Book Reviews

Redemption: Second Chance Gay Romance by Garrett Leigh: Audio Book Review

September 24, 2020 by Denise

Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.

Luis Pope is back on the street after a six-year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighborhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.

Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’ rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.

And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis is the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis is happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.

Redemption is an angsty, stand-alone M/M romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.

Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I read this book and really enjoyed it. As I really enjoy all of Garrett Leigh‘s work. This is my first audiobook by this author. As as much as I really enjoyed the story, the audio was a little above okay for me.

Now, I am picky. If you’ve read my reviews before you know this. I stopped another audiobook less than 5 minutes in because I HATED the voice they gave the main character. This was almost the opposite. There was almost no difference between the characters and how they were read.

I am not expecting an Oscar worthy performance. But there was almost no difference at all between the inflection and accent of Luis and Paolo. In fact, even the narrative was basically the same.

Several secondary characters, like Paolo’s grandfather, had distinctive accents. But he was Italian so he spoke with an Italian accent. Luis’ brother had a bit of a different accent that almost sounded Jamaican to me.

The cadence of the narrator’s speech was very even toned. But Paolo is a hot headed Italian. And the narrator never raises his voice or gives it any inflection. Same with Luis when he was fighting with his brother. Even hot sex scenes were all spoken with the same tone.

Overall, as a story-it is great. The narration is fine. But it definitely did not immerse me in their world and stories like I had hoped.

Story (read original review here): 4 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

The Venetian and the Rum Runner: A 1920s Gay Historical Romantic Suspense by L.A. Witt: New Release Review

September 24, 2020 by Denise

New York City, 1924

Once their paths cross, their worlds will never be the same.

Danny Moore and his crew only meant to rob the hotel suites of rich guests. He wasn’t supposed to find himself in gangster Ricky il Sacchi’s room. And il Sacchi wasn’t supposed to wind up dead. Now Danny has the attention of another notorious gangster.

Carmine Battaglia is intrigued by the Irish thieves who would have made off with a huge score if not for il Sacchi’s death. They’re cunning, careful, and exactly what he needs for his rum running operation. But Danny’s already lost two brothers to the violence between New York’s Irish and Sicilian gangs, and he’s not about to sell his soul to Carmine.

With a gangster’s blood on his hands, Danny needs protection, whether he likes it or not. And that’s to say nothing of the generous pay, which promises to pull him and his crew—not to mention their families—out of destitution.

Working together brings Danny and Carmine to a détente, then to something so intense neither can ignore it. Something nearly enough to make them both forget the brutal tensions between their countrymen.

But the death of Ricky il Sacchi hasn’t been forgotten. And someone is determined to make Danny bleed for it.

The Venetian and the Rum Runner is a 144,000-word gay historical romantic suspense novel set during Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties.

CW: graphic violence, PTSD

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I don’t usually gravitate toward historicals, but prohibition era 1920’s NYC? I’ll totally read that. Plus, L.A. Witt. I’ll always read her books.

First off, what is obvious is the amount of research that was done for this book. Historical accuracies as far as politics, places, people and language were really well done. Nothing takes me out of a story faster than dropping current slang into a book that isn’t current.

Back to it. Although this is touted as a romance, it takes a looooooooooong time to get to that. And this book is hefty. Before that though is a really good story of an Irish petty thief and his band of brothers and the Italian mafia. Italians hate the Irish, Irish hate the Italians, etc. American racism and bigotry go way back.

After another mafioso is killed, Danny is given an offer he can’t refuse. (I’m sorry, had to do it) Carmine needs a new group of liquor runners and Danny needs not only the money, but also the little protection Carmine can offer him as an employee of the family.

What follows is a pretty epic story. Danny and his best friend who love each other but do nothing about it. Danny trying to help his remaining brother with money. Carmine’s sister wanting in on it. Several speakeasies, including one that has drag queen performers and seems to cater to “Danny’s kind”.

On the other side, Carmine is dealing with fallout from the other gangster’s murder, his spitfire sister and his feelings for Danny.

Even though the entire story doesn’t cover much of a time period, I am still calling it an epic. The writing sucks you right into the story and the time frame. You CARE about these men- even Carmine the gangster. There was even one part that made me say “SHUT UP!” out loud.

