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  • Uncategorized

    BOOK BLITZ: The Revenge Game by Jax Calder (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 15, 2025 / No Comments
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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Whispers In The Dark by Nikole Knight & Lily Mayne

    July 27, 2024 / 2 Comments

    Black Oasis: Whispers In The Dark – Nikole Knight & Lily Mayne

    You never know whatโ€™s hiding under your bedโ€ฆ

    At twenty-four, Cody has already lost hope of having a life of his own. All his time is spent playing nurse to a dying, spiteful step-father and maid to his bully half-brother. His only escapes are playing his favorite online fantasy game, Black Oasis, and talking to the strange, unearthly presence under his bed that may or may not actually exist.

    But everything changes when his nightly visitor, who introduces himself as Nor, starts talking back.

    As their connection deepens, Nor invites Cody into the surreal world existing just beyond his nightmares, filled with haughty demons, passion-killing pet bugs named Gef, and a dark landscape that is oddly familiar. With his sweet but monstrous companion by his side, Cody might finally gain the life of freedom and adventure that heโ€™s always wanted.

    Join Nor and Cody as they unearth the true meaning of hope, passion, and a love of endless depths that spans between worlds in Whispers in the Dark, the first book in Knight and Mayneโ€™s co-authored queer, monster romance series, Black Oasis.

    Whispers in the Dark is an M/M monster romance full of hurt/comfort, angst, humor, and a sweet, spicy love between a redheaded Texan and his precious, six-fingered Deepdweller. This love story contains explicit content and is not suitable for young readers. Be sure to check the Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the book for more details.


    I swear, this book was inspired by that cute meme where an anxious sleeper sought comfort by holding the hand of the creature under their bed.

    Whispers in the Dark is the opener of Nikole Knight and Lily Mayne‘s monster romance series, Black Oasis. Downtrodden Cody, whose diabetic father hated him for being queer as much as he depended on him for his basic needs, and whose half-brother bullied him as much as he leered at him, discovered a sleep demon nesting under his bed.

    Nor, a gigantic, six-fingered creature with dark, leathery skin and a tail, is protective of the young man he followed from dream to this world. Sensing that the unseen demon meant no harm to him, Cody started sharing everything from random things to his most embarrassing secrets.

    Soon the two became friends and Nor became comfortable enough to come out from under the bed. These interactions were Cody’s only solace from a life of drudgery and abuse. Until one day, things took a turn for the worst and Cody and Nor had to get away from this world fast.

    Both MCs were endearing and very likable. It’s hard not to root for Cody, even though I wished he would just walk out of his toxic family. Our boy’s trying. Nor was a surprise! He was this big scary claws and teeth sleep monster ready to rip anyone who’d dare harm his little rabbit, Cody. He kept his mystique until they’re back in his world, and he turned out to be a himbo! I loved this big dork!

    Admittedly, I was underwhelmed. This story badly needed an adventure or a quest. Half of the plot takes place mostly in Cody’s bedroom while the rest happens in Nor’s world. There’s a “nothing going on” feel to it.

    The bedroom scenes were pretty much standard human meets scary monster, scary monster becomes boyfriend. Cody and Nor kept the momentum going despite oft-repeated scenarios. Their dynamic was sweet and accepting. Together they kept me thoroughly invested in the book.

    Cody’s jaunts to Nor’s world and then his permanent stay felt like missed opportunities to explore and create more action-centric scenes. Instead, the two mostly holed up in Nor’s hovel playing house a.k.a. fuck, which wasn’t very exciting.

    My itch to explore Nor’s world is because of this huge but semi-low-key mystery the authors threw in. Black Oasis, the online game Cody played looked eerily similar to Nor’s world. This was mentioned a couple of times and then left by the wayside. Argh!

    World-building wasn’t very detailed but it reminded me of Lily Mayne’s Monstrous. I imagined it’s set before the interdimensional rift of Monstrous happened and the game Black Oasis somehow caused it. It would be awesome if these series are related, they have a lot in common.

    I’m sure answers will be revealed as the series progresses. Still, would be nice if we got more clues.

    My favorite parts are Cody’s interactions with Lau, Nor’s best friend and self-proclaimed smartest creature in their world. Nor, bless this lovable himbo demon, whole-hearted believes that, much to Cody’s exasperation.

    Cody and Lau love pushing each other buttons and these are the funniest scenes. Cody knows the demon is a blow-hard and feels protective of Nor. Lau loudly declares he hates humans and feels protective of his best friend.

    The cocky demon is made for an enemies-to-lovers romance because we all know he has it bad for a human. Who? I’m dying to find out.

    Whispers in the Dark is a sweet slow-burn romance about finding solace and acceptance in unlikely places. While it may lack some elements, overall, it is as heartwarming as the strange comfort of holding the hand of the monster under the bed.

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars โ€“ that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Monster (Under My Bed)
    Artist: Call Me Karizma
    Album: The Gloomy Tapes Vol. 2


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๐ŸŒˆboy's love manga | MM romance | music | giveaways and more ๐Ÿพ

neverhollowed
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 May

Should have been written as a romantic suspense with greater emphasis on the suspenseful, action-packed scenes and Kingsโ€™ business

#REVIEW: Savage by Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank

๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ
3 kid glove stars ๐ŸŽญ๐Ÿงค๐Ÿ‘“๐Ÿ‘”

SONG: Masquerade - Robosoul feat Cid Fox

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
8 May

FLICKer: Shattered #shortfilm

SHATTERED is a psychological short film that exposes the kind of abuse no one talks about โ€” the kind that hides behind sweet words, fake smiles, and well-crafted lies.

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
8 May

BLOG TOUR: Force by Kindle Alexander



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/05/08/blog-tour-force-by-kindle-alexander/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
8 May

RELEASE BLITZ: Mischief Vibes by Ash Marah



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/05/07/release-blitz-mischief-vibes-by-ash-marah/

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