ARC REVIEW : Omega from the Ocean (Heron Manor #1) by Amy Bellows

Title : Omega from the Ocean

Author : Amy Bellows

Series : Heron Manor Book One

Genre(s) : gay romance, fantasy, omegaverse, merman, dragon shifter

Release Date : July 4, 2019

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon

An MM Retelling of The Little Mermaid. With dragons.


Merman Jack is a terrible virgin sacrifice. Mostly because he isn’t virginal. At all.

Hopefully the Sea King won’t notice.

For Jack, the human world has too many wonderful temptations, and too many alphas to resist. He only has two months left before he has to give himself to the Sea King, and he doesn’t want to spend them in the cold, dark catacombs where the Mermen of Rixton live. It may be forbidden for Jack to go to shore, but when did that ever stop him?

Peter is a terrible dragon shifter. He can’t figure out what he’s supposed to collect for his hoard. Without his hoard, he can’t do any of the important dragon-shifter things, like take his dragon form or find his fated mate. After years of losing his lovers to their fated mates, Peter’s feeling his age, and he’s tired of being alone.

When Peter sees a beautiful merman on the beach, he thinks he’s finally found his fated mate. Jack falls hard for Peter too, but he knows they can’t be together forever. If Jack doesn’t show up on the day of his sacrifice, the Sea King will kill his father and take his brother instead.

Will the love between a terrible virgin sacrifice and a terrible dragon shifter be enough to change their fate?

Omega from the Ocean is a 77,000-word gritty, age-gap romance with knotting, light D/s, and Mpreg of the dragon-egg variety. While the ending may be an HEA for Jack and Peter, it’s an HFN for the rest of the Mermen of Rixton. Omega from the Ocean is intended for an 18+ audience.

I’ve searched for Jack my entire adult life. Now I’ve found him, I’m never letting him go....

🍀🍀🍀

A breathtaking beautiful story about a dragon shifter who cannot shift and a merman omega who craved for love…


The cover had mesmerized me even before I read the blurb. And when I read the blurb I just knew that this story gonna be very different and could be something.

And I’m so excited when I know that my feeling was right. This book is definitely SOMETHING!!!

I’ve read some Merman story before, and I always have soft spot for The Merman and their fairytale journey to find love. There’s sweet kind of story, funny and also sad part about The Merman’s story that always intrigued me.

And this one is one of them. Slightly a bit different with the merman story I ever read before, this book was way more intense and very consuming. The story completely engaging right from the beginning to the end. The way the author picturing the Merman world still a bit dark but there’s still the lights of hope that spread through the air. And it caught me and mesmerized me at the same time.

Following Peter, the dragon shifter who cannot shift (yet) and his journey to find his mate. Peter always has this strange curiosity in the merman life since he’s young. His curiosity then brought him met Jack (Seafoam), a mer omega who seeking for a glimpse of ‘fun life' among the dragon alpha just for one night.

What Peter didn’t know is that all these time Jack has secretly watching him from a far. Admiring and fantasize about being with him, hope that one day his Prince will set his eyes on him. Jack always crave the love from the alpha who will treat and adore him well and could made him feels belong.

One night, finally the universe grant their whishes…and they finally met….

Jack know that one hot night together with Peter is more than enough, but then he want more…
Because for the first time in his life, Jack finally feels that he belong to someone. But Jack future had been sealed as an ‘offering sacrifice' to The Sea King who will claimed his life when the time is come.

With the ticking time left, will Jack surrender to his fate or fight with all the power he has to be with the one he love?
Will Peter could safe his mate from the deadly fate?

I must admit the story is addicted enough to make glued to my Kindle and read in in one sit.

Call me weird or crazy, but instead of scary, I found out that the final battle with The Evil Sea King with his Alpha mermen guard feels so beautiful and mesmerizing at the same time!
The way the author picturing the scenes are breathtaking. This book is definitely has that movie material!

This book definitely worth my very rare FIVE STARS!!!

If you’re a Merman lovers like me, this book is definitely FOR YOU!!

Really can’t wait for the next book in this series. I crave for Seahorse and Orca’s story. I bet it will be another beautiful sad story.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

ARC REVIEW : The Vampire's Relic by Gillian St. Kevern

Title : The Vampire's Relic

Author : Gillian St. Kevern

Series : Read by Candlelight #5

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

Release Date : July 6, 2019

Rating : 3.5/5 Stars

Buy links : Amazon

Does a vampire ever really die?

