Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: DARK FATE by Kat Silver (Flame Born #2)

Dark Fate: An MM urban fantasy romance 

(Flame Born Book 2)

by Kat Silver

Publisher: Kat Silver

Cover Artist: Bookfly

Release Date: November 12, 2021

Genres: Urban fantasy romance

Tropes: Enemies to lovers 

Themes: Self-discovery and empowerment, finding home, freedom, good vs evil

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 117 000 words

It is not a standalone book, but part of a series (Flame Born Book 2)

This story ends on a satisfying cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Torn between finding answers and escaping chains, can Michael trust his werewolf lover or is the devious vampire prince the only one truly on his side?

Blurb 

“And if I am a monster? Will you want me then?” 

Ten days after the battle at Blackriver, Michael struggles with new forbidden desires, with his rampant Flame, and a deepening relationship with the taciturn werewolf, Commander Gabriel Flanagan.

Feeling responsible for their loss, Michael longs to rescue the students stolen by the manipulative vampire prince, Alexei Vasiliev. But the High Council refuses to free Michael from his chains. They fear the whisperer — the half-breed who decimated an entire company of soldiers and came back from the dead. Yet, Michael still yearns for a future among the Guardians. For a place beside his Finnish, silver-eyed giant. For a home within the crazy supernatural world he’s now bound to. 

But does Michael still have a future? He’s a descendent of the Warlock — from a bloodline that produces only monsters. If discovered, not even his protective lover can save him from certain execution. He may not want to.

Dark Fate is the second book in the Flame Born series. This MM urban fantasy/paranormal romance is action packed, featuring steaming hot scenes, a hunk of an alpha love interest, a chocolate scented snarky vampire prince, a clever best friend who can kill a man with her little finger, and one too many shady characters to count. See inside for trigger warnings on both books. 

Excerpt

I grip the sink edge, knuckles white, and glare at the contents of the glass vial lying beside the tap. The viscous liquid, the color of a fine bottled wine, looks so innocuous. Innocent. A random sample of blood.

There’s nothing innocent about this vial’s contents.

Every time I see it, my mouth salivates with the need for a taste. Whenever I take the vial from my pocket to caress the cool glass in my hand, a clamoring monster of desire rips through me like a fire.

Not this time.

I swipe up the tube, twist out the cork, and prepare to pour the blood away. Metal clanks against ceramic, echoing through the small bathroom, as the chain between my wrist manacles knocks the sink. A heady smell of cocoa and figs hits my nostrils. My hand falters. God, that scent.

His scent.

An urgency to inhale the smell deep into my lungs, to press the glass into my lips and lick the rim, almost takes control. 

Alexei. That devious vampire. He knew exactly what he was doing when he left me with this. His blood constantly tugs at me like an unfinished song. Like a broken tooth my tongue won’t leave alone.

I could wash temptation away. Watch clear water turn burgundy as the vile substance slides into the drain.

I won’t.

I’ve faced this trial for ten days, and the result never changes.

I’ve tried to show the vial to Flanagan. Tried to hand it over so he can smash the glass and destroy the contents. Somehow, it always returns to my hiding places. A dirty secret.

Carra's Review

After the first book in this series, Dark Flame, reached out and snatched my attention, I was waiting on tenterhooks for more.  The author absolutely delivers here in Dark Fate, and took me on an even wilder ride than the first time.

Michael’s learning more about himself as well as about Flanagan and Alexei.  Just when I think I’ve figured something out, something else would happen that made me question everything.  Is Alexei really the enemy?  Is Quinton really Michael’s friend (and oh, just wait until you hear more about who he really is…or is he?)?  Can Michael trust Alexei’s uncle Vadim?  What about the Guardians and the Council?  The more I found out, the more I decided I wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

The author definitely succeeded at drawing me in to a massive web of intrigue, as well as keeping me permanently on the edge of my seat.  There was even one point where I felt uncomfortable about what was going on when Michael was with Alexei and Alexei’s cousin and right-hand man Radomir right before things really started getting crazy.  My brain was going in a bunch of different directions, but one thing is for sure—I’m fully cemented in this series and am going to be waiting and watching like a madwoman until the next story is released.

