Review of Spectred Isle (Green Men 1) by KJ Charles

by KJ Charles

4.5 Stars

Archaeologist Saul Lazenby has been all but unemployable since his disgrace during the War. Now he scrapes a living working for a rich eccentric who believes in magic. Saul knows it’s a lot of nonsense...except that he begins to find himself in increasingly strange and frightening situations. And at every turn he runs into the sardonic, mysterious Randolph Glyde.

Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.

Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.

WOW, what a book!  Spectred Island is the first book in in a new paranormal romance series by KJ Charles, and man does it deliver on all promises. 

Saul Lazenby is a disgraced archeologist who finds himself employed by a rich eccentric, who regularly sends Saul on his magical flights of conspiracy theories.  Life has not been easy for Saul, named as a traitor in the War he paid his dues, but lost his family, career and friends for his choices.  Randolph Glyde is a aranist, holding the secrets of his long dead family, struggling with being the last of an ancient line, his obligations to England and why he keeps holding on to his secrets.  When Saul finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time over and over, he starts to wonder if Randolph is following him, or part of the supernatural things that keep happening.

Let us start off by saying that this book is a lot to chew, but if you are into paranormal you will understand.  The first half of Spectred Isle is a steep learning curve, it feels as if you are dropped in this world that you have no reference for, the spirits, magic, wars are all foreign, but so engrossing that you can’t help but read. And once you fall into the story and figure out all the pieces, it was engrossing.   Spectred Isle is a gorgeous book, beautiful words, stunning words, lovely flow, engaging story, so so so so so good! This is a fast paced, intense book with twists and turns.

The relationship between Randolph and Saul takes a while to really develop, yes they find themselves running into each other over and over, but are rather annoyed.  It is a slow burn, but once it catches fire, wooohoo, their chemistry is overwhelming.  They are straight forward lovers and don’t have time to waffle, and one of the beautiful things about their relationship it is angst-free, they genuinely like each other.  They have both been alone for so long, Saul because of the choices he has made and Randolph because of the secrets he keeps and there is a calm that settles over both of them when they finally accept the pull between them.  But don’t be mistaken, like most KJ Charles books, the between-the-sheets time is burning!   

“…. dear God, I’d like to find the places that make you moan. You seem to me a man who could be usefully lavished with attention, and also tongue.”

Spectred Isle also introduces us to the Green Men, a group of friends that “look after the land and borrow its power”.  We meet 3 of this group and a little look into their stories and we are excited to see them again in the next books. There are magical places and evil spirits and so much more that we really want to talk about, but really can’t give away – needless to say the story itself aside from the romance is fantastic on its own.

KJ Charles magically weaves a paranormal story hit – we loved this book; the magic, the romance, the mystery, it all comes together in a concentrated authentic story.  We can’t wait for the rest of this fantastic series!

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 The Necromancer's Dance by SJ Himes

by S.J. Himes

4.5 Stars

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

We couldn’t put this down, such and interesting story and a great read!  S.J. Himes creates this fantastic, paranormal romance between a Sorcerer and a Vampire that is riveting. 

Angel Salvatore is a bit of a reclusive celebrity in the Sorcerer world, he managed to defeat 100 vampires during the blood wars with 1 spell, but it is not how he wasn’t to be remembered.  A number of years later he starts a wary friendship with Simeon, an Elder in the Boston Vampire clan.  But what he doesn’t know is that Simeon is actually falling in love with him, and Angel is used to being on his own.  As these 2 try to find their connection, Angels past comes back, to haunt him.

There is so much in The Necromancer’s Dance, we don’t know where to start.  We aren’t really a fantasy, paranormal fans, but this world is so fascinating.  How Vampires, Sorcerers and other fantastical creatures live out in the real world, under their own laws and governing.  It kept us really interested in the story itself, kept us reading, and really enjoyed meeting new characters.

Angel and Simeon are both strong independent men, but together they work so well.  Angel has had to be strong, but realizes that he has been craving the intimacy he has been pushing away since his family died.  Simeon is fascinated by Angel, he loves his strength, his mind, his magically gift, and he wants to treasure him.  And, sigh, it works so so so so well.  As the relationship grows between Angel and Simeon, The Necromancer’s Dance gets seriously hot; there are some serious sparks between the two men.  There is a lot of between the sheets action, but we felt that it added to the story, make you really feel that these men are falling in love and not just lust. 

