Month: October 2020

Review: A History of Trouble (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3.5) by S.J. Himes

A short, quick collection of stories.

4.5 out of 5 stars

 E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 96 pages. Published February 25th 2019 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

A collection of brand-new short stories, featuring characters from The Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series by bestselling author SJ Himes.

Red Wine and Blood
The Blood Wars raged for centuries across Boston. Witness a brief glimpse into the brutal history of the Wars with Ignacio Salvatore and the vampire he loves, Ashwin Metcalfe, in 1897.

A History of Trouble
Angel was joking when he asked O’Malley if someone resurrected a mammoth. Little did he know that was exactly what someone did. Experience the untold story of what happened that unfortunate night at the Boston Public Museum.

A Dragon in the City
What happens when Eroch goes adventuring in Beacon Hill without Angel? Chaos, pure chaos.

Fae’s Gold
Daniel is helping the newly-resurrected fae Ruairi Brennan become accustomed to modern-day living. A boring trip to the bank quickly escalates, and Daniel calls Angel for help. The day goes downhill from there but ends in a comfy meal in a pub for an ancient fae warrior and a necromancer’s apprentice.

This is a collection, featuring vignettes and short stories from the universe of The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series. For full enjoyment, the Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series Books 1 through 3 should be read before reading this collection.

Combined word count is 23.5k words.

It’s always hard to review a collection of short stories as a whole. So I decided to simply give a few thoughts on each, as most weren’t long enough to get a full review.

Red Wine and Blood

The only story set in the past and not featuring any of the main characters from the novels. Ashwin Metcalfe and Ignacio Salvatore were soulbonded, much like Angel and Simeon, though their soulbond was not fully set even though they’d been together for twenty years. I liked the reminder that soulbonds usually take a long time to set when one of the couple is a vampire, and that Angel and Simeon are unusual in that way.

The look back at the history of the Blood Wars didn’t do much for me. However, I did find myself wishing that Ignacio had left behind journals. Angel was able to bring Isaac a journal written by one of their ancestors. I have to wonder if Ignacio didn’t write one, he did and it didn’t survive, or if Angel simply hasn’t bothered to read it. I think it would have been of much interest when Angel first started dating Simeon.

The only thing that really stood out about this story was a comment Ashwin made at the very end, about how he and Ignacio had centuries to allow their soulbond to fully set. It made me wonder if he was simply being unrealistic about the risk to him and Ignacio during the Blood Wars, or if the couple somehow survived, left the war behind, and will pop up in a later book.

A History of Trouble

The story of the resurrected mammoth that was mentioned in one of the books. One of the smaller cases Angel took back when he’d just started working with the police. It was something of a standard example of a reason why Angel would be called in. The mammoth was turned into a zombie, its behaviors ruled by basic needs. So, being an herbivore, it tried to eat plants.

This was the only story featuring a smut scene. As far as advancing the plot, or even adding new dimensions to the characters, it could easily be skipped. But the entertainment value of a zombie mammoth makes it worth the quick read.

A Dragon in the City

This story is from Eroch’s point of view, which I liked. And it started off with Eroch watching Simeon and Angel have sex, which I thought was super weird. Eroch isn’t so much interested in the sex the way a voyeur is, he’s simply happy that his nestmates were happy.

I loved the way Eroch labeled everyone – Simeon was the cold predator, Angel was Simeon’s magical mate, Daniel and Isaac were Eroch’s fellow broodmates. The notion of nestmates and broodmates goes back to how Eroch was raised on his home planet. The mention of that distant world was very interesting, and I loved that all the past Earth dragons came from that world and eventually returned there.

Eroch’s war on the pigeons is very amusing. The way he’s still trying to learn about the human world and match the names of things with what he sees showed that he’s very intelligent, even if that intelligence isn’t human. I’m excited about the reveal that, when Eroch grows big enough, he will gain a new ability. One that I’m sure will annoy the hell out of Angel. I hope it’s shown in the books!

Fae’s Gold

This was the longest story in the collection, taking up about half of the page space. And, out of all the stories, was the one that will have the most affect on the future books. It’s set between books 3 and 4, and I suspect it is a ‘must read’ in order for the future book about Daniel and Rory to make sense.

