Blurb: Christmas is a time of fascination and joy, and that’s no different when you belong to a pack of wolves.
Liam knows that a trip to Ireland over Christmas break will be the perfect chance to show his husband and daughter one of his favorite places in the world. But when she sees someone she wasn’t supposed to, his world is rocked. Back home things aren’t much better as Hannah reveals a secret she’s been keeping bundled up inside and it means taking a chance on something new for both Liam and Travis.
Review: This book was amazing. It has the right amount of excitement, danger, sex, and sweet-talking.
It is Christmas time again and it is the time for joy and fascination. Which among a pack of wolves means it is just going to be more enticing. Hannah is Liam and Travis daughter, but she has this gift of being able to see their animal sides while they are a human. At one time, they were afraid for her safety. Now a trip to Ireland gives Liam the chance to show them his favorite place, but Hannah see’s something that will rock him to the core.
Going home didn’t help matters. When they find out Hannah has been hiding a secret from them. Liam is a mixture of alpha, beta, and enforcer. He has the strength to defend his world, but the compassion for his people. He is so much in love with Travis that it would make your teeth ache at the sugary way about it. Travis is tender, caring, charismatic, very loving, and majorly hot. He also loves his family and would give everything up to keep them safe. The sex between them is loving, tender, and full of passion. It has a bit of seriousness and humor to it.
I am amazed at Caitlin’s ability to make a wonderful world and great character come together. She has a gift for words and I love her stories. To get more information on these characters you really need to start with book one in this series. I can see myself reading this more than once and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Blurb: Eleven wonderful years together and for Liam and Travis, life still holds surprises.
Liam has been avoiding taking his vacations for a while now. There’s always something that stops him from getting some much needed time away with his husband. But with a little intervention that isn’t exactly legal, he gets just what he needs in the form of a forced relaxation trip with Travis. They’ve been through a lot together, both good and bad, but that’s what marriage is. They love each other and have a wonderful daughter and its everything either of them ever thought it would be.
Review: This was a pretty good story with wonderful characters. It is book number five in this series and you should start with book one to understand everything. I loved the characters that Caitlin has created. They have such outstanding personalities that just mesh with each other.
Liam and Travis gets kidnapped by one of their own and forced to take a vacation. Liam has been avoiding vacations all together for a while and even though he loves his mate, he wants to keep everything the way it is. However, there are many surprises after such a long time married. The three days of vacation was hot and full of passion. They talked and loved. Their daughter Hannah is a little wonder. She has the powers still yet to be found out, the beauty she will grow up to be and surprises of her own.
It is a cute story that will make you smile at times and laugh at others. I just wished that this story were longer, with a bit more to it. I want to hear about the whole time they spend away, a little bit more loving and sexual situations. It just misses something but I am not sure what.
Blurb:Things could not be better for star rugby player Conor Murphy. He has a hot boyfriend that worships him and he is back in his rightful place, leader of the Dublin Chiefs Rugby team.
His new boyfriend Oisin has the hottest ass in town and yet things are not right. There is pretense between them. Not on Oisin’s side, no, the man loves him. It’s Conor who is not tackling straight. His mind is filled with thoughts of another. Sean, the love of his life, is single again and Conor can’t help but think what if.
What if he had the courage to end things with Oisin and take a punt with Sean? Self-doubt fills Conor’s mind. Can he really do this to Oisin? Doesn’t he deserve better? Does Sean even feel anything for him?
It’s time to decide what he wants, Oisin or Sean? Will he do the right thing or follow his heart?
Review: It seems as if I’ve been anticipating this installment forever. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I’ve been to read how Conor and Sean end up after their ugly spat in the previous book. And ah, damn it! It was so worth waiting for. As our dear Mr. Darcy would say, “The craic was fierce” *wink*
But this time around, I admit I was really surprised by the turn of things. You see, nearly a year has passed from that time and Conor and Sean are no longer what they used to be, they no longer are the joined at hip best friends you got used to see. A chasm is formed between them (damn that Richie) and Conor is now in a monogamous if you please relationship with Oisin. Shocked doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt. Let’s face it I’m a team Sean fangirl, so when I started reading the thoughts that swarmed my head were something like “Conor has a partner? And it’s not Sean? The Hell? Who is this guy?” Yeah, it is safe to say I was pissed and for nearly 99.9% of the read I was cussing the author with everything that I had.
That stated I loved this story. As I said, it was different. Conor was different. I was used to the fierce Irish man-slut, I adored him, but this new version, the committed guy, the one who went into a game smiling instead of grumbling, the monogamous guy (Can you believe that? Can you?), well this guy was a freaking star. I enjoyed this side of him and his attempt at being strictly Top and a Dom at that.
Yes, this time around, we have a deeper dive into the wild world of kinks & fetishes, with a stronger BDSM take, since Conor and Oisin’s relationship had this big bad label of Dom/sub lifestyle. Conor showed a lovely, playful side, not lacking his special brand of erotic and sexy we were used to, and the games he played, well… Denial games? Edging? Really? Why don’t you glue a sticker for Thommie’s Favorite Brand of Erotica on it while you’re there? Yeah, I loved the damned read. Everything was bait for me, from the plot that had me biting my fingernails (I never once forgot about Sean), the humor that had me literally hurting with laughter, and the sex scenes that as always were fiercely erotic and pant-worthy.
But that humor, to say I pissed my panties laughing would be an understatement. Quotes like this one: “I feel like a dildo—essential, needed, and having a purpose.” were on abundance and I’m just a slave of this brand of humor. I think besides the fact that this series is hot as Hell, what draws in the most is the Irish slang and snarks. It defines the series, makes them unique on my shelf, and puts this author easily on my favorites.
To sum this up I loved this fourth installment and if #3 had an enticing end, making you wish for the next one fast, it had nothing on this. The entire read challenges your patience and the end itself fills you with anticipation and excitement for the next one to come. So if you aren’t acquainted with the series I suggest you pick them up – they are meant to be read in order – and enjoy the Wilde Ride they provide wrapped in layers of unique Irish Romance.
Blurb: Rhian Savage is working his way up the ranks of professional hockey, with the dream of making it to the NHL getting closer every day. He’s doing it alone—no family, no friends—and that’s the way he likes it. Then he arrives in New Brunswick, and meets the Moncton Ice Cats. Suddenly, he’s got friends—and even something, that might be an honest-to-god crush.
Garrick LeBlanc is lonely, counting the days until his last season with the Ice Cats is over, and he can move to Boston. When his girlfriend suggests he take a lover—as long as that lover is a man and he tells her all about it—Garrick laughs it off. But damned if his friend Rhian doesn’t suddenly take on the starring role in his fantasies. Good thing Rhian is way too young—and straight—for what Garrick has in mind.
Rhian takes a chance when Garrick’s increasingly confusing signals start making sense, and soon discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew. Sex with strangers is simple. Sex with his best friend? Complicated.
Review: Garrick’s girlfriend is off in Boston enjoying the excitement of her new career move as Garrick tries to balance his new role as co-owner of the Ice Cats and his imminent retirement as an active hockey player. The distance is difficult, and when she suggests Garrick find a male lover he’s dubious. He knew from their past experience that she was aroused by Garrick’s history with men. But he wasn’t so sure he could divide a new sexual relationship from his future with her.
While he’s having these doubts his attraction for Rhian reignites, they dance around each other for a while, each doubting the other’s sexuality, but eventually they combusted. The sexual attraction and interaction quickly proceed, and before you know it, Garrick is fighting the fact that he’s struggling with his feelings for two people.
This lacks some of the suspense and parallel plots of the previous book, but the sexual content is steamy. The only thing that disappoints is the balance between the two men. I did not appreciate that Rhian was made the “damsel in distress.” I like different but equal in my star couples, it’s why I actually enjoyed the m/f role in the last book. The female lead was obviously physically weaker, but stronger in mind and constitution, it leveled the playing field, or the playing ice as it were. Here we see Rhian’s past, the fact he’s been taken advantage of, blackmailed, and then we see Garrick ride to the rescue, and add to that Garrick’s dominance in the bedroom. I really wanted Rhian to take the reins.
Still a good story, interesting how the end surprises me a little, and I look forward to finding out how book three ties these two couples into one.
Blurb: When a brutal homophobic attack ended David Lloyd’s career as a police officer, his life was changed forever. Five years later David is running his own private detective agency, where a missing person’s case comes to his attention. Digging into the circumstances of her disappearance forces David to realize he has not dealt with what happened to him, and that he can no longer deal with his long-time partner’s fear of being honest about their relationship.
Solving the case might not only bring peace to a shattered family, but could finally put David’s own demons to rest.
Review: I am normally a romance reader, especially when it evolves two very hot and sexy men. I even love paranormal books. I have never been one to read mysteries. However, I must say that this was one hell of an exciting read. David and Jamie are really the perfect characters for this story. I also loved that Liz threw in a bit of romance into the story.
David at one time had been a cop, till another cop and some of his friends beat David up pretty badly. They beat him up because he was gay and the fact that they are just some sick individuals. He and Jamie had been together for over five years ago. However, Jamie was not out at all. So on top of trying to work at their relationship, David had to find a young woman named Stella.
Stella was known as a junkie and a dancer. However, she was missing and her mother wanted to find her. So hiring David seemed like the best way to do it. Every time David talked to someone to ask them questions, he would get threats, until the people he talked to started getting hurt or killed. While the mother was very helpful, the father and brother were not. Every time he talked to someone, he ended up with more questions than answers.
I though this story was quite good, you get pulled in from the beginning, and you’re trying your hardest to figure out who did this. You spend time trying to figure out is she in a rehab, was she killed, has she been abducted and tortured, or has she ran. I spent most of the time trying to figure out who was doing the treats against David and who tore up Jamie’s home. Trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together is what it seemed like to me. I was pretty sure who did it, then come to find out they were guilty of something else but not Stella’s disappearance. Then I would move onto another character and be wrong there. It was funny the way I am writing the clues down and trying to be the one who was the detective.
I also loved Jamie, the way he showed his love for David. He was willing to come out to everyone although I didn’t like that he thought he would lose David if he didn’t. However, I loved the fact that David wasn’t trying to come off like he was going to leave. They truly love each other and proved it in the end.
You kind of feel bad for David, being forced out of the police force because of homophobes.
However, he is a wonderful detective and he proves it with his determination to find Stella. I recommend this to those who love mysteries, characters who prove that they are strong with the feelings and commitment. Liz has given me a very good reason to start reading more mysteries. She has a gift for telling a story.
Blurb:Out of the Cage: Sometimes a healing touch comes from a predator.
Having been raised by his puma shifter godfather, Edwin Aldridge has always known that paranormal creatures exist. Edwin works as a genetic engineer, attempting to apply a shifter’s healing abilities to humans. When Edwin learns that another scientist has done something similar, he looks forward to reviewing his work. Edwin quickly becomes infatuated with Byron, the wolf shifter who delivers the information. Remembering his godfather’s stories, Edwin realizes the wolf shifter is his mate. Unfortunately, once Byron learns about Edwin’s research, the wolf shifter rejects him.
When Byron Ziegler scents Edwin, he knows the skinny government agent is his mate. He plans to pursue him, eager to learn everything about the human so they can build a life together. Then Byron learns that Edwin is a scientist working on shifter DNA. He’s devastated and turns his back on the human. While Byron regrets the decision, how can he bond with a man who wants to do the same thing as the people his pack spent years tracking down and stopping?
Will the mate-pull be enough to help them find common ground?
Review: This is part of a series and should be read in order. I love Charlie’s books. She always gives me a place to go when the real world gets hard to manage. She gives awesome characters and a wonderful world to lose yourself into. Edwin was a scientist, who did not experiment on shifters just rats. However, he works for the government and everyone knows the governments always lie. Byron was a wolf shifter and he was meeting with some government agents to come to some sort of agreement that the paranormal world will always stay secret. They would help with certain things, but that was all.
That is until Edwin and Byron meet, Byron can tell from Edwin’s scent that they are mated. However when he finds out that Edwin is a scientist he rejects his mate, only to realize a few hours later that he has made one hell of a mistake. His sister had been experimented on and he hated scientist, but it was his sister who had told him he was an idiot. He has a lot of making up to do with his mate.
When they find out that not all of the rats were actually rats but some of them were shapeshifting Edwin fears that Byron will leave him. Like I said, Byron has a lot to make up for and one of them is making Edwin fear this. And we all know what making up is like, very hot sex. Charlie always gives you the right amount of sexual tension and sex in her stories, but not so much that it is all you read. She gives you a great story line that has danger in it, touching scenes that might make you pout or cry, the love of two men who sometimes make you want to smack them and just all around great read.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves hot men, paranormal love stories, wolf shifters, hot sex, and a bit of twist and turns. I love how each of her books have some similarities but they have their differences that will make you smile and laugh. I can never get enough of Charlie’s stories. I also can’t wait for the next book of this series to come out.
Blurb: New Orleans is supposed to be the big easy. One night changes everything for Frankie Choteau.
New Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop with a hot temper and low tolerance for BS. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately, it’s turned into a nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness but will the circumstances and Frankie’s uneasiness prevent their happy ever after?
Review: I have always loved men with accents and you can just imagine the way Frankie and Kajika talk. The little French words that they share sometimes just make it even hotter. Frankie is a detective and heads to a crime scene where he meets Kajika. Kajika’s lover had wanted to kill him and ended up killing himself, but it left Kajika being looked at as a suspect. It doesn’t help Frankie that his pretend girlfriend and coworker is bringing up every little dirty thing Kajika has done. Talk about one cold heart bitch to me though. Frankie is a bit older than Kajika and his major fear is that Kaj will find someone younger than him and leave him alone for the rest of his life.
Kajika knew the moment Frankie showed up at the crime scene that he wanted this man forever. The only problem is that his dead lover was at his feet. He screwed up by flirting with the detective at the scene, but he just couldn’t help it. He had loved Bob, thought of him as his father, brother and lover. Although he had not been attracted to Bob as a lover, he had become it anyway. Now here was his dead lover at his feet, and his future staring at him.
Frankie wanted to take it slow, but Kaj wanted it faster and that seemed to cause a lot of problems between them. Although when they finally have sex, it is amazingly hot and full of passion and fire. The fact that they switch when it comes to sex makes it even hotter. At first I thought Kaj might just be a bottom but it comes out that he definitely can do both.
I loved this story, the way they speak, two sexy men who want each other and the hot sex. I also love the fact that you have danger at all angles and crazy detectives that just can’t seem to be anything but hot. I don’t much care for Kenina. She comes off as a crazy woman, with too much jealousy and anger. I don’t like the way they at first act like they are a couple and can see how one might get the wrong idea, but the fact that he had to tell her more than a handful that he was gay just makes her seem off. I also didn’t much care for Kaj’s attitude in some parts of the story. He came off as a bit mental. I hope that they get better at being a couple but I will have to read the next book to find out for sure.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves hot men, detectives, danger, mixed signals, and crazy people. Not to mention the hot sex scenes that the characters have. I can’t wait to start book two.
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 (I’d give this book 10 stars if I could!)
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Three years ago, Bear McKenna’s mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they’ve muddled through, but since he’s totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn’t actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he’s retreated from the world, and he’s mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home.
Otter is Bear’s best friend’s older brother, and as they’ve done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expects. This time, though, there’s nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid’s guardian, but he can’t help thinking there could be something more for him in the world… something or someone.
Review: Derek McKenna, Bear, has essentially raised his little brother Tyson, the kid, alone for the last seven years. So when his mother abandons them to take off with her new boyfriend, relatively speaking, not much changes. He is completely devoted to the kid and would do anything, give up everything, to ensure they make it and stay together. He is surrounded by a close-knit group of family and friends that, to spite Bear’s best efforts to push them all away, rally to support Bear and the kid.
Oliver, Otter, is Bear’s best friend’s big brother. From the first day that Bear showed up on their doorstep, in a nervous flutter couldn’t quite get Oliver out, and dubbed him Otter, he has been in love with Bear. As the story progress’s you, get the impression that the feeling was mutual, but Bear is so screwed up emotionally from everything he’s had to endure in his life, that he refused to recognize those feelings. Regardless Bear, Otter and the kid form a bond that will eventually become a family.
