This is My Genre, Tell Me Yours! #booktag

Good night, lovely people! I was going to bother you all only tomorrow morning, but as Beth, from Betwixt The Pages, so kindly reminded me three times, she tagged me on the This is My Genre, Tell Me Yours! #booktag =D If you don’t know Beth yet, you totally need to #justsaying, so go check her own post and blog here, please! She rocks all the right books and jams ❤ Beth, once again, thank you for the tag!

• Credit Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek as the creator of the tag, either use the created tag name graphic or create your own and link back to the blog;
• Answer the questions;
• Tag as many people as you want!

QUESTIONS

1. What’s your favourite genre?

I’d say romance, but that’s a lie. I could say historical romance, but that is also not right. The truth is I’m picky with both, so I’ll just stick with the universal truth: gay romance. If we’re talking about a good and sugared gay romance, then I’m in heaven.

2. Who’s your favourite author from the genre?

I hate when I have to choose among my children, but if for some monstrous reason I got stuck reading the same author forever and ever, it would be Ava March. She’s my goddess on earth and she knows it. Or at least she should, as I’ve been bothering her by messages on Goodreads and e-mails since I was 17 – I’m 22 today, so the math proves how much patience Ava has with me, haha! Seriously, ALL HER BOOKS ROCK. I should know, as I have read them all. #psychotic #Ilovetoohard #sorrynotsorry

3. What is it about the genre that keeps pulling you back?

This question actually needs to be answered in three parts, if you all don’t mind lol Dear Annelise, of course we mind! Do you think we don’t have anything better to do than to read your babbles?

Sorry, I’m still answering it on three parts, please bear with me ❤

Part I: Historical Romance

Since I was a child, I’m a sucker for historical romances, especially the ones set in London, 19^th century. At first, I only knew the heterosexual romance world – which I love dealy to this day – and what keeps pulling me back to it is to be able to see how you can find ways to rebel even when society is against you. To see how people behaved and how difficult everything was back then – can you imagine being hungry and not knowing how to turn on your own stove to bake yourself something? I honestly can’t and that’s why I keep coming back to this genre. I love to see how people were able to live and be happy with way less. How much simpler things were. If they had good toilets and tampons, I’d totally go back in time!

Part II: Gay Romance

I have such a fondness for LGBT love in general because I feel this is the last true social barrier for a relationship to actually work. If I’m reading contemporary romances and it is all about the couple getting together with some insecurity drama to it, I just don’t feel like reading it. I don’t see a valid problem, you know? But a LGBT couple has yet to deal with a lot of shit from society – many times, from their own homes. This sense of forbidden love makes me pin harder for them, in hopes that, one day, those labels won’t matter anyone and love can be truly free.

Part III: Historical Gay Romances

After Greeks and Romans turned into History [haha], pretty much all relationships posed challenges. The taboo levels varied according to the times, but no couple was safe – I hope you are seeing a pattern here, haha! On the 19^th century, people loved to think they were oh-so-civilized and modern, but relationships were still very complicated. Nobles and servants together? Nope. Peasants and nobles? Nope. Royalty and beggars? NOPE. Birth itself was a barrier and there were serious punishment for marrying off your social position. Now, imagine the taboo levels for two men in love with each other when they can barely choose the women to hold their hearts? I FAINTED.

4. What’s the book that started your love for your favourite genre?

I’ve been a book lover from the crib, with no particular trigger to my adoration. However, what truly awakened the gay romance lover in me wasn’t a book, but a manga series called Gravitation, by Maki Murakami. To be honest, it isn’t even that good, but I didn’t know it was a gay romance when I first bought it and started to read it. I was 13, I think, and totally ignored the big +18 on manga covers since I was 8, so you can imagine my face-fall as I reached volume 2 and the male protagonists had sex. I wish I could have a gif of that moment, it was priceless, haha! I already had a soft spot for beautiful bffs males, so the thing just naturally evolved and officially got out of control as I entered college and met J. L. Langley’s books. Life as I knew back then was over, hahaha!

5. If you had to recommend at least one book from your favourite genre to a non-reader/someone looking to start reading that genre, what book would you choose and why?

Actually, I have already been there with Jess, from the Mud and Stars! If you want to immerse yourselves on the wonders of historical gay romance, I must recommend you All In With The Duke, from the goddess Ava March! It’s simply the best historical romance of my life. I hope this is reasoning enough, but in case it isn’t… Here’s my review for it!

I miss my pretty Instagram pictures #justsaying

 

6. Why do you read?

Why do I breathe? Why do I eat? Why do I sleep? All those questions have the same answer: despite being highly enjoyable, I NEED TO DO IT, LMAO. Books are my safe heaven, the hobby I hop on when I’m tired, bored, happy, sad, excited, hopeful, in need of a hug… Books are my life. I actually own more books than clothes and shoes put together, haha! (Just to clarify: I’m only talking about physical books. Don’t even get me started on the digital shelves, haha!)

George R. R. Martin definitely rubbed on me, I can’t even make a tag post something short… Sorry, guys! For this one, I’ll tag…

Amanda, from the Cover2CoverMom

Jess, from the Mud and Stars

Because I’m really sure they are ok with tags, but anyone is welcome to do it! You can even say I tagged you on your post =D Jess and Amanda, please don’t feel obligated to do this if you don’t feel like it ❤

I guess that’s it, people! Hope you found this post where I just talk about my royal panda self all the time interesting ❤ What is your favorite genre?

With love,

Junior Jolt, from Elaine Ashford (Straight College Guys #3)

(Alternative title: Oh boy, how do I love fake relationships!!)

Hello, my precious people! Just like the goddess Kelly Clarkson, piece by piece I’m slowly getting back to a nice posting pace =) I know you are all too proud of me, but please, hold your horses. I’ll accept the congratulations and all when we go back to 1-3 posts per day, haha!

We’re here gathered today to witness my first book review for one of Elaine Ashford’s romances after months of blind fangirling! A big moment, my people! As I told you yesterday on the biggest bookish news post of my history as a blogger, I ended up on Elaine’s ARC mailing list somehow and received a copy of the third book in the Straight College Guys series, released on this Monday, Nov. 21th, in exchange for an honest review: Junior Jolt! Thanks so much once again to Elaine and her team for selecting mee!! I still don’t understand why it happened, but OMG THANK YOU! I don’t need to understand, I’ll settle for just being insanely happy, haha!

Parker Gagner is one of those guys who knows exactly what he wants and where he’s going. As the captain of the college’s Hockey team, Parker knows his priorities and lives by the code of honor inside and out of the ice rings. That’s why he steps up in the middle of Eli’s fight with his ex-lover and promptly sends the guy off by telling him that Parker and Eli are together. Not because Parker can’t stop thinking about Eli those last weeks and how good a kisser he might be. Nope, definitely not – after all, Parker is straight… Isn’t he?

Eli Martin still doesn’t understand what’s happening on his life. Since Parker meddled on his fight with his ex, the Hockey captain came in crashing Eli’s world. How can it be so easy to pretend to date a man with so many responsibilities and so incredibly popular with pretty much everyone? And how can a fake boyfriend put up such an effort to make Eli feel cherished when none of his real previous dates did so?

On one thing, Parker and Eli can agree on: their lives won’t ever be the same.

Me after finishing the book

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

THIS WAS EVERYTHING I’VE BEEN HOPING FOR ON AN ELAINE ASHFORD’S BOOK AND MORE! #discretion #youwontfindhere This book was really short, with only 23k words, but I made a point of taking my time reading it, to savor all the cuteness, the romance and the really funny quotes. It was exactly what my heart called for and it would have made to the big five stars if Elaine hadn’t used the oh-so-famous-line “I released a breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding” not once, but twice (with slightly different wording, but still sounding too similar to the deal-breaker for my tastes). All in all, four beautiful stars ❤

The narrative was first person styled, with switching points of views between Parker and Eli. If you have been around for a review or two and, as I’m really discreet about my tastes, it just may ring you a bell when I say I first person isn’t my usual go-to kind of narrative – you know, it leaves too much space for hate for the characters on my head, haha! Junior Jolt was another delicious exception for this concept of mine and I loved getting inside Parker and Eli’s heads. I admit, Eli and I had our tough moments, as the guy screws up a little on some part during the story I’m so precise, I know, but nothing too serious for me to roll up my eyes and hate him ❤ Also, the fact that this is a short book helped as well. I would have loved to see more of Eli and Parker’s world, but the story had the perfect size, truly.

