Shayne CarmichaelRezensionen

Love and forgiveness are what should drive angels' existence, but both can be hard-earned. This story describes the consequences of Elian, a watcher angel, going against the rules (as inhumane as they are), the lessons Elian learns, and what he does next. It is that action which really endeared him to me – no matter the consequences, he goes back to the human lover he was separated from ten years ago. For some beings, love really is eternal. As for the human… Ryan has learned a few hard truths about greed and the uselessness of material possessions as well, and is ready to die. Seems a little too harsh, right? Thank goodness this is a Christmas story with a message of hope!

Elian has made quite a few mistakes in his existence, and getting involved in Ryan's life was one of them. He has atoned for his sins, and I loved that the next thing he does is go right back to Ryan! The threat of yet another punishment doesn’t seem to deter him, but I keenly feared the possibility of him getting caught and reeled in again throughout the story. That would just have been too cruel!

Ryan is at the end of his wits. We don’t get a lot of details but he must have been rich, then lost it all through greed and stupidity – including Elian. And that is his only real regret. When Elian turns up to take him home, he is grateful enough to accept, but hesitant to believe he could get another chance. He was so unassuming, I believed that he'd learned his lesson easily.

The resolution of their issues, when it comes, is truly freeing. Only loosely connected to the Romanorum series (which I have yet to read), this short story about an almost-fallen angel and the human he loves stands well on its own. It also gave me a good taste for what the series is like, and since I love angels and demons, I will certainly go on to read the three books about Cian (who has a short guest appearance here) and Mael, his vampire lover.

If you like angels and the trouble they can get themselves into, if you enjoy reading about men who have suffered and now reap their rewards, and if you're looking for a short, hot read with a message of hope, then you will probably like this short story.

This is an average story. The two leads have almost no depths. One of them is just a girl in man's clothing. A bit of a disappointment. The supernatural aspect is on the other hand well done. This story has two focus first one the courtship between the two character Jay and Devon and the haunted house story.

These are not authors I'll try again.

I have never read Harry Potter’s books, but I had the feeling that the author was playing a bit with that world, even if the fantasy world is more medieval than Victorian.

The novella starts with a six years old Hawk who is in the car of his wizard grandfather to learn the secret of the profession. The old man knows that he will be not able to see his nephew grow and so he entrusts the kid to Brael, his apprentice. It’s not said how old Brael is, but probably he is 15 or 20 years older than Hawk. Anyway the agreement with the old man is that Brael will take care of the kid only when he will be “of age”.

Shift in time, a now young adult Hawk meets again Brael, and it’s soon clear that Brael will not only teach Hawk the secret of magic, but also something else. Truth be told, in a scene, Brael explains that his “personal” interest in Hawk begun when Hawk was older, while he was looking for the boy from afar, waiting to stake his claim. It is only good that Hawk is infatuated of Brael, and he was also as a kid: for Hawk nothing is changed, Brael is still the fascinating wizard who told him stories when he was a kid, only that now he will tell him a different type of story. The author plays the innocent card for Hawk, with an hint or two, but not as much as he could have done.

If not for the sex, the story would be quite “innocent” and light: shadows who speak, wands and medallions who express their opinion and treat their owner. But the lightness and innocence is soon forgotten when Brael and Hawk are alone together.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00313Q1KQ/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

This has to be the best vampire m/m book I read to date!
Awesome and very very captivating beginning. Both characters were really interesting to see together, explosive couple dynamics, plus, I'm a sucker for stories in a medieval sort of/fantasy setting. Everything just really appealed to me a lot~
It felt like forever since a vampire x human story captivated me this much, if ever. I can't stress enough the huge bonus it was that it doesn't fall into the we have to turn the human cliché that is much too overused in such stories that always dampen my enjoyment in the end.½

Kenny is a were fox in an Old Far West town at the end of the nineteen century. He works as a clerk in a bank and the owner of the bank is a thief. He has simulated several fake robberies to steal the money of the town people and when he realizes that he could be discovered, he frames Kenny.

Now Kenny is on the run and the only place he feels safe is a cave complex near his hometown. He knows well the place since he was used to play there with Nigel, his childhood best friend. The same Nigel he later realized was his first love, only that Kenny moved to another town when he was too young to consciously be in love.

Nigel is now the town sheriff and when he is asking to hunt his old best friend Kenny, he is in trouble. He can't believe that Kenny is guilty, since he remembers the man as one with a spotless reputation and he deeply honesty core. And then, he has also personal reason to not want Kenny being a thief, since he has always had special feelings for the guy.

