Friday, July 31, 2020

Review & Excerpt: SPELL OF THE WEREWOLF by J.R. Loveless


Spell of the Werewolf
by J.R. Loveless

Publisher: Independently Published
Cover Artist: Doelle Designs
Release Date: May 29, 2020
Genre/s: Paranormal Gay Romance
Trope/s: Enemies to Lovers
Themes: Self-forgiveness, redemption, learning to accept the things you can’t change.
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 124 pages / 34 000 words

It is a standalone story.



Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited




Moonrise will never be the same.


Blurb

A werewolf with a death wish bargains with a hunter for salvation.

Justin has spent several lifetimes atoning for the violent nature of his curse. A mindless angry beast several nights a month, he carries a burden of blood for past sins. Tired and lonely, he’s seeking an end to his torment.

Vincent bears the curse, though only by half. A hybrid, he hunts those of his brethren who let their monsters take over. And he’s hell bent on destroying them all, until he's forced to deal with one who’s begging for peace. Except deliverance wears many guises.

Their desire for redemption erupts in a fiery passion drawing them closer together.


Excerpt

“Because you are so closed-minded you can’t see anything but what you want to see. Justin is a good person. He didn’t ask to be what he is. We can still find the one who bit him!”

Vincent laughed, a clear cynical sound behind it. “If he can find the one who made him. The number of werewolves grows every day. It’ll be impossible. So, no. He has to die!”

Justin had heard enough. He stepped forward and called, “Vincent.”

Vincent whipped his head around and smiled, harsh and bitter. “So you decided to show. This human means that much to you?”

“Let her go,” Justin snarled, ignoring Vincent’s question. “Then we can fight.”

“I’ll let her go… once you’re dead.”

Justin pulled the sword from his back and moved into the light shining from the fountain. “Let’s do it then.”

“Ah, so the little boy went and got himself a big knife, did he? Do you even know how to use it?” Vincent taunted him.

He did an expert twist of his wrist, sending the blade of the sword spinning around him. Vincent’s eyes narrowed just before he attacked. Their blades clashed against one another as they fought; their movements almost an elegant dance between them. “So you’ve had some training, kid? It’s not enough to save your ass.”

Vincent thrust at him, but Justin cut up with his sword and sent Vincent’s flying into the air. The blade clattered against the ground, landing a few feet from them. Before Justin could strike at him again, Vincent leapt backward, grabbed his sword, and flipped, landing several yards away from Justin. Justin knew it wasn’t going to be an easy fight.

Circling one another, their swords glinted in the moonlight. Justin narrowed his eyes while he waited for Vincent to make the first move. Too impatient to wait for Justin to make his move, Vincent went to strike once more. Justin blocked the blow and attempted a return hit, but Vincent was too fast, crashing his sword into Justin’s. Swords crossed at the blade, Justin thrust upward and managed to nick Vincent’s cheek. Vincent cursed, jumped backward, and touched the small cut. His fingers were dark with a smear of blood when he dropped his hand from his cheek. Justin smiled mockingly at him. “Aw. Did I cut you?”

Vincent curled his lip into a snarl and rushed toward Justin with his sword raised. The fight continued for some time, and eventually they stood facing one another, panting for breath. Justin could see Vincent’s anger reflecting outward from bright violet eyes. He’d never met another person with eyes the shade of amethyst. If he were honest with himself, Vincent would have caught his attention many years ago. The broad shoulders, gorgeous white hair, high cheekbones, and obvious strength rang all of Justin’s bells. Of course, the idea of Vincent ever having an interest in him caused Justin to snort.

The sound set off the next chain of events, flaming Vincent’s rage even higher, or so Justin figured when Vincent struck harder than before. They circled each other. Vincent took the next chance to slice at Justin, but Justin grabbed his wrist and wrenched him forward and over his shoulder, sending Vincent’s sword across the ground to Kara’s feet with a clatter of metal on the cement. Justin immediately pinned Vincent underneath him. Breathing heavily, Justin sat there atop Vincent for several seconds without a word, trying to catch his breath.

“I don’t want to kill you,” Justin rasped.

Vincent looked up at him in skepticism. “Why?” Vincent demanded.

Justin retained eye contact with him. “Because I don’t like hurting someone who hates those monsters just as much as I do.”

