Hiya guys, we have S. Davidson stopping by with the tour for her new release Resurrection, we have some great teasers, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Resurrection
by
S. Davidson
Two men with painful, complicated pasts who have shut themselves down from ever loving again. Complete opposites of one another, one raised in a strict military household, who grew up with the sole purpose of becoming a soldier and defending his country, only to have that cut short by an IED; and the other raised in the rodeo, small town and ranch life his safe haven; and their chance meeting.
How the two of them end up in some small town diner can only be credited to divine intervention. But are both men too damaged? They say God works in mysterious ways. Well, he certainly had his hands full when he chose these two for saving.
Hi guys, we have Sean Michael popping in with his upcoming re-release Amnesia, we have a fantastic guest post where Sean chats about the Amnesia cover and we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Amnesia
by
Sean Michael
Who wouldn’t want a do over?
When Thaine wakes up in the hospital after a bull-riding injury, he immediately asks for his lover, Jerry. He has no idea who this man next to his bed is, despite the fact Drew insists they have been an item for the last five years.
Thaine’s best friend, Jesse, calls Jerry. He thinks it’s a pretty crappy thing to do to the new boyfriend, but tells himself it’s unlikely Jerry will come after so many years. He also doesn’t get why Thaine would pass up the opportunity to be with Drew since he’s young, optimistic, and hardworking. In short, everything Jesse ever wanted in a man.
Jerry still carries a torch for his cowboy, so when Thaine asks to go home with him to recover, Jerry agrees. At first they pick up their intense physical relationship right where they left it before the breakup. Jesse, in turn, consoles the now homeless Drew and offers him quite a bit more than a shoulder to cry on. But in the back of all the men’s minds loom Thaine’s lost five years.
Blurb: Zeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no-nonsense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go—not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas. The new hire at the family-owned bagel store is somewhat colorful, but his dad is sure he’s the perfect man for Zeke.
Benny Ruggieri is a fiercely proud New Yorker who dreams of making it big as a costume designer in the theater. In the meantime, he’s working two part-time jobs in the food biz. When his new boss sets him up with his successful son, Benny has zero expectations. If nothing else, he figures he can entertain himself by making the uptight businessman squirm. Instead, the two become unlikely friends with an inexplicable attraction they can’t ignore.
Benny might be the one to help Zeke set aside his quest for revenge, if he’s willing to let go and forgive what he can’t forget… and give in to an unexpected kind of romance.
A Kind of Romance started off as a 5-Hearts read, but along the way Zeke made this book lose its shine and I ended the last chapter with a solid 4-Hearts rating…until the epilogue. That epilogue was everything this book needed, it was sunshine and rainbows and wedding bells, but still real, with a touch of sorrow.
Zeke is a Wall Street executive whose no-nonsense attitude makes him perfect for his job. He has a heart of steel and a core of titanium, he’s impenetrable and vindictive. Zeke doesn’t like to lose and if he ever feels cheated or wronged, nothing will stop him from getting revenge. These are the things we see about Zeke at first glance.
What we don’t see is the confused little boy who lost his mother, the only person who fought for him and stood in his corner, to Alzheimer’s. Growing up was hell for Zeke, because his father was severely homophobic, and bullied and belittled Zeke every chance he got. Two decades later, Zeke’s father has had a change of heart. Time has allowed him to understand Zeke and accept him, and he tries as hard as he can to support Zeke and see him happy.
I love how Zeke’s father, George, was written. Homophobia is usually learned, or it comes from a place of fear and lack of understanding homosexuality. The fact that George worked hard at changing his views and accepting (and even rooting for) the LGBT minority was endearing and hopeful because people CAN change and they do it every day. Just look at how far we’ve come! However, Zeke is not one to forgive, and his relationship with his father is shaky at best.
Benny is an amazing character! He has all the sass and spark, but his beautiful, slightly effeminate exterior holds the core of a warrior. Benny loves who he is and never apologizes for it. He would never settle for anything other than being #1 in someone’s life. Benny works at his family’s Italian restaurant and at George’s bagel shop by day, while working towards his dream of becoming and costume designer in his free time.