Basically, Daniel’s falling hard for Rory. I expected it. Hoped for it, even. Daniel deserves his happy ending just as much as Angel and Isaac. And Rory seems like a nice guy.

A lot of information about Rory is revealed in this book. It’s not just that he’s still trying to figure out how the modern day works. He’s been alive for centuries. Longer than Simeon or Batiste. He’s truly ancient, though he mentioned that his memory has gaps since he didn’t think certain things were worth remembering.

It was really heartwarming to see how much benefit Daniel got from helping Rory adjust to the modern world. Isaac is someone new, untouched by the Blood Wars, and Daniel is able to relax around him. Rory has promised to protect Daniel, which I can see becoming a conflict when Daniel and Rory’s story gets told in full. Isaac seems like the kind of man who’d think that falling in love with Daniel is somehow at odds with his promise to protect.

Necromancer’s Birthday Surprise

This story isn’t technically part of A History of Trouble but I included it here because I didn’t read it after book 2. I was so intent on starting book 3 that I wasn’t going to stop and read a short story. I wanted to find out how Angel handled the bombshell revel Isaac had dropped at the end of book 2, and this story didn’t seem like it would answer that question.

It turned out to have hinted that Angel was fine with Isaac’s reveal. Or at least, he wasn’t blaming his little brother. But the beginning of book 3 answered the question so much better.

This story is about Angel stopping two members of a grave robbing ring. The story ties in with part of book 3’s subplot, but isn’t a must read. It’s mentioned often in book 3 that Angel stopped two graverobbers, so the basic information was presented to the reader.

Much like A History of Trouble this was a simple story showing Angel using his powers to help the police solve a case. Aside from the connection with book 3, it doesn’t reveal anything extra about Angel. It does, however, reveal something about Eroch. And I’m actually really glad I didn’t read this story before I read book 3.

Eroch showed off a new ability in order to stop some zombies from getting to Angel. It’s the same ability he used to save Daniel in book 3. Because I hadn’t read this story before I read book 3, Eroch’s new ability caught me by surprise, and I loved it. I got so excited when he was able to save the day. If I had read this story first, I wouldn’t have been so excited when Eroch escaped with Daniel. So, despite not reading this in order, I’m glad I did it the way I did.

Review: The Necromancer’s Reckoning (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3) by S.J. Himes

A great way to wrap up Angel and Simeon’s story.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 304 pages. Published May 28th 2018 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

Every action has consequences.

For a decade, Angel Salvatore has been the most powerful sorcerer and only necromancer in all the Northeast. Never one to ask permission nor apologies, he has acted with near impunity for years.

Until now.

The High Council of Sorcery has come to Boston, and Angel is their target. Charged with numerous violations of practitioner laws, his freedom and family are placed in jeopardy.
If found guilty, Angel’s apprentice Daniel will be imprisoned to serve out the remaining years of his apprenticeship. Isaac, his brother, is too vulnerable to be left unguarded, and Angel fears for his sanity and health. And Simeon, Elder vampire and Angel’s mate, refuses to see Angel convicted under the laws of the Council and his actions to keep Angel free threaten to start a war that could destroy their world. And Angel faces the severest of punishments—the castration of his gifts.

The Council has never cared for the people of Boston, and Angel doubts their motives. They have come for some insidious reason, and it has nothing to do with upholding the law and everything to do with Angel.

Dealing with an impending trial, a wayward ghost, and a graverobbing ring of thieves leaves Angel on the edge. He thinks he may have a handle on things until violence erupts across the city, and a stranger comes to town…a stranger with his own dark powers of necromancy.

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 304 pages. Published May 28th 2018 by SJ Himes

Likes:

  • The way Eroch protected Daniel.
  • A good way to wrap up the books with Angel as the main character.
  • Set up Isaac and Daniel’s stories.
  • Isaac finally got help.
  • We get to meet another necromancer.
  • We leaned more about Simeon’s past.
  • Great non-romantic plot.

Dislikes:

  • The run-on sentences were particularly noticeable.
  • The Council wasn’t dealt with big picture.
  • The romance between Simeon and Angel is completely settled at the beginning.

One of my biggest compliments about this book and the entire Beacon Hill Sorcerer series is how good the non-romantic plot is. This book in particular is stuffed full of things to do and problems to be overcome. I was never bored.

