The Beautiful Nightmares series by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza is absolute fire and Temper the Flame is incredible. A dark Beauty and the Beast retelling with dragons? Mind blown. There are so many things I love about the book, from the characters to the magic to the feelings evoked. This series is incredible, and I am feeling all the things.
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Temper the Flame (Book 4, Beautiful Nightmares)
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: MM Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Themes: Beauty and the Beast Retelling, Dragons, Baker, Fated Mates, Prophecy, Magic, Castle, Hoarding Treasure, Pierced, Virgin, Touch him and die a fiery death
Synopsis:
Beau is a kind-hearted baker trying to make ends meet in a cutthroat world. When his eccentric father takes ill, Beau heads to the forbidden orchard for magical apples, even though the punishment is death.
Dragon shifter Fuoco leads the Fire Syndicate with an iron fist. His empire is successful and yet its inhabitants fear him. He dreams of his fated mate, the one who will complete him.
A chance encounter creates rewards and challenges for both.
Temper the Flame by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza (Beautiful Nightmares Book 4)
My Review:
World-building
I am so here for this dystopian world. It may be because I’ve been reading this series out of order (book three: Sacrifice the Sea drew me in with the sexy mermen and tentacled sea witch), but I loved getting to know more about how the dystopian world came to be. I love the whole idea of humans bringing about their own destruction, ripping down the veil between the human and fantasy realms. The concept of elemental dragons and the selsara, the fated mate, is incredible and I’m living for it.
I’ve ruled the Fire Syndicate for almost two hundred years. My subjects know what to expect. My rules are simple. No theft. No murder. No assault. And no exceptions.
Amazing Characters
Village baker Beau is one of those characters who is beautiful on the inside and out. He cares deeply for his family, for the other villagers, and will risk everything to ensure the survival of those he loves. I respect his desire to pave his own way and to ensure those around him have what they need.
Beau’s father is a tender soul. He dotes on the memory of his late wife, is fascinated by magic, and is determined to make the world a better place with his inventions (a feat easier said than done).
I am in love with Fuoco’s aesthetic: leather, lace, piercings everywhere. Yummy! That pixie Jasper Lillywhite calls him ‘Flame Daddy’ is perfection. He has a dominant personality—almost to a fault—but he’s incredibly kind as well. He sees humans as equals and wants prosperity for all, but not all dragons feel this way.
Another favorite thing is how Beau stands up to Fuoco. It would be so easy to go along with the sexy dragon man who wants to give you everything and shut you up in a castle of abundance. Beau makes Fuoco a better man.
It’s wrong. But if I have to threaten him to secure his compliance, I will. Because he can’t run from me. If he tries, the whole fucking world could be in danger. From me.
Coming Out
This isn’t a story of sexual awakening, per se, but it is about Beau finally having the opportunity to act on his desires. For years he’s kept his sexual orientation under wraps, unsure of what the villagers might say and how his father might react. But in the light of Fuoco’s love and affection, he unfurls and gets more and more comfortable revealing their love to others. His coming out to his father had me tearing up.
I move my fingers to his jaw, stroking along the firm curve and then down the side of his neck. Soft, supple skin begs fo rmy fangs and claws. I can’t wait to introduce him to the pleasures of being mine.
Final Thoughts:
In the weeks since I finished reading Temper the Flame, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. The same thing happened with Sacrifice the Sea. These stories are so compelling, and this series is addictive. I’ve bought the first two books and preordered the fifth, and I can’t wait to dive in. (Update: Check out my review for the final book, Kiss the Slipper)
Beautiful Nightmares by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Anna Fury is the author of spicy paranormal romance novels (she also writes under the pen name Hazel Mack).
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Amy Pennza writes smoking hot MMF and MM paranormal romance novels.
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