Category: Retro Book Reviews

Brewing by Sean Michael

Title: Brewing

Series: Beer and Clay 04

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary

Length: Novella (105 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (13th October 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: As the love between Toby and Damon deepens, the man intent on destroying their happiness increases his efforts.

Toby and Damon are back in Brewing, their relationship deepening more despite the continuing efforts of a stranger to bring them down.

Helping in their efforts are their best friends Peter and Christian. Peter’s new investment in a three-story building on the same block as Damon’s bar offers Toby the opportunity of having a studio close to home. It also gives Peter and Christian a home they’ve made together, which Peter hopes will bring them closer together.

A former soldier, Christian has a hard time letting go and finding his subspace. It’s going to take a lot to break the conditioning he’s learned in the Army. Peter is stubborn, though, and he’s seriously falling for his strong sub.

Will yet another attack bring down two couples this time?

ISBN: 978-1-78430-796-7

Product Link: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: In this book we see a new business open and Toby is ecstatic and immediately begins sculpting in his new studio. Damon is happy yet concerned when the stalker yet again throws their world into chaos.

We also learn more about Peter and Christian. Christian is struggling with his d/s relationship with Peter. But Peter is not giving up and finds different ways to ease Christian in the lifestyle.

I liked this story as the stalker is finally revealed and we learn more about Christian and Peter as opposed to only the story being about Damon and Toby.

Great read.

Mashing by Sean Michael

Title: Mashing

Series: Beer and Clay 03

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary

Length: Novella (104 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (5th June 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Life is good for Toby and Damon—maybe too good. What happens when someone seems intent on destroying their happiness?

Toby and Damon are growing closer every day, with Toby recovering from the shot to his shoulder and Damon trying to keep him from pushing too hard too fast. Things are good between them.

They’re even better in the bedroom, where Toby is learning all sorts of new things and Damon is happily pushing his limits.

They’ve almost forgotten that someone doesn’t seem as happy with their closeness as they are, when Toby walks into his studio to find it trashed and his little apartment ransacked. Are the authorities going to be able to apprehend the culprit before Toby decides the best course of action is to remove himself from the equation?

ISBN: 978-1-78430-619-9

Product Link: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: The aftermath of book two leaves Toby shot in the shoulder and recuperating with Damon’s help. The perpetrator is still on the loose and continues their threats but Toby is focusing on Damon and their further explorations in the bedroom.

I loved that Damon was there for Toby. Toby for his part was brave and responsive to what Damon wanted as well as to his own fantasies.

Great read.

Shiver by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Title: Shiver

Series: Unbreakable Bonds 01

Author: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary

Length: Novel (330pgs)

Publisher: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott (October 27, 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Lucas Vallois is always in control. He’s building an empire in the glittering city of Cincinnati and created his own family from his three close friends. The self-made millionaire has everything he wants within his tight grasp. But his world starts to crumble after he’s jumped by a trio of thugs late one night after leaving a club. The warning is clear—give up his new property venture or end up dead.

Caving to the demands of his friends, Lucas accepts the help of bodyguard, Andrei Hadeon, as he hunts for the source of this new threat. But as Lucas gets closer to uncovering the danger, he realizes the sexy Romanian bodyguard poses an even bigger risk to his carefully constructed world. Trapped by a need he never expected, Lucas must find a way to deny the shiver of longing he cannot control.

His brother. His warrior. His heart. Four friends. Unbreakable bonds.

ISBN: B015SC6UUI

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I was interested in this series after reading Psycho Romeo and figuring out quickly from the beginning that there were other books connected that came first. So I requested the series and I’m so glad I did as I was taken on a superb roller coaster ride of a great mystery/suspense series.

Lucas’ life is in danger and so his good friend Rowe, who owns Ward Security, sends Andrei as a bodyguard to protect his friend. Lucas and Andrei are attracted to each other yet Andrei fights it as he has a job to do. We learn about the tight bond between Lucas, Snow, Rowe and Ian.

These men are strong and fierce when it comes to protecting the others. I loved their easy going yet teasing manner with each other. Lucas and Andrei were hot together.

The plot and mystery were edge of your seat worthy with A few action scenes thrown into the mix. A wonderful suspense, drama, and action packed start to a an amazing journey into four men’s lives and the men they meet, love and fight along the way to find happiness at the end of the dark tunnel they find themselves in.

Fantastic read. Highly recommended.

Milling by Sean Michael

Title: Milling

Series: Beer and Clay 02

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary

Length: Novella (111 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (30th April 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Toby and Damon’s whirlwind romance continues, but can they find a balance between love and work? Do they even want to?

Toby can scarcely believe that his life has changed so much in less than two weeks, but it has. His predictable little life has gone from routine to sexually adventurous in a matter of days. And to be honest, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Damon’s just as into Toby, more interested in exploring with his new lover than spending all his time at the bar. Luckily things are running fairly smoothly there with his hand only occasionally needed on the rudder.

