4 stars

The Alphabet of Desire by Colette Davison: Series Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Reviews and Giveaway

July 14, 2021 by Denise

BOOK 1

A famous author, a new job, and a party with a difference. Are these the makings of a perfect romance?

Archie

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to end up working for my #1 favourite author. Nor did I expect him to love being called ‘Sir’. An invite to an adult party changes everything. Will Hamish order me to my knees or throw me out?

Hamish

The moment I first set eyes on Archie Morris, he becomes my secret muse. Words I’ve been struggling to write pour out of me. He’s my PA and twenty-three years my junior, none of that matters when he shows up at my private party, ready to play. One night leads to so much more. Will Archie see beyond our differences to what I’m offering him—my heart?

A is for Aftercare is the story of two men falling in love, while they explore their desires together, which include blindfolds, sensory play, and lots of cuddles. It’s the first of three steamy, low angst novels, which follow each of the ABC triplets as they find love. You can read Blake and Corey’s stories in B is for Beg and C is for Comfort.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

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BOOK 2

A photographer, a rope artist, and a model. Can three create a beautiful romance?

Blake

Apparently I’m a disaster—no steady job, brothers who have to help me manage my money, and I’m constantly late. When two very different men command me to be theirs, how do I pick? Or can I make them see I’ve enough love for both of them.

Gabe

Cal, my best friend and a photographer, introduces me to Blake, a model. From there all bets are off as Blake’s attraction to both of us makes me see Cal in a whole new light. But will Cal and I be able to step beyond friendship into love when we both like being in charge?

Calvin

Friends for several years, Gabe and I both like to be in control. When Blake steps in between us, my feelings are anything but rivalry. With the chance to have something amazing with these two men, I must now show Gabe with Blake’s help that friendship can lead to love.

B is for Beg is the story of three men discovering that shibari, blindfolds, sexy lingerie, and rules can change everything. It’s the second of three steamy, low angst novels, which follow each of the ABC triplets as they find love. You can read Archie and Corey’s stories in A is for Aftercare and C is for Comfort.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

BOOK 3

A single dad, a doctor, and a one-night-stand. Is there room in their lives and hearts for one another?

Corey

Stress is my middle name. I’m a single dad and a newly qualified teacher, so it’s hard to find time for myself. What I didn’t expect from an adult party is a man who allows me to relax fully. What starts as a hook-up becomes so much more, but is a ready made family a step too far for Spence?

Spence

Working crazy shifts at the hospital, I don’t have much time for romance. Meeting Corey, the beautiful boy who’s happy to call me Daddy, changes everything. Only it’s not just his heart I have to win over but his five-year-old daughter’s too. How hard can it be?

C is for Comfort the story of two men learning that life is about more than work and that cuddling can fix everything. It’s the third of three steamy, low angst novels, which follow each of the ABC triplets as they find love. You can read Archie and Blake’s stories in A is for Aftercare and B is for Beg.

Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Series Title: The Alphabet of Desire

Book Title: A is for Aftercare, B is for Beg, C is for Comfort

Author: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Sleepy Fox Studio

Release Dates: June 29, July 13, July 27

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: They all have age-gap relationships and BDSM elements.

Book 1 has a boss/employee relationship.

Book 2 is MMM, friends to lovers, and Daddy kink.

Book 3 is single dad and Daddy kink.

Themes: Follow your heart, sometimes it’s worth taking chances

Heat Rating: 5 flames

Excerpt from A is for Aftercare

“You’re struggling to write?” he asks.

He picks up a glass of water and drinks from it. Captivated, I admire the way his full lips curve around the rim.

“Aye.”

“It’s the book that’s due in a month?”

“Aye.” I groan. “I’ll manage it.”

“How much have you written?”

I shrug. “Not enough. I’m just not feeling the words. I’m sick of Orion. I’d put a bullet through his head if my publisher let me.” I have no clue why I’m telling him any of this.

“If it helps, I really like Orion.”

I snort. “I’m paying you to be my PA, not kiss my arse.” Not that I have any reason to disbelieve his love of my character. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be averse to his lips being pressed against that part of my body—or anywhere else for that matter. I stuff some of the avocado toast into my mouth. It tastes a bit too good.

“I’m not.” The blush across his cheeks deepens to scarlet. “I’m being honest. I know he’s a bit surly, but he’s got a kind heart, really.”

