Tag: Bailey Bradford

Cliff by Bailey Bradford

19341417Title:Cliff

Series: Leopard’s Spots 12

Author:Bailey Bradford

Genre: MM Shifters, paranormal,

Length: Novel (160 pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound (December 27th 2013)

Heat Rating: Explicit

Heart level: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Cliff thinks he’s too tough for love and too mean for a mate, but he has a lot to learn about the way the Fates work.

Cliff doesn’t know who his parents were—he was created in an in vitro lab run by shifters with devious plans. He’s found out a few things, but nothing prepares him for the changes coming his way when he decides to break into the clinic to search for information. What should have been a simple break-in turns into a rescue from hell and two dead shifters. To top it off, the clinic catches on fire and Cliff loses all chance of finding anything there.

But the Fates are fickle, and Cliff is one of their favourite shifters to screw around with. He’s snarky, and mean, and smart, which oddly enough endears him to them.

Not that he’d believe it when they send him a mate. Cliff doesn’t want a mate. And he sure doesn’t want the magnificent and powerful man he’s destined to be with. That’s what he keeps telling himself, and maybe he’ll eventually believe it.

When he’s promised the opportunity to break the mate bond if he really wants it, that sounds like a deal. So why doesn’t he jump on it? He doesn’t know, and both he and his mate might not survive long enough to figure out what it is Cliff really wants.

Hunted and hunter, he and his mate are both.

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/cliff

Review: This is a book 12 in this series but I followed along just fine. Just in case you’re interested, here is the link to the other books and reading order.https://www.totallybound.com/index.php?route=product/series&series_id=277

I absolutely loved the characters and the entire story. There is enough backstory and information that kept me pretty well clued in and yet made me want to read the other books too.  This is a prime example of a great storyteller. To be able to write a book, so far into a series, that is easy to read on its own, yet draw the reader to the rest of their works. Caution; the excerpt at the end does the same, be prepared to go buy another series along with these other 11.

Cliff is such a fun story to read. He is a very headstrong and snarky character. I absolutely loved him. Remus is just about as good. Not Cliff’s polar opposite. In fact, he is also very independent, stubborn and both men are very toppy and dominate.  The Fates did good mating these two. I liked how the story began with a prologue of the fates and they were strewn in throughout the story. It added a touch of charm and humour also. 

Cliff was a loner and his reputation of being a fearsome killer and loose cannon preceded him. Remus on the other hand was a revered Shaman with lots of power. A man to be honoured as well as feared.  Did I mention he had been married to women with grown sons?  Yes, those fates gave us a fun mating here!

Not only are the characters intriguing and witty, the story continues on a mystery of Cliff’s lineage, a fertility clinic making illegal shifters and lots of deception.

Add all this mystery and intrigue to the banter and chase of these two men, and some very hot and heavy, rough, man-sex.  This is one heck of a good book. Get a copy and see for yourself! Oh! I almost forgot! Cliff is not only a wolf shifter but also a leopard shifter! Cool, Huh?

To wrap it all up: if you like shifters, werewolves, leopards, Shamans, power, mystery intrigue, Fates, an unlikely mating, very hot, rough man-sex this book is for you!

Fences and Freedom by Bailey Bradford

18798824Title:Fences & Freedom

Series:  Mossy Glenn Ranch, 04

Author:Bailey Bradford

Genre: Cowboys/Mystery/Suspense

Length: Novel (153 pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound (December 27th 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Ramsey Carmichael has never cared about anyone or anything except writing the next story, until one innocent man turns his life around.

Barney Rader can’t shake the label he’s always carried—that of the town’s poor kid. It’s been him and his mom ever since his dad died years ago. He’s struggling to make a living and bring home enough money to keep him and his mom going. After months of trying, Barney gets hired at the Mossy Glenn Ranch, and the first thing he learns is that he wants Ramsey Carmichael. Bad.

Ramsey Carmichael has fucked more men than he can remember, and Barney is one tempting piece of ass. But while Barney might be naive, he isn’t stupid. Before Ramsey knows what hits him, he’s tangled up with Barney—and re-examining his life. Ramsey doesn’t like what he discovers, but turning his life around is a lot easier said than done.

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/fences-and-freedom

Review: This is book 4 in this series and this one stands alone quite well, though I do suggest checking out the other three.

Ramsey isn’t liked by the other ranchers or his bosses. He doesn’t care and goes out of his way to be grumpy and disliked. He is the same with lovers. He only does hook-ups and never anything personal or intimate.  He is desperate for sex and none of the men on the ranch give him the time of day so when a new hand arrives he is ready for some fresh meat, especially when he gets a good look at the new boy and sees he is just his type, big soft and sweet, a type he never gets much of with hook-ups since only the twinks want to be screwed.

Barney is sweet and sexy, tall and big, and has a very good heart. When he starts flirting with Ramsey and acting dominate it pushes buttons Ramsey dint know he had and isn’t sure he wants.  Barney is full of surprises and one of those is making Ramsey see inside himself. But when Barney finds out what Ramsey really is and what he is going to do to the Mossy Glenn will he still like Ramsey?

This story is awesome.  It didn’t have as many of the older characters in it at all but we did get a small glimpse of Will and also a little on Salt, but this book focused mainly on just Ramsey and Barney and also Barney’s mom Jen and Rocky, which I found refreshing.  At first, I was a bit disappointed not getting more of especially Will, Carlos and Troy, but then again, that may have taken away from this story and this story alone did not let me down. It is full of intrigue, very sweet, and also very hot. I loved Barney and actually came to like Ramsey.

If you want a good story full of hot sexy cowboys, poor young men finding themselves, men with secrets and some pretty hot mansex and did I say cowboys? This one is for you.

Sabin by Bailey Bradford

18708687Title: Sabin

Series: Leopard’s Spot Series Book, Number 11

Author: Bailey Bradford

Length: Novel (168 Pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (November 29th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 to 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Sabin just wants his powdered sugar donuts. Until he meets, a man who tastes better than any sweets Sabin’s ever tried…

Sabin has watched his brother fall for a man, a human who was Nischal’s mate. Sabin just wants his damned junk food, but no. A weird shifter named Cliff had to mention Sabin in a creepy text and now Sabin can’t have a moment’s peace.

Until he goes to town with Nisch and Preston, and meets his mate. Hey, no one can tell Sabin he can’t be with his mate! Except his mate doesn’t know anything about shifters, much less that he is one, and together Sabin and Emmett are thrown into a life or death race to discover a plot that threatens all of humanity… At least, the human part of it.

Product Link:https://www.totallybound.com/sabin

Review: Once again, I want to congratulate Bailey Bradford for another wonderful book that I truly loved.

Sabin and Emmett are a wonderful addition to my world of truly loveable men. Sabin is a funny character who is funny as all hell, what with his powdered sugar donut addiction. He is so easy to fall in love with, homesick and very tender-hearted. He just wants to be loved and cherished and he wants his mate. However, his mate Emmett doesn’t know that he is a shifter. Emmett is a dedicated and honest agent who is looking for the bad guys only to come across a totally different group all together. The sex between them is so full of passion and major sparks that fly when they are together. At first sight, Emmett wanted Sabin wanted to own him and love him.

This story has the perfect plot, danger mixed in with love. A danger to all humans and two men who want to stop it. It was the perfect length for me, just the right amount of pages. You put these two men in a room full of men, and your eyes would spot them right off the bat. I am glad to have this in my library and can’t wait to read it again. I just sat back on my couch and had the fire going reading this story and getting totally lost in it. It got my attention from the very beginning and kept my attention throughout the whole story.

Saddles and Memories by Bailey Bradford

2387-210x336Title: Saddles and Memories

Series: Mossy Glenn Ranch, 03

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary Western

Length: Novel (149 pages)

Publisher:Totally Bound (November 1st, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Salt Johnson has had his heart broken, or at least his ego dented, but he’s about to meet a man who wipes away every bad memory Salt ever had.

Saul ‘Salt’ Johnson had a crush on the wrong man. No surprise. He doesn’t have much experience when it comes to relationships despite his age. Being a cowboy in Montana means keeping in the closet, which has left Salt with a long line of one-night stands. Getting hired on at the Mossy Glenn changes all of that, and he’s beginning to see that maybe he can have more than he’s been settling for.

He just doesn’t expect to find it with another one-night stand.

Andy Calder spent years taking care of his brother Destry and helping to raise his nephew, Ty. Now both are gone—Destry passed away and Ty being raised by Andy’s spiteful younger brother. Andy hasn’t forgiven himself for being manipulated after Destry’s death. He just hopes Ty is happy. Andy’s working hard to build up the company he’d started with Destry, wanting to leave Ty a legacy he could build on. Things just aren’t going as planned, and when he decides to blow off some steam with a sexy, rough cowboy, they end up connecting in a way neither of them ever expected.

It’s definitely not a one-night stand kind of thing

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/saddles-and-memories

Review: This is book three in this series I do recommend you read the first two to get the full idea of who these men are.

Salt is one of the ranch hands at Mossy G. He had a crush on Drake but Drake found love in Ian. Drake has had to stay in the closet for so long it’s hard to get use to not having to hide who he is at work. He is getting older and part of him wants more than a one-night stand when he meets Andy at the feed store.

Andy is selling organic feed and travels a lot. His life has been up in the air for the last few years and especially since his brother died and his other brother took Ty his nephew to raise.  He sees Salt in the feed store and is very turned on so he propositions Salt.  Could this be more than just another one-night stand?

I thought this book was pretty good also. Salt is hot and Andy is sexy. The thing I really liked is this wasn’t one of those love at first sight stories. This relationship builds slower than the others had. It develops more naturally.  The hot sex before they ever really get to know each other makes sense being it’s clear these guys are thinking it’s just a hook-up or one night thing.  I also liked that a couple other characters were brought up in this story and it their stories sound like they could be fun. I’m looking forward to them.

I recommend this if you like one-night stands, friends to lovers, sexy salesmen and hot cowboys. Oh, and lots of hot mansex.

 

 

Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford

17970372Title: Ropes and Dreams

Series: Mossy Glenn Ranch 02

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary Western

Length: Novel (136 pages)

Publisher:Total-E-Bound Publishing (July 12th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Ian McCain’s always been one cold, hard man, but a sexy little cook is about to melt his heart.

Drake loves his job as a cook at the Mossy Glenn Ranch. He just wishes he wasn’t scared out of his mind. His ex has him convinced he’s never going to be loved again, so he vows to remain alone.

Officer Ian McCain doesn’t play well with others—unless he’s got a whip or paddle in his hand and a sub at his feet. Control is all he’s had for years now, and he doesn’t think he’s capable of having a relationship.

Then he pulls up at the Mossy Glenn and sees a sexy man with a cute puppy on a leash. From that moment on, Drake might as well have Ian on a leash too, or at least his heart. Ian breaks down Drake’s walls almost as fast as Drake destroys his.

But their chance for a happy life together is something they’re both going to have to fight for as Drake faces his fears and Ian faces losing everything.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2193

Review: This is book two in a series I do recommend you read the first one plus at least book 9 in the love in Xxchange series also to get the full idea of who these men are.

Drake is the cook at Mossy Glenn Ranch. His employers are in a Ménage. The ranch hires mostly Gay or gay friendly people.  Ian is a young cop and a Dom. He comes to the Mossy G to talk to Troy about a fight in town (stuff from the last book) and the moment he sees Drake he wants him, though another Cowboy at the ranch seems to want to lay claim also.

I liked this one much better than the first one. There is still a lot of sex but it doesn’t quite overshadow the story so much. The storyline here between Ian and Drake is very hot and sexy. My only real issue with this book is  they see each other than  the first day they meet for dinner they are talking about Ian’s dominance and sex life and Drake confides he may have HIV yet Ian drops and gives him a blowjob(he does use a condom). Other than the moving so fast, the story was pretty good.  The sex is hot, Ian and Drakes story merge with the actual Mossy Glenn Ranch story well and it moves pretty smooth albeit fast. The BDSM was hot but with Drakes insecurity issues he accepted it and dropped into it pretty fast for a stranger.  I loved the twists and the banter between Will and Drake is so funny and makes the story fun.

I recommend this if you like ménage, BDSM, sweet love at first sight romance, hot sex, dogs and of course Cowboys. Oh yeah sexy men (a Dom at that) in uniforms also!

Chaps and Hope by Bailey Bradford

17409015Title: Chaps and Hope

Series: Mossy Glenn Ranch book 01

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: cowboys &western/ mild BDSM

Length: Novel (134 pages)

Publisher:Totally Bound (March 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Book one in the Mossy Glenn Ranch Series

It’ll take hard work for Carlos, Troy and Will to turn the Mossy Glenn Ranch into the successful business it used to be, and even more challenging will be making the place their home.

Carlos, Troy, and Will met in Where There’s a Will. They found each other and a love not many people could imagine. It worked for them, and they’ve been handed a chance at a new life and a home of their own.

The Mossy Glenn Ranch, owned by three siblings, Nick, Rory, and Annabelle, used to be flush with success. Then the previous owners destroyed almost everything, selling their heritage right out from under the three.

They bought part of it back, and asked Carlos and his partners to make the place successful again. It’s a chance he grabs with both hands once his guys agree, but there are challenges for all of them, and Will’s desire to make the place specifically LGBT-employee friendly and safe may cause more trouble than they already find when the get to their new home.

From a situation in town that reminds Will all too much of his own abusive past, to the surprising support of many of the townsfolk, the trio find themselves facing new challenges and reaching for the love and support that grows stronger between them.

Reader Advisory: This book contains mild BDSM: spanking and bondage.

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/chaps-and-hope

 

Review: This is book one in the Mossy Glenn Ranch Series but comes as a spin-off from the Love in Xxchange series. I will have to say it may be good to read the other series to figure to more about these guys.

Quick rundown: Carlos, Troy and Will are heading to Montana for Texas to rebuild and reopen the Mossy Glenn Ranch for their friends and start their life together. When they get there, the ranch has been vandalized and they find they have a lot of work cut out for them.

This story held a lot of promise. There was lots of sex. I have to say about 80 per cent sex. That’s not a bad thing the sex is hot, though at times I felt it was a little repetitive. I expected more to come in a story about the people they hired, the incident in town etc., most of that was skimmed over and the sex took too much precedence.  Having said that, I thought the bdsm was pretty hot and appreciated the fact that this ménage did not centre on just one of the three.  All three focused on each other well. I would have liked to have more story and more about the other people they hired.  I will say the home movie scene…. SMOKIN!!!!!

I recommend this if you like ménage, fetishes (breath, bondage, spanking and fisting though it’s not super explicit) hot cowboys and really hot mansex this is for you!

Justice by Bailey Bradford

4906867 Title: Justice

Author:  Bailey Bradford

Genre:  Gay/Paranormal/Shifters

Length:  Novella (145 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (October 4th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Recovering from his past might cost Paul Hardy his life. 

Paul Hardy has been rescued from a human trafficking ring, but he isn’t free. The experience has left him traumatized and unable to dig himself out of his past. He’s learned things no one ever should—including that shifters exist and are every bit as vicious as the beasts they become. 

Snow leopard shifter Justice Chalmers spent ten years in the Marines before moving back to Phoenix and working hard to get his dream job. Being a cop is all he’s ever wanted. When his younger sister needs someone to drive her to their Grandma Marybeth’s place in Colorado so she can try to help a human man with her new therapy license, Justice steps up to help her out, never imagining that he’ll meet his mate. 

Justice and Paul won’t have it easy. Not only does Paul have serious issues from his ordeal, his fear of shifters makes him a leery mate. 

And someone wants to silence him permanently…

Reader Advisory: This book contains reference to past sexual abuse.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2330

Review:  In this story, the author deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse, showing that any person can need some help at some point in their lives. While Paul wasn’t necessarily a very easy character to like, you did understand what had made him the way he became. Bailey gives you a very real and gritty look at the physical and psychological changes that a person goes through to deal with long-term abuse. I loved that she had someone there to help Paul, someone who had his or her own issues to deal with.  Life is messy but can be dealt with when you have lots of love and people who care.

Paul thinks he’s dealt with or is dealing with what has happened to him. If he’s in constant control of the sex, then he’s not a victim anymore. Except he’s not dealing with it, he’s just existing from day-to-day, taking no joy from anything left in his life. Not even the sex. Putting himself in danger for sex that he doesn’t even enjoy, and getting lax in the precautions he’s taken, he realizes that maybe he does need the help his brother, Preston says he does. When his past abuse catches up with him in the form of the wolf shifters, he escaped from, he’s in more trouble and now he knows it.

Justice is an officer of the law and a snow leopard shifter who just happens to live in Phoenix. When his sister who’s just gotten her degree in psychology is asked to help the brother of one of their long-lost relatives, well you can’t say no to family. And asked to drive her to help Paul, since because of her own drama, Justice does.

The road to love and a happy ever after is going to be long and painful for both Paul and Justice.  Paul has to work through his disengagement of feelings and need for control in sex. And he needs to deal with his fear of shifters, since Justice is one and his mate. Justice needs to stay patience and be there for Paul.

In the mix of all this is the relative who’s mated to a wolf, which Paul still has an uncontrollable fear of. Add a Shaman, who is hunting down the shifters who kidnapped and abused Paul, long-lost relatives and Grandma Marybeth, who is a feisty hoot in all of these Leopard Spot books.

This is book ten, and these do need to be read in order to understand the background and the building of the relationships.

Whirlwind by Bailey Bradford

2276Title: Whirlwind 

Series: Southern Spirits 08     

Author: Bailey Bradford     

Genre: Paranormal, M/M/M     

Length: Novella (87pgs)     

Publisher: Total E-Bound (16th September 2013)     

Heat Level: Moderate     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3½ – 4 Hearts    

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Dying sucks, but the afterlife is one hot place to be.

Stefan wasn’t physically perfect in life, and his search for someone to love him resulted in his murder. Now he’s been dead for years, and he’s lonelier than he ever was when he was alive. His physical problems might have vanished when his body ceased to live, but his spirit has to deal with the memories of the past.

Jordan and Gideon are friends who share eager guys when they can find them. But, being in a war zone hasn’t allowed that to happen often. One roadside stop puts an end to their lives. Jordan and Gideon are at a loss to understand what happens to them, why they stay behind when others go up into the light. Searching for answers, they head to Jordan’s hometown—McKinton, Texas—but a hell of a lot of things have changed in the decade and a half since Jordan left.

Namely, the arrival of one wicked, joyful spirit named Stefan.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of voyeurism.     

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2276    

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Stefan wasn’t mentally perfect when he was alive but now with his spirit free of human restrictions he has grown in leaps and bounds, and with everyone around him, both living and spirit, finding love he begins to long for love himself. Jordan and Gideon lose their lives in a war zone, still stuck on Earth the friends go to Jordan’s hometown puzzled and confused as to why they haven’t moved on. In McKinton they discover more than they bargained for in the form of sweet and sexy Stefan but first they have to prove their worth to Conner, Stefan’s protector. 

Ah sweet Stefan’s story, this is one book that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. We first met Stefan in Aftermath and discovered what had happened to him. If you haven’t read Aftermath, then there is a brief summation from Stefan so you wouldn’t feel like you are missing something. Now, Stefan has friends and for the most part loves his new circumstances. But, he now longs for love like all his friends have. Gideon and Jordan head to McKinton when they find themselves spirits, they have been friends for years and have shared men but have never confessed to each other the longing they both have for the other. Meeting Stefan has both men longing for the sexy mischievous spirit but they get off to a bad start and Stefan has them both confronting their feelings for each other.

This is a great little book with some mischievous high-jinx from Stefan, a spirit brawl, sexy men admitting how they feel and a very protective spirit making sure his friend is treated right. Gideon and Jordan have always fancied each other but decided their friendship was too important to chance more, but now they decide to explore their attraction but they both have their eye on sexy Stefan. Once Stefan overcomes the first disastrous encounter with Jordan and Gideon, he begins to think that he could find love, but when both Gideon and Jordan find it hard to confess how they feel for each other Stefan thinks he has lost his chance. 

I really enjoyed this story and was so glad to see Stefan getting his dream and he is as wonderful as ever. Jordan and Gideon make a great addition to the spirits of McKinton and Stefan sure knows how to handle them. The way the story played out was great with the three of them sorting their problems out under the watchful eye of Conner, although I was surprised that Stefan managed to end up in so much trouble. 

I will recommend this to those who love spirits finding love, some great action, some mischief and fun, hot sexy men having steamy sex and a sweet ending. 

 

 

Nischal by Bailey Bradford

2370004958750Title: Nischal

Series: Leopard’s Spots, #9

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal/Shifters

Length: Novel (144 pages)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (August 9th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: There are many ways a man can be held captive.

Nischal and his brother Sabin were captured as snow leopards and have been kept medicated and half starved, put on display for crowds to view. The drugs that are supposed to keep the snow leopards docile also, as Nischal and Sabin discover, prevent them from shifting. After years of captivity, Nischal struggles to retain any kind of hope for freedom. He watches his brother die a little more on the inside every day.

