Capricorn by E.J. Frost

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre/Age Paranormal Romance / 18+

Goodreads

Synopsis

Evan Lords is a Capricorn, but that’s meant nothing to him for nearly forty years. Less than nothing during the seven years he’s spent in prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

Now, the Helm of the Sea Goat has called Evan’s name and the Capricorns have arranged his release so their promised leader can save them from mysterious force Hell-bent on destroying their sacred charge: wild magic.

But his freedom isn’t the only thing Evan lost seven years ago. He also left behind his love, his little. With the fate of the world’s magic hanging in the balance can Evan save the Capricorn Guild, and will it cost him the woman he loves?

Publisher’s Note: Capricorn is a stand-alone story within the Masters of the Zodiac series. Characters also cross over from the author’s Bad Boys of Bevington series. Capricorn contains spoilers for the Bad Boys of Bevington series. Capricorn is intended for mature readers only.

My Thoughts

Brief Summary
Whilst this is part of the Masters of the Zodiac series, I do feel it relies on the reader having knowledge of the Bad Boys of Bevington series – Teddy’s Boys. One of the things I love about this author is how deeply she delves into the relationship between the main protagonists and she certainly convinced me of the depth of Rachel’s feelings for Evan, or at least her longing for him whilst he was keeping her at arm’s length.
Although we learnt of their liaison in BBoB, we didn’t experience it first-hand, so when the characters reconnected in this story I did struggle to fully connect with their feelings for one another. That said I feel the author’s hands were tied by needing this to fit the multi-author world of MotZ, I suspect she would normally have either made the book much longer or a duet, neither of which were available options. Whilst I loved both characters, and them as a couple, I didn’t feel secure in their connection, and I think in part it was because I hadn’t seen it form and grow. I still very much enjoyed the book though, and the chemistry is off the charts.

Themes and Trigger Warnings
There are so many themes in this one, friendship, forgiveness, redemption, and good versus evil to name but a few.
TW – There is the death of a loved character from BBoB and our protagonists have a Daddy/little relationship, though not in a specific age-play way (not that I consider it a trigger warning topic but others do). This felt more like a D/s relationship where Evan is a caregiver and looks after the welfare of Rachel, but she does refer to him as Daddy.

Star Rating
4.25 stars. I loved how this one balance the relationship between Evan and Rachel with the mystery/action/peril side of things.

The Characters
Evan was quite a mystery in the first three BBoB books, older, wiser and in a position of authority, so it was good to finally meet him in person, where he turned out to be just as self-contained, dominant and focused. I really liked this man who only wanted the best for those he cared about, and when he cares he cares deeply. Evan will also admit when he made a mistake and feels remorse on those occasions.
Rachel is much more of an open book, very firmly wearing her heart on her sleeve. Despite being somewhat emotionally vulnerable, and definitely a people pleaser, she’s also pretty kick-ass too. I love how Teddy’s men worked, in whatever the throuple equivalent of tandem is, to platonically support her needs whilst Evan was in prison.

The Plot
Complex, layered and with a good air of mystery the plot moves at a steady pace and easily kept me entertained. There are some good twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but which also felt very believable within the storyline.

The Writing and The World-Building
I adore this author’s voice, she has a good understanding of fantasy which results in some excellent world-building and a feeling of really knowing/understanding the magical systems in use. Again, some of this world-building has occurred in previous books but is sufficiently covered here to allow a new reader to follow events. She also manages to make me feel as though I know the main characters in her books and might bump into them in everyday life. I’m also pretty sure she channelled her own experience of pond-hopping when she described Evan’s reactions to moving to the UK.
The ending to the story was incredibly satisfying and best of all was that it laid a little hook out for a future book and all I can say is “count me in!”

Claiming Hannah by Claire Thompson

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre/Age BDSM Romance / Adult

Goodreads

Synopsis

For her, BDSM is just a fantasy… Until he makes it all too real…
Hannah has written dozens of BDSM romance novels, each one more successful than the last. There’s just one problem—she has no hands-on experience with any of the things she writes about.

When a good friend invites her to a collaring ceremony at The Enclave, a BDSM community known for its slave training program, Hannah leaps at the opportunity. Little does she dream that, before the night is over, she’s going to experience her own dungeon scene, including a delicious flogging at the hands of a tattooed bad boy.

Mason, chef at The Enclave and a hardcore player in the scene, is intrigued when he’s asked to handle the obviously clueless wannabe who’s clearly way out of her league. While the scene is hot, he shrugs off his attraction. He’s into knives, edge play and 24/7 submission, not BDSM lite.

When Hannah is offered—and accepts—a week’s stay for some D/s training, Mason watches from the sidelines, waiting for her to crash and burn. But there’s something there—a spark of genuine submission—that catches his attention and won’t let go. When he offers her the chance for a more intensive slave training experience, Hannah accepts.

Only to discover she’s in way, way over her head…

My Thoughts

Brief Summary
Hannah discovered a masochistic desire to submit after marrying her beloved late husband. She is offered the chance to spend some time at The Enclave, a BDSM retreat with a Master/slave dynamic, where she meets Master Mason. The attraction is both instantaneous and incendiary but he wants someone experienced who is willing to become his 24/7 slave whilst she is earning her first stripes – literally – as a submissive. In her bid to find out just how far she is willing to go Hannah enjoys some very sexy times, and some very trying times.

Themes and Trigger Warnings
The main themes are acceptance, friendship and starting again after the death of a spouse. There are explicit sex scenes that involve BDSM, but all are consensual in nature.

Star Rating
This one earns a solid 4.5 stars from me. This was close to perfection, the BDSM scenes were very hot, the pacing was excellent, and the writing put me right into the story. It was a tad instant love for me, but given the intensity of the situation AND the time spent in one another’s company, I could forgive it.

The Characters
Hannah and Mason are what made this book for me. That’s not to say I didn’t sometimes want to shake them – particularly Mason, but both characters showed great growth throughout the story. There was respect and, eventually, soul-baring honesty. Neither was perfect or all-knowing but they did learn from their mistakes.

The Plot
Whilst this isn’t a unique story (what contemporary book is?) neither did it feel like something I’ve read a dozen times before. It’s fairly character-driven, which definitely helps make it stand out.

The Writing & World-Building
The Enclave is a BDSM fantasy, but one that felt believable. If such a place exists in real life there is no way a fairly unknown novice sub would be so quickly accepted through the doors. But this is fantasy land and that kind of realism dampens the enjoyment! Hannah’s reactions felt very honest, and I appreciated the compromises Master Anthony allowed to be made – they may have irritated Master Mason but they definitely pleased this reader. Anything else would have been too fanciful, but those allowances made sure the story stayed credible.

Claiming Hannah is a great story and perfect for those who enjoy a well-written, erotically charged romance.