Setting the Hook by Andrew Grey ~ Audiobook

Title: Setting the Hook

Series: Love’s Charter 01

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Grey Tremblay

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 22 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (26th June 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: It could be the catch of a lifetime.

William Westmoreland escapes his unfulfilling Rhode Island existence by traveling to Florida twice a year and chartering Mike Jansen’s fishing boat to take him out on the Gulf. The crystal-blue water and tropical scenery isn’t the only view William enjoys, but he’s never made his move. A vacation romance just isn’t on his horizon.

Mike started his Apalachicola charter fishing service as a way to care for his daughter and mother, putting their safety and security ahead of the needs of his own heart. Denying his attraction becomes harder with each of William’s visits.

William and Mike’s latest fishing excursion starts with a beautiful day, but a hurricane’s erratic course changes everything, stranding William. As the wind and rain rage outside, the passion the two men have been trying to resist for years crashes over them. In the storm’s wake, it leaves both men yearning to prolong what they have found. But real life pulls William back to his obligations.

Can they find a way to reduce the distance between them and discover a place where their souls can meet? The journey will require rough sailing, but the bright future at the end might be worth the choppy seas.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I will listen to or read anything by Andrew Grey, his stories make me laugh and/or make me cry and always have a whole lot of heart. All his characters are realistic with very human flaws and it’s always a pleasure to read and see them develop throughout the course of a story. To put it simply, he embraces the everyday differences, not everyone is perfect and that is the attraction. That being said, while I loved Setting the Hook, it wasn’t my favorite book by Grey. However, since I rate them all so highly, this is still pretty damn good. I enjoyed it from start to finish, devouring every single word hungrily.

William Westmoreland books the same fishing charter in Florida twice a year. He needs to get away from the hustle and bustle and the stress that comes from his life in Rhode Island. His parents – who at first are very unreasonable people with stupid high expectations – practically rule his life because of his devotion to the family business and always wanting to make them happy. He loves Mike Jansen’s fishing charter because it is the place he feel he can relax and be himself, at least for a little bit, while enjoying the beauty of being out on the water. He’s definitely attracted to Mike but not about to make any moves.

Mike on the other hand is a very stoic character. He supports his mother and daughter, not allowing any room for being himself – he fears that stepping out of the closet would ruin him. (Seriously, William’s father gives him some awesome advice to put things into perspective regarding this).

For me it is the narration that makes all the difference and makes me need to give this book a 5 star review. I’ve not heard an audio by Tremblay that I do not like and this was no different. Greg Tremblay does an absolute fantastic job, particularly of the tone and voice he gives to the character of William. He gives whole lot of feeling to the story, which I think I missed when I read the ebook of when Setting the Hook was first released.

Refired by B.A. Tortuga

Title: Refired

Series: Recovery 01

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (220 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 18, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: When Kris Cerny walks back into Two Spirits, the art gallery he owns with Josh McPhee, all he wants is a clean break. Austin’s booming real estate market means the building he bought years ago is worth a fortune, and with the sale, he and Josh can finally go their separate ways. They won’t be reconciling, right? Josh may be sober now, but an addict is always going to be an addict, and Kris can’t take that chance again.

Josh isn’t willing to sell. Not yet. He’s discovered a new artist in Santa Fe he knows will put Two Spirits in the black, and if he can just make a success of the gallery, maybe he can earn Kris’s respect, if not recapture his love. He need Kris to give him time for one more buying trip, one more gallery show. Josh wants nothing more than a final chance to make things right. Kris agrees to let Josh have this last ditch effort on one condition– he wants to go along for the ride. On the way Josh hopes they’ll find the next big thing in the art world as well as peace, forgiveness, and a love he thought was lost forever.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-734-7

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Kris and Josh had been together for quite sometimes, but not all of it was good. Kris had wanted Josh to stop drinking but at the time Josh had not been ready. Now five years later, Josh had earned his five year sober pin. Yet it wasn’t enough for Kris. He didn’t trust Josh and it showed. Now someone was offering quite a bit of money for the building they owned, and Kris wanted to go for it. To bad for him Josh didn’t.

Josh didn’t want to let Kris go. He knew that no matter what he did it would never be good enough for the man. However he has found a new artist and he was going to go check him out. Buisness is good but the heart is not. So you can imagine Josh’s reaction when Kris tells him he is going to go along.

This was one long drawn out story. I am not even sure what to rate it and hell if I even like it or not. It was a bit on the dull side and almost put me to sleep. It was one man going on about his partner being a drunk, while at the same time he is on the wagon. Yet neither man had had a drink in some time, but it doesn’t seem to matter to him. They have a past that just doesn’t seem to matter, then turn around and in the end they are together. It just doesn’t work for me. Also the prologue was a bit strange and I didn’t catch on till the end of the story. A clay wedding vase meant for true love.

I could not connect with either character and lets face it Kris was an ass. There didn’t seem to be any heat or passion from either guy, but a few times of sex which made it even worse. I can’t say that it is not a good story because it is, but it was definitely boring to me. I am afraid that this story was definitely not for me.

What the Fox? by Stephani Hecht

Title: What the Fox?

Series: Coalition Training Academy 04

Author: Stephani Hecht

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Short Story (68 Pages)

Publisher: C&J Publishing (April 1, 2018)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Fox shifter, Kacey, always has the knack for finding trouble. But, he gets more than he bargained for when he hacks in the feline Coalition’s computers and gets caught. He’s used to his cruel Alpha and is expecting the worst to happen him. Instead, Mitchell invites him to join the Academy. Kacey is excited about the new turn his life has taken, but scared, too. He thinks he’s going to be the only Fox among a sea of felines.

