Month: June 2015

Stars Fall by Louis J. Harris, 2nd edition

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Title: Stars Fall
Series: N/A
Author: Louis J Harris
Genre: Contemporary / Sports
Length: Novel (315 pages)
Publisher: Louis J. Harris (March 12th, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Keegan Mansfield is a loner.

A bilateral amputee athlete.

With only one goal; to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games. Every move he makes is towards this dream, and even though there are forces trying to stop him, he moves forward because there’s too much at stake. Although he has the determination and the will to succeed, he is dependent on others and there are ingredients missing from his life that he so desperately needs.

Truth, love and happiness.

When team mate Conrad Smith saves him from a violent incident, both embark on a journey of love that would lead to the truth about Keegan’s past and a happiness that will last for only a moment, and a tragedy that will bring them closer, as one, for neither can live without the other. And, just as things seemed as bad as they could get, Keegan learns an important lesson, that trust is not a game, trust is as real as day and night, as real as the wind. He learns, through tragedy, that Rio comes with the sacrifice of his dependency on others.

He learns that true love thrives on togetherness.

ISBN: 978-1-31081-351-1

Product Link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UNXO686/

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is the first book I’ve read by Louis J Harris, and the author’s 2nd full length story. I was not disappointed at all.

This is the story of a bilateral amputee athlete who competes on his university track team, Keegan. I am always drawn to characters deemed to have a disability. Although like many characters, Keegan is strong and does not let his prosthetic legs stop him outwardly despite the fact that he is a loner and socially reticent. He has been attracted to team-mate, Conrad, for some years.

The two are united when one of their fellow team mates, Geoff, begins his nefarious plots on the first page of the book.

These guys are in uni and we know that they are around twenty-two years old. Because of this, the feeling of the book and being set at a uni means that this one seems to be walking a fine line between young adult and adult fiction. Regardless of this distinction, the young adult themes come out when it’s clear that Keegan is still settling into his sexuality, while Conrad is more than comfortable with life outside of the closet.

The guys are great, after finishing I can conclude that I love Conrad and as for Keegan, though he redeemed himself, he really did start to annoy me for a stretch of chapters. Around the middle of the book the story seemed to drop off but when it came down to the action at the end, Keegan redeemed himself (for the most part in my eyes) and things fell into place.

I loved the setting – in the author’s home country of South Africa, I enjoyed the splash of Afrikaans littered throughout (one shouldn’t assume that everyone South African knows Afrikaans). The use of Afrikaans really helped to differentiate the setting from other English-speaking nations such as England and Australia, which could have easily subbed in for South Africa in this context.

So I loved the book – that’s clear. The reason I did not give this 5 is because: (1) the stories contains the most frustrating mechanism that keeps the MCs apart and gets the romance off the rails – running away and not communicating! Grrr…Really irritates me at times.

The entire last third relies on this device and in the end made me start to dislike Keegan. Also: (2) the story slowed significantly at one point, and dragged. Before we had a clear villain to end off with, I found it hard going for a while. Finally, (3), the epilogue felt a bit out-of-place, it reads like a different voice is suddenly telling the ending.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Aroused and Awakened by G.A. Hauser

91i+RCU1AFL._SL1500_Title: Aroused and Awakened
Series: N/A
Author: G.A. Hauser
Genre: Historical (1972)
Length: Novel (237 pages)
Publisher: The GA Hauser Collection, LLC (May 30th 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ¾ Hearts

Blurb: In 1972 John Edward Hudson, graduated high-school in the Midwest, avoided the draft by telling the men at the processing center he was gay, and left for Hollywood, California, the same day as his high school sweetheart, Vic Cassavelli, drove off in the opposite direction, to go to college at Yale.

At eighteen, both men had different ideas and goals, and knew having a committed relationship at that age, with the entire country between them, was never going to work.

With only a few dollars in his pocket, John hitched-hiked and rode the bus to LA and landed in the middle of West Hollywood. A wonderland of insanity, right after the 60’s revolution of sex, drugs, rock and roll, race riots and hippies. Gorgeous, and slightly naïve, John was thrown into the chaos of LA’s gay culture and taken in by an older man, who was kind enough to house him and receive an occasional sexual act in return, and supply John with as much recreational dope as he could handle.

Heaven or hell, John was introduced to every kind of pleasure imaginable, including a budding transsexual named Kitten, whom he adored, as well as a revolving door of handsome older men who used John in drug-enhanced sexual orgies. He loved every moment of it.

But John’s goal was not only to savor the hedonistic lifestyle of gay LA– it was to become a star!

His benefactor knew a friend of a friend, of a friend, who knew a Hollywood talent agent named, Jack Turner. Infamous for his couch practices, Mr. Turner also had some luck turning young men into mega stars.

As John lives and learns the hard lessons of ‘life in the fast lane’, coming from what may as well have been a foreign land, the American Midwest, John is not only aroused by the pleasures life has to offer, he is woken up to reality. Some good, some bad.
And that reality may be what he left behind.

The 70s…Vietnam, protests, lava lamps, day-glow posters, and decadence that knew no bounds.

Take a trip back in time with John, and see where life takes him. He could end up being a friend of Dorothy’s, and clicking the heels of his well-worn boots repeating, “There’s no place like home”, or he could be the 70s next superstar.

