Nobody's Angel by Kallypso Masters

Greetings and salutations my fellow hump day nation.  Whether you love what you do or are merely trying to get through, we are on the downhill slide of this week and for that we say "woo-hoo!" Is it wrong to channel my inner Seuss on a BDSM spotlight week - I say nay.  Somehow in my brain it all works.  After all today, being Leap Day, is kind of the Brigadoon of the calendar.  Yes, I am all over the map - maybe it's the muscle relaxers (back out....again!) or just the sheer joy of seeing this never ending February end and the month of Tyra and Jenn beginning.....I have to say, part is due to my brain being sizzled like hot bacon over reading this series - sizzled I tell ya!  I got some heavy things to say, so let me treat you all with a little eye candy, kind of the subbie blankie of the week....Mmmmmmm, just feels right?  No?!! (Ok - Ink Master is my current obsessions and like this weeks genre, there's more than meets the eye - with his activism for causes like NOH8, PETA, Drop in the Bucket and more - wash his hair and he makes one fine, dirty/sexy slice of eye candy!)

Nobody's Angel, Kallypso Masters, September 2011

Marc d'Alessio might own a BDSM club with his fellow military veterans, Adam and Damián, but he keeps all women at a distance. However, when Marc rescues beautiful Angelina Giardano from a disastrous first BDSM experience at the club, an uncharacteristic attraction leaves him torn between his safe, but lonely world, and a possible future with his angel.

Angelina leaves BDSM behind, only to have her dreams plagued by the Italian angel who rescued her at the club. When she meets Marc at a bar in her hometown, she can't shake the feeling she knows him—but has no idea why he reminds her of her angel.

When Marc's search-and-rescue partner, widower Luke Denton, confides he believes Angelina is the angel his wife promised to send him, Marc is convinced she is meant for Luke. A painful incident from his past keeps Marc from letting any woman drive a wedge between him and a friend.

While Luke can provide Angelina with love and stability, Marc knows his friend can't satisfy her submissive needs. Marc offers one night to show her that BDSM is not about pain, but a power exchange with mutual trust and consent. But he knows he can’t commit emotionally to anything more.

When the abusive Dom from Angelina's past threatens, Marc's protective instincts kick in; he must keep her safe. Again at the Masters at Arms Club, she turns the tables on him—and turns his safe, controlled world upside down. (Forewarning - These books MUST be read in order!!!!!)

For those not quite able to wrap their heads around the genre of BDSM or who are uncomfortable with the concepts and feel they are books about people who hurt each other for fun and pleasure - Kally Masters may be just the ticket you're looking for!  The Rescue Me series, beginning with Masters at Arms introduces a group of Doms, bound by the oaths and blood of military service, the loyalty borne of teamwork and discipline and the people necessary to complete them.  After reading Masters in Arms, I was beyond ready to follow the story arcs of these three Doms and one Domme who serve together at one time and later reunite after war to build a club in Denver to suit their lifestyle and needs.  Book 2, Nobody's Angel, tells the tale of Dom Marc, the man who refuses to see himself as a hero, living in the shadow of his dead brother's spirit and previous betrayal. 

Fired up from the beginning, this page turner weaves a spell that refuses release, much as a true Dom, until permission is received in the end.  What I find so fascinating is this world of strong, dominant males who are so very human, so very flawed and some, even quite broken.  Their D/s world is about regaining control, creating safety, security and ultimately a trust that somehow goes beyond just Love.  Watching two powerful, machismo males fall in love down that rabbit hole and a strong, very real woman learn to release her inhibitions and ultimately admit her desire to submit is like falling down the rabbit hole.  What Masters does so very well is explain, without sounding clinical, educating the reader as the leading ladies learn about the lifestyle through these men.  Unlike a traditional erotic romance, the ultimate climatic moment comes with that point of true power exchange and it feels every bit as romantic in it's own special way.

The storyline is solid, and there are even some nifty little action scenes and a few club scenes thrown in to really jazz things up - but it's the characters that get you - right from the start. I love that the secondary characters are obviously lead ins for future stories - Strong secondary plot with Adam and Karla set up the next book obviously! Angelina's running mental dialogue is funny, realistic, painfully honest.  Watching her be attracted to two men after a lifetime of mental pounding about good catholic Italian girls behavior is entertaining, cathartic and watching her heal under the careful tutelage of the right Dom is sexy, liberating and straight up hot!  The sex is graphic and frequent but not the core of the novel - to assume so is to demean the spiritual growth of these broken winged birds into creatures that learn to soar with pleasure, flying the reader with them all the way.  (The tension of who Angelina will end up with really plays out at Marc comes to terms with his deeper emotions and knowing that Luke will get his own HEA just from her upcoming release list made me feel a little better while I struggled with that particular storyline - not because I wasn't enjoying the idea of a menage but just the emotional destruction and reconstruction that comes after such a great loss is so heart wrenching, the reader just WANTS him to have that ultimate joy of finding true love.)

Grab your box of Kleenex and prepare for an emotional ride that is totally worth the price of admission!  Nobody's Angel is a highly recommended read and this reader totally can't wait for Adam, Damien and Luke's stories - these heroes deserves HEA's.  Good things always come to those who wait?  Assume the position and say Yes, Sir, indeed!

Masters at Arms - Kallypso Masters

This week brings a new to me author, Kallypso Master. And I have to say this is the most unique prequel that I have ever read. In this novella you get vignettes on all of the upcoming hero's in the books. Let me warn you now that it is intense and emotional and deals with some very sensitive subject matter but it is very well written and sets up the next stories very well.



Masters at Arms, Kallypso Masters, Self Published
Masters at Arms begins the journey of three men, each on a quest for honor, acceptance, and to ease his unspoken pain. Their paths cross at one of the darkest points in their lives. As they try to come to terms with the aftermath--forging an unbreakable bond--will they ever truly become masters of their own fates? Or would fate become masters of them? (Book One in the Rescue Me series about the men who own the Masters at Arms BDSM Club.) AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is an introduction to the series, but does NOT have the Happily Ever After endings that will come in the next three romance novels in the series. Being the back-story that usually is not told in "real time," there are some intense themes in the book, including death of a spouse, incest, torture, a battle scene, and amputation.

Part 1 -Adam
Adam is a career marine, who just lost his wife to cancer. While sitting in the bus terminal waiting to head back to base after the funeral he steps in a saves a young runaway. What Adam doesn't realize is that Karla actually saved his life by giving him something to fight for again.

Part 2 -Damian
Damien is a bus-boy in a high end hotel. He has had some trouble in the past and is just trying to keep his head down and do his job. But when he hears a woman screaming in one of the rooms he can't just walk away. Finding Savannah being tortured he does the only thing he can do....rescues her. After spending a beautiful afternoon together Damian drops Savannah off at her house knowing he will never see her again but not realizing he left his heart. And so much more.

Part 3 -Marc
After Marc's Marine brother is killed while stationed in Kandahar Marc's parents aren't happy to hear he has enlisted in the Navy. But Marc has to do something to get away from his ex and his guilt. But in trying to get away from the past he runs right into it.

Part 4 -Bonds Form
They say that unless you have been there you can't really understand the bonds that form between soldiers during war. When the three men come together on a roof top in Fallujah all they wanted to do was get out alive. They may come away with some scars that will never heal but they also come away with a connection that can never be broken.


Part 5 -The Club
It's 5 years later and the men have opened a fetish club in Denver. Things are going good the club is a success and then the world gets a little smaller and some things come full circle.

I had to take a deep breath when I got to the end of this book and kind of let go of my emotions. The author is very good at evoking a response in a very visceral way in just a few pages. Not all of them are good or pretty but then life isn't always good and pretty but it is intense and real. This book is successful in that you so want to know what happens next in each of the men's and women's lives. I don't know that I could read these books back to back, I feel the emotions might be a bit overwhelming but there is no way that I am not going to read them.

If you are looking for a good, hardcore, emotional BDSM series then you don't want to miss Masters at Arms and the rest of the Rescue Me series.


RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

GUEST POST: Kallypso Masters

Thanks so much, Guilty Indulgence Book Club members, for having me as your featured author this week! What an honor! Let the book talk begin!

I was asked to introduce myself and my RESCUE ME series in this first posting, so here we go! I write erotic romances and my friends and readers call me Kally. I quit my day job last April and a couple of weeks later I decided to write full-time. Told my husband I was going to take a year to see if I could make a go of it. As our retirement savings started being steadily depleted, I wrote like crazy. Because I needed to succeed financially in a short time, I chose to self-publish. But I hired a professional editor and enlisted the help of countless volunteer beta readers and line editors to make sure my books were as good as they could be when I published them. Then I keep revising them if I find a typo, so newer versions were just uploaded to my sales locations earlier this month. I'm a perfectionist! My husband asked if I read my own sex scenes to get "in the mood," and I told him, "No—I'd just start editing them."

I've always loved to read and write about military heroes. I had written Nobody's Angel in May 2009 and Marc D'Alessio was a Navy veteran who had served with Marines on the ground in Iraq. But I didn't really know who else would be in the series at the point that first draft of Angel was done. So, I decided I needed to write some prequels. (I don't plot or plan—just put one or more characters on the computer screen and turn them loose. Makes for some interesting twists and turns—as my readers know.)

So, Masters at Arms was started in May and the first draft was finished in three weeks. I quickly fell in love with Adam, Karla, Damián, and Savannah as their stories came to life. The Doms literally consumed my every thought, as my pre-fans on Facebook can attest to (because they often made appearances in my status updates there last summer). These three men were so honorable, strong, and brave, but had been through hell, as had Savannah. I looked forward to bringing them to their happy endings in the next three books in the series. Those who have read any of the books know that I write about characters who have dealt with horrific things, but who fight back and overcome their pasts. Redemption, rescue, and healing will be common and recurrent themes throughout the series.

In Nobody's Angel, Marc rescues Angelina from an abusive Dom, then finds himself attracted to the woman in a way he's never felt before. But he's always treated women as if they're treats on his personal smorgasbord, as one reviewer said. He knows she deserves someone stable who can commit to her fully, so he tries to convince his friend and search-and-rescue partner Luke to pursue her. Also in that book, Luke needs to come to terms with what he wants and whether he's ready to move on after the death of his wife seven years earlier. And Adam and Karla, who were featured prominently in two sections of Masters at Arms, continue their push-pull until a dramatic accident changes everything.

In Nobody's Hero, which picks up in the same scene where Angel left off, Karla begins to make her move, knowing she'll die a lonely old woman if she waits for Adam to see her as a woman. But the man has buried a secret for thirty-four years that even he hasn't remembered. He has a lot to come to terms with—and he will not go gently. (But he does like it rough, doesn't he? <grin>)

The next book to come out in the series will be Nobody's Perfect, which will bring Damian and Savi (Savannah) together again to work on their issues. I'm working on that now and it's due out in May.

What I love about the way the series is unfolding is that the stories bring the couples to their happy endings, sometimes even happily ever after, but they aren't finished. Anyone in a long-term relationship knows that a marriage (which is happily ever after to me) is just the beginning. They take hard work, nurturing, and maintenance. My characters don't start out perfect in the beginning of their books, and they're far from perfect in the end. They'll continue to evolve and grow throughout the series. Adam's still going to need to work on improving his communication skills (Lord, that man can't communicate!) and to deal with his abandonment issues in Nobody's Home (book 6—due out in November). Marc and Angelina have to continue to work on their trust issues that are left far from resolved in their romance, so they'll be back in Nobody's Perfect confronting those and working through them before they can make a lifelong commitment to one another. (And Melissa will return to try and cause more trouble for Marc.)

As I and many reviewers have pointed out repeatedly, the books really need to be read in order, because they aren't written in a way that they can stand alone. I love cliff hangers. I love recurring characters—and not just showing up in a cameo appearance in a later book. I want them to have a serious subplot and to work on issues and problems in their relationships. Luckily, I write to write LONG novels (Angel was 115,000 words and Hero 137,000), so I make sure there's plenty of room for serious subplots. Some readers might find this a distraction, so if you're into quick reads with one couple, this series might not be for you. But separating these three men from one another's lives would be impossible for me. Adam has worked hard to bring together a family to replace the one he lost, and he continues to bring new people in. "Baby Dom" Luke Denton is becoming a fixture at the Masters at Arms Club and his skills with rope and whips are progressing quite well. His romance will be told in Nobody's Dream (due out in August).

