Month: August 2013

The Beast Without by Christian Baines

17702579Title: The Beast Without     

Author: Christian Baines                 

Genre: Paranormal, Thriller     

Length: Novel (234pgs)    

Publisher: Glass House Books/ Interaction Publications (23rd May 2013)     

Heat Level: Low     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Reylan is everything a Sydney vampire aspires to be: wealthy, handsome and independent, carefully feeding off companions plucked from the gay bars of Oxford Street.

When one of those companions is killed by Jorgas, a hotheaded young werewolf prowling his streets, Reylan reluctantly puts his cherished lifestyle of blood and boys on hold to help a mysterious alliance of supernatural beings track down the beast. It can’t be that hard … not when Jorgas keeps coming after him.

But there’s more to this werewolf than a body count and a bad attitude. As their relationship grows deeper and more twisted, Reylan tastes Jorgas’ blood, reawakening desires the vampire had thought long dead. And what evolves between them may be far more dangerous than some rival predator in the dark…    

Purchase Link: US: http://www.amazon.com/The-Beast-Without-ebook/dp/B00CYXWFCM 

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beast-Without-ebook/dp/B00CYXWFCM    

Review: Reylan is a Blood Shade, he is not a vampire and is likely to rip out the throat of the person who calls him one, and he lives his life in the shadows visiting nightclubs to pluck his meals. Reylan is picky about those he chooses and when one is attacked by an uncontrollable werewolf, Jorgas, Reylan decides to do what he must to get the werewolf off his tail. But Reylan discovers that Jorgas’ blood reawakens something he thought long-lost and he finds it difficult to do what he must. With the Arcadia Trust, wanting the werewolf Reylan comes to an agreement with them, but he still doesn’t trust them. With his relationship with Jorgas becoming more complicated with every meeting, Reylan has hard choices to make. 

This is a nicely dark and puzzling paranormal, that’s refreshing with its beastly werewolves and unapologetic Blood Shades (vampires). Reylan comes across as quite a vain man, he is very picky about the blood he consumes and is easily offended. Jorgas is a young man who is struggling with a monster inside him, the vampi…. er Blood Shade might be the only one who can help him, but losing control constantly doesn’t help his case. With Reylan’s friends trying to persuade him to help the Arcadia Trust and Reylan’s own reservations, Reylan doesn’t know what to do. But he discovers many hidden connections that seem to have the Trust’s fingerprints on them.

I found this to be a very interesting read; I thought there were many connections that could lead to further books because of the questions left unanswered. While I found it to be brutal in places, it also seemed to have a slight thread of humor to it that lightened it in places. The descriptions of the werewolves and Blood Shades was great, there was no magical shifts but brutal painful changing, there was no incredible speed and sparkles for the vampire and he certainly isn’t that charming. The storyline is very interesting and you get pulled in as you try to understand how things are connected, the Arcadia Trust, the church, and the strange experience Reylan has with the book. The storyline surrounding Jorgas is vague except his strange attraction to Reylan but it becomes very clear in the last few pages. 

I recommend this to those who love the good old-fashioned brutal werewolves, vampires without a care in the world, a very interesting storyline with many threads and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

 

Absolutely Magic by Julia Talbot

18303355Title: Absolutely Magic

Author: Julia Talbot

Genre:   Paranormal

Length: Short (14 pages)

Publisher:Torquere Press (August 7th 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Damon McTavish is a demon hunter. He’s pretty damn good at the job, too. There’s just one thing his boss wishes he wouldn’t do — sleep with the pretty ones before he sends them back to Hell.

Alisdair is an old demon who wants his humanity back and sleeping with Damon is how he plans to do it. First, he has to convince Damon to participate in a little sex magic, though, so it’s a good thing just a touch between the two is electrifying.

Can demon and demon hunter make a little magic and come out unsinged?

Originally published in the Demon anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=3959

Review:Damon is a demon Hunter that likes to have sex with the good-looking ones before sending them back to Hell.
Alistair is a demon that needs Damon to help him perform sex magic to get back his humanity.

This is a cute quick read. The story is funny and charming with some hot sex. 
I didn’t quite get the ending though or what the magic was to accomplish if it did.

I recommend this if you like short, sweet, hot stories with a happy for now ending.

