A Hearts On Fire Review

3.5 HEARTS--Actual questions I had while reading "Callum's Fate" by Dianne Hartsock:

'Can ghosts' cocks get hard?'

AND

'Do ghosts have precome? What's the flavor and viscosity?'

I stopped reading plenty of times to ponder these things, since there was massive ghost erections.

"Pity. You would have lost your mind to the pleasure I could show you." [...] It slanted a sly look at Sean, then put its lips to Donal's ear. "Next time, come alone, darling. You won't regret it. I'll make sure you scream when you come."

For my second Hartsock read, I'm learning she can turn up the heat with her sex scenes. They're erotic and mesh well with the way she writes her characters. And in this erotic, historical fantasy short/PWP, there was a lot of sex, starting at page one.

In Callum's Fate, don't expect a massive detailed plot. Expect stiff dicks, multiple partners and fantasy creatures. Oh...and double penetration and felching too. ;P

Callum, the star of the short, is on the run in the magical moors in Scotland. The ginger virgin gets accosted...in a pleasurable way by something that comes from nightmares but he just rolls with it. This starts as sort of horror, mostly fantasy tale where he's saved by fae, felt up by will-o-wisps and has a gangbang...because...the reason didn't seem to be as important as shedding that cherry. Side note: a virgin who just takes to cock so readily and massive ones (at the same time once) just doesn't seem as plausible.

But the PWP had charm, likeable characters and an interesting secondary plot with another gay couple that's being forced in a way to be a triad (with a female but the three are more a V than a triangle).

Had I known what creatures would have been involved, namely the ghost, I wouldn't have read this. Thank goodness the creatures are called by different names.

Other than reading the blurb, the book could have been set during any historical period. In fact, it might have been better to leave it as fantasy, because that's essentially what it is. Nothing really historical about it other than the Scottish human players. It could have been a imaginary world.

What was Callum running from in the beginning? Couldn't tell you. I don't think he even knows.

This story could have been better with a little more plot and filler because Donal/Sean (secondary characters) were more interesting than Callum. Though the ginger gets an A for effort on sex scenes. Flexible where it counts.

The ending was a little rushed for both couples...throuples? I don't even know. They switched partners a lot...let's say it starts with a virgin and a couple, ends with 2 triads who are in open relationships.

Recommended for readers who don't mind switch partners, not much plot and enjoys fantasy PWP. It's a quick read and cool concept overall.

3.25 Hearts--

"Oh, yes, stretched, lubed, and ready, just the way Sawyer liked his holes."

A Bear Walks Into A Bar is a shifter pornucopia! Readers of PWP who want to cramp their hands from a faptastic time, this is a book for you!

Ever been in the mood to just read about dicks, cum and multiple partners? Yeah?

Or just wanted to cut the middle man, leave the gushy romance words and get down to the fucking...a lot? As a lover of PWP, I can say this is one to jizz read. Get your towels ready! Practice those nifty hand exercises, your hand(s) will get a workout!



Wait! Let me get to the book first before you start, Naughty!

This book is about a lot of shifters, but the most important is the Urso, or head alpha bear, Sawyer. He's a grizzly, rich bear who is approaching hibernation season (late fall to spring). There is talk of four shifters encroaching his territory with a new bar and he can't have that. He's the boss and the boss needs to know what is going on at all times. He's slinging major meat between his legs and he has no problem wielding it to get his way and show his power.

So he enters their bar, meets Dillon - a boar bear, Jerry and his cousin Kevin, alpha and beta wolves and Brad, the horniest fox shifter ever. The four shifter men were ousted from their shifter clans. Sawyer takes a sniff of their lusty power and joins the group in ménage à cinq. Sweet Cheesus, was that a hot howdy do!

[A Ménage à Cinq GIF FUCKS HERE ON THE BLOG]
How'd that get there? *fake blush*

To get the most enjoyment from this story:

1) Don't take it too seriously.
2) Know it's about 85-90% sex, the rest is plot (plot's there but paper thin)
3) Don't mind open relationships

"Sex is a tool, like any other, to garner loyalty, win support, let off steam, or exert dominance."