S.J. Himes has created a magical story here.  Fast-paces, action-filled, sheets-burning enjoyment form start to finish.  It is the first in the Beacon Hill Sorcerers series, and we can’t wait to dive into the rest of this fantastic world!

Review of Wolfsong by T.J. Klune

 by T.J. Klune

5 ++++++ Stars

Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.

Ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.

Ox was seventeen when he found out the boy’s secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.

It’s been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

Where to start, what to say.  This is not the first T.J. Klune book we have read, or the first shapeshifters story, but this book is unexpected to say the least.  As we read the last page, we wanted to start it all over again. 

From the very first chapter you fall in love with Oxnard, or Ox as everyone knows him.  He is a sweet natured boy that has been stepped on over and over again by his father. He is a little slow, and has found himself the object of teasing in his very small town.  But life changes for him when he is 16 and meets his new neighbor, 10-year old Joe. And his fate is sealed. 

Joe is a whirlwind in Ox’s life, he brings him a sense of belonging to something greater, something Ox has always craved after his father left at a young age.  But Joe is a broken little boy who hasn’t spoken in 18 months after he was taken from his family and horribly abused.  Ox brings him peace, grounds him and allows him to grow into the alpha he is meant to be. 

Wolfsong is hauntingly beautiful, and although a romance, it is so much more than that.  It is about family and love and belonging, and believing in yourself.  Wolfsong is a story over 10 years, and the life of the wolf pack and of the love between Ox and Joe.  There is so much heartbreak in the book, and we cried in the first chapter, but there is s much love and humor as well. 

T.J. Klune has created a story that focuses on Ox and Joe, but weaves a life of complex characters around their love.  The wolves in the pack create a family that believes in Ox and allows him to grow into the person he needs to be. 

We didn’t think T.J. Klune could write a better book, but we were so wrong.  Wolfsong pulls you in and keeps you enraptured.  It is easily our favourite book of the year, and know we will come back to read over and over again. 

Review of Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price

By Jordan Castillo Price

3 stars

A vampire slow-burn love-story that slides easily into fantasy/paranormal.

Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price starts by introducing us to Mark Hansen, an artist assistant who finds himself going above and beyond.  The Vampire artist, Jonathan Varga, is essentially a recluse, staying hidden from the world, creating his all-black art, and making Mark do all his beck and call.  Mark has a soft spot for Jonathan and can’t refuse his requests; find a new cat-blood dealer, never drive the same route, anywhere and essentially doing everything outside the house that Jonathan refuses to do.   But Jonathan leaving the house to meet an art collector changes their relationship forever.

The story has a bit of a fantasy/paranormal lens, 10 years ago the virus Human Hemovore virus blazed throughout the world, leaving an odd new reality of v-negative and v-positive vampires. The world is carefully divided as the virus can be spread by bodily fluids, and the progression of the virus is horrific with many people succumbing at stage-3. 

First and foremost Hemovore is a romance, but not traditional in any way.  Yes, there is a slow burn to Mark and Jonathan’s relationship, but as they have already worked together for 4-years before the story starts, it feels like the relationship is already there, even if they don’t want to admit their feelings to each other.  There is a bit of sexual tension, but might actually call it physical tension.  Being a v-neg man and a v-positive vampire means they can’t touch, at all, and they do wear gloves but even that is risky.  They long to just touch each other; we didn’t feel the need of sexual tension.  And we kinda missed that heat.

Jordan Castillo Price has built this vampire fantasy world that is fascinating.  Jonathan and Mark encounter some other v-negative/v-positive couples along the way, and the descriptions of their lives, the separate bathrooms, kitchen spaces, and sleeping arrangements kept us entranced, and the pages turning.

So, although there is a lack of heat in Hemovore, this exciting world is not to be missed.  And the bonus book Sweet is the perfect follow-up that will have you falling in love with Mark and Jonathan all over again!