Author: MMGoodBookReviews

Torched by Chloe Stowe

Title: Torched

Series: Hellesgate 01

Author: Chloe Stowe

Genre: Contemporary/ Erotic

Length: Novel (178pgs)

Publisher: Ravenous Romance (January 16, 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  A house burns on the stark Kansas horizon…

Its flames make a New York businessman abandon the back road in hopes of helping, in hopes of being the hero instead of the villain for once…

His nerve is immediately tested as he witnesses a man run into the inferno. As the New Yorker risks all to save the stranger, his life becomes forever embroiled in both a madman’s deadly game of fire and revenge, and a soldier’s fight not only to save his family but to save his own soul…

The New Yorker is thirty-two-year-old Matthew Archer. He is a hard man to like, a harder man still to love. Few in the world make an effort at either.

The soldier is twenty-six-year-old Cane Summerfield. He is a hero, a man who gave up his independence to defend his country.

The men are two strong, fierce personalities, from backgrounds as different as heaven and hell. They should never have met, let alone fallen in love… but theirs is a story of Fate riding in on the coattails of sin.

Theirs is a story born of fire…

Review:  Matthew Archer is a businessman on his annual 4-week break from work.  He sees smoke and decides to go to the rescue; he ruins his car, partially falls through a floor and passes out. Cane Summerfield runs into a burning building to save his aunt’s precious memories; as he makes his escape he has to rescue the man who came to rescue him and it’s the start of a weird relationship.

They have to combat a town split down two sides and the person trying to make Cane look crazy and dangerous. They both decide that it’s a one night stand, just one night of hot, dirty, hard sex and continue to try to convince themselves that is all it is.

This is a genuine funny book. At first, I thought it was all going to be dark and dour, but Cane and Matthew are two funny men, their humor, come-backs, snide remarks and just general attitudes had my lips twitching, it doesn’t take away from the danger though. The other characters added to the story and were really just as whacked out as Cane and Matthew.

I think some people may have difficulty with it as it does seem to go off in different directions when they talk but… well I was all right with it (‘cuz I do that myself a bit), so a word of advice if you find yourself lost, it’s not you it’s the characters, they are nuts.

So my honest opinion is … (well helps if you are a bit weird (or is that just me)) if you like your characters quirky and slightly off-beat, your men hot but weird and your story serious but funny then this is definitely for you.

 

 

Sam, the Man by Jude Mason

Title:  Sam, the Man

Author:  Jude Mason

Genre:  GLBT Contemporary BSDM

Length:  Novella

Publisher: Total-E Bound

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:  Pixie/Portia

When Gregg Jackson’s wife passes away after a prolonged illness, can the care giving, flamboyantly gay, Sam Nicholson, convince him that being a bad boy is a good thing?
Blurb: (From Total-E Bound Blogspot)
Sammy Nicholson’s day job done, he heads home. Sammy’s a flaming gay man who goes out of his way to show off his swishy walk and his penchant for wildly flamboyant clothing. In his free time, what there is of it, he volunteers for the local hospice foundation, which is where he meets Jean and Greg Jackson. Sparks fly between the two men, and while Sammy is reluctant to allow things to go too far, Greg needs comforting.Guilt and remorse may crush the love growing between them. Will Sammy be able to discover a way to win the luscious Greg over?We’ve never done this, but our opinions were so different, I thought it would be interesting to include both reviews.  Would love some feedback on either the dual review format and/or the individual reviews.  What’s your opinion. 

Pixie’s Review:   This is a lovely short story, Jean is dying from cancer and extract’s a promise from her hospice carer Sam to look after her husband when she is gone, she is happy in giving her blessing to Sam and Greg.

Greg struggles with his grief and guilt after she is gone and Sam has to help him break through so he can love again. Sam takes Greg through his own version of Sex Therapy hoping that Greg really does love him as much as he loves Greg.
I really thought I was going to cry during the first few pages as Jean asks Sam to look after Greg and as the book progressed I thought I was going to burn up… wow it’s hot. This isn’t a book about betrayal, Jean knows what’s going to happen and she approves. Its Greg’s own guilt and grief that hold them back and they have to work through it together.
This is a really good short, with D/s that’s hot and I heartily recommend it.

Portia’s Review:  Maybe I read the blurb wrong, but this book really disturbed me.  It was totally not what I was expecting.  There is more bondage…humiliation, than I would classify as mild.  But, that wasn’t the part that disturbed me.  I had a hard time with the fact that the men begin an affair before this woman’s body is even cold.  Regardless of the nature of their relationship, I would have expected more time after her death for Greg to grieve before moving on.

The writing is excellent and I wish that I could have enjoyed it more, but every time Sammy popped into a scene I kept thinking, what a sleaze.  It would have been a lot more enjoyable for me, if Greg had found healthy ways to deal with his grief before moving on.  Or maybe to been privy to more of his thoughts, the way we were able to eavesdrop on Sammy.

Loved the non-traditional pairing, and I guess I would recommend this book.  If for no other reason, to find out someone else’s opinion.

Incoming Freshman by Carol Lynne

Title: Incoming Freshman

Series: Campus Cravings 13

Author: Carol Lynne

Genre: Gay MM/ Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Total E-Bound

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Three years ago, Chet Sloan left a promising job as Offensive Line Coach at the University of Arizona in an effort to put distance between himself and an Incoming Freshman. Bobby Ray Sikes first came to Chet’s attention as a high school sophomore when he took his small Arkansas town’s football team to a state championship. For two years Chet watched Bobby Ray Sikes play, knowing the boy was meant for greatness. When he recognized his feelings had grown from adoration to something more, Chet ran. In an effort to save his career and Bobby Ray Sikes’s chance to one day go professional, Chet took a job at North Central Idaho University.

For three years, Bobby Ray Sikes played for a team he hated. Not only was he expected to act like the rest of the guys on the team, but the one man he’d agreed to play for had left him high and dry. After reading an article on BK House, a privately funded all-gay dormitory, in OUT magazine, he decides to do the unthinkable and transfer colleges his senior year.

Most coaches would be thrilled to learn a two-time All American was transferring in to play ball for their team, but Chet’s feelings for Bobby Ray Sikes haven’t changed. Will he be forced to run again or can he coach the man he loves?

Review:  It’s been nearly 3 years since we last saw the boys from Campus Cravings and I have to say Carol Lynne hasn’t let us down with the story which re-starts the series.

Bobby Ray Sikes knows what he wants for his future and it includes Chet Sloan in his bed and his heart. Chet thinks he knows what Bobby wants and what he needs and that’s Football. Bobby tries to make Chet understand that there is more to his life than football and he doesn’t want to go pro. Chet only wants what is right for Bobby and tries to keep his feelings to himself.

Even though these two say they love each other it’s been 3 years since they last saw each other so they don’t really know the men they are now, so they have to get to know one another again, another happy ending for the Campus boys?

There was one thing that puzzled me though… early in the book it say’s Chet’s starting to lose his hair at the age of thirty-two but later he says he’s fourteen years older than Bobby, but Bobby is twenty-two?? So is he thirty-two or thirty-six?? Anybody with an answer please leave a post.

I think anyone who’s read and liked the previous books in the series will like this one as well as it follows in the same vein, so thumbs up from me.

 

 

 

Between Sinners and Saints by Marie Sexton

Title: Between Sinners and Saints

Author: Marie Sexton

Genre: Gay / Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Levi Binder is a Miami bartender who cares about only two things: sex and surfing. Ostracized by his Mormon family for his homosexuality, Levi is determined to live his life his own way, but everything changes when he meets massage therapist Jaime Marshall.

Jaime is used to being alone. Haunted by the horrors of his past, his only friend is his faithful dog, Dolly. He has no idea how to handle somebody as gorgeous and vibrant as Levi.

Complete opposites on the surface, Levi and Jaime both long for something that they can only find together. Through love and the therapeutic power of touch, they’ll find a way to heal each other, and they’ll learn to live as sinners in a family of saints

Review: This has got to be one of the sweetest romances that I have ever read. Levi Binder wants nothing more than complete acceptance of his family but when he doesn’t get it, well, he might as well live up to his sin. Jaime Marshall lives in near seclusion until Levi burst’s into his life, after he reject’s Levi’s advances they become good friends.

This is an incredibly written story which will hold you in its grip as you join these men on their friendship and their struggles. The longing that Levi has for Jaime is poignant; the way these friends interact is wonderful. Levi knows that Jaime has something traumatic in his past and tries to help him any way he can, while being patient and hoping for more. Jaime fights his way through his fear just to have Levi as a friend and he doesn’t know if he will ever be ready for anything more.

The description of both these men’s feelings whether it was happy, sad, fearful or angry is wonderful, Levi’s family is quite involved in this story and I found how Marie Sexton handled the religion and homosexuality view to be inspiring.

This is a true wonderful loving romance and I would recommend it to everyone.

 

 

The Incident by Xavier Axelson

Title:  The Incident

Author:  Xavier Axelson

Genre:  GLBT Contemporary

Publisher:  Seventh Window Publication

Length:  Novella

Heat Rating:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Portia

Blurb:  In the line of duty, decisions that will change your life forever are made in a split-second. Nobody knows that better than Officer Michael Carmac, whose fatal split-second decision haunts his days. Tormented by guilt, Michael seeks solace in a bottle and the friendship he has with his partner, Officer Bertram Angel. But the more he leans on Angel for support, the more Michael discovers a longing that he’s kept hidden for too long. Can Angel help ease the pain of guilt or will Michael’s hidden desires be the end of their friendship?

Review:  When I first went to rate this I scored it kinda low.  But, that didn’t feel right.  It’s been a while since a book had me as twisted up as this one.  It wasn’t until I stopped trying to make The Incident a love story, could I truly appreciate its literary value.

Sure, there is a romantic sub-plot, but this is the story of Michael’s road of discovery and recovery.  Angel is just a piece of the puzzle.  The Incident shakes Michael on a core level.  He is a true Alpha personality and mistakes are something that other people commit.  I love the way Axelson doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh reality of post-traumatic depression and recovery.  Loving Angel might have given him the strength to make healthy choices, but Michael had to want his healing for himself as much as for his lover.  I also really appreciated the fact that the road to happily ever after included more than just some “love conquers all” bullsh*t.

This story is not for the faint of heart.  It’s raw and dirty, yet absolutely beautiful.  I highly recommend adding this to your library.

 

Life, Love and Lemon Cookies by Ally Blue

Title:  Life, Love and Lemon Cookies

Sequel to:  Love’s Evolution

Author:  Ally Blue

Genre:  GLBT Contemporary

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing (August 16th, 2011)

Length: Novella

Heat Level:  Hot

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Portia

Blurb:  When life hands you lemons…make cookies.

A Love’s Evolution Story

Chris Tucker’s perfect life has just gone up in smoke. The fire that destroyed the best restaurant in Asheville took his head-chef dream job along with it—and the owner is walking away. Sure, Chris still has his beautiful home and blissful marriage to his soul mate, Matt Gallagher. But for the first time in his working life, he’s unemployed and spiraling into depression.

Matt’s trying hard to be supportive, but it’s tough when every time he tries to get Chris to open up, the man shuts down tighter than a live clam. Maybe it’s best to hide his hurt and back off. Yet as Chris’s fruitless search for work wears on, Matt begins to wonder if his lover will ever come around.

As the tension between them reaches breaking point, Chris faces the fact that it could be the end of an era for him and Matt. Unless one sweet idea can turn his mounting troubles into a fresh-cut path back to the arms of the one man who makes him whole.

Warning: This book contains gay sex, lots of angst, occasional smartassedness, and an abundance of cookies. Ally Blue and Samhain Publishing will not be held responsible for any resulting food-porn habit.

Review:  I enjoyed this book.  That’s not to say that there were multiple passages where I wanted to say…really?  Chris and Matt’s story started six years ago with Love’s Evolution.  The passing years have not dimmed their passion one iota.  Which makes it really sad when Chris keeps pushing Matt away.  I understand about needing space to collect your thoughts, but come on.  Six years and a handfasting later, you would have thought Chris would have made better choices.

This is a pretty short read and there’s  a bit of really steamy sex…quite a bit.  For a very sweet love story, fabulous make up sex and a happily ever after, I highly recommend this book.

Oh, and there’s a really great recipe included. 😉

Hooked by Sara Winters

Title:  Hooked

Author:  Sara Winters

Genre: GLBT Contemporary

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Ravenous Romance

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:  Astrid

Blurb:  Carlos Valendez has everything under control: his boxing career, his academic life and the string of men who never manage to encourage more than a passing interest. When his friend Michael Dywer moves into his dorm room, he never imagines how easily it could all change.

Michael is a distraction. A sexy, bewildering temptation who entices Carlos with the briefest of looks but refuses to act on, or even acknowledge, the tension between them. When Michael hints that his fantasies have the potential to be more, Carlos finds his priorities shifting to accommodate the unexpected complications of exploring a relationship he never knew he wanted and can’t easily control…

Review:  I’ve always enjoyed the “not so straight guy” stories. And Hooked is an example of good story with a nice range of emotion, conflict and character development.

Carlos is buried under with commitments – junior year in college, brutal training schedule for his boxing and an unrelenting crush on his dorm mate Michael. Can anyone say pressure cooker? Michael, the not so straight guy, is in a long-term relationship and there doesn’t seem to be any doubt of his straight guy status… until there is… doubt.

Once they realize that the attraction goes both ways you expect it to develop quickly but it actually became more emotionally fraught for Carlos. I had trouble accepting that Michael would see Carlos behind the girlfriends back. It just seemed dishonorable for a guy who holds himself back emotionally from Carlos until he can trust his commitment.

There are some parts where I had difficulty deciphering between Carlos’ fantasies and reality. But one thing that was crystal clear is that not everything was going to magically be rectified. Between the insightful dialogue and the internal mutterings of conscience the characters are realistic, honest and believable.

 

Moonlight Becomes You by Piper Vaughn and M. J. O'Shea

Title: Moonlight Becomes You

Series: Lucky Moon 01

Author: Piper Vaughn & M.J. O’Shea

Genre: LGBT Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Loose Id

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

You can also download More Than Moonlight a collection of FREE short stories a prequel to this series at http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-morethanmoonlight-578423-145.html

Blurb:  Eleven years ago Shane Ventura made the biggest mistake of his life when he caved in to pressure from his record label to kick his best friend Jesse Seider out of their band, Luck. Though he had a gorgeous voice, Jesse wasn’t beautiful, and didn’t fit the label’s ideal look. But Shane’s never wanted anyone else more, and all the sex and alcohol in the world can’t fill the void Jesse left behind.

As his thirty-second birthday approaches, Shane feels more miserable than ever. Even the prospect of teaming up with Britain’s hottest band, Moonlight, for an epic world tour can’t get him out of his depressive funk. Until he meets lead singer, Kayden Berlin, and falls into instant lust.

Though Kayden acts like he’s not interested, Shane knows he feels the spark between them. But the harder Shane pushes, the more Kayden pulls away. Then one explosive night things finally come to a head and Shane is left nursing a broken heart. That seems to be Shane’s lot–lucky at everything but love, the one thing that matters most. But there’s a lesson Shane still hasn’t learned: when it comes to love, you can’t always leave things to chance.

Review:  This book was great, it has rock and roll, sex, betrayal, a little bit of *******… (I am soooo not telling you), heart break and forgiveness.

I loved all the characters (well except for Nicky, Shane’s brother). Shane made the biggest mistake of his life when he betrayed his best friend and lover Jesse and he has regretted it ever since.   Now he mets someone that he wants even more than he wanted Jesse, Kayden, but Kayden doesn’t want anything to do with Shane.

You feel Shane’s frustration and bewilderment from the first time he meets Kayden.  You also see Kayden making his dislike of Shane and his brother well known.   Shane tries his best to get on Kayden’s good side but whenever he seems to make a breakthrough, Kayden always reverts back to disdain. Can he ever break through Kayden’s walls?  And what about Jesse? Shane still has dreams about him and there are flashbacks to his life with Jesse.

Well, what can I say but… wow way to get your *******. It’s blistering hot, sad, forgiving and heartfelt. It’s a great read that will have you chuckling, smiling and hopeful. A definite feel- good happily ever after.

 

 

Come Unto These Yellow Sands by Josh Lanyon

Title: Come Unto These Yellow Sands

Author: Josh Lanyon

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery, Gay Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Sometimes the adventure chooses you.

Lover of fine poetry and lousy choose-your-own-adventure novels, Professor Sebastian Swift was once the bad-boy darling of the literati. The only lines he does these days are Browning, Frost and Cummings. Even his relationship with the hot, handsome Wolfe Neck Police Chief Max Prescott is healthy.

When one of his most talented students comes to him bruised and begging for help, Swift hands over the keys to his Orson Island cabin—only to find out that the boy’s father is dead and the police are suspicious. In an instant, the stable life Swift has built for himself hangs on finding the boy and convincing him to give himself up before Max figures out Swift’s involvement in the case.

Max enjoys splitting an infinitive or two with his favorite nutty professor, but he’s not much for sonnets or Shakespeare. He likes being lied to even less. Yet his instincts—and his heart—tell him his lover is being played. Max can forgive lies and deception, but a dangerous enemy may not stop until Swift is heading up his own dead poets society.

Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that Josh Lanyon’s smart, sexy, sophisticated stories may prove hazardous to your heart.

Review:  This is a great suspense/mystery that keeps you on your toes. Swift somehow manages to find himself in grave danger, just by helping a kid out. Max is furious that Swift helped out his murder suspect and is soooo not happy that he seems to keep holding things back.

From Swift’s musing’s I took a dislike to Max but as the book developed I realized my mistake and it was because Swift seemed to live in his own little world and didn’t notice anything but himself really, So it wasn’t so much as Max holding the relationship back, it was neither of them communicating and just letting things slide. The description of Swift’s battle with his addiction was poignant and his finally seeming to need Max made me smile as Max seemed very eager to help.

The Mystery is great and you really can’t see where it’s going until near the end, and you really do wonder how on earth did a Professor of Literature seemed to fall right into the middle of it all.

So all in all a cracking good read and you’d be insane to miss it.

 

 

 

Feet of Clay by Amanda Steiger

Title: Feet of Clay

Author: Amanda Steiger

Genre: Gay Romance/ Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Torquere Press

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  When Galvin Cloud — a shy young magazine writer — is unexpectedly offered a chance to interview his favorite author, he ought to be delighted. Instead, he’s terrified. Galvin has always idolized Spike Radcliff, but the idea of actually meeting him face to face is overwhelming…and despite the sensitivity of his prose, Spike has a reputation for being a surly, reclusive misanthrope. Galvin knows he can’t pass up this rare chance.

After a disastrous attempt at an interview, Spike surprises Galvin by offering him a job as his assistant. As they spend more time together, Galvin discovers that beneath the harsh exterior is a complex, broken man…one he’s quickly falling in love with.

Review:  This book is not a happy light read; it’s slightly dark and angsty.  Gavin and Spike have both got tragedies’ in their past that still affect them but in different ways.  They both suffer from feelings of guilt, both believing that if only they had done something different then the tragedies would never have happened.

These two men come together and they seem to relate to each other as though only the other can help them become whole again.

It is nice to see these two broken souls meet and embark on a journey together to heal; this would be suitable for those who like slightly dark and angsty with a slight touch of D/s.

 

 

 

Exposure by Elizabeth Lister

Title:  Exposure

Author:  Elizabeth Lister

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  MLR Press

Genre:  Erotic Romance

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Reviewer:  Portia

Blurb:  When 23 year-old Jeremy Trask wanders into Martin Lewis’ photography studio one bleak October day and requests photos for a modeling portfolio, neither man is prepared for the immediate and intense attraction between them. What follows is a series of progressively intimate encounters that leads them on a scintillating erotic journey together. But Jeremy has a secret. Will his revelation destroy the burgeoning intimacy between them? Or will Martin rise to the challenge of loving a ‘less than perfect’ man?

Review:  Exposure is the debut offering of Elizabeth Lister.  I’m not going to lie…this book surprised the hell out of me.  I was expecting to find many of the mistakes that new writers make.  I was surprised with the maturity that Ms. Lister brought to the party.   The sexual chemistry between Martin and Jeremy burn hard and fast from the beginning.  There is no lengthy “get to know your mind” period for these two.  What I expected was more of the steamy porn on paper where this book begins.

But, this book was so much more than just exquisitely written sex scenes.  I don’t want to give away the meat of the book, but I loved the way Ms. Lister developed both of her main characters.  The crisis that drops into their budding relationship, had the power to destroy it, before it had a chance develop fully.  As a former healthcare worker, I assure you the medical aspects this book, especially the emotional reactions were spot on.

Ms. Lister is definitely one to watch.  There are portions of this book that qualify as literary orgasms.  Hot. Hot. Hawt.  But, there is enough angst to make you want to go back and reread it, the moment you are done.