Amber Allure

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

The country of Melcovia was once a land where magic abounded and life was good. The dictator Congerson has seized power because the mages became divided and has declared all things magical to be illegal. Many of the most powerful mages went into hiding. Cory is a very powerful mage who is living on an estate near the western border of Melcovia. One day he hears a cry from an untrained mage looking for a mentor and master. Driz has great undeveloped power but learned almost nothing in the Magik Academy due to too much partying. Cory agrees to take Driz on as an apprentice but only if Driz really applies himself. I liked both Cory and Driz very much and the way the two men fit together was great. The story is a fairly uncomplicated, straightforward read of good vs. evil but it had enough action to hold my attention. The world building was well done for a short novella but don't expect much more than something you could find on Earth. There is a warning for light BDSM but there is nothing more than a tiny scene of hands tied to the bed and a gag, nothing way out there. The story flows well and the pace is fast with a HEA ending that could lead to a sequel but I doubt it. The sex in the story is sparse and really takes back stage to the magic theme which is a nice change. I enjoyed the extra political flair that Ms O'Dare wove into the story line showing the societal flaws of the time. All in all, this story was a good read that any lover of all things magical should enjoy.… (meer)

Crackling with magick, or at least magickal intent, almost from page one, this story about a classical battle of good versus evil had me – quite literally – spellbound. While it doesn’t have a complicated plot, its message of a suppressed group (all those with magickal abilities) fighting for freedom from political oppression and recognition is all the more poignant for that simplicity. The tone is humorous in the beginning, but the closer we come to unveiling what is really going on in the secluded land of Melcovia, the more of the characters' fighting spirit emerges.

Driz starts out as a bit of a lazy, self-absorbed, not-too-motivated mage. Freshly graduated, he is looking for a job and not finding anything to his liking. He's never had to apply himself, and when he does find a master who will take him on as an apprentice, he has to work hard to earn his master's praise. And since he quite likes Cory, he does his utter best not to displease him.

Cory is an experienced mage, and while he lives a secluded life far from the politics and excitement of the capital city, he has been longing for a partner to work with for quite a while. He is strict, demanding, but his requirements help Driz become a better mage. His selfless support when Driz needs to leave their seclusion to find out what happened to his mother and siblings in the recent purge, is touching. His masterful handling of the situation, and natural leadership, somehow didn't surprise me. He certainly knows how to organize an uprising!

These two men fit very well together. Yes, they are apprentice and master for now, but from the very beginning Cory senses a potential of becoming equals. Most of the focus is on their relationship outside the bedroom, but the couple of physical encounters they have are hot and tender. If you like stories about magic, if you enjoy a good battle of good versus evil, and if you're looking for a relatively short read that can still give you a complete story in a well-built world, then you will probably like this book.




NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (meer)

Trespassing is a serious matter, and when doing it in the middle of nowhere, hoping you won’t get caught, you’re bound to be in trouble a short time later. That is exactly the situation Jake and his ex-boyfriend Alan find themselves in when Jake’s car breaks down. Trying to take a shortcut under these circumstances is not advisable, but Alan is anything but clever. He is also a coward, and with the way he behaves, I am not surprised he is Jake’s ex!

Jake, on the other hand, is basically a decent guy. He tries to do the right thing and protects Alan against the cowboys come to beat them up as best he can. The cowboy who comes to their aid is Jake’s wet dream come true, and when he starts to talk about punishments, Jake is all for it. He has always wanted to know what it’s like to have a dominant lover, and he is about to find out. And then some!

What follows at Colton’s ranch, first in the barn and then in the cowboy’s bedroom, is a series of very hot activities with some very creative equipment. Jake is over the moon – but he is also afraid his fast-growing need for commitment will not be welcome. So he runs. Made me wonder whether he missed the lesson where you learn that running from a predator is a bad idea… And while Colton doesn’t intend to eat Jake, not literally, at least, he is the kind of man who gets what he wants, whatever the cost.

If you like stories about insanely hot cowboys who hide some very interesting “tools” in their tack room and know how to “punish” naughty subs, if you want to read about a man who discovers his submissive side at the hand of a master, and if you’re looking for a read with a delicious twist at the end and more heat than should be legally allowed, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (meer)