Month: October 2012

Frame of Reference by Christopher Stone

Title: Frame of reference

Author: Christopher Stone

Genre: Erotic romance

Length: Novel (332 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (September 2012)

Heat level: Explicit

Heart rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: His world-view shaped by retro movies and TV series, small-town boy, Grant Jackson, moves to Hollywood, in pursuit of television stardom.

Grant Jackson is a small-town guy, with the world-class, big city dream of becoming a network television star. But how do you make the dream come true when your resources are scant, and your frames of reference are retro motion pictures and the television series?

Determined to find out, Grant moves to Hollywood. But can he remain focused on his big dream, or will Grant be swept away in the anything goes world of gay West Hollywood – including its adult film and male prostitution scenes?

Product link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=CSFROREF

Reviewer: Heart

Review:  This is a somewhat interesting story about one man finding fame almost against all odds. While his road there might have been unconventional, having a dream is sometimes enough and the will to follow that dream a winning factor.

Grant is a small town pretty guy who has been fascinated with anything TV since he was a small child. His entertainment was TV guides and every situation in life had its counterpart on-screen in one of many shows, series and movies Grant so avidly enjoyed all his life.

Once he has enough money he jumps right into that world. No experience, both in acting as well as life he pushes down the path he only sees as leading to fame and gets his fingers slapped more than once. Discouraged but not willing to give up just yet, Grant takes it day by day, facing challenges, volunteering for Project Angel Food and having casual sex he so very much enjoys. Because love is not for Grant – he’s been there, got singed and like any good man with half a brain he decided he liked his skin without any burns and his heart whole.

I’ve stumbled on a similar writing style a few times in the past year and while it’s not something I would choose deliberately, I can’t rate a book simply because of my dislike of the writing form. A lot of you will appreciate the amount of TV/Hollywood references, quotes and familiar names. They are appropriate for the moments in the story where they were used, even funny at times, but I’m more into the story itself and less into the wide frames and inserted memories.

This particular time I found something different from what I always look for when picking up an m/m romance. The center of this story is Grant and his path toward fame. The choices he made, curve balls life threw at him and people he met along the way. It’s filled with a somewhat bittersweet world of an aspiring actor, tragedy and only eventually love.

While the adult movie career Grant sort of made for himself and his escorting meets combined, did bring a bit of life, or should I say excitement, into this story, is still felt too slow for my taste. The late arrival of the romance and vague realization of it didn’t make me feel any better and it was with a deep sigh that I finally read the last page.

There are strong points to this story, the main being excellent writing. A few editing mistakes can be forgiven as far as I’m concerned and it is the interpretation as well as the life-like presentation of Grant’s story that most of you will be interested in. The life of a gay man wanting to hit it big starts slowly, but after a while the story picks up and we are shown the many different aspects of life in a big city. Grant is a pretty good character, naïve at times, but with a certain optimistic outlook on life that keeps the story from getting too dark. I must say I liked the porn making part of this book the best. It was not perfect, but there were enough details to keep me going and the author made sure not to repeat Grant’s experiences and approached every new event with a fresh vision in mind.

If you’ve liked The Marrying Kind by Ken O’Neill or Tinseltown by Barry Brennessel you will probably love this book.

Boys Will Be Boys by Paul Alan Fahay

Title: Boys Will Be Boys

Author: Paul Alan Fahey

Genre: Young Adult, Historical (1950s)

Length: Short Story

Publisher:  Queerteen Press (October 14th, 2012

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  In the late 1950’s, fourteen year old Philip Noland is a gay but sexually inexperienced freshman at St. Sebastian’s, a Catholic high school for boys. Alone and emotionally isolated, with the exception of two friends named O’Riley and Carlin, there are no familiar guideposts for Philip to follow, just an excess of rules and regulations that make no sense to him.

A late bloomer, Philip learns to masturbate effectively and fall in love for the first time, but his greatest challenge isn’t the regimented behavior at St. Sebastian’s — it’s surviving a bully named Molinara who has set his sights on Philip.

Can Philip navigate the minefields of St. Sebastian’s and emerge victorious?

Product Link:  http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=57

Reviewer:  Madison

Review:  I enjoyed the author’s writing style. The way the report cards and other notices were incorporated into the story was both unique and effective in terms of establishing the setting and characters.