The downside of such a great non-romantic plot, especially in this book, is that it comes in part because the romance is on the back burner. This is the third book about Angel and Simeon, and they’re already a steady, established couple. There wasn’t much that needed to be done in terms of making them closer.

We did find out a little more about Simeon, like how and why he was turned into a vampire and whether he has turned anyone into a vampire himself. It was nice to know, even if the information wasn’t all that important.

Honestly, the book felt important to the series in two ways – the first and most important was to set things up for Isaac and Daniel to have their own happy endings in future books. The second was to show that there are consequences to Angel doing proscribed magic.

I was excited when I read the blurb, thinking that the Council might be this big, scary organization. I was definitely a little disappointed at how easily Angel dealt with them. It goes back to what I felt when reading the second book, about how Angel is so powerful now that not much can stop him. I was also disappointed that they weren’t stopped completely. Angel made sure they wouldn’t bother him or his friends, and then left the rest of the world to deal with the Council on their own. The one good thing that came out of the conflict with the Council was that another necromancer finally showed up.

I’m really looking forward to getting to Isaac’s story. Not only does he deserve it, he’s finally in a place to be open to it and make it work. I’m so happy that Isaac finally agreed to get help. I’m also glad that he has small point of view moments in the book that show how hard it is for him to stay in rehab when he learned that Angel was in danger. But that he also knew he needed to stay or he’d never come back.

Eroch gets a shout out for the second time in a row. The way he protected Daniel all throughout the book was fantastic.

I have one complaint about the writing, and it’s that the run-on sentences were particularly noticeable this time around. I’ve been able to ignore them for the past two books, but this time they bothered me. I know it’s just writing style, and it’s not enough to get me to stop reading the series.

Review: The Necromancer’s Dilemma (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2) by S.J. Himes

A great followup, but it does have a cliffhanger.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 213 pages. Published July 1st 2016 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

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. 

Likes:

  • Eroch is adorable.
  • I liked Daniel and Isaac more in this book.
  • Simon got POV sections too.
  • Lots going on but it’s not too much.
  • How Angel dealt with Batiste.
  • All of Angel’s relationships still need work.

Dislikes:

  • Ended on a cliffhanger.
  • Why are Isaac and Daniel not in therapy?
  • Angel is almost too powerful.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Angel’s relationships still need work. There wasn’t some magical cure at the end of book one that fixed everything. Angel still needs to solidify his bond with Simeon, rebuild his brotherly relationship with Isaac, and form a mentor/apprentice relationship with Daniel. It’s a tall order, and I can see why Angel gets to be the main character for three books. He needs the time to get his life in order. It would have been a disservice to all the characters, major and minor, to end things just because Simeon and Angel became a couple.  

There are other perks to having Angel be the main character for three books in a row – it allows time to show more of Isaac and Daniel before they get their own books. Both young men got small point of view sections in this book that show more of who they are, how they think, and what they’ve been through. I immediately liked both young men more in this book than the last, and they only became more sympathetic. I expect both will have to go through some heavy shit before coming out the other side, and I can’t help but wonder why they aren’t in therapy. They both clearly need it. Especially given the whopper of a cliffhanger at the end of the book.

Simeon also got point of view sections in this book, which I thought was nice. Compared to the other characters, he doesn’t have a lot of issues, but I guess if I’d been alive for four hundred years, I’d have my life together too. His love for Angel comes through loud and strong, and there’s a lot of lust in this book.

The non-romantic plot is a lot, but there’s room for it. Because Simeon and Angel are together now, there is more page space for crazy things to be happening in Boston. And boy are there crazy things. Angel is literally thrown from one crisis to the next. It definitely kept things interesting.

I am a little worried that Angel is getting too powerful. There’s really not much he can’t do anymore, especially with Simeon and Eroch by his side. And given that Angel himself admits he has anger management issues and no problem killing people in self-defense, that’s a recipe for trouble. I’m just glad he dealt with master vampire Batiste in a reasonable way, one that I can already tell is going to have consequences in book 4 (and this is why I love starting series that are almost finished. That and the fact that his book ended in a cliffhanger and I hate cliffhangers).   

Eroch gets a special shout out. I love dragons, be they big or small. I also like that Angel is aware that Eroch doesn’t have the same moral outlook on the world as humans do.

Given the cliffhanger, I am more than ready to move onto book three.

