Month: April 2012

Flipped by Olivia Brynn

Title:  Flipped

Series:  Silver Sparkle Short Story

Author:  Olivia Brynn

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Short Story

Publisher:  Silver Publishing (April 21, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Carter and Mario have been best friends for years. Their joint project to flip a house for a profit brings them closer than they thought possible, but is their friendship is too precious to sacrifice for a night of lust?

Carter Hope would do just about anything for his best friend. When Mario Gutierrez gets the bright idea to buy an old house together to flip, Carter swears he’s out of his mind. Unfortunately, Mario is hard to resist. After one weird conversation at a bar and one meaningful look across an empty beer bottle, Carter isn’t sure he’s not the one flipping for his friend. They’re both tops, so to make this work, one will have to give in and roll over.

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/838/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Carter and Mario have been best friends for years.  Carter is quiet and reserved, Mario…not so much.  Jumping on the real estate trend, the guys buy a beautiful old house in need of a little TLC.  The plan is to fix it themselves and then “flip it “, for a hefty profit.  To save on living expenses, Carter and Mario both move into the property.  Now these two confirmed “tops” are seriously considering doing a little “flip” to the bottom side of lovin’.

This is the sweetest story.  Carter and Mario are a beautiful team.  They’ve shared all the major milestones of growing into manhood together.  But, they’ve never consciously considered taking their friendship to another level; at least not enough to risk their friendship.   Not until a night of clubbing sparks a kernel of interest that refuses to go away.  There is nothing to do but let nature take its course.  The only problem is both men are “tops”.  Carter’s one and only experience, as a bottom didn’t end well and he hasn’t put himself in that vulnerable a position since.

The interaction between Carter and Mario is great.  Their friendship is strong and underpins all their interactions.  The loving is steamy and very well-written.  Mario is just what Carter needs to let go and really enjoy being loved on by another man.

I love “friend to lover” romances.  Flipped is sweet without being sappy, sexy but intimate.  Highly recommended.

Set Me On Fire by AJ Jarrett

Title:  Set Me On Fire

Series:  Men in Uniform

Author:  AJ Jarrett

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Silver Publishing

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Kelly Lynch wanted to become a firefighter to help people and give his life meaning. But his accident-prone nature has his boss thinking he’s an utter fool. He never planned to fall for Nate Anderson, but now that he has, he’s realizing loving is easy; it’s understanding and comprise that is the hard part.

Nate has been attracted to Kelly since his first day at the station house, and watching the younger man day in day out is frustrating to say the least. Kelly’s latest stunt almost got him killed, and for fear of losing Kelly, Nate decides to discourage the man of his dreams from his own dream.

Will Nate’s demanding ways push Kelly away, causing the flames of their love to smolder and die? Or can Kelly prove he has what it takes to become a firefighter Nate can be proud of, in and out of the bedroom?

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/807/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Kelly is a brand new firefighter…and not the best one, at that.  Nate is his lieutenant and always coming down on him about one screw-up or another.  After a serious breach of protocol endangers not just Kelly, but another fireman, Nate has had enough.  Unfortunately, yelling at Kelly is the last thing he wants to do when they end up alone in Nate’s office.

Set Me On Fire starts out strong.  It literally begins with Kelly fighting for his life in a house fire.  I thought the firefighter who comes to his rescue would be his love interest, but I guess AJ Jarrett thought that would be too contrived.  So, when Kelly is finally safe and Nate lights into him, I was confused by intrigued.  Their chemistry was hot from moment one.

I love both these characters.  Nate is a big ole Alpha male willing to do what it takes to get his man.  Kelly is a bundle of nerves, half the time, but willing to stand up for himself and by no means a pushover.  However, my favorite character is Nate’s big brother and boss, Andy.  He flips from boss to brother mode as needed.  It’s a shame he’s already married.

There’s just enough tension to make this a nice page-turner.  Nate means well, but his alpha nature is a bit much at times.  And god knows Kelly might be head over heels in love, but he wasn’t taking any crap from the man.  My only complaint?  I wished it had been longer.  These two are great together and I really appreciated peeking into their world.  Personally, I really liked the fact that the emergency medical procedures were realistic.  Highly recommend.

 

Home by Donna McIntosh

Title: Home

Series: Home 01

Author: Donna McIntosh

Genre: Science-Fiction, Action, Adventure

Length: Novel (151pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (21st April 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Detective Sean Riker goes after old nemesis, Mitchell Yates, never expecting the man to save his life. Yates shows Riker a science fiction world full of wonder. Now Riker must choose–stay with the LAPD or work for intergalactic peace.

Every detective has one criminal he wants to bring to justice–the one who skates around the edges of the underground world, but always has an alibi and can’t be pinned down for a single crime.

For LAPD Detective Sean Riker, that criminal is Mitchell Yates.

Riker thinks he finally has Yates and decides to pull him in for questioning. Instead, Yates saves Sean’s life when he takes a bullet to the shoulder. The shooting hasn’t stopped and escape routes are blocked. Yates does the only thing he can.

Transports Riker to his HOME–a manmade satellite orbiting Earth.

Now Riker faces a choice–Remain with the LAPD…or join the Keepers’ mission.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/761/

Review: Sean has been trying to pin Yates for his crimes for years. But, they always slide off him and Yates always walks away clean. But, now Sean is having to rethink everything he has ever known, as Yates saves his life and shows him a life he never even suspected. Yana (Yates) is not who he first appears to be and it is a revelation as to who he really is.

