Month: July 2012

Hired Muscle by Hank Edwards

Title: Hired Muscle

Author: Hank Edwards

Genre: Historical (1941)

Length: Novella (81pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (7th July 2012)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Barry waits tables at DuMochelle’s, where he meets mob boss Giovanni Lombardi’s bodyguard, Vinnie. Passion sparks between Barry and Vinnie. However, it isn’t long before Vinnie’s dangerous lifestyle threatens not only their chances for happiness, but also their very lives.

In October 1941, the violence of Baltimore’s warring mob families is escalating. The danger has decimated many of the businesses around DuMochelle’s restaurant where Barry waits tables.

When a mob family begins to frequent the restaurant, a romantic relationship develops between Barry and Vinnie, a guard for the family. Vinnie resists, fearing for Barry’s safety and concerned that Barry will want nothing to do with him if he finds out the details of Vinnie’s role in the family.

But their passion cannot be denied, and Vinnie is trapped between the love he wants and the only life he’s known. As the rival mob family moves in for the kill, Vinnie and Barry find themselves caught in the crossfire.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/897

Review: Barry becomes infatuated by Don Lombardi’s bodyguard Vinnie. Over the course of a couple of months, he falls deeper under the spell. Then, he gets his chance with Vinnie and he finds out Vinnie’s true role. Vinnie would like nothing better than a chance with Barry, but his job is dangerous and he can’t lead that trouble to Barry. But, he can’t resist Barry’s charm.

This is a really sweet story that really did surprise me, because the characters were so much stronger than you’d expect and it wasn’t so much like the typical mob stories out there. Vinnie is a really cute, vulnerable and shy mobster bodyguard and Barry is a hardworking, compassionate and more outgoing waiter. It isn’t a typical lets jump in bed story. They have to be very careful not only because of the timeframe, but because of whom Vinnie’s boss is. They are a really sweet couple though, which was surprising as with Vinnie being who he is and enormous, you expect him to be a little more rough and ready. Whereas, Barry shocks you with his bravery, not only in following Vinnie where he shouldn’t, but for his actions later in the story as well.

I have to say that I fell in love with the characters personalities and truly enjoyed their romance. The progression of the story was well paced and the action and danger was good and well written. Oh, did I mention I loved the characters? Oh I did, right. Well I can’t help it they are just so sweet.

I am going to recommend this to those who love mob stories, hot loving, sweet men, action, danger, shootouts and a happy ever after.

 

Till Surrender by Arvil Ashton

Title:  Till Surrender

Series:   Paranormal Security Council 02

Author:  Avril Ashton

Genre:  Gay MM/ Paranormal/ Multicultural/ Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Total- E- Bound Publishing (May 7th, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Book two in the Paranormal Security Council Series

The key to his salvation is the one person he’s destined to love…and betray.

Tattooed half-breed Takayo ‘Saint’ St John kills for the PSC with single-minded efficiency. He’s never questioned or failed his assignments…until he stares into the cornflower-blue eyes of Ryken Valte, the man whose life he’s infiltrated under false pretences. Harsh words and a cold shoulder aren’t enough to keep the distance between them, but Saint’s mission damns him. His job is to kill the brother of the man he loves and he sees no way out of his predicament.

Ryken melts under the intense attraction between him and Saint, but the man keeps pushing him away, denying their connection. Ryken would give up everything, do anything to have Saint at his side and in his bed, but secrets bigger than them make it impossible. Ryken yearns for Saint’s surrender, but he’ll get more than he bargained for when dark forces neither comprehends return with a vengeance.

Product Link:  http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1648

Reviewer:  Cat

Review:  I was absolutely blown away by this book.  Oh my, where to start? Every single page was thrilling and exciting and mostly a surprise.  I am genuinely impressed.

Even though this is a book two, it stood on its own extremely well. It was so good that even though I wanted to read the first I had to finish this one first… And then the end!! OMG. Please Arvil, hurry with the next one!!

