Showing posts with label Michael Mandrake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Mandrake. Show all posts

Friday, July 19, 2019

Random Review: Death's Angel by Michael Mandrake #Review #Giveaway





Title: Death's Angel
Author: Michael Mandrake
Publisher: Triad Literary 
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Publication Date: July 5, 2019
Length: 159 pages

Reviewed by Truus

Synopsis

Death’s plan for revenge is derailed by his lust for one of the Creator’s angels.

Being second to Michael has never sat well with Allerio. Feeling slighted, he travels beyond the heavens, meeting a creature who informs him of his Father’s secrets. With curiosities niggling him, he challenges his god, seeking freedom from stringent rules. Though the prize might look wonderful on the surface, it comes with a heavy price the angel will bear for eternity.

Death’s banishment was only the beginning of his descent. Since then, he’s concocted a scheme to overthrow the highest being, proving him to be a liar. Although confident his plot will succeed, he convinces one of High’s top helpers to assist him. However, Death never intended for feelings of affection to consume him. Suddenly wrecking God’s perfection isn’t as important anymore.

Two gods join forces and become bonded in more ways than one. Can they overcome their emotions to achieve their ultimate goal?

Death’s Angel is the prequel story to Immortals, chronicling the very beginning of Lucifer’s ascent as the god of the third and fourth planes. This story involves male pregnancy and mating.

Warning: On page violence, extreme torture, and death. Look inside for further triggers.






Review


Maybe take note of the warnings, this isn’t a story for the faint of heart!
Personally, I love dark, ravaging stories. The darker the better. This one didn’t disappoint!!

Allerio is a beautiful Angel with high self-esteem. He is convinced about the fact he is the equivalent to High.
High is the creator of goodness, light, and nature. Allerio knows there is more behind the horizon, and hates that High keeps it secret.

After Allerio meets Death, who tells him he should be his own God with worshipers and all the secrets should be revealed, Allerio openly revolts against High. High throws him out of his heaven.

Death and Allerio will create an army of followers, to stand up against High.
It looks like Death is the ideal ruler and both of them together means intimate dark power.
Allerio’s mate Caprios who followed him into the dark side, wants his mate to be the god of the underworld and not one with a shared title with Death.
Allerio has one longing, a family, a child of his own. Caprios refuses to give him this.
When Death feels the hurt of Allerio, his black ‘heart’ does strange things.
With Caprios mocking Death, Allerio is conflicted.

This story is told from Death and Allerio’s point of view. Through their eyes, we meet the dark side. We see how they feed, how they can destroy and have great power. Death can materialize into something tangible and that is stunning!
The contrast of High and Death is visual and palpable from every angle.
The line between good and evil is thin.

A fabulously written fantasy, with the most extraordinary creatures. The way everything was described gave an excellent view of every aspect. I loved the vulnerability of both dark and light characters.
Death’s Angel was one of a kind. Together they were almost invincible. The sexuality was extreme, reaching both the dark hardcore and sweet endearing levels. It had a strong sharpness and passion, very enjoyable to watch!
The many opposites were tremendously written, we meet the creative and destructive side of the powerful creatures. We meet the intriguing, the manipulator, the pacificator, hate and love, chaos and order, the dark and blue skies.
A reassurance:  you can find love and compassion on both sides.
This was quite a challenge for me. To read and try to get rid of all biased ideas and knowledge.




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Friday, May 17, 2019

Review Tour: Love Kills by Michael Mandrake #Review #Giveaway



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited.

Length: 56,600 words approx.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Blurb

Deranged birds of a feather flock together… leaving trails of blood in their wake.

Holland has fantasies most can’t accept. When potential mates discover Holland’s bloodlust, it’s too late for them to refuse. Determined to get what he wants, Holland continues to seek a man to fulfill his deepest desire and he won’t stop at anything

Archer is inspired and aroused by the tales he’s heard from his boyfriend. Still, he’s greedy for something that pushes him over the edge. Although this might drive him and his partner apart, Archer’s dark want won’t disappear.

Clint’s love for his job has slipped for years, and he’s pondered change. These days he’s cared more about how to please his man, than the rigorous position of solving murder cases. Clint thinks his attitude will eventually get better, thus prompting him to stay aboard. Still, the constant worry of Archer finding someone new niggles at him.

