Review: Salt Magic, Skin Magic

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch and Joel Leslie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Thornby has been trapped on his father’s isolated Yorkshire estate for a year. There are no bars or chains; he simply can’t leave. His sanity is starting to fray. When industrial magician John Blake arrives to investigate a case of witchcraft, he finds the peculiar, arrogant Thornby as alarming as he is attractive. John soon finds himself caught up in a dark fairytale, where all the rules of magic—and love—are changed.

 
I listened with interest and was invested in finding out what was going on. The story stands up to a reread, too. I seldom choose paranormal stories and I enjoyed this world with hidden magic and creatures, where magic is not able to solve all problems.
The romance was underdeveloped. We are told they like each other and then they start having sex.
The narration was good. There should have been more characters with spoken text because I know JL can do so many voices he would have truly shined. I think he made this story more compelling with his performance.
 

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Review: A Thief in the Night

A Thief in the Night by K.J. Charles and James Joseph, Ryan Laughton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Toby never meant to be a highway robber, but needs must. He didn’t plan to impersonate a top London valet either, but when the chance comes to present himself as the earl of Arvon’s new gentleman's gentleman, he grabs it. Unfortunately, the earl is the man he seduced and robbed on the road to get here. Oops.

Miles, Lord Arvon, is not impressed. But he’s faced with a tumbledown home and lost family fortune, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Toby—shameless, practical, and definitely desperate—may be just the man he needs.

To steal back a priceless bracelet, that is. What else were you thinking?

 
I always feel guilty after reading a KJ Charles novel. Or listening. Today, again. It is well written with good characters but just not my cuppa, and so I end up publishing an average rating. I miss longing, tension, hope, and choosing a path in life.
Often I buy KJC because I long for quality, which is not easy to find in MM romance.

One of the narrators was better than his colleague. I wished it was specified who narrates which character. 

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Review: Nine Lights over Edinburgh

Nine Lights over Edinburgh by Harper Fox and ~
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Part of His For The Holidays Anthology)

Detective Inspector James McBride is riding high on the belief that he's about to bust a human-trafficking ring. But just five days before Christmas, his unorthodox methods catch up with him and his world comes crashing down.

McBride tries to concentrate on his new day job as security for the visiting Israeli ambassador. He even starts to feel a renewed sense of self-worth when the leader of the Israeli team, the aristocratic Tobias Leitner, takes a bullet for him in the line of duty.

This was a police action story with two gay protagonists. The mentioning of Christmas was reduced to informing the reader how time passed. Narration was good. It had a strong vibe like 'Life After Joe', by the same author.

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Review: Dissonance

Dissonance by Shira Anthony and Nick J. Russo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

British noble Cameron Sherrington has hit rock bottom. The love of his life, opera sensation Aiden Lind, is marrying another man, and Cam knows it’s his fault for pushing Aiden away. As if that’s not enough, someone is trying to take away his family business, and the US authorities are pursuing him on charges of money laundering. Desperate and betrayed by the people he thought cared about him, Cam takes refuge in the subway station where Galen Rusk plays his trumpet for tips.

 

The first part, where Cam is accused of money laundering, was captivating. After that, the focus changed to Galen and his issues and I just bided my time. This was no immersive novel, maybe caused by the third-person narration. I was not convinced by everything this story offered. Like, Cam being able to run a company and how easily he stepped over his mental health issues.
I chose this book based on the narrator, who did a good job, again. The sound was too harsh.

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Review: An Unsuitable Heir

An Unsuitable Heir by K.J. Charles and Matthew Lloyd Davies
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

On the trail of an aristocrat’s secret son, enquiry agent Mark Braglewicz finds his quarry in a music hall, performing as a trapeze artist with his twin sister. Graceful, beautiful, elusive, and strong, Pen Starling is like nobody Mark’s ever met—and everything he’s ever wanted.
Pen doesn’t want to live as any sort of man, least of all a nobleman. The thought of being wealthy, titled, and always in the public eye is horrifying.
But there’s a killer stalking London’s foggy streets, and more lives than just Pen’s are at risk. Mark decides he must force the reluctant heir from music hall to manor house, to save Pen’s neck.

 
Book 3 of 3.

I did not like Mark or Pen and was not really interested who the killer was. I missed several motivations to keep reading. Does the heir get his coronet? He doesn't even care himself. Finding long lost family? No one wants to be related to these criminals. Does the estate run well and are the workers cared for? No mention of that. It also does not mention wealth and what one can do with it. And there is some unknown psychopath killing people for reasons only he himself knows, which is hard to make into an arc other than dead bodies turning up.
What I liked was the non-binary protagonist but as a cis-woman, I can not judge if this is a convincing representation.
The narration was great.

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Review: An Unnatural Vice

An Unnatural Vice by K.J. Charles and Matthew Lloyd Davies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy is determined to expose spiritualists who exploit the grief of bereaved and vulnerable people. First on his list is the so-called Seer of London, Justin Lazarus. Nathaniel expects him to be a cheap, heartless fraud. He doesn't expect to meet a man with a sinful smile and the eyes of a fallen angel - or that a shameless swindler will spark his desires for the first time in years.

Justin feels no remorse for the lies he spins during his séances. His gullible clients simply bore him. Hostile, disbelieving, utterly irresistible Nathaniel is a fascinating challenge.

But Justin and Nathaniel are linked by more than their fast-growing obsession with one another. They are both caught up in an aristocratic family's secrets, and Justin holds information that could be lethal.

 
Book 2 of 3.

Although this audiobook is a well-written story with complex characters, the story did not grasp me. In my opinion, this is a redundant volume between book #1 and #3, because mystery-wise not much changes, and romance-wise I was disappointed. There was too much talking and (as is common in more English historical romances) the lovers were more polite than passionate.
The narration was good.

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Review: An Unseen Attraction

An Unseen Attraction by K.J. Charles and Matthew Lloyd Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lodging-house keeper Clem Talleyfer prefers a quiet life. He’s happy with his hobbies, his work—and especially with his lodger Rowley Green, who becomes a friend over their long fireside evenings together. If only neat, precise, irresistible Mr. Green were interested in more than friendship...

Rowley just wants to be left alone—at least until he meets Clem, with his odd, charming ways and his glorious eyes. Then the brutally murdered corpse of another lodger is dumped on their doorstep and their peaceful life is shattered.

 
Book 1 of 3.

KJ Charles knows how to write about Victorian England and her characters are well-developed. I liked both protagonists in this historical gay fiction and how they were careful not to move to quickly into a relationship. The professions of both men were original. I never came across a male lodging-house keeper nor a 'stuffer', before. The narration of this audiobook was marvelous. Because of the narration, this novel is a relisten option for me. I just have to stop myself from grabbing book #2 every time, because this one ends with a bang and I find the next book boring.

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Review: The Charioteer

The Charioteer by Mary Renault and Joe Jameson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After enduring an injury at Dunkirk during World War II, Laurie Odell is sent to a rural veterans’ hospital in England to convalesce. There he befriends the young, bright Andrew, a conscientious objector serving as an orderly. As they find solace and companionship together in the idyllic surroundings of the hospital, their friendship blooms into a discreet, chaste romance. Then one day, Ralph Lanyon, a mentor from Laurie’s schoolboy days, suddenly reappears in Laurie’s life, and draws him into a tight-knit social circle of world-weary gay men. Laurie is forced to choose between the sweet ideals of innocence and the distinct pleasures of experience.

A classic gay novel, so I listened to the audiobook despite it being less fluffy than my usual book choices. And it was beautifully written with great characters. It focussed mostly on being gay in the 1940s in England so it was a bit somber. Narration was good. 

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Review: Brothers of the Wild North Sea

Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox and Hamish Long
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.

When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save Fen’s life.

At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.

This is a must-read for everyone, but when listening to the audiobook, you are in for a treat. The plotline, lifestyle, characters, history, and narration are top-notch. This early medieval society existed before the Catholic church decided to make a list of mortal sins, putting homosexuality in the top 3. No damnation and no bigotery.
People not used to explicit gay intimacy may keep in mind: hetero sex involves the same acts.

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Review: Men Under the Mistletoe

Men Under the Mistletoe by Josh Lanyon, Ava March Harper Fox K.A. Mitchell and ~
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It may be cold outside, but these four holiday novellas will warm you up.

• A man receives the gift of pleasure at the hands of two expert lovers. 

• Boyhood sweethearts get a second chance at romance.

• Two very proper gentlemen indulge their forbidden desires.

• And a Christmas-tree farmer has an epiphany. 

My True Love Gave To Me, by Ava March:
It might be too late for readers of this audiobook review, but you should avoid reading the blurb. It covers 50% of the novella and the following 50% of groveling got tedious fast.
I disliked the booming sound of this novella. Also, after every editorial cut, the volume changed. The narrator goes on my 'avoid' list, with his random pauses after every few words and lack of voices.

Winter Knights, by Harper Fox:
Beautiful story, marvelous narrator.

Lone Star, by Josh Lanyon:
Forgetable. Narration was all right but the edited sentences added at a later point, sounded different.

The Christmas Proposition by K.A. Mitchel was a nice gay romance although in the end I missed some emotion. I did not like the ending. Good narration.



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Review: Hopelessly Bromantic

Hopelessly Bromantic by Lauren Blakely and Shane East, Teddy Hamilton, and more.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Look, when I met the sexy, witty Brit on the streets of London last night, I had no idea who he was. He was just that hot guy I wanted to have a drink with so I asked him out for my first evening in town.
But when I unlock the door to my rental in the morning, the English hottie is lounging on the couch like he lives here too.  
Too bad in the morning I discover that hiding my true feelings is the least of my worries, compared to a twist I never see coming.

Book 1 of 2.

First of all: avoid the short story included in the beginning of this audiobook. It totally messes up the timeline and is confusing. 

In short, the blurb does not fit the novel. Two gay men meet for 24 days and after 7 years (in a fast forward) they meet for two days. This does not make an epic love story. I enjoyed the reread, though. And I like to finish this one with half of novel #2 (because after that novel #2 gets tedious)

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Review: A Case for Christmas

A Case for Christmas by J.A. Rock and Cornell Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord Christmas Gale is a genius and a misanthrope, and, quite to his disgust, adored by all of Society for his capacity to solve mysteries. When a man approaches him seeking help in locating a lost dog, Gale rebuffs him. But what begins with a missing dog ends in murder and intrigue-two of Gale's favorite things, if it weren't for the orphan that comes attached to them. Oh, and Benjamin Chant.

The Honourable Mr. Benjamin Chant isn't sure how he got swept up in Gale's mad investigation, but something is intriguing about the man-a vulnerability that most of the world doesn't notice, but which captures Chant's interest, and his sympathy, from their first meeting. After a disastrous love affair in the past, Chant has sworn to never give his heart away again. Especially to a man who does not want it.

The most memorable thing about this audiobook was the amateurish way the corrections were pasted into the track. I think even with 5-dollar earpods and in traffic, you can hear the big volume change. With hifi headphones, you also hear the change in ambiance.

It was s nice story with a bit of romance in a pleasant, alternate Regency setting.

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Review: Winter Knights

Winter Knights by Harper Fox and ~
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Historian Gavin Lowden is in Northumberland on Christmas Eve for two reasons: to find evidence of a romantic bond between Arthur and Lancelot, and to finally tell his partner Piers that he loves him. Piers has promised to come clean with his conservative family and join Gavin for their first holiday as a couple, but at the last minute, he bails. Devastated, Gavin heads out onto the moors alone, just as snow begins to fall…

Gavin stumbles into an underground chamber, where strange happenings cause him to question what is real and what is fantasy. 

Beautiful gay holiday story and marvelous narration. I mostly avoid paranormal stories as well as Christmas stories but in this case, both are only a tiny element of the story. So listen to this audiobook any time you want: you are in for a nice, immersive novella.

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Review: Natural Twenty

Natural Twenty by Charlie Novak and Joel Leslie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Plants are easier than people—that’s Leo’s rule of thumb. After all, nobody really wants a man who looks like he belongs in a biker gang but would rather spend his time buried in books and flowers. It’s just easier to be single. Until he meets the owner of the new book shop.

Jacob Morris knows two things: he’s really attracted to the man who runs the local flower shop, and he doesn’t date. Not when he’s still healing from a bad breakup, has a new business to run, game nights to organize, workshops to host, and a website to build.

Did not finish at 20%
Two and a half hours of tedious talking, eating, and visiting each other's shops. No plot, no tension, no hopes or dreams, and undeveloped characters. Add to that the bored Joel Leslie of late.
I bought this audiobook because #2 sounded good. So I skip this gay romance and hope the best for #2.

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Review: Tiepolo Blue

Tiepolo Blue by James Cahill and Barnaby Edwards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A mid-life coming-of-age story charting one man's sexual awakening and his spectacular fall from grace in 1990s London, raising questions about art and beauty, sex and censure.
Cambridge, 1994. Professor Don Lamb is a revered art historian at the height of his powers, consumed by the book he is writing about the skies of the Venetian master Tiepolo. However, his academic brilliance belies a deep inexperience of life and love.

When an explosive piece of contemporary art is installed on the lawn of his college, it sets in motion Don's abrupt departure from Cambridge to take up a role at a south London museum. There he befriends Ben, a young artist who draws him into the anarchic 1990s British art scene and the nightlife of Soho.