But listen, it is brutal at points. These are gangsters. Dealing with illegal liquor and other stolen goods. The author doesn’t shy away from the brutality, which just makes it more authentic.

Great read. In all honesty, calling it a romance is a total stretch because it takes them so long to get there and while it definitely drives the men to do some of the things they do, it’s just not a big part of the story.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Breathless (The Game Series Book 3) by Cara Dee: New Release Review

September 21, 2020 by Denise

Breathless is the third standalone novel in The Game Series.

“Will you beat me without knowing the reason?”

That’s the question I ask when I go to clubs to seek out Sadists.

Most men say no immediately. They see the flags my question raises and walk away. They’re the good guys. They’re the guys who adhere to safe, sane, and consensual. They wanna be aware of the risks and cause no harm. But I’m not looking for a good guy. I’m looking for punishment.

The strobe lights hit me as I reach their table. The heavy, industrial music is deafening, and my head is swimming with images of grief, fire, and accusation. I hear the piercing tone of a machine letting me know that I have to tell my two kid brothers that our sister’s heart will never beat again.

Maybe these two twin Sadists will help me. The only thing bigger than River and Reese Tenley is their reputation. They better not let me down.

I ask my question. I ask if they’ll beat me without knowing why I want it.

They give me a stone-cold onceover, and I don’t know if it’s River or Reese who responds. He has a menacing-looking tattoo on his neck.

“Sure. It’s your funeral.”

The Game Series is a BDSM series with gay pairings where romance meets the reality of kink. Sometimes we fall for someone we don’t match with, sometimes vanilla business gets in the way of kinky pleasure, and sometimes we have to compromise and push ourselves to overcome trauma and insecurities. No matter what, two things are certain. This is not a perfect world, and life never turns out the way you planned.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

More please!

More scenes. More backstory or Reese and River. More! This isn’t a complaint about the book per se. I enjoyed it that much that I wish there was more. And according to the notes at the end there will be, but still.

That is going to be my biggest complaint. I wanted more scenes with them. Because, wow.

Shay has some serious damage and NEEDS to feel worthless. Or have people make him feel worthless. But that pesky “safe, sane and consensual” thing keeps him from getting exactly what he wants.

River and Reese are twin brothers with complimentary BDSM traits and they want Shay.

Watching them break Shay down and confront his grief was powerful. Seeing Reese and River play off of each other was hot. And ya, they probably pushed the envelope, but seriously. I have read a lot of bdsm books. This is the first that I feel like the author wasn’t holding back. Or, she was holding back in that there were really only about 3 scenes. All different in their tone and goal. But definitely more than a casual “sure, I read that other series, I like BDSM stories” would probably like.

So, yea. MORE PLEASE.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Cinderella Proposal (Boys of Bliss, Book 2) by Harley Grace: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

September 21, 2020 by Denise

David wasn’t expecting his ex to be at his friend’s wedding—especially not as the groom.

Six months ago, David’s relationship disintegrated, but when a colleague invites him to his wedding at the newest gay-friendly island resort right off the coast of Florida, he sees his chance to put himself back out there. It turns out groom number two is none other than his ex-boyfriend. He needs cover, stat, and in saunters the hottest little room cleaner he ever did see.

While David needs a fake boyfriend, Fin needs a bailout.

After getting kicked out of his house as a teenager, Finley Sweet is finally back on his feet. He’s got a good job at Bliss Resort, but when a self-made millionaire offers him a mountain of cash to be his fake boyfriend for a week, Fin leaps at the chance to change everything and get his inheritance back from his evil stepfather.

What starts as a business transaction becomes so much more, but there’s a time limit to their love, and the contract runs out when David goes back to the mainland. Only it’s more than a contract holding them together, and everything they want is right there if they can read between the lines.

Cinderella Proposal, The Boys of Bliss, Book 2 by Harley Grace

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Honeymoon Refrain, The Boys of Bliss, Book 1

When his fiancé leaves him at the altar, Andrew Wellman runs straight to Bliss.

After spending the last year of his life busting his butt on the new resort off the south coast of Florida, all Andrew has to do is stick the landing—a gorgeous wedding and a honeymoon to blow the socks—and everything else—off his groom-to-be. But when he finds his fiancé buried deep not in wedding preparations but in his best friend, Andrew calls the whole thing off and cashes in that plane ticket for a solo honeymoon.

