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BOOK TOUR: Blades of Furry by Deya Muniz & Emily Erdos
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REVIEW: Savage by Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank
Park Avenue Kings: Savage by Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank
Who are we? Nobody really knows. We’re the seven most powerful heirs to empires, ruling Manhattan from our thrones on Park Avenue. By day, we’re the elite, untouchable, and more connected than you could ever imagine. By night, we revel in the darkness of our secrets, pulling strings that make the city bow to our whims.
Ruthless.
Dangerous.
We’re the Park Avenue Kings.
In this city of power and desire, where the line between love and obsession blurs, nothing is off-limits—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
***
He’s the shadow they send to make problems disappear.
Lachlan Stone thrives in the shadows, ruling his world of secrets and power with savage precision. As the most lethal of the Park Avenue Kings, he can’t afford the luxury of attachments. But when a mission takes an unexpected turn, he finds himself saving Cooper Patterson—a determined journalist who stumbles into a dangerous world far bigger than he ever imagined.
Cooper is everything Lachlan should avoid: relentless, curious, and far too tempting for his own good. Worse, his profession threatens to unravel everything Lachlan and his fellow Kings have built. Yet the pull between them is impossible to ignore, even as it sparks a firestorm of desire and danger.
With enemies closing in and the line between truth and lies growing thinner by the second, Lachlan must choose: protect his secrets, or risk it all for the man who sees the humanity in his darkness.
Savage is the first book of Park Avenue Kings by bestselling authors Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank. This is the spin-off of Park Avenue Princes, featuring 30-something billionaire MCs.
The Princes didn’t really pique my interest, but the Kings certainly did, especially the part of the blurb that spoke of a shadowy antihero. I was immediately intrigued by hints that this was something more than a billionaire meet-cute.
The Kings turned out to be a brotherhood, a very secretive, badass one at that. We are introduced to each King and their imposing leader Tyrone Kingston, star of Notorious Park Avenue Prince. Each King had his specialty, and their personalities stood out.
I’m super excited for Alessio’s story since he’s paired with a priest, and as early as now, there’s some hardcore pining going on.
I’ll keep details of the brotherhood to a minimum and let you have fun finding out if you’re new to the Park Avenue royalties. This is certainly the best part and for this alone, I’m sticking with the series.
Today’s King is Lachlan Stone, owner of a security firm. Kings’ business brought him to a dark alley just in time to rescue journalist Cooper Patterson from bad guys. Lachlan was wearing a mask since he was on Kings’ business.
Intrigued by the clearly fish-out-of-water Cooper, he started stalking the journalist and learned Cooper was investigating the same bad guys the Kings were after. Lachlan was also strongly drawn to the other man, so much so that he stalked him both with the mask and as himself.
Our naive boy, Coop, had no idea that the mysterious masked man and the gorgeous man he met at the coffee shop were one and the same. He’s thirsting after both.
The book model of Lachlan is spot on. He even got the ring and the bracelets. Another reason why I picked up the book. Lachlan is your typical dominant alpha male, and sadly, his character didn’t veer much from that. His masked alter ego reminded me of Batman dressed like an all-black Rorschach, and this is my favorite version of Lachlan.
Cooper is a recent New York transplant from the Mid-West. He might be naive but he’s determined to get to the bottom of things and give his friend, who was a victim of the bad guys, justice. Like Lachlan, his characterization lacked depth but he’s got that cute, innocent vibe going so he’s alright.
It is easy to see that the book was written by veteran romance writers. The vibe was intense, the sexual tension off the charts, the pacing was tight, and the writing flowed smoothly. But as much as Lachlan and Cooper were burning up the pages, their romance wasn’t really memorable.
The story focused too much on romance and sex. While the sex scenes blended seamlessly with the plot and the romantic development was believable, they detracted from the more important, more exciting parts, which were either glossed over or rushed. It’s a missed opportunity to showcase the Kings’ badassery.
Overall, I felt Savage should have been written as a romantic suspense with greater emphasis on the suspenseful, action-packed scenes and Kings’ business. However, YMMV because many readers like it the way it is.
Still, there are a lot of potential in this series so on to the next King.
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Masquerade
Artist: Robosoul feat. Cid Fox
Album: Masquerade
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AUDIO RELEASE: Just Winging It by Crea Reitan
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REVIEW: The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide
The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide
Set in Regency England, The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide is a queer historical fantasy of magic, murder, high heat and humour.
Lord Nicholas Monterris, the last remaining heir of a crumbling ducal house, must marry to save his family from complete decline. His father chooses Lady Leaf Serral, eldest daughter of his greatest rival, at which point Nic is sure it can’t get any worse. Until he learns the head negotiator is to be Dashiell sa Vare, an old flame he has neither forgiven nor forgotten, a man their rigid class structure forbids him to love.
