Genre: Urban Fantasy, Fae-Magical, Contemporary, Young Adult
Narrator: Matthew Lloyd Davies
Length: 6 hrs 25 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (30th June 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Faery royalty have always married for duty rather than love. Prince Chrysanths should be no different – except with a human for a father, the prince known as Puck already is different. When he is betrothed against his will to Prince Sky, Puck flees to his father in the human world, only to have Sky follow.
Prince Sky Song of the Clouds isn’t thrilled with the prospect of marriage either, but is bound by duty to follow through – if he can’t win Puck over, the faery realm might very well dissolve into utter chaos. Too busy arguing, Puck and Sky are unaware there are others with a vested interest in seeing the betrothal fail. In a bid for Puck’s crown, they’ll seek to keep them apart, even as Puck and Sky realize that duty and love don’t always have to be mutually exclusive.
Review: Sweet and fun fantasy, with twu luv, and plenty of interesting twists. Combining the land of the Fae: magical and mystical with contracts, bindings, and rules that don’t apply to the real world, with a contemporary life beyond the Faery mounds. I really thought this was going to be too slow and too sweet for me, it is very YA in that sense, so is a great recommendation for any and all YA readers. But Betrothed has some complex plots and twists that add to the story, adding in some mystery and deceit. Though I really wanted Sky to go all Alpha Fae and just dominate and take what was his, but alas, I’ve been reading too much BDSM and shifter stuff lately. These two Faeries, bound by contract might be bound to repel each other instead, but will magnetism draw them together in the end?
Sky and Puck brought me a different kind of love, one slow to learn, but true to appreciate, and at the climax of the story I found myself shouting for them out loud, cheering for my guys! Even though I knew it must all work out, I was truly worried for a few moments there!
The sexual content is slow building, mild but real, and of course at the end it was climactic.
The narration was very well done, different accents for different characters, smoothly read, and brought me right into the Fae world. I loved this sweet Faery Tale, and recommend for the magic and sweet romance loving crowd.
Blurb: The last time Joël Paquet was in New York City, he nearly died. Too distracted by his problems, he didn’t look when he crossed the street and was nearly made into a pancake by a transport truck in the downtown core. The only saving grace of this trip, other than the cute person working as a living statue who saved him and then took him out for coffee, was the fact that his near-death experience finally gave him the courage to come out as trans.
Five years later, Joël Paquet is one of the most in-demand horror writers in North America. Going to New York City from his current Montreal home for the Black Markets Horror Con should be exciting, but when he gets an email that uses his birth name, he nearly cancels the trip altogether. The only thing that keeps Joël going is the thought of that living statue who saved his life once before.
Review: This is short and sweet story about a trans writer who despairs when he receives emails using his birth name, rather than his chosen name, Joel. I know, that is horribly explained. The explanation does not actually describe the gravity that this has on Joel, being called his birth name makes him feel vulnerable in a way that seems terrifying.
Joel goes to a convention in New York despite his reservations after receiving emails addressed to Violet. This is his second trip to New York and the first one ended in a near death experience. After his panels have finished he meets the person who had saved him on his last trip who has changed just as much as he has –like him his savior had known what they were on the inside and that most definitely was not a female.
I just feel like I keep screwing up this explanation in an effort to keep this short. This is a well written short which touches wonderfully on the feelings that Joel goes through. This is all about identity but it is also much more. Ultimately, I see this as two people who are coming to terms with how they feel inside before they can come to terms with what they feel for each other. I find it absolutely intriguing that both MCs are trans, this is definitely a first for me, though in the end trans or cis doesn’t matter for my actual love of the characters themselves.
In the end, I suppose that Different Names for the Same Thing is truly more than accurate.
Blurb: Starting over isn’t easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.
Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He’s starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he’ll have to disclose his secret.
Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants—in the short term at least. Ben’s guarded at first, and Sid’s not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben’s defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.
