Blurb:Chip Arnold is a well-liked football coach at a smallliberal artscollege, but his personal life is in a bit of a rut. He goes out drinking with his colleagues, gets along well with his players, and dates all the prettiest women in town—he has the life most straight men dream of. But lately none of the women he dates seem to be igniting any passion in him. Then he meets the new schoolchaplain, Foster Lewis.
Romantic attraction to another man is new and terrifying, and Chip just can’t put his finger on why he’s drawn to Foster, but it’s stronger than anything he’s felt for anyone in his life. Never one to back down from a challenge, Chip decides to go for it. But love is never simple, and sometimes it’s a downright mess!
Review:I absolutely loved every thing about this book!
Chip and Foster were so cute together and right for each other. Lynn made me a little angry but in the end, she redeemed herself. Katie with hergolf cartwas a riot! Yes, Chip and Foster had their problems, mostly Lynn’s fault, but they worked them out. I also loved the side story with Brad and Jason…loved how that unfolded…not fast but after years of being best friends.
Blurb: Helping people is what Denny Patton does. Most of the time, it’s through his duties as a cop in San Francisco, but every once in a while, he steps in and aids his brother in an underground battle for those without any rights under the law-werewolves. Their latest mission is to rescue a group of wolves held captive and forced to do the unspeakable. The task will put Denny’s career at risk, but in his heart, he believes it’s the right thing to do.
Especially when one of the wolves turns out to be Elijah Garber, the man who disappeared from Denny’s life seven years ago.
Elijah and Denny were high school sweethearts, until Elijah disappeared from the Bay Area the summer after they graduated. The note he left behind told Denny and his family to move on without him, but Denny has never forgotten his first love. Now, he wants answers as to why Elijah left all those years earlier. But more importantly, he wants the future they were always meant to have…
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Review: I have found another favorite story. Vivien has a gift for telling stories. It is amazing how the characters come together and the world just seems different when they are in it. I love how she made Elijah and Denny sound. They had fallen in love with each other while they were children. Then separated when Elijah had been bitten and turned into a werewolf. Elijah had been scared that Denny would reject him if he found out so he had run. Ran from the one person who loved him with all his heart.
Denny had searched for Elijah but never able to find him. He had at one time moved on or so he thought, but realized when him and his brother were saving a pack of wolves from evil men and found Elijah that he had in fact just pushed the love down. He was a police officer and always thought it meant to save people. Not just humans but wolves also, however the government thought different. So he and his brother did everything they could do to save them.
Now that they are back together, they will do everything in their power to stay together and never part again. Denny will do everything to keep Elijah safe as will Elijah. Once you start reading this, you will fall in love with them and cheer them on. Praying that they stay safe and be able to make their future one that is full of happiness.
This story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves two hot men, amazing sex, werewolves, and danger. Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes, and that is what this story is about also. They place their selves in danger saving those who are being hurt. I loved this story and cannot wait to read it again and again.
Blurb:Twin vamps Ryland and Ryder Durand are only different in personality while the rest is exactly the same. Ryland, the author is calm and conservative while Ryder the club owner is wild and lewd.
However, the brothers share the same dark desire and haven’t informed one another. Will that bring them closer together or sever their relationship for all eternity?
Review: This is the first book in this amazing series. To think of two very hot and sexy twins wanting each other, makes me wonder why I didn’t read this before. I also love the fact that they are vampires, with different attitudes, but similar feelings and thoughts. Ryland and Ryder had lost their family in 1723, but stayed together when Ryder made the choice of them turning into vampires.
They had always wanted to be with each other but never letting the other know because they feared what the other would say. However when they did it was amazing and hot. I love the way they speak, their language of love. They have been staying in New Orleans ever since their maker was murdered. They come off just a bit lost, and it draws you in with the way the feel.
This story caught my attention from the first paragraph and kept it to the very end. It was told with a tone that will draw you into their world and make you want to stay there. I wish that it were longer in length because hearing about them moving on is an amazing hit.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves the world of paranormals, vampires, two hot and sexy twins, and sex that would set the sheets on fire.
Blurb: [Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Cowboy Romance, M/M, HEA]
Warren Reynolds has never been one for commitment, and the idea of settling with one partner isn’t something he’s ever wanted. When Zander Wesley steps into his world and offers him a lucrative deal, everything in his life begins to go haywire.
Jesse Martin, a shy cowboy with a crush on Warren makes a bold move at the bar, capturing Warren’s attention. The two share a night they will never forget. Old habits are hard to break, and before Warren realizes the implications of sneaking out during the night, his feet continue forward even though his heart directs him to do the opposite. His mistake haunts him daily, as well as the image of the man he seemed to connect with.
When Warren decides to visit the XYZ Ranch, he runs into Jesse. All he wants is one more chance, but Jesse isn’t sure. He is still hurting. Can Warren prove himself and win Jesse’s affection?
Review: Warren Reynolds is not the type to settle down. He is a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. He makes no secret about his sexuality blowing through every available gay man he can find on the rodeo circuit. Until he meets Jesse Martin. The two share a wildly sexy night together full of passion and intimacy. But Warren does what he does best and sneaks off while Jesse sleeps.
Jesse Martin has lusted after Warren from afar for years. So when his bosses Zander, John and Dean head to the latest rodeo in hopes of snagging Warren for the XYZ ranch they bring Jesse along as their secret weapon. They couldn’t have known how devastating it would be for both men. Jesse is hurt and heartbroken after waking up alone. Warren is living in a fog and a haze, unable to forget about that night or that man. The one man who got under his skin, the one man he doesn’t think he’ll be able to walk away from.
