Paradise at Main & Elm by Barry Brennessel

18159623Title: Paradise at Main and Elm

Author: Barry Brennessel

Genre: Contemporary, Romantic

Length: Novel (325 pages)

ISNB: 9781925031577

Publisher: Wilde City Press (November 25th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Adrian Stockwell and Ezra Cherevin both battle the fallout from their broken families. Yet each one’s strategy is as different as each one’s past. Adrian’s childhood was left void by apathy, Ezra’s upended by violence. The written word soon becomes their therapy, their escape. This shared passion for literature is the vehicle that brings them together.

But their journey is filled with personal and familial potholes.

Can these two young men carve out a life together by learning to navigate a sea of challenges? And can the people in their lives do the same?

Purchase Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/paradise-at-main-and-elm/#.UsB8ZPRDvRw

Review: So perfectly written, this novel was downright beautiful. I found myself starting it and never wanting it to end. I wanted nothing more than for Adrian and Ezra to be together. And when they did get together, I leapt with joy.

The story of two people, one of which had a violent past and the other with careless people. It’s just downright amazing. Loved the plot. Loved the characters. They were three-dimensional. And you found yourself confused about Ezra at first but a little later, it becomes an understanding of why he is how he is.

The Celestial by Barry Brennessel

 

15836460Title:  The Celestial

Series:  None

Author:  Barry Brennessel

Genre:   YA/Historical

Length:  Novella (180 Pages)

Publisher:  MLR Press (September 7th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Love was the last thing Todd Webster Morgan expected to find while searching for gold in 1870s California. But that was before he met Lâo Jian.

Hardened beyond his nineteen years, Todd Webster Morgan is determined to find gold high in the Sierra Nevadas. But his dream is violently upended. Complicating matters even more, he meets a young Chinese immigrant named Lâo Jian, whose own dreams of finding gold have been quashed by violence.

But life back in Sacramento isn’t any easier. Todd’s mother struggles to make ends meet. His invalid uncle becomes increasing angry. Todd seeks employment with little success. Meanwhile his friendship with Lâo Jian turns to love. But their relationship is strained as anti-Chinese sentiment grows.

Todd vows not to lose Lâo Jian. The couple must risk everything to make a life for themselves. A life that requires facing fear and prejudice head on.

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=BBCELEST

Reviewer:  John

Review:  I really wanted to like this novel. It was well written and thought out. The historical pieces in the novel seemed legit and it showed that the author really did his research; however, this wasn’t my thing.

The Celestials stars Todd Morgan. Now, Todd comes from a very humbled home. He’s very small and people still call him kid even though he’s an adult. Now, Todd wants to find gold in Nevada, but what he finds is the love of his life, a Chinese guy name Lao Jian.

I really liked Todd. He was very determined and outspoken. I loved the fact that he took matters into his own hand and decided to move to Nevada to find gold and a better life for his Ma and Uncle Ed. I also liked Lao Jian. He was sweet, but a part of me didn’t connect with him. There was one character that peek my interest and that was Breandan. He seemed like the perfect guy to take the lead role in the novel, but sadly, he died.

I wanted to like the novel, but after Breandan’s death, I lost interest in it. I liked Todd, but Lao Jian seemed un-relatable to me. What I did like about this novel was the historical parts. The way the Chinese were treated back then was horrible and sickening.

I recommend this novel to anyone who is into old western novels with a very unique young adult couple who would do anything to be together. You may like it. Give it a try.

Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages edited by Rob Rosen

17402331Title: Lust in Time

Series: Anthology

Author: C.C. Williams, Kayla Jameth, Tilly Hunter, Julian Siminski, Stevie Woods, Jeff Mann, Kenzi Mathews, James Thorpby, K. Vale, Michael Roberts, Salome Wilde, Steve Rudd, Barry Brennessel, Richard May, Landon Dixon, Rob Rosen

Genre:  Historical, Erotica, Anthology

Length: 77, 000 words

Publisher: MLR Press (February 22nd, 2013)

Heart: ♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Heat: explicit- overall though a few have little or no sex.

