Merchants of Milan by Edale Lane Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys! We have Edale Lane visiting today with the tour for her new release Merchants of Milan, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a brilliant $10 Anazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~

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Merchants of Milan

(Night Flyer 01)
by

Edale Lane

Three powerful merchants, two independent women in love, one masked vigilante.

Florentina, set on revenge for her father’s murder, creates an alter-ego known as the Night Flyer. Madelena, whose husband was also murdered, hires Florentina as a tutor for her children and love blossoms between them. However, Florentina’s vendetta is fraught with danger, and surprising developments threaten both women’s lives.

Merchants of Milan is the first book in Edale Lane’s Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like gadgets and gismos, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and fast-paced action with a slow-boil lesbian romance, then you are sure to love this series. Buy this one of a kind novel today and let the adventure begin!

Warnings: reference to an off-scene rape, fighting violence

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK | Past&Prologue Press ❣️**.•.•.

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Caledonia Destiny by Lexi Ander

Title: Caledonia Destiny

Series: Blessed Bane 01

Author: Lexi Ander

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical

Length: Novel (416pgs)

Publisher: Lexi Ander

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: A twist of fate changed both their destinies.

The wyrbears, once a long-lived species, were being lost to the forest in their prime. A people borne of a curse, their abilities not a gift but something wrongly taken, they nonetheless live in harmony with their animal spirits. But over time the curse they lived under changed, mutated, and now what once was a refuge from the world when they became too weary is culling mathan in their prime.

Ewen mhic Friscalach, the leader of his peoples, lost his father too early and is now a widower with four children. The vow he made as a youth to break the curse afflicting wyrbears has been buried by grief and responsibility.

Roi mhic Alric, a priest of Cerridwen and seer, watched his fellow priests slaughtered and his temple desecrated. The only thing that kept him going the last three horror-filled years was the vision Cerridwen had granted him of his emancipation. If freedom came at the cost of his life, well, he was more than ready for the Otherworld.

A fated meeting upon a bloody field of battle. A wrong done long ago. Their choices could save a people… or send them into extinction. Either way, their love will be legend.

**Caledonia Destiny started out as 31k short story that had a happy for now ending. Now, years later, I have rewritten and expanded the original to 111k.**

ISBN: 9781386704423

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This book was so good after I got used to way the sentences were phrased. I loved the background and the story about the two wyrs one of which wanted to travel to see the child he met.

The story became even more engrossing to learn about the curse Ewen and all those involved directly or indirectly. There was a great cast of characters that brought the story to life. As well as brilliant descriptions of the landscapes throughout.

My heart broke for Roi and Ewen and all they had been through and what was to come. I loved how fiercely protective Ewen and Roi were of each other. The amazing twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat as I never knew what was coming though I did figure who Fordels spirit was meant for.

Well written with the right amount of drama and action plus magic and love with were thrown in made for an outstounding read that I could not put down. I am so ready for the next book to see what awaits.

Fantastic read and highly recommended.

Caledonia Destiny by Lexi Ander Release Blast, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hiya peeps! We have Lexi Ander visiting today with her new release Caledonia Destiny, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant 3x $10 Amazon GC giveaway and Shorty’s review, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Caledonia Destiny

(Blessed Bane 01)
by

Lexi Ander

A twist of fate changed both their destinies.

The wyrbears, once a long-lived species, were being lost to the forest in their prime. A people borne of a curse, their abilities not a gift but something wrongly taken, they nonetheless live in harmony with their animal spirits. But over time the curse they lived under changed, mutated, and now what once was a refuge from the world when they became too weary is culling mathan in their prime.

Ewen mhic Friscalach, the leader of his peoples, lost his father too early and is now a widower with four children. The vow he made as a youth to break the curse afflicting wyrbears has been buried by grief and responsibility.

Roi mhic Alric, a priest of Cerridwen and seer, watched his fellow priests slaughtered and his temple desecrated. The only thing that kept him going the last three horror-filled years was the vision Cerridwen had granted him of his emancipation. If freedom came at the cost of his life, well, he was more than ready for the Otherworld.

A fated meeting upon a bloody field of battle. A wrong done long ago. Their choices could save a people… or send them into extinction. Either way, their love will be legend.

**Caledonia Destiny started out as 31k short story that had a happy for now ending. Now, years later, I have rewritten and expanded the original to 111k.**

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Caledonia Destiny by Lexi Ander Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hiya peeps! We have Lexi Ander visiting today with the cover to her upcoming release Caledonia Destiny, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant 3x $10 Amazon GC giveaway, so check out the cover, enjoy the excerpt, and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Caledonia Destiny

(Blessed Bane 01)
by

Lexi Ander

A twist of fate changed both their destinies.

The wyrbears, once a long-lived species, were being lost to the forest in their prime. A people borne of a curse, their abilities not a gift but something wrongly taken, they nonetheless live in harmony with their animal spirits. But over time the curse they lived under changed, mutated, and now what once was a refuge from the world when they became too weary is culling mathan in their prime.

Ewen mhic Friscalach, the leader of his peoples, lost his father too early and is now a widower with four children. The vow he made as a youth to break the curse afflicting wyrbears has been buried by grief and responsibility.

Roi mhic Alric, a priest of Cerridwen and seer, watched his fellow priests slaughtered and his temple desecrated. The only thing that kept him going the last three horror-filled years was the vision Cerridwen had granted him of his emancipation. If freedom came at the cost of his life, well, he was more than ready for the Otherworld.

A fated meeting upon a bloody field of battle. A wrong done long ago. Their choices could save a people… or send them into extinction. Either way, their love will be legend.

**Caledonia Destiny started out as 31k short story that had a happy for now ending. Now, years later, I have rewritten and expanded the original to 111k.**

Release date: 9th July 2018

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Raise the Red Flag by Eric Del Carlo

Title: Raise the Red Flag

Author: Eric Del Carlo

Genre: Science Fiction, Alternative History

Length: Novel (200 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (January 23, 2018)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2 Hearts

Blurb: In an 1867 that never was, the American colonies are finally gearing up to revolt against oppressive British rule enforced by advanced technology. British airship captain Hamilton Arkwright is captured by the rebels when his vessel is commandeered. The insurgents are also aided—reluctantly—by young Jonny Callahan, a thief and ne’er-do-well who would rather carouse on the streets of New Orleans than fight for independence. When the two seemingly opposite men are thrown together on a harrowing journey across the war-torn colonies, they must grudgingly rely on each other for survival. Despite their efforts to resist, the attraction between them threatens to throw a wrench in their plans to remain enemies.

They battle their way through American guerillas and a demolition-derby-type highway to reach the decimated streets of Chicago, where British forces are preparing to commit a war crime of enormous magnitude. Though affection has grown between them during their mission, they are still on conflicting sides, and they may have to choose between loyalty to their causes and their love.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-079-3

Product Link: DSP Publications | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: An interesting turn for the time period. Hamilton and Johnny are engaging characters with a love interest. But things are from easy for the two. There is a mystery of sorts, a plan to capture Captain Hamilton that has Johnny in it’s midst.

Though I did like the story I found some things difficult to understand. Aside from that the plot was different yet intriguing for this time period. I loved reading about the colonies revolt, how they went about things in this alternate view.

Amazing details about the history and each character throughout. The science fiction element was a nice touch that added to the story rather than detract from it. All in all it was a good read with a great cast of characters that added depth to the story.

Good read.

Wehr Wolff Castle by B. Bentley Summers Blog Tour, Playlist, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys! We have B. Bentley Summers visiting today with his new release Wehr Wolff Castle, we have a great excerpt, B. Bentley’s playlist and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

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Wehr Wolff Castle

(The Wehr Wolff Chronicles 01)
by

B. Bentley Summers

During the rise of Nazi Germany, Hagen Messer joins the Royal Air Force as an American soldier who specializes in tracking. He’s attached to British commandos and given a seemingly simple mission—to find a captive and destroy a dam—but everything goes awry. Hagen’s plane crashes into Germany’s Wehr Forest and he has to use his extrasensory abilities to track the captive to nearby Wehr Wolff Castle, a secret Nazi base where vile experiments are being conducted.

Hagen and his surviving team members must sneak into the castle and devise a way to destroy the experimental labs creating diabolical creatures. Hagen is horrified to find Nazis and scientists with no scruples, and at the most inconvenient time, he learns that he may be in love with one of his teammates, an Irishman named Liam. In order to protect his love and his friends, Hagen must feign nonchalance amidst pure degeneracy and suspicion. Hagen soon discovers, though, that he is in over his head.

What may not only redeem him, but also save his lover and friends, is a childhood past and a darkness lurking deep inside him, just waiting to be engaged.

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo

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The Shining Ones by Dusk Peterson Book Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have Dusk Peterson stopping by with The Shining Ones, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the book and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

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The Shining Ones

(The Eternal Dungeon
This is a side story to the series.)
by

Dusk Peterson

“He was skilled by now at making innocuous remarks in the presence of the Shining Ones. Nobody had even guessed that he knew what they were.”

The Eternal Dungeon is filled with prisoners who shine like the sun.

No one knows this except Barrett Boyd, a guard notorious for having survived a disciplinary punishment that should have killed him. He is also notorious for his rebellion against the authorities of the royal prison. At a pivotal time in the Eternal Dungeon’s history, when abusive practices of the past may finally be abolished, Barrett finds himself drawn to the mystery of a younger guard, Clifford Crofford, who claims that he and Barrett are love-mates.

Barrett has no memory of this. He has no memory of anything before his punishment. What does the past matter, compared to Barrett’s determination to protect the prisoners? But Barrett cannot ignore his bond with Clifford, and the closer that Barrett comes to Clifford, the more the danger arises that Clifford will question Barrett’s sanity. . . .

This novelette (miniature novel) of disability and love can be read on its own or as a side story in The Eternal Dungeon, an award-winning speculative fiction series set in a nineteenth-century prison where the psychologists wield whips.

The Eternal Dungeon series is part of Turn-of-the-Century Toughs, a cycle of alternate history series (Dark Light, Waterman, Life Prison, Commando, Michael’s House, and The Eternal Dungeon) about disreputable men on the margins of society, and the men and women who care for them. Set between the 1880s and the 1910s, the novels and stories take place in an alternative version of America that was settled by inhabitants of the Old World in ancient times. One of the series in the cycle, Waterman, combines elements of the 1910s with retrofuturistic imagery from the 1960s.

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James Eyre by Jade Astor Cover Reveal!

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Hi guys, we have Jade Astor popping in with her upcoming release James Eyre, so check out that stunning cover! <3 ~Pixie~

Jade Astor - James Erye Cover

James Eyre

by

Jade Astor

A gender twisting adaptation of the classic Gothic romance Jane Eyre!

In Victorian England, 21-year-old James Eyre, frightened by his feeling for another man, decides to leave the boys’ school where he has spent ten years, first as a student and then as a teacher. He manages to secure a position as a private tutor for Axel Vance, the ward of a wealthy man who owns an estate in Yorkshire. 

