Tag Archives: More Heat Than The Sun Series

Book Review: Death’s Ink-Black Shadow – John Wiltshire

Posted on December 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

DeathI loved the first five books of this series and will continue to regard it as one of the best-written series I’ve read from the first to its fifth book. It took me a couple of months before finally getting a go at this one and I’ve to say that unlike the prior installments, it hasn’t been a pleasant experience reading this. I’m just not into it as much as the earlier books and I was just saddened that my love affair with this series screeched into a halt and ended just like that. And what a coincidence with its title and all. Patay tayo diyan.

I’ve a lot of issues about this installment but I will just try to enumerate the ones that totally turned me off.

  1. The revenge fuck. Ack. Seriously Ben? Remember when “you broke Nik’s spirit?” I was like, this guy’s fucking unbelievable! Even if the fucking didn’t actually happen, the intent was there and it just lessen my appreciation for Ben’s character more and more. Uhm, yeah – it’s like, been there done that and Ben still think that Nik is capable of “really” cheating  on him – Uhm. No Ben. Not cool at all.
  2. The predictable arrival of Nik’s son. ‘Have seen it from a far.
  3. Tim and “the Moron” should be on the kill list next. Their characters are charming earlier in the series but they’ve just become a couple of nuisances.
  4. Ben trying to give more credit to Kate for Molly Rose’s sake. Ugh. I’ve enough of Kate! She’s a scheming bitch and she’s dead but she’s still lurking around causing discomfort. *shuddered*
  5. Speaking of Molly Rose. I can’t get past her character TBH. She’s like one of the main reasons I have to stop reading this series. *sigh*

I know that I will still be waiting for John Wiltshire’s stand-alone books / new series to come but I think I’m done with Nik and Ben at this point. I hate that I got so invested with these two only to leave them hanging midway through the series. I’m sad that it had to end this way but I know that I will still be supporting John Wiltshire’s other titles because the man ‘s got style. This may not work for me but I’m pretty sure a lot of people will still appreciate it.  So there. Ranting / review finished.

Paalam Ben and Nik. It was a pleasure getting to know you…

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
John spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer
when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New
Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he
has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught
polishing his medals.

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Book Review: The Bruise-Black Sky (More Heat Than the Sun, #5) – John Wiltshire

Posted on June 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

The Bruise-Black SkyNote: This review may contain spoiler/s

I was actually very excited when I started reading this fifth installment of the series More Heat Than The Sun because the last book made me pretty upset so I was thinking that something needs to happen here or something will happen here.

I’ve envisioned Kate getting preggo with Ben’s baby after the incident in the fourth book, This Other Country and with this actually happening, I find myself utterly disappointed because that baby trope just doesn’t work for me. I feel that it was there just to fuck with the readers. And I didn’t like it one bit. Like if I were Nik, everytime I’d look at that baby – who’s got Molly Rose for a name – I’d just see that dark moments of Ben regardless of his condition back then. I loved babies in real life but in books – I’d be okay to have Ben’s baby out of the picture. I thought the inclusion of the baby isn’t a good call for the development of the series.

On a more positive note, I loved the introduction of new characters. Miles Toogood is just too good a character not to revisit further in the upcoming books!

This installment clearly separate Ben and Nik’s power over each other. With this though, Ben ends up getting the upper hand in terms of douche-ness level leaving Nik to be the poor underdog.

I somehow find the storyline here a bit weaker than the rest of the series so far, though the loopholes here will definitely bring about good plot points for the next installments. I for one is very curious about Nik’s son (Mr. Wiltshire – bring it on! And could you please let Ben grovel more?) The “rape” non-rape scene at the end was a very pivotal scene in the development of their relationship and the story I reckon. I feel like Nik being Nik – should’ve exploited that more out of Ben.

I didn’t like this installment very much but overall, I’m still enamored to continue with Nik and Ben’s story and still think that this is one of the best series’ I’ve ever read from any genre.

Additional Notes: I honestly do not expect this series to last until Nik turned 50. Gosh, the timeline was so fast I’m having a hard time grasping it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published March 20th 2015 by MLR Press (first published March 19th 2015)

Buy now:
All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
iTunes | Kobo | MRL Books

About The Author
John Wiltshire spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught polishing his medals.

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Book Review: This Other Country (More Heat Than the Sun, #4) – John Wiltshire

Posted on June 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

This Other CountryThis is the fourth book of the amazing series More Heat Than The Sun and I am still enthralled by the author’s writing and depiction of his main characters Nik and Ben from the first three books that this actually came a bit of a surprise for me – it’s a rather brow-raising surprise because I’ve this pet peeve about my characters which I’ll try to discuss in a bit.

Anyways, This Other Country saw the very dignified Nikolas Mikkelsen admitting himself into a gay therapy course for Ben’s sake (he’s with Ben here). And for Ben’s stupid friend Squeezy.

I actually find the whole thing quite amusing at the beginning – Nik being Nik – you just gotta love the guy’s snark! Despite his entire strong exterior, he’s really got a soft spot most especially for Ben.

This time, the story’s not divided into two arcs – it’s a continuous one with the initial premise being the gay therapy session. It’s clearly over the top but again, in a good way.

What happened after the therapy was something I wasn’t expected to come out of this book. Something that will tick-off some readers off of some characters most especially Kate. After reading that “scene” – I went ahead and plan for her demise right away. It was gulag style I reckon. I hate that part. I don’t like it at all and it makes my heart palpitate. I was so mad that Nik was so lenient and understanding towards Ben. I cried for Nik because it was so unfair for him. The author needs to make Ben grovel better come next time because it’s always Nik who’s left crying in the corner – with his gun and stuff for killing. I’m totally disappointed with Ben and I could already see where this will be heading – ugh. I’m calling this installment “Kate Must Die” –Arrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When are the gulag prisoners when you need them?

This book is still great like the rest of the series – with some disappointments that is, but seriously, the writing was so good that it’s unfair to say that I hate it just because what I want to happen with the characters were unrealized.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published November 22nd 2014 by MLR Press (first published November 21st 2014)

Buy now:
All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
 Kobo | MRL Books  | iTunes

About The Author
John Wiltshire spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught polishing his medals.

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Book Review: The Bridge of Silver Wings (More Heat Than the Sun, #3) – John Wiltshire

Posted on June 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

The Bridge of Silver WingsThis is one of those series that keeps getting better and as my new favorite couple’s (Nikolas Mikkelsen & Benjamin Rider)  relationship reached a new high – a lot of things were also revealed about their past that could have great impact in their relationship but we all know it by now right? – Love conquers all. Period. Stop. Ssshhh.

The Bridge of Silver Wings is part disturbing and part mysterious. When Nik and Ben found themselves in the midst of Gulag prisoner’s territory – they almost lost hope of surviving the brutality of their situation. And there is one thing certain for Nik – he would keep Ben alive at all cost. The whole thing about the first part of this novel is nothing short of shuddering. It was like a nightmare that won’t end for all the characters involved and for its readers. It was like watching Hannibal where you are always at the edge of your seat. At some point, I was almost afraid to turn the next page I’m almost shaking. Here, we see the intensity of Nik’s love for Ben. We see Nik here as someone almost inhuman. He’s been through this place and he survived it then and he’s gonna die trying to get Ben see himself out of this. That part about Ben getting “assaulted” was the most disturbing part for me. The trauma it caused Ben, the denial and just the way John Wiltshire spin that conversation between Nik and Ben just gave me goose bumps all throughout – it’s almost too reverent if you think about it. Not even the gory killings horrify me as much.

The second part of the book detailed Ben’s discovery of his father’s side. I didn’t exactly like this part of the book because Ben started second-guessing things about himself and Nik. I thought what happened with them previously is proof enough that it’s 100% solid with them. Here, Ben was acting like he’s twenty-two. Seriously, I was so annoyed when he got away with it so easily and he doesn’t even have to grovel that much. The whole thing about his “cousin’s death” was a tad predictable but it’s a good predictable. And fuck, I think I started hating Kate here. Is this when she started having her POV? I’m like – bitch please, I know you’re up to something in the next book/s – ugh. Little did I know this would hold true.

I’m weeping with Nik over here. I can totally feel his pain here. I really do love them as a couple but I’m team Nik come hell or high water. He’s like my little baby Nik and I hated the fact that Ben just doesn’t seem appreciate him that much here. He’s very lucky that Nik loves him very much. The ending was beautiful as usual but it just gives me the creep that something wicked is about to happen next.

Man’ what can I say? I’m just totally in love with this series. Get your copy now or you’ll miss out big time!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published August 22nd 2014 by MLR Press (first published August 21st 2014)

Buy now:
All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
iTunes | Kobo | MRL Press

About The Author
John Wiltshire spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught polishing his medals.

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Book Review: Conscious Decisions of the Heart (More Heat Than The Sun, #2) – John Wiltshire

Posted on June 16, 2015 | Leave a comment

Conscious Decisions of the HeartNow this one easily includes some of the most intense scenes I’ve ever read from this genre. I’ve read a lot of blood, gore and horrific stuff but those are nothing compared to the intensity and the impact of the scenes here. It’s not even about the blood and all but you see, it’s not just about what the characters see right? It’s mostly what they / we feel along with the characters. Ben and Nik’s relationship is totally official in a way that it’s still not entirely open (with Nik being royalty and all) but they really don’t give a fuck about who knows about it – after all, they do their business privately and they have a very clear understanding about their relationship.

In this book, Nik’s dark past calls to him and went to Russia to do something for an old “friend.” Whilst Nik’s in Russia, Ben decided to travel to Denmark and learn Nik’s language. A slew of events led to Ben succumbing to darkness and a threat gearing up to change everything about them.

I’ve read this book about three months ago and up to now, I’m still in awe and very much affected by it. Rarely a book does it for me like this one. The whole scene with Ben almost doing that “deed” made my heart burn and the agony that follow was more than enough for me to actually pause for a bit before continuing. It’s that good but really, it got my blood pressure really high, I think. The intensity of their relationship was getting stronger and I think right from the very beginning, we all know how intense Nik’s character was. He’s one character that I’d definitely remember if I were given a choice to pick my top 10 from this genre. The secondary characters are very good addition to the cast as we see more from them.

Of course, there’s the event that led them to a relief effort in the Philippines – that was rather special which also proved to be a focal point of what they did next in the series.

John Wiltshire’s writing is nothing but spectacularly affecting. His style is strong, over the top and just too graphic. I would really like to discuss more about the scenes in this book but I’d rather have you guys read it for your enjoyment. Really, if you are a fan of this genre – or even non-reader of MM books – you should definitely give this book a try at least. I’m telling you, it’s so worth it and I encourage everyone to really, really spread the name of this author. I mean, people, he’s so fucking good!!!!

Note: I wrote this review after reading the whole five books (so far) in the series.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published July 3rd 2014 by MLR Press

Buy now:
All Romance | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
iTunes | Kobo | MRL Books

About The Author
John Wiltshire spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught polishing his medals.

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