I huff. “He’s a crotchety arsehole.”

Archie laughs. The sound reverberates through my body, almost making me want to laugh along with him. Part of the reason I hate Orion is that he’s too much like me.

“But I’m stuck with him for this book and another one. At least.”

“At least?”

“My contract runs out after that, but knowing my publisher, I’m sure they’ll try to sweet talk me into signing up to write another three books about the grumpy fucker.”

Archie smothers another laugh behind his hand.

“What?” I demand.

“You don’t strike me as the kind of man who does anything he doesn’t want to.”

I narrow my eyes. What else does he think he’s figured out about me?

“I’m not, but this is different.”

Archie tilts his head. “How?”

I open and close my mouth a couple of times, which probably makes me look like a fish drowning in air. “My publisher calls the shots,” I say eventually. Self-publishing under a pen name gives me the creative freedom I crave. Not that I’m going to mention that to my sexy PA.

“Surely they’ll understand if you tell them you’ve run out of steam? Especially if you pitch them a fantastic new idea.”

I shake my head.

“I’ve read all your books, sir. You’ve written so many amazing characters. I’m sure you could come up with a concept that would blow Orion King out of the water.”

I stare at the food on my plate.

“If you could write anything, what would it be?”

Aside from hot, passionate, if unrealistic stories of men falling in love? “I don’t know.”

“You should think about it,” Archie says as if it’s as easy as calling lightning from the sky. “But right now, you need to find a way to fall back in love with Orion enough to finish this book and write another.”

“I know,” I grumble.

“Is there anything I can do to help the words flow?” Archie asks.

I jerk my head back. “What?”

That’s not even remotely part of his job description. Then again, it’s only halfway through his first day, and he’s already made more of a positive impact on me than any of his predecessors.

“Can I help?”

Be Lee Lawson’s muse. Lie naked on my bed while I write about how glorious you are.

A is for Aftercare:

If a kinky boss/employee romance is what you’re looking for this is just the book for you.

Archie is looking for a job as a personal assistant and as fate would have it, his favorite author Hamish Cameron is in need of one. Archie can’t believe his luck, he’s been a huge fan of Hamish since his first book, but the man is as prickly as they come.

Hamish is trying to fight his attraction to his new PA, but with a new book deadline breathing down his neck he doesn’t have time for a distraction like Archie, The longer Archie stays the harder it becomes to fight it, but the words are coming quicker, almost as if Archie is his muse.

Hamish holds monthly kink parties at his house for his friends. With a little intervention from Hamish’s friends Archie and his brothers score an invite, only Archie doesn’t know it’s Hamish’s party he’s been invited to.

Once Hamish finds out that his kink isn’t going to send Archie running, all bets are off. Hamish is ready to push his fears to the side and see if this attraction burns hot enough for more than just one scene. They have to keep a delicate work/life balance while trying to navigate a new relationship and Archie’s responsibilities at home.

This is a new author to me and I have to say I’m hooked. The story was fun and entertaining while also being smoking hot.

The main character Archie has two brothers who are a large part of the story, I can’t wait to see where the author takes them. The characters that have been developed are relatable and interesting, while they are triplets they each have their own personality and backstory.

The relationship between Archie and Hamish develops almost effortlessly and was so much fun to read.

4 pieces of eye candy

B is for Beg:

I am enjoying this series so much, but I have to say Blake has stolen my heart. The depth of his character is amazing. He’s a gorgeous, confident model with a huge heart, a ton of emotional baggage and family responsibilities.

While working as a model, Blake meets photographer Calvin for a lingerie shoot. Calvin immediately knows Blake would be a perfect model for his best friend Gabe’s shibari photos. After talking for a bit both Calvin and Gabe invite Blake to kink party over the weekend, Blake not knowing that this friend is his brother Archie’s boss.

After a big misunderstanding about why Blake was invited to the party and a little bit of groveling the sparks fly. Blake knows he wants them both, but both Calvin and Gabe are Doms and they’ve never played together.

Gabe and Calvin both know they want Blake, but Blake has made it clear the only way he sees going forward is with all three of them together. Gabe and Calvin will need to decide whether their friendship can withstand this huge change and if they are willing to take the risk.

Blake is trying to convince both men that forward together is the best way while at the same time trying to manage his family responsibilities. He will have to unpack some emotional baggage and hope his men can stand with him through it all.