The story is really short, 50 pages, and it has a lot of elements on the fire: the historical setting, the issue of the same sex relationship in a unwelcoming society, and the shifter nature of Kenny. All these elements are dealt in a good way: there are enough historical details to build the setting but not so much to make you cringe on the inconsistency.

The homosexual relationship is not lived in the open, and once a time, not all the people around them cheer to their love; even Mariah, Nigel's sister, for how much she loves her brother and likes Kenny, can't be totally accepting of their love; she can try to understand, but she is not immediately open to the possibility.

Last the shifter nature: Shayne Carmichael chose to build a setting in which the paranormal nature of Kenny is only a possible physical characteristic; shifters are a breed as white men or Native Americans, they have their tribes but live among humans in a peacefully cohabitation. Free of the boundaries of the paranormal, the author prefers to give relevance for the reader to another aspect of a relationship between a human and a shifter: the shifter is half-beast, and as an animal, he needs his time in 'natural' form. And when Kenny is in fox form, he behaves as a fox: the scenes in which Kenny wanders around as a fox, could be a little hard to digest, since he is almost a puppy, and Nigel treats him like a lap dog... but probably it's the only way in which you can deal with this type of relationship: no hint of sex, on the contrary, give to Kenny an almost asexual behavior to be as far as possible to temptation.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KC6XT4/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Tonight I have no much time to read: I closed my store at 9.00 p.m. but remained here untile 11.00 to assist to a fight between my business partner and our french barman; the two are mad, nothing less: it is a war of I want you (she), I don't want you (he) but if you insist maybe...

So when I arrived at home I want to relax and began to read this short story (only 46 pages), The Pirate's Liar by Mychale Black and Shayne Carmichael. Really, in this moment, I have no mood to read something too long, and this novella suit me. Maybe the sex arrive a little to fast, but, in effect, we have only 46 pages to concentrate the first encounter, the sex, the falling in love and the happily ever after. So I can say it hit the goal.

The pirare is handsome and rude, the captive young and willing. The authors successed also to combine a plot, apart the love affair, so, at the end of the story, we have also a little surprise to make more interisting the lecture.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/4843.html

Bryan is a 19 years old music student. Orphaned he has always had a guardian who provides for every his needs but never shows himself. In all these years Bryan is arrived to fall in love for Jaden, his guardian, and now he is determined to meet the man.

Jaden lives like an hermit in a secluded mansion and Bryan decides to infiltrate in the property. When he meets Jaden, he can't believe to his eyes: Jaden is a very young man, barely thirty, and he is blind. Jaden seems to be pleased to meet Bryan, but still he remains detached and mysterious.

The story is very short, less than 50 pages, and it's the classical alpha/omega pair, even if here the alpha is blind and so takes his strenght also from Bryan, making him his eyes to the world. It's also an erotic tale, since the sex is a great part of the story. There are some points that are not explained, like from where Bryan comes and what is his connection with Jaden (at least not 'fully' explained...). Maybe with a slightly longer story all the unanswered questions could be fulfilled.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019TOQ1U/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

I have read many books by Shayne Carmichael and co-author Mychael Black. But readers may be suprised that both authors do very well on solo works, such as this. Bryan has been watched over by his mysterious guardian, Jaden, for many years. Bryan is a gifted violinist, who has found a lot of joy in life. His main sorrow comes from his lack of family. He does feel a connection to Jaden, though they have never met. And that is something Bryan intends to change - even if he has to break into Jaden's house!

Readers will quickly discern that Jaden is not human. I won't spoil it here, but Carmichael adds a special dimension to Jaden in addition to his paranormal nature that makes the story something...more. Yet, the author doesn't dwell on Jaden's nature, but instead focuses on Bryan. How might a normal person in our world react upon discovering that not only does the paranormal exist, someone you love is not all he appears? And, what if that person is afraid of how you will react? In most stories, paranormals are confident and powerful. Jaden is more three-dimensional than that. He has money, security and still worries that Bryan will not accept him. I espcially liked how Bryan's reaction, after discerning the truth for himself, it not typical. One would assume a normal person would be upset or afraid. But, would we really if it was someone we knew? All of these factors combine to make Jaden and Bryan more than just stereoytypes in a romance.

Though at first glance it seemed off how a young man could have a crush on someone he has never met, Carmichael handles the dilemma. Jaden has sent letters and gifts throughout Bryan's life, much like a secret admirer. Plus, Jaden is obviously a musician as well, which is common ground for the two to connect on. And Bryan has had strange dreams lately, where he feels as if Jaden were there in his arms (the first hint of the paranormal). Naturally, these scenes build some heady erotic tension. And Carmichael delivers on that promise. When Jaden and Bryan do consummate their love, the scenes are intense and heartfelt. Their mutual love of playing the violin also adds to the romance.

