Knot Real by M.C. Roth


Knot Real by M.C. Roth
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Vale will never have to worry about a mating contract, right?

Vale considers himself lucky that he’s exempt from having a mating contract. Why would any omega want thousands of alphas to bid on them and try to prove themselves worthy?

From his best friend Zyke to the cute omega he met at a house party—everyone’s lives seem to revolve around the search for a single mate. It’s simple… The alphas bid and the omegas make their choice, while protective instincts take care of the rest.

But the barbaric practice has its own beauty that will always be just out of reach for Vale. Maybe if he had a contract, he would find someone who would love him wholly and completely and he wouldn’t have to spend his time cherishing the last few days with his best friend before Zyke inevitably finds a mate of his own. Maybe he wouldn’t be so lonely…

Knot Real is a standalone as far as I can see, but I would love to return to this world and see further into how it works!

Vale and Zyke are best friends who everyone thinks are a couple. Vale is one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to have a mating contract, but he’s not looking forward to when Zyke has one in case it impacts their friends. Well, Zyke gets a contract, and it does have an impact, but maybe not in the way Vale was expecting!

This was a great story with plenty of emotion. It was pretty clear what the lay of the land was, but I enjoyed staying with Vale as he discovered the truth about the situation, Zyke’s feelings, and his own.

A quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

Smoke and Mirrors by Pelaam


Smoke and Mirrors by Pelaam
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Two may be company, but four is pure magic.

Leo thinks he’s scored the scoop of a journalist’s lifetime when he secures an all-expenses paid trip to write in-depth articles on the magic act Three of Wands.

However, American billionaire and recluse, Paul, who commissioned the articles, isn’t all he seems, and soon Leo is plunged into a situation where things are not what they appear to be.

Leo falls in love with all three men of Three of Wands—Lucien, Xanto and Ahad—and they are equally keen to take him as their fourth.

When evil strikes Leo and Xanto, will even the combined powers of Lucien, Ahad and their familiar, Salem, be enough to save them?

When Leo sets out to interview the renown magic group Three of Wands, he thinks it’s going to be his big journalistic break. After all, who’d fly him all the way from New Zealand to the US if they didn’t think he could handle the job? However, he’s about to discover that the Three of Wands have more than his career in mind – like possibly the rest of his life? But when danger strikes, it’ll take all four of them working together to make it out alive.

Of all four, Leo was by far my favorite character. His attachment to his grandmother was sweet, and I enjoyed how he approached everything he was faced with. Even when he was nervous or afraid, he put himself out there, ready to face it head on. The way the Three of Wands took to him was fun as well, each welcoming him almost immediately into their group. Each magician is different from the other and their wildly varying personalities make their little group a joy. Leo fits right in, too.

However, there were a lot of things going on for such a short novella. At times, it made it hard for me to follow and keep track of who was doing what. There was also the issue of the tentacles. Which simply isn’t my thing, even if it did add an air of exoticness to the story.

Overall, Smoke and Mirrors was fast paced and exciting. The moments between the boys were smoking hot as well, making you eager for the next time they have a minute to be alone. Also, the addition of the mythological aspects was intriguing. I’d love to read more about where the four of them are now and what they’re doing with the magic show and, of course, each other.

Candy Magic by M. C. Roth


Candy Magic by M. C. Roth
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, LGBTQ, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Sweeter than candy—hotter than magic.

Crean is trying to leave it all behind—the closet, his overbearing family and, of course, his magic. In a world where vampires and shifters are hidden among humans, Crean is the odd one out. Born as a human to a family of shifters, he’s been hiding his orientation and his magic for his entire life.

In search of a new start, he sets out on a journey to a different province. The only condition is he has to live with his brother and his three roommates.

Living with a vampire, a werewolf and a faerie is bound to be a disaster, and Crean does his best to avoid the strangers. But everything he’s been told about others is wrong, and his life is about to change forever.

What would you do in order to be free? To stop having to hide all that you are? For Crean, that means leaving home and moving in with his younger brother, Rian, and his roommates. What starts out as a risky and possibly disastrous situation turns into more than any of them could have ever imagined.

Crean is a fun character. I enjoyed watching him grow into his sexuality and really own it. His interactions with his brother are fun and very realistic. He also has very different relationships with the other roommates, too, which I appreciated.

Rian’s roommates were a crazy bunch. A vampire, a wolf shifter, and a faery. Even more amusing is that Rian’s a panther shifter himself, so a dog, a cat, a biter, and a fae all in the same house. This diversity of paranormals makes for an enjoyable bit of banter throughout the story, as well as different experiences for Crean as he bonds with each man. It’s hard to choose a favorite, too, because each had a fun or quirky personality trait that endeared them to me.

One small thing that bothered me with the story is that Crean’s magic wasn’t really addressed. He hid it from everyone, but even his lovers don’t know about it. While reading, I assumed that the reason why Nate could feed off him and be sated for a long period of time was due to the magic. The same goes for what transpired with Tristan as well. But it’s a small thing and didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of the story overall.

Candy Magic is a super steamy, funny, and magical romance. Mixing an awkward, inexperienced ‘human’ in with a house full of more experienced paranormal beings is indeed a recipe for disaster, but it can also be a recipe for love, passion, and joy. I’d love to know more about their lives after this story ends, I just couldn’t get enough of Crean and his boys.

Triple Intent by Kristian Parker


Triple Intent by Kristian Parker
Village Affairs series, book 3
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When a billionaire and his assistant bring change to the village, Michael has to adapt…

The future’s uncertain for Michael Fleming. He came to the sleepy Yorkshire village of Napthwaite a year ago as Thorpe Hall’s gardener, but now the Hall’s been sold…to billionaire hotelier Darryl Burlington.

When self-made Darryl and his handsome French assistant, François Vernier, come to set up the new property acquisition, they plan to find a willing third party to share their bed. Darryl and François aren’t together, but they like to celebrate success. But instead of indulging themselves in a treat after their hard work, they trigger events which no one could have foreseen.

This chain reaction Darryl, François and Michael leads to big changes in Napthwaite—and in all three men’s lives…

Three men, one relationship and one big…love?

I love books with thruples in them. This one didn’t disappoint. I also love the books of Kristan Parker and again, not disappointed. The writing moved along at a great clip and kept me reading to know what would happen next. I’ve read the others in this series and loved them, so seeing Michael in this one made me happy. I’m glad I picked this one up.

Michael, the gardener, has kept the property’s gardens in tiptop shape. I loved his dedication to his plants. He’s concerned he might not have a place when the new owners show up. Darryl is a billionaire and loves to have a third in his relationship. He’s been sharing his bed with his assistant Francois for years and knows there is a third out there for him. There is love in this story, but also complication and misunderstanding, which makes sense and made the characters more human.

It took me a bit to warm up to Francois, but once I did, I liked him more. He’s hurting because he’s been in love with Darryl for years and is fine with sharing him, but he’s unsure of how Darryl truly feels for him. When he thinks he’s been edged out, he lashes out. It’s mean at times, but understandable.

If you’re looking for something hot, with a thruple and packed with great writing, then try this series. I highly recommend.

Various Intentions by AE Lister


Various Intentions by AE Lister
Persuasions, book 3
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When best-laid-plans fall apart, all you can do is pick up the pieces—and host a gallery exhibit.

Nic Walker and Vincent Blake lead charmed lives—or so thinks their neglected friend Juno. But when Juno’s plans come crumbling down, it’s their boyfriend Charles who reaches out to get Nic to help. Nic, Vincent, Matteo and even Taylor are there with solid plans for assistance, including an emergency art exhibit called Electric Dreams.

Amid an unexpected revelation about Matteo’s past, a surprising romantic development in Daphne’s life and a personal challenge of Nic’s, the gang comes together to help their friends and demonstrate what real loyalty looks like. Nobody ever said life was easy, but sometimes a challenge can bring out the best in people—and remind you of the true meaning of friendship.

A family that’s found is a family that’s strong.

I love stories that aren’t the usual. This one is one of those stories. That’s not to say this book isn’t good. It’s very good. I’ve been on the hunt for stories of people who are coming into their own, accepting who they are and being comfortable in their own skin. This is one of those books.

Juno and Charles are a good pairing, but they’re troubled and that made them more human. I liked how Nic’s role switched into a fatherly/best friend role with these men. I won’t lie, this is a hot book. I mean, it’ll melt the screen, it’s that hot. But there’s emotion to the heat. It’s not just kink. Plus, this story shows that sometimes the family you make is the strongest bond. Stronger than the one you’re born with. I liked that. Sure, there’s kink, but there’s family.

If you’re looking for a story that’s full of heart and heat, then this is the story for you. It’s not the usual erotic romance and that’s what makes it so good. Recommended.

Terribly Tristan by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey


Terribly Tristan by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey
Book three in the Bad Boyfriends, Inc. series
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When it comes to dating, one and done has always been Tristan’s rule—so what happens when once isn’t enough?

Leo Fisher is a sensible guy, with a sensible life. He’s the picture of respectability, just like his parents raised him to be. But when he inherits a crumbling terrace house in Newtown from his uncle, he also inherits a tenant who turns his world upside down. Tristan is brazen, gorgeous, experienced, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. He’s everything Leo is not—maybe that’s why Leo is drawn to him. Leo has only ever made the right choices—the sensible choices, yet here he is, hooking up with his tenant—who happens to be a rent boy.

Tristan Montague is not a rent boy. Not exactly. He’s a Bad Boyfriend. For a modest fee, he’ll turn any date into the kind of disaster that will have his client’s unsuspecting parents begging them to rethink their life choices. Boyfriending for cash is fun, but for real? No thanks. There are way too many flowers in the garden of life to settle on one single bloom. Tristan flits happily from lover to lover like a glorious gay butterfly, and he doesn’t do repeats.

Except when he meets cute, awkward Leo, Tristan finds himself rethinking his ‘no repeats’ rule. Tristan’s mission to show Leo that he, too, can be a glorious gay butterfly takes an unexpected turn when physical attraction develops into something more, and Tristan realizes he might not want to be a fake boyfriend anymore…he might want to be a real one?

But for Leo to take a stand against his overbearing parents, Tristan’s going to have to be a Bad Boyfriend one last time—and it’s going to have to be spectacular.

Two guys who might not be suited for each other find out they’re a perfect match.

I liked the other books in this series, so I was excited to find this one, Terribly Tristan. It looked cute, sounded funny and everything I wanted to read. It was. The writing flowed well, with good pacing and interesting characters. I had to know what would happen next. I liked the premise, too. Tristan is paid to be a bad boyfriend and Leo is trying to break out of his shell. It’s cute.

I liked the chemistry between these two characters. For Tristan, one and done is his way to go. I liked how he had to decide if that’s the only way he wanted to be, or if there was more out there for him. I liked that Leo had to accept that being ‘normal’ and ‘good’ aren’t everything. I had one quibble with the way Leo portrayed his parents. Okay, so they weren’t great in that they wanted something specific for him, but they weren’t mean. Just…parents. It would’ve been nice to see them step back a bit, but this quibble might not bother most readers and that’s fine.

If you’re looking for a hot romance, with a rom-com feel and something fun to boot, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Unkinked by MC Roth


Unkinked by MC Roth
It’s a Kink Thing series, book 2
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: LGBTQ, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Two broken men. One secret addiction. No turning back.

When Derreck stumbles upon Maddy, who is sitting in his car and nearly sweating to death under the summer’s sun, he is at his breaking point.

But Maddy is just as lost, searching for a Dom he only knows by name and waiting in his car outside the club Unkinked on the tiny chance that the Dom might find him. When it is revealed that Derreck is the man Maddy has been searching for from the very beginning, it seems fate couldn’t get any sweeter.

Derreck invites Maddy into Unkinked as his guest, with the promise of the pain that Maddy so desperately craves. A scene that should have been simple opens Maddy’s mind to a new world and community that aren’t riddled with guilt or judgment.
Derreck knows he can’t let his sub slip away, but Maddy is keeping secrets from his new Dom—secrets that could change their relationship forever.

Tenderness that’s not always visible in some kink books.

I’ve read the others in this series and this one is my favorite so far. The buildup is great and the characters even better. MC Roth writes kink well and this book showcases that. I couldn’t get through this story fast enough.

Derreck understands Maddy in a way that few others do, and I liked the way they meshed. Maddy needs pain in his play and Derreck can give it in the way Maddy needs but also with respect. I liked that these two are hurt but find a way to work together to heal each other. The story gave me hope and I liked that.

The story took a while to unfold, but it was worth the wait.

If you’re looking for something hot and totally worth getting invested in, then this is the one for you. Check it out.

The Hunt God’s Hound by AT Lander


The Hunt God’s Hound by AT Lander
Book three in the Of Gods and Men series
Publisher: Totally Entwined, Pride Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Heroes aren’t real, and neither is love…right?

Conall, a snarky and cynical Irish goatherd, just wants a boring life—no quests, no heroes, and definitely no curses. That all falls apart when a chance encounter with a Fomori sorcerer leaves him trapped in the body of a female wolfhound.

Arlen, a kind and noble hunter of the Tuatha de Danann, is tracking his most dangerous target yet, but his skills are not enough. To track this magical monster, he needs someone touched by its power…someone like Conall.

They strike a deal—to hunt their mutual enemy while Arlen bends the curse as much as he can. Now a hound by day and a human by night, Conall’s heart and instincts draw him to his handsome rescuer. When he goes into heat, it starts a tempest of passion and emotion that will either bring them together or tear them apart.

Can these two unlikely companions overcome an ancient evil, or will their story end in tragedy?

An unlikely pair in an unlikely situation that’s quite fascinating.

This is the story to get engrossed in. The writing is fantastical and flows well. It buoyed along and made me want to know what would happen next. I felt immersed in the story and could almost feel the details. That’s something.

Arlen is a hunter and he’s trying to conquer the Tuatha de Danann. As he does this, he encounters Conall, a man at night and a female wolfhound during the day. Conall is not used to being treated with dignity and thinks he’s not worthy of much of anything. I liked his interactions with Arlen and the way they worked together. It’s sweet, but it’s also hot. They’re a good pair and it was great to watch them through this story.

It’s a good, immersive story and has some seriously heated moments. If you’re looking for something that’s out of the ordinary, memorable and hot, then this is the book for you.

The Star God’s Slave by AT Lander


The Star God’s Slave by AT Lander
Book two in the Of Gods and Men series
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: LGBTQ, Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Twin gods, one man, and a secret desire…

Lucius, a handsome and bookish Roman sailor, knows his fate is sealed when he’s captured by pirates and sold as a slave. Yet his new master is far more than he seems and brings Lucius into a world unlike any he could’ve imagined.

The Gemini twins—the roguish Castor and the kindly Pollux—might seem as different as night and day, but they’re a match in gorgeous looks and dominant mastery. Kept apart by fate, the brothers both find their attention drawn to a single, mortal man—Lucius.

Free of his chains and the shackles of custom, Lucius can finally submit to his desire and embrace true love. Yet there are secrets in the star gods’ realm, an ancient darkness with the power to tear them all apart.

Can Lucius save his rescuers from a thousand-year-old nightmare or will three hearts be left broken forever?

Great chemistry and a huge problem to be solved, but along the way, it’s so hot.

I came into this series here at book two, but I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything. The author has penned a hot story with dimension, and I needed to know more. The writing pulled me along well.

Lucian is a sailor, and he ends up in a slave auction. There’s fear, there’s tension and he’s not happy. But this story isn’t so much about him being put up this way, but rather what happens after. He’s bought by Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins that can’t be together and he falls for both. I liked the complication of him not being able to be with both men in the same spot at the same time. That’s the beauty and tragedy of Castor and Pollux. That said, that’s what I liked about the story. They figured out how to make things work. I liked going on the journey with them and seeing how this all unfolded. The romance is hot and the chemistry palpable. Lucian, Castor and Pollux are a great triad.

If you’re looking for a space opera and want a threesome that’s unconventional, then this is so the book for you. I can’t wait for book three.

Destined Prize by Bailey Bradford


Destined Prize by Bailey Bradford
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Paranormal, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Sam’s imagination was never this wild.

Coywolf shifter Emil Akers is still trying to find his own place in their world, with his dominant tendencies making him butt heads with his big brother and alpha, Casey. After trying to strike out on his own, Emil’s back, farming his own ranch, the Lone Pine, and taking care of his sexual needs with one-nighters, usually far from the small town his pack lives in.

Sensing a story in the accounts of unearthly wild creatures in a small Wyoming town, aspiring reporter Sam Brannigan comes to Britton to research, not have a one-night stand. But after a few drinks and a dark promise from tall, dark and buff in cowboy boots, he happily submits. Submits totally, in fact.

The problem is that the one-nighter proves the two of them are destined mates. Another snag is that both Emil and Sam, two men from two very different backgrounds, are keeping secrets—and Emil’s could shatter Sam’s world.

And when someone seems determined to make the existence of shifters known, Emil and Sam are caught in the crossfire. All hell’s breaking loose, and what they both have to do to ensure the other survives could make their relationship one of the casualties.

All his life, people told Sam he was too imaginative. But he could never have imagined anything this wild…

A one night stand leading to forever? It just might happen.

I love the books of Bailey Bradford. As soon as I saw this one, I had to read it and I’m glad I did. The plot moves along swiftly, it’s hot and ticks all the right boxes. The writing is good, and I couldn’t get enough.

I liked Emil and Sam. They’re good together. I liked their dynamic, too. I love a good, destined mates story and this one fit the bill. Stories like this prove true love can happen and fast, if the conditions are right.

The mystery was good, and I liked how I wasn’t able to figure it right out. That’s always a plus for me. Now add in the steam and it’s a winner.

If you’re looking for something hot for a chilly night, then this might be the one for you.