Monthly Archives: September 2025

Night Call by C T Whistle (Part #2 of the Omegaverse Case Files)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Night Call
AUTHOR: ⟫ C T Whistle

SERIES: ⟫ Omegaverse Case Files #2
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Silent Witness meets shifters in this steamy, high stakes omegaverse detective novel.


Pember McArthur’s life is falling apart, one horribly unhinged mother at a time. With no pack, few friends and even fewer family, he must learn to survive as a lone omega in a town that’s still reeling from a recent sex trafficking scandal. Landing a job as a Crime Scene Investigator, he gets thrust into a world of violence, murder and one smoking hot Detective Sergeant who is hell bent on being the most miserable fucker around.

When alphas start turning up dead in a string of bizarre and seemingly unrelated attacks, Pember and DS Blake Smith must work together to catch the person responsible. However, when the number of bodies starts to grow, it becomes clear that dead men tell no tales, and the police have no leads. As the case unfolds, both come to learn that death is not the end, but the beginning of something altogether unexpected.

This is an omegaverse novel, set in an alternative version of England where humans are also wolves, men can get pregnant and everyone has a secondary sex. Contains M/M, open door smut, mpreg (although not featured heavily in this book), alternative human biology, shifting, Brit-cop humour, found family, sarcasm, two traumatised protagonists, serious sexual assault (implied but never described), suicide (described on page), graphic violence and, most importantly, copious amounts of kick-assery. Mature audiences only (18+).

REVIEW: ⟫
This was good – I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first one, but it was good. Pember and Blake were actually really good together, and I loved their relationship with Val. The background characters really make this story – Oliver is there from book one, the CSI staff and the two police officers that I think are part three were so much fun. The main plot regarding a serial killer was interesting although it was a little too obvious who was involved. I’m glad I read this and will keep an eye out for book three.

Hammer and Gavel by C T Whistle (Part #1 Omegaverse Case Files)

Posted on by
2

TITLE: ⟫ Hammer & Gavel
AUTHOR: ⟫ C T Whistle

SERIES: ⟫ Part #1 of the Omegaverse Case Files
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Hot Fuzz meets shifters, meets buddy cop romance in this sexy, high-stakes M/M omegaverse detective novel.

Detective Constable Oliver Reed enjoys two things in life; tea with biscuits and catching bad guys. For twenty nine years he has walked the tightrope between alpha and omega, but that rope is about to snap when one chilly January afternoon he crosses paths with the devastatingly handsome alpha, Detective Sergeant Lucas White. Tensions skyrocket when the two are forced to work together to take down an omega sex-trafficking ring that is rapidly drowning the sleepy towns of West Newton & High Enfield. However, when the case starts getting out of hand, so too does their desire for one another.

This is a shifter/omegaverse novel, set in an alternative version of England where humans are also wolves, men can get pregnant and everyone has a secondary sex. Your mother will probably judge you for listening to this, but who cares? Contains M/M, smut, mpreg, alternative human biology, shifting, Brit-cop humor, sarcasm, a traumatized protagonist, child abuse (implied but never described), and, most importantly, copious amounts of tea drinking. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll know what to expect.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was brilliant – reading something written in British-English was a slight adjustment but it was worth it for all of the names dropped – bourbons, custard creams, hot toast – this was a feast for the British senses in terms of food and tea!! I really enjoyed the story – the idea of Sigmas isn’t one that I have read a lot about, so I was interested to see just how it affected things. This wasn’t insta-love – more like major lust at first collision. Lucas and Oliver kept things interesting with each other and I appreciated that throughout the misunderstandings and their extremely strong effect on each other, they tried very hard to maintain a decent line of communication.

Oliver had been through so much, I could actually well understand his reluctance to put himself into another relationship – this wasn’t just a break-up, this had medical repercussions that were long-lasting and I appreciate the fact that these weren’t glossed over. The criminal plot line was a very interesting read and I enjoyed the intricacies of it all, along with how normal everything was despite there being shifters in the world. I’ve already downloaded book two because I didn’t want to wait – this was a very solid 4 for me!

Skin Deep by L Eveland (Wayward Sons #2)

Posted on by
Reply

TITLE: ⟫ Skin Deep
AUTHOR: ⟫ L Eveland

SERIES: ⟫ Wayward Sons #2
RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ I’ll protect what’s mine, even if it tears this family apart.

My life is a mess, a nightmare for a man obsessed with cleanliness. As the eldest, it’s my job to protect my murderous brothers while maintaining appearances as a successful plastic surgeon.
Everyone thinks I’ve got my life together, but I’m secretly falling apart. I needed a purpose, something beyond killing to live for.

And then I meet Pax, another vigilante. I crave his pain, his praise, his touch like a drug. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but it can’t last. I’m too broken, and he deserves better.

Even if I can’t have him, I’ll protect him and his daughters from everyone—especially my own family. They know something about this killer Pax and I are hunting, but no one’s talking and the closer we get to the truth, the more familiar blood I have to shed. By the time I’ve closed this case, I might not have a family left to protect.

Skin Deep is a 98,000-word standalone dark romance in the Wayward Sons series, which follows the Laskin brothers as they battle their inner demons and find love.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow.

Out of a Fix by Mary Calmes (Torus Intercession #7)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Out of a Fix
AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes

SERIES: ⟫ Torus Intercession #7
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ If you put a family back together, how can you ever leave them?

Through the years, Nash Miller has watched all his buddies fall in love and get married. It was romantic, and he’d wondered when he himself would find the one. Now, older, wiser, he realizes that what he’s always wanted—a husband and a family—just isn’t in the cards for him. And that’s all right. He has wonderful friends, a good life, and he gets to help people, which has always been his true calling. So when the time comes to protect a family in a tiny town in Washington State, he’s more than willing to get on his white horse and ride.

The family needs a bodyguard, but it goes beyond that. The mother abandoned them for a new life, and the father is absent, stuck on a work project he took on to keep his family afloat. What Nash finds are three kids in need of a fixer, and lucky for them, that’s exactly what he does. Providing support and structure is second nature to him, and he’s on solid ground, confident…until their father, Luke Duchesne, gets home. He’s nothing like Nash assumed he’d be, and with each passing day, the lure of the man, and his great kids, gets harder to resist. But he can’t stay there. He’s a fixer, after all, and what they’re all feeling is simply gratitude. Isn’t it…? Though when Luke kisses him, it starts to feel like so much more. Nash hopes he’ll be able to explore a life with Luke—he just needs to make sure his own isn’t cut short.

REVIEW: ⟫ Struggling with a book hangover (Garrett Leigh’s Just This Once destroyed me), I discovered the last book in the Torus Intercession was ready for me to read. And this one was so lovely and so much fun! Nash is one of the oldest fixers working for Torus Intercession and has watched all of his friends find their person, some of them very close to home.

What he doesn’t expect when he takes on the latest ‘fix’ is a family in desperate need of someone to be the heart, the glue that keeps them together. He bonds with the children first, helping them deal with the loss of their mother and the (apparent) desertion of a father who is struggling to keep afloat. The kids in this had me rolling with laughter and when Luke returned home, things heated up in such a fabulous fashion. True to her normal formatting, Calmes crafted a situation where working together and communicating made everything so much better, and beneath all of that we had plots involving cartel members and corrupt police officials.

This was exactly what I needed – Mary Calmes is one of my comfort reads because she always ensures a happy ending, along with glimpses of previous favourites that makes my heart so happy. If you’ve read her before, you know just what you’re getting into and I’m sure fans will enjoy this final instalment.

A Quiet Fire by N.J. Lysk

Posted on by
2

TITLE: ⟫ A Quiet Fire
AUTHOR: ⟫ N J Lysk

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ What duty binds, only love may set free.

At thirty-three, Lord Valgar, Earl of Saran, is the last surviving water mage of noble blood. Forbidden from joining the war himself, his duty is preserve the magic by fathering children.

But after fifteen years of a loving but childless marriage, the council has run out of patience. They demand he take a second omega. Valgar refuses to betray his mate—so he makes a calculated an older omega, unlikely to bear a child.

But to Lord Quincy, the proposal he is pressured to accept is no mere formality. Still mourning the alpha he lost in battle, Quincy clings to the quiet life he’s built around his grief and his garden, his books, and his beloved animals. He’s not ready for another bond—and he harbours a secret that could unravel all of Valgar’s careful plans.

Can two reluctant husbands find common ground—and maybe even find that quiet fire known as hope?

“A Quiet Fire” is an arranged marriage romance novella featuring elements of dubcon, consensual polyamory, non-shifter omegaverse, feminisation and mpreg.

REVIEW: ⟫ Despite the subject matter, I actually found this book incredibly romantic. Quincy is an omega and as such, has very little say in what happens to him after the death of his Alpha. Valgar is an Alpha but because of his magic, he has very little say in what leads him into Quincy’s life. Without Mar, I’m not sure these two would have ever managed to find their way to each other, but this woman has such a huge heart and so much love, she paves the way for her husband to find love and happiness with someone who was meant to be her replacement. I loved the calm, kind way in which Mar communicated with both Val and Quincy, and yes, I cried a little towards the end when she finds more happiness than she ever expected – a reward for her being willing and able to help the two men get out of each other’s way. Even with the harsh realities of life for omegas in the society of the time, the author manages to make the reader aware of the inequalities and unfairness whilst also opening the door to a view to a love that is made bigger and stronger by the addition of a third person – a person that wasn’t wanted but ends up being very much needed. Really enjoyed this one!

Free Fall by Leta Blake (Free Fall Book #1)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Free Fall
AUTHOR: ⟫ Leta Blake

SERIES: ⟫ Free Fall #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ He climbs like he lives—reckless, relentless, and alone. Until Sejin.

Dan lives for danger, solitude, and the next impossible summit.
Emotions? Not part of the plan.
Relationships? Not even on the map.

But when Sejin stumbles into his life—steady, soft-hearted, and looking for something real—Dan starts craving a risk even greater than the next connection.

Their chemistry is electric. Their nights are intense.
And love? That was never the goal.

But some falls—you don’t walk away from.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was all kinds of hot but also frustrating. I didn’t realise that this ended on a cliffhanger – and a pretty big one at that.

I was fascinated by Dan and the way he lived his life – I have heard of climbing without ropes and seen it in a few movies, but this was a far closer look at the sport. I loved Sejin (it doesn’t hurt that I’ve very recently got into K-pop so I was making note of the songs he listened and danced to) and the chemistry between he and Dan was palpable. I struggled with of this because the two of them bascally shoved their heads into the sand and pretended that the big thing that could very well end them wasn’t there and I wanted to shake them.

But more than anything I need the time this weekend to read the next book in the series and find out what the heck happened!!

The Club by Rina Saint (Dangerous Games Book #2)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ The Club
AUTHOR: ⟫ Rina Saint

SERIES: ⟫ Dangerous Games #2
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Rafael
What the hell is Dominic Capelli doing in my club? Best guess, he wants revenge. I did shoot his father, after all. And, yeah, he’s looking at me like he wants to hurt me. The thing is … I’m very much into that.

I know it’s a bad idea to play with him, but bad ideas are my favorite kind. And he’s so very, very sexy.

Dominic
I didn’t come in here to screw Rafael. I came in here to screw with him. I just wanted to see how he’d react. Now that I don’t have my father to hate, I need something new.

So when Rafael starts screwing with me, when he starts trying to expose my long-hidden desires, I decide to punish him. I know I’ll enjoy it. The problem is, I think he might enjoy it too.

I’ll have to kill him in the end, of course, but maybe, before I do, we can play a little game.

*Books in the Dangerous Games series can be read as standalones. However, The Club does pick up on some events from The Contract (and why on earth would you want to skip the smutty feast that is Dante and Tristan???). Please note that these dark MM romances have HEAs but contain potentially triggering content. Each book’s content list (which will contain spoilers) can be found in its ebook sample.

REVIEW: ⟫ Oh heck yeah, this was awesome! Dark with some seriously nasty, dirty sex scenes with an underlying plot that was gruesome in some of its’ details. I really loved this – we learn more about Nate, but Rafael and Dominic were most definitely front and centre. The way in which they both tried to protect the other whilst putting themselves into increasingly dangerous situations was frustrating but also very, very hot! The ending was satisfying, bloody and so much justice was served – extremely satisfying. It looks like I’ve read all of the books the author currently has available but I will keep an eye out for more!

The Contract by Rina Saint (Dangerous Games #1)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ The Contract
AUTHOR: ⟫ Rina Saint

SERIES: ⟫ Dangerous Games #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Dante
My moral compass is broken. That’s why I need rules. They keep me from killing people I shouldn’t. They keep me from crossing certain lines. I’m possessive. Obsessive. Deviant. And I like to fight.

That’s what I see in Tristan when I spot him working in the swanky nightclub. His cool detachment is a mask. He’s angry, he’s lost, and he’s totally new to what he’s feeling.

I want to feel that anger. I want it to burn me. I want him to fight me—then I want to feel him submit. He won’t have any choice, not in my play room. He would look perfect there on the black sheets … with red blooming across his creamy skin.

Tristan
Okay, so I’m not as straight as I thought. I can deal with that, but I don’t know if I can deal with him. I could tell Dante was dangerous even before I saw him talking to a mobster connected to my brother’s death. I mean, Dante cornered me and bit me. I don’t even know him! He’s a thousand red flags. And yet … my body has never responded to anyone like it responds to him. That’s why I sit down with him one night after work.

Is this real? Are we actually about to discuss a sex contract? It looks so normal at first. He can’t hit me in the face. He can’t maim me. Why do we need rules for this?

“I don’t think you’re understanding this,” Dante tells me in his dark, sexy voice. “These are hard limits. Everything else—everything else—is fair game.”

He won’t tell me what that means. Half the fun, he says, is finding out.

*Books in the Dangerous Games series can be read as standalones, though some events are connected and characters may cross over. Please note that these dark MM romances have HEAs but contain potentially triggering content. Each book’s content list (which will contain spoilers) can be found in its ebook sample.

REVIEW: ⟫
Dante was not kidding when he said everything else was fair game! This book continually took me by surprise. I liked how Tristan didn’t just let Dante get away with things – the way he handled the whole apartment situation had me fist-pumping for him – and I can well understand why Dante was so surprised by it all. I would agree that it’s probably a good idea for people to be aware of the trigger warnings – I didn’t read them beforehand and so certain aspects took me very much by surprise. The author has an engaging writing style and they handled the sex scenes masterfully – very evocative. Once I’ve read something a little lighter in subject matter, I will definitely be back to read the next book.

Confession by Rina Saint (Constantine Brothers #2)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Confession
AUTHOR: ⟫ Rina Saint

SERIES: ⟫ Constantine Brothers #2
RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I’ve been keeping secrets from my boss. I have to. Because how the hell do you tell a straight man that you’ve been in love with him for years?

If he found out, everything would collapse, and I’ve worked so hard to hold my life together, all these pieces that I don’t deserve: a home, a position, trust. But it’s only getting harder because he keeps watching me, keeps touching me—and I can’t handle it.

I try to tell myself that it’s in my head, but it’s not. Something’s changed between us, and I don’t understand. I don’t know what to do, and I’m terrified that I’m going to do something really, really stupid.

I just have to lock down. I’m good at that. I’ve been doing it for years. I don’t need anything. I swear I don’t. But then he touches me again, unnecessarily, like he’s trying to figure something out, and everything I tell myself I don’t need, everything I can’t have anyway, feels very much like everything I can’t live without.

REVIEW: ⟫ I grabbed this as soon as I finished reading ‘Possession’ and it looks like very little time has passed since that book. Vitali is dealing with his guilt that he didn’t find Roman or save him from his captors, as well as how blind he feels he was about his uncle.

And this whole new view on Quinn that has taken over his mind is driving him insane. I really enjoyed reading as Vitali began to understand what was happening to him, and I especially loved the way that he handled Quinn – the imagery of this bodyguard giving in so completely was incredibly sexy. I loved the ongoing plot regarding what happened to Roman, as well as Vitali trying to consolidate their power in the territory – the double crossing of double crossing was mind bending and so well done. Yeah, really enjoyed this one, especially the strange family that the Constantine brothers made with Lucas, Sasha and Quinn. A very good duology that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Possession by Rina Saint (Constantine Brothers #2)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Possession
AUTHOR: ⟫ Rina Saint

SERIES: ⟫ Constantine Brothers #1
RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I’m a beast pacing around my cage waiting for the next fight. It’s all I have, those brief moments of rage and destruction. It’s a sort of freedom. Then I go back into the cold, dark emptiness.

That’s why I don’t speak anymore. What’s the point? I stopped being human a long time ago. I’ve given up on anything but that cycle of violence and isolation—until they throw him into my cage. They expect me to kill him as soon as he gets me through my injuries. That’s what I usually do. People thrown in with me make so much noise with their begging that I have to kill them to shut them up. But Lucas is different. He’s quiet. Lost. He intrigues me.

So I don’t kill him. I claim him instead.

At first, my handlers are happy. They think he makes it easier to manage me. Control the beast by controlling its possession. Beasts are simple like that.

What they don’t realize is that he’s waking up the man I used to be—and that man is a hell of a lot more dangerous than the beast.

* Possession contains dark and potentially triggering content. A content list can be found in the ebook sample.

REVIEW: ⟫ I do enjoy a bit of the dark themes every now and then, so reading the description for this fascinated. Oh my! This was seriously dark – an underground fighting ring with no escape, a young man sold to pay off debts, the murderous beast he’s locked away with. But dang, I did not expect this to hit so hard.

My heart absolutely broke for Roman, especially when he began trying to speak to Lucas because he needed to communicate. He was trying so hard, so determined to protect his new possession. The way the two of them built a relationship in such extreme circumstances, the way that Lucas understood and accepted what Roman could afford to give him was awesome. I also loved the fact that ultimately, Lucas wasn’t a victim – he was strong enough to make some really tough choices and I appreciated the different sides to his character.

As soon as I finished this, I downloaded the next book in the series because I wanted more and I can see that I will be reading all that I can find of Rina Saint’s catalogue this week – looks like my TBR has a new author!