The Madam's Baby Boy

by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory

Worship from Afar
Brooks Sutherland has been interested in Darcy Winters since he first laid eyes on him at the Courtesan Hotel, where Brooks worked as a bodyguard. Darcy never knew he existed. When Brooks had a seizure that resulted in loss of his eyesight from a head trauma, he could no longer do his job. Years later, Brooks comes back to bid on Darcy at the annual summer auction. He knows Darcy all too well and wants him to relax before Darcy kills himself from stress. Kidnapping him away for a vacation is perfectly reasonable—to Brooks.

Workaholic on Vacation
As far as Darcy is concerned, the Courtesan Hotel will be a disaster without him, so he doesn’t expect his mother to put him up for auction as a last-minute surprise. The man who wins time with him is charming, but Darcy has no plans to be swept away from his work. A night will more than do. When Brooks hustles him off on a vacation, he’s not sure how to relax, but Brooks is a good distraction.

Stress Less or Else
Darcy needs someone to teach him how to let go, and Brooks thinks he’s that man. But making a relationship work is a lot harder than he expects because Darcy runs back to the Courtesan every chance he gets. Brooks wants to take care of Darcy, but unless Brooks can learn what that really means, he’ll push Darcy away instead. If that happens, neither man will get what he needs.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Disability, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Steamy

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2021

About the author

I spend most of my days writing, editing, and perfecting the craft of storytelling.

A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.

Reviews

[Florence . · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I wish I enjoyed this book more than I did. I really wanted to love it as it seemed made for me, but there were a lot of things about it that didn't work for me.

Brief summary
The Courtesan Hotel has a charity night where they auction people so someone can buy them and spend a night with them. Darcy, who works at the Courtesan Hotel, hasn’t been with anyone, ever. Darcy is forced into the auction (by his mom who is putting in the auction), he really doesn’t want to participate in it. Darcy is bought by Brooks, and Brooks has been pining after Darcy for ages. Brooks kidnaps Darcy, so they can go on a vacation together because Brooks thinks that Darcy needs to relax.

First, the setup for this book just didn’t work for me. Darcy is bought by Brooks and the first time they have sex is definitely dubcon, Darcy does not want to be there. I can do dubcon just fine, but this book starts with a lot of talks from Darcy’s point of view about how he doesn’t want to do the auction and how that's not how he wanted to be with someone for the first time. And the way that was set up just didn’t work for me. It just made me sad to keep reading about Darcy who didn’t want to have sex but would probably be forced into it. Darcy says this at some point: “It doesn’t matter what I want, i’ll just have to do this” and it just broke my heart. The entire setup for the dub-con was that Darcy thought that his mom would murder him if he didn’t sleep with Brooks (the way Darcy’s mom just took it upon herself to sell his ass for a night because she thought he needed to find someone, really bothered me) so he accepted to sleep with him even he didn’t want to and he told Brooks this but he just said that he paid for Darcy so might as well have him. Also, Brooks knew that Darcy would be having sex with him just because he didn’t have a choice and still went on with it. I didn’t really enjoy the way the dubcon was framed here. I didn’t like how they were both aware that Darcy was being forced into sex but both just went with it anyway. It kind of felt like the dubcon was framed as something that had to happen and it was shown as more of a romantic thing than something you never want to happen to you. Brooks was shown as a perfect man who would be good for Darcy and could help him, and I found it hard to believe that he was a lovely love interest when he slept with Darcy when Darcy didn’t want to. I would have appreciated the dubcon aspects way more if Brooks wasn’t shown as the perfect man for Darcy, I prefer when dubcon is shown as something dark you never want to happen to you instead of something that you have to endure because it could bring you to meet the love of your life.

Second, It took me a while to get into the book because of the setup for how they met. But when I got to the second part, which was about them being on vacation and Brooks doing everything he can to get Darcy to relax, I was into it a lot more. Darcy was really closed off and never took the time to relax or do anything that wasn’t his job. So Brooks forces him into a relationship with him and kidnaps him so they can go on vacation. I kind of really enjoyed that part because I could tell how much Darcy wished he had those things, even if he was saying he doesn’t want them because his job comes first. I enjoyed seeing Darcy try to relax but he wasn’t very good at it because he never relaxed before. They finally started feeling like a real couple who wanted to spend time with each other and they finally started using safewords, which I was happy about. I did enjoy that part but because of how the characters met, I couldn’t really connect with the characters during the part of the book I really enjoyed, so the book never totally won me over because of it.

Third, Brooks is almost blind and he has seizures. His seizures were very nicely handled. I loved the way they were described, they felt so realistic. And the way they came to him only at certain times was also lovely. Also, the fact that he couldn't see was also very nicely handled and I loved how it played a really big part in the story and I loved how Darcy would describe things for him so that Brooks knew what was happening.

Fourth, I just love when a character in a book has been pining for someone for ages and is ready to do everything to get them. Brooks has been pining on Darcy for ages and was ready to do everything to get him and I was into that, very much.

