Blurb: Banished by his family, young, blind aristocrat Oleg finds there are advantages of living isolated with just his tutor for company. But the perfect day said tutor, Neiam, planned for them, Oleg’s father seems hell bent on ruining.
Review:
The Storyteller is another wonderfully written story with a little extra towards the end. More of the B&D and S&M themes but not in a way where it’s all the usual “whips and chains” but an understanding between Neiam and Oleg. It’s interesting how the term “pet” comes to mind in this and how it’s used in a term of endearment. Overall, I also enjoyed this story writing which wasn’t all about fluff and sweetness. Then I read the biography and saw that the author is from the Nederlands so that made all sense. Europeans are more sexually open and tend to go for the gut of things without the sappiness that some American writers go for. I did like that ideal that these two characters trust each other and that their relationship stays constant even after the more kinkier edges.
I’d give this story an A- for its depth (father and the relationship between the two) and that realness in the story (two friends, lovers, exploring each other in safe boundaries).
Blurb: Alec and Nahele are feral-Maith, genetic offshoots from a fantastic race. Their clan is home to many kinds of feral characteristics, but the powerful predators—wolves and felines alike—are the protectors, hunters, and leaders. Both Alec and Nahele enjoy their arrangement, finding pleasure with one another away from prying eyes, but Alec’s worries about their clan’s security have long fallen on deaf ears.
Under pressure, Alec challenges Nahele for leadership of their clan, threatening to destroy the relationship they’d been building for years. Nahele is anything but weak, and his stubbornness could endanger the clan’s stability, not to mention his own life. When push comes to shove, Nahele is confronted with the most difficult choice a leader can face: resist and maintain his pride or yield control of the clan to the feral-Maith he once trusted.
Review: Alec has advised his Alpha and lover several times that he has to make changes for the sake of the clan but Nahele ignores him and Alec feels he has no other choice but to challenge him. Nahele feels betrayed when Alec challenges him and sets out to make Alec’s life miserable.
This is a great short that seemed longer than it actually was, there isn’t much world building in this but just from reading the story you get the feeling of a primal world where everything is simple and primitive but with a sense of structure as though they are at the beginning of civilization. Although Alec and Nahele love each other they still have sex with other members of the clan as it is their way.
Alec just wants what is best for the clan and it tears his heart out to challenge Nahele. Nahele has too much pride to change as he has led the clan for several centuries. This is an erotic, brutal brilliant story that makes you wonder if our ancestors civilization started out like that and keeps us reading as we wonder if these two characters will sort out their differences to have what they had before.
I think that readers who enjoy primitive races, hot sex, brutal vicious fights, dominance, love and a good story will love this one because I did.
Blurb: The last thing Jake Sullivan wanted to do upon returning to the city was get involved in the ongoing struggle between the organized militia and the fox people. After saving a fox child from bullies, however, he finds himself in the heart of the foxes’ slums, where showing his face as a human can be just as dangerous as messing with the militia in the city proper. The proximity of Liam, a white fox with healing powers, certainly doesn’t make things any easier. The attractive fox throws his own powers into an uncontrollable overdrive, not to mention his libido.
When several of the fox people are captured by the militia, Jake’s presence is like salt on old wounds. Prejudices and politics flare, and Jake’s secrets threaten to ruin his shaky alliance. If they are to save the foxes taken by the militia for experimentation, it will take all the cunning and power the clan can muster. Unfortunately, that also means they’ll have to put their trust the one place they’d never imagined: in the hands of a human.
Originally released in “Wild Passions” Anthology (June 2011)
Review: Jake has just got back to the city when he rescues a ‘fox’ child from the clutches of three men, as he makes a run for it he is shot and is rescued by Liam the temporary leader of the foxes.
This is a really good short story that gives us a lot of action and a good plot. Jake has a secret in his past that he knows he has to tell Liam is anything is going to happen between them. Liam has a lot on his plate trying to keep his pack safe while planning to rescue the Chief as well. They both have an enemy within the pack.
