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MUSIC MONDAY: Cue the Sun by The Mars Volta
Pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.
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COVER REVEAL: Bratva’s Intern by Gianni Holmes
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RELEASE TOUR: Glitter by Kayla Halleur (Excerpt)
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RELEASE BLITZ: Taming of a Wolf by C.J. Ravenna
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BOOK BLAST: The Hidden Heart by Patrick Bryce Wright (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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MANGA: Bocchan to Wakagashira-san
Bocchan to Wakagashira-san – Shimaji
High schooler Minorikawa Narumi becomes an orphan after losing his mother. One day, his grandfather who he never knew comes to offer incense and shares he’d like Narumi to take over the company he is managing. However the company he’s talking about ends up being a yakuza organization..!? Suddenly addressed as “Bocchan,” the once lonely Narumi begins to gradually open his heart up to the kind Wakagashira, Ioroi, who is in charge of his daily needs. In fact, as they spend every day close together, Narumi becomes obsessed with the “charm of an adult man,” that he awakens to for the first time in his life. Every day, he strives to appeal to Ioroi, but—!?
Content warning: There’s a 20-year age gap, and a 36-year-old man is paired with a 16-year-old boy.
Bo-chan and Wakagashira-san is about a recently orphaned high-schooler, Minorikawa, who finds himself living in his estranged grandfather’s home. His grandfather turns out to be the big boss of a yakuza clan. To his surprise, the members treated him warmly and considered him family, and he felt more at home.
Minorikawa was placed under the care of the clan’s Wakagashira, Ioroi, the second in command. Ioroi is dedicated to his job and would take a bullet for his young master. The man oozes cool with fab tattoos and sharp suits.
The high schooler began crushing hard on his bodyguard/caretaker, and with helpful tips from his school friend, tried very awkwardly to make Ioroi treat him as an adult.
Minorikawa is naive but earnest and hella persistent. In fairness to Ioroi, the man did his damnedest to resist. It’s amusing to see the scenes where he internally commands himself to “do nothing,” especially with the boy plastered to him in his futon and the grandfather, a.k.a. big boss, just a paper wall away (they live in a traditional Japanese house).
Because to make things more complicated for Ioroi, Minorikawa developed a habit of sleeping in Ioroi’s room every night. It started innocently enough when the boy was grieving, needed comfort and couldn’t sleep. But then puberty hit, and with Minorikawa crushing on him, well … the boy requested a helping hand (ordered really, since he’s the young master).
Soon, sleeping together was sleeping together.
The two MCs have fantastic stoic bodyguard/bratty boy dynamics. The most fun part is how Ioroi puts Minorikawa on a pedestal and treasures him while said boy wreaks havoc on his bodyguard’s self-control, all cute and blushy, asking to be sullied.
Despite Minorikawa being a pervy brat and a damsel in distress, this is an endearing and nuanced exploration of a boy’s coming-of-age and first love. I would love a sequel with an adult and still pervy Minorikawa and not-holding-back-anymore Ioroi, now the big boss (since Minorikawa is not yakuza material).
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REVIEW: Devilish by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
Devilish – Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
In a world where everything is within his grasp, love is the only thing that’s ever eluded him.
Lucien Vale is temptation incarnate. Devilishly charming, wickedly confident, and sinfully sexy, he rules Manhattan’s most elite clubs, indulging the city’s darkest desires with a knowing smirk and a whisper of seduction. He’s built an empire, played the game to perfection, and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when it serves the greater good.
But love? That’s always been just out of reach.
Then he sees Kai Daniels—a man too raw, too vulnerable, and too damn captivating to ignore—being used by someone who doesn’t deserve him. And Lucien doesn’t hesitate. He steps in, knowing full well that some things aren’t meant to be owned.
But Kai’s past isn’t ready to let him go. His tormentor is powerful, relentless, and determined to make them both pay. As the stakes rise, Lucien is forced to become the man he’s kept buried—the one who doesn’t just play the game but makes sure his enemies never play again.
Now, with danger closing in and their connection burning hotter than ever, Lucien and Kai must decide if they’re willing to risk everything for a love that was never part of the plan.
