Day: March 26, 2014

Rough Ride by Carol Lynne

514POLOQFDLTitle: Rough Ride
Series: Cattle Valley, #4
Author: Carol Lynne
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (105 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-9065-9013-0
Publisher: Totally Bound (April 28th, 2008)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: For rancher, Ezra James, life is pretty simple. He wakes before dawn and spends his day working with the cattle he loves. For twenty years, the EZ Does It ranch has been enough to drown out his loneliness and guilt. To the world, he appears impervious to everything. The only chink in his armor – the man who owns the clothing store in town.

Palmer ‘Wyn’ Wynfield caught Ezra’s eye the first time the rancher stepped foot in the store. Though Ezra knew his large size intimidated others, his little self-confidence was shattered when Palmer backed away in apparent fear. In a moment of self-preservation, he referred to Wyn as Mr. Fancy Pants. That was six years ago, and he’s never been forgiven.
An early morning phone call changes all that. Though the line is scratchy, Ezra definitely hears the words he’s been waiting to hear for years. “I need you.”

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/rough-ride

This is book four in the Cattle Valley series. See the full series listing here

Review: This is book four to this amazing series however they should be read in order so that you get to know the wonderful characters. Characters that you will come to love. Each one has their own tragic story or painful story to tell. They are amazing and so full of love for each other that you can’t help but cheer them on.

Wyn and Ezra have been fighting the attraction between them. Ezra had gotten his feelings hurt the first time he walked into Wyn’s store, that he called him fancy pants. Which in turn hurt Wyn’s feelings. They were feeling like they were less than what they truly were. Pain from the past kept coming into their present lives. Until Wyn goes back to Oklahoma to settle his late father’s home and ranch. Everyone in his hometown was homophobic and was threatening him. Of course, it was funny when he calls Ezra to help him out. Ezra was screwing with their heads. Being very open about their lifestyles. But they both admit how they feel for each other.

When they came back to Cattle Valley things were getting better, except Ezra’s friends were giving Wyn a hard time. It seemed that everywhere they went, feelings were running hot. People looked at Ezra’s height and were frightened of him. However, he realized that if he came off friendlier that people tended not to be scared of him. He also realized how much he truly loved Wyn and how much Wyn loved him in return.

They have many things that they need to settle, but they realize that they have to do it together. I loved this story and would recommend reading it. If you love tender stories with so much heart then you will definitely love this series. Each one gets better and better. I can’t wait to read book five.

Druid in Drag by Deirdre O'Dare

51n+7T6LY3LTitle: Druid in Drag

Series: The Thin Green Line 05

Author: Deirdre O’Dare

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novella (83pgs)

Publisher: Amber Allure (2nd December 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ren Coulter is used to working alone. As a special agent in the Paranormal Operations Unit of the border patrol, his mission is to infiltrate the compound of a reputed drug lord named Mendoza and learn the source of a dangerous and addictive new drug. He decides to go undercover in drag, disguised as a glamorous young woman in the hopes of catching Mendoza’s notorious roving eye. Yet even before Ren meets the drug lord, he encounters Darzul, one of Mendoza’s striking bodyguards. Despite his lone-wolf habits, Ren sees advantages in working together with the man.

Darzul Onaygan has been sent from his home world of Arzula to blend in with the earthlings and help them fight off the evil alien invaders. Bisexual as most Arzulans are, many even able to switch gender at will, he finds Ren attractive in both his guises. Yet Darzul knows it takes more than hot sex to build a partnership. While outside threats may force them to work together, that alone cannot forge a bond. Trust comes slowly and not without a hitch, but soon they must also rely on one another to survive.

Can Ren and Darzul live long enough to not only to accomplish their mission, but also to become real partners?

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

Review: Ren is working undercover for the Paranormal Operations Unit of the border patrol (POU) to discover the source of a new drug that’s emerged, infiltrating the compound in drag seems to be the best way to get answers, and he gets more than he bargained for when he comes into contact with Darzul, his targets bodyguard. Darzul has been sent by the council on his home-world Arzula to discover where the new evil is coming from, when he comes across ‘Rena’ and finds that ‘she’ isn’t all that ‘she’ seems they end up working together because they have the same goal. But much more than that is the attraction that builds between them; can they get to the bottom of the case, explore their attraction, and live long enough to build something together?

This story had a lot of potential with its mix of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi and that aspect was quite satisfying although I do wish it had been slightly more developed and fleshed out. Ren is a very interesting character and even he isn’t quite sure what he is, with a mix of witch and maybe druid, being male but with a slight feminine taste but knowing he is quite happy with who he is while loving the silky slide of female clothing. Darzul is a being that while male he could also be female if he wanted, he is from Arzula and while being distantly related to the elves (Ren gulped. “Whoa. You look like a weird elf who fell into the Easter Bunny’s color kit or something.”) Darzul’s race has developed differently.

The main storyline of finding the new exotic drug and its source is interesting and I wish it had been more developed. The relationship side between Darzul and Ren was slightly disappointing. The first sex scene between them lacked build up and did absolutely nothing for me at all. I felt no connection between the characters other than the initial attraction and the later sex scenes were little better. It all felt too rushed. This storyline has great potential but needs more fleshing out and development, while the characters need to have more relationship development where we, the reader, can see it.

I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, paranormal with a dash of sci-fi, an interesting storyline and a happy ending.

 

Charitable Giving by Heidi Champa

17672345Title: Charitable Giving
Series: Part of the Office Affairs from Amber Allure
Author: Heidi Champa
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Amber Allure (March 25th, 2013
Reviewer: Thommie
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Blurb: In his job as a fundraiser for Diggerson College, Mitch Harmon hears the word “no” a lot. Getting people to part with their hard-earned cash isn’t easy, no matter how good the cause and the constant rejection is starting to wear on Mitch. The only bright spot of his job is Cal Marlow, a successful software developer and alum of Diggerson College, who has been generous with his donations.

When their relationship goes from strictly business to physical, they agree it should remain no-strings-attached. But, Mitch finds himself falling for Cal, despite his vow to keep things simple. When he finally gets the courage to tell Cal how he feels, Cal has an announcement of his own—he’s met someone, and wants to put an end to their fun and go back to being “professional.”
Has Mitch missed his chance at happiness, or can he find a way to get the love and the life he wants?

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/CharitableGiving.html

Review: Honest confession. When I saw the cover of this book I so didn’t want to read it, don’t know why it gave me a negative feeling. And then the blurb seemed so dull. Well thankfully, the book was more than what I expected and I ended up pleasantly surprised.

Mitch has a job he doesn’t quite like and dear Lord I don’t blame him at all. But the one bright prospect is Cal. Their chemistry instant the moment they met leads them to having a no-strings-attached affair. Totally unprofessional of Mitch, but hey, you can’t resist a man like Cal.

Their relationship, no matter how shallow it seems, slowly develops to something deeper and Mitch is feeling drowned and trapped. He wants thing to get more but he’s afraid that if he pushes for it he might lose Cal altogether. After finally making up his mind he’s beaten to punch by Cal announcing that he met someone and their attraction is so good, that he doesn’t want to jeopardize it by continuing the affair with Mitch.

And at this point, I’m flabbergasted, because I had only read half the blurb and I didn’t see this coming. The thing is that the way the story is written it totally leads you on into believing that the guys will go for it after this dinner and the story will be about the difficulties of balancing work and relationship. I know. I should pay more attention to the damn blurb.

As it was I was surprised; the angst and intensity skyrocketed for me for this point on. I literally gasped and groaned with how the story floated and the rest of the book flew by in a heartbeat. The last twist in the plot, while expected, was still executed amazingly well and the writing itself was lovely. The characters were both very charming and I couldn’t help not to feel sorry for Mitch on more than one occasions. I wanted his happy ending so badly that when it came it was like “it was about damn time already.” Bah the frustration.

Anyway, a lovely read with a bit of angst and heartbreak specially ordered to keep you on your toes Charitable Giving is a book I wouldn’t hesitate recommending.

Taxes and TARDIS by N.R. Walker

21546480Title: Taxes and TARDIS, 2nd edition

Series: Sexy Snax

Author: N. R. Walker

Genre: Contemporary/Jock Loves Geek

Length: Novella (88 Pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (March 21st, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Brent is a jock, Logan a geek, these men are a world apart. But if opposites attract, maybe it’s the differences between them that make it worth the fight.
Brent Kelly is a laid-back tradesman whose only concerns are drinks with friends and which man to bed next. In need of a new accountant to sort out his nightmarish shoebox of tax receipts, he’s referred to Logan Willis.
He doesn’t expect to be intrigued by the science fiction-loving, geeky guy with dark-rimmed glasses and a TARDIS blue shirt. So his fascination with the soft-spoken Englishman surprises him, and their mutual attraction is completely unexpected. He most certainly never expects to fall in love.
One a jock and the other a geek, both men know the differences between them are vast and could cause problems. But in this opposites-attract erotic drama, maybe it’s the differences between them that make staying together worth the fight.

Publisher’s note: This book was previously published elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound Publishing.

Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/taxes-and-tardis

Reviewer: GiGi

Review: The title of this collection of short stories offered by Totally Bound Publishing, Sexy Snax, is perfect. Taxes and TARDIS is a perfect little, warm and gooey sexy snack! It’s full of sizzling attraction, and warm and fuzzy feeling.

I love how the opposites attract in this story, opposite in career, appearance, habits, and upbringing. While Logan had a rough experience in high school and college being picked on because he was gay and geeky, his parents were supportive and accepting. Brent has a great youth, he was a popular kid, played sports, didn’t’ get picked on because he was a big guy, but his parents turned him away when he came out. Their present day circumstances are just as opposite, Brent is a rough and tumble electrician, hanging out in sports bars with his equally unsophisticated friends, where Logan is a rather introverted, quiet, home body who keeps his life neat and tidy, and only seems to socialize with his sister when he isn’t pouring over tax accounts. One would opt to watch The Predator while the other dreams about The Doctor.

Can these two possibly hold a future together? In the case of this sweet story, the saying opposites attract is doubly true! Sweet, shy, geeky Logan is steamin’ hot in the bedroom, and poor Brent doesn’t know what hits him!

Very smoothly written, the story kept my interest solidly all the way through, No holes in the plot, and I easily visualized the scene as I read along, the author having painted a perfect picture for me. Yep, this story is the perfect feel-good, sexy snack! It will warm you up for sure on these cold spring nights!

The Runaway Cat by Lisa Oliver

81ZZDBZw-ZL._SL1500_Title: The Runaway Cat
Series: The Cloverleah Pack, #2
Author: Lisa Oliver
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel (259 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-4961-6949-5
Publisher: Lisa Oliver (March 5th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Griff Matthews knew he looked like trouble but for a wolf shifter mechanic he was fairly laid back most of the time. Pleased that his Alpha was finally settled with his new mate, Griff longs to meet the man of his dreams. Little did he know he would find it that same evening, when he was too drunk to realize that his good-looking hook-up was actually his mate. Problem is when he woke up sober his bed was empty.

Derrick “Diablo” Franklin was just looking for a hook up with a like-minded shifter. The sexy cat shifter was deep undercover for the FBI and although his case was coming to an end, he had hopes for his career that didn’t involve finding a mate. However, after meeting Griff Diablo realized his plans might have to change.

But nothing is easy for the two men as they battle the FBI, a crime lord from Baton Rouge and a host of contenders looking to take Diablo away from Griff. And just who is Angel Bandures?

Please note this is book two of the Cloverleah Pack series. It can be read as a standalone, but you will learn more about the characters and story line if you read book one, The Reluctant Wolf as well.