ASIN: B00KOYQFEM

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Aroused-Awakened-G-A-Hauser-ebook/dp/B00KOYQFEM

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This story takes place in the 70’s. John is a naive young man who travels to Hollywood and is introduced to a world he is not familiar with by Eddy, an older man. Drugs, orgies, and a lot of sex are throughout this book.

Eddy introduces John to Jack, a Hollywood agent, to help him reach his dream. I didn’t care for the fact that Jack only took on clients who had oral sex with him first. Jack seemed sleazy to me.
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of John’s love interests. He still cared for Vic his ex who lives in Connecticut and a transsexual named Kitten who lives at the same house as he does with Eddy. Though it was sweet to read about Kitten and John’s interactions.

I really liked how Eddy and Kitten helped John when he needed it the most. There is a lot of sex in this book as it shows what might possibly have happened in Hollywood during the 70’s.

Though this is not my favorite book of G.A. Hauser’s it was well written and kept the reader’s interest.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Scent of the Heart by Parker Williams Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Parker Williams - Scent of the Heart 960x350

Hiya peeps, we have the pleasure of having Parker Williams popping in today with his the cover and a tasty excerpt of his upcoming release Scent of the Heart. Check out the second book in the Shifting Needs series and then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Parker Williams - Scent of the Heart -400x600 2

Scent of the Hearts

(Shifting Needs 02)
by

Parker Williams

Casey Scott grew up being told he’d never amount to anything, and despite the unwavering love and support from his best friend, Jake, the idea sticks in the back of Casey’s mind. When he discovers he has a unique destiny in an enclave where shifters and humans live together, he seizes the chance, wanting for once in his life to be someone special.

Tsvetok Yerokhin lost his parents to the evil ruler of the enclave when he was a boy. The responsibilities of raising his two younger brothers nearly overwhelmed him and self-doubt took over. When the new Alpha and his Protector arrive in time to save his life, Sev is grateful, but he’s even more shocked when he scents his mate with them.

Casey isn’t prepared for the feelings that sweep over him when he meets Sev, but he refuses to act on them because he’s straight. Still, there is something so alluring about Sev that Casey can’t help being drawn to him.

As the two explore the edges of their new discovery, an evil returns, determined to control the enclave or destroy it. The Alpha and Protector are powerless to stop it, but Casey holds the key to victory. If he can discover what it is, he has a chance to save them all. To be the hero.

Unfortunately, the hero has to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for Casey that means losing his heart.

Release Date 15th June 2015
Pre-order:

Continue reading “Scent of the Heart by Parker Williams Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Denial, Deceit, Discovery by J. James Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!

J. James - Denial, Deceit, Discovery 2600x600Banner

Hello peeps, we have J. James stopping by now with his debut novel Denial, Deceit, Discovery. We have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out this book that was inspired by real life events and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

J. James - Denial, Deceit, Discovery Book cover

Denial, Deceit, Discovery

by

J. James

Denial, Deceit, Discovery is the heart-rending story based on true events in the life of Jack Ellis; a young Catholic man deep in denial of his own homosexuality.  It tells the story of how his own denial and the denial of his loved ones forced him to conform to the straight world, resulting in his marriage to his high school sweetheart.  After years of cruising gay porn sites, chatting online with endless guys and intimate encounters with close friends, Jack was pulled into a life of deceit with a string of sexual partners.

The story explains the pain and suffering of those around him as his secrets unfold and honesty rises up. The torture endured as Jack struggles to piece together the complex story of his own sexuality is truly moving.  Escaping the shame, Jack flees to Bangkok with his gay lover where a much greater world of deceit and discovery awaits them both.

Denial, deceit, discovery will make you laugh, cry, cringe and blush as Jack’s story unfolds from a life of shame to one of hope and acceptance for homosexual men.

Continue reading “Denial, Deceit, Discovery by J. James Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Fool School by James Comins Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!

James Comins - Fool School -640

Hi guys, we have James Comins stopping by with his tour for Fool School, James has a great post about writing gay characters for kids, there’s a tasty excerpt and there’s a brilliant giveaway. So enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

James Comins - Fool School _FinalCover

Fool School

by

James Comins

In the year of our Lord 1040, fourteen-year-old aspiring jester Tom is en route to Bath to begin his studies in the art of being a Fool, following in the footsteps of his father, and his father before him.

Along the way he meets Malcolm, a fire-haired boy with eyes green as forest glass. A Scotsman who’s escaped from the ravages of the usurper Macbeth, Malcolm elects to join Tom at school. Though the journey to Bath is hazardous, it pales in comparison to what they face at the austere and vicious Fool School, where all is not as it seems. A court jester must aim to be the lowest rung on the ladder of life, and the headmaster will not abide pride.

As they journey through life’s hardships together, Tom and Malcolm find they only have each other to depend upon.