When Zeke’s father tries his hand at matchmaking and pesters them to go out on a date, Zeke and Benny agree so that they can shut George up. They both know they’re not each other’s type and there will never be anything serious between them. But the chemistry burning bright can’t be ignored. A kiss turns into a series of intense, passionate, amazing nights of sex. But there’s also friendship and mutual respect forming between them, as they start getting to know each other. I LOVED them together!
The only downside was Zeke and his stubbornness to admit there’s more between them than a friendship with benefits. I understood it at first, but it took mostly the whole book for him to admit even to himself he loves Benny and wants him. The frustration I experienced was mollified by the intense feelings of possessive emotions Zeke got every time he was around Benny. Zeke wanted to crawl into Benny and never let go, which was stupidly hot!
The secondary characters were amazing. I just loved every single one of them! This book was significantly different from other Lane Hayes books, because it deals with the more challenging issue of losing a loved one, and all the angst and sorrow that comes with it.
There were times I couldn’t help but tear up, since Zeke’s internal sorrow and sadness over his mother and his relationship with his father was very real and very heartbreaking. And I believe this was the first time EVER that I cried with sadness and smiled with joy during an epilogue. Prepare for FEELS, people!!!
Prime’s Review: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
This is book 2 in Lane Hayes’ A Kind of Stories series. However, this is a standalone book. Other than an appearance from the couple from book 1, A Kind of Truth, there is no ongoing plot to worry about. Which is good, I think, if you do not like you rock gods settling down with a boyfriend but prefer Wall Street exec from an ordinary family falling for an ordinary guy.
This is a totally fun book and really embraces the old saying “opposites attract” because that is exactly what Zeke (he hates being called Ezekiel) and Benny are. Zeke is a well to do Wall Street exec that is also just a tad snobbish. Which is a bit odd since his father and brothers, who run the family bakery, are the most ordinary type people that you could come across. Benny on the other hand is a blue-haired ball of energy who takes life in his stride.
These guys also have completely different family lives. While Benny works for Zeke’s father, George, on the side, his primary job is to work for his own family. They are Italian-Catholic and to me I saw my own family in that, we may not be New Yorkers but there is that unspoken camaraderie that comes along with coming from an Italian family that immigrated out of Italy. Benny is pretty damn lucky where his family are concerned. However, Zeke is not quite so lucky. His father was a difficult man to live with after he came out as gay and that is seen in the still mending relationship between father and son. I think it is also interesting how his mother is referred to as “gone”, because she isn’t dead. I assume that she has some form of dementia although it was never stated, and neither was that bit of information crucial to the outcome of the story.
It’s quickly evident though, he is just what Zeke needs to loosen up and to make Zeke realize that he has bloody horrible taste in men.
I absolutely adored this book. Benny most especially is a very relatable character, although Zeke’s troubles with his ex is also, unfortunately, all too easy to relate to. However, there were a couple times, because this book was completely told from Zeke’s POV that I wanted to know Benny’s POV. He’s a ball of fire that I related to on many levels and there were just a few times when I wanted to know what was going on inside his head. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Noel is a lonely librarian who spends most of his time working, surfing dating websites to no avail, and hanging out with the cat who shows up on his balcony every night. When he meets Mike, he’s finally found a man who holds his interest.
But it soon becomes clear that there’s more to the bird-chasing businessman than what’s on the surface.
Review: Noel loved animals quite a bit, so when one started showing up at home he just automatically took him in. To his shock and surprise it would seem his little cat had one hell of a secret.
This one is way too short to actually give you a proper description of the story without giving the story away. In fact it was just too short for anything more than a taste. I hope that the author will add a bit more to it, because it has some pretty good potential but for now it was just plain cute.
I did enjoy it and would recommend it. It is pretty good for that time you just need a break.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Pulled into a world of secrets and lies for the man he loves, Declan Ramsay’s life has changed immeasurably in the eight months since meeting, and falling for his boss’s son, Sam Aiken.
Declan journey of personal discovery is about to take a darker turn, and for Sam, the world becomes more treacherous than he could ever have imagined.
Review: Return to Zero is the third book in the Shatterproof Bond series by Isobel Starling, although the book is really 0.5, making this on book 2. I have to say straight off the bat, this is definitely my favourite book in the series so far.
We follow couple Declan Ramsey and Sam Aiken, who work for Sam’s father’s super-spy agency A.L.L. Declan has now become an agent, although he is waiting for his first assignment, while Sam is trying his best to help Declan as well begins to feel a ghost from his past begin to catch up to him.
