A killer. A traitor. A deadly war that could take their love and their lives…

Ruling the Kyoto yakuza makes Nao Murata a perpetual target, especially with the Koreans encroaching into their territory. An attempt on his life at his mafia headquarters crosses a line. Setting up his beloved ally Aki as the would-be assassin crosses another. Nao knows the only way to save his friend’s life is to sever their growing bond and force Aki to fake his own death…

But Aki Hisona refuses to stay dead. Determined to expose Nao’s would-be killer and save the man he loves, Aki goes deep undercover in the Korean underworld. But when he’s asked to prove his loyalty, he risks becoming caught in a web of his own lies…

With Aki gone and the Kyoto mafia in grave danger, Nao fears his trust in others could be fatal.

Will Nao and Aki find the assassin in time, or will Nao’s rule end in bloody chaos?

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Flowers of Flesh and Blood (The Yakuza Path #5) by Amy Tasukada 

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When Aki is framed for an attempt on Nao’s life, he suddenly finds himself exiled from his home and the man he loves. Determined to find a way back, he reluctantly joins the Blood Magnolias in the hopes of discovering the real traitor in Nao’s midst. Yet to do this will take Aki to some darker places, perhaps a lot darker than he was prepared for.

Flowers of Flesh and Blood is the fifth instalment of The Yakuza Path series. It starts off fast-paced and is a thrill-ride of action and emotion from the beginning. Aki’s sudden departure from the family and Nao’s life is swift and gut-wrenching. Left alone Nao struggles even more with his inner demons and responsibilities as Godfather. For Aki, the loss is just as profound. He has nowhere to go, and it is his love for Nao that keeps him focused throughout the novel. His character just keeps going from strength to strength whilst retaining the qualities that make him who is he is.

The action and violence is as unflinchingly written as it is throughout the series. The gritty realism contrasts against the more tender moments between characters, and this serves to create a deeper connection between them somehow.

The series keeps getting better and better, and I am excited to see where the next book takes Nao, Aki and their love.

Jaime is looking for sanctuary and a new start after escaping his stepfather. With little money to his name, he doubts he can afford the gorgeous bed and breakfast he stumbles upon, surrounded by tea roses inside and out. Then Logan, the handsome young concierge, surprises Jaime with a ‘pay what you can’ policy, and Jaime is instantly smitten.

Little does Jaime know the Tea House is plagued by rumors of monsters and disappearances and is known by another name.

Hollow House.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Tea House by Amanda Meuwissen 

Continue reading →

An unproven alliance. A broken promise. A mafia boss must shed blood to secure peace…

Nao Murata is on the verge of brokering peace between his syndicate and the Mafufugumi mob. To seal the deal, he’ll need to pick up Russian prostitutes to appease his newest ally. When the exchange goes sour, both sides draw blades and Nao has no choice but to care for a blood-soaked enemy. If the man doesn’t make it through the night, Nao and his crew will pay with their lives.

Outnumbered and stranded in enemy territory, Nao is forced to fight his way out before the Mafufugumi Godfather takes the deal off the table. As his wounded enemy’s heartbeat slows, Nao must act fast or condemn his syndicate to a brutal war.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Deafening Silence (The Yakuza Path #4) by Amy Tasukada 

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When Nao leaves Kyoto to do a deal that will hopefully bring peace between his syndicate and the Mafufugumi, a last minute change in terms jeopardises everything. Now he and his companions are trapped with the enemy and if the wounded man does not make it through the night then there will further bloodshed.

This series just keeps getting better and better. In The Deafening Silence we get to switch between Nao and Aki’s POV which gives so much insight into how they feel about each other and the rapidly escalating situation. Nao’s position as godfather is not secure by any means and Aki does whatever he can to support him. In this novel you really see how Aki is developing his skills as well as how unwavering his loyalty to Nao is. Despite there being another potential love interest for him, he cannot shake his feelings for his boss. Nao is still battling his own feelings for Aki and at one moment his jealousy gets the better of him. They make it up, but it is another opportunity missed between them to say how they really feel.

As with the other instalments of the series there is plenty of action and you never know where the next fight is coming from or who will survive. The twists and turns are a part of what I love most about this series, together with the developing relationship between the two leads of course!

The Deafening Silence did not disappoint, and I cannot wait to read Book 5!

Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his army contract.

Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.

A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.

For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.” Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: No Flag (After Everything #1) by Liz Borino 

Review

Rating: 4 stars

*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

When Will Hayes enters into a DD relationship with Captain Mike Kelley he has only one condition; that Mike does not return to the army when his current term comes to an end. Mike agrees but he could not have predicted being forced into another year’s deployment in Afghanistan. Being parted so soon after marriages takes its toll on both of them and when Mike’s base is attacked, the two of them are reunited to face Mike’s life changing injury together. Mike had promised Will ‘no flag’ but despite keeping this the army might just tear them apart after all.

I really enjoyed reading No Flag. I had not read a DD novel before, so I was unsure if I was going to like this aspect of the relationship. Whilst I don’t understand the want for it, I found that it did not prevent a loving relationship between the two men. I loved Will and Mike’s commitment to each other and how they faced each challenge together, either from Mike’s injuries or Will’s jealous friend who takes it upon herself to try and destroy their marriage.

Mike’s OCD and then PTSD had clearly been researched and was well-written, and Will’s handling of this made me love this couple more. Even in the most difficult moments they came through for the other. I would definitely be interested in reading further books in the series.