An Unsuitable Heir by KJ Charles

4.5 Stars

Sins of the Cities - Book 3

This book was amazing. I loved the first 2 books of the trilogy and this final one lives up to every expectation.

KJ Charles is a masterful writer.  Her books always leave me searching for a way to do these review things with some sort of coherence and intelligence, but I'm constantly blown away by the characters, the storytelling, the depth, the authenticity and the atmosphere.

The main characters... Mark and Pen.  Another wonderful couple who take a hold of your heart and refuse to let go.  Straightforward Mark, the enquiry agent (P.I.) who one of his friends terms a "plain penny" is the very picture of stalwart dependability.  He has the challenge of having only one arm, and I'll be honest, I forgot all about it until the few times it was focused on by Pen.  There is one scene, early on in the book, where Pen explores the arm that was so touching and honest to God, so sexy that again, I tip my hat to KJ.  I liked Mark a whole lot.  I liked his sensibility, I liked his fumbling to get the right words out when he didn't want to hurt anyone, I liked his sense of humour and I loved the way he treated Pen.

Pen.  Pen is gender fluid and this is not the first time I've come across gender fluid characters, but it's one of the best times.  All Pen wants, really, is for people to see him as Pen - and I say him, because he says him - he's not a man, he's not a woman, he's Pen.  And I liked him SO much.  He's funny, he's sensitive, he's smart, he's not let the shit of his early years make him sad and bitter.  And he gave me an insight into understanding gender fluid a little better and that's without KJ having to turn her book into a lecture.  And Mark is perfect for him.  :)  I've seen some say that they felt they needed more about how Pen felt about Mark, but honestly?  For me, it was all laid out right there on the page, obvious by their actions and reactions.  I didn't need any deep pages long introspection or long drawn-out speeches.

The secondary characters are wonderful as well.  Phyllis at the Jack and Knave pub, the servants at the estate, the members of the Taillefer family and of course our old friends, Nathanial, Justin and Clem.  (Rowley was very busy with his work, I guess.)  And Clem.  Damn, I love Clem, he's just so calm and soothing, I was glad to see him again.

And then there's the mystery that has been woven through the trilogy finally coming to a conclusion.  And it WORKED!  It worked well!  I had no idea who the real culprit was until near the end.  That's some masterful plotting!  And all the while, the Victorian atmosphere of the setting is accurately and interestingly portrayed.

While there wasn't as much of the sexytimes in this book, I felt there was more than enough romance.  There was a wealth of feeling and desire in the simplest of touches so I didn't feel short-changed at all.  It worked for these characters and it worked for me.

Read the trilogy, it's really fabulous!

Spectred Isle by KJ Charles

4.5 Stars

Green Men Book 1

This book hits so many of my sweet spots.  KJ Charles - one of my favourite authors, the time period of the early 1920's, the setting of England and all its history, legends and folklore, magic tied to the land - practically perfect!

I love how KJ writes.  There's one scene, about 1/3 of the way through the book, where it gets really spooky and otherworldly and it was so amazing - it was in the humid mid-eighties temperture-wise and I swear, I was shivering as I read it!

The two main characters of Saul and Randolph are lovely.  Okay, so Randolph can be a bit of a trial at times, but I love his British upper-class snark and his crankiness and being difficult just endears him to me because he really does have a mushy centre when he allows it to be seen.  And Saul, the everyman who has seen such horrors and been through such an awful time through no real fault of his own, the fact that he's still a functioning human being is amazing, and when he finds something to grab on to (Randolph) well, he is so stalwart and brave and human.  I loved him.

This is the first book of a trilogy and as KJ likes to do with her trilogies, there is an over-arcing plot for all three books, the beginning of which we read about here.  And old evil, the historical figure of Geoffrey de Mandeville (Man-Devil, see?), the aftermath of the War Beneath (what we didn't see in WW1) versus the group of Green Men (there are women too) who are there to protect England - that's the big picture against which the love story of Saul and Randolph plays out.  For my taste, there was a really good balance between the love story and sexytimes and the paranormal mystical stuff.

