Heartstrings by Eressë

Title: Heartstrings

Series: Chronicles of Ylandre 04

Author: Eressë

Genre: High Fantasy, Hermaphroditism, Science Fiction-ish, M-Preg

Length: Novel (roughly 168pgs)

Publisher: Liquid Silver Press (4th July 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When all else comes to naught, a steadfast heart is the only thing that stands between hope and despair.

Scions of the most powerful House in Ylandre, Ashrian Mithani and Eiren Sarvan were more than just cousins. Lovers of long standing, theirs was a bond that would have been the envy of all were it not for one glaring flaw—Ashrian’s inability to commit himself wholeheartedly to Eiren. Despite the dismay of some and the derision of others, Eiren bore his inconstancy; displaying a loyalty Ashrian seemed incapable of returning. That is, until Ashrian crossed a line and the transgression proved one Eiren could not forgive.

In the wake of grief and remorse, Ashrian seeks to make amends and win Eiren back. But something stands in his way. Or rather someone. And the irony of it all is that Ashrian can neither hate nor help befriending the Deir who is his rival for the heart of Ylandre’s most beloved physician.

Purchase Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&product_name=Heartstrings

Warning: Hermaphroditism (dual sex).  This book is part of a series and must be read in order.

Review: Heartstrings is a very fitting title for this book as it will definitely be pulling at yours. Ashrian (Ash) and Eiren (Ren) have a very tenuous relationship. Ren is committed to Ash, but Ash still lives the high life and enjoys his flirtations. But, one day Ash goes too far and Ren doesn’t think he will ever forgive him and accepts a position that he had been toying with taking. When Ren returns he brings back a new love and dashes Ash’s hope of regaining his love, but circumstances change over the years and a spark returns between Ren and Ash.

This story runs parallel to the other stories in this series and as always we see a wonderful selection of characters that we have fallen in love with in the past. In this story, we have heartbreak, cheating, betrayal, remorse, redemption and forgiveness. Ren and Ash have had a very up and down relationship for many years and Ren has always put up with Ash’s unfaithfulness, but one night Ash sleeps with the wrong person and Ren has had enough. When Ren is gone, Ash realizes exactly what Ren really meant to him. But, by the time Ren comes back, Ren has moved on and there is nothing that Ash can do about it.

As always in a relationship there is always more than one point of view and to make a relationship work there has to be communication, and with Ren and Ash there is a distinct lack of communication. *sigh* When I started to read this one I really wanted to hate Ash, but the further I got into the book the more I began to sympathize with him.  because Ren never put his foot down, Ren never really pulled him about anything and just walked around like a martyr with a ‘woe is me, my man cheats on me and I do nothing about it’ attitude. I will be honest all my sympathy went to Ash and I think that Ash and Firyon (I won’t spoil it) were great characters and Ren came into his own much later when he also faced his own faults.

This story is again beautifully written. We are given more world building with fantastic characters. Eressë drags us back into the world of Ylandre, giving us more knowledge about characters we have met in the past. Filling us in with the stories of others and tearing our heartstrings as we become involved with the beloved characters. Ren and Ash’s story with shock you, it will disgust you, it will make you tear up, it will get you angry and it will fill you with forgiveness and happiness but it will never be boring.

I am recommending this to all those who love m-preg, misunderstandings, frustration, despair, angst, forgiveness, happiness, growing relationships and growing people but most of all a happy ever after that is well deserved.

 

 

BDSM For Writers by Dr. Charley Ferrer

Title:  BDSM for Writers

Author:  Dr. Charley Ferrer

Genre:  Non-fiction, Writing Instruction

Length:  Paperback 206 pages (digital formats available)

Publisher:  Institute of Pleasure (July 24, 2011)

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977006395?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0977006395&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Online Excerpt available on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12235206-bdsm-for-writers

Reviewer: Sage

Book Blurb: (from Amazon.com)

Join world-renowned Clinical Sexologist Dr. Charley Ferrer as she provides authors with valuable information about Dominance and submission and the various power exchange relationships. This book addresses the emotional and psychological connections men and women make in this uniquely erotic lifestyle, dispelling many of the misconceptions perpetuated by Hollywood and the media. BDSM for Writers provides authors with a valuable tool to assist them in developing stronger and more realistic characters, plots, and scenes. Not only does this book cover the basics every author must know when writing in this particular genre, but it also provides insight into individual characteristics, personality traits, and lifestyle etiquette that adds realism to any fictional BDSM work. Discover the integral techniques and foundations necessary to train a slave, the benefits and pitfalls of rewards and punishment, and the various methods of how to use punishment and humiliation on a male versus a female submissive/slave to achieve optimum results. There is even a BDSM Checklist created specifically for authors to assist in developing characters and those deliciously wicked scenes.

