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MUSIC MONDAY: Ready To Go Home by Primal Scream
Pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.
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RELEASE BLITZ: Simplicity by Nicole Dykes
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COVER REVEAL: Unexpected Offer by Dani Grimes
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RELEASE BLITZ: Rule #1: Never Accidentally Marry Your Teammate by Portia Blake (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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MANGA: Akumariage
Akumariage – Shimiri
Kairi Tsuji was born with mysterious marks on his hands. One day, a demon appeared before him in order to take his soul as part of a contract from his past life. Kairi is in shock at the sudden turn of events, but the demon, Raju, cursed Kairi with the marks on his hands in order to prove it. Just as Kairi thinks his life is over, Raju pushes him down and takes his virginity…?!
Akuma+Mariage is for everyone who loves Grell-type characters: redhead, fangy, flirty, and hella clingy.
This is a story of Faustian deals and reincarnation where our boy, senior high schooler Kairi, is jealous of his former self and competes with that self in pleasuring his demon spouse, Raju. The demon refuses to leave his beloved Kairi’s side and follows him everywhere. Later, he transforms into a super-kawaii chibi version hidden in Kairi’s pocket.
Things become more exciting when Kairi’s memories of his past life return, and a powerful demon appears to stir trouble and attempt to ruin their relationship.
While Kairi and Raju’s romance was spicy and sweet, I was more interested in the other demon and the blond angel who appeared in a brief scene together. Their one-sided (the demon) antagonistic dynamics were more compelling to me. And you can tell the taller, arrogant demon is going to be the uke.
I also prefer past Kairi to the boring present Kairi. Past Kairi had more sass. Raju is a lovable horny himbo who adores all versions of Kairi and just wants to be showered with affection.
The closing chapter is fast-forwarded 10 years later and 27-year-old Kairi is ready to introduce his demon spouse to his mom. He’s showing more personality here so salaryman Kairi isn’t so bad, either.
Overall, a mixed bag. Read it for Raju!
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SERIES REVIEW: A Paranormal Yakuza Duet by C.J. Ravenna
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Secrets & Sake – C.J. Ravenna
Jinta
Heโs a yakuza with secrets. Iโm the reporter determined to bring them to light.
When people start going missing, I sense a story that could make my whole career. I even have the perfect Raiden Noboru, enforcer for the most powerful yakuza organization in Japan.
The plan is go undercover as “Hiro” the photographer, cozy up to Raiden, and discover all he knows about the disappearances.
Problem is? Raiden isn’t the monster I thought he was. The beast beneath his skin is fiercely protective of what’s his, but he worships my body and soul, showing me a tender side of himself he hides from the rest of the world.
But I’ve got a story to tell. All I have to do… is betray the man I’m falling for.
Raiden
I stopped believing in fated mates long ago. Love only ends in heartbreak.
Ever since I was a boy, my only purpose has been to serve the Namikawa-kai.
Until him. The minute I see Hiro smile like a sunbeam and catch his cherry blossom scent, I’ve got to have him. What I thought would be a casual fling becomes so much more. Hiro is mine. Mine to care for, mine to protect. No one else can have him.
Before I realize it, I’m beginning to dream of a life outside the yakuza, a life with Hiro. Too bad thatโs all itโll ever be. A dream. Iโll never make someone as innocent as Hiro happy. Iโm a criminal, and Iโm no good for himโฆ
โฆBut I canโt stay away from him.
Secrets & Sake is book 1 in A Paranormal Yakuza Duet. It features insta-love, fated mates and wolf shifters, a sunshine undercover reporter and the grumpy yakuza soft only for him, loads of possessive touch-him-and-die vibes, plenty of searingly hot spice, and a Happy-For-Now conclusion.
Rating:
3.5 Stars โ that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Unmei no Akai Ito (Red String of Destiny)
Artist: Koshitomo
Album: Atelier
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Curses & Kitsune – C.J. Ravenna
Jinta
Nothingโs easy when youโre fated to a yakuza boss.
Iโm possessed by an ancient, powerful kitsune hellbent on chaos and destruction. Until we can find a way to lift the curse, Iโm a threat to everyone I hold dear. Tensions within the Namikawa-kai, hunters lurking in the shadows, and vengeful ex-boyfriends want to thwart us at every step.
