Cereus: Building by Sean Michael, BA Tortuga, Julia Talbot

 

It's no secret that I enjoy a good urban fantasy, and Cereus: Building is full of interesting creatures, and interesting combinations of those creatures.

What happens when a besieged and rather small dragon comes to a vampire and says, “I need your help.” Or when that vampire comes to a werewolf and says, “I have a job for you.” The vampire goes and builds a resort for things that go bump in the night, of course. Riding the wave of Julia Talbot’s Bloodrose series, the multi-author Cereus: Building features paranormal romance from three of Torquere Press’ most-loved authors. The stories move from vampire Jonny’s city club to a new luxury getaway in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, where pleasure and pain are the name of the game.

Julia Talbot’s It’s Elemental features construction contractor Chayton, a werewolf who thinks demon decorator Kenny is a little fussy, and a lot hot. They argue about everything from feng shui to sex. Will they be able to resolve their differences? The Third Course, by BA Tortuga tells the story of Marco and Stephan, werecats, brothers, and chefs who meet their match in head-bartender Faelan, who just happens to be a growly, sexy Top. Finally, Sean Michael’s Smoke and Gold follows the head dominant of the club, Zee, who’s dealing with trying to get his playrooms just so, and trying to figure out maddening dragon Daniel at the same time. Who can resist loving a dragon?

I believe Sean Michael is going for a similar set-up with Cereus as he had with the Velvet Glove series -- the difference being that this is an Urban Fantasy where The Velvet Glove was a Futuristic Fantasy. I loved many of the stories from The Velvet Glove, and I'll be interested in seeing where he takes things with the new Cereus series.


BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: 2 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: 1 of 3 .

As for the writing elements plot pacing prose dialogue character development world-building

• Book Rating: Cereus: Building: 7 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 4 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

Three More Wishes by Sean Michael

 

Three More Wishes is the sequel to Three Wishes --  (My review of Three Wishes).

I loved Three Wishes, and had high hopes for Three More Wishes. Unfortunately, the intensity just wasn't there for me in this second book. I'll give the blurb and then explain.

James, Guard, and Damien are back, still running their resort, where every fantasy, no matter how perverse, may come true. The three men continue working out the bumps in their threesome, but when it comes to their clients, they’re a well-oiled machine. Which works perfectly for the three new couples arriving in paradise.

Cameron is losing his sight, and he knows that he'll be useless once it goes completely. He's cashed in everything to leave his life behind for one last fling. Xander is on the island for a fantasy, too. He's looking for someone to love on, someone to care for and Cameron seems to be the perfect match, but can they make it work?

As a writer, Ben always writes the script, which is why his fantasy is to give up control. He thinks his fantasy can’t be fulfilled, so he settles in for a relaxing vacation on an island paradise instead. Is he really as safe as he thinks he is?

Finally, Leo is a consummate Top, always wanting better his technique. He wants to know what it's like to be a sub, but it won’t be easy for a Dominant to bottom for five days. Leo will do his dead level best to measure up; his only worry is who the boys chose to be his fantasy Top…

The story of the island's owners was sweet, but not terribly erotic for me. It fell flat, and I'm not sure I can explain why.

Cameron and Xander didn't really do the whole BDSM thing. There was some D/s, and Xander made a great service Top, but I found myself skimming some of the sex scenes.

The kidnapping scene started out great, and then fizzled. I loved the first part of it, but the ending was... well, I found myself skimming the sex scenes again.

I thought the scene with the Top wanting to learn what it was like to sub would be the best, and it started out that way, but then, once again, it just kind of fizzled out for me. I liked both men, enjoyed the way the romance worked out, but David kept promising "do that again and you'll get spanked", over and over and over and over and over again. He never did spank him. I have no respect for Dom's who don't follow through, and I was surprised that Leo could respect that. In fact, he didn't, since he kept doing what he was doing, and never did really fall into the role he'd come there to learn about.



BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: 1 of 3 
• Dominance and Submission:  2 of 3
• Sadism and Masochism: 0 of 3
• Extra Point: No

As for the writing elements plot pacing prose dialogue character development world-building

• Book Rating: Three More Wishes: 6 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 3 of 10
• Heat Level: 2 of 5