I loved this book! I loved Blake! He has such emotion. His character just came alive for me and leapt right off the page. I have never felt a character more real than him. Excellent writing.

The shibari scenes were hot, but the building of their relationship was the best part for me. It was honest and real, messy and loving.

I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for Corey. This is the most excited I have been for a book series in a long time.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: @colettedavison

Mailing List | Newsletter Sign-Up

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The Madam’s Baby Boy by Ki Brightly & Meg Bawden: New Release Review

July 13, 2021 by Denise

Worship From Afar
Brooks Sutherland has been interested in Darcy Winters since he first laid eyes on him at the Courtesan Hotel, where Brooks worked as a bodyguard. Darcy never knew he existed. When Brooks had a seizure that resulted in loss of his eyesight from a head trauma, he could no longer do his job. Years later, Brooks comes back to bid on Darcy at the annual summer auction. He knows Darcy all too well and wants him to relax before Darcy kills himself from stress. Kidnapping him away for a vacation is perfectly reasonable—to Brooks.

Workaholic on Vacation
As far as Darcy is concerned, the Courtesan Hotel will be a disaster without him, so he doesn’t expect his mother to put him up for auction as a last-minute surprise. The man who wins time with him is charming, but Darcy has no plans to be swept away from his work. A night will more than do. When Brooks hustles him off on a vacation, he’s not sure how to relax, but Brooks is a good distraction.

Stress Less or Else
Darcy needs someone to teach him how to let go, and Brooks thinks he’s that man. But making a relationship work is a lot harder than he expects because Darcy runs back to the Courtesan every chance he gets. Brooks wants to take care of Darcy, but unless Brooks can learn what that really means, he’ll push Darcy away instead. If that happens, neither man will get what he needs.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

This was so sweet. Darcy is such a workaholic and honestly doesn’t know how to let go and be in the moment.

Brooks was an ass at first. I hated his arrogant attitude. Then he became exactly what Darcy needed. Someone to actually rely on, not someone that wanted anything from him. (Except peace) they were very sweet.

Brooks and Darcy showed how worthy they were of the others’ love.

I just wish Brooks learned how to give up little more control and let Darcy help him, despite his disability.

4 pieces of eye candy

Pinot & Pineapple Lumps (Southern Lights Book 4) by Jay Hogan: Quick Review

July 12, 2021 by Denise

Penn from Adelaide. That’s all I knew.

We shared a single kiss over a year ago, and I can still remember every toe-curling second of it. He thought I was too young for him. I thought he was running scared. But that kiss was the first time I’d felt alive in a long time, and I’ve been chasing the feeling ever since—doing my research, a lot of research, a lot of men. Something my protective older brother isn’t too happy about.

I’ve been through more than most guys my age, and I still bear the scars. My head’s not always my best friend, but I’m building a life, PTSD be damned. I can’t turn back the clock, and I’m not sure I want to.

Except maybe to that moment when Penn kissed me. I mean, the odds of us ever meeting again were slim to none, right?

Yeah, about that.

But this time I’m ready. I’m a year older, an ocean of therapy wiser, and I know exactly what I want.

Triggers: One of the main characters in this book lives with PTSD as a result of a fire, and within the story there are flashbacks and descriptions of triggering events. There are also themes of loss and grief.

Title: Pinot & Pineapple Lumps
Author: Jay Hogan
Series: Southern Lights Series #4
Genre: MM Romance
Standalone: Yes
Release Day: March 18th, 2021

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I’ve read one other book in this series, and just loved it, so reading this one was a pure treat. The author’s ability to give visuals to an area of the world many haven’t traveled to (I’ve gotten to travel there for a few weeks!), and may never travel to is fantastic. I loved the mental visuals I had of the vineyards that Penn loved so much.

Penn had a difficult struggle ahead of him. His father was a complete jerk (and I am being kind when I say that), and broke my heart when he had something done that was for no other reason than to break Penn into pieces. But he loved he land, and wanted to find what was supposed to be his place in the world.

Kurt needed something of his own, as well. He was still recovering from serious PTSD, but wanted to give himself a chance to move forward, create a business that he could be proud of, and show his brother he could do it.

