Blurb: Connor had planned to spend his days painting and writing with only the memories of his lost love as his companion until he finds a badly wounded wolf in the forest.
Connor built his cabin to be alone, to escape, and to live with the memories of his lost love. After he finds a wounded wolf in the forest, he nurses him back to health and falls in love with the animal. He decides to keep the wolf as his companion and calls him Silver. Little does he know what else Silver will bring into his life and how everything will change in the months following the rescue.
Review: I have always loved paranormal romance especially those with twist and turns as this one did. It was a bit hard to follow though, however it did keep my attention from the beginning to the end. It was told in a serious way with just a bit of humor. It was a pretty entertaining story line.
Connor had lost the love of his life to an accident and from then on had become a recluse, sort of. However when he came across an injured wolf, he was surprised to find out that wolf was a shifter who did not have any memory of name or history. He had named him Silver while he was a wolf and just kept calling him that afterwards. He had been sad for so long, now the feelings were coming up slowly. Silver comes off as an alpha of some sort, but was tender and very loving.
There was little sex in this story. However, you know from the moment that Connor starts trusting Silver that it will be hot and sensuous. There is lots of action and danger in this story, with lots of surprises in it. Shape shifting wolves is only one part of it. I did like this story, but wished that there was more history in each character, but it was pretty good.
I do hope that there more about them in the next book of this series and cannot wait to find out. I sat down with this and just sat there and read till the end. I didn’t want to take a break, not wanting to miss a bit of this story.
Publisher: Island Tales Press (December 23rd 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate to Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Rick Wentworth has had enough of one-night stands and quickies in clubs. It takes a night of uncharacteristic hedonism to make Rick admit what he really wants – someone to love him. But for that to happen, he needs to make some changes. Rick can do that. After all, what’s the alternative? And when he meets a guy who ticks all his boxes, he can’t believe his luck. His boss Blake Davis, and Blake’s fiancé Will Parkinson, however, aren’t convinced. They want to know more about Mr. Perfect, and their instincts are keener than Rick’s. Both men want to protect him. As it turns out, they needn’t have worried. Rick has a guardian angel…
When Angelo Tarallo sees Rick for the first time, it’s a match made in Heaven, as far as he’s concerned. And when he rescues Rick from danger, it gives him the opportunity to get to know the man who has captivated him. Before long, it’s plain to both men that this could lead somewhere. But when Angelo’s traditional Sicilian family finally discover what he’s been hiding from them for so long, an ultimatum spells heartache for the lovers – and worse.
Review: This is the second book in a series and though it can be read alone, you may want to read Making it Personal first to better understand some secondary characters within this book.
Rick Wentworth loves his job at Trinity Publishing. It’s his love life that leaves a little something to be desired. After his most recent night out that ended with an oh so sexy three-way, he reevaluates his priorities and decides to stop the clubbing and never-ending string of one night stands. He sees the way Blake (his boss) and Will (his best friend) look at each other and he wants what they have. So the next guy he meets that he has a connection with he decides to take things painfully slow. Too bad he turns out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Angelo Tarallo comes from a traditional large Italian family and his upbringing was strict and proper; in other words, he has morals and values. From the first time he sees Rick at the club, he is mesmerized. When Rick is in trouble one night, Angelo comes to the rescue and the two become fast friends. Neither man is willing to give up their heart easily though, so they slowly build a relationship that is based on trust and mutual attraction. But right as their slow burn is igniting, something happens to stifle the flames.
This story was all about choices, changes, and the lasting effect they have on people. Rick chooses to change not only his lifestyle, but also his way of thinking and he’s truly happier for it. But when Angelo allows his traditional family and their archaic way of thinking to make his choices for him, it just might destroy both their lives. I loved how Angelo made it his mission to court Rick. And how their backgrounds, that were as alike as they were different, defined the men they became.
A little something happened at the end of the story, a complete 360 that was slightly unrealistic to me, so I marked off a little for that. But overall, this was an engrossing read all about being the person YOU want to be. There was some pretty hot sex peppered in there as well! The threesome was hot, the Skype scene was scorching, and their first time was amazing!! But there is a solid storyline to wrap it all up in a nice little bow. Did you need to wonder? Yes, this is a must read.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: There once was a valley that was home to a powerful wolfshifter pack. Surrounding the valley was a mountain range where fae clans made their home. Most days, the two beings spared each other little thought, but the day before Yule was a special time. On that day, the fae rushed down from their mountains and hunted through the valley. It was a friendly tradition, though designed to remind the wolfshifters what it felt like to be prey.
Eadric, the son of the alpha chief of the Eoforwine pack, had recently turned of-age and so it was to be his first year to run during the Wild Hunt. Eadric was a beta, therefore a dominant wolfshifter, but the ranking had never sat completely at ease with him. He knew he was a leader among his pack, but he also felt the urge to submit to a mate. Those feelings came to a head when the purple-eyed fae, Cadeyrn, hunted him and, liking what he saw, challenged Eadric for the right to court him.
Now, Eadric has to live with the fae clan in a culture so different from his own. He has to decide if leaving his pack, the only home he’s ever known, for the love and dominance that Cadeyrn offers him is worth the risk…
Review: I have always loved paranormal love stories and this one is one of them.