As soon as Jax meets Kacey, he likes him. Jax knows how it is to be alone and scared. Jax and his friends take Kacey under their wing and show him what true friendship is about. But, Kacey is in more danger than Jax ever believed. Will Jax be able to save his new friend? Or will Kacey’s past ruin his bright future?

ISBN: 9781370265848

Product Link: Kobo | Smashwords | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This series is branched off from the Lost Shifters, Wayne County Wolves, Assassin’s Loyalty and Shane’s Chronicles. So I would suggest reading those books first.

Kacey has big problems, one of them is going against Carson. He thought it would be cool to screw around with the coalition, but in the end they were the ones to catch him. With his new friends, he is about to find out more about his old pack.

As usual Stephani Hecht has given us a great read, but there are some problems with the story. Mainly it is misspelled words that should have been caught early on. Other than that it is a fun story that caught my attention from the start. I get a kick out of the kids and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.

Mr. August by Bailey Bradford

Title: Mr. August

Series: Calendar Men 08

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Humour, Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal

Length: Novella (99pgs)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (7th August 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Hector thought he’d escaped his past and had nothing to fear by posing for a charity calendar, but he was wrong.

Hector Torres is a self-made man. He came from the wrong side of the tracks and had a difficult childhood. Violence and crime flourished around him, but one particular event sent him running, and he’s been looking back over his shoulder for a long time.

He thought he’d changed enough to take a chance and do something good, especially in light of his closest friend’s daughter being diagnosed with cancer.

But Hector is wrong, and the man who suddenly appears in his life might be his savior—or his executioner.

Reader advisory: This book contains reference to physical child abuse.

ISBN: 978-1-78651-673-2

Product Link: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Hector’s past comes back in the form of Mat. Mat has a debt to pay to Hector and in doing so he hopes that things will blossom between them. I liked how Hector and Mat never forgot one another after they grew up.

Hector and Mat were well matched and I loved Mat’s shifter side. A truly engaging story and wonderful addition to the series.

Fantastic read.

Missing His Cage by Aeryn Jaden

Title: Missing His Cage

Series: Return of the Originals 06

Author: Aeryn Jaden

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (153 Pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (April 17, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Tormented and tortured by his adoptive family, Cage flees in the night with only his instincts to guide him. Destination? A human city, apparently. His confusion is cleared after a chance encounter with a man straight out of his dreams.

Mikkal Daggart was tired of being on the run. After being framed, he’d disappeared, waiting for the right moment to prove his innocence. The best place to hide? A human city. Only trouble seems to follow him everywhere and after saving a strange man’s life, Mikkal knows his hideout is no longer safe. Not that it matters much, he has bigger problems. They go by the name of Cage.

Was this a second chance to regain something Mikkal had thought lost forever? Will Cage find out just what had always been different about himself? Will finding answers help the two broken men mend their hearts and build a happier future?

ISBN: 978-1-64243-103-2

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Nigal and Mikkal found each other many years ago and died together. Their deaths were brutal and harsh, but they knew that they would find each other again. Many years have passed but it was not always a good life. Cage had lived pretty much in a cage. His adoptive family should have been shot for what they put that child through. Now the time has come.

Mikkal has found his mate once more. To bad he was on the run from those who wanted him dead. He had been framed and needed to prove that he was not the guilty one. He saves his mate only not to realize it right off the bat. His hiding spot has been found and those after him were coming.

It was hard to get engaged with this book. It was a slow paced story that just didn’t catch my attention like it should have. I am not really a fan of death and bringing back to life again. It is just a bit creepy but also I guess kind of sweet. To be designed for each other, then to loose each other only to come back again to find each other. But these two seemed to have had a harsh life their entire time is a bit too much for me. I liked the characters quite a bit but their story just didn’t work for me. I could not keep my attention on it like I should have. The story had great potential but seemed a bit off to me.

I will admit that this story is not one of those that will be read more than once. There just wasn’t enough spark in the story to keep it going. For now I hate to say it, this story just wasn’t for me.

The Cross of Sins by Geoffrey Knight (3rd edition)

Title: Cross of Sins

Series: Fathom’s Five 01

Author: Geoffrey Knight

Genre: Action-Adventure, Erotic, Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (233 pages)

Publisher: Geoffrey Knight (24th January 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Somewhere in the world is a statue so sinful that a secret sect of the Church wants it destroyed at any cost. Somewhere in the Turkish desert, in the streets of London, and in the depths of Venice, are the clues to find it. And, somewhere in the hearts of five sexy, daring, thrill-seeking gay men, is the courage and die-hard determination to unravel one of the greatest mysteries of all time.

Meet Luca da Roma, an Italian model and expert in art, both ancient and modern; Dr. Eden Santiago, Brazilian biologist, physician and genetic engineer; Shane Houston, a Texas cowboy and an expert in cartography; Will Hunter, a San Diego college student and football star, majoring in ancient history; and Jake Stone, an adventurer-for-hire from New York and the newest member of Professor Fathom’s team of hot gay adventure seekers.

Together, they are Fathom’s Five, traveling the world, solving ancient mysteries, uncovering priceless treasures, and getting into hot, sticky and sexy situations, while thwarting danger at every turn! From Venice to Vienna, from Tuscany to Turkey, from the South Pacific to the seas off Sicily, join in the heroic adventures, hunky sex and hot, high-octane action of Fathom’s Five.

ISBN: B01NAWOY5N

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Wow, this book was a fantastic read. It felt similar to the Indiana Jones movies. Action packed adventure and suspense with some very skilled sexy men. This book travels all over the world as the characters are treasure hunters. The different cities were breathtaking. The sex was hot and steamy though there wasn’t a lot of it.

The characters are Luca de Roma, an Italian model, Dr. Eden Santiago, Brazilian Biologist, Shane Houston, cowboy, Will Hunter, college student, Jake Stone, adventurer. These guys were amazing and had me wishing I was with them as the traveled.

I really liked that each of the five were introduced and that their skills and background were included. The characters seemed to come alive as the story progressed leaving the reader wanting more and more. You will be holding your breath, gasping, and sitting on the edge of your seat throughout.

Can’t wait to see what happens next. Simply an amazing book that definitely should be read. I loved it.

Highly recommended.

Where Angels Fear To Tread by Ari McKay

Title: Where Angels Fear To Tread

Series: Herc’s Mercs 06

Author: Ari McKay

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (136 Pages)

Publisher: Ari McKay (January 1, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Mercs rush in where angels fear to tread…

Lee Albright is a photojournalist who loves traveling and the challenge of his job, but when he’s asked to shoot a calendar for charity, he can’t resist — especially since the models are the men of Hercules Security, some of the sexiest hunks he’s ever seen. Things get even better when he meets Mr. July, Geo Kensei, and the instant spark of attraction between them quickly bursts into an all-consuming flame.

Geo is exactly the kind of intense, dominating top Lee needs to fulfill all his fantasies, while Lee’s sensitivity and artistic soul tempt Geo to bind the gorgeous man to him with more than just ropes.

Unfortunately their careers force them to part ways, though they’re both anxious for a quick reunion. But in the midst of a war-torn city they meet again, and now Geo, the merc everyone calls “Saint”, must use every tool and skill he possesses to get both Lee and his client out of danger, while a frightened and confused Lee has a hard time finding the comfort he needs in Geo’s cold, hard pragmatism. Geo’s intense focus on the mission is all that’s keeping the three of them alive, but will it also end up costing him any chance to be with Lee?

ISBN: B01N4K50E8

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Lee was hired by Cade to photograph his men and to turn it into one sexy looking calendar. It was quite funny as the boyfriends or husbands were the ones to give ideas on how the pictures needed to look. That was until Geo, he had ideas that made Lee hot. A few nights of sweet and hot sex was a few of them. He didn’t know where he stood though, then all hell broke loose. Stuck in the middle of a war zone with people dying all around him. Leave it to him to find the sexy man of his dreams in the middle of it. Thankfully Geo also saved his ass.

Geo had wanted more than just a few nights with the sexy photojournalist, lots more. Then sent to protect and rescue those from a war zone leads him into places he had not expected. He turned all feelings off when on the job, but he had not expected to protect the man he was falling for. He just hadn’t known how to turn his feelings back on in a situation like that. Thankfully Ellen had a few ideas to help him out.

I have to say that the cover was a bit dull and no flash to it, which made me wonder about the story. Then I realized it was sex and kinky, then danger and death, then back to sex and kinky. It felt more like a porn story with the danger added in. It didn’t really do the story justice in my eyes. Had the sex happened after the danger then maybe it would have felt better. Also the connection between the guys didn’t really seem to have the heat and passion like it should have. Don’t get me wrong it was hotter than hell but seemed to be missing something.

Other than those issues this is one hell of a story. I truly liked it although not enough to read it more than once. I liked the idea of body guards and men in uniform, not to mention a man who carries a weapon. Makes the heat rise even more.

Wraith Queen’s Veil by Lou Hoffmann

Title: Wraith Queen’s Veil

Series: The Sun Child Chronicles 02

Author: Lou Hoffmann

Genre: High Fantasy, Young Adult

Length: Novel (350pgs)

Publisher: Harmony Ink / Dreamspinner Press (October 6, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts

Blurb: When Lucky arrives in Ethra, the world of his birth and destiny, he expects a joyful reunion, but the first thing he notices when he reaches the Sisterhold—his home—is something false behind his mother’s smile. In a matter of weeks, the Sisterhold becomes agitated with worries and war plans. People he trusts—like the wizard Thurlock—frequently can’t be found. His mother seems angry, especially with Lucky. Even Han Shieth, the warrior uncle he has come to rely on and love above all others, maintains a sullen silence toward him.

When Lucky’s resentment builds to the breaking point, his bad decisions put him and his friends, L’Aria and Zhevi, in unthinkable danger. Han arrives to help, but he can’t claim invulnerability to the hazards and evils that threaten at every turn. Events launch Lucky, alone, on a quest for he knows not what, but every step brings him closer to his identity and full strength. Self-knowledge, trust, and strength lead to smarter choices, but even his best efforts might not render his world truly safe, now or for the future.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63477-415-4

Product Link: Harmony Ink | Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This story picks up where book one leaves off. Lucky is struggling with his new life. He feels he’s the reason for everything going wrong. Everyone else seems to have a place except Lucky. I found Lucky to be a bit self depreciating but that was to be expected given his new circumstances.