Rock star Cord Fabien’s whole life blew apart when his band broke up.

Now, he owes his label a solo album, but all he wants to do at the new gay resort run by the mysterious billionaire Adrien Bliss and is hide from the paparazzi and lick his wounds. But when one sad interior designer catches his eye, Cord finds the inspiration to make beautiful music again.

Two men, completely adrift, find in each other the strength to pursue their passions. But Bliss can’t last forever, and the lives they’ve left behind are waiting to shatter a romance that bloomed in paradise.

“David!” Chet’s excited voice drifted through the entire lobby. “Honey, look who it is. It’s David.”

If he said my name three times, could I sink into the expertly laid marble slab under my feet and wake up back home? God, how had I lived with that annoying fakeness for two years?

It’s amazing what a guy will put up with when he thinks he’s in love.

Eric, for instance, was letting Chet drag him across the lobby by the hand, over to where I was sitting. He didn’t look thrilled about it, and I wondered if I really should keep my nose out of it.

“And look,” Chet said when they reached me at my sofa, then looked dramatically to one side of me and then the other. “Still alone, I see.”

“Sweetie,” Eric whispered, looking around, not for my missing boyfriend, but for other people who might be listening. “I’m not sure this is really necessary. David’s a big boy. He can handle himself.”

“Oh, but this is awful,” Chet said, sticking out his lower lip like a five-year-old being denied candy. He turned and leaned toward me, switching to a stage whisper. “David, honey, did your ‘boyfriend’ stand you up?”

The way he said boyfriend, of course, left no room to question what he meant. Hell, he’d barely refrained from using finger quotes.

And worse, he wasn’t wrong. It was galling that even if I’d paid someone to pretend to be my boyfriend to keep him from finding out, the asshole was right, and I had no one. He was going home to a nice guy like Eric, and when my contract with Finley ended, I’d go back to the enormous empty house I’d built for myself.

I opened my mouth—to say what, I wasn’t sure. Tell him to fuck off, admit the truth—there was no telling what might have come out, because Adrien Blissand’s voice filled the whole lobby.

“David, my boy, I’m terribly sorry. I’ve been monopolizing your young man. He’s just such a delight, it’s hard not to.” He was wearing his fancy white linen suit, looking like a million bucks, with a nervous looking Finley tucked against his side, both hands wrapped around his elbow.

Finley stared at Chet like he was evil incarnate, and I felt that in my soul. Then his eyes tracked to me, and he smiled, and for just a second, I felt like it was real.

Like this beautiful man was here for me, relieved to see me.

This book was all kinds of good feels and happiness. It wasn’t angst filled, other than a little bit (much more so for one of the side characters). Just a whole lot of happiness. Not quite insta-love, but fairly close. I didn’t read book 1, but there already seemed to be a few established couples, so I wasn’t sure if they came from another series or not. However, I loved the range of personalities of all the characters.

Finley really didn’t have a great time growing up. Being a gay homeless teen after losing his mother, and then being kicked out. He still worked hard to get himself into a position to care for himself, and did it through sheer determination.

David, meanwhile, pushed himself to build a business that he loved, and was successful, despite knowing his father never would get to see his success. Then he arrives at a wedding for a friend, and unwittingly takes a huge emotional hit.

However, these two men really connected, and found they had a ton in common. There might have been a bit more sex than necessary to move the story forward…but very good sex scenes, very well written. 🙂

I enjoyed this one, and definitely would like to read more about Bliss Island. There are a lot of potential stories there.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Harley Grace is an author duo in love with love. Writing M/M romance, they’re all about giving sugar, spice, and everything nice to their boys. They enjoy long walks on the beach, reading by the fireplace, and always looking at the lighter side of life.

Connect with Harley:
Website: harleygrace-author.com
Mailing List: https://sendfox.com/lp/3o6lgd
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/harleygraceauthor
Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/harleygraceauthor

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Everything Changes (Resilient Love #1) by Melanie Hansen: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

September 15, 2020 by Denise

A childhood in foster care taught Carey Everett to hold tight to what he has. Enlisting in the Marines gave him purpose, but a life-threatening injury ended his career—and took his leg. Now fully recovered, Carey’s happier than he’s ever been. He has a fulfilling job, a chosen family and, best of all, a cherished friendship with Jase DeSantis, the platoon medic who saved his life.

