2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

The Vampire and the Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas by Louisa Bacio

Title: The Vampire And The Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas

Author: Louisa Bacio

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (77pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (19th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Before there were three, there were two. When a vampire swoops in to save Trevor from a rogue gang’s blood sport, the werewolf must fight his own inhibitions. The magic of New Orleans and the holiday season bring together these two unlikely lovers.

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/the-vampire-and-the-werewolf-a-new-orleans-christmas.php

Review: Trevor is living on the streets and goes to the rescue of a woman being attacked.  Unfortunately, he then needs rescuing as more Vampires appear. Lawrence steps in to save Trevor from the rogue vampires and takes him home to help him recover.

This is a well written novella that is hot and erotic. This is the authors first strictly M/M work and I think she has done a very good job with it although I need to make a confession… I haven’t read any of this authors work as I haven’t much patience for female characters (I leave that to Portia lol). But I will admit I am now tempted because of how this author writes.

Trevor is without a pack, alone and living on the streets so when he first receives kindness from Lawrence he wonders what he wants in return and then he begins to ask himself about how he is reacting to Lawrence. Lawrence feels some sort of connection to Trevor and enjoys his company and as he explains to Trevor it is the person he finds attractive and not their sex. When Trevor does decide to embrace his want and to let down his guard the sex between them is explosive.

I really did enjoy seeing these two characters together and how they built up their relationship on small trusts but I was disappointed that we didn’t find out more of both Lawrence’s and Trevor’s backgrounds.  We were given snippets that intrigued us and unfortunately, I don’t know if the author will ever do any more stories with just these two characters so that we can find out more about them in their early years together. (Portia:  There are at least two other books featuring these characters.  Unfortunately, they both involve girly bits, so I guess I’ll be doing those reviews. ;-))

I have to recommend this to those who love vampires and werewolves, really hot erotic sex, a building of trust and a just beginning relationship story.

Above the Cloud by Adrianna Dane

Title: Above the Cloud

Series: Tales of the Midnight Pearl Brotherhood 06

Author: Adrianna Dane

Genre: Fantasy, Witchcraft, Magic

Length: Short (50pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (11th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The ancient myths of the Brotherhood of the Midnight Pearl tell of an island formed from the depths of the ocean, in the midst of a sea of mystical, sapphire beauty. It is an island paradise built on love and devotion to a common belief, a society made up entirely of handsome and desirable men. And Alonzo Smith is on a journey to discover his place among them.

For Alonzo, the frustrations of serving Master Phelix have been many on the group’s journey through the jungle. Alonzo’s patience, however, is about to be rewarded.

On the morning before the group heads toward the Titan Mountains and the next leg of the journey, Master Phelix awakens Alonzo and leads him on one final, intimate, and dizzying jungle adventure. The rewards and revelations may just be more than Alonzo might ever have expected. Now, he must make a choice—does he stay in the jungle with the Obscurants and Master Phelix, or continue on to see what destiny, and/or fate, has in store?

The sequel to Tales of the Midnight Pearl Brotherhood: Lessons Learned…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TMPB_AboveClouds.html

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Alonzo is separated from the group by Master Phelix and taken into the jungle.  While away, Alonzo finds out Master Phelix’s past and what Master Phelix is looking for in a man.

This is the third book in this series that I have reviewed and I can only say that the author does write really well.  The story is interesting and it is one I really do want to finish, but whoever had the idea to cut it up into small segments should be cut up into small segments themselves. It is frustrating to have to go back and read the previous books just so I know where I am up to and then to have it cut off again just when it gets interesting. (THIS IS A BOOK NOT TV).

Saying that…I am intrigued by Alonzo’s story.   In this one, Alonzo finally gets to submit to Master Phelix and finds out Master Phelix’s story. Alonzo is now near the end of the journey through the jungle.  As he stands at the bottom of the mountain he has to make the decision to make of either going forward or back to the jungle.  And then he realizes at the last-minute that Master Phelix will be leaving them at the edge of the jungle.

I will recommend this to those who already have this series, love hot submissive sex, a journey of self-discovery, has infinite patience or wait until the series has ended and then get the entire series.

Tainted Soul by Sam C. Leonhard

Title: Tainted Soul

Series: Tainted 02

Author: Sam C. Leonhard

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense, BDSM, Kink

Length: Novel (314pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Gabriel Jordan, part-time werewolf and full-time private investigator, should be living a happy life. Three years ago, he was a homeless thief; now he’s got a loving partner and a job he enjoys, he lives in a nice house, and he doesn’t have to worry about tomorrow. So why the sudden urge to cheat on Aleksei, the handsome and occasionally deceptive fae he loves? Why does Gabriel feel compelled to flee the life he’s built for himself?

