Angelia SparrowReviews

Just because characters take turn putting collars on each other and call their partner "slut", "slave" and "whore" doesn't mean the book can qualify for BDSM tag.
Sweet, cute "rainbows-and-lollipops" read. No angst whatsoever.
2 stars.

I know virtually nothing about a D/s life-style except for what I've read. There are aspects to this way of life that appeal to me; there are others that do not. In Ian and Teague's case I had mixed feelings. In my most humble opinion, Ian's treatment by previous Doms was abuse plain and simple. I can understand Ian having difficulty coming to that conclusion but I was surprised (and a bit disheartened) by Teague's rather cavalier response when confronted with the knowledge.

I did very much like the dynamic between the two MCs. Ian, while aching to please, still realized that he needed to learn more about himself if he didn't want to repeat the same behaviours and mistakes. And I appreciated that Teague gave him the time he needed to really know what he wanted before cementing a commitment. I also understood the need for Teague to protect himself from the broken heart that was sure to follow if Ian's decisions were not for the long-term.

A most enjoyable read.



Disclaimer: My copy of this book was a contest win.

This author kicks names and takes ass with style!

I generally do not seek out nor enjoy books with m/f scenes in them, but in this book, she just kinda snuck it in, and I didn't mind one bit.

This story is told mostly from the pov of Nicholas and set in a dystopic United States where all the rednecks have done what they've been threatening to do for centuries and gtfo and started their own countries.

I do wish it went into more world building. It possibly does, in the sequel, but I might never know b/c I can't find the darn thing. Even to buy. So frustrating.

But this book is available on KU, and I highly recommend it of you like your kink with a side of political espionage, sprinkled with random Italian language lessons.

A plethora of good tension and better sex.

This author kicks names and takes ass with style!

I generally do not seek out or enjoy books with m/f scenes in them, but in this book, she just kinda snuck it in, and I didn't mind one bit.

This story is told mostly from the pov of Nicholas and set in a dystopic United States where all the rednecks have done what they've been threatening to do for centuries and gtfo and started their own countries.

I do wish it went into more world building. It possibly does, in the sequel, but I might never know b/c I can't find the darn thing. Even to buy. So frustrating.

But this book is available on KU, and I highly recommend it of you like your kink with a side of political espionage sprinkled with random Italian language lessons.

I really liked this story. I've got to warn you though: get out your box of tissues before you start reading. You'll need them! I should also warn you that this is not a typical BDSM story at all. If you expect lots of hot scenes I believe that you'll be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you're ready to explore the emotional side of a Dom/sub relationship and what happens when the Dom is about to die, I can only recommend this book.

The topic of anyone dying from cancer is difficult enough. Adding the worry about leaving behind a dependant makes it much worse. This story focuses on what happens to the life and emotions of the one who is left behind. Chris is a sub who's never had a 'real' job and has always depended on his master for everything. The heartwrenching pain both he and his dying master go through as they attempt to find a new master to take care of Chris, ideally even love him, is depicted so realistically that it had me crying throughout most of the book.

The solution at the end was so perfect that I was crying again - this time with relief. Don't say I didn't warn you.

3.5 stars - With all the YA review requests that I get it was nice to have a request for a more adult PNR for a change, and really... how could I pass on a Scottish biker combat mage in a leather kilt?

An older, battle-hardened combat mage seeks out a bristly and barely magical P.I. working the paranormal side of Memphis to help him defeat a powerful demon that he has been fighting for years. Little did he know that the mana (magical power) had chosen the prickly P.I. as his mate.

The story is told in first person and alternates between Bran and D.J.’s POV. The switch in the POV is on a chapter by chapter basis and the chapters are labeled with the character name. I like dual POV when it is done this way as it makes it easy for me to keep track of whose head I’m in.

The hero and heroine of this story are older. Bran McKay is fifty and described as having graying hair with a deeply scarred face from his battles with the demon he is chasing. He feels too old and ugly to be loved. D.J. Admire is in her forties and described as plain looking and still a virgin. She has pretty much given up on love and has settled into a lonely and alcohol-blurred existence. I really like that the main characters are not the usual perfect, young, and gorgeous characters that you find in a lot of PNR. They had a more realistic feel. They came with baggage and vulnerabilities and they complemented each other well.