From the night of his arrival, James begins to sense that things are not as they should be at Thistleton Manor, the home of the enigmatic Edmond Manchester. Late at night, wild screams seem to echo through the house, and during the daytime objects disappear from James’s room and are replaced with sinister-looking voodoo dolls. Though his instincts tell him to flee, James stays on because he enjoys his duties and the company of his pupil—and even more so because he has begun to develop an attraction for his employer, Mr. Manchester. 

To his surprise, Mr. Manchester seems to return his feelings. However, a jealous former lover and a phantomlike presence in the house seem determined to tear them apart. If he is to have any hope of a happy future with the man he loves, James must solve the mystery of Thistleton Manor and save Edmond’s life as well.

Release Date 21st January 2016
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About Jade

Jade Astor is a longtime fan of both m/m and f/f erotic love stories, and got her start writing paranormal and sci-fan fan fiction back when such publications were still run off on photocopiers, stapled together, and shipped out to other fans in manila envelopes. Years later, she was delighted to find a thriving population of like-minded writers and readers in the ebook community. When she is not writing, Jade enjoys sculpting, tinkering with computers, and training (and retraining) her small herd of unruly but adorable rescued Chihuahuas.

Website | Dark Hollows Press Author Page | Facebook

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Origins by Zev de Valera

71NfLTTDukL._SL1425_Title: Origins
Series: Talisman Ring of Amenhotep, #2
Author: Zev de Valera
Genre: Historical/ Paranormal/ Fantasy
Length: Novella (97 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (January 16th, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.75Hearts
Blurb: Drawn into the past to face his future.

A new relationship. An ancient ring that you’ve slipped upon your finger. So far, so good. Life is looking up. But then you uncover the mystery surrounding that golden ring. Your life will never be the same.

So it is for veterinarian Julian Wingate. Struggling to come to terms with the ancient power which can be wielded by the Talisman Ring of Amenhotep, Julian must work to hold together his relationship with his lover, Dinesh Daas, who harbors his own dark secrets, while battling his nemesis, the mercurial Directrix, for control of the alien science at the heart of the Talisman Ring’s history.

ISBN: MLR-1-02014-0362

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ZVORIGNS

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I really enjoyed reading this intriguing story. I couldn’t believe how old the directrix was simply because of an ancient ring. The ring itself was beautifully described.

The powers the ring held were awe-inspiring.

There were so many twists in this book with people attempting to back stab each other to get the ring Julian had by any means necessary. Loved the history and origin of the ring. Felt very sad for Amenhotep having to watch his lover, Nergal, pass away. What intrigued me the most were the wings on Nergal’s back.

Well written and full of drama, intrigue and mystery. The sex between Julian and Dinesh was hot. Great read.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

The Green Man's Bounty by S.A. Garcia

818-bwr6KdL._SL1425_Title: The Green Man’s Bounty
Series: N/A
Author: S. A. Garcia
Genre: Erotic Romance/ Historical (WWII)/Fantasy
Length: Novella (67 Pages)
Publisher: MLR Books (December 19th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Can a Druid accept Christmas by helping WW2 orphans?

When a war-torn Druid meets his legendary Green Man, he discovers a new meaning to Christmas by helping Jewish orphans.

ISBN: MLR-1-02014-0351

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=SAGGRNBT

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This was a really cute and tender story. There are parts of it that will have you in tears and cheering in others.

Roger is a Druid that has seen the worst in wars. He just wants to take some time to recoup. The best place was in the home of a man he had known for a while. He had not expected Ben’s son to be there and to be grown. Lynn is a gorgeous man and amazing cook. He plays Santa when needed also because as he says he doesn’t need the fake belly. He is so damn tender-hearted and full of joy.

He is also in love with Roger. They both have to learn about each other. And with Roger’s down side, he knows he needs a bit of care. Roger wants to bring some children that were orphans from the war but doesn’t expect Lynn to go all out.

He is full of joy and is falling in love.

This story is a historical one that involves children orphaned in WW2. I have never been one to read historicals but this one is special. It has a bit of humor involved in it but is mainly a serious tone. I actually loved it and look forward to reading more by S. A. Garcia.

What a wonderful story to read when you need a book to cheer you up. It shows the love two men have for children and how they want to give them a life that is so much better than back where they are from. It caught my attention from the moment

I started reading it and kept it all the way to the end. I had a blast reading it and would recommend it to everyone. It was pretty damn amazing.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

A King Undone by Cooper Davis

81bivsL0nnL._SL1500_Title: A King Undone
Series: Noble Pleasures #1
Author: Cooper Davis
Genre: Paranormal/Alternate Worlds/ Historical
Length: Novel (254 pages)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (December 9, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 1/2Hearts
Blurb: Sometimes you have to risk everything, to follow your heart…

In a world where gentlemen openly court and marry fellow noblemen, the threat of scandal still lurks behind every velvet drape for kings and princes. Such has been the fate for King Arend Tollemach, forced to sacrifice his heart on the altar of regal duty.

Now that his wife is dead and his royal obligations are at an end, he’s ready to take an unthinkable risk. King Arend seeks a concubine from Temple Sapphor, a secretive, gated world where he will finally shed his virginity—as least as it pertains to making love to a man.

Julian never thought he’d spend ten years on the temple shelf, passed over again and again. Just when he despairs of ever finding placement in a nobleman’s bed, Arend walks into the temple. A lonely eyed, beautiful king who could easily steal his heart.

Arend discovers he has no problem opening his bed to the exquisite concubine. The problem lies in finding the key to his long-shuttered heart.

