Month: October 2014

Return on Investment by Aleksandr Voinov

91yJD4CCnSL._SL1500_Title: Return On Investment

Series: N/A

Author: Aleksandr Voinov

Genre: Thriller

Length: Novel (340 Pages)

Publisher: 44 Raccoons (July 11th, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Heart

Blurb: Martin David, an eager but inexperienced financial analyst, is the newest member of the investment team at Skeiron Capital Partners in London. His boss is an avowed financial genius, but he’s also overbearing and intense. Despite his erratic behavior, Martin can’t help being drawn to him both professionally and personally.

Too bad his boss doesn’t seem to feel the same. In a firm where pedigree and connections mean far more than Martin’s newly-minted business degree, Martin feels desperately inadequate—at least until he meets the enigmatic investment manager Alec Berger, who promises to help Martin establish himself in the financial community. Martin is so charmed by Alec’s sophistication and wit that he gives him data that should have stayed confidential.

Then the financial crisis hits. Banks burn, companies teeter on the brink, and Skeiron’s survival is at stake. Martin is pushed into the middle of the fight for Skeiron—against both the tanking economy and a ruthless enemy who’s stepped out of the shadows to collect the spoils.

Return on Investment is the new gay financial thriller from EPIC Award winner and Lambda Award finalist Aleksandr Voinov.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Return-Investment-Aleksandr-Voinov-ebook/dp/B00LQQSYYQ#

Reviewer: GiGi

Review: A book that demands your time and attention. Return On Investment is definitely more corporate thriller than anything else. Voinov seems to grab a hold of the culture of London/Wall Street Market and Investment firms. It’s a dog eat dog worlds, the competition is rough, unforgiving, and the fierce competition is in the blood. And blood is spilled, both figuratively and literally.

The beginning of the book lets the reader know where all this infighting, deceit, and overzealous and risky work ethic are leading. Lies, greed, violence, betrayal all have a part as one might assume in this thriller, what I did not expect is morality. Yes plenty of immorality, anyone who paid attention to the market and banking crisis of the 90’s expects that in this book set in the investment and banking market of the same time period. But what hit me most is how Voinov brought his characters through a crisis of personal morals.

I really started to give up hope on Martin redeeming himself, after some bad decisions both in whom he chose to trust, how he let professional relationships become sexual trysts, and hurt people on the sidelines, like Josh, with little concern. Until it hit him, and that moment of epiphany changes the momentum and pace of the books for me.

Alec, greedy, smarmy, conniving, and beautifully presented, I loved to hate this man. I don’t’ want to give out the surprises surrounding Alec, but he’s one of the most interesting and evil characters in the book. I think that Voinov wrote the best bad character I’ve read in a very long time.

Francis, Martin’s boss, was a puzzling character for me. The shocking beginning of this book undermined for me, all the confidence and strength he seemed to exude throughout the book. Maybe that is a strong point Voinov wants to make here. That you never know what will topple a powerful, intelligent, otherwise confident man of the edge. Everyone has their limits, and sometimes it takes drastic measures to pick a man up once he hits bottom.

I will warn you Voinov drags the reader through a ton of jargon and investment/banker culture, complete with conferences, strategy meetings, portfolio reviews, networking, and corporate takeover. If you really don’t like reading about business, and can’t warp your head around that culture, you may want to look elsewhere. I admit to wanting to speed read or scan over sections of the more corporate related details, but I’m glad I gave this book a closer look.

This is not a romantic book, though personal character, commitment, and loyalty do prove to aid in turning a professional and sexual attraction into a powerful intimate connection.

Watch out Michael Crichton, here comes Aleksandr Voinov. I highly recommend Return On Investment to those who enjoy a good corporate thriller!

Aftershocks by T.A. Webb

81PEFHnBIqL._SL1500_Title: Aftershocks

Series: Earthquake #4
(Pulp Friction 2014 #16)

Author: T.A. Webb

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: Novella (52 pages)

ISBN: 9781310113468

Publisher: A Bear on Books (Aug 30, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Everything was going so great for Charlie Turner…his relationship with Amos Greene took off and his brother resembled a human being again. Then all hell broke loose, and Charlie was left standing amidst the ruins of his life.

But that’s not the end of the damage. To truly heal, all the makeshift bandages Charlie applied to his hurts over the years must be ripped off. Without Amos and his family at Mountain Shadows, he might fold under the weight of all the pain.

But Charlie’s willing to stand and fight for the people who are important to him…can the same be said of them?

Purchase Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-aftershocksearthquake4-1611106-148.html

Review: This is book four of the Earthquake series and book 16 of the Pulp Friction. Each series can stand-alone but it’s better if you read them all in order to get the full impact.

Charlie, Damon, their mother and Amos are all in counselling after what Damon has been through. Emotions run high and feelings are exposed.

This is a very emotional story. There isn’t a lot of action. It’s mostly the family coming to terms with the past and their feelings. I liked the story but I would have liked just a little action. I really liked the surprise at the end. I can’t wait to see where this leads.

If you like ongoing series, angst, and emotional breakthroughs with a twist this is for you.

Mile Diamond and the Demon of Death 1 by Derek Adams

4536MILESDIAMONDANDTHEDEMONOFDEATH1-510x765-430x645Title: Miles Diamond and the Demon of Death 1
Series: The Adventures of Miles Diamond
Author: Derek Adams
Genre: Adventure
Length: Novella (67 pages)
Publisher: Extasy Books (August 1st, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Miles Diamond and his pals are back! This time their adventures lead them to the jungles of Mexico in search of hidden treasure.

Miles falls afoul of a toaster and promptly loses all the proceeds from the missing twin caper. He goes to look for work and discovers nefarious doings afoot at the Seattle Art Museum. Undaunted by multiple attempts on his life and with his pals Rudy and Jackson in tow, he sets out for Mexico to unravel the mystery surrounding the small clay figurine known as The Demon of Death.

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/Miles-Diamond-And-The-Demon-Of-Death-1/

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0006-4

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Miles Diamond, it seems, lets his urges get him in a lot of embarrassing situations. He goes from well off to poor in a matter of minutes and looks for a job at a museum with a missing artifact.
Funny yet adventurous story of Miles Diamond and his escapades.

A lot of hot sex with several different men.

Frankie's Knight b T.A. Webb

91sN6VxOrjL._SL1500_Title: Frankie’s Knight

Series: Elemental Connections: IV) (Earthquake #3.5
Pulp Friction Special 03

Author: T.A. Webb

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: Novella (65 pages)

ISBN: 9781310928611

Publisher: A Bear on Books (Aug 26, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Teenage boys are disappearing from the streets of Atlanta, and Detective Frankie Prater is resolved that, this time, one will make it out alive. The trail leads to Flagstaff, Arizona, and a man suspected of being a sadistic rapist and killer.

Brady Owens lived six years as a prostitute after his parents threw him out at the age of twelve. After surviving a vicious attack, he found a home with Frankie and his kids. Now he’s eighteen and tired of Frankie’s excuses for not taking their relationship to the next level. Perhaps a trip with just the two of them—even if it is a business trip—is what Frankie needs to see Brady as a man and not a victim.

From the hard streets of Atlanta to the Painted Desert of Arizona, the race is on for Frankie to find not only a missing boy, but also his own Knight.

Purchase Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-frankie039sknightelementalconnectionsiv-1606366-148.html

Review: This is the fourth pulp friction2014 bonus book. It can stand alone but works better if you’ve been following the series.

Frankie is a detective in Atlanta. He is working on a case of missing prostitutes. The case sits close to home since his boyfriend Brady was once in that position. He is still treading on eggshells with Brady. A break in the case comes when Frankie is told that one of the boys may be alive and in the Flagstaff area. Brady insists to go along to be with Frankie and he may be of help to the boy since a sadistic serial killer too once tortured him. Will they find the missing boy alive? Will Frankie and Brady move their relationship along?

This story was awesome. I love Frankie and Brady. There are lots of tension and drama. The storyline is intriguing and fast paced. The characters are so well developed and interesting. I also loved how this ties in with the Pulp friction story of Charlie and his brother. It made me want to read City Knights all over again.

If you like ongoing series, connected stories, strong characters, suspense, drama, detectives, broken young men and a very satisfying ending this is for you.

Isle of Illusions by A.L. Wilson

efca3be876185c16c430be229daea4ab51831b52Title: Isle of Illusions
Series: The Haunted Case Files, #1
Author: A.L. Wilson
Genre: Paranormal/Horror
Length: Short (64 pages)
Publisher: Smashwords (August 24, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: When the vampire Cyrus and his human lover Lorenz vacation in Italy, they never imagined it might turn into a paranormal investigation. However, with rumors of two-headed animals and then a dead body from a nearby asylum washing ashore, the two are forced to cut their holiday short. Can our heroes escape the madness surrounding them or will they be trapped forever on the Isle of Illusions?