These two danced around each other initially (I loved that they had had one moment a year+ previous, but needed more time to become who they needed to be for themselves), but soon found that they needed what the other could provide, as well as finding peace with each other. It really was just a lovely romance, with some incredibly well written side characters (even if I didn’t like them all!) and beautiful narrative of an incredible land. I’m looking forward to more in this series.

4 pieces of eye candy

James and Merrick by Jessica Skye Davies: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 11, 2021 by Denise

Merrick Rhys is a young Welsh transplant living in South London and working as a tailor and salesman in an upscale menswear shop. Previously supplementing his income by performing as a male stripper at parties, he quit after growing tired of the pressures and complications. He agrees to do his routine one more time for friends who are hosting a stag party and finds an intense mutual attraction with one of the guests. Unbeknownst to Merrick, that guest happens to be the groom.

James Carré is a successful, middle-aged London-based artist who is about to marry Michael, a man none of his friends think is good for him. James’s fiancé is controlling and demanding and James often finds it difficult to live up to his standards of perfection, but James feels that at his age he’s not likely to find anyone else willing to make a life with him. Certainly not someone as successful and good-looking as Michael.

When James and Merrick chance to meet the day after the stag-do, they hit it off immediately and find they have a great rapport. James questions the purity of his motives in hanging out with Merrick but also finally begins to question seriously if manipulative Michael is right for him. Merrick finds himself falling more and more for James over the course of a week, but also wants to take it slowly due to a past bad relationship. Everything comes to a head the weekend before the wedding when James finally decides he can’t in good conscience stay with Michael any longer, at just the same time Merrick reads the announcement of James and Michael’s wedding in the paper.

Title: James and Merrick

Series: Take a Shot, Book One

Author: Jessica Skye Davies

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 07/05/2021

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 35100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Age-gap, arts (visual), friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, stripper, engagement, artist, maestro, tailor, London setting, Welsh ancestry

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NineStar Press

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As Saturday evening came around, Merrick also did his best to remind himself that a party like that wasn’t a place to meet guys, not when he was providing the entertainment. But, of course, if any of his friends’ crowd seemed nice…well, maybe there could be further conversation afterward. It had been nearly three years since his disastrous relationship with Seth, and now, as he wasn’t doing the dancing thing anymore, he thought maybe he didn’t have to adhere quite so strictly to his policy of independence. He had always been attracted to the proverbial gentlemen of a certain age, after all.

When Merrick arrived at Nigel and Theo’s place, he was pleased to find he had been correct about the type of mates Nigel and Theo had round—grown, professional-type men who mostly seemed to be getting a laugh out of the notion of having a stripper at a stag night. A rather more laid-back party than the young and perpetually randy crowd one usually encountered at such parties.

There was one guy who Merrick found himself drawn to repeatedly. He was handsome and quiet with an understated sort of masculinity and didn’t look like he was trying to impress anyone. His strong jawline was complemented by warm, observant grey eyes. His gaze followed Merrick’s movements appreciatively but almost shyly.

Merrick was taking a short break before the last half hour of the booking when Nigel asked if he’d be up for doing body shots as his last ‘act’ of the evening.

Merrick hesitated slightly; in his experience, that routine could get a bit sticky—in more ways than one. “Right, yeah, but just regular navel shots,” Merrick assented. “Not the tequila ones with the lick-salt-lime ritual, yeah?”

Nigel pulled a face. “What do we look like, mate? You know you’re the only one here under thirty, don’t you?”

“Doesn’t always feel like it,” Merrick laughed. “You clear a table; I’ll change leather pants for something easier to wash. I’ve got a pair of genuinely hideous aussieBums with cartoon bananas on that Henry sent me on my last birthday—that should go down a treat.”

“It’s cherry vodka we’re using,” Nigel said absently, as if trying to decide whether cherry would pair well with banana-printed pants.

Within a few minutes, the table was cleared and Merrick carefully arranged himself with his arms behind his head. It helped keep his abdomen taut but also elevated his head so he could give a reassuring smile and wink to the guys who seemed shy about sucking vodka out of a nearly nude stranger’s belly button. He knew they were just going along to be good sports. Then again, there were also those who stepped up to the makeshift bar grinning like Cheshire cats and usually stepped away only after an extra lick up his treasure trail. As long as it all stayed good-natured, Merrick didn’t much mind.

