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Branded by Flames

Book Review of Branded by Flames (Dragon Soul #1), by Sean Michael

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Branded by FlamesI received a copy of Sean Michael‘s Branded by Flames from Netgalley.

Description from Goodreads:
For years, dragon-shifter-slash-firefighter Jake has been searching for his mate, but he’s beginning to tire of the search. Maybe soul mates are only for the lucky few. 

Then he meets Shae. 

A former navy welder, Shae is handsome, talented, into power play and rough sex, and covered in dragon tattoos. All of this suits the shape-shifting dragon just fine—until he finds out that Shae literally has Jake’s family crest already tattooed on him. A coincidence? Or something more… 

Jake must convince Shae to trust him as a man and as a Dom before the heat between them burns out of control. Becoming a dragon’s mate is not without danger, and Shae will need Jake’s guidance—and love—if he’s going to make it through alive. 

Review:
This has dragon shifters. Dragon shifters! I should have loved it. But I’m afraid I just didn’t. The book is too long by half and it’s all sex. I mean ALL SEX.

I understand that it is erotica, not romance. (Though, I didn’t realize that when I requested it from Netgalley.) So, it’s fine that the focus is on sex not relationships, but it is not enough to carry such a long book. I got so tired of sex scenes. You wouldn’t expect them to bore a person, but when it’s just the same thing on repeat, that’s what it is, boring. I literally fell asleep at one point!

And it was painfully repetitive. I mean, there are only so many ways to describe two men having sex. The word ass is used 168 times and cock 202 times, in the novel. Now, the book is 216 pages long. That means that once you take out the front and back matter, it’s basically once per page. So, you can estimate how much non-sex plot there is. Hint: essentially none. It might have worked for 75-100 pages, because Shae and Jake are likable, but not 200.

It also uses one of my personal pet peeves. I hate the whole ‘boy’ thing in BDSM books. Totally personal, that; probably doesn’t annoy others like it does me. But it’s nails on a chalk board, as far as I’m concerned. Maybe it’s because I’m from the American South and, while there is definitely a traditional power play involved in the term, it’s not one I find sexy in the least. In fact, I always unconsciously read it with an unnatural emphasis that rips me right out of a narrative. I just really hate it.

I also disliked that Shae started the book as a somewhat butch, tattooed, pierced, ex-Navy welder and as soon as Jake showed up, he turned into a rather camp ‘queen.’ Either would be fine, but the personality shift was jarring.

Outside of these irritants the writing is fine and there is some humor in the book. Plus, I rather enjoyed Jake’s uncertainties, though I also thought they didn’t match the rest of his character. I appreciated that Shae was supposed to be almost 40. It’s so rare to find older romantic leads. And, of course, the whole this is about dragons, which is always a plus for me.

In the end, I think this may just be a case of a poor pairing between a reader and book.

In Vogue

Book Review of In Vogue, by Lucia Laurent

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In VogueI won a copy of In Vogue, by Lucia Laurent through Goodreads.

Description:
King of New York fashion and editor-in-chief of the prestigious Couture magazine, Miles Brodeur loves his demanding job and a routine that means he always knows what’s coming next. Deeply involved in the magazine’s content and culture, Miles doesn’t have the time or the desire for a relationship.

Alexander Mackenzie is a former model turned magazine editor who is just learning about the politics that exist at the intersection of high fashion and publishing. He’s always dreamt of turning Miles’ head and one night, at a glamorous party, his fantasy becomes reality. But Miles’ workaholic nature conflicts with Alexander’s belief that “there’s more to life than what’s printed on the pages of a magazine.”

Despite their fundamental differences, Alexander can’t help but follow Miles back to New York, and once there it becomes clear their association could be addicting–and possibly life-changing.

Set in a world where the beauty of art and the written word collide, Miles is confronted by a fundamental question: is someone ever worth slowing down for?

Review:
This book is 428 pages long, with a plot that might have successfully carried 128. It is faaaaar too long and, well, dull. And over-written. And purple. And largely tell, as opposed to show. And written in third person, present tense, which provides and uncomfortable distance between the reader and the characters. And cluttered with brand names/outfit descriptions, which ok, it’s about fashion. But man did I get tired of it. Plus, while I know fashion can be out there sometimes, some of the outfits sounded ridiculously not sexy, like shorts and cowboy boots…together.

Then there was the sex. The scenes were too long and too frequent and every one was spitting and drooling in all of them. One messy scene could have made a point, but every one? I got grossed out eventually. Plus, the author used the same phrases over and over again to describe them.

Then there were the POV issues. The book is predominantly, like 90% from Miles’ point of view. But every now and again Alexander’s would get thrown in, and instead of feeling deliberate, it felt like a slip, simply because it was so rare. Conversely, there were times that if both POVs were meant to be shown, Alexander’s were sorely missing.

The book has a great cover and some of the passages are quite pretty, but I basically just had to skim the last bit because I just couldn’t take any more. I didn’t connect with the characters. I didn’t enjoy the flood of clothing. I didn’t think Miles’ behaviors or change of heart felt natural. All in all, this one was a fail for me. Many people like it though.

Bonfire

Book Review of Bonfire (Hours of the Night #1.5), by Irene Preston & Liv Rancourt

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BonfireIrene Preston and Liv Rancourt sent me a copy of Bonfire for the purposes of review. I reviewed the first in the series earlier in the year.

Description from Goodreads:
Thaddeus and Sarasija are spending the holidays on the bayou, and while the vampire’s idea of Christmas cheer doesn’t quite match his assistant’s, they’re working on a compromise. Before they can get the tree trimmed, they’re interrupted by the appearance of the feu follet. The ghostly lights appear in the swamp at random and lead even the locals astray.

When the townsfolk link the phenomenon to the return of their most reclusive neighbor, suspicion falls on Thaddeus. These lights aren’t bringing glad tidings, and if Thad and Sara can’t find their source, the feu follet might herald a holiday tragedy for the whole town.

Review:
If anything, I think this might be slightly better than the first in the series. The reader feels closer to the characters and Thaddeus isn’t quite so mired in his guilt. It was fun to see the him and Sara in a more settled, domesticated period.

It is of course a novella, so the plot isn’t overly involved and there is little build up to the climax that is settled with such ease as to be slightly disappointing. But it had a very sweet Christmas themed ending and is a wonderful little story to hold readers over until the next book comes out. Though, I think it would be most enjoyed if you’ve read Vespers, it does stand alone.

As a bonus, the authors happen to be running a giveaway for a $20 gift card. Why not check it out?
a Rafflecopter giveaway