Continue reading “Fool School by James Comins Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Holding the Edge by Keira Andrews

ka_holding_the_edge_1Title: Holding the Edge
Series: Cold War, #2
Author: Keira Andrews
Genre: Contemporary / Sports
Length: Novella (95 pages)
Publisher: Loose-Id (December 2nd 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Misha Reznikov has an Olympic gold—and a secret lover who just happens to be the silver medalist. Now that their competitive days are over, Misha and former rival Dev Avira are setting up house in LA and giving their relationship a shot in the real world. They agree that keeping their romance strictly under wraps is best for their pro careers and Misha’s family back in Russia. So what if Dev hasn’t told his parents, and they never eat out for fear of being spotted? It’s not perfect, but they’re together.

But as they prepare for a special holiday skating show on Christmas Eve in Dev’s hometown, tension builds. How long can Misha and Dev keep their love secret—and what happens if one of them wants to stop hiding?

ISBN: 978-1-62300-578-8

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/holding-the-edge.html

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is the sequel to Kiera Andrew’s book Cold War. If you haven’t read it yet go back and read it now. This story essentially boils down to tying up the loose ends of the first book. For anyone who read and enjoyed/loved Cold War, this is a fantastically charming visit with two characters that I fell in love with the first time around.

This is about Misha and Dev – Russian and US figure skaters who were numbers one and two in the world with their respective partners. Since the first book both guys have retired from competitive sports and contrive to be together as often as possible. Both are reticent to tell the world about their love. Particularly Misha, where the Russia of the story has the same (or similar) anti-gay laws as we see in the news.

This is a quick and charming read. It is good to get back in the head of these guys, we saw the fairytale part of their romance, and now we get a dose of the reality of their romance. Admittedly, this is not the densest story in terms of storyline, indeed, it is fairly simplistic. However, I was very comfortable with the characters – both major and minor and was not enjoyed every moment visiting this world again.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Bear Persuasion by Eden Cole

91sTeKvTouL._SL1500_Title: Bear Persuasion
Series: Bear Memory, #2
Author: Eden Cole
Genre: Paranormal / Shape-shifter
Length: Novella (81 pages)
Publisher: Amira Press (December 2th 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥ 2 Hearts
Blurb: Noll is determined to bring down Harrison using any means necessary. He miscalculated letting Orion escape, but he won’t screw up with Harrison’s human friend, Evan. Evan is ripe for Noll’s seduction. Noll must first get over the fact that he himself is a virgin when it comes to men.

Confident that he will get his way, Noll plays the abused victim to lure Evan to care for him. His second big mistake comes when he takes Evan home to his compound where no one wants the human there, and they are determined to defy their alpha for his own good.

Warning: This is the “bad guy’s” story. The book contains explicit male/male sexual content from a dark-hearted anti-hero, graphic language, and situations that some readers WILL find objectionable.

ISBN: 978-1-62762-085-7

Product Link: http://www.amirapress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=474

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: I have read many paranormal love stories and most I find intriguing. This particular story had great potential but it is still far behind many others. I was not impressed with it, other than it would have made a good story had the darkness and confusion been out of it. It moved all over and made it hard to truly get into.

You don’t have any good guys at all in these books and that in itself was disturbing. They start off with one attitude, then their personalities change.

Evan had been with Harrison, so much in love that he would allow Harrison to be married to a woman. Then Harrison mates, but Evan doesn’t know that part all he knows is Harrison doesn’t want him in that way. Although Harrison does want something it is not said throughout the rest of the story. Then Evan meets Noll and things get even more bizarre.

Noll wants Harrison dead. He wants them all dead and he plans on using a human to do it. Evan is just a play in the mix. Then by forcing a mating Evan gets more than he bargains for. Now see he was so in love and even angry at Harrison but now all of a sudden he is mated and wants Harrison dead. Yet Noll doesn’t show any love, compassion or positive attitude towards his new mate. It doesn’t come off as a love story but more of a dark sense.

I did not like this story and hate to see what the next book will be like. I was quite disappointed in it. Noll is an ass but Evan seems to be even worse. He is taking everything from Noll including his spirit. He took Noll’s Alpha position and forced his mating which to me is a death sentence in any story. I didn’t much care for this story and would hope that the next one is a bit better.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Rainbow Connection by Alexa Milne

81Togtk8hqL._SL1425_Title: Rainbow Connection
Series: N/A
Author: Alexa Milne
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (126 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (May 1st 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Mick Flanagan has kept himself hidden since his only lover died three years ago. He works at night, keeps to his routine, has impressive facial hair, and avoids contact with other people.

Enter Ceri Llewellyn, with his constantly changing rainbow-coloured hair, who seems determined to talk to him. Gradually, Mick tells his story and begins to trust Ceri, but Mick has a past that contains more than just a dead lover.

Can Ceri show him that he deserves to be loved and, above all else, help him find his true self?

ISBN: MLR-1-02015-0403

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

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Alright, first off, let’s get Kermit the Frog out of our heads before we begin.

This is one fun book. Certainly interesting, we are introduced to a character, Mick, who is probably agoraphobic to some degree with OCD chucked in for good measure. Then there is Ceri, he is something of a knight in shining armour to Mick.

Mick’s back story is wonderfully interesting and heartbreaking. This is a guy who has been mentally abused by two people who apparently had unconditional love for him. Mick is an odd mix of naive, innocent and easily lead but his character is totally lovable.