Jase knows how to take care of the people he loves. As the oldest of seven, and then a Navy corpsman, it’s what he was born to do. Still, he’s haunted by his actions overseas. Playing music with his band keeps the demons at bay, but it’s a battle he’s starting to lose.

After a week of sun and fun in San Diego, Jase and Carey’s connection takes an unexpected turn. With change comes a new set of challenges. For Jase, it means letting someone else into his deepest pain. For Carey, it’s realizing love doesn’t always equal loss. In order to make their relationship work, they’ll each have to come to terms with their pasts…

…or risk walking away from each other for good.

Title: Everything Changes

Series: Resilient Love #1

Author: Melanie Hansen

Publisher: Self-Published (formerly Dreamspinner)

Release Date: September 14, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 65,000

Genre: Romance, Military, disability, amputee, post-traumatic stress, friends to lovers, bisexual

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

With an oath, Carey broke away from Jase, turned, and strode off the dance floor.

Cursing, Jase ran after him.

“Carey, wait!” he called, but Carey didn’t stop as he pushed through the doors leading to the patio. It was almost empty, the chill of the late night air having driven most everyone back inside. Abruptly, Carey whirled and grabbed onto Jase’s T-shirt with both fists.

Bracing for a shove, or a blow, Jase staggered when Carey instead yanked him into the shadows just outside a soft pool of light.

“Damn you,” he hissed, his eyes glittering. “Damn you, Jase.” Despite the harshness of his tone, Carey didn’t let go of him, his fingers twisted in the fabric of Jase’s shirt. His lips were parted, breaths coming in pants, spots of color high on his cheekbones.

His heart thudding painfully in his ears, Jase deliberately took one step closer until their bodies were only inches apart. Carey turned his head away, but still didn’t let go, his grip tightening.

“Damn you,” he said again, but the words were without heat, softer, more like an exhalation. He dropped his head back to the wall, pulse throbbing visibly in the hollow of his throat, eyes drifting shut. “Oh God. I don’t know what’s happening to me.” His voice was barely audible.

Blood racing, body trembling, all Jase could do was wait him out. At last Carey opened his eyes, the normally brilliant blue dark with emotion. His gaze clung to Jase’s, his lips parting as Jase started to close the last few inches of distance between them…

Gasping, Carey shoved him back, then yanked him close again in an abrupt motion that had Jase slamming his palms against the wall to keep from crashing into him. He looked down at Carey’s fists, still twisted in his shirt, then met his eyes once more.

“Let me go,” he said softly. “If you don’t want me to kiss you, push me away.”

For one heart-stopping second, Carey’s grip loosened, then tightened again. Leaning in until their lips were only a whisper apart, Jase breathed, “Let me go. If you don’t want me to kiss you—”

The rest of his words were muffled by Carey’s mouth, crushing his. Hot, slick, eager, Carey’s tongue slid deep, almost devouring him. With a hoarse groan, Jase slanted his head, his own tongue thrusting, parrying. They bit and licked at each other, bodies straining, breaths sawing in and out…

Then Carey ripped his mouth free. “No.”

Struggling to focus, Jase staggered a bit when Carey pushed him away. For the space of several heartbeats they stared at each other, chests heaving, Carey’s body tense, coiled, as if ready to flee.

Seeing it, Jase forced himself to blow out a long, slow breath, and crammed his hands in his pockets as he deliberately took another step back, giving him some room.

“I’m sorry,” Carey whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what?” With an effort, Jase kept his voice low, calm. “I was a more than willing participant.” He waited until Carey met his eyes. “You think I don’t want this? Want you?”

Carey shook his head wildly. “I can’t risk it. I can’t.”

“Oh, Carey. Risk what?”

His throat worked. “Losing you.”

“Losing me?” Jase took a step forward, but Carey put up a hand to hold him back.

“Three years ago, I did almost lose you. Over this.” He made a sawing motion between them.

“That was different.” Jase still kept his voice low, despite the emotion raging through him that made him want to shout at the top of his lungs. “This is—”

“It’s what?” Carey interrupted. “Unfinished business? Curiosity?”

Pain stabbed Jase down low. “Is that what it feels like to you? Curiosity?”