I wonder what the intended audience’s age is for this story (I’m guessing it’s fairly young). The entire time I was reading, all signs led to impending tragedy, but that climactic moment wasn’t really that bad. It could’ve been much darker.

Overall, this is a touching short story about young friendship and love. Yay, Smith!

 

The Prince's Guard by Annette Gisby

Title: The Prince’s Guard

Author: Annette Gisby

Genre: Fantasy World, Kink

Length: Short (36pgs Roughly)

Publisher: Annette Gisby (2nd August 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Prince Dashan has been used to getting things his own way, with servants to cater to his every whim. As the crown prince, it is essential that he is protected and he is followed everywhere by his bodyguard, Ryland. Dashan can’t even head to a tavern with his friends without Ryland somehow turning up and spoiling his fun.

Dashan disguises himself as a peasant one night and sneaks off to the brothel that he’s heard rumors about – a brothel that caters for men who like men. The prince finds it difficult to admit to himself what his true desires are – he yearns to submit his will to someone else. And Ryland is just the man to show him what that truly means.

Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theprince039sguard-904920-144.html

Review: Prince Dashan rebels against the strictures on his freedom. Every time he turns around Ryland, his bodyguard and captain of the royal guard, is there. Dashan is desperate to explore his needs, needs that are frowned upon and disguises himself as a peasant and ends up with much more than he bargained for.

This is a very hot short story that scratches some itches, but leaves other itches untouched. Dashan has tried ducking his guard repeatedly, but has never managed to elude him. But, this time Dashan is determined to get away, as he has a certain place in mind to go. Ryland has to look out for the prince and this time he decides to give the prince exactly what he wants.

This is a story that aims for the erotic and hits its target. Ryland is very masterful and knows exactly what Dashan needs. He has seen the way Dashan looks at men and Dashan’s behavior deserves punishment. Dashan wants to be mastered by a man, but because of his circumstances doubts it will ever happen.  So he decides to settle for just one experience with a man. Combining both together is heaven for Dashan, but they both know Dashan will have to do his duty.

I must admit I liked this story and the way it played out for both Ryland and Dashan.  But, I was left disappointed with the ending as it could be loosely termed as a ‘happy for now’ ending.  The sex and kink are very hot and they are a very matched pair in bed.

I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, kink, hot sex, good characters, a very hot short story and an ending that leaves you wanting more.

 

 

Beauty in the Breakdown by E. L. Esch

Title:  Beauty in the Breakdown

Author:  E.L. Esch

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Loose Id (October 2nd, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  Luke Martin Cleary isn’t out of the closet to his brother, and that’s always been okay since he isn’t involved. Then he meets Rowan, a fragile man with a dark past and one hot body. But Rowan’s heart and body are broken and guarded, and it’s going to take a lot of love to touch someone so completely untouchable. Literally.

Rowan Wilheim Nails is a man in pain. Ever since an abusive falling out with his ex-boyfriend, he’s developed a phobia of being touched by another person–a phobia of being hurt again. So when Luke and Rowan meet at a bar and end up at Luke’s apartment later on, Rowan is skeptical of spending the night in Luke’s bed. There’s only one thing he can do to make touching Luke’s skin bearable–get drunk.

Luke hates Rowan’s coping method, but how can he help change it when he doesn’t understand Rowan’s situation? By getting involved, he decides, even if that means divulging his secret to his brother. And so Luke begins breaking Rowan and his walls down, slowly and tenderly and maybe a little more roughly in the bedroom, but definitely without hurting him again. No matter how long it takes or how untouchable Rowan claims to be, Luke is determined to heal Rowan so that one day there’ll be nothing between their hearts but each other’s skin.

Product Link:  http://www.loose-id.com/beauty-in-the-breakdown.html

Reviewer:  Madison

Review:  Luke and Rowan hook up one night and both feel an instant connection. They want more than a one-night stand. The problem is they both have some serious baggage to overcome. Luke is still haunted by the death of his parents and the promise he had made to his dad not to reveal his sexuality to his younger brother, despite now being his sole caretaker. Rowan has just come out of a physically abusive relationship and can’t bear skin-on-skin contact without the aid of alcohol to numb the pain. Despite these obstacles, Luke and Rowan fall in love and work to heal old wounds.

