This week, two gay audio romances, and two linked stories by K. L. Noone. I cannot recommend any of these books enough!
Love is a Stranger by John Wiltshire (audio)
Entirely new-to-me series that I have decided I need to carry on with! A couple of special ops-type main characters, one of whom has married into the royal family for reasons that will be spoilers. There’s lots of repressed ‘we are only fucking, we don’t care about each other’ type denial, which I liked a lot although I wanted to shout at them. There’s lots of plot and physical action and travelling round the scenic British countryside whilst they work out what’s going on and what they are to each other. And there’s a lot of acorns planted that are clearly going to grow into future books. Recommend.
Spectred Isle, The Green Men, KJ Charles audio.
Nineteen-twenties angst is my catnip as you will know by now if you read these recs regularly. Everyone is still traumatised by the war and in this case, that includes some of them having tentacles as a side-plot. I love this book–the green man thread resonates really heavily with my slightly new-age gardening-self. I was thrown initially because Saul has a much lighter voice than I expected and sounds younger than I had envisaged. However once I’d got used to him, I really enjoyed the narration. The production is very good, seamless. This is a treat, whether you’re already a KJ Charles fan or new to her books.
Sorceress by K. L. Noone
Short, sweet, straight, fantasy romance between Lily, single-parent sorceress and Will the allegedly dissolute older brother of a young king who is dying from magic. Clever, funny, heart-warming, a really lovely read.
Magician by K. L. Noone
Gareth is the prince of a tiny, poor, mountain kingdom that needs magical help. Lorre is a powerful, three hundred year old, very emotionally fucked up magician. Gareth tracks Lorre down and asks him for help. Lorre says yes, largely because he’s bored I think. They fall in love. They sort out everyone’s problems and become grown up, mature human beings. They accidentally create magical sex diamonds. The king, Gareth’s brother, is a stress-baker. Gareth is the ultimate Cinnamon Roll. You should really read this book.
That’s the lot for this week!