I have to say that I fell in love with the lightness and cuteness that flows through Ashford’s writing style. She managed to build real, strong and funny characters without needing many pages and deep intense thoughts on their parts – come on, that’s just fabulous. And I didn’t even get to tell you yet about all the pop culture references inside the book!!

The plot was simple and fluffy, with all the cuteness my heart had been craving from my latest gay reads. Don’t get me wrong, I love deep and complex stories (I actually have an offline friend that likes to say I “breathe complexity”, haha!), but sometimes I miss the harmony between sad/tense/intense/rough moments with fluffy/cute/funny/light moments. After all, isn’t this what makes a real relationship? Ups and downs? A rollercoaster that never allows you to get down and vomit in peace? #what #gross

Sorry, that metaphor didn’t quite go as expected, haha! My point is, despite the lack of real depth in Junior Jolt, I do prefer reading them to the completely dramatic ones. Offline life itself is already full of drama, so I don’t feel like absorbing a hit to my guts that was meant for someone fictional that I really care about. I need to stay strong for my friends, for my family, but books are supposed to be strong for me. Otherwise, how am I going to keep sane?

However, of course, I stray from my original path. Nothing new, but I’m sorry nevertheless! Let’s discuss our characters, right? 🙂 As this is the third book of the series, despite the tranquility of reading it as a standalone, I don’t feel safe to say much about sidekicks, sorry! This time, exceptionally, I’ll just talk about the main couple.

Parker is your dream gentleman hidden beneath his hockey player captain status. He always puts his friends and the people he cares about before himself and go really out of his way to make them happy. I loved how he protected and wooed Eli without Eli even realizing it all before it was too late, haha! I really loved that Ashford was able to build such a male and gentle guy at the same time, burling the stereotypes like a boss ❤

Regardless of my feelings for Eli’s life decisions or panics, he was also very well constructed. He was funny and charismatic without pulling the effort and charmed his way into any social group, which is mildly fantastic! Especially if you, like me, prefer to walk always with the same people, haha! (Don’t get me wrong, I swear I have plenty of friends, but my coolest parties are always with the same girls, oops! I’d totally include Eli on my parties from now on, tho!)

Also, I feel like is my duty to inform this book has steamy hot scenes and it’s not for those faint of heart. Parker and Eli go good at each other and I really like their chemistry pretty much all the time, haha!

Now, how about some quotes? Of course we have cool quotes! How else would I woo you guys into fangirling about it with me?? =O Here we go!!

“I’m a fucking catch, thank you very much. Except I remember that Parker just insinuated he’s my boyfriend, and wait, what?” – Eli’s thoughts

~*~

“It takes a little while for my brain to get back online, distracted by Parker’s…everything.” – Eli’s thoughts

~*~

“I’m full of excellent decisions, what can I say?” – Eli’s thoughts

~*~

“Opening the door, I motion for him [Eli] to go in first. He fake curtsies, and I laugh. Just force of habit, I guess – I open the doors for everyone, male or female.” – Parker’s thoughts

~*~

“You just said you needed a diagram to fully explain it. That sounds pretty complicated, Parker.” – Eli

~*~

“I still don’t know what I’m doing, but a little bravery never hurt anyone, right?” – Parker’s thoughts

~*~

To wrap things up: if you are a gay romance lover, a fake relationships lover, a fluffly books lover and you’re ready for that quick and delicious read to relax you all over, you MUST read Junior Jolt ❤

Thank you for reaching the bottom of this review! It always means a lot to me to know you came all the way down ❤ Also, thanks so much again to Elaine Ashford and to her team for selecting me for this ARC, I was made a very happy and satisfied girl!

Love you all and see you around!

Bookish News: all the interesting things I’ve learned while on hiatus

Good morning, stars! It’s me, the book blogger – sorry if you expected the moon, our lady is asleep right now. I was organizing my e-mail this weekend and realized there are TONS of bookish news I’d like to share and comment with you, but mostly are from my hiatus (a.k.a. old news). As a journalist, I can’t sell you this information as fresh, because mostly aren’t. Also, I’d totally spam your inboxes with so many things I wanted to tell you all, so I decided to do a huge post (spoiler alert?) with all the top news I’ve learned and squealed over during my recluse days.

On the future, I plan to transform this into a weekly deal. While we wait for that particular miracle, I’m going to ravish about all the good stuff I’ve learned through the past two or three months =) To make navigation easier, I wrote this post in topics, sorting the authors alphabetically by their first name! #ocd #sorrynotsorry

This post has news about: Anne Renwick, Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon, Elaine Ashford, Helen Harper, Jeff Adams, Jordan L. Hawk, Linda Oaks, Mark C. King and Melissa Foster!

Anne Renwick

• The Silver Skull (The Elemental Web Chronicles #2)

I’ve stumbled upon Anne Renwick’s books a couple of weeks ago and signed up to her newsletter. I’m crazy about newsletters of any kind, so I had to add hers to my collection ❤ Last Friday, she revealed the final cover for the second book in  The Elemental Web Chronicles, coming out on January of 2017: The Silver Skull!

As you can see, I’m in love already and we haven’t even reached the blurb, haha! The book doesn’t have a profile on goodreads yet, but you can take a look on the first volume here and visit the author’s site here for more information on the series =)

Lady Olivia is not all she seems.

Trained for marriage to an assigned political target, her skills lie in programming household steambots to serve tea, dress her hair… and sound the alarm while she picks locks and listens at doors. Humiliated by a failed assignment, she decides to redeem herself by tailing a suspected double agent.

Lord Rathsburn must flirt with treason.

Struggles to cure a horrible disease have met with unexpected complications. The cells he engineered can make a man’s bones unbreakable, but the side effects are fatal. He believed the research terminated… until his sister was kidnapped by a German count. Her ransom? A cure.

Piloting a stolen dirigible, he uncovers an unlikely stowaway, Lady Olivia.

Arriving together at a crumbling castle, an impossible task is set before them: cure the count’s guardsmen. Amidst their fake marriage, a very real growing attraction, dying guardsmen and escalating hostilities, Lady Olivia and Lord Rathsburn are thrust deep into the world of international medical espionage from which there may be no return.

 

Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon

• Delaney and the Autumn Masque (Victorian Holiday Hearts #4)

My divas released their newest book on October 3^rd! Delaney and the Autumn Masque is the last book in the Victorian Holiday Hearts series, with a steamy gay romance for each special holiday of the year! I already own books one and two, but I have failed my goddesses and haven’t started the series yet. #shameonme But I shall and soon, as their books are too good for me to go without =)

A spicy harvest treat from Devon and Dee.

Delaney, former pickpocket and now a member of the Andrews theater clan, performs magic tricks as Billbo the Magnificent. Hired to entertain at a fancy dress ball, the magician is struck by the lurking, dramatic figure of the Grim Reaper. He follows Death to a quiet room for a glorious, lustful encounter.

With his identity hidden, impoverished gentleman Bartholomew Bancroft dares to indulge in an out-of-character moment to quench his forbidden yearning for another man’s touch. But in the light of day, he can’t dismiss his memories of the mysterious magician or a craving to see him again.

Bartholomew enlists the dexterous conjurer to teach him to pick pockets. His plan: to retrieve his hand-crafted jewelry taken by a vengeful ex-lover. During the lessons, Bartholomew and Delaney yield to desire, certain their affair will last only until they retrieve Bartholomew’s stolen work.

At another costume ball, the gentleman and the magician work together to foil the thief, but when all masks are abandoned at last, can lasting love remain?