So yes, Spectred Isle is one of the best books I've read this year, proving once again, that KJ Charles never lets me down.

Oh, and I have to say a word about the cover of the book, created by Lexiconic Design.  IT'S GORGEOUS!

An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles

4.5 Stars

Sins of the Cities - Book 2

I honestly have yet to be disappointed in a KJ Charles book.  An Unnatural Vice continues that positive string.  It was terrific!

In An Unnatural Vice, we get the story of Nathaniel Roy who we met in the first book of the series, a friend of Clem's, the illegitimate earl's son and a journalist.  He's out to expose a spiritualist, Justin Lazarus, who just happens to be tied to the over-arching plot of the trilogy.

Of course, the two men are drawn to each other despite their mutual distrust.  There's just some kind of spark that quickly grows into a bonfire and it works!  It's not insta-love, it's insta-lust.  And that's okay because the author is just that good that we can see why they're so drawn to each other and it makes sense.

Alot of the reviews etc... that I've read of this book indicate that Justin is a total bastard, but you know what?  I never saw him that way. Yes, he's not exactly an honest or upright man, but it's clear from the beginning, at least it was to me, that he had his own code of morals and while they might not be all pure and altruistic, they are constant and he lives by them.  Sure, he makes his living by bilking what folks would consider innocent people, but those were the cards he was dealt and what was the alternative?  So no, I didn't think he was a right bastard at all.

I will say that Justin was the more intriguing character of  the two men.  Nathaniel, the crusading journalist doesn't have many grey areas and at times he even came across as a tad snotty about being 'the good guy', but he's also charming and amusingly deprecating at times and this warmed me to him. He is really the perfect foil for Justin and the two of them falling in love was fun to read.

There is lots of action, both in and out of the bedroom and the mystery plot barrels along to an interesting and satisfying second act climax.  I am looking forward to Book 3 - already pre-ordered, something I very seldom do - and seeing what comes of Mark, another of the friends, the private investigator, excuse me, the private enquiry agent and Pen, the young man he's discovered.  I only have to wait until October.  :)

An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles

4.5 Stars

Sins of the Cities - Book 1

A new KJ Charles trilogy!!  WOOT!

No one does historical m/m romance better than KJ Charles, in my honest and humble opinion.  That this trilogy also holds a mystery plot line makes me very happy.

As always, the main characters are distinct and different from the norm.  And as often as not, they aren't the nobility either, which I find fascinating. I always learn something when reading KJ's books.  This time, we have a taxidermist and the manager of a boarding house.

Rowley, the taxidermist, is a quiet man.  His childhood was violent and somewhat hopeless and these days he's most happy to spend most of his time by himself, working on his art or doing commissions for his customers.  I found many of his life observations to be quite true and really enjoyed getting to know him.

The boarding house manager, Clem, is part Indian and has ties to the nobility.  He also appears to be what we call 'on the spectrum'.  Asperger's?  Highly functioning autistic? It's never really stated because, well, these diagnoses didn't exist back in those days. I really enjoyed how Rowley was able understand him and let his true self show.  That Rowley's sexual preferences seemed to dovetail quite nicely with Clem's personality and needs... well it was really well done.

And Clem's friends and co-workers... delightful!  KJ does characters so well.  :)

An Unseen Attraction is a sweet love story wrapped up in a mystery and tied with a lovely historical bow and I totally enjoyed it!  I can't wait for the next book, coming in June and then the final book which I believe comes out in October.  They are pre-ordered.  KJ is one of the few authors I will preorder.

A Gentleman's Position by KJ Charles

5 STARS

Society of Gentlemen - Book 3

To quote what I said on Twitter: *BIG HAPPY END OF BOOK - END OF SERIES SIGH* Damn that was marvelous!!
So many people have written more clever, more insightful, more discerning reviews on A Gentleman's Position, and indeed on the whole series, than I could ever hope to write. Hell, I don't even write reviews, just spew out my thoughts. :) But I really wish I could do the former for this book and this whole series. It's just a crackerjack of a historical romance. Entertaining and well... educating at the same time. For my money, KJ writes about the inequalities of the class system (see, I don't even know for sure if that's what you call it. *LOL*) as well as, if not better than anyone else. I mean, you come for the love story and before you know it, you've learned something! At the very least, you've been made to think about things you might never have thought of before. :)

So, about the book. First off, it was only fitting that we finally get the story of Lord Richard Vane and his valet David Cyprian. We learn why Richard is the oh-so-proper (except for his love of men) upright, upstanding, strict caretaker of his friends and family that he is and I was finally able to forgive him for being a self-righteous prick over 2 and a half novels. :) I don't know that I ever came to really like Richard, but I did come to understand and root for him.

His valet (and love of his life), David Cyprian, is quite the piece of work. So very very clever - quite honestly I think he, Silas and Dom could take over the whole British Empire given half the chance - and so devoted to his master, I loved him for his own moral code that was, in its way, just as rigid as Richard's. I also enjoyed his wicked sense of humour and loved how he dealt with his own family. I think that he's going to be the making of Richard.

Things I thought of while reading...

I'm still in love with Richard's life-long best friend, Dominic Frey, one of the MCs of the previous book - A Seditious Affair. I loved how he spoke to Richard, open, honest and from the heart, not holding back on his anger while so obviously loving him as really, only Dom could.

I totally enjoyed Richard's older brother, Philip. I loved how he behaved in the climactic scene of the book and how his relationship with Richard compared to that of the other brothers - Ash and Maltravers.

Even though I knew that KJ would never take the easy route, I was still inordinately pleased that there were no sudden revelations of a hidden noble background or a business legacy appearing out of nowhere. It made the HEA that much more satisfying to me.

Yeah, I'm sad that the series has come to a conclusion (even though KJ is thinking of maybe writing a coda) but it truly doesn't feel like anything has been left undone. Sure, I would enjoy tales of the adventures of the happy couples but I don't NEED them. :)

As I said, again on Twitter, KJ Charles has been added to the list of authors for whom I will put aside the book I'm currently reading to read their latest work. And it's a short list!

Loved these characters, loved this book and loved this trilogy!

Rag and Bone by KJ Charles

4 STARS

A Charm of Magpies Novel

KJ does it again! Over the past 18 or so months, she had become one of my favourite authors. I enjoy her voice so much, her books are just delightful to read.

Rag and Bone is set in the Magpie Universe and there are plenty of Magpie cameos which works just fine for me. And none of them are forced either. They are an integral part of the plot.

I think I've also found a new fave in Ned, the waste-man. Trust me, he's not a waste at all! *LOL* I like his steadiness, his down-to-earth simplicity and his determination.

The story of how Ned and Crispin, the magician/warlock come to terms with their relationship and their distinct talents and their future is a good one. It kept the pages turning and allowed the characters to grow.

Rag and Bone is one of those books where I read the final words and sigh happily because it's so ultimately satisfying. :)

A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles

5 STARS

Society of Gentlemen - Book 2

Simply put... I loved it!

Another Place in Time by Various Authors

4.5 STARS

There are 6 stories in this historical anthology and every one of them is a winner.

Office Romance by Tamara Allen
Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles
Unfair in Love and War by Kaje Harper
Carousel by Jordan L. Hawk
Deliverance by Aleksandr Voinov

The stories take place in different historical eras and each one is a little gem that I can totally recommend. WW2, Regency, Victorian, The Crusades... each story features terrific characters, actual plots, sexy and romantic interludes, real emotions, laughter and tears. I mean they have everything you'd want in a historical romance no matter the era. I'm not one for short stories usually. I find many of them lacking substance. Not these!

They were all so, so good, but if you were to demand that I choose a favourite, I'd have to say The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles. The heat in this story, the intensity of the two characters in their dealings with each other, the moments of humour and the moments of sadness... man... it was really really really good. :)

I should add that the only author I'd not read before was Joanna Chambers and she's now on my Get More Books By This Author list. I have her Provoked in my TBR pile.

