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Rise of the Fallen

I have to say that as soon as I started reading I was pulled directly into the world of Micah Black. Though I did not know who he was at first I knew that this was going to be someone I could like based on how dark and tortured he appeared because you know that he feels deep. The plot of this book is very straight forward and keeps moving at a good pace which allows you to follow the action without getting bogged down. There are no slow spots of weird changes to deal with, no shifts in time or tense to keep track of, you know what is going on every step of the way.

When you consider that most of the main characters are vampires, you can still relate to them and what they are dealing with as people. I could imagine knowing someone like Trace, a nice guy who is quiet and keeps to himself but is looking to make a friend of the guy everyone else avoids. I know sometimes the dialogue in these books can seem kind of stilted or forced, but that is not the case here. The dialogue seems to be very true to who each of the characters are, keeping in mind that some of them are quite old. 😉

Our main character is Micah Black who works at AKM (All the Kings Men) as an enforcer, he keeps the peace between the drecks (lower vampires) and upper level vampires. Micah has fallen into a dark place because of the lose of his mate and is looking for a way to continue living as he is or to die. Samantha Garrett is working as a stripper after leaving her abusive husband and simply wants to make enough money to get a new identity so she can feel free. They have nothing in common but when they cross paths it is salvation them both.

My favorite quote from Micah, “If they made a move on Sam, he’d fuck up their world so righteously the galaxy would shift from the gravitational pull of his wrath.”

Micah is not a man you want to get in the way of, he is fierce, passionate, and loyal. Who wouldn’t want a man to feel like that about them. You see these traits in all the characters, they are a group I cannot wait to find out more about! In this first of the series we get to meet Micah but in subsequent novels we will get more on the other enforcers at AKM. Each should be just as exciting and hot as this one. I will be reading them as fast as I can get them.

There is some talk of BDSM but it is fairly mild though some of the scenes are good and hot even without it. Also if M/M action makes you squeamish you may want to skip.

**I listened to this for my second time around and it was just as good or even better than my reading it. The narrator, Mikela Drew, does a fantastic job of bring this story to life. While the second book is available, and I plan to listen to it also, I can only hope that they soon bring the rest of the series to audio too.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unknown's avatar

All the King’s Men: The Beginning

All the King’s Men: The Beginning
(All The King’s Men #6)
by Donya Lynne

This started from the beginning, though not from the very beginning with the Dacians, but after they had been ousted. It gave a background for all the things that are alluded to by other characters. It also gives a fuller more thorough background on what caused the hostilities between the Drecks and Vampires. It flowed perfectly and having read the previous books in the series it gave some good insight into what was happening outside of the pages we read earlier.King Bain is of course featured as the person who has most of the truth of things in his hands. We also get to meet his wife who understands how to handle him.

This is a novella which answers most if not all of the questions you may have after the first 5 books. It actually leads directly into the first book, The Rise of the Fallen. This series is really great and I think anyone who enjoys vampires and action will enjoy this.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

“I’m not stupid, Malek,” he said softly. “I know I’m in trouble. Big trouble. Jackson
” He closed his eyes and took a heavy breath before continuing. “Mating Jackson has awakened everything I felt for Kat after she died. It’s like I’m feeling it all over again.” He slowly swirled his drink, making the ice clink the sides of the glass. “And he doesn’t love me. He never did. I can hear his thoughts and know there’s someone else. I see what they do with one another, but there’s nothing I can do to stop him, and yet I can’t walk away.” He lifted his gaze to Malek’s and saw complete and total understanding reflected back at him. Like any other male of their species, Malek knew Micah was between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Micah looked back down into his glass. “It’s just a matter of time, Malek.” A matter of time before his mental faculties short-circuited and tossed him like a rag doll into suffering so intense he’d be lucky to remember his own name when the end came. Malek’s”
― Donya Lynne, All the King’s Men: The Beginning

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Return of the Assassin

Return of the Assassin
(All The King’s Men #5)
by Donya Lynne

This is the story of Malek and Gina.
This was one of the more densely packed books of the series, with the introduction of new characters and new plot lines. I was immediately pulled into the story partially because I had liked the characters from earlier books and partially because the story was a little darker than usual. The characters are so compelling and real for me as I read that I cannot stop even when I should because I need to follow where they are going.

Malek did not expect or want to ever find another mate after the death of Carmen centuries ago, but in walks Gina and he is immediately bonded to her. Gina was also mated once before and her mate Armand was a sadistic male who abused and broke her down so that she no longer fully trusts there are good males out there. The fates bring together these two lost and broken souls to heal each other, but first they have to get past all the baggage from their respective pasts.

