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Into the Fire #1-9
Into the Fire: The Complete Series
The blacksmith who hid his desire.
The soldier who never knew ... until now.
When Rome falls, Marc treks home across the desolation to find everything changed, including his boyhood friend Wolf.
Gone is the big, clumsy lad. In his place at the forge stands a man as skilled as he is shy.
And surely not interested in feeding the spark he's just lit in Marc's belly.
One that feels unnervingly like hope.
+
When Marcus left to fight, Wolf had a secret. One that burned so hot he shoved it down deep.
Now Marc's back, hardened by war and survival into something only fire could mend.
Wolf knows fire. And every day in Marc's presence tempts him to use it.
But with the world in chaos, can he risk incinerating them both?
This complete series collection includes all 9 original novellas, plus 2 exclusive short stories – approx. 175,000 words total.
The soldier who never knew ... until now.
When Rome falls, Marc treks home across the desolation to find everything changed, including his boyhood friend Wolf.
Gone is the big, clumsy lad. In his place at the forge stands a man as skilled as he is shy.
And surely not interested in feeding the spark he's just lit in Marc's belly.
One that feels unnervingly like hope.
+
When Marcus left to fight, Wolf had a secret. One that burned so hot he shoved it down deep.
Now Marc's back, hardened by war and survival into something only fire could mend.
Wolf knows fire. And every day in Marc's presence tempts him to use it.
But with the world in chaos, can he risk incinerating them both?
This complete series collection includes all 9 original novellas, plus 2 exclusive short stories – approx. 175,000 words total.
716 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2020
349 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Mia West
49 books188 followersEpic romance, two heroes at a time! My story universe features warriors and blacksmiths, rescue swimmers and hockey players, treasure hunters and time travelers, and quite a few shifters. My favorite kind of hero: a grumpy f*cker who’ll do anything for the man he loves.
Read my entire universe free on AO3!
Novel-length ebooks are free on wide vendors.
Happy reading :)
~ Mia
Read my entire universe free on AO3!
Novel-length ebooks are free on wide vendors.
Happy reading :)
~ Mia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 22, 2022
Yes! This sweet feeling inside me is exactly what I look forward when finishing an amazing love story.
9 novels in one, covering 30 years of relationship. More than 700 pages and totally worth my time and heart ❤️
Beautiful!
I’m not particularly drawn to erotic stories, I prefer to read about the feelings involved and the falling for someone stage to the “physical displays” once the couple is already established🤣. The books do have many long sex scenes, but also the affection, trust and love is so present that both things have a perfect balance.
30 years to navigate with the MCs their love, their lives, and the stories of their family and friends.
The last volumes, centering around Wolf’s and Marc’s older years were my favorites. That true, mature (and still credibly passionate) love towards each other was daydream material 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
“You’re good to me, Marc.”
“You’re my husband,” he said “My son’s father.” He laid his palm to Wolf’s beard, rubbed a thumb over his cheek. “My smith.”
“Your friend?”
“My friend.” His throat grew tight. “Ah, Wolf. What aren’t you to me?”
It really was an epic story... but then again, what could I have expected from Arthur Pendragon’s grandfathers?
In terms of the legend’s retelling, this prequel to Arthur’s story would be the explanation to the forging and meaning of Excalibur and the Celtic origin of the King. I loved it ❤️
An Historical Fantasy to not dismiss
The final volume was my favorite I think, and I wanted to add something about it
Wolf and Marc ❤️
9 novels in one, covering 30 years of relationship. More than 700 pages and totally worth my time and heart ❤️
Beautiful!
I’m not particularly drawn to erotic stories, I prefer to read about the feelings involved and the falling for someone stage to the “physical displays” once the couple is already established🤣. The books do have many long sex scenes, but also the affection, trust and love is so present that both things have a perfect balance.
30 years to navigate with the MCs their love, their lives, and the stories of their family and friends.
The last volumes, centering around Wolf’s and Marc’s older years were my favorites. That true, mature (and still credibly passionate) love towards each other was daydream material 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
“You’re good to me, Marc.”
“You’re my husband,” he said “My son’s father.” He laid his palm to Wolf’s beard, rubbed a thumb over his cheek. “My smith.”
“Your friend?”
“My friend.” His throat grew tight. “Ah, Wolf. What aren’t you to me?”
It really was an epic story... but then again, what could I have expected from Arthur Pendragon’s grandfathers?
In terms of the legend’s retelling, this prequel to Arthur’s story would be the explanation to the forging and meaning of Excalibur and the Celtic origin of the King. I loved it ❤️
An Historical Fantasy to not dismiss
The final volume was my favorite I think, and I wanted to add something about it
Wolf and Marc ❤️
January 27, 2024
The entire series is available on AO3.
Series Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded down)
I finished the entire series and I'll link my reviews for each installment down below. Overall, I felt the series didn't live up to its potential. While Marcus and Wolf were great characters and they had some good relationship conflict, too much of their on-page relationship consisted of repetitive sex scenes or them being parents/grandparents. The author did come up with a few great plotlines that fit the historical period but many of the installments were boring or focused on conflict that wasn't related to the MCs romance.
But most annoying of all was that the author had an unfortunate tendency to use 21st century speech patterns when writing the smut scenes and a lot of casual conversation/bantering. There were also additional historical inaccuracies related to medical issues and LGBT issues. Another very annoying issue was that the author continuously incorporated new information into books that should have been included much earlier. While two of the 9 books got 4 star ratings from me, the series as a whole was a letdown.
Thrust = 3 stars (review)
Strike = 1 star (review)
Forge = 4 stars (review)
Quench = 3 stars (review)
Hone = 2 stars (review)
Fracture = 3 stars (review)
Weld = 2 stars (review)
Grind = 4 stars (review)
Burnish = 1 star (review)
Series Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded down)
I finished the entire series and I'll link my reviews for each installment down below. Overall, I felt the series didn't live up to its potential. While Marcus and Wolf were great characters and they had some good relationship conflict, too much of their on-page relationship consisted of repetitive sex scenes or them being parents/grandparents. The author did come up with a few great plotlines that fit the historical period but many of the installments were boring or focused on conflict that wasn't related to the MCs romance.
But most annoying of all was that the author had an unfortunate tendency to use 21st century speech patterns when writing the smut scenes and a lot of casual conversation/bantering. There were also additional historical inaccuracies related to medical issues and LGBT issues. Another very annoying issue was that the author continuously incorporated new information into books that should have been included much earlier. While two of the 9 books got 4 star ratings from me, the series as a whole was a letdown.
Thrust = 3 stars (review)
Strike = 1 star (review)
Forge = 4 stars (review)
Quench = 3 stars (review)
Hone = 2 stars (review)
Fracture = 3 stars (review)
Weld = 2 stars (review)
Grind = 4 stars (review)
Burnish = 1 star (review)
Read
January 28, 2023DNF about what, 30%?
What a shame. I jumped onto the idea of a story written at the fall of Rome. My favourite historical period of all time, and absolutely not one you read many romance novels about. I was actually liking the way the confusion, the mess, the poverty, the lives of Romans and "barbarians" alike were impacted by history. It felt real, and grim, and dark.
But then I met the characters.
And they sucked.
Insta-lust at its finest, but not even a good one. How creepy was Wolf, when he was groping Marc when he was unconscious? Already a bad start, that one. Anyway, I couldn't connect with any of them. Even though we spend all the time with these two and only them two, they are so flat and dull it's ridiculous. Their only thoughts revolve around how hot the other one is, and how hard their dicks. Which would be fine if these guys were teenagers but they're in their late 30s, living in arguably one of the hardest, more chaotic times in recorded human history. One would think they care about something more than getting their dicks wet. But they don't?
Anyway. When they actually get to fuck, the sex is pretty bad too. Why would you have them use CHICKEN GREASE to do the deed? For fuck's sake. As someone who as studied accurately how people fucked in ancient times (aka: I hold a classics phd, and eventually while studying the ancient Greeks and Romans, believe me you will learn more than necessary about their sexual lives), there were so many different kinds of oil/grease they could have used but CHICKEN?? Fucking hell. Like, in a smith's workshop, I'm sure Wolf would keep some grease/oil for his tools, as usually does someone working with metal. No. They have to use the fucking chickens.
