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  • Home
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    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
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  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Dear Presti: The Prince’s Pen Pal by Karrie Roman (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 31, 2024 / No Comments
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    neverhollowed

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    COVER REVEAL: Unforgiving Dreams by Jessamyn Kingley (Excerpt)

    February 23, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ: His Secret by Isabel Lucero

    October 7, 2024

    BOOK BLITZ: Crossing The Touchline by Jay Hogan (Giveaway)

    April 26, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Ex by Alicia Thompson (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 28, 2024 / No Comments
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    RELEASE BLITZ: Bounce by Becca Seymour (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 28, 2021

    BLOG TOUR: Search For Complete by Stephen G. Hardy (Excerpt + Q&A with Author)

    June 22, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ: A Star To Sail By by Joy Lynn Fielding (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 30, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Baby Steps by Gemma Johns (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 8, 2023 / No Comments
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    COVER REVEAL: Red Haze by Lark Taylor

    February 28, 2024

    RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Heathen by Natasha Alterici & Ashley A. Woods (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 20, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Feinted Love by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Why the Devil Stalks Death by L.J. Hayward

    January 6, 2023 / 2 Comments

    Death and the Devil: Why the Devil Stalks Death – L.J. Hayward

    Jack Reardon uncovers secrets for a living, and the Meta-State spy is pretty good at it. Or rather he thought so until he met Ethan Blade—assassin, warrior, enigma. The unlikely pair have decided to give living together a shot, but Jack’s not entirely certain what he’s gotten himself into—or exactly who he’s in it with.

    Jack’s worries are compounded when he’s assigned to a police strike force hunting a serial killer. With each new puzzle piece, Jack considers the true nature of a serial killer—and how similar it is to an assassin. To one particular assassin who’s having trouble adjusting to retirement. Jack’s unsure how to help Ethan—or if he even can.

    When the killer strikes close to home, Jack must race against the clock to stop another murder, despite the price someone has put on his head. Could the matters be connected? Is a certain assassin at the centre of both? Surrounded by killers, the only one Jack wants near disappears, leaving Jack drowning in secrets. He’ll have to do what he does best—unravel the secrets, including Ethan’s—to stop the killer and save the life he and Ethan have only just begun to build.

    **Content Warning**
    Child abuse and child sexual abuse in a character’s history and not depicted directly on the page.


    Back in 2018, the Death and the Devil series exploded in the MM romance scene in the most epic way, bringing us one of the most beloved characters of the genre. The cinnamon roll assassin, Ethan Blade.

    I love his character so much. I vowed to name my firstborn after him. I even got goosebumps just anticipating the next installments’ releases. I also promised myself to patiently wait for the audiobooks no matter how long it took just for the sheer pleasure of hearing his character speak.

    And here we are, finally, with the complete audiobooks!!!

    With a magnificent opener in Where Death Meets the Devil, my expectations of Why the Devil Stalks Death were sky-high, so the last thing I expected was to be…bored. Because it pains me greatly to admit it wasn’t the riveting one-sitter I wanted it to be.

    This is because of how the story was written. In keeping with the 1st book’s style, the chapters alternated between past and present events, labeled “Before” and “After”. It made things pretty convoluted instead of suspenseful. The serial killer plot is better served by linear storytelling, which should trim down some of the more drawn-out drama.

    But our boys are still their gloriously flawed selves, navigating a fragile relationship built on a connection that managed to be both tenuous and deep. Jack, from whom most of the story is told so far, is human enough to be affected by an ex-hookup-turned-co-worker’s incessant flirting but remains staunchly loyal to a difficult and all-too-frequently absent boyfriend.

    Just like in the first book, Ethan comes and goes. His appearances are marked by mysterious bruises he refuses to tell Jack where he got them. The man has always been an enigma to all. Most of the things Jack, and us readers, know about the assassin are gathered from meager crumbs thrown our way. So I’m thrilled to see major reveals on his past here. I’m also sad, but not surprised, to learn it involved child abuse and bullying.

    Ethan’s character development comes from his involvement with Jack. While I speak of Jack being human as him being vulnerable and hurting (being an ass, really), cold and deadly Ethan being human is him being this completely endearing child-like creature who adores animals, reads action thrillers, wears socks to bed, names his cars after women and goes to zen mode when driving at ridiculously fast speeds. Ethan being human is a bomb detonating inside Jack’s chest. I was blown into smithereens right there with him!

    Why the Devil Stalks Death brought Jack and Ethan closer in more ways than one in a complicated web of secrets, sex, serial murders, espionage and siblings. The storytelling might be confusing but the book packed enough intrigue, sizzle, and danger to carry me over this hurdle into that spectacular third arc! It’s all bullets, knives, car stunts, edge-of-your seat assassin vs. assassin action in a fucked up family reunion of killers. I live for every death-defying moment of it!

