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Southern Gothic #1
Leather and Lace
Falling in love with a vampire bites—and sometimes loving a human bites back.
Dorian Villeneuve is an unlucky vampire from the slums of Devil’s Row. He makes ends meet for himself and his emotional support Chihuahua by working sleazy bars and nightclubs, doing what it takes to get by. Cash Leroy is a monster hunter from East Texas with a golden voice and an unrivaled devotion to Stevie Nicks. Hunting does not leave time for friends, let alone love.
When their paths cross during a bloody run-in with the vampire mob, Cash upends Dorian’s life—and takes Dorian under his wing to teach how to hunt monsters.
The unlikely pair become partners, and soon, best friends. However, their deepening bond grows complicated when Dorian falls in love with Cash. Their friendship is too important to throw away over an interspecies attraction, especially in a career that is already nasty, brutish, and short.
And things become even more complicated when Cash finds himself returning the vampire’s affections.
When an unusually deadly case lands in the hunters’ laps, their ill-fated affair takes a backseat. A pair of man-eating weredeer are on the loose taking victims’ hearts. With the pressure on to end the killing spree, Dorian and Cash must set aside their feelings and hunt down the blood-thirsty deer.
Can Dorian and Cash’s friendship survive this monstrous romance, or will they lose their hearts in the process?
Originally seen in the Eisner-nominated TWISTED ROMANCE anthology from IMAGE COMICS, this is the full-length adaptation of the critically acclaimed short story.
Dorian Villeneuve is an unlucky vampire from the slums of Devil’s Row. He makes ends meet for himself and his emotional support Chihuahua by working sleazy bars and nightclubs, doing what it takes to get by. Cash Leroy is a monster hunter from East Texas with a golden voice and an unrivaled devotion to Stevie Nicks. Hunting does not leave time for friends, let alone love.
When their paths cross during a bloody run-in with the vampire mob, Cash upends Dorian’s life—and takes Dorian under his wing to teach how to hunt monsters.
The unlikely pair become partners, and soon, best friends. However, their deepening bond grows complicated when Dorian falls in love with Cash. Their friendship is too important to throw away over an interspecies attraction, especially in a career that is already nasty, brutish, and short.
And things become even more complicated when Cash finds himself returning the vampire’s affections.
When an unusually deadly case lands in the hunters’ laps, their ill-fated affair takes a backseat. A pair of man-eating weredeer are on the loose taking victims’ hearts. With the pressure on to end the killing spree, Dorian and Cash must set aside their feelings and hunt down the blood-thirsty deer.
Can Dorian and Cash’s friendship survive this monstrous romance, or will they lose their hearts in the process?
Originally seen in the Eisner-nominated TWISTED ROMANCE anthology from IMAGE COMICS, this is the full-length adaptation of the critically acclaimed short story.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2021
About the author
Magen Cubed
29 books180 followersMagen Cubed is an Eisner-nominated writer, essayist, and occasional critic, best known for her queer monster-hunting urban fantasy/paranormal romance series SOUTHERN GOTHIC. She has appeared in the critically acclaimed TWISTED ROMANCE comics anthology from Image Comics and has bylines on the award-winning Women Write About Comics. Magen lives in Florida with her girlfriend Melissa and a little dog named Cecil.
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July 14, 2023Sweet slow burn romance between a rather fey vampire who doesn't seem to do much vampiring (no hiding from the sun or draining blood, but also no sparkling, so call it a draw) and a monster hunting human of the Supernatural variety. (This was I think Supernatural fanfic originally? It isn't written in the ubiquitous fanfic style though, so I wouldn't have known if the author's note didn't say, but consumers of fanfic may well know more on this than me.)
It's nice storytelling, well paced and well written, with fluently drawn likeable characters, and a terrifically judged mix of UST and gory violence.
It's nice storytelling, well paced and well written, with fluently drawn likeable characters, and a terrifically judged mix of UST and gory violence.
December 17, 2020
Leather and Lace truly is something different altogether, I loved how far they strayed from the conventional vampire stories to carve a unique yet engaging story. It offered a fresh perspective on vampirism with a realism that I quite enjoyed. There were no sparkly shiny skin, superhuman abilities, or blood lust clichés but rather a story about a vampire and a human trying to navigate life together.
I appreciated reading about the other side of the coin- the vampire slums and the poverty of those less fortunate. To see the world through the eyes of Dorian, a vampire suffering from anxiety and abandonment issues created a vulnerability and insecurity not commonly associated with this species. How often do you read about a vampire with a chihuahua as an emotional support dog????
To round off this unconventional crime fighting duo, there was Cash-a human cowboy hunter with an unhealthy obsession with Don Henley and Karaoke.
Several components of this novel interested me; the human-vampire dynamic, gay romance vibe, the blood and gore of the crime scenes, the action of the fight scenes and my personal favorite- mocking Twilight at every opportunity.
One aspect that I wasn't too excited about, was the paranormal crime-fighting police unit of the "Monster Beat." At first read, they were portrayed as characters straight out of a bad television crime series, with the obvious clichés of bad coffee and overworked cops. Eventually, the unit grew on me, purely because of its integral role in the overall story and its potential for breakout novels.
I would recommend this novel for those interested in a monster-hunting rom-com featuring gay friends to lovers romance.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2021
3 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This was a good story with good characters, but I feel like the writing choices did it a disservice.
Dorian was an anxiety-filled, tattoo-covered, heeled boots and crop top-wearing vampire who didn't have the best childhood and, because of that, struggled with relationships and trusting people to stick around. Cash was a karaoke-loving, monster-hunting human who wanted to settle down in a real, meaningful relationship. They felt believable, and I can see them becoming more developed over the course of the series.
There was anxiety rep, since Dorian has anxiety and panic attacks and an emotional support dog. There was POC rep, since Cash is Hispanic/Latinx (I don't think a country was specified). I also saw on the author's Twitter, after reading the book, that Cash is gay and Dorian is pansexual and non-binary (he/him). I'm pretty sure Dorian being non-binary was never mentioned in the book though (since other reviewers don't seem to realize either), which is a little frustrating only because it would've been nice for it to be on-page representation, but maybe there's a reason it wasn't.
There was some romance, but there was also a plot about these two, partners in hunting bad supernaturals, tracking down some murderous weredeer.
The vampires weren't explained super well, but I understood enough to get by. There's clearly a whole vampire and supernatural culture in this world that seems interesting.
My biggest problem with this book was that the head-hopping or omniscience (whichever it was) kept me at a distance, unable to sink into any character's mind, pulling me out of the story every time I had to figure out whose head I was in. The author also used "the vampire," "the human," and "the hunter" a lot instead of pronouns or names, which felt awkward and made me feel even more distanced.
I love mutual pining and because it usually has lots of tension and emotion, and this was such a great pining situation with so much potential (what with them having a bit of history even), but I never really felt much here, and I think it was also because of the POV keeping me distanced.
Another issue was that there were kind of two timelines, but it was hard to figure out sometimes whether we were in the past or the present, at least until part way through it, which was confusing. (*Update: I've been told the author added time indications for the flashbacks, so this shouldn't be a problem now!*)
I do think it was a good story with good characters and a great mutual pining romance situation. I considered rating it 3.5 stars for those reasons. But the writing choices made it hard for me to really get into the story. I did somewhat enjoy it though, and maybe the writing will work better for other readers. I might give the next book a try to see if I can get into the story more as it gets more developed.
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eARC*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes mlm relationships, vampires, supernatural hunting, mutual pining, and omniscient/head-hopping POV.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
This was a good story with good characters, but I feel like the writing choices did it a disservice.
Dorian was an anxiety-filled, tattoo-covered, heeled boots and crop top-wearing vampire who didn't have the best childhood and, because of that, struggled with relationships and trusting people to stick around. Cash was a karaoke-loving, monster-hunting human who wanted to settle down in a real, meaningful relationship. They felt believable, and I can see them becoming more developed over the course of the series.
There was anxiety rep, since Dorian has anxiety and panic attacks and an emotional support dog. There was POC rep, since Cash is Hispanic/Latinx (I don't think a country was specified). I also saw on the author's Twitter, after reading the book, that Cash is gay and Dorian is pansexual and non-binary (he/him). I'm pretty sure Dorian being non-binary was never mentioned in the book though (since other reviewers don't seem to realize either), which is a little frustrating only because it would've been nice for it to be on-page representation, but maybe there's a reason it wasn't.
There was some romance, but there was also a plot about these two, partners in hunting bad supernaturals, tracking down some murderous weredeer.
The vampires weren't explained super well, but I understood enough to get by. There's clearly a whole vampire and supernatural culture in this world that seems interesting.
My biggest problem with this book was that the head-hopping or omniscience (whichever it was) kept me at a distance, unable to sink into any character's mind, pulling me out of the story every time I had to figure out whose head I was in. The author also used "the vampire," "the human," and "the hunter" a lot instead of pronouns or names, which felt awkward and made me feel even more distanced.
