Tag: Amber Quill Press

Xu by AJ Llewellyn

Title: Xu

Series:  Xu 01

Author: A.J. Llewellyn

Genre: Gay / Paranormal / Psychic Phenomena / Sports / Athletes

Length: Extended Novella

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (First published October 14, 2010)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: Fight or flight? This has always been the way of Lindo Santiago’s life, and he has always chosen to fight. He has prepared for world championship boxing glory his entire career. From the Mexican slums to the hard streets of Hollywood, he gave it everything. Lindo thought he was ready until his world title shot arrived and almost killed him. Now, forced to retire by the California State Athletic Commission, he has defied the odds by surviving a three-month coma and severe brain injury.

Forced to choose a new path, to live a different life, Lindo is certain he can do it, with the help of Xu, a mysterious spirit force of a man who emerged in the darkest days of Lindo’s coma. Xu and Lindo’s homosexuality are his biggest secrets. Encouraged to take his first vacation ever, Lindo flies to Honolulu where Xu becomes more potent, yet more mysterious. Signs are everywhere that Lindo must choose between love and death, and he also must decide whether to enter into a relationship with a hot local, Turner Cypriano. But if he does, what will that mean for Xu?

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

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Such a lovely book. Boxing was, is and will always be one of my favorite sports and Llewellyn managed to capture the very essence of it. Very good job indeed! The training, the double-crossing, the injuries and the hiding that takes place, the cheating and all, yes very, very well done.

So, this is the story of Lindo Santiago who rose from the streets of Mexico to the world ranks of boxing.  A naive athlete that got played by his very own manager and promoter. Lindo participated in a match that cost him two months in a coma and a very serious brain injury. His surgeon and best friend Marcella did whatever she could and eventually saved his life… or did she??

After the decision of the California State Athletic Association that Lindo can no longer box, there is nothing left for him to do but to take a long vacation and heal his troubled body and soul. Onward to Hawaii. Lindo starts with baby steps into a new life and with the help of the island’s magic he starts to realize how much he still has left. Perhaps his fighting days are over, but he has a life to live and love to let in his heart.

The author indeed has a magic touch in her hand when she introduces us the Island. It literally feels like we’re there; like we could smell the breeze and the flower’s fragrance. Absolutely perfect!

While in Hawaii, Lindo goes with an acquaintance to a boxing match, where he becomes witness of a repetition of his own fight. The young boxer falls head down and Lindo watches during the coming days, as another boxer falls into a coma. this time with no hopes of coming back.

Lindo also finds love and while it has its ups and downs, he and Turner become inseparable. The chemistry between them is almost palpable and the two of them are such a charming couple. Until Turner hear Lindo talk in his sleep, whispering the name of another man…

What? You thought I forgot Xu didn’t you? Of course not, but I had to leave him up for the end. You see, while I loved the story of Lindo the boxer that fight death and moves on even if all his former life has taken an end, I somehow didn’t quite liked Xu and “his” part in the story. I’d love to say more about him and his relationship with Lindo…but, that would be a major spoiler and I don’t want to ruin it for you.

All in all, this was a very nice story that I enjoyed reading and if you are into boxers that overcome their difficulties and fight for their life, go ahead and give it a shot, it is quite worth it.

Charlie's Mission by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Charlie’s Mission

Series: N/A

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Charlie’s cut himself off from the pleasures of life. After all, he was a drug addict who killed his brother and doesn’t deserve them. He also believes he should have never gotten out of prison, but he did, and now every day he struggles to do penance for his crime, and working at a shelter for homeless men in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans is his way of doing it.

Devon is mysterious, dark, and dangerous. Especially to Charlie. Devon’s refusal to speak about what he does, his comings and goings at night, all lead Charlie to one conclusion—Devon’s a drug dealer. And for a recovering cocaine addict, a dealer is the last thing he needs in his life, because the need for the white powder is always there.

But so is the physical and emotional need Charlie feels for Devon. Charlie fights his attraction, but he knows he’s in a losing battle. He’s always been a sucker for a bad ass, and to him, Devon looks to be the baddest of them all.

Can Charlie keep his internal pledge to pay for his crime, or will Devon destroy everything Charlie’s worked so hard to build? Or will giving in to Devon be the freedom Charlie’s secretly prayed for?

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

Review: Oh whoa! What a book. Lynn Lorenz’s novella was so my cup of tea. Very realistically written Charlie’s Mission had all the elements I love in a romance. A protagonist beaten from wrong choices, horrible mistakes, guilt, despair and self-punishment meets a dark, mysterious man that is so much more of what he seems and the battle of heart vs. mind.

Charlie is a self-loathing ex-addict. He is the reason for destroying his family and the murderer of his own brother. Or so he thinks of himself. He believes that he’s a worthless being and doesn’t deserve happiness or joy. Ever since the day he accidently took his brother’s life, he has not allowed himself even the simplest pleasure of dating a man. He has devoted his life to the shelter. helping other ex-addicts and homeless men, trying to give something back for what he took. But, it hits him like a hurricane, when he sees Devon, who appears in the middle of the night, holding a man-child in his arms, asking Charlie to take care of him. Devon is tall, dark, wrapped in a mystery veil and most of all dangerous, or so he thinks…

I like realistic characters. I love their flaws and I adore their pain. That’s how we are, foolish and reckless and we pay the price. Charlie is exactly that, taken from the streets and put in a novel and you can’t stop yourself from loving this character. Oh and he’s hot! And Ms. Lorenz makes sure we get that part from the start. That is what makes Devon go crazy all about Charlie. It’s like Charlie flows in his body from head to toes in first sight. And even though Devon tries very hard not to get involved with a priest (as he at first thought) and an ex-addict (as he later was told) he just cannot stop… Having a serious case of “I want to save the world”, Devon wants to try to save Charlie from himself and show him what a wonderful and strong man he really is.