Blurb:  History and fiction meet at the crossroads in these erotic tales of love and lust. From ancient Israel and Greece and Rome, to the time of the Vikings, the Wild West, Woodstock, and all points in between, witness the steamy encounters, lurid battles, raucous clashes, and tender moments of couples who span the centuries. Get swept up in the lives of the biblical David, Emperor Hadrian, barbarians from Britannia, a 19th Century physician, Jewish immigrants, cowboys World War I soldiers, hippies, and so many more, all in search of adventure, passion, and, yes, even fame.

Product link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=RRLSTTIM

Reviewer: Cat

Recommendation: I highly recommend this to anyone that likes Anthologies, stories that date back in time, Vikings, Warriors, Civil war, Cowboys, Indians, time travel,  friends to lovers, Sad stories, true love,  and much, much, more.

Review: Overall. This is a fabulous mix of stories ranging in heat levels and genres. Plenty to choose from, but I suggest you read them all. Here are my individual reviews for each story.

1000 B.C. by C.C. WILLIAMS

David is a Shepard and loves playing his Lyre. He is summoned to go play for King Saul. When he goes, he meets Jonathan King Saul’s son and a great warrior. He will do anything for Jonathan even risk his life to fight a giant named Goliath.

I found this a very sweet and sexy take on the biblical story of David and Goliath. It was interesting, sweet, and loving. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

496 B.C. by Kayla Jameth

Galen was Alexio’s slave and lover. Alexio freed Galen so other kings couldn’t order him to pleasure them. Alexio loved Galen and wanted him for himself. Alexio was put under tutorship to King Lyko’s and King Lykos had designs on Alexio. Galen was jealous though Alexio said his heart was only for him. Galen’s jealousy gets him into a lot of trouble since the other men do not respect him though he is no longer a slave.

I liked this story a lot. It showed hints of a love triangle, but nothing really happened threesome wise. More of one of the men was just a voyeur. This was a sweet and sexy story. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

27 A.D by Tilly Hunter

Lucius was defeated and captured by Barbarian Finian. Lucias likes the rough treatment and finds himself wanting Finian’s humiliation and more. Finian is very rough on Lucias.

I found this story very intriguing if a bit hard to read. The rough treatment was tough but it was sexy in its own way. If you like rough and not loving BDSM this one is for you   ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

130 A.D.  By Julian Siminski

Antinous is Hadrian’s servant and lover. He is turning twenty and no longer a boy. Antinous fears he will be cast aside since men are not allowed to serve. Sabina Hadrian’s wife is jealous of Antinous and cuts his hair showing he is now a man. Hadrian and Antinous are both very upset. They visit the Oracles and each of the three gets their futures. Antinous sacrifices himself for Hadrian.

I loved this. It was absolutely beautiful. I loved the way it showed Antinous ’love and passion for Hadrian and how they came to be together. I loved the way Hadrian fights for Antinous and the end is so sweet and sad. You definitely need a box of tissues for this! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

794 A.D by Stevie Woods

Aland and Garrick had been friends since boys. They also have been lovers but must keep this secret. It is highly looked down upon for two men to be lovers. They go on a battle together and were very worried for each other. After the battle, they return to Garrick’s and make love. Garrick knows that Aland must take a wife and Aland Knows Garrick needs one to help him on his land. Though the two men know, they shall always love one another.

I loved this story it was sexy and sweet. It shows that sometimes though love is hard it does overcome all obstacles. My heart went out to the two that they could never show their love publicly yet would always find a way. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1066 A.D by Jeff Mann

Thorir is a Viking. He and Eirik are lovers in a time and among men, this is just not heard of so they must keep their secret. Thorir goes to visit Eirik to spend time before their next trip to plunder and raid a village. Their families think they are hunting.