Some other characters I liked were D.J.’s cousin, Jinx, who was a bit of a goofball (and how can you not like a goofball?) and the sugar-loving pixie who made a few brief appearances.

As the story starts out you see the snarky, jaded, Captain Morgan drinking side of D.J. Admire and I was looking forward to that personality coming out in her dialogue and actions. It did to some degree but I felt it fizzled out a bit as the attraction to and acceptance of Bran grew, which actually happened pretty quickly. I would like to have seen a little more resistance to Bran on D.J.’s part to up the ante and bring out more of that bristly side that made D.J. an interesting character. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the wry humor in her comments and thoughts.

This story takes place on the “Nightside” of Memphis, which seems to translate to the paranormal aspect of the city. I didn’t really get a good sense of the story setting. There was lip service given to the different paranormal elements, but they don’t play into the story that much except for an odd reference here and there…and maybe that little pixie guy. I would have liked to have had a better feel for the Nightside, but in the end it didn’t negatively affect the enjoyment of the story for me.

This is an erotic romance so you can expect frequent and explicit sex scenes. However, I think there is a decent story to balance it out and even some emotional moments. It wasn’t quite a page turner for me, but I enjoyed the story and I liked the characters. I was invested in the relationship between Bran and D.J. and wanted them to have their HEA. This book is part of a publisher series called Hex Appeal that is made up of books by various authors. The books don’t seem to be related other than through a basic theme of magic running through each story. At least that is what it looks like on the Ellora’s Cave website. As such, this story appears to be a standalone book but don’t quote me on that. It felt pretty much wrapped up at the end. I’m not sure if there will be any further books in this world, but if there are, I would certainly consider reading them.

* * *

Quick Quote

“I wasn’t giving this guy an inch. He disturbed me. I didn’t like things that disturbed me, which is why I was licensed to shoot most things that disturbed me. Unfortunately, humans were not on the list and sexual attraction was not considered a valid reason to shoot someone.”

* * *

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Level: Erotic - The door is wide open. Sex scenes are frequent and explicit. Includes spanking.

Word Count: approx. 60,000 (short novel)
Kindle locations: 3076 (story text ends at 96%)
Print Length: 154 pgs (Amazon estimate)
No Table of Contents
Source: Review Request from Author

http://indieparanormalbooksreviews.blogspot.com/½

Steampunk is a popular genre in fantasy and I have to say that the cover artist did a fantastic job with this cover, enticing but also subtlety sexy. If I have to be sincere, I’m not a big fan of fantasy in general, but this particular subgenre, Victorian/futuristic setting, appeals to me; most of the time, like in this case, the author introduces some fantastic element (in this case an airship) maintaining the historical accuracy. Aside from flying instead of sailing, our heroes don’t have anything else of modern.

Henry is a simple hand on a luxury airship, he is no fancy officer, he comes from a poor background and learned a job that is allowing him to live but probably not to comfortably retire when it will be time. He for sure has no money to marry, even if he was incline to this option; but Henry prefers the company of men, a secret he hasn’t shared aboard, something he satisfies on the brief time he is allowed ashore. When his airship is hijacked by pirates and he lands in the hands of handsome pirate captain Volentine, he is not really happy, not until he doesn’t see that being the pet of an handsome captain can have its advantages.

Alone in the captain cabin, Henry can free his hidden desires, he can satisfy all of them, plus he can quill his sense of guilty thinking he is forced by Volentine. But actually Henry doesn’t put up much resistance, and he is soon a willing partner to Volentine.

If I have to be sincere, while Volentine plays the role of the sadistic captain, I really didn’t perceive him like that; he is quite kind and sensitive, always worrying of Henry’s needs, sometime even having them in mind before his owns. He always tries to find the solution that will bring less danger to Henry, and even when he finds Henry in a compromising situation, he is ready to believe his words, without questioning too much. To me, Volentine was everything other than ruthless, and the ending, while funny, was actually quite in line with the idea I had of this man.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AHKBIK/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

“City of Foxes” by Cornelia Grey: In an post-apocalyptic world, Jake is man without roots, lonely and brooding… i.e. exactly the mourning hero type who is sure to score. And of course, to add even more fascination to his persona, he helps Kye, a one of the foxes, half-man half white fox. Helping Kye, Jake gains the protection of Liam, another white fox/man who is also the leader of a group of rebels, people living outside the border of the old city. This tale has really the feeling of an old fashioned sci-fi/futuristic romance; it’s more adventure than romance, even if there is sexual tension between Jake and Liam, but they have little chances to turn the tension in man-on-man action. Not that the white little pointed ears and the long bushy tail of Liam wasn’t attractive, on the contrary it was just that level of “kinky” to be enticing.

