Month: March 2012

Continental Divide by Lisa Worrall and L. E. Harner

Title: Continental Divide

Series:  Separate Ways 01

Author: Lisa Worrall & L.E. Harner

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Length: Novel (225pgs)

Publisher: Hot Corner Press (9th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Detective Remington frickin’ hates the missing persons detail, but a cold fury builds in the pit of his stomach when he realizes that over the past three months six boys have disappeared from the smaller communities that surround the greater Phoenix area. All reported to be runaways looking to escape their shitty lives, but Remy’s starting to put together a different picture and he doesn’t like it one damn bit.

Inspector Jamie Mainwaring stares at the six reports, willing them to make sense. Six boys, six months, all from just outside of London, which meant six different investigations. All of the boys were between the ages of ten and fifteen, all purportedly runaways from dysfunctional families. Something was rotten in Denmark.

There are always runaways. Every small town loses them—every big city collects them. Kids look for freedom and discover they have more to lose than they ever thought possible. London and Phoenix, culture and cowboys, nothing linking these two sprawling metropolitan areas. Nothing except a hit on a computer data search.

Two cops, one a cowboy, the other a Lord. A secret government agency, human trafficking, and a blazing hot mutual distraction.

What the hell have Remington and Mainwaring gotten themselves into?

Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-continentaldivide-744915-145.html

Review: Damn !I am so sorry you were so close to a 5 Hearts rating, but what were the chances that a reviewer would have a partner that is a Missing Person Officer in England and that same reviewer would know way more Missing Person’s procedures than they should!!

Remy is a detective in Phoenix and is frustrated by the disappearance of 6 young boys.   When he makes further inquiries into the disappearances, he is shunted off the case and reassigned. Jamie is an Inspector in London and is also frustrated by the disappearances of 6 young boys, when he is also reassigned. Remy and Jamie meet in a dark and dingy hotel with an Interpol Director and are told to work together to solve the case.

I must admit, after I overlook the glaring inconsistencies in Police and Interpol protocol, that this was a thoroughly enjoyable story. Remy has had a bad upbringing and it has shaped him, to some extent, into the man he is now. Jamie is still fighting against the bonds that his mother has placed on him, but he has proved himself on the force. Remy and Jamie clash from the first and the sparks are explosive.   Both feel the enormous attraction and while Jamie is quite happy to give into it, Remy fights it all the way.

This isn’t a happy ever after or even a happy for now.   And again my eReader is slightly bruised, but hey, I have heard there’s another three books to come. 😉 Watching the progression of this book is a slow build-up.   There isn’t lots of action, but the story grips you and keeps you reading and wanting more. Remy and Jamie are passionately explosive, but it’s a lot of pushing and pulling between them and you just know that no matter how Jamie feels, Remy has a lot to work through before he can be at peace enough to be happy.

There were a lot of “hmmm” moments in this and there was even an “Oh” moment and there is still a lot to discover about these two men especially Remy.   You just know that whatever we find out is going to be horrible, but that’s for the future.   What we have now is a beginning of something between the MCs, but what it could be, maybe they aren’t even sure. We also get to look forward to finding out more about Miggy and just who is the mystery man that Remy phones?

So, all in all, I really enjoyed this book and have to recommend it to those who love mystery, suspense, hot sex, intrigue, secrets and a promise of more stories to come.

 

Four Gay Weddings and a Funeral by Ryan Field

Title: Four Gay Weddings and a Funeral

Author: Ryan Field

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (203pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (1st December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When New York legalizes same-sex marriage, Neil winds up with more invitations to gay weddings than he knows what to do with! And it’s during one of these weddings where Neil meets Andre- the perfect man.

Andre is French, with a romantic accent and a killer body, and he fills Neil with emotion in ways he’s never known- he’s the perfect man. But Neil isn’t ready for marriage, and so he lets Andre go.

As time passes, Neil’s life goes on, and he always wonders what might have been with Andre. But when life-altering events rock Neil’s quiet life, he may get a chance to find happily-ever-after!

Purchase Link: http://www.ravenousromance.com/m/m/four-gay-weddings-and-a-funeral.php

Review: Neil is not ready for commitment and although there is one man who has tempted him he still knows that it would be a mistake to pursue it when he isn’t ready. Andre is, as far as Neil is concerned, the perfect man he’s French, has his own business and Neil feels an instant connection to him, but the timing is just wrong.   As they meet up at various weddings, Neil wonders what might have been.

Well, I have got to say that I watched the original film and now I have read this book and the book is my hands down favorite. When Neil and Andre first meet it is at a mutual friend’s wedding and besides Neil feeling that he has embarrassed himself they have a passionate night together.   Over the times that follow, they meet up at other weddings and a funeral and each time Neil still wants Andre, but he also finds out that Andre isn’t as perfect as he thought. By the end of the book, Neil is in his own relationship and questioning what he is really feeling.

This is a brilliant book and I loved it.  Ryan Field has rewritten this okay film and produced a brilliant gay story. Neil is the central character and his life seems to be a series of weddings as he watches his friends marry and cement their relationships.   He isn’t ready to settle down and marry and as we progress through the book we see his struggles with his own conscience, his own needs and the realization that what he longs for isn’t actually what he wants. There are some parts of this book that might put some people off like Neil and his partner sharing or multiple partners, but it is all highly erotic.

This book pulls you in and even knowing that I had seen the film didn’t make a blind bit of difference.   I was along for the ride and enjoying every minute of it. Neil starting to settle down was great.   Suddenly Neil is living with another man and he’s not sure how it comes about and I have got to say that the funeral was painful to read.   It was a character that I wouldn’t have suspected and I had come to love in a short space of time. Ryan Field had me on the edge of my seat during the final scenes and I think he is a cruel cruel man for making me doubt Neil right at the end.

With this book I recommend that if you enjoy hot sex, straight men experimenting, finding love, grief, happiness, truth and a great ending to a wonderful book then you really need to read this book… it’s ace.

A Cowboy's Heart by J. M. Snyder

Title:   A Cowboy’s Heart

Author:  J. M. Snyder

Genre:   Historical, Erotica, Transgender,

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  JMS Books (February 8th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Ranch hand Tommy Prout thinks he’s in love … with his boss, Hal Bolstrum. Problem is, Hal’s engaged to be married to the ranch owner’s daughter and, though he knows of Tommy’s crush, he sees it as nothing more than harmless affection. When payday rolls around and the other cowboys want to ride into town to check out the girls at the Wildhorse saloon, Tommy tags along to throw off any suspicion anyone might have about his feelings for his boss. He sure as hell doesn’t want to spend his money on any of the soiled doves the town has to offer.

At the bar he meets Lila, an enterprising young working girl who takes a liking to him. When Tommy says he wants to be left alone, Lila suggests he rest in her room — with the promise they don’t have to actuallydo anything. But Lila isn’t like the others, and when she discovers Tommy is more scared of her than attracted to her feminine charms, she lets him in on a little secret.

Lila’s real name is Stephen Marsh. He lives as a woman, moving from saloon to saloon, pleasing men for money. He loves men and enjoys his work, and what others don’t know about what’s under his skirt doesn’t bother him. In all his years on the prairie, he’s never met someone quite like Tommy. When he discovers Tommy is sweet on Hal, he suggests teaching the cowboy just how to please a man.

He doesn’t mean to lose his heart to Tommy in the process.

With “Lila” in his life, Tommy begins to dream of someone softer than Hal, someone pretty when dolled up but still man enough where it counts. Someone like Lila. As his feelings deepen, can he use Lila’s own teachings to win the heart he really loves?

Product Link:  http://jmsnyder.net/?p=1013

Reviewer:   Cat

Review:  This story stole my heart. Oh.  MY.   Goodness! It was fabulous. I was captivated by the first paragraph. J.M. did such a great job describing the scenery, you felt you were there.  And she made the characters come to life, both physically and emotionally.  I felt like I was the cowboy!  The whole story was so well written and believable, you could hardly put it down.

I fell in love with Tommy immediately. I could feel his frustrations and his secret desires for his foreman.

I was as surprised as Tommy when he came in and found his foreman, the object of his desires and dreams with Sarah the boss’s daughter.  I was like, hmmmm… I just knew the story was gonna be about him and Hal.

