Manic Monday Review - Fear (The Copper Horse #1) by K.A. Merikan

Fear (The Copper Horse #1)

by K.A. Merikan 

Rating: 5 stars

Hey everyone, and welcome to Manic Mondays on my blog! This is going to be a day dedicated to authors. I may post book reviews on some Mondays, it might be author interviews on others. It could be new releases, or just my thoughts in general. I'm hoping it'll be lots of fun, whatever or whoever shows up for Monday lol.

Now, a quick note on the book reviews. If I post it on here, then just know I liked the book. I will not be posting a review that's not at least a 3 rating. I'm not going to bash what are basically others who are in my peer group. No nasty reviews happening here. :) And the reviews I'm posting are already on my GR shelf too.

So, let's get this Manic Monday started lol!

Bio:

K.A. Merikan is a joint project of Kat and Agnes Merikan who jokingly claim to share one mind. They finish each other's sentences and simultaneously come up with the same ideas.

In 2006, a mutual friend invited them over to a party and, after a whole night of chatting and watching movies, the idea of writing a novel together came up. It marked the beginning of both a professional collaboration and lasting friendship for Kat and Agnes.

The beginning was a serialized online novel (in Polish), but after that, more and more ideas kept coming, and in a few years of writing, the project was taken to a new level—to writing in English and self-publishing.

In May 2012, they decided to share their work and have since then self-published two novellas, Scavengers: July and Scavengers: August.

Kat Merikan is a freelance illustrator and fashion enthusiast whose favorite things include chili chips, stiletto shoes, and cats.

Agnes Merikan aspires to become a sexologist. She loves chocolate, dogs, and all things kitch.

It is easiest to find them in galleries, good restaurants, and historical sites, always with a computer or notebook, because for Kat and Agnes, every day is writing day. Future plans include lots of travel and a villa on the coast of Italy or a flat in Paris where they could retire after yet another crazy venture, only to write more hot M/M romance.

Kat and Agnes enjoy writing various kinds of stories, from light-hearted romances to thrillers. They love creating characters that are not easy to classify as good or evil and firmly believe that even villains deserve their happy endings.

Website: http://kamerikan.com/#

Blurb:

Discontented with his state of existence and with his own secret and self-destructive attraction to men, Reuben, the son of a baker, is convinced to engage in an act of rebellion against his father. But when his compatriot betrays him, Reuben awakens to shackles, a filthy dungeon, and the knowledge that he is going to be forced to battle captive zombies for the entertainment of the Bylondon underworld.

When he's claimed, instead, by a powerful and stunning member of Bylondon's ruling family, Reuben is willing to serve in whatever way ensures that he'll see another day, even if that means training to become the perfect human horse. Erik is a kind master, and one that Reuben thinks he could grow to love... but the power of his shame and his self-hate rise up inside him, threatening to tear him away from the love—and the lifestyle—that he could never have brought himself to openly desire.

Buy link:

Storm Moon Press: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/The-Copper-Horse-Fear.aspx

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecopperhorsefear-1445383-147.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Horse-Fear-K-Merikan-ebook/dp/B00IUQ9MIM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398197127&sr=1-1&keywords=the+copper+horse+fear

The Manic Monday REVIEW:

Okay, first off: the warnings. This is slavery/dub-con/ponyplay. If this isn’t your cup of tea, then this isn’t for you.

Ohhhh, but if it is… Hot damn, you hit the jackpot.

The story takes place in London, early 1900s. The zombie apocalypse has happened. Zombies are part of the story, but not the main thing. No, the ponyplay is the main element here. Erik Dal is the rich gentleman from a crime family. He saves Reuben from fighting for his life in a pit against the zombies. Of course, Erik has his reasons.

Reuben finds himself at the tender mercies of a crime lord who loves all things equestrian. The first thing Reuben loses is his name. Now he’s known as Copper. Next comes the stall where he lives, fresh hay and all. Then the tail plugs are introduced, which mortifies him even as they turn him on. The halter, harnesses, and bit gag freak Cooper out. When he complains about being naked, he’s told horses don’t wear clothes. Finally, his long, red hair is cut to resemble a horse mane.

It doesn’t take long for Reuben to figure out yielding is his best advantage. And now, he has a way to enjoy sex with men and not be ashamed. Erik shows that as long as Cooper behaves, he's pampered. Considering he's one step away from living on the streets, being pampered is serious business to Copper. Rebelling earns punishments that are harsh. The heads mounted on Erik’s wall testify to that. Death or submission are Copper’s choices. If he submits, and he’s a good horse, he’s treated like a prince.

Right off the bat, Erik blew my mind. I had to wonder if something wasn’t up with him. When Erik is pushed, he reacts... and sometimes, he reacts in anger. One minute he was loving, then Copper would rebel, and Erik turned cold. Mean. Frightening, even. One punishment near the end of the book totally freaked me out.

It’s almost as if Erik flips a switch and shuts off. The punishment scenes were ruthless, but not over the top. Not the cruelest I’ve read, by any means. But be prepared, this is dark. There is slavery. There is non-con. The ponyplay is real. Cooper will live his life as a horse, or he will for as long as he is with Erik.

But... there is affection. Tenderness. Love. Moments of sweet pleasure and desire. And that's what makes this book so great. That struggle between the darkness of Cooper's life and the shiny, bright feelings taking root in him.

The novel is around 90K, I think. Well worth the money. The story comes to a natural conclusion, but there are some things not covered. The next book should answer those questions, and I hope it's coming soon lol. I can’t wait! You better believe I’ll buy the next book and would totally recommend this.

I also wanted to say something about that cover… That is the coolest thing ever. Seriously. It needs an award attacked to it. 

~Michelle

Easter giveaway winners...

And the winners are:

Regine Kong and  Kathy Clevenger

The turnout was so good I picked two winners lol. And make sure to keep an eye out in May. I have some giveaways going on then too. J

~M

Tease Me Thursday Week 7 - Into the Darkness

Welcome to week 7 of Tease Me Thursday! When it's not quite Friday, and you're feeling like some fun from your favorite authors and authors you haven't met yet. Come on in, have a seat, and most of all... have fun! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published.

For this week, I thought I’d do something from Into The Darkness. It’s the 2^nd in the Bad Boys Club series. Be warned. This is a Dark Desires story. There is a happy ending… of a sort.

Chaus focused on them and breathed deeply. That scent… he had to fight to keep his sapphire eyes from turning a pale, pale blue, the lids rimmed in red. And to make things even better, he realized that scent came from both of them. Oh, how wonderfully decadent. Careful to keep his gaze down, he watched through his lashes as he plotted, taking note that they watched him as they spoke. Hmm, interesting. Is the hunted trying to become the hunter? 

Chaus listened as they discussed him as if he was nothing more than a thing, and their insensitivity intrigued the beast within him. This just kept getting better and better. Without a doubt they were some of the most morally corrupt humans he’d seen in a while. He allowed a tiny smile to cross his lip. He did so love such depravity, and to find it in these two lovely humans was… promising.

Chaus watched as they turned and walked the stairs that would bring them down to the dance floor, their eyes on him as they stalked him. Well, I’ll be damned, they are. They moved with a predator’s grace -- gliding muscles and focused intent.

He hardened as he watched them stalk closer, amused and more than a little turned on by their audacity. “Yes, yes, that’s right… come to me. Hunt me.”

This was new, and a little exciting. Rarely did his prey try to switch roles and attempt to hunt him. Those that knew what he was wanted his destruction; they weren’t interested in seduction. But these two were on the prowl for another reason, and that reason captured his attention like nothing else in over two hundred years.

Most nonhumans made a point to stay out of his way. The last thing they wanted was to draw his attention. Very few creatures that walked this Earth were as strong as he was, or as… controlling… when it came to his appetites. These two had no idea what they were stalking… but they would, soon enough.

Maybe… maybe he had found what he’d been hunting for -- someone he could take as a mate. Someone who was as dark and soulless as he. The beast inside shifted, threatening to wake. The need to hunt, to claim what might be his, rolled through him, but he fought the beast back. The time wasn’t right.