Product Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/470094

ISBN: 9781311748393

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Vampire Cyrus and Lorenz, his human Doctor lover, investigate strange occurrences going on at an asylum. But what they discover is far more sinister than what they thought. A mad Doctor is doing atrocious experiments on both humans paranormals.

Intense, spooky, and very dramatic. The things this doctor did to his so-called patients were both heartbreaking and horrifying. No wonder there were so many reports of ghostly whispers being heard with all that went on there. I loved the way that Lorenz and Cyrus tried to protect the other in different situations. The sex between them was passionate and hot.

Excellent mystery and horror story.

The Little Dragon's Alpha Savior by Marcy Jacks

littledragonTitle: The Little Dragon’s Alpha Savior
Series: Of Dragons and Wolves, #9
Author: Marcy Jacks
Genre: Paranormal/ Shape-Shifter
Length: Novella (121 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-63258-274-4
Publisher: Siren Publishing (September 6, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: Alpha wolf Stan Abbot has to go and keep the peace between the packs by acting as ambassador to a band of wolves who are jealous of their wealth. Getting attacked by hunters is just the cherry on top.

But then the leading Alpha brings out a dragon, one that can heal Stan’s wounds, a young man who is Stan’s mate.

His mate.

His beautiful and clearly mistreated mate. With a single touch, Bentley absorbed the pain and wounds from Stan’s attack onto his own skin.

Stan needs to get his mate the hell out of this hell hole. In order to do that, he needs to convince Bentley that not everything is as it seems.
Bentley is an orphan, taken in by a pack of wolves after a dragon attack gone wrong. He never questioned that until Stan Abbot showed up into his life, and he is determined to take Bentley away from the only life he’s ever known.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-little-dragons-alpha-savior

Review: This is book nine in this series and they should be read in order. You will learn about each romantic couple for future stories in the previous books. It also gives you an insight into their amazing world and into their lives. A world that will capture your attention and have you begging for more. I love paranormal stories, but when you put in the dragons, I am sold. I love how they mingle with the wolves.

After centuries of fighting they had come together in a peace talk. Wolves of one pack would mate dragons from up on the mountain. Most of Stan’s brothers had mated with the dragons. So it was thought that he would not have to. However sent on a peace talk with other wolves, he finds himself not only shot but with a dragon mate.

A mate that he could tell needed help. Bentley could heal others by taking the wound and pain into himself. Stan could tell that when Bentley healed him, that it caused him quite a bit of pain. Bentley was a dragon shifter living among wolves. Wolves that didn’t treat him like he should be treated. They had guilted him into giving his scales to help bring money into the pact. The problem with that was it physically hurt Bentley when they took his scales.

The wolves killed his clan and guilted him into thinking that he owed them. What a sick pack of wolves they were. It would take Stan’s mating him and the help of Stan’s family and pack, plus the other dragons to get him out of there. Once out of there though, Bentley started to heal and he learned that Stan loved him more than anything in his life.

I loved this story and cannot wait to hear more about all of the characters and their lives. I can’t wait to start reading book ten. I would recommend reading this especially if you love two very sexy men, hot sex, tender moments, excitement, adventure, passion and fire and dangerous situations. It gave me that and so much more. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. These stories always have something in them that makes me coming back for more. I loved this book.

Working to Win by Sean Michael

22930047Title: Working To Win
Series: This is part of the Winter Games AmberPax
Author: Sean Michael
Genre: Contemporary/ Light BDSM
Length: Novella (58 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-61124-651-3
Publisher:  Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (August 17, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Together for more than six years, lovers Jason and Bryan rarely see each other anymore. Their jobs are running them ragged and keeping them apart. It’s gotten so they barely even communicate.

But a trip to a winter cabin for a long weekend, a last-ditch effort to rekindle their romance, reveals a side to the two men the other never knew existed, and their weekend suddenly includes power-play games.

Is this new aspect of their relationship doomed to fail, or will it help them find what they both need to make their lives work again?

