My First Christmas Book Review of 2020

 

Gifts for the Season: Winter & Christmas MM Charity Anthology by Various Authors 4*

BLURB: A charity anthology from your favorite MM romance authors

RJ Scott - Single Dad Christmas
It would be a Christmas miracle if he loved me back.

Annabeth Albert - Must Be Santa
Tis the season for Operation Christmas Papa!

Joanna Chambers - The First Snow of Winter
Christmas Eve, 1814: a maimed war hero and the childhood friend he almost kissed five years earlier are trapped together by the first snow of winter

Eli Easton - Twelve Days of UPS
What happens when your Secret Santa is less intriguing than the delivery man who brings the gifts?

Suki Fleet - Sometimes, Always
When Echo’s Christmas Eve surprise for Peri goes a little sideways, it turns into a night they’ll both remember for the best reasons, for always.

Lane Hayes - Out For The Holidays
Good Things Happen When You’re Out for the Holidays!

Annabelle Jacobs - Driving Home For Christmas
A road trip, snowstorm, and only one big bed at the Inn…

Alex Jane - Homestead for the Holidays
Alone in a cabin in snowy Nebraska for Christmas

Amber Kell - A Santa for Trin
Everyone needs a bit of Christmas magic.

Garrett Leigh - No Place Like Home
As long as they’re together, love always wins

V.L. Locey - Dressed In Holiday Style
Can the spirit of Christmas save this budding love affair?

Clare London - Five Gold Blings
Where Christmas sparkle leads two lonely hearts

Posy Roberts - Sojourn with You
This year, a place to stay is the best Christmas gift Sawyer could ask for.

Felice Stevens - The Gift of Forever
What do you get the man who has everything?

AE Via - An Unworthy Gift 

My Review: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review I love holiday anthologies as they are great to get you into a Christmassy frame of mind, but also because the stories can be read in between other books like little gifts of cheer to the reader. I enjoyed most of the stories in this anthology but some of them were not to my taste, or were of the kind where reading the authors previous stories in that world was necessary, hence only giving it a 4* rating. If you are like me and enjoy anthologies with a lot of romance and holiday cheer then give this a try, I'm sure there will be at least one story to your liking.

End Street Detective Agency - Now Available In Kindle Unlimited

Volume 1 - The Case Of The Cupid Curse / The Case Of The Wicked Wolf

Amazon US | Amazon UK - FREE October 27 - October 31

Volume 2 - The Case Of The Dragons Dilema / The Case Of The Sinful Santa

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Volume 3 - The Case Of The Purple Pearl / The Case Of The Guilty Ghost

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Sam Enderson is a human detective who inherits a building from where his Uncle used to run a detective agency. He finds himself working for paranormal creatures despite his resolve to stick with humans only. To supplement his income as a new PI Sam rents out rooms in the large house.

Bob is a vampire and turns up on Sam’s doorstep to rent a room. Sparks fly and Sam is attracted to the vampire despite himself.

Six cases, and a box full of secrets, with dragons, vampires, witches, ghosts, werewolves, demons, angels, santas, and a talking gargoyle… to name but a few.

RJ’s goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

RJ is the author of the over one hundred novels and discovered romance in books at a very young age. She realized that if there wasn’t romance on the page, she could create it in her head, and is a lifelong writer.

She lives and works out of her home in the beautiful English countryside, spends her spare time reading, watching films, and enjoying time with her family.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit and has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the following links below:

Email RJ (rj@rjscott.co.uk)

Goodreads Page | RJ’s Blog | RJ on Twitter

Facebook | Library Thing Page | Tumblr |Pinterest

Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.

When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life, he told her to go have fun.

During those seconds she isn't writing, she remembers she has children who humor her with games of 'what if' and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.

Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius, she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.

She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres.

Website: http://www.amberkell.com

E-mail: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

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Release week Review Mate Call by Amber Kell

 Mate Call (Dragon Men #5) by Amber Kell 4*

BLURB: King Zeir had it all, a prosperous kingdom, a fated mate and the love of his people. But when his mate dies he goes half mad with grief and transforms into his dragon form. Unable to get past his sorrow, he pines for the love he never fully knew. 

Colton Lanx has known nothing but travel. His parents flew from planet to planet, never settling down. Becoming a navigator was an easy choice to make until an error by his captain forced him down to the planet Dragait.
Two men joined by destiny have to overcome their past if they wish to build a future together. 