Then one afternoon, a freckled redheaded man stands out from the crowd. Nischal doesn’t understand why, especially in his drug-addled state. When that man’s life is threatened, Nischal finds strength within himself he never knew existed.

Preston Hardy’s brother went missing over a year ago. The local cops were no help, Preston’s parents didn’t seem to give a damn, and Preston was left to try to discover what had happened to Paul on his own. His research leads him to a skeezy travelling show, run by a man who immediately sets off warning bells in Preston’s head. When he sets out to follow the man, he doesn’t have a clue that his whole life and perception of the world is about to change.

And that is only the beginning of Nischal and Preston’s adventures as they try to find the truth about what happened to Paul and evade those who would capture the snow leopards again.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2233

Review: This is book #9 of the Leopard’s Spots Series and although it would probably be best if you read them in order, it surely can be read as a standalone. The structure of the series is each book being a story in its self with a common background idea so it makes for an easy read even if you pick them out randomly.

In this book, we meet Nischal and his brother Sabin. Both snow leopard shifters, their life was pretty secluded when they were at their home grounds in Nepal. After their mother’s death, the brothers lived alone for a while, and except a short period of time when they met a much older shifter, they had no contact with the human world. Until they were captured and enslaved.

For years, the brothers were kept in slavery and entertained the crowd for their captor’s benefit. Being starved and constantly drugged, their ability to shift back was suppressed and both of them were facing death shortly. Until one day, a gorgeous red-haired man captured Nischal’s attention. Through his haze and physical weakness, Nischal felt new emotions run his body and mind, and he also saw the danger the young man was. A danger he felt compelled not to let the object of his attention fall for.

I must say that the way this book started made all the difference for me. It was an immediate hook and I simply couldn’t stop reading. It starts with imminent danger and a possible murder to get your blood boiling and it continues with one of the most fascinating scenes I’ve read when Nischal and Preston figure what they are to each other, or when Preston suddenly realizes that there are more to this world than he believed.

Nischal being practically naïve on everything human, Preston being hell bound on believing he’s hallucinating, the odd circumstances they met and got together ranged from funny to outright hilarious. That was certainly one of the most brilliant “mates-coming-together” ideas I’ve read for sure. In that moment you get to adore Preston as a character, you get to love him even for being so freaking funny, and as for Nischal, wow, he definitely made my breath catch a couple of times there.

However, from that moment on the plot took a dip for me. It practically changed from “Nischal” to “Preston” as the entire focus was getting back Preston’s brother and how he felt and how he reacted etc. etc. There were plenty of holes there and things that were left unsaid or unexplored.

In addition, there was this contradiction when it came to Nischal’s portrayal. Nischal was supposed to be a virgin and not know the ins or outs of a sexual relationship, yet all his actions lead you to believe he had a very successful crash course on how to please your mate. He was also supposed to be ignorant on the ways of civilized humans, especially in America, yet he seemed to know quite well, what a submissive is and how some things worked, even as he hadn’t been acquainted with those ideas before.

Add to that the fact that the leopard’s didn’t go and have a bloody fight, and the only bloodshed was that of Preston’s scratch on the back and love-bite, and you have a very unhappy Thommie. Typos and errors that were a frequent sight didn’t help either.

So basically, I think I fell for this book from its great start and simply got hooked and went for it till the end. I did enjoy it and I’m curious as to what comes next so my grumping, whining, and annoyance with the flaws is as strong. I’d definitely recommend this book to all shifter lovers; it has quite the appeal that’s for certain.

Revenge by Bailey Bradford

17930499Title: Revenge

Series: Southwestern Shifters #8

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal – Wolf shifters

Length: Novella (138 pg)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (June 14th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: There isn’t a safe place in the world when someone wants you dead more than they want to live.

Ryder Johansen is trying to figure out the shifter world. He was turned without his consent, another bad thing in a life filled with shitty choices. Now he’s learning that he doesn’t have to be an untrustworthy jerk. He can be more than the sum of his past.

Maarten Visser is at a loss with his life. His pack abandoned him—him! Their alpha!—once his brother Luuk was back in power. Maybe a trip to visit the North America Alpha Anax will give him some perspective. Or maybe it’ll kill him.

Marcus and Nathan are getting their pack past the attack that destroyed their other compound. They’ve got everyone settled in a new, secure place. Except it’s not as secure as they thought, and someone is out to destroy them and hurt Marcus as much as possible along the way.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2154

Review: Marcus and Nathan are back from their European trip where they helped Luuk regain his place as AA of Europe, only to find more trouble waiting them in their home. A crazy shifter, changing people against their will, has his compound in turmoil and Marcus is left with people that are trying to find a way to deal with these new changes.

One such man is Ryder. His human life was an absolute horror where he was a slave to his drugs; always in a haze and searching for his next fix, always letting people down. But, now his brain can’t escape through drugs anymore and that leaves him with a weird clarity and too much time to think. His talk-first-think- later attitude isn’t helping him make friends in this new world either. But, he is determined to make a better man in this second chance he’s got. An honorable man at that. But, first he has to make people see that he’s not defined by what he was as human. he has to make them see that he can be trustworthy as long as someone gives him a chance.

Meet Maarten Visser. Now, in book seven of the series we had a small glimpse at Maarten, and he seemed the goofy guy; the play now and live your life kind of guy. We get to know him better in this book and see how much unwanted he felt after his brother Luuk regained his position. Maarten was left without a pack and therefore without a purpose. When Luuk sent him to U.S. as an ambassador to strengthen their relations between the two AA, Maarten felt we was simply being exiled so he wouldn’t cause trouble. But, trouble finds him anyway along with his mate and the deep soul-healing love it entails.

And as everybody is trying to find their place and their purpose, a new unknown enemy appears. bringing with him a viciousness and violence that shatters our guys to the core. There is no place for talk and diplomacy in this case. The only solution is death.

So this time I got what I wanted and what I felt lacking in the previous book and that is the “fighting” part. For me wolves are aggressive creatures and that’s what I got when it came to the battles between good guys and bad guys. It was vicious, it was bloody and it was quite satisfying.

As always though, I feel that the length of these books is too small for the amount of events they develop. Here we had two pairs that the book focused on; Marcus and Nathan – we saw them grow even more and rule with a strong will and lots of love for their pack and not only – and Ryder and Maarten.

Now Ryder and Maarten were new characters that we got introduced to and for me the space they took in this book was not enough. Their personalities were treated with a superficial narration and the depths of their feelings were not explored to my satisfaction. The characters went from being shallow and vain to responsible and serious without us really witnessing it. The time frame being jumped and many events simply stated. In addition there were way too many mating pairs that enticed our fancy and they were left at that, which I’m having the feeling we will not see them in another book of their own and that’s just a shame.

However, I liked this book much better and the pairs that took part were quite engaging. Their “love” games were entertaining enough, even if they lacked intensity, and I found they were even funny, at some points. In the end I was left feeling that this was a good read and I hope the next one to focus solely on Ryder and Maarten, as I feel they have much more to share with us.