    And our boys are at a happier place. For now. We’ll see what havoc the 3rd book brings. And I stand by this, Death and the Devil is the next mega-blockbuster action franchise, if only Hollywood has the balls to bring it to screen!

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Chaos
    Artist: Mutemath
    Album: Mutemath

    P.S.

    Death and the Devil should be read in order. Find out why I love Ethan Blade so much I’ll name my progeny after him in Book 1, Where Death Meets the Devil. Gushy review here.



    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Death and the Devil. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Death and the Devil: US | UK

    You can also use my Bookshop affiliate links to buy paperbacks and MP3 CD audiobooks and help support independent bookstores.

    WHERE DEATH MEETS THE DEVIL
    WHY THE DEVIL STALKS DEATH
    WHEN DEATH FREES THE DEVIL
    NOVELLAS

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    COVER REVEAL: On The 2 by Felice Stevens

    July 11, 2023

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Heart On His Lead by J.R. Hart (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 28, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ & BLOG TOUR: Life Support by Elouise East (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 11, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    One Line Reviews Of Some Books I Read This Year (July – August 2022)

    December 20, 2022 / No Comments

    This is a round up of the books I read on the 3rd quarter of this year that I’m too lazy to do a full review.

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    RELEASE BLITZ: Long Past Dawn by J.K. Jones (Excerpt)

    April 5, 2022

    MUSIC MONDAY: Jackie Down The Line by Fontaines D.C.

    February 7, 2022

    RELEASE TOUR: Twincerely Yours by Eden Finley (Giveaway)

    July 26, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Two Soldiers for Christmas by Aurora Crane (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 5, 2022 / No Comments
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    COVER REVEAL: Ice Devils by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

    March 11, 2022

    COVER REVEAL: Cordelia Manor by Adam J. Ridley (Giveaway)

    August 2, 2024

    MUSIC MONDAY: Waited All Night by Jamie XX feat. Romy & Oliver Sim

    October 28, 2024
  • book,  Uncategorized

    SERIES REVIEW: Dearest Milton James & Dearest Malachi Keogh by N.R. Walker

    July 1, 2022 / 3 Comments

    Dearest Milton James – N.R. Walker

    Malachi Keogh finds himself in a job he neither wanted nor asked for when his father, boss of Sydney’s postal service, sends him to the end of the business line, aka The Dead Letter Office. Malachi expects tedious and boring but instead discovers a warehouse with a quirky bunch of misfit co-workers, including a stoic and nerdy boss, Julian Pollard.

    Malachi’s intrigued by Julian at first, and he soon learns there’s more to the man than his boring clothes of beige, tan, and brown; a far cry from Malachi’s hot pink, lilac, and electric blue. Where Julian is calm and ordered, Malachi is chaos personified, but despite their outward differences, there’s an immediate chemistry between them that sends Malachi’s head—and heart—into a spin.

    To keep his father happy, Malachi needs to keep this job. He also needs to solve the mystery of the pile of old letters that sits in Julian’s office and maybe get to the bottom of what makes Julian tick. Like everything that goes through the mail centre, only time will tell if Malachi has found his intended destination or if he’ll find himself returned to sender.

    Dearest Malachi Keogh – N.R. Walker

    Julian Pollard never believed in love at first sight. That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.

    Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget.


    N.R. Walker writes some of the most heartwarming, unforgettable stories. She outdid herself with Dearest Milton James. Hands down, this is one of the most adorable stories I’ve read!

    Dearest Milton James is set in Australia’s Dead Letter Office, perhaps the least likely place to find excitement or the man of your dreams. The story not only made this dull department a place of surprises and mysteries, it also housed two very inspiring, heart-meltingly sweet romances.

    Colorfully dressed, walking ray of sunshine Malachi Keogh was dumped by his father, the head of the postal service, in the Dead Letter Office as a last-ditch effort to give his son work. Boldly declaring he would not stay long, Malachi soon found himself a new family in the merry band of misfits headed by the nerdy but hottie, Julian Pollard, rocking head-to-toe brown.

    He also discovered that the Dead Letter Office was far from dead. I was just as surprised with how much activity there was. Their main responsibility is to find the sender or/and receiver. It’s work that combines detective skills and research. And opening packages!

    It’s the most fun and sometimes terrifying part because you never know what you’ll find. From heartwarming little tokens, live animals, sex toys, and even body parts. The plastic kind but still hella creepy.

