Blurb:When Steven helps his neighbor Devon move into the studio apartment upstairs, he can’t help but drool. And that’s all. Devon is straight and totally off limits. Knowing, though, doesn’t stop the desire Steven fights every time the two men are together, which is a lot since Steven has decided to take Devon under his wing until the young man can get his life together.
This story was part of the HOT COMFORT anthology previously published.
Review: There is nothing like a coming of age story, especially when it involves a man who has no clue that he could be attracted to another man. Meet Steven who’s an older cook who befriends young, straight and down on his luck Devon. The two become friends and Steven becomes besotted with young Devon even though he knows the man is straight. The lines of this friendship become blurred and that allows Devon to remove himself from his previously assigned box of identity and to explore new ones.
Devon begins to care for Steven and takes a leaf out of Steven’s book when it comes to taking care of Steven when Steven is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity that throws his life into chaos. Readers will love Steven and Devon – Steven as the older gay man who doesn’t want to take advantage of his young padawan; and Devon with his dependence on Steven to help him adjust to his new life. They are both very different from each other, yet together they make sense and a very cute couple. The reader wants them to get together and when they do, there are smiles all around.
The reader will also enjoy seeing how the book got its title. It’s is rife with double entendre. Nice little read.
Blurb:Noah Coleman doesn’t do casual relationships. After losing his partner, Jeff, and raising their daughter Emily by himself, he’s not used to thinking of anyone in a romantic way. But when he moves back to Chicago and meets former classmate Andy Lane again, Andy somehow manages to worm his way into Noah and Emily’s lives – and into Noah’s heart. Noah watches Emily and Andy grow closer, but Andy doesn’t seem to want anything more from Noah than friendship. What’s a father to do when he realizes balancing love and parenthood isn’t as easy as he’d always thought?
Review: A delightful story about love a second time around. Noah is a man grieving the loss of his partner while now raising their child. When Andy Lane enters his life, he doesn’t think he’s ready for a relationship, but Lane’s quiet and non-threatening presence breaks through Noah’s grief and he begins to care. Feeling that the sentiment is not returned, he ends his lukewarm relationship with Andy, which depresses both men.
Once Noah realizes his mistake via how heartbroken his daughter is by Andy’s absence, he swallows his pride and goes to talk with Andy, which will allow both men to talk about their misunderstandings and begin to build a relationship with each other. The Epilogue of the story explains the title, which just makes the story all the sweeter.
The characters of Noah, Andy and Emily are well-developed and the reader roots for not just the two men to be together but also for the three of them to build a family with each other. The power to love is infinite and often death is tragic, but that doesn’t mean that love will never ever be there again. This story is about family, trust and how love can heal anything.
Blurb:In installment 2 of Hard Times, Stuart Finch’s perpetually throbbing cock has made one thing obvious: the more sex he has, the more he wants because Stuart is constantly harder for more.
When he interviewed for the banking apprentice position, Stuart told the demanding bank executive he would do anything to be hired and keep the job, and he meant every syllable. Stuart just had no idea the type of erotically exhilarating and arousing tasks his boss would ask him to perform when he made that declaration — or how much he would enjoy performing them.
Up until now, Stuart Finch’s stimulating interactions with his new boss and a friendly neighbor have been but a prelude to the main event: losing his virginity. Before long, Stuart is overwhelmed with the penetrating duties he’ll perform for his boss during the day and the steamy hot nights he’ll spend in the hulking arms of his amorous neighbor.
In fact, the non-stop sex is downright exhausting, but worth every tingling sensation, stimulating penetration, and sensational orgasm
In the first book, young Stuart was untouched…well pretty much. In this one he, well, let’s say he is virginal no more. What with between his boss and neighbour, and with the possibility of being with a co-worker, his dance card is full. Not to mention the waiter from the hotel! How he is not totally exhausted by the end of this book, I have no idea! So yeah, if this is the type of book you want to read…*wink* I say buy it…buy it NOW!
I enjoyed it although I was a little exhausted what with all the “relations” he was having throughout the book. Phew! So yeah, buy it. You won’t regret it J
Blurb: Pastry chef and bakery owner Jason Wood bakes a mean chocolate soufflé, yet his love life keeps falling flat. He’d blame his past if he wasn’t trying so hard to avoid it.
When his family’s farmhouse burns to the ground, he’s summoned to identify a body found in the ashes. Jason returns to Hancock, Michigan, and reunites with a childhood friend, small town vet Henry McCavanaugh. After fifteen years apart, their rekindled friendship soon develops into much more. But Jason’s baggage threatens their blossoming romance, and he leaves town unannounced to escape his feelings—and Henry’s feelings for him. He has learned the hard way if something seems too good to be true, it’s best to run for the hills. Jason stress-bakes more confections than he knows what to do with before wondering if he’s running in the wrong direction.
Review: This book was beautiful. A novel of self-discovery, this novel goes to show how hard life can be for one that has struggled all their life. When you meet Jason, he is in a state of dark loneliness. One that brings him to a house that he doesn’t expect to have a future in. and as the novel progresses, he finds himself falling for and interested in a special character.
This novel had brought me to tears, got me to laugh, and made me smile. Indra truly knows how to make someone smile and provide a goodness to their heart. The characters were solid and strong, the plot was thick and fantastic. Overall, I would give this book a perfect score.
Indra certainly knows how to show the dark side and realistic view of growing up and moving on. I would highly recommend this novel to everyone that wants to read something new and heart-warming.
J-Bar ranch foreman Malloy pretty much keeps to himself—slinking around the edges of everybody else like an old coyote, doing his job and staying private. That is until Crispin Carrasco shows up.
Lean, muscular, and with a motor mouth that won’t quit, Crispin sparks something in Malloy—something the foreman didn’t know was there. But how does a lone coyote approach the warmth of a fire? And more important, what would happen if that fire burned?
Review: Malloy has been Foreman of the J-bar for a long time, but more than that, he was raised since he was fourteen by Crandall Jenkins and his wife Emma. J bar was more than a job it was home. Mr Jenkins has a way of helping out people and he left Malloy in charge of the ranch as usual when he and Emma go off to Florida, to spend the winter and holidays with the girls. This year however he had another request. To watch out for Emma’s friends nephew Crispin Malloy, whom Crandall had given a job for the winter.
Crispin was unlike any other man Malloy had ever met. Not only was Crispin out and proud, but also compassionate and having a way with animals as well as people. Malloy had no idea just how much Crispin would change his life and turn things at the ranch upside down doing so.
His book was amazing! Awesome isn’t even close to describing how good. I love a good character driven story but this had both characters and an intriguing storyline. All the characters even the sub characters had so much personality. I won’t call the men broken since though each one has had a bad past that left them broken. The Jenkins had taken them in, giving them jobs, home and love, mending them a little. Let’s start with Malloy. He is the typical, quiet cowboy, with his cowboy charm and drawl a loner and man of few words. He likes his privacy and to stay on the outside looking in. Crispin… he is a character all right; talkative, creative, caring, compassionate and empathetic. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for man or beast. And he is gay and proud of it.
This story is written with such wit and charm that you can’t put it down. There were places I laughed until I thought I’d die and a place or two I nearly cried. The names alone are enough to put a smile on your face.
If you like, cowboys, ranch hands, three-legged dogs, lots of laughs and some tears, family drama and some smoking hot mansex this is for you
Hey peeps, today we bring you Susan Mac Nicol and her new release Worth Keeping. Susan discusses with us her research *cough*, we have both Cat and Tams reviews and a fantastic giveaway from Susan and Boroughs Publishing where you can win copies tour wide of Stripped Bare and Saving Alexander. So without further ado I give you Susan Mac Nicol, good luck chaps and remember to click that Rafflecopter link 🙂 ~Pixie~
Oh how the world turns – Or, research CAN be very interesting…
I think I’ve said this before but I’m going to bore you and say it again. I love my new role as a writer/published author/scribe/wordsmith/woman of letters.
Whichever way you look at it, it has changed my life to the point where I meet the most interesting, supportive, funny and downright irreverent characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. And now that I have ‘branched out’ into writing stories about the world of the gay male romance relationships, it’s just gotten better. I do talk about things in this post that may offend sensitive viewers, so feel free to look away now.
This group of writers is incredible. In the words of the ladies in that wonderful British sitcom, they are ‘Absolutely Fabulous.’ Eddy and Patsy would be so enamoured with this lot.
You can read more about Ab Fab here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105929/ if you’re interested. It’s a classic if you like neurotic, sarcastic, chain smoking, drug popping and hard drinking women with attitude. And let’s face it, who doesn’t?
Anyway I digress. Back to this group of writers who have given me such pleasure over the past few months. Not the pleasure your dirty mind is thinking of, although… hmm, I guess there is an element of that when you’re reading hot, loving, gay man sex scenes.
Despite me being a relative newbie to the sub-genre, they have taken me into the proverbial fold, offered me support and encouragement, some jaw dropping moments, an education beyond compare in the ‘ins and outs’ of writing this type of story and a lot of entertainment.
Like my beta reader for ‘Stripped Bare’ (a well-known author and gay man who was sense-checking some of my scenes) coming up to me and saying ‘Sue, page 14 – honestly, cum doesn’t travel that far.” Ahhh. That’s telling me isn’t it? Right, I had to revisit that bit. The realistic distance of travelling cum needed to be addressed. (I have to say I think he said this for maximum impact when there were other people around who may not have known what we were talking about. He can be such a tease that way. I shudder to think what they thought, but they were too polite to say anything if so.)
There was the debate on whether a tongue stud will affect a blow-job and if so, in what way? Good, bad? Anyone tried it, have an opinion? Of course they do. I am now enlightened up and beyond the call of duty on the effect of a tongue piercing on a man’s penis.
There was the whole online discussion about solo shower masturbation and whether men used this as their happy time to relieve themselves. That garnered quite a few responses.
Then there’s my personal favourite, another fellow author, also a gay man, who offered to ‘test drive‘ my sex scenes with his boyfriend so that my research could be validated. Whether it actually happened or not I have no idea but this man and his partner deserve a commendation for their commitment to duty. If there’s an Oscar out there for this, someone let me know. Maybe we should think of a name for it. Feel free to give me your suggestions. Not too rude please. It might have to be mentioned on national TV.
The wonderfully named Gayology101 forum on Goodreads is a complete eye opener and I thank the stars we have actual gay men and women answering questions that we straight women pose on their sexual activity. It gets a little raw in there I can tell you, but nothing we writers can’t handle in the name of ‘research.’
I mean, honestly, where else could one talk about these sorts of things without feeling like a pervert? And believe me, getting it right is extremely important. There’s nothing worse that the research not being done properly and ticking someone off when they’re reading a book because it’s so blatantly wrong or unrealistic. You may not get it all right, and others may disagree with your take on some things but at least you tried like hell to do it right in the beginning.
Of course, all of the above applies to heterosexual sex as well, but I have a far better idea how that works, being an active participant myself. But when you’re writing about something you’ve never physically experienced or done (note, I don’t say visually experienced and I shall leave you all to ponder on the relevance of that statement) you need help to make it work.
So befriending these authors, most of whom are more experienced in writing in this genre than I am, who have already run the gauntlet and had their men have mind blowing sex with each other, was a privilege and an honour. Discussing things in forums, which may seem a little ‘out there’ was an education. Reading their books and finding out how they tackled the subject matter was enlightening and rewarding and most pleasurable. I doff my hat to them all.
All in all, I am enjoying this phase I’m going through and have every intention of continuing it. After all, David Sarnoff, businessman and pioneer of American radio and television said, “Whatever course you have chosen for yourself, it will not be a chore but an adventure if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving.”
Well, I am definitely striving, so the path ahead can only be a LOT of fun.
Nick Mathers pulls Owen Butler from the freezing waters off the Norfolk coast, but Owen’s love can carry Nick back from the edge of oblivion.
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
”We have to re-iterate that this Author will always be an automatic one-click for us. Her writing is flawless and her flawed characters are completely lovable. There’s always something quirky and fun in her stories as well as drama, angst and heaps of passion! We can highly recommend!!” – Gitte & Jenny – Totally Booked Blog
“The cast of supporting characters adds depth and color, and the subplot of impending danger is artfully woven into the fabric of two men learning to overcome their own limitations, to open to the possibility of love and to redefine who they are. … this is a novel… Worth Keeping.” – Beach Bum Books
“Susan has written what I found to be a truly wonderful story about two damaged men that fit together in a way that gives them a relationship that can be everything they never dared to dream of.” – T. Kurtz, Book Addict
“…it is a beautiful story of survival. It is a story of two men who fought for their lives and there are times they can trip and fall, but somehow they do manage to pick themselves up and face life. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Love it.“ –Johanna Alba Bilbao
“Susan has been hailed as a genius writer of male/male literature. Her Saving Alexander has been nominated for several awards and has been reviewed widely. Congrats on all your success, Susan. You have earned it.” – Gay Lit Authors
Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published last year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Worth Keeping is her third m/m romance.
Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself being a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.
Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.
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
Nick Mathers.. dark and brooding, artist and light house keeper in his small corner of the world. To say his past is the stuff of nightmares is an understatement. Violated and abused as a teen, his own mother was the enabler. And then in his confusion he mistook a controling and domineering man for love. His body, both inside and out, carry the weight of the hard life he’s lead, and he remains isolated in his light house, pondering ending it all. Until he meets Owen.
Owen Butler is no stranger to heartache himself. His lover was killed in random act of violence and he’s never quite recovered. He does a little more than ponder an ending, and winds up washing ashore on Nick’s light house beach. The energy between these two is electric, and they act on it immediately. Nick decided long ago that he was better off alone. His scars run way too deep to even consider a lover. His emotions are so out of sync that his mind sometimes blurs the lines between reality and the past. And he refuses to hurt anyone, or let them in.
Both men are stubborn, strong willed and determined. Owen has fallen in love and will do whatever it takes to gain Nick’s love in return. The push and pull at times is extreme. The question is, can they find a balance between the push and pull. When your entire life has been a series of nightmares, self loathing and pain; can you find a way to love again? Owen is more than willing to draw him a map!
I’m reminded of a movie quote with these two, “Don’t say we may not be right for each other. Because the way I see it, we may not be right for anybody else!”
This is a dark love story with a lot of mystery and suspense. I loved the six degrees of separation aspect to the story line as well, in the end, all things were connected. People, places and things that were seemingly random throughout, actually converged for a tumultuous ending. There was passion, steam and just the right amount of angst for these two lovers as well. The shower scene alone makes this book a must read! The fact that the story itself is well written and the characters have depth and a certain reality to them is just a bonus.
Cat’s Review:Heart: ♥♥♥♥ 4
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: Officer Chance Carter is pretty sure he’d still enjoy being on either end of a good ass reaming—just not the one from his supervisor that lands him on an involuntary extended vacation. Another holiday season with nothing to do except visit an old friend.
Former hospital corpsman Bryan Mitchell doesn’t feel less than honorable, but that’s what his discharge paperwork states. Now he’s down and out in Kingman, Arizona until the charity of a stranger lands him a temporary job for the holidays.
When two federal employees go missing during a highly controversial wild horse roundup, the two Willow Springs Ranch newcomers are drafted to help in the search, but if rumors of a local anti-government militia are true, Chance and Bryan may be in serious trouble—and from something far more dangerous than their mutual attraction.
Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend reading them in order. Bryan left the corps under a shadow and hasn’t got anything to his name, deciding on a fresh start in Las Vegas he’s on his way when he has to stop in Kingman because of car trouble, now he has to accept the charity of strangers until he has his feet under him again. Chance has to take time off to evaluate what he really wants in a job, he decides to visit Holden at Willow Springs Ranch and is surprised to discover he has a roommate. Chance and Bryan are asked to help in the search for two missing Federal agents and find more trouble than expected as they explore the attraction between them.
This is quite a good cowboy/law enforcement story. Chance and Bryan meet when they are both staying at the ranch, Bryan for work and Chance as part of a working holiday. Bryan is trying to get back on his feet after being tossed out of the corps and also from a bruised heart, Chance is trying to figure out just where he belongs in law enforcement after being disciplined for passing on sensitive information to a friend. Together they have to help in a search for missing federal agents but can what they have together survive when disaster strikes and an old flame returns?
I did enjoy this story although it felt very abrupt at times when the characters were talking, I sometimes felt like something had been cut out. The relationship between Chance and Bryan started out great and continued to gain ground really well, the storyline was good and has left a big opening for a new story, and it will be interesting to see where it goes. I was left feeling a little disappointed that no clues were left for the boys but I was overall happy with how the book was written. The sex between the MC’s was really hot with hints as to some kinky sex in the future, but I really liked how both characters opened up to each other and seemed to care for each other. I was a bit disturbed by the ex-boyfriend’s actions and had hoped that Bryan would take action in some form, but I could understand his reluctance after everything that happened before.
I will recommend this to those who love cowboys, law enforcement, a great background story, hot sex, great characters and a happy ending.
Blurb: Four years after Ari and Dagur’s forced marriage, not many know the man at the future king’s side. Dagur, the king’s nephew, is convinced secrecy is necessary for Ari’s safety. Ari, on the other hand, doesn’t mind that not many know of his existence. Let alone what he looks like. But one day, everything changes. The king dies and Dagur is called to court—alone. When he’s attacked on the way, it’s up to Ari to find out who the enemy is. And if that’s not enough, he also has to figure out who wants the king dead, deal with a wayward healer, and find a missing fiancé.
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Even after four years of marriage not many people know that Ari is Dagur’s husband, Ari doesn’t like it and isn’t sure of Dagur’s reasons for keeping it quite but accepts them. Now though everything is about to change, Dagur disappears without leaving a message and Ari heads out to find him and uncovers a plot against Dagur and his uncle, the King. Ari has his hands full when he finds that Dagur is being lured into a trap, the king is being poisoned and Ari has to track down a missing fiancé for a fellow two-colored (shape-shifter).
So the story of Dagur and Ari continues with this new installment which starts four years after the previous story finished, and I will begin with a brief recap. Dagur and Ari are two-colored, shapeshifters with two different colored eyes. Dagur is the nephew of the King and was touring the country looking for a suitable spouse when he met Ari, a fellow two-color. Ari reluctantly married Dagur believing Dagur was a monster who abused people but found a very different person in the man underneath the image of a tyrant. Now they are happy together, but Ari’s identity is hidden because of the enemies that target Dagur and Ari discovers that Dagur’s caution was well founded.
This story has a great opening scene of Ari flying desperate to find his missing husband and we are quick to discover why Dagur fled from his home without escort, it then flashes back a couple of days to Ari making a promise to one of his fellow villager’s and Ari finding Dagur gone. It then progresses smoothly as we see Ari discover the truth of the summons and the plot falls into place with the missing fiancé playing a large part in helping Ari and Dagur out.
I really do love this series and I can’t stress enough that the Crow and Firefly has to be read before this story. There is no recap of previous events or the world building that was in the first story so you would be at a loss for explanations. Now, this is a great story that is easily picked up if you have read the previous book, Ari and Dagur are still wonderful characters although Ari feels a bit lost that Dagur keeps him so well hidden as his spouse. The plot for this story is really good and although this is only 84 pages long it fits everything in brilliantly without being overly complicated, it’s a very simple storyline that does a cracking job of entertaining us.
I recommend this to those that love shape-shifters in a medieval setting with a solid background story, great characters, a well dodged trap, uncovering a sinister plot and a great ending.
Blurb: Jamie comes to his high school reunion on a mission: show everyone that the scared kid who was picked on for being gay has grown up into a sexy, confident lawyer. Maybe then, he’ll finally shake his fear of not fitting in.
Nick, once the worst of Jamie’s bullies, has an agenda too. He’s looking for Jamie…to apologize.
Though a stint in the army left Nick injured, humbled, and without a clear plan for his future, Jamie’s skeptical that Nick has changed. Still, he doesn’t fight the new sexual charge between them, even though his submissive tendencies and Nick’s dominance seem like a recipe for high school all over again. A one-night stand with his former tormenter seems like just the thing to put the past behind him, but when he tries to walk away in the morning, he doesn’t get very far.
He and Nick both are snatched by a band of werewolves and told they have a supernatural bond. Nick can see the supernatural world and Jamie…well, Jamie’s apparently a kelpie.
Dismayed, Jamie fights their bond and their new reality, still believing Nick isn’t trustworthy. Nick’s determined to prove Jamie wrong and keep him safe. The combative supernatural world has them tightly in its grip; Nick and Jamie, though, have only each other to hold on to.
Review: I have to admit that this story surprised the hell out of me. It caught my attention from page one and kept it all the way to the end. The story line has a mixture of love, hate, pain, danger and a bit of tears. It has twist and turns that you would not believe possible. It had an amazing plot to it. I think I have found another story that I can’t wait to read more and more. It is my first story of this author and I can say that Nessa Vincent caught my attention with it.
Each man had his strengths and his weaknesses. Jamie is gentle, loving, and very kind but his heart has been hurt before especially by the one man growing up he had a crush on. Nick had been absolutely horrible to Jamie and had come back to apologies to him. Then after one night together, their world as they knew it was changed forever. Nick after getting out of the army injured and sad, he finds his way to Jamie only to realize he truly loved this man. Nick is kind, gentle, loving, and very loyal to those he loves and trust. What made this story amazing was the twist of the paranormal parts to it. Trying to trust Nick was very hard for Jamie, as was believing that they were mates.
It had its serious parts, but this story was quite funny.
Blurb:When two bad boys meet, nothing good can come of it.
Might is the biggest outcast in the pack of Wolves that he lives with. Not only is he actually an Eagle shifter, but he’s also half-human, but that hasn’t stopped him from sleeping with every available male in the pack. Hey, call him a slut, but he likes to have a good time.
Adan left the pack ten years ago, before they could have a chance to exile him. Always breaking the rules, fighting, and committing petty crimes, he caused nothing but trouble for the pack. Now he’s back, and the question everyone is asking is, has he changed his old ways?
Then he meets Might, and he knows he has to have the Eagle shifter. But when these two bad boys clash, will they cause nothing but trouble? Or will they be able to tame each other?
Review: Stephani has always given me the perfect escape during a busy day. I have always loved her stories and this one ranks right up there with all other others. An amazing read if I say so myself. The right mixtures of excitement, intrigue, adventure, and danger. I love how she can give you two of the sexiest men around, put them into a dangerous situation, and watch them work their way out.
Might is a half eagle shifter and half wolf shifter, living among a pack of wolves. He doesn’t fit in at all, and to make things worse he sleeps with anyone and everyone. He likes to have a good time. Now you add in one very sexy mate Adan and you are going to have fireworks. Might had pretty much been in a lab all of his life, experimented on and tortured. He was adorable, sweet, and gentle and kind, but he only thought he was worth much in bed nowhere else. Whereas Adan was strong, fierce, yet loving to his mate. When they do get together, it was hot, sensuous and set the sheets on fire.
This series should be read in order otherwise you might get a bit lost. It has its humor mixed in with a touch of seriousness. I love the way they can overcome pain and turn it into happiness. It gives you a whole new world to lose yourself into.
Blurb: Val, an English teacher, takes an exchange position in Australia to recover from the death of his lover. He stages Romeo and Juliet at his school, and becomes close friends with Anna, the head teacher. Oliver (who plays Romeo) falls in love with Val, and although the feeling is mutual, because of his position Val cannot allow the relationship to develop.
Val struggles with his feelings, unable to come to terms with Oliver’s youthful seductive ways, and unable to reconcile his heartache over David’s death with his developing affection for Oliver, which he must reject both internally and externally. And at the same time, he must make a life for himself in a country far from his friends and the world he knows. How do you decide between love and duty?
Eric’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts I found this novel to be fantastic. Facing the loss of one love and pushing the boundaries in order to fall in love with the one that taunts you well. It’s one of my favourite forms of a book. It also makes for one hell of a read.
Eli’s Review: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts TABOO! That’s the one word I have to describe the story. Taboo! Before this review goes any further, it’s important to discuss the taboo element. The object of Val’s affection is a seventeen year old boy named Oliver. Parents out there are now squirming in their seats. How does one even reconcile such a taboo topic? First there is the age difference between Oliver and Val. Val is a man, Oliver a mere boy. Then layer on the issue that Val is a teacher at Oliver’s school and thus in a position of power and then you are into the whole inappropriate scenario. Parents of teenage boys are NOT going to approve of this story. And if Oliver was Olivia, then the words statutory rape would probably abound. However, before anyone gets up in arms, the age of consent in Australia is sixteen so no laws were broken.
Are we now sufficiently past the elephant in the room so to speak? Good, then let’s proceed.
Discussion of appropriateness of the romance aside, the story itself was an interesting one. Val is a man who has lost his lover after watching him deteriorate after a debilitating illness. He wants to run away from his pain and so he runs to Australia which is where David, his departed partner, was from. He hopes to jumpstart his life and get himself out of his funk. However, he lands in Australia only to find himself enamoured by and with one of the students in his play. It is important to note that Oliver is not taught directly by Val. Like any good teacher, Val fights the attraction and only succumbs when he realizes that he must put a physical separation between him and the temptation that is Oliver. Oliver is also going through his own issues since his story is a YA coming of age one as he embraces being gay and comes out in spectacular fashion as befits any drama student. This is then accompanied by the usual teenage high school issues as well as the attending family drama.
Val’s character is extremely well-developed in the story and he’s a very nice, likable and sympathetic character. His attraction to Oliver is clearly understood since Oliver virtually throws himself at Val and Val is a man who’s in the deep throes of pain at the loss of his life partner. The angst he feels and the ability for this young man to spark something in him is clearly easy to understand. Oliver being attracted to an older man is also quite understandable. He knows he’s gay and a student having a crush on a teacher is nothing new. Oliver doesn’t seem quite so sympathetic until the reader learns more about his background. It is then that the reader begins to feel maybe less antagonistic towards the taboo element in the story.
The story, however, does not wallow in the whole issue of Val and Oliver’s attraction. It is merely the backdrop which informs the whole story. At its core, this is Val’s story and how he emerges from being in mourning to finding a way to start his life again with someone new. And while seventeen is young, Oliver is portrayed as a very mature and together young man whose home situation has made him stronger than the average teen.
The secondary characters of the other teachers and another man with whom Val forms an attachment adds richness and a three-dimensional element to the story. While Val’s best friend back in England. provides Val with a tether to reality. There is also some other attendant drama that allows the reader to not focus solely on the Val/Oliver connection since Val does have a life and life comes with issues.
Of course the author employs the ‘play within a play’ strategy by having Val stage Romeo and Juliet which is a doomed romance which could foreshadow what may be happening between Val and Oliver. Additionally, it is no coincidence that the author also has extensive scenes with Val teaching Oliver how to fight and fence ostensibly for use in the play – it’s a great way to move the reader to an acceptance of how these two men will need to fight for their eventual relationship and how they’ll need to defend each other, their relationship and themselves.
Spoiler Alert: The end of the book does give the reader some respite and alleviates the initial squick factor since all’s well that ends well.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: Put the squick factor aside if you can. Parents of teenage boys – I fully get if you can’t. Read the book with the notion that no laws were broken and that maybe just maybe this could be a love for the ages. The book is well written and the characters nicely developed. From a literary standpoint – A reasonably good read.
Publisher: Torquere Press (2nd edition, January 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3~3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb:The White Palace has risen, and now John Arrowsmith, his thief lover Infamous, and the rest of the gang from A Strange Place in Time must defeat a growing conspiracy and an ancient adversary. As John learns to use his own powers as Court Seer, he and the Court learn of a plot that their old enemy, SkullDigger, is concocting to finally defeat them.
With allies among John’s own Earth-bound family, and many others along the way, SkullDigger mounts attack after attack, which test John and his friends to the limit of their abilities. Will John and his friends, who include a pet duck, be able to fend off the forces that conspire against them?
Review:This book is the second part of a Trilogy that ought to be read in order.
The second book in the A Strange Place in Time series is, if not as good as the first, certainly a captivating one as well. It picks up right where the first stopped and manages to take you once again into the Tolkein-like world of Dargoth and the adventures Arrowsmith and his friends get caught up to.
Now in this installment I’m afraid I got a minor dissatisfaction right from the start. There is a distinctive change on Arrowsmith’s personality and mannerisms from book one. As we read their Arrowsmith, despite being brought up by white trash, he still had some innate elegance in him, a gentleness that couldn’t be explained, and his manners were not as crude as in this installment. For a while there, I was thinking that our character suffered a huge change from the moment he Recalled and that simply didn’t make any sense. I still think this is one big fault in the writing of this second installment.
However, the story made up for it big time. The White Palace has finally risen and now every member of the Court has to get there and try to figure out why. The enemy is real yet still a mystery with too many things happening to divert eyes from the main danger. Outward war is not what our characters deal with, rather schemes made in the dark, past enemies forming alliances to strike in different directions, and people long thought dead come forth from the shadows to shatter the false safety.
We also have a chance to meet The Nine members of the Court better. We get to see their pasts, how they came to be, and – personally – I was surprised by many of them. Misty was perhaps the biggest surprise of them all. I had not figured what exactly was his position in Court, so when I found out it safe to say I was left with my jaw hanging there for a while. His story from start to finish was exciting, his love was awe-inspiring, and yet again, I wish for more length in this book in order to have a proper development and give us the chance to process the multitude of information.
Monshika finally made sense and I must say he managed to become dear and charming in his way. Arrowsmith finally took the role I was expecting him to, but I fear the Seer (again) was not given as much time. Now, the character that I felt was the most fascinating of them all was Lord Sly. How very intriguing and how very unexploited he was. Seriously, I didn’t mind him being just another character in the first book, but here his talents were completely wasted. The final member and the most mystical one to join the party was Blue the Bard. We were wondering about him throughout the first and this second installment and we only got to meet him and his story right at the end. I pointed out that this author has a thing with cliffhangers (which I absolutely detest) and yes, he did it again along with a huge load of new intel. I literally screamed “I hate this book” when it abruptly ended, if it were a printed copy you can very well imagine me throwing it across the room and barely holding myself from tearing it apart. Yes, I’m prone to drama when I’m left hanging.
Overall, though, the book met my expectations. It had adventure and love, blood and death as well and I’m always a happy camper when schemes and plots manage to cause chaos. The anticipation for the third one on my part is quite great, so despite my loathing the wait, I feel the author managed to literally entrap me in this trilogy. It was addictive, it was highly enjoyable, and it’s definitely recommended for those who love High Fantasy.
Blurb: Prince Magnus Sorenson is a warrior who is used to the isolated life of a soldier. He is responsible for the safety of his royal family and their subjects and is haunted by his failure to protect his parents. Magnus never expected to find his aheri—his beloved mate. He didn’t deserve him.
Archer Stockton is a humble carpenter who plays baseball with his buddies on the weekends. Archie is a gentle giant with a pure heart who was beaten by his father for being gay, causing him to have to learn to talk, read, and walk again. He knew he wasn’t much of a catch. Mag deserved better.
Magnus knows Archer is perfect for him. Archer brings love and gentleness into his life. Miraculously, Archer can see through the glamour of Mag’s world. He also sees the beauty of their future and the babies they will have together. Magnus is a soldier who is afraid. Afraid to hope.
Review: I found this novel to be like the others in this series. It is much more likable and less dark, but it is still a delight to have read. The characters were right on the money as to what I liked to read and the plot was as strong as the other two were. I would highly recommend Lyssa Samuels. She knows how to keep us interested.
Blurb: Liam Wolfson and Valentine Rosetti have been together for three years. But vampires like Val seldom make long-term commitments and Val won’t agree to more than being lovers. Liam, a werewolf, needs a family, a pack, to call his own in order to feel secure. Can the pair come to an agreement when their basic natures are so different?
Review: What I expect from a Valentine’s Day story is for that special emotion, the sensuality and passion bursting through the read that will take me away and make me believe that love is in the air and it’s powerful, stands stronger than anything else is in the world. If not for Valentine’s, then when? But even as I thought I get that feeling I was let down in this story. Yes, the sweetness managed to make an appearance, but then every story in the romance genre is sweet. What I seeked for were the fireworks and they were disappointingly lacking.
This story was about Liam, a wolf-shifter, and Valentine, a vampire. The day before Valentine’s Day the lover had another fight, the topic the same. Liam needs a family, a pack, and Valentine’s not ready for such commitment. The next day when Liam comes home from work Val has gone so far as to take his things and leave the house. What was meant to be their anniversary and a celebration of love, turned into a miserable, dark, and full of hurt day for Liam. Val on the other hand cannot believe what he’s done. He doesn’t understand why he’s running away from Liam, even as he is sure that he loves him with all his heart. Is giving Liam a family so hard and scary that he’s willing to lose him once and for all. For it is sure that if Val doesn’t make the big gesture everything will end this time.
The story felt like two normal people having a fight and making up with that big question finally popping. But it was so flat and bland that the romance didn’t quite make it to the surface. In addition, there was the paranormal part I was constantly searching for but never found. If we take apart, the wrestling foreplay when Liam turned into a big goofy pup and Val let his fangs drop. There was nothing to indicate that these two creatures were creature of the paranormal world. I kept wondering – since there was mention, that both Liam and Val would live a long life – how were they supposed to make a family. Adoption and surrogation yes, but how would they explain their longevity and inability to change as they grew older, a fact that supposedly wouldn’t happen anyway. For me, for the story even, I feel it would be better if the paranormal was missing and so we’d deal with a contemporary love story where there is a spat, make up sex and everybody lives happily ever after. As it was, it simply raised more questions, not to mention the fact that the puppy play in the bedroom made me roll my eyes at the wolf’s depiction.
The erotic part was disappointing as well. Cliché and shallow exercises of BDSM are not captivating at all and simply made me wonder what on earth was that all about, why not keep it simple and be safe from the complexity that comes with the BDSM scenes, as the context failed to capture that eroticism one sees between kinky couples. I think my expectations were yet again too high and not met so.
But then again I’m fussy when it comes to wolves and vampires. If the above seems agreeable to you, then by all means you might find a nice enough read for the holidays.
Blurb: Merek Sorenson is a king with a problem. His world is in unrest, and the Legari warriors are hunting him and his brothers for extermination.
Vance Morrow is a mechanic who spends his Saturdays with his buddies playing baseball. Meeting Merek has raised hope within his heart. He feels an incredible pull to the loving man who has brought kindness, happiness, and downright need back into his life.
Merek has waited for his aheri, his destined mate, his entire life. The love Merek has for Vance is soul deep. He knows he must reveal who he is and the danger that follows him. He prays Vance will want to bond with him and will be open to the fact that the men of Merek’s world can become pregnant. He aches to hold Vance in his arms forever, bring him home to rule beside him on Sanzel, and create children with him that they can nurture and love.
Review: I found this book to be as delicious as the others were. The more I read about the characters, the more intrigued I was with them.
Merek was a highly understandable and likable character. He just wanted the safety of his kingdom. Vance was a smart and a well put together kind of guy. The characters were great and likable. The plot was once again solid. And I would definitely recommend this book to those that love fantasy and erotic romance.
Major sci-fi romance lovers will devour this book.
Blurb: Selem, a young dragon shifter, always knew that he was going to be mated to someone stronger some day. When he meets Jace, he can’t help but start liking him. The problem? Jace is not a dragon. He’s a wolf. And Selem is already promised to someone else.
Can a dragon and a wolf beat the odds in a dark fantasy world?
This is the first instalment in a serialized novel.
Review: The blurb said it clearly, yet I somehow failed to see exactly what it meant; this is the first instalment in a serialized novel. What I found out after I read this was the fact that this entire series reminded me so much of free reads on blogs. You know the idea. An author writes a chapter every now and then and you have to sit and wait for the next, and the next. The big difference here is that you get to pay for this one, and it’s not nearly as enticing as some free reads out there that literally blow your mind.
The blurb also seems a bit leading in my opinion, especially that last line; Can a dragon and a wolf beat the odds in a dark fantasy world? I’d like to know the answer to that question myself seeing, as I didn’t get it from this first title. I find it really annoying when you get mislead like this.
Now plot-wise, there wasn’t much of a plot. What I read was simply bland sex and damn me if I got why. Selem belongs to a Dragon Clan that has some really weird ways. They count the number of a youngling’s scales and if the number is high enough, they deem that young’un weak and cut off his tail. Effectively cutting off his ability to shift into a full dragon when he’s to come of age. Not only that, but to appease the infuriated dragon, which can’t shift, the weak (servant) shifter must be claimed and tamed. So this is Selem’s fate, his duty, but that doesn’t mean that he likes his chosen mate, no. I loathed him deeply. And after his mate-to-be nearly rapes him, Selem runs of for the rest of the week, he has his freedom.
And that how the story begins. His mate to be gets angered and chases him, attacking him as well and managing to bring him down. Wounded Selem accepts Jace’s help and that leads to the interesting (interesting in the same manner as observing a bug while pinning its head) part of mating with the wolf…
And that was it! Huge spoilers here I know, I have no excuse beside the fact that I don’t know how to express the disappointment in this title. Plotless sex was what it was. I don’t know if it would have been different if all the titles were bound together into one piece, but as they are, I find it really hard to recommend this to someone. Had it been more enticing perhaps, had a bit of a plot, made a bit more sense, but as it is it’s just not worth it in my eyes.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10th December 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When a bad day at work culminates in losing out on a promotion, Jim Sanders shifts into his animal form to let off steam. Then his bad day turns into a bad night—while prowling his Atlantic City neighborhood as a large gray house cat, he’s caught in a torrential downpour. What little luck he has washes down the gutter when his new boss, Andrew Wright, catches him taking shelter on his porch, brings him inside, and starts calling him Mr. Frosty.
As a feline, Jim becomes the inadvertent confessor for his boss’s lonely son, Tony, a victim of schoolyard bullying. As a human, he feels drawn to Andrew, a man he wanted to resent. Finding love was never part of Jim’s plan for the future—not with his bizarre secret—yet suddenly he finds himself navigating that minefield anyway. But not everything is easy, especially for an interracial gay couple dealing with prejudice in the workplace, at Tony’s school, and even within their own families.
Review: Jim isn’t happy when he is passed over for promotion, gets caught in a downpour while in his cat form and then gets picked up by his new boss’s son. Taken into his Andrew’s warm home and becoming confidant to both Andrew and his son Tony wasn’t Jim’s idea of a night out, but Jim begins to realize that his resentment is unfounded, and as a human begins to fall for Andrew. But they have problems to overcome; Tony is being bullied at school, prejudice at work and some slight bigotry in their own families and Jim’s little secret, can Andrew and Jim make things work?
This is a great family story with an incredible cute kid and a slight twist of a shifter cat. Jim has had a bad day at work and decides to run it off in his cat form, he ends up taking refuge from a downpour on his new boss’s porch and gets taken in as a stray. Andrew moved to Atlantic City for a better life with his son Tony, but with new work pressure, discovering that his son is being bullied and a mysterious stray cat he is struggling to cope. Striking up a relationship isn’t something that Jim is sure he wants but the more he learns about Andrew and Tony the more he wants to know, but Jim has some hard choices to make… like is he ready to be an instant daddy.
I really enjoyed this story and thought that it was well written, the storyline was good, and it didn’t downplay the effects kids can have on a relationship. Jim and Andrew are great characters and we get a good feel for both of them, Tony is a delightful child that seemed very real in his behavior and added greatly to the story, the secondary characters were good with two of them being woven into the storyline very well. The underlying bigotry was a surprise to all but the prejudice against gays was one the characters were expecting to an extent, the bullying of Tony was well handled but breaks your heart for the suffering he goes through.
The relationship between Jim and Andrew is good but I felt like it was moving too quickly especially with a child involved, I felt it should have been more developed and they had known each other longer before Jim was considered as parent material. The shifter aspect was good but we didn’t learn much about it and I would have liked more of an explanation, like an in-depth discussion with Andrew about it other than just a little shock and easy acceptance. The sex between Jim and Andrew is hot and has a slight kinky twist, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
I will recommend this to those who love easy shifter stories, interracial relationships, supporting partners, facing bigotry and prejudice, accepting love and a very happy ending.
Blurb:Lucas is hunting, not only for a serial killer, but for his mate as well. With the arrival of his new partner Toby, he may be able to solve both problems at once.
There is a murderer rampaging through San Francisco, killing on every full moon while under the delusion he is a werewolf. Little does this ruthless man know that the police officer tasked with catching him is a true werewolf.
Lucas Donald has one of the best solve rates in the state. He’s not happy that he’s been saddled with a new partner on such an important case. That is until he meets Toby Devin, who is possibly the most beautiful man he’s ever seen. Together they have to crack the case. Can they find happiness despite family and job stresses?
Review: I hope that this is the start of a series because it was that good. I have always loved the paranormal and definitely wolf shifters. When you add in two very hot and sexy men, it gets even better. Rhiannon has a hit on her hands. She gave me a new world to lose myself in when things are getting to tough to deal with.
Lucas is one hell of a sexy cop and a werewolf, who just wants a mate. He has the mating symbol but won’t know till it has been completed. Catching a serial killer is on his mind, till Toby is sent to help. Toby is a FBI agent and very human, but he comes off as an alpha all his own. They not only hit it off, but Lucas knows in his heart that Toby is his mate. They have a connection that can’t be severed and the sex is hot. Their strengths and weaknesses complement each other.
This story was really good but the only problem I had was that it wasn’t long enough. I wanted to hear more about them and what is going on, but I can’t wait to read it again. It was really an amazing little story.
Blurb:Fifteen-year-old Tyler Buckspan lives with his mom and grandmother in 1960s Cassadaga, a Florida community where spiritual “mediums” ply their trade. The mediums–Tyler’s grandmother among them–read palms and tarot cards, conduct séances, and speak with the dead. Tyler’s a loner, a bookish boy with few interests, until his half-brother Devin, nineteen and a convicted arsonist, comes to live in Tyler’s home.
For years, Tyler has ignored his attraction to other boys. But with Devin in the house, Tyler can’t deny his urges any longer. He falls hopelessly in love with his miscreant half-brother, and with the sport of basketball, once Devin teaches Tyler the finer points of the game. In a time when love between men was forbidden, even criminalized, can Tyler find the love he needs from another boy? And is Devin a person to be trusted? Is he truly clairvoyant or simply a con artist playing Tyler and others for fools? What does Devin really know about a local murder? And can Tyler trust his own psychic twinges?
Review: I’m always wary of young adult titles, as they always seem to be filled with anxiety and drama to the point I can’t enjoy them much, but this title is definitely unique in many ways. I loved it, not merely enjoyed it. I started reading and didn’t stop until it ended, and I was so glad to see it end in such a realistic and satisfactory way.
The narration comes from an adult Tyler who is recalling his first steps to adolescence and his first loves that shaped his entire life. Tyler’s first crush with his half-brother who comes so suddenly into his life, the rejection he receives and the way he lives his fantasy by observing Devin’s love with his lover Jesse. His heart breaks when Devin marries a much older than him woman for her money, and Jesse’s resulting suicide. His disappointment when the schemes Devin and his mother cooked up. The terrible loss when Devin is forced away from his life after the chaos that followed Jesse’s suicide. His loneliness when right after Devin he loses his first boyfriend. The seclusion and feelings of dead-end and the birth of a new crush that later turns into his biggest love in the face of Jacob. His newfound ambitions with basketball and the loss of his never achieved dream yet again when Jacob is forced to leave. And finally, the accomplishment of his first dream that allows him to finally move on with his life as an adult.
Many readers might not like this book. They might find certain things such as the fact that Tyler crushes on Devin, his half-brother and finally he manages to satisfy his fantasy. Or his inclination to stealing his brother’s underwear and having quite some jerking sessions with them. Many might find the story to be jumping topics, as Tyler goes through some years during his narration and doesn’t dwell upon things that in a previous chapter were on the spotlight. I on the other hand found this book so realistic that I couldn’t have enough of it. The writing style is enticing, makes you keep on reading and you don’t really understand how good the skill is because you simply are captivated by the story, and such details escape you. I found the lack of angst refreshing though the story didn’t lack edge and suspense. I even felt as if I was reading a thriller at some point, constantly waiting for the gory end or the gut retching trauma to happen. The pace was simply great, not too fast, not slow and dragging, it was the perfect balance that simply kept you going, moving forward, and enjoying every second, every minute of reading. The adolescent stage our protagonist went through reminded me of mine with the differences of our world and time, yet the feelings and emotions were clear and effectively made me go back in time and relate with the character.
As for the fast beating of the heart with the first crushes and intimate moments, this is a young adult title and therefore not explicit in its descriptions, but it did not fail to produce an enormous amount of emotions. I could even picture the scenes that were not told, I could feel those kisses as I read them, I could feel the chemistry and the electricity produced by it on my own skin. I’m repeating myself but the writing while not exquisite, was way too good. So much so, it made me wish the story never ended and most definitely made me notice this author and search for more.
Overall, this book is the best homoerotic young adult title I’ve read ever since I dived into this genre. A strongly recommended one as long as you can discharge the incest issue. I on my part loved every single line.
Blurb:Understaffed, overworked, and generally exhausted contractor Ricci DeAngelo still has to contend with a long subway ride at the end of each day. The last thing he expects is to fall head long into a relationship while dozing on the train. But that’s exactly what happens when a sexy and equally exhausted stranger falls asleep on his shoulder one night.
Ricci’s nap partner ends up being Layton Callis, an equally overworked pâtissier who looks and smells good enough to eat. When they unexpectedly fall into a routine of napping together on the late train, Ricci finds himself in a unique position. He can continue only seeing Layton during the week and spending his weekends in a sleepless mess. Or Ricci can step up and see if he can get Layton to agree to wake up next to him on a more permanent basis.
Review: The premise of this story is simple adorable. What’s not to love about two men who are both so exhausted that they literally fall into and onto each other night after night on the train. So many relationships are built on lust – instead both these working men find each other each night and exchange some basic pleasantries before falling asleep together. The most intimate thing one person can do with another is to share their personal space and sleep together (not sex, actual sleep). These men build a relationship in the late hours when guards and inhibitions are down.
They eventually find that whenever they do not sleep together, they do not sleep well and so they move their relationship from the train to an actual home where the intimacy they began continues and they find that they can build their relationship into more.
This is a story about two hardworking guys who meet and find that they are very compatible. This is the way that many relationships begin, simple and innocuous. It gives the regular guy hope that he can find his Romeo too.
Very sweet story. Excellent plotline and the characters of Ricci and Layton are lovely.
Title: Devon Cream, 2nd edition
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