Day: September 14, 2014

Dance for Me by Remmy Duchene and Allison Cassatta

71Qty0NGC7L._SL1425_Title: Dance for Me
Author: Remmy Duchene & Allison Cassatta
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Length: Novel (228 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (March 19th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Lo… When they dance into your heart and falling can’t be helped …ve

Alexander Benton is used to getting what he wants. With his wealthy parents MIA most times, he is left to rule Julliard and half of Manhattan with impunity. He hides his misery behind meaningless sex and condemning behavior.

Augusto Catalan grew up poor. To make a living, he dances at a local gay performance club and survives on the poverty line. His crappy New York apartment and simple life make him happy—except for the death of his lover, his brother being in a war zone and his life-long dream of getting into Julliard slipping away with each passing day.
When Alex meets Augusto, he knows there is no way this ghetto boy is getting into /his/prestigious school. Then he sees Augusto dance.

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ACRDDANC
Review: Alexander Benton is rude, ostentatious, entitled, domineering and handsome. He has spent his life with a silver spoon up his ass the product of money and an upper class life style. The only thing Alex has missed out on is love. True, unyielding, undying and unconditional love. His parents are never around and the one person that he trusted and gave his heart to, tore it apart. In an effort to remain indifferent, he’s only done the occasional hook-up or his latest friends with benefits, which are more benefits than friends.

Augusto Catalan is polar opposite of Alex. He has worked hard to get where he is and came from practically nothing. The Spanish-American dancer wears his pride on his sleeve and has had the love of his parents and adopted brother, along with his boss and long-term partner’s father for as long as he can remember. After the death of his lover to cancer, Gus never wanted to open his heart or his life to another man. He can’t take a chance of being hurt that deeply ever again. That is until he meets Alex.

Alex and Gus butt heads from the start. They really, truly can’t stand one another. The mutual disdain is insurmountable, and the sexual tension couldn’t be cut with a pair of garden sheers! Gus knows he should walk away from the brash dancer, but he can’t help himself, and one stolen kiss later, the two can’t seem to stop thinking about each other.

Sparks fly and passion ignites when they stop running, and stand still long enough to get their arms wrapped around each other. But can a person really change who they are? Will Alex be able to give up the control he so desperately clings too in order to capture and hold on to Gus’s heart? And if he can, will Gus open himself up to love and be loved again?

Cassatta and Duchene have delivered a well-written and highly emotional love story set in a world surrounded by dance. Alex is an accomplished ballet dancer and Gus is a striving fresh new dancer, just enrolled at Julliard. They really come together and compliment each other, learning from each other’s weaknesses and gaining from each other’s strength.

My only teensy issue was the slight resemblance of instalove at one point in the story, and a little misplaced angst here and there. But overall, this was a fun, fast read that got my blood pumping and left me with a smile on my face.

If you like a passionate love story between a couple of sexy guys that have to learn how to bend and move to please each other (pun intended!) with a Happy ending (!!) then this is the story for you.

Lonely by Scarlet Blackwell

4582lonely510web-430x645Title: Lonely, 2nd edition

Author: Scarlett Blackwell

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (113 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0035-4

Publisher: eXtasy Books (September 7th, 2014) This is a previously published book. The title remains unchanged.

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: When the love of Austin Bale’s life—Rupert the German Shepherd—is critically injured in a car accident, he has to find seventeen hundred dollars and fast. Austin lives alone, works a minimum wage job and has no one he can turn to. The only thing he can offer vet Lynton Brooke, by way of payment, is himself.
Lynton takes him up on his offer and is soon smitten by the reclusive Austin. Both men recognise a kindred spirit, a lonely soul that needs a mate, but Austin is too aware of their different backgrounds. Can he ever hope that Lynton could be the one?

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/Lonely/
Review: Austin is barely making ends meet when his beloved dog is hit by a car. He takes it to the vet not expecting it to be over $1,800 dollars. He will do anything to save him since Rupert is all he has, even if it means selling himself to the sexy vet.