I love mutual pining and because it usually has lots of tension and emotion, and this was such a great pining situation with so much potential (what with them having a bit of history even), but I never really felt much here, and I think it was also because of the POV keeping me distanced.
Another issue was that there were kind of two timelines, but it was hard to figure out sometimes whether we were in the past or the present, at least until part way through it, which was confusing. (*Update: I've been told the author added time indications for the flashbacks, so this shouldn't be a problem now!*)
I do think it was a good story with good characters and a great mutual pining romance situation. I considered rating it 3.5 stars for those reasons. But the writing choices made it hard for me to really get into the story. I did somewhat enjoy it though, and maybe the writing will work better for other readers. I might give the next book a try to see if I can get into the story more as it gets more developed.
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eARC*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes mlm relationships, vampires, supernatural hunting, mutual pining, and omniscient/head-hopping POV.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
December 28, 2023
Solid 3.75 stars
I received this ARC to rate and review. This is my honest assessment/opinion/feedback.
I liked that “Leather and Lace” by Magen Cubed, was not your typical paranormal comprised of humans, vampires, and weredeer. Frankly, I had never heard of weredeer, but what the heck and why not a new species? I liked the steady building of sexual tension throughout, without the story becoming raunchy. Some fairly explicit sex scenes. Storyline was pretty good. While not highly recommended, it is good enough to recommend to anyone looking for something different.
I received this ARC to rate and review. This is my honest assessment/opinion/feedback.
I liked that “Leather and Lace” by Magen Cubed, was not your typical paranormal comprised of humans, vampires, and weredeer. Frankly, I had never heard of weredeer, but what the heck and why not a new species? I liked the steady building of sexual tension throughout, without the story becoming raunchy. Some fairly explicit sex scenes. Storyline was pretty good. While not highly recommended, it is good enough to recommend to anyone looking for something different.
November 15, 2020
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this was an absolutely surprising read.
I requested it because the plot sounded amazing and I hadn't read anything about vampires and shapeshifters in a very long time. I was expecting to enjoy it but definitely not this much!
The premise of the book is simple: a vampire and a monster hunter team up to fight and eventually fall in love, but both of them are too dumb to realize that their feelings are reciprocated. Opposites attract, interspecies relationship and both mains acting like poor smitten idiots? My jam.
I absolutely adored Dorian, with my whole heart. He's definitely not your usual vampire and I cannot explain how much that delighted me: he's sharp-tongued and smart but also very insecure and vulnerable. I loved how well the author portrayed his anxiety (and I also loved Dominique).
Cash, on the other hand, was his complete opposite, confident and sunny and tough, but they managed to fit so well together. As I wrote earlier, they acted like a couple of idiots at times, a couple of idiots who desperately needed a crash course on improving their communication skills, but lovable idiots all the same.
The world-building, the various different shapeshifters and the interspecies relationships, the city's layout and the borders between the human world and the monster world were absolutely fascinating. I especially loved how the author described the vampire's domain, their politics and religion, their slums and physical attributes. I appreciated how "monstrous" they were: you definitely can't confuse them with humans and that was so refreshing to see.
The only fault I can find within this book is the fact that the chapters set in the past and the ones set in the future are sometimes hard to distinguish from one another. In addition to that, I found that the POV's switched between the various characters inside a single chapter and at times it was hard to follow who thought what. But all in all it was well-written and vivid to my mind's eye.
I'm very much looking forward to reading more about Dorian and Cash, my new favourite vampire goth and hunter/karaoke-king duo. "Leather and Lace" was surprising and refreshing and I loved it to bits.
Well, this was an absolutely surprising read.
I requested it because the plot sounded amazing and I hadn't read anything about vampires and shapeshifters in a very long time. I was expecting to enjoy it but definitely not this much!
The premise of the book is simple: a vampire and a monster hunter team up to fight and eventually fall in love, but both of them are too dumb to realize that their feelings are reciprocated. Opposites attract, interspecies relationship and both mains acting like poor smitten idiots? My jam.
I absolutely adored Dorian, with my whole heart. He's definitely not your usual vampire and I cannot explain how much that delighted me: he's sharp-tongued and smart but also very insecure and vulnerable. I loved how well the author portrayed his anxiety (and I also loved Dominique).
Cash, on the other hand, was his complete opposite, confident and sunny and tough, but they managed to fit so well together. As I wrote earlier, they acted like a couple of idiots at times, a couple of idiots who desperately needed a crash course on improving their communication skills, but lovable idiots all the same.
The world-building, the various different shapeshifters and the interspecies relationships, the city's layout and the borders between the human world and the monster world were absolutely fascinating. I especially loved how the author described the vampire's domain, their politics and religion, their slums and physical attributes. I appreciated how "monstrous" they were: you definitely can't confuse them with humans and that was so refreshing to see.
The only fault I can find within this book is the fact that the chapters set in the past and the ones set in the future are sometimes hard to distinguish from one another. In addition to that, I found that the POV's switched between the various characters inside a single chapter and at times it was hard to follow who thought what. But all in all it was well-written and vivid to my mind's eye.
I'm very much looking forward to reading more about Dorian and Cash, my new favourite vampire goth and hunter/karaoke-king duo. "Leather and Lace" was surprising and refreshing and I loved it to bits.
March 12, 2021
This book is so incredible! I read it and immediately started reading it again. I have not stopped telling other people to read it (and they have all loved it too). This story is a gorgeous, character driven mlm urban fantasy romace. Magen Cubed immerses her readers immediately in the tension--and mutual pining--of her main characters. Dorian was one of the best written characters with anxiety I have ever read and Cash's quiet, kind soul radiated off the page. I could not put the book down, I was so desperate to see what happens next. I cannot wait for the sequel!
February 26, 2021
A super fun, lively-paced monster-of-the-week ride that's creepy, emotional, and hot in all the right places. Also there is an adorable chihuahua that nothing bad happens to, if anyone needs further convincing. Can't wait for more!
February 4, 2022
Greatly enjoyed this one. I love seeing these two [eventually] come together, the quirky buddy-cop set up, and the world Cubed has created where monsters and humans live. I look forward to reading more of these two in the future.
January 18, 2021
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dorian and Cash are best friends, roommates, and coworkers. Despite their significant differences - Dorian is a vampire and Cash is a human who hunts monsters - they've grown to care about each and they make a good team, hunting down killer monsters at the behest of the Devereux Police Department. However, their easy camaraderie is upset when their friendship veers from platonic to romantic. Add to the mix a serial killer with a taste for human flesh, and Dorian and Cash's careful balancing act is thrown for a loop as both men struggle to decide if they should make a move and risk their current status quo or remain in the friend zone.
Leather and Lace presents two compelling main characters and fleshes out their relationship through well timed narrative flashbacks. Dorian and Cash are polar opposites, with Dorian coming from a past filled with betrayal and upheaval, and Cash from a nurturing family of female hunters. Dorian has flair and loves to wear makeup and crop tops, masking his deeper issues and severe anxiety. Cash maintains an easy going demeanor but is searching for someone who appreciates all of him, including his deep love of Stevie Nicks and karaoke.
At its heart, Leather and Lace is about the relationship between Cash and Dorian but it also has a gruesome serial killer plot and an intriguing urban fantasy world populated by humans and supernatural creatures like vampires, werewolves, and shifters of all types. This book will definitely appeal to fans of shows like Supernatural and urban fantasy book series like White Trash Warlock and the Mercy Thompson series.
Dorian and Cash are best friends, roommates, and coworkers. Despite their significant differences - Dorian is a vampire and Cash is a human who hunts monsters - they've grown to care about each and they make a good team, hunting down killer monsters at the behest of the Devereux Police Department. However, their easy camaraderie is upset when their friendship veers from platonic to romantic. Add to the mix a serial killer with a taste for human flesh, and Dorian and Cash's careful balancing act is thrown for a loop as both men struggle to decide if they should make a move and risk their current status quo or remain in the friend zone.
Leather and Lace presents two compelling main characters and fleshes out their relationship through well timed narrative flashbacks. Dorian and Cash are polar opposites, with Dorian coming from a past filled with betrayal and upheaval, and Cash from a nurturing family of female hunters. Dorian has flair and loves to wear makeup and crop tops, masking his deeper issues and severe anxiety. Cash maintains an easy going demeanor but is searching for someone who appreciates all of him, including his deep love of Stevie Nicks and karaoke.
At its heart, Leather and Lace is about the relationship between Cash and Dorian but it also has a gruesome serial killer plot and an intriguing urban fantasy world populated by humans and supernatural creatures like vampires, werewolves, and shifters of all types. This book will definitely appeal to fans of shows like Supernatural and urban fantasy book series like White Trash Warlock and the Mercy Thompson series.
December 25, 2021
Content warning: blood play, violence, murder, autopsy
Vampire Dorian Villeneuve and cowboy Cassius “Cash” Leroy are hunters going against all sorts of cryptids, from vampires to mothman to the pair of weredeer hunting others for their hearts. Partners in crime, but it seems they both want to be partners in much more.
This book is a goddamn delight with a compelling friendship-turned-romance that’s as easy to invest in as the mystery behind the grisly murders.
Dorian and Cash are as compelling as they are sexy. Both men have pasts that haunt them in ways both supernatural and emotional. I found myself getting so invested in their individual and mutual healing, especially when both of their damage affects the relationship between the two. There are so many layers that unfold as the story goes on. I also do like the comforting details, namely Dorian’s Chihuahua and Cash’s love of karaoke. It adds such much-needed levity amidst the angst and tension.
Another triumph in this work is the accessibility of the prose. It’s so clear and crisp, with elegant turns of phrase that highlight both the horrors and the tenderness found throughout. The action and emotional beats were super easy to follow, and the reiteration of each character’s damage felt organic despite the more immediately life-threatening situations.
Cubed has such as knack for characterization, and it was wonderful spending so many pages with these two, I can’t wait for more.
Vampire Dorian Villeneuve and cowboy Cassius “Cash” Leroy are hunters going against all sorts of cryptids, from vampires to mothman to the pair of weredeer hunting others for their hearts. Partners in crime, but it seems they both want to be partners in much more.
This book is a goddamn delight with a compelling friendship-turned-romance that’s as easy to invest in as the mystery behind the grisly murders.
Dorian and Cash are as compelling as they are sexy. Both men have pasts that haunt them in ways both supernatural and emotional. I found myself getting so invested in their individual and mutual healing, especially when both of their damage affects the relationship between the two. There are so many layers that unfold as the story goes on. I also do like the comforting details, namely Dorian’s Chihuahua and Cash’s love of karaoke. It adds such much-needed levity amidst the angst and tension.
Another triumph in this work is the accessibility of the prose. It’s so clear and crisp, with elegant turns of phrase that highlight both the horrors and the tenderness found throughout. The action and emotional beats were super easy to follow, and the reiteration of each character’s damage felt organic despite the more immediately life-threatening situations.
Cubed has such as knack for characterization, and it was wonderful spending so many pages with these two, I can’t wait for more.
March 7, 2021
I enjoyed some of Magen's short stories and I'm known for being such a vampire nerd but... there were a few things that didn't work here.
1. Having two timelines for your romance plot and going for slowburn in your PRESENT timeline when your couple snogged in your PAST timeline first. Also, timelines are somehow... bad planned.
2. Dead love triangles. If A and B are meant to be together there's no magic in having C. Love triangles are a thing if both couples have chances of ending up together.
3. TOO MANY DIALOGUE-CLIFFHANGERS, DOZENS OF THEM. Something always happened when someone was ready to talk about his feelings and the dialogue ends abruptly leading to an action scene. I really hated this.
4. Dorian and Cash are very nice and Marcy is the best but Evil Bambi is the lamest villain ever, sorry. Glad it was Bambi and no mothmen at the beginning.
It could be better but all of this shadowed potential. I was genuinely interested in this romance and it's sad because Cubed had the point but somehow... lost it.
1. Having two timelines for your romance plot and going for slowburn in your PRESENT timeline when your couple snogged in your PAST timeline first. Also, timelines are somehow... bad planned.
2. Dead love triangles. If A and B are meant to be together there's no magic in having C. Love triangles are a thing if both couples have chances of ending up together.
3. TOO MANY DIALOGUE-CLIFFHANGERS, DOZENS OF THEM. Something always happened when someone was ready to talk about his feelings and the dialogue ends abruptly leading to an action scene. I really hated this.
4. Dorian and Cash are very nice and Marcy is the best but Evil Bambi is the lamest villain ever, sorry. Glad it was Bambi and no mothmen at the beginning.
It could be better but all of this shadowed potential. I was genuinely interested in this romance and it's sad because Cubed had the point but somehow... lost it.
September 7, 2021
I wish i could put this whole book on a sweater and wear it every day! I haven't fallen in love with a character this hard since I met Lestat De Lioncourt at 8 years old in the pages of the Vampire Chronicles. The story telling was rich like velvet and just as comforting. Cash and Dorian are two of the most messy dorks I have met and I still want to be their best friend.
Watching these two fight monsters and then fight the love they have for each other is simply the most delicious pair of events I've ever witnessed.
I found myself having to slow myself down reading this book because i was just devouring this story.
The conflict outside of human/vampire love drama draws you in and holds you by the throat because it is compelling, you don't have to force yourself to care about the conflict because you yourself feel like you have stake in this hunt.
Easily one of my books of the year because of the characters but also a fight with mothman is bound to get my attention and love.
Watching these two fight monsters and then fight the love they have for each other is simply the most delicious pair of events I've ever witnessed.
I found myself having to slow myself down reading this book because i was just devouring this story.
The conflict outside of human/vampire love drama draws you in and holds you by the throat because it is compelling, you don't have to force yourself to care about the conflict because you yourself feel like you have stake in this hunt.
Easily one of my books of the year because of the characters but also a fight with mothman is bound to get my attention and love.
January 8, 2021
Oh Wow!
this book sure was something, there were so many aspects of the story that were a breath of fresh air, I mean a Vampire with a chihuahua as an emotional support dog? Sign me up.
This was very different from the usual vampire cliches, it was gay, realistic, fun, and everything I didn't know I wanted in a vampire novel.
I loved how developed the world-building and characters were, instead of focusing on their bloodthirst and glowing skin this book gave us an insight into real-life issues the characters faced, like poverty and mental health.
All the gore and romance was an added bonus.
Thank-you book sirens for providing me a free copy of this book.
this book sure was something, there were so many aspects of the story that were a breath of fresh air, I mean a Vampire with a chihuahua as an emotional support dog? Sign me up.
This was very different from the usual vampire cliches, it was gay, realistic, fun, and everything I didn't know I wanted in a vampire novel.
I loved how developed the world-building and characters were, instead of focusing on their bloodthirst and glowing skin this book gave us an insight into real-life issues the characters faced, like poverty and mental health.
All the gore and romance was an added bonus.
Thank-you book sirens for providing me a free copy of this book.
December 7, 2020
Arc provided by NetGalley.
A fun read with an interesting premise. It’s very reminiscent of Supernatural in a way and flow similarly. Fans of it will definitely enjoys this one.
The characters are well developed and rounded with sufficient back story to complete the book. They are also relatable and understandable in their own ways.
You will be guessing till the very end with this will they/won’t they story and you will enjoy every second of it.
A fun read with an interesting premise. It’s very reminiscent of Supernatural in a way and flow similarly. Fans of it will definitely enjoys this one.
The characters are well developed and rounded with sufficient back story to complete the book. They are also relatable and understandable in their own ways.
You will be guessing till the very end with this will they/won’t they story and you will enjoy every second of it.
January 30, 2021
Well this was better then I thought it'd be. I love the idea of the world built by the author, it was very believable and entertaining. I love the budding relationship between Dorian and cash. they actually make a sweet couple. The mystery is interesting and helps the relationship to grow. there were a few funny parts and a few emotional parts. I love the ending in the karaoke bar. What a way to end it lol.
January 23, 2023
Shy vampire joins Texas cowboy for monster hunting team-up and complicated romance. Enjoyed the characters, but wish the story had been more compelling.
April 7, 2022
This was really fun.
Fans of supernatural will go wild for this book.
Told In mix POVs we have the story of Cash ( a cowboy monster Hunter, sweet human and Stevie Nicks lover) and Dorian (a sweet vampire with severe anxiety and an emotional support dog). Both are monster hunters, roommates, best friends, and completely in love with each other… but the other doesn’t know that. On top of that they also have some murderous/cannibal weerdeer to deal with and it’s one bumpy ride.
Cash and Dorian stole my heart and I loved the slow build up to their relationship. The book also does a flashback or two to show how they begin their partnership and it was nice.
I also really related to Dorian’s struggles- while my anxiety is not as severe- I got wanting to run away. I think Dorian is one of the most unique vampires I’ve read about and I like that the author decided “vampires can have mental illnesses”. I’m not saying vampires are real but it was a nice change from the “perfect” way they’re usually described in fiction.
Leather and Lace was an enjoyable little book and while I had some issues, I do think this was a solid first book and I can’t wait to see where the next books take them.
Fans of supernatural will go wild for this book.
Told In mix POVs we have the story of Cash ( a cowboy monster Hunter, sweet human and Stevie Nicks lover) and Dorian (a sweet vampire with severe anxiety and an emotional support dog). Both are monster hunters, roommates, best friends, and completely in love with each other… but the other doesn’t know that. On top of that they also have some murderous/cannibal weerdeer to deal with and it’s one bumpy ride.
Cash and Dorian stole my heart and I loved the slow build up to their relationship. The book also does a flashback or two to show how they begin their partnership and it was nice.
