ARC REVIEW : Princes of The Universe by Serene Franklin

Title: Princes of the Universe

Author: Serene Franklin

Series : Crazy Little Thing #1

Publisher: Self Published

Genre(s): Contemporary gay romance

Release Date: June 19th, 2019

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

Eli

I’m bad at love. I’m bad at many things, but love is so far down the list that it would be funny if it weren’t so tragic. At twenty-eight years old, I’ve had my fair share of partners, and each hasn’t hesitated to tell me that I’m incapable of loving. I love my dog, though I guess that’s not the same thing. Every woman I’ve dated can’t be wrong, right? So I’ve given up on love and resigned myself to a solitary life.

Everything is going all right until he walks through the door at my office. He’s the one person who knows my deepest secret—I just know everything’s going to change.

Bryan

I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. It’s been ten years—and I’d long ago given up all hope—though I never forgot about him. The last place I expected to find him was in the ad agency I’m considering for the launch of my bakery, yet here we are. I can’t lie and say I’m not excited at the prospect of working closely with him.

This feels like a second chance, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn his trust and find out what happened to him all those years ago.

Hopefully my heart survives in the process.

The blurb had caught me since the first time I read it and curious me even more…

And when I started it, the story succeed captivated me since the very first page. The super slow pace was really something but for me its far from boring because I do really enjoying the ‘process’. Each page captivating me to immersed deeply into both the characters and the story. The writing also good, I can feel the emotional vibes the author trying to share through her words. The characters development is superb. The connection and interactions between the two main characters also good. Eli with his naïve side in him when it come to his changing feelings toward Bryan, his bluntness and anxiety problems meet with Bryan patience and caring are perfect combinations that made this book really hard to put down.

The smooth and very slow changing from strangers to friends then lovers are perfectly written. The sexual innuendos are strong but the way Bryan carefully hold himself and waiting patiently until Eli finally realize what he’d feels and want is what makes this book leave the deep impression in me.

Serene Franklin is a new author to me, and this is the first time I read her book. I probably will check on her other books in the future...

ARC REVIEW : When Red Cried Wolf by Nash Summers

Title : When Red Cried Wolf

Author : Nash Summers

Series : Happily Ever Asher #1

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance

Release Date : June 11th 2019

Rating : 4/5 Stars

Asher Williams is obsessed with love.

It’s probably one of the reasons he makes such a fantastic matchmaker, love guru, and romance expert. And now that he’s in college, it’s finally his turn to shine.

Asher’s relationship advice column in the school newspaper is his strongest matchmaking instrument, especially when it comes to helping hopeless romantics find their soulmates.

But like every heroic quest, there are a few bumps in the road and dragons to slay.
There’s a damsel in distress Asher’s best friend thinks is a psychopath, a handsome prince Asher can’t stop drooling over, and a huge, mysterious roommate Asher can’t help but pester.

It doesn’t matter though. Nothing will stop Asher when it comes to helping people find their true love.
He’s absolutely positive everything will work out in the end.
Because love is always like a fairy tale…right?

* * *

The main romance arc spans across all three novellas. When Red Cried Wolf contains little romance but sets up for the rest of the series.
—
When Red Cried Wolf is a slow-burn romance with over-the-top characters, fairy tale references, ridiculous texts, and eventually, a happy ever after.

Asher grinned wildly. “No one knows love better than me.”

When Red Cried Wolf is the first part in a trilogy of novellas. It’s like the introduction into the full real journey of Asher Williams life as the Prince of Matchmaker to find love for others and made people find their happily ever after. But succeed as a love guru and matchmaker doesn’t make Asher personal love life incredible. Because deep down inside Asher longing to find his own prince charming. His true romantic heart craves for someone who can fulfill the hopeless romantic side in him. The needs for the flowers and the chocolates and the romance, the love story to be told like a fairytale complete with the knight in shining armor and the happily ever after of his own.

While he’s way to focus on others love life and drooling over Christopher Wolf, the guy he'd been asked to be Red's fake boyfriend as one of his matchmaking project, dealing with his not talkative and mysterious roommate, Morgan and busy looking for someone who can fulfill his Knight in shining armor dream, Asher didn’t even realize that maybe….just maybe....there’s someone who already by his side loving him silently…

I think this is a really fantastic way to start a new series. As an introduction to the trilogy, this book had succeed stole the spotlight and raised the curiosity in me. And I’m dying to know what will happen next and really can’t wait to read the next book in this series, Golden Boy and the Two Bears that will be release on June 21st!

