Tag Archives: N.R. Walker

Book Review: Dearest Milton James by N.R. Walker

Posted on August 31, 2021 | Leave a comment

Reading the book’s blurb, I wasn’t quite sure about Malachi’s character because it felt like I’ve read his character a million times — that annoying main protagonist who’s supposed to be cute and funny who turns out to be simply irritating — luckily, Malachi isn’t like that. He is such a sweetheart, has a great sense of humor, and has diarrhea of the mouth when nervous. He may be over the top for some people, but I find this trait of him likable.

I also like the relationships he developed with his new colleagues, starting with Julian and the rest of the gang, whose characters were all wonderfully fleshed out. I particularly liked Cherry and Paul, the not-serial killer. 

I’ve read similar stories in the past where they would find a bunch of letters, and they’ll try to locate the sender or the writer and the supposed receiver. It’s always exciting for me because it’s like diving into another story. I won’t spoil anything but this is basically the story’s premise with Malachi and the gang becoming literal detectives within the Dead Letter Office.

Maybe, it’s just me, but I find this sweet story some sort of a ‘coming-of-age’ (FYI, he’s already an adult) journey for Malachi because he’s found a place where he could be himself, and everyone was so accepting. He also found love through Julian, and the chemistry between them was just electric. 

Dearest Milton James was simply a joy to read! It was a surprise release from the author, and it came out at the right time when I felt the need for a break from the barrage of bad news everywhere. It’s one of those many books of N.R. Walker that you’d keep on rereading regularly. It’s simple, funny, smart, and delicate. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Published August 24th 2021 by BlueHeart Press

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Code Red by N.R. Walker

Posted on June 29, 2021 | Leave a comment

Code Red follows the story of Maddox Kershaw, frontman for the mega superstar band Atrous. It is narrated by Roscoe Hall, one of the band’s managers (Maddox’s “personal” manager), who happens to be in love with Maddox and vice versa.

The book mainly focuses on the behind-the-scenes of one of the most famous acts in the world, the pressure of always being on top, of always being perfect, and delivering the goods to their fans. It also touched heavily on the mental health of Maddox, who happens to be the Beyoncé of the group.

The book was written in a single POV, which was very surprising, rather refreshing because it’s been ages since I’ve read something with a single POV character, much more from the author. I don’t hate that it was just narrated by Roscoe, but I would’ve liked to know what Maddox was thinking or really get a feel of his voice.

I loved that the author focuses heavily on mental health. What’s happening to Maddox was quite harrowing, so that’s a bit difficult to read. (This book came out when the #FreeBritney movement was finally vindicated after Britney Spears herself revealed to the world how awful her conservatorship has been for the last 13 years and is a big fan, I was horrified to no end, and I could only imagine the fame and this whole brouhaha taking a toll on her mental health) It’s the reality. No one is exempted from suffering from mental health issues.

Another thing that I liked about the story is that there are no villains here and no unnecessary drama concerning our main characters. The development of their relationship was relatively quick since it happens in the first part of the book, so it feels secondary to Maddox’s issues.

If there is something I didn’t like much about this, it’s probably Maddox’s interaction with his bandmates because it was pretty repetitive. Their group dynamics were very positive but not exciting. Outside of Maddox, I didn’t get a feel for the rest of the band. They’re secondary characters if you know what I mean.

I loved the epilogue, and I thought it’s sweet. I loved the less-to-no conflict structure of the story, and I appreciate the subject matter very much because it’s very relevant. It’s not one of my top five favorites from the author, but I thought it’s a good read overall.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 404 pages
Published June 24th 2021

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Upside Down by N.R. Walker

Posted on June 28, 2021 | Leave a comment

Blurb: Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But when he realises adding the label asexual might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.? ?
Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he’s determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.?
?A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who’s trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn’t been turned upside down at all, but maybe it’s now—for the first time in his life—the right way up.

Upside Down is another delightful story from N.R. Walker and we get asexual characters in it – yasss representation! Maybe I’m not just reading enough books with asexual characters, but I loved it when one of my favorite authors does it!

The characters here are all-so-interesting. We’re all given little backstories, including the supporting characters that do not distract us from the main characters themselves.

Here, we have the adorable, geeky, not-in-a-annoying-way-no-filter funny Jordan O’Neill. He also happens to be cute and loves wearing matching outfits! Did I say adorable?! He’s just so squishy! Do you get what I mean? He’s just so cute and ADORABLE!

Hennessy, on the other hand, is the perfect opposite of Jordan. They complement each other so well. I loved his calm demeanor and how he’s so patient and understanding with Jordan. I think we all need a Hennessy in our lives when we’re trying to decompressed and not worry about anything in the world.

I do love the cute bus meet-ups and the Soup crew – it’s just so freaking adorable! I mean, that’s a rom-com movie scene right there, and I’d be eavesdropping the hell out of them too!

I do love the author’s sensitivity here, what with Jordan’s freak-out on whether he is asexual or not. I loved how the author addresses Jordan’s issue here. From the get-go, it was apparent that he’d freak out sooner or later, but it was just very nice how the author paced it.

The epilogue is just pure love. Where can I get someone like Jordan or Hennessy? Love the conclusion of the story and their friends’ ménage à trois too! I’m wondering if the author would have the time to write something about them too because that’d be very interesting to read(I won’t be dropping the characters’ names, but they are amazing too).

This is another solid story from N.R. Walker – just entertaining, charming, and very enlightening in a way. Just read it y’all! ❤

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 251 pagesPublished March 19th 2019

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Lacuna by N.R. Walker

Posted on June 11, 2021 | Leave a comment

Blurb: Twenty-five years ago, the hand of fate marked four newborns and sent them to the four corners of the Great Kingdoms. They were schooled and trained as rulers of their lands in preparation for the Golden Eclipse ceremony: a festival to celebrate a thousand years of peace and prosperity since the Great War.

Crow, ruler of Northlands, a skilled swordsman and expert tactician, is as reclusive and stoic as the mountains that surround him. Tancho has spent his life in strict discipline, governing the Westlands with a fair mind and gentle hand. Quiet and unassuming, yet lethal in combat, he is the embodiment of the waters he lives by.

Yet the same hand of fate unknowingly linked Tancho to Crow in ways they cannot comprehend. Ruled by the stars, the brother sun and the two sister moons above them, and marked by an alchemical sorcery as old as time, their destinies were never their own.

As the eclipse draws near and the festival begins, word comes of another threat. Invaders from unknown lands bring a war no one was prepared for, and Crow and Tancho must decide on which side of the battle line they stand.

In life or death, their destinies will see them joined either way.

Lacuna is a story about four kingdoms, each with a destined ruler who has to come together for a once in a lifetime ceremony, and that is when the shit hits the fan for everyone involved, particularly for the stoic Crow, ruler of Northlands, and the feisty ruler of the Westlands, Tancho.

Tancho and Crown are both excellent main characters. They are very charming, and from the get-go, despite being forced to be together, the chemistry is there. I do love the side characters, too – the fun that they add to the story, and trust, there are many funny moments. I also loved the development of their relationship throughout the story.

Although I’ve to say that the best thing about the story is its worldbuilding, the author did an excellent job in taking us into these ‘four corners of the Great Kingdoms’ with such a refreshing interpretation of the elements – the vivid description of each kingdom is just beyond.

The story’s pacing flowed nicely, and it also feels very short at 368 pages, so it was a quick read for me that I finished it in a day.

I would’ve given this a 5-star rating if not for the hasty resolution, but I’m excited because there’s more to explore in this world and with N.R. Walker, we all know she could easily spin something from this world that would be as good as this story! This is something I’d recommend for those who are into fantasy-romance novels!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 366 pagesPublished October 23rd 2020 by Blue Heart Press

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Bossy by N.R. Walker

Posted on May 31, 2021 | Leave a comment
Date of Publication: March 4, 2021
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Genre: LGBTQ+, Romance
ASIN: B08XPVDGXM
Characters: Michael Piersen, Bryson Schroeder

Michael Piersen isn’t up for complications. He’s one of Sydney’s fastest-moving career-focused corporate realtors, and the only thing he has time for is one-night stands with zero fuss.

Bryson Schroeder’s back home from two years overseas with plans to leave his family’s hotel empire and begin his own business ventures. Out with friends to celebrate his return, he sees a gorgeous blond man across the bar, and with merely a smile and a raised eyebrow, they leave together for a night of incredible chemistry.