I also really related to Dorian’s struggles- while my anxiety is not as severe- I got wanting to run away. I think Dorian is one of the most unique vampires I’ve read about and I like that the author decided “vampires can have mental illnesses”. I’m not saying vampires are real but it was a nice change from the “perfect” way they’re usually described in fiction.
Leather and Lace was an enjoyable little book and while I had some issues, I do think this was a solid first book and I can’t wait to see where the next books take them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2020
This is my unbiased review of a NetGalley ARC.
Sometimes fan fiction surpasses the original--Christina Lauren's fantastic Beautiful series is so.much.better than Fifty Shades of Grey (which I haven't actually ever finished because the writing was so atrocious) or Twilight (which is just too anti-feminist for me, plus sparkles). But even though I wasn't a big fan of the tv show Supernatural, this fan fic is not an improvement.
Like lots of fan fic, unpublished or not, it's poorly written, with more fawning than characterization and more rehashing than plotting. It wasn't very scary, and it wasn't very sexy. I skimmed most of it because I just didn't care enough to stay focused and the clunky writing (why aren't there any pronouns? and if there are [him and I!!!] they are incorrect) annoyed me.
Sometimes fan fiction surpasses the original--Christina Lauren's fantastic Beautiful series is so.much.better than Fifty Shades of Grey (which I haven't actually ever finished because the writing was so atrocious) or Twilight (which is just too anti-feminist for me, plus sparkles). But even though I wasn't a big fan of the tv show Supernatural, this fan fic is not an improvement.
Like lots of fan fic, unpublished or not, it's poorly written, with more fawning than characterization and more rehashing than plotting. It wasn't very scary, and it wasn't very sexy. I skimmed most of it because I just didn't care enough to stay focused and the clunky writing (why aren't there any pronouns? and if there are [him and I!!!] they are incorrect) annoyed me.
November 15, 2021
I loved this book. It has a completely different take on Vampires.
Usually when you get Vampires you get Werewolves (there is a mention of werewolves) and the likes but with this book you get Weredeer and I’m here for it.
The 2 main characters Cash, a human and Dorian a Vampire (with an emotional support dog Dominique, because anxiety)
Cash is a Hunter and goes after Monsters that attack humans.
After saving Cash’s life, Dorian ends up being Cash’s partner and becomes a Monster Hunter too.
These 2 are fantastic. They unexpectedly & inevitably fell in love but were afraid to confirm their feelings towards each other thinking that neither was good enough for the other.
I’m glad Dorian had his friend Marcy who he could go and talk to about his feelings for Cash. He needed a kick in the ass to realise that he has something good with Cash and that he does deserve it, especially with what happened in his past.
I am so looking forward to more in this series.
Cash and Dorian are 2 of my absolute favourite characters.
Usually when you get Vampires you get Werewolves (there is a mention of werewolves) and the likes but with this book you get Weredeer and I’m here for it.
The 2 main characters Cash, a human and Dorian a Vampire (with an emotional support dog Dominique, because anxiety)
Cash is a Hunter and goes after Monsters that attack humans.
After saving Cash’s life, Dorian ends up being Cash’s partner and becomes a Monster Hunter too.
These 2 are fantastic. They unexpectedly & inevitably fell in love but were afraid to confirm their feelings towards each other thinking that neither was good enough for the other.
I’m glad Dorian had his friend Marcy who he could go and talk to about his feelings for Cash. He needed a kick in the ass to realise that he has something good with Cash and that he does deserve it, especially with what happened in his past.
I am so looking forward to more in this series.
Cash and Dorian are 2 of my absolute favourite characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2021
Well, that was certainly a fun ride.
Leather and Lace, the gory, sexy, funny romance is not without its flaws, but looking back at my reading experience, what I truly remember is how many times I smiled—how many times I laughed out loud. Often, because reviews are largely composed of criticism they erroneously make it seem like I didn’t enjoy books that I really did enjoy. The same can be said of this one. The criticism outlined below does not in any way negate love for the characters and my desire to see them be happy. In fact, instead of waiting until the end of the review, I’m going to tell you right now that I recommend you read this book. Here’s why:
The gore is horrifying and detailed in the best way possible. I could visualize the blood pooling out of wounds and hear the crunch of bone as it happened. Cubed’s talents lie in vivid imagery, especially auditory imagery, and that was clearest during the action scenes.
The dialogue is, as I alluded to before, laugh out loud funny. Each character has a distinct voice, one that I would be able to recognize even without dialogue attributions—a difficult undertaking for even the most experienced writers. Because the dialogue is so closely entwined with the characters’ personalities, every conversation, even the humorous ones, serves to characterize our protagonists. I got to know Dorian and Cash through the dialogue, a classic example of showing instead of telling. And ultimately, the showing produces stronger characters. By having the reader figure out who the characters are based on what they say, it feels like we are getting to know real people.
The romantic tension is taut, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. There is a delicate balance authors must maintain to create good romantic tension. The reader must be frustrated enough to root for the characters to just kiss already but not so frustrated that they want to put the book down. Cubed maintained that balance by consistently feeding the reader more and more information about Dorian and Cash’s relationship as the story continued. Therefore, the reader became more invested and eager to learn more. What strikes me as particularly impressive is how the romantic reveals mesh with the action scenes. In vein of buddy cop movies, emotional moments are cut short by the action scenes. The reader goes from one tense scene to another, again motivating them to continue reading—and fast.
Now, the flaws of this book all go back to one thing: organization. The order of the scenes is all over the place. We jump between flashbacks and different perspectives and exposition dumps with little consideration for someone who is unfamiliar with this new world. The book opens in the middle of an action scene, which is an effective tactic to introduce the reader to the protagonists’ chaotic lifestyles. The drawback of the strategy is that the author has to find a way to either introduce key exposition throughout the action scene or wait until later in hopes that the reader won’t be too confused. Cubed tries to do both. The exposition that is included in the earlier action scenes undercuts the tension, making the action feel awkward, clunky even. The exposition that is trickled into the present narrative is included not as the information becomes relevant, but rather, it seems, as the author remembers to include it. After reading the entire book, I’m still unclear about key aspects of this world, namely the basics of human-monster interactions. Perhaps where this becomes most damaging is with character development.
Our protagonist, Dorian, is difficult to understand throughout the book. I was aware of who he was. What was missing was why he was the way he was. Cubed waits to reveal that information all at once so close to the end that it’s damaging to my perception of Dorian’s character. It doesn’t feel like he had any sort of growth over the course of the 300 pages because I never understood where he was coming from. How can the reader understand how much he’s grown to point B without having ever seen point A? For character development to feel organic, the reader must go through the journey with the character.
Cash also suffers from character development issues in that he doesn’t have an arc. At all. He remains steady throughout the entire narrative, turning him into a glorified side character. If he were a protagonist, then the reader should’ve seen from his perspective more often and should’ve seen him overcome a struggle over the course of the narrative. While Dorian’s development felt abrupt based on the way his backstory was revealed, at least it felt like he did overcome some challenge he grappled with for a long time.
It’s also important to touch on the plot. The overarching story feels weak. I can think of a couple possible reasons for this. (1) We see from the perspective of the villains, which robs the book of any chance for a mystery. (2) The plot plays second fiddle to the romance. It feels like the author wanted to tell a more episodic style of story, in the vein of a show like Supernatural, where the characters face a “monster of the week.” I wish that was the structure the story had taken on. For an overarching plot to work, the characters need to be pulled deeper and deeper into that storyline as the book continues, raising the stakes. Here, the stakes remain level, as the characters have no motivation in the plot other than doing a job. If this book were episodic with short, quirky bursts of danger, then the romance would be allowed to take center stage naturally and the tension would feel more organic. As written, the overarching plot falls flat, dragging in the middle to the point of boredom. If anything, it distracts from what I actually want to read about, the romance.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leather and Lace, the gory, sexy, funny romance is not without its flaws, but looking back at my reading experience, what I truly remember is how many times I smiled—how many times I laughed out loud. Often, because reviews are largely composed of criticism they erroneously make it seem like I didn’t enjoy books that I really did enjoy. The same can be said of this one. The criticism outlined below does not in any way negate love for the characters and my desire to see them be happy. In fact, instead of waiting until the end of the review, I’m going to tell you right now that I recommend you read this book. Here’s why:
The gore is horrifying and detailed in the best way possible. I could visualize the blood pooling out of wounds and hear the crunch of bone as it happened. Cubed’s talents lie in vivid imagery, especially auditory imagery, and that was clearest during the action scenes.
The dialogue is, as I alluded to before, laugh out loud funny. Each character has a distinct voice, one that I would be able to recognize even without dialogue attributions—a difficult undertaking for even the most experienced writers. Because the dialogue is so closely entwined with the characters’ personalities, every conversation, even the humorous ones, serves to characterize our protagonists. I got to know Dorian and Cash through the dialogue, a classic example of showing instead of telling. And ultimately, the showing produces stronger characters. By having the reader figure out who the characters are based on what they say, it feels like we are getting to know real people.
