Month: October 2013

Dangerous Submission by Lori Toland

17380645Title: Dangerous Submission

Series: Dangerous Affairs #2

Author: Lori Toland

Genre: Action / Mystery & Suspense / BDSM

Length: Novel (190 pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (April 22nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥2 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: British Agent Drake Steele never thought when he was hired on at the Serious Organized Crime Agency that his job would involve spanking a co-worker. But when the colleague is Lord Robbie Covington, the sexy redheaded computer hacker for SOCA and MI-6, Drake can’t agree fast enough to pop Robbie’s cherry and pull him into the sensual world of BDSM.

Now they are caught up in a web of lies as they pose as members of the jet-setting crowd. Drake and Robbie have to race against the clock to stop a weapons haul that could threaten the safety of all Europe. As their covers begin to fade and danger is closing in, protecting Robbie is Drake’s most important task, but neither man is ready for the moment when their hearts are put on the line.

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/dangerous-submission.html

Review: Well now, the second book on the Dangerous Affairs series was just the same as the first one, and maybe not as good.

I didn’t like it. The erotic scenes were still ok but this time the entire plot felt lacking. The characters were quite odd, we don’t get to know much about them in an entire novel expect from the fact that Drake is a Dom and Robbie, out of nowhere becomes a submissive. And to add insult to injury, Drake is a single tail master, single tail, as in pain dishing Dom and Robbie has never been into a leather club in his life…

Let’s just say that this time this story didn’t work for me. Two agents on a mission that comes from nowhere, no time to get ready, not time to prepare themselves they jump into the heart of a sex-party mansion. They come face to face with other Doms who are challenging Drake for a chance to his sub. They come face to face with mouthy subs who challenge Robbie for a chance to his master, public display and an out of nowhere single tail scene with an untrained sub and in the end they fall in love.

Oh, the reason they were at this sex party in first place, they had a mission, which in my opinion got screwed up the moment they saw each other at their headquarters. This was not an action/suspense story, this was I’m throwing a prop because I want to write hot sex scenes, and yeah, no matter how hot those scenes might be it got old.

The same dramatics as in book one didn’t help for the tiresome feeling that engulfed me this time, plus the frustration with the non-existent plot and oh my God, the end of this story, when the villain was a sadistic Dom who wanted to whip and take Robbie in the gallery? No!

It is safe to say that this book held no appeal to me whatsoever despite the luring single tail action.

Wild and Wonderful by Rayven Renshaw

rr_wildwonderful-200x300Title: Wild and Wonderful (Razor’s Edge)

Series: Wild (#1)

Author:  Rayven Renshaw

Genre: Erotic, Shifters, Alternative Universe, MM, Sci-Fi, Paranormal 

Length: Flash Fiction (22 pgs)

Publisher: Razor’s Edge Press, A Changeling Press LLC Imprint (October 05, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Seeker

Purchase Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2128

Blurb: Jack is about to have a wonderful and wild furry feeling.

When an experiment goes wrong, separating two scientists and sending them into a parallel dimension, Jack is stalked by something otherworldly… part man and part beast, with claws, and teeth, and tongue.

No one told Jack getting lost in the wilds could be wonderful.

Review:  Blasted into a parallel dimension, Jack finds himself faced with a most basic yet generally unmentioned concern when one reads about Shifters. We are able to understand what he is thinking. This is NOT waking up to find the new fluffy kitty playfully licking and swiping at an exposed nipple.  No.  This is enormous beastie is taste testing, Jack who has passed out after being unable to run any further. 

I loves me a good ‘Lo-assist Innn Sspaaaccce’ story and Rayven Renshaw’s Wild and Wonderful does not disappoint.  This flash commute readable story quickly puts us inside Jack’s head as he is being pursued.  His clothes disintegrating, running for his life, and alone in an alternate dimension, Jack has no idea how much time he has left.

Happily, the communication between the characters is fresh and not the norm – something that too many writers overlook. (I mean, someone eventually turns on the Enterprise’s translator; the TARDIS has a built-in translator that she’d share with her welcomed travellers; and, of course, let’s not forget the Babel fish. LOL) The communication between the characters is translation off.  Luckily for Jack he is a smart lad with some pretty great inspiration.

Renshaw keeps the balance between weird ‘All knowing moments’ for readers when we know more than the main character does and the moments when we as readers are not quite sure what to expect next.   Wild and Wonderful is well worth the read – and more than a bit of a tease. ~;p  

A Life for Nicholas by Matt Zachary

81+qr0+FA0L._SL1500_Title: A Life for Nicholas

Series: The Nicholas Chronicles #1

Author: Matt Zachary

Genre: Young Adult

Length: Novella (72 pages)

Publisher: Porterlance Books (April 6th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥2 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: “A Life for Nicholas” details the life of a thirteen-year-old boy who is an orphan and living in the foster care system. He has to deal with adolescence, his sexuality, the loss of friends and abuse as he figures out his place in the world. This book is a novella of about 13,000 words and the prequel to “A Home for Christmas” by Matt Zachary.

Product Link: http://porterlancebooks.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/new-releases-by-matt-zachary/

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Life-For-Nicholas-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00B5L14O4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381237720&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Life+for+Nicholas

Review: This short story follows Nickolas, a thirteen-year boy, as he journeys from foster home to foster home. Abuse physical and emotional follows him with little small parts of happiness so short Nick wonders if they are real at all. Facing down horrible after horrible event and trying to still stand strong Nickolas is almost the stereotypical kid you see on these young adult books.