• The Mighty Have Fallen {coming soon!}

Bonnie told me about her new solo work on our last e-mail exchange (yes, most of my favorite authors have to put up with me being a pain in the ass on their inboxes) and now we have a blurb! =D The Might Have Fallen will be published through Dreamspinner Press on January of 2017. We don’t have a cover or a Goodreads page yet, so I’ll just leave this killer blurb here and, if you want to stay tuned on Bonnie’s news, sign up to her newsletter on her website =)

Theater headliner Trevor Rowland is at the peak of his career when disaster strikes. In one fell swoop, he loses his eyesight, his fame, and his boyfriend, who absconds with most of his money. Trevor must take on a flat mate, hardworking East Ender Jack Burrows, to afford rent. Anger and bitterness have taken up residence in his heart—but Jack shines light into the shadowy corners with his relentlessly sunny disposition.

Jack introduces Trevor to a local drag club and convinces him he can enjoy the stage again. Trevor’s defenses slowly come down as Jack becomes much more than a barely tolerated roommate.

But will Trevor’s fragile trust be destroyed when it appears he’s been manipulated yet again by a man he’s come to care for? Will he reclaim his life or crawl back into a shell of defeat? Trevor must learn to trust not only a man, but himself, once more.

 

Elaine Ashford

• Bodyguard Boyfriend

I’ve stumbled upon Elaine Ashford quite by accident by the end of March. I still hadn’t the chance of reading her books until this week, but she touches my guilty pleasure with her works: sugared gay romances. She released two books during my moping time, the first being Boyfriend Bodyguard, on Sept. 26^th through Lovelight Press. A hot bodyguard and a secret relationship? COUNT. ME. IN.

A business relationship…

Pop star Adrian needs a new bodyguard as soon as possible, and the hottie the agency sends is exactly his type. At least visually. But Rob isn’t as dull as he seems and there’s a softer side to this ex-military man that Adrian didn’t expect.

Rob doesn’t care what his new boss thinks: he just wants him to be more careful. Adrian’s recklessness with strangers is going to get him in trouble, and make Rob’s job more difficult than it has to be. But Adrian’s sunny personality doesn’t turn off when it’s just the two of them in a hotel room, and this young star might be more charming than Rob knows what to do with.

Becomes more than a job…

Just because Adrian flirts like it’s breathing doesn’t mean Rob has to be any less professional on the job. Somehow, it’s happening anyway. When a couple of fan encounters go sour – and heart-pounding – Rob has to admit that he cares more than he thought.

Tumbling into bed together isn’t the problem, it’s figuring out how to date out of the public eye.

But how far can that go?

Falling in love means Rob cares more than ever about keeping Adrian safe. But not all dangers are so easy to spot. This time, it’s not some crazed fans: it’s a family matter. And Adrian wants Rob to keep out of it. Are Rob’s protective instincts going to drive them apart? Or is there a real danger out there, and will Rob be in time to save the one he loves most?

 

• Junior Jolt (Straight College Guys #3)

Her second book released during these hard times actually went live on Monday, Nov. 21th, and you’ll see a review for it sometime in the next days. Miracles do happen and, somehow, Elaine included my name on her ARC readers list, so I find myself with a copy on my hands that I just finished last night! Despite this being the third volume in the series, they can be read as standalones. I’m sure I’ll end up buying all her books with the Amazon credits my relatives give me this Christmas, haha!

Stepping up…

Hockey captain Parker Gagner is straight. Isn’t he? He’s always thought so, but there’s something so compelling about Eli Martin’s pleading eyes that it makes him step into an argument between Eli and Eli’s asshole ex-boyfriend without thinking. Pretending to be Eli’s new man is only supposed to be a protective gesture, until spending time together becomes more important than pissing off Eli’s ex.

Holding back…

Eli isn’t sure what to do about his growing attraction to Parker. They’re doing a lot of fake dating, and he can’t help wanting more. Making a move is out of the question, though, unless he wants to risk destroying their friendship.

Crossing lines…

An unexpected late-night encounter leaves both men conflicted and avoiding each other. Can they find a way to talk about their feelings before it’s too late, or have they ruined their chance to really be together?

 

Helen Harper

• Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)

I’ve met Helen Harper last year when I received Gifted Thief to review from the publisher, via NetGalley. It was love at first read and, almost a year later, Integrity Aidar’s journey reaches an end on the fourth book of the Highland Magic series: Last Wish. The book will be released on December 1^st and Helen was awesome enough to provide me with an ARC, so you can expect the conclusion to Integrity’s adventures soon here too! Spoiler alert: I already finished the book, haha!

It’s not easy pretending to be dead – especially when it feels as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Between an unfulfilled prophecy, the demon-occupied Lowlands, the continuing power of murderous Aifric Moncrieffe – not to mention her constant yearnings for Byron – Integrity Adair has a lot to worry about.

Still, how hard can it really be to save Scotland, maintain her morals, get the guy and keep her sense of humour?

This is the fourth and final book in the Highland Magic series.

 

• Eros (Olympiana #1)

Another wonderful news is that Helen and other 12 authors put together an awesome box with 13 books, called Urban Mythic: Thirteen Novels of Adventure and Romance, featuring Norse and Greek Gods, Demons and Djinn, Angels, Fairies, Vampires, and Werewolves in the Modern World =D Helen’s contribution was the first book in the series Olympiana, Eros. As you can imagine, it’s a retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche and she was awesome enough to believe in me and send me a copy despite my offline struggles. Besides being grateful to the end of the world, I can assure you all that the book is great, as I already read it as well, haha! Now I only need to read the other 12 stories… Oops!

William Shakespeare once wrote that, “Cupid is a knavish lad, thus to make poor females mad.” The trouble is that Cupid himself would probably agree…

As probably the last person in the world who’d appreciate hearts, flowers and romance, Coop is convinced that true love doesn’t exist – which is rather unfortunate considering he’s also known as Cupid, the God of Love. He’d rather spend his days drinking, womanising and generally having as much fun as he possible can. As far as he’s concerned, shooting people with bolts of pure love is a waste of his time…but then his path crosses with that of shy and retiring Skye Sawyer and nothing will ever be quite the same again.

Also, you can find the Urban Mythic box here!

 

Jeff Adams

• Love’s Opening Night

On more recent news like, in today’s fresh news, author Jeff Adams, whom I just met this week through a Big Gay Books Giveaway, just shared with his readers the final cover for his new book, Love’s Opening Night! The book will go live on December 28^th through Dreamspinner Press =)

Can an onstage love story lead to a real-life romance?

 Jeremy Steele is a veteran Broadway performer. For his latest role, he’s dancing alongside a man he’s fantasized about for years, TV star Ty Beaumont. Jeremy knows better than to get involved with a castmate, but when Ty has trouble learning the complicated choreography, Jeremy offers to lend a hand. When a rehearsal kiss turns into something more, Jeremy can’t help but wonder what a celebrity like Ty could ever see in a Broadway chorus boy like him. Will a relationship with his crush make it past previews, or can it become a long-running hit?

 

 

Jordan L. Hawk

• Hexmaker (Hexworld #2)

Jordan was very busy as I moped around those few months: she released the second volume on the Hexworld series, Hexmaker, and I can’t tell you all how happy I am! I was dying for a sequel – too bad I have to wait until Christmas to buy the book. I had to settle for her other release, also in the Hexworld for now, haha!

[Click here to read my review for Hexbreaker, Hexworld #1]

A straight-laced policeman. A lighthearted thief. A murdered millionaire.

Fox shifter Malachi steals for one of the biggest crime rings in New York City. But when he witnesses the murder of a millionaire, the only person who can keep him safe is Dr. Owen Yates, forensic hexman for the Metropolitan Witch Police—and Malachi’s witch.

Owen is horrified to discover his familiar is an uneducated thief. Even worse, Malachi threatens to unleash Owen’s deepest desires…desires Owen can’t act upon, as he’s destined for an arranged marriage to secure the Yates family fortune

Their agreement: Malachi will be Owen’s lover as well as his partner, until the day of the wedding. But as their hunt for the murderer carries them from teeming slums to Fifth Avenue mansions, Owens begins to realize Malachi commands his heart as well as his body.

