nursed an unrequited love for Will, but he also knows Will is the one person who might be able to help him. As Evan and Will try to deal with Evan’s condition, they are drawn into the world of the theriomorphs: shape-shifters who are guardians of life and the sworn enemies of vampires. Caught in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will find they must choose sides – because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.
Review: This was a really interesting story. Evan, after the death of his sister, travels to Paris to begin life a new as a photographer. While there he catches the eye of Elizabeth Bathory, which was not good. Elizabeth is cruel and delusional. She collects people of beauty like others collect coins and artifacts. I found her to be smart yet crazy.
After being turned by Elizabeth, Evan flees into the arms of the one person that has always been there for him, Will. This is a fascinating story with twists and turns, suspense, evil and a plan. I loved all the details throughout this intense and gruesome at times story. The characters all played a role to give the book a better flowing.
I was spellbound with the historical aspect regarding Elizabeth and the paranormal theme. It was a great mix that jumped off the pages with abandon to draw the reader deeper. I truly enjoyed the book.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with the tour for their new re-release Blood Bathory: Like The Night, we have a brilliant guest post, a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Shorty’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Like The Night
(The Guardians of Gaia 01)
by
Ari McKay
You can run…
After losing his younger sister to cancer, fashion photographer Evan St. John tries to outrun his pain, leaving New York for the excitement of Paris. His talent and striking good looks bring him to the attention of Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner of House of Nadasdy. Evan is thrilled at the opportunity to work for such a prestigious designer, but he soon discovers Elizabeth wants more than his talent. Beneath the beautiful mask she presents to the world lurks the evil of a vampire whose lust for beauty is surpassed only by her thirst for blood.
Evan’s life is shattered when Elizabeth turns him into one of her “children.” Unable to bear what he has become, he flees to New York to find his best friend, police officer Will Trask. The one person who might be able to help him.
But you can’t hide…
Together, Evan and Will find themselves drawn deeper into a strange world they never knew existed. Standing against the vampires are the theriomorphs, shapeshifters who serve as the guardians of Gaia, the embodiment of all life on earth. Though sworn to eradicate every vampire, Marielle Du Lac, the leader of the theriomorphs, offers them a bargain. If they help bring down Elizabeth, her people will try to find a way to restore Evan to life.
Caught up in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will must choose sides, because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with their new re-release Blood Bathory: Like The Night, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Like The Night
(The Guardians of Gaia 01)
by
Ari McKay
You can run…
After losing his younger sister to cancer, fashion photographer Evan St. John tries to outrun his pain, leaving New York for the excitement of Paris. His talent and striking good looks bring him to the attention of Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner of House of Nadasdy. Evan is thrilled at the opportunity to work for such a prestigious designer, but he soon discovers Elizabeth wants more than his talent. Beneath the beautiful mask she presents to the world lurks the evil of a vampire whose lust for beauty is surpassed only by her thirst for blood.
Evan’s life is shattered when Elizabeth turns him into one of her “children.” Unable to bear what he has become, he flees to New York to find his best friend, police officer Will Trask. The one person who might be able to help him.
But you can’t hide…
Together, Evan and Will find themselves drawn deeper into a strange world they never knew existed. Standing against the vampires are the theriomorphs, shapeshifters who serve as the guardians of Gaia, the embodiment of all life on earth. Though sworn to eradicate every vampire, Marielle Du Lac, the leader of the theriomorphs, offers them a bargain. If they help bring down Elizabeth, her people will try to find a way to restore Evan to life.
Caught up in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will must choose sides, because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.
Blurb: Hunter Callahan loved being a merc. As an explosives expert for Lawson & Greer, he’s dealt with everything from IEDs to rogue nukes. But when a suicide bomber in the form of a seven-year-old boy walks into camp, Hunter learns there are some fates far worse than death.
Payne Gibson recognizes the “thousand yard stare” of the PTSD Hunter refuses to acknowledge, and as a natural caretaker, he can’t resist when his boss, Cade “Hercules” Thornton, asks him to help. Hunter is resistant until their surveillance assignment turns dangerous, and Hunter realizes he’s in danger of losing his career, the only thing in his life that matters to him anymore.
Conventional therapy hasn’t worked, so Payne suggests an unorthodox form of therapy: BDSM. As a Dom, Payne thinks he can help Hunter face the issues he’s been avoiding. Having come to trust Payne and knowing his career is on the line, Hunter agrees to try.
Their relationship as Dom and sub deepens more than either of them expected. Payne knows adding emotions into the mix is dangerous, but he can’t help it when Hunter is both the man and the sub Payne has hoped to find. But Hunter doesn’t feel he deserves love, not when his best friend is dead because of him, leaving behind a wife and child to mourn — and to blame Hunter for their loss.
Payne can help Hunter to stare into the abyss… but what stares back might be more intense than either of them can handle.
Review: Each book in the Herc’s Mercs collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Hunter and Mark were what one would call the best of what they were, merc’s. They would go in and take a bomb apart. That was not the only thing they did but you get the picture. They were best friends and as close as brothers as one could be. Things were looking up for them all, that is until Mark died protecting Hunter and a small child. It destroyed Hunter and made him want to give up. The only thing that kept him from doing so was his promise to his best friend. Now he would not be allowed back into the field, unless his bosses changed their mind. He was given a baby sitter that was a big surprise.
Payne was not only a member of the team but he had some degree’s in him that helped others around him. He had once been a field medic who also helped the mental side of things. Now he sits around watching. So when Cade called him and asked him for his help, he jumped at the chance. Not only was this guy going to be a challenge, but he was attracted to him as well. It would seem that therapy was not going to work for Hunter, but Payne knew what might.
Most times when one comes across books like this it is usually the client that the body guards fall for, and I was quite surprised and pleased that it was a unique type of story. It is not the usual danger and death brings them together, but PTSD. I could never imagine what one would go thru like Hunter had. I could see where he was going and the pain that would be caused from seeing his best friends wife and godson. He felt guilty but also angry. The author told the story with the perfect tone to it.
I will admit that I never thought BDSM could help someone like Hunter, but it was done with lots of respect from the author. I am not really a fan of it, but if it is not to harsh then it seems like it might just work for me. This author just told the story with beauty and respect for those who have gone thru it.
Now I did notice some grammar mistakes in this book but it didn’t screw the story up like most do. It was just missing words and the sort, just enough for me to notice but then again I was looking for them.
Now you got to know Hunter but Payne was a bit of a mystery. You have a fully developed character like Hunter, but Payne was not as well developed as he should have been. However once again, it doesn’t take away from the story at all. You felt Hunter’s pain and fell in love with him. It just took a bit longer to get to know Payne but once you’re getting into it, he just seems to hit you all at once.
It felt like the read was just a bit longer and it was a bit harder to actually get into. It is a very emotional type of story. So make sure you have your tissues ready.
I did enjoy it quite a bit and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay stopping by today with the tour for No Pain, No Gain, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
No Pain, No Gain
(Herc’s Mercs 07)
by
Ari McKay
Hunter Callahan loved being a merc. As an explosives expert for Lawson & Greer, he’s dealt with everything from IEDs to rogue nukes. But when a suicide bomber in the form of a seven-year-old boy walks into camp, Hunter learns there are some fates far worse than death.
Payne Gibson recognizes the “thousand yard stare” of the PTSD Hunter refuses to acknowledge, and as a natural caretaker, he can’t resist when his boss, Cade “Hercules” Thornton, asks him to help. Hunter is resistant until their surveillance assignment turns dangerous, and Hunter realizes he’s in danger of losing his career, the only thing in his life that matters to him anymore.
Conventional therapy hasn’t worked, so Payne suggests an unorthodox form of therapy: BDSM. As a Dom, Payne thinks he can help Hunter face the issues he’s been avoiding. Having come to trust Payne and knowing his career is on the line, Hunter agrees to try.
