Month: February 2014

Battle of Will by Sasha L. Miller

Title: Battle17130362 of Will

Author: Sasha L. Miller

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Super Novel (470 pages)

ISBN: 9781620043073

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (1st January 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: At a memorial service meant to honor the dead and mark the beginning of a truce between Skirfall and Morcia, Ackley spies a figure who does not belong—a mage interrogator whose presence will only cause harm should the Morcians realize who he is and all the people he has tortured. But the problem rapidly grows much worse than that when Ackley realizes his true purpose is assassination of the Morcian crown prince—an assassination Ackley prevents, but at great cost.

Banished from his own country, bound magically to the crown prince of his enemies, Ackley is certain of just one thing: whether he can figure out how to break the spell or not, his death is assured.

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=557

Review: Ackley of Skirfall jumps into action when he realizes that the memorial service to honor the dead and seal the peace between two warring country’s is really a trap. Ackley spots Daralis, a mage interrogator, lurking in the crowd and realizes he is set on assassination and Ackley acts at great cost to himself. Now tied to the crown prince of Morcia, Beorn Ealdwin, Ackley has to find a way to break the bond whilst being dragged into a plot by some members of Ealdwin’s own council.

This is a brilliant enemy to lovers’ story; it’s a story of trust being built and of attraction building and two men finding love from a difficult situation. Ackley is a magic user and through one impulsive act, he finds himself bound to a man whose country outlaws magic. Ackley has to discover the counter spell that will set him free, but it is far from easy as he is looked upon with mistrust. Ealdwin doesn’t trust Ackley but has no choice in following Ackley’s advice… both their lives depend on it. Both Ackley and Ealdwin have to work together as they try to discover the traitor in Ealdwin’s own council, and Ackley begins to run out of time and just might have to choose between his magic and his freedom.

This is a great fantasy story of two men from different sides of a war who have to work together if they want their freedom. I found the story to be very in-depth with the ongoing war and the political maneuvering taking center stage, with Ackley’s search for a counter spell coming in a close second and the developing relationship between Ackley and Ealdwin being left till last. I liked the way the story progressed with Ackley and Ealdwin working together and the trust between them building slowly over time, when they did admit their feelings it felt more genuine because of the time they spent getting to know each other. This is far from an instant attraction story or men falling headlong in love, it’s a building of trust and affection.

Both Ackley and Ealdwin are interesting characters and their relationship is based on necessity which then takes its time developing into something more. I really enjoyed the main storyline of breaking the spell and discovering who is making a play against the throne and found it well drawn out. The setting is perfectly written *sigh* I love stories that have a medieval feel to them and I absolutely adore them when magic is thrown into the mix. I must admit though that I got thrown at times with the changing of Ealdwin’s name, at times he was Ealdwin and others he would be called his other name Beorn and it would take me a moment or two to remember they were the same person *shush*.  

I recommend this to those who love fantasy, brilliant characters and an intriguing storyline with magic, political sneaky dealings, betrayal and a relationship built on trust.   

Derailleur by Kate Roman

20434329Title: Derailleur

Series: Royal Cycles #3

Author: Kate Roman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella (66 pages)

ISBN: B00HMRAMAC

Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc. (January 1st, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3~3.5Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: San Francisco bike messenger Matt Robinson lives to ride and rides to live, both his bike and his dispatcher boyfriend Jason. But when he’s injured on the job, can they ride the emotional ups and downs the same way Matt rides the hills of the city? Can he keep going for both of them? Or will Matt’s stubborn refusal to accept help drive Jason to do something drastic?

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4103

Review: Jesus but it was painful reading this book.
No, the writing was wonderful; I loved it, I loved the style, I loved the description of the city’s chaos and the traffic’s dangers. I loved how this author made me “feel”, the heartbeat of Matt’s job. But it was so freaking painful to read once the accident occurred. I think it’s because I’m a bike-accident victim myself and I related too much with what happened. Perhaps it was because I knew what kind of physical pain the character was suffering. Perhaps it was because it was so damned well described that it felt as if my own bones were feeling that pain, again. I don’t know. I know one thing though, and it bears repeating. I felt this book, not merely read it.