Speaking of the Club, many readers of BDSM genre romances come to expect a fair amount of time to be spent in the clubs. My first three books have had a few club scenes during operating hours for the club. (It's in Adam's house, so he and Karla get to play quite a bit during off-hours.) But I decided last summer that my niche in the genre would be to shed light on an area of the BDSM community that doesn't really get shown in the fantasy BDSM novels. Countless people living in the lifestyle complain that romance novels portray them in a way that is unrealistic. To have a Dom tell me that he identifies with Adam is gratifying, because I know that I've at least portrayed him like one real Dom. (No, he's not based on that person, so please don't ask for his contact info! LOL)

My characters have jobs, kids, parents, and go about their lives quite normally. They aren't millionaires (okay, one comes from a wealthy family). Some barely are making a living. They also just happen to like to get kinky in the bedroom, the playroom, or the club. Most of the drama that takes place in my stories is related to the characters' relationships, not just their BDSM or sexual lives, but theor emotional, psychological, and romantic ones.

That may change in Nobody's Perfect, because my sado-masochistic couple (Damian and Savi) probably is going to bring readers into the club when things are hopping. I think you'll even get to see the dungeon downstairs. I hope to portray their story of dealing with PTSD from the horrors of war and incest/torture and show how SM provides them each with a means of regaining some of the control they lost in those situations. I also want to portray their romance and SM activities in a realistic, loving way. I am currently writing this story (am only about a fourth of the way finished) and my characters have a way of surprising me somewhere in the writing, so, that's just my best guess as to what might happen!

I love to talk about these characters and books with those who have completed the series and am told that spoilers are permitted here. So if you have questions, please ask. Who do you love best and why? Who would you like to see a story for in a future book? I have eight books planned at this time, through 2013, books 5-8 being with Luke, Mistress Grant, Patrick Gallagher, and Adam's great-great-grandparents (in a historical Western).

For anyone who hasn't started the series yet, please use coupon code FV98F at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80282 for a FREE copy of Masters at Arms (available in a number of formats).

CONTEST ALERT!!

And a lucky commenter on this blog post will be selected randomly to win a copy of a book in the RESCUE ME series (current or future book—winner's choice). Another winner will be selected in my excerpt blog post later this week. I'll have to find a special excerpt for you all. Do you want it to be a steamy one?

Kallypso Masters can be reached at her Ahh Kallypso…the stories you tell blog (kallypsomasters.blogspot.com) and is a regular fixture on Facebook, where she has a friends page—yes, you can be her friend, too! (https://www.facebook.com/kallypsomasters) and an author page (https://www.facebook.com/KallypsoMastersAuthorPage). She also is on Twitter and Goodreads, but less active there. For a list of her books with buy links to available sales vendors, go to http://kallypsomasters.blogspot.com/p/books-by-kallypso-masters.html.

Rugged, Tatiana March

Picture the Marlboro Man – rugged, sexy, a shocking scar on his cheek from a Mountain Lion attack - sitting high on his horse with the sun highlighting his silhouette and Stetson Cowboy hat…..Yum!  Living in the mountains of Wyoming Jed is a diamond in the ruff.  However, living out in the remote woods has caused him to become just as remote as his surroundings.

Rachel James has escaped and gone into hiding at her bosses cabin in Wyoming after one of her clients has forced her to make the tough choice of turning him in to the authorities or keeping her mouth shut.  Fearing that she might have to testify against him and how that might reflect on her boss’s agency she flees town hoping it will all blow over. But what’s a city girl to do when arriving in the middle of nowhere and finds the power out in her cabin? She is forced to ask the tough mountain man neighbor for help but instead of help she is greeted with fierce eyes and a shotgun in her face.  But Rachel has a will of iron and instead of packing up and admitting defeat she sets out to find a way to survive.

Jed has lived alone for years after taking over the ranch after his father’s death.  He is very inexperienced with women both in and out of the bedroom.  In fact his only knowledge is what he has been able to gather from reading romance novels that he found left around.  (Sigh….I’m sure we would all love it if our significant others read more romance novel “instructions”.)  So when Rachel comes into his life he is terrified that if he lets her in and she leaves then his carefully controlled environment will longer seem tolerable but empty instead.  But he can’t seem to stay away and as they spend more time together the sparks start to fly.  And the adventure down loves road is a vast as the Wyoming sky.

I really loved that this story followed a longer time line -  a very welcome perk given that it is a short story.  Instead of expecting the characters to take such huge leaps over a matter of days the story covers several months.  It was a refreshing change that the man was more inexperienced and yet that inexperience made their love all the sweeter.  The backdrop of Wyoming made for a wonderful setting and the addition of some of the “secondary” characters being his farm animals really made for some touching moments.  Ms. March does an excellent job drawing the reader in from the first page.  The characters are genuine and she takes the reader straight to the heart of their internal struggles and triumphs.  This was a wonderfully written piece and a great quick read to snuggle up to on a cold day!  Now if we could all get our significant other’s to take a cue and read romance novels for the “instructions” then….

RATING:  I give this one 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!

Special thanks to Resplendence Publishing for giving us this great book to read.  Many Thanks!

Saturday With Sid: TAILOR MADE

Saturday with Sid... like Tuesday with Morrie but with More Kink

College tart Felix McAvoy is used to causing a stir with his conceptual art pranks, but for his final show he's planning something even more outrageous. In a last ditch attempt to seduce his jaded tutor, Felixplans to wear the canvas in a subversive display. However, if he's goingto do this right he'll need a tailor-made canvas suit. Fortunately, heknows just the tailor to turn to for the favor—and Felix isn't shy aboutoffering favours of a very different kind in return.

First year fashion student Andrew Wheeler knows Felix by reputation only—andplans to keep things that way. Andrew's determined to save himself for the manof his dreams, and Felix couldn't be more different from his ideal Mr.Right.  There's only one use Andrew will contemplate for Felix's body: amodel for his end of year project. Trouble is, it's going to involve a lot ofclose contact with a nearly naked Felix, and Andrew's never had temptationquite so close at hand!

K’so… In the beginning of Tailor Made, I really want to justpunch Felix in the mouth; he’s a cheeky bastard and so very over the top. Andeverybody knows that I like to be the over the top one in room. But, I keptreading and, dang, author Josephine Myles sucked me in with her sassy Britishnovel.  I’m not surprised that I wassucked in by the British slang and lovely Bath setting, since I’m currentlyaddicted to Downtown Abbey and The Tudors. I think I might have a small fetish for the accent, but that’s probablya story for a different website.  Ms. Mylescreated 2 wildly different characters and somehow made them mesh brilliantly!  I loved how different Felix the slut andAndrew the virgin were and how their art brings them together.  Plus…there was some really good “omg, he’s avirgin!” sex.  I remember those days, Ithink?  Seriously though, Ms Myles does aremarkable job conveying emotion in those oh so emotional “first time”scenes.  Carry on Josephine, I’m ready toread more of your sassy stories.

