Month: June 2013

No Man's Land by G.S. Wiley

NoMansLand400x600Title: No Man’s Land

Author: G.S. Wiley

Genre: Historical (1916 &1924), European

Length: Short (55pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (15th June 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Henry and Jack helped each other through hell in the trenches of World War One. Years later, they meet again. Can they help each other put the war behind them and move on with their lives?

London solicitor, Henry Naismith, went through hell in the trenches of World War 1 with his friend, Jack Harrison, as his only solace. Years later, Henry is back home, the widowed father of a young daughter. Safe in England for the last eight years, he’s never truly left the war behind, and it haunts him day and night.

When Henry meets Jack again by chance, he hopes to rekindle their friendship, and perhaps develop something more. But Jack has wartime nightmares of his own, and they both have a long road to travel before they can begin to recover and get on with their lives–together.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/no-mans-land-ebook-p-1498.html

Part of the Silver Publishing Father’s Day 2013 collection.

Review: Henry and Jack shared a brief kiss in the trenches the night before Jack was to go ‘over the top’; it was the last time Henry saw Jack during the war. Eight years later Henry is a solicitor again, he is a widow and he has an adorable daughter but his years at war still haunt him. Henry meets Jack again by chance, Jack is now a balloon seller with an injury of his own and with his own nightmares that still linger, rekindling their friendship is hopeful but they both have a long way to go to recover from the war.

This is an interesting story of two men meeting in the trenches finding fleeting comfort during horrific times and then reconnecting years later. Henry is a solicitor who nearly lost his foot to trench rot during the war, even now, he suffers from flashbacks and nightmares. For one of Henry’s cases he has to speak with an expert on shell shock and it just might help him to understand his friend Jack’s actions and his own difficulties. Jack made a choice he has to live with, but when he meets up with Henry again he has to confess and can only hope that Henry will forgive him.  

Although I liked this story I thought that it was in the wrong collection, we do see some of Henry’s daughter and there is some interaction between father and daughter but there isn’t enough story surrounding them for it to really be a ‘family’ story. This is much more suited to an ex-military – suffering the after effects of war collection. I liked the trenches setting and the descriptions of what they were facing, I really liked the flash backs and how it affected Henry’s everyday life. G.S. Wiley certainly captured the truth of 1918 France and 1924 England with its harsh truths of how the troops and returning heroes were treated. The difficulties that Henry and Jack faced are stark and so is their hope of any semblance of a relationship, no matter how they might hope otherwise, but it is still something they will hope for.

I will recommend this if you love World War I, friendship, love, hope, and a happy for now ending.    

 

 

My Three Dads by Zane Silva

c. My 3 Dads [ZS] - 400x600Title:  My Three Dads

Series:  None

Author:  Zane Silva

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Novella (91 Pages)

Publisher:  Silver Stream Press (June 15th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  About to graduate from college, Carl tells the story of his childhood, a sort of informal testimonial to thank the men who raised him. To begin with, he was leery about having a gay couple for his foster parents, but living with Leonard Schafer and James MacPhalen, he found love, respect, and stability for the first time in his young life. Now that his biological father has reappeared and wants him back, everything may change again… and not for the better.

Product Link:  https://silverstreampress.com/my-three-dads-ebook-p-1493.html

Reviewer:   John

Review:  My Three Dads by Zane Silva is a very short, but touching story. The novel stars Carl Crawley who had a very rough life. His dad walked away when he was just a little over two years old, and if that wasn’t enough, his mothers dies and he soon finds himself living in several foster homes. Almost instantly, he develops a bad reputation that leads him to a Boy’s Home a few years later. It was there where James and Leonard take him in and raise him as their own.

I loved Carl. He was a very sweet kid that life took no pity on. Yes, he was little rebel, but he had been through a lot at a very young age. I absolutely loved James and Leonard. They took him in and gave him the opportunity to be a normal kid for once. They lived a happy life until Carl’s father makes an unexpected appearance and gets in between them. I absolutely hated the old man. After thirteen years, he wants his son back all because he was being raised by two gay guys? I seriously wanted to punch him in the face. I never met my father and I really hope that I never do. Anyways, the story was solid and the writing was really good. The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that the story went back and forth making it hard to keep up. Besides that, I absolutely loved this short little story.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a very cheesy story about a kid as he finds his way in life at the hand of two great and amazing guys.

 

The Reluctant Dad by Parker James

694703a44058faaf792f4ae87ec6bee5.image.200x300Title:  The Reluctant Dad

Series:  Father’s Day 2013 Collection

Author:  Parker James

Genre:   Contemporary, Father’s Day, Gay, Holiday Story, Romance

Length: Novella  (39 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Product link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/the-reluctant-dad-ebook-p-1497.html

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:  Channing and Jon’s marriage is tested when Jon suggests they adopt a baby. Channing struggles with indecision and a lack of confidence in his abilities to raise a child–again.

Channing, nutritionist and personal trainer, loves life with his husband of four years, Jon, a pediatrician. Jon surprises Channing with a desire to adopt a friend’s baby and Channing is thrown into a tailspin of indecision.

Channing already has a child–a twenty-year-old daughter whose transition from childhood to adulthood brought difficulties and pain for both. He struggles with the choice between making his husband happy by parenting a newborn or being satisfied with the experience he already has where the worst perils of fatherhood are already behind him.

Channing has to choose whether to ultimately break his husband’s heart… or go after a complete love he never knew could exist.

Reviewer:   Pammie

Review:  Channing is thrown into a complete tailspin, when Jon casually announces over lunch that he wants them to adopt a baby. Channing has already raised one child. A daughter conceived when he and a friend were exploring their sexuality. He was assuredly gay, she straight. They remained friends, and Channing took his role as father seriously.

The first thing in Channing’s mind is re-living how he and Jon met. The next is visiting his daughter, Audrey. To his surprise, she’s delighted at the prospect of Jon and him adopting a baby.

Channing is still in turmoil when he arrives home, unsure whether he wants the responsibility of a child for a second time. Jon welcomes him home, but when he proposes a toast to the new baby, Channing blows.

However, his anger pales in comparison to Jon’s.  Jon storms off to bed, leaving Channing stunned.

By the time Channing is ready to go to bed, hours have passed. Channing has analyzed everything about their relationship, and his role in raising Audrey. However, it’s his response to seeing Jon in bed that makes him realize that their relationship isn’t just one thing or another; it’s a whole thing – complete love.

I felt more for Channing than Jon in this story, but then it was told from his perspective. I could empathize with his shock and insecurities, the way adoption was dropped into his lap. The epiphany he has when going to bed seemed a little out-of-place, but I liked that their love is strong enough so that Jon, although upset, doesn’t turn Channing away. A short, sweet Father’s Day treat.

A Gentleman's Gentleman by Shawn Bailey

AGentlemansGentleman400x600Title: A Gentleman’s Gentleman

Author: Shawn Bailey

Genre: Contemporary, Family

Length: Novella (144pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (15th June 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The last thing rock star Channing Anderson can handle is being in a relationship. But when the father of three takes one look into the deep violet eyes of his sons’ dapperly dressed tutor, he instantly changes his mind.

Divorced rock singer Channing Anderson is looking for a tutor for his five-year old triplets–Dominick, Destin, and Drake. They boys are a handful, and it doesn’t help matters Channing is a soft touch. He never had time for them when he was on the road and left most of their rearing to Addie, their mother. Addie left him for another man, gave him custody of the boys, and went on about her life. Channing’s sister, Virginia, thinks Channing is in way over his head. Along comes an English-born valet to put some order into the boys’ lives and a second chance for love and family in Channing’s heart.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/a-gentlemans-gentleman-ebook-p-1484.html

Review: Rock star Channing is getting desperate, his son Dominick has been kicked out of yet another school and there are no more schools to turn to in the Greater Boston area…public or private. Virginia (Channing’s sister) comes up with a plan to hire a tutor. Broderick (Brodie) is set to make a new start in America. Discovering that he will have three charges instead of just the one he was told about might be a bit more challenging, but he thinks he can manage just fine. Channing is swept away from the first second he lays eyes on Brodie and sets about coaxing the sexy tutor into his bed. Brodie isn’t sure of his feelings though and Channing wonders if he can pursued Brodie to make their family complete.

This is a wonderful family story that warms the heart as you see the perfect family coming together. Channing came out of the closet after his divorce, his ex-wife walked out on him and their children without a backwards glance. But, being a rock star and a parent is a struggle especially when one of your children are commonly viewed as Satan’s spawn. Taking the chance on an overseas tutor, Channing comes to realize that Brodie is a blessing. Brodie embraces his new job in America, and falls hard for the father. But, his sexuality confuses him and he doesn’t want to risk the well-being of Dominick, Destin, and Drake, when he has just started making progress with them.

I enjoyed this light-hearted, feel good family story. the triplets are absolutely gems, each child unique in their own way, but oh so loveable. Channing is a wonderful father who is having a bit of a time of it and who finds himself attracted to Brodie. Quickly falling in love with the man as he gets to know him better. Brodie sweeps in like Mary Poppins, nothing ruffles his calm, and he soon puts the triplets in their place. Falling for their father wasn’t in the plan and he is really sweet as he tries to figure out how he really feels. Addie (Channing’s ex-wife) is an extremely nasty woman and you are actually glad that she left the children in the first place. The writing is pretty good and the relationship was okay, it didn’t quite rock my world though.

I recommend this to those that love family stories, three cute cherubs, a rock star and tutor falling in love and a very happy ending.

 

Freshman: Uncut by Daisy Harris

17412525Title: Freshman: Uncut

Series: Ivory Towers #1

Author: Daisy Harris

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Total E-Bound (June 14th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Sparks fly between jaded film TA, Shane, and tough-acting freshman, Angel. Shane gives Angel the sex he craves, but struggles to be the man he needs.

Shane’s too old for Angel. Even if Angel weren’t a freshman in Shane’s Intro to Film class, the kid would be too closeted, too confused, too darn changeable and needy. But when Shane sees the pain lurking behind Angel’s tough exterior, he can’t help but reach out to him and give in to the desire in those scared, brown eyes.

Pacific Rim University may as well be another planet from the Oakland neighbourhood where Angel grew up. Angel’s fought all his life to get respect, and to stay hard in the eyes of his friends back home. Always the weird kid, Angel was the guy who never hooked up with girls. Meeting his very sexy, very male Film TA, Angel starts to understand why. He refuses to admit he’s gay, but he lives for every one of Shane’s smiles.

When Shane takes Angel to task for his insolent attitude, Angel can’t resist pushing his TA further. He wants Shane to show him, force him, make him accept all the feelings battling around in his mind and his body. But Angel doesn’t just need sex. He needs a man who can help him navigate the new and very raw landscape of his feelings.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2155

Review: Oh. I loved this book. It was very engaging, grabbing you from the beginning and holding you throughout the read.

Both characters were very lovable. Angel is a freshman whose clips on YouTube earned him a scholarship. Back in his neighborhood he was always the weird kid and had always had to act tough. This new world he suddenly landed is foreign to him and he feels confused and an outcast most of the time. Add to that the instant attraction he felt for his TA and Angel doesn’t know which way is up or down. Because while Angel has never acted with a girl, he hasn’t given much thought to his sexuality either. He simply can’t be attracted to a man…can he?

We see Angel struggle through his emotions. we see his mind say one thing, his body another and how much the confusion affects him and his actions. It’s not hard to love this character. Although, at times, he came across as too stupid. However, that gave him a more realistic air. the fact that he at times couldn’t get past simple words or phrases like “shut up” or “f*** you”. It made him real, it made him look scary and it made me like him even though he pissed me off at the same time.

And then there was Shane. Shane is gorgeous. He is also older than Angel by six years, plus Angel’s TA. It put a lot of strain in his crush with Angel and the fact that he was even crushing for the young man made him struggle with that. Normally Shane wouldn’t even think on acting on such a young guy, clearly inexperienced, clearly confused. Add to that the need he keep seeing in Angel’s eyes, a need for more than just sex and someone to teach him the ropes. But, rather intimacy, something Shane simply doesn’t do, and you got one scared Shane.

I loved him, too. The almost inevitable way he surrendered to Angels gruff manners. The way he made their relationship seem like it was Fate’s handiwork. I loved it – and I’m repeating myself, but it is true.

And I can’t help but complain about the length of this book. I wanted more. I liked the air and the writing style so a lot. It was even funny at points, light and easily read, with the intimate scenes being too good. The chemistry right there in every line dizzying you with its intensity and making you crave more.

Yup. I liked it and I can’t wait for the next installment. If you are a fan of college-boys and first-time-around-the-block kind of romance, then this book will certainly be to your satisfaction. Well worth it.

 

Revenge by Bailey Bradford

17930499Title: Revenge

Series: Southwestern Shifters #8

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal – Wolf shifters

Length: Novella (138 pg)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (June 14th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: There isn’t a safe place in the world when someone wants you dead more than they want to live.

Ryder Johansen is trying to figure out the shifter world. He was turned without his consent, another bad thing in a life filled with shitty choices. Now he’s learning that he doesn’t have to be an untrustworthy jerk. He can be more than the sum of his past.

Maarten Visser is at a loss with his life. His pack abandoned him—him! Their alpha!—once his brother Luuk was back in power. Maybe a trip to visit the North America Alpha Anax will give him some perspective. Or maybe it’ll kill him.

Marcus and Nathan are getting their pack past the attack that destroyed their other compound. They’ve got everyone settled in a new, secure place. Except it’s not as secure as they thought, and someone is out to destroy them and hurt Marcus as much as possible along the way.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2154

Review: Marcus and Nathan are back from their European trip where they helped Luuk regain his place as AA of Europe, only to find more trouble waiting them in their home. A crazy shifter, changing people against their will, has his compound in turmoil and Marcus is left with people that are trying to find a way to deal with these new changes.

One such man is Ryder. His human life was an absolute horror where he was a slave to his drugs; always in a haze and searching for his next fix, always letting people down. But, now his brain can’t escape through drugs anymore and that leaves him with a weird clarity and too much time to think. His talk-first-think- later attitude isn’t helping him make friends in this new world either. But, he is determined to make a better man in this second chance he’s got. An honorable man at that. But, first he has to make people see that he’s not defined by what he was as human. he has to make them see that he can be trustworthy as long as someone gives him a chance.

Meet Maarten Visser. Now, in book seven of the series we had a small glimpse at Maarten, and he seemed the goofy guy; the play now and live your life kind of guy. We get to know him better in this book and see how much unwanted he felt after his brother Luuk regained his position. Maarten was left without a pack and therefore without a purpose. When Luuk sent him to U.S. as an ambassador to strengthen their relations between the two AA, Maarten felt we was simply being exiled so he wouldn’t cause trouble. But, trouble finds him anyway along with his mate and the deep soul-healing love it entails.

And as everybody is trying to find their place and their purpose, a new unknown enemy appears. bringing with him a viciousness and violence that shatters our guys to the core. There is no place for talk and diplomacy in this case. The only solution is death.

So this time I got what I wanted and what I felt lacking in the previous book and that is the “fighting” part. For me wolves are aggressive creatures and that’s what I got when it came to the battles between good guys and bad guys. It was vicious, it was bloody and it was quite satisfying.

As always though, I feel that the length of these books is too small for the amount of events they develop. Here we had two pairs that the book focused on; Marcus and Nathan – we saw them grow even more and rule with a strong will and lots of love for their pack and not only – and Ryder and Maarten.

Now Ryder and Maarten were new characters that we got introduced to and for me the space they took in this book was not enough. Their personalities were treated with a superficial narration and the depths of their feelings were not explored to my satisfaction. The characters went from being shallow and vain to responsible and serious without us really witnessing it. The time frame being jumped and many events simply stated. In addition there were way too many mating pairs that enticed our fancy and they were left at that, which I’m having the feeling we will not see them in another book of their own and that’s just a shame.

However, I liked this book much better and the pairs that took part were quite engaging. Their “love” games were entertaining enough, even if they lacked intensity, and I found they were even funny, at some points. In the end I was left feeling that this was a good read and I hope the next one to focus solely on Ryder and Maarten, as I feel they have much more to share with us.

If you are a fan of the series, I really think you will not be disappointed in this book and if this is the first book on the series that comes on your hands I believe you’ll enjoy it as it can stand alone. Be ready for the mate-love and their deep bonds, the agony of nearly losing a mate and some really good bloody and violent fighting between wolves.

Redeemed by Lynn Tyler

15853253Title:  Redeemed

Series:  N/A

Author:  Lynn Tyler

Genre:   Paranormal

Length:  Novel (102 pages)

Publisher:  Liquid Silver Books (August 26th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   The angel Gabriel has been expelled from Heaven due to pride and a lack of compassion for the humans he has been tasked with guiding. The only way to be re-instated into Heaven is to get a human to fall in love with him and give up their life for him. Gabe resigns himself to a long, mortal life since he has no desire to become intimate, either physically or emotionally, with a human, whom he thinks are below him.

Josh is a brilliant, young cardiothoracic surgeon who has been hurt by a boyfriend before. When he meets Gabe, the man with the name of an angel and the face to match, he is convinced to give a relationship another chance.

Will Gabe be able to overcome his pride and let himself fall for the surgeon or will Josh be hurt all over again?

Product Link:  http://www.lsbooks.com/redeemed-p696.php

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Short, Sexy, and Steamy… my three favorite colors! Blend that with an Archangel guilty of the sin of Vanity and that makes this a must read story!

God and Archangel have come to the conclusion that fellow AA Gabriel needs to be taught a lesson. Although successful on his missions with the humans, he is quite vain and taken on the attitude that humans are worthless and beneath him. Having been expelled from Heaven until he learns the error of his ways and makes a human fall in love with him, he has concluded that he will be stuck on earth forever. Enter Dr. Josh. Gabriel is instantly attracted to the charismatic doctor and decides he has found his target. He’ll make this eager young man fall in love with him, give up his life, and earn his way back into heaven.

Becoming emotionally and physically attached to Josh wasn’t in the game plan. Even if I did see the ending of this book coming a mile away, the ride there was such fun! As the story progresses and Gabriel grows a conscious you are drawn into this unconventional love story. Tyler wraps it in down to earth issues and struggles and conveys Gabriel’s inexperience with actual feelings magnificently.

Gabriel is presented as perfection, but it is only skin deep. His struggle with the absolutely foreign concept of feelings was the best part of this book for me. Jealously, love, anger, attraction and pure need are not feelings he’s used to, and to see him progress through these different stages of his relationship with Josh are liken to watching a newborn growing up in fast forward.

So, when we come toward the end and Gabriel finally gets what he thinks he wanted all along, is it truly what he wants?

Be warned… there is some extremely hot and definitely steamy M/M… Angel/Human sex gracing the pages of this short story. I give this one 4/5.

Friends or Lovers by Sara York

Young businessmanTitle:  Friends or Lovers

Series:  Love Has No Boundaries

Author:  Sarah York

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Short (14 pages)

Publisher:  Goodreads MM Romance Group

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Dear Author,

It was supposed to be my dream honeymoon with my partner of five years. Yeah, I knew that he was reluctant to make our partnership legal but I thought that he would eventually be as happy to be my husband as I was going to be his. Nick tried to warn me, though I didn’t listen. It’s funny how my best friend Nick seems to be right about a lot of things lately… like how I should go on the honeymoon that I spent forever planning even though Mark and I aren’t together anymore. Taking Nick with me so that the extra ticket wouldn’t go to waste was another great idea. Just wish I knew how we ended up in bed like this…

Photo Description:
Two men are in bed with an empty champagne bottle and two glasses.champagneduo2

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event.

Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Product Link:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324524

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Shane has been left standing at the altar, so to speak, by his boyfriend Mark. His best friend Nick who was already by his side is there to pick up the pieces. When Shane wakes up in his “honeymoon” suite wrapped up in the sexy giant that is Nick, all he can think is that he’s ruined their friendship for one drunken night of passion.

It’s been three days and he hasn’t heard a word from Mark, until now. Will Shane allow the man that he practically had to force to agree to marry him, that left him alone the day of back into his life? Or will he realize that the previous night of passion with Nick, a night like he never had with Mark, might not have been a mistake after all.

More of a synopsis than a book at only 14 pages, but I liked it. If you are looking for something really quick and fun to lift your spirits, grab a copy, it’s free right now through Smashwords. I’m hopeful that York will continue this story, the sneak peek I got was well written and I’m intrigued.

The Little Crow by Caitlin Ricci

????????????????????????????????????????Title:  The Little Crow

Series:  Heart of Darkness, 1

Author:  Caitlin Ricci

Genre:   Paranormal

Length:  Novella (76 pages)

Publisher: Afternoon Delight Publishing (November 30th, 2012)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:  Detective Jamison Landry knew his job was never going to be easy. He’s dealt with the worst criminals imaginable and believes in his work and the community he serves. But he’s never met someone like Mal before. The mysterious man keeps him guessing, both confuses and excites him, and Jamison isn’t sure how he feels about him. Things turn from unusual to downright strange when people start insisting Mal isn’t quite human. And Jamison’s creepy dreams of crows and graveyards don’t make things any better for him. Will Mal stay around long enough for Jamison to figure out his secrets or will this stranger leave him wanting more?

Product Link:  Available through Smashwords

Reviewer:   Pammie

Review:  This story starts with a puzzle and ends with an enigma. Who, or what, is Mal? Jamison seems to accept everything too easily, and even when provoked into shooting, is unemotional over what’s happened. He may not initially accept demons exist, but makes no attempt to dig deeper and find out more about the man he rescued.

I wish I’d felt the story was creepy. The author uses this word, but I found it slow and maddening instead. I really wanted some meaty interaction between Mal and Jamison.

The author doesn’t make it clear that this was part of a series, and there’s no indication how many parts there will be.

However, if you enjoy series with cliffhanger endings, paranormal/demon, with a side dish of frustration, this is one for you.

Called to Mate by Lynn Tyler

16233154Title:  Called to Mate

Series:  Pack Mates, Book 1

Author:  Lynn Tyler

Genre:   Paranormal Romance

Length:  Novella (79 Pages)

Publisher:  Liquid Silver Books (December 3rd 2012

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Declan’s chance to be the alpha of his pack has finally come, but in order to take over he needs to find a mate. Finding the gorgeous and fragile Quinn living in his parents’ home, his body heats for no other.

Quinn is a submissive male wolf who has spent most of his life abused by his former alpha. However, being mated to his new pack’s alpha provides him with a level of safety he’s never known before, and a whole new world of passion and lust.

Just as their love begins to blossom, a wolf from Quinn’s past threatens the happiness he’s found in Declan’s arms

Product Link:  http://www.lsbooks.com/called-to-mate-p728.php

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Declan has come home to take over as alpha of his pack. His father is stepping down to join the council. The last thing he expected to find when he arrived was skittish shifter, Quinn, sleeping on the floor in his parents’ living room. Quinn has taken sanctuary within Declan’s pack at the urging of the council, after suffering mentally and physically at the hands of his former Alpha for being gay and a submissive wolf. Declan is immediately, intensely and insanely protective of Quinn and these two fall in love almost as fast as they fall into bed!

Boy meets Boy and they live happily ever after, nope! Someone from Quinn’s former pack threatens to destroy not only Declan and Quinn’s newfound love, but also the entire pack. Add to that the unease that has settled over the pack where Quinn is concerned and the fact that his Alpha/Mate is keeping secrets from him and the plot thickens.

What I liked most about this story was the aspect of touch, Declan talks about it several times throughout the story. These wolves thrive on touch; they hug, shake hands, have lots of hot sex (bonus!), and once Quinn is exposed to this he thrive as well. With his former pack, Quinn was neglected and abused, only touched as a negative and he withered, never able to shift. With his newfound pack, he flourishes, as touch becomes a positive. Not to mention being claimed by the Alpha! As short as this book was, there was still some great character interaction and plot development. I didn’t like that Declan was being secretive, but Tyler made up for it by letting his beta tell him just how asinine he was being.

If you like gay romance, sexy alpha male shifters and a little bit of mystery and intrigue, this is definitely a book for you. Book 2, Micah’s Refuge, is out June 24th. Stay tuned for my review on the next installment in this series, I will tell you that it does not disappoint!!

The Bones of Summer by Anne Brooke

6563371Title: The Bones of Summer

Series: Sequel to Maloney’s Law

Author: Anne Brooke

Genre: MM / Mystery – Suspense

Length: Novel

Publisher: Amber Allure (June 2nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: When Craig Robertson’s religious fanatic father disappears, Craig is forced to return to the home he left behind after an underage affair in order to look for answers. He takes with him his new lover, private investigator Paul Maloney, who is more than willing to help solve the mystery.

During his initial search, Craig locates items that belonged to Michael, his lover in that long-ago ill-fated affair, and soon discovers that Michael has disappeared as well. The search becomes an investigation into Craig’s past, and, because of distressing gaps in his memory, he’s terrified of the truths he might find.

As Craig’s obsession with uncovering clues grows, however, his fragile relationship with Paul begins to disintegrate. Haunted and stalked, Craig has to face down the horror of his memories if he wants to have any hope of a future at all… 

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

Review: The first thing I noticed about this book – which totally disappointed me – was the fact that it’s written from Craig’s perspective. It’s Craig’s story. In Maloney’s Law we met him at the end of the book and we got a very nice impression about him. The easy going sexy as hell model was bound to bring new air and adventures to Paul’s hard – so far – life. But, in all honesty, I was disappointed. My main love, Paul, was lost in this book. I missed his peculiar mind and his melancholic thoughts. I missed the mystery that always followed him, I missed Paul himself.

Yes, surely he was in the story as he did pursue a relationship with Craig and helped him through this “mystery”, but in no way was Craig a match for Paul when it came down to interesting characters. I could not help but compare the two of them. I could not help but compare the two books and the results are not good.

As I said, Craig as we met him is an easy-going, always happy-go-lucky guy. It’s a façade, it’s a persona he puts out to escape his ugly past and a heavily disturbing childhood. The moment Paul steps in his life; his past chooses to reach him again. His inability to recall facts and memories from disturbing events that happened with his first lover and his father is what makes him decide to get Paul involved in some sort of search and find; for a missing ex, for a missing father, and for missing memories.

I don’t know if this story could be better, but as it is, it was frustrating in many ways. I tried to like Craig. I really did and perhaps too hard, but failed. The character is constantly hiding behind lies (it made me wonder with Paul’s past and his affair with Dominic how he tolerated it). In the beginning at least it seemed as if he could not get one single truth from his mouth. Later on we readjust our opinion when we witness him that the person he lies the most is himself. It becomes truly annoying seeing how he tries NOT to find the truths he’s searching for. I disliked most the fact that he would go and lock himself up to “think” only to try to not “think” those thoughts. It was a study on evasion and yes, I understand his past had a toll on his behavior, but it was so hard to concentrate on the book when all thoughts and events came around as a big jumble, making hard to keep your interest.

There was also the “mystery/suspense” part of the book that in no way was a match for Maloney’s Law. It was too easy to see through this plot. It was too easy to find the leads for the psycho-killer. In addition, the fact that it took forever to get there, the fact that too many leads were left unexplored and Paul’s unique abilities were left sleeping, really hit that spot of anger and frustration for me. I’m still not over the fact that Paul was a secondary character here.

I could go on and say how the intensity was lacking and the emotions lacked chemistry, the friendships were by no means the same level we were used to in the first book, the desperation levels too, but there is no reason to keep going on. I’ll just go on and on comparing and the end result is that the sequel is too low and doesn’t even come close to the brilliance of the first one. The stake was raised too high.

In the end, this book comes close to 3 Hearts because objectively it was good and well written. You can read it as a standalone easily. It focuses on religious obsession and how people twist and perverse faith into abnormality and loses the very point of it. Bearing that in mind and if you’ve not read the first book I’m assuming you’ll like this one.

 

Wolf vs. Bat by Patrick Wendling-Markwell

17983995Title: Wolf vs. Bat

Series: The Shifter Royalty 02

Author: Patrick Wendling-Markwell

Genre: Paranormal, Shifters

Length: Novella (87pgs)

Publisher: Lazy Beagle Entertainment (27th May 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit – Scorching

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Four years after Riley became King of the Wolf Shifter Kingdom, he rescues Prince Anghel of the Bat Shifter Kingdom from a raging forest fire started by scared humans, but there is still a terrible price paid. The King and Queen of the Bat Kingdom, along with their daughter the Crown Princess and Heir to the Throne, perish in the fire, putting Anghel the second eldest on the throne.

When Anghel wakes after the disaster, he feels a terrible loss and finds comfort in the arms of the Wolf King. Soon the two realize that even though Anghel is now the King of the Bat Shifter Kingdom, they are mated and will have to unite both Kingdoms.

Can Riley learn to be mated, love and be a sub to the Dominant tendencies of the Bat King?

Nineteen years later, in present day times, they have to deal with yet another loss. Their son Collin has suffered the loss of his mate and is grieving himself to death. Not only do they have to deal with him and hopefully keep him from dying, they now have to deal with the Snake and Dragon Kingdoms being brought together through the mating of Crown Prince Nicholas of the Snakes and Crown Prince Edward of the Dragons (Serpent vs Serpent) and preventing a terrible war that is now brewing on the horizon within the Shifter communities for they bring Collin into their mating and their bodyguards have brought a Horse shifter into their mating bringing into alliance and into one major Kingdom combining Dragons, Snakes, Wolves, Bats and Horses as one against the rest of the single species Shifters.

Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/320428

Review: This book is part of a series and can be read in any order. Riley became King of the Wolf Shifters four years ago. Now, he is coming to the rescue of the Bat Kingdom when he rescues their prince, Anghel. Unable to rescue the King, Queen, and heir to the Throne, Anghel is now the leader of the Bat Shifters and as Riley discovers, his mate as well. Anghel is devastated over the loss of his parents and sister. He never expected to take over the Throne, but meeting his mate, Riley, eases some of his pain. Bringing their two Kingdoms together is going to cause waves throughout the shifter world that will have long reaching effects as Mother Nature begins to put her ultimate plan into play.

This is an extremely erotic story that will give you a great sex fix while giving you an interesting shifter story. Riley has been King for four years, so when Anghel unexpectedly becomes King to his own Kingdom he helps him out. However, more importantly they are mates. Riley isn’t sure he wants to mate yet though. But, it isn’t long before he realizes his procrastinating is causing Anghel pain and he accepts that Mother Nature knows what she is doing. Anghel is a Dominate and he quickly realizes that his Alpha wolf is a submissive in bed. They have a perfect connection between them. Mother Nature has plans for the Kings and as they mate before her, she sets her plan in motion.

This story is set 20 years before Serpent vs. Serpent, introducing us to Riley and Anghel and the difficulties they faced as they merged their Kingdoms. Riley and Anghel are great characters, they have a fantastic explosive chemistry between them, and they really set the pages alight. We also are treated to some very explicit graphic sexual scenes between Riley, Anghel, Gaza (Riley’s twin brother) and Gabi (Anghel’s younger brother) along with some very interesting sexual scenes between Taylor (Horse Crown Prince) and Robert (Tiger Crown Prince).

I recommend this to those who love highly sexual shifters, explicit erotic explosive sex, the beginning of Mother Nature’s plans and a very happy ending. 

500 Miles by Parker Williams

17928072 Title: 500 Miles

Author: Parker Williams

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (37pgs)

Publisher: ManLoveRomance (7th June 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Mark loves Jase, but will that be enough to bring Jase back from the brink after a devastating tragedy?

Since he was fourteen, Mark knew he loved Jase, his brother Eric’s best friend. As Jase and Eric leave for the Army, Jase leaves Mark something to hold onto, but when the two men are shipped to Afghanistan, things change when Jase tells Mark he’MT_Mixed_Tape_1s met someone. Confused and hurt, Mark is left to wonder what happened. Eric returns, but with devastating news – and needing Mark’s help. Can Mark help the man who broke his heart? Or will he let Jase push him away – for the second time?

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=PM_500ML

This story is also available in Mixed Tapes Volume 01http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=MT1_0000

Review: Mark has been in love with Jase since he was fourteen. When Jase and Mark’s brother Eric join the army, Mark is devastated but he lives for the tapes that Jase sends. But, Mark is devastated when Jase admits he’s fallen in love. And, although Mark tries to get on with his life, the hurt still lingers. When Eric comes home and says Jase needs Mark, the truth comes pouring out, and Mark has to see if he can get over his lingering hurt to help Jase the man he still loves.

This fabulous short story has everything you could want and leaves you feeling satisfied. The story is written over a period of years and the way it is written is very smooth, the transition of flow is flawless. We start out when Mark is fourteen and Jase seventeen. Mark’s hero worship/crush develops into love and then Jase is leaving for the army, leaving Mark a tape. Over the next little while, we see Mark receive more tapes and it just strengthens his love until the day he is told by Jase that he has found love. Mark’s devastation leaps off the page.

Although this is, only a short story it packs a punch. It has a touch of angst, forgiveness, and pure love. What I loved most about this story is that when the truth came out Mark reacted, but didn’t linger too long on it. He faced what was done and finally understood why and he didn’t throw it in Jase’s face. There is angst, but then again it’s teenage first love angst. There are no harsh recriminations and Mark is actually shown to be much older than his years with his actions. Jase does what he thinks is right and you had to admire that about him. When he comes home from the army its one blow after another and the support he finds from Mark and his family just warms your heart.

I have to recommend this to everyone, it is just the perfect short read for some happy ever after that leaves a smile on your face. 