The rules are clear: no names, no details, no complications.

But one night becomes one more night, and eventually the arrangement suits them both for weeks . . . until their professional and personal worlds collide. With their hearts already on the line, Michael and Bry need to decide just how complicated they want to get.

N.R. Walker’s Bossy takes us back to the tale as old as time of boy meets boy for meaningless sex until feelings started to catch up. It is an old trope but knowing the author’s ability to write sweet, angst free with a side dish of hot romance – you know damn well what you’re about to get into!

Bossy was very reminiscent of the author’s Sixty Five Hours novella (another favorite reread of mine) and it’s just an overall feel-good read with tension being dealt with realistically – where the characters are being adult about it. There was no unnecessary eye-rolling drama. Instead we get something straightforward, something mature which some authors tend to forget to do with these kind of storylines. The author didn’t choose to go the same old pattern, instead she reminds us that as adults – this is how we deal with things and I loved that aspect very much. Such an easy, breezy and a fun read. This is very highly recommended!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.

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Book Review: Imagoes (Imago Series, #2.6) – N.R. Walker

Posted on May 27, 2021 | Leave a comment
Kindle Edition, 73 pages
Published January 16th 2021

If you haven’t read the Imago series by N.R. Walker, then you should go start adding it to your ‘reader’/ TBR* list because it is absolutely a delightful feel-good series! I swear you won’t regret it! You can read my reviews of the previous books HERE.

I know I’ve been saying this for the last couple of reviews I’ve posted but again, it’s really been ages since I’ve read the last short from this series, when Lawson and Jack visited the guys from the Red Dirt Heart series. So this little add-on that we’ve got right here let us see our boys, Jack and Lawson and their little boy Brennan living their happy and domesticated family life, it was so sweet and just simply adorable.

But of course, another adventure awaits Lawson and Jack as they’re about to discover new breed of butterflies or a new species altogether perhaps? Anyway, their interaction is just again, a signature N.R. Walker storytelling – loved the setting as it made me think of my time vacationing and doing spelunking and rappelling cliffs (gosh, I really cannot believe I did that in the past lol), the side characters and just Jack and Lawson’s interaction with each other. I just wished there’s more Brennan in it! So yeah, this is for fans of the series like moi because you’d absolutely loved this little story, and if you haven’t read the previous two books, I mean – like I’ve said, you’d have to because it’s going to be so worth your moolah.

Rating this a perfect 5 stars!

*TBR – To Be Read.

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Book Review: Galaxies and Oceans by N.R. Walker

Posted on May 26, 2021 | Leave a comment
Date of Publication: June 23, 2018
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Genre & Theme: LGBTQ, MM, Romance
ASIN: B07DZNX1LT
Characters: Ethan Hosking, Patrick Carney, Aubrey Hobbs

These past few weeks, I’ve been binge-reading N.R. Walker’s books because I wanted to get back to reading more this year, and it was just a wonderful feeling to get into it again after almost a couple of years of hiatus! I’m such a fan of her works and based on my count, I’ve reviewed 27 of her books here! Yay me!

So I picked this book based on its glowing reviews (yeah, I tend to get swayed a lot by reviews lol) and I’m sure glad I did because I absolutely loved it! I cried. I smiled a lot and cried again.

The story is basically about Ethan escaping from an abusive relationship, leaving his old self behind and renaming himself as Aubrey (an homage to his beloved gramps) and he met Patrick, a lighthouse keeper who is grieving the loss of his partner.

The romance between them is just gorgeous. I loved the steady interaction between Patrick and Aubrey, and the side characters living in their small town. Speaking of small town, the setting was gorgeously described by the author. It’s romantic, nostalgic and just about serene like the main characters’ personalities. Nothing seems forced. I loved how we just see go along with the story, and witness how they just opened up to each other and developed something beautiful.

