Monthly Archives: June 2016

by | June 30, 2016 · 2:00 pm

4.5 Star and 3 Star Reviews for Finding Family by Connie Bailey #MM #Romance @dreamspinners

CoverTitle: Finding Family
Author Name & Publisher: Connie Bailey (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: June 1, 2016 – 234 pgs

Synopsis

When you find your family, you’ll do anything to keep it.

When Charles Macquarrie inherits a fortune and an international clothing company, he also inherits three young cousins he desperately needs help raising. By a stroke of luck, he discovers and hires Jonathan Lamb, who spent his life in a children’s home due to chronic illness, to be his nanny.

If Jon thought a budding romance with his wealthy boss complicated his life, he has no idea of the hardships awaiting him when he’s charged with embezzlement and kidnapping. But even when threatened by accounting discrepancies and mob connections, Jon and Charles won’t let go of the family they’ve built together without a fight.

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Review

FourandHalfStars

This is my first book by this author and I stupefied as to why I haven’t read more of her books. This is another book in the Dreamspun Desires series. At first I was a little unsure when the author takes the turn into a somewhat mystery but as I read further I just could put the book down. The character development was great even though Jon appeared to be somewhat naïve. I loved the secondary characters almost as much as the main characters. Even though this book can be consider a light mystery it also had humor in it. I really love when a just seems to know the exact point to inject humor into the story. The children in this story were a perfect fit and I love all of them. Overall this was a great story and I would love to hear more from Bunny.

Lynn

ThreeStar

So, in Finding Family, we have orphan Jonathon Lamb, who is accepted to be the nanny for rich businessman Charles Macquarrie’s 3 young cousins. Jonathon was like super nanny, the kids loved him and he could do no wrong. Somehow though, it was hard to connect with him. I liked when he showed quirks like talking to himself, but other than that, I didn’t really get sense of his true self.
Charles was…Charles. I didn’t connect with him either. The romance between them was sort of…not there. I felt no chemistry even if it was told to us that they were falling for each other. They didn’t even really get together until passed the 75% mark on me ereader. It just dragged. The kids were kids. Nothing really special there.
I thought Charles was really dumb for taking somebody’s word that his business was ruined before checking it for himself. DUMB. Instead he packed up the nanny and 3 kids he wanted nothing to do with and took of. That did not endear me to him and I was already struggling to finish the story.
Ah, I’ll give it 3 stars anyway cause the author tried. I just wasn’t into it. The story had potential though.
Cookie

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by | · 12:00 pm

5 Star Review for Evading Exodus (Southern Jersey Shores #2) by Alexis Wood #MM #Erotic

Cover

Title: Evading Exodus (Southern Jersey Shores #2)
Author Name & Publisher: Alexis Woods (Beaten Track)
Publication Date & Length: April 1, 2015 – 65 pgs

Synopsis

The upcoming Passover celebration is a time of joy and excitement for Darren. He’s meeting Ace’s family for the first time, but when he discovers his ex is one of Ace’s oldest friends, bitter enemies are forced to face off. With friends and family joining together for dinner to celebrate this Spring ritual, braving the plagues of Exodus, Dare has to ride out the waves of miscommunication and understanding, discomfort and pleasure, if he wants to have a chance of saving his and Ace’s future together.

This is book #2 in the Southern Jersey Shores series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone book, the stories are best read in sequence.

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Review

FiveStars
I enjoyed this short story in the series just as much as I did he first book in this series. Darren and Ace continue to get closer to one another despite the unexpected interference of Ace’s best friend and Darren’s ex Seth.

I think that Seth only tries to put a wedge between Ace and Darren because he is upset with himself that he let Darren go. I think that is why he is so nasty to him. I guess he thinks if he can’t have him then he might as well be a butt to him. I also think that by Darren standing up for himself to Seth he realizes what it is that he gave up.

Ace’s dad is a trip and he makes this book so funny. He comes up with different quips for everything and some of his jokes are not so funny and he literally sticks his foot in his mouth but I think it is done so innocently and no harm meant.

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series and again I hope it will include Ace and Darren.

Tosha

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AuthorBio

Starlight and Constellation: Gemini is “out of the closet,” free, and ready for reading.