It was told in such a way that it was easy to see it happening in front of me. You feel the excitement, the pain, and sorrow of separation from a family, the fear of mating with someone not of your species and the love of two men. Eadric never really understood what kind of wolf he was, told to be a dominate but he was also a submissive. He was kind, gentle, and scared out of his mind for a life that is so much different from the one he had. Cadeyrn knew with one look that he wanted Eadric. He was dominating, but gentle. Alpha, but caring for those who were not. You feel with each word the feelings that each man feels for the other, although you mainly hear it from Eadric’s point of view.
It is told in such a serious manner but you can read just a hint of humor. The sex, once they do have it, is full of passion and fire. This was such a different story that I have ever read, and I must say that Skylar Jaye just might have a hit on her hands. I wish for more on the ending, to see where they go from there, but it was still a wonderful story.
I actually want to read it once more for the jolt that it gave me.
Blurb: Officer Declan Grant responds to a call at the Hope Cove docks to find Lucas Hale barely alive after being beaten and tossed off his fishing boat. The violent crime rocks this tranquil community where everyone knows each other and doors are rarely locked. Despite Declan being new to Hope Cove, he wants to keep his new home and Lucas safe. He starts by volunteering to care for Lucas after he’s released from the hospital.
Lucas just wants to put the whole incident behind him and move on, but the more he gets to know Declan, the harder he finds it to push Declan and his do-right attitude away. The investigation into the assault continues, but Declan will soon face a moral dilemma, a choice that may topple his tidy life and force him to choose between Lucas and the law.
Review: This is the second book in a series that should be read in sequence if you truly want to appreciate the story, the town, and the characters.
Declan Grant has always known he wanted to be a cop. Even after a “scandal” at his former job with the Police Department in Austin left him broken and without a job, he still wanted to be a cop. Aimlessly driving trying to find himself, he wound up in Hope Cove and found not only himself, but also where he wanted to be. He finds himself questioning his morals and conscience when a routine call changes his life, irrevocably.
Lucas Hale never thought he’d amount to much. But, he’s as happy as he can be as a fisherman working odd jobs on various boats. When a mistaken mutual attraction almost costs him his life, he too finds his way to Hope cove and Declan. Lucas is fragile and beyond broken, he’s shattered. He’s afraid to be honest with anyone, especially himself, about who he is as it almost got him killed. But he can’t help the growing attraction for the tall, handsome deputy that apparently saved his life.
When Lucas moves into Declan’s home temporarily due to his injuries and no other options, the two quickly find their way into each other’s arms. These two can only do things slightly backwards and at light speed, and they seemingly fall in love almost overnight. When Declan accidentally breaks a promise he made to Lucas, he can’t get away from Declan fast enough. Can these newborn lovers get past their bruised egos and obvious issues with trust long enough to actually talk about what happened?
As I said this is definitely insta-love, but Ashwood added the appropriate amount of water. Both men have trust issues for similar reasons. But the way they fit together and complement each other like pieces of a puzzle was so well written and conveyed. Lucas is terribly troubled and haunted by what has happened to him, and he can only see what Declan did as a betrayal of trust, whether it was his intention or not. I loved how the author kept us abreast of the latest in Mack and Oliver’s life as well in this installment.
Ashwood certainly has a keen knowledge of the male anatomy, and it shows in every book she writes. Though Declan and Lucas don’t have earth shattering sex, they share a passion for each other that is undeniable, and it radiates off the pages. I most definitely recommend this book, this series, as well as Ashwood’s previous works. Read them all. Loved them all. Fantastic up and coming M/M writer!!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: Elias and his best friend/roommate Josh take the plunge and head to Palm Springs for one of the notorious gay circuit parties that take place in the lavish desert resort called The Oasis on holiday weekends. After a disastrous start, they find all the sex with all the hot bodies they could want. However, they find to their surprise that the real oasis…was right under their noses all along. Elias and Josh realize there is something else between them. Could their real oasis be…each other?
Review: Elias has always been one to hide his emotions from the ones he’s been with. But, he cannot hide the desire he feels for Josh. Josh has been hiding his emotions on the occasion but in the meantime, he’s been hiding a major crush on someone he’s been super close to.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. Josh and Elias make a great couple. Elias has had a rough year, but Josh is there for him. If you like, a good friends-to-lover read…The Oasis would be a great pick.
Blurb: Jack, Gray, and Mason have accepted that loves comes in many flavors and settled into a three-way relationship. Things haven’t been easy, and now that Mason has gone back to school and Gray is interested in a detective position, Jack is feeling lonely. His lovers aren’t around very often, and he misses lying around in bed, enjoying the benefits of living with two hot men. But Jack has secrets. He’s uncomfortable every time he puts his uniform on. He’s never recovered from seeing Mason held hostage, and he’s no longer sure he was meant to be a cop.
While stressing over his own future and facing pressure from Gray and Mason to bring their relationship out of the closet, Jack is severely wounded in the line of duty. His recovery, both physical and emotional might be more than their unconventional relationship can bear. Jack is going to need all the courage and support his lovers can give him if he’s going to bring himself back from the dead and create the life he wants to live.
Review: So much to balance, so many changes are coming quick for our newly formed threesome. Insecurities abound, mainly those of Jack’s: insecure in his job, his place alongside Gray, his goals for the future…all of these things are in limbo, distracting Jack on the job, and getting him hurt, causing him to fall into a dark depression. But hope and inspiration are around the corner in the form of a teen at a youth shelter in need of a mentor.
Jack winds up learning more from that young man than it seems. Maybe giving him a new goal, and a new understanding of how important his relationship with Gray and Mason are. That Jack should not be afraid to stand proud for who he loves and what he finds truly important.
Among all these unsettling developments, are plenty of sexual frustrations, steamy scenes, and adventures…Fitting In… has a completely sexual meaning!!!
Hey guys Thommie was surprised when Kol Anderson offered her the opportunity to bring a Giveaway of his new book Heart to all you lucky readers, so because Thommie has been such a good little minion I am letting her handle the Giveaway. Now just leave a comment and an email address and next Friday Thommie will pick a winner, so good luck guys 😉 ~Pixie~
Hello there dear readers and followers of MM Good Book Reviews. First off I hope you’ve had a nice Christmas and that everything went smoothly, if not according to plan. I just love this holidays and how tricky they are. We try so hard and make so many plans for the perfect dinner, the perfect gifts, and the perfect everything, only to have one small detail ruining it all. We immerse ourselves so much into expectations that we forget to simply live and enjoy.
And oh my, how much this talk is reminding me of a new release from a peculiar author. Yes, I’m talking about Heart by KolAnderson, which I had the pleasure of reading recently. Now, I say peculiar because those of you who are already acquainted with Kol’s work know that said work is a bit dark, hence this new title was a bit of a surprise. But I’ll say no more. You’ll have to read the review and comment down below for the chance to win a copy of this title.
And with that I’ll leave you to Kol’s thoughts and upcoming news. Enjoy!
Thommie
Kol Anderson:
It’s always a little exciting to watch the calendar change. Guess we all need a fresh start. But there’s no point in getting that fresh start if you’re going to make resolutions you can’t keep. Perhaps this year you can finally learn to accept yourself as you are, instead of desiring changes that other people have told you must be made. Maybe you don’t mind being overweight, but it bugs you that you’re not someone’s idea of pretty. No one can be someone’s idea of pretty forever, so what are you going to do when you reach the expiry date on your skin and body? Better to find someone who didn’t fall in love with you for all that in the first place.
Okay so, I know what you’re thinking—guy who practically lives to write dark stuff talking about love. How ironic. Well I can assure you we all want fairytales. Some of us are just led into believing that we’re never going to find it. So we become and take away other people’s happiness, or constantly keep putting ourselves down. Life is nothing but an image inside our heads. Some fantasy we create, every living moment to survive and there’s nothing wrong with that. My fantasy, is that I’m a writer—and it kind of seems like a lot of people are starting to believe it 😉
Oh yeah and by the way, HEART released. I’m still so lost in these characters and that world I can’t stop writing their stories. I’ve already begun work on the second book and the third one is completely planned. So there’s definitely going to be more.
Kol Anderson
“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”
― Oscar Wilde
Blurb: What if the person whose memory you held on to isn’t the person you thought he was?
Lucas Mayer is a hit-man, running from his past, and the one person he can think of having a future with is Roman Woodrow, a guy who’s always had trouble keeping steady relationships. Among the many addictions of Roman, is the devious and manipulative, Daniel Jones. But Lucas can’t give up Daniel’s secret without giving up his own.
Review: Ouch! Yes, that is the first thought/exclamation that hit my brain when this book ended. It was definitely a surprise ending, but then again the entire read was surprising.
Roman! Oh my God what a character; for half the read I thought he was a slut, for the second half that he was adorable, and in between I thought he was crazy or something definitely wrong with him for allowing things and people do what they did in his life. He’s such a complicated character that you have to be on your toes to understand the twists and turns his life gets. I was definitely shocked the first time he acted somehow unexpectedly and then started paying more attention to it all. I don’t know how to really feel about him though. You see, he meets this nice man, Luke – the fact he’s a hit man has nothing to do with how nice he is – yet he leaves him, even while giving him some faux hope that there might be something more for them in store. He meets him again three years later, and still he doesn’t take advantage of this beautiful thing that is right in front of his hands, but goes and gets involved with Daniel.
And oh my God, Daniel, could I wish for someone’s death more? I am speechless with how Daniel and Roman’s relationship started and, and continued (yes, the double “and” is intentional). I am speechless that Luke allowed it too. I am just speechless. But it happened and suddenly I’m finding myself reading a book where this wealthy guy is having a relationship with two men, one a con and the other a hit-man (he doesn’t know any of that of course) but I’m tearing my hair off by how he’s leading them both. Ah, frustrating!!! And just when I think I’ve figured things out, then everything turns around and laughs at my face for daring to think such a thing. Yeah, heads up, expect the unexpected or better yet, expect nothing and just let yourself go and feel whatever is given to you.
So, there were certain things that I liked and disliked. First of there were the sparse typos (hopefully it was just my copy that had them) throughout the book. Secondly and most important to my eyes was the assassin’s profile. For me that was a little bit hastily done. See none of the assassins I know (don’t ask) would have left a target alive in close range. They go and put one bullet in the heart and two on the head in order to avoid what actually happened in this book, a recovered target. I suppose the plot wouldn’t have flowed the way it was meant if the target died, but still the assassin’s profile failed big time there. The other was the fact that Luke tries for months to help Roman away from Daniel’s clutches, and I kept thinking the whole time why on ever-loving Earth doesn’t he put a bullet in his head? I mean, he’s a hit-man for crying out loud, why, oh why doesn’t he eliminate competition? Pff, such a wuss, made me think that he didn’t deserve Roman after all, especially when Daniel simply waltzed in and grabbed him.