War breaks out and his Uncle is sent to where the troops are, leaving Lucky and his bodyguard and love interest, Zhevi behind. Zhevi wants to protect Lucky from all that is dangerous so the two set off on a dangerous mission when L’Aria is kidnapped. This adventure leads to finding out knowledge Lucky needs to come into his own and mature into the man he was destined to become one day.

I loved this story. Lucky was bit melodramatic but I understood why. Being thrown into a new world must have been stressing to say the least. The characters all had a roe to play in creating a wonderful story as the adventure unfolded. I loved everything about it.

Fantastic read.

Short Order by Pat Henshaw

Title: Short Order

Series: Foothills Pride 08

Author: Pat Henshaw

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (89 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (13th December 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: When recent horticulture graduate Dr. Fenton Miller arrives in Stone Acres, California, he thinks his only concern is which job offer to accept after spending the holidays working at his cousin’s plant nursery. But after he rents a room from another shorter-than-average man, sous-chef John Barton, Fen falls in lust.

While he’s attracted to Fen, John’s got bigger concerns when two men from his past arrive in town and pressure him to return to San Francisco. Although John tries to stop Fen from getting involved, Fen realizes his lover is in trouble and is determined to protect him.

As the holidays get closer and Fen makes his own enemy, the joy of the season gets lost in the ill will around them. To ensure love triumphs, Fen and John must stand tall to show that short, dark, and handsome is a recipe for love.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-114-1

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: For those that have been reading Pat Henshaw’s Foothills Pride series, you won’t be disappoint. Just as I had expected, this was a sweet and lovely story that was exactly to the standard that I have come to expect from the world that Henshaw has created. For new comers to the series, you don’t necessarily need to read the series in order, but I would recommend it. I still think that this series in comparable to Carol Lynne’s Cattle Valley series.

The story follows Fenton Miller, he’s recently graduated after completing his PhD. Unlike many PhD graduates, Fen is going to relax and work at his cousin’s plant nursery over the holidays while he decides which job offer he is going to choose. However, all that is shot to hell when he meets local sous chef, John Barton and there is an instant attraction between the two men. The chemistry is off the charts amazing and the two characters not only develop well throughout the story.

Other than really liking the book, I have to say that Fen at first was hard for me to relate to and being that I have a PhD in marine microbial ecology, that’s just weird. It’s mostly because he is repeatedly introduced as Dr Fenton Miller. Yes, it is true, he is a doctor being that he has completed his PhD. However, in the real world it is normally insufferable people that do this. There’re a couple other things that I didn’t really get on board with immediately with Fen, yet in the end he grew up a lot throughout the book and I absolutely loved him. Yet he compliments John, who is wonderful character that I fell in love with and was able to relate to immediately. John makes Fen a better person and I’m glad they got their happily ever after.

Any Given Lifetime by Leta Blake Release Blast & Giveaway!

Leta Blake - Any Given Lifetime RBBanner

Hi guys! We have Leta Blake stopping by with her new release Any Given Time, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Any Given Time

by

Leta Blake

Neil isn’t a ghost, but he feels like one. Reincarnated with all his memories from his prior life, he spent twenty years trapped in a child’s body, wanting nothing more than to grow up and reclaim the love of his life.

As an adult, Neil finds there’s more than lost time separating them. Joshua has built a beautiful life since Neil’s death, and how exactly is Neil supposed to introduce himself? As Joshua’s long-dead lover in a new body? Heartbroken and hopeless, Neil takes refuge in his work, developing microscopic robots called nanites that can produce medical miracles.

When Joshua meets a young scientist working on a medical project, his soul senses something his rational mind can’t believe. Has Neil truly come back to him after twenty years? And if the impossible is real, can they be together at long last?

Any Given Lifetime is a stand-alone, slow burn, second chance gay romance by Leta Blake featuring reincarnation and true love. This story includes some angst, some steam, an age gap, and, of course, a happy ending.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

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About Leta!

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

Patreon | Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Giveaway!

Win a Backlist Ebook from Leta Blake!

That Feeling When by S.M. James Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have S.M. James popping in today with her upcoming release That Feeling When, we have a short excerpt and a fantastic giveaway where there’s six prizes up for grabs (1 x Paperback copy of That Feeling When, 2 x $15 Amazon gift card or 3 x eBook copy of That Feeling When), so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

That Feeling When

(#lovehim 01)
by

S.M. James

Dance Academy reject, Archie Corrigan, resents the stereotype guy ballet dancers are gay. Because he isn’t. At all. Forced to reassess his life goal at Camp Crystal Cove, it’s by sheer dumb luck he meets Landon Summers, who turns everything Archie was sure of into chaos.

Poor boy turned teen heartthrob, Landon Summers, is the name on everyone’s lips. With his unexpected leap to fame, his agent advises him to keep his bi status on the down low. Not a problem! Until Landon meets Archie.

Their unexpected friendship leads to an inevitable kiss, but their moment is caught in high definition and used as fuel for blackmail. If the truth gets out, Landon’s career could be over, and Archie will be forced to acknowledge the one thing he’s fought to deny.

But how do you go back to your average life once you’ve experienced That Feeling When … you’re finally happy?

Release date: 16th September 2018
Pre-order: 
Amazon US | Amazon UK 
(Available now in paperback)

Continue reading “That Feeling When by S.M. James Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

The Fireman’s Pole by Sue Brown ~ Audiobook

Title: The Fireman’s Pole

Series: Dreamspun Desires 44

Author: Sue Brown

Narrator: Finn Sterling

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 5 hrs, 16 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2nd February 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts

Blurb: The flames of passion rise for the lord of the manor.