The plot is great and the way their relation evolves is even more so. With Charlie thinking that Devon is a drug-dealer yet lusting for the bad-ass type, his inner fight between craving for human touch and emotion; and not allowing himself to get that and on top of all this Devon’s insistence in meeting him, wanting him and making him see how good they are together.  the book keeps you at a level of intensity of wanting to know what lies on the other page.

If it was one thing that spoiled it for me was the fact that Ms. Lorenz lets us know, from the very beginning of the story, of who Devon is and what he does for a living. Although I won’t give any spoilers here, it is pretty obvious from the very 10 or so pages what the storyline is. Had she kept it a secret until it was necessary to reveal it, it would have been a great, great novel, with high levels of suspense and the mystery would had captivated us even more. However this book is still very much worth reading and I am certain that if you’re a fan of romance you will love it as much as I did.

Busted by D. J. Manly

Title: Busted

Series: N/A

Author: D.J. Manly

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Length: Extended Novella (139 pg)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure (05/20/2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Dorian Ruiz will do just about anything to score another major drug bust. The classic bad boy turned cop, Dorian lives hard and plays hard, happily straddling the dangers of life as an undercover narcotics officer.

But when he is chosen to infiltrate the world of a big-time drug dealer, Dorian is totally unprepared for the powerful attraction he feels toward the old man’s grandson, Mark Honeywell. And to make matters worse, the flirtatious university student fancies himself a bit of a bad boy as well, and tempts Dorian at every opportunity.

Will Dorian be able to gather enough evidence to make his bust, or will his growing obsession with Mark put them both in serious danger?

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

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Busted is a very romantic story. The kind where the “bad boy” finds love when least expected and finds meaning in his life that he never thought he needed.

Dorian is a very bad boy. His life is all about his job. He’s a detective working undercover and sex is one of the perks. Meaningless sex with guys that don’t know his name and that won’t stay long around for romantic dinners and flowers and love oaths. No, Dorian doesn’t do relationships. He’s only love is adrenaline and he lives his life as if there’s no tomorrow. His job helps a lot. When he gets assigned to go undercover as a bodyguard for the grandson of the most slippery mobster of New York he tries to avoid it. He dislikes kids and they dislike him. Little did he know that “the grandson”, Mark, is no kid, but a young man of 20 years old and very, very tempting. But, as they say, one cannot escape Fate!!

Mark is young, attractive and obsessed with sex. Of course, he is. He’s 20 years old and the only grandson of a very rich man. His only problem is that his grandfather is also obsessed with his safety and every time he comes home he’s forced to have a bodyguard with him at all times. But no more, this year Mark intends to have fun and is not going to take up with that anymore. After all he strongly believes that he’s in no real danger. But, when Dorian shows up to his dorm room… Voila! Revelation! Mark’s instantly struck by Dorian’s hotness and even though they don’t hit it off at all, he can’t stop thinking about him. This could be the man who could end his career as a “bad boy” once and for all…

The plot is great, fast, intense and very romantic. Sex between the pair is very hot and sensual, with Dorian’s jealousy spicing it and making it even more real. The supporting characters are quite interesting as well, providing a very nice and somehow funny background for Mark’s and Dorian’s tale. I didn’t like the police/mob scenes though. Many details were so unrealistic and spoiled it for me. Going into details about that would spoil the story, but if you’re a fan of crime/mystery you will want to keep this in mind and not raise your expectations. All in all a very nice reading and a great love story and if you like to see bad boys in action this is the book for you. Enjoy!

 

What by Missy Welsh

Title: What

Author: Missy Welsh

Genre: Paranormal, Shifters

Length: Novella (72pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (29th April 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sam’s life changes completely when his boss Jeremy finally reveals the secret he’s been keeping from Sam since the day they met: They’re mates and not only is Jeremy a panther, but so is Sam.

With rules to follow so they can be together, Sam has to step up and be the patient lover his formerly straight mate needs him to be while learning about his new self as a panther.

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

Review: Jeremy has struggled through the last 9 months, being near his mate but refusing to claim him as Jeremy isn’t gay. But, now the time has come that he can deny it no longer. Sam has fancied his straight boss since he started working at the Tattoo parlor, he knows that he isn’t the most outgoing of employees; he stutters, is shy and for some reason fights keep breaking out around him.

This story was originally offered as a 13 page freebie at the m/m Goodreads group, so this is the expanded version for those who may have read the original. So, Sam has wanted Jeremy since he started working for him, but now after being the reason for another fight he thinks Jeremy has had enough, until he finds out the truth. Jeremy has tried to keep his distance from Sam but, it’s causing problems. Jeremy now has to face the fact that he must claim his mate and also explain to his mate just what they are.

I quite liked this novella, it was cute, sweet and slightly funny in places and it is a good shifter romance. Now it wasn’t instant mates because, one, Sam doesn’t know he is a shifter, even though he does have a strong attraction to Jeremy, and two, Jeremy is straight and fights his attraction to Sam until he can no longer put it off. Even though it seems as though Jeremy really doesn’t want a male mate, it doesn’t mean that he hadn’t made arrangements for the inevitable. Both characters are interesting and mesh well together and the reactions of both of them are good. There are some really good scenes between the MCs as well and I really enjoyed the fact that Jeremy wasn’t an Alpha; he’s just a normal member of the pride. There’s no angst, danger or drama, this is just a nice relaxing shifter story.