The romantic tension is taut, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. There is a delicate balance authors must maintain to create good romantic tension. The reader must be frustrated enough to root for the characters to just kiss already but not so frustrated that they want to put the book down. Cubed maintained that balance by consistently feeding the reader more and more information about Dorian and Cash’s relationship as the story continued. Therefore, the reader became more invested and eager to learn more. What strikes me as particularly impressive is how the romantic reveals mesh with the action scenes. In vein of buddy cop movies, emotional moments are cut short by the action scenes. The reader goes from one tense scene to another, again motivating them to continue reading—and fast.
Now, the flaws of this book all go back to one thing: organization. The order of the scenes is all over the place. We jump between flashbacks and different perspectives and exposition dumps with little consideration for someone who is unfamiliar with this new world. The book opens in the middle of an action scene, which is an effective tactic to introduce the reader to the protagonists’ chaotic lifestyles. The drawback of the strategy is that the author has to find a way to either introduce key exposition throughout the action scene or wait until later in hopes that the reader won’t be too confused. Cubed tries to do both. The exposition that is included in the earlier action scenes undercuts the tension, making the action feel awkward, clunky even. The exposition that is trickled into the present narrative is included not as the information becomes relevant, but rather, it seems, as the author remembers to include it. After reading the entire book, I’m still unclear about key aspects of this world, namely the basics of human-monster interactions. Perhaps where this becomes most damaging is with character development.
Our protagonist, Dorian, is difficult to understand throughout the book. I was aware of who he was. What was missing was why he was the way he was. Cubed waits to reveal that information all at once so close to the end that it’s damaging to my perception of Dorian’s character. It doesn’t feel like he had any sort of growth over the course of the 300 pages because I never understood where he was coming from. How can the reader understand how much he’s grown to point B without having ever seen point A? For character development to feel organic, the reader must go through the journey with the character.
Cash also suffers from character development issues in that he doesn’t have an arc. At all. He remains steady throughout the entire narrative, turning him into a glorified side character. If he were a protagonist, then the reader should’ve seen from his perspective more often and should’ve seen him overcome a struggle over the course of the narrative. While Dorian’s development felt abrupt based on the way his backstory was revealed, at least it felt like he did overcome some challenge he grappled with for a long time.
It’s also important to touch on the plot. The overarching story feels weak. I can think of a couple possible reasons for this. (1) We see from the perspective of the villains, which robs the book of any chance for a mystery. (2) The plot plays second fiddle to the romance. It feels like the author wanted to tell a more episodic style of story, in the vein of a show like Supernatural, where the characters face a “monster of the week.” I wish that was the structure the story had taken on. For an overarching plot to work, the characters need to be pulled deeper and deeper into that storyline as the book continues, raising the stakes. Here, the stakes remain level, as the characters have no motivation in the plot other than doing a job. If this book were episodic with short, quirky bursts of danger, then the romance would be allowed to take center stage naturally and the tension would feel more organic. As written, the overarching plot falls flat, dragging in the middle to the point of boredom. If anything, it distracts from what I actually want to read about, the romance.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 22, 2020
Thank you to BookSirens for an ARC copy of this novel. All views are honest and my own
This was a fun book to read, perfect for those who are fans of Supernatural and are missing their weekly dose of hunters and monsters.
I really liked how everybody interacted with each other. The relationships felt authentic and I could believe that these are characters who have a history but have also developed strong bonds. I got a little frustrated at times with the will-they-won't-they theme, and Dorian made me want to reach into the book and slap him more than once, but when we learn why he acts the way he does, I found myself suddenly really feeling for him and understanding why he was reluctant to let Cash in.
As for Cash, I love how smitten he is from the first page. You can tell he doesn't want to just pretend things are platonic between them, but he is doing all he can to protect both his and Dorian's hearts. He's not as strong physically as Dorian, but he makes up for it with a charm and an internal strength that I felt complimented him well. He's a down to earth family man who will do anything to protect those close to him.
The pacing was great throughout the book. Even when there were times the story fell into a lull between the action, there was enough substance to keep me engaged and intrigued. I liked how Cubed showed all the aspects of their lives, not just them being hunters with a small flash of their personal lives. It was a good balance between the action and the quieter moments.
I did have a couple of things that dropped the rating for me personally. The first one is the plot itself. It felt a bit too easy, especially at the start when they turned up to see the body of the victim and knew immediately what it was that caused it, despite Cash saying he'd never hunted this particular beast before. It would have been more believable if they'd had to try and work out what it was that caused those injuries and maybe given a bit of lore about different possibilities before reaching the correct one. Every time they had a problem, it seemed to resolve a little too quickly and for me, the story lost some of the intrigue and guess-who that I love about these types of books and shows. I like to be surprised by the outcome. I also think that if the monsters had been anonymised from the start, it would have been more interesting to find out what was coming next.
I also really found it hard to follow some of the chapters as we get few flashbacks and time jumps but not always in places that seem logical. There's nothing there to signal that there's a flashback, like having dates or the flashbacks italicised to make it clear that this was what it was. A few times I'd have to flick back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed something as I didn't realise we were in a flashback and ended up completely clueless.
I'm also still not entirely sure how vampires work in this setting. Are they okay in daylight? Was Dorian born a vampire or made? Can vampires reproduce? There were a lot of questions that were left unaddressed that I think for having a main character as one of those creatures, they really needed clarifying just a little more.
It was difficult for me to get into at first, because I like to read the forewords and Magen Cubed states that this is a fiction very much inspired by the TV show with the characters' names reflecting Dean and Castiwl. So for a while I struggled because it felt like I was reading a Destiel fanfic, something I've always been uncomfortable with as I've just never seen those characters in that way. If I did t k ow this was a supernatural I speed book, I would probably have been more invested from the offset.
Dspite it at times reading like a fanfiction, the romance aspect was the strongest element in this book. I could feel the tension and emotions between the pair as if they were standing in front of me. I wanted to throttle them both at the same time as hug them. When things did get steamy, I found myself flushing and could definitely appreciate the writing of those scenes.
Overall, this was a nice read that gave me a hit of nostalgia towards one of my all time favourite shows, with characters that have a great chemistry, a chihuahua that stole every scene she was in, and an insight into hunting that gave more depth into the impact the job has on hunters and their lives. It wasn't a masterfully crafted piece, but definitely enjoyable and I will be on the lookout for the next one (if this is going to be a series!)
This was a fun book to read, perfect for those who are fans of Supernatural and are missing their weekly dose of hunters and monsters.
I really liked how everybody interacted with each other. The relationships felt authentic and I could believe that these are characters who have a history but have also developed strong bonds. I got a little frustrated at times with the will-they-won't-they theme, and Dorian made me want to reach into the book and slap him more than once, but when we learn why he acts the way he does, I found myself suddenly really feeling for him and understanding why he was reluctant to let Cash in.
As for Cash, I love how smitten he is from the first page. You can tell he doesn't want to just pretend things are platonic between them, but he is doing all he can to protect both his and Dorian's hearts. He's not as strong physically as Dorian, but he makes up for it with a charm and an internal strength that I felt complimented him well. He's a down to earth family man who will do anything to protect those close to him.
The pacing was great throughout the book. Even when there were times the story fell into a lull between the action, there was enough substance to keep me engaged and intrigued. I liked how Cubed showed all the aspects of their lives, not just them being hunters with a small flash of their personal lives. It was a good balance between the action and the quieter moments.
I did have a couple of things that dropped the rating for me personally. The first one is the plot itself. It felt a bit too easy, especially at the start when they turned up to see the body of the victim and knew immediately what it was that caused it, despite Cash saying he'd never hunted this particular beast before. It would have been more believable if they'd had to try and work out what it was that caused those injuries and maybe given a bit of lore about different possibilities before reaching the correct one. Every time they had a problem, it seemed to resolve a little too quickly and for me, the story lost some of the intrigue and guess-who that I love about these types of books and shows. I like to be surprised by the outcome. I also think that if the monsters had been anonymised from the start, it would have been more interesting to find out what was coming next.
I also really found it hard to follow some of the chapters as we get few flashbacks and time jumps but not always in places that seem logical. There's nothing there to signal that there's a flashback, like having dates or the flashbacks italicised to make it clear that this was what it was. A few times I'd have to flick back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed something as I didn't realise we were in a flashback and ended up completely clueless.
I'm also still not entirely sure how vampires work in this setting. Are they okay in daylight? Was Dorian born a vampire or made? Can vampires reproduce? There were a lot of questions that were left unaddressed that I think for having a main character as one of those creatures, they really needed clarifying just a little more.
It was difficult for me to get into at first, because I like to read the forewords and Magen Cubed states that this is a fiction very much inspired by the TV show with the characters' names reflecting Dean and Castiwl. So for a while I struggled because it felt like I was reading a Destiel fanfic, something I've always been uncomfortable with as I've just never seen those characters in that way. If I did t k ow this was a supernatural I speed book, I would probably have been more invested from the offset.