When Warren shows up at the ranch, he is shocked to find Jesse works there. He decides he has been given a second chance and will stop at nothing to claim Jesse for his own. But Jesse is still hurt and rebuffs all Warren’s advances. Can Jesse get over the hurt that is still fresh from Jesse running off in the middle of the night? And if he can, will Warren stick around or just duck and run as usual.
I am loving this world Andrews is building at the XYZ ranch and the gay rodeo. The way the characters play off each other with strengths and weakness’ that compliment their partner is an intriguing aspect. Again though there was a moment or scene of unrealistic proportions that had me scratching my head toward the end. Overall Andrews is building this world at the ranch with a series of novellas that is both cohesive and realistic, and sexy as hell.
Cowboy love, get you some!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: When family complications take Joshua away from his fundamentalist Christian mother and leave him with his grandfather, he finds himself immersed in a mysterious and magical world. Joshua’s grandfather is a Wisconsin Ojibwe Indian who, along with an array of quirky characters, runs a recreated sixteenth-century village for the tourists who visit the reservation. Joshua’s mother kept him from his Ojibwe heritage, so living on the reservation is liberating for him. The more he learns about Ojibwe traditions, the more he feels at home.
One Ojibwe legend in particular captivates him. Pukawiss was a powerful Manitou known for introducing dance to his people, and his non-traditional lifestyle inspires Joshua to embrace both his burgeoning sexuality and his status as an outcast. Ultimately, Joshua summons the courage necessary to reject his strict upbringing and to accept the mysterious path set before him.
Review: Overall, this book is a fresh take on the world and how someone’s heritage takes part in their life. And as I read it, I wanted to know more. But the book clearly took care of my questions.
I loved this novel from the start to the end. I’m not one for digging into a character’s heritage and learning about that character’s life but this was beautiful. Joshua is one of those characters that stand out in a crowd and for good reasons. He has to face his mother and her strict Christian values and at the same time, he has his grandfather thrusting Ojibwe beliefs on him.
Another thing is how the story flows. The storyline is solid and to the point. It makes for a strong read and then some. The kind of novel that keeps you interested and doesn’t preach at you. I found this novel to keep me interested. I never saw a dry point in my opinion.
When I read, I found myself curious about the Objbwe tribe the novel managed to answer every last one of them. In the end, I was highly satisfied with the novel. Jay clearly knew what he was getting into when he wrote this novel and knew how it was going to end. He had a clear mind on this the whole time.
I would highly recommend this novel. Not just for the characters but also the strong story that makes the reader want to know more.
Blurb: Zander Wesley feels cursed by his sexuality. While he wouldn’t change it, he is having difficulty coping and finding his place in the world. His family exiled him from their lives years ago, but the pain of rejection still haunts him as well as the memory of the beating he suffered at his father’s hand.
At thirty-two, Zander wants more than a life on the road and working for someone else during the winter. He has saved for a ranch, and all he needs to do is find it.
When Zander runs into Dean Buchanan and John Acker, desire he has held for the two heightens to a new level. He believed the men were straight, but a rendezvous with Dean in his horse trailer proves him wrong. Dean admits his feelings and expresses his want for more than just a fling. The only problem is John. Can he overcome his jealousy and succumb to his desire for Zander?
Review: Short, Sexy and Steamy…. My three favourite colors!
Zander Wesley longs for something more than the life he leads on the rodeo circuit. He saves his winnings in hopes of some day buying a ranch, and is on the search for someone to share that life with. He’s long thought of his homosexuality as a negative after a serious beating at the hands of his father when he caught Zander and his high school boyfriend making out. He meets Dean and John one night at a bar and definitely likes what he sees, but he ignores the feelings of desire he has for both men thinking they are straight. Little does he know that not only are they very much gay, but the attraction goes both ways, or three ways in this case.
Dean Buchanan and John Acker have been together for several years, but there is something missing. Something 6’4 with dark hair, smoldering eyes and a domineering attitude. Dean is a natural submissive. Zander an obvious dominate, so where does that leave John? Somewhere in the middle if Zander and Dean have their way. The three share a smoking hot night, but where do they go from there? Zander finds the perfect ranch to start his dream, but that dream has morphed into something more as of late. Something he wants to include John and Dean is. Now he just has to convince them that they can make it work if they can work together as a team and partners, in every sense of the word.
The way these three balance each other out is sort of… perfect. Someone has to be in charge, only one can lead, even when taking his partners into consideration. But in order for Zander to take the lead, John has to relinquish some control. And Dean is just sitting back and enjoying the ride, literally! I love the way the characters play off each other in these books, the author works well with each individual’s strengths and weakness’. The sex is off the friggin charts fantastic! But I have to take points off for that ridiculous display of emotion in the kitchen toward the end. It was like a road bump in the story, I was able to push through though, and I’m glad I did.
This is a must read series for anyone that likes sexy cowboys, ménage and strong-willed characters that can learn how to be flexible.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: Dexter is a rent boy falling for his new client. Logan is a homicide cop falling for his rent boy. Now madly in love, Logan discovers Dexter is dangerously in thrall to a gangster whose clutches he can’t escape. When the gangster finds out about the two of them, he targets Dexter’s friend in revenge. The quickest answer is a safe house, but how long will it be safe?
Review: For those of you that have never read anything by Scarlet Blackwell, most of her stories a quite dark and Angsty, deal with at least one broken character usually both the hero and main Character are broken or have a dark past, and the story is very suspenseful, sometimes dealing with touchy subject. I absolutely love her books, because I do love Angsty stories and touchy subjects.