Smart, good grades and a nice shy temperament Nicholas can’t seem to avoid people getting in his way trying to harm him for no apparent reason. His schools peers, his foster siblings, even his foster parent go a long way to make him miserable, and just as he thought he found some peace and normalcy his life gets shaken once again… I’d like to like this character but I didn’t have the chance to actually meet him, get a feel for him. Every event in this story was hastily narrated and lacking.

As much as this book had good premise, it failed to make me like it as it skimmed through hard and heavy subjects with a sense of irresponsibility and insensitivity. Everything Nick felt when experiencing abuse was systematically simply stated and the story moved along without allowing for the feel of them to make a full impact. I was shocked to see Nick narrating his abuses in a nonchalant way, detached, almost as if telling a tale and not events that had him scarred for life. The entire read was set in a very fast pace that allowed no time for thoughts or for feelings to settle, ending with a most superficial describing of a suicide as if it was a walk in the park.

In the end, this was a story that while it worked up your expectations it failed to meet them and left you wondering, “What was the point.” 

 

 

Reviewer:   Tams

Heart Rating:  ♥♥ 2 Hearts

Review: Nicholas could be the poster child for foster care. Ignored and abused both physically and mentally by his peers and foster parents throughout the book. He makes a couple of solid friends along the way, but both are ripped from his life in one way or another before the end. He’s actually slightly more normal than he has any right to be considering what he’s been through.

There was potential for a better story here than the one that is on the pages. Completely rushed, unmatched timelines and several inconsistencies left something to be desired here. Nicholas gets into a fight at school, okay wait… Nicholas is ganged up on at school by homophobic classmates and defends himself, only to be kicked out of his current foster home almost immediately due to his ‘bad’ behavior. Huh? Then he refers to the last home he’s in at the end of this book as ‘no different than any of the others’, when in fact it’s completely different. For once he is actually wanted and treated appropriately. Again, Huh?

I really wanted to like this book, Nicholas was such a diverse type of character. But sadly the inconsistencies in the story coupled with the urgency to get to the ending were off-putting and ruined it for me.

 

Chaps and Hope by Bailey Bradford

17409015Title: Chaps and Hope

Series: Mossy Glenn Ranch book 01

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: cowboys &western/ mild BDSM

Length: Novel (134 pages)

Publisher:Totally Bound (March 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Book one in the Mossy Glenn Ranch Series

It’ll take hard work for Carlos, Troy and Will to turn the Mossy Glenn Ranch into the successful business it used to be, and even more challenging will be making the place their home.

Carlos, Troy, and Will met in Where There’s a Will. They found each other and a love not many people could imagine. It worked for them, and they’ve been handed a chance at a new life and a home of their own.

The Mossy Glenn Ranch, owned by three siblings, Nick, Rory, and Annabelle, used to be flush with success. Then the previous owners destroyed almost everything, selling their heritage right out from under the three.

They bought part of it back, and asked Carlos and his partners to make the place successful again. It’s a chance he grabs with both hands once his guys agree, but there are challenges for all of them, and Will’s desire to make the place specifically LGBT-employee friendly and safe may cause more trouble than they already find when the get to their new home.

From a situation in town that reminds Will all too much of his own abusive past, to the surprising support of many of the townsfolk, the trio find themselves facing new challenges and reaching for the love and support that grows stronger between them.

Reader Advisory: This book contains mild BDSM: spanking and bondage.

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/chaps-and-hope

 

Review: This is book one in the Mossy Glenn Ranch Series but comes as a spin-off from the Love in Xxchange series. I will have to say it may be good to read the other series to figure to more about these guys.

Quick rundown: Carlos, Troy and Will are heading to Montana for Texas to rebuild and reopen the Mossy Glenn Ranch for their friends and start their life together. When they get there, the ranch has been vandalized and they find they have a lot of work cut out for them.

This story held a lot of promise. There was lots of sex. I have to say about 80 per cent sex. That’s not a bad thing the sex is hot, though at times I felt it was a little repetitive. I expected more to come in a story about the people they hired, the incident in town etc., most of that was skimmed over and the sex took too much precedence.  Having said that, I thought the bdsm was pretty hot and appreciated the fact that this ménage did not centre on just one of the three.  All three focused on each other well. I would have liked to have more story and more about the other people they hired.  I will say the home movie scene…. SMOKIN!!!!!

I recommend this if you like ménage, fetishes (breath, bondage, spanking and fisting though it’s not super explicit) hot cowboys and really hot mansex this is for you!

Silent Secrets by Lynn Hagen

17561348Title: Silent Secrets

Series: Brac Village, Book Number 2

Author: Lynn Hagen

Length: Novel (129 Pages)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc (April 22nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: Priest Mosley moved to Brac Village to start over. He wanted a quiet place to settle down and start his own business. What he hadn’t expected was Randy. Priest isn’t sure about the small man’s advances, but what catch his interest are the bruises he sees on the man’s body.

Randy Pomell was working his dream job at the local floral shop. But his nightmare wouldn’t go away. His uncle’s abuse was escalating, and Randy didn’t see any way out. When Uncle Fred goes too far and Randy ends up in the hospital, he knows he can’t keep living this way.

Can Randy find a way to break the silence, or will Fred go too far? Priest decides to befriend Randy just to find out who his abuser is, but what he finds leaves him speechless and questioning his very sanity.