Review:  Written in an engaging, talkative style which gives the impression you’re actually holding a conversation with a friend rather than reading a book on writing, BDSM for Writers captures attention from the first words of Joey W. Hill’s preface. However, the chatty writing style quickly becomes detrimental in a non-fiction reference book as there are no footnotes or endnotes attributing any of the quotes made along the way. This same fault occurs when reference examples of kinds of behavior in the BDSM community. AN example is given, yet there is no note of any kind saying – personal conversation with so-n-so, even if the name used is a pseudonym to protect the individual’s identity. Additionally, things are stated as fact with no attribution to outside research. Yes, many of these facts are common knowledge within the BDSM community; however, an author should never assume that all their readers share the same knowledge base.

Often an acronym or term is introduced, used repeatedly and only later defined as to its exact meaning. Luckily, many times these terms are again common knowledge which anyone doing a bit of online research into the BDSM lifestyle will already have been exposed to; however, again, this lack of immediate explanation is a determent to the context of the book. For example, Dr. Ferrer begins to discuss the basic rules of a BDSM relationship by defining the term ‘safeword’ in the context of ‘SSC/RACK’ relationships but doesn’t explain the later term until two paragraphs and one page later! If you don’t already know the anagram, you will have no idea why Dr. Ferrer is using the term in her definition. It’s not until the third chapter of the book – after pages of generalized discussion – that Dr. Ferrer actually takes the time to fully  define many of the terms she’d already been using. Thankfully, many of the terms are either in common usage, are understandable from context or are casually defined whenever they are mentioned in the text.

Additionally, there are some formatting issues with the book. The copy I read for this review would shift back and forth between one inch margins all around the text to inch-and-a-half left margins with one-inch right, top and bottom margins. Many of the errors are easily ignored – such as missing periods at ends of sentences, misplaced periods and a repeatedly used non-traditional spelling of ma’am – but partial parenthetical phrases where the beginning/ending parenthesis is missing and common, easily noticed spelling errors quickly became irritating.

BDSM for Writers suffers from an inherent bias on the part of the author toward heterosexual relationships, specifically, female dominant/male submissive relationships. From the beginning of the book through to the final pages, the reader is constantly reminded that this is the preferred relationship for the author and that – all gender pronouns could be switched as needed – as if the dynamics of BDSM relationships are completely interchangeable. While this could indeed be the case, it is difficult to ascertain from the text. Only twice – once in the section discussing anal sex and once in the resource list – does the book directly reference male/male authors. And then only to refer these authors to other books.

After all of the hype surrounding this book in the writing community, I must admit to being extremely disappointed in it. None of the material was really new to me, nor was it something I hadn’t found in other BDSM non-fiction books. The resource list was very short, mostly links to sites or groups known directly to the author, a few non-fiction general information books, and a few movies and fictions books. Again, the authorial bias was shown in this list. As an extremely basic introduction to BDSM, this book is passable though I feel it is greatly flawed due to authorial bias. Even the much vaunted BDSM Checklist for Writers is just a variation of similar checklists and instructions for filling them out easily located via a Google search.

 

 

 

 

 

Protecting His Soul by Amber Kell

Title: Protecting His Soul

Author: Amber Kell

Series: Scared Stiff

Publisher: Total E Bound Publishing (April 2nd, 2012)

Length: Novella

Genre: Paranormal

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:  When two souls are entwined, true love doesn’t end…even after death.

When Bartholomew sees his dead lover at a café, he thinks he’s imagining things. Bart follows Cullen only to learn there’s a lot more going on in the world than he ever knew.

Suddenly assigned the task of collecting his lover’s soul, Bart goes through many trials in order to reclaim a man he’d thought he’d lost forever. However, nothing prepares him for discovering the truth about Cullen’s past.

Now he must figure out what to do with a man who kept his real self-hidden from Bart, while handing over all of his love

Buy link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1601

Review: Bart thinks he is seeing things when he thinks he is seeing his dead lover. He follows him to find out that his lover was never who (or shall I say what he thought he was.)

This is a very unique take on a vampire story. Lots of twists and turns. It is also a very good love story and the sex is hot. If you’re looking for a good short romantic vampire story give this a shot. My only complaint is that it was too short. I’d love more.  What would you go through to save your dead lover’s soul?

I recommend this to anyone that loves paranormal especially vampire stories. A soul-mate story, a good love story, trials and tribulations, and some hot man-sex.

Going Under by Lisa Worrall

Title: Going Under

Author: Lisa Worrall

Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary, Ghosts, Spirits

Length: Novella (156pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (4th August 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Evan Griffin, bruised and battered by unseen forces, walks into the offices of paranormal investigators, Knight & Stone. Ross Stone is captivated by the injured man. Does he dare risk getting close to Evan when he’s fighting his own demons?

Evan Griffin moved into his remote country house with all the excitement and promise of a new start. He thought he’d found it until the strange noises began… When the attacks became physical, he was left bruised and battered and desperate for help.

When Evan walks into the offices of paranormal investigators, Knight & Stone, Ross Stone is dumbfounded by the injuries the man bears. Injuries Evan insists were caused by an unseen assailant in his own home. Something in the man’s eyes tugs at Ross’s heartstrings. But dare he risk getting close to Evan when he is fighting his own demons?

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a HFN ending and extreme violence or gore.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1178

Review: Evan is in a hopeless place, after moving to the countryside for a fresh start he is now being terrorized by something he can’t see and can’t fight back against. In a desperate move, he goes to Knight & Stone paranormal investigators for help, and they help him get to the bottom of his haunting. Ross is instantly attracted to the man who comes to them for help; even Evan’s bruises don’t douse his attraction. But, the poor man has come to him for help and he has enough on his plate with his own demons, but both their pasts collide.

This is a well written novella that is tragic and violent and has a silver lining that is tinged with black. Evan is coming to the end of his rope; the invisible attacks against him are becoming more and more violent. So even though he may end up being laughed at, he goes to a paranormal investigator. An investigator who is the first man, since he lost his partner that he has felt an attraction to. Ross wants to help out the poor man who looks so dejected. So he sets out with his co-workers to help Evan get to the bottom of his problem. He rapidly falls for Evan, but his past catches up with him and it makes for an exceptional and emotional time for both of them.

What can I really say about this story except that Lisa Worrall really knows how to give us an angsty, emotional, violent, disturbing, intriguing story. I am not going to go into too much detail with this story except to say that a tragedy in Evan’s past now haunts him, and has been trying to make him pay for many years. With Ross, it is a monster from his past that re-emerges and refuses to let him go. I must admit I was a little surprised at how fast Evan and Ross got together, but they were very passionate and caring together and very hot.

I will give warning that there is quite a bit of violence in this story, but it really adds to the realism of the situations. Evan and Ross do make a good couple in the time that we see them together, and they are very caring about each other. But the ending is a bit of a shriek into your fist and an ‘oh my god’ moment and you begin to have a desperate hope that there will be a sequel so we can have a ‘happily ever after’ for them. Because, if anyone deserves a happy ending it is these two men.

I am recommending this to those who love angst, surprising violence, hauntings, ghosts from the past (living and dead), hot sex, the beginning of a beautiful relationship and a happy for now ending, that makes you want to scream.

 

It's Simple, Simon by Lee Brazil

Title: It’s Simple, Simon

Series: N/A

Author: Lee Brazil

Genre: M/M Romance, Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Breathless Press (August, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Simon Carter has achieved unimaginable success and he owes it all to a man from his past whose scorn set fire to his ambition.

“It’s Simple, Simon. You lack ambition.”

Chase Garvin’s jibe had sent Simon Carter on unexpected paths and brought him unimaginable success. No longer a penniless musician, the highly paid investment banker is going home for the first time in years. He plans to rest, relax, and spend a little time rubbing his ex-lover’s nose in his success. A visit to the Renaissance Fair brings this not-quite-so-simple- Simon nose to nose with his past and somehow revenge doesn’t seem quite so attractive.

Chase Garvin, Denver, Colorado’s very own Pie Man, is still incredibly handsome. What’s more, the more mature Chase is very appreciative of Simon’s talents.

When the old attraction flares between them, Simon and the Pie Man get caught up in tasting the wares, and neither counts the pennies.

Product Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&products_id=299

Reviewer: Thommie

Review:

Simple Simon met a pieman, Going to the fair;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman, Let me taste your ware.

Says the pieman to Simple Simon, Show me first your penny;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman, Indeed I have not any.

Twelve years and Simon still keeps that last memory of Chase breaking up with him. Those last words he said “It’s simple Simon. You lack ambition…” hunting him and pushing him toward his success. Now he has returned with a single goal, to show his old love just how ambitious he got. What Simon did not expect was how little does a twelve years older Chase care about that, for indeed when he shows up in front of him as a poor man, Chase only cares for him and makes whatever he can to get him back. Hastily made assumptions and unspoken words lead to misunderstandings that Simon was not prepared for. He came back to shove his success and fortune at his ex-lover’s face in a petty act of revenge and ends up falling all over for him, as if he ever stopped wanting the man. And Chase ends up making the same mistake he made twelve years ago. Can he make things right now? Can he win this new Simon and have a life with him?