    The plot is an epistolary romantic mystery of two anonymous men in a forbidden relationship in the 1970s. It sparked a present-day romance between Malachi and Julian. The department has a bundle of mysterious 40-year-old letters addressed to a Milton James. Malachi, Julian, and the rest of the gang pooled their talents to solve the mystery and find the sender.

    This part of the story completely absorbed me. I was so intrigued and heavily invested in uncovering the identity of the two men who were separated by war and societal taboos. I was prepared to be heartbroken about the outcome but the plot threw in some twists that totally caught me by surprise!

    I love Malachi! I loved how he matched his hair to his clothes. I used to dress as colorfully as him, so I was totally digging his vibe right off the bat. Our boy is prone to verbal diarrhea, and his outbursts are funny! He’s endearingly emotional and soft-hearted with just the right amount of sass. His POV was super fun to read.

    If you’re looking for a book boyfriend, Julian’s your guy. I’m a sucker for blushy seme, and he’s adorably blushy. He’s perfect without being annoying. Seeing him trying to conceal his attraction to Malachi from Malachi’s perspective worked so well in highlighting his swoony nerdy appeal

    The story hit me hard in the kokoro! From the deeply moving, beautifully poetic writing of the mysterious letter sender pouring his heart out to Milton James to the floofy gooey, super sweet connection that blossomed between Malachi and Julian, I was a mushy ball of goo!

    Dearest Malachi Keogh is the equally wonderful and floofy short story of Julian hatching a plan to gift Malachi the most unforgettable Christmas surprise of all. Everyone got involved to make it happen.

    It’s a charming little epilogue that echoes the main story. I was delighted to read Julian’s POV. This guy is everything!

    Dearest Milton James and Dearest Malachi Keogh are the perfect balance of humor, romance, and mystery. They’re light and angst-free. A magical, poignant, feel-good tale of love and friendship definitely worth writing home about.

    Rating:
    5 Stars – absolutely perfect

    Soundtrack: Dearest
    Artist: The Black Keys
    Album: Rave On Buddy Holly

    Rating:
    5 Stars – absolutely perfect

    Soundtrack: My Dear
    Artist: The Tallest Man On Earth
    Album: I Love You, It’s A Fever Dream


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Dearest Milton James and Dearest Malachi Keogh. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Dearest Milton James: US | UK
    Dearest Malachi Keogh: US | UK

    You can also use my Bookshop affiliate links to buy paperbacks and MP3 CD audiobooks and help support independent bookstores.

    DEAREST MILTON JAMES

    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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    FLICKer: Love In Brisbane

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    MY TOP BL MANGA OF 2024

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  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Nothing Special by Casey Cox (Giveaway)

    June 27, 2022 / No Comments
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    SERIES STUFF: Series I Dropped.

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    RELEASE BLITZ: Matched To His Bear by Lorelei M. Hart & Colbie Dunbar (Excerpt)

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    AUDIOBOOK TOUR: Stanley’s Christmas Redemption by Gabbi Grey

    May 29, 2022
  • Uncategorized

    BLOG TOUR: Sagittarius Saves Libra by Anyta Sunday (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 25, 2022 / No Comments
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    RELEASE BLITZ: Socially Orcward by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 15, 2021

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    RELEASE BLITZ: Heart Wood by Katey Hawthorne (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 23, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    EXCERPT REVEAL: Nothing Special by Casey Cox (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 8, 2022 / No Comments
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    BLOG TOUR: Not So Sincerely, Yours by A.M. Johnson (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Fire and Clay by Noja Lina (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 22, 2022

    FLICKer: Men’s Room (2012)

    December 9, 2021
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DISCLAIMER

Book images and promotional materials are from Goodreads or media kits provided for blog tours, cover reveals and release blitzes. Manga covers and other images are sourced through Google image search. The two dorks in the header image is from a manga by TogaQ & Kikuchi Neko. The cat logo is my own design. Reviews and other writings found in the blog are mine unless otherwise stated. All Buy Links to Amazon and Bookshop in my posts contain affiliate links.

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🌈boy's love manga | MM romance | music | giveaways and more 🐾

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.

COVER REVEAL: Shaken and Stirred by Lilly Atlas



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/cover-reveal-shaken-and-stirred-by-lilly-atlas/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Spy by Mell Eight (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


https://books2read.com/the-spy

https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/new-release-blitz-the-spy-by-mell-eight-excerpt-giveaway/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Unrequited love can make you blind.

COVER REVEAL: Doink by Crea Reitan



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/cover-reveal-doink-by-crea-reitan/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Sometimes growing up means growing apart in this queer take on As You Like It featuring first loves and friend breakups, from award-winning author Julia Drake.

BOOK TOUR: Lovesick Falls by Julia Drake



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/book-tour-lovesick-falls-by-julia-drake/

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