Product Link:http://www.bookstrand.com/silent-secrets

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This is a very good book with a wonderful story line. I love the characters. They are so believable. Priest is a human and Randy is a wolf. Priest moved to Brac Village to start over, get a fresh new start after his divorce. He opened a bar-be-cue restaurant and was getting his fresh start, when in walked Randy. Randy, was a quiet kind of guy, with a very violent life. His uncle appeared to be this sweet old man who looked out for his nephew, but appearances were deceiving. Priest wasn’t to sure of Randy’s eyes devouring him when they first met, but when he noticed the bruises he knew he had to help. After losing a friend to abuse, he wasn’t going to let this happen to Randy, but what he didn’t know was that it was Randy’s uncle causing them. He didn’t know about the paranormal world, till Randy got beat so bad it put him in the hospital, when the doc told him about his mate and how to take care of him. The danger kept coming till he knew he had to take the uncle down. I can’t wait to read book three of this series.

The Hearts of Yesteryear by Vivien Dean

51tduJ9XjeLTitle: The Hearts of Yesteryear

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novella (92 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill (September 22nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Throughout his career, actor John Paravati has stuck with the line he sold to the gossip rags—he’s been in like, been in lust, even been in respect once or twice, but never love. It works for him. After all, the only thing he’s ever cared about is performing, and if he’s stuck now doing commercials for cruise lines to pay his bills, at least it’s better than shilling adult diapers.

But people in Hollywood are pros at pretending, and John is the master of them all. Because once upon a time, in the world of his youth, he loved two things with all his heart—his best friend Frank and the movie palace he used as sanctuary.

More than fifty years ago, John ran away from his hometown, never to look back. Now, someone has decided to restore the theater he left behind, and they want John to be a part of its relaunch. Though the memories still sting, he swallows his pride and agrees to go, even if it means finally dealing with the heartache he’s ignored all this time. At seventy-seven, he’s too old to continue holding onto the hurt. The question is, however, is he too old to start over once it’s gone?

Purchase Link:  http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/HeartsYesteryear.html

Review: John left his hometown in his twenties after his heart was crushed. He became a successful actor and now 50 years later the memories are all brought up in an invitation to go back to the grand opening of the restoration of the theatre there.

This is a very well written sweet story about a man’s past coming back to haunt him. It’s also a starch reminder that so long ago gay lifestyles were less accepted than they are nowadays causing many young men to deny themselves of whom they really are and who they truly loved.

I also really loved that the characters were older men (in their seventies) and well established in their lives. It goes to show that love can be found no matter what the age, that all of us have needs and desires and hurts.  Well done!!

I highly recommend this to anyone that likes older characters, actors, military men and a very sweet love story.

One Good Man by Talia Carmichael

18455009Title: One Good Man

Series:   Book 4 in the Impressions Series

Author: Talia Carmichael

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (116 pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (October 11th, 2013)

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:   When a man who has lost his belief that there are any good men meets a man who sees inside his hidden depths, he’s unsure what to do…

Gabriel Simmons loves his work at Vaughn Choppers. Building custom bikes and restoring cars is his passion. He has a knack for it and for bringing out their hidden depths. The man he meets while doing a favor for his boss and friend tests him, drawing him out of his shell. He wants to find out what makes Mace tick. The man resists him yet looks at him as if he wants all Gabe has to give. Gabe is more than willing to take him up on the offer he sees in his eyes. But first, he needs to get Mace to verbalize his desires.

Mace Hutton is being driven daft by a man who is nothing like any other man he has been attracted to. Gabe is a danger to his hard-fought plan to keep free from entanglements. The contrast of his big bear of a man size and his gentleness makes Mace long to feel Gabe’s touch. He can’t take the chance…yet Mace cannot get the man out of his mind. He’s been burnt enough to know there are no good men out there. Or have his assumptions been wrong? Is there one good man who is just right for him?

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/one-good-man

Review: If you are a gearhead, you will love this book. There are lots of great descriptions of cars and renovations and all the things that gearheads like. This serves to create the connection between Gabe and Mace. In betwixt and juxtaposed within all the gearhead information, there is a story about trust and acceptance. I’m never one to recommend shorter, but I think that this could have been more effective had it been shorter. Yes it would mean cutting out some of the car discussions and some information that didn’t move the story forward.

I loved the interaction with some of the secondary characters, especially Gabe’s family.  Mace’s mother, Susan, was also a key secondary character and both Gabe’s and Mace’s interaction with her was well written and pivotal to Gabe and Mace’s HEA.

The development of the relationship between both men is believable and you do feel that both men want to be together, but that there is something holding them apart, ergo Mace. The final conflict is understandable and comes so late in the story, but that must be resolved quickly to lead to the HEA and so it seemed a little rushed rather than being something the reader could anticipate. However, the author had already set up the reader to want to root for the couple so all’s well that ends well. So grab a beer and some pretzels and you’ll be ready to enjoy this ride.

Snowflake by Ash Penn

pennash_snowflake_coverinTitle: Snowflake

Author: Ash Penn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel (136 pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (September 11th, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Closeted eighteen-year-old Steve Chiverton’s fantasy boyfriend is Beau Mason, a quiet and reserved older man who lives on the edge of the village. A man who barely knows Steve exists. Amateur artist Beau’s fantasy is Rick Angell, international rock star and the fuel of many an erotic dream.

Temptation is the hottest club in town, and Steve’s there looking for a boyfriend who can tear down his walls of secrecy. Beau’s there too, looking for indiscriminate sex to ease the pain of a broken relationship. When Beau suffers a minor asthma attack, Steve sees his chance to play rescuer and jumps at the chance to escort his fantasy home.