Here is a quick rundown.Saint is a half-breed para and works for the Paranormal Security Council. He is hired to kill Nathan, a professor, who lost his wife and child to shifters tragically. He is really stirring up trouble so the council has sent Saint in for the job. Easy peasy.  NOT!  As soon as he meets Nathan, he is introduced to his younger brother Ryken.  And here is where it starts getting wild. Immediately, Saint realizes that Ryken is his mate…Ryken knows that he has to have Saint. Then it gets wilder. Saint finds out that Nathan has an insider on the Council.

So do Saint and Ryken mate?  Does Saint kill Nathan? Does Ryken end up hating Saint? Will Saint die if he and Ryken aren’t together? Who is the mole?  Did I mention a curse that has to do with Saint and his Mate? Well you better hurry and get this book to find out.

I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE!!  Especially if you love paranormal.  A whole new sort of paranormal, not run of the mill vampire or shifters,  true love or mate stories, lots of twists and drama, and lots  and lots of really hot mansex.!

 

He's Gone Home by A. J. Llewellyn

Title: He’s Gone Home

Series: N/A

Author: A.J. Llewellyn

Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Length: Novella (120 pg)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press LLC (May 20th, 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Diego Cabrera thought his turbulent life in Ventura was behind him. He gave up his life on the police force, drugs, drink, and a toxic relationship with his family to start a new, sober existence in Hollywood with a fantastic job in creative development at a major studio. But the opportunity for a blind date leads Diego back to the beach and a catastrophic decision to try Tokyo Tea.

Diego’s quickly arrested and charged with a DUI. Ventura is notoriously tough on drunk driving convictions, and in spite of it being Diego’s first offense, he’s given 48 hours in the slammer.

Petrified that his new carefully crafted world is about to be destroyed, Diego receives unexpected support from the sexy Vincent Eagle, the probation officer with whom he had the blind date. Can Diego juggle his newfound feelings for Vincent, memories of an abusive father, his job with a volatile boss, and remain sober? And why did he go home in the first place?

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/HesGoneHome.html

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Another romance from A.J Llewellyn that is highly emotional and an incredibly quick read. I suppose that is what I like about Llewellyn, her writing is very good and I don’t have to dwell on passages wondering and trying to understand. He’s Gone Home is a story about mistakes, specifically Diego’s mistakes. His past is full of them and just as he starts to think that his new life in Hollywood is near perfect, here we go again.

It starts with his boyfriend dumping him and leaving him for another man, the personal trainer that Diego was paying for… Being an emotional mess he follows the advice of his best friend and goes on a blind date where he meets… Mr. Perfect!! Oh yes, Vincent is perfect from every angle. Gorgeous looking and with an amazing smile, Vincent makes Diego more than nervous. So he makes The Mistake… He drinks a couple cocktails to push his nerves down ending up with a speeding ticket and a DUI. Even worse the judge gives him two days in jail…

You know, this is the kind of story that makes you say “can it get any worse?” The answer, of course, is yes. Poor Diego’s problems aren’t over. Now, he has to make sure that not only he will be at the prison gates at the appointed date, but he has also has to make sure that his boss or anyone else never finds out. Even the stable parts of Diego’s life start to fall apart and ghosts from the past show up on his door step.

God, this book is so intense and so full with events that it makes you wonder how they managed to get into a 120 pages book. But not to worry, with all these “the world has come upside-down” events Llewellyn gives us her happy ending. With Vincent’s help Diego will see a different path in his life, a much better one that what he thought he had. The only issue that I have about this story is the fact that I have no idea about Diego’s appearance… Vincent is charmed by him, but he’s not been described at all… Well, he’s going to be one faceless character 😉

But, all in all, a very good, emotional and intense love story. If this is the story that you’re looking for and if you’re fond of characters making mistakes and having to struggle a little bit through life, but making it in the end, and gaining the hot, sexy deliriously perfect guy you will enjoy this book. Recommended!

The Longest Stride by T. A. Chase

Title: The Longest Stride

Series: N/A

Author: T.A. Chase

Genre: Gay / Contemporary / Fantasy / Shapeshifter

Length: Novel

Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5Hearts

Blurb: More than twenty years ago, Branimir Javlosk moved from Montana to Kentucky, following the man he loved to a strange new place. They started a rescue farm and rehab center for retired racehorses, or any equine that needed their help. Branimir gained a reputation as a horse whisperer, able to teach the most frightened horse to trust. They were on top of the world—until Branimir’s lover died in a car accident.

Since then, Branimir’s continued on, allowing the horses that need him to fill the empty place left by his tragic loss. Yet Branimir has a secret hidden deep inside of him. One he lets out only on rare occasions when there is a need.

Austin Jameson Spellsin is the youngest and favored son of one of the country’s richest men. But Austin’s not interested in working in the family business of building oilrigs. He wants to ride horses in the Olympics, eventing, to be specific. Yet with all his money, he’s never found the right horse for him. Until one morning, he stares at a scar-covered, half-starving mare named Mary’s Gospel and sees the look of eagles in her unvanquished gaze.

Of course, falling in love with the damaged mare isn’t going to make her want Austin, so he turns to the one man he knows can help him. Taking Mary’s Gospel to Branimir seems the best way to win the mare’s troubled heart. Little does Austin expect that Mary’s Gospel will lose her heart to the older cowboy, but Austin will also find himself aching to heal the wounded soul hiding inside Branimir…

Product Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LongestStride.html

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: I found “The Longest Stride” a very peculiar book to read. While decently written and with a potential theme, it did not met with my expectations.  By the end of the book, I was left wondering why  Chase included a shifter thread. She could as well gone with a talented horse whisperer and have the same result. Also, I found the blurb and book itself not match in the little details, it felt like the blurb was written first based on the draft and the novel was chopped of later during editing, but they forgot to correct the details of the blurb…

Let’s start by saying that this is the story of Branimir and Austin.

Branimir is a middle-aged man, quite handsome and well endowed. He has a Rehabilitation Center for retired and abused horses. He and his late partner (Tilman) were quite famous due to Tilman’s great riding and Branimir’s special talent with horses. He is rumored to be a horse whisperer. Now I know that in the blurb we are informed that Tilman died in a car accident, but I didn’t found that information in the book… Branimir is also a horse-shifter, however we only see him shift a couple of times right at the start of the book and then one last time at the end and while he has certain abilities with the horses due to his inheritance, he almost never uses them because he feels like he’s cheating!? So all in all I got the impression that his entire “magic” of being a shifter in this book served no other reason than the explanation of his relationship with his father (herd stallion). Too bad that this new shifting form was left unexplored, it would have been interesting to read.

Austin comes from a wealthy family, but he has no interest on his father’s business. He loves horses and has made quite a name in the circle as an excellent event rider and trainer. He’s passionate with horses, loving them even if they don’t “pay their expenses”. Bran and Austin meet when Austin saves a mare that was being abused by her owner. Bran offers him his help with the mare’s mental health and that is the start of their anticipated relationship. For the months that it took Bran to help the mare Austin stayed with him at his farm and the two men steadily fell in love. A change comes in the plot when Bran’s little brother, Drahomir, shows up suddenly and after him their Father. It was then that I thought that the shifting would serve its purpose and give us something to blow our mind at last, alas, it didn’t happened.

As I said in the beginning, while this book had potentials it simply failed to get there and I would not recommend it if you are an avid paranormal/shifter reader. This is not that kind of book. However, if you’re up for a m/m cowboyish romance you might want to give it a try. And if you love horses this book is quite detailed about them and their mentality.

 

Silent One by Kari Jo Spear

Title: Silent One

Author: Kari Jo Spear

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Length: Novel (198pgs)

Publisher: Prizm (Torquere Press) (13th June 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Gareth’s life is violent, frightening, and lonely. Abandoned by his parents and left to a series of harsh foster homes, he becomes as tough as the scar on his cheek. Death and destruction follow him. Sometimes, it actually seems like people are trying to kill him. By the time Gareth is in high school, friends are a luxury he can do without.

But deep inside, Gareth is tender, compassionate, and very gay. The only living soul Gareth lets into his heart is a silent young man who keeps saving his life. Every time Gareth gets a good look at his guardian, the man mysteriously vanishes. Does he even exist? Gareth isn’t sure, until the day at school when his world implodes. Teachers suddenly know way more about him than they should. His secret guardian lies wounded on the darkroom floor. Before Gareth knows it, he and his guardian are on the run. Not only is Gareth more important than he ever dreamed, but the future of an entire planet depends on him. It’s going to take all the courage and love Gareth has to face his destiny.

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=3594

Review: Gareth is eighteen and has had a rough life. He soon learns that nothing is quite as it seems and there is nothing he can do about it, no matter how much he wishes otherwise. Gareth also has a guardian and he was never quite sure if he was really real. But, now he is lying bleeding in front of him and Gareth is called on to help him escape. But, he finds out a startling truth and finds himself running for his life to a time and place he never imagined.

This is an excellent combination of science fiction, young adult and romance. Gareth really has been through the mill throughout his life and at odd occasions there has been the appearance of his savior. Always there when he needs him most. But, as things start to emerge, Gareth must help his savior, Aranth and they must both get to safety before those who are after them catch up. Aranth is Gareth’s protector and until Gareth was old enough he kept his distance. But, now they have to get Gareth home so he can take up his rightful position, but the way is fraught with danger, double-dealing, doubts and suspicions.

This is a wonderfully written story that is quite fast paced and suspense filled, with dramatic about faces, startling betrayal and a thread of love woven throughout. Gareth and Aranth are two young men who are drawn to each other, but with everything that is going on and the actions that have to be taken it is a complex relationship that might be doomed to fail. The characters are well-rounded and the storyline fast paced. It keeps you gripped, as you find out more and more information about the truth of what Gareth is and where he comes from. And the reasons why he is running for his life will send a shiver down your spine at the callousness of humans of the future.

Aranth is a great character and you love him more as the story unfolds. Although, at one point there is some serious cursing of his name and wanting to throttle him (but don’t let that put you off). Gareth is very level-headed and not even really all that bitter about his past, but it is his future that scares him as he realizes the full extent of what is expected of him. A truly great young adult story that is very enjoyable. I have to say that the ending, no sorry, the entire book left me wanting more from these characters and this new world, to see how they grow and progress in a world that has to make changes.

So, if you love Young Adult stories, science fiction, some contemporary thrown in, action, danger, young love, betrayal, intrigue, political agendas and a happy ending that leaves you wanting more, then this is the book for you.

All My Crimes by Tal Valante

Title: All My Crimes

Author: Tal Valante

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Short (39pgs)

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (25th June 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Betrayal cuts deep. Love cuts even deeper.

The war with the elves is over. But for Teregryn Eve, the human king’s former right-hand man, another nightmare is about to begin.

It’s taken Teregryn two years to recover his health and magic in the aftermath of the war. He’d rather retire from the world of men, but an assassination threat and a malevolent ghost force him on a quest to save the king who no longer wants him. The elves are dead to the last, so who’s the mysterious assassin? And why has his king—who was once so much more to him—forsaken him?

The answers may lie in Teregryn’s mind, but those memories are locked beyond his reach. As a web of lies and love unfolds around him, Teregryn must fight the past and present in a desperate bid for the future. Can he save everything he loves, or will the sum of his crimes drag him under first?

Purchase Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/all-my-crimes

Review: Teregryn is compelled to save his king when a threat emerges that they had all thought was long gone. Even though his king seems to have forsaken him and even though he is being haunted, he sets out to protect, but finds answers that he didn’t want.

This is an excellent short story that packs a punch and fits an amazing amount of emotion in just 39 pages. Teregryn has no idea why the king forsakes him after the war. But, he is still loyal to his king. So, when clues are left for him by an Elven assassin and he starts to be haunted by an elf, he knows he must protect his king at all costs. But, when the truth emerges can he forgive the king and can he forgive himself?

Wow, a definite page turner that makes you wonder about the depths that guilt will drop you into and that self forgiveness is hard to find. Teregryn has suffered greatly because of his conscious; the great burden of guilt that weighs him down is staggering and not easy to fight through. When all his memories return, Gidden (the king) will do anything to ease his burden.

Okay, so, fair warning, this isn’t a traditional M/M romance, there’s no sex, no undying love, it’s a tortured story about guilt and love. Make no mistake; this is a wonderful story that gives us much to chew on and a wealth of emotions to experience. This is one of those short stories that you would love to see made into an extended novel, because there is just a wealth of potential. Almost as though this has been snatched from the middle of a story as a nibble to whet our appetites and have us begging for more.

So if you want a story that is wonderfully written, that will drag at your emotions, that is filled with rich detail and makes you want more, then this is the book for you, I highly recommend this one to all the fantasy lovers out there who love angsty fantasy.

 

 

Child of the Theatre by Caleb

Title:   Child of the Theatre

Author:    Caleb

Genre:   M/M historical fiction

Format/Length: 91 pages (226 KB eBook)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (November 7, 2011)

ISBN: #978-0-85715-804-8

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:   Artemis

Blurb:  Orphaned in infancy and raised by the great comedy actress Dorothy Jordan, Sim Treagar has lived all his nineteen years among the high drama, greasepaint and shabby theatrical glamour of the Drury Lane Theatre.

When Lieutenant Gervase Levison comes to the theatre to deliver the Royal Duke’s congé to Sim’s adoptive mother, the two men fall immediately into a passionate love affair.

But Gervase’s powerful family oppose their love and seek to use it against the Lieutenant, in a high-stakes game of rumors, scandal and thwarted inheritances. When Gervase is sent to sea, his prospects are safe but Sim’s heart is broken. Can they ever hope to be reunited in a love his handsome sailor’s family can’t countenance?

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1429

Review:  Child of the Theatre is set in London in the 1800s and the author does a wonderful job of giving us a true feel for the time period.  There are descriptions of costumes and architecture that are appropriate to this period of history.  Although, I was a bit surprised at how easily the characters accepted their homosexuality…seems like this would be something that was frowned on by Victorian society, especially in the upper class.

I really enjoyed Sim’s character. At times he blushes sweetly or makes a witty joke.  He is passionate with Gervase, but also a tad shy.  Gervase’s character, on the other hand, is a little bit domineering, but in an authoritative way.  Not cruel, just a man who knows what he wants and expects others to do his bidding.  The interactions between him and Sim are tender one minute and wild the next.  You can really feel that they are drawn to one another very deeply.

As in any good romance, there are challenges that the couple must face…specifically Gervase’s family and their intense dislike of his relationship with Sim.  They are torn apart, they both suffer the agony of separation, and then they are reunited, but the challenges aren’t necessarily gone just because they are back together.  The ending leaves me to wonder whether the author has a sequel in mind for these characters!

The Emo and the Jock by N. Phillips

Title:  The Emo and the Jock

Series:  N/A

Author:  N. Phillips

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Silver Publishing (June 23rd, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:   Evan Harris and Cole Morgan couldn’t be more different. Evan is a lonely, abused Emo who longs for a better life, while Cole is the popular quarterback of his high school’s football team.

Unbeknownst to Evan, Cole is gay and has had crush on him for years. Evan wants nothing more than to graduate and leave his current life behind him. When he finds he is failing math, his teacher gives him a second chance in the form of a tutor, who just so happens to be Cole Morgan.

Cole and Evan quickly grow close, and before they know what hit them, they seem to be falling in love. Little do they know Charlie, Cole’s jealous ex-boyfriend, is spending his time scheming to break up the happy couple. Stalking and watching Cole’s every move, he wants nothing more than to have the jock become his again, whatever the price.

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/921/?zenid=2fea916e940c79001cc972d314c307a7

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Everyone knows that I’m a sucker for these types of novels and that maybe the reason why I was expecting so much more from The Emo and the Jock. Yes, I loved the plot since in this case; the jock was the smart one while the emo needed the help to pass math. The love story instantly pulled me in and soon I found myself loving the characters and story line.

There are just two things that I didn’t like about this story. One was the fact that the writer referred to Evan and Cole as the emo and the jock so many times. I wondered why she chose to do that, since it did flow with the story well. Another thing I dislike was the fact that we never found out why Evan’s father abused him the way he did. Evan was the last reminiscence of his wife. He should have treated him like his most precious possession. Why the abuse?

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would totally recommend it since it does not follow the traditional nerd/jock love story which I happen to love. It is spanking new and fresh and very well written by N. Phillips

Snow Bite, Blood Red by Jade Astor

Title: Snow Bite, Blood Red

Series: Once Upon A Man 01

Author: Jade Astor

Genre: Historical, Medieval, Paranormal, Alternate World, Vampires

Length: Novella (132pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (30th June 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Albion leads a sheltered life until he is chosen to break the curse that has befallen their king. A nightwalker who feasts on human blood, King Jasper knows regaining his humanity means draining the life from the man he loves.

A man-loving twist on a classic tale. The younger son of a powerful lord, Albion leads a sheltered life with his father and half-brother, Rosarius. Everything changes for him when he is summoned to King Jasper’s palace. Much to his brother’s resentment, Albion is chosen to help break the curse that has befallen their ruler.

Forced to live as a creature who shuns the daylight and feasts on human blood, King Jasper has nearly given up hope of finding the true love that can restore his humanity. Just as he starts to believe Albion may be the one to heal him, a mysterious assassin tries to put a stop to their growing passion. With the forces of dark magic working against them, Jasper and Albion must find a way to outwit death and forge a life together.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1101/?zenid=3a799ff1718524eeb8af84fb253e2a71

Review: Albion gets his first glimpse of the King, when he is taken to court after his coming of age. He can scarce believe the tales his brother tells him and is shocked to learn his brother wishes to ensnare the King. But, his brother’s plan backfires, when Albion is chosen instead. Jasper has fallen foul of a curse laid upon him because of his father’s actions, now forced to drink blood and living in darkness he only wishes to break the curse. But, finding the one man who can break it is difficult, when Albion seems to have an effect on him, someone sets out to get rid of Albion.

This is a well written twisted rendition of Snow White with a bit of Beauty and the Beast thrown in. Albion is a sheltered young man who has just passed his eighteenth birthday and with his coming of age, he is invited to the King’s yearly party to introduce all the newly eligible young men to the King. Albion is dragged into a ploy by his brother to ensnare the Kings attention and when Albion is chosen, Rosarius is far from happy. Jasper just wants to find the one who can break his curse, but it is getting harder and harder to live with the lonely existence and dashed hopes, until Albion brings hope back into his life and it puts Albion’s life in grave danger.

Albion really has been sheltered and is very naïve about life. He has had his own secret longings and when he meets the King those longings take on a life of their own. Albion is just so trusting that you want to protect him from all the evil in the world. And Jasper, well, with Jasper you want to take all the hopelessness and loneliness away. They make a really sweet couple, and you can’t help wondering if it isn’t because he has the right blood and more because of how they feel for each other.

So, I will recommend this to those who love a fairy tale with a twist, danger, intrigue, witchcraft, erotic lovemaking and a very happy ending.