Blurb: Two years ago, the small Southern Ohio town of Isherwood seemed to change overnight. Businesses were abandoned or sold and townsfolk just up and moved away. Now, those who were left behind are trying to keep their lives afloat on the hope that things will improve someday.
Finn Webb is one of those people. His construction and remodeling company he runs with his sister is one of the largest employers left in town. He’s felt his world teetering on the edge of failure for so long, that saving an injured dog is a bright spark of life he’s happy to hold onto.
Cas Maine has come to Isherwood because that’s where the road led. He’s tired, hungry, and desperate for the acceptance and safety he once had in his birth pack. But crossing into town sees him shifting into his wolf form and unable to shift back. Then he’s hit by a car only to be rescued by his one true mate.
What follows is a series of events where a job outside of town lets Cas and Finn grow closer while also leading to the uncovering of numerous secrets held by several inhabitants of Isherwood. Everyone has a stake in this. And the stakes are high…
Review: Many m/m paranormal stories focus so heavily on the “mate/insta-love/attraction” that they often forget the meat of a good story to go along with the heat. This story effectively blends several themes including a good love story with heat, while also employing good storytelling. The author does a superb job of weaving the various mysteries together while not forgoing the heat of a paranormal romance. There are several plotlines interwoven that the reader can suss out, involving the politics of weres and some non-traditional were elements are added that make the story stand out among the multitude of paranormal romances out there. The suspense element of the mystery in the book is paced steadily throughout the story allowing the reader to go on the ride to see if what they ‘think’ will happen is actually what happens. The reader will not be surprised or shocked by the turn of events, since the author gives enough hints and cues along the way. But the reader does enjoy the ride that the author takes them on until the inevitable unfolding story’s climax.
The characters of Cas and Finn are three-dimensional and clearly defined. The addition of seeing Cas as a fully developed character in both forms (human and were) was a nice addition to the story. Additionally, the secondary characters create an ensemble cast who do the work of moving the story forward thus keeping the reader engaged as all the various stories begin to intertwine and then eventually unravel until the reader is satisfied with the outcome as the Cas and Finn’s find their HEA.
For anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance, this will definitely be a good addition to the reading roster.
Blurb:New beginnings are exciting, but we can rarely outrun our pasts. Steve Michaels and Zack Greene pack up their newly extended family and move to New York City with their nanny, Drew, and his two kids. Having recently been hired to write for a BDSM show, Steve and Zack use their loving Dom/sub relationship for some experience with the lifestyle, but they need a consultant to fill in the blanks. Alex a local Dom/club owner can do just that. Everything is going smoothly until Rich, an ex-producer from Ben’s Life and the man who tried to ruin Zack, tries to get a job on the same show. And that’s only the beginning of it. Zack and Steve offered Drew an opportunity of a lifetime working for them. When Alex shows up for the first meeting with Zack and Steve, Drew realizes he didn’t leave his past behind after all. This becomes more true when his ex comes back wanting to see the kids. Can Drew trust Alex to help him get over his past? Can Steve manage to keep Zack safe from the man who has haunted him for so long? Find out what happens Behind the Scenes!
Review: This story is a continuation of The Mine series (https://www.goodreads.com/series/97138-mine )by Liz Borino. I do suggest you read the other series in order to completely understand this one.
I really liked this story a lot. I like Steve and Zach. I like that they have a sort of D’s relationship though it isn’t a traditional one. They are just learning and taking it in stages. I have to say I like how they are getting help and learning to do this all safely and how the book explains some of the play such as wax play and suspension. I found it quite intriguing. I liked how Alex is working with them on their screenplay and also in their personal life. This brings me to Alex. I really loved him. He is hot and sexy, yet also kind-hearted and loving.
I liked how Alex was used to help strengthen the story and connections between Steve and Zach and Drew. Though I wasn’t quite sure how Drew got hired and met Steve and Zach. I guess I need to reread the last book in the other series. I do love Drew. He also adds a lighthearted sense of humour to the story and he and Alex are hot together.
I loved that this story touched more on D/s in the BDSM world, and actually had some more to it than just the hands above the head or a light spanking. I really liked how the sex scenes are handle they are hot and steamy then continue off the page. I like that it’s not overdone on the actual sex acts. To me that makes it very sexy and sensual with both Alex/.Drew and Steve/Zack.
This was like getting two books in one with all that is going on in the two families… There is a bit of mystery and suspense when both Drew and Zach’s past come back to haunt both families. This does add lots of mystery and intrigue though it doesn’t touch a lot on it. In my opinion, I think both of these stories should have been split into two books and the mystery dealt a little more into the stories. Then again, the end did make me ready to grab the next book!
If you like screenwriters, actors, mystery/suspense, loving D’s relationships, bondage, wax-play, needle-play, hot, sensuous, mansex and an ending that leaves you wanting more, this is for you!
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group (December 23rd, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb:Abused horrifically as a boy, Nick Mathers has come to terms with his existence as a man. Mostly. Other days life seems a little much. Especially when Nick knows, he’ll always be alone.