So, in case it wasn’t obvious…5 stars for Dark Fate for the suspense, roller coaster emotions, and holy cow insanely erotic reading experience.  This is very much intended for adult readers ;-)

About the Author 

I’m a simple northern English lass with an addiction to writing, as well as all things romance. Also addicted to cats, cat videos, and anything with, you know, cats in it. And there's chocolate, and tea, coffee too, and rainy Sundays. Okay, I have many addictions. But my first love has always been story in all its forms, from movies to books to anecdotes told over a beer at the local pub. If we're sharing a story, I'm all ears. And if it's fantasy with sexy heroes and vampires and lots of angsty luuurve, I'm probably drooling. Come in, pour yourself a tea, and kick your shoes off. Let me tell you a story.

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Book Review & Giveaway: WICKED LOVELY by J.K. Hogan (The Black Blade Chronicles #1)

Wicked Lovely 

(The Black Blade Chronicles, Book 1)

by J.K. Hogan

Publisher:  Euphoria Press

Cover Artist: J.K. Hogan @ www.wickedpixeldesigns.com

Release Date: October 12, 2021

Genre: M/M Fantasy Romance

Tropes: Enemies to lovers

Themes: Adventure/quest (kind of Game of Thrones-esque but queer)

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 90 000 words

It is the first book in the series and not a standalone story. There will be an HEA over a three-book arc. The first book isn’t quite a cliffhanger, more of a to be continued ending.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

A new series that combines the adventure and magic of epic fantasy with the enchantment of romance

Blurb

Darkness grows in the realm of Taleth. To the west, a power-hungry despot schemes to conquer kingdoms and territories alike by chasing an ancient elven prophecy that could give him the power to rule all. In the east, after a prince’s murder goes years unanswered, a princess learns there was much more to her brother’s death—and to her life—than she realized.

The House of Kjenelach is shaken to its foundation when Princess Sigrid is stolen away. Her faithful guardian, Sir Senne Clayward, reluctantly accepts help from his nemesis, a notorious halfling mercenary of questionable morals—but indispensable tracking skills—called Kasimir vas Hjardar.

Kasimir makes his living hunting monsters, both creatures and men. While he exists outside the law, he lives by his own unassailable code of honor. At the top of that list: never harm a child. When he turns down a contract to kidnap Sigrid and later finds out she was taken by someone else, he offers his help to the prickly knight tasked with protecting her.

Together, they embark upon a journey across the continent to save Sigrid and foil King Prosper’s plans to conquer Taleth. The way is fraught with dangers and pitfalls, from supernatural beasts to Senne’s deathly fear of magic, but they must not fail, for Sigrid may very well be the savior of the realm: the long prophesied Aisnellach Fuil. Somehow, the two men must set their differences aside and work together to rescue Sigrid, and possibly find love along the way.

Carra's Review

Okay, I’m definitely hooked for more after reading Wicked Lovely.  With action, adventure, magic, romance, and imperfect main characters this story had me fully engrossed the whole way through.

While the intentions of most of the secondary characters cannot be absolutely known yet, I think it’s quite certain that Senne and Kasimir are one hundred percent dedicated to saving the princess—and likely the realm as a whole.  Senne has a justified fear of magic to overcome since without it their journey is liable to fail, but the connection he starts forming with Kasimir as their journey progresses might just be the thing to help.

Kasimir is a halfling, but not of a type Senne expects.  Kas’s true nature can be both dangerous and protective, and is exactly what they need to both survive and save Princess Sigrid.  Kas and Senne work well together (when they’re not arguing about how to get things done), and their chemistry is obvious (and oh yes, HOT).

I was so wrapped up in the story I was sneaking in reading time at work.  There was always something going on, and the intensity level was elevated for much of the book.  There is more to come, and the story ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared going in to commit to the series…not that I think that’s a hardship at all as I think the story so far has been riveting!

Five stars for Wicked Lovely, and I’ll be waiting here on edge for the next installment.  I’d definitely recommend this for fans of epic M/M fantasy romance, plus you get the added bonus of a strong young princess who can hold her own while Senne and Kas work on finding and saving her.  This story is meant for readers 18+.

About the Author 

J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, she found her true passion. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them.

J.K. resides in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and their pets. If she isn’t writing, J.K. can be found designing book covers at Wicked Pixel Designs, creating fiber art and supplies at Earthbound Fiber Arts watching Hurricanes Hockey and, of course, reading!

