Recent Reads: L.O.V.E. and The Truth About Everything and The Bound Omega

On the reading blog today, I have two stories that contrast in subgenre (Young Adult and Omegaverse) but they both explore how self-realisation and acceptance lead to love.

Suki Fleet writes a coming-of-age story like no one else! L.O.V.E and The Truth About Everything is a beautiful tale set in the Welsh valleys, about childhood friends Oscar and Jamie, now in their late teens, whose unspoken feelings for each other cause intense soul-searching.

Suki Fleet captures the inarticulacy of youth and the fear of losing something precious by speaking out of turn. This is intensified for Oscar by his homophobic bully of a father and the claustrophobic atmosphere of his small village that makes him want to flee into the unknown. However, both Oscar and Jamie have creative outlets that allow them to express themselves to a certain degree.

L.O.V.E and The Truth About Everything is a deeply emotional, high-stakes story and I felt deeply for both young men and their dilemma. Another exquisite story from Suki Fleet.

I first came across The Bound Omega, a fantastic novelette by K.C. Carmine as part of the Sold Darkverse anthology and I’m delighted that it’s now published as a well-deserved standalone!

This is an intense Omegaverse story, where Alpha and vigilante Elgin inveigles his way into an underground club that deals in Omegas to reach Snake, the trafficker who killed his sister. Then Elgin’s sidetracked by an uncontrolled Omega who needs his immediate help during heat. Consequently, the two men are locked together in a room overnight, after which Elgin can entrap Snake.

As you might guess with an Omegaverse story, this is super steamy, but the level of characterisation makes this such a wonderful read. Although driven and single-minded, Elgin is an atypical Alpha in many ways, considerate, disciplined and compassionate. Oleander, a spectacularly feisty Omega, is his perfect match, both sexually and emotionally.

I loved the way these two banded together after initial mistrust during this wonderfully written and tightly plotted story. And the newly added epilogue to The Bound Omega gives these two their perfect HEA and finishes the story beautifully. A spicy little gem of a story from K.C. Carmine.

Recent Reads: The Lemon Drop Kid and A Clutch of Guilty Wishes

I can never resist romantic suspense stories and this week on the blog, I have two terrific examples reads from Josh Lanyon and JD Sampson.

The Lemon Drop Kid is a relatively short but perfectly formed contemporary murder mystery that hinges on forgiveness.

The impact of incarceration while falsely accused of murder on golden boy and heir to a bakery business Casper really packed a punch, especially as we got a glimpse of the carefree, happy-go-lucky young man he was before disaster struck.

But once released, amongst the ashes of his life is his burning sense of betrayal that his police officer boyfriend Raleigh believed him to be guilty. The whodunnit plot has some very enjoyable twists and turns but it’s the world-building in the apparently cosy town dominated by sweet treats that makes this so vivid.

Josh Lanyon rightly focuses on the conundrum between her two MCs in The Lemon Drop Kid, specifically how they might move forward from an impossible situation. Fabulous storytelling as always from this one-click author.

I loved the detailed setting of 1930s Hollywood in A Clutch of Guilty Wishes by JD Sampson. The glamorous yet cut-throat world is typified by Dash Hailey, son of a movie mogul. And the grinding poverty surrounding the glitz is all too familiar to ex-cop, Eli Winters, Dash’s bodyguard in public and lover in private.

The mystery plot concerning a murdered spiritualist was great fun. But what made this such an absorbing read for me was the wonderfully drawn background and Dash’s and Eli’s devoted relationship, kept strictly private due to the risk of exposure, given the more and laws of the time.

The witty dialogue and fast-paced action reminded me of movies from that era. I’m delighted that A Clutch of Guilty Wishes is the first in a series from JD Sampson as I can’t wait for more from these two wonderful MCs!

Recent Reads: Double Match and Didn’t Know We Needed

This week on Recent Reads, there’s two gorgeously warm-hearted romances, one Omegaverse from Roe Horvat and one contemporary by Mere Rain. Both scenarios take the MCs by surprise but work out for the best in the most romantic way!

I’m thoroughly enjoying the Omegaverse multi-author Perfect Match series, especially Roe Horvat’s stories, so it was lovely to catch up with Gigi, Bentley’s feisty and fun-loving best friend from Faraway Match.

In Double Match, party boy Gigi has grown up a bit, mainly because he finds himself unexpectedly pregnant and wants stability for his unborn son. So when the Perfect Match agency pairs him with an Alpha couple in a stable relationship who want to start a family, Gigi is initially wary and sceptical.

