Nova Praetorian by NR Walker

 

Nova Praetorian by N.R. Walker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think this is the first book in the history of NR Walker that I didn't love.
I like it, it's good. The research that went in to all of this Roman culture is phenomenal, but the story didn't really speak to me.

I loved Quintus and Kaeso (sp?) as characters, and the 2 female gladiators were a show stealer. Really just all the relationships that Quintus had with all the people close to him was amazing, he's a likeable guy. There's just something within the story that wasn't pulling. I was way over all the sex scenes (gasp, I know!). They made me impatient to get to the actual story. I feel like without them, the book would have moved along better?

I thought Tiberius was a bit "much" as well. An extra villainous villain if you will. I didn't love how that all played out, like the whole plan was over the top.

In any case. The main characters are phenomenal and well written, the research- amazing, most of the story is engaging. Joel did an amazing job with the narration. I do love when he does stories outside of American culture and contemporarism (not a word, but I'm keeping it). His accents are always fun and it's incredible the range he can pull off.

If you're expecting a full on gladiator book, this isn't it. It's more about the political deceit.So expect to go on a twisty game of chess.

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The Dichotomy of Angels by NR Walker

 

The Dichotomy of Angels by N.R. Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to go all Angel nerd for a minute.

I loved that NR incorporated real angels into a fictional story.

The part that intrigued me most was her portrayal of Metatron. I'm wondering what made her to decide to take an Archangel that is known to be one of 2 of the only Archangels to have ever been human first...human men (Metatron and his twin brother Sandalphon). Like why that specific angel? I'm not by any means saying it's wrong, as all light beings are equally masculine/feminine energies equally and come to us as we need them. I just found this interesting. I see Gabriel and Uriel as female myself.

I loved the fact that she portrays that every religion carries a piece of the truth in each and that in Heaven, they all get along. I believe this as well.

As for the twin flame aspect, I have my own view of twin flame relationships. I will keep my beliefs to myself, but this fictional story did make me think about some things on a weirdly deep level.

I'm also glad I did not read (listen) to this book sooner, I don't believe I would have gotten that message if I had listened sooner.

Ok, I'm done being a nerd...
Onto the actually story.

This story, for me, was almost as equally sad as it was funny. Though, I thought it was more sad lol. Nathaniel was oddly humorous and endearing in is his kind of nievety. Nathaniel has been hiding out in "hell" , away from Chasan, as he wants to be the one in charge of his own fate.

St. Peter sends these two angels in a mission on Earth together as a team for the first time in 1000 years. They must portray teachers running a class of 4 year olds.

Nathaniel likes toput on this persona of a bad ass who who runs hell, but really he is the kindest soul who loves dogs, and baby goats, and children..and it's really just the sweetest thing. He just needs to get over some past trauma and the realization that he's good enough for Chasan.

Poor Chasan has been dragged along for 1000 years, living in sort of a limbo state, waiting for his twin soul to wakeup from a funk. This is sort of the saddest part of the book, when he decides to give up and wants to sever the bond.

I'm going to leave this review here, I don't want to give too much more of the story away. All in all,I loved the world building, the characters, the storyline, and the narration

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The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daniel Henning (narrator) absolutely seems to belong in the TJ world. He fits.

I'm pretty sure Sal is my youngest nephew. Big and quiet, unless around the right people.

I adore Chauncey. Talia is my animal spirit and Lucy is so special. All of the children, really. They're so unique and bring such great qualities to this story.

I loved everything about this. Absolutely everything. It's a great lesson in discrimination and archaic systems that need to be left behind and new ones formed (looking at you government and educational systems).

I can see why this came out in 2020, but I'm also really glad I saved it for 2021. <3

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The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

 

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this story. I love the narration by Michael Lesley.

A few things I noticed though:
Being a huge Klune fan for many-a-year, I noticed a lot of similarities in characters across all series.

Nicky is pretty clueless just like Sam of Wilds. The humor is also closely resembled in both those characters. I also felt a lot of Paul come through.

Don't get me wrong, I adore all those characters, and I think a lot of that is just TJ's humor coming through, but I also love variety and uniqueness and I only felt a small amount of that here.

That being said, if you're just climbing in to the TJ world through this new publisher and genre, then this is 100% the best introduction to TJ you could have.

ENJOY!

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Blog Tour AN ECHO IN THE SORROW by Hailey Turner

 

An Echo in the Sorrow

 

Series: Soulbound 6

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook/Audio): March 1, 2021

Length (Print & Ebook/Audio):  117,943 words

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

Warnings: None

Cover artist: AngstyG LLC

All buy links or pre-order links:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R6BD3GX/

Book blurb: 

Forgiveness is a hollow prayer you only hear in your dreams.

 

Patrick Collins has spent years handling cases as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency, even as his secret standing in the preternatural world has changed. He should have confessed to his role as co-leader of the New York City god pack when he and Jonothon de Vere took up the mantle months ago, but he didn’t. Now that split loyalty will cost him at a time when he can least afford it.

 

Outmaneuvered, framed for murder, and targeted by the Dominion Sect, Patrick has to face a past full of lies to regain his freedom. Revealing the truth means he’ll need to give up the life that has defined him. Everything he’s fought to build with his pack is at stake, and losing them isn’t a price Patrick is willing to pay, but some choices aren’t his to make.

 

Jono knows they can’t cede any more territory if they want to win the god pack civil war spilling into the streets of New York City. But the souls of werecreatures are free for the taking when demons come to town and angels sing a warning no one can ignore. When Jono’s worst fear comes to life, and he loses the one person he can’t live without, the only option left is to fight.

 

Facing down the demons of their past and the ones in their present, Patrick and Jono will learn the hard way that some sins never wash away clean.

 

An Echo in the Sorrow is a 118k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot. It is a direct sequel to On the Wings of War. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

Teaser

“The only way to win is to take them out completely. That’s going to be a costly fight in terms of blood and territory,” Jono said.

“What about our alliances?” Wade asked.

Jono shook his head. “Their assistance in maintaining our borders is helpful, but we need to be the ones to push Estelle and Youssef out. This is our fight.”

“What about going the direct route and meeting them in the challenge ring?” Marek asked.

“I wouldn’t trust any fight that happens in that place,” Amelia said flatly.

Other people in the crowd echoed her statement. Patrick had never been to the challenge ring located beneath the god pack home in Hamilton Heights. The underground space was familiar to everyone else from the times all the alphas had been summoned to meetings. He’d seen the aftermath of fights held in other challenge rings to know they were bloody spaces. He agreed with Amelia though—no fight held in a space controlled by Estelle and Youssef could be handled fairly.

“I’m not sure how much help the fae will be able to provide right now. Tiarnán was summoned to Tír na nÓg today on an emergency basis. He’s been our liaison for the fae, and I don’t know when he’ll return,” Sage said.

Patrick shrugged. “His absence shouldn’t affect the alliance. We—”

A loud explosion in the bar above cut him off, magic crashing against the wards embedded in Tempest’s walls. They flashed fire bright for a split second, nearly blinding Patrick. Before the glow faded, Patrick was on his feet and racing for the stairs, Jono right on his heels. The crowd of alphas peeled away from his headlong rush forward, giving them both space.

About the Author: Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing. She's been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.

Connect with Hailey Turner: 

Newsletter:  You can keep up with Hailey's future projects by joining her newsletter, where you can instantly download several free short stories:  http://bit.ly/HaileyTurnerNews

Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/haileyshellions/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/haileyturnerwrites/

Facebook Profile:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014824811406

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/hailey-turner

Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHaileyTurner/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/haileyturnerwriter/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16473068.Hailey_Turner

Website:  www.haileyturner.com

An Echo in Sorrow (Soulbound Series #6) by Hailey Turner

 

An Echo in the Sorrow

 

Series: Soulbound 6

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook/Audio): March 1, 2021

Length (Print & Ebook/Audio):  117,943 words

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

Warnings: None

Cover artist: AngstyG LLC

All buy links or pre-order links:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R6BD3GX/

Book blurb: 

Forgiveness is a hollow prayer you only hear in your dreams.