I liked this story as it has a secret organization that is trying to help with justice on Earth. Sean is a LAPD detective who ends up getting rescued by his nemesis Yates.  Sean doesn’t have a clue what is going on when Yates rescues him and takes him to a place that no one on Earth has a clue about. But, that doesn’t stop his questions. Yana (Yates) has an opportunity to show Sean that he isn’t as bad as Sean thinks and to show Sean his life. But, with an ex hanging in the background and his work to do, he doesn’t have much time to spend with Sean and relies on his friends to show Sean what their community is like.

Yana and Sean have a slow developing relationship. with Sean having to resolve what he thought he knew about Yana and what he now knows to be true. Yana seems to have been admiring Sean from afar, but knew that because of his role, Sean wouldn’t have anything to do with him. It was nice to see a slow build-up with a bit of confusion thrown in, in the shape of Jimmy. The space-station is a unique touch, as this is set in modern times and we get a bit of back-ground about the Peace Keepers and what their role is. But…I was left with questions.

I must admit that there was a couple of interesting aspects to the story, but we only got the beginning or the tail end of it. To me this story is the warm up leading to a wider range of stories in the future; sort of giving us a taste of what is to come.  where we will learn more about the Peace Keepers in the future.

I will recommend this to those who love science fiction, conflict, adjusting perspectives, finding love and the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

 

The Connecting Flame by Myristica

Title: The Connecting Flame

Series: Harp and Sword Chronicles 01

Author: Myristica

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novel Plus (358pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (21 April 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Thaddeus: A warrior cursed with a Blood-Rage.

Stephen: A terminally ill prince.

Reunited after nine years, Thaddeus discovers Stephen is targeted by the Gods, but with his cursed rage, he wonders–Is he the wisest choice to become Stephen’s protector?

Thaddeus: A warrior cursed with a Blood-Rage. Stephen: A terminally ill prince. Separated for nine years, they are reunited again by two warring factions of Gods and a mysterious mist of light, all of whom have their eyes on Stephen. Knowing the dangers of his Blood-Rage, Thaddeus must determine if he is the best choice to become Stephen’s warrior guard. But with the Aggregate System of Gods involved, he may not have a choice. In spite of his terminal illness, Stephen may be the prophesied Catalyst who will bring about the downfall of the Aggregate. In order to hold on to their reign, the Aggregate have a plan… and that plan includes the manipulation of Thaddeus’s love for Stephen.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title has a bittersweet ending.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/755/

Review: Thaddeus is a warrior who has been cursed with Blood-Rage and his dreams are leading him home; a place where his family were slaughtered. The young prince needs him, but Thaddeus has a fear that his Blood-Rage will do more harm than good. Stephen is a young prince who is seriously ill and is also cursed. The only time he feels safe is with Thaddeus, the man who saved him years before.  Now, he needs Thaddeus more than ever.

What an absolutely fantastic fantasy that is well written and leaves you longing for more. Thaddeus has been cursed and is well known as The Marked One, who leaves dead bodies after his Blood-Rage. Stephen is a frail prince who has lived longer than anyone thought he would. These two, the warrior and the prince, are pulled together by dreams and a bond neither knew about and the gods who are manipulating them and those around them.

This story is not a romance.  It is a true fantasy that has elements of love that is just starting to develop. Thaddeus and Stephen are our main characters and both have their own form of anguish. Stephen, because of his illness and Thaddeus, because of the losses in the past and his curse. and they are both being manipulated by the Gods. We slowly learn, as we progress through the book, of the manipulation and the players the gods are using.  and we get an idea of why the gods are doing the manipulation, but things don’t always go to plan, as some gods are playing two sides.

Although there is sex in this book, it is between secondary characters that use it more for control.  Although Thaddeus does have sex, it is because of the Red Moon Day (his species mating time). There are some nasty characters in this book who you will cheerfully want something bad to happen to and some great characters who you want the best for. The world building is quite good, but I can see us getting even more in future books, so we can get a clearer picture of the game that is in play.  we get some fantastic descriptions of the surrounding areas and we get a good idea of what Thaddeus and Stephen are being shaped for.

Although we are given a warning that it has a bittersweet ending it doesn’t.  It has a ‘to be continued’ ending that made me want the next book…now.  I will be reading this book again when the next one is released, just so I can say ‘ahhh’ when I open the next book. Sighing in satisfaction, as I see how Thaddeus will rescue Stephen from the High Dolen (some of the god’s high priest). If you want to know more, read the book…Bwahahaha.

I recommend this to those who love fantasy, gods manipulation, human manipulation, nasty brothers, fierce warriors, a strong bond between prince and warrior, fantastic back stories and a brilliant ‘to be continued’ ending.

 

Nathaniel by Dianne Hartsock

Title: Nathaniel

Author: Dianne Hartsock

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novella (101pgs)

Publisher: Etopia Press (2nd March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Only true love or magic could make the sex burn so hot…

From the moment Taden rescues Nathaniel from the Sutherlin soldiers’ torture, he finds himself caught in the gaze of the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen; amazing eyes that hold him thrilled and confused. The Sutherlins are planning to invade the beautiful Tahon Valley, but as Taden secrets Nathaniel from their reach, he finds himself drawn to the young man. Not only does he feel the urge to protect him, but he feels an ache he hasn’t felt in many long years.