Review: The Necromancer’s Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by S.J. Himes

Fantastic world building and an interesting spin on vampires.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book.  Published February 25th 2016 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

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.

MATURE CONTENT Contains graphic violence, male/male sexual contact, a cranky necromancer, a sexy Irish vampire, and a pesky demon.

Likes:

  • The interesting spin on vampires and magic blood.
  • Hooked me fast.
  • Both Angel and Simeon were interesting characters.
  • The romance progressed at a nice pace.
  • Hot smut.
  • Milly.
  • The non-romantic plot.
  • This was everything I wanted from a vampire novel.
  • Angel didn’t know what being in love felt like.
  • The world building.

Dislikes:

  • Isaac.
  • The ending felt fast.
  • Loose strings about the Collins family and Daniel’s father.

I picked this book up on a whim. It was the necromancer aspect that called to me, more than the vampire one. I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m a huge fan of world building, and I generally like when authors take well-known creatures and put their own spin on them. The vampires in this book were typical, except that they couldn’t feed from anyone with magic. That was new, and it immediately hooked me. It was a simple tweak, but one that opened up a lot of new possibilities for the story.

Both Angel and Simeon were interesting characters. Angel’s past was revealed to the reader slowly, but that didn’t bother me. I liked that the men had known each other for years, because the foundation for their relationship was already laid when the book began. That let their feelings take center stage. I also liked that Angel had never been in love before, and he wasn’t sure what it felt like. For such a brave, powerful man, that was incredibly sweet.

The romance progressed at a nice pace, and there was some hot smut. Things between Angel and Simeon aren’t totally settled by the end of the book, but that’s fine because the next book is also about them. However, there were a few things that felt like they were being brushed under the rug instead of being tied up, like the Collins family and Daniel’s father. I hope it get addressed in future books, because they feel like loose threads.

The non-romantic plot was fantastic. Mystery and fighting and illegal magic. It was balanced really well with the romantic plot, melding into a seamless whole.

Milly deserves a mention as my favorite side character. She’s great and I already wish she had her own spinoff. Isaac felt like a childish asshole. As for the vampires at large, they were exactly what you’d expect from vampires – that combination of entitled elite and complete fucking asshole.

The final fight with the bad guy felt like it ended rather fast. It was satisfying, but I guess I’m used to long, drawn out fights.

I am eagerly looking forward to getting to the next book. I’m not entirely sure if the series is finished or not, but I’m glad I don’t have to wait to read more about Angel and Simeon.

Series Review: The Traitor Lords Saga

A low angst historical series that had its ups and downs.

Series rating: 3.5 out of 5

Books:

Likes:

  • Low angst series.
  • Not much focus on homosexuality being immoral or illegal.
  • Each book had a main character who wasn’t wealthy.
  • Great side characters.
  • The difference in how all of the traitor lord’s sons dealt with the scandal.
  • Cozy reads.
  • Some mystery and drama.
  • All the main characters were likeable.

Dislikes:

  • The slow burn was too slow.
  • None of the romances flowed like a typical romance.
  • All of the endings felt abrupt.
  • Would have benefited from epilogues.
  • The acceptance shown towards the relationships felt a little unrealistic.

This was a great series to read in the fall. There was just something about it that made me want to snuggle under some blankets as I read. I think part of that was the low angst nature of the stories. Despite homosexuality being illegal and considered immoral, there wasn’t much mention of that in any of the books, which I appreciated.

I don’t know much about history, but I get the feeling that the author took liberties with many of the side character’s acceptance of the male/male relationships. None of the romances could have come to fruition without the help and acceptance of their staff. I do think the willingness of the staff to look the other way was due in part to how well they were treated, but there were times when it felt a little idealistic.

All the main character were likeable men, and the couples were all a good fit for each other. I liked that all of the couples had one man who wasn’t wealthy. It showed a bit more about how life worked back then, as well as allowing the men to bring different experiences and knowledge to the relationships.

My main problem with the relationships was how they were structured. Because none of the men wanted to risk getting in trouble by blurting out their preferences, all the romances were slow burn. And honestly, they were all a little too slow for my tastes. I don’t think a single romantic thing happened in any of the books before the halfway mark. This made for a lot of pining, which isn’t bad, but does get old after a while. It also means that a lot of the little romantic and physical gestures were missing from the books.