Matt is a bike messenger and frankly this character’s whole life rotates around his lover Jason and riding a bike. That’s all he knows to do, and the astonishing thing of it, he loved doing it too. His love and passion for his boyfriend and his job are so well written in this story that you can’t fail to miss it. I loved that about him. That passion when he rode the bike, that incredible sensuality as he rode Jason. The heat, the want, the lust all felt tangible and even as this story is quite short, I think nothing was missing in it.
Matt unfortunately has an accident on the job, and being frugal; he doesn’t wait for an ambulance, doesn’t go to a clinic, and doesn’t take care of himself. Guilt for being involved in the accident that meant he can no longer take care of Jason fills the text and if it wasn’t painful before, you can literally not read with ease from this moment on. The things he does to himself in order to avoid losing days from his job, or wasting money to the doctors, make you cringe and moan in sympathy for his pain. Oh my, seriously, it hurt reading this book.

The story takes a low when Jason and Matt are having a sort of fight when Matt’s stubbornness nearly renders him a cripple. And it is during this point that I came to truly appreciate Jason as a character. His silent and stoic demeanour, his love for Matt and the way he handles that hotheaded man… I just loved Jason here.

So the story is lovely to read, albeit excruciating. The characters are lovable, charming and, in Matt’s case, frustrating. But, the read itself was not easy. It didn’t flow effortlessly and it required a great deal of concentration to follow the speed it went on, on the chaos of San Francisco. It was heavy, and that made it a bit hard for me to finish, though as I said it has a short length. Overall, though, it was quite an interesting and enjoyable read. Recommended!

The Serpent's Tongue by Dorien Grey (Pixie's Pimping)

So I was trawling through Facebook and spotted this little nugget from one of my favorite authors and I thought I would share it with all of you guys because it made my lip quiver as I bit my lip trying not to laugh at Dorien’s unique sales pitch, so why don’t you guys visit with Dorien and his newest release because he is an absolute doll. 😉 ~Pixie~

From Dorien Grey’s wall on Facebook.  Dorien Grey Facebook

Salesmen tend to be outgoing, hale-fellows-well-met types, things I am not and never have been. But as a writer with no publisher’s deep pockets from which to draw advertising funds, my primary way of selling my books is for me to sell them. I wish it were different, but it is not, so….

“Hi, there! I’m Dorien Grey, and I have a great new book just released, ‘The Serpent’s Tongue,’ that I know you’re going to absolutely love. I hear Hollywood studios are already fighting for the movie rights and are talking Tom Cruise or Zachary Quinto for the lead–but you can get in on the ground floor and read it right now, either in print or as an e-book. Take a look at how it starts at  Dorien Grey’s Books: Opening Words Facebook page, or read the entire first chapter on www.doriengrey.com. Here…have a look at the cover…..”

Sigh.

Dorien Grey The Serpents Tongue

When Dick Hardesty is hired to look into threats against former priest Dan Stabile, possibly from someone whose confession Dan heard while still in the priesthood, it’s just another case. Then, on a stormy Sunday, on a rain-slick road, Dan is killed, Dick’s partner Jonathan is severely injured, and suddenly, it’s personal.

Was the accident really an accident…or murder?

Dick learns Dan’s secret could involve a child murderer, and now it seems the man is stalking Joshua and tormenting Jonathan. The objectivity so vital to Dick’s role as a private investigator goes out the window as he pursues one lead after another, and it begins to look like Dan wasn’t the target after all.

 

BOYSTOWN & Jake Bondi guest post!

Well I am busy today, but I have to insist that you just have to get a load of Jake Bondi’s Boystown *just look at those hot bods ~swoon~* so I am leaving you with a brief visit from Jake. 😉 ~Pixie~

How did your book BOYSTOWN come to be?