Fifth, the sex scenes were fine and I liked the idea beyond them, they included a lot of bondage and spankings, but there weren’t enough of them to my liking and the ones we got were too short for me, I just wanted more.

This could have been a book I loved but sadly a lot of it didn't work for me but it had some lovely concepts I would love to see in more books.

I received a copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the characters Ki Brightly and M.D. Gregory write. Complex and interesting, these folks are always unique. And there's nothing better than when everything comes together in a character who is completely genuine, and I become fully invested in their story.

Darcy Winters is just this kind of person. Determined and clever, this young man has a huge heart. Even as he’s being tricked into his getaway with Brooks, Darcy maintains his poise, sticks to his guns, and stays true to himself.

While some of Brooks’ methods might not initially appeal, Darcy tentatively succumbs to, and then gracefully accepts, the new sensations and ideas Brooks evolks in him. Experimenting with submission is a huge step for Darcy, and the authors do a marvelous job of exploring his reactions every step of the way.

I’m impressed with the way Ki Brightly and M.D. Gregory weave Brooks’ disabilities into the storyline. Respectful of both his blindness and his epilepsy, the authors treat his conditions as a normal part of life, instead of a handicap. The way Brooks is adapting to the changes in his life is inspiring.

The audio version of The Madam’s Baby Boy is narrated by TJ Clark who does a tremendous job. He uses a gruff but gentle voice for Brooks, which suits him so well. And the way he performs Darcy’s high strung, stressed out panic attacks are simply perfect. Hopefully we'll be hearing him read more New Gothenburg novels soon!

thank you to the author for generously providing an audio copy of The Madam’s Baby Boy, all opinions are my own

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the authors and this is my honest review.

Once again we go to New Gothenburg, to the Courtesan Hotel, where kink, sex and love meet.

This is Darcy's story, Madam's Baby Boy, the Ice Prince who makes the Courtesan what it is, makes it run smoothly and sacrifices his free time for it. Darcy is ruthless and ornery when it comes to Courtesan. It's not only his mother's prode and joy, but also his.

Enter Brooks, who has had his sight on Darcy from the moment he saw him. But Brooks has seizures, which led to him being blind. And after years, when he knows he can deserve Darcy, he swoops in and sweeps Darcy off his feet.

I appreciated the fact that Brooks was blind and that he stayed blind...no miracle of him getting his sight back. He had to use the memory of what Darcy looked like and it was intimate and sweet.

Darcy is also multifaceted and contradictory at times. He equally loves and hates his mom, the Courtesan and Brooks. He wants to let go but struggles to actually do it. He needs a firm hand, a caring hand and a loving hand, and Brooks was happy to dish them all out.

It's a story of a man who loves control but wants to relinquish it, and another man, in love from afar for years, and finally getting the chance to show that love.

Niggles...

Levi's, Brooks' assistant, part in ths story was for me unnecessary since it was not fleshed out bor was in important for the plot IMO. How Levi chamges was also a bit too abrupt.

The sex was hot...but not hot enough. Maybe it's because I read this after Sold For The Night which was SCORCHING, but the scenes here kind of fell a bit flat for me.

[Santy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read ANY book in the New Gothenburg world, you'd know of Darcy Winters. He is the "pleasant" son of the owner of The Courtesan Hoten and you'd wonder how far he has a stick up in the bum 🤣. So, when I heard he was getting his own book, I was very interested.

Turns out, there was more to him than meets the eye. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders (or so he thought and couldn't relax). Now this may have initially been a way to not let his mother down but it turned out to be more than any one person could handle. This affected his personal life or rather resulted in his lack of a personal life.

Now even though I understood why Darcy was the way he was, it didn't make him any more likeable initially. He was rude, blunt & abrasive but underneath it all, this was all caused but the aforementioned stress and he needed to LET GO.

In came Brooks with the patience of a saint and questionable but effective methods of dealing with Darcy's "darcyness". He took all the rudeness,bluntness and abrasiveness in stride and worked to get Darcy to relax . There were times that I disagreed with his methods but it all worked out in the end so I really cannot complain much.

The only niggle I had with the story was the whole Levi thing. Darcy and Brooks had enough on their place without his annoying overprotective presence. I personally would've handled that immediately but on the flip side I understood where Brooks was coming from with his method of dealing with him. That situation also worked out in the end but it still irritated me when it was happening.

In conclusion, this was a well written book and although the pacing in the middle parts could've been picked up a bit, I enjoyed myself overall. Recommended for lovers of the New Gothenburg world.

**eARC Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review **

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful narrative, I adored it immensely!! All the five stars!

Where shall I start? Brooks is a former bodyguard of Madam Winters’ establishment, the Courtesan Hotel. Her son Darcy was the most beautiful boy he ever saw.
After a seizure, Brooks lost his eyesight because of head trauma. Now he has his bodyguards and dog.
Darcy is always in his head, now years later he’s back and just won a night with Darcy with the Courtesan hotel summer auction. He has plans for Darcy, he’s working too hard, can’t relax and it stresses af.
Brooks is wealthy, the sky is the limit. Taking Darcy with him, forced, is his plan, he wants relaxed and even more, he wants to win his heart.