On those days, his thoughts turn black. He walks the Norfolk coast and considers the frigid embrace of the waves. And then, one stormy night, he finds someone who’s tasted just that. The beautiful stranger on the beach is near death, and Nick rushes him home to slowly nurse back to health. As he does, he finds a love unlike any other. Owen Butler’s body is as warm as the sea was cold, his heart as big as an ocean. And Owen is a man who swears to repay the favor. Nick can yet be saved from himself, and he will see that he is indeed a man… WORTH KEEPING
Review: I really liked this story. It is full of depth and emotion and touches on some very disturbing topics. I will say however that there is a lot going on and at times, I was a little overwhelmed with all the emotion, angst and different things happening. Still it is a beautiful and poignant story.
There are a lot of characters in this story also, but I really like that. Nathan is a dark brooding man, who wouldn’t like him but I have to say that at times I wanted to just slap him and say get over it. Owen I loved!! He is the perfect character and the dream man everyone would want no matter what sex you are! Both men are broken and so different that they complement each other well. Socks… I think he stole the show. I absolutely adored him and now I want a pet monkey.
If you like, stories with angst, broken men, which deal with abuse, loss and suicide, devoted adoptive fathers, fate, a love worth keeping, and MONKEYS! You will love this story.
Blurb: In this sequel to the best-selling novel, The Oasis, Elias and Josh are celebrating their first anniversary. When Elias’s baby mama, Carina, takes their son, Julio, to the Disney resort in Hawaii, Josh urges Elias to organize a romantic vacation in Palm Springs. He wants some place private and cozy, and he wants to invite gay porn star, Samuel Colt, since they did promise the guy an anniversary threesome.
And then… disaster. From the start, everything goes wrong. The lakeside house Elias booked turns out to be a creepy, clapped-out, wreck of a trailer. He also has bigger worries. He can’t get Carina to return his calls. What is going on with her and why is Elias’s mom hiding in Carina’s hotel room closet? Why did Carina’s new boyfriend give Julio a weird animal for a birthday gift and why has some lunatic targeted Josh and Elias when this is supposed to be a fun-filled holiday weekend? And, uh-oh. Look who just showed up. Samuel Colt, looking less than impressed with the vacation house from hell…
Review: Once again, I was swept away by the beauty that was AJ Llewellyn’s writing. The book was so addictive. So amazing, I couldn’t get enough of it.
Elias and Josh want nothing more than some time alone together. When their buddy Samuel gives them a call asking if they could get together for another threesome, Elias wants nothing more than to deal with the drama around him. But when Carina comes into town, he lets his son see her mother and spend some time with her thinking nothing is going on behind his back. He sets up the vacation and heads out knowing his son will be watched over…even if it isn’t by good hands. God only knows where those nasty hands of Carina’s have been.
But when he finds out she’s in a sex ring while he’s on vacation, his mind is blown. Even after he finds out her boyfriend is bisexual and is getting services from his friend Samuel.
In a complex story of twists and turns, love always prevails. And it still does with this book. I found myself mesmerized from page one and couldn’t wait to find out more. It is so addicting you’ll crave another volume of AJ’s work.
I would highly recommend this to anyone that has read the first one. Trust me. You won’t regret it.
Blurb: What’s an angel to do when having the one person he’s ever wanted means giving up his wings for eternity?
Ekenezer has been sent down to Earth for one last mission — to guard hapless klutz Nathan Bradley. He doesn’t know why Nathan is important, only that God has ordained he be watched over. As his “cover”, Ekenezer takes a position as Nathan’s boss, but soon discovers that he harbors more than simply protective feelings for Nathan. Ekenezer has never been attracted to anyone before, never felt lust, and certainly not for another man! But Nathan is a force that Ekenezer simply can’t resist. What’s an angel to do, though, when having the one person he’s ever wanted means giving up his wings for eternity?
Review: This is a quick, short read, which is quite enjoyable because of the fun it pokes at the religious extremists. The notion of one of God’s heavenly chosen falling in love with a mere mortal -and a man at that should be enough to have all the fundamentalists up in arms. The theme of the book, however, is quite simply that God knows and loves all of humanity, his creations, regardless of whom they love; and, that he considers each of them worthy of special attention, even the gay man who’s yet to discover the ‘important’ thing he has to do in his life. The entire story is about learning self-acceptance, how to love, and ultimately that love is the most important thing. The book references religion without getting preachy and allows the reader, regardless of their faith, to embrace the notion of a higher power and ‘its’ power over humanity.
This is Ekenezer’s story and about his struggle with his feelings and his realization that he’s going to choose to love Nathan regardless of the consequences. That notion of self-sacrificing love is the key element in the story. It’s a short, sweet read that will leave you with a smile.
Blurb: After centuries of isolation, Saint has returned to reclaim what is his…
Saint, a Thresl of unimaginable power, has spent centuries trapped beneath rubble. Now free, he is determined to claim both his throne and his mate. Anyone who stands in his way will be annihilated.
Marsley Jacks is unsure if he wants to be the mate of a ruthless Thresl. After spending most of his life protecting the shifters, he’s unsure if allowing a power-hungry Thresl takeover is the best thing for the species.
Two men with opposing views—will they come together in time to save their people?
Review: So… ugh… was that it…?
All the wait for Saint’s story, all the anticipation, and this is what we get? Nope, this fan girl is not happy.
This is going to be mostly a things-that-let-me-down review because, well, they were many. Let’s start with Mars and his not wanting a mate attitude. I felt like the pattern was dragged out here and the reluctant mate card was drawn yet again, which after an extensive inner monologue on Mars’ side, resolved itself mostly due to the fact that no one can evade his soul-mate forever.