With dark forces drawing ever closer around them, Owen must decide whether to bow to the demands of duty, or to risk everything for the man he loves.

 

 

• A Christmas Hex (Hexworld #2.5)

And this one I have already bought! Jordan wrote a lovely short story inside the Hexworld for a Christmas collection and released it as an independent volume on the end of October. I’ll be reading it soon enough, as it’s been too long since my last book from her ❤

Roland knows he will never find love. Everyone views wolf familiars like himself as dangerous beasts, unable to rein in their savage impulses. He’s resigned himself to his fate—or so he thinks, until he meets the dashing Augustus Cao. His witch.

Gus is on the trail of a gang of thieves, and Roland holds an important clue. Even though they can never bond, Roland can’t pass up the opportunity to spend a night with his witch.

Can Roland conceal his secret, while helping Gus catch the thieves? Or will the handsome detective be the one to steal his heart?

 

 

Linda Oaks

• Fighting for a Chance (The Chasing Series #4)

I’ve met Linda through a fellow bookstagrammer last year, as soon as I started blogging and it was friendship at first e-mailing, haha! I’ve been eagerly following The Chasing Series since the first volume and I’m preparing a surprise to Linda: I’ve bought my e-copy of Fighting for a Chance and I’ll surprise-review it for her! =D It’s the least I can do for her to start repaying all the e-mails she already had to endure from me and to show her how grateful I am to have her friendship on my life and her books on my shelves. Can’t wait to tell you guys more about this baby ❤

It all began with a secret. A cross of paths that altered a life.

Iris Malone had a plan of revenge. She searched for the man known as “The Savage.”

Chance Logan was one of the most promising heavyweight contenders on the planet. Her plan was simple, to make a savage fall to his knees. She would break his heart like he’d broken so many countless others before her.

But sometimes even the best laid plans can begin to unravel.

What happens when you fall for the enemy? When you’re in danger of losing your heart to the man you promised to make suffer?

When lines are crossed, and it’s too late to turn back, you have no choice but to live with the decisions you make.

Will Iris’s plan for revenge ruin the chance at a love of a lifetime? Will she fight for a chance to love a savage or will she lose everything when the truth is finally revealed?

Someone was going down. Someone would pay.

Do you care to place your bets as to who will be standing at the end of the final round?

 

 

Mark C. King

• Tomb of Hannu (Sigmund Shaw #3)

My friend Mark has been very busy; not only he released the third standalone book in the Sigmund Shaw series, he’s already working on his next book! How do I know all of this? Simple, my darlings: I’m one of his beta-readers =D I haven’t started the new story yet because I’m so lame, but I can’t wait to! Mark has such a magical way with words that he makes me float as I read his books ❤

Be Careful What You Wish For…

Sarah Clarke, fifteen-year-old niece of Sigmund Shaw, had never had any adventure in her life – outside of books. When her friend, Charlotte Merrihail, a reporter for the Strand Magazine, asked her to come along on an assignment in Egypt, Sarah thought she could finally experience something that was not just in her imagination. What ensues is far beyond her dreams…or nightmares.

A threatening curse, an impossible prophecy, and violent secret societies, are only the beginning of what Sarah will find herself up against.

 

 

Melissa Foster

• Tempting Tristan (Harborside Nights #3)

Melissa Foster actually is known for her spicy heterosexual romances, so you can guess how surprised and curious I was to learn she had released a gay romance on Oct. 19^th, right?!! I just need to read this! And before you ask, nope! I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of her books yet, but I’m sure starting through Tempting Tristan ❤ This is another series filled with standalones =)

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try to figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star for the incident that nearly cost him his life—and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is live the life he’s always dreamed of and forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together, the hotter the flames burn. But the closer they become, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

 

 ~*~

WHOA, that was a huge post! And I’m sure I missed many more good news, tho. Ugh. Next thing to start December with my right blogging foot is to make a resumed list of new releases I want to see under my Christmas three, haha! #daring #delusional

Thanks so much for reading this post! Tell me a bit about the best bookish news you’ve received on those last three months =D

Until another time and love you all,

The Merchant and the Clergyman, from Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon

(Alternative title: ALL THE FEELS FOR 184 PAGES IN A ROLLERCOASTER)

Hello, there! In case you haven’t notice before my break and still didn’t get it after my break, I’ll just go and say it: gay romance is my to-go genre when I want to get over any reading slumps or life problems. As I was facing both, you’ll realize that 80% of my read books on this weird period are gay romances. Today’s book is no exception.

The Merchant and the Clergyman, from Bonnie Dee & Summer Dee, was a book that I was crazy to read. They were awesome enough to send me a copy of the book as a gift, as I helped promoting their entry on Kindle Scout, but life happened and it slipped my mind.

SHAME. ON. ME

Then there I was on the bus on Tuesday, going to work, thinking about which book I should start and BAM: The Merchant and the Clergyman, OF COURSE! =O Needless to say that I finished it as soon as I got back home, right? Hahaha! Such a delightful read, it was physically painful to tear myself away and actually work. To be honest, I didn’t expect any less from my divas Bonnie and Summer ❤

But enough blah blah blah. Let’s go to this review! Once again, thanks to Bonnie and Summer for sending me this book ❤ Now you got an honest review in return, haha!

James Fletcher hasn’t many reasons to complain; fate was good to him. After finishing school, he was able to go back to his hometown, living along with the people that saw him growing up and his family. As a curate, it’s his job to bring spiritual peace and help people to find their own harmony. His only problem is that the God that he so lovingly serves also condemns his most secret wishes. James refuses to fall for sin again and swore he would keep the pervert part of himself locked and buried. Not even the hot and shady stranger that barged into his house would make him change his mind. Declan Shaw would have to seduce some other man into his delicious games.

Declan Shaw hasn’t many reasons to complain; fate also was goo to him. As the most successful member of his family, it’s his job to travel all the world, supervising their business and straightening the wrongs and living adventures. His only problem is the loneliness. As a man who prefers other men, Declan can’t build a life and his own family. He had made peace with this limitation long ago, but laying eyes on the angelic and adorable curate of his cousin’s small town made him questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. Suddenly, all he can think of is how James would taste and feel with his body on his. Declan is sure that if he sets his mind into the matter, he can come up with a satisfactory solution for this impasse. The real question is: will James be willing to go along with Declan’s plans?

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

OMG THE FEELS. Seriously, this book made me react so much that made me keep my fame as the crazy girl from the 15^th floor, haha! I wanted to read it all the time. If you are looking for a book to read in one sitting, this is your chosen one. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN ON YOUR OWN! James was adorable and the way that Declan sincerely tried to be better to feel more worthy of James was SOOOO CUTE! *–* Seriously, 5 stars without blinking. Oh, but don’t misunderstand me. This is no sugar tale. Dee and Devon are always very realistic on her romances and life for a gay couple on 19^th century was hell. I honestly never know if they will end well until they do – nothing compared to the easiness of an Ava March romance, for example 🙂

me when the subject is Ava, Bonnie, Summer or Langley

The narrative was third person styled, with switching points of view between James and Declan. Risking sounding like a broken record, this is my favorite kind, so I was easily absorbed by both men’s consciousness. As in all the other romances that I read from this awesome girls, the guys are opposites on personality and that was explicit on their narrative skills. James was the naïve and good hearted one, always trying to believe that the world can be a better place, regardless of his love for God. Declan is the skeptical one, always sarcastic and intimidating people around, more worried about having his way and doing justice than with other people’s feelings. The only thing I have to admit it wasn’t that great was some of the metaphors used on the book on the romantic scenes. I unfortunately didn’t had the mind to take notes, but there were some passages that seriously bordered cheesy and in a really bad way 😦 It was kind of a mood breaker almost every time, oops!