“Trust Me” by Elizabeth Hyder: pure sci-fi, this story follow “futuristic” college boys in a military academy; all people in the academy are some sort of alien, and Koit is a breed with human body but with sparse brown scale. Plus he is completely bald. Koit’s best friend, Sera, thinks he should try a same-sex relationship, mostly since, from what I understand, Koit is not taking seriously any of the one night stand he is having with female. Being gay, lesbian or straight is more or less like having blond, black or red hair, and so it’s not that Koit is against the idea, I think he is reticent mostly since he knows that Sera is right, and that his true feelings are in danger if he finds the right man. Sexuality and sex is pretty natural in this futuristic world, and Koit has not so many trouble in finding men willing to let him satisfy his curiosity. I liked the feeling of this story, it was “modern” (as in futuristic) without being too “strange”, and in the end, even if half-alien and living in a spaceship, these guys and girls were basically like any other college boy or girl living far from their family for the first time.

“Alpha’s Pride” by S.L. Armstrong & K. Piet: in a fantasy world, Alec and Nahele are half-man/half feline creatures living in wild packs in a hierarchic society. Nahele is the Alpha and he has been for centuries and Alec, and others, think he has lost focus, he has settled down in their comfortable situation, thus endangering the pack. Alec is Nahele’s best friend with benefits, when they want, and like, Alec shares Nahele’s den and furs, and he plenty enjoys it. But even if he loves Nahele, like a friend, a lover, a brother, Alec is also aware that he will have to betray him, challenging the other for the Alpha’s role. Alec’s only hope is that Nahele will not destroy their bond in the event of Alec winning the challenge. A little warning to readers, this tale has non con sex, even if it’s tamed by the awareness that both men have deep feelings for each other, but in one only occasion, sex will be used as a mean to prove the other’s high authority on a submissive member of the pack.

“I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside” by Wayne Mansfield: a strange urban fantasy tale about a young Greek man, Panos, with a long-hidden secret: he is scales and gills on his body like a fish. He doesn’t know his own origins, he was found by his adopted parents, and aside from that, he is like any other man, and as such, with the desires of any ordinary man. So, maybe hoping to finally find a suitable companion, Panos opens his house to Jason, renting him a room, but also letting the man near him, enticing him, until the day Panos judges Jason is ready to know the truth about him. I liked how the author didn’t stress so much the “paranormal” nature of Panos, it was like Panos has some sort of “mark”, but that didn’t make him an alien creature.

“Opening Worlds” by Cari Z.: a sweet and almost old fashioned romance (wait until the last word and you will understand), this novella follow spaceship captain Jason falling in love for Ferran, a young alien. Ferran comes from a matriarchal society, and since he is sterile, he was destined from his birth to be, more or less, a male housekeeper. He has a docile streak and as usual among his people, he is very sensual, and they see sex like an ordinary expression of deep feelings. Jason in comparison is more reserved, maybe even a bit aloof, but it will be impossible for him to resist to Ferran, even if they know their love is doomed by the impeding due of Ferran, to go back home and marry a woman chosen by his mother.

