Fate of the Moon by Sara Dobie Bauer

Alfie is convinced that rich-boy Shay had something to do with the death of his parents, and he’s determined to expose the truth. As it turns out, upon first meeting the only truth to come to light is the fact that these two are fated mates.

What’s it About? 

You’re a beautiful monster, and fate has bound us together for life.

After the murder of his parents, the rules of high society dictate that omega werewolf Shay find an alpha mate—and fast. While struggling with his overwhelming grief and being forced into a marriage he’s never wanted, his courting celebration yields yet another nightmare when fate makes an unfortunate appearance.

Alfie is a gossip reporter and alpha werewolf who latches onto the same theory as everyone else; that Shay is responsible for the deaths of his parents. When Alfie sneaks into a courting party to get a look at the guilty young man for his column, he expects to see a murderer, but finds his fated mate instead.

Despite mutual disdain, Shay and Alfie are now inescapably entangled—all while a double homicide remains unsolved.

As their affections grow, so does the danger to their lives. Shay and Alfie might be fated, but can love conquer suspicion, grief, and the threat of death?

First Impressions

Sara Dobie Bauer is an absolute queen when it comes to creating paranormal worlds filled to bursting with a slew of characters we love to love. I’ve read several books from this author, and with each new read I’m surprised at the fact that no two are alike in terms of their fantastical elements. Sure, there’s usually always at least one character featured who seems like a clone of Timothee Chalamet (expect plenty of pics and gifs below), but I’ll take that any day of the week. If the title didn’t give you enough of a hint, we’re diving deep into the world of werewolves in Fate of the Moon. It’s a world that, on the surface, seems fairly standard. Alphas, omegas, fated mates, claws, fangs, full moon, we’ve all seen it before. However, the author inserts a few unique details that successfully set this apart from your typical werewolf paranormal romance. Firstly, the fated mate connection is one that can be tested scientifically, and results show that Shay and Alfie’s blood connection is off the charts. As if their sultry glances and shivering tingles of electricity weren’t enough to know for sure, the test proves these two are meant to be.

This is also a world wherein the omegas are essentially characterized as trophy housewives to be seen, not heard, by their alphas and the rest of society. As a wealthy omega, the expectation is for Shay to carry and birth a multitude of pups after marrying his fated mate. But where’s the fun in doing what society deems “proper”? Shay is still reeling from the recent grisly murders of his parents, and is just a shell of his former self. However, his fated connection with Alfie slowly starts to bring him out of this morose shell to be the unexpectedly outspoken and opinionated omega he’s always been. Alfie is certainly a possessive alpha who wants to claim Shay as his own, but that doesn’t mean he’ll keep him restrained to the household to carry his pups. He supports his feisty little omega to do whatever he wants, especially if it brings a spark of life back into him. Alfie is an outsider to this society of wealth, so he has no reason to scoff at what others would declare to be unacceptable behavior by his omega. The author presents us with a few twists to traditional paranormal werewolf romance traits, and as a couple we see how Shay and Alfie pose a twist to the traditional outdated rules that this world represents.

The Fate of Our Mates

All of us romance novel lovers out here have undoubtedly come across a fated mate novel before, and we’re probably pretty familiar with the intense connection which can draw paranormal mates together. It might be a tingly feeling that something is up in the universe, or a massive shockwave of realization. What I particularly enjoyed about this read was that while the call between Shay and Alfie was strong enough to bring them together from separate rooms of an immense mansion, and they even had to take medication to lessen the electricity pulling them together, they didn’t immediately fall into love with each other. It’s not as though they resist the call of their bond, and indeed both can acknowledge that it’s a foregone conclusion they’ll be tied together forever. It would have been easy for the author to have these two jump into bed fairly soon after meeting to quell the intense desire simmering between them, or to have them both fully on board and appreciative over the fact they’ve found their one true mate.

Instead, there’s effort at work here. The author takes the time to establish a foundation for these men to get to know each other, support one another, and naturally let a bond beyond that of fate to take hold. That’s not to say they are without temptation, and indeed we even get a bit of dream-induced grinding going on at one point, but on the whole we have to wait until the very end of the novel before they fully consummate their relationship. When that moment does ultimately come (pun absolutely intended), I remember initially feeling a sense of whiplash over the fact that we are constantly switching back and forth between Shay and Alfie’s points of view throughout the entirety of the scene. As it progressed though, I realized it was really the only way to do the scene justice by showing how these men are a cohesive unit rather than one taking the lead over the other as the primary character. Fate might have brought them together, but it is only through friendship and respect that they truly fall for one another.

