Tag: Amber Quill Press

The Truth by G.S. Wiley

41krMsUAPALTitle: The Truth

Author: G.S. Wiley

Genre:Nostalgic Contemporary (1960s-era/1970s-era/1990s-era) 

Length:  Novella (46 pages)

Publisher:Amber Quill Press (September 9th, 2013)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:  In the late 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, John Radley is an agent working for MI6. He feels no shame in being an “office” agent rather than out in the field, and he knows his work at home is crucial to the safety of his country. 

Anthony Holland is quite different. He is the flashy, handsome field spy, the kind of man on which James Bond was based, and he’s all too aware of his appeal. John hates him on sight. It’s a one-sided hatred, though, and Holland soon makes his attraction to John obvious. When Anthony comes to John after a mission gone bad, displaying his true emotions rather than a calculated facade, John’s feelings change. 

They begin a covert affair, made all the more difficult by their positions and by the fact Anthony is so rarely in the country. But one day, two years after their first meeting, Anthony leaves for a mission and doesn’t come back. John always knew their relationship would likely end this way, but he never forgets Anthony. 

Now, twenty years later, as the Soviet Union crumbles, John finds evidence that indicates Anthony is still alive. Although retired, John puts everything he has into finding the love of his life…for a second time…

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TheTruth.html

Review: In the 1960’s, John is an agent for MI6 during the cold war. He is an office agent, when he meets field agent Tony. The meeting doesn’t go off as well, as John knows to trust no one. and in those days, you had to be careful with sexual identity.

This was a pretty good book of espionage and love. I do not know a lot of the Cold War, so I was a little lost at times and the story does skip back and forth from his past at work, past at home and present. Having said that, the romance alone here was heart-gripping. It is a very beautiful story of love, both of family and of another man.

I recommend this if you like espionage, spies, men that hold tight to family responsibility and a deep love story.

A Vampire Christmas by A.J. Llewellyn

VampireChristmasTitle:  A Vampire Christmas, 2nd Edition

Series:  A Vampire in Waikiki, 02               

Author:  A. J. Llewellyn

Genre:  Gay/Dark Fantasy/Vampire/The Arts/Voyeurism/Exhibitionism/Public Places

Length:  Novella (103 Pages)

Publisher:  Amber Quill Press (August 11th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Waikiki vampires Tem and Jimmy Thunder are happily undead and married, about to celebrate Christmas when their cat Moontime brings an unusual treasure to the door…a baby in a box. However, this is no cute, cuddly kid. It’s a demon baby with red eyes and razor sharp teeth. Jimmy, hopelessly besotted with his hot and sexy husband, sees his new life of man-on-man fun being wrecked by this snarling, spitting, forked-tongued little incubus that has apparently won Tem’s heart.

With half of Waikiki’s wacky residents coming to Christmas dinner, what’s a devoted husband to do? Jimmy calls in all kinds of favors to figure out the identity of the kid, how he got to them, and how to ensure this will be a merry–not marred–Vampire Christmas.

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/VampireChristmas.html

Review:  Like many of A. J’s stories, there is a wonderful blend of the history of Hawaii along with his take on vampire, his walk in the sun, food eating, shopping at malls, gay ex-porn star, cursed by a high priest, vampires.

Newly married Tem and Jimmy are having their first family Christmas together, with everyone invited. But, how do you cover up the fact that you’re a vampire, and the baby brought to your doorstep by your cat is a dead demon baby? What follows is a search for answers to how the baby was brought back from the dead, how it has to do with Jimmy’s family curse, the small pox epidemic of 1853 and Jimmy’s grandfather. Along with meeting of parents, and other assorted family members, Christmas dinner, a screaming demon baby, horror legends to frighten Hawaiian children come to life and the secrets of their family doctor.

Another humorous, fun story from A. J. I love how he writes his characters with their fun, sometimes snarky sense of humours. Their sexy, can’t keep their hands to themselves sex scenes are hot but with a real loving relationship feel to them. I love reading books by

Different by Kim Dare

KQ_DifferentTitle: Different

Series: Kinky Quickies, #2

Author: Kim Dare

Genre: BDSM (light)

Length: Short Story (13K)

Publisher: Amber Allure (August 11th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Matthew and Stuart have been dating for more than five months and Stuart thinks things are going well—right up until the moment Matthew suggests they try something different, the kind of different that involves bondage, spanking, and leather.

Matthew’s been building up to making this suggestion for weeks, dropping subtle hints and hoping Stuart won’t completely freak out at the mention of kink. Now, with Matthew’s desires out in the open, all he can do is hope that introducing something different will make their relationship perfect rather than destroy it…

NOTE: This book is part of the Kinky Quickies series. 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/KQ_Different.html

Review: Now this is not your average Dom/sub story. No, this isn’t even your average leather/kink story. This is a perfect start of a relationship.

Just like the blurb says Matthew has been working his courage to talk to Stuart about bring their relationship one step further. What I loved about it was the fact that these guys started dating without the kink element being noted from the beginning. They are your average vanilla guys who date and have vanilla sex.

When Matthew finally opens his mouth and mentions “different,” I must admit the entire restaurant scene where it happened was brilliant. Stuart’s reaction, although odd at first) came to make all the difference. I loved Stuart, brave, brave character.

When the guys finally have their scenes, it happened quite incidentally. Stuart’s behavior gives Matthew all he needs to know that if he doesn’t show Stuart that he’s different indeed from his past experience, he’ll never have a chance with Stuart again. But thing is that both Matthew and Stuart are too deep in their relationship to let it crash and burn, so both make the effort, both meet halfway there. And the result is lovely.

I’ve always thought Kim Dare had a nice pen, but the more she writes the better she gets. Both scenes involved in the story were fantastic. The emotions conveyed were done so brilliantly. I loved Stuart’s anxiety, his fear, and how he tried not to let that overwhelm him. I loved Matthew’s patience, his care, and determination. In the end, even as the sexual intensity was fantastic, I love the way that their love showed in this story, how great the blend love and kink was and well, the spanking scene was perhaps the most perfect one I’ve read so far.

Recommended? Oh Hell yeah!

Make Mine a Bad Boy by Carolina Valdez

MakeMineBadBoyTitle: Make Mine a Bad Boy

Series: This title is part of the Dream Man AmberPax™ Collection.

Author: Carolina Valdez

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Military

Length: Novella (90 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (August 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: You Were Born To Excel. Permission Granted is the enticing invitation on the Navy SEAL website. Lieutenant Shane Powell took that permission at face value, proving his excellence and earning a place on the foremost of the counter-terrorism special warfare SEAL teams. When traumatic physical injuries sustained in battle robbed him of the hard-earned excellence necessary for his job, however, he left the Navy. He slipped away, cutting ties with everyone he knew there to wrestle alone with his emotional turmoil.

Lieutenant Michael Fremont, Shane’s SEAL teammate and secret lover, is deeply hurt by the sudden silence and unexplained, abrupt end to their personal relationship. His search to locate the man he loves to demand answers turns up nothing, until a chance encounter brings about a reunion Shane resists.

Mike would be satisfied with a simple return to a platonic friendship if Shane isn’t up to anything more. But SEALs never leave a buddy behind, and Mike will not allow his former lover to withdraw from the wider world.

But considering Shane’s resistance to him, Mike’s success is up for grabs… 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MakeMineBadBoy.html

Review: I love myself some military men. Yes indeed, they are born to excel and be strong. They are also human beings with a heart beating under their chest and limits. Perhaps their limits stretch further than those of us mere mortals, but there is a breaking point.

This story is all about that breaking point. It’s about when those limits are pushed beyond comfort, and the demons take your mind over.

Most of this read felt so sad to me. While I loved it and the main characters, that sad feeling never left. Each working with their PTSD after an op gone real bad, Shane and Mike (best friends and lovers) lose contact. Misunderstandings, bad feelings, dark emotions… Everything worked against them and for two years Shane had been trying to simply survive day after day with pain and loss, while Mike kept searching, kept wondering.

Now their paths cross one more time. Now there is a second chance looming in the air. Now things are even harder as time has played its trick on them, and one of them is off service while the other still on.

The prose is full of emotions such as sadness, longing, lust, and love. Most of the read they are felt easily, they grip you and take you under them. But then the narration seems so impersonal, so “telling” and they slip from you like water from your fingers. When the couple finally makes it together and the big confrontation scene occurs, it didn’t reach me and I felt loss at that. What should have been the breaking point for this book, the moment when all emotions went skyrocketing and fire cracking, was a lukewarm narration covered in haste, a rushing scene that frustrated the Hell out of me.

So while I loved two-thirds of this book the end was not so great for me. Still I enjoyed the book enough to rate it as much as I did. If you love yourself some military guys and don’t mind the aftermath of their glory I recommend this book for you.

Knave of Hearts by Adrianna Dane

KnaveHeartsTitle: Knave of Hearts

Series: This title is part of the Dream Man AmberPax™ Collection.

Author: Adrianna Dane

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella (76 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (August 19th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Nathaniel Diamond, head of a corporate restructuring consultancy firm, is as hard as his last name suggests when it comes to sealing the deal. In his personal life, broken hearts are nothing more than collateral damage, and business is his sole priority. Until, that is, he meets his new client’s right-hand man, Elijah Gentry.

Elijah returned home to Seattle out of love and respect for his guardian, Charles Ballard, head of Ballard Holdings Worldwide, who is dying. Charles hired Nathaniel to help secure his financial legacy, and Elijah is expected to aid him. Although Elijah has a grasp of the business, his true passion lies in Los Angeles with his sound editing career, not with Ballard Holdings. Eventually, he plans to return to L.A., away from the world of high finance and dog-eat-dog corporate politics.

When Elijah and Nathaniel first meet, they are strangers. Well, almost. Nathaniel knows Elijah’s type, and he plans to use the man to get intimate and necessary information Elijah might not share otherwise in order to do his job. But Elijah is not quite the easy target Nathaniel expects, and soon the games begin.

Sex and power quickly tangle in this high-stakes game of corporate politics. Will either man emerge heart-whole from their encounter? Or does destiny have another set of plans for these two very different men? 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/KnaveHearts.html

Review: A very interesting and quite gripping story, Knave of Heartsis all about opposites. Money vs. Heart, Emotions vs. Calculation, Business vs. People.

Elijah is well versed in the business world, he knows those sharks more than he’d like. His mentor and guardian made sure he’d get not only the best education, but also a close experience in the heart of the business world. But with his imminent death looming on the near future, his guardian’s main concern is to leave his business in perfect condition so is legacy will keep on living.

Enter Nathaniel Diamond, head of the consulting firm Charlie Ballard hired to make his wishes come true. Nathaniel is the very type of shark Elijah has always turned his back to. Nathaniel is cold, calculating, and not one to shy away from doing whatever it takes to close the deal. Where Elijah is all about emotions and people and relationships, Nathaniel is the very opposite.

It was most interesting reading about these two characters. Contrary to other books working the same theme, we do not read the “mixing pleasure with work” here. I do read a building passion with raw emotions and a quite interesting clash of personalities. These men do not go sucking each other’s throats and making a mess on their work, on the contrary, even the emotional Elijah displays a fantastic control over himself right up the very end. And while normally such control is attributed to prudish behavior or games to make the other part fall more in love, this is not the case.

It was quite invigorating a read and I have to admit that it had me all encompassed and at its mercy for most of it. Things changed a bit when those two finally made it on a horizontal state. At that point, I was reading the dialogues and shaking my head, wondering who this new Nathaniel was and what on Earth had he done to the previous one. Yes, quite the change there and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

In any case, even as the end was quite predictable, I liked this novella and found it fresh and enticing. Recommended!

 

My Soul He Seeks by Darcy Abriel

MySoulHeSeeksTitle: My Soul He Seeks

Series: N/A

Author: Darcy Abriel

Genre: Gothic Paranormal

Length: Novelette

Publisher: Amber Allure (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: In Ternekill, Terne House was said to be haunted. Auction house researcher Byron Shepley knew that all too well because he’d broken into the then-vacant, ominous mansion when he was sixteen, and he’d never forgotten the chilling experience. Or perhaps it was the house that never forgot him. Now, the old estate is no longer vacant, and on this night, the delivery of an expansive instrument has Byron returning once more. Will the house let him leave this time?

Ravol Nova appeared in Ternekill and took up residence at the Terne House two years ago. Once a well-known guitarist, Ravol formerly played his music for no one but his lover, the flamenco dancer Francisco Caspar, until the man died a horrible death at the hands of an unknown killer. Ravol, now a recluse with a dark, mysterious past, came to Terne House for a specific purpose, and has been waiting a long time.

On a dark and stormy night, one man may trade his soul for passion, while another may find the redemption he’s been seeking for so very long. What dangers await these two men when they finally unite and come face-to-face with destiny? 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MySoulHeSeeks.html

Review: Well, this short certainly had a dark feeling to it. Byron has once come across Terne House when a teenager and left without specific memory of what happened, only the feel that it was something he didn’t want to know.

Many years later, he’s forced to go back as he’s to deliver a very expensive instrument to recluse former artist Ravol Nova, who now inhabits the House. Well forced is perhaps not the right word as Byron seems drawn there and almost craving to return?

The majority of this story takes place during two nights with only the end stretching time. During the first stormy night, certain events happen that left me in a weird state. A long-lost ghost returning to possess a body that has been claimed or perhaps marked a long time before, a dark and mysterious creature wrapped in sadness and longing, and a lonely man bound to a place in manners he doesn’t understand, yet craving to be released in the purest way. A night full of passion, mystique, carnal cravings, and blood. A night that mixed both intensity and sensuality with the slightest hints of danger lurking in the corners.

Yes, this was the kind of read I do enjoy. If it weren’t for the questions that were left unanswered, I might have been completely enthralled from this book. As it is, I enjoyed it a lot and won’t hesitate to recommend this read to fans of the genre.

 

Shattered by Fate by A.J. Llewellyn

ShatteredByFateTitle:  Shattered By Fate

Author: A.J. Llewellyn 

Genre:   Gothic/Mystery/Interracial

Length:  Novella (110 pages)

Publisher:  Amber Allure (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate to Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Elvis Summers and his writing partner Holt have scored a fantastic gig—spending two months in romantic Buenos Aires while researching their old TV idol, Guy Williams, famous for playing Zorro and the futuristic, perfect father in Lost in Space.

What made Williams fall so deeply in love with Argentina that he gave up his acting career to move there in the mid 70s?

For years, the actor remained an icon as Zorro in Argentina, even though he died alone and under mysterious circumstances in his apartment in the lush neighborhood of Recoleta. As Elvis and Holt retrace the actor’s footsteps, history and gothic romance seep into their souls. Elvis meets a hot local named Joaquin, a man with his own secrets and apparent fears. Elvis falls hard and fast for the sexy porteño, but after scorching nights of passion, Joaquin inexplicably vanishes.

Elvis desperately searches for him even as Holt tries to convince him that Joaquin was obviously not interested, and that residents of Joaquin’s apartment building claim no such man exists.

Feeling the ghost of Guy Williams accompanying him on his sometimes-frightening search, Elvis is determined to find the man he came to adore. Or will he, like TV’s Zorro, find himself shattered by fate?

Product Link:  http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ShatteredByFate.html

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Short, Sexy and Steamy… My three favorite colors!

Elvis and Holt are in Buenos Aires working on their latest film project about the life of late actor Guy Williams. Famous for his roles in Zorro and Lost in Space, the man behind the masks is a mystery that these two writers mean to unwrap. When they first arrive, the friends venture out to a local gay bar and Elvis meets the sexy, alluring, and mysterious Joaquin. They embark on a whirlwind courtship fueled by a mutual attraction and some electric chemistry.

When Joaquin suddenly disappears and Elvis and Holts apartment is ransacked, Elvis immediately fears something terrible has happened to his new lover. Holt, however, thinks that Joaquin is just not interested in pursuing anything long-term and is giving his friend the brush off. They soon learn that Argentina may be a beautiful and sensual country, but it is always very dark and dangerous. Why did Joaquin just disappear? Was he simply done with the affair, or has he fallen prey to some twisted people?

This definitely a steamy read! Joaquin has a pallet for delectable desserts and his plate is Elvis. The scenes where they blindfold each other and use their other senses to explore touch and devour each other or ‘wipe the steam off your kindle’ fanfriggintastic! My only complaint would be the redundant research and parts of the story concerning Guy Williams. I realize this was the reason for Elvis and Holt to be in Buenos Aires, but it was overdone too much for my taste. Overall though that can be skimmed and everything else was well written and wrapped up with enough mystery and intrigue to keep me turning the pages.

Looking for something short, sexy, and STEAMY? This would be the one!!

Coliseum Square by Lynn Lorenz

18111264Title: Coliseum Square

Series: N/A

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre:  Historical Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Allure (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: When Mark Madison accepts a position as tutor in New Orleans, he does so to run away from his past. Yet he never once believed the house on Coliseum Square would actually hold the key to his future.

Royal DuCote, the wealthy owner of the house and father to a son named Luc, is dark, sexy, and haunted. Ever since the death of his wife and Luc’s mother, nothing has been the same. Luc refuses to speak or let Royal near him, and putting Luc in school is out of the question, so he hires a tutor for his son. But when he meets Mark Madison, he’s instantly attracted to the younger man.

As tensions build between Mark and Royal, Luc’s affliction becomes a mystery Mark wants to solve. But will what Mark discovers destroy all that is left of the DuCote family?

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ColiseumSquare.html

Review: I am known to love the 19th century historicals. There is something about that time that awakens the romantic in me. The speech itself feels too romantic and alluring for me to stay away.

In this novella, that feeling along with the foreboding of being a homosexual and the desperation it all brought, was right there as it began. It easily draw you into the book, when Mark runs from his past life in fear, constantly thinking that impending death or jail awaits him in every corner. The paranoia when one knows he’s an outlaw and could easily lose everything is quite obvious from Mark’s thoughts and actions.

But, then Mark makes a new life, under a new name as a tutor for Royal DuCote’s son in New Orleans. The romance should start bright and shiny, but that wasn’t the case. While the book starts with Mark making up his mind to forever hide his sexuality out of fear, it quickly turns into love-at-first-sight and a reckless behavior from both Master and employer. The romantic speech I so loved was lacking during their dialogues and even more so during their intercourse. The relationship between Mark and his charge was a fast built up that didn’t come to terms with the boy’s disposition, creating quite the oxymoron feel about it. The time space as well was so fast, that any meaningful action/reaction lost its credibility. What could have been a great read was in fact a lukewarm one that disappointed me in its execution.

If you don’t mind the details and the lack of authenticity about this book, I think it’s a nice read. The pair quite hot and sexy and the end inspire an “awww” out of you with its HEA. But, if you are that era lover like me then it’ll probably disappoint the heck out of, too.

 

Summer of Love by Heidi Champa

SummerofLoveTitle:  Summer of Love

Series:  Summer Days #2

Author:  Heidi Champa

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novella (23k words)

Publisher:  Amber Allure (August 4th 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥2Hearts

Blurb:   Max Randolph has always loved weddings, so much so that he made planning them his life’s work. But, ever since the demise of his personal relationship a few months before his own wedding, Max has had difficulty celebrating the happiness of others. Still, when a call comes from his friend to plan the perfect wedding to his partner, Max can’t help but agree.

The couple wants their wedding celebration to be held at The Acres. On a trip to get the planning started, Max sees his ex, Trevor, for the first time in months. He expects a fraught meeting, but instead, Trevor is civil and downright sweet. Max wonders if there’s anything wrong with a little harmless flirting with an ex. After all, Max and Trevor never got to have break-up sex.

It isn’t long until old feelings start to bubble to the surface and Max finds himself debating whether there’s a way for him and Trevor to try again. But, when long-buried truths come to light, will their chance at reconciliation be over before it starts? Or will the wedding provide the perfect backdrop for rekindled romance?

Product Link:  http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SummerLove.html

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Max, wedding planner extraordinaire, is off to The Acres to plan his friend’s wedding to his partner. After a bad breakup with his cheating fiancé just months before his own wedding, his heart hasn’t been in the whole ‘happily ever after’ aspect of his business for a while. He is still the best at what he does, so when his friend calls he packs up and heads out to plan the perfect wedding. While he’s there he runs in to his ex Trevor, who quickly wiggles his way back into Max’s life as well as his bed.

I didn’t exactly like either of these characters. Maxy was relatable at the start of the story but when he took Trevor back not once, but twice I lost some respect for him. His fault or not, communication is key in a relationship and I didn’t see much of that between the ML.

 

The writing was good when it came to conversations between Maxy and his business partner/friend Dani and just because this book didn’t ‘gel’ for me, doesn’t mean it’s not the book for you. Maxy and Trevor admittedly have some great make-up sex though, I’ll give Champa that.

 

*This is an updated review as I made an error in my wording in my initial review. In my initial review of this book, I stated the character Trevor was unlikeable because he cheated, that was a misdirection on my part. He didn’t cheat, but there were a couple of insinuations in the story. I read/review a lot of books and that seems to have bit me in the a@@ this time, my apologies to the author.*

 

 

Sparring with Shadows by Erin O'Quinn

SparringShadowsTitle: Sparring With Shadows     

Series: The Gaslight Mysteries 02 

Author: Erin O’Quinn     

Genre: Historical (1923), Mystery     

Length: Novel (221pgs)     

Publisher: Amber Allure (4th August 2013)    

Heat Level: Low    

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Simon Hart, private investigator, has always thought of himself as a regular fellow. He’s standoffish and a loner with a sullen attitude—yet surely a normal bloke. And then he meets the randy Michael McCree.

In short order, Michael has become his flat-mate, his business partner, and his wannabe lover. Now Simon must look deeper, into his own hidden desires, if he wants to survive.

There’s something about Michael’s secret vocation that invites trouble. Simon finds himself sparring with shadows: in the hidden bedrooms of a roaring twenties version of a gay bar…as a chained wall decoration in the flat of a thief and sexual deviant…and as the quarry in a deadly confrontation in an exhibitionist’s bed and then in a sewer tunnel beneath the streets of a 1923 city somewhere in Ireland.

Above all, Simon is sparring with the shadow of his own secret urges. Michael will not allow him to turn away from a kind of private investigation of which he has not even dreamed. Until now.

Follow a fastidious, surly investigator and his horny yet secretive partner through the very cracks in a city of gaslights and vintage motorcars, into a hidden homosexual culture, as the men find themselves sparring with shadows…     

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SparringShadows.html     

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Michael and Simon discover that the Brown Man has given the local police the slip, trying to recapture the man they discover he might have been involved in the robbery of a rare carbuncle and they are tasked to the capture of the Brown Man and the recovery of the precious stone. Simon has to examine his own reactions to discover just what it is he really wants, Michael may have chased him down but it is Simon who holds all the cards. 

This is a pretty good story looking into the secret underbelly of a fictional Irish city and two men who investigate crime. Michael and Simon have much on their plate as the Brown Man escapes, Michael figures the man is much more than just an accomplice and decides to dig deeper but they have watchers of their own. Simon and Michael end up captured as they hunt for the carbuncle and it takes some nifty footwork of both of them and their little helper Mouse to escape. While all this is going on Simon is struggling with his sexuality as Michael works his charm. 

I enjoyed this story, watching Simon and Michael trying to keep one-step ahead of the Brown Man and to ensure the Brown Man is captured. Seeing them put together the pieces of what the man is doing, and having Simon act as a distraction. Michael’s and Simon’s relationship has its own game of sparring at shadows, as Michael has laid down his own feelings and Simon is still struggling with his own feelings and the sexual acts themselves. They make a great investigating team and the progress of the story is well paced, I liked that Simon angsted (is that a word?) over his feelings and tried to damp down the flush of lust so he could think clearly. Michael seemed to be horny most of the time even at inconvenient times and he could have toned it back a bit. They make an interesting pair and although the investigation was exciting and dangerous I ended up wanting the more mundane investigations, we saw in the previous book.

I recommend this if you love investigations turning dangerous, rescues and escapes, admitting to your feelings, historicals, and a great ending. 

Mist in the Night by D.J. Manly

MistNightTitle: Mist in the Night

Series: N/A

Author: D.J. Manly

Genre:  Gothic-Paranormal / Vampires-Ghosts

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Allure (July 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Jamie’s on the brink of rebelling against everything in this life when, on one fateful evening, he’s invited to spend time in what’s thought to be a haunted house near the university campus. His roommate and another guy, totally “out” and ready to play, want Jamie to join them for some sexy fun.

Intrigued by the idea of exploring his sexuality, Jamie follows the two men into the old gothic mansion on the hill, once a place of decadence and torture. But could there still be echoes of the past lingering there?

Jamie’s about to discover much more than his sexual preferences on a night of terror he won’t ever forget. 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MistNight.html

Review: Good God, what a strange read. No, it isn’t the fact that it contained a haunted house; it isn’t the fact that it had evil ghosts intend on stealing your soul entrapping forever; it definitely isn’t the fact that there was a vampire who reincarnated? It’s was the writing that made my skin crawl.

There I am reading the story from Jamie’s perspective, enjoying it quite a lot and getting into the whole haunted house thing. I was even pleasantly surprised by the threesome that occurred with a still virgin Jamie (I am not throwing a fit on that, I loved it). I’m loving the Jamie whispers and all, real fun stuff for me, and there, right there, this weird things occurs. p-westmount-4b

Somehow, Jamie’s life harbors a dead boy’s soul, meaning that in his previous life Jamie had a strong connection with this particular house. But the odd part that made me get lost in the read (in a good way) and kept me on my toes trying not to lose who’s who, was the fact that the lost soul and the now Jamie merged. The story never stopped being narrated from the same perspective, at the whole time feeling as if Jamie was experiencing those events, only to have you fooled in the next when Jamie remembered nothing at all.

It was weird, good weird. I liked it. It frustrated the heck out of me, and the way it ended was, well I wanted to throw something and break it at some point, but still it was realistic enough, if that even makes sense for a paranormal read.

Bottom end I enjoyed it and I’d recommend it to fans of the genre.

Raw Cut by K.T. Forbes

51K0dqVRB8LTitle: Raw Cut

Series: N/A

Author: K.T. Forbes

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel (53K)

Publisher: Amber Allure (July 28th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: The kitchen behind a prestigious New York City restaurant can be a brutal place for a brilliant young chef to learn the ropes. But Cabell Scott is tough and talented…more than up to the task. After all, he has a dream to own a fine establishment someday. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

It’s not long before the gorgeous line cook attracts the attention of the legendary chef, Moreau Givan, who is more than willing to teach Cabell the fine points of culinary technique. When the relationship between the two men moves from the kitchen to the bedroom, Cabell finds himself on a path of discovery that encompasses far more than his cooking skill.

As Cabell works his way up the ranks in professional kitchens, his tumultuous love life nearly topples his career. And when his newly opened restaurant is threatened by his past, Cabell is forced to take his own measure as he wrestles with a decision that will set the course for the rest of his life. 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/RawCut.html

Review: This novel traces the path its young protagonist Cabell takes through the years in order to realize his dreams. Having grown up with a father who sacrificed his dream for the steady paycheck and a financial safety to raise him, Cabell is determined to let no one step in the path of his dream.

A strong and slightly emotional read that has the depth a lifetime requires, Raw Cut is a book quite wholesome that will leave you with a great sense of satisfaction in the end. It makes you think of your own life and how you purchased your dreams as Cabell’s rationale is quite powerful.

He went from the naïve, green in the field, and virgin gay guy, to the accomplished chef and emotionally stable man through a very realistic way. We see him eager to dive with the sharks, we see him take no prisoners and sacrifice all and anything to achieve his glory, we see him almost lose track of what he once dreamed (I literally feared he was walking on his mentor’s steps there for a while), and lastly we see him mature, grow up, and claim what truly makes him happy no matter how hard and difficult it seemed at that point.

Through this entire journey we are treated to a very sensuous sexual search as well, as in his way to learn and grow in his career Cabell learn and grows on the love field as well. He starts as a virgin and by the time the book ends he’s made quite a leap, and with him so does the sex-scenes that range from nice and stimulating to hot and breath-taking. I admit that some parts of it seemed a bit surreal to me, I still can wrap my head around the fact that Cabell only had two lovers in his life, but it didn’t bother me much in the end as the entire read and the plot were more than gripping and satisfying to dwell on that little tidbit. The typos however annoyed me quite a lot.

All in all, I did enjoy this book and if you’re fans of some realistic romance between two very sweet and utterly gorgeous men with the added bonus of the culinary world unraveling for you, than this book will be to your satisfaction as well. Recommended!

Dark and Stormy by Deirdre O'Dare

DarkStormyTitle: Dark and Stormy 

Author: Deirdre O’Dare 

Genre: Gothic, Historical 

Length: Short (70pgs)

Publisher: Amber Allure (21st July 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3½ Hearts 

Reviewer: Pixie 

Blurb: Gently reared Martin FitzHugh finds himself adrift without means when his uncle goes bankrupt from gambling debts. Martin seeks a livelihood by taking a post as tutor to the young children of an Earl on a remote Welsh estate. Arriving on a dark and stormy night that sets the tone for his whole adventure, he falls into intrigue, mystery, and powerful new loves—for the three traumatized children and their enigmatic guardian.

Dylan Davis was called back from military service in South Africa after his elder brother supposedly found his wife with another man, killing the pair, then himself. Now, Dylan has to assume the title of earl as well as care for his nieces and nephew. He hires a young man, sight unseen, to become their tutor while he sets out to uncover the roots of the scandalous tragedy that tore apart his family. Both matters reveal surprising results, however…some tragic and some delightful…

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DarkStormy.html 

Review: Martin is a gentleman who finds himself seeking employment after his uncle gambled away the family funds, Martin finds himself taking employment as a tutor for an Earl’s children on a remote Welsh estate. Arriving on a dark and stormy night, he learns of a mysterious stranger, a devastating family tragedy, three traumatized children, and an enigmatic guardian. Dylan was called back from the military after the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law, taking on guardianship of his nephew and nieces. He hires Martin with hopes that he can tutor and help the children, while Dylan tries to get to the truth behind the tragic deaths that tore his family apart. 

This is a great little Gothic mystery story with cute kids. Martin has had to find employment because of his uncles gambling, starting his new job in Wales begins with a bang as he arrives at the door after being snatched from his carriage in the midst of a storm by a mysterious stranger. When Martin first begins his job he discovers it will be more than just teaching the children academics as they are traumatized by their parents death, Martin also discovers that he and Dylan have much more in common than he first thought. Dylan is just waiting for the person responsible for his brother’s death to make a move, he never believed the story he was first told, and now he has the support of the tutor and discovers he is a delightful companion.

I really liked this story for its mystery and the horrifying events that have traumatized the children. The kids are well written and bring more life to the story as you see the truth being unraveled; Dylan is a slightly mysterious figure who is very accepting of his new relationship with Martin. Martin hasn’t had much experience with men and the relationship he develops with Dylan is satisfying for both of them. This story is quite good and you get pulled into the setting and circumstances quite well, although Dylan and Martins relationship is quite tame it is still satisfying and the deaths of Dylan’s brother and sister-in-law are wrapped up quite nicely.

I recommend this to those who love Gothic stories set in the Welsh countryside, tragic deaths to avenge, a sweet relationship developing and kids getting justice for their parents.  

Castle Death by Helen Louise Caroll

CastleDeathTitle: Castle Death 

Author: Helen Louise Caroll 

Genre: Gothic, Historical, Thriller

Length: Novella (161pgs)

Publisher: Amber Allure (28th July 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit 

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥2½ – 3 Hearts 

Reviewer: Pixie 

Blurb: After a whirlwind love affair with Adam Parr, young Victor Reibling follows his lover to his home—Castle Death, a lonely manor in the forest. But upon arriving there, Victor learns Adam has died. Under suspicious circumstances. With nowhere else to go, Victor stays to tutor Adam’s son, the sly Phillip, despite the opposition of the boy’s grandmother and the contempt of his guardian and uncle, Darcy Death.

Victor becomes more and more entangled in the affairs of the Death family, even as his attraction to the magnetic and enigmatic Darcy grows. But Adam was not the first to die at Castle Death, and unless Victor can discover the secrets that bind this strange family together, he might become the next victim…

Warning: Acts of voyeurism   

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/CastleDeath.html 

Review: Victor has a love affair with visiting businessman Adam Parr, a man he falls deeply in love with. Victor is dreading the time when Adam will leave but Adam comes up with a plan so they can be together. Upon arriving at Castle Death to tutor Adam’s son and be with his lover, Victor learns the devastating news that Adam has died, with nowhere else to go, he stays to do his job despite the opposition of Phillip’s grandmother and the contempt of his uncle Darcy Death. Victor discovers he has a fierce attraction to Darcy but there are strange goings on at Castle Death with Victor discovering that Adam’s wasn’t the first death, and as Victor gets closer to Darcy accidents begin to happen and Victor has to discover the secret of Castle Death before he becomes the next victim.

This is an interesting story that is equal parts suspense and thriller, there are a couple of aspects that had me shuddering in revulsion, but otherwise it was a good Gothic feeling story. Victor is overjoyed to have found true love and agrees to follow his love lover back to his hometown, but upon arrival, he learns of Adam’s tragic death. With no other option Victor stays to tutor Adam’s son Phillip and finds himself drawn into the family and its secrets. Unable to resist his attraction to Phillip’s uncle Darcy, Victor finds himself in a forbidden relationship that has dark undertones with Darcy’s wife acting odder and odder. 

I quite enjoyed the mysterious feel to this story and the suspense of situation; I liked the way that the deaths leave questions and clues. The relationship between Darcy and Victor is a difficult one to really get a grip on because Darcy has his feelings of guilt; he has to keep a mask in place to get through the day. Victor is confused by his feelings for Darcy and struggles with it until the end, it was portrayed quite well. Seeing the threads of the story pull together was good as well, you know something is coming but you never quite grasp what it is.  

While I found the creepy undertones to be good and the general storyline great, there were some aspects of this story that I found deeply disturbing. First is the relationship between the two cousins Phillip and Anne Elizabeth, the implied relationship is deeply disturbing as Phillip is only twelve and Anne Elizabeth is slightly older, the second is the acts of voyeurism where Darcy and Victor are getting it on in the schoolroom and Phillip is watching…. that churned my stomach. 

I will recommend this to those that love Gothic stories, historicals, a complex relationship, hot sex, suspense and mystery and a very interesting ending.       

Against Type by Heidi Champa

AgainstTypeTitle: Against Type

Series: This title is part of the I Know What You Did AmberPax™ Collection.

Author: Heidi Champa

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Allure (June 23rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: A copyeditor for a pop culture blog called Scuttlebutt, Charlie “Fletch” Fletcher is content with his job, until screenwriter and film critic Adrian McGuire walks into Fletch’s life and disrupts everything. Well-known for being arrogant and pompous, Adrian wastes no time living up to his reputation while writing a column for the blog. After several rocky conversations, Fletch is happy to steer clear of the new arrival and stay out of the way of his insults. Until an email sent by Adrian that wasn’t meant for Fletch’s eyes changes everything between them.

It turns out, Adrian McGuire isn’t all he seems, and Fletch sees his chance to take the self-centered critic down a peg. When his plan backfires, Fletch finds himself working with his nemesis. And not only that, but when their angry friction explodes into equally fiery passion, Fletch discovers he’s unwittingly falling for the man who used to infuriate him.

Can Fletch and Adrian’s burgeoning relationship survive working together, or will all the secrets and lies tear them apart first? 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/AgainstType.html

Review: When the air cracks with tension and electricity, and you can barely stand the sight of the man in front of you, only two things can happen. Either you kill each other or you have one Hell of a steamy relationship coming your way.

A great read from Ms. Champa about two coworkers that hit it off the moment they meet. Things could be worse for Fletch and Adrien, the antagonism is horrendous, and every word they speak is a thinly veiled insult through sarcasm and irony.

It makes for a fast pace and a highly intense plot. The dialogues are witty and snarky and the characters convince you they despise each other, until thing reach maximum boiling point and it’s one or the other. Destroy each other or tumble in bed and get all that steam off.

Admittedly, I love these kinds of scenes. The aggression between the pair was delicious; I inhaled it and couldn’t get enough of it. The chemistry was well worked upon and it was a simple wait and read through the plot to get there, which was not a hardship as the dialogues between the pair were charming and hilarious. I had a great time reading this.

For such a short work, the plot was also surprisingly appealing. There was some depth in there with both characters and the storyline that I hadn’t anticipated. It was so smoothly written and slowly unveiled that gave the book a different quality, almost as if it was more than a novella. Quite impressive really! The slight irony though was the title and how I found some typos in there. Not enough to put me off, but enough to appreciate the hilarity of the fact. 

So, only thing left to be said is, if you’re into intense, hot, and funny guys, then this is a book for you.

 

Forget Me Not by Adrianna Dane

6335018Title:  Forget Me Not

Author: Adrianna Dane

Genre: Contemporary

Length:    Novella (65 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (March 25th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥ 2.5 to 3Hearts

Blurb: It was a friendship that forged their relationship. It was passion that bound them together. And tragedy that tore them apart. Yet time and distance could not destroy their yearning. A failed marriage could not quench the memories. Nothing could make either forget what they had once shared…

Boyhood friends, now mature men reunited after eighteen years apart. One had saved the other’s life. Cooper Lynch is a man locked by his mer blood to the town of Raven’s Cove. He cannot leave. Ever. Bound by cursed blood and by ancient duty. Ian Lynch is a man who feels rootless, now at the crossroads of his life, when fate brings him back again to Raven’s Cove and the only person he’d ever desired. It was a love they had tried to deny. A love that was never meant to be. But one that changed both their worlds with a night of passion they could never forget.

Different worlds, different lives. Will this forbidden love defy the demands of fate?

Product Link:http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ForgetMeNot.html

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: Cooper and Ian have regretted the paths they chose in life ever since their one desperate night together. Both men were obviously confused by the intense attraction they felt for each other after years of friendship. Cooper is worried he took advantage in Ian’s moment of weakness and Ian isn’t sure he remembers things being as amazingly passionate as the dreams he has about his one and only time with another man. Fate or Ian’s need for closure puts both men on the island together again. Their kids from failed marriages meet and become good friends forcing the men to confront each other and the feelings they’ve held onto for eighteen years.

This was a short, sweet and angsty story. I thought the mermaid lore was interesting and would have enjoyed more about it. It felt a little rushed at times. Everything happened rapidly and it felt that way. Some of the dialogue switched from modern to historical sounding at times, which threw me because that wasn’t how the character spoke in the beginning of the book.

Not bad but not great.

Number One Pick by Heidi Champa

16143445Title: Number One Pick

Author: Heidi Champa

Genre:  Contemporary

Length: Novella (27,000 words)

Publisher: Amber Allure (November 11 2012)

Heat Level: Graphic

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: Blake Kaplan has been playing fantasy football with his old college buddies for years. He’s never managed to win, mostly because he’s never wanted to subject himself to the bets and pranks the other guys endured for a chance at glory. But this year, Blake is willing to do whatever it takes to get the first pick in the draft, even if it means sacrificing his dignity a bit.

To his surprise, his wager involves the one thing he’s worse at than fantasy football—dating. If Blake can survive a few dates with the gorgeous Landon O’Keefe, the bartender at the league’s favorite watering hole, he’ll get his number one pick in the draft.

But will he lose his heart along the way?

Product link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/NumberOnePick.html

Reviewer: Heart

Review:  My second encounter with this author’s work this year passed much better than I’d expected. Two men with plenty to offer get themselves into a challenging adventure – because what’s worse than surviving your friends – and find their way to the top and a happy ending.

It all came to be thanks to fantasy football, something Blake has been playing with his college friends for years. All of them have paired up and eventually won first place except Blake and while with the chance for the title come the pranks and merciless teasing, this year Blake is determined and doesn’t even back down in front of the challenge of dating someone.

Landon, the bartender in the bar friends frequent, and Blake have been eyeing each other for some time, but Blake has never wanted a serious relationship and has had most of the gay and regular patrons of the establishment. Landon is ready, but what he wants won’t come with a one-night stand, exactly what he would be in Blake’s eyes. So he jumps at the chance to challenge Blake, five dates, no sex, and a chance to win the man he’s been aching for.

I was amused for the better part of this book, thoroughly enjoying Landon and his lovely personality while Blake presented the perfect challenge to make the story stick out a bit. Their interactions were funny, Blake’s friends somewhat crazy, and the challenge dates kept things going.

This book was nothing short of fun with a good idea and likeable characters, perfect for a slow afternoon.

Bring the Heat by M.L. Rhodes

400000000000000313937_s4Title: Bring the Heat

Author: M. L. Rhodes

Genre:  Contemporary/Mystery/Suspense

Length: Novel (127 pages)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (June 28th, 2009)

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Heat Level: Explicit

Blurb: Police Detective Riley Ellison has a new habit…stopping by a coffeehouse called the Java Pit on his way to work. The coffee’s good, but it’s not the rich flavor that lures him to drive blocks out of his way each morning, and it’s not an addiction to caffeine either. He’s half-embarrassed to admit it, but it’s the man who keeps him coming back. The long-legged, painted-on-jeans wearing, dark-haired, edgy sex god with the teasing eyes. He’s everything Riley—who has a history of geekdom and being flustered around hot men—is not. Riley knows he should put a stop to the daily forays because nothing can ever come of it. Guys like that aren’t interested in men like him. Yet every time the hunk meets his gaze across the crowed shop and aims a sizzling grin at him, Riley gives in and comes back to participate in the silent sexy, flirtation another day. 

The last thing he’s expecting when he goes to question a witness about a murder at a local gay strip joint is to discover the witness is his coffeehouse hottie. Dane Scott works as a stripper strictly for fun. He doesn’t need the money—he’s got plenty in the bank from his other career. He just likes to have something to keep him busy a few nights a week. When one of his fellow dancers turns up murdered outside the strip club, the police detective who shows up on Dane’s doorstep asking questions is none other than the sexy, blond cutie he’s been flirting with at the coffeehouse for weeks. Riley Ellison’s a fascinating contradiction—rugged, strong, serious-eyed hero, and bashful boy next door. A combination Dane finds all too appealing and a refreshing change from the selfish, shallow men he’s known and dated in the past. From the moment Riley flashes his badge at Dane, Dane’s determined to show the skittish cop they can make magic together. 

The heat between them quickly soars to the boiling point and not even a murder investigation can cool the passion they share. That is until new information on Riley’s case turns up that implies Dane may not be all seems… 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/BringHeat.html

Reviewer: Cat

Review:  Riley is a police detective, and like order in his life. He has no idea why he is all of a sudden obsessed with the man he sees in an out-of-the-way coffee shop but he can’t seem to stay away.

Dane is intrigued by the sexy quiet man and everyday he comes in the more he knows he is more than intrigued, He wants to get to know this man and not just in a sexual way. Dane is handsome, outgoing, a successful model and a stripper, but not only is his stereotypical image wrong he loathes those kinds of people.

Riley keeps saying he is going to quit going back to the coffee shop but a case brings them together.

I really liked this story a lot. I loved both Dane and Riley. The storyline of the romance, why Riley hesitates, why Dane wants more, and the murder mystery are all intriguing and fit together well. My only issue was the story was rolling along then BAM! We find out from Dane it’s days later and the case has been solved and how it’s been solved. I would have loved to see it unfold and more about, the case but I can see why the author chose to solve the case in this manner. I really like how the o author drops description and tips through other characters. One of my favorite parts was the coffee barista looking Riley over describing him. I won’t tell you why but his was a very cute sweet scene. You will have to get the book and see! It’s worth it!

I thought the romance between Riley and Dane was awesome. I loved how Dane knew what he wanted and went for it but also knew how to step back and not push too hard, and the dinner in bed was so sexy, sensual, and hot!

Recommendation: If you like, mystery and suspense, police detectives, male strippers, coffee and a sexy, hot romance this is definitely for you.

Equation for Love by Fae Sutherland

13541296Title: Equation for Love

Series: N/A

Author: Fae Sutherland

Genre: Contemporary/BDSM (light)

Length: Novel (138 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (June 24th, 2013)

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: Sex + money shouldn’t = love, but since when does the heart follow any laws but its own?

Recent college graduate and mathematical genius Skye McCord is determined that this summer he’s going to do something he’s always wanted to try—living. And, as a scientist, he’s not leaving anything to chance. He’s got a new job in Las Vegas, a signing bonus burning a hole in his pocket, and what else does a brainy geek spend his money on but an education? But this time, it’s one of a carnal variety.

Liam Maddox isn’t your ordinary gay male escort—he’s actually gay, and he really loves his job. Especially when he meets his newest client. Skye’s cute and awkward and sort of odd, and when he informs Liam that he wants to hire him to teach him everything about being gay, well…Liam’s too intrigued to say “no.”

Except what starts as lighthearted lessons in sex and seduction quickly becomes more as Liam taps into a submissive side of Skye the young man never knew he had. Also, Liam’s never been this drawn to anyone before, and he’s beginning to wonder if he can walk away when their time is up. Or does happily-ever-after exist for someone like Liam with someone like Skye? 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/EquationForLove.html

Review: It started fun, moved on to hot, escalated to super-hot, went on to freaking intense and made the big BAM with sweet declaration of love.

Dear Lord, no matter the stereotype and cliché plot of client rents boy, client falls in love with said rent-boy, rent-boy falls in love with client and so on, this book was still very, no extremely hot. You can practically inhale it in one go so fast it takes your breath away. A very fun plot, utterly enjoyable, funny characters in addition to smoldering hot and an easy ride of every sexual fantasy on the book, this story is that lighthearted kind you want when things are a bit gloomy.

Skye was such an adorable character and his involuntary reactions were funny to the point of tears. I loved him. Of course, the fact that he is a virgin when this story begins, hence the need for a pro, makes me doubt those feelings he has for Liam. I mean the first man he’s ever been with and he falls in love… of course he does. But although it’s not a very credible plot I couldn’t care less, I enjoyed it immensely.

As for Liam, well, damn. I just can’t resist a Dom that has a soft spot for “bratty subs.” He was, dear Lord, fantastic. The allure of that character is frightening indeed. And you know, the man who lost his job and went on escorting and then fell in love with his client, well, irresistible isn’t it?

Now the story is not extremely difficult here, there is not much of a plot either as the very notion behind it was that Skye went to Liam in order to learn how to have sex and therefore the scenes that follow are sex here and sex there and sex everywhere. And that’s the point and the purpose of this entire book. It reminds me of If It Flies which even if it’s newer in publication I managed to read first. There are too many similarities between the two.

So if you are in need of a light, sexy, and erotic read, full of guilty pleasures and a slight take on Dom/sub relations then you’ll probably enjoy this book a lot. I surely did. J

Love Me Back To Life by M.L. Rhodes

LOVE-ME-BACK-TO-LIFETitle: Love Me Back To Life

Series:   N/A

Author: M.L. Rhodes
 
Genre:  Contemporary

Length: Extended Novella (39k)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (June 30th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: The first time Noah Blackburn met Phoenix Quinlan, he’d known they were going to be best friends. It was fate, after all, since they were the same age and shared the same birthday. It hadn’t mattered that Noah lived in a sunny world where he spent his days wandering the Colorado mountains with his doting, artist father, while Phoenix hailed from the outskirts of town, where he lived with a dad who drank more than he worked and who ruled their house with a brutal temper. When the two boys were together, life was perfect, and neither of them could imagine being parted. But the spring before their sixteenth birthday, tragedy struck, robbing Noah of the father he’d adored. Shortly afterward, Phoenix began to withdraw, holding Noah at arm’s length, missing school…and then one day he just disappeared. Devastated by those events, Noah’s further shaken when, without warning, his emotionally detached mother moved them across the country, cutting Noah’s final tie to everything he’d once loved.

Now, twelve years later, Noah returns to La Paz, Colorado. He’s tired, emotionally battered, and looking for a fresh start, or maybe a restart of the life that had so long ago been derailed. But with painful memories haunting every corner, he begins to doubt his decision. Without his father, and especially without Phoenix, whom he can now admit was so much more to him than just a friend, his childhood town feels barren, absent of the connections that had once made it home.

But then, when he least expects it, Noah discovers something that shakes his world. He finds that truths aren’t always what they seem, quaint small towns can hide the darkest of secrets, and some heartaches run so deep only the strongest, most steadfast of loves can heal them.

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LoveMeBackToLife.html

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: I enjoyed how this author leaves us wondering what went wrong with Noah in D.C. at the start of this story. It’s always in the back of my mind as I read along, wondering how it would tie in at the end when what made him leave the east coast was unveiled. This very dramatic, heart-wrenching story does contain abuse scenarios that might be a bit too intense for some readers, but the struggles Noah and Phoenix went through, would go through as their relationship grew, and will continue to face in the future all pivot on it. It’s hard to say too much more without giving the story away. But I fell in love with both characters and felt at peace by the end of the story. If you like angst in your romance, this book is for you.