Someone’s calling him. Someone’s looking for him. Someone holds his destiny in her hands. The portals to the hidden worlds have become unstable, even dangerous. Fear and madness linger in the dark. Panic and nightmares chase him, but Gabriel can’t fight an enemy he can’t see, and even turning into his wolf form may not be enough to save him.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2674

Review: Okay, so I will go through the motions but really if you want to save yourself some time then don’t read the rest of this review, just go get this book.  Clear a couple of hours and sit back and enjoy a brilliant fantasy.

Gabe and Aleksei are back and things are not going too well.  It’s been three years since we last saw them and Gabe is fighting urges that don’t feel quite right to him; and trying to ignore the voice that is urging him to hurt Aleksei. He knows that he still loves Aleksei, but he feels like he is losing his mind at his own reactions.  Aleksei is trying to be patience, but he has realized that something is off and that Gabe is keeping something from him.

This is a brilliant fantasy that ties up all we learned in the first book nicely. Gabe is being Called and it is getting harder to ignore it.  He doesn’t realize that his wolf side is emerging or that he keeps forgetting things. The portals have become unstable and are killing random people; an ancient species awakens and starts to hunt Gabe. Lia (Aleksei’s sister) (a truly nasty woman) is desperate to get Gabe out of Aleksei’s life and we still have the mystery of Gabe’s blood. We also briefly meet Gabe’s mum and all I can say, Gabe was lucky to live on the streets and not with her.

The strength of Gabe’s love is all that is really saving him from doing something that he wouldn’t be able to live with.  and Aleksei’s love for him is all that he can really trust. There is quite a bit going on in this story but you never lose your way or miss anything.  It is also really well written and the characters are brilliant.  The story keeps you in its grip and it keeps you on tender hooks right until the very end.  I also have to say that the very end tore at me even though I knew it had to happen. There is one part of the book that has both m/f and cheating but neither is as it seems and it’s really hard to explain without giving stuff away, but trust me, there’s a good reason for all of it.

For those of you who stayed for the review, you now know why I will recommend this to you.  And if that’s still not enough then I don’t know what to say to you, except are you mad. Okay, fine…there’s danger, angst, pure love, incredible hot sex, a little bit of BDSM/kink, hate and a sneaky vindictive female.

 

 

 

In From the Cold by Mercy Celeste

Title:  In From the Cold

Series:  The Cold Series 01

Author:  Mercy Celeste

Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Length: Novel

Publisher:  Self-published; re-released(November 11, 2011)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥41/2Hearts

Blurb:  For eighteen years, Nathan Truman and Quinn Anders were best friends. One born of wealth and privilege, the other born to working people, Nathan and Quinn shared everything. Sports, music, first kiss, first love.
For sixteen years, Nathan has tried to forget Quinn. Tried to forget the stolen moments they’d shared as kids. He joined the Marines, married, not once but twice, went into law enforcement. He forgot.
For sixteen years, Quinn couldn’t stop remembering. He fell into addiction, found music, lost himself, and became a country music superstar. He never forgot.
Sixteen years after their one night together, tragedy conspires to reunite them.
Nathan and Quinn struggle to deal with their past while the present slowly crashes around them. Brought together by grief, their tentative new beginning may very well come to a sizzling end, leaving them both out in the cold forever.

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  This was so not what I was expecting from Mercy Celeste.  All the other books of hers, that I’ve read, were nice angsty contemporary romances.  Boy meets boy.  Boy acts the fool.  Boy forgives Boy.  Boys live happily ever after.

In From the Cold was that and so much more.  The suspense of this novel was pretty intense and there were several scenes, near the end, that were amazingly horrific.  If lifetime ever gets a clue and starts making LGBT moves, this would make a great movie.

“If you loved it so much, why not rate it a 5?”  Well, now that Mercy has opened the door to romantic suspense, I want more.  I want to see the evil in the bad guy, the fear in the good guys.  There’s a taste of that in In From the Cold, but I want more…sue me, I’m greedy.

There are 2 more books planned for this series and I look forward to seeing if Mercy can do it again.  I think she can.  Buy the book, read the book…then you decide.  Highly recommend!!

Prodigal by A. M. Arthur

Title:  Prodigal

Author:  A. M. Arthur

Genre:   Paranormal, Horror(??)

Length: Novella

Publisher:  Musa Publishing (October 26, 2011)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥41/2Hearts

Blurb:  After escaping its mysterious grasp twelve years ago, Ethan Wilde never thought he’d return to Kingston, North Carolina—until the murder of an old schoolmate draws him back to the hometown he fears and the love he left behind. Rooted to Kingston by a force he can’t explain, Jesse couldn’t leave with Ethan when he asked, and it’s a choice he’s always regretted. A choice based on a terrible secret they share with four others. When they were nine years old, the six of them were taken into the woods, and no one is exactly sure what happened to them. Only that they came out changed. Marked. Twenty years later, the evil that hunted them is back and it’s collected two souls already. Ethan and Jesse’s love defeated the monster once, but are old feelings strong enough to save the survivors a second time

Product Link:  http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=71

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Let me start by saying, if I’d known what this book was about, I would not have touched it with a ten-foot pole.  See, I am basically a wimp.  I say that nightlight in the bathroom is for my kids, but truth be told…I’m scared of the dark.

