Category: MM Book Review
The Betas: René by A.C. Katt Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!
All That Shimmers by N.J. Nielsen
Title: All That Shimmers
Series: Wardens of the Guild 02
Author: N.J. Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Length: Novella (130 pages)
Publisher: Pride Publishing (May 30, 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Blurb: Sometimes all that shimmers…is the darker side of life
When the only world he’d ever known changed, Eric Meyers had to change along with it. Now he needs to figure out his next steps, especially when it comes to Tagh. Things get even more confusing when he starts dreaming about a man he doesn’t even know.
Tagh’s recovery from battle wounds isn’t helped when he has to face Eric’s continuing doubts. If that’s not bad enough, he also has to deal with more of his kind turning up and what it all means. There are zoos out there filled with people, people who shouldn’t even be there—people who need rescuing.
Jory has been held captive in one of these hellholes for the last few years. His dreams of Eric, a man he’s never met, give him hope that help is on the way, but the waiting is hard. To save the others, Jory stands up to their jailers. The only problem is that he is just one against the many.
What fate brings together, let no person tear apart. But is the trio ready to face a future none of them had ever planned on? Between their enemies and their heavy responsibilities, Eric, Tagh and Jory have to work out more than their immense differences—they have to figure out if their very relationship is strong enough to survive whatever’s coming next. Because come it will…
Reader Advisory: This book involves characters who are kept imprisoned to be used as sexual slaves, discussion of rape and sexual assault, references to starvation and beatings and references to incest.
Publisher’s Note: This book is best read in sequence, as part of a series.
ISBN: 978-1-78651-580-3
Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/all-that-shimmers
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: After the events in the previous book leave Tagh gravely injured and Eric stays by his side. He learns Tagh is his mate though he is confused by his feelings for the man. Amid that he is dreaming of a sexy man in dire need of help.
Wow this story was a great addition to the series as progress was made in determining who was with who and all the help involved in setting about taking down the zoo’s. I seriously found that part disturbing in that anyone would do that to someone.
The overall story comprised of romance, suspense, action and edge of your seat scenes that leave you wanting more.
Kiss of Forever by Leah Blake
Title: Kiss of Forever
Series: Shadow Creek 03
Author: Leah Blake
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Length: Novel (224pgs)
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (July 3, 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Raul Carney, world-renowned alpha wolf and leader of Shadow Creek, suffered a mortal wound when human hunters attacked the sanctuary. Hit by a silver bullet laced with fae poisoning, he is in a desperate fight for his life as the threat of destruction hovers over the Creek. One person holds the key to his cure: Victor Cavanough, his forbidden mate.
Victor, elusive son of the vampire king, is intimate with heartache. He watches Raul from the shadows, shattering inside all because of a blood pact between his father and Raul two decades earlier. When Raul’s condition deteriorates, Victor casts aside the consequences of the pact in hopes of saving his mate.
Unfortunately, more than a pact stands between Victor and his hope to save Raul from death. Twenty years of deceit is about to unfold. Raul’s time runs short. Will Victor sacrifice everything to save his mate in one last hurtle to finally find eternal happiness?
ISBN: 978-1-64010-382-5
Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/kiss-of-forever
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: This story absolutely crushed me at the lengths someone would go to make sure what they wanted or did not want happen came to pass. Raul and Victor are mates but due to a blood pact Raul signed twenty years before he can no claim Victor or risk killing him.
So much happens as secrets slowly are revealed. Victor is an anomaly with great powers for a vampire. I liked that he was different and powerful considering he is the mate of an alpha. My heart broke for Raul for all the suffering he endured to keep his mate safe from harm.
It did not shock me when the truth was revealed as I suspected what was going on in book two. I was disgusted with Victor’s father the vampire king. His continued disregard for anything he felt beneath him was tragic.
Fantastic addition to the series. Highly recommended.
Bite of Darkness by Leah Blake
Title: Bite of Darkness
Series: Shadow Creek 02
Author: Leah Blake
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Novel (188pgs)
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (June 19, 2017)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Ashly Marrouch is given an important task: deliver a box with a secret, lifesaving antidote to the alpha of Shadow Creek. For Ashly, this is another night’s work for the vampire king he serves. What should have been a simple drop-and-go is anything but when Vuk Remmington opens the door and Ashly finds himself face-to-face with his imposing, frighteningly handsome werewolf mate.
