Friday, September 30, 2022

What's on the Reading Radar? #reading #WishList #TBR

What a quick week! I ate something earlier in the week that disagreed with me and I lost a day to sickness. Now we have hurricane weather coming our way. I don't except it to be bad, just lots of rain. The winds are going to be 20-30 mph with gusts. The locals are acting as if we are going to lose power. I guess well see how the infrastructure holds up, yeah?

In the meantime, I've found a couple of great reads this week.

Series:
Author: Isabel Murray
Length: 159 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes: What an adorable read. Gary is so innocent and easy to like and root for. I enjoyed this book so much that I went and bought this author's backlist, not caring if they were contemporary. If they have this same feel and atmosphere, then I'm completely onboard. Sign me up! 

Blurb: Seriously? Who is making this up?

Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he's ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.

As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.

Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.

Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.

More specifically, about their future.


Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.

Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?

(Unless that really is a bear following him.)


Title: Roman
Series: Vampire's Mate, 1
Author: Grae Bryan
Length: 273 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Gay

Notes: I'm in the middle of reading this one right now and really enjoying it. The book has been on my list for a while and for some reason I thought it was going to be dark, but it's not really. There is danger from a crazy vampire but the relationship between Roman and Danny is sweet and hits on everything that I enjoy about fated mates stories. I've not read this author before and plan to look up their backlist. 

Blurb: Danny Kingman is used to fending for himself. Working nonstop as an ER nurse to pay for his mother’s care, he’s been putting his own life on hold since he can remember. But when an unbelievably hot, strangely intense man saves him from a mugging, Danny has a feeling everything is about to change. Especially when that man suddenly pops out a pair of fangs.

Roman Mourier has been wandering aimlessly for decades, waiting for the inevitable day when the last of his humanity leaves him, and the demon inside him takes permanent control. He doesn’t believe in fated mates, or the myth that there’s a soul out there that could tether his humanity to him. Until he feels a strange pull to the lovely young man at the hospital, and hope stirs in him for the first time.

But Roman has demons other than just the one inside him. Is he strong enough to keep Danny safe from the past that haunts him? He knows one thing for sure: now that he’s found his mate, he will do anything to keep him.

Roman is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains insta-obsession, a cinnamon roll of an ER nurse, and the possessive vampire determined to keep him. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. Not suitable for readers under 18.

Series: The Dragon's of Serai, 2
Author: Amy Sumida
Length: 363 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Dragons / Gay

Notes: I really liked the first book of this series and when this popped up as released I dived in. The storyline for this is a little heavier than the Dragon King's Assassin... okay a lot heavy. It's about racism, bigotry, culpability, personal honor, and I don't know what else. I started this before bed one night and got to about 45% before I had to put it down to go to sleep. Sleep was terrible because it was all dreams about this book and possible outcomes. It is rare that I take a story into my dreams anymore, which just shows how wrapped up in this I am. I'm planning a family trip in this coming week so I probably won't pick this back up until sometime in mid-October, but I wanted this to go on the Radar as a recommendation.

Blurb: Death walks beside me.

Two weeks ago, I was hired by the Dragon Prince of Zaru to help his brother, the King, deal with their dead. Not that there is an abundance of corpses in their kingdom, but those who die aren't staying in their graves. As a necromancer, I'm one of the few people on Serai who can put the dead to rest and discover why they are rising. As a Raltven, I'm particularly good at it. Good enough that the King of Zaru sent his brother across the sea to find someone like me.

At first sight, desire sparked between Prince Racmar and me. On the way to Zaru, our attraction for each other had grown. Now it's reached the point of combustion, but I want more than a single night of pleasure from the Prince. To win him, I must play a dangerous game, tantalizing the man without riling the beast inside him. Between Racmar and the dead, I have some serious work to do, and both are presenting unforeseen complications. The reanimated corpses aren't talking, something both unusual and unfortunate for my investigation. Then there is Prince Racmar who speaks too much, and his words are clawing at my resistance. I don't know who will break first—the unknown power behind the dead, the Dragon Prince, or me.

Death walks beside us Raltven, in our shadow form we are akin to spirits, but if I'm not careful, a spirit is exactly what I will become.