Vincent seemed to contemplate Justin’s words, and then something seemed to click inside Vincent. The fight left his body. Justin became aware of Vincent’s hard body against his, their suggestive position, and what it could have meant in another world. Flushing, Justin stood and held his hand out to Vincent, who studied him for several heartbeats before allowing Justin’s help up from the ground. Justin rushed to Kara’s side to untie her hands and massaged them to bring the feeling back into them.

“Don’t think this means I trust you, wolf,” Vincent growled as he retrieved his sword. “If you even so much as look at a human in the wrong way, I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

The sound of his sword bottoming out in its sheath punctuated his promise.

Kara glanced at him and snapped, “How do we know we can trust you?”

“You don’t.” Without another word, he strode off into the darkness.



Carra's Review

I liked the idea of the hunter and the hunted falling for each other, and adding the fact that one is a werewolf and the other a hybrid added to my interest in reading this story.  Here, instead of werewolves being the good guys the vast majority of them—as in all of them except Justin that we encounter in this story—are the monsters of yore, violently killing and rampaging while changed, unaware of what they are doing while in that state.

To make matters worse, it seems that these not-at-all-good werewolves are actually banding together to become more powerful in their altered state (not going to say anything else since it would be too spoiler-y).  Justin is not like the rest.  Okay, so he is when it comes to most of the physical attributes…but he is actually disgusted by what happens to him and what he is capable of when changed, and is trying to do something about it.

Enter Vincent, a hybrid werewolf/human who cannot change, but has the physical prowess that full werewolves do in their human form.  He’s far beyond disgusted by those pure werewolves, hunting and killing them at every chance.  Then Justin enters the picture, and though at first they go at it as hunter against hunted, as you expect that turns into a wary truce, and eventually something totally opposite.

I would have liked to have had more to this story, both in background and resolution.  Things are not entirely settled at the end, and Justin himself does not know a lot about what he is so that means as a reader neither did I.  This story does lay a foundation, if a bit spotty, if the author plans subsequent books.

Overall, Spell of the Werewolf was around 3.5 stars for me.  Adult language and the intimate encounters between Justin and Vincent do mean that this book is meant for readers 18+.


About the Author 


J.R. Loveless began her adventure in writing romance at the young age of twelve. Her foray into creating her own worlds and telling her characters’ life stories was triggered by her own love of reading. She currently resides in South Florida with her dog and two cats, volunteers for an animal rescue in her spare time, and works as a manager for a financial lending institute. Someday she hopes to begin writing as a full-time career and bringing more of her ideas to life.

Her journey into gay romance began in 2005 when she began posting her original fiction on a forum for feedback and readers’ pleasure. In 2010, a good friend urged her to submit to a publishing company, and the day she received the acceptance and contract was the best day of her life. Since then, she has been noted to be one of the most purchased audio books after Fifty Shades of Grey on Audiobook.com, received best gay romantic fiction for Touch Me Gently in the 2011 TLA Gaybies, and even received an award for Chasing Seth in 2012.

J.R. adores her fans and loves hearing from them.










Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Book Reveal: ON THE WINGS OF WAR by Hailey Turner (Soulbound V) - Includes Excerpt!



 On the Wings of War 
by Hailey Turner

Series:  Soulbound V
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date (Print & Ebook): September 2, 2020
Length (Print & Ebook): 109,151
Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy
Warnings: None

Pre-order links



Synopsis

Remembering the dead will always give them life.

The coveted Morrígan’s staff is up for sale on the black market to the highest bidder, and SOA Special Agent Patrick Collins will do whatever it takes to ensure the Dominion Sect doesn’t get their hands on it. Returning the weapon to its rightful owner is another step on the long road toward clearing Patrick’s soul debt, but he won’t walk it alone. Jonothon de Vere won’t let him.

Obeying the gods means Patrick must travel to London. For Jono, it means facing a past he thought he’d left behind forever. His return to England isn’t welcome, and neither is their pack, but Jono and Patrick will face the antagonism together. Politics aside, their priority must be the mission, but the bone-chilling secret they uncover in the London god pack will have far-reaching repercussions no one can ignore.

