Month: June 2017

Desires of A Mage by A.M. Halford

A.M. Halford - Desires of a Mage CoverTitle: Desires of a Mage

Series:  Mages of the Nether # 2

Author: A.M. Halford

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novella (178 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (October 5, 2016)

Heat Level: Scorching

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Marcus, bored with his new role as Daniel and Aiden’s bodyguard, agrees to go on a mission into the Nether. Seeing this as his chance to do something exciting, he tries his best to put up a good front for his assigned partner, Edmond Elena of the house of the rabbit, of which he shares a passionate yet sad past.

Edmond holds deep scars from his past with Marcus, scars he doesn’t want reopened. Still, the pieces of Marcus that he sees beneath his armor of strength and aloofness weakens his heart to him even as he realizes Marcus hasn’t changed in all these years.

Fighting off their growing desires and feelings for each other, the two must find the stolen tomes of the previous Mediums. Their search for the books brings them into contact with the mysterious group known as the Blood of Aeon, the group responsible for the death of the Dalrymple family forty years ago, and possible secrets that could destroy their world.

ISBN: 9781640101906

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/desires-of-a-mage

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: It’s best to read these books in order. Marcus and Edmond were together in college but due to a misunderstanding they broke up. Now years later the two are tasked with a mission to find missing tomes that are highly important to Aiden.

I really enjoy this series. I hope it continues. So much goes on in this book from dangerous situations to mysteries needing to be solved. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know who was behind everything and why. 

Marcus and Edmond broke my heart at what had been done to these two and the wasted years they were forced to endure. A couple of times I wanted to smack Marcus upside the head for his stubbornness. 

I am looking forward to reading more in this series as the mystery continues. Great read.

My Highland Cowboy by Alexa Milne

Alexa Milne - My Highland Cowboy CoverTitle: My Highland Cowboy

Author: Alexa Milne

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboys

Length: Novel (196pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-78651-567-4

Publisher: Pride Publishing (6th June 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Duncan McLeish owns a ranch. Unlike most ranches, this one is in the Scottish Highlands. Having inherited a failing farm from his grandfather, he turns it into a successful business. He has friends and he loves his home, but he’s lonely, and not even infrequent trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh slake that thirst to find someone. Then Drew Sinclair walks into his life.

Drew Sinclair is tantalizingly close to getting his clothing brand noticed in the industry. He and his business partner, Joy, create individual dresses, while, on the side, Drew produces a line of men’s lingerie. He visits Scotland to design a bridal gown for his sister, Jenna, who is marrying Duncan’s best friend at Christmas.

Duncan and Drew have nothing except their Highland upbringing in common, but they say opposites attract, and the attraction is immediate. Is this simply a summer fling, or can two men who live such opposite lives miles away from each other find a way to love?

Reader Advisory: This book contains references to homophobia and references to death of a character’s parents.

Purchase Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/my-highland-cowboy

Review: When Drew meets Duncan he finds the one man who challenges his dreams of making it in the fashion design business, he falls hard for the Scottish cowboy but his life is in London and it’s tearing Drew apart to leave the sexy man behind. Duncan never dreamed that he’d meet a man like Drew, Drew is everything Duncan has secretly wanted but Duncan’s life is with his ranch in the Scottish Highlands and while he longs for Drew there’s no way a relationship could work… is there?

This is a great story that I found intriguing, the idea of a Scottish cowboy was just fascinating and having a fashion designer as his love interest was delicious.

Both Duncan and Drew are great characters; although it took me a short while to warm up to Drew (he was a little brazen at first). Both Duncan and Drew proved to be a match made in heaven, even though they do have a bit of angst as they try to work out what they both wanted and how to get it.

The story is perfectly written with it being a sweet romance with just an added dash of angst, the relationship is fast paced but it felt natural. Duncan and Drew just fit perfectly together making it seem natural for them to fall for each other so quickly.

I enjoyed this story and thought that it was a great read; it’s perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sun where we get a huge dose of romance shot through with hot sex.   

Patterns by Suede Delray

Suede Delray - Patterns CoverTitle: Patterns

Series: Patterns #1

Author: Suede Delray

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: eXtasy Books (March 18, 2017)

Length: Novella (144 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts

Blurb: A homicide detective, Dominick’s marriage to his job had saved him, helping him to leave his feelings for Rob in the past. Or so he’d thought. Then he ran into Rob on his way to work. Ever since their impromptu meeting, Dominick couldn’t stop thinking about the past. Then a suspect in a murder investigation leads Dominick to the Martindale Institute, the very place Rob Dewhurst works.

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1024-7

Product Link:  http://www.extasybooks.com/patterns/

Reviewer:  Lisa 

Review:   When I first saw this book I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to give it a chance or not, especially since I have not had a chance to read anything by this author before.  The cover is a bit dark to me, but it turned out that it fit the story perfectly.  It is a romance story, but it is a dark romance with a serious tone to it.  I just wasn’t too sure about the story though.

Dominick was born into a huge mob family, but he decided to take a different route, which made sense because being gay in the mob family usually got you killed.  A few years ago he had save a male prostitute that was one of his uncle’s boys.  At first it was to protect but soon fell into love.  That love ended the moment Rob decided to go out on his own.  Rob had been controlled by Danny and feared Dominick would do the same.  He realized right after leaving that he had made a mistake.  However it was the end of their story.  That is until now, when they ran into each other on the subway.

Rob was in charge at an institute for kids that were criminals.  Dominick’s latest murder leads him right to one of those kids.  The two are thrown back into each other’s lives, but the dangers from the past might still be waiting for them.

As I said above this has a dark and serious tone to it, but the romance is slowly building once more.  It is like a lost love that has been rekindled.  I am still not really sure if I like it personally, but the story is pretty damn good.  It was very entertaining and kept my attention from the start.  I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to see what book two has going for it. Although I will admit that the title doesn’t do it justice. 

Trustworthy by Astrid Amara

Astrid Amara - Trustworthy CoverTitle: Trustworthy

Series: Policy of Lies #2

Author: Astrid Amara

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Loose ID (May 9, 2017)

Length: Novella (161 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Ten years ago, lovers and best friends Ivo Toreli and Robert Mackenzie were separated by death.

But sometimes life gives you second chances. Life…and a lot of cybernetic enhancements.

Trust Agent 505 may not remember who he was before he worked security for Trust Insurance, but now his prisoner thinks he knows him. This revolutionary named “Mack,” who has stolen one of Trust’s prized possessions, seems to think Agent 505 is named “Ivo,” someone from his past. Someone he once loved more than anyone on any of the inhabited worlds.

Ivo doesn’t remember any of it, of course. But if he’s going to get Trust’s property back from the revolutionaries, he’s going to have to play along.

And if playing along also means sleeping with a handsome, humorous, and slightly dangerous ex-soldier, all the better, right? 

ISBN: 978-1-68252-327-8

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/trustworthy.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  I have never really been a fan of anything Sci-fi, but this was a pretty damn good book if I must say so.  I hadn’t even taken a look at the blurb, so I had no clue what type of book I picked so imagine my surprise when I started reading it.  It is definitely futuristic and unique, a definite new type of story for me.  

Two young boys, orphaned at a young age find themselves together and bond in a way that many do not.  They grew up together, took care of each other and protected the other with fierceness.  Then they became lovers and decided to never be without the other.  Fighting for what they thought was right, Ivo was killed.  Ten years has gone past and Rob finds out that the man he loved, the man he watched die is in fact very much alive.

Ivo or Agent 505 had no memory of anything other then what he was.  Part man and part machine, but still human.  He has been killed many times but always brought back.  His reward is a drug that basically keeps him under the Trust’s hand.  That is until a man who knows him, shows him a different side of himself… one that he, well your just going to have to read the book.

A very fascinating story and I will now have to go back and read the first book in this series.  It is a very entertaining tale and caught my attention from the very start.  This is more than just a fight for the world, but for each other and the love they once had.  I fell in love with the characters and that dog just made a hit with me. 

I can see myself reading this book more than once, way to go!  I would definitely recommend this book.

Equality by Helena Stone

Helena Stone - Equality CoverTitle: Equality

Series: Dublin Virtues 02

Author: Helena Stone

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (156pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-78651-553-7

Publisher: Pride Publishing (23rd May 2017)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barrett has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and now can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and had always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together, until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a Yes vote cost them their relationship, or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?

Purchase Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/equality

Review: This book is part of a series and is best enjoy read in order.

Lorcan never really thought he’d ever have a relationship, while his parents might begrudgingly accept him as gay they made it perfectly clear that they would never accept any man that he was with, so he’s closed himself off. But when Eric came along Lorcan’s feelings blossom and now Lorcan eagerly awaits Eric’s return from Canada.

Eric has always been accepted by his family and his family welcome Lorcan with open arms, but Eric knows that something is gnawing at Lorcan and as they get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland Lorcan finally begins to open up about his family.

This is a great story about two men with different experiences of family trying to find a balance in their relationship, while seeking equality from not only a country but from family as well.

Eric is the perfect boyfriend, he’s confident and secure in his place in the world and he knows what he wants… and he wants Lorcan. Lorcan has his share of worries; he has never had a relationship but Eric calls to him. Lorcan struggles to share his feelings with Eric, and he longs for acceptance from his family.  

This story is about so much more than a relationship between two men, it’s also about the relationships that they have with their families as well. Because while Eric’s family are fully supportive Lorcan’s are far from it. We see Lorcan worry and angst about his family’s reaction to his having someone in his life, his gran turns out to be an angel and his sister and brothers supportive but his parents; well they are another matter completely.