Series: Tentacular Tales, 1
Author: Chloe Archer
Length: 358 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal ? / Aliens / Gay

Notes: I just started this one last night, so I'm not far in, but so far it's cute, though I did a side eye at the Gen X'r and their eatable usage. This has the promise of a lighthearted romance with some soft humor. We'll see where it goes.

Blurb: A sexy alien living incognito on Earth meets a sci-fi loving nerd who wants to rock his universe. What could possibly go wrong? Besides the unexpected tentacles and the accidental Mating Courtship Ritual, that is....

RIVER SULLIVAN

As a bona fide sci-fi nerd and total X-phile—the truth is out there—I’ve always believed in aliens. Duh. But I never thought I’d actually find them on Earth–let alone right here in Las Vegas! Now I’ve stumbled onto a big freakin’ secret and found my very own hot AF alien. I’m head over heels, but he’s being a total grump and holding back. How do I make him realize a geeky sunshine guy like me is just what he needs in his life? Did I mention he also has tentacles?!?! #HolyHentaiFantasyBatman #SwoonworthyAlien #SignMeUpSugar #MakeItSo #VivaLasVegas

KAI GENARO

The last thing I need in my life is a chatterbox twink who’s determined to woo me and could expose the secret existence of aliens on Earth to all humankind. Everything about him annoys me, including his stupidly attractive halo of golden curls and his bright green ‘come hither’ eyes. To make matters worse, he’s been recruited to work for the alien Alliance on Earth, and I’m assigned to keep him out of trouble. I don’t care how attractive he is. I don’t date humans! Except, my tentacles may have accidentally started the Mating Courtship Ritual with him…

It’s Not Unusual To Be Loved by an Alien (Tentacular Tales #1) is a (102,000 words) M/M sci-fi rom com featuring an adorkable twink with unexpected secrets and a slight obsession with extraterrestrials, the reluctant alien he wants to make his boo, tentacles with a mind of their own, zany extraterrestrial shenanigans in Sin City, and enough humor to fill an entire spaceship. This is the first book in the series. There is no cheating, and this book ends with a HFN. Never fear, the series guarantees readers an HEA by the end!

Series: Gods of Misfortune, 2
Author: Lyn Gala
Length: 165 pages

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Aliens / Gay

Notes: I enjoyed the first book in this series. Sometimes it was hard for me to wrap my mind around people following gods who could bring misfortune, but the way its presented made sense. I was also glad I wasn't born as one of Regi's species. LOL

Blurb: Regi and Dante landed on one of the Empire's border planets while the exalteds try to understand the involvement of the gods. Regi's people are xenophobic, so he's determined that his crew will make a good impression. The alternative is unthinkable, especially with so many Kowri suggesting that the gods would rather see the outsiders dead rather than show them respect.

Dante wants to avoid the brewing political fight. He has never enjoyed politics—not on Earth, much less around aliens he barely understands. Give him a stable and alien horses to learn to ride instead. But when a certain goddess of poisons is involved, he will be dragged into the conflict whether he wants to be there or not. With Dante's life in danger, Regi cannot remain neutral. He won't take a stand on the conflicts between the Coalition and the Empire, but for Dante he will challenge the universe itself.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Friday, September 23, 2022

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList #TBR #reading

Another week gone in a flash. I feel like that should be a superpower. Instead of forgetting, I actually sat here wondering if I wanted to post a Radar for this week or not. I've been rereading this week with a few chapters here and there of other books because obviously, I'm not focusing well. 

So, I'm going to pull from my 'curious' list. These are books that their covers have caught my attention and I'm curious about. These will eventually (mostly) be books that I will probably sample. Some of them, I'll come back to and take off the list after rereading the blurb. It's all about the mood with me, like I went through a couple of weeks where I hunted for rejected mates looking for a specific story. Then suddenly I didn't want to read that anymore and so I filed away my findings for when the mood comes back around. The curious list means something caught my attention and I saved it for later. LOL

Series: Perilous Courts, 1
Author: Tavia Lark
Length: 283 pages

Genre: Romance / High Fantasy / Gay

Notes: So I read Necromancer's Light which is a different series by this author and really liked it, though I haven't read the read the rest of that series... for reasons. (See mention of mood reading)

Blurb: He’s supposed to kill Prince Julien. Not fall for him.