It’s springtime in Calminster village, but things are already heating up. Sexy firefighter Dale Maloney is new to the local station. When Dale backs the company fire engine into the village maypole, he attracts the ire – and attention – of Benedict Raleigh, the Baron Calminster.
Soon after meeting Dale, Ben breaks off his relationship with his girlfriend, and the sparks between Ben and Dale are quickly fanned into flames.

Unfortunately, the passion between the two men isn’t the only blaze in the village. An arsonist’s crimes are escalating, and it’s up to Dale and his crew to stop them. Meanwhile, as they investigate, an unscrupulous business partner attempts to coerce Ben into marrying his daughter. The May Day parade is around the corner, but they have plenty of fires to put out before Ben can finally slide down the fireman’s pole.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I love to read a good romance by Sue Brown. For me it means I get to indulge in a little romance set in England. For me The Fireman’s Pole fulfilled this expectation as well as giving me the thrill of seeing a fireman being romanced by a minor aristocrat. It spoke to and made me happy since I once was obsessed with reading Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian romances (of course MF, but nobody’s perfect).

After ending things with his closeted ex, who he used to work with, Dale Maloney gets transferred to the other side of the country to the village of Calminster. (In saying “the other side of the country” that doesn’t seem big to me since England is so small geographically it’s enough distance for Dale). Things don’t go too well on his first day and his luck just continues with his first encounters with the local Lord of the Manor, Benedict Raleigh, Baron of Calminster. It’s actually really amusing hear their interactions.

Encountering Dale sets off something inside of Ben. He has always known he was gay for what he considers to be practical reasons, Ben has stayed closeted and even has a girlfriend. Besides the fledgling relationship between Dale and Ben making small, shaky steps, there is also a mysterious series of small fires being set around the village and the cops and fire service don’t what to make of it at first.

Ben and Dale make a good couple and their story is really sweet, really cute without too much drama and angst – for me that was perfect. They got great chemistry and they got character that develops well. These guys are truly interesting. The other thing that I really like is that Brown didn’t make a massive song and dance out of Ben’s ex-girlfriend (in fact she’s a bit of an ally) and doesn’t make her out to be the Wicked Witch of the West because she has been dumped. It was refreshing. What was also refreshing was how Dale’s ex turning up didn’t become some stupid all out shoot-up, or some sort of violence or attempted murder.

With narration by Finn Sterling, now this is only the second book I’ve heard narrated by the man, I found the tone and emotion in the book was well conveyed. However, it did take me a couple chapters to fully settle with being happy with the narration. I found the accents a little too choppy at times, but once the rhythm was found, I was happy to continue without further questioning.

Heart Unheard by Andrew Grey

Title: Heart Unheard

Series: Hearts Entwined 02

Author: Andrew Grey

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (200 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press ( 17th November 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: The attraction between Brent Berkheimer and Scott Spearman peels the wallpaper, but Brent is Scott’s boss, and they’re both too professional to go beyond flirting. Their priorities realign after Scott is badly injured in an accident that costs him his hearing, and Brent realizes what is truly important… he wants Scott.

Scott pushes Brent away at first, fearing a new romance will just add to his problems, but perhaps he will find unexpected strength and solace in Brent’s support as he struggles to communicate with the world in a new way.

Just as they decide the chance of a happy future together is worth the risk, Scott and Brent discover darker challenges in their way—including evidence that the “accident” Scott suffered may not have been so accidental.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-152-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Heart Unheard is a wonderfully written book by Andrew Grey, the second in the Hearts Entwined series. Heart Unheard is everything that I have come to expect from Grey’s books. Each and every one of Grey’s books are a must read for me. This is a slow burn, sweet romance that is totally relatable with characters who are perfectly flawed. One thing that I really love about this series is that one half of the featured couple has some sort of physical disability, once again lending towards my thought that all the heroes are perfectly flawed.

Heart Unheard is about Brent and Scott, Brent is the manager of the garage where he and Scott work. They’ve been attracted to each other for years, however, Brent has worried over the fact that he’s Scott’s boss and that he is older.

All that changes when fate steps in. Scott is injured in a car accident. He is lucky to be alive, getting away with only a brain injury that has caused Scott to become deaf. This brings Brent to his senses and what follows is a wonderful little romance of two ordinary guys dealing with a less than ideal situation. Scott is a survivor and he needs to learn that even though he doesn’t see himself as whole anymore, Brent doesn’t want to lose his chance for a happily ever after.

As I said, this is a sweet romance, there is plenty of emotion and love without the need for melodrama or unnecessary angst. I’m not a fan of books that make a song and dance out of age gaps (to me 10 years or less is not a big deal) and that is just another thing for me to like about this book. My only criticism I have of this book is that sometimes I thought the pace dropped off a little and I found my attention wandering.

I enjoyed getting to see James and Trevor from book 1, Heart Unseen, since Trevor is Brent’s boss (the garage owner). I look forward to the third book in the series, Heart Untouched which is out in October though, from what I saw in the blurb, I’m not sure if there will be any links to Trevor, James, Scott or Brent.