This is a romance through and through. It somehow reminded me the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies, very mellow and with a slight notch of humor. Although it was not entirely my cup of tea, I cannot deny that it had some appeal to me. The characters were cute and sexy, if a bit indifferent. I was more interested in the story itself than Simon and Chase. However their lovemaking made up a lot, I found the sex scenes quite fun and somewhat sensual. Some of them were indeed a bit over-sweet for my taste, but hey, I’m a very peculiar reader.

I’d recommend this story to romance lovers and anyone else in search for a light, enjoyable read. Have fun!!!

 

 

Angelic Union by Jana Downs

Title: Angelic Union

Series: Unexpected Angels 01

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Paranormal, Angel, M/M/M/M/M/M/M

Length: Novella (120pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand Publishing (28th July 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Levi, Erik, and Marius think that by moving to sanctuary they’re getting their happily ever after, a future that includes a small wedding, some cake, and a little family drama. Little do they know that Levi and Erik’s angelic fathers have a surprise wedding present for them—four Elite guardian angels sworn to protect them.

Brax, Axis, Keer, and Jade claim the three are destined to be their mates and that they’ve been watching over them since the beginning. They also offer redemption for their Fallen lover, Marius, and a family far larger than any of them had originally planned for. Can Levi, Erik, and Marius overcome their insecurities and fears for the chance at a love of a lifetime? Or will they let their scarred pasts ruin all chances of happiness?

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/angelic-union

Review: This story picks up where His Guardian Angel 03 – Angel Kin ended, with Levi, Erik and Marius getting married and will run parallel with some overlap. Marius is overjoyed to be marrying his Nephilim, but a spanner gets thrown in the works by his new fathers-in-law, and now he has to contend with four Elite guardians. Eric and Levi have both realized that the four Elite will be more to them than just guardians, but they know it will be hard on Marius to accept them and try to ease him into having them around. Axis, Brax, Ker and Jade know that the two Nephilim and the fallen angel are their mates, and they know that they will have to take it slow and ease them into a relationship especially Marius but they get unexpected help from Uriel.

This is a well written novella that shows us more of the Angelic aspects and the redemption of Marius. Marius, Levi and Erik are really happy, they are in love and are getting married but when they are presented with four Elite guardians, and Marius knows that his Nephilim will never be able to resist the pull of sex. Levi and Eric fight the pull hard but Marius discovers that all seven of them are meant to be, but that doesn’t stop the doubts or the fears they harbor. The four Elite know that they have to slot into an already established relationship and they know it won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t chaffing themselves to create the bond between all seven of them.

You know, I started this book really excited. I was going to get to know Marius, Erik and Levi better after meeting them all in The Guardian Angel Series and see what would happen with the Elite guards they were given, *sigh* I am glad I got to know Marius and Erik better and got the chance to meet Axis, Brax, Keer and Jade, but, Levi I wish I had never met. Jesus. what a manipulative little shit and how proud he was of himself for wrapping the men round his little finger and such a whiny brat. I can’t remember the last time I disliked a character so much. WHAT happened? I can’t remember Levi being like this before!! Anyway, I am ignoring him. Erik and Marius are really good characters and I wish we could have spent much more time getting to know their backgrounds better, and what made them both tick more. the same for the four Elite Axis, Brax, Keer and Jade, we did get to know them slightly, but not as well as we could have hoped for. Hopefully, we will get to know them better in the future books.

I am looking forward to the future books and seeing how Marius handles going from Fallen to Elite with that special little power that he has developed. I want more from Erik as he is a spit-fire and I want to see a more solid development of the extended group and I want Levi to grow up and act like a man. Now, the sex in this is very hot and plentiful with quite a bit of verity. the storyline is good and you really do hope that they all work it out. the only thing that niggled for me was that it felt that Marius was forced into a situation that should have happened naturally.

I am going to recommend this one to those who love angels, fallen angels, nephilim, hot sex, a slightly awkward relationship and an eventually happy ending.

 

 

 

Meant For Each Other by D. H. Starr

Title:  Meant For Each Other

Series:  N/A

Author:  D.H. Starr

Genre:   Young Adult/MM contemporary

Length:  190 Pages

Publisher:  Ai Press (November 7, 2010)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:   Sometimes your first love is the one that was meant to be. Craig Harper and Jeremy Finn were best friends growing up. They attended the same school, spent all of their time together, and hung out with the same group of people. It wasn’t until the day before Jeremy and his family moved across the country that they discovered their attraction to one another. Fifteen years later, they reunite by chance in New York City. Both are in relationships and have established a routine in their lives. But routines and relationships are shaken as they begin to spend time together once again. Old feelings and connections are still strong and the passion that pulls them together is a powerful, soul-searing call neither man can deny. As each deals with the issues in their own relationships, they begin to question whether the comfort of what they know is more powerful than the pull of what they could have been…and what they might become. Struggling to find the answer, only their hearts can reveal if they are meant for each other.

Product Link:  http://www.dhstarr.com/meant_for_each_other.html

Reviewer: John

Review:  I have to be honest. When I got this novel to review, I wasn’t looking forward to it because I am not a fan of MM contemporary novels. They tend to be more about adults and their problems. But, I’m so happy that I did.

This love story revolves around Craig Harper and Jeremy Finn, who grew up as best friends in Newton, just west of Boston. One day at age fifteen, they share a kiss and Jeremy moves across the country the following day. Slowly, they begin to lose contact with each other and grow apart. Fifteen years later, their paths cross once again, but things are not perfect. Why? Craig is with Robert and Jeremy is with Andrew. This is where things get a little interesting.

I loved the main characters and I absolutely loved the concept of the story. Some may find it hard to believe that you will lose contact with a friend over time, but that has happened to me so I found credibility in this story. With that said, I get where these two are coming from.

The only character I disliked was Robert. There was something about him that I hated so much. He was just a bastard. I loved Andrew and I was torn because I was cheering for Craig and Jeremy. Andrew was just too sweet and at some point, I was cheering for him and Jeremy. What made me change my mind about Andrew was the fact that he placed his needs first and cheated on Jeremy. I loved Jeremy. He was perfect and deserved someone better or in other words, Craig.

In a nutshell, the story was perfectly written and well thought out. It was an amazing read that made me enjoy a genre even though I was not a fan. I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a sweet love story full of tears and real life scenarios.

Wrestling With Desire by D. H. Starr

Title:  Wrestling with Desire

Series:  Wrestling #1

Author:  D.H. Starr

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  301 Pages

Publisher:  Featherweight Press (November 26, 2011)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Derek Thompson is a senior, a wrestler, and has a secret. He’s gay. Scott Thayer is a new student who has just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts from Iowa. On the first day of school Derek and Scott meet and their lives change in an instant. As Derek and Scott discover the things they have in common, they enter into one of the closest and most loving relationships either of them has ever experienced. When unexpected circumstances threaten their relationship, they both have to make a decision. DO they protect their secret and separate? Or fight for what they want…each other?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Desire-D-H-Starr/dp/1608202216

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Wrestling with Desire is a very touching and emotional coming of age novel that is probably one of the most realistic I read so far. The story revolves around Derek Thompson, a very reserved teenager. On the first day of classes of his senior year, he meets Scott Thayer who recently moved to his hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Derek, who is secretly gay, is intrigued by Scott’s charming good looks and the fact they both wrestle. There is an instant connection between the two that they can’t deny. Soon, they become friends and allies in the sport that they love. At first, Derek was unsure of Scott’s sexual orientation, but he soon sees a new side of him that he loves. Without giving away too much of the plot, they fall in love and their struggles begins.

I loved Derek. He was smart, funny, sensitive, caring and compassionate. I absolutely adored his relationship with his best friend, Beck (Rebecca). Their friendship is everlasting and they are there for each other when they need someone to cry on. Scott was a dream. He was tall, charming and the perfect guy. His relationship with his parents is not the best in the world because they move a lot and that puts a strain on their relationship. The secondary characters are very intriguing and in no way overshadow the main cast. I also loved the fact that in this story, no one found out about their secret love affair. I found that to be new and fresh since on many other YA novels, that is a main issue. I also loved that the novel was real and raw. It did not have any bizarre scenarios or fake plots. It was simply and clean.

There are two things that I didn’t like. One was the fact that the story was too long. I think that it could have been shorter. I also disliked the wrestling scenarios. I am not a fan of the sport, so I found them to be dull and boring, but if you are a fan, you will love them. Those scenes did not set well with me.

Overall, this novel was an amazing read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys wrestling and wants to read a sweet love story of two boys, as they become aware of who they are and what they want in life.

Harlequin by Sage Marlowe

Title:  Harlequin

Series:   N/A

Author: Sage Marlowe

Genre: Contemporary M/M with some M/F and M/M/F elements

Length:  Novel (61,097 words)

Publisher: Siren Publishing

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   They’re an unlikely couple—Harley Sinclair, pilot and openly gay, likes fast cars, easy boys, and late nights. Quinn Lancaster, lawyer and deep in the closet, likes his life quiet with just that little bit of extra spice that engaging in a ménage with his wife, Miranda, and Harley adds. Neither of them can admit that there might be more to this affair than just indecently hot sex.