Pre-order Link here 👉🏻 Amazon

ARC REVIEW : The Reluctant Husband by Eliot Grayson

Title : The Reluctant Husband

Author : Eliot Grayson

Series : Goddess-Blessed #2

Genre(s) : historical gay romance, fantasy

Release Date : June 7th 2019

Rating : 4/5 Stars 

Buy link : Amazon

Disowned, disgraced, and with nowhere to turn, Tom Drake is willing to barter anything — even himself — for a reprieve from starvation and despair. Years spent lying to protect his secrets have left him longing for someone to value him, even if it’s only for his body and the blessing of his patron goddess.

Mal Leighton’s cousin and heir is dying. Only a miracle can save him — and if a miracle doesn’t appear, Mal’s damn well going to create one. Marrying Tom for his blessing is his last desperate hope to preserve his family. And if Tom happens to be as irresistibly seductive as he is untrustworthy? Well, Mal can focus on more than one goal at a time.

Tom doesn’t fall in love, and Mal knows better than to believe he’s the exception. But when Tom’s blessing doesn’t provide the quick cure they’d hoped, it’s clear that the goddess expects them to have a marriage in more than name. To save Mal’s family and find their own happiness, they will both need to sacrifice their pride and risk their hearts.

The story started with Tom who must lived penny by penny after being disgraced and disowned by his brother, Arthur and then ‘kicked out' by his wife after being ‘used’ for the needs. One night ‘mistake’ he did with Mal for money had brought him to another problem that soon will affect his destiny, because Mal accidentally know his secret. Mal then offer him a deal, marry him and help him save his dying cousin then he will never get starved again. Tom agreed marrying Mal and once again being ‘used’. But deep inside, Tom longing for someone who could value and see him not only as an ‘object’. And falling for Mal was the last thing he expected to be…

I like this book way much more than the first book. I hate Tom at that time for what he did to Owen, but after knowing his story, the reasons behind all he did in the previous story and the secret he hide, he slowly gained more sympathy from me…

On the contrary, I want to like Mal, but at some part I want to slapped his face more than once for what he did to Tom, and I took Tom’s side almost the entire reading and have the urge to hugs him so many time.

Comparing to the previous book, I must admit that this story feels a bit more engaging and emotional enough to grip me. Really can’t wait for the next book in this series!

ARC REVIEW TOUR & GIVEAWAY : Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh

Title : Kiss Me Again

Author : Garrett Leigh

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance with mental health issues

Release Date : June 7th 2019

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Length: 227 pages

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow With Kindle Unlimited

Tree surgeon Aidan Drummond is content with his own company. He works alone, and lives alone, and it doesn’t occur to him to want anything else until a life-changing accident lands him in hospital. Then a glimpse of the beautiful boy in the opposite bed changes everything.

Ludo Giordano is trapped on the ward with a bunch of old men. His mind plays tricks on him, keeping him awake. Then late one night, a new face brings a welcome distraction. Their unlikely friendship is addictive. And, like most things in Ludo’s life, temporary.

Back in the real world, Aidan’s monochrome existence is no longer enough. He craves the colour Ludo brought him, and when a chance meeting brings them back together, before long, they’re inseparable again.

But bliss comes with complications. Aidan is on the road to recovery, but Ludo has been unwell his entire life, and that’s not going to change. Aidan can kiss him as much as he likes, but if he can’t help Ludo when he needs him most, they don’t stand a chance.

"Kiss Me Again is a deliciously tender and prickly romance about the intimacy that comes with acceptance. Ludo and Aidan accept and love each other for exactly who they are—complications, injuries, mental health issues, moods—and I loved them for it." -- Roan Parish

“Kiss me again, Aidan . . . please?”

With all the slow burn and pace, this book had succeed captivated me right from the first page to the end. 

Before . . . this, before him, my existence was simple. I hated everyone and they didn’t much like me, and I was okay with that. Worrying about other people never crossed my mind, and I shoved aside anyone who dared to care about me… - Aidan.