Romance Aside

The formation of a bond between Alfie and Shay certainly takes center stage with this read, but there was another element beyond their establishing romance which was dealt with in a rather remarkable fashion. This would be the “black sludge” which was a characterization of Shay’s grief and depression over the loss of his parents. It’s a constant presence in Shay’s new world, and essentially an intangible villain in its own right. This “sludge” might never take on a corporeal form, but the threat it poses to Shay is just as a real as a killer trying to choke the very life out of him. It calls on him to give up, to let the sludge take over his body so that he can feel a release into nothingness. It’s seemingly better to feel nothing than the unbearable pain upon reliving the discovery of his dead parents in the safe space of their home. When Alfie comes into the picture we see how their mating bond connects the sludge to him as well, demonstrating how this depression can seep into every corner of Shay’s life to impact those he cares about the most. And yet, it is because of Alfie that Shay learns to control the sludge, to allow his happy thoughts of Alfie to keep the sludge at bay, but also how to draw upon it as a tool to elevate his own strength and overcome any potential external obstacle. The black sludge was an incredible window which allowed us to explore the emotional turmoil of Shay’s anguish.

Beyond the romantic development between Shay and Alfie, as well as the sludge threatening to destroy them, we still have this outstanding matter of an unknown killer who brutally massacred Shay’s parents. Unfortunately, this rather crucial part of the story is kind of pushed to the background to focus on some of these other elements we’ve already discussed. I remember at one point in the story the biggest stress facing both Shay and Alfie was the fact that they would be attending a fancy gala together for the first time since the story broke about them being fated mates. I couldn’t help but think, “umm…guys? Shay’s parents were killed about 2 weeks ago and the killer is still out there. Maybe skip this one? Go to a pet store or something?” Of course, immediately after having that thought the mystery killer decides to make a reappearance in a big way, but it still felt as though the murder element of the plot was placed on the back-burner longer than was necessary. It also would have been nice to see Alfie’s journalistic side come to the forefront to brainstorm potential suspects and scenarios with Shay, and see them work together as a team to bring the killer to justice.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: I would just like to put out in the universe the desire that all of us readers have for this to be turned into a series so that Shay’s best friend, Tanner, can get his very own love story with his alpha. We need it!

Would I befriend the heroes? Shay and I would definitely be buddies. He likes to bake cookies, he makes ravioli…I just know we’d have a ton of fun in the kitchen. Alfie can watch 🙂

Would I date the heroes? If this novel has taught me anything, it’s that you don’t become between two fated mates, so I’m gonna let these two enjoy their happily ever after together. Not gonna lie though, I wouldn’t say no to Shay’s butler.

Final Impressions: The true success of this novel lay in exploring the emotional impacts of grief and depression. The angst and intensity surrounding the murder mystery aspect of the plot either needed to be dialed up a few more notches, or it should have been removed entirely by having Shay lose his parents from something like a car crash. As it stands, the various plot points of their romance, shirking societal expectations, wealth, the murder and the sludge were all kind of fighting for prominence, and it resulted in some elements being unfairly removed from the spotlight. That being said, I absolutely adored how everything came together in the end, especially as we see Shay fully break free from the standard trappings and labels of what it means to be an omega. Even Alfie couldn’t be characterized as a stereotypical alpha, and their joint dismissal of society’s expectations is what made them stronger as a couple that could step out and face the world together. I believed in them as a couple, and if this should ever turn into a series I hope we see them again down the road.

Smut Level: We may only get one sex scene between our heroes, but we do get a wee bit of phone sex thrown into the mix. Sure, I would have liked to see Alfie get a bit more alpha with the dirty talk, but I’ll take what I can get.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. Carnation Books. 377 Pages.

This is Not a Horror Movie by Sara Dobie Bauer

“I‘ve wanted to taste your words for years—and see if they taste as sweet as you make them look.” Not gonna say no to that request!

What’s it About?

Emory Jones loves two things: horror movies and Connor Nichols. For the past four years, Emory, Connor, and their families have vacationed side by side on Longboat Key, Florida. Eighteen-year-old Emory has pined for his neighbor from behind the covers of Stephen King books, but college boy Connor has never noticed him. Probably because Emory looks like Jack Skellington with good hair.

