Review of Psycho Romeo(Ward Security #1) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

by Jocelynn Drake & RindaElliott

4 stars

The Ward Security Series is a spin-off of the Unbreakable Bonds Series.

Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats.

But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker.

He needs help and there’s only one person he trusts…

Protective Agent Sven Larsen has been fighting Geoffrey’s flirtatious advances for months, even though he’s impossibly drawn to the man. There’s no way he can be around him twenty-four/seven and not finally crack. But one look at Geoffrey’s haunted eyes, and he knows there’s no way he’s letting Geoffrey walk out of Ward Security without him.

Even if it means breaking his own rules, he will keep Geoffrey safe.

Authors of the incredible Unbreakable Bonds series have another fast-paced thriller in Psycho Romeo, the first in the Ward Security series.  We are so happy to have the collaboration of these great authors, and Psycho Romeo Is a terrific start to their new series.

The good?

-      -    Visiting our friends:  Although this is a new series, it does cross over into the Unbreakable Bonds boys, and yes, we did first meet Geoffrey and Sven in that series.  We really enjoyed that is a new series, but we still visited with all our boys.  We were sad to see the end of the Unbreakable Bonds series, and so happy that Psycho Romeo is a bit of a spinoff.

-     -     Build-up:  there is some sweet chemistry between Geoffrey and Sven.  They have great dialogues, banter and really see each other.  And when they finally give into temptation, Psycho Romeo is scorching hot, just like we knew it would be.

-      -    The Mystery or Thriller: Psycho Romeo is a romance, but also a Thriller/Mystery, and it delivers on both.  Even when the sexy times pick up there is always the undercurrent of the mystery, it is a great balance.  We really enjoyed this in the Unbreakable Bonds series, and glad that Psycho Romeo captured this magic.  The mystery moves the book along, and really bonds Sven and Geoffrey together. Psycho Romeo was loaded with action.

-     -     Geoffrey:  In the previous series, and at the start of this one Geoffrey comes across as a a self-absorbed, social media obsessed, throw away character.  But he is so redeemed in Psycho Romeo, and thank goodness as we really liked him.  Psycho Romeo goes into Geoffrey’s backstory and helps make him truly worthy of Sven and a happy ever after.

The not so good?

-     -     Continuation of a story?  The good and bad.  This presents as a continuing story and you don’t really have to read the Unbreakable Bonds series, but you will be on a steep learning curve for Psycho Romeo.  We liked that we got to visit with our beloved boys, but we also wanted a bit on a new story.  We have seen the bodyguard-client story before from these authors, and wished they would have taking their co-writing magic to a brand new story and characters.

Psycho Romeo is a fast-paced, action-packed, sexy read, and we really enjoyed every minute.  But, we do suggest that you finish the Unbreakable Bonds series first to get as much enjoyment as possible.

Review of The Necromancer's Dilemma (Beacon Hill Scorer #2) by SJ Himes

by SJ Himes

4.5 Stars

Even love can die without trust.

Angel’s brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begin to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?

Daniel Macavoy, Angel’s new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought—especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.

The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston’s only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon’s devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true…and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.

Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston.

The second in the Beacon Hill Scorers series and it is as good as the first.  We aren’t much for vampire romance, but SJ Himes has created a fantasy that is so imaginative that it makes you believe.

We start again visiting with Angel, and his hodge podge of family.  Isaac his brother has finally returned home and is learning how to let Angel in and understand his magical gift.  Daniel Macavoy has come to stay as Angel’s apprentice and struggles between his family and his desire to learn.  And as always there is Simeon.  Sweet, sexy Simeon. 

SJ Himes has such a way for storytelling, just as the first Necromancer book, the second edition is aa layered world that pulls you in and, immerses you in a bubble around Simeon and Angel.  Himes takes us deeper into her magical world exploring dragons, trolls and the mystical fae.  She balance the real wold, being set in Boston with actual Boston landmarks, and a fantasy work in a perfect harmony, so much you expect to see vampires walking around. 

The first book dealt with a new love between Simon and, this book is easier paced and heartwarming as they fall deeper in love.  And let’s not forget the best part of a scorer and vampire getting together, yep, the steam between the sheets.  Yummmm.  This does not disappoint, the chemistry is smoking hot, hot, hot! But regardless of the between-the-sheets, Simeon and Angel grow more into their relationship, working together, living together, and being a real blood bonded couple. 

There is so much going on in this book; family drama, return of an ex, mysterious murders, vampire power struggle, but it all fits together so well.  The book has a great flow that kept us engaged in the mystery and how everything fits together.   And we get to visit with our favorite characters.  Seriously loving Isaac and Daniel, and hoping the next book feature each one of these two hotties! 

So all in all, this is a fantastic addition to the Beacon Hill Sorcerer series.  Fast-paced, romantic, sexy, mysteries, a must read m/m romance.  Even if you don’t love fantasy, go pick up the series by SJ Himes, you won’t be disappointed.  And this 6-7 books planned in the series, there is lots of good reading to come!

