Jonah Valliant longs for active service, but is stuck making coffee for the local officers. A year ago, the world erupted into magical chaos. No one knows why Britain is overrun by fearsome worms, magical creatures whose gaze turns men to stone, or how to stop them. When Jonah loses his temper with Wing Commander Mallory, he has no idea that picking a quarrel with the wizard may lead to Britain’s salvation–or its destruction.
Augustus Mallory carries more than the weight of the war effort on his shoulders. He’s the last of the Mallory wizards, feared for their power, arrogance and the dark family curse. He knows losing his heart to Jonah endangers everything Mallory cares about—but Jonah may possess the key to defeating the worms once and for all. His only hope: staving off his doom long enough to learn the secret behind the Quickening.
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Review: I found both Jonah and Mallory adorable in the way they handled their feelings for one another. Jonah for his part was a great asset in determining when worms were near due to his injury. Mallory was unapproachable at times due to the way he acted around others. But when explained the why of it I understood.
The so called curse left me confused. The explanation is that previous family members reacted negatively with rejection. Well that means they can not handle rejection and took matters into their own hands so I did not understand why it was labeled a curse. This is why Mallory stayed away from Jonah at the beginning. I think he let what happened to others influence him into thinking he should be alone forever instead of taking a chance at love.
It was a good read with plenty of action and creatures attacking as well as magic and finding ones self in the process.
Blurb: Even a king gets stung when he reaches for a scorpion.
After barely surviving an assassination attempt, King Adrastes is a changed man—one who mistrusts even his allies and friends. He readies his empire for war against an enigmatic enemy, the Elder of Vededrin, but not everyone approves. While courtiers dare only to whisper dissent, an outrider called Death foments rebellion in the mountains, aided by a prophecy that promises he’ll stop the Black King.
Kendras—former lover to Adrastes and leader of the Scorpions—is sent with his elite mercenary force to bring Death to justice. But when Kendras learns who’s hiding behind the mask, he must choose between his lover Graukar, newly appointed general to the king—and King Adrastes himself.
With no man to call master, the Scorpions could flee the danger and intrigue. But Kendras cannot abandon the man he once loved—or the man he’s growing to love—without first uncovering the real threat to the Empire.
Review: I think it took me forever to find the time and finally finish this book. I seriously hated real life for stealing my time away, but I made it and *sigh* now I’m going to have to go over yet another book-hangover. It’s a thing with Voinov’s books and me, happens almost every time.
A Taste for Poison is the third and final book of the Memory of Scorpions universe, though rumour has it that Voinov is considering writing some shorts about some characters. As a fan, I truly hope it’ll happen.
So back to this book, yet again we were graced with a strong story, capable of grabbing your brain and imprisoning it in the depths of the plot. Action, blood, gore. Love, lust, passion. Jealousy, pain, fury. Intrigues, betrayals, back-stabbings.
More often than not, I felt like living in the story and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful a feeling that is. The intensity of the storytelling is spectacular and leaves you without breath. Expect heart palpitations, heartbreaks, and even a tear shedding or two. Also, expect the sizzling hot passion and the one-of-the-kind love manifestation Voinov is so famous for being able to recreate in writing. And if you think you won’t get bat-shit-crazy mad with characters and events, think again.
The story itself takes a turn and what we suspected in book #2 became reality. It shifted from having Adrastes as the main person of Kendras’s interest to Graukar and while that was expected it managed to shock us with what Graukar suffers in the path of Adrastes’s fury. It will make you cringe and shudder, but it’s well worth it and raises the tension of the story way above high. It made Kendras look so damn good in my eyes too and I think it was about time, as he left me with an uneasy feeling in book #2.
Other than that, I don’t think I need to point out the quality of this book. Anyone who has read a book from Aleksandr Voinov knows to expect only the best. Wonderful editing work, fonts and presentation always making you feel like you’re reading a paperback. There are times I wonder why I can’t smell the pages and I laugh at myself. But you get the point. It’s so nice to have to focus only in the story without having minor details, such as typos or poor proofing, take your concentration away.
In the end, all there is to add here is; if you are not acquainted with the Memory of Scorpions universe I strongly recommend it to you.
Blurb: If you lie with scorpions, you’d better have a taste for poison.
Now that Kendras’s lover Adrastes has claimed the throne of Dalman, Kendras is tangled deeper than ever in politics and intrigue. As the new leader of the Scorpions and Adrastes’s one true friend, he and his men stand between Adrastes and those who wish him dead.
