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    REVIEW: Band Sinister by K.J. Charles

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    Band Sinister – K.J. Charles

    Sir Philip Rookwood is the disgrace of the county. He’s a rake and an atheist, and the rumours about his hellfire club, the Murder, can only be spoken in whispers. (Orgies. It’s orgies.)

    Guy Frisby and his sister Amanda live in rural seclusion after a family scandal. But when Amanda breaks her leg in a riding accident, she’s forced to recuperate at Rookwood Hall, where Sir Philip is hosting the Murder. 

    Guy rushes to protect her, but the Murder aren’t what he expects. They’re educated, fascinating people, and the notorious Sir Philip turns out to be charming, kind—and dangerously attractive. 

    In this private space where anything goes, the longings Guy has stifled all his life are impossible to resist…and so is Philip. But all too soon the rural rumour mill threatens both Guy and Amanda. The innocent country gentleman has lost his heart to the bastard baronet—but does he dare lose his reputation too?

    I haven’t read Georgette Heyer but if her works are as fun-tastic as this, I’d gladly read her entire oeuvre.

    Band Sinister is KJ Charlesgoing full Heyer” and there’s lots to love.

    First, the characters all stood out, even the secondaries and extras who had minimal page time. She made me curious about all the cast that I started wishing for a book for many of them. Especially Corvin! Give us Corvin’s book, please please please!!! He’s just too good to pass up.

    The rake and the virgin trope was executed perfectly! A lot of times, this trope could get rapey so a million points for the big emphasis on consent. I loved Philip Rookwood for being simultaneously a devilish gentleman and golden-hearted rake. Who could resist such combination!

    “Let me be frank. I find you intriguing, and extremely appealing, and delightful company, and very much a man who deserves more pleasure in his life. If you’d like to take that pleasure with me, I’d be honoured. If you aren’t so minded, don’t take offence at the offer, and I shan’t at the refusal. And if you decide you’d prefer Corvin, for example, I shall bow out like a gentleman, although I shall probably kick him in the shins at some point from pure envy.”

    Certainly not Guy! Who soon discovered there is so much more to their neighbor and his hellfire club than their unspeakable activities. Who was intrigued and curious despite himself. Who found the courage to be honest and go after what he wanted. And who was the best brother any sister could hope for.

    Guy and Amanda’s relationship was one of the most enjoyable part of the book. The siblings stuck together no matter what and I’m glad that both of them got their HEA in equally adorable ways.

    Needless to say, I love the Murder! I wanted to join the club. A Facebook friend once said, our country is stuck in perma-Victorian times, and although Band Sinister is set in the Regency period, the small town small minded atmosphere is similar to the oppressiveness of Guy and Amanda’s village. A club like the Murder would be like a breath of fresh air. I could totally understand the sense of liberation Guy felt when he was with Philip and his friends.

    KJC has always been a great storyteller and her writing was sharp as always. There were many lines that had me chuckling and laughing out loud. Her writing works wonderfully well with Cornell Collins’ narration whose delivery of upper crust sarcasm practically “dripped to the carpet

    Band Sinister is the type of book you could enjoy reading over and over again. It is peopled with characters you’d love to be friends with. It takes well-worn tropes and turn them on their heads, and in doing so gave them polish and edge. I would love more of this sensational world of hellfire clubs, gothic novelists and free-spirited individuals. I would certainly love another rendezvous with our polyamorous gang so more Murder please!

    P.S.

    Lord Corvin and John Raven also appeared on Wanted, An Author (review here).
    KJC books here

    Rating:
    4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away

    Soundtrack: Stay Here For A While
    Artist: Paper Lions
    Album: Trophies

  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: In Other Words…Murder by Josh Lanyon

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    Holmes & Moriarity: In Other Words…Murder -Josh Lanyon

    Death reveals all secrets.

    Mystery author Christopher Holmes, now comfortably married to sometimes rival, sometimes nemesis J.X. Moriarity, is starting a new career as a true crime writer when threatening anonymous notes start arriving.

    Even worse, Christopher’s ex also arrives–asking for help locating the man he left Christopher for!

    It’s life–and death–as usual at Chez Holmes. In other words… Murder.

    Well, this answered The Question:

    “I love you, Kit. I just do.”
    I muttered, “Well, you don’t have to sound like it’s against your will.” 

    Compared to the other books in the series, In Other Words…Murder has the most slice-of-life feel to it, the mysteries more or less secondary, even tertiary, to Kit getting a huge deal from publishers, him and JX discussing honeymoon trips, and Jerry being on the loose again. A day in the life of Christopher Holmes certainly doesn’t lack for excitement as he goes from enduring Gage’s presence, sorting through unfinished manuscripts to fending off attacks by a psycho clown, getting JX a happy ever after cake, meeting the ex, feeling guilty about not connecting with old peers as much as he was suppose to, becoming a murder suspect and antagonizing the detectives by being his usual charming self.

    Gad I hate Jerry! The creep just gets into my nerves. Dear System, do you job and please put Jerry away for good.

    Felt sorry for JX. One of these days he might actually get a heart attack from all the life-threatening situations Kit gets into. But JX is rock solid (and healthy). Love him!

    Kit, at long last, realizing Julian Xavier Moriarity is it.

    My gaze wandered to J.X., who was listening to all this with an
    exasperated expression. As I studied his face, realization struck me.
    I’d stand by you. Whatever happens, I’ll be there for you.
    It was kind of shocking. Because it was true.

    Love the fact that he wasn’t in the least bit tempted by the ex’s advances. Good riddance to that loser!

    Kit put the past firmly behind. He has been inching his way forward with a nudge or two since the beginning but this time he wasn’t wavering. Also, he did something nice and romantic! Without being prodded! And he started writing again!

    This is the best Kit yet!

    P.S.

    review of Holmes and Moriarity books here
    review of Josh Lanyon books here

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

    Soundtrack: I’ll Be Your Man
    Artist: The Black Keys
    Album: The Big Come Up