Lynton is a good man at heart and a great vet. He loves his patients and it kills his soul to have to euthanize them when clients can pay. He is also extremely lonely. He knows the minute he sees Austin that he won’t be able to afford the care and his heart goes out. He wants to do it for free but if he does one when will it end. He has to make a living too. But, something about Austin tears at his need and loneliness. When Austin offers himself up for payment, can Lynton stick to his guns and be a good man or will his loneliness make him do something he may regret?

I loved this book. There is a lot of angst and the way it goes back and forth between Austin and Lynton’s feelings is like watching a fast-paced tennis or volleyball match. I sat on the end of my seat to see how this one ended!

If you like, Scarlet Blackwell, angsty stories, vets, and men down on their luck, dogs, cats and a very hot, steamy romance this is for you!

In Too Deep by Saloni Quinby

71X73JB04sL._SL1400_Title: In Too Deep
Series: Daring Domanicos, #1
Author: Saloni Quinby
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Short (42 pages)
Publisher: Changeling Press (November 2nd 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: The gorgeous Domanico triplets — or the Daring Doms — have a taste for danger. Right now Tucker, Mitch and Quint — a lifeguard, a firefighter and a bounty hunter — are single, but that’s about to change…

Advice columnist Keith is great at fixing other people’s problems, but his own sex life is dead. Every day when he looks out his office window, he sees gorgeous lifeguard Tucker on duty and dreams about being Tucker’s guy.

Dressed as a fallen angel, Keith attends a Halloween party. Looking drop-dead gorgeous in a glam rocker costume, Tucker approaches Keith to hook up. The lifeguard is hotter than the California sun and Keith knows he has fallen in love, but he fears that confessing his feelings too fast will scare Tucker off. When Tucker risks his life during a rescue, they know that their relationship isn’t just fun and games, but the real thing.
Product Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2136
Reviewer: Tams
Review: Short and Sexy!

Keith has been secretly admiring lifeguard Tucker for a while now. In his advice column he tells people to take charge and if they like someone to go for it. He needs to take his own advice. But no, he still shies away from telling Tucker how he feels. A costume party for Halloween is a game changer, and by the end of the night, Keith is in Tucker’s bed. In an attempt to ‘not rush things’ Keith almost looses Tucker before they barely get started.

This was just a fast, fun read. If you were looking for something quick with a decent storyline and some steamy sex, this would be the novella for you! I mean, who doesn’t love two guys that would rather have sex on the kitchen floor for breakfast, in lieu of omelets. Oh, and that was after they used each other’s bodies for ice cream cones the night before!

Yeah, this is a must read for your collection. I’ll keep this one queued on my Kindle to revisit when I need something quick and sexy!

Hired Muscle by Hank Edwards

22723592Title: Hired Muscle

Author: Hank Edwards

Genre: Historical (1941)

Length: Novella (80 pages)

ISBN: 9781311824325

Publisher: Hank Edwards books (July 10th, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Barry waits tables at DuMochelle’s, where he meets mob boss Giovanni Lombardi’s bodyguard, Vinnie. Passion sparks between Barry and Vinnie. However, it isn’t long before Vinnie’s dangerous lifestyle threatens not only their chances for happiness, but also their very lives.

In October 1941, the violence of Baltimore’s warring mob families is escalating. The danger has decimated many of the businesses around DuMochelle’s restaurant where Barry waits tables. When a mob family begins to frequent the restaurant, a romantic relationship develops between Barry and Vinnie, a guard for the family. Vinnie resists, fearing for Barry’s safety and concerned that Barry will want nothing to do with him if he finds out the details of Vinnie’s role in the family. But their passion cannot be denied, and Vinnie is trapped between the love he wants and the only life he’s known. As the rival mob family moves in for the kill, Vinnie and Barry find themselves caught in the crossfire.

Purchase Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/456587
Review: Barry is a waiter at a posh restaurant. It is a time when the gang wars are prevalent. A gangster comes in with his entourage and Barry is smitten by Vinnie.

Vinnie can’t read and is very big so he feels all he can do in life is be a bodyguard for a notorious gangster. Besides once you’re in there is no way out. Or is there?

This is a great historical romance set in the 1940’s. I loved the old-time gangster feel. I love both Vinnie and Barry. Though Vinnie is a bodyguard and obviously kills or hurts people for a living, Hank did a very good job of making him likeable. I would have liked to have known more about Barry the main character and teller of the story.

If you like historical romances set in the 1940’s, gangsters, bodyguards, waiters and a fun, sexy, romance, this is for you.

Forever Mates: Zus & Rue by Stormy Glenn

zusandrueTitle: Forever Mates: Zus & Rue
Series: Forever Mates, #2
Author: Stormy Glenn
Genre: BDSM/Contemporary/ Paranormal/ Shape-Shifter
Length: Novella (115 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-63258-117-4
Publisher: Siren Publishing (August 7th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate to Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: Zus took one look at the brown-haired beauty that walked into the bar with his friends and knew that he had found the perfect submissive. He just wasn’t sure the sexy little man was ready for his dominant brand of mating. Being in control was second nature to him and he wasn’t about to change that for Rue, even if the man was his forever mate.

Rue Tasquer had just about given up hope that he would find the perfect man to dominate him until he found a set of deep, piercing green eyes staring at him from across a bar. As eager as he is to find someone to accept him—kink and all—Rue quickly gives into the man’s demands and follows him for what turns out to be the beginning of something that will either make Rue the happiest man alive or send him running for his life.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/forever-mates-zus-rue

Review: This is part of a series and they need to be read in order.

Each story right now seem to be based on the four brothers of the pride. They are tiger shifters, all four are alphas and are stronger with their mates. When you start reading this series you will learn about each character and the way they live their lives. It is a world that I can’t help but wish I was living in.

Zus and his brothers are just hanging out at the bar, when four very sexy men come walking in. He has found his forever mate. Now all he had to do is convince Rue.

Rue is a true submissive and has always dreamed of a love that included a master. The only problem was Zus didn’t want to be called master. It starts off with him afraid that he would never have the relationship that he truly wanted but it didn’t take Zus long to convince him. Zus loved the fact that Rue was in to the same thing he was. When trouble comes, it is Rue that saves Zus from injury and death. It would seem Rue is a danger among others, cause boy can he wield those knives of his.

The mates turn out to be extremely feisty, quirky and have an attitude that will keep the tigers on their toes. They are just as protective as their alphas. I loved this book, just as much as the series. It has such wonderful character that will have you falling in love. I love the way they are so protective and loving, the fact that the men are sexy, and the way Rue and his friends keep them guessing all the time.
This story will give you sexy men, feisty mates, quirky attitudes, excitement, adventure and danger. They will do everything in their power to keep their pride happy, content and safe.

I would recommend reading this story. It will give you everything you could want and everything you could need. It caught my attention from the first word in the book and kept it all the way to the end. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. Stormy is one of my top favorite authors and she will always give you what you need.

Between the Shadow and the Soul by Jamie Craig

BetweenShadowSoul*Spoiler Alert*

Title: Between the Shadow and the Soul
Series: This is part of the Risky Business AmberPax
Author: Jamie Craig
Genre: Paranormal/ Ghosts/ Haunting/ The Arts/ Suspense / Thriller
Length: Novella (103 pages)
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (July 20th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Ryan Jackson doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe—he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him as if they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.

Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. He does, however, believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out—and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.

Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.
Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/1997-Between-The-Shadow-And-The-Soul.aspx
ISBN: 978-1-61124-633-9
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Handsome, shy Ryan Jackson is disappointed that the hotel has lost the reservation for ShadowCon 2014 he made months in advance. While looking at the beautiful view of the lake outside the hotel his idol, Johnny Marlowe the sexy star of a paranormal show, walks in the door heads for the front desk to acquire his keys to his room. Upon overhearing that, Johnny has two rooms reserved but only wants one of them Ryan tells Johnny of his predicament. Johnny immediately offers the second room to Ryan since he won’t be using it.

Following Johnny into the elevator they small talk until all of a sudden the elevator completely stops between floors 3 and 4. The lights go out. Ryan searches for his cell phone and turns it on only to wish he hadn’t. There is a man standing right next to him when all of a sudden he moves in front of him. The man has one eye swollen and the other missing. Flesh is hanging off his lips and nose. The lights start flashing on and off. After the figure looks down at where Johnny is he disappears. Johnny and Ryan are both freaked out at what they saw and exit the elevator as fast as they can. Once in the room they both try to calm down and have a few lagers. Johnny asks Ryan to be his PA while at the ShadowCon. Ryan agrees.

Just as Johnny stands up the bottles on the dresser begin to rattle and the floor shakes suddenly everything stops. At the meet and greet Ryan keeps an eye out in case Johnny needs anything. One of the hotel staff informs him that Johnny can’t stay in his room because it’s not safe but doesn’t elaborate any further. After rescuing Johnny from fans and consuming any more alcohol, he tells him he’ll have to stay in his room because of what one of the hotel staff told him. They go inspect Johnny’s room and find nothing amiss until Ryan spots a ghostly figure hanging by the window. They can see his ghastly face, the rope looped around his neck, hands balled into fists and legs twitching.

Both Ryan and Johnny get out of there as fast as possible and go to Ryan’s room. Wanting to get to bottom of what’s going on they do a Google search on the hotel and find out that on Labor Day weekend 1962 actor Benson Watts was last seen at a party stumbling down toward the docks. His body was recovered a week later and ruled an accidental but the man’s family never accepted that due to the numerous bruises and marks found on the body after it was recovered. The family’s concern was written off due to how much time the body was in the water, post mortem. Albert Herzog, a Los Angeles lawyer, hung himself out a fourth story window of the hotel, there was no note left, and the family couldn’t be contacted for comment.

There were no more parties hosted at Lakeview Manor after that until it reopened in the 80’s as a hotel. Upon further investigation Ryan and Johnny discover via Google that Albert and Benson knew each other and were often seen in the others company, they even had an apartment together. Ryan finds a picture of Johnny and Christian, Johnny’s ex. No name as to who took the photo. Johnny is upset, as no one knows he’s gay but he realizes someone was watching that day as the couple was walked hand in hand on the beach during Christmas.

After getting some rest the next morning they attend the breakfast meet and greet, while on their way to the next event they kiss under a light bulb that explodes. Stewards Ryan suggests that they do a séance or use an Ouija board to determine what the ghosts wants since it seems it may have unfinished business and that’s why it’s still around. Ryan knows that Rachel, who is at the convention, is into the occult and may be able to help them. Ryan tells Rachel about the things that have happened.

While waiting for Johnny to finish the Q&A Rachel takes it upon herself to test a theory and kisses Ryan just as Johnny finishes and comes through the door. The glass shatters, exposing a hose moving toward Rachel trying to hit her. Ryan intervenes and gets hit several times until they all crawl out of the room away from it. They set up a time to do the séance as soon as possible. During the séance, both Albert and Benson show up.

Benson tells them all what happened. Steven hated Benson and killed him then Albert killed Steven for killing Benson. Revealing that Steven Snowe still torments him in death unleashes Steven’s wrath as the incense burner shatters. Rachel screams and yanks her hand away breaking the circle. In the aftermath, Ryan sees that Rachel has been cut by glass and that Johnny is putting out sparks made by the flying incense burner pieces.

This was an intense, edge of your seat read. Filled with drama, suspense, ghosts, and secrets. The details of the manifestations were downright scary at times. The séance was interesting and dangerous. I really enjoyed this book however, I found one scene that wasn’t accurate when compared to the description of the book. The ghost in the elevator manifested itself by drawing energy from the elevator and the lights, then stood in front of Ryan, and never touched him or Johnny. But other than that, it was a fascinating read.

Hunting for Clay by N.J. Nielsen

13452992*Spoiler Alert*

Title: Hunting for Clay
Series: Toowoomba Boys, #2
Author: N.J. Nielsen
Genre: Contemporary/ Valentine 2012 Releases
Length: Novella (80 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (February 10th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Two years have passed since Clay and Hunter met on that fateful morning in Tello’s Diner. Getting passed the fact Clay was stalking Marlowe was the easy part. Clay Montgomery’s life has changed for the better the day he found the man who was meant to be the other half of him. Hunter understood him well, and knew how to give him exactly what he needs to be happy. Hunter Weldon knows what he wants, and just how to get it.

For two years, he has loved the man in his arms and now it was time to up the ante.

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=NJN_CLAY

ISBN: 978-1-60820-602-5

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Hunter has a huge surprise in store for his boyfriend, Clay. It will take the combined efforts of friends and family to pull it off. I really enjoyed reading this wonderfully written book. I was hooked from the start to find out what Hunter’s plan was for Clay. Hunter gets a job with Digigraph and Damon and he become fast friends as well as associates. He even meets his boss Arthur Davenport when he needs a place to hold the party and Arthur let’s him hold it at his home.

There was plenty of drama all throughout. From Marlowe thinking Angelo was cheating on him only to find out he wasn’t and that Dimmy, Angelo’s brother was making plans with him to move in. To Clay introducing Hunter to his brother Jayden and his boyfriend Bryan only to find out that Bryan was untrustworthy so Jayden breaks up with him. Before the party, Hunter sends Clay on a treasure hunt filled with small gifts along the way that ends at home where he is to get ready for their date. A limo whisks Clay away toward his destination that he has no clue about. He is blindfolded then taken to Arthur’s house where Hunter is waiting to propose and marry him.

It was a fantastic read with a lot of hot sex added to the mix.

The Soldier by Mark Alders

51GEWmRgHmLTitle: The Soldier
Series: Borders of the World Book 2
Author: Mark Alders
Genre: Romance Science Fiction
Length: Novella (133 pages)
Publisher: Extasy Books (March 15, 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.75Hearts
Blurb: Drake Glauco, now a successful nourisher and happily joined to Vernon, comes to realize it’s time for a Priaxian/human alliance to come to fruition. The joy he has experienced too great for it to not be used to benefit all mankind. The mutual need too important. With each passing day, Drake and Vernon’s symbiotic relationship grows just as much as the hatchlings inside the egg the Priaxian carries as the hope for his species.

But trouble stirs in the dark places of the galaxy. A once sleeping giant, an enigmatic race known as the Herdsmen, stirs. Their awakening brought about by many events, including trespassing into their territory. The result of them becoming known is devastating for all the sentient species, especially for humans. The Herdsmen have developed a taste for mankind’s flesh.

Can Drake and Vernon negotiate an agreement with the Herdsmen before it’s too late? Offer some alternative to the slaughter that will result if they enter human space. Or will their plans to dominate the galaxy obliterate all in their path, including their allies?

All hope once more falls on Drake…and a mysterious Priaxian soldier who communicates to him in his dreams.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Soldier-Borders-Worlds-Book-ebook/dp/B004TMBCWU

ISBN: 978-1-55487-829-1
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: This book continues where the first one ended. Drake is having disturbing dreams of a Priaxian soldier screaming out for help in a desert. Vernon, his lover also has them. The Priaxian queen sends Drake, Vernon, Jankin, Tasmeen, two Priaxian soldiers, Sern and Ryder and a servant named Braken, on a mission to earth to finalize the alliance between spiders and mammalian.

Along the way, they encounter two new enemies the priory’s, Priaxian servants who are rebelling, and the Herdsmen, an alien being who feeds on humans. We also learn the identity of the mysterious Priaxian soldier, Mara, who has been a prisoner of the Herdsmen due to being tricked by his lover and founder of the Priory’s Forgen. Mara had destroyed all Forgen’s work on how to be genetically changed to become nourishers and hid the information inside Ranjay, Jankin and Tasmeen’s son. Everyone soon learns how deadly the herdsmen can be.

Wonderfully written book that has drama, action, suspense, intrigue, and mystery all throughout. The intimate scenes between Drake and Vernon were hot. I loved how the story unfolded and the amazing details of alien species as well as the battles that took place. The story holds your attention from start to finish and leaves you wanting more. Excellent read. Science fiction fans should definitely read this story.