Blurb: Jamie Thomas has enough trouble on his hands trying to get through junior year of high school without being pulverized by Billy Stratton, his bully and tormentor. But the mother he was always told was dead is actually alive—and she’s an Amazon! Sixteen years after she left him on his father’s doorstep, she’s back—and needs Jamie’s help. A curse has caused the ancient tribe of warrior women to give birth to nothing but boys, dooming them to extinction—until prophecy reveals that salvation lies with one of the offspring they abandoned. Putting his life on the line, Jamie must find the courage to confront the wrath of an angry god to save a society that rejected him.
Review: Jamie has enough on his plate with Billy, the jock, bullying him at every turn, but now he has to deal with the mother he thought was dead turning up claiming she needs his help. Jamie isn’t sure what to believe… that his father has lied to him for sixteen years, that his mother really is an Amazon, that a prophecy says he will save his mother’s people or that there really is a winged horse eating the grass in the back yard!!! With strange things happening at school Jamie, along with Billy, and his best friend Sarah band together to face the wrath of a God.
Oh my, this is an incredible story that follows a young adult who discovers the truth of his parentage and discovers he will be the savior of an ancient race. Jamie is a wonderful sixteen-year-old boy who is being harassed and bullied at school; his bully is Billy a boy in his year who ends up being an important part of Jamie’s life. Discovering the truth about his mother leads to many more discoveries that have Jamie and Billy becoming close. And they begin an adventure that is fraught with danger.
The characters in this story are all brilliantly written, from the teenagers to the parents and from the power-hungry adults to the standoffish Gods who try to help, we are treated to an incredible cast. The storyline has everything you could want, it’s a blend of contemporary and fantasy with young love and filled with confusion, danger, power-hunger schemes and forgiveness. The writing is wonderful and flows smoothly, never lagging always leading us to the next scene perfectly. The story itself keeps you gripped as you wonder what will come next and it is never quite, what you expect.
I have to say that I loved this story. Watching as Jamie came out of his shell, the friendship/romance that develops between Jamie and Billy, the discoveries and plans, the grabbing hold of life and accepting the fate. After the final battle, I was both sad but hopeful and then I came to the end, and I have never before come across an ending that is both heart breaking and heart-warming before… I wanted to both cry and grin as I read the final pages. It truly was a bittersweet ending.
I recommend this to those who love young adult stories, fantasy blended with contemporary, a blossoming young love, forgiving the past, accepting the future and a bittersweet ending that will have tears in your eyes even as you smile.
Blurb: Matt and Christian from Where You Least Expect It are back! It’s Fourth of July and Christian wants to go to the fireworks show; Matt’s hot and bothered and wants to stay home. Christian promises to make it up to him later and they head off to the park to watch things explode. Christian might be focused on the fireworks, but Matt’s still focused on Christian. Lucky for them, the night is chilly and no one looks twice when they cuddle under a blanket. Even luckier, no one can see what Matt’s hands are doing to Christian.
Review: I usually don’t go for short stories, but this one was hot.
Matt and Christian are from Where You Least Expect It. They are so cute and funny. Matt is the alpha of the two, but when it comes to Christian he is tender and very loving. Christian is very sweet, loving, caring, and hot. When they come together it sets off all the fire alarms, they are so hot together. The story line is cute and funny, and will make you smile through the book. It kept my attention from beginning to the end.
I wish it were a longer book because it left me wanting to hear more, but I loved this little story. These two are the best characters I have read about in a while. I read it and just enjoyed it so much that I will be reading it again.
Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing (December 17th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Sometimes taking control is what you need to do and sometimes the best thing you can do is give that control up. In the summer between Logan’s junior and senior years of college, these two will find out more about each other and themselves than they imagined.
While unhappy to be missing four weeks of Christian’s company, Logan is thrilled to spend a month with his father’s relatives in New York. A naturally gregarious individual, he is used to winning people over and getting things right. Unfortunately, the Mannettes are not what he expects and for the first time in his life, he finds himself seriously doubting who he is.
Christian has regained some of his old self-esteem and is taking on new challenges. Besides growing in the relationship he has with Logan, he takes the time his boyfriend is away to learn more about domestic discipline. He learns a little online but it is actually Gregory, Logan’s father, where he gains most of his information. Including the fact that his natural strength puts him in a leadership position, he isn’t expecting.
When Logan returns to a strong, self-assured Christian, it is with complete relief. As discussions turn to domestic discipline and they realize their true roles within their current and future relationship, both of them are able to let their inhibitions go and together their connection grows surprising Logan to an epiphany.
