Tag: Ravenous Romance

Deep Plunge by Rory Ni Coileain

18398840Title: Deep Plunge

Series: SoulShares, 03     

Author: Rory Ni Coileain     

Genre: Paranormal     

Length: Novel (216pgs)     

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (28th August 2013)    

Heat Level: Moderate     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: For the last six hundred years or so, the only things reminding Lochlann Doran he’s a Fae have been his faceted aquamarine eyes and the fact that he can’t die. He’s been a wanderer for so long in the human world – over two thousand years – that he’s lost his magick, including the gift of healing that goes along with being a Fae of the Demesne of Water. Finding his SoulShare might get it back for him. But it might kill him, too. Garrett Templar has been living on borrowed time, in a sense, since he was eighteen, when one of the johns he entertained to pay the bills while he danced at Purgatory infected him with HIV. It was always supposed to be a “manageable” disease, though, at least until a cure was found. Except he’s just found out that the virus in his system has inexplicably mutated into full-blown AIDS, and no known drug cocktail can even slow it down. And when Lochlann and Garrett find each other at last, on Purgatory’s dance floor, the only thing as urgent as their need for one another is the hunger of an ancient evil to do whatever is necessary to possess Lochlann’s magick…     

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/deep-plunge-soulshares-number-iii.php    

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Lochlann was the first through the Pattern, the guinea pig, and has been wandering Earth for over two thousand years; he lost his magic six hundred years ago during the Black Plague and now, he has finally met his SoulShare. Garrett has had bad news, his HIV has mutated into full-blown AIDS, when he meets Lochlann he is still reeling from the shock and tries to push the Fae away. Lochlann needs his magic back to heal Garrett, and to get his magic back he has to complete the SoulShare with Garrett, but Garrett is scared to put Lochlann in danger and neither know if Lochlann would survive after so many years. Janek and the Marfach are still desperate for the power and they will do anything to possess it.

This is a brilliant addition to the SoulShare series, we discover more about the Loremaster’s and the creation of the Pattern, and we see a new pairing of Fae and human and the difficulties they face. Lochlann has roamed Earth for over two thousand years and never seen another Fae, but the night he discovers his SoulShare Garrett he meets another Fae and discovers that his ex-friend Cuinn is still floating around and boy does Lochlann have a bone to pick with him. Garrett knows he will never have a real intimate relationship again and that his health is seriously depleted, but although he tries to push away the sexy Fae, he can’t help but have that touch of hope. But danger is heading their way, as the Marfach is getting impatient for magic.

I loved this installment of the series and the new developments that was revealed. Lochlann and Garrett have a terrible journey ahead of them as they come together; their budding joining is nearly torn apart not only by the Marfach but also by death. We see the characters from previous stories Tiernan and Kevin (Hard as Stone) and Conall and Josh (Gale Force) and Cuinn as Lochlann and Garrett face challenges to be together. Although there were, some trying times in the previous books, this story has the most harrowing as Janek and the Marfach take extreme measures to try to get what they want. 

I recommend this to those that love Fae, danger, a long reaching plot, hope, great characters, more maneuvering of the Loremasters, an interesting storyline and a great ending. 

Gale Force by Rory Ni Coileain

Gale_Force_513f2c73d791c_203x288Title: Gale Force

Series: Soulshares 02

Author: Rory Ni Coileain

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

Length: Novel (230pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (12th March 2013)

Heat: Moderate – Explicit

Heart:   ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  But Josh will need to find him before the ancient evil of the Marfach does or everything they have – and more – will be lost.Conall Dary is the most powerful mage born to the Fae race since the Realm was parted from the human world, over two thousand years ago. But that very power condemns him to a lifetime of celibacy, because sex calls to power, and he has power enough to drain a world. When he refuses to use his talents for a Noble lady’s petty revenge, he finds himself shanghaied to the human world, his soul torn in half and his magick blocked. Josh LaFontaine is the beautifully inked owner of Raging Art-On, a Washington, D.C. tattoo and piercing parlor. While taking part in New York City’s Pride march with a former lover’s dance company, his world changes forever when the man of his dreams materializes out of nowhere at his feet . Josh’s sensual and loving touch, the first Conall has ever known, may be enough to give him back the magick he’s lost. But before they can complete their Soulshare, a terrible accident leaves Conall bodiless, lost, and invisible, to everyone except – maybe – the human with whom he shares a soul.