A lie soon breaks them apart, but when Miranda dies in an accident, Harley and Quinn are reunited by an even more unlikely couple—twin sons with different fathers. While Harley is willing to commit to the responsibility of having a family, Quinn’s fear that accepting Harley at his side will destroy everything he has worked for keeps them apart. But when Harley makes the ultimate sacrifice, Quinn realizes that sometimes, what appears to be the worst case isn’t quite so bad after all…

Note: This book contains forced seduction. Female on Male

Review:   This was a pretty good book. At first when I saw the woman appear I was like, “oh no. another mmf and gunna be all about the girl.” I was wrong. I am so glad I kept on reading. The woman’s part was short, but really important to the story.  So here we go.

Harley likes fast cars, fast planes and a fast sex. He is openly gay and very happy with his life as it is. He isn’t looking for change. Then he meets Miranda Lancaster. She changes his life forever in so many ways.  She comes on the plane and asks to meet the captain. He sees straight away she is interested, but he would rather have her husband than her.   He is in a randy mood and glad when they leave so he can take matters into his own hands. She shows up early and comes on hard and strong, not taking no for an answer. Caution this here is a fine line between seduction and rape; he does say no but doesn’t really fight her off.  A couple of weeks later, the Lancasters come back and she repeats the performance. He still tells her no, but goes with the flow. Then the story skips a little and he shows up at her house, ends up in her bed and her husband joins them. This is where the story gets good. The sex is hot. Very hot. Then the story skips again and he shows up at their house again. Only this time Quinn, the husband, beats Harley up landing him in the ER. When Harley really thought things were going great for them he was willing to accept Miranda just to be with Quinn (Quinn is a big lawyer still in the closet). The story skips again and it has Quinn showing up to tell Harley he has a son. From here the story really picks up. There are lots of more twists and turns heartache, agony, really hot sex, but overall a good story. It’s worth reading.

I liked the story a lot after the first couple times with the woman seducing him. Once it got to adding Quinn it got better, though I really didn’t particularly like Quinn. I wanted to shake the living crap out of him over and over and a few times to smack some sense into Harley.  My only complaint with the book was the skipping of time. Each chapter seemed to go from days to weeks to years; maybe a header would have helped. But, all in all, it was a good read with lots of twists and a nice love story which I am a sucker for. I like one with lots of angst and fighting to get what you want.

I would recommend this to anyone that likes a long story with lots of twists, men in uniforms, and suits, a bit of mmf action, fast cars, fast planes, fast men, great fathers, an mm story with children (family) and really hot mansex.

 

Summer Surprise by Teegan Loy

Title: Summer Surprise

Author: Teegan Loy

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (83pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (28th July 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: It’s hard being in love with your best friend. For Kasey, it’s meant watching endless guys walk through Devyn’s life. Will Kasey tell Devyn how he feels before summer ends and not live a life filled with regret?

Years of wanting his best friend have worn Kasey down. After graduating from college, the two head to the lake for the summer. This is Kasey’s last chance and he’s going to make the best of it. But Kasey’s plans often go awry.

He has Devyn to himself–until boys start turning up everywhere. The crabby old lady next door prods him to make up his mind, reminding him to avoid a life of regret.

Summer is almost over and Kasey has all but given up on Devyn. One drunken night, accusations are made, and Kasey confesses his love. Next morning, Kasey discovers the truth. But will the summer end where Kasey wanted it to begin?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1170

Review: Kasey and Devyn are best ,but Kasey wants so much more from his sexy friend. He just needs to tell Devyn how he feels. He has it all planned out, a vacation to his family’s cabin, confessing how he feels and then spending the rest of the holiday in bed. But, even the best laid plans get lead astray when there are boys coming out of the wood work and throwing themselves at Devyn. Now with the vacation coming to an end and Kasey drowning his sorrows will he finally confess his feelings for Devyn?

This is a great friends-to-lovers summer love story. Well, when they finally confess to their feelings. Kasey has lusted and loved his best friend for four years. Hiding how he feels as Devyn has a parade of men through his bed. Now, they have the summer together and he plans on it being just the two of them, but Davyn has other plans and now Kasey just doesn’t know what to do. Devyn thinks love complicates things, so is perfectly happy with his strings of Mr. Right Knows, but Kasey’s attitude starts to get to him and he confronts him when Kasey is drunk and the truth comes out.

