Radiance by Grace Draven

Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Series: Wraith Kings #1
Pages: 297
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 13th January 2015
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: This is the second time I have read Radiance. I'm not a big re-reader, but there are some books: the Harry Potter series, Pride and Prejudice, that I return to again and again. Time will tell if Radiance is one of those books, but there was something about the relationship between Brishen and Ildiko that pulled me back to experience it again at least once.

Brishen is a Prince of the Kai, contented with his life as a nonessential heir. He hates the life of the court, and spends most of his time at his fortress on the border of the Kai lands, where an uneasy peace between the Kai and their neighbours has so far held fast.

Ildiko is the neice of the Gauri king. Her only value to her family is through strategic marriage, and she is willing to do her duty, however unpleasant it may be. Unpleasant because Ildiko is to wed the Prince of the Kai: a people with grey skin, fangs, claws, and dark, pupil-less eyes. To the Gauri, the Kai look menacing, with their wolfish fangs and their skin like the dead, but Ildiko is less afraid than she thought she would be. There is a freedom to starting a new life, with a different people, and, not knowing what to expect, she is determined to make the best of things. If her new life is an unhappy one, it will not be because she made it so.

The Kai view of the human Gauri is not any more flattering. To the Kai, the Gauri are mollusc-skinned aliens with unnerving eyes:

Her eyes bothered him most. Unlike the Kai, hers were layers of opaque white, blue ringed in gray and black pinpoint centers that expanded or contracted with the light. The first time he'd witnessed that reaction in a human all the hairs on his nape stood straight up. That, and the way the contrasting colors made it easy to see the eyes move in their sockets gave the impression they weren't body parts but entities unto themselves living as parasites inside their hosts' skulls.

I enjoyed the way descriptions such as these "other" the (white) human. As well as being delightfully grotesque in their own right, they also hold up a mirror to that identity and say: you are not the central standard to which all others are held.

In spite of the mutual repulsion felt between these two species, Brishen and Ildiko at least find each other companionable. Ildiko may recoil at Brishen's smile, and Brishen at Ildiko's eyes, but they are each good-humoured, kind, and sympathetic to their new spouse. They may not ever be lovers, but they are both relieved that they can at least be friends.

The big draw of this book for me is watching the attraction between Brishen and Ildiko develop as their respect and admiration for each other as individuals continues to grow, and they become more used to their physical differences. They each appreciate how attractive the other is to those of their own species, but it is only through spending time together, and observing each other that they begin to feel that attraction for themselves. It's a glorious slow-burn, with a hugely satisfying conclusion.

The sense of impending war, and the political machinations of various kingdoms provide more than just an exciting backdrop to the love story. There are moments of genuin peril, of death, and of tenderness as Brishen and Ildiko work to protect the Kai borders and keep their people safe. I enjoyed the fact that these dangers didn't leave the main characters unscathed, as if they were separate to the men and women under their command. Ildiko and Brishen suffer, and we see them work to recover from physical and emotional damage, trials which only serve to make them stronger as a couple.

Radiance is an excellent romance, with fantastic characters, and a gripping plot, all set in a captivating world of competing kingdoms and dying magic. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and it is one that I recommend all of the time. Just read it!

Solo by Lauren E. Rico

Genre: Romance (New Adult)
Pages: Unknown
Publisher: Entangled
Publication Date: 8th May 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: Set within a university music department, Solo follows a growing, forbidden romance between a postgraduate student and her professor.

There is something about Kate Brenner that rubs Drew Markham up the wrong way. And it is nothing to do with her resemblance to his ex-fiance. Kate is constantly late to class, probably hungover, and yet primed to challenge him at every turn. It's not that she isn't smart: she seems to have an answer for everything, but she's just so...entitled. Well, what else would you expect from a senator's daughter?

Kate Brenner is not what people think she is. Yes, her father is a senator, but he cut her off when she enrolled in a music program against his wishes. She now works two jobs to pay her way, living in a run-down apartment in a bad neighbourhood. Her car is on its last legs, and she is constantly hounded by reporters looking for comment about her father, and harassed and bullied by classmates who assume she supports his hard line politics. If that isn't bad enough, her music theory professor, Dr Markham seems to have it in for her. He's always been harder on her than the other students in her class, but now he's threatening to fail her for being late. It's hardly her fault a stalker/reporter held her captive in his car, but she's not about to tell Dr Markham that.

All this changes when Kate drives to Dr Markham's house during a blizzard, just to get her assignment in on time. Suffering the after-effects of a probable concussion (she couldn't afford the hospital fees), she is dazed, feverish, and slipping in and out of consciousness. Finding her parked outside his house wearing yoga pants and flip-flops in sub-zero temperatures, Drew has no choice but to bring her inside. Cut off from the outside world by the snow, he manages to bring her fever down, and nurse her back to health. Snowed in together, the animosity between Drew and Kate begins to soften, with something much more dangerous taking its place: mutual attraction, and affection.