Whisper doesn’t remember his real name. All he knows is the elite assassin guild that raised him—and controls him with the threat of blood magic. Plagued by nightmares, he doesn’t get to refuse assignments, even when his new job doesn’t make sense:

Infiltrate Prince Julien’s court, protect him until the signal arrives, then kill him.

Julien hides his own schemes behind a sordid reputation. He trusts nobody besides his brothers, and he certainly doesn’t trust the aloof, beautiful new stranger at court. But he doesn’t have to trust the stranger to be drawn to him, especially when he saves Julien’s life.

Then Julien saves Whisper too, and Whisper’s reserve shatters.

Beneath Julien’s playboy facade is a warmth Whisper can’t resist. Whisper’s never been comforted before. He’s never been cared for like this. As his nightmares darken, Julien’s touch is his only solace—but falling in love could ruin them both.

Because Whisper’s mission hasn’t changed, and the price for failure is worse than death.

Prince and Assassin is a high fantasy gay romance, with secret identities, hurt/comfort, and magic tigers with attitude. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.


Series:
Author: Amanda Meuwissen
Length: 221 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Werewolves / Vampires / Gay /

Notes: I like vampires and am always up for vampire romance but I have found lately that I like certain types of vampire romances. Lots of hunting with nothing brought home recently. This was part of a promotion but by the time I looked at it, the promotional period was passed or something. So I saved it in my curious file to take a look at later.

Blurb: Alpha werewolf, crime boss, and secret Seer Bashir Bain is neck-deep in negotiating a marriage of convenience with a neighboring alpha when a tense situation goes from bad to worse. A job applicant at one of Bash’s businesses—a guy who was supposed to be a simple ex-cop, ex-con tattoo artist—suddenly turns up undead.

A rogue newborn vampire would have been a big wrench in Bash’s plans even without his attraction to the man. After all, new vampires are under their sire’s control, and Ethan Lambert doesn’t even know who turned him. When Bash spares his life, he opens himself up for mutiny, a broken engagement, and an unexpected—and risky—relationship.

Ethan just wants a fresh start after being released from prison. Before he can get it, he’ll need to turn private investigator to find out who sired him and what he wants. And he’d better do it quick, because the moon is full, and according to Bash’s prophecy, life and death hang in the balance.

Series:
Author: Isabel Murray
Length: 159 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Humor / Gay

Notes: The title is what caught my eye and the blurb sounds promising. I'm all for low-angst and some humor.

Blurb: The Kingdom of Estla is in turmoil. Power plays, intrigue, and plots seethe in the corridors of power. And Gary of a Hundred Days, Last of the Tyrant Kings is…well, he's pretty offended, actually?

Tyrant?

Seriously? Who is making this up?

Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he's ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.

As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.

Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.

Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.

More specifically, about their future.


Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.

Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?

(Unless that really is a bear following him.)

Series:
Author: Alexandra Rowland
Length: 505 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Political Intrigue / Gay /

Notes: the more I put this list together it seems that my mood was definitely in the fantasy range. The cover caught my eye and the title is a bit odd and the blurb reads like a serious fantasy romance. I've not read this author before and since this comes from a traditional publisher, I'm not sure if this will have a HEA. Presumptuous of me, I know, but I don't want tragic queer books. Since I've not read either book reference in that first review line, I don't know what the reviewer is alluding to. 

Blurb: The Goblin Emperor meets "Magnificent Century"—a queer central romance unfolds in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire.

“A delicious tangle of romance, fealty, and dangerous politics.” (Tasha Suri)


Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court - the body-father of the queen's new child—in an altercation that results in his humiliation. To prove his loyalty to the queen, his sister, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds, with the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer, who seems to tolerate him at best. In Arasht, where princes can touch-taste precious metals with their fingers and myth runs side by side with history, counterfeiting is heresy, and the conspiracy they discover could cripple the kingdom’s financial standing and bring about its ruin.

Series: (Convergence Book 4)
Author: Autumn Dawn
Length: 178 pages

Genre: Romance / Alternate History / Alternate World / Paranormal / 

Notes: I read a lot of hero storylines and I wanted something different, where the heroine is okay or enjoys just everyday accomplishments without there being hidden misogyny. This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I liked the blurb enough that I did send myself a sample to see what it was like.