I swear to God I've read about gun oil used in this circumstances and I never batted an eyelid.
Chicken grease had me.
goodbye now
What a shame. I jumped onto the idea of a story written at the fall of Rome. My favourite historical period of all time, and absolutely not one you read many romance novels about. I was actually liking the way the confusion, the mess, the poverty, the lives of Romans and "barbarians" alike were impacted by history. It felt real, and grim, and dark.
But then I met the characters.
And they sucked.
Insta-lust at its finest, but not even a good one. How creepy was Wolf, when he was groping Marc when he was unconscious? Already a bad start, that one. Anyway, I couldn't connect with any of them. Even though we spend all the time with these two and only them two, they are so flat and dull it's ridiculous. Their only thoughts revolve around how hot the other one is, and how hard their dicks. Which would be fine if these guys were teenagers but they're in their late 30s, living in arguably one of the hardest, more chaotic times in recorded human history. One would think they care about something more than getting their dicks wet. But they don't?
Anyway. When they actually get to fuck, the sex is pretty bad too. Why would you have them use CHICKEN GREASE to do the deed? For fuck's sake. As someone who as studied accurately how people fucked in ancient times (aka: I hold a classics phd, and eventually while studying the ancient Greeks and Romans, believe me you will learn more than necessary about their sexual lives), there were so many different kinds of oil/grease they could have used but CHICKEN?? Fucking hell. Like, in a smith's workshop, I'm sure Wolf would keep some grease/oil for his tools, as usually does someone working with metal. No. They have to use the fucking chickens.
I swear to God I've read about gun oil used in this circumstances and I never batted an eyelid.
Chicken grease had me.
goodbye now
dnf
March 28, 2025DNF @ 13%
I managed to finish the first short story, "Thrust", so I'll give that 2 stars. The writing was decent, but the story was more focused on throwing Marc and Wolf into bed and keeping them there than it was in telling an actual story. Two pages into "Strike" and they're at it again. This seems to be soft erotica/porn, which I'm not interested in, but if you're into that, this might work for you.
I managed to finish the first short story, "Thrust", so I'll give that 2 stars. The writing was decent, but the story was more focused on throwing Marc and Wolf into bed and keeping them there than it was in telling an actual story. Two pages into "Strike" and they're at it again. This seems to be soft erotica/porn, which I'm not interested in, but if you're into that, this might work for you.
August 27, 2021
“You’re the fire I come home to. Your body is my shelter, your heart my own pulse. Wolf, I want to bury myself inside you and never leave.”
3.5 stars. This one is for the 'really good, but not 100% for me' pile. This is a collection of nine historical romance novellas, bundled into one long saga, following two men and their love over 30 years. Marc is an ex-soldier and Wolf is a smith; they knew each other as children, fall in love as men, and build a life together.
I debated whether or not to read this as one collection or space out the nine novellas with other reads. I opted for the former, because when read on their own, the novellas are pretty short, and while it's a lot, I do think that's the best way to read this series. Action-wise, not a lot happens; I might almost classify this as slice-of-life? The romance, the actual falling in love part, pretty much wraps up within the first two novellas. That doesn't gel super well with my reading tastes; my favourite thing about reading romance is reading the journey to getting there, the slow realisation of feelings or the ups and down of getting together. If I'm going to read about a couple that's happy and in love, there's got to be a lot of plot stuff happening to keep me engaged. Not that there weren't things happening in Marc and Wolf's lives, things that they had to overcome, hurdles to cross, milestones that they reached together. They build a community, form a family, go through hardships. But it was all very... like I said, slice-of-life. That would be more than enough for me if I was also reading about a couple falling in love, but instead we had a couple already in love. Which is great! There were a lot of intimate scenes and while they got a bit repetitive, the characters weren't stagnant. Each story showed them at different points in their lives, and they never stopped growing and loving one another. This was a lovely story. It just... wasn't the format that works best for me.