Putting sketchy characters behind bars had always been Clint’s forte, but when new feelings arise, Clint’s conscience is tested. Furthermore, what will happen if Clint is forced to choose between the love of his life, his career, and his morality?

This book is part of CRIMINAL DELIGHTS. Each novel can be read as a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.

Warning: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.

Review

I wish there was a higher rating then a 5 star! This book had me like, hold my remote, I definitely do not need to watch the Investigation Discovery Channel tonight!! Michael Mandrake's book  Love Kills, was so intense, it seemed the words they wrote were coming to life in front of my eyes!
There was extreme psychotic sexual gratification between two men, that in a social setting definitely would not be considered a form of pleasure!  The artist’s love shines through in various stages of murderous scenes, was so gruesome that many galleries had turned him away. A serial killer’s lust for blood by not only humiliating his victims, but also by ruthlessly cutting and stabbing them to death.

A cop who loved and cherished them, was so blinded by the truth or the willingness to not see the ugly truth, every night as laid his head next to the two men that could destroy his very soul!

This book will take you to the blackest places inside of two very twisted souls and into the darkest of allies.

**Warning this book contains triggers of knife play, blood play, and may not be for everyone***
 



About the Author

Michael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on romance but rather the mainstream and/or obscure plots we might encounter in everyday life and beyond.

Website: https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichaelMandrake/
FB Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004610177001
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MichaelMandrake
Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michael-mandrake
Triad Newsletter – https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z7f2c7
Triad Fangroup – https://www.facebook.com/groups/275083546529760/


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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

BLOG TOUR: On The Run by Michael Mandrake ~ Guest Post #Review #Giveaway




Who would’ve thought that a British hitman would fall in lust at first sight with an American felon? It could become deadly for both.
Aiden Moriarty is a Florida ‘herbalist’ who works with a performance-enhancing drug used by many athletes. One of them is baseball star Ivan Salerno, who was caught using the drug and is now on the brink of getting suspended. Because of Ivan’s connections with a rogue mob boss, Aiden is taken into a witness-protection program, working along with baseball higher-ups until he testifies.
The mob boss, Augustine Ora, has hired former British military officer and his best hitman Devlin ‘Brit’ Crawford to do the job. Ora has instructed Devlin to go to Miami, kidnap Aiden and take him to the local airport to be transported to Havana, Cuba, to be executed by Ora’s top officers.
However, when Devlin receives the email, the pictures of the blue-eyed felon catch his eye and he is moved to go in a different direction. Instead of delivering Aiden to the airport, he has thoughts of taking him away and saving him from Ora’s wrath.
This move puts himself and Aiden, as well as his assistant, Miranda Ashley, in huge danger. Will Devlin keep Aiden safe despite the odds, or will he fail, causing Ora and his men to come after him?
Reader Advisory: This book contains the use of racial slurs.
General Release Date: 6th October 2015






Excerpt On the Run:

“I…” Aiden’s breath caught in his chest, tightening until he could barely breathe. He knew Brit wanted to get Ora, and in all honesty, so did he. Sure, Aiden desired to tell the story and clear his name, but being with Brit—even if it meant complete boredom—was becoming a lot more important. “Brit, please.”
“No, don’t do that, Aiden. Believe me, I have confidence that I’ll make it out fine, but just in case I don’t…”
“You’re not going without me, Brit. I don’t care if I have to jump on the back of that truck. Ora’s a dangerous dude, and you might need my help or Miranda’s.”
Brit turned, eyes narrowed, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Really, Aiden? If anything, I’d say m’girl’s help, but I need her to drive you to my contact.”
“Oh, so now you’re discrediting me because I’m not a gun-slinging crazy like Miranda?”
“No, not at all, Aiden, but I doubt you’d be helpful, m’kay? Ora would kill you on sight, just to make sure Ivan gets away scot-free.”
Aiden shook his head, knowing that was true. “Maybe, but…” Aiden ran his hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Brit was being so damn stubborn, but Aiden found it extremely sexy. “Like I said, I’m not doing a damn thing without knowing you’re okay. I know it’s only been a few days, but I feel something for you.”
Brit stepped forward, closing the space between them. Brit’s dark brown eyes met his gaze and Brit reached up, cradling Aiden’s cheeks in his large hands. He moved Aiden’s hand out of his line of vision and inched close, so close their lips were nearly touching. “As I do for you, Aiden,” Brit whispered and slinked his hand around his neck.
Aiden focused on Brit’s mouth and swiped his tongue over his own top lip.
Damn.
Brit’s thick lips parted for him, inviting Aiden to do just what he’d desired to do the first day they met. He gripped Brit’s broad shoulders, massaging them while he pulled Brit close, making sure he wouldn’t step back and stop him from what he ultimately wanted. “You’re not running from me this time, Brit.”
“Do you see me going anywhere?”
Aiden smiled wryly, yanking Brit into his body, crashing them together. The impact nearly knocked the wind out of Aiden, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. He stared into Brit’s eyes, seeing the intensity there, the heat meaning he had to feel the same way. Aiden couldn’t help but melt at the sight and before he knew it, his mouth crushed Brit’s head-on, driving the larger man slightly off his feet.
God damn.




