Blurb: Confronting the darkness of his past, he finds the light of his future.
After years gadding about Europe, Everett Gerard can no longer avoid his responsibilities. Word has come that a child bearing the unmistakable Gerard stamp has shown up at the family estate—and he realizes it’s time to face his demons.
As his carriage nears the gates of home, he fights the urge to flee the memory of the horrible crime he witnessed as a child. Yet the Abbey delivers surprises and delights he never expected.
Miles Kenway was content with his quiet life as the Abbey’s bailiff, until the wild child, clearly a bastard son of some Gerard, upends his peace with constant pranks and mischief. And when the master of the house arrives, an unsettling attraction heats Miles’s blood.
As they clash over the fate of the ancestral land, they battle a powerful desire to grapple in ways that could disrupt the delicate balance between master and servant. But when the boy’s real sire appears, they must unite as only true fathers can to protect the boy whose mischievous charm has captured their hearts.
Review: Dee and Devon spin a magnetic tale of two very different men coming together under social and familial difficulties, finding love through a common goal. Namely, to raise and care for a wild, abandoned boy whose heart, not his parentage, matter. The obvious struggles of social class, master/servant, hiding their romantic nature, and raising a wounded, insecure child combine to create plenty of drama, heat, and suspense. I was ensnared by the characters so much I wanted more! I wanted to see this family blend, observe the sister’s reactions, see how they handled raising the boy as more years advanced. I do enjoy family drama and historical romance. and if you do too, I’d recommend this read!
Blurb: Michael McCree is one with a mysterious past, who ends up as a newspaperman, thereby meeting the strikingly handsome Simon Hart, who comes to his shop to turn in an obituary notice.
Simon’s flat-mate and former business partner has been killed, and Simon, a private investigator, needs to track down the murderer. Michael, immediately smitten with the sulky and sexy man, lays a plan to first become his new roomer, then his business partner.
But Simon, stricken by his recent loss, is having none of Michael’s undisguised interest.
Not a man to be deterred easily from a goal, Michael sets about winning Simon’s affection. That particular battle is almost as difficult as tracking down the murderer of his predecessor, a nosy detective who was getting too close to the crimes of an evil person.
Simon spends more time ducking Michael’s advances than actually finding clues and solving the mystery. Inquiring minds want to know—how hard is Simon really trying to avoid Michael? And Michael isn’t hiding his forthright urges, but what secret is he hiding?
Review: Michael works in a newspaper, he is also a man of mystery and secrets, he meets Simon when the man comes in to put a notice in the paper, Michael is intrigued by the man and decides that he will get closer to him. Simon is an investigator, who is looking for a new flat mate because his best friend and business partner, Sargent, was murdered, and he has no interest in letting a hooligan like Michael anywhere near him. Simon finds himself with Michael as his new flat mate and prospective business partner and, if Michael has his way, his soon to be lover, but Simon can’t shake the loss of Sargent and needs to find his killer.
This is an interesting mystery story set in a fictional city in the 1920s. Simon has just lost the man that he secretly yearned for, Sargent was murdered, and now Simon is determined to find out by who. Michael has secrets from his past, when he meets Simon the challenge of corrupting the sexy stiff man is too much to ignore. As he gets to know Simon, he wants something permanent he divulges one of his secrets and he decides to join up with Simon and help him with his investigations. Simon is resistant to Michael’s charm at first but Michael can be very persuasive, as the two become close and their investigations heat up they discover that Sargent’s killer may be from close to home and that the killer has their fingers in more than one pot.
Michael and Simon are very different characters, Simon is stuffy, rigid and likes the finer things in life, and Michael is rough, scruffy, and lusty. Putting them together was an interesting combination especially when it came to the sex scenes, with Michael alternating between gentle and rough coaxing of the virginal and prudish Simon. The mysteries that are investigating were quite rudimental, a dog snatching and blackmail, but the most interesting one is Sargent’s murder. Discovering the connections and secrets as we go along makes for an interesting story, and the characters as they open up to each other gives us a romance that is unlike many that we read about.
I will recommend this to those that love historical eras, opposites attracting, danger, threats, investigations, and a great happy for now ending. I will be interested to see what comes next for Simon and Michael.
Series: Love Has No Boundaries (Goodreads) Author: Eli Easton Genre: Historical/Medieval
Length: Novella (32,000 words)
Publisher: Goodreads (June 4th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: This is a tale about two medieval English knights—Sir William Corbet, aka the Lion, and Sir Christian Brandon, aka The Crow. In a time when duty was everything, personal honor was more valued than life itself, and homosexuality was not tolerated by the church or society, how can these two men reconcile their deepest, most secret yearnings to love another man?
Sir Christian was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for the sake of his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers are, he learned to survive by using his wits and developing a gift for strategy. He feels little loyalty to the system that’s abused him since birth.
Sir William, a large and fierce warrior, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. But when he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to undertake a journey with Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, even his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.
This story is offered free as part of Love Has No Boundaries Event
Review: I’ve always enjoyed a good medieval romance about knights, kings, conquerors and the rough times they lived. This is a wonderful and convincing blend of those gallant men and how an m/m romance may have played out. There is deceit, adventure, bloodletting, battle scenes, heroic rescue, and of course daring love scenes. I won’t give it away, but I love the scheme the MC comes up with to save the day and attempt to rescue the damsel in distress. If you love tales of knights and castles, you’ll love this gem of a story.
The German occupation is in full swing. Marcel, a famous singer at Levalle’s, grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and now leads a complicated life. Juggling his common-law wife and his mistress keeps him as busy as his career. But then disaster strikes. Louis Gérard, the man who discovered him, is murdered, and Levalle’s shuts down. Jobless, Marcel ends his relationship with his wife. He can’t see his mistress because her husband is home on leave. Drunk and disorientated, roaming the streets after curfew, he runs into what could be serious trouble.
Jürgen is a young German lieutenant, a pacifist who secretly hates the Nazis and, just as secretly, has admired Marcel from afar. When he sees Marcel in need, he doesn’t hesitate to take him home.
Despite Marcel’s initial suspicions, he and Jürgen soon form a deep bond as Marcel fights his demons to rebuild his shattered career. All the while, the Liberation approaches, bringing tragedy, and glory in equal measure. Hopeless? Probably. After all, neither of them is supposed to fraternize with the enemy, yet they learn to respect and love each other anyway.
Review: Usually I avoid books that their plot is about WWII. That war has a way of affecting me the wrong way and depressing me for days and even weeks for personal reasons. This one did not fail to somehow transfer that slight melancholy (even though it could do much, much more). It is a story that unfolds in France and has that peculiar French air about it, which is so very different from the British stories about WWII.
