Month: October 2011

Missing, Presummed Dead by Christiane France

Title: Missing, Presumed Dead

 Series: An Amethyst Cove Mystery

 Author: Christiane France

 Genre: Suspense, Mystery

 Length: Novella (84pgs)

 Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)

 Heat Level: Moderate

 Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥2 ½Hearts

 Reviewer: Pixie

 Blurb: Private investigator and ex-cop, Greg Stewartson, is on his way to bed when his Hollywood-producer brother, Vance, shows up on his doorstep. With him is the handsome, sexy, and blond Tim Fensham, the brother of Vance’s latest girlfriend, movie star Petra Lianne. Vance says Petra went missing more than a month ago after last being seen in Amethyst Cove. He has new information, but the police refuse to follow it up. They’ve closed the case, declaring the actress “Missing, Presumed Dead.” But Vance and Tim don’t believe Petra is dead and ask Greg to take the case. After Greg agrees, Tim stays to help him find Petra, while Vance returns to L.A. Greg doesn’t want or need help, and wishes Tim would leave, too. He’s attracted to the man and figures the feeling may be mutual, but he doesn’t mix business with pleasure and he doesn’t need the distraction of Tim staying in his house. He also doesn’t like the way Tim keeps trying to interfere in the investigation, or the unexpected moves Tim puts on him during a power failure. Still, Greg can’t tell Tim to take his case elsewhere for fear of upsetting Vance, but he does tell Tim to back off. The trouble is Tim is not a very good listener.

Review: Okaaayyyy.  Greg is hired by his brother Vance and Tim Fensham to find Tim’s missing sister. While he investigates he puts off his attraction for Tim, although Tim continues to tempt him.

This story is from Greg’s POV and although the mystery and investigation is interesting, Greg’s inner thought process and inner monologue bored me silly.   I never felt the connection that he seemed to develop with Tim. He didn’t seem to have a very high opinion of Tim either other than for his looks. It felt more like a case of two men finding each other reasonably attractive and then getting their rocks off and Greg is definitely a selfish lover.

The mystery is good though and is interesting to watch as Greg unravels the disappearance of Tim’s sister and connects the dots.

I’d recommend this for the mystery alone as there is no romance, some mediocre sex and a pretty poor ending.

 

 

 

Double Deuce by KC Kendricks

Title: Double Deuce

Series: An Amethyst Cove Mystery

Author: KC Kendricks

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novella (110pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (9th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Free-spirited Ian Coulter works hard and plays harder. An ex-cop turned private investigator; Ian enjoys meeting new men and making new friends. A night out ends up with one man on the floor at his feet, and another asking for his help. Big trouble’s brewing in little Amethyst Cove and Ian’s a step behind. He’s quick to see Rick Mohr is the man holding the flare at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Undercover agent Rick Mohr walks a fine line, serving two masters. Insider trading, counterfeit printing plates, and a blown-up yacht have Rick stuck between two Federal agencies, one of which has been compromised. Rick has to discover the mole before it’s too late. When Ian Coulter walks into his life, Rick grabs the chance to salvage his assignment with both hands.

It doesn’t take Ian and Rick long to discover joining forces, and sharing resources, have definite perks, ones not found in any departmental manual…

Review: Ian is looking for a hook-up when he runs into Rick who isn’t all he seems to be.  Rick needs help and he turns to Ian for that help.  If there are a few perks, well…it’s all ggoooodd.

This book was really good.  It’s got a touch of romance and a ‘what could be’ feel to it. I really liked Ian and Rick.   Neither man was looking for anything serious and they were both upfront about it.  But they also liked each other as people and not just as a quick hook up.  There was also a feeling that if they had met at a different time then they could have easily loved each other.

The mystery is good and they worked well as a team and you get drawn into Ian’s past and you want to know more about it. This is a well written story that has a strong plot and although this is from Ian’s POV you don’t feel like it’s just all about him… I mean we learn a lot about Rick and in the end you truly do want things to work out for him, even if he doesn’t stay with Ian. The sex scenes are hot and there is a spark between them that you know could turn into an inferno if they fed it.