Oh my God, have I mentioned how tiresome that thing really is? We saw it a little bit with Soldier Mine, but we had a hell of a blast with Prince Claimed. Politician Won had it a bit differently since Leo refused to change, and let’s not even mention the inner-monologue with the Bonded Broken. Of course Duke Betrayed was full of it since Balaze has no say there, so does it really surprise me we’d encounter it here too? Honestly yes, it does. What really made this one stand out from the others though, is that it literally solved itself. Mars had the problem. Mars overcame it with nothing so much as an effort from Saint. He just let the mating bond take its course.
Moving along we have Saint, the greatly anticipated Thresl for all his ancient power, the original King of the Thresl race, the one with the most potential of them all. Saint, as beautiful and gorgeous as an idea as it was, simply was not enough. I feel slighted on Saint’s behalf. He deserved more. This 93 pages novella was not enough for him. There was not enough space for his mating to settle and develop, there was not enough space for their Thresl-saving-mission, there was not enough space for his throne claiming, there was not enough space for the final closure and the villain mastermind fight in the end. Saint did not deserve the rush he got, and neither did we.
And, oh my God, the villain of the story. I so did not expect that. As much as in hindsight there were clues all over the place, I did not expect that. I think the identity of the bad guy here was brilliant. I also think that the execution that came delivered along with the all-time classic “bwahaha I’m the bad guy, I will rule, you will die” monologue was God-awful. I mean, you ruin the bad guy and you’ve ruined the entire story, and it was such a shame.
The epilogue itself was not the closure one would expect. I’ve seen around people mentioning this being the final installment and if that’s indeed so, than I’m afraid the closure was a poor choice, as well. It would have been much preferable if the epilogue was set a year after and given a more potent ending than this happily for now sort.
So, why 3 hearts you might ask? Hell, I’ve always said I’m biased when it comes to this series, and even though I was let down with this one (hard), I still got my time with my favorite Thresls. What can I say, I have my soft spots. 😉
Blurb: Can Tarkhan find love again after killing his heartmate, or is he destined to grieve forever?
After killing his heartmate, Tarkhan is on a quest to destroy the evil that caused all his problems. He isn’t ready for another relationship but Willem has different ideas, and when they band together with two more Wolven to rid their world of the Shades of Martak they are thrown together whether Tarkhan wants it or not. But it’s not until he almost loses Willem that Tarkhan realizes it’s possible to love more than once.
Review: I have always loved anything paranormal, but when you put it into a romance and add in two sexy men my heart is lost. I have always thought that the gift to write romance was amazing, but to be able to write paranormal romance is a true heartfelt gift. I feel lost a lot of the time not sure which way is up, so I feel that I can lose myself in a great story. I feel blessed to be able to read romance the way I do. I am glad to have this story in my library.
Tarkhan never thought he would be able to get over the fact that he killed his heartmate, but to be able to find love again was a big surprise. Although it did take him sometime to realize it. Tarkhan is a strong and forceful wolf, but he is tender and caring. He just needs a boost to realize that just because one mate dies, that another wouldn’t be given to him. Willem knew he wanted Tarkhan, now all he had to do was wait. He has the ability to love, very caring and tender. He has a heart of gold and just wants the chance to love this strong wolf who just wanted to give up when his mate died.
This story has twist and turns that I hadn’t really seen in any other book or series. It was easy to get into and follow, but it left me bewildered. It just seemed to be missing something, but I am not really sure what. I did however even knowing it missed something, liked it. It was engaging and exciting. To lose someone because of your naive way of thinking is such a hard road to travel, but one must remember that there is someone out there for you even after your loss of a mate.
Blurb: Who knew Santa’s elves were so obscenely horny?
When Grant agrees to play Santa for a charity cause, the last person he expects to see is Dale, his intern who makes his cock throb and his balls go tight with desire. But, there he is, dressed in an elf suit and obviously looking for some hot action from Santa.
Regardless, Grant doesn’t want the possibility of a lawsuit—, which could happen if he fucks the lusty intern.
Then Dale begins to do obscene things to a peppermint rod with his mouth, keeping eye contact while Santa sits on his throne. It’s all Grant can do not to jump up and ream the elf right then and there. He resists, but Dale keeps tempting him. Grant decides to go for it all: first, he’ll let the elf suck his cock. Later, Grants plans on giving him a good reaming.
What could a little male on male action hurt between two consenting men? Besides, Dale doesn’t even realize who Santa really is. Grant will give Dale what he obviously wants while satisfying his own craving. It’s probably his one chance to actually get inside of Dale.
Yes, Grant plans of taking advantage of this unique situation. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
Review: Book four in this series has Grant doing yet again Brook’s bidding, this time playing Santa for a charity cause. Thankfully, this was a last-minute decision as the normal Santa bailed, and no one knows that under that velvet costume hides Grant.
Now, guess who one of the elves is. Yup, Dale in all his glorious form and perky butt makes one sexy little helper. And as the story would have it, he gets on Santa’s naughty list too.
Admittedly it was fun, admittedly it was hot too, but must you dear author make the m/m encounters in this series be all about brutal manhandling and a hard fuck cause men can take it..?