He finds it difficult to move on. His mental scars are holding him back and probably exacerbated by his mental condition. Mick is very set in his routine – including his work hours and his shopping day/time. Mick works security, a job that was found for him when he was left floundering after the death of his lover.

This is where Ceri enters. He is an intriguing character in his own right. He works driving truck/filling vending machines, which is how he meets Mick. Ceri is interested but knows that Mick is the complete opposite to his type of guy. Ceri is certainly the opposite of Mick’s type with his rainbow coloured hair and motorbike. It is through meeting Ceri and through Ceri’s POV that we find out more and more about Mick. I’m going to put it out there, that Mick is more interesting character out of the two. Though Ceri is a wonderfully cuddly and sweet character in his own right.

As a side note, any Whovians are going to get a kick out of this book. Mick and Ceri begin to bond over the TV show Doctor Who, which even includes a road trip to Wales where the show is filmed. Seriously, as an avid fan I was cursing Ceri for not saying David Tennant was his favorite doctor but inordinately pleased that Captain Jack was a favorite companion. I will also guarantee that many fans will smile and know immediately the specific episodes being referenced, most of which from 9 and 10 era New Who.

I’m going to have to concede the heavy Doctor Who references increased my enjoyment but even without these, this is completely my type of book. That would be the reason why I read it. Sweet and wonderful, it is an interesting view on two very real characters who have their own issues.

I loved it, I hope others do too!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

The Bohemians by Sean Michael, 2nd edition

tmp_feb8a61e53c4dba3f57a1e4fe340f176_j721wB_html_548185e2Title: The Bohemians, 2nd Edition
Series: N/A
Author: Sean Michael
Genre: Contemporary / Ménage
Length: Novella (109 pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press Publishers (June 2nd 2015)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Topaz is a free-spirit, loving easily, though searching for his true soul-mate. As soon as he meets Quincy, he realizes this is the man who has been calling for him in his dreams and he offers his whole self, body, heart, mind and soul, without thought.

Quincy gives away his heart too easily, and has been hurt in love more than once. Still, that doesn’t stop him from falling head over heels for Topaz when he first meets the man.

It seems like a match made in heaven, but Topaz lives with two men who are his best friends, and also his lovers. Will Quincy ever be able to understand that Topaz has more than enough love in his heart for his best friends and his soul-mate, or will Topaz’s bohemian ways be too much for Quincy to understand?

Originally published in the Bus Stories Anthology.

ISBN: 978-1-61040-925-4

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=4408

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: This book was sexually hot, sensual, and wacky at times. It was also enjoyable read. It was also a little different from what I was expecting. Which is a good thing. I found myself laughing as much as fanning myself. Just leave your expectations of realism at the cover.

I loved Topaz. He is just free in all the good ways in life. He it like this little bundle of happiness and just damn adorable. Quincy is the opposite in so many ways, but he gets drawn into Topaz’s life and they fall in love.

However there is the issue of Leo and Stephan who are also Topaz’s best friends and have been his lovers for years. I actually liked both men too. They were a couple, but included Topaz in their lives and loved him.

This is mostly a happy telling of how two separate couples finding a way to make room in their hearts and beds for the other couple.

The dynamics are interesting, very sweet, and mushy cute.

Really this book is great for a light pick me up type read with a good amount of spice added.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

To Take a King by Stormy Glenn

totakeakingTitle: To Take a King
Series: Venusian Trilogy, #1
Author: Stormy Glenn
Genre: Paranormal/ Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novella (136 pages)
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc. (June 4th 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Elves are from Venus, wolf shifters from Mars. Vampires come from Saturn, humans live on Earth…and one man is king of them all…he just doesn’t know it yet.

Nicolas Callon had no idea that his life was going to change the day he turned twenty-five. He had simply been hoping to spend a little time with his best friend and secret crush Cooper Walsh. But nothing turns out like he had hoped. From interfering ex-girlfriends to aliens from outer-space, Nicky’s day just goes to hell.

The one bright spot is Cooper and the passionate interlude they share mere moments before Nicky’s life turns upside down. As he whisked away to parts unknown, it might be all Nicky has to keep himself sane, because being told he’s king of the galaxy pales in comparison to watching the man he loves get shot before his very eyes.

If Nicky can find a way back to earth, he might have a chance of making his birthday wish come true. If not, then everything he has gained as king will be meaningless.

ISBN: 978-1-63259-459-4

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/to-take-a-king

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: I read the blurb when the book first went up for pre-order on the website and I knew I had to have it. Holy shit this was so worth a read. Both main characters, Nicky and Cooper, are interesting men. Right from the start they pulled me into their story with each other.

Nicky is as he puts it a “certified klutz”. He can and does trip over air. For the past twenty years he has been best friends with Cooper, ever since Cooper saved him in the sandbox at the age of five. Cooper is Nicky’s projector, and he does anything in his power to make Nicky happy.

Cooper makes sure Nicky gets out in the world and doesn’t stay locked away working on his art. Nicky has always loved and wanted Cooper since he was a teenager, but was always afraid to let Cooper know for fear he would lose Cooper.

Cooper has made Nicky his number one priority in life. Nothing gets in the way of that. I may not agree with how Cooper wasted the time until he decided Nicky was ready to be his forever. But I did like the man and the way he felt towards Nicky. Nicky is literally his world and Cooper would do anything for him.