“I don’t know!” Carey shoved his hands through his hair, then linked his fingers behind his neck, visibly striving for calm. He met Jase’s eyes again. “But whatever it is, it’s not worth risking our friendship over. I can’t—”

He sounded so distressed that Jase dredged deep and summoned a smile. “Then we won’t risk it. We’ll forget this ever happened, okay? Chalk it up to temporary insanity or something.”

The relief that spread across Carey’s face made his heart ache. “Yeah. Okay.” Pushing off the wall, he brushed past him, muttering, “See you at home.”

Melanie Hansen will almost always make you cry. Count on it. Point of Contact? Sobbed through the whole thing. This one wasn’t nearly as bad, but I still cried.

Carey and Jase are Army buddies and best friends. Jase, the medic of their platoon who took care of everyone, helped Carey after a catastrophic injury. Now they are separated by miles- Carey in Colorado working with other vets, and Jase in Los Angeles, working as a medic but also trying to get his band noticed and signed.

Jase has a giant crush on Carey, but Carey is straight. He thinks. Except for that one time. Which when I read about that I was like, huh. You didn’t run with that? But anyway.

Carey drives to LA to visit with Jase. All of the guys in the band know Carey, so this isn’t the first time he has gone out for a visit. This time is different though. Carey is seeing Jase in a different light.

Carey and Jase dance around each other, but Jase is hiding more than his crush. He has some serious PTSD but is so used to being the one who takes care of everyone else, he hides his own problems. But since Carey works with vets, he knows what is going on and tries to get Jase to open up.

Big surprise- they do get together, but then it is dicey and no one is talking and ugh. Why are boys like that? To keep us turning the pages- that is why!

There’s a subplot with the band which is kind of cool, but at the same time it seems really secondary. More like it is for fun than for making it big.

The conflict and resolution were really done well and brought the book to a good close.

So if you like wounded heroes- physically and mentally- and need a good cry, pick this one up.

4 pieces of eye candy

Melanie Hansen doesn’t get nearly enough sleep. She loves all things coffee-related, including collecting mugs from every place she’s visited. After spending eighteen years as a military spouse, Melanie definitely considers herself a moving expert. She has lived and worked all over the country, and hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to the love stories she gets up in the wee hours to write. On her off time, you can find Melanie watching baseball, reading or spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.

http://melaniehansenbooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009084006829

http://twitter.com/meljoyaz

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13505006.Melanie_Hansen

meljhansen@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/meljoyaz/

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The Sorcerer’s Guardian (Chronicles of Tournai Book 4) by Antonia Aquilante: RDB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

September 14, 2020 by Denise

Savarin honed his Talent through years of study, and to achieve his goal of becoming the most powerful and accomplished sorcerer in Tournai, he made magic his life. Among the wealthy and noble circles he moves in, no one would suspect the handsome, refined, arrogant sorcerer’s humble beginnings—which is how Savarin prefers it. He wants to be seen only as the man he’s made himself. When Tournai’s princes task Savarin with studying and strengthening the spells that protect the principality from magical attack, he is more than happy to do so. The spells are complex, centuries old, and exactly the type of puzzle Savarin is eager to solve. But to his annoyance, the princes insist Loriot accompany him on his journey.

Second son of a minor noble family, Loriot worked his way up the ranks of the royal guard to captain with single-minded determination and takes pride in his service to the crown. He must obey the prince’s orders to protect Savarin, despite believing his skills would be best used elsewhere and his wariness of magic. UnTalented himself, Loriot has learned not only the benefits of magic but also its potential for harm—and how to counter it. He still believes it’s best to avoid most magic entirely, which is difficult when he’s tasked with playing guard to a powerful sorcerer.

Loriot and Savarin clash repeatedly during their journey, but the simmering tension between them doesn’t only stem from their work, and passion develops into feelings neither expected. But Savarin must still secure Tournai’s magical barrier, and his only solution will endanger both him and the royal family.

Title: The Sorcerer’s Guardian

Series: Chronicles of Tournai, Book Four

Author: Antonia Aquilante

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: September 14, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 111400

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fantasy, romance, family-drama, gay, cisgender, magic, cat shifters, magician, captain of the guards, storm, antagonists to lovers, court intrigue

Goodreads

Amazon

Nine Star Press

As afternoon waned into evening, Loriot approached his house on Dove Lane. Weariness dragged at him with each step. He hadn’t slept more than a few minutes in the last few days, and now that the crisis had passed, he felt the fatigue down to his bones. But the lack of sleep was worth it for the good outcome of the situation.