This story was very good. I loved it. There are many twists and surprises. It’s extremely hot but I warn you the sex is very brutal. This is a good rough and tumble BDSM story and be sure to have your box of tissues. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1576 A.D by Kenzie Mathews

Cesare is a very spoiled rich boy. His father has a close relationship with Jewish family the Montefiore as there accountants. Cesare has seen a mistake in the books and knows the Montefiore’s have been stealing form them. He also has designs on his personal advisor Tuviya. He spots Tuviya with a servant girl laughing and it makes him jealous so he grabs Tuviya and tells him he knows his father has been stealing form his father. He gets rough with Tuviya.

I liked this story. It is a bit rough the way Cesare handles Tuviya and could almost be considered rape. Though Tuviya is confused by the rough treatment he also finds he doesn’t really want the debt settled and be discharged from Cesare’s services. This story is rough and nothing sweet at all about it but it shows that sometimes love isn’t always sunshine and sugar. It’s much deeper.  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

1822 A.D by James Thorpby

Charles is a doctor to the King and is very glad the king is leaving the next day so he can get some rest. He has a thing for Mosby one of the servants and that is the one thing he doesn’t want to see leave.

This one is very hot and sexy. I loved the story how both men have such feelings and was glad for a sweet story to break up some of the macabre ones, though the sex here is pretty rough and tumble yet loving also. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

1865 A.D by K. Vale

Ben and Ammon have to keep their love for each other a secret from the Calvary men. They steal some time away before a battle.

I loved this. I loved how Ammon n had surprised Ben by setting them up a sort of romantic place to have sex and share their love. It was sad when they were separated. Another you will need tissues for but it is bittersweet. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1881 A.D. by Michael Roberts

Eric is a time traveler and he has just brought back Billy the Kid with him.

This one was so funny. I laughed until I about cried at the banter between Billy and Eric the sex was pretty hot. I loved it. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1889 A.D by Salome Wilde

This is an account from a Yiddish Journal. It is a rather sweet tale of a man on a trip to start a new life he meets a stranger on the trip and they fall in love though the  man decides he can’t defile his religion and faith and he decides to not pursue the relationship after the trip. It’s sweet romantic and very bittersweet. Beautiful. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

1890 A.D by Steve Rudd

One night Shem drunkenly wanders into Wayne Smiths tent. They both work for the buffalo bill traveling show. Wayne is busy tending to himself when Sham walks in and they end up in some frisky sex. Wayne asks if he’d be interested in doing it again and adding another bull. Shem hasn’t done a threesome, but accepts the offer. It turns out to be an Indian.

I loved this it’s another funny and hot story. I loved the banter between the two and how the Indian was so silent and submissive to them. It’s super-hot and sexy with a bit of charming wit.♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

1909 A.D. by Barry Brennessel

Jesse is taking his parents to the train station in their new car. A blizzard is coming and he is worried that he will ruin the car and get in trouble. He finally makes it home, but gets the car stuck. A group of boys comes by and one helps. It turns out to be his old friend and first lover Fig.

This is a sweet sexy story of friends to lovers and love lost and reunited. I loved it! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1916 A.D. by Richard May

Henson is under jacks command. Henson reminds him a lot of his lost love Alex. Alex had been killed in battle a few years back. On leave, Jack runs into Henson. They are form two stations in life. They find a bond between each other.

This was a lovely yet heart-wrenching story. I am a sucker for a good tearjerker and this one does that. Very sexy, very sweet and very sad. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

1957 A.D by Landon Dixon

A young private Dick was sent in to investigate if Bert was fixing the game show. The young man knew how to use all his skills to manipulate both his boss and the game show master.

This was a cute sexy story. I loved the twists, though the language and sex is very pornish, it is still funny and an enjoyable read. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

1969 A D by Rob Rosen

This is a very sexy escapade of two men in the 60’s at Woodstock. It is hot and sexy with a bit of a twist. If you haven’t ever read any Rob Rosen, you should. His style and wit are so much fun to read!

If you like a short story to break the monotony of waiting in lines or appointments or just want a bunch of quick to read stories and  like stories with angst  rough sex and not all happy endings. This is a great collection.