Boystown MenOfBoystownBI have always been a huge fan of serialized stories of all kinds.  In school, I studied many of Charles Dickens’ novels and I fell in love with them – not just his characters, but the way his books were originally published in installments, each ending with a cliffhanger to keep readers coming back for more.  He is the master soap-opera writer.  I was also a fan of TV shows such as Dynasty, Dallas, Falcon Crest and more recently Revenge and Nashville – shows with characters that viewers love so they keep tuning in week after week.

BOYSTOWN was born out of my love for those stories and my love for the neighborhood.  I thought it would be great to create a realistic core group of characters who would be like friends and neighbors I know who are living in Boystown in Chicago.   While Boystown is certainly a “gay neighborhood,” it is very diverse and I wanted to make sure my characters reflected that diversity.  So while most of my characters are gay, there are some straight characters as well – and the characters are very diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, economics, etc.

I began BOYSTOWN in June as an online story and intended to release one “episode” online per month, each ending in a cliffhanger. The story became so popular — and the online reading audience grew so quickly — that people from all over the country began to email me demanding to know what happened to their favorite characters and wanting the episodes to be released faster. They also had suggestions for future storylines! I was surprised and excited by the readers’ response to BOYSTOWN. So I began to write more quickly and, by November, I had released 10 episodes and readers from all over America and overseas as well.
Readers then suggested that I publish the first 10 episodes as a book rather than leaving them online. I did — and BOYSTOWN Season One was born. The book was released in mid-November and is selling very well locally and nationally. In the meantime, I am continuing to write additional episodes. Episodes 11 – 20 will be released this Spring as BOYSTOWN Season Two.

People can purchase the book directly through my website www.JakeBiondi.com or from Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago or online at amazon.com and bn.com.

What can you tell us about Keith Colgan?

Boystown AaronBookCoverColorKeith Colgan is one of BOYSTOWN’s central characters.  Handsome and sexy, Keith has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth and gives off a bit of “attitude” to those he doesn’t know well.

Keith and his boyfriend Emmett Mancini have been together for about five years and Keith is ready to take their relationship to the next level.  No one enjoys the Christmas season more than Emmett, and Keith thinks the holiday season is the perfect time of year to “pop the question” to Emmett.   A few of their friends are in on the exciting surprise, but Emmett is clueless about his Keith’s intentions.  And Emmett is clueless about something else as well…Keith’s past.  Will Emmett say “yes” to Keith’s proposal?  Will Keith’s past put an end to their happiness?  Keep turning the pages to find out!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and have basically lived in the Chicago area my entire life, except for the four years I went away to study at the University of Notre Dame.  I have been living in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood for over 20 years and I love it.  I love the neighborhood’s people, social life, diversity, culture, and proximity to Lake Michigan.  As far as I’m concerned, Chicago is the best city in America.

I have been writing for most of my life, mostly as a hobby in my spare time.  I find it to be a great way to relax and put aside the demands of “real life” while focusing on something productive.  For me, it’s energizing and relaxing at the same time.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would just like to sincerely thank everyone who has read BOYSTOWN and reached out to me with their comments, suggestions, and questions.   I have heard from people all over the country – and overseas – and I am forever grateful for their kind words and support.  I love interacting with my readers and encourage them to contact me.  In fact, they often contact me with ideas for future storylines and couples.  In some ways, they have a unique opportunity to “drive” the story.  Keep the comments coming!

How can readers reach you and/or buy the book?

Readers can contact me and buy the book through my website www.JakeBiondi.com.  Autographed copies of the book are available at Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago (in person or through their website).  Books may also be ordered through amazon.com or bn.com.

