Category: Reviews - Drako's Den

Gargoyle's Embrace (Polar Nights #3) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

Synopsis: As the owner of a high-profile exotics bar for the supernatural, Krystalf is used to attention. Being the son of wealthy and powerful parents and a formidable second-tier mage himself, Krystalf is also used to being the target of petty humans looking for a healthy ransom. Luckily, his life in Tromsø, Norway is usually quite peaceful.

Then…the fae arrived. After a brutal attack, Krystalf is left shaken as he witnesses for the first time how powerful they are. And at how helpless he truly is against them.

For the devilishly-handsome Auren, a gargoyle from Cara, Egypt, finding his mate was the last thing on his mind. He’s been painstakingly hunting the host of fae who attacked his home. That hunt leads him straight to the arms—and heart—of the mysterious mage, Krystalf. Yet, more questions than answers arise once Auren sets foot in Tromsø. Questions regarding how Auren knows a certain incubus—and perhaps the reason why the fae have come so far north…

Review: So this is the third installment, and I still have questions. These magical beings know so much about each others races, but not about the Fae that are now hunting them. The reason and method behind their mating is also still confusing. There are some answers about Jakai, but we're left with more questions than answers in the end. I'm not sure how the next book will go in this series, but there has to be a next one at some point. There's more information in this book than the previous two, at least, and enough to keep me interested once there's a fourth one.

Review: Wolf's Kiss (Polar Nights #2) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

Synopsis: Under the lights of the beautiful city, Tromsø, the call for pleasure fills the snowy air.

Having left the deep north in an attempt to bury past demons, Halken finds himself drawn in by a gorgeous blond dryad. With his original plan to leave Tromsø tossed out the window, he takes his dance partner home, fully intent on mating with him.

Nolan has heard rumors about werewolves, what they like in the bedroom. He quickly finds out that most all of these rumors are true. Taken in by his sexy wolf, he finds himself in the most erotic of situations with Halken…and begging for more.

Halken talks little of himself, preferring to keep his past exactly where it belongs. In the past.

But what he left there has a mind of its own. A deranged rogue wolf stalks the city, following the scent of what he wants—and he will have it, one way or another.

Review: I feel like this one and the last one could have been combined into one story since this one essentially picks up right where the first one left off. As with the first one, there's plenty of sex, but it's a little different for Nolan and Halken than it was with Valyn and Jakai. Wolves apparently like a little BDSM. The issue with the Fae from the first book takes a back seat to a rogue wolf. I would have liked to see more of Halken. While we get more backstory, he's not exactly the hero of the story at the end as I would expect. I feel like these stories are good, the writing and concept are good, but I wish they were longer and explained more.

Review: Incubus Touch (Polar Nights #1) by Siryn Sueng

2/13/2019

Synopsis: Sex under the northern lights has never been so arousing.

Valyn enjoys the snow-covered city of Tromsø, Norway, because of the long nights, and the northern lights that bring more than just color to the skies above. As a siren, the energy that floods the city beneath the strong pulses of the aurora are both needed for magic and sought after for intense pleasure.

During the winter, the urge to be claimed drives many of the mythical populace. It is Valyn’s third winter without a partner, and the overwhelming need for sex is almost too much to bear. Until his search in an underground club leads him to an incubus named Jakai. Finally, after so long, Valyn has found the man to share his life with. Jakai is mysterious, but kind, and the sex is far more erotic than Valyn ever imagined it could be.

But in the deep dark, there are things that crawl through the snow. The fae are far less civilized and out for blood. When Valyn spots a terrifying figure in Jakai’s yard, the peace in Tromsø begins to break apart — and the fae’s presence is just the beginning.

Review: So, I received this in exchange for an honest review. It's in my preferred genre but it's not exactly my usual read. It's shorter and the pace is very fast. It seems more like a serial than a standalone. The writing itself is good and the premise of the story is also good. It simply moves much too fast. Valyn is a male siren looking for his mate. Jakai is an incubus who winds up being his mate. The instant knowledge of a fated partner can be a bit jarring, especially as the story progresses and you notice that Jakai has to have an interesting background. By the end of the story, I was intrigued enough to read more, mostly because Jakai is a lot more powerful and useful than any of the other characters and I really want to know more.