I recommend this to those that love hot men, hot sex, mystery, a good storyline and if not a HEA then it still leaves you with a warm feeling.

 

 

 

The Queen's Dowry by Aislinn Kerry

Title: A Queen’s Dowry

Sequel to The King’s Ransom

Author: Aislinn Kerry

Genre: Fantasy, Pirates

Length: Novel (319pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Luke, prince and heir to the Samari kingdom, may have survived kidnapping by pirates and an assassination attempt, but now that he’s returned home, his troubles are just beginning. His cousin Darrin, who’s ruled as regent in Luke’s absence, has made himself comfortable on the throne and doesn’t want to give it up. Luke’s court and his countrymen refuse to accept Conall, the pirate husband that Luke has brought home. And Nume, the Ilian princess Luke was supposed to marry, has been sent across the seas with a retinue of ambassadors to insist that Luke honor their betrothal.

With his sister, Addy, becoming closer to Nume every day, Conall growing restless without a ship to sail or men to command, and the threat of political disaster hanging over their heads if Luke can’t figure out a way to appease the Ilian’s without forsaking the man he loves, Luke’s scrambling just to keep his head above water.

And someone in his court is still trying to kill him…

Note Regarding Content: Although this book primarily focuses on Gay romance and contains M/M sexual content, there’s also a Lesbian romance subplot and some F/F sexual content.

Review: This story continues from just after The King’s Ransom and I recommend you read The King’s Ransom first. Luke returns to Samari with his husband, Conall, where there are many who are unhappy about the marriage. They both worry over who wishes to kill Luke and they also have to deal with the Ilian Princess and her ambassadors.

Luke throws himself into his duties as King; wearing himself down with exhaustion and worry. Conall is concerned about his husband and tries his best to make Luke relax while worrying about who is trying to assassinate Luke. This is a great fantasy that pulls you in and keeps you there right until the end.  Conall and Luke love each other very much and it comes across loud and clear.  Even with all the obstacles which are thrown in their paths and their own personal doubts and worries. The story flows smoothly and the plot is great and you will love the main characters and cheer them on.  The ending was perfect and I do believe that if this story doesn’t touch you then you are heartless.

The sex between Conall and Luke is as fantastic as ever and even though this story does have some F/F content and sex scenes they were done really well and are an integral part of the storyline and plot. There is conflict between some of the MCs as feelings are bruised and I really thought that it would not end well for some. The danger is good and works really well and I was surprised with who the bad guy was.

I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, danger, pirates, hot sex, hot men (and women) and a surprise ending. A definite must read.

 

Pele's Tears by Kiernan Kelly

Note:  Digital review copy of this title was provided by the author.

Title: Pele’s Tears

Author: Kiernan Kelly

Genre: Contemporary, Interracial, Multi-Cultural

Length: Short Story (41pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (2nd August 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Who says you can’t go home again? After living a lifetime of regret, thinking he’d never see Kaimi again, John decides to fly to Hawaii to try to recapture a love that slipped through his fingers during an endless summer of surfing and sex in 1964. Will John find what he needs, or he will have to settle for just memories and Pele’s Tears?

Review: John is returning to Hawaii where he found love in 1964.   It’s now nearly fifty years later but he still has hope of recapturing something that he thought he’d lost forever.

This is a beautiful poignant story that I admit left me with tears in my eyes. This story flicks between the present day and August 1964 as it tells the story of two young lovers and the love they both thought they lost forever. This has got to be one of the most touching short stories that I have ever read and I really can’t believe that Kiernan Kelly got so much feeling and emotion into so few pages…absolutely brilliant!

The setting is beautiful, the romance sweet and the love that made John hold on to his Pele’s Tears for so long is pure and perfect. This has got to be a perfect read and it was a pleasure to read.

I will recommend this to those who want lost loves, romance, poignancy and a happy ever after that has you smiling through a film of tears.

His by Elizabeth Coldwell

Note:  Review copy of this ebook was provided by the publisher.