Darcy is running his mother’s hotel and is known as the ice prince, but he’s swept off his feet by Brooks. Against his will, he’s on vacation and even though he’s still stressed, forceful Brooks is distracting. His resistance diminished with the day, but his hotel is louder in his head.

I couldn’t imagine the awesomeness of this content. It had the most wonderful characters and the story is just sexy af. Brooks is highly possessive and protective with Darcy and let's not forget demanding. He has a huge personality and lives quite well without eyesight and has a safety net for his seizures, with his team of bodyguards and his guide dog Lemonade. Lemonade assists him to guide the way and as seizure respond, if I understand it correctly.
Brooks’s seizure disorder and blindness are present in everything and more than wonderful entwined in this story, there’s not one moment where I could feel sorry for him. (As if he let us ha!)
Darcy is feisty but Brooks brings his sweet and caring side to the surface. He’s just as possessive as Brooks. I loved the moments where they showed.
There are delicious steamy encounters, Brooks knows ways to de-stress Darcy.
It’s an excellently written story, it has all the feelings and great characters.
This is one of these stories I could read for days without getting bored.
Recommendation worthy!!

[Szidi ☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that the authors are releasing two books at the same time, I've made a priority that I read Sold For The Night first and The Madam's Baby Boy next. Luckily, I got the ARCs in that order too.

I really enjoyed reading this book, both characters were super adorable and easy to love. Loved the starting scene, the whole auction/bidding was good and I couldn't wait to read more about Brooks.

I liked Darcy's character too, he was a virgin and a workaholic. He needed Brooks in his life. Oh and Brooks, he was a sweetie. His blindness was well written and I liked his dog too (who wasn't there for his blindness, instead of his seizures).

It was low angst and I wasn't prepared to that 'drama' at the end, I was too comfortable reaindg this book and forgot about Brooks' seizures.

Loved the romance, loved Brooks' love for Darcy and I liked reading this book. (in my opinion it was a bit over written, but I feel that after every Ki&Meg book, they are just too long with no added storyline, just extra pages and meaningless scenes)

I liked reading Sold For The Night too, but this story was better and more romantic. That book's strength is the kink, this book's is the romance.

[the.argumentative.bong · Rating 1 out of 5]

40% in, and I’m ready to call quits.

This book reminded me of all those highly dubious Mills & Boon m/f romance books I had the misfortune of reading in high school, where the abrasively cocky hero kept forcing himself on the virginal heroine, all the while spouting nonsense about how she wanted him, even though she kept saying no...the logic being, the body cannot lie even if the mind does.
Apply the same plotline here, replace the heroine with a man, and it’s the same old trope of how the man with more power in the dynamic, forces the other to have sex, even when he clearly doesn’t want it, even though he is in obvious pain. But no, just because the power top wants to fuck, the other has to endure...and to hell with consent.
Brooks has always wanted Darcy, from afar. He had been a bodyguard in employment at the Courtesan, owned by Darcy’s mother, but had to quit due to an accident. Years later he comes back to win a night with Darcy at a charity auction, which incidentally is arranged by Darcy’s mother without his consent.
What is with this book...that does away with consent at every possible instance, all in the name of “I know what you need better than you do”? The mother. The lover. Pushing one’s child into a night of sex with a stranger, who practically forces himself upon (read: rapes) the so-called love interest, almost kidnapping him to a vacation he supposedly needs, throwing away his phone through the window without even a ‘by your leave’...ugh! I can go on and on, and that’s all within the first 40%. It’s all about ‘you want this because I tell you so’ and not ‘are you sure you want this, please tell me that you do’. Talk about toxic masculinity even in gay romances!
This has been particularly hard to accept, especially after I read some exceptional books that had hardcore BDSM (including impact play and primal play) elements, but with consent and choice being of utmost importance...at all times. I find it extremely irksome when authors introduce half-hearted BDSM themes to sell some shoddy writing, for the sole purpose of titillation. BDSM isn’t about steamrolling over someone into accepting something they don’t want. Unless it is an explicit dub-con/non-con roleplay that both parties consensually and willingly participate in, a ‘No’ actually means ‘NO’...AT ALL FRIGGING TIMES!
I had previously read Bent but Not Broken and Staking His Claim by the author(s), and liked both the books, because they were quirky, funny, and quite interesting. But I doubt I will be reading any further because I draw the line at sexual coercion and unfair power imbalance in the name of love.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars - yes, yes, yes!!

As always, Brightly does a brilliant job of creating a story that surrounds unique and realistic characters in thrillingly sexy plotlines. I'm in Brightly, and their writing partner Bawden's, Facebook group and got to see the build up as they finished these two books off - and purposefully avoided as many details as possible because I wanted to go in not knowing much, to really experience it with no expectations and I'm so glad I did.

