REVIEW - ORC-WARD ENCOUNTERS - Roaringly Good!

Orc-Ward Encounters by Sam Hall

Date read: 27th January 2022

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Steamy Orcs Polyamorous

Buy link: Amazon 

I'm not gonna lie - I saw this on TikTok and totally bought it for the cover - like, yes please!!

I think this is my first orc romance.

So, we have a plus-size heroine (yay!). She's repeatedly dismissed as 'the fat friend' (boo!). But she stumbles (literally!) into another realm, at the olive green feet of some hulks, err... hunks... orcs!

Now, these are very lovely orcs - yummy on all levels. They've been raised to worship their mate. They are brothers-in-arms only (phew!). And wow, do they know how to worship?! Heat scale is scorchio! 

Now, there's some instant love here. Yet they all have to take their time over first courting, and figure out how they can work as a team (*coughs* one at a time). 

The characters are well-written, but I never felt the relationship beyond the physical.  And I wish Lay-la had been a bit stronger in protecting herself. We're given some beautiful insights into both worlds, including a town of fantasy beings. But let's face it, this isn't a book you read for deep, meaningful storylines - it's mostly about the hotness. 

A fun, steamy read with gorgeous orcs.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEWS - 2021 Book Recommendations Summary

 

Wow! What a year!! 

Whilst 2021 sucked donkey balls in almost every other way, my reading material was fantastic. Who says you can't find a silver lining, eh? 

I only review books on this blog that I would genuinely recommend to a friend, so you know these are all gems.

So, let's group these by genre and give you links to my reviews and therefore the books:

Fantasy/Paranormal

Hell's Teeth by James Fahy (GM Fantasy)

Buried Magic by TJ Green (Witchy)

Realm by Jessica Cantwell (YA)

The Alpha Awakens by Anna Fury (Dystopian Shifter)

Immortal Matchmakers Inc by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (Deity Romance)

Rise of the Sparrows by Sarina Langer (YA)

Hades by Carly Spade (Greek God)

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon (Gothic Monster Porn)

Variant Lost by Kaydence Snow (NA)

Christmas

Spine of Winter by Angeline Trevena (Dystopian)

Toot Hansell Christmas by Kim Watt (Dragon Mayhem)

Christmas at Snowdrop Cottage by Helen J Rolfe (Quaint)

The Naughty List by Ellie Mae MacGregor (Saucy Santa)

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews (m/m Lumberjack Mall Santa)

Christmas on Dragonback Mountain by Kimberly Forrest (Dragon Shifter)

Lumber Snack by Mae Harden (m/f Lumberjack)

Enthralled by AH Lee (m/m Yule Magick)

M/M (male/male) Romance

Watch And Learn by KC Wells (Erotic)

Incubus Seduction by Emma Jaye (Parnormal Erotica)

All The Cuts And Scars We Hide by Garry Michael (Healing)

Red, White And Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion (Royal)

Him by Sarina Bowen (Sweet Sports)

Ghost Hunted by BL Blackwell (Spooky)

Polyamorous

Looking For It by Allyson Lindt (m/m/f Friends to Lovers)

Inevitable by Briar Prescott (m/m/m incl. ACE)

Mystery

Crime Scenes, Cats and Killer Heels by Violet Schofield (Kitty)

Death at The Frost Fair by Karen Charlton (Regency)

The Dragon Sleeps by Ellen Read (Flapper)

Trafficked by Wendy Hewlett (Sex Crimes)

Random

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert (Royal)

This Changes Everything by Helen McGinn (Wistful)

Diary of a Shy Backpacker by Bruce Spydar

Morning Glory Milk Farm by CM Nacosta (err...Minotaur Romance?)

Prizes

If you push me, I'd say Him by Sarina Bowen was my favourite read of this year. I just think about it and this book gives me 'the feels'. Just so sweet!! Enough angst to keep it exciting. And masses of aww! I even loved the sequel too.

Morning Glory Milking Farm wins my award for weirdest read of the year! I'm almost lost for words still. You just gotta read it to understand why. I think every reader has been surprised by the sweet romance that lies within this erotic story.

So, there we have it, all my book recs of 2021. I really hope you find something to read from this list, and you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - INEVITABLE - is ace

Inevitable by Briar Prescott

Date read: 10th November 2021

My rating: 3.5*
Genre I reckon: M/M/M Polyamorous Romance incl. ace

Buy link: Amazon 

I think I wanted to like this book more. It was refreshing to see an ace (asexual) representation. And it's a really sweet love story. 

Each of the male love interests has issues, and all are explored. But Bas and Drew, although they have big blowout arguments, never really discuss their long history and release that tension; I longed for that apology and makeup. 

Ezra is super cocky when we first meet him, but we soon discover that's just a front. But what's behind it is maybe a little too fragile? I think I wanted to see him retain some of that cockiness. 

With one of the three being ace, it seems to subdue the passion of the other two. Their fiery first encounter isn't really regained. And maybe that's OK.

So, two young male professionals plus a college guy - it's a good mix. And I love the way they fit together. 

There's definitely a realism which is really good to read. 

It's well-written. I'm still recommending this book. But more as a 3.5* than a full 4*. 

If you're looking for a M/M/M Polyamorous Romance incl. ace book, this is definitely worth a read.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - LOOKING FOR IT - Look no further for your next read!

Looking for it (Three Player Co-Op) by Allyson Lindt

Date read: 2nd November 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: M/M/F Polyamrous Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Well, this cover is just a one-click one on its own! 

Polyamorous romance is fairly new to me. I've read a lot of m/m recently, but this one is m/m/f and even throws in a friends to lovers trope along with it. 

It's a fairly simple romance story with complicated logistics, at least unless costume designer, Sadie, can get over her dream of the perfect wedding dress and a 2.4 children life. 

It was a short read, and actually, I would've loved a bit longer to allow the emotions to develop. The two guys could've demonstrated their love and not just lust.

But I'm really not complaining. 

There's computer gamer action and some cosplay - all good fun. 

This is a short, fun read if you're just dipping your toe into this genre. 

Always in love and light,

TL