Finder’s Keepers by Shira Anthony ~ Audiobook

Title: Finder’s Keepers

Series: Dreamspun Beyond 04 / Hearts Gate 01

Author: Shira Anthony

Narrator: Kenneth Obi

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 5 hrs, 39 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (22nd December 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Blurb: The truth might ruin his dreams – or make them come true.

When Zane moves into an old gothic brownstone, he discovers the house comes equipped with a caretaker – Kit, who lives in the basement. Zane is immediately drawn to the charming and attractive Kit. But Kit is much more than he seems. He is a 200-year-old half-human, half-red-fox spirit who guards a Gate between the mortal and spirit worlds – a fact Zane should recognize, but doesn’t.

Orphaned at a young age, Zane never learned he comes from a long line of mystical Keepers. Kit needs Zane’s help to protect the Gate, but how can he tell Zane of his legacy when that will crush Zane’s dreams of traveling the world? If he takes up the mantle, Zane will be bound to the Gate, unable to leave it. But when Zane realizes Kit’s true nature, and his own, he’ll have to make a choice – fight to protect Kit and the Gate, or deny his destiny and any chance of a future with Kit.

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

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This audiobook has me feeling quite torn and I promise to try and explain it the best I can here. I just wanted to put it out there before I got stuck into the nitty gritty.

The story is about Zane and Kit. Zane has moved city to the home he has inherited from his estranged uncle, not knowing that there is an important family secret that he’s never been told and his role in the big scheme of things as a Keeper to the gate to the other world. I don’t think it was ever fully explained why Zane and his twin sister did not live with their uncle after being orphaned, but I suppose it just a plot device to get us to the point. He’s a cheerful, upbeat sort of guy who has big dreams to travel the world and generally live life to the fullest.

The old Gothic home has a caretaker, of sorts, Kit who is a half human, half fox (kitsune) spirit. His job is the guardian of the keeper and the gate. He has been guardian for eight keepers in his two hundred years of life. However, for the first time, Kit feels something more for his keeper and he doesn’t know what to do with it. He wants to fulfill his job, something that is draining him without the presence of a keeper. But his attraction to Zane is strong and he wants Zane to live a full life, not be restricted and trapped in the life of being the guardian of the gate.

Author, Shira Anthony, is not unheard of to me, I’ve not gotten into a lot of books, although I’ve previously enjoyed a book published as part of the Dreamspun Desires series. I really enjoyed the premise of Finder’s Keepers, the first in the Heart’s Gate Story, but I wasn’t sold on the execution of the plot. Perhaps how it was written? Perhaps the author’s writing style is not for me?

Regardless, I was not a fan of the unnecessary drama caused by Kit’s continual internal monologue about pining for Zane but wanting him to have a full life. This was where I really liked Lore, the odd entity was good for getting the plot to go forward while Zane was lost in his angst. Kit seems a bit like a drama queen, especially when Zane becomes so accepting of his new role in life. Since I didn’t have the best experience with this book I struggle to know who to recommend this for. I mean, I love a bit of drama as much as the next person and love to watch a good soap opera once in a while. The problem being I deem most of the drama unnecessary to the romance plot and there wasn’t a whole heap of action in the story either.

On the other hand, Kenneth Obi, the narrator of this book, is a new narrator for me and I have to say he was absolutely fantastic. For me it was his narration that pulled me through the length of the book. I loved his ability to give the different characters their own tone and voice. I particularly loved his voice given to the demon/entity Lore, who is basically the voice of reason amongst the angst. I also enjoyed the voice given to both MC’s, Zane and Kit.

I think I’m going to have to think twice before going on with this series, but one thing is for certain I would love to hear more narration by the very fine Kenneth Obi (he has lent his voice to quite a number of titles).

Key and Song by Alix Bekins and Connie Bailey

Title: Song and Key

Series: Dreamspun Beyond 11 / The Men from GLEN 01

Author: Alix Bekins and Connie Bailey

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (218 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2nd January 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: So-called monsters won’t hold these spies back!

For two secret agents on a mission to a secluded Romanian village, the toughest fight they face may not be against the folktale monsters lurking in the foggy mountains and old ruins, but against their unlikely attraction to each other.

Keller Key is the top operative at the covert Global Law Enforcement Network—and boy does he know it. Sexy half-Ukrainian, half-Korean Sevastyan Song is a close second. When the agents go undercover to investigate an old friend’s suspicious death, it soon becomes clear something sinister is afoot in the ancient forest and decrepit abbey. If an evil organization doesn’t spell the end of them, the angry locals might. But if they’re going to conquer their enemies, they need to keep their hands off each other and their minds on the case, in a rivals-to-lovers paranormal mash-up that gives new meaning to spy-on-spy action.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-391-6

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Alix Bekins is a new author for me, while I am somewhat familiar with Connie Bailey’s work, although I can’t say I’ve read much of the author’s work either. Needless to say, I felt like I was going into this book blind, which I like to think is a good thing. The blurb had me excited, a good old fashioned spy agency and throw in some paranormal creatures. It had me excited.

