Day: March 13, 2014

Fan-Tastic by Stephani Hecht

91Mb5dLcEuL._SL1500_Title: Fan-Tastic

 

Author: Stephani Hecht

 

Genre: Contemporary

 

Length: Short (45pgs)

 

Publisher: Total E-Bound (December 16th, 2012)

 

Heat Level: Moderate

 

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥3 ½ Hearts

 

Reviewer: Pixie

 

Blurb: Everybody knows the best lovers are geeks.

 

It’s time again for the annual Comic Book and Horror Convention. Normally, Deke liked to avoid these things. While he may be a well-known actor, he wasn’t hunky or a beefcake and he was always overlooked. In fact, most people like to call him ‘the geek of geeks’. But, the producers of his popular TV series don’t care and they order Deke to go. So, while he knows he won’t have any fun he has no choice but to attend.

 

Blake harbored a crush on Deke even before the other man became famous. When he finds out that Deke will be at the convention, Blake knows he has to attend as well. Since he is trying to promote his own comic, Blake decides that he can mix a little business with his fun.

 

To Blake’s dismay, not only does Deke not remember him, but also the actor refuses to believe that Blake could have any romantic feelings for a geek. Blake decides that he can’t let this opportunity slip through his fingers, though. He may have given u

Unconventional at Best
Unconventional at Best

p on Deke all those years ago, but not this time. Will Blake be ab

le to convince Deke to give him a chance? Or will the final credits roll before they find love?

 

Reader Advisory: This story has been previously released as

part of the Unconventional At Best anthology by Total-E-Bound

 

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/fantastic

Review: Blake has traveled to a convention to show off his comic books, he has a small following and he hopes to entice more… but his real reason for being at the convention is to meet the man he has fantasized about since high school Deke (Eric). Deke is in a popular TV show and always has fans coming onto him, on the off chance that he will introduce them to his co-stars. When he meets Blake, he finds it hard to believe that the cute artist is interested in him. Until he remembers him from high school. Now he just has to convince Blake that together they could be so much more, than either of them are alone.

 

This is a really cute geek love story about two men who connect years after they first knew each other. Blake has had a crush on Deke for years, ever since they were in high school now he has the chance to meet Deke again but Deke doesn’t remember him. Deke is intrigued by the comic book creator and as he spends more time with him remembers the quite shy guy from school, now he has to convince Blake that his offer isn’t charity and that he genuinely wants a relationship with the sexy man.

 

I really liked these two characters and the way that over the space of a week they connected and fell in love, the way that Deke’s memory was jogged and he wishes that he had taken more notice of Blake in school. Blake doesn’t want to be a burden, and you can understand why when you realize the psychological crap that his mom pulled on him. I really liked how the characters came together and they were really hot together as well.

 

I will recommend this to those who love geeks falling in love, a great storyline and a very happy ending.

 

 

Pet du Cajun by Jana Downs

91iEbFzMIyL._SL1500_Title: Pet du Cajun

 

Series: Rock Bottom Boys 01  

 

Author: Jana Downs

 

Genre: Paranormal

 

Length: Novella (131pgs)

 

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (December 1st, 2012)

 

Heat Level: Moderate

 

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥4Hearts

 

Reviewer: Pixie

 

Blurb: Gideon Green is homeless and alone in the unfamiliar city of New Orleans. Luckily, he’s taken in by a group of boys called the French Quarter Brats and shown how to survive by its members. A year into living with them, he sees the man the Brats call the Cajun King, and the instant attraction and unreasoning pull he feels will not be denied.

 

Evan St. Germaine, the Cajun King of New Orleans, has been looking for his mate since he became a werewolf a decade previously. When Gideon approaches him, he knows instantly who the boy is to him, even if the human doesn’t realize it yet. Taking Gideon home and building his mate’s confidence is just the first step in helping Gideon realize his self-worth, but will Evan’s mastery be enough to make Gideon realize that being his mate includes more than his obedience and willing submission?

 

Note: This book was previously published with another publisher and has been extensively revised and expanded.

 

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/pet-du-cajun

 

Review: This book is a revised edition of The Cajun’s Pet and although many of you will say, well it can’t be that different, you’d be wrong. Because there’s quite a bit added in. and although it doesn’t seem to have changed all that much, the added paranormal aspect adds a different depth to the story and there are other notable changes as well.