That's 4strawberries dipped in chocolate!  Bang!


In case you want to get yourself a copy, 
here's the "Buy link": 
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TailorMade.html

This book was given to us by the author herself.
Many thanks from SID, ya'll.

Saturday With Sid: BUCKLE DOWN

Saturday with Sid... like Tuesday with Morrie but with More Kink

Cowboysaren't always what they seem...They're often so much more. SheriffDane Carter was only looking for a cold one when he stepped into Duke's Bar& Grill after a long shift but ended up finding trouble instead. From themoment he laid eyes on Tyler he'd known the man would be trouble. When a barfight turns into an explosive sexual encounter, Tyler becomes an instanttemptation he can't afford. Then the real trouble begins.  TylerEvans came to Chicory hoping for a chance to clean up his act and start over.In one night his new life begins to unravel. A harmless game of pool spiralsout of control and he's later accused of a crime he didn't commit. Determinedto prove his innocence, he decides to attach himself to the sheriff until theyfind the real culprit. If he happens to get his hands on the deliciouslyhandsome man haunting his thoughts again--so be it. Whenthe situation turns dangerous, the tension between Dane and Tyler reaches thebreaking point. In the heat of the moment Tyler goes too far and his hope forthe future walks out the door, leaving him with a murky future at best.

Woooo Lord…Now ya’ll know, I love cowboys…and uniforms…preferablyboth…in the form of muscle boys...  EveCassidy handily put the best of both of my worlds in one book.  Buckle Down is an easy read; MsCassidy has a knack for creating characters that you want to carry around inyour pocket…your back pocket…or your bed.  Dane and Tyler felt like characters that I already knew and I felt likeI was just hanging out, watching their lives unfold.  Personally, that’s not the easiest thing for meto feel when reading, so kudos and chocolate dipped strawberries to Eve Cassidy.  Ms Cassidy is also remarkably good at writingexplosive sex scenes in which you might have to stop reading for a hot minuteand get out your hankie and wipe your brow… whooo…  Seriously folks, go buy Buckle Down, get aglass of wine, sit in a nice cool corner and get ready for a hot read!  

4 strawberries for Eve Cassidy's Buckle Down!.. BANG!

This book was given to us by Resplendence Publishing.
Many thanks from SID, ya'll.

Frosting Friday

It's Friday and we've had spring like weather and you know how happy that makes me!!!! Only 67 more days till I can lay in the tanning bed. Ahhhhh Finally feeling better after my bout of antibiotics. Started a new workout. Who knew so much pain could come in a tiny brown box from Amazon? Once my lungs recuperate and I can go full speed it's gonna be brutal. This week in particular I've been discovering some of the best cupcake recipes (thanks Tina for giving me the ultimate one). Cupcakes are my guilty indulgence:) So this week I'm gonna let you in on what's going on in my kitchen and what my spring to be read list looks like......

What I'm about to try. Tina sent me the most AWESOME cupcake recipe she found on the Pampered Chef web site. I LOVE WHITE CHOCOLATE and this one has a Lindt truffle in the recipe. I can't wait to try it out. Stay tuned for the results of that adventure.

What I did try and came out AWESOME. I baked a chocolate chip cookie in the center of a chocolate cupcake. I placed a scoop of raw cookie dough in the paper cupcake paper then poured the batter over it to fill the cup and baked it.

What I'm famous for. My most requested cupcake is my Bailey's Irish Cream. Who doesn't love a cupcake with Bailey's in it? The cashiers at the ABC Store look at me like I'm crazy sometimes. What? Yes, it's a big bottle and I just bought one last month but I'm baking with it. No, really I am!

I'm also working on a surprise to come out of my kitchen for Tyra and Jenn's birthdays in March. Which should totally make up for anything stupid I've done recently or may do in the future. LOL

Out of my kitchen and onto my spring to be read list.... Here we go!


1. The new Nick book by Sherrilyn Kenyon will be out on Tyra's birthday! Everything will be dropped when this comes out. This will be my first pre order ever for my Kindle. So much to celebrate this day!







2. Finish up the Demonica series by Larissa Ione.









3. Wait not so patiently for the next Lords of Deliverance book, Lethal Rider, to come out in June by Larissa Ione.








4. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. I started this series a long time ago and want to follow thru with it. The first book was painful to read but they got better and I want to know how the story ends. Plus I'm a sucker for dragons.






Hope everyone has a great week and let's say good bye to the nasty month of February and let the count down to spring begin!
PEACE

BLOG TOUR: Freestyle Love

Freestyle Love
By Author Marcus Lopes

When it comes to one-night stands, Malachi Bishop has “rules”. No pillow talk. No sleeping over. No planning a future hook-up. First names only. It’s just sex, not a prelude to love. But when Cole Malcolm, a smooth-talking management consultant, woos Malachi into bed, the rulebook is tossed out the window.

The one-time fling leaves Cole reeling: Malachi is his first real shot at happiness, his “forever” man, and he’s determined to show Malachi just how good they could be together. But Malachi doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, and dodges Cole’s play for his heart. After all, Malachi is still mourning the loss of Taylor Blanchard, whom he hoped to love forever. Then there’s Zach Brennan, a handsome twenty-five-year-old and student at the college where Malachi teaches. Falling for Zach could destroy everything he’s worked for, but Malachi can’t help himself.

Caught by love and in its betrayal, it’s a later affair with a beautiful stranger that changes Malachi’s life most dramatically. Now Malachi must confront his present and his past that bring into question the larger fantasies of home and his place in the world.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon                                        Barnes& Noble                     AllERomance

EXCERPT:

Malachi, hunched forward over the dining room table reading the Globe and Mail, let out a sigh as he yawned, his mouth open wide revealing his uneven teeth. As he reached for his half-empty and lukewarm cup of coffee, he caught a glimpse of the hairy bronze cyclist’s legs in the archway of the dining room and sat back in his chair. He looked intently at the tall, lean figure standing before him, naked, with his arms folded across his chest. Of course, Malachi knew that they would have to confront each other at some point, but he was still nervous and, after a moment, glanced away.

The man stood with his legs spread slightly apart, like a model posing for a photo shoot. His eyes narrowed. “Do you mind…” His voice cracked and he bit down on his lower lip. “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

Malachi said, “Oh, of course,” and stood, watching his guest unfold his arms and then run his hands through his dark bed hair that darted in a thousand directions, pushed back from his low brow.