The author obviously left room for another novella or two after this, to explore Bryan and Jaden's relationship now that Bryan knows the truth about Jaden. Yet, the ending is satisfying and sweet. Though I personally prefer the author's more dramatic and in your face paranormal romance (The Prince's Angel), this story has an understated elegance that is very appealing and quite beautiful. Highly recommended!

Reading this book I realized that I don't know much about angels and demons, and about the Creation and the Fall of Lucifer. These are five stories about love between angels and demons, and about the power of clean all the mistakes that sometime love has.

Hunter and the Prey: Lev is an Angel. He trains the young Angel to be warriors and to destroy the evil creatures that roam the human world. But he can't destroy one of these creatures, the demon Alael, cause he loves him. And when Alael decides that it's time for them to be together, no one can deny them.

Angels of Blood: Irael is a fallen angel who proclaims himself god of a tortured world. The Order of Chaos is not happy with the angel's behaviour and want to destroy him. But Adon, one of the Angel of Creation, has his own plans on Irael, and he will do as he wants and the winner takes all.

Unholy Need: Nichael is an angel who has to hunt and kill a powerful mage, but during his mission he stumbles upon Nias, a young demon. It seems that Nias displeases Lucifer and he was sent in a mission where he clearly can survive, and Nichael has to help the young demon, cause now he can't let him go.

Order of the Highest: Talah is a demon spy, former lover of Sepha, a powerful ancient demon, he has to lure one of the Highest, a powerful group of angel warrior. But when he meets Aridas, he knows to have found the only thing missing in his life. But can he be free from the binding he has with Sepha.

The True Fall of Lucifer: After years and years of loneliness, Lucifer has to admit that he misses his former lover, Michael. And since also Michael wants Lucifer back, what prevent the fallen angel to reunite with his true love?

All the stories are pretty short, more or less 30 pages each, but are full of details and reading it you have a feeling of light and shadow, of deep black and flash of blinding colour. There are also many hints of bondage and submission, of pain that enriches the love making.

All the book is setting in a fantasy world, so it's not strange to see all these angels and demons around, they are not some otherworldly creatures in a normal world, they are normal creatures in a mythical world.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605041130/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Jay Wharton (The Duke) meets young American Devon Brooks at an upper-crust party while Devon is visiting his Mother and Step-father in England. Devon is trying to remain inconspicuous but Jay is drawn to him and convinces him to escape the socialite event for a local pub and a chance to get to know one another. What follows is a lovely romance and a good mystery!

Devon is a mature 19 year old and adamant on staying a Virgin while Jay is “nearly thirty” and very attracted to Devon. They are a perfect couple and I was rooting for them throughout the book. A sweet, sexy, HOT, romance ensues with Paparazzi and disapproving Mothers, inherited spirits and family skeletons spooky enough to shake the foundation of their marriage.

I have reviewed each novella separately:

POWER OF TWO - A very intense tale of BDSM, and healing love. The two concepts may seem contradictory, but the authors have skillfully married them. Grif and Dominic are vampires. They are also Dominant masters living and working together to train their two subs. A teasing test of wills has been growing between them, and is ready to blossom into much more. But Grif is hiding deep emotional wounds. He wasn't always a master; he was once a submissive. And he was cruelly betrayed; his master went beyond Grif's safe limits, allowing others to violate him. But the need to submit is still within. As he struggles with this, Dominic takes in a new sub - Tristan. Grif knows Tristan. Tristan was one of those that hurt him. And he's here to hurt Grif again if he can.

Unlike some BDSM-themed novellas which charge in with the whipping and handcuffs, but lack true emotion, "The Power of Two" has a surprising depth. There is good character development, and a deeper look at what dominants and submissives gain from such relationships. What I liked in particular was the subtle emphasis on touching. At one point Grif allows Dominic to whip him, and he enjoys it. But, he needs Dominic to hold him afterward to keep their relationship grounded outside of the pain. Since these are vampires the S&M takes on the darker aspect of blood, but that is expected. The interplay between Dominic and Grif swings between intensity and playfulness, with thoughtful dialog and erotic bondage/sex scenes. Having the vampires communicate telepathically enhances the romance and the sex. Vampires and BDSM are often bed partners in fiction, but here it has a more specific purpose. The authors don't chicken out on the reader - Dominic and Grif will embrace their love, but disaster will strike before that happens. When the situation with Tristan reaches a climax, the scene is brutal. Only a vampire could heal extreme physical damage. Their nature allows the authors to go to a darker place with the story, but it makes the love and romance that much brighter.