I loved the slow-burn/forbidden romance at the heart of this novel, and the gorgeous tension between them as they first noticed their attraction. Both Drew and Kate are really well-drawn, complex characters, and I had a lot of sympathy for both of them (though Drew's habit of letting his emotions inform his treatment of his students did raise an eyebrow).

Apart from the romance and drama of the main plot, one of the things that really impressed me about this novel was the way it captured the mildly hostile atmosphere of a small university department; the gossip and the competitiveness, the two-tier environment of the tenured and the non-tenured, and amongst it all, the few good people trying to keep it all hanging together. This is not a main focus of plot, but as something I happen to know a little about, I had a wry smile for the accuracy of the setting!

Another thing I loved, and which I'm sure will have me seeking out more books by Lauren E. Rico, was the insight into the world of classical music, and classical music education. I am not a musician, but the passion with which Kate's conducting, for example, is described was just wonderful, and the way her piano playing formed part of the growing connection between her and Drew (she plays a piece that he composed) was lovely.

Solo is my kind of romance: the academic setting, the forbidden passion, the complex characters, all came together to make a really great read. The only criticism I have is that Drew wasn't the perfect romantic hero for me-- he was a little too led by his emotions, and much too quick to think ill of Kate, even after knowing her better. Even so, I really enjoyed this book, and would absolutely recommend it!

Fighting Attraction by Sarah Castille

Genre: Romance/Erotica
Series: Redemption #4
Pages: 304
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: 4th April 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5

Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse, Self-Harm

Review: When I first picked this up, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. A romance involving an MMA heavyweight fighter? That could be hot, I thought. Poor, naive, Evelyn. Fighting Attraction is a BDSM novel. Not my usual romantic fare. But by the time I realised that, I couldnt put it down!

This isn't to say that on reflection, I don't have issues with this book: the overprotective male thing has never really been my cup of tea, and as I am British myself, it was difficult to imagine a working-class woman from Leeds (West Yorkshire) speaking the Queen's English. These issues were hardly at the front of my mind as I read this novel though, as the story was just too engrossing.

Could it have been the morbid curiosity of a reader unused to whips, and ropes, and spanking that kept me up all night, reading? No. Fighting Attraction held my interest with well-drawn characters, an engaging romance, and some incredibly hot sex.

The two main characters are Jack, known in the ring as Rampage, and Penny. Jack is a Southern gentleman, friendly, well-liked, and seemingly harmless. But Jack has a dark side. Twice a week, he visits a playroom at Club Sin, where he becomes notorious dom, Master Jack, inflicting a level of pain that only the most experienced and hard-core submissives can endure. Penny is Jack's friend. They work out at the same gym: Redemption, and see each other regularly, but like everyone else at the gym, she has no idea about his secret, just as he has no idea about hers. Penny works as a legal assistant, but is haunted by the emotional baggage of a difficult past. Rejected by her father, and beaten by more than one ex-boyfriend, Penny feels worthless and inadequate. Now, when things get too much, Penny finds release in the pain of cutting herself.

Jack and Penny's friendship is changed forever when, sent to serve papers to owner of Club Sin, Penny sees Jack whipping a woman in his playroom. Penny is not repulsed by this. She doesn't feel angered, or betrayed, or any of the things that saw Jack's ex-fiance running into the arms of his own brother. Penny is curious. She wants to visit Club Sin herself, as a customer. But when Jack and Penny cross the line of simple friendship, things get complicated. Jack is certain that his desires mean he can't have a normal relationship. He holds back with Penny. She doesn't know, cannot know, how dark his true needs go. However much he feels for her, however much he wants her, he won't let them become anything more than friends. He tells himself this over and over again, even as he invites her back for more.

Some of the sexiest scenes in this novel for me, were not necessicarily those feauring pain, or bondage, but those where the unspoken desire between Jack and Penny came to the surface in other ways, like during their practice fights at the gym. I loved the heat of the sexual tension between them, and the shared secret bubbling under their everyday interactions. There were also a lot of really sweet moments that built up a genuine bond, which I appreciated.

I also really liked the community of the Redemption gym as a whole. This is the first book I have read in the Redemption series, but after this, I might like to try some of the others. I am a little nervous about this however, because, as I have mentioned, I'm not a fan of the overprotective/jealous male, and I get the sense that this is a bit of a theme with this series. I don't mind a little bit of protectiveness, but the idea of 'claiming' a girl by walking her around the gym like a prize cow, for example, was very unappealing. If anyone has more experience with this series perhaps they could let me know if I'm better off leaving it here? Whatever the case, I found a lot to enjoy in this particular novel, and I'm glad I stumbled onto it!