And this brings me to the things I liked. Can you see the grin in my face? No? Imagine it then, because this book and its approach on the erotic parts will put one on your faces as well. Whew, what a stimulating part this was. From slow and loving to harsh and rough and tough, from vanilla to our of this earth bdsm, it had me panting and glowing and panting some more. I don’t know what I loved more Roman/Luke or Roman/Daniel when the sex scenes came out to play. Being a pervert deep in my heart I can’t say no to kinky stuff, even though the way that kink began had my hair standing, and often I wished, oh how much I wished damn Luke was a bit more aggressive instead of the ever-loving considerate partner. The merging of them two though was just fantastic and the end result was utterly erotic. The ménage was avoided however no matter how possible that seemed at some point, but for lovers of heavier kink there are some multiple partners scenes there too. Dark and delicious is what they are.
Overall this was a very interesting and quite surprising book, that wants you to be on your toes constantly, throwing twists of the plot at every turn and enhancing it with some heavy power erotica. You think this sounds interesting? I definitely recommend you give it a try. Enjoy!
Blurb: Four years ago, our world ended with the lightning fast spread of the wolfman plague. The lucky ones died. Men who survived became something from the Twilight Zone growing larger, stronger, and faster with better senses than we mere humans do. Oh, and aggressive? ‘Roid rage is nothing compared to these guys. They either wanted to kill it, fuck it or eat it, sometimes all three, and not in any particular order.
One of a few immune men, I live in a fortified compound with a couple dozen women, a bunch of kids and two asshole straight guys. Sounds like a man’s wet dream — unless you happen to be the last gay man standing. After a winter locked up with two guys I’ve got nothing in common with, a few dozen lonely women and about a dozen kids, I needed to get away. That’s how I ended up alone in that alley staring death in the face.
I expected to die, not find my future and someone to share it with. Not that it was all wine and roses what with angry wolfmen, militant women, and a threat none of us saw coming.
Review: Book 1 Apocalypse (89 pages, November 1st, 2010) is the perfect beginning to this book. It shows so much strength the humans and in the wolf-men. I found myself enjoying this book a little more than the others. It had a way about it that intrigued me. Daniel is the only gay man in a group of two straight and a bunch of women and children. Fed up with everything at the camp, he goes to the city to get supplies. Mace on the other hand is the alpha of his pack. Pack or rabid is what was left from the disease that ravaged the land. The way Mace feels is tender at times and cold at others. The way Daniel is treated by the others made me just want to shoot them all. The plot is intriguing and surprising. I sat at the edge of my seat through the whole story waiting for the next shoe to drop. The sex is OMG hot. The sex from the others in the pack were wild and passion field with possessive streaks added in. However, the sex between Mace and Daniel is tender and caring. When they are among pack, Mace comes off as cold and not giving a damn which is hurting Daniel. Mace and Daniel actually come off more real to me, their desires and lust just hit you their attraction for each other just bounces off the pages right at you. You just know that they are going to steam the mirrors up when they get together.
Book 2 Revelations (94 pages, February 2011) has turned out to be just as good as the first part. Mace lets Daniel know that what he is feeling is close to love. He wants him as his chosen and if he acts like he is mad well it wasn’t at Daniel but at himself. This story adds an intriguing mix into it. Some of Daniels group made it to the city to steal supplies and they get captured. Wanting to stop the killings of the wolf-men who are no danger, well unless you attack them, they try to come to compromise. It doesn’t work out that away but it is a start. This shows the strength of each character and also the fear that humans feel when they come across someone who is different than they are. In this part there is not as much sex in it but what is there is amazing. The need to protect each other shows so much in each one. There is a lot of anger and fear for the unknown but a lot of love and tenderness also.
Book 3 Judgment (94 pages, July 4th, 2011) is about as hot as the first book. Mace and Daniel’s feelings are getting stronger and you just shiver when you read the hot spots. I think that the shivering is more about what you read between the lines though. You can tell that there is so much love between them even if they haven’t figured that part out. While they had been at Daniel’s old compound,
Mace’s pack had lost all formation and needed their alpha back. It seems with each story, more characters show up. Each one with a story of their own. Daniel’s strength has made a lot of headway in Mace’s pack.
Book 4 Salvation (91 pages, September 16th, 2011) is exactly what it sounds like. Daniel’s salvation. Daniel has a past of so much pain and fear, that it is now coming out in full force. To know someone who has so much pain and fear makes me think deep and hard. Mace’s love for Daniel comes out in this story. This story alone makes me sit down on the floor and just re-read it over and over again. The feelings between each character is so strong that you think it would come out of the book and just grab you by the heart.
Book 5 Genesis (94 pages November 10th, 2011) is as it sounds the comings to an end. Daniel and Mace’s love is coming out more and more with each day’s passing. The story line and plot make this story an excellent read. The characters just pop out at you with each read. I liked the characters. They were very realistic in the way they felt things. Their tender sides, the pain they felt and how protective they are of their families. They are overcoming such hard times, being changed from human to werewolf and not being able to stop it. They are fighting to keep their humanity and trying to save what is theirs. I think that this series is one hell of a great read and will love having it in my library so that I may re-read it when I want.