Review: To Save His Prince by Hurri Cosmo

10/26/2018

Synopsis: Emory is a humble kitchen servant intent on working hard so he can continue to earn his daily crust of bread. It is a thankless, back-breaking job, but it is exactly where Emory wants to be. In the magnificent West Quay castle. Because that is where the incredibly handsome, extremely talented Crown Prince Riffyn lives. The beautiful, kind, and attentive man stole Emory’s heart years before when he rescued him and his mother from a band of thieves. Now Emory’s only wish is to be close, so he can simply admire and serve the man.
But a great evil walks the halls of the castle, and Emory stumbles on a heinous plot to not only kill the prince but a possible plan to overthrow the Kingdom. A wicked scheme that includes the use of magic. Of course, being a lowly servant, no one believes Emory when he tries to raise the alarm, including the prince, who has been commanded to choose a bride now, or one will be chosen for him. Even as Emory’s heart breaks for his prince, he has to find a way to save him. But how, when no one, not even the king, the prince’s own father, can be trusted?

Review: Familiar with the author, I was excited to take this one on. I haven't read from this series in particular but the premise was very interesting. The connection between Emory and Riffyn is established early through the rescue from thieves, and an infatuation begins for Emory. His loyalty is admirable and he's brave in his own way. He's also naive and it's cute, although a tad bit infuriating. Riffyn seems a bit idealistic, everything one would wish for in a future king. He's noble and honorable, which isn't a bad thing.
The introduction of magic was a welcome one. The story is well written and demanded that I finish it the day that I started it. I could probably have done without part of the ending. I'm glad they had a happily ever after but without spoiling the ending, let's just say I could have done with the simple marriage and living on. Doesn't make the story any less riveting though.

Rating: 4 Stars

Black Balled by Andrea Smith & Eva LeNoir

9/9/2018

Synopsis: Two dominant males, two worthy adversaries, in a business that takes no prisoners, will soon learn that fate refuses to be ignored...

My name is Troy Babilonia, but I'm best known as Babu, a renowned literary critic with my own online column. I'm followed by thousands! I'm a living god in the literary world. I have no filter, and for that, my flock of humble followers are forever grateful. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't know what to read. I have zero tolerance for the weak-minded attention seekers, nor do I have respect for the self-proclaimed geniuses of the Indie world. My advice to all Indie authors is to never break the cardinal rule in this cut-throat business. Ever.

My name is L. Blackburn and I'm an Indie author. My extraordinary genius was loved and worshiped throughout the literary world, until one egocentric critic tried to obliterate my career. It seems I broke some "cardinal rule," and now I'm paying the price for it. But I don't plan on going down without a fight.

Review: This one was fun. Maybe because it's semi-relatable. An indie author getting a bad review makes the mistake most authors don't when he responds to it. I like the fact that there was a distance kept between them. The two didn't know each other and even when they eventually meet, it's more by chance and they have no idea who the other is. Blackburn figures it out first. This isn't the classical love story. There's attraction but not instant love between them. They both have issues. Troy isn't a jerk for no reason. They don't have an easy time getting together at all. Also, they are both jerks. Equal jerks, and they deserve each other. I loved it in the end.

Review: Darkling by Brooklyn Ray

1/17/2018

Synopsis: Port Lewis, a coastal town perched on the Washington cliffs, is surrounded by dense woods, and is home to quaint coffee shops, a movie theater, a few bars, two churches, the local college, and witches, of course.

Ryder is a witch with two secrets—one about his blood and the other about his heart. Keeping the secrets hasn’t been a problem, until a tarot reading with his best friend, Liam Montgomery, who happens to be one of his secrets, starts a chain of events that can’t be undone.

Dark magic runs through Ryder’s veins. The cards have prophesized a magical catastrophe that could shake the foundation of Ryder’s life, and a vicious partnership with the one person he doesn’t want to risk.

Magic and secrets both come at a cost, and Ryder must figure out what he’s willing to pay to become who he truly is.

Review: So, I read this book in a little less than a day, when I had to work. It was that good. I'm partial to anything related to witches and magic, especially when you can tell some real thought and perhaps research went into the world crafting, and not just haphazardly throwing ideas together and hoping they flow. I love that the witches have specialties and while there is some light and dark separation in the magic, it's not as black and white as the lighter witches would want you to think. I love Ryder. He's got a good balance of light and dark, and I can understand his reservations about revealing his secrets when members of his coven aren't always the most open minded. I like the fact that Liam is apparently just as into him and neither one has realized it. Better than the usual guy falls for best friend he thinks is straight and never gets him, or worse has to turn him. This story flew by and absorbed me in it from the opening.

The Deepest Blue by Christina Lee

1/22/2016

Synopsis: Lee exchanges skyline for swampland in the next book of her male/male romance series, Roadmap to Your Heart.

Rugged and conventional Callum Montgomery enjoys running Shady Pines hunting preserve, except for the secret that’s eating him alive. When his sister brings a date for a family wedding, he can’t stand the arrogant city slicker with the stick up his perfectly fine ass. He doesn’t understand his draw to Dean, who pushes his buttons at every turn, but he’d never dream of betraying his sibling over some lust fueled fantasy.

Handsome and conscientious Dean Abbott is a research assistant in his university’s biology lab. When his roommate, Cassie, begs him to be her pretend date in front of her meddling family, he begrudgingly agrees to help. He doesn’t anticipate being enchanted by the countryside, the colorful cast of characters, or her sexy and brooding straight brother.

When contempt turns to passion and leads to stolen moments in a sugar cane field, Callum can’t help longing for the kind of connection he believes he can never have. But not even the world’s most heart-melting kiss can bridge the vast philosophical differences between the men.

Dean’s return to his urban lifestyle leaves him restless, his mind continually wandering to the charming setting that spoke to something missing deep inside him. Because you can take the city boy out of the country but you can’t make him forget the intriguing man he left behind.

Review: Here we have another story of opposites attract. City boy meets country boy. Out and proud meets closeted. Dean gets sucked into the situation by doing a favor for his roommate, and butts heads instantly with her brother. It's not easy going putting them together. Even once they're able to admit they're attracted to each other, once it's out in the open that Callum isn't heterosexual and Dean is definitely not with Cassie, the two aren't in an easy relationship. There's plenty of chemistry, but their differences easily become apparent. Callum is a country boy after all and doesn't like being talked down to. The story itself is great, and the ending works, though personally I say one character gave more than the other to get to the happy ending, but that's a matter of opinion and doesn't take away from the story at all.

Links:
Goodreads Amazon

I Got You| A gay Romance: A Boyfriend for rent by Jamie Lake & Jeff Rivera

1/20/2016

Synopsis: When college student Jake is left for dead on the side of the road, he has one thing on his mind: Learn to defend himself against the men that gay bashed him.

And fight back or die trying.

At his sister’s suggestion, he tries self-defense courses. Little does he know when he asks the man to teach him, he'll be guarding more than his body, he'll be guarding his heart.

Aspiring MMA trainer Benjamin is on his last leg, literally. As a wounded warrior, he's scarred from a broken heart that has nearly broken his spirit.

So when Jake approaches him for lessons and tells him his story, it touches his heart.

The more time Jake and Benjamin spend together, the more they realize they’re becoming best friends.

The more time they spend together, the more they realize they can't live without each other.

The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re falling in love.

But Jake has a secret, one that could change everything....

They’re step-brothers.

Review: So, I'm glad I found this one for free today. We come into the story with a bit of tragedy. Gay bashing is a real thing and the situation with Jake and his friend Alberto is an ongoing issue in the story, and kind of at the center of it. They're surrounded by bible thumpers and homophobes. Then there's Benjamin. He's confident and sometimes borders on cocky. But it's a good thing. He's not the most overly emotional guy. He's blunt, and borders on being a jerk but at least it's not hard to figure out where he stands on any particular issue. I was a little wary of the step brothers thing, but it's not like they grew up together. Besides, they're not related by blood and their relationship is interesting. Actually, it's funny in several places. The way they talk is realistic but hilarious to me personally. The sex scenes tickle me because of the dirty talk but i love the story overall, and I especially love the ending. People getting their just desserts always wraps up a story nicely.

Buy Links:
Amazon Goodreads

If Only In My Dreams by Keira Andrews

11/25/2015

Synopsis: To be home for Christmas, they must bridge the distance between them.

Charlie Yates is desperate. It’s almost Christmas and his flight home from college has been delayed. For days. Charlie promised his little sister Ava he’d be home for her first holiday season since going into remission from leukemia. Now he’s stuck on the opposite coast and someone else grabbed the last rental car. Someone he hasn’t even spoken to in four years. Someone who broke his heart.

Gavin Bloomberg’s childhood friendship with Charlie ended overnight after a day of stolen kisses. With years of resentment between them, they don’t want to be in the same room together, let alone a car. But for Ava’s sake, Gavin agrees to share the rental and drive across the country together.

As they face unexpected bumps along the road, can Charlie and Gavin pave the way to a future together?

Review: Interesting story here. You have two guys with a strange grudge against each other since high school. It really stems from a misunderstanding and Gavin's fear of being who he is due to some horrible advice from his father. It's an act of chance that brings them back together to make a trip across country, and Gavin agrees mainly because of Ava. Still, it's a long trip across country and eventually the truth has to come out. Fear is what has kept them apart, and eventually they have to work it all out. Thankfully, we get a nice ending here, and I found the story quite cute and engaging.

Born Under a Blue Moon by Laura S. Fox

10/5/2015

, Synopsis: Ay’len and Ma’ki have been in love since they were children, but, as they grow up, they realize that their love can never be. Ay’len, although a boy, was raised together with his sisters, to learn women’s ways, far away from all the dangers boys to become men had to face. Destined to become the tribe’s next healer, his gentle soul is also destined to protect the village. Being born under a blue moon, he is considered lucky, but his luck and happiness are not his, as he must belong to the entire tribe. He needs to remain pure, away from temptations of the flesh, so he must quash the love he feels for Ma’ki and dedicate himself to a selfless existence.

Ma’ki is a hunter and the tribe chieftain’s first born. His purpose is to carry his bloodline, by marrying and fathering children. Yet, as years go by, his love for Ay’len grows stronger. To his family’s distress, he refuses to take a wife, despite knowing that Ay’len could never be his.

But not all tribesmen see Ay’len with good eyes and danger has a way of finding him. His androgynous appearance provokes confusion and lust, and a moment arrives when a man decides to challenge the tribe’s rules and make Ay’len his wife. Without protection, the healer is left to be devoured by a beast of a man and his lewd desires. When Ma’ki discovers that his one true love is bound to another, he realizes his entire life has been a lie.

When rules are broken, and gods are scorned, will true love survive?

Review: This one is a bit different. This is clearly a very different society, an older one. In a contrast, Ay'len is definitely a boy, but one so beautiful and born in such a time that he is considered sacred. He is blessed by the gods, or cursed as he cannot do what other boys do. He cannot hunt, he even dresses as a girl. His heart clearly always belongs to Ma'ki ad Ma'ki's to him, though society doesn't allow it. Not necessarily out of outright homophobia, but because they are told Ay'len belongs to everyone and must remain pure. However, a rather cruel hunter decides to capitalize when Ay'len's father dies and to save a life, Ay'len must agree to marry the man. Ma'ki won't stand for it, but even that is not the end. Happily ever after isn't easily attainable, and there's plenty of twists and heartache for the two before they come to the end. I rather love this book because it is so different.

Links:
Smashwords
Goodreads