Book Review

As Big as the Sky by Amy Aislin: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

August 26, 2020 by Denise

Sam McAuley isn’t having a great start to the summer. Served with papers? Great. He’s being sued. Perfect, pristine yard overrun with chickens? What the—? Clearly, the new guy running the animal rehabilitation centre next door has no idea what he’s doing.

It’s one town to the next, one school to the next, one job to the next for Bo Novak. Everything is temporary. Even his current job—running his sister’s animal rehab centre while she’s away on a four-month leave—is temporary. And he does know what he’s doing, thank you very much. Sure, things don’t always run smoothly, but the stick-in-the-mud next door could be a little nicer about it.

One overheard conversation, an olive branch, and a baseball game might show these guys that being at odds isn’t really what they want, and that what they want might just be each other.

As Big as the Sky was first published in August 2017. This new edition has a brand new cover but no content changes.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“So what do you do in that big house next door all by yourself?” Bo asked, spreading mustard on a couple slices of bread. “Besides garden, I mean. How’d it go with the magazine people this morning, anyway? Sounded like it went well from my side of the fence.”

“It did,” Sam said. “They’ll be back next week with a writer to interview me. Though I don’t know why. I’m not all that interesting.”

Bo took in Sam’s perfect hair, the neat beard, the broad shoulders, rough hands, tapered waist…and begged to differ.

“Besides,” Sam continued, “I’m no gardening expert. It’s just a hobby. They’d be better off interviewing a horticulturist.”

“Maybe it’s for some kind of mini bio?” Bo finished assembling the sandwiches and plated them. Taking a container of pre-cut veggies out of the fridge, he added a few to the plates, then handed one to Sam.

“Thank you,” Sam said. “They’ll also be coming with a camera crew next week to photograph the garden.”

Bo grunted. “I’ll make sure my chickens stay on this side of the fence.”

Sam winced. Bo had meant it as a joke; clearly it fell flat. Not knowing what to say, he took a bite of his sandwich.

Sam finished chewing and nodded at something on the island. “You read that one yet?”

That was volume three of a popular yaoi series. Bo was slowly making his way through it.

“I’m about halfway through.” Bo munched on a celery stick. “I like it but…I like a little paranormal in my manga.”

Sam polished off his veggies. “Me too. What’s your favourite?”

“It’s not manga but…Scythe and Swords.” Scythe and Swords was about a married demon-fighting duo. James and Elliot were sickeningly cute ass kickers who could behead a demon, praise each other’s fighting skills, and make out like relieved, horny teenagers while covered in icky demon gore, all within the span of five seconds.

Sam’s eyebrows went up. “The web comic?”

He sounded so surprised that Bo’s hackles went up. “Something wrong with web comics? Just because they’re not traditionally published doesn’t mean they’re not as good. That’s like saying books published in e-form only aren’t as good as what you can find on the shelves.”

Sam lifted both hands. “Whoa. I didn’t say that. I was just surprised. I’ve never met anyone outside of online and cons who have ever heard of it.”

Oh. Well, didn’t Bo feel like an idiot? It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. Laura always said he was too quick to react.

“Have you read the latest chapter?” Sam asked.

“Yeah. And holy shit did it take a turn I wasn’t expecting! Can you believe—wait.” Bo stopped himself from vomiting any spoilers. “Have you read it?”

Sam nodded, mouth full of food, giving Bo permission to continue. “First of all, I almost stopped reading when Elliot got killed off. It was only S.P. McAuley’s promise that we hadn’t seen the last of him that made me keep reading. And second? I didn’t expect Elliot to still be alive. I thought he’d be coming back as a ghost or something. Oh, and third…” Bo kept rambling, mostly to keep himself distracted from the slight smile that had reappeared on Sam’s face.

They chatted comics for the better part of an hour, until well after they’d both finished their sandwiches. It wasn’t until Sam pushed his empty plate away and stood that Bo remembered he had something for him.

