The Englor Affair

The Book Report: This is a sci-Regency. That means a Regency romance set in outer space, don't bother asking how it works or this whole review will be wasted on you. It's also a smutty gay-sex romp written by a very nice straight lady.

If you're still here, we'll get to the plot: The Queen of Englor, an Earth colony that's chosen Regency England as its societal model, is a nasty, homophobic gambling addict whose son and heir happens to be a big ol' 'mo with a taste for chicken (men younger than the subject). He's also a Marine Colonel, a gym rat, and as heir to the throne, PRIME marriage material. He's been dodging scheming mamas and aunties at Almack's for most of his life. Colonel Hollister, Our Lantern-Jawed (and big-eared) Hero, show more discovers that his revolting Mama is up to her hiney in badness...she's being blackmailed to deliver to Persons Unknown some schematics for something the Englor Marines have designed that's so secret that even the heir to the throne/Colonel Hollister doesn't even know what it is.

So, it's a romance, and that means a counterparty: Prince Payton Townsend of Regelence, another Regency-based society, is a nineteen-year-old computer genius and son of the King of Regelence and his Consort. No, not Queen, Consort. A Man...and a very studly one. Payton's younger brother has just married a Captain in the Interplanetary Navy (subject of a previous book, My Fair Captain), who also happens to be the heir to an Englorian Dukedom. Englorian spying on Regelence has been discovered, an investigation takes place, Payton meets Colonel Hollister the heir to the homophobic Queen, sparks fly, virginities are lost, tops bottom, and all sorts of runnin' from pillar to post takes place. There is an agreeable amount of very, very dirty sex. The expected miscommunications and misunderstandings and emotional angst takes place, and in the end (pun optional), Our Hero and his little bit of stuff are married and parents and just gooily happy.

My Review: Well, it ain't for everybody, but I really, really, really liked it. Is it a perfect novel? Oh heavens no. Someone needed to guide Ms. Langley to a few of the more obvious embellishments that a spy thriller really needs, and the world-building that a sci-fi novel needs is woefully absent.

But the love story is charming. The sex is waaay smutty, exactly as sex should be. (My father said it best, during his first teenaged-indiscretion talk with me: "If you can do it in front of me, you're doing it wrong. So don't do it until you need to close the door. If you need to *lock* the door, you're doing good.") So why do I like the book so much, given its flaws? Because these characters are not in any way conflicted about themselves. True, the Englorian heir is closeted, but he never feels he's bad or wrong, he feels he's put-upon and wastes little time in angsting over what he wants, just over not being able to see how he can have it. That's an adult dilemma, not a boring coming-out story suitable for kids. I am so weary of coming out stories I could urp. I was never in, really, so coming out didn't make a big impression on me. (Yes, yes, married two women, had two children, but never ever hid my true nature from anyone.) Chacun a son gout, of course, but I for one am not buyin' any more gay fiction with the words "teen" or "awaken" or "life-changing decision" in the sales copy.

So should y'all read it? Maybe. Sex is rampant in these pages. Don't pick it up...heck, don't even look at the *cover*, if you're not into big, hairy-chested semi-nude studmuffins *drifts off to Bermuda for a moment* sorry, where was I, oh yeah so if anything here makes you gag, leave it. If you're squirming a little, try it. The rest of us are waaay ahead of you. show less

I absolutely loved My Fair Captain, so I was excited for this sequel. Langley has a created a unique world with all the trappings and mood of Regency England paired with the freedom of a futuristic science fiction world. In MFC, readers were introduced to planet Regelence, where the aristocracy is genetically bred to be gay males, and young Lords are treated and protected like young Ladies of the Old World (e.g., chaperons, arranged marriage, etc). The main advantage to these dukes, earls and the like being in the future, other than cool SciFi gizmos and spaceships, is the acceptance of homosexuality. In this sequel, readers are taken to planet Englor, also a regency society, but where homosexuality is not viewed so favorably. Admiral show more Hawkins has brought Prince Payton along in disguise as a fleet lieutenant in order to use his computer skills to expose the conspiracy discovered in MFC. However, Payton takes advantage of not being under watch by a chaperon to try his hand at spying. Instead, he falls in love with Englor's heir to the throne, Simon Hollister.

While each novel features a different couple for the romance, there is an underlying storyline that began in MFC and continues here. The downside to this is that, apparently, the mystery will span multiple books. The mystery is further developed, but readers are left with a distinct cliffhanger. This is especially disappointing since there is no expected date for the next book. However, the romance is very satisfying - at least for those that like the alpha male/small bottom dynamic, and frequent explicit sex (which I do). I do hope that the next book does not continue the trend wherein the couple ends up being married because the prince was "compromised." It would be nice to see a planned wedding and all the accompanying drama of such that is also often found in traditional regency romances. Overall, an enjoyable sequel. show less

This book was mega-tons better than book #1 for me!

I liked [b:My Fair Captain|2403922|My Fair Captain (Sci-Regency #1)|J.L. Langley|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1313623410s/2403922.jpg|2411061] but I wanted a little more...something. I couldn't name it but, I found it.

Ding, ding, ding!



Man I zipped through this! (Oh how I've missed blasting through a novel late into the night, it's been awhile)

I was hooked from the first page especially once I knew a ginger alpha MC was involved: I can help but picture Seth Fornea as Simon

Plus my favorite time period to read about? Regency. And this mixed with sci-fi - I must be honest I didn't expect to work but it TOTALLY did.

Prince Payton, Aiden's older, computer genius brother is show more acting as a spy on the stuffy regency plant Englor. He finally get to lose his chaperones and pretend to be a normal person for awhile. But then Prince Hot Ginge aka heir to planet Englor's throne, Simon steps into the scene and makes cocks stiffen and legs quiver.



Both men can't deny the sexual napalm their desire was. Both try to hide who they are, sneak around, have some fun but that pesky emotion called love develops and its a fun ride to the L word.

And the dirty talk?

I must bust out my Tim Allen grunt:



And...wait there's more than just sex.

PLOT!



There seems to be a conspiracy brewing from book #1 and in The Englor Affair" another juicy piece of the puzzle has been revealed. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to watch it unfold.

We get to seem Payton blossom into his own. I think he and Simon are perfect for each other and I liked how their HEA progressed. There is still a lot of characters but it was easier to navigate this time around. I liked that Payton found his man off planet Regelance because his family while well meaning can be a little cloying.

And was it 100% perfect? No...but the minor niggles I had: the silly miscommunication, MANTEARS (albeit briedf still not a fan) are minuscule blips on my rating.

4.75 STARS



Might not be for everyone but it was definitely worth it for me." show less

n hiding who he was, Payton found himself…and the man he would grow to love.
After his brother is kidnapped, Prince Payton Townsend masquerades as an Admiral’s assistant in order to track the culprits through the tangled mysteries of the planet Englor. He finds way more than he bargained for in the form of Marine Colonel Simon Hollister.
Simon is no ordinary soldier. He’s heir to Englor and his life is mapped out for him: throne, bride, and eventually an heir. He never expected a dalliance with Payton to blossom into love, or that the organization that taught him to lead would threaten that love-and their lives.
Danger and intrigue abound as they learn more about their shared enemy, and about each other. What they learn could help show more them rise above to an enduring love-or pull them apart.
From Samhain Publishing.

So after months of teasers about Payton and Simon the boys are finally here. If you’ve not already got this weighty tome of an ebook, best you shift your toot and get it now. It is 295 pages of delicious Sci-Regency Romance that is not to be missed.

One element that I kept coming back to in this book is that it is a regency romance. Payton for all intents and purposes has been as cloistered as a nun. Despite the odd foray without a chaperone, also known as the household computer back on his home planet, he is quite innocent in many ways. All this comes to a bit of an end when he hies off to assist the goodness that is Nate on a dangerous mission on Englor. He is certainly more than capable with his mad tech skills. Geeky and cute!

So, here he is far from his home on Regelence and minus duenna. What’s a poor boy to do? Fall into the den of iniquity that is the marine base gym of course! Hoo Ahh? Where he meets Simon of the auburn locks and muscular physique. The dynamic between the two men is electric and Payton is like a kid in a candy shop (50 cent song in my head as I write… grubby, bad man) with all the naked men casually undressing, working out and heavens to Betsy showering. But Payton is made of sturdy stuff and does not disappoint with a swoon. Although, he does do a bit of fleeing later in the chapter. JL Langley is just so incredibly good at building that tension and keeping you turning that page till the wee small hours. I totally have bags under my eyes after her books!

The sexual tension was different from My Fair Captain which was cool. I always worry in a series that I am going to get a carbon copy of the previous book. The voice is different from last time. It is certainly not polite regency romance sex with nighties on and the lamp low either! It was bawdy, hot and definitely fit the the story and for those more delecate flowers avert your gaze. I was most impressed that the scenes did not feel like she had a list she was ticking off with big free for all at end, it just flowed. This book seemed less about the power dynamic in the relationship and more about having one hell of a time and yet it did not overshadow the mystery and action in the plot.

The world building is tight and I enjoyed the almost steam punk feel I got occasionally. Englor is so very much like regency England but with spaceships. It was also so nice to have small cameos from Nate, Aidan and the rest of the family and I am already rubbing my hands together in anticipation of the next one!

I think this has to be one of my favorite series for cover art. As far as slick marketing goes I think Samhain Publishing and the artist definitely got this right. It is gorgeous and I love the colours. Roll on the paperback version because these two books are going to look gorgeous on my shelf!

I did enjoy this book. Immensely. I think JL Langley is a talented author and she just keeps getting better. I am not sure which I like best in the series either, might have to mull that one over!
http://sharrow.wordpress.com show less

I thoroughly enjoyed The Englor Affair! The issues I had with My Fair Captain weren't there and the romance totally drew me in.

Englor is a planet where people live in a Regency England-type society. Unlike Regelence, same sex unions are frowned upon, and there's actually a group of people who want to make it homosexuality illegal. Regelence is the planet in My Fair Captain - also based upon Regency England society, but where men marry men and use a cloning/artificial insemination procedure to procure their male heirs.

So Payton is the brother of Aiden, one of the heroes from MFC. Aiden and Payton (and the rest of their siblings) are princes on Regelence. Aiden in MFC married Nathaniel Hawkins, an admiral from Englor. The people of Englor show more adore Nate and see him as a hero. But some of the population sneer at his marriage. In MFC, events occurred that led to the discovery of a possible spy from Englor. And that's why Payton is accompanying Nate to Englor - to hack into the computer system and see what he can find. He's masquerading as Nate's lieutenant to get on base.

Simon Hollister is a Colonel in the Englor Marines. He knows there's plots and scheming going on and he believes his mother is in the middle of it. Also his friend who was on Regelence has not reported back in a few months and he needs to discover his whereabouts. In the midst of this, The Admiral (Nate) has come to do a base inspection (really a cover) and Simon questions if that's really why the Admiral is on Englor.

There's the basic set up of why Payton has arrived on Englor. Another biggie - Payton as a young lord on Regelence, would have been chaperoned everywhere he went. You see, his virtue is of utmost importance. On Englor, there's no need for a chaperone...meaning he absolutely needs one! With freedom, Payton meets a fellow at the gym on base and he's utterly enthralled. Little does he realize that the man who's seducing him could be a potential threat to Regelence.

Obviously, Simon is no threat to Regelence. Let's just get that out of the way. And then Simon and Payton hook up and it is gooooood. I loved the scenes between these two! Simon is a leader of men but has to hide his true desires. He's very careful but he wishes he could be who is is without having to hide. Because Simon is also a prince. And on Englor, he'll have to marry a woman and provide an heir. And Payton was only supposed to stay on Englor for a few days, and Simon hates the thought of him leaving. I loved Simon - he's alpha and protective and even there's a scene when he's get's jealous of the fact that Payton appears to be flirting with another man. And you all know how I love jealousy (in small doses LOL).

Payton was cute. Although not alpha like Simon, he knew how to take charge when it mattered. (And those were yummy scenes) What I liked about Payton and Simon together was that their relationship seemed more equal. In MFC, the relationship between Nate and Aiden didn't feel that way - so I'm glad that this was not the case between Payton and Simon. Payton stood up to Simon and even though Simon kind of became overprotective, Payton showed him he could take care of himself.

All in all, the Englor Affair was delightful and I'm glad I went back to that world. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed The Englor Affair! The issues I had with My Fair Captain weren't there and the romance totally drew me in.

Englor is a planet where people live in a Regency England-type society. Unlike Regelence, same sex unions are frowned upon, and there's actually a group of people who want to make it homosexuality illegal. Regelence is the planet in My Fair Captain - also based upon Regency England society, but where men marry men and use a cloning/artificial insemination procedure to procure their male heirs.

So Payton is the brother of Aiden, one of the heroes from MFC. Aiden and Payton (and the rest of their siblings) are princes on Regelence. Aiden in MFC married Nathaniel Hawkins, an admiral from Englor. The people of Englor show more adore Nate and see him as a hero. But some of the population sneer at his marriage. In MFC, events occurred that led to the discovery of a possible spy from Englor. And that's why Payton is accompanying Nate to Englor - to hack into the computer system and see what he can find. He's masquerading as Nate's lieutenant to get on base.

Simon Hollister is a Colonel in the Englor Marines. He knows there's plots and scheming going on and he believes his mother is in the middle of it. Also his friend who was on Regelence has not reported back in a few months and he needs to discover his whereabouts. In the midst of this, The Admiral (Nate) has come to do a base inspection (really a cover) and Simon questions if that's really why the Admiral is on Englor.

There's the basic set up of why Payton has arrived on Englor. Another biggie - Payton as a young lord on Regelence, would have been chaperoned everywhere he went. You see, his virtue is of utmost importance. On Englor, there's no need for a chaperone...meaning he absolutely needs one! With freedom, Payton meets a fellow at the gym on base and he's utterly enthralled. Little does he realize that the man who's seducing him could be a potential threat to Regelence.

Obviously, Simon is no threat to Regelence. Let's just get that out of the way. And then Simon and Payton hook up and it is gooooood. I loved the scenes between these two! Simon is a leader of men but has to hide his true desires. He's very careful but he wishes he could be who is is without having to hide. Because Simon is also a prince. And on Englor, he'll have to marry a woman and provide an heir. And Payton was only supposed to stay on Englor for a few days, and Simon hates the thought of him leaving. I loved Simon - he's alpha and protective and even there's a scene when he's get's jealous of the fact that Payton appears to be flirting with another man. And you all know how I love jealousy (in small doses LOL).

Payton was cute. Although not alpha like Simon, he knew how to take charge when it mattered. (And those were yummy scenes) What I liked about Payton and Simon together was that their relationship seemed more equal. In MFC, the relationship between Nate and Aiden didn't feel that way - so I'm glad that this was not the case between Payton and Simon. Payton stood up to Simon and even though Simon kind of became overprotective, Payton showed him he could take care of himself.

All in all, the Englor Affair was delightful and I'm glad I went back to that world. show less

4.5 stars.

I loved it - only the ending was a bit slower than the rest of the book (hence the .5 star deduction); but this wasn't assisted by the fact that, yet again, the last 20 pages had to be set aside as other priorities in life took over :(

I enjoyed the overall story arc better than the first book. This was probably assisted by the fact that I was already familiar with the world (which bugged me a bit in the first book). The character friction and plot scenarios were very well written and the sex scenes were excellent ;) I had put this book off over 9 months, and as usual, I wish I hadn't!

So many great books, so little time :)