I found the setting more or less accurate, but lacking the intense desperation of the time. I found Marcel’s story quite realistic in regard to his French hot-headedness, his crude habits and his cussing mouth. The life he led, the womanizer he was and the way his main “wife” was in their relationship were all quite real when compared with rumors of how many artist of that time were. His obnoxious character I did not mind at all. It was charming in its own way. It was what I was expecting from a French character (yes I know I’m generalizing and stereotyping), but I’ve read similar characters by many French authors that has written WWII books not all of them romances either. So the portrayal of Marcel was something that got into me from start to finish and I loved him for his genuine French temperament. Along with him, I loved Loulou and Connie as well, so very real they both were and made this book more tolerable to read.
However, I felt it lacking emotions. The very fact that the writing was an incredible head-hopping caused this story to lose its brilliancy. But, the fact that the author seemed to avoid dwelling and diving in the intense emotions caused by loss, or killings, and even love, ruined a story that could have swiped me off my feet and kept me in its hook for weeks to come. Here we had a character that suffered from incredible mood swings, going from calm to frantic in the blink of an eye, the narrator giving us a very close view of the events that mood could cause. Yet, when the moment came to capture us all with Marcel’s trying period of realizing he’s falling in love with a man (which was quite a shock for him), that period that should have been full of intensity and turbulence, we never got to experience it because it was simply jumped over and then told how Marcel now felt.
So I feel cheated. Each and every single one of the events that were crucial to the story that should have been traumatizing emotionally to read, the ones that could turn this book into a masterpiece were ripped off and I feel cheated. But, then again, I always expect too much.
It’s a good book though, I do recommend the read. It’s not as heavy as many of the style; it has some really good points in there, some funny ones as well if you have a weird sense of humor like I do. The ending is also great and removes even those slight bittersweet scenes that have the power to make you misty-eyed, transforming them to joy.
Series: Previously published short story City of Gold, 2011 Dreamspinner Press Author: L.J. LaBarthe Genre: Historical Romance, 1311 Silk Road
Length: Novel (350 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: 1131, The Silk Road . Gallienus of Constantinople, a scarred soldier who used to work the city gates, enters a new phase of his life when he meets and falls in love with Misahuen of Gyeongju. But prejudice of same-sex relationships dominates Byzantine society, and both the Emperor and the Church denounce such love. Should Misahuen and Gallienus be discovered, the punishment is castration or death. Fearing he’ll lose Misahuen, Gallienus decides to go with Misahuen when he leaves the city forever.
A former farmer, Misahuen fled war-torn Korea and journeyed to Constantinople with a merchant caravan. He didn’t expect to take such an interest in a wounded soldier at journey’s end. But he understands the danger, so he and Gallienus join another caravan as guardsmen and begin a two-thousand-mile trip along the Silk Road. Now all they have to do is persevere to their final destination without the truth of their relationship being discovered and being killed because of it… or by the other dangers along the Road.
Review: A lengthy love story about a refugee of war-torn Gyeongju (Korea) Misahauen; and wounded soldier Gillienus of Istanbul (Constantinople). As the two men meet and fall in love in a city that is not accepted of gay lovers, they decide not to risk death or dismemberment by the Empire if their forbidden love is discovered, instead joining a caravan traveling with a wealthy merchant and his family in 1131, along the Silk Roads to China. Misahauen and Gillienus hope make a home for themselves in a more understanding land among an accepting culture. The story seemed slow going and repetitive at first but then I quickly drew a parallel to what life must have been like traveling for an entire year by caravan. Moving at a slow pace, making camp, selling wares and packing camp on a nearly daily basis. That life must have been very repetitive and the time seemingly long while on the road. So I developed more patience and explored along with Misahuan and Gillienus as they traveled these trading routes to the east, city by city, discovering differences in food, craft, religion and other cultural practices along the way. This story is a historical novel set during the Byzantine Empire along the trade routes between Constantinople, the City of Gold and Shoaxing , the City of Jade, China; cutting through the holy lands along the way. If you are a history buff or art history buff and have a curiosity about the middle and far eastern cultures, you will enjoy this story. The journey is long, full of obstacles, but I felt I’d bonded with the main characters along the way and was sure cheering for their much-deserved HEA by the end.
Author: C.C. Williams, Kayla Jameth, Tilly Hunter, Julian Siminski, Stevie Woods, Jeff Mann, Kenzi Mathews, James Thorpby, K. Vale, Michael Roberts, Salome Wilde, Steve Rudd, Barry Brennessel, Richard May, Landon Dixon, Rob Rosen
Genre: Historical, Erotica, Anthology
Length: 77, 000 words
Publisher: MLR Press (February 22nd, 2013)
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Heat: explicit- overall though a few have little or no sex.
Blurb:History and fiction meet at the crossroads in these erotic tales of love and lust. From ancient Israel and Greece and Rome, to the time of the Vikings, the Wild West, Woodstock, and all points in between, witness the steamy encounters, lurid battles, raucous clashes, and tender moments of couples who span the centuries. Get swept up in the lives of the biblical David, Emperor Hadrian, barbarians from Britannia, a 19th Century physician, Jewish immigrants, cowboys World War I soldiers, hippies, and so many more, all in search of adventure, passion, and, yes, even fame.
Recommendation: I highly recommend this to anyone that likes Anthologies, stories that date back in time, Vikings, Warriors, Civil war, Cowboys, Indians, time travel, friends to lovers, Sad stories, true love, and much, much, more.
Review: Overall. This is a fabulous mix of stories ranging in heat levels and genres. Plenty to choose from, but I suggest you read them all. Here are my individual reviews for each story.
1000 B.C. by C.C. WILLIAMS
David is a Shepard and loves playing his Lyre. He is summoned to go play for King Saul. When he goes, he meets Jonathan King Saul’s son and a great warrior. He will do anything for Jonathan even risk his life to fight a giant named Goliath.
I found this a very sweet and sexy take on the biblical story of David and Goliath. It was interesting, sweet, and loving. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
496 B.C. by Kayla Jameth
Galen was Alexio’s slave and lover. Alexio freed Galen so other kings couldn’t order him to pleasure them. Alexio loved Galen and wanted him for himself. Alexio was put under tutorship to King Lyko’s and King Lykos had designs on Alexio. Galen was jealous though Alexio said his heart was only for him. Galen’s jealousy gets him into a lot of trouble since the other men do not respect him though he is no longer a slave.
I liked this story a lot. It showed hints of a love triangle, but nothing really happened threesome wise. More of one of the men was just a voyeur. This was a sweet and sexy story. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
27 A.D by Tilly Hunter
Lucius was defeated and captured by Barbarian Finian. Lucias likes the rough treatment and finds himself wanting Finian’s humiliation and more. Finian is very rough on Lucias.
I found this story very intriguing if a bit hard to read. The rough treatment was tough but it was sexy in its own way. If you like rough and not loving BDSM this one is for you ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
130 A.D. By Julian Siminski
Antinous is Hadrian’s servant and lover. He is turning twenty and no longer a boy. Antinous fears he will be cast aside since men are not allowed to serve. Sabina Hadrian’s wife is jealous of Antinous and cuts his hair showing he is now a man. Hadrian and Antinous are both very upset. They visit the Oracles and each of the three gets their futures. Antinous sacrifices himself for Hadrian.
I loved this. It was absolutely beautiful. I loved the way it showed Antinous ’love and passion for Hadrian and how they came to be together. I loved the way Hadrian fights for Antinous and the end is so sweet and sad. You definitely need a box of tissues for this! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
794 A.D by Stevie Woods
Aland and Garrick had been friends since boys. They also have been lovers but must keep this secret. It is highly looked down upon for two men to be lovers. They go on a battle together and were very worried for each other. After the battle, they return to Garrick’s and make love. Garrick knows that Aland must take a wife and Aland Knows Garrick needs one to help him on his land. Though the two men know, they shall always love one another.
I loved this story it was sexy and sweet. It shows that sometimes though love is hard it does overcome all obstacles. My heart went out to the two that they could never show their love publicly yet would always find a way. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1066 A.D by Jeff Mann
Thorir is a Viking. He and Eirik are lovers in a time and among men, this is just not heard of so they must keep their secret. Thorir goes to visit Eirik to spend time before their next trip to plunder and raid a village. Their families think they are hunting.
This story was very good. I loved it. There are many twists and surprises. It’s extremely hot but I warn you the sex is very brutal. This is a good rough and tumble BDSM story and be sure to have your box of tissues. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1576 A.D by Kenzie Mathews
Cesare is a very spoiled rich boy. His father has a close relationship with Jewish family the Montefiore as there accountants. Cesare has seen a mistake in the books and knows the Montefiore’s have been stealing form them. He also has designs on his personal advisor Tuviya. He spots Tuviya with a servant girl laughing and it makes him jealous so he grabs Tuviya and tells him he knows his father has been stealing form his father. He gets rough with Tuviya.
I liked this story. It is a bit rough the way Cesare handles Tuviya and could almost be considered rape. Though Tuviya is confused by the rough treatment he also finds he doesn’t really want the debt settled and be discharged from Cesare’s services. This story is rough and nothing sweet at all about it but it shows that sometimes love isn’t always sunshine and sugar. It’s much deeper. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1822 A.D by James Thorpby
Charles is a doctor to the King and is very glad the king is leaving the next day so he can get some rest. He has a thing for Mosby one of the servants and that is the one thing he doesn’t want to see leave.
This one is very hot and sexy. I loved the story how both men have such feelings and was glad for a sweet story to break up some of the macabre ones, though the sex here is pretty rough and tumble yet loving also. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1865 A.D by K. Vale
Ben and Ammon have to keep their love for each other a secret from the Calvary men. They steal some time away before a battle.
I loved this. I loved how Ammon n had surprised Ben by setting them up a sort of romantic place to have sex and share their love. It was sad when they were separated. Another you will need tissues for but it is bittersweet. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1881 A.D. by Michael Roberts
Eric is a time traveler and he has just brought back Billy the Kid with him.
This one was so funny. I laughed until I about cried at the banter between Billy and Eric the sex was pretty hot. I loved it. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1889 A.D by Salome Wilde
This is an account from a Yiddish Journal. It is a rather sweet tale of a man on a trip to start a new life he meets a stranger on the trip and they fall in love though the man decides he can’t defile his religion and faith and he decides to not pursue the relationship after the trip. It’s sweet romantic and very bittersweet. Beautiful. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1890 A.D by Steve Rudd
One night Shem drunkenly wanders into Wayne Smiths tent. They both work for the buffalo bill traveling show. Wayne is busy tending to himself when Sham walks in and they end up in some frisky sex. Wayne asks if he’d be interested in doing it again and adding another bull. Shem hasn’t done a threesome, but accepts the offer. It turns out to be an Indian.
I loved this it’s another funny and hot story. I loved the banter between the two and how the Indian was so silent and submissive to them. It’s super-hot and sexy with a bit of charming wit.♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
1909 A.D. by Barry Brennessel
Jesse is taking his parents to the train station in their new car. A blizzard is coming and he is worried that he will ruin the car and get in trouble. He finally makes it home, but gets the car stuck. A group of boys comes by and one helps. It turns out to be his old friend and first lover Fig.
This is a sweet sexy story of friends to lovers and love lost and reunited. I loved it! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1916 A.D. by Richard May
Henson is under jacks command. Henson reminds him a lot of his lost love Alex. Alex had been killed in battle a few years back. On leave, Jack runs into Henson. They are form two stations in life. They find a bond between each other.
This was a lovely yet heart-wrenching story. I am a sucker for a good tearjerker and this one does that. Very sexy, very sweet and very sad. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1957 A.D by Landon Dixon
A young private Dick was sent in to investigate if Bert was fixing the game show. The young man knew how to use all his skills to manipulate both his boss and the game show master.
This was a cute sexy story. I loved the twists, though the language and sex is very pornish, it is still funny and an enjoyable read. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1969 A D by Rob Rosen
This is a very sexy escapade of two men in the 60’s at Woodstock. It is hot and sexy with a bit of a twist. If you haven’t ever read any Rob Rosen, you should. His style and wit are so much fun to read!
If you like a short story to break the monotony of waiting in lines or appointments or just want a bunch of quick to read stories and like stories with angst rough sex and not all happy endings. This is a great collection.
Blurb:Henry and Jack helped each other through hell in the trenches of World War One. Years later, they meet again. Can they help each other put the war behind them and move on with their lives?
London solicitor, Henry Naismith, went through hell in the trenches of World War 1 with his friend, Jack Harrison, as his only solace. Years later, Henry is back home, the widowed father of a young daughter. Safe in England for the last eight years, he’s never truly left the war behind, and it haunts him day and night.
When Henry meets Jack again by chance, he hopes to rekindle their friendship, and perhaps develop something more. But Jack has wartime nightmares of his own, and they both have a long road to travel before they can begin to recover and get on with their lives–together.
Part of the Silver Publishing Father’s Day 2013 collection.
Review: Henry and Jack shared a brief kiss in the trenches the night before Jack was to go ‘over the top’; it was the last time Henry saw Jack during the war. Eight years later Henry is a solicitor again, he is a widow and he has an adorable daughter but his years at war still haunt him. Henry meets Jack again by chance, Jack is now a balloon seller with an injury of his own and with his own nightmares that still linger, rekindling their friendship is hopeful but they both have a long way to go to recover from the war.