“Songs for Guitar and French Harp” by Angelia Sparrow: in a post-apocalyptic world, Arthur and Gordon are “constructs”, that means they are built in a lab mixing human body part with animals. Arthur is an half-bear and Gordon an half-lion. As expected, they are working as “freaks” in a travelling carnival, but Arthur got luckier than Gordon; Arthur’s mother, fell in love with a human, and even if they can’t legally marry, Daddy Frank treats Arthur and his mother like people and not property. Gordon instead was bought and as such he is no more like a stab of meat for his owner. Even if Arthur and Gordon are still teenagers, they will have to face hard times, separation, fear and abuses. I liked the feeling of innocence the author managed to preserve for young Arthur even if he was facing a world that resembles an hell. The terrible things Gordon has to face are very clear to the reader, but the author didn’t feel necessary to put them on your face, and I approve of her choice.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982700857/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Unbearable. Really disappointing. I read Shell Shocked and looked for something else by these authors. Firstly, it's bad value for money - 760 locations for $4 is just a rip off. Most free sample downloads are around 300 locations, so this is like twice the length of a free download.

But even worse than that, while the premise sounded interesting, the way it was written makes Chris sound like he has below average intelligence. He can't work, he can't cook, and he can't recognize a man he knows really well and has had sex with several times because said man is wearing a mask on his eyes. Really? It just comes across as ridiculous. And why create that dynamic at all? Neither the characters nor the relationship was believable. Though it was set in a BDSM world, there wasn't much going on because Chris's original master was dying. So it wasn't even hot.

I rate it a C, and won't read it again.

This is a romance, and it is a love story, not just erotica, between 2 disabled men. Sean Dempsey is traumatized by PTSD from Iraq, and dependent on valium. Gabriel Herne lost his legs in a subway accident and is wheelchair bound. Both men live in poverty. They meet at a medical clinic and you are so happy that they have found each other. Each life alone is quite bleak, but together they are building something beautiful. Gabriel is a pagan and he talks quite a bit about his religion, but not intrusively so. They were both so achingly lonely, and they see each other and it makes it better. I liked the grounding details of what they ate and how they shopped. I found the characters and story arc believable and would look for more by these authors. They are trying to do something interesting here, and it got a bit bogged down in the middle, but at least they were showing us something new.

BOOK BLURB:
Henry Toben needs the sky like his ancestors needed the sea. He works as a certified master boilerman aboard a luxury airship, taking wealthy folks from Kansas City to San Francisco, until the day his ship crosses the path of Captain Meriwether Volentine and he is taken aboard as the Captain's personal prisoner.

Henry discovers that he needs his new lover as much as he needs the sky, but a maelstrom of plots and alliances threaten to separate them forever.

BOOK REVIEW:
"So how did you meet your husband?"

"Well, he raided the airship I was working on, took me as his love-slave and kept me chained up in his cabin for a few months while I got over my anger and fear and I ended up falling in love with him."

Basically, if that sounds like your kind of story, then you'll love this, because Sparrow does a fair job with it, but if you have any consent squicks, maybe give this novella a pass?

To be fair, the author does tiptoe around the edge of the consent issues inherent in the set up ~ Captain Volentine is surprisingly careful with his captive ~ but personally I have a pretty hard time getting to a happy ending from this particular starting point, rendering all the erotic scenes uncomfortable rather than exciting for me, which rather defeats the authors' intention.

I think the beautiful cover and my 'ohh ~ steampunk adventures!' glee somewhat obscured the 'captain/captive' elements when I was reading the blurb for this. Frustrating, because there are some really nifty steampunk elements in the background of this story ~ but they stay in the background. The opening scenes bring up some of the problematic elements about steampunk ~ race, class, economics ~ which I would love to see more of, but within a few pages Henry is taken captive, at which point whether the pirate ship is in the air or on the water becomes supremely irrelevant.

(Originally reviewed for Rainbow Reviews - http://www.rainbow-reviews.com/?p=7601)½

Chain-Male is a little kinky novella, but the kinkiness is all in the fantasy, nothing too much or too far from a nice and romantic story. Chad is 26 years old graduate student working as librarian on campus (yeah, the classic theme of the virgin librarian...); he is painfully shy and even if he has a strong libido (his sexual fantasies are: often, good and plenty) he has never had the courage to make a move on another guy; he is virgin and cute, ready to be picked by the right guy.

Jace is in the same course were Chad is auditing; ponytale and working men hands, but neat and precise, he stirs up Chad’s fantasies, and Chad doesn’t even know that Jace, with his secondary job as old-fashion and kinky jeweler, is a perfect hero for his historical re-enactment dreams.