The sex they enjoy is more intense than Steve’s virginal imagination could ever have supplied. Beau is everything he could want in a boyfriend and far more besides. The unexpected arrival of Beau’s ex-lover sends Steve’s dream-come-true crashing around his ears. How can he possibly compete for Beau affections with Rick Angell, world-famous rock star, public heterosexual and bedroom user of Beau’s affections and body?

  • Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/snowflake-1.html

Review: I first read this book last year and somehow it got rooted in my mind. Back then I was not is a good state of mind and somehow what I got out of this book was distorted. When I finished reading it and started writing the review I felt that I wasn’t doing this book any justice, or even being objective, but I was rather projecting my own feelings, thus I stopped and simply left it alone.

Now a year later I picked it up again, even suggesting it as a book read for our weekly chat. One entire year passed by and this book has been haunting me, even my dreams. Why? I simply hate it when I don’t give something/someone their due.

So here it is:

This is the love story of Beau and Steve who live in a tiny village in South England. Beau is one of my favorite characters appearance-wise. He’s an albino, white hair, white eyelashes, and pale translucent skin. He’s gorgeous the way this author describes him, he’s beautiful the way Steve sees him, and he’s an angel the way his lover feels for him. You would think Beau is a self-assured confident man…

Steve is a young man who has never fell in love or in lust with anyone male or female. Or perhaps we should say he has an infatuation verging to obsession with Beau. Unfortunately, Beau thinks of his as a homophobic and he quite literally thinks Steve wants to harm him.

Rick is a famous rock star who has for year been Beau’s lover when nobody’s looking, or should we say Beau has been his dirty secret stashed away in remote villages when off the spotlight.

This book is quite the emotional ménage with Beau trying to leave his lover, who can never be more than that, Steve wanting to have a relationship with a man who is ten years his elder and afraid of him, and Rick trying to keep his kept man despite the fact that everything has been over for a long time.

This is a mix of a melancholy read, with some delicious romantic scenes, some frustrating one’s (I admit I would have kicked Richie’s butt a bit more) and a whole lot of love in a very easy to read novel. I felt sad for Beau at the beginning, so much so that I didn’t want to keep reading it. He gave me the impression of being a self-destructive character, I almost thought he wouldn’t be able to stand tall and escape that dead-end relationship. Steve on the other end was a character that surprised me, although I think most of his “good” points came from the fact that he was too overwhelmed to react hence waited it out and in the meantime gave it the chance for every intel he got to sink and make a decision. If he was a bit more hotheaded, I don’t think there would be a happy ending there. But I loved him, and his sweetness. He was indeed a character that deserved all the snuggling and cuddling. As for Richie, oh dear, they say when you write a story you need to make the villain as good as or better than the protagonist. Well, mission accomplished; Richie was indeed the character that made you despise him, want to kick him, want to strangle him, yet deep down want to shake him and make him see light. He was not so bad as he was spoiled, and in the end, I didn’t know if I should say good riddance or feel sorry for him.

So the romantic story here I liked it, even though there was that instant love thingy that has me reeling. I just can’t go around that thing. But all in all, I liked how it all went down, I liked the end and as for the erotic part, I have one word: HOT! Steve and Beau felt right to me and they had it, they had all the sensuality and eroticism I needed to make this read right!

As for Bone, thank God that dog wasn’t a Chihuahua. She is the start of this book for sure!

Recommended for everyone who loves a good romance. Enjoy!

The Gentleman and the Rogue

7871930Title:  The Gentleman and the Rogue, 1st edition

Author: Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon 

Genre:   Historical Romance

Length:  Novel (163 pages)

Publisher:  Loose ID (March 17th 2010)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:   A lad from the streets meets a lord of the manor…

When Crimean war veteran Sir Alan Watleigh goes searching for sex, he never imagines the street rat he brings home for one last bit of pleasure in his darkest hour will be the man who hauls him back from the edge of the grave.

A night of meaningless sex turns into an offer of permanent employment. As Alan’s valet, Jem offers much more than polished boots and starched cravats. He makes Alan smile and warms his bed. Just as the men are adjusting to their new living arrangement, news about a former soldier under his command sends Sir Watleigh and Jem on the road to save a child in danger.

The journey brings them closer together as they travel from lust toward love. But is Alan’s love strong enough to risk society discovering the truth about him?

Product Link:  http://www.audible.com/search?advsearchKeywords=The+Gentleman+and+the+Rogue

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Alan Watleigh is a war veteran and a sodomite. He loathes himself for his secret attraction to men. He sets out to quench his thirst one last time before he ends his miserable existence. The last thing he expected to find in the dark gutters of the streets is the man that will breathe life back into his dying soul.

Jem is a homeless whore that sells himself for security and survival. As Alan, he has always known that his a

2nd edition, released Published March 13th 2013 by Duet Publishing
2nd edition, released
Published March 13th 2013 by Duet Publishing

ttraction was held only by the same sex. But when his mother, a whore herself, learned of his persuasion she disowned him and threw him out. Jem has done what he had to do over the years to stay alive and has become a decent rogue thief. Will Alan be his next mark?

What these two find in each other is the strength to become the men they should be. Jem is young and vivacious. He can make Alan smile even in the darkest times. Alan was ready to end his life until he found Jem. But Jem woke something up inside Alan and he makes him feel more alive than he ever has. Now he’s torn between his growing feelings for the young cad, and his desperation to keep his sexuality a secret.

I loved the concept of this story. The homeless kid from the streets full of piss and vinegar meets Mr. Darcy in all his ruffles and refinery.