There is a LOT of drama in this book. Bear and the kid have a lot of emotional baggage. Bear refers to them as earthquakes, and the only place they can find solace is in the bathtub. And little Ty has some serious separation anxiety stemming from their mother abandoning them. If Bear is five seconds late picking him up, the kid goes into a full on nuclear scale melt down. Bear’s best friend, soon to be ex girlfriend and elderly neighbour along with Otter round out this unconventional family and make for some very colourful secondary characters within the story.
This book made me laugh, cry, scream, jump up and down and smile. Very emotional, I was seriously exhausted at times keeping up with everything that was happening. But in a good way. The story definitely revolves around Bear, Otter and the kid; but the three secondary characters that are closest to them truly make them shine. The kid stole the show though. The eight year old vegetarian, eco terrorist in training, genius, possibly autistic with separation and anxiety issues. And poor Bear is so screwed up, he doesn’t know whether he should scratch his watch, or wind his butt! The glue that holds these two together is Otter, so they are a hot mess while Otter is gone. Bottom line, they put the fun in dysfunctional.
Narrated by Sean Crisden who did a great job of changing up his voice tone when the characters changed. It’s sometimes difficult when you have a child as a major character in a story for the narrator to appropriately capture that tone. Crisden did it though, and did it well. I loved everything about this book. I was shocked to learn this was Klune’s debut novel. So well written with flawless character development of deeply flawed characters. And the storyline was not only gripping, but also intriguing.
This is a must read! If you are riding the fence not wanting to read a traditional M/M romance, this just might be the perfect book for you. Yes, this is a gay love story, but there aren’t any full on extremely descriptive sex scenes. Oh there is sex all right, but it’s conveyed cautiously with passion, love and minimally. Yes, I recommend this book. In fact, I think I might give this book to all my friends for Christmas presents this year!
** I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: Macon Sumner loves two things in the world. One is taboo, his best friend Wade Sutherland. His second love is the rodeo, where their problems begin. When a nosy reporter clicks a picture at the rodeo, capturing Wade and Macon kissing, life is never the same and neither are their relationships with their family and peers. As outcasts in their small, narrow-minded town, Wade and Macon feel the effects daily. Wade becomes secretive with their relationship, foolishly believing that hiding is the answer. What he doesn’t realize is how much harm he is inflicting on Macon by doing so. Sneaking away for intimate moments with Wade are as hurtful as the glares Macon receives from people who are supposed to be neighbors, friends. Even roping buddies have stopped inviting them to functions. He can’t stand how he feels or how Wade is treating him. When he receives a call from Zander Wesley, he sees a new life and opportunity for him and Wade. Note: This book is written in one point of view.
Note: This book was previously available as a free read on Goodreads under the title Rough in the Saddle. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
Review: Macon Sumner and Wade Sutherland have been best friends since they were children, and lovers since they were teenagers. Outed by an overzealous reporter, they are no longer in hiding per say, but Wade still has his hand stuck in the closet door. Wade’s father does not understand nor does he approve, and he is very vocal about it.
There are only two things that Macon wants to do, Wade and Rodeo, and in that order. As much as he loves Wade, he’s tired of hiding who they are and what they mean to each other. The opportunity presents itself to them to join a Gay rodeo team so they go spend a couple of weeks practicing and roping together again. They get to spend every day and night together and are allowed the freedom to be open with their relationship. But Wade has spent so much time and effort hiding who he is, and he continues to shy away from being openly affectionate with Macon. When Zander offers them a place at the Ranch and with his rodeo team, will Wade embrace it or run away and continue to hide.
Wranglers, Ropers, Rodeos and Cowboys! A short, fast read about two lifelong friends that become lovers, and their struggle with coming out to their friends and families. I loved the best friends turned lover’s aspect of the story, but the title confused me. It’s supposed to be Macon’s story, but it’s told from Wade’s POV. And Wade aggravated the piss out of me with his I love you, as long as no one is looking.
Overall, I thought this was just a fun, tender love story and while there were a few bumps in the road, I would read more from this author.
Title: Celtic Calling
