Review: Maelstrom by Yamila Abraham

 

The Maelstrom Conclusion! ***Explicit Adult Content.*** Part 8 picks up right where 7 left off–in the bedroom with Demetri and Malstrum! When the fun is over it’s time for Malstrum to lead his revolutionaries. Earth tried to lure them into a trap in the Capitol. Now that they know Earth and Bifenggang are working together Malstrum is running out of allies he can trust. Their last hope–Demetri’s cherished General Atmeyer–has decided to betray them, too! Will Demetri and Malstrum end up as the evil Li Gang’s play things?

 

REVIEW

 

This is the last instalment but my thoughts are for the whole series. I’m not really sure if it’s ok to call it a series considering this is only one single story told in several different books that are definitely not working as stand-alone. That itself is enough to make me feel angry about it and, under other circumstances, it would have been enough to keep me away from reading it, but the story sound good so I’d give it a try.

The plot was really interesting, the whole thing, not just this one. I loved Demetri’s internal struggle and how he come to terms with his emotions. I loved the scenes that Brainbox put into Demetri’s dreams, it was really fun to see his reactions. I loved how the whole story went, even though this was one of the chapters I liked the least. I loved Malstrum and Demetri’s relationship. The way it developed was great,is one of my favorite things to read in romance.

One of the things that made me like this so much was the narration. It was so much fun at times. I think otherwise I wouldn’t get as far as I did with the book. I loved the narrator’s work with the voices. Overall it was a nice book. I’ll have to think about it about the author because I did liked it a lot but if the usual way to present the books is cut into several parts, then I guess it’s not really my thing.

Review: Color of You by C.S. Poe

 

Bowen Merlin—yes, that’s his real name—accepts a position in the quaint town of Lancaster, New Hampshire, as the high school band director. He leaves New York City for the snowy countryside of New England just in time for the holidays. With class, homework, after-school activities, and a surprise Christmas concert to plan and rehearse, Bowen is plenty busy. And since he’s never had much luck with romance, factoring in time to find Mr. Right isn’t a priority….

Until he meets the proprietor of Snowy Ridge Apple Orchard, Felix Hansen. Suddenly, true love seems like a possibility for the first time in Bowen’s life. The two are a perfect match and fill the skipped beats of each other’s hearts. But as wonderful as Felix seems, he’s harboring scars that could end their budding relationship when someone in town goes to great lengths to sabotage their careers.

If Bowen is to survive the holidays, he’ll need to lean on old friends and new, convince Felix he’s worth any hardship, and prove they can come out of the catastrophe stronger if they do so together.

 

REVIEW

 

I loved every minute I spend reading COLOR OF YOU. From beginning to end, it was a pure joy.

Bowen moves to Lancaster, New Hampshire after he accepts a position as the high school’s band director. Little he knew, he was about to meet his perfect match at the Snowy Ridge Apple Orchard, as a little accident made him meet its owner, Felix Hansen. But Bowen’s busy schedule, unexpected situations and Felix’s need to heal emotional scars endanger the future of their relationship.

I had such a great time reading this book. The plot was really good. It had some interesting moments that I didn’t see coming, not all of them good but they made the story better. It had a steady and enjoyable pace.

The part I loved the most about it were the characters. I loved Bowen’s sense of humor most of the times, there were times when not so much, but mostly he was a really fun guy. The connection with Felix was clear from the start. I loved every moment they shared. They were so beautiful together. I’m not a big fan of insta-love kind of story, or insta-crush as Bowen called it, but there was something about them that just worked so perfectly and they made me believe it. The romance was absolutely perfect. They fill each other’s needs with such ease.

Another part I liked a lot were the secondary characters. I don’t think I read a story where I loved the secondary characters as much as the main ones but Alan was adorable. It was impossible not to love him. Scarlet was also such a great character. Her relationship with Bowen was great, it was the most beautiful friendship and it might had some ups and downs but the love was clear, they were so fun.

I loved Felix’s insecurities. It made him a more believable character and I guess a lot of readers can relate to him. I loved Felix and Bowen for so many different reasons, they both are amazing. Overall it was an amazing book. I had a great time reading it and I think any reader who enjoy M/M romance will love it.