And many do. Adrastes openly challenges the ocean priesthood for power while establishing himself at court and brokering with the realm’s various factions. He means for the Scorpions to become a fearsome legion again, but Kendras must first learn how to be a good officer and recruit to replace the fallen. His choices will determine the future of a group steeped in hundreds of years of history and tradition.
As both Kendras and Adrastes settle old scores, a new enemy arises in Commander Graukar, a war hero loyal to the old order. In his formidable mountain fortress, Graukar may hold the balance of power. But while Adrastes aims to either rule or destroy Graukar, Kendras finds himself doubting Adrastes for the first time, and sharing more with Graukar than he ever thought possible.
Review: Well, it’s finally done and after a long time filled with anticipation, book two of the Memory of Scorpions takes us into yet another enthralling tale.
In direct opposition with Book one, this novel starts relatively calm. Adrastes is now the new Lord Protector and on his way to claim Dalman and her throne with his very own personal guard, the Scorpions, and his lover Kendras at his side as his personal bodyguard. And they are needed too, because Adrastes claims the throne with barely concealed threats.
And it is apparent that this book is quite different from the previous in many ways. It starts calmly and the plot flows steady, slowly taking you through the story. Nearly half of the book is a slow pacing through Adrastes’s setting on the throne, the games and politics of the generals, a slow change on Adrastes’ personality or perhaps character leaving Kendras in a state of uncertainty for most of the read. Now I always thought that Kendras has a lot of inner thinking going on with him, but his new role as Officer has him overdoing it. I’m not sure how much I liked that fact or the drag of half of this story.
However the pace did pick up, the story became quite interesting and surprising. I think I felt the same with Kendras there when it came to Graukar and the Ambassador of the Jaishani. I was astonished with those characters. I expected a brute on Graukar and his genteel soul left me with a jaw hanging. As for the Ambassador, oh my, what a character, and what amazing possibilities that one brings for the future of this series.
So there it is, this book starts shattering slowly into pieces once the action picks up. I loved the “mission,” I loved the amazing help of the Black Legion, I loved the feeling and emotions that came from the unexpected new love affair, and I felt the painful grip in my heart when Kendras finally got a glimpse in his past and his family. I think that was the mostly emotional charged part of this entire second installment, with a second the Betrayal that came to the end. The pinnacle of intensity and what made me so sad in the end, but so very much-needed to give the story the push and reason to move on. As much as I saw the need for it, I must admit I close the book with the thought “poor Kendras.”
Overall, it was a great sequel to the first book however, for me it didn’t quite shake me like the first one. I loved it however and I’m definitely now more interested on the third book of the series. It is now that Kendras will rise and I can’t wait for it. As for this one, it’s quite worth reading it, with amazing scenes of battle and secret missions, the blood we’ve come to expect from the Scorpions, and a great deal of conspiracy and back-stabbing. Recommended!
Kendras is a casualty of war: injured, penniless, and quite possibly the last surviving member of the only family he’s ever had—the elite fighting force known as the Scorpions. When a steel-eyed mercenary offers him medicine and shelter in exchange for submission and a secret task, Kendras has no choice but to accept. He is a Scorpion; he’ll do whatever it takes to survive.
But his true goal is to rebuild the Scorpions. Neither Steel’s possessive nature nor Kendras’s shattered foot can keep him from finding the last of his brothers, or the mysterious leader of the Scorpions, the man who held Kendras’s heart long before Steel tried to take it for himself.
The goal is simple, the situation anything but. To rescue his leader and escape from Steel for good, Kendras must fight through a morass of politics and intrigue where enemies may be allies and even allies have hidden agendas. But Kendras isn’t only fighting for his lost lover and tribe—he soon realizes that nothing less than the birth of an Empire is at stake.
Review: Reader discretion advised. This title contains the following sensitive themes:
dubious consent
explicit violence
Being the first writer to introduce me to the m/m genre, it is safe to say that Voinov is one of my favorite authors. It is also safe to say that I’ve grown to expect anything and everything from this author, from romance to explicit erotica and from sci-fi to extreme dark fantasy.
So I expected to dive in this book and not be released from its spell unless it was over, I expected it to rock my world, I expected it to make me feel and intensely so. Still I didn’t saw it coming full force and hit me like a punch in the gut. And I lost count of how many times I was left there jaw hanging slack and shivers running through my body re-reading the same paragraph over and over again just because it was so very amazingly gritty and violent that I simply could not take my eyes of and move on.
Yes, I’m and addict when it comes to Voinov’s special brand of violence, I’m and addict when it comes to his horrific erotic scenes, and I’m an addict to the way he makes a perfectly terrifying character, one that should make me want to scream and run for my life, to the most delicious and lovable character ever.
If you don’t know this author’s work then frankly you don’t know what you’re missing; if you do than you’ll understand me when I say that more often than not I’m left speechless simply because there doesn’t seem to exist good enough words to talk about it.
In this book, we meet Kendras, a member of an elite military unit, The Scorpions. The unit is the family nobody can shatter. There is nothing above it and all and everything revolves around the members. They fight together, live together, die together and above all, they never stop fighting.
Unfortunately, in the last battle, too many members died and the fear that all is lost is almost consuming Kendras. He’s been shipped away from the field and lost contact with everybody, he’s wounded, to the brink of death but he must keep living and fighting and try to get his way back to find out what happened to his unit, to his Officer.
He must do whatever it takes to get well and on the road again, even if that means to give himself, however temporarily, to Steel, a mysterious man with a hidden agenda and seemingly soulless, who for whatever reason wants Kentras to be and work with him.
And this is how things are set in motion, a wide web of intrigues and political games for power, assassins coming from every corner and people dying from least expected hands. Corruption and hunger of every form are seen and a mind-blowing plot is slowly unraveled, steadily taking every ounce of your sanity away in its path.
The characters are many, their personalities each unique and the dialogues often have a gritty sense of humor you can’t resist. The erotic relations between the characters are limitless and often the lines blur, and the eroticism is heady driving you in a mindless swirl of emotions. Hot, sexy, debauched, or even forced everything is written with a seducing pen that makes even the crudest scene seem strangely alluring. Expect that, expect anything and you’ll be able to ride it in its full glory instead of staring shocked.
The plot was quite powerful too with so many unexpected twists and turns that keep you always on your toes never allowing you to relax for a single bit. And the world created oh my, such an enticing one, I can’t wait for the next book of the series to come just for the brief chance to get in there once again.
If there is one thing about this book that somehow let me down is the fact that we never really saw Kendras in the heart of a battle. Yes, he was wounded for the better part and yes, he did kill somebody, but I was waiting for that bloodthirsty Scorpion to wreak havoc and I didn’t get that. A bit disappointed there but hopefully he’ll come back in book #2 and do just that.
Conclusion after all the above… Well, freaking awesome and definitely on my favorite shelf where books that I take out and read to fix me up are put. The Scorpion is just too good to miss.
Hi peeps, we have Aleksandr Voinov stopping by today with his Memory of Scorpions series blitz, we have Thommie’s reviews and an awesome $25 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway!❤ ~Pixie~
The Memory of Scorpions series is a gritty military fantasy featuring a very diverse, very queer cast of characters. Political drama, court intrigue, love, loyalty, betrayal and a plot driven story line that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The beautiful covers were created by Anna Sikorska.
Scorpion
(Memory of Scorpions 01)
by
Aleksandr Voinov
You learn your wisest lessons from your enemies. Assuming, of course, you survive the encounter.
Kendras is a casualty of war: injured, penniless, and quite possibly the last surviving member of the only family he’s ever known—the elite fighting force known as the Scorpions. When a steel-eyed stranger offers him medicine and shelter in exchange for submission and a secret task, Kendras has no choice but to accept. He is a Scorpion; he’ll do whatever it takes to survive.
But his true goal is to rebuild the Scorpions. Neither Steel’s possessive nature nor Kendras’s shattered foot can keep him from finding the last of his brothers… or the mysterious leader of the Scorpions, a man who held Kendras’s heart long before Steel tried to take it for himself. The goal is simple, the situation anything but. To rescue his leader and escape from Steel for good, Kendras must fight through a morass of politics and intrigue, where enemies are allies and even allies have hidden agendas.
If you lie with scorpions, you’d better have a taste for poison.
Now that Kendras’s lover Adrastes has claimed the throne of Dalman, Kendras is tangled deeper than ever in politics and intrigue. As the new leader of the Scorpions and Adrastes’s one true friend, he and his men stand between Adrastes and those who wish him dead.
And many do. Adrastes openly challenges the ocean priesthood for power while establishing himself at court and brokering with the realm’s various factions. He means for the Scorpions to become a fearsome legion again, but Kendras must first learn how to be a good officer and recruit to replace the fallen. His choices will determine the future of a group steeped in hundreds of years of history and tradition.
