Reviewed Books from 2016

In a 2016 which was mostly horrible, I could lose myself in a book. For a few minutes or a few hours I could be somewhere else, maybe being someone else, and know there was an HEA coming. HEA and HFN or even OFN haven't been a big part of my life lately. Reviewing regularly was beyond me there for a while. But reading, always. Every spare moment. For those who worry, please don't. Things are better already. 2017 is going to be a better year.

So for all the authors who told the stories, here's to you. You made the world a better place.

This is part one of three parts of 2016.

Maestro by M. Crane Hana

Title: Maestro
Author: M. Crane Hana
Cover artist: Aria Tan
Buy at Amazon
Buy at All Romance eBooks 
Genre: contemporary, menage
Length: 16k

Gay and happily married, Leo has helped manage a large, influential nonprofit arts foundation over the past ten years. He has built a friendly rapport with the elderly billionaire who began it, but he has enemies within the foundation.

Leo’s birthday is on February 13, and that has always meant candles on heart-shaped cupcakes and birthday cards with “Happy Valentine’s Day” crossed out. To celebrate, Andrew, Leo’s mystery writer husband, arranges a tryst for Leo with Mel, a gifted violinist who is one of Andrew’s biggest fans.

What started as mere pleasure becomes a three-part harmony as Leo, Andrew, and Mel explore the ways their kinks and needs mesh—until Leo’s enemies attempt to use evidence of the liaison to force him out of his job.

Maestro contains adult content suitable for mature readers only.

Guest review from Patricia:

This fascinating and fantastic story has got to be one of the most passionate, sensual, saucy, and sexy threesome tales I've ever read. It's the perfect solution when you want something short, but smoking hot to read.

Cryselle says:

Lovely look at an established couple who are branching out a little. They've had their ups and downs, and have an established protocol for dalliances outside their marriage. If you're a pearl clutcher over consensual extra-curricular activities, this story won't be enjoyable. Nothing happens that both Leo and Andrew haven't decided together, and Mel can only consider himself fortunate they've decided on him.

There's also a terrific outside plot, where Leo's life and his work as a society event-organizer and fundraiser runs square into some very old-fashioned notions of social control. Leo's got quite the set of fangs when cornered, and here he has to use them. In the most socially correct way, of course.

I found the length was working to drop chunks of backstory in, which affected the pacing for me. It provided context for the men and their lives, but it made me impatient in places.

The story was definitely hot and ends with a cheer for Leo and great hopes for the three of them together. 4.25 marbles