I liked the way this was written. You get a good idea of what the world is like and how the different species interact and how they live. Liam and Jake suited each other quite well and the sex was hot between them. Jake really regrets his past and has tried to make up for it, but it still haunts him. The action is really good and very well written. Although…I would have liked to know more about Jake’s power, was he born with it? Does any other human have power?
I’d recommend this to those who like paranormal, urban fantasy, hot sex and a good story.
Brooklyn Marshall used to be a policeman in London, with a wife and a promising future ahead of him. Then he accidentally killed a rioter whose father was a Member of Parliament and had him convicted of murder. To ease the burden on the overcrowded prison system, Brooklyn was sold into slavery rather than incarcerated. Now, he’s the “Mean Machine”, a boxer on the slave prizefighting circuit, pummelling other slaves for the entertainment of freemen and being rented out for the sexual service of his wealthier fans.
When Nathaniel Bishop purchases Brooklyn’s services for a night, it seems like any other assignation. But the pair form an unexpected bond that grows into something more. Brooklyn hesitates to call it “love”—such things do not exist between freemen and slaves—but when Nathaniel reveals that he wants to help get Brooklyn’s conviction overturned, he dares to hope. Then, an accident in the ring sends Brooklyn on the run, jeopardizing everything he has worked so hard to achieve and sending him into the most important fight of all—the fight for freedom.
Review: This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Brooklyn was convicted of murder and he lost everything, even the potential of freedom in the future as he was made a slave with no hope of redemption. Nathaniel buys a few nights with Brooklyn and the two become close but after Brooklyn makes a mistake in the ring Nathaniel backs off and Brooklyn finds out the truth of who Nathaniel really is.
What a brilliant book, it’s based in the same universe as Rachel Haimowitz – Anchored where slavery is the norm and slaves have no basic rights. Brooklyn has had everything stripped away leaving him with rage, anger and regret. He was done an injustice when he was convicted of murder and made into a slave, all to please the dead girl’s father who just happens to be an MP. Nathaniel somehow managers to get through Brooklyn’s shell and make an emotional connection with him but when the truth comes out, Brooklyn and Nathaniel have to come to an agreement as to what will happen next.
I love this story as it’s got boxing, slavery, controversy, love, rage, anger, slight BDSM and great characters. I loved that the story-line and plot was so solid and even though slavery is fiction, the way that the justice system jumps on the police is not… that is pure fact. What was fiction was police protecting their own; ha they would sooner stab them in the back then help a fellow officer (sorry bugbear of mine). The entire book was detailed and you really ended up feeling just as angry and frustrated on Brooklyn’s behalf as Brooklyn was and I must admit I really wanted Brooklyn to smash Curtis’s face in just once. God, that man enjoyed his work way too much.
I liked how the relationship progressed between Brooklyn and Nathaniel and I really could understand why Nathaniel backed off. There was just too much to lose for both of them even if Brooklyn didn’t know why. I also loved that this book was written in English… err, I mean British English as it was a really smooth read as I didn’t keep thinking that there were spelling mistakes everywhere.
So there is a lot of stuff in this for everyone, I don’t think it really leaves anything out it’s got grit, violence, romance, hope, fear, rage, betrayal, slight BDSM, abuse, controversy, strong characters and love… it didn’t have revenge though (I do like a bit of revenge) so I recommend this to everyone… it’s a bloody good read… so read it.
Blurb: After a near-fatal accident, Logan Walker seeks help to control the compulsive blood fetish that almost cost his submissive’s life. Help happens to be in the form of an athletic, smart psychologist by the name of Dr. Kasper Bromley. Kasper, though, soon finds himself swept up in the fantasies Logan came to him to control. Reluctantly throwing his ethics to the wind, Kasper submits himself to Logan, gambling his career, his future, and his heart on this intriguing man and the lifestyle he offers. But when Kasper’s desires outpace Logan’s, the young doctor is swept down into a whirlpool of sex and sadism that even Logan’s love may not be enough to rescue him from.
