TTC Books and more has teamed up with Creative Minds Promotions this week to bring you ~ 'A December to Desire'
Our guest of honor this week is Author Tempeste O'Riley
and her Desires Entwined series
The Desires Entwined series is all about love stories involving unique and sometimes challenged men. Everyone deserves their happy ever after, including this close knit group of friends. For the next week I'll be introducing you to all these amazing guys and their partners and sharing their stories with you, as well as my thoughts on each book in the series. There is also a giveaway from the Author, more details on that at the end of the post.
Lets start with the books in the series and the order they should be read in ~
 | Designs of Desire (Desires Entwined, #1) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2013 — 4 editions book 1 | |
 | Bound by Desire (Desires Entwined #1.75) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2014 — 1 edition book 1.75 | |
 | Desires' Guardian (Desires Entwined, #2) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2014 — 3 editions book 2 | |
 | Desires' Pride (Desires Entwined, #2.5) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2015 — 2 editions book 2.5 | |
 | Temptations of Desire (Desires Entwined, #3) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2014 — 2 editions book 3 | |
 | Truth in Lace (Desires Entwined #3.5) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2014 — 2 editions book 3.5 | |
 | Signs of Desire (Desires Entwined, #4) by Tempeste O'Riley (Goodreads Author) — published 2015 — 3 editions book 4 |
Book 1 ~ Designs of Desire
As CEO of his company, Carrington Enterprises, Seth Burns is a take-charge kind of guy, and he is instantly smitten by the artist helping with his newest project. When he witnesses James suffer a panic attack, a protective instinct he never knew he had kicks in. He truly believes nothing is unobtainable—including James—if he’s willing to put in the time and effort.
James is shy and confused by Seth’s interest in him as a person. With Seth’s support, can he work through his fears to finally find the true love he deserves, or will someone finally land the crushing blow he won’t survive?
*M/M Contemporary Romance w/ (lite) BDSM elements*
Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible
Tams gives this one 3/5 stars...
James Bryant is an extremely talented artist that is only moderately happy in his day job where he is constantly berated by his immediate supervisor supposedly because of his sexuality. James is no stranger to abuse, both mentally and physically. His family disowned him when he came out, and his ex boyfriend liked to use him as a punching bag. He finds solace in painting when he finds the time to do it. Now he has the chance to do what he loves with a new job for the CEO of Carrington Enterprises.
As the CEO of a successful company, Seth Burns is used to being the boss and getting what he wants. He’s immediately taken with the shy artist working on his latest project. When James has a panic attack after meeting the foreman on the job, Seth’s protective instincts kick in. He yearns to make James his, and Seth knows full well that nothing worth having comes easy, but he will have James, at any cost.
Seth has to tread lightly with the fragile psyche of James. He’s been used, abused and tossed aside by everyone he’s ever trusted except his best friend. He is naturally submissive, whether that is a direct result of his past is not even relevant. Seth is the dominate in the relationship, but he has an innate need to protect James as well, he expertly balances his need for dominance with the tenderness that James needs. But these two have a long and bumpy road ahead of them.
This book really tested me at times. It left me asking, how much is too much. James life has been an experiment in terror. Abandoned by his family, abused by his ex and left crippled only to be found and further abused, only adding to his disability. Then he is stalked, sent death threats and has his house set on fire. Loving Seth scares the crap out of him. He wants to trust Seth but he also fears the dominant side of him. He can’t put himself in a position to be hurt by someone he loves again. Can he trust Seth with his heart?
The narration left a lot to be desired. It’s really hard to listen to six hours of someone reading a book with multiple characters and having a hard time distinguishing between said characters because the narrator is so monotone, you almost fall asleep. I thought going into this story that the BDSM aspect would be what would bother me, but it is a crucial part of the storyline and it’s written cohesively. Overall I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline written by O’Riley, but the narration coupled with way too many tragedies for young James left me frustrated in the end.
I can’t really say whether or not I’d recommend this book. I will say I am invested enough in these characters that I will grab a WRITTEN copy of the sequel and at least give it a go. They surely are sexy as hell even if Seth is a bossy bastard in the bedroom, it’s part of his charm!
James Bryant is an extremely talented artist that is only moderately happy in his day job where he is constantly berated by his immediate supervisor supposedly because of his sexuality. James is no stranger to abuse, both mentally and physically. His family disowned him when he came out, and his ex boyfriend liked to use him as a punching bag. He finds solace in painting when he finds the time to do it. Now he has the chance to do what he loves with a new job for the CEO of Carrington Enterprises.
As the CEO of a successful company, Seth Burns is used to being the boss and getting what he wants. He’s immediately taken with the shy artist working on his latest project. When James has a panic attack after meeting the foreman on the job, Seth’s protective instincts kick in. He yearns to make James his, and Seth knows full well that nothing worth having comes easy, but he will have James, at any cost.
Seth has to tread lightly with the fragile psyche of James. He’s been used, abused and tossed aside by everyone he’s ever trusted except his best friend. He is naturally submissive, whether that is a direct result of his past is not even relevant. Seth is the dominate in the relationship, but he has an innate need to protect James as well, he expertly balances his need for dominance with the tenderness that James needs. But these two have a long and bumpy road ahead of them.
This book really tested me at times. It left me asking, how much is too much. James life has been an experiment in terror. Abandoned by his family, abused by his ex and left crippled only to be found and further abused, only adding to his disability. Then he is stalked, sent death threats and has his house set on fire. Loving Seth scares the crap out of him. He wants to trust Seth but he also fears the dominant side of him. He can’t put himself in a position to be hurt by someone he loves again. Can he trust Seth with his heart?
The narration left a lot to be desired. It’s really hard to listen to six hours of someone reading a book with multiple characters and having a hard time distinguishing between said characters because the narrator is so monotone, you almost fall asleep. I thought going into this story that the BDSM aspect would be what would bother me, but it is a crucial part of the storyline and it’s written cohesively. Overall I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline written by O’Riley, but the narration coupled with way too many tragedies for young James left me frustrated in the end.
I can’t really say whether or not I’d recommend this book. I will say I am invested enough in these characters that I will grab a WRITTEN copy of the sequel and at least give it a go. They surely are sexy as hell even if Seth is a bossy bastard in the bedroom, it’s part of his charm!
Tempeste
O’Riley is an out and proud pansexual genderfluid whose best friend growing up
had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been
her hero ever since.
Tempe
is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters.
Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing
has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She
counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She
lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.
Tempe
is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance
Writers, and WisRWA. Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at
http://tempesteoriley.com.
Winner’s
Prize: an e-book copy of ANY ONE book from Tempeste O'Riley's backlist
You mean apart from world peace?
ReplyDeletei desire to be able to read all the books in this series
ReplyDeleteNo more homeless or hunger ( and one of these books lol )
ReplyDeleteI'd say happiness! :)
ReplyDelete