So if you want to check out some historical m/m romance, this is a terrific place to start! It's also a must-read for those that are already loving the genre. :)

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

5 STARS

Society of Gentlemen - Book 1

5 Stars, yes indeed! I loved it, pure and simple. KJ Charles is one of my favourite authors and she most certainly did not disappoint with this first entry into her new Society of Gentlemen series.

A Fashionable Indulgence tells the story of Harry Vane and Julius Norreys.

When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips.

After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.

I was beginning chapter 3 and I was already in love with the whole cast of characters, each one of them unique and may I say flawed in their own special ways. Real people, I think. :)

It was as if Georgette Heyer had decided to write a romance about two men and add in a few more racy scenes than her norm. :) And then about halfway through the book, things get serious and it's no longer a story of manners and such, but almost a mystery/adventure. And add in some serious political insight too.

This is one of those books that make me wish I could write an insightful, educated, knowledgeable review but I can't. And I really regret that, because I think KJ is a supremely talented writer and would love to do her justice. But, I can just say that I adored the book, loved the story, adored the characters and I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series. :)

EDT: I forgot to mention that I'd been saving this review/rec post to add to my own because it says things I wish I could. Check it out. :)

http://oliviacirce.tumblr.com/post/126601232527/rec-kj-charles-society-of-gentlemen

The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

Simon Feximal Series

I loved this book and I'm so glad that the author decided to publish this as a collection instead of piecing them out over time as so often happens. Yes, it's a collection of short stories, but it flows so beautifully from one into the other, even if there are years in between them.

Simon Feximal is a most intriguing, dismaying, exasperating, wonderful and sensitive character and it's really not difficult to see why Robert Caldwell falls for him. And Robert himself, the light-hearted, optimistic, self-aware (The man is very quick to know and admit his fears, for instance.) journalist-turned-author is a treat. The stories are told from his POV and they never fail to hold one's interest. He never becomes pedantic or tiresome or too introspective as many 1st person narrators can. While reading, it actually felt like as if I was reading through a sheaf of servicable stationery written in ink in a sprawling handwriting - not my Kobo Aura H2O ereader. *LOL* Seriously!

Robert tells two tales really. The tale of his and Simon's work partnership, how they came to join together and learn how to work together. And it's also the tale of their intimate partnership and how they came to love one another and create their own version of a family.

I think there could be more Feximal stories, I mean we have only scratched the surface of his and Robert's paranormal adventures, but what we have in this book are the cases that affected both areas of their lives and I would be satisfied with that if that is all there is to be told. We have see both Simon and Robert grow into full, well-rounded, real characters thanks to these tales and anything else that could be written would be more for the adventure and the fun of it.

Y'know, KJ Charles is a terrific author and I could never go wrong in recommending her.

Remnant by KJ Charles and Jordan L. Hawk

4 STARS

The inevitable and eminently suitable crossover between Charles' Casebook of Simon Feximal stories and Hawk's Griffin & Whyborne series.

So much fun! I certainly hope that these two couples find a way to work together again. They are the perfect foils for each other and I laughed out lout a couple of times much to the dog's puzzlement. *LOL*

Fans of either series need to read this freebie!

Butterflies by KJ Charles

4 STARS

I really loved this - for me- introduction to Simon Feximal short story. KJ is a wonderful author of historical paranormal m/m romances and I have yet to be disappointed by any of her offerings.

And I should say, this was the perfect reading palate cleanser after my disappointment in my previous read.

Jackdaw by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

Loved it!

Jackdaw is set in the world of Charm of Magpies and features Jonah Pastern, who we met in Book 3, Flight of Magpies. Jonah is a windwalker and a thief. Once, he was the lover of Ben Spenser, a police officer. Then came betrayal, secrets and laws that could not be contravened.

To me, this book is a little darker than Stephen's and Lucien's tales. Ben is in a very bad place during the first half of the book and things look rather hopeless. Even Stephen in his supporting role seemed harsh and unlikable. It was also a smaller story - in scope, I mean. There were no otherworldly creatures to battle, no magical baddies out for murder and mayhem. It's the story of two men, one who feels totally broken and done, the other who feels as if he was never worth anything and never could be and how they manage to get past that and create something sweet and beautiful. And despite the harshness and violence at the beginning of the book, I found this story to be almost gentle and cosy in nature at times.

I loved the character of Jonah. The people of the village in Cornwall call him a bucca and he's really exactly that. So full of life, living on his emotions, a huge heart and he takes pleasure in so many of the simpler things. I think he may be one of my favourite characters of all KJ's creations. He's tied with Lucien at the very least. :)

And yes, Lucien makes an appearance and it is WONDERFUL!

Yes, I loved this book and I don't know if we'll see more of Jonah and Ben or if we'll ever see more tales in this universe even, but I certainly hope so.

A Feast of Stephen by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

A Charm of Magpies - Book 3.5

Loved it!

A perfect story for the holiday season! It has a very family feel about it and I love the way KJ was able to work the traditional carol into Stephen and Lucien's love story. It worked REALLY well for me.

Thanks for the lovely Christmas prezzie, KJ! It was just what I needed today. :)

Interlude with Tattoos by KJ Charles

4 STARS

A Charm of Magpies Interlude

Exactly as advertised, an interlude between Book One and Book Two of the A Charm of Magpies series. A lovely, steamy, fun interlude that hit the spot when looking for a quick enjoyable read.

I love this author and I love this series.

Flight of Magpies by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

A Charm of Magpies - Book 3

I loved this book. :) Stephen and Crane are among my favourite couples in all of Romancelandia and the opening scene of this installment of their adventures had me squeeing online as I read it. The affectionate banter, the wonderful characterization, the casual sexiness, it all had me grinning from ear to ear.

And then things start to happen. Paranormalish type things. Gruesome murders, theft, pretty yet shifty young men appear on the page. We have Stephen's partner, Esther, with her own challenges. It all seems very disparate at first, but by the time the last chapters roll around, everything hangs together quite nicely.

There's a scene not quite halfway through the book, I think, where Stephen and Crane have an explosive argument. It was so REAL! The author did a wonderful job and had me holding my breath as it played out. I find these books so READABLE.

I think that in this book, the actual paranormal plot, while important and exciting and served to drive the story onward, was really only of secondary importance to the growth of Stephen and Crane's relationship into the strong, walls all down, no holds barred, permanent relationship we've been reading for.

Now, an argument could be made that the hurt and anger they both felt through most of the book was manufactured by outside forces, but I think that what they felt may have been magnified by what was going on, but that there were definite and deep issues that both had to work out. It was all very believable for me and you know, I'm not sure that everything has been perfectly ironed out. Nor should it be. Even if we are looking at the supposed closing of the trilogy and the story of Stephen and Crane. They have their HEA, but there is no doubt in my mind that they will face challenges and hard times and quite honestly, that's how it should be.

I am looking forward to the passage of the torch, so to speak, from Stephen and Crane to Jonah and even more superb writing from KJ Charles.

Think of England by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

I loved it! Think of England is the story of Archie Curtis and Daniel da Silva, complete opposites inside and out, and I fell in love with them both. Thrown together by happenstance at a country house at a turn of the century (1904) house party, they soon find out that they have many things in common. And thereby hangs the tale. :)

KJ Charles always does her homework and it shows in this novel. The mystery works. The characters are wonderfully drawn. The setting and atmosphere are artfully presented. The dialogue is perfect for the time period, evocative, real and engaging. The love story is sweet without being saccharine. (Daniel is ANYTHING but saccharine! *LOL*) And it doesn't overwhelm the story. The sex scenes are intimate and hot and the attraction between Archie and Daniel, while sudden and quick, works quite nicely I thought.

I also enjoyed the ladies, Fen and Pat and find myself hoping that if KJ continues to write about the adventures of Archie and Daniel, they won't be left out of the fun.