Title: HIS

Author: Elizabeth Coldwell

Genre: BDSM

Length: Novella (61pgs)

Publisher: Accent Press Ltd & Xcite Ebooks Ltd (18th Jan 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥1Heart

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Sean Bradley gets an invitation to Dante’s, the most exclusive gay club in town, he doesn’t realize it will change his life forever. This is no ordinary club, and its world of decadent delights is designed to pair wealthy dominant men with cute young submissives. The club’s owner, Dante Capello, is immediately taken with Sean, and sets about leading him into a world of BDSM pleasures, where he will learn how to receive the strictest of punishments and obey without question. But though Dante is a demanding master, he has a reputation for keeping his emotional distance from the boys who submit to him and discarding them after a weekend in his servitude. How far is Sean prepared to go to truly become his?

Warning: This book contains sexual practices that some people may find offensive. Humiliation, unsafe sex, voyeurism etc.

Review: Ok, I have read a lot of BDSM and D/s books and I have never found them offensive, but this book I was disgusted with.

Sean is a relatively innocent young man.   He’s dared one weekend, by his flatmate, to go to a club and that’s when his life changes forever.

The story is quite smooth and moves quickly, Dante was the perfect image for a Dom/Master but his practice was all wrong for a sub/slave that was new to the scene.  No matter what, any Dom/Master or sub/slave has to play safe especially if you have never played with them before; the Safe word is there for a reason.  Sean is a perfect sub/slave but everyone knows that a sub/slave has to find their own level slowly.  the author paid lip service to this then ignored it.

This is the type of story that gives BDSM a bad name.  An innocent walks in off the street and the Dom swoops down, snatches him up, and gives him no choices.   Doesn’t explain what he wants or expects, then proceeds to humiliate him and then throws him away. Yeah, really feeling the love. I don’t know where you did your research, Ms Coldwell, but all those that I know that are into the scene would kick this Dom to the curb and he would be banned from any reputable club. And as for the unsafe sex in the club, do you really think that by saying they get tested monthly is going to make them safe? Geeze, they could be having sex with people not connected to the club, bring a disease in and infect everyone before the next monthly test. Do not even get me started on the naked men being paid to fight and the loser being f***** by the winner.

I would recommend this to people who like the kind of things described above, if you don’t like any of the above then steer clear.

Maverick's Mate by Lynn Hagen

Note:  Review copy of this ebook provided by author

Title: Maverick’s Mate

Series: Brac Pack 01

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal

Length: Novella (94pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (25th February 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Maverick Brac has formed a pack of his own, naming them the Brac Pack. With fourteen men under him, they all have one thing in common, the preference for men.

Cecil Walter was living a life no one would wish on their enemy in an abusive relationship with his partner with no way out.

Getting away from pack problems and a migraine, Maverick indulges in his one secret love, Chai tea. While in the coffee shop trying to forget the world outside exists for five minutes, Maverick has found what he never thought to have, his mate, his very human mate. Rescuing Cecil from his abusive boyfriend to finding out who in his pack is trying to take Cecil’s life, Maverick has his work cut out for him, but the largest challenge is getting Cecil to come out of his shell and be the man he once was.

Review: Okay, before I start the review I just want to point something out. I am a huge Lynn Hagen fan, I have all her books and I actually pre-order them so I don’t miss one.   Now saying that, just because I am a huge fan doesn’t mean that I can’t see the flaws ‘cause I can.

Cecil is stuck in a relationship that he isn’t sure how to get out of when he is rescued.   He doesn’t realize that he has just jumped from the frying pan into the fire.   Hmmm, maybe towering inferno is a better description. Maverick is thrilled to have found his mate and will do everything and anything in his power to protect him.

I really liked the storyline and thought the characters were brilliant and fun, Maverick is the typical Alpha male and Cecil is not quite as sweet as Maverick believes.  Cecil loves his independence and doesn’t want some hulking man to take care of him. These two come together in passion and hot sex and yes, it’s insta-mates and insta-love (very quick indeed).   The danger was ok and I thought it was great that we got to meet the mates from the next book. The interaction between all the pack mates is good and I love that the books are fun and cheerful with just a little bit of danger thrown in.

Now although I liked this book some things let it down… namely the proof-reader and editor. I am sorry but the story is choppy in places like there were big bits taken out or inserted in and everything felt like there should have been more to it.  There was also spelling errors that wouldn’t get caught by the spell check but should have been caught by the proof-reader. I know that this was Lynn Hagen’s first published work and to expect it to be a little sloppy and I made allowances for that but that does not excuse the editors or proofreaders at all.  Seriously, did you read the book or just spell check it?

But after all that, I will recommend this to people who love shifters, hot sexy men, a bit of danger, scorching hot sex, giggling and laughing and a happy ever after.  This is a great light read that will have you giggling to yourself like a loon.

 

Runes of Redemption by Deirdre O'Dare

Title: Runes of Redemption

Series: The Thin Green Line 4

Author: Deirdre O’Dare

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novella (94pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (9th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: As head of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Paranormal Operations Unit, Clay Chiles has found a place where he can serve with honor and a surrogate family to replace the one he never truly enjoyed. When he meets Elven warrior Arondel and begins to build the partnership he had never hoped to find, life seems good. Still, for two lifelong loners to merge their lives, hearts and minds, an occasional conflict is bound to arise.

Clay’s discovery he has not only a father but a half-brother on Arondel’s home world of Elvenheim creates new and different challenges. Can he accept and trust relatives so different from all he has known? Can they accept him?

Finally, faced with incredible tasks and dangers, Clay and Aron are torn asunder. Will the strength of their still-fragile bond be enough to bring them through hell and back to one another’s arms?

The Thin Green Line Anthology (books 1, 2 & 3) is only available as paperback at this time. Each book is sold separately in eBook format.

Review: This book is best read as part of the series. At the end of Runes of Revelation, Clay and Aron were going to hunt for gateway portals and try to seal them.   This book picks up where that one ended. Clay is starting to come to terms with the fact that he is half-elf but he still harbors resentment towards his father.   Aron is still getting used to having a partner after travelling alone for so long but he is happy that his bond with Clay is getting stronger.

I liked this story as the plot was good and it moved along well.   There was suspense, danger, backstabbing and an unexpected reunion. They are also taken on an unexpected journey to fulfill a Prophesy on another world. The descriptions were good and the characters meshed well together, we are treated to a progression of their bond as it is the merging of two souls that is tested to the brink.

I would recommend this to those who like fantasy, paranormal, twists, turns and hidden danger.

Noticing the Finance Manager by Serena Yates

Note:  When Ms. Yates noted that Noticing the Finance Manager was in queue for review, she graciously submitted Saving the Bodyguard for review.  Each can be read as a stand-alone, but she feels that reading them in order will add to the reader’s enjoyment.  Both can be found on the publisher’s web site or wherever quality MM romance titles are sold.

Title: Noticing the Finance Manager

Series:  New Horizons 06

Author: Serena Yates

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (August 15th 2011)

ISBN: 978-0-85715-627-3

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Format/length: eBook (46 pages)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Artemis

From the Publisher:  Felix Oakden loved his work as a finance manager…before a spiteful ex-boyfriend used false accusations to not only get him fired, but also blackball him throughout the health care industry. Forced to work as a waiter to support himself, he met Leo and the two fell in love.

Returning to the real world means making a decision about his future professional life. Felix discovers several alternatives he would have never considered before Leo noticed his talent for financial analysis.

When an old enemy begins to make life difficult for him, can Felix fight back and win – even when the situation seems hopeless?

About the Author:  I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

 

Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there’s more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.

I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.

My Review:  This book is the second part of Felix and Leo’s story. In book 5 of the New Horizons Series (Saving the Bodyguard) we learn a lot about Leo and the beginning of their relationship. Noticing the Finance Manager (Book 6 of the New Horizon’s Series) is more about Felix’s development and the deepening of the feelings between these two men.

With the financing of Leo’s security company taken care of, Felix needs to figure out what he is going to do with the rest of his life. While he loves his new partner and their relationship is deeply emotional and fulfilling, he needs to get back to work and start focusing on his career! His ex blackballed him with just about every health care firm in the area so he is floundering without much of a plan.

Getting his career straightened out requires Felix to think outside the box a little bit, settle some issues with an old enemy, and get a little bit more aggressive than he has been in the past (both in the bedroom AND the boardroom!) All this is accomplished with Leo’s support and their increasingly intense feelings for one another really play a major part in the story. Without giving away any spoilers…Felix will end up with both the man of his dreams AND an awesome career by the end of the book!

I found the relationship between Leo and Felix to be both sweet and hot at the same time. They are at times fiercely passionate but there is always an undercurrent of love between them that is very obvious. This is a quick but enjoyable read with great characters and I enjoy Ms. Yates’ writing style. The storyline is simple but believable and I could certainly see another book highlighting these characters.

 

Saving the Bodyguard by Serena Yates

Note:  When Ms. Yates noted that Noticing the Finance Manager was in queue for review, she graciously submitted this title for review.  Each can be read as a stand-alone, but she feels that reading them in order will add to the readers enjoyment.  Both can be found on the publisher’s web site or wherever quality MM romance titles are sold.

Title: Saving the Bodyguard

Series:  New Horizons 05

Author: Serena Yates

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (June 13, 2011)

ISBN: 978-0-85715-573-3

Format/length: eBook 135 Kb

Genre: Contemporary M/M fiction

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Artemis

From the Publisher:  Leo Taber is an ex-bodyguard who now runs a security company with a good friend. Business does not go as well as expected, and he soon faces anger management issues. He is very skeptical about the ten-day course his friend recommends, but feels he has no choice but to go. Once at the retreat, he meets Felix, who works as a waiter there, and all his issues seem forgotten when the sparks start flying. Giving in to his feelings has never been so easy.

But is this temporary peace going to last – even when the real world starts intruding into their temporary idyll?

About the Author:  I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there’s more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.

I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.

My Review:  At the very beginning of this book, Leo is not particularly ‘likeable’ as a character…mainly because he has some serious anger management problems. When he almost takes down a little old lady in a grocery store and nearly beats a vending machine to death, you start to see some serious issues with his temperament! However, his friend and co-worker encourages him to take a little time out to get a handle on things and he ends up at a weeklong retreat for some soul-searching and relaxation. He doesn’t have much hope that it is going to work for him until he meets Felix! I liked Felix’s character right away….even if he does seem a little scattered at first. He is just recently out of relationship with a total jerk who got him kicked out of the accounting field and he is stuck waiting tables until he figures out what to do.

When the two characters first meet they are total opposites but strongly attracted to each other. They spend quite a bit of time getting to know one another in every way humanly possible and Felix is a huge help when it comes to getting Leo to understand what his anger issues do to the people around him. With a crisis happening at work, Leo’s vacation retreat is cut short but Felix has a solution that might just work for everyone!

Ms. Yates does a really great job getting the readers to understand her characters, what motivates them, and their emotions. This is a relatively short and fast paced story so things move along pretty quickly. The one thing I would have slowed down just a little bit is how quickly Leo and Felix got physically involved. I admit I like a little bit more of a buildup between my characters before they start having sex! The scenes are fairly well written, however, and there is a definite emotional connection between the two.  Despite being two very different types of men, they seem to balance one another quite nicely!

Overall, the author created a sweet story with enjoyable characters and some very steamy bedroom scenes. Very nicely done!

 

Devotedly His by Shawn Lane

Title: Devotedly His

Series: His 04

Author: Shawn Lane

Genre: Contemporary, Interracial

Length: Novella (59pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: For years, Spencer Lyons has been a devoted best friend to Max Ramirez, helping him through break up after break up. And also for years, Spencer has never let Max know his true feelings—he’s been in love with his best friend.

It doesn’t occur to Max that club-hopping Spencer has deeper feelings for him. Yet when he finally learns of Spencer’s love, Max begins to wonder…should he admit to the love he also feels toward Spencer and risk losing his friend if the relationship ends in yet another break up? And whether or not he voices his feelings, will Spencer always be devotedly his?

Review: Spencer has been in love with Max for years but Max has never looked his way so he has filled his life with clubs and hook-ups.  Max is looking for a lasting committed relationship and although he thinks Spencer is hot and sexy he knows that Spencer isn’t the settling down type.

This is a sweet friends-to-lovers story that makes you wish that you could knock the MCs heads together so they would both know what was right in front of them. Spencer has been there through every break-up that Max has had and supported him as only a best friend could.   And Max has tried to ignore Spencer’s nights out and supported him when he has opening nights at the theatre.  Something happens to make Max question Spencer’s feelings for him and his fear of Spencer’s lack of commitment has him rejecting Spencer.  Only for Max to realize that he might have made a mistake.

The storyline is good and the characters are great, you can empathize with both characters and the sex is hot.  I gotta say though, you do wish that you could give Max a good smack to knock some sense into him.

I recommend that you give this one a shot as its short, sweet and a happy ever after (with some hot sex thrown in).

 

 

 

The Bad Seed by Lee Hayes

Title: The Bad Seed

Author: Lee Hayes

Genre: Erotic Fiction, Thriller

Length: Novel (292pgs) 2 Novellas

Publisher: Strebor Books (7th June 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Some people can make being bad seem so very good. Lee Hayes, the critically acclaimed author of Passion Marks, A Deeper Blue: Passion Marks 2, and The Messiah, returns with a delightfully wicked spin on what constitutes a “bad seed.”

The wildly entertaining duo of novellas are sure to intrigue and titillate readers with their exploration of risqué themes. “I Guess that’s Why They Call It the Blues” is about a cosmetically beautiful but emotionally damaged young man who marries a wealthy older man to go from rags to riches. After beginning an illicit affair with his husband’s attorney, he decides that he would rather enjoy the amenities of limitless money minus the husband. He will stop at nothing to see his husband six feet under so that he can dance on his grave, toasting with expensive champagne. In “Crazy in Love,” a hyper-sexual seventeen-year-old high school boy develops a fatalistic crush on his reclusive high school English teacher. When the teacher rebuffs the boy’s advances, all hell breaks loose—and the upstanding teacher’s life is put on the line. Hell hath no fury…

Review:  I have got to say that I am glad that I have had the opportunity to review this incredible duo of Novellas. I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues and Crazy in Love are not romances they are gritty reads and will have you biting your nails as you approach the end of each one.

In I Guess that’s Why They Call It the Blues we meet Blues Carmichael who has crawled his way up to the top and is determined to stay there.   He won’t let a little thing like his husband, his husband’s daughter or his own affairs knock him from his spot.   He will do anything and everything to stay there.

In Crazy in Love we meet Brandon Heart, a young man who develops an obsession for his English teacher Cross Jones.   He plans his seduction carefully and nothing and no one will stand in his way.  He will do anything to have him including getting rid of those who get in the way.

I won’t go into too much detail about these two stories as they really do need to be read as they are so much more than the usually books that you get in the M/M genre. These are two beautifully written stories that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.  Blues and Brandon are both bad, bad men, one was made that way, the other born that way… but both seem to revel in it. The storyline in each novella is strong, the plot brilliant and each one will draw you in and keep you there. Lee Hayes is a fantastic story-teller who knows how to weave a tale that will keep you reading.

I will recommend this to everyone who wants a more gripping story that has danger, plotting, murder, twists and turns and a really cool epilogue that I never saw coming.

 

 

 

 

Bayou's End by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Bayou’s End

Series: Rougaroux Social Club 02

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre: Shifter, Paranormal

Length: Novel (173pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (4th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Peter Graham’s pack threw him out when they discovered he was gay. Ever since then, Peter’s been adrift. Denying his wolf and being the boy toy of a string of older men is all Peter knows. But when his lover brings another man to their bed, and that man abuses Peter, there’s nothing left for Peter but to run, all the way back to St. Jerome, a small town on the edge of the bayou, where he once painted. He meets Billy Trosclair, a deputy and a werewolf, and discovers the town’s secret — the Rougaroux wolf pack. They have a gay man as their alpha who is mated to a gay man. To Peter this looks like home, but he’s not the type of man either Billy or the pack would want.