Review: This book continues with Christian slowly experimenting with spanking and asking a lot of questions about Domestic Discipline. Logan’s parents are almost too sugary sweet about it, though I’m thrilled they are such supportive role models. It’s still a little creepy that Logan has learned DD from his parents, I just can’t remove the sexual content from the shared responsibilities part of a DD contract. So, eww, comparing notes on spanking tools with mom and dad? Yeah, not a turn on. But still, they continue to explore, and Christian’s family causes more trouble, especially his religious brother, while the new brother in the picture seems supportive. Christian also comes into his own, gets his own place and realizes that while he feels dominate in some things, he enjoys being more submissive in the bedroom. He does not want to give this aspect up with DD and fears it will split the two up if that is what Logan hopes for.
Luckily, Logan’s dad has a talk with him about that and Christian realizes that he can take charge in the everyday aspects of their lives while still letting Logan play the Dom in the bedroom. There are some issues here that needed to be worked out, as well as the misspelling of Christian’s brother’s name, so a bit more editing would have helped but I still really enjoyed reading this book!
Also the “royals” take over Logan as he visits his uncle in New York, and the pressure seems too much…will they change him? Will the wealthy family members and excitement of New York take him away from Christian? You’ll have to read and find out!
Blurb:Jason loves women, especially married, vulnerable women, making sport of stealing them right from under the noses of their weak and oblivious husbands. At the supermarket, he makes the mistake of running afoul of a cockblocking alpha male who isn’t too keen on going along with Jason’s little game and lets him know just what he’ll have to do to strike a bargain.
Review: So this is a forced seduction short story, made to entice your fantasy and well… play with your libido. It was 50% successful at that for me, but it failed miserably with its beginning.
Jason out of nowhere makes eye contact with a gorgeous women and follows her around at the market place. Unfortunately, the lady appears married with a gym-rat beefy guy who noticed Jason’s strutting right in front of him and practically flirting with his female.
Yeah, it had a real alpha male, me-kill-you vibe and that’s how it played and moved on. What I dislike was the fact that Jason is a real jerk of a man, and frankly I thought his punishment wasn’t much of a punishment since in the end he seemed to enjoy it a bit too much. He went with the idea that he was man enough to grab somebody’s wife right under his nose and rub it in as well, so yes, I was very glad John followed him and sorted it out like “real men”.
So plot-wise, come on you can’t really expect much on such a short story. Erotic-wise, hmm I enjoyed it. It was fun and the ending was brilliant. It was so worth reading this story just for that parting line, it made me howl with laughter. Writing style, I thought it was pretty decent, but it definitely needed editing and proofing before going out on sale.
To sum it up, it was okay for a freebie and definitely worth reading for the ending itself.
Blurb:Fresh out of the closet, General John Mitchel and Gabriel Sanchez are settling into their new life together when an old army colleague taps them for a rescue mission to Tunisia. Eli and Daniel, two former Rangers working security, have been arrested in Carthage, charged with blasphemy, and thrown into prison.
With rampant unrest in the ancient city and an old enemy targeting them, John gathers a team to liberate the two captive men. When he discovers Eli’s boyhood obsession with Al-Jazari’s Elephant Clock, the rescue becomes complicated and strangely beautiful, and John and Gabriel have to risk what they love the most to bring their team home.
Review:The General and the Horse-Lord’s sequel come to take us in a ride through John and Gabriel’s new life. As the first book ended, the couple was trying to settle after their coming out to society as lovers, their old family life in ruins, and the balance between calm and storm fragile. That hasn’t changed much and new clouds trouble their life. John is getting anxious with all this civilian life, feeling as if he has still lots to give yet trapped into a senile-like existence, Gabriel trying to get a hold on his children and their animosity toward the changes happening to their life, when a new challenge appears out of the blue.
A mission in Tunisia, the recovery of two soldiers who’d been charged with blasphemy and thrown in jail comes to take the entire family out of the country, introducing us at new characters and new relationships as well. Adventure, one might call it and very well so, because charging in an Islamic country when you’ve just made the cover of, Out magazine is not the easiest thing to do. Especially as waiting for you there are old enemies holding deep grudges.
The story, while thought-provoking, holding a flurry of activities, many fronts, and addressing cultural and political issues, is a bit droning. There is a non-stop pace that is unfortunately very sedate and monotone. The pitches in intensity were few and of a very short-range. One moment something exciting might happen only to be resolved on the very next page, thus not allowing you to make a connection, to pin perhaps for your heroes, making the ugly events happening seem like a game and not the severe events they were probably meant to be. While the references to old inventors and remarkable people who made a dent in history were admirable, it didn’t help the plot from being unattractive and lacking intrigue and interest. It severely failed to keep me reading for a length of time, and I never once felt myself enthralled in the story.
Even more unattractive though was the fact that some well-abused characters didn’t hold onto that feeling that comes with their situation. I found the fact that the heavily abused ranger Eli didn’t want to leave and seek medical help unrealistic. That our General went with it and tried to “make it right” in the middle of a diplomatic situation was ludicrous. So many things went completely of the sphere of reality and the thought “how much fiction is too much” came over and over again in my head. Even more disturbing was the fact that the entire “family” got involved. General Mitchel was hired as a negotiator and consultant along with the Horse Lord, and before we blinked our eyes, the kids (Kim and Abdulah) charged into the desert and intruded a JOB, for it was a job and a highly paid one at that. For me that was not entertaining, it rather drained all the pleasure from the book as much as one could gain.
To sum it up the sequel of one of my favorite books The General and the Horse-Lord did not meet my expectations and while good, it simply wasn’t good enough.
Blurb: New to town, werewolf Dark can’t believe there’s a restaurant called The Vegan Werewolf. Even harder to swallow is the fact that the place smells amazing. The food, however, is easy going down, it’s some of the best he’s ever had. And that’s saying a lot as it’s, unbelievably, vegan. What’s also not hard to swallow is Erik, the restaurant’s sweet chef, and Dark picks him up after the place closes.
Erik’s got a secret, though, one he keeps hidden deep down inside, and Dark threatens to bring all the things Erik has buried to the surface.
Can Dark convince Erik that there’s more to life than being a vegan? And that, just maybe, wolves mate for life?
This title is part of the Growl AmberPax™ Collection. To purchase this title individually, use the shopping cart below. To purchase this title as part of the entire AmberPax™ and receive a 25% discount off our normal price, use the shopping cart on this page.
Review: This book was definitely a surprise and I fell in love with it. Sean has such a way with words.
Dark is walking in town and comes across something that made him laugh his ass off. A restaurant named The Vegan Werewolf. Seeing as how he is a werewolf and everyone knows that wolves eat meat, he just couldn’t wrap his head around it. What was even more shocking was the owner was a werewolf.
Erik had not turned into a wolf in over ten years and never ate meat after realizing he had killed a bunny. He is a very funny character, one you will fall in love with and maybe smack him upside the head at the same time. He is just so quirky and just can’t figure out what to do with Dark. They are mates, but Erik doesn’t want to be a werewolf, however he is falling for his mate surprisingly fast.
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves sexy men, hot sex, and the paranormal. I have found another amazing author who has made it to my favorite list. The only thing I really didn’t care for was the fact that it was too short of a story. I want to know where Dark came from, to learn more about Erik, and to see how they became werewolves. I want to know more about their future also.
I hope that there are going to be more books like this one.
Kajika Fortier loves his job, the attention he gets from onlookers, and Frankie Choteau. However, his new partner’s jealousy, mood swings, and over protectiveness drives Kajika to the brink but at the same time, excites him to no end.
To complicate things further, a murderer is on the loose looking for blood. All three of the killer’s victims are strippers, which not only makes Frankie nervous about Kajika’s safety but also leaves him questioning his love for being a homicide detective. Coupled with the stresses of cold cases as well as some fellow officers shunning him for coming out, Frankie is having second thoughts about staying in New Orleans. Despite the encouragement from Vance, Kenina, and Orrin as well as new chief Quinn Murray, Frankie is wondering if his life’s passion really is to catch the killers.
Will the new couple survive these new issues that impede their nearly perfect union? Or will the relationship fail, thus leaving Kajika alone and a target for New Orleans latest serial killer? Detective Choteau and Kajika’s commitment to one another is being tested in more ways than one and they only have one another to lean on.
Review: This is part of a series and needs to be read in order. I love the characters Kajika and Frankie. They are wonderful and sexy men. However, I was not into this book like I was at first. I have a thing with cheating, and basically, that is what Frankie did. When someone is in your life and you tell them that you love them and only them, you don’t go rub off on another man.
I do love the way the story is told however, it has such a mystical part to it. I also love anything paranormal and this book brought that into play. Vampires are really hot, and when they look identical to Kaj then it gets even better. They have been together for six months, and life was not getting any easier for them. Frankie wants to leave the police force and he wants Kaj to give up dancing. You don’t get everything you want just because you want it.
Kaj was willing to compromise, but getting Frankie to understand why he does it seems to take a toll on him. Telling Frankie why he needs to stay a detective and telling him why he doesn’t want to give up dancing doesn’t go the way he wanted it so he decides to take a little vacation away from the man he loves. Frankie does miss his boyfriend. However the more he looks at one of his coworkers the more, he wants him. One night and he doesn’t regret his choices however is he really willing to lose the one man he loves.
