Month: August 2011

Equilibrium

Title: Equilibrium

Author: Katey Hawthorne

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC.

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Reviewer: Beatrice

Blurb:  Econ student Hansen Marks has been hot for Sam MacLeod since they first bonded over their secret superpowers – literally hot, since Hansen can produce fire from thin air. But soccer star Sam was always covered in girls, so Hansen kept his attraction in the closet and convinced himself that “best friends” was better than nothing.

When Sam’s electrical powers freak out in public, Hansen has a sinking feeling they’ve been spotted by unfriendly eyes. While dealing with the fallout, Sam’s emotional dependency on Hansen forces their mutual attraction to the surface. Even after they give in, Hansen is afraid to admit he’s in love. Sam doesn’t really like guys, he’s just feeling vulnerable…right?

Just as their nights are heating up, it becomes clear Sam’s electrical explosion was seen, and now someone has it in for both of them. They’ll have to save each other, both from the haters and from their own fears, if they want to maintain equilibrium.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Review:  This book was… Quite different, frankly. I know these types of books are out there, but this is the first M/M book I’ve read that has a superpower theme. I was a bit apprehensive, of course, just like the way people are when trying out something new. But a lot of things worked here for me – and I’m not even sure if I can list down all the reasons why I liked this book a lot. Because honestly? Some part of me still isn’t sure what I liked so much about this.

What I do know is the fact that Hansen was an incredible narrator. His voice is really wonderful; it’s casual and simple but his personality really pulls through from the pages. He’s dorky, but he doesn’t push any stereotypes. I thought his explanations about equilibrium were pretty fitting – they held my attention, something I can’t really say about game theory and economics in general. Sam was a cool character, too. These two are definitely interesting characters, and from the first page I already rooted for Hansen and Sam to get together. They pretty much do so early in the book, but of course they have their issues to straighten out.

However, there are no huge misunderstandings that force a rift to grow in between these two young men. I liked that a lot. For once, we have protagonists who actually communicate – albeit they do so in their own silly way. Sometimes their conversations come in late, but these guys aren’t fast in making conclusions. They did have their own insecurities, though. These same insecurities made way for a considerate amount of minor angst (which, in turn, actually caused a lump to form in my throat in some scenes), but nothing was overdone. Their chemistry was absolutely great! This is essentially a friends-to-lovers type of story, and there is an easy camaraderie between these two. Their friendship isn’t compromised by their new relationship (although Hansen seems to think so). Also, I found myself not really minding Nessa at all. I liked her, in some ways, and an author who can write an ex-girlfriend whom I don’t find annoying is always a good author.

Like Ami said in her review, I could have benefited more from more world-building. I couldn’t understand terms like “EMF” (which I eventually figured out was electromagnetic field, or something) and “sleeper” – plus we don’t really know why these awakened people have powers, other than the mention of an organ in passing. I also would’ve appreciated a bit more elaboration on what happened with Uncle Neil and on the sleepers who go witch-hunting. What do these witch-hunters do and how bad can their actions be? I am of the understanding, though, that there will be more stories set in the same universe, and hopefully we’ll get more answers by then.

So, overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s quite different from the normal stuff – which sets this apart and makes it memorable. It combines a lot of unusual aspects, like superpowers and game theory, and actually makes it work. I’ll gladly read it again at some point.

 

Bound by Love by S. E. Jakes

Title: Bound by Law

Series: Men of Honor 02

Author: S.E. Jakes

Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Romantic Suspense, Ménage, M/M/M

Length: Novel

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:   After the one man he trusted disappeared, it took Law Connor ten years to take a chance on another relationship. Trouble is, right about the time he’s finally ready to let go of the past, the past stages a hostile takeover.

Back when they were teens, Styx was the boy with no memory. He and Law had each other’s backs until he was forced to leave to keep Law safe. Now a CIA agent, he’s finally discovered who he is, and why he’s a hunted man.

Detective Paulo McMannus has almost succeeded in helping Law forget his lost love when Styx comes plowing back into their lives. No way is Paulo giving up his lover without a fight.

Suddenly Law finds himself on the run with Styx, the man who can still bring him to his knees…and with Paulo, the man who brought him back to life. The worst part? He can’t choose between them. And it’s getting harder to remember why he should.

Product Warnings:  Contains rough language, rougher sex and warriors who fall hard for one another.

Review:  Law Conner is now in a fix, he has just decided to let someone new into his heart, when the man that he has loved for more than sixteen years waltzes back into his life. And not only does he waltz back into his life but he brings trouble with it that endangers not only Law’s life but also the man he is falling for as well. Paulo McMannus is finally where he wants to be – in Laws bed, in his dreams and creeping into his heart, when the ex-lover returns in a hail of bullets. Styx has come back to protect Law, he left him in the first place to protect him but that didn’t go as planned because now his enemy is after Law.

The storyline is pretty cool in this book as Styx can’t remember the first 16yrs of his life but then around the age of 20 he gets a reminder of the past that sets him running from Law. When he returns to save Law he has to save Paulo as well, we then have trips to safe houses, assassins hunting them and these three strong men trying to figure out if a relationship between them could work.

I think this quite a good ménage as the men fit together nicely. They work out the dynamics of a relationship that works for them and it’s not an uneven balance. They even start to stray into D/s but nothing too heavy.

So my recommendation to you is if you love your men strong, hot and dangerous; your plot filled with danger and suspense; and your sex rough, scorching and slightly kinky then this is the book for you.

 

 

 

Hot Italian Lover by Ryan Field

Title: Hot Italian Lover

Author: Ryan Field

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic/ Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Ravenous Romance

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Joey King likes the spotlight. He’s worked hard for over twenty years to reach a pinnacle of success and to achieve a cult following, and now he’s the big star in one of Broadway’s most successful shows… But when he’s not on stage performing, Joey King is an attractive gay man just turned forty who is terrified of growing older.

On the last night of his show, Joey overhears people snickering about his age and it leaves him questioning his future as an actor- he’s terrified of becoming a joke, and being laughed at.

In a state of confusion, Joey travels to Chicago in the middle of the night to be with his longtime partner of twenty years, Ned Stevens, who is there on a business trip. Ned has always been the one constant strength in Joey’s life.

But when Joey reaches Chicago, he is met with a devastating shock.

Joey buys a one-way ticket to Florence to recover. There he meets handsome young Antonio, who is almost half Joey’s age. Joey initially protests, but Antonio finally throws him down on the terrace and takes him in ways Joey never imagined were possible. Antonio does things to Joey that Joey’s ex-partner, Ned, never did in the twenty years they were together. But more than that, Antonio introduces Joey to the kind of love and passion he never dared to believe existed.

But no matter how many times Antonio professes his love, Joey isn’t sure he’ll ever be able to embrace love or to trust anyone again. Will Antonio figure out a way to prove his love for Joey? And will Joey ever find enough room in his heart to love Antonio as much as Antonio loves him?

 Review:  After a horrifying event in Joey’s 1st year in New York Joey craves the security that Ned gives him, he is devastated by Ned’s betrayal and flees to Florence to decide what to do with his life next. When he meets Antonio he is shown carnal delights that he isn’t sure he really wants.

Joey comes across as very repressed sexually and really truly believes that Antonio could only want him for his money and his fame, he is extremely cynical as he is nearly 20yrs older than Antonio. Antonio wants Joey for himself and seems to really love him but can’t convince Joey of that fact because of his job. I felt sad for Joey as he really doesn’t know what to do and doesn’t want to admit to his feelings as he could get hurt again and you can feel Antonio’s frustration at being treated like a child and not being taken seriously.

This is a very good story of an older/younger relationship that eventually does have a happy ending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayou Dreams by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Bayou Dreams

Series: Rougaroux Social Club

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre: LGBT Paranormal Shape-shifter

Length: Novel

Publisher: Loose Id

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:   ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  Sheriff Scott Dupree’s got more problems than he can handle. He’s alpha of his small werewolf pack and coming up for re-election as sheriff in a year. On top of this, his mother is casting love spells to find Scott a mate. It’s all Scott can do to keep the town and pack under control, let alone his urges to mate.

Ted Canedo is openly gay, a disgraced ex-cop from New Orleans. His patrol partner was killed on duty and Ted took the blame for taking protection money from the store owner to save his partner’s wife and kids’ grief. No one knew Ted was in love with his partner, not even his partner. Having him die in Ted’s arms killed something inside Ted too.

When the moon is full and Scott’s momma works her magic, Ted’s erotic dreams and his work as a PI bring him to St. Jerome and sexy, straight Scott. Scott’s stunned to learn his wolf is gay and wants to mate with Ted. Ted refuses to become involved with a straight man, much less a werewolf, terrified to risk his heart again.

Especially if it he has to watch Scott fight to the death for his right to claim Ted as his mate.

Review: I enjoyed this book and thank Lynn Lorenz for producing a shifter story where both mates try to fight the pull and that made it enjoyable to read.

Scott is disbelieving of his Maman, she’s cast a love spell to bring him his perfect mate, only it’s back fired as she never specified the sex of his mate. Ted is gob smacked, can this really be happening to him again, he’s falling for another straight man and he finds out that it’s not of his own choice.

I loved this book as both these men do try to fight their attraction, they both try to be reasonable, and they both try to convince themselves that the spell has been broken and that they can get on with their lives without the other, we can see it’s a losing battle and that’s why I enjoyed it so much.

Yes, I know some of you will say ‘but it’s gay for you’ but the thing is it isn’t.   Just because Scott is straight doesn’t mean his wolf has to be and what a wolf wants he gets, so Scott had to man up and accept the fact that he was gay, just because he never had the urge for a man before makes no difference.

All the various characters in this book are well developed and each seemed to add something more to the story from Darcy the artist to Billy the deputy, hopefully we will be seeing more of all the characters.

So I say read and enjoy.

 

 

 

One Night

Title: One Night

Author: R.J. Scott

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novel 158pgs

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4 1/2

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Liam Wade is facing the biggest change in his life since marrying his best friend, Janelle, and adopting her daughter. Janelle has long since passed on, losing the battle to live a few days after her daughter is born, leaving Liam a father, in need of finding a mother for his daughter Emma. He’s rich, successful, and Leigh is the perfect, approved, wife for him. Before he settles down to give his daughter the best family he can, he wants one week away, to think. Just to make sure that he can leave half of himself hidden and marry without love, because Liam has one big problem in all of this — he’s gay.

Micah Adamson is the owner of a vineyard in Rochester NY, and has yet to find the partner he knows is out there for him. He believes in love and wants forever, and one day he knows he will find his ‘forever’ man. He attends a wine festival in Santa Monica, seven nights in a beautiful hotel on the beach.

Micah wants to show that love between two men includes affection, understanding, and can be forever. Will he make Liam see sense?

Review: Micah is a workaholic who is bullied into taking a vacation/conference by his well-meaning family. Liam is taking a week for himself to be himself and to find himself away from the influence of his family.

Liam is positive that the only type of relationship that can happen between two men is hot, hard sex. He really does believe that he will never get the type of relationship that he craves and the security and family that his daughter needs with a man. Micah is tired of men who either want his money or think monogamy is over-rated.

I thought this story was incredibly touching as a father tries to do what is best for his daughter. You can feel his need to do right by his daughter; to give her the best upbringing that he can, even if it means that he sacrifices his own happiness. You feel incredibly sad for both these men as all they want is to be loved for themselves, not what they have or their name. The confrontation between Liam and his dad was good, very good and I was impressed that it was realistic without screaming matches or punches being thrown. I loved the ending because it’s not, ‘they throw their arms around each other and declare undying love for each other’, It’s a we’ll see how this goes but I hope it lasts forever.

It’s not a happy ever after… but it’s a beginning.

 

The Duke of Orleans by John Simpson

Title: The Duke of Orleans

Author: John Simpson

Genre: GBLT Historical

Length: Novella

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Twenty years old Richard Giles is living on the streets of London in the year 1660, scrounging for food and shelter the best he is able after the closure of his place of employment and death of his mother.

After being given shelter for the night by a kindly old man Richard is back on the streets when an unfortunate incident brings him into contact with a man who may just change the direction of his life, for the better.

Review:  This is a rag to riches story and I kinda liked it.   Richard is down on his luck and after the kindness of an old man; he feels his luck just might be changing. The Duke of Orleans takes pity on the poor man who gets soaked by his carriage and it’s the start of something beautiful.

Now I have to say it’s not historically accurate but I for one didn’t care, its fiction so I was quite happy to read about a down and out young man who captured the heart of The Duke of Orleans.

This book gave me a warm good feeling and I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a nice light read with a happy ending.

 

 

 

Fire Moon Dance by Nicole Dennis

Title: Fire Moon Dance

Series: Fire Jaguars 01

Author: Nicole Dennis

Genre: M/M/F, M/M, Paranormal, Shifters, Bisexual Ménage Erotica

Length: Novella

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Pixie

Blurb:  In the jaguar clan, the Goddess and seasonal moon dance could choose and bless a mating.  Lovers Sebastian Haywood and Raphael Salazar don’t want to risk the chance of a mismatch after they fall for a newcomer. When Sebastian locates a lost courtship law to use before the Fire Moon, which overrides the seasonal dance, they declare courtship, offering a trinity union to Hillary Kearney. Unable to consummate, the toms introduce their innocent female to other sensual delights their pairing can offer.