“Don’t go anywhere,” he told Sam, and headed upstairs to the guest room he’d claimed as his own. He came down with a few comics and a graphic novel. “Um…” Suddenly embarrassed, he shifted from foot to foot. “Laura mentioned that you’re into comics, so I, uh, brought you some of mine. In case you’d like to read them.” He thrust them at Sam, forcing him to take them.

Sam’s smile was crooked. “Thanks. Although…” He handed two back to Bo. “I have these ones.” The first two volumes of Scythe and Swords. Bo had received them as part of S.P. McAuley’s Kickstarter campaign a few months ago. “Anyway, thank you for lunch. I have to go feed Tripaw before he starts eating my shoes.”

“Tripaw?”

“My cat,” Sam said, tucking the comics under one arm. “Like tripod. Because he only has three legs?”

“No, I get it.” Bo grinned. “You named your cat after the one in Scythe and Swords?”

Sam’s cheeks pinked.

I liked this book. It had a good, not quite insta-love, romance, with a bit of conflict, but overall was sweet.

My main issue was that Bo was very unlikable to me at the beginning. He was rude, mean, and honestly, an a**hole, with no real reason for being such. I get that the sister may have played a part in how Sam reacted to Bo’s initial appearance, but it just wasn’t a good enough excuse for me to have that reaction, and for Bo to basically fall in lust immediately despite that. About 40% in, once I saw that Sam was seeing all the issues Bo had to deal with, I was able to “forgive” Sam, but it stuck with me for quite a bit.

Bo just couldn’t catch a break. His parents were flakes to an extreme degree. His sister had some sort of mental block to all the ways he had helped her over the years, and so thought he was a flake. Then when he was there helping, things didn’t quite go to plan. He never gave up though, and kept trying, hoping to find that niche that was all his.

I did really like how the two worked well together, as they started to find what was right for them, how they could make their lives together, etc. Sam bringing Bo to see his parents, just to enjoy the horses, etc really was a good stepping stone, and helped bring their relationship that much closer. I loved Sam’s family, too. They were all in. 🙂

Overall, 3 pieces of eye candy

Amy‘s lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she’s read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she’s been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn’t at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada’s largest environmental non-profit.

An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group, Amy Aislin’s Readers, to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her newsletter.

Better Than People by Roan Parrish: Release Day Review * 2

August 25, 2020 by Denise

It’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire…

Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing. Meeting a grumpy children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs.

Four dogs, three cats and counting. Jack’s pack of rescue pets is the only company he needs. But when a bad fall leaves him with a broken leg, Jack is forced to admit he needs help. That the help comes in the form of the most beautiful man he’s ever seen is a complicated, glorious surprise.

Being with Jack—talking, walking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon’s company certainly…eases the pain of recovery for Jack. But making a real relationship work once Jack’s cast comes off will mean compromise, understanding and lots of love.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

Amazon

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Roan Parrish. The Remaking of Corbin Wale is on my favorites list. So I was really excited for this release. It definitely had the same sort of vibe as Corbin Wale (as opposed to her Riven series or her Small Change series) and it was really good.

Jack is a loner, a children’s book illustrator who lost his art after his partner and collaborator stole an idea from him. For nearly a year he has been home, unable to draw, with only his pack of dogs and cats as company. And his well meaning brother who checks on him. Until he breaks his leg and can’t walk his dogs- the highlight of his day. So he goes online and finds someone willing to walk his pack twice a day. No easy feat as some of the animals are neurotic with their own little quirks.

Simon adores animals, but living with his grandmother who is highly allergic means he can’t have his own. So he is eager to help out this stranger and his dogs. Not so eager to have to talk to him though because of debilitating social anxiety.

After a few missteps, Jack and Simon find their groove. Simon loves the dogs, the dogs love him. But Jack is totally miserable and lonely and intrigued by Simon.

Their slow dance to come together is one of my favorite things about how Roan Parrish writes. It is so lyrical they way they develop a language together that doesn’t necessarily use words. Looks and touches and movements. It’s a ballet.

The dogs themselves- the pack- are their own individual characters. They add to the story instead of just being there. With them as a buffer, Simon slowly comes to trust Jack. Without them, I don’t know that Simon would have ever come out of his shell.