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New Release-Review: LOVE OF THE HUNTER by V.L. Locey

 

LOVE OF THE HUNTER

by V.L. Locey

Blurb

* A retelling of the myth of Orion*

Will the night skies be forever changed?

Those upon Earth would assume the life of a Greek god is a walk through Elysium. They would be terribly wrong. Apollo, the golden son of Zeus, is far from home, banished from Olympus to live and train with the Titan, Helios. To compound his misery, Apollo is still mourning the loss of his first love, Hyacinthus. Life becomes a daily routine of shame, drudgery, and abuse until the hunter Orion appears at the eastern end of the world, seeking the healing touch of a Titan. 

When Helios refuses to aid yet another offspring of the usurping gods, Apollo hides Orion and heals the hunter as best as his fledgling powers allow. Blinded eyes mend slowly, and the two young men find themselves falling in love as the seasons go by. But the gods of Olympus see all, and Sky father Zeus disapproves of the budding relationship. Can their love stand against the disapproval and fury of the god of men?

Buy Links

Amazon US - Amazon UK

Carra's Review

I am completely drained and devastated after finishing this book.  Do you know how hard it is when you share a home with other people and you try to keep your tears to yourself?  Like, snot-nosed, epically cascading tears?  That was me.

I love mythology, especially the Greek pantheon (and by default the Roman).  I snap up any stories I find based on them, and I love seeing different authors’ interpretations and how they tweak them to give readers a new take on the classics.  

Here, Apollo’s prior relationship with Hyacinthus and the latter’s death has shattered Apollo.  The author takes us along as he grieves, and through his meeting Orion and the relationship that develops between them.  Complicating things is Apollo’s father Zeus and his unmoving stance on same-sex relationships, and how he makes Apollo suffer because of this.

Given that these are Greek gods and goddesses we are dealing with, their egotistical, self-centered, holier-than-thou nature shines through.  Even with Apollo being shown in the best light possible, he still carries a bit of that air of believing he is of higher standing than others and basks in the adoration of his followers.  Yet I still was on his side and hoping he would have his happiness in the end.

I should have reminded myself that there are way too many stories in mythology that are tragic.  To be fair though, I was warned before starting that this would not be a romance; me and my eternally, hopefully optimistic nature when it comes to relationship though still held out hope.  Silly girl.

Love of the Hunter wreaked havoc with my emotions, leaving me in tears for the last few chapters.  And yet, it was still a 5-star read—you can’t make me feel SO MUCH and think I would give anything less.  Creative, intensely passionate, and highly emotional, this is definitely a must-read and probably my favorite ugly-cry book.  This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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New Release-Review & Excerpt: DARK FLAME by Kat Silver (Flame-Born #1)

Dark Flame 

(Flame-Born 1)

by Kat Silver

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Bookfly

Release Date: February 6, 2021

Genre/s: M/M paranormal/urban fantasy

Trope/s: Enemies to Lovers

Themes: Finding home and self. Self-discovery. Self-acceptance. Learning to trust.

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length:  82 000 words/310 pages

Add on Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

Hunted by a vampire prince. Caged by his rescuer. Can Michael escape the dark destiny written in his blood, or will his own heart be his undoing?

Blurb

“I know who you are because you belong to me. You were born to be mine.” ~ Alexei Vasiliev, the vampire prince.

Haunted by the death of his parents, Michael Blakeley wants answers. The twenty-six-year-old martial artist seeks their killer, but he also wants to know why electronics short out at his touch, and why his libido is a raging fire.

When a group of soldiers calling themselves Guardians rescue him from a back alley ambush and claim to have the answers he needs, he agrees to go with them. Especially when they tell him the attackers were vampires. But nothing in this supernatural underworld is as it seems, and when the silver-eyed commander cages him instead, Michael's answers slip further away.

Can Michael find safety from the vampires who claim him? Can he escape the dark destiny he discovers is written into his blood? And will he break the chains of the commander who keeps him captive? The one man he has no desire to leave?

Dark Flame is the first pulse-pounding book in the Flame Born LGBT urban fantasy series. If you like enemies to lovers, shifters, sexy vampire princes, and scorching heat, you'll love this smoldering tale of bloodlust and magic.