This one is high action and adrenaline as well as a good heaping of romance and love that makes you think “nawwww”. Both characters develop more than they have in the previous books put together as Declan and Sam need to find new strength so that they can survive the horrors and the drama that is about to catch them.
As ever, there are plenty of Princess Bride references, which I completely love. Although it doesn’t seem to completely match the characters, I love the fact that Sam calls Declan “Buttercup”.
This is for fans of spy and action type of romances. It is both hot and sweet while the danger increases around them. For those that have read the first 2 books, this is a must to read because we get to find out so much more about Declan, Sam and the world in which they live and it is so completely satisfying.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: What would you do if the one who got away… came back?
“After all these years he still gets under my skin.”
Tyler Lockhart takes life one day at a time. After serving in Afghanistan, he finds safety in his routine of making furniture with his Labrador, Jess, by his side. Single again after a relationship that just didn’t work, he still holds hope that he’ll find his happily ever after one day. Even if he’s haunted by the distant memory of a fierce teenage love for his older brother’s best friend.
“I won’t let you trick me again.”
Austin St. James is washed-up. After a successful run as the front man in rock band Vision X, it’s been three years since he’s made any music he’s wanted to share. When his past comes calling, Austin knows he can’t keep running. Returning to his hometown after eight years was not part of the plan and neither was having to call in a favor with his childhood friend, Tyler. All grown and muscled-up, the boy he once swore to protect is now a man and the tether that binds them is still fiercely electric.
“What are you doing?”
“Making up for all the years I was supposed to be kissing you.”
But so much has changed for the two men who lead very different lives. Tyler struggles with change and Austin uses it to cope with his past. When the unexpected reunion reignites the flame between them that never really died, will they be able to keep it alive?
Penny Wishes is a sweet and steamy second-chance gay romance. It is a full-length novel with no cliffhanger and an HEA.
Tyler Lockhart has known two things since he was eight years old. He’s gay and in love with Austin St. James. Despite the age difference between them, and the fact that Austin is Ty’s older brother Rory’s BFF, the two strike up a strong friendship.
Over the years through middle school then high school, the two become inseparable. They share their first kiss and so much more. But then Austin leaves town without much more than a good riddance and Tyler is devastated. Over the next eight years, both men live their separate lives… Ty joins the marines while Austin goes on to become the lead singer for the Rock band Vision X.
The one thing that never goes away is their connection, so when Austin winds up back in Oak Falls after his father dies, they are offered a second chance at happiness, if they can be honest with each other.
I was drawn to this book by both the synopsis and the cover. Specifically this excerpt here…
“What are you doing?”
“Making up for all the years I was supposed to be kissing you.”
Hawkins has created these two guys that are so perfect for each other, yet both are too stubborn to admit those feelings. At least, in the traditional sense. Ty may have been just a child when the realization of what and who he wanted hit him, but his young heart knew exactly who held it and that hasn’t changed eighteen years later. He’s convinced himself that if he doesn’t admit the way he feels about Austin out loud, then he can’t be hurt.
The problem is, not admitting how he feels is hurting him as well. Austin is still reeling over the death of his father, a man he thought hated him until he finds a box of newspaper clippings depicting his concerts and achievements in the music industry. He’s also under the mistaken impression that he can only be happy if he has Tyler and he’s playing with Vision X. He has to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, figure out which is more important.
I quite liked this book. The concept of a young man knowing exactly what he wanted at an age where adults would say he was too young to know that, and actually still feeling the same, stronger even, at twenty-eight years old as he did at eight years old. Both characters are flawed and broken, the only way for either of them to be whole or heal is if they are together.
There were a couple of times that the story didn’t flow from one part to the next, a bit choppy, but overall I really liked this book. Romance, passion, a miscommunication that lasts almost a decade and just the right amount of angst really made for a great read.
My first book by Hawkins, but it won’t be my last.
Blurb: They know a thousand ways to kill…and zero ways to love.
The middle bunny of five, Beaumont has grown used to going unnoticed. He’s not a leader like Barclay or Basil, he’s not blind like Bailey, and he’s not snarky like Baxter. He’s invisible. He dreams of finding a mate that truly sees him. When a stranger with piercing black eyes arrives at the mansion, his world is turned upside down, and Beau has to decide if being seen is all he dreamed it would be.