Taboo for You by Anyta Sunday

719SvPiqGzL._SL1500_Title:  Taboo for You

Author:  Anyta Sunday

Genre:  Contemporary, friends to lovers

Length:  Novel (346 pages)

Publisher: Anyta Sunday (June 28th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer:  Cat

Blurb:  Sam’s freaking out. He’s 30 in three weeks. And what has he done in his twenties? It’s pretty simple math: nothing exciting at all. But hey, he has three weeks right? Maybe that’s just enough time to tick his way through a 20s Must Do List . . . 

Luke’s freaking screwed. He’s come out to his family, and his friends. Except there’s a certain someone who doesn’t know yet: his neighbor of 7 years. Who also happens to be his best friend. Who Luke needs to tell the truth, but he just . . . can’t . . . seem to . . .

Jeremy’s freaking over-the-moon. It’s the countdown to his 15th birthday, and his goal is simple. No matter what, he’s going to spend heaps of time with saucy Suzy. But first, he needs to get his over-protective, no-girlfriend-’cause-you’ll-get-her-pregnant parents off his back. And what better way than pretending he’s gay? 

Sam, Luke, and Jeremy. Three guys who have a lot of history together, and a lot of future too—

—well, if they can sort out their issues, that is. 

A Friends to Lovers Novel

Purchase Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Taboo-For-Friends-Lovers-ebook/dp/B00DOPMQ1E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376156008&sr=1-1&keywords=taboo+for+you+anyta+sunday

Review: Sam is going through a crisis. His life changed at 15, when he had a son and now that he is almost thirty he freaks out and decides to fill his list of things to do in his twenties.

Luke is Sam’s neighbour and best friend, though he has a secret he just realized and wants to share with Sam, especially since he found Sam’s to do in the twenties list and he would happily fill most of those things with Luke.

Jeremy is Sam’s son and was born on Sam’s 15th birthday so he will soon be 15. Jeremy spends every other week with his dad and usually the neighbour Luke. Jeremy is going through changes of his own growing up, sexual feelings, and now his mom has a secret.

Oh boy, is this one fun rollercoaster ride. It starts out fast and goes faster. I adored the sense of humour and how it starts out with a math lesson (trust me it’s fun!) and numbers play such a prominent role throughout the story. I got to where every time I saw big numbers on a page I was already laughing.

I love good character driven stories and this one didn’t disappoint. Every character in this story (and here are several) is interesting, charming, and has a story to tell. The book is in first person and in three character views and I love this, to get inside so many character minds. There is  at least three good storylines, Sam’s midlife crisis, Luke’s wanting to come out, Jeremy dealing with growing up, sexuality, friendship, and his Mother’s wanting a life too, and even though Jeremy’s mom isn’t a main character she plays several roles also and is just as good as the main ones.

I will say that a few times I really wanted to smack both Luke and Sam in the head and shake the crap out of them. I mean really Sam; swimming with sharks requires a lot of feelings, more than friendship, especially if it’s their worse fear.

If you like a good, sexy, sweet romance with no bad guys, lots of emotions, a good laugh, numbers, friends to lovers and some really sensual love this is definitely one for you.

COPS by G.A. Hauser

tmp_474e917f9b5b486ea15cb5a52db2ffbf_UCoOkO_html_5a62a742Title: COPS       

Series: Sequel to Top Men

Author: G.A. Hauser

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: Novel (237 pages)

Publisher: The GA Hauser Collection LLC (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Two of LAPD’s finest, Officer Jeff Chandler and his partner Mickey Stanton, have been together on duty for three years. When Mickey first met Jeff, a lateral transfer from Rain City- Seattle, he was crazy about him. When the men were assigned to a two-man patrol car, Jeff and Mickey’s attraction blossomed. And from then on, it was playtime!

On the street, Jeff and Mickey were tough and fearless, doing their job to protect and serve, but the testosterone charged pair were wild and out of control with their passion for each other. They loved doing risqué acts on duty and craved the adrenalin rush, until Jeff becomes burned out with patrol. His ambition is to rise up in the ranks. Soon the two men are at odds with what direction their careers should take, and Mickey resents Jeff for wanting to split up their team.