Vuk is one of Shadow Creek’s fiercest guards and his alpha’s second-in-command. Naturally, he is suspicious of Ashly and the antidote he delivers. Fighting his hunger for the small, gorgeous, witty vampire proves impossible, and Vuk finds himself desperate to repair the damages his initial attitude has caused between them.
When Vuk and Ashly are ambushed by human hunters, one thing becomes clear: Vuk can’t live without Ashly, and Ashly will sacrifice himself to save his wolf.
Vuk demands to know the origins of the antidote. But the antidote is the least of Vuk’s worries when Ashly becomes the prime target for the hunters.
ISBN: 978-1-64010-381-8
Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/bite-of-darkness
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: This series gets better and better with every book. Ashly is a vampire given an important task. Deliver a box to Alpha Raul and guard it with your life. He meets Vuk, Raul’s second in command, and the meeting is tense.
To be honest Vuk is an ass to Ashly because Ashly refuses to give him the box or tell him what it is in it. It leads to Vuk not trusting anyone. Now while I understood Vuk’s protectiveness over his Alpha that did not excuse his behavior with his mate.
The action picks up as things start turning dangerous. Suspense, mystery, secrets, and some sexy times are all throughout. Fantastic addition to the series.
Highly recommended.
Risky Behavior by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
Title: Risky Behavior
Series: Bad Behavior #1
Author: L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (May 1, 2017)
Length: Novel (309 Pages)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb: It’s day one of Darren Corliss’s career as a detective, and not only has he been assigned a notoriously difficult partner, but the guy might also be a pill-popping dirty cop. Internal Affairs needs proof, and Darren gets to be their eyes and ears whether he wants to or not.
Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn’t play by the rules, and he doesn’t play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.
As Darren gains Andreas’s hard-won trust, they both realize there’s more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas’s unorthodox—and borderline unethical—methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he’s falling for, he has to wonder—is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn’t dirty?
ISBN: 978-1-62649-564-7
Product Link: https://riptidepublishing.com/titles/risky-behavior
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: Wow, talk about a hard day’s work. Darren has finally made it to detective and already has run into a road block. Internal affairs wants dirt on his new partner. A partner that not only turns him the hell on but might also be a dirty cop.
Andreas is one hell of a good cop and tough to boot. He doesn’t put up with anyones shit, but he has a few secrets. He doesn’t play very good with anyone and is always running his new partner’s off, well maybe not this one. There was just something about the kid that might just change his attitude. Drugs, death, dirty cops, dirty politician’s and who knows what else is coming out of the woodwork with our guys.
The good parts of this story outweighs the bad. Although the author has used one piece in this story that is a deal breaker for me. I cannot stand a story, especially a love story that involves HIV. In many police forces it is definitely not allowed, and for these authors to have a detective with it, well no. As in my police force’s there is a mandatory physical that they go through over time and if this cop was HIV, the force would have known. His ass would have been either booted off the detective stage, and possibly the force. Also the way Darren is with the news, I am sorry but that doesn’t work either. I can see him staying with the guy but to be so flippy floopy with it, no. It places the others in danger, so I am sorry but this just brought the story down quite a bit.
As for the good parts, well let’s just say it is action pact and hot. I can’t say the guy on the cover was anything good and in fact was one of the worst covers I have come across. Now that being said it seemed to work for this type of story. The story itself has a dark tone to it and very little humor mixed in. It was not an over the top feeling though, but you can still feel it. The characters and the story were described to the tee and were pretty well developed.
Over all I would say the story has great potential and if it was not for the HIV part, I would have said at least a full point more. I enjoyed the story but am not really sure if it will keep my attention ready and willing for the next book. Guess we will wait and see on that.
Silent Voices by Thom Collins
Title: Silent Voices
Author: Thom Collins
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Pride Publishing (May 9, 2017)
Length: Short Story (62 Pages)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb: A desire for justice as strong as their passion for each other.
Concerned about the welfare of his young cousin, Josh Jackson, a restaurant owner, traces the boy to Winterstone Grange, a gated manor deep in the country. Miles from anywhere, the protected walls of this stately house conceal dark secrets. Josh’s search brings him into contact with Ed Brolin, a handsome journalist who has spent weeks investigating the secrets of the Grange and its owner. Ray Armstrong is a wealthy businessman with influential connections in parliament and the police. Ed knows exactly what goes on at the Grange but, without evidence, he hasn’t got a story.