So, I read on.  I felt so badly for Tommy when his friends coerce him to going to a saloon and to try to get him a hooker.  You could feel his pain, not wanting the others to know he was gay, but not wanting to be with a woman either, still aching from what he saw earlier.  Still wanting Hal. Then I was really freaked out when he went upstairs with Lila one of the saloon girls. I had to double-check …isn’t this an M/M romance?

The scene was so hot and afterwards when Lila was talking about his –oops did I say his?-HER feelings I immediately bonded with him-I mean her. The sex scene was amazing and the emotional needs and connections so good.  I couldn’t decide which character I loved the most.  But, I am a hopeless romantic. So, does Tommy fall in love with Lila or will he finally win over his macho crush Hal?

I’m not gonna tell! You will have to read A Cowboys Heart by J.M.Snyder for yourself. You won’t be sorry. Be prepared to fall in love with a Cowboy! I give it 10 hearts! Oh, man… I can only go up to five? Well, Five it is♥♥♥♥♥!!

 

 

Battle Buddy by S. J. D. Peterson

Title: Battle Buddy

Series: Rough Rangers 01

Author: S.J.D. Peterson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (67pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (17th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Shane Tucker joined the Army to hide behind “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. It was working too, until he was paired with sexy Owen Bradford as his Battle Buddy. If boot camp doesn’t kill him, the temptation of Owen’s sinful body surely will.

Shane Tucker joins Uncle Sam’s Army at nineteen. Tucker is gay, but not ready to be open about his orientation and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” seems like a convenient way to avoid having to dealing with his sexuality.

The Army suits Tucker; he does well right from the beginning. Things get harder for Tucker during boot camp when he is assigned a “Battle Buddy”.  Owen Bradford is a walking, talking wet dream, with no concept of personal space–he especially likes being in Tucker’s personal space. Tucker barely survives boot camp living with the constant temptation that is Owen Bradford.

Two years later, Tucker–now in the Army Ranger program–is paired up with Owen once again. Getting through training while ignoring the sizzling sexual tension between him and his “Battle Buddy” might be the biggest test of Tucker’s military career.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/806

Review: Shane comes from a small town and he has never had a reason to come out.   At nineteen, he joins the army and now he has the perfect excuse.   he has no choice but to lie about his sexuality and he grips onto it. Shane struggles when he meets Owen, as he fights his attraction to him and now two years later he’s still struggling with that attraction.

Whoop!  what an enjoyable story of attraction, lust and want. Shane desperate struggles to get a grip on his attraction to Owen, especially with Owen being straight and tough.  When Owen turns back up in his life, Shane finds it harder than ever and as far as he is concerned, as soon as the training is finished, he’s going to sort out his virgin status with the first available male.

I have to say that S.J.D. blew me away with the amount of research that must have gone into this book.   The descriptions of the training were brilliant and brought the book to life. While we learn a lot about Shane, as the book is from his POV, we don’t learn much about Owen.  With Shane, we can feel his lust, want and need for Owen.   But, we also feel his confusion and fear as he struggles to understand why Owen is acting like he is.  Remember, Shane firmly believes Owen to be straight.

When these two men come together it is explosive and although we don’t get an instant happy ever after what we do get is a promise of the start of a relationship that will rock both men’s worlds and boy do they rock ;-). So in all honesty, we don’t get the angst that we usually get from S.J.D.  but, we do get an awful lot of frustration and some wicked lines ‘Like right then and there before my shaft exploded and I ended up a fucking eunuch’ classic.

So, I have to recommend this to those who love hunky sexy soldiers, explosive sex, frustration, longing, doubts and a happy for now ending.

 

 

 

Reward by Jambrea Jo Jones

Title: Reward

Series:   Alliance 04

Author:  Jambrea Jo Jones

Genre:   Science Fiction

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Total E-Bound (February 27, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Book four in the Alliance Series

Vacation can be its own reward.

James Rodrick deserved a vacation. Running around the galaxy protecting people can be a rough road. His first officer was nicely settled and a cure for a deadly disease had been found. Time for a break. Alphonse Carter was not what the doctor ordered. A con man on the run does not a vacation make.

Alphonse Carter lived life high on the hog pretending to be something he wasn’t. His undercover identity was discovered and now he must flee before he is caught by the wrong side. Hijacking a captain with Alliance ties wasn’t in the cards, but he had to take what he could.

Will mistaken identity cause havoc or romance?

Product Link:  http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1556

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  The fourth installment of the Alliance saga opens with James Roderick on vacation.  Well, actually, it’s more of a pity party, but let’s not quibble with details.  James’ first mate oopsed up and fell in love and ran off to live with his lover.  James is happy for them, but he wouldn’t mind finding his own “happy-ever-after”.  Alphonse/Ali is up to his eyeballs in an undercover operation gone bad.  He’s just trying to get off the planet and keep his ass alive.

If you’ve read my reviews, you are probably aware that I have a serious girl-crush on Jambrea Jo Jones.  No one feeds my love of MM sci-fi like she does.  Reward has all the action adventure, steamy sex…all through that space ship, and intrigue I’ve come to expect from JJJ.  If you haven’t read the other Alliance books, relax…Reward does nicely as a standalone.

The guys of Reward are a bit rougher than some of her other male characters.  James is an ex-Alliance pilot, who hates all this Alliance.  He’s loyal and smart and a good guy to have around in a fight.  Alphonse, on the other hand, fights dirty and is well…Alliance to the born.  James and Alphonse’s attraction is immediate and off the charts.  Sex is not a problem for these two.  Unfortunately, that is the only easy thing in their lives, right now.  The road to their HEA is littered with spies, betrayal, and oh yeah…literal bombs.

I loved everything about this book.  But, especially, the fact that these two are all man.  Alphas males to the core.  They work hard, play hard and love hard.  They also complement one another and do what it takes to keep the other safe and happy.

I think you should read this book, for no other reason, that to keep Jambrea feeding my addiction.  I really need Angel’s story written faster.  😉  Highly recommend.

Holed Up by Hank Edwards

Title:   Holed Up

Author:  Hank Edwards

Genre:   Erotic Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Loose Id (June 2, 2009)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   FBI Special Agent Aaron Pearce, tall, muscular, a lone wolf with an attitude, is assigned to protect Mark Beecher, a witness to the plans for a terrorist attack. The discovery of an unknown informant within the FBI’s ranks, however, forces the two men to hole up in a loft apartment with only one another for company.

After long conversations and their shared attempt to unravel the puzzle of the terrorist group’s next target, Pearce and Mark find they cannot deny their mutual attraction. Pearce gives in to his passion, sleeping with the man he’s sworn to protect and going against his training as he risks heartbreak once again.

When the informant reveals himself to Pearce and takes him hostage, Mark finds he cannot run and leave Pearce to die. Instead, their roles have been reversed and now he is the only person who can save Special Agent Pearce.

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

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

Reviewer:   Cat

Review:  Wow! This book is awesome! It was my first gay detective or suspense book, but now I am hooked. Move over Romance there is competition! Both romance and suspense in one book? Yes I’ll take two!

What a thrill ride! I sat on the edge of my seat, biting my nails through the entire book, which I wasn’t able to put down until I finished! Both the sex scenes and the suspense were equally intriguing and exciting!

Do you want to hear a bit about the book? Ok I’ll tell you. It’s about a detective sent to Detroit to protect a witness.

Memphis by Lynn Hagen

Title: Memphis

Series: Zeus’s Pack 08

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Shifters, Paranormal, M/M/M

Length: Novella (126pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (3rd March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Romano Tiziano thought owning a landscaping company was better than the bodyguard work he used to do, but who knew shrubbery and lawn care would have him on the run? After witnessing a prominent lawyer being killed, Romano thinks that Pride Pack Valley is the safest place to run.

Memphis thinks that he can handle anything after being under Jackson’s thumb…until he meets Romano. The man is arrogant, stubborn, and Memphis is going insane trying to deal with the man. And to top that, his other mate, Tabby can’t seem to stay out of the tavern.

Tabby has landed in jail twice now for DUI. And he wasn’t even behind the wheel! After his second arrest, he finds one tall and dark stranger trying to bail him out…and take him home.