A race against time takes Patrick and Jono from the streets of London to the bright lights of Paris, where hospitality is thin on the ground, the air is filled with whispered prayers for the missing, and the Morrígan’s staff will end up in the one place it should never have gone—a graveyard.

For beneath Paris lie the long-forgotten dead, and when they rise to walk again, the living can only hope to die.

On the Wings of War is a 109k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending. It is a direct sequel to A Vigil in the Mourning. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.


Exclusive Reveal Excerpt

“I hate ties,” Patrick said, tugging at the one wrapped around his neck. “I hate suits. Why couldn’t I have done all of these meetings remotely?”

“Because you’ve done enough property damage earlier this year that it’s best to remind people you aren’t the enemy,” SOA Director Setsuna Abuku replied without looking at him as they continued down a corridor in the Pentagon. The military aide escorting them was doing a fine job of pretending not to hear a word they said.

“Chicago was not my fault.”

Setsuna finally deigned to look at him, arching one eyebrow. “The people of Chicago beg to differ.”

“It was months ago. They should be over it by now.”

Setsuna twisted her wrist so her cane smacked him in the shin, never breaking stride. “You know a city doesn’t easily recover from an attack like that.”



About the Author 

Hailey Turner is 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:

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



Monday, July 20, 2020

Review & Giveaway: SUGAR AND ICE by RJ Scott & V.L. Locey (Arizona Raptors #4)




Buy Links: 


Length: 51,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Arizona Raptors Series

Book #1 - Coast to Coast - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
Book #2 - Across The Pond - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
Book #3 - Shadow and Light - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Blurb

When love is on the line, the worst decisions can end up having the best endings.
Tate Collins, an all-American hockey phenomenon, was the highly marketable face of Dallas hockey. Loaded down with endorsements and playing his best game, he was a superstar and a household name. No one ever expected him to fail, but overnight, after the worst decision of his life, everything spirals out of his control. Abruptly, his reputation is in tatters, and he’s traded to the Arizona Raptors in a shocking move. Brushing off the wild and unfounded accusations that he faces on social media, and stuck on the second line, he keeps his head down and works hard to earn his spot. Tate knows he can make a difference if only his teammates would let him. Something has to change for him to earn their respect, but falling for the captain might not be his best move.

Vladislav Novikov has been called many things over his long and illustrious career, but the new nickname of Iceberg seems to fit best. Perhaps it’s due to his icy blue eyes, or the way he rams into opposing players as he defends his goalie. Or maybe it’s because of his cool demeanor when not playing the game he loves. Whatever the reason, it’s why he’s the perfect team captain for this wild bunch of puck-pushers. His perfectly controlled life is smooth as ice until Tate Collins rides into Tucson with his apple pie ways and those damn dimples. The young superstar immediately catches his eye. Despite knowing better than to start something with a teammate, the big, bad Iceberg is about to have that chilly veneer around his heart melted away by Tate one sweet kiss at a time.



Carra's Review

It’s back to the Arizona Raptors for some more hockey romance, this time focusing on the team’s captain, Vlad, and their newest incoming player, Tate.  With a bit of controversy following Tate from his former team thanks to a not-so-stable ex-fiancée and Vlad’s serious, focused demeanor, you wouldn’t expect there would be anything about to happen.  But this is one of those subtle attractions that turn into something intense just…like…that.

Might be that dominant vibe that Vlad exudes all the time—in public or private.  Might be that willing submissive vibe that radiates from Tate when they’re alone.  Probably a bit of both ;-)

Everything about Tate and Vlad together works for me.  The person I was not a fan of at all?  Tate’s ex.  Regardless of the cause behind her behavior and actions, she irritated me to no end, and while I know it may be an unpopular opinion due to her issues I still would have preferred  for her to be publicly lambasted.  Yeah, that’s how annoyed I was with her.

It’s always good to get to see the rest of the couples from the series; we even get a cameo from our favorite Railer.  Arizona’s goalie, Colorado, keeps things quirky which of course just ups the intrigue for his own story.

Sugar and Ice is another great story in the series, and the dynamic between Tate and Vlad is perfect.  This book was a 4.5-star read for me, and is meant for readers 18+ for adult language (from humans and birds alike) and sexual content (just the humans there—it’s not THAT kind of story). 