Warning: This book has violence, drug abuse and heavy BDSM. E.g. blood play.
Review: Logan needs help to control his blood fetish. He knows it could have been so much worse and if he doesn’t get help then someone will end up dead. Kasper is a psychologist and his new patient has a problem with blood. As Kasper helps Logan he begins to fantasize about Logan and his desires.
This is a well written in-depth BDSM story. Logan is concerned that if he doesn’t get control of his fetish he will lose control and accidently kill someone; he’s had a close call and never wants it to happen again. Kasper begins to be pulled into Logan’s world of BDSM and once he gets past his embarrassment and shame he embraces it with open arms determined to be the best submissive ever… no matter what the cost.
Now this is a view of Doms and Subs that we don’t always see; the one where the Sub is calling the shots and is manipulating the Dom/Domme. Kasper has always strived to be the best and to impress his father. Even though his father has been dead 4yrs he still tries. Now he will impress Logan with how much he can take as a sub and become the best sub ever. Logan tries to rein Kasper in when he realizes that Kasper is manipulating him into causing him harm because Kasper refuses to have any limits no matter how much he is harmed.
This is definitely an in-depth psychological story. We have Logan who needs help and asks for it. We also have at one point Logan counseling Kasper over what he feels. and then Kasper refusing to admit that he has a problem that could kill him. This is an absolute fantastic story of two men who try to balance their needs but who both fall into despair when it falls apart. They then have to build up their trust and work out a compromise if they are going to live and love together.
A must read BDSM that will confuse, bemuse, have your heart ache and make you want to smack Kasper and knock sense into him. It is a bit controversial as well because Logan was Kasper’s client when they started their relationship and I am still in two minds about it as on the one hand Kasper knew better and Logan was a client but on the other Logan was a Dom who pushed the boundaries when he saw a spark of interest in Kasper’s eyes at the mention of submission, so to me they are both to blame. I don’t believe that Kasper meant to break Logan’s trust but it was ingrained in him to use everything to become the best.
I will recommend this to everyone who loves any type of BDSM, angst and a wonderfully written story that will have you feeling sorry for these two lovely confused men.
Blurb: He lives in the shadows of the law. Now, wounded and stranded in the city after a job only he could do, he has no qualms about climbing through the window his old lover left open—or stealing his shampoo, at that. He has, however, not taken into account the possibility of being surprised in the shower.
Three years is a long time to go between visits, especially if you’ve left so much anger and hurt and desire unresolved. They try to negotiate a truce for one night—over Chinese takeaway leftovers and apples, and between the sheets.
Review: I don’t believe that I have ever been as enthralled with a book as I was with this one. I don’t even know where to begin as this is a story with no names.
It’s been three years since he last saw his old lover and now here he is sneaking through his window, to get cleaned up before leaving again. Even though his old lover doesn’t seem happy to see him they put aside their hurts as their passion is re-ignited.
Even though this is a short story do not be fooled that it will not draw you in with its intense emotional longings and the devastatingly hopeless love. These two lovers have not seen each other in three years but neither has forgotten or stopped loving the other. They remember everything about each other and they both do things ‘just in case’. but they both know that it is hopeless between them, that it can never be.
Incredibly written, so full of detail, so full of emotion, so poignant, this is a masterpiece just waiting to be read. I have to recommend that you don’t miss this book, it is a ‘must be read’ and enjoyed.
Blurb: This retelling the Biblical mythos of the Creation and the Fall comes from the perspective of the Fallen: the angel Morningstar. It is the story of an angel, not of pride and envy, but of confusion and frustration. Forced to watch as the place of the angels as the Creator’s favored is slowly taken over by the rise of Man, Morningstar seeks solace with his lover, Radueriel.
Radueriel has a fanatical devotion to the Creator, and he repeatedly urges Morningstar to surrender to the Creator’s will. Unable to do so, Morningstar revolts against the Creator and His ineffable Divine Plan, jeopardizing his relationship with Radueriel and risking the wrath of God. The revolution fails, and the rebelling angels are expelled from Heaven.
Review: Morningstar has lost faith with God. he believes the Almighty is pushing the Angels away and is also making a mistake of His treatment of Man. Radueriel still believes in the Almighty’s wisdom and tries to steer Morningstar from his rebellious path.
This is a beautifully written tale of the Fall of the Angels and is told from Morningstar’s point of view. This story for the first half reads like a biblical tale. Morningstar begins to doubt God when he creates Man and then punishes those who did not deserve to be punished. Morningstar starts to have other doubts and so begins his rebellion. Radueriel does everything he can think of to save Morningstar but failed, now after thousands of years he goes to Morningstar on Earth.
This is a beautiful rendition of the Fall of the Angels while showing that Morningstar was not filled with envy or pride but believed that the Angels rightful place was being usurped by the humans. The love between Morningstar and Radueriel is loving and pure even when they are on Earth.
I will recommend this to those who love religious themed m/m, that has sweet and rough love and an alternative to the normal Devil/Satan/Lucifer Fallen Angel theme.
Blurb: History made them enemies. Chance made them master and slave. Love overcame it all. But love isn’t always enough….
Bridging the hatred of centuries did not come easy for Freyrík Farr and Ayden Vaska. As prince of a war-torn human province, Freyrík could ill afford to fall for an enemy. And Ayden, and Elven warrior with three hundred years of bitterness in his heart, wanted no part of love—not Elven, and especially not human. Yet they came together despite themselves and despite the will of their peoples, joining heart and mind to fight a race of Dark Beasts threatening the extinction of mankind.
But the Dark Beast threat pales beside the dangers of the human High Court, home of the Aegis Exalted and the harshest test yet of Ayden’s and Freyrík’s fledgling love.
While Ayden is stripped of his magic, Freyrík is forced to choose between his love for elf, Aegis, and brother, all the while seeking the one uncertain path that might save his doomed race. Time is fast running out for mankind, and only by making peace amongst themselves and with their ancient Elven enemies can they end the Dark war—and undo the tragedy that’s plagued humans, elves, and Dark Beasts alike for the last three hundred years.
Review: Please read Song of the Fallen 01 – Counterpoint first as Crescendo is a continuation of the story. Ayden has to put his faith in Freyrík, if they are both to survive the human High Court. and it is not easy to hold onto that faith no matter how much he loves the human. Freyrík is torn between his elf, his brother King Berendil and his High King Aegis, no matter which way he turns, he has to betray one while always hurting his elf.
This is an incredible wonderful fantastic story that is written by a true storyteller who keeps you reading with every word written. We already know that these two, elf and human love each other deeply. In this part of Song Of The Fallen, that love is tested beyond measure as they both face challenges that are thrown at them while they are at the High Court. And then as they journey into the Feral woods to find the source of the Feral’s; on an impossible task set by the High King Aegis.
This is a brilliant story-line and plot, the characters are incredible and the emotions of both the main characters are touching in places. You can’t help but feel sorry for Freyrík and Ayden as they are in a position that they can see no way out of. Ayden’s treatment at the hands of the humans is just terrible and then later Freyrík gets a taste of it from the elves.
The world building is again fantastic. giving us a wonderful picture of the world they live in. Discovering why it’s called Song of the Fallen is an enlightenment that I never even suspected. This is an incredibly woven tale that I couldn’t put down (my kids would agree as I nearly burnt their dinner) and didn’t want to end.
I recommend this to everyone… it’s a fantastic fantasy. It’s got some hot loving, it has mistrust, angst, danger, hatred, anger, adventure and it’s brilliant.
Title: The Storyteller