He trudged up the few steps to his front door, its rich blue color recently freshened, and let himself in. The key turned smoothly in the lock, and the magical protections on the house recognized him as belonging, allowing him inside. He shivered, even though he didn’t feel anything as he crossed the threshold; perhaps someone with a Talent would, but he had neither Talent nor any sensitivity to magic.

Inside, the house was quiet. The formal parlor was empty, which was unsurprising as they rarely used it—only when Joceline and Oriana chose to entertain. He wanted more than anything to go up to his bedchamber and collapse into his bed for the next few days, but he couldn’t. Couldn’t even collapse for a few hours without checking on his family. But he knew where at least one of them was likely to be at this time of day

The sitting room at the back of the house was quiet, too, so quiet he could hear the scratch of his sister’s pen on paper as he stepped into the doorway. Joceline sat at her writing desk, papers spread around her, pen flying across the page. Despite the silence, she didn’t notice him. A good writing day, then. He hated to disturb her, but she’d want to know he was home.

“Story going well?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet so he wouldn’t startle her. He’d learned it was better to have to repeat himself than to scare her when she was absorbed in a world of her own creation.

But he didn’t have to repeat himself today. She glanced up immediately, her gaze hazy and then sharpening. “There you are! I was wondering if you were ever coming home.”

He hadn’t been gone so long—only a couple of days—but he did try not to let a day go by without returning for at least a little while. He stepped farther into the room and sank down into a comfortable chair. “It was unavoidable. You got my notes?”

“Of course. You know I was just teasing.” Joceline narrowed her eyes and studied him with an intensity he could almost feel. “Is everything all right? You look exhausted, and I heard yesterday the guard was searching everyone leaving the city.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. Sitting had been a mistake. His eyelids wanted to droop; his body wanted to melt into the cushions. “There was a kidnapping.”

“Not Prince Julien?”

“No, no. And it’s fine now,” he reassured her, trying to keep her from coming out of her chair in her alarm at a threat to the heir to Tournai’s throne. “It wasn’t a member of the royal family at all.”

“But you were involved?”

As captain of the royal guard, Loriot normally wouldn’t be directly involved in such a situation. “The baby taken was the daughter of Prince Amory’s friend, Master Tristan. The merchant. Though if what I saw means anything, he’ll likely be a member of the royal family soon.”

“Really?” Joceline leaned forward, her interest of a different kind now. “There’s going to be a marriage? To whom? The princess?”

He shook his head. He didn’t need to tell her what he said should go no further. He didn’t ever tell her anything truly secret, but Loriot didn’t see the harm in a little meaningless court gossip now and then, especially since she wouldn’t spread it. “No. Lord Etan.”

She sat back with a huff. “Well, they really are bucking tradition, aren’t they?”

He let out a short laugh. But what she said wasn’t untrue. Both Tournai’s prince and his cousin, a royal duke, had married men in the last couple of years, and now it seemed Lord Etan, another cousin of Prince Philip’s, would do the same. Loriot couldn’t think of a time when such a thing had happened, as the royal family and nobility tended to marry those who could provide bloodline heirs for their titles—and some families were even more conservative, only marrying women.

“Good for them,” Joceline said. “I hope they’re happy.”

“Now that Tristan’s daughter is back with them, I believe they are.”

Concern flooded back into her pretty face. “You found her? And the person who took her?”

“Yes, with Master Savarin’s help.” He’d gotten over any resentment he might have had that he needed the help of magic long before today and was happy to use any tool he had access to. Savarin, the most powerful sorcerer in Tournai, was not someone whose help should be turned away, and Savarin never withheld it, serving Tournai whenever he was called upon.

“The sorcerer? How did he help?” Joceline sat forward, a gleam in her eyes he recognized well. She wasn’t simply curious; she wanted to know because she might use the information in a story.

“Joceline.”

“What?”