Emory anticipates another predictable summer of sunburn and disappointment. Instead, he ends up with a mystery on his hands when a beloved beach bum goes missing, and Connor volunteers to help with the search. Turns out it’s not just scary movie cops who are worthless, so the boys start an investigation of their own—leading them straight to an abandoned beach resort.

Despite the danger, Emory and Connor grow closer, but as Emory’s gay dreams start coming true, so do the horror movie tropes he so loves. Even though he knows that sex equals death in slasher flicks, Emory can’t keep his hands off the guy of his teenage dreams.

First Impressions

I’ll admit, I initially approached this read with a smidge of hesitancy. While the title might insist this is not a horror movie, the dramatic cover art and synopsis would suggest otherwise. And I…don’t…do…HORROR! What can I say, I blame Freddy Krueger. That bastard gets ya in your dreams, and when my sleep is compromised we’re gonna have problems. However, while there were definitely some scenes in this novel which involved horrific actions and even deaths, I somehow found myself giggling with glee throughout the majority of this read! If I had to sum up the experience in just a few words? Pure delight!!

Perrysburg, Ohio

So what made this such an enjoyable read considering my aversion to all things horror? Simply put: Emory Jones. At first I questioned how much I’d have in common with our main character. After all, he’s an 18-year-old gay male who loves all things horror, and I’m, well…not. I might love a good beach read, but the concept of reading a horror book on the beach is a nightmarish concept to me!! However, I found myself quickly developing an amazing kinship with this fictional character the author has presented to us. Not only are Emory and I from the same small Ohio town, but we also went to the same high school, vacationed a mere 8 miles apart from each other some summers, and while neither of us are into sports we both knew who the primary rival high school was across the river. We both grew up in an environment feeling like there must be something bigger and better out there beyond the borders of this small Ohio town where high school bullies reigned supreme.

Beyond these mere coincidences of geography though, Emory’s close connection with his sister Liz involved some of my favorite banter and hilarity of the entire novel, and also felt reminiscent of the close relationship I have with my own sister. And then there’s Connor. The hunky neighbor boy that Emory has pined after for countless summers, yet can only admire from a distance. Surely Emory is not at the same level as this beautiful man? He is constantly left feeling inferior, something I’m sure many of us can sympathize with. Honestly I think most readers will find something within these down-to-Earth and realistic characters that they can also identify in themselves. The narrative format itself was even something I could relate to, as we constantly have to navigate the rather filter-less and quick-moving inner musings of Emory’s mind. Sure, it took some time to get used to and follow along with his line of thinking, but nevertheless it seemed similar to how my own mind is known to wander whenever I think to myself. The author does such a fantastic job of pulling us into Emory’s world where we can associate with all of his insecurities, fears, joys, embarrassments and even moments of love.

A Romantic Paranormal Horror Comedy?

Considering the number of times I giggled aloud to myself while reading this book, it definitely falls within the categorization of a comedy, but it also touches upon the romance and horror categories. Let’s tackle the more prominent of themes, which would be the lovey-doveyness between Connor and Emory. Yet again, all I can say is it was a pure delight! They’ve been summer buds for years, with Emory always dreaming of more with this hot jock. However, it’s only this summer before college when Connor finally discovers that Emory is gay, and Emory simultaneously discovers that Connor is bisexual. After this jaw-dropping realization Connor lays all his cards out on the table, and the two finally decide to give into the desires they’ve kept hidden from each other for so long. And I must say, the sheer joy and playfulness that these two men share with each other left me with a dopey grin on my face, and more head-tilt “awwwww” exclamations than I care to admit.

Now for the horror. Again, typically this is something I loathe, but in this instance the author somehow managed to present it in a way that was still comedic in its approach. What can I say, this woman is a master!! Several moments reminded me of the movie Scream where our characters, who are essentially experts when it comes to horror tropes, would oftentimes relate the situations happening around them to how a horror film or book would typically play out. Emory would often lament the fact he was no longer a virgin seeing as the virgin is usually the last one standing at the end of a horror movie. People never tell the adults what’s happening? Well let’s be upfront with them from the beginning! Should we involve the cops? Eeesh, that never goes over well in the movies. It helped add a sense of levity to the “horror”. Now, I will say the drama of the story took a rather unexpected turn towards the end that had me going, “huh, mkay so I guess we’re really doing this!!” At times I was left wanting a bit more depth and back-story for some of the more villainous characters, but at the same time I could appreciate that staying on the surface in some respects allowed for more of the comedic underpinnings of the plot to shine through.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-Alone

Final Impressions: I don’t quite know what I was expecting with this one, but I thought it was so much fun! It’s a great summer read to bring along to the beach. Just consider yourself warned you’ll probably laugh aloud a few times and be smiling to yourself. I could see how some aspects might not be everyone’s cup of tea, including Emory’s penchant for a wandering and fast-paced inner dialogue, as well as the fact that the horror aspect became a bit outlandish towards the end. However, I personally appreciated both of these features, as it helped me relate to Emory on a personal level, and the somewhat ridiculous nature of the horror story was kind of needed for me to feel less scared as I was reading it! Ultimately, it helped the novel lean more towards the comedy category rather than the horror.

