Lars (Witches of London #1) [Lars & Rhys] by Aleksandr Voinov

I don't know how to classify this book but what I can say is I simply couldn't connect with it. I think it would have been better for me with dual POV. Lars' beliefs are his own and generally speaking it doesn't matter to me that he is Pagan or the specifics of it, there was just TOO MUCH of it. I've read enough Paranormal novels so I tried thinking about this one as such, but it ISN'T. While some things I CAN believe in most of his and his friends' beliefs, it was still very alien to me. I don't want to sound disrespectful because I DO realize some people live this way, including Aleksander who I've heard practices some sort of Paganism(?), I have no issue with that, on the contrary I'm a real advocate to "you do you". That being said, I'm not that curious to the "ins and outs" of these beliefs being a firm atheist. 

Not much happens romantically in the first 3rd of the story. Lars Kendall has a builder company. He accepts a job fixing Rhys Turner's house. From their first meeting Lars seems more than intrigues with the guy but he is a professional so even when Rhys shares he is gay - the first move doesn't come from him. There's also a lot to be revealed about Rhys' current decisions with the house and it's location considering how he used to live before. Some was disclosed but I feel like there's still quite a lot more.

The main story wasn't Lars and Rhys but Lars' Pagan belief and his new found friendship with a group of gay practitioners. Honestly this is what mostly put me off of this story. Their overly perfect connection and the heavy emphasis on Paganism/ Magick. 

Dark Soul, Volume III by Aleksandr Voinov

What can I say about the final installment.. It was as good as the previous ones were which means - AMAZING and impossible to put aside and in a way bittersweet because decisions had to be made.  
It brought Stefano into a very difficult situation with the authorities, and one particular vicious man - Sebastiano Beccaria who is actually Franco and Silvio's older brother. He might be on the different side of the law but he is a killer in his own way and getting his view totally showed that. 

Dark Soul, Volume II by Aleksandr Voinov

I don't even know where to start. As with the first one, this part was impossible to put down, even more so now that I know both Silvio and Stefano. There is something about the pace of this story, or how it keeps you on edge, not only on what would happen between these two men, but also the Russian mafia and the way they decide to deal with them. 

Dark Soul, Volume I by Aleksandr Voinov

This is NOT a light read before bed, and I'm saying that because I had nightmares about the mob last night... Glad that I don't actually remember anything but the strange and mostly frightening vibe.. I knew this book (in three parts) was dark and not only because of the name, I also saw there isn't a clear tag to the genre which fits Aleksandr. He doesn't do ordinary, or "mainstream". I don't think I would have read and enjoyed this book if it wasn't written by him. I was uncomfortable and unsure about this the whole time I was reading it, yet I couldn't put it down. It was mesmerizing in an almost intimate and kinky way. Not sure how to explain it really.

This first two chapters in this one is told from Stefano Marino's POV. He is a young mob boss trying to establish himself. He is happily married and being a part of the mob he doesn't really know what to do with his sudden extreme reaction to Silvio “the Barracuda” Spadaro, a young enforcer of one of the "big bosses" who retired a few years back (though he is still in the game at times which is how Stefano meets Silvio). 

Risk Return (Return on Investment #2) by Aleksandr Voinov

WOW. I couldn't have asked for more.. really. I LOVED getting more of Martin and Francis as a couple. The previous book, the first part of the story - "Return on Investment" - wasn't even a true romance novel, it was more about Martin "growing up", learning his worth, learning who he is and also going after what he wants. So near the end, yeah, he and Francis are together, but it's the very beginning and also, it's hard to imagine how their relationship would work. This story, taking place 6 years later gives us exactly that. Again, our sole POV is of Martin (god how I wished at times to get Francis' voice as well..) and it's no doubt that though there are some things he is still insecure about, he grew up and matured in these years. His relationship with Francis is established, they are happy together. They are living together in Frankfurt. They own their own successful business, working together with a third partner Carsten (Francis' best friend from college whom we met in the previous installment). 

Return on Investment (Return on Investment #1) by Aleksandr Voinov

I really don't know how to review/explain this book, and maybe more than that - how to rate it. It was a wonderful journey mainly for the our main hero - Martin David (though he wasn't the only one..) It's not really a romance novel, but it's more than a "thriller" or a "drama" kind of novel. For me, it's a maybe a sort of "coming of age" novel? even if it's FAR from being similar to New Adult's usual turf. It's simply something else that doesn't fit into a certain category, but there IS a sort of a romantic vibe, it's just not really clear WHO will be the one Marin finds himself with and also it's not really the main focus in my mind. 