Not everyone in the pack is happy about the inclusion of gay werewolves, and Peter joining the pack is seen by some as a threat. Can Billy keep his mate safe until he claims Peter in front of the pack?

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, sex in shifted form, violence (date rape, beating).

Review: Peter flees from Darcy after he is abused by a man who Darcy brought to their bed.   Peter looks to the only person that might help him, Ted.  Billy is covering while the sheriff and Alpha Scott is away with his mate Ted, when a man who has been beaten comes looking for Ted.  Billy steps in to help and is shocked to learn that the man is his mate.

I have got to say that this is a well written story with a good plot and a very good resolution at the end. Peter has lost all his confidence, his pack didn’t want him, all the men he has hooked up with dumped him as soon as they got bored with him and now he has been abused and beaten.  meeting Billy gave him some hope but he knows that if he wants to have Billy then he needs to do things for himself and getting a job and a place to stay makes him feel proud of himself.

You will love Peter.  He is sweet, kind and unsure of himself and you ache for him when he is having his nightmares and when someone tries to set him up.  Billy is just the sort of man who you would pick for Peter someone who is strong, sure and understanding; who will stand by Peter and support him and give him the encouragement that he needs, *sigh* a truly loving mate.

The slight danger in this wasn’t over the top and neither was the storyline. The way that it was resolved at the end without a fight or bloodshed was a breath of fresh air. I must admit that Peter’s solution was brilliant and insightful and that Bobby’s level head helped to temper Billy’s rage.

What do I recommend… for those of you who love shifters, hot sex, hot men, a good storyline and a perfect ending to a story then this is the book for you. I also recommend that Ms Lorenz write a story for Bobby and Darcy because I could see that being like a clash of the Titans lol.

 

Mummy Dearest by Josh Lanyon

Title: Mummy Dearest

Series: The XOXO Files 01

Author: Josh Lanyon

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal

Length: Novella (85pgs)

Publisher: Samhain Publishing (4th October 2011)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The truth is out there. Way, way, way out there!

Drew Lawson is racing against the clock. He’s got a twenty-four-hour window to authenticate the mummy of Princess Merneith. If he’s not at his boyfriend’s garden party when that window closes, it’ll be the final nail in their relationship coffin.

The last thing he needs traipsing on the final shred of his patience is brash, handsome reality show host Fraser Fortune, who’s scheduled to film a documentary about the mummy’s Halloween curse.

The opportunity to film a bona-fide professor examining the mummy is exactly the aura of authenticity Fraser needs. Except the grumpy PhD is a pompous ass on leave from his ivory tower. Yet something about Drew has Fraser using a word he doesn’t normally have to draw upon: please.

With no time to waste — and a spark of attraction he can’t deny — Drew reluctantly agrees to let Fraser follow his every move as he unwraps the mummy’s secrets. Soon they’re both making moves behind the scenes that even the dead can’t ignore!

Product Warnings: Who so shall ever open this tomb, er, book shall suffer the curse of the Pharaohs. Okay, maybe not. But set aside a chunk of time for marauding mummies, too many cosmopolitans, illicit sex in hotel rooms, and other non-academic shenanigans.

Review: Drew is expecting to examine an Egyptian Mummy at a small museum in Walsh, Wyoming.   What he doesn’t expect is Fraser and his film crew to mess with his schedule.  Fraser is at the museum making a film about the mummy’s curse of Princess Merneith.   He doesn’t expect the stuck up Professor but decides to use him in the filming.

I enjoyed this story as it’s a light-hearted read. Drew is having some doubts about his relationship and although Fraser annoys him he finds himself attracted to him.  Fraser is also attracted to Drew but he doesn’t have high hopes. We then see these two men drawn into the mystery of the mummy’s curse, while Drew tries to sort out his relationship. There are movie references and witty banter that has you giggling.   The interaction between the two MCs is good and the mystery surrounding the mummy’s curse was ok. It is written well and moves smoothly along.

This is a great Halloween romp which I will recommend to everyone who wants a light-hearted romp that will leave you with a smile on your face.