So yeah, definitely a 'it's not you, it's me' situation. I liked the writing and I enjoyed the characters. I thought it was adequately well-researched; it was mostly character-focused anyway, so I didn't need a lot of heavy world-building. There was one plot point that was difficult for me to read about for personal reasons, but I liked how it played out in the end. The later novellas were great, because I do love seeing older couples and enduring passion and love. I'm sure I'll read this author again (though I'm scared to read Arthur's story, because I'm sure by then these heroes will be gone T__T) and hopefully enjoy her other work even more.
Content warnings: .
If he couldn’t get those twenty years back, he wanted twenty more, or thirty, or forty. He was just greedy enough to think it, and fool enough to believe it possible. But even if he only got ten, or five, or two, they would be with Wolf.
April 15, 2023
3.5 rounded down
Enjoyable (and smutty) read set in a time period I don't often see in this genre. This is a collection of novellas released in a serial-like format, and I do think that was the best way to consume them. I think the collections suffers somewhere from being binged, as it can feel a little repetitive and the abundance sex scenes feel like filler where I can imagine reading these space out, it would feel a lot more balanced. I quite enjoyed the start but enjoyed it somewhat less as I read on. There a story in the middle that features a threesome, which I'm not against in principal, but it felt like it went against a lot of the pre-established canon that it felt totally out of character and weird. The ending was interesting but felt a little sudden and forced--let it was needed to set up the spin-off.
I did enjoy this and am glad to have read it, but if I were to do it again, I'd read the stories individually and space them out a bit more.
Enjoyable (and smutty) read set in a time period I don't often see in this genre. This is a collection of novellas released in a serial-like format, and I do think that was the best way to consume them. I think the collections suffers somewhere from being binged, as it can feel a little repetitive and the abundance sex scenes feel like filler where I can imagine reading these space out, it would feel a lot more balanced. I quite enjoyed the start but enjoyed it somewhat less as I read on. There a story in the middle that features a threesome, which I'm not against in principal, but it felt like it went against a lot of the pre-established canon that it felt totally out of character and weird. The ending was interesting but felt a little sudden and forced--let it was needed to set up the spin-off.
I did enjoy this and am glad to have read it, but if I were to do it again, I'd read the stories individually and space them out a bit more.
dnf
October 24, 2022I gave up around 16%.
Basically by then I had not got a sense of either character, so I found it all incredibly dull.
Basically by then I had not got a sense of either character, so I found it all incredibly dull.
March 7, 2021
Wonderful series, good descriptions of the time and place, engaging characters.
January 15, 2022
3.5 stars. It took me forever to finish this, but that's understandable because it's a saga in nine parts. Set around the time of the fall of the Roman empire - it tells the story of an epic, decades-long romance between a blacksmith and ex-Roman soldier. A lot of stuff happens and I didn't enjoy all parts of the saga equally. Loved the first few installments. It was hot and exciting, I grew really fond of Wolf and Marcus. But later on, it became quite boring and domestic, I skimmed the last few books a lot. I thought it was quite cool to see a historical romance play out over such a length of time, but it lost me there toward the end.
February 17, 2021
This was a really sweet story over all.
The angst is removed pretty quickly however and it did start to get a bit boring.
But I still recommend it for some fun, sexy, buff daddy MM times.
A Blacksmith and a Soldier taking on the world together.
The angst is removed pretty quickly however and it did start to get a bit boring.
But I still recommend it for some fun, sexy, buff daddy MM times.
A Blacksmith and a Soldier taking on the world together.
June 28, 2022
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. An author I've never read, a time period I'm not overly familiar with. Good gods, this book (collection of novellas and short stories, whatever) was one of the most amazing things I've ever read. Truly. I'm completely blown away.
Reading it all together as a single story was definitely the way to go. I wanted to know more and follow Marcus and Wolfram through every aspect of their lives. Tender, painful, sweet, sexy, dire. This story has everything. I'll admit that there were a couple of moments where I was very worried about where it was headed but in the end, I'm so glad that I trusted the author. It was so worth it.
This is easily going on my comfort re-reads shelf. I'm going to be thinking about this story and the amazing life Marc and Wolf built together for a very long time.
Reading it all together as a single story was definitely the way to go. I wanted to know more and follow Marcus and Wolfram through every aspect of their lives. Tender, painful, sweet, sexy, dire. This story has everything. I'll admit that there were a couple of moments where I was very worried about where it was headed but in the end, I'm so glad that I trusted the author. It was so worth it.
This is easily going on my comfort re-reads shelf. I'm going to be thinking about this story and the amazing life Marc and Wolf built together for a very long time.
September 13, 2023
I don’t usually like historical books but I really enjoyed this collection of novellas about MCs who knew each other as boys and are reunited decades later. Set right after the fall of the Roman Empire, this very spicy love story spans over 40 years and shows their hurdles and life milestones. I was sad to leave the warm embrace of their love when it was over.
December 19, 2021
Great period story
I am not a big history person but I love to read books in this setting. The world and character building was such that I felt like I could imagine it in my mind. The MC were real and I enjoy hero relationship and community. I look forward tot the next series and recommend this book.
I am not a big history person but I love to read books in this setting. The world and character building was such that I felt like I could imagine it in my mind. The MC were real and I enjoy hero relationship and community. I look forward tot the next series and recommend this book.
February 13, 2021
Absolutely brilliant epic story. I’m not a fan of historical romance but as it was free from Mia I gave it a try. I’m so glad I did. I was thoroughly enraptured by Marc & Wolf’s journey through life. I felt as if I were there witnessing it all. I may even has a go at The Sins Of Britain series in the near future. I will now put more thought into attempting to read historical romance instead of my usual no, no, not interested. I’m beginning to think my preference may be that I’m not interested in recent history or a few centuries ago, but will give more ancient history stories a go. I will certainly read historical blurbs to see what I think rather than just dismiss them outright as I have done previously.
January 14, 2024
“Some days I want to lock us inside the strongest walls I can find and strip you bare. Lick every inch of you until I’ve ruined myself for real food and forgotten what the sky looks like.”
Marc and Wolf ❤️
Childhood friends-ish to Lovers
Reunion after 20 Years
Fall of Roman Empire
Blacksmith x Soldier
Travel by Foot
Looking for Home
Love Story Spanning 30+ Years
Adoption
Found Family
Life Changes
For Better or Worse
In Sickness and in Health
So Much Spicy Time
Hurt/Comfort
9 Novels + Two Short Stories
It’s long, but it’s broken into smaller parts so you can hit pause as needed. It tells the story from when they are in their 30’s to approaching 70’s. You essentially get their whole lives as they go through young adulthood, finding a home, discovering themselves sexually, as a couple, as inviduals, parenthood, aging, grandparenthood, taking on aprentices, challenges to the safety of their home, different approaches to life and blending those, and finally settling in near the end of their lives (but in a happy way, not a death way).
It’s so good. Their love story is so beautiful. There are so many wonderful quotes. There’s a lot of steam and the steam is a variety pack as they explore each other over nearly 40 years. It’s so beautifu and sexy. I loved how long it was since it’s very rare to get to watch a full life long love story.
I’m not going to lie to you, there are moments that seem like someone is going to die and it’s very heart wrenching and terrifying. But they come through and those moments enhance the story.
There’s laugh out loud funny parts, especially when it comes to parenting. it’s very funny.
I just don’t know how to say enough good things. READ IT. Take your time. I know it’s only January, but this is going right into my favorites pile for 2024.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I immediately started rereading)
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (These two LOVE each other so much)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
World: 🌎🌎🌎 (Very well thought out—I don’t know anything about the historical accuracy, but I don’t even care)
Angst: 😫😫😫 (Mostly external)
“You already have me captive. You command my thoughts. My body.” His knuckles knocked against Wolf’s breastbone. “My heart.” He chuckled. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but you have it all. For as long as you want it.”
Marc and Wolf ❤️
Childhood friends-ish to Lovers
Reunion after 20 Years
Fall of Roman Empire
Blacksmith x Soldier
Travel by Foot
Looking for Home
Love Story Spanning 30+ Years
Adoption
Found Family
Life Changes
For Better or Worse
In Sickness and in Health
So Much Spicy Time
Hurt/Comfort
9 Novels + Two Short Stories
It’s long, but it’s broken into smaller parts so you can hit pause as needed. It tells the story from when they are in their 30’s to approaching 70’s. You essentially get their whole lives as they go through young adulthood, finding a home, discovering themselves sexually, as a couple, as inviduals, parenthood, aging, grandparenthood, taking on aprentices, challenges to the safety of their home, different approaches to life and blending those, and finally settling in near the end of their lives (but in a happy way, not a death way).