Simon’s grandmother is hilarious and adorable. Jack’s brother is broody and sweet and I definitely want more of his story.

There is an awesome easter egg that made me smile.

This book is up there with Corbin Wale in my favorites.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Okay, I will start with, I am the opposite of Erin in this. I haven’t read anything yet by Roan Parrish. I’ve been meaning to, and as I researched this review, I found that last Christmas Day, I purchased The Remaking of Corbin Wale. (As a side note, I am fairly certain I have a couple other books by this author on my purchased but yet to read list.) I did notice as I was reading Better Than People, the reference to Corbin Wale, and knew that it must have referred back to that…so on that note, I will be for sure reading it this holiday season! I’m also very sorry that it’s taken me this long to get on board!

The characters in this book were so distinctive. Even now, several days later, there are so many distinguishing characteristics in all the characters, both MC and side characters that stick out to me. Simon with his extreme shyness, Jack with his grumpiness, Puddles the dog who’s afraid of almost everything, Pirate the Cat who is the leader of a pack of dogs and cats, Grandma who is kooky, and caring, and grieving. This band of…well Pirates lol, really stuck with me.

The two MC’s took some time to find their way. Getting past Simon’s extreme shyness took perseverance by Jack, even when he didn’t know why Simon just grabbed the dog leashes and ran out the door. He didn’t judge Simon, just waited. Meanwhile, Simon berated himself for what has always been an issue for him. Jack was patience, didn’t make any assumptions, and found a way to get through to Simon.

As an aside…this author can write some seriously HAWT scenes…just saying…

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. Simon didn’t have to “fix” himself for Jack. Jack had to learn what he could live with, and what was important to him, his pack, which grew to include Simon, as well as even his own brother. (I’d sure like to see a story with Jack’s brother…if anyone is asking…there is definitely some backstory there.)

I am going to have to do some backlist reading now, so you’ll excuse me. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

His Perfect Companion by Alexa Milne: New Release Review

August 24, 2020 by Denise

Two men, one with a past and one determined to give them a future.

Mick Flanagan has kept himself hidden since his only lover died three years ago. He works at night, keeps to his routine, has impressive facial hair and avoids contact with other people as much as possible. Enter Ceri Llewellyn, with his constantly changing rainbow-colored hair, who, for reasons Mick doesn’t understand, seems determined to talk to him. Gradually, Mick reveals his traumatic past as he begins to trust Ceri enough to shake himself out of his entrenched routines.

Ceri Llewellyn has no idea why Mick intrigues him, but he determines to bring this shy man out of his protective shell, especially when he discovers they share a mutual love of all things Doctor Who. Ceri faces his own turning point, a moment when he must decide on his future. The more time he spends with Mick, the more he realises he wants Mick to be a part of this new life. Can Ceri show Mick he’s his perfect companion, give him the new beginning he needs and, above all else, help him find his true self?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of homophobia and the misgendering of a child.

Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released elsewhere. It has been expanded, revised and reedited for release with Pride Publishing.

General Release Date: 23rd June 2020

Genre:

CONTEMPORARY
EROTIC ROMANCE
GAY
GLBTQI

Amazon

Pride Publishing

I’ll start this review by saying that there were areas of this book that surprised me…honestly shocked the h*ll out of me. Which isn’t easy to do. However, clearly I didn’t read the warnings well, I just dove in, but I am glad I did. I’m not sure I would have wanted to be too aware of it from the beginning.

Mick was such a sweetheart, and had his heart not only broken, but shattered twice. Who could blame him for hiding away from the world as much as possible? It was awesome that his first (and only) lover took care of him after his death, but during his life, he was a “wee” bit controlling, so Mick had no idea how to live his life. None of that was especially surprising considering how controlling his mother had been.

Meanwhile, Ceri was patient, and sweet, and willing to just slowly begin to show Mick what living his own life would be like. Their Doctor Who obsession was a door to that path. FYI, there were a lot of Doctor Who references, that someone who has not watched the show at all would not get, but it managed to not be a distraction to the story. For those that know Doctor Who, it would be an enhancement, I’d imagine. However, I was still able to understand most of the references in some fashion.