Warning: Some people may find the content of this book objectionable. Includes m/m, graphic sexual situations, a few BDSM elements (not related to actual sexual scenes), strong language, a wolf, and a cat that are looking for their own happily ever after.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Book-Cloverleah-Pack-Series-ebook/dp/B00ITZ0SQO

Review: This is book two in this wonderful series and should be read in order. Trust me you definitely need to read book one before this one so you can get a handle on all of the characters that you will definitely be falling in love with. Griff just wanted someone to love and to be his, but he didn’t expect to find him. Boy was he surprise that the one sexy man he found at his friends club would turn out to be him. Here he was drinking pretty heavily although shifters can’t really get that drunk, he hooks up with a cat shifter and has one night of passion and fire. What he had not expected was Diablo not only biting him and claiming him, but to be gone in the morning.

Diablo was an undercover federal agent and was just looking for a hookup, when he and the sexy wolf shifter Diablo were having a feast he has an urge to bite. To bite the man who is his mate. What a bad time to get called back to work. When he contacts Griff through their mind link, he realizes he has left one pissed off mate. Telling him what is going on, and hoping that his mate would want him when he gets back he doesn’t expect Griff to come down and be his back up. It would seem that Griff has a secret life that he hadn’t expected.

Griff was also Angel a crime lord from Florida. Ok there is more to that surprise but I can’t let that one out. You will love it, and you will love the fact that there is so much love between these two men that it will make you all hot and bothered. There is a lot of humor in this book that can make you laugh when you don’t expect it. There is a lot of danger coming from all directions and a lot of twist to this story. It is an amazing story that you will get caught in and can’t take your attention from.

I would recommend this not only for the hint of BDSM, but two hot and sexy shifters, wolves, panthers, lots of crazy magic going on, pack fights, lots of love and some majorly hot sex scenes. I love it and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

Sending Jack Off to Jesus by Sara York

735b0cbe76b54d7714972fa7f19ca32afc62cef8Title: Sending Jack Off to Jesus

Series: A Southern Thing, #2

Author: Sara York

Genre: New Adult

Length: Novella (58K words)

ISBN: 9781311262820

Publisher: Sara York (March 25th, 2 014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Jack Miller has more than he could ask for with Andrew as his boyfriend, but it’s being taken away from him and there isn’t anything he can do. His father knows he’s gay, and his mother wants him to have sex with a girl to make sure he’s not mistaken.

Andrew Collins has found the perfect home in foster care with Cole and Melinda Kemp, but it won’t last. The DA thinks his parents have proven they’ve changed, but Andrew doesn’t believe the change will last.

Just when Jack and Andrew think it can’t get any worse, it does. Jack’s father sends him to New Life Christian Camp, a program that promises to pray the gay away. But Andrew has it worse as his father takes out his anger on him, leaving him near death.

Both Jack and Andrew are lost to each other, their lives in tatters all because their parents wanted to pray the gay away.
Purchase Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sendingjackofftojesus-1444644-149.html

Review: This is the second book in the A Southern Thing Series, you really do need to read these in order. Sending Jack off to Jesus picks up where the last book left off with Jack now being under the watchful eye and threat of his tyrant of a father. In my opinion, Nathanial Miller should be the poster boy for family planning… and he has 10 kids… and a preacher to boot…Sorry about the rant. He has pulled the ‘if you don’t do as I say I will hurt your baby brother’ card to Jack. See what I mean? So, Jack is conflicted. He wants to hurry up and graduate, hoping for a scholarship so he can get on with his life and make a life for him and his boyfriend Andrew, but if he leaves he fears for Billy who at the tender age of 7 is very girly, and very proud of himself. Now I will talk about characters.

I will start with baby brother, Billy. At only 7, this kid is a dream. I absolutely love Billy and he deserves a story of his own (hint, hint). He is such a sweet thing, and confident. In this book, it is mostly Jack and Andrew, but there is one scene with Billy, that is a heart wrencher. I could just see him looking at awe at the photos of the two men and professing “How beautiful” then growling and yelling at his dad how ugly he is… yep, the 7-year-old is a scene stealer!

Jack is also a very great character. For only 18, he is one heck of a responsible boy. I can say the same for Andrew. Both are fabulous characters. So I will say if you like amazing characters as you can see here we have great main characters, supporting characters ( I didn’t mention Jacks mom she really steps up here and becomes a game changer) she is the epitome of character growth. (If Jack’s dad sounds like meanie of the year you should get a load of Andrew’s dad. he makes Jack’s dad look good.)

Ok, so let’s move on to the story. As I said it is a continuation of the last book and does end as a cliffhanger too, but if you’re a big Sara York fan you know what to expect… nail-biting suspense!! This story is full of angst, love, strong emotion, and suspense. I cannot wait for the next.

I highly recommend this if you like ongoing series that end in cliffhangers making you beg for more, boundless love, spunky seven-year olds, amazing character, sweet, but hot sensual mansex, stories that make you think, over-controlling parents, and nail-biting suspense and a heart-wrenching story.( be sure to have a box of tissue on hand).

 

The Reluctant Wolf by Lisa Oliver

20926413Title: The Reluctant Wolf
Series: The Cloverleah Pack, #1
Author: Lisa Oliver
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel (447 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-4960-7526-0
Publisher: Createspace (February 24th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Kane Matthews, Alpha of his small wolf pack in Cloverleah has been raised to believe that mates are not possible for gay men and has lived his life accordingly. Kicked out of his home pack years before because of his sexual orientation Kane has built a solid and comfortable life for himself in the small town of Cloverleah.
Imagine his surprise when an unscheduled visit to the small town’s diner unleashes a flood of emotions in the man he didn’t think possible – not least of all, lust. But finding out it is possible for wolf shifters to have gay mates is just one of the things that Kane has to overcome if he is to have the forever future he has been hoping for.

Shawn Bailey never expected to find his mate. He is just too different – an “Other” who has the power to instill fear in any other shifter. After spending ten years on the run from his Alpha father, he spends most days just trying to stay alive. When a
chance encounter brings him face to face with his mate Shawn has to decide if the man in front of him is worth staying for.

But with hunters, Alpha challenges, Kane’s parents and a smitten Alpha from another pack all interfering in Kane and Shawn’s budding romance, not to mention some surprising answers about Shawn’s own unique talents can these two true mates find the happily ever after they are looking for?

Warning: Some people may find the content of this book objectionable. Includes m/m, graphic sexual situations, a short BDSM scene, strong language, and shifter/magic themes.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Wolf-Book-Cloverleah-Pack-ebook/dp/B00IND9DJA
Review: This is the first book in this new series and I am amazed at it. It is well written and you get caught at the first paragraph. It will keep you all the way to the end. I love Lisa’s gift at telling a story. Shawn and Kane are perfect characters. They come off so believable and very loveable.

Shawn was an alpha in his own way, but he also had some power behind him that seemed to scare everyone around him even other alphas. When he got hurt as a child, a blue bubble surrounded him keeping him protected. His so-called friends ran and told his father who at the time was alpha of their pack. He had been kicked out and on his own for over ten years. Never staying in one place to long because his father sent men after him to kill him even going as far as getting a witch to make some special bullets to try to kill him. When he landed in Cloverleah, he had landed a job at a dinner cooking. What he had not expected was his mate walking in.

Kane was alpha of the Cloverleah Pack and had always been taught since he was little that gay men did not have mates. So surprise was all the way, around when he caught the sweet scent of his mate. Of course, he had not known that he was his mate, but he definitely wanted him. After talking it over with his best friend and beta, he decided to show Shawn that he would not be harmed by his pack, keeping his distance. That is until danger came at his mate.

He knew he would do everything in his power to protect his mate. There are a lot of dangers coming for Shawn. This story has it all lots of hot and sexy men, Doms, awesome shifters not just wolves either, amazing story line, smoking hot sex, and lots of love. If you have, a chance to read this series you should start with this book and I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed. It is an amazing story about homophobic jerks who think that they have the right over some people and how there are still people out there to stand up to them and show them that they are wrong. It shows that Kane had been kicked out because he was gay by his father, and how in the end they both show up to help and support him when it was needed.