Blurb: The Convergence

It had been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as “Underhill”. Elven castles and ancient ruins sprouted in vacant lots, on major highways, sometimes merging with existing buildings, twisting into completely new structures. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture finally sorted itself and food began to flow. A new government formed of elves and men had arisen, a society of human tech and elven magic. Cell phones and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons…

And everywhere, monsters.

The Ice Giant’s Housekeeper

The Convergence had changed their world. Years ago, Earth and the fabled elven world had melded, causing earthquakes, raising sunken islands and unleashing monsters. The catastrophic disaster disrupted every facet of transportation, agriculture and caused widespread death. When the shaken citizens of both worlds finally sorted things out, roads got fixed, farms and factories started to produce, and oil and natural gas once more fueled the nations. The world ran on a mix of magic and science, allowing dragons to rule the skies and satellites to dominate space.

These days, resources were focused on infrastructure, communications, manufacture and monster control. Meat and animal products were especially rationed. It took a lot of manpower to protect herds of animals and helpless, delicious chickens from hungry monsters. WW2 memorabilia and rationing posters were back in circulation, as people were encouraged to “grow your own” and “have a monster garden”. Etsy sold framed posters of Rosie the Riveter, people were encouraged to “make do and mend”, and homemaking was a full-time job again…

Which is why Hakon and his brothers were struggling. Women were naturally superior at homemaking; at least Fern thought so.

Fern served the perfect frost giant family, until a disaster forces her to find a new home. Turned out another family was in need of a live-in housekeeper. It’s not exactly a dream job.

He needed a cook. Maybe someone to clean house. The little human seemed like a good idea, but it was tricky keeping her alive.

He needed a housekeeper. She needed a home.

Fern’s apartment is wreaked by monsters and she’s fired the next day. With nowhere to go, she’s grateful to accept any job...even if it’s working for a family of ice giant bachelors. They’re nice enough, if dreadful slobs. Thankfully, it’s nothing a fire hose and elbow grease won’t clean.

A member of Fire & Rescue, Hakon doesn’t have time to breathe, much less clean. Not only is the new housekeeper a talented cook, she makes his house a home. She also comes with unexpected magical talents...

American pie and monsters. Ice giant cattle ranchers and goblin bankers. Murderously protective magical geese and a very talented housekeeper.

Heat level: sweet. Contains no graphic love scenes.

Expect reasonable amounts of gore as monster heads explode and plenty of action.

Series: 13 Kingdom's, 1
Author: HL Day
Length: 309 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes: To be honest, I keep moving this book on and off my list. It seems I can't make up my mind. I think I'm having a hard time reconciling it being both an 'enemies to lover' as well as 'light-hearted'. That is mixing like water and oil in my mind.

Blurb: Sebastian might have the power to summon animals, but winning Jack over? Far more difficult.

As first encounters go, Jack and Sebastian’s isn’t ideal, leaving Jack nursing a grudge he’s not about to let go of in a hurry. Yet, if Jack is to find his missing sister, and Sebastian is to rescue his captured prince, they’ll need to set their differences aside and work as a team.

Jack is stubborn and somewhat volatile. Sebastian is vain and clearly in love with himself. But as the unlikely companions face all manner of dangers together, they grow closer. Rescuing the prince should be easy. Rescuing him from an impenetrable tower guarded by dragon-shifting knights? Okay, that part is harder.

But once the adventure is over, letting Sebastian go might be the hardest thing Jack has ever had to do.

The Reluctant Companion is an 85k MM enemies to lover’s story featuring murderous orcs, deadly creatures, and marauding bandits. Opposites attract in this light-hearted fantasy romance which mixes humor with action and adventure. Meet a whole cast of colorful characters in the first book of the 13 kingdoms series.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Friday, September 16, 2022

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList #TBR #reading

I've missed posting the radar the last couple of weekends. Simply lost track of time and honestly didn't do much reading or sampling. This is my birthday week and I didn't plan anything at all. Yep, it crept on me too. :) 

Title: Logan
Series: Chosen Champions
Author: Macy Blake
Length: 328 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: This was a fun story and I really liked the mix of people involved in Logan's and Bailey's lives. 

Blurb: Logan Moore is a leader without a pack...

And after the rejection he faced from his last pack, he’s not sure he wants one. But when a mysterious benefactor he nicknames The Oracle offers Logan the chance to use his military expertise to lead a group of misfit shifters to protect the creatures of the magical realm, Logan’s wolf won’t allow him to say no.