What I loved most, though, was that Mick really began to know and understand his true self as he fell in love with Ceri. He discovered things about himself he would have never suspected before. Reading as Mick began to know more about his past, and his personality was as much a joy to read as the romance between the two men.

There were a few things that I felt needed to be fleshed out more at the end, whether in the epilogue, or the end of the book that I felt were missed. Maybe something for a future edition, a follow up story, or maybe never to be worried about. 🙂

3.5 pieces of eye candy

The Thomas Flair: A M/M Summer Games Romance by E.J. Russell: New Release Review

August 24, 2020 by Denise

It’ll take more than medals to mend their relationship.

Diabetic gymnast and team alternate Sol Ashvili had one thing on his agenda when the 2016 Rio Olympics wrapped up—confess to his teammate and best friend Tony Thomas that he’d been in love with him for years. But Tony took a major deduction in Sol’s heart when he jetted out of Rio and turned his back on an almost-finished college degree, international gymnastics meets… and Sol. The first two Sol could forgive—barely. The last? Not a chance.

Tony’s crowd-pleasing, no-holds-barred, high-octane gymnastics style stole its nickname from a legendary gymnastics move—the Thomas Flair. After the 2016 Games, he vaulted into a career as an internet celebrity, specializing in extreme sports and risky stunts. When Tony decides to battle his way into competition shape to earn a spot on the 2020 Olympic team, he has to survive the most extreme risk of all: facing Sol again.

For the sake of the team and the reputation of US men’s gymnastics, Sol and Tony must leave the past behind and get a grip on working together. And as the Games draw closer, they realize that being more than teammates might be the only way they can truly fly high and stick the landing.

The Thomas Flair is a 64,000-word friends to enemies to lovers second-chance rom-com set around the Tokyo Olympics that might have been, featuring a thrill-seeker who needs reining in, a perfectionist who needs to let go, redemption, rowdy teammates, and a few risky moves that will never make it into the Code of Points.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

It’s a shame that the Olympics are postponed as I am sure this book would get a lot more traction as I am sure it was designed to do. Still worth a read.

Friends to enemies to friends to lovers. Sol and Tony have been best friends since meeting at the gymnastics gym for the first time as kids. They were practically inseparable. Until right after the 2016 Olympic games when Tony was chosen to take over for a hurt gymnast and Sol was still an alternate. Tony had some guilt with that and walked away before the Olympics were even over. Without a backward glance or a goodbye.

Four years later and Sol is getting ready for the Olympic trials. And wanting good PR for the team, Tony is invited to try out, even though he has mostly been off the circuit, instead hosting an extreme sports Youtube channel.

For one thing, the author really knows her stuff- or did awesome research- about gymnastics. Floor exercise wasn’t mentioned much- but the “exciting” events of high bar, etc were central. She even brought up the uniforms and maybe that is one of the reasons that men’s gymnastics isn’t nearly as popular as women’s.

Sol is also a diabetic. It was the reason he got into gymnastics in the first place. And while it plays a significant role in the story, it doesn’t over power the story either.

It doesn’t take that long for Sol and Tony to make up and take their relationship up a notch. They were cute together, even if they both used FAR too many gymnastics terms during and about sex. Little bit cringy and eye rolling.

Overall, it was a fun book to read and would be great to read if the Olympics were actually going on. I hope it gets a boost next year when (hopefully) the Games are played.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Nothing Special VII: Ex Meridian by A.E. Via: Audiobook Review and Excerpt

August 23, 2020 by Denise

Police Lieutenants, God and Day are under intense pressure from the chief to take back control of Atlanta’s streets. The last thing their task force needs is a pair of trained killers in town with a personal score to settle.

Take a man and strip him of his ability to feel compassion, empathy, remorse, or any of the emotions that make him human, but leave the ones that ignite rage and aggression and you have the perfect killing machine—now imagine two of them.

Code names Ex and Meridian are synonymous for ‘guaranteed death’ to international terrorists. Two broken men from the same crooked streets, recruited into an unsanctioned government program that few know about. Trained to operate most efficiently—lethally—together.

When Ex returns from an op in Bolivia to learn his little brother has been accidentally killed in a feud between drug gangs, he’s stateside before he can consider the rules he’ll be breaking, and of course Meridian is right beside him. There’s mayhem on the streets of Atlanta and the police are losing control. If Godfrey and his elite team of detectives can’t get the job done then they’d be happy to lighten their caseloads for them. And Ex nor Meridian care about doing it quietly.

“I know who you are.” The man grunted when Ex turned to leave. “You’re the fucking devil.”

Meridian walked past, glaring one final time. “Say that loud enough… maybe God will save you.”

But after their first run-in with the big lieutenant and his protective husband, Day, Ex and Meridian start to reevaluate their own relationship. Wondering if they could be even deadlier if they let loose the feelings for each other that they’ve been forced to suppress for years.

Meridian’s dark eyes stayed locked on his, “A man who can fight beside the one he loves doesn’t make him weaker, Ex—it makes him more dangerous.”

No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a HEA.
Note: This is a partners-to-lovers, out-for-you, action romance.

Title: Nothing Special VII: Ex Meridian

Series: Nothing Special

Author: A.E. Via

Genre: M/M Action Romance

Publisher: Tantor

Narrator: Aiden Snow

Length: 9 Hours

Audio Release Date: 07.07.20

Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Neither of them spoke while they ate. Ex never felt the need to fill their long moments of silence with idle words, and his partner wasn’t a big talker. Besides, Ex could enjoy Meridian by him simply being there. His presence was just that powerful.

“So, what’s next?” Meridian asked after he’d pushed his empty plate to the side.

Ex drank some of his water, the coolness feeling good to his parched throat, but he wished he had something stronger. He reclined in his seat, mimicking Meridian’s posture and trying to appear casual.

“First and foremost, we go to Virginia and get our supplies. My contact there is ready for us, we should be in and out,”Ex explained. “Oay night. Of course, flying would be faster but we can better stay under the radar if we avoid TSA. Amtrak will be easiest to transport our cargo as well.”

“Works for me. He knows what we need?”

“Yes. As soon as we get back we can start to have some conversations around town. We’ll backtrack over the task force’s recent arrests and see what we can find. I also wanna keep an eye on that deputy district attorney. Something seems off there to me,” Ex said.

“Agreed.”Meridian put his cigarette into his mouth and finally lit it. He blew the aromatic smoke away from Ex but he still caught the robust scent of cloves.

Ex thought the smoking habit was atrocious, but he found he liked it when Meridian did it. The addiction made him seem less programmed. It was something his partner did when he was battling on the inside, and it was also something he only showed Ex.

Meridian’s eyes were half covered by his long black eye lashes, appearing as if he was enjoying what he was doing. He had one arm braced on the back of the seat and Ex could see the shiny Italian silk lining of Meridian’s jacket and the butt of his chrome Wesson Valor resting against his rib cage.

This story was overwhelming and intense while I was reading it… but hearing it? Experiencing it through this deep voiced narration had me ON EDGE. In the best way of course, but I”ll tell ya, these two make God, Day and their crew of crazies, look like kittens compared to America’s most savage defenders. Ex and his partner Meridian are the types of guys they make movies about. Jason Bourne type of guys, chemically and physically modified to be killing machines for our country. They’re the baddest of the bad, because they’re basically robots… or they should be… but when Ex’s baby brother is killed in God’s neck of the woods, the guys go rogue in order to exact vengeance on his killers. Sounds cray, right?

And oooh, what a ride it is. These two have been through everything together, they’re like two halves of the same person, so naturally, when one wants revenge, the other is at his side. Being off on their own without their handler in their ear, Ex goes through the loss of one of the only few people in the world who ever meant something to him and it was messing with his head. He felt it. Which meant Meridian felt it as well.

It opened up all kinds of feelings he didn’t know he possessed, and the biggest of that, aside from anger, guilt and pure rage at the persons responsible for his brother’s death, is his love and need for his other half. Now, I’m a reader. I read and I narrate in my own mind and it’s good. I think I’ve got a good imagination on a good day… but hearing the emotion and the longing and the torture of doing what you feel you should and doing what you need, and it was a need… I had zero words. It honestly left me speechless and when in the world has that ever happened to me? I’ll tell ya, not often.

it wasn’t one sided either, which I loved. Mere would do anything for Ex, including this off the radar mission to get justice for Ex’s baby brother. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as getting in, getting messy and getting out… Nay, we were up against dirty DA’s, dirty cops and God and Day’s crew to get around, because as we know, if anything goes on in God’s city, he knows about it and he and his guys go above and beyond to stop it. It was fun to see God’s crew stumped for a change… it made things more exciting, though, it was a lot to handle. They weren’t prepared for how dangerous these guys are at first… And it all plays out like the most gloriously action packed audio.

I wish I could tell you this whole story…but honestly, it needs to be experienced first-hand. We get to see all the guys and their guys, we get the guns and explosions and heart-stopping emotions that I’m just not used to when I’m simply reading myself. It’s about a thousand times more intense because these guys don’t have rules, they don’t have red tape, they don’t have anyone to answer to… not even God and Day and Aiden Snow is a master at conveying every feeling you’re supposed to have and ones you weren’t even ready for. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t even like audio books! I wasn’t converted until I heard this narrator and I swear to you, every time, he’s different.

And I’m borderline obsessed with these guys…They get in, they get messy and they get out, before anyone even knows they’ve been there. It was impressive and scary and it makes you think about how real these kinds of guys are and how terrifying it would be to come face to face with one, but how badly I want to do it anyway.

What a frickin ride this one. I’m still flummoxed lol I’m impressed and I cannot wait for Fox and Bull. Every book is my new favorite, though I still have such a soft spot for Ruxs and Green, and if you haven’t, you should listen to all of them too. I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of these guys in the future, too, and I am READY for it!

Overall, I wouldn’t suggest skipping any book in this series, but if you do… make sure it isn’t this one. This one deserves all the stars.

5 pieces of eye candy

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for six years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay literature for over twenty years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great, new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her.

Writing.

A.E.’s novels embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

She’s recently celebrated her 20th book anniversary, and is well-known for her hardcore, love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48195130-bishop

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com

A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

Union (Torsere #2) by Annabelle Jacobs: New Release Review

August 23, 2020 by Denise

Can magic save them before it’s too late….

After the defeat of the Lowland Army, King Seran is still at large, and Torsere needs the Elves’ protection more than ever. Nykin returns to his duty as a dragon rider and accompanies Ryneq to the Elven city of Alel to witness the joining of their two realms through marriage.

As the wedding approaches, the dragons sense a malevolent presence lurking at Alel’s borders. Nykin and Fimor take to the skies to patrol the magical city, but as the evil grows more potent, the enchanted boundary protecting Alel grows weaker.

Working alongside the elven guard, Nykin and Ryneq once again ride headfirst into danger as they struggle to protect Torsere from Seran’s thirst for revenge.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I am always aware that authors are stuck between a rock and a hard place when they come to write book two of a trilogy. It’s neither a beginning or an end. I gave the beginning five stars, and even with knowing this was book two and inherently problematic because of that, I was still heading towards the five star direction before the last chapter.

Nykin is officially King Ryneq’s consort. They have the problem of the Elven wedding and the baddy rearing its ugly head. (I don’t rehash the plot in my reviews – it’s hot men riding dragons, read it.)

Everything’s going to plot and plan and then it stopped. If I had months to wait for book three I’d be annoyed, but I don’t think this will be the case.

What I would have liked is some more character development. Relationship wise they seem to be in the same place in book two as they were at the end of book one, with a little more sex, but having said that I’m still reaching out with grabby hands for book three.

Four “gimmee the next one” pieces of eye candy