Bailey cited that in this new series, The Men from GLEN she was paying homage to The Man from UNCLE. I watched some of that show with my mum after realizing Ducky from NCIS was in it and I have to say, that ramped up my excitement too. My next pop culture reference for this is Archer. The book’s title, Song and Key, had me thinking of British crime shows (e.g. Rosemary and Thyme, Shakespeare and Hathaway, or stealing from Doctor Who the joke name for a duo Sparrow and Nightingale). Obviously, all of my reference points are miles apart from each other and I think that kept with an open mind of what to expect with the mystery/suspense part of the plot.

Song and Key are Keller Key and Sevastyan Song (aka Seva) who are the top agents for the secret organization Global Law Enforcement Network. I found it intriguing to have a half-Ukranian and half-Korean character (Song), it had me intrigued from the start, it’s not a mix of cultures I’d heard of before in fiction and wondered how the two cultures would be blended for Seva.

Keller is a player and he lives life, both professionally and personally, on the edge. He is the exact opposite of his very professional partner. Seva likes to annoy Keller by faking bad English. From the start, it’s clear that, Keller sees Seva as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. They’re kinda like enemies to lovers, but they’re enemies that work on the same team.

The story is set up quite efficiently, as we see our heroes sent to Romania on a mission to solve the mystery of how an ex colleague, a Welshman with little knowledge of the Romanian language who only lived there for love, ends up dead and had written a letter in an ancient Romanian language that hasn’t been used in over a thousand years. The mystery has a few clues set up from the beginning, so I found it easy to find what direct the authors were wanting to steer the reader. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is a slick mystery with action and hilarious banter between the MCs. The sexual chemistry is so obvious from the banter, it has to be my favorite part of the story.

The only criticism I have to offer is that this isn’t really a paranormal novel, or at least not one that I’m used to. Here the paranormal element is just background to all the spy games going on in the forefront. However, in saying that I do love how, despite the added romance, The Men from GLEN really do keep their Man From UNCLE inspiration. And for me that made all the fun.

Nightwings Collection by V.L. Locey Release Blast & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have V.L. Locey popping in today with her new release The New York Nightwings Collection, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Nightwings Collection

(New York Nightwings 01 – 03)
by

V.L. Locey

The Nightwings Complete Collection contains all three novellas in the New York Nightwings MM hockey romance trilogy. The first two—On Broadway and Rookie Moves—were previously available in the Changing on the Fly charity anthologies. The third novella—Transitions—is a brand-new story written just for this collection. All three books are filled with passion, romance, humor, and fast-paced hockey action!

The set includes –

On Broadway (New York Nightwings #1)

Rookie Moves (New York Nightwings #2)

Transitions (New York Nightwings #3)

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Leaning into Forever by Lane Hayes Audio Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hi peeps! We have Lane Hayes popping in today with her new audio release Leaning Into Forever, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $25 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Leaning Into Forever

(Leaning Into… 07)
by
Narrator: Nick J. Russo

Lane Hayes

Geordie de la Rosa is a legend among wine lovers in Napa Valley. His ultra-fabulous style paired with a penchant for leading impromptu sing-a-longs has made him a star attraction at Conrad Winery. Co-owning a well-respected winery was never Geordie’s aspiration but he likes the niche he’s made for himself. He won’t deny that his job and his friends have helped ease his heartache and grief after the death of his longtime partner.

Levi Yeager excels at the art of reinventing himself. He’s been a minor league baseball player, a college coach and now a restaurant owner. The problem is he doesn’t know a thing about the food business. And when his chef quits unexpectedly, he’s afraid his new venture is doomed. But Levi isn’t a quitter. It may be the only thing he has in common with the beautiful, sassy man from the neighboring winery who agrees to help get his new business up and running. Neither man counts on their fast friendship or the wild attraction they feel for each other. However, they know they won’t stand a chance until they let go of the past and lean into forever.

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Promises: The Next Generation by A.E. Via, Guest Post, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

A.E. Via - Promises 05 - New Beginnings Banner

Hi guys, we have A.E. Via visiting today with her new release Promises: The Next Generation, we have a fantastic guest post from A.E., a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway where there’s 4 signed print copies of the Promises Series, and an ebook copy of Promises The Next Generation as well as a  $10.00 Kindle EGift Card up for grabs, so check out the post and then enter the giveaway!  ❤ ~Pixie~

Promises: The Next Generation

(Bounty Hunters 05)
by

A.E. Via

Duke Webb has run the most successful bail recovery agency in Atlanta for over twenty years. That’s because he has a team of trained, competent hunters backing him up to keep his name feared on the streets. But Duke knows that nothing can go on forever. His hunters are in committed relationships and ready to settle down, and so is he. That’s what leads him to start his new training program.

“That’s the new vision for Dukes. Veterans operating and tracking behind the scenes with a new powerhouse apprehension team on the streets.”

Brian and Quick are the first to offer up two new recruits.

Kellam Knight has studied martial arts under his sensei, Quick, since he was eight years old. A tossed-out reject from high-society, Kell has a problem fighting on the right side of the law. If he sees an injustice, he has to correct it. He doesn’t have to run and cower from his enemies anymore, he’s a fighter who can protect himself and others. When Quick offers Kell the opportunity to join Duke’s training program, he’s all in. Except he’s not prepared for the straight, over-confident, extremely disciplined, sexy man Brian has recruited to be his partner.

Tyrell Jenkins’ world was flipped upside down when his father never returned home from his last deployment. He’d been Ty’s teacher, mentor, his guide to living a righteous life as a good man. His father didn’t raise him to be like every other young, stereotypical male in Atlanta. Instead, he’s been taught to be respectful, to speak the language of real men. When Brian King – his father’s most trusted comrade – finally comes to him with the truth, he doesn’t come alone. He comes with trained men hidden in the shadows… and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a brotherhood unlike any other.

This novel is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers.

Trigger Warning: This story contains mild acts of bond recovery agent violence. 

Continue reading “Promises: The Next Generation by A.E. Via, Guest Post, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Love & Mystery by W.S. Long Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hi guys! We have W.S. Long popping in today with the tour for the Love & Mystery Boxset, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Shorty’s review, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Love & Mystery

by

W.S. Long

Love and Murder — Jake Chandler is a struggling small-town Florida lawyer, and his life is falling apart. His ex-wife makes seeing his daughter difficult, his boyfriend Noah may be cheating on him, and his money woes are growing. Jake hopes that a new murder defense case will help with his money woes, but his ex-wife Elena is the prosecutor. It’s bad enough she has to fight with him over custody of their daughter. Now she wants nothing more than to beat him in the courtroom, too.

And then people around him start dying.

First, an ex-lover gets his brains blown out while he and Jake have coffee. The danger comes even closer. Then Jake meets handsome FBI agent Xavier, who is investigating the crimes surrounding him. Can Jake trust this new man in his life? Is Xavier who he says he is? Or does his involvement put Jake and those he loves in even more danger?

Love and Pain — After their too-thrilling courtship that included capturing his former lover’s killer, Jake Chandler has started a new life for himself with FBI agent Xavier. Living together is wonderful, but moving to Washington D.C. has resulted in temporary jobs that don’t last long. When Jake finally lucks out on a too-good-to-be-true position with a big law firm, Xavier suspects Jake’s new boss is crooked.

With some sleuthing, snooping, and close calls, Jake gets deeper into trouble at work, and conflicts with Xavier make his world start to crumble. When a key witness is shot to death in front of Jake, they both begin to realize how high the stakes are. Can Jake and Xavier get through these threats and find happiness with each other?

Continue reading “Love & Mystery by W.S. Long Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Flare by Post Roberts Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Posy Roberts - Flare RTBanner

Hi guys, we have Posy Roberts popping in today with her the tour for new re-release Flare, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Gigi’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Flare

(North Star 03)
by

Posy Roberts

After tremendous loss, Hugo and Kevin seek stability for themselves and the kids. They never expected family and friends to toss obstacles in the way of their happily ever after.

Love and family to fight for.

Hugo and Kevin strive to put their lives back together after tragedy, doing everything in their power to create a stable life. Hugo’s acting career is back on track, and Kevin hires a nanny to help with the kids as they discover their new normal. But when Erin’s parents seek full custody of Brooke and Finn, that stability is shattered.

With Hugo working in LA or New York, the distance from his new family gets to him. At home, the nanny’s hands-on approach leaves Hugo feeling pushed out, so he leaves his beloved apartment and eclectic neighborhood behind to move in with Kevin.

Hugo has a hard time fitting in with the suburbanites with Kevin’s passive-aggressive “friends” making Hugo feel anything but welcome. As the custody case heads to mediation, Brooke is bullied about having two dads, and Hugo realizes his mere presence might be doing more harm than good.

Hugo must decide to stay and fight for his family or leave and let them live in peace.

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Top & Tails by Clare London Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Clare London - Top & Tails RTBanner

Hi guys! We have Clare London stopping by today with the tour for her new release Top & Tails, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Lisa’s review so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

Top & Tails

(With A Kick 09)
by

Clare London

Three men, one love—and a passion he only ever dreamed of.