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/gale-force.php

Review: This story is part of a series which must be read in order. Conall is the most powerful mage since the sundering. Unfortunately, he is so powerful that he could drain the Realm.  So he has a tight control over his powers and he can’t ever let go which means a celibate life. When he refuses to do the bidding of a noble lady, he finds himself cast out on Earth, his soul ripped in two and his magic broken and he lands at the feet of a tattoo artist. Josh owns the tattoo parlor above Purgatory and is currently visiting friends, helping in a Pride march when he nearly falls over an injured man. Drawn to helping the man Josh takes him home. But, the Marfach is on the prowl and before long both Josh and Conall are in danger and an accident leaves Conall in an uncertain predicament.

This is a brilliant continuation of the Soulshares series. Josh is drawn to Conall and doesn’t understand wh., Conall understands that Josh must be his Soulshare, but his magic was damaged when his soul was torn in two and arousal causes him pain.  But, being separated from Josh is also painful. Separated when Josh’s workplace is broken into, Conall finds the pain unbearable and has an accident that renders him bodiless. Josh is the only one who can bring him back, but with the Marfach hunting for Conall and trying to find a way to the nexus, both Josh and Conall face a danger that could well destroy them.

This is a brilliant imaginative story that reveals more about the Loremasters and their plans and their involvement in the banishings, and also continues the Marfach’s hunting of the Fae and the nexus. Both, Conall and Josh are great characters. Conall has lived a lonely life because of his powerful magic, while Josh hasn’t been able to really settle for a man before. The two of them together are something special. The sex that they do have is really hot and the difficulties they face are definitely unique and dangerous. We see Tiernan and Kevin from Hard as Stone and we discover more about Cuinn and his involvement in what is happening.  Marfach and its human host Janek are more involved in this story and it is far from pretty.

I love the way that this story is heading and the characters we are meeting.  There is something refreshing in this world we are being drawn into with these banished Fae. Even though the Fae firmly believe that they can’t love they are doing a very good job with their Soulshares and the storyline is fantastic with the story details becoming clearer and it makes us wonder just what the Loremasters are up to. Rory Ni Coileain gives us some descriptions that make us glad that we aren’t Janek. I can’t wait for the next story Deep Waters and what will be unveiled then.

I will recommend this to those who love broken Fae, uniting Soulshares, avoiding death, Urban Fantasy, hot sex, an imaginative storyline and a happy ending for Conall and Josh with the promise of more to come.

Hard as Stone by Rory Ni Coileain

HardAsSroneFinalTitle: Hard As Stone

Series: Soulshares 01

Author: Rory Ni Coileain

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (203pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (18th October 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Tiernan Guaire is a Fae in exile. Forced from the Realm into the human world for the unimaginable crime of a brother’s murder, he lives by a century-old vow, to trust no one, and never to allow himself to love or be loved.

Kevin Almstead has just lost his future, to a vote of the partners at his law firm. Trying to escape for an evening, he ventures into Purgatory, the hottest all-male nightclub in Washington, D.C., where he allows himself to be seduced by a stranger with long blond hair and ice-blue eyes.

Drawn into a Soulshare bond with his intended one-night stand, Tiernan soon learns that the most ancient and evil enemy of the Fae still walks the human world, and it will stop at nothing – certainly not Kevin Almstead – to possess the magick of a Noble Fae.

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/hard-as-stone.php

Review: Tiernan was exiled from the Fae Realm 165 years ago for the unforgivable act of killing his brother. The Pattern tearing his soul in two and leaving him to roam the human Realm, only half the Fae he was. Tiernan chances upon his Soulshare completely by chance in a club and doesn’t realize it till to late. But, how can he accept his Soulshare when he can’t love? Kevin is unhappy; he has just been turned down for partner again and decides to drink his sorrows away in an impulsive act. Meeting Tiernan rocks his world more than he could ever realize, and he ends up facing his greatest fear that Tiernan will never love him.

This is an excellent Urban Fantasy story that catches you from the beginning and keeps pulling you along as more of the plot teases your interest. Tiernan committed the most horrific crime of the Fae Realm that of Kinslayer.  The punishment is severe and he ends up on the human realm with only half of his soul, meeting Kevin throws him completely and he tries to run and hide in alcohol and sex. But, he is drawn back to the man who is the other half of his soul. Kevin doesn’t know what to do when he finds himself thinking and missing Tiernan after just one night with him, but he has other things to think of when he discovers something hinky going on at work. But, when Tiernan comes back, Kevin discovers things that he never dreamed of and both man and Fae get drawn into a fight for their lives.

Tiernan and Kevin are a very interesting fit, because they are basically one soul so what one lacks the other more than makes up for. But, because of that, Tiernan is in the firm belief that he will never love and Kevin has all the love for both of them. The storyline that we get pulled into is at times brutal.  The thing that hunts them is nasty and evil and the stuff of nightmares, we also have the shady practices that Kevin uncovers at work and the complex relationship that Tiernan and Kevin share.

This is a very nice twist on exiled Fae and it has a lot of passionate sex between Tiernan and Kevin, an interesting baddie or two, gruesome descriptions, some violence, loads more hot sex, and a very sweet and happy ending that has a visitor who makes it clear that nothing is over yet and it is just beginning.

I have to recommend this if you love Urban Fantasy, fantasy, Fae, hot sex, great characters, horrid baddies and a very happy ending.

 

 

Four Gay Weddings and a Funeral by Ryan Field

Title: Four Gay Weddings and a Funeral

Author: Ryan Field

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (203pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (1st December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When New York legalizes same-sex marriage, Neil winds up with more invitations to gay weddings than he knows what to do with! And it’s during one of these weddings where Neil meets Andre- the perfect man.

Andre is French, with a romantic accent and a killer body, and he fills Neil with emotion in ways he’s never known- he’s the perfect man. But Neil isn’t ready for marriage, and so he lets Andre go.

As time passes, Neil’s life goes on, and he always wonders what might have been with Andre. But when life-altering events rock Neil’s quiet life, he may get a chance to find happily-ever-after!

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/m/m/four-gay-weddings-and-a-funeral.php

Review: Neil is not ready for commitment and although there is one man who has tempted him he still knows that it would be a mistake to pursue it when he isn’t ready. Andre is, as far as Neil is concerned, the perfect man he’s French, has his own business and Neil feels an instant connection to him, but the timing is just wrong.   As they meet up at various weddings, Neil wonders what might have been.

Well, I have got to say that I watched the original film and now I have read this book and the book is my hands down favorite. When Neil and Andre first meet it is at a mutual friend’s wedding and besides Neil feeling that he has embarrassed himself they have a passionate night together.   Over the times that follow, they meet up at other weddings and a funeral and each time Neil still wants Andre, but he also finds out that Andre isn’t as perfect as he thought. By the end of the book, Neil is in his own relationship and questioning what he is really feeling.

This is a brilliant book and I loved it.  Ryan Field has rewritten this okay film and produced a brilliant gay story. Neil is the central character and his life seems to be a series of weddings as he watches his friends marry and cement their relationships.   He isn’t ready to settle down and marry and as we progress through the book we see his struggles with his own conscience, his own needs and the realization that what he longs for isn’t actually what he wants. There are some parts of this book that might put some people off like Neil and his partner sharing or multiple partners, but it is all highly erotic.

This book pulls you in and even knowing that I had seen the film didn’t make a blind bit of difference.   I was along for the ride and enjoying every minute of it. Neil starting to settle down was great.   Suddenly Neil is living with another man and he’s not sure how it comes about and I have got to say that the funeral was painful to read.   It was a character that I wouldn’t have suspected and I had come to love in a short space of time. Ryan Field had me on the edge of my seat during the final scenes and I think he is a cruel cruel man for making me doubt Neil right at the end.