Their idyllic love affair has a few bumps to withstand, though, in the form of an intruder with a gun. Can Toby and Damon survive what happens next?

ISBN: 978-1-78430-511-6

Product Link: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Damon and Toby are back in this sequel as they continue to get to know one another. Toby is still in shock about his relationship with Damon while Damon is spending less time at work and more time with Toby.

More sexy explorations abound as Toby and Damon explore each other further in the bedroom and where ever else the need them. Hot and sexy read.

Great story.

Malting by Sean Michael

Title: Malting

Series: Beer and Clay 01

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary

Length: Novella (109 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Sometimes unpredictable is exactly what’s needed, but can Corner Pub owner Damon convince shy Thursday night regular Toby of that?

Damon loves his life—his bar, his employees and his beer. He especially loves Thursdays. That’s when the mysterious little red-head dances into his bar, drinks two honey wheat brews, and flits right back out.

Toby’s comfortable. He has a good job, great friends, and he gets paid to do what he loves—sculpt. His life is great, if a little predictable. And if he secretly wears a plug to Corner Pub every Thursday, well…that’s nobody’s business but his.

But when Toby meets Damon, his predictable little life flies right out the window. Damon shows him the big, wide world of the Dom/sub lifestyle, plugs and piercings, and teaches him that maybe, unpredictable is exactly what Toby needed all along.

ISBN: 978-1-78184-956-9

Product Link: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This book has mostly sex in it and some humorous scenes as well. By the end of the book I felt as though Toby was still confused so I was confused as to why he was in a relationship with a Dom.

Never the less it was an entertaining read as I watched Toby stutter and seem to do whatever Damon tells him to do.

After reading I’m wondering about Toby and whether he was actually ready for sex and a relationship all at the same time.

Good read.

The Left Hand Of Calvus by Ann Gallagher

Title: The Left Hand of Calvus

Series: Warriors of Rome 01

Author: Ann Gallagher

Genre: Historical Rome, Trans

Length: Novel (200pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-943426-30-0

Publisher: Ann Gallagher/L.A. Witt (4th November 2016)

Heat Level: Nil

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Former gladiator Saevius is certain Fortune’s smiling on him when a Pompeiian politician buys him to be his bodyguard. That is until his new master, Laurea Calvus, orders Saevius to discover the gladiator with whom his wife is having a sordid affair. In order to do that, Saevius must return to the arena, training alongside the very men on whom he’s spying. Worse, he’s now under the command of Drusus, a notoriously cruel—and yet strangely intriguing—lanista.

But Saevius’s ruse is the least of his worries. There’s more to the affair than a wife humiliating her prominent husband, and now Saevius is part of a dangerous game between dangerous men. He isn’t the only gladiator out to expose the Lady Verina’s transgressions, and her husband wants more than just the guilty man’s name.

When Saevius learns the truth about the affair, he’s left with no choice but to betray a master: one he’s come to fear, one he’s come to respect, and either of whom could have him killed without repercussion.

For the first time in his life, the most dangerous place for this gladiator isn’t the arena.

This 52,500 word novel was previously published under the pseudonym L.A. Witt, and has been lightly revised.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Review: Just three fights short of his freedom Saevius is bought by a Pompeiian politician, although his chance of freedom is gone Saevius is just glad that the life as a gladiator is behind him, that is until his new master orders him back to the arena to search out the man his wife is having an affair with. Discovering that man’s name is hard which is made even harder but the eagle eyes of his new Ianista Drusus, a man whose name is well known by gladiators around the country, a man who is spoken about with fear and hate.

This is a very well-crafted story; it pulls you in quickly as we see everything through Saevius’ eyes. Saevius has lived his life as a gladiator and is looking forward to never fighting again when he is sold to Laurea Calvus and thrown right back into the life he hoped he’d never see again. He finds himself in a situation he never thought he could possibly be in, torn between his master Calvus, his new Ianista and his fellow gladiators.

I liked this story a lot, especially about the everyday life of the gladiators, seeing through a gladiator’s eyes and having his thoughts and feelings about everything was fascinating and really does pull you in. I wasn’t sure about this story when I first picked it up, I’m not into first person narrative but this really was an interesting read. I will admit that at times I did wish we could see things from Drusus’ perspective especially after we discover the truth because that would be just awesome, the story from Drusus’s view would be a must read.

We get pulled into a world filled with intrigue, danger and just a dash of mystery, Saevius really does find himself with an impossible task, spy for his master, spy for his Ianista, keeping his fellow gladiators off his back, lying to his master, his Ianista and fellow gladiators, facing punishment from all three… damn Saevius just can’t do anything right with being hemmed in on three sides and with his back to a wall full of spikes!

Now I do view this as a romance, it is slight but it is there but I also view this as a mystery because finding out who Calvus’ wife’s lover is was the main storyline.

