There's This Guy by Rhys Ford ~ Audiobook

Rhys Ford - There's This Guy Cover AudioTitle: There’s This Guy

Author: Rhys Ford

Genre: Contemporary

Narrator: Greg Tremblay

Length: 7 hrs 30 min

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10th April 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: How do you save a drowning man when that drowning man is you?

Jake Moore’s world fits too tightly around him. Every penny he makes as a welder goes to care for his dying father, an abusive, controlling man who’s the only family Jake has left. Because of a promise to his dead mother, Jake resists his desire for other men, but it leaves him consumed by darkness.

It takes all of Dallas Yates’s imagination to see the possibilities in the fatigued art deco building on WeHo’s outskirts, but what seals the deal is a shy smile from the handsome metal worker across the street. Their friendship deepens while Dallas peels back the hardened layers strangling Jake’s soul. It’s easy to love the sweet, artistic man hidden behind Jake’s shattered exterior, but Dallas knows Jake needs to first learn to love himself.

When Jake’s world crumbles, he reaches for Dallas, the man he’s learned to lean on. It’s only a matter of time before he’s left to drift in a life he never wanted to lead and while he wants more, Jake’s past haunts him, making him doubt he’s worth the love Dallas is so desperate to give him.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK  

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: This heart-string tugging story starts out with the cold, hard violence I’ve come to expect form a Rhys Ford story, and let’s face it, I like the gritty, painful crime she writes…because she tempers it with such strong passion and love! The opening is gut wrenching and makes me cringe even now…. Fair warning, this story contains subjects of physical and emotional abuse, and suicide. 

Each character was interesting, however I feel like I’ve been dropped into the middle of a series. There are strong dynamics and a ton of history between Dallas and Celeste, and I feel like I need that back story first. I want to know how Dallas got to this point in life. How is he independently wealthy? Why is he opening this club, what exactly is Bombshells & Babes? There was a segment that went into his past relationship and why it’s so important when considering Dallas and Jake’s future….but again, it feels like I’m missing an entire novel. It’s like Star Wars…I think there may be a prequel soon. 

While the story is passionate, and the topic bone chilling and dark, the layering of descriptive words can get a bit overwhelming. The love scenes, before Dallas and Jake get to full penetration, the brief touches, the kisses, the chemistry as they build is great! It was hard for me to figure out how all the elements of the story were tied together. There’s not a lot of mystery here, more of a story about one overly optimistic ray of sunshine helping a beaten down, abused, disturbed creative genius find reason to keep on ticking. Love and hate, tenderness and violence; there’s not a lot of in between here. 

If you enjoy those things, like I do, you’ll enjoy this story. Tremblay’s narration brings this story to life. I don’t think I’d enjoy this book as much just reading the text. Greg brings softness, passion, and drama, blunts some of the rough edges and heats up the passionate scenes. 

Hidden: Evils by Jo Tannah

Jo Tannah - Hidden Evils CoverTitle: Hidden: Evils

Series: Hidden 01

Author: Jo Tannah

Genre: Erotic Romance, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense, Urban

Length: Novella (150 pages)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (June 30, 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Evil stays hidden in plain sight.

Sebastian Torres is a healer and midwife both by trade and by calling. He’s spent the past three years as the only male midwife in a local hospital.

Anthony Craig is intrigued by Sebastian, finding him professional and attractive. He can’t help wondering about something—why Sebastian never dates the same man twice.

When several pregnant women die in maternity wards a few states away, their fetuses missing, the police are baffled at the strange circumstances surrounding their deaths. Could there be a serial killer on the loose?

As the number of deaths escalates, Sebastian suspects a monster of legend, rather than one of the human variety, is responsible. Sebastian knows he’s the only thing standing in evil’s way, but in order to save innocent lives, he must reveal his secret to Anthony. Will Sebastian’s revelation prove too much and drive Anthony away?

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1233-3

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/jo-tannah/hidden-evils/

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: I liked the overall story but felt the horror element was a little lacking. For me horror implies feeling strong emotions that have me fearing what will happen next. This book did not do that for me. Probably because I have read too many Stephen King books.

Sebastian’s character was intriguing yet at times vague about who he really was. When the truth was revealed I was fascinated. Anthony was a doctor at the same hospital where Sebastian works. I was surprised he accepted Sebastian so easily after all was revealed. I was expecting some disbelief considering he is human.

The creature was a disgusting thing that never should have been allowed to live as long as it did. The action scenes were edge of your seat suspense as it let the reader know to what lengths the creature would go to survive. I did not understand the transfer of power from creature to human as that was not explained well so it left me scratching my head as to how it was done.

All in all it was a great story that had mystery, action and suspense that leaves the reader awaiting the outcome.

Feral Dust Bunnies by Angel Martinez

Angel Martinez - Feral Dust Bunnies CoverTitle: Feral Dust Bunnies

Series: Offbeat Crimes 04

Author: Angel Martinez

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novella (115 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (June 20, 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: An orphaned kitten may be the only witness to romance and the impossible.

Officer Alex Wolf responds to a lot of ‘paranormal’ calls that aren’t. Exotic pet birds aren’t monsters and unusual dog breeds aren’t aliens. It’s a good thing he likes the Animal Control officers, but he both yearns for and dreads those calls where he runs into ACO Jason Shen. Jason’s scent is so delicious that Wolf has a difficult time humaning around him.

Animal Control calls take a disturbing turn, though, when Wolf and his lizard-man partner, Krisk, discover the impossibly mummified bodies of rats and an unfortunate mother cat. The rescue of the cat’s sole surviving kitten not only gives Wolf more time with Jason, which is both perplexing and wonderful, but also leads to dangerous discoveries. Something inconceivable stalks the city and its officers of the law. Wolf has to figure out what it is before it can attack and drain the life from the people and the kitten he loves.

ISBN: 978-1-78651-593-3

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/feral-dust-bunnies

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: This story is about Alex, a wolf who has more human traits than wolf. I loved his relationships with his adopted mother and his partner in the unit, Krisk. Alex struck me as a good guy who deserves the best.

However the so called romantic interest Jason I did not like. His attitude at times left a lot to be desired. I did not like his back and forth attitude with Alex nor did I appreciate the way he acted at Krash and Kory’s wedding. 

I did see the attraction Alex felt for Jason and I was hoping he would move on from him. This was my least favorite book in the series so far. It was an o.k. read.

Empathy for A Killer by Sarah Masters

Sarah Masters - Empathy for a Killer CoverTitle: Empathy for a Killer

Author: Sarah Masters

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Contemporary

Publisher: Pride Publishing (May 16, 2017)

Length: Novel (202 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts 

Blurb: Finding a killer isn’t easy, but someone’s got to do it…

Detective Burgess Varley is called out to view a dead body. It isn’t one of the best things about his job—but putting killers away for the rest of their lives? Now that’s one of the best. Problem is, the victim has something in her mouth that has always scared Burgess—something that links him to the killer without him even knowing it. And that link is more than Burgess might be able to handle.

Detective Shaw Peters, Burgess’ partner for several years, loves Burgess in ways he perhaps shouldn’t. Or ways that Burgess won’t accept, anyway. But Shaw isn’t one to back down from a challenge, and as well as being by Burgess’ side on the hunt for a killer, he has his own mission to accomplish—getting Burgess to admit they’re meant for each other. It won’t be easy, but by God, he’s going to give it a try.

With Burgess and the killer learning things about themselves, their lives, and each other that they previously hadn’t known, life—and death—is about to become serious.  

ISBN: 978-1-78651-557-5

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/empathy-for-a-killer

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  I don’t even know where to really start this review.  This is one of those stories that will take you breath away if you let it.  It has romance in it, but it also has a very dark side as well.  I have not been a fan of these types of stories, but I have to admit that this one was damn good.  A little creepy but a very well written story.

There is nothing better than a man who carries a gun.  In this story you get two very sexy partners who have a damn gruesome murderer to find.  There are many twists and turns in this story that will have you on the edge of your seat.  You also get a cop that has a hard life in love with a cop that is more flighty I suppose.  One who is trying his hardest not to be in love, but you can tell that he definitely is.  

Burgess is a hardnose cop that does everything he can do to catch the killer, however these murders lead him to someone he had not expected.  A past that he had forgotten and a betrayal of one he had loved.  Then you get Shaw who leaves a wet towel on the bed, dirty socks on the floor, tooth paste on the sink and loves him no matter what.

I have not read many stories by this author but I have to say that this is one of the best psychological thrillers I have come across in a long time.  In fact I could see it being turned into a movie, it was that good.  Three murders that lead to three murders previously, one who was Burgess’s father.  The story takes you into a serial killer’s head and why he did what he did.  I guess he isn’t a serial killer but I felt like he was.  The creatures were a big impact into the story as well, a bit creepy if I must say so though.  After reading this story you can see how it got its title.  

This story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.  In fact I didn’t move a muscle until I finished it.  I am not saying that I will keep an eye out for these stories, but this one does leave an impact.  I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from this author.

Resistance by April Kelley

April Kelley - Resistance CoverTitle: Resistance

Series:  Roguefalls #2

Author: April Kelley

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: eXtasy Books (June 7, 2017)

Length: Novella (107 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts 

Blurb: Christian has never had a serious relationship in his life. He doesn’t plan to start with an alpha wolf shifter who thinks he can dictate what Christian is and isn’t going to do. Ward Malone might trigger every warning bell Christian has, but he also triggers every sexual fantasy. Christian wouldn’t mind giving in to Ward if fun was all he wanted. Unfortunately, Ward is an all-or-nothing kind of guy.

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1044-5

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

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Roguefalls collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

There is nothing better than a good paranormal romance with two gorgeous men involved.  They are entertaining and have just the right mix of feelings in them. There is also quite a bit of danger or excitement in it as well.  

Christian is a human in a paranormal army.  His mother was a single mom who had a difficult time making it easy; in fact she made his life pretty hard in a way.  So he looks on other people to be similar in certain things.  Family and mates would leave him behind, so he pushes them away.  That is until he finds himself a mate to an alpha wolf.

Ward only came down to check on his baby brother, not to find his mate.  A stubborn man he never knew before, yet he is the exact same way.  These two fit perfectly, but as one can guess it is going to take, well I am going to let you read the story to figure it out.

Now with this story and series, there really is no action other than with mates.  I am a bit disappointed with that.  I was hoping for something major to happen, but basically it is just a story about two guys who are hot for each other and are stubborn asshat’s at the same time.  Now that doesn’t mean the story doesn’t rock because it does, I was just hoping for a bit more bite to it.  I did enjoy reading it and look forward to the next book.

Run Away With Me by Lily Harlem

Lily Harlem - Run Away With Me CoverTitle: Run Away With Me

Series: Redwood Shifters 01

Author: Lily Harlem

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Paranormal

Publisher: Pride Publishing (May 30, 2017)

Length: Short Story (66 Pages)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2 ½ Hearts 

Blurb: When Jude is offered a lift to anywhere on the back of a handsome stranger’s Harley, he throws caution to the wind and jumps on for the ride.

Jude has a boring office job in a sunny but deadly dull Californian town. The highlight of his day is sitting home alone with pizza and beer. So naturally, when Neo wants to take off into the sunset, with Jude in tow, he doesn’t argue.

Neo makes up his own rules. Deciding quickly that Jude is the mate for him, he breaks into a beautiful beachside home pretending it’s his in order to impress the sexy man he’s picked up. He’s hoping things are going to get hot and sweaty between them real quick.

But the cops are onto them, and as Neo makes a run for it, Jude is hauled off to the police station. It’s not looking good, what started out so promising has now left a bitter taste in Jude’s mouth.

Will Neo come back for him? And if so can he explain why whenever the huge black dog is around, he’s not? And can he really throw his life into the air and see where it lands? These are all questions that Jude’s mind, body and heart need to know the answer to.   

ISBN: 978-1-78651-564-3

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/run-away-with-me

Reviewer:  Lisa

Review: Jude has been dreaming of a different life.  Taking a walk on the wild side, when a sexy man on a motorcycle leads him into a bit of excitement.  When Neo wants them to leave town, well you can guess Jude’s answer.  It would seem Jude is Neo’s mate.

Well this is the first book by this author I have read and I am not impressed.  There was more sex then actual story to it.  It is a very quick little story but the only difference in this one is Neo is a dog shifter.  Other than the cops there is no real excitement or danger going on.  It is just basically two guys going at it and a bit of a thrill on the side. 

I am sorry but this book definitely isn’t doing it for me.  It had potential but it failed right from the start.