Smut Level: The make out scenes in this novel were scorching hot! However, the one sex scene was more of a “fade to black” moment.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. 280 Pages.

Handsome Death by Sara Dobie Bauer

“Priority one has always been to keep him safe, but the joke was on me: I’m the most dangerous thing he’s come across.”

What’s it About? 

I’m not hunting him; I’m protecting him. At least, that’s what I tell myself. In New York City, a beautiful creature like Tristan Clement should not be walking the streets alone, and I’m the perfect vampire to watch his back. But what if keeping him safe isn’t enough anymore? What if I want to touch? And taste? I need him. But I’ve never needed anyone.

In a world where paranormal creatures live amongst us and must follow certain laws, living life as a dangerous loner works for vampire Ethan. Inhabiting his gleaming apartment, wearing his designer suits, jetting around the world as a fanged killer-for-hire, Ethan does it all alone.

That is, until he literally runs into Tristan. Tristan, who is clearly trouble wrapped in skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. Tristan, with his shock of angelic blond curls. Tristan, who plays piano more beautifully than the old masters– and Ethan would know; he saw Beethoven.

Tristan is gorgeous, a little sassy, and irresistible. Also, Ethan is horrified to note, Tristan has no idea how incredibly tempting he is to things that go bump in the night.

Overcome by the urge to keep Tristan safe, Ethan begins to… well, stalk is such a strong word. What starts as an obsession quickly becomes something more, something that Ethan needs. And to his surprise, Tristan seems to need him, too…

This darkly romantic tale delivers steamy passion and a happily ever after. Be advised that Handsome Death includes explicit m/m content, stalking, mentions of past abuse, and graphic violence.

First Impressions

Guy meets guy in a NYC coffee shop. Seems like a rather standard meet cute, no? Well, when one of those guys is a centuries old mercenary vampire, and the other is a young unsuspecting music student, let’s just say it ramps up the intrigue to a mouth-watering level. At first, Ethan finds his draw to this young human completely inexplicable, but the one thing he does feel is an intense desire to protect and safeguard him. Perhaps it’s simply a lustful attraction which will soon fade.

However, as time passes and their relationship evolves, we see how both of these men help the other learn to live again. Tristan has the ability to make this rugged mercenary laugh, and feel something for the first time in a long time. It’s shockingly charming to witness the sensitive romantic side of this tough vampire slowly emerge before us. As for Ethan’s influence on Tristan, he helps this young man move on from a previously troubled relationship which made him feel weak, useless and ugly. It doesn’t take long after being enveloped in Ethan’s arms to feel both beautiful and desired at the same time.

Brought Right to the Edge

Edging plays a rather large role in this novel. Not that kind of edging! Although…come to think of it Ethan does have a lot of fun repeatedly teasing Tristan right to the edge of full pleasure before pulling away. But no, when I refer to edging in this instance I mean that we’re always sort of brought to the edge of something going terribly wrong for our characters, but ultimately things resolve themselves before we’re pushed over that edge. There’s the cusp of our characters breaking up, the finality of death, or in some cases being caught by the authorities. However, things always end up working out before they go too wrong…in most instances.

In a way, this lent a rather refreshing sense of lightness to the plot, but also meant we were constantly waiting for a shoe to drop that never does. For example, I was confident at the start of the book that Ethan’s mercenary past would in some way insert itself into the bubble which he and Tristan had created for themselves. Perhaps an old enemy would come back to bite him (vampire joke totally intentional). And yet, that never happens. The main focus of the story is really centered on Ethan and Tristan figuring out how they fit into each other’s lives, and discovering that you can find love even when you weren’t looking for it.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-alone. I will say we’re presented with a few delightful secondary characters who I would adore to see more from. Tristan’s spunky best friend in particular was so much fun.