The story took awhile to draw me in, but once the connection between Luke and Rowan was established, I felt for them. They were both fighters, both stubborn. Yet, they showed their vulnerability with one another. The way their relationship developed was sweet. I didn’t fully understand Rowan’s skin phobia, nor did I understand how he got over it, but I’m glad he did in the end. The story was well written with believable dialogue and likable characters.

A Road Not Taken by Jennifer Thorne

Title: A Road Not Taken

Series: N/A

Author: Jennifer Thorne

Genre: MM Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Samhain Publishing (September 4th, 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Taking the road less travelled may lead you home.

Eco-house builder Jascha doesn’t think twice about taking in stray animals. Stray people? This would be a first. But there’s something about the stranded young man—who’s carrying nothing in his car but a hidden gun—that warns Jascha not to leave him alone.

Stuck in a soul-sucking bank job, Peter has given up on finding meaning in his life. Long ago he cut himself off from his creative side, unable to get over the feeling that everything about himself is wrong. He thinks there’s only one thing left to do—until the pushy, charismatic Jascha happens along what was supposed to be a deserted road, and Peter lets himself be bullied into following him home.

In the days that follow, Peter gets more of a crash course in the hippie lifestyle—natural food, meditation, yoga—than he can handle. But every time he begins to relax around his new friend, their spark of attraction twists him back into a ball of nerves.

Jascha tells himself it’s a mistake to get involved with a man whose gaydar is seriously broken. In spite of everything, love happens. The only question is if love is enough to save both their lonely souls.

Product Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/road-taken-p-6978.html

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Jascha is an eco-house constructor, a happy-hippy guy who always will see life with a joyful eye. He’s on his way home when a car stopped in the middle of nowhere gets his attention. The guy in that car, besides being way cute, gives him the chills. His sadness and suicidal vibes are nearly palpable and Jascha makes a split-second decision to save him no matter what.

Peter has spent all his life being pushed around and denied his true desires by nearly everyone. His father always seemed to find his doings “nonsense” pushing him to be more “man”, his high-school and college years are tainted by memories of bullies pushing him around, and his one and only sexual experience left him with pain and an STI. In his worse mental state, having taken the decision to end his life, he meets Jascha who literally changes his life. But his low self-esteem and insecurities will always be there and shadow his every step.

This is a pretty intriguing story. The take on eco-friendly environment and lifestyle was something I liked a lot. Jascha is such a happy guy he got my attention immediately and Peter, well, he got me a little bit confused at the beginning, and I disliked him quite a lot later on. All his insecurities and mental issues had me reeling. It wasn’t until I reached the near end of the story that I got a likening for Peter. The way he finally took his life in his own hands and made some solid decisions about the reality of his situation was unexpected and left me with a good feeling. Their relationship was a bit unrealistic for me to enjoy. More often than not I’m totally against “flash-speed-falling-in-love-relationships”. They just don’t work for me, and the way Jascha’s and Peter’s relationship went from “we barely know each other” to “I love you and want to live with you” was more than annoying for me. In my opinion this story needed more space and development. It would give a good deal of emotions at its dramatic twists that were lost in the short narration, but as I said it was pretty intriguing and I ended up liking it. I recommend this if you want to read something new and fresh, with a nice writing style and some earth-loving meaning. Personally, that is what I loved the most.

 

Beyond the Edge by Elizabeth Lister

Title: Beyond the Edge

Author: Elizabeth Lister

Genre: Contemporary, BDSM, Erotica

Length: Novel (290 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (September 21, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Tate Mackenzie has signed on for a weekend of kinky fun at the hands of respected Dom, James Lucas. However, James has invited another man, twenty-four year-old Sebastian Doucette, to join in. Thrown together under James’ expert tutelage, the two men experience an instant attraction and begin a tentative relationship on their own time. But James hasn’t been entirely honest with the boys and soon Tate finds himself the focus of two infatuated men. How will he choose the man he wants or the lifestyle he desires to pursue?

Product link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ELBTEDGE

Reviewer:  Heart

Review:  I’ve had a nice experience with one of Elisabeth Lister’s books and while that sounds kinky it’s nothing compared to the sexual tension and chemistry this author can create.

That said, I will get into this review with a warning – this is not a ménage, but rather a triangle which eventually ends with just two men together. It is mentioned in the blurb, but if you’re just skimming it like I did, and reading what you want to see you will miss it. So it happened that my whole experience of the book was clouded with my expectations and I analyzed the relationships according to them.