Gina has tried to stay away from Malek and Chicago but when she blows an assassination of Dacian vampires it becomes a matter of survival. She and Trevor are being hunted and she decides to head to Chicago to stop Micah from emailing her and hopefully throw off the Dacian’s for a while. Bishop is still plotting even after losing his lab and best lab rat. The Dacian vampires decide to kill two birds with one stone since they are in Chicago and make a run on King Bain and the throne, and get Gina and Trevor.

There are a lot of emotional moments while reading this book and while a lot center around Malek and Gina, there are other characters who bring on a big emotional feeling. I will say that I actually cried at a few points, which made my son uncomfortable, but I told him that this is what you want from a good book. Something that makes you such a part of it that you cannot help but participate in whatever is happening. This can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend you start from the top and get here. Recommended to everyone!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“That’s Trevor. And he was about to tell us how it is he hitched a ride back here with Gina.” Micah settled into his chair, leaned back, and steepled his fingers in front of his chest. “And I’m practically creaming myself to hear this story.” “Look, it’s my—” Gina’s voice cut off when Micah’s hand jutted out, palm toward her. “No, I want to hear from Trevor,” Micah said, keeping his eyes on the strange male. “What brings you to my world, Trev. You don’t mind if I call you Trev, do you?” “What if I do?” “I’d tell you to get over it.” “Are you always like this?” “Only to my friends.” The two locked gazes for several seconds until Trevor chuckled and looked away. “I’m not sure whether I like you or hate your guts.” Micah grinned. “I get that a lot.”
― Donya Lynne, Return of the Assassin

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Rebel Obsession

rebel obsession

Rebel Obsession (All The King’s Men #4)

This is one great series with some of the hottest men/vampires to grace the pages of any book. Each book manages to not only advance the secondary story line but give an in-depth look at the start of a romance that was fated but not expected. The writing is wonderful and makes reading a pleasure with few typos or grammatical errors to take anything away from it. The characters are more than fleshed out because you have had a chance to start your introduction to them in a previous book so that you are more than ready to continue their journey. The story is unfolding in a way that keeps your interest and makes you want to keep going until you get that final piece of the puzzle.

Io has managed to ruin a friendship that had lasted for over a hundred years because of his narrow-mindedness and refusal to see anything but his own side of things. But on that same night he met someone, Miriam, who was brought into headquarters with a cobalt overdose made him want to do things he had never considered before . There is only one problem, she is the King’s daughter and by law not to be touched by any male. Io touches her, though it is before he knows who she is, and wants nothing more than to touch her more when she is taken away by her fathers guards.

Miriam has been thinking about Io ever since their encounter but knows that it is unlikely they will ever see each other again. Because her life has not changed she goes out seeking another cobalt high only to end the night with an overdose. They both get their wish and are thrown together again but is love really worth dying for.

This is much more than just a love story about finding a mate. The sex scenes are extremely hot and well written, making me squirm. The action is a little low key here with no major fights but enough dark business to make you want more. And the fact that you can get a fix of your favorite early characters is a major plus.

Give this series a read if you have not started it and if you have keep going with this one. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!!

 

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

“Miriam woke up to find Io sitting on the floor next to her. His gaze brightened and he smiled. “How do you feel?” he said. He helped her sit up. “Like shit.” She groaned. “Don’t get me wrong, I feel better than I did, but damn, this shit sucks.” Who the hell had let in the army of Terminators to play Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em inside her body? Io chuckled at her surprisingly unfeminine manner of speaking and sat down beside her. “I gave you a potent detox with my venom. I needed to get the cobalt out of your system.” “Ah, I see.” She leaned her face into her hands. “Great. Just great. I don’t know whether to thank you or hit you.” How did she always seem to put her worst face forward around this guy? The one male she wanted to impress and all she did was behave like a strung-out junkie around him. The vampire version of Amy Winehouse. How could he not be impressed? Uh-huh, right.”
― Donya Lynne, Rebel Obsession

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Micah’s Calling

micah's calling

Micah’s Calling (All The King’s Men #3)

I really do love this series! It is one of the few that can make me stop doing anything else so that I can catch up with these people. The story is always interesting and has enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the page. The vampires have such interesting powers and each one is just a bit different from one another that it keeps you guessing.have to say that I love the fact that these vampires actually purr when they are aroused, that sounds so hot. Everyone of them is so well drawn that you have no problem sympathizing with them or disliking those who are less savory.