Buy: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1977

My books are half off at ARe for Earth Day!

Hey guys! All my books at ARe are 50% off for Earth Day. This is a great time to buy if you've been looking lol. ;) This is a great time to buy novel length book, let me tell ya.

The sale is for April 22 only. 

Just click on my name and that will take you to my author page. 

M.A. Church

Just Another Manic Monday! Welcome Jaye Edgerton - The Winter Lord

Hey guys! Today I have Jaye Edgerton visiting with me! Her new release, The Winter Lord, is due out from Dreamspinner April 23. It's up for pre-order now too.

Also, check her blog for a chance to win a copy! Please make sure to enter on her blog: http://jayeedgerton.com/

I'm going to tell y'all, that cover Anne Cain did is just the best thing I've seen in a while. So go drool over the cover (like I have) and make sure to check the novella out on DsP's Coming Soon page. After reading the blurb, I have to say this is going on my TBR list lol!

~M

* * * *

Let me start with an apology: I didn’t mean to start an Unending Winter.

The Winter Lord is about a land that has fallen into an Unending Winter because of a curse placed on its fey ruler. I toyed with it here and there for months, but when I really hunkered down and got to work on it, it was the middle of summer. My beloved old Volvo 240 was acting up, forcing me to take the bus more often than not, and in my Midwest city that meant hauling my laptop and assorted other writing gear around in 90˚+ weather whenever I dared leave my tiny apartment. Therial’s realm was a soothing relief from my everyday life. I submitted the novella to Dreamspinner at the end of August, with the real world’s winter still a few months away, never thinking that it was eerily prescient.

Oh my goodness what a winter! Perhaps a little of the blame could go to a certain queen in a certain movie, but as I sat at my desk going over edits I couldn’t help but wish Erik would hurry up and break Therial’s curse. My apartment is on the ground floor, right on the foundation, and the chill coming up through it forced me to wear big goofy slippers that my ferrets would steal the moment I took them off. One of the local weathermen started building ice sculptures with green screens to do his broadcasts. It seemed like the schools were closed more than they were open. It wouldn’t stop snowing, and it never got warm enough to melt!

But finally, in fits and starts, spring won out. Even though we had a little bit of snow just last week, on Tax Day, this week is all sunny and 60s. Has the curse been broken? Let’s hope so.

Blurb:

When Erik, a human scholar and amateur mage, sets out to find Alfheim, the legendary home of the light-elves, he has nothing to lose. His village suffers under a mysterious Unending Winter, and his lover died in a hunting accident while trying to find food. Erik wants to find a way to end the cold, but he doesn’t expect a beautiful but Winter-cursed fey lord who wants him for his champion—and his bedmate.

Lord Therial is an elemental creature, tied to the land, and the elves of his kingdom revere him like a spoiled but rightful ruler. A spell cast by a rival fey locks him and his little corner of Alfheim into a perpetual Winter that seems connected to the one afflicting Erik’s home. If Erik fails to defeat the enemy, both realms will remain trapped forever.

Excerpt:

“Don’t worry. I’m not a harsh master.” Therial sat on the edge of the bed. “But I could use someone like you here. I will give you power, of course. You’re familiar with magic, as much as your kind can be. I can feel it inside you. Accept my pact and I will give you all the power of my frozen little corner of Alfheim.”

Erik closed his eyes. “And what if I decline?”

“You don’t want to do that, my dear handsome Erik. I’d hate for you to die out there in the snow.”

Erik looked up, but Therial’s smile had not faltered with his veiled threat. Would it be so bad, really, giving himself over to this impossibly beautiful creature in return for such power? Erik’s heart ached to think of what Rowan would make of such a bargain, but Rowan was gone, and with him a part of Erik himself. “I’ll accept your offer.”

“I’m so glad to hear it.” The fey leaned forward and placed a frozen hand on Erik’s chest. “I’ll need this, of course.” Tendrils of cold worked their way under Erik’s skin from Therial’s slender fingers, so cold they froze the breath in Erik’s chest, but despite the pain of it, he fought the urge to push Therial away. When Therial lifted his hand away, it held a sapphire the size of a grape. The fey examined it, approval in his cold silver eyes. “Mmm, lovely….”

Erik closed his eyes, suddenly feeling light-headed, empty, and cold. “What is that? What did you take from me?”

Therial tucked the amulet away in a fold of his robe. “It’s your soul. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe. I left something of myself in its place to protect you in my domain.”

Before his words had time to sink in, Therial leaned over again and pressed his lips against Erik’s, pushing them open with a tongue that no longer felt deadly cold, merely chill. “Tomorrow, I’ll show you power. For now, I’ll show you pleasure.” Therial laughed. “I always did want my own human.”

Buy: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4951 

Bio:

Jaye Edgerton lives in Columbus, OH, with three ferrets and a long-suffering best friend-slash-roommate. “Eccentric” is a nice way to put it. In addition to fiction, she writes about geek culture for her local alt-weekly. She likes her fluffy happy romance to be about men and her serious dark fantasy to be about women—she’s contrary that way. Before deciding to take her writing seriously, Jaye spent a cumulative five-and-a-half years working in bookstores, used and otherwise. After that she spent seven years in tech support where she mostly wanted to cry a lot, but the experience encouraged her to chase her dream of being a professional writer instead of just writing dirty vignettes about her Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft characters that she showed to all of two people. She’s much too fond of office supplies, out-of-print sci-fi/fantasy authors, and Transformers.

Social media:

http://jayeedgerton.com

https://www.facebook.com/jayeedgertonwrites

https://twitter.com/JayeEdgerton

https://www.goodreads.com/au thor/show/7769705.Jaye_Edgerton

Happy Easter and a Giveaway!

Easter falls in the spring, the yearly time of renewal, when the earth renews itself after a long, cold winter. The word Easter comes to us from the Norsemen's Eostur, Eastar, Ostara, and Ostar, and the pagan goddess Eostre, all of which involve the season of the growing sun and new birth. 

The Easter Bunny arose originally as a symbol of fertility, due to the rapid reproduction habits of the hare and rabbit. Many of the families even tell their children that the Easter Hare or Bunny has hidden chocolate eggs and they race to find them round the house or garden. Children in other countries decorate hard-boiled eggs at Easter time by painting or dyeing them.

In some countries such as the United States egg rolling is a popular Easter game. This is usually done with colored eggs. One of the most well known events is held in America on the White House lawn. Children and parents push the eggs along through the grass with wooden spoons.

Where did the colored eggs, cute little bunnies, baby chicks, leg of lamb dinners, and lilies come from? They are all symbols of rebirth and the lamb was a traditional religious sacrifice.

* * * * 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, lol. That's all well and good! Now for the fun part. I'm doing a giveaway. One person will get to choose from one of the following ebooks:

~The Harvest;Taken

Blurb:

In the year 2050, humanity finds out they are indeed not alone.

Massive space ships appear without warning above the capital cities of all major nations. The planet Tah'Nar is dying. Chemical warfare has reduced the once-intersexed warrior race to sterility. They need fresh DNA in order to reproduce and have an idea for a harvesting program... and so they turn to Earth.

Earth governments negotiate a lottery, and Dale Michael assumes he's safe since he's under the Harvest age limit. How wrong he is. He's illegally harvested and claimed by Tah'Narian starship captain Keyno Shou. From the moment Keyno sees Dale, he knows he must claim the spirited human male for his own. What he doesn’t expect is a spitfire with a mind of his own—and a deadly disease that will require a risky procedure to cure.

                                                                                                         ~Shadows in the Night

Blurb:                                                                    

When Chip Riley's beloved granny passes away, she leaves him all her money, her land, and a house that needs some tender love and care. She never mentioned the legacy comes with a Native American shifter who intends to claim Chip as his mate.

Jason Sky has lived since buffalo roamed the land. When his totem spirit, a black cougar, saves a little girl, he doesn’t realize that generations later, her grandson will become his mate, leaving him to take on a modern man with modern ideas. But that’s the least of his problems.