 

Gideon is sharing an apartment with five other men. All trying to get by in New Orleans. He tries to get honest work and sometimes will go for days without food, rather than turning to selling himself. The first time he sees Evan the ‘Cajun King’, he is intrigued and takes to hovering around the Café where Evan has his breakfast. Grabbing his courage, he approaches the Cajun and makes him an offer. Evan is surprised and intrigued when a brat approaches him offering to be his pet. There is something about the other man that makes his wolf sit up and whine, so he takes a chance. But Evan soon learns that Gideon is damaged and he has to be tough so both of them get what they really want.

 

I must admit to being surprised when I learned that Jana Downs had re-written The Cajun’s Pet and had added a paranormal slant to it. But to be honest I liked it. It added a bit more spice to the story line and adds a more intriguing aspect. Gideon is a sweet character, but he is lost. When Evan takes him in, Gideon immerses himself in everything that he is given and offered. But Evan knows that Gideon needs to find himself, before he commits to Evan fully. The paranormal aspect is one that I want more of. Evan is a wolf and has a small pack that is spread throughout the country. Finding out more about the circumstances of his change and when he changed Gideon would have been nice, but hey, it was still a good story. I will admit that there was one part where I thought that both Gideon and Evan were being selfish and that was when the vampire asked for their help after they had a slight misunderstanding.

 

I will recommend this to those who like 24/7 D/s, paranormal stories, finding yourself and a happy ending for a wolf and his mate.  

Just Between Us by Aislinn Kerry

41Y1BTkCD0LTitle: Just Between Us

 

Author: Aislinn Kerry

 

Genre: Contemporary, M/M/M

 

Length: Novella (68 pages)

 

Publisher: Amber Allure (16th December 2012)

 

Heat Level: Explicit

 

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥3 ½ Hearts

 

Reviewer: Pixie

 

Blurb: In high school, Alex, Matt, and Gavin had been an inseparable trio, but all that changed when Matt and Alex started dating, and Gavin turned his back on both of them. Now in their late twenties, Alex and Matt are still together, but years of routine have worn their relationship into a rut.

 

When Alex unexpectedly runs into Gavin during a boys-night-out for the first time since high school, he’s shocked to realize just how hot the other man has become. Alex loves Matt, but he can’t deny his attraction to Gavin. And the more the three friends reconnect, the more Alex starts to suspect that the unrequited crush that drove Gavin away isn’t quite a thing of the past that they thought it was.

 

And that crush might not have been as unrequited as it originally seemed, either. In fact, Gavin might be just the breath of fresh air that Alex and Matt need to breathe new life into their struggling relationship…if their hearts can survive it…

 

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/JustBetweenUs.html

 

Review: Alex is dragged out for a night on a town by his friend Liam who says he has become a homebody to keep his partner Matt company, after a little bit too much to drink he gets an unexpected surprise in the shape of an old school friend Gavin. Matt is surprised when Alex tells him he bumped into Gavin at the club, and the truth comes out when Alex admits how hot Gavin is now and both Alex and Matt wanting to rekindle their friendship with Gavin. Gavin, Matt, and Alex used to be friends but Gavin drifted away suddenly, now years later Gavin has a chance to reconnect but the crush he had on Matt never went away and Gavin jumps at what Alex and Matt offer him.

 

This story started out great, with some great descriptions. A great basis for a friend to lovers ménage romance. The characters seemed great. With Alex and Matt in a happy long-term relationship, and with Gavin being an old friend of theirs. The circumstances with how they all meet up again are good and how they reconnected was interesting. Especially when you take into account lingering feelings. Alex is being one very understanding boyfriend, wanting what his boyfriend wanted and not only because he wanted it himself, but also I felt like he should have had at least a little pinch of worry at one stage.

 

I was disappointed that it was all from Alex’s POV because I would have really like to know what both Matt and Gavin thought of everything that was happening and what they were feeling, after all it was a big step for them to take. I was happy to get some background on their previous friendships but it would have been better with a bit more filling out. The sex is really hot and was balanced out nicely between the three and showed the level of emotion between them. but, I was expecting a little more disquiet between them before and at one point during, I was expecting at least some hurt feelings.

 

Over all, this is quite a good story that leaves you feeling like it accomplished what it set out to do, giving us a ménage romance. So if you love hot sex, and a happy ending then this give book a shot.   

The One for Me by Hollis Shiloh

81K64tc+WyL._SL1500_Title: The One for Me

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary/ Coming of Age Romance

Length: Novella (75 pages)

Publisher: Spare Words Press (July 20th 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Tams

Blurb: Two boys bond, sharing geeky things and fast food. And falling in love.

When Luke’s parents take in a foster kid named Randall, Luke is immediately taken with him, although he doesn’t want to admit to himself why. He wasn’t planning to be gay. He wasn’t planning to fall in love with another boy. But then he met Ran….

I remember when I first met Ran. He was absolutely unprepossessing, all skinny white boy wearing his insecurities on his sleeves, which were tattered and faded on a too-big flannel shirt. He wore jeans that didn’t quite fit him, cheap tennis shoes that had once been white, and glasses that made his eyes look too big in his scrawny, pale face.

And he was holding a trash bag and standing in the middle of my bedroom looking miserable…

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-One-Me-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00E2TMORW

Review: Luke and Randall are foster brothers and best friends. The attraction is there from the start for Luke, it takes Ran a little longer to admit it. Ran promises not only himself, but also his foster parents that nothing is going on between them when they learn he’s gay. They’ve always treated him like family, but since learning of his sexuality, they are more rigid than they use to be. But not Luke, he ever present as a friend hoping to become more.

Underneath everything, this was a cute coming of age and finding your true love at a young age story. But sadly, there were many issues I had that made the book less enjoyable for me. Too much going on in so few pages, the author really should have tried to make this a full-length novel. The complete 360 degree turn that Luke’s parents did hit me like whiplash. It did not fit with the story at all. A few grammatical errors sprinkled here and there that stood out more with the other issues.

Luke and Ran were absolutely adorable though, and the slightly elusive sex for them really worked well for this storyline. If you’re looking for something young and cute, you may enjoy this one. 

More Than a Stud by Jerry Race

91fPE0R9JPL._SL1500_Title: More than a Stud

Author: Jerry Race

Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal/ Contemporary

Length: Novella (114 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-927185-56-1

Publisher: Muse It Up Publishing

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.75 Hearts

Reviewer: Eli

Blurb: Will stakes and fangs keep Shane and Jamie from being a couple before their relationship begins?

Shane Richards, 24, male model, has a few problems. His rival threatens to discredit him if he participated in the upcoming America’s Top Male Model contest. Near his twenty-fifth birthday, the dormant vampire abilities within him begin to surface and he starts having nightmares about meeting his so-called father whom he’s never met. As if that isn’t enough one of his male friends, who has the hots for him is determined to make him his lover. On his twenty-fifth birthday, his nightmares come true and he winds up risking his life in a battle with his father over a pendant with supernatural powers.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/More-than-Stud-Jerry-Race-ebook/dp/B005KDCAG4

Review: Okay it was hard to put this story into a neat slot.  There are a number of stories that are swirling around.  There is the story of Jamie and Glow who are vampire slayers and run a model agency. Then there’s the story of Shane who’s a latent vampire about to come into his powers.  He’s been having nightmares and visions of who might be his father. Then there is the political battle ensuing with Shane’s vampire father and his need for vampire world domination.  Then somewhere in there is a supposed romance between Jamie and Shane.

The plot ideas are great and would make for a superb book, however it doesn’t work well in a novella because none of the stories is developed well enough. Especially the romance between Shane and Jamie. That story falls flat because the reader doesn’t ever see how that relationship develops or what the two men have in common.  In fact, there is little character development of either Jamie or Shane.

The vampire intrigue and the need for Shane’s father to get back the ‘key’ is the most well-developed plotline in the story and if being measured on that alone, then the story would be a resounding 3. However, because all these other elements are introduced, as additions or sub plots, then there is a need to see them all handled with finesse and care.

Great plot idea, but I think the story needs more development.