He is Mine by Mel Gough

Title: He is Mine

Author: Mel Gough

Genre: Psychological Contemporary

Length: Novel (322pgs)

Publisher: Mel Gough (September 7, 2018)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: For you, it was just a fling. For me, so much more…

NYPD detective Brad Moretti’s life is in tatters. A relationship destroyed by his boyfriend’s bipolar disorder has left him feeling guilty, inadequate and emotionally scarred.

Vivienne Aubert seems to have it all – a Hollywood career, supermodel looks, and a director husband about to make it big. And yet, a one-night-stand with rising superstar Damien Thomas makes Viv wonder if she hasn’t settled for second-best. Used to getting her way, she embarks on a ruthless quest to make Damien hers.

Unaware of Viv’s fatal attraction, Damien returns to New York, where a chance encounter with Brad sparks a prompt and rapidly growing affinity between the two men – which Viv is determined to terminate.

Can Brad head off her delusional desires before she destroys his newfound happiness, or will he fail to protect yet another lover?

ISBN: B07G1BKHSN

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: You have three mc’s in this story. One who is an actress, Viv, and destructive when it comes to someone else’s happiness, one who just wants to raise his daughter after a divorce, Damien, and one, Brad, who just broke up with his mentally ill boyfriend. You mix these three together and you get one messed up situation. I am not a fan of m/f so Vivienne having so much page time in the book really threw me out of the story. Not to mention her messed up way of thinking and actions she took to cause a problem for Brad and Damien.

Brad and Damien seemed solid at first until Viv’s interference. I really have no words to express how I actually feel after reading this story. Though it was a really good read I could not get past the female character. It bothered me that she had such a huge role in an m/m story.

Needless to say overall it was an o.k. read for me.

Second Chance Ranch by R.J. Scott

Title: Second Chance Ranch

Series: Montana 05

Author: R.J. Scott

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (201 Pages)

Publisher: Love Lane Books Ltd. (August 25, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Rob runs to Crooked Tree determined to find a safe place for his nephews. A family for them is the final thing on his list, and then he can vanish completely. Falling for a local paramedic along the way is a disaster in Rob’s otherwise perfect plans.

Paramedic Aaron, the middle of five brothers, would like someone to love. A great believer in fate he is convinced though, that one day he’ll find someone. He just never thought it would be a man in so much pain, or that children would be part of the package.

Rob is ready to leave. Aaron wants him to stay. Their love has an expiry date, and it’s tearing them apart. Can they find a way to save what they have?

ISBN: 978-1-78564-112-1

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

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

With his sister dead, Rob was left alone to raise his two nephews. Two nephews he didn’t know and wasn’t too sure about. He had a big secret that he was keeping and needed to take the children to the one place that might just be safe for them. He just had not expect to meet Aaron. What a bad time to meet someone that could pull his heart.

Rob had not expected to meet the man who had helped him rescue a family from an accident. However here on the Crooked Tree ranch, there stood the sexy man that called to him. He had many questions and wanted many things from the man, but well if you want to know more your just going to have to read the book.

With so much time being passed since reading the previous books I was a bit lost on the anger that Justin had when Rob showed up with the kids. I also was quite surprised at the reason they went there in the first place. This book had a lot of pain in it and I really find that I didn’t care for it as much. It made the book seem to drag on a bit longer then it should have. However the story is told with quite a bit of heart and it made the story better than I had expected.

The characters didn’t seem to have the right chemistry that I would have thought they would have. It seemed to flare hotter than I had expected also at times. It took most of the book before I actually felt connected to our two main characters. There is also the attitude that the kids gave and it felt more than what was actually told about. I would have guessed more physical pain then mental on the kids, but who knows.

Overall the story just seemed to drag on longer than I would have liked. It didn’t have the right speed going for it in my opinion. I was a little bored and that is never a good thing. However the story did end with a smile and a happy ending. It was not my favorite book but was still a good read. I would definitely recommend this.

Grydscaen: Dark by Natsuya Uesugi

Title: Grydscaen: Dark

Series: Grydscaen

Author: Natsuya Uesugi

Genre: Dystopian, Cyberpunk, Science Fiction, Suspense

Length: Novel (268pgs)

Publisher: Pageturner, Press and Media (June 25, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: A clandestine meet occurs in the Echelons under cover of darkness where Top Secret intel on the stock market changes hands. The insider tip gets the gothic hacker Jester engaged in a high tech game. Parliament votes to lower harsh stock market regulations fueling the Corporation’s bottom line, a payoff from ministers who were propped up by illegal corporate campaign donations.

Ordered by Jester, the teenage hacker Rom infiltrates the largest high volume brokerage house causing wild gyrations in trading. When Jester triggers an insidious stock market payload all hell breaks loose threatening the pristine City. Will Zoon, the leader of the Triumvirate, get roped into the fray? Can Raven, the government hacker, put the cryptic clues together before the market crashes? Find out in grydscaen: dark. Whose side are you on?

ISBN: 978-1643760100

Product Link: PageTurner | paperback: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Let me start of by saying this is the first book in the series I have read. While I was worried I might have missed something the story itself was really good with plenty of mystery, suspense and edge of your seat scenes that are engaging. I loved the characters from Jester to Zoon. The tech in the story was very detailed and intriguing.

There is a lot happening as the story progresses and the suspense of waiting to see what happens was brilliant. I really enjoyed the overall story and was impressed with the way it was written and the attention to the details. All the characters had a role to play in bringing this story to life.

Great read.