I loved the dynamic between Frederick, Adrien and Gigi, with off-the-charts attraction and ensuing emotional complications. I never doubted the close bond between warm and sensitive Adrien and blunt but loving Frederick and how they slowly managed to break through Gigi’s self-protective shell with their care and consideration. This was super spicy, deeply romantic and beautifully told. Double Match proves to be a satisfying read on all levels.

I don’t normally quote from books on this blog, but this exception proves the rule!

“Javier and Brandy met in economics class, which was ironic because Brandy didn’t understand anything about money, and Javier didn’t have any.”

This fabulous opening line from present-day NYC-set Didn’t Know We Needed is the perfect start to this warm and witty tale by Mere Rain. For a relatively short story, there’s a rich depth of characterisation.

Ex-con and student Javier may come across as a mean streets tough guy, but his kind heart shines through from the start when preppy rich boy Brandy, totally out of his depth and slumming it at CUNY for a year in disgrace, trails after him like a lost puppy.

There’s lots of fun to be had with the themes of class differences, opposites attract, and fake dating. But despite their superficial differences, these two are a great combo. Javier sees the desperate insecurity and lack of self-esteem behind Brandy’s brittle facade, and by giving Javier someone to care for and protect, Brandy soothes Javier’s impulsive outbursts of anger.

A vivid supporting cast of Javier’s terrific friends and Brandy’s appalling family is the perfect complement to a touching central romance that promises to last the course. A really gorgeous read.

Recent Reads: Flashes and Romancing the Undercover Millionaire

This week, I’m indulging myself with stories from K.L. Noone and Clare London, whose stories I can never resist.

Flashes is a glorious collection of short stories from K.L. Noone. It was an absolute delight to have new chapters featuring established characters, such as Jason and Colby from the Character Bleed trilogy and Wes and Finn from the Seasonal Stories, interspersed with entirely new characters and situations including Ember the royal librarian, detective-fiction novelist Patrick, and interior decorator Rory. I do hope that Kristin returns to further these new creations at some stage!

I loved how these stories flowed from one to the next, whether contemporary or fantasy. Each story in Flashes is a gem with gorgeous settings and engaging characters, whether familiar or not.

I’m also a huge fan of Clare London and I’ve adored each of her fun Romancing the… stories with a light-hearted take on a different popular romance trope.

So I relished the humorous plot of Romancing the Undercover Millionaire, where Alex, a no-filter playboy and the black sheep in a family of wealthy wine merchants decides to belatedly prove his worth by stealthily investigating some possible sabotage at the firm’s Bristol warehouse.

There Alex meets the warehouse manager, Tate, his polar opposite in terms of responsibility and work ethic. There’s a definite spark between them if only Alex can get his head around normal daily life and Tate can allow himself some time away from caring for his younger siblings. And there’s the little matter of the developing warehouse shenanigans.

Both characters were lovable, and the supporting characters, especially Tate’s siblings and his hilarious Gran really enriched the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the subplot of Romancing the Undercover Millionaire that helped bring these two lovely men together. Another delightful read in this terrific series!

Recent Reads: Loud Places and Change My Ticket

I have two wonderful contemporary coming-of-age stories on the blog this week from A.E. Jenson and Zarah Detand, both automatic one-click authors for me.

I’m fast becoming addicted to A.E. Jensen‘s beautiful stories. She has a knack for getting to the heart and soul of her characters, as they slowly reveal their secret selves to the reader.

Loud Places is about a tie of friendship so strong that it can’t be broken. Ethan, having finished high school, is desperate to track down Matty, his childhood friend who ran away from home three years before.

This is a complex story, going back and forth through time that unfolds effortlessly. We learn so much about Ethan and Matty’s brotherly bond growing up and their current romances with Avery and Austin respectively.

The past, or how to cope with it is a consistent theme affecting all four men. Matty is slowly recovering from childhood at the mercy of his sadistic father, Austin’s feelings of abandonment, Avery’s acute loneliness and Ethan’s sense of over-responsibility. It’s about family, found family, and how love can re-open and then start to heal old wounds. All four characters are beautifully depicted and utterly relatable. Loud Places is an absolutely wonderful read.

Change My Ticket is another delightful, thoughtful and ultimately feel-good read from Zarah Detand. MCs Ray and Gabe might be in their twenties, but they both have issues to grapple with before they can grow into their true selves.