I would say this novella is as well done as the Deviations novels by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne. BDSM becomes more than a kink, and is examined as a way of life that fulfills someone's needs. Despite not practicing such a way of life myself, I could identify with the characters, and feel for them. Highly recommended.

DOMINION - This sequel more than lives up to its predecessor. Grif hasn't accepted his need to submit as well as dominate, nor faced the horror in his past. The past is about to become his present again when his sire petitions the vampire ruling council to take him back. Can Dominic save him before he is broken permanently?

The first novel unsettled readers with a rather brutal scene that left Grif terribly wounded before he and Dominic finally found some happiness. "Dominion" takes the reader down an even darker path, delving into emotional as well as physical pain. The sex scenes are still hot enough to singe the page, but more intense as the men have embraced their love for one another this time around. The BDSM is also taken to a new level. Readers are drawn into the characters as the line between pain and pleasure is blurred.

The writing here is excellent, and the story much more developed. The vampire world only hinted at in the first novel is fleshed out to be much more than a backdrop. Happily, the role of the secondary characters is greatly expanded as well. Jason and Tage become three-dimensional, and as interesting as Dom and Grif. The stage is clearly set for another novella giving us more of them vís a vís their vampire masters. "Dominion" will surprise readers, heat them up, take them to the edge of tears, and keep them utterly enthralled. Highly recommended!

Review of ARC: novel will be released Nov 5.

This one almost defies description, but I'll try! This is a science fiction novel, but with such gadgets as a "dimensional cosmodoodler" and a galactic hegemony called "Interferion" it quickly becomes apparent this is a comedy at the least, and playful parody at best. The authors keep their tongues firmly in cheek while their heroes battle "assassin vampire sheep" and have sex with the hottest hotties in the known universe. But, beneath this veneer lurks a tender romance between Chase and Duncan, who manage to profess their love and tie the knot, all while saving the galaxy.

I have read comedic scifi stories before, but this one has a little extra umph that is often missing from them. An overarching plot, for instance. Chase and Duncan run missions for their boss, Arch. Each mission provides them a clue to the mystery of Interferion's greatest enemy, CI (who happens to be drop-dead gorgeous, lest I forget) while providing them ample opportunity to get involved in threesomes and foursomes. There is danger on many an occasion, but thankfully there is lube around every corner! The sex is fun, steamy and frequent. Running gags with secondary characters like Rudolpho and Arch, plus the constant flow of increasingly ridiculous technobabble, had me laughing out loud several times.

If you like to laugh a little at your scifi while enjoying a hot M/M encounter, this book is for you. Is this the next Hugo winner? Of course not, but it will definitely help a reader escape the real world for a while. Highly recommended.

This sequel more than lives up to its predecessor. In "The Power of Two," we met Dominic and Griffith, two master vampires who are also master doms in the world of bondage and submission. Dominic had always loved Grif, but Grif found it difficult to trust after being betrayed by his creator and former master - until Dominic won him over with his love. But, Grif hasn't accepted his need to submit as well as dominate, nor faced the horror in his past. The past is about to become his present again when his sire petitions the vampire ruling council to take him back. Can Dominic save him before he is broken permanently?

The first novel unsettled readers with a rather brutal scene that left Grif terribly wounded before he and Dominic finally found some happiness. "Dominion" takes the reader down an even darker path, delving into emotional as well as physical pain. The sex scenes are still hot enough to singe the page, but more intense as the men have embraced their love for one another this time around. The BDSM is also taken to a new level. Readers are drawn into the characters as the line between pain and pleasure is blurred.

The writing here is excellent, and the story much more developed. The vampire world only hinted at in the first novel is fleshed out to be much more than a backdrop. Happily, the role of the secondary characters is greatly expanded as well. Jason and Tage become three-dimensional, and as interesting as Dom and Grif. The stage is clearly set for another novella giving us more of them vís a vís their vampire masters. "Dominion" will surprise readers, heat them up, take them to the edge of tears, and keep them utterly enthralled. Highly recommended!

Like an old classic novel, Dev and Jay are young and beautiful and their love is written on the stars, but the world is against them... and not because Jay is a Duke and rich and Dev is from the middel class and only of average wealth, and not becuase Jay is almost thirty and Dev is only nineteen, and not because Jay is a little snob and Dev dislike all the glamour... but becuase Jay and Dev are both men. So the only thing they have in common is also the one that could be tear them apart!