The narration left a lot to be desired though. It ruined part of the book for me. It was liken to listening to an instruction manual on assembling a desk! I would still recommend this BOOK for your viewing pleasure, but skip the audio as it will turn you off what otherwise is an excellent story of struggle and loss and then the joy of finding love in the last place you expected it.

Thankfully I have this book on my Kindle as well so I can go back and read it, once I wash the bitter taste of the narration out of my mouth. ** Note; my 3 star review is based in huge part on the narration **

Needing by Sarah Masters

2337Title: Needing    

Series: Voices 01 

Author: Sarah Masters     

Genre: Paranormal, Crime      

Length: Novella (164pgs)     

Publisher: Totally Bound (11th October 2013) Available up to 4 weeks early with TEB VIP club.   

Heat Level: Moderate     

Heart Rating: ♥♥ 1½ -2 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Getting calls from the dead in the middle of the night isn’t Oliver’s idea of fun…

Oliver gets calls from the dead, imploring him to help them find their killers. He’s heard them since he was a child and now assists the police in their investigations. He works closely with Detective Langham—and has steadily fallen more in love with him every day of the six months he’s known him. But does Langham feel the same? Is Langham even gay?

When Oliver answers the call of a dead woman, he finds himself standing in a remote field, gazing down at her corpse. Someone else is out there with him, though, watching, waiting to cause him harm. After he’s run off the road, Oliver has no choice but to aid Langham in finding her killer—no choice because more people are killed and more people call out to him…he’s unable to ignore their pleas.

As the body count grows and the investigation becomes more complex, Oliver realizes that Langham is indeed very gay—and out to make Oliver his.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of excessive violence which some readers might find upsetting, including kidnap and imprisonment of children with enforced drug taking, mutilation of other victims, extraction of a fetus and implied child sexual abuse.     

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/needing   

Review: Oliver is called by the dead to find their killers and assists the police in locating dead bodies. His contact is Detective Langham, a man he has found himself falling in love with, but he doesn’t even know if Langham is gay. Oliver finds himself in the middle of a field after answering the call of a dead woman. Soon after, he is chased and driven off the road and Oliver knows it is the killer. Langham and Oliver work closer than ever before to track down the killer and the mystery of the sugar strands. As more bodies pile up, suspicion is rampant, and Langham makes his move. Making it clear to Oliver, just how gay he is.

This story has a great premise of a psychic helping the police solve murders. But I found it sadly lacking in some areas. Oliver goes when the voices call. He goes to the bodies of the recently murdered and he helps the police locate the killers. But this new murder hits closer to home, when he realizes he interrupted the killer. Oliver is also in love with his police contact, Langham. And it is an awkward dance, as the two finally change their relationship in the midst of the investigation. There is also the chase to catch the killer, as more people are murdered in brutal fashion. It is gory and bloody, and they discover that children are being experimented on.  

The relationship between Langham and Oliver was confusing. At first, because they were constantly picking at each other and cursing each other out. I would not have called it a friendship at all. But, then Oliver explains it is just the way they are with each other. Their relationship heats up, as they work closely together and they track the leads. They face some homophobia from a fellow detective, but don’t let it affect what is developing between them. The one thing that got me more than anything was that we never learn Langham’s first name. Oliver only ever calls him Langham and even thinks of him that way …all the time. it made me feel the lack of real intimacy between them.  

I really wanted to love this story, because the blurb pulled me right in, but I just couldn’t. The storyline and plot were pretty good with the mystery of the murders and who was behind it all. And the investigation into the murder/s was exciting and intriguing, but, (and this is where I vent like a teenager) I gather that the setting is in England. And while the author has done a fair job with the investigation, she should have watched reruns of The Bill (an old British cop show) or A Touch of Frost (British CID drama) to see the real workings of the ‘Detectives’ in England. (CID is the Criminal Investigation Department or Coppers in Disguise, LOL)         

I will recommend this to those who don’t have a clue about British police, who love psychics and murder investigations, love mystery and mayhem, a relationship that is both frustrating and passionate, and a pretty good ending.

Fated for Forever by Alanea Alder

18627859Title: Fated for Forever

Series:   Kindred of Arcadia 03

Author: Alanea Alder

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal

Length:   Novel (180 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc., October 2013

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli (Mandingo)

Blurb:  Ashby Fairfax has always looked for love in the wrong places. His last attempt left him running from an abusive boyfriend. Since coming to Arkadia, life has been great. He finally has the family he has always craved. Only one thing is missing, his mate. But how can a small-town fox shifter be mated to a vampire prince? Prince Gabriel has led his people through the ages and into the twenty-first century. He is on the verge of losing his soul when he catches the scent of what may be his mate. Once Ashby is confirmed as his, it seems their troubles begin.  Someone is after Ashby. Gabriel’s entire coven rallies around their new prince and for the first time in his existence, Gabriel experiences bone-numbing fear. Can he find the strength to send Ashby to Arkadia to ensure his safety? And will he be able to eliminate the threat before he loses his reason for living?

Purchase Link:   http://www.bookstrand.com/fated-for-forever

Review: And these are the kind of series books I like. Ones that can stand alone, but that give the reader enough information so that all the secondary characters make sense within the context of the current story. This glimpse into the lives of the secondary characters often make a reader want to read the other stories – great author strategy.

I am endlessly fascinated by the rules that authors come up with for paranormals.  Most of us were raised with basic vampire and werewolf stories. However, authors in the paranormal genre have played with the rules by creating new norms and archetypes.   As such, writers have been able to create endless plotlines of love between paranormals.  At the heart of many paranormal love stories is the theme of love overcoming prejudice and opposites attracting as the key conflict and crisis.  This story is no different. A fennec fox shifter who represents the small quintessential twink mated to the world’s oldest vampire, the larger more powerful dominant partner.  In this story, however, the strength of the smaller man is really the key to the couples HEA.  It is he who must find his inner strength to save his immortal lover’s humanity and ultimately the coven. In doing so, the final theme of acceptance and inclusion is achieved. The themes of love, friendship and that you create the family that is important to you, is really what makes this book heart warming.  And of course, there are hot men, lots of monkey sex and you couldn’t have a paranormal story without there being the bad guys who have to be taken down by any means necessary, so that the main characters can battle their way back to each other and a life of eternal bliss.

Justice by Bailey Bradford

4906867 Title: Justice

Author:  Bailey Bradford

Genre:  Gay/Paranormal/Shifters

Length:  Novella (145 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (October 4th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Recovering from his past might cost Paul Hardy his life. 

Paul Hardy has been rescued from a human trafficking ring, but he isn’t free. The experience has left him traumatized and unable to dig himself out of his past. He’s learned things no one ever should—including that shifters exist and are every bit as vicious as the beasts they become. 

Snow leopard shifter Justice Chalmers spent ten years in the Marines before moving back to Phoenix and working hard to get his dream job. Being a cop is all he’s ever wanted. When his younger sister needs someone to drive her to their Grandma Marybeth’s place in Colorado so she can try to help a human man with her new therapy license, Justice steps up to help her out, never imagining that he’ll meet his mate. 

Justice and Paul won’t have it easy. Not only does Paul have serious issues from his ordeal, his fear of shifters makes him a leery mate. 

And someone wants to silence him permanently…

Reader Advisory: This book contains reference to past sexual abuse.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2330

Review:  In this story, the author deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse, showing that any person can need some help at some point in their lives. While Paul wasn’t necessarily a very easy character to like, you did understand what had made him the way he became. Bailey gives you a very real and gritty look at the physical and psychological changes that a person goes through to deal with long-term abuse. I loved that she had someone there to help Paul, someone who had his or her own issues to deal with.  Life is messy but can be dealt with when you have lots of love and people who care.

Paul thinks he’s dealt with or is dealing with what has happened to him. If he’s in constant control of the sex, then he’s not a victim anymore. Except he’s not dealing with it, he’s just existing from day-to-day, taking no joy from anything left in his life. Not even the sex. Putting himself in danger for sex that he doesn’t even enjoy, and getting lax in the precautions he’s taken, he realizes that maybe he does need the help his brother, Preston says he does. When his past abuse catches up with him in the form of the wolf shifters, he escaped from, he’s in more trouble and now he knows it.

Justice is an officer of the law and a snow leopard shifter who just happens to live in Phoenix. When his sister who’s just gotten her degree in psychology is asked to help the brother of one of their long-lost relatives, well you can’t say no to family. And asked to drive her to help Paul, since because of her own drama, Justice does.

The road to love and a happy ever after is going to be long and painful for both Paul and Justice.  Paul has to work through his disengagement of feelings and need for control in sex. And he needs to deal with his fear of shifters, since Justice is one and his mate. Justice needs to stay patience and be there for Paul.

In the mix of all this is the relative who’s mated to a wolf, which Paul still has an uncontrollable fear of. Add a Shaman, who is hunting down the shifters who kidnapped and abused Paul, long-lost relatives and Grandma Marybeth, who is a feisty hoot in all of these Leopard Spot books.

This is book ten, and these do need to be read in order to understand the background and the building of the relationships.

Hat Trick by Jeff Adams

18374742Title:   Hat Trick

Author: Jeff Adams

Genre:   Contemporary, Young Adult

Length: Novel (274 pages)

Publisher: Queerteen Press, September 7, 2013

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts ~ Liked it a lot

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Simon Roberts’ plan for his senior year is simple — help his high school hockey team win the state championship and earn a college scholarship so he can get away from his dysfunctional family, especially his belligerent father and obnoxious older brother.

When the Central High Falcons open their season with an away game, Simon is forced to deal with the problem he’s struggled with for months — his crush on teammate Alex Miller. After the game that night, Alex makes an unexpected announcement — he’s gay, and in love with Simon.

Simon’s elated but scared to openly acknowledge that he’s gay, especially with so much at stake in their senior year. Now that they are out to each other, they have to decide what to do next. Should they date? Should they keep things between them secret? What about the team? Can Simon and Alex hide that they’re more than friends from the guys they spend so much time with?

Then a simple kiss is witnessed and their secret is out. The team fractures, and Simon’s family explodes as news about the gay hockey players quickly spreads. The guys must figure out how to move forward with everyone watching. Being the center of attention was in no way part of Simon’s plan for the year.

Can Simon juggle school, commitments to the team, his new relationship, and an unexpected tragedy all before the end of the hockey season?

Purchase Link:   http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=98&zenid=a08m3v7a6rdepij8ddko98dpl2

Review: Okay let me start by saying that I’m not a lover of the YA genre. I tend to get squicked out by underage loving.  Nevertheless, I read the blurb and thought, hmmm, this looks interesting and I’m always about a coming out story that involves sports. It’s such a closeted group that they are rife to have those boys busting out the closet.

So where do I start. Well the beginning is generally good.  The book was a cornucopia of themes and they all blended so well together. By the time I was finished reading the novel, I realized that the author had done the whole ying/yang thing. For every negative he presented, he presented a mirror positive. So in the novel you see a family who embraces their gay son while another does not. You see an example of a bad brother unable to accept his gay sibling and another who not only embraces that sibling but also goes out of his way to do special things for him.  You see examples of good friendships and bad friendships, good marriages and bad marriages.

So balance became what was most important in this story – the ability for the main characters, Simon and Alex to find balance in their lives and in their relationships.  I hate giving away plot lines or secrets to a book and this novel is chock full of them.  Alex and Simon fall into a relationship almost immediately and it takes a while before the first conflict in the book arises with their coming out to friends and family. Once that is overcome, the reader is left wondering well if this is resolved, then what’s left? A bunch I can tell you.

Well the author takes the reader on a quite a journey. There is quite a bit of drama.  There is being kicked out of the house, fights, death, destruction, police kidnapping, jail time, divorce and just to add a lighter note, dancing at the spring formal and prom. Alex and Simon spend their senior year moving from being teenagers to becoming young men. They spend that year learning not only who they are, but also what is really important to them. They are placed in a situation where they must grow up very quickly to manage the changing dynamics around them. They must make choices about the men they will become and the couple they choose to be. Their decisions make the people around them, family and friends also have to make decisions about who they will be and how they will treat them – battle lines will be drawn and Alex and Simon must manage and overcome those adversities. Oh and with all that they are spectacular hockey players who manage to snag scholarships to college.

Alex and Simon become role models not only for unknown youth out there as their story is made public, but they become role models for their friends and family as well. They become unlikely heroes in a world often devoid of them.  My main aim when reading a book is to determine the writer’s aim and in a YA book, it is often to teach young people some vital lesson. This book does a great job of crafting a great love story that is appropriate for the audience, but also offers what I’m sure as some outstanding commentaries on hockey.

The writing is very appropriate for the audience. All in all, two enthusiastic thumbs up!

In a Dark Wood by Josh Lanyon

71u4EQnqORL._SL1280_Title: In A Dark Wood

Series: Part of Arresting Developments anthology, has a sequel also: The Parting Glass

Author: Josh Lanyon

Genre: Murder/Mystery

Length: Short Story (37 pages)

Publisher: JustJoshin (January 28th, 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: (Part of Arresting Developments anthology)

In a dark, dark wood there was a dark, dark house…

Camping in the Jersey Pine Barrens may literally turn out to be a first date from hell for travel writer Tim and the cute cop who persuades him to revisit a past that Tim has done his best to forget.

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/In-a-Dark-Wood-ebook/dp/B004LGS79U

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: I like how this short story flashes around in time, and while it’s a horror story about a serial killer in the woods, it’s also about darker, scarier things like alcoholism and codependency. And oh yes, a very harsh first date between detective Luke O’Brien and Tim the travel writer. There is plenty of action, suspense, and viable characters. One of the very reasons Lanyon is among my favorite authors is this added layer to his characters, they are flawed, they are believable, and there is always some bit of dark undertone to them. Great read, short, dark and a bit gritty…be sure to add The Parting Glass to your list, it fits this book tongue in groove.

Naked Temptation by Jay Di Meo

71NGebCwHsL._SL1200_Title:  Naked Temptation

Author: Jay Di Meo 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novella (46 pages)

Publisher:  A JAY pyblishing (May 20th 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Blurb:   When Daniel joins the monastery on the island of Andros to escape his violent family, he thinks he has found peace. Two years later, vivid sexual dreams with a gorgeous male demon test his loyalty to the strictness of monastic life and make him wonder if he’s made a huge mistake in striving for purity…

Gay Erotic Romance novella (46 pages / 21.000 words) / explicit same sex scenes, nudity and profanity.

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00851HHNO

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Short, Sexy and Steamy… my three favorite colors! This book hit the ground running with Daniels demon pleasing him from the first sentence.

At just sixteen years old Daniel left his family and joined the monastery. Two years later and Daniel is having a definite crisis of faith. He’s having waking dreams of a sexy demon with long, flowing black hair and exquisite green eyes that seem to see deep into his very soul. He struggles with what he’s always been told that such acts are deviant and evil coupling that with the feelings of pleasure, comfort, and home he has when his demon visits him.

Soon Daniel decides that what he feels can’t possibly be wrong, can’t possibly be a sin and decides to leave the monastery. The series of events that follow bring Daniel face to face with his demons and opens up the possibility of a life with love and happiness. I can’t say more than that, it would give too much away. Just like previous books I’ve read from Di Meo, this book has a couple of very compelling characters and a gripping story to keep the reader intrigued. And the sex is off the chains, oh my good god, H.O.double t HOT!!!

Angelic Ties by Jana Downs

13605103Title: Angelic Ties

Series: His Guardian Angels 02

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Paranormal, Angels, M/M/M/M/M/M

Length: Novella (99pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (14th April 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Madigan Parker thought accepting a relationship with his five guardian angels was difficult. He’s learning that being in a relationship with all of them is more difficult as personalities clash. Bren still distrusts Cross, Yuri believes he’s the odd man out, and Michel is just too nice to put his foot down with any of them. While Dex is the only one admitting to the mutual affection and attraction that is growing between them, Madigan has his hands full.

He wants to take back his life and reopen his business. But being a baker proves difficult as old enemies circle closer, and keeping his lovers safe proves to be a lot trickier than Madigan originally thought. Torn between the life he had and the new life awaiting him, he has to decide if staying in the town he calls home is worth the risk to his men and to his heart.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/angelic-ties

Review: Madigan thought that by accepting and bonding with his angels that he would be safe but it doesn’t work properly if the angels aren’t bonding as well, so Madigan gives them a helping hand but the hunters are determined and finds a new way to hunt.

This is a well-written novella that gives us the hot sex and interesting story line that we expect from Jana Downs (you spoilt us ;-)). Madigan is upset to learn that he can’t go back to work like he wants to because the angels haven’t been bonding properly so he sets the law down and gives his angels a helping hand. Dex, Michel, Yuri, Cross and Bren all try to come to terms with the relationship but it isn’t smooth riding for them and there are more than a few hiccups as they all try to form a relationship that suits them all.

These characters are all great men err… angels and Nephilim each with a personality that is uniquely them, each one has his own doubts to overcome as they bond with each other and Madigan has a lot to think about because when asked he had never even thought of admitting to his mother his new relationship. We get lots of really hot sex between these men some one on one, some ménage but always a hot and passionate experience.

I loved the added characters and the plot twist with the hunters was great and the new information that they received has added an interesting quest that I can’t wait to see unfold. There’s danger, injuries, hurt feelings, explanations and making up sex ;-). So if you enjoy any of that then I recommend you get this book and enjoy. Happy reading.   

Kissing Reno by Lynn Hagen

17561350Title: Kissing Reno

Series: Brac Village Book, Number 3

Author: Lynn Hagen

Length: Novella (124 Pages)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc ( April 29th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: Reno Davis is new to Brac Village, transferring into the local fire department. He loves his solitude and the freedom he feels when riding his motorcycle on the open road. But when he visits the local bakery to pick up some sweets for the firehouse, he discovers his mate and is now under the pull of the mating dance.

Baker Cross learned about the paranormal world when he was hired to work at Sweet Delight. His boss, Kenway, is a buffalo shifter. Baker is fine with that. But when a coyote shifter grabs him in the middle of the shop and kisses him with such passion and desire, Baker knows he is in trouble.

Reno stalks Baker, playing cat and mouse until he knows Baker will give in to his desires and let the coyote claim him. It is part of the mating dance, and Reno is looking forward to catching his mate. But when a crooked cop sets his sights on Reno, the true stalking begins.

Product Link:  http://www.bookstrand.com/kissing-reno

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Reno is a fireman/coyote shifter and had just transferred to the local fire station of Brac Village. He meets his mate, a human who just found out about shifters, at the local bakery. Baker isn’t too sure what to think, when a man comes into the shop and kisses him with everything the man has. Baker does just not sure about the man himself, not know at first who the man is or what he is. However, as a coyote shifter Reno was taught that there had to be a mating dance game when you met your mate. Not realizing, that it doesn’t always go the same way for each coyote. However, this cop wanted to make Reno’s life a living hell, and Reno realizes what a true cat and mouse game it was. Baker wants his mate. He just wasn’t sure who was crazier.

This is a wonderful book with a lot of colorful characters. I can’t wait to read the next book.

End in Tears by Thomas Kearnes

91WwlsgDvAL._SL1500_Title: End in Tears

Author: Thomas Kearnes

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (20pages)

Publisher: JMS books (September 1st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Darren Young and his older lover Cutter Drake are a study in contrasts. Cutter has everything: success, confidence, looks, and a kinky sexual appetite. Still in college, Darren is unsure of most things, except his love for Cutter.

It is during their weekly visits to a bathhouse in Dallas where a reluctant Darren indulges some of Cutter’s more bizarre sexual demands. What choice does he have? Cutter could have anyone, but he loves Darren, Darren can see it in his eyes.

This trip to the bathhouse promises to end in tears, but whose, and why?

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=908

Review: This was an interesting story. Darren is obviously very love-struck on Cutter. Cutter is an older man with some kinks. There is a surprising twist that sort of left me confused in the end. I would have loved for this story to have been longer to clear this up.  Having said this, I do like this story I love this authors deep emotional style, though I would like to see a full-length story. The stories deal with hard subjects in this case drugs, and kinky sex habits. I really could feel Darren’s pain and love for Cutter.

If you like, short stories dealing with emotions, sexual kinks and drugs this one is for you.

Torquere 2013 Charity Sip Blitz Complete Package

18518351Title: 2013 Charity Sip Blitz Complete Package

Length: 25 Short Stories

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th, 2013)

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Welcome to the 2013-2014 Sip Blitz, which is all about all of those who proudly serve and protect all of us!

Who can resist a sexy uniform? From military to medical and police to paramedics; from soldiers of history to starships of the future; from simply sweet to scorching hot, these stories about those in uniformed service — and those who love them — will make you laugh and cry in all the best ways.

And since the authors have generously volunteered to donate their proceeds (an amount which Torquere Press will match) to the OutServe charity organization, you get to feel good about this collection before you’ve even cracked the cover!

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=4012

Review: The previous week I read all twenty-five stories this package contains. It was a long reading, but it was only a very interesting one. Twenty-five authors joined this event and in my opinion, each and every one of them made a great job with the theme of this collection.

And that brings me comment on the word “collection.” This is not an anthology. The stories in anthologies have a resembles that makes you feel as if you’re reading the same story over and over again, simply written from a different point of view. I didn’t feel that while reading this collection. Not one single story made me think “oh not again”. The variety of the genres was quite amazing. I was surprised to see from historical romance to sci-fi and futuristic. I felt in the end that this was a great accomplishment, and while I have no idea what the previous year’s collection was like, this was definitely worth reading.

So, while my rating for each individual story varied, I felt the entirety of them a well deserved ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts. If you are so inclined, I totally recommend the entire package. One thing is certain; it will keep you entertained for a long while.