Yolande Kleinn

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

1883. Thaniel Steepleton returns home to his tiny London apartment to find a gold pocket watch on his pillow. Six months later, the mysterious timepiece saves his life, drawing him away from a blast that destroys Scotland Yard. At last, he goes in search of its maker, Keita Mori, a kind, lonely immigrant from Japan. Although Mori seems harmless, a chain of unexplainable events soon suggests he must be hiding something. When Grace Carrow, an Oxford physicist, unwittingly interferes, Thaniel is torn between opposing loyalties.

Why you should read it: This book is strange and confusing and completely delightful. The characters were beautifully painted, the detail and world building were lovely, and the atmosphere was tangible. While the pacing was a little slow to get moving, I never considered setting the book aside, and the ending was entirely worth the investment.

- — - — - — - — -

Line and Orbit by Sunny Moraine & Lisa Soem

Adam Yuga, a rising young star in the imperialist Terran Protectorate, is on the verge of a massive promotion…until a routine physical exam reveals something less than perfection. Genetic flaws are taboo, and Adam soon discovers there’s a thin line between rising star and starving outcast.

Stripped of wealth and position, stricken with a mysterious, worsening illness, Adam resorts to stealing credits to survive. Moments from capture by the Protectorate, help arrives in the form of Lochlan, a brash, cocksure Bideshi fighter.

Now the Bideshi, a people long shunned by the Protectorate, are the only ones who will offer him shelter. As Adam learns the truth about the mysterious, nomadic people he was taught to fear, Lochlan offers him not just shelter—but a temptation Adam can only resist for so long.

Struggling to adapt to his new life, Adam discovers his illness hides a terrible secret, one that the Protectorate will stop at nothing to conceal. Time is growing short, and he must find the strength to close a centuries-old rift, accept a new identity—and hold on to a love that could cost him everything.

Why you should read it: I enjoy good science fiction, and this book hits a lot of great buttons. I found the world building vivid, the characters imperfect and compelling. The physical spaces in the story came across especially well. I liked this one a lot.

- — - — - — - — -

For Real by Alexis Hall

Laurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the BDSM scene is all played out. Six years on from his last relationship, he’s pushing forty and tired of going through the motions of submission.

Then he meets Toby Finch. Nineteen years old. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable.  Everything Laurie can’t remember being.

Toby doesn’t know who he wants to be or what he wants to do. But he knows, with all the certainty of youth, that he wants Laurie. He wants him on his knees. He wants to make him hurt, he wants to make him beg, he wants to make him fall in love.

The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won’t surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they have—no matter how right it feels—can’t last. It can’t mean anything.

It can’t be real.

Why you should read it: God this was satisfying. Gorgeous. Hot. Intimate and sexy as hell. This book was beautifully written, and I recommend it fiercely.

Ashes on a Distant Wind
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Post-Apocalypse, Sci-Fi
[55 Pages / 18,000 Words]


Before the Vrete came to Earth, Donovan Riggs was a man of faith. By the time they were gone, he'd left that part of himself behind for good. In the aftermath of a war nobody won, humans live in a world they destroyed in order to keep it for themselves.

Riggs is simply trying to survive. Alongside Beau Greer, a young medic who stumbled into his life and then refused to leave, Riggs travels dangerous roads between long-dead cities. Scavenging doesn't offer much of a future. It barely provides for the present. But Riggs will do anything to protect what's his.

When thieves threaten to massacre a nearby town, Riggs and Beau must make a difficult choice, even if it means putting themselves directly in the line of fire.

[Information and excerpt: HERE]

Available for purchase:
LT3 / Amazon / Apple / B&N / Kobo / Smashwords

Especially at Christmas
M/M, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
[20 Pages / 5,500 Words]

For the first time in five years, Andrew is single at Christmas.

At least he’s not spending the holidays alone: his roommate is here to share the ups and downs of the season. Jake may be out of Andrew’s league, but they make a good team. Then Jake kisses him in the middle of a noisy Christmas party, and changes all the rules.

Andrew doesn’t believe in Christmas miracles. But maybe, just this once, he can make an exception.

[Information and excerpt HERE]

Available for free download from:
Smashwords / Apple / B&N / Kobo

Available for purchase at:
Amazon


 

Restless Shadows, Waiting Roads
By Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
[40 Pages / 14,000 Words]

As a child, Caleb was helplessly drawn to the woods behind his family's house—a deep forest that became a friend, a sharer of secrets, even a protector. On the night Caleb was stranded by a blizzard, a mysterious figure saved his life and kept him from harm.

But all too soon his family moved away, and Caleb set the mysterious stranger aside as a figment of his imagination. Now, more than fifteen years later, Caleb returns to the woods he left behind and encounters a familiar face...

( Read an excerpt... )

Available for purchase:
LT3 Press / Apple / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Smashwords

 

 
The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox

One summer evening in 1808, Sobran Jodeau stumbles through his family’s vineyard in Burgundy, filled with wine and love sorrows. As Sobran sways in a drunken swoon, an angel appears out of nowhere to catch him.Once he gets over his shock, Sobran decides that Xas, the male angel, is his guardian sent to counsel him on everything from marriage to wine production. But Xas turns out to be far more mysterious than angelic. Compelling and erotic, The Vintner’s Luck is a decidedly unorthodox love story, one that presents angels as fierce and beautiful as Milton’s, and a vision of Heaven, Hell, and the vineyards in between that is unforgettable.

Why you should read it: This book is difficult and bleak, but also warm and gorgeous. Incredibly vivid characters are depicted across a lifetime, a year at a time, and every step is full of life and feeling. There's ugliness, too—a genuine life isn't always pretty—but this was very much a book I couldn't put down once I started. I enjoyed the writing, bluntness and poetry combined in a way that was occasionally downright uncomfortable. This was an excellent read.

- — - — - — - — -

Silhouette of a Sparrow by Molly Beth Griffin

Growing up in the 1920s, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson envies the birds outside her window. Her mother does not approve of Garnet climbing trees to peer into nests or any other such un-ladylike behavior. She has Garnet’s life all planned out: after finishing high school, she’ll marry and tend to the home. But when Garnet is sent away for the summer to stay with relatives in the lakeside resort town of Excelsior, Minnesota, she finds a chance to spread her wings. A newly built amusement park and roaring dance hall beckon, and her explorations land her where she least expects—in a growing relationship with a beautiful and daring flapper, Isabella.

So begins the most important summer of Garnet’s life. Caught between her family’s expectations and her own newfound passions, she must decide whose dreams to follow. Can she seize the freedom she so admires in birds?

Why you should read it: I found this book beautifully written, sweetly insightful, and incredibly genuine. Lovely characters, gorgeous historical settings, excellent pacing. It also sated my craving for well-crafted local (Minnesota) stories.

- — - — - — - — -

Fixing the Hole by Katherine Halle

Heavy rains and strong winds slammed an uprooted tree through Steve Crowell’s roof, leaving a gaping hole to match the one in his heart. After his ex left him for a younger man, Steve’s not sure he’s ready to handle another disaster. His best friend highly recommended the contractor, but the man’s already late, and when he shows up with his music thumping, Steve isn’t impressed—until Riley steps out of his pickup truck. Personable, gorgeous Riley talks a mile a minute, which Steve finds both ridiculously endearing and terrifying. Piecing together a heart isn’t as easy as fixing a roof, but Riley might just be the right man for the job.

Why you should read it: What a lovely novella! Sweet, adorable and absolutely charming. A quick read, worth every moment.

 

Apparently I like posting these things in threes. So be it, here have some recommendations:

- — - — - — - — -

Think of England by K.J. Charles

England, 1904. Two years ago, Captain Archie Curtis lost his friends, fingers, and future to a terrible military accident. Alone, purposeless and angry, Curtis is determined to discover if he and his comrades were the victims of fate, or of sabotage.

Curtis’s search takes him to an isolated, ultra-modern country house, where he meets and instantly clashes with fellow guest Daniel da Silva. Effete, decadent, foreign, and all-too-obviously queer, the sophisticated poet is everything the straightforward British officer fears and distrusts.

As events unfold, Curtis realizes that Daniel has his own secret intentions. And there’s something else they share—a mounting sexual tension that leaves Curtis reeling.

As the house party’s elegant facade cracks to reveal treachery, blackmail and murder, Curtis finds himself needing clever, dark-eyed Daniel as he has never needed a man before…

Why you should read it: I absolutely adored this book. Beautifully written suspense and romance. The historical details were vivid, consistent and often vital to the events unfolding throughout the story. Also relevant: this is a scorchingly hot read. The chemistry between the characters was gorgeous, and the steamy scenes were every bit as well written as the rest of the book. Major kudos to this one.

- — - — - — - — -

What Happens at the Tavern Stays at the Tavern: Epic Fantasy Quest Erotica edited by Jennifer Levine

Since Tolkien’s time, many authors have taken readers along on elaborate treks through fantastic worlds. In "What Happens at the Tavern Stays at the Tavern," we asked writers to tackle the pauses and interstices in a fantasy quest. What kinds of steamy adventures happen behind the scenes, when our heroes and heroines are trekking along their journey?

Why you should read it: This title is a collection of stories in a variety of flavors, and I very much enjoyed it. My particular favorites among a strong lineup are "Encounter at the Lonely Dragon" (by Elinore Gray) and "The Place Where Heroes Are Made" (by Sarah Ellis).

- — - — - — - — -

The Boss by Abigail Barnette

Sophie Scaife almost ran away once, trading her ticket to college for a ticket to Tokyo. But a delayed flight and a hot one-night stand with a stranger changed her mind, putting her firmly on track to a coveted position at a New York fashion magazine.

When the irresistible stranger from that one incredible night turns out to be her new boss – billionaire and publishing magnate Neil Elwood – Sophie can’t resist the chance to rekindle the spark between them… and the opportunity to explore her submissive side with the most Dominant man she’s ever known.


Neil is the only man who has ever understood Sophie’s need to submit in the bedroom, and the only man who has ever satisfied those desires. When their scorching, no-strings-attached sexual relationship becomes something more, Sophie must choose between her career and heart… or risk losing them both.

Why you should read it: Smart, sexy, beautifully written. Also free to download if it's the ebook version your interested in. The author hits you with a hell of a cliff-hanger at the end (it's the first in a series, so this isn't exactly a shock), but don't let that slow you down. Definitely worth the read. And though I haven't started it yet, I have ZERO regrets about buying the second book in this series. Can't wait to see where it goes next.

 

Maybe this is just me, but I've noticed a trend. The colder it gets, the more time I want to spend hiding like a burrito under a wall of blankets, reading whatever I can get my hands on. The sad truth about this urge is that I don't often get to indulge.

But it's still a nice way to finish a stressful day, and I'd like to recommend some of the things I've been enjoying when I get the chance.


- — - — - — - — -

Sweetwater by Lisa Henry

Wyoming Territory, 1870.

Elijah Carter is afflicted. Most of the townsfolk of South Pass City treat him as a simpleton because he’s deaf, but that’s not his only problem. Something in Elijah runs contrary to nature and to God. Something that Elijah desperately tries to keep hidden.

Harlan Crane, owner of the Empire saloon, knows Elijah for what he is—and for all the ungodly things he wants. But Crane isn’t the only one. Grady Mullins desires Elijah too, but unlike Crane, he refuses to push the kid.

When violence shatters Elijah’s world, he is caught between two very different men and two devastating urges: revenge, and despair. In a boomtown teetering on the edge of a bust, Elijah must face what it means to be a man in control of his own destiny, and choose a course that might end his life . . . or truly begin it for the very first time.

Why you should read it: I thought this book was incredibly well done, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. It's got some dark themes that the author faces head-on, and there are moments that Lisa Henry's vivid writing makes for a stark picture. I definitely count these things as strengths, and was impressed with the way Henry balanced the difficult elements of the story. I found the ending very satisfying (don't worry, no spoilers here). And as always, Henry's dialogue and character voices are wonderful from start to finish.

- — - — - — - — -

Going Home by Mychael Black

When Robbie’s father dies and he agrees to leave Baltimore for a backwoods farm in Alabama, he’s counting on a lot of things. A funeral. Problems with his brother Russ. A lot of time spent in the closet. What he doesn’t count on is the new farm hand, Seth. The handsome Texan has him drooling from the moment they meet, and has him well in hand not long after. That kind of comfort is just what he needs as family issues rear their ugly heads, but will it last for them after the first rush wears off?

Why you should read it: This was an excellent shorter story. Good writing, interesting characters, definitely one I enjoyed. There are further books in the series, though I haven't read them yet. You can find more complete info here if you're interested.

- — - — - — - — -

Hot off the Press Anthology from Dreamspinner Press

Words hold the power to hurt as well as heal, and choosing them is a complicated and delicate process. No one knows this better than the men who work with them every day. Authors, reporters, reviewers and publishers struggle to balance truth, art, long hours, and stressful jobs. Whether they’re trying to write a novel or advance a career, it can leave little time for love. The men in this anthology are seeking romance on and off the job, in print and online, against backdrops of fact, fiction, and even fantasy. Their tales are different but have one thing in common—there’s a happy ending waiting on the last page.

Why you should read it: This is a solid anthology with a huge variety of stories, but there were three in particular that really got under my skin and blew me away...

On the Shelf by Eliza Maszar
I really loved both setup and execution in this one. Very sweet and well thought out, and I can't wait to see more by this writer.

Author's Notes by Kim Dias
I thought the characters in this story were just brilliantly done, and the whole thing was written beautifully in a style that took some fun chances and worked extremely well. This one really got to me.

Role Model by Becky Black
I thought the author did a fantastic job with the higher stakes in this story. The characters are coming from very different places, and Becky Black handles the inevitable conflicts and roadblocks in a way that felt incredibly genuine.

 

Here is a shocking confession: I like to read stuff.

Lately, for various reasons (some more exciting than others), I've been short on time for such pursuits. But just the same I've come across some wonderful things, and when that happens I like to share. Lots of the books and stories I love come to me by way of recommendations, so please, if you'll indulge me... I'd like to share a couple recommendations with YOU.


- -- - -- - -- - -- -

Widdershins by Jordan L. Hawk

Repressed scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne has two skills: reading dead languages and hiding in his office at the Ladysmith Museum. After the tragic death of the friend he secretly loved, he’s ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man.

So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible. Griffin left the Pinkertons following the death of his partner, hoping to start a new life. But the powerful cult which murdered Glenn has taken root in Widdershins, and only the spells in the book can stop them. Spells the intellectual Whyborne doesn’t believe are real.

As the investigation draws the two men closer, Griffin’s rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne’s iron control. When the cult resurrects an evil sorcerer who commands terrifying monsters, can Whyborne overcome his fear and learn to trust? Will Griffin let go of his past and risk falling in love? Or will Griffin’s secrets cost Whyborne both his heart and his life?

Why you should read it:
"Widdershins" is the start of the "Whyborne & Griffin" series, and I purchased the rest of the books before I'd even finished reading the first. Hawk does a wonderful job with tension and atmosphere, painting a likable narrator into a well-paced adventure. I thought the horror and mystery elements were especially well done, and I was even more impressed by the dialogue. It can be tough to get the tone right in a historical setting, and Hawk does a wonderful job.

- -- - -- - -- - -- -

Dry Bones by Lucius Parhelion

New Mexico Territory in 1896 wasn't the easiest place for a couple of cowboys to make a living. Being fired from their last spread for refusing to illegally evict a family of grangers was an unexpected blow. Just as well that Joss quickly found work for himself and his partner Ox, carting around giant lizard bones for a wealthy Eastern greenhorn afraid of bone rustlers.

Joss had no way of knowing that Ox and their new employer had already met. Given Ox's stolid silence, Joss had also never suspected the secrets buried deeper than any dried-up bones in Ox's past. And Joss had surely never realized what hidden feelings underlay their partnership.

Now Joss will have to decide what Ox's friendship is truly worth, he’ll have to make some hard choices, if he can survive those dried-up bones long enough to find the time to choose.

Why you should read it:
"Dry Bones" is a really fun story. I actually read it quite some time ago, but it's one that has stuck with me. I really liked the setup (dinosaur bones!) and the writing, and if you have a chance I definitely recommend checking it out.

- -- - -- - -- - -- -

Dark Space by Lisa Henry

Brady Garrett needs to go home. Brady’s a conscripted recruit on Defender Three, one of a network of stations designed to protect the Earth from alien attack. Brady is angry, homesick, and afraid. If he doesn’t get home he’ll lose his family, but there’s no way back except in a body bag. 

Cameron Rushton needs a heartbeat. Four years ago Cam was taken by the Faceless — the alien race that almost destroyed Earth. Now he’s back, and when the doctors make a mess of getting him out of stasis, Brady becomes his temporary human pacemaker. Except they’re sharing more than a heartbeat: they’re sharing thoughts, memories, and some very vivid dreams.

Not that Brady’s got time to worry about his growing attraction to another guy, especially the one guy in the universe who can read his mind. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just biochemistry and electrical impulses. It doesn’t change the truth: Brady’s alone in the universe. 

Now the Faceless are coming and there’s nothing anyone can do. You can’t stop your nightmares. Cam says everyone will live, but Cam’s probably a traitor and a liar like the military thinks. But that’s okay. Guys like Brady don’t expect happy endings. 

Why you should read it:
"Dark Space" is an intense read, starring complicated characters who are stuck coping with a difficult situation. On the sci-fi side of things, Henry has done a terrific job creating a vivid and gritty world — both on a grand scale, and in the more immediate setting. The character voices are BEAUTIFULLY crafted, the people every bit as vivid as the fucked up world they inhabit. It's an impressive feat, and I loved this book for it.

 

First person POV and I don't always get along, so this was a little ways outside my comfort zone. As with my other dabblings, this story is just a short and self-contained little thing, not part of a greater whole. Just a quick little piece of fluff, which I hope you enjoy.

Testing the Waters
by Yolande Kleinn

"Did you mean it?" Julian asked. "What you said before. About me. Was it true?"

For a moment I was too shocked that he was even talking to me to form a coherent response. After my wretchedly awkward confession, what could he possibly hope I'd say?

"Mason." He snapped his fingers in front of my face as though not sure I was even seeing him. "Mason, come on, man. You can't go catatonic on me, we need to talk."

( Read more... )