Monday 11 March 2024

REVIEW - DAVID AND JOANATHAN - Soul Wrenching

David And Jonathan by Neil S Placky

Date read: 11th March 2024

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: M/M Bible Story

Buy link: Amazon 


This is not really a romance story as it's missing the vital HEA. But it is a bible story featuring the love between two men. As such, it's fascinating. 

Heart-wrenching may be the best description.

Two men from different backgrounds, brought together with a prophecy hanging over them. The love they share is deep and meaningful. 

The embellishments are wonderful - the author fills in the gaps whilst keeping within the realms of the tale. 

"The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." [1 Samuel 18:1). 

(David being of Goliath killing fame btw.)


This story is beautiful and tragic. 


Always in love and light,

TL

Friday 8 March 2024

REVIEW - YARN AND YEARNINGS - cosy cuteness

Yarn And Yearnings by Duckie Mack

Date read: 8th March 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Sweet M/M Romance

Buy link: Amazon 


Ah, my safe space! Duckie Mack is a one-click author of mine, and I reach for her books whenever I need a gentle, sweet yet steamy male romance. 

And this one delivers, of course. 

Even when one of he MCs looks like a rough, tough biker dude, he is a cuddly bear, who even crochets!

Mix in a bi guy who's not long out of college, and has been seeking his hook-up guy for years, and you have a wondrous tale of....well, yearning, as the title suggests.

Because of that, there is a tiny little bit more angst, but it's good. Especially as the steamy also runs up a notch too! Phewee!! 

Oh, and Collin has the coolest gran ever.

I'd also like to give a big cheer for the inclusion of motorbikes. We get to see the softer side of bikers as well as safe, scenic rides which reflect the true nature of such activity. Huzzah!

- Each of the books in this Heartcraft Market series is a stand-alone, but I would urge you to read them all just because 'aww'. I love how you get glimpses of the characters from the other books in each one. 


Full throttle sweetness!!



Always in love and light,
TL




Tuesday 30 January 2024

REVIEW - The Tudor Prince - hang onto your hose!

The Tudor Prince by Mimi Jonathan Posner

Date read: 30th January 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Tudor Adventure

Buy link: Amazon 


Goodness me, what an adventure! This is the second book in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. 

Mary Fox is even more cunning in this book, and she has to endure much. All under the steely gaze of Henry VIII this time. No pressure!?! 


Action, kidnap, escape, fighting, plotting - this book has it all. A real page-turner! 

Will the ever so charming Marcus be able to tame this wild tomboy? 



Always in love and light, 
TL


Tuesday 23 January 2024

REVIEW - THE IMMORTAL TAILOR - sew good

The Immortal Tailor by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Date read: 23rd January 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: godly errand with some love

Buy link: Amazon 


If you've read the rest of the 'Accidentally Yours' and/or 'Immortal Matchmakers' series (and you absolutely should!), you'll understand when I say, "Oh, Cimil is at it again!".

The gods have supposedly retired, but that doesn't stop Cimil from meddling.

"The tailor", Damien, is a background character in previous books; he supplies the gods with their wardrobe requirements. He is dapper and professional - very prim and proper. That is until Cimil lands him with a whole host of chaotic sidekicks who refuse to leave. 

Things to get a bit stabby-stabby btw.

This author is one of my few one-click ones for a good reason. I can always rely on chaotic fun to cheer me up. The steam is a bit lacking in this one, but I can't say I overly missed it (shocking, I know!). 

A fab, fun read!



Always in love and light,

TL




Tuesday 16 January 2024

REVIEW - Tricked At Sea - all treats

Tricked At Sea by Duckie Mack

Date read: 16th January 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: m/m Holiday Romance

Buy link: Amazon 


The thing I love about Duckie Mack is that I can rely on them when I want to escape into a low-angst, m/m world full of adorkable characters. 

This is a novella but still packs a lot in. 

A cruise intended for Liam and his ex that gets used for two best friends. Oops, of course, that means there's just one bed ;-) 

Read this for some fun on the sea!



Always in love and light,

TL

Friday 12 January 2024

REVIEW - Sea And Sky - salty and sweet!

Sea And Sky by Morgan Lysand

Date read: 12th January 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: m/m Royalty & Shifter Romance

Buy link: Amazon 


This book is all kinds of gorgeous. BUT it does have a trigger warning; one of the MCs has been serially abused and it gets brought up a lot. 

I think this is actually my first merman romance tbh. I was intrigued, and highly satisfied. 

Kyler is the merman - he shapeshifts btw. But an evil pirate captain has held him captive most of his life, and has basically been pimped out by him and even mutilated. Somehow, he has remained sweet and positive, even if he does have to live a pirate's life.

Prince Gavin is a dragon shifter and third brother. He has plenty of issues of his own. 

But they both have one aim, and undertake a fake bond/dating thing to try to achieve it. 

Yet there are all sorts of baddies all around, trying to hinder their progress. 

Their relationship slowly built beautifully. The protective hero was swoon-worthy. And the steam was, well, it was hot!

Magick and chemistry. Sea and sky. Just fab!



Always in love and light,

TL


Monday 1 January 2024

REVIEW - TEACHER OF THE YEAR - gets my vote!

Teacher of the Year by MA Wardell

Date read: 1st November 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: m/m Swoony Rom-Com Romance

Buy link: Amazon 


Happy New Year!

One of my favourite books of 2023 was Mistletoe and Mishigas by MA Wardell. So, my first read for 2024 was its predecessor. They're stand-alones, so the weird reading order really doesn't matter. 

And OMG this book is so sweet. But also heart-racing. 

Marvin is a Jewish man who has ADHD and anxiety. He's a kindergarten teacher and up for an award. Oh, and he's the child of an alcoholic parent. And a klutz. Phew! He's adorable, as Olan tells him often.

Olan is the single-parent, gorgeous black guy who throws Marvin into flibbety-floops. And he might just be gay for Marvin. 

Five-year-old Ilona adds an endearing dynamic.

These two guys are super cute. But will their issues be the making or breaking of their relationship? There is a lot for them to navigate. 

Will Gonzo be forever more the therapy kitty? 

I loved how this was written, and the relationship dynamics. It certainly doesn't shy away from big issues, and they were handled with care. It's all quite 'real'.

The few steamy bits are HOT! 


Sweet, angsty, steamy goodness.



Always in love and light,
TL