Nathaniel claims to be a traveler from a distant continent, saying he comes in peace. True or not, the youth has powers beyond anything Taden has seen—control over men and animals and the very weather. Taden falls hard for the strange traveler, protecting him not only from the Sutherlins but from his own mistrustful people, who don’t understand Nathaniel’s powers and accuse him of being a witch…

Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nathaniel-739041-143.html

Review: Taden is a lord who rescues a young man from enemy soldiers; he realizes later that the man has magic, which puts the man in danger in his land.  But, the man is running from someone from his own land, who has paid the Sutherlin soldiers to capture him. Nathaniel is trying to get himself and his friend to safety, but can’t seem to escape, when Taden offers his help he begrudgingly accepts, but nothing goes well.

This is quite a well written little fantasy. Nathaniel is running from something in his past and his best friend Miranda has run with him, as she can help to keep him balanced. Taden runs across Nathaniel and rescues him and offers him help. This is a story that should have been very good or even great, but for me lacked reason. Reason? You ask. Yes, reason, I say.  (lol I’m going insane).  you see, as this book progresses, even though the descriptions are fantastic and the plot good the execution failed a bit for me, as we have people following others blindly for no reason and accepting capture and falling instantly in love and then we get implausible reasons as to why they are running in the first place and why they are being chased… it was as though the author couldn’t quite make up her mind about what the story-line was.

Want me to explain. Well, here goes. Nathaniel has killed someone by setting them on fire, because they were touching Miranda. Nathaniel runs and Miranda goes with… they end up in Taden’s land and Nathaniel hides Miranda before the soldiers capture them.  Why do the soldiers want them? Well, because Nathaniel’s cousin wants Miranda (who left with Nathaniel because he is unstable and she keeps him calm). So, the cousin sets soldiers on them. Taden enters and Nathaniel takes advantage of the fact that the man fancies him. After Nathaniel and Miranda have fled, Taden for some reason goes with the cousin to find them.  Sorry, but there is just too much going on for a novella. If it was a novel and had another hundred or so pages then it would have been more spread out and we could have made some sense out of some of the actions.

So other than that it is an interesting story, but just too much so I couldn’t enjoy it at all. There were also some places where more detail would have been welcome; background on Nathaniel’s land and people, why Taden’s people feared Nathaniel’s, why were Taden’s people at war with the Sutherlin’s… those are details that I wanted, not too much going on with the characters.

I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, hot sex, an interesting story-line and lots going on with action.

 

 

The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon

Title:  The Darkling Thrush

Author: Josh Lanyon
Genre: Mystery
Length: 149 pages eBook
Publisher: Re-released by author (April 12, 2012) Originally Loose Id (2010)
Heat Level: Moderate for this genre but it’s hot!
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts- OMG
Blurb: Fed up with his desk duty in the Imperial Arcane Library, book hunter Colin Bliss accepts a private commission to find The Sword’s Shadow, a legendary and dangerous witches’ grimoire. But to find the book, Colin must travel to the remote Western Isles and solve a centuries’ old murder.

It should be nothing more than an academic exercise, so why is dour — and unreasonably sexy — Magister Septimus Marx doing his best to keep Colin from accepting this mission — even going so far as to seduce Colin on the train journey north?

Septimus is not the only problem. Who is the strange faery woman that keeps appearing at inconvenient times? And who is working behind the scenes with the sinister adventuress Irania Briggs? And why do Colin’s employers at the Museum of the Literary Occult keep accusing Colin of betraying them?

As Colin digs deeper and deeper into the book’s mysterious past, he begins to understand why Septimus is willing to stop him at any price — but by then, it’s too late to turn back.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Darkling-Thrush-ebook/dp/B007TWK2H8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334424207&sr=1-1

Reviewer:  Whit

Review:  Colin Bliss is a book hunter on the green side of his career and personal life. He’s working in an exchange program, across the pond, based on his professional gift and one very big discovery. Not knowing much about the culture and never being away from the United States leads to an affair with his married boss. Conveniently, he’s offered a job of finding a mythical grimoire right around the time he’s dumped by his lover. Colin accepts the side job out of the city mainly to get away from his situation with his boss and coworkers.

One of those coworkers, Septimus Marx, is a mystery to Colin. He’s dark, brooding but sexy as hell. He doesn’t want Colin taking the job and heading off the Isles. Colin doesn’t understand why but he’s determined to go. Of course, Septimus shows up on the train and the house Colin is staying at under the guise of another job. They quickly find out there is a strong attraction between them. Septimus is a surprisingly tender, but all-consuming lover. His passion for Colin is palpable, but Colin thinks their steamy encounters are just physical. We, the readers, realize his feelings for the younger man, even if the clueless Colin, who swears he’s not clueless, doesn’t.

Colin’s unknowingly dangerous hunt for the grimoire continues as the mystery behind the magical book unravels. Magic, Fae and power-hungry men add to the intrigue and nobody knows who to trust. Septimus struggles with guarding Colin and making the most difficult decision of his life. The ending will leave you wanting more. Josh Lanyon has built a beautiful and fascinating world merging magic, romance and mystery. I highly recommend reading this book. Then join me in begging Mr. Lanyon for more!

 

Ruffskin by Megan Derr

Title: Ruffskin

Series: Dance With The Devil 04

Author: Megan Derr

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Short (25pgs)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (28th March 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: An ordinary rainy day at the Bremen is interrupted when a strange courier shows up with a package for Peyton Blue, the Bremen’s much-loved owner and bartender. When the package turns out to be a piece of Peyton’s past and brings that past violently into the present, it is up to Johnnie to resolve a years old problem and put the past where it belongs once and for all.

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=286

Even though this is classed as Dance With The Devil 04 this is actually a follow on from Dance In The Dark (DWTD 02) and DITD must be read first.

Review: A stranger leaves a parcel for Peyton, who then reacts badly to seeing it. Johnnie and Grim set out to get to the bottom of the mystery.

This is a great little short story for those of us who are fans of Johnnie and Grim. Johnnie and Grim come to the aid of Peyton when a parcel is delivered and a mystery begins. Peyton ends up being attacked by members of his former pack, as they look for the Alpha Candidate.  and the alpha candidate has fled them for a very good reason. Hudson has a good reason for fleeing his pack and with the Dracula upholding his laws, Hudson and Peyton might just be free.

Even though this story is for Peyton and Hudson and the start of their life together after the mystery is solved, this story is actually from Johnnie’s POV and it also gives us a glimpse once more into the lives of Johnnie and Grim. I must advise reading Dance In The Dark first, as that gives you the entire background into Johnnie and Grim. This story is a wonderful catch-up on what Johnnie and Grim are doing now and shows us that they are still helping their friends solve mysteries and Johnnie’s penchant for fairy tales.

I will recommend this to those who love paranormal, mysteries/sleuthing and a great ending for all involved.

 

 

 

Bound to the Beast by Kay Berrisford

Title: Bound To The Beast

Series: The Greenwood 02

Author: Kay Berrisford

Genre: BDSM, Historical (43AD, 1588AD), Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (217pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (10th April 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: England, 1588. When a fairy betrothal ritual goes wrong, village lad Tam is bonded to Herne the Hunter. Warrior, legend, and Greenwood spirit, Herne once led the terrifying Wild Hunt, an army of the undead who rode as harbingers of doom. When his passions are stirred and his blood is up, Herne sports the antlers of a mighty stag.

Herne could be the lover Tam secretly craves, but Herne’s past makes him fear the brooding warrior will enslave or kill him. While Herne admires Tam’s toughness and humor, he has rejected love—as he has sworn off leading the Wild Hunt—and wishes only for solitude. To break their betrothal, they must travel into the Greenwood, a realm of magic and bondage where their desires for each other grow dangerously irresistible, and the Wild Hunt bays for their blood.

As the threat rises, Herne’s mastery and compassion realize Tam’s darkest sexual fantasies. Soon he’s no longer fighting for his freedom, wishing to be bound to the beast forever. But can Herne’s tortured heart be reawakened? And if so, will their love destroy them both, or prove Herne the Hunter’s greatest weapon?

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/The-Greenwood-Bound-to-the-Beast.aspx

Review: Herne has had vengeance in his heart for over fifteen hundred years, but he is losing his need to lead the Wild Hunt.  when he is called to The Greenwood, he finds the Wild Hunt waiting for him to lead it, but maybe the Goddess has something else in mind for Herne when he interrupts a fairy betrothal. Tam really doesn’t want to marry any woman, but he has been chosen to capture a fairy in marriage. But, it all goes wrong and there is a race against time to find a way to break the betrothal.  all the while, Tam and Herne fight their attraction to each other.

Another wonderful tale of The Greenwood.  although, this one is set over two hundred years before Bound For The Forest. Herne has been alone for a long time except for when he is leading the Wild Hunt across England.  But, he is tired of the vengeance.  the one who wronged him is long gone and although it hurts to remember that betrayal, he can no longer find the full wrathful vengeance in his heart. Tam ends up betrothed to the wrong being inside the fairy circle and now Tam and Herne must find a way to break the betrothal before it ends in death for Tam while running from and avoiding the Wild Hunt as they try to harry Herne to lead them and they want Tam as a sacrifice.

Tam and Herne are fantastic characters. Herne wants peace and quiet, to do his duty and to be left alone.  and Tam is a chatter box who is interested in all around him and can manage to get on Herne’s last nerve by being stubborn. Tam somehow manages to get through Herne’s thick shell and Herne wants to protect Tam. With the help (snort) of the fairies (you would not believe the mouths on them) and with the Wild Hunt on their tail, they discover just what the Goddess’s plans really are.

So…a story filled with world building, delightful and disgusting characters, incredible detail, more wonderful lore, passionate, primal, primitive sex with a touch of BDSM and some very happy characters with a wonderful ending, what are you waiting for get this book and let it take you on a journey.

 

 

Light Outside the Closet by Stephani Hecht

Title:  Light Outside the Closet

Series:  Haven Coffee House Boys

Author:  Stephani Hecht

Genre:   YA LGBT, Contemporary

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Extasy Books (March 1, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Sometimes the dark feels safer than the light.

Being a gay teen is hard enough, but when Christian’s strict father is transferred to a different city and Christian has to go to a new school, he discovers how much worse things can get. Fortunately, before he sinks into depression, Christian finds a new group of friends, who are also gay. Christian soon learns that his friends have their own problems, from desperately seeking attention to abusive family members.

Product Link:  http://www.extasybooks.com/light-outside-the-closet-5-2/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Christian is the new kid in school.  But, as a military brat, he’s used to that.  Luckily, even before school starts, he makes friends, other LGBT teens just trying to make it through senior year.

I hated this book.  Hate that in this day and age, teenagers are still having to deal with bigots and bullies at school.  My mama-heart spent much of this book pissed as hell.  Pissed because the issues and concerns of the characters were a bit too real for me.  Real in that they reminded me of my teenagers’ friends who are struggling with their sexuality, sometimes with little or no support at home.

No, Light Outside the Closet is not a maudlin survey of adolescent psychology.  Life Outside the Closet introduces, what I’m calling, the many faces of gay adolescence.  Taylor is effeminate and “out”.  Christian is out, but looks straight enough to pass.  James is so deep in the closet, he’s practically in Narnia.  One character is bi-racial and you might not know it, but RuPaul is the only acceptable gay man in the minds of many African-Americans.

This basically is Christian’s story.  Well, maybe not.  It is very much an ensemble cast.  Stephani did a good job introducing their world.  But, back to Christian, he has a crush on James, but James’ cousin, Devlin has a crush on Christian.  All very Pretty Liars.  But, when James makes a decision that affects other lives, well…let’s just say feelings change.  More than anyone, I think James learns about himself. And, honestly, I worried that he might not make it to the end of the book alive.

This is labeled YA romance, but don’t let that stop you from reading it.  The emotions are so well-written that anyone who enjoys romance will enjoy this story.

So, yeah, I hated Light Outside the Closet.  And I hope Stephani is cuddle up somewhere with her computer, writing book two.  I can’t wait to hate that one, too. 😉  Highly recommend.

Remembering to Breathe by Lynn Hagen

Title: Remembering To Breathe

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Contemporary, M/M/M

Length: Novella (138pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (7th April 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Liam fell in love with a straight man, big mistake. Especially when Bishop ran the first time they kissed. Feeling devastated and rejected, Liam starts over, making a whole new life for himself.

Investing a murder, Detective Jack Watterson meets the man of his dreams. Liam wraps himself around Jack’s heart after only one date.

But then Bishop returns, telling Liam that he loves him and how much he wants another chance. Liam is caught between the two men that he loves and doesn’t see a way out, until Jack proposes Liam’s wildest fantasy.

But things aren’t that easy, not when Liam is accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Liam also has to deal with a bully from his past, a man bent on teaching Liam that gay men are evil. Can the three work things out and find a happy life together, or will they fall apart when Jack is shot by the very man setting Liam up?

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/remembering-to-breathe

Review: Liam is a quiet man who likes to keep to himself.  he is dreading it when another man is assigned to work with him, but its lust at first glance and he slowly falls in love with the straight man. Bishop is as straight as they come, but his co-worker confuses him when he provokes feelings he shouldn’t be having. After a kiss he flees. Jack knows what he wants and he wants Liam. He falls head over heels for the little man, but now Liam’s first love is back on the scene and Liam is torn.

I was actually thoroughly enjoying this book and admiring the way that the author’s style had developed and matured and how well-developed the characters were and then Bishop walked back into Liam’s life and miffed me off. Liam falls in love with Bishop, knowing that Bishop is gay and nothing can happen but then Bishop kisses him and disappears.  Liam, feeling rejected, goes to his sisters and ends up being laid off so he starts anew. Jack meets Liam while looking into a murder at Liam’s old house.  He sweeps Liam off his feet and just when things are going great…Bishop comes back into Liam’s life.

Okay, so all three characters are great and so are their reactions, to a point.  and they all have great personalities and they all mesh well together, but, for me, it was ruined a bit by Liam’s easy acceptance of Bishop back into his life and how he contemplates getting everything he wants without even taking Jack’s feelings into account.  But, I admired Jack’s resolve in willing to do anything for Liam and the fact that Bishop was willing to also give it a try was great.  Liam though…it confused me how he could still loves someone that deeply after no contact for a year and the fact that it was a straight man who had fled after kissing him.

The bullying was well portrayed and I liked the twisty little murder because that came out of nowhere and Jack’s reaction was really well done and an honest one at that. The tentative way that Jack, Bishop and Liam work towards the relationship is great and I loved how it progressed. The sex is hot and it was very natural between the three of them. I liked the gay for you aspect and then the gay for them and I liked the way that Bishop had to think hard about what he wanted.

I have to recommend this to those who love ménage, gay for you, a bit of angst, some danger, hot sexy man love and a happy ever after (after all the shocks and hospital visits that is).

 

 

 

More Than Breathing by Treva Harte

Title: More than Breathing

Series:  N/A

Author: Treva Harte

Genre: BDSM GLBT Historical

Length: Novella

Publisher: Loose Id (April 9, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Hector meets Rudy when Rudy’s about to be hanged by the people in his town. Hector rescues him, intending however to leave Rudy and continue on his way. But when the big man refuses to leave his savior, they discover they can help each other. After surviving the Civil War, they’re both badly damaged; they both crave danger with their sex and grow to depend on the other to satisfy their darkest needs.

Is the excitement they gain from their dangerous sexual games worth courting death? Maybe wanting each other more than breathing is actually worth living for.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM elements, dubious consent, erotic asphyxiation, male/male sexual practices.

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/More-than-Breathing.aspx

Reviewer: Thommie

Review:  Hot!!! Absolutely Hot!!!

This story was indeed More Than Breathing. What breath? I was holding it the entire time. But before I go on and tell you about the story, I feel the need to pay my compliments at the author, Treva Harte, for the elegance of her writing. She certainly has a way to captivate you and “make you feel”.

Now, the story takes place after the Civil War in Texas. Hatred for Yanks is overflowing and Rudy finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. By a twisted whim of fate he get saved by Hector, an elegant ex-lieutenant from Boston, who was passing by the city on his way to the west. I say a twisted whim of fate, because Hector has some very dark cravings inside of him that puts Rudy in no less danger than in the hands of the angry mob. At least in the mob’s hands Rudy wouldn’t suffer continual physical pain and fear…

What Hector doesn’t know, yet soon finds out, is that Rudy craves that pain and fear more than… Breathing!!

The two men find, in each other, what they’d been searching their entire life without even knowing it; a partner with whom they can explore and experience their fantasies, and whom they can trust with their life.

Smoothly passing by stages of lust, trust and devotion through the hot dance of excruciating and fiery sex, More than Breathing promises an exciting way to pass your evening should you to choose to read it, which I wholeheartedly recommend.

 

The Art of Words by RJ Scott and Meredith Russell

Title: The Art of Words

Author: R.J. Scott & Meredith Russell

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (165pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (14th April 2012)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Tom offers Blu his dream of a gallery show. Though an attraction exists, their worlds collide because Blu speaks through paint and brushes and Tom’s life is filled with words and paperwork. Though opposites attract, these differences might push them apart.

After years of following his activist parents, artist Blu Taylor finally found somewhere to call home.

He sees art in the world around him yet is never truly part of it. There’s a line that keeps him just on the outside of everything and everyone except his best friend.

Thomas Harrington has everything–the money, the car, and the designer suits. But something is missing from a seemingly perfect life, lost when his mother fell ill.

After attending a local art show, Blu is contacted by Tom and offered his dream–a chance to show at a gallery.

Though there is a growing attraction between the men, their worlds couldn’t be more apart. Blu speaks through paint and brushes, and Tom’s life is filled with words and paperwork.

Though opposites attract, these differences might push them apart.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1048?zenid=8b78d21c65cb5da7d402cda85dabf60d

Review: Blu is a struggling artist who suffers with severe dyslexia.  With the help of his best friend, Jackson, he gets through life. At Jackson’s insistence, he enters a local art exhibit and is contacted by Tom, who offers him his dream. Tom is a rich and sophisticated businessman who was taught to love art by his mother. When he takes an interest in Blu’s work, he quickly becomes enamored with the artist.

A well-written story that is sweet and enjoyable. Blu is embarrassed because he can’t read and write well, but he loves to paint and is talented.  When his work catches Tom’s eye, he is both excited and scared. Tom quickly becomes important to Blu, but Blu is scared to reveal his true self for fear of ridicule and rejection. Tom is enchanted by the way Blu sees the world and wants to help him with an exhibit of his art, but he quickly begins to fall for Blu.

In this story both Blu and Tom are wonderful characters and even though Blu hasn’t had the best of educations (his mom and dad moved around a lot), he has enough street smarts that he can usually fake his way out of a situation. And if he can’t then his best friend Jackson is there to help him. The authors have done a wonderful job of showing the struggles that someone with dyslexia cope with and how they try to cover the disability. Blu’s fear of ridicule and his shame were well done and his actions to try and divert attention from his weakness were brilliantly portrayed.

The way the relationship between the two men played out was great. They got to know each other and grew close before the relationship progressed further.  There were some blips as Blu’s insecurity and Tom’s privacy clashed. It was also really nice that we got to know what kind of men they were through their friends and family.  The support and love they received from them and how they interacted with them as well. The sex between Blu and Tom is erotic and also sweet with a little bit of chocolate body paint ;-).

So for this one, I recommend it to those who love artists and businessmen, a sweet love, a bit of conflict, wonderful lovemaking and a happy ending.

 

 

Battle of Hearts by Valentina Heart

Title: Battle of Hearts

Author: Valentina Heart

Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal, Alternate World, Shifter, Vampire

Length: Novel (205pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (14th April 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Valerian is a fighter and an Alpha–dangerous, unemotional, and vicious. The passion for his cougar mate is unplanned, but Teddy shares the enthusiasm and all but bites back. Do they have a chance or will the war destroy them?

Living in a world where vampires can’t stand the sight of shifters, and shifters gag at the smell of vamps, a vicious war rages — and the vampires are winning. Clearly, this is not an ideal setting for a mixed-species shifter couple.

Valerian is the Alpha of his pack, a fighter and an unemotional killer, but one whose skill has kept him alive. On one of his missions, among captured shifters, he finds the cougar Teddy, his mate.

Things would be simpler if either of them actually wanted a mate, but on top of the fact that they don’t, there is also the small issue of clashing personalities. Attacking is their first reaction — sex is only for survivors.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/774

Review: Valerian is one of three alphas’ in his pack.  They share responsibility, with Valerian’s duty being missions and vampire politics. So when he is on a mission to rescue some of his warriors, he is less than pleased to come across his mate. Teddy is a loner and has no interest in a mate, but when he discovers he might be able to find the vampire that captured him, he decides to stick around for a while.

God, I loved this one.  Two shifters, neither wanting a mate and both human sides fighting tooth and nail against their animal sides; snarling and bitching at each other as they fight the mating urge. Valerian has no interest in a mate who might die on him and leave him alone. It is easier to keep everyone at a distance, so when he meets his mate he carries on like he has always done while fighting the mating instinct. Teddy has just lost the person closest to him so now he will strike out on his own again. Once he finds the vampire who captured him, meeting his mate is not on the agenda. Especially when said mate is an alpha and an ass.

This story is well written with great world building and some pretty gruesome descriptions. A world were vampires and shifters despise each other and want to wipe the other off the face of the Earth. This is a fantastic shifter/vampire story where it is war.  Shifters kill all vampires they can find and vampires snatch as many shifters as they can for their blood. If some shifters die in the process, well, then they can always hunt for more. And there’s a vamp out there who wants shifters for his own purpose, but it back fires wonderfully ;-).

Valerian and Teddy are characters that are quite similar. Both prefer to be left alone, both are stubborn and have a mouth on them and both have no intention of mating. It is like a clash of the Titans when these two get together. The sex is explosive and primal and sparks fly whenever they are close. Fighting the mating urge when all their animals want is to give in is a struggle for both of them and they are brilliant in how they handle it. And while all this is going on they have an explosion, they have to fight the vampires, deal with a traitor, then Teddy has to escape, rescue the kids and kill as many vamps as possible all while dealing with a horrific ordeal *sigh* (so much goodness).

The best thing about this is neither shifter is graceful in his denial.  They are both snarly, scowlly and growly right up to the end of the book and neither will ever really be lovie dovie with the other as it’s just not them. Teddy goes through a period of doubt that Valerian helps him over, but as I said they will never be a roses and hearts couple and it makes them so much more interesting.

This one I will recommend to those who want a different type of shifter/vampire story, mates who fight the bond tooth and nail, blood, fights, and a twist for Teddy, hot explosive sex and a happy ending.

 

Lies of Omission by Michele L. Montgomery

Title:  Lies of Omission

Series:  N/A

Author:  Michele L. Montgomery

Genre:   BDSM, Erotica

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Self-published (December 31, 2010)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   There’s a fine line between a secret and a lie of omission, and Trenton Otero has been walking that line for years. Past relationships have left Trenton with trust issues; then he met and fell in love with Braden Kelly, and he thought he’d finally found the one man on whom he could depend.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but what if those words aren’t the truth? Does the camera lie, or does the mind trick the eye into seeing what it expects to see? Both Trenton and Braden must decide what to believe, and they’d better do it quickly, or it may be too late.

An interfering friend, incriminating photos, and the memories that bind Trenton to the past might just tear the couple apart. Because love and lies can’t coexist.

Product Link:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/35450

Reviewer:   Cat

Review:   This story was amazing. I was stuck after the first page. I couldn’t put it down for a minute! If I can connect with the characters, become one, I’m hooked. I was hooked first paragraph.  I could feel Trent’s pain when Derek dropped the news about his husband cheating. I could also feel his denial. I sat on the edge of my seat every page waiting to see what happened next. There were times I really wanted to smack Trent though and Derek I wanted to smack too- but he would like it, no I take that back he’d prefer to do the smacking. Anyways—the characters all were so well written the story held a lot of pain and past loss. I cried   a lot—

 

So a little about the story.  Derrick, Trent’s best friend tells Trent his husband is cheating and supplies photo- Trent freaks and runs—straight out into traffic and gets hit. Trent does a lot of reliving his past with an abusive lover. Then there comes a twist when he finally leaves and goes to stay with Derrick and his lover.  Derrick is a Dom.  Then just when you are like- wow I didn’t see that coming—BANG- smacked with another twist! Yeah awesome!

 

So does Trent leave his husband? Does his husband try to get him back? Does Derrick finally get Trent after all these years? What are these two big twists? I am not telling you will have to read the book!! It’s worth it

 

Rainbows All Around Us by Nathan J. Morissey

Title: Rainbows All around Us

Author: Nathan J. Morissey

Genre: Contemporary, Reflection, Bittersweet

Length: Novella (66pgs)

Publisher: Self-Published (1st March 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Deeply closeted and lonely, Justin spirals into a depression when he has no one to turn to. When compassionate and sexy Lucas enters the picture, he changes Justin into a confident and happy young gay man. But tragedy strikes when Lucas gets involved in the gay rights movement and attracts homophobic bigots. Can Justin protect his true love? Or will they be torn apart forever?

Set amid the gay marriage movement, Rainbows All Around Us is a story about the difficulties of being both gay and masculine in the modern world, the importance of being yourself, and most importantly, the power of love to change your world.

Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137949

Review: Justin struggles with his sexuality until he meets Lucas. But, even then he still has his fears, but with Lucas’s love he will find his way.

This is an extremely touching story from a young man’s POV, as he handles the revelations of his sexuality, his first relationship and the ups and downs that they face as they progress down the path of being a couple. Justin has accepted that he is gay to the extent that as long as it is just him that knows then he can accept it.  He also struggles with his religion and its views on homosexuality. When he meets Lucas, he fears the reaction of those around him and he begins to feel isolated and depressed. Lucas is like a shining light who shows him a way through the darkness.

This story is from Justin’s POV, so we have a lot of his thoughts and internal dialogue.  And, I will be honest; some of it threw me because of the way he sounded.  He sounded a lot older than he was. The same with Lucas, they are both around the ages of 18-20, but they sound more 40-45, they don’t sound like young men. The way that the story is written is very good.  We capture the young Justin as he falls head over heels for Lucas, Lucas and his frustration with his work and Justin’s final acceptance of being gay.

The ending is bittersweet and you may shed a few tears. Justin’s and Lucas’s relationship has some stormy moments as Lucas’s passion and Justin’s apathy clashes, some romantic moments and sweet loving. So, I will recommend this to those who want a coming of age, finding acceptance within one’s self, facing loss, facing bigotry and finding strength, while accepting your love will last forever story.

 

Power in the Blood by Angelia Sparrow

Title: Power in the Blood

Author: Angelia Sparrow

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Vampires, M/M, M/F

Length: Novel (171pgs)

Publisher: Storm Moon Press (6th January 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Oren Stolt understands the natural order better than most people. Vampires prey on humans and Undying keep the vampires’ numbers in check.

Until now.

Now, across the United States, vampire numbers are exploding, thanks to a new church. The Tabernacle of the Firstfruits preaches a Risen Lord and invites believers to follow Him in death and resurrection… quite literally.

In Memphis, the church is about to host its first conference, with an eye to converting the whole world to the vampiric gospel.

And all that stands between humanity and eternal night is Oren, his kids, and a thin line of insane immortals.

Purchase Link: http://stormmoonpress.com/books/Power-In-the-Blood.aspx

Review: Oren is what is called a breather, a potential Undying and he is doing everything he can to ensure himself and his family stay that way.  But, when a Vampire church has plans to convert the world, Oren, his kids, the peaceful Vampires and the Undying must put an end to their plans. But, just what will it cost Oren and his family?

This is not a romance in anybody’s imagination. The characters seem to be mostly bi-sexual and sleep around because they all have high sex-drives. The story is really well written and your feelings for the characters will go up and down as their attitude and actions make you want to hug them, smack them and pity them. There are no really detailed sex scenes, although the one sex scene that we do witness does not end how you thought it might.

There is a lot going on in this book and a lot of interaction with different characters with different POVs throughout the book.  It gives us a broad spectrum of plot and gives us more understanding of what’s going on and why.  It gives us insight into the different characters as well and what drives them personally. There are one or two surprise characters that shocked my socks off as I spluttered and gawked at the book. One of the characters I was so shocked at but I sat there going ‘Oh my god that is so plausible’.

There isn’t that much that I can really tell you about this one other than Oren and his children are Breathers and if they die a violent death then they come back as an Undying a being unable to die, who can regenerate everything about them (arm chopped off… not a problem regrow it, head lopped off… grow a new body.) If they die a natural death then they never come back (something to do with their DNA) and the council want the Breathers and will try anything to get them, while that is going on we have a vampire church who are set on converting everyone because they believe they are following in Christ’s footsteps i.e. they died then rose again as vampires and the Stolt’s and the Undying must stop them.

This book is not for the faint of heart, so if you hate blood, guts, dismemberment and extreme violence then don’t look at this book. If you want a happy-ever-after where people fall in love…then don’t look at this book. If you want a happy conclusion where everyone got what they wanted…then don’t look at this book. If you want a story that is filled with action, fights, blood, gore, a lot of implied sex, hate, fear, failed hopes and a gigantic violent bloodbath in a church…then this is the book for you. (It kept me happy ;-))

 

Angel Bound by Jana Downs

Title: Angel Bound

Series: His Guardian Angel 01

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Paranormal, M/M/M/M/M/M

Length: Novella (116pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (26th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Madigan has a successful career as co-owner of a bakery and has never really been passionate about much else. His mother has always claimed that he was the son of the Archangel Raphael, but he’d never had reason to believe her. That is, until Madigan finds himself hunted by angelic fanatics who see him as an abomination.

His father has assigned him guardian angels to act as his protection from the hunters. The five men desperately search for a solution for Madigan’s protection and find only one viable option. Madigan must become Angel Bound, married in angelic terms, to all of his guardian angels. Now Madigan has gone from having no relationships to having five simultaneously. All of the men will have to learn to balance desire and duty in order to ensure Madigan’s safety and happiness above all things.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/angel-bound

Review: Madigan is chucked in the deep end the night of his birthday. His mother always said his father was the Archangel Raphael, but he never believed her.  But, now faced with a group of angels who want to kill him, he has no choice. Now with five angels to protect him, they have to find a way to keep him alive long enough to come fully into his powers.

Okay.  Wow.  Jana Downs has blown this story out of the water. Madigan has just celebrated his twenty-eighth birthday and is attacked.  He discovers, in short order, his father really is the Archangel Raphael and he is a Nephilim and now he is in grave danger. Cross, Michel, Bren, Dex and Yuri are the angels assigned to keep him safe and to find a long-term solution and boy does Yuri find a solution ;-). As we progress with the book, we discover a bit about each of the characters and we have more to come in future books :-).

The idea for this book is quite unique; an Nephilim being assigned 5 Guardian angels to protect him from the Angels who go after all Nephilim, but ending up having to bond with all 5 angels as a way to survive. Madigan having to try to work his way through the shock of who his father is, that he is half angel, that angels are trying to kill him and that he has to bond with 5 angels to survive and it is not all sweetness and light between them all.

Each character is different from the last and they all have great personalities… for them. Seeing the dynamics as they try to establish a relationship is interesting and seeing them trying to find where they fit, not just with Madigan but with each other is great and you can tell that there will be even more clashes in the future for all these men. Now watch your heart rate as you approach the sex scenes because it really is scorching hot and quite explicit and scorching hot (I know I said it twice but it bears repeating.)

So if you want hot angels, hot sex, a good storyline, a bit of conflict, frustration, growly men, scorching hot sex and a happy ending (for now anyway) then you have to give this a shot. P.S. Can’t wait for the next installment, there’s a teaser on Ms. Downs website.