Prince Dario Montella never dreamed he would find his one and only in his family home, but one look and he knows he has found the center of his universe. But Beau comes with a lot of baggage, not to mention an interfering older brother and an obsessive need to take risks with his life.
Finding common ground won’t be easy for a prince used to ruling his coven, especially when making his mate happy is harder than letting him walk into danger. It means seeing Beau for the treasure he truly is.
Review: Each book in the Battle Bunnies collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order
I love how unique this series is compared to many others that you read about. In most of them, paranormal romances one is always used to wolves and big felines being the heroes of the world, but in this new series it is the bunnies that are the true hero’s. This series is a new fresh idea that is positively amazing. I love the serious tone that it has mixed in with quite a bit of humor in it. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end.
When I saw the series title I knew it was going to be one that I needed to read. It was topped off with the names of the authors. Bellann and Stormy are two of my favorite authors and are usually ones that I will be buying automatically so I knew that this was going to be a top story for me. I was not disappointed at all.
Beau is a battle bunny that feels like he is just not there. For him it is like everyone just passes him by and never notices he is there. Except for a vampire prince, who has his eye on him. Dario has found his mate, and is bound to get him to see that they are better together.
Now I felt like there was something off about this story. It came off a bit more rushed than normally would. Also it focused more on everyone else instead of the two men it was about. I felt like I was missing something major that is never mentioned. Although I am interested in the next story more, I hate to say it but Clay is not looking good to me.
I don’t know what is going on with this series, but I hope the next one is better told.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: When his nephew shoots a dove with a BB gun, veterinarian Abel March promises the remorseful boy that he will take care of the bird and its broken wing. He doesn’t count on the dove changing into a (very naked) man in the middle of the night.
The shapeshifter’s name is Darcy and his clan has just moved into the area, much to the dismay of some of the residents who hold prejudices against their kind.
Sweet and sometimes sassy, Darcy is the first man Abel has felt connected to for a long time. He wants to keep him safe, and when someone threatens him, Abel reacts with unusual ferocity. He’s falling in love with Darcy, but when circumstances separate them, he’s left not knowing if the sentiment is returned.
The answer to that question will change both of their lives forever.
Review: Out of all of these stories this one has more detail and depth to it that made it more enjoyable. Although I have to say that I really didn’t much care for the title at first. It didn’t catch my attention like it should have. However the story was pretty damn good.
Abel is a veterinarian who loves his nephew something fierce. It sure didn’t stop when the little brat brought in the dove he shot. The kid felt bad about it right before the bullet hit. Abel just hadn’t expected to find instead of a dove the next morning but a naked man. A naked man who just seemed to turn him the hell on. It would seem Darcy and his clan all moved into the area. Too bad the townsfolk are bigoted asshats who need to be knocked upside the head.
I had more fun with this story then I thought I would. It was light and very cute little story with a bit more bite to it.
I loved the amount of humor I found in it and would definitely recommend this book.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Aaron Loreto can’t lay claim to being anything as sexy as a werewolf or bearman. Once in a blue moon, he turns into a raccoon. With the predatory members of the shifter community looking down at him like he does actually spend his days rummaging through the trash, he prefers to keep his condition private.
When he meets Philip MacRory, Aaron falls head over heels. Philip is hot, sweet, and open-minded about shifters. Given his past experiences, Aaron’s still terrified to come out… until a night of passion with Philip shows that Aaron’s not the only one keeping secrets.
Review: I have got to tell you that these guys can definitely get it on. I have had trouble finding books where they are not the same old same old shifter but this one damn it was a hoot.
You get Aaron who just happens to turn in to a raccoon. He also has trouble finding dates and keeping his apartment clean. Then there is Philip who has Aaron’s heart. Philip turns into the cutest little skunk. Talk about a shocker.
I had so much fun reading this story and wish that it was going to be made longer. I want to know what their future will hold. However even if it is not about these two guys, I hope that this amazing author will give me a full size story with more raccoon and skunk shifters. I spent most of the time laughing.
It is a cute little story that will warm your heart.
I would definitely recommend it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Sometimes you have to get over bad memories to create new ones.
Trevor has known who his mate was for years, but he’s so painfully shy and insecure that the most he’s done to woo him has been leaving him cupcakes on his porch. He knows he’s going to lose him if he doesn’t finally make a move, though, and with a not so gentle push from two of his friends, he calls Micah.
Micah is still dealing with bad memories from his shifter ex-boyfriend, and he’s glad when he meets Trevor. Trevor looks unassuming and sweet, and Micah is thrilled, until he finds out Trevor is just like his ex. He runs, thinking he’ll never see Trevor again.
Family and friends conspire to get Trevor and Micah together, and it works, until Micah discovers his father has been hiding a secret that could put Trevor and the entire pride in danger.
Will Micah and Trevor’s fragile relationship survive, or will the past push them apart?
Review: Each book in the Whitedell Pride collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. In fact with this particular series I would start with the first book but also it crisscross with Gillham Pack. But, every title can be enjoyed as a standalone.
I have read many books over the years paranormal and contemporary/ I have loved many series and authors. However over time I start to lose interest in them whether it is from the change in writings to the wait time for a book from a certain series. Now Catherine has many books in this series and in Gillham Pack series and I have to admit that this is one author who has kept my attention with her work over time.
Trevor has known who his mate was for some time, but he has this bad case of being shy to approach Micah. So his cute little leopard butt leaves the human cupcakes. Micah lives with his father and has finally found out who is behind the cupcake deal.
It looks all good till Micah finds out that Trevor is a shifter. It would seem Micah doesn’t really have any good memories of shifters so it is going to take Trevor a bit of patience to get him to see that they are perfect for each other. Now if you have read these series you can guarantee Nysys and Keenan will be helping him out. It also seems like dad has been keeping some secrets of his own.
I always get a kick out of these stories and cannot wait till the next one comes out. They are the perfect length for me and I absolutely love these guys. This story rocked, but then I had no doubt that it wouldn’t. Trust me you guys have got to read these books.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Lucas Harper made a name for himself by winning the lottery—a ticket that no one knows he stole. He bought his own private island, goes through men like underwear, and wastes money on lavish things. Or so everyone thinks.
Phoenix is the sexy thief that not only sleeps with Lucas, but drugs him and steals his dangling jewels. Literally. His mark has five million-dollar gems dangling from pubic piercings. Phoenix didn’t expect to feel bad about taking those little beauties. All he had to do was make it off the island and back home so he could use the overpriced rocks to get his mother into rehab.
Things don’t go quite as planned when Lucas catches up with him and they’re both trapped by a vicious storm…
Review: Wow this story was amazing. Lucas wins the lottery with a stolen ticket. Phoenix is dealing with a lot in his young life. So much so, that I was extremely concerned for him and how he would make it.
Each man is trying to deal with external and internal struggles they best they can, given their individual circumstances. I really enjoyed the well-balanced nature of this story as it progressed. What I did not enjoy was all the errors. But that’s the editors fault not the authors.
Great story that packs an emotional pack. Loved it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Banished from his homeland, Surial is sent to Azize to run the family business. When he wins a slave, Kade, in a dog race, Surial is unsure what to do with him, as he doesn’t believe in slavery. Kade’s way with horses leads to him being relegated to the stables, where Surial becomes drawn to the big, quiet man.
A proud warrior at heart, Kade has been a slave for too long, and when he is passed to yet another owner, he goes without a fight, no hope left in him. When he discovers Surial’s secret, a fragile friendship blossoms between the unlikely master and the unwilling slave as Kade shows Surial that what lies within him is not a curse but a gift.
In a world of magic, Surial and Kade face their fears and hopes amid dangers that threaten both of them as their friendship is put to the test. What lies at the end of their trials is something more precious than either of them has ever dreamed of.
1st Edition published as Windbrothers by Torquere Press, 2007.
Review: This is the first book in the Windbrothers series. Kade, a slave losing hope amid all the cruelty is yet again given to a new master. What he does not expect is the kindness of his new master instead of the cruelty he is used to.
Surial is sent to Azize to run a business. While there he wins a slave in a card game. He thinks about selling him to someone else as he detests slavery but something holds him back. This is not a sparks fly on meeting each other kind of book. It’s rather a story where two cultures are intertwined and customs are brought to light.
It was a breathtaking story full of rich history and detailed accounts on certain things that happen. I truly loved this story especially as Kade and Surial seemed to respect each other. It was well written and thought out. The secondary characters I assume will be in other books in this series the further it goes.
Great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Ethan Emerson felt like a cliché. Living in Los Angeles, good looking, and of course, dying to get into acting, Ethan was a part of the film-making world, but behind the camera, when he wanted to be in front of one. He thought his luck had changed when one of the top movie moguls in LA, Cliff Beckett, took an interest in him.
As Ethan waited, and waited, for the invitation to audition while he and the big producer carried on a sexual fling, Ethan kept wondering, who was using who?
But, being lighthearted and loving to laugh, Ethan decided to simply enjoy this older man’s attention, and see how it played out.
Then something else happened to handsome Ethan. He met Joss Nash, and…POW! was smitten.
While his head was pulling him towards his career goal, his heart, and sexual attraction, were yanking his chain towards Joss.
What Ethan never realized was the connection between these two completely different men in his life would change him forever.
Venetian Blue…it was how Cliff described Ethan’s eyes.
Power, money, and ambition versus potential love. Through Ethan’s ‘Venetian blue’ eyes, he would see a way into his future and maybe dreams did come true.
Review: Ethan wants more than working behind the scenes. He wants to be in the movies. He meets Hollywood Mogul Cliff and starts an affair with him in the hopes of starring in one of his movies. What he doesn’t expect is to become attracted to actor Josh Nash. Caught between two lovable men Ethan does not know what to do.
I found the story to be well written and interesting as we follow Ethan throughout his decisions and ordeals. It was humorous at times with Ethan’s interactions with Cliff and Josh and had a lighter quality to it that blended perfectly in the story.
The sex was hot and steamy as expected. Ethan seemed to have the best of two wonderful men at his disposal. I enjoyed reading this story as it progressed. Full of humor and drama this book keeps your attention to the very end.
Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: The year is 1944 and war has ravaged most of the world, but Cassander Ribault is young, handsome and rich. He has everything he wants except for a companion. Every time the vampire has attempted to create a progeny, they have died in screaming pain. That is until he finds Henry Bathory.
Henry was shipped off to fight six years ago and has been living in the trenches ever since. After a brutal battle in Normandy, he is sure it is the end for him. Cue Cassander with an offer he can’t refuse.
However, things for Cas are never smooth. His creator wants blood and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. Sebastien made him and he is damned sure he can break him. Does Henry have it in him to find Cassander, fight an ancient vampire, and admit his true feelings towards his maker? Or will he run away from it like he’s used to doing?
Review: Bloodlust is the first book in Suzi Slade’s The Departed series, although I am unsure when the next book in the series is coming out. I’ve read both historical and paranormal romance by Slade and both times quite enjoyed what I read. However, this time we get to see the historical mix with the vampire side of paranormal and I think that this is a rather pleasing result.
Henry Bathory is a young soldier who has been left dying on the war-torn battlefield of Normandy. Wishing for the end, he is frightened when a very human-looking creature approaches him as he dies. This is the vampire Cassander and knowing that he cannot drink blood without killing his prey (something unique to him for reasons he does not know why) he still tries to turn Henry so that his eternity will not be such a lonely one.
As Henry gets to know more and more about the new world he has been turned into, he discovers a few curious truths about he and his maker. However, it is the danger caused by his power-hungry grandsire (if that makes sense), Sebastien, that he discovers the full extent of these truths of vampire powers. It is also through the terror caused by Sebastien he discovers that eternity is probably not so bad with Cassander by his side.
This is a really fun book that just happens to be set in WWII Europe. If anything I think it would have been nice to utilize WWII more than it had been in the book so that you get a better feel for the world at that time. But anyone into vampires will get some level of enjoyment out of this book. Henry brings the humanity to the vampires and is very good for Cassander.
I am not sure what any sequels will bring to this world but one thing is for certain, I am more than a little bit interested to find out what happens next!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Genre: Contemporary/ Erotic Romance/ Thrillers and Suspense
Length: 95 pages
Publisher: Pride publishing (March 1st, 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Blurb: He has nothing left to lose. That makes him dangerous.
Ex-con Elijah has run out of ways to make ends meet. Picked up by police in a bum-fighting sting, his only hope is the sister who landed him in prison many years ago. But catapulted into a world of veiled state interests and deadly secrets, Elijah soon finds himself torn between a past he cannot outrun and a spy whose dilemma he understands better than he’d like.
Nate, an Englishman whose comings and goings are as suspicious as his gratuitous kindness, offers Elijah the second chance he didn’t realize he was praying for. It’s not long before living out of each other’s pockets brings clandestine desires to the surface, threatening the fragile peace Elijah finds in Nate’s home.
A peace that may have been nothing more than a smokescreen to begin with.
Review:This is the sixth book in the Shadow Play series. These books are best read in order as sometimes the characters change from good to bad depending on the story. I like all the characters throughout this series so far
Elijah and Nate are two very different people yet they are the same in some things. Both have done things in their past they are not proud of. Yet each man faces a decision that will alter their lives.
Good read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys we have Annabelle Jacobs popping in with her brand new release Always Another Side, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Always Another Side
by
Annabelle Jacobs
Starting over at forty is hard work for landscape architect Jack Bowman. His long-term partner hurt him badly. With his self-esteem dented by the break up, trusting a new lover is going to take time.
Tyler Freeman is equally unlucky when it comes to love. Now that he’s over thirty-five, he’s tired of getting played. All he wants is someone special. How hard can it be to meet a man who’s honest, with no hidden surprises?
Being set up on a blind date might be a classic cliché, but it’s a stroke of good luck for Jack and Tyler. They have a lot in common, including previous relationships steeped in deceit, but it’s worth navigating their trust issues if it means laying those ghosts to rest.
Making it work finally seems possible—until an accidental discovery threatens their newfound happiness.
Hi guys, we have Ashavan Doyon stopping by with his upcoming release Becoming Rory, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Becoming Rory
by
Ashavan Doyon
Rory Graeble returns to college determined to reinvent himself. Too many years have been wasted with masks, but becoming a student leader is a step Rory isn’t sure he’s ready for. A new identity takes more than just a new nickname, and Rory knows he has to take the chances that his old self would never risk. When that chance is a party that ends with an anonymous hot skater’s tongue down his throat and a phone number in his pocket, Rory knows what he has to do.
Danny Smits never expected to see stuffy lit geek Rory Graeble trying to be out, trying to be proud, trying to be… Rory. It’s damned sexy, and too much for the entrepreneurial skater to resist. When Rory calls him back the day after the party, Danny knows Rory has changed. But will Danny’s haunted past deter Rory? Or will Rory embrace the chance to experience everything the closet had stolen away? Danny believes in keeping things real, in a brutal honesty he knows means Rory will run screaming.
Hi peeps, we have Monika De Giorgi stopping by today with her first English release Where I’ll Be Waiting, we have a great guest post from Monika, a great excerpt and a fabulous giveaway, so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Where I’ll Be Waiting
by
Monika De Giorgi
Facing your fears, inner demons, friendship and a love to dream of.
Jesse meets a wonderful guy who is caring, attentive, lovable, and handsome to boot. Unfortunately, the only time he sees Cameron is in his dreams—dreams that are never flimsy and fast forgotten in the morning, but feel very real. And the longer they go on, the more palpable they feel to Jesse.
But what happens when these dreams have a bigger and bigger impact on Jesse’s daily life? When they begin to take a toll on him and make it harder to wake up every day? And what if they turn into nightmares and Jesse can’t get out anymore, if he never wakes up?
One day Cameron finds a heartbreaking poem in a small notebook, hidden in a used book. From the first time he reads it, the handwritten words resonate somewhere deep within him and when he goes to sleep that night, he meets Jesse for the first time—a sad young man who makes Cam want to give him reasons to smile and a shoulder to cry on. From that night on, Jesse is a nightly visitor in Cameron’s dreams.
But what happens when Cameron finds out that his Jesse is very much real? And what if a sinister presence takes hold of their shared dreams and Cameron wakes up? Can he get back to Jesse? Or will Jesse stay back forever in this dreamscape turned nightmare?
Hi guys, we have the absolutely delightful Scotty Cade popping in today with his upcoming release Losing Faith, we have a fantastic guest post from Scotty, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Losing Faith
by
Scotty Cade
Father Cullen Kiley, a gay Episcopal priest on hiatus from the church, decides to take his boat, T-Time, from Provincetown, Massachusetts, to Southport, North Carolina, a place that holds an abundance of bittersweet memories for him. While on a run his first day in Southport, Cullen comes upon a man sitting on a park bench staring out over the Cape Fear River with his Bible in hand. The man’s body language reeks of defeat and desperation, and unable to ignore his compassion for his fellow man, Cullen stops to offer a helping hand.
Southport Baptist Church’s Associate Pastor, Abel Weston, has a hard time managing his demons. When they get too overwhelming, he retreats to Southport’s Historic Riverwalk with his Bible in hand and stares out over the water, praying for help and guidance that never seem to come. But Abel soon discovers that help and guidance come in many forms.
An unexpected friendship develops between the two men, and as Cullen helps Abel begin to confront his doubts and fears, he comes face-to-face with his own reality, threatening both their futures.
Blurb: Bullied as a child in small-town Kansas, Jeremy Cox ultimately escaped to Portland, Oregon. Now in his forties, he’s an urban park ranger who does his best to rescue runaways and other street people. His ex-boyfriend, Donny—lost to drinking and drugs six years earlier—appears on his doorstep and inadvertently drags Jeremy into danger. As if dealing with Donny’s issues doesn’t cause enough turmoil, Jeremy meets a fascinating but enigmatic man who carries more than his fair share of problems.
Qayin Hill has almost nothing but skeletons in his closet and demons in his head. A former addict who struggles with anxiety and depression, Qay doesn’t know which of his secrets to reveal to Jeremy—or how to react when Jeremy wants to save him from himself.
Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.
Review: Kim Fielding writes my favorite kind of books, full of feelings and emotions, with real characters who are not perfect nor do they strive to be. Her books are not as steamy as I’d like and yet the storytelling and the writing make up for the little things that are lacking. Who needs sex in every chapter when they get characters that are real, flawed and so easy to relate to?
Jeremy and Qayin are not young chickens who experiment with love. They’re both in their 40’s and they feel very single one of those years, especially Qayin. Qay is a recovering addict with a closet full of secrets and skeletons. Life has not been kind to him, and the only way he managed to drown his anxiety and depression was by losing himself in a world of booze, drugs and sex. Qay managed to get his life turned around and he’s one of those lucky people who actually learned something from his past mistakes.
Qay’s past still haunts him every single day. But he’s determined to finish college so that he can better himself. I have so much admiration for people who overcome their struggles and this was one of the things I loved the most about Qay. Yet, regardless of his determination, Qay doesn’t think much of himself and he knows he’s not good enough for someone like Jeremy.
Jeremy is a park ranger who’s like a modern version of a super hero: Super-Ranger to the rescue! Jeremy’s childhood was hell. He was bullied and made fun of, his parents were cold and indifferent, and the one person he felt didn’t hate him jumped off a bridge in an effort to kill himself.
When Jeremy got the opportunity to move away to Portland for college, he left and never looked back. Jeremy is all about helping people, especially LGBT homeless teens, and the respect everyone has for him is easy to see. Jeremy has an innate goodness that not many people possess, and that goodness prevents him from turning his back on his drug-addict ex-boyfriend Donny, when he shows up at his door beaten up and bloody.
Jeremy finds himself the target of some nefarious dealers his ex socialized with, while trying to pursue a relationship with Qay and save the world, all at the same time. The plot itself was thriller-like and well done. The relationship between Qay and Jeremy was sweet and full of feelings.
In all honesty I felt like this plot and the relationship between these two didn’t go together very well. I ended up being overwhelmed because Qay’s relapse and his difficulty in accepting Jeremy’s feelings took all my focus and all my heart. The bad guys needed to go, because the last thing I needed to keep up with was Jeremy getting shot and all the craziness that came with that.
This was a great book, I really enjoyed reading it! I am so very excited to read the next one in this series because NEVIN!!!! He was my favorite secondary character, I liked him even more than I liked Rhoda, and she was a kickass woman! Nevin with his filthy mouth and an even filthier personality will probably get his own book and I’m going to love every single page of that bad boy falling in love. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: A Kind of Romance
Title: Buddy the Cat
Title: Return to Zero
Title: Penny Wishes
Title: Beaumont
Title: A Dove’s Wing
Title: Love Unmasked
Title: Trevor
Title: Stealing His Dangling Jewels
Title: Windbrothers Desert, 2nd edition
Title: Venetian Blue
Title: Bloodlust
Title: Tipping Point
Title: Love Can’t Conquer