So if you like shifters, hot sex, uncomplicated stories and a happy ever after then I recommend you give this story a read.

Subject 13 by Ethan Stone

Title: Subject 13

Author: Ethan Stone

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Detective, Thriller

Length: Novel (280pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (25th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Luke Kincaid’s life is exploding all around him. First his lover leaves him to marry a woman, and then childhood nightmares return with a vengeance.

Luke’s friendship with Ben Skinner and relationship with Kyle Morgan helps him heal his broken heart, but the nightmares, which are actually repressed memories, threaten to destroy the peace he has found.

Soon, Luke’s investigation into his past puts his life—and the lives of the people he cares about—in danger. But he refuses to give up, not even when he finds out he is connected to a massive government cover-up…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Subject13.html

Review: Luke’s life is forever altered when he tries to convince the man he loves not to marry a woman. Things go from bad to worse when he starts to have nightmares. With the help of his friend Ben, along with his new friend, Kyle, they begin to piece together Luke’s past. But, someone doesn’t want him to remember and the deeper he digs and the more that is revealed, the more danger they are all in.

This is a great suspense, mystery, thriller with a touch of detection work thrown in, that will intrigue and hold you gripped as you delve into a cover-up. Luke is devastated when his lover informs him that he is marrying a woman. He decides that he will convince Shane he is wrong, but he is left heartbroken. When his childhood nightmares plague him again, he discovers that they are real memories and when a visit to a ghost town jogs something loose, he sets out to investigate it.

I really enjoyed this story and thought the plot was really good. The suspense of who is after him, the mystery of who is behind it all and why, and the thrill of someone hunting Luke. It starts out simple enough, childhood nightmares of blue men, but then he starts to remember more, and then Ben takes Luke to a ghost town which reveals more memories, which leads to hunting down more information and survivors of the disaster there. It’s all very well written and woven together, and you end up trying to piece together the pieces yourself and imagining what the disaster really was, and who was really behind it and revising your thoughts when more clues are add… it was great fun.

The romance side was much more complicated, and at times it felt like Ben had two personalities; the completely straight man, who had never had a homosexual thought in his life and then the gay man, who had slept his way through as many men as he could. The conflict within Ben felt realistic at first, because it felt like it may have been a ‘gay for you’ and he was conflicted by it.  But, then I found that it disappointed me, when I realized that he’d had a ton of gay sex before but put on a front of being straight, even going so far as to have a girlfriend. Luke is attracted to Ben and he ends up confused as well with Ben’s actions, but Luke also, at first, seeks comfort in the arms of Kyle who he can take control with and call all the shots. Don’t get me wrong the romance is good, just complicated, and the sex is plentiful, hot and varied ;-).

So, I will recommend this to those who love government cover-ups, suspense, mystery, thrillers, hot sex, relationship woes, danger and a happy ending? P.S. the epilogue was great… could it mean a sequel?

 

 

Bunyip by A. J. Llewellyn

Title: Bunyip

Series: N/A

Author: A. J. Llewellyn

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Comedy

Length: Novella (22k words)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (January 15, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Forensic audio specialist Steve Maddox is a busy guy who has no time to date. Balancing a strenuous work schedule and time for his cat and dog, he’s ecstatic when his best friend, Silvana, organizes a gay speed dating event, bringing into his life the magnetic and handsome criminal defense attorney, Alexio Manolis.

The two men hit it off instantly, with sparks bouncing off the walls of the Petersen Automotive Museum where the event is being held. Their conversation crackles until Alexio says he has a pet a bunyip named Norman. Steve feels a little stupid. What the heck is a bunyip? He has no time to ask, though, since he’s onto his next “date.”

Alexio, however, pursues Steve and the two men start dating. Meanwhile, Steve Googles bunyips and discovers they are mythical Australian creatures of Aboriginal legend. It’s just impossible. Does this smart and sexy attorney really have an imaginary, violent pet? Or is “bunyip” slang for something else?

Alexio is tight-lipped and keeps putting off the meeting between Steve and his elusive pet. Soon Steve starts to worry when Alexio disappears into his basement all the time and has savage scratches on his body he says Norman gave him by accident.

Is Steve’s fantastic, hot new lover absolutely crackers, or does the cantankerous bunyip actually exist?

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

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Steve and Alexio meet on an “Animal lovers” speed date event and from the minute they lay eyes on each other they feel a deep connection between them. Alexio seems to be everything Steve has ever wanted. He’s loving with animals (very, very important quality); sweet and caring for him, extremely sexy and when they make love it is beyond passionate. He even seems to know exactly what Steve is thinking or wanting every single moment. Everything is extraordinary easy and beautiful with Alexio, it feels almost too good to be true. Almost! Alexio is the proud owner of a bunyip named Norman… Yes, a bunyip! That mythical creature we hear on old Australian Aboriginal legends. Steve finds himself in an odd situation; he can’t believe that the perfect man of his dreams might not be so perfect after all. He looks so normal, well “perfectly” normal that the bunyip must be something entirely different, a new breed of animal perhaps…

While their relationship advances and they discover to be perfectly compatible for each other Steve starts to feel the “one” emotion he’s been looking for. Love!! He loves Alexio, he loves his cat, he loves his brother and sister-in-law and they love him back. Except Norman. Steve still hasn’t met Norman and the fact that Alexio keep canceling it is itching Steve’s mind. He decides he should see Norman one way or another, with or without Alexio’s permission… Will he find this creature in the basement where it’s supposed to live or is it all a figment of Alexio’s imagination and the love he’s been hoping for is about to be lost forever..?

A great story from A. J. Llewellyn, sweet, passionate, with lots of suspense and a good notch of magic, it captured me from the very beginning. I loved Alexio and his “magical” family, admired Steve for his courage, got a bit pissed off with Silvana and envy eats my heart for Norman. I want one too!!

So, fans of paranormal/romance/magic animals and all sorts of animals I recommend this story to you and I am sure you will enjoy reading it.

 

Battling Glass by D. J. Manly

Title: Battling Glass

Author: D.J. Manly

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Super Novel (577pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (29th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Emilien has hidden himself away for endless years. Half-human and half-vampire, he has continually struggled with his own nature. His only contact is with a vampire named Carmen, who makes one critical error and brings the full force of vampire wrath down on Carmen, exposing Emilien and forcing him out of hiding.

Saddled with a young mortal woman he can’t bring himself to kill, he flees with her to her brother’s house. Carl represents everything that Emilien yearns for, to live life like a normal mortal. As a result, he stays longer than he intends, until the reality of what he is comes crashing down around him.

Emilien has been in love before—during the French Revolution, with a stable boy named Francois—but his vampire father shattered their love when he turned Francois into a vampire. It’s not the only thing his father, Alexander, has destroyed. Unable to accept Emilien’s humanity, Alexander has sought only to kill him, and even in the twenty-first century, his desire to vanquish his only son is as strong as ever. Emilien quickly realizes he can never have a future with Carl, or even come to terms with the love he still bears for Francois, until he and Alexander settle matters once and for all.

Now, the past comes hurtling into the present when vampires take sides and the real battle between father and son commences…

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

Review: Emilien is half vampire – half human, he has struggled with his nature and tried to deny his vampire side for hundreds of years but now his father is set on destroying him and he has to face his vampire side and begin to embrace what makes him the man he is.

This is a well written story that delves into the dark side of vampires and their humanity or lack of it. Emilien might be half vampire but it is a part of himself that he hates, he is drawn to humans as a way to cling onto his humanity. In Carl he finds what he yearns for but there is still apart of him that yearns for Francois. This story has a few twists and a lot of backstabbing; it is primal in some of its descriptions and the view of vampires that we receive.

There were a lot of things that I liked about this book and some things that I hated, I liked that the vampires were quite brutal in their treatment of their food i.e. they drained them dry and felt no remorse, I thought that all the descriptions were fantastically vivid especially the vampire soldiers and that the story-line was brilliant, what I didn’t like was that Emilien cheated with Francois when Carl needed him the most and that he had plans to cheat on Carl again in the future. (Being half vamp doesn’t fly with me that is like saying because someone is bi they get to have one of each sex.)

There is quite a bit of violence, sex, plotting, twists and some angst as well, the story-line and plot on the whole was brilliant and the background and world building was incredible done. There is a lot to enjoy in this story but I must admit that I found it hard to see what everyone else in the story saw in Emilien, everyone wanted to get in bed with him or wanted him for themselves and I really just couldn’t see it.

So this story is for those who love Dark fantasy, brutal vampires, hot sex, violence, graphic nastiness (soldier vamps *barf*) and a happy for now (they do only have about seventy years) ending.

 

 

 

The Long Way Home by G. R. Richards

Title: The Long Way Home

Author: G.R. Richards

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (33pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (18th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Nothing grabs a guy’s attention like the words, “We need to talk.”

For months now, Jordan and Faro have been at each other’s throats. Their long-term committed relationship is mired by petty arguments about anything and everything, but Jordan’s convinced they can make it past the holidays. After all, how heartless would a man have to be to throw his partner out in the street three days before Christmas?

About as heartless as Faro, apparently, who packs Jordan’s bags and puts him on the train to his mother’s house.

But there’s more love, more passion, and more compassion in their relationship than even Jordan had realized. What treasure awaits him when he arrives in his hometown for the holidays?

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LongWayHome.html

Review: Jordan and Faro have been going through a rough patch when Faro utters the words “We need to talk”.  Jordan had been hoping that Faro would wait until after the holidays, but now he just collects his bags and doesn’t look back.

This story actually had me conflicted because Faro really came across as a real heartless b*****d and I still think he was.   As a matter of fact, if he had been my partner and he did that to me I’d have shoved the bear skin rug down his throat and told him to have a nice life as I kicked him naked out the front door. Jordan had some realizations on his way over to his mother’s but it wasn’t enough for him to be able to just put it all aside to cater to Faro’s whims.

The story-line had a good premise but I think that it was executed poorly.   The thought of fighting then make-up sex is as old as time, but sex then talking out your problems just doesn’t work.   And it doesn’t work here either.   as all this shows is that Faro is manipulative and loves to cause heartache before giving hope.

Jordan comes across as weak-willed when he gives into Faro.   And for really basically forgiving him for being a callous heartless man.  I would really have liked them to have a screaming row before they had sex at least to get some of the resentment out of the way.  Jordan was the saving grace in this story because of the way he just let his emotions rule him and the way that he agonized over what was happening with his relationship.

I will recommend this for the hot sex, the story premise and the ‘we will talk’ ending.

 

 

 

Idriel's Sin by Jay Di Meo

Title: Idriel’s Sin

Author: Jay Di Meo

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (244pgs mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (27th November 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Idriel, a second-class angel accused of murdering his comrades-in-arms, is sent to bootcamp on Earth where angels and demons train for the heavenly battles. The last thing he expects is Eligor, a first-class demon with his own ethics and more handsome than any angel, who grudgingly takes Idriel under his protection.

While waiting for his sentence to be passed, Idriel trains with Eligor and finds himself falling hard for said demon. Despite his innocence, he begins to accept his fate, which he is on his way to becoming a demon himself, and gives in to his body’s demands when it comes to Eligor.

But Idriel’s days on Earth are numbered. Soon he will be sent to the Pit, according to Heaven’s Law, and nothing can stop it from happening—until all Hell quite literally breaks loose, and what Idriel once considered a sin may now be his only salvation…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/IdrielsSin.html

Review: Wow! Well, this is an Angel & Demon story that I loved.   Idriel was a warrior angel until he was accused of murder.  now he is a tortured prisoner being held in bootcamp until he is sent to the seventh level of hell. Eligor is a fallen angel who is now a demon but has risen again!!! He is in bootcamp to train and as a privilege takes Idriel under his wing.  But, as the two get to know each other things come to light that changes everything for both of them.

Absolutely brilliant story… with the angel just a little bit wicked and the demon just a little bit good, just the way I like them. Idriel has been framed. He knows he has, but no-one will listen to him.  When Eligor takes responsibility for him, Idriel begins to have hope that someone will believe him.  But, it’s not as easy as he hoped.  Eligor doesn’t know what has got into him.  He shouldn’t be protecting the murderous traitor.  But, something draws him to Idriel.   It isn’t long before he’s in trouble and trying to find the culprits isn’t easy.

This is a great story-line and a solid plot; with great characters and some fantastic smoking hot sex. It isn’t easy to contain my excitement because this story rocked… it has betrayal, anger, rage, hope, love, lust, fear, hot sex, voyeurism, fights, blood, poison and surprises.  There is so much going on within the story that it just keeps you gripped.  I loved the bootcamp idea especially with it being on the human plain in an island near Crete. The lust and want between Idriel and Eligor is great and then we have both of them wanting to do what they can for the other.

I will have to recommend this to everyone as it just rocked big time. It isn’t the usual Angel and Demon story it’s more than that, as it is a solid basis for a series if this author wanted.   It has given us good world building, with great characters, a brilliant story-line and plot that keep you reading and corruption in the ranks of Heaven.

Cold Fear by Stevie Woods

Title: Cold Fear

Series: Other Worlds 06

Author: Stevie Woods

Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic, Action, Adventure

Length: Novella (50pgs Mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (4th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: On Alkya, a planet a long way from Earth, the Division of Investigation – Other Worlds, has set up a base where hundreds of personnel live and work. Among them are two men, Major Joshua Marsden and Lieutenant Matthew Ronson, who are part of one of the survey teams.

Dropping through the atmosphere to land on Theta for their latest survey, the ship is disabled by a strange energy force and crashes in an immense ice field. Matt awakens in the debris of the control room to find Josh and Dennis injured and the ship badly damaged. He does what he can for his colleagues and attempts to repair the tear to the ship’s skin. They struggle to keep warm in the freezing temperatures and when it transpires their communication unit isn’t working, it becomes a fight for their very survival.

This story is the sequel to Other Worlds 02 – Lightning Strike

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ColdFear.html

Review: Josh, Matt and Dennis are on a mission to find out more about the geology scans and the minerals the scans discovered. Unfortunately, as they drop through the atmosphere they are hit by something that their scans missed; now it is a fight for survival and time is running out.

This is quite a well written science fiction novella that has a few edge-of-the-seat moments.  Josh is trying his best to keep up appearances despite his injuries for the sake of Matt.  Josh knows that the situation is dire and he is the only one who can fix the communication unit to get a message to Alkya Base to send a rescue team.  Matt has done his best to treat Josh and Dennis and fix the breach in the ship but his skills are limited and he feels helpless as he hands parts to Josh and checks on Dennis as the temperature drops to a dangerous level.

This story flicks between the prospective of Josh and Matt so we get the feelings of both men as they struggle to survive. We feel their fear and hopelessness as they realize that rescue might not reach them in time and we feel their love as they both remember better moments.

I will recommend this to those who love hot sex, pure love, a struggle for survival and a really good story.

 

 

Lessons Learned by Adrianna Dane

Title: Lessons Learned

Series: Tales of the Midnight Pearl Brotherhood 05

Author: Adrianna Dane

Genre: Fantasy, Witchcraft, Magic, Voyeurism

Length: Short (30pgs Mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (20th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The ancient myths of the Brotherhood of the Midnight Pearl tell of an island formed from the depths of the ocean, in the midst of a sea of mystical, sapphire beauty. It is an island paradise built on love and devotion to a common belief, a society made up entirely of handsome and desirable men. And Alonzo Smith is on a journey to discover his place among them.

After his last adventure in the jungle with the Obscurants, Alonzo finds re-acclimation with his initiate brothers a difficult adjustment. There’s also the fact that Master Phelix still hasn’t claimed him in the way he would like and Alonzo becomes frustrated by the situation—although Master Phelix readily helps Alonzo to deal with his more immediate problem, not quite in the way Alonzo would have liked.

Crisis erupts in camp as David is taken with fever, and it appears he may die. Alonzo cannot lose his friend, no matter what it may take to save him. And after his experience in the jungle, Alonzo may be the only one who can help David survives his strange fever.

While Master Phelix teaches Alonzo about the value of patience, the crisis with David teaches Alonzo about the dangers of temptation. Lessons from the past learned as Lord Wetham’s boy come into play when David’s life hangs in the balance.

The sequel to Tales of the Midnight Pearl Brotherhood 04 – Primordial Impulse…

NOTE: Don’t miss the next installment in the series, Tales of the Midnight Pearl Brotherhood 06 – Above the Clouds, available December 11th!

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

Review: Alonzo doesn’t understand why Master Phelix refuses to take him and it frustrates him. When David is stuck down by a strange bite, Alonzo strives to save him and comes to the realization about himself and why he can’t fully submit.