The plot follows Ice Prince Darcy, a cameo character from several earlier books, that I've always been curious about. We get to learn about his upbringing and the environment that has lead him to become the man he is - and the way he's perceieved by those around him. I enjoyed that it wasn't the typical "character is a bully because of something traumatic that happened to him but it's okay because he's trying to be a better person now" narrative. Instead, it's all about perception - how Darcy sees himself, how his mother sees him and how the workers at the Courtesean see him. (My only complaint on this was that even at the end of the story I felt that the workers didn't fully appreciate Darcy, I was kind of hoping for a moment where they recognised the significance of his contributions).

Brooks is our main love interest, who has held a torch for Darcy since he used to work for the Courtesean as a bodyguard to Madam Winters. The description of his abilities is in the synopsis for the book so I won't go into the details but, as always, I appreciate and enjoy Brightly included diverse and four dimensional characters that reflect the real world. It didn't feel as if Brooks' lack of vision or seizures was used as a plot device - it was integrated effectively through-out the narrative, as a part of relationship conversations and, although the scene was upsetting, to illustrate the importance and normalacy of having support people.

In terms of the romance - I loved it. No complaints on the development of the relationship or the sex scenes - I'm rarely, if ever, disappointed with Brightly's writing in that regard. Although, in my opinion, this was not as steamy as the counterpart novel it was still exciting, thrilling and with enough spice to keep it interesting.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series just keeps getting better

I have a disability a I am happy to know that more authors are writing characters that are disabled. Unless you have the disability that you are writing it takes a lot of extra time and research to put a character like that into your book believably. The two authors of these novels set in and around their town of New Gothenburg got it right. Although there is a lot in this book that centers on Brooks’ blindness and epilepsy they have achieved a balance between having the story be about his problems for the sake of driving the story and yet not just dumping a disabled character in the story to take advantage of a new trend. I hope that I’m getting across what I mean because I have read some awful portrayals of characters with disabilities in other books and seen in movies. Brooks is written as a person who just has disabilities that are talked about in the story and have to be accommodated but he has so much more to him. Anyway, I will stop harping on this topic and say that I loved this book for The whole thing. It is in turns exciting, sad, fun, heartbreaking and heartwarming just like the books that are set in this world. Bravo ladies you just keep improving on your already terrific series. Loved it. Please keep on playing in New Gothenburg.

[Susan Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy and Brooks

Darcy is a workaholic, control freak, "no one can do it right except me" kind of guy. He is Managing the Courtesan hotel that his mother owns.

Darcy is trying to "convince/ force" another male out onto the stage when the Madam calls him out. Darcy's mother, the Madam, is now auctioning HIM off.

Brooks is a former bodyguard. He has a history of epilepsy and has lost his sight from complications. He has known he wanted Darcy and now Darcy is up for bidding.

Brooks wants Darcy to slow down and relax. He tried to take this time to get Darcy to lounge and enjoy time off. Things happen that get in the way,.mostly Darcy does it to himself.

I enjoyed this story. Darcy is kind of a control freak but I like it. Brooks wants to take the control in the bedroom. And he does. Blindfolds and rope are some of his fun.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC Review**

This was long time coming. The Ice Prince has finally met his match. Darcy was always snarky and I felt a little mean spirited in the other books but this really open my eyes on another side of him. Once Brooks got a hold of him all the decent characteristics came out...the snark and the control freak is still there but with a bit of softness only for Brooks. I was highly entertained on the bidding and the kidnapping of Darcy....the dominating, wooing and romancing of Darcy...Brooks was a determined man and he didn't let his physical limitations hinder his cause to win Darcy. This wasn't as intense (still HOT/steamy tho) as prior books in this on going series and I liked it...it fit just right for Darcy's journey to his HEA. Nice!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from this writing duo. This book is part of the New Gothenburg world and I think you would benefit from reading some others before reading this as then you get a true picture of the way Darcy is perceived and why he has a reputation as an ice prince. I highly recommend all the books in this world anyway.
Brooks made a great character because he came across as protective and confident whilst having so much vulnerability and I think it was just what Darcy needed to take care of someone whilst someone was taking his worries away.
The story of their evolving relationship combined with the hot and sweaty scenes made this book near impossible to put down.
This is a hard act to follow for the next book on my reading pile.
I received an ARC copy of this book but I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Christopher Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy, the Ice Prince, the annoying blond at the entrance of the Courtesan who annoyed Vane and Ross so many times because of his haughty attitude and his unwillingness to make connections with the people around him. Everything was business, everything had to be perfect.

Madam Winters surprises Darcy by entering him in the summer auction as the first person up for bid. Darcy is sold for an unheard of amount of money to a man who seems familiar, but he can’t place. Brooks has changed some since he worked at the Courtesan as one of the Madam’s bodyguards – and he’s now blind, having hit his head during a seizure. But the one man whose face he remembers clearly is Darcy’s – he was obsessed with him when he worked there and the obsession has not faded since he left and started his own very successful company.

Darcy is not amused by the situation and this relationship does not build smoothly. Brooks is all-in; Darcy wants everything Brooks is offering, but has never even been on a date and all he knows is the hotel – he doesn’t know how to accept it, and isn’t even sure he wants to.