All I want is to be with Raiden, my mate, the man I love. If we stand together, we can get through it all. But when I see a new, ugly side to Raiden, I canโt help but question if we really want the same things.
When the time comes to run, will Raiden leave it all behind for me?
Raiden
Iโll destroy anyone who hurts my mateโbut Iโm the one hurting him the most.
Iโm the boss now. This is my pack. Tokyo is my city. No one will ever control me again. As I fall deeper into my new responsibilities, Jinta and I grow more estranged.
When betrayal strikes from within my own pack, Jinta is the one who pays the price. Jinta has no place in my world. Heโs a pure ray of sunshine in the darkness of my life, and I canโt be the reason he gets hurt. I donโt deserve him. Never have.
Iโve got to let him go. Before the shadows of my world consume the only person Iโve ever loved.
Curses & Kitsune is the final book in A Paranormal Yakuza Duet and concludes with a hard-won Happily-Ever-After.
Rating:
3.5 Stars โ that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Kisetsu wa Tsugi Tsugi Shindeiku (Seasons Die One After Another)
Artist: Amazarashi
Album: Kisetsu wa Tsugi Tsugi Shindeiku
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet by new-to-me author C.J. Ravenna is a fabulous combination of werewolves and yakuza. Add to that a deft use of Japanese mythology that blended seamlessly into the plot, with action-packed scenes that pulled no punches on the violence and gore, the noir atmosphere, and it was easy to imagine how fantastic this would be as an anime!
Jinta Onodera, an ambitious young reporter itching for that big break, decided to go undercover as a yakuza fan magazine photographer to investigate the case of several people who disappeared in the Namikawa-kai territory. In his first meeting with the Namikawa enforcer, the notorious Wolf of Asakusa Raiden Noburo, the two hit it off immediately.
The romance started the very day they met. Raiden was immediately drawn to “Hiro,” who smelled like cherry blossoms. In turn, Jinta was falling hard and fast for the yakuza, who wasn’t the monster his reputation says he is. As fated mates, they were connected by the red string.
Raiden is growly, possessive, gorgeously tattooed, and drool-worthy in a suit or kimono. He suffered abuse and was groomed by another yakuza when he was just a teenager. He was traumatized by his parents when his father abandoned them, and his mother handed him over to the Namikawa as payment for his father’s debts.
Jinta was treated by his family as less than his golden boy brother. He’s super insecure about his worth, especially after he caught his ex-boyfriend in bed with his brother. Jinta is determined to make it big with the story he plans to write about the yakuza and the missing persons.
I was ready to root for Raiden and Jinta. Raiden calls Jinta, with his beaming smile, “sunshine,” which gives me life every time! And Raiden going after his Sunshine in the afterlife raises the bar for everyone! What I liked about Jinta is he gave Raiden the courage to dare hope for a life outside the yakuza.
While they were a solid unit at first, they soon fell into the hot/cold pattern of bitter fights and reconciliation sex. An incident would trigger an insecurity or trauma. One would lash out (usually Jinta) and then walk out. Then another incident would lead to a meeting, swoony words and grand promises are exchanged, sex ensues, and then all is okay until another trigger.
The first few times, it was emotions and feels. Then, I just stopped paying attention because the drama went on until the second book (Sunshine is a flaky boy, sadly) and I was tired. The real fun is in the paranormal and the yakuza business.
Yakuza politics, much like mafia politics, is a fascinating read. In Book 1, Secrets & Sake, the Namikawa-kai is headed by Namikawa, an elderly man who seemed to be around forever. The yakuza boss is a harsh master to Raiden, using alpha control to make Raiden hurt himself as punishment.
There is tension between the Namikawa-kai and their biggest rival, Takata-kai, headed by Takata, formerly a Namikawa, who thinks he should be their leader. There is also a painful history between Takata and Raiden, with Takata eager to get his hands on Raiden the moment the Namikawa enforcer showed weakness.
Later, we learn that Namikawa was cursed and that curse transferred to Jinta. Meanwhile, Raiden becomes the Namikawa-kai leader.
