Bonds of the Maleri'

Bonds of the Maleri'
Kate Steele

Changeling Press
2008
283 pages (trade size paperback)
Paranormal Romance, Sci-fi
(originally released as 5 ebooks)


This is an anthology. One author, one "world", five stories. I won this book in a contest and it is fabulous. You learn the background in book one and there isn't a lot of backtracking between books.

Erotica, paranormal, romance, sci-fi, m/m. 4.5 stars, a very enjoyable read.

On the faraway planet of Belthola exists a group of extraordinary men. Born with empathic powers, they devote themselves to the service of their planet as mediators, diplomats, doctors, lawmen and scholars. Where help is needed by any planet or people, they generously provide it. But even those with powers have their weaknesses. For the Maleri', the use of their gift can eventually cause madness, even death. The one thing that can prevent such as ill fated end is the taking of a mate. One with whom they can join-mind, body and soul.

Book 1: Mate Hunt
Coltas Oldarie is a healer in need of a mate. He's blacking out and can no longer use his gift. Off to Earth, where many have found their Mates before, he too, finds his. Only there is an older brother protecting what Col wants most.

Book 2: Double or Nothing
spoiler The brother Eric comes with when Col and his mate head back to Belthola. He's like a fish out of water and is kidnapped. Why?

Book 3: Between Love and Law
Head of planet security, Chase has a lonely job. With every promotion, he's let his job become his life. Worried a slip may cause harm to one of his guys. What happens when his mate arrives in the employee of Delmon, a sleazeball mob-like kind of guy? His job? To steal the Blaze of Belthola!

Book 4: Ride 'Em Cowboy
Zeb is sent to Wyoming to learn all he can about cattle ranching only to find his mate. A mate who can not leave the ranch, while Zeb's job is back on Belthola. This isn't looking good for either of them.

Book 5: Redemption
Kicked out of the Brotherhood for taking sides, Jor wanders the Galaxy. He's unmated and the blackouts and pain are worsening. Dane trained at John Hopkins but is on a backwater planet trying to escape the memories of his first mate, Tel. Can true love cure all? Is Redemption possible?

M/M Romance Challenge extra options

I've already gone past 10 books, maybe I should follow the options....


If you’d like to spice things up a bit, feel free to use the following suggestions when choosing what books you want to read. You can use as many as you want, depending on how many books you’ll be reading for the challenge. Feel free to expand on this list if you’d like.

- Read an anthology.
- Read an historical.
- Read a new release.
- Read a new-to-you author.
- Read the first book in a series.
- Read a book with a sports/athletics theme.
- Read a book outside your comfort level or from a genre you don’t normally read.
- Read a book where the shapeshifter isn’t a werewolf.
- Read a book that’s been in your TBR pile for longer than 2 months.
- Read any title by one of the first m/m authors you ever read.

M/M Romance Challenge

The M/M Romance Challenge
March 20, 2009 to August 31, 2009

Rules/Guidelines

1. Choose your sports euphemism (lol!):
- 1st Base – Read 4 M/M romances
- 2nd Base – Read 5 M/M romances
- 3rd Base – Read 6 M/M romances
- Go All The Way – Read 10 (or more) M/M romances

2. All genres are allowed.
- They can be a part of a series or stand-alones.
- They can be long or short.
- Some re-reads are allowed, but try to have at least 2 new-to-you books.
- Overlapping with other challenges is fine, even encouraged.

3. You can join at any time, but remember there is a deadline (August 31, 2009) so keep that in mind when you choose how many books you’d like to read.

4. You don’t have to list your books ahead of time. If you decide to list them, you can change them as you go. Feel free to remove or add titles as needed.

5. You do NOT have to have a blog to participate.
- You can post a mini review or feedback in comments on the review post.
- Just remember to include your book title and author.

6. You do NOT have to review your books to participate.

7. You MUST be 18 years old or older to participate.

~*~

#1 - I'm going to "Go All The Way" and shouldn't this be "homerun?"
#2 - I like the 'short' and 'reread' parts.
#3 - Not only am I joining late, I'm joining too late for prizes!
#4 - I'll just list what I've read so far....
#5 - I think I'll do a mini review as a comment
#6 - I do have a blog.... but my MIL has my book blog address! So do nieces!
#7 - yes, I am over 18.

