Not Just a Governess by Carole Mortimer

GOVERNESS?

Darkly delicious Lord Adam Hawthorne doesn't care a whit for society-especially the tedium of finding a wife. So taking on a new governess for his young daughter shouldn't shake his steely disposition!

OR LADY IN DISGUISE?

Except Mrs. Elena Leighton, an enigmatic widow, is a most intriguing addition to the household. What are those ladylike airs and graces beneath her dowdy exterior?

Despite great impropriety, Lord Hawthorne is compelled to discover the real Elena-no matter what secrets are unveiled along the way....

A Season of Secrets A lady never tells...

I found absolutely irresistible the " lovely grannies" who plot to find a worthy wife for their grandchildrens, they're so dangerous, and their grandchildrens are well aware of it, so they decide to make "tactical" trips to disappear a little bit, out of circulation.

Lord Adam Hawtorne isn't  a simple man because of his character, he doesn't care about what others could think about him, he hasn't the slightest interest in attending the members of high society, cultivate friendship and he doesn't mind to speak with a sincerity that borders on rudeness. His first marriage experience was a real tragedy, and he has no intention of making further attempts. The only good thing born from that Union was his daughter, who loves dearly, but he failed to build a real bond with her because of his shady and severe character.
Elena is hired as governess of the little one, but Adam immediately senses that something is hidden, the ways of the woman are too refined to be what she says.
Their attraction is undeniable, although Adam try anything to prevent things that could complicate  things between them.
The secrets  sooner or later come to the surface, and Elena  past is filled with complications and problems, that Adam cannot ignore, and to help her he decides to keep himself cold and distant, a questionable choice, but so like him.
I loved this story and its protagonists, as well as its storyline, perhaps not very original, but well written, definitely a brilliant start for this author and her new serie "A Season of Secrets".

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

RATING: 4 Stars
TITLE: Not Just a Governess
AUTHOR: Carole Mortimer
SERIES: A Season of Secrets #1
PUBLISHER: Harlequin

Ho trovato,assolutamente irresistibile le "care nonnine" di questo libro che complottano per trovare una degna moglie per i loro nipoti, pericolosissime, e i cari nipoti ne sono ben consapevoli, tanto da decidere fare "viaggi in campagna" tattici per sparire un po' dalla circolazione.
Lord Adam Hawtorne non ha un carattere semplice, non ha il minimo interesse nel frequentare i membri dell'alta società, coltivarne l'amicizia e non si fa problrmi ad esprimersi con una sincerità che rasenta la maleducazione. La sua prima esperienza matrimoniale è stata a dir poco disastrosa, e non ha nessuna intenzione di fare ulteriori tentativi. L'unica cosa positiva nata da quell'unione è stata la figlia, che adora, ma con la quale non è riuscito ancora a costruire un vero e proprio legame, a causa del suo carattere ombroso e severe.
Elena viene assunta come governante della piccola, ma Adam intuisce subito, che qualcosa gli viene tenuto nascosto, i modi della donna sono troppo raffinati per essere quello che dice.
La loro attrazione è innegabile,nonostante Adam faccia di tutto per evitare che le cose si possano complicare tra loro.
I segreti però prima o poi vengono a galla, e il passato di Elena è pieno di complicazioni e problemi, che Adam non può ignorare, e per aiutarla decide di mantenersi freddo e distante, scelta alquanto discutibile, ma in linea con il suo carattere.
Mi è piaciuta molto questa storia e i suoi protagonisti, così come la sua trama, forse non originalissima, ma ben raccontata, decisamente un inizio brillante per questa autrice e la sua nuova serie A Season of Secrets.
Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy

Danielle Sosna has no problem denying herself in order to achieve her goals—after all, that attitude landed her a dream job at Vogue Paris. But in New Orleans for one last assignment before heading overseas, she's faced with the most decadent of temptations. Seductive Cajun chef Bobby Prejean takes Dani's strength of will as a challenge, and offers her a night of wild indulgence—if she will agree to obey his every command…

Dani can't resist Prejean's invitation to join him in a world of carnal desire, complete with fetish costumes and masks. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she gives Prejean everything but her name. A night becomes a week, as she spends Mardi Gras suspended…in the delicious space where pleasure meets pain.