Not My Wolf by Eden Cole

notmywolfTitle: Not My Wolf

Series: My Wolf, (Fenrir Wolves) #1

Author: Eden Cole

Genre: Shifter Romance

Length: Novella, 50 pages

Publisher: Amira Press (February 17th 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Tams

Blurb: As Alpha of his Rocky Mountains Fenrir wolf pack, Corey has a lot on his plate. He thinks things are only getting better when his erotic dreams indicate he’s about to meet his mate. His Beta and best friend invites him on a double date, and Corey agrees, hoping this woman will be his one. To his shock and disbelief, he’s attracted to her brother instead—the big, muscular, overbearing man with a southern drawl. Corey refuses to believe that this cowboy is the one meant to be his mate, but the way his body reacts to one touch is making it hard for him to deny. Devin is aggressive, combative, and he won’t listen to any of Corey’s commands. They butt heads constantly, that is when Corey’s not trying to resist Devin’s hard body. But when Devin gets into trouble with a rival pack, Corey will move heaven and earth to get him back and claim him for his own.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Not-My-Wolf-Book-ebook/dp/B004OEIRNA

** This book was free on Amazon at the time of posting **

http://www.amirapress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=321

Review: When Corey agrees to go on a blind date with his best friend and pack beta, the last thing he expects to find is his mate, who is actually his blind dates brother! He refuses to acknowledge his growing attraction to Devin. He refuses to admit he is gay. Not only that, Devin is an alpha male wolf as well so the two would never be compatible. When Devin is taken by a rival pack, Corey finally not only accepts but also admits his feelings for the other wolf, and sets out to take back what is his.

Devin and his sister have escaped their abusive pack, or so they thought. Not only is Devin head strong and stubborn but he will do anything to protect his sister. He’s never hid his sexuality so when he meets his mate he’s not at all surprised it’s a man. His mate turns out to be delusional and just as stubborn as Devin is. He sets out to seduce Corey and make him so sexually frustrated he will have no choice, but to claim Devin.

This is by far one of my favourite shifter series. Character development, writing and plot building were predictable, and yet unique. Confusing, I know, you’ll just have to read the books. Corey is dead set on not claiming Devin, while Devin is dead set on being claimed. The push and pull make for some very intense sex and an intriguing read. I’ve read several of Cole’s books and I will tell you, she knows her way around the male anatomy. If you’re looking for something short, fun, fast and sexy as hell just pull her up by name.

Saving Mr. Fox by Meredith Russell

19096814Title: Saving Mr. Fox

Series: N/A

Author: Meredith Russell

Length: Short Novel (132 Pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (January 3rd, 2014)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: How can you hope to find love if you cannot love yourself?

Eric Fox is an actor faced with his most difficult role yet—being himself. Seven years ago, on the way to his high school prom, an accident drove him from the arms of his young love, CJ. Eric ran away to LA, and CJ was left to pick up the pieces of his broken heart and broken life.

Guilt and regret has eaten away at Eric since that day, leading him to turn to the darker side of celebrity—to sex and alcohol. On a downward spiral and after a series of bad choices, Eric makes the difficult decision to return home. But, returning home and having to spend two weeks with the man he left behind could be an obstacle Eric is nowhere near ready to face.

Can Eric find the strength to ask for CJ’s forgiveness? And more importantly, can he find the courage to forgive himself?

　

Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/saving-mr-fox

 Review: This was a pretty good story with a wonderful story line. It comes off as what would really happen in real life to celebrities, and actually does to many. It tells you what happened to a young man who had so much going for him until one horrible night.

　

Eric has led his life with guilt and regret ever since an accident his senior prom night. It had left him alone, after running from the one person he loved more than anything CJ. Seven years of drinking, partying and nameless sex has left him feeling empty and in pain. Deciding to go home, he didn’t really expect anything to truly change. Running into CJ made him rethink that though. Now all he had to do was get up the courage to ask CJ for forgiveness, and then forgive himself. Eric has all the fame, money and looks that one would dream of, but he has wasted so much time that you feel sorry for him. CJ is sex on a stick, loving, caring and forgiving. CJ had been injured badly in the accident where Eric had been the driver. He was scared on the outside but inside he was as gorgeous as ever. Forgiveness was easy when you are the one forgiving, but to be the one who need the forgiveness was never an easy thing. To forgive oneself is always the hardest thing to do. They are both amazing, and the sex is tender, caring and heart filled.

