Review : The Soldati Prince (Soldati Hearts #1) by Charlie Cochet

Title : The Soldati Prince
Series : Soldati Hearts #1
Author : Charlie Cochet
Genre : Paranormal Gay Romance, Fantasy, Shifter
Length : Novella, 97 pages
Published : November 23, 2016
My Rating : 3.5 of 5 Stars

One moment Riley Murrough is living a normal life working in a coffee shop, and the next he’s running for his life from demons, learns he bears the mark of a shape-shifter king from a magical realm, and—worst of all—he’s destined to become the mated prince to the arrogant tiger shifter he would rather strangle.

Khalon, the shifter king, is equally distraught at the idea of being bound to a human prince, and along with his Soldati warriors, he sets out to return Riley to his own world where he belongs. On their journey they might discover why the priestess brought them together—if they can escape the demons and make it to her alive.

First Edition published as The Soldati Prince in Charmed & Dangerous by JCP Books LLC, 2015. 

Riley Murrough never thought that his simply ordinary boring life as a worker at a coffee shop will change in just one night!

One time he'd spent his night 'taking care' of the left over cake at the cafe and the next thing he found out that his life is in danger because suddenly there a lot of demons chasing him and want his life!

And as if that's not enough, then out of nowhere there's this huge tiger came to save his life and change into human form before his eyes then claimed him as his mate and forced him to go with them to his 'world'!

Khalon, a Tiger shifter King from Soldati Realm which duty to protect humans from demons attacks had been  waiting for his mate for centuries. What Khalon never expected is, that he will get Riley as his mate. Khalon always expect that his mate will be another strong warrior that will stood by his side and fight hand in hand with him defending human world from the demons. But instead what he got is this fragile human with filthy mouth that turned his life upside down!

He believe that the priestess has made a mistake by marking a human as his mate.

How could the priestess mock him so? No Soldati king had ever mated with a human.

Khalon then planned to ask the priestess to remove his mark from Riley and send him back to where he belong after erasing all his memories and then waiting for his new mate Prince to come.

But when their soul start to bond, will Khalon keep denying the feel that start growing deeper than he thought?

Is the priestess really made a mistake?

✳✳✳

After three books that totally ended so meh for me and weeks of bad mood, finally I found a book that could boosted up my mood and turned out successfully pleased me....

Well, actually I didn't plan to read this book at the first place. But then I stumbled to another book, The Foxling Soldati also from this author and the blurb intrigued me. Then I found out that the book actually part of a series and it couldn't read without reading the first one. So I decided to read The Soldati Prince with not much expectations.

I didn't expect I'll enjoying the story this much. I can't stop grinning & smiling right from the very beginning with all that happened between Riley and Khalon. 

I fall for this Riley guy right after that first scenes when he had to choose between that lemon cake and the donut!!!

And love him even more when this 'fragile human' made the Great Soldati King life upside down!! Lol.

This book totally entertaining! I never thought that shifter story can be this cute and adorable, and I can't wait to meet Rayner and his foxling servant, Toka!!

Review : The Wild by K. Webster

Title : The Wild

Author : K. Webster

Genre : M/f romance, Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Taboo (incest)

Publication Date : August 7, 2017

My Ratings : 3 of 5 Stars 

I brought them to the wilderness because we couldn’t cope with our reality.

The plan was to make a new life that didn’t include heartache.

No people. No technology. No interference.
Just us.
A chance to piece together what was broken.

But the wilderness is untamed and harsh.
Brutal and unforgiving.
It doesn’t give a damn about your feelings.

Tragedy lives there too.
No escaping the truths that won’t let you go.

All you can do is survive where love, no matter how beastly, is the only thing you can truly count on.

Confusing. Wrong. Twisted. Beautiful. Sick.

Love is wild.
And we’re going to set it free.

Warning:

The Wild is an extremely taboo story. Most will find that the themes in this book will make you incredibly uncomfortable. This book is only for the brave, the open-minded, and the ones who crave love in even the most dismal of situations. Extreme sexual themes and violence in certain scenes, which could trigger emotional distress, are found in this story. If you are sensitive to heavy taboo themes, then this story is not for you. 

First of all, I must confess that I'm not an avid MF reader, but since this book gained huge attention and got banned by Amazon for it's full of controversy and surrounded by the drama caused by people who feels offended by the the taboo & incest issue, i must admit that it successfully drawn my curiosity and decided to dare myself by reading it.

I don't know who K. Webster is and never knew any of her books and have no intention to read any of her book, until this.

So, if 'the curiosity will kill the cat', I'll take that risk and dare myself by trying this book and faced ALL the consequences on my own risk!

Aside from some scenes that feel un-logic and a bit 'not make sense' for me, I felt kinda disappointed because with all those drama and banning things, the story was not as hardcore and dark as what people said. On the contrary, I found that the story was just so-so for me. I didn't say that it was that bad, but I can't say if it's that good either. I gave 3 stars to this book simply because I found that even there are some part that didn't sit well with my logic, I must admit that I DO enjoying the story quite well. I have no problems with the incest things because I have read books that darker than this one with slavery issue mix with incest and way way more brutal than this, so for me...what happen in this book is nothing to me. But I do aware that not everyone okay with this issue and feel offended by what happen between Pip and her Dad. But even if you disagree and feel offended by what the author put in their story, insulting the author and questioning her morality and even worse by spoiling the whole book contents was so RUDE!

Especially when you're also an author and speak ill about another author, questioning others morality while you write cheating things and 'glorified' it as if it doesn't matter really make me sick. And this, made me questioning back 'that person' morality as well. 

I also surprise myself by reading this book faster than what I usually do, mostly because I want this to end SOON so I (FINALLY) can write my review!

So, my final thoughts?

For those who has kinky-taboo-kink and have no issue with incest things, I think this book will suit your taste very well.

AND for those who not comfortable with all taboo things, better stay away from this book, because The Wild definitely NOT for you!

As for the taboo thing that happen between Pip (Devon) and her father, Reed. I can fully 'understand' the whole 'situation' and why they both grow such that feeling. And I cannot 'blame' them for what they feels. If you read until the last page, you'll know why I'm saying this. But again, it's up to you for liking it or not as long as you keep your attitude at appropriate level. 

But I think, the whole 'banning the book' things is totally ridiculous. It's a fiction ffs! So if you don't like the topic, then don't read it. That's simple!

The next things is...even I know the author had put a WARNING on the blurb, BUT unfortunately she's not warned about the incest things in advance was also wrong. And THAT what makes a lot of reader felt like being fooled. Next time, give the reader a proper warning so that can lessen the 'drama'.

Last, but not least, just keep in your mind that 'not ALL what you think is what was actually happen'. Mark my words!

Happy Reading!!! 

Review : Regret (Under My Skin #1) by Christina Lee

Title : Regret (Under My Skin #1)
Author : Christina Lee
Part of series : Under My Skin
Genre : Gay Romance, MM Romance
Published : June 25, 2017
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

When Brian “Brin” Schubert’s condo floods, he takes his co-worker up on the offer to stay on his crappy futon for a while. The last thing he expects is for his friend’s roommate to be the one guy he despises the most. The same guy who stomped on his heart senior year of high school. And by the looks of the girl on his arm, the same man who’s still deep inside the closet. 

Nicholas Dell never predicted that eleven years later, one of his greatest regrets would show up on his doorstep down on his luck. Nick has made some terrible mistakes—story of his life—and he’s been paying for them ever since. And if the guilt and shame aren’t enough, his first crush had to turn into one of the sexiest men he’s ever laid eyes on. 

Nick and Brin have weeks to steer clear of each other. Weeks to avoid strangling each other. But when stubbornness leads to skyrocketing sexual tension, hate-sex doesn’t seem like such an awful way to work through their frustration. Except hate is a powerful emotion, especially when it’s turned inward. And in Nick’s case he’s been drowning in a sea of self-loathing for so long, he can’t see his way out. 

As Brin reconnects with Nick, his perception of what really happened in their past begins to change. He’s finally ready to forgive him and take a second chance on the one guy who stirs him like no other. But Nick’s demons are complicated, heart-wrenching…demanding. So devastating, he might never allow himself true happiness—even with the one man who’s always owned his heart.

“Because you’re my second-biggest regret, I wish I could go back, have a second chance to do things differently, but life doesn’t work that way.”

***

If there's any biggest regret in Nick's life that would be Zoey...and Brian...

Carrying a burden from the past had put Nick's into never ending guilt. Nights with nightmares and panic attacks caused by the memories from the past had been haunted him for years.

I was like a ghost in a world of humans, constantly trying to stay in the moment.

There's a time, when he finally found the ray of sunshine that lights his darkness life...but at the end, that guilty feelings always drawn him back to the feels that he didn't deserve to be happy and loved for what happened in his past...

Brin was his second biggest regret in his life...

And he owed him an unsaid apologize...

Fate then made them meet again in strange way...

Both Nick and Brin struggling to keep the distance between them, but they cannot control what they feels for each other inside. The hate-love that growing between the two totally unbearable to denied and trying to put no feeling in this situation was an impossible things to do.

Burn by passion and the love that still linger in their heart after all these years, will these two surrender to the fate?

I like this story to the level 'so much'. The love and hate that grew between Nick and Brin is something that cannot be missed. I hate some part that happened in this book, but at another part, my heart broke for these two...

There's nothing that will burden you than a regret, and the author portrayed the feels perfectly.

RECOMMENDED!

Review : AXIOS ~ A Spartan Tale by Jaclyn Osborn

Title : Axios ~ A Spartan Tale 

Author : Jaclyn Osborn 

Release date: July 20, 2017

Genre : M/M Historical Romance

My Rating : 5++ Stars

I am Axios of Sparta, and I was born to kill. At age seven, I left home to train with other boys where we were taught obedience, solidarity, military strategy, and how to withstand pain. My harsh upbringing stripped me of my weaknesses and forced me to become strong. Ruthless.

But, I craved something greater—a life I could never have.

Against all odds, and the toughest training a warrior could endure, I found an unexpected love in the arms of a fellow Spartan. He was the very air I breathed and the water that sustained me. Fighting side by side with him, we were invincible. Where he went, I followed.

However, there was no place for love in Sparta. Feelings were for the weak. The only life for a Spartan was one of battle and brutality with no guarantee of tomorrow. In times of war, all men were put to the test, but the greatest challenge for us was not one of swords and spears, but of the heart.

*M/M Historical Romance set in Ancient Sparta*

He was the very air I breathed and the water that sustained me. The anchor that kept me from drifting out to sea. My safe haven from the storm. 

My warrior. My lover. My heart.

*** 

Dear Author,

Thank you for bringing Axios and Eryx story to us (readers). 

Following Axios and Eryx journey is like entering the past time that full of fantasy that we never know. Through your fascinating writing, you had made us entering the world that only exist in your fantasy and turned it into a reality. It's so hard for me not to see all that happened in the story as just a fantasy. Because everything that happens in the book look very 'convincing' and real, as if that you just ripped their story right from the 'book' and showing us that they DO exist as part of history and wish to be known...

Did you know how many times I paused the reading just because I feel the urge to googled anything historical that mentioned in this book? And wondering on 'how long you took the research' and amazed on how accurate the scenes you picturing there?

Almost the whole reading!!!

And THAT makes Axios become the longest book to finish this year!

The book cover took my breath away right from the very first time I saw it! I'm SOLD instantly!

It stunningly beautiful in very masculine way. And that worth 5++ stars from this coverslut eyes. 

Thank you for all the love we (especially ME!!!) feel right from the very start that grew slowly between Axios and Eryx. Thank you for let us be right there with Axios and Eryx in their whole happiest time and the worst.

Thank you for EVERY tears that rolling on our cheeks and those Kleenex that cannot hold our breakdown and leave us in speechless...

Thank you for let us taste this beautiful-heartbreaking story. Thank you for let us feel your love to Axios and Eryx, because now...we can also LOVE them as much as you do....

Eryx with his keen mind and protectiveness, and his storytelling things. And Axios with his kind and tender heart had touched my heart so deep. These guys will be forever staying in my heart...

All the stars above to Axios and Eryx love story and wish I could see Axios story made into a movie someday!!

Maybe you're new author to me, and Axios was the first book of yours that I read...but I can assure you that it wouldn't be the last book of yours that I read. Because from now on, your books will be on my top TBR list!

And like what Axios always did each time Eryx has new story to tell, I'll turn into little Icarus and enthusiastically come to you, and waiting for you to say what Eryx always said....

“Do you wish to hear a story?” 

And I would gladly say, “Yes!”

Sincerely,

Your new stalker.

Review : We Met in Dreams by Rowan McAllister

Title : We Met in Dreams 

Author : Rowan McAllister

Genre : Historical Romance, M/M Romance, Gay Romance

Published : February 27th 2017

My Rating : 4.75 of 5 Stars

In Victorian London, during a prolonged and pernicious fog, fantasy and reality are about to collide—at least in one man’s troubled mind.

A childhood fever left Arthur Middleton, Viscount Campden, seeing and hearing things no one else does, afraid of the world outside, and unable to function as a true peer of the realm. To protect him from himself—and to protect others from him—he spends his days heavily medicated and locked in his rooms, and his nights in darkness and solitude, tormented by visions, until a stranger appears.

This apparition is different. Fox says he’s a thief and not an entirely good sort of man, yet he returns night after night to ease Arthur’s loneliness without asking for anything in return. Fox might be the key that sets Arthur free, or he might deliver the final blow to Arthur’s tenuous grasp on sanity. Either way, real or imaginary, Arthur needs him too much to care.

Fox is only one of the many secrets and specters haunting Campden House, and Arthur will have to face them all in order to live the life of his dreams. 

I was a damaged. I was a man who could not trust his own mind, no matter how hard I wished it weren't so.

This was not a prison but a haven to keep me safe and to keep others safe from me. I belonged here. I was well taken care of. This was my home...

***

I knew this book gonna be something since the very first time I saw the cover and read the blurb.

The story a bit 'unique' and enough to make the hair behind my back stand.

The mystery that build from the start succeed gained my curiosity.

Whether what Arthur have is just a visions of his imagination or was it real, the author write it in very interesting way and it made this story really hard to put it down. With the very slow pace, surprisingly the story far from boring. Because in every page I turned made me curious even more with what actually happen to Arthur.

The way Arthur thought at first that Fox was just one of the vision he create due to his 'illness'. The way Fox trying to 'help' Arthur and convinced him that he IS normal and don't deserve to be isolated in his own house. I can fell the emotions wrapping me at the whole reading. So intense...

I like the slowly growing feeling and connection between Arthur and Fox. There's sadness there and also caring, the fragility blend well with warmness feels that growing between the two. It's all gave the butterflies in my tummy flutter constantly.

I love every part in this book, but I must admit that I'm a bit disappointed with the unsure-HFN ending. I still want to know what will happen next with them. But the abruptly end kinda ruined the excitement that grew in me since the beginning. 

But I think this book still WORTH to try and I'll recommended it to you because YES! no matter what I felt about the ending, this book had successfully secured it place in my heart...

When the whole world seems mad, a madman is as sane as anyone....

Release Blitz & Review : The Shape of You by Felice Stevens

Title: The Shape of You

Author: Felice Stevens

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 29, 2017

My Rating : 5 of 5 Stars

Too big. Too fat.

All his life Eric Sontag has judged himself on his size, believing love and friendship aren't in the cards for someone like him. Tired of being alone and scared of his doctor’s warnings, he enrolls in a nutrition support group, determined to change his life. When a beautiful thin man sits next to him, he can’t believe they have anything in common, but conversation between the two soon proves first impressions aren’t always what they seem.

Drifter. Loner.

Corey DeSantis has always been the scrawny waif; he’s tired of struggling with his art and with life. Scarred by the disappearance and death of his drug-addicted mother, he doesn’t wish for love, believing it will bring him nothing but pain in the end. Now his only hunger in life is his desire to paint…until a health scare and his mentor force him to attend a nutrition class where he meets a man who piques his interest. One drunken kiss later, Eric is all Corey can think about.

The same, yet different.

An unlikely friendship is born with both men wanting more but afraid to listen to their well-guarded hearts. When Corey receives shocking news leaving him angry and helpless, it’s Eric he turns to, to help see him through, while a surprising career opportunity finds Eric leaning on Corey for advice. One night of explosive passion leads to a second and soon neither man can imagine a life without the other. Life is shaped by the challenges accepted and roads not taken but as Corey and Eric walk the path together, they’ll discover the most beautiful destination of all. Love.

"You took the time to find me when I was lost and ready to run..."

***

This book had won my heart since the first time I saw the gorgeous-beautiful breathtaking-cover that day...

Well, I can say I'm falling deeply in love with the cover, and for a cover slut like me, it's like getting an instant covergasm just from seeing the cover!

The blurb was the other things that drawn my curiosity for more.

Eric is a librarian with overweight problem. A loner. A hard warning from his doctor to change his eating habit if he didn't want to end like his father, had bring him to a diet group support.

Corey is also a loner with an eating disorder that almost cost his life. Joining a group support to make his life healthier was the only solution if he didn't want to lose his job.

They meet at night support class for people with eating problems, then ended as a partner to support each other on their diet program.

Eric and Corey have almost similar problems. Both have trust issues because of their past. Both are lonely and craved for someone who accept them for who they are. While Eric have more problem with his lack of self-confident, Corey a bit hard and always keep people at his arms length. But its Eric natural calmness that always comfort him. And being cuddled in Eric arms is what Corey craved since the day they met.

The slow changing from a stranger to friends and then a lovers written in very beautiful and interesting way. They both need to 'adjust' a lot before they could overcome all the frictions. 

And like a piece of puzzle, they complete each other in very unique way...

***

I can related to Eric and his 'problems' from the start because I know what it feels like to be in Eric's shoes.

I just wish I have someone like Corey in my life... *sigh*

Seeing how the two struggling to find the 'right place' in each other embrace really touch my heart. I have this constant urge to cuddle with someone because who doesn't want being cuddled by someone like Eric, right? 

Like what Olaf said "Some people are worth melting for...", and this lovely 'teddy bear' totally melt my heart...

The Shape Of You - no doubt , is a HIGHLY recommended read. A believable-down to earth-story about our daily life that will warm your heart...

RECOMMENDED!!

GOODREADS

$3.99 for limited time

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, my characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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Review : The Masterpiece by Bonnie Dee

Title : The Masterpiece 
Author : Bonnie Dee
Genre : Historical Romance, Gay Romance, M/m Romance
Published : June 13th 2017
My Rating : 3 of 5 Stars

Built from the bottom up: one perfect gentleman.

Man about town Arthur Lawton spends his days pursuing entertainment while shoeshine Joe Sprat labors to better his family’s lives. When an argument about nature versus nurture sparks a wager, Arthur swears to a friend he can turn this working man into a gentleman who will pass at a society function.

Joe is happy to participate in the experiment for a fee but receives more than he bargained for after moving into Lawton’s house. Arthur is determined Joe won’t merely wear a veneer of sophistication but educates him in every way. As he creates his new and improved man, Arthur grows more deeply infatuated with him, while Joe falls equally hard for his charismatic mentor.

Underneath a growing friendship, desire simmers and one day explodes. After their relationship escalates, the pair exists in a dream bubble until the threat of exposure sharply reminds them they belong in different worlds. When the ball is over, each must resume his own life, changed by their encounter but destined for different courses.

Find out if love is strong enough to bridge the gap between peer and pauper in this twist on the tale of My Fair Lady.

"I love being here with you. It's as if the rest of the world doesn't exist. I used to crave constant motion, but now I'm quite happy to lie still..."

***

Arthur Lawton struggling everyday to overcome his boredom. Each day he'll start his routine activities just to ended with almost same feels. Boring...

As the second son of a high rank family with no claim to a title and no obligation to inherit any child, Arthur had decided to remain a 'confirm bachelor', which means he has no interest in marrying for unspeakable reason.

A small boring talk with his friend, Lord Granville lead them to a wager about 'will any working-class man with reasonable intelligence might pass as pedigreed given the proper instruction'?

Enter Joe Sprat, a shoeshine from the edge of the Square Mile. Arthur had choose this beautiful man from low-class worker as his 'experiment', and Joe accepted the offer for twenty pounds.

In six weeks, Joe will attend Lady Granville's spring ball, and Arthur must work hard to make Joe look presentable enough to the guest. If he can convince the social elite people there that he's one of them, there's a chance for Arthur to win the wager.

Joe Sprat was a smart student, a quick learner and also very breathtaking. Within days under his instructions, Arthur saw how 'The street sparrow had turns into a royal peacock'.

Soon Arthur start to feel protective of his 'experiment' he'd taken under his wing. He wanted to see his 'student' to succeed. But he also can't denied that he start to feel something growing between them. And falling for his student was not a part of his plan.

Until one day, Arthur found out that Joe craved the same desire with him.

"Can't get enough of you, sir. Every minute of the day, I'm thinking about you and the things we do. You're like a taste of chocolate, make a man crave more until he's stuffed himself silly."

One kiss then lead to another kiss... 

Leave the two drowning deeply into the lust and all the feels...

***

I was about to read another book when I saw this book, and I fall to the blurb instantly...

I didn't expect the story will be this interesting. I like the slow pace, the interaction between the two MC. The high sexual tensions that happen between them. I found myself enjoying the reading very much. There's also some part that unsatisfied me because it's just leave like that with no further explanation and makes me questioning some things...

Like Joe's 'theory' about Lord Granville and what happened at the last three chapter...

But the question is...

Can a guy from working-class turned into one perfect gentleman in weeks?

And what will happen to both of them when the bet is over? Will there's a chance for both of then have their own happiness?

Well, I think you should find it yourself what the author said as a gay version of 'My Fair Lady' will end ...

And now I'm curious about a gay version of Peter Pan, 'Peter and Wendell' also from this author!