I thoroughly enjoyed the insights into both characters and the corners they had trapped themselves into. Ray, a scientific researcher is beset by grief and regret and Gabe, a rising Hollywood star, has to conceal his sexuality for the sake of his burgeoning career.

I relished the initially awkward connection in Change My Ticket between these two, the ensuing miscommunications and moments of real understanding and the story just played out fluently from then on in. I was simply hooked! A really lovely and emotionally rewarding read.

Recent Reads: Dark Horse and Gives Light

This week, I have two wonderful contemporary romance reads by Kate Sherwood and Rose Christo that kick off two equally compelling series.

Initially, I was a bit daunted by the length of Dark Horse, an MMM romance by Kate Sherwood, but I needn’t have worried as it flowed so beautifully.

This is such an absorbing tale of Dan, trapped in emotional limbo while his long-term partner Justin remains on life support after a horse riding accident. Dan works as a horse trainer for Justin’s parents and is not prepared for the dramatic changes that are barrelling his way.

I loved the slow burn of this story that allowed us to get to know Dan, his troubled drifting younger years and the sense of security he found with Justin. When faced with the prospect of a relationship with wealthy Evan and his older boyfriend Jeff, we feel all of Dan’s emotional turmoil and indecision. He’s a man far more at home with horses than people.

Dark Horse is a gorgeous character study, not only of Dan but of Evan and Jeff, fully exploring the complications of communication and misunderstood feelings. A truly satisfying read and the start of the wonderful and highly recommended Dark Horse series. An absolute delight!

Gives Light by Rose Christo is a Native American Own Voices story that’s been on my radar for a while. Due to the deeply affecting issues raised in the blurb, although I was very keen to read this YA story, I was geared up for an emotionally gruelling read.

So nothing prepared me for the beauty and humanity of this book, shot through with frequently hilarious shafts of humour. Teenager Skylar, mute since childhood, may have an uncertain present and a tragic past, but he’s warm, funny and observant. And once we get past Rafael’s scowl, he’s equally interesting, vivid and quirky.

I loved that we were introduced to the Nettlebush Reserve, its people and customs through Skylar’s eyes as a newcomer which was truly educational and very moving. This is the first of the magnificent Gives Light series, not only charting the life-changing relationship between two young men but also celebrating the Shoshone culture, and its trials both past and present. Simply unforgettable.

Recent Reads: Alpha Kings and Midwinter Marriage

This week on my reading blog, I have two very different fantasy reads, an MMM Omegaverse story from Roe Horvat and an MM Regency fantasy story by K.L. Noone.

I love all of Roe Horvat‘s books, but I was thrilled when he announced this new story set in the Hedonist world which is a favourite of mine.

Alpha Kings has a completely new cast, with King Sebastian’s court from the first series only mentioned in passing. But it has the same dreamy, highly charged erotic atmosphere that made the original Hedonist stories so special.

I really liked how Omega Prince Aiken came out of his shell once he was taken from the grim regime of his homeland by the fearsome Alfas and Cairestine lords Wolf and Bear. That sense of freedom and fairness for Omegas made his awakening all the more to be relished.

Alpha Kings comprised great character-building and world-building with a nice touch of myth and legend, and there’s no one like Roe Horvat for blending erotic scenes with lashings of sensuality and romance.

I’ve adored K.L. Noone‘s Midwinter Regency Fantasy series and my only complaint about Midwinter Marriage is that it’s likely to be the final story!

In previous stories, we’ve only had Sam’s viewpoint of Edmund, as a cold, haughty, stick-in-the-mud elder brother. So it was disarming to see Edmund’s side of the story. A middle-aged man whose narrow limits have been dictated by his brutal and unreasonable father, too afraid to show the slightest emotion.

The way that his friend Sebastian supports Edmund in Midwinter Marriage during his hour of need, leading to so much more, is absolutely beautiful. This is a moving and deeply emotional story of hope and new beginnings delivered in Kristin‘s trademark exquisite prose.

Recent Reads: In the Dark Heart of Winter and Simon Dale and the Pink Hippopotamus

This week on the reading blog, I have two fabulously imaginative action-packed stories by Mere Rain and Dieter Moitzi, gleefully delving into paranormal territory.

In the Dark Heart of Winter by Mere Rain is set in Victorian England where new bride Isabeau is whisked off on honeymoon by her husband to an isolated castle in the far north. I adored this Gothic Sapphic story with plenty of swashbuckling and a dash of paranormal.

Isabeau seemed like your typical meek Victorian heroine, married to a virtual stranger and swept off to his gloomy ancestral country home in the far north of England.