Bailey Cairn is a man without a protector...

And for the entirety of his very human life, he hasn’t needed one. But when his friend is attacked at a bar, sweet, caretaker Bailey is drawn into a world he hadn’t known existed. A world full of secrets, and magic. A world full of danger… and gorgeous, protective Logan.

But if Bailey and Logan want to break the chains of the past, they'll have to learn to trust each other and themselves, and start to believe in things that are bigger than they are...

That magic exists.

That packs are about more than blood ties.

That sometimes true love is a matter of fate.

And that heroes aren’t made…they’re Chosen.

Series: Pillars of Magic: Dark Awakening, 2
Author: Lissa Kasey
Length: 405 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / UF / Gay

Notes: Just released! yay!

Blurb: Everyone underestimates the wind until it tears their world apart.

Con’s job is recovering rare books and artifacts, and learning all their secrets before handing them over to be archived. He never expected to find a little girl with an affinity to speak to the dead, and with her a strange symbol for a cult long since thought extinct.

Luca is on the verge of a change he’s feared for a long time, and he worries his lovers won’t want him anymore once his darker side is set free. With Con newly returned with a little girl in need of protection, and Sam trying to help the most powerful witch in the world solve a slew of murders, Luca feels powerless to stop the rising change.

But someone is in control of a demon and trying to capture the power of all the Pillars of Magic. Can the trio uncover the end goal before dark magic tears them all to pieces?

Series: Daemons of San Delain
Author: M.A. Church
Length: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: This blurb makes me think the monster gets himself a cinnamon roll. IDK. I haven't read it yet. We'll see.

Blurb: The monster: They say I am powerful. They say I am the darkness. They say I instill fear in the minds and hearts of many.

They’re right.

I am powerful. I am the darkness. I should be feared. Then I heard his cries and everything changed. Power can be tempered. There’s safety in the darkness. And the monster isn’t always the one under the bed.

Now only the heart and mind of one human interests me. He is mine. I wait, watching over him until the time is right to claim what belongs to me.

Austin: Do you believe there are monsters under the bed? I do. I don’t just believe; I know for a fact they exist. I’ve met one. Sort of. Okay, I haven’t actually seen the monster, I’ve only spoken to it.

Kind of hard to see much of anything when you’re hiding under the covers while waiting on your father to beat your ass. The monster saved me. Literally. He says I’m his, and he’s waiting for the right time to claim me.

Someone tell him to hurry the hell up.

Series: Exiled Pack, 1
Author: Fel Fern
Length: 268 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Mpreg / Gay

Notes: It seems I'm on a paranormal kick and I really like rabbit shifters. This one is a rabbit paired with a wolf. It's a little angsty with your exiles' backgrounds and the rabbit  getting away from an abusive relationship. It's set in the same world as the last Fern book I read about the motorcycle club of bear shifters. I'm going to look around her series to see if I can find the one the neutral town that was mentioned in the last book. That was dragon territory and I want to read it too.

Blurb: An Omega who’s trying to get his life back together. An exiled Alpha who just wants to be left alone. Fate brings two broken souls together to make them whole.

Caden Hill’s life is in tatters. Thanks to his ex-boyfriend, he lost his high-paying job, and he’s now living in his car. When his warlock best friend invites him to a sanctuary for lost paranormals, it’s a new start for Caden. He’s sworn off romance… until a gorgeous Alpha saves him from a fate worse than death. Lee’s sexy, protective and thoughtful, but he’s broken, just like Caden is. Caden’s taste in men is awful, but maybe he can make an exception for Lee.

Branded as a murderer by his old pack for killing his father, all Lee Marshall wants to do is forget his past. He runs an animal shelter with three other misfit Alphas like him. Lee thinks he’s finally found peace, but something is missing in his life. The answer lies in Caden. Caden is his bright ray of sunshine, but Lee doesn’t believe a killer like him deserves a shot at happiness. When a former pack mate begs Lee for help, Lee finds himself at a crossroads. Will he choose redemption or his fated mate?

Moon River Rogue is a mpreg shifter romance that features a reluctant Alpha with a dark past, a broken Omega keen on pursuing him and plenty of adorable rescue animals. It is the first book in the Exiled Pack series. There are no cliff-hangers or cheating, and a HEA is guaranteed.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!