Great character development, a definite focus in this book. Great handling of a blind character with epilepsy. Mostly believable plot line, a little fast paced, but just a really good read about two guys finding out how to be in a relationship together… with a little kink thrown in for spice.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

No matter what, it is a bit creepy with how determined Brooks is to have Darcy. And I still do not like the madam, she rubs me the wrong way and I don’t feel that someone should have the ability to manipulate anyone so much. I will admit that Darcy needed the vacation and to get away from the stress but I don’t feel that just taking him away was the right way to go about it. I feel that in the end Darcy and Brooks were able to work it all out and move forward but unfortunately the beginning was so rocky I had a little trouble feeling good about it.

I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review

[Anabela.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an enjoyable read. A man wins the one he's harbored a crush on for years at an auction, to then sweep him away for a vacation? Sign me up! Oh, and let's not forget the kink...

But Darcy didn't want to be swept away, didn't want a vacation and definitely didn't want to fall in love. I had fun watching Brooks win him over. Some moments between them were particularly strong, but the dynamic they found fit them perfectly and they also got a little sappy towards the end.

Overall this was an interesting story without too much angst, and definitely hot.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Consent

If you like consent in a book don’t read this one. I literally cried while reading this book. Brooks is a terrible person and so is Darcy’s mother.

[CAROLINA · Rating 2 out of 5]

*audio review*
The narrator did a wonderful performance for both characters. He was new-to-me and I'll certainly look for more of his books.


From the blurb, I had the impression that this book would be very different. There were so many problems in this story since the first chapter, but I kept reading, hoping it'd improve, that the issues would turn out differently and that I'd eventually enjoy it, but it didn't happen like that.

It starts with Darcy being sold by his mother, against his will, in an action. This is stated in the blurb, so, no surprises there. But when Darcy is with Brooks, the problems started. For a man who claims to have been in love with Darcy for so long, Brooks's behavior was terrible and he was very creepy in the way he handled things. He didn't care that Darcy wasn't interested, or that he didn't want to be in that situation, he simply took what he paid for. Even worse because Darcy was a virgin at that point and it all happened with the Madam's consent, but of course it wasn't her consent that was required. Now, I do enjoy reading non-con, but it needs to be in the right context, which wasn't the case here.

Brooks wants to convince Darcy to relax and spend a few days away from work, but instead of spending some time with him to make him more comfortable and willing to go, he just keeps being aggressive and taking Dacy's choices. It should be seen as a Dom/sub thing, but it isn't, not at the beginning before they have even established so much as a safeword.

Slowly, Brooks shows his nice side and (finally) respects Darcy's decisions, but not entirely. He still feels he knows better and they struggle to find a compromise because, at that point, Darcy is already in love and has forgiven all Brooks and his mother set up for him.

I didn't like the way this couple came together, it felt too much like an abusive relationship as opposed to a D/S dynamic, which I believe was the author's intention.

But of course, there were things I liked a lot. Brooks's disability was very well handled (both his blindness and epilepsy), not romanticized, and not only mentioned briefly. We see a couple of his epileptic episodes on page and they are thoroughly described, and we see how important it is to know what to do in a situation like that, and also the importance of the support dogs. I loved how strong and confident Brooks was, having learned to live with his condition and not shying away from his real dominant personality.

Levi's character was one of my favorites, despite so many reviewers disliking him, I thought he was cleverly portraited as someone who was in love and felt the pain of being replaced in a certain way. He only wanted to protect Brooks and his heart was in the right place. I felt sorry for him in that situation.

[Ki Brightly]

Thanks for once again joining us in New Gothenburg! What can I say about Darcy? He has the weight of the world, or at least the Courtesan, on his shoulders, and if he looks constantly annoyed? Well, who wouldn't be? Have you met demanding professionals? And don't get me started on the clients .

It was a lot of fun writing Darcy and writing about the Courtesan Hotel. It was so much fun, in fact, that I can't wait to get back there to write another story. Darcy's story kicks off a new grouping of books that will be majority stand alone about The Courtesan Hotel and the people who live and work there.

As far as the kinks in this book go, inside you'll find some slight dub con and rope play.

Also, Brooks Sutherland, Darcy's love, is a character who is blind and has seizures. I'm going to include the author's not about this here.

Authors’ Note on the Language Surrounding Disabilities In This Book

In The Madam’s Baby Boy one of the main characters, Brooks Sutherland, has a seizure disorder and is blind. If we were to say that Brooks is a person who has seizures and blindness this would be called person-first language. Person-first language centers the person in the conversation. Brooks himself would just say, “I’m blind and have seizures.” This is not person-first language.

In this book, we have chosen to allow a natural dialogue from our main character about the issues, or disabilities, that affect his life in nearly every way, and as such, we aren’t overly stressing person-first language in the narration. Many people who are disabled feel that person-first language is harmful because it separates them from their disabilities, which are central to their life experiences. Often these disabled people cite person-first language as something that only makes nondisabled people feel more comfortable in a conversation.