Chad is quite obvious in his interest for Jace, and even if he is too shy to say something, Jace is more than willing to do the first move; with a kind and gentle touch, he will satisfy all Chad’s fantasies, and maybe even more.

I like that the kinkiness in the story was always light, even if Jace plays the role of the Master with his little sex slave Chad, clearly is only a game, and Jace is only another guy like Chad, only maybe with a little more sexual experience. Jace has his insecurities as well, and I think he is feeling also very lucky that a good and little morsel like Chad has fallen on his lap: Chad is unaware of how cute he is to other eyes, and his innocence is part of the appeal. But Jace is not interested in debauching the virgin and disappearing, he wants a relationship with Chad, and I think that he indead is fearing that, once Chad had his experience, he will leave for greener pastures.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XYFP3W/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

It was not easy to decide and pick up this novella, as it would not probably be for everyone who has had the experience of living near someone who was fading away to cancer. But it’s life, and despite all, it’s also hope, the hope that the ones you love will find a way to live after you.

William knows he is dying and now that he is at peace with the idea, his only worry is to find someone who will take care of his sub, Chris. Chris is not a perfect sub, he is not hot commodity, but he was perfect for William; Chris is sweet and shy, not much for a “for showing” sub, but for ordinary William, librarian and fatherly, he was the perfect match.

Now the problem is to find someone else who can be the same perfect match, or at least a good caretaker. William has many friends in the BDSM community, and some of them are interested in Chris; some are quite right, some are just right, but no one is the one. Basically Chris, in his quiet and subdued way, is trying to tell William that he still loves him, that despite the imminent fate, he is not ready to open his heart to someone else. It’s not a passionate love between William and Chris, it’s more a comfortable thing, like a blanket in winter; but it’s what Chris wants, a moderate level of passion, but mostly the reassurance of a balanced and safe environment.

Probably for this reason, more than all the Masters who are testing him, Chris is attracted to Mike, the nurse who is taking care of William. Chris sees in Mike the same comfort and shelter he has with William, and if Mike was a Master, he would be the perfect Master for Chris.

Even if there is the imminent destiny of William, something that is not stoppable, the story is not overly tragic; of course there is an high dose of drama, but in a way it’s a “natural” thing, death can be avoided in some cases, and so you need to live with it. Of course William is dying, of course he is in pain, but at least there is the certainty that he is loved and that he will be fondly remembered. Plus there is the hope that Chris will be take care, that he will have a chance to be happy again, with maybe a different Master, stronger and more passionate than William, but that is not a bad thing.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O86FRW/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

For sure it’s not an easy book: Sparrow and Brooks decided to lay bare the reality of two men who barely make end’s meet every month; they are not exactly poor, but they are not far from it.

When they meet, Sean is a vet from Iraq who was severely injured: he has fake knees that allow him to walk, if the time is good, but also give him great pain; he has a retina problem he solves using special glasses when outside; he is not able to walk outside without risking a breakdown and each rumour reminds him of the front. With the social security helps, the drugs from the system and a side-job as erotic romance writer he is not good, but he can go on. After a few months of this life he is also able to think to a relationship and his target is Gabe, the cute boy in a wheelchair he meets at the clinic. Before he has never had the courage to talk to him but in a particular good day, he finds it. From that moment on Gabe becomes his anchor.

Gabe is a psychic card reader by phone and like Sean, he is able to maintain himself without saving nothing. He is extremely independent but when he meets Sean, probably he recognizes a soul mate. Yes, it’s true, it’s probably the disability that bonds them together, and it’s obviously more convenient for them to live together, it’s cheaper, but I don’t think that it’s only that. Sean needs someone to take care of, to make him feel confident, when to everyone else it’s obvious that he is the one to need a caretaker. Sean has a family, a family that probably would have helped him, but instead he is living alone; I think Sean ran way from that life since he is no more the same person; he is no more the next door good boy. Even being gay would have been difficult, let alone fall in love for a long haired psychic card reader who is also a pagan worshipper.

On the other hand, Gabe has never known what a real family means. Living with Sean is not a convenience, it’s a dream comes true, he has finally someone near him all the time. To the reader it could seem that it’s Gabe who hunts the nightmare away for Sean, but there are worst things happening by day that Gabe avoids being with Sean. While Sean’s story is presented to the reader since the first moment, Gabe’s ones remains hidden, like often happens with that type of trouble: Sean’s troubles are big but bare, everyone can see them, and maybe even jokes him for that, instead Gabe’s ones are more subdued and then more dangerous.