The whole story is told from Tate’s point of view and I read about his enthusiasm about finally having another session with this famous Dom. As the day approached his happiness was almost contagious, but then he found out that the session would involve another man, Sebastian. Tate wanted to meet Sebastian before actually getting naked with him and the sparks flying there were otherworldly. After their weekend with James, the Dom, they decide to explore their relationship a bit more despite having another scheduled session with James.

At first I was disappointed at first by the difference in the chemistry between Tate and James as opposed to the emotions between Tate and Sebastian. They were all supposed to be interested in each other, weren’t they? Instead James was all clipped and scene centered while Sebastian truly enjoyed every moment he and Tate had together. But then as I read on I realized it was actually a strong point of this story because it showed the difference between just a sexual meet, what the three of them experienced that first weekend and something deeper which was the case later on between Tate and Sebastian. Boy was I wrong.

The clipped and almost mechanical scenes continued throughout the story and for some reason I just couldn’t see Tate and Sebastian working out together long-term. When it comes to the professionalism of the sessions, I was pretty satisfied, but the negotiations were glazed over and that dimmed the experience for me some more.

By the end I was really struggling with the rating because the dynamics between the three was so wrong and didn’t work for me at all, but at the end, when I finally realized the book would end with just two men, I hated Tate’s final choice. Both Sebastian and James had their good points as well as bad, but I guess I’m more into the personality of the ‘loser’ in this story and that sealed the deal.

Since I’ve liked this author’s work before, I was surprised at the completely different flow of the story. It wasn’t really my thing even when I wanted to be amazed by it, so for the rest of you – pay attention to the blurb and jump in with your eyes open, tastes are different, and ours might be worlds apart.

 

Twin Flames by Lexi Ander

Title: Twin Flames

Series: Sumeria’s Sons 01

Author: Lexi Ander

Genre: Shifter, Fantasy, Paranormal, Cowboys

Length: Novel (179pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (6th October 2012)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Betrayed and broken by his Twin Flame, Tristan finds love with his friend, Ushna. Love, destiny, and prophecy collide when a modern day tribe of Lycanthropes deals with the repercussions of the ancient actions of their ancestors Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

Tristan Janick is a Lycan descendant of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, an average Warrior of Anat. He has found his Twin Flame, the one person who’s supposed to love him unconditionally. Betrayed, broken, and dying, he dissolves the sacred bond and leaves.

His best friend, Ushna, vows to guard and protect him, always close but never touching. Waking up from his half-life after a hunt gone badly, Tristan realizes he’s in love with Ushna and sets out to seduce him.

Ancient secrets and lies are revealed, setting off a chain of events that tests not only Tristan and Ushna’s love, but challenges their ability to stay alive when creatures of myth awaken, and absent Gods walk the Earth once again.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a HFN ending.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1061

Review: Tristan suffers from a terrible betrayal by his Twin Flame that leaves him broken and dying. He demands the breaking of their bond, not caring that it could kill him. His best friend, Ushna, becomes his guardian and swears to look after and protect him. Events several years later make Tristan realize that he does want to live and he begins to feel again and he realizes just how much he loves Ushna.  But, secrets emerge which shock them both.

So some advice to you readers…read this book! This book is brilliant and a fantastic beginning to an awesome series which I am going to be glued to for its uniqueness. Tristan demands his bond is dissolved from his faithless Twin Flame, something that is very rarely done and because of the circumstances could kill him. Ushna swears to look after him and it will be a long road to recovery if Tristan survives the Breaking. Ushna and Tristan are best friends and it isn’t until several years later that Tristan begins to want to live and notice how he feels about Ushna. When they finally confront how they both feel, interference from the Council could ruin it all.

Well, this story is quite easy to follow with its development. Although, we don’t get all the answers and many are left open-ended (to be answered in later books?), we do get very good world building and history about the wolves. Tristan has pure heartbreak at the beginning of the book and it affects him for years to come. Ushna has always stood beside him and when they finally become a couple it is impressive how passionate they are. But, the story doesn’t end there. In fact, it seems like it has only just begun with the startling discovery of a secret that leaves Tristan questioning the actions of his family.

There is a whole new world to discover in the Sumeria’s Sons series. With various gifts for the wolves, myth’s coming to life and Goddess’s reappearing, as well as Council meddling and agendas. We also have a wolf who has been betrayed severely and takes years to recover, a best friend who has his own sad story and more mystery surrounding another friend. Tristan and Ushna are wonderful characters that pull you into the story. The wonderful way their story has been written keeps you reading. The storyline and plot hold your attention until the last page and you cry out ‘no keep going, I want more!’

I have to recommend this to anyone who loves shifters, paranormal, a hint at ancient Gods and Goddesses, mystery, surviving the worst and coming out the other end, love, hot sex, a brilliant storyline… oh and did I mention Lupes?

 

Amethysts of Wisdom by Serena Yates

Title: Amethysts of Wisdom 1

Series: Gemstone Chronicles 02

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Alternative World

Length: Novel (263pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (6th October 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Angus, an accomplished linguist who loves research, is a shy but passionate guy. Ayden is a man of action who obtains a mysterious amethyst-covered book for him. Can they overcome their differences and work together to decipher its contents?

“True love is more precious than the rarest of gemstones.” –The Collector

Angus loves ancient languages and sharing his knowledge with high school kids, but his true passion is linguistic research. Love doesn’t come easy for him; despite the amethyst ring his grandmother gave him to help him heal from the traumatic experience that still haunts him. He desperately wants a loving relationship with Ayden, despite their different temperaments, but cannot seem to overcome his fears. Ayden is not a patient man, and Angus is afraid he’ll lose him, so he decides to open up.

Ayden hates the fact he can’t seem to get closer to Angus. When he is shot on a secret mission to free a hostage in Central America, he resolves to find out what is stopping Angus from accepting physical intimacy. Ayden finds him a gift, a mysterious amethyst-covered book, hoping it will show Angus how much he loves him.

But the book has a mind of its own. Mysterious letters appear and disappear. Weird dreams challenge their very understanding of reality. Can they overcome their differences and discover the amethysts’ wisdom?

This book is the second in a series called the Gemstone Chronicles, a collection of unique love stories and romances brought to you from the Void Outside Space and Time. These volumes are hand-selected by the Chroniclers, a team of beings working tirelessly to bring you interesting sensory experiences, works of art and music, as well as entertaining stories. With several dimensions and all of time at their disposal to find the most fascinating tales, the range of adventures is as unique as each individual Collector. A special being with extraordinary imagination, he is the focal point and provides new and interesting ideas that are put together in the Hall of Collections for all to admire and enjoy.

Read more about the Gemstone Chronicles and its various worlds in the special brochure coming soon to the Silver Publishing website! The Gemstone Chronicles Companion will showcase the entire collection as it is built story by story, updated each time a new one joins the group. Don’t miss it!

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1249

Review: This book is part of a series and best read in order. Angus and Ayden have been dating for a couple of months, but at the moment seem to fight more than anything else. With Angus being a professor, he likes to research and think things through, but Ayden is a retrieval specialist and is a man of action and dive feet first into everything. Will Angus and Ayden with the help of the Book of Wisdom be able to meld together or will Angus’s past destroy them forever?

It’s so nice to see the Collector and the Chroniclers again as they work together to bring a story of love into creation. Angus has a problem.  Even though he wants Ayden, he is scared after a traumatic event in his past. Now he feels like Ayden may dump him, but just when they seem to be working things out, his abuser makes himself known. Ayden knows that he has some making up to do, but finally communicating with Angus seems to be working and getting the truth as to why Angus can be skittish helps. But, accepting the hospitality of the parents of a rescued child brings danger to Ayden, Angus, the twin rings and The Book of Wisdom.

This was brilliant, an absolutely amazing combination of action, adventure, mystery, mystical, magic and love. Angus and Ayden really are a fantastic couple when they combine their strengths and they complement each other wonderfully. Angus learns to confide and trust in Ayden completely and Ayden finally figures out that sometimes it pays to think things through. I loved how both men reacted to the other and how they took their time before jumping into bed, even if they both had different reasons to wait. The reactions of both of them were great. Neither over-reacting, nor down-playing the issues, but both being determined to try to work things out.

The storyline was very interesting and added a great many new aspects to the Chronicles, including where we see the Collector coming to terms with aspects of himself. The Book of Wisdom is a very interesting aspect of the storyline, as are the Amethysians and the story behind the rings. I really can’t wait to see what Serena Yates comes up with in the Aquamarines of Courage (Gemstone Chronicles 03) because she hasn’t let us down with variety yet.