Kiss me is very dark and Angsty, and a real page-turner. Be sure you figure how long it will take you to read it and clear your schedule, because you won’t want to put it down. I was biting my nails until the last word. The story has lots of suspense and moves fast with several twists and turns, a couple I didn’t see coming. Wow! It is about a high-class rent boy (Dexter), a cop (Logan) that didn’t like being touched and had some issues from his past, and of course being a gay cop, and a mobster (Ivan) that becomes infatuated and possessive of the rent boy. The story is written in first person, which is one of my favourite styles, since to me it really delves deep into the character. This one was only in Dexter’s view and the unique thing I found was it was as if Dexter was actually telling us his story. Occasionally he would ask us a question, such as “You’re probably thinking at this point that I used someone else to make me feel better, that those nights spent in bars were spent picking up ass, spent taking money for cheap sex which would only make me feel worse. Well, you’d be wrong. Not this time.” I felt as if I were right there with Dexter through it all and trust me there was a lot to go through.
Speaking of characters, I found them all very well-developed. You could tell easily who was speaking, and doing what, since each has their own distinctive personality. I liked Dexter a lot, though I have to say he grew on me. Logan, I don’t think I ever really fell in love with him. There were so many times I wanted to slap the crap out of him, and Dexter both. Daron I did like and felt so sorry for him. Ivan the mob boss, now he was evil and I really disliked him (aren’t we supposed to dislike the villains though?)
I know I went on and on but I could keep going. It was an awesome story with lots of twists and turns, some real nail-biting moments, some very touching ones( be sure to have tissues handy) and some very hot sex.
I highly recommend this if you like Angsty stories, broken men, a love that doesn’t come easily, good friends, twists and turns, suspense and hot mansex( did I mention a cop in uniform and his nightstick*swoon*.
Blurb: At the time of the earliest Crusades, young noblewoman Elisabeth longs to be the person she’s always known is hidden inside. When her twin brother perishes from a fever, Elisabeth takes his identity to live as a man, a knight. As Elias, he travels to the Holy Land, to adventure, passion, death, and a lesson that honor is sometimes found in unexpected places.
Elias must pass among knights and soldiers, survive furious battle, deadly privations, moral uncertainty, and treachery if he’ll have any chance of returning to his newfound love in the magnificent city of Constantinople.
First edition by Nan Hawthorne published by Shieldwall Books, February 2011
Review: There is so much to say about this novel. It is amazing, sentimental, personal, surprising, and then some. Once the reader starts going for it, they won’t be able to stop reading it. There is too much to like for someone to not like it. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started.
Elizabeth has a lot on her hands. Everything from the longing to be a male, to the fact she is loving family. She wants nothing more than to be like the boys. To fight in a battle that can very well take her life with no issue. When she does something that is less than acceptable, she dives into what her brother with the intentions of showing the honor and courage he did.
The storyline remained a constant surprise, amazement and never a boring moment. The more I read, the more I liked this novel. And I could tell the author put everything he could into writing this book. He had a clear knowledge of what he wanted and went for it. And it shows through the novel.
Altogether, I found this novel to be beautifully written, strongly executed and a perfect novel if there ever is. I would highly recommend this novel to everyone that wants to read a strong novel that shows a sense of care and the courage one needs to keep going when times get bad.
Blurb: Out-and-regretting-it comprehensive attendee Jayden Phillips turns his cast-iron plans for life upside-down by falling in love with private-school violinist Darren Peace, a sardonic boy with the craziest hair Jayden’s ever seen.
But all is not what it seems, and Jayden’s bullying problem becomes meaningless when he is confronted with what the music does to Darren. How do you stop a dangerous depression rooted in the same thing that makes someone what they are? Dark moods, blank apathy, and the undertow of self-loathing all simmer beneath Darren’s dry and beautiful veneer and Jayden feel powerless to stop them.
Then a mugging gone wrong takes the music forcibly away, and Jayden is finally given the chance to change Darren’s life — and, quite literally, his mind.
Review: This is a great YA read, about coming of age, sexual discovery and coming out. There is also so much more, including the topics of bullying and depression.
Jayden and Darren come into their relationship with different obstacles. Jayden has a couple supportive friends and a family that does not necessarily know about him being gay. They are otherwise very supportive and loving. His school life is made hell by constant bullying and his confidence in the matter is very lacking. Darren has a couple of great friends who suspect he might be gay, seems outwardly confident, defends Jayden against his bullies, has oodles of talent but a family that is cold and distant with high expectations. Both these boys feel the pressure, but are powerfully drawn to each other and let a slowly burning relationship build without too much sexual pressure. Their bond keeps growing and Jayden is excited but Darren has to disclose his serious bouts of depression. Is it too much for a young boyfriend to handle?
This book deals with the very serious issues of bullying and depression which all by themselves can be debilitating, add to that the pressures of coming out and your first fumbling sexual relationships. These topics are handled so well, and the young love between the two main characters taken seriously and treated delicately. Depression, which is such a vague term in reality, is handled so very well in this story. The description of the depression, the results of the “bad days” are felt in such a way as to make them feel real, not just words on a page but a weight on my chest. I’m very impressed with this young adult story.
The sexual encounters are vague but honest, and the two different family reactions to their gay sons are a great illustration of the choices individuals have to accept, or lose their children’s trust. I loved this book. There are some harrowing times, but one is left hopeful and excited for both main characters as they face these hurdles and leap forward into the future.
Publisher: Total Bound Publishing (October 25th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: Sometimes you have to face your horrible past or else you will never have a bright, happy future.
Lester has always been only half-good enough—half a sorcerer, half a dragon, but all a bastard, he was shunned and unwanted as a child. So the first thing he does when he can is move away to the human world and never look back. But the supernatural world is coming to him. The war between the dragons and the sorcerers is at its climax and both sides want Lester on their side.
Dragon shifter Mick grew up watching his best friend Lester being abused and shunned. Now that he’s back, Mick is more determined than ever to protect him. As the two find themselves falling in love, will they be able to overcome all their obstacles, or will war win over love?