My Review: I was given a copy of this book from Signal Boost Promotion in exchange for an honest review. So my opinion on the book? It was over way to quickly and it had a few things I wasn't that happy about but as an addition to the Dragon Men series it was perfect. The main point I objected to was the way the past was so quickly forgiven by Colton (not saying any more than that - so read the book if you are curious ;)). The other thing was, I would have loved a lot more about the Exploration Guild. Maybe Amber will include the Guild in her next Dragon Man book? *Hint, Hint Amber*. Oh, and to my readers - the book came out 3 days ago so go buy it now.

Book Blitz for Amber Kell's Mate Call (Dragon Men Series #5)

Author: Amber Kell

Release Date: August 3 2016

Buy Links

Amazon All Romance Smashwords

Series:

Mate Dance

Mate Healer

Mate Hunt

Mate Test

Blurb

King Zeir had it all, a prosperous kingdom, a fated mate and the love of his people. But when his mate dies he goes half mad with grief and transforms into his dragon form. Unable to get past his sorrow, he pines for the love he never fully knew.

Colton Lanx has known nothing but travel. His parents flew from planet to planet, never settling down. Becoming a navigator was an easy choice to make until an error by his captain forced him down to the planet Dragait.

Two men joined by destiny have to overcome their past if they wish to build a future together.

Author Bio

Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.

When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life, he told her to go have fun.

During those seconds she isn't writing, she remembers she has children who humor her with games of "what if" and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.

Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius, she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.

She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres.

Website: http://www.amberkell.com

E-mail: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

Giveaway

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway for End Street Series Book 6 by Amber Kell & RJ Scott.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Authors: Amber Kell & RJ Scott

Cover Art: Meredith Russell

Release Date: September 23 2016

Series: End Street Vol 1 - The Case of the Cupid Curse #1, The Case of The Wicked Wolf #2

Buy Links

End Street Vol 2 - The Case of the Dragon's Dilemma #3, The Case of the Sinful Santa #4

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The Case of the Purple Pearl #5

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Blurb

Bob is lost in grief, Sam is fighting for his family, and there is no middle ground. Can their love survive?

Bob is grieving over his brother’s sacrifice. Guilt ridden and devastated, he buries himself in vampire mourning and pulls away from Sam. When Bob’s family demands Sam faces the consequences for his part in Ettore’s death, Sam is left to deal with them alone.

Ettore is in the Aset Ka waiting room, next in line for the ceremony where his soul will be torn from his body. But a shocking discovery makes him second guess his entire existence and the choices he has made.

A forgotten past binds Theodore ‘Teddy’ McCurray Constantine III to Ettore and when the curse tied to Ettore is broken by his death, Teddy’s past returns to him with a vengeance.

A royal family in denial, a demonic curse, and long forgotten love, leaves no time for Sam to take a breath. Is it too late to save the vampire kingdom?

Author Bios

Amber Kell:

Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.

When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life, he told her to go have fun.

During those seconds she isn't writing, she remembers she has children who humor her with games of "what if" and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.

Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius, she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.

She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres.

Website: http://www.amberkell.com

E-mail: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

RJ Scott:

RJ Scott is the bestselling gay romance author of over ninety MM romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing. 

RJ also writes MF romance under the name Rozenn Scott.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk

www.rjscott.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/author.rjscott?ref=ts&fref=ts

www.goodreads.com/author/show/3432558.R_J_Scott

twitter.com/Rjscott_author

www.librarything.com/author/scottrj

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Decisions, decisions.

Yesterday I had the choice of three of my favourite m/m authors newest books. They were Amber Kell's Needing Noel, Tara Lain's Knave of Broken Hearts and Charlie Cochet's Against the Grain. I am reviewing the first two here and will read and review the third book soon.


Needing Noel (Moon Pack #14) by Amber Kell 3*
BLURB: Noel Thistleborn had thought his life had ended when he lost his mate and daughter. Left with nothing but a broken heart he accepted the job as the king’s assistant to give his life new meaning. When King Kylen insisted Noel attend the dragon shifter ball he had no idea his life was about to change.
Hartmut was tired of watching his best friend cuddle with his two mates. He wasn’t greedy he’d take a single partner. In fact his greatest worry was having to deal with a fae double mating.
When the pair meets Noel doesn’t exactly greet the dragon shifter with open arms. Still traumatized by his loss, Noel is hesitant to put his heart out there again. However Hart wins him over and the pair agrees to dinner.
An old enemy comes forward and Noel will need the strength of his dragon mate to help him through.
My Review: Not a lot to say about this one after all it is number 14 in the series and that it was short and sweet and a great bedtime read.