I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, magic and mystical, hot men working through problems, discovering a mystery and a very happy ending with some wonderful hot, gentle sex.

Dealing With the Dead by Toni Griffin 1st Edition

Title: Dealing With the Dead

Series: The Thompson Agency 01

Author: Toni Griffin

Genre: Paranormal, Alternative World

Length: Novella (144pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (6th October 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Jayden Thompson is more powerful than any other necromancer in the country and that makes him perfect for Noah Michaels, who needs his help. Falling in love is easy, but watching Jayden deal with his powers isn’t.

Jayden Thompson is special. He’s a necromancer, but as the seventh son of a seventh son, he’s more powerful than anyone else in the country.

This is lucky for Noah Michaels when he walks into the Thompson Agency and finds out the sexy man with blue-streaked hair is the only one who can take his case.

Falling in love with Jayden is easy, but watching him try to deal with the havoc his powers create isn’t.

Purchase Link: This Edition is no longer available 

Review: Jayden is a necromancer, a very powerful necromancer. But, he has kept that power hidden from everyone around him, especially his family. But, when sexy Noah comes to the agency for help, Jayden spills out that he can help. What shocks Jayden even more is that Noah is his mate. Noah needs a necromancer desperately and only Jayden can help. Discovering the extent of his connection to the sexy man doesn’t bother him, but the toll that Jayden’s powers take does.

Wow. Toni Griffin has created a new series that is unique and extremely interesting. I love when we find a new series and we can discover a new world within the pages of a book. this world that we are introduced to is just like yours or mine, but it has the added wonder of Necromancers, Shifters, Witches, Vampires and Fey (although we only meet necromancers in this one). We are given detailed information about what a necromancer does (so no zombies floating about) and the mating details as well.

Jayden and Noah make a great couple and slip into their relationship pretty easily. There was no angst or outside interference which in this instance, I found appealing.  Jayden’s reaction to finding his mate was amusing and I liked the way that the mating was described as something different from having to instantly mate. Jayden does have some problems with his family, but they are minor in a way, although it affects Jayden emotionally. That is something that Noah helps with when, he sees how Jayden’s brothers treats him.

There is some danger that comes from a very unexpected direction. (Who’d have thought that a walk around the neighborhood would end like that, huh?)  Everything gets wrapped up nicely and Noah and Jayden are hot together… they make a lovely couple. I loved that necromancers are shown in a very favorable light, and that the paranormals don’t seem to be shunned, but seemed to be embraced by society. a refreshing change from having to hide or being hunted. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, so I can get to know the brothers better.

I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, alternative worlds, necromancers, hot men, a great storyline, hot sex and a very, very happy ending. This is a very easy story to read and you can just relax and enjoy so give it a go.

 

 

Danny and Mike by Valentina Heart

Title: Danny and Mike

Author: Valentina Heart

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel Plus (361pgs)

Publisher: Silver publishing (29th September 2012)

Heat: Explicit

Heart: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Danny emerges from a life of abuse to discover happiness with Mike. Then his nightmares return and he has to make a choice–to fight or to save the one who showed him life is worth living.

Sometimes love can be found in the most unlikely places, or so Danny discovers once he finds himself in a bar brawl. With a life of abuse behind him, he’s more than ready for a new, happier start, and Mike seems to be exactly what his damaged soul needs.

With a completely different background, Mike is close to a ray of sunshine. Always optimistic and happy, he anchors Danny and shows him life can be about love instead of hate.

But chapters of the past are rarely completely closed, and once Danny’s nightmares come back into his life he has to make a choice–to fight or to save the one who showed him life is worth living.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1211/

Warning: This book contains scenes that may cause distress to some readers. Rape and/or abuse.

Review: This book isn’t for the faint of heart or those who want a perfect happy ending. Danny starts a new life in Zadar, away from the abuse that he has suffered for years.  It’s a long journey but he is finally on his feet.  Stumbling into a bar fight, Danny finds love in the shape of Mike. Mike stumbles across the love of his life during a bar fight and couldn’t be more than happy, but when Danny’s past finds him, Mike wonders if their love will survive.

Valentina Heart has written a book that is filled with both joy and heartache, with new discoveries and old fears and love so great that nothing could break it. Danny has finally escaped to begin a life that he wants for himself, but it is a long road to feeling safe and secure. When he meets Mike in the middle of a bar fight and Mike is interested in him, he can’t help but wonder why Mike wants him. Mike is amazed at how quickly he falls for Danny and vows to be there for Danny no matter what.  but, when the past finds Danny Mike feels he has failed his love.

This isn’t an easy book to read as you discover the horrors that Danny lived through in his childhood up until he finally escaped.  There are some scenes, both in memory and real page time, that will turn your stomach and make you want to grab Danny and shelter him from all harm.  If there was one person that you felt safe leaving our poor Danny with, then it would be the gentle caring soul Mike. Mike is a wonderful beautiful person who has had a wonderful upbringing. He makes Danny feel safe and helps Danny through a lot of his fears. he is also there for him when he needs him most in the aftermath and both our MC’s struggle with the blow that has fallen.

This book switches between both Danny’s and Mike’s viewpoints, but they are clearly done so you never get confused. The emotional impact of this book is devastating.  Just when Danny and Mike find complete happiness, the horror strikes and by the end of the book your heart is aching with the devastation of what these two wonderful men go through.  The ending is heartbreakingly lovely with the seeds of new hope growing. please, please Valentina write us a sequel that is filled with pure happiness for these two men, even if it is just a short story showing us a glimpse of them in the future. (I will beg and plead!!)

I have to recommend that everyone read this book, but especially those who love two young men falling in love, dealing with traumatic events, supporting each other and being there for each other no matter what and two characters that are incredible strong in spirit and love.

 

Switch by Sean Michael

Title: Switch

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: Contemporary, BDSM

Length: 231 pages

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 26, 2012)

Heat level: Explicit

Heart rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts 

Blurb: Ewan’s application to the Hammer Club has hit a snag. For some reason, Master Oliver has asked him to train alongside another Top before having his membership approved. Ewan’s not sure where he screwed up, but he figures he must have done something wrong for Oliver to have taken this step.

Randy is the Top assigned to work with Ewan. Easy going and unattached, Randy is happy to work with Ewan, even more so when he meets the man and is instantly attracted. That attraction only deepens as the two men work together and find themselves deeply compatible in the bedroom, and in life.

What happens when Randy expresses his belief that Ewan is a sub, and not just any sub, but Randy’s sub? Can Ewan find it in himself to give Randy what the man wants, and what he himself needs?

Product link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3703

Reviewer: Heart

Review:  This is another story in the Hammer series where the connecting point is the exclusive BDSM Club and the reappearing characters who tend to grow on you more with each new book. In that regard, it’s a Sean Michael classic, with sex consuming almost each page and very little plot.

Ewan had submitted his application to the Hammer Club as a top. But, Master Oliver, a character who appears in pretty much each book, has some information that make Ewan different, and instead of approving his membership, he assigns him to another top for training.

Now, if you’ve read any of the previous books, you already know that Oliver is a scheming man, who always has his friend’s best interests at heart.  But, boy does he love to meddle, and you’ll have trouble finding a more stubborn top than him. He loves pairing up his friends and members so it’s not by chance that he chooses Randy as Ewan’s trainer.

The sparks are instant, edging on explosions and the sex is scorching. But you can’t really expect anything else from this BDSM world.  Because, if there is one thing that it never lacks, it’s imaginative positions, scenes and toys. Yes, I loved the sex, found it to be very satisfying and while I was somewhat disappointed that some talked about scenes never took place, what I got was more than enough.

If this is your first Hammer novel, you should be aware that the plot really is minimal and I’m not exaggerating about the amount of sex. When you read a few of Sean Michael books, it also become repetitive and you notice little things like one word sentences that feel unfinished and a lack of research on some sexual practices. So it happened that I had a feeling I’d already read some parts of this book in others and at a few spots I was seriously worried about Ewan’s nipples.

However, good sex and a lot of it, is not something that will make me give lower ratings. In this case my issue was the too quick jump for Ewan from a confident top to a submissive who barely resisted. Words leaving his mouth contradicted his thoughts and when you include his past into the mix, it all comes out even less believable. I disliked Randy’s way of solving issues with sex and spanking.  But, then again, I always have issues with that, because I don’t think traumas could be solved so easily and words do have a purpose.

All in all, true fans won’t be disappointed because this is definitely a hot piece of writing; true to the series with hotness screaming off the pages.