Actresses Hester Wilson and Kitty O’Hara have taken some strange gigs in their careers, but their latest is something else. The aptly named Lord Cross has hired them to investigate the disappearance of Leighton, his secretary. Kitty’s convinced this opportunity will secure their fortunes. Hester’s not sure. The more she hears about Leighton, the more skeptical she becomes. It’s the 1870s, after all. Who in their right mind believes in vampires, let alone voluntarily hunts them?

Countess Kohary, Vanda de Szigethy, is beautiful, charming, secretive—and cursed. Wherever she goes, sickness and dead bodies follow. Cross believes she has a hand in Leighton’s disappearance, but when Hester takes a position in Vanda’s household, she discovers a woman fighting the cruel legacy of her late husband. Vanda’s desperate struggle wins Hester’s admiration, even as her strange beauty casts an almost hypnotic spell. Is Vanda victim or vampire? Can Hester discover the truth in time to save Leighton? And what will it take to end the vampire’s legacy for good?

First, I must say that FF romance is not my cup of tea. So, when the author offered me this book I’m a bit hesitate at first and fall into the dilemma. At one side I want to pass this book but at the same time I really need this book because its said that Pip went missing and I didn’t want to miss anything if the story has any correlation with Leighton and Lord Cross.
So, I decided to out from my comfort zone, challenge myself and give this book a try…

I must admit that I have a bit struggle in the beginning but then I found that the story was intriguing enough to poke my curiosity. And the next thing I know – again – I’m falling with the author writing and her magic touch and forgot all the hesitate feels that I felt in the beginning.

The story is consuming enough, Leighton went missing on his way to ‘investigate’ about a vampire. Lord Cross then hired two actress, Kitty and Hester to help him approach Countess Kohary and investigate the mysterious Countesss about Leighton whereabouts. But things didn’t went well as what Lord Cross planned. Because accidentally its Hester is the one who had the chance to be at Countess side.

Vanda, the Countess Kohary is a mysterious woman, but the more Hester know about her the more she found out that there’s another side in Vanda that drew her in and made Hester want to help her with the huge problems that endangered her life. Hester already know since the first time she and Kitty accept Lord Cross offer that maybe they will face with mythology creature called Vampire, but she didn’t expected that she’ll face the very powerful vampire with such a strange and unique ability.

Can Hester solved the mystery and safe Vanda life? Will Lord Cross find Leighton? It’s the secret you must find by reading this story…

ARC Review : A Breath Apart by Christina Lee

Title : A Breath Apart

Author : Christina Lee

Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, new adult

Release Date : July 2nd, 2019

Rating : 4/5 Stars

The Fischers are the only family Brennan has ever known, and when they adopt him, he has no plans on doing anything to jeopardize that. Even if it means pretending Josh Daly doesn’t make his heart pound every time their eyes meet.

The tension eases once Josh heads off to a Christian University on a baseball scholarship. Brennan stays put in Elm Grove to work at his family’s drive-in movie theater and take classes at the local community college.

But when Josh comes home for summer break, the feeling not only returns, it transforms into a loud and commanding drumbeat he struggles to tune out.

Finally admitting who he is feels overwhelming. There’s a reason Brennan remains a virgin and when he realizes Josh might be one too, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Except acting on his attraction throws everything Josh has been raised to believe out the window.

Plagued by fear and self-doubt, they finally surrender, placing their trust in each other and their undeniable connection. But facing the world together takes the sort of faith that will either strengthen their bond…or shatter its very foundation.

I’m going to shut my eyes and pretend because that’s all I can do. Pretend that maybe, somehow, we can be more than a breath apart. – Josh.

This is a beautiful story about innocent love between two young man who trying to understand the undeniable connection that grow between them, the struggle and obstacles they must face before finally have their HEA.

I love how the author writes the story, the slow burn and slow pace combined with the amazing writing had made this book totally engaging right from the beginning to the end and unputdownable. The story feels so pure and innocent at the same time with a bit of angsty that enough to squeeze your heart. The two main characters both so adorable, and I have an urge to hug both Josh and Brennan almost the entire reading.

A Breath Apart definitely a recommended read from Christina Lee.

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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