The Auction by Tiffany Reisz

 

 Original Sinners 0.2

 

Blurb

 

You're invited to New York City's hottest dating event: Kingsley Edge's annual King's Trust Charity Auction.

New on the auction block this year is Daniel, a wealthy widower and Dominant. However, he happens to have his eyes on another first-timer in the club's auction: Anya, a strikingly beautiful virgin submissive from his native Canada.

Too bad Anya hates him on sight. Or does she? There's a fine line between hatred and burning passion, and Daniel is determined to bring Anya across it. Now let the bidding begin....

 

Review

 

It is no secret I’m a huge fan of Tiffany Reisz’s Original Sinners series. Less well-known is that I’ve had a reading crush on Daniel since I first encountered him in these stories. Just my luck that he’s a dominant who features a lot less frequently than Kingsley and Soren, the two ‘uber’ Doms in this world. But it does mean that I appreciate every opportunity to spend some of my time with him all the more. In fact, the fact that this is a re-read and re-review is a good indication of how much I enjoy my encounters with Daniel.

The following is a re-write, with additions, of what I wrote in 2012 (I can’t quite believe how much time has passed):

Daniel returns to America and Manhattan after a year of travelling the world and testing his limits. A year that has helped him come to terms with his wife’s tragic death but has done nothing to help him get over Eleanor, the young sub he shared a week with, who helped him escape from his self-imposed house arrest after his loss and wouldn’t stay with him once the week was over. Now he’s about to enter Kingsley Edge’s world again; a world of BDSM as well as the world where Eleanor spends a lot of her time. Before he meets Kingsley though he has to get past the front door and Anya, a young woman from Quebec who appears to take an instant dislike to him. When Daniel finds out that Anya is about to put her virginity up for auction in order to care for her five, younger, siblings he is worried about the young woman and what she may have to face. But it isn’t until he has another encounter with Eleanor and finally realises that she will never be his that he realises that Anya may well be the ideal woman to make his own. Making Anya feel the same and saving her from the auction won’t be easy though and requires assistance as well as a devious plan.

As always Tiffany Reisz managed to captivate me with her story. Daniel is a wonderful character; strong and very dominant as well as caring and thoughtful he reads like a dream come true. Having said that, Daniel’s story requires some suspension of disbelief. Over the course of only a few weeks he moves from still not having quite come to terms with the loss of his wife while obsessing about Eleanor and wanting her back to falling for Anya so hard that he not only wants her as his sub but also offers to take on her whole family. I can’t say this speedy development bothered me, though. I’ve long since learned that the world of the Original Sinners, while resembling the world I live in, comes with its own set of rules. Sex and feelings are intense, come fast (pun totally intended), and transform characters.

This was a wonderful and very sexually charged love story and I was very sorry when it was over. Nine years after I first attended the auction, my feelings about the novella haven’t changed at all. Just as I still can’t seem to get enough of these characters or of Tiffany Reisz’ stories.

 

Cabin Fever by Roe Horvat

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Also available in Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Michael Bourgeon is a talented artist, young and gorgeous, a stinking rich heir from a well-connected family. He’s the infamous libertine behind the most extravagant parties in Manhattan, and his exploits often lead to juicy tabloid stories. Enjoying his wealth and freedom to the fullest, Michael has the world at his feet.

Until someone tries to kill him. Repeatedly. After a security breach among his own staff, he has run out of options where to hide while the FBI hunts the killer.

A high-profile private security expert, the gruff and controlling Vincent Nowak, is supposed to provide the miracle solution. And while Michael struggles with nightmares and anxiety due to the looming threat, Vincent becomes not only the ultimately reliable protector, but a wonderful distraction, too…

A small cabin in the woods, a cocky brat with a soft heart, his gruff, controlling bodyguard, and weeks of tension in a confined space.

Gay erotic romance, a boy and his bodyguard, hurt/comfort, rough sex, pain, punishment, and of course, sweet love…

Based on the original short story “Yes Daddy”.

Review

“By taking what I wanted, I gave him what he needed”

If you’ve been keeping an eye on my reviews, I could probably limit myself to stating “Roe Horvat went and did it again” and you’d know exactly what I meant. But that would be very lazy on my part, and not much fun for you, so I’ll expand just a little.

For starters, let me say that Roe Horvat went and did it again. 😊

Seriously though, I turn to Roe’s book for well written, sexy love stories featuring captivating characters and yes, Cabin Fever fits that description perfectly.

Michael (Mikey) and Victor are just about perfect for each other. And each man realizes that they could be exactly what the other needs, right from the start. All would have been perfect if it wasn’t for the fact that the only reason they are cooped up together is the threat on Michael’s life. Victor is there to keep him save and doesn’t need or want distractions, especially not of the sexual kind. Except…

Except that the body wants what the body wants and needs often speak louder than sense. Therefore, it isn’t long before Victor is all too aware that Michael needs a Daddy while with every passing day they spent hidden away in isolation, Victor’s urge to give Michael exactly what he needs becomes stronger.

When they do give in to their mutual attraction, sparks fly. Hot sparks. Kinky sparks. Brutal sparks and, eventually, tender sparks. What follows is nothing short of a sex-fest. Victor and Michael push boundaries, talk dirty, and enjoy each other’s body in every way imaginable. And yet, don’t make the mistake of assuming that this book is nothing but sex. Relationships grow in a variety of ways and between Victor and Michael, much of the growth is created during their sex scenes. Victor learns what Michael needs only to discover it matches exactly what he desires to give. At the same time Michael finds peace of mind, for the first time in months, in his surrender to Victor’s dominance. Not that Victor is always the stronger, more stable personality in this growing relationship. When push comes to shove and he might lose the one person he can’t imagine living without, Michael shows he’s strong enough to force Victor to admit that which he’s been trying to deny for too long.

I loved the hint of suspense that loomed over the story from the start and for once, I didn’t mind the tiny amount of angst. In fact, it worked so well for me I found myself cheering Michael on all the way.

If you like your engrossing stories with a liberal dose of kinky scenes, an enticing Daddy-boy dynamic, a hint of suspense, and an uplifting and sweet happy ever after, you really need to go and one-click Cabin Fever.

Beautiful Beast (Those Other Books) by Roe Horvat

Buy links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Also Available to read with Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Beautiful Beast is a light tale of lust and love, about a beautiful dancer who keeps a wild beast locked inside him, and the man who sets it free.

Kevin used to hold himself back, trying to keep his less conventional desires to himself. With Joakim, he feels free. It’s almost as if Joakim can read Kevin’s subconscious, touching the right places at exactly the right time, and whispering the most shameless things…filthy, and oh so satisfying.

Falling for Kevin is easy. Joakim can feel it happening and he’s powerless to do anything about it. With every touch, his desire grows. Men have chased him for his money and status before, but Kevin doesn’t seem to care about any of that. Maybe this time, Joakim should let himself fall, and hope the landing will be soft. 

Review

This story starts with one of the most delightful and maybe even best opening scenes I’ve ever read. Joakim falls straight into love at first sight in a shoe shop while…. No actually. I love that scene too much to spoil it for you. Go read it.

In fact, go read the whole book. In my opinion this is the perfect story for the troubled times we live in. If I had been able to order my perfect romance it would have read pretty much exactly like Beautiful Beast.

What’s not to love about a story about instant lust, maybe even ‘insta-love’ as far as Joakim is concerned, in which the two main characters simply give in to the mutual attraction, follow their instincts, and create something gorgeous.

Beautiful Beast is an effortless and tender story. While both characters occasionally question what’s happening, whether they are moving too fast, and why they are so comfortable being completely open with the other, there is no angst. Two men follow their hearts, without conflict or concern, and it works, because there is no doubt they are perfect together.

While all the Those Other Books are sensual and sexy, I want to say this one wins the ‘steam award’. Joakim and Kevin’s journey, as they explore each other, is glorious. Every want of Kevin’s is a need in Joakim, every dream Joakim’s ever had is answered by Kevin’s desires.

But, the beauty in this book goes well beyond the mesmerizing love story and the enticing sex scenes. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the descriptions, of our men and the world they move in, are stunning. What’s more, while these two men found each other through the kink they share, there was never any doubt — not for the reader and not for the characters — that what they shared went beyond bodily pleasures from the very start.

It was wonderful getting glimpses of the characters from the previous Those Other Books, simply because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of these men. Each and everyone of them has worked his way into my heart, and Joakim and Kevin have joined the crew. I adored both of them, their sex-fest enthralled me, and the deep, instant connection between them made my heart soar.

If there was any doubt (spoiler alert, there wasn’t) I can now confirm that Roe Horvat has earned himself a place near the top of my ‘must read list’.

Michael’s Wings (Original Sinners 6.3) by Tiffany Reisz

Release Date: November 7, 2017

253 pages

Publisher: 8^th Circle Press

Buy links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Griffin has just popped the question—yes, that question—and Michael doesn’t have an answer. He flees town for New Orleans to see his confidante and sometime-Domme, Mistress Nora. Will a weekend of beignets and beatings help him untangle his knotted-up heart?

Thus begins Michael's Wings, the eponymous novella that kicks off the latest entry in Tiffany Reisz's LAMBDA Literary Award-winning* Original Sinners series.

This companion collection to fan-favorite The Angel also contains six previously-published stories starring Mistress Nora's favorite angel and Griffin—his master, his true love, and the sexy-as-hell bane of Michael's existence.

Review

Anybody following my reviews will be well aware that I’m a huge fan of Tiffany Reisz’s books, with the Original Sinner series being my favourite by a mile. And if you forced me to pick favourite characters from the amazing cast in those books, I wouldn’t hesitate for even a heartbeat before naming Griffin and Michael. These two men stole my heart when I first read The Angel (Original Sinners #2) and despite the wide variety of books I’ve read since that day, they remain my favourite MM couple. I could give you about a million reasons why that is the case, but maybe it’s easier if you just read my reviews of the book. Yes that’s plural. Not only did I break the habit of a lifetime and reread the book, I also re-reviewed it. You can find them here and here.

As for this story…. I could rave about it for at least a thousand words, but I won’t. In fact I’m going to keep this review nice and short, if only because I’m sure that anybody who’s read the Original Sinner’s book won’t need me to persuade them to pick up Michael’s Wings. And if you haven’t read the earlier series, you really should do that first, before you pick up this delightful collection.

Michael’s Wings was everything I hoped and expected it to be: touching, sexy, funny, irreverent, engrossing and utterly wonderful. And of course it was also exquisitely well written. I don’t think Tiffany Reisz could write a story about these two men that wouldn’t charm the socks of me. I’d lose myself in a trip to the grocery store with these two. So when the title story brought me (and Michael and Griffin) an even happier climax to their already happy ending, it was like a one way ticket to my own personal version of heaven.

I mean what’s not to love? I got to spent time with Nora, while she helped Michael get his head around the idea of marrying Griffin through some rather unorthodox but very kinky methods. In fact, the only thing better than the Michael and Nora combination was Michael and Griffin together. The gift and answer Michael gives Griffin is perfection, as is Griffin’s reaction to it.

This wouldn’t be an Original Sinner’s story if it didn’t come with plenty of hot and very kinky sexy times. And yet, as always, the story is about so much more. It’s about family, about friends who are as close as family, about being there for each other, and ultimately about recognizing and accepting your future because it is everything.

“If there’s even the tiniest way of making you more mine, one more way of owning you, one more way of keeping you tied to me, I want to do it, and I want to do it yesterday. I know that sounds possessive, but that’s kind of our thing, right? But you're smart, Mick. You know you own me as much or more than I own you. And that's exactly how I want it."

Michael’s Wings takes up about 30% of the book. The rest of it features a selection of earlier short stories featuring Michael and Griffin. If you are a fan, you’ll recognize them because you’ll have read them on Tiffany Reisz’s website. Trust me when I say that reading them again was a pure delight. Having them all together in one volume now may well be the best Christmas present I receive this year.

