JL Langley - Diplomatic Relations

A lusty special forces soldier who lives by his own set of rules, Dalton Fairfax decided long ago to stop wishing for his father’s love, and he found his calling. Now that he’s back home and between assignments, he finds himself at loose ends. When the opportunity arises to play bodyguard and help out his country, Dalton jumps at the chance. Not only does it keep him busy, but it just so happens that his charge is the man he saw on leave last month and hasn’t been able to get out of his head.
Heir to a dukedom and a conservative politician, Blaise Thompson strives to prove himself worthy of carrying on the family legacy as the next IN Councilman. However, his closest competitor keeps getting in the way and taking credit for Blaise’s ideas. Maintaining his stellar reputation isn’t easy to do while keeping his outrageous younger brother in line and foiling his rival’s personal attacks. He has no time for a guard and even less time for romance.
When a priceless antique goes missing, Blaise and Dalton discover that Regelence has larger problems than just IN plots. Now the only way to stop a scandal that threatens both of them is to compromise, and they are forced to confront the risk of losing everything… even each other.

Comment: This is the 4th installment in the Sci-Regency series by JL Langley, where she turned a regency styled society where the majority of the characters are gay and she gave it the sci-fi twist by putting the actin happening in a planet somewhere in the distant future. The characters live in a planet that simulates a society that behaves like regency, with the same style of clothes, rules and code of behavior but where sexual preference is not an issue.

In this book we have the story of Blaise Thompson, a secondary character we've known from he past books. He is quiet, dedicated to his work as a diplomat and he seems immune to the advances of suitors. 

However, things change when he meets Dalton Fairfax, a man who will inherit a title but who is considered a rake so his uncle helped him by suggesting the military and he has became a good officer.

Dalton likes what he sees in Blaise and finds a way to be his temporary bodyguard but the more he knows him, the more time he wants to spend with him and not just because he feels attraction...

I've checked the label with this author and it seems the last time I read a book by this author was in 2012. It really makes me think how long it is between her books... I had a very good idea of this sci-fi world but so many details were practically new again... it's understandable but the time it takes for her to produce a book still leaves a mark in me and with time, my enjoyment of the book or how eager I am for it diminishes. It's what it is...

The plot isn't too complicated although there are some situations which are created to bring the main couple closer, to force them to spend time together so that we can believe in their relationship that I think weren't very well done.

But even accepting that for the sake of romance, I was also a little disappointed with that because I don't think I got to be convinced they were such a good match.

Apparently, they spend all that time together for professional reasons too, as well as a good excuse to get to know each better, but they don't seem to complement each other, they are only described as serious (Blaise) and carefree (Dalton) and that alone cannot be such a high mark on suitability.

Blaise, to be honest - even in a world where young men are in need to be sheltered for their innocence -was just too cute, too naive and upright. He is meant o be a contrast to livelier Dalton but... I just couldn't be convinced Blaise was that unaware of what happens between men in love and even how one kisses with passion. I mean...

Then we have their family lives, dramas and parents making appearances, explain things from their pasts which could have been an influence in their life choices now (why Dalton is so hard on his parents or lacking warmer feelings towards himself for example) but I was just a little bored with the whole thing. I felt this book lacked enthusiasm, balance between the cutesy-cute parts and the serious ones.

This book ended up being OK. I think the whole setting, the descriptions, most of the rules of how this world works, the interaction between the characters all worked out as well I remember from the other books. Still, the reasons why some rules exist start to look less impressive or fresh, the romance lacked impact and credibility for me (in how their feelings developed) so overall, I can't say this was such a winner now.

I hope more books by her I might read can be better, whenever those might come out.

Grade: 6/10

JL Langley - My Regelence Rake

With his days occupied with duties as Captain of the Guard, and nights consumed with upholding his reputation as a rake, Lord Sebastian Hastings’s schedule is filled. There’s no extra time to be anyone’s bodyguard, but the royal family’s safety is a task he sees to personally.
Prince Colton Townsend has loved Sebastian for as long as he can remember, but he’s done pining for a man who has vowed never to remarry. So he consoles himself with the second love of his life—horses. Stable building and horse racing consume his every thought, at least until he’s stuck with Sebastian dogging his every step.
While looking over the prospects at an auction, Colton is trying to ignore his sexy, pesky bodyguard when he feels compelled to take on a bully to protect an abused horse. Sebastian is dragged into the fray, and their good deed sparks a string of nasty rumors.
There’s only one way to quell the political storm: marry. But instead of solving everything, Colton realizes his new husband is a bundle of secrets, none of which he’ll give up easily. Unless Colton makes one, last-ditch effort that could break his heart for good.