The plot is simple with a touch of mystery. Besides the obvious romance between the guys, Declan also needs to find out what is happening to his dear aunt, who appears to be sick and not in a natural way. I left this part out of my own made blurb because it’s a weak mystery. Culprits and methods are clear enough, leaving the reader only wondering about the motives, as nothing is clear until the end due to simple lack of information, haha! Even so, I’m not complaining. This is a romance, not a mystery. Consider it a bonus and an excuse for Declan to stick around for so long 🙂 I also wasn’t impressed with the last two chapters, as I felt they were kind of random. I mean, I understand why they are there, but I don’t know. I think I’m spoiled by the other books from those brilliant ladies, oops!

Hmm, I kind of already babbled a bit about characters, so I’ll just say that I love how complex and developed all characters were. So may personality layers, so many small signs. I really love Dee and Devon ❤ ❤ The couple is another one that will be branded on my heart!

Despite not highlighting any bad moments, I did take the opportunity to highlight the best moments of this book and here are some of them:

~*~

James: I didn’t hit Kip, I, ah, struck him with my knee.

Declan: That’s some muscular Christianity you have there, Mr. Fletcher.

~*~

“Invite me in. You might as well. I’m going to come in, and your invitation will make the situation more civilized.” – Declan

~*~

Oh, what polite gentlemen the pair of them were when the gloves were put back on. – Declan’s thoughts

~*~

Twilight was the most melancholy time of the day, (…) when one questioned if his existence really mattered to the world. – James’ thoughts

~*~

James: I was wrong earlier. You are not a good person.

Declan: No matter. You are good enough for the both of us.

Declan: always smooth as f*

~*~

Declan squared his shoulders in what James had begun to think of as his “roll up sleeves and get job done” posture.

~*~

And wasn’t that a wonderful though – years of James giving him pained and chiding looks.

~*~

Loving could not be a mistake, even when it ended. – James’ thoughts

~*~

ALL. THE. FEELS.

So, if you like heartwarming characters, gay romance, historical books, refined humor and light BSDM, this is the book of your life ❤ Once again, thanks to Bonnie and Summer for my copy and sorry it took me so long to read it!

Okay, I guess that’s it for now. Hope you all are having a great week! Thanks for reading this review and tell me what have you been up to so far in your month reading =D

Love you all and be back soon,

Threshold, from Jordan L. Hawk (Whyborne & Griffin #2)

Hello, good night! Once upon a time, in last April, Jess, from the Mud and Stars, I read Threshold, the second book in the Whyborne & Griffin series, by brilliant Jordan L. Hawk and only now I realized that I never posted my review for it. I’m a lost cause, seriously, haha! Anyway, better late than never, so here we go!

Whyborne has all the reasons to be happy. He’s been living with his lover, Griffin, for a while now in blissful peace. That is, until his fox of a father hires Griffin to investigate strange events on one of his coal mines, located at Threshold Mountain.

As strange happenings have been reported with a high frequency lately, Whyborne decides to accompany Griffin on the investigation and his best friend, Christine, decides to just the same. After a huge finding at Egypt, the archeologist has a great deal of paperwork and any excuse to avoid it sounds great.

As if fatal accidents, disappearances and hushed secrets weren’t enough to creep Whyborne out, he finds out that a former work colleague of Griffin is also working on the city. Elliot wasn’t simply beautiful, good humored and smart: he also had to be Griffin’s ex-lover.

Things are looking great already.

Just remembering that those are my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

As if it was possible to not like anything that Jordan writes, haha! I loved Threshold even more that the first book! It was darker, funnier, sexier and totally swoon worth *–* Whyborne once again made his way into my heart and the mystery always drove me nuts! Seriously, just five stars aren’t enough!

The narrative was once again first person styled, from Whyborne’s point of view. I really love his as a narrator, so I didn’t even bat an eyelash to this aspect, haha! Also, I really think that first person works well in mystery books – assuming that everything will be revealed in the end to the reader, of course!

The plot was complex and had many mysteries to keep the reader guessing. From the moment that Whyborne, Griffin and Christine left Widdershins, the roller coaster had only one way: down. I was surprised to find a way more darker and creepier atmosphere in Threshold than on the previous book. Hawk’s writing also was fantastic and somehow even better ❤ Seriously, this whole book is too good!

The characters were once again so lively and real that I wanted to hug them! Whyborne grew up so much in this book, even more than he did in the last. Griffin also evolved a lot and now I’m more sure that he loves Whyborne just as much as Whyborne loves him. I often felt like it was a one sided relationship, but it was awesome to be wrong, haha!

Also, Christine was seriously badass and made all the males in this book – Whyborne and Griffin included – look like whining slackers, haha! The woman can shoot like a damn soldier =O And was the reason behind many of my our loud laughs while reading Threshold, haha!

Once again, I can’t say a thing about villains and culprits as to not spoiler the book, but know this: YOU WON’T SEE IT COMING AND EVEN AFTER IT DOES COME, YOU WILL KEEP WONDERING HOW IT WAS POSSIBLE!

Now let’s get serious for a moment. I need to highlight the amazing historical research behind this book. Hawk describe the life on the mines in the end of the 19^th century so vividly and accurately that my heart clenched. Being a History nuts, I had already made some previous research on miners lives in that time and it is not pretty. Hawk didn’t glamour up anything in the experience, but also didn’t bet on the melodramatic. Her tone is one of conformity while facing one more awful thing engraved on Human’s History and I thought it very appropriated. We can’t deny it happened, we don’t need to make a scene because it happened. We acknowledge and keep going.

Another highlight were the sex scenes. OMG IT WAS HOT! I loved every second of them and I love how Hawk doesn’t abuse on hot scenes to keep her reader interested 🙂

Oh, and I brought some of the best quotes of the book for you to understand why you NEED this series on your life:

“A great deal of whiskey had been consumed, and I wondered what Father would think if he knew how his money was being spent. Actually, never mind. If he knew I’d spent the night surrounded by female prostitutes, he’d probably consider it a sign of improvement.” – Whyborne

~*~

“If you find you need anyone shot, send word and I’ll come at once.” – Christine

~*~

“Please stop reading the licentious affairs of others and return to the task at hand.” – Griffin

~*~

“I’d managed to disappoint everyone among the living, so I might as well start adding the dead to the list.” – Whyborne

~*~

And this killer dialogue:

Whyborne: “My dearest pudding pie,” I read aloud.

Griffin: Yes, my little turnip?

Whyborne: Hilarious. If you ever call me anything of the sort again, we shall have words.

~*~

I told you that you needed Whyborne & Griffin in your life ❤

Overall, if you like paranormal, mystery, historical and gay romance, stop sitting or standing there reading this review and come join me on the fandom army of Whyborne & Griffin!

Thanks for reading my review and a special thanks to Jess for indulging me on book club and bearing with me on diet-coke-drunk nights and a high amount of fangirling over those boys, haha! Love you, Jess!

Hexbreaker, by Jordan L. Hawk (Hexworld #1)

Good night and hello again! As I promised earlier, I’m back with another gay book review, haha! This time, is another marvelous work from one of my favorite authors ever: Jordan L. Hawk! She was awesome and kind enough to send me a copy of Hexbreaker, first book in the Hexworld series and her newest release that hit stores as we speak, in exchange for an honest review ❤ As soon as I discovered the existence of Hexbreaker, I was already fangirling like crazy, so it is no wonder it took me only a day to finish it. It could have been less, but the house insisted on throwing a tantrum and not cleaning itself alone, forcing me to stop my reading in the middle to tend to it, ugh!

But the moment has arrived, so let’s talk about my new sweet darling Hexbreaker 😀

19^th century, New York City. But not quite as you know it…

In a world full of magic, shifters – mostly called familiars – and witches, Cicero is a cat working under the Metropolitan Witch Police. As most of familiars, Cicero had yet to find his witch and forge a magic bond, so he stayed under the Magic Police’s protection along several other shifters.

As his animal form may suggest, Cicero is all grace, ego, beauty and sassiness. A true intellectual with passion for any kind of art, a bohemian at heart. A liberal lover, an independent creature that dreaded and fantasized about the moment in which he would encounter his witch (haha). He knew his time was running and he would have to pick someone in case his witch didn’t show up, but what if his witch turned to be a beast in permanent human form? What if his witch would be some random bully with only muscles and no brains at all? Cicero wouldn’t put up with the abuse – but also didn’t want to deal with the rejection, that hit so close to home.