The entire story takes place directly after the events in Rise of the Fallen. This is when Micah is in the depths of his Calling with Samantha. He is unable to go any amount of time without having sex and work is not an option. The only thing they really do is hang out with Traceon on occasion. There are secrets revealed and kinks uncovered for all.

I am so glad I got a chance to get a better understanding of Trace as a character. He has always been very mysterious and for once we get to know some of his secrets. Being a mixed blood has caused his powers to run out of control and Micah is about to find out just how powerful he truly is.

There is BDSM and voyeurism, humiliation, and revelation. No chases or major action but lots of heart.

 

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

In hindsight, he realized that his fall from grace a month ago had likely begun when he’d lost his love of BDSM, specifically domination. That should have been a sign that he was falling. Losing Jackson had just sped up his demise. But all that was behind him now, his zest for life as well as for BDSM surging once again with Sam’s arrival. And now it was time to show her that side of him.

Unknown's avatar

Heart of the Warrior

heart of the warrior

Heart of the Warrior (All The King’s Men #2)

I had already liked the first novel in the series and it took me a while to work up to reading this because it centered around the male enforcers I got a glimpse of in that book. I have never read a romance where it centered around two men before, but am really glad that I got to read this one. I was so pulled into this from the beginning and it totally surprised me how much I got into it. The characters were so real in their feelings and reactions that I found myself sympathizing with them or being mad when they did something totally boneheaded. The romance was sweet with a serious hot edge that surprised me, since I got totally sucked in, who knew I liked two guys together. The world they inhabit is well defined and in a known place which makes it even easier to identify with. The fact that they are vampires is secondary to everything else that goes on with them. This has opened me up to the possibilities and made me more open to try more in this vein, hopefully just as well written.

Severin has been pining away for Arion since their encounter in Ari’s kitchen six weeks earlier and does not know what to do. He has to see him every night at work and it seems that their brief contact has not affected Ari in the least. Arion has always had a hard time having relations with women but things were so different when he had his short lived encounter with Sev, it was explosive in more ways then one. Both of these men have secrets that they are trying to keep hidden from each other, friends, and family. This may be important to them but other factors are conspiring to make their lives even more difficult.

With cobalt use rising to epidemic proportions things are getting crazy on the streets for enforcers. Severin has more than his share of trouble brewing, his last boyfriends sister is looking to kill him and he has no idea when or where she might show up, his hated father is trying to make amends for his contemptible actions of the past and he wants none of it, and keep his lineage a secret could work for or against him. But with all that going on his main focus is Ari and how he can get him to love him, because the calling is upon him and he must have his mate.

I loved these two men together because they were hot, sweet, and so good for each other. Their romance was hard won and hard fought with family and friends who would not understand, and support from the most unlikely place. This book is more than worth the time as is the first book if you have not read it “Rise of the Fallen” is perfect. I am recommending this highly!! But be aware that there are multiple explicit sex scenes between our two hunky vampires. Very tingle worthy to me! MM Romance

**As I have done with the previous book I listened to this for my second time and enjoyed it just as much as the first. The narrator, Mikela Drew did a wonderful job with all the characters which enhanced the story. I remember feeling a bit squeamish when I first started reading this book but only found a very nice story in the end.

 

My rating:  5 of 5 stars

 

Yeah, I ain’t no human mix. Sev clapped his hands together in dust-off fashion and stood up. Good ol’ Dad had been a full-on, full-blood, virile vampire. Extremely powerful. And a jackass. Sev had only met his father once, but the meeting had left an impression when the two had nearly beaten each other to death.

 

Sometimes Sev felt guilty for what happened to her, as if he was to blame. They had to keep their relationship a secret because it would cause them both too much pain if people knew they came from two separate sides of the old war. She would be ostracized by the drecks if they knew she had kept a vampire’s offspring and carried it to term rather than kill herself. He would be seen as a threat or a dreck sympathizer if his teammates or other vampires learned of his half dreck bloodlines. This was what they called being between a rock and a hard place.

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Black

Micah Black thought he was the last of his bloodline. He was wrong. Dead wrong.

 Micah just found out he has a brother. Ronan, the cat burglar who broke into his apartment and stole the ankh he’d been entrusted to protect, has turned out to be none other than his own flesh and blood. But that’s not the only revelation he uncovers about his family. After centuries of thinking his father was killed during the war, he learns that his father is alive. Still suffering the loss of Micah’s mother, his beloved mate, but alive.