REVIEW


This is the first time I've read anything by Michael Mandrake. I was thoroughly intrigued from the very beginning. The blurb grabbed me and I was over the moon excited to read it.

I loved the premise of this book. The hitman (Devlin Crawford) falling for the crook/ target (Aiden Moriarty) and with the help of Devlin's wife/friend/ partner (Miranda Ashley) they are going to fight against the odds to beat a huge mob boss! What's not to love about that?

Here was my main issue. I'm never a fan of insta love and though it was more insta lust it was a bit unbelievable. The chemistry didn't work and the dialog wasn't working with the scenes. I couldn't get into these characters. I tried so very hard. And I did adore Aiden. There was something about him that spoke to me.

Great plot. I love the ideas and the pacing was good but emotionally it fell a little flat for me. I will also say the grammar was great I had zero issues. I think the chemistry and dialog were my main issues. But it was entertaining that's for sure.





Writing for Yourself or Writing to Market
Michael Mandrake

We as authors have heard this many times before. Do we write for ourselves or do we pen books according to what sells? First, before you determine what area you fall into, what do they mean?

When writing for yourself, you write what you and your muses and/or characters enjoy. In my opinion, it means the Amazon bestsellers charts don’t influence anything you write. The hot tropes don’t faze you no matter how popular they are. You, as the author, do what you can to promote and make it successful.

Writing to market is following trends. You look at books in the top twenty and craft a book on that same genre or subgenre hoping it’ll be a bestseller too. When readers want another vampire who doesn’t sparkle, you write that book! And hopefully, your wonderful bloodsucker is the new anti-Twilight.

*snickers*

In both cases, what is the common thread? Hope. Luck. Whatever you want to call it. All authors whether they write for market or for themselves seek to have a popular release. It might not be 50 Shades popular, but being seen on bestsellers lists is a big boost for one’s already fragile ego.

Looking at myself, I can say I’m more of a hybrid. I do write for myself and my characters first, but I also pay attention to the market. That doesn’t mean I jump on the next bandwagon, unless it fits what I like to write.

In m/m, I’ve seen a lot of readers ask for more shifters. Though I’ve read a few and seen many authors be successful with that subgenre, shifters aren’t high on my try list. I have done one for an anthology, but I have no interest in doing them on the regular.

Another is MPreg. I haven’t read many, but I could definitely see this as something I’d try. Yet and still, it isn’t high on my writing list either.

What is?

More paranormal, maybe some sci-fi, speculative fiction. More crime suspense and mystery, with gay male characters. Yes, my Michael muse has been begging for it and although it means a lot more tireless research, I’m game for it.

To close, I don’t feel there’s anything wrong with writing to market or for yourself. As an author, you should do what works best for you. The most important thing is to keep writing and learning your craft and hopefully, we will all gain some readers along the way. 





About Michael Mandrake:
Michael Mandrake pens complex characters who are already comfortable in their sexuality. Thorough these characters, he builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream plots we might encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the media.
To find out more please visit Michael's website. You can also check out Michael's blogFacebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram,Tumblr and Ello.


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