Review: This was a very poignant story. It is mostly written as letters to and from a soldier in Vietnam. The time is the Vietnam War era so homosexuality is still pretty much a secret. The story starts out a young girls is writing a soldier soon her brother takes over for her. He and the Soldier form a friendship and bond. This story will bring tears to your eyes. I loved when he told the little girl not to open the letters to Dear John.
I loved both men. Daniel and John, while very different, they were both struggling with the same secrets and feelings.
As short as this story is it has a couple twists and turns that left me surprised and with tears.
If you like short, sad, bittersweet, stories about fining sexuality, coming out, friends to lovers, Vietnam war, 1960-early 70 historical that are sweet yet spicy this is for you.
Blurb:When Adam Mackenizie’s family cannot pay off their debts, he sells himself into temporary slavery. It’s only ten years of his life, and he can do that to keep his mother and sisters from becoming blood whores.
He never expects to be put up for auction in a sex market by his new master. He also doesn’t expect his buyer to be a sweetheart from his past, who bailed on him when it mattered the most. Adam doesn’t know whether to be relieved and kiss him, or punch the man’s beautiful face.
Alpha wolf Mason Cayne never thought he would see Adam, gorgeous, sweet, and innocent Adam, in a whorehouse. His first instinct is to buy him and finish what they started seven years ago. Thanks to Adam’s stepfather, the vampires want to collect Adam personally. Now Mason must decide if the puppy love he once shared with Adam is worth risking the lives of everyone in his pack.
Review:This is book three in a series that should be read in order. Marcy has a wonderful gift of storytelling. She gives you great characters and a wonderful storylines. I absolutely love Adam and Mason. They come off as someone you would know. They seem so real that you want to just love them and smack them both.
Mason and Adam had been together while they were in college. They seemed to be happy, till Mason quit answering the phone when Adam had called. Breaking up with Adam was the hardest thing to do, but he had to do what his father and alpha suggested. He had married a female who had once been his friend. It was a perfect arrangement because she had known he was gay and he knew she was in love with Stacy. It had all ended when a war started and she had been killed right along with several of his pack members. What he had not known was that by ending his relationship with Adam, he had lost someone important.
Adam had always loved Mason, and he was heartbroken when Mason had ended their relationship. He had tried to contact him the whole time even after he had realized that Mason was a werewolf. He had gotten pregnant and when he lost that child, he gave up on Mason. Until the night, he was to be sold at auction to pay off the vampires his stepfather owed money to. What he had not expected was Mason to be there and to have bought him.
It took some time for them to get everything straightened out, well until Adam realized that Mason had mated him, and the fact that he still hadn’t told Mason about his pregnancy. To say it went over well is an overstatement, so much so that Adam had left. To get him back might start a war. He realized he loved his man and the fact that Adam was pregnant again.
This story is amazing and so very much loved. I would recommend this story to anyone who loved werewolves, the paranormal world, sexy men and a bit of danger to please you. I loved this story and can’t wait to read the next story.
Blurb: When death is your business, getting out has a price.
A heated romance was the last thing Ardan Boyle expected to find when he entered the United States for some downtime, but a chance encounter was all it took. Now in a heated romance with Brad Myles, an international businessman and artistic hopeful, Ardan believed he could swear off his old life, leaving his contract killing days behind him.
Unfortunately for him, the shadowy world he belonged to is not so easily denied and when the CIA comes looking for secret files compiled by Ardan’s late mentor, he’s compelled into action once again. Heading to the chill of Moscow, he must retrace steps made more than a decade earlier. Time is of the essence, as multiple intelligence organizations want what he’s seeking and they will kill to get it. If he doesn’t get to it first, not only will the people listed within be open for blackmail and possibly destroyed, but all hope of a normal life will be beyond reach.”
Review: The second book of this series picks up exactly where the first left. It weird how it made me feel as if this was one novel chopped down to pieces that sold individually, yet you must read them in order to have an understanding of the story. Good thing was that this time we got a deeper look into Ardan’s past and therefore he no longer is this flat character that I though on first impression. This entire story was much better than its prequel and for that, I’m glad.
So this is a kind of Mission Impossible mixed with the Assassins story. Ardan has finally decided to let go of his life as an assassin, he has even gotten himself in lust and involved, and at that precise moment he’s been approached by his long dead mentor’s agency for a mission to recover his mentor’s hidden files. A disk that has Intel many people are willing to kill for. And Ardan doesn’t have much of a choice here. He must go to Russia and find it, or say goodbye to his newly formed dreams of a “normal” life. See why this reminded me of those two movies?
The plot unravels and I was quite satisfied from it. The tempo kept on. The pace quick, but not rushed. The erotic parts were there in the form of reminiscing his previous days with Brad and they were not lacking in sensuality and longing. Though I cannot forget that his relationship with Brand amounts to three days. Thus, his statement that leaving Seattle behind feels like leaving behind his own heart feels a bit over the top to me. In addition, I still feel Brad is a bit shady and planted there for motivation purposes. That or my imagination has gone really wild.
The action part was actually good and this time I got to say:”yeah I’m reading an assassins book” and actually mean it. We had punches, shootings, even blood spilled, so my bloodthirsty animal inside was cheering for this installment. The part that felt a bit off was with his “new” partner. What an odd thing she was, so green and so… I didn’t get it, who exactly gave her this mission?
The end though was yet again a bit of a cliffhanger, thus the feeling of a novel being cut off, and the book ended on the note of the half part of the mission is done, so onward to the second half and France next. Heads up if you don’t like that, but if you can handle the wait then grab #1 and #2 and enjoy.
Blurb:Werewolves, Darlings, Ducatis, and a disreputable biker gang is the world Garrett is thrust into when he falls in lust with a stranger who steals his very breath. Garrett knows the man has a very unsavory reputation, yet he can’t stop fantasizing about him. But Garrett discovers that Falcon is not what he seems. The man has a secret, and Garrett soon finds out what it means to belong to the president of the Dark Riders.
Falcon has no interest in humans until the owner of Andromeda—a tattoo shop on the Lower East Side—is targeted by an enemy, and he finds himself protecting a man who changes the rules of the game.
But Falcon’s world is a scary place. There are things that feed on humans and make Garrett feel as if he has lost his sanity—things that shouldn’t even exist. They are known as Darlings, and they are coming after Garrett. Falcon has placed his mark on him, and Garrett is now the creatures’ target.
Review: This is a start to a brand new series by Lynn Hagen. It is not connected with the other series she has written. And I must say that it is a pretty awesome read.
Vampires are called Darlings and are not like any vampire you have read about. Falcon belongs to the Dark Riders, a biker gang who are shapeshifting wolves. He is taken away at first sight over a human named Garrett. Garret and Lonnie own a tattoo shop. The Dark Riders come off, as one would think a biker group would. They are extremely lethal and not hard to look at. In fact, Garrett calls them eye candy because they are so sexy to look at.
Garrett notices Falcon sitting outside at a bar one night. He loves to just stare at the man, even though his best friend Lonnie tells him that it just might get him killed. He can’t seem to get enough of the man though. The fantasies are very vivid and he is scared of what could happen. Even though the Darlings are coming after him, he just can’t figure out what to do with Falcon.
When Falcon marked him, it must have messed with his DNA slowly converting him into a wolf. Which in one way it meant that Falcon was going to keep him, but it had Falcon questioning the change because normally it is done during sex not a nick with a claw. It brought a lot of unanswered questions to them but with no way to know. The sex between them is amazing and hot so much, so that it would set the sheets on fire. I love the fact that there is a hint of kink between them. It makes it seem so much better.
This story has it all sexy men, shapeshifters, vampires, paranormal worlds, hot sex, and lots of danger coming at you from all directions. I cannot wait to start reading book two, because this is going to be another wonderful series.
Blurb: Kip Townsend, the single father of eight-year-old Jamie, is happy with his life as a graduate student holding down a part-time job to make ends meet. Then his parents are killed in a carjacking.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, it seems Kip’s father was actually murdered because he witnessed a child being kidnapped. The authorities, believing the killer might come after Kip and his sister, Emily, if he thinks Kip’s father told them what he saw, put them under police protection.
But others are watching over them, and Kip’s son Jamie, as well. Others whose mandate it is to keep them safe. Angels, Jamie calls them, after seeing one of them. But Kip believes it’s only his imagination. Whether it is or isn’t, Kip and Emily’s lives may depend on them…as well as the police, when the killer reappears.
Review: This is book two in the Mandate: To Guide and Protect series. It stands alone okay, but you need to read the first to see who the guardian angels are and their story.
This book is good, but I was a little disappointed. I think I just expected a different story, but this one was very good. It is written in the Edward Kendrick’s classic style of mystery that is kept rather sweet. The plot moves quickly and ends a bit suddenly for me as I was really thinking of the possibilities of where the story may be heading and I was way out in left field.
I liked the characters especially Jamie (Kip’s 8-year-old son) and the Angels, Hal and Dave (back from the first book). In this book, these are the two gay lovers, as the main character and other characters are straight. This doesn’t really bother me since I like m/f stories and there is no actual sex at all in the books.
The book moves fast, and a lot is packed into a few pages, but overall we get a good complete story.
If you like mystery, guardian angels, cops, books with very little sex, and cute kids this is for you.
Blurb: Star football player, Jack Miller, had it all. The perfect family, looks, girls hanging on his every word, and the respect of most people in his town. But one thing was missing–a man to be his own.
When Andrew Collins showed up in small town, conservative Sweet, Georgia, he looked more scrawny mutt than high school senior. Andrew’s plan was to keep his head down and graduate high school, leaving his family behind to start his real life.
When he meets Andrew, Jack thinks he’s found heaven, but reality holds him in check until one night when his lips gently slide across Andrew’s and fireworks go off.
As lust and something a little deeper brings them together, compelling them to take chances, people start to notice. Then the unthinkable happens, and Jack’s parents find out he likes guys. The battle lines are drawn and they vow to pray the gay away.
Review: This is another fantastic series from a fabulous author. Sara York has a way with series that can draw you in and leave you dying for the next book.
Praying the Gay Away is the first book in the A Southern Thing series. This book lays the foundation of the story, and introduces us to the characters, in a nail-biting, Angsty saga.
The story is based in a small town called Sweet, Georgia. It is a very religious community. Being from the Bible belt myself, I can really relate to this story. Jack’s father is a preacher and father of ten children. He considers himself as having the perfect family, the perfect life and perfect role models for the community. The man totally disgusted me and by the end of this book, I hated him with a vengeance. Andrew’s family is even worse. They came to Sweet after finding their son Andrew kissing a boy. They use fasting and praying as a punishment for Andrew and to ‘straighten’ him out. Trust me you will cringe a lot in this story.
Jack is a football star, popular, well-respected and well liked in town by his peers and the adults. Oh yeah, he is also secretly gay and trying to get a football scholarship to get out of Sweet and his father’s clutches so he can have a relationship.
I will also say that the book ends on a cliffhanger, as many of Sara’s stories do. I cannot wait for the next book to see what happens next.
If you like stories based in the Bible belt, of coming out, young lovers finding themselves, hot but tasteful sex, and a story with a climatic cliffhanger this is for you.
Blurb: Orphaned in the forest as an infant, Kai grows up as the only human among a pack of werewolves. His parents were killed by Marcellus, a renegade Skinwalker with an insatiable thirst for carnage and an unreasoning hatred for humans. Though the pack has raised Kai as one of the own, he knows he’s an outsider. He’s different.
When Marcellus returns to finish what he started, the pack decides Kai must leave his forest family and be taken to a nearby human settlement, both for Kai’s safety and for that of the pack. The task of seeing Kai to the settlement falls on his friend Adair, an aloof and amiable werecat.
Kai isn’t told where they’re going and he enjoys Adair’s company. But soon the attraction between the two become too difficult to deny, and the more time they spend together, the closer they become. With danger bearing down on them and the attraction growing, can human and werecat survive with their lives–and hearts–intact?
Review: This is the first time that I have read a book by Sam Singer and I was impressed. It was written quite beautifully and with such a gift that I will be looking at some more books by this author.
I could feel Kai’s feelings throughout the book. The heartbreak he felt after being kicked out for fear of another Skinwalker, a renegade. Kai loved his family with all of his life and they loved him even though he had been born by humans he was their son. They knew that Kai could not survive the forest so Adair suggested taking him to a human settlement. But Kai didn’t really know that, but once he found out he felt as if he was being abandoned and wanted to stay with Adair.
Adair had found Kai when he was a baby after his birth family were all killed by the renegade. He spent time with Kai, become best friends with him. Kai wanted Adair and Adair had wanted him in return. However, Kai had thought that they were mating and Adair had rejected that idea. Running from heartache once more, Kai ran into danger. He had found four men that were accepting him but the renegades destroyed that thought with death. Now it was up to Adair to save Kai, however it was up to Kai to keep Adair alive.
Kai’s father had fought to get his son back into the pack and over took the alpha, now he just needed to save his son and his son’s mate. You can feel the love throughout this story between everyone in the book but you can feel the love through Kai and Adair. You can also feel the fear that Kai won’t truly love Adair but could he give into his heart and keep his mate.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loved shapeshifters, the paranormal world, two hot and sexy men, and a great love story. I was amazed by this story, how real it comes across. It caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.
Blurb:US Marshal Jubilee Mason and Canadian transplant Kieran Fox join forces to take down an evil drug empire… but can their relationship survive Kieran becoming the town’s new sheriff?
Kieran and Jubilee fight their growing mutual attraction as they deal with a new menace to life in Lone Trail. A drug cartel is trafficking dangerous, home-brewed drugs, distributing them around Texas and beyond.
For Kieran, the shocking discovery that his own father is deeply involved is the worst kind of betrayal. Neither Kieran nor Jubilee knows whom to trust as it becomes clear that the cartel has a powerful grip on many influential people around them. It soon also becomes obvious that Kieran, who is struggling with his feelings for Jubilee, must make a decision.
Can he give in to his feelings and trust him…or will he just go on longing for him?
Review:This book is part of a series and must be read in order.
Kieran has more than enough on his plate, when he finds that his father is involved in the case he is working on. Trying to fight his feelings for Jubilee is difficult and he is having doubts that his heart will survive his new relationship with Jubilee. The small town where he now works isn’t exactly gay friendly and he won’t live in the closet. Jubilee has fallen head over heels but he has no choice but to be discreet, and he has more than enough on his plate discovering who the mole is in the US Marshal Department and tracking down the cartels. Together they have to work. But are they fighting a losing battle with their attraction to each other?
Longing picks up where Orgasmic Texas Dawn finished, continuing the story of Kieran and Jubilee as they hunt down the players in a drug cartel. Jubilee and Kieran have embarked on a secret relationship, working together and hiding how they feel. But the strain is getting to Kieran and he tries to back off and concentrate on the investigation. Jubilee knows he has to focus on the investigation simply because as him and Kieran dig deeper more spies come out of the woodwork, but all his focus keeps zoning into Kieran. Many things come out as they try to put a stop to the cartels, with Kieran finding out shocking news about his father.
This is a great continuation of Orgasmic Texas Dawn, the action and adventure continues with no let-up in sight with many twists and turns in the investigation. Jubilee and Kieran really are a great couple but the town where they live is not productive to a relationship, Jubilee might have his dreams but Kieran really can’t see how it would work. This book really does try to balance the two storylines, relationship & investigation, slightly combining the two as more people discover the true nature of Jubilee and Kieran’s relationship, and Kieran feels a little put out that Jubilee hasn’t even thought about any sort of compromise. The book is left open-ended as they all head off to Canada but it really isn’t looking good for poor Jubilee.
I will recommend this to those who love action and adventure, hot sex, confliction emotions, danger, secrets, twists and turns and an ending that is wide open to many possibilities.
Blurb:Mike Gavin uncovers a political scandal that makes Watergate read like FIFTY SHADES OF LAVENDER.
At the Vice President’s party in Washington, Mike Gavin is approached by Matthew Bokowski, a young reporter who tells Mike he knows of a political scandal tantamount to Watergate but refuses to tell Mike what it is. Super model Johnny Jones comes home to his Greenwich Village apartment to find a corpse strangled with a jockstrap. The victim is Matthew Bokowski. Mike teams up with his lover, tennis pro Jack Montgomery, and prick tease NYPD Lieutenant James Rocco to solve THE JOCKSTRAP MURDER. Mike makes a play for Rocco and scores but their sex party is shockingly interrupted. A senator, his son, his son’s lover and a blackmailing paparazzo join the trio for the ride from New York, N.Y. to Washington, D.C.
Review: Vincent definitely has a gift at telling stories. He gives you amazing and believable characters that either you will fall in love with or want to shoot. In my case, I want to shoot Mike for some of the things he does, especially how he treats his lover Jack. I am not really sure why Jack keeps him around. And then you add in James who is a NYPD Lieutenant. This story was quite difficult for me to follow but that is only because it was my first mystery and suspense story. It has the best plot and storyline that I have come across in quite a while.
Mike uncovers a political scandal that rocks right up there with the Watergate scandal. His source is Matthew Bokowski who is a young reporter. However Matthew if found dead in super model Johnny Jones’s apartment. Murdered with a jockstrap. Interesting way to kill someone if I say so. I am not really sure what to say about the fact that he not only is with Jack but also with James. During their sexual adventure, they are interrupted. I actually had to laugh at that part, because it only can happen to someone once. That is the way they were interrupted. The senator, his son, his son’s lover, and a blackmailing paparazzo join them in the trip to Washington D.C. Must have made a spectacular sight to see though.
When I was midway into the story, I realized that this was a very sexual mystery series. I am talking threesomes and so much more. It has murder and suspense, very hard to miss certain stances. With each question asked there were so many more unanswered. I loved how it was told with a bit of humor mixed in with all the seriousness. It took me a little more time to read this book but it was so worth it. It seemed that when Mike wanted answer’s he would give a flirty attitude to the person whether he wanted them or not. Then when they get around to finding the killer, it was a shock to find out who it was.
I am not really sure whether I really liked it or just liked it. I can now see how people use sex to get what they want, but like I said, it is a very sexual book. Although to find out the killer, Mike seemed to jump through all sorts of hoops. It will catch your attention from the start though. I would recommend this story to anyone who loved hot and sexy men, threesomes, lots of danger, murder, and questionable ways of finding the answers. I can actually see myself reading it again.
Blurb: Liam Collins is in way over his head. He’s been hired to act as the face of the hermit author, Chase Preston, by attending events and interacting with the fans. At first, it doesn’t sound that bad at all.
But Chase can’t seem to keep his hands to himself. And Liam can’t stop himself from getting turned on. Is Liam merely Chase’s plaything? Is this the real reason he was hired?
The more Liam struggles to resist the sexy author, the more curious Liam becomes. Who is Chase, really?
A little harmless snooping is about to put Liam in a lot of danger.
Review: This is not a standalone story. It is a continuation of the story that started in the first book, so read it first.
Liam Collins was hired to play the “face” of bestselling author, Chase Preston, who is a bit of a recluse. Chase has a scar that prevents him from putting himself out there to the public, and he covets his anonymity. But Liam is starting to suspect that Chase may want more from him that just his face. The sexual tension between these two is about to reach the boiling point, and Liam is beyond frustrated. Especially when every time he thinks Chase is about to make a move, he pulls back at the last-minute. And he’s pretty sure Chase is straight.
After his first evening out with Chase’s sister as his date, he pulls off the public persona perfectly. Only to return to Liam’s condominium so the two can fight, again. Heated words are exchanged and when Chase leaves, presumably upset, Liam follows him. The last thing that Liam expected when he took this job was to be endangered pretending to be Chase, but that is exactly what is happening.
There is no out right sex in this book, but the undertones and tension is enough to melt the wallpaper! Add to that the mystery of the seedy club Liam follows Chase to at the end, and then that jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I need the next installment now. The suspense is killing me. My only complaint about this series so far, is the way Chase is forever leading Liam on, and then no follow through. Would you just put him up against the wall already! I think it will be worth it in the end though, but once these two finally come together, my kindle might explode.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: When Noah meets Jacob, the heat isn’t limited to the kitchen.
When Noah contacts ‘As You Like It’ to cook a meal and help decorate his home for his visiting family, he doesn’t expect Jacob, a chef as tasty as he is talented, to turn up at his door. The attraction between them simmers slowly, and finally boils over. However, a misunderstanding threatens to sour their burgeoning relationship.
Review: Noah contacts a business to prepare a meal for him and what he gets is more than he has bargained for. This story is amazing. I found Noah and Jacob to be quite delicious. They stand out strong and hold their own when the time comes. And the lovemaking in this story is delicious.
I feel like Pelaam definitely knew what she was writing about and had great story flow to. She proved she knows what she is doing when it comes to writing sexy erotic romances. And it shows for sure throughout the story. The storyline remained strong and then some. The sex scenes were finger licking good and the characters were delivered perfectly.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes erotic romances and/or wants to give them a go. You won’t regret purchasing this book!
Blurb: Charlie Turner walked away from college, his boyfriend, and his dreams to step into his late father’s shoes. When you’re nineteen those shoes can be pretty damn big, but ten years later, he’s feeling the pinch.
Turner and Sons Construction is a success, but he hasn’t had a date since…he doesn’t want to remember. When he’s hired to do renovation work on an art gallery, he had no idea sparks would fly so quickly with the owner. Amos Greene—arrogant, pushy, and an all-around jerk—is one of the sexiest men Charlie can imagine. But it’s not a good idea to get your honey where you get your money.
Determined to make some changes, Charlie moves to Mountain Shadows in Flagstaff, but how will that impact the fragile relationship he has with his brother, Damon? Keeping the brat out of juvie is practically a full-time job, and the changes Charlie is making might just blow up in Damon’s face.
Review: This year’s Pulp Friction series is off to one heck of a great start. Just in case you don’t know, what Pulp Friction is I’ll fill you in. Its four authors, each with a stand a-lone series but the stories are all based in one particular area (Flagstaff this year) and the characters from each series sort-of interact. At the end of the year, they have one big explosive finale to sum up all the stories. You don’t have to read them all but to get the best effect I recommend you do. I think this is a cool concept.
Higher Ground is T.A. Webb’s first book of the Earthquake Series and the final book of the first round of the Pulp Friction 2014 debut. I have to say another job well done. This is going to be a very exciting year.
Higher Ground is about Charlie who is running his dad’s construction company after he passed away. He has been helping his mom by running the company, living with them and helping to take care of his younger brother Damon. Damon has a few issues since his father passed away and Charlie has done his best to fill in, but now their mom has decided since Charlie is almost thirty he needs to move to and pick up his own life. He meets an Amos Green a man who infuriates intrigues, turns him on all at once on his recent job, and gets a cabin at Mountain Shadows.
I love how each of these stories are so different yet fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I found these stories very interesting and the characters extremely intriguing. I like Charlie he seems to be a good, considerate, always thinking of others kind of person. Amos, I have to say I don’t like him but am warming up to him. That is the good thing about these stories these are the setups and now we get to watch the characters grow.
I recommend this to anyone that likes a fast-paced short story, interactive serials, construction workers, bi-racial men and some pretty hot mansex.
Blurb: Lee thought he had a solid plan. His game stretched across an imaginary board, manipulating each object, location and person with no more thought than moving each piece into place to achieve his goal. He thought he was in control of his world…
He was wrong
Author’s Note
This story came about when a nasty internet troll made his presence known. That’s what you call inspiration. There is a saying, “Don’t piss off an author or you’ll end up in their next novel and they’ll kill you.” This is that type of story only death was too good for him. It’s dark, ugly, contains dubious-consent, a karmic bitch slap and in a word is just WRONG.
*This work was originally included in Crack the Darkest Sky Wide Open, which is no longer available in print.*
Review: Warning: contains dubious consent. Wrong is about a man that thinks he has all the answers, very self-confident, cocky and a real ass. Lee is not a very likeable person, though he isn’t supposed to be, so the author did a great job making this man to be I guess I’ll say… Wrong.
). Both the main character and the I guessed would have been the antagonist or the bad guys were pretty much tough characters
I found this story very unusual in the fact I didn’t really see any good guys unless you count Lee’s brother, Kris (I would love to see his story). The story is a real nail-biter and trust me you will wince a lot. If you don’t like violence, this isn’t for you.
If you like stories that are dark, dubious consent, violence, and karma bitch slaps this is for you!
Publisher: David R. Metheny (September 17th, 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb:
There is a world…
Hidden beneath us…
Where Once Upon a Time…
Becomes corrupted with excess and control…
And when Kayden Daniels is thrown from being a New York City millionaire
into the world of Wonderland…
His destiny of becoming The Mad Hatter will begin…
In the first installment of The Back Road to Wonderland… Finding himself in a strange world, Kayden begins his exploration of Wonderland and his journey to becoming The Mad Hatter. Infatuated with the devilishly handsome King of Hearts, our sex crazed hero decides nothing will stand in his way when it comes to pursuing the luscious closeted King.
The Queen of Hearts always gets what she wants or it’s off to the gallows and right now, she wants Kayden. However, when she begins to question if the stranger is who he says he is; she decides to employ other tactics.
The King of Hearts has always had desires for men, but afraid to act upon them. That is until he meets Kayden. Will Kayden be the first to break down his fears and his closet door? Can Kayden escape the Queen’s clutches and desires long enough to achieve his goal and his seduction of a King?
Review: A dark and dangerous take on the classic tale with a gay twist. When Kayden Daniels journeys through the looking-glass, chaos ensues. Openly gay, rich and promiscuous, he sets his sights on the King of Wonderland. James, the King of Hearts, has an open marriage of sorts with Queen Verde. After James acts on his growing attraction to Kayden, he becomes very possessive, much to Verde’s dismay. As the relationship progresses and James obsession with the sex-crazed visitor starts to show. It just may cost Kayden his head, in a manner of speaking. Obsession, lust, jealousy and anger have thrown things off-balance in Wonderland.
“You’ll find Wonderland is made up of beautiful things and offers many pleasures, but remember all things have a balance.”
As the story progresses, Kayden begins the slow descent into madness with his closeted lover, a psychotic queen and a white rabbit. Marcus, James stepson, adds a juicy twist to this story that is already beautifully bent. Gruesome deaths are plaguing the kingdom and James is doing his best to stay focused on his duties, while trying to keep an on his new lover. When Kayden catches the eye of another lover, James jealousy may cost him or her both their soul.
I’ve read this book twice and I’ll admit, I’m still a little bit confused. Not an easy story to follow told from the perspective of multiple characters, and there are a lot of characters! But, there is potential here for greatness. This first book in the series is laying the groundwork for things to come. I was a little disappointed that while the author is taking this daring risk by turning a beloved classic into a dark and sexy gay story, he fed into the sex crazed sleeping around can’t keep it in my pants misgiving that a lot of people associate with gay men. That being said, as I said, there is still potential. And I will concede, the sex was off the charts hot.
I’m excited to see where Metheny goes with this world he’s building. Kayden becoming Hatter; James learning to control his jealousy; Marcus evolving as the white rabbit; oh and Queen Verde, every story does need a raging bitch, right?
Yes, this is a hard one to follow, but if you stick it out to the end, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And as anxious as I am for the next book in this dark new series.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: The head of Global Pictures Studios, Vincent Franklin, promised Jack Stone that he would take care of Jack’s loyal driver, Juan. But for a dominant man like Vincent, Juan’s natural submissiveness causes him to long for much more from the shy young man.
Juan is devastated when his only friend, film star Jack Stone, leaves Hollywood for good. Lonely most of his life, the shy young man has dreamt of love, only to have his heart broken repeatedly. Before he left, Jack made certain that Juan would be taken care of by asking his ex-boss, studio chief Vincent Franklin, to hire him on.
Vincent Franklin is an incredibly controlled and meticulous man. Not given to emotional outbursts and unnecessary flights of fancy, his temperament is ideal for the stressful and demanding job as head of Global Pictures Studio. He leads a carefully concealed private life, his only social outlet being the S&M club to which he belongs. When Jack introduces him to his handsome chauffeur Juan, he is struck by how naturally submissive Juan is. He wonders…
Soon, Juan is falling for the elegant, older man who is his new boss. He’s also thrilled when Vincent asks him to be his personal valet. But there are things that Vincent demands of a lover that Juan knows nothing about. Things that could make him run away from the man who would do anything to protect and care for him.
Reader Advisory: This book contains strong elements of BDSM.
Publisher’s Note: This book is best read as part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
Review: Vincent Franklin is the distinguished head of Global Pictures Studios. His job requires him to be strict and he expects his direction to be followed to the letter. When he lost his hottest commodity, young Jack Stone, the actor requested that Vincent look after his friend and former driver Juan. Vincent can’t help but notice Juan’s shy and submissive nature. He promises Jack he will make sure his friend is taken care of, and the more time Vincent spends with Juan, he is certain they could make each other very happy.
Juan has lost a lot in his life. Everyone he’s ever loved has hurt him or left him, including Roman, and then his friend Jack. He is an uneducated immigrant, but he’s learned a lot over the years keeping his eyes open and his mouth shut. He longs for someone to love him for him and take control, lead him through life. He is very drawn to his new boss, the domineering studio head. Juan’s submissive side longs for someone to bend and shape him, but he wants the love and tenderness that only a true companion can give him as well. Will he find that companionship with Vincent? Or get his heart broken again.
With every installment in this series, Knight manages to pull me in and transport me back in time, to the world she encapsulates within each story. The characters throughout are very three-dimensional and flawed, which only makes me more invested in them, and their varying futures. What was especially intriguing about this book in particular was the detailed enlightenment of the Dom/Sub relationship between Vincent and Juan. Vincent’s need to be in control is primal and Juan’s need to let him is endearing. They truly balance each other out, and it’s sexy as hell.
Even if you don’t normally enjoy the BDSM reads, I think you’ll like this book. The subject matter is written with style and class, much like characters. This has become one of my favourite series.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Series: Stand alone/ character from ‘Matter of Time’ series
Author: Mary Calmes
Narrator: Sean Crisden
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 6 hours and 34 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (01-11-14)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Forty-five-year-old English professor Nathan Qells is very good at making people feel important. What he’s not very good at is sticking around afterward. He’s a nice guy. He just doesn’t feel things the way other people do. So even after all the time he’s spent taking care of Michael, the kid across the hall, he doesn’t realize that Michael’s mob muscle uncle and guardian, Andreo Fiore, has slowly been falling in love with him.
Dreo has bigger problems than getting Nate to see him as a potential partner. He’s raising his nephew, trying to leave his unsavory job, and starting his own business, a process made infinitely more difficult when a series of hits takes out some key underworld players. Still, Dreo is determined to build a life he can be proud of—a life with Nate as a cornerstone. A life that is starting to look like exactly what Nate has been looking for. Unfortunately for Dreo—and for Nate—the last hits were just part of a major reorganization, and Dreo’s obvious love for Nate has made him a target too.
Review: Nate is an openly gay, college professor whose best friend is his ex-wife. Just a genuinely nice guy who puts everyone from his son to his hot neighbor’s nephew, friends and family first. So when a former student, now an MD, hits on him he’s taken aback. Try as they might, Nate and the young doctor can never get their timing right. But, soon enough Nate learns that his tall, dark and sex on a stick neighbour, Dreo, has been eyeing him for years.
Dreo is a lot like Nate, he took the high road when his sister died and left sole custody of her son to her beloved big brother, taking a less than scrupulous job to support himself and Michael. He has been lusting after his much older and established neighbour, Nate, pretty much since they moved into the building. Circumstance leads Dreo to finally admit his feelings to Nate and the two dive head first into a committed relationship, not passing go, not collecting two hundred dollars! But not everyone is exactly thrilled about this new development, dangerous people. Nate and Dreo may have finally found the love they’ve longed for with each other, but will it cost them their lives?
Mary Calmes is one of those authors that you simply buy her work regardless. She can do no wrong in my eyes. And when you take her skilled storytelling ability and add Sean Crisden to the mix as the narrator of this story, what you have is perfection. Calmes can weave anything into a story, Love, lust, murder, the mafia and a man that will do anything to protect his family. Crisden nails the nuances and tones of every character, so you know exactly whom you are hearing as he’s reading.
This is definitely the May to December gay romance that goes the long haul. Oh, and I loved getting more insight into the character Duncan Steel, of Parting Shot by Calmes. If you like domineering Alpha male types, smexy guy on guy romance and a little bit of action with a dose of suspense, this is definitely the book for you.
P.S. there is an amazingly sexy bathroom scene! Wow, I hit rewind a couple times.
** I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Publisher: White Stiletto Press (January 25th, 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb:Join Aiden and Finn as they fall in love and share with us snippets of their journey. From their unorthodox meeting, to falling in love, becoming a family and their happy ever after.
Review: This series is an amazing read. It is hot, sexy, and can deliver you from a bad day. You will fall in love with each character, the way they act together and how they handle certain situations. I love the way they form a family and you can’t help but fall in love with Kaylee. She makes the story to be a bit funnier. I love the way that Aiden is with Kaylee, how compassionate, patient, and caring he is with her. I loved the way they start a bond and it keeps growing. I love how they just included Finn in their lives and made him a part of their family. I even loved the crazy Aunt Patti. Lisa has a gift of telling stories and she gives you away to overcome some of your problems in real life by giving you this series.
Monty Gets Arrested ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Being Marshall’s Park’s resident mascot, Monty the Meerkat, wasn’t exactly what Finn Thomas envisioned when he arrived in LA seeking fame and fortune. Although he did get to walk the red carpet every once in a while… when there was a parade. Finn loved his job but to say he wasn’t used to being accused of kidnapping, wrestled to the ground by a maniacal father, and locked in a cell with a hairy biker would be an understatement. But that’s exactly where he finds himself when he meets a little girl with a grazed knee who’s looking for her daddy.
Aiden Reid came from money and privilege. He’d expected his parents’ reaction to the news that he was going to be a father. Although being thrown out on the street with a check in his back pocket when he refused to sign the adoption papers, shocked even him. In Santa Monica, he moves in with his eccentric aunt and life is good. Good that is, until Aiden loses sight of Kayley at the local zoo, Marshall’s Park. When he spots her being led away by a man mountain, one word flashes before his eyes… kidnap! Of course, the freak says he works at the park, but Aiden calls the cops and has the lying bastard arrested. The following day, he learns that the lying bastard was telling the truth and has grounds to have him arrested for assault. How the hell is Aiden going to convince Monty the Meerkat not to press charges?
I have never laughed so much, as I did with this short story. Aiden is a single father of a precious little girl named Kayley and decided to take her to Marshall’s Park to meet the resident mascot, Monty the Meerkat. While he is buying cotton candy, she wanders off. Finn finds the little girl and deciding to take her to the nurse while looking for her father, the father notices them. Aiden thinks kidnapper and tackles poor Finn. Cops are called and Finn spends nine hours in jail because of it, before everything get out that he was doing exactly what he said. Aiden decides to apologies well with the advice from his aunt, but just has to figure out how to. After Finn decides to get away from Aiden, by jumping into the training pool, he was shocked to find out Aiden jumped in right after him. He found out real fast that the crazy man couldn’t swim.
Monty’s First Date ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
It’s been a month since their unconventional meeting when Aiden wrestled Finn to the ground and had him arrested for kidnapping. After accepting Aiden’s heartfelt apology, which included jumping into the dolphin pool with Finn—even though he couldn’t swim—Finn has spent the last month getting to know Aiden and his daughter, Kaylee, on a series of play-dates. But now it’s time for grown-ups only, in a restaurant that doesn’t have a kid’s menu. His attraction to Aiden has blossomed over the last month and Finn desperately hopes the other man sees him as more than a play-date.
Aiden is as nervous as Finn is at the prospect of the first ‘real’ date he’s had since Charlie Sheen’s second to last comeback. When Aunt Patti suggests he has a couple of glasses of wine before Finn picks him up, his arm doesn’t take much twisting. Unfortunately, he conveniently forgets the antibiotics he is currently taking and becomes a little less and less inhibited as the evening goes on.
I couldn’t stop laughing at this story. It has wonderful a very funny story line and two of the best men in. This is Aiden and Finn’s first date without Aiden’s daughter. Aiden’s aunt noticed how nervous Aiden was so she offered him a glass of wine, and if you add an antibiotic in with it, then you have a very stoned Aiden. From laughing at everything, talking loudly to anyone listening, to playing footsies under the table and you have a very interesting night.
Monty Meets the Ex ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Finding some alone time when you’re both working all hours is difficult. Especially when any togetherness is disturbed by pant-less monsters and ageing relatives. Not that Finn objects to pant-less monsters and ageing relatives, he understands Aiden is package deal and wouldn’t have it any other way; but they both want to take the next step.
A stroke of genius and the fact that Chris’ brother works at one of the best hotels along the coast, has Finn surprising Aiden with a romantic weekend, just the two of them. At least that’s how it was supposed to be. Finn didn’t realize he’d be swapping monsters and relatives for Aiden’s ‘Mary Poppins’ ex—the practically perfect in every way Zach Armstrong.
Finn and Aiden had been dating awhile now, but haven’t really taken alone time together. Finn, the romantic he is, surprises Aiden with a weekend getaway just the two of them. Talk about smoking hot at least till they run into Aiden’s Ex Zach Armstrong. Zach has made it real clear that he wants Aiden back, however Aiden wants Finn. This is a really good book and I can’t wait to read book four. I would recommend reading this, because you will get a kick out of it. The humorous way this book is written is one of the pluses.
Meeting Monty’s Parents ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Meeting the new boyfriend’s parents is always a little daunting, but for Aiden it’s like stepping into the unknown. He’s never actually met a boyfriends’ family before, and that’s the way he likes it. His own parents threw him out when he announced not only was he raising the child he had with his best friend, but also that he was also gay. The thought of their standing at the Country Club being tarnished by the shame he had brought down upon them, being more than his mother could bear.
Finn, of course, reassures Aiden that his family will love him, that they’re good people – well he would, wouldn’t he? Adding that even if they hated Aiden, they’d have to tolerate him to keep Kaylee, didn’t help to ease his panic.
Will Aiden be proved wrong? Or will a series of mishaps and misunderstandings make him wish he’d stayed at home?
OMG, this is the funniest book yet of this series. Finn is taking Aiden and Kaylee back to his family home to meet his family. Aiden’s family, other than his Aunt, was not as tolerant and loving. His home life was not as happy as Finn’s was and he worried the whole trip. However when they arrived he realized how wrong he was, even when he walked in on Finn’s brother taking a shower or when Finn’s grandmother heard them getting down and dirty. The love this family has is the most fantastic Aiden had ever met. I laughed the hardest with this story and can’t wait for the next book.
Monty Looses His Head ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Finn doesn’t mind being the victim of the occasional practical joke. He’s pulled more than enough of them in his time, so understands the need for balance. Which is why, when Monty’s head goes missing and in its place is a ransom note demanding tickets to Marshall’s Park and a personal tour of the zoo, he finds it as funny as the next man—until he realizes it’s not a joke, and he may possibly miss Kaylee’s show and tell because of it.
Being Sherlock Holmes was not how he’d planned to spend his one weekend off a month, so why is he hiding in the bushes waiting for the kidnappers to collect their reward? Of course, he’s certain the culprit is Chris, which is why he plans to make him pay in ways he hasn’t even thought of yet. But when he jumps out, he’s not sure whose surprised more, him or the kidnapper—who is definitely not Chris.
This was a truly sweet story and still funny as can be. Someone stole Monty’s Head and the ransom was four tickets to Marshall’s Park, some M&Ms and some skittles. This was funny, but also aggravating to Finn. Not just because the head belonged to Marshall’s Park, but because Kaylee had wanted to take him to
Show and tell. However, Finn and Aiden came up with a plan to catch Chris, Finn’s roommate, in the act. Only thing was it wasn’t Chris, but someone who surprised the heck out of them. I cannot wait for the next book. This whole series is a blast to read.
Moving Monty In ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Asking Finn to move in was the most natural thing in the world; but that didn’t stop Aiden from freaking out about it.
Unbeknownst to Aiden, Finn is having his own mini meltdown, only it’s not about moving in. It’s Kaylee’s Show and Tell and Finn is terrified. Until Aiden finds a way to relax him with surprising results!
I loved this story. It is tender and loving. Aiden had asked Finn to move in, but the whole time he was in panic mode, wondering if it would work. Finn however was panicking but not about moving in, but about Kaylee’s show and tell. First Monty’s head went missing, now it was his hand, oh what is he to do. They realize that they love each other and that was what really mattered. I love this series and can’t wait to read the next book.
Monty Meets the Parents ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Becoming part of Aiden and Kaylee’s family, and having them become part of his, was the best thing that had ever happened to Finn. This was why he couldn’t understand why Aiden’s family didn’t want anything to do with their son and granddaughter. Of course, there was Aunt Patti who had stood steadfastly beside her nephew, her support unwavering, but Finn knew there was a piece missing in Aiden’s heart. A piece not even he could fill. But is embarking on a mission to meet Aiden’s parents and let them know what they’re missing going to bite him in the ass?
This story made me tear up. It is so sad that Aiden’s family is so hateful and horrible. To disown a child because one they wouldn’t give up their baby for adoption and two because he was gay is just as sick as can be. When you are given a child you are suppose to love them unconditionally, not to put conditions on that love. It should never matter who one loves.
I love that Finn would do anything for his love, even if it meant going behind his back. I love the connection that these two men have. I want a love like that and a family so accepting like Finn’s. I loved this book even more than the ones that made me laugh.
Monty’s Trick or Treat ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Everyone has been the victim of Chris’ pranks in the run-up to Halloween, and he doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to stop. Despite almost getting one of the park’s employees fired.
Finn decides Chris needs to be taught a lesson and what better way than to give him a taste of his own medicine? With a little help from his friends, he sets about organizing the prank to end all pranks – on an epic scale – using Chris’ biggest fear against him!
OMG…this one takes the hit. I was laughing my butt off so much, that I fell off the edge of the couch. I love the way they get even, couldn’t believe that they all pulled it off. This stunt was definitely on epic scale. Chris deserved what he got, but I am amazed at how Finn pulls it off. I love that everyone was in on the whole thing.
I loved this story. I am absolutely glad to have had the chance to read Lisa’s stories. At first, I wasn’t sure, because they are so short, but when you add them, all together they are amazing.
Monty Punches Pocahontas ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Aiden and Finn’s first Thanksgiving together is a big deal, especially as they are hosting it as a family. He has, of course, planned it down to the last minute, but there are a few unexpected incidents even Aiden couldn’t have possibly foreseen.
What happens when a squirrel and Pocahontas get into an argument, one ticked off boyfriend. Aiden spends the whole time getting dinner ready for everyone and all Finn has to do is be home on time. Well Pocahontas has other ideas, especially when Chris gets an idea on revenge for Halloween.
I loved this story, not only because I laughed my ass off with it, but also there is a surprise at the ending that will have you in tears. Tears of happiness that is. I am so glad that I have had the chance to read this wonderful series. Even if my hind end doesn’t because of falling off the couch laughing so hard.
Monty Gets Married…Doesn’t He ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Waking up in the ass end of nowhere on, his wedding day was not what Finn had planned. Thanks to Chris and AJ, he is miles from home with no wallet and no phone. Will he make it to the wedding on time and if he doesn’t, will Aiden ever forgive him?
Ok, I was wrong. This story was the best ever. Not only because once again I landed on the floor laughing so hard, but also because it was so sweet and tender. They make the perfect couple and probably the best family ever. It was written with perfection. This whole series was Finn always seems to be missing a screw, funny as hell, tender and caring, and he loves that family of his.
I have only been to one wedding my whole life, but I wish it could have been as good as this one was. It shows how each other is just perfect for each other. They have their ups and downs, but it seems that they just click. I even loved the fact that the family can find all sorts of things to laugh at. They find the humor in so many things that it makes me wish my family were like that.
This series is one of the best ones I have read. It is told with more humor than seriousness and it just works. Lisa has created the best characters and situations that I have come across. I love the fact that these two men met by Aiden getting Finn arrested, and then starts feeling things for him. I love how Kaylee just seems to accept Finn and wants him in their family.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves family situations, a quirky little girl, two hot and sexy men, tenderness, love, and comedy central. If you want, a story that will make you laugh so hard that you’re falling off the edge of your seat can make you cry at the tenderness of it then this is the book for you.
Blurb: Sometimes falling in love is the most dangerous thing of all…
Blue’s a thief who lives for adrenaline and danger. When he meets Mick, a mercenary and a hitter, he feels an immediate attraction. But Mick reneges on a bet they’ve made, leaving Blue pissed and confused.
When they meet again a year later, Blue’s in terrible danger after having walked into the middle of one of Mick’s jobs. Mick saves him, and although the two men have fallen for one another, they have no idea how to handle that kind of intimacy that’s been forced on them.
But when Mick goes missing on a job, Blue’s the one to go after him, determined to save the man he loves no matter the cost.
Review: Blue is a mastermind thief who has turned the calling into an art form. He’s also an adrenaline junkie. Each one alone is dangerous enough, but when you combine the two and then throw him off his game by throwing love at him as well, it could be deadly. Mick is a MERC and former CIA operative. The big bear of a man is used to being in control and his take charge attitude is one of the things that caught Blue’s attention from the start. When these two meet, sparks definitely fly. But do remember that explosions start from sparks, and this relationship goes way beyond explosive!
Blue and Mick first met a year ago, when Blue found himself on the losing end of a bet that landed him tied to bed waiting on Mick. When Mick never showed up to claim his winnings, Blue refused to admit how hurt he was at the diss. When they meet up again the initial spark quickly becomes a slow burn. When Blue is in danger, Mick risks everything to save him. As a result of the drug now surging through Blue’s system, sort of a super speed Viagra, Mick finally gets Blue the way he’s always wanted him. But it’s not all fun and games for these two, as they’ve never wanted or trusted another person as much as they want to trust each other.
There were a few hiccups along the way with this story, but overall I was fascinated with the world and this black market drug. I could see the ending coming a mile away, but it still remained interesting getting there. The BDSM aspect was a healthy dose but still tactful, and Mick never did anything to Blue that he didn’t welcome, want and enjoy. I wanted more character development as far as their love story went, and at times, the story itself didn’t flow seamlessly. But as a whole, I’m intrigued with these characters as well as Prophet, and I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.
If you like assassin alpha males, that HEA that you have to work for, a bit of action and suspense all tied with a choppy little BDSM bow… then this is a must read for you.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Title: Yours, Johnny
