Call of the Night Singers, Rachel Langella

For being such a short story, it sure packed a punch. It was very slow going at the start and the voice was quite boring, to be honest, but once all the supernatural stuff started going down it became vastly more appealing and captivating. Told only from Geoffrey's POV, it lacked the balance I was hoping for, but it did have quite a lot of story depth even though it was very light on character depth.

I wasn't wowed by the romance at all, and definitely not the MC's themselves, but the overall story was sufficiently creepy and suitable for the setting described in the book. The villains were very obvious as were the basics regarding so many deaths that came before, but the actual why, the motivations, the paranormal element, and the violent confrontations, those were all mysteries that were woven quite well and kept me reading.

This was a new-to-me author that I very well might give another go. Once the plot picked up so did the actual story telling and perhaps that speaks to a talent that needed a little warming up before hitting their stride. If that stride is anything to go by, this is an author I'd definitely revisit.

*$2.99 on Amazon

When Garland Heatherford is named heir to his uncle’s vast fortune, he isn’t pleased by the honor, and with good reason. The last five heirs all met with most untimely deaths – four of them from drowning. Although loathe to accept his inheritance, Garland nevertheless travels to the “cursed” town of Bath, North Carolina, to meet his aged uncle, hoping to avoid the fate of his predecessors. But Garland has something in his favor the other heirs didn’t: his lover, Geoffrey Wainwright.

The sight of the decaying hulk of Heatherford House dismays both men, yet they have little choice but to enter a world where a miasma of horror lies beneath a veneer of breeding, and madness and death seem to lurk in every corner. Ruling over all is the presence of sinister Roderick Heatherford, who has managed to outlive five young, healthy heirs despite his allegedly poor health. When an unexpected illness strikes Garland and he begins to sleepwalk, lured from bed by singing only he can hear, Geoffrey resolves to protect Garland from every danger – even if it costs him his own life.

The Magpie Lord: A Charm of Magpies Book 1, KJ Charles

I adore this story.  I've read it probably five times and feel the series fits the genre, the period, and the two men are given adequate justice in the romance, the sexual, and the intrigue department.  This book is worth devouring as the magic is fascinating as is the whole structure surrounding the use of magic.  Stephen is wonderfully insecure and yet self-assured and Lucien is his match in fierceness and determination.  They make a wonderful pair and I find myself coming back to this series again and again when I want a detailed yet fast-paced story filled with magic, frustration, and sexy MM love.

Lord Crane is arrogant, lofty, frustratingly dominant, and yet fantastic.  There's something in him that drew me in right away and his "eff you, London" attitude was refreshing as he wasn't a repressed aristocratic "gentleman".  Stephen is equally frustrating except in a very different way.  Their relationship will absolutely be difficult because where Lucien has all the "freedom" afforded him by money, options, and societal respect due to his title, Stephen has nothing but his spit and pride.  They're an awesome match in far more than the bedroom, but it'll take quite a while and a journey to get them onto the same page and to get Stephen willing to be all in with Lucien.

Being a practitioner is no easy thing because there's a whole hierarchy and in-fighting and justice issue piling up and Stephen is bearing an incredible weight under it all.  And to top it all off with a request to help a man with the name and face of his family's tormentor and you've got a virtually unbearable load on his incredibly slight shoulders.  But when they find themselves in the country and at the mercy of some very evil warlocks, we get a ton of excitement, utterly intriguing magic use, and a powerful alliance.  The action, once it gets to the big confrontation, is both disturbing and awesome.  It moves so quickly that you almost fight to slow down to catch every word, every nuance, every bit so you're not lost.  Much of it comes back in the third story of the series, so my caution is to get caught up in the pacing, but be careful in its reading.

I can't find anything I don't love in the story.  While not something I expected to love because sometimes historical MM romances can be a bit dodgy, this fit nearly every bill and left me both reeling and swooning.  Such an awesome read.