If you are a fan of the series, I really think you will not be disappointed in this book and if this is the first book on the series that comes on your hands I believe you’ll enjoy it as it can stand alone. Be ready for the mate-love and their deep bonds, the agony of nearly losing a mate and some really good bloody and violent fighting between wolves.

Ascension by Bailey Bradford

ascension_800Title: Ascension

Series: Southern Spirits 07

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (94pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (22nd April 2013) Available from 25th March with TEB VIP club.

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Conner Sutherland never thought he’d meet the love of his life in the Afterlife…

Conner Sutherland has been alone for a long time. He can’t remember the last time he even felt the desire to be touched by another man. Sometime before his death, when he’d still been Laine’s lover. But Laine had found Severo years ago, and if any two people were meant for each other it was Laine and Sev. Where that leaves Conner, he doesn’t know, other than feeling lost and out of sorts.

He doesn’t want to think about the way he feels when he sees Ro—Rogelio, Sev’s nephew. Conner’s seen Ro grow from pretty boy into a handsome man, but wanting him is foolish and useless. Ro’s got a life to live, and even if he does things that hurt Conner, that’s not Ro’s fault. He doesn’t know he entranced Conner long ago.

Ro has only ever wanted one man for keeps. It’s a pointless want, though, because Conner Sutherland is dead and too busy pranking Laine and Sev to notice Ro anyway.

But life, and death, has a way of surprising you, as Ro and Conner find out.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2076

Review: Conner has been hanging around McKinton ever since Laine and Sev fell in love. But, he is feeling lonely, wishing he could somehow find love again. But, for a ghost that is impossible, isn’t it? When he starts to notice Ro, Sev’s nephew, he keeps his distance so not to tempt himself because Ro has his whole life to live and he doesn’t need a ghost hanging around. Ro has been fascinated with Conner for years. He has fantasied about the ghost for as long as he can remember, but he knows that Conner would never even notice him even if it was possible to be together. But, life has a way of making the impossible possible, as Ro and Conner are about to find out.

I have followed this series from the beginning and I had always hoped for Conner to get a story of his own. But, I was left feeling sadly disappointed because there was so much sadness throughout the book. How could I be happy for Conner and Ro when my heart bled for Laine and Sev? Conner might have his living friends and his fellow spirits, but he still feels alone. Having the chance at love that he never thought he would have, he first has to put his own past to rest. Ro makes mistakes when his mother dies and he wallows in grief, but he can’t be too sorry when it brings him the man he has wanted for years.

This story is well written and you feel the grief of Laine and Sev as they deal with one blow after the other. Ro and Conner both deserve the happiness that they find and they make a great couple. Their sex is hot and they have a different kind of storyline. But, for me, I suppose I am just used to a different resolution when it comes to ghost and human love stories and I was unhappy with the amount of grief and devastation it took to give Conner and Ro their happily ever after.  

I will recommend this to those who want a different kind of ghost/human love story, of finding a love that neither man thought they would have and a very happy for them ending. 

Gilbert by Bailey Bradford

Title: Gilbert

Series: Leopard’s Spots 05

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal, Shifters

Length: Novella (143pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (6th August 2012)

Heat: Explicit

Heart: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: One sexy snow leopard shifter finds his mate and more, now Gilbert Trujillo just has to convince Jihu Warren to trust his instincts and give them a chance to be an unexpected family.

Gilbert Trujillo has watched his two older brothers, Tim and Isaiah, find their mates. He’s not sure he’s ready for such a commitment himself, even if he does kind of envy them at times. His life is about to get a lot more complicated, and if he can survive and protect the ones he loves, Gilbert just might have more than he ever dreamed possible.

Jihu Warren hasn’t known much in life other than that he was to be used to further his species. Amur shifters were bordering on extinction, and a breeding program had been established decades ago. Jihu’s desires were of no consequence. He sees no way out, no hope, until he hears rumors of Bae, a half-brother he’s never met, who escapes from the demands of the lepe. Given hope, Jihu fights for his freedom and in his search for Bae, he runs into a sexy snow leopard shifter named Gilbert Trujillo instead, and Jihu finds out there are some things, and some people, worth risking everything for.

Fate throws Gilbert and Jihu together, with a twist. Jihu’s senses have been altered by the injections given him while in captivity at Chung-Hee’s lepe. He doesn’t know who to trust, and will have to depend on himself rather than using the enhanced senses he normally has.

Together, he and Gilbert, along with a new family Jihu is quickly coming to love, will have to battle the shifters who want Jihu back at almost any cost.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1771

Review: Jihu has been forced into the Amur shifters breeding program.  His grandfather, Chung-Hee, who is the leader of the lepe, made sure of that by chaining and drugging him. But, now he has escaped and needs to find his brother, Bae. Gilbert is hoping to find his mate, but is surprised when his mate appears at his brother’s home with a baby in his arms. Now, he has to convince his mate that he means no harm and will help to protect him from his grandfather.

This is a good novella where we discover the true depths that a power-hungry shifter will go to in his quest to save his species. Jihu has some issues to resolve when he finally escapes from his grandfather’s clutches. He had been forced to have sex with a woman and produce a child. Jihu knew what would happen if he didn’t get away, but there was no way he would leave his son behind. Gilbert is thrilled to find his mate and is delighted to have a son through him. He will do anything in his power to keep them both safe and with the backing of his family sets out to ensure all of Jihu’s family is safe.

This is an enjoyable story that shows us the love that can help a person heal from past wrongs. Jihu has to face what happened to him and with the love of Gilbert begins to heal. Gilbert is the perfect shifter for Jihu and together they make a great couple. The sex between them is hot and spontaneous (as long as they make sure baby is asleep). The continued story of the lepes and the forced breeding program is good, as well as how completely out of control Chung-Hee becomes. I liked how Gilbert’s family came together to help and the support they showed Jihu and I really like how Jihu is lost and despairing when he finally gets to Bae and Isaiah’s home.

I will recommend this to those who love shifters, a touch of angst, hunting for baddies, danger, a sweet baby and a happy ever after.

 

Esau by Bailey Bradford

Title: Esau

Series: Leopard’s Spots 06

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Paranormal, Shifter

Length: Novella (146pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (29th October 2012)

Heat: Explicit/Scorching

Heart: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sometimes what you don’t want is exactly what you need.

Esau Walraven is a loner in a family filled with togetherness happy people. A shifter, it has taken him years to come to terms with that aspect of himself. He used to resent being different, but now he has come to appreciate it, and even embrace it. He’s still not thrilled about being around people, but when his family asks for help, Esau is there to give it.

Ye-sun Warren helped his brother escape from their cruel grandfather. It didn’t matter that Ye-sun had never met that particular brother; it was the right thing to do. Added to that, he has a nephew, a sweet baby boy who shouldn’t be used as a pawn. Ye-sun’s decision to help them costs him, with his grandfather punishing him in cruel ways he thought would kill him. Abandoned and left to die, Ye-sun is an angry, hurting Amur shifter.

When Esau and Ye-sun meet, the sparks fly. Esau tries to reject the mate-bond, but when he gives in, taking the innocent man first as they are leopards, then as men, he swears to himself he will not feel anything but lust for Ye-sun.

But Fate has a funny way of making sure her plans are followed…

Reader Advisory: This book contains mild BDSM-Spanking and is part of a series, so best read in order.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1815

If you are a Total E-Bound VIP and newsletter subscriber you will be eligible to receive this book up to 4 weeks early.

Review: Esau has finally found his mate, but he is filled with dread.  He did something in the past that now haunts him and he doesn’t trust himself any more. Ye-sun was left to die after helping his brother escape, but now after making it out alive he has found his mate who doesn’t seem to want him. Can he change the sexy shifters mind or should he just leave and try to get his life straight? Esau has choices to make and secrets to admit. Can he accept what his mate has to offer or just live in the past with his bitter memories?

This is an interesting story in the aftermath of the bush fire which has primal love and deep doubts. Esau has never wanted to have a mate; his past has bitter secrets and dark actions that leave him unsure about his nature. Ye-sun has hidden his sexuality from himself and his family as he knows he has no choice but to breed. But, when his grandfather goes too far, Ye-sun helps his brother to escape and he nearly signs his own death warrant. Out in the wilds, Ye-sun meets his mate, Esau, and between them they have to overcome Esau’s past so they can go forwards.

Ye-sun and Esau make a great couple. Ye-sun makes Esau understand his actions in a less blood thirsty light and Esau makes Ye-sun realize that his actions were the only thing he could do. There are a lot of angsty feelings and wallowing in the past and the sex is very primal and very rough in places. There is also very rough sex in animal form. Ye-sun and Esau are a couple that are well suited, although Ye-sun doesn’t let Esau push him around and also makes Esau stop wallowing in the past and face the future they can have together.

I recommend this to those who love rough shifters, hot rough sex, primal matings, hidden pasts and a happy ending.

 

Resilience by Bailey Bradford

Title: Resilience

Series: Southwestern Shifters 05

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Shifter, Paranormal

Length: Novel (263pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (16th July 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Todd Benson almost died for the freedom to love Adam Soames. Now they face obstacles that once again place both of them in danger.

Todd Benson had figured he’d be alone forever. He had the best friend any guy could want in Gabe Staley, and Gabe’s partner Mika was okay, too. But a personal life and any kind of true happiness was out of the question. With Todd’s bigoted and violent parents and the Sheriff he worked for trying to torture animals and Gabe, Todd knew he’d do well just to survive his job as a deputy in the small town of Shasta, Texas.

Adam Soames needed to get away from the big city. His best friend had found his perfect man and moved away, and Adam felt lost in the city. The opportunity to have his own veterinary practice in a small town sounded perfect. He didn’t know he’d soon be living a life he’d only dreamed of—or the cost he and the man he loved would have to pay.

Together Todd and Adam face seemingly insurmountable odds, from Todd’s recovery from a vicious attack to the prejudices and trials many couples have. Then there’s the big shocker of finding out Gabe and Mika aren’t humans, exactly, but wolf shifters instead, and a whole new door is opened and trouble soon comes barreling through it.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1745&numCurrencyID=2

Review: This story is part of a series and I recommend reading the series in order, as nearly all the characters from previous books have roles in this one. We met them in the very first story and now they have a story of their very own, sweet, sexy Todd and caring, hunky Adam. This story begins before Rescued when Adam first moves to the town; you see the developing friendship between Adam and Todd and their story as they face the town together after events with Todd’s father. Next they discover the secrets that Gabe has kept hidden, and which leads to the discovery that Marcus might have some information on Adam’s missing friend. We then go on an adventure with Adam, Todd and their friends as they hunt for Jameson (Adam’s friend) and Todd and Adam end up with more than they bargained for.

Bailey Bradford has given us a wonderful conclusion to Todd and Adam’s romance. Yes, we knew they got together, but we never saw their story and now we have it in full with some surprises for us to enjoy. Todd has been bullied and beaten for most of his life, but for Adam he starts to stand up for himself. After Todd’s recovery, Todd and Adam find out just how much support they really have in town and they begin their life together. We get a lovely view of Todd and Adam sharing their life and with Todd accepting that he doesn’t want his past to affect him anymore and wanting to do something for Adam.

The story is in three parts and is split quite well, the first part is when Adam and Todd first get together, the second part is seeing their life together and where they discover they are shifters and the third is focused on finding Adam’s friend Jameson. We see Gabe, Mika, Aiden, Zane, Marcus and Nathan and they all play a part in this story and are quite involved in what is going on. The friendships between them all are great and Todd and Adam warm up to Aiden, Zane, Marcus and Nathan quite well, although it was a bit tense at first. Todd and Adam’s lives change forever with the discovery of shifters and when Adam is injured their lives are turned upside down in shocking circumstances.

This is a great story that has a wonderful relationship between two wonderful men. They love each other with passion, compassion and caring. They support each other through anything that is thrown at them and the sex between them is hot, loving, erotic and at times passionate. The storyline is great and opens the shifter world into a new branch as the Southwestern shifters look for Jameson in Amsterdam and we connect to the shifters there.

So, I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sexy men, hot loving, surprises and shocks, some danger, some laughs and giggles, with a great storyline and a happy ending.

 

In My Arms Tonight by Bailey Bradford

Title: In My Arms Tonight

Series: Love In Xxchange 08

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (190pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (23rd April 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: James Stratton’s moral cost him everything and he never thought he’d recover until one very stubborn, loving man showed James he deserved to be loved.

James Stratton was proof there was such a thing as a lawyer with morals—and he paid a very high price for them. A successful plan to stop a sadistic murderer ended up costing James everything. After being kidnapped and assaulted, he was held in a ‘facility’ where he was kept medicated, ostensibly for his own good. In reality, his parents had had him kidnapped again—for his own safety, they’d claim, once he’d been freed.

Glenn Shearing, former FBI agent and deeply closeted, fell for James before he ever met him. All it’d taken was reading the file on the extraordinary man, and Glenn knew he’d found someone worth stepping out of the closet for. He risked everything to free James, and didn’t consider it much of a loss when he left his job and headed for Texas.

James needs all the help he can get after what he’s been through, and Glenn wants to be there for him. James isn’t ready for any kind of intimacy, not after being hurt physically and emotionally. But will he push Glenn away one time too many? Or will he let Glenn’s love help him heal?

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1626

This book is part of a series and must be read in order.

Review: Because of what James started with the Rollins, many people paid the price. James being one of the worst effected and it didn’t end with his rescue, because then his parents got involved. And if not for the dedication of his best friend, Chase, and with a determined FBI agent to lend a hand, then he would still be in hell. Glenn is a FBI agent who worked the Rollins case. He rescued James from his kidnappers and then again from the ‘facility’ James parents had placed him in. Glenn sees something in James that he wants to get to know, so follows him to the town. But, can these two men be together after everything they have seen and been through?

Bailey Bradford has finally given us the story of James, who we have wondered about for many a book. Now it’s his time to shine along with Glenn’s, but they have problems to work through. James has had traumatic experiences and although we don’t get the in’s and out’s we do know that it was horrific for him. It’s left him with panic attacks and a skewered vision of himself and feeling like he is less than a man, especially in the eyes of Glenn, who saw James when he was at his most vulnerable. Glenn doesn’t think that James is weak.  He actually believes that James is a strong survivor, but, he knows he has to take his time with James. But, the longer James seems to push him away, the more he starts to lose hope.

I loved this book for its seriousness of James problems. Nothing was swept under the carpet. He didn’t instantly make a startling recovery and it was a long progress that took into consideration everything he had suffered. Although there is an attraction between James and Glenn, their relationship doesn’t get off the ground until nearly halfway through the book and that was due to what James had suffered and also because of Glenn’s doubts that James would want an older man like him. So it’s a rocky start for them both, as fears and doubts get in the way, and they also have the added outside pressure for someone lurking around town and then James parents turning up.

So, in this book we have wounded souls, hopeful suitors, interfering parents, guilt, hope, spying PI’s, hot sex, the beginning of healing and a happy ending, but that isn’t just all it has. there’s understanding and helpful friends, everyone pulling together to protect a man who lost everything and fought with everything he had to do the right thing and a man who risked everything on the off-chance that the man he fell for, would want him back… this is a must read book.

 

 

Levi by Bailey Bradford

Title: Levi

Series: Leopard’s Spots 01

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Shifters

Length: Novella (134pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (20th February 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A run through the woods turned anything but typical when Levi found the one thing he never expected to find-his mate.

After a week spent in family reunion hell, Levi Travis is more than ready for a little break. But who knew shifting into a snow leopard and loping around in the woods could turn into such a steamy event?

When Levi encounters a cougar shifter in the woods, the attraction is so hot it threatens to shoot off sparks. Levi has fantasized about having a stronger man than him want him, and he’s sure the cougar is just such a man. Which is why Levi lets himself get caught, and the intensity of their mating is only equaled by Levi’s confusion when the man shifts back into a cougar then turns tail and runs.

Lyndon Hines has been running for months. Hunted, taunted, he didn’t know what else to do-until he met a man who made him realize that some things were worth fighting for. Two shifters, each a different breed, neither knowing much about their heritage, Levi and Lyndon come together and find the strength to take on the mad man who is out to end Lyndon’s life.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1551

Review: Levi is ripped up inside when the shifter he has hot explosive sex with turns tail and runs. But, when he bumps into him in town and starts to get to know him, he begins to understand what is driving Lyndon. Lyndon is running, Lyndon doesn’t know from who or why, but he knows that he has to keep ahead of whoever it is. But, when he meets Levi, he realizes that he doesn’t want to run anymore, but as he doesn’t know anything about shifters or the person who is following him, he thinks it’s less trouble to keep on moving.

This is a well written story that has a more isolated way of life for shifters. With this story we have Levi, who is a Leopard shifter and Lyndon, who is a cougar shifter.  neither one has ever heard of shifters of a different species before they ran into each other in some woods. Lyndon doesn’t know how to react, as he has no clue how shifters act as he has only ever met two before and one of them was his father who attacked him. So, when his natural instincts have been spent…he runs. Levi hasn’t met another species before either, but he never expected Lyndon to run off afterwards. When they meet up again he figures out that the man has had a bad experience and sets out to help him out.

I thought this was a great start to a brand new series; it has great characters, fantastic hot sex, a bit of angst, danger and a good twist. I really loved how Bailey Bradford has set out this series, there are no packs or prides or anything like that, and no shifter council or ruling body… in fact it is set out so that shifters don’t even know about any other shifter species. Levi’s family is large so there are quite a few Snow Leopards, but Lyndon is an only child to a human mother and his father disappeared when he got Lyndon’s mother pregnant. He had only met one other cougar who helped him as much as he could, but other than what each of them has learned off their families, they haven’t really got a clue about shifters.

So, an interesting story that will have you wondering who has been following Lyndon and why.  And, when you do find out whom and why, you actually want to go hunting for Lyndon’s father and sort him out. Levi’s and Lyndon’s relationship is great and although it is a bit angsty at first they do make a great couple. I also loved Levi’s brother Oscar, he is a real character.

So I recommend this to those who love shifters, angst, danger, hot sex, great characters, a different view of shifters and a happy ending.

 

 

 

Oscar by Bailey Bradford

Title: Oscar

Series: Leopard’s Spots 02

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Shifter, Paranormal

Length: Novel (155pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (26th March 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: One sexy wolf is determined to show a grouchy kitty just how perfect they are for each other.

Oscar Travis has always been different, and not just because he’s a snow leopard shifter. Petite and pretty in a family where even the women are bigger and stronger than he is, Oscar has been protected by them except the times when no one could keep him safe. When he had to take another shifter’s life to protect his own family, Oscar’s world became a scarier place, at least in his head, not that he’s going to let his family know that. He will, however, help his dad Henry hunt down the cougar shifter who is trying to destroy one of Oscar’s own, his brother-in-law, Lyndon.

Which is why Oscar finds himself in San Antonio. Curiosity-always Oscar’s potential downfall-is the reason he’s in one of the city’s biggest gay nightclubs. And it’s his bad luck that he is cornered by four obnoxious shifters who are out to ruin his night. Josiah Baker has other plans for Oscar, plans of mates and forever, but once he makes sure his kitten is safe, he’s ditched like a two dollar whore. Good thing he’s a shifter too, and a determined one who doesn’t shy away from Oscar’s attitude. He sees the hurting man behind the pretty façade, and no one is going to keep him and Oscar from the happy ending they deserve.

Unless the cougar shifter Oscar was hunting has anything to say about it. Then Oscar and Josiah’s ending will be painful and in the immediate future.

Reader Advisory: This book is part of a series and is best read in sequence.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1591

Review: Oscar lands in a bit of trouble when he visits a nightclub and a bouncer who thinks he’s coming to Oscar’s rescue doesn’t help. Josiah finds his mate in the little kitty shifter, but he keeps getting brushed off.  Oscar has an attitude about large men who try to take control, but with Josiah he might have met his match.

A well written story that continues with the story-line from Leopard’s Spots 01- Levi. Oscar has forever been protected by his family because he is smaller.  He had a hard time at school with bullying and he just feels like he is a misfit and has developed a hard external shell. Josiah might be an Alpha, but even he knows that he doesn’t stand much of a chance against his mate unless he can convince Oscar that he doesn’t see him as a misfit and there is nothing wrong with him.

I really liked this one, because although Oscar felt the mating pull he refused to give into it straight away and he also feels unsure of how Josiah will feel about him killing someone. The dynamics of Oscar’s and Josiah’s relationship was more even balanced with both men treating each other as though they are equals, with Oscar being slightly more Alpha than Josiah.  The sex between them is really hot and erotic and again the dynamics are equal between them.

Oscar struggles to face what he did in the first book and he has a hard time believing that he won’t snap and do it again.  Believing that he is turning into a monster, we get a good feel for what he is going through and the support that Josiah offers him. They are great characters and fit well together and the supporting characters are good, I really enjoyed the banter that Lyndon’s brothers brought into the book and there are a few surprises from them as well.

So if you love shifters, hot men, hot sex, twists, semi betrayal, dominate men, twisted guilt and a happy ending then I recommend that this book is for you.

 

A Bit of Me by Bailey Bradford

Title: A Bit of Me

Series: Love in Xxchange 06

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Super Novel (231pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (7th November 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Chase Murphy lost everything—money, his best friend, and his confidence-but one man wants to help him regain what was taken from him along with a love that Chase never expected to have and doesn’t believe he deserves.

Xavier Talbot has everything a successful man should, or at least he thought he did. Suddenly he discovers that his brother is a sick sadistic jerk, the boy he found on the streets and raised for the past several years is going to give Xavier a clear understanding of ‘empty nest syndrome’, and the club he’d built up from nothing, The Xxchange, now seems like a sleazy place instead of the GLBT paradise Xavier had imagined. Then a chance encounter with one man gives Xavier a bit of hope in his rapidly depressing world.

Chase Murphy only wanted one thing—to find his best friend, James Stratton, who’d been kidnapped by a vengeful sociopath. Hurt and stranded in a town he has no intentions of staying in, Chase meets a man he wants to hate, but he can’t stop thinking about Xavier Talbot no matter what he does. Slowly, seductively, the town and its inhabitants draw Chase in and make him rethink his opinion on forming friendships and the possibility of a long term relationship. He isn’t sure he wants to hang around to see if things would work out, but it isn’t until James is found that Chase discovers the truth about what it means to love people, as friends and, for Xavier, as a lover.

Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1430

Review: Chase has had a hard life and it has only got worse in the last few months.  He now has nothing at all and his only friend is missing.  When he meets Xavier he finds it difficult to handle the attraction. Xavier has troubles of his own; his brother is losing control and Billy has met someone who he could love. When he meets Chase, Xavier thinks he may have just met the man for him.

This story has a great story-line that keeps you reading. Chase is only in the mess he is in because he helped a friend. But saying that, he probably would have done it anyway.  He is recovering from a severe beating when he meets Xavier and although he is attracted to him he holds back as he has trouble trusting people. Xavier will go at whatever pace Chase wants and between the two of them they manage to sort out their problems with the help of their friends.

I really liked how this story paced its self and was filled with enough conflict to keep it hopping. The hurt that Xavier feels over his brother is well portrayed and his feelings about losing Billy are all too true and described very well. Chase’s fear of getting close to people is understandable and his worry for his friend is brilliantly done. The relationship between Chase and Xavier is well done and not rushed or over the top and the sex is red-hot.

I will recommend this to anyone who likes mystery, a bit of danger, hot sex, hot men, a fantastic story and great taste in authors. I personally can’t wait for Billy’s story and then I am hoping for James and Shearing’s story.

 

 

 

What Matters Most by Bailey Bradford

Title: What Matters Most

Series: Love in Xxchange 04

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary/Cowboys/Western

Length: Novel (186pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (22nd August 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sometimes it takes losing everything to find out what matters most.

Josh has a fondness for hot pink, penguins…and one wicked man he knows he shouldn’t trust. Nick is a confused, angry man, one who has been denied the opportunity to know his half-siblings, who was ignored and treated less than second best—until the fair-haired children fell out of favor with a resounding thud. Now Nick has something he isn’t sure he wants—a ranch left to him by a father who never cared for him, and a fascination with a certain hot-pink, penguin printed, scrub wearing nurse who makes his blood boil in a way no woman ever had.

But Josh left him hurting on the floor the last time he dared touch the man. Nick had never thought the attractive dark-haired man with the jewel-bright eyes would be anything other than a tool to spy on his half-siblings, but somehow, Josh has gotten under Nick’s skin, and Nick isn’t sure he ever wants it any other way.

But the choice isn’t just his, and it’s more than just their futures that are at risk… And Nick doesn’t know if he can get past Josh turning away from him once again, or if he can be strong enough to reach for what matters most…

Review: Josh is a nurse who will do anything to protect his family, even if it means keeping secrets from them.   When he figures out the truth about Nick he is really not pleased.  Nick wants to know more about his half-siblings but he can’t contact them directly so he comes up with a plan.   A plan to get close to Josh and find out about them, his main problem though is he’s not gay.

I had mixed feelings about this at first when I learned that Nick was straight but the more we get to know him and how he was brought up and his reaction to Josh the better I felt about it.  I felt really sorry for Josh and the way he was treated by his brothers, Justin and Nick.  But Nick redeemed himself nicely though I can’t say the same for Justin.  Josh had to go through a lot of angst before things worked out for him and Nick had a lot of soul-searching to do as well.

These two MCs had a lot of angst for different reasons.   Nick because he only inherited as his father, Ian Calhoun, wanted to hurt his other two children, his mother’s attitude towards him and the stipulations in the will, when all he wants is to know his brother and sister.   Josh because he feels used by Nick and he is also keeping secrets from Annabelle and Rory about who Nick is. We see quite a few misunderstandings on both sides before they eventually sort themselves out.

I would recommend this book to those who like strong characters, hot men, hot sex, angst and a well written story.

 

 

 

 

Ex's and O's by Bailey Bradford

Title: Ex’s & O’s

Series: Love in Xxchange 05

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (225pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (19th September, 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Adam Masterson paid a steep price for doing the right thing, but it might be more than worth it if he can get through tough cop Les Stanton-and if they can survive one man’s plans for vengeance.

All Adam Masterson tried to do was the right thing-stop a psychotic man from hurting anyone else. While he may have succeeded, he also put himself in the crosshairs of the man’s wealthy father, and Adam soon finds himself battered, homeless and unemployed. When his mother is also evicted from her home, Adam packs up his car and takes Charlene, his mother, with him as he heads to Texas to plead for help from someone he isn’t sure will help.

When Officer Les Stanton pulls over the beater car with Montana plates, he already knows who is in the vehicle. His friend Josh has been complaining about his partner, Nick, helping out the too-attractive blond from Montana. Les soon finds himself irresistibly drawn to Adam. Even his fear of Charlene can’t keep him away. Now, if he can just let go of the past and learn to trust, he and Adam might have a chance-unless one wealthy man swearing vengeance destroys them both.

Review: Adam does a good thing and now he’s been chased out of the city along with his mom.  Les feels attraction for someone for the first time when he pulls over a car with Montana plates, now if only he can get over the fear of the man’s mom.

This is a brilliantly written story, we have big macho Les who is terrified of becoming ill and women (especially mothers) and lithe sexy Adam who knows how to fight and look after himself. These two men come together when Adam needs it most and we see them both letting down walls and letting each other in. Les has more complex issues that will break your heart and make you want to mother him. While Adam hopes that Les really is the man for him.

The storyline is good and the characters are great, we met both the MCs in the last Xxchange book and this story is fantastic for the two of them.   It’s great that we get to know both of them so well. Charlene (Adam’s mother) is a fantastic supporting character as are Josh and Nick (Meant to Be). There were a few characters in this one that I would love to meet again; namely Chase, James, Billy and Talbot.

I recommend this to those who love hot sex, great men, a wonderful storyline and a great happy ending.