The Englor Affair [Format Kindle]

So after months of teasers about Payton and Simon the boys are finally here. If you've not already got this weighty tome of an ebook, best you shift your toot and get it now. It is 295 pages of delicious Sci-Regency Romance that is not to be missed.

One element that I kept coming back to in this book is that it is a regency romance. Payton for all intents and purposes has been as cloistered as a nun. Despite the odd foray without a chaperone, also known as the household computer back on his home planet, he is quite innocent in many ways. All this comes to a bit of an end when he hies off to assist the goodness that is Nate on a dangerous mission on Englor. He is certainly more than capable with his mad tech skills. Geeky and cute!

So, here he is far from his home on Regelence and minus duenna. What's a poor boy to do? Fall into the den of iniquity that is the marine base gym of course! Hoo Ahh? Where he meets Simon of the auburn locks and muscular physique. The dynamic between the two men is electric and Payton is like a kid in a candy shop (50 cent song in my head as I write... grubby, bad man) with all the naked men casually undressing, working out and heavens to Betsy showering. But Payton is made of sturdy stuff and does not disappoint with a swoon. Although, he does do a bit of fleeing later in the chapter. JL Langley is just so incredibly good at building that tension and keeping you turning that page till the wee small hours. I totally have bags under my eyes after her books!

The tension was different from My Fair Captain which was cool. I always worry in a series that I am going to get a carbon copy of the previous book. The voice is different from last time. It is certainly not polite regency romance with nighties on and the lamp low either! It was bawdy, hot and definitely fit the the story and for those more delicate flowers avert your gaze. I was most impressed that the scenes did not feel like she had a list she was ticking off with big free for all at end, it just flowed. This book seemed less about the power dynamic in the relationship and more about having one a rather good time and yet it did not overshadow the mystery and action in the plot.

The world building is tight and I enjoyed the almost steam punk feel I got occasionally. Englor is so very much like regency England but with spaceships. It was also so nice to have small cameos from Nate, Aidan and the rest of the family and I am already rubbing my hands together in anticipation of the next one!

I think this has to be one of my favorite series for cover art. As far as slick marketing goes I think Samhain Publishing and the artist definitely got this right. It is gorgeous and I love the colours. Roll on the paperback version because these two books are going to look gorgeous on my shelf!

I did enjoy this book. Immensely. I think JL Langley is a talented author and she just keeps getting better. I am not sure which I like best in the series either, might have to mull that one over!

Until reading My Fair Captain, I hadn't really even thought about the existence of Gay, Regency, Sci-Fi. I had read SwordPoint and the Night Runner series, but they were more fantasy based (you kind of expect sword and horses and carriages there). I must admit my surprise and delight with Ms. Langley's ability to maintain the "Regency" atmosphere through all the bawdyness and technology.

I loved My Fair Captain! And didn't even know there was a sequel. I ordered The Englor Affair, totally independent of the first purchase, because I liked JL Langley as an author.

Enough preamble. This is a rip roaring good book, in and of itself. The universe and characters from My Fair Captain are there. But, the voice is different, and a new story is told. The excitement, adventure, suspense, and eroticism haven't been hurt one iota, though. This is always the concern with sequels; "Will the voice and/or story hold up as well as the first one?"

And, additional applause go out to Ms. Langley for a SUBSTANTIAL e-book. Too many are short stories, that you barely begin reading before they have finished. I can't say enough good things about the author and the book, except I hope there is a sequel to this one as well.

Prior to getting my Kindle, I never read a romance - gay or straight. I picked up J L Langley's With/Without novels and enjoyed them quite a bit and suddenly I have a guily secret. In the months since then, I've read some poorly written stuff - some of which I couldn't finish. This book is not among that list.

The Englor Affair is an interesting mix of science fiction and Regency nobility. As with her other novels I've read, this was fun as well as well written with enough intrique to keep it interesting.

The only think that stuck out for me is the use of words and phrases like 'Galaxy', 'Imploding Planets' and 'Dust' as expletitives; that was just distracting. I'm sure it was done for flavor but I really could have done without it.

That said, I'm looking forward to her next ebook novel.