Review: Wow this book was amazing. Stephani has written another series that I cannot wait to get my hands on. I am truly amazed by her gift to tell stories. The characters have the perfect amount of strength and weakness that make the story come together. It had the best twist to it. I love the humor in this story with just a mixture of seriousness.
Lester had always considered himself a bastard, unwanted as a child. He was a half-breed, half sorcerer half dragon. All his life his dragon never made an appearance and he couldn’t do magic so he felt more human than anything. Leaving his home, he had made his way to the human world living and working as an ER nurse. Having loved Mick all his life but thinking Mick never wanted him had made him feel so alone all the time. That changed when Mick came to the ER and basically kidnapped him, before the sorcerer’s killed him. Lester is gentle, kind, compassionate and very loveable. Mick was in love with Lester, and wanted him to be his mate.
But even though Lester felt that Mick didn’t want him, Mick had felt the same way. Not because of genetics but because Lester was royalty and he was a soldier. When they come to their senses, the sex was hot and amazing. You just want to cheer them on and fan yourself from the heat. This story made me laugh and cry at the same time. To feel the pain of abandonment is a something many people feel and you just want to wrap them up and heal their pain.
I loved this story and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Blurb: For Tony and Carter, room number 9 in the Galaxy Gold motel on Seattle’s seedy Aurora Avenue is a refuge. There, the two young lovers have found a place to hide away from a world that would condemn them for their love. Within the darkened, summer-hot confines of room number 9, Carter and Tony can explore their love and lust for one another, free of the burdens of the outside world.
But room number 9 holds a terrible and tragic secret, one that dates back to the Galaxy Gold’s opening back in 1962, when Seattle was hosting its World’s Fair. There’s a ghost in room number 9, and he has a message for Tony and Carter, a message about the consequences of shame and hiding love behind a closed motel room door.
Will Tony and Carter listen to the ghost’s message and have the courage to bring their love out into the open? Or will this long-ago story, one eerily similar to Tony and Carter’s, be ignored?
Review: I do appreciate that there is a moral to this story…gay is not wrong, cheating on a spouse is wrong. And these two fellows know it and need to come to terms with it. Either be honest, come out and face the consequences, or end it. If they don’t it may end very much the way of the ghost in number 9! This is almost a Dickens classic, with cruising, elicit affairs and steamy gay sexual content. The sex to love thing seems to happen too quick for me and maybe I am just a cheesy romantic but it seems hard to build that “love” without some real out of bed experience with another person.
But this story exposed a real honest and dark truth, you can’t hide from yourself, you can’t hope the very core of your being will just change because you or your loved ones want it to. Sometimes decisions in life are extremely difficult, but not facing up to them is irresponsible. That’s a powerful message for a little story!
Blurb:You hitch your lift with this man
You’ll have your blood on your hand…
AN OLDER MAN WITH NO FUTURE, AND NOTHING TO LIVE FOR …
Norman Dimond is the Silver Man, an over-the-hill LA-based rock ‘n roll record producer who has seen better days. A set-for-life bisexual with a hard spot for younger men, he squanders his nights hustling cash-strapped gay-for-pay desperadoes who swagger into his den on the Sunset Strip, looking for drive-by love in all the right places. Lonely and at loose ends, he longs for a worthy dance partner, but despairs of finding him … Until one night, when he least expects it, in waltzes …
A YOUNGER MAN WITH A PAST, AND A DEATH WISH …
Johnny Gellis is the Platinum Man, a beautiful straight wreck who needs fixing—and who wants exactly what Norman Dimond has to give: a platform, a stage. But does he want it badly enough? Desperate to outrun his demons, he’s driving himself crazy, and is heading straight for the edge. Can Norman save him, before it’s too late?
TWO LIVES ABOUT TO COLLIDE IN A SUICIDE RIDE …
When Norman meets Johnny, their heavy-metal fenders bend, sending the male-on-male sparks flying. Johnny’s number-one-with-a-bullet hit “Suicide Ride” blows Norman’s mind, while his number-99-with-an-anchor tattoo pricks up more than just his ears. And though this hell-bent, cliff-hanging, head banger, is the man-boy of his dreams, keeping him on course turns out to be a waking nightmare. Can Norman do it? Can he put him on top while stopping him from breaking down and destroying them both? The deeper Dimond digs, the darker it gets; and as the secrets and suspense multiply, so, too, do the lies. Johnny is hiding something, that much Norman is sure of; and what’s worse, he begins to feel the tug of even darker and ever more violent undertows—sinister, malevolent drags that Gellis himself cannot spin-rinse away.
Review: Johnny is running from his past and ends up in California. He wants to start a career as a rock star and is told the place to go. With his looks, he gets access to an exclusive gay club and the owner a Hollywood music mogul that has a weakness for pretty straight boys willing to do anything to strike it big.
I will say this book is different from any I have read recently. With over the top descriptions and deep-rooted emotions it is definitely one heck of a ride.
If you like dark stories with lots of description, prose, music, rock, and hot and sex this is for you.
Nicky walked out of the Wild into the civilized world and within a few years, he carved out a territory with a selected pack of loyal gang members. He had a secret to keep that not only could affect his hard won territory but also his very existence. Secrets are always found out, especially when that secret involves magic.
Magic was the backbone of the Miradryl Empire; wherever magic can be found the Empire moves to take it as its own. Those who can wield that power are the chosen and the privileged few.
King Tiger, Battle Mage Arthur Magnus is searching for a special kind of battery, a Latent – a person who could control energy. The discovery of a new powerful source leads him to this backwater world. His intention was to force a union between them but then the magic decided to bond them forever.
Nicky and Magnus found themselves mage mated, not only was their magic intertwined but now their lives were as well. Their hearts were another matter.
Warning: Some scenes of bloody violence and of forced sex/rape, and an arrogant King Tiger and a spitting snarling Nicholas with very sharp claws.