SYNOPSIS:
One of the most diverse and lively neighborhoods in the country, Chicago’s BOYSTOWN has something for everyone.
So it’s no wonder that Jesse Morgan and Cole O’Brien chose to live there upon graduating from college.+
Ready to begin the next phase of their lives in an exciting new city, Jesse and Cole quickly find themselves at the center of a new group of friends.
Joyelle and Derek Mancini have been happily married for years, but Derek is harboring a secret that could tear them apart.
Derek’s brother Emmett is about to discover that his boyfriend Keith Colgan has a past that will haunt them both.
Long time couple Logan Pryce and Max Taylor must face a crisis that neither of them expected.
And, before they realize it, Jesse and Cole find themselves at the center of it all in the adult playground known as BOYSTOWN.
Goodreads:
Order your copy of BOYSTOWN Season One today by clicking below:
About Author:
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Jake Biondi fell in love with “The Windy City” at an early age. He left the Chicago area for four years to attend the University of Notre Dame and, upon graduation, returned to Chicago. He has been living in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood for over 20 years.
A huge fan of Charles Dickens’ novels as well as television shows such asDynasty, Knots Landing, Dallas and Revenge, Jake Biondi has created a serialized saga for contemporary audiences.
Because of BOYSTOWN’s huge success online and the serialized nature of Biondi’s writing, readers from all over the globe have been able to correspond with Biondi and influence the storylines of the BOYSTOWN saga as Biondi writes it.
Now, the first ten episodes of BOYSTOWN are available in book form.
Where to stalk Jake:
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:
Pinterest:
E-Mail:

Just in case you can’t make out those two first pictures (well they are kinda small)…. *pant*

Boystown MenOfBoystownB

*drool*

Boystown AaronBookCoverColor

I’m just gonna wipe this drool up and then lie down 😉

 

Below the Boarder by R.W. Clinger

81pPphyyF8L._SL1500_Title: Below the Boarder

Series: N/A

Author: R. W. Clinger

Genre:Contemporary • Erotic Romance • Fiction • Gay • Ménage

Length: Novella (69 Pages)

ISBN:9781611529371

Publisher: JMS Books LLC. (November 10th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥ 2 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb:When sexy mechanic Dayton O’Hare moves into professor Nino Spiro’s home as a boarder, the two men are attracted to each other and romance blooms between them. Then Dayton meets landscaper Michael Block, and what unravels is quite simple: Dayton lands the landscaper, breaking Nino’s heart.

But Nino keeps close tabs on Dayton and his new paramour. As summer unfolds, Nino indulges in voyeuristic fun, watching the two men at sexual play.

The dynamics between the three men change dramatically when Block starts seeing Nino behind Dayton’s back. As their relationship develops, Block drops a bombshell — he and Dayton want to share Nino as a lover. Will they be able to make a threesome work?

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=982&zenid=heo2qjcrdgpbrvs3un5uv0baa0

Review: This was a surprising story with three hot and sexy men. It is a funny little story, but not really one that I could get into. It just doesn’t seem possible or real although I am sure there are men out there that can do this.

Nino is a middle-aged teacher who has the hots for his boarder, Dayton. The sex between them is hot. The only problem was Dayton was also having sex with Block. Although Dayton and Block do not see it as a problem because they both want Nino. So they have a plan that involves lots of amazing sex with Nino, now all they have to do is get Nino into. Nino is in love, he is also tender, caring and a bit shy with a touch of guilt inside him. He is seduced by Block and the sex between them is as hot as it is with Dayton.

I am not really sure about this book, but I did enjoy it a bit. I loved the sex that they are having; it is majorly hot and full of passion. There is no much a plot to this story. It is just for one’s enjoyment.

Finding Home by Cameron Dane

CamDan_FindingHome_coverlgTitle: Finding Home

Series: Quinn Security, #1

Author: Cameron Dane

Genre: Multicultural/Contemporary

Length: Novella (97 Pages)

ISBN:978-1-59632-700-9

Publisher: Loose Id (May 13th, 2008)

Heat Level: Moderate to Hot

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb:Picking pockets and stealing cars, Adam Reyes does what he must to survive. Working Chicago’s O’Hare airport, he feels pretty confident when he spots his next mark.

Security expert Rhone Quinn can’t believe the wiry kid who grabs his cell phone almost gets away with it. Logic says turn the teen over to the cops, but Rhone is a man who trusts his instincts, and his gut tells him to offer the young man a job and a chance to begin a new life. Little does Rhone know that when he makes that choice it will forever change his life, too.