Warning: Dark Flame is a gay erotic love story. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes between men, and is meant for adult readers only. There is content some readers may find distressing. See inside for potential triggers. 

Excerpt 

I kneel and hang my head and wait. I have to. I want to. There’s an elation in my chest, as though I’m about to meet a secret beloved I’m only now remembering. My attention draws upward, compelled to the stunning creature. I couldn’t look away if my life depended on it, but I avoid meeting his dark gaze.

With unearthly grace, the vampire saunters toward me, his eyes riveted to my face. The closer he comes, the more the battle slips into the background. It could be only the two of us here in the steelworks. Weapons fly around him—bolts and swords whistle through the air, heading for his chest, but stop midflight before they can meet their target and clatter to the concrete. He doesn’t spare them a glance.

The nearer he stalks, the harder my heart pounds. My breath comes in shallow puffs. Cold sweat soaks my T-shirt. My nails puncture the soft flesh of my palms. I feel defenseless.

The prince stands in front of me, close enough to touch, a towering demigod, his immense wings creating a shadowed cavern.

I force my eyes down, fixing them on a patch of crimson blood painted across the concrete. I resist a baffling urge to lean and rest my head against his hip.

Strong, elegant fingers cup my chin to lift my face. I tense, my stomach twisting with panic. I’m certain that once I meet those black eyes, it’s over. His fingers burn hot against my chin. The touch tingles my skin like champagne. I melt into his hand and look up, finding two pools of darkest night. My resistance vanishes.

Master. The word hangs in my mind.

I will never let it leave my lips.

Carra's Review

Oh, this is good.  I mean really, REALLY good.  Even in the paranormal/urban fantasy genre where there is a lot of leeway to create unique stories, many stories still recycle familiar scenarios, tropes, and the classic mythologies for supernatural creatures.  Dark Flame?  Definitely qualifies as unique.  Yes, there are vampires, shifters, witches…but there is also The Flame, and with the introduction of this facet into this new series the author has created something that not just piqued my interest, but reached out of the pages and snatched my attention for what was pretty much a single sitting reading of this book.

And boy, I can’t wait for more!

Michael is a great character, just the right amount of cockiness and sass along with the requisite murky and troubled background to keep you wondering exactly WHAT he is.  This certainly is a voyage of discovery for him, and with Alexei and Flanagan’s complete opposite intentions for him and his own dramatic and wild unleashing of his own power, Michael is kept in a constant state of alert—not to mention arousal, because let’s just give him a touch more to stress him, right?

Flanagan is…well, just all around awesome.  Michael doesn’t trust him; after all, would you trust someone who keeps locking you up?  But there is more to Flanagan than meets the eye.  A lot more in fact, and his past is even more distressing and complicated than Michael’s life in some aspects.  But it is very evident that there’s something about the two of them when they are together, and the intriguing chemistry between them—expanded exponentially by The Flame—makes their pairing that much more fascinating.

There always seemed to be something going on, you can rest assured your attention will always be kept occupied.  Action abounds both with the Guardians and with the vampires, let alone the changes occurring within Michael as he becomes something more than what he thought he was.  My attention was certainly riveted.

Dark Flame was absolutely a 5-star read for me, and if you’re a fan of M/M paranormal/urban fantasy then you’re definitely going to want to add this one to your library.  Then you can sit and wait with me for book two…which I will be on edge for until it’s release.  Dark Flame is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.  Special note—there’s a follow-up shorter length freebie story that you’ll want to read once you’ve finished this (Two Nights and a Day) that will give you some interesting insight, I highly recommend you check that out!

About the Author 

I’m a simple northern English lass with an addiction to writing, as well as all things romance. Also addicted to cats, cat videos, and anything with, you know, cats in it. And there's chocolate, and tea, coffee too, and rainy Sundays. Okay, I have many addictions. But my first love has always been story in all its forms, from movies to books to anecdotes told over a beer at the local pub. If we're sharing a story, I'm all ears. And if it's fantasy with sexy heroes and vampires and lots of angsty luuurve, I'm probably drooling. Come in, pour yourself a tea, and kick your shoes off. Let me tell you a story.

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New Release - Review: HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING by Sara Dobie Bauer

 

HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING

By Sara Dobie Bauer

We met when you were just a child, but you’re a man now and need my protection.

