Welcome to the tiny European country of Rosavia, where roses ramble over alpine slopes and princes fall for the men of their dreams. Every Rosavia Royals book happens simultaneously, so books can be read on their own, or in any order... but keep an eye out for familiar faces around the palace!
After spending half his life dodging his duty to the crown, the rebel heir to the Rosavian throne has been told in no uncertain terms that it’s time to settle down. Crown Prince Leopold has one month and a vetted list of suitable princesses, and he will announce his engagement during Rosavia’s Royal Ball. But Leo’s got his own ideas about what really suits him…
Royal Librarian Edvin Blom is good at not attracting attention. Shy and self-conscious of his stutter, he’s used to being overlooked and more than happy to stay in the background. At least, until the crown prince with a wild reputation shows up at the library’s new opening and decides to flirt with Edvin’s sister…
Edvin isn’t at all what Leo thought he wanted, but turns out to be everything he can’t stay away from. Edvin’s been burned by falling for someone out of his league before, though. And believing that Leo has really fallen for him? While Edvin’s drowning in his own doubts and insecurities, that might prove impossible… unless love gives them both a reason to come up for air.
Exclusive from Stella & the Inspirations behind her Prince:
Up for Heir by Stella Starling
How did you become a part of this project/world?
I’ve been friends with Ed and Helen for a while now and love them to absolute pieces! I’m not normally one for group projects, but they knocked it out of the park when it came to shared-world building with their Men of Hidden Creek series, and more than that, they are truly some of the loveliest human beings I know, so when they asked if I was interested, I said yes… and I’m so glad I did! It’s been a total blast to create this world with both of them, Max, and Zoe. I’m pretty sure that Rosavia has become “real” to all of us over the last couple of months, and my only regret is that we’ll never be able to visit it in person. *sob*
Where did your story’s inspiration come from?
The title and cover were already set when I joined Rosavia, and the other authors had already worked out some general ideas about the royal family, including the fact that my prince would be the oldest and the heir… and that he’d be none too happy about his responsibilities in that regard.
I absolutely LOVE starting with “limits” or pre-existing parameters on a story. It almost reminds me of a creative writing drill. Having to make a story fit certain cues pushes my creativity and gives me a chance to ask myself, “but why would he…?”
For this one, I knew based on the world building that the group had already done that the heir would need to marry, and he’d need to do it fast—by the Royal Ball where each of the five concurrent storylines culminates—and that he would start out not very happy about those facts- LOL! So given that he was one to dodge responsibility and rebel against his duties whenever possible, I wanted him to meet a man who was his opposite. Who embraced responsibility and could inspire Leo to do the same with his. And I also just adore shy nerdy-boy characters, so once I knew I was going to do an opposites-attract story, I just let my imagination loose on it, came up with Eddie—my sweet, selfless, stuttering little librarian—and let his Cinderella story unfold as I wrote it.
How did you create your Prince?
I generally find that I get to know my characters best once I’m a few chapters in, and this was definitely true with Leo. While I knew some basic parameters about him from the pre-existing world building already in place when I joined the project, I really only started to figure out what made him tick once I dove into the writing.
I started Leo’s first chapter with a conversation between him and his valet, and as that relationship unfolded throughout the book—along with Leo’s relationship with Treble, the cat who adopted him—I realized that he was someone who didn’t know how to show his feelings, and was, in fact, often in a bit of denial of them. But then I got to ask myself “why?” …well, I already knew that he’d rebelled against the responsibilities of being the heir, and I figured that a great reason for that was that it had emotionally distanced him from the people who loved him. And voila! Now I had a man in need of love who wouldn’t recognize it when he gets it. Perfect—*grin*—because I absolutely adore writing clueless men who are actually head-over-heels for their love interests but somehow remain oblivious to that fact even though it’s crystal clear to everyone else—LOL! And that, combined with Leo’s shy little librarian’s assumption that the prince was out of his league, made for a whole cascade of fun, sweet moments as their love story unfolded and they each finally started to believe in the other.
Carra's Review
Time to dive into the Rosavia Royals series, and today it’s Up for Heir. This book focuses on Leopold (Leo), the first in line for the throne, a playboy and one who’d always only been with women previously. He’s not a fan of doing what he’s told and is known as the rebel of the family, but he does care about Rosavia and wants to do what’s best for its people. But don’t take that to mean he’s going to just give in to his parents’ wishes when it comes to marriage.
Edvin (Eddie) is adorably sweet, and has had the tremendous responsibility of caring for his younger siblings after the death of their parents. He is without a doubt my favorite character of this story. He’s the commoner to Leo’s royalty, something Leo’s parents are not too keen about.