Review: Nicholas (aka Nicky & Neko) carved himself a place in civil society after he emerged from the Wild, the leader of a small gang the Skullz that is swallowed by their big brother the RIPpers. But, even they can’t keep Nicky safe when his secret abilities are leaked and the Empire comes for him. The Miradryl Empire has the monopoly on magic and will do anything to get it, their King Tigers are feared for their devastating power but they go through batteries (Latent’s) fast and Nicky is just the battery they need to keep their King Tiger Magnus happy. Magnus and Nicky clash but their bond is solid, now all Nicky needs to do is keep both of them alive.
Whoop! Now for those who adore a slightly dark but fun space opera type story this is the best, Nicky is from the Wild and after an incident he heads for civilization and carves his way into a position of slight power with his blades and a touch of magic, but it isn’t long before he falls under the watchful eyes of Grimm and the RIPpers. After an uneasy truce between the two becomes a merging, it isn’t long before Nicky finds himself betrayed to the Empire and in an impossible position, he can’t see any way out of. Magnus, King Tiger, demands Nicky as his Latent and Nicky discovers his problems have only just begun as Magnus makes demands on Nicky and Nicky tries to fight what is expected of him.
Hmmm, I have to say that I love these types of stories where it has that edge of violence and danger and a reluctant love develops from the worst of starts. Where violence and sex clash but never seems to quite break the boundaries and where a thread of humor never seems far away. The storyline is new and interesting blending science fiction with magic together but with violence and characters with attitude. While some people may find some parts harsh, I think Derekica Snake has done a good job of getting across a lot of the circumstances surrounding the incidents and Nicky’s matter of fact attitude helps to mitigate what could be harrowing experiences.
As we read further into the book, we begin to understand why Magnus is such an arrogant ass and yeah he does manage to grow on you, Nicky is a brilliant character but then I have always loved a psycho. Now the actual world building is great, we learn a lot about Nicky, his background, and the world he lives on, not much is left out so we understand the man he is and the world that molded him. As we learn more about the Empire the sorrier you feel for Magnus and you can’t help but hope that Magnus will blow them up accidentally on purpose while Nicky slashes them to pieces. Now the storyline and plot were perfect in my eyes but this story is self-published and there were a few editing errors but they didn’t really take away my enjoyment of the story and to be honest I can’t wait for Powerlines: Toy Tiger.
So I recommend this to those who love space opera, science fiction with a touch of magic, arrogant bastard characters, vindictive humorous characters, a great storyline with a hint of dark threaded with humor, a relationship that could easily be doomed or will soar to heights of brilliance and a very interesting ending.
Blurb:Vision fought his way from street whore to vampire elder, but can’t forget the feel of surrender in silk restraints. Hanz can give it to him again–but love wasn’t enough before, and the skeletons in Vision’s closet have fangs.
Love didn’t just kick you when it were down; it staked you out and turned you into a vampire. Not that Vision was bitter. His ex-lover taught him nothing lasts forever, while his ex-master taught him to submit and the fine art of not resisting silk restraints. In exchange, Vision let both of them keep their heads. He considered it a fair trade-off.
Now Vision is a master, but still finds himself wanting to be on his knees.
Enter Hanz. He’s just a driver, but he knows what Vision wants and how to make it sting the way Vision likes most.
Vision won’t be fooled again. Sure, Hanz is sweet. The respect feels genuine, and, what’s worse, he honestly seems to love Vision. Older, wiser masters counsel Vision against Hanz. And, of course, they’re right. Hanz does have something to hide. And, as if on cue, along comes Vision’s ex-lover, the cause of and solution to being kicked, staked, and vamped. Vision is caught again, and this time not with ropes and silk. Now if he can only keep his neck and his heart intact…
Review: Vision has come a long way from the whore who turned tricks in Boston, his ex-lover Steven taught him nothing lasts and his Master taught him a love of silk ropes, but both of them taught him that trust could be shattered. Now a Master himself he still hungers for the feel of the silk ropes and seeks the harsh treatment he has come to need, but then Hanz makes himself known but doesn’t quite trust that Hanz is being truthful. Hanz has come to love Vision over time but he has a secret he is hiding and doubts if Vision even notices him so his secret is safe. Vision’s ex turns up begging Vision to visit his old Master and Hanz finds himself having to make a sacrifice and Vision finally learns who he can really trust.
Well, Angela Fiddler has re-released her Master of the Line series in anticipation of a new release in the series and it was a treat to re-read this book…, which then had me running to dig up the rest of the series to read :-). Vision is a newish Master who has the past coming to haunt him, he thought it would never again darken his door but the past has plans to be great again and will use Vision to get there. Hanz is also haunted by his past and their pasts entwine and become the present. Their own relationship is still new and with secrets between them, it is easy for the enemy to pull their strings, but both vampires will have to learn to trust if they both want to escape the past for good.
Vision and Hanz are a very interesting mix of Master and servant, which adds spice to their relationship, because at times Vision needs Hanz to take control of him and at others, he needs unswerving loyalty. While they struggle to balance their relationship, they also have to deal with the past coming out to play and deal with the power struggles from other Masters. The way the story is set out is good, we are dragged back to both Vision’s, and Hanz’s pasts, it shows us exactly how they both became vampires and the effects of those pasts that still linger. We are pulled into the story right from the start, these vampires are not the usual and have a very strict hierarchy, and very strict laws, the lay lines certainly make for a very interesting plot.
I really liked the way the story played out with the flash backs to the past and the connection to the present, the way that both their pasts managed to intertwine but how neither Vision or Hanz knew it until it was already too late. I also liked how the threading of the storyline was being woven to also include the past into the future plot as well, making us realize that it is far from over for all of them and had me reaching for Restitution. Now I know many people like their men/vampires to be faithful but these vampires are a sexual lot and at times use sex as a connection of sorts, but Vision and Hanz seem to be as faithful as possible but if you really hate casual sex and coerced sex then you might want to skip some pages. Oh and that coerced sex is also for the one m/f scene and it is definitely the woman who is doing all the driving.
So if you love vampires and the touch of something extra, some rough sex and a bit of D/s, a storyline that has some twists and a long reaching arm and vampires who are unforgiving and loyal then I recommend you give this series a try.
Blurb: On the scene of a multiple murder that’s grisly even for a veteran homicide detective, Brian Clifton is stunned when one of the victims bears an uncanny resemblance to his boyfriend, James. As the similarities keep piling up, so do the bodies… and the evidence pointing to James as the killer.
Since long before the shooting, James has been dishonest. He’s been evasive. Oh, and there’s that minor detail he withheld from Brian about being a gambling-addicted drug dealer.
James may not be the best boyfriend in the world, but he begs Brian to believe he’s no killer. In fact, whoever did pull the trigger undoubtedly wants to finish what they started, and Brian is the only one James trusts to keep him safe.
But how much is Brian willing to risk protecting a man he may not even know?
1st Edition published with Carnal Passions 6th July 2011
Brian Clifton has been seeing James for several months and over the last two or three months James has been erratic and unavailable and Brian is thinking of dumping him as he believes James is cheating on him, when James is waiting for him when he gets home and needs his help more than ever. James Merrill needs to hide and needs Brian’s help to prove he isn’t a murderer and to catch the ones who are, James always has an excuse for everything and Brian doesn’t know if he can trust James anymore. When the full truth comes out Brian struggles to forgive James for his countless lies.
The storyline is great, the characters are compelling and the grief is heartfelt, this story is fast paced and honest to God just when you think you have it all figured out it throws you a curve ball. We see Brian acknowledge that he has a problem, James not being able to control his addiction and nearly getting everyone in trouble, we have a brilliant plot, some twists, hot sex, and betrayal.
We also see Nick and Andrew from Cover Me and we learn more about how they are coping as a couple. Don’t get me wrong they are written into the story line without taking away from the main characters and its fantastically done, they don’t try to take over the story but blend in and I have to say L.A. Witt has done what some authors can’t and that’s blending characters from previous book’s into current books.
This is a brilliantly written story and it has something for everyone, I will recommend this one to everyone.
Lisa’s Review:♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
This story is part two of a series and I recommend reading them in order although this one can be read as stand-alone. Veteran homicide detective Brian and James are together when Brian comes across a murder where the victim looks just like James. Brian finds out that James has been hiding a lot from him. He has been evasive and turns out a gambling addicted drug dealer. Bodies keep piling up and it looks like the man he loves is the killer. All he has to do is keep James safe and prove that he isn’t the killer, but how does he protect his heart.
Dirty cops, drug dealers, con artist and killers what more can a girl ask for. Brian is as honest as any cop can be, but he is surrounded by dirty cops and a lying boyfriend. A boyfriend who holds so many secrets but loves him with all of his heart. Every time they go into hiding, someone finds them. Brian just doesn’t nowhere to turn or who to trust, he just knows he loves James enough to place himself in danger. Hot sex between them heats everything up, but sex doesn’t solve all their problems. It kept my attention from the start though and kept it all the way to the end. There are a lot of surprising twists to this story. Ones that you won’t expect.
This however is a really good story of two different types of men coming together. One honest cop and one gambling addicted drug dealer. Lots of danger and excitement can be found in this story. Murdered cops, dead strippers, and men who will turn on each other are just a teaser always leaving you wanting more. As I said before lots of surprising twist to this story. Once you pick it up you won’t be able to put it down. Both men are hot and sexy, each with a story inside themselves that is just waiting to be told. When lives are in danger, they will both do everything they can to keep each other safe. When all the truths are told, they will find themselves at a crossroad. A crossroad that will make them choose each other or a life separate.
I did enjoy this story although I wanted it to continue right then and there. The dangers that each one of them was in was enticing and you wanted to just jump in and save them. Brian kept trying to stop the dangers that were coming after Nick from getting to him placing himself in to those dangers. Brian did everything in his powers to keep his lover safe. The relationship between them started out as any other relationship had, one that was at first suppose to be a one-night stand, but seemed to get hotter each time they were together showing that they both wanted so much more.
The sex between them was just as hot, fast, and full of passion. It shows the way they take turns loving each other, what each character loves to do and what they want done. I like how both characters act and care for each other, however I wish James could open up to Brian and let him know the truth. The fact that he can’t seem to tell him all that worries him, makes Brian not only a little closed off but also ready to end it. But for them it seems to be a work thing, because when the time comes for Brian to need James, James is there to save the day.
I will recommend this to those who love law enforcement and even the criminal unit, the dangers from dirty cops, undercover law enforcement, drug dealers, shoot outs, great sex and what seems to be happy ever afters.
Blurb:Romantic dinner for two, check. Valentine chocolates check. Emergency visit to the hospital…oh crap!
Kevin lucked out when he found a place to live off campus with sexy grad student, Brady. Kevin’s learned to live with all of Brady’s quirks including living with Brady’s mean-ass longhaired fluffy feline, Cat. However, with all the quirks it doesn’t stop Kevin from falling for his roommate. While grocery shopping for dinner, he picks up a box of Valentine’s chocolates for Brady to make it the icebreaker he needs to show he cares. But what happens next is anything but romantic. How the heck do you ask someone to forgive them when you poison them with their Valentine?
Review: This is my new favorite Valentine’s Day story. It is amazing the way what is normally serious turns into a fit of laughter. Chocolate is not a good idea for cats or in this case shape-shifting cats.