The last guy up was the one Merrick had been catching looks from all night. As he positioned himself beside Merrick, the rest of the guests cheered him on, but the tension between the two of them spiked. Merrick could tell the man was well buzzed, but by no means sloppy drunk. He fixed Merrick with that sexy look he’d been giving all night, only by now it was practically smouldering. Merrick knew he was returning the same look as the cold liquor was poured once again into the focus of his navel.

The man leaned in, deliberately keeping eye contact with Merrick as he put his mouth to Merrick’s abdomen and sucked up the vodka. He swallowed it down but didn’t step back straightaway, instead boldly swirling his tongue around a few times. When he looked back up at Merrick, an electric zing filled the space between them as their eyes locked. Merrick didn’t hesitate at all when the man moved from his stomach to his lips.

Merrick could taste the cherry vodka as the man pushed his tongue into Merrick’s mouth, and Merrick felt as though he was the one who had been drinking all evening. He couldn’t remember ever having been kissed quite like that, so sensuously, and he wanted more—a lot more.

Unfortunately, just as the nameless man pulled back a bit, Merrick realised that the partygoers were cheering wildly, and they’d just put on a fairly good show for them. Not that Merrick was at all shy about it, but he knew if things went any further just then, it might border on getting out of hand.

As the guy helped him up off the table with just a soft kiss of thanks to his cheek, Merrick checked the time and found he was done for the night. He thanked the guests for being a good crowd and collected the offered tips as he went to change back into normal attire. He considered Theo’s invitation to stay for the rest of the party, but he decided it was better to get home. Mixing business and pleasure was too often inadvisable, and if he stayed any longer he was rather sure he’d end up asking for that guy’s number.

Once home and in his own shower, Merrick wondered about ringing Theo and Nigel in the morning to ask about the guy. Give it a night to sleep on, he thought, and if he still found himself that interested, it might be worth enquiring. The attraction between them was plain enough, and that kiss had been downright sizzling.

His dreams that night, full of snogging handsome guys with bedroom eyes, had a rather predictable result by morning. He woke hard and aching like a randy teenager, glad he’d at least avoided a wet dream. Merrick decided he really did need to give it a few days before asking any favours about phone numbers; he wanted to put some distance between himself and this fixation. And to get a start on it, he decided to get dressed and go get some breakfast. His favourite place was just a few blocks away and would take his mind off the hot mystery man.

Okay, first, I loved the cover, even though, I will admit I’m not positive what the dragon thingie on there is meant to represent. Possibly a rugby reference. But still it made the cover fun.

I haven’t read anything by Jessica Skye Davies before, but thought I would give this novella a try, since it has one of my favorite tropes: runaway grooms. I am going to give a small spoiler alert…there is some cheating in this book…which can be a no-go with some people, often me in fact, but it was not one MC cheating ON the other MC, but one MC cheating on his intended groom. (That’s the extent of the spoilers). It did not put me off, though.

These two MC’s, with an age gap in excess of 20 years had so much in common, and seemed to have so much joy in each other, it seemed inevitable that they had to get their HEA. Often with an age gap of that range, you will read about daddy kink, etc. There was no mention of that at all. It simply was an age gap that was there, but not really an issue for either the MC’s or even their friends. I really liked that, as often much is made of that issue.

The personalities of these two men complemented each other, chill and yet loved hanging out with their friends, as well as each other. They both loved their job and had crap relationships that left to some serious self esteem issues. However, they helped each other through, even as they went slow. They were never in a hurry.

Michael was a jerk, but I really enjoyed that he got what was coming to him in the end, with a little jab from the two MC’s at the very end of the book. 🙂

Lastly, I’ve never seen what is the equivalent of 3 epilogues in a book, and I am here for it! I loved seeing where they were a year, two years and three years down the road. I could have more of that in every HEA I get, and be a very happy reader.

4 pieces of eye candy

Jessica Skye Davies has been a writer since her first works were “published” in her grandparents’ living room and written in crayon. She’s been a professionally published author since 2011. Jessica lives in Pittsburgh and is active in the community, having served with a local LGBT community center for several years and currently serving with the local Welsh society. She’s often found spending time with friends, attending the symphony, watching hockey, rugby, or soccer, and moonlighting as human pillow/concierge for her official writer’s cat, Squidge.

