REVIEW: Devilfish by Anna Kensing

Devilfish by Anna Kensing is a paranormal m/m romance for aficionados of tentacle sex and mystery. The book is well written and laced with historical atmosphere of nineteenth century Port Townsend. It is a lovely quick read to immerse yourself in and forget the world for a few hours.

Elliot Bishop is a successful merchant about to get married, until his wife-to-be Celeste disappears under similar circumstances as his mother did when he was a boy. His stepfather, who has been looking for his mother ever since, has disappeared too.
Together with his stepbrother and lover, captain Declan Fitzgerald, Elliot sets out to find his fiancee, and hopefully find out what happened to his mother and stepfather as well. Driven by nightmares and the call of the tides, he finds much more than he bargained for.

Devilfish starts pretty slow but when it takes off it does goes from a sweet romantic drama, to supernatural mystery, straight through to tentacle sex. This book was quite a ride. I loved the romance, the mystery, the atmosphere. The world building was amazing. I love a good historical adventure, and this was just perfect. The other characters were great as well. I loved Declan’s crew of misfits, Elliot’s internal struggles, and Celeste’s interest in natural science. A great read.

Q’s Book Reviews rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I received this book for free through Voracious Readers Only.

30 november 2019 0

REVIEW: Clueless Cabot by André D. Michaels

Clueless Cabot by André D. Michaels is an M/M contemporary romance novella. Cabot MacCrae has been in love with his best friend Lloyd for as long as he can remember. But Lloyd is straight, and Lloyd’s family is like a second family to Cabot, so he has never said anything about it. When Lloyd falls out of a window and breaks his wrist and collarbone, Cabot of course offers to take care of him. They are best friends after all.

The title pretty much covers it. Cabot is clueless. Actually, both main characters are very clueless. It takes multiple nosy family members and exceptional circumstances to finally bring them to recognise the truth about their love for each other.

This is a really sweet best friends to lovers story. If you like this trope as much as I do this is a hilarious book to read, full of love and family drama. I loved how pretty much everyone knows they love each other before they figure it out themselves. But there is no denying these characters are perfect for each other.

This is a pretty short novella length story, but it works brilliantly as such. If it had been longer it might have become frustrating to read. Definitely great if you’re in the mood for a fun, short, romantic read with plenty of drama.

Q’s Book Reviews rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Release date: 16 September 2019

16 september 2019 0

REVIEW: How to Belong with a Billionaire by Alexis Hall

How to Belong with a Billionaire by Alexis Hall is a M/M romance about regular guy Arden St. Ives and his relationship with billionaire Caspian Hart. This is the third (and I think final) book in the Arden St. Ives series, pretty much the gay Fifty Shades of Grey but with much better writing quality. Alexis Hall really did a great job with this series. I love the writing style, the fantastic sense of humour, and the pop-culture references.

Warning: this review may contain SPOILERS for How to Bang a Billionaire and How to Blow It with a Billionaire.

Arden now has his dream job writing for fashionable magazine Milieu, he has friends, a supporting family, and a feral but awesome roommate. But he is heartbroken after the end of his first real relationship, with billionaire Caspian Hart. When his job brings him face to face with Caspian again, he finds out Caspian is engaged to Nathaniel, his ex-boyfriend. The two are not at all right for each other, and Arden is upset to see Caspian dedicated to being unhappy. But what can he do?

Throughout the book you see glimpses of why these two characters are pretty much made for each other. Arden is exploring his kinky side, and enjoying it even though he is missing Caspian terribly. Caspian is punishing himself for events in his past by trying to be the perfect vanilla fiancé to Nathaniel, something he is not made to be. Arden mostly wants Caspian to be happy, and knows he can never be so while he is still denying himself.

I love the secondary characters in this so much. Arden’s best friend (and former roommate) Nik is going through his own difficulties a car accident, but he is as real and kind as ever. Arden’s current roommate (and Caspian’s sister) Ellery is a bit of a mess but at the same time so relatable and I love her friendship with Arden. And then there’s Arden’s casual but kinky relationship with photographer George, which just blew my mind.

This is just a lovely read, with plenty of real drama and striking the perfect balance between that drama and lighthearted fun. As the final book in the series, it was a bit emotional for me to read. It was just perfect.

Q’s Book Reviews rating: 5 out of 5 stars

14 september 2019 0

REVIEW: How to Run with the Wolves by Eli Easton

How to Run with the Wolves by Eli Easton is a great addition to the Howl at the Moon series. This M/M romance series is set in the town of Mad Creek, which houses a large quickened (dog shifter) population. I love this series! The dog shifters are so friendly and loving and the sense of community in these books is great. They really are feel-good reads.

This is book #5 and can be read as a standalone, but since many of the characters from previous books also make appearances I think this series is best enjoyed read in order.

Zeus is a Saint Bernard shifter working on the Search and Rescue team after an earthquake in Anchorage. When they rescue an Inuit man, they are invited to come stay at his village. They learn of the old legend of the Qimmig – huskies that could turn into men. Zeus suspects there is more to the legend, and is proven right when the Qimmig approach him.

Timo is a proud Qimmig, and brother to the alpha Yuki. The Qimmig are desperately looking for additions to their pack, because inbreeding is threatening to be the end of their small population. When Timo first sees Zeus he is intrigued. But while Zeus can’t to stay, he invites Timo to come with him to visit Mad Creek.

Zeus and Timo quickly become friends. They come from such different backgrounds, but they have a lot in common too. And friendly cooperation between Mad Creek and the Qimmig may be just what is needed to help the Qimmig and their heritage and culture survive. Both are likeable characters. Zeus is a gentle giant, peaceful and kind. Timo is mischievous and playful, but with a great sense of responsibility to his people.

A great read, heartwarming and uplifting. I was also quite happy to read that this book will kick off another series all about the Qimmig in Alaska. I don’t think I will ever get enough of Eli Easton’s brilliant dog shifters!

Q’s Reviews rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

31 augustus 2019 0

REVIEW: A Matter of Oaths by Helen S. Wright

A Matter of Oaths by Helen S. Wright is a military science fiction novel with a M/M romance in the background. There are two Empires, each ruled by an immortal emperor. The patrol ship Battya is currently assigned to serve the Old Empire. The Three commanding Battya – Commander Rallya, Webmaster Joshim and Captain Vidar – is looking for a new webber to add to their crew. Rafe is a webber looking for a berth on a ship, but he’s also an oath-breaker, and as such not a very popular choice. But there are not a lot of other candidates, so Rallya decides to take a chance on him.

The punishment for being an oath-breaker is a complete memory wipe, so Rafe doesn’t remember his past life or career at all. In performing his duties, he discovers he is much more competent than he knew. And then problems turn up that might have something to do with his past. The stakes are high. Sometimes not knowing your past is a very dangerous thing.

I love the characters in this, they are the heart of the story. They’re all real, with their own flaws and quirks, which makes it easy to relate to them. Commander Rallya, a strong and capable middle aged woman with a bad hip nearing the end of her career, is not the kind of character you often encounter in military science fiction. She is awesome. But what I love most is how the space battles are portrayed. Strategy and tactics play a huge role, and as a result the space battles play out almost like a game of chess.

The writing is incredible. From the very first page, the story runs along at a high pace, throwing the reader in the deep end without anything to hold on to, which I like. It means this book is even better the second time you read it. And the third time.

Q’s Reviews rating: 5 out of 5 stars

28 augustus 2019 0