Review: Promises Made Under Fire

Promises Made Under Fire by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Promises Made Under Fire reminds me why I adore this author so much. The gentle tone and excellent writing always gives me a sense of deep romance without any explicit sex. I think the historical setting and slower pace help develop a deeper sentiment without ever feeling slow or boring. There’s not always a happy ending, but I love Cochrane’s writing so much I can always get over this minor point. I don’t always look for historical books but this is one of the very few authors I know will deliver an excellent book regardless of it’s time period or characters.

Review: Shepherd, Slave, and Vow

Shepherd, Slave, and Vow by Lyn Gala
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Shepherd, Slave, and Vow is a fun, quick erotica story about a spoiled royal son that finally meets his match in a slave shepherd. The novella is entertaining and well written with a deft hand that keeps the main narrator from being too insufferable or obnoxious but gives instead a light hearted tone about a bratty, attention seeking man who finally finds someone to give him the “tending” he’s always wanted.

Review: Secret Light

Secret Light by Z.A. Maxfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last few ZAM books have been good but they haven’t hit the high notes of previous books for me. Finally Secret Light delivers the addictive and engaging prose by Maxfield I love so much. Here the story flows so easily with wonderful characters that the few flaws and obvious story manipulations are easy to forgive. There’s not such a defined happy ending but it fits with the time period and general story making it easy to see there likely will be a happy ending, even if it’s not spelled out. The tone is more subdued, as fits the story and characters, so this isn’t exactly a feel good holiday story, nor is it exactly a Hanukkah story, but it’s definitely worth reading and I quite liked it.

Review: Muffled Drum

Muffled Drum by Erastes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Muffled Drum is an absorbing page turning historical story. In fact I didn’t want to put this down as the setting and characters sucked me in from the beginning. The story is poignant and often bittersweet but with a solid HEA ending that should definitely please fans. The writing is very strong with a rich, descriptive setting and lots of contrasting interests. The characters are intriguing with flaws and nuanced depth. My only slight issue is with the predictable “villain” character thrown in towards the end that I’m not sure even needed to be there. It adds a certain tone to the story but I disliked the obvious nature of his inclusion and furthermore the treatment of the character. However those could be personal reader preferences too and others won’t be bothered.

Review: Convincing Leopold

Convincing Leopold by Ava March
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Convincing Leopold is a decent sequel to Convincing Arthur. You should really read the first book to fully appreciate the main couple and their relationship but I found that the same frustrations I had with the first book are still present in this sequel. It’s an easy novella to read and March is a good writer but my main annoyance is with Arthur and those issues aren’t solved in the sequel. If you’ve read the first book and quite liked the couple, definitely continue with this one. Other March fans are also likely to enjoy the familiar tropes and writing that make a smooth, albeit delightfully steamy regency read.

Review: House of Mirrors

House of Mirrors by Bonnie Dee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

House of Mirrors is in line with other offerings from these authors and I think fans especially will enjoy this. It’s an easy to read and likable historical with a lot of rich detail and angst to sink your teeth into. The story offers numerous memorable and vivid characters, rounding out a cast full of gritty life and heartbreak. The main romance suffers only from lack of time together but the detailed sex scenes should help readers when the two do eek out a few moments together. The ending is a bit over the top and an easy fix to some considerable problems but by then I doubt any readers will care. This isn’t a story I’d read again but it’s enjoyable and likely to hit with historical fans.

Review: The Legend of the Mountain Ash

The Legend of the Mountain Ash by Ruth Sims
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Legend of Mountain Ash is a wonderful story. I’ve read it before and remembered the story as soon as I read the first lines. It’s one that sticks with you, pulling emotion that you don’t want to fear and wonder at the magic offered. It’s not an easy story but Sims rarely offers that. Instead it’s sad, painful, uplifting, and offers happiness but not before the sacrifice. The writing is beautiful and perhaps some of the author’s best so if you haven’t read it, you should for that reason alone.

Ethan and Davy return to the America after World War II and eventually find themselves living in an isolated cabin in the woods after an aborted attempt to live in a small town. Together they build a life. It’s hard and marked by back breaking work but they’re happy and in love. They etch out a home, plant crops, raise animals, and love each other. Years later a stranger enters their life, heralding loss and pain but perhaps eventually magic and salvation but only at the end of the journey.

The story is deceptively simple. It’s a tale of magic, love, pain, sacrifice, and happiness. The language is beautiful and powerful with no words wasted. Each description brings the vivid colors and hardships to life while tears and laughter ring out and leap off the page. Sims’ prose is enchanting as it draws you in from the very beginning and never lets you go. There is a sense of wonder and bittersweet foreshadowing. The characters are accepting even as they ache for more.

The Legend of Mountain Ash is a fairytale and a love story wrapped together in a moving tribute to love and sacrifice. The depth of emotion this short story draws is a real testament to the author’s skill. It’s not an easy journey but one you’ll be glad to take. The ending of course will have you smiling through the tears.

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Review: I’m Saying Yes

I’m Saying Yes by E.N. Holland
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I’m Saying Yes is definitely a take on Brokeback Mountain but with a happy ending instead of death and tears. The premise is based on the scene between Ennis and Jack after Ennis’ divorce and Jack wants the two to finally be together. If Ennis had said yes instead of no, then I’m Saying Yes is what could have happened in a utopian world. The writing is very good with an engaging appeal that keeps you interested. Unfortunately though the challenges the characters face are very weak and the story is always giving easy solutions and neatly wrapped up circumstances. The novel lacks the intensity of the original couple and book but it’s a nice pleasant read for those that always wanted the happy ending from BBM.

Review: Bound Forever

Bound Forever by Ava March
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bound Forever is the third and final installment of the Bound trilogy from Ava March. The first book enchants while the second disappoints somewhat so I’m thrilled the third book delights and satisfies. The couple has come a long way over the course of the series and you’ll definitely want to read the books in order to understand the progression of their relationship and the characters themselves. They’re all short novellas with scorching hot sex so it’s no hardship. The final story is romantic, emotional, and ends the series extremely well with a HEA that will definitely please fans.

Review: After the War

After the War by T.C. Mill
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

After the War is an intriguing idea but never quite pulls off the concept. The story is interesting enough to read, something slightly different in the genre but if there are better alternate universe/fantasy books. I think the story gets caught in its own circular path and forgets to actually show the reader all the little details that are clearly hiding behind the scenes. The writing is engaging though and story easy to read and if readers are looking for a quick novella just slightly out of the ordinary this could satisfy.