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  • Uncategorized

    BLOG TOUR: A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star by Chloe Archer (Giveaway)

    October 23, 2024 / No Comments
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    RELEASE BLITZ: Fluke And The Faithless Father by Sam Burns (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    SERIES REVIEW: Enlightenment Books 2 & 3 by Joanna Chambers

    April 5, 2024 / 2 Comments

    Enlightenment: Beguiled – Joanna Chambers

    A fleeting pleasure is the sweetest seduction…

    David Lauriston couldn’t be less interested in King George IV’s first visit to Edinburgh. But with Faculty of Advocates members required to put on a minimal show of patriotism, David makes an appointment with his tailor for a new set of clothes-only to run into a man he hasn’t seen for two long years.

    Lord Murdo Balfour.

    Much has changed since their bitter parting, except their stormy attraction. And when Murdo suggests they enjoy each other’s company during his stay, David finds himself agreeing. After all, it’s only a temporary tryst.

    Amidst the pomp and ceremony of the King’s visit, Murdo’s seduction is more powerful than David ever imagined possible. But when other figures from David’s past show up, he is drawn into a chain of events beyond his control. Where his determination to help a friend will break his body, threaten his career, and put at risk the fragile tenderness he’s found in Murdo’s arms.

    Warning: Contains a lowborn Scottish lawyer with no love for the aristocracy, but more than enough passion for this highborn lord. Political intrigue, kilts, explicit m/m trysts, and men who epitomize “knight in shining armor.”


    Rating:
    5 Stars – absolutely perfect

    Soundtrack: Show Me The Wonder
    Artist: Manic Street Preachers
    Album: Rewind the Film


    Enlightenment: Enlightened – Joanna Chambers

    The cruelest duel may not spill a drop of blood…but it could break their hearts.

    Five months ago, David Lauriston was badly hurt helping his friend Elizabeth escape her violent husband. Since then, David has been living with his lover, Lord Murdo Balfour, while he recuperates.

    Despite the pain of his injuries, David’s time with Murdo has been the happiest of his life. The only things that trouble him are Murdo’s occasional bouts of preoccupation, and the fact that one day soon, David will have to return to his legal practice in Edinburgh.

    That day comes too soon when David’s friend and mentor takes to his deathbed, and David finds himself agreeing to take on a private mission in London. Murdo is at his side in the journey, but a shocking revelation by Murdo’s ruthless father leaves David questioning everything they’ve shared.

    As tensions mount and the stakes grow higher, David and Murdo are forced to ask themselves how far they’re prepared to go—and how much they’re prepared to give up—to stay together. And whether there’s any chance of lasting happiness for men like them.

    Warning: Men in love, men with secrets, and men armed with dueling pistols.


    Rating:
    5 Stars – absolutely perfect

    Soundtrack: Light
    Artist: Kinder
    Album: Light


    I don’t know what the heck I read in 2017, but I remember not being too impressed with Provoked, Book 1 of Enlightenment. The series was a huge fan-favorite, so what was I missing? 

    The story is from the POV of young lawyer David Lauriston. He’s a man with strong opinions about right or wrong. He will go through extreme lengths to protect his friends, especially Elizabeth, who married a rich but abusive aristocrat. David is stubborn, but I liked that he’s loyal and kind to a fault.

    My main gripe was Lord Murdo Balfour.

    Murdo is a villain name. Also, he was supposed to be this mysterious rakish figure who seduced the then-virgin David Lauriston, only to leave him high and dry. Apparently, there’s a thing as too enigmatic because he came across as a faceless, featureless, one-dimensional entity.

    Cue Books 2 and 3, Beguiled and Enlightened, and I was spectacularly flabbergasted to discover the very same Lord Murdo Balfour, not just a living, breathing entity, but a swoony, generous, considerate, and attentive love interest so obviously smitten with our boy David. How the hell did I not see that before?!

    And Murdo, chafing at the bit to free himself from his father’s evil grasp, and single-mindedly defiant of the Earl’s machinations to have him marry a woman to further their family’s political power. Also, him doing everything to protect David and his friends at the cost of his reputation, family, and wealth. This man, OMG!!! My jaw dropped to the floor!

    My, ahem, enlightenment in this aptly named series gave me a high while reading the 2nd and 3rd books. I had better appreciation of what turned out to be an very-well thought out plot running through the first three books, with nuanced characters navigating tricky political and social rules and a high stakes forbidden romance culminating a daring all or nothing bid for an HEA.

    I also complained before about the POV being solely from David’s as too one-sided. It didn’t matter anymore. The storytelling felt more balanced now that I have a better grasp of Murdo’s character. Also, the rest of the supporting cast, David’s mentor Chalmers, Elizabeth, Euan who is David’s friend and Lizzie’s lover, the Earl, and Lizzie’s abusive husband, now stood out individually and playing their parts effectively.

    I have never been more glad to give a series another chance. The fans were right!

    From the eye-opening characters, the compelling threads of kindness, trust, and care in a world of power and abuse, to the clever, clever way it sliced through the Gordian knots that bind Murdo and the hard-won happiness for him and David, Enlightenment is a brilliant historical romance. 

    A true classic!

    P.S.

    Enlightenment should be read in order. Decide if Murdo was indeed cardboard or I was too blind to see his true nature in Book1, Provoked.


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

    ENLIGHTENMENT: Kindle

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    FLICKer: Masquerade: A Story Of The Old South

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    BLOG TOUR: Confetti Hearts by Lily Morton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    BLOG TOUR: Farm to Fabre by Dahlia Donovan (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Salvaging Christmas by Brian Lancaster (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: A Highland Hogmanay by Meg Margell (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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    RELEASE BLITZ: Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

    November 9, 2021 / No Comments
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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Harp And The Sea by Lou Sylvre & Anne Barwell (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    August 31, 2018 / No Comments

    Humbug – Joanna Chambers

    Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.

    A highly enjoyable retelling of the classic story of Scrooge in the guise of a workaholic who wouldn’t find the time to take a holiday and expects his subordinates to do the same. Come Christmas time, he found himself alone. Work has eaten up his life and everybody hates him. But good cheer comes from unexpected quarters and he found new love and a new lease on life. 

    This holiday short is perfect for bed weather days or when you just want to start celebrating early. Because Christmas starts in September why not.

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

    Soundtrack: Christmas in the Room
    Artist: Sufjan Stevens
    Album: Silver & Gold

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27268211-humbug)

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    May 4, 2018 / No Comments

    Murder Takes the High Road – Josh Lanyon

    From award-winning male/male author Josh Lanyon: a librarian finds himself in a plot right out of one of his favorite mystery novels

    Librarian Carter Matheson is determined to enjoy himself on a Scottish bus tour for fans of mystery author Dame Vanessa Rayburn. Sure, his ex, Trevor, will also be on the trip with his new boyfriend, leaving Carter to share a room with a stranger, but he can’t pass up a chance to meet his favorite author.

    Carter’s roommate turns out to be John Knight, a figure as mysterious as any character from Vanessa’s books. His strange affect and nighttime wanderings make Carter suspicious. When a fellow traveler’s death sparks rumors of foul play, Carter is left wondering if there’s anyone on the tour he can trust.

    Drawn into the intrigue, Carter searches for answers, trying to fend off his growing attraction toward John. As unexplained tragedies continue, the whole tour must face the fact that there may be a murderer in their midst—but who?

    This book is approximately 60,000 words.   

    I would love to go on a ‘Tour to Die for’ across Scotland! Explore old castles, find hidden panels and trap doors, see a headless ghost or two. If ever I do save enough money to go on a trip abroad, I’d make pilgrimages to anime sites in Japan or literary settings in the UK. I hope K.J. Charles does a book tour or maybe Jordan L. Hawk. I wish Widdershin’s a real place. 

    Murder Takes the High Road is an Agatha Christie-flavored mystery that I couldn’t stop listening to. Poor Carter Matheson, a librarian who had to endure his ex, Trevor and Trevor’s new boyfriend, Vans, in a group tour for fans of Dame Vanessa Rayburn. Carter meets the rest of the fans among them John Knight, who turned out to join the tour for some vague reason and who was not really a fan. Carter and John were roommates and they clicked really well. I liked their easy-going camaraderie and friendly banter. 

    Trevor was being an ass and a drama queen. He was probably the most annoying member of the group. I was as exasperated as Carter at the fact that Trevor kept making it sound like Carter was the one who was trying to win him back. Me, I was just relieved Carter had moved on to better things (or in this case, better man) already.

    Dame Vanessa Rayburn is a very interesting woman. Killed her boyfriend at 15, served jail time then went on to become a best selling novelist with an OBE to boot. She lives in an old castle in an island. The tour was in her honor and it is said that somebody died on the previous tour and then, somebody actually died on the tour that Carter was in. Nobody noticed anything except Carter who felt the itch to investigate. He was no Poirot but he did figure everything out.

    I liked how the author didn’t push the romance too far beyond what is plausible for two people who were together for only a couple of days. It was the mystery that took center stage. I find the mystery within a mystery clever but the big reveal was somehow anti-climactic. Maybe I was expecting it to be more shocking but the suspects were already obvious since they stick out too much. There was one slightly sour note when John was being a killjoy and found the game a bit too much but for me, I think it was a genius idea for a themed tour. I got John’s point about Vanessa and she got what she deserved at the end.The book ended on a hopeful note and we can imagine Carter and John taking another trip across the Scottish Isles. Good riddance to Trevor. 

    This is my first full-length Josh Lanyon novel. I really liked it. It’s a great mix of romance and mystery. The romance might not be the all out passionate romance that most people seem to like but I really liked Carter and John’s natural chemistry. I think this is the kind of relationship that last. The mystery might not be as mind-boggling as the best ones out there but it has enough twists and turns to keep one from being bored. However with that ending, we need a sequel or an epilogue that would wrap things up in a neat, tidy bow.

    Rating:

    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Watching the Detectives
    Artist: Elvis Costello
    Album: My Aim is True

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25825973-murder-takes-the-high-road)

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

PROMO BLITZ: To Defend a Damaged Duke by Fearne Hill



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/18/promo-blitz-to-defend-a-damaged-duke-by-fearne-hill/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Oliver Takely

Our favorite  MM authors a.k.a. castaways are asked, what books, songs and luxury item would they take to a desert island?

#desertislandbooks

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

After spending the year suffering as a reality TV villain IRL, Alec Braud will do anything to get his redemption arc.

BOOK TOUR: America’s Not-So-Sweetheart by Blair Hanson



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/17/book-tour-americas-not-so-sweetheart-by-blair-hanson/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

Falling for a royal guard with glowing eyes and a lethal energy punch? Definitely not on my Terrafeara survival bingo card. But here we are.

PROMO BLITZ: Kael by Becca Seymour



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/17/promo-blitz-kael-by-becca-seymour/

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