There was no twist but there’s obviously a big reveal about Aubrey’s past at the end which was a bit anticlimactic but it didn’t diminish the merit of the story for me. The writing itself, the pacing and the two main characters more than made up for it. I couldn’t ask for a better first read from the author after my long hiatus from the genre.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

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Book Review: Red Dirt Imago (Red Dirt, #4.5 / Imago, #2.5) – N.R. Walker

Posted on November 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

Date of Publication: April 20, 2017
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Genre & Theme: LGBT, MM, Romance
ASIN: B0724ZFHRT
Characters: Charlie Sutton, Travis Craig, Jack Brighton, Lawson Gale

Blurb:When Charlie Sutton’s neighbour Greg is notified by the Queensland government that they intend to run a pipeline through his property, Charlie vows to help him fight it. Then Travis remembers seeing butterflies at the creek near their joining fence line – the same butterflies they couldn’t find in any Australian butterfly book. Hopeful this might be their only chance to stop the development, they seek the help of a specialist.

Lawson Brighton-Gale receives an email request to identify a butterfly in the Outback, only to discover it’s not an Australian butterfly at all. But that’s not all he discovers. The name on the request is familiar to Jack. An old friend from his university days, who also happened to be his old friend with benefits, Charlie Sutton.

Years ago, two out-of-towners met at the University of Sydney. Both studying environmental sciences, both hundreds of miles from home, and both finding their worlds open to new experiences, they fell into bed together. Meeting again after all this time, in front of Lawson and Travis, won’t be awkward at all, right?

Lawson and Jack’s trip to Sutton Station certainly doesn’t go to plan, and what they take back to Tasmania isn’t just butterflies, but a cocoon of possibilities.

Red Dirt Imago is our cutesie little return to the very much beloved Red Dirt Heart Series and this time, with Lawson and Jack from the author’s Imago series (or the other way around).

Reading about Charlie and Travis again makes me a bit melancholic because I absolutely loved their story and the timeline of this story is in the past since we all know that their daughter grew up to be a beautiful strong-willed woman.

I can absolutely relate with both Lawson and Travis here. No matter how mature we think we are in these situations – meeting your former lover and their current lover – though in this instance, former sex buddies, there’s still a tinge of something that will make us feel a bit jealous I guess…I think that’s what makes us human. That’s what’s make Lawson and Travis more realistic in a way.

This is a cutesie little gift from the author for the fans of both series and that super cute surprise at the end is just too adorbs! This is highly recommended for those who are missing Travis and Charlie!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

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Book Review: Imagines (Imago, #2) – N.R. Walker

Posted on September 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Date of Publication: April 8, 2017
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Genre: LGBT, MM Romance
ASIN: B06Y599DJK
Characters: Jack Brighton, Lawson Gale

The second book of Imago is the continuation of Lawson Gale and Jack Brighton’s blossoming love affair. It’s been a blissful six months for the two and they are very much in love.

Here, Lawson was offered a two-week research position in Queensland to determined why a species of butterfly is diminishing. Since they’ve initially planned to take a trip together, he and Jack decided to combine work and pleasure altogether.

Now, if the first book was “conflict-less,” this one has a whole lot of it since the whole researching job involves a certain professor that apparently has a thing for Lawson. Not only that, it also involves a career-changing decision that may affect their budding relationship.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I loved the development of their characters and their story. I loved that the characterization of each of our main character is consistent. Lawson being an accident magnet is as funny and adorable as ever whilst Jack’s superhero complex is super swoon worthy!

The whole thing is still as sweet as the first book! This is another easy read from N.R. Walker and a book that I’d totally recommend.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

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Book Review: Imago (Imago, #1) – N.R. Walker

Posted on August 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

Date of Publication: February 8, 2017
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Genre: LGBT, MM Romance
ASIN: B06VXS641F
Characters: Jack Brighton, Lawson Gale

I’ve read this the first week of its release and was able to finish it in one seating. N.R. Walker is one of my favorite authors from the LGBTQ+ genre and she never fails to deliver.

Lawson is the adorkable lepidopteist who came across Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton in a small town in Tasmania while searching for a species of butterfly that may or may not even exist.

Jack Brighton with his lovely dog Rosemary is pure love. He is just too dreamy for words. I loved his personality and his reactions towards Lawson’s quirks.

Lawson and Jack are easily the most likable couple ever and you’d definitely root for them onset of the story. Theirs is the typical boy meets boy story that will melt your heart and will make you go aww… from start to finish.

The chemistry between them is right there from the very beginning and how they fell in love is just all sweet and buttery. Peeps who are looking for conflict will not find it here. This book is an easy read when you just want to feel something good. It is a feel good story with not much drama but overflowing in the romance department. ‘Will highly recommend this one!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

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