I love the way Kevin wants his roommate to find out that, he wants him. He gives him romance or at least chocolates. What he didn’t know was Brady was allergic to them. What he didn’t know was Brady was a shape-shifter. The cat that hated him at first was indeed Brady. He wanted him from the moment he moved in, but just didn’t know how to tell him. He thought Brady wanted him by the little touches and caresses. He just wasn’t sure. He would do anything to keep his man and when told they were mates he was stunned but very happy. The sex is amazing, sensuous, and very hot. You will fall in love with Kevin and Brady from the moment you meet them. They are gentle, kind, and very sweet.
Poisoned by chocolate is quite a way to go even for love. I loved this little story and look forward to reading more of Jackie’s stories. I do wish this one had been a bit longer though. I would love to hear more about them and their lives.
Blurb: For five years, Zach Tyler, son of one of the world’s richest software moguls, was held hostage, tortured, and abused. When he is rescued at last from the Venezuelan jungle, he is physically and psychologically shattered, but he slowly begins to rebuild the life he should have had before an innocent kiss sent him into hell. His childhood best friend David has lived those years with overwhelming guilt and grief. Every relationship David has tried has fallen apart because of his feelings for a boy he thought dead. When Zach is rescued, David is overjoyed and then crushed when Zach shuts him out. Two years later, David returns home, and he and Zach must come to terms with the rift between them, what they feel for each other, and what their future could hold. But Zach has secrets, and one of them might well destroy their fragile love.
Review: Zach Tyler spent five years in hell. Kidnapped by a sadist and kept caged like an animal, raped and abused on a daily basis, he’s pretty damn close to soulless. A rescue mission brings him home but the nightmare is far from over. The years of abuse and domination have left him bitter and broken. The one thing that kept him going, the memory he kept locked up inside his mind, the one thing his captor never tainted was David.
David has been Zach’s best friend pretty much since birth. Their parents were best friends and David’s mother still works for the Tyler’s. The five years that Zach was missing were terrible for him as well. One innocent kiss the eve of Zach’s kidnapping showed David that he was in love with him. He had pushed Zach away telling him he was too young to even know what love was, much less know he was in love with David. That night, that kiss, has haunted him for years.
The emotional, mental, and physical scars that Zach carries are ever present in his life. He can’t sleep, he has panic attacks and nightmares, and he drinks too much and screws random men. As long as they are tall, lean and blonde… like David. He has never forgotten the kiss or the man. But to give in to his feelings and become vulnerable is something he can never do. So even when David moves back to the compound and pushes Zach like no one else can, Zach still stands firm in his resolve not to love David. Nothing is sexier than a man who will do anything to get what he wants, and David wants Zach. Bad attitude, mood swings, nightmares, scars, and all.
This book is just a plethora of emotion, going from one end of the spectrum to the next, and hitting every possible emotion along the way. Anger, hatred and fear are balanced with love, lust and understanding. The banter between David and Zach make some of the more dark scenes bearable. It’s as if Speedwell knew full well the scene was going too dark and too heavy, so some humor needed to be added to the mix. And some steamy sex, but who cares about that. *raises hand, wiggling fingers, hello! Do you not see me here?!*
There is quite literally a tug of war going on throughout. With the constant push from Zach trying to distance himself from any emotion, therefore pushing David away by any means possible. And then the pull with David’s ferocious needs to protect Zach and just love him. Narrated by Paul Morey, need I say more? I think I’ve already established that this man has the sexiest voice on the planet. So when you couple the amazing and haunting story that Speedwell has written with the sexy, sultry voice of Morey it makes this one a must read. Or listen, to be precise.
*I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: Honor Student Grant Foster’s life spins quickly out of control after a steamy encounter with a mysterious stranger. Honor student Grant Foster is resigned to following the in footsteps of his father and his older brother until his life is upended by a mysterious stranger with a dragon tattoo. Grant fights the growing attraction he feels for the man he and his friends have dubbed The Punk, but finds himself caught up in his spell. When Grant moves to end the situation, he is swept away by a tide of lustful passion he is powerless to deny.
Review: This story was a bit hard to actually understand, but I did enjoy it.
Grant is a charming, tender-hearted, gentle young man, who isn’t really sure what is going to happen in his life. Then one late night in the locker room he comes across a man dubbed The Punk. The Punk also known as, Dragon is a bit strange to me, but he wants Grant. The sex is hot and tender. It was a cute little story, just not really sure, what it was all about. I wish it were a longer story, so that I could get more information and detail.
I was intrigued and will read this story a bit more.
Genre: Historical Fiction / French Revolution / Ménage (Multiple Partners)
ISBN: 978-1-61581-248-6
Length: Novel (292 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 14th, 2010)
HeatLevel: Explicit
HeartRating: ♥♥♥♥3.5~4 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: “When I think of the things that happened and the things I did, it is as though I were living them … My hands feel what I touched, and the smells that surrounded me fill my nostrils … Old joys swell my heart, old sorrows clutch at my throat … I remember every face, every name, every street …”
So Gérard Vreilhac begins the story of his life from his boyhood as a gardener at the Château d’Airelles before the French Revolution through six decades of upheaval and social change to the eve of Napoleon III’s coup d’état. It is a story of heroism and devotion, of political intrigue, of the great battles fought in Napoleon’s conquest of Europe, and of unprecedented upward mobility. Most of all it is the story of the men he loved: Julien, the aristocrat; the jealous and possessive Laurent; his Egyptian houseboy, Akmoud; Anatole, a male prostitute… And every time he fell in love with a man, it was forever.
Review: Oh what a lovely book this one was. Set in France, late 19th century, this book takes you on a journey back in time when the French Revolution was born. But even as it takes you through the events that occurred and followed the Revolution, the Terror and the many men and women who were lost to the guillotine, even as it takes you along with Napoleon and his many battles, then back again to the restoration of monarchy, this book is so easy to read and so fun to do it despite to bloodshed and the ugliness. For me at least, this was quite a funny read as our main character is the luckiest Frenchman ever known.
Born a mere gardener’s son, Gerard’s best friend is Julien, a young aristocrat (the Counts son) who never once saw the distinction between them. Their friendship turns into adolescent exploration and young love, which the boys pursued with a passion. That love though was cut off short once the Revolution hits and the two young men get separated. Aristocrats left France to save themselves and those who didn’t lost their head, literally.
Our Gerard though, somehow, gets himself right at the beat of the Terror thanks to the summer lessons Julien gave him and his knowledge of letters. When Julien contacts Gerard and asks for help though, our hero finds himself shortly in trial himself for helping enemies of the Revolution. Mere luck wants him forgotten and avoiding the guillotine. With two more friends, he made in the prison Gerard sets for new adventures, and the military is what brings them on.
I have to admit that I kept on laughing throughout this read, though there was nothing really funny. It’s just that this character is so damn lucky. He gets promotion after promotion through mere luck. He avoids getting killed because he was stabbed in Egypt and couldn’t go to battle. He makes a stupid decision and gets on a horse during a battle, only to find himself thrown on the ground and the horse on top of him. He saved his fellow soldiers and gets to become a colonel, even as he has no idea or training. He only managed not to screw up, because he got shot the moment he was on a horse from then on. It is a series of events that while horrible, they save his life and get him out of a worse fate.
All through the read, we see him fall in love with men in different phases of his life. Every one of them is unique and every one of them had me shake my head. But they all seemed so real, the romance is not quite romance, more like this is what life is and the character just went with it. I can’t say that there was any real intensity there to blow your mind, except perhaps when Julien comes back twenty-five years later. While all the intimate scenes were erotic and managed to get you all hot and bothered, the part when Julien comes back only to leave again must be the only one to have deeply awoken strong feelings from me. That was sad, so very sad for both of them.
All in all, I liked this book very much. The writing was great and made for an easy read, the characters were engaging, all of them, and the story was enticing, at least if you like historical reads. This is definitely a book I don’t hesitate to recommend to fans of the genre.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (13th December 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb:When jackal shifter Quade Danas was banished from his pack for being gay, he spent years in the military escaping his father’s prejudice before returning to civilian life as a bodyguard for Roman Howell, the teenage son of a very rich man. After Roman is in an accident that leaves him physically scarred and emotionally distant, Quade is the only one who can get through to him. As Roman becomes a man, he realizes what he wants—his bodyguard by his side and in his bed. Unfortunately, Quade can’t seem to see past the kid Roman once was to the man he has become, certain Roman’s feelings are merely misplaced gratitude. But Roman knows a lot more than Quade realizes, and he’s used to persevering, no matter how many impediments life throws his way. He wants the chance to prove to Quade that he’s strong enough for a jackal alpha to call mate.
Despite the decades, Quade has been away, and the heartache of his father’s rejection, his inborn loyalty to the pack remains, and his abrupt departure left the jackal shifters without an Alpha heir. As a psychopath shifter, staking claim as Alpha draws Quade back home, and Quade feels compelled to heed the call, he may be forced to make a choice he never anticipated. But doing so means he must leave Roman behind… unless somehow they find a way to make loyalty and love work together.
Review:Quade made a new life for himself when he was banished from his jackal pack for being gay. he now works as a bodyguard and protector for Roman Howell. Quade was the only one who could get through to Roman when he suffered horrific burns, and now ten years later, Roman wants so much more from his steadfast protector. But Quade isn’t sure that Roman knows what he really wants and just as Roman begins to wear Quade down, Quade’s sister turns up asking for his help. Despite the pack turning their backs on him when he was younger, Quade can’t let them suffer. But will he have to give up what he has just found?
Oh, I love Mary Calmes heartwarming stories and I love them even more when they have a paranormal thread. So this one hit all the right spots, even before I’d cracked it open. Quade is a super character and he is evenly matched with determined Roman. These two have known each other for so long and their relationship is so close, that the only thing missing is the sex and Roman is determined to change that. Roman is a blast, as we watch him wearing Quade down and getting Quade to see him as a man and not a teenager. Quade really doesn’t know what has hit him. When Quade has to return to his hometown, he ends up confronting past hurts and facing a challenge to save his old pack. He also makes startling discoveries.
I loved this story and its feel good magic. I loved the characters and the way the story is written. Both Quade and Roman are wonderful characters. Their working relationship is much closer than many friendships. and while Quade tries to keep his attraction to Roman in check, Roman decides it’s time to step up his game and claim what is his. He already knows Quade’s secret and he discovers much more before too long. But Quade waffles trying to do the right thing and Roman will no longer let him deny what could be between them. Even when Quade has to help his old pack, Roman ensures that Quade will not forget him.
There are two parts to this story really, Quade and Roman’s relationship and then the rescuing of Quade’s old pack. It blends more towards the end meshing both parts together nicely. You can’t help but love Quade and Roman, although sometimes you do want to give Quade a shove in the right direction. And I thought he was much too generous with his forgiving nature (seriously, his ex was a complete douche). I can’t tell you how much I loved Roman’s and Quade’s relationship. Their easy camaraderie with each other was something special and shines through their interaction with each other. The pack aspect is really good, but I really wasn’t sure if I liked how easily it all fell together. I mean, this was a pack that turned their back on Quade when he was young and now suddenly they welcome him with open arms, because they need rescuing from an insane Alpha. It was just too easily forgiven.
I have to recommend this to those who love shifters, paranormal, an easy enjoyable story, great characters, a touch of angst and a brilliant ending.
Title: Simple Men
