Day: March 1, 2014

Another World by Vic Winters

20929351Title: Another World

Series: Anthology

Author: Vic Winters

Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal

Length: Novella (56 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-61040-654-3

Publisher: Torquere Press (February 25th, 2014)

Heat Level: Mild to Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 to 4Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb:From soldiers fighting on a virtual battlefield to werewolves and trolls living on mountains, the four short stories in this collection all take place in a world not quite our own.

In The Champion, Maxim and Dorian are secret lovers in a world where men are not allowed to love each other and wars are fought by men on a virtual battlefield. Maxim is the Black Champion, but will his bravery extend to his love life as well?

Next up is The Mountain, a fairy-tale style story featuring a village lad who is fascinated by the mountain that looms over his home, and the supposed beastly troll that lives within its caves.

Wolf Unexpected and Ten Things to Hate About Being a Werewolf are two urban fantasies featuring shapeshifters who are new to being werewolves. Can their heroes each find someone to help them find joy and happiness in their new situation?

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=4138

Review: This is an anthology of four short stories that will show you a life into the paranormal world. They all take place in a world not quite their own. You have Maxim and Dorian in The Champion. Then you have Jacob and Trogarth in The Mountain Troll. Eric and Jude are from Wolf Unexpected. Last but not least are Todd and Granger from Ten Things to Hate about Being a Werewolf. Eight very hot and sexy men just trying to find their way through life. It is too short for my liking. I would hope that each story would be longer in length, showing how they got to where they were at, where they were going, what is most important in their lives. It gets you caught but then leaves you with more questions than answers.

The Champion ♥♥♥3Hearts

Black Champion Maxim has to defend his Prince on a virtual battleground. In his world of battle, love is forbidden, but his lover Dorian wants more than Maxim might be able to give. After a successful fight against the Crimson Champion, Dorian takes Maxim to the baths for his reward. Can Maxim accept Dorian’s gift of love?

This would have been a very awesome read if it were longer. I loved the characters, they way they take solace in each other. At first, you would think that since they fight on a virtual battlefield that they don’t get injured or die, but in this story that is the opposite of what happens. These two men love each other with all their hearts, but in their world they can be the solders that they are, can be whatever they want to each other, but love was not allowed. It seems very wrong to me, but who knows.

I really think that had this story been over a hundred pages longer that it would be a five-heart rating, but for such a short story, it will rate a three. I would recommend this to those who love short hot stories with very sexy men who love one another, danger and excitement.

The Mountain Troll ♥♥2Hearts

A fairy-tale style story featuring a village lad who is fascinated by the mountain that looms over his home, and the supposed beastly troll that lives within its caves. Except this beast looked human. A very hot and sexy human. Jacob always wanted if troll’s were real. So when the offerings stayed where they were, he went and checked on the troll. What he got was a scare that made him pass out.

Waking to the troll, he realized Trogarth looked human. A man that he wanted. This story was very bizarre and I am not really sure about it. It left me with lots of questions and no answers. It shows how they meet and then no real content afterwards. Then all of a sudden, he was going to live with the troll. No real sex to it at all, not really any plot at all. It was cute, but not fulfilling to me.

If you want a really cute story but only for a rush then this would be, a great read to pick up. I would however rather it had a true story line, more about each character where they come from, how they end up where they are at, just more to the story.

Wolf Unexpected ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Something very strange is happening to Eric. He’s been feeling itchy for days, as if his skin doesn’t fit him anymore. Under the light of the full moon, he takes off out of the city and finds himself on a farm, feeling more strange and confused than ever.

Jude is the son of a werewolf, and when he meets Eric, he knows exactly what the man is. Can Jude convince Eric that he isn’t going crazy, and that everything is going to be just fine, even with the worst of the unexpected going on?

Now this story is cute and very strange. I loved it. However, I would have loved it more if it would have continued. I hope that this story comes out in another book with more words added to it. Eric had been itchy for days, and he has no clue why. Then all of a sudden after taking a walk, he turns in to a wolf.

