The scope of this epic series is pretty spectacular. The sheer amount of research into the “dark ages” after Rome fell, is extraordinary. It is often violent and very, very steamy. Early on, I almost put the book to the side as the sex scenes seemed excessive in how they would go on for pages with granular detail – but I stayed with it and I am glad that I did. It is a fascinating time in history and the story is rich in very specific characters and what living in that era was like. And then the story made me think of a very different story… and I’m glad that I didn’t know in advance what that other story was. It is a brilliant bit of writing.
* * *
The blacksmith who hid his desire. The soldier who never knew…until now.
When Rome falls, Marc treks home across the desolation to find everything changed, including his boyhood friend Wolf.
Gone is the big, clumsy lad. In his place at the forge stands a man as skilled as he is shy.
And surely not interested in feeding the spark he’s just lit in Marc’s belly.
One that feels unnervingly like hope.
+
When Marcus left to fight, Wolf had a secret. One that burned so hot he shoved it down deep.
Now Marc’s back, hardened by war and survival into something only fire could mend.
Wolf knows fire. And every day in Marc’s presence tempts him to use it.
But with the world in chaos, can he risk incinerating them both?
(The Purple Fantastic Steam Meter gives this a solid 4… it gets extremely steamy at times, at length, BUT always in context of the plot and the unique relationships)
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