About the Authors

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.
RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:




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.



GIVEAWAY!



Friday, July 17, 2020

New Release-Excerpt: MATCHED TO HIS WOLF by Lorelei M. Hart & Colbie Dunbar


Matched To His Wolf
An M/M Mpreg Shifter Dating App Romance 
(The Dates of Our Lives Book 1)

by Lorelei M. Hart & Colbie Dunbar

Publisher: Surrendered Press
Cover Artist: Megan J. Parker-Squiers
Release Date: July 16
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance, MM mpreg romance, paranormal romance
Trope/s: Forbidden love as in a human falls in love with a wolf shifter not knowing that shifters exist
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: approx. 35,000 words

It is the first book in a series. 



Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited




Blurb

Fate doesn’t use dating apps to pair true mates...except when it does.

Human Omega Colin Soames has finally made it. Investors are clamoring for his new hit dating app and then things get weird. Now he’s on a mission to figure out who’s co-opting his app and why; by going undercover as a potential date. Little does he know that the oddities he discovered weren’t designed to sabotage the app as he first thought. No. Shifters have figured out a way to use it incognito, and he’s about to go on a date with one. If only he knew shifters existed outside of fiction.

Pack Alpha Bentley Shaw likes being single. He doesn't have to answer to anyone but his pack. He likes it that way even if he is lonely and even if his wolf is restless. Why bother putting your heart out there if you are only going to get hurt? But one drunken night he lets his Beta talk him into trying the new dating app all the shifters are using—just once. How bad could one date be? It couldn’t be worse than the time he tried to date a human—except that’s exactly what Love and Hate sends him.

Sparks fly, feelings grow, and their worlds are turned upside down in the very best of ways.

Matched To His Wolf is the first book in the sweet with knotty heat Dates of Our Lives M/M Mpreg Shifter Dating App romance brought to you by the popular co-writing duo of Lorelei M Hart and Colbie Dunbar. It features a human who stumbles into a world he never knew existed thanks to a silly little soap opera, an alpha who didn’t want to date—full stop, two powerful men trying to figure out how to come together as one, and an adorable baby. If you like your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, your mpreg with heart, and your HEAs complete with true mates and a bundle of joy, one-click today.


Excerpt

It’s from Chapter 5, and is the omega’s POV. His name is Colin. He’s human, and he’s the app developer. He goes on the blind date hoping to discover who's co-opting the app. His date arrives and it’s Bentley, a wolf shifter and pack alpha. But Colin had no idea shifters are real and of course, Bentley doesn’t enlighten him. The only context humans have re shifters is a famous soap opera, Shifter World, but they think it’s fiction.

“You’re not wearing a tie.”

“Ummm… nope. Is that a problem?” I glanced at the tie-less men seated in the restaurant.

Bentley loosened the knot at his throat, and I was mesmerized by the long, elegant fingers. He could be a hand model. He did look kinda familiar. I stared at his hands again. Maybe I’d seen them in an ad for watches, phones, or sexy underwear. My inner voice was voting for the last one.

My dinner companion slipped off the tie and stuffed it in his pocket. I was so desperate to check out his nether regions again, I was tempted to do the ‘drop-the-napkin’ trick and get a good gander at his crotch.

“Been here before?” Bentley asked as his amber eyes flicked over the room.

“Nope. But it’s got great ratings on Grassfed Reviews.”

He grimaced. Yeah, that’s what that was. “I don’t pay much attention to that sort of stuff. Too much crap online.”

Did he just put down the entire internet when he was on a blind date that happened by way of an app? My app! I think he did. What an ass! My hand gripped the steak knife wondering if I’d get probation if I stabbed it into the wooden table. Perhaps a warning, pay for the damages, and be blacklisted at the steak house? I could live with that.

But I reminded myself he had no idea I was the developer. “And yet here we are because of an app.”

“My friend convinced me to try it.”

His words reminded me I was supposed to have my detective hat on, not be ogling him or thinking of ways to destroy the furniture because of my bruised ego.

But his scent wafted over me, and if I lived in the 18th century, I swear I would have swooned. I didn’t really know what that was but it sounded like how I felt. All shaky and my stomach was jumbly. I gripped my glass and threw a mouthful of beer down my throat, but in my rush to not swoon, I choked.