Their relationship as Dom and sub deepens more than either of them expected. Payne knows adding emotions into the mix is dangerous, but he can’t help it when Hunter is both the man and the sub Payne has hoped to find. But Hunter doesn’t feel he deserves love, not when his best friend is dead because of him, leaving behind a wife and child to mourn — and to blame Hunter for their loss.
Payne can help Hunter to stare into the abyss… but what stares back might be more intense than either of them can handle.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay popping in today with the stunning new cover to their upcoming re-release Blood Bathory: Like The Night, we have a fantastic giveaway so check out the cover and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Blood Bathory: Like The Night
(The Guardians of Gaia 01)
by
Ari McKay
You can run…
After losing his younger sister to cancer, fashion photographer Evan St. John tries to outrun his pain, leaving New York for the excitement of Paris. His talent and striking good looks bring him to the attention of Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner of House of Nadasdy. Evan is thrilled at the opportunity to work for such a prestigious designer, but he soon discovers Elizabeth wants more than his talent. Beneath the beautiful mask she presents to the world lurks the evil of a vampire whose lust for beauty is surpassed only by her thirst for blood.
Evan’s life is shattered when Elizabeth turns him into one of her “children.” Unable to bear what he has become, he flees to New York to find his best friend, police officer Will Trask. The one person who might be able to help him.
But you can’t hide…
Together, Evan and Will find themselves drawn deeper into a strange world they never knew existed. Standing against the vampires are the theriomorphs, shapeshifters who serve as the guardians of Gaia, the embodiment of all life on earth. Though sworn to eradicate every vampire, Marielle Du Lac, the leader of the theriomorphs, offers them a bargain. If they help bring down Elizabeth, her people will try to find a way to restore Evan to life.
Caught up in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will must choose sides, because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.
Blurb: Gil Porter and Matt Grayson’s Bent Oak Ranch in Mercy, Texas, is a rare haven for gay men in the nineteenth century, and their friend Carlos Hernandez will need it when a man from his past unexpectedly comes back into his life.
Jules Wingate hopes to start over in Mercy as the schoolmaster after a scandal sent him and his son fleeing their former home. But he discovers he’s left one bad situation for another when he encounters his former student and lover, Carlos. No matter how Jules tries to resist, he yearns for the passionate connection they once shared… before Carlos broke his heart.
Carlos knows his foolish, immature actions hurt Jules, but he desperately wants a second chance and to show Jules he’s changed. But trust so badly broken is hard to repair. While he works to earn Jules’s forgiveness, someone else at the ranch has his sights set on Carlos—and he doesn’t care how many lives he has to ruin to make Carlos his and his alone.
Review: Carlos is a hard worker and takes his job at the ranch seriously. When an old flame shows up Carlos takes it upon himself to show the man he is not the way the man remembers.
Jules and his stepson Albert move to Mercy under stressful circumstances. Upon learning that the ranch has horses Al is ecstatic and quickly becomes a part of the everyday hustle and bustle of it. Jules on the other hand is wary due to Carlos being his ex lover and the man who broke his heart.
A truly wonderful and sweet story about forgiveness, love and second chances. I loved that Jules did not give in right away and made Carlos prove he was a changed man.
Blurb: Boston in 1888 is quite urbane, but unfortunately for Gil Porter, that isn’t the same thing as being understanding. When his sexuality is exposed by the scandalous suicide of his lover, Gil is exiled to the small town of Mercy, Texas, by his domineering father, George, who believes life on Vernon Porter’s ranch will cure Gil of his “unnatural” desires. Grieving and ashamed, Gil is determined to keep his distance from everyone until he can return home. To his surprise, he finds acceptance at Bent Oak Ranch, especially from Matt Grayson, the handsome son of the ranch foreman. Knowing he must fight his attraction to Matt, Gil courts a local girl, but an unexpected encounter with Matt leads to his discovery of Matt’s feelings for him. Torn between Matt and his desire to be “normal,” between returning to his old life and building a new one in Texas, Gil is faced with a choice—appeasing his father or becoming the man Matt knows he can be.