But as events become increasingly dark, Isabeau proves to be resourceful, encouraged by the exotic strangers, Ranat and her brother Vairya who request her hospitality.

The creepy Gothic house and not-quite-maiden-in-peril were deftly drawn building a sense of dread and tension, with Ranat providing warmth, support and romance as well as being a dab hand with a sword. The world-building was fabulous and I relished the twists and turns of this exciting and entertaining story.

When I first came across Simon Dale and the Pink Hippopotamus, I would have gladly read this book for the title alone!

Dieter Moitzi dazzles in this eclectic, hilarious and hugely imaginative adventure about young Simon, the least likely fellow to get caught up with an obscure and distinctly different international agency based in Paris, with a glamorous and dashing boss.

This was such a fun read. I loved the whistle-stop travelogue through Europe and Egypt as the action came thick and fast. The plot line just zinged along and the world-building was fabulous. I genuinely can’t wait for Simon’s next adventure!

Recent Reads: Taking a Chance and Curio

This week on the reading blog, I have two shorter contemporary stories, one from Anne Brooke and the other from C.S. Poe. They are very different in setting, themes and tone but there’s a shared wealth of world-building.

The UK-set Taking a Chance by Anne Brooke is a short, intriguing tale about acting on a whim and seeing where it takes you, no matter what.

I really enjoyed the premise of Benjamin impulsively pretending to be the online date that handsome older man Alan is expecting at a restaurant. Benjamin takes to the role of Timothy with the enthusiasm you might expect of a part-time actor, and rolls with the unexpected events to follow, including the realisation that Alan is into BDSM.

There was enough backstory for us to understand the mechanics behind Benjamin’s rash behaviour. The ensuing dynamic between Benjamin and Alan was courteous, amicable and hugely charged. Taking a Chance is a lovely, witty sensual tale of discovery and possibilities, both erotic and romantic. I’ll definitely look out for more stories by Anne Brooke.

I’ll read anything by C.S. Poe and Curio is an absolute treat. What a gorgeous gem of a story! I enjoyed the ambience of the oddball NYC West Village bric-a-brac shop that lovely Lew runs with his magnificent Aunt Julia.

This beautifully written novella is both hilarious and moving, as Lew is prodded towards and almost loses a chance at romance with the gorgeous Henry, who is revealed to have hidden depths.

Curio is a story about family, heritage, love and acceptance and it left me with a warm glow. The charming eccentricity is the icing on the cake. A delightful read from C.S. Poe!

Recent Reads: Amid Our Lines and UnConventional Kiss

I have some terrific recently released contemporary romances on the reading blog this week from some favourite authors. Amid Our Lines by Zarah Detand and UnConventional Kiss by Katherine McIntyre and K.C. Carmine are irresistibly feel-good reads.

I loved the premise of Amid Our Lines. London-based Eric travels to Switzerland for a short-term waiter’s job with his friend best friend, Kojo a chef. On arrival, Eric comes face to face with Adrian, the adult model he fantasised about as a teenager. This was a gorgeous touch of comedy of embarrassment. Also, there was a lovely twist, in that Adrian was out and proud about his past, whereas Eric was hiding that he was a successful musician.

But this story had so much more. Both Adrian, the busy hotelier and Eric, the songwriter at a loose end, were beautifully developed as characters and I loved how their budding relationship brought emotional growth and realisation to them both. The supporting characters of best friends and family were warm and infinitely likeable and the beautiful family-owned hotel in the Swiss Alps was a character in itself. Like all of Zarah Detand’s stories, I found Amid Our Lines to be a delightful read!

UnConVentional Kiss, a collaboration between Katherine McIntyre and K.C. Carmine is an absolutely charming bi-discovery tale about Cayden and Beckett, two supposedly straight guys in their mid-twenties who team up together when they both attend a local ComiCon alone, dressed as superheroes, of course. When they are encouraged to share a kiss for the cameras by other conferencegoers, they are both startled by a pull of attraction.

This delightful opposites-attract/friends-to-lovers story delves into how sunny Cay and grumpy Beck start to explore a tentative friendship with benefits that has the potential for something more. The sense of bewilderment and insecurity about this sudden revelation about their sexuality is sensitively explored with warm humour as both guys react in ways typical of their contrasting personalities.

They are cheered on by a great supporting cast of friends and family against a lovingly drawn backdrop of Chicago. UnConventional Kiss is funny, sweet, sexy and endearing, with extra geekery. Utterly irresistible! A gorgeous collab from two fabulous authors.