I'm a reader who doesn't mind a heavy dose of sex in a story and this book found all of the fucks from the world to use.

You might not have a fuck to give because A Bear Walks Into a Bar, has taken your fuck. It's reaping in football fields of fucks all around the world. This book might win the fuck prize because of its abundant use.

There was so much sex, is there such a thing as contact jizz on the face?

And even with the abundant sex with multiple partners, it wasn't boring, just saturated.

The wolves love to play. The bears in hibernation mode = major horny. There are elk shifters that really impressed me with being able to stand out with all the other hot shifter men around. And of course, Brad, the horny ginger fox shifter: "Power bottom didn't come close to describing Brad."

Fox shifters aren't monogamous and are always down for having a good time with as many people as they can.

"What did one get when they entered a room with two or more fox shifters? Fucked to death. But what a way to go."

Brad's a great representation of that. He was like an Energizer bunny that guy. Nothing stopped him after coming to find more cock to stuff inside.

There wasn't much kink, barely any. What to find? Double penetration, a sex sling, many variations of multiple pairings - the highest number was a ménage à huit! That was a slick, fluids filled fun time.

[HERE IS WHERE AN ORGY PIC PUMPS ON THE BLOG]
An 8-some for those who need to visualize.

The plot? It's about bonding, finding mates and forming alliances among different shifter factions. The shifters couple up but that doesn't stop the fuck train. And the author wrote it in a way with their shifter mindset, the sex is just like a welcome, or show of dominance, or just a way to share their power. Shifters exude powers more so during sex, so they'll love to have plentiful and often. Given their natures in this book, it wasn't any surprise why it was sex all the time.

But the plot is not as strong as it could have been. There were parts where the story slacked off like Rudy, the current alpha wolf who has a power hungry beta who wants his place. A showdown wouldn't have been remiss. Some spots in the story were a little dull, a little heavy on the exclamation points, a little cheesy.

But in the story's favor, it was easy to follow and I didn't mix up who was who or should I say, who was doing who. It's not a serious book, I had a fun time reading their bonding and I didn't get jizz in my eye, a plus.

Would I recommend? Not for every reader.
If you prefer a couple who only are dedicated to themselves, try Eden Winters, "Naked Tails". It's my fave shifter story from this author with possum shifters! Romantic comedy FTW!

So in closing, here's my favorite quote:

"Hi, I'm Brad. Have I blown you yet?"

Not yet, Brad, not yet.

For my NSFW (aka porn-y) review:



A copy provided for an honest review.

First thought prior to reading: The MC fucks himself with a unicorn horn? For real?

LOL

I need to read this!





I'm DOWN!!

Did I become unconscious, rename myself Tali Spencer while being unconscious and write a book? Because a main character FUCKING HIMSELF with a UNICORN HORN sounds like the BEST OPENING LINE TO A JOKE or an awesome PWP EVER!

This book had me written all over it! (No, the pic below is not me but I had to represent #unicornrealness)



After Reading: Before you think this book is a one trick pony [insert drum riff]...it's not. This story has substance! This is NOT a Lisa Frank version of gay porn! (Sorry, no rainbow jizz to be found here) (Also note the unicorn was not alive while Vorgell fucked his arse)



Apparently I love fantasy because there are no boundaries. You can go crazy with world building; the possibilities are limitless. Tali Spencer created one interesting world with a new spin on witches, wizards, unicorns and spells...oh my!



In the "Thick as Thieves" world, witches create magic through life and life sources. The entire witch/wizard culture is a fascinating one in this book. Unicorn horn is like viagra x infinity, which must be taken in small doses but our resident big boy, Vorgell consumes the entire horn.




This story exceeded my expectations, the pacing was fast, the dialogue was great (I do seem to love those prickly, mouthy characters), the adventure was totally interesting and I never could predict what would happen next! And the romance took a close second place to the partnership that was formed between Vorgell (our resident unicorn horn fucker) and Maddog aka Madd (one prickly pear of a witch). It was one of those reads where rampant declarations of "I love you" was not necessary. You knew they cared for and loved one another in their own way.