Burn by Aleksandr Voinov

Wait, what was that?! I'm still puzzled about what I just finished.. I mean, I was never into Sci-Fi and maybe it's because these things are WAY to complicated for me. I"m not sure I understood what BURN means.. which, well, suppose to be important right?

There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing. 

Nightingale by Aleksandr Voinov

I enjoyed this book, but at the same time, there were times I felt a bit lost in the gloom of occupied Paris. This IS a romance story told solely from Yves POV, but it's mostly HIS story. The few years he spent as the NIghtingale, a performer - singer and entertainer to the Parisian crowds as well as the Germans occupying the city during WWII. His story is heart breaking but it's also hopeful in it's own way though mostly I felt hard decisions brought Yves to a better place in life. Always compromising something. 

Yves's mother was a famous singer so it's no wonder he inherited the art, and yet mostly he enjoyed making jokes and singing songs in small clubs. That changed after he met Maurice - owner of a few clubs around Paris, most distinguished is "The Palace". Maurice seeing Yves' potential offers him to perform and when a high ranking German officer takes a liking to Yves it becomes a sort of a vouch Maurice and really, every frenchman should have. It's obvious Heinrich von Starck wants more than Yves' friendship and though Yves is flattered he is unsure of any sort of romantic relations with "the enemy", just seeing the uniform disgusts him and yet Heinrich does feel and mostly behave differently when what he expects and the way he protects Yves might prove useful and so he finds himself in a sort of relationship with him he isn't proud of.. while he does enjoy the man's company, anything else he mostly endures. 

Lone Wolf (Bluewater Bay #4) / Moonstruck [Hunter & Kevin] By Aleksandr Voinov & L.A. Witt

I had high hopes for this one..  I added this series initially because I loved the collaboration I've read of L.A. Witt with Aleksandr Voinov. I thought the other books in the series would be a nice bonus so when I started this book and almost from the start couldn't connect with either Hunter or Kevin I didn't know in which unknown parallel universe I'm at.. I know this book will appeal to certain people, but I'm not one of them :( I tried giving this book enough of a chance but at the 25% point I decided to finally let it go. 

This book is a sort of the total wet dream of people who are into FanFic and SURELY for anyone who've wrote any. I have never read FanFic before and don't actually feel like reading any. I do appreciate the whole idea behind it, and I think new authors can start there and grow with a known universe at first, before jumping into writing their own fiction, but generally speaking, it never drew me in. I love many authors, I wish I could meet them but it doesn't seem likely (being across an ocean and a sea..) but I don't think I've ever read a series I was THAT obsessed about to truly participate in group discussions. I do follow some authors' groups but I'm not really active. It's just great getting the updates and such and naturally meeting more people who are into the genres I read. But the authors? Yeah they're great but I don't idolize them. I appreciate them, I respect the hell out of them. But it stays there.. which is why (I think..) this book passed right by me without making an impact 

Broken Blades by Aleksandr Voinov & L.A. Witt

This is one of those books I feel like I have no words to describe. This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I read it yesterday until my eyes burned with tears of exhaustion only to awake half an hour later to read just a little more, then woke up early to manage a little bit more and so you see the pattern.. it's nearing midnight and finally I reached the end and all I could do is sigh. 

PER-FECTION. 

On the Clock (Market Garden #8) [Blake & Jason] by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

My, my, this one was HOT! I really enjoyed the previous novels in the series but I was wondering how this one would play.. Blake, aka "Rolex", the guy who brought Tristan and Jared together, wasn't what I found appealing in their story, I only saw him there as a "side show". But I gotta say, I really enjoyed how he fell for Jason and the fact Jason was TRYING to play it cool but it became more clear as the story progressed that he sees more in Blake even though we only got Blake's POV. 

Another Place in Time by Aleksandr Voinov, K.J. Charles, Kaje Harper, Jordan L. Hawk, Joanna Chambers, Tamara Allen

I found this anthology as I was combing through all of Aleksandr Voinov book list yet even though I read a few Historical Romance novels by Aleksandr I was reluctant to try this one. See, the ones I read by him were all round WWII (meaning - not THAT Historical ;)). Then I stumbled upon Joanna's Enlightenment series which made me see this genre in a different light and so I decided to give this one a go and generally try out more Historical novels which are a bit out of my comfort zone yet might surprise :)

While all of these are Historical by definition, the setting of each one is quite different, which gives a great arch of interest to anyone wanting to try out the Historical MM Romance genre.  

The Lion of Kent by Aleksandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner

I didn't really like this one.. I should say that I mostly don't read Historical Romance but lately I decided to give this genre a go, so this is me, going out of my comfort zone and exploring new territories ;) 

This short novella is told from William's POV. He is a bastard squire in Robert's estate. For the past 5 years Robert was out in the Holy Land and so when he returns all William wants is to show his worth and get a Knight title. For me, there was something extremely childish about William. I don't know how old he was, I guess maybe early 20s, yet if I think of his behavior in the terms we live in now, he felt like a kid of round 6-8 years. He had a childish hot temper, getting angry and striking the other squires. He was obsessed with just one thing and didn't think of anything else. Basically all his behavior was oriented to one thing - impress Robert so he'll get his spurs. 

Incursion by Aleksandr Voinov

Another excellent short novella. I gotta say, I was a bit worried about the fact this is Sci-Fi which I usually don't like or more accurately I usually don't GET. I"m not even sure why by all these cyber talk never made sense to me. Shape shifters, vampires, witches - no problem. Makes a whole lot of sense hehe 

Like the previous one, what drew me into this story wasn't the surrounding it was the tenderness of the characters and how the connection between them was building. The conclusion was beautiful, so so beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Since I don't usually read Sci-Fi my imagination to who this one will end was somehow limited so I can't say I saw that one coming. 

Skybound by Aleksandr Voinov

So short yet so sweet! This short novella is told from Felix's POV. He is a mechanic working on planes near the ending of WWII. He has a huge crush on Baldur, one of the pilots, he sees him as a true hero, but never considers Baldur would ever even speak to him, a mere mechanic. 

If It Drives (Market Garden #7) [James & Cal] by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

While I really enjoyed the previous installments in the series, this one wasn't a favorite. I'm not even sure I would have finished it if it wasn't that short. I feel as though this one was a bit different. It was more angsty and I didn't like (or believe) the relationship buildup between Cal and James. 

Before I begin my review I should say that also unlike the previous installments I do believe it will be best to read as the last installment or all least after the 5th installment ("Capture & Surrender") since there is a specific mention of both Nick & Spencer (Market Garden #3-#4) and Frank & Brandon (Market Garden #5) and the place they are in as a formed couple.

Capture & Surrender (Market Garden #5) [Frank & Brandon] by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

Wow. This book is by far my favorite in the series. It was heart breakingly beautiful! There were so many times I had the shivers, the whole story was just so tender and yet heart crushing. I just wanted everything to work out as best as it can while knowing it's not going to be easy / possible no matter what. 

Unlike the previous installments which were "light" in the issues the couple were dealing with, this one had something WAY more serious that prevented Frank from pursuing his interest in Stefan (later on revealed his real name is Brandon). 

Scorpion (Memory of Scorpions #1) by Aleksandr Voinov

Truth be told I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started this novel. I've read the synopsis and took it "as it is", without reading a lot of full reviews and taking to heart the classifications / genres of this series, though I'm not even sure if that's a valid point to why I didn't find myself engaged in the story. 

First off, this series is totally in the Fantasy world, fighting with sharp objects, riding horses and all the great staff I remember from reading Fantasy (mostly as a teenager.. back then it was ALL I ever read, though it was on the childish side when I think about it now). 

Nick & Spencer (Market Garden #3, #4) by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

I'm jumping into the next bundle in the Market Garden series, this one is of Nick & Spencer contains two novels: If It Flies (Market Garden, #3) and If It Fornicates (Market Garden, #4). These two, like with the other bundle can be bought separately as well as in this bundle. 

I had my worries about this one, I"m not so much into BDSM, though I've read some great novels in the genre, I always feel like "threading carefully", not knowing what my reaction to it would be and how much the way the BDSM is portrayed will influence my overall feel of the book will be. Yet I can say I generally enjoyed this novel. I think I enjoyed the second one, from Nick's POV better in a way, but maybe I feel this way because in the first one we only got Spencer's POV and I REALLY wanted to understand Nick better, he was so reserved it was hard getting ANYTHING out of him, then the second one gave us his sole POV and it was beautiful to read and understand him better. 

Tristan & Jared (Market Garden #1, #2, #6) by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

The last I've read by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt was "Hostile Ground" which was an AMAZING novel but it wasn't the first.. First one being "Unhinge the Universe" which also left a huge impression on me and helped made the MM Romance genre one of my favorites. 

Yet I wasn't sure what to expect from these short novellas.. Since both Jared and Tristan work as rent boys at "Market Garden" a club catering sex in any way the customer is willing to pay, I wasn't sure if we'll be getting a story and not just sex. But actually even though most of it WAS sex, the interaction between Jared an Tristan was beautifully done, giving us both their POVs yet concealing from each other their true wants and needs and by that only getting under each other's skin even more until there are decision to be made. I really enjoyed all three novellas. It was hot as hell yet we did got enough of a story in there.