Transmundo by Varian Krylov - ARC review

Transmundo: Escape

Varian Krylov

Book description:

Strange, quiet Luka doesn't live in this world; long ago he took refuge in his art, escaping into surreal mindscapes inspired by his favorite painters. In the beautifully monstrous realms of his imagination, he is safe from the pain of his losses: his family, his friends, his hope. 

Until war breaks out, and he is forced to flee the only home he's known since he was thirteen. 

Captured by an enemy soldier, young Luka is marched across brutal terrain, toward a fate known only by the bearded menace holding him prisoner. Quick with a knife, tireless and strong, Tarik guards the purpose of his mission as he takes Luka deeper and deeper into enemy territory. 

When the soldier discovers the painful secret he has been hiding since childhood, Luka fears he is about to endure a new kind of cruelty, worse than being abandoned, ostracized or beaten. Or is it possible the soldier holding Luka prisoner is the one person who isn't afraid of the truth behind Luka's silence and lies?

My thoughts:

First off, look at that cover! How beautiful is it? Varian used one of her own images for it and it's gorgeous! For those of you who don't know, Varian is also a very talented photographer and owner of Strangeland Photography. If you haven't checked out her photos yet, you really should! The cover was designed by the very talented Bey Deckard - I love how he incorporated the map of Varian's book setting into the image.

It's no secret I love Varian's writing. I fell in love with it after reading Dangerously Happy, and later on the sequel Bad Things. Both books had a strong BDSM undercurrent and even though BDSM is not usually my thing, I enjoyed them immensely.

In Transmundo, Varian takes a step back from the BDSM. It's a sweet, melancholic journey of discovery.

Luka is a 19 year old man born in the wrong country at the wrong time. His country is at war, a senseless, cruel war, that seems to have no meaning or foreseeable end. His gentle soul has been beaten, stomped on and abused all his life. Luka doesn't need much - he just wants to live in peace and be free to express himself through his art.

Unfortunately, vile hatred towards everything Luka is - gay, beautiful, effeminate, talented - crushes all of Luka's dreams, however small and fragile they may be.

Horrible circumstances lead Luka into Tarik's life.

Tarik is a deserted soldier who's refused to be a part of the madness of the war. The two men travel hundreds of kilometres on foot, struggling to survive. Struggling to trust each other.

But when they do - it's beautiful.

Varian's writing is pure magic. I've never read an author who could pull me into the story so fully that I feel it bleeding off the page and surrounding me. I could feel every breath, every exhale, every shiver, hunger pang and gentle caress. 

Luka and Tarik's journey is hard - physically and mentally exhausting, and yet they manage to find their way towards each other; to try and mend whatever is broken inside both of them.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Transmundo to anyone who's looking for a sensual, beautiful book resembling a piece of art rather than a novel. The ending is Happy for Now since this is the first part of a series, and I already can't wait for part 2!

Where to buy:

Transmundo will be released on August 6th. You can preorder it now at Amazon.

Varian's social media links:

     Blog    Facebook     Twitter     

Bookish tattoos

I'm just about to have a new tattoo done and it's inspired by one of my all time favourite series Cut&Run. Looking at at, you can never say it has something to do with a book because it features orchids, an eternity symbol, an anchor and a compass rose. Anyone who's read Cut&Run knows why I combined these symbols, but to the unsuspecting passer-by it may seem like a bunch of pretty flowers.
Anyway, that's not my point. Before I had my tattoo design done, I looked at many book inspired tattoos and they are so gorgeous! Here's some that I found very inspiring.
How about you? Do you have any book tattoos? Comment with a picture!

Most anticipated books of the summer

I seriously can't wait to get my hands on these beauties! 

Against the Grain by Charlie Cochet

This is the 5th instalment in Ms Cochet's THIRDS series. If you haven't read them yet, please do! One of the best shifter series out there. Seriously addicting. 

Book Description:

As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta’s Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash’s skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash’s secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what’s in his heart. 

Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he’s ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn’t the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.

Release date: August 3rd 2015

Pre-order at Dreamspinner Press

Sutphin Boulevard by Santino Hassel

Santino co-wrote my all time favourite series In the Company of Shadows. It's the best thing I've ever read so I think it's safe to say that I'll read anything he ever writes.

I'm super excited about this book! It's his first contemporary erotic romance and I just know it'll be AWESOME!

And what about that cover?? I'm in love!!!

Book Description:

Michael Rodriguez and Nunzio Medici have been friends for two decades. From escaping their dysfunctional families in the working-class neighborhood of South Jamaica, Queens to teaching in one of the city’s most queer friendly schools in Brooklyn, the two men have shared everything. Or so they thought until a sweltering night of dancing leads to an unexpected encounter that forever changes their friendship. 

Now, casual touches and lingering looks are packed with sexual tension, and Michael can’t forget the feel of his best friend’s hands on him. Once problems rear up at work and home, Michael finds himself seeking constant escape in the effortless intimacy and mind-blowing sex he has with Nunzio. But things don’t stay easy for long. 

When Michael’s world begins to crumble in a sea of tragedy and complications, he knows he has to make a choice: find solace in a path of self-destruction or accept the love of the man who has been by his side for twenty years.

Release date: July 31st 2015

Pre-oder at Dreamspinner Press 

On the Clock (a.k.a. Rolex's story)

On the clock is co-written by the epic co-writing duo Aleksandr Voinov and L.A.Witt. Their Market Garden series is an erotic gem! I absolutely love them! While the rest of the books in the series are more of a novella length, On the Clock promises an over 200 page goodness! I can't wait to dive into it and finally read Rolex's story.

Book Description:

When Blake Raleigh’s favorite rentboys retire from Market Garden, they’re sure their friend Jason will be a perfect replacement. Though Tristan and Jared are a tough act to follow, Blake returns to London to test out their recommendation.

Jason is right on the money. Negotiations turn him on. Getting paid turns him on. The higher the stakes, the hotter things get. Each trip to London is more expensive than the last, and the webcam sessions don’t run cheap, but Jason is well worth the sticker shock.

The more time they spend together, the more Blake wants, and not just sex and transactions. But Jason’s been burned before by men who thought they were in love with him, and he’s not making that mistake again. When the lines between personal and professional start to blur, it’s going to take more than money, jewelry, and sports cars to keep Jason from clocking out and walking away.

Release date: July 13th 2015

Pre-order at Riptide Publishing