This is an interesting story of two men meeting in the trenches finding fleeting comfort during horrific times and then reconnecting years later. Henry is a solicitor who nearly lost his foot to trench rot during the war, even now, he suffers from flashbacks and nightmares. For one of Henry’s cases he has to speak with an expert on shell shock and it just might help him to understand his friend Jack’s actions and his own difficulties. Jack made a choice he has to live with, but when he meets up with Henry again he has to confess and can only hope that Henry will forgive him.
Although I liked this story I thought that it was in the wrong collection, we do see some of Henry’s daughter and there is some interaction between father and daughter but there isn’t enough story surrounding them for it to really be a ‘family’ story. This is much more suited to an ex-military – suffering the after effects of war collection. I liked the trenches setting and the descriptions of what they were facing, I really liked the flash backs and how it affected Henry’s everyday life. G.S. Wiley certainly captured the truth of 1918 France and 1924 England with its harsh truths of how the troops and returning heroes were treated. The difficulties that Henry and Jack faced are stark and so is their hope of any semblance of a relationship, no matter how they might hope otherwise, but it is still something they will hope for.
I will recommend this if you love World War I, friendship, love, hope, and a happy for now ending.
Blurb: Daytime soap star and part time rancher Marcus Bailey ought to know better than to take in a stray. But there’s something about the streetwise hustler he pulls out of a bar room brawl that makes him throw caution to the wind. Malcolm Quinn, half starved, wary, and bearing the physical and emotional scars of a tough upbringing in foster care, wants nothing to do with charity, nor will he brook anything that hints at pity.
When Marcus offers Malcolm a job and a place to stay, the kid turns him down flat, but all that changes when Marcus’ mare, Sylvie gives birth to a gangly, long eared colt that falls ill soon after birth. Malcolm agrees to stay and help with the foal, never realizing the chain of events that decision will unleash.
Marcus’ jealous and violent partner, Paul Wilson, escalates his abuse of Marcus under the guise of a BDSM arrangement and Malcolm and Marcus are caught up in a rollercoaster ride of violence and scandal. Marcus must find the strength to stand up to Paul and end their relationship, while Malcolm struggles to come to terms with the BDSM lifestyle and become the loving dominant that Marcus needs. Two men from very different worlds, can Malcolm and Marcus surmount the obstacles in their path and forge a future together?
Review: Marcus is a soap actor and part-time rancher. He knows better than to get involved, but one night he comes to the rescue of Malcolm in a bar. Malcolm has been abused in the foster homes he grew up in and when Marcus offers him a helping hand, he is suspicious of his motives. Marcus has problems of his own, when his convenient relationship begins to take a brutal turn, and he isn’t strong enough to walk away without help. Marcus and Malcolm support each other as they both try to weather the scandal and violent threats. Malcolm must come to terms with Marcus’ needs and understand the truth of BDSM.
This story of gay love in the eighties during a time when BDSM was misunderstood and fear of HIV/AIDS was rampant. Marcus is a sub who has fallen into an abusive ‘relationship’. He knows his Dom is going too far, but he doesn’t feel like he can stop him. Malcolm knows abuse when he sees it and the man who has offered him a job and a place to stay is being abused. He might not understand BDSM or why a person would want to be hit, but he offers his support to Marcus. When Marcus’ Dom reacts badly to Marcus walking away from him, it causes Marcus huge problems. But, Malcolm is by his side every step of the way. Now, Malcolm has to do something he never thought he would, he has to learn how to be a Dom.
I did enjoy this story and I thought that the setting was brilliant, but what I loved the most was the brief look at BDSM and AIDS in 1986. Malcolm has a lot to come to terms with when it comes to BDSM, because he has been beaten enough in his life. So for him to try to understand what BDSM was really about makes you love him. Also the fact that he stood by Marcus as his life went down the toilet was brilliant. Marcus was such a sweetheart who just wants someone to love him and give him what he needs. In Malcolm he finds someone who wants to try. There isn’t much sex because of the fears surrounding AIDS at that time. Marcus refuses to risk Malcolm until they are sure they are both clean, because back then they didn’t know how it was spread or how to protect against it. This is more of an emotionally supportive story, with love developing between Malcolm and Marcus. there are no real BDSM scenes, maybe just one or two D/s scenes.
I have to recommend this to those who love early eighties gay difficulties, finding support and love, fighting for the right thing against the odds and developing a love that will stand against time.
Blurb: Stone Harrison never knew he had an aunt; he certainly never expected her to bequeath him one of the largest spreads in central Nevada. But something about Copper Lake Ranch and its foreman, Luke Reynolds, speaks to him, offering a chance for the home he’s never really had.
Luke wants Stone to succeed as a rancher and put the legacy of his shiftless father behind him, but he’d also like Stone to share his bed. Unfortunately, Stone is convinced that the world is a harsh place that will never accept two men sharing their lives. Much to Luke’s dismay, he refuses to risk Luke’s life despite the intense attraction they share.
The tension between them escalates when a series of calamities strikes Copper Lake. An unexpected and unwelcome visit from Stone’s dandified cousin, James, only makes things worse. Stone’s ability to run the ranch comes into question, but the threat of losing it means less to Stone than the threat to Luke’s life. Stone will do anything it takes to protect the man he loves—even if it makes him a murderer.
Review: Stone is surprised to return from a cattle drive and find a letter waiting for him. it informs him that an aunt he never knew was leaving him a ranch. Arriving at Copper Lake Ranch, he knows it is a place he could call home. Meeting the ranch foreman Luke has him wanting to prove that he has got what it takes to run the ranch. Luke wants Stone to succeed and tries to ignore his attraction to the rancher, but one brief moment of shared bliss comes to haunt him when Stone says they can have nothing more between them. Their friendship suffers and then Stone receives a visit from a distant cousin, James, who Stone can’t seem to shake. But, things become really tense on the ranch when a series of calamities hit. Luke and Stone pull together to keep the ranch going and just when Stone realizes what he really wants; he is left in a position that could end in murder.
This is quite a good historical western of two men who could find love if only one of them was willing to take a chance. Luke falls hard for Stone and wants nothing better than to set up house with the man. But, Stone has already had a taste of what could happen if anyone ever got a notion that they were like that and refuses to be anything more than friends. When things start to go wrong around the ranch, Stone begins to reconsider as he becomes afraid for Luke. But, Stone grew up the hard way with an abusive father, add in being part Indian and he has had his fair share of prejudice thrown at him.
I quite liked this look into the past, where just the image of impropriety could cost a man his home or life. The relationship between Luke and Stone is slow developing, even though they have a fierce attraction to each other. Stone is afraid of the repercussions if anyone ever found out, so he holds Luke back. When danger comes to the ranch though, he begins to get over his reservations. But, solving the problems has to come first and discovering who the culprit really sticks in his craw. Luke has to think about what he wants long and hard, when he is rebuffed by Stone. But, Copper Lake ranch is his home and he still holds out hope that Stone will come around.
This isn’t a romance in the normal sense because a lot of the story is focused on the ranch and Stone’s determination to never walk away from a job unfinished. The times that Stone and Luke do spend time together is either filled with awkwardness or with secret longing before Stone confesses what he wants from Luke. I liked the storyline of sabotage and I really enjoyed it when Stone’s cousin, James, was put in his place by Agnes. Stone’s acceptance into the community was a very nice touch, showing that even back then a person’s skin color didn’t mean as much as the person inside.
I will recommend this to those that love historical westerns, finding love in suspicious times, sabotage, digging deep to continue forwards and a sweet ending filled with love.
Blurb: General Sho Iwata is devastated when the man he secretly loves, Prince Narita, is struck with a mysterious illness. To make matters worse, the servants assigned to sit up with the prince at night have been falling asleep, leaving him unattended.
Iwata’s current lover, Hiroshi, is well aware of the general’s unrequited passion. But that isn’t his biggest problem. His sister is Narita’s favorite consort, but Hiroshi believes she has been replaced by an imposter. When he convinces Iwata to investigate, they discover the true cause of the prince’s illness. Iwata will fight to save the man he loves, and Hiroshi will fight for his sister, but if they want to save the prince and find justice, they first have to battle an ancient spirit and survive.
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.
Review: General Sho Iwata is concerned with how ill his beloved Prince Narita is. When Iwata’s lover, Captain Hiroshi Sagawara, comes to him saying that his sister Lady Kumomo, the prince’s favorite consort, is an imposter Iwata believes him because of his conviction. Together they investigate and discover the real nature of the prince’s illness. Now, Iwata and Hiroshi have to fight to save the ones they love.
This is a good bittersweet story that delves into Japanese folklore and the setting of ancient Japan and mighty warriors. Iwata is fiercely loyal to his prince, the man he has followed since he was fifteen. Not being able to help his prince while he is afflicted by a mysterious illness is tearing him apart. When his lover, Hiroshi, discovers that his sister is an imposter, it isn’t long before they discover the illness is of mystical means. Hiroshi would do anything for Iwata, but when he discovers his sister’s fate, Hiroshi needs vengeance. When their first attack fails, Hiroshi knows what he has to do. But, all it would take would be three little words from Iwata to sway his course.
This is a great little folklore story that focuses on the mystery of the prince’s illness, the imposter and just gently brushes over Iwata’s and Hiroshi’s relationship. While I found the folklore angle interesting and it was enjoyable, the relationship angle was lacking. I was expecting more from what the blurb described and while the story could be construed the way the blurb describes it, I was only able to see it through squinted eyes and a cocked head wondering exactly where Iwata’s love for his prince was… I only saw loyalty and devotion. Both Iwata and Hiroshi are great warrior characters, stone faced and devoted to duty, but there are times when their closeness is clear. The scene where Iwata awkwardly comforts Hiroshi during his grief which shows chinks in both their armor. The end scene was good and leaves you with mixed feelings; Iwata giving up his chance of happiness so Hiroshi can exact vengeance for his sister’s spirit.
I recommend this if you love Japanese folklore, bittersweet love, longing for three little words and an interesting storyline.
Blurb: Prodigy pianist Simon Duckworth has a dark past. After being violently raped when he was thirteen, he flees to London, ashamed and determined never to tell a soul. He gets a job at a Denmark Street music shop, but it stifles him. At the first opportunity, Simon answers an ad for a musician, an act that changes his life forever.
Stephen Abednego has seen the same ad. He arrives in London with little more than his ambitions and a sheaf of poems, but together, they’re enough to get him hired. Under their new manager’s watchful eye, Stephen falls for Simon—but Stephen deeply closeted, and Simon may be too emotionally scarred for a mature relationship.
With their manager’s help, their music rises, dragging them into the hectic world of superstardom, but success doesn’t come without a price. Each step out of the ennui and coal smoke of 1960s industrial London must be paid for in regret. With social convention standing between them and the whole world watching, Stephen and Simon discover that finding each other is not as easy as it seems.
Warning this story contains scenes of rape, homophobic violence, drug abuse and child abuse.
Review: Simon has a past that haunts him, and not just by the rape when he was thirteen. When he meets Stephen he falls in love, but Stephen rebuffs him. When Simon is plucked from obscurity and thrown into stardom his past dogs his steps. Stephen feels more for Simon than he will ever let on; he doesn’t want to be a poof and does everything he can to prove that he isn’t. As the two become more famous their relationship becomes strained. Simon spirals into drugs and Stephen buries himself in a woman. As Simon reaches the brink of his sanity, the two men splinter apart.
This story had a great story premise. Two young men meeting and shooting to stardom, one is fine with his attraction to men, the other doesn’t want to face his feelings for men at all. Simon has been kept under his mother’s thumb, Stephen is spreading his wings, together they make for stardom but their feelings for each other and Simon’s past makes things hard. Simon spirals out of control and his mental health is severely tested. Stephen can’t face admitting how he really feels and it drives the two men apart, but they can never forget each other. Finding each other again might not be easy. but their feelings never fade.
Both Simon and Stephen are great characters. The time they are in limits them to what they can be to each other. Stephen also doesn’t want to want another man, whereas Simon embraces that side of him even with earlier trauma’s haunting him. The storyline is quite dark really, with lots of drugs, Simon’s precarious sanity and just an overall depressing feel to the writing.
Okay, so this book wasn’t for me, not even a little bit. Usually, rock stars make for a great story and it might have been if it wasn’t for the way it was written. This is a story that is really hard to follow. it jumps backwards and forwards with no warning, and actually makes very little sense as you try to follow what is happening. The constant shift in perspective and backwards and forwarding in the timeline gave me a headache as I tried to keep up with what was going on. Having to flick backwards to the last page to see if I had missed something had me wanting to bang my head in frustration as I still didn’t get why it was written like that. I personally felt like someone had taken the book, cut paragraphs up and then stuck it back together willy-nilly.
I will recommend this to those that like the 1970-1980 music scene, difficult relationships, an unstable/unbalanced rock star, a confused songwriter and an ending that gives them hope.
