mfm romance | Book-Endz

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!

TITLE: ⟫ Three Times as Dirty (Part 1)
AUTHOR: ⟫ Sara Hurst

SERIES: ⟫A Holt Family Novel
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ One Marine. One Bodyguard. One Top too many.

A night at the club and a hook up before getting stuck on a ship in the middle of the Pacific with a few thousand sailors and Marines. That was all I’d had planned.

But…

Then I caught sight of Declan Holt from across the crowded club, and I had to have him.

He was smart and sassy and so, so sexy. We didn’t waste any time getting to know one another in a dark corner, but one taste wasn’t enough. Back at my place, I discovered we were more alike than I thought.

Aren’t opposites supposed to attract? At least that’s what I’ve always heard.

Now, here I am embarking on—God, I can’t believe I’m saying this—a relationship, thanks to a drunken night in Vegas, with my sexual twin in some aspects and my exact opposite in others.

What could possibly go wrong?

** Hayden & Declan’s story continues in Three Times as Dirty: Part Two. You will need to read Part Two for their HEA which will be found once they meet Marcie. **

REVIEW: ⟫ Having read the blurb, I was aware that this wasn’t a complete story – the author made it absolutely clear that the third member of this triad wouldn’t appear until the second book, so there was no surprise there. I read this as a mm romance, with a view to things opening up.

The relationship between the two men started from a very hot one night stand, and I enjoyed their interactions, the way that they opened up to each other and the way that they handled things initially – two tops meeting was bound to cause a clash and I loved how they were together. I liked how welcoming the Holt family were to Hayden and the fact that they were encouraging Declan to be honest – it was very much appreciated that they didn’t go the whole ‘what if he’s a gold-digger’ route.

However, the cliffhanger made me feel so mad! The secret that Declan was keeping was ridiculous and utterly obvious to anyone with half a braincell. I seriously don’t understand how Hayden didn’t figure it out – maybe not the full figures but the basic concept should have occurred to him. I also didn’t understand why he was giving Mara so much power – he knows how toxic she is and what an evil person and yet, he still allowed her that success. It was truly mind-boggling and it made the ending so much more irritating.

I will probably get part two to find out how they fix things between them as well as introducing a third, but given the choice now I would probably wait until both parts were available before reading.

I received an ARC through Indie Author Creative.