* * * * * *
Devilish can be read as a standalone novel in the Park Avenue Kings world, but for maximum enjoyment, read after Savage.
Devilish is the second book of Park Avenue Kings, a billionaire secret society romance by bestselling author duo Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine.
Our King this week is Lucien Vale, owner of a multinational sex club empire and secretly longing for that perfect sub to complete his life. One night in his club, he spotted a young man, Kai, mishandled by a wannabe dom and swooped in to rescue him. Learning Kai had nowhere to go, he offered to let him stay in his penthouse, no strings attached.
I initially dismissed this book as a hurdle to overcome before Alesso and Father Vitale’s book. The way his character was presented in the first book, Savage, it would seem Lucien is an over-sexed lothario ready to debaucher any pretty young thing in his wake. It didn’t help that the authors dressed him in silk shirts with too many buttons open, which screams tacky and sleazy.
Boy, was I wrong!
Lucien turned out to be quite angelic. He likes taking care of people and is a natural provider. He instinctively knew how to put the skittish Kai at ease, catering to the younger man’s needs and protecting Kai, who’s a victim of human trafficking, from his abusive owner. And without asking for anything in return.
The first parts of the book were cute and fluffy. Lucien is surprisingly cultured and well-read, often regaling Kai with obscure trivia. His house rivals a museum crammed with precious art and artifacts. He whisked Kai to Monaco for protection and entertained him with stargazing. And you know what they say when a boy shows you the stars…
So yeah, Lucien won me over. Green flags all the way!
Kai is sweet and playful, with a submissive side that fulfills the dom in Lucien. Homeless at 15 and a survivor at 23, Kai still has an innocent air about him. I loved how he embraced learning everything he could about the wider world. It’s fun listening to him banter with Lucien. Our boy can sass with the best of them.
The romance is slow-burn and achingly tender. It was a beautiful meeting of souls where the dom with a heart of gold found his perfect sub who loved and trusted him completely.
BDSM isn’t my jam, so my asexual ass found the detailed account of their BDSM scenes tedious and boring. One thing is certain: Lucien always treats Kai like the treasure he is.
My complaint is that we need more scenes featuring the Kings because most of their appearances are too brief. We are teased with each King’s quirks but honestly I think their brotherhood would be more memorable and dynamic if it’s not treated as a mere device to group a bunch of attractive but deadly billionaires together.
The secret society part drew me the most and just like Savage, I wish the books were more mission-focused rather than romance-focused. Seriously, a missed opportunity especially when you have a powerful and highly-specialized group such as the Kings.
Overall, Devilish is a charming portrait of an ideal dom/sub relationship. Equal parts sweet and spicy, sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle, always wholehearted.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Constellations
Artist: Tokyo Shoegazer
Album: Moonworld PlaygroundP.S.
Park Avenue Kings books can be read as standalones but meeting each King is a pleasure.
Savage is about the Shadow King and his meet-mysterious with an intrepid journalist.
If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Devilish. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.
If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi or PayPal. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!
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SOUNDTRACK: Constellations by Tokyo Shoegazer
Soundtrack to Park Avenue Kings: Devilish by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
Constellations by Tokyo Shoegazer for a book about finding the one that fell perfectly into place.
Into the night
You would do anything to be…
Around meNo more regrets
No hidding behind closed doors at sunset……
Back into the love…
Hear the sirens recalling in silenceBe mine
Be mine
Be mine
You don’t have to try… -
Into the night
You would do anything to be…
Around meNo more regrets
No hidding behind closed doors at sunset…Drive into the twilight
Moonlight, silver life
Waiting for the sunrise
Hope that grows inside
You don’t have to try…Into the night
You could go anywhere but still…
Rather take that girlTripping again
Too many flashbacks from the old friends…Drive into the twilight
Moonlight, silver life
Waiting for the sunrise
Hope that grows inside
Back into the night…The constellation calling out the stations
Keep your eyes open wideBack into the love…
Hear the sirens recalling in silenceBe mine
Be mine
Be mine
You don’t have to try…Back into the night…
The constellation calling out the stations
Keep your eyes open wideBack into the love…
Hear the sirens recalling in silenceBe mine
Be mine
Be mine
You don’t have to try… -
MOVIE FEATURE: B&B