 

Patrick Collins has spent years handling cases as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency, even as his secret standing in the preternatural world has changed. He should have confessed to his role as co-leader of the New York City god pack when he and Jonothon de Vere took up the mantle months ago, but he didn’t. Now that split loyalty will cost him at a time when he can least afford it.

 

Outmaneuvered, framed for murder, and targeted by the Dominion Sect, Patrick has to face a past full of lies to regain his freedom. Revealing the truth means he’ll need to give up the life that has defined him. Everything he’s fought to build with his pack is at stake, and losing them isn’t a price Patrick is willing to pay, but some choices aren’t his to make.

 

Jono knows they can’t cede any more territory if they want to win the god pack civil war spilling into the streets of New York City. But the souls of werecreatures are free for the taking when demons come to town and angels sing a warning no one can ignore. When Jono’s worst fear comes to life, and he loses the one person he can’t live without, the only option left is to fight.

 

Facing down the demons of their past and the ones in their present, Patrick and Jono will learn the hard way that some sins never wash away clean.

 

An Echo in the Sorrow is a 118k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot. It is a direct sequel to On the Wings of War. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

Exclusive Cover Reveal teaser: 

Jono bit lightly at his bottom lip, the faint sting making Patrick’s cock twitch with interest. “Not going anywhere. Won’t let you go either.”

Patrick couldn’t bring himself to voice the fear that he might, and so kissed Jono again, because that was better than thinking about everything in his life he couldn’t control. Jono let Patrick set the pace of the kiss—quick and hard, needy in a way Patrick only ever was with him.

Jono responded with just as much want, but the touch of his hands was careful and soothing against Patrick’s body. One slid down his thigh and curled around the back of his knees to hike his leg over Jono’s hip, pulling them flush together. Their cocks slid against each other, and the dry friction drew a groan from Patrick.

“Gonna make a mess of you,” Jono promised.

Patrick hummed agreement, in no way capable of arguing against that. Jono had fucked him every single day since he’d been released from prison. Patrick couldn’t smell the scent of Jono on his own skin, but he didn’t care. It was a mark that he was pack, and he’d never say no to that or to Jono.

They both had a day packed with meetings, but in the soft morning light of their bedroom, their responsibilities faded away in favor of slow kisses, shared breath, and the warm slide of Jono’s slick fingers jacking them both off together. It was easy and warm and gentle, Jono in no hurry even when Patrick pressed biting kisses against his collarbone.

About the Author: Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing. She's been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.

Connect with Hailey Turner: 

Newsletter:  You can keep up with Hailey's future projects by joining her newsletter, where you can instantly download several free short stories:  http://bit.ly/HaileyTurnerNews

Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/haileyshellions/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/haileyturnerwrites/

Facebook Profile:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014824811406

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/hailey-turner

Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHaileyTurner/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/haileyturnerwriter/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16473068.Hailey_Turner

Website:  www.haileyturner.com

Angels in the City by Garrett Leigh

 

 

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK 

UNIVERSAL LINK

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Length: 63,000 words approx.

Blurb

A fake relationship with a stranger. An office romance with doughnuts and white knights. An addictive arrangement—friends with benefits—fast turns to love.

Jonah Gray is rich, successful, and the most eligible bachelor in the city, according to his mother, at least. But the truth is, despite her efforts to pair him off, he’s fine on his own. All he needs is a date to the Christmas ball.

Sacha Ivanov is a lone wolf, content in the cycle of long days, late nights, and anonymous hook ups, but when a chance encounter in a broken-down lift brings a gorgeous copper-haired CEO into his life, everything begins to change.

As Christmas fast approaches, a favour for a stranger blooms into something more. He doesn’t do second dates or relationships. But for kind-hearted Jonah, his angel in the city, he might just change his mind.

Angels in the City is a Christmas themed MM friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, office romance. Expect fraught days, steamy nights, and true love built around festive snacks and Christmas trees.

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer.

Garrett's debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

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