As I’ve said before while this series of shorts are on the erotic and sexy side and are quite capable of turning you on, I’m just that one freak that needs a bit more to it than that. Now, if I really wanna be fair, I have to admit that there is a plot going on here instead of just props for the sex scenes. I did get a really nice surprise with the way Grant got a confession yet still maintained his anonymity. Even more surprising was the fact that there were hidden emotions and that Grant actually acknowledged them. Even more and more surprising was the end and how Grant acted back at the office, because by now Grant knows who he’s doing at the Brief Encounters and still gets to be invisible. So let me tell you one thing. As much as I don’t appreciate the m/m scenes and the suck & fuck idea behind them, I do appreciate a good romantic plot, and by whatever is Holy, this little erotica has got it going.
Bottom end: a) You must read this series in order.
b) You must keep in mind this is an erotic romance genre so the erotic part is way bigger than the romance or subplot.
And c) I did like this installment while I feel oddly enticed about the next one.
Overall, this was a fast and fun read with some highly surprising romantic elements that might make your heart beat a bit faster. Recommended!
Blurb: Seventy years after it began, the war between angels and demons is over. Archangels Gabriel and Michael reunite at last, but a dangerous new challenge stands in the way of their happiness: someone is kidnapping angels and selling them as trophies on the black market. When Raphael, Archangel of Healing, goes missing, his tearful lover joins with the Brotherhood of Archangels and their lieutenants to rescue him.
Without Raphael’s healing touch, disease spreads quickly through the world’s human population. The situation only worsens when the angel Agrat is kidnapped: the number of sex crimes begins to rise and her husband, Gabriel’s lieutenant, loses himself to his grief. As they mount a rescue mission, Gabriel and Michael’s relationship will be put to the test. With the threat of the world dying around them and tragedy looming overhead, can Gabriel and Michael keep love and hope alive?
Pixie’s Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. The war is over between the Angels and Demons and humanity has to pick up the pieces of a world that was torn to pieces. Michael and Gabriel are reunited but it isn’t all perfect, they can’t help humanity without making the situation worse and Raphael is kidnapped which leads to the discovery that other angels have gone missing. As they launch an investigation into the disappearances, Agrat is kidnapped and her bonded begins to lose himself to grief.
This is a well-written story that combines many relationships and hardships with Michael and Gabriel leading the way. Now that the war has ended and the demon Hell portals are closed humanity can begin to pick up the pieces, the angels and archangels help as much as they can but they have limitations. But problems become worse when Raphael is taken and his power is smothered, which leads to healing throughout the world beginning to fail. The other archangels must work together to discover who is kidnapping the angels and to what end, and Michael is made to face the fact that sometimes love strikes everyone, even those that he finds unacceptable.
There is quite a bit going on in this book with Michael thinking that Raphael’s lover is unsuitable, Gabriel dealing with the loss of his children, Raphael disappearing, Israfel unsure if he is good enough for Raphael, all the angels and archangels wondering how they can help mankind and then the investigation into the kidnapped angels. It is quite a good storyline but you don’t get to feel connected to any one character as it jumps from characters to characters so you don’t get to know them that well, even though you do get interested in the storyline you miss out on the characters.
There are some very romantic moments between various characters and some couples are very sweet together in the brief times that we see them together. The storyline is good and the twist was surprising, our angels are being betrayed by someone who was an ally.
I will recommend this to those who love angels and demons, true love, disgruntled archangels, and interesting storyline and a happy ending.
Thommie’s Review:After No Quarter comes No Surrender, No Retreat and I find myself even less satisfied this time around. This second book does not pick up where the first ended; it rather skips the entire chunk of a 70-year war. This was perhaps the biggest disappointment I had, the fact that everything we’d been expecting from book one was skipped. All the epic battle between angels and demons vanished. In its stead there was left yet another sappy romance like tale that was poorly executed and made you shake your head constantly with the inconsistency of the plot.
I will go ahead and point out some of the things that made me give this book such a poor rating. Firstly there was Michael again and his impossible portrayal. That character is so unlikable the way he is depicted; it makes me pity the Archangel for the way he is abused in this read. His pettiness, his childish behavior, and not only Michael. All the Archangels are pretty much surreal in their behavior. They caused me a huge headache with their dialogues and nonsense.
The plot was a mood killer. A war was waged and according to the author changed everything, the world, as we know it is over. The very face of the Earth has changed, yet somehow nothing changed at all. While we’re being told of battles with Archangels’’ powers equal if not more than nuclear power, battles that destroyed the Earth as we now know it, while we’re being told of food forages and people trying to get on their feet, while we’re being told of clear water going low, we read about Archangels going to fast food stores, enjoying things they would the same way before a war happened, pulling water bottles for the ether for their consumption at the site of a mudslide where people are getting dysentery from unclean water and many, many more… The contradiction of the plot was just too much.
Moving on the action side and the basic story of this novel, I have to show my displeasure at the core story. Angels and Archangels are being kidnapped and enslaved, but the Archangels seek help from humans… because they could not find what was wrong by themselves… You have no idea how weak they were shown in this book, it drove me nuts. To top it all, this story would not have a happy ending if it were not for an Archdemon helping the Archangels yet again… I just disliked this, period.
As for the bonded pair of this book, I kept on waiting for the moment Shateiel would go in there and cause havoc in revenge for his Agrat’s kidnapping. What I got left me with my jaw hanging with disbelief. Really, this book killed each and every one of its intense parts/scenes with a slow death.
The erotic/romance part suffered as well. The abuse of power had the text suffer for some foreplay and sensuality. The get myself slicked with a thought and drive home was NOT erotic, neither appealing. The intensity one expects from angel-sex is not born out of writing the words “let’s have some Archangel sex.” on the contrary, that is one cheesy phrase I kept on encountering often. Disappointed cannot begin to describe it. Not to mention the bonding ritual that came right after both Michael and Gabriel witnessed how Shateiel bore his separation with Agrat. I don’t know, it’s like these Archangels don’t have a timeless existence… Plus the info-dump was overwhelming.
To end it all I was troubled by the fact that the author kept saying throughout the read that her characters needed a bit of time off as they keep jumping from one tragedy to the other, practically draining their powers, yet she puts them in another similar situation with Semjaza’s escape right after the angel slavery deal. Yes, we are to read about it when the other installment comes out, but the time pace is just insufferable and at the moment, I’m not even slightly intrigued by the cliffhanger.
Blurb: Tony takes a shower one day and finds a naked man fondling his loofah. Frank’s a sex machine who knows Tony’s deepest desires…and won’t go away.
Wannabe actor Tony Kaven’s career hasn’t just stalled—it’s in reverse—so he jumps at the chance of being a personal assistant to mercurial movie star Rufus Roscoe on location in Maui, Hawaii. Tony wants to do well, except that, from the moment he arrives, everything goes wrong. Roscoe hates everything about him, even his blue suede shoes. Somebody on Facebook told Tony that Rufus is a big Elvis fan so Tony couldn’t resist splurging on the shoes.
Wrong information.
Rufus hates Elvis, blue suede shoes and overweight, overwrought personal assistants.
It looks like he’s about to get canned when a mysterious man named Frank shows up naked in Tony’s shower and tells him he is the man of his dreams. His true love. Who is this guy? And how is it that when Frank is around, everything has a way of going right? Tony finds that true love means taking a leap of faith, but he finds more than that it also means rolling with the punches, but leading with your heart.
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released by another publisher. It has been revised and re-edited for release by Totally Bound Publishing.
Review: This book is downright amazing. It kept me addicted from the start. And the only thing I could wait for is more. It never stopped once it started. And god only knows I fell in love with the main character at the start.
Everything from Tony starting the job to the surprise arrival of Frank, to the way he handles his client. Rufus loves to try and start issues. But at the same time, he wants nothing more than to get his career taken off. He takes advantage of having Tony around but yet he hides something more. And it’s definitely not attraction.
And then there is Frank. The man who came around on a wish and stuck around for good. What could someone do if they had a crush on a wished man? Would they find it real? Would the love be real? Would the pleasure be real or faked? I really enjoyed this book.
Blurb: Alpha wolf Rabbit McKormick has met the perfect man. Sweet, talented, attractive as hell, and more importantly, attracted to Rabbit as well. Better than all of this is when Rabbit takes Benjamine Stiles off for some alone time and discovers they’re mates. Then Benjie stabs him in the stomach with a silver knife.
Benjie can hardly believe he went to bed with a werewolf. He’s not a hunter, but his father is, and Benjie knows a trick or two for defending himself. Despite this, he can’t bring himself to make the killing blow, and another group of alpha’s from a rival pack come in and take them both.
The oddest thing is when Rabbit defends Benjie. So when Benjie escapes, he has to choose whether or not he wants to take the risk setting Rabbit free as well, because of a new and barely there feeling Benjie has for Rabbit, that has the potential to become so much more.
Review: Marcy has such a gift to write a story that is so enjoyable and a pleasure to read. I have always loved loosing myself in a good paranormal romance. It just gives me a moment of peace. This story is no exception. It was a really great read.
Rabbit had originally been in Lawrence’s pack then was Brandon’s pack. That changed during a fight when Brandon had abandoned the others. Being given the chance to join Roarke’s pack, he had to prove that he could be trusted. Coming across his mate, he was overcome with joy, only to find out that Benjie was related to hunters. Hunters that wanted his kind dead. There is a bit of humor in this story especially when Benjie stabs Rabbit with a silver knife. Benjie is a kick and a half, someone who I would definitely want to hang with in real life. He comes across as an alpha at some points and an omega at others although he is totally human. Rabbit is strong, passionate, and falling in love with his mate.
Now all they got to do is to survive the outside, what with Brandon’s group of wolves and a new pack trying to kill them. However, the sex is amazingly hot and sensuous, which could change a lot of minds. I still laugh at a some parts of it. I cannot wait to read it again and the next story.
Blurb: Anders Blankenship never intended to hike the Appalachian Trail alone, but when his boyfriend cancels, Anders steels his courage, leaving the abusive relationship to tackle the long-distance hike. Though a hiking virgin, he’s glad he made the decision when he receives threatening messages from his ex. Luckily, Kevin, an experienced backpacker, takes him under his wing.
Kevin Winters isn’t looking for a hiking partner, let alone a fling with a cute man on the rebound. After learning he has the autoimmune disorder that killed his father, Kevin left his family to wander remote trails. Convinced his future holds only pain and death, Kevin refuses to get close to anyone. The family sourdough recipes he recreates over a campfire are his only solace.
In the wilderness, Anders and Kevin discover a lot of common ground. While the future holds uncertainties they may not be ready to deal with, it might also hold the chance for happiness.
Review: So let’s start the story with two broken men from totally different backgrounds who begin a journey and after four months find themselves both totally changed. The story is a case study in the m/m romance genre of broken men who must dig within themselves to find their own strength if they are going to be able to even embark upon a relationship. Anders must exit an abusive relationship, rebuild his confidence and determine what to do with his life. Kevin must deal with the tragic loss of his father, his youth and the onset of a life-threatening disease. There is absolutely no reason for either of these men to bond and find anything in common with each other.
What instead happens is these men become each other’s ying and yang playing off their individual strengths and weaknesses and thus forming a rather firm bond. They will be separated and events will become tragic and melodramatic, but they will find each other and both learn to grow from their pain and experiences into a strong partnership. Anders will find a man who really understands and values all that he is; and Kevin will find a man who is not afraid of his illness and who does not see him as any less than a strong man.
The book explores a multitude of themes: Living life to the fullest and family and it is done while exploring the word of hiking. The reader will learn much about hiking along the Appalachian Trail and nothing about the story seems forced or pretentious. The men take on the trail as a metaphor for how they will need to take on their own individual struggles. For Anders, he’s finally taking control of his life and happiness while Kevin is learning to enjoy having someone to share that journey with despite his fear of relationships and his seeming self-reliance.
This is a great read that blends great visual scenery, social studies, ecological conservationism, heat, passion and a touching love story.
Blurb: To Remy, size is a state of mind, a fact few really learn to appreciate. When it wasn’t clear he’d live past being an infant, he grew up fighting. Fighting to live. Fighting to be treated with respect. The last thing he thought he’d have to do is fight his own heart. Getting clocked across the face wasn’t one of Ben’s better moments. Grudgingly accepting help from a pint-sized, argumentative Remy, he’s among those who learn the hard way small doesn’t necessarily mean weak.
Review: Since the blurb is scanty, let this review add a bit more colour. Bank teller Remy is short and feisty. He’s overcome a lot in his life and takes flak from no one, least of all the ex of his best friend’s current partner. Ben is a construction foreman who still has not managed to find that special man to call his own. After a rough night, he seeks Remy’s help and the men will begin a roller coaster of a relationship.
Community is always a theme in m/m romance books because men who love men must often find a new community for themselves and also find people who are like them in order for them to be able to fully express themselves. The theme of the Arbor Heights series is all about community. In this second instalment of the series, the reader meets gets to know Remy and Ben who they met in Learning to Live. Again, the reader is presented with polar opposites who prove to be the perfect foil for each other. Outward appearances are deceiving, yet what Remy and Ben have together does not need to be shared with the world, instead they can share that with each other and find their happiness this way.
Readers will love Remy and Ben as a couple and they will especially love the heat that these two men generate between the sheets. Often in stories, sex is gratuitous, but in this story, the sex helps to break down barriers for Remy and Ben and have them establish an intimacy that is essential to their owning their lives both separately and together.
In Ben, Remy finds everything that he thought he couldn’t have; and, in Remy, Ben finds all the things he never knew he wanted. Both men grow and mature in their relationship and learn to love, trust and rely on each other. As the story ends, the reader is aware that there is much more to their story and hopefully the third instalment in this series will see the men not just happy but also settled.
Blurb: Alex Maddox may be a genius. Or not. In thirty-four days, he’ll know for sure. The robot he’s been perfecting for the last four years is finally ready. Alex won’t accept anything less than perfection—if he can keep a broken air conditioner, a flaky twin brother, a thirtieth birthday, and falling for the Norse god of advertising from derailing him.
Christian Lawson is an advertising god. A blond hottie with the beautiful brains to match. He’s worked hard to move past the accident that nearly took his legs, but it’s been years since he let any man get close enough to see just how deep his scars really go.
Christian isn’t the advertising executive Alex expected, and Alex isn’t the coolly confident inventor Christian’s had his eye on for years. But what they discover in each other may just be better than what either of them could have hoped for
Review: Two very imperfect men who create a very perfect union. The notion of opposites attract abounds in this story; yet, it didn’t take very long for both men to know that despite their differences, their attraction was more than just physical. Alex is the quintessential science nerd who’s been blessed with more than his fair share of smarts. He has dedicated his life to a task and now he’s realized it. Christian is surprising for the reader because who one would expect him to be is not who he is. And while both men are so different and have not been successful at their relationships, they approach their relationship with a maturity that is refreshing. Arguments are quickly resolved and they lay their feelings on the table so that they can resolve issues and build a lasting relationship.
The themes of family, trust and loyalty are the ties that bind this book together with the secondary stories of the relationship between Alex and his brother and his partner as well as with Christian and his former lover. These sidebars add layers to the story, which allow Alex and Christian to grow as a couple. The author uses the strategy of telling the story from the perspective of both men. He starts first with Alex because their relationship is forged based on a need that Alex has. The second half of the story is told from Christian’s perspective since it is the obstacles in his life that must be resolved if they are to have a lasting relationship.
The characters are warm and quirky yet serious and lovable at the same time. The story is well paced and very believable. The reader will love Alex and Christian as well as the other couple that provides texture in the story. All in all – a good read.
Blurb: Anthony Carrino loves his big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor. Despite helping kids and their parents fix their problems, Anthony can’t manage to get his own love life right. If only everyone would stop calling him the “nice” guy.
Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody. He certainly doesn’t want to deal with a mess of emotions. But when tragedy strikes, Dean finds his hands full with his troubled niece, her irresistible guidance counselor, and a meddlesome family, which includes a rather large puppy.
Review: Dean Pierce is safe and secure life he has built from himself in the military. Tragedy has flung him into being a parent and into the path of exactly the type of man. He needs to find to be with in order to be true to himself. The story takes its time to show how damaged both men are from their respective life experiences; and, how they can each help each other to become happy and whole. Both men must trust each other and learn how to build a life together. And while the men appear vastly different when they are first presented, they are perfect matching puzzle pieces.
Nestled within this story is how we are impacted by our families or the lack of them. Family is who has made Anthony the man who can teach Dean how to become his niece’s family. Dean’s poor family life is what makes him know that he must be there for his niece even if it means giving up everything that he knew in his life before. The true impact of this is seen as Dean builds a relationship with his niece and she becomes herself a happy and whole person and he learns to become a parent. It is Anthony who shows Dean how to allow himself the ability to not only feel to but also show the deeper emotions that will be necessary to bring about the transformations for both his niece and himself.
Anthony and Dean will become friends and then lovers. Their romance is warm and touching and the reader roots for both men to be able to always be together. Anthony because he so deserves to find a good man who wants him just for himself and Dean because he’s been so cut off that being loved is a gift he will cherish. Often in romances, the reader is rushed through the life scenes that will serve to ensure that the reader roots for the HEA of the two men. This book took the reader on the journey that both men had to go on in order for them to be happy and healthy together. Great characters, both in Dean and Anthony, as well as the ensemble cast of family and friends. Lots of heart. There might be a few tears. A very endearing read.
Blurb: Dime novelist Benedict Bright has brought fame to Arizona Marshal Evan Teague but when he ventures west to meet the man he’s written about, he finds he’s done his subject wrong and further, that Teague is determined to set things right. As the marshal introduces the writer to western reality, through law enforcement as well as manly intimacies, Bright gains new resolve in his work while swept up in a passion like no other he’s ever known. But will it last forever… or break his heart?
Review: This is a story set in the 19th century. It’s often interesting to read historical m/m romance because they are usually stories about men who are in the closet. This story, however, while no different, was somewhat intriguing. Why? Because it’s a good, old-fashioned western. Benedict goes out west to get corroborative evidence re the hero in his dime store novels. He’s been getting his information from newspapers, then elaborating, and embellishing those stories. So he meets his hero and finds out that there is much more to the man than he first thought. One big thing being that his hero likes men and that the man who died in the true to life story he wrote was his hero’s lover.
Benedict and Evan spend some time together both in and out of bed and they learn much about each other. But, what’s a western without a bank robbery or a shootout at the OK Corral? Well the story delivers one of these and it becomes a watershed moment for Benedict and Evan. The story ends fairly abruptly with the relationship between the men being unresolved; however, it leaves the door open for a sequel, which would prove to be another interesting read.
Author: Mathew Ortiz, (Editor) C. Moriatry and (Illustrator) William Bristol
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (142 pages)
Publisher: Mathew Ortiz(January 10th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo
Blurb: Eli Gaither was a big, rough, mean sumabitch of a man. Solitary by choice, he only attended Gaither family events when he was made to. Still hurting from a painful divorce, he was like an angry bear licking his wounds. Most people, save for his family, avoided him until Oscar Hernandez came into his life, yelling at him and turning his world upside down.
Okay, maybe he was plain loco for hitting on the grizzly bear of a man in front of him but he couldn’t help it. The man was so freaking hot. But Oscar was not about to let this man tell him what to do and how to think. If Eli Gaither thought him a shrinking violet, he had another thing coming. Oscar was used to getting his way, so Eli was in for the ride of his life with the hot-blooded Latin man.
Review: This is the second story in the Love and Salvage series featuring men from the Gaither clan. The story does stand on its own, but the author does attempt to connect this book with the prior one by using the characters to round out his storyline. There are even references to characters in his other Renovation series. This technique ties all the stories together and allows the reader to create connections with a variety of characters. The net result is that the characters are very three-dimensional as the reader has the ability to view them from many different angles.
Eli is a very conflicted man who’s trying to adjust to his new reality of being divorced, out and attracted to a younger man. The younger man to whom he’s attracted is a very feisty Latino who’s been told that he’s often high maintenance and too much and that he’d too better to simply calm down if he wishes to maintain a relationship with Eli. Both men must face their individual issues and they do so with the help of friends and family.
The end does not tie their HEA into a neat bow, so the reader must assume that more about their future will appear in the next story. Part of the charm of this story was the relationship between Eli and his son.
Great second instalment. Looking forward to the next one.
Blurb: Every relationship leaves something behind. Dumped by his sugar daddy, part-time model Scott Mackenzie somehow ends up owning an abandoned church in rural Ontario. He dreams of using it for gay weddings, even if he’ll never have one of his own.
Joe Sutton is trying to keep his family together after his parents’ deaths. Between the family ranch, his brother’s construction company, and commitments around town, he doesn’t have time for a relationship. But Mackenzie is hard to ignore.
As both men fight their growing attraction, challenges to Mackenzie’s business threaten their relationship. If he can’t make it work, he’ll have to crawl back to the city in defeat. But the only solution involves risking the ranch Joe loves, and each man has to decide how much he’ll sacrifice for the other.
Review: Joe Sutton is every gay mans wet dream. An openly gay full-time cowboy part-time firefighter wrapped up in a hot body. He has an intense personality and he’s deeply committed to his family and their ranch. His siblings keep him pretty busy in his down time while he’s also primary guardian for his four-year-old nephew. All the while, his twin brother, Will, likes to play matchmaker and meddle in his love life.