Garon, another shifter with a long-held hatred for Jason, plots to kidnap Chip and lure Jason to his death. Soon Chip finds himself in an untenable position between a rock and a hard place. A leap of faith may be the only way to save himself and the man he’s learned to love.

~Wrapped in Leather

Blurb:

To celebrate his decision to take the next step with his boyfriend Ian, Toshi Baylor plans a romantic evening at their favorite steak house. Toshi starts the special weekend with a bang by surprising Ian at home with lunch. There’s a bang all right, but it’s between Ian and another guy.

Jase Taylor’s auto repair shop and the BDSM club, Wrapped Up, keep him busy while he waits for Mr. Right, instead of Mr. Right Now. He’s a Dom, but playing with the club’s submissives isn’t providing the usual stress release. After a day from hell, he deserves a good meal at his favorite steak house.

Toshi and Jase find a mix-up with their reservations: a table for Baylor, not Taylor. When Toshi invites Jase to dine with him, they discover a mutual affection for leather and a shared belief that trust must be earned.

Before they can explore their common interests, Toshi suffers a series of attacks by vandals. Jase’s protective instincts kick in, but both wonder if it can lead to anything permanent.

Contest ends Friday. Please make sure to leave an email addy for me. Since this is an ebooks, it's open to everyone!

~M  

Tease Me Thursday Week #6 - Lust and Ice

Welcome to week 6 of Tease Me Thursday! When it's not quite Friday, and you're feeling like some fun from your favorite authors and authors you haven't met yet. Come on in, have a seat, and most of all... have fun! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published.

For this week, I thought I’d do something from Lust and Ice. Two more novella’s spin off the Bad Boys Club. Be warned. This is a Dark Desires story. There is a happy ending… of a sort. In Lust and Ice you'll meet Kain’s friends—Hugh, Jordan, and Allen—and they're as bad as Kain. Jordan and Allen's book will be next in the series. 

By the way, that is the pic that inspired Asmodeus. -->

Lust and Ice

Asmodeus toyed with his straw as he glanced over the crowd on the dance floor. There were a few that caught his eye, but nothing that got his blood pumping. His appearance not only fit in at Night Moves, but called certain types to him, preferably men. For the last hundred years he had taken to seducing the males of the human race.

“Mmm, there’s something about taking a strong man and bending him to my will, having him first beg not to be fucked…” He ran a hand down his chest, drawing several pairs of eyes, and shivered. “Then later beg to be fucked.”

Frowning, he glanced over the dance floor again; he damn sure wasn’t going to get lucky sitting on his ass up here. He smoothed his hair behind his ear and a brilliant, sizable ruby stub flashed, as did the ruby in his signet ring on his left hand. He looked down at the tribal tattoo that started on his right wrist and extended up his arm. Thanks to the shirt, no one could see the tattoo snake over his shoulder and unto his neck. It also meandered down from his shoulder and covered the right side of his chest, then continued to his groin.

His dick was thick, but not overly long, and covered in small knots. There the tattoo crossed over his body and continued down his left ankle. Those that saw the tattoo in its full glory were already doomed, although they didn’t know it. Once his prey submitted to him, the end was never far behind. The fear in their eyes and the frightened begging that came from the lips of his prey as he drained them always excited him, made his orgasm much more intense.

The problem was that once he finished feeding the pleasure was gone, and loneliness bombarded him.

Now the mindless pleasure, the thrill of the hunt and his prey’s fear were no longer enough. He wanted -- Satan help him -- he wanted a mate. Someone who would belong to him ‘til the end of time. He’d made his wishes known to his lord and was granted the right to take a human, if he found one that fit his needs. So far no such human had been found, and he had looked -- extensively.

A perfectly shaped eyebrow raised above wickedly sinful eyes. Several men and women had played the game and fallen for his dark looks -- they regretted it eternally. He was no man to be played with… because he was no man.