And then things went into Space Opera type mode. Nicky gets kidnapped by aliens and learns he is not even human. In fact he is the now the king of the whole freaking galaxy. Not that Nicky knows that at first, since the one in charge is an ass and abuses Nicky on the way to his original homeworld.

There is so much going on with this story. There is the budding romantic relationship of Nicky and Cooper. Then there is the whole king thing. There are also unanswered questions and situations that I look forward to getting more information on.

This book is so different and exciting and just fun to read. It has great characters, hot sex, action, and adventure. It sure as hell caught and held my attention.

It is billed as a trilogy so I cannot wait to see what happens next.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Wyatt's Laughter by Shea Balik

wyattslaughterTitle: Wyatt’s Laughter
Series: Paranormal Wars: Juarez, #5
Author: Shea Balik
Genre: Futuristic Paranormal
Length: Novella (136 pages)
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc. (June 3rd 2015)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Wyatt Klaegar was tired of trying to keep the peace between his friends’ constant bickering and childish antics. The older he got, the less he found humor in their jokes, wishing they would just take life more seriously.

Basil Riddick had little joy in his life while growing up, yet he still managed to find a way to laugh. From the time he was little, he was pushed by his parents into being the best, including graduating at the age of eighteen with a medical degree. When he finally got away from his domineering parents, Basil swore to have as much fun as possible. Too bad when he found his mate, the man wouldn’t know fun if it had hit him in the head.

As the saying goes, opposites attract, and Wyatt was pretty sure Basil was his complete opposite when it came to being mature. But Basil was determined to show Wyatt how to lighten up and laugh.

ISBN: 978-1-63259-428-0

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/wyatts-laughter

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: This book is part of a series and should be read in order. This series also coincides with events happening in the Paranormal Wars: Stone Haven series.

Basil is bored, so when offered the chance to move to the Latin Territory to be the Alpha and inner circles doctor he jumps at the chance. When he gets there he meets his mate Wyatt.

Wyatt is termed as the big brother to his team, as he is a year older than all of them. Also he was the oldest of six siblings and was charged with helping to take care of them when he was younger. Now he is constantly having to mediate between his team members.

Really everything boils down to Wyatt being a stuck in the mad and Basil liking to have fun and laugh. Their two points of view do conflict through a good part of the book. Wyatt wants Basil to be more mature. While Basil wants Wyatt to have more fun and laugh more.

I loved Basil and understood his desire to enjoy life to the fullest. He is able to not only help Wyatt but also the whole team. Wyatt was a bit of a douche for part of the book. But I could also see where he was coming from. The stress the team has been under since they landed in the Latin Territory has been high. Luckily Basil came to the rescue and helped them all out.

I enjoyed this book. There were a good amount of light scenes to balance out the serious ones. The sex was pretty damn hot too. These two are perfect for each other in that regard definitely.

This was a good solid addition to the world the author has created.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Serve and Protect by Shelly Connors

71T9BmJsDLL._SL1500_Title: Serve and Protect
Series: Serve and Protect, #1
Author: Shelly Connors
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel (184 pages)
Publisher: Publish Green (September 17, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: It’s been five years since twins Kolby and Kaleb Bailey moved north from Texas. Kolby trying to escape her abusive husband and Kaleb trying to get out of a corrupt business partnership. Detectives Dean Davis and R.J. Kennedy live and breathe their job, and as partners they spend most of their time together working. The twins and detectives lives intersect when R.J. forces Dean to go on a double date with him and they decide to take their dates to the Baileys’ restaurant.

Here to Serve is a different kind of establishment that has great food and dancing. On the Friday night of their double date R.J. and Dean both find something that they didn’t realize they were looking for. A confrontation with a disgruntled patron, and one of the Here to Serve employees being beaten in the parking lot, leads to the Baileys seeing a whole lot more of the detectives.

Even though R.J. and Dean aren’t working the case, they can’t seem to keep their hands out of it. One accident leads to another and then to tragedy, but through it all Kolby and Kaleb continue to run their restaurant while trying to help their friend, Jason, recover from his beating and his loss. As Jason lies in a coma his world is turned upside down while the detectives work to find out who put him in the hospital.

Sifting through the evidence causes both the twins and detectives to deal with past and present emotions. Can Kolby separate R.J. Kennedy, the handsome detective, from her abusive husband? Can R.J. come to terms with his past and move forward into a relationship with Kolby? They both have their reasons for trying to stay far away from each other, but sometimes the sparks between them are too much of a pull to be avoided.

Detective Dean Davis moved north from Atlanta after his co-workers found him at a gay bar and decided they didn’t agree with his alternative lifestyle. After his experience in Atlanta, Dean hasn’t told anyone his secret and keeping it was easy until meeting Kaleb Bailey. Kaleb let his interest in Dean be known and the feeling is mutual. If Dean succumbs to his feelings, will he get the same treatment he received in Atlanta? If he shares his secret with R.J. will he lose his friendship and respect?

The group of strangers is brought together for a reason, but it takes loss in order for them to find the courage to move forward and understand why it’s so important.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Serve-Protect-Shelly-Connors-ebook/dp/B00NP7YFEM

Reviewer: Portia

Review: Usually, I would start with a brief retelling of the story. But, while R.J. and Dean have the most page time, they are not the only main characters.

Serve and Protect is an unusual story, in that it is more of an ensemble piece than a traditional romance.

Basically, best friends fall for fraternal twins. None of them are looking for romance, but literally from first sight, they just click. All have to work through some issue to take a chance. And other than a couple of on page kisses, it’s pretty mild in the sex department.

You would think that with all the subplots going on, Serve and Protect would get a little messy, plot wise. Shelly Connors did an excellent job with both pacing and twisting to keep my interest. Truth be told, the typos and formatting errors in the first couple chapters were distracting. But, by chapter five, I was too invested in the story line. My inner Autocorrect kicked in and I really can’t remember but a handful of errors after that point.

All in all this was an excellent debut novel. Enough romance to be interesting, but also enough suspense to be thoroughly engaging.

As I’ve said before, one of the best parts of this gig is finding new authors. Shelly Connors has a strong voice and I look forward to more from this series and other titles from her in the future.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Drifting Sands by C.J. Baty Book Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hiya guys, today we have C.J. Baty stopping by with her newest release Drifting Sands, we have a very tantalizing excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out this new mystery story and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

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Drifting Sands

(The Warfield Hotel Mysteries 01)
by

C.J. Baty

As he approaches his fortieth birthday, Justin Warfield feels alone, drifting like the sand that blows along the beach near his family’s hotel. He has done exactly as his father wanted. Married the right girl and carried on the family tradition of running the Warfield Hotel. On paper things seem perfect, but happiness hasn’t been a part of his life for a very long time.

Marcus Drummond once spent a summer with his best friend Peter at the Warfield Hotel and fell hard for Peter’s much older brother. Five years later he’s back, and this time hopes that Justin will see him as more than his kid brother’s friend.

Sparks fly when the two meet again, but there are a few things standing in their way. The closet that Justin has himself buried in and someone on a killing spree, dumping bodies on the Warfield beach . . . victims that indicate Justin may be involved in some way.

Continue reading “Drifting Sands by C.J. Baty Book Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Serve & Protect by Megan Linden

Serve-and-Protect-CoverTitle: Serve & Protect
Series: DC Files
Author: Megan Linden
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (167 Pages)
Publisher: MLR Books (May 28, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Blurb: What happens when you fall in love in the heart of politics?
Sam Daniels’ life turns upside down when he meets an amazing guy and gets a job offer he can’t refuse almost at the same time. Working in politics and sustaining any kind of personal life is never easy, but when you’re running a campaign to elect the first woman to the office of the President of the United States, it may become nearly impossible.

Blake Morin, after spending years as a SEAL, lives a quiet life with his daughter and he’s fine with that. He can’t deny the attraction between him and Sam, but is he ready to enter the world he used to avoid?

ISBN: MLR-1-02015-0414

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Serve-Protect-Files-Megan-Linden-ebook/dp/B00YHGO3PG/

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: When I first came across this book all it took was the title. I didn’t even bother looking at the blurb. Which turned out to be a big mistake. There is no action and it is a very slow love story. I was disappointed in this book. It however is a great story with characters that will draw you in.

However it just dwindled along and did not give me a desire to read it again. I want a story that is going to draw me in and keep my attention the whole time I am reading. This was predictable. I knew what was going to happen even before reading the next chapter. They don’t argue, there is no tension but a little bit about pictures and there was nothing there that was jumping out at me.

Sam was a politician’s favorite man. He had helped them get into office. However the man he worked for was retiring. He wasn’t sure what he would do from then on. On a night out to think, he meets a sexy seal. Then to his luck one of his favorite politician’s wants him to help her win the President spot. Here he was starting a new relationship and he was hardly ever there.

Blake wanted Sam and it would seem his daughter wanted the same thing. It would take some getting used to but it sure is hard being away from his lover. He had to remember his time serving and how his parents were with it, and then use that strength for his relationship with Sam.

It is a very good story with tender touches, long kisses and some hot sex. The thing is there is not a lot of sex in this, which is disappointing in one. Then it just flows in one direction with no attitude to it. The title is hot but misleading, which shows me to always look at the blurb. I would recommend this if you are for love stories, tender moments, and cute kids.

I hope that the next book has some action, danger or something in it to keep my attention.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Seeing Double by AKM Miles

71PvP-KHRyL._SL1425_Title: Seeing Double
Series: Scarcity Sanctuary, #7
Author: AKM Miles
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (254 Pages)
Publisher: MLR Books (April 26, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: How was Ben to know when he went in for his first day of internship at the Showhouse Theater the unbelievable things that would happen next: unbelievable danger, unbelievable pain, and unbelievable love?

When Ben called Soldier that morning, his first day at the theater, he had very strange things to request. When he called the second time, things were even more bizarre. From there, things went downhill pretty quickly. He had found someone to love, finally, but would they both live long enough to act upon their feelings? Chip Carver was just what Ben wanted, but between crazy people trying to kill Ben, an evil pimp out to get Chip, the man watching the house, and adorable twins, would they ever be able to connect?

