Today, I’m hosting and reviewing author S.J. Coles’ latest release Touch in the Night, book one in the Blood and Bonds series, a m/m paranormal romance.
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Title: Touch in the Night
Series: Blood and Bonds, Book One
Author: S. J. Coles
Genre: Paranormal M/M Romance
Tropes: Vampire, BDSM, Single Dad, Billionaire
Themes: Self-worth, self-acceptance, overcoming prejudice
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 85 673 words/344 pages
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Jesse Truelove never felt a part of his own family. But can a vampire really give him a new one?
Blurb: With a criminal record, no steady job and a penchant for kink, Jesse Truelove has spent most of his life feeling like an outsider. He tells himself it doesn’t bother him, that he never needed human connections anyway.
Now the Undying Baron, Emory Von Magnusson, a vampire—or, to use the modern term, ‘haemophile’—has reclaimed his ancestral home north of Jesse’s hometown, and the human population isn’t sure how to react. Jesse knows a thing or two about what it’s like to be misjudged, so he keeps an open mind. But when a bungled break-in at Emory’s home brings them face-to-face, Jesse finds it’s much more than his mind that’s stimulated.
However, building a relationship with an undead blood-drinker was never going to be straightforward, especially when that undead blood-drinker reveals he wants a family.
Note: It is Book 1 in the ‘Blood and Bonds’ Series. Books 2 & 3 due for release in 2024. This book does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Pride Publishing | Universal Link
“This is about last night.”
“Yeah,” Jesse rasped. “It is…” Magnusson didn’t move or speak, but Jesse thought he saw warmth gathering in his eyes. “So we don’t talk about it. Is that it?”
“I’m more than happy to talk about it.”
“It was…something.”
“It was. Something you enjoyed, I think.”
Jesse’s skin rippled. “Where did it come from, huh? You don’t even know me.”
“I know you’re not regretting it, Jesse. Why are you pretending you are?”
Jesse frowned. “You think you know what I’m feeling?”
A small smile turned up the corners of the full lips. “Humans don’t realize how little of what they feel is secret. It broadcasts, like a beacon. It’s one of the things that makes you so fascinating.”
“Whereas you feel nothing?” he said, putting the glass on the table with more force than was necessary.
“That isn’t true.”
Jesse made a noise of frustration. “So, what? What was last night?”
“Has no one ever cared about just what you need before?”
“You jerk off all your employees if they have a bad day?”
“No,” he said, smile warming, “just you.” Jesse went very still. His heart was slugging in his chest. Magnusson bent close and inhaled. The air brushed over Jesse’s temple. He shivered. “I’ve upset you.”
“You haven’t upset me. I’m not a kid.”
Magnusson gazed down at him. “I’m sorry. I thought I knew what you wanted.”
You did. More than any other guy I’ve ever known…but you’re not human. Just my luck.
Jesse kept his mouth firmly closed over the words, not wanting to admit them, even to himself. Instead, he said, “I just don’t get…why?”
“You won’t believe the answer to that question until you’re able to answer it yourself,” he said. “But I can see what I did has made this difficult.”
“You’re my boss…”
He blinked once, slowly.
So he does blink.
“I currently employ you. That is correct. But after last night…and considering the way you looked at me when we first met…” He paused. Jesse held his breath. “Forgive me. You are a fascinating human. And my instincts told me there was more to your interest than professional curiosity.”
Jesse looked away.
“I’m sorry,” Magnusson continued after a moment. “It has been a very long time since I understood the nuances of human emotion. I sometimes forget that.”
“No kidding…Sir,” he added after an awkward moment.
“I think you really had best start calling me Emory.”
Jesse’s skin heated. “Okay…Emory.”
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I liked the blurb so I was in for reading. Plus, I have read and reviewed two other books by the author. Again, the author did not let me down.
As stated, Jesse Truelove does not belong. His life is in shambles, and when he’s approached by a local internet sleuth determined to expose vampires as dangerous, he agrees to break into the house of Emory Von Magnusson.
In the world created, society is aware of vampires, and many don’t trust them. They are considered dangerous killing machines who can’t control their blood lust. When Jesse is caught by the baron, he agrees to work for the vampire as the new chief of security.
I must say the world-building is excellent. I found this to be more than about vampires. But about society’s prejudice against anything they don’t understand. Given, though, that those who thirst for blood live among them, I can sympathize with their fear. The vampires lock themselves away so they don’t hurt anyone by accident when they require blood, though.
The plot revolves around Emory’s need for something, although I won’t come right out and say what it is. While Emory is drawn into the world of vampirism, he’s also drawn into Emory’s intimate world.
I enjoyed how the author wove in the backstory that occurred when necessary. Well done. The conversations between the different characters also intrigued with everyone trying to push their beliefs and views down another’s throat. The scenes between Jesse and Emory are what really make the novel come to life, though. Even when a friend tries to warn Jesse away from Emory, Jesse can’t resist.
Jesse also gets a great character arc. His change throughout the novel was well executed, along with the bond between him and Emory.
It’s a great start to the series. I recommend you give it a try.
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S.J. Coles is a Romance writer originally from Shropshire, UK. She has been writing stories for as long as she has been able to read them. Her biggest passion is exploring narratives through character relationships.
She finds writing LGBT/paranormal romance provides many unique and fulfilling opportunities to explore many (often neglected or under-represented) aspects of human experience, expectation, emotion and sexuality.
Among her biggest influences are LGBT Romance authors K J Charles and Josh Lanyon and Vampire Chronicles author Anne Rice.
Follow S.J.: Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pride Publishing
Maggie Blackbird 