The table and my date were showered with beer and probably saliva. Ewww! Bentley’s gray button-down was dotted with wet splotches and so were his hands, cutlery, and napkin. But while I was gasping and focused on not dying, he was suddenly behind me, pushing me forward and thumping my back.

“Okay?” he asked as I took the first breath in what felt like forever but was only a few seconds.

“Mmmm,” I nodded as my cheeks flamed.

“If I choke on my steak, I want him to give me first aid.” That was a comment from the next table.

“Eyes here,” snapped his companion.

“Sorry about the shirt,” I whispered as a waiter replaced the Bentley’s setting and took our orders.

Bentley shrugged as he said, “No big deal.”

I was at a loss for a conversation starter. We’d done names, discovered he hated the information superhighway, he’d saved my life, and I’d ruined his shirt and shared my DNA. Pretty impressive for the first five minutes.

But I was scrabbling for something to say and desperately trying to avoid his aroma which reminded me of an ancient forest that rarely disclosed its secrets. I pictured the trees, with their arms around one another as they closed ranks against outsiders. It was both intoxicating and hair-raising, and I stuck my hands in my lap so Bentley couldn’t see the goosebumps sprawling across my skin.

And then the same voice that had admired my dinner companion’s life-saving prowess said, “That Floyd. I followed him on social media and commented that I hope they bring him back for more episodes. ‘I wouldn’t count on it. Don’t hold your breath,’ was his response.” The guy tittered and placing both hands near his throat, made an exaggerated gasping sound while staring into my eyes. He’s mocking me.

“Hey,” Bentley stood and got in the other guy’s face. That was weird ‘cause I’d listed that as one of my hates on the app. He grabbed the omega’s shirt. “Apologize to my friend. That was completely inappropriate and you’re a jerk.”

The guy sniffed. I was convinced he was inhaling the alpha’s scent and his expression changed from overconfident to insecure. He shuffled along the booth and I swear he shrank to half his size.

His alpha companion muttered, “He meant no harm. Sorry,” before flinging a pile of cash on the table. The pair raced out, not looking back when the waiter arrived at their table with two sizzling steaks and yelled, “What about your dinner?”

How odd! “Thanks,” I mumbled. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He shrugged. “The guy was an ass.”


About the Authors

Lorelei M. Hart

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming now joined by their friend, Ophelia Heart. Friends for years, the three decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg. There is something that just does it for them about smexy men who love each other enough to start a family together in a world where they can do it the old-fashioned way ;).



Colbie Dunbar

My characters are sexy, hot, adorable—and often filthy—alphas and omegas. Feudal lords with dark secrets, lonely omegas running away from their past, and alphas who refuse to commit.

Lurking in the background are kings, mafia dons, undercover agents and highwaymen with a naughty gleam in their eye.

As for me? I dictate my steamy stories with a glass of champagne in one hand. Because why not?








Thursday, July 16, 2020

Review & Giveaway: BARELY REGAL by E. Davies (Rosavia Royals #5)

multi-promo-1
 

Blog Tour & Giveaway:

The Rosavia Royals Series

Featuring: 

Barely Regal 

by E. Davies


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!
 

Come join the fun on the Royals Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RosaviaRoyals/

Add them out to your TBR on Goodreads!


Barely Regal by E. Davies


Rosavia Royals, Book 5

 RR-5-BarelyRegal-Davies-Medium

A bratty boy prince needs a firm but fair Daddy.

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.

Universal Link
Goodreads | BookBub
 

5

Exclusive from Ed & the Inspirations behind his Prince

How did you become a part of this project/world?
Funny story, actually! The covers came first—they started out as premade covers from our wonderful cover designer, AngstyG. The time zones happened to work out perfectly: I was on vacation and Helen (HJ Welch) was awake late, so we saw them straight away. Helen said, “We HAVE to do an MM royalty shared universe!” and that was it!
We’d already learned how to build a shared world while working together to run Men of Hidden Creek (I herd the cats and set up and Helen cheerleads). So we quickly set about recruiting our shared beta reader, editor, etc, and reaching out to authors as we started collaboratively building the world of Rosavia. This time, we’ve really focused on getting all the authors to beta-read for each other as we wrote so that we could nail as many crossovers as possible. And I’ve also been the main series organizer post-draft-completion, so I feel like I’ve been living in Rosavia since late February! It’s very weird but incredibly exciting to finally share it with the rest of the world.