Oh, come on, this is Scarcity, people.

ISBN: MLR-1-02015-0401

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

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This is the first book by this author that I read and I must admit that I have got to go read the first six books. It was a fascinating story that intrigued me and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. To know that there is a place for these boys just makes my heart swell.

Scarcity sanctuary was started by one sweet man who had the heart of an angel. Then he met his husband and things started to get even better. Dillion was the one that originally took care of children but his husband Soldier was the one that had the money to build the idea.

Chip had just been walking when he was attacked and hurt. If it had not been for the help of two little angels he would have probably died. Jaja and Jojo had been living on the streets for a couple of months on their own and let me tell you that it was a big surprise since they are twin six-year olds.

These two amazing children saved Chip and hid him in the dumpster with them. Chip had been kicked out of his home for being gay at the age of sixteen, now he was seventeen and just trying to stay alive. Now he knew he had to keep these two safe also. Then to his surprise, another angel found them and got them to a true home.

Ben was doing his first day at the theater, when he was asked by the bitch to go make sure the dumpsters were empty and push them to where the city could come take them. What he had not expected was to find two cute little boys and a sexy young man hiding in them. So he calls his two adoptive fathers to come help them.

After a time he knew he was falling in love with Chip, but there were so many people out there that wanted him dead and Chip doing tricks. It would take the whole family to keep them all safe. There was even more support for the twins, since their foster-father was a nasty piece of work. More people to love, is what I see.

It shows the love that the fathers feel for all the children they have taken in, and to just see the twins and Chip and automatically take them in is amazing. I wished that there were people like this in the real world. Also the amount of hate that all of these men and boys have gone through will have you wanting to rip them to shreds.

There is so much seriousness in this story but there is just a hint of humor in it that will have you captivated from the start. It gave me exactly what I wanted in a book and I cannot wait to read the next story, but first I have to go buy the first six and catch up.

I can tell you that most of the story had me in tears from the pain that they all lived through and from the way the family is with each other. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to everyone. Trust me this is the book that will have you believing in others. To show you that there is some goodness in the world.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Crossed Hearts by K. Vale

A1801sYsRTL._SL1500_Title: Crossed Hearts
Series: Hearts and Scars, #1
Author: K. Vale
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (265 pages)
Publisher: K. Vale (April 27th 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: One heart’s been broken. The other is secondhand.

Kory Vansant doesn’t deserve to be alive.

As time sucks him dry of energy, sapping the final ounces of strength from his congenitally enlarged heart, he’s forced to end his career as Kory Kent, porn star. Staring down death, he questions his life choices and prays for a miracle. For another chance at life, he vows to change who he is at his core.

His prayers are answered. A perfect heart now beats in his chest, but it comes at a heavy price. The donor is an innocent young man cut down far too prematurely.
Kory’s blemished history and his donor’s spotless past are far from ideal matches.

As his debts skyrocket, Kory can’t help but think his resolve to walk the high road is being tested. After he meets the adorable Will Squire at the gravesite they both visit, he’s doubly damned because there’s no way he can keep up his end of the bargain. What happens when a man breaks a deal with a higher power?
Will often prefers the company of the dead to that of the living.

Following a bad breakup, he pours himself into his two jobs—funeral director at his uncle’s mortuary and part-time paramedic. He’s drawn ever closer to Kory, as if fate sticks her fickle hand in and pushes them together like two unlikely puzzle pieces. But sometimes history can’t be buried, and maybe divine intervention isn’t always right. Will discovers everyone is imperfect, no matter how pretty the outer package.

And opening one’s heart is never easy, but can be oh, so worth the pain.

ASIN: B00W0IJW1I

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Crossed-Hearts-Scars-Novel-ebook/dp/B00W0IJW1I

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I’m just going to put it out there: this is an amazing book, something I would never have guessed from reading the blurb. Frankly, the blurb for this book had me in two minds as to whether or not I should read it or if I would find it boring. But I am so relieved I did read this one because… wow… it’s sweet and emotive, hot and sexy.

The story follows Kory and Will. They meet in unusual circumstances, as outlined in the blurb. Kory is an ex-porn star, artist/painter and has just had a brush with death only to be saved by a heart transplant. Will seems a bit quirky at first but he’s just an ordinary guy, in fact, they both are ordinary guys who happily followed life where it took them. He just happens to work for his uncle mortuary as a mortician; he’s also a part-time EMT.

Okay, this may seem odd but to me this book is summed up by song lyrics that just popped into my head (Keep The Light On by The Whitlams (2006)). To me it just sums up the book perfectly, at least in my, possibly warped, mind:

We stumble into each other’s lives/ And we knock some things over/ Try not to make a sound.Each time you reach out/ A new shout or shine-on/ We run in and fall out/ Fumble around for the key.