Product Warnings
Contains a beautiful, virgin king desperate to bed another man, a concubine who fantasizes about being claimed and revered by a strong monarch, and a sea of scandal set against a sensual, palatial backdrop.

ISBN: 9781619224278

Product Link: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5273/a-king-undone

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: In a time of kings and concubines it is frowned upon any king or noble marrying another man without scandal. Arend had his hopes and dreams taken from him the day he told his father, the king, he betrothed himself to a male prince. Incensed his father demands he marry a female and immediately break off the engagement with the prince. Heartbroken, Arend does as his father orders. Years pass and he is now the king. After his wife passes, he finally gives in to his own wants and brings a male concubine into his palace.

Julian has been passed over many times in the temple. All he wants is to feel loved and needed after so long being alone. His brother sold him to the Temple when he was assaulted and then accused of leading the man on.

Julian seems like an intelligent, smart, strong man who has made the best of the life that was taken from him. Arend seems for all the word a confident man. These two seemed well matched together despite several people trying to them apart.

It really broke my heart at what both Julian and Arend went through when they were younger. No one has the right to sell someone nor do they have the right to demand they marry someone they have no wish to be with simply because of how someone else wants things to be. Everyone deserves to be happy with whatever life they choose to live. Wonderfully written fantastic story that I absolutely enjoyed reading.

Can’t wait to read more in this series.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*

Groom of Convenience by Vicktor Alexander Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have Vicktor Alexander visiting us again and this time it’s with Groom of Convenience his brilliant regency romance with a difference. Vicktor was kind enough to answer a question for us and there’s a great excerpt and giveaway. So enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~ 

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Groom of Convenience

(Scandalous Whispers of the Remmington Realm 01)
by

Vicktor Alexander

In an alternate universe, in the country of Angland, 1814, the gentry live lives of culture and class. It is a time of courtships, marriages of convenience, and titles, where scandal can ruin an entire family. Gender lines are blurred, and making a good match is of utmost importance. Children are born to men and women, which has led to the acceptance of same-sex marriages. 

Lady Lucien Timothy Hawthorne is shocked and angry when he is betrothed against his will to Lord Heathcliff Eddington, III, the Duke of Pompinshire. While drowning his frustration at a popular gentleman’s club, he meets “Robert,” a gorgeous older man whom he sleeps with as “Timmy,” regardless of the potential damage to his reputation. 

After their liaison, Lucien corresponds with Robert via letters left at Remmington, and they decide to elope. Before they can get away, Lucien meets his betrothed, Heathcliff, who he is surprised to discover is also his beloved, Robert. Both men desire a marriage of the heart, but they find out that sometimes a marriage of convenience can turn into love under the right circumstances. But Lucien has a secret, and Tlondon isn’t as safe as they once thought.

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Spears and Stones by Holly Meadowes

18469419Title: Spears and Stones

Author: Holly Meadowes

Genre: Alternative, historical, time travel

Length: Novella (71 pages)

ISNB: 9781627404549

Publisher: Siren Publishing (September 7th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Ansgar, the son of a powerful Germanic chief, is hunting with his brother one day, but far from finding a wild boar they find a young, fiery haired man dressed in strange clothing. Fearing that he may be in league with the Romans that their tribe are fighting against or an escaped slave from one of said Roman camps, they take him prisoner.

The young man claims that he is from a time in the distant future and is searching for the myth of the Flame Thrower. As Ansgar tries to decide whether or not this boy is truly mad, trouble brews over the threat of Roman invasion. The fiery haired boy, Cinead makes a deal with Ansgar. If he fights with them against the Romans, he will be rewarded by being escorted to a great stone monument, which he claims he was transported here by and allowed to go home. The German warrior decides to humour him, but as they plan and train and fight together and he sees the strength, tenacity, cleverness and general beauty of Cindead, he begins to realise that, mad or not he doesn’t want him to leave.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/spears-and-stones

Review: I loved this novella.

It was filled with the perfect amount of detail, the right amount of sexual tension and a hot sex scene or two. I found the characters were right to be with each other. Though the story was only told in Ansgar’s point of view, it is just as good as any other romance. I found it to be one of my favourites: from the plot, to the romance, to the characters themselves.

Lord of the Forest by Kay Berrisford

Lord of the Forest - Kay BerrisfordTitle: Lord of the Forest

Series: The Greenwood 03

Author: Kay Berrisford

Genre: Historical (1217), Fantasy

Length: Novel (200pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (9th April 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: England, 1217. Dark forces are rising. In the Greenwood, foul spirits grow powerful, and greedy barons plunder the lands. Only one man dares fight back–Robin Hood.

Robin’s band of brothers is broken. Now a lone warrior, he denies his famous name and laments the friends and lovers he’s lost. When the fair folk capture Cal, a beautiful young forester descended from the Greenwood’s ancient protectors, Robin rescues him and forges a new alliance.

Despite a sizzling attraction, Robin senses Cal isn’t like his old comrades, and he’s right. Cal’s been raised as a royal spy. He plans to seduce and betray Robin, but can’t harm the man he’s falling hard for. Mistrust and arguments spill into passionate lovemaking, as Cal learns the meaning of loyalty, fighting beside Robin, the only friend he’s ever known. Even the enchanted forest seeks to bind Robin and the returned protector ever tighter.

Their connection will be tested by nature’s wildest forces, Robin’s past, Cal’s lies, and in a baron’s darkest dungeon. To survive, Robin and Cal must admit their love and embrace their true destinies. Only then can they save England and each other–and win their happiness ever after.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/newest/current-month/the-greenwood-3-lord-of-the-forest.html

Review: This book is part of a series, but can be read in any order. Robin Hood’s friends are all gone now, dead or starting families. All alone, he now wanders no longer with a focus. Entering the Greenwood, he just might find a new destiny at hand. Cal is a royal spy, trained to use anything at his disposal to ferret out the secrets of the Barons. From a young age, his mother warned him about the Greenwood and the warnings were dire. Now, trying to find a new secret leads him into the Greenwood and to Robin Hood. But, the fair folk are not happy to see him and his deceit and lies come back to haunt him. Robin knows that Cal might betray him, but fighting and loving together brings trust. Until outside forces seek to rip them apart and they have no choice, but to trust in each other if they are to survive.

Although this story is marked BDSM & Fetish there is no real BDSM or Fetish in this story. I think they have labeled it so because there is some fantasy tree sex (it is the Greenwood), a bit of spanking and a bit of a torture scene (involving whips). Robin Hood is alone and lonely.  His entire old band has gone. Finding himself in the Greenwood has him meeting folktales, an old enemy and a young man he shouldn’t trust. Cal’s mother fled the Greenwood when her lands were seized. She warns Cal never to go to the Greenwood, but an assignment forces him to and the fair folk have no forgiveness for traitors. Sometimes nature can be at odds with itself and can be less than forgiving. As Robin and Cal struggle to find their footing in the situation, their love grows. But, can they overcome lies, deceit and their pasts to embrace their true destinies?

Ah. The Greenwood that fantasy forest of the Green Man, Wild Men, Niogaerst, fairy Queen (Elfaene), Herne the Hunter and the water spirit, Sulis. We are pulled into a wonderful new story that combines fantasy with history, myths with facts, and legends with historical figures. combining everything together to give us a new spectacular Greenwood story. Robin Hood, one of the greatest English legends of all time, Cal a royal spy in the employ of William Marshal the Regent and Baron Odo, Robin’s greatest enemy and a thorn in the crowns side, put them all together and we have loyalties shifting, doubts played upon, lies and manipulation, greed, need, betrayal, lust and love. Robin and Cal make surprising discoveries and it is far from easy for both these characters as they make decisions that could drive them apart.

I will recommend this story to those that love history mixed with their fantasy, who love folklore and legends, hot sex and a happily ever after.  

 

 

Choices by Grace R. Duncan

ChoicesLGTitle: Choices

Series: N/A

Author: Grace R. Duncan

Genre: MM & More / Historical Fiction / BDSM

Length: Extended Novel

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (March 4th, 2013)

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3~3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hire—until one night they’re caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.

Bathasar doesn’t want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for now—despite the abuse he may suffer.

The peace doesn’t last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim’s new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he’ll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?

A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3611

Review: It is always your choice. You choose between an iron collar and a gold one, or between a gold one and a unique labeled one, or between a unique labeled one or none at all. It’s always your choice.

Teman had no difficulty choosing the gold collar that would make him a pleasure slave. Yes, his body no longer belonged to him or his life, but that choice held the best possibility for an escape. if only his brain would stop thinking about sex long enough to form a plan.

Then there came Bathasar and when he offered the choice for Teman to be only his slave, his love, his man, the choice was even easier than the first time for Teman. So he traded his plain gold collar, for a better one that held his masters name.  A tag that clearly labeled his as Bathasar’s property. And while they were so much more than that, his gypsy soul always craved freedom.  But, freedom soon became just a dream when his best friend Jasim was gifted to an Empress and Teman was left alone with only his love to contain him.

But when time came that his one and only love could offer him a life with no collar at all the choice was not so easy anymore. The freedom Teman so much longed for came at a price; choose it and lose your love, chose your love and forget freedom forever.

This was quite a lovely book, one that in my opinion had the potential of being exceptional. This is the tale of a slave that his spirit fed in freedom.  The tale of a crown prince that had no love for his crown.  The story of a cruel and malicious malik (equal to king), who had no compassion for human life. The malik, Bathasar’s father had a strong sadistic side that cost him the hatred of many people, his own and foreign. Teman’s ability to endure and Bathasar’s infatuation with the slave only fed the malik’s cruelty more, and it caused him to lose control in front of a court dinner when many foreign royalties were present.  This in turn caused many treaties downfall. The malik’s insanity though goes further when he tries to assassinate the Empress of Tiantang and assault her country, something Bathasar eagerly tries to prevent. They have one chance to get rid of the cruel ruler and that involves Teman and his ability to endure whatever the malik has in store for him in order to provide distraction. A choice hard to make that might cause him his life.

While this book was very entertaining it had strong weaknesses in the plot both in how the characters reacted and responded, and the incredibly fast way they fell “in love”. In such circumstances as monarchy to be able to display such weakness in front of the court as the Malik did is simply not realistic, even more so to have a guest challenge your authority in your own palace, or get in a position that would draw that such response.

As for the pair’s fast escalating emotions and those of the Empress with Jasim, let just say that I’m not fond in declarations of love the first night a pair gets together. This passage is precisely what I mean:

Bathasar didn’t care that Teman had been a thief, didn’t care that he was now a slave, didn’t care about any of that. He liked Teman’s personality, liked Teman’s humor, liked all of that.

However Bathasar simply never had the chance to get to know Teman and fall in love for Teman himself. While Bathasar might have gathered information and was fascinated with the slave, strong emotions such as love are too much for me to swallow when they came the very first night of their “lovemaking”. I simply wish there was given some time to the pair to bond, it would have made the read much more believable and intense.

Furthermore the balance between the intimate scenes and the story itself was very poor. The sex scenes were numerous and managed to draw focus from the story at the point where you felt the story was only 100 pages in a near 400 pages novel. While steamy-hot is perhaps a huge understatement for the scenes and the intensity they had, it still became tiresome and made you wish they were less. They also gave me a bad taste when it came to Teman’s character. The book starts with a very strong, mysterious Teman, one who was always the level-headed and the one to keep things in control while Jasim was the fly with the wind guy. That person however is lost in the haze of lust and love, making one slight appearance and then lost again. I often felt that it was such a shame for that wonderful personality to be deduced in a mindless pleasure thing.

And as for the action itself, too many lost opportunities in my opinion to create a tension like no other. The fear the malik could cause was a bit lost and sometimes it made no sense as in why he would act the way he did.

So at this point you might very well wonder why give 3.5 hearts at all to this story. As I said, while not exceptional, I enjoyed the read. It was too long, yes but still it did keep me in its hooks and I got completely lost in the story. The fact that the intimate scenes revolve around orgasm denial and frustration are a plus cause I’m just a sucker for mind games and this book is all about that. Kinky, hot, sensual and mind-blowing the erotic scenes were extremely powerful in too many ways. In addition the story is located in eleventh century Arabia, one of my favorite areas, in a time when the harems were in full bloom and indeed human life was nothing more than the ruler’s property.

What can I say, I was fascinated by this story and if you are even remotely interested in all the above I recommend take the dive. Aladdin and Jazmin have nothing on Teman and Bathasar. 😉

Erasing Shame by Yeyu

ErasingShameLGTitle: Erasing Shame

Series: N/A

Author: Yeyu

Genre: MM / Bittersweet / Tragedy

Length: Novel

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 22nd, 2013)

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: The son of a Han traitor who had let the Xianbei Mongols invade the borders, Jiang Shicai swears to restore his family’s honor, hoping to better the Hans’ lives through peaceful means. He believes violence is never the answer, but to gain respect, he finds himself fighting for the Xianbei.

Ten years later, an annoying but handsome playboy, Dugu Xuechi, arrives as the incompetent new military inspector of Shicai’s region. Shameless, irresponsible, and obnoxious, Xuechi tests Shicai’s patience almost every second. Despite their mutual dislike, Shicai finds himself drawn to the capricious man, especially when he sees the resemblance between Xuechi and his deceased best friend. Yet Xuechi’s self-destructive behavior and refusal to accept help require attention that distracts Shicai from his goal for peace–and it doesn’t help that Xuechi is Shicai’s strongest political opposition. Haunted by a childhood promise he never had the chance to fulfill, Shicai must choose between his feelings and his values.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3593

Review: This novel is one of the most extraordinary ones I’ve read in a long time. I’m still feeling a deep sadness and valiantly trying to compose myself, while at the same time I’m shocked with how emotionally powerful Erasing Shame is.

This is an alternative universe ancient China, a world created by the author based on the Six Dynasties. Being a created world though doesn’t mean that the culture portrayed in the book doesn’t feel realistic. I was immensely satisfied with the historical feeling of that area the story has. The explanations the author provides greatly help you not only follow the story in a better way, but even understand a bit about ancient Chinese culture.

This is the tragic story of the Rong Empire Heir and his best friend/love who is doomed to betray him. This is a tragic story of a very strong love that is doomed not to prevail.

Jiang Shicai first met the Heir Lan Yu when he was a little boy of six years old. Though it seemed extremely unlikely the two of them formed a great friendship and Shicai swears lifetime loyalty and support for the young Heir. Children’s oaths doomed to fail when at age 15 Shicai’s father betrays the Han people and the Empire by letting their enemy pass their borders resulting in the slaughter of all the Imperial Family save Yu and his mother. Five years later the last of Shicai’s hope dies, when news of Yu’s suicide reaches him. Feeling hopeless and helpless, drown in shame and despair Shicai vows that he will restore the family name and honor Yu’s death by making whatever in his power to help the Han people.

Ten years after his father’s betrayal Shicai will face new challenges in the face of a young playboy/inspector named Xuechi. His resemblance with Yu will distract Shicai, his exuberant behavior will irritate him and his rare moments of vulnerability will forever seduce him. His goal to achieve prosperity for the Han will be constantly overthrown by his object of desire; hidden truths will remain in shadows until the moment things come crashing down leaving Shicai yet again hopeless.

In a world surrounded by corruption, greed and cruelty love will bloom, yet it can only exist in a world of make belief, behind masks of happiness, because when those masks fall cunning manipulation, deep, dark hatred and twisted feeling unveil.

Our characters are doomed from the beginning to fail. Xuechi’s long life trauma and hatred will not allow him to stop, sacrificing everything and everyone on his way to revenge never allowing anyone close enough to help, never asking for help. And Shicai’s strong ideals and sense of honor blind him from his love, pride and ego getting in the way ultimately ending losing the one person that ever meant something for him.

We also witness other types of “love” in this book, coming from loyal servants, who despite or because their idolizing their masters end up never seeing what would be the one thing that would make them happy. And of course the one-sided loves of loyal subordinates and people who blindly love their superiors ending up draining them with their demands or their ignorance of who their object of worship really is.

It was painful reading about Xuechi, his many personas and facades hiding a deeply isolated person, wounded and suffering that horrible emotional pain. His end was perhaps the saddest one I’ve ever read and although Shicai truly break down with it, I couldn’t help feeling a bit anger toward him and his ideals that cost both of them so, so much. Both characters in the end suffered their own punishment for their choices however cruel it was.

Erasing Shame might be a tragedy, but it is definitely a brilliantly written book. It’s pace and suspense will always keep you on your toes and it honestly won’t let you stop until you reach the bitter end. At times you will feel like a child, you will laugh and smile, you will read about the wondrous Chinese culture of that area and the incredible diplomacy and sophistication of those people. You will feel anger and despair along with the characters and even a little sick with the cruelty and brutality of others. But in the end you will love this book.

For me this is a must-read book and I wholeheartedly recommend it. It is simply too good to miss.

 

Snow Bite, Blood Red by Jade Astor

Title: Snow Bite, Blood Red

Series: Once Upon A Man 01

Author: Jade Astor

Genre: Historical, Medieval, Paranormal, Alternate World, Vampires

Length: Novella (132pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (30th June 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Albion leads a sheltered life until he is chosen to break the curse that has befallen their king. A nightwalker who feasts on human blood, King Jasper knows regaining his humanity means draining the life from the man he loves.

A man-loving twist on a classic tale. The younger son of a powerful lord, Albion leads a sheltered life with his father and half-brother, Rosarius. Everything changes for him when he is summoned to King Jasper’s palace. Much to his brother’s resentment, Albion is chosen to help break the curse that has befallen their ruler.

Forced to live as a creature who shuns the daylight and feasts on human blood, King Jasper has nearly given up hope of finding the true love that can restore his humanity. Just as he starts to believe Albion may be the one to heal him, a mysterious assassin tries to put a stop to their growing passion. With the forces of dark magic working against them, Jasper and Albion must find a way to outwit death and forge a life together.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1101/?zenid=3a799ff1718524eeb8af84fb253e2a71

Review: Albion gets his first glimpse of the King, when he is taken to court after his coming of age. He can scarce believe the tales his brother tells him and is shocked to learn his brother wishes to ensnare the King. But, his brother’s plan backfires, when Albion is chosen instead. Jasper has fallen foul of a curse laid upon him because of his father’s actions, now forced to drink blood and living in darkness he only wishes to break the curse. But, finding the one man who can break it is difficult, when Albion seems to have an effect on him, someone sets out to get rid of Albion.

This is a well written twisted rendition of Snow White with a bit of Beauty and the Beast thrown in. Albion is a sheltered young man who has just passed his eighteenth birthday and with his coming of age, he is invited to the King’s yearly party to introduce all the newly eligible young men to the King. Albion is dragged into a ploy by his brother to ensnare the Kings attention and when Albion is chosen, Rosarius is far from happy. Jasper just wants to find the one who can break his curse, but it is getting harder and harder to live with the lonely existence and dashed hopes, until Albion brings hope back into his life and it puts Albion’s life in grave danger.

Albion really has been sheltered and is very naïve about life. He has had his own secret longings and when he meets the King those longings take on a life of their own. Albion is just so trusting that you want to protect him from all the evil in the world. And Jasper, well, with Jasper you want to take all the hopelessness and loneliness away. They make a really sweet couple, and you can’t help wondering if it isn’t because he has the right blood and more because of how they feel for each other.

So, I will recommend this to those who love a fairy tale with a twist, danger, intrigue, witchcraft, erotic lovemaking and a very happy ending.

 

 

 

Alexios' Fate by Kayla Jameth

Title: Alexios’ Fate

Series: Apollo’s Men 01

Author: Kayla Jameth

Genre: Ancient Greece, Mythology

Length: Novella (179pgs)

Publisher: Breathless Press (13th April 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Seduced by a king, pursued by the god Apollo, and wooed by his slave, can Alexios escape his fate and find love?

Mature King Lykos has a sexy confidence that turns Alexios’ head. Seduced by Lykos, Prince Alexios discovers a world of men he’s never known before.

Meanwhile his slave Galen has gotten tired of waiting in the wings. He sets out to woo Alexios and win his heart.

Even Apollo can’t leave Alexios alone. The young prince finds himself pursued by a god and in danger of a perilous love.

How will Alexios follow his heart when he unwittingly wins the favor of a god? Can Alexios escape the fate of Apollo’s past lovers and have the man he wants?

Warning: Contains a scene containing rape.

Purchase Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/alexios-fate

Review: Alexios has reached the age to take a mentor, but his father is using it as a way to secure allies through a betrothal.  Alexios catches King Lykos’ eye and Alexios finally notices his slave, Galen, and a god decides to shape his future for his kindness towards Apollo’s prophet, Cyrus.  But, due to the bitterness and jealousy of one man, everything might be snatched away with Alexios’ life.

I absolutely love Greek mythology and this story is a prime example of the wonders of the Greek gods. Alexios is coming up to his eighteen birthday, the time when he is to choose a mentor.  After meeting all the visiting Kings there is little doubt in his mind who he wants as his mentor and that man also happens to heat his blood. Galen has watched his master with lust in his eyes for a while and now finally his master is noticing him back. But, then Galen is attacked in his master’s chambers. Lykos has many reasons for courting Alexios and one of them is to punish Alexios’ father.

There is quite a bit going on in this well written novella and it all leads back to Alexios, in one way or another; his treatment of Cyrus brings him to the attention of Apollo, Lykos’ attention leads Alexios to take more notice of Galen and Alexios father’s bitterness and resentment leads him to call the wrath of the gods. This is a really enjoyable story with a twist for Alexios at the end. Alexios is a red-blooded male who is just finding his oats with men so there are some passionate clinches and longing looks with some special lovemaking for Galen.

The characters in this book are great and meld well together to give us an image in our minds of the interactions and attitudes of the ancient Greeks. The image of the gods having such interaction with the mortals and the rules that even the gods had to abide by. and it gives us an interesting tale that I really enjoyed. I know there are two more stories planned in this series and I am hoping that they will have Cyrus in there somewhere, so we can see how he is progressing.

I will recommend this to those who love Greek mythology, hot sex, gods, the wrath of gods, twisty background stories and a happy for now ending.

 

 

Noble Metals by L. A. Witt

Title: Noble Metals

Author: L.A. Witt

Genre: Steampunk, History, Suspense

Length: Novella (116pgs)

Publisher: Carnal Passions (2nd January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

 Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

 Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ever since he gambled away his chance to make it to Dawson City during the Klondike Gold Rush, Robert Belton has been stranded in Seattle working as a prostitute. When an attractive customer carrying a mysterious wooden box comes into the brothel in search of a bed for the night, Robert’s more than willing to oblige. When he learns his customer is also looking for a crew to help him haul provisions to the gold fields in the frozen north, Robert jumps at the chance and volunteers.

Dr. John Fauth is only looking for one thing in Dawson City, and it isn’t gold. He needs platinum for his semiconductor research, and if he doesn’t find it in the Klondike, the university that employs him will be more than happy to redirect their funds to more profitable scientists. Just getting to the gold fields is a grueling, dangerous journey, especially when a competitor will stop at nothing to get his hands on an invaluable device in John’s possession.

As they fall for each other out on the bitterly cold trail, John and Robert may just find themselves with more to lose than they could ever gain in the gold fields of the Yukon Territory.

Purchase Link: http://www.carnalpassions.com/store/product.php?id_product=103

Review: Robert is working as a whore after losing his money gambling.  When a handsome customer admits that he is looking for men to help him on his journey Robert jumps at the chance to get to Dawson City, even offering to take half-pay. John is desperate for his invention to come through for him.  But, first he has to slog through the trail to Dawson City, in the biting cold while avoiding the men who have been tailing him and letting no one know about his invention.

I enjoyed this story for its simplicity, for its combining of fact and fiction, for the hot sex and the gentle love. Robert has never known the touch of a man when he wasn’t paid for it, when John walks into the saloon and into his bed it’s the first time that he has genuinely wanted a man and would gladly have paid John for the pleasure. John just needs someone to help him with his equipment so when Robert offers for half the wages he jumps at the chance and on the journey fraught with danger he comes to trust and love the former whore.

This is a story that takes you on a journey.   It’s about trust, it’s about love, it’s about hopes and dreams as these two men struggle to survive against the elements and against those who want the invention. This story is from both POV while Robert’s is done in a normal prospective John’s is mainly through his journal, you can see how these men become closer and although there is some hot sex the circumstances don’t allow for it to be prolific.   A lot of the time they spend together is for warmth and talking is the main activity.

So in all truth… if you love hot sex, danger, mystery, a journey of natural danger, thieves, threats and a happy ever after with some great Steampunk then this is the book for you.

 

 

 

First Watch by Peter Hansen

Title: First Watch

Author: Peter Hansen

Genre: Action, Alternate History (1926), Horror, Romance, Dark Fantasy

Length: Novella (56pgs)

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (30th October 2011)

Heat: Explicit

Heart: 4

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Do you want to live? In the darkness of a WWI battlefield, young Legionnaire Edouard Montreuil lies dying. As teeth nibble his flesh, a voice whispers, Do you want to live? Frightened and desperate, Edouard bargains his freedom for a second chance.

Aboard the Flèche, a grim submarine captained by the nightmare who granted Edouard new life, Edouard pays the price for his survival. Each night, he gives his body to his captain as the bells sound first watch. But surviving is not living, and as the days stretch into months beneath the waves, Edouard grows desperate for escape.

Can Edouard’s old comrade Farid Ruiz help him break this devil’s bargain, or will Ruiz fall to the same fate, trapped beneath the waves at the mercy of a monster whose hunger knows no bounds? Edouard and Ruiz served together once before, and slept together too, but courage and passion failed to save them from the eldritch beasts who roamed the night. This time, the cost of failure is nothing so clean or simple as death, and the spoils of victory are not just life, but love.

Purchase Link: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/first-watch

Review: Edouard is desperate to escape from the clutches of the monster that saved his life.   He begs his friend to help him out of his situation. Farid agrees to help his old friend and lover out of the mess he is in without knowing the full facts and he just might live to regret it.

Whoo hoo…dark fantasy, come to momma. This book is very good and will give you a myriad of emotions to ponder. Edouard wants out of the bargain he made during WWI as his payment is too much to take any longer.  He’s tried to run in the past but he is always found. Farid agrees to help him but it backfires and now… well, let’s just say, it wasn’t the best plan in the world.

The story-line was good and was really well written but I must admit the cover mislead me slightly.   Okay, it mislead me a lot because I was expecting it to be a science-fiction inter-species romance and then I read the blurb and I was a bit disappointed.   but I said to myself “hey it’s fantasy paranormal type so chin up”.

Now we have dubious consent sex scenes between the Captain and Edouard although it’s mainly foreplay that we witness between them and the scenes are quite erotic for those of us who are twisted like that.  For others it might be quite horrific. The scenes between Farid and Edouard were erotic and hot and I also felt sorry for Edouard because he kept having flash backs. I also felt very sorry for the Captain because although he was a monster he genuinely seemed to love Edouard and I wanted to cry a little as he lost Edouard.

So I recommend this to those who love alternative history, paranormal, dark fantasy, kinky tentacle sex, hot man sex and a happy for now ending.