Final Impressions: I read this book in one day. Was that because the characters wouldn’t release me from their captivating world, or because I’ve been stuck inside my apartment for the last week due to covid-19 lock down? Definitely a mixture of both. There is one especially suspenseful moment towards the middle of the book which turns everything topsy turvy. Although it was a moment which we could foreshadow, it was still intense in its delivery. I think I would have liked to see some aspect of Ethan’s mercenary past come more to the forefront in his relationship with Tristan, just as a way to heighten the suspense even more. Overall though, an engaging read that highlights the strength and healing nature of true love.

Smut Level: My goodness gracious, what do these two hunks NOT do?! Some of it is intensely erotic, from the aforementioned edging to the use of ropes, and of course a bit of required biting from our vampiric alpha male. They’re openly communicative though when it comes to the rougher side of their sexual relationship, and have a clear go-no-go system in place. Respect!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. Carnation Books. 257 Pages.

Destiny’s Dark Light by Sara Dobie Bauer

What do you do when you finally meet the man destined to be your one true love, but he’s already in love with somebody else? Check out this witchy paranormal romance just in time for Halloween!

What’s it About? 

In modern day Charleston, two fated lovers meet at the beginning of a world-ending witch war…

Cyan Burroughs is a lonely light witch prophesied to battle the dreaded Dorcha—a dark sorcerer with the power to rule the world. There’s one problem: Cyan doesn’t have any powers of her own. An unknown witch flips a trolley and causes mass carnage, and Cyan’s dormant magic awakens. When she drags handsome Irishman Liam Cody from the wreckage, she recognizes his face from her aunt’s psychic portraits. He is the man Cyan is destined to love.

As she and her magical family seek to unveil the murderous witch who caused the accident, Cyan and Liam grow closer, but Liam’s mysterious past is not the only thing keeping them apart. Dark witches and light will soon fight to the death, and Cyan must face her calling. How can she protect Liam and win the war when her immense powers are barely under control?

First Impressions

I always say it takes a lot to surprise me, but this witchy read had me guessing pretty much from start to finish. We know that Cyan is the Loach of prophecy, a light witch destined to defeat evil so that good can prevail. Her enemy is referred to as Dorcha, a dark witch of immense power. Cyan’s destiny is not only to fight and defeat this Dorcha in a violent war of light against dark, but her one true love has also been foreseen by her seer of an aunt who’s been painting his portrait for as long as Cyan can remember. One day Cyan finally meets her one true love, but it’s in the midst of a terrible accident where they both struggle to pull his girlfriend from a burning car.

Cyan has to watch on as the man who is her destiny pines after a woman he’s loved for years who is now in a coma. There are so many twists and turns in this novel that you never know what direction it might go. It’s clear the Dorcha has arrived, and caused the accident that finally brought Cyan and Liam together. But who is he? You’ll find yourself questioning everyone!! Sure, Liam might be Cyan’s true love, but does that mean they’ll necessarily get a happily ever after together? You want them to find love, but at the same time you find yourself heartbroken with his sense of hopelessness over his girlfriend’s injuries. As the war between good and evil approaches you never really know who is friend, who is foe, and who is one’s true love.

Building a Love Story

Ever since Cyan was a little girl, she’s known that she was destined to love one man, and she’s known what that man would look like. She comes from a family of light witches, and her aunt is a seer who has painted the image of this man many times whenever he’s appeared to her in a vision. When Cyan finally sees him in the flesh she’s absolutely floored. He might be in love with another woman, a woman he was planning to propose to, but Cyan can’t deny her love for this man.

Throughout the novel you’re constantly wondering how this romance might develop between Cyan and Liam seeing as his heart already belongs to someone else. Will Cyan really pursue a man who is grieving over his girlfriend in a coma? If something does happen between them, would it simply be a coping mechanism for Liam in an attempt to numb his pain as he watches his girlfriend slowly dying in front of him? And above it all, you can’t help but wonder if the draw that Cyan feels for Liam is truly love, or if it’s simply the fact she’s always been told this man would be the love of her life. Is she falling in love with the man, or the prophecy? Is it love, or her destiny? Is there even a difference between the two?

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-alone. I want this to be a series!!

Final Impressions: This is an engaging, quick read that will keep you on your toes from start to finish. I wasn’t too far into the book before I found it harder and harder to put down. The characters draw you in just as much as the story itself. The whole book is sort of a slow build towards the ultimate battle between Loach and Dorcha, and while I definitely enjoyed the journey, the climax was almost over too quickly. We’re introduced to some new minor side characters towards the end, and the war is really just one battle. Maybe I’m greedy, but I would have loved an additional 50 pages to elaborate more on some of the dark witches who enter our tale late in the game, as well as the details and fallout of the war itself.