I really enjoyed this story and not just for Kasey’s angst and Devyn’s obliviousness. Mrs. Jorgenson added character and Steph added a touch of fun. The storyline is simple, two friends one loving the other and wanting to confess his feelings but other men appear whenever he tries to confess, which leaves him frustrated. Oh, it was fun to read some of Kasey’s imaginings of all the men that Devyn attracts and when they finally got around to talking about his drunken confession the sex was hot. Having Devyn confess about his own feelings was a bit of a surprise, but then you look back over the story and begin to think that maybe all those men were a way to protect himself from rejection.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable summer love story, with some angst, drunken confessions, hot sex, jealousy and a happy ending, so give this one a try if you love friend’s to lover’s stories.

 

Sex and Cocktails by Meredith Russell

Title: Sex and Cocktails

Author: Meredith Russell

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (87pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (28th July 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After cocktails, Daniel and Ty embark on a passionate encounter in sun-soaked Miami. Living a thousand miles apart makes being together hard, but the last thing they want is to have the heartache of saying goodbye over and over again.

Daniel Rawlings is happy with his nine-to-five life in Chicago. He has an office job, a mortgage, and he’s about to turn thirty. He’s happy, or so he thought. During the last night of a sun-filled vacation in Miami, he meets wild-haired, free-spirited Ty. With the help of some summery cocktails, Daniel and Ty embark on a passionate one night stand, though neither man really wants it to be just one night.

With a thousand miles between cities, it may be harder than either man could have imagined. In the end, Daniel and Ty have a decision to make: Is what they have when they’re together worth the heartache of saying goodbye over and over again?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1167

Review: Daniel is spending the last day of his vacation in a bar with his friends, when he is approached by Ty, who isn’t his usual type at all they have a passionate one night stand, but both want more, and Ty spends his vacation in Chicago with Daniel and now they have to decide what they want and can they really make it work with a thousand miles between them.

Meredith Russell has given us a great hot steamy holiday romance, where the MCs have to decide if a thousand miles is really too much. Daniel is drinking his last night away when he is approached by Ty; they hit it off and spend the night together. When morning comes, both wish they had more time together and Ty makes the first move to make it happen. Ty is a lot more confident in what they could have, if only they try, and shows Daniel through actions that maybe they can make it work. But, when it comes time for Ty to leave, both men feel it keenly.

So a good story of long distance romance and combining two vacations into one story. The love comes pretty fast and the sex is hot, dirty and steamy. We have to good characters in Ty and Daniel, Ty is laid back and easy-going, while Daniel is slightly more uptight and cautious. I must admit that from Daniel’s thought process, at first, I thought that he wasn’t keen on Ty at all and just seemed to be humoring Ty. But, as we get used to the way he thinks (or when he is sober) it is easier to see that he is just really cautious.

Ty is a great man, who is willing to try anything to see the man he is falling in love with and although we don’t manage to see them together as a couple as much as we might want, the time that we do get to spend with them shows us how good they are together. The sex is hot between them and their first time together was really hot, but their time together means more than just sex.

I am going to recommend this to those who love long distance romances, holiday love, hot sex, and a happy for now ending, with maybe the hope of more to come.

 

 

Moro's Price by MC Hana

Title: Moro’s Price

Author: MC Hana

Genre: Space Opera, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Length: Super Novel (353pgs)

Publisher: Loose-Id (24th July 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Cheated out of freedom and destined for lifetime servitude, gladiator and sex slave Moro Dalgleish escapes from a brutal arena. Valier Antonin, a lonely student, is tormented by sadomasochistic urges he’s forbidden to indulge. When the two men meet on the skyscraper roof where Moro plans to commit suicide, Valier offers a bargain. Sex with Valier will infect Moro with the sentient symbiont endemic in Valier’s part-human race, with death the likely result.

As one of the infection’s rare survivors, Moro learns he is now a free Camalian citizen. He’s also effectively married to Valier, crown prince of the Camalian Commonwealth. Expecting a shallow encounter with a doomed slave, Valier learns Moro is his Knife, the mate who can stabilize Valier’s undisciplined mind, slake his darkest lusts, and make him fit to rule.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, rape, violence. While primarily an m/m story, it contains scenes involving m/f sexual interaction.

Readers with a history of rape or sexual abuse may find elements of this story disturbing.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/moro-s-price.html 

Review: Moro is a bonded gladiator and believes that he has two more years before he can be free again. But, he finds out the truth… he still belongs to his previous master, the man who destroyed his world and ruined his life. But, Moro won’t go back to that monster and plans his suicide. Valier is the crown prince of the Camalian Commonwealth and is fighting off assassins when Moro stumbles across him, Moro saves his life so Valier offers Moro a way out, one night of sex where he will be infected with the sentient symbiont endemic, which will either lead to Moro’s death or his complete freedom.

Whoop, okay boys and girls this is a little gem if you love your sci-fi with fantasy and some good old space opera, along with a good dose of abuse and angst. Moro is an abused slave or a ‘bonded gladiator’. He has no control over his life and is holding on to the promise of being released in two years… he is betrayed. He was only loaned out and now his previous owner wants him back, but Moro would rather die than be placed in those hands again. Valier is a crown prince who ends up rescuing Moro, after Moro saves his life and it takes them on a new journey of discovery as they are a perfect match for each other. And secrets from Moro’s past finally emerge which place them both in danger, as long forgotten beings return and make their presence felt.

There is a hell of a lot going on in this story, but every bit is very well-connected, there is in-depth plotting and planning that go back years. Lots of scheming from characters, some twists and turns and several species involved. The story moves smoothly along and you get dragged in as you work out who is against whom and who is plotting what. You try to figure out who is a good guy and who is a spy. There are scenes that are pretty grim and gruesome, scenes that are distressing and scenes that are really freaking hot.

Now, there is one full on sex scene of m/f ,but it is actually in a kind of dream bubble thingie when Moro meets Cama (symbiont) and I just put it down to a necessary evil. The sex between Moro and Valier is very hot and has a lot of mild bondage.  I am sure that if there is a next book then they would be into more of the hard-core stuff, but because of Moro’s long term suffering Valier goes very easy on him and gentles what he really wants. This is a very intriguing storyline as more characters become involved and more species turn up, the descriptions are really well done and the world building was fascinating and we learn more and more the further into the book we delve.

Now, seriously if you are into space-opera, science fiction, fantasy, hot men, damaged men, intriguing characters and species (that can suck up worlds), angst, danger, plotting and planning, with some really hot sex, then you need to read this book because it is a little gem. P.S. Fingers crossed for more from Moro and Valier.

Waves Break My Fall by Kendall McKenna

Title: Waves Break My Fall

Author: Kendall McKenna

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (109pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (28th July 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Kage is a Marine, newly returned from Afghanistan and having difficulty adjusting to being home. He tries to decompress with a quiet trip to Puerto Vallarta. Zach is a new college graduate, facing the realities of adulthood. Will their hot summer fling grow into something more?

Kage is a Marine, newly returned from Afghanistan and having difficulty adjusting to being home. He tries to decompress with a quiet, solo trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Zach is newly graduated from college and facing the realities of adulthood and beginning his new career. Their mutual attraction is immediate and intense. Zach is undemanding and seems to understand what Kage is going through. Kage has the physical strength that Zach desires, as well as the strength of character to let him be his own man.

Their summer vacation romance sizzles, but when the time arrives for Zach to return home, will either of them be willing–or able–to walk away?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1172

Review: Kage has decided to have a trip by himself to Puerto Vallarta, just some time away to try to chill and relax. Zach is on holiday with a group of friends, relaxing before he has to enter the police academy and starts to be a responsible adult. But, Kage and Zach meet one night in a crowded bar and they both discover over the course of the rest of the holiday that the other understands what they want and need perfectly. But, is it enough when their holiday ends?

This is a really well written novella that delves slightly into PTSD, as a Marine on leave gets used to civilian life again. Kage is jumpy and cautious, it’s not easy to go from a war zone to a holiday resort, but he is giving it a go. When he visits a bar one night, a beautiful young man catches his eye. But, he is doubtful that such a catch would be interested in him. So, he is surprised when he is approached by the man. Zach is happy that he approached Kage, he is different from other men that he has met and not just because he is a serving Marine. But, as the holiday draws to a close can they really make a go of it?

Kage and Zach are two men that are perfectly balanced. Zach seems to understand that Kage has some limits to what he can handle at the moment and Kage just expects Zach to be himself and doesn’t have any expectations as to what he can do. With Kage, we can understand his actions and his caution, but I think there is a story behind Zach’s words and his determination to stand on his own two feet, but it adds greatly to the story of these two men, as they both have a lot to give to each other.

Their relationship moves fast, and there are a couple of hot and steamy rendezvous’ on the beach which will make you fan yourselves, but the time they spend together isn’t all about sex, they talk and get to know each other and they understand the other’s needs. *sigh* When they do make love it is something special (and really hot) and even afterwards Zach is trying to be considerate to what Kage might need. Oh so sweet.

So with this one I am going to recommend it to those who love Marine’s, hot sexy men, summer love, hot sex, and a happy for now ending.