Where did your story’s inspiration come from?
The title of Barely Regal came to me first; I knew I wanted to write the story of the youngest prince, and as a youngest child myself, I knew that he was going to be a feisty little rebel who hadn’t yet learned the importance of his own duties. Muddy little Renford (or Wren, for short) came to life in a flash. I also knew from the very start that I wanted to write his valet, Thom Pierce, experiencing a conflict of interest between his palace duties and the pull he feels to fulfil Wren’s needs.
Also, on the cover, Wren has mud streaked across his neck. I decided that he’s learning to garden, and that the roses in Rosavia represent each family. Each royal family member has their own rose created for them at birth, so when they marry, another rose is created by crossing the couple’s varieties. Of course, when you’re marrying someone you were never expected to end up with, this creates complications…

How did you create your Prince?
Once I realized that Wren had to be the youngest prince, his bratty, flirtatious nature was obvious. And every brat needs a Daddy! The obvious man for the job was Thom, the quiet valet who has guided and steered him for the last decade. These two just came to life at the same moment, because they’re so made-for-each-other.
I really wanted to tell the story of Wren growing into his duties. Through the course of the story, Wren starts off feeling like he’s not taken seriously. I think last-born kids can relate to that feeling of being babied for too long, and it’s not helped by his own bratty nature! But luckily someone’s there to see what’s immaturity and what’s Wren’s need for a strong guiding hand. Over the story, Wren comes to realize that he’s actually playing an important role in telling the royal family’s story, and his unique talents matter.


Carra's Review

Now that I’ve reached the final book of the series, I’m finding it hard to decide which has been my favorite.  I must say though that Barely Regal does have an bit of an edge not just for the off-limits romance between the youngest prince, Wren, and his valet, Thom, not just for the age gap romance, and not just for the Daddy/boy relationship with a bit of kink thrown in.  It’s for all of those aspects put together.

Both Wren and Thom have been attracted to each other for a while.  Thom though is very conscious of his place in the royal household, and his duty comes first.  Then there’s Wren, and his insistent pushing…and pushing…and pushing with his bratty, deliberate behavior.  Wren’s tired of waiting and hoping, and is working now to spark something into happening.  Someone needs to get him in line, and you know exactly who it will be.

Wren’s character goes through plenty of growth in this story—not just with his relationship with Thom, which does center him and increase his patience, but also with how he’s finding his place within the family and his royal duties.

As for that relationship with Thom?  their characters do complement each other, and Thom is exactly what Wren needs to settle him down.  If one of the ways in which he does so is through discipline and training (read: spankings and light BDSM), all the better for us readers ;-)

4.5 stars for Barely Regal…my only regret with this story is that a certain nosy so-called reporter doesn’t get quite what she truly deserves at the royal ball—I was really hoping for something more profound.  Maybe painful.  And embarrassing (for her).  Ah, well…this is still a fantastic read and as with the other stories in the series it is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.


Check out the other books in the series:

Book 1: Up for Heir By Stella Starling

1

A playboy heir needs a man to marry, right now.

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.

Universal Link
Goodreads | BookBub


Book 2: Reign or Shine By HJ Welch

2

A secret prince needs a lost tourist to save.

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?

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Book 3: Throne Together By Zoe Dawn

3

A pining prince needs a second chance at love.

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?



Book 4: In His Court by Max Rowan

4

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?



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About Ed:

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E. Davies grew up moving constantly, which taught him what people have in common, the ways relationships are formed, and the dangers of “miscellaneous” boxes. As a young gay author, Ed prefers to tell feel-good stories that are brimming with hope.

He writes full-time, goes on long nature walks, tries to fill his passport, drinks piña coladas on the beach, flees from cute guys, coos over fuzzy animals (especially bees), and is liable to tilt his head and click his tongue if you don't use your turn signal.

E. Davies Links:


About the other Authors:

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Stella Starling Links:


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HJ Welch/Helen Juliet Links:


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Zoe Dawn Links:


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Max Rowan (formerly Max Hawthorn) Links:
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