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Publisher: Ai Press
Series: White Tigers, Book 1
Genre: Gay romance; Yaoi; M/M
Length: Novel
eISBN: 978-1-937796-57-0
Print ISBN: 978-1-937796-58-7
Cover art: Les Byerley
Word count: 71575
Amazon Kindle (Free with Kindle Unlimited membership)
PRINT: Amazon | B&N
Read an Excerpt | Read the Reviews
In a world where passion and spirit find union, there is no in between…
Desperately in need of a vacation, Koji spends the most deliciously erotic week of his life at the White Tiger, a luxurious love-hotel for gay men. Naoto, his personal attendant, is everything Koji has ever fantasised about: muscular, long-haired, ruggedly handsome, gentle yet commanding. Naoto is a White Tiger, after all, trained in the erotic arts, knowledgeable in every way to bring a man to bliss.
Naoto’s appreciative eye sees the honourable and sexy man Koji-san is under the work-driven shell. Little by little, his massages and more coax the real man, the passionate, artistic, sex-loving Koji, to the surface. Yet, the more time Naoto spends with Koji, the more he finds his own soul craving a partner again, the one thing he thought he’d never find after his lover was killed three years ago. He’s not sure he’s ready to get that close again. And even if he were ready, it doesn’t mean that Koji wants the same thing. In fact, Koji once mentioned that he was supposed to get married. Yet, when an agonising secret from Naoto’s past is revealed to him, Naoto wants only to turn to Koji.
When Naoto comes to him for help, Koji is suddenly faced with a harrowing decision: remain in his work-driven, soul-killing world or follow the path his body and heart have really chosen for him? And he must choose — for in a world where passion and spirit find union, there is no in between.
Read an Excerpt
“This is your time to relax, Watanabe-san.” Naoto kept his voice a soft murmur as he let his protective desire to nurture another man in distress come out. That was one of the things he was good at. Otherwise, Kiku wouldn’t have given him what was appearing to be a hard case. “Everything you could want or need is here while you’re our guest. Everything.” With the last word, Naoto let his hand rest briefly on the other man’s chest.
Koji Watanabe didn’t answer but Naoto could see that his eyes, for the first time seemed to focus for more than a couple of seconds.
It was then that Naoto had a glimpse of what Watanabe might look like if he hadn’t been so haggard. Large dark eyes with thick lashes drew his gaze. He followed the straight bridge of his nose to the nostrils, which widened slightly at the end. The high cheekbones that looked a bit too sharp now would probably give him a kind of star quality when he’d put on a few pounds, as would the light gold of his complexion when less sallow.
The one thing that stood out, untarnished by stress, was his lips. Firm yet full, a dusky pink and beautifully shaped, like a slightly pulled back bow, there was one word for Koji Watanabe’s lips—kissable. Well, maybe lickable and suckable too. Naoto caught himself staring a moment longer than was appropriate.
Oh, and Watanabe’s hair, cut in a typically conventional office-guy style, short around the sides and barely longer on top, was also really beautiful. Just long enough to sift one’s fingers through, if given a chance.
Naoto’s heartbeat had kicked up a notch. He had always been a close observer and admirer of the male face and form, and it was clear this man was better looking than most of the men he serviced. Of course, there were good-looking guys that came in, but only once in a while did one have a certain something that gave him that…feeling…
Firmly putting his attention back on the task at hand, he dared to work open the top button at Watanabe’s collar. A small expanse of pale gold skin peeked through, making Naoto suddenly itch to see more. To see what the rest of Koji Watanabe looked like. “Is that better, Watanabe-san?”
Now he caught the other man looking directly into his eyes. Watanabe’s lips had parted slightly and his breathing sounded shallow. “You have long hair,” he said, then shook himself as if starting from a trance. “I—I’m sorry, I meant please, call me Koji.” Then he covered his face with both hands and slumped over. “I don’t know what I meant.”
Naoto stared at the top of Koji-san’s head, at the beautifully-shaped fingers peeking out from where they were buried in his hair. How he yearned to pull the man to him. But he held back, sensing Koji-san might not be ready. “You have no need to apologise. If you prefer a man with short hair we can—”
Koji-san’s head shot up, eyes wide. “No! I’m sorry. It wasn’t a complaint.” His breath started to come in short bursts and his pale face grew even paler.
Anxiety. Naoto recognised the signs. If Koji-san was as work-ridden as he appeared, he was probably in withdrawal. It wasn’t uncommon among the guests who came here, especially the Japanese men. “Koji-san,” he said, keeping his tone soothing. His hands came up and he rubbed the other man’s shoulders. Through the thin white shirt, Koji-san’s muscles were wiry, though also a bit too thin. “There is nothing to apologise for.”
“This was so wrong. So wrong. I should be there.” The words tumbled from Koji-san’s lips and his eyes were wide with that haunted look.
“It’s all right, Koji-san.” Without thinking, Naoto rose higher on his knees and embraced the slimmer man. Koji-san was trembling as if he’d been outside in snow without any clothing on and his breathing had that choked sound Naoto had heard men make in terrible circumstances…like when they actually were dying…from gunshot wounds.
He rubbed the man’s back in gentle circles and tilted his head aside so Koji-san’s forehead could rest on his shoulder, all the while trying to erase the image of his lover’s gunshot wound. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see, Koji-san. I know it will.” He kept rubbing, feeling the wiry muscles of the other man’s back flex as his body trembled and shook. The poor guy was a basket case. It was going to take much more than a massage with a happy ending to help him unwind.
Naoto held the other man for what seemed a long time, rubbing his back and just simply letting his anxiety attack run its course. Venturing one hand upward, he massaged the nape of Koji-san’s neck. The man had a gracefully curved neck. Naoto had noticed it when unbuttoning his collar, and the skin there was warm and smooth. Not only that, but he smelled good, like clean laundry and soap with just a hint of male musk.
Read the Reviews
SUDDEN BLISS is Joyfully Recommended for a number of reasons. Koji and Naoto are both extremely attracted to one another, but both men have major issues that are roadblocks to any relationship. Koji is a workaholic, who is grieving for his deceased stepmother, is not openly gay to his family or friends, and is pressured to marry by his father. Naoto is a student of the White Tiger path, and is grieving the death of his lover and partner from a brutal shooting three years earlier. The emotional journey Koji and Naoto take during Koji’s enforced one week vacation is full of sweet highlights, sexy and erotic explorations, and great m/m action.
I very much enjoyed SUDDEN BLISS, and the romance and seduction between Koji and Naoto was perfect and beautiful. Have you ever had a lover refer to your lips as “cherry blossom petals, only a million times better”? SUDDEN BLISS is the first book in the White Tiger series, and is definitely enjoyable on its own, but I am looking forward to reading more about the comings and goings of the men at the White Tiger!
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MEN OF TOKYO: SUDDEN BLISS was phenomenal. The story glided effortlessly from between the story and the sex. The emotional obstacles Koji and Naoto faced would have had lesser men throwing in the towel and giving up on love, life, and happiness. Koji was the typical Japanese Salaryman; working long hours, not taking vacations, and thinking that their work was so important that no one else could do it if they were unavailable. Naoto could not escape the nightmare of his lover’s murder. The need for revenge was only staunched by his respect for his mentor. I loved Naoto because he was the alpha-male and protector of those he loved. As a reader, you could feel the anger Naoto felt when he noticed the scars on Koji. MEN OF TOKYO: SUDDEN BLISS is part of Ms. Guillone’s new White Tiger Series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
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MEN OF TOKYO: SUDDEN BLISS by Sedonia Guillone is a beautiful and intricately written romance that reminded me yet again why I love this author so much. Naoto and Koji are extremely well developed and endearing characters. By the end of the novel I came to care about them a great deal. The author takes her time allowing the reader to get to know the heroes feelings and motivations. Their relationship develops at a slow but sensual pace both physically and emotionally. I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this novel and I eagerly await the next installment in this wonderful series.
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Sedonia Guillone has written an extremely sensitive and seductive story, one that weaves a kind of magic around you as you read. Her ethnically flavoured words draw you into the exotic and erotic world of The White Tiger, of the men who come to be healed, and of those who live and work there – of their hopes, dreams and aspirations, and finally the revelations as the hidden secrets of their past lives are simultaneously revealed to them, and to us. Highly recommended.
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Sedonia Guillone has written a beautiful love story. She does a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life and endearing them to the reader. Koji’s life is built upon his work, and he thinks that he is nothing without it. He never thinks of his own needs. Naoto has a troubled past where he blames himself for the death of his partner. The White Tiger offers Naoto a sanctuary where he can help others who are in need. Koji and Naoto’s relationship blossoms slowly, but there are many obstacles to overcome before they can think of happy ever after. SUDDEN BLISS is an excellent example of true romance. Now that I have had my first taste of Ms. Guillone’s writing, I am ready for my second and third helpings.