In Book 2, Curses & Kitsune, the famous nine-tailed kitsune is a bloodthirsty entity, and Jinta doesn’t know how to control it. Raiden drops everything to find a way to lift the curse (the Wolf of Asakusa always comes through). There is tension within Namikawa ranks when two members betray their pack. Wolf hunters are also making their presence known and are said to be working with the traitors.
Raiden is forced to do two unthinkable things: find his father and ask Takata for help. Meanwhile, Jinta made hissy fits. Then he tried to reunite with his family, only to realize it was best to say goodbye to the past and his family, and embrace the present and future with Raiden.
There are almost no lulls apart from the hissy fits. Lots of things are happening, and they’re happening relatively fast. The fight scenes are my favorite! The series also one of the most thorough at dealing with loose ends, with every bad guy given his comeuppance.
Representation of yakuza lore and Japanese culture was done with care, and the books were entertaining, apart from the romance. I am thankful that the author refrained from writing the books like manga in prose. I’ve encountered some books by authors doing very trope-y stories written like manga scenes, and they don’t translate well.
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet is not for the faint of heart. Passions and tempers run hot! Giant wolves and kitsune are on a rampage! Fated mates torn apart and reunited! Overall, intense, dark, and violent.
If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of A Paranormal Yakuza Duet. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.
SECRETS & SAKE: Kindle I Audiobook
CURSES & KITSUNE: Kindle I AudiobookIf 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: Unmei no Akai Ito by Koshitomo & Kisetsu wa Tsugitsugi Shindeiku by Amazarashi
Soundtrack to A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Secrets & Sake by C.J. Ravenna
Red String of Destiny by Koshitomo for a book about fated mates, a cruel world, and a courage to hope for tomorrow.
Blue Sky Sun Letโs go fishing today
The usual park with a large pond
Iโm not concentrating.
Hey God, Iโm going to use a special thread today.
I want to believe in the red thread of fate
And Iโm waiting for you here today
The magic of the future at the end of the thread
The pond is sparkling in the sun
But the world isnโt that sweet.…
I want to believe in the red thread of fate
And today I was a little hopeful about the futureSoundtrack to A Paranormal Yazuka Duet: Curses & Kitsune by C.J. Ravenna
Seasons Die One After Another by Amazarashi for a book about shedding the past, embracing the future, and living in the moment.
Dear My Loathsome Past,
to you I offer this poem of farewell!I have cast away the remains of these days
that can’t get any worse, these most terrible dreams even if it kills me.For in the next life,
a flower will bloom to tell you a poem of transition;We spend some time wondering
if we should go or head on back.
I’m sure we’ll face hardship…
but after the slightest hesitation,
we straighten up and head onward.That’s right, we have to go!
Even with nothing, we have to go on living! -
้็ฉบ ๅคช้ฝ ไปๆฅใฏ้ฃใใซ่กใใ
ใใคใใฎๅ ฌๅ ๅคงใใชๆฑ ใใใ
้ไธญๅใฎใชใๅใ ใใฉ
ใญใ็ฅๆง ไปๆฅใฏ็นๅฅใช็ณธใไฝฟใใ
้ๅฝใฎ่ตคใ็ณธใไฟกใใใ
ใใใฆไปๆฅใๅใฏใใใงๅใๅพ ใฃใฆใ
็ณธใฎๅ ใซใใๆชๆฅใซใใใ้ญๆณ
ๅคช้ฝใงๆฑ ใใญใฉใญใฉๅ ใฃใฆใ
ใ ใใฉใญ ไธใฎไธญ ใใใชใซ็ใใชใ
ใฉใใ ใๅพ ใฃใฆใ็ณธใซๅๅฟใฏใชใ
ใใๆฏใใคใ ่ซฆใใฎๆฉใ
ใใๅใ ใ ไปใใๆงๆ ผใฏๅคใใใชใ
้ๅฝใฎ่ตคใ็ณธใฏไฟกใใชใ
ใ ใใไปๆฅใฏ็ไปใใฆๅธฐใใจใใใใ
ๅคงไธๅคซๅนณๆฐใ ใใใฏใใคใ้ใ
ๆฌๅฝใฏ่ชฐใใซๆ ฐใใฆใปใใ
ใใใใใจๆญฉใๅธฐใ้ ๅพใใใๅฃฐใใใใใใ
ใ่ฝใจใใพใใใ?ใๆธกใใใ่ตคใ็ณธ
ใ้ฃใใฎ็ณธใงใใ๏ผ็ใใ่ฒใญใ
ๅพฎ็ฌใๅฝผๅฅณ
้ๅฝใฎ่ตคใ็ณธใไฟกใใใ
ใใใฆไปๆฅใๅใฏใใใงๅใๅพ ใฃใฆใ
็ณธใฎๅ ใซใใๆชๆฅใซใใใ้ญๆณ
ๅคช้ฝใงๆฑ ใใญใฉใญใฉๅ ใฃใฆใ
้ๅฝใฎ่ตคใ็ณธใไฟกใใใโฆ
้ๅฝใฎ่ตคใ็ณธใไฟกใใใ
ใใใฆไปๆฅใฏๆชๆฅใซใกใใฃใจๆๅพ ใๆใฆใBlue Sky Sun Let’s go fishing today
The usual park with a large pond
I’m not concentrating.
Hey God, I’m going to use a special thread today.
I want to believe in the red thread of fate
And I’m waiting for you here today
The magic of the future at the end of the thread
The pond is sparkling in the sun
But the world isn’t that sweet.
No matter how long you wait, there is no response to the thread
Sigh, quick to give up
Oh, it’s me, I can’t change my personality anymore
I don’t believe in the red thread of fate
So let’s clean up and go home today
It’s okay, it’s okay, this is business as usual
I really want someone to comfort me
On the way home walking with a tobotobo,
I was called out from behind “Did you drop it?”
The red thread passed “Is it a fishing line?
Smiling Girlfriend
I want to believe in the red thread of fate
And I’m waiting for you here today
The magic of the future at the end of the thread
The pond is sparkling in the sun
I want to believe in the red thread of fate…
I want to believe in the red thread of fate
And today I was a little hopeful about the futureๅญฃ็ฏใฏๆฌกใ ๆญปใใงใใใ็ตถๅฝใฎๅฃฐใ้ขจใซใชใ
่ฒใใ่กใฎใ้ ใใชใ็ทใๆใ่ฆไธใใใฎใฏใใใใ็ก็ฒๆณฅใซ่ถณใใคใใ็ๆดปใซใ้จใฏใขใซใณใผใซใฎๅณใใใ
ใขใใทใผใช็ฎใงใๅฝทๅพจใ่กใงใๆๅไธๅฏฉใฎใคใใปใณใใ้ง ๅใซใฆๅใๅใจๅผใถใซใฏไธ็ขบใใชใๅ้ๆใชๅฝฑใ็ใใฆใ้ขจใ
้จใซๆญใใฐใ้ฒใฏๅฒใใใใ่ณใใใชๅคใฎๅนฒๆถธใณใๅฝใๆๅใๅฟใพใใใ้ๅปใซๅใใ็ตถ็ธใฎ่ฉฉ
ๆไฝใชๆฅใ ใฎใๆๆชใชๅคขใฎใๆฎ้ชธใๆจใฆใฆใฏ่กใใใใใใงๆฏ็ตถใใใใจ
ๅพไธใ่ฑใฏๅฒใๅใซไผใใๅค้ทใฎ่ฉฉ
่ฆๆฉใซใพใฟใใฆใๅใๆฒใใฟใใใใงใ้็ตถใใฌๆญใซใ้ฝใฏๅฐใใใจใๆๆฅใฏๆฌกใ ๆญปใใงใใใๆฅใใฆใ่ฟฝใใคใใ้ๅปใซใชใ
็ใๆฅใๅใใ็ฏใ็ซใฏใใคใชใ็ใใๆๅณใชใฉใฏๅพใใใคใๅใๅใงใใใซใฏไธ็ขบใใชใไธๅฎๅฎใช่ชๆใใๅใๅซใใใจ
ใใใฆๆญใใฐใ้ใฏๆดใใใใๆ น่ ใใๅคขใซ้ ใใฃใๅฝใๆๅใๅฟใพใใใ้ๅปใซๅใใ็ตถ็ธใฎ่ฉฉ
ๆไฝใชๆฅใ ใฎใๆๆชใชๅคขใฎใๆฎ้ชธใๆจใฆใฆใฏ่กใใใใใใงๆฏ็ตถใใใใจ
ๅพไธใ่ฑใฏๅฒใๅใซไผใใๅค้ทใฎ่ฉฉ
่ฆๆฉใซใพใฟใใฆใๅใๆฒใใฟใใใใงใ้็ตถใใฌๆญใซใ้ฝใฏๅฐใใใจใ็ฒใใ้กใซ่ถณใๅผใใใฃใฆใ็ งใ่ฟใๅคๆฅใซ้กใใใใใฆ
่กใใใใๆปใใใใๆฉใฟใฏใใใใฉใใใฐใใใใใฐใๆญฉใๅบใ่ไธญ
ใใใ ่กใใญใฐใชใใฌใไฝใฏใชใใจใ็ใใฆ่กใใฎใ
ๅใใฏใใฉใใๆพใฃใๅฝใ ใใใใซ็ฝฎใใฆใใใใชใใชใใฎๆๅใไปใฏไบกใ้ๅปใๆณใใๆ้ทใฎ่ฉฉ
ๆไฝใชๆฅใ ใใๆๆชใชๅคขใใๅงใพใใ ใฃใใจๆใใฐใ้ๅ้ ใใ
ใฉใใ่ฑใฏๆฃใใ่ผชๅปปใฎ่ผชใซ้ใๅฝ
่ฆๆฉใซใพใฟใใฆใๅใๆฒใใฟใใใใงใ้็ตถใใฌๆญใซใ้ฝใฏๅฐใใใจใๅญฃ็ฏใฏๆฌกใ ็ใ่ฟใ
The seasons die out, one after another; cries of annihilation howl in the wind…
A man not susceptible to the charms of the city looks up at the moon and notices how unrefined it all is.
Among an everyday life tripped up by the mud, the rain itself tastes of alcohol;
With eyes filled with apathy as they wander the city, innocents gather in front of the station, acting suspiciously.