It doesn’t matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He’s attracted to the whole person, and isn’t worried about what is—or isn’t—in Ben’s pants. They’re good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben’s insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he’s committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
Review: How in the hell can I review a book when the topic is something I’ve got no clue about? All the informational reading in the world couldn’t give me the ability to understand exactly what Ben is feeling, how hard it is for him to integrate himself in the society as a man after living as a woman (girl?) for so many years, and how awful and deep rooted his transphobia and insecurities are. I’m trying not to be a judgy bitch and I took in this story for the well of information it really is. I never really gave a lot of thought to transgender people’s genitalia because (with the risk of sounding ignorant) it never interested me. Go me for not sexualizing people! I was scared of reading this book but it ended up being sweet and informative; I didn’t find it hot and sexual despite all the sex that took place.
Starting from Scratch is a story about a woman who became a man, a story about loving people not genders, a story about acceptance and understanding, about a vagina called Voldemort, and a bunch of friends who have each other’s backs. I like this series a lot, but I have to admit this book is very different from the rest.
Ben is obviously the focus of this whole book, so much so, that I felt Sid didn’t shine through quite as bright as I expected him to. Ben has been through a lot…. born a girl, Ben hasn’t really questioned who he was until his 3 year relationship with his boyfriend at the time. The sex was fine, Ben (we don’t know Ben’s former girl name, and that’s ok) certainly enjoyed it, but something was missing. Taking the time to really examine his thoughts and feelings, Ben realized he identifies more as a man rather than a woman, and was brave enough to take the steps needed to become a man, with the support and love of his family. Becoming a man however didn’t wipe away all Ben’s insecurities; Ben opted to not have gender reassignment surgery, and while the testosterone treatments helped his genitals change into a small penis, he’s not like other men and he knows that. He feels inadequate and his fears are deep that he will eventually get rejected by a prospective lover.
Again, I can’t even begin to imagine what Ben is going through, but…. how do you not question your gender until you’re 18 years old (shouldn’t that feeling of discord always be present)? I’m not going to rationalize it by comparing it with men who didn’t realize they were gay until later in life, or maybe I should? It is something similar to that? Does one live peacefully as a man or woman and years later they realize they were born the wrong gender? I always assumed transgender people always knew deep down who they are, regardless what sex parts they were born with, but maybe that’s not the case? I’m very confused!
Either way, it was very hard for me to connect with Ben and to understand his inner struggles. And with all the focus being on Ben, I don’t feel like I got to know Sid all that well either. What I did learn about Sid I liked, especially his thoughtfulness when it came to Ben. Sid was understanding and honest, and when he realized his knowledge about trans people is kind of limited to the basics (like mine had been, and I felt better knowing a fictional character was a clueless as I was), Sid did research. If that research involved some FTM porn, it was all in the name of learning. So yeah, I admit Sid being so specific about what to write in my google search, and me being such an easily influenced (and curious dammit!) person, I ended up watching that stupid video Sid watched! Don’t judge me!
This book was interesting, and I learned things I didn’t know before, which is always a plus. But I wasn’t blown away by the romance and considering the length of this book, many things were overlooked and it seemed rushed. But wait a minute…… Johnnie wears lacy underwear??? Yes please! And Ryan is his love interest… hunky Ryan! Fuck yeah! Bring it on!
Blurb: Special Agent Niclas Draig was on a mission…well, he was supposed to be. But when sent to Stockton with his partner Jack, to investigate what looked like the work of a serial killer, he walked into the Captain’s office and found himself looking at his mate. A mate, who’s delicious scent was tinged with deceit as the man looked him in the eye and lied to his face.
Captain Anthony Reynolds was getting tired of the way paranormal’s played fast and loose with the law and his life. Eighteen months from retirement, the last thing he expected when the FBI came in was to have such a physical reaction to one of the agents. When the same agent blasts him two weeks later for lying, Tony knew his life was going to change. He’d been around paranormal’s enough to know exactly what the word mate meant. But that didn’t mean he had to accept it.