*Currently FREE on Amazon!
~All prices are valid at time of posting~

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

People Like Us: Winsford Greene Book 2, Ruby Moone

A prickly popsicle and a warm and tender bear...who could expect a love that fit so perfectly?  With an intense snow storm forcing two unlikely men together they find much more than love, they find the other half of their desires, their hopes, and their lives.  At first I wasn't sure if I wanted things to work out as they did, but very quickly I fell in love with both men and knew they'd have a chance at something real if their ideas for the future could be changed just enough to see the possibilities of more.

Their affection grew by degrees and while their more lusty thoughts were kept to themselves until one very explosive moment, their relationship was working its way to being a solid connection that I was growing quite attached to.  Arthur's willingness to work hard and contribute was a great way to add depth to his prudish mien.  He was someone you needed to get to know, quite unlike Joseph.

Even though he seemed to be a bit of a conundrum to Arthur, his heart was so visible in everything he did, his pride in his work, the depth of feeling for his place in life, the respect and affection he had for many in the town, how much he cared for other people, all of it was obvious and drew me in in a very different way than Arthur.  I ached for him when Arthur got his back up and said and did things that he was later ashamed for, and I don't mean his ingrained shame for his particular proclivities.  Arthur's groveling is as unique as him and more believable for it.  They find their way out of shame, out of their bleak outlook on the future and into a spicy, sweet, and freeing existence that I can't seem to get enough of.

Between them they had a fire, a tenderness, and a future that I was very much invested in.  With cameos from individuals from Dances Long Forgotten we were given a wonderful sense of the village they had and just how well they fit.  And then there's a certain character we're introduced to that I hope becomes book three in the series...  Overall this was a wonderful book and my favorite of the series so far.  I truly hope it develops into more stories, more men finding love and acceptance in their little town with such big personality.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Arthur Fitch clawed his way out of the violence and poverty of the slums of London to become a valet to the aristocracy. His ambition to secure a higher position led him to a disastrous appointment with a cold, brutal man, and when things come to a head, Arthur is forced to flee into a snowstorm to find safety.

Joseph Wilkinson is the Winsford Green blacksmith. He has a good life, good friends, owns a thriving business, but at the end of the day when he goes home, loneliness consumes him. When he stumbles upon a small man determinedly trudging through the snowstorm, he invites him into his home to shelter.

Arthur Fitch is older, smart-mouthed, and as prickly as hell. But, as Joe peels back the layers, he discovers a warm, funny, vulnerable man whose tastes in the bedchamber leave Joe gasping and desperate for more. Trouble is, having found the real Arthur Fitch, how can he convince him that life in a small town can be infinitely better than working for an Earl? That love really is possible for people like them? Particularly when Arthur’s past catches up with him in horrifying fashion.

My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!

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Dances Long Forgotten: Winsford Green Book 1, Ruby Moone

I truly enjoyed where we ended up with this story, but I will warn that it took more heartbreak and secrets badly revealed before we got there.  Speaking of the story within the story (pretty much the main story since it was pretty much the only one we got in depth), both men were charming, but as we only get one POV, it's a bit skewed in favor of feeling more strongly for Hugo than for Lyndon.  There was a sweetness to where they began as children and a satisfaction to where they ended up once all the chaos settled, it just hurt a lot in between.

One thing to note, in my opinion, was that the story, though well-written, was unnecessarily complicated.  It was secret after secret, reveal after reveal, heartbreak after heartbreak, and was just far too much for a shorter story.  At least one or two could have been dropped and we would have had a much more engaging story.  With a total of three couples being featured in varying degrees it made for too much to bring together at the end.  That being said, if it had been simplified, I would have adored the whole thing.  Each couple was interesting enough with their own complications and hearts to sort out and they all got their HEA in the end.

The "main" couple that we started out with served as a vehicle more than a feature point and that was another missed opportunity.  There were quite a lot of little details that needed some fine tuning and an objective eye, but the overall story had excellent bones and a wonderful ending full of family, feels, and forgiveness.  It was worth the read.

*$2.99 on Amazon

On Christmas Eve, Dylan, the man of James Pell-Charnley’s dreams, is on the point of walking out. Then they hear the faint strains of a waltz in the library of the empty abbey. The music is said to be heard only by those truly in love, and it gives James the courage to tell Dylan the story.

In December 1841, Lord Hugo Pell-Charnley is in a terrible mess. The youngest son of the late Marquis, youngest brother of the incumbent, never felt to fit. When his life comes crashing down, and his life and his family are threatened, he is forced to face his elder brother and confess his deepest secret. When he arrives at Winsford Abbey he finds he must also confront the shame from his past in the form of Lyndon Cross. The boy he’d loved but betrayed in school.

As they clear the ghosts from the past, they dance in each other’s arms in the library to the soft strains of the waltz, but long buried secrets threaten to destroy their happiness.

Two hundred years later, can those dances long forgotten give James and Dylan the courage to hold on to love?

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 49

  

• The D- in 403B, Jess Bryant
• Blood Ruby: Tin Star Witches - Witches of Ruby Gulch Book 4, Kiernan Kelly
• Dragon Consultant: Supernatural Consultant Book 1, Mell Eight

This was an overall cute story with characters that I wanted to get to know and at the outset it was setting us up for a meet-hate-cute situation that I was all over.  But very quickly it devolved to something a bit more juvenile than endearing.  Once they finally got to the dating portion it was quick and definitely steamy so I was back on board.  But very quickly it became repetitive both in action and being stuck in their head.  The separation was necessary, though I feel the situation was forced by an incredibly unthinking Brett.  As a vet there was a whole lot that I didn't understand with his behavior.  The beginning was amusing and the ending was really, really good, I just got a bit lost in the middle.  3 stars.

Ishago and Finn had a rather auspicious meeting and while it made things interesting and drew me in, there wasn't a whole lot to maintain that interest.  Their interactions felt like words on a page rather than organic and fluid and even Finn's personality couldn't really make up for the dialogue that felt slightly contrived.  The action was reserved for near the end of the book rather than something that built based on multiple events that carried them to that point.  Things would probably have worked better if the confrontation and resolution weren't reserved for the very end.  There could have been quite a lot more build up and anticipation for the end as well as more care given to crafting Ishago.  Finn stole the show as did his familiar and I wish that Ishago would have been as compelling as Finn.  3 stars.

The different types of dragons, the elements of danger and mystery, and the hint of romance combine to make this a very interesting series to dive into.  It didn't all work together and some personality things were a little questionable, but that's only because this story is so short that we don't get a whole lot about any of them.  We have basics and for a start to a series with shorter-length stories I didn't mind too much.  There was enough to draw me in and pique my curiosity.  3.5 stars.

The Earl and the Executive: Imperial Space Regency Book 1, Kai Butler

While the setting promised some incredibly vast and fantastical uniqueness, the story focused on the regency era of England and the jaded wealthy man and the possibility of a love match if he swallows his hurt and accepts the earl's heart.  The research and application of that knowledge was near impeccable to my proletarian sensibilities.  What I was less impressed with was the tedium that dominated the majority of the book.  With a wonderfully sweet ending and a lovely confession from Zev there was something to enjoy by the end, it was just quite a slog to get there.

To be fair, this wasn't a poorly written story at all.  The subject matter was interesting, the characters had potential, and Tiral was both compelling on his own and heartbreaking in all the emotional abuse he received.  There were quite a few things to enjoy if you're willing to read slow yet witty banter that occurs and reoccurs and reoccurs again with no goal or intention beyond showing he and Zev share a sense of humor.  Nothing of interest occurs until at least two-thirds of the way through the book.

I was moved by Tiral but unimpressed with everything about Zev.  There are a few side characters that are interesting and amusing, but if their stories are anything as dry as this one I'll likely pass on reading them.  Even with the little mystery thrown in at the end this story could have been cut in half and would likely have benefitted from the subtraction.  Getting to the point sooner rather than later would have allowed for due attention to be given to the little danger plot which ultimately fizzled in the end as well because it wasn't exciting, dramatic, or even germane to the story itself.

So honestly I was bored by the story more than I was intrigued and if it weren't for Tiral I would probably have stopped reading.  It wasn't a bad story, just a piece of pre-packaged lunch meat when I was expecting a slab of prime rib.  Weird metaphor?  Yeah, I know, but being left unsatisfied when I was expecting all kinds of amazing feels like that.  Overall this had an interesting premise followed by a less than riveting follow-through, but a very sweet ending.

*$3.99 on Amazon

An impoverished earl...

Tiral Oican has inherited his brother’s title, estate, and the tremendous debt his brother took out before his unexpected death. There is only one option to save the estate and all the people who are now depending on him: marry a rich heir who is willing to pay off the debt in exchange for Tiral’s title. 

Now, scholarly Tiral must transform himself into a seductive fortune hunter. The only way he can see through the mess is by hiring a tutor in love. It’s too bad that Zev is so good at his job that Tiral is falling for him.

And a rich entrepreneur...

To protect his heart, Zev Laft has spent years fooling the ton into believing he’s no more than an entertaining flirtation. He just didn’t expect the ruse to work so well that the newest penniless earl to arrive on Lus for the season would assume him a demimonde and try to hire him to be his instructor in courtship. 

Now one of richest men in the empire finds himself struggling to keep up the façade, when his own heart is being taken by a man he has no intention of marrying.

Widdershins: Whyborne & Griffin Book 1, Jordan L. Hawk

Magic always has a lovely way of complicating life.  I always wish I knew what that felt like.  What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't just stopping bad magic users, it wasn't just someone discovering magic talent in themselves, and it wasn't just about finding out magic exists at all.  It was all of that and more with Whyborne experiencing it all along with coming to terms with his past, accepting a brand new possibility for his future, and that he struggled with how to use the power he found.  He was a completely genuine, awkwardly endearing, vulnerably wonderful man.  He made this story engaging and un-put-downable.

There were times that his second guessing and insecurities became a little much, but those moments were fleeting, thank goodness.  More often than not he was clever, used his intellect and drive, and intelligently caught onto clues that gave them all a little better insight into what may be going on and the implications of it all.  There were a few clues and intimations that were pretty obvious to me but weren't discovered until it was staring them in the face, but that's pretty common in most mysteries because if they had the answers as quick as the reader could predict them it wouldn't be much of a story, so I wasn't too bothered by it.  Except in one instance with the grave placements and the history "lesson".  That should have been as obvious to Whyborne as it was to me, I mean, I'd excuse a little denial, but not the complete lack of dot connecting on his part until it was nearly too late.

For Griffin's part, since we never got his perspective, we were left guessing right along with Whyborne as to his intentions, feelings, and hopes.  We get a good sense of him through his forced confessions and revelations, but I do wish I had more from him.  I wanted more of his feelings, more opening naturally to Whyborne rather than being forced to because he's backed into a corner.  His vulnerabilities make him likable, I just want to really know him.  His feelings for Whyborne sometimes come across in the unguarded moments when Whyborne sees a softer look before he doubts and disregards them as well as in his passion during their more intimate times, but I don't think it's enough to convince me of the depth and reality of them.

The underlying attraction between Whyborne and Griffin was recognized but didn't progress for quite a long time.  I loved that it felt like a natural progression for them and for the times.  While there were still secrets and unsaid feelings and insecurities, it was steamy and genuine.  Their reconciliation was fraught with all kinds of crazy because of when it occurred.  Once the action settled down and they had their conversation it was clear they were on a great path to building something strong, lasting, and important.  I'm absolutely eager to find out where they go from here, especially since there's some relationship drama that's coming according to the synopsis for book two.

*99¢ on Amazon!

A reclusive scholar. A private detective. And a book of spells that could destroy the world.

Love is dangerous. Ever since the tragic death of the friend he adored, Percival Endicott Whyborne has ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man. Instead, he spends his days studying dead languages at the museum where he works. So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible.

Griffin left the Pinkertons after the death of his partner. Now in business for himself, he must investigate the murder of a wealthy young man. His only clue: an encrypted book that once belonged to the victim.

As the investigation draws them closer, Griffin’s rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne’s iron control. But when they uncover evidence of a powerful cult determined to rule the world, Whyborne must choose: to remain safely alone, or to risk everything for the man he loves.

Alpha Wolf Shifters in Love: An MPreg Romance Collection, Tara Harris

The full collection is sweet and full of insta-love, fated mates, and overcoming obstacles.  While there is one story that stands out as being better than the others, the whole group still fits together with reconciliations, steam, and happy-ever-afters.

Wolf's Sweet Chipmunk-

This was my favorite of the three.  I bought this as a standalone a couple years ago and read it super quickly (it's not available on its own anymore though).  With an alternating point of view and a fantastic alpha, this had a lot of believability in the relationship, their happiness, and their struggle.  College should be a time for discovery and acceptance but for both James and Earnest, there's a whole lot standing in their way.  A fated meeting puts them into one another's orbit and as if they'd found the place they were always meant to be, they stand together and fight for the future they deserve.  I loved how things worked out; hearts were softened, Earnest found immense success despite being a previously undervalued omega, and James remained strong for the both of them.  The uncles were awesome as well giving the whole story a well-rounded feel as well as depth.  4 stars.

Wolf and Bunny-

So...not my favorite.  The individual characters weren't likable, the separation didn't do anything but to continue the angst, and their relationship was built on one night of passion that ended with pregnancy.  I didn't feel anything genuine about the fated mating, witness any attitude changes, nor did I see any solid foundation for a stable relationship.  With an ending that felt a bit too "perfect timing" and over the top, it was kind of a throwaway.  There was a lot of potential here but just not enough to carry it out in the end.  2 stars.

To Catch a Sheep-

I rather enjoyed the dynamic in this one and the surprise of biology was kind of intriguing.  I really didn't see that coming at all.  I've never read another mpreg story with that in it.  While there could have been a lot more in the way of building a relationship together and more description of the uniting of clan and kingdom, it was an overall nice story with a lot of passion.  There was one event that was added to increase the drama and it felt unneeded.  Instead, the original conflict with their shared unpleasant history could have been given a little more attention and finesse as they navigated that to build something.  With more of an objective eye during editing and beta reading, this could have been a really great story.  It would even benefit from a slight reworking and lengthening.  I'd read it again if that happened.  3 stars.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

Love Across Time Books 1-3, Jackie North

  

• Heroes for Ghosts: Love Across Time Book 1
• Honey from the Lion: Love Across Time Book 2
• Wild as the West Texas Wind: Love Across Time Book 3

A message sends Stanley across a battlefield and across time to end up in the care of Devon, a master's student obsessed with the very battle that changed the course of Stanley's life.  There's an instant attraction on both their parts, but there's a lot of hesitance too.  Devon thinks the young man is off his rocker yet delicate so he'll have to tread lightly when trying to get information from him and to get him help.  Stanley is lost and the kindness of Devon has him thinking of all the ways things are different in the time period he left.  There's a lot standing between them and a possible future; not just the future Stanley was thrust into, but the one they might have together.

Their interactions are pretty much in a bubble.  Stanley's adjustment to modern times isn't exactly believable as it's so smooth.  The love between them would have been a bit more believable if there were a little more emphasis put on the transition from gratitude to love on Stanley's part, and academic interest to love on Devon's.  I'm pretty oblivious to historical facts so I was able to sink into the story without issue.  What I do love is the tenderness that abounds in this story.  I also really like Stanley's personal journey of going back and forth in time to save his men.  This was actually the most captivating part of the story with all the details, the struggles, the interactions, and the re-do's until Fate/Time was satisfied.  As I was reading I could feel the characters' struggles and am pretty sure I'm going to be a big fan of this author's work going forward.  4 stars.

 

Stepping out of your normal life and into an experience doesn't end up like Laurie plans.  There's mysticism that draws his interest and a yearning for a simpler life.  So when he finds himself lost in the snow and at the mercy of a grumpy mountain man, he's left to wonder just what he did to deserve being lost in time as well.  Their story moved along at a much slower pace than I expected, but there's so much in terms of learning about one another, adjusting to harsh living, navigating homosexuality in the time period, and the interactions of their community.  I found that I absolutely enjoyed how detailed their story was, not just the little details, but weaving their story and how they built something solid together.

I would have loved to hear John's POV.  His gruffness as well as his giant heart were so captivating and yet we don't get to hear his wonder, his discovery, his conflict with everything Laurie is.  Laurie's sacrifice and learning of how John would have ended up had he not found a way back to him was achingly beautiful.  I also really, really wanted an epilogue.  There's so much about their simple life and profoundly warm love that was given a vague happily ever after.  I wish there were more.  It's kind of not fair to make me fall in love with these men and to leave me hanging a little.  With an outstanding and richly crafted cast of characters and all the focus on the two men learning to love, I fully enjoyed reading this story.  4.5 stars.

 

Where Honey from the Lion wasn't related to Heroes for Ghosts in any way outside of time travel, Wild as the West Texas Wind is directly related to Honey from the Lion.  The time period, the characters, the circumstances they end up in, all of it takes us back to the couple I fell in love with previously.  What I truly loved about this story was the tenderness, the warmth, the tentative way Zach and Layton found their love and future.

There was quite a bit more excitement to this story as there were so many things that could and did go wrong for them.  With Tom's cruelty, the perils of the times, the hesitation on Layton's part as he tried to break free from his fear, Zach's struggles with injustice, I felt so many things so often that I couldn't do anything but enjoy the ride.  And we got to see Laurie and John again =].  This story was more tender, more timid, and more hopeful than the other stories, I feel, and it was a great change of pace to the series.  My only hope now is that Maxton gets his own time-traveling love.  4.5 stars.

Apple Boy: The Quiet Work Book 1, Isobel Starling

In an unfamiliar land with only the clothes on his back, Winter Aeling finds himself at the harsh mercies of a hard-fisted master.  What he also finds is the abusive man's son, a beautiful young man who seems to have only kindness in his heart.  Their journey is long and definitely arduous, but what they grow between them is full of magic, exploration, discovery, and heartfelt promise.

Win and Adam have a connection that began as very basic and juvenile in their age and inexperience, but it grew to something that I felt would become quite strong.  While I wasn't a fan of the constant comparisons or frequent thoughts of Win's past conquests, the passion shared between them was both tender and exciting.  They both appreciated as much as they aroused one another and all their passionate encounters were based on both of those things.

This was quite a long story.  There were just so many words!  With fewer words the story would probably have worked just as well, though I learned to appreciate the detail and a lot of the minutiae because all that came in handy when other things were revealed.  The overall feel, though, was that the story just felt so long instead of just feeling like a super descriptive, exciting journey.  And being from only Win's point of view, there wasn't really a break in the voice to get a different perspective or picture of what they experience along the way.  Despite all those descriptions the world-building remained quite confusing for a while.  I had a list of questions that just got longer as the story progressed.  Some of them are great points to draw interest for the continuation of the series, but I still ended the story feeling confused about many things.

Once I got past the many mental observations and connections made by Win that seemed more for the reader than the characters themselves I really did become invested in the story.  The magic elements remain a mystery that I'm really intrigued about and will more than likely continue the series to learn more about it.  As the series will follow different characters connected with Win and Adam I'm eager to see how the bonded pair fare in the relative periphery of the group as the turmoil and revelations continue to rock their world.

*$6.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

A lost lordling, a farm boy, and a tale of mystery, magic, and murder! 

After a traumatic event, Winter Aeling finds himself destitute and penniless in the backwater town of Mallowick. He needs to travel to the city of Serein and impart grave news that will bring war to the Empire, but without a horse, money, and with not a soul willing to help him, he has no choice but to line up with the common folk seeking paid work on the harvest. 

As wagons roll into the market square and farmers choose day laborers, Winter is singled out for abuse by a brute of a farmer. The only man who stands up for him is the farmer's beguiling son, Adam, and on locking eyes with the swarthy young man Winter feels the immediate spark of attraction.

Winter soon realizes there is a reason he has been drawn to Blackdown Farm. The farmer possesses a precious item that was stolen long ago from Winter’s family, and he determines to retrieve it. He also cannot take his eyes off Adam, and as the young man opens up Winter can’t help wondering if Adam is just kind or his kind!

Where it All Began: Manx Cat Guardians Prequel, J P Sayle

In a time when a new god is changing the landscape of love, the Manx Cat Guardians are sent to guide soulmates to one another.  The arrogance of one such guardian brings two men together only to have them torn apart in the worst way one could imagine.  His role changes to guide these souls back to one another and right his wrongs, but it also paves the way for other Guardians to carry out their roles throughout the ages.

I never imagined that I would be so torn and ravaged by a story.  What happened was utterly horrible!  But there's so much promise and connection that my yearning is much greater than my shock and depression.  I seriously never saw any of what happened coming.  Not only were two men made to feel the consequences of time, religion, and vindictive warriors, but they were put into the situation because of the impatient urgings of an arrogant king.  I have no words for how painful their situation was or how horrendous the punishments of that time period were.  Their story is one I simply must read to ease my own soul regarding two men who deserved better.

This whole premise is incredibly interesting.  While it was quite difficult to get into the story once it jumped to the historical beginning of Max's part in Aaden's tale, it was a great introduction to his role and how everything connects.  Though I will say that things took a turn for the awkward when we got the cat's more...sensual leanings?  We'll see if he gets his own story to make that less weird, but for now it's best if you just kind of gloss over his musings and focus on the other romances.

Despite being a rather long prologue, this set everything up for the series and while I'm a bit squeamish about the original couple, I've got some high hopes for everyone we'll meet and where we'll be taken on this rather intriguing journey.

*$2.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

A Deceptive Alliance, Sydney Blackburn

An alliance between two kingdoms rests on the happy marriage of Isabel and Prince Darin.  But when Isabel disappears and doesn't return for the proxy wedding, it's up to Kel to take her place...temporarily.  Except he's a man and a twin, two very big marks against him according to the peace treaty and customs of Pervayne.  He'll have to keep up the ruse if he wants to save their lives and their alliance.  Not everything is as it seems, however, and Kel might not be the only one hiding things.

Kel was truly interesting with his abilities as well as his understanding of his country's situation regarding his sister's irresponsibility and impulsiveness.  Covering for her selfishness and poor decision-making more than once in this story showed how mature and selfless he was.  He was also no pushover.  The way he would stand up for "himself" to Dare and the other guard was admirable.  All the difficulty of assuming his sister's role was described really well, none of the awkwardness was overlooked.

Dare's character was slightly predictable but it was his confession and acceptance of his chastisement that made me like him.  His sincerity regarding his former lover's attitude and actions was admirable but a little dismissive as if they weren't that big of a deal when pretty much anyone could see that it was, based on that spurned lover's reaction to seeing Kel.  You can also kind of tell that he really isn't the heir apparent because he's a bit oblivious and slightly clueless about getting his way with his very domineering father or just acting in a way to be taken seriously once they reach his kingdom.

I liked the reasoning for both men's deception over the journey.  While Michael judged Kel unfairly and treated him with jealous prejudice I was wondering if that would become a bigger conflict but they quickly found common ground and became friends and allies regarding Dare.

The idea of the Kindred was definitely something more modern in expression and acknowledgment while placed in a historical setting that seemed both fitting and radical at the same time.  And the king's decree regarding the marriage is pretty much what many of us would like to see happen today; the way it was written made it a beautiful sentiment more than a current-time political statement.

I enjoyed this story quite a lot.  The conflict was really in the consequences of the revelation rather than anything external coming at them first.  And nothing more insidious than irresponsibility and extreme caution threatened them as well.  There were other events that could have turned into something more dangerous or become more of a hindrance to their HEA but everything resolved quickly and simply.  Perhaps too simply, but that's the beauty of something filled with love and fluff...if you're not feeling that type of story, you should skip this one.  Otherwise, enjoy the simple love and the strong characters that influence a happier future for all.

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