 

Audiobook Review: Maelstrom 5 by Yamila Abraham

 

Explicit Adult Content. Brainbox is ready to let Malstrum have his way with Demetri’s body, but Demetri still has some reservations. Now that he’s officially Malstrum’s mate he knows he has to start giving in. They stop at an inn while on the run, and Malstrum pounces on Demetri. What can the conflicted heterosexual Earthling do?

They have a reprieve from their enemies, but end up riding into new trouble with danger even Malstrum hadn’t imagined. This time the entire population of Secren is at stake.

 

REVIEW

 

This was a nice chapter in terms of the relationship between Demetri and Malstrum. I loved the advances it had. I also liked knowing more of the politics they are dealing with. One of the things that is making me laugh non-stop are Brainbox’s inappropriate comments and always getting in the middle. I’m listening to the audiobook and I’ll say as I did from the previous chapters, I don’t think I’ll be loving this so much if it wasn’t for the great job the narrator is doing.

Review: Citywide by Santino Hassell

 

A record-breaking heatwave engulfs the Five Boroughs, and emotions run as hot as the temperatures.

In Rerouted, Chris Mendez is trying to live a drama-free life. That doesn’t include another threesome with Jace and Aiden Fairbairn. But then a citywide blackout leaves them trapped together, and Chris is forced to re-examine everything he thought he knew about relationships and his own heart.

In Gridlocked, former Marine Tonya Maldonado is keeping real estate heiress Meredith Stone on permanent ignore. Mere isn’t Tonya’s type. Not even close. Who cares if she kisses like a dream and has the filthiest mouth this side of the East River? But then a security detail at a summer party ends with her saving Mere’s life and discovering they have more chemistry than she’d ever imagined.

In Derailed, Stephanie Quinones escapes the heat and her complicated love life by going on a company retreat. Trouble is, it’s a couples’ retreat, and she lied about having a boyfriend. Unfortunately, the only person willing to play pretend is her on-again/off-again fling, Angel León. They’re currently “off again,” but after a week in the woods, Stephanie realizes she wouldn’t mind them being permanently on.

 

REVIEW

 

Romance, heat and tons of attitude are the key elements that bring the Queen’s squad stories to life in the sixth instalment of the Five Boroughs series.

The book is divided into three novellas that, even though they share characters and events, might work as stand-alone, but only if the reader hasn’t read the previous book on the series, as this might bring a lot of spoilers.

In Rerouted, Chris is forced to re-examine the time spent with Jace and Aiden, his feelings towards the couple and a possible future together. Gridlocked bring us Meredith Stone getting always in Tonya’s path, who’s trying to stay away from all the drama Meredith means. But a security problem gives the opportunity to know each other better and lowering some of their defenses. In Derailed, Stephanie reevaluates her relationship with Angel when a company retreat shows her what they could have.

Rerouted was the story I was most interested in reading and yet it’s the only one of the three that disappointed me. I found it lacking emotions and real chemistry between the characters. The relationship seem extremely forced. At a certain point I even felt frustrated with Chris because, to me, it feel like he was intruding in a relationship that worked perfectly. One of the things that save it for me was Jace. I felt intrigued by him from previous books and I got to know a lot more about him here.

Gridlocked was my favorite. Tonya had passed a little bit under my radar in the previous books, but now that I got to know her, she is an amazing character. Everything about her was great–her attitude, her emotions, the way she thinks and how it reflects in the way she acts. I wasn’t particularly fond of Meredith but she was also nice. It was easy to connect with their emotions and sometimes I even felt ashamed for making assumptions about her that proved wrong. It was amazing and they are fantastic together.

Derailed was really good. Stephanie and Angel were such frustrating characters at times, it was so easy to see how perfect they were for each other and, yet, things didn’t seem to work out. This is the only novella that is told from both points of view. I was more interested in Stephanie’s POV because she was the most frustrating of them both, and getting inside her head and understanding why she acted and thought the way she did was really enlightening and it made her a more sympathetic character.