Author Links

Website: http://www.jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JessicaSkyeAuthor

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Feel the Fire: A Firefighter Reunion Romance (Hotshots Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: Quick Review

July 6, 2021 by Denise

When their career paths bring two high school sweethearts together again, the forest isn’t the only thing ablaze…

Fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera goes where his job takes him. But when he’s assigned to an arson investigation in Central Oregon—the place he left his broken heart twenty years ago—he’s afraid of being burned all over again.

Tucker Ryland had planned to join his first love, Luis, in LA after high school graduation, but life got in the way. Now a fire management expert and a divorced father of teen twins, Tucker’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself working side by side with his Luis, now all grown up and more intriguing than ever.

Though consumed by a grueling fire season and family responsibilities, the two men discover their bond has never truly broken. Tentative kisses turn to passionate nights. But smoking sheets aside, old hurts and new truths stand in the way of this time being the start of forever.

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts.

Amazon

Audible

Carina Press

This is book number 3 in the Hotshots series, and definitely centers around the firefighters and their tough fire seasons. A second chance romance, it’s about two men who were each other’s first loves. Separated by life, they had moved on, but brought together by a series of arson fires in their hometown, where Tucker still lives with his teenage sons.

While it didn’t take long for these two men to find their way back together, what I loved is how it became about family. Tucker has two sons who are his world, but also his ex-wife and her husband and even a little sweet girl who clearly was the apple of the entire mixed family’s eyes. In addition, while these men had had a past together, the fact that Tucker was demisexual meant that really did need to re-establish that bond together before any sexiness was to occur, that was honestly perfect to honor his character.

Meanwhile, Luis, after having moved away with his family, had not returned to Oregon, and once he did, realized that not having Tucker in his life was a mistake not to be made twice. He even connected with Tucker’s family, which made it all the more special.

This was absolutely a love story, between two men. But it was also a love story about a family, one that was mixed (which I have a big heart for, because my family is similar, and it just works so well!), but full of love and respect for each other.

The ending was really a bit of what I was hoping for, even if I didn’t expect it. Teaching you that it’s never too late to live your dreams out, even if they are derailed for a few…or 20…years.

Definitely recommend!

4 pieces of eye candy

The Prince’s Vow: Starian Cycle #3 by Iris Foxglove: Blog Tour, Exclusive Author Interview, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 29, 2021 by Denise

Adrien de Guillory may be the heir to the throne of Staria, but no one in court believes that the submissive, meek-minded prince will ever be king. What they don’t know is that Adrien is hardly the meek, shy creature he pretends to be and that he has his own plans for the future. To see those plans through, Adrien embarks on a journey to Mislia, the land of his mother’s ancestors, to seek an answer to controlling his magic of foresight.

The one thing Adrien’s visions don’t predict is Isiodore de Mortain, his father’s confidante and the subject of Adrien’s long-standing, deeply embarrassing infatuation. Isiodore intercepts Adrien on his way to Mislia. But it’s too late to turn back—the two of them are now stranded on foreign soil, forced to rely on each other in order to get home in one piece. With Isiodore set on keeping Adrien safe and Adrien determined to become the most troublesome prince in Starian history, a storm is brewing over Mislia…one that will surely sweep both of them out into uncharted waters.

(The Prince’s Vow is an m/m dark fantasy novel, set in a fictional world where everyone is biologically either a dominant or a submissive and compelled to satisfy those urges. As such, the biological imperative kink in this story is pure fantasy, and not intended as a representation of real-life BDSM practices or dynamics.)

Title: The Prince’s Vow

Series: Starian Cycle #3

Author: Iris Foxglove

Release Date: 6/22/21

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 64,000

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, BDSM, AU

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

When did you write your first story and what was the inspiration for it?

Foxglove: My family couldn’t afford a computer for some time, but we did have a typewriter for homework purposes. The big rule was that in order to use the typewriter, what you were writing had to be worth it. The first story of mine that was deemed worthy featured a group of fairies who caused a hurricane because they partied too hard, and a girl who told them to kindly knock it off, please. I wasn’t a big fan of hurricanes, to be fair.