Knave of Broken Hearts (Love in Laguna #2) by Tara Lain 5*
BLURB: Jim Carney has a full time job—running from himself. Since he walked out on his wealthy family at sixteen because he’d wrecked his best friend’s life over some yaoi graphic novels, Jim has lived a macho, blue-collar existence of too much booze and too little responsibility. Then Billy Ballew, the man Jim most admires, gives Jim a chance to come through as his construction supervisor. For once, Jim is determined to make someone proud. Then Jim goes in for a physical for his new job and his yaoi dream comes to life in the form of cardiologist Ken Tanaka. Jim discovers he has two heart problems—a wonky mitral valve and a serious attraction to his doctor. But Ken is a major player, and Jim might be just a notch on the doc’s stethoscope. To Ken, Jim is unforgettable—but the living embodiment of his traditional family’s worst nightmares.
How come the minute Jim decides to be responsible, he finds himself taking care of his kid brother, getting a proposal from a wealthy woman, making a deal with the devil, and winding up in the hospital—when all he really wants is the Knave of Broken Hearts?
My Review: This book was everything I have come to expect from a Tara Lain story. It has great characters (and we get to see old favourites from book one) and a well constructed story line that keeps the reader entranced. At least it kept me so entranced I read half the book before falling asleep when I had intended to read just a chapter or two. I highly recommend this to all Tara Lain fans and to anyone who likes a story to be full of emotion and strong characters.

Amber Kell books make perfect bedtime reading.

My Man Declan by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Phoenix Moorhaven liked things just so. He likes his house running in perfect order, his coffee with a bit of blood and his manservant untouched by anyone—ever. When Declan decides to start dating Moor scrambles to intercede. After all messing with Declan could upset the pristine organization of his household.
Declan has pined for Moor long enough. Determined to have a life of his own Declan accepts a meeting with a blind date. However vampire masters and dating don’t mix and at the end of the night he’ll see a side of Moorhaven he never expected.

My Review: OCD Butler and Possessive Vampire! What isn't there to like about that? Add in a greedy, sleazy Werewolf Alpha and a bunch of obnoxious Wood Elves and you find yourself reading an Amber Kell book. I love her books for last minute reading at night. They are long enough to be interesting but short enough not to keep me reading until 3 or 4 in the morning. This book was no exception from that rule.

Going to be absent from online

for the next three days at least. Off to London for a book signing and some sight seeing. Then it's off to Chelmsford for a visit with my middles son.

Meanwhile September is turning into the month of rereads as I reread all of Amber Kell's Dragonmen books as well as the following Love's Landscape stories:

Charon's Dilemma by Eloreen Moon 4*

This Too by Isla James 4*

Wrecking Ball by Elin Austen 3*

Cenotaph by Gabbo De La Parra 3*

A Heart of Klondike Gold by E. Davies 4*

The Other Side by MA Jackson 4*

A Cup of Tea and a Few Broken Rules by C.C. Jaz

Oh, I also finished my hand-stitched voile skirt whilst listening to

Audiobook: Orphanage: Jason Wander, Book 1 by Robert Buettner Narrated by: Adam Epstein Narration: 5 Story: 4*

End of month catch up

Been catching up on Christmas gift making (not saying what as I don't want to spoil the surprise for family members ;)) and I've also got a small pile of baby stuff for PreemiesUK that I need to find a box for so that I can post it off.

I've read a few short stories that I have rated but not reviewed, plus rereading Omorphi put me in the mood to reread another book and I picked up Wolverine's Daughter by Doranna Durgin (which was also just as good the second time around.)

Short stories:

Faerly Furry (Club Soulfinder, #2) Amber Kell 4*

The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds by Charley Descoteaux 4*

Human Rights by S.L. Armstrong

plus I listened to this and might I suggest you listen to this in private (with plenty of tissues handy) or get used to the strange looks you get when you burst out laughing or crying whilst on the emotional roller-coaster that is T.J.'s writings.

