Viper
I love Tiana Laveen's books; they are entertaining, intriguing and insightful. It is rare, very rare, that I don't like one of her books. The Viper and His Majesty was beautiful. I love stories about guys who are tough yet caring, who have lived hard lives but try to turn it around for the better even if it's still a work in progress. My favorite of Ms Laveen's male characters is Dr Saint Aknaten but Viper and Angelo Ferrari are a close second and third.
This author doesn't write about the sweet beta male; you know, the guy with the squeaky clean past, upstanding job and stellar parents. No, her male characters are definitely raw, gritty and at times rude, but I love them. Not because they are rude but I love them because they are honest and don't have time to play mind games. This is the kind of man Viper is; he doesn’t sugar his lifestyle or try to make you feel comfortable about it. He definitely knows he wants better for his lady and those he loves, therefore he strives to be better.
Oh, let me not forget Majesty, she’s a woman who rarely gets featured in stories, and if she does, she’s so broken down that she practically runs a good decent man away because he may have a few flaws or because he's perfect according to some list she has written. Majesty is hard-working, loving, wise and caring. She knows not to surround herself with people who don't really care for her or who don't have the desire to see her do better in life. She doesn't really want a man like Viper but when she sees that he's not like anything she thought he was she opens up to him. Great story - and you know it must be great if I wish it within a few hours of its release.