Nica Flor

Educational in a very sexy way

Reviewed: 02-08-22 Listener received this title free

Gray is an omega who enjoys a wild time, and isn't looking for a serious commitment, after having his heart broken. Fate, however, has other plans when in the middle of a sexy wild time, he meets Chris and Rev, a loving couple who, like him, enjoy a polyamorous lifestyle. After having a glorious time, they agree to seeing each other in a casual way, which leads them to having serious feeling for each other. I will admit to having little experience with this process, I had read other romances with triads before, but this particular dynamic was new to me, so the story was very educational. I had to, at moments, keep myself in check and shake off preconceived ideas of how a romance story is supposed to go, while enjoying the ride. So I really appreciated the education, and once I understood the dynamics of polyamorous relationships, I sat back and had a good time. I loved how honest and open Gray, Chris and Rev were with their needs, at all times they were checking with each other, and how they wanted their relationships with each other to go. Communication and trust was paramount in their interactions, and I really appreciated that. The sex scenes were outrageous, and there was a LOT of them, my favorite was the group scene, I cackled at the politeness, it was delicious. My only quibbles are that I never quite got a grip on Rev, he seemed at times really immature and impulsive and shallow, and though I did enjoy the sex scenes, after a while it felt somewhat repetitive. There was also a lot of exposition about the world and the different cultures of shifters, which was nice but at times it felt unnecessary, since it wasn't about the main characters, and I didn't feel that it moved the plot forward. The narration was alright, though at times Rev and Gray sounded exactly the same, and Chris' voice would waver from deep and gravelly to youthful even though he is a mature man. This happened throughout the book, and it was distracting and would throw me off the flow of the story. The narrator did maintain the emotional tones of the story and made the steamy scenes sound steamy, which is always a plus. This book is part one of two, so it ends up in a huge cliffhanger, which can be frustrating for some readers. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes out for this wild and free triad.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Sweet paranormal historical romance

Reviewed: 10-14-21

I enjoyed Aillil's and Malcom's love story. With their differences standing in between them, nevertheless they find common ground and are able to find true love with each other. Aillil's deep hatred of the invading, cruel English keeps him from even accepting Malcom, but once Malcom proves his mettle, Aillil sees the Englishman's sweet soul and, reluctantly at first, falls so deeply in love with him, as to challenge the gods for Malcom. The romance flows naturally, even though Aillil is in all ways the more experienced lover and seduces Malcom skillfully, I liked that once Malcom commits to embracing his sexuality, he doesn't hesitate to give himself completely to the Highlander. The first part of the book is my favorite. Once the story delves into the present day, I didn't feel as engaged with it, and was even slightly disappointed in the easy way the crisis was resolved. For a supernatural story, I easily accepted the premise of lovers searching for each other across time and space, but the very end was a little too hard to accept. In any case, there's a happy ending, and there's plenty of steamy action to delight in, with lovely moments of romance. The narration is superb, the narrator transitions between accents flawlessly, and he hits all the emotional tones of the story, bringing the characters to life. All in all, I liked it and would recommend it, with the caveat that it slows down in the second part and the ending is a little too fantastic.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Not very entertaining

Reviewed: 02-22-20 Listener received this title free

The stories are promised to be humorous, but they aren't, the many jokes land flat in their homophobic faces, and the horror never reaches even the simplest of chills. There is nothing goosebumps-worthy about the stories, and even though the basis of the stories is redneck life, it is more like the most cartoonish of stereotypes are plopped down in different situations, without the benefit of either comedic skill or terrifying tension. There's originality in some of the stories, like the one where rival clans get together to cleanse the world of demons, but the delivery is faulty. The narration is alright, although most of the time the characters sounded the same, with no particular distinction. Overall, perhaps it is enough to pass the time, but not worth a re-listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

A heartwarming addition to the Mercy Hills world

Reviewed: 01-25-20 Listener received this title free

The thing I like the most about this story set in the Mercy Hills universe is that Ori and Patton aren't "special." Ori isn't a magical omega, he's just a cute, witty omega from a poor enclave, trying to make the best out of being born an omega in an oppressive, rigidly traditional environment that dooms him to be mated to an alpha of his pack's choosing, regardless of his feelings and thoughts on the manner. Patton is just a beta, also trying his best to make himself useful to his pack, while attempting to bury his feelings of love for Ori, who as an omega, is supposed to be completely out of reach. Both young men are supposed to be average in every way, Ori is not a magical omega, like Holland, Patton is not a strong alpha leader like Quin. Yet they overcome so much in this story, they are truly special in their fight for what they want, their love for each other transcends every tradition and expectation, and they mate even in the face of danger from both pack and humans. There is so much tension in this novel, Ori and Patton are in constant danger, suffering pain, hunger, and persecution, all while trying to travel through a world they know little about, with only hope as their guide, and faith that reaching Mercy Hills will bring them the happiness they deserve. I like that the book delves into hard topics such as homelessness and prejudice against LGBT youth. But luckily, Ori and Patton get their happy ending, which they deserve wholeheartedly. Nick J Russo is a wonderful narrator, he brings out Ori's playfulness and Patton's solidity in the narration, and the love scenes are always emotionally satisfying. He performs with warmth and great range, making each character distinctive sounding and easily recognizable. Both book and audiobook are wonderful and highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Delicious novella

Reviewed: 01-25-20 Listener received this title free

What a lovely story! Benedict Hannan is a buttoned up, aloof gentleman whose only delight in life is collecting valuables and treasures for his auction house, and finding comfort in his religion. He's on his way to Scotland with business in mind, but he can't help but feel trepidation, as he is to meet with his one and only lover, whom he hasn't seen in thirty years, after the beautiful man broke his heart in pieces. Benedict never fully recovered from his heartbreak, and feels tremendously guilty about his "unnatural feelings," and never acts out on his lust and stews in his loneliness, trying to find comfort in his religion. He is a very likable character, with a snarky yet endearingly shy personality, who tries to hide his desires behind the stolid dignity of his fifty years of age. I really enjoyed Benedict, his attempts at being a curmudgeon are stifled by his cute reactions, and I couldn't help but feel sad at his denial and loneliness. There's a little mystery subplot dealing with a very exciting gentleman thief, and Benedict's former lover, and both men may not be all what they seem. The intimate scenes are hot and sensual without overtaking the plot, and though it is a fairly quick read, the novella does an excellent job of developing Benedict's character. There's a happy ending and a promise of a sequel, to which I am looking forward, because this was a delightful story and I really would like to see where the happy couple goes to. Gary Furlong is a masterful performer, I would love to be able to pronounce "anxiety " with as much haughtiness as he does, he really brings a delicious arrogance and cuteness to Benedict, not to mention the playfulness of the gentleman thief. The sensuality of the intimate scenes is always on point, and I just loved the audiobook, it kept me engaged the whole time. Very recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Nice enough love story to pass the time

Reviewed: 01-23-20 Listener received this title free

I had already read the ebook so I was looking forward to the audio version. The love story is nice enough, definitely insta-love, alpha Carter and omega Elijah fall for each other basically at first sight and their relationship moves forward really quickly. Elijah has a daughter, Olive, and because he is a single dad, he's plagued by bad rumors in the little town they live in. Carter is an injured vet who choses not to live with his rich family, and instead moves to Elijah's little town to be a plumber and find his own purpose. There were moments I enjoyed about the book and moments that left me bemused because I found their relationship moving too quickly, considering that even though Elijah has only met Carter, he is willing to have him move in with him and his child in a month. Also there is a big plot against Elijah by his parents that I found a little hard to believe. Anyway, their love is sweet, Carter is a gentle alpha and Elijah is very likable, and there is definitely a happy ending with a lot of possibilities for different couples to follow. The narration left me unsatisfied, the performer has a pleasant voice, but not much range. I had a difficult time distinguishing characters, they all sounded the same, and since there was no variation of tone, it was difficul to really get into the narration because I would lose track of who was talking, not to mention that Carter had a throat injury that at times would make his voice sound rough and whispery, yet this detail is never realized during the narration. So I liked the ebook, and the performer's voice is nice, but overall I didn't enjoy the narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Love found in the dark amid whispers

Reviewed: 11-20-19 Listener received this title free

Oh my juicy lord, this audiobook was so hot! Dean is a struggling actor, he hasn't made big yet and he has no money, so he uses his good looks and begins escorting on the side to pay the bills. He doesn't particularly like it but he knows it is necessary to pay the bills, so he is ready to say yes when he's offered double his rate. The catch is that he has to go to a house, enter a bedroom completely in the dark, take off his clothes, lie down, and the biggest rule is never touch his client. The secrecy of the process makes for an unsettling situation, especially when all he knows is his client's whispered instructions and his addictive magical touch. Dean becomes obsessed with his mysterious client, even after his circumstances improve, and things get even more complicated when he meets Justin, a genuinely nice guy that makes his heart pitter patter, a military hero who was tragically disfigured while on duty. While we only get Dean's point of view during the story, it serves to put the reader right into the intensity of his emotions, and the fact that a lot of the action happens in the dark, makes for a very heightened sensation while listening to the audiobook. There were times where I got goosebumps, listening to the mysterious client whisper instructions to Dean, it was very sexy! I really enjoyed the performer's voice, he made every character sound distinctive, and it made for a really hot listening experience. I would definitely recommend it!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Hot forbidden love

Reviewed: 11-20-19 Listener received this title free

There's a lot to like about this book. Dashiell is hired by Frankie, a powerful, cruel criminal, to babysit Billy, after Dashiell saves him from being assaulted in the bathroom, and it isn't long before Dashiell realizes that Billy is not just the beautiful mannequin on Frankie's arm, but an intelligent, generous young man with a bad lot in life and powerless to leave Frankie. Dashiell captures Billy's heart with his kindness, generosity, and incredibly sexy good looks. Their relationship is dangerous, but they can't help but fall in love with each other and risk their lives for their love. Dan Calley's voice is terrific, and it is easy to fall into the story, with the way he performs, not to mention his accent is to die for. I enjoyed the narration a lot, and the love story is pretty hot.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another great entry in the sexy paranormal

Reviewed: 11-12-19

Knight is a lover and a fighter. As VP of the Kings of Hell, he's not afraid to stand up for his club and to party like there's no tomorrow with whatever pretty girl or boy catches his eye. His only complain is the Count, a voluble wannabe YouTube personality who constantly bad mouths Knight's ancestor, Laurent Mercier, and is obsessed with defending historical serial killer, William Fane. When the Count and Knight finally meet, tempers rise and an explosive relationship begins. This is a fun, sexy book, with lots of sizzling encounters and intense emotions. Neither Elliott, the Count, and Knight are perfect men, but they compliment each other perfectly. And the performer of the audiobook is very good, as well. He brings out Elliott's vulnerability as well as Knight's sweetness and it is sexy and entertaining. The paranormal mystery is a very fun subplot, but it is definitely a cliffhanger.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sweet story, sweet characters but not quite there

Reviewed: 09-18-19 Listener received this title free

The book begins with one of the main characters, Ben, saying that the story is about two boys falling in love with each other, they have a misunderstanding and break each other's hearts, then make up and get back together again. This is exactly what happens. Ben and Vinnie are university students about to graduate, Ben is a man of many talents, an aspiring author and musician, while Vinnie is an artist. Ben sees Vinnie, crushes on him pretty hard and finally decides to talk to him, while Vinnie is painting. They like each other and they establish a relationship. There are positives about the book, like Vinnie having a very open, loving family, as well as Ben, who also has a loving family, who actually financially support him while he works on his writing. There's no family rejection, both men are out and proud with loving families. Ben is truly in love with Vinnie and his feelings are very sincere through the book. However, I had a hard time actually becoming engaged with the characters, especially Vinnie. Maybe it's because it is entirely narrated from Ben's point of view, but I never quite understood Vinnie, his behavior was incomprehensible at times, and Ben spent a pretty big part of the book pining over Vinnie. I also found myself asking about various plot devices that were used to promote a stronger emotional bond between the men, but were only brought up to be dropped and never explored fully, like Ben's childhood trauma, and definitely Vinnie's trauma as it happens during their conflict, as well as his emotional whiplash. Vinnie makes really bad decisions and suffers terrible consequences, but there's no real explanation and definitely no emotional reaction from him, at times he comes off as a damsel in distress, and unable to make a decision. Ben also comes off as selfish and self involved, like when he admits to going to the clubs to get serviced by other guys, without bothering to return the favor, but has a complete change of heart over the thought of dating Vinnie, and he uses his financial resources to fall in favor with Vinnie, which came off as a little manipulative. Overall, I never connected emotionally with Vinnie, although he is a nice guy, and Ben was sweet but also clueless at times. The performer is one of the best known narrators, and as always, did a great job with the accents and hit every emotional tone with grace.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful