Month: June 2013

Let's Hear if for the Boy by T.A. Webb

17665914Title:  Let’s Hear it for the Boy

Series:  N/A

Author:  T.A. Webb

Genre:  Contemporary

Length: Novelette (30 pages)

Publisher:  A Bear on Books (March 20th, 2013)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥2Hearts

Blurb:   Auntie Social is the biggest, baddest drag queen in Atlanta—she knows what she wants and she gets it. She’s tough, merciless, and top dog. That’s what Paul Stewart, reporter for the Journal, had heard, and all he expects when he’s assigned to interview the legend… But nobody really knows the person behind the make-up.

What if…what if the person behind the sarcasm and music was more than just a man in a dress? What happened in his life that, thirty years later, made him a successful CEO, a philanthropist, and a legend in the gay community? Thirty years and almost a million dollars raised for people living with HIV/AIDs, yet still no one knows the real story.

Until one night, one man breaks through the shell, and Matthew Trammell—Auntie Social—opens the door he closed many years ago and lets his secrets spill out.

Pain is like rain, it covers your skin and soaks in bone-deep, but it eventually recedes and allows fresh things to grow

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Hear-Boy-ebook/dp/B00BXVLPJA

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  A story about a man who fell in love with his best friend when he was a young adult, only to find out his best friend was HIV positive. This book is slightly depressing. It’s very short and well written as far as the storyline though. I loved the way Matt stood by his friend through everything, because he loved him. Paul is almost a set decoration of sorts, but in the end he makes a move for Matt and the story hints that the two of them may make a connection.

I know I may sound like a broken record here, but I’d love to see a full length novel with Matt and Paul. I keep reading short stories that intrigue me with solid characters and possible sexiness; I really need one of these stories to be longer! I’d say this is worth the read but be warned, it’s sad and there is no sex, but the moral is solid as is the writing.

On the Other Side by S.J. Frost

17876092Title: To the Other Side

Series: Terra 01

Author: S.J. Frost

Genre: Fantasy, Parallel World

Length: Novel (257pgs)

Publisher: ManLoveRomance Press (31st May 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Garrett Evergard is rescued by the witch, Bryson Summers, he discovers an alternate world unlike anything he’s ever imagined, and when that world is threatened, he’ll do anything to save it and the man he’s grown to love.

Garrett Evergard is a finder of secrets. As a biologist and environmentalist, it’s his job to go into wild lands and uncover their mysteries in order to save them. In the Pacific Northwest, he races against logging lobbyists to save a section of temperate rainforest, but the forest seems reluctant to give up her secrets. Until a fateful meeting with a rare spirit bear opens the door to wonders beyond anything he’s ever imagine, the greatest of those being the beautiful man who comes to his rescue. As a witch and Gatekeeper, Bryson Summers is used to living a solitary life. He lives between two worlds, Earth and Terra, feeling not fully part of either, and dreams of meeting someone who understands him. From the moment he sees Garrett, he believes — and hopes — he’s looking upon a twin soul. Dragons, unicorns, and a witch with enchanting brown eyes, Garrett tries to make sense of a world so different from anything he’s ever known. But his mind and heart are open, and he finds himself drawn more to Bryson with each day they spend together. When Bryson and the gate that links the two worlds fall under threat, Garrett is willing to do all he can to protect them, even if it means facing down dark magic.

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

Review: Garrett takes his job with the EarthQuest Foundation seriously. As a biologist and environmentalist it’s his job to discover secrets of the wild lands to help to save them from destruction. Looking for anything to save a temperate rainforest in Washington brings him to a startling discovery, a Kermode spirit bear making its home in the forest. and that is just the beginning of the discoveries. Bryson is a witch and the Gatekeeper between the two worlds of Terra and Earth. He is part of both worlds and as such is torn between the two. Rescuing a man from the bottom of a ravine begins to give Bryson hope that he has met a man who could understand him.

This is a wonderful fantasy that brings two worlds together while keeping them strictly separate. Garrett is thrown into a world he never knew of when he is rescued from the bottom of a ravine. Discovering a fantasy world with Dragons, Brownies, and Unicorns and so much more, but the most important thing he discovers is love. Bryson has been torn between two worlds for several years, he loves Earth but he also loves Terra and the destruction of the forest on Earth would destroy the Gate. Bryson and Garrett are attracted to each other and it’s an attraction neither man can ignore. Working together they come up with a plan to save the Gate, but someone from Terra wants the Gate for themselves and while Garrett is on Earth trying to save the forest, Bryson has a fight of his own on his hands.

I absolutely loved this story and the way it was written. The descriptions of Terra were wonderful and I loved that it was a medieval setting with mythical and mystical creatures. Earth is just portrayed as Earth with the typical political money grabbers and the environmentalists trying to thwart them. Although the Earth side has an important part to play, the Terra side is where nearly everything plays out and we are introduced to some very interesting Terra characters and their animal friends. I loved how even the animals were something special. I mean a dragon who loved to read romance books and loves Oreo cookies, how can you not fall in love with them?  

The relationship between Garrett and Bryson is stretched out over the course of the book and they both realize quickly that they want to be together. they just have to decide the details and make the commitment and admit it to each other. Although the saving of the forest on Earth is interesting, it was what was going on in Terra that really held my attention; a duke who has his eyes on power and immortality and a dark witch who just wants immortality and the lengths both of them will go to get it. There’s excitement and danger, a wild ride on a unicorn, tiny dragons spewing fire, magic and a grouchy brownie, this is an absolutely brilliant story.

I have to recommend this to those who love fantasy, parallel worlds, brilliant characters, finding love in amazing places, evil intentions, facing death for love and a wonderful ending… oh and some very hot sex. 

The Alpha's Ardor by Rebecca Brochu

51Of5behWNLTitle: The Alpha’s Ardor

Series: Wolves of Flathead 01

Author: Rebecca Brochu

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novelette (62pgs)

Publisher: Evernight Publishing (21st May 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Declan Adair and his twin brother Lachlan are wolf shifters with no home or pack and a dark past that makes them hated by other Weres. Hunted and forced to separate, Declan finds himself chased north and straight into Flathead, a large sprawling territory that is home to a single massive pack.

Unsure and more afraid than he wants to admit, Declan’s situation is only made worse by his undeniable attraction to the Flathead pack’s alpha, Law.

Law is everything an alpha should be: powerful, controlled, and surprisingly enough to Declan—kind. And when Law seems to want Declan just as much as Declan wants Law, it’s unbelievable. With a past full of hurt and the knowledge that the only one he can trust is his twin, Declan is torn between the way he knows the world works and the possibility that the alpha’s ardor might just be real.

Purchase Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-alphas-ardor-by-rebecca-brochu/

Review: Declan and his twin Lachlan are wolf shifters on the run from other shifters and from human hunters. managing to stay one step ahead of both groups until the day they are separated and Declan runs on to Flathead land. Flathead Alpha, Law, is intrigued by the sexy shifter that is chased onto his land. He offers sanctuary for the persecuted shifter, but trust is hard for Declan and he wonders what payment is expected of him. Their attraction to each other blurs the lines and Declan doesn’t know what to do and there is no way he will lead his brother to danger.

This is quite a good shifter story where alphas control their land with an iron fist and a young shifter is persecuted for something he had no control over. Declan and his brother Lachlan have not had a peaceful life, so when Declan stumbles across an Alpha who seems to sympathize, he doesn’t know if he can really trust him and his attraction to Law distracts him. But, he won’t chance his brother’s safety in case it is a trap. Law is attracted to the young shifter who is chased onto his land. He understands that Declan had no control over what happened when he was younger and would like nothing better than to have Declan and his brother settle down in his pack.

I really liked how this story was written, with Declan being suspicious and expecting the worst. the way that Law is patient and gentle with Declan and the way that they both take their time getting to know each other before they commit to a relationship. The story is quite simple. Two brothers all alone in the world persecuted for something they had no control over and now unwilling to trust and an Alpha who desperately wants that trust. The story is well written and the characters are good. We seem to be getting the basics in ready for the next book as well for Trace (Law’s brother and beta) and Lachlan. I do wish that there had been more detailed background of Declan and Lachlan’s time in captivity rather than the broad overview we got, I would have also liked to discover more about Law and the type of man he is, rather than just Declan’s view of him. We know that he was nice to Declan and that people seemed to respect him, but that was really it.

I will recommend this to those who love paranormal, shifters, some sweet hot sex, an interesting storyline and a happy ending that paves the way for the next story.       

Fissures by D.J. Manly

Fissures400x600Title: Fissures

Series: Spectrum Skies 03

Author: D.J. Manly

Genre: Fantasy, Suspense

Length: Novel (183pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (1st June 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: All hell is breaking loose in Spectrum. Pascal thinks London is dead but he comes back. Pascal isn’t sure what London is, but he is sure of one thing, London no longer loves him.

Pascal and London prepare for a fissure to occur in Spectrum because rogue vampires believe humans and vampires should not dwell peacefully together.

All hell is breaking loose… literally as vampires are calling on demons to help them in their crusades.

London is taken by vampire rebels, bitten, and tortured. Pascal thinks London is dead, but London rises again. Is he a vampire? Pascal isn’t sure but one thing he does know–London is no longer his.

But they have bigger problems. They need to defend the innocents. Winning this war will depend on convincing the werewolves to side with them. And will London ever remember how much he loved Pascal–or are his memories gone forever?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/fissures-ebook-p-1479.html

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Pascal and London are digging deep to pull together the Vampire, Werewolves and humans to prevent the splintering of Spectrum. But, they seem to be fighting a losing battle, when the violence seems to be getting worse. When London is taken and tortured by the rebel vampires, Pascal thinks it’s all over, but just as Pascal is about to exact his revenge, London rises. Now, Pascal has London back, but London has no memory of them being together. They have bigger problems to face though, Spectrum is facing all-out war and Pascal and London must protect the innocent. Now, they just need to convince the werewolves to join them of face losing Spectrum for good.

This is a great addition to the Spectrum Skies series, with tension between the races and the unknown of Pascal’s and London’s relationship. Pascal and London are still deeply in love struggling to find snatched moments together while Spectrum goes to hell. But, when Pascal’s enemies try to destroy that love by taking London, they discover Pascal isn’t a tame vampire… at all. Fighting for his love and to keep the peace, Pascal will do anything for London, even if it means giving him up.

The situation in Spectrum is heading for war; no longer are some species happy to live in harmony. Some humans want control over the paranormals. Some vampires want to dominate Spectrum and some demons are looking for free rein from the underworld. and caught in the middle are London and Pascal with their band of officers.

I loved how this story was developed with London becoming something different, but his personality reverting back to how we first met him. Pascal being heartbroken, but refusing to give up and both of them facing the possibility that the Spectrum that they have always known being lost to them. We discover just who has been creating all the trouble in Spectrum. We have a standoff, loss and destruction and the determination of a vampire to win back the man he loves.

I will recommend this to those that love paranormal conflicts, twists, loss, love, vampires on the brink of war, dealing with demons and a happy for now ending.

All the King's Men by R.J. Scott

17926766Title: All the King’s Men

Author: R.J. Scott

Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Action, Suspense

Length: Novella (101pgs)

Publisher: Love Lane Books (31st May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Ryan Ortiz decides to go direct to LA to fight for a second chance with his lover Nathan Richardson he is caught up in the biggest earthquake to hit the city since records began.

LA is destroyed, burning, people homeless, and fires are ignited high in the LA hills above Nathan’s apartment. Nathan is trapped and Ryan is his only hope.

It is a race against time and the powerful all-consuming destruction of nature for Ryan to find Nathan, trapped in the ruins of his home in the hills, and to get both of them to help before the fire reaches them.

Purchase Link: https://www.lovelanebooks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=36

ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-alltheking039smen-1216575-149.html

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321500

Author’s Note: This book was previously published in 2011.
The story has been rewritten, re-edited and contains a new final chapter. If you have previously bought this book, please send a receipt of purchase to rj@rjscott.co.uk and she will happily replace the file for you.

Review: Ryan and Nathan parted ways two months ago when Nathan’s ambitions took him to LA. Now, Ryan has decided to fight for their relationship, not wanting to lose the man he loves. Traveling to LA to try for a second chance, he walks into destruction when an earthquake hits and he becomes Nathan’s only chance of survival. It’s a race against time to rescue Nathan and to flee the hills of LA, as after tremors hit and a fire races after them. The life and death race puts their feelings into perspective and now they just have to survive to share their love.

R.J. Scott takes a natural occurrence and turns it into the stuff of nightmares. She takes our fears and brings them to life while twining a love story with terror and determination to survive. Ryan was insecure and jealous in his relationship with Nathan, so when Nathan decided to follow his dream of acting, Ryan let him go; thinking it was the start of the end. Nathan wanted Ryan to fight for their relationship, even though he knew that Ryan wouldn’t fight for them. He still loves Ryan, but their only hope of ever being together is if Ryan tries. Ryan has missed Nathan and wants to make a go of it, but just before he reaches Nathan the earthquake strikes.

This is an incredibly descriptive story. Not just in the stark and horrifying settings, but of the emotional trauma and feelings that the characters have. We are dragged through the entire book with the sense of hopeless loss with just a glimmer of light to shine our way; the knowledge that Ryan and Nathan will become stronger for their experience at the hands of Mother Nature. Ryan and Nathan are just a couple who have lost their way. letting stupid insignificant things come between them until one of them makes the first step towards reconciliation. They have to work together, they must have determination and they have to make sacrifices.

Focusing on any one thing in this story is hard to do, because to focus on one aspect would diminish the effects of the others. Ryan and Nathan’s relationship might be important and they are trying to sort it out, but they have love and Mother Nature shows them that petty differences are just that, petty. The earthquake angle is shocking and devastating and R.J. Scott drops us into the centre of a hell hole with her horrifying descriptions and terrifying feelings. Damn, she does it so well that you could imagine she has experienced it first-hand. That’s how terrifyingly realistic the settings come across.

I will recommend this to those who love realistic settings and emotions, love and drama, death and hope, danger and rescues and finally a relationship being forged in the fires of hell.   

The Warlock's Secret by R.J. Scott

4062TheWarlocksSecret510w-430x645Title: The Warlock’s Secret

Series: Supernatural Bounty Hunters 03

Author: R.J. Scott

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy World

Length: Novella (141pgs)

Publisher: Extasy Books (1st June 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: In a world where magic is rare, Joseph Jamieson is one of the most powerful holders of power. Orophin Tiwele, or Phin to his friends, is the son of the Elf King and has magic of his own. The rules say two supernatural beings with magic cannot be together and Joseph and Phin have lived by that rule despite their attraction to each other.

The resistance is growing larger each day, but traitors threaten everything Joseph has built. He wants peace, but soon comes to realize the way to peace, is through war.

When the only thing that will save lives is Joseph and Phin working together, it becomes impossible to see where magic and passion end and where love could begin.

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/the-warlocks-secret/

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Joseph is a rare magic user who is the leader of the resistance. When he and his brother, Micah try to get proof against Glitnir it goes wrong and Joseph is captured. Phin is the son of the Elf King and has strong magic of his own. Discovering Joseph has been captured, he goes into Glitnir to rescue him and to help Joseph recover from the horrific torture he suffers. Joseph and Phin have to put the past behind them if they have a hope of winning against Glitnir. Phin has to come clean about Asher and they both have to admit their love. But, how can they ever be together when two magic users being intimate is strictly warned against?

Although this story has the explosive reuniting of two magic users, it also brings forward the rapid movement of the resistance and some of the secrets that Glitnir hides. Joseph and Phin have a history, but because of dire warnings about magic they can never be together. When Joseph chose Ethan it hurt Phin deeply and he lashed out in the only way he knew… by declaring his love for a blood demon, but now is the time for Phin to come clean and for both of them to lay the past to rest. Discovering the secrets of Councillor Ludvik, of the Fae Alliance, they know they have to act fast. But, first the journal needs to be opened and plans need to be made.

This is a great story that gives us a wealth of details and some surprises. We discover the real story behind Joseph’s and Phin’s animosity and we get a passionate explosive coming together from them. You can’t help but feel sorry for the pair of them when secrets and rules kept them apart and they had to go against what they really wanted. The main storyline that threads through the whole series is beginning to heat up as the journal is opened and a surprising twist is revealed. They discover part of the rot in Giltnir and it is discovered to go far deeper than they thought.

The relationship between Joseph and Phin is threaded throughout this book, as they try to work through everything. But, at times it is in the background as the resistance is being put together. I liked how the story was set out with equal attention being given to both the relationship of the two MC’s and the main series storyline. I also liked the variety of characters this book has, introducing new characters while keeping the old ones from previous books in play. I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see what else R.J. Scott has in store for us. Because in this book she has added a new depth to the characters by the trials they go through.   

I recommend this to those who love fantasy, Elves, Vampires, magic, danger and twists, trying to do the right thing, accepting love and a happy ending for Phin and Joseph but with a storyline that is just heating up. 

 

 

Healed Beginnings by Diana DeRicci

healedbeginnings_original(5)Title: Healed Beginnings

Series: Men of Silo #2

Author: Diana DeRicci

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel

Publisher: Purple Sword Publications (May 22, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Ed Norwood is living in limbo. He has his friends, his job, and his parents, but he’s feeling restless. More so now that his ex has found something perfect with another man. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate and move on. He wished he knew.

Duncan Nichols is the man who could change everything, if he is willing. Ex-Army Veteran trained in canine Search and Rescue, Duncan and Ed’s first meeting is fraught with tension and worry after massive storms slice through Silo. Duncan is surprised to find a community that is open and giving in Silo, and is welcomed to return to show off his dog’s skills at the annual firehouse fundraiser.

Without the stressful distractions of storms and missing people getting between them, lust flares nearly out of control between the two men. Only Ed wants and needs more in life than a friend with benefits, and when he says as much, Duncan is quick to put the kibosh on even dreaming of a happily ever after. Then real life intervenes when Ed’s mother falls ill, and Duncan returns to Ed’s side in support.

Can Ed break through the barriers Duncan has put up to protect himself? There’s more to Duncan than the left hand he habitually hides. Ed believes if Duncan cracks even a little, he can prove it. If it just wasn’t his heart at stake to make that happen…

Product Link: http://purplesword.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=142

Review: I loved this book a lot. It was fun, it was hot and it had an emotional approach without it being too much or too heavy. The story follows Ed, a fireman in Silo, and Duncan, a Veteran released from the Army due to his loss of left hand.

Each man has his own troubles and is trying to make their way in life. Ed is feeling deeply the need to have a relationship, to feel that overwhelming and all-encompassing emotion called love. Watching his ex – and now best friend – in a glorious relationship with his new love, the envy and sorrow he feels from not having someone to love that deeply is making him ache inside and crave a change.

Duncan, on the other hand, is a completely different case. On top of his PTSD and the bitter feelings his loss of hand has left him, there is a deeper reason hidden in his past he not only doesn’t want to be a part of a relationship, but doesn’t even come close to thinking of such notion. If there is one thing that makes him run, that is the idea of love and commitment.

Yet when the blurb said that the lust flares nearly out of control between them, it’s exactly so. I loved how heavy that was in the air between those guys. Scorching hot, erotic as it gets, sensuous even at times, the pairs intimate scenes were too intense and credits to the author for not failing that. Ed’s longing in every scene they had made my heart skip and Duncan’s fears, his almost unconscious need for something that scared the hell out of him was perfect.

The story, the plot all revolves around this romance and how each man reacted to the possibility of that special relationship we all crave, knowingly or not. The approach on Duncan’s issues was quite decent and Ed’s reactions to Duncan’s fight-or-flight instinct were lovely to read. My main issue was the speed that some feelings and thoughts came forward. While the time-frame between their first meeting and their settling was big enough, the seriousness and the heavy loving emotions and the forever thoughts came way too fast for my satisfaction.

Nevertheless the end result was quite lovely. A nicely written romantic story that I don’t hesitate to recommend to the fans of the genre, accompanied with exquisite descriptions of some fascinating male characters and scorching personalities. A book I quite enjoyed reading.

Blood-Mark: The Black Tigress: Episode 01: Ghost

947143_655174024498949_942182171_nTitle: Blood-Mark: The Black Tigress: Episode 01 Ghosts

Series: Dimenlien Chronicles

Author: Myristica

Genre: Paranormal, Serial Fiction

Length: Novella (87pgs)

Publisher: Dimenlien Projexts (27th May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A black tigress shape-shifter is loose on the city of Sapphire Ridge, California, seeking vengeance against Thomas Hampton, the lead vampire who once assisted in imprisoning her over 400 years before. When the Dimenlien Guild, led by Mistress Garen, the only being who has full knowledge of portal usage, refuses to help Hampton recapture the Tigress, he must turn to an enemy who long ago vowed to destroy him if they ever crossed paths again: Jonathan “Pal” Palomino, now a private investigator with Eagle Eye Investigations headed up by Kevin Laredo.

Kevin Laredo never believed vampires existed, let alone creatures of other worlds, but when Jonathan’s past comes back to haunt him, the world for Kevin and his team becomes smaller… and darker. And when Jonathan refuses to help Hampton, the vampire proceeds to mark Vic Turner, Kevin’s lover, threatening to pull him into the Shadow Change completely unless Jonathan agrees. But in messing with Vic, Hampton never bargained for Kevin’s interference, and he soon learns that no one messes with Kevin or those he loves.

Not humans, not monsters… and not vampires.

Purchase Link: US: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mark-Tigress-Dimenlien-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D1CUYXW

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Mark-Tigress-Dimenlien-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D1CUYXW

Review: Kevin meets Vic again when he is attacked in a parking garage. They had met briefly years earlier, and Kevin has an instant attraction to Vic and soon discovers the attraction is mutual. Kevin offers Vic a job in his investigation agency. Vic wants to accept, but first he has a secret to admit to Kevin. Thomas Hampton is the lead vampire in Sapphire Ridge and he suspects that Arina has escaped from her prison. Now she is coming for him, but is also wrecking vengeance across the city. There’s only one way to bring her to heel and Thomas needs Jonathan to do it. But, Jonathan has hidden from the vampires for years ever since his lover’s life was taken by Veritan. To make matters more interesting, Kevin’s new lover, Vic, is the spitting image of Jonathan’s lost love and Thomas will use whatever means he has to, to gain the bait that he needs.    

This is a great beginning to a great new serial where some humans and paranormals clash. We begin the serial getting to know the characters and the parts that they slot into; the foundation on which the serial is built on and the beginning of what looks to be an interesting and compelling storyline. Each character that we visit plays an integral part in the story; the build up for what is to come in future episodes and showing us the beginnings of relationships and friendships. There are different character perspectives and they do change from scene to scene, but it is quite well done so you never really lose the thread of what is happening. it is trying to show you the characters involved and what is happening to them.

I really enjoyed this installment and how it builds the world around us as we read, introducing us to the interesting characters and giving us a background that is built upon as we go through the story. Kevin and Vic are just beginning a relationship in this first installment. We get the background story on Kevin and Vic slots in some details as he makes a confession. Jonathan is shrouded in mystery and we get hints that something in his past haunts him. As we progress, we discover what it is and the lasting effects it has on him. Thomas is someone who you think quite kindly about at first, but then he reveals his not so nice nature later and he begins to give you the creeps.

I have to admit that I was just a bit disappointed with the blurb because it has revealed details that haven’t appeared in this installment. It has whetted my appetite for the future books though. The characters are really good and we do get to know a bit about them. I have a feeling more details will be revealed in the future as the story is more padded out and expanded on. The storyline is really good and drew me in quite quickly. you have paranormals who hide from the humans and a few humans who know about them, but you also have politics going on in the paranormal world with political maneuvering, side stepping and veiled threats.

I will recommend this to those who love serial paranormal fiction, vampires, humans being dragged into the paranormal world, bloodshed, secrets being revealed and a budding new relationship. 

 

Half-Baked Promises by Erica Pike

13701069Title: Half-Baked Promises

Series: (Love Is Always Write)

Author: Erica Pike

Genre: MM / Contemporary Romance

Length: Short Story

Publisher: M/M Romance Group @ Goodreads (July 21st, 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: One more day, that’s all Kevin needed. One more day to finish the tax audit and get the hell out of town and back to his normal, everyday life. So it absolutely figured that some over-muscled moron with a pneumatic dick substitute would wake him up at the ass-crack of dawn and shoot his plans right to hell. At this point he’d try anything — maybe a bribe?

Product Link: http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/download/13701069-half-baked-promises

Review: Now this free short story, written for the Love is Always Write event on Goodreads, was quite delightful.

It’s been twelve years since Kevin left Texas for LA and now he’s back for three-day and then he’s the hell out of there. On this last day of work though, things go from bad to worse and the person responsible, while seemingly a stranger at first, turns out to be quite a familiar person. one Kevin never would have thought he’d be attracted to, yet unable to resist him now.

This is the lovely story of a teenager’s crush (Liam, the over-muscled moron) that never stood a chance, but was given a second one twelve years later.

The longing, the passion, the nervousness a second chance brings with it were delicious in this shorty and I couldn’t get enough of the two men. The writing is beautiful and all you want is for the story to keep on going. But as it is the case with stories of this event, they end all too soon. Hopefully, Ms. Pike will follow through with her promise and give us more of Kevin and Liam in her sequel Midnight Muffins.

As it is the forever romantics would probably love this one. Recommended.