Long story short: Michael’s Wings is an excellent addition to the Original Sinner’s series and a must read for anybody who’s read and loved those books.

Still my favourite

The Hot Floor by Josephine Myles

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Length: 62,000 words 

Cover Design: Harper by Design 

   

Blurb

Two plus one equals scorching hot fun.

Dumped by his boyfriend and reduced to living in a grotty bedsit, Josh Carpenter lives for his job as a glassblower. That and occasional glimpses of his sexy downstairs neighbours, Rai Nakamura and Evan Truman.

Whenever he overhears the diminutive academic and the hunky plumber having loud and obviously kinky sex, Josh is whipped into a state of frenzied lust… and a longing for a relationship like theirs.

To his amazement, Rai and Evan find his embarrassing tendency to blush utterly charming, and the three men grow closer over the course of the long, hot summer. Despite enjoying Rai’s charming flirtation and Evan’s smouldering gaze, Josh is determined never to do anything to split them apart.

However, when a naked Josh falls—quite literally—into the middle of one of Rai and Evan’s marathon sex sessions, the force of their mutual attraction takes over. But just as Josh dares to hope, he senses a change. If the three of them can’t renegotiate the rules of their new relationship, Josh risks losing their friendship—and any chance at love—forever.

Warning: Contains one well-endowed stud with a sexy accent, one improbably toppy bottom boy with an unfortunate owl obsession, and one blushing naïf who can’t believe his luck. Also, the occasional indulgence in mathematical spanking and some shameless armpit sex.

Bonus Christmas Hot Floor short story included in this edition!

Originally published by Samhain Publishing, September 2012

My thoughts

Well now, this is one very…very hot story. Mind you, it’s also charming, funny, and a wee bit angsty, but mostly it is very…very hot. I mean, what else could I possibly say about a story containing lines like:

‘my debauched deep-throating angel in nerd specs’

But, enough about that for now. I’m sure you’ve caught on to the idea that this is one very sexy story, but that’s not to say there isn’t a lot more to it than just fun and games.

Poor Josh is a bundle of insecurity. After having been dumped by his closeted ex-boyfriend his self-confidence has pretty much taken a nosedive, as has his sex life. Having two sexy men living one floor below them, and hearing the noises resulting from their loud and enthusiastic love making, makes him horny and at the same time intensifies his loneliness.

When the shoddy building he lives him results in him falling, bathtub and all, into Rai and Evan’s apartment, it heralds a change Josh could never have foreseen or even hoped for. But as hot and exciting as his time living with the two men is, Josh is sure it can never be more than a temporary arrangement, no matter how hard he is falling for both of them and yearns to be theirs.

And so an enticing tale of seduction, kink, and attraction ensues. But all new relationships are awkward and when there are three partners involved, two of whom have been together for longer, it only gets more complicated.

Taking that into account, there’s very little real angst in this story. Sure, Josh is second guessing himself, Rai, and Evan, as well as the whole set up quite often, but for the most part, this is a story of three men getting ever closer, discovering how incredibly compatible they are, and enjoying each other’s company, bodies, and kinks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The humour in it had me smiling a lot, and laughing out loud occasionally too. The characters charmed their way into my heart. What’s not to love about a gentle giant (Evan), a toppy bottom with well hidden but deep insecurities (Rai), and an almost innocent with a humiliation kink(Josh)? And who knew that glass blowing could not only be utterly fascinating but also very titillating?

If you’re in the mood for a well written, fun, touching, and sexy few hours I highly recommend The Hot Floor.

‘Home wasn’t the bricks and mortar. Home was these two men, making me fly.’

Double Trouble – A Hot Floor bonus story

This was a wonderful short story, almost an epilogue really, proving that a few months together has done nothing to diminish these men’s appetites or kinkiness — quite the opposite in fact. And how promising is it that this short story ends with the words: ‘The End (for now…)’?