Review:  M/M/F is not my favorite genre because I usually always end up reading one that puts me off them for 6months before I read a blurb that intrigues me enough to try again.  This one did and I am glad that I decided to read it.

Sebastian and Raphael have been a committed couple for decades; they have been looking for a third and have finally found her and the means to claim her.  Nothing will stand in their way. Hillary transferred from her father’s clan a year ago and she is supposed to fulfill his wishes, but it doesn’t quite work out when the one her father wishes her to mate with mates with another.

The courtship that Sebastian and Raphael put into effect sweep Hillary off her feet and Hillary falls for them rapidly but she is cautious as her father’s warning rings in her mind. The scenes between these three are explicit but sensual and loving as they prepare for the Fire Moon Dance and the Goddesses Blessing.

So an enjoyable read that has some genuine old fashioned courtship and romance.  But just because its old fashioned doesn’t mean that they can’t twist the rules a bit (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Khyber Run by Amber Green

Title: Khyber Run

Author: Amber Green

 Genre: LGBT Multicultural

 Length: Novel

 Publisher: Loose Id

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:   ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  (Loose Id) In Afghanistan, all the easy answers are wrong and the best-laid plans don’t stand a chance. A tight-knit band of USMC scout-snipers, enraged when one of their number murders another, is hell-bent on seeing justice. They kidnap Zarak Momand, a burnt-out Navy hospital corpsman, and blackmail him to be their guide into Momand land and to find a loophole in nanawatai, the Afghan code of hospitality. They don’t tell him their target — a deserter — murdered Zarak’s estranged baby brother.

Zarak has lost touch with his brothers, his heritage, and his religion, anything that might inspire true passion. Code-named Zulu and coerced to hunt down a deserter, he must navigate the ambiguities of fourth generation warfare, where there are no front lines and where the moral high ground shifts from situation to situation.

In the end, it’s just Zulu and Oscar, a sexually compelling cipher who embodies so much of the Pakhtun Way. But is Oscar’s rough passion a betrayal between brothers?

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Review:  I will be honest and say I really wasn’t sure about this book when I read the blurb but the book gripped me from the first chapter.  Zarak (Zulu) is a man who is caught between two cultures and struggles with what he was taught as a boy (grew up in an Afghan region until he was about 10yrs old) and what he learnt as a man. We also get snippets of Zarak’s childhood in flashbacks so we get to understand him better and the culture he was taught as a boy.  Oscar is a Native American from the Tohono o’odham tribe, he is a big, physically strong man with a Texan accent and that’s really all you learn about him except he has a cool sniper rifle, you don’t even learn his real name!!

The mission Zarak has been kidnapped for is personal he just doesn’t know it yet, and when he does he goes from reluctant to wanting badal (blood vengeance) but is torn as he also wants to bring him in for trial. Oscar is there to watch his back, keep him alive and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.

The settings in this book are brilliant and the detail to the culture is incredible, I learned a lot about the normal Afghan citizens; i.e. the handless spice dealer who plays a joke on them (scaring them half to death), the slave auction (selling or leasing children’s service’s as a shop boy, goat herder etc. for a twice yearly sum) or the buzkashi game.

There is no romance between Zarak and Oscar, there is want and need and maybe more. It’s down and dirty and they make do with where they are and what they’ve got.   What’s between them is primal, two Warrior’s coming together, so really don’t be expecting these two men to be declaring undying love for each other cause they won’t. This is a fantastic story that I highly recommend to the people who want more meat in their stories.

 

 

 

 

Big Cypress Crossroads by Bren Christopher

Title:  Big Cypress Crossroads

Author:  Bren Christopher

Genre:   LGBT Paranormal Suspense

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Loose Id

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer:  Pixie

Blurb:  From the deep swamps of the Everglades to the glittering night clubs of South Beach, Miami-Dade police detective Scott Chandler is hot on the trail of the drug running cartel that killed some good officers in a firefight and left him with a steel rod in his leg. The last thing he expected to find was love in the form of a seemingly innocent wilderness guide–a guide who inexplicably knows more than he should.

Noah Taylor lives for the wild backwoods, spending days camping alone and only returning to town on the weekends to lead kayak tours through the dark waterways of the Everglades. But when he finds the remains of a ritually sacrificed body hanging from the twisted limbs of a mangrove tree, his life’s going to change in ways he can’t possibly predict–or can he?