As both Kendras and Adrastes settle old scores, a new enemy arises in Commander Graukar, a war hero loyal to the old order. In his formidable mountain fortress, Graukar may hold the balance of power. But while Adrastes aims to either rule or destroy Graukar, Kendras finds himself doubting Adrastes for the first time, and sharing more with Graukar than he ever thought possible.
Even the hand of a king is stung when it reaches for the scorpion.
After barely surviving an assassination attempt, King Adrastes is a changed man—one who mistrusts even his allies and friends. He readies his empire for war against an enigmatic enemy, the Elder of Vededrin, but not everyone approves. While courtiers dare only to whisper dissent, an outrider called Death foments rebellion in the mountains, aided by a prophecy that promises he’ll stop the Black King.
Kendras—former lover to Adrastes and leader of the Scorpions—is sent with his elite mercenary force to bring Death to justice. But when Kendras learns who’s hiding behind the mask, he must choose between his lover Graukar, newly appointed general to the king—and King Adrastes himself.
With no man to call master, the Scorpions could flee the danger and intrigue. But Kendras cannot abandon the man he once loved—or the man he’s growing to love—without first uncovering the real threat to the Empire.
Hi guys! We have L.A. Ashton popping in today with the tour for their new release Valhalla, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Valhalla
by
L.A. Ashton
Sakuma has served as a Valkyrie for centuries, smoothly escorting thousands of souls to the grand halls of Valhalla. While the world tears itself apart during WWII, he is summoned to retrieve the soul of a fallen Japanese soldier, Ishii Hiroshi. To Sakuma’s surprise, Ishii refuses his invitation to eternity.
The two meet again and again as the war repeatedly sends Ishii to death’s door, and what should have been a fleeting encounter becomes something much greater for the both of them.
Sakuma is determined to give Ishii the reward he so deserves, but Ishii’s stubbornness may condemn him to an eternity outside Valhalla.
Hi guys! We have L.A. Ashton popping in today with their new release Valhalla, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Valhalla
by
L.A. Ashton
Sakuma has served as a Valkyrie for centuries, smoothly escorting thousands of souls to the grand halls of Valhalla. While the world tears itself apart during WWII, he is summoned to retrieve the soul of a fallen Japanese soldier, Ishii Hiroshi. To Sakuma’s surprise, Ishii refuses his invitation to eternity.
The two meet again and again as the war repeatedly sends Ishii to death’s door, and what should have been a fleeting encounter becomes something much greater for the both of them.
Sakuma is determined to give Ishii the reward he so deserves, but Ishii’s stubbornness may condemn him to an eternity outside Valhalla.
Hi guys! We have Lee Welch popping in today with hew new release Salt Magic, Skin Magic, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Salt Magic, Skin Magic
by
Lee Welch
Lord Thornby has been trapped on his father’s isolated Yorkshire estate for a year. There are no bars or chains; he simply can’t leave. His sanity is starting to fray.
When industrial magician John Blake arrives to investigate a case of witchcraft, he finds the peculiar, arrogant Thornby as alarming as he is attractive. John soon finds himself caught up in a dark fairytale, where all the rules of magic—and love—are changed.
To set Thornby free, both men must face life-changing truths—and John must accept that the brave, witty man who’s winning his heart may also be about to break it. Can they escape a web of magic that’s as perilous as love?
Blurb: Sweeter than strawberry, darker than blackberry, better than please.
Son of the Wood God, son of a mortal woman, Myrddin has lived a carefree life for sixty years. Now, with his mother dead, the wilderness that has sustained him is an overflowing well of powers he can no longer control. Sent by his father to seek someone who can help him, the one Myrddin finds is a nameless stranger, whom he calls Kas.
Kas, so named, is still what his nature demands he be. He is Death—its essence and its king…its master, and its open gate. Since the first death that came into this world, he has been alone, essential and solitary—until Myrddin. For his sake, Kas aids in building the Rite of Spring, and in the process learns love…and loneliness.
Between life and death, want and need, there is just enough space for a new beginning. The question is how it continues—and whether it ends.
Publisher’s Note: This book is linked to the Eight Kingdoms series.
Review: This book part of a series that I enjoy. However, this book confused me. It hard to tell exactly what was going on. As a result, I was totally lost by the end of it.
The only thing I did understand is that Myrridan meets Kas. Knows he’s what he needs and that Kas had a hard time expressing things in words.
I honestly did not enjoy this book.
