Hi guys we have Annabelle Jacobs popping in with the tour for her new release Always Another Side, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s review, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Always Another Side
by
Annabelle Jacobs
Starting over at forty is hard work for landscape architect Jack Bowman. His long-term partner hurt him badly. With his self-esteem dented by the break up, trusting a new lover is going to take time.
Tyler Freeman is equally unlucky when it comes to love. Now that he’s over thirty-five, he’s tired of getting played. All he wants is someone special. How hard can it be to meet a man who’s honest, with no hidden surprises?
Being set up on a blind date might be a classic cliché, but it’s a stroke of good luck for Jack and Tyler. They have a lot in common, including previous relationships steeped in deceit, but it’s worth navigating their trust issues if it means laying those ghosts to rest.
Making it work finally seems possible—until an accidental discovery threatens their newfound happiness.
Blurb: Three cheating girlfriends in a row have given skateboarder Brennan Cross the same excuse: he wasn’t meeting their needs. Desperate and humiliated, he goes to the professionals at the local sex shop for advice.
Zafir Hamady, a sales clerk at Red Hot Bluewater, has an unusual theory: he doesn’t think Brennan is a bad lover. In fact, he doesn’t think Brennan is heterosexual. Or sexual at all, for that matter. He also can’t stop thinking about Brennan. But even if he’s right and Brennan really is asexual, that doesn’t mean Zafir has a chance. Brennan’s never dated a man, and Zafir’s never met anyone whose game for a Muslim single father with a smart mouth and a GED.
Brennan’s always thought of himself as straight. But when sex is explicitly out of the mix, he finds himself drawn to Zafir for the qualities and interests they share. And Zafir can’t help enjoying Brennan’s company and the growing bond between Brennan and his son. They work well together, but with so many issues between them, doubts creep in, and Brennan’s struggle with his identity could push away the one person he didn’t know he could love.
Review: After reading the blurb for All the Wrong Places I was convinced that I wouldn’t like it that much since my favorite books usually have lots of dirty, filthy sex in them. Since both characters are asexual men I knew this wasn’t up my alley and yet I was compelled to read it. This book ended up being a journey of self-discovery for Brennan, one of our main characters, and for me as well. If you’re expecting any heat or sex of any kind, if the lack of steam is a deal breaker for you, then this book is not for you.
Brennan is a man in his 20’s who’s struggling to understand what he’s doing wrong in his relationships with women. He knows his problems start with his inability to make his girlfriends sexually happy, he realizes something must be wrong. Yet, he can’t figure out what needs to change. Heartbroken after his latest girlfriend cheated on him, he goes to Red Hot Bluewater (the adult store in Bluewater Bay) in search of some answers. Who better to answer his questions than a person who’s heard it all and would never make fun of him?
Zafir is an asexual man who’s also bi-romantic (able to form strong emotional connections with both sexes) and who falls under the gray-sexual area of the asexual spectrum (able to have sex and enjoy it, if there is a strong emotional connection established with that person). Talking to Brennan even for a few minutes makes it very obvious to him that Brennan is asexual as well. Yes, Brennan has been in relationships with women and has had sex with every single one of them, but he’s never initiated it and has always been a source of tension for him.
Zafir and Brennan become friends, they have a lot in common, and enjoy spending time together. Zafir is tremendously helpful to Brennan. He is someone who can answer all his questions, reassure him that he is normal and just as good as everybody else,even if his body isn’t wired to need sex.
What I loved most about this book was how complex the characters are. There’s more than just the issue of asexuality that’s being discussed. Zafir is Muslim, follows the Muslim religion and he is teaching his own son about the teachings of Allah. Can you imagine a better time than right now to discuss/address the struggles of Muslim men and women, the discrimination and hatred people have towards them?
Zafir’s insecurities run deep and are not due to his religion only. Becoming a single father at 17 has been brutal, but his son came first. Even if that meant dropping out of high-school in order to care for him. Hard work and perseverance lead him to a GED and a string of retail jobs.
Currently working two jobs in order to afford a better life for his child doesn’t give him much spare time to spend with his so. But, he is aware of the sacrifices he needs to make. Zafir is aware that he will never have a successful career and that’s a sore issue for him. He and his son Tariq have dealt with a lot of loss over the years and it seems like Zafir is never good enough for people to stay. He is either too poor, too short, looks too much like a terrorist, too uneducated, and lacking potential for more.
Even though his friendship with Brennan starts to feel like more and even though he starts to develop feelings for Brennan, he is determined to keep things as they are. If they don’t become more than friends, then Brennan will not find a reason to leave him and Tariq.
This book is about more than sex. It’s about how to fall in love with somebody you never expected to fall for. It’s not about sexual attraction. It’s about emotional attraction and soul-deep connection. It’s about prejudice and struggles, about self-discovery and learning to accept that being different still means being normal. It’s about a child struggling to accept that the people he loves always leave. About an adult struggling with his sense of self-worth.
I learned so much from this book, or maybe learned isn’t exactly the right word. Sure, I’ve heard of asexual people. I’ve read about them even. But, I never truly grasped what it really means and how it truly feels. This book has become personal to me. It helped me understand things about myself that I never considered.
It was beautiful, enlightening and has a beautiful happy ending!
Recommended! * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys we have Mickie B. Ashling popping in today with the tour for her new release Open Seating, we have a great exclusive excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and the link to Aerin’s review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Open Seating
(Open 01)
by
Mickie B. Ashling
Seth Wilder lost his partner of twenty years to suicide two weeks before a long-anticipated cruise. Cancellation insurance was never purchased, and Seth can’t get a refund. Bryce McFarland, his late partner’s gym buddy, appreciates his predicament, and when asked, agrees to accompany him on the trip. This way, Seth recoups the money and doesn’t have to cancel his plans. The gesture is unexpected but accepted gratefully.
The two men have nothing in common. Seth is a reclusive romance writer, and Bryce is a hard-core Grindr user with major commitment issues. Out of necessity and despite the seemingly insurmountable differences in personality, they develop a tentative rapport. As they begin their journey through the UK, Bryce helps Seth come to terms with his partner’s sudden death while Seth, in turn, discovers the root cause of Bryce’s phobia.
Shipboard romances rarely work. Sensible men resist, sexual tension notwithstanding. But a full moon and late summer breezes lend itself to the impossible situation, barriers are crossed, and a love affair is kindled.
Blurb: Seth Wilder lost his partner of twenty years to suicide two weeks before a long-anticipated cruise. Cancellation insurance was never purchased, and Seth can’t get a refund. Bryce McFarland, his late partner’s gym buddy, appreciates his predicament, and when asked, agrees to accompany him on the trip. This way, Seth recoups the money and doesn’t’t have to cancel his plans. The gesture is unexpected but accepted gratefully.
The two men have nothing in common. Seth is a reclusive romance writer, and Bryce is a hard-core Grindr user with major commitment issues. Out of necessity and despite the seemingly insurmountable differences in personality, they develop a tentative rapport. As they begin their journey through the UK, Bryce helps Seth come to terms with his partner’s sudden death while Seth, in turn, discovers the root cause of Bryce’s phobia.
Shipboard romances rarely work. Sensible men resist, sexual tension notwithstanding. But a full moon and late summer breezes lend themselves to the impossible situation, barriers are crossed, and a love affair is kindled.
Review: I am so thrown after reading this book, because there were some hard limits of mine that were stomped on. But despite that, this was a beautiful love story. A story of second chances, if you wish. There were things I couldn’t get past despite the lovely setup here, hence my 3 Hearts rating. I probably would’ve given this 2 Hearts, if not for the good writing and nice character development.
Two weeks before the vacation planned for their anniversary, Seth’s partner of 20 years took his own life while lying in bed next to Seth. Mark has been diagnosed with an incurable disease, and as a pharmacist he knew that putting Seth through that would be unfair and it would destroy his spirit. Seth is wrecked in the worst way possible because he found out about Mark’s disease from his suicide letter.
Seth’s feelings and stance on Mark’s death were pretty easy to understand. Sorrow, heartbreak, sadness, rage, fury…. how does one cope knowing that your partner didn’t give you a choice and kept you in the dark while taking the easy way out?
Seth decides to go on the trip and knowing that cancelling Mark’s ticket would be a loss of money, he invites Mark’s best friend Bryce to go with him. Bryce is the ultimate playboy, unwilling to accept his age and be realistic about life. Picking up barely legal boys on Grindr and fucking his way through the twink population, Bryce is unwilling to open his heart to anyone. He doesn’t believe in the sanctity of marriage and truly believes it wrecks people’s lives.
Bryce and Seth couldn’t be more different: the monogamist vs. the whore, the idealist vs. the realist, the dreamer vs. the jaded. And yet there’s something between them that neither of them can ignore, no matter how hard they try…but, for different reasons. Seth doesn’t want to be another notch in Bryce’s post, and Bryce is not looking for anything serious and permanent. Fortunately, things don’t usually go the way people plan and Bryce and Seth find themselves is a relationship of sorts.
Of course Seth has to work through the guilt and anger and Bryce has to come to terms with the fact that finding the right person can make you happy and content, instead of miserable.
What I hated with a passion was that Seth’s guilt was handled by putting down Mark. He’s dead already for fuck’s sake. Why couldn’t he be remembered as a dedicated partner who loved Seth enough to put up with his neglect?
Seth worked as a writer and depended on Mark financially, yet Mark was still the one who had to clean and cook and take care of him after working 60+ hours a week! And what does he get as a reward? All his faults are thrown out there for all to see. Though I thought they were minor things that every human has after being in a relationship for so many years. (And he didn’t even have a chance to defend himself)!
Also, it took Seth only 3 weeks to sleep with another man. Where is the grieving period? One moment he’s wrecked and the next he gets a magic cock up his ass and all is good.
Speaking of dick, I still didn’t understand why Seth and Mark never had penetrative sex in the whole 20 years they’ve been married. Clearly Seth loves getting fucked, so why did it never happened for them? I needed more explanations to understand what exactly the nature of their relationship was. Especially since Seth believes their sex life was pretty happy and satisfying.
Bryce goes from being allergic to commitment to being in love overnight. What caused this change of mind? When did his feelings toward Seth start to change from annoyed babysitter to love? Despite how lovely their second chance at love was, I couldn’t get past the many inconsistencies.
Overall an OK book and I’m sure you fans of second chances will fall in love with this book.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Zeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no-nonsense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go—not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas. The new hire at the family-owned bagel store is somewhat colorful, but his dad is sure he’s the perfect man for Zeke.
Benny Ruggieri is a fiercely proud New Yorker who dreams of making it big as a costume designer in the theater. In the meantime, he’s working two part-time jobs in the food biz. When his new boss sets him up with his successful son, Benny has zero expectations. If nothing else, he figures he can entertain himself by making the uptight businessman squirm. Instead, the two become unlikely friends with an inexplicable attraction they can’t ignore.
Benny might be the one to help Zeke set aside his quest for revenge, if he’s willing to let go and forgive what he can’t forget… and give in to an unexpected kind of romance.
A Kind of Romance started off as a 5-Hearts read, but along the way Zeke made this book lose its shine and I ended the last chapter with a solid 4-Hearts rating…until the epilogue. That epilogue was everything this book needed, it was sunshine and rainbows and wedding bells, but still real, with a touch of sorrow.
Zeke is a Wall Street executive whose no-nonsense attitude makes him perfect for his job. He has a heart of steel and a core of titanium, he’s impenetrable and vindictive. Zeke doesn’t like to lose and if he ever feels cheated or wronged, nothing will stop him from getting revenge. These are the things we see about Zeke at first glance.
What we don’t see is the confused little boy who lost his mother, the only person who fought for him and stood in his corner, to Alzheimer’s. Growing up was hell for Zeke, because his father was severely homophobic, and bullied and belittled Zeke every chance he got. Two decades later, Zeke’s father has had a change of heart. Time has allowed him to understand Zeke and accept him, and he tries as hard as he can to support Zeke and see him happy.
I love how Zeke’s father, George, was written. Homophobia is usually learned, or it comes from a place of fear and lack of understanding homosexuality. The fact that George worked hard at changing his views and accepting (and even rooting for) the LGBT minority was endearing and hopeful because people CAN change and they do it every day. Just look at how far we’ve come! However, Zeke is not one to forgive, and his relationship with his father is shaky at best.
Benny is an amazing character! He has all the sass and spark, but his beautiful, slightly effeminate exterior holds the core of a warrior. Benny loves who he is and never apologizes for it. He would never settle for anything other than being #1 in someone’s life. Benny works at his family’s Italian restaurant and at George’s bagel shop by day, while working towards his dream of becoming and costume designer in his free time.
When Zeke’s father tries his hand at matchmaking and pesters them to go out on a date, Zeke and Benny agree so that they can shut George up. They both know they’re not each other’s type and there will never be anything serious between them. But the chemistry burning bright can’t be ignored. A kiss turns into a series of intense, passionate, amazing nights of sex. But there’s also friendship and mutual respect forming between them, as they start getting to know each other. I LOVED them together!
The only downside was Zeke and his stubbornness to admit there’s more between them than a friendship with benefits. I understood it at first, but it took mostly the whole book for him to admit even to himself he loves Benny and wants him. The frustration I experienced was mollified by the intense feelings of possessive emotions Zeke got every time he was around Benny. Zeke wanted to crawl into Benny and never let go, which was stupidly hot!
The secondary characters were amazing. I just loved every single one of them! This book was significantly different from other Lane Hayes books, because it deals with the more challenging issue of losing a loved one, and all the angst and sorrow that comes with it.
There were times I couldn’t help but tear up, since Zeke’s internal sorrow and sadness over his mother and his relationship with his father was very real and very heartbreaking. And I believe this was the first time EVER that I cried with sadness and smiled with joy during an epilogue. Prepare for FEELS, people!!!