Starting from two strangers who meet coincidentally at hospital ward, the strong yet smooth connections are visibly felt since their first contact on the day Aidan brought to the hospital after serious injuries he had from the accident and put right into Ludo’s bedside. Both men with messy life, one with bipolar disorder and the other one with lack capabilities of being close to anyone had brought together by fate to fill each others in unique way. You could feels the emotions and anxiety spread from both side through the poignant and beautiful writing the author put in this book and made us understand the conflicts and the problems Ludo’s must face with the series of manic and hypomania he had during the reading. The bonding and relationship development of the MC's all written in beautiful way and will consumed you right away.

In a world of normal people, both Aidan and Ludo struggling to find the place and situations that fit them and together they have a long journey to find their own ‘normal’ definition that suit their world aside from abnormal judgment given by people around them. 

I am tired, and something— everything—about Aidan’s silent company makes me feel safer than I have in a long time… - Ludo.

After living in loneliness for years and fight his battle by himself, Ludo’s finally found the person who understand him without the needs to explain himself. Aidan understand him in a way other wouldn’t. Aidan’s concern makes him feels good, valid and wanted. Nothing felt like home until Aidan. 

This is a very beautiful and consuming story about a tree doctor and a man with mental illness issues. Wrapped in beautiful cover and story that will leave deep impression in you for long time. 

And…

Ludovico…

I really love this name…

Highly recommended!

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett's debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.

Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

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ARC REVIEW : The Haunted Bedchamber by Gillian St. Kevern

Title : The Haunted Bedchamber

Author : Gillian St. Kevern

Series : Read by Candlelight Book 4

Genre(s) : A Gothic Paranormal Romance, historical gay romance, ghost

Release Date : June 1st 2019

Rating : 5/5 stars

Buy link : Amazon

Wiremu’s not come halfway across the world to be stopped by a ghost.

Summoned from New Zealand by his tyrannical grandfather, Wiremu arrives at isolated Scarhill House to discover scheming relatives, hostile servants, and a secretary on the verge of a nervous collapse. Little wonder: the house is inhabited by a poltergeist with an apparent grudge against Wiremu’s family.

The poltergeist isn’t the only ghost in Scarhill House. Wiremu shares his bedroom with an invisible presence. As the ghost grows increasingly familiar, Wiremu enlists the reluctant secretary Patrick’s help to uncover the secrets of Scarhill House. Can Wiremu and Patrick lay these ghosts to rest? Or will they be haunted for the rest of their lives by Scarhill’s ghosts?

Another ghost story from the series?

Oh yasssss!!!!
So excited to find out what kind of ghost that will appears this time and what the story hide behind it!

After following this series and more less getting familiar with the author writing style and her capabilities to stir the readers curiosity through the mysteries she offers to us, I can assure you that The Haunted Bedchamber definitely another gem from this series!

The story was very engaging, the mysteries are very captivating, and trust me you’ll have a series of goosebumps while you devouring this book but at the same time it also give you interesting experience through Wiremu's night encounters with the ghost! *wink*

Wiremu had to take a long journey from New Zealand to England to fulfill his grandfather’s invitation to stay at Scarhill House. At first, Wiremu come with a plan to get what his father should inherited from his grandfather. There’s a lot of things that happen during his interaction with the other family members that stay in the mansion and that include his grandfather jumpy secretary, Patrick O'Connor that had caught his attention right from the day he arrived at Scarhill House. But dealing with the poltergeist activities from the angry ghost that haunted the mansion was not what he expected to have during the visiting. Frightened but curious at the same time had forced Wiremu to seeking more about who the ghost is and what made the ghost haunted the house. In his way to find the answer, there’s a lot of surprising things that came up from the mysteries that surrounded the house.

Will Wiremu finally find the answer to all strange things and mysteries that come along with the ghost manifestation at Scarhill House?

Well? I will not give you any spoilers about it, so go grab your own copy of this book and find the answer by yourself!

The Haunted Bedchamber is another a must read from Gillian St. Kevern. The strong and unique story this book gave had – again – satisfied and intrigued me. It took only few hours to finish it and I ended it with the wide grin spread at my face!

My only complaint during the reading is this book really need a serious glossary list for all those Maori’s words that being used in this book, I kinda lost at some part and seeking the understanding by guessing the meanings with my own interpretation.

But overall? This book is perfect!

Oh and Pip and Lord Cross part in this story had enough portion to satisfied the longing I felt for the first couple in this series.