Hi guys, we have R.J. Scott popping in today with her new release Back Home, we have a great new excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Anna’s review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Back Home
by
R.J. Scott
Falling for his brother’s boyfriend broke his heart. Now he’s back home and falls in love all over again.
One birthday kiss and Kieran realizes he is in danger of falling for his brother’s boyfriend, Jordan. Leaving for college, then moving to another country is the only way to ease the ache in his heart.
But, when his father becomes ill and his sister begs him to come home, Kieran returns for good. He finds the family business nearly bankrupt and Jordan, the man he ran from, beaten down by despair and guilt.
Friendship is what they promise each other as they work to repair the business, but it could never be enough for Kieran. When secrets spill, and there are vital decisions to be made, Kieran realizes two things; he’s back home, and he wants to stay with Jordan for good.
Title: The Teacher’s Wounded Heart Series: N/A Author: A.J. Jarrett Genre: Contemporary Length: Novella (104 pages) Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc. (August 16th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.75 Hearts Blurb: Drew Hamilton is happy living a quiet life. Becoming a teacher was all he ever wanted and up until a few months ago that was enough to keep him content, that was before Cal Saunders moved in next door and changed everything. Drew feels like his life is spinning out of control, but falling for the tattooed god isn’t in his plans.
Cal knows the well-dressed and mild-mannered teacher is slumming it to be with a man who makes his living as a tattoo artist. Where he’s rough around the edges, Drew is smooth and sweet, everything Cal’s ever wanted. No matter how much Drew pushes him away, Cal won’t turn his back on what’s happening between them.
Drew knows he needs to let go of his past and move forward but fear keeps him paralyzed to do anything about it. He needs to figure it out soon before the only man he’s ever truly loved walks away.
Review:The Teacher’s Troubled Heart tells the story of Drew, a high school teacher who lives his life ruled by an event in his teens, and Cal, a tattoo artist who moves next door. The first meeting between these two marks the beginning of scorching encounters that soon turn into something more. Compatible in more ways than the physical, Cal and Drew have a great budding friendship.
However, Drew’s past rejection impedes him to ever try to give himself fully again. And so begins Cal’s battle to show understanding to an event that many would have overcome a long time ago, proving over and over that he is willing to put himself on the line for Drew. But when Drew thinks he doesn’t need help, how far and how long will Cal try without hurting himself in the process?
Thus, The Teacher’s Troubled Heart tells the story of how events affect people differently and that love alone isn’t enough to help them through: people need to want to move on. One of the things that clearly illustrate Jarrett’s idea is the very beginning of the story, where we meet
Drew as he is watching Cal through the window. This scene is a great representation of Drew’s distancing himself from what he wants, putting up a barrier to protect himself: watching from behind his window, connecting but withholding his feelings.
Jarrett’s writing is amazing, making up for the frustration the reader begins to feel towards Drew and his inability to move on. The author describes the characters in a way that make them feel life-like, ruled by human emotions that the reader identifies with. Even when we feel frustrated, Jarrett reminds us that everyone experiences things differently, and we cannot fault them for it. Hence, why the reader can’t put the book down until they find out if these characters have a happy ending or not.
On a personal level, my favorite character is Cal, who struggles through every obstacle Drew throws his way. As Jarrett describes him, Cal is not ashamed of himself even if his « tattoos and piercings might frighten other people». All his ink represents something personal and that’s how he presents himself: open and easy-going. Even after past hurts, he is not afraid to try again, even with someone as skittish as Drew. Above all else, Cal isn’t willing to lose himself over someone else.
The reason why I consider this book worthy of 3.75 Hearts is because, although I really liked the story and it’s well written, it’s not something that will remain with me for a long while.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: A Sailor’s Seduction Author: Lisa A. Adams Genre: Contemporary Length: Short (26 pages) ISBN: 9781631052217 Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing (June 7th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥2.5 Hearts Reviewer: Anna Blurb: Seaman Thomas Musak has just arrived in San Diego to begin training in his new occupation. However, he realizes soon enough that training a new partner to share his rack is more fun than he ever could have imagined.
Seaman Jacob Lyriceman has just flunked out of Nuke school, and is now passing the time before his next big adventure begins. Becoming a Navy Seal requires stamina and a sense of adventure. Both of these characteristics make him irresistible to many. But, Thomas has the one thing he truly desires.
Review: Adams introduces us to Thomas as he flies to San Diego to start “A” school. Fresh out of boot camp and trying to get as far away from Army territory, Thomas soon meets Jacob, the only other recruit from their class. They quickly become aware of the attraction that connects them, deciding to spend the rest of the week enjoying the alone time they have left.
While this is not an amazing story (there are many and glaring plot holes and mistakes), nothing bad can be said of Adams’ writing. The author is quick to engage the reader, if not for the story itself than for the amazing description of the sex scene. That being said, I give 2.5 Hearts to this book, because I feel that while it’s not good (it’s not bad either), the writing really was the breaking point for me.
Blurb: DIGITAL ORIGINAL 62-page gay erotic graphic novel! “FAST FRIENDS is like a classic gay short novel executed entirely in pictures and without words–the silence makes the story even more seductive. It’s pulp fiction transformed into art: erotic, real and surprisingly tender. People often forget that genitals, even male genitals, can connect to the heart. A lovely piece of work.” — Christopher Bram, author of *Gods and Monsters* and *Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America*
Review: FAST FRIENDS is just another of Dale Lazarov’s beautiful masterpieces, once again in collaboration with illustrator Michael Broderick. It tells the story of two ordinary men in unhappy “relationships”, who meet and, as the title says, become fast friends. Soon after, they can’t resist the pull and give in to their attraction, changing each other’s lives. And the genius of this story is that not a single word is used.
The reader is guided only by Broderick’s subtle and powerful creations, leaving details such as names and conversations, to the reader’s imagination. Each panel is detailed to perfection to make the characters seem life-like, their facial expressions and actions perfectly in tune. One example is the first and last sex scenes. While the first scene is drawn in a way that allows the reader to immediately see that something is wrong, the last one is intimate, sexy and touching.
Lazarov and Broderick’s FAST FRIENDS is definitely worth buying.
Blurb: The lunch rush at Darryl Hansen’s restaurant, Cafe Belgie, is getting to be too much for one man to handle, and Billy Weaver is a young man in search of a job-any job-to support his family. Billy gains Darryl’s respect with his earnest nature and willingness to work hard, but Billy’s admiring looks resurrect pain and shame from Darryl’s past. Until Darryl stumbles across Billy’s secret, Billy is suffering in silence: his father died a few months earlier, leaving him struggling to raise his twin five-year-old brothers. Darryl takes Billy and the boys to the restaurant, where they’ll stand together to face the smorgasbord of troubles in their future… while Davey, Donnie, and Billy all worm their way into Darryl’s heart.
Review: Andrew Grey keeps proving his readers that he’s one of the best writers out there with this story, the first of four novels in the Of Love series.
We begin with Darryl, a thirty year-old man who has spent his life fighting for his dream: to open his own restaurant. Dreams come true, and Darryl suddenly finds himself in need of a new waiter for the lunch hour, and that’s how he meets Billy. Twenty-one years-old, Billy had his life shaken to the core when his father passed away a few months before, leaving him in charge of five year-old twins, Davey and Donnie. Desperate to put food on the table, Billy wonders from store to store looking for a job until he findsCafe Belgie, Darryl’s restaurant.
Even though the attraction is immediate, the romance takes a while to appear, not only because Darryl refuses to sleep with his employees but also because he finds Billy stealing food from the restaurant to be able to feed his brothers. From the moment it is revealed the boys predicament, Darryl stops fighting his feelings and starts helping Billy anyway he can.
This book is a touching story of love in all forms: romantic, brotherly and paternal. I just wish Mr. Grey had written more about Darryl’s issues, and in more depth.
Heat Level: Moderate (they have sex one time but it’s explicit.
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Harold wants to rescue his sister who has been taken by Vikings. He needs help from Sigurd, a Viking who has settled in England.
Pretending that Harold is Sigurd’s obedient thrall, the two venture north to find Harold’s sister. As their journey progresses, Harold finds his attraction to his new Master growing.
He tries not to let his confused feelings distract him from his quest, but with Sigurd enjoying Harold’s role as thrall as well, that soon becomes difficult.
Review: Calandra Hunter’s story begins with Harold, a young Englishman, approaching Sigurd to ask for help in finding his sister, kidnapped by Vikings. A Viking himself, Sigurd will have no trouble blending in with the people who took the girl, but Harold will have to pretend to be his thrall during that time.
Except for a few grammatical mistakes, Hunter tells us a great story about a young man’s love for his sister and his courage to find a way to save her, even if it means he has to submit to a different people’s rules. With Sigurd’s help, Harold ends up discovering a new culture and awakening his sexuality.
This is a really good short story for anyone who likes happy endings and a slow built to the romance and sex. The only bad thing about Hunter’s story is that, in the end, you want to know how Harold and Sigurd continue their relationship when faced with a life in a country that frowns upon homosexuality, and how will Harold explain to his parents that he doesn’t intend to marry anyone.
Title: The Teacher’s Wounded Heart