They smiled thinly at each other, as if suddenly able to read the other’s thoughts, and uncertain about how to proceed. Malachi dropped his gaze and left the room to retrieve a towel and facecloth from the disorganized hall closet. He returned to the dining room and gawked at the handsome figure’s firm yet pale backside that he remembered, with a mixed sense of pleasure and dread, having had his face between for most of the night. Malachi cleared his throat.

The man spun around and took the linens from Malachi, and held them in front of his crotch, concealing his growing hard-on. He sidled his narrow blue eyes at Malachi and said, “It’s Cole… my name, that is, in case you’ve forgotten.” He took in Malachi’s blank stare, fully aware of its significance, and when there was no response shrugged and disappeared down the hallway towards the bedroom.

Malachi picked up the newspaper from off the dining room table and carried it into the living room, tossing it onto the coffee table and then pacing the room that was filled with the bright morning sun. He stopped in front of the fireplace and leaned against the mantelpiece, staring abstractly at his collection of soapstone cat carvings that he had purchased during his trip to Quebec City the previous summer. There was a heaviness in his heart, an utter repulsion that lingered the morning after, as if there was something absolutely criminal about sex. What was “criminal” was that he had let himself give in to desire, which he came to designate as lust — that murky, disgruntled and disheartening world of one-night stands that, when he felt alone in the world, held the promise of love. He wasn’t opposed to one-night stands. When he longed for the closeness of being with someone, of feeling loved when he thought he was not, he found, and this was what disturbed him, comfort in what was supposed to be meaningless, anonymous, uncomplicated, sex. Was it really meaningless? He worried that love was becoming impossible, completely out of reach, just like the happiness that he believed depended on it. His love life had been nothing more than a string of one-night stands and now, with his thirtieth birthday looming, he was in search of something more, something real, permanent, true.

The contradictory aspect of his current situation pained Malachi deeply. He was thoroughly displeased with himself because he had been weak. Worst of all, he was still revelling in the afterglow of the night of passionate lovemaking, yet unwilling to conceive of something more permanent, true, possibly evolving from it. The crudeness of one-night stands made their currency short-term, depreciated.

Malachi moved to the worn brown leather sofa and sat down, leaning forward, his gaze held to the hardwood floor. He suddenly found himself smiling sheepishly as he thought about Cole, whose name he had not forgotten — a name that carried a certain presence and authority that was both attractive and intimidating. His smile broadened and his cheeks heated with embarrassment as he thought about Cole, just moments before, standing in front of him naked, insouciant. Malachi carried the image of Cole’s narrow blue eyes expressing unremitting desire, hopeful friendship. And Cole’s short, pointed nose that drew attention to the runnel above his thin red lips and the dimple in his chin. There was something genuine in those penetrating eyes, something comforting that prevented Malachi from negating the warmth, and the ensuing joy, that had swelled within him as he and Cole lay in bed together.

It seemed strange, surprising even, when Malachi woke up to Cole beside him and did not feel alarmed, which he was convinced he would since he had ignored his own rules. He had set “rules” for himself when it came to one-night stands, like a covenant that he had signed his name to, secured by the whole of his being. When Cole had approached him at Groove, the lone gay bar in Claredon that Malachi did not frequent often, he had broken his cardinal rule of first names only by introducing himself as Malachi Bishop. That was hardly significant at the time, since he was not planning on hooking up with anyone. He had ended up at Groove because of Shane Martin, his best friend, who had wanted to go out for a night on the town. Malachi had reluctantly agreed more so to silence Shane’s insistent nagging than any real desire to go. He did not consider himself into that scene, drinking and dancing to the early morning hours and suffering through the next day hung-over and tired.

Cole had pleasantly surprised Malachi, dragging Malachi onto the dance floor and making him laugh. And when they ended up at Malachi’s, locked in a crushing embrace, it wasn’t that they had had sex that distressed Malachi but that he had allowed Cole to sleep over. That was the most criminal of all. He had always been diligent about shepherding his “guests” out of his home quickly once orgasm was achieved, especially when the sex was mechanical, routine, boring. Of course he would give them time to catch their breath, clean up a bit — perhaps even shower — but once they were dressed, he guided them to the door in an awkward silence. No pillow talk. No revealing of unnecessary details about himself. No planning a future hook-up. And at the door, “Do you have everything? Wallet? Keys?” That somehow made it easier for him to accept having given himself over to desire, and the unprecedented role desire played in his life.

Malachi lifted himself off the sofa and made his way to the bedroom, his body trembling, and silently hoping for a final glimpse of Cole’s naked butt that had excited him earlier. Cole came into the bedroom from the en suite bathroom as Malachi was pulling the sheets off the bed. Cole, wearing a blue ringed T-shirt and blue jeans, patted at his dark brown hair that looked black as it was still wet and fell flat against his head. They looked probingly at each other until Malachi gestured Cole out of the bedroom and followed him down the hall, stopping just outside the entryway to the kitchen, Cole staring intently at Malachi and Malachi, with his hands shoved in his pockets, looking at the floor.

“This is awkward,” Cole said ruefully.

“I suppose.” Malachi raised his head. In a darker, more pressing tone, he added, “Do you have everything?”

Cole, in a trance-like state, nodded. “Yes, I think so.” Cole was thinking about his past, and how he had somehow managed to always lose control. He wasn’t sure if he believed in fate, but for once in his life he wanted to act as though he was in control, that his present and his future were in his hands. Smiling, he touched his hand to the side of Malachi’s face. “Well, no, actually… I mean, I’d like to see you again.”

Malachi took a step backwards as he slipped his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms, scrunching his eyebrows and pursing his lips all at once, and then shaking his head. Here they were, two grown men who were alone in the world and trying to romance the notion of love into perfect firsts — first glances exchanged, first hellos, that first touch. “How pathetic we must seem,” Malachi thought. Was it childish, foolish even, of him to conceive of one-night stands as the hopeful vehicle through which he may fall in love — and not necessarily with Cole but with anyone? Didn’t that make one-night stands utterly corrupt, deceptive, immoral? Even as they stared at each other with wild lusting eyes Malachi, who let logic and reason guide him more than his heart, foresaw that the scene had only one ending.

Cole cupped his hand to Malachi’s shoulder. “Let me buy you breakfast.”

Malachi lifted Cole’s strong hand off his shoulder and said, “Cole…” hoping that the edge in his voice would make his point.

Cole said, “Surely you can see beyond the moment —”

“It’s all a bit muddled,” Malachi said with a bluntness that surprised even him and then moved into the living room. He stood with his back to Cole, a way of taking refuge, and clasped his hands to the back of his head. He glanced about the sparsely furnished room that he loved for its airiness but now, with Cole there, felt constricting.

Cole scrunched his eyebrows. “Muddled?” Was Malachi too jaded to even try to see beyond the moment? Maybe. And Cole was too nervous to ask: Who had broken Malachi’s heart?

Malachi spun around, his arms dropping to his side. “Look, Cole, last night was fun…” He shifted his eyes uneasily between Cole and the door.

Cole made his way over to Malachi, and when he was close to him, said, “That’s why I want to see you again.”

Malachi gave a wary laugh. “That’s just not possible.”

Cole let out a low, exasperated sigh. “Maybe you’re right,” he said and walked heavy-footed towards the door. Cole suddenly imagined that Malachi might be difficult to handle, the type of guy who makes the rest of the world uneasy around him — not a diva, just a man used to having everything his way. In the foyer, Cole slipped on his shoes and retrieved his black leather jacket from the closet. Before putting on his jacket, he reached into an inside pocket and pulled out a taupe-coloured business card and set it on the narrow rectangular console table next to the closet door. “If you change your mind,” he said, and gave a languid shrug of indifference. He slid his left arm into the sleeve of his jacket and then his right arm into the other sleeve. “I’m in town a few more days. You can reach me at the number on…”

Malachi shook his head. “Oh, I see.” He frowned, and then came the disparaging chuckle, and it seemed only natural for him to follow with, in a testier, sharper tone. “Seeing me again is less work for you.”

“Yes, it is —”

“Just another quick…?”

Cole folded his arms and then unfolded them, only to shove his hands in his pockets and immediately pull them out. “You know what?” he said, as if finally coming into the truth of the matter, “just forget it,” and grunted as he pulled open the door. Cole had been daring, put himself on the line to implant himself in the present, as though it really belonged to him, and he was still dangling, searching for something he knew to be completely abstract. He knew he must have looked pathetic, desperate, like he was clinging to a fairytale. He was about to step into the hall when he turned and looked at Malachi, with quiet admiration, and then, piously, “How long can you wait on happiness before it completely escapes you?” and disappeared into the corridor.

Malachi looked on as the door swung closed on its own, and at the sound of the soft thud of the door hitting the metal doorframe, he collapsed onto the sofa. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, feeling both relief and disappointment, unable to see the paradox of his own world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marcus Lopés is originally from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. His writing has appeared in Canadian and international literary magazines. Freestyle Love is his first novel. A novelist, essayist, poet, painter and singer-songwriter, Lopés lives in Sherbrooke, Québec.

Website: http://www.marcuslopes.ca

Email: marcus@marcuslopes.ca

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE: 

http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/02/vbt-freestyle-love-by-marcus-lopes.html.

CONTEST ALERT!!

Comment to Win an ecopy of Freestyle Love.

Humpday Shout Out to Cheryl Dragon!

Hump day hello to all and to all a good night. This one posts late on Hump day, so the good news is, without any great powers of precognition, I am pleased to say Congrats! We made it half way. Now we are one the downhill slope of this week - which has already seen 1) freak snowstorm followed by 2) 65 degree day with crocuses blooming (I kid you not) and 3) yet another injury for yours truly, the klutziest gal on the planet. (I didn't really DO anything this time - just threw out my back but man, does it blow!)  I also realize that for many, it is the start of Lent and for those of you who have decided to give up ooey gooey calorie filled treats that tempt you constantly at home and work - allow me to assist you in a guiltless indulgence - Eye Candy! Calorie free, no pesky cheating on the diet or on Lent proclamations! Woohoo - it's a win-win and oh, so yummy!

This week brings another Resplendence Author to our doorstep, one I have followed for years - she's sassy, funny and write smokin hot erotic tales, so grab a glass of ice water and check out Cheryl Dragon's latest!

Renee's High School Reunion, Cheryl Dragon, Resplendence Publishing, January 2012.

Nude photos, a prom fistfight, and losing the two men she loved are three good reasons for Renee not to go to her reunion. But Renee always pushed the boundaries. High school was ten years ago but she’s never forgotten AJ, her boyfriend, or Jesse, her gay best friend who was her first lover. Though she’s determined to heal the past with two great men, even Renee is shocked when she finds out what has happened since she left Vegas. AJ and Jesse have plans for her that start with a hot reunion weekend. Ménage love is a gamble, but the trio graduated with honors from Las Vegas High!

They say you can't go back - back in time, back to the way things were, back to the drawing board. But Cheryl Dragon may have hit upon the perfect blend of rewind and fast forward with her new erotic delight, Renee's High School Reunion.   Renee Carlson hadn't really intended to attend her ten year high school reunion but as a pilot for a major airline, she had the access and the time and curiosity had her wondering about what happened to everyone - especially her best friend Jessie and her senior year boyfriend A.J.  Little did she know the fistfight the two engaged in on prom night all those years ago was the catalyst that started their relationship.  She has no idea they've been together now ten years because of her.  She also has no idea that their plans for the perfect union includes one missing piece - her!  Tempting the sexually adventurous Renee with a weekend of no-holds barred menage sex, A.J. and Jessie hope to rekindle old flames and convince her that she's the perfect fit for both.

Cheryl Dragon writes erotic romance like a sharp Italian sports car - tight curves, able to take on twists and turns, giving one sexy as hell ride along the way. The relationships between Renee and Jessie and Renee and A.J. are those borne of intense high school experiences.  And yet, some things that go back that far, are meant to be for a reason.  Dragon captures that intense experience in a series of flashbacks and recollections that blend seamlessly with the current story.   The best part of her characters is that they feel very real - they have fears, quirks and little bumps in the road do freak them out.  The unplanned public outing of A.J. causes the reader to feel immensely empathetic and even protective to the point that it makes Renee's reactions justifiable, conceivable.  The menage fantasy of two hot men who love each other as much as the woman they are with also rings truthfully with the reader, even I think, for those not as familiar with the genre.

Say what you will - I love a sexy, sassy erotic romance.  Especially one that packs in punch after punch and scenes that sizzle on the page all in less than 100 pages!  Cheryl Dragon wins "Best sexy reunion story" superlative for this spicy reunion tale!

RATING:  Five out of five Big Ole Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and maybe some champagne to celebrate....good times, great friends and hawt-ness. 

This book was given to us by Resplendence Publishing. Many thanks.

First Time, Forever - KC Burn

Well the kids finally got a snow day yesterday, so they are a little happier. This has been the warmest winter that we have had here in the valley in the nine years that we have been here. It's been most unusual but I don't want to complain because this California transplant really hates driving in snow.

Just a couple of weeks ago I had not read a book by KC Burn and now I am doing my second review for her. And even though this story was a novella, which can sometimes have plot difficulties because of the length, this book didn't not fall victim to that problem. Ms. Burn has gone from "new to me" to "auto-buy" and I am so happy to add her to the family.



First Time, Forever by KC Burn, Carina Press
Derrick and Trevor used to have an incredibly passionate relationship, full of spontaneity and sizzle. Now that their son is off to college, they want to put their days of routine, vanilla sex behind them and bring back some of that spark.
Realizing that they’re empty-nesters, Trevor begins to notice their age difference. He suddenly feels old and unsure of himself, and isn’t confident Derrick still desires him. When Trevor decides to keep his health issues and gray hairs down there to himself, Derrick is hurt by his partner’s secretive behavior and thinks Trevor must be having an affair.
Nothing could be further from the truth, but Trevor doesn’t know how to communicate his fears to his partner. He desperately wants to reconnect with Derrick and rev up their sex life, but will it be enough to reclaim their marital bliss?

This novella was a really nice change in that it is the story of an "older" couple. Most of the stories we read are about finding love, this one is about keeping it.

Trevor and Derrick are at a crossroads in their life. Having just dropped Trevor's son off at college both men expect their sex life to return to the spontaneity they once shared. But work,insecurities and miscommunication lead to hurt feelings and suspicion.

This book is difficult for someone like me because I wanted to crawl into the pages and just sit both men down and get them to talk to each other. You can feel the love each man has for the other and knowing the pain they are both going through could have been avoided hurt to read. But I also think that's what made it such a great book. I was fully invested in these character's in a very short period of time and for me that's all down to a good story and character development.

I liked the flashbacks of the way things used to be but enjoyed that even though they were older they could still bring the heat. I thought I was going to fall out of bed laughing over Trevor's waxing mishap and could totally relate to his pain.

If you are looking for a quick read that feels like a full length novel emotionally and leaves you with that slightly flushed voyeuristic feeling because it seems so real, then First Time, Forever is a book that you don't want to miss.


RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. This book was given to us by NetGalley. Many thanks.

Driving Mr. Dead - Molly Harper

So if you are like me the suspense of waiting for Molly Harper’s Jane Jameson Book 4 is killing you.  So I was thrilled to find that she has a spin off to hold me over until the much-anticipated release of Book 4, Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors,  coming on February 28^th.  Please be sure to check back as I’m sure I’ll review it as soon as I get my hands on it!

In the mean time….Driving Mr. Dead is a wonderfully written story and adds two new fabulous characters to the wacky cast of Jane’s friends.  Miranda Puckett is the daughter of Half Moon Hollow’s most prominent old money family but unlike her family she is not a lawyer nor is she a  successful businesswomen.  She has failed at every job she has ever had in fabulously tragic and hilarious ways.  But she has picked up some random skills along the way and hopes that maybe, just maybe those skills will help her as she takes on her newest career – a long-distance vampire transporter.  A job she took trying to get as far out of town as possible while she tries to decide if she wants to give her lying, cheating fiancé another chance.

Collin Sutherland is the most persnickety, stuffy, handsome vampire that Miranda has ever met and his 16-page transportation contract rider can’t help but rub her the wrong way.  But as they set out on their National Lampoons worthy trip Miranda’s knack for trouble seems to find her and Collin must quickly learn that contingency plans are necessary.  As their trip spins further out of control their need to work together, laugh together and find a way to get home only helps to ignite the undeniable spark between them.  Their chemistry and the lessons learned along the way quickly have Collin rethinking his solitary life style and reveling in the chaotic fun that is Miranda!

In true Molly Harper fashion this story will have you laughing, crying and cheering all that the same time.  There are appearances from some of our favorite Jane series characters that make for some really great scenes.  Once again, I listened to this on Audible.  Amanda Ronconi just does such a fabulous job that I always gravitate to her audible format over the print format.  This book can easily be read as a stand alone and doesn't have to be read as part of the main series.  It seems to fall in between book 3 and 4 of the Jane Series but it could be read really at any time and still make sense.  However, the Jane Series is well worth the the time and one of my favorites series.   If you are unfamiliar with Molly Harper please be sure and use our search bar on the left column to find my previous blog’s on her other books.  

RATING:  I give this one Five Chocolate Dipped Strawberries served in a National Lampon’s Moose Glass with whipped cream! 

Many thanks.

Touch Me

Touch Me by Callie Croix  is a little gem of a story that was not only sexy but also a sweet story of two people embracing love. A few more chapters would’ve created a story with a bit more depth but it was still good as is, with strong characters and an intriguing premise. Some of the smaller nuances would’ve been interesting to explore as I found myself wishing I knew more.

Tianna is newly divorced from a soldier who had a traumatic brain injury. She’s been staying at her brother’s best friend Alex’s house after her divorce. Readers will develop incredible empathy for her as the history of her marriage evolves. Tianna is working through self-esteem issues, and she’s left denying her darker sexual desires.  Tianna has a long way to go in healing (here’s where more details may have been effective) which we see in the subtle nuances of her actions, especially her need to run when things aren’t perfect.

When Alex (aka Army Captain Alex Montoya) comes home on leave, he’s determined to give into everything he’s always wanted and arouse Tianna’s hidden desires - a big move since Tianna's brother is Alex's best friend. She's always been off limits but now there’s nothing to stop him from acting on his feelings. Having her live in his home, even while he was away, gives him a feeling of protectiveness. The arrangement feels incredibly intimate.

Alex is my idea of a perfect alpha hero. He’s completely in love (true love formed over time, not quick lust) with the heroine; he’s strong, confident and handsome, yet at the same time, he’s gentle with her, caring and so protective. It was incredibly sweet that he was committed to helping her put together a new life from her broken past but without the need to be controlling, allowing her to heal on her own terms. Yet Alex was absolutely determined to show her exactly how sexually desirable she was – using every weapon he had including tying her down to make sure he had her full attention.

Though the story is short, Croix infused just enough tension, both sexual and plot-based, to keep the reader flipping pages without realizing how much time has passed. Touch Me is like a delicious espresso shot - short and hot. Read it in one quick shot.

I don’t know if this is totally “outing” an author but I have to tell those of you who follow me and know my favorite authors… this is Kaylea Cross!!! writing in her pen name she uses for her more steamy erotic stories. While I feel her calling is in the romantic suspense, she’s no slacker in light erotica either.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us through NetGalley. Many thanks.

Nice & Squeaky Clean

Squeaky Clean by Kim Dare

It’s not every day that Tim looks up and sees a hot, wet and half-naked man standing outside his third story window. He feels quite justified in being shocked enough to drop both his coffee and his laptop. The last thing he expects is for the guy to climb in through the window to help him clean up. Still, it’s only when he recognizes his new window cleaner that things start to get really complicated for Tim.

If you like to read Kim Dare, as I do, then just go ahead and get it.  This is 23 pages of OMG I didn’t see that one coming.  If you are checking it out please don’t let the BDSM label throw you off.  It is a great quick read that is written perfectly with just a bit of D/s thrown in.  

Part of the Kinky Quikies series, the story grabs you from the first page, which is just what you want as a reader.  I loved the story because the blurb really didn’t tell me the whole story or give anything away.  I have gotten into a bad habit of judging my main characters ahead of time.  I think anyone that reads a lot does. I love to read Kim’s stories, short or long, because you never know the mind set or the dynamics of the relationship ahead of time.  This story was no different and I was totally surprised by the plot and the ending.  The first thing I did was look out on the website to see if this was just the set up to a new book because I loved it so much and just wanted to see how it played out.  No luck but maybe if we all read it and then write to her asking for more she will considered it.  Damien and Tim bring with them issues from their high school days. The question is always how much will the past hold us up from our future. 

I give Squeaky Clean 4 chocolate-dipped strawberries! 

Relax for a few and read it – we all deserve the break in our lives.

This book was given to us by Resplendence Publishing.
Many thanks from Shari.

The Highlander's Prize - Mary Wine

It's Friday and I know most of you were expecting Kim but that the nice thing about doing this blog with friends is that we can jump in to cover for someone when they need it. Or in this case beg for her day so you can get your review written while the book is still fresh in your head.

I have met Mary Wine a couple of times at Lora Leigh's RAW and I have to say that she is one of the most talented people I have ever met. The beautiful dresses that she wears for the costume balls she makes herself by hand, and from someone who can barely sew a button on that is completely awe inspiring. She is also one of the nicest, most gracious authors that I have had the pleasure to spend time with. Looking at this innocent petite lady you would never guess that she can also write some of the hottest Alpha Highlanders I have ever read about and her steamy sex scenes will wilt the heather.



The Highlander's Prize, Mary Wine, Sourcebooks Casablanca
Beautiful Clarrisa is sent to Scotland to marry the king, but is soon thwarted by the handsome Laird Broen MacNichols. For Broen, Clarrisa becomes far more than a kidnapped prize. Sparks fly as he enjoys sparring with the intelligent and independent-minded lady from York. Captive turns captor when Broen loses his heart and risks everything to keep Clarissa for himself.

Clarrisa refuses to accept her fate as a brood mare for the King of Scotland. So when men kidnap her before he can bed her she can't decide if she has gone from the frying pan to the fire or if she has finally found her freedom.

Laird Broen MacNichols agrees to kidnap the English lass before she can give King James a son with English blood to sit on the throne of Scotland. He expects a timid English mouse but what he gets is a woman who stirs his blood and makes him hotter than any woman he has ever met.

Political intrigue, broken betrothals and questionable loyalties are the foundation for this compelling read, but the heart is the relationship that unfolds between Clarrisa and Broen.

I know when I start a Mary Wine book that I am going to be swept away into the time and world that she has created. Her stories are multi-dimensional and fast paced. The historical details are interesting without weighing down the storyline. But her characters are the reason that I pick her books up again and again. The banter between the two leads was fun to read and kept the sexual tension flowing. A strong and varied cast of secondary characters added depth, but be sure to keep a score card handy to keep everyone straight. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Scottish historicals, or anyone who just wants to escape into a well written book.


RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. This book was given to us by NetGalley. Many thanks.

Sin Eater's Prince

NEW on Kindle TODAY!

The Sin Eater’s Prince is a story with such deep sense of sadness and yet it is a beautiful tale of love. Keta Diablo brings this incredible dichotomy to life in this quickly-moving story. From a life wrought in loneliness rises a man capable of redemption.  Set in long ago England, Owen Rhys is the sin eater of his village which means he absorbs the sins of the newly departed so that they may go cleansed into the afterlife.  Because of this position, he has been shunned by the local villagers his entire life.  Yet to this reader, Owen is a near perfect male... simple, humble, giving, honorable, and of course, handsome.

Sadly, Owen has exactly two friends. First, Carys is a young girl who cares for Owen as a brother. She’s equally sweet and kind – very likeable – whose courage later in the book earns her my respect. And then there’s Andras, the town’s physician who has cared for Owen from afar.  Andras has a secret that keeps him away from Owen – he’s a vampire who has been watching over him just as he pledged to Owen’s father before he passed away.  Andras fights his dark side continuously to keep himself good. With such a deep sense of honor, Andras has kept himself apart from the man he desires so as not to turn him, thereby forcing him to live the life Andras himself has been forced to live. Owen, of course, is shocked then when Andras saves him from another vampire and admits he cares for him. 

Their love story is so simple – pure and untarnished by the world.  With years of history between them, it seems natural when they take the step to consummate their love.  And, mm mmm, their consummation is hot while also being incredibly beautiful.  The emotional connection warmed me – the fact that Owen could find acceptance through Andras was incredibly moving; and the vivid imagery Diablo presents gave this reader the shivers. The ultimate in romance played out as the men accepted their fate and came together.

Now, the story isn’t just about the two men falling in love (‘cause that would be boring). Here’s where the protagonist comes into play - Dagan, the evil vampire.  Andras killed Dagan’s father long ago and now Dagan wants revenge along with the Prince's sword that belongs to Andras.  The sword holds the power to allow vampires to walk in sunlight which is the ultimate desire of those who can only walk in the night.  When Dagan learns about Owen, he uses him to bring down Andras.  Dagan was a truly unlikeable villain, perfectly written to have few redeeming qualities.  The tension he brings is nail-biting as the action explodes and readers are left to wonder about Owen’s true destiny.

The Sin Eater’s Prince takes place in long ago England and the mythology is unlike the traditional vampire romances today which made it a more interesting read.  Diablo incorporates Welsh superstition, myths and traditions to give the story a dark undertone.  It reads nearly like a mystery but readers cannot miss the love story that reigns true through it all. Owen and Andras is a couple I won’t soon forget.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079QQBCY/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

This book was given to us by Keta Diablo. Many thanks!