Comment: This is the third book int he Regelence series by the author. It's about a planet in the very distant future, following the rules of Victorian society with a set of futuristic details. In this world it's the young men who are protected and homosexuality is not only accepted but the norm in the planet.

This book is all about Colton, another of the princes we've been knowing since book #1. Colton has been in love with Sebastien Wentworth forever and keeps giving hints of that but one day sees his beloved with someone else and makes the decision of giving up and tries to focus on breeding horses, something he knows he's good at.

Sebastien has some secrets he doesn't want to see revealed. He works as royal guard and he's proud of his achievements. He never thought about Colton in terms of love but when matchmaking, breeding horses and dance balls plot to put him with Colton it's like he sees the light.

I enjoyed the story a lot. I'm a big fan of the author's writing and I loved most of the stories I've read by her. This wasn't the exception and I got a great story, many adventures but also interesting takes on how to act when you think you feel something.

The strongest pints in the series, thus this book, is how well structured the world is. Although on an alternate view of what a world could be, there are many things appealing to the reader. The whole idea of a world where gay people can have rights and be the dominant force is something to think about. I think the author has a great imagination and she supports her ideas with a clear and strong writing.

I liked the romance between the main couple. It was funny and I really wanted them to make it. I was also suspicious about Sebastien huge secret but still part of it surprised me.

Another great thing is the familiar feel of the story, so many characters are in the books, not only family members but mostly, the reader feels so connected to all of them, it's a wonderful thing in the books, for sure. the reader also gets to picture future pairings ans considering the air time of some of the remaining characters we get the idea they might have a stronger presence in incoming books. I like this feeling a lot.

It's always such a pleasure to read a book by this author...I wished she could write faster.

I think this book is more about entertainment than other thing, I think it meets its goal and presents a good proof of the author's writing skills. It's a simple story but with so many details that make the reader eager to read more. It has many little details and some scenes with other characters other than the main couple, that somehow give an element of fullness, of strength that is very likable.

I can't barely wait for the next book, whether in this series or any of the others the writer has...and I recommend this one to all readers of m/m.

JL Langley - With Abandon

Aubrey Reynolds is a dedicated man, always putting his family, job and pack before his own wants and desires. As the next Alpha in his father’s pack, he’s expected to mate and carry on the family name; except he has a problem. The visiting werewolf from New Mexico…a male werewolf is his new mate and Aubrey never planned on telling anyone he’s gay.

Leaving his brothers is difficult but Matt Mahihkan knows attending college in Atlanta is the right thing to do. When he arrives and discovers Aubrey’s his mate, he’s distressed to learn their relationship must be kept secret, instead of openly acknowledged. Can Matt remain patient until Aubrey’s ready to publicly claim him? When a rogue werewolf makes trouble, Aubrey’s forced to make a decision. Will be choose Matt and love or his pack and unhappiness?

Comment: I'm not even sure of how long I've been waiting for this book to be released! Me and all the other fans of the series.

The author has one of the best voices in the genre, she creates amazing characters and stories about the gay genre. It doesn't matter if she's writing sci-fi, contemporaries or paranormal. She rocks!

With Abandon is the 4th story in the with/without series and the fans have been desperate to get their hands on the book. Finally, it was released last tuesday.

Matt and Aubrey are characters we know from the previous novels. They're constant features and we got to see them act before and slowly we've been getting more and more tidbits about each one.

Matt is going to another city to study and Aubrey has been kind enough to let him stay in his apartment, but he arrives there and is thinking that Tara - Aubrey's fianceé - is his mate. However, when he finally meets Aubrey in eprson he understands he is the one who's his mate.

Aubrey can't be openly gay because he thinks as the new pack alpha he won't be accepted, but will his duty be stronger than his love for Matt?

I was quite eager to read the story and after the little tidbits the author has been leaking throughout the last year, more than ever I'd want to see how Aubrey would react, because we didn't know he is gay.

The author's style is consistent, the language and character's personalities are very well developped and the reader feels like those characters could be real, shapeshifting too! The only think that I, personally, think that makes this book not so good as the revious one, With Caution, is the less interaction between characters. I know it's a romance but in the other one we had the best romance story I've read and lots of characters interacting. This one only lacked that, because in the end it's great.

When an author knows what is going to work to make the readers enjoying themselves and has talent, it shows.