Tag: GLBT High Fantasy

Rampant, Vol. 1 by Amy Lane (2nd edition)

Title: Rampant, Vol. 1 (2nd edition)

Series: Little Goddess|Book Four, Vol. 1

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (280 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (October 11, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Lady Cory has carved out a life for herself not just as a wife to three husbands but also as one of the rulers of the supernatural communities of Northern California—and a college student in search of that elusive degree. When a supernatural threat comes crashing into the hard-forged peace of Green’s Hill, she and Green determine that they’re the ones in charge of stopping the abomination that created it. To protect the people they love, Cory, Bracken, and Nicky travel to Redding to confront a tight-knit family of vampires guarding a terrible secret. It also leads them to a conflict of loyalties, as Nicky’s parents threaten to tear Nicky away from the family he’s come to love more than his own life.

Cory has to work hard to hold on to her temper and her life as she tries to prove that she and Green are not only leaders who will bind people to their hearts, but also protectors who will keep danger from running rampant.

First Edition published as Rampant: The Fourth Book of the Little Goddess Series by iUniverse, 2010.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63476-349-3

Product Link: DSP Publications | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: A lot happens in this continuing series of Little Goddess. Cory and Green come together to battle unseen forces. Nicky, Cory and Bracken struggle with their lives as they face difficult decisions. I thought the story was interesting except for female parts as I’m an m/m reader but decided to read these since they had been on the list a while.

Thoughtful yet provoking each character added their elements to a well written story that draws the reader into a fantasy world of paranormals and conflicts. I loved the added mix in the story.

I do not want to give anything away in this review so the reader will be able to experience the story for themselves. This is a good story if your looking for a mix in genres. Yes there is a cliffhanger that continues in the next book that is already out.

Great read.

The Dragon’s Devotion by Antonia Aquilante

Title: The Dragon’s Devotion

Series: The Chronicles of Tournai 05

Author: Antonia Aquilante

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novel (286 pages)

Publisher: NineStar Press (September 4, 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Corentin is a scholar with a secret—his magical Talent allows him to turn into a dragon, and he isn’t alone in that ability. Long ago, dragons were hunted fiercely, until they went into hiding, becoming things of legend. Corentin has traveled the world with one aim—to protect his people and keep their secret safe. Drawn to the principality of Tournai by news of someone close to discovering that secret, he hopes to avert suspicion. His attraction to the too-serious Bastien isn’t convenient for his purpose, but it isn’t something he can ignore either.

Lord Bastien, Earl of Ardesia, inherited his title unexpectedly when his parents were killed in a sailing accident along with the parents of his cousin, Prince Philip. Since then, Bastien has devoted his life to the obligations of his family and estate—so much so, that it has caused tension between him and his siblings. His world is further shaken when he receives an anonymous letter informing him that the tragic boating accident may, in fact, have been murder. Bastien throws himself into investigating whether the allegations are true and finding out who killed his parents.

As Corentin and Bastien become closer, the mystery of Bastien’s parents’ death draws him further into danger. Corentin feels compelled to protect Bastien, but the threat is closer than they know. Now, Corentin must decide whether preserving his secret—and potentially his people’s safety—is more important than saving the man he loves.

ISBN: 978-1-947139-78-7

Product Link: NineStar Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: You could read this book as a stand alone however, some characters from the other books make an appearance in this one as well. This story is about growing into ones self. Learning to traverse life and become the best person you can be.

Lord Bastien will go to any lengths to protect family, land, business and those he loves or considers friends. I loved how nice he was too. Despite a personal tragedy he does the best he can do and when he needs help he asks for it.

There was a wide variety of characters throughout this book, too many to name, that added to the overall delivery of the story. I do not want to give away events or situations that take place so I’ll just say it was a good addition to the series.

Great read.

The Merchant’s Love by Antonia Aquilante Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Antonia Aquilante - The Merchant's Love RB Banner

Hi guys, we have Antonia Aquilante popping by today with her new release The Merchant’s Love, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

The Merchant’s Love

(Chronicles of Tournai 06)
by

Antonia Aquilante

Faelen, cousin to the prince and son of a diplomat, has finally come home to Tournai after years away. The pull to return was almost tangible, and the sense of rightness at being back is absolute. He wants nothing more than to put down roots and build a life among family while pursuing his linguistic studies. Becoming involved in magic meant to protect Tournai isn’t part of his plans…but falling in love is even more unexpected and unfamiliar, but he finds himself doing just that as his friendship with Maxen deepens into something more.

Maxen, second son of a wealthy merchant family, longs to leave Tournai and see everywhere he can. All his life, he’s found places on maps and dreamed, planning out routes to get to them. For now, he’s tied to Tournai’s capital city by family obligations and his position in their shipping business. Someday, though, he’ll be able to travel. His sudden attraction to Faelen shocks him, but their friendship soon becomes a necessary part of his life. Love, however, has no place in his plans, especially not love for a royal cousin with secrets who wants nothing more than to stay in one place.

For Faelen and Maxen to build something real between them, they must resolve their differences, but when magic goes awry and all Faelen’s secrets are revealed, will Maxen remain at his side?

Continue reading “The Merchant’s Love by Antonia Aquilante Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Quickening, Vol. 2 by Amy Lane

Title: Quickening, Vol. 2

Series: Little Goddess Book Five, Vol. 2

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (284 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (June 13, 2017)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥  4 Hearts

Blurb: The elf queen who infected the werewolf population isn’t going away—and neither are the two heartbeats that will soon be the children in Cory’s arms.

Cory’s used to throwing herself physically into the fray, but as their enemy gets closer and more dangerous, she’s forced to choose between her safety and the people sworn to protect her. Her guardians are tired of worrying about Cory and her unborn children, and Cory is getting plain tired.

The preternatural world isn’t her only worry—basic human birthing rituals are going to be a pain in the ass for a woman whose children will be sidhe. Cory’s mother is still fuzzy on the concept of a polyamorous multispecies marriage and sets her up with an OBGYN obsessed with the inhuman silhouettes of her babies.

Cory doesn’t want her children born in the middle of a turf war, but the people she and Green have nurtured and fought for aren’t about to let her face this enemy alone. This battle is for queen and home, and the babies quickening in Cory’s body are a symbol of hope. Cory’s going to have to give up the idea of being a weapon and embrace the idea of being a mother, or she’ll let down those depending on her most.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-441-8

Product Link: DSP Publications | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I have no words for how I feel about Nimuetia except she is a delusional elf queen with visions of grandeur at any cost. I was disgusted at what she did to the werewolves for her own gain.

There is a lot going on in this installment as battles rage and Cory is pregnant with her mates in full protective mode. The action scenes were quite jaw dropping as was the overall plot with the elf queen. I loved the characters good and bad as they each added their own elements to the book to make for an interesting read.

Though I myself am not a huge fan of this series due to a female being the MC I still liked it. Well written and drama infused this story grabs hold and does not let go until the very end.

Great read.

Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall

Title: Magic Runs Deep

Author: Alex Whitehall

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, High Fantasy

Length: Novel (182 pages)

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (April 9, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: For the last five years, Veier has been chained to a king’s throne in his bear form. When a neighboring kingdom overthrows the crown, Veier’s imprisonment ends, but true freedom is not so easily earned. With blood on his hands, he needs someone with patience, strength, and trust to help him become the person he was before and prove to the invaders that he isn’t the monstrous king’s loyal pet.

Elrid, the invading king’s brother and a powerful mage, is everything Veier despises. He’s also the only thing between Veier and execution, because he thinks he can help Veier change from an aggressive bear shifter into a reasonable man. While the pair have a rough start, with long talks and mutual leaps of faith, they begin to care for each other.

However, the closer Veier gets to his freedom, the closer he is to losing Elrid. He must find balance in his heart and his life if he wishes to truly claim the freedom he’s been given—and the man he loves.

ISBN: 978-1-62649-747-4

Product Link: Riptide Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Veier has been a captive of a king for Five years. He’s been in his bear formed chained to a throne. He’s been forced to do some unsavoury things for the king. Then one day invaders come and even though he is ferocious and attacks one decides to show him mercy and take him home when they return.

Elrid is not afraid of Veier as he see’s him for who he really is. I loved the slow romance. The trust building between these two is not instant like in some books. It made sense that Veier would have a hard time trusting anyone after what he has been through.

The plot was wonderfully written with mystery and a dash of suspense thrown into the mix. I loved the story and enjoyed it very much.

Fantastic read.

Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Alex Whitehall - Magic Runs Deep TourBanner

Hi guys! We have Alex Whitehall stopping by today with their new release Magic Runs Deep, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Magic Runs Deep

by

Alex Whitehall

For the last five years, Veier has been chained to a king’s throne in his bear form. When a neighboring kingdom overthrows the crown, Veier’s imprisonment ends, but true freedom is not so easily earned. With blood on his hands, he needs someone with patience, strength, and trust to help him become the person he was before and prove to the invaders that he isn’t the monstrous king’s loyal pet.

Elrid, the invading king’s brother and a powerful mage, is everything Veier despises. He’s also the only thing between Veier and execution, because he thinks he can help Veier change from an aggressive bear shifter into a reasonable man. While the pair have a rough start, with long talks and mutual leaps of faith, they begin to care for each other.

However, the closer Veier gets to his freedom, the closer he is to losing Elrid. He must find balance in his heart and his life if he wishes to truly claim the freedom he’s been given—and the man he loves.

Continue reading “Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Cloaked in Shadow by Ben Alderson

Title: Cloaked in Shadow

Series: Dragori 01

Author: Ben Alderson

Genre: Fantasy, Military & Wars

Length: Novel (330pgs)

Publisher: Oftomes Publishing (December 5, 2017)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts

Blurb: Dragon Shifters. Magick. Elven Royalty.

Zacriah Trovirn is concerned with two things in life: hunting and dodging Petrer, the boy who broke his heart.

Heartbreak becomes a distant concern when Zacriah is taken to the Elven capital of Thessolina, where he is forced into King Dalior’s new legion of shapeshifters. But Zacriah isn’t a shapeshifter. In truth, he doesn’t know what he is.

Zacriah joins forces with new friends and they soon find themselves embroiled in a clash between the three Elven continents. With war on the horizon, Zacriah must learn to use his latent magick to fight and protect those he loves before they are destroyed.

“Romantic tension, heartwarming friendships, thrilling pacing, all wrapped in the fantasy world of elves you’ve been waiting for. Alderson deftly paints a world that’s rich in intriguing magicks and peoples. Once Zachariah’s story pulls you in, you will not be able to put this down!” – Elise Kova, USA TODAY Bestselling author of Air Awakens.

“One word. EPIC!” – Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

ISBN: B075R773K9

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: One day Zacriah, an elf, is invited with may other elves to attend a feast at the king’s palace. What he does not expect is for all of them to be poisoned with a sleeping potion. However not all fall asleep. Those that do not are told of an enemy the Morthi, that are attacking villages and that the elves, they are shifters, are being called to arms for the king. This is where the prince Hadrian comes in.

I loved this story. It was magical, secretive and adventerous. Zacriah has a secret. When it comes time to shift he can not. He is taken to Prince Hadrian. Together they figure out some things are not as they seem and set out to find the truth while trying to keep each other and themselves alive.

A wonderful story with a great cast of characters. I found myself riveted to the story awaiting the outcome. The secret Zac and Hadrian have are awesome. The evilness that plagues the palace is scary with it’s intentions and deception.

Fantastic story that I am looking forward to reading more of.

Quickening, Vol. 1 by Amy Lane

Title: Quickening, Vol. 1

Series: Little Goddess | Book Five, Vol. 1

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (316 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (May 2, 2017)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Cory thought she’d found balance on Green’s Hill—sorceress, student, queen of the vampires, wife to three men—she had it down! But establishing her right to risk herself with Green and Bracken had more than one consequence, and now she’s facing the world’s scariest job title: mother.

But getting the news that she’s knocked up takes a back seat when a half-elf hunts them down for help. Her arrival brings news that the werewolf threat, which has been haunting them for over a year, has finally arrived on their doorstep—and it’s bigger and more frightening than they’d ever imagined.

Cory throws herself into this new battle with everything she’s got—and her men let her do it. Because they all know that whether they defeat this enemy now or later, the thing she’s most afraid of is arriving on a set schedule, and not even Cory can avoid it. The trick is getting her to acknowledge she’s pregnant before she gives birth—or kills herself in denial.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-439-5

Product Link: DSP Publications | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: As with all the books in this series there is a lot going on. Cory finds herself pregnant and is not overly happy about it. At the same time she starts school. Then there is the part elf girl wanting their help to rescue a boy in jail that is part of the werewolf issue.

I found myself at times a little bogged down but never the less it was a truly well written, well balanced story with all the usual happenings in this series. A little of this and that drew the reader into the ongoing series like a fish swimming through water with the occasional danger from others.

Intriguing and fascinating this story certainly delivers.

Great read.