Double or Nothing by Cari Z. & L.A. Witt

Title: Double or Nothing

Author: Cari Z. and L.A. Witt

Genre: Contemporary, Suspense

Length: Novel (282pgs)

Publisher: Cari Z. & L.A. Witt (7th August 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts

Blurb: Rich Cody joined the U.S. Marshals to hunt down bad guys, not babysit witnesses. Orders are orders, though, and now he’s protecting a hacker with ties to the Albanian and Sicilian mobs. It’s just another exciting day in WITSEC.

Leotrim Nicolosi was born into a world of crime and bloodshed. When that bloodshed hits too close to home, taking down Leo’s boyfriend—the son of a notorious mob boss—Leo is determined to destroy the Grimaldi family. He’s got evidence that will send every last Grimaldi to prison, he’s got the family’s wealth in an electronic chokehold, and he’s got a vendetta that can only be settled with the blood of the man who killed his lover.

When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Rich and Leo narrowly escape with their lives. With the Marshals compromised and Leo being framed for murder, he and Rich are on the run from criminals and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies can’t reach.

And the only way out might mean making a deal with the Devil.

ISBN: B07G2VLZ7C

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: They are in a world of hurt. Rich joined the U.S. Marshals right after the marines. He had joined the marines to prove to everyone that he was a strong man, turns out he hadn’t needed to prove it to his father. Now he wanted to get the bad guys, but WITSEC was not what he had wanted. Now here he was going to protect someone who was definitely not innocent. He was part of the mob and new what bloodshed look like. However Rich had not expected the man to be who he was.

Leo had been born into the family. A half-breed who wasn’t treated like an enforcer should be, but then again being gay in the mob is a death sentence. Which is how he got to be in the spot he is in. Matteo had killed his own brother on the say so of their father because Tony and Leo had not been so careful. The only reason he made it out of there alive was for his boyfriends sister. Now on the run he didn’t know who to trust, except for the marshall that was in the same kind of trouble as he was. The mob wanted him dead and it would seem so did some of the good guys.

I have not read any stories by this author and lets just face it she is the bomb. Talk about an action packed story that has some hot sexy time mixed in with it. There is explosions, gun shots, death and destruction going on all around them. It is a longer story than what I had expected, but damn if the story didn’t just keep me captivated with it all. Which was a nice surprise after reading some really horrible stories lately. I absolutely loved the guys and damn if they are not in for a world of pain.

I only had one issue with this book and that was the ending. I didn’t see anything that made me think this would go into book two and left me hanging at the end. I wanted to know what happened and wham it just stopped. It was well written and the plot rocked. This is one of the best suspense stories I have came across in a while and I do hope there is a second book in the works.

I had a lot of fun reading this and would definitely recommend it.

In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos

Title: In This Iron Ground

Series: Natural Magic 01

Author: Marina Vivancos

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel (322pgs)

Publisher: Marina Vivancos (September 3, 2018)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.75 Hearts

Blurb: Damien is nine years old when his parents die. What should have been the worst moment of his life begins a journey shadowed by loneliness and pain. The night of a full moon, four years and seven foster homes later, Damien flees to the forest, desperate to escape everything.

Instead, he finds the Salgado pack, and the earth beneath his feet shifts. Damien has seen the Salgado children in his school: Koko, who is in his class, and Hakan, two years older and infinitely unreachable. Damien is suddenly introduced into a world that had only ever existed in his imagination, where there is magic in the forest and the moon. He meets creatures that look like monsters, but Damien knows that monsters have the same face as anybody else.

Over the years, Damien and Hakan grow closer. First, just as friends and foster brothers in the Salgado house, and then into something heated and breathless when Damien joins Hakan at college. Despite what he may yearn for in the darkest part of the night, Damien knows, deep down in that bruised and mealy part of his core, that he’s not good enough to be part of the Salgado family, their pack. He’s not worthy of calling Hakan his home.

Even though he knows in the end it’ll hurt him, he’ll hold onto this for as long as he can.

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains themes of emotional and (nonsexual) physical child abuse and the subsequent emotional, cognitive, and behavioural impacts.

This story contains sexually explicit scenes between consenting adults and is meant for an adult audience.

ISBN: B07GNS5MZ4

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This is a story about a young man overcoming abuse and other issues due to the way he has been treated. I loved how Damien blossomed under the care of the Salgado pack after he runs away to the forest. I was happy he seemed to be accepted and learned that yes he is someone.

Hakan for his part was confused by his feelings and it showed when the two young men did not get together until near the end of the book. At times there seemed to be a poetry to the writing by the author which threw me a little as I’m not into poetry myself. But it seemed to work for the story.

I loved that there was no real pack dynamic like in most shifter stories. There was no ‘well you’re an omega so you are at the bottom of the pack’. Everyone was treated equally to an extent. It made me happy that Damien flourished and grew in his new surroundings.

Good read.

Red Fish, Dead Fish by Amy Lane

Title: Red Fish, Dead Fish

Series: Fish Out of Water 02

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Mystery, Contemporary

Length: Novel (330 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 4, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: They must work together to stop a psychopath—and save each other.

Two months ago Jackson Rivers got shot while trying to save Ellery Cramer’s life. Not only is Jackson still suffering from his wounds, the triggerman remains at large—and the body count is mounting.