Sorry.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: It’s the height of the Depression, and people are desperate for a distraction from their lives. Film director Church Chetwood wants to help them forget—and he manages it with his documentaries and travelogues. But when the saber-tooth tiger he captured escapes, Manhattan’s grave situation only worsens. Now Church is facing ten years up the river.
Black Tuesday left John Smith a homeless sixteen-year-old orphan, and in the past four years he’s survived as best he could. When his path crosses Church’s, Johnny’s looking for a meal, nothing more. Surely after all he’s done, no one could love him—especially not Church, who insists he isn’t “like that.” But Church does have a plan to get away. Maybe if Johnny’s lucky, Church will let him tag along.
Review: This is an interesting and relatively quick read. Tinnean is a new author to me and based on this novella alone, I am sold on the author’s writing style. It was just fun and really easy to read. Call Me Church is an interesting story – it is, essentially, King Kong meets Jurassic Park with a bit of Gulliver’s Travels thrown in. Although the mere mention of Hooterville in depression-era New York City also had me thinking of Doctor Who.
It’s not so much as a romance but as an adventure with a couple of guys who somehow manage to create a relationship by the end it of it. Church Chetwood is a larger than life explorer who made movies to entertain the masses stuck in near poverty. But one fatal and horrible accident destroyed his career and has him on the run from just about anyone. He found Jurassic Park (well, actually Iwi Po’o somewhere in the South Pacific) who he caught and brought back a living Sabre Tooth Tiger for all the public to see.
After many people were killed by the wild beast there were warrants for his arrest and multiple people looking to sue him. Then there is Johnny, he’s barely in his twenties and has been living on the streets since the age of sixteen after the great collapse of Wall Street. John is a survivalist for the most part.
Church and John have instant chemistry, although there is a lot factors working against them. John just wants to live for the day, though, even if he knows that anything with Church could break his heart. The guys are super fun and the pace is rapid, even if the plot and characters are not fully developed by the end of the story.
As I said, this is like King Kong, Jurassic Park and Gulliver’s Travels, so if you like these then you’ll probably enjoy Call Me Church.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: The Lusty Adventures of Theseus Series: N/A Author: Arthur Griffin Genre: MMM Ménage/ Erotic Romance/ Historical Romance (Ancient Greece/Fantasy Length: Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur has never been quite this steamy!
Handsome Theseus journeys to Athens to claim his birthright as heir to the throne, and along the way he meets the roguish Pirithous, who teaches him all about matters of the heart—and body. When they reach the city, Theseus is shocked to discover that his father, the king, has a tradition of sacrificing young people to the Minotaur, the monster that inhabits the island nation of Crete.
Theseus and Pirithous, along with Iphitrion, a slave boy they befriend, set out to slay the Minotaur. After learning Crete is ruled by a mad tyrant with a fetish for orgies, Theseus puts his new skills to the test, fighting, flirting, and fornicating his way through the ranks, working his way past soldiers, satyrs, and gods alike as he attempts to accomplish his goal and save his city.
Review: Theseus, son of Aegis, is sent on an adventure of erotic proportions. He and his allies come across some very interesting people and beings that he has heard of but never seen. And when it comes to him having to do something, well, Theseus is a man who prefers to get things over with.
On his adventures, he comes across and does many things for several different beings and creatures. Some of which he has never done before. But he only has eyes for his ally, Pirithous. The more they travel the more erotic the adventure gets.
I found this piece to be amazing, addicting, and very entertaining. I look forward to reading more by this author as I’m sure you will find as much entertainment in it as I did. I love the way the story is told and the strength of the characters. The description is spot on and the heat is blazing hot.
Go for it as this book will have you more than just entertained.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Protecting His Own Series: Viking Lore, #2 Author: Stormy Glenn Genre: Fantasy/ Historical Length: 114 pages Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (November 26, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: As a berserkr warrior, protecting others came naturally to Ulfr. After watching his family get cut down before his eyes, Ulfr vowed revenge. Decades later, he is still looking for the jarl that slaughtered his family. When he discovers a sexy redhead being held prisoner by the very man he seeks, Ulfr has to decide between vengeance and protecting his mate.
Sold into slavery by his brother, Eitri despairs that he will ever be free. When rescue comes in the form of the biggest warrior Eitri has ever seen, his fascination with Ulfr quickly outweighs his fear of the powerful berserkr.
There are forces at work that threaten to take away all they have found in each other’s arms. A brother bent on seeing Eitri a slave, a mischievous god out to cause trouble, and a murderous jarl willing to kill anyone in his path to immortality are just a few of the obstacles Ulfr and Eitri need to overcome if they want to protect their own.