Now though the story is fantasy and funny at points, there's also a touch or serious with real issues: dealing with rape (happened off page), sexual issues (why can't a big giant of man get pleasure out of bottoming? what's wrong with a small guy liking to be in control), sexual preference acceptance and dealing with feeling like an outcast.



There's some dark (not too angsty sugar lovers) swirled into the light and fluffy, there's suspense galore, evil gets vanquished and partnership of a lifetime is formed! The unicorn horn plays a major part in the story but it doesn't take precedence to Vorgell and Madd's relationship.

Vorgell, big blonde giant warrior of Scur - an outcast to his people. He's so lovable and perpetually horny with his massive prick due to the horn consumption (in such a fun place). And Madd - former suckboy/streetkid, thief, bastard and abomination to his witchkin people, I get why he's so sensitive and fights against the ghosts of his past and the role society tries to place him in.

This story hits so many pluses from me. And I have got my eye on this author because I enjoyed the way she writes. The story did not take a nosedive into Snoozeville at any point.

I am one happy unicorn. 4.5 STARS

Confession: I am a Jory Keyes and Sam Kage virgin.

Relax...I am Jory virgin, no longer.

I have already considered myself part of the Calmes guild, so to say. I love her words, don't care what anyone else has to say about it. She's my crack and I will huff it whenever I want. Her words give me just what I want: hot alpha vs. a matyr-ish lovable, less dominant man. It's like coming back for your favorite treat each time.

Now I understand the Jory references to all that come after.

Now I get the Sam Kage comparisons.

I've read the prototypes. Bathed in the Calmesian springs of yummy manhandling, twirled in the peacoat wearing, I see the light and everything is coming out Jory.

Behold, the mighty powers of Jory.

I'm not rehashing the plot because this is MM romance staple, right here. If you haven't read it, you totally should.

January BMBR Author of the Month



Let's say I am extremely happy one of my favorite authors is our AOTM.

"I may never walk properly again, but I can focus now. You've fucked my sanity back into me."

"You're welcome."

Kari Gregg. The Gregg.

She writes filthy, obscene things that I want to pick apart and ravage over and over again. Her damaged heroes make me smile. The plots always interest me. And the sex...



*bites lip* The fucking can get very primal. Declarations might be made but the possessiveness is definitely backed up and shown.

*groans*

A rough fucking delight usually can be expected from the The Gregg. And kink. Oh yeah...hot kink.

"In The Red" is a crucial slice in time of two men who needed the other and didn't even know it. Torture survivor, Brian is a forensic accountant who is suffering from PTSD big time. He's attackers are still out there and it's only a matter of time before they strike. He knows he found something they didn't like but he doesn't know what it is. This drives his paranoia into high anxiety stress levels. A FBI agent, Zachary comes to try and entice Brian back onto the job but the two find love isntead.

Now you might think, whoa there...they find love just like that? That sounds like insta-love.

Well yeah, it is...but no...but yeah.

See, the beginning of the story just drops you into the men's lives right? And like they get each other. It surpasses Dom and sub which they are respectively, but they can read each other. They just need to be together. Insta-love be damned.

Because no one can make Brian beg as prettily as Zach.

Brian was made to suck Zach's dick.
Zach's dick was made to pump semen into Brian's orifices.



That's like true genitalia love. Either you ride the train or get off.

There's cray-cray and paranoia, hot, primal fucking, suspense and a cliffhanger-ish ending. The couple is on the path to being solid, it's just the mystery/thriller aspect that feels unfinished.

Would I read more from this world and couple? YES!
But I could also live with not having a concrete ending.

This is what I'll pretend happened after the end of this story: (view spoiler)

The Gregg still left me hot and bothered and happy. It's always a boning party in her world. I'm glad she shares.



Recommended for readers who like the Gregg or novellas with suspense/action/"Homeland"-ish government agencies vs. terrorists kind of deals/rough sex/BDSM.

Bonus points for novice Dom/ expert sub action.