Prodigal scared the bejezus out of me…and I like it.  From word one there is a dark tone to this book.  You don’t know what drove Ethan from his hometown, but you do know that death is bringing him back.

The romance is secondary to the mystery, for sure.  And there is just enough paranormal to make reality even more frightening.  Page turning anticipation kept me reading well in the wee hours.  This book, for me, was absolutely fantastic.  Like I said, I’m pretty much a newbie with the genre, but, I’m pretty sure I’ll pick up  A. M. Arthur’s next book.  But, Trust me…I’ll be reading it with the lights on.  Highly recommend.

Three by S.Dora

Title:  Three

Author:  S. Dora

Genre:   Contemporary, Ménage, MMM, May/December, Light Bondage

Length: Novel

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

BlurbEven a happy single thirty-something, living mainly through his intellect, has certain needs. They’re met by an open-minded, adventurous young gay couple more than willing to invite him to their bed.

Can a single man in his thirties be truly happy? To Owen Bartlett, writer of books and articles about the history of mathematics, the answer is a resounding yes. But he still has some very human needs.

So when he meets Sebastian and Davin, a young and attractive couple, and they ask him to spend the night with them, he isn’t going to refuse. The intensity of the sex the three men share that night goes beyond anything Owen has ever experienced, certainly when he discovers Davin craves to be dominated by his partners, and Sebastian is all too willing to give his lover what he needs.

Owen is certain it was a one night thing only, but he couldn’t be more mistaken.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of (anal) double penetration and suggestions of dominance and submission.

Product Link:  http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1439

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  I don’t know what I was expecting, but Three wasn’t it.  This has got to be the most erotic MMM ménage I have ever read.  Sebastian and Davin’s seduction of Owen was quick and sexy.  Owen can’t believe these two beautiful, younger men want him to share their bed.  But, who is he to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Somehow, that one night stand is repeated again and again.  Now, I’ve promised honest reviews, so here goes.  If you are looking for an angst filled drama suited for the Hallmark Channel…skip this one.  Three doesn’t have the most complex storyline and the characters are only developed enough to give them three distinct voices.  But, this is an exquisitely written erotic romance.  The two plus one love affair works for these gents.  I even loved the ending which, though a bit different, left me satisfied.  Highly recommend.

 

Changing Jamie by Dakota Chase

Title: Changing Jamie

Author: Dakota Chas

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (189pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 2008)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

First published 13th June 2008 by Prizmbooks

Blurb: Jamie’s pretty much your average gay teenager. He’s not out with his folks, he’s got a crush on a fellow high school athlete, and his life isn’t perfect. It’s a good thing he has his friend, Billy, to take his mind off things, and to show him that all things are possible.

Billy seems to be all Jamie isn’t. Billy’s openly gay, he has enough money to follow fashion trends, and he’s got dates all the time. Lots of them. With older men. When Billy starts acting weird and hiding things from him, Jamie’s whole life seems to tilt off its axis.

His stepfather, who has never been the greatest role model, escalates his behavior until Jamie dreads going home. His English teacher assigns him tutoring sessions with the object of his crush, the gorgeous track star Dylan. Jamie’s not even sure he can talk to Dylan, let alone tutor him, but it’s impossible to talk to Billy about it. Billy’s too wrapped up in a very dangerous game they call bug chasing: trying to catch HIV.

Learning about Billy’s risk-taking nearly shatters their friendship, and forces Jamie to look at the world in a whole new way. Can Jamie try to keep Billy safe and still stay on top of homework, a new boyfriend, and keeping his step-father in line?

Purchase Link: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=20

Review: I know this is an old story but sometimes you have to revisit a story that you really enjoy. Jamie is 17yrs old and has a massive crush on Dylan.  His best friend Billy is acting a little strange and his step-dad is on this earth to make his life miserable.

Jamie has a lot on his plate as he struggles with his best friend’s actions; Dylan confessing to him and trying to get his mom to see what a waste of space his step-dad is. When Jamie hunts for Billy, Dylan offers to help him out.   When Jamie finds out the truth behind Billy’s actions and is devastated, Dylan is there to offer comfort and support. When Dylan confesses why he is there for him, Jamie is over the moon.  Jamie comes across as a young man who might not be the best at everything.  Who might struggle in some areas but he knows who he is and although he hides it a lot, he knows he does and he really doesn’t believe that he is something he isn’t.

Dylan is a dumb jock or rather that’s what he wants people to believe.  When he gets a chance to spend time with Jamie he grabs it with both hands.  It’s not easy as he works through what he wants but when he nearly loses Jamie he decides that he can face anything if he’s with Jamie. Dylan comes across as slightly privileged but not full of himself and he seems to be a genuine young man who does think of others, although he struggles with what to do he isn’t stupid in what he says or his actions.

Billy is one screwed up young man.   He thinks he’s in love and will do anything to be with that man; even if it means giving up his life. He hides what he is doing from Jamie and deserts Jamie when he realizes that Jamie just doesn’t understand that he is now truly happy… that is until reality sets in. Billy seems to be desperate to belong and completely screws up his life in the process.  But when he turns to Jamie, Jamie is there to help him and advise him no matter how badly Billy acted or treated Jamie. True best friends.

This is a really well written story about young men who are finding themselves and making mistakes, but it is also about facing up to their actions and realizing that that it isn’t only them who are allowed to make mistakes. Some parts of this book had me laughing; some nearly crying and some filled me with pure joy. There are two scenes that I really loved and both of them took place at the school.  They filled me with hope that somewhere, at some time, more people will act like this and it will become an everyday occurrence.

This is a perfect Y/A romance that I have to recommend you read if you already haven’t because it is wonderful.

 

 

 

Out Foxed by K-lee Klein

 Title: Out Foxed

Series: Glitter Fox 01

Author: K-Lee Klein

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (28pgs)

Publisher: Self-Published?

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Rylan and Gage are best friends, lovers, and bandmates, but what happens if one of them wants something more? If one important aspect of their lives changes, can they still be all that they are to each other or is the risk far too great to even consider?

Free novelette written for the M/M Romance group’s “Hot Summer Days” event.

Purchase Link: http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/download/12156779-outfoxed

Pixie says: My favorite cover that I now have as my screen saver. Wonderful work from the incredibly talented Zathyn Priest.

Review: Oh My God, get the hoses out because while reading this you will need to be hosed down most of the way through.

Rylan Rivers has just turned 35 and has come to the realization that he wants more from his band mate, best friend and lover Gage Galeano than just the sex that they have had together and with others over the last 5 years. Gage knows what Rylan needs and he will provide it for the both of them if he can just get Rylan to listen.

Wow, this one had me hot right from the start; the opening scene is descriptive, explicit, well-crafted and incredible hot. We read with bated breath as these two men vie for dominance over the other and then we wait with our breath held as we watch Rylan’s reaction to Gage’s surprise.

This is a well written short that for me hit all the right buttons.  Rylan wants a commitment from Gage; he wants reassurance that he is the one for Gage without always having someone else involved.   But how does he tell Gage that without losing everything if Gage doesn’t feel the same way? Gage tries his best to get across to Rylan that he does know but Rylan misunderstands his present at first and is angry with Gage.

I really enjoyed this one and not just because of how hot it was.   I enjoyed it because Rylan and Gage really want the same thing but neither of them is very good at getting that point across to the other. I also liked that it was also a fun read with just enough humor to make you want more from these characters.

I have to recommend this one to everyone as it has a bit of conflict, dominance, incredible hot sex and a really good ending. I am now waiting on tender hooks as this author has promised us more from these two guys…yay.

The Long Way Home by G. R. Richards

Title: The Long Way Home

Author: G.R. Richards

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (33pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (18th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Nothing grabs a guy’s attention like the words, “We need to talk.”

For months now, Jordan and Faro have been at each other’s throats. Their long-term committed relationship is mired by petty arguments about anything and everything, but Jordan’s convinced they can make it past the holidays. After all, how heartless would a man have to be to throw his partner out in the street three days before Christmas?

About as heartless as Faro, apparently, who packs Jordan’s bags and puts him on the train to his mother’s house.

But there’s more love, more passion, and more compassion in their relationship than even Jordan had realized. What treasure awaits him when he arrives in his hometown for the holidays?

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LongWayHome.html

Review: Jordan and Faro have been going through a rough patch when Faro utters the words “We need to talk”.  Jordan had been hoping that Faro would wait until after the holidays, but now he just collects his bags and doesn’t look back.

This story actually had me conflicted because Faro really came across as a real heartless b*****d and I still think he was.   As a matter of fact, if he had been my partner and he did that to me I’d have shoved the bear skin rug down his throat and told him to have a nice life as I kicked him naked out the front door. Jordan had some realizations on his way over to his mother’s but it wasn’t enough for him to be able to just put it all aside to cater to Faro’s whims.

The story-line had a good premise but I think that it was executed poorly.   The thought of fighting then make-up sex is as old as time, but sex then talking out your problems just doesn’t work.   And it doesn’t work here either.   as all this shows is that Faro is manipulative and loves to cause heartache before giving hope.

Jordan comes across as weak-willed when he gives into Faro.   And for really basically forgiving him for being a callous heartless man.  I would really have liked them to have a screaming row before they had sex at least to get some of the resentment out of the way.  Jordan was the saving grace in this story because of the way he just let his emotions rule him and the way that he agonized over what was happening with his relationship.

I will recommend this for the hot sex, the story premise and the ‘we will talk’ ending.

 

 

 

Idriel's Sin by Jay Di Meo

Title: Idriel’s Sin

Author: Jay Di Meo

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (244pgs mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (27th November 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Idriel, a second-class angel accused of murdering his comrades-in-arms, is sent to bootcamp on Earth where angels and demons train for the heavenly battles. The last thing he expects is Eligor, a first-class demon with his own ethics and more handsome than any angel, who grudgingly takes Idriel under his protection.

While waiting for his sentence to be passed, Idriel trains with Eligor and finds himself falling hard for said demon. Despite his innocence, he begins to accept his fate, which he is on his way to becoming a demon himself, and gives in to his body’s demands when it comes to Eligor.

But Idriel’s days on Earth are numbered. Soon he will be sent to the Pit, according to Heaven’s Law, and nothing can stop it from happening—until all Hell quite literally breaks loose, and what Idriel once considered a sin may now be his only salvation…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/IdrielsSin.html

Review: Wow! Well, this is an Angel & Demon story that I loved.   Idriel was a warrior angel until he was accused of murder.  now he is a tortured prisoner being held in bootcamp until he is sent to the seventh level of hell. Eligor is a fallen angel who is now a demon but has risen again!!! He is in bootcamp to train and as a privilege takes Idriel under his wing.  But, as the two get to know each other things come to light that changes everything for both of them.

Absolutely brilliant story… with the angel just a little bit wicked and the demon just a little bit good, just the way I like them. Idriel has been framed. He knows he has, but no-one will listen to him.  When Eligor takes responsibility for him, Idriel begins to have hope that someone will believe him.  But, it’s not as easy as he hoped.  Eligor doesn’t know what has got into him.  He shouldn’t be protecting the murderous traitor.  But, something draws him to Idriel.   It isn’t long before he’s in trouble and trying to find the culprits isn’t easy.

This is a great story-line and a solid plot; with great characters and some fantastic smoking hot sex. It isn’t easy to contain my excitement because this story rocked… it has betrayal, anger, rage, hope, love, lust, fear, hot sex, voyeurism, fights, blood, poison and surprises.  There is so much going on within the story that it just keeps you gripped.  I loved the bootcamp idea especially with it being on the human plain in an island near Crete. The lust and want between Idriel and Eligor is great and then we have both of them wanting to do what they can for the other.

I will have to recommend this to everyone as it just rocked big time. It isn’t the usual Angel and Demon story it’s more than that, as it is a solid basis for a series if this author wanted.   It has given us good world building, with great characters, a brilliant story-line and plot that keep you reading and corruption in the ranks of Heaven.

Cold Fear by Stevie Woods

Title: Cold Fear

Series: Other Worlds 06

Author: Stevie Woods

Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic, Action, Adventure

Length: Novella (50pgs Mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (4th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: On Alkya, a planet a long way from Earth, the Division of Investigation – Other Worlds, has set up a base where hundreds of personnel live and work. Among them are two men, Major Joshua Marsden and Lieutenant Matthew Ronson, who are part of one of the survey teams.

Dropping through the atmosphere to land on Theta for their latest survey, the ship is disabled by a strange energy force and crashes in an immense ice field. Matt awakens in the debris of the control room to find Josh and Dennis injured and the ship badly damaged. He does what he can for his colleagues and attempts to repair the tear to the ship’s skin. They struggle to keep warm in the freezing temperatures and when it transpires their communication unit isn’t working, it becomes a fight for their very survival.

This story is the sequel to Other Worlds 02 – Lightning Strike

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ColdFear.html

Review: Josh, Matt and Dennis are on a mission to find out more about the geology scans and the minerals the scans discovered. Unfortunately, as they drop through the atmosphere they are hit by something that their scans missed; now it is a fight for survival and time is running out.

This is quite a well written science fiction novella that has a few edge-of-the-seat moments.  Josh is trying his best to keep up appearances despite his injuries for the sake of Matt.  Josh knows that the situation is dire and he is the only one who can fix the communication unit to get a message to Alkya Base to send a rescue team.  Matt has done his best to treat Josh and Dennis and fix the breach in the ship but his skills are limited and he feels helpless as he hands parts to Josh and checks on Dennis as the temperature drops to a dangerous level.

This story flicks between the prospective of Josh and Matt so we get the feelings of both men as they struggle to survive. We feel their fear and hopelessness as they realize that rescue might not reach them in time and we feel their love as they both remember better moments.

I will recommend this to those who love hot sex, pure love, a struggle for survival and a really good story.

 

 

Kiss the Rain by Megan Derr

Title: Kiss the Rain

Series: Jewel Bonds 02

Author: Megan Derr

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novella (79pgs)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (23rd November 2011)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Selsor’s only dream growing up was to be a mage, to bond with a warrior and drive back the monsters in the Territories, live the life his parents had so loved. His dreams falter, however, when he displays no magic despite possessing the ability to use it. His dreams are lost when, during an attack by bullies, he lashes out with uncontrolled magic and accidentally kills an innocent bystander. His jewels blackened, banning him forever from using magic, Selsor is thrown out to survive on the streets as best he is able…

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=269&zenid=3dbba80be085412c7799bc372f4d55a2

Review: Okay, so this is a revised work of a previously free blog story with quite a few changes and it has made it even better. Selsor and Jenohn were both mentioned in An Admirer this is sort of a prequel and their story.

Selsor can’t work his magic; no matter how hard he tries and he is endlessly bullied because of it.   One day he lashes out by accident in an effort to protect himself and finds himself condemned and banished.   Three years later he finds himself a floor scrubber and hating his life. Jenohn is a Royal soldier who is on a mission to discover who is messing with the weather.   He remembers Selsor well and needs his help.

I must admit I love a good Megan Derr book as there is always something so enchanting and simple about her stories.  They are also about the story and the slight romance and not sex.  To be honest there usually isn’t much sex in a Megan Derr book and I have to admit that for some reason I prefer it that way.

This story is well written and it kind of has a medieval feel to it and the descriptions are well-formed and give you a really good picture of the area.   It has some danger, magic, a conceited soldier, an untrained mage and a happy ever after so I have to recommend this to anyone who wants a really good story and any of the above.

 

 

 

The Citadel by Carly Safko

Title: The Citadel

Author: Carly Safko

Genre: Contemporary, Modern day Pirates.

Length: Novella (82pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (7th December 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Will Berkley is young, rich, and very angry after his parents’ murderers escape prosecution. He turns to revenge, posing as a hapless yacht owner to attract pirates. He’s been searching for a scant six months for the murderous crew that attacked his family when bounty hunter Harold Marx shows up with instructions to bring him home.

Marx is handsome—and obviously an accomplished tracker—and once he discovers Will isn’t going to give up, he agrees to help. But pirates aren’t the only dangers on the high seas. If Will and Marx aren’t careful, they’ll find themselves face to face with something far more perilous: love.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2685

Review: Will is out for revenge.  He wants the twelve men who raided his parent’s yacht and murdered them to pay. While Will is luring pirates to their doom, Harold Marx boards his yacht to take him home to his uncle. But, Will has a few tricks up his sleeve to prevent it. Harold Marx is hired to bring Will home but he has secrets of his own to hide.  When Will gives him the slip…again, he offers to help Will to get his pirates and the two become close.

You know the story-line is really good and the blurb had me hooked and the characters were interesting and I liked their backgrounds but they were just too young, Will is only 18 and Marx is 21, this story would have been better suited if they were at least in their mid – late twenty’s. Will has a very interesting background and it really is quite tragic and we have a couple of flashbacks. Marx we don’t really get that much background on but we do find out that he has a major secret that could affect his relationship with Will badly.

This story has a few interesting moments where I learned more about yachts than I thought I needed to know; honestly, I never even knew they had a safe room (citadel) on a yacht. Sometimes the story felt a bit disjointed and I didn’t really get the feeling that there was much connection between Will and Marx. The sex between them is quite hot, but I wondered for a while if there was even a spark of lust between them.

This author has a lot of potential but I think she had her characters too young in this one so I think that I will recommend this one to those who like modern pirates and a good story-line.

 

 

Tangled Shadows by Tina Christopher

Title:  Tangled Shadows

Author:  Tina Christopher

Genre:   Paranormal, MMF Ménage, Sci-Fi

Length: Novella

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave (December 7, 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  After losing not only her ship but also three days of her memory in a freak explosion, Space Captain Brooke Deverell wants only to forget her troubles for one amazing night and fulfill her wildest fantasy. She gets that and more from Vampire Nikolai and ArchNaema Galen. The men have long been lovers and welcome her into their world of extraordinary sensuality. For one blissful night, Brooke believes she’s found her soul mates—but her happiness is short lived when she realizes she’s actually been kidnapped. The men hunted her down under the assumption she sold her crew and human cargo to Feral Vampires as blood slaves. After realizing her amnesia is real and of a paranormal nature, they find themselves at an impasse. To prevent a galaxy-wide war they must work together. The three discover their sensual partnership can heal her mind. But for a complete and successful union, Brooke has to decide if she can forgive the initial deception and open her heart to the two men who stir her blood.

Product Link:  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9744-tangled-shadows.aspx

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  How Tina Christopher got this far in her career without setting off my radar is amazing.  Nick that…she is amazing.  She managed to combine an excellently plotted sci-fi adventure with realistic MMF ménage loving, to create a world I hope she will visit again in the future.

Galen and Nikolai assumed getting into Brooke’s head would be easy.  After all Nikolai is an ancient vampire and Galen is of the Naeme race, powerful being somewhere between angels and demons.  Image their surprise to find mental shield in place that even Brook cannot penetrate.  I don’t know if what they do next is regulation interrogation on any planet, but it was smoking hot.  And the fact that the triad is equal, emotionally and sexually, was a huge plus for me.  We get to experience the genuine love and affection between the guys and watch as they break down all of Brooke’s carefully constructed defenses.