Karel Novak is content with his busy job in hotel refurbishment, enjoying the social scene in Soho, London and the company of new friends he met through working at With A Kick. All he’s missing is a special man in his life. Or maybe two.

His first meeting with the mercurial pole dancer Leroy and his socially anxious partner Griff isn’t impressive, but none of them can ignore the sexual spark that flares between the three men.

Their relationship builds in steps of passion, frustration, and finally love. Both Leroy and Griff have complex issues in their lives to work through, and at first Karel brings a new dynamic that both settles and supports them.

But although he loves his men, Karel gradually realises the issues are still present. His partners struggle with living individually as well as together. His heartfelt wish is for them to create a lasting bond as a trio—but that means putting others first, all too often.

And will that mean sacrificing his own joy and dreams?

Continue reading “Top & Tails by Clare London Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Buckle Up by Karen Botha Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Karen Botha - Buckle Up Banner

Hi guys! We have Karen Botha stopping by today with her new release Buckle Up, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $25 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Buckle Up

(Commitment 01)
by

Karen Botha

Passion, lust and desire are the fuel that drives us. So, buckle up for the ride of your life.

Elliott Judd is a superstar race car driver and hotter than hell. Men and women fall at his feet and he enjoys the easy pickings. No one has tamed this wild stallion, but is he ready to settle down for the right person?

Kyle Beaumont, a straight mechanic with a body to die for joins the racing team of his dreams, and with his mind fixed on the job, he doesn’t realise that he is Elliott’s next trophy of choice.
As the racing season and the fight to be the world number one starts, so too does Elliott’s game of seduction.

Will Elliott crash and burn, or will Kyle succumb to this gorgeous man’s onslaught?
Buckle Up is the first book in a gay romance series by Karen Botha and a story of unlikely love. The series is free on Kindle Unlimited.

Download your copy of Buckle Up now.

Continue reading “Buckle Up by Karen Botha Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

Fit to Be Tied by Stormy Glenn

Title: Fit to Be Tied

Series: Cade Creek 17

Author: Stormy Glenn

Genre: Contemporary, BDSM

Length: Novella (112 Pages)

Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc. (August 2, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: DEA Agent Dan Wilson was just looking for a place to rent. He had no idea that it would bring him the love of his life. When he rented a room in an old Victorian just blocks from work, trouble started the very first day. For one, the guy who rented the room to him wasn’t the owner. Waking up in bed with Terry wasn’t the worst morning he’d ever had, but learning he had been taken for a fool kind of was.

Terry Iverson is incensed when he learns one of his tenants rented out his bedroom to a stranger, the bedroom he’d lived in his entire life. Of course, if he was going to choose someone to share a room with, it would be the handsome DEA agent. It would be great if he was gay, but Terry was a little too afraid to ask. He was the guy’s landlord after all.

When someone starts messing with Terry’s life, going from making false accusations of sexual harassment against him to trying to kill him, worrying about dating his tenant seems minor in comparison. If he can make it out of this alive, he just might see if the sexy agent was interested in something more than being roommates.

ISBN: 9781642433715

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand

Reviewer: Lisa

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

Terry should have never accepted to work so many shifts back to back, tired he heads home only to wake up in the morning to someone in his bed. It would seem his roommate has rented his room out, to bad the house is owned by Terry. Although the man in his bed is one hell of a hot and sexy man.

Dan spent quite a bit to rent out a room but he had not expected to wake up to one fine looking man. Of course he also had not expected to find out that he had spent money to rent a room and it to be a scam by the man who rented it to him. Although things might just get interesting. Especially when someone is out to get Terry and damn if he is not going to keep the man safe.

This story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. The guys are sexy and dangerous in their own way. Terry is a paramedic and Dan is a DEA agent. I am not really into the whole tying up part but this author seems to write them pretty hot and not so kinky. I enjoyed reading this book and love the characters although I did miss the cute mayor in this book. I actually found myself missing the whole gang sticking their noses into it.

I had a lot of fun reading this and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. I would definitely recommend it.

Dying Soldier by Jamie Lynn Miller

Title: Dying Soldier

Series: Shadow Unit 04

Author: Jamie Lynn Miller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (160pgs)

Publisher: Jamie Lynn Miller (16th July 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Serving with the elite anti-terrorism task force known as Shadow Unit, Sergeants Connor Finley and Shawn Weller have faced arms dealers, drug lords, terrorists, rogue CIA agents and biological weapons. But with the unconditional support of their team, and more importantly, their love for one another, they possess the strength to survive any challenge.

But how do you fight an enemy you can’t see? When a mission in Sierra Leone takes an unexpected turn, Connor and Shawn find themselves under quarantine and in isolation, their lives hanging in the balance between life and death. This time, their team is on the outside, looking in. Have Connor and Shawn finally found themselves in a battle they cannot win?