 

 

 

Saved by Surrender by Jana Downs

ecm-jd-m-savedbysurrenderTitle: Saved By Surrender

Series: Marked 04

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Paranormal, BDSM

Length: Novel (186pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (8th June 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Regan Adamson has a secret. As beta for the Blackfoot pack, the only thing required of him is acting like a Dominant male. In the world of pack, switching is not an option but when he meets the omega, Titus, his resolve to ignore his need for occasional submission is put to the test.

Titus Oswin is on a mission to rescue a kidnapped group of humans. He never expected to meet his mate in the process. An admitted switch, Titus refused in the past to accept a lover who doesn’t Dominate and submit. But Regan is so deep in the submissive closet that Titus isn’t even sure the instant attraction and growing respect between them is enough for him to take a chance on their relationship.

As troubles within and without the pack arise, Regan will have to decide if being with Titus will be his ultimate downfall or if he will be saved by his surrender.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/saved-by-surrender

Review: This book is part of a series and is best read in order. As a beta for the pack, Regan is expected to be Dominant wolf and Regan wants that. His wolf, on the other hand, wants to submit, which is strictly forbidden. In addition, even though Regan does love the kiss of a whip, it is a side of himself he has to deny. A wolf can be Dominant or submissive, but never both. Titus is an Omega and an admitted switch. He is on Blackfoot pack lands to investigate a neighboring pack so meeting his mate is a surprise. However, the bigger surprise is how his mate reacts. Titus has to decide if he can deal with the unsureness of his mate. Regan has to make hard choices because his wolf is rebelling. Being at odds with his wolf is hard, but losing his place in the pack could be harder. Regan and Titus have to work out their relationship and quick, because Regan could lose more than just his mate.

This is a great story showing the angst and turmoil of a wolf pulled between his nature and pack rules. Regan is being pulled apart by denying part of his wolf nature, but what his wolf wants is forbidden. The rules are simple, a beta is a Dominant wolf and a wolf cannot be Dominant and submissive. Nevertheless, Regan is all those things. When Regan meets his mate, Titus, he is tested beyond his control. Titus is an Omega so him being both Dominant and submissive isn’t unknown, but it is kept secret by the Circle. When he meets Regan, he tries to explain to him that they can work everything out. But, it takes a near call for Regan to come around.

Both the main characters, Titus and Regan, are excellent in this story. they are doing something that is different in the shifter world. If you have read the previous books then you know it is a very rigid world. There are rules for nearly everything and the shifters have a very fixed mind as to what wolves go where in the pack and this is where Regan and Titus blur the lines. They make an explosive couple and Titus is a huge support as Regan struggles with what to do and Regan really does struggle. You get the full impact of his internal struggle and his pure relief when he finally accepts himself for a switch. The sex and BDSM between them is beautifully done and both characters make incredible Dominates and submissives.

I recommend this to those who love BDSM, hot sex, even hotter characters, a great story line of an internally conflicted shifter and a very hot, sexy ending.

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An Intrepid Trip to Love by Charlie Cochet

17874499Title:  An Intrepid Trip to Love

Series:  A Little Bite of Love #1

Author:  Charlie Cochet

Genre:   Paranormal/Shifters

Length:  Novella (84 Pages)

Publisher:  M/M Romance Group @ Goodreads (May 26th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:  Tristan ‘Trip’ Hagan is a Husky shifter who was born to be the Hagan Clan’s next Alpha, a position of honor and nobility, a position he never wanted and was all too happy to pass onto his younger brother. But when they discovered his brother couldn’t have pups, the responsibility of continuing the Hagan Alpha line fell back to Trip. At the tender age of eighteen, Trip gave in under the weight of the Hagan Council’s demand for him to fulfill his duty, but after years of struggling to uphold his family’s traditions, Trip found the courage to do what no other Hagan Alpha had done in the history of the clan: he came out.

With his Enforcers—the Devil Dogs, at his side, Trip won the battle against the Council, who attempted to banish him and take his young son away. His victory allowed him to remain within the clan and raise Robbie. Now five years later, the dust has settled, and Trip is living a happy life with his cheeky pup and their own little makeshift family. Brook—Robbie’s mother, her true mate Deacon, and the Devil Dogs are the only ones who support Trip and know of his heartache.

True mates within canine shifter clans are very rare, but Trip has had one since he can remember. Despite losing his heart to Boone twenty years ago, Trip holds little hope of ever getting to bond with the sexy Enforcer, as it’s against clan laws for pure-bloods to bond with half-breeds. How much longer can Trip and Boone resist the longing in their hearts? With the call from their feral halves to seal the bond growing stronger by the day, can Trip and Boone find a way to be together without losing everything?

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Product Link:  http://www.mmromancegroup.com/?p=2588

Reviewer:  John

Review:  An Intrepid Trip to Love is the story of Trip and Booze. Now these two are very special because they belong to the Hagan Clan of Husky shifters. Trip is actually the next Alpha and ruler of the clan while Booze is simply his half-breed protector. Now, a relationship between them is forbidden because half-breeds and pure bloods should never mix. For twenty years they had to hide their love until one night when Trip accidentally bonds with Booze and they become one.

I liked this story. I really did. The plot was solid, well thought out and put together nicely. There were no loose ends or gaps in the story. I loved Trip and Booze. They were the perfect couple and had to hide their love from everyone who found it repulsive and forbidden. I absolutely loved Robbie, Trip’s son. He was very young, but very mature for his age. So what went wrong for me? I found the story to be a little boring. There was so much of explanation of how they got there and no action. Novels like these should be action packed or that’s what I think.

All in all, it was very good thought out novel and well written. I just found it a little lacking of action sometimes and hard to keep up with the clan and who they were. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read about a father who is willing to defy old traditions in order to be happy with his son and lover.