With Christmas Eve approaching, I’ll watch over you.
Whether you know it or not.

Because no one is allowed to hurt you.
No one but me.

At 20K words, He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a twisted take on Santa, featuring M/M romance, horror, and the holiday season.

Add to your Goodreads TBR shelf

Purchase on 

Amazon US - Amazon UK

Carra's Review

This is one of the most unique holiday stories I’ve ever read; just be advised that it’s a darker take on the Father Christmas/Santa Claus myth.  That said, I was so totally absorbed in this story and definitely wasn’t expecting the plot twist near the end.  Even with this being on the darker side, it still brought out my tears.

When the story begins, Kris really doesn’t know anything other than what he must do every Christmas Eve.  He seems unemotional and mostly apathetic, though understanding of his role as a protector of children…until Jack enters the picture and changes everything.  That’s when the really interesting events begin.

The prevailing atmosphere is gloom, but within that there is still hope—due in large part to Jack.  He is a beacon of it for those less fortunate and hurting, but also for Kris.  Expect an exceptionally non-traditional take on Father Christmas, along with redemption, self-realization, and eventually atonement.  There is so much more I want to say about this story and the characters of Kris and Jack, but I think anything else I want to say might give away too much.  

What I can say is that this is the most intriguing book I’ve read this year.  5 stars and a Top Recommendation from me for He Sees You When You’re Sleeping.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language, sexual content, violence, and a scene of self-harm/suicide attempt.  Told ya it’s a darker one…but it’s a GOOD one.  I doubt you’ll look at Santa Claus the same ever again.

About the Author

Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.

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New Release-Review: FIREDRAKE by J.A. Jaken (The Dragon Mage Chronicles III)

FIREDRAKE

Series: The Dragon Mage Chronicles Book III

Author: J.A. Jaken

Length: 59,000 words

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, M/M Romance

Purchase Links

Amazon - Smashwords

Series Webpage: http://jajaken.com/novels/dragonmagechronicles.htm

Synopsis

It's a race against time as Andrei and Jander head deep into the volcanic warrens of their country's inner mountains to stop Kirin from completing the dark magic spell that will awaken the power of the dragons. There they find new allies in unlikely places, but also face betrayal in unanticipated forms. Can Jander overcome his fear of the power he still does not entirely understand in order to save himself and the master he has grown to love?

 Add Firedrake to your TBR on Goodreads

Carra's Review

Things are definitely ramping up here in the third book of this series!  Jander, Andrei, Boaen and Tanith have definitely jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire—literally (sorry, couldn’t resist!).  After the lighter action of Seadrake, Firedrake puts our heroes right in the middle of a ton of tension, shifts the action into a higher gear, and tests everyone on the team to new limits.

Everything is most definitely on edge through this entire story.  After learning so much about the dragons and his own place in the world as a dragon mage, Jander gets a chance to truly test himself when it’s suddenly him making the decisions and directing their path.  He shines here, showing that even as he cares for his friends and Andrei, he is wholly capable of choosing the best course of action for the greater good.

He’s not the only one who stands out.  Boaen also shows his determination and bravery, and even Tanith—as timid and concerned as she is—continues to stay the course even in the face of ever-growing danger.

This book was a lot more edge-of-my-seat than the previous one, and I was fully engaged for the entire read.  I’m also positive my eyes must have lit up like a thousand watt bulb with the introduction of Ty, and his inclusion in the group.  You can feel everything building towards the final showdown in the last book as the author did an excellent job at escalating the tension at every turn.

I can’t wait for the final book of the series to see how everything turns out.  Until then, Firedrake is getting a full 5-star rating from me!

About the Author

J.A. Jaken has been writing fictional stories and novels for more than ten years, most frequently in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She got her start in the profession writing slash fanfiction, where she has published numerous stories under the pen-name Rushlight. Over the years she has written short stories and novels in genres ranging from science fiction/fantasy to gothic horror to modern detective mysteries, most with at least a touch of m/m romance to them. She lives at home in the southwestern U.S. with her college-aged son, a cat, and the family Rottweiler. Outside of writing, her interests include studying foreign languages, practicing martial arts, riding horses, and collecting medieval weaponry.

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