Drawn together by instant attraction and a powerful hunger for justice, Josh and Ed are determined to expose the sordid secrets of the Grange despite the risks. Josh has never met a man like Ed before—so strong, determined and masculine. Falling in love is easy. But they’ll have to put their emotions aside if they’re going to give a voice to all the silent victims of Winterstone Grange.
ISBN: 978-1-78651-560-5
Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/silent-voices
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: One would think that an eighteen year old disappearing for a night or two is normal, but for Josh it sends him out searching. With the help of an journalist, well what he finds will stay with your forever.
The title makes this story seem more then it is but not for the reasons one would think. Victims need their story told, however the way the author did this book left a lot to be desired. For one the blurb pretty much gave you the story. Two it should have been expanded into a novel with a bit more back ground and action to it. For me it was just a nibble at a story and then plop it was over and done with. I hate to say it but if I had known that it was going to be like this, I would have not read it. The story itself is just downright nasty to me, but not the topic. The topic would have one in tears and pissed as hell, but the author made the story off a bit. It was focused on Josh and Ed’s relationship a bit too much in my mind.
Over all, this is one book that will not only not get read again, but will be deleted from my library. That is not saying that it was not written well, but just read the book and you can guess my reaction. I hate to say it, but this book was definitely not for me.
Crossfire by Jon Keys (2nd Edition)
Title: Crossfire, (2nd Edition)
Author: Jon Keys
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Contemporary
Publisher: Pride Publishing (July 18, 2017)
Length: Novella (89 Pages)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Murder, kidnapping and a disappearance. Trooper Rick Anthis could use a break. But he hopes it isn’t too late in coming.
Rick Anthis, a forty-five-year-old veteran of the Colorado State Police and his husband, Gabriel Thorkelson, a deputy sheriff in a nearby county, enjoy the peace of their suburban Boulder home, but the neighborhood’s tranquility is shattered by three rapid-fire gunshots. The pair’s quick reaction allows Rick to witness the abduction of his eight-year-old buddy Jacob, by his father.
In their quest to find the boy, the clues are sparse and time is of the essence since Jacob is diabetic, a condition Gabriel is far too familiar with. A search of the father’s apartment yields nothing more than an old hiking map that narrows the search down to a few hundred square miles. Rick and his CSI team are on the hunt, but with every bit of progress they make, it seems they are thwarted, especially when Gabriel turns up missing.
This is a second edition, previously published through a different publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-78651-594-0
Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/crossfire
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: Fair warning that if you can’t handle domestic abuse, then this might be a bit touchy for you. It actually is more than abuse but you can tell from the blurb.
Rick and his husband Gabriel are both police officers, just in different sections. Rick is a veteran from the Colorado State Police and his husband is a deputy sheriff. They live in a beautiful location that is shattered when a young mother is murdered and her child is abducted. Now it would be a normal case for our two sexy men, if that child was not only their neighbor but their little buddy. Not to mention he and Gabe share the same condition, they are both diabetic’s, so they need to find him soon.
With that, there is another crime as well. For such a short story it is action pact and very detailed. I was surprised at how much was in this story and definitely would be looking out for more stories from this author. It was one of the best I have come across and fell in love with our guys and that little boy. Jacob rocked the story.
I enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend this story to all.
House of Cards by Garrett Leigh Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!
Smitty's Sheriff by Cardeno C. Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review!
Escaping Indigo by Eli Lang Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!
Caden's Comet by Annabelle Jay Exclusive Excerpt!
Poppy's Secret by Andrew Grey ~ Audiobook
Title: Poppy’s Secret
Series: Dreamspun Desires 28
Author: Andrew Grey
Narrator: John Solo
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 5 hrs, 11 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (24 March 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: A second chance born of love.
Pat Corrigan and Edgerton “Edge” Winters were ready to start a family – or so Pat thought. At the last minute, Edge got cold feet and fled. Pat didn’t bother telling him the conception had already gone through and little Emma was on her way. He didn’t want a relationship based on obligation. He’d rather raise his daughter on his own.
Nine years later, Emma and her Poppy are doing fine. Edge isn’t. He realizes what he threw away by leaving, and he’s back to turn his life around and reclaim his family. It’ll take a lot to prove to Pat that he’s a new man, and even if Edge succeeds, the secret Pat has hidden for years might shatter their dreams all over again.
Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I absolutely adore Poppy’s Secret. It is part of Dreamspun Desires, which are contemporary stories with sweet romances and hot but flawed heroes. It is safe to say that I devour each and every addition to the series, regardless of the author. For me Andrew Grey is always a go to on my list of authors I must read. He has a way with emotion and getting the reader (or at least me) to connect to his characters’ emotions with his magical use of words. Add to the audio with narration by John Solo and I’m set because this is an audio artist who can nail the voice and emotion of the characters in the story.
I have to admit, as much as I love Poppy’s Secret, I figured out the titular secret in no time at all. However, that did not take away from me loving the story and crying for probably half of the book. Because ultimately this story is about mistakes, second chances and true love. *sigh*.
This is a wonderful story of everlasting love, strength and reunion. Andrew Grey fans will not be disappointed, this one reminds me in part of some of the installments from his Senses series, which I adore. I also love how Andrew Grey weaves in themes of love and family – often with a child character who is being raised by a strong single father until the love interest enters the picture.
As for the story itself, it’s quite predictable in the way that you can just see exactly what is going to happen or at least figure out the facts/secrets between the two MCs. It’s the how and the why of the story which makes this book a ride worth taking. Nine years ago Pat and Edge had been head over heels in love and planning for a surrogate to start a family. But Edge got cold feet and left their small town home for Boston and never looked back. Yet in the present, he is back in Harrisburg and one thing on his list is definitely trying to make up for the mistake he had made when he had left Pat. Edge has a lot of groveling in his future, trying to make his way into Pat’s, and Pat’s daughter Emma’s life.
Murmuration by T.J. Klune ~ Audiobook
Title: Murmuration
Author: TJ Klune
Narrator: Kirt Graves
Genre: Historical, Mystery
Length: 12 hrs, 11 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (16th January 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: In the small mountain town of Amorea, it’s stretching toward autumn of 1954. The memories of a world at war are fading in the face of a prosperous future. Doors are left unlocked at night, and neighbors are always there to give each other a helping hand.
The people here know certain things as fact:
Amorea is the best little town there is.
The only good commie is a dead commie.
The Women’s Club of Amorea runs the town with an immaculately gloved fist.
And bookstore owner Mike Frazier loves that boy down at the diner, Sean Mellgard. Why they haven’t gotten their acts together is anybody’s guess. It may be the world’s longest courtship, but no one can deny the way they look at each other.
Slow and steady wins the race, or so they say.
But something’s wrong with Mike. He hears voices in his house late at night. There are shadows crawling along the walls and great clouds of birds overhead that only he can see.
Something’s happening in Amorea. And Mike will do whatever he can to keep the man he loves.
Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: It’s no secret. I absolutely love and will devour each and every TJ Klune book. Whether that book is in written or audio form, I will love it either way. He makes me laugh and he makes me cry, sometimes at the same time. I tell you, the man is evil, because his writing touches the soul speaks to every fiber of my being. Sounds a bit melodramatic, right? I know but seriously, I am having problems conjuring the words to describe why I love his writing and the stories he weaves with the most wonderful characters. However, Murmuration is a bit different in that despite having some light hearted moments it was more intense and full of mystery than anything else.
I heard Murmuration off the back of listening to TJ’s book Wolfsong. Both audios have the same narrator – Kirt Graves – who absolutely get the characters and the emotions on point.
Right I’m trying to keep this short because I think every time I write a TJ Klune review I go on and on and just gush about how much I love his writing and the book in question. I don’t want to give too much away either, so I really need to keep it brief.
This is a slow burn story between Mike and Sean in the very familiar theme of friends becoming lovers. In Murmuration we’re going back to 1950s small town America, an idyllic time for kids playing out on the road, people keeping their doors unlocked and generally tight communities where everyone knows each other and takes care of one another. I felt a bit of trepidation, though, because of the historical setting and what this could mean for a gay relationship. However, as you read and get hooked on the plot, it had me wondering if you can call it a historical as indicated by the blurb. It certainly gave us a setting and a starting point but there is so much more going on than the time/year that the book is set in. There is definitely a sense of mystery as odd things occur in the quiet small town.
Klune weaves together a complex story with many layers and I’m convinced he does it just to fuck with our minds. Because seriously that ending, was not expecting, seriously massive mind fuck. I can’t even say what book it immediately made me think of because for fans of Klune [and have followed his blog and Facebook] you will probably know what book I’m talking about! It’s one of those endings that have stuck with me and makes me keep on thinking. But ultimately I am happy because it was a HEA.
If you’re looking for a pure romance, I’m not sure what to say about it. It is a very romantic and very sweet story woven in between the darkness and intrigue of the surrounding world. This about a guy trying to find himself in a world that seems dark and scary, but it is the romance that gives us the sense of hope and light.
Close To You by Skylar M. Cates ~ Audiobook
Title: Close to You
Series: Sunshine and Happiness 03
Author: Skylar M Cates
Narrator: Tristan James
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 10 hrs, 12 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (8 Dec 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb: It’s hard to recover from a first love. Some people never do.
How hard would you fight to keep your best friend? Marc Lucas and Tomas Santos have been best friends forever, but now their friendship is in a crisis. When they were boys, betrayals ripped their world apart. They thought it was fixed, but some parts remained broken. Ever since he saved him from a humiliation at school, Marc has loved Tomas. The last thing he expects is for Tomas to love him back. To keep his best friend, Marc revisits an abusive past he’s tried to forget.
For Tomas, loving Marc has been anything but easy. His upbringing told him it was wrong, so why did it feel so right? Accepting who he is as an adult, Tomas decides he needs a committed relationship. To his deep sorrow, he can’t seem to find it with Marc.
When the two find themselves alone and in the grip of a hurricane, long-buried feelings emerge. Being “just friends” is no longer an option. They must risk it all on love.
Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: Close to You is the third book in Skylar M Cates’ series, Sunshine and Happiness. You don’t necessarily have to read or heard the two previous books to get this, I honestly haven’t read the first book, but I enjoyed the audio of the second book immensely. In fact, it was some of what had happened and shown about the characters of the third book that made me want to get my hands (or ears) into this story. The series is set around a group of guys living in a shared house and are still dealing with the fallout of the death of one of their best friends.
Marc Lucas and Tomas Santos have both lived difficult lives. They have been friends for years, since high school. There has been the potential for more between them for years, since day one in fact. But Marc is damaged after a childhood of abuse and neglect and Tomas, who was damaged from losing his father as a child, is devoted to the little family he has left. Marc is certain that he is not capable of love, getting his only real feelings from being Tomas’s friend and from his passion of cooking. Back in book 2, something that is explained to us anyway, Marc made a deal with a friend that he would go to a therapist as a sort of buddy system for the friend. Between the therapy, Tomas moving away to be with his mother and grandparents, and an approaching hurricane, Marc begins to learn that maybe he isn’t quite so damaged any more. And maybe he has a chance to actually know what love is like and reciprocate the love from his best friend.
I loved the story, I loved the angst and I loved the narration. I think the only criticism that I have is the pacing. I didn’t really get into the flashbacks. For me they were too disruptive to what was happening in the here and now. However, in saying that, I generally don’t like excessive flashbacks and for me this was excessive, almost every second chapter was a flashback. I know that Mark and Tomas’s relationship/friendship as kids was vital to the story but I just wasn’t into the flashbacks.
The Eye of Ra by Dakota Chase (2nd Edition)
Title: The Eye of Ra (2nd edition)
Series: Repeating History 01
Author: Dakota Chase
Genre: High Fantasy, Historical Ancient World, Teen Fiction, Time Travel
Length: Novella (170 pages)
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, (Dreamspinner Press) (May 16, 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Repeating History: Book One
Both Aston and Grant have a talent for finding trouble—it’s what landed them at the Stanton School for Boys—but this time, their mischief might send them to a completely different world.
When they accidentally destroy their teacher’s priceless archaeological artifacts, he demands they replace them. And since the teacher in question is Merlin, refusing isn’t an option for the two boys. Thanks to Merlin’s magic, they’re about to become time travelers.
The first piece on their list is the Eye of Ra, a mystical amulet belonging to the young King Tut. Ancient Egypt is nothing like Aston and Grant expected, with its war, disease, and lack of modern technology. To survive, they must befriend King Tut and learn to trust him—and each other. In a primitive world, where death and danger wait around every corner, one thing is clear: revisiting history could cost someone their life.
First Edition published by Prizm Press, 2010.
ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-370-1
Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-eye-of-ra-by-dakota-chase-8337-b | https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/the-eye-of-ra-by-dakota-chase-469-b
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Grant and Ashton are two school boys who are thrust into the past to retrieve the Eye of Ra that was destroyed in a fire because of them. I found it intriguing and interesting that it was Merlin’s possessions that were destroyed. I liked that instead of reporting the boys he decides to take matters into his own hands and as a result the boys learn a valuable lesson in history first hand.
At times it seems as if the young men are not going to make it through the story in one piece. I felt myself immersed in a story that I would have enjoyed seeing with my own eyes.
Though this journey was not without danger, Ashton and Grant make the most of it while trying to stay alive. The environment was beautifully written as was the interactions. A magical and historical story that grabs you from the start and does not let go until the end.
Great read.
Five Times My Best Friend Kissed Me by Anna Martin ~ Audiobook
Title: Five Times My Best Friend Kissed Me
Author: Anna Martin
Genre: Contemporary, Coming Out
Narrator: Jesse Cota
Length: 6 hrs 17 min
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (26th January 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: When you realize you want to marry your best friend at age six, life should follow a pretty predictable path, right? Maybe not.
As a kid, Evan King thought Scott Sparrow was the most amazing person he’d ever met. At 17, his crush runs a little deeper, and nothing seems simple anymore. Scott is more interested in football and girls than playing superheroes, and Evan’s attention is focused on getting into art school. A late-night drunken kiss is something to be forgotten, not obsessed over for the next 10 years.
When life suddenly brings them back together, it doesn’t take much for the flame Evan carried for Scott nearly all his life to come roaring back, and Evan discovers that life sometimes has a strange way of coming full circle.
Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK
Reviewer: Gigi
Review: Our lives take unseen and unpredictable turns, and the people in our lives often cross paths at different intersections, sometimes walk the path with us for great lengths before trotting off on their own journey. This lovable story is a lot about that, how important people in our lives come and go, all the while making an impact present or not. It’s about best friends, growing up together, first attraction, first loves, self-questioning… all of those deep and common experiences.
Evan and Scott have an interesting and endearing dynamic as friends and eventually as a couple, but I appreciated that other people were allowed to come into their lives throughout the story, it was realistic in that sense, and helped the overall theme resonate with me.
The passionate scenes were steamy yet realistic, beautiful descriptors and romantic settings. The narration was good, not as diverse as I like for different characters but Jesse Cota’s voice suits the youthful journey these characters take from childhood to young adulthood and he reads well.
Anna Martin’s writing is always fluid and crafted expertly. A heart-warming story of a life journey from school yard pals to lifetime lovers, you’ll enjoy Five Times My Best Friend Kissed Me, a great warm and endearing read.
Who We Truly Are by Victoria Sue
Title: Who We Truly Are
Series: Enhanced # 2
Author: Victoria Sue
Genre: Other Paranormal, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel (206 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 14, 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Talon’s deadly abilities are spiraling out of control. Desperate to keep Finn safe, Talon struggles to protect the man he loves with all his heart, and not become the greatest risk to Finn’s life.
Finn has no choice but to offer himself as bait for the evil forces kidnapping enhanced children, facing danger he is untrained and unprepared for, and he is having to do it alone.
Does Talon have one last fight in him? Will he slay everyone who wants to destroy Finn and the team, or will he finally discover that to defeat their enemy and the ultimate threat, the biggest battle he has to face is one with himself?
ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-772-3
Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/who-we-truly-are-by-victoria-sue-8670-b
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Oh my god was this book so good. Talon and his team are back when enhanced children start disappearing. Talon is not happy that Finn acts as bait to lure whoever is behind the kidnappings out.
While all this is going on Finn is getting upset with Talon as he feels Talon does not think he can do his job. With tensions mounting between the two disasters is sure to strike.
Talon’s abilities seem to grow when unexpectedly he starts being able to do what other team members can do. I swear there were twists and turns that had my head spinning but in a good way. There was no shortage of action, drama, suspense and mystery throughout.
I seriously love this amazing series. I cannot wait to read more about the others on the team as well. You have to read this series.
Highly recommended.