Candi Kay

Blake the Rogue Reindeer & His Cocky Human is the third book in the ‘Willy the Kinky Elf and His Bad-Ass Reindeer’ series. This story stars Blake, who appeared in the second book, and Seth Grant, a writer. This is told in first person from Blake’s pov.



When I started reading this story, I thought nothing could top Willy the Kinky Elf, but this one does. The first book was funny and sexy. This one was funny, sexy and had loads of emotional intensity. The blurb does a good job of show more explaining the plot so I won’t add too much to that. Blake the Bully Reindeer from the second book is back. He’s been in rehab and now he’s been assigned to watch over the human, Seth, when he gets out. Blake doesn’t want to do it, but agrees, then changes his mind when he sees who it is. As the story progresses Blake and Seth find out more about each other, Blake has to deal with everyone’s negative attitudes towards him, and Seth gets acquainted with the elves. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are still up to no good.

The author has a talent for writing distinctive characters. Blake is nothing like his book two character and the readers find out why. He’s ashamed of his past behavior, makes apologies and tries to do his best, but it’s hard because so many elves and reindeer still despise him for what he did. Some forgive him; others are ‘wait and see’. Blake is still a rogue in a way; he’s always followed his own path, so it’s hard for him to conform to what is expected of him. Derek is the bad guy in this book. He can’t get over what Blake did to Evan, and he doesn’t behave well. Seth is the perfect character to stand up to Blake. He’s not afraid of him, doesn’t care about his past reputation, and Seth is full of encouragement, which is what Blake needs to hear. Seth and Blake are perfect for each other.

The emotional intensity was higher in this story. The author did a great job of conveying Blake’s remorse. He wanted to do well, but sometimes situations got too much for him. I could feel his sadness and how he didn’t feel like he deserved happiness or to be forgiven. Blake’s emotions is what ranks this book higher for me than Willy’s story. Willy’s story was fun, but this one is more serious. Not that there aren’t fun times in this one, just wait until the toy shop scene, it’s hilarious.

I really enjoyed Blake the Rogue Reindeer & His Cocky Human. It’s difficult to say it’s my favorite, since I enjoyed the first story also, but this one edges out Willy’s story just because it had more depth to it. I give this story a solid 5 Stars.

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2.5 stars

Blake is being released early after his shenanigans from the last book. (Did we really find out what the consequences were for his actions and why he did them in the last book? I honestly don't remember it. I mean, I remember what he did, but I was surprised where we started out with Blake in this one. *ahem* Anyway...) His task is to distract a human that is being allowed in to the North Pole. Blake doesn't really like humans, or anyone other than reindeer, and when it turns out show more that Blake as met this particular human before, things get a little shaky and Blake doesn't think that he'll be able to do what is asked of him. But other things are afoot, and Blake and Seth have an instant attraction to each other, so even though any relationship is doomed because of the whole "can't know about the North Pole" thing, Blake and Seth can't help themselves.

I honestly don't know why I don't like this series better. It just...I don't know. There isn't a lot of story to them, but it's not just that. I did like that Blake and Seth kind of just went with the flow and didn't angst too much about hooking up. And I liked the fact that Randy is apparently omniscient but as long as things weren't impacting in a bad way, he allowed it to happen, even if it wasn't technically adhering to the terms. Blake was sorry for what he did, and he was sincere, and I really liked that his family was there for him, that they didn't turn him away. And Santa and Mrs. Claus are...hoo-boy. Neither of them come across too well. I mean, I think we're supposed to like or feel sorry for one of them, but I really don't. I think I'll probably eventually read the whole series, I'm just not rushing to do it. show less

Dylan the Bad Boy Reindeer & His Virtuous Mate is the fifth book in the ‘Willy the Kinky Elf’ series. This story is told in first person through the eyes of Dylan, a tough reindeer from Mistletoe Hill, and Cole Crawford, a respected jewelry designer at the North Pole.

3.5 Stars



The blurb does a good job explaining the plot so I won’t go into it much further. The book picks up at the Christmas party from Book 4 and is a more serious story. There’s more mystery added to the overall show more arching series plot and this book sort of ends on a cliff-hanger with what happens to Mrs. Claus and who really is Dylan’s biological father?. I hope the author answers the Dylan question before the series ends. I’m sure some readers will like the mystery to remain a mystery, but I’m not one of them. I prefer mysteries are solved.

Speaking of mysteries, that’s one of the things the author does well in these stories. Each book has its own little mystery that’s usually tied up at the end, but larger mysteries are carried from story to story. The biggest mystery is Santa. How did he come into existence, what will happen between him and Mrs. Claus? Personally, I hope he dumps her and finds someone who will make him happy. And what really was his relationship to Dylan and Dylan’s mother? If you read this book, you’ll learn Santa isn’t on the up and up when it comes to Dylan.

The characters Dylan and Cole worked well together. Dylan dreamed of a stable, loving home and family, and he found it in Cole. Cole considered himself boring, but the author did a good job of conveying Cole’s down to earth personality, his steadiness, and his lack of judgment when it came to Dylan’s past. I believed in these two as a couple.

I didn’t quite enjoy this book as much as the others because of some issues that popped up. I thought Willy didn’t sound like Willy. His jokes and personality seemed more forced than in previous books. Like he was trying too hard. Also, most of the time the author’s writing style flows easily from one scene to the next in all the books, but sometimes in this one, it didn’t feel like that. The last thing I noticed started in Book 4, but I thought it was a one-book thing, the author’s use of the word, ‘lean’. For example, “The reindeer leaned on the post,” “The elf leaned on the desk, lamppost, door…” etc. It’s probably just me, but I notice when actions or words are overused, especially something like ‘leaned,’ which is more unusual than ‘smiled’ or ‘grinned’, making the word stick out when it’s used.

Dylan the Bad Boy Reindeer is an enjoyable read despite the few issues I had with it. I believed in Dylan and Cole as a couple and I liked the mystery. I put my request in to the author and hope that she reveals the final mystery I mentioned earlier. I know I’ll be very disappointed if the series ends without the answer to Dylan’s question. Anyway, this is a fun addition to the series and I give this book 4 Stars.

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Kane the Fake Elf and His Sexy Mall Santa is the story of Kane, a mall Elf, and Sam, the new hot Santa.



Kane is working as a mall Elf while studying to become a pediatric nurse. This year the mall has hired a hot sexy Santa named Sam. Kane and Sam don’t hit it off right away. In fact, throughout this book there’s a lot of pushing and stepping back by both men. It’s like a wary dance as they circle around each other.

The story is told in what I think is first person present tense, show more through Kane’s eyes. I don’t like first person present tense; it usually gives the narrator a flat voice. I’ve read the Willy the Kinky Elf series and Kane’s voice didn’t come across as lively and fun as the Willy series, so I didn’t enjoy Kane as a character as much as I could have. I also didn’t care much for his vacillation about having a relationship with Sam even though it was understandable. I wish this were a two-pov story because I didn’t get a good feel for Sam, except for his profession and how he related to his kids. As for his kids, I loved Elliot. For me, he was the best character in the whole book.

As usual, the author does a good job with the plot, creating situations that are different from what I usually read in MM romances. I want to add that the Epilogue was great, a perfect ending to the story.

Overall, Kane the Fake Elf and His Sexy Mall Santa was a pleasant read, but I really liked the Willy series more. I’m sure the present tense narration dampened my enjoyment of this book, but I’m guessing others will enjoy it. I give this story, 3 Stars.

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