ISBN: 978-1387922741

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

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Connor and Shawn have survived being shot and stabbed, but it looks like a disease just might kill them both. Saving a tribe from a mad man, leads to a kiss on the cheek by a sweet older woman who just happes to have a major disease that doesn’t have a good chance at survival. Now they will have to fight an unseen battle to survive.

This book showed quite a bit of change from the previous books and I must say that it was better then I had expected. I had gone in to it not really wanting to even start it, but I have always finished a complete series without giving up, well mostly. The characters have grown quite a bit and their passion shows in it. The dialog worked better with this book and I was quite surprised by it.

I can’t say that I would read it more than once though. I am not really a fan of series that follow the same characters and there are probably only a few that have written it the way it keeps a readers attention. They still don’t come off the way their past shows them to be. They don’t really come off a military or any other black op members. That doesn’t really do a story if they don’t grow more in their stages of life. The love they have for each other however has grown quite a bit and is more believable then ever.

I am still not a fan of these books and can’t say that I would recommend them. However after this story the author might change my mind. We will just have to wait and see.

Love At First Hate by J.L. Merrow Blog Tour, Intro & Giveaway!

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Hi guys! We have J.L. Merrow popping in today with her new release Love At First Hate, we have a short intro from J.L., and a fantastic giveaway where you can win a $10 Amazon GC, so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Love At First Hate

by

J.L. Merrow

First impressions can doom second chances.

Bran Roscarrock has been living in the closet all his life. As heir to an expansive family legacy in the town of Porthkennack, old-fashioned ideals of respectability and duty were drummed into him since childhood, and he’s never dared to live—or love—openly.

Sam Ferreira, an old friend of Bran’s brother, Jory, is a disgraced academic desperate to leave his dead-end job. When Jory asks him to take over as curator of a planned exhibition on Edward of Woodstock, the fourteenth-century Black Prince, Sam leaps at the chance to do what he loves and make a fresh start.

But Bran’s funding the exhibition, and though sparks fly between the two men, they’re not all happy ones. Bran idolises Prince Edward as a hero, while Sam’s determined to present a balanced picture. With neither of them prepared to give ground, a hundred years of war seems all too possible. And if Bran finds out about Sam’s past, his future may not be bright, and their budding romance may be lost to history.

Continue reading “Love At First Hate by J.L. Merrow Blog Tour, Intro & Giveaway!”

Time For Love by Lynn Michaels Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have Lynn Michaels popping in today with the blog tour for her new release Time for Love, we have a great new excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Time for Love

by

Lynn Michaels

Surf and sand, beach and bar-tending, and practicing Taoism are the important things in Jeremy Ringer’s life. Until a death in the family sends him across the state, and he realizes that it’s not enough. By trusting the wrong people, he is pushed toward sexy police specialist, Oliver Mendosa.

Ollie Mendosa is only interested in one thing, the new police app he’s developing. That is until he meets a victim of crime, surfer-boy, Jeremy Ringer. When his protective nature is brought out in full force, he can’t resist the temptation of a summer fling.

Is it possible for these two men, from such different worlds, to overcome their differences and fears in order to find the love they both desire?

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In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos Release Blast & Giveaway!

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Hi guys! We have Marina Vivancos popping in today with her new release In This Iron Ground, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

In This Iron Ground

(Natural Magic 01)
by

Marina Vivancos

Damien is nine years old when his parents die. He goes into foster care, seven jumps and seven houses and seven families by the time he’s thirteen. He learns what words like ‘exhausting’ and ‘I can’t do this anymore’ really mean.

Then, he’s taken in by the McKenzies.

The McKenzies can see there’s something wrong with him. They try to fix him, but Damien isn’t sure if it’s making him better. All he knows is that he feels worse.

People say that that the moon has a call that even people can feel. In the wash of their blood and tide of their soul, they can hear it calling. Maybe that’s what makes Damien run through the forest on a full moon night, trying to escape what awaits him at the McKenzies. He wants to lose himself in the green and the silver, disappear into the black. Instead, he’s found.

The Salgado family have been part of the town for as long as anybody can remember. Their Native American roots are anchored deep into the ground, and 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 too much of a loser to ever have anything to do with either of them, until that full moon night reveals that the Salgados are not only a family. They are a pack.

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, in the earth under his feet. He meets creatures that look like monsters, but Damien knows what monsters look like. They have the same face as anybody else.

The Salgados welcome Damien in a way he never would have expected. Damien and Hakan grow closer, first into friendship, and then into something heated and breathless as they end up in the same university together. But, Damien knows, deep down in that bruised and mealy part of his core, that he’s not good enough to be part of their family. He’s not worthy of calling Hakan his home.

Damien is used to losing things, but he’ll hold onto this for as long as he can.