Locked in the mouldering grandeur of Monterris Court (a house more haunting manifestation of dynastic ambition and ancestral guilt than home), the first dead body is troubling. The second, a warning that someone doesn’t want the contract to go ahead. But while Nic and his wife-to-be team up to banter their way through a secret murder investigation, it’s Dashiell he can’t stop thinking about. What would be worse? To love and have to let go, or to wholly deny the yearning of one’s heart forever?
Perfect for fans of Freya Marske and Alexis Hall, The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide is the perfect blend of gothic and romantic – including a locked room murder mystery, forbidden love and otherworldly automatons.
The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide is a blind read that hooked me from the opening chapter till the end. Half of it is due to new-to-me narrator James Langton, whose storyteller voice immediately drew me in, and the author’s engaging writing style that kept me riveted.
The plot is part romance, part fantasy, and mostly murder mystery, weaving together family drama, bad blood, dark secrets, and vengeful ghosts.
The story is in Lord Nicholas Monterris’s third-person POV. Nic, being the sole heir of a dukedom on the brink of bankruptcy, is about to be contracted to marry Lady Leaf Serral of the wealthy House Serral.
The two families were bitter rivals, so it was a surprise to Nic his father, the duke, is hell-bent on completing the contract despite the numerous tragedies happening during the negotiations.
My favorite aspect is the world-building. This is set in an alt-Regency world where LGBTQ+ is accepted and people with magic abilities are called Brilliants. They are generally the aristocracy. Everything is governed by contracts and contracts are made by vowsmiths.
Vowsmiths are glorified lawyers with magical abilities. They write the contracts and make them binding by smithing, which is the process of inscribing magical runes. It’s actually as tedious as real-world contracts, but I think this paper-based magic is pretty fabulous!
As much as I liked the world, there are also some low-key steampunk elements that I wished were utilized more. The Regency part was also so subtle, I initially didn’t realize this was set in England.
Brilliance, vowsmithing, and other concepts mentioned, like the Care Clause, could have been expanded more. The Care Clause was invoked but what happened after that was not shown.
The vowsmith hired by the Serral to negotiate on their behalf is none other than Nic’s childhood friend a.k.a. long-time crush, Dashiell sa Vare. Dash was the duke’s former apprentice, the duke being a vowsmith before he inherited the title.
Dash and Nic’s interactions weren’t as frequent as I preferred but I lived for those moments they were together. The chemistry is chef’s kiss! Dash is polite and professional but when he makes passionate declarations, it’s swoony as hell!! And those long looks across the table! Also, buying a whole new wardrobe just to impress Nic.
Meanwhile, Nic has perma heart eyes from the moment Dashiell steps into his house. Dash was the one who got away, so him walking back into Nic’s life…our boy isn’t letting him go again!
While the negotiations are underway, the brilliants are magically obligated to stay within the duke’s residence. And this is where the fun starts, because they cannot leave even with ghosts and dead bodies in their midst.
Rather than Nic, our amateur sleuth turned out to be Leaf. She was the best character, smart, determined, and ambitious, even if her sleuthing skills were just based on detective novels. She quickly became Nic’s best friend, their playful natures and mutual understanding of their predicament bringing them together. She’s also a fantastic aro/ace character.
The murder mystery was very intriguing. It built up my expectations and I was looking forward to being shocked. The big reveal was a bit anti-climatic but Nic’s resolution was clever. The epilogue was the cherry on top!
I love standalones but I hope the author would write another book in this setting, possibly another couple with lots of Dash and Nic cameos. I want more of the vowsmith world!
The Gentleman and His Vowsmith is far from perfect but I had a great time nonetheless. It’s a fun, cozy-ish, hella charming tale with a chockful of dark and drama. Overall, as gothic and romantic as promised!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Promised You A Miracle
Artist: Simple Minds
Album: New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
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THE GENTLEMAN AND HIS VOWSMITH: Kindle | Audiobook
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COVER REVEAL: How To Date A Prince by Hayden Stone
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NEW RELEASE: Volley by Crea Reitan
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BOOK BLITZ: The Revenge Game by Jax Calder (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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RELEASE BLITZ: False Start by Nicole Dykes
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RELEASE BLITZ: Addicted To You by Kimberly Knight & Rachel Lyn Adams
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REVIEW: The Witch and His Crow by Ben Alderson
The Witch Trials: The Witch and His Crow – Ben Alderson
‘Rule them. Win. Become Grand High.’
My name is Hector Briar, and I live for revenge. It’s been eighteen years since Witch Hunters murdered my parents, and still the night haunts me. A part of me died that night, when six-year-old me was forced to listen to their brutal murder. Since then, I’ve gone from prey to predator. I spend my nights stalking Oxford’s streets for those who’d see me slaughtered for being what I am. A witch. And more than that, the son of the last Grand High.