Too late, she realizes the cloak of anonymity has not protected her—and that chasing her dream might come at the expense of her heart.

Book three of Facets of Passion

Food and sex: the pleasures of life.
Great food, cooked by a famous chef, who in real life is also a Dom.

How could I resist to this combination, if we add the decadent charm of New Orleans and the irresistible "cajun" of Prejean's accent, you got me.
The book at its start has one of the funniest scenes I've read lately, imagine a chef who angrily throws out from his local a client guilty of ruining his creations to follow a diet, terrible start for them but it's really a good idea for their first meeting.
No love at first sight, definitely, but this does not limit  a casual relationship in which Prejean will introduce Danielle BDSM reality, with everything that goes with it.

A pity that the story is not a little longer, so it could give them more space, but it is absolutely sensual and very hot.
I have only read this book in this Facet of Passion, but it was not a hindrance to reading the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for the book.

Rating: 3 stars

TITLE: Ruby
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
SERIES: Facet of Passion #3
PUBLISHER: Carina Press


Cibo e sesso: i piaceri della vita.
Ottimo cibo, cucinato da un famosissimo chef, che nella vita privata è anche un Dom.
Come resistere a questa accoppiata, se poi aggiungiamo il fascino decadente di New Orleans e l'irresistibile accento "cajun" di Prejean è fatta.
Il libro al suo inizio presenta una delle scene più divertenti che abbia letto ultimamente, immaginare uno chef inferocito che butta fuori dal suo locale una cliente colpevole di rovinare le sue creazioni per seguire una dieta improbabile è davvero un'ottima idea per il loro primo incontro.
Non amore a prima vista, sicuramente, ma questo non pone limite a una relazione occasionale nela quale Prejean introdurrà Danielle nella realtà del BDSM, con tutto quello che ne consegue.
Un peccato che la storia non sia un po' più lunga, così da poter dar loro più spazio, ma comunque è una lettura senz'altro sensuale e molto hot.
Io ho letto solo questo libro della serie Facet of Passion, ma non è stato un ostacolo alla lettura.
Ringrazio Netgalley e la Carina Press per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

Anteprima The Virgin by Tiffany Reisz- The Original Sinners WhiteYears #3

For years, Kingsley Edge warned Eleanor the day would come when she, the mistress of a well-respected Catholic priest, would have to run and hide. She always imagined if that day came she'd be running away with Søren. But instead, she's running from him.

Knowing Søren and Kingsley will their use their influence to bring her back, Eleanor alone, penniless and scared takes refuge at the one place the men in her life cannot follow: the abbey where her mother has taken orders. Behind the cloistered gates of the convent, Eleanor hides from the man she loves and hates in equal measure

She cannot, however, hide from her true nature. When Eleanor befriends a young virginal nun, she faces a startling sexual awakening. But Eleanor can't stay forever, and the lure of her real life beckons beyond the locked gates. But to follow her fate means to leave Kyrie behind, a sacrifice Eleanor refuses to make

The lure of the forbidden. The temptation to sin. The price of passion has never been higher, and Eleanor will have to pay it if she ever wants to go home again.

La recensione in lingua italiana la potete trovare su Romanticamente Fantasy Sito, eccovi il link:

/http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/anteprima-inediti-in-italia-recensione-the-virgin-di-tiffany-reisz-the-original-sinners-white-years-3/

As soon as I started reading the first few lines of this book I pulled a big sigh of relief, as happens to me a bit sometimes when I see my dearest friends after years of distance. Relieved to see that are doing well, that everything is fine between them and, above all, that things have not changed, if not  for the better.

Reading the first pages and finding Søren, Nora and Kingsley together, in the present time and find out all these things about them made me really happy.

"If she hadn't loved Søren before, she would fall in love with him again for looking at her thirty-eight-years-old body with the same desire that had once gazed on her naked seventeen-years-old form.