All in all, a terrific m/m romantic suspense historical novel. Yeah, I would definitely read more about the adventures of Archie and Daniel.

A Case of Possession by KJ Charles

4 STARS

A Charm of Magpies - Book 2

I love this series. I loved this book. It was a most comfortable, easy and fun read. I love the author's voice - it holds just the right amount of a historical flair, yet not so much that the narrative seems quaint or dated.

And I love that we're taking the relationship between Stephen and Crane slowly and that even though we know they adore each other, their obstacles are very real and big enough to give them pause. And their sex scenes, while being few and far between, are always hot and sexy and lovely.

This is mostly Crane's tale to tell. We learn more about his past in China, although not nearly enough for me. *LOL* I have to assume the author will take us there over time. Can't spill all the good stuff at once!

The magic is kind of frightening. Rats? UGH! And not just any rats either. Big ugly magical type mofos! Of course there are good sides to it, the connection between Crane and Stephen, the work of the justicars. Good stuff. And it was nice to see more of the justicars and see them interact with Stephen and then Crane. And the character of Saint, the street urchin... I am SO intrigued by her.

This is really a terrific AU of Victorian England that KJ has created. What promised in the first novel carried through in this volume. I have no qualms at all in recommending this series. None at all. :)

The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

4.5 STARS

A Charm of Magpies - Book 1

Did I love this book? I loved this book!

I had had it noted in my 'to acquire' pile since the fall, when it was published, simply because I enjoy a good historical m/m story. As the weeks passed, I kept seeing it mentioned in my Twitter feed as a good book, indeed, a fabulous book. I saw it mentioned in a few blogs and on Facebook a few times. Finally, when Heidi Cullinan mentioned that she was reading it and OMG, she was loving it... well, if you've been following along, you know that Heidi is one of my faves and a recc from her is GOLDEN, so I bought it and it went into the 'read it soonest' pile.

All this to say... Heidi has yet to steer me wrong. :)

I love the setting! Sort of an AU Victorian universe where there's magic. And the writing! I really enjoyed KJ's voice, it was easy to read, fun, and evocative - the only problem I had was the use of the word 'obscene' and it's progeny, 'obsenity' about 6 or 7 times in the span of about 4 pages - or one scene - near the beginning of the book. But that was the only problem I had.

The characters! OMG, Stephen and Lucien and Merrick... I loved them all. Stephen, the diminutive justicar, wielder of magic - indeed a sort of policeman of sorts. Self-effacing, witty, he works under a lot of constraints and still manages to shine. And not in an objectionable way at all! He's not a know-it-all although he easily could have been. And Lucien Crane, the newly-minted earl. Dangerous and haughty with a chequered past, he almost... ALMOST fell into the asshole hero trope, but you know what? He was afraid. He admitted to being scared. Not about the growing feelings he feels for Stephen, but for the situation, for the things that any sane person would be afraid of. That endeared him to me. And then there's Merrick - the manservant, confidant, protector, right-hand man, best friend of Lucien. I loved him, pure and simple. I loved his smart-ass mouth, his love for Lucien and his wit and humour.

The plot works. It's a mystery, really. What's wrong with the ancestral estate of Lucien Vaudrey, the new Lord Crane? The magic hangs together nicely, the back story of the Vaudrey family makes sense and the ending leaves the reader wanting more in the very best of ways. More adventures for this trio!

Yes, the desire came quickly, but that's a normal thing. Who hasn't felt attraction for someone quickly? But the relationship between Stephen and Lucien takes it's time to grow and by the time they finally get together, it works perfectly. :)

I already have the second book in my Kobo, in my TBR file, (I mentioned that I loved this book, right?), and I think I've found another really good author. :)

EDIT: So Heidi tells me that she hasn't read it yet, but I would have put my hand in fire, as we say in Quebec, that hers was the recc that tipped me over. So who the hell was it? I don't fully trust a lot of author reccs other than Heidi's.... Another mystery!!

*facepalm*