Iris: I’m older than Foxglove and brought a word processor to college, LOL. But my first story was honestly very similar to Duke’s Demon — I joke that I’ve been writing some version of that story since I was twelve, but it’s true. I wrote a screenplay (I don’t know why it was a screenplay, to be honest) about a ballerina who was magically transported to an Irish castle and lived with a duke who was possessed by a demon. It was absolutely awful, but I still have it, and it makes me smile to think about how years later I published a (much better) version! I probably have had dozens of old Trapper Keepers filled with half-finished fantasy stories, but that was the first thing I ever finished in its entirety. It was called “At the Edge of Midnight” and my dad made me a cover on Print Shop on our family computer. To be honest, it would be a horrible movie but the concept was there, ha!

Where did the desire to write LGBT romance come from?

Foxglove: Well, I came out pretty young, which was rare in my conservative town, and I spent years carefully cultivating a small collection of LGBTQ fiction. It was important to me to know that there were writers out there who thought that people like me deserved love. Eventually, my room was searched and the collection was discovered—only one book remained hidden. I decided then and there that I would write my own stories to make up for the ones that were lost.

Iris: I’ve been a voracious reader all my life, especially of fantasy, and always wanted to see a story with someone like me in it. Especially because I always wanted romance in my stories, and the characters I wanted to get together were never the ones who did! I also wanted to write stories where people were accepting of all sexualities and genders, especially since so much of my love of fantasy is centered around the “found family” trope.

Briefly describe the writing process. Do you create an outline first? Do you seek out inspirational pictures, videos or music? Do you just let the words flow and then go back and try and make some sense out it?

Foxglove: We mostly babble at each other excitedly until a plot happens. There are a lot of moments that tend to go like this:

“So what IF, bear with me, but what IF this character…”
“Yes?”
“What if they did THIS?”

“OH MY GOD YES AND WHAT IF THEY DID THIS OTHER THING?!”
“AND THEN THIS OTHER THING HAPPENS?”
“YES!!!!”

It can get a little out of hand, but our brainstorming sessions are ridiculously fun.

Iris: It’s true!! We have so many books planned it’s unreal — the world that we’ve created is so fun, and we’re apparently going to write a story for the entire population 😀 We’re pretty good about writing a scene, then saying, “Hey, do you want to jump in, here?” and switching off. Usually we each gravitate toward a character and write their POV. Sometimes we outline, but it’s normally more of a general plot idea that we tweak as we go along.

We did write one of the books in the Starian Cycle out of order — look, we really love the pairing in The King’s Mage, okay — and after we went back and wrote Exile’s Gift, had to rewrite the fifth one!! So there’s two versions of book 5 floating around our Gdocs, lol.

I write best, personally, with music or thunderstorm sounds. Background noise is essential, but it can’t be anything I’m TOO interested in or I’ll get too distracted!

If you could sequester yourself for a week somewhere and just focus on your writing, where would you go and what would the environment be like?

Foxglove: Is this a magical place where I don’t have to cook anything? Can I go there? Also, my kingdom for a comfortable desk chair! I am a creature of simple needs.

Iris: Honestly if I could go somewhere it was raining and/or snowing constantly, with me in a comfy chair with sixteen blankets and a sweater with too-long sleeves and a huge mug of Earl Grey, I would still find a way to play a mobile game and be distracted. But I have such fond memories of finishing Traitor’s Mercy — I woke up at 5 am after I couldn’t sleep due to the excitement of nearly being done, and went to my then-office in our house and watched the sun rise with tea while I wrote Laurent being dramatic in the snow with Sabre. Then, I watched in real-time as Foxglove finished the epilogue, and immediately opened a doc to start Duke’s Demon! It’s such a happy memory, that feeling of excitement when you type “The End” (which I always do) is so satisfying.

I want to say right off that this is book three in the series and I haven’t read one or two. Which might have made a lot of nuances and sub-plots in this book easier to understand. I love fantasy and this had a really good start. In and amongst a fantasy plot the book had dominant and submissive tendencies which if that’s your jam was well done.

I think the plot got lost in detail a little in the middle, but there are a wealth of characters I am interested in discovering how their story progresses.

Adrien as a character is a delight and very well balanced. Isiodore is good for him even if a little too patient sometimes. I wished I had read the previous two books first.

4 pieces of eye candy

Iris Foxglove is a shared pen name between two longtime fantasy readers who are committed to writing fun, escapist dark fantasy featuring decadent, kinky stories, intricate world building and unforgettable characters.

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/irisfoxglove

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Email: irisfoxgloveauthor@gmail.com

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