Audiobook: Who We Are by T. J. Klune Narrated by: Charlie David Narration 5* Story 5*

Reading series books and rereading Omorphi

Forbidden (Planet Alpha #5)by J.J. Lore 4*
BLURB: Working to heal wounded Alphan warriors is the new duty of bondmates Leo and Deklan. Although recovered from severe injuries received on the field of battle, they are no longer fit to fight. Their orderly, all-male existence is turned upside down when an injured human female becomes their new responsibility.
Aura Tremain wakes up in an alien hospital, healing from a beating delivered by the scaly Xyrans who’d kidnapped her. Upon her discharge, two handsome Alphan men offer her refuge until she’s well enough to travel.
Even though Leo and Deklan know they will never be permitted to bond with Aura as their souls demand, they can’t ignore the desire she stirs in them. Her time with them is short, but so intense. Will the intimacies they share be strong enough to withstand the expectation that bondmates are for battle-worthy warriors? Can their passion bind the three of them forever?
My Review This was (currently) the last one of the Planet Alpha series for me to read. As in all the other ones the story was interesting and erotic. In this case though it had a pair of Alphan's who were not the apex of warrior fitness and health but were still very, very hot and sexy. I loved the bad-ass attitude of Aura and thought she coped well with everything that happened to her. I especially liked the ending and the way it was so different from the previous ones I'd read.




Elijah's Ghost (A Wizard's Touch #4) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: It only takes one event to change the world.
Elijah Trenton had always been considered a weak wizard. With little magic and an overpowering father he’d expected to spend his life teaching. When an accident reveals his ability to talk to the dead, new possibilities open up.
Devin Stewartson had been eyeing Elijah for months. The shy redhead drew his eye from that first day, and only the thought of a relationship had him shying away. When Elijah saves Devin’s life, Devin decides some things are worth a chance.
Old enemies and new adversaries try to tear the two men apart, but love can withstand most anything and even death can’t part two men fated to be together.
My Review: I enjoyed reading another one in 'A Wizard's Touch' series but this one had a few twists and turns I hadn't expected. I don't want to say too much in case I give them away but I will add that I loved Reaper and hope to see him mentioned in future books. He might even replace Gideon as my favourite character in the series now.

The reread of Omorphi is just as emotional as the first read - why do I do this to myself? Oh yeah, I enjoy a good in depth heart breaker once in a while, especially if it has a happy ending :D

Bank Holiday reading

I've read a few books but haven't felt like giving them full reviews., mainly 'cos I've been enjoying doing other things over the bank holiday weekend. Like going to the cinema for the first time in 27 years!!

So anyway the books I read are:

Faerly Enchanted by Amber Kell 4*

Jude's Magic by Hollis Shiloh 4*

and a bunch of Love's Landscape stories:

It's You, Then Breathing by Vicktor Alexander 3*

Going Home by Kris Ripper 4*

Time Trials by Jay D. Clark 4*

Bird Meets Cage by Anyta Sunday 3*

The Fourth Act by L.E. Franks 2*

Reviewing books again

Broken (Planet Alpha #2) by Erin M. Leaf 4*
BLURB: When Sky finds a critically injured Xyran warrior, she can’t just let him die. She drags the unconscious alien home and dresses his wounds. He’s difficult and arrogant, but she’s more than enough woman to deal with him until he’s gone. So what if he intrigues her? The last thing she can afford to do is fall for an alien.
Jaxt knows the betrayers who left him for dead on Earth will not live long: his bond-kin, Zoen, will paint the warship’s walls with their blood. All he must do now is wait for Zoen to come. Unfortunately, the human woman who found him rouses his deepest instincts… Instincts he’d forgotten he had.
When Zoen finds Jaxt on Earth, he’s not sure he approves of the female who cared for his kin. However, when Sky kills a Xyran about to attack, he understands Jaxt’s insistence that she is their mate. Any female who shows such courage is worthy of his blood, and maybe even his heart.

My Review: I have only just found this series and am enjoying it immensely. The Aliens are really interesting and the heroine in this one was strong and feisty just he way I like them.

A Gamma's Choice (Under Wolves #1) by Amber Kell
BLURB: Sometimes werewolves are the good guys.
Kaden has always dreamt of cooking. His family scoffs at his wish to help out the war effort and think he's wasting himself joining a pack.
Gage is the Alpha of his pack and loves his mate Russ with everything he has. But, although the beta wolf loves him back, Gage isn't Russ’ mate. In a quirk of nature, their bond is one-sided and while Gage holds as tightly as he can, he can feel his lover slipping away.
Russ loves his Alpha, but a piece of him always longs for what could be. He doesn't want to hurt his lover-but how much better would life be if he could have a mate of his own?
Three men with different goals discover the difference between love and mating and how sometimes what you want may not necessarily what you need.