As friction begins to develop between them, they still have to continue battling the crime on LA’s streets. Between the raging fury and the sexual heat of their relationship, there is true love, and that love is put to the ultimate test, nearly ending in tragedy.

‘Top Men’- Mickey and Jeff- The police officers you grew to love from GA’s Action! and Hero Series, back again to give fans a wild ride into the darkest secrets and desires of COPS.

Product Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cops-1223041-340.html

Review: This is a book that tells the story of two patrol officers, Jeff and Mickey. Now, apparently there’s been a prequel to this when Jeff and Mick first met, and there is some debate about this one not following properly on the previous story. However, I having read only this believe this is an easy standalone and did not feel lost in following it.

Reading this book left me with lots of feelings and thoughts. There are the realistic details of the job described that, while they gave the story credibility, were a bit too much. Too much detail and I started feeling the weight of all the mundane little things a cop endures during his routine. I suppose it was a great way to show how and why Jeff got burn out from his job and wanted to move on, but by the end of it, it got too tiresome.

Some of those incidents though were spectacular, like when our guys get a welfare call. Good grief, I felt as if I was a bystander there and started to actually gag from the images the description caused. In the end I simply wished this read was polished a bit more and had only the intensity and the events instead of every little detail about the straps holding the Kevlars, the cleaning of the weapons and the routine of changing from civilian clothes to uniform.

More thoughts brought the relationship this pair shared. Jeff and Mickey are lovers in closet. It’s easy to see why as they are cops and don’t want the derision of their fellow cops, and they are partners in their job. A coming out would only serve in their splitting and not working together anymore, which brings us to the theme of the book.

Jeff needs to move along in his career, he has the chance to do so by testing for sergeant, but Mickey freaks out at the idea of not working with his lover, not having him to back him up, or make the day and the patrol worthwhile. Seeing as they constantly had risqué sex while working, get on each other in parking lots, and abandoned buildings, Mickey goes completely nuts at the idea of working alone. So the entire story revolves around Jeff wanting to get off the first line of fire and Mickey throwing an outrageous drama fit that, while quite aggressive, was unbelievably selfish.

This is the part that the book lost me completely. I didn’t mind the risky behavior, I didn’t mind their interactions with their friends – and let me tell you that was one weird interaction even for me – I didn’t mind the impossibly long details as much as I minded Mickey’s behavior. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more selfish character that didn’t get redeemed in the end. This story ends with a huge guilt trip Mick throws onto Jeff and I was standing there, slack-jawed and wondering what the hell just happened?

Bottom end, I liked the whole aggressive, risky sex in this book, I liked the incidents the cops found in their work, even the little ones, and I liked the chemistry between the two, but I did not enjoy the rest at all. The fact that this could have been much shorter if properly polished and much more bearable made the frustration grow there at the end.

 

Coliseum Square by Lynn Lorenz

18111264Title: Coliseum Square

Series: N/A

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre:  Historical Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Allure (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: When Mark Madison accepts a position as tutor in New Orleans, he does so to run away from his past. Yet he never once believed the house on Coliseum Square would actually hold the key to his future.

Royal DuCote, the wealthy owner of the house and father to a son named Luc, is dark, sexy, and haunted. Ever since the death of his wife and Luc’s mother, nothing has been the same. Luc refuses to speak or let Royal near him, and putting Luc in school is out of the question, so he hires a tutor for his son. But when he meets Mark Madison, he’s instantly attracted to the younger man.

As tensions build between Mark and Royal, Luc’s affliction becomes a mystery Mark wants to solve. But will what Mark discovers destroy all that is left of the DuCote family?

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

Review: I am known to love the 19th century historicals. There is something about that time that awakens the romantic in me. The speech itself feels too romantic and alluring for me to stay away.

In this novella, that feeling along with the foreboding of being a homosexual and the desperation it all brought, was right there as it began. It easily draw you into the book, when Mark runs from his past life in fear, constantly thinking that impending death or jail awaits him in every corner. The paranoia when one knows he’s an outlaw and could easily lose everything is quite obvious from Mark’s thoughts and actions.

But, then Mark makes a new life, under a new name as a tutor for Royal DuCote’s son in New Orleans. The romance should start bright and shiny, but that wasn’t the case. While the book starts with Mark making up his mind to forever hide his sexuality out of fear, it quickly turns into love-at-first-sight and a reckless behavior from both Master and employer. The romantic speech I so loved was lacking during their dialogues and even more so during their intercourse. The relationship between Mark and his charge was a fast built up that didn’t come to terms with the boy’s disposition, creating quite the oxymoron feel about it. The time space as well was so fast, that any meaningful action/reaction lost its credibility. What could have been a great read was in fact a lukewarm one that disappointed me in its execution.

If you don’t mind the details and the lack of authenticity about this book, I think it’s a nice read. The pair quite hot and sexy and the end inspire an “awww” out of you with its HEA. But, if you are that era lover like me then it’ll probably disappoint the heck out of, too.

 

County Fried Love by W.M. Kirkland

wmkirkland_countryfriedloveTitle: Country Fried Love

Author: W.M. Kirkland

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher:Loose Id LLC (August 5th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:When Jaime flies to Iowa for his friend’s wedding, he discovers the closeted lover he’d left in college is out and the star at a local drag club. After a wedding weekend full of reunion sex, all Jaime wants to do is bring Trevor, aka ShyAnne, back to Denver to star at his club.

Except Trevor’s built a good life for himself in Iowa, and he wonders if Jaime wants him only for his high heels. The sex might be great, but he knows Jaime got bored with his countrified life once.

An offer for Jaime to buy an Iowa drag club has both of them rethinking their situation, and Jaime wondering if he can really be happy with some country boy love

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/country-fried-love.html

Review:Jaimie goes to Iowa for his friend’s wedding and runs into a drag queen that is none other than his first love, Trevor.  Trevor made the changes to his life hoping to one day run into Jaimie, a drag nightclub owner.

This story had a lot of potential. The wedding was amazing and the reunion of Jaimie and Trevor was hot. I loved how both men had changed and still had that strong love for each other.

There was lots of stuff however, that confused me. First of all, I had a hard time keeping up with Jaimie and Trevor’s relationship. One minute Jamie was a plainly dead set against love, marriage and the mid-south; the next gushing about wanting a wedding. Trevor was the opposite he was the one wanting all that, then dragging his feet. Also the drag queen thing was showing potential, Trevor or should I say ShyAnne was being auditioned for Jamie’s club, Flux, and then when he got to Denver none of that was mentioned again. Also, one of Jaimie business partners was acting odd then nothing. There were just so many hints of things to come, that just magically disappeared leaving me confused.

However, the romance between Jaimie and Trevor was awesome, sweet, and sexy. I recommend this book to anyone that loves old flames reunited, nightclubs, drag queens, sweet romance with happy endings, and storybook weddings.

                                                                                             

The Ultimate Find by Anna Lee

AL_The_Ultimate_FindxTitle: The Ultimate Find     

Series: The Average Joe (MLR Series) 

Author: Anna Lee     

Genre: Contemporary     

Length: Short (49pgs)    

Publisher: MLR Press (9th August 2013)   

Heat Level: Low     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3½ Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Kevin Stokes, an antique picker is searching for the ultimate find. He thinks he might have found it in delivery driver, Aaron Nichols, who to him is anything but average.

Kevin Stokes is an antique picker and sci-fi geek. He has a crush on delivery driver, Aaron Nichols, but thinks the feeling won’t be returned. Still, he can’t resist asking Aaron to join him on a trip. He’s searching for the ultimate find. He thinks he might have found it in Aaron Nichols, who to him is anything but average. Aaron believes he’s just an average guy with nothing to offer but a complicated life that sends most guys running, that is until Kevin comes along. When Kevin invites him to go picking, will Aaron’s nephew tagging along and a near accident spoil the day? Or will the two finally hit it off?     

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

Review: Kevin is a slightly shy antique picker who has a huge crush on delivery driver Aaron. But, trying to figure out if Aaron is single isn’t easy. Asking Aaron to go picking with him, Kevin figures they could just be friends. But, then he discovers Aaron is interested in him. Aaron is interested in the slightly nerdy antique dealer, but figures the guy wouldn’t want get tied to a guy with a complicated life. But, he still jumps at the chance to spend the day with him. When they start the day off with a grumbling nephew tagging along and then a near accident, will these two men hit it off?