Thanks to Collin Montes, Theta Alpha Gamma now welcomes gay and bisexual students. Persuading his Uncle Monty, president of the TAG Alumni Association, that the open approach won’t adversely affect TAG’s reputation is Collin’s own first step toward coming out. As long as there are no repercussions, he’ll escape the closet by graduation.
Enter repercussions, stage left: someone rigs the TAG House water heater to launch through the ceiling, and then plants a bomb—thankfully unsuccessful—in the fraternity’s basement. Now Collin has his hands full not only trying to convince his uncle that this might not be the work of homophobes, but also dealing with a fratful of brothers worried about their kegger fridge.
Paramedic Eric Dixon can’t stop thinking about the kid he met during a call at his former college fraternity house. The age gap between them is trumped by sexy eyes, so when Eric sees Collin again at the bomb scene, he pursues him. Soon, Eric is dreaming of being a househusband, fighting to keep Collin safe from whoever’s trying to destroy the fraternity, and helping his sweet young thang realize that repercussions sometimes have silver linings.
Review: Well, it’s official; the moment I hear Anne Tenino I immediately think humor, laughs, and hot males.
This book is no different from what I have come to expect from this author. It was fast paced, with an easy plot that didn’t bore you, sweet and hot, and it had great amounts of humor in it making me gasp at time for air.
The characters are charming.
Collin is a young man who’s been under his uncle’s influence for far too long, and the expectations are finally becoming too much to bear. His uncle’s obsession with Collin being an influence during his college years, accumulating contacts for his future in their family business, and being alumni liaison for Theta Alpha Gamma is starting to make Collin fragile around the edges and barely holding it together. Everything starts falling apart though when the pressure to change the membership policy of their fraternity comes with the added bonus of a bomb in their frat house. Trying to convince his uncle that one is not associated with the other is not easy, but when added to that is the fact that Collin gets into a relationship with a much older man who incidentally was at the same frat the time his uncle was… well, let’s just say the anxiety levels skyrocket and Collin has to make his hardest decisions during the turmoil. Let it not be said he doesn’t function well under pressure.
This character was indeed amazing. No common frat boy here. He’s composed and mature beyond his years and that has a different kind of appeal, one I didn’t expect really. I fell in trance reading about all the pressuring things happening to him one after the other, waiting to see when this character would break and how the story would go from then on. However, he never broke, or if he had his lashing, it was quite mild and yet again composed. It was his interaction with Eric that actually gave him the proper setting to shine and made me fond with him.
Eric on the other hand I believe was the reason or the main factor for me liking this story so much. As good as this pair looked together, and as hot as they were, I think for me Eric has his own light above that makes him stand out. I loved the age gap, I loved the silver fox profile, I loved his character, I loved his body, and how he often used it. I loved most of all his chicken. The entire picture Eric presented was beyond alluring, even if it came as soft and sweet. Now if I had an issue with the instant love and insecurities that came with being older and his fears of Collin dumping him, they didn’t overwhelm me at all during this read and I managed not only to bear that sappy/sweet I love you and corny pet names, but also to actually laugh with it and enjoy them immensely. It helped a lot that when those two came together it was incredibly erotic for me. They were plain old hot and every single time a scene came around it was different and unique, making you want to read it all the more for it. On top of it Eric was such a romantic character that everything he did with Collin had that quality, even the frantic first time was brilliant and made you want to say awww.
As for the plot itself, I found it interesting that the author didn’t take the suspense way here. We knew who did it from the beginning. We might have not known motives, but as the Marshall said, they didn’t really matter till the very end. So the suspense was taken from our hands and let us focus on the aftermath of the bombing. The romance that was born in the very ashes of the frat house, the hilarious events that followed the frat boys to their new dwellings, and the growth that necessarily came after the drama and the effect it had for Collin’s whole life from then on.
Was it realistic? I don’t know, never been in dorms or sorority myself so that concept is alien to me. Did I enjoy it though? Yes, very much so and found the entire book an effortless, easy and fun ride. This is the kind of novel one reads to really get entertained and put a smile on your face. Strongly recommended!
Publisher: Devine Destinies and Extasy Books (December 15th, 2013)
Heat Level: No Heat level
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: It’s the holiday season and the Haven Coffee House Boys area looking forward to a time of parties, gifts, and good food. But their past comes back to haunt them in the worst way possible.
It’s Christian’s favorite time of the year, the holiday season. He thinks it’s just the thing he and his friends need to pick them up from the funk they’ve been in the past few months. Now, they are all back together and it looks like the bad times are behind them.
But the past has a way of catching up to you, whether or not you want it to, and it threatens the Haven Coffee House Boy’s dreams of a happy holiday. Will they be able to forget the former bad times? If not, will the holidays be doomed for failure?
Review: This was a sad story, but sweet at the same time.
Most of the kids had very lousy home lives, but they come together as a family. Andy was coming back to school after trying to commit suicide because of his friends and a very rude bunch of homophobes. Dalton’s own home life pretty much sucked, but his friends rally besides him and he even has a crush on Andy.