My Review: This was a typical mind candy story by Amber Kell and I liked it. It certainly made for an interesting concept of Good Werewolves and Evil vampires. As a background to this triad's love story it was well written and a good set up for a new series by Amber Kell.

I have also read a few more LL stories and crocheted this (trying to decide if I should add a spider to it, which is weird given I am an arachnophobe!!)

LL stories were:
Silver Embers by Becca Finn 5*
Checking Him Out by Debbie McGowan 2*

Loving Leif and listening

Loving Leif (Moon Pack #12)by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Leif is used to being alone but he guards his few friends with a vigilant eye. After hearing the mutants were planning to attack the Moon Pack he decides to ask Anthony for help in hunting down Lorus Korl, the psychotic scientist who created the mutants. When Blake, an ex-mutant agrees to accompany Leif to the Fae World. He isn’t sure what to make of the wolf shifter who claims they are soul mates and fated to be together.
Blake had been hoping to run into Leif now that he’d been reverted to his previous form. Upon learning Leif planned to wander into the Fae World alone he agrees to go along. After a sexy night of fun he knows Leif is his mate.
Rhaegar has waited year after lonely year for his mate. When two delicious shifters enter his world he knows he needs to convince them to stay. Unfortunately fate is fickle and Rhaegar might just lose his men before he’s had a chance make them his.

My Review: Started and finished this last night. A short story that adds a fair amount to the over all Moon Pack story arc but far too short for my likings. I enjoyed reading about Rhaegar, Blake and Leif and the little snippets of previous characters that came up, but would have loved to have more about both the story arc and the romance, but there again I am a greedy reader and am always wanting more!

Updating books read and listened to.

I finished listening to another Honor Harrington book then took a break and listened to a rather nIce snake shifter story by Megan Derr. I also managed to get my large Granny Square blanket finished too :D I'm now attempting to teach myself Tunisian Crochet, which is turning out to be more fun than I expected.

Audiobook: Flag In Exile: Honor Harrington, Book 5 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: Backwoods Asylum by Megan Derr Narrated by Paul Morey Narration 5 Story 5

In between the crochet and audio books I took time out to read the missing book from the Hidden Magic series and a story with dragons.


Modeling Death (Hidden Magic #2) by Amber Kell 3*
BLURB: Jacob Richmond was used to men hitting on him, but little does he realize Guy Franks has waited hundreds of years to find his mate and nothing was going to dissuade him from a relationship, even the man himself. When someone starts killing models, Guy knows its time to claim the man fated to be his.

My Review: I can't say I loved it but I didn't hate it either but, oh boy, did it end weirdly. It seemed a little abrupt and unfinished but at least it filled in the gap I had in the series. Not sure if I'll bother reading anymore of it, I suppose it will depend on funds and if the blurb sounds interesting enough for me to spend them on it.



Dragon Slayer (The Empty Crown #1) by Isabella Carter 4*
BLURB: Ingram is a coward and weakling—at least according to his father, the king, and the royal court. He cannot use a sword, he faints at the sight of blood, and even his brilliant abilities as a strategist are not enough to overcome his failings. When his father loses a bet to the notorious Lord Mallory over the matter of a dragon slaying, he pays his debt by ordering Ingram to marry him.
Then his father reveals that he is putting Ingram to a greater purpose, giving Ingram one last chance to prove he is not worthless. All it requires is betraying his new husband.

My Review: I love dragons, I love magical fantasy and I love great characters. Luckily for me this book delivered all of them to me all wrapped up in a tale of intrigue and betrayals that was full of romantic love and a promise of more to come in the next book.

Disappointed by an Amber Kell book!

Never thought I'd actually say that!


The Wizard & The Werewolf (Mixed Mates #1) by Amber Kell 2*
BLURB: When his sister's mate, Cyrus, asks Peter to harbor his brother, Peter isn't expecting a bad boy wizard to show up at his door. He's also unprepared for Justin to be the mate Peter has searched for his entire life. Wizards and werewolves don't get along. Justin needs a place to crash where no one will look. With a psychotic wizard on his trail and a powerful artifact in his possession, the best hiding spot is the least likely. Who'll come searching in the middle of a wolf pack? Now all Justin has to do is resist a sexy wolf and he may escape with his heart intact.

My Review: So, like the title of this post says, I was disappointed by this one. Usually Amber Kell can pack in a lot of background and her books have an easy reading style that give me my book candy with (I thought) guaranteed satisfaction. However this one seemed to be choppy with a poor plotline,it also had fairly routine characters and it ended too abruptly. Given the style of her previous books that I have read I can only imagine that this is either a reprint of a VERY early book or she is getting complacent about her writing and just churning out stuff by rote. I am undecided now as to the buying of any follow up books in this series.

Reading books out of order

I made the mistake of reading a book out of order but didn't even notice that it was. The author has made each of the books stand alone within the larger framework of the series. Which book I can hear you all asking - this one actually:

Magically His (Hidden Magic #3) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Kellum didn’t know escaping from his father would send him into the arms of the love of his life.
Drake Lender had always been alone. When he spontaneously decides to bring in an untrained wizard, he’s unprepared for the danger to his heart. After centuries alone Drake has discovered his mate in a young man floating above his bed. Unable to control his powers, Kellum soon shows his ability is not only magical but he excels at stealing Drake’s heart.
Kellum Richards woke up to find his ceiling inches from his face. However, the man who came to rescue him wasn’t anything like his idea of a powerful wizard. Afraid of bringing anyone to his powerful father’s attention, Kellum tries unsuccessfully to keep Drake at arm’s length. But love will not be denied and he soon succumbs to Drake’s sexy persuasion.
Will family problems and dangerous magic prevent the pair from making a proper bond, or will Drake persuade Kellum to be magically his?

My Review: Having now read books 1 + 3 I can honestly say this seems like a fun and easy to read series with Amber Kell's usual touch of packing a lot of background into very few pages. Guess it's time for me to get hold of, and read, book 2 to make sure I am up to date with the main story arc, besides the blurb for that one sounds good too.

Waiting, rereading and keeping busy!

I've been waiting on a wool delivery so that I can continue with my blanket so there has been a fair amount of rereading of old favourites going on.

Then I decided to start crocheting a gift for my daughter (birthday not until December but when needs must!). This led to me listening to the next two audio books in the Honor Harrington series:

Audiobook: A Short Victorious War: Honor Harrington, Book 3 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook:Field Of Dishonor: Honor Harrington, Book 4 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

I also read a few new books whilst not crocheting:


Farren's Wizard (A Wizard's Touch #3) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: When the world is on the line, will love be enough to save them all?
Farren Azar came to college to get his degree. However, he knew he couldn’t let anyone know about his djinn blood. The djinn had been exiled to a different plane, and if his heritage was discovered, he could be banished too. When a djinn and a fire god become involved in his life, he has to figure how to handle two powerful entities without losing himself.
Dan Stewartson knew Farren was the one. A glance between them had him hooked. When strange fires begin popping up around campus and fingers are pointed at Farren, Dan refuses to believe his lover could be responsible. Will he be able to save Farren’s reputation, or will secrets come between them and wreck their budding romance?

My Review: It was a nice addition to the series but it ended a little abruptly, not a cliffhanger but with a few loose ends that I would have liked cleared up. Over all though it was a pleasant read.



Bless Us With Content by Tinnean 4*
BLURB: Ashton Laytham came to Fayerweather, his uncle’s estate, as an orphan at the age of seven. Family and servants alike perceived Ashton as an unlovable child and shunned him; as an adult, the occasional illicit rendezvous aside, Ashton remains aloof and alone. When his uncle dies, yet more abuse falls upon Ashton’s shoulders: the estate is bankrupt and Ashton must make good on his uncle’s gaming debts.
With the family talisman stolen and the suspects fled, Ashton faces certain ruin until the arrival of Geo Stephenson, who holds all of Sir Laytham’s IOUs. Geo proposes a solution: Ashton will accommodate him in his bed, thereby paying off the debt. Attracted to Geo in spite of himself and desperate for any human kindness, Ashton agrees… never expecting to lose his heart to a man who claims he will never give his.

My Review: This was a well plotted, intricate story with interesting characters that I enjoyed reading about. I have liked this author's works before and this book certainly didn't change my opinion on her writings, which really give you the essence of the historical settings and the lifestyle that was required by society at that time.