I’ll always keep the light on for you/ You try so hard to be alive/ What else can you do?/ But close your eyes/ You can’t see the beautiful way/ When you’re burning so bright

Musical inspiration aside, as I said I found this emotionally engaging. Both Kory and Will have their own very different issues to get through. I really liked how neither man’s issues were placed as more important above the other by K Vale. Additionally, we get a lot of time with each MC to actually know what is going through their minds during each point of the story.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Inconceivable by Vicktor Alexander ~ Audiobook

24996820Title: Inconceivable
Series: Tate Pack, #2
Author: Vicktor Alexander
Narrator: Sean Crisden
Genre: Paranormal/Romantic Suspense
Length: 2 hours and 42 minutes
Publisher: The Rooster & The Pig publishing (June 18th 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Blurb: Tommy Wilkins, a.k.a. “Tammy Walks” was happy with his life as one of the highest paid drag queen performers in New York City. He had a gorgeous apartment in Greenwich Village, men throwing themselves at his feet and he had lots of money in the bank. He didn’t need the family that shunned him, the boyfriend that used to beat the hell out of him or even the gorgeous sexy linebacker looking Texan cowboy, named Anton “Ton” Forrester, that his friend Richard introduced him too. All he needed was himself.

But Ton wasn’t going to give up so easily because you see, Tommy is his mate, and he wants all of him, makeup, heels, dresses and costumes included. He wants to heal every scar and make the smaller man believe in love again.

There’s only one problem, someone is determined to keep the two men apart, even if they have to kill Tommy to do so.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Inconceivable-Audiobook/B00DGEKZCK

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Tommy Wilkins is perfectly happy living in New York. He’s a successful drag queen, Tammy Walks, and not only does he love his job he is able to show is more effeminate side without care. When Tommy visited his friend Richard in Texas he met the big, burly Wolf Shifter Anton Forrester. When Ton reveals his wolf to Tommy and tells Tommy he is his mate, Tommy is on the next plane back to New York.

The last thing Tommy wants is to open his heart up to anyone ever again to be hurt, abused or left alone when they decide they don’t want him anymore. But Ton is relentless. He follows Tommy back to the big city and brings his man back home where he belongs. The only problem is, trouble follows.

I didn’t like this storyline as much as I liked the first book. This book jumped the fence and went completely porn on paper, seriously, I don’t think five minutes went by in this book without Ton and Tommy going at it like bunnies. There was some suspense with Tommy’s past catching up with him.

Then there was the cross dressing aspect, and Tommy worrying about being fully accepted by Ton from now until the end of time. But these aspects of the story came across more like an afterthought. Almost like the author wrote a porn script then threw some drama, angst and life lessons in for good measure.

Sean Crisden returned to continue narrating the series and his performance was the only thing that kept me going after the first hour. I love his subtle tone inflections, the way he gets fully engrossed into the characters and truly becomes them while reading them. If you like stories that are all about the sex, then you’ll enjoy this one.

Again, I’d have to recommend the audio book so you can at least enjoy Crisden’s stellar performance. Storywise I give this one 2 Hearts, but Crisden gains it an extra notch.

Old Sins, Long Shadows by P.G. Forte

old-sins-long-shadowsTitle: Old Sins, Long Shadows
Series: Children of Night, #2
Author: P.G. Forte
Genre: Paranormal/Holiday/Vampires/Suspense Elements
Length: Novel (224 pages)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (May 3rd 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Blurb: Living forever is hard, but loving forever? That’s damn near impossible.

Children of Night, Book 2

1856, New York City. Moments after Conrad Quintano drives his life-mate away, heartache and guilt descend around his heart like a pall. Convinced that Damian’s hatred is as permanent as the scars Conrad has inflicted on him, Conrad steels himself for an eternity of emotional torture.

Present day, San Francisco. For the sake of vampire twins Marc and Julie Fischer, Conrad and Damian present a united parental front. In reality, their truce is a sham. Conrad, weakened by his recent ordeal, struggles against the urge to bring his mate back to his bed. And Damian misinterprets Conrad’s explosive temper as proof their relationship is irreparably broken.

When an old enemy’s quest to create a dangerous new breed of vampire threatens the twins’ lives—and the precarious state of vampire peace—it’s imperative the estranged lovers put the past behind them. Or the shadows of the past will tear apart everything they hold dear.

Product Warnings:
This book may not be suitable for readers with an aversion to emotionally damaged vampire heroes. Caution is advised if you have experienced prior sensitivity to any of the following: costume parties, fencing lessons, interspecies, inter-generational or intra-gender dating, occasional mild violence, and/or recreational blood-drinking.

ISBN: 978-1-60928-450-3

Reviewer: Shorty

Product Link: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/3864/old-sins-long-shadows

Review: This is the second book in the Children of Night series. It is mostly about Conrad and Damian’s past breakup and present situation.

It confused me how two people who loved one another so much would let at least 100 years goes by without talking things out and resolving the issues. Maybe they should have stayed apart seeing as how much wasted time went by after their breakup. It was frustrating reading this book as I wanted to grab them both and make them talk to one another rather than them ignoring the issues between them.

There is a mystery in the book regarding someone making rogue vampires without any guidance. Marc was brilliant in the way he figured things out and alerted everyone else. I was surprised at who unraveled the mystery. But then again it should not have surprised me with all the drama taking up Damian and Conrad’s time.

I felt a lot of this book was unnecessary and drawn out. I loved the parts about Conrad and Damian’s past and Marc’s part throughout the book as he solved the mystery. But, I felt the rest was just too much.

It as an O.K. read.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *