Petrichor (Mafia Babes #1)

Here's "Petrichor" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the first novel her Mafia Babes series.

["The Family comes first.

I’ve been part of the Leone family since Don Massimo took me in when I was a boy.

Now I sit beside his son, il capo, Don Sebastiano. Being a mobster is all I know and want.
Even when betrayal comes knocking at my door.

A teasing smile, the most striking cloud-gray eyes, an androgynous body wrapped in lingerie and a belly chain around his narrow hips. Can a man be pretty? I must be drunker than I thought to wonder such a thing.

Fly.

That’s what another man calls him before a whiskey bottle is smashed on his head. My tailored Italian suit is ruined, and Fly owes me now. When he proposes a way to repay his debt, I decide to go along with it even though my misanthropic nature protests vigorously.

I feel a sense of deep irritation when he acts unbothered by my menacing threats. Getting information from him before getting rid of him was my goal, but the urge to keep him close grows stronger, as does the desire to have another peek at those scraps of lace he likes to wear underneath his clothes.

Nevertheless, I won’t make the same mistake twice, because I’m Marco “the Knuckle” Moretti. And if he’s working for another family, nothing and no one will stop me from unleashing my vendetta upon him."]

Talk about hurt/comfort. I almost cried (and did cry) sooo many times. It was a crazy ride of protection and pushing-away. But Fly stuck out.

When the walls were down and the Feelings were out, these two were adorable as hell. Fluffy and possessive, spicy and sassy. Fate intervened to bring them together, but they kept themselves there, they fought for each other.

And it all ended on a cliffhanger that I’m not entirely sure we’ll see resolved. At least not until near the end of this one…big feelings about that tbh. 

Plus a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Lori cameo?!?! Yes, all of the naughty yes. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, gun use, reference to a child kidnapping, drug use/paraphernalia, injuries from off-page assault, descriptions of past child abuse, CNC, on-page assault, and more.

#petrichor #pragma #apricity #mafiababes #mafiababesseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Portrait of a Killer

Here's "Portrait of a Killer" by KA Merikan.

["“You’ve got no idea what I’m capable of, pretty thing.” --Victor -Sevastyan is the most beautiful man I have ever seen.

He is also a fraud. No one who looks like the man in his self-portraits would ever choose to live as a recluse. It simply makes no sense.

And I will expose his lies. Because Sevastyan ruined my life with a single exhibition.

Over the years, my loathing has turned into poison coursing through my veins and helped fill my sketchbooks with violent fantasies fixated on one man, who doesn’t even know I exist.

Well, he’ll find out when I break into his home and prove to the world his beauty isn’t real, humiliating him once and for all.

What I don’t expect is that Sevastyan is ready for me. Amused, unafraid, the monster behind the masterpieces traps me before I get to fire a single bullet.

He sees me for the obsessive little freak I am and tells me I’ll never leave. That I will be his toy, his muse, his entertainment, his distraction from years of isolation.

I thought I was the danger.

I was so, so wrong."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Trigger Warnings: violence, abduction, Stockholm syndrome, and more.

#arcs #arcteammember #grr #gayromancereviews
#portraitofakiller #kamerikan #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Eight (Angels of Wrath #6)

Here's "Eight" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the sixth and final novel her Angels of Wrath series.

["Sully Carver

A man in a mask keeps appearing in my dreams. Sounds like the beginning of a psychological thriller. And while I thought I left all the drama in my dark past, and have since focused on moving on, the truth is, those dreams have awakened a side of me I didn’t know existed—a kinky side. And soon, my diary entries are filled with sexy fantasies.

My brain implodes when, one night, I’m saved by a real man in a white mask. And that man turns out to be Ezra—the latest addition to the family.

My intelligence is above average, but even I never would’ve guessed he wanted me badly enough to stalk me. After all, we’ve barely spoken since we met.

I should be horrified and wary, simply because most of my family doesn’t trust him. The reason behind it isn't his psychopathy—that’s kind of a family trait. Nor his job—assassination is not very far from vigilante justice. The problem is his reluctance to share his past and his ties with the murderous maniac, Nine, who is after us all.

But Ezra’s stoicism and the intensity and dominance he exudes send an electric thrill down my spine every single time. I can’t resist. I have zero experience in how to…proceed. But it looks like he knows exactly how to make my hot desires come true.

In the midst of all the new excitement, I’m still fighting with my past demons, while Nine is upping her dangerous game. Will we get through this battle unscathed? I can’t seem to foresee a happy ending.

Not for all of the Angels of Wrath."]

These two were sooo sweet. For the more unhinged psychopath of the family, Ezra was perfect for Sully. He wanted him to be happy and safe, smiling and unhurt (he event kept correcting him for needlessly apologizing al the time). And Sully needed someone strong, protective, slightly (or not so slightly) bossy, and utterly supportive in every single way. Maybe that last one was more deserves than needs.

These two were perfect...even if it took Ollie and Rag some time to see it. Everyone else shipped them (to the extreme...like everything they do...including all of the bets). 

A really, really cute and fun ending to a fabulous series. A little cheesy, but also just like...perfect.

I wonder if Ezra's other friends will be in any future novels... Maybe with the trouble trio. 

Trigger Warnings: stalking with breaking and entering, on-page graphic violence, murder, torture, gore, on-page reference to past child kidnapping and torture, descriptions of past child abuse, on-page assault, blood play, no established safe word, and more.

#one #six #three #five #seven+four #eight #happykrampusxmas #themeetnotcute #angelsofwrath #angelsofwrathseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Seven + Four (Angels of Wrath #5)

Here's "Seven + Four" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the fifth novel her Angels of Wrath series.

["Sariel Bear-Stone

I can’t remember a time without feeling his presence nearby. All of my memories are entwined with his. Precious, bittersweet moments spent with him.

Him.
Uriel Mahoe.
My foster brother.
My protector.
My first and never-ending crush.

Unrequited love is misery in disguise, especially when the recipient can’t ever feel the same, not when he’s a sociopath.

Still, I thought I knew everything about him. Until…I didn’t.

For that reason and for the first time in my life, I’ve distanced myself from him, tried to move on, which turned out to be more difficult than I anticipated.

First, all my dates crushed and burned. Then a rat infestation and a dangerous stalker forced me into his overprotective, controlling arms once again.
But I’m not the naive, innocent person he believes me to be.
There’s something I need. Something dark that I crave. Desperately. Something he doesn’t seem able to give me.

Or is he?

All of my other brothers have found their significant others. Now it’s my turn.
But is Uri meant to be mine, or are we destined to die side by side before we find out?

***

Uriel Mahoe

My Sari.
My Baby Blue.
Mine."]

Oh wow. Talk about a fucking idiot. Uriel could have had Sari all of the way, years ago, if only he talked to him. If only he communicated what his obsession and protection meant, fully and completely with zero gray areas. But no, he had to be obtuse (and play it on the sociopathology). In turn, he made Sari doubt himself and cry, and then I cried. 

Oh, my Sari. Adorable baby who did indeed need protection. But he also needed the agency he was asking for. He took it and more...granted, that came after some crying and multiple kidnapping attempts.

Leave us on a cliffhanger. Then again, I offically found out there will be a spin-off series with the triplets so, there's that. 

Trigger Warnings: descriptions of past childhood trauma and abuse, chronic illness of SC, characters with mental disorders, stalking, accidental ingestion of a narcotic/consumption of alcohol, violence, torture, death, murder, references to off-page/past sexual assault and rape, references to off-page kidnapping/drugging/rape of unknown subject, one-page kidnapping/assault/attempted sexual assault, dub-con, gun play, and more.

#one #six #three #five #seven+four #eight #happykrampusxmas #themeetnotcute #angelsofwrath #angelsofwrathseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Happy Krampus Xmas & The Meet Not Cute (Angels of Wrath #4.5)

Here's "Happy Krampus Xmas & The Meet Not Cute" by Paulina Ian-Kane. These are two novellas her Angels of Wrath series.

["-Happy Krampus Xmas
Happy Krampus Day!
Krampus who? Santa’s evil brother, duh.
The horned demon sort of cursed me, and I need to find a way to appease him.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to proceed with my donor initiation: blood, torture, death, screams—not in that order.
All I need is to follow my three-step groveling plan.
What could go wrong?
A cussing Santa, a house on fire, donors’ accidental deaths, groping spiders, a possessed hen, and pair of bloody itchy, furry shorts.
Xmas holidays suck, and not in the fun way…

***

-The Meet Not Cute
Falling on a jock’s lap was definitely not part of my plan.
I’m turning my life around, studying hard and going my own way, when a meet not in the least cute puts me on TJ’s path.
Big.
Bigger.
A mountain of a football jock with brown, puppy eyes that unnerve me as much as they suck me in.
We have nothing in common. Not a thing.
But it seems he can’t stay away from me. So why not experiment with his new found bi-sexuality? I’m all for it.
I mean, his athletic, gigantic body is what wet dreams are made of—everything must be proportionate.
Please. Please. Please. Let it be proportionate.
I've been a...good-ish boy.
When I start to catch feelings, my self-preservation kicks in, urging me to turn and leave.
Hard to do that, though, when TJ’s massive body blocks all exits."]

Happy Krampus Xmas:
All Lori, all the time. Being extra Lori during the holidays. Makes sense to be honest. So does his costumes and pettiness and hen...getting possessed? Sure, why the hell not. Weirder things have happened to this family.

The Meet Not Cute:
Two hot messes becoming hotter messes. Plus some general angst and miscommunication and perceived things. Kindness and sass and Krampus magic. Plus Lori intervening and family intervention. These two were adorable as hell, and I'm sooo glad that Spencer got a well-earned future and well-deserved HEA.

Trigger Warnings: demonic evocation, attempt at child kidnapping, mentions of child prostitution, pedophiles and organ trafficking, death, torture, references to drugs and prostitution, references to homophobia and homophobic language, physical assault, discussion regarding alcoholism, fear of abandonment, mentions of living on the streets, bad foster family experience, and more.

#one #six #three #five #seven+four #eight #happykrampusxmas #themeetnotcute #angelsofwrath #angelsofwrathseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Five (Angels of Wrath #4)

Here's "Five" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the fourth novel her Angels of Wrath series.

["Lori Boone has always been unapologetically and shamelessly himself.

Petite, with soft curls and plump lips, he’s often underestimated. Until he parts those lips and the sassiness comes out.

He thrives in uncomfortable situations and plots petty revenge in his free time. Facts that don’t change even when he starts working for a prestigious law firm and under Gabriel Reed, his best friend’s brother-in-law.

“Tailored three-piece suits, perfectly styled blond hair, demanding presence, and cold stare.
My boss.
Ugh.

Well, he’s my boss’s boss’s boss, so I don’t see him much. But when we do cross paths . . . nothing.
He barely acknowledges me despite my repeated attempts to get under his skin. I’m head-turning gorgeous, catching his sharp, silver eyes shouldn’t be this hard.
I don’t hide my deep dislike for him, and my outrageous antics should get me fired, but they barely illicit a reaction.

Everything changes after I stalk him—it has become a hobby of sorts—and end up drugged, desperate, and in need of rescue, only to be saved and more by...Gabe!
I know. Bonkers, right?
Even more if you add to the mix my tendency toward sexsomnia and his multiplicity, things that set our worlds on fire.

I always thought I’d never settle for one man. More than one? Too crowded.
But what if two men share one body?
They might be exactly what I need.”"]

We've been waiting for this couple for...what seems like far too long. And it was a slow burn. Granted, it started off with a bang, but then it slowed down (sure, sure, for trauma reasons and kindness and awkwardness--and lack of communication). And then miscommunication (or more lack of communication?). 

It's a good thing that life with these Angels is fast-paced, leaving no room for too much separation. Just a whole bunch of mysterious people, potential killers, long lost somethings...

And love. So much love and dedication and possession (and confusion over the obsession) and ownership and rightness and spice and family and protection. And teasing chemistry from all sides (looking at you Sari and Uri...you're angst-filled HEA is coming). 

Trigger Warnings: mentions of date rape drugs, one MC is dosed with the drug, dub-con, discussion and imagery regarding euthanasia, talking about experimentation and torture of children, secondary character in a coma, suspicion of poisoning, multiplicity and DID, torture, gore, small reference to homophobia, and more.

#one #six #three #five #seven+four #eight #happykrampusxmas #themeetnotcute #angelsofwrath #angelsofwrathseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Three (Angels of Wrath #3)

Here's "Three" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the third novel her Angels of Wrath series.

["Hunter Penn

One hellish moment. One painful decision. And everything radically changed.

Years later, I’ve adjusted to my new life as a P.I. when a long-bearded, red-headed guy walks into an alley. The same dark alley where I’m having a talk with the armed men who were following me. The encounter is brief and bloody and ends with him winking at me as he drives away.

My curiosity—and some tailing—brings us together again...or so I thought. He wants to work with me, and despite my lack of trust in the rest of the human population, I recognize his impressive skills and need his help to find out who’s been trying to kill me.

He calls me Grizzly, Papa Bear, Yogi. His incessant flirting, impish disposition, and sexy triple-dimpled smile drive me mad. Until I force him to his knees—and what a sight that is.

Who’d have guessed I am into men in lingerie?

But when he unexpectedly asks for my help, I discover a new side to him, and finally, I know what he is.

Mine.
Mine.
Mine.

I don’t care if he thinks he’s broken. Who isn’t?

I don’t care about his family’s side business. I have a damn big skeleton hanging in my closet.

I don’t even care if my days are numbered. He makes it worth every single moment.

The only thing that matters is being near him.

Protecting him.

Showing him who he belongs to."]

This one was another that started off fast and strong and sure. And spicy. These Angels know how to really get their story going, whether their new life partner is ready or not.

And Hunter wasn't quite so ready. But Rami changed his tune rather easily to be honest. Didn't take all that much.

I love how this family just comes together. They didn't have an easy childhood and many (all) of them are broken in their own ways, but they really get the drop-everything-for-family rule. It shouldn't be as adorable as it is. 

If we keep getting more found family members, I'm going to need more books with more HEAs...

Trigger Warnings: murder, children abuse and rape, drug addiction, talking about experimentation and torture on children, torture, gore, small references to homophobia and prison, 

#one #six #three #five #seven+four #eight #happykrampusxmas #themeetnotcute #angelsofwrath #angelsofwrathseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks