For struggling film student Isamu Taylor, life’s refrain is about to change from boring documentary about a passionless delivery boy to a blazing and wildly erotic love story.
After spending weeks admiring handsome but older Manhattan executive Brian Gilles while delivering brioche to him in Bryant Park, the man of his lusty dreams has just expressed a desire to get to know Isamu better. A night on the town is just the beginning of a whirlwind romance that will span not only four seasons but countless years.
Amid the beauty and charm of Bryant Park, New York City, two men are about to discover that love knows no age or economic boundaries. This is a collection of four short stories starring these two amazing men, their one sublime love, and the park where it all started.
Review: Tales of Bryant is a very sweet collection of short stories by VL Locey. I really enjoy Locey’s stories, particularly her hockey romances, but honestly, I’m up for just about anything.
The story is quite simplistic. Due to the format there isn’t time for deep character or plot development, so it feels very much like an instalove type thing to me. Not that this is a bad thing, because it helps make this book a relaxing read.
It is about two men, Isamu Taylor and Brian Gillies, meeting in Bryant Park in NYC, where they fall in love. The four stories are just small captures in time of their lives, the reader looking in to find out more about the guys and find out what they are up to. They are very different men, Isamu is a film student struggling to make ends meet, while Brian is well-off executive. But a night on the town quickly becomes a lot more. One thing that I thought was funny that it was explained how to pronounce Gillies, which I was already familiar with, but Isamu wasn’t and I had to look up the pronunciation.
This is a no nonsense, very sweet and uncomplicated romance and if that is your type of read then you’ll enjoy this one. Although, if you’re not into instalove, I would steer clear.
There is another book coming out and I am looking forward to it.
Blurb:James Keith hasn’t had an easy life. He was saved by Clan Keith and his King Duncan Adair from his traumatic and abusive childhood, but they couldn’t save him from the fear that has taken hold of his soul. He’s a good and strong Dragon Warrior, but when it comes to trusting people and dealing with emotional situations James would rather take flight and escape the darkness he fears is inside him. When he comes face to face with his fated mate on the deck of the Dragon’s Blood Lodge he is struck by the beauty of his Master Vampire mate but the fear and trauma won’t let him go. He’s only good for one thing, running away. Can James let Augustin in and let him see the worst parts of his past or his he doomed to allow the past to swallow his present. Is he doomed to just be a runaway?
Augustin Chamberlin is the Master Vampire of the Chamberlin Coven and he exudes a level of power that has every paranormal taking notice. But that kind of power and authority never comes without a price. Augustin has had a dance or two with darkness and that leaves a wound on your soul that only true love can heal if we let it. When he first sees his Dragon Beloved, Augustin is floored by the strength and beauty of James Keith and he is ready to stake his claim. But this courtship doesn’t come without complications. James Keith is a damaged soul with one eye on the door and Augustin must walk a fine line if he wants to make James his forever. Secrets lurk in both of their paths that threatens to send this train straight off the tracks. James Keith may be a runaway, but can Augustin finally bring him home?
Review: Master Vampire Augustin finds his mate in James. James has a past history of abuse and neglect stemming from childhood. Augustin is warned that James runs when he’s scared and does just that when introduced to his mate as he feels unworthy.
I loved this story of two individuals who both have tragic past and help the other. I also loved the way James took up for and saved Augustan from a member his clan when Augustin’s past comes out and the wrong conclusions are reached.
Blurb: Dave Cunningham hates the rampant consumerism that’s come to dominate his family’s Hanukkah celebrations. But a chance to bring a bit of a holiday happiness to his long-time crush, Amit Cohen, helps put him in a more festive mood.
In the quest to craft the perfect gift, Dave tries to urge a few personal details out of stoic Amit. Unintentionally, he learns the Cohen family’s secret: Amit is a golem. But Amit has a problem that runs deeper than his magical origin, and a Hanukkah miracle might be the only thing that will keep the budding flame between him and Dave from going out.
Review: Dave pretty much hates the way Hanukkah has gone. He does not care for the gift giving that they do, a hand made gift is preferred. So he is kind of down around the holidays. He does like talking to Amit though. Although Amit doesn’t really talk back to him. That is until tonight. Amit has a secret, his whole family does, Amit is a golem.
I hate to admit that I have no clue what a golem is. I know he is made from clay and with magic is alive, but other than that not a clue. I can’t say I liked this book, other than the characters themselves. It just came off bizarre to me. Other than that it is a really cute little story.
Blurb: A young magic user who wants desperately to live. A jaded recluse who has forgotten what living means. They’re each other’s only chance.
Toby’s wild magic is killing him. The mage guilds have given up on him, and it’s only a matter of time before he dies in a spectacular, catastrophic bang. His only hope is an exiled wizard who lives in seclusion—and is rumored to have lost his mind.
The years alone on his hilltop estate have not been good for Darius Valstad. After the magical accident that disfigured him and nearly drowned Pittsburgh, he drifts through his days, a wraith trapped in memories and depression. Until a stricken young man collapses on his driveway, one who claims Darius is his last chance. For the first time in fifteen years, Darius must make a choice—leave this wild mage to his fate or take him in and try to teach him, which may kill them both. The old Darius, brash and commanding, wouldn’t have hesitated. Darius the exile isn’t sure he can find the energy to try.
Review: Toby is being killed slowly by the wild magic inside him that he can not control. Having gone to many guild’s for help has not helped. The last guild he goes to wants to in a sense put him down for good before the magic causes a catastrophe. Toby flees to find another like him that can help, Darius, who was outcast after he lost control while trying to help someone who had the same problem Toby does.
The two do everything in their power to control the magic flowing through Toby. Toby meets Darius’ other students like himself who had trouble with various magic’s that Darius had helped. All the while trying to stay out of the guild’s grasp. I loved this story and the way it was told.
Fascinating and intriguing it caught my attention from start to finish. The magic aspect was appealing and somewhat horrifying in what could happen if not controlled. The characters were unique in their abilities in that they struggled at times with their gifts.
Amazing beginning to a series I am looking forward to reading more of.
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (April 15, 2019)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Blurb: Inside Henry is a beautiful butterfly dying to burst free. Yes, that’s a euphemism for the repressed man desperate to lose his virginity. His brother is a controlling jerk who thinks he can tell Henry what to do just because he has money. So far that held true for Henry, until they check into Honey Haven and Henry spots a gorgeous man standing by the front counter. A man he’s determined to give his V card to.
Someone Morgan knew from high school shows up at Honey Haven and it’s obvious that Jude Keeler has done well for himself. Morgan doesn’t deny that he’s an uptight person, but Jude has Morgan’s primness beat hands down. But it’s Jude’s younger brother who piques Morgan’s interest. The little virgin is shy and represses his urges, but Morgan is determined to unleash Henry’s desires, even if he has to go through Jude to get to him.
Review:Each book in the Honey Haven collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Henry is a sweet bunny shifter whose life is about to be turned nutty. His older brother, who I might add is an ass, is a controlling, egotistical and selfish man is up to know good. He wants to rub it into people’s faces that he has more money than god. He has also sold his brother. Then they show up at a hotel ran by the sexiest of men. One has caught the little cuties eye and he might just loose his virgin status.
Morgan is a brother who has to keep control over certain things. The hotel is finally doing good but his heart is still torn. His little brother is still in a feral state and hardly ever comes out of his room. That is until it is night and he just runs around the hotel in bear form. Then in walks a cutie and his heart might just be his. However Henry’s brother is another matter. Trouble always seems to show up and Morgan is going to protect his mate.
These stories are sweet and funny as hell but it is also missing something. They come off rushed and a bit jumbled. The main thing I find wrong is the way the guys act. They are bear shifters but you couldn’t tell it. For one they can’t scent others as well they don’t know their mates till after sex. They don’t shift unless they are showing their mates and that is just comes off weird. Other than those issues the story is quite enjoyable and can keep you entertained for awhile.
I had a blast reading it and can’t wait to see what the next book has going with it. I will say that Gus is still my favorite and I hope his story is coming up. Although even with him there were questions that were not answered.
Blurb: Ryker is hockey royalty, Jacob is a poor country boy. Can two vastly different people find common ground and become the men they want to be?
Ryker comes from a long line of championship-winning hockey players. Playing college hockey to develop his game is his only focus, and nothing will stand in the way of him working to become the best player. He has no room for relationships, people who point out his flaws, or anyone who calls him on his dreams. He certainly has no place for love, and meeting Jacob is nothing but a useful distraction on the side. After all trying to get his Owatonna Eagles teammate into bed is less work and more play. When tragedy rocks his family, his charmed life crumbles, and the only person he can turn to is the same one who claims to hate him.
Jacob Benson has only known hard work and stifling conservative values his whole life. Born and raised in the small rural community of Eden Crossing, Minnesota, he’s the only son of a hard-working but struggling dairy farming family. Jacob is using his skills in hockey to finance his way to an agricultural science degree. These four years at Owatonna U. will probably be the only time he has to enjoy life, gain acceptance about his sexuality, and live openly before his inevitable return to the farm. Running into a pretty rich boy like Ryker Madsen is putting a damper on his enjoyment of life away from home. Ryker’s flip, conceited, carefree attitude grates on Jacob’s every nerve. So why, if Ryker is everything he dislikes, does he want nothing more than to explore the sinful dreams that his annoying teammate stars in every night?
Review: Ryker has been a long awaited book for me. I adore the authors, VL Locey and RJ Scott, and I especially adore their hockey romances that they write together. I could go on for a long time about how much I love their style of writing and how their characters develop and grow, both outside of their book and within the book where those characters become MCs.
The MCs of this book is, obviously, the titular Ryker Madsen who comes from NHL royalty with his father and maternal grandfather and it turns out she is something of a hockey player himself. Moving to Owatonna University brings him into orbit with fellow hockey player and team mate, Jacob Benson. Jacob is Ryker’s opposite in many ways, but most especially because he comes from a farming family who work hard to keep their legacy going, as well as pushing Jacob to pursue his dreams.
Ryker is the first book is the author’s ice-hockey centred series Owatonna U Hockey, which is a spin off from their Harrisburg Railers series (which is completely awesome and once more I could go on all day about how much I love that series). That being said, I would recommend to either read Harrisburg Railers series before going here, or at least read book 1 (Changing Lines), which is the story of Ryker’s dad, Jared, and soon to be stepdad Tennant and where we first meet Ryker. The event involving Ten which has Ryker worried for both his father and Ten, happens in book 7 (Neutral Zone). So if you’ve not read the series, I would recommend reading at least books 1 and 7 – but for the sports romance fans you are missing out if you don’t read the entire Harrisburg Railers series…
Oops! I better get back to Owatonna U!
Ryker and Jacob’s story is really wonderful. This is about two young men that know what they want to do with their lives (ice hockey and ultimately NHL) but things change and they grow up, so while their ultimate goal doesn’t change these guys grow up. They also grow up and as they become adults they learn about love and being together and support and sacrifice. Ryker manages to piss Jacob off and this is where Ryker begins to shed his identity as Jared Madsen’s son and becomes his own man as he navigates his feelings towards Jacob.
This is a good base for a new series. The romance between Ryker and Jacob is nice, they are both strong characters but they also live with some very relatable insecurities relating to their schoolwork, their family and their sexuality. The book starts with the world of the Railers, which it has to because Ryker needs to break away from that persona we gained of him earlier and become his own man, which is how we end up with this wonderful little spin off detached from Railers. I’ve learnt a lot about hockey and NHL and now college hockey from these books! We are also introduced to a number of players (including Scott and Benoit, aka Ben) which has me looking forward to the next books in the series.
Blurb: Stetson Major and Curtis Traynor are about as opposite as two cowboys can get. Stetson is a rancher, tied to the land he loves in Taos, New Mexico, while Curtis is a rodeo cowboy whose wanderlust never could be tamed.
But now Stetson’s momma is dying of Alzheimer’s, and she can’t remember that Curtis hasn’t been Stetson’s boyfriend for a long time. Curtis’s absence makes her cry, so Stetson swallows his pride and calls his ex-lover.
To Curtis, Stetson is the one who got away, the love of his life. And Momma is his friend, so he’s happy to help out. Yet returning to the ranch stirs up all sorts of feelings that, while buried, never really went away. Still, the rodeo nationals are coming up, and Curtis can’t stay… even if he’s starting to want to, especially to support Stetson when he needs it most.
Stetson and Curtis want to find a place where they both fit, to be there to catch each other when they fall. But family, money problems, and the call of the rodeo circuit might end their second-chance romance before it even gets started.
Review: Soft Place to Fall is a contemporary western romance by BA Tortuga, which means its just about everything that I expect from a Tortuga novel. BA Tortuga has very recently gone close to the top of my must read author list and I really, at the absolute minimum like, each and every one of them, especially the cowboy romances, because those are so freaking hot!
Soft Place to Fall is a story about second chance love, which I know will appeal to a lot of people, on top of the whole contemporary cowboy romance.
Stetson and Curtis were in love years ago and they were in a very serious relationship. However, their lives were not compatible and I suppose that they were too young to really compromise to fight for what they have together. And so for eight years they have been apart. All that changes when Stetson’s mother, who has Alzheimer’s and is in her last weeks of life, keeps asking to see Curtis. She loved Curtis and Stetson sometimes felt that his mother loved his boyfriend more than she did him. After all, Curtis is a free spirit and fierce rodeo rider like Stetson’s much beloved father had been, which is probably part of why she had approved of her son’s boyfriend back in the day. On the other hand, Stetson is a home body and prefers to pour his time and energy into the ranch, which is taking some hard hits as Stetson tries to pay for his mother’s medical treatment.
When Stetson calls and tells Curtis what has happened, he drops everything and runs to his ex and his mama. This is the first sign that these guys, although parting after a fight, had never lost their love for each other. Unfortunately, when they were younger, love wasn’t enough when their lives were taking them into two different directions.
I feel this is a story that shows that love and people mature and perhaps these guys had to wait before being at the right place, at the right time before they could be together with their HEA. I think that is the aspect of the book that I enjoyed the most, aside from the wonderful chemistry between Stetson and Curtis.
Hi guys, we have D.J. Jamison stopping by today with her new release Surprise Groom, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $15 Amazon GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Surprise Groom
(Marital Bliss 01)
by
D.J. Jamison
Can two men fake their way to marital bliss?
Caleb Taylor is shocked to learn his family could lose Bliss Island Resort — their home and livelihood — unless he makes use of a clause to marry the child of investor Louis Chastain. Sofia Chastain is more like a sister than a love interest, and Caleb isn’t ready to sign over his future. But Sofia has a brother, and Caleb has a plan …
Julien Chastain was disowned at fifteen and has made a life as a go-go dancer in Miami, but he lives paycheck to paycheck. When his childhood friend proposes an outlandish marriage contract, he thinks he’s crazy. But it’s a chance at a future that’s tough to pass up.
Caleb and Julien must present themselves as an authentic couple for the legal loophole to work, but the lines between “fake” and “real” keep shifting as they navigate intimacy, public scrutiny, and sabotage.
Love isn’t part of the plan, but plans change. If they can outsmart Julien’s father and prove their love is worth more than a transaction, they just might find a true happily-ever-after.
Hiya peeps! We have Angel Martinez stopping by today with the tour for her new release Mage On The Hill, we have a brilliant guest post from Angel, a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and we also have Shorty’s review, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Mage on the Hill
(The Web of Arcana 01)
by
Angel Martinez
Toby’s wild magic is killing him. The mage guilds have given up on him, and it’s only a matter of time before he dies in a spectacular, catastrophic bang. His only hope is an exiled wizard who lives in seclusion—and is rumored to have lost his mind.
The years alone on his hilltop estate have not been good for Darius Valstad. After the magical accident that disfigured him and nearly drowned Pittsburgh, he drifts through his days, a wraith trapped in memories and depression. Until a stricken young man collapses on his driveway, one who claims Darius is his last chance.
For the first time in fifteen years, Darius must make a choice—leave this wild mage to his fate or take him in and try to teach him, which may kill them both. The old Darius, brash and commanding, wouldn’t have hesitated. Darius the exile isn’t sure he can find the energy to try.
Hi guys, we have V.L. Locey popping by today with the stunning cover for her upcoming release Nine Small Sips: A Tales of Bryant Wedding, we have a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Nine Small Sips
(A Tales of Bryant Wedding)
by
V.L. Locey
Life for Isamu Taylor is now a Cinderella story that includes a Manhattan loft, a new position in the hottest LGBT film production company in New York City, and an upcoming wedding in Bryant Park to his very own handsome prince.
He’s come a long way from that struggling film student with ratty sneakers and shaggy hair. Isamu is now living an urbanite’s fairy tale with that happily ever after just around a bustling city street corner.
But as all wedding planners know, even the best laid plans seem to go awry, and Isamu and Brian’s wedding is no exception. But love – both old and new – is in the air, so nothing can go too badly, right?
Hi guys! We have Michael Mandrake stopping by today with the tour for his new release Love Kills, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~ p.s. keep an eye out for our review coming soon!
Love Kills
(Criminal Delights 08: Serial Killers)
by
Michael Mandrake
Deranged birds of a feather flock together… leaving trails of blood in their wake.
Holland has fantasies most can’t accept. When potential mates discover Holland’s bloodlust, it’s too late for them to refuse. Determined to get what he wants, Holland continues to seek a man to fulfill his deepest desire and he won’t stop at anything
Archer is inspired and aroused by the tales he’s heard from his boyfriend. Still, he’s greedy for something that pushes him over the edge. Although this might drive him and his partner apart, Archer’s dark want won’t disappear.
Clint’s love for his job has slipped for years, and he’s pondered change. These days he’s cared more about how to please his man, than the rigorous position of solving murder cases. Clint thinks his attitude will eventually get better, thus prompting him to stay aboard. Still, the constant worry of Archer finding someone new niggles at him.
Putting sketchy characters behind bars had always been Clint’s forte, but when new feelings arise, Clint’s conscience is tested. Furthermore, what will happen if Clint is forced to choose between the love of his life, his career, and his morality?
This book is part of CRIMINAL DELIGHTS. Each novel can be read as a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.
Warning: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.
Blurb: Drew Beaumont is bored of the same old roles: action hero, supervillain, romantic lead. He’s not going to let a fresh gay buddy comedy languish just because they can’t find him the right costar. No, Drew bats his eyelashes and convinces everyone that the movie’s writer should play Drew’s not-so-straight man.
Aspiring writer Steve Sopol has never had a screenplay optioned. Now, one of Hollywood’s hot-test properties wants to be in a movie Steve hasn’t finished writing – and he wants Steve as his costar. Turns out the chemistry between them is undeniable – on and offscreen.
Drew swore off dating in the biz, but Steve is the whole package: sharp, funny, humble, and cute. For Steve, though, giving in to the movie magic means the end of the privacy he cherish-es. Will the credits roll before their ride into the sunset?
Review: His Leading Man by Ashlynn Kane is from the Dreamspun Desires line, so the blurb (and the story) was exactly what I expected, a really light, sweet romance. This is a fairytale Hollywood romance between one of the most popular, in demand actors, and the indie screenwriter/script doctor he cons into playing his leading man. I’m pretty sure I know the author, Ashlynn Kane, from Dreamspun Desire stories – I really don’t know – but the story was enough to draw me since I have read this before and enjoyed it. I was just super keen to hear the audio.
The narration is done by Kenneth Obi. I know his work mostly from listening to Dreamspun Desire and Dreamspun Beyond audios and I haven’t come across a performance that I didn’t like. Not so long ago Obi was a new narrator to me, but I have now come to look forward to listening to his work. He’s really good at injecting the necessary emotion, the highs and the lows and keep me engrossed. The story surrounds Drew Beaumont, a Hollywood superstar and Steve, a script doctor and script writer who wants to make his own way in the world without depending on the popularity of his family.
Drew Beaumont has been cast as all the usual hero and romantic roles before. He wants to get his teeth into something different, something that will challenge him as an actor. He finds that when he reads the script of an unknown screenwriter. It’s something of a buddy comedy that ends with a gay romance. Drew wants to star in this movie and make it happen at any cost. The only problem is that he can’t find an actor that fits the role of his best friend/love interest. And so that is when he manages to get his agent (and a good friend to Steve) to convince the writer, Steve Sopol, to add acting to his repertoire.
Steve isn’t an international man of mystery, or someone with stars in their eyes or a shady past. There are a couple of surprising revelations about Steve, but other than that, he is a nice, down to earth sort of guy. He does live with his mother, who is always flitting around, but that does not make him a mama’s boy in the least.
Steve and Drew have a wonderful instant chemistry but thankfully they foster it and don’t rush into romance or any I-love-yous. If you don’t like insta-love, this book will still appeal. They need to navigate their way through Hollywood to become that fairytale couple that it was obvious they would become. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Hollywood style romance.
Publisher: Gone Writing Publishing LLC (24 April 2019)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Sullivan Haines knows exactly what he wants out of life. Fame as a Broadway dancer and to find the man of his dreams. Sadly, his love life is a dismal mess, his roommate is PMS personified, and working at a dingy dance studio teaching old people how to tango and foxtrot is not exactly the bright lights. Actually, life in the Big Apple is pretty rotten, until he and his dog run into tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome Duane Hart in the park. Their pooches hit it right off, but can the two men find romance along the park’s winding paths?
Duane Hart hasn’t had a lot go right in his life. His girlfriend recently broke up with him, taking everything that wasn’t nailed down or in his roommate’s name. Well, everything except the Yorkshire terrier that he didn’t want to get in the first place, and that she now refuses to take back. However, when he meets a handsome stranger and his pit bull in the dog park, will the blooming heat in his chest be able to convince him to start dating again? Or will fate prove love isn’t a walk in the park, after all?
Review: Love Is A Walk in the Park is a book authored by VL Locey and Stephanie Locey. I love many of VL Locey’s books and every book has become a must read for me. Stephanie Locey is Vicki’s daughter, and this is her book. I didn’t know what to expect but I was intrigued by the idea of a mother/daughter MM romance collaboration.
The story is quite short and very sweet. The two dogs, Princess Pizazz Periwinkle and Tiberius, are just added bonuses that added more sweetness and a bit of comedy to the story. The MCs are Duane and Sullivan.
Sullivan dreams of becoming a Broadway dancer/actor, but with so many dead-end auditions now he is stuck working for an arsehole, Julian, at his crappy dance studio where most of the customers are old people. And while his work life is dismal, his love life is flatlined and his personal life consists of a room mate (a very funny one) with mood swings that could give you whip lash. The one thing that is going right for him is his dog, Pizazz.
Duane isn’t faring much better. His girlfriend has recently broken up with him and left him with the dog that she wanted, Tiberius. His family don’t have a lot of money, so he hasn’t gone to college and as a result he doesn’t have any real career prospects yet. However, he does have one saving grace in his life and that is his funny and kind roommate.
Walking their dogs in the park, Sullivan and Duane meet. Duane is bisexual, he’s just not out, bur meeting Sullivan has signalled a turning point in his life. Sullivan’s epiphany isn’t quite so dramatic, but meeting Duane shows him that at least one of his dreams, to find his one true love, could be right in front of him.
This is a short, sweet and unbelievably cute story. While I can’t say that I loved this book to bits, I really did enjoy it a lot and to the point that I might read it again when the mood hits me or if I need to read something light hearted. If you want something that is funny and mostly uncomplicated (although there is a couple spikes of drama), then you might want to give this a go.
Blurb: Newspaper reporter, Granger Galloway, is in charge of the Valentine’s Bazaar, an annual fundraiser for the LGBTQ community of Salem, Massachusetts. This year, no one has volunteered to man the Bazaar’s hottest attraction: The Kissing Booth. After being turned down by every gay and straight man he knows, Granger does the unthinkable and hires the pros at Valentine’s Inc. to send him the perfect fake boyfriend to man the booth. The problem now is how to explain the gorgeous man kissing the mayor’s lips off is a Rent-A-Hunk!
Lennox MacArthur looks like a model straight off the cover of a Highland romance novel, kilt and all. When he’s hired by Granger to be his Valentine’s weekend boyfriend and man the kissing booth for charity, he figures it will be an easy gig. He never counted on losing his heart to the awkwardly adorable reporter. His conundrum is that he’s kissing every cop, fireman, witch, bored housewife, and granny in town except the one man who stole his heart on sight.
When Granger mistakes Lennox’s true feelings for part of their fake boyfriends act, will it ruin his one chance at true love or will Granger land the man of his dreams if he sets aside his pride and takes his turn in line at the kissing booth?
Review: Granger is in charge of setting up the kissing booth but has no one to man it. That’s when he decides to try his luck at Valentine’s Inc. to set up a boyfriend for the weekend. Only things go to perfect and he ends up getting Lennox, his dream fantasy come to life.
This is a funny, witty portrayal of how Granger manages to keep himself under control watching Lennox kissing man after man and wanting him to kiss him.
I loved the entire story. Granger and Lennox were great together once they acknoledged their feelings for one another. Sweet and cute.
Blurb: Sometimes good things come from the worst moments in our life, even though we don’t see it right away.
Sterling is only twenty-two, so the last thing he expects when he attends the Gillham pack Halloween party is to meet his mate. Adam is even younger than Sterling, only twenty, and he lives in Whitedell. They agree to date, and everything goes well—until it doesn’t.
Adam is still getting used to having met his mate when tragedy strikes. Sterling’s parents are killed in an accident, leaving him in charge of his three siblings and heartbroken. The time isn’t right for love, and Adam has to make a decision.
Is he ready to be there for Sterling through his loss and dealing with a new life in which he’s responsible for three lives? Or will the sudden pressure be too much for him? And with everything that’s going on, will Sterling be able to open himself up to love and a possible future with his mate?
Review:Each book in the Wyoming Shifters: 12 Years Later collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. This story is actually branched off from different series. I would suggest reading Whitedell Pride, Gillham Pack and Council Enforcer’s first. It gives you back ground into some of the characters you will come across. Not to mention on who Sterling and Adam are and their fathers.
Sterling has met his mate but wants to take time before bonding. Then tragedy strikes and his idea of freedom is but a glimmer in the sun. Sterling’s parents were killed in a car accident and it left him alone to raise twin six year olds and a grouchy teenager, or so he thought. He has the help of not only his pack, but his mate’s pride and his mates family. Not to mention the fact that he has his mate to help.
Adam is younger than his mate by two years, but he knows that he will help his mate with anything. He had not expected to become a family right off the bat, let alone help raise three kids. However he knows that his family will help them all the way. Now he just has to show Sterling that he means it.
As usual Catherine has given us an amazing story with quite a bit of action, suspense, tender moments and some sexy times. It gave me everything I could want in a story and so much more. My attention as usual had been caught from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. I had a blast reading it and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
I would definitely recommend it and in fact the whole series.
Blurb: With only a few days to go until Christmas, Michael Cross has to admit there is something amiss about his latest employee, Jack Whelan. Quiet, jumpy, thin… he never seems to eat. He is also incredibly gorgeous with dark spiky hair that Michael aches to touch. But as his boss, Jack is off limits. And when it comes to relationships, he…well, he sucks.
Jack Whelan is at the end of his tether. He’s living rough in the middle of winter, and paying off a massive debt, so getting a job with MC Securities is a lifeline. His new boss is also the hottest guy ever. Geeky, broody, and scarily clever.
When Michael stumbles upon the reality of Jack’s life, he offers to help. But as Michael’s feelings deepen, and Jack’s terrible past catches up with him, Michael has to decide between believing in the awful truth that is staring him in the face, or trusting Jack.
Review: Jack and Michael were a great couple but I honestly felt a bit disappointed in this story. There were too many unanswered questions for me to truly love it. I liked that these two men helped each other in their times of need but the overall delivery just did not do justice for the story.
Everything felt a bit rushed and unexplained especially given the suspense of the story and Jack’s past. I would have liked better explanations as to what happened to Jack when he disappeared as that bugged me at the end of the story with it unresolved.
Blurb: Shane Cabell has a reputation at Honey Haven for being a total slut, a title he doesn’t deserve. Sure, he likes to flirt. It’s fun and good for his ego, but Shane tones things down, until Kieran Damiani walks through the hotel doors. The new tall, dark, and handsome handyman flips every trigger Shane possesses. Too bad Kieran isn’t interested in him.
Kieran is running from heartbreak. He takes the job as handyman at Honey Haven to get away from the embarrassment of falling for a player. All he wants to do is start a new chapter in his life, to become the man he used to be, but starting over is never easy, unless a sexy boss walks into your life and flirts with you within the first five seconds of meeting him. But Kieran has a secret that just might get not only him killed, but Shane as well.
Review: Each book in the Honey Haven collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Shane has a reputation of being a player but truthfully he is just a flirt. His brothers just don’t give him an inch. He however does go with the flow and slows down with it. That is until the new sexy handyman walks in the door. However it would seem Kieran has a few secrets himself. Shane is a bear shifter where as Kieran is a vampire. Two mates that just seem to be perfect for each other.
There is a few issues with the story that are sticking out to me. One of them is there were a few words missing in some of the sentences but it was still easy to follow. Also the story felt rushed and a bit choppy to me. I think the main question I had is that bear shifters have an amazing nose and could scent a mile away. However these guys don’t seem to be able to do that. For one they should have known that Kieran was a vampire but they don’t. Also what is Gus, the questions I have.
Other than that the story was pretty amazing. I got a kick out of Gus as always. The story had a serious tone to it but there was so much humor in it that it just made the story stand out. I love that about these stories. The characters were a big hit as well as the story.
I had a blast reading it and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I can guarantee that it will be read many times over.
Vadin Labont is on a mission. He has been dispatched by his Vampire Coven Master to eliminate a rogue vampire who has broken every vampire code and has risked exposing vampire society to the human world. Florian Chamberlin sewed destruction wherever he went and earned the ire of the Dragons of Clan Keith in Laramie, risking the safety and good name of the Chamberlin Coven. With the permission of the Clan Keith Chieftain Calum Keith, Vadin and his two men are on the hunt for the rogue vampire and will not fail in their mission. What Vadin isn’t expecting is to find his beloved, his fate chosen love in the Clan Keith Lodge. Kyle Keith is everything Vadin never even knew he was dreaming of, a strong and intelligent Dragon Warrior. However, Vadin is pulled in two directions. He wants to claim his beloved and begin their life together, but he must find and destroy the dangerous rogue vampire before he strikes again. Vadin has secrets in his past that leave him vulnerable, and he wonders how can possibly hold it all together. When Kyle’s life hangs in the balance, will Vadin reveal himself and save his beloved?
It’s been two years since one of the Clan Keith last found their mate. In that time the Clan has taken ownership of Laramie, Wyoming and have begun creating a sustainable and permanent life here in the High Plains of Wyoming. Kyle is eager to find his mate and wonders just who might be around the corner waiting for him. When the rogue Florian Chamberlin comes back to town, and the Chamberlin Coven comes to deal with him, Kyle is shocked to find his mate at the Vampire Master’s side. Vadin Labont is every inch a warrior and Kyle can’t take his eyes off the beautiful dark-skinned man. Using his tech skills, he finds out his mates deepest secrets, something that will come back to cause friction between him and his new love. Kyle will soon find himself in the greatest danger of his long life, and his only hope may be the dark-skinned man and his hellhound ancestry. Can Vadin save Kyle in time? Can a dragon love a hellhound?
Fate doesn’t make mistakes and love will always find a way..
Review: Vadin, second in command of the vampires and half vampire, half hellhound and also an assassin finds his mate in dragon shifter Kyle. I really loved these two together. When they meet things are explosive between them.
Both are after rogue vampire Florian who escaped the wiping out of his rogues when the dragons took them out. He’s back to take his son by any means necessary and that includes kidnapping Kyle.
Intense, passionate and action packed this is my favorite story in the series so far.
Blurb: Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
This Third Edition features new cover art by Chris McGrath.
Dark, gripping, intense and imaginative, Black Dog Blues is the first book in a new somewhat Urban and slightly Dystopian fantasy series full of paranormal creatures that will surprise you.
Kai Gracen is an Elf with a dark past, living as a human and working as a Stalker. He was won in a poker game by his boss and sort of father figure, Dempsey, who is now retiring so Kai is taking over the family business. Kai is an enigma. He was born an Elf, but prefers to live his life like a human. His parentage will surprise you, but he wants nothing to do with that part of his life. And while Kai would be considered bi-sexual, he is far from someone that confines his sexuality to a title or a box.
When Kai is hired to retrieve a pregnant human woman it is supposed to be an easy job, that is until the sidhe lord Ryder shows up on his door step, intent on accompanying Kai on the job. Secrets are revealed on both sides and the job turns out to be more dangerous that Kai assumed, and then there is the lustful way Ryder eyes Kai that sets his teeth on edge. Unanswered questions prove deadly for the Elfin Stalker. Who is this human pregnant woman that Ryder is hell bent on protecting? And why is Kai’s father suddenly intent on bringing his wayward son back home?
I think I just fell in love with a fictional, slightly psychotic elf with a death wish and a snarky sense of humor. Kai is unapologetically brash and intense. He loathes his past and is determined to live his life in his own way, make his own rules. Ryder is very mysterious and secretive but the one thing he doesn’t hide is just how much he wants Kai. While there isn’t any romance per say in this story, there is an undeniable attraction between these two that Kai does an impressive job of ignoring.
There was a lot going on throughout this story, Dempsey retiring, Kai taking over, the safe transport of the pregnant woman, Ryder’s involvement in her life, Kai’s past merging with his present and the link he has to Ryder. While I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish, I got a little confused at times with everything that was taking place, but all roads intersected along the way. There were a few unappealing secondary characters as well, but I’m thinking Ford may have plans for them somewhere in the context of this series, so I’ll file them all away for later.
Overall I thought this was a great read. As I said it is dark, imaginative, mysterious and engaging. The way Ford merged the human and Fae worlds, the history and lore of the sidhe that was told, I’m anxious to see where Ford takes Kai and Ryder and possibly Alexa in the next story. This book reminded me a lot of Holly Black’s Modern Tales of Fairy series, which is one of the best Fae series to date. If you read multiple genres like I do, or you are thinking of dipping your toe into the warm waters of the MM genre, then this book would probably be the perfect start for you.
Pixie’s Review: 💖💖💖💖💖 4 ½ Hearts
Elfin Kai was won in a poker game by a human Stalker, Dempsey, and was trained to be a Stalker, he is the only Elfin Stalker in southern California. Now with Dempsey retiring due to injury Kai has set up shop in San Diego, contracting out to the local SoCalGov depot to kill the monsters that were released when Underhill merged with Earth. Kai is so merged in the human culture that he sometimes forget he was Elfin but when he is contracted to work for sidhe lord Ryder he is reminded of his past. Kai’s new contract was supposed to be an easy run, but heading up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman is anything but simple when he is dragged into a bloodline feud and his own past comes back to haunt him.
This is an absolutely brilliant Urban Fantasy story that has danger, horrible monsters, tempting sidhe and intriguing heroes. Kai has a mysterious past that is filled with horror, he wants nothing to do with any other Elfin and is perfectly happy with his life in the human world, it is dangerous but nothing that he hasn’t faced before and he lives by his own rules. Being forced to take a job for the sidhe lord Ryder is far from his idea of fun but if he doesn’t do it his Stalker licence could be pulled, gritting his teeth he sets out on an action packed journey that brings his bloody terrifying past back to him.
Kai is a brilliant character, he faces so much in this story and his reactions are just perfect. Kai is scarred by his past in more ways than one and his fears reach out and grab you, he has good reason to never want to see the Dusk Court again. Kai’s sexuality is fluid, male/female doesn’t matter to him he enjoys both, but some people he will steer clear of. Ryder and the other characters are there but more in the background, this is Kai’s story and although it is a great with the action, danger and Kai’s history being revealed, nobody really jumps out like Kai does so we are left wondering as to who could really catch Kai’s eye because it isn’t only Ryder who wants a taste of Kai.
It left me wondering just what direction this series would head in with Kai’s love interest because Kai seemed much more receptive to the females, because even with his detailed reaction to Ryder he still seemed to welcome the females touch more than Ryder’s.
This story is very much focused on the Urban Fantasy with any romantic/sexual interest taking a back burner, the imaginative settings and terrible creatures pull you into an exciting adventure and discovering Kai’s life is interesting. There’s plenty of danger from the black dogs, dragons, Dusk sidhe and Dawn sidhe, and Kai gets dragged into the Elfin world even as he tries to stay out of it.
We get a dark gritty story that makes you wonder as you turn the page just what Kai will face next, and you wonder just how much more his poor body can take before it gives up.
I recommend this is you want a dark, gritty, danger filled Urban Fantasy, incredible world building, fascinating characters and just a slight hint of sexual attraction.
Corey Ellis sure doesn’t. Oh, everyone around him seems to have found their happy ending, but he’s far too busy to worry about such things. He’ll have plenty of time for romance after he survives his last summer before graduation. So what if he can’t get his former professor, Jeremy Olsen, out of his head? It’s nothing more than hero worship. And that’s the way it should stay.
Except bigender Corey—aka Kori—is interning at Phoenix House for the summer, a LGBTQI youth center. A center that recently hired an interim director until someone can be found to fill the position permanently.
Because life is extraordinarily unfair, the director just so happens to be a certain former professor, now turned current boss.
Desperate to keep things professional as he and Jeremy grow closer, Corey makes a major mistake: he turns to his friends, Paul Auster and Sanford Stewart for help.
But Paul and Sandy have some ideas of their own….
Set in the summer of 2016, Why We Fight is a celebration of queer life and being true to oneself… no matter the cost.
Review: Why We Fight is the fourth and final book in TJ Klune’s At First Sight series. But it is also so much more! I make no bones about my absolute adoration for what Klune writes, so I am going to keep my gushing to a minimum. However, this book signifies wrapping up one fantastically fun, emotional and heartfelt series (At First Sight), with direct connections with characters from another completed series (Bear, Otter and the Kid), and for the very keen, he has thrown in some Easter eggs to another recently finished series (How To Be), TJ goes above and beyond with the fan service for all Klunatics. This book does not work as a standalone book, despite the fact that we are getting the story of a character who, in the previous books, was a wonderfully sassy friend that I gotta say, I fell in love with. Also, if you haven’t read the read the rest of the series, then why not??
TJ has also been writing about various aspects of the story and his process in his blog lately, and it has been a fascinating read. Any fans of his works that haven’t checked out the blog, do so, it’s really interesting to read about how he wrote the character of Corey/Kori, as well as talking about gay conservatives and all the other little touches he’s furnished Why We Fight with.
The main characters are Corey Ellis and Jeremy Olsen.
Corey is a really interesting character in that they are a person of colour, as well as identifying as bigender, meaning that sometimes they embrace their male side and are Corey, but then at other times they embrace their female side and are Kori. TJ has written this aspect wonderfully, in previous books we knew when they were Corey and Kori because we were often told how the pitch in their voice had changed or what they were wearing. Here, because the story is told entirely from Corey/Kori’s POV, the only time we would know was when clothing was mentioned or when someone addressed them. But honestly, it didn’t matter if it was Corey or Kori on the page, they are a character that I love because they could just be and that was it. I didn’t care who they identified as, I just got immersed into their life.
Jeremy Olsen is also an interesting character, even if he doesn’t appear to shine as brightly as Corey/Kori does. He’s a college professor, which is how he had first met Corey/Kori who was his student at the time. But now life seems to be throwing them together on purpose and Corey/Kori does not know how to handle it – but they handle it wonderfully, hilariously wonderfully, and beautifully and heartfelt wonderfully. It doesn’t help that despite his concerns about their age difference that Jeremy seems to intent on making a good go of things.
Jeremy is already in Corey/Kori’s orbit when the story starts, we know this from the previous book in the series, where Jeremy turns up at the wedding of one of Corey’s friends, Vince and Paul, with Jeremy’s father, who happens to be dating the elderly gentleman, a leather daddy called Charlie. Now, though, we now add to this that when Corey/Kori takes an intern position at a LGBTQI+ home, they finds out that Jeremy has been made interim director.
The secondary characters are as wonderful and as outrageous as they have been throughout the entire series. Sandy, who is also drag queen Helena Handbasket, is as sassy and as bitchy as ever. Paul is a dramatic as ever. Darren and Vince just put up with adore their significant other. However, I particularly enjoyed the story between the two older men, Charlie and Robert. Despite Paul’s parents being the centre of the big family that is created in this series, Robert is Jeremy’s father and Charlie is best friend/father figure to Corey/Kori. Ultimately, like many of TJ books, this series shows that families are not just blood relations, these are the relationships that have been built over time and while they may fight, they are hilarious and completely zany, but they also support and love unconditionally.
Fans of TJ Klune will be in love. I know for sure that Klunatics on TJ’s Facebook fan group are so excited for this book and I assume that there are many others that are excited to. However, if you’ve just been a fan of the series, I think you will finish this one satisfied.
For those unfamiliar with the series in general, these are romantic comedies with some of the most interesting and zany characters. Explaining it to someone who doesn’t know about the books or Klune’s writing, I think in simplest terms it is like a rom-com, a very diverse rom-com with gay main characters, including a drag queen (Sandy/Helena), an overweight guy with a flair for the dramatic (Paul), a couple of homo-jocks and one is the king (Darren and Vince), a bigender person of colour (Corey/Kori), an aging leather daddy (Charlie), a no nonsense professor (Jeremy) and his very dapper father (Robert), a very liberal grandmother who I suspect might write those weird wiki-how pages (Nana) and a parrot that does nothing but swear (Johnny Depp the parrot).
Title: Tales of Bryant