This is a cute story of two men both feeling as if they are average. But, both showing that they aren’t in the other man’s eyes. Kevin is a cute, nerdy, sci-fi geek, who loves finding treasures. Aaron is the man who has caught his eye, but Kevin thinks he is too nerdy for Aaron to notice him. Aaron is a bit nerdy himself and has a lot on his plate helping his brother out with his nephew. But, getting the chance to spend the day with the cute antique picker, he jumps at the chance. With life getting in the way, the two men still get to know each other and it is the beginning of something sweet between them. 

I really found this story cute and really liked both Aaron and Kevin. Kevin shows himself to be a wonderful man, when Joey (Aaron’s nephew) has to tag along on his date with Aaron. Aaron is an incredible man who, although it annoys him that it seems like his brother isn’t taking responsibility, steps up to be there for his nephew. They make a great couple. this story shows us their first ‘date’ and the fun, and near disasters, they go through… my favorite part of the book? In the barn, up in the loft when they uncover the object in the corner, Whovians will love it!! 

I recommend this to those that love great characters, connecting with someone special, some heated kisses, a cute kid and the beginning of something great. 

The Crimson Outlaw by Alex Beecroft

Title: The Crimson Outlaw     

Author: Alex Beecroft     

Genre: Historical (1720), Romania, Kink     

Length: Novella (131pgs)     

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (13th August 2013)    

Heat Level: Moderate     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3½ Hearts 

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Love is the greatest outlaw of all.

Vali Florescu, heir to a powerful local boyar, flees his father’s cruelty to seek his fortune in the untamed Carpathian forests. There he expects to fight ferocious bandits and woo fair maidens to prove himself worthy of returning to depose his tyrannical father. But when he is ambushed by Mihai Roscat, the fearsome Crimson Outlaw, he discovers that he’s surprisingly happy to be captured and debauched instead.

Mihai, once an honored knight, has long sought revenge against Vali’s father, Wadim, who killed his lord and forced him into a life of banditry. Expecting his hostage to be a resentful, spoiled brat, Mihai is unprepared for the boy to switch loyalties, saving the lives of villagers and of Mihai himself during one of Wadim’s raids. Mihai is equally unprepared for the attraction between them to deepen into love.

Vali soon learns that life outside the castle is not the fairy tale he thought, and happy endings must be earned. To free themselves and their people from Wadim’s oppression, Vali and Mihai must forge their love into the spear-point of a revolution and fight for a better world for all.  

Purchase Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/crimson-outlaw     

Review: Vali might be heir to the local powerful boyar but it doesn’t make him exempt from punishment, when he tries to save his sister from an unwanted marriage Vali begins to learn that his father isn’t a good lord like he thought. Escaping from prison Vali is determined to return when he has proved himself, but he gets caught up in the plight of a local village and succumbs to a bandits seduction. Mihai is a bandit who wants revenge, his lord and many of his friends were killed when Vali’s father, Wadim, wanted their land, now he does what he can to make life easier on all the villages under Wadim’s rule. When he comes across Vali, he expects to take him hostage to force Wadim’s hand but he discovers the son is far different from the father and begins to fall for him. Both men have to fight for what they want but will they be able to get the results they both want without bloodshed?

This is a cute little story of wanted adventure and hard reality, of men from different walks of life meeting and loving and of a tyrant whose son finds it hard to hate him. Vali is a young man who doesn’t realize his actions affect others, he doesn’t think that his father is a bad lord even though he is a harsh father and he still has rose-tinted glasses of what is happening in the world outside his castle. Mihai knows the truth about the tyranny of Wadim, he has lived through it and wants nothing more than to make the man pay, and he does so in a small way when he helps local villagers. When these two men come together they find common ground and an instant attraction that neither one fights. 

This is a pretty good story that takes us back to a time when lords were god and everyone else was fodder. Vali is nineteen and sometimes comes across as whimsical in his feelings, he also seems to war with himself about his feelings for his father. He finally sees what his father is really like but still can’t believe it, wanting to give his father the chance to do the right thing. Mihai has plans for Vali when he first discovers him but rapidly changes his mind, and the two together make a great couple as they recover and make plans. Vali doesn’t make, as much progress in the maturity stakes as you would expect with everything that he sees and goes through, it was more superficial stuff he thought of. 

I recommend this if you love historicals with great details, bandits ravishing innocents, taking control of your life and finding happiness against the odds. 

Summer of Love by Heidi Champa

SummerofLoveTitle:  Summer of Love

Series:  Summer Days #2

Author:  Heidi Champa

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novella (23k words)

Publisher:  Amber Allure (August 4th 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥2Hearts

Blurb:   Max Randolph has always loved weddings, so much so that he made planning them his life’s work. But, ever since the demise of his personal relationship a few months before his own wedding, Max has had difficulty celebrating the happiness of others. Still, when a call comes from his friend to plan the perfect wedding to his partner, Max can’t help but agree.

The couple wants their wedding celebration to be held at The Acres. On a trip to get the planning started, Max sees his ex, Trevor, for the first time in months. He expects a fraught meeting, but instead, Trevor is civil and downright sweet. Max wonders if there’s anything wrong with a little harmless flirting with an ex. After all, Max and Trevor never got to have break-up sex.

It isn’t long until old feelings start to bubble to the surface and Max finds himself debating whether there’s a way for him and Trevor to try again. But, when long-buried truths come to light, will their chance at reconciliation be over before it starts? Or will the wedding provide the perfect backdrop for rekindled romance?

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

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Max, wedding planner extraordinaire, is off to The Acres to plan his friend’s wedding to his partner. After a bad breakup with his cheating fiancé just months before his own wedding, his heart hasn’t been in the whole ‘happily ever after’ aspect of his business for a while. He is still the best at what he does, so when his friend calls he packs up and heads out to plan the perfect wedding. While he’s there he runs in to his ex Trevor, who quickly wiggles his way back into Max’s life as well as his bed.

I didn’t exactly like either of these characters. Maxy was relatable at the start of the story but when he took Trevor back not once, but twice I lost some respect for him. His fault or not, communication is key in a relationship and I didn’t see much of that between the ML.

 

The writing was good when it came to conversations between Maxy and his business partner/friend Dani and just because this book didn’t ‘gel’ for me, doesn’t mean it’s not the book for you. Maxy and Trevor admittedly have some great make-up sex though, I’ll give Champa that.

 

*This is an updated review as I made an error in my wording in my initial review. In my initial review of this book, I stated the character Trevor was unlikeable because he cheated, that was a misdirection on my part. He didn’t cheat, but there were a couple of insinuations in the story. I read/review a lot of books and that seems to have bit me in the a@@ this time, my apologies to the author.*

 

 

Dance Only For Me by Megan Derr

16116779Title: Dance Only For Me     

Series: Dance with the Devil 06 

Author: Megan Derr     

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal     

Length: Novel (236pgs)    

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (24th July 2013)   

Heat Level: Low     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Jackie Black is a cowboy and sorcerer and proud of both. He spends his days breaking curses and locating items of interest for other abnormals. His pride and joy are the alchemy-enhanced pistols at his hips. The love of his life is Roman, a businessman and witch. Tired of living several states apart, Jackie decides to surprise Roman by moving closer. 

But instead of being a happy surprise, Jackie finds himself the victim of an unpleasant one. Alone in a strange city, with nowhere to go and his world in pieces, Jackie is taken in by an old man who says he is a paranormal detective and could use someone of Jackie’s power and abilities to catch a killer.      

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=490    

Review: This story is part of a series but can be read as a standalone, although it is best-enjoyed read in order. Jackie is a cowboy sorcerer and is proud to be both, he spends his time breaking curses and finding items for other abnormals. Jackie has finally decided to take a step to making his relationship to his lover more permanent by moving to the same city, but he gets a surprise of his own when he makes an unexpected visit to his lover. Alone and upset Jackie is asked to help an old paranormal detective, but when the task is done Jackie discovers the old detective has been attacked and Jackie won’t rest until he has captured the culprit. 

This is a great addition to the Dance With The Devil series continuing in the same universe as the previous books and we meet some of the previous characters as Jackie seeks justice. Jackie Black is a great character; he is a proper cowboy with all their turns of phrase. Jackie is also a sorcerer and he loves his alchemy-enhanced pistols, and he uses them often and with skill. When Jackie has his heart-broken by his lying cheating lover, he doesn’t let it interfere with his new case that he has taken on for himself. We get dragged into a world of mystery and intrigue as Jackie hunts for an evil killer who is after a secret that is best left buried. 

I thought this story was great, I loved the way we get drawn into a world of danger and secrets, the way that Jackie won’t back down from a challenge and how he is completely blindsided by Ned… well how we all were. Jackie is a wonderful character and for the first half of the story we wonder just who his love interest will be, will it be Wyatt the annoying kid who annoys everyone, will it be Phoenix the damaged vampire or Ned the demon who has a huge grudge? It was nicely done because it came out of nowhere and the characters played it nicely so when we do discover who Jackie’s love interest is we are surprised. The actually storyline becomes blurry at times as you try to keep up with what is going on, mainly because there seems to be more people involved than originally thought and all of them seem bent on killing. 

I recommend this story to those that love paranormals galore, danger at every turn, digging out old secrets, righting a wrong, discovering love, and getting the bad guys. 

 

Public Displays of Affection by Mychael Black

2101Title: Public Displays of Affection

Author: Mychael Black

Genre: Anthology

Length: 48 pages

Publisher:Razor’s Edge Press (August 9th 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Eight men, four public venues, tons of hot action.

Whether it’s a dark movie theater or a snow-covered park, these men have a thing for sex in public places. In “Opposites Attract” a long-haired rocker finds himself the object of a jock’s affection in the middle of a movie theater. “Starting Over” for one man leads to hot chocolate and the best blowjob of his life in a snowy park. A Dom puts his beloved sub through sweet pain in “Birthday for a Slave.” And finally, two sword-fighting instructors give in to their mutual attraction during a RenFaire in “Faire Game.”

The four stories in this collection were previously published under the name Kay Derwydd. They have been re-edited for release in this collection.

Purchase Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2101

Review:Public Displays of Affection is a short story collection of four stories centered on public sex.
Birthday for a slave
it’s Lucas birthday and his Dom Kynan has a special, erotic treat planned for him. 
This is very good, very hot, very sexy, story of D’s relationship. The public sex in a crowded club is extremely sexy.

Opposites Attract
Eric has to live in a dorm this semester and his roommate Russ has a handsome brother that lives in the Frat house. Eric has never been with a jock. His roommate Russ says his brother Carson likes him and also likes public sex. Their first night together they have hot sex in a movie theater.

Starting over
Chris is stood up by Justin, again, on Christmas Eve. This time Justin dumps Chris. Michael sees the argument and brings Chris hot chocolate. What happens next is hot enough melt the snow. You will have to read the book to see for yourself. It’s HOT!

Faire Game
Cory and Jason are sparring at the renaissance Faire and the swordplay gets really sexy.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes a good collection of smoking hot short stories and of course public displays of affection. (Sorry I couldn’t resist.)

Harold's Haven by Lee Brazil

harolds_haven__10291.1375652456.300.450Title: Harold’s Haven

Series: Behind Closed Doors, #3

Author: Lee Brazil

Genre: Historical Suspense

Length: Novella (118 pages)

Publisher:Evernight Publishing (August 3rd 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:   Cat

Blurb:It takes an irresistible bribe to pry Harold Gretton away from his experiments to act as a bodyguard for an escaped prisoner. Bored with his confinement, American businessman Martin Tillman is delighted to find that Harold is a like-minded fellow. The sparks that fly between them seem to go beyond mere passion to Martin, but Harold is disinclined to put his trust in emotion.

Can Martin convince his scientific lover that what lies between them is more than experimentation?

Be Warned: m/m sex, light bondage

Purchase Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/harolds-haven-by-lee-brazil/

Review:Harold’s brother Perry charges Harold to keep a fugitive safe. Harold agrees reluctantly until he meets Martin. Feelings stir, reminding him of ‘experiments’ he and Andre conducted before he was sent home from his brother Nash’s.

This is yet another beautifully written work by a very talented storyteller. Poignantly written, a great story, interesting characters, a touch of intrigue and hot mansex, what more could you ask for?


I highly recommend this to anyone that loves historical romance, mystery and intrigue, inventors, and hot mansex.

                                                                                                                              

Montana Red by Jane Elliot

Montana-Red200Title: Montana Red

Author: Jane Elliot

Genre: Western

Length: Novel (228 pages)

Publisher:Manifold Press (August 1st, 2013)

Heat Level: Very Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Red. He’s happy enough at first to be having sex with a man – Heaven knows, it’s better than what he’s running away from! – but it isn’t too long before Red’s sexual extravagances are driving the two of them apart. It’s only when Henry’s trying to manage on his own again that he at last begins to achieve a little perspective – on inversion in general, on himself in particular, and even on his relationship with Red. That’s when he starts to wonder if maybe there isn’t a way back for them after all, but this time it will definitely have to be on his terms …

Purchase Link: http://www.manifoldpress.co.uk/2013/07/montana-red/

Review:Henry was running away from his old life when a group of gangsters attacked and left him for dead. Red is surprised to find a naked man almost dead in his gulley.

Henry survives and they become friends though Henry liked things about Red and the ranch there was a lot he didn’t like.

This story is very complicated but in a good way. None of these characters are your average character and this is far from a sweet storybook romance, but I found it fabulous. I couldn’t put it down once I started.

There are so many twists and turns, some good, some bad; that it really made you wonder especially about Red. I adored the relationship between the two men with their ups and downs and misunderstandings, and how both loved the other in his own way after both were so different.

I sure didn’t see the turnaround coming in Henry, but loved it, as much as the change in Red, though it wasn’t the expected. I think this what I loved so much was it was unexpected, it has harsh sometimes brutal moments though none cruel. I also liked the ending and found it pretty satisfying, yet surprising.
I highly recommend this if you like stories based in the old west, gay ranchers, rough sex, unexpected twists, characters that change and grow, lots of hot mansex, good BDSM and a satisfactory happy for now ending.

My Warrior, My Slave by Nana G.

18278456Title: My Warrior, My Slave

Series: Companion story of ‘Slave of Heart’

Author: Nana G.

Genre: Historical Erotic Romance

Length: Novelette (19,500 words)

Publisher: Smashwords Edition (August 3rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Gay Master/slave Erotic Romance. Orion’s promising military career is cut short when he is caught having a sex with another free man. He is condemned to lifetime of slavery after a public trial, a fate which Meme, his ex-lover, shares with him. When he finds out, he has been purchased by General Ares, he risks invoking the wrath of his former superior by pleading with him to also purchase Meme. Even though Ares is furious with Orion, he grants his request. Ares is determined to unravel Orion’s impassive facade and Meme may just be what he needs to break a warrior.

‘My Warrior, My Slave’ is a companion story of ‘Slave of Heart’. However, it can be read as a stand-alone work. The story contains explicit material with light BDSM content and is intended for adults only.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/My-Warrior-Slave-ebook/dp/B00EAXF666

Review: And this is what happens when I’m torn by a book. I loved it on one hand. It was an exquisite exercise in mind games and breaking a slave. It was erotic, intense, and capable of making your heartbeat drum high. But it was also heartbreaking due to the nature of the slave character.

Orion is not just a sex slave. He was a free man, a man with dreams and ambitions. He was a Master himself and most of all, the thing that affected me more than anything did, and he was a warrior.

In a society where men and women can indulge in same-sex intercourse with their slave, yet between two free men such thing is inexcusable to the point of said free men to lose their freedom and become sex-slaves themselves, witnessing the descend of a warrior was – for me at least – unbearable. My heart was held in a vise-like grip the entire read, weeping for Orion. While the transition from a free man to submitting, the mastery of how Ares managed to play his mind games and ultimately break Orion and make him his, was extremely erotic and mind-blowing, I still ached for the warrior and felt such a profound sadness. Even in the most sensual parts of this book, even during the most erotic and stimulating passages, that sadness never left me, surrounding my like a damned cloak.

So you understand my torment now, I don’t know how to truly evaluate this read. If I keep in mind how much it affected me, I’d say point for the author, mission accomplished. Still that lingering feeling makes me rip this book apart, if only it was a paperback.

In any case, I feel this work deserves praise, lots of it for it is quite powerful. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who has an appreciation for mind games and M/s relationships. The scenes are light and described with smooth words, not cringe-like, and the length is quite short, making this read a nice and enjoyable break.

Enjoy!