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains themes of (non-sexual, mostly emotional) child abuse and the subsequent emotional, cognitive and behavioural impact on said child. However, at its core, this book is about recovery through found family and love.

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

Amazon US | Amazon UK

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About Marina!

Marina Vivancos author picWhen Marina was a child she couldn’t sleep. Night after dissolving night she just couldn’t sleep. Nothing much worked – until she started making up stories in her head. Suddenly, the transition into unconsciousness was a smooth dive into calm waters.

Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did decades ago.

Marina hopes to write in a variety of romance sub-genres, from contemporary to supernatural to sci-fi. Her style, however, tends to focus on character-centred stories that explore different facets of the human experience, such as mental health. She also enjoys writing explicit, drawn-out sex scenes, so expect those to be a prominent feature of her stories.

Twitter | Website | Facebook 

Giveaway!

Win an Ebook of In This Iron Ground!

All For You by Andrew Grey Guest Post & Excerpt!

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Hi guys! We have Andrew Grey popping in today with his upcoming release All For You, we have a short guest post from Andrew, and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

All For You

by

Andrew Grey

The only path to happiness is freedom: the freedom to live and love as the heart wants. Claiming that freedom will take all of the courage one young man has, but he won’t have to face it alone. In small, conservative Sierra Pines, California, Reverend Gabriel is the law. His son, Willy, follows his dictates, until he meets a man in Sacramento and reunites with him in his hometown—right under his father’s nose. Reggie is Sierra Pines’s newly appointed sheriff. His dedication to the job means not flaunting his sexuality, but when he sees Willy again, he can’t escape the feeling that they’re meant to be together. He’ll keep Willy’s secret until Willy is ready to let the world see who he really is. But if going up against the church and the townspeople isn’t enough, the perils of the work Reggie loves so much might mean the end of their romance before it even gets off the ground.

Release date: 11th September 2018
Pre-order:
 DreamSpinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

Continue reading “All For You by Andrew Grey Guest Post & Excerpt!”

Swann’s Revenge by Shira Anthony

Title: Swann’s Revenge

Series: Dreamspun Desire 51

Author: Shira Anthony

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (224 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th February 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Can a swan make peace with his ugly duckling past?

Chubby geek Jimmy Zebulon’s heart broke the day his high school crush, Danny Parker, looked on as his teammates tormented Jimmy. Fifteen years later, Jimmy is long gone, and from his ashes has risen Graham Swann, a movie-star-handsome law firm owner. Graham thinks Jimmy and his past are long forgotten – until attorney Dan Parker shows up for his first day of work.

Getting injured playing college ball was the best thing that ever happened to Dan. It turned his future in a better direction and allowed him to emerge from the closet that trapped him.
Graham wants to believe his childhood dream can come true, but he can’t bring himself to tell Dan who he really is – and their pasts might ruin any chance for a happily ever after….

ISBN: 978-1-64080-242-1

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Shira Anthony is a relatively new author for me, I’ve now enjoyed two out of three books I’ve reviewed. However, I’ve struggled with connecting and relating to the stories, or the characters due to unnecessary drama, frustrating miscommunication, etc. Therefore, I approached this book with a certain degree of trepidation because I am seriously not in the mood for theatrics and annoyingly angsty characters. I know it sounds overboard but I’m in one of those frames of mind where I’m sick and in no mood for BS.

Swann’s Revenge is very much an ugly duckling type tale. Graham Swann reinvented himself from the pudgy geek, Jimmy Zebulon, after a horrific time in high school. He had a massive crush on one of the star jocks, Dan Parker. But Dan had always stood and did nothing as Jimmy experienced merciless bullying from Dan’s team mates.

Now fifteen years later, Graham (Jimmy) has come a long way and turned his life around completely. It was so good to see that humiliated and bullied teen become such an awesome guy – sort of an F you to all bullies. He lost the excess weight, looks after himself well, has got a career that he has worked hard for and is insanely successful as the owner of law firm.

Things take a strange turn when Graham hires a new guy, who happens to be his high school crush, Dan Parker. Things have not entirely worked out well for Dan in some ways, an injury ended hopes of becoming a profession sportsman. However, the direct his life and career since took him has been nothing but great for Dan. Meeting his new boss, Dan is enchanted by the handsome man and is ready to do anything to take down his defenses and start something romantic. Dan doesn’t realize at all that Graham Swann is the kid he knew as Jimmy Zebulon – I mean, fifteen years later, he wouldn’t. But Graham has deep running scars from his time in high school and so Dan’s pursuit of the sexy guy is hampered without Dan realizing.

This is a super sweet book with a lot of heart. I have to say that there was a degree of miscommunication and brooding from both the characters, but for the most part I was ok with it. It was over quite quickly and didn’t go into complete drama queen territory.