Hope my wool arrives soon - I want to see the blanket on my bed!!

Wallowing in Werewolves

I've just binged on four werewolf stories and they were just what the reading doctor ordered.
First up were two short stories by Calandra Hunter which I won't bother giving a full review to. They were Night with the Werewolf (Gay Paranormal Erotica) by Calandra Hunter and Caged Wolf (Gay Paranormal Erotica) by Calandra Hunter and they were just what I would have expected from the fact that they are billed as gay paranormal erotica. Suffice to say I rate them both at 3*.

Next up was

Trials of Tam (The Larson Legacy #1) by Amber Kell 5*
BLURB: Tam's genius IQ has let him have his way in most everything in life. That all comes to a halt when his family petitions to join a new pack and the Alpha's price of admission is a chance to call Tam his own.
Tam is willing to play by the Alpha's rules, but he won't be pushed. Valko has some strong opinions about who's in charge. And it's not Tam.
Not about to roll over and show his belly for any man, Tam soon learns he might be the smartest person in the pack, but sometimes it's the sneakiest wolf who wins in the end.
My Review: I love stories like this one were the paranormal is out and in the open in the human world. With stories by Amber Kell I know I am also, more than likely, going to want the rest of the series sooner rather than later and yet again this is the case. I adored Tam and really, really want to read more about both his brothers and some of the other members of their new pack.

and finally:

Pretty Poison by Kari Gregg 4*
BLURB: Deadly poison…or exquisite cure?
Noah fell from an eighth story balcony as a toddler, cracking open his skull and shattering his body. The accident would’ve killed a human, but even shifter blood can’t heal some damage. After the pack recommended a mercy killing, Noah’s family ran. But there’s no outrunning the mating pact formed before Noah’s birth.
Wade, the new alpha, chooses an adult Noah to fulfill the pact. Wade believes the previous alpha was a fool to reject Noah as a weak and inferior wolf, but Noah’s family was wrong to hide him and starve his wolf, too. Human doctors with human medicines are poison to shifter physiology. Now that Noah is fully grown, halting his shift to retain the pins, plates, and bars holding him together hurts rather than helps him, and for Wade, more than Noah’s recovery is at stake.
Noah’s family sacrificed everything to keep him alive. Noah will do whatever it takes to save them—including mate with the alpha who is determined to correct past mistakes and defeat old prejudices contaminating the shifter community.
Too bad some still believe Noah is the true poison…and should be culled from the pack for good.a
My Review: This one ticked a lot of my favourite themes - Disabled hero, redhaired hero (not at all normal, that), family loyalty, mating bonds and lots of pretty good sex scenes- so it isn't a surprise that I liked it. That said I think I would have liked it anyway as the author has a clever way with words. I haven't read any of Kari Gregg stuff before but I really hope to read more from her in the future.

Review of Saint's Return by Amber Kell

Saint Returns (The Thresl Chronicles #6) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: After centuries of isolation, Saint has returned to reclaim what is his…
Saint, a Thresl of unimaginable power, has spent centuries trapped beneath rubble. Now free, he is determined to claim both his throne and his mate. Anyone who stands in his way will be annihilated.
Marsley Jacks is unsure if he wants to be the mate of a ruthless Thresl. After spending most of his life protecting the shifters, he's unsure if allowing a power-hungry Thresl take over is the best thing for the species.
Two men with opposing views—will they come together in time to save their people?
My Review: I am now absolutely delighted, annoyed and disappointed! Delighted to have read book 6 of The Thresl Chronicles, annoyed at how rushed it felt and disappointed that I have finished it with what felt like half the story missing.
It felt a little bit rushed with the story of Saint and Mars' relationship and that annoyed me as I felt their story deserved to be richer than it was. Also I am disappointed that the ending seemed rushed and the story ended long before I expected it to. WARNING: Spoiler ahead:
I was most disappointed over the fact that the conflict of who should rule the Thresls was so easily glossed over and seemingly with no hard feelings or troubles - it was way to contrived for my liking.

No reviews just yet

However I did want to give everyone a heads up as Amber Kell just released book six in her Thresl Chronicles and it's about Saint *YAY*
Here's the gorgeous cover (aren't those eyes great?)

and don't forget to look for my review as soon as I've read it.

n.b. I have rated all the short stories I've been reading lately (in between crocheting for Bespokecrochet4U etc.) and they can be found on my Goodreads page.