Alexis Woods is the pen name of Alexis of Woods End, mundanely known as Alicia Mattson. You can find my reviews and book lists here.

I’m an: Author/Anachronist, Beta, Coffee Lover, Daughter/Dancer, Friend/Fighter, Jewish, Khazar, Lover/Leader, Mother/Medieval, Novice, Opinionated, Pharmacist, Romantic/Reenactor, Sister/Scout, Traveler, Visionary, Wife

Always an avid reader and colorful dreamer, it was only a matter of time before taking pen to paper, oftentimes literally. A firm believer in every song tells a story and every story has a song, I sing under my breath, tap my toes and swing my hips, much to the delight of my co-workers and friends. I freely admit that becoming a romance author is the best mid-life crisis a girl could ever have.

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by | · 10:00 am

5 Star Review for The Art of Loving (Arts & Hearts #1) by Cassidy Ryan #MM #Romance @PridePublishing

CoverTitle: The Art of Loving (Arts & Hearts #1)
Author Name & Publisher: Cassidy Ryan (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: May 17, 2016 – 71 pgs

Synopsis

Does Asa have a life sentence doing time in the friendzone?

Asa has been in love with Theo since their art school days in London, but Theo has only ever had eyes for their straight friend Oliver. Two years ago, unable to take the pain of unrequited love any longer, Asa came home to Glasgow. He hasn’t seen Theo since, nor has he stopped loving him.

When Oliver marries Charlotte, Asa can’t come up with any reasonable excuse not to attend the wedding, so he returns to London. He isn’t exactly shocked when Theo doesn’t show up, but when he learns that the reason for Theo’s no-show is a car accident that has landed him in hospital, Asa immediately rushes to be with him.

Unable to leave Theo to fend for himself while he recovers, Asa takes his friend back to Glasgow with him.

There, secrets are revealed, and Asa learns more about Theo than he ever imagined.

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Review

FiveStars

I really enjoyed this book. If I had to describe it I would say that it is a book about unrequited love that one of the main characters has for his best friend but the best friend is in love with their other best who is getting married. This marriage sets in motion a chain of events that sets the course of the two main characters lives.

I actually felt bad for both Asa and for Theo both. They both loved someone who did not return those feelings and that made it hard to be a round that person because of it.

Asa is my opinion has done what he has needed to do to try and get over his feelings for Theo. He went so far as to move back to his hometown and had not seen him for two years in hopes those feelings would go away. But they didn’t and when Theo needed Asa he was there for him no questions asked even though at times he felt as if part of him was dying from not being able to be with the man he was in love with.

Theo in my opinion was never really in love with Oliver. It was a good excuse to himself to not get close to anyone by making himself believe he was in love with someone who would never return those feelings. I also think that Theo realized too late that Asa was the one he was truly in love with after Asa moved back to his hometown and it was too late to do anything about it.

Sometimes fate has a way setting right things that are wrong and I think that this is a book that describes just that. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more books by Cassidy Ryan in the near future.

Tosha

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by | · 8:00 am

3 Star Review for Death Comes Darkly by David S. Pederson #MM #Historical

CoverTitle: Death Comes Darkly
Author Name & Publisher: David S. Pederson (Bold Strokes Books)
Publication Date & Length: April 1, 2016 – 240 pgs

Synopsis

Can a detective and a policeman find love amidst murder? Heath Barrington is an attractive, clever, big city detective, confident, strong, and crazy about police officer Alan Keyes. Down-to-earth, noble, and naïve, Alan struggles with his desires for Heath versus 1940s America and his guilty conscience.

Heath’s skills of deduction and reasoning are put to the test as he and Alan work together to solve the murder of an eccentric millionaire in his mysterious, isolated estate. They search for clues and uncover long buried secrets of the weekend guests while keeping secrets of their own.

It’s up to Heath to solve the mystery and convince Alan that some secrets aren’t worth keeping, and lust can lead to love.

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Review

ThreeStar

Hmm, this book reminds me of that game Clue, which was also a movie. It’s a “who done it” mystery and Heath Barrington, big city detective, is right in the middle of it. He gets invited to some rich big wigs house and boom, there’s a murder mystery that happens a little later than usual in the book. Now, the writing was great, it had a classic detective 1940’s feel to it. I’m just bummed that there wasn’t much romance. Yeah, Heath’s secret boyfriend Officer Alan was there, but since they had to keep their relationship in the down low, I didn’t get enough romance. Yeah, I get that it’s the 1940s. Still, there were more than 2 gay men in this story.
This book I’d recommend to mystery buffs. I wouldn’t go into reading this expecting a lot of romancing going on. I liked them though and wish there would be more Heath and Alan time if there’s another book.
Cookie

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by | June 29, 2016 · 2:00 pm

5 Star Review for Shaken to the Core by Jae #FF #Historical

CoverTitle: Shaken to the Core
Author Name & Publisher: Jae (Yiva Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: June 15, 2016 – 386 pgs

Synopsis

Kate Winthrop, the only child of a wealthy shipping magnate, has the course of her life charted for her by her parents. She’s expected to marry well and produce a successor to the Winthrop empire. But Kate has a very different path in mind. Her true passion lies with photography—and with women.
Alone in the city after losing her brother, Sicilian immigrant Giuliana Russo starts working for the Winthrops as a maid. Despite their different social status, Kate and Giuliana become friends, much to the dismay of Kate’s parents.
As the connection between the two women grows, a devastating earthquake hits San Francisco and ignites fires that sweep through the city for three days and nights.
Will the disaster shatter their tentative feelings for each other, or will they find the courage to save each other’s lives—and their hearts?
Join Kate and Giuliana on a journey of danger and discovery in the action-packed historical romance Shaken to the Core, set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

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Review

FiveStars

This is the beautiful epic tale of two women living through the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and becoming the people they want to be.  Kate is from a wealthy family and meets Giuliana when she becomes a maid in her parent’s household.  Giuliana’s brother has just died and it is now up to her to earn money to send home to her family in Sicily. Kate has an independent streak and wants to become a newspaper photographer, much to the consternation of her family.  They are drawn to each other and begin a friendship which slowly becomes much more.  They feel they must hide their deepening feelings for each other but when the earthquake strikes all the old rules begin to change and they spend more and more time together.
This is a wonderful book and I found myself totally immersed in it.  The historical aspect of it is so well researched and described I felt that I could imagine the falling ash and aftershocks!  Kate and Giuliana are fully involved in helping others after the quake and become invaluable to Dr Lucy, a female Dr they have become friends with.  I loved her character as she was strong and feisty and gave them a shove in the right direction when they needed it.  I was rooting for the two women to be together and Jae managed to tease it out so well.  It was a beautifully slow tortuous tease but well worth the wait. It was so difficult for them to realise for themselves what they were feeling as neither had an awareness of lesbianism.  Also the class divide and the threat of Kate’s parents finding out was real. I can’t recommend this book highly enough as it is one that will stay with me for a long time.
Kitty Kat

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by | · 12:00 pm

4 Star Review for Opening Day (Southern Jersey Shores #1) by Alexis Wood #MM #Erotic

1.3

Title: Opening Day (Southern Jersey Shores #1)
Author Name & Publisher: Alexis Woods (Beaten Track)
Publication Date & Length: March 1, 2015 – 48pgs

Synopsis

When pharmacy manager, Aaron Lark, known to his best friends as Ace, is dumped by his latest boyfriend, he decides to step back from the dating scene. What he doesn’t expect is for the blue-eyed pharmacist, Darren Goldman, to step into, and rock, his world. Bonding over beer, brownies and baseball, Ace and Darren play a game where hopefully both end up crossing home plate as winners.

WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.

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Review

FourStars

Thought this was a pretty cool short story. Using baseball as sexual innuendos was great. Everything these two men did was in count with what was going on in the baseball game they were watching.

Darren and Acr are both recently out of relationships but I do not junk that matters if the person you meet is compatible with each other. And these two men really are. They just click when they meet and hit it off from the first moment the speak to one another. You can feel the Sparks coming off of them.

I think these two men could have actually stumbled upon happiness together. Or at least they have for now.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I hope to see these two men in it.

Tosha

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AuthorBio

Starlight and Constellation: Gemini is “out of the closet,” free, and ready for reading.

Alexis Woods is the pen name of Alexis of Woods End, mundanely known as Alicia Mattson. You can find my reviews and book lists here.

I’m an: Author/Anachronist, Beta, Coffee Lover, Daughter/Dancer, Friend/Fighter, Jewish, Khazar, Lover/Leader, Mother/Medieval, Novice, Opinionated, Pharmacist, Romantic/Reenactor, Sister/Scout, Traveler, Visionary, Wife

Always an avid reader and colorful dreamer, it was only a matter of time before taking pen to paper, oftentimes literally. A firm believer in every song tells a story and every story has a song, I sing under my breath, tap my toes and swing my hips, much to the delight of my co-workers and friends. I freely admit that becoming a romance author is the best mid-life crisis a girl could ever have.

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by | · 10:00 am

5 Star Review for The Story of Love (Loose Connection Urban Love #2) by A.E. Ryecart #MM #Romance

CoverTitle: The Story of Love (Loose Connection Urban Love #2)
Author Name: A.E. Ryecart
Publication Date & Length: May 15, 2016 – 220 pgs

Synopsis

No strings. No names. No repeats. Archie Jones and Zack Lorrimer-Grant’s ground rules have always kept them safe – until now.

Getting down and dirty with anonymous hook-ups is a game Archie and Zack have always played. It keeps life fresh and exciting and everybody’s having fun. Aren’t they?

Archie isn’t. The hook-ups stopped being fun long ago. It’s a game he wishes he’d never started and he wants to stop playing. Now. Right now.

The men keep Zack’s fear at bay. Fear that without them, Archie will realise Zack alone will never be enough to make him truly happy.

Terry Franklin isn’t a hook-up. He’s far more dangerous, and Archie is determined to do whatever it takes to keep the man out of their bed and out of their life.

Where Archie sees a threat, Zack sees a kindred spirit. Terry is the lifeline Zack never knew he needed, but this lifeline could mean the death of him and Archie…

The Story of Love is the second in the Urban Love Contemporary Gay Romance series but can be read as a stand-alone. If you love your MM romance laced with angst and high emotion and your MCs complex, multi-faceted men facing up to and overcoming challenges against all the odds, A E Ryecart’s story of Archie and Zack will leave you breathless.

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Review

FiveStars

This is not your typical love story In my opinion. It is a story about love, anguish, trust issues, betrayal, hurt, and maybe just maybe a happy ending if the two characters can get to the point to where they can communicate with one another.

Everyone believes that Archie is the perfect boyfriend. That he goes along with having a third in his and Zach’s relationship when all along it was Archies idea in the first place. I do not think that Archie is a bad person but I do believe that he has lost perspective of his relationship and even though he says he tries in it, I do not think that he actually does. He just goes along with the flow for the most part but when Zach makes suggestions such as going away together Archie always has other things hat are more important. I think that Archie wants his and Zach’s relationship to be better but he is scarf to communicate it with Zach and I also believe that it is easier for Archie to assume the worst of Zach then it is to actually trust that he would not betray him.

Zach is miserable. That I can tell from the start. He is not happy with the way things are going with him and Archie and when he tries to talk to Srchie about it, it ends in a fight and then they make up as if nothing has happened. And there lies one of the problems. Nothing is being fixed and it festers between the two of them and eventually turns them apart.

This book is full of accusations, mistrust, misunderstandings, pain, and heartache. But it is also full of hope and love. This was a great book with a lot of truth in it. Loved this read and look forward to more by AE Ryecart in the future.

Tosha

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by | · 8:00 am

TWO 4 Star Review for Fall into My Kiss (Merging Violently #1) by T.A. Chase #MM #Romance @PridePublishing

CoverTitle: Fall into My Kiss (Merging Violently #1)
Author Name & Publisher: T.A. Chase (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: May 31, 2016 – 145 pgs

Synopsis

Will Hunter’s life ever be more than an endless tour of small gigs?

Hunter Lee is lead guitarist of the alternative rock band, Merging Violently. He and his four friends travel up and down the East Coast, playing small gigs. It’s not what he dreamed of when he founded the band, but it’s a way to make a living. Meeting Edward Monterrose might be the best shot he has at hitting the big time.

Edward Monterrose doesn’t have time for a relationship. He’s too busy with his horses and students. Yet he always makes time for a benefit to raise money for charities he supports. While recovering from an injury, he overhears Hunter playing in the park and asks him to play at the benefit.

The two men come from different worlds yet discover they have more in common than they thought. Yet will their relationship last when they’re apart for months on end?

Publisher’s Note: This book is linked to the Home series by T.A. Chase.

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Review

FourStars

I didn’t realize that this book was linked the TA Chase’s Home Series. As I’ve read the first three books in that series it was great to see the connection to that series. This was a story of two men from that was poles apart from each other as you can get. Yet somehow thay were able to make it work. There was so much seriousness to this story and I absolutely loved it. Yet it also had humor in it. I think it’s great when an author can inject just the right amount of humor into a story and not take away from seriousness of the story as well. Ms. Chase did that in spades. I can’t wait to read the next in the series to see what happens to the others.

Lynn

FourStars

Another great book from T.A. Chase. I really enjoyed this book. There was no misunderstandings, or cheating, or unrequited love. This is what I would describe as a sweet love story.

Hunter and Edward both in my Opinion are two very strong men that are horn doing what they love in life. Edward owns his own farm raising show horses and showing and competing them. Hunter is in a band that is not big time yet but will be in the near future. But even with the success I believe they both know a good thing when they find it. These two men in my opinion had an instant connection and hey both knew there was no reason to deny or fight it, instead they both embraced it and now they have their careers and each other.

Like I said this book is what I would call a sweet love story and sometimes that is just what I am in the mood to read. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Good job T.A. Chase. Another great book.

Tosha

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by | June 28, 2016 · 2:00 pm

5 Star and 4 Star Reviews for Jericho Junction (Mark of Lycos #3) by Marie Harte #Menage #Paranormal @PridePublishing @MHarte_Author

CoverTitle: Jericho Junction (Mark of Lycos #3)
Author Name & Publisher: Maire Harte (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: May 31, 2016 – 78 pgs

Synopsis

A cat, a demon and a bear. Oh my.

Jericho Dark Walker is a Bear, born to shift into both an animal’s and man’s form. He’s second in command to the mixed group of shifters living in the Great Forest. For years it had been his dream to see his clan reintroduced to the land of their ancestors. But now that he’s back he finds himself restless, unable to find joy in even the simplest back scratch or hive of honey. The female shifters offer little challenge, more than eager to bed the Great Clan’s beta, and with everyone getting along, there’s little more for him to do than break up the rare fight.

When an opportunity arrives to represent the clan and work with the athmae to oust an evil plaguing the outer edge of the Great Forest, he gratefully volunteers. The alpha’s brother has mated with an athmae—a demon—so Jericho thinks he knows what to expect. But his new partner is anything but typical. The athmae assigned to work with him is a male demon as large as Jericho, and just as deadly. No sex demon, but a hunter with the instincts of a true predator. So why is Jericho so taken with the male, when he has only ever felt desire for a female?

And why, when they rescue an annoying, sexy cat shifter from certain death, do his instincts scream at him to claim both the feline female and the demon as his own? Bears don’t mate outside their species, yet everything inside Jericho pushes him to do just that. A cat, a demon and a bear. Oh my.

Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released by Pride Publishing. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of dubious consent, bondage, m/m intimacy, and m/m/f loving.

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Review

FiveStars

I do not care what others opinions of this series is because it would not deter my opinion of the series, which is that I really love it. And his book in the series is no different. I loved it too.

This book did not let me down as in following the others in the series with having so much action, steamy comings together, one or more mate fighting against their destiny because they think they no better, and last but not least,,,,, love.

Jericho is bored with all the peace that has happened since the previous matings of his clan. He misses the adventures, fighting, and heart pounding thrill but one has to be careful what they wish for because sometimes those wishes can come true by ten fold and then all he\\ will break lose.

Jericho never expected to find his mates while searching for a killer and he definitely did not expect it to be a man and he definitely did not expect to have a second mate that was a woman also. Best of both worlds for him in my opinion.

But more is at play then there mating and they have to trust one another to defeat the evil that is out for them and their clans.

This book is packed full of adventure while they all search for the evil that plagues them. It is so much fun to see what Jericho, Seino, and Anya get up too. It is also nice being able to get glimpses of all the previous people from the books before this one. I really believe that Marie Harte has a knack for putting together a great book full of supernatural paranormal people with adventures that rival the best of love stories. I can not wait to see what Marie Harte comes up with next.

Tosha

FourStars

This book was great and I loved how the author put a cat, demon and bear together that was absolutely amazing. I love most shifter books and the author was able to put this one in my favorite column. I mean when you can have a group of shifters that share everything (and I mean everything) and an author that really knows just what to write, what more can you want. This book was clearly a mix of super-hot shifters and demons. I loved how the author was able to build a domain of exciting characters and they definitely have a lot of really hot sex. This was a fun and exciting read and I hope to see more of this series.

Lynn

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by | · 12:00 pm

4 Star and 3 Star Reviews for Goblet’s Edge by Lore Graham #MM #Fantasy @LT3Press @Grahamlore

CoverTitle: Goblet’s Edge
Author Name & Publisher: Lore Graham (Less Than Three Press)
Publication Date & Length: May 25, 2016 – 68 pgs

Synopsis

August and Laurence have been lovers for years, and it’s a love August has never had any cause to doubt, even if Laurence is also his employer—until they arrive in Umbra and meet Queen Maeve, the woman Laurence is to marry.

It’s immediately clear to August that Maeve is more than a little interested in Laurence, and as the gap between him and lover widens, Laurence growing increasingly reserved and distant, August fears the moment he’s always dreaded is near to hand.

And the end of their relationship might be easier to accept if he could hate Maeve, but asking him to hate the beautiful, intriguing Maeve would be like asking him to stop loving the Lord he’s served and adored so long. Which just makes August more miserable than ever, and waiting for the moment when he’s finally cast out.

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Review

FourStars

Lore Graham’s worlds are complex and interesting, and I love the way the world-building is threaded into the plot seamlessly. I enjoyed discovering August’s culture and surroundings as the story unfolded.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story. The characters and setting are interesting. Although I wanted to know more about their society, there was enough detail to keep my attention, and I didn’t feel as though it were lacking. It’s more that I want to see other stories set in this realm.

I liked August very much, but I’m not entirely sure how I feel about his relationship with Laurence or with Maeve for that matter. I am still on the fence about the power imbalance. I don’t really think August is being used, exactly, but he certainly isn’t on the same level with the others. It particularly bothered me that August seemed more like he was servicing Laurence than that Laurence actually cared about him as a person, and that bothered me a bit. I was left with the impression of “we trust you and we will occasionally have you in our bed, but you’re basically still a servant and should know your rightful place.” It may just be a case of it not really being my thing.

Other than that, though, it was very well written. There were some nicely steamy moments, and I definitely appreciated the skill regarding the creation of this world. I hope to see more about it in the future.

~Amy

ThreeStar

Although I did enjoy this quick read, I was left feeling as if there could have been much more to this story.

August in my opinion really does get the short end of the stick in this book. He works for Laurence basically as his personal assistant to whatever he needs and he is his secret lover also but I feel as if he is being used and nothing more. Then you throw Mauve (Laurence’s soon to be new wife) into the mix and I feel as if both Laurence and Mauve are both getting their cake and eating it too.

I believe that August is in love with Laurence and would never deny him any of his wishes but what I did not like about the story is Laurence never really said how he felt about August one way or the other and also Laurence is rather gold to August for the most part throughout the book.

What I did enjoy about the book is the fact that Mauve was a very bright woman and treated August with respect even though she really did not have too. I think that she actually has feelings for both men. The fact that she wants to include instead of exclude August in their wedding night was more then August could have ever asked for. Not to mention she did not want him to leave when they were done.

I enjoyed this story but I really wish that Laurence’s character would have been more forth coming with his feelings and I wish that he would have made it clear what he really wanted from both Mauve and August.

Tosha

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