 

Inside Out by Evan Francisco

16160705Title:  Inside Out

Series: Inside Out #1

Author:  Evan Francisco

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher:  Goodreads Edition (February 19, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  He thought he would hate him forever—but only it turned out that he’s the one who bears the other half of his soul…

Fifteen-year old werewolf Jordan Patterson has always adored the love tales of shape-shifters’ mates. Different from the other seven of the group, Jordan keeps his mouth shut and does what he wants to do. Until one day, Jace Andrews crossed the line…

Jace Andrews, in the other hand, is the strongest teen wolf in the pack. Not only the most popular teen wolf among young immortals, he’s also considered as the hottest guy alive among the humans. Unfortunately, no one knows that Jordan grows up with Jace as his main bully. When Jace has done an unforgivable thing to Jordan, the little guy knows he needs to stand up for himself. That’s when Jordan finds out that Jace Andrews, the guy he grows up hating, is his mate—his eternal lover, the destined wolf who bears the other half of his soul.

No matter how bad this is for little Jordan, he is not ready.

Jordan has never known that a mate bond can drive a wolf crazy. When Jace senses the uncertain presence of the mate, he’s tortured inside by the bond between him and the hiding mate until it is deadly and unbearable. He then seeks help from the Alpha, who ends up gathering the whole gigantic pack, just to track one hiding mate.

In some wolf packs, hiding away from mates is an unwanted crime. Jordan wants to run, but it is too late. When Jace finally found the hiding mate, he wants to both kill and love the little guy.

And that’s how their love story starts.

Product Link:  http://www.fictionpress.com/s/3122693/1/Inside-Out

Reviewer: John

Review:  I loved Inside Out. There was something in this little novel that instantly pulled me in. Maybe it was the mystery or the romance, but this novel had it all.

Inside Out stars Jordan. Now Jordan is a very special kid because he belongs to a pack of werewolves that only shift during a full moon. Yes, this story sticks to the original unlike other novels I have read. I loved Jordan. He was very funny, shy, intelligent, and loved reading. In his little world, a werewolf is born with a mate or with half of someone’s soul inside of them. Now, the only way you can find your mate is by the bond. The bond can come at anytime and with anyone. With that said, Jordan’s mate turns out to be the next Alpha in his group, Jace.

I loved Jace. He was cocky, confident, strong, manly, handsome, a ladies’ man and the most popular guy in school. He was simply perfect. He and Jordan were simply friends. He actually made fun of Jordan most of the time. Moreover, Jordan disliked him so much. However, after their souls bonded, they begin to see each other under a new light and that is where the story takes off.

I don’t want to give the story away, but overall, the novel was pretty awesome. If you are into shape-shifters, young romance, un-forbidden love, mystery or simple a kick ass young adult novel, this one maybe the one for you. And oh yes, there are vampires in this one too. However, I must warn you, there are so many grammatical errors and spelling errors in this novel that left me wondering if it was ever edited. But, after finding out that this was the author’s first novel, I understood why. Your first novel is never perfect since you are just beginning a long journey to become better writer. If you are able to see beyond the author’s mistakes, you will definitely fall for this story like I did.

 

Something Like Autumn by Jay Bell

17975600Title:  Something Like Autumn

Series:  Season Series # 3

Author:  Jay Bell

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Novel (404 Pages)

Publisher:  Jay Bell Books (May 31st. 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Love can appear unexpectedly: a chance meeting at a friend’s wedding, the arrival of a handsome new co-worker… or while being robbed at a convenience store.

For some, love seems an impossible dream. Growing up gay in small-town Missouri, Jace Holden thought his chance would never come. When he meets Victor—a wild soul and fellow outsider—his chances of finding love go from bleak to a very uncertain maybe. Bracing his heart, Jace chases after his desire, hoping for a warm hand to hold his tight.

Something Like Autumn tells the story of Jace’s life before the events of Something Like Summer, while also revisiting his time with Benjamin Bentley.

Product Link:  http://www.jaybellbooks.com/books-by-jay-bell/something-like-autumn/

Reviewer:   John

Review:  If you ever have to read a novel before you die, it will be this precious little gem here. Something Like Autumn is the story of Jace Holden before the events of Something Like Summer. And let me tell you that I fell in love with him in that novel, but now, I’m completely and madly in love with him with this one.

Jace Holden had it all. He was good-looking, had loving parents, the perfect sister and a cool down-to-earth best friend. What was missing from his life? Somebody to love. There was a part of him that believe that he would never find the love of his life since gay people were not allowed to live happily ever after. Little did he know.

After a failed suicide attempt, he meets Victor, the first love of his live. Now, I didn’t like Victor at first. He seemed so care free and didn’t have his head glued on properly to his shoulders, but I completely saw why he was so important in Jace’s life. He taught Jace several valuable lessons that turned him into the man we see in Something Like Summer. His role was very significant and I fell for him towards the end, but I also knew, he had to go.

I don’t want to give the plot away, but I must tell you that there were several teary moments in this book. And at the end, I stopped myself and cried. This is one of the only three novels that have ever made me cry. This novel is just so sad, yet I couldn’t stop myself from reading. Each page is page jerker that leaves you wanting more. By the end of this novel, this novel had become one of my favorite novels of all time. Jace Holden was a remarkable man and as Allison said…a saint.

I cannot recommend this novel enough. Yes, it is very sad and lengthy, but trust me, it’s worth the read. Getting to know Jace and who he was before the events of Something Like Summer was a remarkable experience. A job well-done Mr. Jay Bell! You are truly one of the best story tellers of all times. I beg you; please bring Jace back in Something Like Spring. I know you can’t, but I had to try. Team Jace Forever and Always!