Dspite it at times reading like a fanfiction, the romance aspect was the strongest element in this book. I could feel the tension and emotions between the pair as if they were standing in front of me. I wanted to throttle them both at the same time as hug them. When things did get steamy, I found myself flushing and could definitely appreciate the writing of those scenes.
Overall, this was a nice read that gave me a hit of nostalgia towards one of my all time favourite shows, with characters that have a great chemistry, a chihuahua that stole every scene she was in, and an insight into hunting that gave more depth into the impact the job has on hunters and their lives. It wasn't a masterfully crafted piece, but definitely enjoyable and I will be on the lookout for the next one (if this is going to be a series!)
January 23, 2024
I like to think myself as pervayer of the supernatural, a lover of all monsters and the eldrich, however one supernatural being you can always find me crawling back to is the tried and true vampires. It's a classic that has stood the test of time (literally), and you can imagine how excited I was to stumble upon a gay romance novel with a vampire MC leafing through the Barnes and Noble shelves. I was even able to finish it in one day (rare). There was a lot that I liked about this book, it does however have some flaws that detracted from the experience as a whole.
First and foremost, the number one thing that bothered me about vampires is that... they weren't exactly vamping... or at least in the classic sense. I have nothing against people creating their own vampire lore... But there was nothing really that seperated the vampires from normal humans. They were faster and stronger... but that didn't really seem to help when it came to fighting all that much. They didn't need to drink blood, they could even sustain themselves on regular food, there was no blood lust, they could walk out in the sun... It was mentioned how vampires are just unable to live amongst humans, but I couldn't really grasp why as they seemed to be just humans with sensitive skin and pointy ears/teeth. The one major difference was revealed later in the novel, and the way it was presented right at the tail end of the book just threw me off. Why would they have evolved an animal trait like that? It's not really explained.
Moving onto the characters, I did like the two MCs. The vampire named Dorian is just a guy trying to make enough money to get out of the vampire slums when he has a run in with a monster hunter named Cash (ironic). The two hit it off taking down a misbehaving vampire with a classic stake in the heart from Cash and a register over the head by Dorian. Cash offers a job and Dorian obviously needs a new job after killing one of his bar's customers.... Thus starts the two's adventures as the main plot revolves around murderous weredeer while also battling their feelings for eachother. I honestly liked the murder subplot, it was pretty gruesome, I would have preferred if the murderer's POVs were left unwritten for the most part though to give a bit more mystery to them. And for their romance, there is a lot of back and forth and misunderstandings that left me to question why they weren't together already. They seemed to have had romantic encounters previously that ended on sour notes (miscommunication trope :/).
Overall, I though this book was an easy and simple read. I really do wish that the monsters in this society were a bit more fleshed out, or more monster-like. Most of them seemed to be able to mimic humans, so the fact that they still felt alienated from human society was a big irk of mine. Especially when it came down to powers, like were the weredeer just deer on steroids? I still had a lot of fun just between the two characters of this book, so I'm hoping to see what else this author has in store.
First and foremost, the number one thing that bothered me about vampires is that... they weren't exactly vamping... or at least in the classic sense. I have nothing against people creating their own vampire lore... But there was nothing really that seperated the vampires from normal humans. They were faster and stronger... but that didn't really seem to help when it came to fighting all that much. They didn't need to drink blood, they could even sustain themselves on regular food, there was no blood lust, they could walk out in the sun... It was mentioned how vampires are just unable to live amongst humans, but I couldn't really grasp why as they seemed to be just humans with sensitive skin and pointy ears/teeth. The one major difference was revealed later in the novel, and the way it was presented right at the tail end of the book just threw me off. Why would they have evolved an animal trait like that? It's not really explained.
Moving onto the characters, I did like the two MCs. The vampire named Dorian is just a guy trying to make enough money to get out of the vampire slums when he has a run in with a monster hunter named Cash (ironic). The two hit it off taking down a misbehaving vampire with a classic stake in the heart from Cash and a register over the head by Dorian. Cash offers a job and Dorian obviously needs a new job after killing one of his bar's customers.... Thus starts the two's adventures as the main plot revolves around murderous weredeer while also battling their feelings for eachother. I honestly liked the murder subplot, it was pretty gruesome, I would have preferred if the murderer's POVs were left unwritten for the most part though to give a bit more mystery to them. And for their romance, there is a lot of back and forth and misunderstandings that left me to question why they weren't together already. They seemed to have had romantic encounters previously that ended on sour notes (miscommunication trope :/).
Overall, I though this book was an easy and simple read. I really do wish that the monsters in this society were a bit more fleshed out, or more monster-like. Most of them seemed to be able to mimic humans, so the fact that they still felt alienated from human society was a big irk of mine. Especially when it came down to powers, like were the weredeer just deer on steroids? I still had a lot of fun just between the two characters of this book, so I'm hoping to see what else this author has in store.
December 4, 2020
[Spanish review under English]
First of all, I had read several short stories from the author, so when Magen announced Leather and Lace I KNEW I had to read it. I was already in love with Cash and Dorian, and boy, this book was what I wanted and more. Magen's style is perfect either for steamy scenes, gore and action scenes, but also to portray beautifully each of the character's demons. Dorian and Cash have their own aspirations and baggage, and I loved not only how clear Dorian's were, but also Cash's. It is not often that you find such interesting and human (pardon the joke here on Dorian) characters, and it's quite interesting for me as a trans man how I could see myself a lot in Cash. This said, the murders and monsters they both have to hunt while organizing their feelings and managing to have a decent conversation was quite interesting and have several plot points that felt super fresh and intriguing.
If you are wondering about reading it, I will just say: a cowboy singing Stevie Nicks with his goth vampire (boy)friend, treat yourself and buy it.
Antes que nada, tengo que admitir que ya había leído algunas de las historias cortas de Magen antes de que sacara este libro, por lo que en cuanto lo anunció supe que tenía que leerlo. Vengo ya enamorado de Cash y Dorian, pero de verdad, si esta es la primera vez que te los cruzas, no los vas a olvidar jamás. El estilo de Magen es perfecto no solo para los momentos +18, las escenas más sangrientas o la acción, sino también para describir y hacernos entrar en las cabezas de estos dos personajes de forma magistral. Cash y Dorian tienen sus propios problemas y aspiraciones, y traen consigo una serie de "problemas" o "traumas", y es interesante ver cómo no solo quedan claros los de Dorian sino también los de Cash, y con pocas palabras. No encuentro a menudo personajes tan humanos (y perdón por la pun aquí), y como hombre trans es curioso lo mucho que he llegado a conectar con Cash. Dicho esto, la trama de cazadores de monstruos y los monstruos en sí es muy interesante y tiene algunos giros de guion poco comunes que dan mucho juego.
Si te estás planteando leértelo solo te digo esto: un cowboy cantando en el karaoke a Stevie Nicks junto a su amigo (y algo más) un vampiro gótico. Date un capricho, que este libro lo merece y mucho.
First of all, I had read several short stories from the author, so when Magen announced Leather and Lace I KNEW I had to read it. I was already in love with Cash and Dorian, and boy, this book was what I wanted and more. Magen's style is perfect either for steamy scenes, gore and action scenes, but also to portray beautifully each of the character's demons. Dorian and Cash have their own aspirations and baggage, and I loved not only how clear Dorian's were, but also Cash's. It is not often that you find such interesting and human (pardon the joke here on Dorian) characters, and it's quite interesting for me as a trans man how I could see myself a lot in Cash. This said, the murders and monsters they both have to hunt while organizing their feelings and managing to have a decent conversation was quite interesting and have several plot points that felt super fresh and intriguing.
If you are wondering about reading it, I will just say: a cowboy singing Stevie Nicks with his goth vampire (boy)friend, treat yourself and buy it.
Antes que nada, tengo que admitir que ya había leído algunas de las historias cortas de Magen antes de que sacara este libro, por lo que en cuanto lo anunció supe que tenía que leerlo. Vengo ya enamorado de Cash y Dorian, pero de verdad, si esta es la primera vez que te los cruzas, no los vas a olvidar jamás. El estilo de Magen es perfecto no solo para los momentos +18, las escenas más sangrientas o la acción, sino también para describir y hacernos entrar en las cabezas de estos dos personajes de forma magistral. Cash y Dorian tienen sus propios problemas y aspiraciones, y traen consigo una serie de "problemas" o "traumas", y es interesante ver cómo no solo quedan claros los de Dorian sino también los de Cash, y con pocas palabras. No encuentro a menudo personajes tan humanos (y perdón por la pun aquí), y como hombre trans es curioso lo mucho que he llegado a conectar con Cash. Dicho esto, la trama de cazadores de monstruos y los monstruos en sí es muy interesante y tiene algunos giros de guion poco comunes que dan mucho juego.
Si te estás planteando leértelo solo te digo esto: un cowboy cantando en el karaoke a Stevie Nicks junto a su amigo (y algo más) un vampiro gótico. Date un capricho, que este libro lo merece y mucho.