~*~

1. An Inconvenient Hankering by Sienna Bishop
at Dreamspinner Press, read 3-21

2. A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan
at Dreamspinner Press, read 3-23

3. Heat.Seeking.Missle

4. An Agreement Among Gentlemen by Chris Owen
at Torquere Press, read 3-29

5. Affair in Paradise by Matthew Haldeman-Time
at Torquere Press, read 3-30

6. Perfect Formation by K.B. Alan
at Ellora's Cave, read 3-30

7. Broken Boundaries by Evangeline Anderson
at Ellora's Cave, read 3-30

8. Behind the Lens

8. By Degrees by MB MacDonald
at Torquere Press, read 3-31

9. The One That Got Away by TC Blue
at Torquere Press, read 4-2

10. Chew Toy by Julia Talbot
at Torquere Press, read 4-6

11. The Obsolete Man by Peper Espinoza
at Amber Quill Press, read 4-6

12. Special Delivery by Dierde O'Dare
Amber Quill Press, read 4-6

13. Jake's Reqret by Shawn Lane
Amber Quill Press, read 4-6

14. Allergies by T.A. Chase
Amber Quill Press, read 4-6

15. Taboo Desires by Amanda Young
at Samhain Publishing, read 4-6

16. A Soldier's Choice by D.L. Warner
at Sybaritic Press, read 4-7

17. Gaydar by Kim Dare
at Total-e-Bound, read 4-9

18. Turquoise & Leather by
at , read 4-9

19. Secret Service by
at , read 4-9

20. The Last Bouquet by Carol Lynne
at Total-e-Bound, read 4-10

21. Sunshine, Sex & Sunflowers by
at , read 4-12

22. Summer Bliss by
at , read 4-12

23. Gemini by Chris Owen
at Torquere Press, read 4-13

24. Possessor & Possessed by Sean Michael
at Torquere Press, read 4-14

25. Not Sir by Syd McGinley
at Torquere Press, read 4-14

26. Between Us by AKM Miles
at Torquere Press, read 4-14

27. Drawing Closer by Jane Davitt
at Torquere Press, read 4-14

28. ISP by CB Potts
at Torquere Press, read 4-14

29. Subic Surrender - Michael's story
nifty.org by RimPig

30. A Soldier's Choice by D.L. Warner
at Sybaritic Press, read 4-22

31. ..... will find list & fill in other info later!




??. Bonds of the Maleri' by Kate Steele
at Changeling Press, read 6-21
print of all 5 ebooks, reviewed

Where I purchase erotica

Most of my erotica is electronic. I read Harlequin's Blaze but when I want SEX, mostly I go electronic. Online publishers and clearing houses, erotica and mainstream. There are many more out there, even some that are free, it's just that this is were I seem to wind up. No specific order, not even "favorite first", just listed as bookmarked :)

Torquere Press is strictly same sex or triads, but the others are heavy on hetro. Amber Quill has their mainstream, erotica and same-sex titles separate but on the same site whereas Ellora's Cave has their mainstream titles on a separate site.

Torquere Press also has a subscription service, A Turn of the Screw, where you get several stories a month but only one chapter at a time. When the story is complete you can download the whole thing before it goes on sale.

If you enjoy M/M romance/sex and like the idea of a chapter at a time, check out In This Land. You can read several short stories and the first three chapters for free. It is a subscription (by month) but over 130 posts are available right away.

Bareback Angels, part of Torquere Press

Torquere Press

Liquid Silver Books

Total-e-Bound

Ellora's Cave

Amber Quill

Samhain Publishing

Loose Id

Aspen Mountain Press

Changeling Press

Lyrical Press

Sybaritic Press

Extasy Books

This one says Jasmine Jade Enterprises but the link is a different layout of Ellora's Cave

Dreamspinner Press

Phaze and her sister site Mundania Press

Linden Bay Romance

Red Rose Publishing

Whispers Publishing

Whiskey Creek Press

The Wild Rose Press and their sister-site
for a wilder rose. Also, White Rose Publishing for inspirational romance

Shadowfire Press

GirleBooks free ebooks by the gals (I haven't used this one yet)



disclaimer: links worked when first posted & just because the sites are compatible with my equipment doesn't mean they are compatible with yours. Purchas small amounts to try them out. (I would purchase a short story, maybe $2, and see if formatting was compatible before making a bigger purchase) Ebooks are NOT returnable!