With this book I recommend that if you enjoy hot sex, straight men experimenting, finding love, grief, happiness, truth and a great ending to a wonderful book then you really need to read this book… it’s ace.

The Vampire and the Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas by Louisa Bacio

Title: The Vampire And The Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas

Author: Louisa Bacio

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (77pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (19th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Before there were three, there were two. When a vampire swoops in to save Trevor from a rogue gang’s blood sport, the werewolf must fight his own inhibitions. The magic of New Orleans and the holiday season bring together these two unlikely lovers.

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/the-vampire-and-the-werewolf-a-new-orleans-christmas.php

Review: Trevor is living on the streets and goes to the rescue of a woman being attacked.  Unfortunately, he then needs rescuing as more Vampires appear. Lawrence steps in to save Trevor from the rogue vampires and takes him home to help him recover.

This is a well written novella that is hot and erotic. This is the authors first strictly M/M work and I think she has done a very good job with it although I need to make a confession… I haven’t read any of this authors work as I haven’t much patience for female characters (I leave that to Portia lol). But I will admit I am now tempted because of how this author writes.

Trevor is without a pack, alone and living on the streets so when he first receives kindness from Lawrence he wonders what he wants in return and then he begins to ask himself about how he is reacting to Lawrence. Lawrence feels some sort of connection to Trevor and enjoys his company and as he explains to Trevor it is the person he finds attractive and not their sex. When Trevor does decide to embrace his want and to let down his guard the sex between them is explosive.

I really did enjoy seeing these two characters together and how they built up their relationship on small trusts but I was disappointed that we didn’t find out more of both Lawrence’s and Trevor’s backgrounds.  We were given snippets that intrigued us and unfortunately, I don’t know if the author will ever do any more stories with just these two characters so that we can find out more about them in their early years together. (Portia:  There are at least two other books featuring these characters.  Unfortunately, they both involve girly bits, so I guess I’ll be doing those reviews. ;-))

I have to recommend this to those who love vampires and werewolves, really hot erotic sex, a building of trust and a just beginning relationship story.

Torched by Chloe Stowe

Title: Torched

Series: Hellesgate 01

Author: Chloe Stowe

Genre: Contemporary/ Erotic

Length: Novel (178pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (January 16, 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  A house burns on the stark Kansas horizon…

Its flames make a New York businessman abandon the back road in hopes of helping, in hopes of being the hero instead of the villain for once…

His nerve is immediately tested as he witnesses a man run into the inferno. As the New Yorker risks all to save the stranger, his life becomes forever embroiled in both a madman’s deadly game of fire and revenge, and a soldier’s fight not only to save his family but to save his own soul…

The New Yorker is thirty-two-year-old Matthew Archer. He is a hard man to like, a harder man still to love. Few in the world make an effort at either.

The soldier is twenty-six-year-old Cane Summerfield. He is a hero, a man who gave up his independence to defend his country.

The men are two strong, fierce personalities, from backgrounds as different as heaven and hell. They should never have met, let alone fallen in love… but theirs is a story of Fate riding in on the coattails of sin.

Theirs is a story born of fire…

Review:  Matthew Archer is a businessman on his annual 4-week break from work.  He sees smoke and decides to go to the rescue; he ruins his car, partially falls through a floor and passes out. Cane Summerfield runs into a burning building to save his aunt’s precious memories; as he makes his escape he has to rescue the man who came to rescue him and it’s the start of a weird relationship.

They have to combat a town split down two sides and the person trying to make Cane look crazy and dangerous. They both decide that it’s a one night stand, just one night of hot, dirty, hard sex and continue to try to convince themselves that is all it is.

This is a genuine funny book. At first, I thought it was all going to be dark and dour, but Cane and Matthew are two funny men, their humor, come-backs, snide remarks and just general attitudes had my lips twitching, it doesn’t take away from the danger though. The other characters added to the story and were really just as whacked out as Cane and Matthew.

I think some people may have difficulty with it as it does seem to go off in different directions when they talk but… well I was all right with it (‘cuz I do that myself a bit), so a word of advice if you find yourself lost, it’s not you it’s the characters, they are nuts.

So my honest opinion is … (well helps if you are a bit weird (or is that just me)) if you like your characters quirky and slightly off-beat, your men hot but weird and your story serious but funny then this is definitely for you.

 

 

Hooked by Sara Winters

Title:  Hooked

Author:  Sara Winters

Genre: GLBT Contemporary

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Ravenous Romance

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:  Astrid

Blurb:  Carlos Valendez has everything under control: his boxing career, his academic life and the string of men who never manage to encourage more than a passing interest. When his friend Michael Dywer moves into his dorm room, he never imagines how easily it could all change.

Michael is a distraction. A sexy, bewildering temptation who entices Carlos with the briefest of looks but refuses to act on, or even acknowledge, the tension between them. When Michael hints that his fantasies have the potential to be more, Carlos finds his priorities shifting to accommodate the unexpected complications of exploring a relationship he never knew he wanted and can’t easily control…

Review:  I’ve always enjoyed the “not so straight guy” stories. And Hooked is an example of good story with a nice range of emotion, conflict and character development.

Carlos is buried under with commitments – junior year in college, brutal training schedule for his boxing and an unrelenting crush on his dorm mate Michael. Can anyone say pressure cooker? Michael, the not so straight guy, is in a long-term relationship and there doesn’t seem to be any doubt of his straight guy status… until there is… doubt.

Once they realize that the attraction goes both ways you expect it to develop quickly but it actually became more emotionally fraught for Carlos. I had trouble accepting that Michael would see Carlos behind the girlfriends back. It just seemed dishonorable for a guy who holds himself back emotionally from Carlos until he can trust his commitment.

There are some parts where I had difficulty deciphering between Carlos’ fantasies and reality. But one thing that was crystal clear is that not everything was going to magically be rectified. Between the insightful dialogue and the internal mutterings of conscience the characters are realistic, honest and believable.

 

Hot Italian Lover by Ryan Field

Title: Hot Italian Lover

Author: Ryan Field

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/ Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Ravenous Romance

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Joey King likes the spotlight. He’s worked hard for over twenty years to reach a pinnacle of success and to achieve a cult following, and now he’s the big star in one of Broadway’s most successful shows… But when he’s not on stage performing, Joey King is an attractive gay man just turned forty who is terrified of growing older.

On the last night of his show, Joey overhears people snickering about his age and it leaves him questioning his future as an actor- he’s terrified of becoming a joke, and being laughed at.

In a state of confusion, Joey travels to Chicago in the middle of the night to be with his longtime partner of twenty years, Ned Stevens, who is there on a business trip. Ned has always been the one constant strength in Joey’s life.

But when Joey reaches Chicago, he is met with a devastating shock.

Joey buys a one-way ticket to Florence to recover. There he meets handsome young Antonio, who is almost half Joey’s age. Joey initially protests, but Antonio finally throws him down on the terrace and takes him in ways Joey never imagined were possible. Antonio does things to Joey that Joey’s ex-partner, Ned, never did in the twenty years they were together. But more than that, Antonio introduces Joey to the kind of love and passion he never dared to believe existed.

But no matter how many times Antonio professes his love, Joey isn’t sure he’ll ever be able to embrace love or to trust anyone again. Will Antonio figure out a way to prove his love for Joey? And will Joey ever find enough room in his heart to love Antonio as much as Antonio loves him?

 Review:  After a horrifying event in Joey’s 1st year in New York Joey craves the security that Ned gives him, he is devastated by Ned’s betrayal and flees to Florence to decide what to do with his life next. When he meets Antonio he is shown carnal delights that he isn’t sure he really wants.

Joey comes across as very repressed sexually and really truly believes that Antonio could only want him for his money and his fame, he is extremely cynical as he is nearly 20yrs older than Antonio. Antonio wants Joey for himself and seems to really love him but can’t convince Joey of that fact because of his job. I felt sad for Joey as he really doesn’t know what to do and doesn’t want to admit to his feelings as he could get hurt again and you can feel Antonio’s frustration at being treated like a child and not being taken seriously.

This is a very good story of an older/younger relationship that eventually does have a happy ending.