Hiya guys, today we have Alex A. Akira stopping by with the tour to Dojo Boys: Dragon and Crow, Deluxe 2 Volume Set we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Dragon and Crow
(Dojo Boys Deluxe 2 Volume Set)
by
Alex A. Akira
Twenty-three-year-old, Native American, Michael Black’s well-ordered life is disrupted one evening when he is ambushed at the dojo he frequents by a mysterious Japanese youth who goes by the name of Kiyoshi.
Soon circumstances have the gorgeous teen staying with Michael at his apartment. The gifted nineteen-year-old is an intriguing mix of angst, innocence and crafty intelligence, but Michael is honor bound by a promise to his sensei to keep his distance. Michael tries to keep his desire in check, but what can he do if the exquisite teen keeps kissing him?
Volume two finds Michael in deep water when, in trying to help Kiyoshi, he is persuaded by his sensei to participate in a joint government undercover operation to bring down a Yakuza lord.
Before long Michael is immersed in beautiful men, martial arts and espionage all to gain the trust and love of Kiyoshi. Secrets, lies, sex and action combine in this racy, romantic, adventure of two men, Michael Black and his sensei, Ichiro Kimura, navigating a dangerous path for true love.
Title: The Lion of Palmyra Series: N/A Author: Julia von Rist Genre: Historical/Yaoi Length: Novella (84 pages) Publisher: Julia von Rist (31 March 2015) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: “It takes courage to surrender.”
His city under siege, his army decimated, Amir-el-Assad was bound by a promise to his dying father: surrender the city and wait for reinforcements to liberate Palmyra from its conquerors.
While Amir hides in the shadows and bides his time, William of Woodsworth fights a different kind of battle: he must choose between a forbidden love and his honour as a Crusader.
On the sidelines, two other men watch and wait: Geoffrey, the squire whose devotion to William is shattered by the arrival of the mysterious Zeena; and Manouh, the exotic bed slave whose hunger for pleasure hides a broken heart.
The war has ended, but the battle has just begun. The fate of the city will not be decided in the battlefield…but in the bedroom.
Review: This is specifically stated to be a yaoi novel, which is cool, though I am well aware many MM books can fall under this umbrella without being a Japanese story… and I’m not about to go into the intricacies about classifying stories as yaoi or not.
That aside, just the title, The Lion of Palmyra, indicates that this is set during one of the Crusades. Historically, it’s easy and fun to get into the idea of chivalry and English knights invading the Saracens. Even more fun, and sexy, is to get into what is more like a love square (or parabola sounds good) – there too many people involved to be a triangle! – between men from both sides of the fight.
Basically, there are four main characters, the Saracens Amir (prince) and Manouh (hot bed slave), then there are the knights William and Geoffrey. William and Geoffrey are not only cousins but they are lovers and seemingly very much in love with each other. I feel that I need a flow diagram to explain this one.
The story starts when Palmyra surrenders after a siege from the invading knights. William’s father is a prominent character at this point, who wants his son to “act like a real man” which is how we first start into the journey of this love parabola. As soon as the invaders take control, Palmyra must cohesively fall in under the command of their invaders under the direction of Amir, who is all about free loving.
There is forbidden love in an exotic setting during a time of deep religious belief where all matter of grand romance stories has been created from. Anyone who enjoys historical romances or like their knights in shining armour will enjoy this one.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Reckless, flamboyant Keigo is bisexual. Blunt, aloof Masaki is straight. Their conflicting personalities make them unlikely friends, but after some careful maneuvering on Keigo’s part and one strawberry-flavored kiss, Masaki gives more of himself to Keigo than he ever thought possible. More than he’s willing to share with his girlfriend. But Masaki’s fear of commitment threatens to shake their rocky relationship to pieces.
Keigo’s new feelings for Masaki are confusing enough even before his on-again, off-again lover, Kaname, blows back into town. Kaname is a manipulative beast, demanding Keigo’s undying fidelity in return for his cruelty, and Keigo’s fragile relationship with Masaki cracks under the weight of his presence. If Keigo really wants to build a life with Masaki, he’ll have to discover the strength to free himself of Kaname and convince Masaki to be with him forever.
Warning: Some readers may find some of the content offensive e.g. Abuse, rape and violence.
Review: Masaki is a bad boy always in getting into fights. He is brash and plain-spoken. When Keigo starts hanging around him he is brash, tries to ignore him and tries to drive him away when that fails he begrudgingly accepts him as a friend. Keigo noticed Masaki some months ago and finally found the courage to approach Masaki as he gets to know him more his feelings develop until he can’t resist making a play for him.
This is a very good story that at times makes you cringe when you see the way that Kaname treats Keigo. Keigo learns that he deserves more than what he has received at the hands of Kaname when he thinks about his relationship with Masaki and how Masaki treats him even when they are just friends. Masaki panics when he realizes that he feels a lot for Keigo and reacts by lashing out. Masaki doesn’t like to let people close as he feels like his father deserted him and his mother and then his mother died as well, he also had a difficult childhood because he was always bullied.
I enjoyed this book as it was angsty and is a gay for you, the storyline was good and the emotions and reactions of the two MCs were good. I really liked Keigo and his bravery in standing up to Kaname even though he is still stuck in that situation. Masaki’s description of the relationship between Keigo and Kaname was spot on. I will admit that you don’t always like these two main characters as sometimes Keigo comes across as spineless and weak (you want to smack him and tell him to grow a pair) and Masaki comes across as a heartless b*****d (you want to bang his head against a wall).
I will recommend this to those who like yaoi, hot sex, angst, conflict and an eventual HEA.
Title: The Lion of Palmyra