Red Sunset by Rowena Sudbury

Title: Red Sunset

Series: Sequel to Blue Moon

Author: Rowena Sudbury

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 17^th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Finding love in the wrestling arena is unlikely, and a relationship based on the illusion of control isn’t easy. Scott O’Doul and Brad Fraser have managed both: one night under a blue moon’s light they found they meant more to each other than either expected. Their comfortable world is shattered when Brad is released, and he must head to Japan if he wants to keep wrestling. The work is exciting but lonely—six weeks seems an eternity. Once Brad and Scott reunite, they vacation at a lakeside cabin and find the miles apart have brought them closer—but they’ll need courage if illusion of control is to become the heart of love.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3792

Review: This was a decent enough story I didn’t mind read, but it held no real interest for me. Reading the blurb, I expected wrestling, fighting, and tension. Didn’t get them and perhaps that is the main reason why it did do much for me.
But going back and recalling the entire read, I’m afraid the whole plot was a bit bland.

The characters have already been introduced at Blue Moon and here it’s them simply continuing their journey. Brad is fired from his team and although unfair, he must go on and look for something else. His previous Japan team wants him back and therefore a separation from his lover Scott is imminent. Brad leaves. Scott remains, they both miss each other and when he comes back they feel even more attached and in love and their relationship more real.

But it was just that; a plain plot with no tension, no big highs or lows. There was the part in the middle of the book where things were supposed to go south, but even that was plainer than plain, it held nothing to make your blood boil. I think I spent most of the read waiting for something to happen.

Even the romantic relationship between the men was mild and lukewarm. The slight mention of a slap and the illusion of kink will put every kink lover off. The dynamic of such relationship was lost in this book and any appeal it could have had on that part was lost.

In the end, this was a read that while not bad or awful I felt I gained nothing from.

The King's Heart by Rowena Sudbury

Title: The King’s Heart

Series: Timeless Dreams

Author: Rowena Sudbury

Genre: Historical (1240 +) England (Cornwall)

Length: Novel (220pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11^th June 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: In thirteenth century Cornwall, a fierce king must have a strong partner, and that is what King Christopher of Lysnowydh has in his handfasted mate. Or had before rival King Warin kidnapped and tortured Dafydd to the point that, months later, he is still afraid to leave the castle. Christopher longs for Dafydd to accompany him to the other strongholds in his kingdom and to London to pay tribute to Henry III, but Dafydd is not ready. Christopher begins to wonder if Dafydd will ever recover.

Dafydd hates to disappoint his lover, but he is not sure what to do. Since he will not leave the keep, he renounces his position as king’s marshal, vowing to focus on the healing arts instead. Though Christopher continues to pressure him to travel, Dafydd staunchly stays at home—until his second sight shows him he could lose Christopher if he cannot face his fears. Determinedly, Dafydd sets out to prove he can master them.

When Christopher returns home to find Dafydd gone, he knows exactly what Dafydd must have seen. As he once promised he would, he follows his heart across his kingdom—but even if he finds Dafydd, he may not be able to heal the rift between them.

A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3042

Review: This book is best read after The King’s Tale, as it continues the story of Dafydd and Christopher. Dafydd is still struggling somewhat with the after effects of his imprisonment. he just wants peace and quiet, but Christopher is pushing him to leave the Keep. But, it is just too soon to leave the place he feels safe. Christopher feels disappointed that Dafydd won’t accompany him away from the Keep. he feels that Dafydd should be able to put his past behind him and carry on with his life. As Christopher has to travel and Dafydd stays behind, both learn that sometimes it is better to learn apart, as it is to learn together.

This story continues on not long after The King’s Tale ended and shows us the struggle that both Dafydd and Christopher go through; as Dafydd begins to get a handle on what happened to him and the lingering fear he struggles with. Christopher wants nothing more than to declare to the world that Dafydd is his and wishes for Dafydd to accompany him on his travels, but Dafydd feels that it is too soon. Dafydd still needs time to get over his lingering fear, but he can feel that he has disappointed Christopher. and when he has a ‘vision’, he faces his fear in the hope that Christopher will come for him. But, Christopher learns a harsh truth while on his travels and Dafydd begins to realise that he can’t let his fear rule him.

Well, I thought this book was wonderful for giving us Dafydd and Christopher and the continuation of their story. this story is spread over a few weeks unlike the previous book which was over a few years. Now we see the true aftermath of Warin’s (who took Dafydd captive) actions and how Dafydd is still finding his way back to be the man he once was. Dafydd’s truly still suffering and Christopher, although supportive, doesn’t understand. But, with the help of others, Christopher begins to see how things truly are for Dafydd. Christopher’s impatience hurts Dafydd, but when faced with the possibility that he might lose Christopher, he faces his fear in the only way he knows how.

This is a truly lovely story of enduring love that might stretch and be bent out of shape, but was forged in fire. and although there is give, it will always stand against anything thrown at it. Both the characters are as we remember them, but Dafydd is now quieter, preferring his solitude and his stillroom. Both men realize that they have things to face and it hits Christopher hard as he faces facts and his own words haunt him.

So, if you love historicals, passionate love, facing truths, finding peace in your soul, accepting limitations and a happy ending, then this is the book for you.

The King's Tale by Rowena Sudbury

Title: The King’s Tale

Series: Timeless Dreams

Author: Rowena Sudbury

Genre: Historical (1240 +) England (Cornwall)

Length: Novel (280pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11^th June 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Though Dafydd is the fourth son of Welsh nobility, when he leaves his home he becomes a humble woodsman in small kingdom of Lysnowydh on the sea. During a fierce storm, a stranger seeks shelter in Dafydd’s remote cottage. He is no ordinary traveler—he is Christopher, King of Lysnowydh. The wild passion that flares between them rivals the storm, and love moves King Christopher’s heart to name Dafydd Marshal of his troops to keep him close.

However, love is never simple or safe when it must endure the pressures of political life. Though Dafydd proves himself in battle, Lysnowydh’s nobles protest his rise in position and power. Forces will conspire against Dafydd and Christopher, and they must endure treason, treachery, and the demands of a kingdom requiring an heir to secure their happiness together.

1st Edition published July 27, 2009 by Dreamspinner Press

Warning: Some M/F scenes which are integral to the story.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1003&cPath=148

Review: Dafydd is a simple woodsman and he is happy with his lot in life. but, his gentle soul and simple ways draw the Kings eye. as Dafydd and King Christopher fall in love, there are problems that arise and an enemy who wishes revenge. Can Christopher and Dafydd’s relationship stand the strain?

This is a wonderful historic novel that draws the eye to the problems faced when you needed an heir in the thirteenth century and enemies could be closer than you think. This novel is set in King Henry the third’s reign, when lesser kings were still about, before they were given the title of Duke. So, Christopher is one of those Kings, as the largest landholder in Cornwall, he knows he will have to eventually have an heir, but he will follow his heart for his happiness. Dafydd catches Christopher’s eye and it doesn’t take much for Dafydd to fall for his King. But, with pressure to produce an heir putting strain on their relationship and then a horrific event leaving Dafydd nearly broken in heart and spirit, it is a difficult time for all.

Dafydd and Christopher made a wonderful loving couple, but there were a few bumps in the road as Dafydd found his place and role in the Keep. Some people were not happy with the arrangement and later will lead to major trouble. The feelings and strain for both men was well written and it wasn’t made light of. Dafydd was an absolute angel when it came time for Christopher to provide an heir. I will be quite frank and say that Christopher’s attitude stank sometimes, but I had to make allowances for the time period and the fact that as heir and then King he was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it; but that still didn’t give him the right to still sleep with Marged (woman chosen to bear his heir) after she had conceived.

Dafydd and Christopher are a passionate couple and show affection to each other frequently. Unfortunately, this is seen by some as a weakness and Dafydd ends up laying siege to one of Christopher’s vassals. The trouble doesn’t end there, as a lesser king from Christopher’s past seeks revenge and poor Dafydd ends up with the brunt of it, before Christopher musters his troops. There are lasting effects to all involved and it will be another strain on them all. This really is a beautifully written historical, with facts and customs for the time carried out and a beautiful setting.

So, I will recommend this to those who want a fantastic historical, hot passionate sex, danger, torture, solid love and a relatively happy ending.

Blue Moon by Rowena Sudbury

Title: Blue Moon

Author: Rowena Sudbury

Genre: Contemporary, Kink

Length: Novella (69pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (4^th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Daredevil wrestler Brad Fraser throws his body around the ring to the cheers of the crowd, but when the lights go dark, he throws it from bed to bed to alleviate the boredom of travel. It all comes crashing down one night at the hands of the resident bad guy, but Brad finds himself rescued by the cool, suave Scott O’Doul, and the two men make a pact based on the illusion of control.

Though their relationship begins as an arrangement of pleasure rather than commitment, over the course of a year on and off the road, Brad finds himself trusting Scott more and more. But Scott plays things close to the chest, and Brad isn’t sure where he stands—until the night Scott nearly pushes him too far.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2702

Review: Hmmm, this is one of those books that fly’s by as you read it but you feel, until the last few pages, like you missed something. Brad is being bullied, misused and taken advantage of up until the moment Scott steps in to claim him. Scott loves the concept of control, he likes the illusion that he is in complete control and with Brad he has found someone who is receptive to Scott being in charge.

I liked this book. It had a bit of kink. Basically, Brad really wanted it and Scott liked to give him. But, it was also about trust. Brad is trusting Scott to do the right thing for both of them and Scott controlling Brad and giving him what he needs rather than what he wants. For me, it was actually more an illusion of control that Scott needed as well because they both know that Brad could say no at any time and Scott would stop. The sex between them is intense and passionate and the scene at the end of the book had me catch my breath, as after a year, both men finally opened their hearts to each other.

With this one, I think I will have to recommend it to those who love hot sex, great action in the ring, an intense partnership, resisting temptation and a happy ending that was touching.

Tag: Rowena Sudbury

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