This story is told in such a way that you come to realize what happens to many teenagers that come out to their family and friends. It makes you want to stand up and scream at people who are such fools. To tell them that you support your friends and others that come out as gay or lesbian. The only problem I found is that it left me hanging wondering about Andy and Dalton. This story is told with seriousness and you feel the anger and pain from each character, but you also feel the support and love they have for one another.
If you want a truly heartwarming story, one that might make you cry and want to just hug each and every one of them.
Blurb: Reeling from the news that his parents are divorcing, Pete Morgan starts his junior year at college cynical about love and commitment. Although his new openness to one-night stands does wonders for his sex life, fighting his romantic nature proves harder than he’d anticipated. He soon finds himself pining for a glamorous senior, Aidan, who doesn’t mind taking Pete to bed but shows no interest in commitment—at least not with Pete. And Pete’s attempt at a “friends-with-benefits” relationship with sophomore Jed leaves Pete feeling empty.
One bright spot in Pete’s year is Matthew, an easygoing graduate student who assists Pete in making his first film. Matthew has some baggage too, and has sworn off relationships and sex altogether, so Pete feels safe to enjoy their friendship. But he falls for Matthew anyway, not able to fight his growing conviction that Matthew is the perfect guy for him. Even if Pete can accept that, he made a mistake when he turned his back on relationships, that doesn’t mean Matthew will feel the same. With a few life lessons under his belt, Pete’s ready to take a chance on love. As he finds the courage to bare his heart to Matthew, he can only hope that Matthew will take a chance with him.
Review: It was a really great story, just had a slow start. It was hard to keep my attention on it, so I had to space the reading out.
Pete is a sweet and loving man, who goes for one-night stands but always has to fight his romantic side. It seemed like he wanted a relationship, but had a difficult time getting there. Matthew has his own issues, but knows Pete may be the one for him. Now all they had to do was get over their conflicted issues. The sex is hot throughout the whole story, but when it comes down to them, it is tender in parts and hot in others. They go through what all couples go through, the good and the bad. It had certain parts of the story that were enduring and just downright adorable.
It had a great story line that was wonderful written and told in just the right mood to understand each step in their relationship. I like stories that are just a bit shorter and faster told, so for me it took a bit to get into it. However, this is a really good story and you will absolutely love the characters. They are young and full of spirit, that you can’t help but fall in love with. Their problems even make it more tender and caring; make you want to cheer them on.
This is a story that you would read late at night, with a little bit of music in the background and wanting a relationship of your own.
Blurb: It doesn’t matter if he’s been naughty or nice all year. Adam’s stocking is still getting stuffed full of Cole, this Christmas.
The coming of age for any vampire is cause for celebration, a time when they first taste blood. For Cole, however, his twenty-fifth birthday brings a terrible choice from his father—either he takes the life of another to prove his worth, or he forfeits his own life. Cole chooses the only way his heart will allow, and pays the price with both his fangs and the rapidly mounting blood starvation that will slowly end his life, now that his body needs to feed, but cannot. He escapes, bleeding, barefoot, and wearing nothing more than a simple cotton sleep-shirt. With his father’s sentinels in pursuit, Cole soon finds himself half-frozen and unable to run anymore. The last thing he expects when he crawls into a dumpster to hide away for the last few hours of his life is to be rescued by a temperamental black cat and… Aww hell…his cherished one, Adam. How is Cole meant to blood-bond to the wolf hybrid when his time is fast running out, and he has no fangs to even try? He quickly learns his cherished is far more than he appears, though, and Adam’s friends at the Delta Rehabilitation Centre have even higher friends, with a score to settle with his father, of their own. It’s just a shame he won’t be around long enough to witness their payback.
Review: This is the second book in a series, though it is quite good by itself, you will have a better understanding of the Delta Rehab Centre and specific characters if you read Delta Blues first.
Adam is a half shifter/half-Wiccan hybrid who works as a healer for the Delta Rehab Centre. With Christmas upon him again, he decides to clean out his attack and throw away some of his deceased lovers old things. Soon after he stumbles upon an injured vampire, in his dumpster, wrapped up in the Christmas Stocking that he just threw away. Almost immediately, Adam realizes he’s in over his head and calls Grey, the leader of the DRC, for assistance. Grey notifies the Guardians that they have a dying vampire in need of assistance.
Cole is not only a full blood vampire, but also the son of a very dangerous man. On his 25th birthday, he is supposed to fulfill his destiny, drain a human, and complete the awakening, but he refuses. In retaliation for his insolence, his father removes his fangs. Without the ability to feed and complete the awakening, Cole will surely die from bloodlust. He runs and he is drawn to the dumpster by a scent, it reminds him of home and makes him feel safe, and this is where Adam finds him, wrapped up in the stocking.
Where shifters mate for life, vampires have a destined mate as well, their cherished one. When Cole refuses to let go of the clothing, Adam assumes that his dead lover Declan was Cole’s cherished one. The Guardians come when they are called and quickly decide they will have to take Cole back to their compound if they stand a chance at saving his life, and they bring Adam with them as well. Along the way, they learn that it is in fact Adam that is Cole’s cherished one. But time is running out for Cole. Can Adam and the Guardians find a way for Cole to feed and claim Adam? Or will Adam lose another lover way too soon?
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but felt it was too short and didn’t give me enough details into the world of the DCR. This book definitely made up for what was lacking! Grey, Law, and their mates make a guest appearance; but we get more detailed information about the DCR and the Guardians this time around. I love how Cross wove all the storylines together and added her own fresh take to the overrun genres of vampires and shifters. The Guardians in fact are comprised of a member from each supernatural race. Vampire, Shifter, Fae, Demon, Wiccan and so on.
I have high hopes for this series. Cross’s writing style and ability to capture valid emotions within her characters is very refreshing. And while I quite liked the shifters we met in Delta Blues, Cole and Adam have stolen the show for me! They are so sexy and loving and I cannot wait to see where their story goes. This book has a little bit of everything, every type of paranormal being, romance, action, and suspense. And the claiming, STEAMY!! Definitely recommend this sexy little read, but be sure to read Delta Blues (book 1) first.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb:Dan and Travis have been together twenty-two years when tragedy strikes, will they be strong enough to find their way back from a life interrupted?
Dan and Travis met in college, the unlikeliest of pairs, and then became friends and lovers. For the past twenty-two years, Dan’s lived his own version of happily-ever-after, with Travis by his side. Then tragedy strikes and life as they know it ceases to exist. Will they be strong enough to find their way back from a life interrupted?
While Travis fights for his life, Dan can’t help but relive all those little moments that made up their life. All those things that he took for granted at the time. Those very same events may end up being all he has left of the man who is his entire world.
Review: Yes we’ve seen this plot before: loved one has an unexpected tragic event and winds up in the hospital facing life and death surgery and we reflect on the would have been and should have beens, on a lifetime flashing before our eyes. But Lynley Wayne does it so well!
I thoroughly enjoyed traveling through their twenty-two years of love, from discovery of each other to child rearing, and real relationship issues. There are moments of heartbreak, sweet love, anger, misunderstanding, and forgiveness that all people in relationships that last this long experience. Hanging on the precipice of life and death was very nerve-wracking, and I could swear I felt Dan’s exhaustion. I could relate to real life events I’ve experienced as the tension builds to a nail-biting crescendo. But then we’re left hanging!!!! Yes this story has a to be continued warning!!! Ugh!
It was definitely good enough that now I’m chomping at the bit to find out the ending!!!
Our holiday this year is a little different from years past, since we’re leaving town this time. The day after Christmas, we head to the gorgeous Hawaiian island of Kauai for eight glorious days. We’ve rented a condo on the northern side of the island, overlooking Hanalei Bay. Bruce and I are looking forward to abundant warmth, sunshine, lots of adventures (zip lining, snorkeling, helicopter tour), and lots of relaxation. However, Christmas Eve will be spent at home with our precious Boston terrier, Lily, and we will have our annual tradition: a viewing of PeeWee’s Playhouse Christmas Special. It’s star-studded with the likes of Grace Jones, KD Lang, Oprah, Cher, the Del Rubio Triplets, and many more.
Blurb: Monty and Walter meet under extraordinary circumstances. One life is saved and two lives are forever changed when two men, one an out and proud gypsy at heart, the other a shy recluse left blind and seriously ill by a farm accident, fall deeply and irrevocably in love. Neither of them can explain the fierce bond between them, and as time goes by, they find it impossible to live apart.
The two men get married, and later, they befriend a young woman and joyfully plan to have a family together with her assistance, but their happiness and dreams will soon be shattered by an ever-present evil that has been in their family from the very beginning. After two lost pregnancies, their lives begin to come apart and the strength they have always found in one another begins to wane. Monty, Walter, and Natalie will be put through a relentless gauntlet that will force all three of them to examine themselves and learn what it takes to stand strong in defense of their dreams.
Review: I wanted to like this book more, but the one thing I think that held me back the most was that it tried to be too much at once.
This is a long story that I feel could have either been broken down in two stories or had a few scenes omitted. The main thing that I came away with was that we don’t get to hand-pick the person we are attracted to and fall in love with. Life throws curveballs, and no matter what our plans, we need to expect changes and make the best of them. I was angry with both MC’s throughout this book, Monty for not being ready for Walter…and breaking my heart over and over again! Walter drove me nuts because I wanted him to grow a pair of balls and stand up for himself!
The book is hard to follow at times because we flash forward and backward in time, change POV’s often, and go on tangents that should have been clipped. I really didn’t expect this story to develop into such a mystery…I thought we were learning about forgiveness, new beginnings, accepting handicaps, learning to see with our hearts not our eyes. But many other things that were thrown in included dysfunctional families on all sides, manslaughter, attempted murder, surrogates, religious extremists and a pseudo-closeted gay character who doesn’t know if he’s into drag, bondage, fisting, farming or what…oh and he has chronic heart disease.
Though there are so many wonderful points made in this story about acceptance, what family truly should be and personal growth, there is one thing that bothered me at the end. I believe the writer did a disservice to those suffering from mental illness, a terrible stereotype was written for bi-polar or manic-depressives in general. Using that mental illness to describe and excuse the actions of a bigoted murdering woman was rather insulting. You’ll know what I mean when you reach the end of this very long and disjointed story.
It’s an interesting read, has many adventures into scary territory, lots of kink sprinkled in, and a fight to break the cycles of abuse, dysfunctional families, alcoholism, untreated mental illness and so very much more.
I chose Sara mainly because her Texas Soul serieshttp://sarayork.com/sarayork/392-2/texas-soul-series/ is one of my favorite M/M cowboy series. Hot cowboys, doctors, secret agents, mystery and super- hot sex (ménage…foursomes what more could you want.) I also love all of her other books, as well. Here is what Sara will be doing for Christmas this year, and she shared one of her favorite recipes. ~Cat~
Sara York
The holiday season is special for our family. We usually spend the week deep in family togetherness. I love our Christmas week. We don’t do the normal traditions. Sure, we have a tree and a few presents, but we don’t do a big meal. It’s not about the food without family, but more about the fun. We moved into our new house last year so our Christmas was abbreviated. This year, we’re happy to be focused fully on the fun part of our tradition. I’m planning on making red velvet cake, but no red food coloring. We’ll also be making a few cookies to share with other families in our neighborhood.
Our favorite Christmas cookie is snickerdoodles. I know, those aren’t the usual Christmas cookies, but they are for us.
1-cup butter softened
1 and 1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1-tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons cream of tartar
1-teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If you have parchment paper, line the cookie sheets with parchment paper, otherwise use lightly buttered foil.
Make the topping and set aside.
Put dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside until later.
In a large bowl, add butter, sugar, and mix well until blended and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla, mix well. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing well. Once all the dry ingredients are added, start having fun making the balls. Use enough dough to make 1-inch balls. Roll balls in topping and place on cookie sheet. Space at least two to three inches apart. Do not flatten the balls. Bake cookies for about ten minutes. You want the cookie to be spongy but not hard.
Hi Thomaidha, I hope this is okay. I’m not that great at “not rambling” when I write things so hopefully this works. If not, let me know. I’ve attached 3 pics so use whatever you need.
Thanks for including me.
Hugs
K-lee
PS those are my goofy children
Since my kids are basically grown and Christmas doesn’t hold the innocent excitement it once did, my favorite thing about the holidays is the lights – outside and inside. Despite being a self-proclaimed hermit & darkness-loving, non-bloodsucking vampire, the magical and colorful lights of Christmas entrance me. One of our family traditions is going to be something called Zoolights—which is exactly as it sounds, our local zoo decorated with stunning light displays. No matter how cold it is we always bundle up and go. Last year we were away for Christmas, but still found a place almost as beautiful to share our appreciation of the brilliance of the holidays. Oh, and did I mention I have a string of Christmas lights hanging in my room for magical inspiration year round?
Happy Christmas-light-infused holidays to you all.
Series: Siren Erotic Romance – The ManLove Collection.
Author: Jane Wallace-Knight
Genre: Contemporary/Crush on the Boss
Length: Novella (31K)
Publisher: Siren Publishing (December 4th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Robert King has it all. He’s rich, powerful, and good looking. A name partner in his own successful law firm, Robert is completely focused and driven. He is also completely alone, though by his own design. As he sits alone in his office one night, after attending his father’s funeral, he starts to reevaluate his life. Daniel Sanders works as a paralegal for Robert King, the object of his hopeless crush. Knowing that the older man is out of his league, Daniel barely even lets himself entertain the fantasy. Following Robert’s father’s funeral, the snap decision to check on him before leaving for the night changes everything as they both seek comfort in each other and finally give in to the lust that has been building between them for months. There’s just one problem. Daniel is already halfway in love, and Robert is adamant he doesn’t want a relationship. A Siren Erotic Romance
The first office scene had me sweating! Typical employee crush on boss, but does the boss want him back? Usually this sort of thing spells disaster, and Daniel has plenty of admirers, so why take the risk? Throughout the story I was fanning myself with the chemistry, I thought both parties were foolish, frenzied, and at times funny, and of course, I thought this plot was improbable, but that’s the fun of fiction!
So if you like cheeky, steamy reads you’ll love this hot romance!
My husband and I are not religious people. His family is close by, but very large. Mine is several hours away. His children are grown, and I never wanted to have any. My kids are my four dogs. My special boy is my five pound Yorkie, Winston. There is also an eight pound Chihuahua named Gigi. My Grande Dame is a 65 lb lab mix named Shelby. The ‘baby’ is 85 lb. Shepherd/Great Dane mix, Riley. I try not to be one of those pet parents, but occasionally, it’s fun to put a pair of reindeer antlers on their heads and take pictures! Since Hubby has grown children, he now has grandchildren. He has A LOT of grandchildren! We learned quickly that it’s impossible to have Christmas dinner with each part of his family who hosts a meal. At the same time, Hubby took a job in a 24 hour facility. His particular shift is daytime, with weekends and holidays off. He looked around and realized that parents of young children, or with ailing parents, were working on the holidays. We saw no reason why he shouldn’t volunteer to work on these days.
As a writer, I can adjust my schedule to match his, so we can make our own days to celebrate. These days, Hubby works 16-hour days on Christmas and New Year’s Day. This allows two of his coworkers, with very young children or with ailing parents, to have a holiday off. In turn, we select a day on which we visit all of his grandchildren to deliver their gifts. Afterward, he and I go out to a nice dinner, and then we see whichever holiday blockbuster movie is playing that year. This year, we’ll be seeing The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (of course). And occasionally, I humiliate my dogs by making them play dress up. But, they love me anyway.
Title: Connor’s Lair