Overall, CITYWIDE was a really amazing book to read, with a lot of romance, love, sex and a fantastic group of friends that are always there for each other.

 

Review: Crazy Kinky Dirty Pirates by K.A. Merikan

 

— Captain Dick and his crew invite you aboard! —

All Kyle knows is that he’s in for a vacation break of a lifetime. He is going to the seaside with his boyfriend Dan, and as he loves surprises, he lets Dan arrange all the details. What he doesn’t know is that he is about to get kidnapped by a whole crew of pirates, all of them sex starved for a slave boy they can keep on board and fuck whenever they please. Kyle’s endurance will be tested to the limits, and the surprises will keep coming, as Dan ups the game once more, with a treasure map to much more than a stack of chocolate coins.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes: pirates, kidnapping, established couple

Genre: erotica, contemporary

Erotic content: sizzling hot graphic language, multiple partners, humiliation, roleplay, bondage, toys, forced feminization, food play, spanking

Length: ~25,000 words

 

REVIEW

 

This was a great ending to a fantastic series. I loved it. I this was one of the instalments I liked the most, or maybe thinking a little bit more about it, it was the one that I liked the most. This is the one that felt more realistic, although at some levels, because it was obvious that it was role play. I loved the little moments when someone was out of character with little smiles and things alike, it was so clear all of them enjoy so much. It was more into my kinks, maybe that’s why I liked it the most and felt it a bit steamier than the previous instalments, but this was simply amazing. Once I started reading, I just couldn’t put it down. It is sort of sad that this is the last one but I had a great time while it last. I loved the ending.

Audiobook Review: Maelstrom 4 by Yamila Abraham

 

Is the war with Flurry over? Or does the maniacal cannibal have friends? And how will Demetri continue to fend off Malstrum’s advances in his weakened condition? Does he even want to?

Demetri owes Malstrum more than ever now. Malstrum refuses to back off just because Demetri’s leg is hurt. They have a room and a bed all to themselves. Malstrum decides to make their commitment to each other official. How can Demetri say no to him now?

Maelstrom has turned into a runaway hit! Jump on board to see why so many yaoi fans are loving it!

 

REVIEW

 

This is going really interesting. I like what the story promises, but I’m still feeling bother because of the way this is cut and every part definitely doesn’t work as stand-alone. I like the writing style, I love the way some hot scenes get in the middle of the story being a little bit of dub-con considering Demetri’s feelings about being with another man, but I’m really feeling intrigued by the story and will keep reading it, or more likely listening to it, to see how all of this ends. I’m having a great time with it, only I wish I wouldn’t have to go get single “books” of what seem like only chapters of the same one, but I’m still enjoying it. I feel like the narration is doing a great job helping me love this one.

Audiobook Review: Maelstrom 3 by Yamila Abraham

 

Malstrum has joined Demetri after suffering his own ordeal. Everything looks like it will be made right. Demetri’s hero-worship of Malstrum evolves into something more, but he’s unwilling to admit what it might be.

Demetri has finally learned the true implications of ‘Lightning,’ that planet Secren phenomenon that happened between him and Malstrum. Now he must decide: can he be Malstrum’s lover? Or will he have to survive the merciless world without his hero once more?

 

REVIEW

 

This was really short and still feel like there isn’t much happening in every part of this series. I really don’t know if call it series since it seem like a single book cut into several parts, but still with all the problems I had with the way it’s been cut, I do like how the story, as a whole thing, is going. I liked this a lot mostly because I see how Demetri is starting to feel something for Malstrum, and the internal struggle because of what he feel in very interesting. I also loved the way this unwilling dreams are making him unease, it frankly is quite fun to listen to it. I keep thinking I wouldn’t like this as much I as I had if it wasn’t for the narration.

Review: Thirsty Boy by Elliot Cooper

 

Jay’s had enough of temporary arrangements with temporary Doms. He thinks he’s found the community he’s been looking for with the Thunder Pigs MC—a gay BDSM motorcycle club with their own private dungeon. Only he’s not a brother, not one of their boys, and the club’s president is tired of Jay playing tourist. When given an ultimatum—get with a brother or get banned indefinitely—Jay must prove he’s the perfect sub for the Dom he’s admired from afar.