Buy link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1932

Manic Monday Reviews - The Alpha's Concubine (Loved Slave to the Alpha #2) by Shannon West

The Alpha's Concubine (Love Slaves of the Alphas #2)

by Shannon West

Rating: 5 stars 

Hey everyone, and welcome to Manic Mondays on my blog! Today I’m looking at book #2 in the Love Slaves of the Alphas series. I don’t know the author, but I really enjoyed her work. I’ve read all the books in this series and loved them. I’ll be talking about them over time on here. This is book #2.

This is going to be a day dedicated to authors. I may post book reviews on some Mondays, it might be author interviews on others. It could be new releases, or just my thoughts in general. I'm hoping it'll be lots of fun, whatever or whoever shows up for Monday lol.

Now, a quick note on the book reviews. If I post it on here, then just know I liked the book. I will not be posting a review that's not at least a 3 rating. I'm not going to bash what is basically others who are in my peer group. No nasty reviews happening here. :) And the reviews I'm posting are already on my GR shelf too.

So, let's get this Manic Monday started lol!



Bio:

Shannon West is a bestselling author of M/M romance. She currently lives in the South with her husband and large family. A lover of M/M romances, she began writing them with a male partner to add authenticity to the love scenes, but graduated to watching videos online and reading everything she could get her hands on. She loves men and everything about them, and believes that love is love, no matter the gender. A huge proponent of gay rights, she is a member of PFLAG and supports equal rights for everyone. Though there are never enough hours in the day, she tries to work every day, giving in to the demanding men in her head and writing their stories. She’s easy like that. She loves traveling, reading, watching scary movies and is totally hooked on that zombie show on TV.

Her website is www.shannonwestbooks.com



Blurb:

When Nikolai Balenescu and his brother stop by a small, out of the way planet called Jayron to deliver some goods, they have no idea what’s in store for them. Nikolai is immediately attacked by a fierce, gorgeous little prince named Jagger, who takes the Lycan shifter away in chains. Nikolai allows himself to be disarmed because he instantly recognizes the prince as his mate, and he’s willing to play along until he can figure out why his ship was attacked and how he’s now going to save his prince from his fearsome Lycan family who will be coming for him, intent on revenge. Meanwhile, Prince Jagger decides he’ll take the gorgeous Lycan as his love slave and puts him in chains. At first Nikolai is angry, but soon decides that being a love slave to his beautiful mate is an idea he’s only too happy to go along with.

Secret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=552

ARe: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17618460-the-alpha-s-concubine

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alphas-Concubine-Love-Slaves-ebook/dp/B00BWDUTD2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391914508&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Alpha%27s+Concubine

The Manic Monday REVIEW:

As I’ve said before, this is a bigger Alpha male/smaller mate theme based on Lycans, werewolves that *aren’t* from Earth. Oh no, they are an alien race. When I say alpha, I mean big, bad ALPHA. The main characters are brothers from the Balanescu family, a very rich and very strong family that is cursed. Once they find a mate, the Balanescu males fall wildly, irrevocably in love with the person and are helpless against whomever Fate has chosen.

This book is about Nikolai. He, and another brother named Kyle, are Voyagers from the planet Lycanus 3. They delivered bauxite from the mines on their small home planet all over the galaxy. They also on occasion helped their cousin, Blayde, an independent bounty hunter.

The two brothers go to a planet called Jayron to drop off a shipment. Nikolai is uneasy about treading with Jayronians because they allow space pirates access to their planet. As it turns out, Nikolai has reason to worry, but it’s not the pirates that attack, it’s the Jayronians. And wouldn’t you know it? The leader of the Jayronians, Prince Jagger, is Nikolai’s mate.

And things go south fast lol.

Nikolai is taken prisoner, and treated like a… well, prisoner, but all the time he’s wondering what possessed the Jayronians to try to steal the shipment bauxite. Everyone knows how deadly the Lycans are, particularly the Balanescu family.

So what the hell?

Well, there is a reason, of course. And of course, who is prisoner and who is master changes. Turnabout is fair play is the old saying that comes to mind.  Not going to say how that comes about or why. I will say Jagger’s mom, Queen Niada, totally rocks, lol.

I rated the book 5 stars back on September 13, 2013 on GR. There were some niggles, but I rated the book for how it was written, not how I wanted it to be written, based on what I read. (You’re going to see that in every review I do.) So… I wanted it to be longer. I’m probably going to be saying that a lot lol. There were times I wanted to slap Jagger lol. Then slap Nikolai. I do wish we could have seen how Jagger adapted to his new world. This was a pretty big deal in the first book but not so much here.

~Michelle

Tease Me Thursday Week 5 - Pure

Welcome to week 5 of Tease Me Thursday! When it's not quite Friday, and you're feeling like some fun from your favorite authors and authors you haven't met yet. Come on in, have a seat, and most of all... have fun! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published.

For this week, I thought I’d do something from, Pure, the 3rd book in the Gods series.

A harsh choking sound drew Jeff’s attention. Zygi was as pale as skim milk, with a hard blush riding his cheeks and a rather large bulge tenting his pants. His eyes were eating Morpheus alive. The God of Dreams stood quietly, his head bowed with his long, wavy gray hair curling around his shoulders. His wings fluttered slightly as they spread open. The deep, sinful black of his wings glistened in the light, blue-black highlights reflecting in his feathers. His nails, usually clear, were black. Morpheus’s body glowed with a soft light, an inner radiance that gave him a look of vulnerability and seething, raw sexuality. He also wore a loincloth that showed his hip bones. His body was smooth, the muscles toned. Where Cupid portrayed a mischievous innocence, Morpheus portrayed smoldering eroticism.

“Fucking hell,” Zygi whispered.

“Oh, Zygi.” Morpheus sighed, and that broke the silence.

A chaotic blend of raised voices erupted across the throne room as everyone spoke at once. Garrett pulled Randy close to him, his arm wrapped around his husband in a protective gesture. Both men were pale and shocked.

“What the hell?” Garrett demanded.

“Where are we? How did we get here? Where is here?” Randy gasped.

“Cam, what’s going on?” Jeff stared at his mate—his very sexy mate. “Jesus, you… you… look…. Holy Mother of God.”

 Buy link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3886

Manic Monday Reviews - Most Wanted (Loved Slave to the Alpha #1) by Shannon West

Most Wanted (Love Slaves of the Alphas #1) by Shannon West

Rating: 5 stars

Hey everyone, and welcome to Manic Mondays on my blog! I don’t know the author, but I really enjoyed her work. I’ve read all the books in this series and loved them. I’ll be talking about them over time on here.

This is going to be a day dedicated to authors. I may post book reviews on some Mondays, it might be author interviews on others. It could be new releases, or just my thoughts in general. I'm hoping it'll be lots of fun, whatever or whoever shows up for Monday lol.

Now, a quick note on the book reviews. If I post it on here, then just know I liked the book. I will not be posting a review that's not at least a 3 rating. I'm not going to bash what is basically others who are in my peer group. No nasty reviews happening here. :) And the reviews I'm posting are already on my GR shelf too.

So, let's get this Manic Monday started lol!

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Bio: 

Shannon West is a bestselling author of M/M romance. She currently lives in the South with her husband and large family. A lover of M/M romances, she began writing them with a male partner to add authenticity to the love scenes, but graduated to watching videos online and reading everything she could get her hands on. She loves men and everything about them, and believes that love is love, no matter the gender. A huge proponent of gay rights, she is a member of PFLAG and supports equal rights for everyone. Though there are never enough hours in the day, she tries to work every day, giving in to the demanding men in her head and writing their stories. She’s easy like that. She loves traveling, reading, watching scary movies and is totally hooked on that zombie show on TV.

Her website is www.shannonwestbooks.com

Blurb:

Hot porn star Ryan Henderson is desperate. On the run for a murder he didn’t commit, he tries to hide out by selling himself at an auction for love slaves. When a handsome Lycan wolf-shifter, Blayde Balenescu buys him, Ryan thinks his prayers have been answered—only to find out he’s jumped from the frying pan into the fire! Blayde is an intergalactic bounty hunter who’s only after the money Ryan will bring in. When Ryan gets off the transport bringing him to Blayde, however, he’s startled at Blayde’s violent reaction once he touches him. Dominant Blayde has recognized Ryan as his mate, and now Blayde has to figure out not only how he can possibly convince the young man to stay with him, and allow him to teach him proper behavior, but also how he’ll manage to keep Ryan alive long enough to save him from his powerful enemies.


Secret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=509

ARe: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17278755-most-wanted

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Most-Wanted-Love-Slave-Alpha-ebook/dp/B00B75Q58S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391658442&sr=1-1&keywords=Most+Wanted+%28Love+Slaves+of+the+Alphas+%231%29

The Manic Monday REVIEW:

Earth, 2255 CE. This is a bigger Alpha male/smaller mate theme based on Lycans, werewolves that *aren’t* from Earth. Oh no, they're an alien race from Lycanus 3. The main characters are brothers from the Balanescu family, a very rich and very strong family. The members are cursed. Once they find a mate, the Balanescu men fall wildly, irrevocably in love with the person and are helpless against whoever Fate has chosen.


This brother, Blayde, just happens to be a bounty hunter. His bounty is none other than Ryan Henderson, who is sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Let the sparks fly, lol.


Blayde's overbearing attitude isn’t that surprising to me. And he does act this way the majority of the time. I kinda just go with it because he’s an alpha. Having read all of the series, that’s to be expected. They are all ALPHA’S with big capitalize letters, lol. So yes, there is some arrogance, some 'I am ALPHA, hear me roar' lol. So, it’s really funny when that backfires on Blayde. *snicker* Which is always fun to see, I think.


You come to see that Blayde really does care for Ryan, very much so. That’s not to say things are all coming up roses. Ryan is, after all, convicted of murder. He’s a porn star too, which really makes things interesting. I did like the internal dialogue. I thought it did add to the story. But then, I tend to do a lot internal dialogue in my stories too, so yeah, I liked it.


There is humor throughout the book, which I liked. When Lucas, Blayde's older brother, comes hurtling into Blayde's living room, I about died laughing. I liked him immediately. There is some back-story to the minor characters, but this isn’t a full-length novel so there are bits and pieces told about the brothers. That was okay. I got enough to form an understanding of the others.


There is a lot of sex in the books and some of it *is* forced seduction. I mean, check out the series title… Love Slave to the Alpha. See the Love Slave part, lol??? I don't have a problem with dub-con, if done right. There is spanking as punishment. I, of course, have no problems with that either.


*shocking, right?* LOL.


I rated the book 5 stars back on November 16, 2013 on GR. There were some niggles, but I rated the book for how it was written, not how I wanted it to be written. (You’re going to see that in every review I do.) I do wish it was a little longer, and there were some editing issues. *shrug* I’m not a Grammar Nazi, so I didn’t have a problem with it. It didn't throw me out of the story.

~Michelle

Tease Me Thursday Week 4 - Perfect

Welcome to week 4 of Tease Me Thursday! When it's not quite Friday, and you're feeling like some fun from your favorite authors and authors you haven't met yet. Come on in, have a seat, and most of all... have fun! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published.

For this week, I thought I’d do something from Perfect, the 2nd book in the Gods series.

Buy link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3530

“Ah.” Morpheus snorted. “You’re human. The gods don’t care all that much for humans. Plus, you are not immortal. We are.”

“Shit.”

“Nicely put. There’s more, and this is the hardest. Cupid stands for love, right? That’s what the mythology says, and it’s true. He has arrows that can make people fall in love or fall in hate. But what most humans don’t know is that there are two different sides of Cupid. You saw a bit of the other side earlier.”

“What do you mean?”

“That there is a dark side of love: obsession and jealousy. The other side of Cupid is Jealousy, the green-eyed monster that drives people to do horrible, destructive things. Jeff, I’ve seen Jealousy once, and he’s scary. You have to believe in your love for Cam. You need to keep talking, keep explaining what happened—while I stand guard.”

“Stand guard?”

“Jealousy truly is a monster.”