There is a broad public dialogue on the pros and cons of person-first language. Like many other things, the preference to use person-first language or not varies from one person to the next, and in real life it is always best to follow the lead of the people you are speaking with on this topic.

I'm so excited for you to meet all the people in The Madam's Baby Boy and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have writing it.

As a bonus, both the The Madam's Baby Boy and Sold for the Night begin on the same evening at the Courtesan Summer Auction, so if you didn't read that book first, we suggest you find it and read it next. It doesn't matter which of the two books you read first.

Thanks so much for reading!

Ki Brightly

[Trouble89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Madam’s Baby Boy

I received an ARC of this book, for an honest review.

This is book one in a new series that revolves around the Courtesan Hotel. It begins on the same night as “Sold for the Night” (City Hall Series). I couldn’t put this one down either, but it wasn’t nearly as intense or gripping as the previous books from these authors I’ve read. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t just as good because it was.

This book gives us a closer look at Darcy Winters, the one and only child of Madam Winters. To say Darcy is over-worked, over-stressed, and wound tighter than a strung rubber band is putting it mildly. He is the manager of the Courtesan Hotel and has built it to what it is today. His employees rely on him way too much, and it doesn’t help that he also lives there, and readily available to solve problems, at all hours of the day and night.

Brooks had been part of the hotels security detail before health issues had made him “retire”. He suffers from epilepsy, and during a seizure had hit his head, which resulted in almost total blindness. He has been in love with Darcy for years, and “buys” Darcy at one of Madam Winters auctions. Yes, she put her baby boy on the auction block. No, she isn’t mother of the year, but in her own way she does love her son. She does recognize to a small extent that Darcy needs to relax, and she thinks Brooks is the man for the job.

After spending a night together, Brooks essentially kidnaps Darcy, whisking him away for a mini retreat. His intentions are good, his execution not always spot on. Brooks massively underestimated Darcy’s complete inability to unwind, and be away from the hotel.

This book was milder in kink than the others – it’s still there though. Brooks wants to dominate Darcy in all ways, but Darcy is no push over. He is Madam Winter’s son, after all, and getting him to submit takes some time. I enjoyed the antics between these two men, and the verbal back and forth. While the way Brooks goes about capturing Darcy’s attention is unconventional to say the least, it works for these two. There is no way Darcy would have gone any other way than the way Brooks managed to get him out of the hotel.

This is a great beginning to a new series by these authors, and I can’t wait to see where this leads. Hopefully with a book about Levi and Ford, preferably together.

[Maijie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Madam's Baby Boy is set in the same universe as the City Hall series and starts off at the same time as Sold for the Night. This book focuses on Darcy Winters, the son of Madam Winters and Brooks Sutherland, a former bodyguard for the Courtesan Hotel.

Compared to the previous book, this one had a milder kink that is more familiar. Some dub-con/non-con content is also present so please bear that in mind when reading this.

Darcy Winters is the only child of Madam Winters. He manages the Courtesan Hotel and because of that he is over-worked, stressed and most of the time seem to have a stick up his ass. He never relaxes. As his mother is worried about her son, she decided to auction him off so that he might at least get to relax and distress.

Brooks Sutherland has loved Darcy from afar and was glad to be able to have a chance to spend a night with the young man when he won the auction. He is determined to take care of Darcy and show him unwind and let himself loose even just for a short while.

The book is well-written with great character development and excellent relationship building as its main focus. Brooks with his disability was handled with great care. The tension between Darcy and Brooks is a driving force in how the flow of the story went. Brooks' determined, generous and caring personality is total foil to Darcy's who is a bit prissy, bratty and very much insecure and always has a need to be in control. The dialogue in the story is smooth and fun. The snarky exchanges between the main leads were interesting the first few times it happened but later on just felt a bit samey.

What I also loved about this book is how well matched the kink is with the characters and how deftly that was used to deconstruct and dissect the main leads and their issues and how it also used to slowly help them understand each other and build a stronger relationship from there.

Despite the main characters being well-written and not just one-dimensional, I just couldn't get invested in them. They just didn't jive with me and it is not in anyway the authors' fault. I did love Levi and Madam Winters here. Those two really stood out for me.

Overall, I'd recommend this book. If you are looking for some fun, ho and kinky read with great characters then give this book a go. This is a 4 out of 5 stars for me.

An ARC was provided to me by the author and I have chosen to publish my fair and honest review.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received for an honest review.
When possible this will be cross-posted to Amazon.

I have been looking forward to the start of another chapter in New Gothenburg - The Courtesan and it’s varied group of entertainers and patrons. Starting of with Darcy, The Ice Prince, seems fitting with him being the front and center of the establishment when you visit.

I haven’t had any ideas of what type of person he should end up with, but hoo boy, am I glad it was Brooks Sutherland.

Where this duo usually delve into various kinks (both known and unknown - primarily the latter in the latest a couple of books), this time they are looking into and writing with a disabled person who doesn’t let his blindness stop him from enjoying life to the fullest. And what he wants to enjoy is Darcy Winters.

But Darcy has a hard time letting the Courtesan go. What if something goes wrong when he is away? And boy, is that place dependent on him and taking him for granted - mother and entertainers alike.

The Madam’s Baby Boy shows another side of Darcy, a side we probably all knew was there, and lets him try and connect romantically with another person - even if there first time together starts with an auction.

Brooks and Darcy have to navigate life with the Courtesan and its demands, as well as the health issues Brooks suffers from (not his blindness). At times I almost forget Brooks is blind, but then the authors makes a small mention of it, and it speaks to their eminent research and writing skills.

This is an incredibly sweet story with two people having to find one another and reaching compromises to do so. I’m looking forward to more from the Courtesan.

And Levi! And Ford! And can I get their story soon? (Maybe together in the same book? Please!).

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I finished it because I was genuinely hoping that it would change my mind but it stayed pretty consistent throughout. Now, before you think that I hated it or something - I didn't! The background of the story - a high class brothel - is an interesting twist but from there I just couldn't really connect with the characters and the story. There's a lot of dub con and some non con and it overshadowed the characters interactions and relationship. Darcy is abrasive and not really likeable. Brooks is an interesting character in how he deals with his medical disability, but the manner in which he pursues Darcy, frankly, rubbed me wrong. The fact that he purchased a night with Darcy in an auction - one in which Darcy did not consent to being in - and then took his virginity just didn't set well with me. Then he basically abducts Darcy and their sexual encounters directly afterwards were bordering on non con ... yeah, not what I was expecting. I did not like Madame Winters, Darcy's mother, at all. What kind of mother auctions off her son, against his will, in order to get him laid - all while knowing he's a virgin! And then to find out she conspired with Brooks from the beginning?!

This book was well written. The editing spot on and the progression of the storyline was smoothly executed. I just couldn't get invested in the characters or the underlying story and that's on me and not the authors. I've read a lot of very non con and taboo and this just didn't do it for me. I'd still say give it a try but I prefer the authors other works to these books.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I started this story really excited to read about Darcy getting his comeuppance and an adjustment to his prissy, bratty attitude but that really wasn’t what this book was about. Darcy has legitimate reasons for the way he acts towards the staff and guests at The Courtesan and this book slowly showed the real boy inside the prissy outer shell that he forces him self to wear. Brooks wasn’t a stranger to Darcy before the auction though Darcy didn’t really remember Brooks, but it doesn’t take him long to show Darcy that he knows the real person that is hiding inside and to let him know that a real person with insecurities is the Darcy that he is interested in. This was definitely a book with more than a hint of hurt/comfort themes and I felt deeply for Darcy several times when he couldn’t hold back his emotions and then felt shame for having shown them to others. Brooks was very patient with Darcy but he wasn’t without flaws and I enjoyed reading about him finding the flaws within himself and adjusting for them to give Darcy what he needs. I was a little angry at Madame Winters for the way that she treated Darcy, even though her heart seemed to be in the right place. She came across smug and a little unfeeling though I think that she redeemed herself a little in the end with her momma bear defense of Darcy when she felt that Brooks had hurt him. I adored Levi even though he was a little bit of jerk at the beginning but by the end I was really wanting to read a story about him getting his happy ending.

[Showarst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy Winters is a well-known character in the Kings of Men MC universe. He is known as the "Ice Prince", manager of the famous Courtesan. In previous books, we've only seen glimpses of the icy facade that Darcy often hides behind. In the first chapter, we were able to see that Darcy is so much more than the Ice Prince. He is overworked, under appreciated, and struggling to hold it together. With some machinations by his mother, he is offered up for bid during the annual Summer Auction. I did like the glimpses that we got to see of the relationship between Darcy and his mother. She has often been a very mysterious figure, so it was nice to see a different side of her.

Brooks Sutherland has been interested in Darcy for a very long time. When Madam Winters lets him know that Darcy will be in the auction line-up, there is little to stop him from making his dreams a reality. What follows is a steamy story of two men falling in love.

I loved how Brooks did not allow Darcy to push him away. Darcy had enough walls to scare away the strongest person, but Brooks was able to break through them. The moment that Darcy lets his guard down and lets Brooks in is wonderful. I would love to see an epilogue set a few years later to see how their relationship continues to develop.

The Killough Company and Kings of Men MC series have become some of my favorite books. The stories just keep getting better and better, and I know that the authors have so much more in store. I cannot wait to see where their minds take us.

**I was given an ARC for my honest review

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading The Madam's Baby Boy. It's the first book in the Courtesan Hotel series, which is set in New Gothenberg. This book takes place on the same night at the same event as another of their books, Sold for the Night. I have read both books, and I read Sold for the Night first. However, I found that it makes much more sense if you read The Madam's Baby Boy first and then Sold for the Night.