Over the years that follow, a mentor relationship turns into a unique, abiding friendship. It eventually leads to true equality between Rhone and Adam when Adam becomes a full partner in Quinn Security. Unbeknownst to Rhone, as time passes by, Adam is also falling deeply in love. With Rhone. Who isn’t gay. And who doesn’t know that Adam is.

Then, one day, Rhone discovers the truth. Will Rhone’s new awareness of Adam’s feelings bind the men together even more intimately, or tear them apart for good?

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/quinn-security-finding-home.html

Review: I love this book and think that it is an absolute must have in anyone’s library. It has wonderful characters who are full of passion, fire, love, gentle and compassion. The world inside this book would make anyone lose themselves inside of it. It caught my attention from beginning and kept it all the way to the end.

Adam had been kicked out of his home because he was gay and he did everything he could to survive the streets. Then one day he pick pocketed the wrong man or in his case the right man. Rhone is part owner of Quinn Security and knew that he had to help this young man. For ten years, they had the best friend status down, but for Adam he wanted more. Then one night with the help of their business partners, it comes to head. The sex is hot, full of passion that the heat would burn you from the inside out. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses, but as with many friendships, it is just a beginning.

Cameron has a good hit on his hands and I am glad to get a chance to write about it. The characters are full of warmth and you can’t help but love each one. The only problem I had with this story was that it took too long to get to the sexual side of this relationship. To force Adam to watch the man he love be with women, when it should have been him that Adam was making love to. But as with many other thoughts, I suppose it makes them want to keep their feelings for life. I love this book and can’t wait to read the next book.

None So Blind by Meg Leigh (2nd Edition)

71c0vX27fCL._SL1425_Title: None So Blind

Series: N/A

Author: Meg Leigh

Genre:Paranormal, ghosts

Length: Novel (235 Pages)

ISBN:MLR-1-02013-0173

Publisher: MLR Press (December 6th, 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb:When a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic meets a starry-eyed psychic, sparks are sure to fly. Can they resolve their differences and find a future together?

Jack Stephens is a skeptic who lectures in Parapsychology at a community college. In his spare time, he works hard to prove that things going bump in the night have rational explanations. When Jack meets psychic, Casey Lambeth, he sees yet another chance to debunk paranormal phenomena. But there is something about Casey that defies explanation. When they’re thrown together to investigate a haunting at Edith Andrews’s home, sparks begin to fly. As they work on the case, Jack and Casey are forced to face some issues from their pasts. Together they work their way towards understanding, respect, and possibly something more…

This story is a re-release of Hunter’s Dawn: Laying the Ghosts originally published with Torquere Press.

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

Review: Well I love the paranormal but never really thought anything about ghost. This story was told with a bit of humor and seriousness that it definitely hit a spot inside of me. It was a cute story that kept my attention from the beginning and kept it all the way to the end.

Jack taught classes on Parapsychology at a community college but he wasn’t a believer. He had grown up with a mother who dealt with tarot cards and the supernatural. He just could not believe that there was any way that once you’re dead your still hanging around. He comes off a bit hard, however once you get to know him you realize that he is just as kind, gentle, and loving a man who one would want. Casey had always dealt with ghost, actually lives with one. His mother died when he was ten and has stayed with Casey to guide him and help him. He was scared to trust others, because those who knew him thought of him as a freak and tried to stay away from him. He was lonely, but he was also caring, gentle, and loving. The sex between them was slow, sensuous, and very hot.

When I first got this book, the more I looked at it the more I thought there was no way that I can read it let alone anything else, however it surprised me. I loved it and laughed at parts of it. It was very good and kept me entertained. It is a story that you can sit back and just lose yourself into. I would recommend reading it.

The Co-Walkers, Awakening by Hermine G. Steinberg

81lUzZpazXL._SL1500_Title: The Co-Walkers: Awakening

Author: Hermine G. Steinberg

Genre: Young Adult/Action/adventure/Sci-fi/Fantasy

Length: Novel (233 pages)

ISNB: 9781610406024

Publisher: Prism Books (November 5th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Could life get any worse for Ashley, Brian, and Matthew? Their father abandoned them, they’ve been shipped off to live with a total stranger, and now they’ve discovered that everything they’ve ever learned about the world is a lie!