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2015-Working-To-Win.aspx

Review: This story is part of the Winter Games AmberPax Collection and they can be read as a standalone. There are many of us out there that love the idea of our men getting spanked, tied up, and sometimes blindfolded. This story has that for you. It is a really hot little story about how two men deeply in love but letting life overpower them. They let success get in the way and they were about to lose each other to it.

Jason and Bryan had made the decision to go away for a few days to rebuild what they were slowly loosing due to the jobs that they each held. However, Bryan had a bit of trouble letting it go. They had held a secret from each other that might help them rekindle what was being lost. Jason was a Dom and Bryan was a sub.

It wasn’t until Jason had threatened to tie Bryan up that showed Jason what they really needed. A way to release the pressures of life and give them their releases that was desperately needed and desired.

I loved this little story and look forward to hearing more about Bryan and Jason. I hope that there is going to be a longer story of these two sexy men. I never really thought about stress the way that many do. I also never knew that there was a way to get release with just a hint of pain. It was fascinating to read it and learn a little more each time I do.

I would recommend reading this story especially if you love two very gorgeous men, the BDSM scene, excitement, tender stories, love so deep that you wish for more and a way to show their love. It gave me that and so much more.

A Flight in Ice by Vivien Dean

22959814Title: A Flight in Ice
Series: Part of the Winter Games AmberPax Collection
Author: Vivien Dean
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (85 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-61124-647-6
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (August 18, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Life hasn’t turned out like Connor McClure hoped. His relationship is over, he lost his friends in the break-up, and nothing makes him happy anymore. All he wants is to hide from the world, but the only place available to him is his parents’ home in the rural Michigan community he abandoned thirteen years ago. And since his parents are in Florida for the winter, he’ll have the whole house to himself.

Except he doesn’t. In their absence, the McClures asked a young neighbor to look after the property. Jerry is young, energetic, and—oh yeah—gay. From everything he’s learned about Connor, he might be harboring a little crush, but Connor is in no place for dating. Right now, he needs a friend, someone to help him remember that second chances are always possible…and Jerry is more than willing to step in and help…

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2011-A-Flight-In-Ice.aspx

Review: This is part of the Winter Games AmberPax Collection and they can be read as a standalone. Normally, a short story always leaves me feeling like I have been cheated somehow. But this one was a very good story that I found myself loving. It tells about their past lives and what their future might hold for them. Connor had fled Michigan when he was younger, meeting up with his soon to be now ex-husband. They had survived basically until Connor could no longer put up with Sean’s drinking. He had come home.

Surprising to him, Connor’s parents had just basically told him to come home for however long he wanted. He was going there to lick his wounds and try to get over his failure as a married man. What he had not expected was to take a liking to his new friend and neighbor. Jerry was a fresh breath of air to a man in pain.

Jerry had always wanted to be a nurse, but his father would not allow it. Now past dead, he had achieved his goal with the help of his neighbors. Connor’s parents had helped him in a time of need and he would do anything for them. Including helping their son out. What he had not expected was the sudden attraction for this sexy man.

They were able to help each other out in more ways than one.
This story was not very long, but it was told in such a way that it seemed like it was a beautiful novel refreshing and very tempting. I was drawn to this story with the first sentence and it kept my attention all the way to the end.

I would recommend reading this especially if you love two sexy men, a tasty story with a bit of sadness and a touch of new happiness, excitement and a tender heart. I cannot wait to get the rest of Vivien’s books.

Joel by Sean Michael

71NIdXlOjPL._SL1400_Title: Joel
Series: Shibari Auction House, #8
Author: Sean Michael
Genre: Gay Erotic Romance/ BDSM/ Contemporary
Length: Short Story (42 Pages)
ISBN: 06996-02253
Publisher: Changeling Press (August 1, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Untried and virginal, Joel still knows that he’s looking to be pushed. He wants to give up control, but he wants to fight it as well. Auctioning himself up for six months of no holds barred subbing is the only solution he can come up with to getting what he wants.
Master Brent is immediately taken with Joel and makes sure he’s the top bidder. He believes he’s the only man for the job of giving Joel the experience of a lifetime. Can he be exactly what Joel wants? Or will Master Brent actually give Joel what he needs?

Purchase Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?upt=book&ubid=2253

Review: This is book eight in this series and they can be read as a standalone. However, they can also be read in order. It will give you a little insight into their world. A world that is amazing and a bit strange but very good. I love the way these men can just tell what the other one needs. Although the idea that they sell themselves is a bit hard to understand.

Joel is a sweet virgin but seems to want what comes from the BDSM scene. The bonding, binding, flogging, spankings and so much more. He was a photographer but he wanted what a master can give him. He sells himself for six months of no holds barred subbing. He just needs what a Dom can give him.

Brent takes one look at Joel and knows that only he can give Joel what he truly wants and needs. He soon finds out that he is also getting what he needs.

This is a cute little story and hopefully will soon become a longer story with more about Joel and Brent. I want to know more about them and where they are headed. I hope that they end up staying together because they are hot. The story captured my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it there all the way to the end. I can only say that these two men were hot and full of passion. In fact, it made my entire day heated up.

I would recommend reading this story especially if you love BDSM, two very sexy men, virgins learning about sex, excitement and a bit of suspense for Joel.

Twin Flames by Lexi Ander (2nd Edition) Blog Tour, Guest Post, Review & Giveaway!

Hey guys, today we welcome Lexi Ander with her re-release Twin Flames, she’s showing off her freshly polished book with it’s stunning new cover with a guest post and a very tasty excerpt along with a fantastic giveaway, so I will leave you all to enjoy the post remember to click that Rafflecopter link and read my review <3 ~Pixie~
Print

Twin Flames

(Sumeria’s Sons 01)

by

Lexi Ander

A Lycan descendant of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Tristan is not as extraordinary as his ancestors. He is an average warrior, unremarkable throughout. But this fact does not trouble him because he has found his Twin Flame, the one person destined to be his, who will love him unconditionally, life after life.

Then his Flame betrays him, leaving him shattered and dying. Brokenhearted, Tristan dissolves the sacred bond and leaves. His best friend, Ushna, accompanies him, vowing to guard and protect him, and Tristan slowly comes to realize that love does not require a sacred bond.

But if he hopes to keep the love he chooses, they will first have to survive ancient secrets, lies, mythical creatures, and the return of absent gods…
Available in both paperback and ebook.

Purchase Links:

Barnes & Noble (paperback only until 10/1): 

Add Twin Flames to your GoodReads TBR

Continue reading “Twin Flames by Lexi Ander (2nd Edition) Blog Tour, Guest Post, Review & Giveaway!” →

Hotel Pens by Geoffrey Knight

HotelPens_100dpi_cvrTitle: Hotel Pens, 2nd edition
Author: Geoffrey Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (83 pages)
Publisher: Wilde City Press (October 1st 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Travel writer Joe Jordan hasn’t been home to New York since his boyfriend broke up with him. Instead, he’s hopped from hotel to hotel. Collecting pens like a child in a fairytale might leave a trail of breadcrumbs hoping to find his way back.

But now he has an assignment, an article titled “5 Ways to Rediscover New York.” Being back on his home turf is daunting—until he meets Claude Desjardins, a gay romance translator staying in his hotel who, after a night of near passion, leads Joe on a treasure hunt through Manhattan, writing clues on Joe’s skin using hotel pens.

But it isn’t just New York Joe needs to rediscover.

This is a re-release, story initially released October 2012 through Dreamspinner Press

Purchase Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/hotel-pens/#.VCiZy_ldVGQ
Review: Joe Jordan has been miserably single for a while, travelling the world, calling random hotels home. He loves his job, even if the constant travelling did cost him his boyfriend. After losing those roots, the home and the life he shared with Shawn, he hasn’t planted new ones, he hasn’t wanted to. Until now.

Joe first sees Claude in the lobby of his hotel and is drawn to his French accent. It’s almost endearing when Joe notices that Claude has the same obsession that Joe himself has. Collecting hotel pens. There is an attraction between them that Joe is hesitant to explore, for many reasons. But he still finds himself meeting Claude at the Empire State Building the next day, and Claude proceeds to show the New Yorker his city through a different set of eyes.

This was just a fast, fun, sweet and romantic read. The flow of the story was steady from start to finish, and that was just about the sexiest bubble bath ever! Claude and Joe both have lost someone they cared for in their lives, they’ve been alone a long time and so it all seems like kismet when they meet and fall for each other in the same instant. But Claude is determined to romance Joe, writing clues for the next stop on their date on Joe’s body with one of their hotel pens, sending Joe on a romantic scavenger hunt through a New York he has missed all these years.

I kept thinking of Sleepless in Seattle when I read this story, there were several similarities. This is a must read for my fellow hopeless romantics!