Heat: Low (most of the sex scenes are faded to black)
Blurb: Give me a reason to let you live…”
Beached after losing his ship and crew, and with England finally at peace, Lt Christopher Penrose will take whatever work he can get. A valet? Why not? Escorting an elderly diplomat to the Leeward Islands seems like an easy job, but when their ship is boarded by pirates, Kit’s world is turned upside down. Forced aboard the pirate ship, Kit finds himself juggling his honor with his desire to stay alive among the crew, not to mention the alarming—yet enticing—captain, known as Le Griffe.
Kit has always obeyed the rules, but as the pirates plunder their way across the Caribbean, he finds much to admire in their freedom. He deplores their lawlessness but is drawn to their way of life, and begins to think he might just have found a purpose. Dare he dream of finding love too? Or would loving a pirate take him too far down the road to ruin?
Review: After being captured by pirates, Kit is forced into a dilemma in more ways than one. Not only does he have to go against his principles and his Navy service and help the pirates, but he has to face the part of him that he hides deep inside of him. The part that the captain, Griffin wakens inside of Kit. Will he escape and try to save face with his country yet again or will he choose to stay with the men he now finds as friends and the captain that has stolen his heart?
This story is so beautifully written. It pulls you into the life of the pirates and makes you feel as if you are sailing on the stormy seas with them. The characters are so interesting, some charming, some so mysterious, some filled with mixed emotions and need. I loved the way it focused on Kit and Griffin but also told the stories of many of the other pirates as well. There are many twists, lots of action and suspense, plenty of angst and a very slow unfolding romance that leaves you swooning. What more could you ask for?
Recommendation: If you love historical fiction, pirates, angst, action, suspense and sensual love with a very intriguing twist at the end this is for you!
Blurb: Gangster Nino Moretti’s world is a series of contrasts between extreme wealth and abject poverty, an unstable existence punctuated by booze and bullets. For Nino, the gangster lifestyle is even more dangerous because he is a finnochio—a gay man—in a position of absolute power at the head of his own criminal organization.
When Nino rescues beautiful mob accountant Stanley Zadwadzki from a violent assault at the hands of sadistic rival gangster Big Frank O’Hara, both Nino and Stanley become hunted men. Stanley places himself under Nino’s protection as Nino’s accountant and unofficial companion. As a warning, Frank murders Nino’s office boy. In a quest for revenge, Nino tracks Frank to Little Italy, where the resulting confrontation forces him to shoot a bystander to protect Stanley. With a gang war looming, Nino must set aside his feelings and concentrate on asserting his superiority over Big Frank—or lose everything he holds most dear.
Review: Nino is a mobster. I guess you can say he is a good bad guy. He sees Stanley and is immediately smitten, but can also tell that he is being abused by the other mob leader, Frank. When Frank humiliates and strikes Stanley in public Nino grabs him and takes him under his protection. Stanley is a bit confused and still a bit leery. He feels that Nino must want something from him, for all the good things he is doing for him. Feelings grow in both men. Can Stanley love Nino? Does Nino love Stanley or just want him for a toy? Do gang wars break out over Nino stealing Frank’s boy-toy?
I liked this one a lot. I bounced back and forth on and off the fence between liking and loving on this one. By the time it ended I decided I loved it. I found the story was very interesting, with lots of action.
I liked the way Nino treated Stanley so lovingly, with respect and you could see how bad he wanted him, but how important it was to him that Stanley came to him of his own desires. Not because Nino was his boss or doing things for him.
All the characters were very deep and interesting. There were times though I felt the story got a bit draggy, but then it would pick back up nicely.
Recommendation: If you like gangster stories, Bad Guy main characters, Prohibitions era stories, complicated relationships, lots of action and some sweet loving man-sex, give this one a try.
Blurb: n 1915, star-struck Jack Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets of the most sinful town in the country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that his country hometown would never understand.
After years of hard work and a chance invitation to a gay gentlemen’s club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol good looks, and affable personality propel him to the height of stardom. But fame breeds distrust.
Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside down. He wants to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only through Wyatt’s strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man he wants to be. Love without trust is empty.
As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie industry. Public tolerance of Hollywood’s decadence has reached its limit. Under pressure to clean up its act, Jack’s studio issues an ultimatum. Either forsake the man he loves and remain a box office darling, or follow his heart and let his shining star fade to tarnished gold.
Review: This story revolves around the lives of Jack and the man he loves, Wyatt.
It’s hard to believe that this story starts almost a century ago. It’s bright and vibrant, and I was happy to lose myself in the 1920s. In this era, the stars were the “property” of the studios, and no one would be seen unless fully made-up, not a hair out of place, and immaculately dressed.
Jack is no different on the outside, but behind closed doors he lives a very different life. Then he meets Wyatt. Their relationship starts off well, but Jack initially tries to abide by his mentor Eric’s advice of ‘not being touched’. He soon realizes he can’t live that way, and soon he and Wyatt are as married a couple as you can envision.
When his studio finally insists that he has to marry, and tuck Wyatt away where no one can see him, Jack takes a stance. He refuses to deny his life or the man he loves.
There is a D/s aspect to Jack and Wyatt’s relationship, but that isn’t the main part of it. Instead it’s about two people with a deep love for one another.
I loved reading the mix of historical events with fictional romance, although it is loosely based on an actual real-life romance of the time. I also liked the way the author concluded the story with a 25 year anniversary. It’s a shame that some actors, even today, don’t feel able to be publically ‘out’.
I recommend this to anyone who likes history, romance, adversity overcome, a dash or two of hot sex (some lightly kinky) and a HEA.
Reviewer: Cat (♥♥♥3Hearts)
Review:leans with dreams to make it big and to go to California with his lover from home and be a star. His first disappointment happened on the way to the ferry to leave, when he finds that Emory, his lover isn’t going. He goes alone and finds a room and makes some friends. Then, the story moves a bit quickly from then to five years later when he is working, still as a server in a restaurant and meets Eric. He falls quickly for the man who tells him to leave the restaurant and trust him. Eric promises to make him a star.
The story really begins here.
Jack would do absolutely anything for Eric, but Eric makes it know right away that he will never, ever be anything more than a friend to Jack. There are lots of twists and turns as we go through Jacks life in his career and personal life.
I took to this story right away, loving it. Once we got to the part with Eric, I was OMG it’s awesome. It had angst, love, and hate. I couldn’t put the book down. I had one problem; however, the dialogue was so hard to follow at time. I couldn’t always tell who was talking, even with just two people talking. It was really rough when there were more, but I was hooked so I went on. I read for hours and I am sure I ran through an entire box of tissue when I thought the story was almost over. I was shocked to see I was at only 60 percent in. I just knew there was a big bad twist coming and practically chewed my nails. I was a bit disappointed, however, when the twist didn’t really materialize. At least, not how I expected and then it was rather soft and the rest of the story got a bit repetitive and slow. However, I still really liked the story and the relationship of Jack and Wyatt. I am a sucker for a love that can endure all these hardships. The story line was good, the characters every last one AMAZING, and the sexy pretty hot.