I will admit, the relationship that forms between Leo and Eddie does feel kind of insta-lovey, and there seems to be a lot of telling, not showing when it comes to the development of that relationship. I did find my attention wandering with the amount of exposition and areas where we’re basically hearing a running commentary of what the characters are thinking. It made the story feel drawn out, whereas the sections of dialogue tended to grab my interest a lot more.
The glimpses of Leo’s brothers and subtle hints of other things going on do have my interest piqued for their stories, and that plus my love of Eddie’s character were the major factor in my 3.5-star rating. It’s a good start for the series though, and readers who enjoy royalty/commoner matchups will be pleased with Leo and Eddie’s story. Keep in mind there’s some adult language and sexual content, so this book is meant for readers 18+.
Prince Cassander is on vacation from his overdeveloped sense of duty. While hiding out as simply ‘Cas’ in the Rosavian capital, he rescues a gorgeous, distressed American tourist. Matty has no idea that Cas is second in line to the throne. And with only two weeks together to explore the sparks between them, he doesn’t need to ever find out.
New Yorker Matty Doyle is a fish out of water, taking care of his niece and mending his broken heart. When Cas rescues him, the handsome stranger coaxes Matty out of his shell and he throws caution to the wind. Nobody knows him here. Would it hurt to live a little for once?
But a prince can’t stay secret in his own country for long. Cas would give anything to protect Matty from reality, but how can this fantasy together continue when they belong in different worlds?
Prince Julius has only ever wanted one man. Raised alongside Prince Dante of Thedes, the two were inseparable until their unspoken mutual attraction ignited into a single passionate encounter. Convinced that it ruined their friendship, Julius retreated to his duties in Rosavia, where he daydreams of another chance to win Dante’s heart.
After four years apart, fate brings Prince Julius back to Thedes. He offers Dante a coveted invitation: return to the Rosavian palace for ten days, and be his plus-one to the Royal Ball of the century. Before long, they realize one night of passion wasn’t enough, and they can’t imagine losing each other again.
As the clock ticks down to the ball, Julius catches wind of Dante’s family meddling, and he must decide if their feelings are real or if they’ve both been played. Were they always meant for each other, or is it all an illusion that will melt away at midnight?
A spy prince needs: a man who sees through his disguise.
Prince Benedict is not what he seems. His image as a lazy playboy is carefully constructed to hide the truth. Trained since childhood to become Rosavia's top spy, he spends his life in disguise—and danger—to protect his country. Nobody sees the loneliness in his heart.
Felix Wright is a genius with four degrees, no real-world experience, and a top-secret job... and he's never even been kissed. A lifetime of being alienated for his most valuable assets has left him reluctant to trust the charming prince who thrusts him into fieldwork for the very first time.
When the Crown Jewels are stolen two weeks before the royal ball, it's their job to save the country's reputation. Benedict helps Felix believe in himself, while Felix slowly coaxes the real prince out of hiding. But can they find the jewels and rescue the most priceless treasures of all: each other?
Prince Renford is a royal brat. Nineteen and last in line for the throne, Wren hates his made-up job: Commander of Roses. Good thing his long-time valet has a firm hand—if only Wren could tempt him to break all palace protocol and use it.
Thom Pierce is sixteen years older. Old enough to know he should ignore his prince's less-than-subtle flirtation. He's been burned by a higher-ranked boy before. His job and reputation are at stake if the palace catches a scandal unfolding under their noses.
Wren needs the part of Thom that he's kept locked away for years. If the young prince wants to be taken as seriously as his older brothers, he has to grow up fast. Thom's rules could help Wren become the man Thom knows he can be in time for the Royal Ball... or they could attract the very attention that forces them apart forever.
Stella Starling is the storytelling team of two M/M contemporary romance authors who have far too many stories to tell on their own, so decided it would be fun to tell a few of them together. The authors bring their love for writing, romance, and sweet, steamy “happily ever afters” to every story, and hope that “their boys” will give readers a delicious escape into a world where love always wins.
A strict Daddy. A sassy neighbour. Can opposites attract?
Blurb
After taking early retirement, Liam is happy avoiding people and tending to his roses. Or he was, until young film star Felix moves in next door. With his cheeky, persistent, and very naughty behaviour, Felix gets under Liam’s skin instantly. Felix needs Liam to teach him how to behave, but will calling the older man Daddy be enough to bring sunshine into Liam’s life? A boy Made of Sunshine is a standalone gay romance, with mild D/s play, Daddy kink, a cute Dalmatian puppy, a ridiculous glow in the dark toy, and lots of brattish behaviour.
Excerpt
When a removal van finally arrived in the first week of summer, Liam’s hopes that his quiet existence would continue undisturbed were dashed. He’d never regarded himself as a curtain twitcher before, but he found himself peering out of his bedroom window as three burly men unloaded the large van. The furniture didn’t scream ‘quiet retired couple’ to him. It was too modern, too loud. Who on earth owned a bright purple sofa, for crying out loud? The bed was even worse. It was a huge monstrosity, easily king-sized, and Liam couldn’t help but feel sorry for the men carrying it into the house. The bed frame was black, probably made of leather, judging by the way the sunlight made the fabric shine, with a massive surround, part of which looked like some kind of lounge chair. Did it even have a built-in speaker? Who needed a built-in speaker in their bed? His jaw dropped a little more at every item of furniture that was brought into the house. The coffee table looked like it doubled as an aquarium, although thankfully there were no fish in it. There was a bookcase in the shape of a dog, a dining table with what looked like a solid marble top, overstuffed dining chairs, a pool table, and even a bar! The painting was the last straw. The canvas and frame combined must have been six feet tall, making the man that had been painted upon it almost life size. Not only was he nude, but he was grasping his c*ck, his head tilted back slightly, eyes closed, making it obvious that he was in the midst of pleasuring himself. Liam had never been so glad to have no other neighbours. The painting was glorious—he had to adjust himself to make his aching c*ck more comfortable in his pants—but why in God’s name hadn’t it been covered up? Clearly, his new neighbour had no decorum whatsoever.
Carra's Review
Okay, all those who love a bratty, naughty boy, raise your hands. Yep, this one’s definitely for all of you! Felix definitely is a naughty boy, and he’s also a bit ostentatious when it comes to his belongings (though I must admit his coffee table sounds intriguing). He does need someone to get a handle on him, and though Liam’s grumpy self might not want anything to do with him, Felix’s personality—and persistence—wind up sucking him in.
This is very much an opposites attract story, and those of you who love the “grumpy one falls for the sunshine one” trope will find yourselves right at home with Liam and Felix. Felix is a pro at pushing Liam’s buttons; to be honest I thought Liam too easily gave in to Felix wanting to be punished (after all, it’s not really a punishment if you like it and get off on it, right?)
The majority of the book is concentrated on the time they spend together, with a very small portion near the end bringing in some supporting characters. Even though for most of the time it’s just the two of them, the absence of other people does not take anything away from the story. Everything is pretty lighthearted with plenty of teasing from Felix, so the angst level is extremely low.
All in all this made for a fun read with a touch of kink, and I’m giving A Boy Made of Sunshine 4 stars. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
About the Author
Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.
You deserve all the kisses you want ... Benji, I just want you to know how amazing you are. You won't believe me, because I'm just your brother's best friend. But everything I feel is undeniable. A few anonymous love tokens change everything, though. I finally have an outlet for all the things I can't say, and with each gift and note, you smile. For me. Not your brother's friend, but something new. Something more. Something that will change everything if we can both find the courage to believe. All I have to do is confess who I really am: Your Secret Admirer
Excerpt
ACE “Is my brother a deal-breaker?” he asked. I sucked in my bottom lip, feeling torn. I wanted him like crazy. I’d had plenty of time to feel attraction for guys, to get a bit curious and wonder... and my body was fully down to f*ck, regardless of the fact I’d never been with a guy. But f*cking Benji was a big deal. Jeremy expected me to protect his virtue, not throw him on the bed and ravish him. “Ace?” I let out an unsteady breath. “He should be. But f*ck, Benji, I really like you.” “You can never lie to me again.” “I won’t.” “And you’ll let me handle my brother,” he said. I parted my lips to object, but he was full of fire — not anger this time, but something else, something more enticing — and I couldn’t find the words. He must have seen the answer in my eyes. He tilted forward, and I met him for a long overdue kiss. He was sweet, both tentative and eager as his lips parted under mine. Despite leading our conversation, he let me take over as soon as our mouths connected. I savored the soft feel of his lips, the hitch in his breathing as my tongue met his, the small sound of surrender as the kiss deepened. “Whoa,” he said, voice filled with wonder, when I pulled back for a breath. His green eyes were bright, his cheeks rosy with a blush. He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “Yeah?” I murmured, feeling a bit of my old ego restored at his reaction. “Just wait.” I took his mouth again, and this time he met me with more confidence, pushing his tongue against mine, clutching at my shoulders. The kiss grew wet and desperate. I grabbed his head, holding him in place to better devour him, and he pushed his hands under my shirt, feeling up my stomach to my chest. When his fingers grazed my nipples, I shivered. When he raked his nails over my abs, I moaned and thrust my hips against his. I felt his hardness behind his zipper. F*ck yes. It sent a thrill through me. He wanted me, and I didn’t have to question it. He was hard, just like me. Male, just like me. It was strangely erotic, knowing he was aching in exactly the same way I was. I pushed him onto the bed, loving the feel of him pinned under me. When we needed air, I moved my lips to the creamy skin of his neck. God, I loved his skin, so f*cking pale and soft. His fingers were tangled in my hair, holding me against him, as he thrust his hips up. I could feel his c*ck jabbing my stomach, and I didn’t care one f*cking bit. I thought maybe I’d be weirded out, like maybe I’d need to adjust to having a guy under me instead of a girl, but it didn’t matter. Benji felt right; he felt f*cking great.
Carra's Review
This is the perfect book to pick up if you’re looking for a new adult romance with a sweet-but-eventually-sexy virgin/bisexual awakening pairing. I tend to shy away from stories in the college setting since the maturity level of the characters can be hit or miss (in my experience), but here in Secret Admirer the author strikes a good balance so that the young main characters don’t come off as juvenile. While the brother’s best friend trope has been done many times before, Benji and Ace are adorable together both before and after they are a couple.
Benji is super sweet, talented, and also inexperienced. He’s also had a crush on Ace, his brother’s best friend, for a very long time. Ace does have the protective friend thing going on because hey—his best friend’s brother is away at college for the first time. But the more time he spends with Benji, the more his feelings morph into something more than just “sure, I’ll look out for you!”.
The secret admirer angle is cute; I mean come on—wouldn’t you like to get small gifts and notes from someone like that? The story is also relatively low angst, with only a very slight amount of drama from Ace’s family. It all makes for a fun read with a charming couple.
Secret Admirer was a 4-star read for me, and I’d recommend it to any M/M romance fan. Since the sweet does wind up giving way to some sexy and there’s adult language, this book is meant for readers 18+.
About the Author
DJ Jamison is the author of more than twenty m/m romances. She writes a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.
Come on board the Queen of Egypt and discover this new murder mystery full of witty dialogs, funny situations, and blooming love! Already short-listed for the French Gay Book Award 2020!
Blurb
When Auntie Agathe invites Raphaël Poireaut, a young Parisian bartender, on a Nile cruise, he isn’t really thrilled. To stare at old stones together with a bunch of old codgers—why, thanks for the gift. Unsurprisingly the trip starts off badly enough. Not only does Raphaël have an unnerving confrontation with a handsome but standoffish and haughty Italian guy, but he has barely stepped on board the cruise ship when he stumbles upon a tourist… who has been stabbed to death. The young Venetian Stefano di Angeli agrees to spend his vacation in Egypt with his best friend Grazia. He hasn’t had holidays for six years. But his first encounter with a young, angel-faced, curly-haired Frenchie brings back painful memories. Besides, what could be worse to start a Nile cruise than to discover a murder has been committed on board? Cazzo—fate seems to bear him a grudge! While the Egyptian police led by Colonel Al-Qaïb are investigating the murder, Raphaël and Stefano find themselves swept away by the events… and by the blooming feelings that inexorably draw them closer. Will they manage to sort out the truth from the lies and find the murderer? Will they be able to resist this mutual attraction that seems to overwhelm them against their wills? A new, funny and light adventure by the author of “The Stuffed Coffin”, the French version of which has won the French Gay Murder Mystery Award 2019.
Born in the early 70s, I grew up in a little village in Austria. At the age of 18, I moved to Vienna to get my master’s degree in Political Sciences, French, and Spanish. Today, I’m living in Paris, France, with my boyfriend and work as a graphic designer.
In my spare time, I write, read, cook fancy recipes, take photos, and as often as I can, I travel (Italy, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt, the UK, and many more places). My literary tastes are eclectic, ranging from fantasy, murder mysteries, gay romances to dystopian novels, but I won’t say no to poetry or a history book either. I’m more a hoodie/jeans/sneakers kind of guy than a suit-and-tie chap.
So far, I’ve published two short-story collections as well as four poetry collections. My first murder mystery novel “The Stuffed Coffin” featuring Damien Drechsler and the dashing Greek student Nikos has been released on January 6, 2019 and is also available in German and French. The French version has won the prestigious French Gay Murder Mystery Award 2019 (Prix du roman policier – Prix du roman gay 2019). You can also find me on Rainbow Book Reviews, where I write book reviews under the pseudonym of ParisDude (for French reviews, have a look at my review site livresgay.fr).