How to rate an unfinished audiobook? I recognized good penmanship and the narration was great. But the story is so depressing I dislike it. I prefer gay romance. The foreboding feeling when following Don's lonely life, manipulated by a villainous character, was too strong for me. Don is a naive idiot and I don't want to know more about his life after listening 50%. I was waiting for the love interest but am afraid that will end depressing, too.

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Review: Simon and the Christmas Spirit

Simon and the Christmas Spirit by Summer Devon and Cornell Collins
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The holiday spirit has forsaken Simon Harris. A recent reminder of the man who used and then left him sends lonely Simon on a glum visit to his club to while away a few hours. A breath of fresh air in the form of Christopher Andrews is about to enter his stale life. Performer of many talents and faces, Christopher gained entrée into the club to win money at cards.

 

I did not finish a 2 hour audiobook. Narration was fine.

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Review: Mike and the Spring Awakening

Mike and the Spring Awakening by Summer Devon and Cornell Collins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Young Micah "Mike" Cordett's privileged life explodes when he is caught naked with a schoolmate. Running away from disgrace, he blunders into a trap in a seamy part of London and endures months of abuse before escaping.

Lucas Spring pined for Mike from afar when they were in school. This shadow of the confident boy he once knew shocks him, and Lucas vows to do anything he can to help restore the person he'd so admired. With patience and determination, he hopes to ease Mike's fears and perhaps even win his love.

 
A quick and easy gay romance. The story went from A to B without any tension or drama. Well read, but I wil never relisten this audiobook.

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Review: His Compass

His Compass by Con Riley and Cornell Collins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After a busy season as a charter-hire skipper, Tom yearns for some downtime. His lonely heart also aches for adventure with someone special, but paying his bills has to come first. A surprise sailing contract and huge bonus offer his first glimpse of freedom for years. There’s only one catch: he must crew with Nick, a deckhand who jumped ship once already.

Nick’s as young and untested as the new yacht they’re contracted to sail, and he’s just as gorgeous. Forced to spend a month as Nick's captain, Tom discovers depths he hadn’t noticed. He’s captivated, and happier sailing with Nick than he’s been in forever. However, their voyage is finite, and both men keep soul-deep secrets.

I have no idea where this is going. This audiobook just goes on and on and I couldn't care less about this so-called gay romance. Even the sex is boring. Did not finish at 50%.
Well narrated.

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Review: This Way Out

This Way Out by Tufayel Ahmed and Rohan Rakhit
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Amar can’t wait to tell everyone his wonderful news: he’s found The One, and he’s getting married. But it turns out announcing his engagement on a group chat might not have been the best way to let his strict Muslim Bangladeshi family know that his happy-ever-after partner is a man—and a white man at that.

Amar expected a reaction from his four siblings, but his bombshell sends shockwaves throughout the community and begins to fracture their family unit, already fragile from the death of their mother. Suddenly Amar is questioning everything he once believed in: his faith, his culture, his family, his mother’s love—and even his relationship with Joshua. Amar was sure he knew what love meant, but was he just plain wrong?

 
Did not finish this audiobook at 20%.
I listened for 2 hours to give this romance a fair chance. It is not for me. I have no patience for long discussions about being LGTBQ is not a choice. And the very limited mentioning of the fiancé makes me fear this story is not about a relationship but one long inner monolog.
The narrator is no performer but a reader. I have major issues with his pauses between sentences. Pauses for up to three seconds or more. You have to listen closely: if the next word is a conjecture you know it is still the same paragraph.

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Review: North on Drummond

North on Drummond by K.C. Burn and Darcy Stark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Drew Drummond might call himself a psychic tarot reader, but he doesn’t believe in the supernatural. The business was left to him by his grandmother and seemed the best way to rise above the chronic criminal behavior of the Drummond family. Despite his efforts, few of the townspeople consider him a good romantic match. Being gay only makes finding love more difficult.

When Cliff Garcia, Drew’s teenage crush, moves back to town and joins the police force, Drew doesn’t think he has a chance. After all, the skeptical cop considers Drew’s profession on par with professional conmen, and Cliff had spent his entire school career feuding with Drew’s volatile brothers. Despite the obstacles, Drew and Cliff begin a fiery relationship.

I enjoy this author but have stopped reading her dom/sub stories. This audiobook was average. Nothing special. I liked the romance and enjoyed the wide variety of characters. 

Narration was good but the sound was without noise reduction.

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