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?

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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.

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!

A stash of drugs. A twisted cop. A mob on the verge of self-destruction…

Nao Murata is the new godfather of the Matsukawa syndicate. When Detective Yamada confronts Nao over a dead drug dealer, Nao knows his organization isn’t responsible. The Matsukawa doesn’t deal drugs… or does it?

When Nao discovers drugs in a locker owned by his syndicate, he no longer knows who to trust. With the police bearing down on the Matsukawa, Nao must make unlikely allies to find out the truth. Can he discover who is betraying him before time runs out, or will everyone suffer for a crime he didn’t commit?

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Better Than Suicide (The Yakuza Path #2) by Amy Tasukada

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

Better Than Suicide picks up where the events in Blood Stained Tea left off. Nao has been chosen as the new godfather of the Matsukawa and this presents challenges like he has never faced before. When Nao discovers that someone in the family is dealing drugs, he resolves to find out who is responsible. Being new to his position, friends and trust are in short supply, but without support Nao will be hard pressed to find the culprit before time runs out.

Better Than Suicide is an excellent follow up to Blood Stained Tea. I really enjoyed seeing Nao’s rise to power and his early weeks as the Matsukawa godfather. His values on traditions and different outlook on life to his father and predecessor will take his family in new directions that are not welcomed by all. Nao is naturally suspicious of those around him and finds it difficult to place his trust in anyone. Who truly wants to support him and who just wants to replace him? Nao finds friendship in a new recruit, whom is also a potential love interest. However, Nao is resolved not to allow himself to fall in love again. I am sure I am not alone in hoping that Aki can find somewhat to change Nao’s mind!

I think I enjoyed this second book more than the first. Nao really gets into his stride, and you learn even more about his character as well as his supporting cast. The author also included a lot of Japanese culture into her story, which I absolutely loved as it created such a rich and detailed backdrop for the events of the novel. I cannot wait to read book three in this series.

Internet vlogger Jeffery Bailey, attends the funeral of his dead best friend. While at the funeral Jeffery is given a package from his friend’s mother. After looking through the contents of the package, Jeffery learns that it was more than just a simple home invasion that took the life of his friend.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Order of the Void by Robert Vaughn

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

When internet vlogger Jeffery Bailey starts investigating the death of his friend who was believed to have been killed in a home invasion, he soon learns that this is far from the truth. His friend was looking into a cult who worship a demonic entity called Rojachar. A visit from two mysterious operatives who claim to be working to bring down the cult adds to his intrigue and Jeffery soon finds himself drawn into a darker world than he could ever imagine.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Order of the Void. It is a thrilling and fast-paced horror/mystery with so many twists and turns that I could not guess what was going to happen next. The author has built and established an interesting and dark lore, that continued to be developed as Jefferey discovered more about the cult and its aims. The use of the first-person narrative was a great decision as it felt even more chilling somehow to read directly from Jefferey’s point of view.

I knew that the ending would be surprising, but I really didn’t see it coming. It was a more than satisfying conclusion to a darkly thrilling read. I look forward to reading further novels by this author in the future.

Is a human lifetime long enough to learn to love a vampire?

The tumultuous events of the Blood Winter are a fading nightmare, and Alec and Terje are trying to build a life together at Alec’s newly restored ancestral home of Glenroe. There’s just one problem… Terje doesn’t appear to be committed—constantly called away on mysterious errands and seemingly unable to forsake his own kind. Alec begins to wonder if Terje is capable of loving anyone, let alone him.

When an old uni friend Jay Singh, recently out of the closet and looking rather too good to be true, returns to Alec’s life, he becomes more conflicted than ever. Things only escalate when Alec is forced into the social and political issues still surrounding the haemophiles’ tumultuous integration into human society and soon it is more than just his relationship on the line.

Can Alec figure out what kind of future is possible with a vampire—and if it can ever be enough for either of them—before it’s too late?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, murder, alcohol abuse and blood drinking.

Publisher’s Note: This story is best read as a sequel to Blood Winter.

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Dark Summer by S.J. Coles

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

When I learned that there was going to be a sequel to Blood Winter, I was so excited as it is one of my favourite vampire novels. I couldn’t wait to read Dark Summer and it did not disappoint.

After the events of Blood Winter, Alec and Terje are rebuilding their lives together and away from the political fallout and unrest from the previous novel. Alec is growing frustrated as Terje does not seem to want to commit on the same level that he does, and he is always going away, sometimes for months at a time. When an old university friend comes back into Alec’s life, he finds himself conflicted and in part yearning for a more human relationship. Then he learns that Terje’s former Magister is back and they are both unwillingly thrust into a world that they had sought to escape from.
This sequel has a darker tone than the previous novel, which suits it perfectly given events. It is told from Alec’s point of view, and you can really feel just how conflicted and troubled he is by his inability to understand Terje, and in turn Terje’s difficulty in reading him. For the two of them the relationship presents different complications but what brings them together is the willingness to try. I really love them as a couple and really wanted them to work through their issues.

Much of the novel is about their relationship, but this is interwoven perfectly with Evgeniya’s return. This time the threat that she presents is different and the confrontation forces both Alec and Terje to face their problems head on.

The writing style is raw and powerful, with a dark tone which also has its lighter moments. This and the descriptions crafted the world perfectly and I felt as though I was living the entire novel rather than reading it. The end does wrap up many of the loose ends, but I would love to see a continuation in the future!

In Ancient Egypt when the pharaohs ruled the banks of the Nile, Mahu led a simple, if somewhat melancholy, life. Making papyrus filled his days. His needs were provided for, but deep in his soul, Mahu longed for companionship.

Dakarai, born of a demon mother and a human father, craved independence. A young incubus constantly in the shadows of his full-blooded siblings, Daka set out for a new city and a life of his own.

While a starving Daka roams the streets hunting for a meal, the sight of a beautiful man walking alone stops him in his tracks. Just what he needs to quench his spiraling thirst.

But Mahu turns out to be more than Daka bargained for, and his heart falls for the lonely man.

What happens when one lover is immortal and the other seeks contentment in the afterlife? Betrayal shatters their foundation. Can Daka and Mahu find their way back to each other, or is each soul destined to long for the other for all eternity?

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Beyond the Ruby River (Immortal Jewels #3) by Lee Colgin

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

When half-human, half-incubus Dakarai leaves home determined to make his way independently he meets and falls for a human called Mahu. Consumed by grief and burying himself in his work, Mahu is surprised to capture Daka’s attention, but quickly their blossoming friendship turns into much more. However, when Mahu’s mortality threatens to part them, Daka makes a choice that costs them both everything.

Beyond the Ruby River is the third novel in the Immortal Jewels series but can be read as a standalone. I adored the setting of ancient Egypt. This time period is one that I love, and the author clearly did their research in making such an amazing world come to life through the pages.

I loved Daka’s character. His personality and innocence set him apart from most of his kind, and his desire to find the one is adorable. His feelings and actions are so raw and honest, despite not always having the outcomes that he intended. Mahu is a perfect complement to him. He is calmer and sees more realism in the world than Daka does. You can see why each falls for the other and the relationship develops very naturally as the story progresses.

I also enjoyed the inclusion of other supernatural beings, especially vampires and the author’s take on them. It was a refreshing and different take on the vampire lore, and one that I would love to learn more about through the other books in the series.

If you love supernatural loves stories set in beautiful ancient Egypt, then I highly recommend that you read Beyond the Ruby River!