I’ve spent the last years hidden in the shadows, not only from Witch Hunters but also my own kind. But one fateful night lands me directly in the hands of the people I’ve been evading my entire life-the Coven. Whereas the Witch Hunters want to destroy me, the Coven want me for a darker fate. For my blood. It’s the key to starting the Witch Trials – a contest to find the next Grand High, a contest where witches battle to the death, or madness.
Thrown into the middle of the very contest my mother died trying to prevent, I must make allies with my enemies if I wish to survive the first night. Not so bad when my ally so happens to be an attractive blue-eyed, 6ft-something, tattooed from neck to navel, bloodthirsty rival-Arwyn Morgan.
But I soon discover that not is all as it seems. There are dark forces lingering in the shadows and the truth is a hard pill to swallow. The Witch Hunters seek a Champion of their own. Enemies and allies lose all meaning when a wolf invades the flock.
Surviving the Witch Trials quickly becomes the least of my worries when ancient forces reveal their true natures. Something dark stirs within me, waiting for its inevitable freedom. I’m the key to keeping it locked away, or freeing it.
The Witch and his Crow is the first book in a MM paranormal romance new series of heart-pounding romance, witchcraft, and bloodthirsty enemies, perfect for fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and Her Soul to Take
The Witch and His Crow is the first book of The Witch Trials, an intriguing paranormal romance by Ben Alderson. I thought it would be a pairing between the witch and a crow shifter.
The witch is Hector Briar. He was orphaned at the age of six after his parents were murdered by witch hunters. His mother, Heather, then the Grand High of witches, left him in the care of a shadowy entity that takes the form of a crow.
Hector grew up under the care of his familiar, Cayman, hunting the hunters and hiding from the coven. He’s an air witch and a telekinetic. One day, he is caught and coerced to join The Witch Trials since his Briar blood is key to a big secret.
The plot then focused on a Battle Royale/Triwizard Tournament-style contest with three trials. Ever since watching the OG Japanese movie Battle Royale, other stories with this plot tend to pale in comparison. The book didn’t offer anything new, so in this aspect, it was more or less standard fare.
The crow, Cayman, was sadly absent for most of the story. He was the most intriguing character, and I wanted more interactions with him and the other characters. I hope he reappears in future books in one form or another.
The weakest aspect for me was the main characters. Try as I could, I didn’t connect with any of them. The characterizations felt shallow, and I felt Hector. as the 1st person narrator didn’t seem to own the story. I could swap another character, perhaps Salem, the scarred witch, and it would still work.
In the opening chapter, I was genuinely impressed by Hector. He appeared formidable as the lone wolf confronting the witch hunters, with only Caymen at his side. However, during the Witch Trials, he often jumped to rash conclusions and made questionable decisions that left me wondering how he had managed to survive alone for so long.
Arwyn, the enemy-turned-lover-turned-enemy-again, wasn’t necessarily cardboard, but he was the typical tall, dark, and witchy love interest mold. Even his big reveal wasn’t that surprising. But boy, that ending sure changed my mind about it. Darkness is a good look for the hunky witch.
Romy also piqued my interest in the opening chapter. Then she turned into some kind of manic pixie dream girl, conveniently catering to whatever Hector needed. Too bad because her gift is one of the scariest and the most helpful. She’s a fire witch who can melt flesh and bone, or conversely, mend them.
The strongest aspects were the world-building and the magic system. The vibe is wonderfully gothic. Think overcast skies, ancient castles, old graveyards, and secret passageways. This is a world where old magic no longer exists, and witches have gifts, typically associated with an element. It’s immersive despite Hector as narrator and a big factor why I stuck with the book.
They worship Hecate, and as the story progresses, we learn the limitations of Hecate’s powers and that darker forces exist in the periphery, biding their time. I’m hoping the darker forces will come into play more in future books. The combination of old magic and gifts would also make the world richer and more dangerous if they continue with the trials.
Hector, Arwyn, and Romy form a tentative coven and navigate the trials while dealing with betrayals from all sides, even among themselves, and enemies coming out of the woodwork. Everything hinges on Hector’s family legacy, and when it comes down to the wire – BAM! That twist was insidious and hella creepy!
And just like that, Hector became a million times more interesting and I’m super hyped for the next book. It came at the very end but still, a complete gamechanger!
The Witch and His Crow is a mixed-bag but won me over in the end. Atmospheric, fantastically witchy, with a bombshell ending that crept up the spine.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Shadow
Artist: Amigo The Devil
Album: Born Against
If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of The Witch and His Crow. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.
THE WITCH AND HIS CROW: Kindle | Audiobook
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