Can the three get their act together long enough to claim one another or will their differences and blinding ways make them part company?

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/memphis

Review: Romano is running for his life, trying to stay ahead of the people who want to silence him.   He turns to Pride Pack Valley and his cousin Dino, but what he finds there is not what he expected. Memphis knows that he can handle anything after being under Jackson’s thumb… until he meets Romano who is just as dominant as Jackson and Tabby who won’t put up with any crap. Tabby knows he isn’t a drunk but no one will believe him.   He’s had it with people telling him he is a drunk.  And now after finding he has two mates, one who’s a wolf and one who has hit-men after him.  he thinks that maybe they can solve all their problems.

This is quite a good story that has an interesting development. All three characters are interesting, Memphis thinking that he wasn’t affected by Jackson by in reality controlling everything he can and being dominant and a hard-ass when someone argues with him. Romano is also dominant, but he can compromise so it’s up to him to show Memphis where he is going wrong. Tabby is a man who even though he just might be submissive isn’t going to let anyone walk all over him and the sooner that Romano and Memphis understand that the better.

The story-line is quite good with Romano being chased by hit-men, Memphis discovering his flaws and the mystery of Tabby’s drunkenness. It makes for an interesting story, but there was a lot of horns locking as both Romano and Memphis acted like rams fighting for dominance. The one thing that I noticed was that there wasn’t that much background for any of the characters, especially Tabby, we get a brief background on Romano to explain why he’s running and we know that Memphis lived under Jackson’s thumb and we know that apparently Tabby was the town drunk, but that’s it.

So a good book, but sadly lacking in detail, so you find it difficult to relate with the characters. But the sex is scorching hot and Tabby is a little bit of a voyeur ;-). So I recommend this to those who love shifters, danger, mystery, hot sex and a happy ever after.

 

 

 

The Fifth Son by Blaine D. Arden

: The Fifth Son

Author: Blaine D. Arden

Genre: Fantasy, Rope Play

Length: Novella (61pgs)

Publisher: Storm Moon Press (9th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Llyskel is the fifth son of a King, but, unlike his brothers, he doesn’t have a career in politics or the military to look forward to. In a world where everyone possesses magic to some degree or other, Llyskel is powerless, unable to perform even the smallest magic-based tasks. All his life, he’s been under constant guard for his own protection from the magical world around him, much to his annoyance. The only time Llyskel feels free is when he paints, where the only spells he needs are the ones he weaves with brush and paint, capturing moments of beauty and giving them immortality on canvas.

Llyskel harbors a secret wish, though, a dark desire that haunts his nights. Only Ariv, a captain in the King’s army, seems to sense the truth of Llyskel’s needs. The pull he feels to Llyskel is unavoidable, and the passion between them undeniable.

But Ariv isn’t the only one interested in Llyskel. The Queen of a neighboring country expresses her interest in the boy’s talents, but her true intent goes far beyond a love of art. And what she asks may be too high a price for any of them.

Purchase Link: http://stormmoonpress.com/books/The-Fifth-Son.aspx

Review: Llyskel is nothing like anyone else in his kingdom or the country.   Everyone else has magic and Llyskel doesn’t and because of that he is protected in and out of the castle.   a captain in his father’s army captures Llyskel’s eye and his imagination. Ariv is attracted to the young prince and has guessed his secret desires; he sets out to court the prince and discovers a secret that nobody knew.

I enjoyed this story and think it was well written.   It has a slightly whimsical feel to it, but that could be because it’s from Llyskel’s POV. Llyskel is dearly loved by his family, but they treat him like a helpless child because he has no magic.  He can’t even spar with anyone else he has a practice dummy and that is it.  He has a guard that follows him everywhere, even in the castle and he feels stifled by it all. Ariv is the man that he fantasies about along with his shooter and Ariv is going to light up the prince’s world and give him everything that he wants and nothing will stop him not even the new discovery.

Llyskel is wonderfully described and the way the author describes the scenes and emotions is wonderful.   you can feel Llyskel’s frustrations seeping through, his want and need and his obsession with Ariv and shooters. Ariv is harder to get a grip on, but you know he is the man to give Llyskel everything that he needs.  Even when his prince goes missing, he knew Llyskel could handle himself. Even without magic and when he gets him back he gives Llyskel the support and encouragement that he needs.

For me this book was just right.  it wasn’t too short, it wasn’t too long (did I sound like Goldilocks?) it was the perfect length with a touch of danger, a touch of kink, a lot of hot sex, a good story-line, the world building was good without too much information.  There was a kidnapping, a controlling Queen, a hunky Captain and a quite prince, so honest to god… what more could you want.   Get this book and enjoy.

Famine by T. A. Chase

Title: Famine

Series: The Four Horsemen 03

Author: T.A. Chase

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (142pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (20th February 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Saving a dying man might be just what Famine, the Black Horseman, needs to feed his starving heart.

Having been sacrificed by his village shaman, Famine knows what it’s like to do anything to survive. He wanders the world, sowing drought and starvation in his wake. Yet he hates being the Black Horseman more than anything in the world, except the man who ended his life all those centuries ago. Famine never stops doing his job, and never allows himself to fall in love.

Ekundayo wants a better life for himself, so he steals a diamond from the mine where he works. Nothing goes well for him after that, and he finds himself dying in the desert on his way to the border. When he’s rescued by Famine, Ekundayo isn’t sure if his luck has changed or not. The longer he stays in Famine’s company, the more Ekundayo discovers he just might be falling in love with Famine.

One bad choice of Ekundayo’s part and a future together seems out of reach. Will Famine let his only possibility of love go or will he defy Death himself to keep Ekundayo?

Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1547

Review: Famine spends his days traveling around making sure nothing will grow and drying up any water around.   He might not like what he does and he has done it for a long time, but he knows that there is a reason for it even if he doesn’t agree. Ekundayo steals a diamond from the mine he works (slaves) at.  As he runs away with plans to sell it, he slips and now he is trapped.  When he is rescued, although he feels attracted to his rescuer, he needs to find the diamond and sell it to have a better life.

This is a well written story that shows us more about what it means to be a Horseman. Famine isn’t like the other horsemen, as he hadn’t done anything to deserve becoming a Horseman and he has nothing to feel guilt over. So I was puzzled as to why he was made one but then it was answered near the end. Both Famine and Ekundayo are good characters and they seemed to have a spark, but they didn’t come across as real people… they were flat and they didn’t really feel alive so my attention wandered often.

Ekundayo being a thief isn’t even a blip on my radar as living in conditions that he was I’d have done worse.  What did bother me is that while he was recovering with Famine he was obsessed with getting the diamond back.  Even while he was falling in love with Famine. Famine is cautious with Ekundayo and he does try to dissuade him a bit. The sex between the two is hot and I did like the way that Famine went to Ekundayo’s rescue with Death’s subtle nudging of course.

Now the only part that really got me and miffed me off a little and that was a mistake by the author (unless there was something missing with an explanation) and that was Famine’s salt, it was clearly stated to Famine by Death that the salt would only work for Famine ‘no one else could do what he did’ but Ekundayo drops one of the grains and it ruined the little Island. Now on the good side Lam has a mystery so is he heavily featured in Death’s story or will there be a story just for him?

So any way with this one I will recommend it to those who love hot sex, desperate men, a man who needs to forgive and a happy ever after.

Portia’s Mini-rant:  I was very disappointed with the cover art for this book.  There are too many beautiful Black men in the world to have to Photoshop in dreadlocks.  My my mind, Death looks  more like this. 😉 

Higher Ground by Becky Black

Title: Higher Ground

Author: Becky Black

Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic

Length: Novel (279pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (28th February 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Zach is impatient and likes to hurry. Adam likes to take it slow and to tease. But, they’d have worked it all out — if only the end of the world hadn’t gotten in the way.

Zach Benesh is sure his prediction is right – the island colony of Zahara is about to sink into the ocean. Adam Gray isn’t as certain, but he’s happy to follow the intense, brilliant geophysicist into the mountains to escape the flooding. Though he’d be even happier without three hundred other people – and their pets – tagging along. He’d like to have Zach all to himself out there.

But Zach’s prediction is right and as disaster begins to unfold towards an unstoppable, inevitable conclusion, the two young scientists must become a team in the fight to save their people. They draw strength from their rapidly developing relationship, but the higher Zach and Adam climb, the more difficult the tests they face – as lovers and as men.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Higher-Ground.aspx

Review: Zach is a geophysicist who has been running tests on a small earthquake in his spare time.   When the results come in he prays they are wrong, but knows they are right and the colony is in grave danger. Adam is a botanist and has just started dating Zach.   He doesn’t know what to believe, but Zach is so sure in his conviction that Adam will follow him and support him while their relationship is pushed along fast and is tested to its youthful limits.

This is a well written story that has good characters, an interesting story-line and a great conclusion. Zach is a genius who is never wrong, but this is one time that he wishes he was.   When he can’t get any of his colleagues to read his findings he goes directly to the people on the Island.  He has some small success, but because of what they face he knows that some of his colleagues and the council are playing with fire. Adam might not be sure of what Zach has discovered, but the lengths that Zach goes to convinces him that Zach really believes the Island will sink and so he makes the decision to support his lover.

I think this story is brilliant… it’s a disaster story on a terraformed planet, a small island sat on a super-volcano, the closest rescue a small outpost 18hrs away, the colony elders disbelieving and 300 people climbing to higher ground. I must admit there wasn’t as much world building as I wanted, but the descriptions that we did get were brilliant.  The characters are interesting and likeable. Zach is just so passionate in his belief that disaster is days away but even as he climbs the mountain and is thrust into a role of leadership he wants to be wrong and you can understand the emotions he is feeling. Adam you can understand why he supports Zach, even if he doesn’t quite believe and the fear that they both go through when the next earthquake strikes is palpable.

The relationship between Adam and Zach had only just begun days before and on their journey it is forced to progress faster than either really wanted and although they declare their love a spanner is thrown in the works by Zach’s jealousy over a new arrival Glyn. This is a great story it’s more than just a romance, it’s about survival and blind trust, it’s about grabbing on to life in a disaster and doing the right thing even in the face of adversity.

I will recommend this to those who love science fiction, disaster movies, life and death situations, a fast paced relationship, hot sex, jealousy and a great story.

 

 

The Storyteller By Blaine D. Arden

Title:  The Storyteller

Series:   Storm Moon Press Free Reads

Author:  Blaine D. Arden

Genre:   Fantasy, Mild BDSM

Length:  Short story

Publisher:  Storm Moon Press

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥41/2Hearts

Blurb:   Banished by his family, young, blind aristocrat Oleg finds there are advantages of living isolated with just his tutor for company. But the perfect day said tutor, Neiam, planned for them, Oleg’s father seems hell bent on ruining.

Product Link:  http://stormmoonpress.com/books/The-Storyteller.aspx

Reviewer:   J.

Review: 
The Storyteller is another wonderfully written story with a little extra towards the end. More of the B&D and S&M themes but not in a way where it’s all the usual “whips and chains” but an understanding between Neiam and Oleg. It’s interesting how the term “pet” comes to mind in this and how it’s used in a term of endearment. Overall, I also enjoyed this story writing which wasn’t all about fluff and sweetness. Then I read the biography and saw that the author is from the Nederlands so that made all sense. Europeans are more sexually open and tend to go for the gut of things without the sappiness that some American writers go for. I did like that ideal that these two characters trust each other and that their relationship stays constant even after the more kinkier edges.

I’d give this story an A- for its depth (father and the relationship between the two) and that realness in the story (two friends, lovers, exploring each other in safe boundaries).

Twisted by David D. Jones

Twisted

My lust isn’t wearing cologne

It is covered in Mississippi dirt

Arkansas secrets

Louisiana funk

Its……..

It’s jazz

I want to taste bloodlines for flavor

Stick my tongue under the foreskin of the future

Eating the ripe rich cheese of pride and hope and testosterone and swagger

While the past brutally fucks my faggot ass

With its grey beard stubble rasping my back

Bluesy hips bitching me out

As I grow delirious with the joy of discarded manhood

Backwoods country fuckin’

With mosquitoes and crickets the languid, inexorably horny witness

To the porn theatre projected out into the universe

From an old shack standing since old days