Review of Dirty Kiss (Cole McGinnis #1) by Rhys Ford

Dirty Kiss (Cole McGinnis #1) by Rhys Ford

4 stars

Cole Kenjiro McGinnis, ex-cop and PI, is trying to get over the shooting death of his lover when a supposedly routine investigation lands in his lap. Investigating the apparent suicide of a prominent Korean businessman's son proves to be anything but ordinary, especially when it introduces Cole to the dead man's handsome cousin, Kim Jae-Min.

Jae-Min's cousin had a dirty little secret, the kind that Cole has been familiar with all his life and that Jae-Min is still hiding from his family. The investigation leads Cole from tasteful mansions to seedy lover s trysts to Dirty Kiss, the place where the rich and discreet go to indulge in desires their traditional-minded families would rather know nothing about.

It also leads Cole McGinnis into Jae-Min's arms, and that could be a problem. The death of Jae-Min's cousin is looking less and less like a suicide, and Jae-Min is looking more and more like a target. Cole has already lost one lover to violence he's not about to lose Jae-Min too

Who doesn’t love a good mystery, throw in some intrigue and some heat-between-the-sheets and you have this 1^st installment of the Cole McGinnis series.

Cole McGinnis is a former cop, turned PI, struggling with the death of his longtime partner.  He takes a new case of a suicide that they family thinks is fishy, and falls into the world of family expectations, call-boys and secrets.  Making queries about the deceased he meets Jae-Min, the deceased cousin.  Cole and Jae-Min both have their baggage, but are drawn to each other, even though they should both be staying away.

There are so many goof things about this book.  Let’s start with Rhys Ford’s writing, so so so good.  Rhys know how to create a story and make interesting characters.  This book is full of so much description that it could almost drown you, but instead adds to the layers of this book.  Rhys also creates such distinct characters, creates a whole life around the main characters and gives them all a voice that adds to the story. 

And the mystery, we love a good mystery and Dirty Kiss delivers, there are multiple deaths, twists and turns that kept us page turning till the end.  And let’s talk about the romance – the book ends as a Happy-for-Now, but you can see that there is more to tell about Cole and Jae-Min.  their relationship isn’t easy through Dirty Kiss, Cole struggles with letting a lover back in after the brutal death of his boyfriend, and Jae-Min is hurting under the Asian family pressure to get married and have a family.  Neither of their roads are easy, and they relationship follows the same bumps. 

Dirty Kiss also leaves a few things open ended but being the beginning of the series we see where they are going.  All in all, Dirty Kidd is a fantastic fast paced mystery that delivers on chemistry and some smolder.  We can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Review of Devour by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott

by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott

4 Stars

Ian Pierce is the chef and part owner of the hottest restaurant in Cincinnati, his chosen family is full of happy relationships, and the scruffy, snarky cop who has been haunting his dreams is one step closer to being in his bed. But everything comes crashing down when the past he narrowly escaped nine years ago comes to a deadly head.

Hollis Banner was enamored of Ian at first sight. He’s kept his distance, knowing the gorgeous, self-confident man is out of his league. Yet there’s no standing aside when Boris Jagger escapes a raid. Jagger's world has been nearly destroyed and this time, the crime boss is coming after Ian and his friends personally.

Hollis will do whatever it takes to keep Ian safe as they escape to a safe house with a couple of Ian's overprotective friends. And Ian finds himself in a race to unlock painful memories—memories containing information that could take down the very last of Jagger's illegal operations forever.

This is the book 4 in the Unbreakable Bonds series, and much anticipated!  The Unbreakable Bonds Series follow a group, a family of sorts, of 4 men through their journeys to love, all tied up in an action mystery. Being a series, you really do need to read the 3 previous books to actually understand what is happening.

This last installment is about Ian, a young chef, with a tragic past that has come back to hurt him.  Ian was sold by his parents at a young age into sex-slavery, and although years later, and a free man, Boris Jagger his captor still have an axe to grind him and his friends. Hollis Banner is a cop who is seriously attracted to Ian, and has put himself in an undercover position is Jaffer’s employment.  

This was a great read, and a great tie up for the series.  We loved re-visiting the other characters, wish there was more Snow-Jude loving, and seeing where they are after a year of relationships.  The bond between Lucas, Ian, Snow and Rowe really make this book special.  They are such individual characters that you feel like you know them all and their reactions. 

But Devour focuses around Ian and Hollis and man, it is sweet like you know it should be.  Hollis is a blue-collar cop, who likes casseroles and beer and Ian optimizes a pretty-boy.  And they work together.  Ian need that strong man, and Hollis finds himself playing nurturer and really needing that.  But the sweetness doesn’t overwhelm the steam.  Whoo boy, the steam is fantastic, and the building relationship, after a year of flirting, is just what we need as a reader.  We love Ian and really hoped he would get that happy ending and thank goodness Devour delivers.