...

Time had only increased Søren's beauty. The gray in his hair could barely be' distinguished from the blond. The years had sharpened his features, scraped off the rough edges, and sculpted him into a man worthy of all the respect and love she had to give him."

"The Virgin" tells several stories, the "now" and especially the memories of important moments of the past of this "Unholy Trinity" oby Ms Reisz, moments that changed their lives and left a mark.

See a love that over time, is able to fight the difficulties and resist creating a bond stronger than ever, it's something that I love very much, the famous fairy tale you tell a child and with Søren, Nora and Kingsley, this is it, a fable a bit kinky, but still a beautiful fairy tale. Sometimes seeing the intimacy that exists between Søren and Kingsley, about which Ms Reisz didn't need to use a lot of words, it's almost embarrassing, it seems to be envious voyeurs Who are prying.

Nora, Søren, Kingsley and Juliettgaffe together in a castle in Scotland, in the most absolute secrecy for a wedding. Between whom and with whom? All the possibilities and the doubts remain in play until the end. Martiages are those moments where everyone a bit come to terms with the "if and but" in their life. And in the life of Søren, Nora and Kingsley there was a moment of profound rupture, they never spoken between them about it, unless referring to it as "that year".

The year in which Nora ran away from Søren, the year she became pregnant with Kingsley decideding then to abort, the year in which Kingsley himself disappeared from Søren's life and for his luck his voluntary exile took him to meet Juliette. Because all this happened? Because let me tell you from the bottom of  my heart: Søren "royally fucked up" with Nora. And she was strong enough to go through hell,  to be consistent while suffering, but she managed to get away from him.

"Once upon a time she thought the world would end if se ever to live without him.

And here she was, without him. And here was the world, spinning on its axis as usual.

She had survived the end of the world and found at the end a new beginning. And if she'd survived the end of the world, surely she could survive anything now."

This story leaves, to my eyes, a monumental Kingsley, Søren has always been his strength but also his biggest weakness, but in this case his loyalty to Nora is absolute, this time he has made a choice, that, to me, it puts him at another level compared to Søren. I loved him through and through, his weaknesses, his lucidity and his heart. Kingsley loves with all over himself, is willing to do everything, even to suffer and stand back if it need tojuve done, just as he did with Juliette.

For Nora he made perhaps even more because he goes against Søren, before with a sharper mind, disappearing from circulation to protect the woman's decision and then he faces him, hitting Søren  with the force of a train.

It is also thanks to him that  from this whole story is born a new Nora, different, perhaps Søren is fearing to lose her, but it's a fear that eventually he must learn to accept if the truly loves her.

"... That was the most scared I've ever seen her, and even then, she was thinking of you.'

Søren didn't speak but he didn't look away. He held Kingsley's gaze unapolotegic.

'It's funny,' Kingsley said as he made a sudden realization. 'For over ten years I've thought One thing about her. Yes, She's beautiful, beyond beautiful. Kinky. Smart. Every man's dream. But I always thought perhaps... she wasn't good enough for you. This little girl from Nowhere, Connecticut, with a nobody mother and a piece of shit father.How could she ever be' worthy of you? Now I'm starting to think something different. You bidè behind your collar and get to play God while the rest of us do your bidding and suffer the consequences. You get the glory. She get the bruises. Maybe it's you who's Not worthy of her. Maybe it's not you who's worthy of me either.'"

Throughout this who"The Virgin" is? She is a young nun encountered by Nora in "that year", an important person, who helps Nora at a time when she's really broken, uncertain and unsure about her future. An innocent person who is able to see clearly through Nora's life  and urges her to change and to discover her potential, a new aspect of herself, so she can returnto fight in the real world.

I know, I said it all and I said nothing. There are so many things that I'd like to tell, but it wouldn't be fair to do so. Just wait and hope that they decide to publish the series "The White Years" in Italy.