Review: This is the second book in the Viking Lore series and continues where the first left off. I loved the many characters throughout this story. The Norse were fierce and superstitious. The Gods were another set I loved as they portrayed several and interacted off and on with the characters. The whole story was very intriguing as it combined many different things.
Ulfr and what happened to him as a child broke my heart. I could not believe a Jarl could be so cruel. Ulfr and the others stood by their new leader with loyalty and trust when things went south for the group and protected them with a fierceness that was awe inspiring.
Eitri, I felt sorry for what he had been through and the circumstances surrounding why.
It infuriated me as to who had put Eitri in that situation to begin with. I loved the different species and creatures that seem to be introduced into each book. It adds mystery and suspense to a story that keeps the reader engaged as the story progresses.
The passion is hot and steamy and the battles fierce and deadly.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next book in this fantastic series. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Callum’s Fate Series: N/A Author: Dianne Hartsock Genre: Erotic Romance/Fantasy/Historical Length: 63 pages Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing (Feb 42016) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Blurb: In 1780, Scotland, following a harsh year of drought, Callum Mackenzie is forced from his father’s farm in the hopes of finding work.
But as fate would have it, Callum is lured onto the moors by the will-o-the-wisp. Lost in the dark, he falls into enchantment, encountering faeries and nymphs, until he stumbles into the arms of a licentious Barrow-Wight who lays claim to his soul.
Hearing his silent pleas, Donal sends Liam the gruagach (faery) to rescue Callum and bring him to his farm, a place of refuge from the Fae.
Callum is happy working on Donal’s farm, slowly falling in love with the beautiful, silver-haired gruagach.
Yet there’s something wrong in the nearby forest….
Despite Donal’s warnings, Callum is lured into the forest and becomes tangled in its magic, easy prey for the Barrow-Wight.
Will Liam be able to strike a deal with the Barrow-Wight to save Callum’s life, or has Callum found his last resting place instead?
Review: Hungry and tired from not being able to find work, Callum is lured off the road, into the Moors the will-o-wisp. He finds himself bespelled by the Barrow Eright, rescued by Liam and brought back to Donal’s farm.
But is he really safe from the Barrow -Wright there?
This story moves very fast, is full of mysterious, magical creatures and lots of sweltering hot, wild sex The story is very- well written, and I cannot imagine the research it took to do this story. However, I am going to have to admit this story wasn’t my cup of tea.
I had some trouble figuring out what all the creatures and places were even with the dictionary on my Kindle, which didn’t pull up a lot of the words. I am going to admit where I do read some fantasy it’s also not my favorite genre.
I read it because Dianne is one of my favorite authors and this story is in keeping with her style. Very hot and a bit scary.
If you like fantasy, folklore, Fae creatures, wild, raw sex, you will like this.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Unbound, Unbroken Series: In His Arena, #2 Author: Nasia Maksima Genre: Historical/ Fantasy & Paranormal Length: Novel (335 pages) Publisher: Loose Id (April 21, 2015) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.75 Hearts Blurb: When rising star gladiator Titian finds himself paired with the vainglorious champion Galadros, he finds himself in mortal danger. For a dark spell binds them together, using their lust to make them pawns in the wicked schemes of Alession, the Empress’s right-hand man.
Their only hope is to fight against the bond and hope to break it before Alession forces them to fight each other to the death in the arena. But with every challenge they face, Titian finds himself more and more drawn to Galadros, strengthening the dark spell even as they try to break it.
What begins as pure survival quickly spirals into a whirlwind of lust and love as Titian fights—both for his life and for an impossible future with Galadros. But Galadros has an even darker secret—one that might destroy them both.
Review: This is the second book In His Arena series. Alession is back again to try to cause chaos to appease his crazy empress’ boredom. Personally I don’t like either one of them and am surprised they weren’t killed or injured in the first book.
Titian is secutor who dreams of being dominant instead of being forced into a submissive pair. Galadros yearns for a more dominant partner even though he is the one who is supposed to be. When circumstances and meddling take Titian and Galadros’ partners away they are forced by an Ebon bound, Alession’s slavecraft magic, to become a pair.
Some of the story was a little confusing to me. The arena scenes were often times bloody and violent as is expected with this type of series. But I found it added to the story rather than take away from it.
Good and entertaining.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have James Comins stopping by with his brand new debut novel Fool School, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Fool School
by
James Comins
In the year of our Lord 1040, fourteen-year-old aspiring jester Tom is en route to Bath to begin his studies in the art of being a Fool, following in the footsteps of his father, and his father before him.
Along the way he meets Malcolm, a fire-haired boy with eyes green as forest glass. A Scotsman who’s escaped from the ravages of the usurper Macbeth, Malcolm elects to join Tom at school. Though the journey to Bath is hazardous, it pales in comparison to what they face at the austere and vicious Fool School, where all is not as it seems. A court jester must aim to be the lowest rung on the ladder of life, and the headmaster will not abide pride.
As they journey through life’s hardships together, Tom and Malcolm find they only have each other to depend upon.
Hi peeps, we have Kate Sherwood popping in with her fantastic new release Sacrati, we have a great excerpt (which I borrowed from Riptide), we have a fantastic giveaway and we have Aerin’s review which is pretty glowing! So enjoy the post and leave a comment (with a way to contact you) to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Sacrati
by
Kate Sherwood
As an elite Sacrati fighter in the mighty Torian military, Theos is blessed with a city full of women who want to bear his children, and a barracks full of men proud to fight at his side and share his bed. He has everything he needs—until he captures Finnvid on a raid.
Finnvid is on a secret mission to prevent the Torian invasion of his homeland Elkat. Being enslaved by Torian soldiers wasn’t in his plans. Neither is his horrified fascination with the casual promiscuity of the Sacrati warriors. Men should not lie with other men—and he should not be so intrigued when they do. He definitely should not be most intrigued by the leader of the soldiers who captured him and plan to invade his home.
For Theos, everything would have been easier if the infuriating, lying, bewildering Elkati had never come into his life, but he can’t stay away. When betrayal and treachery threaten both their nations, they must work together to stop a war that could destroy their homes forever—even as they begin to question everything they’re fighting for.
Hi guys, we have Torquered Press’s newest anthology Mythologically Torqued stopping by today, I’ve pinched an excerpt and there’s a great giveaway… we also have Lisa’s review (sorry about the girly bits Lisa 😀 *cough*). So guys enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Mythologically Torqued
(Anthology)
by
Leigh Ellwood, L.J. Hamlin, Eva Lefoy, V.L. Locey, Jacey Mills, Alisha Monroe, Shiloh Sadler, Alyx Shaw, Delilah Storm, T. Strange, Carol Tierney, Angelique Voison, Max Wilde, Salome Wilde, Logan Zachary
Mythology, whether classic or modern, has always taken readers on a magical ride. Mythologically Torqued, volume I, takes those tales from days of old, or more recent history, and places a unique spin on the beloved lore.
The gods of Olympus make appearances, as do deities from Japanese, Norse, and other belief systems. With rampant sexual desires, these gods manage to slake their thirst for passions of the flesh in a rather untraditional manner…if the oral traditions passed down from generation-to-generation were at all accurate.
These fifteen short stories are penned by both seasoned scribes and new authors; the anthology provides readers with the perfect opportunity to explore offerings from their favorite storytellers as well as find a new favorite or two. And, a unique perspective on the stories we enjoyed—or were forced down our throats at the hands of a sadistic English teacher or two—in our youth.
Containing both M/M and F/F stories from authors Alisha Monroe, Alyx Shaw, Angelique Voisen, Carol Tierney, Delilah Storm, Eva Lefoy, Jacey Mills, L.J. Hamlin, Leah Ellwood, Logan Zachary, Max Wilde, Salome Wilde, Shiloh Saddler, T. Strange, and V.L. Locey, Mythologically Torqued volume I is sure to have something for every penchant.
