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    SERIES REVIEW: The Silencer & His Prince (Unexpectedly Twisted Books 1 & 2) by Cora Rose

    Unexpectedly Twisted: The Silencer – Cora Rose

    When a little harmless flirting at a biker bar suddenly takes a turn for the worse and I find myself at odds with the dangerous Fallen Aces gang, I call on the only man I know who can save me.

    Anthony Costello may be a vicious mafia boss with a penchant for violence and torture, but he’s also my best friend’s father and the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. His buttoned-up demeanor and grumpy attitude only fuel my desire to take him apart. I live to push all his buttons. And though he says he’s straight, it seems Anthony may have a soft spot and possessive streak for this smart-mouthed twink. Because as war between rival gangs escalates, things between Anthony and I start to heat up. And I think I’d rather like to sit on the king’s lap to watch it all burn.

    The Unexpectedly Twisted series is a rom-com mafia spin-off of the Unexpected series. It contains dark themes and triggers, please see content warnings at the beginning of each book.


    Rating:
    2.5 Stars – far from hate but not quite a like

    Soundtrack: feelslikeimfallinginlove
    Artist: Coldplay
    Album: Moon Music


    Unexpectedly Twisted: His Prince – Cora Rose

    All my life I’ve waited for my fairytale romance. Sheltered by my protective father and confined by the dangers of his mafia legacy, I’ve saved myself—my heart and body—all these years for this very moment…

    Deadly handsome and charming, Mikhail Ivanov, strikes a deal with my father for my hand in marriage, ensuring my safety and building an alliance. And I thank my lucky stars Mikhail is everything I’ve ever dreamed of, his sweet mouth whispering sins and promises—that I’m his little prince, his angel.

    But when the wedding ends and I’m left with a barren wasteland of secrets, lies, and broken promises from the man I trusted, my dreams suddenly become a living nightmare I can’t escape.
    I should have known all along that fairy tales aren’t real, just as my dear husband should have known that even angels will get their revenge.


    Rating:
    3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it

    Soundtrack: Virtue
    Artist: Matt Wills
    Album: Cigarettes & City Lights


    After last week’s Mobsters + Billionaires, this week is mobsters and twinks in Cora Rose‘s mafia romance series, Unexpectedly Twisted.

    Books 1 and 2, The Silencer and His Prince, paired middle-aged, widower mob bosses to twinks half their age. The stories are in dual 1st person POVs. They should be read in order.

    The Silencer runs on the daddy/brat dynamics. Tatum, a 21-year-old college student, constantly pushed 40-something Anthony Costello’s buttons. Anthony is the father of Tatum’s best friend, Angel. The older man is known to be straight and mourning his beloved late wife, Laura.

    Their marriage was happy, and they even accepted a third, Luca, Anthony’s right-hand man and star of Book 3. They have twin sons, Diablo, a troublemaker befitting his name and already married, and Angel, the sweet one and star of Book 2.

    Fast forward to the present, Tatum, nearly beaten to death by homophobes, was rescued by Anthony and was convalescing in the mob boss’s home. The younger man was crushing hard on Anthony and, from the get-go, went about poking the bear in the hopes of getting a rise from the other man.

    Unfortunately, Tatum lacked charm, was annoyingly childish, and had no useful skills apart from shamelessly flirting. Anthony was a cardboard alpha male and completely forgettable. Some of the scenes that threw them together for USTs were so ridiculously contrived, they were like the pretexts used in porn.

    Their connection didn’t go beyond sex and I couldn’t even recall them having a meaningful conversation with other. Tatum had deeper connections his bodyguard, Teddy, TBH.

    That’s all for Tatum and Anthony. I suspect this is a series that gets better with every new installment because Book 2 was an improvement.

    His Prince is about the arranged marriage between 23-year-old Angelo Costello and 42-year-old Mikhail Ivanov, the Russian mob boss on the East Coast. Angel’s father worried about his safety, Angel being too soft and too sweet, and so secured him a husband who would be able to protect him. It didn’t hurt that the arrangement was also good for his business.

    After a whirlwind courtship, Angel is surprised that the marriage had soured right from the wedding night. Mikhail doesn’t want anything to do with him. Our boy wasn’t the softy everyone thought him to be. Instead, he won over all of Mikhail’s bodyguards and transformed the mob boss’s lifeless house into a colorful, vibrant home smelling of good food and flowers.