I do feel that the story did gloss over Saevius feelings, because I’ll tell you if I had a glimpse of freedom and it was snatched away at the last moment I’d be storming mad and spitting feathers while railing at the Gods sick twisted humor. I also think the author took a couple of liberties with the way that women and gladiators interacted, because while it may have happened it happened in secret where no one could see and many mouths were firmly shut on pain of death.

I recommend this to those who love ancient Rome, Gladiators, intrigue, danger, a hint of romance and an ending that is definitely happy for our earnest while gladiator.

The Left Hand Of Calvus by Ann Gallagher Retro Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Ann Gallagher - The Left Hand Of Calvus RTBanner

Hi guys, we have Ann Gallagher stopping by today with her retro tour for The Left Hand of Calvus, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and my review, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

The Left Hand of Calvus

by

Ann Gallagher

Former gladiator Saevius is certain Fortune’s smiling on him when a Pompeiian politician buys him to be his bodyguard. That is until his new master, Laurea Calvus, orders Saevius to discover the gladiator with whom his wife is having a sordid affair. In order to do that, Saevius must return to the arena, training alongside the very men on whom he’s spying. Worse, he’s now under the command of Drusus, a notoriously cruel—and yet strangely intriguing—lanista.

But Saevius’s ruse is the least of his worries. There’s more to the affair than a wife humiliating her prominent husband, and now Saevius is part of a dangerous game between dangerous men. He isn’t the only gladiator out to expose the Lady Verina’s transgressions, and her husband wants more than just the guilty man’s name.

When Saevius learns the truth about the affair, he’s left with no choice but to betray a master: one he’s come to fear, one he’s come to respect, and either of whom could have him killed without repercussion.

For the first time in his life, the most dangerous place for this gladiator isn’t the arena.

Continue reading “The Left Hand Of Calvus by Ann Gallagher Retro Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →

Beautiful Liar by Lexie Davis

Lexie Davis - Beautiful Liar CoverTitle: Beautiful Liar

Author: Lexie Davis

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Length: Short (55 Pages)

Publisher: Evernight Publishing (25th November 2015)

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Noah Reese is used to attending to the needs of the rich and famous gay bachelors of New York City. When he’s paid to attend a charity gala with a rich businessman, the client doesn’t show. It isn’t normal for escorts to get stood up, but before he can really complain, Tanner Lachlan catches his eye. 

Tanner Lachlan is a billionaire that doesn’t need a relationship to complicate his already full life. However, when he sees Noah admiring an erotic painting, he can’t help but wonder about him. The beautiful man is exactly his type and they share an intense passion unlike any other. 

With scandal surrounding Noah, the deeper he gets involved with Tanner the more lies he needs to tell to keep his secrets at bay. Neither are prepared for the flood of explosive emotions that can tear them apart for good. 

ASIN: B018CVQZWK

Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/beautiful-liar-by-lexie-davis/

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Noah is a paid Escort and he have a clientele with the rich gay men of NY. The agency that he works for had booked him for the evening and he had a dinner engagement with a client at an Art exhibition, but the client stood him up and Noah felt like a fish out of water mingling among the wealthiest patrons of NY. He’s thinking of finishing off his drink and then leaving. His mindset isn’t with the job like when he first started. While looking at a painting, he is approached by a very handsome gentleman.

Tanner is a billionaire and hasn’t been interested in a relationship in a long time, but while talking to Noah, he realizes that he’s different and he convinces Noah to stay a little longer and join him for a meal. After dinner, they end up at Tanner’s apartment where they have a very passionate night together and they both can’t stop thinking about each other after that night. Noah tells Tanner that he’s a Model but doesn’t say what he does for a living. Days later Tanner seeks Noah out and offers him a job, at his company for an Ad promotion as a Model. They continue the steaming relationship. Noah is enjoying himself very much with Tanner, but it doesn’t look good for Noah when Tanner finds out exactly what type of job Noah has and the lies that he told him.

I can’t remember if I’ve ever read a book from this Author before and I’m very sorry about that, because I absolutely love this story and I’ll definitely be reading their work again. If you’re interested in a short fairy tale story about meeting prince charming, then this is it.

Wrong Room, Right Guy by Liam Livings Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

liam-livings-wrong-room-right-guy-banner-1-copy

Hi peeps, we have Liam Livings popping in today with his release Wrong Room, Right Guy, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

liam-livings-wrong-room-right-guy-cover-s

Wrong Room, Right Guy

by

Liam Livings

Simon’s the wrong man in the wrong place; trying to teach English to kids who couldn’t care less, he’d really rather be a writer – but it’s only when his best friend bullies him into it that he takes the plunge and joins his local creative writing group. Even then things don’t quite work out the way he planned; blundering into the wrong room at the Village Hall he encounters a group of recovering cocaine addicts and he wants to know more … which is the start, for Simon, of a double life and a whole new secret identity, not to mention an intriguing relationship …

Continue reading “Wrong Room, Right Guy by Liam Livings Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →