M. L. Rhodes

I’m not sure what made me pick this book out of my M/M pile, but I’m glad I did. I enjoyed the author’s novel, Couplings but for some reason never got around to another of her works until now. This was a solid, very enjoyable romance. There are two novellas included, though they feel like one novel.

Ethan and Will have been friends since they were kids. And have secretly been in love with one another almost as long. I’ve seen this premise dozens of times in romance, but Rhodes adds show more some nuances that make it feel fresh. The men unexpectedly reveal their feelings one night, fueled by alcohol of course, BUT they don’t jump instantly into happy couplehood. Ethan leaves the next morning for his job, and doesn’t come back for three years! The author weaves a little mystery about what Ethan’s job really is (any reader paying attention will guess) but what I liked most about the development was how Will’s character evolved during that time. He was shy, and not really motivated in the beginning. When Ethan didn’t return, he was devastated but decided to make a fresh start on his life. He moved, found a job he loved and became his own man. Ethan does return, and Will forgives him (no real spoiler seeing as this is romance) after learning the horrible truth of why he never came back. Yet, that time apart ultimately changed the dynamic of their relationship – for the better.

The second novella begins right after they become a couple, which is why the books feels like one novel instead of two stories. A man from Ethan’s past returns bent on revenge. I’ve also read this plot before. But, Rhodes takes it in a very dark direction I never expected. Ethan and Will are kidnapped, and essentially tortured. As R.Parklane pointed out, some of the scenes were difficult to read – especially in a romance. I like these characters and it was hard to see them suffer. We got the requisite happily ever after, but they had to work for it.

Overall, an excellent read with plenty of steamy, graphic sex, tenderness and even some humor. Highly recommended. show less

This book really clicked with me - I loved it! The tension between the two MCs in the first part was really well written. Then a bit of angst over miscommunication *sigh*, two beautiful men with great hearts (and fab tatts), and a HFN ending. Yum.

Have to buy the next one now :)

A classically typical good vs. evil (urban) fantasy tale... Alec is an Illinois cop. Christian is a mage and the head of the English Bureau which hunts down criminal magic users-- pretending to be a cop in order to solve a case.

The book was a real page-turner with plenty of action and suspense, as well as some great steamy scenes. Admittedly, the end is never in doubt and the big-bad-evil-guy is purely central casting, but the other characters (even the bit-part characters) are show more multi-dimensional and interesting. I felt the story had a lot of heart; the author honestly considered the characters' feelings and motivations and they made sense within the story. It was also well-written in a technical sense. Very enjoyable. show less

I feel like I should probably give it 4 stars...but I want to give it 5, so screw off, niggling doubts and uncertainty!

I loved this book, and I don't even know 100% why, but it had action, dragons, a love I could see coming a mile off, some predictability, but then some things towards the end that I didn't think would pan out like they did; so some good and some bad, but all in all, it was very enjoyable, quick-paced, and a bundle of fun to read.

I love, and was totally in the mood for, this show more type of world--the medieval, supernatural type--populated with strong, powerful, good men and written into a good plot (with good villains), so this was a perfect read for me yesterday, and it worked for me big time :)

Looking forward to book 2. I know which draegan is about to turn bad! show less