This story is well written but, to me seemed a bit surreal in places, especially when he was trying to save David.  It also confused me the way it would revert to his past and how it related to the now. I also didn’t like the way that Master Phelix acted with him and got someone else to have sex with him without allowing Alonzo to see who it was.

I must admit I am not a fan of this series and find it very hard to get into each segment unless I read all the books from the first one onwards so that I can get back into it.

I recommend this to those who have already got the rest of the series and advise anyone else to buy the entire series when it is finished.

 

 

 

The Vampire and The Plant Guy by Helen Louise Caroll

Title: The Vampire And The Plant Guy

Author: Helen Louise Caroll

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Vampire

Length: Short (26pgs Mobi)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (27th November 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Being a forty-three-year-old vampire in a small town creates a whole host of dating issues, including a particularly sensitive one. That’s why undead accountant Darryl Yates has pretty much given up on the idea of finding a man of his very own. But thanks to his brother Larry, he’s got a date with a “plant guy” who happens to bear the same name!

Nursery owner Daryl Keyes lusted after Darryl back in high school. Now he’s got a chance to make some fantasies come true. But what’s up with Darryl’s pointy teeth?…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/VampirePlantGuy.html

Review: Darryl is being fixed up on a blind date by his brother.  he really doesn’t want to know as the last time his brother set him up it did not go well.  he’s trying to talk his brother out of it when his doorbell rings and he gets a nice surprise. Daryl has lusted after Darryl for over twenty years and is really happy that Larry (Darryl’s brother) says that Darryl is interested.

This is a cute short that gives us warmth, charm and a bit of hotness. This author has taken us back a bit with the vampire lore i.e. can’t go on moving water, sleeps in a coffin, bursts into flames in sunlight etc. Both these characters seem really nice but as the story is so short you don’t get to know them that well.

All I can say about this book is it’s a really good short that makes you grin in places, it also makes you feel sorry for Darryl as being a vampire isn’t all its cut out to be. But, Daryl seems like a good match for the vampire and it’s the start of something good between them. So all in all I say give this book a go if you like vampires and happy endings.

 

 

 

Nathan's Angel by Melissa Bradley

Title: Nathan’s Angel

Author: Melissa Bradley

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal, Shifter

Length: Novella (101pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sometimes, the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul-mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm.

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes Nathan. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation, and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior.

As they search for Ramiel’s grace, a white-hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But if they find Ramiel’s grace, will they have the strength to let each other go?

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

Review: Ramiel was caught consorting with a Fallen One and now he is being banished to Earth as punishment.  Nathan is on his way home when fire-ball crashes down to earth.  he is shocked when he finds a naked man (a very sexy, hot naked man) where the fire ball crashed.

This is a very good story-line and plot and is very well written. Nathan is shocked by his reaction to Ramiel and also can’t understand why he keeps getting aggressive since he met Ramiel. Ramiel needs help finding his Grace and to find the re-incarnation of Xerxes.  He needs to find out who violated Council Law by re-incarnating Xerxes. Ramiel has an instant attraction to Nathan and as they look for his Grace they explore the attraction.

I loved how these two characters reacted to one another and I thought Nathan’s reaction to a discovery was realistic and that the way Ramiel explained his own reaction and his own discovery about how he felt was brilliant. Both these men’s emotions were described wonderfully and the sex between them is incredible.

Now I already know what you’re thinking… ‘If it’s so good, then why the 3 ½ Heart rating?’… Because I had no choice, there really was no way around it. I was thinking about a 4 or even a 4 ½ depending on the ending but I got to the end and I nearly screamed in frustration, there was no closure at the end for their actions, I mean they made a big deal about what happened and how they would be punished and I went to the next page getting all excited thinking there was going to be a big explosive ending and it went… splat, nothing, nada, zip, zilch… it just finished.  I thought it can’t end this way… I must have a faulty file… there must be a chapter missing… but I checked, so because I felt that the ending let the rest of the book down I had to give it a 3 ½.

Now even though I was disappointed by the ending this is still a really good read which I think many will enjoy.  and you never know there may be a sequel just around the corner, (I hope so that would be a brilliant book.) So I still recommend this to those who love Shifters, Angels, a bit of danger, hot sex and a good story-line.

 

 

 

More than Chains to Bind by Stevie Woods

Title: More than Chains to Bind

Author: Stevie Woods

Genre: Historical Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Light BDSM

Length: Novel (212pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (26th June 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rting: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Prince Liander and his Guardian, Hollis, are captured during a raid while visiting the south coast of Tesla, they find themselves chained in pairs to other captive villagers. Once taken aboard ship, they realize they’re prisoners of their country’s ruthless enemy, and for his protection, it’s vital Liander’s identity is kept secret.

The new slaves are horrified to learn they’re to be trained in the use of swords, other weapons, and unarmed combat so they can fight in an arena for the entertainment of their captors. The situation is made worse because Fortil, to whom Liander is chained, has no respect for his prince and has only one goal—to force the young man to have sex with him. Yet there is only one man Liander is interested in, and it certainly isn’t Fortil.

Hollis worries about his charge, wishes to whisk Liander to safety, but there’s nothing he can do as they are kept separate in different training halls, chained to other slaves, and seeing each other only rarely. Escape seems impossible, and desperation grows when it becomes obvious they may be forced to one day battle each other for their very survival…

Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MoreThanChains.html

Review: Okay, I’ve labeled this Historical Fantasy because even though it is a fantasy world it kinda reminded me of Viking raids where they raided our coastal towns and carried our people away and of Romans training slaves to fight in Arenas. Liander is the youngest Prince of Tesla who is checking some historical research in a coastal town. On his last night there he is captured when the town is raided.  Hollis is a Guardian (bodyguard) to the Prince and the only reason he too is taken is because the leader of the raiders says his ‘spirit is that of a warrior’; he is glad as it means he can stay near his Prince.

This book has an incredible strong story-line and plot, its characters are good and the world building and descriptions are great. Hollis has deep feelings for Liander and although he knows that Liander would be able to take physical abuse he worries about the psychological effects that Liander may suffer. Liander loves Hollis but has never acted on it but now being in danger with no way of escape he takes the plunge and tells Hollis how he feels; Hollis swears that some way they will escape.

These two main characters are brilliant together, they have known each other for years, they have kept their feelings to themselves and even when their passion threatens to overtake them, they can rein it in because they know they have to survive. I really enjoyed this story because even though there are flashes of intense longing and passion there is a lot of focus on the story-line so it’s the story that counts and not the sex. But speaking of sex… oh yeah, it’s hot!   There is some slight rope-play so you receive a dose of kink and its gooooood.

So… if you want a historical feel to your fantasy, some intense longing and passion to your sex, soft touches and glances to your love and a bit of danger and torture to your story then this is the book for you.

Tame by A. J. Llewellyn

Title: Tame

Author: A.J. Llewellyn

Genre: Shifter, Dark Fantasy, Mystery

Length: Novella (106pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (16th October 2011)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Cavan Carmichael has just transferred to LAPD from rural Oregon. It’s Halloween and he’s expecting…well, the unexpected, since it’s the time of spooky things, and this is LA, after all. Nobody, however, could have predicted an animal abuse call that turns out to reveal a beaten, chained-up man in a garden shed.

Then come the words that Cavan knows will haunt him for life: “Don’t worry, I’m tame.”

Cavan rescues the man who, underneath the bruises and blood, is very handsome. And mysterious. Nothing about the stranger adds up. Nothing he says makes sense. For every medical test the doctors perform, only more questions arise. When Ludo, as he insists he be called, is admitted to the hospital, he has grievous injuries inflicted by a despicable assailant via antique torture instruments.

Unbelievably, Ludo’s injuries heal fast and Cavan, who visits the recuperating man, is astonished to find he is attracted and protective of the man. But can Cavan overlook the oddities, such as bristles under the man’s tongue? The strange wolf hairs in his wounds? Is the most beautiful man Cavan has ever seen really…tame?

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

This title is part of the Howling At The Moon 2011 AmberPax™ Collection.

Review: Cavan is a cop; he’s just doing his job never expecting to find a man who desperately needs his help. Ludo is a man with secrets, he is stuck in a mess until he is rescued by a policeman and he finds that he is able to trust this man with a heart of gold.

This is a well written story that has a strong story-line and plot. Cavan has just transferred and is struggling to cope with his mother’s issues. Work is going great for him until he gets called to an animal abuse case and discovers a man who has been beaten, abused and shackled. Cavan helps Ludo as much as he can while trying to keep his attraction at bay. Ludo is grateful for Cavan’s support and help and quickly falls for the compassionate cop.

There is a darker flavor than the usual Llewellyn.  The mystery definitely has the center stage on this one.  The characters are great together and the sex is smoking hot, the story-line is brilliant and I love that myths were used in this story to explain the shifter. a nice change from the normal stories. There was a lot that was left open and hopefully there will be more stories to come. There were one or two problems with proof-reading that really shouldn’t have gotten through but otherwise this is a brilliant story.

So I recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sex, a great story and a happy for now ending. I really hope that A.J. Llewellyn has left it like this because he plans a sequel.

 

Blood on the Mountain by India Harper

Title: Blood on the Mountain

Author: India Harper

Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Thriller, Action, Adventure

Length: Novella (117pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (23rd October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Gabe Callan left the FBI to start his own security business, he thought he knew who he was and where he was headed. Turned out he didn’t know himself at all. Fortunately, his wife (now ex) forgave him. Together they run Callan Securities, and in the little free time he has, well, one-night stands are good enough.

Then Nathan Graves walks in.

Nathan is a philanthropist and entrepreneur. He’s not a saint. As soon as he met Gabe, he knew he wanted more than just protection from the man. But they’re going to have two weeks in Rio to get to know each other better. A whole lot better, if Nathan has anything to say about it.

Except nothing ever goes to plan, and the two end up chased through the slums of one of the most glamorous cities on Earth, hiding from drug lords in the very shacks and hovels Nathan had come to replace. Getting to know each other better will have to take a back seat to getting home alive.

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

India Harper is the collaboration of Philippa Grey-Gerou (India) and Emery Sanborne (Harper)

Review: Gabe is the co-owner of Callan Securities along with his ex-wife.   When a new client comes in, his ex-wife decides that Gabe will be his security. Nathan needs security for when he goes to Rio and quite happily informed Gabe’s ex-wife that he would be perfectly happy with Gabe being his personal bodyguard.

I really liked these two characters and enjoyed the way they were with each other and how they talked to each other. The sex between them was very hot and plentiful and I thought they made a great couple and even with the distance between their homes they are willing to give it ago.

I also liked the suspense and danger, although it could have been a bit more fleshed out.  It was still satisfactory and enjoyable.  It was well written and the story-line was good.   I liked the fact that these men knew what they wanted and weren’t afraid to go after it (although Gabe needed a bit of a nudge).

So, if you like danger, suspense, hot sex, strip poker in dangerous situations, hot sex in dangerous situations and two men who are perfect for each other; then this is the book for you.

Stone by Stone by Stevie Woods

Title:  Stone by Stone

Author:  Stevie Woods

Genre:  Historical Romance

Length: Novel

Publisher:  Amber Allure (August 22, 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  Can two men build a relationship when one must tear down each stone that the other has worked so hard to build?

In the year 1535, after a misspent youth, Brother Mark is a hardworking Benedictine monk toiling as a stone mason at Tavistock Abbey. There, he finds himself irrevocably drawn to one of the men sent by King Henry to audit the monasteries prior to closure.

Andrew Cheyne is fascinated by the handsome young man and breaks down the monk’s boundaries with an ease that neither expected. When Andrew returns four years later to finally close the Abbey, each man must also come to terms with their past to attempt to plan a future they can share.

But fate plays a cruel trick on them. Or, as Mark wonders, is it God teaching him a lesson?

Attempting to forget Mark, Andrew commences a brand new life, but fate has more lessons in store for him yet…

Product Link:   http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/StoneByStone.html

Reviewer:  Portia

Review:  This is exactly how I like my historical fiction served.  History and romance are woven together so tightly that you don’t realize just how much research and effort went into its creation.  In this case, the era of religious reformation in Europe and all the political ramifications that came along with it, is brought to life without feeling like you’ve fallen into a history textbook.

This story is as much tragedy as romance.  What else would you expect when the main characters are firmly on two opposing sides of such a heated issue?  Mark and Andrew recognize their mutual attraction, but both feel obligations; Mark to the Church, Andrew to the Crown.

Woods did a nice job of breaking this story into three parts; each part another opportunity for the lovers to meet only to be separated again by circumstances.  I don’t know if Woods being British gave this story a more authentic flavor, but I know it didn’t hurt.  I only hope the author revisits this time period in future books.  I find I have a real appreciation for sexy monks, political intrigue and clandestine meetings.  If that sounds like your cup of tea…I highly recommend this book

Ex Equals by L. A. Witt

Title: Ex Equals

Author: L.A. Witt

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Extended Novella (152pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure (18th September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: On the first day of his new career as a community college math teacher, Chris Reuben gets an unexpected—and most unwelcome—blast from the past: one of his students is his former navy shipmate…and ex-boyfriend.

Justin Hayes isn’t after a second chance when he signs up for an algebra class taught by his ex. All he wants besides a passing grade is a chance to make amends with the man he loved and hurt while they were deployed together three years ago.

Pain, guilt, and bitterness aren’t the only lingering feelings, though, and even if three years is enough to melt the ice between them, they’ve already risked their careers for each other once. Can Justin convince Chris that what they once had is worth putting careers and hearts on the line again?

Review: I have to say that this was a great read. Chris has just started working at the college as a teacher when his ex walks through the door and he is soooo not happy to see him. Justin has signed up for Chris’s class as a way to confront the past.   He knows he hurt Chris three years ago and now he wants to make amends.

I have to say this story touched my heart.  With the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal just being passed this is a fitting story. After a brief relationship that went horrible wrong when Justin got promoted and made Chris’s life a living hell it was understandable for Chris’s reaction to having Justin back in his life was not a happy one. Justin does try his best to get through to Chris but I don’t think he understood just what he did to Chris.   It wasn’t just that he dumped Chris; it was that he undermined his authority at work and made it impossible for him to carry out his job.   So even if Chris had decided to re-enlist Justin had effectively ruined his career. I found that I respected Chris more because even though he still loved Justin he would no longer let him walk all over him and I know it would have been really hard for him to forgive the way that Justin treated him.

The story flips between the past and the present from both MCs point of views, so we can fully understand what happened between them.   It also shows their fear that although DADT is no longer in effect that it won’t make much difference to the higher-ups if Justin did come out, and that he would be hounded out of the Navy.

I really enjoyed this book and I think it showed a more realistic view of how people behave when they are scared of being outed and a very valid point that although DADT has gone it won’t change some people’s attitudes. So I recommend this as a ‘must read’.

 

 

 

Between Sinners and Saints by Marie Sexton

Title: Between Sinners and Saints

Author: Marie Sexton

Genre: Gay / Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb:  Levi Binder is a Miami bartender who cares about only two things: sex and surfing. Ostracized by his Mormon family for his homosexuality, Levi is determined to live his life his own way, but everything changes when he meets massage therapist Jaime Marshall.

Jaime is used to being alone. Haunted by the horrors of his past, his only friend is his faithful dog, Dolly. He has no idea how to handle somebody as gorgeous and vibrant as Levi.

Complete opposites on the surface, Levi and Jaime both long for something that they can only find together. Through love and the therapeutic power of touch, they’ll find a way to heal each other, and they’ll learn to live as sinners in a family of saints

Review: This has got to be one of the sweetest romances that I have ever read. Levi Binder wants nothing more than complete acceptance of his family but when he doesn’t get it, well, he might as well live up to his sin. Jaime Marshall lives in near seclusion until Levi burst’s into his life, after he reject’s Levi’s advances they become good friends.

This is an incredibly written story which will hold you in its grip as you join these men on their friendship and their struggles. The longing that Levi has for Jaime is poignant; the way these friends interact is wonderful. Levi knows that Jaime has something traumatic in his past and tries to help him any way he can, while being patient and hoping for more. Jaime fights his way through his fear just to have Levi as a friend and he doesn’t know if he will ever be ready for anything more.

The description of both these men’s feelings whether it was happy, sad, fearful or angry is wonderful, Levi’s family is quite involved in this story and I found how Marie Sexton handled the religion and homosexuality view to be inspiring.

This is a true wonderful loving romance and I would recommend it to everyone.