An unguarded moment, a flash of teeth and both men’s lives change. Their mating causes problems from every angle and…an unexpected bonus. An abduction, a bomb and Nico’s interfering family – will Nico and Tony ever get their HEA?
Review: Each Book in the Stockton Wolves 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 have spent most of my life surrounded by paperback books, loving the stories that seem to take me away from whatever trouble is bothering me. I started enjoying reading at the age of twelve and to the surprise of many; they were in fact male on female romance stories. A few years ago I accidentally bought two male on male romance books and something seemed to click. Now over time I have come to favor paranormal’s more than contemporary. I also love a man in a uniform or at least with a gun, now with this particular story I get a nice big dragon shifter who carries a gun. Now when you think big ass dragon, you assume he is the strongest but let me tell you, you are in for a big surprise.
Nico is a sexy ass special agent and a powerful dragon shifter. He makes the wolves duck for cover, but you will see that he is also the sweetest man around. Nico and his partner Jack are investigating a serial killer, but the police captain is hiding something from them. To top it off that captain is his mate.
Tony has known about the paranormal world for a few years now, but hates how they have their own way of dealing with certain things, such as the killer being a paranormal. He just wants to show the families their closure, but he supposes knowing it is over will have to be enough. Then a very sexy man comes in and tells him that he is his mate, well you can imagine what happened. Leave a dragon to his own attitude and mating will happen whether you’re ready or not. Then you have abduction of his son, a bomb set to kill and a few other surprises that you will have to find out will leave you gasping for more.
Now Lisa has informed us that this was the last book for this series, and I must protest. I want to hear more about Jack and Roger plus Tony’s son’s mating. I want to know if Orson catches Robert in the end. I will be pouting and wanting to know that answer. I have enjoyed these stories by our very best Lisa Oliver, and can’t wait to get started reading them over again. This is one series I would definitely recommend.
Blurb: The pack is life for Sam. He grew up living on a large property filled with men and women that work to keep the pack stable and running. He has never really been alone until he had to go away for college. Scared, alone for the first time ever, and only with a small amount of money, he traveled to the city. He had never seen so many people so close together. Especially so many that didn’t seem to care for one another.
Trying to find some air and peace, he unknowingly makes his way to the wrong side of the city. He could tell by the strong smell that something big lived there. He runs into Elliot, a terrifyingly large man, built like a brick wall. The scruffy face and bruised cheek did not help his impression that Elliot was pure danger. Sam had been warned about werewolves but had never met one before. Elliot didn’t hurt him. Instead, he helped him back to the main part of the city… and from there Sam learned some very important things about city life and love.
Review: Sam struck me as the typical first time college student until he gets lost. From the time he meets Elliot his life changes. I really liked this story however, there was so much that was needed for me to truly love it.
There did not seem to be as much in depth details that were needed. Maybe the author planned it this way to keep the reader interested in the series. While I liked the actual idea of the plot, the overall delivery fell flat for me.
Blurb: Jacob Kendricks is three months out of prison, estranged from his daughter, and ready to get his life on track. Taking care of the bum curled up on his doorstep isn’t part of the plan. When he realizes the man has been assaulted, Jake takes him to the hospital, where he learns that Max is his downstairs neighbor… and that he could really use a friend. Keeping Max in the friend-zone would be easier if he wasn’t so damned cute.
Maxwell Wilson has been bullied for years, and the only person who ever cared lives too far away to come to his rescue. Now his upstairs neighbor is offering support. Max remains cautious, suspecting he is little more than a project for the handsome Jake. When he learns Jake has had boyfriends as well as girlfriends, Max has to reevaluate his priorities—and muster the courage to take a chance at love.
Just when a happy future is within their grasp, life knocks them back down. A devastating blow leaves Max lower than ever and Jake wrestling with regret. They both have to find the strength to stand on their own before they can stand together.
Review: I really enjoyed reading about Jake and Max. Max is a beaten down young man who does not fight back when confronted. When Jake his neighbor from upstairs finds him beaten and bloody he wants to help. What starts as one man helping another grows into something more.
Jake is gruff yet has a soft side with Max. I found Jake’s past intriguing. The fact that he was in prison did not deter me from wanting to know more. I think the way he helped Max gain confidence was awesome. He was there for him
I simply adored these two as a couple. They both had strong wills that they were able to deal with things as they happened and overcome them to the best of their abilities.
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 25, 2017)
Length: Novel (224 Pages)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: THIRDS Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs and Chief Medical Examiner Hudson Colbourn are as much in love now as they were nearly seven years ago when a tragic event on the job destroyed their relationship. The two drift together only to be pulled apart time and time again. When Hudson draws the interest of dangerous enemies, both within and outside the organization, Seb wants nothing more than to protect the man who still means everything to him.
As life and death events, an uncertain future, and startling truths draw Hudson and Seb to each other yet again, they must make a choice: trust their love and take strength from what they share, or lose what matters most for good this time.
Review: One day I was out looking for a new audible book when I came across the very first book in this series and from then on I have been caught. I will admit that I actually listened to the first 7 books before even buying the ebooks. With this series you must start with book one, otherwise you can get pretty lost on who the characters are and what they are about.
Seb and Hudson have been mates for several years, but a tragic accident sent them into different directions. A child was killed when Seb ran to protect Hudson instead of the public. From that time on there was so much friction that you would get burned just bringing it up. You can see that both men still love each other but there is so much going between them that it would take a miracle to help.
That miracle might just happen when the ones targeting Dex, puts their sights on Hudson. Now with this there are many twists and turns, but there is one major shock still in store for our sexy little doctor. I can guarantee that it will shock you also.
I will admit that this is the only series that I have read by this author and more than once. I can tell you that it is not only entertaining but will keep you on the edge of your seat just waiting for the next shoe to drop. It has a serious tone to it but there is quite a bit of humor mixed in. Well what do you expect when Dex is around.
I had a blast reading this and cannot wait to see what happens next. It is one of the most fascinating tales I have read in a long time. There is so much action, mixed in with danger that you will not want to miss a bit of it. I can admit that this author has moved up the ranks in my library quite fast with her stories. I need to go read her other books, if they are like this one I will be in a happy place. So over all this is a major win with me, and I would definitely recommend it to all.
Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in today with the tour for his new transgender release Starting From Scratch, we have a great excerpt and Aerin’s review, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Starting From Scratch
(Housemates 05)
by
Jay Northcote
Starting over isn’t easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.
Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He’s starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he’ll have to disclose his secret.
Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants—in the short term at least. Ben’s guarded at first, and Sid’s not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben’s defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.
It doesn’t matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He’s attracted to the whole person, and isn’t worried about what is—or isn’t—in Ben’s pants. They’re good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben’s insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he’s committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
Hi guys, we have N.B. Dixon popping in today with her release Heir of Locksley, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Heir of Lockeley
(Outlaw’s Legacy 01)
by
N.B. Dixon
Robin of Locksley is a rebel, more comfortable roaming Sherwood Forest with his longbow and courting the village girls than learning how to run a manor.
An innocent flirtation with a peasant girl soon lands Robin in trouble, and worse, he finds himself inexplicably attracted to Will Scathelock, his best friend since childhood. Robin must decide whether to follow the rules of society or his own conscience.
Meanwhile, his neighbour, Guy of Gisborne, is anxious to get his hands on the Locksley estate and he will do anything to make it happen – even murder.
Hi guys, we have Felice Stevens stopping by today with her new release One Call Away, we have a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
One Call Away
by
Felice Stevens
When a brutal attack from a jealous competitor leaves Noah Strauss, darling of the modeling world, physically scarred and emotionally damaged, he quits the runway to become a psychologist. Using his contacts from his time in the spotlight, he creates One Call Away, a radio show dedicated to gay men looking for love, advice or someone to talk to. But with secrets of his own and a mother who refuses to understand the career path he’s chosen, the one person Noah can’t seem to help is himself.