It’s so good. Their love story is so beautiful. There are so many wonderful quotes. There’s a lot of steam and the steam is a variety pack as they explore each other over nearly 40 years. It’s so beautifu and sexy. I loved how long it was since it’s very rare to get to watch a full life long love story.
I’m not going to lie to you, there are moments that seem like someone is going to die and it’s very heart wrenching and terrifying. But they come through and those moments enhance the story.
There’s laugh out loud funny parts, especially when it comes to parenting. it’s very funny.
I just don’t know how to say enough good things. READ IT. Take your time. I know it’s only January, but this is going right into my favorites pile for 2024.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I immediately started rereading)
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (These two LOVE each other so much)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
World: 🌎🌎🌎 (Very well thought out—I don’t know anything about the historical accuracy, but I don’t even care)
Angst: 😫😫😫 (Mostly external)
“You already have me captive. You command my thoughts. My body.” His knuckles knocked against Wolf’s breastbone. “My heart.” He chuckled. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but you have it all. For as long as you want it.”
October 28, 2022
I am not sure that I can adequately review and describe this book but will give it a go.
I didn’t realise that what I was missing, or what I needed from a book, was the story of a couple over decades. This book starts from the beginning of their love affair until near the end of their lives.
This book also was great for me as it did not end with the HEA, as so many books do; it went beyond that and showed the couple working together to make their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, safe. So many books have drama within the relationship, and whilst this one does to a certain extent, it is more about how they as a couple deal with the wider world.
Is the series of novellas perfect, no. The writing is OK, but not amazing. There is a lot of skimming of details pertaining to the period and the surrounds, but the level is appropriate here as if the author had included too much detail, the series would be 1000s of pages long. For me, it’s still worthy of 5 stars.
I’m not ashamed at all to admit that I’ve gone onto the next series (about their grandson Arthur), and have just got to the bit in book 2 which retells Marcus and Wolf’s deaths and I cried like an absolute baby, I was that invested in them as characters.
I didn’t realise that what I was missing, or what I needed from a book, was the story of a couple over decades. This book starts from the beginning of their love affair until near the end of their lives.
This book also was great for me as it did not end with the HEA, as so many books do; it went beyond that and showed the couple working together to make their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, safe. So many books have drama within the relationship, and whilst this one does to a certain extent, it is more about how they as a couple deal with the wider world.
Is the series of novellas perfect, no. The writing is OK, but not amazing. There is a lot of skimming of details pertaining to the period and the surrounds, but the level is appropriate here as if the author had included too much detail, the series would be 1000s of pages long. For me, it’s still worthy of 5 stars.
I’m not ashamed at all to admit that I’ve gone onto the next series (about their grandson Arthur), and have just got to the bit in book 2 which retells Marcus and Wolf’s deaths and I cried like an absolute baby, I was that invested in them as characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
I actually read the first book of this series years back when I randomly grabbed it off Kobo as it was free at the time, but I never continued for some reason.
I probably needed to grow up a little bit more to appreciate the storyline.
I honestly love Into the Fire so much. I enjoy that it covers pretty much Marc and Wolf's entire life - from the time they were children to the time when they were grey and had rebuilt a home for themselves and the family they've gathered to them. The challenges faced by the two men are presented in a very real fashion, but most importantly I LOVE that their relationship, while tested, never actually falters. It only ever becomes stronger with everything thrown at them.
And they have a love that lasts a lifetime, which is *chef's kiss*
This is what I want to see more of in literature, a strong couple that grows together, and doesn't keep breaking up and getting back together to draw readers into the story. You don't need that. You just need compelling enough characters.
I probably needed to grow up a little bit more to appreciate the storyline.
I honestly love Into the Fire so much. I enjoy that it covers pretty much Marc and Wolf's entire life - from the time they were children to the time when they were grey and had rebuilt a home for themselves and the family they've gathered to them. The challenges faced by the two men are presented in a very real fashion, but most importantly I LOVE that their relationship, while tested, never actually falters. It only ever becomes stronger with everything thrown at them.
And they have a love that lasts a lifetime, which is *chef's kiss*
This is what I want to see more of in literature, a strong couple that grows together, and doesn't keep breaking up and getting back together to draw readers into the story. You don't need that. You just need compelling enough characters.
September 23, 2023
A wonderful telling of a romance spanimg 60 years
This epic book is a winderfull telling on two young boys who meet when fostered by a bakcksmith. One dreams of the army, the other of being a blacksmith. Wolf is madly in live with Marc frim the start. It takes 30 years of absence when Marc returns to discover each other again.
Together to grow in their love, travel to Western gaul and meet many people along the way. Accepted in a village by the sea, wolf always wanted to see the sea, and Marcus brunts him to it.
In their new home, they make friends and fund a son.
The whole set of stories is about how their enduring love grows and grows, how both men ground each other, love each other, and keep giving to each other. The sex along the way is extremely hot.
Wanting to be free, they end up in Wales,
I advise you all to read and enjoy. I certainly did. The book is made up of 9 short stories. I'm glad I did the big book, though long, it is worth the read. It is lovely also to see a mm romance that spans the years.
This epic book is a winderfull telling on two young boys who meet when fostered by a bakcksmith. One dreams of the army, the other of being a blacksmith. Wolf is madly in live with Marc frim the start. It takes 30 years of absence when Marc returns to discover each other again.
Together to grow in their love, travel to Western gaul and meet many people along the way. Accepted in a village by the sea, wolf always wanted to see the sea, and Marcus brunts him to it.
In their new home, they make friends and fund a son.
The whole set of stories is about how their enduring love grows and grows, how both men ground each other, love each other, and keep giving to each other. The sex along the way is extremely hot.
Wanting to be free, they end up in Wales,
I advise you all to read and enjoy. I certainly did. The book is made up of 9 short stories. I'm glad I did the big book, though long, it is worth the read. It is lovely also to see a mm romance that spans the years.
November 17, 2021
Mia West is a new author to me but one I will search out in the future. This series was well-written and very engaging. The characters were interesting and endearing. I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters and their personalities. The decades-long story, told over several books, showed the MC's lives evolving over time. The challenges, hardships, and heartbreaks were all described/portrayed vividly with a great deal of thought and realism. However, living in a world of such chaos and having to be in a constant state of awareness, I don't know how anyone could find the time to have so much sex!!! LOL. Hot scenes, though, with something for everyone thrown in. There's a bit of BDSM, food play, voyeurism, a menage a trois, and ultimately, loving relationships that stand the test of time!
February 10, 2023
These novellas are a bit of an undertaking. I had a couple of issues early on (consent) which soured me a little. I like a mix of the history in books like this, particularly where it’s such an important part of the story, but this was probably way too much sex dressed up as romance. I think this was the medium for the main couples connection BUT some other stuff would have just rounded things out. The couple after all are the foundation of the whole series, and whilst there was a lot of them across all 9 novellas I still felt a bit underdone.
I would have liked a little more as well with the next generation being Matthias and Britte who are the parents of Cai, Arthur and Mora, who are some of the main characters in the Sons of Britain.
I would have liked a little more as well with the next generation being Matthias and Britte who are the parents of Cai, Arthur and Mora, who are some of the main characters in the Sons of Britain.
March 5, 2021
Captivating and original story so good
This book had great pacing excellent writing and an absolutely fabulous story I have not read a m/m book before but it just did such a good job of telling a love story that wasn’t about gender or but about a devoted couples journey and what experiences a lifetime together brings it was so complex and compelling but also beautiful in its reminder of the meaning of love of family community and partners so so good I could have read a dozen more about this couple and their experiences. I am a little heartsick that the series is over
This book had great pacing excellent writing and an absolutely fabulous story I have not read a m/m book before but it just did such a good job of telling a love story that wasn’t about gender or but about a devoted couples journey and what experiences a lifetime together brings it was so complex and compelling but also beautiful in its reminder of the meaning of love of family community and partners so so good I could have read a dozen more about this couple and their experiences. I am a little heartsick that the series is over
August 5, 2022
9 short stories that make up one epic love story spanning 30+ years - just lovely :-)
Each short story ends on a HFN and the next story takes up immediately.