In order to uphold the unsteady fact that I’m me, it’s like my half-transparent shadow is has come to life.
If I were to sing in the rain, would the clouds part? My life is all dried up in the midst of this bustling summer.
Dear My Loathsome Past, to you I offer this poem of farewell!
I have cast away the remains of these days that can’t get any worse, these most terrible dreams even if it kills me.
For in the next life, a flower will bloom to tell you a poem of transition;
A song filled with suffering, of which to grieve and moan, but never to die out… even if it is starved of sunlight.
Tomorrow’ dies out, one after another; even if you hurry, you’ll miss them as they become the past,
But to we who hurry through life, our flames are fickle, and we’re always adding meaning after the fact.
In order to uphold the unsteady fact that you’re you, your unstable ego ventures to despise you; I you were merely able to sing, would the darkness be dispelled? Your life has been left up to a dream rotten at the core.
Dear My Loathsome Past, to you I offer this poem of farewell!
Iย have cast away the remains of these days that can’t get any worse, these most terrible dreams even if it kills me.
For in the next life, a flower will bloom to tell you a poem of transition;
A song filled with suffering, of which to grieve and moan, but never to die out… even if it is starved of sunlight.
With a tired face, limping along; squinting at the reflected sunset..
We spend some time wondering if we should go or head on back. I’m sure we’ll face hardship… but after the slightest hesitation, we straighten up and head onward.
That’s right, we have to go! Even with nothing, we have to go on living!
After all, our lives were just picked up along the way – we’ll leave them here as we proceed, what little they are.
Dear My Loathsome Past, to you I offer this poem of farewell!
I have cast away the remains of these days that can’t get any worse, these most terrible dreams even if it kills me.
For in the next life, a flower will bloom to tell you a poem of transition;
A song filled with suffering, of which to grieve and moan, but never to die out… even if it is starved of sunlight.
Seasons revived, one after another
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MOVIE FEATURE: High Tide
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RELEASE BLITZ: Twin Firs by Paul Bright (Excerpt)