I liked that all three of the traitor lord’s sons was affected differently by the scandal. It led to a lot of variety in their situations and in the books themselves. There was some mystery and light drama involved in all the books, giving the non-romantic plot interest. 

I would have liked to see the men meet or get together at some point, as I have come to expect that in series. This is especially true since all three endings felt a little abrupt, and I think the books could have benefitted from epilogues.

Overall, not a bad series, but not my favorite thing in the world. I’m glad I read the books, and I might pick up more of the author’s historical novels in the future. But I think I’ve had my fill for a while.

Review: Lord Edwin Falls (The Traitor Lords Saga #3) by Adella J. Harris

My least favorite of the series.

3 out of 5 stars

 E-book. 301 pages. Published June 20th 2017 by Adella J Harris

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

Alan Brideson has almost everything his father wanted for him: a prosperous business he enjoys selling objets d’arts imported from the Far East, a good address in town, and if everything goes according to his plan, he will soon have the last piece–a titled bride and entry into the world of the ton. All he needs is to cultivate a friendship with someone who has influence, who can help him get his vouchers for Almack’s famed balls. If only he could understand why he keeps dreaming about a certain dockworker he hired. Surely it was only because the man was an interesting puzzle who could read the languages that passed through the office daily.

Lord Edwin Gilford, younger son of the Earl of Martford, was studying Eastern languages at Oxford when his father and older brother participated in the plan to kill the king, and when they ran from agents of the Crown, so he wasn’t a suspect, and he wasn’t there when all of the Martford property was seized. Unable to find a position as a clerk because of his father’s treason, he takes any job he can get on the docks, where no one asks about Ed Martin’s past. At least until he gets a job at the Brideson Warehouse and accidentally reveals that he can read the foreign words on the crates. When Mr. Brideson offers him a position as clerk, he knows he should refuse, but the interesting work and promise of a guinea a week is too tempting, almost as tempting as Mr. Brideson’s kindness.

Working so closely makes it impossible to deny their attraction. But as Alan gets closer to the vouchers and the future he’s worked so hard for, Edwin knows he will have to leave. There is no way Edwin can go unnoticed and unrecognized in the world of the ton, and he will not repay Alan’s kindness by ruining his chance for a titled bride, and being seen with the son of a traitor lord would surely do that.

Likes:

  • Both men are likeable.
  • Edwin is sympathetic.
  • Great side characters.
  • The focus on how hard it was to be poor.

Dislikes:

  • Allen was weirdly oblivious to his feelings.
  • Allen had a disconnect between the things he wanted.
  • Overall plot wasn’t super engaging.
  • Slow burn romance is too slow.
  • Ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.

This book is definitely my least favorite of the series. I liked both Allen and Edward, but the slow burn was too slow for my tastes.

Of all the sons of the traitor lords, Edwin has it the worst. His plight easily pulled at my heartstrings. The three year time gap between the first and second chapters was a good choice. It showed that Edwin had what it took to survive, as well as glossing over the worst of the things he had to do, which included selling himself.

I was pleasantly surprised that there was a focus on someone who was poor. That’s not usually the case in the historical novels I’ve read in the past. Edwin’s struggle was constant. But it also took up a significant portion of the story. Edwin’s character, as well as his daily focus, was centered around money. It didn’t leave a lot of time for him to think about romance or to do anything romantic.

There’s definitely an imbalance between Allen and Edward in terms of economics. All of the little gestures were made by Allen – the gifts and meals and comforts. It helped to show that Allen was a nice guy. He treated his household staff and employees well, earning their trust and respect. When Edwin gave back, it was in terms of helping Allen’s business – just more evidence that money was first and foremost on Edward’s mind.

One of my least favorite things about Allen was how oblivious he was to his attraction to Edwin. It’s made clear that Allen is attracted to men, and had been before Edwin. Yet he seemed clueless about why he was having sex dreams about Edwin. Allen isn’t a stupid man, so this disconnect seemed strange. He also didn’t resize that he’d have to stop being with Edwin when he married a titled young woman.

Looking back on the book, it feels as though both Allen and Edwin’s personalities were stretched to the limit so that the slow burn could be managed. Edwin was convinced that his presence would be enough to ruin all of Allen’s social climbing ambitions, and Allen couldn’t have identified his feelings if they’d hit him with a truck.

I’m used to romances being thoroughly wrapped up by the end, and this book didn’t satisfy in that way. Edwin was still convinced that his presence would end up hurting Allen. The last chapter was supposed to be Allen’s big declaration that he was willing to deal with whatever the fallout was. And it worked, to an extent. It would have had more impact coming from Edwin’s point of view, and I think this story could have really benefitted from an epilogue showing them years down the road, still happy, with Edwin finally truly relaxed.

The non-romantic plot wasn’t the most engaging either, especially compared to the previous two books in the series. It was basically just Edwin helping Allen with his business. It’s a bit similar to the plot of Lord Heathborough Invests except without the threat or urgency of going to jail.

There’s also little worry about the dangers of their relationship being discovered. Humphries even jokes about it. And Allen’s servants seemed completely fine with the men’s relationship. I liked that part, and once again, the romance wouldn’t have been possible without the help of sympathetic side characters. But out of all the books in the series, this one felt the most unrealistic in that way.

I’m glad this was the last book in the series. If it had been the first, I would have been hesitant to continue. As it is, it’s definitely not the best way to end the series, especially since the book’s ending felt abrupt and wasn’t entirely satisfying.

Review: Lord Heathborough Invests (The Traitor Lords Saga #2) by Adella J. Harris

The romance was better than the first book.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. 290 pages. Published June 13th 2017 by Smashwords

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

Solicitor Robert Clarkson had begun to think he’d never have his own law practice, not when all of the work he was given at Glasson & Co. involved estate matters, until he was assigned to handle the business contracts of Lord Heathborough, son of one of the notorious traitor lords. Lord Heathborough has connections that could lead to the kind of clients Robert finds most interesting, and it doesn’t hurt that he is exceedingly handsome.

Laurence Nelson, Lord Heathborough, had always known his father would destroy his inheritance somehow and had built up a fortune of his own against the day, but he certainly never expected it to come in the form of a plot to kill the king. As the only traitor lord captured, his father was only making it worse enjoying the notoriety and telling the press anything he thought would make the conspirators seem clever, including details of the stock swindle used to finance it. At least his new solicitor isn’t bothered by it, although Laurence is certainly bothered by the handsome Mr. Clarkson.

When the Crown begins to suspect Laurence of using his companies to aid the traitor lords in their stock swindle, he’ll need to decide if he can trust his new solicitor, or if Robert was part of the plot all along. 

Likes:

  • Both men were likeable.
  • Lots of mutual longing.
  • Good side plot.
  • Lots of little touching moments between Laurence and Robert.
  • Approving side characters.

Dislikes:

  • My interest dropped when Robert and Laurence got together.
  • Robert’s situation with his dad reminded me of a teenager.
  • The side plot seemed to get wrapped up really fast at the end.

I definitely liked this book better than the last. The romance was simply better. One of my big complaints about Lord Lynster Discovers was that the characters didn’t spend enough time together, which led to a lack of little moments.

For me, a romance is made up of the little moments, those small gestures that bring a couple closer. This book definitely had lots of them. I especially loved when Robert taught Laurence how to make toasted bread and cheese over the fire. It was super sweet. Both men were yearning for each other but were too worried about rejection and the possible consequences to actually make a move.

The yearning was strong in this book. I don’t think it was UST – unresolved sexual tension. Yes, the men wanted each other, but it was about more than sex. They both wanted someone special in their lives. But the downside to this was that once the men actually got together, my interest dropped. It was like the tension had gone out of the story. The ‘will they, won’t they’ was resolved, leaving the remainder of the book relying on the side plot to hold my attention.

The side plot was basically Laurence trying to distance himself from his father, who was blabbing to the press about the traitor lords plot to kill the king. I never really felt like Laurence was in much danger of being linked with the plot, unlike James from the first book. So I simply didn’t find the side plot as interesting. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one, because it got wrapped up really fast at the end.

Both Robert and Laurence were likeable characters, as well as being nice men. Robert was a bit shy, but very smart and talented. Laurence’s success in business was due to his own hard work and attention to detail. He was a wealthy man, but wasn’t a snob. He actually cared about people, and went out of his way to make sure his father’s tenants and his own former butler were taken care of.

It was really fun watching the two men get to know each other and fall in love. Laurence’s hesitations were well explained and felt realistic. It was hard for him to open up to the possibility of romance, and he almost botched it, but he wasn’t too proud to apologize and admit he made a mistake. He really made a lot of progress over the book, learning to trust Robert completely.

I felt bad for Robert. Arguably, it was Laurence whose father was the worst of the two, but Robert felt like he was a grown man being forced to live like a teenager. His father monitored his coming and going from the house, Robert had to give excuses for coming home late, and his father constantly tried to chip away at his confidence.

Like in the last book, Robert and Laurence’s romance wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a number of side characters. The support was more subtle than in the previous book, but it was definitely still there. It was nice to see, especially given the time period the book was set in.

Review: Lord Lynster Discovers (The Traitor Lords Saga #1) by Adella J. Harris

A surprisingly low angst historical mm romance.

3.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. 193 pages. Published June 5th 2017 by Pronoun

Blurb:

Three traitor lords plotted to kill the king; now their sons must deal with the aftermath.

When butler Daniel Rivers finds his employer, the Earl of Lynster, has shot himself, confirming he was one of the traitor lords plotting to kill the king, Daniel’s only thought is to protect his childhood friend James, the new Lord Lynster, from the scandal. He’s been quietly looking out for Lord James ever since the day by the pond when James’s “experiment” of a kiss proved to Daniel that he loved the young lord.

James had heard rumors of traitor lords and a plot to kill the king, but he didn’t realize his father was one of them until he read a newspaper story hinting the traitors were on the verge of being arrested and finds his father has shot himself rather than be tried, making James the new Lord Lynster. Fortunately, his father’s butler, Daniel Rivers, found the body. Daniel knows James’s deepest secret, and James knows he can trust Daniel, even when the Crown decides they’d like another traitor lord to put on trial.

When it’s discovered there may be more traitors involved in the conspiracy than the ones the Crown already knows about, James will need all his resources to prove he isn’t one of them. And Daniel will do anything he can to keep the former Lord Lynster’s scandal away from the son, even if it means allowing himself to be suspected.

A gay – M/M romance novel set in the Regency period with a medium heat level. 70,000 words/ approx. 280 pages 

Likes:

  • How both men had crushes on each other for years.
  • The power imbalance that exists between James and Daniel wasn’t cringy.
  • How great the side characters were.
  • Daniel and James were both likeable.
  • Low angst.
  • The mystery subplot was interesting.

Dislikes:

  • There wasn’t as much character growth as I would have liked.
  • Some minor editing mistakes.
  • Not a lot of talk about what happens if the men get caught together.
  • James and Daniel didn’t spend as much time together as I’d have liked.
  • I wish the romance had been more consistent.

I’m not usually the biggest fan of historical mm romance. The simple fact that homosexuality was punishable by death always puts a damper on things for me. Despite that, this book was surprisingly low angst and didn’t really focus too much on the legal or moral aspects of male/male romance. I personally didn’t mind that, although I can see how it might stray a bit from strict historical accuracy. As history was not my best subject, my knowledge of the minutiae is low, and so any inaccuracies would have flown straight over my head. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

I thought James was a very sympathetic character. To be dropped into such an unpleasant situation – not only the death of his father but being suspected as a participant in a plot to kill the king. Daniel’s support was incredibly sweet, as were the little ways it was revealed that Daniel had always been supporting him.

Daniel was a solidly dependable man, and that instantly made me like him. The fact that he’d harbored a crush on James for years made my heart go out to him. He struggled with his feelings, which he was sure would never be returned. It felt suitable to the time period and to his personality, but it did make the overall romance feel a little bumpy.

Neither James nor Daniel was willing to come straight out and admit they liked each other. Their feelings grew, but weren’t acted on until everything burst forth all at once. That moment of connection was worth waiting for, but it did mean there weren’t a lot of the little moments – gentle touches and lingering looks – that come with more modern stories.

I am glad that the power imbalance between the two men wasn’t cringy. James actually spent time thinking about how things would work between the two of them. He also came to realize that there was an entire side of Daniel’s life that he didn’t know anything about. It wasn’t as much character growth as I would have liked to see, but it was there.

The mystery to absolve both James and Daniel of any involvement with the treasonous plot added a lot to the story. I do wish James and Daniel had spent more time side by side as they did their sleuthing. There was a period of time when Daniel and James were forcibly separated, and I think that made their feeling for each other even stronger.

The story relies heavily on the help of side characters. Both James’s sister and his staff ended up being important to the plot. It was really heartwarming, and the happy ending wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Despite the minor editing mistake scattered through the book, I am looking forward to moving on to the next one.

Review: Familiar Beginnings (Demon Magic #2) by Alice Winters

A great followup to another 5 star book!

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 214 pages. Published March 26th 2020

Blurb:

Smart men quit while they’re ahead—they lay low and hope disaster blows on by them. Not me. Especially when disaster seems to follow me and my soulmate Havoc, a demon I bound to me three hundred years ago with my magic.

The dark mage Geoff is back from the dead and creating chaos by devouring the hearts of people with magical abilities, giving him overwhelming power as his followers grow. And since I’m one of the strongest mages alive and am leading the resistance against him, he’s coming for me next. Oh, and it might have something to do with the fact that I was also the one who originally killed him. But you can’t blame me; the guy needed to die.

Havoc and I, along with our unlikely band of… (I don’t want to say heroes, I can’t give them that much credit) annoyances will stop at nothing to end the destruction. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a sexy demon by my side every step of the way. For the first time in three hundred years, I’m finally with the person meant for me, and I will do anything to keep from losing him.

Familiar Beginnings is a 63k word sequel to Happy Endings. It contains a powerful mage who just wants to be left in peace, a mysterious curly-haired troublemaker, gargoyles that are literally dumber than stone, a river trip that doesn’t feel at all like a vacation, and a “cat” with some unusual features and deadly claws. 

Likes:

  • Hooked me fast.
  • Instantly funny.
  • Still loved the snark and banter.
  • Menace.
  • Flashbacks that are well done and add to the story.
  • How Miles is haunted by his past.
  • The story speeds along at a fast pace.

Dislikes:

  • I never really worried about Miles being in danger.
  • Relatively little planning before each fight.

Another winner from Alice Winters! Of course, I’m not surprised. Having loved Miles and Havoc in the first book, I knew I’d like this one too. What I didn’t expect was how much better Miles and Havoc’s relationship got in this book.

In book one, Happy Endings, Miles and Havoc finally got romantically involved after knowing each other for centuries. The romance was new then, and came with all the typical ‘new romance’ feels. In this book, they’re an established couple, and have realized just how much they mean to each other. It was fantastic character development and made their relationship truly heartwarming.

Of course, there’s still snark and banter. The book starts off with them having been captured, and how they deal with the situation is both funny and a great reminder of why I liked them in the first place.

I was instantly hooked, since this book is all about defeating the Big Bad from book one, Geoff. All of Miles’s friends get together again, with a few notable new faces. Menace the cat is my favorite, but I did like Etienne and Leo.

One of the things I was a little disappointed about was the relatively short amount of time Miles and his friends spent preparing to fight against Geoff. I think this comes from the many high fantasy books I’ve read over the years, where a good chunk of the story is about people having adventures in order to find rare and hidden weapons. I’m glad that didn’t happen here. It would have ruined the pace of the book, which moves along at a nice, fast clip. I didn’t make an actual note of how many days pass in the story, but I don’t think it’s more than three or four.

I was a little worried that this book would get dark, since Miles and Havoc both have traumatic pasts. And some of that shared past was shown through well-executed flashbacks. But things never delved into truly dark territory, for which I’m glad. It was acknowledged, especially when Miles was struggling with the weight of guilt from knowing that his power was used to kill people. It added a lot to the story, rounding out Miles and Havoc as well as showing how much of a monster Geoff was.

I was never in doubt that there would be a happy ending. That was both a good thing and a bad one. Good because the characters deserved a happy ending. Bad because I was never really worried about Miles. Even when he got hurt, I knew things would turn out fine. It did lessen the tension a bit. That being said, none of the characters came out completely unscathed, and I did worry about some of the side characters a time or two.

I would be very happy with more books set in this universe. Of course, I’d take more stories about Havoc and Miles, but the book ended in a way that felt like their story was complete. I’d happily read stories about Etienne and Leo, Sam and Iya, or anyone else. As long as there’s snark, I’m all in.