Darcy is the son of the owner of the Courtesan Hotel and the manager of the hotel. He's a perfectionist, which has led to him earning the nickname the Ice Prince. He runs himself ragged, fixing all of the little and big problems with the hotel and its employees and customers. He lives at the hotel and is never off duty. He agrees that he needs to relax, but he doesn't know how to. His mother takes it upon herself to add him to the auction that night to be sold for a night of pleasure. And he ends up bought by a former bodyguard of the hotel. Brooks had a huge crush on Darcy when he worked for the hotel, but Darcy never noticed him. I loved how Brooks saw through the Ice Prince exterior that Darcy has up when he's working. I also loved that he's epileptic and blind, but he doesn't let that slow him down from owning his own security company. I loved the high heat of the book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling romance with well-written, deliciously complicated MC’s. I loved the mystery of Brooks and how he waltzes into Darcy’s life, so self-assured, a man on a mission. Brooks is domineering and has a bit of a dark side too, so he can definitely hold his own in Darcy’s world. I like how protective he is of Darcy and the slightly manipulative, forceful way he has of acting on his protective streak. Darcy is a workaholic, very driven, and caught in a trap of his own professionalism and dedication. I’d have liked it if the story had delved a bit more into his psyche, and a bit more appreciation from his mother and the people who work at the Courtesan would have been nice too. But then Madam Winters isn’t exactly a warm, cuddly person, and she does show him she cares in other ways. I think it’s great how Brooks being visually impaired and having epilepsy is never an issue for Darcy. I also loved how Darcy turned the tables on Brooks and demanded that the caring in their relationship should be a two-way street.

Narration: Brilliant!! A wonderful listen! TJ Clark is a new-to-me narrator and I loved what he did with this story. He really captured the essence of both the MC's in his performance! Subtle, intense and vulnerable as needed for the moment, bringing to story to new heights.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy lives for Courtesan Hotel and even though he hates it he will endure it when his mother puts him not the auction. Madame Winters does what she thinks will help others no matter how it is done. Even put her own son in the auction. Darcy has no idea why his mother even thought that this was a good idea, but he will never hurt her or the hotel what Darcy does not know is just how this night will change his life.

I really enjoyed Darcy’s story. It was a lot more than I expected. Emotions and character depth play a big part in this story as it does in all the others of this series but this one had so much vulnerability from both main characters. While Brooks may have some disabilities, it does not stop him from making it on his own and becoming a self-made man. We see a side of Darcy that he hides from the world. Each man sees the other for what they are. Darcy sees the man not the disabilities and Brooks sees the caring and warm man that Darcy truly is. I loved seeing the two find their way. Brooks is determined to show Darcy that there is so much more to life than work and that Darcy needs to live and love. The two are good together and I enjoyed getting to see the real Darcy come out as he learns what love truly can be like.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Madam Winters is up for making her baby boy finally finding love, only if he could relax enough to allow it. Oh it's hilarious that Darcy is growling at Mark about getting on the stage, only to be thrusted out on it himself. Never having a 'normal life' Darcy is auctioned off thanks to his mother. It's kinda sad in away that Darcy is unwilling to unwind due to the stress he believes the Courtesan holds over him as his mother's prodigal son. After a lets say unusual night was Darcy was sure that life was return to normal or as normal for him, after all why would anyone let alone the handsome Brooks want anything more from a fridgit man? Brooks had always seen the Ice Pronce for just who he was really while others saw only what he projected, But was with his blindness along with his seizures be to much to hope for a happy ending especially when Darcy didn't even remember him from before. Madam Winter's permission was going to
kidnapping Darcy for some much needed R&R was an undertaking Brooks was willing to do
But can they live in a bubble forever? Reality hits hard when least expected.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot forced proximity romance with well-written, deliciously complicated MC’s. I loved the mystery of Brooks and how he waltzes into Darcy’s life, so self-assured, a man on a mission. Brooks is domineering and has a bit of a dark side too, so he can definitely hold his own in Darcy’s world. I like how protective he is of Darcy and the slightly manipulative, forceful way he has of acting on his protective streak. Darcy is a workaholic, very driven, and caught in a trap of his own professionalism and dedication. I’d have liked it if the story had delved a bit more into his psyche, and a bit more appreciation from his mother and the people who work at the Courtesan would have been nice too. But then Madam Winters isn’t exactly a warm, cuddly person, and she does show him she cares in other ways. I think it’s great how Brooks being visually impaired and having epilepsy is never an issue for Darcy. I also loved how Darcy turned the tables on Brooks and demanded that the caring in their relationship should be a two-way street.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I ever needed a book to change my mind about Darcy, this was it. I can’t say he was a favorite character of mine up until now. But reading this book and really seeing Darcy for the first time has changed my opinion of him. He really just needed to learn to let go.

I actually quite liked Brooks. He seemed to be the perfect fit for Darcy. I really liked that he was a character that had a disability but still lived his life to the fullest and embraced Darcy. Once Darcy really understood that Brooks was in it for the long haul, he really went all in.

There was definite steam in this book, but it felt a little heavier on the D/s spectrum for me. Brooks wasn’t taking direction from anyone.

As for Darcy’s mother, we’ll, I don’t know if anything could change my mind about her. I find her to be manipulative and underhanded all under the guise of doing what’s best for other people. It’s very holier than thou in my opinion.

I quite look forward to the rest of the books in this series.