February 16, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has been a fun, engaging romp of a ride mixing supernatural elements with a bit of mystery thrown in. If you are a fan of Supernatural then I suggest you give this book a shot.
The strongest point of the story for me are the characters. I really loved the interaction between the two main leads. Cash and Dorian are quite interesting and their personalities shine through when they play off each other. The writer did a great job in showing us the history between them through the flash back chapters interspersed within the book. Both feel real with their doubts, fears, joys and sadness.
The pacing is also wonderfully done. Each chapter reads fluidly with just a bit of occasional hiccups but those times does not lessen one's enjoyment for the story.
The will they won't they got frustrating at times, but it makes sense within the premise of the backstory for Dorian and Cash.
Dorian's insecurity and his need to just run from a commitment is just sad when you get to know the reason behind it. Though there are times when I just really want to throttle him and make him see sense.
Cash is charming, down to earth and an utterly adorable protective guy over those he really care about. You can clearly see from the first parts from the book on how utterly smitten he is and yet how he just respects the boundaries that Dorian has set. I hurt for him during the times that he thought that he has lost Dorian.
The lore of the story is very interesting and the fact that the vampires and shifters in these are not shown in the usual light of richness, glitz and glamor is intriguing. However, I would've wanted to see more of things related to the inhabitants of this world. Are vampires just born or are they made? Are there still alphas in the were communities? How did they evolve to be like this?
Also, the general plot of the story feels like an episode of a tv series with the usual monster of the week kind of thing. It's a bit flimsy for my taste but still it did its job.
Overall, Magen Cubed was able to craft an enjoyable story with some charming and interesting characters with a world worth you wish the author would explore more.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book has been a fun, engaging romp of a ride mixing supernatural elements with a bit of mystery thrown in. If you are a fan of Supernatural then I suggest you give this book a shot.
The strongest point of the story for me are the characters. I really loved the interaction between the two main leads. Cash and Dorian are quite interesting and their personalities shine through when they play off each other. The writer did a great job in showing us the history between them through the flash back chapters interspersed within the book. Both feel real with their doubts, fears, joys and sadness.
The pacing is also wonderfully done. Each chapter reads fluidly with just a bit of occasional hiccups but those times does not lessen one's enjoyment for the story.
The will they won't they got frustrating at times, but it makes sense within the premise of the backstory for Dorian and Cash.
Dorian's insecurity and his need to just run from a commitment is just sad when you get to know the reason behind it. Though there are times when I just really want to throttle him and make him see sense.
Cash is charming, down to earth and an utterly adorable protective guy over those he really care about. You can clearly see from the first parts from the book on how utterly smitten he is and yet how he just respects the boundaries that Dorian has set. I hurt for him during the times that he thought that he has lost Dorian.
The lore of the story is very interesting and the fact that the vampires and shifters in these are not shown in the usual light of richness, glitz and glamor is intriguing. However, I would've wanted to see more of things related to the inhabitants of this world. Are vampires just born or are they made? Are there still alphas in the were communities? How did they evolve to be like this?
Also, the general plot of the story feels like an episode of a tv series with the usual monster of the week kind of thing. It's a bit flimsy for my taste but still it did its job.
Overall, Magen Cubed was able to craft an enjoyable story with some charming and interesting characters with a world worth you wish the author would explore more.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
March 6, 2021
"Leather and Lace" has many things that can be considered enjoyable, especially in queer literature such as an actual plot that's important alongside the romance and queer folks having actual personality traits that aren't "being gay". I've grown to become particularly attached to Dorian, anxious vampire protagonist; I read somewhere about him being nonbinary (and pansexual) and I'd like to see that more explicitly further in the series as a nonbinary person with anxiety, and there isn't much pansexual representation, so it'd be great to see him announcing his sexuality explicitly.
I'm not exactly a fan of reading action, as I'm more of a lovey-dovey kind of person, but I was actually invested in the plot and reading it wasn't boring or overwhelming as plot-driven scenes were interspersed with emotional bits and and character's thoughts. The excessive use of descriptive words such as 'the vampire' and 'the hunter' instead of their names and pronouns did bother me a little, but it's fair that writing scenes between people who use the same sets of pronouns can be difficult (though, in this specific case, that could've been used as an opportunity to introduce another set of pronouns for Dorian; of course, not all nonbinary people use more than one set of pronouns, but it would've been heartwarming to not see someone use more than one.)
Something that actually felt great during my experience of reading this book was how real the characters felt to me: neither of them did the right things all the time and they aren't portrayed as irredeemable because of their mistakes. I also enjoyed the way many characteristics, emotions etc. were depicted by Cubed such as the dichotomy embraced by Dorian, who's described as both monstrous and graceful. The author was also skilled with the portrayal of the villains, who are complex and multifaceted while also not likeable.
A little warning before you read it, though, is that it does have a lot of sexual mentions, though I didn't find them excessive, and it has a lot of gore, graphic imagery of violence. It is, without a doubt, an adult book, and it should be read with that in mind.
I'm not exactly a fan of reading action, as I'm more of a lovey-dovey kind of person, but I was actually invested in the plot and reading it wasn't boring or overwhelming as plot-driven scenes were interspersed with emotional bits and and character's thoughts. The excessive use of descriptive words such as 'the vampire' and 'the hunter' instead of their names and pronouns did bother me a little, but it's fair that writing scenes between people who use the same sets of pronouns can be difficult (though, in this specific case, that could've been used as an opportunity to introduce another set of pronouns for Dorian; of course, not all nonbinary people use more than one set of pronouns, but it would've been heartwarming to not see someone use more than one.)
Something that actually felt great during my experience of reading this book was how real the characters felt to me: neither of them did the right things all the time and they aren't portrayed as irredeemable because of their mistakes. I also enjoyed the way many characteristics, emotions etc. were depicted by Cubed such as the dichotomy embraced by Dorian, who's described as both monstrous and graceful. The author was also skilled with the portrayal of the villains, who are complex and multifaceted while also not likeable.
A little warning before you read it, though, is that it does have a lot of sexual mentions, though I didn't find them excessive, and it has a lot of gore, graphic imagery of violence. It is, without a doubt, an adult book, and it should be read with that in mind.
November 25, 2020
A quick, unrequited-love, push-me-pull-me romance with monster hunting tossed in.
I was interested in the premise and hoping for more of a gay "Coldest Girl in Cold Town" by Melinda Lo, or even some bits of "Discovery of Witches" or Gail Carriger's monster steampunk reads. However, this read more like a novel-length fanfiction ode to "Supernatural," which was in fact the origin story of this book (as the author notes in the prologue)! It's on me for having different expectations from the book description, but so long as you enter this one expecting queer paranormal romance fiction, you're good to go. I was thoroughly invested in the relationship between Dorian and Cash, though the intensity of Dorian's pushing away was a bit crazy, imho.
The first 30% of the book was a bit rough going and hard to get into, primarily due to the chapter shifts that weren't quite clear enough for me to pick up on, at first. There were some time hops and background description without preamble, so it took me a minute to get that we had gone to the past. I think chapters with name headings (i.e. Chapter 5: Cash; Chapter 6: Dorian) could have been helpful indicators. I've seen many many mystery, YA, scifi/fantasy books use that as a shift indicator device. Also, though my rating has nothing to do with this, the book could use an additional new set of eyes to catch word choice errors (i.e. use of "subsided" when the word should be "subsisted"; extra "to" in a sentence, i.e. "to together") - things spellcheck wouldn't catch as they aren't spelling issues, and they are ultimately minor, but just for that extra polish.
And I also apparently need to go watch "Supernatural" because the idea of a bounty hunter team that seeks out rogue monsters is definitely an interesting one. Ultimately, the book was quick and easy and read a bit like a tv episode, which is likely what a good true romance novel is.
I was interested in the premise and hoping for more of a gay "Coldest Girl in Cold Town" by Melinda Lo, or even some bits of "Discovery of Witches" or Gail Carriger's monster steampunk reads. However, this read more like a novel-length fanfiction ode to "Supernatural," which was in fact the origin story of this book (as the author notes in the prologue)! It's on me for having different expectations from the book description, but so long as you enter this one expecting queer paranormal romance fiction, you're good to go. I was thoroughly invested in the relationship between Dorian and Cash, though the intensity of Dorian's pushing away was a bit crazy, imho.
The first 30% of the book was a bit rough going and hard to get into, primarily due to the chapter shifts that weren't quite clear enough for me to pick up on, at first. There were some time hops and background description without preamble, so it took me a minute to get that we had gone to the past. I think chapters with name headings (i.e. Chapter 5: Cash; Chapter 6: Dorian) could have been helpful indicators. I've seen many many mystery, YA, scifi/fantasy books use that as a shift indicator device. Also, though my rating has nothing to do with this, the book could use an additional new set of eyes to catch word choice errors (i.e. use of "subsided" when the word should be "subsisted"; extra "to" in a sentence, i.e. "to together") - things spellcheck wouldn't catch as they aren't spelling issues, and they are ultimately minor, but just for that extra polish.