The discoveries continue to pile up as more tightly held secrets and shocking surprises come to light, upending Micah’s world, sending him into a whirlwind of emotions and memories of war, love, and death. But it’s what King Bain reveals that throws Micah for the biggest loop. One that will chart a new path for Micah’s future and change the course of the coming war between the vampires and the drecks forever.

In the much-anticipated eighth book of the emotionally-wrenching, heart-stopping All the King’s Men Series, you see Micah as you’ve never seen him before. You will meet new characters pivotal to the survival—and hearts—of the characters you’ve come to love. Aliases will be revealed, alliances will be formed, and new enemies exposed as paranormal forces converge in a battle to decide who will ultimately rule humanity.

Recommended for fans of J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Kresley Cole.

Books in the AKM Series, in reading order:

Rise of the Fallen

Heart of the Warrior

Micah’s Calling

Rebel Obsession

Return of the Assassin

All the King’s Men – The Beginning

Bound Guardian Angel

BLACK

 

PREORDER LINKS

AMZ – http://amzn.to/2sfGDG3

iBooks – http://smarturl.it/BLACKiBooks

Nook –  http://smarturl.it/BLACK-Nook

Kobo –  http://smarturl.it/BLACK-Kobo

Smashwords – http://smarturl.it/BLACK-SW

Excerpt

His head jerked around to the door, his awareness lighting up with Sam’s presence like a flame catching on dry kindling. She was there. Just outside, in the hall.

He started for the foyer as the door slowly opened. She stepped inside, squinting into the dark apartment.

“Micah?”

In a flash, he was on her, slamming the door with the palm of one hand as he spun her and shoved her against the wall with the other.

She gasped, but the scent of her arousal spiked, letting him know she was more than ready for what he required.

He gripped handfuls of fabric on either side of her scoop-neck collar and yanked in opposite directions. Her T-shirt tore down the middle with the satisfying growl of ripping fabric.

He pushed the tattered shirt off of her, along with her jacket. Leather and ruined polycotton blend puddled at her feet.

“I’m sorry,” he said, growling the words as he tugged harshly at her jeans. The metal button at her waist shot across the room and thumped softly on the carpet.

She kicked off her sneakers. “For what?”

“For not being gentle.” He clutched her bra between her breasts and tore it off as if it were made of nothing more than tissue paper.

“I don’t care. Whatever you need.” She pushed the waist of her jeans past her hips and wiggled her legs so that the denim fell to her ankles as she pulled him closer. “I can buy new clothes, but you can’t be replaced.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He hoisted her off the floor.

Her legs locked around his waist as her palm wrapped around the back of his neck. “With you, pain is pleasure.”

 

Unknown's avatar

Rise of the Fallen

Rise of the Fallen by Donya Lynne   Rise of the Fallen (AKM, #1)
by Donya Lynne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to say that as soon as I started reading I was pulled directly into the world of Micah Black. Though I did not know who he was at first I knew that this was going to be someone I could like based on how dark and tortured he appeared because you know that he feels deep. The plot of this book is very straight forward and keeps moving at a good pace which allows you to follow the action without getting bogged down. There are no slow spots of weird changes to deal with, no shifts in time or tense to keep track of, you know what is going on every step of the way.

When you consider that most of the main characters are vampires, you can still relate to them and what they are dealing with as people. I could imagine knowing someone like Trace, a nice guy who is quiet and keeps to himself but is looking to make a friend of the guy everyone else avoids. I know sometimes the dialogue in these books can seem kind of stilted or forced, but that is not the case here. The dialogue seems to be very true to who each of the characters are, keeping in mind that some of them are quite old. 😉

Our main character is Micah Black who works at AKM (All the Kings Men) as an enforcer, he keeps the peace between the drecks (lower vampires) and upper level vampires. Micah has fallen into a dark place because of the lose of his mate and is looking for a way to continue living as he is or to die. Samantha Garrett is working as a stripper after leaving her abusive husband and simply wants to make enough money to get a new identity so she can feel free. They have nothing in common but when they cross paths it is salvation them both.

My favorite quote from Micah, “If they made a move on Sam, he’d fuck up their world so righteously the galaxy would shift from the gravitational pull of his wrath.”

Micah is not a man you want to get in the way of, he is fierce, passionate, and loyal. Who wouldn’t want a man to feel like that about them. You see these traits in all the characters, they are a group I cannot wait to find out more about! In this first of the series we get to meet Micah but in subsequent novels we will get more on the other enforcers at AKM. Each should be just as exciting and hot as this one. I will be reading them as fast as I can get them.

There is some talk of BDSM but it is fairly mild though some of the scenes are good and hot even without it. Also if M/M action makes you squeamish you may want to skip.