But to find the truth, they will have to battle evil faeries, risk their lives to claim magical talismans, and earn the respect of Elves who have vowed to kill them. Will they be able to prove that they are the legendary Co-Walkers who are able to travel between the Earthly and Faery Realms? Or are they merely pawns caught in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy that could lead to the destruction of both their worlds? It’s up to Ashley, Brian, and Matthew to discover their unique abilities and restore what magick alone cannot repair.

Purchase Link: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=77

Review: I found this book to be amazing. A fun spin on the world of Fae, I was enticed and addicted to it from page 2. The more I read, the more addicted I was to finding out more. The characters were great and fun to read about. I learned a lot through the characters. And when the book was done, I was almost saddened to see them go. I think this book was fantastic. I cannot wait to find out more about them.

The plot is solid and quite thorough. I would highly recommend this book for anyone that likes to read of the Fae and how they co-exist (secretly) with humanity.

Sense of Place by N.R. Walker

18754187Title: Sense of Place

Series: Thomas Elkin Book #3

Author: N.R. Walker

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (35K)

Publisher: Totally Bound (January 17th, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5

Blurb: This is book three in the Thomas Elkin series.

Designing homes is easy. Finding home is something else entirely.
Thomas Elkin and Cooper Jones finally have the support of their families, and their love grows stronger every day. Now living together, they think nothing can stand in their way.
But there are outside influences trying to pull them apart.
Cooper encounters a man, closer to his age and with connections high up the property development chain, who wants Cooper as his own. Tom encounters discrimination and a hidden agenda from a fellow senior partner who’s trying to take him down.
No matter what the world throws at them, Tom and Cooper are the real deal. Age differences aside, Tom has finally found his sense of place. His one true centre, his home.


Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/sense-of-place

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This book is where Cooper once again proves his metal! I don’t think I can fall in love with this guy, well and Tom too, any more than I already had…but Walker proves me wrong.

Faced with temptations, pressure from friends and family, and a budding career, Cooper is tested; his loyalty, his ability to stand strong for his needs, and sometimes yes his patience. Tom is faced with the impossible situation of handing jealousy, does he go caveman and claim his property, show more possessive tendencies, or does he give Tom space to handle his new admirer himself? Either way he seems to get it wrong…until he gets it right! And I love that scene at Xavier and Tom’s last encounter…architectural references and all! Damn! That was just too hot for words! Beyond the jealousy, Tom is faced with life changing decisions both in his career and his love life, and Cooper’s puzzling word games often times aggravate the situation, until Cooper’s mom decodes it for Tom.

In addition to all the relationship and career changes in this book, both Tom and Cooper are faces with major choices affecting their love life too. But don’t worry; the chemistry between these two is still immense and satisfying to the highest degree. It’s so refreshing to read passionate scenes that just click; they’re powerful without too much porn lingo, no need because these characters are so strong.

This is a great series, I’m thrilled to see what wonderful turns this couple takes, and it’s been a pleasure to read!

Clarity of Lines by N.R. Walker

18754176Title: Clarity of Lines

Series: Thomas Elkin Book #2

Author: N.R. Walker

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (103 pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound (December 13th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5

Blurb: Book two in the Thomas Elkin series.

When some lines blur, others become crystal clear.
Sometimes it’s not the two people in a relationship who fight falling in love, sometimes it’s those who love us that fight against it the most.

Finally, together, forty-four year old Tom, and twenty-two year old Cooper, are ready to show the world they’re together. They’ve established their relationship is worth it, and want to share it with their families. Both men thought accepting the age difference was their adversity to overcome, and theirs alone. Their loved ones, however, will prove them wrong. For their families, lines are drawn and start blur. Through a series of events, life shakes Tom’s foundations, the lines for him have never been clearer.

Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/clarity-of-lines

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This series and this writer just keep getting better! The writing is very smooth, and the passion between Tom and Cooper is sophisticated, fun, and comforting. The dialogue, the wit, and even the sexual content in this book are set at just the right volume. The erotic scenes are not in your face, they’re not crude, but they still burn with tons of passion and love, some of the best I’ve read.