Ms Reisz has made it known that she has finished to write the last book in this series, "The

Queen". I can't wait to read it, but I'm sad, because we're coming to the end of  this amazing series, but I think it's very important for an author to be able to put a stop at the right moment in the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin MIRA for the kind preview.

RATING: 5 stars

TITLE: The Virgin

AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz

SERIES: The Original Sinners White Years #3

PUBLISHER: Harlequin Mira

A Touch of Passion by Bronwen Evans- The Disgraced Lords #3

In the latest Disgraced Lords novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans, a vivacious thrill seeker clashes with her dutiful defender—causing irresistible sparks to fly.

Independent and high-spirited, Lady Portia Flagstaff has never been afraid to take a risk, especially if it involves excitement and danger. But this time, being kidnapped and sold into an Arab harem is the outcome of one risk too many. Now, in order to regain her freedom, she has to rely on the deliciously packaged Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood, a man who despises her reckless ways—and stirs in her a thirst for passion.

After losing his mother and two siblings in a carriage accident years ago, Grayson Devlin promised Portia’s dying brother that he’d always watch over his wayward sister. But having to travel to Egypt to rescue the foolhardy girl has made his blood boil. Grayson already has his hands full trying to clear his best friend and fellow Libertine Scholar of a crime he didn’t commit. Worse still, his dashing rescue has unleashed an unforeseen and undesired consequence: marriage. Now it’s more than Portia he has to protect . . . it’s his battered heart.

I'm in love with Bronwen Evans and her Disgraced Lords series, in every book stories and characters never disappointed me. I could not wait to read Grayson and Portia, her abduction at the hands of Libertine Scholars' enemy. This group of friend rakes are so charming, but in the evolve of this series meet women able to tame them and capture their hearts.

I was very surprised by Portia, an amazing female character, I expected her to be more the classic damsel in distress and panicked, with Grayson who rushes to rescue her and instead I found myself in front of a strong and independent woman, who even when she could "put the hands" on the man who has always loved and wanted, is not willing to make compromises, she doesn't want to settle for a marriage of facade with him, she wants to live her life fully and follow her dreams and this cannot happen if Grayson is determined to keep her at distance.

Portia has lived in a home where love between her parents can be breathed in the air every day,and that's what she wants to build along with Grayson.

Grayson on his part,  lived in the same house with Portia's parents, after losing his family in a tragic accident, and he's afraid to get involved so much with feelings, because he knows what it's like to lose everything in a few seconds and he doesn't  want to expose himself ever more in life to so much pain.

I loved them for their sincerity towards each other, the attraction and passion they feel and that the author is so good at telling, with truly intense scenes.

The story is compelling, I love when the Libertine Scholars gather together, their irony of their speaks and the relationship of deep friendship and understanding that binds them. Always ready to protect their friends, even with not really Orthodox methods.

Slowly they are trying to discover the identity of their enemy that attempted to discredit them in the eyes of society and which is now moved to a harder and dangerous game, risking the lives of everyone.

I have a soft spot for Arend, so dark and full of secrets, I'm looking forward to his book, but I think the next story dedicated to Maitland, the Cold Duke, is unmissable, saw his first approach to what should be his future wife.

Thanks to Netgalley and  Random House Publishing Group-Loveswept book.

Adoro Bronwen Evans e la sua serie Disgraced Lords, in ogni libro storia e personaggi non mi hanno mai delusa. Non vedevo l'ora di poter leggere di Grayson e Portia, il rapimento di lei per mano dl nemico segreto dei Libertine Scholars, il gruppo di amici e affascinanti libertini che però nell'evolvere di questa serie incontrano delle donne capaci di domarli e catturare il loro cuore.

Sono rimasta molto sorpresa da Portia, un bellissimo personaggio femminile, me l'aspettavo più nella parte della classica damigella in pericolo e presa dal panico che Grayson accorre a salvare e invece mi sono ritrovata davanti a una donna fiera, indipendente, che anche quando potrebbe " mettere le mani" sull'uomo che ha sempre amato e desiderato, non è disposta a fare compromessi, non vuole accontentarsi di un matrimonio di facciata con lui, vuole vivere la sua vita appieno e seguire i suoi sogni e questo non può avvenire se Grayson è deciso a mantenere con lei le distanze.

Portia ha vissuto in una casa in cui l'amore tra i suoi genitori si respirava nell'aria tutti i giorni ed è quello che vuole costruire insieme a Grayson.

Grayson da parte sua, ha vissuto anche lui nella stessa casa con i genitori di Portia, dopo aver perso la sua famiglia inun tragico incidente, e ha paura di lasciarsi coinvolgere così tanto dai sentimenti, perché sa cosa vuol dire poter perdere tutto in pochi attimi e non vuole esporsi mai più nella vita a tale dolore.

Mi sono piaciuti per la loro sincerità l'uno verso l'altra, l'attrazione e la passione che nasce tra di loro e che l'autrice è così brava a raccontare, con scene veramente coinvolgenti.

La storia è scritta in modo avvincente, adoro quando i Libertine Scholars si ritrovano insieme, come si punzecchiano con la loro ironia e il rapporto di profonda amicizia e intesa che li lega. Sempre pronti a proteggere i loro amici, anche con metodi non proprio ortodossi.

Pian piano stanno cercando di scoprire l'identità del loro nemico che ha tentato di screditarli agli occhi della società e che ora è passato a un gioco più duro e pericoloso, mettendo a rischio la vita di tutti.

Io ho un debole per Arend, tenebroso e pieno di segreti, non vedo l'ora di poter il suo libro, ma comunque credo che la prossima storia dedicata a Maitland, the Cold Duke come lo chiamano, sia imperdibile, visto il suo primo approccio con quella che dovrebbe essere la sua futura compagna.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept per il libro

RATING:4 stars e 1/2

TITLE: A Touch of Passion

AUTHOR: Bronwen Evans

SERIES :  The Disgraced Lords #3

PUBLISHER: Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept

In His Command by Rie Warren- Don't Tell #1

In the dystopian future, two men discover attraction isn't just dangerous, it's deadly.

Two generations ago, the world was annihilated by a series of catastrophic environmental events. The remaining survivors were driven closer and closer to big city centers-damaged but not destroyed-divvied into sixteen identical international territories ruled by the Company.

Oppressive to the core, the Company has one rule in order to recoup the world's devastated population: homosexuality and deviant sexual behaviors are hanging offenses. First time offenders are last-time offenders.

It is the year 2070. Commander Caspar Cannon has a stellar military reputation-and a life-threatening secret. When a revolution rips through the territories, Cannon is ordered to escort Company Executive Nathaniel Rice to a secure location. Leaving the besieged city behind, their journey becomes a minefield of sabotage, betrayal, secrets . . . and intense desire for one another.

Cannon's militant self-repression takes a direct hit, his suspicions warring with passion for a man who can never be his, not while the Company remains in power. True to his mission, he delivers Nathaniel to the safe bunker where a fate he never expected awaits him.


If I had to be honest it wasn't love from the bottom of my heart when I started reading this book. "In His Command" is a dystopian book erotic M/M, the first one in the series "Don't Tell" by Rie Warren.
Usually the post-apocalyptic setting of dystopian books intrigues me a lot, but in this case I really struggled to move forward in  the reading, leaving the book slightly to decant to see if it was me in a moment of impatience.
Then I restarted it and although I stayed perplexed, but I went ahead and I passed the rock representing at first Caspar and Nathaniel, then I began to appreciate the full story when the two reach a rebel town and I was very impressed by how the author developed the ending of the story.
Caspar is a commander in the Company, the regime that took the lead of territories divided into sixteen Nations. A real dictatorship, which after catastrophic events occurring on the planet, washing the brains of survivors and with its propaganda and its laws established its domain, stating the homosexuality and sexually deviant behaviors are outside the law, going so far as to condemn the culprits  with also public executions.

Nathaniel is a valuable component of the company, thanks to his capacity for telecommunications management and security.
What I didn't like at the start? The book is told through the POV of Caspar, which among other things I wasn't really fond of, he was a bit too incoherent and hypocritical. Perhaps his contempt towards himself and his ideas were expressed so well, that had convinced me too, a homosexual who to hide his secret and joins the pack of wolves, becoming one of the most feared and respected commanders, but which participates in forbidden and secret meeting in order to vent his sexual frustration. The language used in the story is definitely full of testosterone, and given the two protagonists very alpha in their behaviors, it is perfect.
The other thing that had me a little bored initially was the fact of concentrating all alone and almost exclusively on the sexual attraction between Nathaniel and Caspar and hot nights of passions. Aside from great sex scenes is not that the plot had many outlets, but fortunately, while the two are on their way to an outpost of the company, they arrive in rebels' commune, that the system has labeled as "little more than beasts" and the book chenge, as well as the relationship between Caspar and Nathaniel.
About Caspar we learn about everything, even his past that led him to make his choices, and how much he's good to hide himself in the eyes of others; Nathaniel, on the other hand, in some ways I found him harder to decipher, but more fascinating as a character, with his secrets  that until the end did not clarify where are his loyalty and his heart.
I had my own ideas, but several times I found myself with big doubts about him.
As I said the final largely redeemed the beginning a bit difficult for me, and the overall rating is three stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for the book.

RATING: 3 stars

TITLE: In His Command
AUTHOR: Rie Warren
SERIES: Don't Tell # 1
PULISHER: Forever Grand Central Publishing

Se devo essere onesta non è stato amore alla follia quando ho iniziato a leggere questo libro. "in His Command" è un libro distopico erotico M/M, che dà il via alla serie "Don't Tell" di Rie Warren.
Di solito l'ambientazione post-apocalittica dei libri distopici mi intriga parecchio, ma in questo caso ho veramente faticato ad andare avanti nella lettura, lasciando il libro un po' a decantare per vedere se ero io in un momento di insofferenza.
Ci sono ritornata e nonostante rimanessi perplessa sono andata avanti e ho superato lo scoglio che rappresentavano in un primo momento Caspar e Nathaniel, per poi cominciare ad apprezzare la storia appieno quando i due raggiungono una comune di ribelli e rimanere decisamente impressionata da come ha sviluppato il finale della storia l'autrice.
Caspar è un comandante all'interno delle milizie della Compagnia, il regime che ha preso il comando dell'insieme dei territori suddivisi in sedici nazioni. Una vera e propria dittatura, che dopo eventi catastrofici accaduti sul pianeta, ha plagiato la mente dei sopravvissuti e con la sua propaganda e le sue leggi ha stabilito il suo dominio, dichiarando tra l'altro l'omosessualità e i comportamenti sessualmente devianti fuori legge, arrivando a condannare i colpevoli anche a pubbliche esecuzioni.
Nathaniel è un prezioso componente della Compagnia, grazie alle sue capacità con i mezzi informatici per la gestione delle telecomunicazioni e sicurezza.
Cosa non mi ha convinto all'inizio della mia lettura? Il libro è raccontato attraverso il POV di Caspar, che tra l'altro non è che mi risultasse simpaticissimo, lo trovavo un po' troppo ipocrita e poco coerente. Forse il suo auto disprezzo verso se stesso e le sue scelte lo esprimeva così bene, che aveva convinto anche me delle sue idee, un omosessuale che per nascondere il suo segreto si unisce al branco dei lupi, diventandone uno dei comandanti più temuti e rispettati, ma che però partecipa a incontri proibiti e segreti per poter sfogare la propria frustrazione sessuale. Il linguaggio utilizzato nel racconto è decisamente ricco di testosterone, e visti i due protagonisti molto alpha nei loro comportamenti, la cosa ci sta tutta.
Altra cosa che mi aveva un po' annoiato inizialmente era il fatto di concentrare tutto solo e quasi esclusivamente sull'attrazione sessuale presente tra Nathaniel e Caspar e relative nottate di fuoco tra i due. A parte gran scene di sesso non è che la trama avesse molti sbocchi, ma per fortuna, mentre i due sono in viaggio verso un avamposto della Compagnia, arrivano in una comune di ribelli, che il regime ha etichettato come " poco più che bestie" e il libro arriva alla sua svolta, così come il rapporto tra Caspar e Nathaniel.
Di Caspar impariamo a conoscere tutto,  anche il suo passato che l'ha portato a fare le sue scelte, e quanto riesca bene a nascondersi agli occhi degli altri; Nathaniel, invece, in un certo senso l'ho trovato più difficile da decifrare, ma più affascinante come personaggio, con i suoi segreti che fino alla fine non chiariscono dove stanno la sua lealtà e il suo cuore.
Avevo le mie idee, ma più volte mi sono ritrovata con grossi dubbi su di lui.
Come ho detto il finale ha riscattato ampiamente l'inizio un po' difficile di questa mia lettura, e il giudizio complessivo è di tre stelline.
Ringrazio Netgalley e la Forever Grand Central Publishing per il libro

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: In His Command
AUTRICE: Rie Warren
SERIE: Don't Tell #1
PUBLISHER: Forever Grand Central Publishing

His Client by Ava March- His Client #1

Love wasn't supposed to be part of the bargain…

On every visit to Madame Delacroix’s brothel, Nathaniel Travers requests the same man. Stunningly handsome and highly skilled, Jasper not only shares Nate’s fondness for wickedly erotic games and black leather corsets, but he has become a trusted confidant. And Jasper’s the only person who knows Nate longs for a committed relationship with his childhood friend, Peter Edmonton.

Unrequited love hurts, but it hurts even more when the object of affection is in love with another. Jasper Reed has been working at Delacroix’s for a decade. He’s saved enough to retire, yet he remains at the decadent London brothel. Leaving would mean leaving Nate and the hope someday the rugged gentleman would stop pining for his best friend and realize he loves Jasper, just as Jasper loves him.

Edmonton’s impending marriage looms before them, causing Jasper to take another look at his stubborn heart. Yet Jasper’s a bastard whore, and Nate’s the nephew of a viscount. Surely there can’t be any hope for them…

I love Ava March's regency books, I like her way of writing simple and smooth and her plots that speak of forbidden love and about a London that already at that time had many dark sides to hide at the sight of High Society.

Having a noble title and be the sole heir in life for a man at the time meant having him also a lot of pressure because of duties towards the whole family; among them there was also to make a good marriage and have heirs. Homosexuals were almost forced to live a double life, to avoid scandal, but also to prevent the jail itself, because in that civil Britain at the time there you were going to end, because sodomy was considered a crime.

 The love stories written by this author are always very passionate, romantic, but also a bit kinky. The reality, however, always seeps through her characters ' thoughts.

Jasper is a wonderful character, living and working in a brothel, with exclusively male clientele.  He is in love with Nathaniel for years, but he is quite realistic to look for evidence that sentiment towards his client. He knows that in life, outside the walls of the brothel, there is no place for a relationship between them, in the light of the sun.

 Over the years becomes the lover, confidant, friend, the only one with whom Nathaniel can be himself, and even his wildest fantasies forbidden. 

Over the years they become the lover, confidant, friend, he's the only one with whom Nathaniel can be himself, even with his wildest fantasies forbidden. 

From a financial point of view, Jasper could retire, but he indulges in order to continue to see Nathaniel, but when he realizes not being able to remain detached, the he is hopelessly in love, hedecides to make a change in his life, to think more to himself and start again from nothing a new existence, without Nathaniel.

I loved him for that, for his desire to try to build something, not only living the illusion of love, but to fight against his feelings, because he realizes he  deserves more than a few fabulous nights, with what still remains only a customer.

Nathaniel is a dear guy, Jasper is really like a friend and lover for him, but he had slices of salami on the eyes, he thinks himself in love with his childhood friend, but it's just an infatuation.  He just don't realize what Jasper became for him, of his importance in his life, until he loses him. 

Theirs is a beautiful story, a love that shows all its facets, I loved seeing them together, read what they had to say and I worshipped Jasper and the truth that seeped through his words and his thoughts.

For those who love the books M/M but also the regency I recommend this author and her books.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: His Client

AUTHOR: Ava March

SERIES: His Client #1

PUBLISHER: TKA Distribution

Wolf's Honor by Ambrielle Kirk- Caedmon Wolves #6

Wolf shifter Connor Maxim is a law-abiding citizen. His motto: Keep the peace. Protect the Pack. His firm, Maxim Securities, was created for this purpose. His honor will be tested when he's called to deliver on his vows.

The homicide rate escalates to an all time high on Pack territory and all evidence points to two prevalent wolf packs: the Caedmon and the Arnou. The Feds give the leaders of both Packs an ultimatum and a three day deadline. They must find the source of the murders before the Feds intervene.

When a police raid goes awry, Connor's world collides with that of Antonia Trudeau's. Under the guise of a striking spitfire of a woman--who happens to be his mate--is also a criminal with a healthy rap sheet. He must decide if love is worth more than duty and honor.

Antonia circumvents more than just the laws...she captures Connor's heart.

Nice and very fast to read. I would consider it a short novella, given its length.

If I'm being honest I had not noticed that it was the sixth book in a series and certainly read before the other books would help me to know more about the character of Connor. Though the story itself between Connor and Antonia can  be read quietly alone.

I love the shapeshifter and their stories when they encounter their mate, a bond  so special and I like  itvery much.

Connor is a wolf used to keep their distance from the rest of the Pack, but his role is crucial because, thanks to his father who is human and plays an important role in security at the Pentagon and Connor's private agency that deals with security and investigations,  he manages to cover and protect the pack from possible interference by humans, who are not aware of the existence of shapeshifters.

I found the story interesting, and unusual with regard to one of the two Alpha, I don't want to make spoiler about it, the plot is also full of action and I didn't mind it.

Angela has lived a difficult life, and not very exemplary, along with her twin brother and in Connor  she can find the fable that she has always dreamed of.

A shame it's so short, I would have liked a story much longer about their relationship.

 

Thanks to netgalley and the author for the book.

RATING: 3 stars

TITLE: Wolf's Honor

AUTHOR: Ambrielle Kirk

SERIESs: Caedmon Wolves # 6

PUBLISHER: Obsidian Gem Publishing LLC

Carino e molto rapido da leggere. Lo considererei più una novella breve , vista la sua lunghezza.

Se devo essere onesta non mi ero accorta che era il sesto libro di una serie e certamente leggere prima gli altri libri mi avrebbe aiutato a conoscere di più il personaggio di Connor. Però la storia in sé tra Connor e Antonia si può leggere tranquillamente da sola.

Adoro i mutaforma e le storie che raccontano quando incontrano le loro mate, e un legame particolare che mi piace molto

Connor è un lupo abituato a mantenere le distanze dal resto del branco, ma il suo ruolo è importantissimo, perché ,grazie a suo padre che è umano e ha un ruolo importante nella sicurezza al Pentagono, e grazie alla propria agenzia privata che si occupa di sicurezza e investigazioni, riesce a coprire e proteggere il branco da possibili interferenza dagli umani, che non sono a conoscenza dell'esistenza dei mutaforma.

La trama l'ho trovata interessante, e inusuale per quanto riguarda uno dei due capibranco con cui Connor ha rapporti e piena di azione e non mi è dispiaciuto.

Angela ha vissuto una vita difficile, e non proprio esemplare, insieme al fratello gemello e in Connor trova la favola che ha sempre sognato.

Un peccato sia così breve, mi sarebbe piaciuta una storia che raccontasse ancora di più di loro e del loro legame.

 

Ringrazio Netgalley e l'autrice per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: Wolf's Honor

AUTRICE: Ambrielle Kirk

SERIE: Caedmon Wolves #6

PUBLISHER: Obsidian Gem Publishing LLC