This is about redemption, getting over the past and finding (or rediscovering) love. That is exactly what I love about this story because the plot could have so easily become a horrible revenge story, but thankfully that didn’t happen. Dan also has a cute kid called Lacey and that was just the icing on the cake. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable and light-hearted read.

Behr Facts by Pat Henshaw

Title: Behr Facts

Series: Foothills Pride 03

Author: Pat Henshaw

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (92 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (28 Oct 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Big, burly CEO Abe Behr is dismayed to discover someone—possibly a family member—is stealing from Behr Construction, which primarily employs Behr relatives. Abe takes the unprecedented step of hiring an outsider, likeable CPA Jeff Mason, to go over the books and help find the culprit. They are drawn to each other as they talk to workers, including Abe’s two younger brothers and their shifty cousin.

Since he has sacrificed romance all his life to build the business, Abe’s surprised by his feelings for the handsome Jeff. He’s even more shocked when they are confronted by bigotry in the Sierra Nevada foothills community, which is being inundated by gays moving from the San Francisco area. As he and Jeff get closer, Abe must come to grips with coming out to a family and community that aren’t very tolerant. Fortunately, being the head Behr helps him find his footing and grab onto love when it bites him.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-270-0

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is the third instalment and Pat Henshaw’s Foothills Pride series and I am still in love with it as much as I was when I first had the pleasure to read and review the first book. All books in this series can be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you read it in order. There is a lot of overlap with characters popping up and even in a supporting role, these characters are such a key to the life of the town that I doubt that anyone could help but go back and read the stories of at least four other members of the community. But that’s just me, I suppose, since I’ve already stated just how much I love this series.

I am aware that fans of the paranormal/shifter genre may get tricked – Foothills Pride sounds like a shifter pack rather than it being the LGBTQ community of the Sierra Foothills being who they are/not hiding who they are. Being a fan of shifter books as well, this thought has crossed my mind a time or two since the first book.

 

Behr Facts is a wonderful addition to the series. The pun intended in the title is a big clue for anyone who likes their men in the form of big, burly men (bears). Behr may be the last name of MC, Abe Behr, but he is also the bear of the title. He is the CEO of the family construction company, which hires a great deal of the Behr family living in the local area. Since the death of his parents he has been trying to look after his younger brothers and then run the company with a single-minded determination which has meant that dating has been something he has pushed to bottom of his list. Things change when he meets freelance accountant Jeff Mason. In fact his presence not only saves his business and helps Abe find the bad apples in his company, but he also makes Abe want to be a man that Jeff is proud to be with (which includes having to come out).

Abe and Jeff are a very sweet couple. They’re both the type of personality that is quiet on the outside, hiding the depths are on the inside. They have a very quiet strength between them and the result of this is some understated but crackling sexual tension between them. The story is simple but it continues with the bigotry of the community with the increasing homosexual population (I think that’s how you say it). Abe is frustrated with the bigots and is keen to get rid of as many as possible, as well as trying to find out who is stealing from the family company. There is also a bit of set up for the future with Abe’s younger brothers, Ben and Connor.

Abe is a hard working guy who has always put others’ needs before his own, I’m glad he got his HEA with someone that complements him perfectly!

As a quick PS, if you go to be Pat Henshaw’s blog (http://patbooked.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/preliminary-stone-acres-ca-map.html) there is a map of the fictional Old Town in Stone Acres, California – where the series is set.

BBQ, Bikes, and Bears by Lisa Oliver

Title: BBQ, Bikes, And Bears

Series: Alpha’s & Omegas / The Biker’s Omega

Author: Lisa Oliver

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (112 Pages)

Publisher: Lisa Oliver (August 22, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: It’s been almost twenty years to the day that Clive lost the love of a shifter who’d found his true mate. Now, he plans to celebrate the 4th of July with beer, barbecue, and maybe some hot company. As president of the Epitaphs MC, he’s never short of company, but when his musing about his previous love takes a melancholy turn, he decides a bike ride is the cure for the depressing cobwebs in his brain.

Roy Carmichael is one of the new police officers in Orlando, and as such, has been stuck on traffic duty on a public holiday. With only a few minutes left to go on his shift, he’s dreaming about grilled meat and maybe a swim to cool off after being stuck in a car on a hot day. His dreams are interrupted when a bike roars past him, going far faster than the speed limits allow. Roy loves a good chase and figures it’s the perfect end to a slow shift.

One sniff and Roy’s bear knows he’s found his forever, but between Roy’s job and Clive’s, mated life isn’t going to be easy. The Black Skulls MC is sniffing around and wants a merger with the Epitaphs, and one of the Epitaph members isn’t happy that Roy’s bounced into Clive’s life. Fireworks are guaranteed.

ISBN: B07GLJS3KP

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This story is connected to the Alpha and Omega series so I would suggest reading those books first since Clive is mentioned in them.

Clive has never had problems with finding someone to hook up with but his heart was not in it. Close to twenty years ago Clive’s lover had met his true mate and took off. Clive was a human but he knew about true heart ache and he never wanted to feel it again. However celebrating the holiday and drinking beer has him thinking of the past and heading out for a ride. To bad he was speeding and a cop caught him.

Roy is a big ass bear shifter who has found his mate. There are a few little issues though one with Clive being the president of a biker club and him being a cop. To top it off there are some problems with another biker club and damn Roy has to figure out what to do. Things are going to get real interesting.

I love bear shifters and their sweet taste. Nice paced story with some hot characters, laughs and a bit of danger are just a bit of what your going to get in this story. I hadn’t remembered Clive from the previous books but do remember his attitude and was glad to see he got his head out of his ass. This is a sweet story that had me wishing for more. I got a blast out of reading about Trent and Marly again.

I had fun reading this and can not wait to get my hands on the next book. I loved the characters and their story, and can guarantee that you will too.

The Sister of Seven Ravens by Sophie Martin

Title: The Sister of Seven Ravens

Series: Stories, Tales, and Legends: Retold 02

Author: Sophie Martin

Genre: Fairy Tales, Myths, Fantasy

Length: Novella (138pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts

Blurb: A horrible curse turned Yasko’s brothers into ravens changing his life forever. After embarking on an adventure he finds a way to ease their suffering. It leads him into the middle of an ancient forest and requires a great sacrifice.

Duke Casimir’s had enough of his mother’s schemes. When he asks the soothsayer for help on his hunt he is thinking about finding a husband.

Lost in the middle of an ancient forest Cas is saved by Yasko. The two men fall in love and Yas agrees to go with Casimir.

But someone doesn’t want Yasko as Casimir’s husband and they’ll do anything to force them apart.

Magical forces, hidden foes, and a war brewing on the horizon all stand in their way, but with some help from new friends, the support of his brothers and Yasko’s sheer stubbornness they might yet come out of the ordeal stronger than before.

ISBN: 9781642431834

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

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Yasko and his brothers suffer from a curse brought on by his ailing mother’s mental state after a devastating plague affects her. Yasko goes in search of a cure that will turn his brothers back into humans. Instead he finds out that is not possible to permanently restore his brothers. He is given a long task and explicit instructions to complete so his brothers can have some semblance of normalcy.

He meets Duke Cas and romance blossoms. He agrees to go back with the man but then runs into problems with the heinous duchess, Cas’ mother. I hated this woman. She was spiteful and hurtful. The things she did was despicable all in the name of keeping her power. What really pissed me off was how Cas turned a blind eye to the way she behaved. That was unacceptable to me as he was the duke.

All in all it was a wonderful retelling of a story I enjoyed.

Great read.

Hunted Soldier by Jamie Lynn Miller

Title: Hunted Soldier

Series: Shadow Unit 03

Author: Jamie Lynn Miller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (210pgs)

Publisher: Jamie Lynn Miller (May 12, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Blurb: The hunters become the hunted when the past returns to haunt Sergeants Connor Finley and Shawn Weller with deadly vengeance. In the wake of the harrowing missions in India and Pakistan, Connor struggles to come to terms with causing the accidental death of a child, while Shawn tries to put Julian’s betrayal behind him. Adding to the emotional fallout, new trials arise – the appearance of a young man from Connor’s past turned stalker may have fatal consequences for him, while Shawn must confront his former heroin addiction and break free of the hold it still has on him. The challenges continue when a Shadow Unit undercover op in Bangladesh to shut down the pipeline of terrorists being smuggled into the UK draws Shawn and Connor into a web of lies and deceit from a man hell bent on exacting revenge on the two soldiers – demanding a life for a life. Will Connor and Shawn survive? Or will the jungle become their final resting place?

ISBN: B071J495K9

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Connor’s past comes back to haunt him even though it was not his doing. The child of the man who had killed his family wanted revenge. And the brother of his target was also coming for them. Connor and Shawn barely have time to recoup from their last mission to only end up in trouble again.

There is quite a pattern with these stories. There is no shock and no surprise to them. There is no heat to this story nor the guys. There is no passion in the sex scenes which is boring as hell. The guys are not developing the way they should. In fact the story should have excelled from the last two books but there is no change in the way the story is told. It is monotone to the point that one would fall a sleep. I have trouble getting through the story. Now I will admit that this one was a tad bit better then the others but not by much.

I was quite disappointed in this book and have trouble with even wanting to read them. The story feels rushed and dull. There is so much potential but it hurts the heart to see them fail. I am sorry but I doubt that I would bother mentioning to anyone else to read.