But even if there weren’t a whole lot of deliciously nasty sex scenes in this book, I think I would still have enjoyed it. The whole deal with Brooke’s amnesia and subsequent search and rescue was very entertaining.  *side note* Brooke is kiss-ass with a sword.  There weren’t a lot of secondary characters that don’t end up dead, but I’d pay money for a story about a certain fireball throwing rescuee.

This was my first Tina Christopher read and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I can’t wait to find out if this was a one-off or if she really is that good with world-building, erotic romance and action adventure.  Highly recommend

 

The End of the Beginning by John Goode

Title: The End of the Beginning

Series: Tales of Foster High 02

Author: John Goode

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (78pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (7th December 2011)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Not too long ago, Brad Greymark outed himself to his high school and the rest of the town of Foster, Texas, with a fairly obvious public display of affection. Now what? Brad had thought being Foster’s favorite son wasn’t that important, but when it comes time to choose between high school fame and Kyle, the boy he might just be falling for? It’s not an easy decision, knowing his heart may break either way.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2659

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Brad wakes the next morning after outing himself in school and begins to wonder what he has done.

This story is from Brad’s POV so we can get the full effect of his inner turmoil as he begins to fully realize what he has done and the effect it will have on him. The interesting thing about this book is that Brad is far from perfect and that he fully admits his faults but just because he admits them doesn’t mean that it isn’t tempting to continue down that line. We see his inner struggle as he decides what to do now.   Should he take a stand and stay outed? Or should he say that he only said it to support Kyle? These are just some of the questions that he struggles with as he begins to come to terms with his actions because as he questions himself he begins to wonder if he really is gay.

John Goode is a fantastic writer as we really do believe that we are in a 17/18yr olds head as he comes to terms with his home life, his school life and his social life. Kyle is again a very sweet young man who has every right to be angry and upset but also has a lot of forgiveness in him. Brad is a confused young man but he gets support from unexpected sources that give him confidence to do what is right for him. We also see a lot more of Brad’s background and it gives us a better understanding as to why he acts the way he does.

I have to recommend this one for those who like angst, only a little loving, soul-searching of sexuality and a promise of more great stories to come.

 

 

Needing To by B. A. Tortuga

Title: Needing To

Series: A Roughstock Story

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboy-Bull rider, Rock-star

Length: Short (58pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (14th December 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Boone doesn’t think he’ll find much on his Reno hotel TV, but he’s looking for a little something to brighten his day. Instead of adult entertainment, though, he finds an advertisement for the headlining act at the casino, rock star Gerald High. Boone doesn’t know Gerald High from Adam, but he knows the man behind the stage name: his old high school buddy, Danny.

Lead singer Danny is a mess when Boone forces his way into the penthouse suite, not sure he knows what day it is, or even where he is. He remembers Boone though, the cowboy who got away all those years ago. Can Boone give Danny the merry Christmas he never expected to have?

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3436

Review: Boone sweeps into Danny’s life when he sees how badly the singer is faring under the ‘oh so gentle’ *insert sarcasm* hands of his manager.  Danny no longer knows what’s really going on in his life until Boone steps in to help him out.

Boone (Dub) and Danny (Danby) knew each other years ago and although there was longing on both sides nothing ever really happened.  Now as Dub comes charging to the rescue both men admit that maybe they could have something good together. Geeze… Danby is in a bad way when Dub comes along and takes it up on himself to help Danby out.   Dub takes Danby away from it all and helps him go cold turkey and makes him realize that he doesn’t have to stay in a situation that is slowly wearing him down and killing him.

I quite enjoyed this book as you kinda have the knight in leather chaps riding to the rescue and saving his long-time friend from an unscrupulous manager and then seeing him through a hard time and being there for him afterwards. It was also nice to see the relationship between the two of them and the sex was pretty hot as well.

I will recommend this to those who love a bit of angst, reunions, bull riders, rock stars and a happy for now/happy ever after ending.

 

 

Mistletowed by Tara Lain

Title:  Mistletowed

Author:  Tara Lain

Genre:  Erotic Contemporary

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Loose, Id. (December 13, 2011)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:  Five friends, one piece of mistletoe. Christian Elliott has the perfect life — right girlfriend, right job, right house and car. How come he’s only really happy when he’s with his best friend, Jason? Melanie Cantrell has everything she wants. Why can’t she stop cheating on her boyfriend with her yoga teacher? Buttercup Allender adores her stable life with Winston. But she can’t give up her secret desire for BDSM.

Stir them all together at a holiday party with a beautiful rock god and a submissive stockbroker and what do you get? It could be love or they could all be Mistletowed.

This book is predominantly a romance between two men and features primarily male/male sexual practices; however, it contains m/f and m/m/f scenes and therefore cannot be classified as strictly LGBT.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, light BDSM elements (D/s, spanking), male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/f).

Product Link:  http://www.loose-id.com/Mistletowed.aspx

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  I know there are still a couple of weeks until Christmas 2011, and I have quite a few Holiday reads still sitting in my inbox, but, so far, this has been above and beyond, my favorite holiday read.

To call it a comedy of errors is putting it mildly.  All the neat little relationships we see in the beginning aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.  Watching them unravel and reform was absolutely delightful.  It’s amazing what a little magical mistletoe can do for one’s love life.

I’m not going to ruin it for you, by telling anymore, but I will say that there are MF, MM and MMF elements to this story.  So yeah, there are girly bits, but the MM storylines are dominate.

This story is extremely well constructed; sometimes it is humorous, sometime erotic, but always entertaining.  Highly recommended.

 

Confessions by Carol Lynne

Title: Confessions

Series: Cattle Valley 25

Author: Carol Lynne

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (95pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (21st November 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Government contracted mercenary, James “Priest” Evans, slides back into town after a mission gone very wrong. Haunted by his latest kill, Priest’s job is weighing heavily on his mind for the first time in memory… In Cattle Valley to heal and re-evaluate his life, Priest didn’t expect love but that’s exactly where’s he’s headed.

After a devastating and very public breakup, Luke Hatcher has given up on love. He’s more than happy to enjoy hot and heavy sex, but that’s as far as he’s willing to go. When he runs into Priest, Luke believes their mutual lack of trust is perfect for a short-term holiday affair.

Their steamy affair takes an unexpected turn when Priest makes a bedroom confession that will forever change the way he views life and love. Will the confession bring them closer together, or will it send Luke packing?

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1442

Review: Okaaaay. Luke is having trouble mentally since a horrific car accident he attended and luckily Priest sweeps into town to take his mind off it. Priest is having suspicions after his last job and he starts to dig deeper to find out the truth. In the meantime, he thinks it’s a great idea to pass a little time with Luke and get him out of his system.

This is a quite well written story that is a bit outlandish but has some mega hot sex. Luke is struggling to cope as an accident brings up memories of when his mother died.  When he sees Priest again he snatches the chance to get to know him better; little knowing how easy it would be to fall for him. Priest is in Cattle Valley for a little downtime and decides to relax with Luke, as his last job catches up with him Luke is placed in danger because Priest cares about him.

I liked Luke and Priest, they seemed like nice men and they seemed to have more going for them than just sex. I must admit that Cattle Valley has begun to pall for me as the stories are getting more outlandish… ‘cuz really, Cattle Valley becoming THE gay, military and Assassins retirement ground is just a bit too much for me to grasp and there seems to be a hell of a lot of killing going on as well nowadays.

I can only recommend this to those who adore Cattle Valley, love Assassins, a hint of mystery, a senseless kidnapping and torture, hot sex and a happy ever after.

Joy of the Season by T. A. Chase

Title: Joy of the Season

Author: T.A. Chase

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (28th November 2011)

Publisher: MLR Press

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Hal Sims runs a non-profit hospice named after his older brother. For ten years, he’s thrown himself into running the charity, and keeping his brother’s memory alive. Hal doesn’t have time for a relationship, especially with a rich golden boy like Tavis Komen.

Tavis Komen wants to change his life, and decides volunteering at Rupert’s Legacy is the first step to a better him. Meeting Hal Sims hits Tavis in ways he never planned.

When one of the hospice residents takes a turn for the worse, Tavis and Hal come together to comfort each other, and Tavis shows Hal there is joy to be found in a season that Hal has lost all interest in.

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=TACJYOFS

Review: Hal opened the hospice after his brother died; he offers support, love and respite from the worries of the world.  But as each year passes and those who come to him and become friends and then die, he finds it harder and harder to face each heartache without crawling into a bottle. Tavis has decided he needs to help on a more hands-on level, rather than just send a check each year.  When he meets Hal he begins to realize that he has found more than he first realized.

Hal has had his heart torn out more times than he can count.  He no longer finds joy in Christmas since his brother died and so many others since then.  He is wary of death but he provides something for these people that they desperately need… human contact and comfort in their last months and years. Tavis is a good man he has always supported charities and has been on humanitarian missions with his mother but the last one affected him more than he realized.  He now needs to do more, when they meet there is attraction but neither one is sure what to do about it.

I adored this story. It is gentle, loving, heartbreakingly touching and although it is sad it is also joyful. These two men come together at a time in their lives when they need the other.  Hal needs something and someone to remind him that life isn’t all death and sadness and Tavis has realized that his life is really quite shallow.

This book is so wonderfully written that I doubt that anyone will be able to read it without succumbing to tears. The characters are wonderful, especially Joey who will touch your hearts, and the lovemaking is beautiful.

I have to recommend this to everyone as it is a novella not to be missed.