Lorcan has a lot of internal struggle; it begins to test his relationship with Eric especially when he begins to pull away from Eric. Eric tries to be understanding and he tries to remember that this is Lorcan’s first relationship and he’s experiencing everything relationship for the first time.

This is a wonderfully written story, while Eric and Lorcan’s relationship does have its moments of tension it’s Lorcan and his family problems that draws the focus. We get an amazing feeling of realness as Lorcan struggles; we get the pure frustration that just pores off him as he just wants what everyone ‘hetero’ has… just to be treated the same as everyone else. Equality.

I recommend this to those who love characters who have struggles, who adore lovely couples just fitting together, who cheer for equality, and those that love a wonderful ending.

The Great North by J. Scott Coatsworth Excerpt & Review!

Hi peeps! We have J. Scott Coatsworth visiting today with his newest release The Great North, we have a great excerpt and my review, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

J. Scott Coatsworth - The Great North Cover

The Great North

(A Legendary Love 01)
by

J. Scott Coatsworth

Dwyn is a young man in the small, isolated town of Manicouga, son of the Minstor, who is betrothed to marry Kessa in a few weeks’ time.

Mael is shepherding the remains of his own village from the north, chased out by a terrible storm that destroyed Land’s End.

Both are trying to find their way in a post-apocalyptic world. When the two meet, their love and attraction may change the course of history.

A Legendary Love imprint from MCB is the house line for mythology themed MM books:

The Great North was inspired by St. Dwynwen’s Day, also known as Welsh Valentines Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwynwen

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Best Kept Lies by Helena Mauve

Helena Maeve - Best Kept Lies CoverTitle: Best Kept Lies

Series: Shadow Play 01

Author: Helena Mauve

Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Suspense

Length: Novella (109 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (August 25, 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: What becomes of the Russian spy who lands himself in the crosshairs of a rogue British agent?

Grigory Antipov’s work within the intelligence community is exemplary, but attracting too much attention is against his interests as a spy—a lesson painfully learned the night he is abducted off the streets of Rome. Captivity is a dangerous thing and Grigory already operates under a cloud of suspicion, given his predilection for male company. Luckily, his stint in British custody is short-lived, a mere flex of muscle from Agent Karim Awad.

Karim’s objective is obvious. Lure Grigory into Section’s clutches and turn him against his own people—expose him to the wrath of Moscow if he refuses. His mission brief may not specify the methods to be used, but Grigory soon discovers that Karim is a man of many talents. With powerful interests at play and the threat of deadly force in the air, Grigory faces an impossible choice—surrender to his fate or sacrifice the only man whose touch makes him feel alive after so many years.

ISBN: 978-1-78430-735-6

Reviewer: Shorty

Product Link:  https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/best-kept-lies

Review: This is book one of the Shadow Play Series. This book has a lot going on it. I expected this as I started reading and discovered spy and espionage in it the further I read. I have to assume since this is the first book the reason why some of the book was confusing was due to many different things going on, the introduction of many characters to base the rest of the series on, plus the fact that it seemed like there was no real beginning to the story.

This book is well written, fast paced and action packed. Although I liked the story I felt constantly confused as it seemed there were too many characters introduced into too short a book. 

Grigory, a Russian spy is caught by the enemy, Karim is a British Agent sent to try and get him to come to their side. There was a lot of sex in this book. I have mixed feelings about the overall story as it would have been so much better if things were explained better and not quite so much thrown into the book at once. 

Blood of A Leo by Dawn H. Hawkes

Dawn H. Hawkes - Blood of a Leo CoverTitle: Blood of A Leo, (2nd Edition)

Series: Solomon’s Pride, 01

Author: Dawn H. Hawkes

Genre: Paranormal, Vampires, Shapeshifters

Length: Novella (110 pages)

Publisher: The Rooster and The Pig Publishing, Inc (July 17th 2015)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: One fateful night, Leo Adams is kidnapped and forced to serve as an unwilling blood-donor for a coalition of vampires. It is a harsh life,and he doubts he will live much longer. Part of him feels like that might not be such a bad thing. One day, unforeseen events allow Leo to escape his horrible life, and he ends up falling straight into the lion-shifter, Maddox.

Maddox is unsure of what has fallen into his arms, but he knows Leo is someone special. As they grow closer, he knows that he will fight, fang and claw, to keep Leo safe. If that means taking on the entire vampire coalition… then so be it.

ISBN: 978-0-69249-276-5 / B012IDTAO8  

Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Leo-Taurus-Imprint-Solomons-ebook/dp/B012IDTAO8

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: This book starts off showing the type of hell Leo has been living in for the past several months.  The fact that he thinks his second “master” isn’t as bad as the first because he doesn’t get raped is sad.  Leo has really given up.  He hopes that one night a vampire will finally take too much blood and kill him.  Or that maybe the drugs they force on him will.

Take one traumatized man and drop him into the lap of his lion shifter mate and watch the fireworks.  Yes, things move fast considering the hell Leo has been through, but again it’s only a novella.  So some leeway has to be given.  I think the biggest part is that Leo finally felt safe with Maddox.  Plus, there was the mating heat. 

These two are cute together.  Leo is really cute totally deserved to have a big mate to protect and love him.  And really they are sexy hot together. There is even sex in the third shifter form.  Which is always interesting.

I first read this book when it was released in 2011.  I followed through on the others books in the series and was unhappy that the series didn’t continue when the publisher went defunct.  I am happy to see that Dawn H. Hawkes has found a new home and is releasing the series and hopefully continuing it. 

It was great to revisit this story again after so long and I look forward to re-reading the others.

On The Run by Michael Mandrake

Michael Mandrake - On The Run CoverTitle: On the Run

Series:  PROTEKT 01

Author: Michael Mandrake

Genre: Action and Adventure, Multicultural, Romance

Length: Novella (151 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-78430-753-0

Publisher: Pride Publishing (October 6, 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Shorty

Blurb: Who would’ve thought that a British hitman would fall in lust at first sight with an American felon? It could become deadly for both.

Aiden Moriarty is a Florida ‘herbalist’ who works with a performance-enhancing drug used by many athletes. One of them is baseball star Ivan Salerno, who was caught using the drug and is now on the brink of getting suspended. Because of Ivan’s connections with a rogue mob boss, Aiden is taken into a witness-protection program, working along with baseball higher-ups until he testifies.

The mob boss, Augustine Ora, has hired former British military officer and his best hitman Devlin ‘Brit’ Crawford to do the job. Ora has instructed Devlin to go to Miami, kidnap Aiden and take him to the local airport to be transported to Havana, Cuba, to be executed by Ora’s top officers.

However, when Devlin receives the email, the pictures of the blue-eyed felon catch his eye and he is moved to go in a different direction. Instead of delivering Aiden to the airport, he has thoughts of taking him away and saving him from Ora’s wrath.

This move puts himself and Aiden, as well as his assistant, Miranda Ashley, in huge danger. Will Devlin keep Aiden safe despite the odds, or will he fail, causing Ora and his men to come after him?

Reader Advisory: This book contains the use of racial slurs.

Product Link:  https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/on-the-run

Review: This is the first book in the PROTEKT series. Devlin is a hired assassin working for ruthless mobster who tells Devlin to bring Aiden, a man set to testify against him and others, to him. When Devlin see’s and meets Aiden though he has second thoughts. Even though it may cost him his life.

I loved this book. Reading how Devlin struggled with his decision seemed real and genuine. I was glad he took his time and weighed out the pros and cons. What I was the delighted about in this book was Aiden and Devlin did not jump into sex as is the case with so many books. They flirted, bantered back and forth and teased each other. It is not until was after halfway through that they even kiss. When they finally did be together it was explosive. 

I felt Miranda’s character was a bit much at times. Her jealousy and possessiveness of Devlin had m shaking my head considering they were only friends. I really felt bad for Aiden. I understood why he did what he did to a point. Was delighted he wanted to make things right. 

It was non-stop on the go for these two as they tried to get to safety before being killed. Well written and amazing journey this book pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. I’m truly looking forward to the next book and seeing what happens. I Loved it.

Kevin Corrigan and Me by Jeré M. Fishback Blog Tour, Short Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hi peeps, we have Jeré M. Fishback stopping by with his new release Kevin Corrigan and Me, we have a short interview with Jeré, there’s a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so guys, check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Kevin Corrigan and Me

by

Jeré M. Fishback

Ever since their boyhood days, fifteen-year-old Jesse has craved something more than friendship from Kevin Corrigan. Athletic, handsome and cocky, Kevin doesn’t seem approachable. But when Kevin spends a summer at Jesse’s family’s beach home, an affair ignites between them, one so intense it engulfs both boys in a emotional tug of war neither wants to give up on.

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo

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Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes by Kevin Klehr Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hi guys! We have Kevin Klehr popping in today with his new release Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes

(Actor and Angels 03)
by

Kevin Klehr

Adam is dead, but that’s not his only problem. His husband, Wade, is still alive and sleeping with losers. His guardian angel, Guy, has grown fond of the liquor cabinet. And Adam suspects his demise was the result of foul play.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the Afterlife, the devil forces Adam to put on a play for the sinners. If he fails to entertain them, Guy’s parents will spend eternity in the Underworld.

As he gambles with the freedom of the damned angels, Adam comes to terms with infidelity, friendship, and the reason why he was the victim of a double murder.

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