Recommendation: If you like men searching for a dream, heartbreak, broken hearts, finding a dream, Actors, Directors, historical fiction set in the early 1900’s, Scandal, difficult choices, spanking and a HEA this one is for you.
Blurb: Despite the uncomfortable clothing and the gossip at court, Sebastian Hewel is still enjoying the role of Lady Bronwyn, wife of Earl Anthony Crofton. But when Queen Elizabeth asks a favor of Anthony, Sebastian’s world fractures and his heart threatens to break. The Queen wants Anthony to seduce Marie Valois, the beautiful daughter of a French noble, to discover the whereabouts of her father, who is wanted by the King of France.
Sebastian knows Anthony can’t refuse the Queen, especially since he has something of a reputation at court. But the situation is further complicated when Marie meets Sebastian without his disguise—and starts flirting with him. Her brother, Nicholas, arrives at Crofton Hall, not happy that his sister has been linked to a man like Anthony, only to find his own head turned by Lady Bronwyn and her acerbic wit. Contending with the attentions of both siblings—and a very jealous Anthony—would be bad enough. But then Sebastian’s uncle demands Sebastian and Anthony stage Bronwyn’s death to avoid discovery….
Review:This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Sebastian is still enjoying his role as Lady Bronwyn, the wife of Earl Anthony Crofton, but things start to become sticky when Anthony is asked by Queen Elizabeth to do his duty to the crown and seduce the whereabouts of a French noble from Marie, the nobles’ daughter. Anthony’s duty becomes difficult when Marie meets Sebastian and becomes charmed by him and then her brother, Nicholas, arrives only to fall under Bronwyn’s charm. Now, Sebastian has to charm the whereabouts from the siblings and Anthony has a taste of his own medicine. It is complicated further when Sebastian’s uncle insists that the farce ends. Just how are Sebastian and Anthony to cope with the pressure of pleasing a Queen, an interfering uncle, a suitor who becomes obsessed and bandits?
Ah an excellent second book of Elizabethan forbidden love with a dose of political intrigue. Sebastian is appalled when Anthony confides the Queen’s request (more like royal decree), that instructs Anthony to do whatever he has to in order to seduce the whereabouts of a French noble from the man’s daughter. Sebastian struggles with his jealousy and begins to doubt Anthony’s love for him, as Anthony seems to be enjoying the seduction just a bit too much. But, the tables become turned and not only does Sebastian become the focus of Marie’s attention, he also, in the guise of Bronwyn, becomes the focus of Nicholas, Marie’s brother. Anthony and Sebastian both struggle with the task that has been laid on their heads. But, they soon discover that whittling out hidden nobles is not where the danger lies.
I really enjoyed this second story of The Actor and the Earl. Picking up just over a year after the first book we see Anthony and Sebastian are still madly in love and devoted to each other. I will have to say that in this book I could see how much they care for each other and the connection between them was much stronger and more tangible. The relationship between them is something to be envied and it is, by other women in the Elizabethan Court. The storyline is really good. I enjoyed delving into the political intrigue of the Elizabethan Court and seeing the effects on those who are involved and I really liked the twist near the end, it was an added bonus. I must admit I am intrigued as to what will happen to Anthony and Sebastian, and I am really hoping that there will be more to their story in the future.
I will recommend this to those who love historicals, forbidden love, hot sex, jealousy, duels, political intrigue, bandits and a very happy ending.
Blurb: The war that won the country its independence also lost many of the men who fought to achieve it, including Brom’s lover. Years later, he still feels as if he left half of himself on the battlefield. When a new schoolmaster comes to Sleepy Hollow, a spark and a whiskey-flavored kiss ignite feelings he thought were long dead. But in order to be with John, he’ll have to let the past be the past, or risks letting it destroy his opportunity to start over. And even then, loving another man is a dangerous endeavor.
Whiskey Dreams is a historical M/M romance, and contains explicit content that is suitable for adult readers only.
Prequel to the novel Haunted Passions. Both books are stand-alone titles and can be read in any order.
Whiskey Dreams is a novella of approximately 25,000 words. Also contains an additional brief (1,500 word) excerpt from Haunted Passions.
Review: Short, Sexy and Steamy! My three favorite colors! This is the prequel to Haunted Passions and introduces us to Brom, John and Katrina. It can be read as a standalone Novella, but I strongly urge that you follow it up with the more full length novel, Haunted Passions.
Brom is still recovering from the loss of his lover during the war when the Enigmatic new school teacher, John Crane, arrives in town. Brom is immediately drawn to John’s innocence, and even though he’s an educated man he has a naiveté’ about him that reel’s Brom in even further.
John hides his attraction to Brom initially until the pair shares a glass of whiskey and a passionate kiss. Then Brom slips and address’s John as his former lover while THEY are making love, quite possibly destroying any chance he had of building something with the sexy school teacher before it even begins. But loving another man is dangerous enough as it is. Even if John can get past Brom’s slip of the tongue, so to speak, can he get past the lying and sneaking around for the few stolen moments he and Brom can share?
Blending into the background we have Katrina Van Tassel, quietly planting herself into Brom’s life as well as John’s. Given the name of the town is Sleepy Hollow and the names of the characters, it’s almost immediately obvious that Rose is giving the Headless Horseman classic tale a revamp, with a heavy dose of M/M action
Blurb: For Captain Harry Thompson, the command of the prison transport ship HMS Banshee is his opportunity to prove his worth, working-class origins be damned. But his criminal attraction to his upper-crust First Lieutenant Garnet Littleton, threatens to overturn all he’s ever worked for.
Lust quickly proves to be the least of his problems, however. The deadly combination of typhus, rioting convicts, and a monstrous storm destroys his prospects…and shipwrecks him and Garnet on their own private island. After months of solitary paradise, the journey back to civilization – surviving mutineers, exposure, and desertion – is the ultimate test of their feelings for each other.
These two very different men each record their story for an unfathomable future in which the tale of their love – a love punishable by death in their own time – can finally be told. Today, dear reader, it is at last safe for you to hear it all.
Review: I was expecting a bit more romance than historical content to this book. I learned a few interesting things, but I also noticed a couple of small inconsistencies. For instance, while it was punishable by death to be found having a sexual relationship with a person of the same-sex, it was done all the time among military personnel and the royal families. History glosses over it quite a bit, but if you dig deep enough, it is there to be found. Now, if you are caught, yes there is a death sentence, but on the ships for the various military Naval personnel, it was very common and most people always looked the other way and pretended it wasn’t happening, especially considering the short life spans, the time away at sea, the constant threat of war and more. If you were flagrant about it though and flaunted it, it would get you killed.