There is a spin-off series called "Sons of Britain" that is about their 2 grandsons. I will read this but not for a while because, honestly, I just loved Wolf and Marc so much that I don't want to say goodbye to them and, based on the ages of them and their grandsons, I imagine they have passed by the time these stores come about. Not time for me to say goodbye to Wolf and Marc yet...
Each short story ends on a HFN and the next story takes up immediately.
There is a spin-off series called "Sons of Britain" that is about their 2 grandsons. I will read this but not for a while because, honestly, I just loved Wolf and Marc so much that I don't want to say goodbye to them and, based on the ages of them and their grandsons, I imagine they have passed by the time these stores come about. Not time for me to say goodbye to Wolf and Marc yet...
November 20, 2022
I admit I was a bit surprised at how much this book had as far as going further into Wolf and Marc’s lives. Like most books would have ended around the 30% mark, but I found it very refreshing to get to continue to read about a couple as the years go on and life happens. The sex scenes were fire initially and they almost got more about the connection they had than the newness of being together. It was very reminiscent of an actual relationship after being together for so long. I loved to see how their family grew. Well worth the read.
May 23, 2024
An MM romance set in the 5th century at the fall of Rome? Count me in!
I galloped through this collection of stories, charting the lasting love between former Roman soldier Marcus and blacksmith, Wolfram, childhood friends and rivals who come across each other after a twenty-year absence.
The emphasis is on their decades-long love story with oodles of steam, but I also enjoyed the backdrop of a tumultuous time in history, carefully researched and embellished with sensitive leaps of imagination. An engrossing read.
I galloped through this collection of stories, charting the lasting love between former Roman soldier Marcus and blacksmith, Wolfram, childhood friends and rivals who come across each other after a twenty-year absence.
The emphasis is on their decades-long love story with oodles of steam, but I also enjoyed the backdrop of a tumultuous time in history, carefully researched and embellished with sensitive leaps of imagination. An engrossing read.
December 27, 2021
This anthology was recommended on a readers' blog I enjoy, it was free, and I decided to give it a try. The only reason I read/skimmed the whole thing is that I kept hoping it would improve and warrant that recommendation. Either that, or I just couldn't look away from a train wreck. It's full of tired tropes, anachronistic language, laughably graphic sex scenes, deus ex machina moments, and a ridiculous plot twist. It's lacking character development, an interesting plot, and any sense of place or time period beyond the most superficial attempts.
December 8, 2023
I liked the earlier installments but I *loved* the later ones. I don't see a lot of romance that addresses long-term relationships this way, and while Marc and Wolf were cute together when they were young, the way their lives grow and change as they age was so heartfelt and loving. There's actual conflict, a ton of spice (but EMOTIONAL spice so it's the best kind) and gradual progression of issues to do with their increasing age and the changing world around them.
December 22, 2023
A true romantic epic
I didn’t realise, going into it, what this book would be. This was an epic tale of Marc and Wolf and it follows them for over 49 years of life and loving. It shows them falling in love, finding a home, building a family, growing old together. I was completely wrapped up in them and would read about them and the cast of characters they gathered around them forever.
I didn’t realise, going into it, what this book would be. This was an epic tale of Marc and Wolf and it follows them for over 49 years of life and loving. It shows them falling in love, finding a home, building a family, growing old together. I was completely wrapped up in them and would read about them and the cast of characters they gathered around them forever.
July 5, 2024
I don’t normally like historical books as they usually are full of homophobia. But since our MC’s turned out to be the grandfather of King Arthur, I thought I would give it a shot. What I really liked was we got to see them throughout their lifetime. They meet as children, and we watch them grow to be old men. There are trials throughout, it’s not smooth sailing, but for the most part it was an OMG this isn’t going to work. There is a major health scare that had me worried for a bit.
June 11, 2022
This should have been right up my alley, and I did find the characters interested and well-developed, but ultimate I gave up about a third of the way through (the scene with the cleric to be specific). It’s not a bad book, the writing is good and the pacing works, I just didn’t find myself drawn into the story.
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