Honey & Pepper, by A. J. Demas

I mentioned in my review of Saffron Alley that I was torn between relief that there were only five books in the author’s backlist set in this world, and despair, because there were only five books set in this world.

Shortly after I signed up for the author’s newsletter, I saw that this book was coming out soon, and I was all set to buy it. Then, somehow I lucked out to get an ARC of this, and boy, am I glad–it’s so good!

There’s graphic sex, an absolutely adorable cinnamon roll of a man who’s dominant in bed, and a villain getting what he deserves. Also, mention of a death by suicide, a whipping, and a couple of incidents of violence.

Strong Wine, by A.J. Demas

What a wonderful conclusion to the Sword Dance trilogy! As I said last week, I read Saffron Alley and Strong Wine literally back-to-back, then read them again when I was writing my reviews. Yes, they are that good. And by the by, am I glad I did not have to wait between books!

Reader beware: xenophobia, transphobia (one of the leads is a formerly enslaved eunuch–not by choice–and non-binary–entirely by choice), homophobia (the other lead is a bisexual man), a bit of violence, and some graphic sex on page.

Saffron Alley, by A. J. Demas

It has been a long time since I’ve been able to glom an author and enjoy it, and I must say, I’ve missed it.

And yet, I read the second and third books in the Sword Dance trilogy in one day, and now I’m torn between being grateful the author only has five books under this pseudonym/in this world, and bemoaning that there are only five books in this world. ¹

In part it’s just because my reading has been shit for almost seven years, but I’ve also grown a lot more grumpy and a lot less forgiving of writing tics. Spacing out books by the same author benefits everyone here.

Readers, people. We suck.

Reader notes: there’s some graphic sex and just a bit of violence, mostly near the end. One of the leads is bisexual, the other is a eunuch (not by choice) and non-binary (entirely by choice); also an undercurrent of xenophobia.

Sword Dance, by A. J. Demas

This novel was my introduction to the writing of A. J. Demas, after a recommendation by K. J. Charles. It is the first book in the Sword Dance trilogy, and I now own all three titles.

Reader, beware: There is graphic sex and some violence on page, as well as some PTSD and references to past sexual abuse and torture. One of the protagonists is a eunuch (not by choice) and non-binary (very much by choice); the other is unapologetically bisexual.

Oh, and while it’s very much a romance, and a very sweet one at that, it is just the beginning; this book ends in hope, with a promise to meet again.