Now Scott must untangle a web of deceit while struggling with his passion for Noah. Because loving him is easy. But trusting him could be deadly.

 Pixie’s Review:  I really enjoyed this book, the main lead characters Scott and Noah hit it off straight away but their relationship is not a bed of roses. Noah knows thing’s he shouldn’t and hide’s his secrets close, Scott wants to trust Noah completely but can’t shake the suspicion that Noah’s more involved than he is letting on.

The suspense in this book is worked really well, drug runner’s, a psychotic bodyguard, a twisted high priest and gun battles in the Everglades… really what more you could you ask for. How about explicit hot sex, yep it’s got that too. You also have these two hot men trying to make a go of it in the middle of a dangerous investigation and when the investigation has ended what will these two lovers do, because it’s a close call when Scott finds out the entire truth .

So my recommendation is this if you love anything from above then you need to read this book, because it is enjoyable to read.

 Natasha’s Review:

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5

Big Cypress Crossroads is a great story of mystery. And unlike other stories, the romance does not occupy a secondary role. He is an integral part of the story.  The story begins with Noah finding a body hanging in the Everglades and going to report to the sheriff who is his uncle. When he arrives at the station he is informed that his uncle is busy in a meeting with two detectives that are in town looking for a drug dealer who possibly fled to the region.
Scott and his partner Rivera are after the drug dealer that injured Scott and killed several policemen in a disastrous raid.

During the investigation to determine, if the body  found by Noah, is of the drug dealer wanted by detectives, more bodies are found, putting Noah in the midst of the investigation and around Scott.

I was sucked into the story from the first page. When I started reading, I could not stop and turn down the book. The story has a good pace, not too fast or too slow. And managed to hold my attention at all times.  The two main characters are believable. Both have issues that need to be addressed before they conquer their happily ever after. Noah has to overcome a loss in the past that is influencing his present life and dictating his actions. And Scott has to recover physically and mentally from the injured that he suffered.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery with a twist (I kinda figured the end but not completely). And for those who need more encouragement, do not forget the romance and the hot sex scenes.

In the Darkness by Charles Edwards

Title:   In the Darkness

Author:  Charles Edward

Genre: LGBT Medieval Fantasy

Length:   Novel

Publisher: Loose Id

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Pixie

Blurb:  Gareth is his parents’ dirty secret: Cursed with a demonic appearance, he has always been in hiding just to stay alive. He must never be seen or his family will die. But when a violent attack endangers a local youth — whom Gareth adores from the shadows — there is no one else to help, and Gareth is driven to risk everything to save him.

Now the young man, Evin, wants to know more about this terrifying and beautiful stranger. Where did he come from? Is he a demon, or something more? They begin to meet in the darkness, becoming friends and then lovers. Evin’s sexual exploration and adoration of every part of Gareth’s strange body erase fear and self-loathing; and Gareth’s enthusiasm and prowess make every tryst more powerful, more deliriously sensual than the last.

But there is a purpose to Gareth’s existence, and when it is revealed, Evin and Gareth will be enslaved by rivals, separated to end up on opposite sides of a war. Evin will be forced to play a dangerous role: One which may make him Gareth’s destroyer.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, violence.

Review:   Yay!!!   Medieval type fantasy… yay yay ha ha woo woo… (Sorry little happy dance there couldn’t control myself).  Okay, so out of all the genres in the world this is my favorite type, as the author can really let themselves go with their imaginations.   Sword’s, armor, shields, evil nobles, downtrodden peasants, magic, heroic men, evil monster’s, etc. Etc. Etc.   Because really, there is so much to choose from.   Now sometimes it works… and sometimes it doesn’t.   Some authors lose track of where they are going with the story or add too many detail’s or plots or people.   But this author doesn’t miss a trick.

Gareth is sweet, naïve and bullied by his parents.  Evin is trying to get through life as a peasant, who is being blackmailed and mistreated by the mayor’s son.   As these two get to know each other you can’t but help cheer them on.   They are about to embark on a journey that will separate them and see them re-united in a heart rendering way.   At one point I really couldn’t see how the author could bring them back together, and then I thought all was lost.

Charles Edward, I salute you.   This story has it all and your imagination is something to admire because the ending was inspired.

So what would I recommend?   If you like fantasy, magic, Medieval, a wicked Queen, an evil Sorcerer (a wizard if you want), re-growing limbs!!! (Yeah I know!) hot and kinky sex (really I think some men will be jealous of Gareth) and a storyline that keeps you reading then…this is it.