I like the development of the story, since it was not a boy meets boy and happily ever after, it was more a chronicle of all the steps they took to build their life together. Deciding to move in together was only the first step, but then they had to learn how to live together, how to take decision together, how to cope to adversities, big and small, together, how to fight each other together. Sean and Gabe are not building only a love relationship, they are tightening a bond that borders dangerously in dependency; I fear the moment they could be separated, I don’t think they would be able to survive.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/911047.html

I remember when the two authors were planning to write this book, Angelia Sparrow wondered if it was possible for a boy raised as a girl, and having no real contact with anyone if not his own maid and guardian, a man himself disguised as a woman, to really believe that all people, men and women, have a penis, and the only difference that distinct them is how they behave in public.

The book is a good and precise retelling of the Robin Hood's legend. The twist is that Marion, the bastard son of dead King Richard I, was raised by Sir David as a princess. Sir David was Richard's lover, and was supposed to be killed during the crusade. Instead, to accomplish the last dying bed desire of his lover, he disguised as a woman, Bess, and collected Marion from his peasant mother family, and brought her to Locksley, where Robin's father betrothed his son to 'princess' Marion. Years later, Robin is an outlaw and Marion is taken in almost captivity by the Sheriff of Notthingham.

Adult Robin, even if he doesn't know Marion's true nature, is not against the idea of man on man love, in fact, among his merry band, he is quite intimate both with Will Scarlett than Little John. But with them it's more friendship than love, and when he meets Marion, and discovers his true nature, it's no problem at all to fall in love and swear to his guardian Bess, that he will take good care of the 'princess'. In all this plan, poor Marion doesn't come out as a very clever boy, he is all in all the perfect example of how a young lady was raised at that time, with little regard to his mind, since she doesn't need it, and all the efforts spend to make her a perfect and proper lady. But Marion has some surprise on her bow.

The story and the point of view on the history is more Hollywood type than historically accurate, means that it's more important to show the nice and naughty side of the age, than the real life style, much as it is always done on the movie from the Errol Flynn's time to Kevin Costner, passing from Sean Connery and also Walt Disney. Said that, if someone wonders why there are so many homosexual relationship, maybe the strange thing is that there are so many in the same place, but don't forget that they are not historically inaccurate, it's well known that Richard I was scolded both from the Pope than from his mother to have not accomplished his due as an husband.

There is quite a lot of sex in the story, but even it is accurate, having in mind, for example, Marion's innocence, or the discomfort of having sex in the wood without the proper equipment (oils and similar). All of that, managing to make it good and enjoyable nevertheless.

I think that the quality of this book is above to the usual level I found on Ellora's Cave and for once, even the cover is right for the story itself.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003100UB0/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Reading a Christmas romance in July, when outside the sunny shines is strange, but well, maybe you can find refreshment... even if an hot D/s erotic romance is not the likely place where to find coldness.

Joke apart, this is the sequel of Collared Hearts. Anthony is an Italian-Irish painter and various artist who is leaving since ten months (from Valentine's Day) with his lover and agent Josh. Before their cohabitation, Josh and Anthony were lovers, but the relationship was more of the type rich daddy and kept man, with Josh in the role of the snobby wasp who found themself a pretty lover, who happened to be also a good artist which works he sold in his gallery. Always feared to be passed as sissy by his brothers and friends since he was small and pretty, Josh behaved in a cold way with Anthony, who felt like a sexual toy rather than an equal partner.

Now they have reached an agreement, they switch role, using the help of a collar to decide who is the pet: who is wearing the collar has to behave as a good pet, and the collar is also a tool which allows who is wearing it to be free from the duties and the demands of everyday life; who is wearing the collar has to obey only to one Master, and not to the obligation of common society.

A funny and relaxing D/s short story, less than 50 pages, not too angst and compelling, with a sweet and romantic side.

Here a book where I like both the hero and the villain...