Stag isn’t ready to take on a sub after the lingering hurt of too many false starts. He’s been going solo for too long to let a thirsty twink be more than eye candy to him. But Jay’s a good guy who seems to really need the club in his life. And Stag isn’t about to let him walk out of the clubhouse, and out of his life, without trying to help. But the taboo nature of his kinks, his needs, might do more harm than good.

WARNING: This story contains Risk Aware Consensual Kink including dominance/submission play and watersports.

 

REVIEW

 

It was ok. I wanted to like it but it really wasn’t as I expect it. I love reading BDSM but I felt like something was missing, I really didn’t get to know the characters, all the things said about them were a little superficial. It was hard to really know who they were. I don’t think they had a good connection either. Maybe the issue was that it felt a little rushed and I’m not a big fan of relationship that develop so fast.

What I did like about it was some of the activities within one of the scenes they shared. I liked how thoughtful Stag was but even in that area I felt like something was missing. Watersports are really a no for me, but I guess that didn’t bother me that much since it wasn’t too much time spend in such scenes, but maybe that was sort of the problem. Sometimes the scenes, not only sexual ones, were too short and giving the feeling of being underdeveloped.

Overall It was fine and I guess a lot of readers would enjoy it. It had some parts I liked but some of the issues I had with it were bigger than the ones that I liked. I loved the cover.

Audiobook Review: Maelstrom 2 by Yamila Abraham

 

The horrors of planet Secren reveal themselves to Demetri one by one, making him even more desperate. His parasitic computer guide, Brainbox, continues to tell Demetri his only chance for survival is to become the ‘beta’ (lover in the submissive role) to the charming mine overlord Malstrum.

Someone is after Demetri’s claims, and the precious beads his group must mine in order to have food for survival. Their new enemy is named Flurry. They learn he’s not only a psychopath—but a cannibal. Things are even worse than the gloom and doom warnings Demetri got from Malstrum. He needs help—no matter what the personal price.

 

REVIEW

 

This part of the story was so much better than the first one. I start seeing what I expect to see when I start reading it. IT was so much more interesting. I love how Demetri’s defiance to the situation he is into remains the same. He’s not willingly going to do something he doesn’t want to but he start to see what his decisions mean in a world like the one he is now. It is fantastic to see the struggle.

Brainbox is something I love. Every decision it makes and the attitude as defiant as Demetri’s. IT made laugh at times, and that dream…it was amazing. I’m loving where the story is going. And, again, I think part of how much I’m enjoying this, it has to do with the narration. I loved the way the narrator make the changes of characters. I had so much fun with this one.

Audiobook Review: Maelstrom 1 by Yamila Abraham

 

Demetri knows giving in to Malstrum’s desires will protect his band of miners, but the heterosexual Earthling will struggle with violent courtship rituals on a planet devoid of women.

Demetri messed up in the military and now must serve as a miner on Earth’s ally planet Secren. This is the last place he wants to be. Earth men are considered small and cute to the violent Secren men. Demetri already ran a mine on the ice world Donovan. This gives him enough notoriety for mine overlord Malstrum to take an interest in him.

It seems cut and dry that he’s going to rebuff Malstrum and make it on his own, but Secren is a brutal world. The male population are all slave miners desperate to reach their quotas. As an Earthling Demetri is an easy mark to get robbed or killed.

Giving in to Malstrum is the only way Demetri can survive. The charismatic mine overlord decides to make it easy for him.  From the author of The Demon and the Emperor!

 

REVIEW

 

It was a nice short story and even though I enjoy it, I had a really big issue with it. I find it hard to care for a story that only give a little bit of what it really is. There wasn’t any resolution of the conflict, which bother me a lot. It is obviously intended to be read as a chapter instead of being a whole book. Under other circumstances, that enough, would make me quit reading it. This time, I give it a try because the story sound like something I would like.

The things I liked about it were Demetri’s attitude and the promise of what will the future bring for him. I also found the narration very entertaining and I think it add to me enjoyment of the story.