Prime’s Review: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
This is book 2 in Lane Hayes’ A Kind of Stories series. However, this is a standalone book. Other than an appearance from the couple from book 1, A Kind of Truth, there is no ongoing plot to worry about. Which is good, I think, if you do not like you rock gods settling down with a boyfriend but prefer Wall Street exec from an ordinary family falling for an ordinary guy.
This is a totally fun book and really embraces the old saying “opposites attract” because that is exactly what Zeke (he hates being called Ezekiel) and Benny are. Zeke is a well to do Wall Street exec that is also just a tad snobbish. Which is a bit odd since his father and brothers, who run the family bakery, are the most ordinary type people that you could come across. Benny on the other hand is a blue-haired ball of energy who takes life in his stride.
These guys also have completely different family lives. While Benny works for Zeke’s father, George, on the side, his primary job is to work for his own family. They are Italian-Catholic and to me I saw my own family in that, we may not be New Yorkers but there is that unspoken camaraderie that comes along with coming from an Italian family that immigrated out of Italy. Benny is pretty damn lucky where his family are concerned. However, Zeke is not quite so lucky. His father was a difficult man to live with after he came out as gay and that is seen in the still mending relationship between father and son. I think it is also interesting how his mother is referred to as “gone”, because she isn’t dead. I assume that she has some form of dementia although it was never stated, and neither was that bit of information crucial to the outcome of the story.
It’s quickly evident though, he is just what Zeke needs to loosen up and to make Zeke realize that he has bloody horrible taste in men.
I absolutely adored this book. Benny most especially is a very relatable character, although Zeke’s troubles with his ex is also, unfortunately, all too easy to relate to. However, there were a couple times, because this book was completely told from Zeke’s POV that I wanted to know Benny’s POV. He’s a ball of fire that I related to on many levels and there were just a few times when I wanted to know what was going on inside his head. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Bullied as a child in small-town Kansas, Jeremy Cox ultimately escaped to Portland, Oregon. Now in his forties, he’s an urban park ranger who does his best to rescue runaways and other street people. His ex-boyfriend, Donny—lost to drinking and drugs six years earlier—appears on his doorstep and inadvertently drags Jeremy into danger. As if dealing with Donny’s issues doesn’t cause enough turmoil, Jeremy meets a fascinating but enigmatic man who carries more than his fair share of problems.
Qayin Hill has almost nothing but skeletons in his closet and demons in his head. A former addict who struggles with anxiety and depression, Qay doesn’t know which of his secrets to reveal to Jeremy—or how to react when Jeremy wants to save him from himself.
Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.
Review: Kim Fielding writes my favorite kind of books, full of feelings and emotions, with real characters who are not perfect nor do they strive to be. Her books are not as steamy as I’d like and yet the storytelling and the writing make up for the little things that are lacking. Who needs sex in every chapter when they get characters that are real, flawed and so easy to relate to?
Jeremy and Qayin are not young chickens who experiment with love. They’re both in their 40’s and they feel very single one of those years, especially Qayin. Qay is a recovering addict with a closet full of secrets and skeletons. Life has not been kind to him, and the only way he managed to drown his anxiety and depression was by losing himself in a world of booze, drugs and sex. Qay managed to get his life turned around and he’s one of those lucky people who actually learned something from his past mistakes.
Qay’s past still haunts him every single day. But he’s determined to finish college so that he can better himself. I have so much admiration for people who overcome their struggles and this was one of the things I loved the most about Qay. Yet, regardless of his determination, Qay doesn’t think much of himself and he knows he’s not good enough for someone like Jeremy.
Jeremy is a park ranger who’s like a modern version of a super hero: Super-Ranger to the rescue! Jeremy’s childhood was hell. He was bullied and made fun of, his parents were cold and indifferent, and the one person he felt didn’t hate him jumped off a bridge in an effort to kill himself.
When Jeremy got the opportunity to move away to Portland for college, he left and never looked back. Jeremy is all about helping people, especially LGBT homeless teens, and the respect everyone has for him is easy to see. Jeremy has an innate goodness that not many people possess, and that goodness prevents him from turning his back on his drug-addict ex-boyfriend Donny, when he shows up at his door beaten up and bloody.
Jeremy finds himself the target of some nefarious dealers his ex socialized with, while trying to pursue a relationship with Qay and save the world, all at the same time. The plot itself was thriller-like and well done. The relationship between Qay and Jeremy was sweet and full of feelings.
In all honesty I felt like this plot and the relationship between these two didn’t go together very well. I ended up being overwhelmed because Qay’s relapse and his difficulty in accepting Jeremy’s feelings took all my focus and all my heart. The bad guys needed to go, because the last thing I needed to keep up with was Jeremy getting shot and all the craziness that came with that.
This was a great book, I really enjoyed reading it! I am so very excited to read the next one in this series because NEVIN!!!! He was my favorite secondary character, I liked him even more than I liked Rhoda, and she was a kickass woman! Nevin with his filthy mouth and an even filthier personality will probably get his own book and I’m going to love every single page of that bad boy falling in love. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have A.D. Ellis stopping by today with the tour for her new release Bryan & Jase, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Aerin’s review so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Bryan & Jase
(Something about Him 01)
by
A.D. Ellis
Jase Rafferty grew up hiding his sexual curiosities—until he meets Bryan Keating. Bryan’s sexual preference is no secret, and being deployed overseas together allows the two men to forge a solid friendship. The sexual attraction is undeniable, but after one lust-filled week, they must go their separate ways.
A year later, a chance meeting gives them one more weekend together, even though they know Jase can’t risk his military career or his family obligations to be with Bryan.
Several years pass before Jase finally accepts the desperate longing in his heart and body. But when fear and hatred threaten to tear them apart, Jase must make a tough decision, one that he isn’t sure he and Bryan can overcome. Together, they must choose to weather the storm or say goodbye forever.
Blurb: After ten years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn’t turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn’t count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he’s buried deep for years.
An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.
Review: Gideon Marks has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove to the people he grew up with. After losing his mother and grandmother in a car accident, Gideon was raised by his alcoholic, emotionally abusing father. Gideon struggled with dyslexia and his father’s insults thrown at him on a daily basis. Queer, stupid, idiot, pansy, were breaking his spirit day by day. After dropping out of high school and leaving home when he was 17, Gideon struggled for years to come to terms with his dyslexia and to make something with his life.
Ten years later, he owns a successful restaurant/take-away business together with his best friend Rico. He’s ready to prove that he’s not the same worthless teenager he used to be. One thing Gideon hasn’t expected after returning to his home town was to find his childhood crush as the new Rabbi. Gideon isn’t ready to deal with Jonah. No matter how much Jonah tries to get close to Gideon, Gideon tries his hardest to push him away. Good thing Jonah isn’t a quitter and he’s determined to have Gideon, the man he’s always loved.
There were many things I loved and a few that didn’t work for me that much. I loved how Gideon’s dyslexia was handled. It wasn’t made into this big drama, but it also wasn’t brushed under the carpet. It was the disability that shaped Gideon’s life and the person who he has become. I also loved how they functioned as a couple. Although it was mostly due to Jonah’s efforts more than anything else. And I really loved the secondary characters, especially Jonah’s father and Gideon’s best friend, Rico.
And speaking of Rico, I can’t wait to read his story!
What didn’t work for me at all was the insta-love that happened out of nowhere. Yeah, I understand that Gideon has crushed on Jonah forever, but they were never friends. They had never been close and Gideon didn’t even have a clue that Jonah was gay. And a few days after they met they’re exchanging ILY’s and you’re the love of my life kind of cheesy talk. That needed to come MUCH later!
One thing this story was lacking was Jonah’s POV, because I didn’t really understand him or get to know him. I couldn’t really tell what was going through his head. Alternating POVs would’ve been perfect here!!! And the last thing I’m complaining about is the somewhat immature behavior Gideon demonstrated at times. Gideon, storming out of a room, ignoring a person that’s talking to you, and behaving like a toddler throwing tantrums doesn’t look good on a 27-year-old.
Overall, this was a lot better than the last book I’ve read by this author. I can tell she’s becoming better with time and experience. I’m glad I gave Felice another chance and I’m looking forward to Rico’s story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Andrew and Paul learned about God and Jesus in different churches and realize their views of spirituality are worlds apart.
Andrew was raised Catholic and was told his homosexuality was a sin. For his entire life, he hid the truth. He married and had children to present a façade to the world—that of a straight man. It’s not until he has an affair with Paul, who shows him a different side of Jesus, that Andrew realizes he can be gay and still believe in God. Paul’s Jesus is one of acceptance and love, and in Paul’s church, being gay is not a problem.
For Paul and Andrew, falling in love is the easy part of their journey. They must make it through the fires of cheating, being discovered, Andrew’s wife leaving, the necessities of childcare and family life, the demands of their jobs, and working on their commitment to each other.
Andrew was brought up a strict Catholic. He deep down believes that his being gay is a sin, and he is doomed. To keep his family off his back, he married Kristy, a woman who had her own secrets. They fit each other fine, and their marriage is more like an agreement to cover for each other and make their family happy. It works. Kristy gave him two lovely children. She doesn’t have to work, just run the house, and take care of the children. Andrew is a big CEO and goes to the gym. This is where he gets his sexual fulfilment when he needs it.
Then he meets Paul and everything changes.
Paul is a nurse and gay. He doesn’t hide his sexuality. He too is religious, but his church doesn’t condemn people who are. It is an accepting atmosphere. He sees Andrew getting laid in the gym one day and find himself wanting him. They start just hooking up.
Paul isn’t into casual sex but he can’t help himself with Andrew. He knows he will never get anything but a broken heart from a closeted man; it’s worse with a married man and even worse with kids. But every time he makes up his mind to quit; he can’t. Then Andrews life takes a drastic change that affects them both.
First off, I will warn you that there is cheating. Andrew is married. However, he and his wife do have an open marriage. I know some people will still call this cheating.
I bounced around with my rating for quite a while from a 3 to a 4 (I don’t do partials). The reason for this is the writing style. The flow was pretty off kilter. In each chapter, the story would switch character views and time frame with no warning, making the story a bit hard to follow. This was consistent throughout the story. You would be reading then suddenly it is days or even weeks past. It was quite jarring.
But I liked both Andrew and Paul. I felt there were realistic. I loved the slow growth of their relationship and how neither saw it coming. I liked the storyline. There were other characters in the book I would like to read, and this is book two.
Though it stands alone pretty well, I would recommend reading book one first I am fixing to now)because it does talk about the other characters and at times you feel like something is missing. I think reading book one would have cleared that up.
I decided to rate the story and characters, so I give this a 4.
If you like CEO’s, nurses, coming out, and some very hot man-sex this is for you.
Aerin’s Review: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts
As much as I love Renae Kaye and as nicely written as this book is, it was a bust. There are so many archaic ways of thinking, so many stereotypes that no matter how great the story flowed, no matter that the kids were adorable, no matter how much I liked Paul, and I simply ended the book in a rage. I usually review a book as soon as I can after reading it so that my feelings and thoughts are fresh in my head, but this time I had to wait until the next day, otherwise my review would’ve been a curse-fest.
I know a few reviewers mentioned how the cheating ruined the book for them, but I disagree on that note. Andrew is married, yes, but Andrew and his wife have a friendship more than a marriage and their agreement is that their marriage is simply for show (and for having kids) and they can both have sex outside of the marriage, as long as they don’t have to have sex together.
I’m not going to criticize their arrangement (much) because I hate to judge and in this case it worked perfectly for them both. Andrew’s many sexual hook-ups can’t exactly be considered cheating because they are encouraged by his wife. The only thing she doesn’t know is that Andrew’s partners are men.
When Paul and Andrew start hooking up it’s clear for them both that this isn’t a simply sexual relationship. Andrew is deeply closeted and doesn’t have any intention on coming out and ruining his life and his reputation. But the two of them form a close friendship and they end up falling for each other.
This is the one and only thing I liked about their relationship, the love I knew they felt for each other. Andrew was a bloody idiot, a religious catholic who believed that gay men are sinners and that gay sex is unnatural. Yet he has no problem bending over and taking it in the ass like a pro. Sometimes even giving other gym members a show. Double-Standard much???
I got so sick of hearing about Leviticus and all the bullshit that comes with that name! And speaking of religion. Did we really need a full sermon about the interpretation of the Bible and Jesus’s stand on homosexuality? I understand what was intended by Paul’s priest, but I truly wanted to see Andrew come to that conclusion himself. Maybe use his brain and think for himself instead of having the constant ‘Jesus hates me’ pity party. So yeah, the religion was over-used and it didn’t have the intended effects, at least not for me.
Maybe the religion and the other stereotypes (I’ll address those shortly) could’ve been forgiven if not overlooked, if only Andrew and Paul’s relationship would’ve progressed the way you’d expect it to. With the risk of dropping a small spoiler I’ll just say that if it wasn’t for Andrew’s wife leaving him and the kids in order to follow her dreams, Andrew NEVER EVER EVER would’ve acknowledged Paul as his boyfriend, never would’ve come out of the closet, and definitely never would’ve loved Paul like he deserves to be loved.
Andrew is a spineless wimp, an asshole who’s taken total advantage of Paul’s feelings for him and never had the intention of changing their status quo.
Fuck that! The least I expect from a situation like this is the intention of doing something to change things for the better, the fight for the one you love because they’re worth the sacrifice. It was just too convenient that Andrew’s wife left when she left! He never intended to separate from her, so that they could both be with the people they loved.
And speaking of Andrew’s wife… I sincerely hope Australia doesn’t still live in the 16th century when the only thing women were useful for was to bear babies and take care of the house. That was literally all Kristy did throughout her marriage with Andrew and it was one of the reasons she married him. And the fact that that’s the only thing Andrew expected from her was disappointing as hell.