And I also apparently need to go watch "Supernatural" because the idea of a bounty hunter team that seeks out rogue monsters is definitely an interesting one. Ultimately, the book was quick and easy and read a bit like a tv episode, which is likely what a good true romance novel is.
January 11, 2021
It's been awhile since I've given paranormal romance a shot. Everything I'd previously read made me apprehensive about trying again, but I'm so glad I read "Leather and Lace." This book has everything I want from a romance book and I can't wait to read the next one.
I really enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book. I was able to develop a pretty clear image and idea of their personality traits which I found incredibly endearing. Occasionally, I found myself frustrated by Dorian's lack of communication, but it fits his character. His issues with anxiety are at the forefront and are not romanticized which is a huge relief.
The overall premise of the story - hunters receiving payment for going after monsters who are murdering people is interesting to me. It reminded me of Supernatural a bit at first just because of the hunting aspect, but I loved the concept of monsters assimilating into the human world. I'm curious to see how that develops throughout the series.
As far as the writing goes, it's easy to follow. It does jump between multiple characters' perspectives as well as time. We repeatedly go between present day and the past when Dorian first met Cash. It definitely helps develop their relationship and compels you to keep reading because you want to know how they got to where they are in the present (or at least I did.)
I adored this book. I kept thinking about it and thinking about it until I was able to continue reading. I hope everyone who reads this is as obsessed with these characters as I am.
I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book. I was able to develop a pretty clear image and idea of their personality traits which I found incredibly endearing. Occasionally, I found myself frustrated by Dorian's lack of communication, but it fits his character. His issues with anxiety are at the forefront and are not romanticized which is a huge relief.
The overall premise of the story - hunters receiving payment for going after monsters who are murdering people is interesting to me. It reminded me of Supernatural a bit at first just because of the hunting aspect, but I loved the concept of monsters assimilating into the human world. I'm curious to see how that develops throughout the series.
As far as the writing goes, it's easy to follow. It does jump between multiple characters' perspectives as well as time. We repeatedly go between present day and the past when Dorian first met Cash. It definitely helps develop their relationship and compels you to keep reading because you want to know how they got to where they are in the present (or at least I did.)
I adored this book. I kept thinking about it and thinking about it until I was able to continue reading. I hope everyone who reads this is as obsessed with these characters as I am.
I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 5, 2020DNF
Thanks to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I had some expectations for this book because we are promised some banter between two characters that seem quite intriguing and one of them is a Vampire who owns (and adores) a chihuahua! So I was ready to love it. And we are said by the author (the introduction was a pleasure to read and it upped my expectations too) that this is inspired by Supernatural and it is an homage to it. I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of this show, but since my problem is that I really love the concept behind it but I find myself easily bored by the development of it. I just have to watch a couple of episodes and sbam, boredom everywhere! So yeah, I am not a fan, but since the concept is solid I was hoping to like this one. But I was wrong.
I cannot say that this is a poorly done story, we have interesting worldbuilding full of fascinating, even if creepy, creatures and our MCs are not plain or boring, that's for sure. The problem for me is that this story to me was more a fandom than an homage.
And we have quite a lot of horror vibes, and again I am not a fan. Guess why? Exactly, boredom. I tried, I really tried, but horror has the annoying tendency to bore me to no end. And here the horror elements were quite a lot.
It is the atmosphere of it, the vibes. And so nope, this really wasn't for me. I was quite sad because I was hoping to love it, but in the end, I decided to just let it go and don't force myself through it.
Thanks to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I had some expectations for this book because we are promised some banter between two characters that seem quite intriguing and one of them is a Vampire who owns (and adores) a chihuahua! So I was ready to love it. And we are said by the author (the introduction was a pleasure to read and it upped my expectations too) that this is inspired by Supernatural and it is an homage to it. I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of this show, but since my problem is that I really love the concept behind it but I find myself easily bored by the development of it. I just have to watch a couple of episodes and sbam, boredom everywhere! So yeah, I am not a fan, but since the concept is solid I was hoping to like this one. But I was wrong.
I cannot say that this is a poorly done story, we have interesting worldbuilding full of fascinating, even if creepy, creatures and our MCs are not plain or boring, that's for sure. The problem for me is that this story to me was more a fandom than an homage.
And we have quite a lot of horror vibes, and again I am not a fan. Guess why? Exactly, boredom. I tried, I really tried, but horror has the annoying tendency to bore me to no end. And here the horror elements were quite a lot.
It is the atmosphere of it, the vibes. And so nope, this really wasn't for me. I was quite sad because I was hoping to love it, but in the end, I decided to just let it go and don't force myself through it.
December 17, 2020
A sweet romance with endearing characters and a bit of gore.
Looking at the other reviews, comparisons to Supernatural (understandably) abound -- but in the world of Southern Gothic, monster hunting isn't so much a loosely-defined netherworld as a job, and a badly-paid one at that. Among the fantastic elements are the practicalities of struggling to get by -- like not being able to afford a new set of clothes whenever you get splattered with blood. The city of Devereux feels lived-in, and the characters are all the more relatable for it.
The characters, as you might expect, are where the book's strength lies, genuinely likeable and with a romance that's built on the everyday intimacies of a friendship rather than histrionic declarations of epic love.
I would have liked to see a bit of a deeper dive into Dorian's family background. For something that's clearly so formative to his psyche, it's dealt with in a couple of short conversations, and I think the book had room for more. The background of the society didn't always hang together, for me -- it's difficult to reconcile a city having a vampire district, vampire bars and shops, with the idea that the civilian human population is mostly unaware they exist. There were also a few editing issues (tenses, and the odd wrong word), but since this was an ARC I expect those will be fixed in the final version.
Overall, a really enjoyable read, and I will definitely be picking up future instalments to see where the characters and their relationship go from here.
Looking at the other reviews, comparisons to Supernatural (understandably) abound -- but in the world of Southern Gothic, monster hunting isn't so much a loosely-defined netherworld as a job, and a badly-paid one at that. Among the fantastic elements are the practicalities of struggling to get by -- like not being able to afford a new set of clothes whenever you get splattered with blood. The city of Devereux feels lived-in, and the characters are all the more relatable for it.
The characters, as you might expect, are where the book's strength lies, genuinely likeable and with a romance that's built on the everyday intimacies of a friendship rather than histrionic declarations of epic love.
I would have liked to see a bit of a deeper dive into Dorian's family background. For something that's clearly so formative to his psyche, it's dealt with in a couple of short conversations, and I think the book had room for more. The background of the society didn't always hang together, for me -- it's difficult to reconcile a city having a vampire district, vampire bars and shops, with the idea that the civilian human population is mostly unaware they exist. There were also a few editing issues (tenses, and the odd wrong word), but since this was an ARC I expect those will be fixed in the final version.
Overall, a really enjoyable read, and I will definitely be picking up future instalments to see where the characters and their relationship go from here.
January 19, 2021
This story follows Dorian, a vampire, and his best friend Cash, a cowboy, as they hunt monsters. When they’re sent on a new case, they have to juggle finding a murder and the growing tensions between them.
I first heard about this story after the ending to a popular tv show. I read Magen talk about how her characters were inspired by two of the main characters. The promise of an actual love story was the hook that caught me.
I love the chemistry between Dorian and Cash. From the very start there was something brewing. The two couldn’t be anymore polar opposite but they just mesh so well together.
Cash isn’t your typical Texas cowboy. He has an unhealthy amount of love for Stevie Nick and Dorian. Dorian is the character you want to protect despite the fact that he’s a creature of the night.
The only thing that frustrated me about this story was the constant misunderstanding and refusal to just emote. Though that had more to do with me wanting them to just get together already than with the writing or story. Emotionally constipated boys are the worst, in the best way.
I will say that I loved the use of having the murderer be a creature that one would not normally associate to being bad. I can’t wait to see what else comes in this brand new series. Magen has such a wild and amazing series to come. If you want gay monster hunters who don’t know how to emote properly then you have come to the right place.
I was given this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I first heard about this story after the ending to a popular tv show. I read Magen talk about how her characters were inspired by two of the main characters. The promise of an actual love story was the hook that caught me.
I love the chemistry between Dorian and Cash. From the very start there was something brewing. The two couldn’t be anymore polar opposite but they just mesh so well together.
Cash isn’t your typical Texas cowboy. He has an unhealthy amount of love for Stevie Nick and Dorian. Dorian is the character you want to protect despite the fact that he’s a creature of the night.
The only thing that frustrated me about this story was the constant misunderstanding and refusal to just emote. Though that had more to do with me wanting them to just get together already than with the writing or story. Emotionally constipated boys are the worst, in the best way.
I will say that I loved the use of having the murderer be a creature that one would not normally associate to being bad. I can’t wait to see what else comes in this brand new series. Magen has such a wild and amazing series to come. If you want gay monster hunters who don’t know how to emote properly then you have come to the right place.
I was given this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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