You can feel the ease and the trust between these two, and they complement each other so well. Even faced with challenges of an un-accepting family, and some friends who still have a problem with the gay issue let alone the age issue, Tom and Cooper are still confident enough in themselves and each other the weather the storms of any long-term relationship as well as the storms of life. Not as much architectural lingo for this art geek, but I still like how the whole story flows.

This series is a great escape from stress and angst, it swept me away for hours of enjoyment and I immediately dove right into book three….it was just that good.

Framed on Titan by Stevie Gonzalez

18943417Title: Framed on Titan

Series: The Adventures of Astropilots Stern & Moreno #1

Author: Stevie González

Genre: Science Fiction / Space Opera

ASIN: B00GSRF9GY

Length: Novella (136 pages)

Publisher: Schäffer & Ojeda Verlag (November 13th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥2 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: In the mid-23rd Century Zy Stern and Bon Moreno work as astropilots, transporting freight shipments between the various bases and colonies of the Outer Planet Region. On a routine assignment to Titan, they suddenly find themselves at the centre of a perfidious plot by a high-ranking Titanic official to gain control of interplanetary security for his own corrupt purposes. Somehow, they must prove their innocence, and in doing so it will be necessary, to succumb to the wanton lust that lurks in the dark corridors of Titan Base.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Framed-Titan-Adventures-Astropilots-Moreno-ebook/dp/B00GSRF9GY

Review: As much as I like Sci-Fi and hopping around the Galaxy on a space ship, this book failed to satisfy me. While the main idea was certainly full of possibilities, the execution was bad in so many ways.

Firstly the typographic errors were numerous and quite annoying. Even the blurb has typos and that shows that the amount of work on this read was not enough.
Moving on the world building info when compared to the active plot was huge, dumped on us instead of given out slowly and in small increments, resulting to large boring passages that drone on and on boring me out of my mind before the real story even started. By the time, things started making sense I had already lost all interest in it.
The storytelling was bad as well. The entire action plot was given at hand from the very beginning resulting in a simple read/wait lacking any sort of mystery with nothing left to be shown, nothing to anticipate. We were told what happened, who did it and why, and it immediately was followed by the savior of the hour in the face of an old friend. In general, this read was the least thought-provoking, mind-challenging book I’ve had the displeasure reading this year. A book that dragged so hard it was a real labor finishing it in order to make a proper review.

That leaves us with the intimate scenes and the romance part of it. Romance, now there is a term that wasn’t met in any way in this story, though I admit some attempt was made toward it back there at the end, yet that too died a horrible death. The erotic part though, as much as there were plenty of sex scenes, they lacked chemistry and connection, they lacked sensuality and eroticism, and they even lacked the carnal passion one might expect from people wandering in space alone with their hands for days on a row. All that managed to render the text quite bland especially as so many clichés were implored, such as distracting the guards with sex and lust so one might escape a highly secured cell, and/or tempting a guard to get a special treatment, and I’ll not even mention the victorious scenes in the end, because every hero must have a worshiper around on a twenty-four hour basis. Yes, it is safe to say I was not impressed. I wish I could say the dialogues were impressive and enticing, or even funny, but even that would be false. Tasteless is a harsh word to use, but can’t find another one to represent them more adequately.

Bottom end I was left unsatisfied and with a bad aftertaste with this book.

Be My Valentine Bobby Bryson by Geoffrey Knight

BobbyBryson_100dpi_cvrTitle: Be My Valentine Bobby Bryson

Author: Geoffrey Knight

Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

Length: Novella (10K words)

Publisher: Wilde City Press (January 15th 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Valentine’s Day has long been a difficult day for widow and single mom Kate Madsen. But this Valentine’s Day is going to be more than just difficult… it’s going to be downright awkward. For Kate’s only child, seven-year-old Mikey just stunned the small town of Elk’s Ridge by writing a Valentine’s Day card to someone name Bobby Bryson.