    The plot is the opposite of Book 1 and tackles the themes of betrayal and trust. Mikhail had a complicated relationship with his wife, which ended tragically. He swore he could still feel her haunting him. Later, things come full circle, and he would face his ghosts.

    Mikhail was borderline cardboard. The man had trust issues due to past betrayals, making it difficult to accept his new husband. It took him a while, but he did pull his head out of his ass and realized how awesome Angel is.

    I liked Angel. He’s one of the reasons why the story was enjoyable. He was a compelling mix of sweet, sass, and steel. I loved the way he won over the Russians. Unlike his best friend, Angel can cook and bake and has one hell of a green thumb. He fearlessly faced down crazed mobsters to rescue his husband.

    While our MCs are meh, the secondary characters were a riot! They’re really who I want to read about because I just KNOW their books would be delicious!

    There’s happy, messy, lovable resident interrogator Bane, who gifts his favorite people with jewelry made of body parts as a sign of affection. He’s paired with the aloof and perfectly put-together Georgiy, the Russian mob’s doctor and interrogator. The scenes they had together are already fire!

    Luca is a laid-back, flirty, cool-as-a-cucumber mobster who loves to provoke the easily flustered Victor, one of the trusted bodyguards. It seems Victor is indebted to Luca, which grates on the bodyguard’s nerves. The casual mentions of their antagonistic dynamics thrilled me!

    Heck, even the rare teasers of Ivan, Mikhail’s brother, and Casey, Angel’s bodyguard really piqued my interest. Jake, the hearing-impaired gardener, and Teddy, Tatum’s unspeaking bodyguard, were a pleasantly unexpected combination when Teddy started talking to him in ASL. I hope they get their own book.

    So far, Unexpectedly Twisted hasn’t offered anything truly unexpected or twisted. The Silencer and His Prince felt more like the slog before getting to the fun parts. I am seriously excited about the future books. Give me all the twists and turns!


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    SERIES REVIEW: Extradiction & Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires Books 1 & 2) by Kelly Fox

    Mobsters + Billionaires: Extradiction by Kelly Fox

    Fun fact: You can take the man out of the Mafia and put him in a fancy Manhattan high-rise, but that man’s always gonna have a little bit of mobster in him. Which probably explains why I told off my arrogant billionaire CEO, Rand Wolfe, in front of the entire company.

    After our little exchange goes viral, I’m left with the choice of letting my father’s men toss Wolfe’s disrespectful ass into the Hudson or helping him escape. Long story short, I’m hiding out in the billionaire’s penthouse with my father’s extradition order hanging over my head.

    Only…Wolfe’s nothing like I thought he’d be. This wealthy, powerful man is actually interested in what I have to say, and his alpha-hole façade falls apart completely when we’re alone.

    God, he comes alive under my hands.

    With other families getting involved and my father’s threats looming in the background, am I mob enough to save the man I’m falling for?

    Extradition is a Manhattan romance that features an ex-mobster with a heart of gold, a billionaire with a tiny humiliation kink, and a snarky cast of criminals, reprobates, and other corporate types.

    This is the first book in the Mobsters + Billionaires series. #dangerswoon


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

    Soundtrack: The Wolf
    Artist: Mumford and Sons
    Album: Wilder Mind


    Mobsters + Billionaires: Protection – Kelly Fox

    I wait for the signal at crosswalks. I pay my taxes on time. And, despite my association with a certain Mafia family, I run a clean business providing security for Manhattan’s wealthy elite.

    I don’t break the law.

    Dr. Madhuban Laghari—Mads—is my newest protectee and my biggest problem. He fights his security protocols at every turn and makes me question all of my carefully crafted rules. Especially the one about not falling for the world’s most adorable billionaire.

    Every time we go back and forth, I fall a little harder.

    More dangerous than our sexy banter is the fact that the threats against him are starting to escalate.

    He doesn’t want to face the reality that he’s got a stalker tracking his every move, not to mention the Russian government trying to steal his technology. The closer we get, the more I know I’ll do anything to protect him.

    If his enemies dare to put a hand on my billionaire, they’ll discover how Mafia I can get.

    ***
    Protection is a cameo-filled, globetrotting romance that features a reluctant mobster, a billionaire with questionable taste in fashion, and a found family made entirely of morally gray do-gooders.

    The books in this series are stand-alones, and the HEA is always guaranteed.


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

    Soundtrack: Worth Fighting For
    Artist: The Movement
    Album: Always With Me


    The combination of mobsters and billionaires had never crossed my mind, but when author Kelly Fox put them together, I realized it was an obvious and unexpectedly intriguing pairing!