Harrison and Collins are legal pirates, both sailing under English flag and mostly trading but also attacking French or Spanish vessels. Collins was the second in command of Harrison and also his lover. Harrison was the first man for Collins and he has taught him everything, as a Captain and a lover. But Harrison is not a man who can accept an equal lover in bed and when Collins stopped to be a boy and grew in a man, he has chosen a separate path. A path that Harrison has not accepted well and he takes every chance he has to meet and clash with his ex lover. Harrison in the end is still in love with Collins, even if now he has a new lover, a Moroccan boy named Samir.

And also Collins is falling in love for a boy, Adlai, a half-blood slave, son of a wealthy man, dead without freed him. And so Adlai was sold as a slave and Collins bought him, enthralled by the blue eyes of the boy and by the sadness he read in them. Adlai is used to be hurt and when Collins is gentle with him he doesn't know how react. Step by step, with tender and caring, Harrison will conquer the boy, but Adlai makes a big mistake, believing that Collins is not a pirate like Harrison: Collins indeed is very much like his former lover and this is the reason why the two of them, even if in love with each other, can't live together. Love between Collins and Adlai is tender and sweet, is something that could last forever and warm them while aging. Love between Collins and Harrison is rough and passionate and could only led to destruction.

The novel is almost a classic on piracy, with four wonderful characters: I like also very much Samir, and can understand him and his greediness; a boy who had nothing and that finally finds happiness in the arms of Harrison. But still he is like a child, born in harsh condition, and that clinges to everything he can reach, both things than a man. Obviously the positive characters of this story are Collins and Adlai, but it's difficult not to feel also for Harrison and Samir.

The details seem to me pretty accurate and there are also some "sexual" words I have never heard and maybe cause they are "old" and so it's interesting to read a sex scene decipts with "appropriate" words for the period.

I think this is a book that could appeal very much to who loves the classical tales about piracy, to who loves a bit of adventure in his romance, and to who has a kink for pretty boys ravished by "cruel" pirates...

In a post apocaliptic world, the United States of America don't exist no more and turmoils and revolutions are common between the secessionists states. A wealthy man, James Ligatos, leads a group of men who move among the laws and whose methods not always are legal. He traines these men picking them among the most skilled young delinquents. His last "victim" is Nicholas, also known as Nikolai, a thief.

To Nikolai is proposed a contract: he will submit to Ligatos for everything, even for sex, and in exchange, he will have a tuition and a chance to be a man of power in seven years. All seems perfect: Nicholas has plenty of food, new clothes, lessons of math and english and italian (how I like that the foreign language he learns is Italian) and also pleasent sex. But with all of this arrives also a form of discipline he hates, and he plans revenge against Ligatos. Not a good choice.

Nikolai is a very strong and crude tale, for sure not for tender hearts. It's not a love story, even if Nicholas arrives to depend in body and soul to his Sir. It's more a need to have someone to rely, to finally have a home and a family, as strange it can be. James can have a soft spot for Nicholas, but as I have read him, faces to the choice to sacrifice the boy for the "mission", I think he will kill him, or order to someone else to do it. Both Nicholas than James are not cruel men, they know they are doing horrible things, but still they will do it again and again, they are trained to do that, and the training is so deep that neither their consciosness could break it.

Part of the training is also the sex. But the sex you will read in this novel is not the arousing genre. It is a way to learn something, a way to pet a puppy for doing a right thing, a way to gain something, a way to stress out. Sex in this novel is like a safe blanket, like a teddy bear for a child: it is a way to give comfort and to believe you are still alive.

Nikolai is not a simple book. Also now, when I write of it, I still have to think a lot to find a way to describe what it has left in me. Probably, I should have to hate James. But also Nikolai is not a saint, and he made things, before, during and after his training, that decipt him like a very difficult character to love. Still I feel not hate nor for James or for Nicholas. It seems like all what they are doing has a meaning, and all their actions are righ. Angelia Sparrow decipts them in a way that makes you feel for them, but still my consciousness say "how can you do that? it is not right, you know that what they are doing is not right".

Nikolai is not a novel for who searches good feelings and romance. Is not a novel for who sees the world in black and white. But if you are able to see the shades of the life, that not always there is right and wrong, but half truth among them, so you should read Nikolai, and give me your own opinion.