If it hadn’t been for Jude’s help he would have either lost his mind or been killed by hunters. It needs to have lots of sex added to this story. However, it really is just a sweet story about two men. I would recommend this story if you love then short and sweet, two hot and sexy men, and a bit of wishful thinking. I can see myself reading this one again.


Ten Things to Hate about Being a Werewolf ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

There are a lot of things that Todd doesn’t like about being a werewolf. In fact, he’s pretty sure he can name at least ten things he hates off the top of his head, from his new diet of raw meat to the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any other gay werewolves.

Can an encounter with a stranger who smells divine turn everything around? Or is he doomed to hate his new nature forever?

I actually laughed at this one. It is not only the title that had me laughing, but also they way it was written. It has a humors beat to it and I loved it. I would say out of this collection of short stories that this one would be number one for me. I loved the way Todd acts about being a werewolf. He was warned but hadn’t believed it when he had been asked to bitten by one of his many one night stands. Now he was stuck with no idea how he would survive or what he was to do.

Thankfully, Granger, another werewolf knew at sight that Todd was new to this life and would help him. Although it had more to do with Todd being his mate, then to actually help him. Like I said, it was a really cute story. I would recommend this to anyone who loves paranormals, shapeshifters, two hot sexy men, and a tender love story. I do wish there had been more sex in this one because I get the feeling that it would have been majorly hot.

　

Contact by Derek Adams

20819133Title: Contact

Series: Fever Dreams, Book 2

Author: Derek Adams

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short Story (25 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-77111-811-8

Publisher: Extasy Books (February 16th, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

　

Blurb:What happens when a man begins too long for that which he fears the most?

Two young men are confined in a military academy that is more prison than school. Kendall believes he can only survive by avoiding meaningful contact with another human. Harris believes that contact means salvation. The two cross paths and are soon locked in a struggle only one of them can win.

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/contact/

Review: I am not really sure how I felt about this story. It basically says how Kendall and Harris ended up in the academy but not really much about their lives. They are stuck in what comes off as hell. Kendall is a harsh young man who basically comes off as very hateful and not someone you would like at all. However if you read between the lies he comes off as sad and someone who needs love.

Harris might just be that someone. He is forced there because his family didn’t like the fact that he was gay. He is kind, compassionate, and gentle. He needs to feel love and wants to be touched, the exact opposite of Kendall.

I can’t stand the way Kendall forces Harris at first, but soon realizes that Harris actually seems to like the contact. The sex is fierce, hot, and kind of tormented. I am not really sure what to think but I do wish that this story had been longer in length, to show maybe what would happen if they had gotten caught, or what might happen if they leave there. I can understand Kendall being forced to stay there, but they seem to be over eighteen so how or why do they stay there. It left a lot of questions unanswered. It just left me hanging.

Flying High by Cassidy Love

20639148Title: Flying High

Author: Cassidy Love

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (27 pages)

ISBN: B00I18MOSO

Publisher: Cassidy Love (January 27th, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Can one night define your future?

The idea of jumping out of a perfectly good plane doesn’t make sense to Todd, but when his best friend gives him the gift of a tandem jump for his birthday, he has very little choice.

Nervous and scared, Todd is ready to bolt, but when he meets the large and in charge Tandem Master, Garrett, at the drop zone for his tandem skydive, he puts fear aside for what he hopes are several “firsts”.

Intense sexual attraction and a huge dose of adrenaline lead them into each other’s arms, but will they be able to soar in bed as well as in the sky?

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Flying-High-One-Night-Series-ebook/dp/B00I18MOSO

Review: This story was great. It was fast paced, right to the point and then some. The characters are well written. From the moment I started reading it, I found myself able to identify with Todd. His fear of heights and then some. He was just a great person to read about. And then there was Garrett, solid strong and handsome.

The storyline was quick and to the point. The author shows a clear knowledge for knowing how to write great short stories. She writes for the moment and shows that she cares about her characters. The storyline is solid, blunt, and sexy. I would highly recommend this story to anyone that wants to read something short and fantastic.

Cold Snap by Lee Brazil

20666492Title:Cold Snap

 

Series: In From the Cold Volume 1 (Pulp Friction 2014)

 

Author:Lee Brazil

 

Genre: Contemporary

 

Length: Novella (56 pages)

 

ISBN: B00I5SWYZS

 

Publisher: Lime Time Press (January 30th, 2014)

 

Heat Level: Moderate

 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

 

Reviewer: Cat

 

Blurb: Professor of Literature Finn Lorensson is unashamedly a romantic. In his own words, he’s a white knight in search of a charming prince to save. In fact, he’s doing a good deed by stepping into the breach for his long-time friends and landlords at Mountain Shadows when a voice on the phone sends him tumbling headfirst into love/lust/fascination.

 

Four months later, a self-absorbed Dr. Cannon Malloy shows up in the flesh and has the poor grace to not remember their conversation. That could be because he’s running from his past and too busy looking over his shoulder to appreciate what’s right in front of him.

 

A winter storm and circumstance conspire to bring them together, but it’ll take more than a charming smile and a pure heart to bring this frog-prince in from the cold.

 

Purchase Link: ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldsnapinfromthecold1-1410598-148.html

Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Cold-Snap-In-From-ebook/dp/B00I5SWYZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393449841&sr=8-1&keywords=cold+snap+Lee+Brazil

 

Review: This year’s Pulp Fiction series is off to one heck of a great start. Just in case you don’t know what Pulp Friction is, I’ll fill you in. Its four authors, each with a stand a-lone series but the stories are all based in one particular area and the characters from each series sort-of interact.  At the end of the year, they have one big explosive finale to sum up all the stories. You don’t have to read them all but to get the best effect I recommend you do. I think this is a cool concept.

 

Cold snap is the first book of Lee Brazil’s series In From the Cold. It is the second in the Pulp Friction series. This cover is HOT!!! If you’ve never read Lee Brazil, you should.  He has a way with characters and can be sweet and sexy or sizzling.  I have to say Finn is one of those sizzling characters. Sexy, Norse God looks, a romantic and a knight-in-shining armour type. What more could you want? Well I think Finn may have a little secret I bet we find out for sure in the next book.  Cannon. I have to say I was a bit surprised with Cannon. He is from Lee’s series Chances Are and I have to say I did not like Cannon at all in that book.  I think I may actually get to like him here.

 

The story is interesting, and I found it a bit romantic. But then again I fell in love with Finn from the get go.

 

If you like snowstorms, Hot, sexy, Norse God looking men with accents, Professors, broken men, Doctors and romance this story is for you!

Blown Away by Havan Fellows

20858485Title: Blown Away

 

Series: Whispering Winds #1 (Pulp Friction 2014)

 

Author: Havan Fellows

 

Genre: Contemporary

 

Length: Short (40 pages)

 

ISBN: B00IIF4K4G

 

Publisher: Appleton Publishing Avenue (February 17th 2014)

 

Heat Level: Low

 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

 

Reviewer: Cat

 

Blurb: Rowen Smithe doesn’t do friends. They require time and effort, both better spent protecting the woods surrounding his Mountain Shadows home. Lights in the west, smoke patterns in the east, and now a shiny glint deep in the forest. Someone needed to do something.

 

Mick Rutger rarely met a challenge he wouldn’t chase, but the drop-dead gorgeous man next door gives a whole new meaning to crazy when he spends hours in a tree just…watching? When his charming words have no effect, Mick has no choice if he wants to crack this nut. He follows the mysterious Rowe on a middle of the night hike, only to be caught before the chase can even begin

 

Purchase Link: ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-blownawaywhisperingwinds1-1425329-148.html

Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Blown-Away-Whispering-Winds-1-ebook/dp/B00IIF4K4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1393519412&sr=1-1&keywords=blown+away+havan+fellows

 

Review: This year’s Pulp Friction series is off to one heck of a great start. Just in case you don’t know, what Pulp Friction is I’ll fill you in. Its four authors, each with a stand a-lone series but the stories are all based in one particular area and the characters from each series sort-of interact.  At the end of the year, they have one big explosive finale to sum up all the stories. You don’t have to read them all but to get the best effect I recommend you do. I think this is a cool concept.

 

Blown away is the first book In Haven Fellow’s Series Whispering Winds.  I was blown away by it. (pardon the pun) Havan has a way with characters also and I am a big character driven story fan.  These two men Rowe and Mick are unique.  Especially Rowen. He is mysterious and you can tell in this story he has a secret past, or he is just very neurotic. Either way I found him intriguing.  And Mick, well he is the not give up, in your face type of guy.

 

I love how Haven introduces a little humour to break the tension. I loved how Mick called him monkey man. Why? You will have to read the book.  There is intrigue and tension. There isn’t any actual sex in this story but the sexual tension is there.

 

If you like, a good short, fun story with mystery, hot secretive men, persistent men, nature and an all-over good romance this is for you!

 

Calming a Demon Heart by Charlie Richards

4353CalmingADemonHeart510-430x645Title: Calming a Demon Heart

Series: A Paranormal’s Love, Book 6

Author: Charlie Richards

Genre: Paranormal/ Shapeshifter

Length: Novella (121 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-77111-882-8

Publisher: Extasy Books, February 15, 2014

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb:  Into the paranormal world: A wounded heart is not easily mended, requiring a soothing, patient hand.

    Matthew Beakman’s life just got turned upside down. His brother, Marty, stumbled across something strange and fascinating and amazing! Gargoyles exist! Matthew wants to know everything about them. First, though, he wants to find the gargoyle that saved his brother’s life and thank him. Their people’s leader, Maelgwn, points out a blood-red, behemoth of a gargoyle named Vane, and then warns Matthew away from him. Never good at following orders—and because he can’t help but find himself intrigued by the huge creature across the room—Matthew tracks Vane down anyway. At first, he’s confused by the way his body responds every time Vane growls at him. Until a conversation with Logan, makes him suspect that he and Vane are mates. Unfortunately, he also learns Vane went through some extreme torture in the hands of humans. How can he convince the stubborn gargoyle that not all humans are the same?

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/calming-a-demon-heart/

Review: This book is part of a series and should be read in order. Charlie has always been one of my favorite authors and she has never written a book I did not love. This story is another one that is going into my library of favorites. She gives you characters that you will fall in love with. Ones that go through harsh, painful times and shows how they overcome all of those odds to turn into wonderful men who love with all their hearts. Vane is a gargoyle that has gone through hell to be saved by his clutch. He was found by a boy as an egg, and then when he hatched he was sold to freak show. Where he was tortured and caged. He didn’t trust humans until he meets his mate Matthew.

Matthew had learned about gargoyle’s when his brother met his mate. Now he finds out that the one who helped save his brother was also his very own mate. He had enough love in him to share with his mate. He wanted to heal his mate in ways that showed his love. Even when his mate leaves him to save some other shifters from the same fate he had lived, he goes against him and helps him save his friend. When you see them together, you want to do everything in you to cheer them on.

I love how this story is told. It shows the pain that Vane went through, the love that Matthew feels for Vane, the friendships of others, and how everyone is willing to jump in and help. It also shows two very hot and sexy men, amazing sex, and the fire each has for the other. I would recommend this story for anyone who loves shapeshifters, paranormal love stories, amazing characters, fantastic sex, and the way everyone can overcome all their anger and pain and the abilities to overcome all of it and turn it into blessings. I loved this story and cannot wait for the next book in this wonderful series.

Kevin Anthony Giveaway with Guest Review of Ice by Julia Talbot

Hello peeps, check out what I have for you today! Kevin Anthony has popped in to let you know all about his Giveaway where you can win a $20 eGift Card from his Dessert Menu or a copy of his MM release Forbidden Cuisine!… Ah and I might have finagled him into reviewing Julia Talbot’s newest release Ice 😉 So stick around check out Kevin’s review, have a look at his own release and then click the link to take you to the place where you can win those prizes *muah* ~Pixie~

Kevin Anthony Forbidden CuisineKevin Anthony – Forbidden Cuisine

Damien Cooper’s mind is a bit fucked up.

His condition takes his senses to new heights and makes him a walking caution. The changes don’t stop as Damien’s high school sweetheart adopts an abnormal appetite and his mother becomes obsessed with the self-help book Feast, Stray, Love.