There were nice things about this book as well. Like the hot sex between Andrew and Paul. The fact that we see Paul in total parenting mode while he takes care of Andrew’s kids better than Andrew ever did. Paul with the kids really warmed my heart. And there’s a HEA, a nice one, but as much as I liked seeing it, the journey to get there was not what I needed or expected.
I sincerely hope the next book will be better because I know Renae Kaye can write some bad-ass books. I think it’s Ash’s story so that should be good. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
John Fletcher, a former musician, is stuck in limbo after losing his long-term partner two years ago. He’s shut himself off from everything that reminds him of what he’s lost. When his neighbour persuades him to join the local community choir, John rediscovers his love of music and finds a reason to start living again.
Rhys Callington, the talented and charismatic choir leader, captures John’s attention from the first moment they meet. He appears to be the polar opposite of John: young, vibrant, and full of life. But Rhys has darkness in his own past that is holding him back from following his dreams.
Despite the nineteen-year age gap, the two men grow close and a fragile relationship blossoms. Ghosts of the past and insecurities about the future threaten their newfound happiness.
If they’re going to harmonize in life and love as they do in their music, they’ll need to start following the same score.
Review: I am such a big fan of Jay Northcote, as soon as I hear she has a new book coming out, and I immediately start drooling. I loved almost every single one of her books and I’m so sad to say this isn’t going to be one of them.
Imperfect Harmony isn’t a bad book, far from it, but there were several things that kept me from being engaged in it. I didn’t lose myself in the story, wasn’t able to fully connect with either one of the MCs, but by far the worst thing is that as full of emotions as this book is, it didn’t make me feel anything.
John Fletcher is a 42-year-old man, a former musician who two years later is still grieving the death of his longtime partner, Brandon. John doesn’t know what to do with himself and aside from his job as a substitute teacher. He has no other life to speak of. His passion for music is all but gone and he no longer dares to play his beloved violin, because the very thing that used to bring him joy now only brings him sorrow and heartbreak.
John’s neighbor needs help and asks John to drive her to her choir practice, where John meets Rhys, a 23-year-old choir director. On the surface Rhys is everything John isn’t: confident, young, beautiful, tattooed and charming. Rhys takes an instant interest in John and despite John’s reluctance to get involved with Rhys, they become lovers.
John is insecure about a lot of things, at the top of the list being his body and his age. The 19 years age difference between them is a constant thorn in their relationship. Their interactions (especially the sexual ones) are awkward, but they feel real. The problem is that I never got to feel the chemistry between them, the attraction, or anything that convinced me that they have something worth pursuing.
As different as John and Rhys appear to be, they actually have lots of things in common, too many in my humble opinion. They’re both musicians, they both quit playing the music they loved so much, they both lost the other half of their souls (about 2 years ago in both cases)…. so not only do we have one grieving man, we have two of them at the same time.
I expected to feel the angst and the sorrow considering there’s so much of it, but this book never became angsty or dark. It was too fluffy, too light; I know some people will love this book for this reason, but I’m not one of them.
If a character is so tormented by the death of a lover that he can’t seem to move on and thinks about him even while he has sex with his current boyfriend, I want to feel the pain. So this book deals with so much loss but I didn’t feel sadness or pain, there are second chances but I didn’t feel happiness and joy. I was mostly along for the ride, observing the characters and reading about their feelings but unable to connect with any of it.
This book had such a geriatric feeling and that’s probably because the only young characters are Rhys, his teenage brother (that we only see twice for brief moments) and John. There are old neighbors, old choir members, and old people in the nursing home where John and Rhys perform every Saturday….. I know I should admire the guys for their selflessness but this many old people don’t belong in my books.
This book needed some LIFE, so young enthusiasm and joy, because the guys spend too much time crying and they have no fun to speak of (unless you consider serenading people in a nursing home as fun). Even the epilogue, that HEA I was waiting for was disappointing. A party at the house they share together, how lovely! Too bad all the guests are elderly people. I know I sound like a snobbish bitch, and I promise I love my elderly relatives, but that doesn’t mean I want so many of them in my books.
Imperfect Harmony is a nicely written book, a nice story about second chances, which misses the spice that would make it fabulous.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Portia’s Two Cents: Well, for me the geriatric characters brought an air of authenticity to this book. I’ve sang in community choirs my whole adult life, and am usually one of a handful of not yet senile members. 😉 As for the lack of spice…what did you expect from good church going men?
Blurb: Romance trades the open road for the high seas in the latest from the author of Focus on Me and Trust the Focus…
Perpetually shy, Quinn Mathers is content to remain in the shadow of his brash best friend Jess Hartman. But before their college graduation, he and Jess have planned one last hurrah: a spring break Caribbean cruise.
And it won’t be just any cruise. On board are members of the reality show Trip League, which follows young twenty-somethings on adventures around the world. Since the show’s beginning, Quinn has been fascinated by J. R. Butler, with his amazing body, warm eyes, and killer grin. Unfortunately, he’s straight—or so the world thinks.
At nineteen, J. R. signed a contract to play straight for the show, and there’s no way to get out of it now. Yet with each passing day, Quinn and J. R. find it harder to keep their hands off each other and to keep out of the camera’s frame. But when the lens finally focuses on them, J. R. must decide if he’s willing to risk his career by admitting his bisexuality, and Quinn must determine if he’s bold enough to stand in the spotlight with the man of his dreams…
Review: This is my least favorite of Megan’s books to dat., which is a pity considering how much I liked the previous stories in this series. I’m not exactly sure what happened or why the book didn’t leave an impression, it’s mostly a mixture of things.
First of all, the whole reality show J. R. was part of was what mostly put me off this book. I don’t make a habit of watching reality shows, so I’m not familiar with the type of show this was. But I could easily imagine something along the lines of Jersey Shore. Ugh!
J. R. Butler (I hate that name and the space between the initials, which bugged the hell out of me) is part of the Trip League reality show, whose producers made a habit of stereotyping and hiding the true nature of the participants.
J. R. is the black, angry kid on the show, the heterosexual who’s in a committed relationship with his girlfriend Andrea. If the public only knew J. R. is not as angry as he comes across, Andrea exists only in his imagination, and he’s not exactly straight. Admitting to his bisexuality would mean a breach of contract and would make his brother’s much-needed surgery that much harder to get.
Quinn has lived his whole life in a bubble of parental protection. He’s been the good boy who never crossed any boundaries and has never broken any rules. Spending a week away on spring break on a Caribbean cruise with his best friend Jess opened his eyes to how much fun the real world can be. But it also brought him face to face with J. R., the TV personality he’s always had a crush on.
There’s instant chemistry between them and as hard as J.R. tries to ignore his attraction towards Quinn, it isn’t happening. Trying to take advantage of the time they have together and avoiding the cameras in a desperate attempt to stay out of focus puts a lot of pressure on J. R.
There was something off when it came to Quinn and J. R. and I can’t put my finger on it. The whole teenager vibe and the fact that J. R. was thinking of Quinn as a kid was irritating as hell since he’s on 19 years old himself. I guess something didn’t click for me because I wasn’t crazy for them as a couple and I found their story to be too predictable. I felt some of that chemistry but I didn’t get the feeling that they were made for each other.
There are a lot of secondary characters. From the guys we met in the previous books to the fellow cast members, but my favorite of them all is Levi. Oh my god, I love him so much and can’t wait for his book because I bet it’s going to be awesome.
This was a nice, easy read, low in angst and very predictable, but I wasn’t blown away. This was a solid 3 Hearts for me.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have Amy Lane stopping by with her new release in the Bluewater Bay series Selfie, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Selfie
(Bluewater Bay 13)
by
Amy Lane
One year ago, actor Connor Montgomery lost the love of his life to a drunk driver. But what’s worse for Connor is what he still has: a lifetime of secrets born of hiding his relationship from the glare of Hollywood. Unable to let go of the world he and Vinnie shared, Connor films a drunken YouTube confession on the anniversary of Vinnie’s death.
Thankfully, the video was silent—a familiar state for Connor—so his secret is still safe. He needs a fresh start, and a new role on the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing might be just that.
The move to Bluewater Bay may also mean a second chance in the form of his studio-assigned assistant. Noah Dakers sees through Connor’s facades more quickly than Connor could imagine. Noah’s quiet strength and sarcastic companionship offers Connor a chance at love that Hollywood’s closet has never allowed. But to accept it, Connor must let Vinnie go and learn to live again.
Hi guys, we have A.M. Arthur stopping by today with her new release The Heart As He Hears It, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Aerin’s review. So enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
The Heart As He Hears It
(Perspectives 03)
by
A.M. Arthur
While most of his friends have moved on to “real” careers, Jon Buchanan is content skating through life as a part-time waiter and gay porn star. Firmly single thanks to a previous relationship disaster, he focuses his spare time on Henry, a dear friend dying of cancer.
And with Henry’s happiness paramount, Jon is on a mission to help Henry meet his recently discovered grandson.
Isaac Gregory hasn’t set foot outside for the past year. He has everything he needs delivered, and his remaining family knows better than to visit. When a complete stranger shows up claiming to be his grandfather—with a distractingly handsome younger man in tow—his carefully structured routines are shaken.
Despite his instant attraction, Jon senses Isaac is too fragile for a relationship. Yet tentative friendship grows into genuine companionship. And when Henry’s health begins to fail, they realize Fate brought them together for a reason.
Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in with her new release Imperfect Harmony, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Aerin’s review. So check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Imperfect Harmony
by
Jay Northcote
Imperfect harmony can still be beautiful…
John Fletcher, a former musician, is stuck in limbo after losing his long-term partner two years ago. He’s shut himself off from everything that reminds him of what he’s lost. When his neighbour persuades him to join the local community choir, John rediscovers his love of music and finds a reason to start living again.
Rhys Callington, the talented and charismatic choir leader, captures John’s attention from the first moment they meet. He appears to be the polar opposite of John: young, vibrant, and full of life. But Rhys has darkness in his own past that is holding him back from following his dreams.
Despite the nineteen-year age gap, the two men grow close and a fragile relationship blossoms. Ghosts of the past and insecurities about the future threaten their newfound happiness. If they’re going to harmonise in life and love as they do in their music, they’ll need to start following the same score.
Blurb: The heart doesn’t take requests. It calls the tune.
Greg Douglas’s wife surprised him with an early 25th anniversary gift: a divorce. Staying with friends Ethan and Rhett seems like a good idea, just until he gets back on his feet. The guys have an even better idea to take his mind off his troubles—take him out to explore the other half of his bisexuality.
After a quarter century suppressing his hidden desires, he’s not waiting any longer. Especially not after laying eyes on the gorgeous deejay at Wilde’s.
Deejay and single dad Sailo Isaia isn’t looking for anything serious. He’s definitely not out to be a sexual teacher, never mind to a man almost two decades his senior. But as Greg gets the hang of having a male lover, Sailo can’t help himself. They both keep coming back for more. And more. And more.
But a few nagging questions hold Sailo back from giving his whole heart. Is this just Greg’s midlife crisis and rebound fling? Or a chance to fill that empty space—forever—for both Sailo and his beloved son?
Product Warnings: Contains an older guy who’s waited half his life for this, a younger guy who didn’t realize how lonely he was, and some very hot visits to the upstairs VIP lounge at Wilde’s. Author is not responsible for readers who can no longer look at a leather booth the same way again.
Review: Even though I couldn’t remember who Greg was for the life of me, I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. Not only was it beautifully written, but the characters are very real and very easy to connect with. This was the perfect blend of fiction that could very well be a real life story because nothing was exaggerated or far-fetched. The characters’ reactions are easy to understand and felt very real. And the sex was…….*falls over dead or in a sex-induced coma* hot!!!
Greg is in his late forties, has been a family man his whole life and has a lot to show for all the years spent with his wife: three beautiful children between the ages of 18 and 23, a cute granddaughter he loves with all his heart, 25 years of beautiful, priceless memories and……. a brand new divorce certificate with the ink still wet. Two weeks before their 25th wedding anniversary Greg’s wife tells him things between them are no longer working and she wants a divorce.
Blindsided, brokenhearted and confused, Greg temporarily moves in with his long-time friends Ethan and Rhett. Ethan and Rhett help Greg realize that his marriage was over a good while before his wife decided to end it. But, that doesn’t mean Greg doesn’t hurt still. What hurts him the most is the feeling of failure. Especially once he learns his wife has been cheating on him.
I have to say when I realized Greg was living with the (in) famous duo I was terrified a threesome was going to happen. Because, we know how much Ethan and Rhett love to bring a third in their bedroom. Fortunately, they helped him get laid, but they didn’t exactly do the laying. Greg decides it’s time to be 100% honest with himself and admit he’s bisexual, even though he’s never acted on his attraction towards men.
Ethan and Rhett take Greg to Wilde’s for a night of fun, and Greg literally stumbles across Sailo, the beautiful deejay. Sailo is 10 years younger than Greg and he’s the father of a six-year-old boy he is co-parenting with a lesbian couple that are also his best friends. Right from the beginning they acknowledge Sailo is Greg’s rebound. That this is the first time Greg gives into his attraction towards men and there are absolutely no expectations that their sexual relationship might be something more.
I really liked Sailo and Greg together, because they had an instant, believable, natural chemistry that was just enough to keep the sexual tension simmer throughout the book. While Greg and Sailo indulge in many deliciously hot sexual adventures, the sex wasn’t gratuitous and I didn’t feel like there was too much of it. Oh lord, did those two set the sheets on fire!!! And to make it even better, Greg is a gay sex virgin…yum!
There is a beautiful friendship that develops between these two and I loved how frank and honest Greg was when it came to his feelings towards his ex-wife and his emotional state after the divorce. The divorce wasn’t swept under the rug just because Greg discovered the delights of gay sex, and that’s very realistic because there’s no way someone gets over the past 25 years overnight.
Another thing I absolutely loved is Greg’s relationship with his children, especially his sadness and angst when it came to his middle child, the kids’ easy acceptance of their father’s sexuality, and how nicely they accepted Sailo as part of their family.
This doesn’t sound good enough for you yet? What if I tell you there’s an amazing epilogue a year later that shows Greg and Sailo as a solid couple that celebrate their Christmas together with their families? That’s heartwarming and beautiful and the perfect way to end a book. The only thing I wanted and didn’t get is Sailo’s POV, but I don’t think it took away from the overall story.
I’m in love!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have J.A. Rock stopping by with the tour to her new release Manties in a Twist, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s review, so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Manties in a Twist
(The Subs Club 03)
by
J.A. Rock
Look, I’ll never stop missing Hal, but this Subs Club my friends started to review suck-ass doms isn’t gonna bring him back or give him justice. For me, it’s just another chance to hang out with my friends, even if they think I’m too dumb to understand the important work we’re supposedly doing.
But maybe I’m not as dumb as they think—at least I know when I’ve got a good thing going. Which is why I just moved in with my dom. Ryan’s awesome possum. He’s really short, never makes me feel stupid, and is up for anything. One word: costumes. Two more words: women’s underwear. We’re all about the lace, no leather.
Except when we do pony play. We first tried it as a joke, but turns out I’m ballin’ at it. Now PetPlayFest is coming up, and I wanna take down the Subs Club’s archrival, Cinnamon the ponygirl, in the horse show.
My friends think I’m spending too much time with Ryan and ignoring my obligations to the group. But since when is friendship an obligation? Ryan’s my first serious relationship, and I want to take it . . . seriously. At some point I need to think about my future, not my past.
Blurb: Driven by his desire to become a successful fashion designer and concerned with hiding his questionable past, Ru Maitland lets his obsession with action movie star Gray Anson on the big screen replace his social life. Then obsession and reality collide when Ru is asked to design fashion costumes for a special performance of Hamlet at the Playhouse in Laguna starring none other than Gray Anson. Gray turns out to be a compelling mix of shy and brash and, despite a high profile engagement to a female socialite, the signals Gray sends Ru have his libido doing the salsa.
Gray Anson has what most people only dream of—great wealth, huge fame, a job he loves. For that, he’s given up any semblance of privacy and the right to say no to the thousands of people who depend on him and the millions who love him. He sees everything he’s ever wanted just outside the bubble of his life, but how can he make the compromises needed to embrace it? When Ru’s shady past crashes into Gray’s paparazzi-haunted present, both men have to learn that sometimes the only acceptable compromise is the truth.
Posed to finally have his fashion designs recognized and shown at Spring Fashion Week, he doesn’t have time to give to anything else. Until, the owner of his community theater asks him to design the costumes for a summer play, staring…(gasp) Gray Anson.
I LOVE this series. The stories weave together seamlessly. So, whether you read them in order, or as standalones, you are guaranteed an enjoyable experience. No one creates characters like Tara Lain.
For me, this was Gray’s story. Ru was already on his second lifetime, and despite his little quirks, is happy with his life. Gray, on the other hands, feels like he is living a lie. A very lucrative lie, but a lie nonetheless.
And for me it was about much more than coming out. Professionally, Gray learns so much about himself. And I loved watching Ru support him.
Truth be told, with a name like Portia, I probably would have loved any Shakespearean story that Tara had chosen.
If you love sweet romance, well-developed characters, enough intrigue to keep you turning pages, and a crash course on Hamlet…The Prince of the Playhouse is a must read.
Aerin’s Review: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
I’ve been looking forward to Ru’s story ever since I first met him, because I have a certain weakness for flaming, artistic types and Ru is definitely that. One thing I can say with 100% certainty is that Ru didn’t disappoint at all! The other main character, Gray Anson, is who I had big problems with; his behavior was disappointing and infuriating, and I wanted someone else for Ru because Ru deserved better than being someone’s dirty little secret.
The writing was great, I can’t complain about that at all, and while some parts were totally ridiculous, they blended perfectly with the overall sense of silliness and amusement this series as a whole has. I really loved the complexity of Ru’s character, because what you see is a flaming, effeminate, in-your-face clothing designer, but what you get is a former gangbanger, slightly domineering guy who likes to give orders in the bedroom and who’s definitely a top. I just love the contradictions and the fact that they all fit together perfectly to make Ru a character who’s charming and who makes a lasting impression.
Ru has been fantasizing about actor Gray Anson for a few years now, and he couldn’t believe his luck when fate puts them in each other’s path. Gray Anson has taken the opportunity to expand his acting repertoire by accepting a role as Hamlet in a modern-day Shakespeare production. The instant attraction between them is obvious (to them at least), but Gray is so deeply closeted, his closet has a zip code of its own and Gray can’t imagine ever finding his way out; Gray is an action hero and we all know that gay men can’t play action heroes….do you detect a hint of sarcasm? Well maybe this is a real issue but I can’t imagine that people would refuse to watch a spectacular action movie just because the main character is gay; unless the actor has no talent for acting and is mediocre at best, which comes back to talent and not sexuality. But let’s suppose I’m that naive and have no clue what I’m really talking about.
There were a few plot problems that I couldn’t really believe no matter how much I wanted to. One of them is the reason Gray and Ru started spending so much time together; Gray couldn’t understand his character in the play and therefore completely sucked at acting. Let’s say that could possibly happen and nobody on Gray’s staff made sure Gray knew what he was getting into to start with. On what planet is Ru a professional acting coach? I get that there needed to be a reason for Gray and Ru to spend time together, but why couldn’t it be due to an inexplicable need to be around each other? Or the fact that they maybe enjoyed spending time together?
Also, I wanted to tell Ru numerous times that he should seek emergency medical services because an erection that lasts more than a few hours is extremely dangerous. Ru got so many erections that the current one didn’t even go completely away before the next one popped up again, that I became bored with his erections. That never happened before, but there’s always an opportunity to experience new things I guess. All these things I’ve been complaining about weren’t really all that bad considering I’ve started this book prepared for this level of silliness.
What I wasn’t prepared for and couldn’t really get past was Gray’s constant struggle with hiding his sexuality. I thought that Ru deserved better than having to see Gray with women all the time and being denied his true status. And the denial went all the way until the last chapter or so, and it really was disappointing and frustrating. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes I thing two characters are not well suited together. This was one of those cases where I wanted someone else for Ru, and I believe Bernardo would’ve been a much better fit.
Overall a nice story, humorous and even a little fluffy, but despite Ru being my favorite character in this series, this was my least favorite book.
Blurb: Jefferson Lee Davis, Holly Creek’s new Director of Publicity, is gearing up for the next big town event, the summer Rose Festival. The job is running smoothly, but the course of true love has hit a rocky patch. His hunky boyfriend, Sheriff Zane Yarbrough, is receiving mysterious phone calls he doesn’t want to discuss.
While Jefferson Lee is blindsided by jealousy, the second shoe drops with the appearance of a handsome stranger in the small tight-knit community. Needing answers, Jefferson Lee enlists his best gal-pal Clover Crofton to help find out what secrets Zane is hiding. When they land themselves in more trouble than Jefferson Lee bargained for, he and Zane face the first big test of their relationship.
Zane and Jefferson Lee must work through their trust issues if they’re going to make it as a couple, and Clover may just have a thing or two to learn herself.
Review: Spring Fever picks up roughly where Dogwood Days left off and it’s just as amazing as Dogwood Days, maybe even better! But, if you have any plans to read this without previously reading Dogwood Days, I’m afraid that’s not going to work. Spring Fever has the same cast of charming, funny, crazy, amazing characters as Dogwood Days and the main characters are still Sheriff Zane and Jefferson Leigh.
There’s a new guy in town and his name is Troy. You see, Troy is six feet of perfection. A blond hunk of a man who’s taking too much of Zane’s time. Jefferson Leigh just KNOWS something’s up. Because Zane is suddenly very secretive, unwilling to talk about Troy, and was seen at Troy’s house the night he was supposed to be away on duty. Is Troy someone from Zane’s past that is back and wants another shot at Zane? Well have no fear, undercover agents Jefferson Leigh and Clover will get to the bottom of this mystery!
If you’ve read Dogwood Days, you probably remember how hilarious and dangerous Clover and Jefferson Leigh are together. I had a smile on my face the entire time those two plotted and found ways to get in trouble. Clover is just as hilarious as you remember and they’re so ridiculously over the top they’re downright charming!
I want to move over there and move in next to Zane’s house, because I heard his blinds always stay open and there’s plenty of dirty things taking place in that house. Like Jefferson Leigh getting fucked against a wall. Holy fuck, I NEED to see that!!!
This story is brilliantly written. Because, while I laughed with Clover and Jefferson Leigh, I also felt those icy fingers down my spine when Troy came around.
I would say this is almost a cliffhanger, because the story ends in such a way that makes it obvious there’s more coming up. Hopefully soon!
Don’t worry, Zane and Jefferson Leigh are just fine…
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Manties In a Twist Series:The Subs Club, #3 Author: J.A. Rock Genre: BDSM/Humor Length: Novel (283 pages) Publisher: Riptide Publishing (April 2nd 2016) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb:Look, I’ll never stop missing Hal, but this Subs Club, my friends, started to review suck-ass Doms isn’t gonna bring him back or give him justice. For me, it’s just another chance to hang out with my friends, even if they think I’m too dumb to understand the important work we’re supposedly doing.
But maybe I’m not as dumb as they think—at least I know when I’ve got a good thing going. Which is why I just moved in with my dom. Ryan’s awesome possum. He’s really short, never makes me feel stupid, and is up for anything. One word: costumes. Two more words: women’s underwear. We’re all about the lace, no leather.
Except when we do pony play. We first tried it as a joke, but turns out I’m ballin’ at it. Now PetPlayFest is coming up, and I wanna take down the Subs Club’s archrival, Cinnamon the ponygirl, in the horse show.
My friends think I’m spending too much time with Ryan and ignoring my obligations to the group. But since when is friendship an obligation? Ryan’s my first serious relationship, and I want to take it . . . seriously. At some point I need to think about my future, not my past.
Review: I’ve read many J.A. Rock books and I have to say this series is definitely her best writing yet. I’m not sure whether she found her true calling or maybe the characters won’t stop nagging her until she tells their stories, but these books seem to me like they’re written from the heart.
Kamen has been one of my favorite characters in this series and I found his hilarious and original songs to be a constant source of amusement. Kamen has been the easy-going one, the least smart, and the one his friends counted on no matter what.
Kamen seemed like a pretty simple character so far, sort of “what you see is what you get”, but we all know still waters run deep. That couldn’t be any more accurate when it comes to Kamen. Kamen has the biggest heart of all, he loves his friends, loves his mother, he loves Ryan, and he wants nothing more than for everyone to get along and be like a big happy family.
We know from Pain Slut that Kamen and Ryan are going to be together, but I never expected the tension their relationship brought to Kamen and David’s friendship. There’s jealousy and hurt feelings, and Kamen’s heart is broken along with mine, because Kamen should NEVER be anything but happy.
Ryan and Kamen’s relationship is very different from the previous two couples’; this isn’t so much the case of I’m the Dom, you’re the sub, drop your trousers so I can stripe your ass. Kamen and Ryan are more about lace panties and sexy dresses, scorching hot role play and even some pony games. They have their own brand of kink very different from what we’ve gotten so far, which is absolutely great!
I really loved Kamen’s honest, hilarious and very much real reactions to seeing himself in women’s lace panties. What I found absolutely fantastic was that I totally forgot Kamen isn’t a real person! I mean I had to remind myself over and over again that Rock has written this character and this isn’t a story told by a real-life character, and trust me when I say this doesn’t happen to me often!
While I liked Ryan and Kamen as a couple, I wasn’t too sure of my feelings for Ryan as an individual. I thought he was too possessive of Kamen and he never truly tried to understand and become a part of the friendship with the rest of the guys.
But at the same time all this conflict allowed us to see just how many layers Kamen has, how mature his thinking is regarding their friend’s death, what his hopes and desires and dreams are regarding the future, and how deeply and completely he loves Ryan. I loved Kamen to pieces, but at times I wished someone else for him, someone other than Ryan.
This was a great book, fantastic even, but not exactly what I expected to get considering this is Kamen’s book. He has been the funniest and the quirkiest of them all, so I expected more genuine humor. There was certainly moments that were funny.
I thought there was too much focus on the pony competition. I understood the reason behind Kamen’s motivation, but it wasn’t something I could connect with. And the competition itself was leaning more towards ridiculous than real, with eye rolling moments and incredulous WTF moments as well.
This was a great book but my least favorite so far; my favorite book remains David and D’s book.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi peeps, we have Indra Vaughn popping in with the tour for her new release Patchwork Paradise, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Aerin’s review so enjoy the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Patchwork Paradise
by
Indra Vaughn
Oliver and Samuel’s relationship is fairy-tale perfect. They share a gorgeous house in Antwerp, go out with their friends every weekend, and count down the days to their dream wedding. But their happy ending is shattered one late night, and just like that, Ollie is left bereft and alone.
The months that follow are long and dark, but slowly Ollie emerges from his grief. He even braves the waters of online dating, though deep down he doesn’t believe he can find that connection again. He doesn’t think to look for love right in front of him: his bisexual friend Thomas, the gentle giant with a kind heart and sad eyes who’s wanted him all along.
When Thomas suddenly discovers he has a son who needs him, he’s ill prepared. Ollie opens up his house—Sam’s house—and lets them in. Ollie doesn’t know what scares him more: the responsibility of caring for a baby, or the way Thomas is steadily winning his heart. It will take all the courage he has to discover whether or not fairy tales can happen for real.
Title: All the Wrong Places
Title: Open Seating
Title: A Kind of Romance
Title: Love Can’t Conquer
Title: Learning to Love
Title: Safe in His Heart
Title: Imperfect Harmony
Product Link: 
Title: Out of Frame
Title: To Live Again
Title: Prince of the Playhouse
Title: Spring Fever
Title: Manties In a Twist