　

This story actually made me, not only cry, but also think about those who go through the pain. It showed the tenderest sides to each character and the abilities to overcome the pain, anger, and guilt. It was a wonderful story and I am glad that I got the chance to read it.

To Kiss a Killer by Amber Kell

18000966Title: To Kiss a Killer

Series: Banded Brothers #5

Author: Amber Kell

Genre: MM / Fantasy – Paranormal

Length: Novella (108 Pages)

Publisher: Extasy Books (August 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Blurb:   What would you do to protect your family? For Aden, the answer is anything.

Aden Gale has always protected the boys he chose as his. Gallen Theos refuses to become another one of Aden’s projects. He might have been bespelled by his father but he was Aden’s mate and he refused to take anything less than a full partnership. If the cool-eyed killer thought he could wiggle away for Gallen’s own safety, well he had a lot to learn about the tenacity of sorcerers.

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=103&product_id=4097

Thommie’s Review:  ♥♥ 2 Hearts

It’s so disappointing when you have a book in your hands, with great premises and promise, and it comes up short and lacking.

Here we have book #5 of Banded Brothers series that introduces us to Aden’s story and his mating with Gallen, the sorcerer we met back at To Enchant an Eagle #3. It’s also the first of the spin-off series to come named Dragons of Seattle.

In this book, Aden is facing his retirement. He’s tired of being nearly killed on a daily basis and figures it’s time to stop. However, he can’t imagine how his life would be any other way and finds himself restless. Thinking he’s of no use anymore, now that his son is all grown up. But, when he’s faced with being the mate of a Sorcerer, his mind spins in all directions. He’s too old for Gallen (it doesn’t matter that Gallen is 100 years old, he looks twenty for crying out loud), his life is too dangerous and could endanger his mate, and he’s mortal and thus will die in a few years, meaning his mate might die too with him or at best live a miserable life after he’s gone. Not to mention there are dragons around Seattle that seems focused on him lately. Oh did he forget the mob family dead set on him and his dearest? God, how about Gallen’s controlling psycho Father? How do you protect your mate from a powerful sorcerer?

You can see how exciting the premises are. They are full of possibilities; possibilities lost in my opinion in such a short, short book. With the amount of events happening in this story, the pace and time frame are too fast, too furious. We go from one intense incident to another, without the luxury of time and development to properly feel the story unwrap and the emotions stick within us. The surprise of Aden being Gallen’s mate is totally lost, so is Gallen’s surprise at finding that it’s Aden who is his true mate and not Eaton. The fact that both men don’t take a moment to communicate, rather jump to conclusions is a bit annoying. The fact that Aden seems to effortlessly leap from denying the bond to nearly devouring Gallen in a heartbeat leaves you reeling with the speed and indecisiveness. The human criminals that come around the corner, the paranormal ones that pop out of nowhere, the actions scenes that are done and over with in the blink of an eye, and the end that is such a cliffhanger, stopping the story in a most abrupt way. The sexual bond that came, went, and lost all its intensity and importance when Gallen’s mom pops in the middle of the bedroom. Agrrr!

Perhaps I’m expecting too much, or perhaps I’m too damned picky. I just wish – and it’s not the first time I say this – that this author’s books were a bit more substantial. I wish they had space to grow and provide time for the read to feel the full impact of the story. The imagination involved is quite remarkable, yet they always leave me wanting, not for more, but for the one I have in my hands to be, I don’t know heavier, stronger, with greater impact. And thing is, they can achieve all that if they weren’t so rushed. In the end, I’d rather wait a year and have a truly great book in my hands, than go through the frustration of this fast spinning of a tale that leaves you a bit hollow inside.

Portia’s Two Cents:  ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

This is the story that I’ve been waiting for, forever.  I don’t know if it’s because Aden is not paranormal, but he has always been my favorite character in this series.  I don’t know how it would feel trying to read this title as a standalone, but having read the 4 prior books, I loved the action with just a bit of steamy romance. The pace worked for me. I felt like I was getting another episode in a weekly drama, and not knowing everything was just fine.  I don’t know how Amber keeps track of all the characters in her series, each maintaining a distinct voice, but I give the highest praise for writing that keeps me coming back for more.