There is a lot of danger in this story, murder, infidelity, sexy men, hot sex, and vampires. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves those little details and a bit more. I couldn’t get into this story like I did the other. I am just not sure what to think about the way these characters act with each other and those around them. It just came off as harsh to me. I am not really sure why this story affects me like this. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series to see if it changes. Once you start this series, you can’t stop till the end.
Blurb:Raised in near seclusion by an agoraphobic mother, Davy Cooper’s social skills are almost nonexistent. Now that his mother has died, he needs to make friends for the first time in his life. He catches Gavin Walker’s eye, but the sexy, confident, bad boy hipster intimidates shy Davy so much that he throws away Gavin’s number every time he offers it.
When Gavin defends Davy from a rude guy, Davy begins to warm to him. However, with his limited experience, he thinks he and Gavin are too different, and anything more than a casual acquaintance will end in complete disaster.
Review: The first thing that attracts me to a book is the title (you expected the cover right?) and the moment I read Trouble and the Wallflower I was hooked. I knew, I simply knew that the story behind it would be fantastic if written right. Next, came the cover – though I don’t usually pay much attention to it – and I loved the simplicity and lack of nakedness. It was an instant flash in my head that the guy in the cover represented Gavin and I was intrigued, so I immediately looked at the blurb and there I was sold. I had to have this book.
Kade Boehme delivers a lovely story about two guys who grow and flourish in each other’s love. It was a greatly written story making me swoon in romance and sweetness, even though I don’t usually go for romance and sweetness. The story is about two characters that could not be more different from each other.
Meet Davy; a twenty-two year old man whose entire life has been sheltered and a bit screwed up from his agoraphobic mother. Secluded from early age he never had the chance to socialize thus he has real trouble with people. Add in the mix his natural shyness and everything resembling a relationship or even friendship becomes a reason for a panic attack. But as content Davy appears at being a wallflower his personal demon won’t leave him alone.
Meet Gavin; bad boy and sexy as hell Gavin has set his eyes on Davy. At least once a week he’ll visit him at his work place and torment Davy with his presence and non-stop flirting, evoking that adorable yet miserable flush that turns Davy’s naturally tanned face bright red. What starts as a chase for something that resists him, slowly turns into an obsession and eventually the need to be around Davy’s quiet presence becomes overwhelming for Gavin.
I’ll be honest here; I didn’t like Gavin at the beginning. Yes, I knew that he would become adorable later, but trust me when I tell you the author did a remarkable job in portraying the utter jerk. The need to bitch-slap him was nearly suffocating me. He was the epitome of a man-slut and boy did he screwed up a time too many. If it wasn’t for the patience from heaven Davy had and the beautiful sweet soul he possessed, I don’t think these too characters would have made it. The chemistry was scorching from the beginning, but it was that resistance from Davy first, and Gavin later on that made everything ten times more potent.
These characters though had it all. They had highly enticing personalities, their portrayal exquisite, but most of all they had this every step of the way growth that gave them life and made them stars. The saying “you make me want to be a better person” was never better been put to use than in this story, both characters managing to change dramatically as the plot went on, both managing to surprise the hell out of me with their actions and attitude. I’ve read sweet stories, I’ve read books with steamy sex scenes, and while this one was hot and sweet and passionate and corny (the nice kind) and challenging, I’m absolutely sure that it was this pairs change throughout the book that made me love this read so much.
In the end, this book is simply great and very well worth reading. It has it all and leaves you with the biggest smile of satisfaction, and that’s all I can ask from this genre. If you love romance and a sweet heart-melting story, then I strongly recommend this novel to you.
Blurb: Si Helms is rebuilding his life after spending more years than he can count high. But after getting out of jail and attending NA meetings, Si finds a way to become a man of which he can be proud. He receives help from his sponsor, Kip, but when the man disappears without warning, Si worries Kip might have slipped back into old habits.
Then he spies Kip’s handsome face on a movie poster, and is shocked to discover his NA sponsor is none other than Kipper James, former child star trying to make a comeback.
Kip doesn’t plan to backslide into the drugs that almost ruined his life. He fought hard to be able to star in movies again. But, while he’s in Chicago for the premiere of his first film in years, he plans to locate Si.
There’s a connection between the two men that has nothing to do with drugs, and Kip yearns to see if their relationship can become more than just friendship.
Note: This book is part of the Brand Me collection.
Review: This is a good story about drug addiction and rehab. I think it proves a point that addiction can be battled and how hard it Si. I applaud both Si and Kip for fighting their demons.
The story is very poignant. The only problem I had was it felt so narrated. The author seemed to just tell the story as to showing any real action. Once I got into the story, however, I really liked the story line and characters.
So sounded very sweet though he had been through a lot. I would have liked to have more information about his past and the Uncle that was mentioned a lot. Kip seemed to be a charming man and dull of determination. I like that in a character. He set his mind on staying clean in the world of show business where drugs run rampant.
All in all this is a very good story of addiction and love. If you like, a story of two men battling drug addiction, fleeing bad pasts to make their dreams come true, friends to lovers, and tattoos, this is for you.
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.
Review:This book is a part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone but really is best read in order. Dick is asked to look into some threats against former priest Dan and just as Dick is to question Dan, Dan dies when the car he is a passenger in crashes… was it an accident or murder? As Dick pieces together the limited clues, he worries about Jonathan, his partner, who was severely injured in the same crash. When Jonathon and Joshua begin to receive cards and notes Dick believes it is connected to Dan’s death, but finding the person behind it all proves hard even with the police searching for the suspect… a child killer.
This wonderful mystery shows Dick Hardesty at his best. Dick faces a lot in this story as he juggles work, an injured partner, and the responsibility of his partner’s nephew. Dick and Jonathon’s relationship is tested to the full as Jonathon works to overcome his injuries and Dick has to face the limited rights he has as a gay male in the eighties. Being asked to look into some threats just might have turned deadly and Dick uncovers a connection to a child murderer who just might have confessed to Dan before he left the priesthood, Dick has his hands full trying to protect Jonathon and Joshua.
Dorien Grey knows how to weave a mystery that misdirects and thrills, makes you try to solve the case yourself and has your heart aching as the circumstances unfold. There isn’t a beat missed in this story and it keeps us gripped as we follow Dick as he solves cases and juggles his home life. The writing is wonderful as we are submerged into the eighties; it shows us the art that was phone tag and the political practices of the time, the doubt that manly men could really be gay and the blatant suspicion against gays that some people still had and got away with.
The mystery is amazingly woven, the way Dick shows us each step of his investigation, and how it meshes with his everyday life and all the clues point one way until, bam!, we are thrown a curveball. I absolutely loved this story, seeing Dick and Jonathon’s life together as they struggle with the aftermath of the accident, the depression, and struggles with the new limitations; it is all beautifully laid out before us. Jonathon’s father deserves a special mention because of how wonderful he was, if he was any different he could have made a lot of trouble for Dick and Jonathon is truly blessed with the father he has.
I recommend this to those who love mystery, danger, brilliant characters, a steadfast love, misdirection and a great ending.
Hey peeps, today we are bringing you a double feature with a triple review!!! Yep three of my minions got to read this delicious mini-series and they will be giving you their thoughts on it, we also have a post from the author Liz Borino……. So I am leaving you in the capable hands of Tams, Cat & Gigi with a quick word from Liz 🙂 ~Pixie~ (ps I might have also sneaked in a chat the girls were having about Angel’s Hero LOL)
Liz Borino:
Flawed Heroes
Remember the days when the knight in shining armor came galloping in on his white horse and saved the heroine from all that was wrong in her world? Sexy, right?
*Crickets*
Yeah. I don’t think so, either. But sexy or not, the trope doesn’t work for M/M romance. We’ve now got two heroes. Are they both supposed to be wealthy, funny, self-reliant, confident, chiseled, sensitive, yet macho? …I’m bored. Are you? Good. Let’s move on.
The question becomes why are we bored? I’ve heard many theories on the root of reader preferences, but I’ve always ascribed to the school of realism. Readers, and therefore writers, need to believe in their characters to invest the time with them. If we can’t see their humanity on the page, we’ll struggle to get lost in the world. So, how do we do this?
Think about the heroes you know in your real life, best friend, spouse. Are they flawless? No, likely not… even if they disagree. More likely, they have just the right characteristics – good and bad – to complement yours. So too is it with your characters. That means, if you have one hero with OCD who absolutely must control everything, his partner should probably be laid-back.
Every good quality has its drawback. Exploit both. Hero ambitious? He probably doesn’t have much time for his personal life or workout routine. Something has to be sacrificed.
Most important, remember that what you see as a flaw might be someone else’s idea of perfection. Someone’s got to be buying all the white knights.
CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins doesn’t take many things on faith. He trusts his gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain. When his commanding officers deliver news of Jordan’s death, Aaron needs proof. The facts don’t add up, and Aaron must decide if he can trust Major General Troy Hart to assist in his quest to discover the truth.
Captain Jordan Collins is battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison, but definitely not dead, though he learns his own government believes he is. His only mission now is to stay alive and make it home to Angel, if he can find an ally among the enemy. But someone in the US government will stop at nothing to make sure he never leaves that prison, And Jordan must reevaluate the lines between friend and foe if he is ever to return to his Angel. Amazon
Angel’s Truth
Book Two in the Angel Series Out March 12!
*Please Note: These Books Must Be Read In Order*
Blurb: “Freeze or I’ll shoot!” Aaron yelled and aimed the gun at Jordan’s chest.
“Angel, no, please.” Hacking fluid-filled coughs broke up Jordan’s words.
“Jordan?” Aaron whispered his name as recognition painted a mural of memories of their life together on his face.
“Yes.” He coughed red into his dirty hand. “Please help.”
So begins Angel’s Truth, the sequel to Angel’s Hero. Army Captain Jordan Collins arrives home, only to find the man responsible for his imprisonment, torture, and near-execution with his husband. Had his Angel moved on without him?
Aaron “Angel” Collins has driven his family and friends away in his quest to learn the truth of Jordan’s fate, leaving only Major General Troy Hart willing to help him. When Jordan miraculously returns, with a spirit more broken than his body, Aaron realizes Hart was really a liar with an agenda of his own. Aaron is unable to take time to heal his own emotional wounds, because he and Jordan learn Hart’s betrayal is even greater than they originally believed, threatening the entire nation. Now the reunited couple must race against time to keep a promise to Jordan’s savior and prevent Hart from bringing terrorism once again to American soil.
Bio: Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
Blurb: CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins doesn’t take many things on faith. He trusts his gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain. When his commanding officers deliver news of Jordan’s death, Aaron needs proof. The facts don’t add up, and Aaron must decide if he can trust Major General Troy Hart to assist in his quest to discover the truth.
Captain Jordan Collins is battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison, but definitely not dead, though he learns his own government believes he is. His only mission now is to stay alive and make it home to Angel, if he can find an ally among the enemy. But someone in the US government will stop at nothing to make sure he never leaves that prison, And Jordan must reevaluate the lines between friend and foe if he is ever to return to his Angel.
Aaron (Angel) and Jordan Collins have been inseparable since they met, unless they were on assignment. As the story in this first book unfolds, the reader is taken back and forth to when they first met, their first date, their wedding and through current events of separation and anxiety as everyone tries to convince Aaron that Jordan has been killed in Afghanistan. But Angel is not convinced, it doesn’t “feel” right to him. So he sets out to prove that his husband, is in fact, very much alive.
The story is also told from both mens POV. Angel is struggling with the possible death of his husband, he refuses to believe it is true. And something doesn’t sit well with him about the events that led up to Jordan being deployed either. Angel was supposed to go on the mission and was pulled at the last minute. And now he has a new boss, Troy, who seems to be very interested in more than just a work relationship with Angel.
Jordan is seriously injured and being tortured in an Afghanistan prison after being betrayed by someone he should have been able to trust. But who was it? Friends become enemies, and enemies become allies, but in his pain induced haze, who can he really trust. The one thing, the only thing that keeps him going is getting home to his Angel.
The writing was a little raw, but I definitely see potential there. And the plot was fantastic, I had no trouble keeping up and the story kept my interest throughout. Angel and Jordan’s love story slowly unfolded in flashbacks told in alternating chapters, which broke up the dramatic issues Angel and Jordan were both dealing with in the present. And I knew there was a snake in the grass from the start. I am so sorry that you have to wait until March to read the conclusion of their story, I will say it will be worth it.
The chemistry between these two is evident, I could have handled a little more detail for certain scenes, but the passion is there. If you like you men in uniform, you will get that in spades here! Book 2, Angel’s Truth, is scheduled to release March 14th so mark your calendars.
Cat’s Review: 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
This is the first book and boy oh boy how to start a series! I will warn you be prepared to get the second one!
Angel is a CIA agent and works with his lover Jordan an army Captain. This story is written in such an intriguing way. It tells some of what is going on now, a very secret mission, and recalls things about their past, how they met etc. I fell in love with both men immediately. They have a love and connection to be envied. I would give anything to have what these two men have, and the author captures it in such a powerful way. Both men are very professional and strong and their love exceeds all else. The story line was also very captivating. I’m not real big on military stories but this one is fabulous. It’s not overly political and the mystery is riveting. I was very surprised at the ending and was very happy I had the next book ready to roll.
I will say and I hope this isn’t a spoiler, that there was something going on with Troy, that I cringed about through the story and was happy I was wrong about Angel on that account. It made me like Angel even more and Troy even less.
I highly recommend this if you like military suspense, covert operations, CIA agents, Army Captains ( yes we have hot men in uniforms and suits) a love to die for and a surprise ending.
Gigi’s Review: 4 ♥♥♥♥ Hearts
Liz delivers military suspense in a fast paced and engaging manner. Through a series of chapter by chapter flashbacks from past to present we’re introduced to the characters of Aaron and Jordan in their current military deployment and the past events of how they met. Once all hell breaks loose and Jordan’s situation is known, we volley back and forth until the two time lines converge and the action gets going high speed. I feel like I want to know Aaron more, and I was not quite sure of his history, if any with Troy before Jordan’s deployment, but that’s just a small hitch. The supporting characters of Adeela and Jordan’s dad Elliot, make the story stronger. I find I like Adeela a lot!
Throughout the story we have flashbacks that give us the back ground of how Aaron and Jordan meet, fall in love and of how strong their commitment is to each other. Because of this I never thought, even for a second, that Aaron would fall to Troy’s clutches, and I couldn’t understand why Troy ever thought he would. I was just desperate for Jordan to come home.
At the end of the book we are left in the peak of the action with Jordan appearing at his home, beat, battered and bloody. When Aaron, busy fending off Troys’ advances, hears someone entering his home, he draws his weapon, prepared to disarm the bloodied intruder, until he recognizes the man he loves. So many questions linger, who really allowed Jordan to be captured? We suspect Troy all along, but why did he do it? And is he acting alone?
Angel’s Hero was a fun puzzle, a fast paced read, and a bit of a nail biting adventure wondering how and if Jordan would escape. The sexual content was detailed when necessary, but often that content was implied as the relationship developed. Another highly entertaining read by Liz Borino, be sure to have book two queued up and ready!
Tams: I enjoyed how the story jumped back and forth, and the author made sure you knew where it was going at the start of each chapter. Was it easy for you guys to follow?
Cat:Yes. I loved how it switched views so fluidly. I actually prefer this style of writing, as I love to know each Character. I loved both of these men and the special connection they have!
Gigi:The author made it very clear when a flash back/forward occurred either by stating it in the beginning of the chapter or changing text form italics to normative. Very easy to follow, I enjoyed the eventual meeting in the middle/present that occurred.
Tams:I smelled a rat from the start, I knew Troy was up to no good. Did you think he was just trying to be a friend, or overstepping his boundaries?
Cat:Oh no. Troy scared me. I smelled a rat too I knew he was bad news. I would shout for Angel to beware of Troy. Hubby got tired of hearing me yell NO! and Watch OUT.
Gigi:It was a bit easy to see that this guy was a sleaseball. Sorry, what friend tries to step into another’s shoes so soon after a tragic death? And what history did Troy and Angel have to make Troy assume his advances would be welcome?
Tams:I loved the way Jordan loved Angel. So fierce and unwavering, it was my favourite aspect of the story. What was yours?
Cat:It was that love for me too. I’d kill for a special connection ad a love of that high calibre.
Gigi: Angel’s own self worth, the fact that he knew he deserved answers and deserved the man he fought so hard to bring home. There was not a lot of “woe is me” going on. I like characters with a strong backbone.
Tams: What did you guys think of the book overall?
Cat:I loved it. I especially loved the flashbacks, to see how they met and how their love unfolded and I found it very hot and sensual though most actual sex was off the page. Thes two men made me swoon.
Gigi:I like seeing commitment, and the struggles that realistically come with it. I’m a lover of angst and seeing love conquer all….yes I’m a sappy hopeless romantic. This book provided that for me.
Tams: Final thoughts ladies?
Cat: I actually loved the chemistry and didn’t need more detail. I found it written well enough I could imagine the passion there. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending figuring it would be a cliff-hanger. It made me hungry for the next book.
Gigi: Keep the men in uniform coming!
Title: Angel’s Truth
Series: Angel book 02
Author: Liz Borino
Genre: Contemporary, Military Romance
Length: Novella (64 pgs)
ISBN: 9781612581255
Publisher: Lazy Day publishing (March 14th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 2/3 Hearts
Reviewer’s: Tams, Cat & Gigi
Blurb:*Please Note: These Books Must Be Read In Order*
“Freeze or I’ll shoot!” Aaron yelled and aimed the gun at Jordan’s chest.
“Angel, no, please.” Hacking fluid-filled coughs broke up Jordan’s words.
“Jordan?” Aaron whispered his name as recognition painted a mural of memories of their life together on his face.
“Yes.” He coughed red into his dirty hand. “Please help.”
So begins Angel’s Truth, the sequel to Angel’s Hero. Army Captain Jordan Collins arrives home, only to find the man responsible for his imprisonment, torture, and near-execution with his husband. Had his Angel moved on without him?
Aaron “Angel” Collins has driven his family and friends away in his quest to learn the truth of Jordan’s fate, leaving only Major General Troy Hart willing to help him. When Jordan miraculously returns, with a spirit more broken than his body, Aaron realizes Hart was really a liar with an agenda of his own. Aaron is unable to take time to heal his own emotional wounds, because he and Jordan learn Hart’s betrayal is even greater than they originally believed, threatening the entire nation. Now the reunited couple must race against time to keep a promise to Jordan’s savior and prevent Hart from bringing terrorism once again to American soil.
Purchase Link: Review based off an ARC copy, no purchase links available yet.
Tams Review:5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
Angel and Jordan Collins are reunited after weeks apart with everyone believing that Jordan had died in an Iraqi prison. Everyone but Angel, he never stopped believing his husband was alive. He alienated most of his friends and family in the process. But Major General Troy Hart was there, a shoulder for Angel to cry on. Turns out Hart had his own agenda all along.
With Jordan back home safe and in Angel’s arms they can breathe easy, right? Wrong! Jordan is suffering slight symptoms of PTSD that are fuelled by anger and jealously. He doesn’t even want to think about what Hart could have done to his beloved Angel if he hadn’t come home when he did. And the US military is threatening to court marshal him due to circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and subsequent escape.
Angel is by his side through it all. Their love for each other and the strength they gain from that love is only enhanced by their devotion to their country. First they have to contend with the threat at home to themselves, their families and their country. Then they have to go back to where it all started to try and rescue the Iraqi woman that risked everything to get Jordan home to his Angel.
Everything comes full circle in this installment. Everyone’s true intentions are laid out on the table and all the questions I had after Hero were answered. Not to be corny, but the truth comes out. Were the first book sort of skimmed some of the more serious aspects, this book fully explored and explained them. Nonstop action and some serious drama kept a steady pace throughout. If this is the end of this series, it definitely gave closure and ended well. But I would love to see Angel and Jordan sitting on the back porch, covered in grandchildren saying no and stop that!
Cat’s Review: 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
This is book two in this series and you should read them in order.
Jordan has returned from being a POW and not sure of his fate since his escape was very unorthodox. Angel believes him and his eager to help him get his life back so they can move on.
Jordan’s PTSD is harder on both men than they expected it to be and Jordan fears he could lose Angel as well as end up back in jail if they can’t prove who is behind this and keep him from being court martialled.
I have to say I absolutely loved this story. I was intrigued with book one but this one was just as nail-biting. A couple unexpected twists left me breathless in anticipation. As in the first book the love between these two men was so sexy and breath-taking though its mostly off the page. The author’s style makes it as good as if you had it blow by blow. I found it very sensual and sexy.
I highly recommend it if you like Nail-biting military suspense, Cia agents, covert operations, sensual off page sex and loving relationships that endure hell.
Gigi’s Review: 4 ♥♥♥♥ Hearts
We pick up this story in the heat of the action, Jordan has just staggered home after getting out of Afghanistan by questionable means. Once Aaron gets past the shock of seeing his dead husband returned, and once Jordan is cleared medically, Aaron is left to pick up the pieces. Jordan wants to know for sure who was behind his capture and why? He also needs to clear his name and avoid a courts marshall because of how he managed to escape his captivity as a POW.
Aaron is seething mad because the only person who supported him when he refused to believe in his husband’s death, was Troy Hart, the very man Jordan swears is behind this whole deadly game. One tiny glitch in the very start of this book involved Troy. When Jordan arrives home, Troy and Aaron are inside his house, and once the action develops, suddenly Troy is outside Aaron and Jordan’s door and just seems to disappear. Maybe fleshing that out in subsequent edits will help clarify, but I can easily get past it.
The book centers around the covert ways Aaron and Jordan investigate the situation and pry information from Troy. All the while they are both coping with both physical and psychological damage from Jordan’s time as a POW. Can they manage to heal, or will Jordan’s dependency and flashbacks take it’s toll on their relationship?
One of my favorite supporting characters returns in this story, Adeela, the nurse who helped Jordan escape Afghanistan, and she’s ready to do whatever it takes to aid Jordan in solving this crime. Getting herself out of Afghanistan before the US military strikes and even the innocent civilians including her become casualties of war, becomes a priority. She’s one tough nurse, and I’m thrilled by what developments the story holds to include her in Jordan and Aaron’s life!
Again, Liz Borino provides us with nail biting, down to the wire excitement. As far as sexual content, it’s there when it needs to be, but otherwise suggested when details aren’t necessary. Never a dull moment, and I thoroughly enjoyed both books.
Title: The Unwanted