Damien strives to tame his mind but a feud involving an overzealous preacher and a cross-dressing businessman, the deadly rise of a fast-food chain and many unusual events provide unnecessary distractions.

The culinary student’s love life and career in the kitchen are put into jeopardy, but is he willing to literary blow up any obstacle in his way to maintain his happy?

Go ahead, take the first bite.

Forbidden Cuisine – The Full Course Edition: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Cuisine-Full-Course-ebook/dp/B00G2UQJ16 

Forbidden Cuisine – Sampler Tray Edition (free): http://www.amazon.com/The-Forbidden-Cuisine-Sampler-Edition-ebook/dp/B00CXADJVW  

Gigi’s review of the previously titled Feast, Stray, Love: Feast (Forbidden Cuisine – Sampler Tray Edition): http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/feast-stray-love-feast-by-kevin-anthony/

Biography:

My name is Kevin Anthony and I’m a storyteller. I have a passion for telling stories and ever since the age of eighteen writing has allowed me to share my stories with thousands of people on the internet. Never do I forget the days when my work was rushed with negative reviews and I had only one dedicated reader. Those are the days I learned the most about the rights and wrongs of writing. Today, I challenge myself to write stories in every genre while I try to finish college. I enjoy dialog the most when it comes to writing and teaching people that though we all come in different shapes, sizes and personalities, we are all trapped on this wild and crazy planet together.

Click the link for the Giveaway: http://www.theforbiddencuisine.com/#!giveaway/cc90 

Julia Talbot - Ice1Title: Ice

Series: Elemental Ops 01

Author: Julia Talbot

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Short (44pgs)

ISNB: 06833-02200

Publisher: Changeling Press (21st February 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Guest Reviewer: Kevin Anthony

Blurb: Ice won’t let his team at Elemental Ops go with him on what’s supposed to be a suicide mission to uncover a new biological weapon. Imagine his surprise when the biggest danger he finds himself in is being bonded to a baby dragon, and falling in love with said dragon’s Guardian, Keon. Keon isn’t worried about things like guns and governments. He has a whole host of problems in all shapes and colors.

When Ice accidentally bonds with one of his baby dragons, Keon is more worried about getting the man to come in from the cold and find a place in their bizarre little family. Can these two find common ground, and keep the dragons safe?

Purchase Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2200 

Review: Alright, before we dive into the plot let’s focus on the writing and the cover.

First impressions, I was not looking forward to reading this. I’m not a big fantasy fan and the cover was not selling me. I can admit that I was wrong to judge this book by the cover because I enjoyed it from start to finish. The writing is good; this author now has the freedom to focus on just creating engaging plots and not stressing about what’s the difference between a comma and apostrophe.

Let’s get back to the cover. How cool would it have been if the cover featured a nude guy with a dragon wrapped around him as if they were getting ready to make out? Use a lot of black, grey and blue with some ice as if they were trapped inside a freezer for too long and that cover would’ve sold me. The original cover features Ice and Keon, but honestly their relationships with the dragons were more intriguing.

The plot is simple; a soldier named Ice goes to spy on Keon. One of Keon’s dragons ends up bonding to Ice and thus a relationship between these two strangers emerges. As I mentioned, their relationships with the dragons is what makes this short interesting.

The dragons were just amazing, they all had their own personalities and I loved how they communicated with the humans. They “spoke” like animals would sound in my opinion. The dragons didn’t sound like an English major ::cough::Smaug::cough::.

A lot of other small things I liked about this short included, cold spunk, cooking, it making me want to watch Game of Thrones, and it teaching me how to properly make love to a man, something my parents neglected to teach me…sigh. The penis goes in the butt, now I know.

Overall, I want to thank the author for writing this piece. It was a true joy to read.

4 out of 5 dragon claws, because you can improve the cover, this story deserves better.

My name is Kevin Anthony and if you enjoyed my review visit my website www.theforbiddencusine.com to find out how you can be featured and possibly reviewed by me someday. Not only do I do features, but I also run Giveaways often because I like giving away free eBooks and eGift Cards.