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Genre: Fanstasy (YA)
Series: Flame in the Mist #1
Pages: 400
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 18th May 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: Flame in the Mist is a dark, and thrilling retelling of the story of Mulan, complete with murderous intrigue in the palace of the Japanese Emperor, corrupt feudal lords (daimyo), morally complicated samurai, and a band of outlaws camped out in a man-eating forest.  

Mariko is the seventeen year old daughter of a feudal lord, recently betrothed to the illegitimate son of the Emperor. While her family celebrates the extra prestige this marriage will bring to their name, someone else has other ideas. On their way to the palace, Mariko's train is attacked, leaving everyone, apart from Mariko herself, dead. 

Following her escape, Mariko decides that for the first time in her life, she is going to take her fate into her own hands. Rather than return to her family, she vows to find out why the attack was ordered, and by whom. Dressed as a boy, she seeks out the infamous Black Clan who she believes were behind the attack, and infiltrates their ranks. Here she meets Okami, a mysterious warrior with unexplained powers, and the clan's leader Ranmaru, the disgraced son of the former shogun (military leader).

While in their camp, Mariko is forced to question everything she believed to be true; about the Black Clan, about her family, and about herself. She is tested, mentally and physically, by the challenges and opportunities of being a boy, and an outlaw. Her gift for invention blossoms with the encouragement of the Clan's chef, Yoshi, and its leader, Ranmaru. She grows into her strength as she is taught how to fight and to defend herself. And, amongst all the secrets and unanswered questions, Mariko even falls in love. But the attack on Mariko is part of a much larger plot, and in this first book of what promises to be a gripping series, we see tantalising hints of its deeper workings.

Flame in the Mist is a novel packed with intrigue, beauty, and drama. The blend of history and fantasy in the Japanese setting is both beautiful (traditional gardens/architecture, the natural landscape), and unnerving (man-eating trees!), and provides a rich stage for the multi-layered action of the book. Mariko's journey of self-discovery, and the fresh view she gets of the world beyond the Japanese elite is truly compelling, and Mariko herself is a kickass character with guts, brains, and a heart to match. As a huge romance reader, I also adored the love story, and look forward to seeing where that and all of the other threads of this novel lead in the next books of the series. A definite recommend from me.

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian

Genre: M/M Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication Date: 7th February 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: The first thing I have to say about this book is that Lawrence, the earl of Radnor, is an absolute BABE! He suffers from anxiety, which means that he hates new situations, noise, and, most especially, being around people. He has coped with this mainly by shutting himself away in the tower of his crumbling Cornish mansion, dedicating himself to his scientific experiments, including his attempt to build a telegraph machine. He is also convinced that he is mad, and doomed to descend further into that madness like his father and brother before him. This intelligent, tortured soul, is also a big hunk of man-meat with a penchant for chopping wood in his shirtsleeves...swoon!

Enter George Turner, a confidence trickster who takes up a commission to pose as Radnor's secretary in order to escape a dangerous criminal he has crossed back in London. Georgie is suave, sharp-minded, and for all his criminality, he has a heart of gold. Right from the first moment Lawrence and Georgie meet, their mutual attraction is set on course to derail both of their lives.

Georgie forces Lawrence out of his solitude, providing companionship, support, and eventually overturning Penkellis: he brings in new servants, sets to renovating parts of the house, and generally puts all his effort into making things habitable again, all while making sure that Lawrence is as comfortable as possible. As Georgie falls for Lawrence, he realises that his plans to steal from the earl are doomed: he simply cannot do it. But without anything to mollify the angry criminal back in London, what will happen to the brother and sister he left behind in the city?

The Lawrence Browne Affair is a gorgeous regency era romance populated with well-drawn characters, a peppering of steamy sex scenes, and a rough-hewn, almost gothic atmosphere punctured by Cornish smugglers and superstitious villagers. My one criticism would be that, as dramatic as it was, I did feel that the ending lost some of the magic of the first three quarters. Things became a little rushed as the action moved to London, and it all felt as if it was over rather quickly. That said, it was still a great read overall, and I defy anyone not to fall in love with Lawrence when they read this book!

Falling for the Beast by Victorine E. Lieske

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 163
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 10th March 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3/5 stars

Review: Falling for the Beast is a contemporary romance retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Aribelle "Belle" has recently lost her father following a prolonged illness during which she acted as his carer. She is now 25, her online English degree has been put on hold, and she is searching desperately for her first ever job. It is at this point of desperation, when Belle is under threat of eviction, that the temp agency organises a trial period for her to work as a housekeeper for one Thaddeus Walker.