He sighed and shook his head. “He used his magic to try to track the kidnappers and then to try to find the baby directly. He pointed us in the right direction, let us know where to search for them.” Loriot didn’t bother mentioning the help they’d received from someone else, a scholar at the university. If he read Savarin right, Savarin would be finding Master Corentin at the university soon and asking him about the magic he used, because it also sounded as if Savarin hadn’t heard of anything like it.

“Interesting.”

“Let me guess, your new story has a sorcerer character.” He arched an eyebrow at her, his mildly disapproving tone mostly put on. Which she would know, as she was aware how proud he was of her accomplishments.

“I have an idea that would call for one. What’s Master Savarin like?”

“I don’t know him very well.” He tried to think of anything he knew about Savarin beyond the surface. “He’s powerful and arrogant with it.”

She shrugged. “I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. Aren’t all powerful sorcerers arrogant about their power?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know any others.” He resolutely pushed his newly acquired knowledge of the royal family’s secret Talent from his mind. He didn’t need Joceline seeing a hint in his expression and trying to badger the information out of him. He would never tell, but life would be easier if he didn’t have to fight Joceline about it.

“All the ones I’ve read about in stories are. Especially the evil ones.”

“Tell me you’re not going to base a character on Master Savarin and make him evil.” Making the most powerful sorcerer in the country an evil character in a book sounded like a horrible idea.

Another shrug. “Powerful sorcerers always seem to be evil characters. Or self-sacrificing ones who save the day.”

Loriot shook his head and heaved himself to his feet. If he didn’t move, he’d end up sleeping right there. “Alain is upstairs?”

“Yes. But wait,” she called after him as he walked toward the door. “You must know something else about Master Savarin.”

“I really don’t.” He didn’t turn.

“Is he handsome?”

Savarin’s image filled his mind—his height and broad shoulders, perfectly carved features, blond hair he thought would be soft under his hands. His stride hitched, but he shook the image away and ignored Joceline calling after him. Perhaps she would forget the idea entirely if he didn’t encourage her.

He doubted it, but he could hope. The idea of Savarin as a character in a book on the shelf of a bookshop made him cringe.

Trudging up the stairs took the last of his energy, but he forced himself to bypass his own bedchamber. He couldn’t go to bed without seeing Alain. Not after so long away, not even if it hadn’t been very long. The door to the room at the back of the house was partially open. He peeked in as he pushed it open the rest of the way. The room was tidy, except for a veritable city built of blocks in the middle of the rug. The nursemaid noticed him first, but Alain wasn’t far behind. He looked up, his bright-green eyes—twins of Loriot’s own—lighting up, and something inside Loriot melted, just as it always did under those eyes.

“Papa!”

With ease of long practice, he caught the five-year-old bundle of energy that came flying at him and swung his son up into his arms. He cuddled him close for as long as Alain would allow. As tired as he was, he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. “There’s my boy. I missed you. Show me what you’ve been doing.”

I want to start off by saying I have read and loved this entire series so far. It would be impossible to read book seven without reading the other six, or at the very least the first couple.

This fantasy world is centered around its magical royal family. I’m not going to reveal the “talent” except it’s a novel twist on the expected genre, and in my opinion not explored enough.

Getting to this book, and while saying I loved the series I think this was my least favorite and maybe because it centers on two secondary characters I feel never really come into their own. The court wizard/sorcerer and the Captain of the Guards. I think based on the other books this didn’t have enough external plot to keep the story moving, and I know I shouldn’t review one based on the others, but I can’t.

The love story – sort of enemies to lovers and kind of forced proximity was a little weak.

But I will definitely pick up the next in the series when it publishes.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Antonia Aquilante has been making up stories for as long as she can remember, and at the age of twelve, decided she would be a writer when she grew up. After many years and a few career detours, she has returned to that original plan. Her stories have changed over the years, but one thing has remained consistent—they all end in happily ever after.

She has a fondness for travel (and a long list of places she wants to visit and revisit), taking photos, family history, fabulous shoes, baking treats (which she shares with friends and family), and of course, reading. She usually has at least two books started at once and never goes anywhere without her Kindle. Though she is a convert to e-books, she still loves paper books the best, and there are a couple thousand of them residing in her home with her.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Antonia is living there again after years in Washington, DC and North Carolina for school and work. She enjoys being back in the Garden State but admits to being tempted every so often to run away from home and live in Italy.

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