On a drunken dare from the senior partner’s grandson, Oren Leavitt calls Noah’s radio show, pretending to be gay. Only Oren isn’t certain if he’s pretending. He’s left his strict Orthodox Jewish upbringing behind, but the guilt remains. Guilt that his actions have prevented his sister from finding a husband and guilt that he’s failed his parents. Talking to “Dr. Noah” helps, and as he finds himself calling the man again and again, he knows he must be honest. But Oren is unsure if he’s lying to Noah or himself.
For Noah, trust is paramount; he’s been deceived in his personal and professional life and while he desperately wants to help Oren, he also finds himself falling for the sweet and tortured man. Oren is trapped: he risks losing his job and more importantly the love and security of his family but knows he can’t hide if wants to be with Noah. When unresolved heartaches from the past rise up to control the present, Noah and Oren discover that love often comes from the most unexpected places, and sometimes a call for help not only saves a life, it can be a new and beautiful beginning.
Hi peeps, we have debut author Jeff McKown popping in today with his debut release Solid Ground, we have a interesting guest post, a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Solid Ground
by
Jeff McKown
As Conor McLeish’s fortieth birthday approaches, the life he’s always dreamed of has finally taken shape. He has a steady day job, a debut novel, and Will, his Buddhist boyfriend of nearly a decade. He should be happy. The trouble is, Conor wouldn’t know happy if it smiled, winked, and offered to buy him a drink. With a hard-earned penchant for self-sabotage and an unfortunate Jameson habit, Conor frequently finds a way to disappoint himself and those he loves.
Solid Ground is a story of personal evolution—how we are each sculpted by the past, carved out of childhood, shaped and molded by what we’ve done and by what’s been done to us. For better or worse, who we are is the unavoidable sum of it all. But how we are, how we choose to love, and whether we stand alone in the end, that—at least in part—is up to us.
Hi guys! We have S.A. Stovall stopping by today with her upcoming release The Dusk Parlor, we have a fantastic guest post and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
The Dusk Parlor
(World of Love 08: Japan)
by
S.A. Stovall
Former soldier Hugh Harris is a “hāfu”—half-Japanese, half-American—and, after his father’s death, he returns to Kobe, Japan, in order to connect with his mother and her family. Confused and feeling out of place, Hugh finds work as a waiter at an upscale nightclub. The other employees, an odd and eclectic bunch, quickly make him feel at home, especially the bartender, Ren, and the club host, Kaito.
But the tranquility doesn’t last forever. As Hugh gets deeper into his relationships with both men, he finds they may have dubious connections with the yakuza in town… and when the local street leaders send their enforcers to the Dusk Parlor, Hugh, Ren, and Kaito may be in for a storm of trouble.
Hi guys, we have R.J. Scott popping in today with the lovely covers to her upcoming re-releases The Fireman & the Cop, The Teacher & the Soldier and The Carpenter and the Actor, R.J. also has a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
The Fireman and the Cop
(Ellery Mountain 01)
by
R.J. Scott
Rescuing cop Finn Ryan from a burning precinct was easy; it’s keeping him alive Max Harrison finds difficult.
Firefighter, Max Harrison, is running from the city and finds peace in the sleepy Smoky Mountains town of Ellery. Finn Ryan is one of only three cops in Ellery, and someone is out to hurt him. Can Max find the arsonist, and keep Finn alive?
Release date: 10th May 2017
The Teacher and the Soldier
Ellery Mountain 02
How can Daniel convince the man he loves, to stay with him in Ellery?
Luke Fitzgerald left Ellery Mountain for college and vowed never to return, but with his father murdered, he has no choice but to return. Luke only goes home to sell off his share of the Ellery Mountain Cabins, but everything changes when he meets the son of the other owner.