Eros finds his soul mate in the arms of a demigod friend in L.J. Hamlin’s In Love with Zeus’ Son. In Shiloh Sadler’s Clipped Wings, two men on a plantation find love under the most unusual circumstances in 1842 Missouri. V.L. Locey’s Back to the Garden, Pan hits up Woodstock with the sun god Apollo—sex, drugs, and rock and roll take on a whole new meaning. In Brísingamen, Carol Tierney offers us the story of a magical necklace, and the payment goddess Freyja delivered to four dwarven sisters for it’s creation. Delphinos, by T. Strange, is a modern-age retelling of Dionysus’ creation of dolphins. In Angelique Voison’s version of the Japanese Moon Princess myth, Reiko is tasked with bringing the Emperor’s future bride, the fabled Moon Princess to court, and complications arise when Reiko falls head over heels for Kaguya. Charged with ensuring Sisyphus fails, Hercules is conflicted by his feelings for the former ruler in Angelique Voison’s How HerculesGot His Bruise. In Leah Ellwood’s Styx and Stone, Ferrying souls across the Styx is a lonely business, but Charon doesn’t mind—newly arrived Stone is more than willing to keep him company. No one believes in the Greek gods anymore, and Apollo is in a rut, Ganymede—cupbearer to the gods— tries to get Apollo to see what’s in front of him in Jacey Mills’ Another Night at the End of the World. Salome Wilde’s Eternal Grind offers a corporate take on Christian Hell, populated with horned and hoofed demons inspired by medieval monks’ fertile imaginations, which follows a pair of lesbian demon baristas, determined to find their own happily-ever-after. In the distant past, Ero was the god of desire, but in present day, he looks for love with Psy—a peerlessly gorgeous mortal man—and needs to keep a secret, in Alisha Monroe’s The Myth of Ero and Psy. Bound by chains and defenseless, Thor is being held captive by Garrick, a young man also forced to service until demands are met in Logan Zachary’s Bound by Desire. Together, attraction ignites between Thor and Garrick—can love grow if it is bound by desire? In Delilah Storm’s The Golden Balls, true love’s kiss is powerful, and Jasper’s sexuality awakens—will Anur be able to keep Jasper in this sleepy little kingdom? A spurned lover, mythical horse, and a public official walk into a pub—murder, mayhem, and everlasting love result in Alyx Shaw’s The Kelpie.
*Title was free on publisher’s website at time of this posting* Title: A Most Unusual Courtship, 2nd Edition Series: The Mage and the Leathersmith, #0.5 Author: Nancy M. Griffis Genre: Historical (Regency England)/ Fantasy / Alternative World Length: Short (32 pages) ISBN: 978-1-63476-156-7 Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (April 13th 2015) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Reviewer: Leigh Blurb: Gerald Smithson, master leathersmith, has ample reason to distrust mages. He doesn’t take their commissions and steers clear of them wherever possible. When Lord Leo Harris tries to hire him, Gerald sends the mage packing. Unfortunately, the simple act of Leo entering his shop brings Gerald to the attention of a Dark mage who kidnaps him as a chance to get to Leo.
Now Leo must not only rescue Gerald, but find a way to win his heart. It will be an unusual courtship, to say the least.
Review: This was a cute and interesting little short. It takes place in Regency England I believe, but it’s an alternative world. The Ancient Greeks long ago approved same-sex marriage and mages are commonplace.
Gerald is a local leathersmith reputed to be the best in London, exactly what Leo is looking for. But due to past experiences with mages Gerald refuses to do any work for them so he sends Leo on his way. Not that Leo lets that deter him, or the fact that Gerald gets kidnapped.
Not a lot of information is given on the characters, so their history is a little incomplete and questions are left unanswered. But it was definitely enough to pique my interest for more.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Well peeps, we have a great treat for you now, J.A. Jaken has stopped by for a visit with her brand new release Through the Last Door, it’s a fantastic fantasy story and we convinced J.A. to tell us about writing Through the Last Door, she’s also letting you all have a peek at an excerpt and we have a fantastic giveaway where you can win your own copy! So enjoy the post and my review and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Through the Last Door
by
J.A. Jaken
When Kaori Sansa’s father dies, he is forced to return home to claim the throne as the rightful heir of the country of Kazure. In the aftermath of his father’s death, he learns that the country he loves is riddled with corruption, and is hovering on the brink of war. Will he be able to hold the kingdom together despite the odds that are stacked against it, and somehow unlock the buried powers of Shinja, the Sacred Beast of Kazure?
Hi peeps, we have Kalya Jameth stopping by on her A Spartan Love blog tour, we have a tantalising excerpt and a fantastic giveaway for you to enjoy. So enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
A Spartan Love
by
Kayla Jameth
Alone, Andreas toils on a remote farmstead for a Spartan overlord. When a kryptes enters his world, Andreas fears for his life. The dread warriors stalk and kill helots—like Andreas’ father—as part of their training.
Andreas sees only one way to save himself: he must tame the fearsome warrior.
But what began as self-preservation develops into attraction. Yearning for the company of someone other than his ferret Ictis, Andreas decides to trust the Spartan warrior and risk the fate that claimed his father.
Born to rule by the sword, Theron sees the world as his and acts accordingly, taking everything Andreas offers and reaching for more. However, love between men in Sparta is considered shameful and requires either exile or suicide to redeem Sparta’s honor. Now, only the gods can save them from the terrible price Sparta extracts from men who desire other men.