Jay's mother wants that her son marries a good and rich girl and gives her nephews and nieces. But Jay has eyes only for Dev, from the first moment he spots him in his house. And when you are rich and young everything is possible. So Jay, when Dev leaves after some week of young and perfect love, follows him to America and asks him to marry. They fly in Canada and get married. But the old family house of Dev they choose as home is haunted and someone doesn't want for them to stay together...

A very interesting story, born as a romantic comedy and ended like a suspence thriller. For my romantic side in everything, I have liked more the romantic comedy part: the young american who wants to stay 'virgin' till he will meet the man of his life... and the debauched duke who agrees to only have some heavy petting for the privilege to be with him... it's like an old movie with rock hudson and doris day (and the choice of rock hudson is not a random pick...)

An unusual book in the Phaze catalouge who lately seems to have some very interesting authors among them.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594268223/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

I have a guilty little secret - I read Barbara Cartland. There's just something about a British noble (be he Duke, Earl, Marquis, or whatnot) winning his true love that tickles me. Such stories are surely the inspiration for this wonderful gay romance from Black and Carmichael. Jay is the Duke of Wharton. Much to his mother's consternation, he refuses to choose a duchess and beget heirs. Devon's mother is British, but he was raised in the U.S. by his father. While visiting England, his mother drags him to endless boring social gatherings to "network." When he meets Jay, sparks fly between them and quickly develop into deeper feelings. But the pressure of dating a media darling finally chases Dev back to the US - but Jay won't let him get away.

Happily, the authors take care to actually develop a relationship between Dev and Jay. They date, spend time together and talk. And, in an unusual but delightful move, Dev is a virgin who intends to wait for a committed relationship before having sex. Bravo! This also adds angst to the story as Jay and Dev both struggle with their lust. When they do finally consummate their love, the poignant scene made my heart flutter. However, this simple romance takes a surprising turn when the two men marry and move to Kansas. Dev's family has a dark secret. The family house they've moved into may just be possessed by a malevolent spirit that wants Dev. A lovely romance blossoms into an interesting mystery with a lot of action and a clever plot. The authors' trademark hot sex is abundant, but the story is more than just window drssing for it. Though the novel has a nice conlusion, the problem of Jay's family doesn't fade away and the ending promises more from these two men in another novel or two. Highly recommended!½

A comfortable, gay cowboy romance - NOT! Carmichael sucks you in and then turns your world 180 degrees in the first chapter of this smart tale. The story opens in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881. Jake Mathers has just received a message that his father has died and he must return to Boston. But, the messenger has a secret agenda. Back in Boston, William seduces Jake and a quick, hard screw turns dark when William changes Jake into a vampire and then promptly leaves him. I love a good twist, don't you?

Chapter two thrusts readers into the year 2281. Jake runs Tombstone Ranch on Ephesia, another world that historical socities decided would be great for a new colony modeled on the Old West. Les is a young man looking for work, and maybe a quiet life, at the ranch. He finds something more with Jake, but how will he handle the truth?

I've read medieval vampires stories and modern ones, but very few authors take them to the Old West. An certainly not an Old West in a futuristic world. It seems anacronistic, but works beautifully for this novella. The future doesn't have to be Star Trek, and human prejudice doesn't die with advanced technology. Les and Jake set fire to the sheets in several steamy sex scenes, but their relationship also makes a reader thoughtful. How would we react to such a discovery about our lover? How accepting would we be? A very good story and a unique concept. I only had one small complaint - several times the main characters' names are switched around by mistake which caused me some issues in grasping what was being said. However, this has been corrected by the author for future purchases, and didn't bother my overall enjoyment of a solid romance in any case. Highly recommended.

Phew - I had to fan myself after this one! Leaning more toward erotica than romance, this novella packs a punch. Marcus has hired Luc as a live-in secretary. Luc is attracted to Marcus, but that intensifies when he accidentally learns Marcus is a Dom. Luc knows a little about the world of BDSM, but what he sees in Marcus' home lights a fire in him for more. Marcus will guide Luc's initiation as a submissive, and that makes for some hot scenes - In Carmichael's hands, a spanking becomes more erotic than usual. But, Marcus has anotehr darker nature he hopes Luc will accept.

As a romance this story could be considered weak, but as a steamy interlude in BDSM it succeeds beautifully. The conclusion was teasing, but also satisfying. A sequel would be more than welcome and could expand the romantic potential, but this novella does stand alone. Highly recommended.½

Excellent novella about a pirate, Gabriel, and his captive, Logan. I know, it doesn't sound very original, but the plot is NOT typical. Logan is a noble, and Gabriel may unwittingly deliver him into the hands of his worst enemy. But, will he leave him to his fate? Highly recommended!