Scott Mackenzie is a model that recently moved into town. He bought the old abandoned church and plans to turn it into a wedding chapel for gay themed weddings. He can’t believe his luck when the guys he hired to work on the church show up and, hello hot twins! The stars seem to have aligned when he finds out that one of them is gay. Scott and Joe are instantly attracted to each other, and they begin a ‘casual’ affair.
Joe is a take-charge kind of guy, which is perfectly fine with Scott. But the two seem to have a failure to communicate from the start. Joe runs hot and cold and sometimes reads as though he expects Scott to read his mind. Things really come to a head when Scott’s ex that dumped him shows up, and rather than talk to Scott about it, Joe makes assumptions that could end everything before it really even gets started.
Joe’s character and his family were the main focus of this story. The family dynamics were intriguing with Joe being the primary guardian for his nephew, and his sexuality being openly accepted by his family. But good lord the man needs to learn the definition of the word, communication. Even with all this I never really connected with Joe, I connected more with Scott who was almost written as a secondary character. He’s spoiled and a little lazy but he realizes this and he’s working toward something better.
This was just an okay read for me. I loved how Joe was such a caring lover and was quickly attuned to Scott and what made him squirm, but I wanted him to grow more personally throughout the story. Their relationship felt forced the majority of the time, but the author left us with a promise of more communication in the sequel, so… we shall see.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: Logan Crane’s life changed dramatically the day a blind fit of temper resulted in him accidentally injuring his wife. Although he’s now in an abuser counseling program, Logan cannot face the real source of his unhappiness: he’s always been attracted to men but has refused to accept it since witnessing an act of violence.
During his therapy, Logan meets Nick Zales, a counselor at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Nick is understandably suspicious of Logan despite an immediate attraction to him. Logan feels the same attraction and faces a critical internal struggle as he finds himself falling in love with this enigmatic man.
Both men are haunted by unacknowledged ghosts and abuse in their pasts. How can they help each other heal if they continue to ignore their own wounds?
Review: Logan Crane has hidden his sexuality since he realized he was gay, after witnessing his brother severely beat up a friend when he was in high school because the guy was gay. Now married with two daughters, he and his wife struggle to make ends meet which only adds stress to their already strained relationship. After an argument leaves his wife in the hospital, by Logan’s hand, the family is torn apart and Logan is in therapy.
Nick Zales is an abuse counselor at the shelter where Logan is assigned for therapy. Nick is out and proud, which shocks Logan from the start. Nick is an abuse survivor and fulltime caregiver for his aging mother who still suffers the long-term effects of the abuse she suffered. The two are instantaneously attracted to one another, but don’t act on it from the start. Nick mentally berates himself for being attracted to an abuser, and Logan berates himself for being attracted to a man.
Forced to spend time together for an outreach program for the shelter, they slowly break down the walls each of them hide behind and learn that neither of them are who they think they are. Both Nick and Logan have some serious issues to deal with, personal demons, before they have any chance at a relationship. But when faced with facing their equally damning pasts, can they overcome that pain in order to secure a future, together?
I loved the basis in reality of this storyline and the depth of the characters. Both were extremely flawed and emotionally scared. They find the strength to heal through their love for one another. There was a lot of angst though, and the majority of the story read almost like a mature YA novel. That coupled with the horrid narration of Jeff Gelder knocked off a couple stars in my rating. Had I read this book, or had it been narrated by someone with a pulse, the rating per chance would have been higher.
I think I will recommend this book if you are going to READ it. The writing, storyline, and characters were fantastic. I’d definitely read more from this author.
*I received a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review from Dreamspinner Press for MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: Meet Ethan…he’s a self-proclaimed slut hitchhiking across country from New York on his way to San Francisco. He stops in a small town in New Mexico and gets a job at a tavern called Honky Tonk without really wanting it. The owner of the tavern is a hulking man named Hunter Westmore and Ethan does everything he can to get the man’s attention and once he does his dirtiest dreams come true.
Hunter is a cowboy and owns a ranch as well as the tavern. When he meets the city kid who came into the tavern he didn’t know what hit him. He’d never felt the way Ethan made him feel and he tried to ignore the younger man but no one could ignore Ethan. Once he finally gives in they start a discovery of what makes them both tick, and what they both love is when Hunter takes a strong hand to Ethan and gives him his collar. Can their darkly seductive love last or will their kinks tear them apart?
Review: Oh boy, was this ever good! I love a good cowboy story and this was awesome!
Ethan is hitchhiking to California when he stops at a little town in New Mexico. He decides to rest a day or so and goes into a small bar called Honky Tonk to get some food and hopefully a lay. Instead, he ends up with a job, a room at the bartender’s house and a crush on his boss.
I don’t know who I loved the most Ethan or Hunter. Though Ethan is young, he seems to be very wise and know what he wants. I love his confidence. Hunter is just pure perfection. A cowboy, a businessman, smart and a Dom. What else could you want?
This story is full of surprises. It is hot and sexy and yet sensual and sweet at the same time. There is plenty of conflict and interesting characters to blend with the sex making it a story you won’t want to put down. As a matter-of-fact get ready to shop again, because there is a book two already out!
If you love cowboys, bartenders, short order cooks, ranchers, and BDSM this is definately for you. Did I mention cowboys and hot man-sex?
Title: Isherwood