Thaddeus is a rude, surly man. covered in scars, and prone to night time excursions that leave him battered, bruised, and bleeding. And no, he doesn't want to talk about it. Thaddeus has grown used to his solitude, but Belle's continued presence, even with his rudeness and his yelling, finds him caught between his growing feelings, and the dark secret that means they can never be together.

As the relationship between Aribelle and Thaddeus evolves, we see a softer side to the "beast." He has a sense of humour, a library (of course), and a desire to protect Belle from harm: he stands between Belle and the sexual threat posed by her neighbour, Gavin, and takes care to protect the precious unfinished jigsaw puzzle belonging to Belle's father. As Belle eventually learns Thaddeus' secret, we also begin to understand the years of hardship he has faced, and their physical and emotional cost.

Falling for the Beast is a quick read at under 200 pages, and the romance is nicely done. Thaddeus is a suitably sexy and strong but vulnerable hero, which I love, and Belle is sympathetic and, for me at least, quite relatable. My only criticism is that things such as the threat posed by Belle's neighbour Gavin, and especially the "curse" element of the story could have been fleshed out a bit more, but I would still recommend this novel for a sweet evening read on the sofa.

An Unnatural Vice by K. J. Charles

Genre: Historical Romance (M/M)
Series: Sins of the Cities #2
Pages: 250
Publisher: Penguin Loveswept
Publication Date: 6th June 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: After having enjoyed the first book in this series, An Unseen Attraction, I went into this novel with high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. An Unnatural Vice continues the Taillefer mystery that emerged in the first book, adding layers and background to that original story, while advancing a new romance between the lawyer turned journalist, Nathaniel  Roy, and the sham spiritualist Justin Lazarus. 

Nathaniel and Justin spend much of the book at loggerheads. Nathaniel despises Justin's choice of career, and he isn't afraid to show it, and Jutin is contemptuous of the rich Nathaniel, who can afford to moralise in a way Justin can't. In spite of their differences, their attraction to each other is clear from the outset, and it's not long before their baser instincts take over. The sex is rough, it's angry, and it's the start of a growing romance. 

I really enjoyed the confrontation, the angry jibes, and the moodiness of both characters as their story began, and the fact that even as they came together, they remained aware that their relationship wasn't going to be plain sailing.

Justin is a man that struggles to trust. He was born in a workhouse, and dragged himself up to his current role through many hardships, including prostitution. This has left Justin suspicious of Nathaniel's intentions, constantly questioning the price of his help. Nathaniel on the other hand, is the son of an archbishop who has never wanted for anything in his life. But he has faced struggles of his own, most notably the loss of his lover, Tony, to a freak accident some years ago. Since Tony's death, Nathaniel has remained single. 

Their romance plays out alongside another murder, more violence, and more threat, as the Taillefer mystery grows ever more dangerous. By the end of the novel, another part of the mystery is solved, leaving  the final  question: who is the person pulling the strings? to be answered in the next book, along with another romance from within the little community at the Jack and Knave--I can't wait!

An Unseen Attraction by K. J. Charles

Genre: Historical Romance (M/M)
Series: Sins of the Cities #1
Pages: 247
Publisher: Penguin Loveswept
Publication Date: 27th February 2017
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: The first novel in the Sins of the Cities series combines a slow burning male/male romance with a heavy dose of mystery and danger, shrouded in the fog of Victorian London.

Clem Talleyfer is the illegitimate son of an earl, and he runs a boarding house owned by his half-brother. He is quiet, unassuming, and gorgeous. He is also intrigued by his new lodger, the neat, and seemingly buttoned-up taxidermist Rowley Green. The relationship between landlord and lodger builds gradually from gentle conversations over tea in the evenings, to a passionate romance that sees both men embracing their desires in a way that is anything but buttoned-up!

Their relationship is both incredibly hot, and entirely adorable. Clem is dyspraxic, which means he can have difficulty in coping with more than one task, and can get flustered at times. Rowley is completely attuned to Clem's needs, and allows him the space to do things in his own way and at his own pace. This allows Clem to flourish in his work, and as a sexual partner.

I really enjoyed Clem's characterisation. It was refreshing to come across a sexually dominant disabled main character, and I liked the way Clem's illegitimacy allowed him one foot in both the middle and the upper classes. His half-Indian heritage also allowed a glimpse into the community of Indians that were in London at this time. These various aspects of Clem's characterisation bring together diverse elements of London society that enrich the texture of the novel as a whole.

The mystery elements of the plot draw Rowley and Clem closer together as a long-hidden secret brings murder quite literally onto their doorstep. Without wanting to give anything away, I will say that the mystery was truly compelling, and I enjoyed the way that it was entwined with the romance so the novel felt complete rather than split into separate storylines.

Overall, a great read, and I look forward to the next in the series!