A literal opening of door proved all his fears true in the wardrobe-sized person of Tom Halloran, a bulky ogre. A copper. A man with no brains and zero magic ability… According to tests.

His witch.

Tom Halloran is one of the last honorable coppers left in the regular Metropolitan Police Department. After an awful episode under his watch, he gathered his courage and got his superior’s permission to report to the Metropolitan Witch Police. Tom is a man of many secrets with a terrible stained past, but he never gave up standing for those who needed him. He wouldn’t allow something that awful to happen on his watch and neighborhood again.

And if solving the case meant he would have to put up with some weird and moody fellow and his tantrums, so be it. Tom was sick of seeing blood being spilled by his family’s mistakes. He was sure that he and the cat Cicero could make their forced partnership work if Cicero looked past Tom’s simple ways and appearance.

The only thing both men agreed on was that they would never think of losing their hearts along the way.

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

First things first: I am sorry for the giant blurb, but this is the kind of story that you feel like asking your friends to gather around a fire while you tell it, haha! Second, I’m so not impartial regarding Jordan’s work BECAUSE SHE RULEZ! Hexbreaker was my fitfth book by her and I loved every single one of them ❤ If Ava March is my queen for gay sugared historical romances, Jordan is my queen for gay paranormal historical romances *–*

I had great expectations for Hexbreaker and Hawk managed to surpass them all and still leave me gapping at the final twist. I kind of guessed the culprit pretty fast, but the motives and who really pulled the strings remained a mystery for me until the last second. AND IT WAS GREAT! I loved every minute of this book and now I just need to grab the prequel too or I will have an attack or something! (Yes, there is a prequel, more info here, haha!) Once again, Jordan got my heart, squeezed tight, threw it to the wall and said goodbye with a blown kiss. Results? FIVE BEAUTIFUL STARS!

The narrative style was third person ( ❤ ), with switching points of view between Cicero and Tom. I loved how much sentiment, feelings and depth Hawk manage to put through Hexbreaker’s pages, sucking the reader in and refusing to let go while you were away from the book. Not for the first time when it comes to her work, I found myself vacuuming my apartment and thinking so hard that you could see steam coming from my ears. Who? Why? What am I missing on this picture? Who is safe to trust, who can I blame?

This was my level of concentration on what my body was actually doing lol

I find amazing the amount of power that Hawk has over my mind each time I pick one of her books to read. I can’t disconnect, I can’t let it go, I need to get to the very bottom of the mystery or the problem in order to start breathing again. You may want to grab a chair, it’s reflection time.

Being a book blogger, it’s normal for me to read quite a lot. I already read quite a lot before becoming a blogger, but since then, I’ve been breaking personal record after personal record in reading matters. And despite being lucky enough to enjoy a big part of what I read, there are a handful of books that seem to work some kind of black magic on me. As I read them, I feel like I’m not into my body anymore. There are no pages, paper, screens, hands, eyes. Nothing. Just a wild swirl of emotions that once was me and the story unfolding in my head. And if I’m interrupted, I feel physically difficult to move my body. To get my legs working, my eyes adjusting to the world. And it feels so… Wrong. My own body feels out of place. I feel like I could just detach myself from it and walk away. Fly, I don’t know. I feel like I have to fight to remain in my reality and not fall back into the book’s one. Like my reality was the fictional one, the hard place to get into, and not the other way around.

Hexbreaker was one of the books that stripped me from my own body. To the point that I didn’t hear my phone ringing right next to me, that my dad had to poke me hard in the forehead to let me know about dinner and that my mom had to throw a blanket over me because I was under dressed to the weather and wouldn’t hear her commands to put on a hoodie and socks.

And when I get back and realize what has happened, how hard I fell for the book, I feel in my bones why reading can be the best experience of one’s life. The best moment of one’s  day. That breath of fresh air into a dull existence without any real excitement. When I open a book, I become Bilbo Baggins going out on an adventure. And nothing else matters outside of the pages in my hands, no matter if they are literal or digital.

Sorry for the major reflection, haha! My whole point is that I suffered from lured mind into book pages in all my Hawk’s reads so far, just with variation of stages in its seriousness. Hexbreaker for sure is the champion so far on the list, haha!

Back to the story. As you may have guessed, the plot is brilliant, with a nice degree of complexity to it and a perfect mix of elements. Romance, mystery, humor, thriller, drama, action, paranormal… It all entwined in such harmony in Hawk’s writing that I felt like that New York was real and in front of me. Hawk’s combines very well obvious events with jaw-dropping twists and doesn’t waste a single scene over her chapters. Every small thing has a purpose, a catch to it. We still have some questions, but this is a series and I know that Hawk won’t leave us in the dark 🙂 No pressure, haha!

The characters were bewitching and surprised me a lot. I knew I’d like Tom since the moment he appeared, but liking Cicero too was unexpected. I usually prefer my gay protagonists all males that happen to like other all males and Cicero was clearly a diva. But he grew on me so quickly that I didn’t even noticed when I started pinning for him too =O Only Tom made it to My Bookish Boyfriends list, but I’d love to have Cicero as a Bookish Bff. I’m sure we would laugh a lot together, haha!

I loved how perfect Tom was in his imperfections. He isn’t your typical dashing knight in a shining armor or the prince charming. He’s a regular poor guy, built for hard labor, too big, with the minimal scholarship and no fashion sense whatsoever. And, just like Cicero, I found him to be quite refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the classical handsome and perfect princes and knights, but sometimes is nice to see new scenarios, haha!

I’m also now very interested in Dominique and Rook’s story. They are the main couple in the prequel novella mentioned on the beginning of this review and I am ashamed to confess that I still hadn’t the opportunity to buy it, oops! So poor of me.

I really need to fix that, ugh!

Oh, and can we just stop for a moment just to appreciate this cover? It is so delicate, classy, sexy and colorful! *—*

Also, I’d like to highlight how well Hawk handed the sex scenes on the book. They are few and all have a very distinct purpose: to show how Cicero and Tom’s relationship was growing stronger with time and how they slowly fell in love with each other behind the lust. Dear Jordan…

Overall, Hexbreaker is a swoon-worthy romance packed with surprised and magic. If you like historical romances, paranormal books, shifters and seat-grabbing books, just drop my blog and go get your copy, haha!

Thanks so much for reading my review! Sorry for the size and the thoughts in the middle of it, haha! Also, an enormous thank you to the Queen Jordan, that sent me her book in the first place ❤ CAN YOU TELL I’M IN LOVE WITH THE HEX WORLD?!

Bellow, you’ll find the purchase links for Hexbreaker, my post talking about its release (there are insights of Jordan herself on it) and the other books by Jordan that I already reviewed 😀

You can find Hexbreaker in both paperback and ebook formats!!

Amazon | Amazon UK | ARe | Smashwords | Kobo | iBooks | Nook

You can see my previous post about Hexbreaker and The 13^th Hex here 🙂

And here we have my full list of reviews for Jordan’s books so far:

HAWK, Jordan L. – Dangerous Spirits, Spirits #2 (review here!)

HAWK, Jordan L. – Widdershins, Whyborne & Griffin #1 (review here!)

Another one is already in the oven, so stay tuned! 😀

The Quartermaster & The Marquis’ Son, by A. E. Kendall (Clash at Sea #1)

Hello, there! It’s me, again, back with a pirate romance review! Er, gay pirate romance, of course. You can’t expect less of me, right? Haha! It took me a shameful month to read The Quartermaster & The Marquis’ Son, first book in the Clash at Sea series, and I know why: BECAUSE I INSIST ON CHEATING MY MONTHLY TBR’s! Instead of taking 3 to 4 days as this book would require of me, I’d sneak it in every day that I had free time that wouldn’t be used reading another book. Last Saturday I decided to end this madness and properly finish the book. Poor Kendall had her mailbox full of fangirlings and hysterical attacks from me all month long and for that, I apologize, haha! And all of this after she being kind enough to send me this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much, Kendall, and I’m sorry for being a pest!! HERE IS SAID REVIEW!

Michel is a nobleman in a quest. After a series of unfortunate events on his life (you saw what I did there), Michel decides to run off his comfortable and wealthy home in search of his older brother Alain, the only person on his family that acted the part. His brother was sent off to Porto Prince for allegedly bad behavior in society, but Michel is sure that their father was wrong about it and sent Alain off to make both Alain and Michel miserable.

Nothing would stop the French youth in his pursuit, not even a never-ending fever, seasickness during his trip from France to Porto Prince. Not even a tall, dark and handsome pirate that assaulted his ship. If he had to die fighting and desiring the man, so be it.

Galen is a pirate in a quest. After being wronged and humiliated (among other worse things) by another awful pirate captain, Galen is hell bent in pursuing the bastard all over the seas until he gets his revenge and peace of mind back. He knows he is doing the right thing for himself and nothing will stop him from getting back at the bastard.

Not even a very skillful and dashing Frenchman found at one of their targeted ships. If he had to die fighting and desiring the youth to save him and have him, so be it.

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

So, I took my sweet time reading this book. It was so intense and packed with adventure, action, romance and longing that I could have been found sighing and giggling every time I had my hands on The Quartermaster & The Marquis’ Son. I loved the characters’ construction, the writing style, the historical accurate setting, the plot, the twists, EVERYTHING! While I think it could have been shorter in some parts and wished we could have seen more about Galen’s past (like we did with Michel), it still was a 5 full stars read for me! ❤

The narrative style was my favorite kind: third person with switching points of view between Michel and Gale. This was crucial for us to understand and not hate Gale, as he is those silent, deadly and shy types, haha! You know, shy regarding feelings and demonstrations. Michel, in the other hand, is passionate, naïve and very forthcoming about any desire that he may have, so both completed each other and the story with the help of the switching povs.

The plot almost killed me, to the point that I e-mailed Kendall asking if I would have a heart attack on the end or if I could just grab a paper bag and wait for it to get better, haha!

Poor Kendall having to put up with me, but the plot was complex, detailed and full of twits and turns. Some expected, others completely mind blowing. I found it the perfect combination, as those twists made me second-guess myself during the reading. I thought I could predict the outcomes, but could I? I had already been right and wrong before – not to mention all the times that I was simply swept out of my feet by not seeing things coming, haha! It was very nice to live on the edge with this book and made me feel like I had a breath of fresh air among my historical romances. Don’t get me wrong, I love the downward sugared ones, but this one was so different *–*

As this is the first book in a series, it doesn’t make sense to talk about loosing ends, so moving on 🙂

The characters were one of my favorite parts on this book! They were so real and alive that I wanted to hug many and punch many, haha! I loved Galen’s crew and friends, that consisted of Phillip ( ❤ ), John, Alex, Erich (I’m almost sure that is his name, I’m awful with names, haha!) and Davey. I also loved Captain Jack, I hope to see him again on the next book and loved Alain. I even sympathized with the guy that was Galen’s captain’s mate and plaything, Marcus. It’s so new to me to love and remember so many characters as I finish a book that I’m a bit emotional right now.

Also, I felt these guys weren’t mere sidekicks. They were relevant and necessary to the story’s unfolding and I loved Kendall even more for that! ❤ Also, I got some new book boyfriends to add to my ever growing list *–*

Now, the main characters. OMG, WHAT WAS ALL THAT CHEMISTRY, ANGST AND LUST?! OMG, IT WAS SOO HOT!

I loved to see how Michel and Galen’s feeling developed on their adventure and how there was no kind of instalove, only curiosity and lust in the beginning. Michel was a strong and stubborn bottom that would never allow Galen to stomp on him and Gale was always worrying about Michel’s well being and what was best for him. Seriously, I fangirled and squeaked  a lot over them *–*

I feel on the duty to inform that every sex scene present in this book was meaningful, beautiful, needed and carefully executed to always express how much the parties involved cared for each other and wanted the act. No vulgarities, no endless fucking for no reason. Just love. In all kinds and forms ❤

Also, I need to point out how amazingly well the historical settings were described and presented by Kendall. She always worried about all the small details, increasing a lot my knowledge on a typical day in a buccaneer’s life. It was a most pleasant way of learning!

Overall, if you like pirate books, hot sex scenes well positioned, a swoon worthy romance and awesome twists, PLEASE READ THE QUARTERMASTER & THE MARQUIS’ SON! *–*

Thanks so much for reading my review 😀 Also, I’d like to thank Kendall for being a sweetie and having gifted me with a copy of Alain & The Duke, a novella that works out as a prequel to The Quartermaster & The Marquis’ Son! *–* Can’t wait to read more about Alain!! And, of course, also thank you for this book in the first place, haha! ❤ I loved it and I’m sure many other gay book fans will love it too!!

The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller, from M. Pepper Langlinais

Hello, there! I’d like to start this post by apologizing for being missing today until so late. Very important political decisions were being made at my country and I couldn’t bring myself to focus on anything other than the senate television channel. Brazil’s president is going through an impeachment process and such affair is of deepest interest for everyone over here, no matter the people’s position on it 🙂

Now that this is clarified, I’d like to talk about today’s book: The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller, from M. Pepper Langlinais! I’ve received my review copy from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review and the moment arrived!

from my Instagram 🙂

(Goodreads’ blurb)

In 1960’s London, British Intelligence agent Peter Stoller is next in line to run the Agency—until he falls in love with cab driver, Charles, and his life goes off the road. When Charles is accused of treason, Peter is guilty by association. Peter manages to extract them both, but the seeds of doubt have been planted, putting Peter’s mind and heart at war. Is ignorance truly bliss or merely deadly?

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

I was really excited about this book. It may come as a big shock for my friends and followers of the blog *sarcasm*, but I love gay romance and seeing one with a spy/mystery catch took my breath away! It was disappointing to see that, despite the mystery being really nice, the book wasn’t all that awesome. I couldn’t connect with the characters, the romance felt very shallow and weak and there were several times in which I felt the story dragging. Still, a pleasant enough read that surprised me with its outcome 🙂 Three stars!

The narrative was third person styled from Peter’s point of view. That should have made me happy, as it’s my favorite style, but I couldn’t connect with Peter. He was very observant and noticed the little things, but I feel that I still don’t know him after the entire book 😦 Also, the writing style also didn’t jump to my eyes…

The plot was probably the strongest point in the book, with twists and turns and all. To this moment, I don’t know what to think of Charles. This feeling of distrusting characters and being left in doubt is priceless! Also, I haven’t seen the end coming, haha! What a blast!

I prefer not to talk about the characters this time. I don’t have anything good to say and I don’t want to bad mouth a LGBT book – they are too scarce for that and it’s not because I didn’t get along with it as I would have liked that it won’t be the perfect book for someone else. So all I will say is that I felt that the characters were a bit shallow and that I didn’t connect with them.

The only thing that I have to point out is that I missed more romance on the book, given all the thoughts in Peter’s head towards Charles. I know Romance is not a label in the editor’s description of the book but it’s not because it’s a mystery that you can’t have affection scenes on it too.

Without further ado, if you like a good mystery, vintage Europe, adventure and a blasting end, you should read The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller 🙂

Thanks for reading my review! Bellow, you can see where to find The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller and read more about the author 😀

You can find The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller in ebook format only 🙂

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Pepper Langlinais is best known for her Sherlock Holmes stories. She is also a produced playwright and screenwriter. She lives in Livermore, California.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter

That’s it, thanks for reading! And thanks to Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours once again for my review copy and for my spot on this book tour 😀

NEW BOOK ALERT: Alain & the Duke, by A. E. Kendall!

Hi, guys! I know, it’s pretty late, but I needed to break some news to you: A. E. Kendall just released another juicy hot and delicious book on the Clash at Seas series!! *–*

Before you go saying “oh Annelise, you never mentioned this author before, you’re always blabbering about Ava March, Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon and Jordan L. Hawk and their perfect gay romances”, I’d like to tell that I’m currently reading the first book on the Clash at Seas series: The Quartermaster and The Marquis’ Son, and LOVING IT! ❤ And I’d like to take this opportunity to thank again to Kendall for sending me it in exchange for an honest review, because she practically wrote down half of my fantasies. Thanks, darling!!

But let’s go back to the matter in hand oh God why did I said it that way: Kendall’s new release! The book is a prequel to my current read and a novella, called Alain & the Duke ❤

Release date: April 1^st, 2016

Summary

Find out what the 2nd son of the Marquis d’ Sevigne-Chambord has been up to in the prequel of the Clash at Sea series ~

‘Alain & the Duke’ – a Clash at Sea series novella.

Alain Tristan du Montbron, the 2nd Son of the Marquis d’ Sevigne-Chambord, is in a hell of a lot of trouble.

After spending a blissful night in the arms of his lover Augustine, the Duke of Atelier, he is on his way home when he is picked up by the king’s forces.  In his pockets the soldiers find evidence pegging him a spy in the ongoing clash between the king’s forces and the Resistance that could lead him to the gallows.

With his life on the line, Alain is forced to choose between keeping his visit and ultimately his relationship with the duke a secret or coming clean and incriminating them both to save himself.

Will his love for the duke and loyalty to the man who stole his heart lead him to make the ultimate sacrifice leaving the duke to wonder what happened to his lover? Or will he redeem himself in this short novella by AE Kendall from the critically acclaimed Clash at Sea series.

The book doesn’t have a profile on Goodreads yet, but you can check it on Amazon 😀 Alain & the Duke is currently available in ebook format only 🙂

AMAZON

Also, you can expect a review for The Quartermaster and The Marquis’ Son any time until the end of the month, so stay tuned for more fangirling on my part ❤ And Kendall’s working on the second book in the series too, so you’ll be hearing a lot about her from now on over here, haha!

Thanks for reading and for putting up with me on my non-stop fangirling state today, haha! I love you guys ❤

The Copper, from Bonnie Dee

Hello again! Welcome to the first of what I hope shall be many reviews for today! Last night I started and finished a lovely book from one of my favorite authors in the world: The Copper, from Bonnie Dee. Imagine how much I fangirled when Bonnie was kind enough to send me an ARC in exchange for an honest review and how much I suffered with my own booked bookish schedule (haha) and with the forced await until yesterday. And imagine how much my parents and offline friends suffered while I read the book and laughed hysterically or “awww-ed” or started to tap my feet on the floor in a nervous reflex. If you didn’t know already, I’ll tell you this: it’s a bitch to be near a reading fangirl.

Before getting this review started, I just want to thank Bonnie again for the kindness and say that you made my night yesterday ❤ Now enough gibber jabber, let’s do this!

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Lord Avery Wickersham is the epitome of a carefree wealthy man. He does what he wants when he wants and how he wants. Nothing stays in his way when he sets his mind into something. But not even all his determination is enough to fulfill his empty existence. No matter how many men pass his bed, how many alcohol, opium, money and games. Lord Avery Wickersham is a lonely man without a purpose in life.

Until he’s found in bed with other two men by a police raid.

Connor Tate is the epitome of the fair police officer. He follows rules on the clock, breathes justice and battles for a more equal world, righting all the wrongs he can. Nothing stays in the way of his determination – not even his illegal desire for other men. Connor knows that sacrifices have to be made in life for a greater good and he is very good at his work. No matter how much he craves a mate, intimacy or even just a friend. His duty will always comes first. Connor Tate is a lonely man with a firm purpose in life.

Until he finds Lord Wickersham in bed with two other men in a routine police raid.

As Avery and Connor’s worlds collide, both men realize that they won’t ever be themselves again. Avery doesn’t mind in the slightest that he has to play low to prevent further scandal in society – he was arrested, after all – and Connor can’t ignore all the feelings that a certain lord awoke in him with his noble acts towards his bed mates. And maybe with his winning smile.

But can Avery prove to Connor that they can work out as a couple? Can Connor get past his conscious and allow himself to be happy for the first time in his life?

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

So, as you may have noticed, I love Bonnie Dee’s works. I have been pinning to read The Cooper since I found out about it in February and I knew it would be a blast. Bonnie knows her business when it comes to writing and character developing, so I knew I was in capable and safe hands. I just didn’t expected to be swept off my feet with the thriller vibes from The Copper. It was so refreshing to read a gay historical romance with this element! Really rewarding ❤ I also loved the dark and down-to-earth tone of the book, very realistic without losing the romance charm, you know? So I’m a satisfied, surprised and delighted fangirl at the moment, haha! I couldn’t give it any less than five stars!!

The narrative style is third person with switching points of view between Copper and Avery. Have I mentioned that this is my favorite one? Always, I know. Sorry for that. It was so nice to be able to dive deep in the minds of Avery and Copper. Both were such complex and lovely characters! I usually pick a favorite man among my gay couples, but I couldn’t decide between them! Avery and Copper were really like two faces of a coin: the fun, easy-going, wealthy and powerful gentleman that has everything and has nothing versus the serious, reserved, lower-classed and average man that has little money and the world in his head. And they are glued together by fate ❤

The plot had a thriller and mystery tone to it, but it wasn’t complex. We discover all key pieces very soon and the longing for the who is not something that will drive the reader; it’s the why and how to stop it that will. Powerful people are involved in corruption and awful illegal deeds, people that can’t be reached by the regular means of the law in the turn of the 19^th London. The kind of people that walks free of punishment to this day because of a name, or money or all together. It’s not hard to guess what will it happen, specially if you, like me, it’s a fan of Dee’s works, so don’t set your standards for a story with a huge twist. You’ll be left wanting.

it happens, right?

The characters are the strongest point in the book, along with the writing style. As I mentioned, Avery and Connor are very well constructed and so real that it hurts. I really wished I could tell them everything they thought of each other and simply hug them and assure everything would be just fine.

All of this you already knew, but I never mentioned how well constructed the side characters were. Bertrand, a main side kick, is awesome in his own way – few people would have survived what he endured – and added a lot to the plot. I also enjoyed Barbara to the core (I won’t say who she is due to spoilers) and Avery’s employees. The villains were also something else, all business and danger. Seriously. I love Bonnie Dee.

Now, the sex scenes. I have to say that in not a single moment they were sex scenes, that would be a wrong way to call it. Everything that Avery and Connor did was pure love, desire and passion. No frantic releases just because they both liked men. No desperate fucks to relief their hard reality. Every touch, every kiss, every caress was for something more, a feeling that both barely comprehended until much later in the book, but stronger and powerful as few feelings are: love. It was all about love. The love for the freedom of touching, the love for intimacy and their love as a couple. I wouldn’t say that there is instalove in this book, but I understand if some people face it like that. Sometimes curiosity and need are mistaken for love. Sometimes passion is mistaken by love and it is okay. It happens. But not in The Copper. Avery and Connor know that what they have is a mutual curiosity, the result of two different worlds colliding, but they don’t think of love at all. Not even when their feelings develop in such a fashion, for my utter dismay.

I mean, seriously? Not a single “I love you” at all?

I also enjoyed the historical accuracy of this book, for good and bad. It’s a turn of the century London, in which a reputation is all a man has in the end of the day, no matter his social status. I love historical romances, especially the sugared ones, so a more realistic scenery did wonders to my mind, haha!

Overall, this is another masterpiece on Dee’s resume, with a bit of everything: romance, historical, gay love, mystery, thriller and self-discovery. If you love any of those genres, you can’t miss The Copper, a book that won’t allow you to close it until you reach the end. Seriously. I know, it happened to me, haha!

That’s it, thanks so much for reading! And thanks a lot again to Bonnie Dee for the trust in sending me another of her works ❤ I loved every minute of this reading!!

The Copper will be out tomorrow, so I’ll update the post buying links then 😀