Daniel Skylar is an ex-soldier who lives every day to the limit and sees a future in Luke. It doesn’t matter what Daniel says, or how much he needs Luke; Luke isn’t staying once everything is sold off. Surely Daniel can understand that?
Release date: 10th May 2017
The Carpenter and the Actor
Ellery Mountain 03
Jason McInnery, hounded by the paparazzi after his brother’s death, runs to the one place where he hopes people will not sell him out. The place where he was born.
Hiding in the tourist cabins at Ellery Mountain Resort out of season he thinks he finally has room to breathe.
If only Kieran Dexter, a man ten years his junior, would stop fixing stuff and causing ripples in Jason’s peaceful space.
Hi guys, we have Jeff Adams popping in today with the tour for his upcoming release Somewhere on Mackinac, we have a fantastic video post where Jeff chats about his book and reads us an excerpt, and we also have a brilliant giveaway, so guys, check out the post and then click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Somewhere On Mackinac
(States of Love 24: Michigan)
by
Jeff Adams
How far would you go for the man of your dreams?
Now that he’s single, Chicago businessman Jordan Monroe can finally take his long-desired trip to Mackinac Island for the Somewhere In Time fan celebration weekend. On the first day, Jordan finds himself attracted to Miles Colter, a handsome local stable owner who is giving horseback tours of film locations.
Jordan is surprised and charmed that Miles pursues him. When Jordan learns the stable is in trouble, he wants to help despite Miles’s resistance. As their relationship grows personally and professionally, Jordan dreads the issues that face them—an ex who won’t let him go, the complications of a long-distance relationship, and a secret he knows he shouldn’t be keeping.
Can Jordan and Miles find a way to forge a love as timeless as the romance in their favorite film?
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
Hi guys! We have Silvia Violet stopping by with her new release Well-Tailored, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Well-Tailored
(Thorne and Dash companion novel)
by
Silvia Violet
Marc longs for a grand romance, but he doubts he’ll ever be that lucky. Then he meets Darius, an arrogant tailor who pushes all his buttons. When Darius offers him a job, Marc hesitates—he needs a direction for the future, not another man who doesn’t believe in relationships.
Darius lives by a few unbreakable rules: never sleep with employees, fashion should be simple, and romance is for fools. Marc, with his shimmery-sweaters collection, makes him want to break every single one.
They quickly give in to desire, but Darius wants to protect himself and Marc refuses to repeat past mistakes. It’s only when they let go of assumptions, that love has a chance to take hold.
Well-Tailored is a companion novel to the Thorne and Dash series. It can be read as a standalone.
Hi peeps! We have Amy Lane popping in today with her upcoming release Quickening Vol 1, we have a fantastic guest post from Amy and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Quickening, Vol 1
(Little Goddess book 05)
by
Amy Lane
Cory thought she’d found balance on Green’s hill—sorceress, student, queen of the vampires, wife to three men—she had it down! But establishing her right to risk herself with Green and Bracken had more than one consequence, and now she’s facing the world’s scariest job title: mother.
But getting the news that she’s knocked up takes a backseat when a half-elf hunts them down for help. Her arrival brings news that the werewolf threat, which has been haunting them for over a year, has finally arrived on their doorstep—and it’s bigger and more frightening than they’d ever imagined.
Cory throws herself into this new battle with everything she’s got—and her men let her do it. Because they all know that whether they defeat this enemy now or later, the thing she’s most afraid of is arriving on a set schedule, and not even Cory can avoid it. The trick is getting her to acknowledge she’s pregnant before she gives birth—or kills herself in denial.
Blurb: Most people think riot squad officer Taylor Jameson is an asshole. Little do they know his apparent indifference stems from having a meddlesome family always butting into his business. And little does Taylor know he’s about to stumble into a situation that’ll make indifference impossible.
When everything goes horribly wrong at a political rally on a harbour ferry, Taylor encounters Sietta Salisbury. The son of a wealthy politician, Sietta is a revered—but presumed dead—musician, and an enigma who is so strange, Taylor is compelled to look into his background. What he discovers draws him into a bizarre mess of prisoners, politics, and attempted murder that makes him realise what he’s been missing.
Falling in love isn’t hard. Trying to convince someone else you’re worth loving despite your crazy family and the people trying to kill you? That’s a whole other can of worms.
Review: Taylor is a riot squad officer, he’s a hardass and most people say an asshole but he doesn’t care, he’s got a crazy family, his work is dangerous and he hasn’t got time for the niceties in life but the second he lays eyes on Sietta he knows he’s found the one for him… if only people would stop shooting at him.
Sietta has had a shitty life, the only person he cares about is his younger brother and he’s willing to put his life on the line to protect him, meeting Taylor is a turning point in his life and he plans on grabbing hold and never letting go, and as for Taylor’s crazy family well Sietta fits in just fine.
This is a fantastic story that I had an absolute blast reading, the storyline is a little outlandish but it’s a fantastic read. Both Taylor and Sietta are fabulous characters, Taylor’s grown up in a loving close knit family even though he feels a little stifled at times he loves them all to death, Sietta is someone we want to coddle and protect Sietta’s family is best left not talked about other than his little brother Micah (because I’m not giving anything away about the storyline), Sietta adores Micah and goes through hell to protect him, Sietta isn’t the type of person you want to cross his revenge is thought out, well planned and perfectly executed.
The one thing I will tell you is that this is an action packed, humor filled story, I laughed my ass off reading it. I have to caution you as well, there are some touchy subjects touched on with Sietta but Lindsey Black has done an amazing job of redirecting our attention with humor and crazy characters. The author doesn’t make light of the situation but she does lift it up so there’s a light-heartedness to the story.
Did you know this is Lindsey Black’s debut story? Well it shocked the hell out of me that she wrote something this fantastic the first time out, this is a brilliant story that is well written, fully fleshed out, interesting and grabs your attention from the first page.
I recommend this to those who love stories that are funny and humor filled, that adores action and danger, who love an interesting storyline and a fabulous love story that makes you giggle in glee.
When a megacompany threatens to take over his family-owned business, programming prodigy Adam Preston escapes the stress with a much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic. There he meets attractive, intelligent, insightful Jonah James, a scuba dive instructor, and what starts as a holiday fling soon blossoms into much more.
But Jonah has a secret: ten years ago he woke up on an island beach with no idea how he got there… or even who he is. Their paradise may not be as perfect as it seems. When Jonah’s memories come crashing back like waves on the sand, will it be Adam clinging to the proverbial life raft, or will the two men find a safe harbor to ride out the storm?
Review: Here I go, picking up the newest Dreamspun Desires and happily getting lost in the contrived soap opera that is what I have come to expect from these stories. Seriously, if you want something a bit more serious and heavy on the sickly sweet love plotlines and not like watching Neighbours or Days of Our Lives, then probably best to stay away. This warning cannot be any more relevant to Forgotten Paradise, which uses the predictable amnesia storyline.
But I get ahead of myself. Our two main players are Adam Preston and Jonah James (or is that his name? Hmm…) Adam runs the family company and programming whiz, he is now dealing with the stress of some massive corporation wanting to overtake the company which he holds so dearly. And so what does Adam do – he’s off on a short break to forget his troubles in the Dominican Republic. On holiday he meets sexy scuba instructor, Jonah James, who is a lot more than a simple dive instructor in paradise. He has no idea about whom or what he is. I won’t say anything else in case I give it away, but seriously, I’d wager that most readers will figure out Jonah’s identity within the first few chapters.
Of the two characters, I found Adam much more than relatable than Jonah. I wonder if it’s because Jonah seems to be in a constant loop of questioning himself and trying to figure out his true identity. For me the set up was to the novel was rather slow. I don’t know if that’s because a rather predictable storyline or if Shira Anthony just explains everything in exceptional detail which I don’t have the attention span for. I found that I had to persevere with the first half of the book and then once the pace picked up I really got into things.
Genre: Contemporary, Coming Out, College Love, Sexual self discovery
Narrator: Robert Neiman
Length: 3 hrs 41 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (25th May 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Narration: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Outside Collin Fitzpatrick’s dorm room is a dangerous place. Beyond his door the students of his small, conservative college think he’s straight, as does his Catholic family who’d disown him if they learned the truth. Inside, he’s safe with his incredibly sexy roommate Tanner D’Amico. Their room makes a perfect place to hide away and fall in love. The moment they cross the line from roommates to lovers, Collin becomes caught between their heavenly passionate encounters and the hellish reality that someone might find out and destroy everything. Tanner’s not used to being so confined, and wants to show the world how much he loves Collin. But Collin’s not sure he’s ready for the impact stepping outside will make.
Review: This book, in fact this series fits perfectly into the hearts and minds of those just truly discovering who they are, sexually, and in relation to the people and world around them. The story is set in the latter years of college, a point where we truly have grown up and the real world barges into our lives. Forced to admit what is true to them despite of their family and friend situations, Collin and Tanner find each other. Collin is totally repressed, from a oddly strict Catholic background and is nearly virginal, and Tanner coming from a more liberal background, finds the balls to make his move on his roommate and crush and is helpful enough to educate him.
Of course there is going to be trouble when a deeply closeted lover can’t openly declare his affections for his more liberal and less fearful partner. Hearts will be bruised, and new relationships may not have the bonds to last that kind of stress. What can convince Connor to come out to his family and show Tanner he really cares? That I’ll let you discover.
The sexual content is actually very intense though consisting of masturbation, frotting, and other sensual contact of heavy petting. It’s actually refreshing and steamy!
The narration is very good in the sense that Neiman’s voice is at that perfect range for a college age young man, the differences in characters can sometimes be difficult, and rhythm according to sentence structure and punctuation sometimes gets off beat. Maybe there was a missing comma here and there!
You must read/listen to this series in order. Overall a sweet and times heartbreaking love story. I cried, I panted, I shouted for love and justice! I grabbed the next book immediately!
Blurb: Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he’s living in a beach house on Fire Island, waiting tables at a hip seaside restaurant and for the first time since he and Tanner got together, they can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, but with the help of new and old friends, Collin is happier than he ever imagined. And more in love. But newfound freedom brings unexpected challenges, and when friends get flirty, old insecurities arise. Moments of doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness, and Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.
Review: We get to go along with Collin and Tanner on their next adventure as lovers to Fire Island! I’ve had a few friends work there time to time, and it’s as steamy and magical as the story tells. This time our newly minted couple get to face the same hurdles many new relationships do, insecurity, jealousy and miscommunication…add to that Collin’s familial problems, and another upheaval within his family and you have big trouble. Will other lovers shed new light on this relationship, is it doomed, is inexperience going to trip them up? So many worries, and yes, once again you’ll get your heart stomped on a bit.
My favorite part about this book was the depiction of our banks island life. I could feel the storms, the magic, the sound of the waves and nearly smell the salt air and see the crabs scrambling into the night. That part was very lovely.
The sexual heat was ramped up a bit as Collin and Tanner’s relationship grew, so did their sexual explorations and tension that other sexual prospects added. They did graduate from a twin bed in a cell sized dorm to a third level bedroom with a king sized bed overlooking the ocean, so you could imagine the kind of heat that would inspire!
The narration is very good in the sense that Neiman’s voice is at that perfect range for a college age young man, the differences in characters can sometimes be difficult, and rhythm according to sentence structure and punctuation sometimes gets off beat. Maybe there was a missing comma here and there! His voice was very passionate throughout.
I shouted, screamed in my head at the stupid mistakes insecure people make, and fretted over each and every couple in this story. You must read/listen to this series in order. Their relationship truly builds upon book 1, and keeps flowing right into book three, I started it immediately!