Jackson and Ellery have been trying to track down Tim Owens since Jackson got out of the hospital, but Owens’s time as a member of the department makes the DA reluctant to turn over any stones. When Owens starts going after people Jackson knows, Ellery’s instincts hit red alert. Hurt in a scuffle with drug-dealing squatters and trying damned hard not to grieve for a childhood spent in hell, Jackson is weak and vulnerable when Owens strikes.

Jackson gets away, but the fallout from the encounter might kill him. It’s not doing Ellery any favors either. When a police detective is abducted—and Jackson and Ellery hold the key to finding her—Ellery finds out exactly what he’s made of. He’s not the corporate shark who believes in winning at all costs; he’s the frightened lover trying to keep the man he cares for from self-destructing in his own valor.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-764-8

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Jackson survived being shot by a mad man, but it would seem that there is still one out to get him. He was living with Ellery but always seemed to have one foot out the door. They had been searching for the serial killer and it was going in so many directions. People were ending up dead and someone was using his house. He just couldn’t seem to get a break. Here is a guy looking for a way out, always saying that living with Ellery was temporary and acting like an ass most of the time. However he has met his match.

Ellery knows Jackson like the back of his hand. He loves the man and is willing to wait. He is also as stubborn as Jackson is. He just needed to find the man responsible for coming for them. The man who wants Jackson and will kill anyone near him to get him, that is the man Ellery wants to go down. These two are as different as night and day, but it seems to work in their way.

It leads us into what is going to happen next. The characters are definitely not cheerful and fun, but they are good together. Although Jackson definitely doesn’t see himself that way. He is about as cuddly as his demon cat, so to speak. It is a very long drawn out story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is definitely one of those stories that will have you guessing. It is an energy packed story. However there were also a lot of things that I saw or heard that doesn’t work right for the story. For one there was why a defense firm would waste so many resources and time on a case that would not get them ahead. Here they have a man who does the investigating for them only to turn around and defend them, just seems a bit off. It does have some great secondary characters that make the story rock even more.

I was and still am not a big fan of these stories. I am not saying that they are not absolutely wonderful stories, but one has to be in the mindset with them. It was such a long book and it lost my attention in some parts. I tend to read series that don’t focus on only one couple. They seem to loose something the longer they go on with the same main couple, but this author makes it turn out pretty good. Although this is just book two, so we will see how the next books work for them. The plot is complex and sometimes a bit hard to follow. There is also quite a bit of action, suspense, danger and some hot sexy times in them.

I can’t see myself reading this story more than once and I hate to say it the first book didn’t stick with me, so I went into this book blind. Most say to read them in order, but I didn’t have any problems with this book. Overall this book was very good and the characters were pretty amazing. I would definitely recommend it.

Cleansing Flame by Andrew Grey ~ Audiobook

Title: Cleansing Flame

Series: Rekindled Flame 02

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Michael Pauley

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 9 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (12th July 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Life has been grinding Dayne Mills down for almost as long as he can remember. First, he lost the love of his life in an accident that also left him with a permanent injury, and then his mother passed away a year later. When his house burns to the ground, it’s the last straw. He can’t take any more, and if it wasn’t for kind and handsome firefighter Lawson Martin offering him a hand up and a place to stay, he doesn’t know what he’d do. Dayne would love for his relationship with Lawson to evolve into something beyond charity, but he knows going after a man so far out of his league will only lead to yet more heartache. It’s best to just keep his mind on his research.

It’s that research that leads Dayne to an old student journal that not only provides clues to the Native American heritage Lawson has been searching for, but chronicles a century-old love story. The tale that unfolds might be just what Dayne and Lawson need to remind them that no matter how dark life becomes, love can find a way to shine through.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is one of those books where I went in expecting to love it. I love Andrew Grey’s writing: it is so easy for me to relate to his writing. I love how he does sweet romance is totally relatable, real life situations. I love he manages to make me both laugh and cry in the course of a single story. I knew I would enjoy this because I loved the first book, Rekindled Flame and quite frankly, I’ve already read all the books in the series. I’ve now just moved onto the audios because of my first point.

If you haven’t read or listened to book one, don’t worry, it’s not really a prerequisite. There is no overarching story line. However, I think it would be good to go back purely because we do get to see a glimpse of Morgan and Richard and it made me want to go back and reread Rekindled Flame.

As with book 1 of this series, the audio narration is by Michael Pauley, who is now edging towards the top of my list of excellent narrators. The tone he uses fits Grey’s writing perfectly and the voice he gives to the characters was exactly what I expected a few years ago when I first read the books.

The formula for Cleansing Flame is one fireman meets a broken man (both physically and mentally), meets him again at a fire when the broken man’s life goes up in smoke, just to pile on the bad luck.

Here, Lawson is the fireman. He happens to meet Dayne, the broken man, when Lawson tries to do some research on his family history and Dayne is doing research for an assignment. Dayne has had a run of bad luck – a car accident killed the man he loved some years ago, his mother died the year before and only the same day he meets Lawson he loses the home that he and his mother had brought. On top of that, Dayne still has severe pain in his leg from the accident that killed his boyfriend. Now Dayne is determined to become a teacher, even if he feels a little odd for being, seemingly, the oldest guy at college.

Lawson becomes Dayne’s knight in shining armor. It is seriously sweet. The guys also have mutual friends – Morgan and Richard of book 1 – so it’s kind of expected that they would meet. Lawson proceeds to sweep Dayne off his feet and the guys get to know each other as they fall into a romance that makes you sigh happily.