While the card sends teachers into a tizzy and turns Mikey’s grandfather into a grumpy old man, Kate discovers over the course of one afternoon that she and her young son are about to begin a journey of questions, confrontations and hopefully one day… happiness.

In the meantime, will Mikey and his Mom make it through this Valentine’s Day? Will the innocent intentions of one young boy change the narrow minds of a stubborn, small town? And just who exactly is the object of Mikey’s affections—Bobby Bryson?

Purchase Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/be-my-valentine-bobby-bryson/#.Uux_LvldUQc

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Seven-year-old Mikey Madsen is so excited about Valentine’s Day. Until his teacher, principal and grumpy grandfather see the card he made. In the course of one afternoon, little Mikey and his mom learn a lot about themselves as well as the people that surround them.

The teacher throws a fit and her along with the principal visit Mikey and his mom that afternoon after school. Kate Madsen is a little surprised when she sees her son’s Valentine, but she doesn’t talk down to him like everyone else. She just wants to help her son make a cupcake for his Valentine. Throughout the day visitors come and go. The handy man is out back fixing Mikey’s tree house, the postman has eyes for single mom Kate, and Mikey’s grandfather has to get his two cents in the mix.

Kate has to assure her son she loves him just the way he is, and give that two cents back to her father in law. And at the end of the day, mom and son will both have had a very memorable valentine’s day!

This novella was just adorable. In the end, it was Bobby himself along with Kate’s support of her son’s announcement that completed the story. We are all born who we are, it drives me crazy when I read someone else saying, “You choose to be gay.” When referring to someone who is LGBT. This story is the perfect example of why that statement is entirely inaccurate.

If you want something fast, fun and absolutely adorable this book is absolutely perfect!

Motion of the Planet by Alexa Snow

20434328Title: Motion of the Planet

Author: Alexa Snow

Genre: Contemporary

ASIN: B00HMRF4DW

Length: Novella (82 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc. (December 31st, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Tyler Brown and his Irish boyfriend Mason Fitzgerald are slowly creating a life together that they both love. It’s a life that includes Tyler’s sister Theresa, her husband, and their two young children; Tyler loves the kids, but insists it’s because he doesn’t have to see them every day.

A sudden phone call interrupts everything — there’s been a fire at Theresa’s house, Theresa and Brian are officially missing, and Tyler and Mason need to take custody of five-year-old Jill and her baby brother Colin. Tyler struggles to come to grips with the reality of having to care for two small children and with wondering if his relationship with Mason changes in ways, he can’t handle. What will their future together hold?

Previously published in Torquere Press’ Family Matters anthology.

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=4102

Review: This was a surprisingly nice story though it made think it might be a bit too much on the emotional side. See our main character – Tyler – is a person that has already suffered a heavy childhood with his father abandoning them after many years of abuse and his mother reverting to alcohol and drugs, only to die when he was a teenager leaving him responsible for his six year younger sister. So the story already starts with a heavy past, albeit Tyler now is in a comfortable place in life, having found someone who loves him and his little sister all gone to college, married and having children. Tyler is finally in a place he can call peaceful and that’s all he wants.

Now our second character here, Tyler’s boyfriend Mason, is literally the supporting kind. He was everywhere picking up where Tyler couldn’t. He was simply the perfect character, so much so that he felt a bit unreal.

As for the story itself, it starts with a nice and mellow couple in a peaceful place in life only to be shattered by a tragedy, that instantly colors the entire read with stress, angst, and melancholy, albeit a bit light. Tyler loses his sister and brother-in-law in a fire and gets to be the guardian of their children. The story mostly tells about the transmission from a simple person to a parent. It’s a hard one, having to suddenly care for two children, a five-year-old and a barely one-year-old, and the whole ordeal led me down a trip through memory lane back when I had my own children. Having to shop for everything and deal with everyday things that come with little kids, well this was a well-known area for sure.

So while to story in general was a bit on the depressive side and without much tension, I found it oddly comforting and nice, with an end that makes you smile even as you still feel sad for the ones that were lost. A recommended book on my part!