Captain Harry showed the time-honored tradition of denial and thinking something must be wrong with him, as is still the case today for a lot of people, no matter their age when they are on the cusp of coming out of the closet or admitting to themselves who they are. Through the storms, the mutiny, the prisoners, desertion, shipwrecks, disease, rescue and more, two people managed to find one another, but because of the determination to not be something sinful and criminal, things may never have happened without catastrophic interventions, which happened here in this story, more than once.
I still do not understand the reasoning behind the dramatic act outs of the brother arguments at the end of the book though. Then the sudden, oh this happened, but I will sum it up in one sentence thing? Really? That is when the story could really have taken off! That promised for something great, thrilling and exciting, but instead the book ended on just and dead-end kind of note. However, altogether, the story was a nice read, especially with all of the historical information. But next time, the romance should be fleshed out and put more action into this type of story, rather than just the great details of travel and storm. The rebellion of the prisoners could have been a really exciting extra chapter or two.
Blurb: Love at first sight is a beautiful thing, but sometimes, true love waits a lifetime to shine…and then needs a little help from the Three Ghosts of Christmas.
As a young man, Ebenezer Scrooge felt the sharp pain of loss and resolved to protect his heart from all others, taking solace in his gold and silver. Years of discarding his own emotions, and those of anyone around him, has turned Scrooge cold.
When deceased lover and partner Jacob Marley pays miserly Scrooge a late night visit, pride and disbelief buoy Scrooge’s courage. As the fabled Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come arrive to show Scrooge the error of his ways, they also give him brief glimpses of a love so strong it has stood the test of time.
In an inspiring tale of change, a deep-seated need flares to life, leaving Scrooge without a doubt that love and family are what really matter at Christmas.
Review:I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is very difficult to pull off this style of writing in this day and age. With as many times as this story has been told and as many different way in which it has been told over the many years, this is refreshing. I was glad to see it go beyond the HEA you want in these types of stories and show more than just his change of heart, but the allowance of long overdue love from the past. Good job.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (30th November 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Elizabethan actor Sebastian Hewel takes his bow at the proscenium only to embark on the role of a lifetime. When his twin sister, Bronwyn, reneges on the arrangement to marry Earl Anthony Crofton, Sebastian reluctantly takes her place. At nineteen, Sebastian knows his days as a leading lady are numbered, but with this last performance, he hopes to restore his family’s name and pay off his late father’s debts. Never mind the danger of losing his head should he be discovered.
He didn’t expect Anthony to be so charming and alluring—not to mention shrewd. While he applauds Sebastian’s plan, Anthony offers a mutually beneficial arrangement instead. Sebastian will need every drop of talent he has to survive with both his head and his heart intact, because this is the best part he’s ever had.
Purchase Link: This edition is no longer available.
Review: Sebastian is an actor who is called home by his cousin to perform the role of his life time. Sebastian’s sister has eloped, but she was due to marry an Earl. Now, due to family debts, Sebastian has to fill the role of blushing bride. Anthony is far from hoodwinked and offers a solution that benefits both of them. Now, they just have to fool the nobility and maybe they will both keep their heads.
This is an interesting story of Elizabethan England and the illicit marriage of an Actor and an Earl. Sebastian loves acting, but just wishes he could get more masculine roles. Now, he is offered the role of a lifetime after his sister elopes, but it is a role that could cost him his head. But, he never suspected it would also cost him his heart. Anthony is a man, who will take his pleasure where he can, discovering his future brother-in-law will be his wife, he uses it to his advantage. But, the marriage affects him more than he thought and his scandalous days are numbered.
The characters in this book are very interesting with both Sebastian and Anthony acting like men of their times. Although, at times Sebastian had to act like a woman of their time. Anthony wasn’t a perfect husband, although he did try. Changing a way of life was hard for him and he messed up several times with Sebastian. Sebastian made for a good wife, but he was a great man and the way he tried to stick to his guns with Anthony was quite impressive. The setting and time frame were well done with some great descriptions of the theatres of the time period.
I must admit to not warming up to the characters all that much, Sebastian and Anthony seemed to have no real connection between them and I didn’t feel as though they really got emotionally involved with each other. It felt more like convenience than any real attraction especially from Anthony, and even later it still felt like there was a distance between them even after they declared their love. Their sex life was hot though and that was the only time I felt a real connection between them. The best part for me, was when Anthony starting fighting for their relationship and began to court Sebastian in earnest.
I will recommend this to those who love historicals, those who love masquerades, fighting for love and a happy ending.
Blurb: Thomas Derrik is about to have the worst Christmas of his life. Three days before the holiday, he finds out the father he doesn’t get along with is arriving on Christmas Eve, his ex-lover and new brother-in-law will be staying at his estate until the New Year, and his beloved brother, Edmund, has died.
Luckily, Edmund’s last holiday scheme may well save Thomas’s Christmas: Henry Appleby, a young lord fresh from the Continent, has arranged to court Thomas. But the family tragedy and jealous exes may put an end to the romance before it begins.
Review: Thomas is facing a horrid Christmas. His brother has died, his lover married his sister and his father is heading home for the holidays. But, Edmund, his brother, had put a plan into action and it looks like Christmas just might be a merry one after all. Henry knew Edmund well and agreed to the plan along with Henry’s sister and Thomas’s father. Now, they just have to see if they can charm Thomas, but with a bitter ex on the grounds and Thomas being hurt once it just might take a miracle.
This is a wonderful regency romance with a twist to the happiness and a very broadminded father. Thomas is dreading Christmas, his father is coming home, he has just received news that his brother has died and his sister and her husband (his ex-lover) are staying over Christmas. But, when he meets Henry and his sister, things start to look up. And, they nearly get damn right happy, when he discovers his late brother’s plan. Henry is delighted when he meets Thomas. He can see his friend’s plan working well. But, when Thomas’s ex throws a spanner in the works, Henry decides to give Thomas a night he will never forget.
I really enjoyed this story. I have to admit to having a huge soft spot for Regency men and their clandestine relationships and this is a perfectly clandestine courtship. Thomas has been severely hurt in the past by a callous lover, but when Henry comes on the scene he shows Thomas of a new way to live and they just seem so well suited. I loved both these men and thought that Thomas was well rid of his ex-lover, Darrow. The storyline was great and I loved the twist and I especially loved Edmund’s plan. While I loved this story I am going to have to demand a story for Jonah and one for the other couple in this book… or maybe they could be combined *wink wink*.
I am recommending this to those who love Regency romances, great characters, passionate kisses, a jealous ex-lover, a miracle with a very interesting story and a very happy ending.
Title: The Gentleman’s Keeper