Review: Gil is shipped to Mercy, Texas to toughen up and become a man according to his father who found out he likes other men. Gil is unhappy and miserable and it shows. When he arrives at the ranch he meets Matt.
This is a back and forth story with Gil questioning himself and trying to come to terms with himself. While I understood it also got tiresome eventually. Matt was not about to be put off and does not let Gil’s attitude change his feelings for the man.
The details of the story were so good it almost felt like I was back in that time era. I was happy that the ranch offered a safe haven for gay men in a time whee is was not safe being found out. Enjoyable and entertaining.
Blurb: In their differences, they’ll find strength – and love. Alpha werewolf Eli Hammond returns from a fishing trip to discover a nasty surprise – five members of his pack murdered and the rest missing. He needs help locating and rescuing his pack mates, but the supernatural council in Asheville, North Carolina, turns him away.
Except for one man.
As they work together, Eli is stunned – and not especially thrilled – to discover half-elf Arden Gilmarin is his destined mate. But as Arden and his friends struggle to help Eli in his quest, Eli surrenders to the demands of his body – and his heart. They’ll need to bond together, because the forces opposing them are stronger and more sinister than anyone predicted. The evil has its sights set on Arden, and if Eli wants to save his mate and the people he is entrusted with protecting, he’s in for the fight of his life.
Review: This is yet another book which I’ve read but couldn’t resist the audio, in fact, I was looking forward to the audio. It certainly helped that I am quickly becoming a fan of the narrator, Andrew McFerrin. He’s definitely in my top three of narrators, I loved the tone he gave the characters and the emotion he added to the plot line just using his excellent voice.
Out of the Ashes is the first book in McKay’s Asheville Arcana series and the first book of the Dreamspun Beyond imprint, which is contemporary romance with a paranormal twist. From start to finish, this was an engaging and sexy romance, with a hot shape shifter wolf alpha. I’m a sucker for soul mates/fated mates and the hard road to their HEA.
Eli Hammond is a strong and sexy alpha wolf, who comes home from a brief getaway to find his pack in disarray. He needs help and it seems that no one is willing to help. That is all except half-elf Arden Gilmarin. As soon as they meet its fate – these guys are meant to be. Well, for Eli anyway, Arden can’t recognize that Eli is his mate but is determined to help the wolf shifter all the same. However, he struggles to come to terms with having a mate and actually being able to accept his mate while helping Eli find his kidnapped pack members.
Eli and Arden have wonderful chemistry together. I love that Eli is a growling, grumpy alpha wolf that needs love in his life, especially after the kidnapping of his pack members. Arden is a total sweetheart, he is totally caring and loving once he comes to terms with his mating. He is a totally positive sort of person that Eli needs in his life. Arden is yin to Eli’s yang.
I am so glad that this is the first book in the Asheville Arcana series, because I absolutely fell in love with Arden’s best friends and confidants, Julian and Whimsy. In a lot of ways Julian and Whimsy are the heroes to this story and I want to hear their stories and hope they find their respective mates and get a sweet and sexy HEA! Too much to ask for? I hope not.
Hi guys! We have Ari McKay popping in today with their upcoming release The Quality of Mercy, we have a brilliant guest post from Ari and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
The Quality of Mercy
(Bent Oak Saga 02)
by
Ari McKay
Gil Porter and Matt Grayson’s Bent Oak Ranch in Mercy, Texas, is a rare haven for gay men in the nineteenth century, and their friend Carlos Hernandez will need it when a man from his past unexpectedly comes back into his life.
Jules Wingate hopes to start over in Mercy as the schoolmaster after a scandal sent him and his son fleeing their former home. But he discovers he’s left one bad situation for another when he encounters his former student and lover, Carlos. No matter how Jules tries to resist, he yearns for the passionate connection they once shared… before Carlos broke his heart.
Carlos knows his foolish, immature actions hurt Jules, but he desperately wants a second chance and to show Jules he’s changed. But trust so badly broken is hard to repair. While he works to earn Jules’s forgiveness, someone else at the ranch has his sights set on Carlos—and he doesn’t care how many lives he has to ruin to make Carlos his and his alone.