    Also, who doesn’t swoon for dangerous, deadly men and their ‘touch him and die’ vibe when it comes to their adored boyfriends?!

    Series opener Extradiction kicked off with a mic drop walk-out scene where Joe Portelli puts the posturing billionaire Rand Wolfe in his place. I’ll keep the details to a minimum because this is one of the best parts and started a series of exciting events that led to Joe living with Rand.

    Rand quickly realized Joe was an asset, and working with him would improve the company’s image and more. The two started working closely to convince Wolfe Sr and other old school board members to improve work conditions for their employees. They met a brick wall but Joe and Rand were determined to make positive changes.

    Rand also realized he could let himself be vulnerable around Joe, and Joe would instinctively give Rand what he needed. They don’t have much in common, but both men have complicated relationships with their fathers, and this impacts much of the story.

    While BDSM isn’t my cup of tea, and Joe’s magic dick was a bit much, the evolution of their relationship and the undeniable soul-deep connection that formed was a joy to witness! This is such a fun and delicious read, the kind I found myself so entertained that I could ignore the inconsistencies.

    For example, we can totally ignore the elephant in the room, a.k.a. Joe “there’s no such thing as an ethical billionaire” Portelli is also Joe mooching off and being okay with said billionaire spoiling him with designer suits and thousand-dollar VR games.

    Forced proximity did its magic, creating a spectacularly sizzling chemistry between Joe and Rand! Add to that the swoony alpha protectiveness of Joe, tapping deep into his mafia soul to save his beloved billionaire from the bad guys! Also, lots of cuddles and pasta dinners!

    Coming full circle is the squee-tastic closing scene where I squee-ed so hard!!! It was the perfect happy ending for this power couple!

    The series also introduces us to lots of unforgettable characters, pairings for the succeeding books, and secondary characters who made their mark. The couples from each book come together to play poker every week.

    Aside from Joe, the mobsters are could-be-could-be-not-actual brothers starting with security specialist Edgerton, mob boss Luca, and unhinged psycho Hopper. The billionaire contingent and Rand’s friends are money geek Ford and tech genius Mads.

    There’s also a mysterious RICO agent stalking Hopper. Adding their snark and good sense to the mix are Greyson, the butler, and Sherry, Rand’s PA.

    Protection is about security specialist Anthony Edgerton assigning himself to protect tech billionaire Dr. Madhuban Leghari from a stalker. Mads is fighting hard to keep his invention away from people with malicious intent. It has gotten so bad, that there were even kidnapping attempts.

    This is narrated by Declan Winters, and unfortunately, his voices for Mads and Anthony were so similar that it took me a while to realize the POV changes.

    The story opens with a rather manic internal dialogue by Mads, and the rest of the chapter is chaotic because Mads’s energy is on hyperdrive. At first, he came off as a horny teenager, then just a horny adult, but he was amusing, and he was a ray of sunshine.

    Mads made it well-known from the get-go he was crushing on Anthony. Tried as he might to resist, the immovable, taciturn Anthony stood no chance against the unstoppable force that is Mads.

    This has the size difference and opposites attract tropes in play. Anthony is Captain America, while Mads is a scrawny 5’7, tall in Asia, chibi in the US. Anthony is also a rule-follower, a code he has because of his complicated family history. And protecting his loved ones, especially the sunshine-y Mads, is making him break his rule.

    While I liked the first book more, I couldn’t help but be charmed by Mads and his loyal bodyguard, Anthony. Sure, the love declarations were cheesetastic, and there were plenty, but they were heart melting too!

    The cameos certainly piqued my interest. Couples from the author’s Wrecked: Guardians series contributed their skills and crazy in the action-packed rescue scene. It was quite a treat, even though I haven’t read their series yet.

    I’m also hoping the author would write a story about Olga, the spy secretly helping Mads, and Ryder, Mad’s goth tech expert. Loved how Olga kicked ass as Ukrainian spec ops while Ryder kicked ass with her keyboard.

    The books are in dual first-person POVs. Expect action and some violence, plenty of humor and steam,

    Extraction is narrated by Blake Lockheart who did a fabulous job! The rest of the books are narrated by Declan Winters. He’s one of my top narrators so other than the point mentioned above, his narration was very engaging.

    Mobsters+Billionaires should be read in order. Ethical mobsters and billionaires might be a myth but they sure fall in love for real.


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    REVIEW: Bump in the Night by Nikole Knight & Lily Mayne

    Black Oasis: Bump in the Night – Nikole Knight & Lily Mayne

    You never know what’s hiding in your closet…At twenty-six, Ivy has their life figured out. They have a decent paying job at the London office of Somnus Entertainment–the gaming company behind the wildly popular game Black Oasis–a draughty flat they inherited from their wild great aunt, and a few select friends to pass the time. They’re a responsible adult, thank you very much, and while they might get lonely at times, they know better than to put too much stock into that fanciful notion known as love.

    But when a skeevy encounter during a fun night at the pub devolves into a violent hate crime, their life changes forever.

    Waking up in a demon dimension, beaten within an inch of their life, is bad enough. But add a snarky, haughty healer with the universe’s worst bedside manner, and Ivy knows they’re in for a long, excruciating recovery. Lau the Dreamwraith is prickly, arrogant, and entirely infuriating, but for some strange reason, he seems hellbent on nursing Ivy back to health. Despite Lau’s whinging over their “inferior human qualities,” there is a heat building between them that neither are able to fight. Like a match meeting kerosine, their chemistry ignites, but Ivy’s stay in the demon world is temporary and fire always burns out eventually.

    Love is a dream, after all; it has no business in nightmares. Right?

    Join Ivy and Lau as they nurture the sparks between them until they explode into an unexpected passion that crosses dimensions in Bump in the Night, the second book in Knight and Mayne’s co-authored queer, monster romance series, Black Oasis.

    Bump in the Night is an M/X monster romance full of hurt/comfort, angst, humor, and a sweet, spicy love between a fiery Brit and their arrogant sleep demon. 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


    Black Oasis, the dark and humorous monster romance series by Nikole Knight and Lily Mayne, is also the name of the MMORPG game about monsters. The first book, Whispers In The Dark, gave us the cinnamon roll Texan gamer, Cody, and his adoring monster boyfriend, Nor.

    I recalled the hilarious scene in Whispers In The Dark when Nor’s best friend, the then shit-faced Lau, made cryptic complaints about humans. I was thrilled to find out why in this sequel!

    Bump in the Night stars computer programmer Ivy, who works for Somnus Entertainment, the developer of Black Oasis. Ivy is non-binary and wears either pants or a dress. One night, on their way home from a club, they were targeted by haters and left for dead in an alley.

    Then they woke up to find themselves in another dimension with a broken leg and more, under the care of an arrogant lilac-skinned sleep demon, Lau. The demon, who’s also the town healer, complains about how inferior humans are while tenderly nursing Ivy’s injuries, even gently shampooing their hair while they bathe.

    I lived for the scenes where Lau would fuss and get all annoyed because Ivy was around. The next day, Ivy would find Lau had made him some crutches or retrieved a book from the human world because of a casual comment Ivy had made. The demon is always so careful about Ivy’s broken leg, even during passionate moments.

    There was also the scene that tickled me pink, where Ivy found Lau sneaking back to bed and being super cagey. By morning, they discovered Lau secretly changed the tea can labels from demon language to English because he learned Ivy was trying to make tea the day before but didn’t know which can was which.

    Also, secretly repairing Ivy’s torn dress that they wore during that fateful night.

    And true to his tsundere form, our dorky Lau had apparently been stalking Ivy for months before their attack, then became skittish as a cat when Ivy turned around and returned his very loud unsaid feelings.

    So far, the first two books have not delved deeply into the world-building. However, the first book had a darker, angstier tone while the second had a lighter, cozier vibe.

    The opening and later chapters focus on Ivy’s mundane life in London. The story employs the forced proximity trope, with most scenes taking place inside Lau’s house as Ivy recuperates. This setting felt somewhat claustrophobic, as I wished to explore more of Lau’s world.

    The plot is mostly domesticity, comfort, and healing, with the authors weaving their monster romance magic in the amusing and squee-tastic antagonistic dynamics between the clearly besotted demon and the quickly-falling-for-that-demon human.

    The banter was made me chuckle and Lau’s bold declarations of his superiority as a demon were hilarious. My heart, along with Ivy’s, melted at the easy way he accepted Ivy’s non-binary identity, which of course, came with him declaring he is a he as in “He is Lau, the fearsome sleep demon!

    And this is why Ivy and Lau gave Cody and Nor a serious run for their money! If you ask me which couple is my favorite, I loved them both so much!

    Lau, our favorite tsundere demon, is a grumpy grump who grumbles, but inside, his heart is as mushy as our sweet sleep demon Nor! I highly recommend audiobooking this because Michael Ferraiuolo’s performance of Lau was spot-on, capturing the bravado and vulnerability so convincingly!

    Another favorite part is Vary, Lau’s himbo brother, who frequently crosses over to the human world. Why? It’s a happy surprise! I hope Vary’s book is next.

    Bump in the Night is a story where a whole lot of grumpiness delivered the tenderest care. Funny and heartwarming, the deep connection and the poignant moments between two delightful characters is a reminder that even in the dark, there’s always room for love, sass, and a cup of tea.

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

    Soundtrack: Bump In The Night
    Artist: Skittish
    Album: The Perfect Shade of Green II

    P.S.

    Black Oasis should be read in order. Befriend that lonely monster under the bed in Whispers In The Dark.


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    REVIEW: Silk & Sand by Katherine Diane

    Seth & Raider: Silk & Sand – Katherine Diane

    The only thing worse than trekking across a dangerous desert on a nearly impossible mission? When your guide is intolerable—and irresistible.

    Seth spends his days hunting down mystical artifacts. As a Curator for the Arcanum College, that’s his job. But when an arcanist murders a fellow scholar, Seth finds himself assigned instead to a dusty, thirsty, frustrating manhunt. But why him? Because, he’s been told by his superiors, he’s the only Curator sufficiently tenacious and brutal for the job. (Seth resents that.)

    When the murderer vanishes at the edge of a deadly desert, Seth finds himself in need of a guide. Unfortunately, the “only one crazy enough” for the job is Raider—a man with an easy grin who is clearly a thief, liar, and rogue. (He also has illegal quicksilver in his veins, and that arcane enhancement positively screams “I’ve done bad things.”) The only thing worse than having to rely on such a reprobate? Finding him irresistibly attractive.

    Raider might think the manhunt a foolish endeavor, but he’s delighted by the prospect of breaking past the barriers of the gorgeous, rigidly self-controlled Curator. That kind of intensity needs the right outlet (and Raider has such ideas). But Raider just might be asking for more trouble than he realizes—because he has barriers of his own, and some very dark secrets lurking behind them.

    But that’s not the only trouble looming. Because if Seth and Raider can survive their desert journey? Seth’s manhunt will lead them into even greater dangers and mysteries.

    Silk & Sand is a high-heat fantasy adventure that will take you to the most exotic locations and into the most twisted secrets. It will lure you in with action, humor, and sizzling tension—and will hook your heart with its emotional intensity and beautiful love. So be prepared to laugh, cry, and stay up all night with these two gorgeous, complicated, irresistible men.


    Silk & Sand is Katherine Diane’s first book of the Seth & Raider duology. It is a Middle Eastern-flavored fantasy adventure in which the only thing hotter than the blistering desert sun is the nuclear-intense chemistry between Seth and Raider.

    Fantasy books are hit-and-miss, because of info dumps that slow the pace. After two tries in the opening chapter, I was glad the story quickly hit its stride and maintained a steady, brisk pace until the end.

    The story is set in the desert, where Seth, a Curator from the Academy, hopes to cross in search of another Curator wanted for murder. He crossed paths with Raider and spectacularly got off on the wrong foot with the man. But after a couple of antagonistic interactions, Seth swallowed his pride and hired the infuriating man as his guide because he was the only one who knew how to navigate the deadly sands.

    Curators are scholars + archeologists + artifact dealers who typically work for the Academy but might also work for a rich patron. There is magic here, but low-key present. Info dumps were kept to a minimum yet deftly executed. The fantasy elements, such as Seth’s weapons and Raider’s quicksilver, blended seamlessly with the Middle Eastern culture.

    The plot is a fabulous blend of action-adventure and romance, with a heavy (almost too much) focus on the romantic development. However, there were also plenty of heart-thumping fight scenes against bandits and giant monsters, court intrigue, dark secrets, betrayals, and forbidden magic.

    Seth is scowly, intimidating, and almost soldierly in his discipline and fighting skills. It makes sense since curators venture into dangerous territories for their artifacts. Seth carries a variety of weapons and other survival gear. He’s dressed in all black with protective coverings.

    Seth is also hella toppy, dominant, and surprisingly caring and considerate of Raider’s needs, as Raider soon discovers.

    Raider is well-liked, shamelessly flirty, carefree, and generous with his smiles. He’s dressed in colorful silks and carries a scimitar. His secret weapon is the quicksilver running in his veins. Silver is his gift, his curse, and his safe word.

    Raider isn’t too proud to beg. Our boy is casually sexual but is scared by intimacy. He may be sunshine, but inside is pain and darkness.

    The only thing more delicious than the chemistry is the heart-warming care Seth is showering Raider. Our sunshine boy badly needed some TLC, and now that he has some, he doesn’t know what to do with it. And Seth keeps giving those delicious massages…

    Our boys protect each other from bandits and monsters, but they also harbor some distrust. Despite this, they still share a tent at the end of the day.

    One of my favorite parts was when the two MCs were caught by the bad guys, forcing Raider to reveal his dark secrets to Seth. Seth, disappointed and heartbroken upon learning the truth, stalked off. Later, Raider was sitting in a cell, marinating in his misery, when he heard Seth coming. Seth, expecting Raider already freed himself so they could disappear into the night, said, “Why are you still there?”

    I loved this scene because, despite their doubts, they always find their way back to each other.

    I was so absorbed by the story that I didn’t see the cliffhanger coming until I walked right into it.

    Silk & Sand is one of those books that would make a great movie. The breathtaking desert landscapes, the rich colors of the court, the death-defying stunts, the chase scenes, and the fan-favorite gay romance are made for a Hollywood blockbuster!

    Overall, the thrilling adventure, and the dynamic chemistry between them make me eager to follow Seth and Raider across the dunes again!

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

    Soundtrack: Desert Night
    Artist: Rufus Du Sol
    Album: Atlas


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    REVIEW: The Duke At Hazard by K.J. Charles

    Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: The Duke At Hazard – K.J. Charles

    Don’t miss the second thrilling Regency romance in the Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune series by KJ Charles…

    The Duke of Severn is one of the greatest men in Britain.

    He’s also short, quiet, and unimpressive. And now he’s been robbed, after indulging in one rash night with a strange man who stole the heirloom Severn ring from his finger. The Duke has to get it back, and he can’t let anyone know how he lost it. So when his cousin bets that he couldn’t survive without his privilege and title, the Duke grasps the opportunity to hunt down his ring-incognito.

    Life as an ordinary person is terrifying…until the anonymous Duke meets Daizell Charnage, a disgraced gentleman, and hires him to help. Racing across the country in search of the thief, the Duke and Daizell fall into scrapes, into trouble-and in love.

    Daizell has been excluded from polite society, his name tainted by his father’s crimes and his own misbehaviour. Now he dares to dream of a life somewhere out of sight with the quiet gentleman who’s stolen his heart. He doesn’t know that his lover is a hugely rich public figure with half a dozen titles. And when he finds out, it will risk everything they have…


    The Duke At Hazard is the second book of Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune and features the first duke in K.J. Charles‘s extensive repertoire of historical MM romances. Though the ubiquitous love interests in historical romance, dukes are actually rare in real life.

    The Duke of Severn is second only to the royal family, so it’s quite a venerable and intimidating position. Also, very stifling. So stifling, Severn jumped at a chance to go out into the world incognito for one month without the trappings of his title.

    This is after losing his heirloom, the Severn ring, to a thief he hooked up with one night. His cousin Leo made a wager that Severn wouldn’t survive without his servants and privileges, and so, also seeing this as a chance to look for his ring, the duke became the ordinary, nondescript Cassian.

    Cassian’s search led him to cross paths with Daizell Charnage, a fellow Etonian who fell from grace after his father’s crimes. Sensing the other man’s street smarts could be useful, Cassian asked for help to search for the thief and his ring in exchange for 50 pounds.

    Daizell, being a gentleman with no marketable skills, can’t work. His only skill is creating portraits by cutting paper. It’s a very entertaining skill that earns him a few schillings and an occasional free lodging. The promise of 50 pounds and free meals made it hard for him to say no, so off they went on a wild goose chase.

    The first book in the series, The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, was a struggle, so I put it on hold. The Duke at Hazard effortlessly kept me riveted for hours!

    I loved how the shift between Cassian and Severn is palpable whenever the duke refers to himself by which name. It underlines his conflict between the two worlds, his wish to become whole, and how Daiz made it so.

    Cassian isn’t perfect. He is the first to acknowledge his shortcomings. His lack of imposing stature and average face would have him disappear in a crowd if not for his fine clothes and the posse of servants to announce his presence.

    And smartly, he used this natural anonymity to outwit the bad guys in his adventure. Watching Cassian learn about the wider world is fascinating. Fantastic character growth!

    I also love Cassian for acknowledging that he was selfish in his treatment of Daizell, though it wasn’t with bad intentions. The duke also has a capacity for forgiveness and resourcefulness, which surprised even himself. One of my favorite parts is how he handled John Martin, a former valet, now a wanted man. I hope Martin’s book is next.

    Also, who knew our boy Cas could be hella kinky!

    Daizell has fabulous hair, average looks, and a sunshiney personality that made him well-liked, if not for his disgrace. He’s lonely and starving for affection, but you wouldn’t know it because he’s always easygoing. Also a kinky boy.

    Daiz went from giving Cassian pointers to admiring Cas’s derring-do to falling hard for the man. Drifting here and there, he finally found a direction and a purpose. My heart went to him when he was so wrecked upon learning Cas’s true identity and how vastly unattainable the duke is.

    Cue the most moving, squee-tastic groveling scene!

    And it wouldn’t be a K.J. Charles book without dastardly villains, clever twists, and a satisfying comeuppance.

    The villain is mostly off-page, but his menace and sinister workings are visibly present. Cassian took it upon himself, as Daiz said, “swinging his duke around” most magnificently to avenge the wrong, save a lady, and restore Daiz’s reputation as a gentleman!

    Other reviewers mentioned this is one of the author’s milder books, and I agree. The two MCs were constantly traveling, the plot had more action, from overturning coaches to daring escapes, and the stakes were high. Still, the vibe is gentle. I would even dare say idyllic if not for the bad guys,

    There were moments in Cassian and Daizell’s adventure that edged towards lulls. The charms of these two men snapped me back to attention. Seeing the world through their eyes, “a man who was interested in everything made everything interesting.” They are a great addition to the author’s roster of lovable couples.

    The Duke at Hazard is the compelling journey of two men who transformed their lives from mere existence to vibrant living. With a fabulous blend of action, entertainment, and swoon-worthy moments, this cross-country adventure is a captivating and unforgettable romp!

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

    Soundtrack: Act of Faith
    Artist: Presence
    Album: Inside

    P.S.

    The Duke At Hazard can be read as standalone.

    With a name like Daizell, you had to be made of sunshine.

    Would you believe the duke’s first name is Vernon? No, just no. Happily, the duke chose Cassian among his many names.


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  • Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Secondhand Skin by Hailey Turner

    Soulbound: Secondhand Skin – Hailey Turner

    Nothing says you can’t steal a heart. Keeping it though? That’s another problem.

    Wade Espinoza knows a thing or two about hoards. As a dragon, he’s got plenty. What he doesn’t have is a relationship, and he swears he’s not looking for one. But when he’s sent to Boston to answer a cry for help from another pack, he’s drawn into a mess of fae bargains centered around a selkie who Wade instantly becomes obsessed with.

    Riordan Maguire is struggling to keep his selkie clan out of the clutches of a fae lord who will do anything to take over their territory. Partnering with the Boston god pack means coming face-to-face with the first person he’s ever wanted to willingly give his sealskin. Too bad Wade isn’t local and is something altogether strange that Riordan isn’t sure he can trust.

    Amidst a growing danger in the streets and Boston Harbor, Wade and Riordan are desperate to find a way to keep everyone safe. For bargains are dangerous things to break, but so are hearts. Wade isn’t willing to shatter either of theirs in a race against time that could see Riordan torn from him forever.

    Secondhand Skin is an exciting new standalone novel set in Hailey Turner’s best-selling Soulbound Universe focusing on Wade Espinoza.


    Like most MM romance readers, I have an undying love for Patrick and Jono and the Soulbound series by Hailey Turner. But I confess, I got stuck in the middle of the series because my lazy reader brain could not handle recalling all the details of the previous installments and the many things happening in the present.

    One of the most unforgettable characters was Wade Espinoza, the teen dragon Patrick and Jono rescued from slavery. Wade, like all dragons, has a bottomless pit for a stomach.

    I still recall with amusement the scenes where Patrick wondered how he could stretch his government salary because, at the rate he was going, Wade could eat them out of house and home. I really loved Patrick for this.

    Secondhand Skin is Wade’s book. Now 23 years old, Wade has grown into a confident (sometimes overly so), irreverent, fun-loving, sassy, protective, and loyal dragon so adept at hiding his true identity that even powerful beings can’t tell what he is. Still, a bottomless pit.

    His pack gave him a mission to go to Boston to help the dire of the Boston god pack, Ella, find her alphas abducted by an evil fae, Niall. This led him to cross paths again with the selkie, Riordan, whom he met at Gerard and Orla’s wedding.

    The Maguire clan is in dire straits. The same evil fae was responsible for attacking Saoirse and stealing her sealskin. Riordan and his older brother Donal were given the ultimatum to hand over their sister or Riordan. And as the clan leader, Riordan handing himself over means handing over the clan.

    So Wade, Ella and the Maguires banded together to deal with the Niall problem.

    I’m not too familiar with Western folklore so at first I thought selkies were seahorses. The Maguire siblings actually shift into seals! How cute! The relationship between the Maguire siblings is one of my favorite parts.

    A selkie’s most precious possession is their sealskin, which can transform into anything, like a leather jacket for Riordan. Owning a selkie’s sealskin means you can control the selkie. The sealskin is usually gifted to their mates.

    Wade was taught a few tricks by one of the toughest negotiators, Sage, fae-trained lawyer, tiger shifter, and wife to billionaire seer Merek. Our boy also inherited most of Patrick’s brash, not-taking-any-of-your-shit, kamikaze style of dealing with a problem.

    The difference between Patrick and Wade is Patrick will throw himself directly in the line of fire to save someone despite knowing he might not survive. Wade will throw himself directly in the line of fire to save someone with all the confidence that he won’t even be scratched.

    Personally, I thought his characterization here was Gary Stu-ish, like an overpowered anime character. Magic has no effect on him so he’s hardly threatened by anything. If someone becomes too inconvenient, he knows he can just eat them.

    He bulldozed his way into high-level fae homes and gets away with disrespect because of his pack’s reputation and when he releases his dragon-y aura, it intimidates people. Also, he’s on a first-name basis with god-tier folks many people feared.

    He doesn’t worry about spending millions of dollars bribing Carmen the succubus and her master the psycho vampire Lucien because, very conveniently, Wade has a billionaire in his pack.

    So apart from a tragic past, our boy really had it easy, relatively. He even found his mate, Riordan. I loved how the selkie’s calmer energy grounded Wade’s more excitable one.

    I miss the days when our heroes went through hoops of fire in their adventures. Here, it’s the Maguire clan that is put through the wringer.

    But mini gripe aside, this is the same fast-paced, action-packed, completely engrossing magical romp we loved from Hailey Turner. The sass and humor were spot on and the fight scenes! There’s nothing like the Soulbound fight scenes!

    These are easily some of the most jaw-dropping, high-stakes battles between our heroes and pissed-off gods/goddesses with fabulous displays of magic and no-punches-pulled derring-do. The cameos from the folks we loved and loved to hate since the beginning of the series were cherries on top of this spectacular chaos and mayhem.

    The blurb said this could be read as a standalone but I recommend delving into the Soulbound main series first since many references and characters were mentioned.

    Secondhand Skin is Wade coming into his own. His adventure is filled with excitement, magic, supernatural creatures, and a pack that always has his back. Overall, a rip-roaring addition to the Soulbound universe!

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

    Soundtrack: I Am Your Skin
    Artist: The Bravery
    Album: Stir The Blood


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  • book,  Uncategorized

    SERIES REVIEW: A Paranormal Yakuza Duet by C.J. Ravenna

    A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Secrets & Sake – C.J. Ravenna

    Jinta

    He’s a yakuza with secrets. I’m 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 that’s all it’ll ever be. A dream. I’ll never make someone as innocent as Hiro happy. I’m a criminal, and I’m no good for him…

    …But I can’t 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 – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Unmei no Akai Ito (Red String of Destiny)
    Artist: Koshitomo
    Album: Atelier


    A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Curses & Kitsune – C.J. Ravenna

    Jinta

    Nothing’s easy when you’re fated to a yakuza boss.

    I’m possessed by an ancient, powerful kitsune hellbent on chaos and destruction. Until we can find a way to lift the curse, I’m 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 can’t 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

    I’ll destroy anyone who hurts my mate—but I’m the one hurting him the most.

    I’m 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. He’s a pure ray of sunshine in the darkness of my life, and I can’t be the reason he gets hurt. I don’t deserve him. Never have.

    I’ve got to let him go. Before the shadows of my world consume the only person I’ve 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 – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: 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.


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    CURSES & KITSUNE: Kindle I Audiobook

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