Smut Level: Our characters have new powers to deal with, not to mention a war to prepare for. Not exactly a lot of spare time for sexy fun times. I mean…there’s definitely some time. Just not a lot 😉

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $2.99 Kindle Price. Pen and Kink Publishing. 196 Pages.

A Lord to Love by Sara Dobie Bauer

This is one of those novellas that will be over before you know it, and leave you craving for more!

What’s it About?

During negotiations for a truce between the feuding Price and Morgan families, Lord John Morgan makes a shocking offer: he will give the Price family their land, in exchange for Harrison Price’s hand in marriage. John has long been enamored with Harrison, the beautiful son of his late rival. Harrison is nineteen, inexperienced, and known for being cold and bitingly brilliant. The union seems impossible, but John is determined to win the affections of his young obsession. Will the frigid Harrison concede, or will the object of John’s adoration leave him alone at the altar?

First Impressions

I didn’t realize before starting this book just how quick of a read it was going to be! One night before bed I figured I’d start on it, maybe finish a few chapters before catching some zzz’s. Next thing I know thirty minutes have passed and I’ve reached “The End”! This would be a great quick read to take to the beach, although truth be told you’ll probably be finished with it by the time your first coat of sunscreen actually sinks in. Technically this reads as a historical regency romance, though we can tell it’s not necessarily set in a true historical time period seeing as John and Harrison can be fully open about their love with everyone around them. It’s simultaneously delightful to feel like you’re set in the time of Pride and Prejudice, yet also rather sad to acknowledge that such an open romance between two men could never take place in society at that time.

Romantic Blackmail? 

Does John blackmail Harrison into agreeing to marry him? Eehhhh not reaaaaally…but kind of. The long and short of it is that Harrison always had the option to say “no” when John offered to return Harrison’s family land in exchange for his hand in marriage. It’s never called into question that if Harrison had said no, John most likely would have still proceeded with the negotiation to return it sooner or later. After suggesting the exchange, John lets Harrison think on his proposal, and doesn’t even provide a quick timeline or ultimatum which would make it seem like Harrison had no choice in the matter.

That being said, we can’t deny that John is sort of using Harrison’s recent familial loss as a way to win the man he’s always wanted. For the past several years, John has been in a land dispute with Harrison’s father over the fact that a zoning technicality actually places their family’s cemetery plot within John’s property line. Harrison hasn’t been able to lay flowers on his mother’s grave for three years, and now he must bury his recently deceased father. When John has it written into the negotiated paperwork that he’ll give back the land for free on the condition of receiving Harrison’s hand in marriage? Well, we won’t say he forced him into marriage, or took advantage of his grief, but he may have given him a slight poke in the ribs.

Learning to Live Again

Harrison has always been known in society as a rather closed-off individual. He’s been surrounded by melancholy for the last three years since his mother’s death, and now his father has passed on as well. He’s been overcome with grief due to so much death that he’s forgotten what it’s like to live. John is the one to remind how. One of the most emotional scenes in the book involves Harrison seeming completely crestfallen at the prospect of spending the rest of his life alone without the two people he’s loved most in this world. John encourages him to realize that while it might be difficult to imagine, things will inevitably get better with time. He just has to remember to live. The fact that Harrison has to ask John, “What is living” is such a heartbreaking reminder that he has forgotten what it feels like to be alive.

Through John’s loving attention, kisses and embraces, he remembers. He remembers those moments years ago where John would stare transfixed at him from across a ballroom; remembers what it was like to have a far away crush on this man; remembers what it’s like to feel. Towards the end of the novel Harrison declares that “he remembers” in reference to John’s undivided attention all those years before. I like to think it not only signifies he remembers the longing looks that another man bestowed upon him, but that he also remembers back to a time before the death of his parents, before he was overcome by grief, and that he remembers what “living” used to feel like. The fact that John is the one to reawaken this passion for life demonstrates the depth of their connection.

“You will never again forget to live–and you will never, ever forget you are loved.”

The Beauty of Music

John’s seductive stares might have been powerful all those years ago, but they weren’t what drew this couple together. In a way, music was actually the driving force behind their relationship. John first noticed Harrison’s hands as he played the violin at a dinner party years before, and his clear devotion to music was what made John start paying attention to this young man. Harrison was always too shy to willingly perform his music in public without the urging of his family, so it’s a sight that John hasn’t seen again in all that time.

Once John grants Harrison access to his family’s cemetery once again we see Harrison play the violin at his parent’s graves before breaking down into sobs, admitting that he only used to willingly play for his mother before she died. It was a gift he only chose to share with her. We know this is probably the most sacred part of himself, and after John and Harrison spend more time together he chooses to share this special gift with John. It’s a beautiful moment between these two lovers, and it’s proof of how much Harrison has come to trust and love this man in such a short amount of time. As a musician myself, I must say that John’s fascination with Harrison’s ability to play, and Harrison expressing his love for John through music was probably my favorite feature of their story.

“I love music. The way it makes me feel. And I love you. You make me feel like music. If I were a romantic, then I’d say you’ve made my life like a song.” 

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-alone

Final Impressions: I wanted this to be a full-length novel. I wanted more of those descriptions from back when John and Harrison first met, the feud between John and Harrison’s father, and those weeks following John’s rather peculiar proposal which detailed the time they spent getting to know and learning to trust each other. Can you understand and still appreciate the story that’s being told without all of that description? Of course, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I’m a greedy reader who wants to see as much from this couple as she can!

Smut Level: John is Harrison’s first kiss, first love, and first lover. He might be new to intimacy, but the man is a student at Cambridge. Let’s just say he’s a quick study of this whole “pleasure” concept.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $0.99 Kindle Price. Carnation Books. 35 Pages.

Escaping Mortality by Sara Dobie Bauer

Witness the exciting conclusion to the Escape Trilogy! Will vampire Andrew and his beloved sailor love each other for all eternity? Or will a vampire Elder come between them?

What’s it About? 

Their ocean journey was successful, and Andrew and Edmund found an Elder just in time. As they wished, Edmund is now a vampire like Andrew. They have eternity together, but first, they must visit Edmund’s ailing mother in the English countryside with their flock of immortals, including the Elder, who has taken an ominous liking to his new creation.

When they arrive at Edmund’s family estate, his sick mother and her loathsome best friend await them. While ducking religious curses, Edmund struggles to harness an unexpected power gifted him by the Elder. Andrew fears for his beloved as Edmund becomes more and more monstrous—but vampires have always been monsters, haven’t they?

A battle is coming, for Edmund’s heart and his soul, and Andrew will lose neither. He escaped island exile and a near tragedy at sea to be with Edmund, the beautiful young sailor he loves. Andrew will do anything to keep Edmund by his side, but his most dangerous adversary may be Edmund himself.

First Impressions

Book three in the Escape Trilogy picks up right where book two left off, with Andrew and Edmund locating a vampire Elder in the hopes that he’ll be able to turn Edmund into an immortal before he succumbs to illness. Mini spoiler alert (although not really a spoiler considering it’s in the synopsis), the two are successful! We’ve been wondering for the entire series whether or not Edmund would ever turn into a vampire like Andrew, and at long last our question is answered. Enter Brien, an ancient vampire who manages to save Edmund’s life…by taking it from him. Following his transformation, Edmund acquires some vampiric abilities that I’m sure we’re all used to at this point. Immense strength, blood lust, a pair of fangs that like to descend with little warning. You know, the usual. And yet we slowly discover that Brien has passed on some additional abilities to Edmund which make him unlike his fellow vampire friends and lover. Will his new abilities, not to mention this new connection with Brien, draw a wedge between him and Andrew?

A Journey to the Past

Edmund doesn’t have too much time to get used to his new abilities as a vampire, as he and Andrew must make a quick dash to England to meet with Edmund’s sickly mother before she passes away. You can’t help but appreciate the irony of seeing Edmund return to his birthplace immediately following his rebirth as a vampire. We’ve seen Andrew and Edmund confront such stark differences in terms of society and locations throughout this entire series. In book one we saw them connect on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. In the sequel they immersed themselves in the fast paced and sin-filled city of New Orleans. And then in this final piece of the trilogy we explore an entirely different locale by visiting the uppity upper class of English society, and the slow-paced ennui of the countryside. With each change in setting we wonder if Edmund and Andrew will make it through the transition and changes of a different world, especially in this instance when we see Edmund confront his past.

He’s trying to find some semblance of peace with his mother before she passes, and reconcile their differences upon his departure all those years ago, not to mention the particulars of his love-life. She’s gone mad in his absence, which he can’t help but feel slightly guilty for. It’s rather shocking to see how our quick-witted and flirtatious Edmund collapse into himself upon going back to his childhood home. It forces him to confront the pains of his past, as well as the changes which have occurred in his absence. He practically becomes a quiet shell of his former self, and it was such a fascinating, yet heartbreaking transition. In these broken moments we have to wonder who will succeed in pulling Edmund out of his melancholy. Will it be Andrew, the man who has vowed to love him throughout all eternity? Or will it be Brien, the new mysterious Elder who gave him the gift of immortality?

An Elder of Mystery

Ohhh Brien the Elder. His entire being is steeped in mystery. We are all immediately intrigued by his quiet presence, especially considering he remains primarily in the background of the novel as an observer of Edmund and Andrew’s relationship. The whole time we are sort of wondering what his game is, as does Andrew. Brien is clearly infatuated with Edmund, and the two have a strong bond as creator and…child? But there’s also an attraction there. Will Brien come to share a bed with both Edmund and Andrew? After all, they’ve been known to share lovers in the past, but with their newfound commitment to monogamy it also seems out of the question.

Or are his motives perhaps more underhanded? At one point, Edmund astutely points out that Brien is the most powerful creature in existence. If he wanted, he could probably rule completely over both man and supernatural beings. And yet he’s choosing to stick around with Edmund and Andrew’s friends as they traverse the English countryside. What’s he really plotting as he silently observes the group’s activities? While I was definitely drawn to the enigma that was Brien, I was also slightly disappointed that we didn’t get more from him. It’s easy to forget about him at times considering his quiet nature, and it really isn’t until the very final climax of the novel that some of our questions are answered about him. And even then, I felt like I still had more questions than answers about our mysterious Elder.

One and Only

In books one and two we saw Andrew and Edmund declare their undying love for each other, and they vowed that it would last forever. That’s all well and good when they knew that Edmund’s time on this Earth was limited, but what happens now that he is an immortal just like Andrew? You have to question if monogamy is really a possibility when it’s for eternity, and yet what I absolutely adored from our couple is that it’s really never a question for them. Their connection and bond is so strong they never doubt the reality that they’ll remain devoted to each other forever. Through all the difficulties and trials that Edmund faces in his transition, as well as with confronting his past life in London, Andrew remains the one calming presence in his life. And yet, he also has an undeniable connection with Brien, his creator. Brien did take his soul after all. And this is a connection which creates an almost inconsolable type of jealousy with Andrew. True, Andrew holds Edmund’s heart, but can he compete with someone who holds the soul of his beloved?

Unleashing the Beast

While the connection between Edmund and Andrew has been a delight throughout this entire series, I will say there was one disturbing scene presented in this novel that I could have done without. Upon returning to his homestead to discover the unhealthy mental state of his mother, Edmund goes out on a solo drinking binge. He returns to Andrew looking for a fight, spurring him on in an attempt to draw out the dark beast hiding within Andrew. Unfortunately, he pushes a bit too hard where the beast takes control, smacking Edmund around and attempting to rape him. Only through Edmund’s new powers as a vampire is he able to fight off Andrew and bring him back to his senses. Andrew is understandably horrified at his behavior, but it was just pretty disturbing to see him lose control to the point where he was about to take Edmund against his will. Eventually they are able to move past it and forgive each other for their erratic behavior, but it wasn’t my favorite scene. Edmund and Andrew have been so loving and caring of each other since their island exile that it seemed out of character for them to behave in such a manner.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: The Escape Trilogy, book 3. So sad to see this series come to an end! I’m keeping my fingers crossed we get some kind of spin-off involving the other vampires in Edmund and Andrew’s world.

Final Impressions: I love this couple. There, I said it! It’s been such a tumultuous journey we’ve traversed with them since book one, and we clearly saw the strength of their physical connection in book two. This final chapter highlights the emotional bond between the two, and it’s one that we know has the ability to last for all eternity. If I had to find one fault with the close to the trilogy, it would be that Brien the Elder should have been featured just a bit more prominently throughout the book. I understand that this is meant to be Edmund and Andrew’s story, and that we don’t want to stray too far from that considering it’s what makes the series so special. However, an additional scene or two involving Brien’s interactions with our lead couple could have provided more of a glimpse into who this character is.

Smut Level: Edmund and Andrew have always been a passionate couple, and this theme definitely carries over into our conclusion. That being said, considering how Edmund is going through a bit of an identity crisis as a new vampire, as well as with confronting his past, the two don’t spend as much time in the bedroom as they did in book two.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. NineStar Press. 127 Pages