Wrestling With Hope by D.H. Starr Blog Tour & Excerpt!

D.H. Starr - Wrestling With Hope Tour Banner

Hi guys we have D.H. Starr spotting by today with the tour for his new release Wrestling With Hope, we have a great new excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~

D.H. Starr - Wrestling With Hope Cover erbfhy47

Wrestling With Hope

(Wrestling 04)
by

D.H. Starr

Forced to move from place to place, never setting down roots, robbed Scott Thayer of any thread of stability during his childhood. No matter how hard he tried, he could never please his distant and judgmental father. If his own father couldn’t love him, who could?

Two years after last setting eyes on the man whose approval he’d never win, he’s found a good life, attending college, become a star on the wrestling team, built a home with his lover Derek, and surrounded himself with people who love him.

An unexpected note from his father, saying, “I want to see you,” turns Scott’s world upside down. Why, after all this time, does the man want back into his life, just when Scott’s wounds have begun to heal? Should he risk his happiness and peace of mind to accept the invitation from someone who’d left him so damaged?

Or will he finally find closure and slam the door on his pain and never look back?

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

Continue reading “Wrestling With Hope by D.H. Starr Blog Tour & Excerpt!”

Wrestling With Hope by D.H. Starr Release Blast & Excerpt!

D.H. Starr - Wrestling With Hope RDB Banner

Hi guys we have D.H. Starr spotting by today with his new release Wrestling With Hope, we have a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤️ ~Pixie~

D.H. Starr - Wrestling With Hope Cover erbfhy47

Wrestling With Hope

(Wrestling 04)
by

D.H. Starr

Forced to move from place to place, never setting down roots, robbed Scott Thayer of any thread of stability during his childhood. No matter how hard he tried, he could never please his distant and judgmental father. If his own father couldn’t love him, who could?

Two years after last setting eyes on the man whose approval he’d never win, he’s found a good life, attending college, become a star on the wrestling team, built a home with his lover Derek, and surrounded himself with people who love him.

An unexpected note from his father, saying, “I want to see you,” turns Scott’s world upside down. Why, after all this time, does the man want back into his life, just when Scott’s wounds have begun to heal? Should he risk his happiness and peace of mind to accept the invitation from someone who’d left him so damaged?

Or will he finally find closure and slam the door on his pain and never look back?

.•.•.**❣️ Amazon US | Amazon UK ❣️**.•.•.

Continue reading “Wrestling With Hope by D.H. Starr Release Blast & Excerpt!”

The One I Choose by D.H. Starr

TheOneIChoose_100dpi_cvrTitle: The One I Choose
Author: DH Starr
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (90 pages)
Publisher: Wilde City Press (September 19th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Cal and Rhys have been together for three years. Having met and lived together in New York City, their lives were travelling along the same path. That is, until Rhys started working for a jealous chef and got blacklisted in the culinary world of New York City. They move to Boston, Cal using his inheritance to purchase a restaurant for Rhys to get a fresh start. Cal’s biggest challenge is figuring out how to balance work and Rhys. Struggling to make the right choices, will Cal figure out how to accomplish both things without hurting the man he loves?

Purchase Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/the-one-i-choose/#.VCnxRfldVGQ

Review: Cal and Rhys gave up their lives in New York to move to Boston and start over after Rhys was blacklisted by a fellow chef at his former job. Cal would do anything to make Rhys happy, so it was a no brainer for him when the opportunity to open a restaurant for Rhys in Reading MA presented itself to them. Rhys, however, wasn’t nearly as enthralled with the idea of pulling up roots and leaving their family and friends behind.

What was supposed to be a fresh start for them, starting a new life and a new joint business venture winds up being more of a curse than a blessing. Cal has to devote a lot of time to remodelling and working on getting the restaurant ready to open, while Rhys is left home, alone. The relationship suffers as a result. Cal has to admit to himself that he has in fact been a little bit selfish, uprooting their lives and relocating them here all in an effort to make life better for Rhys, only making life harder with the separation. Rhys has to realize that sometimes in life you have to make changes and sacrifices to reach a larger goal.

This was just a sugary sweet, sexy read about sacrifice, change and moving forward, together. Cal not only has to contend with his own self-doubt that is only squashed by his need to get the restaurant open and ready. He loves Rhys more than anything. But, he’s so focused on the big picture, he misses a few little portraits along the way. And Rhys doesn’t adjust well, going from a life full of friends and family in New York where he and Cal spent a lot of quality time together to the loneliness he feels everyday in Boston. He lashes out at the only person there to listen, Cal.

It was interesting to see the way they balanced things in their relationship. In the beginning, it was almost as if they fought just so they could have make up sex, but that was the jest of their time together. The story was a little repetitive at times, with Cal having to constantly repeat his intentions, but overall it was a fun read. And the ending left a huge smile on my face.

If you are looking for something fun and romantic with lots of steamy sex and a very happy ending, this is definitely the short story for you!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Perfect for Me by D.H. Starr

PerfectforMe_draftTitle: Perfect for Me

Author: D.H. Starr

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (265pgs)

Publisher: ManLoveRomance (22th February 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sean Sullivan is a principal and a happy person, but he has one major complication. HIV. Frustrated with constant rejection, Sean decides to stop dating negative men. When a student experiences a crisis and Sean meets Emery Benton, the case worker assigned from Child Protective Services, his decision is challenged.

Sparks fly the moment they meet, but Emery is negative and Sean doesn’t want the pain of another disappointment. As he struggles with his feelings for Emery, a war between the fear in his head and the fire in his heart force him to answer one simple question. Is this the perfect man for me?

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DHSPF4ME

Review: Sean has a lot going for him, he has a great job, he has a great apartment and he is handsome.  But, finding a man is difficult, because the moment he reveals his secret they turn tail and run. When one of his student’s lands in hospital it brings Sean into contact with Emery, a caseworker for Child Protective Services, a man who refuses to run. Emery isn’t one to back down from a challenge and when his work brings him in to contact with a middle school principal he is in for one hell of a challenge, helping a young man find the support he needs and convincing Sean that he wants to be around for the long haul.

This is a really good story about the conflicts and doubts that someone with HIV can face… even when that conflict is from within. Sean has faced rejection because of his illness many times. He has just decided to only date other Positive men when Emery walks into his life.  Emery who he feels instant attraction to, but who he fears to date. Emery wants to get to know the sexy principal better and they seem to hit it off.  When he learns that Sean has HIV he doesn’t bat an eyelid, but Sean is throwing obstacles in the way and Emery finds it hard to fight Sean’s fears.

The characters in this story are brilliant; Sean is a loving and caring man who is HIV positive and is constantly being rejected by men because of it.  When he does find someone who accepts him, he finds excuses and reasons to sabotage the relationship because of his own fears. Emery is bubbly and has a great personality; he is stubborn and he will try to do the best for all the children that come to his attention, and he will also do his best to beat down Sean’s walls. Lamar is a thirteen-year old student who is going through a hard time because of his parents.  He just wants to go back home to help his mom, not really realizing the danger he could be placed in. Sonya is a foster-mother who takes care of her boys like a mother tiger, she also mothers Emery to some extent, and she is totally wonderful throughout the book.

I have to admit that at times Sean got on my nerves… he has a man who meshes with him perfectly and he kept pushing him away saying they were too different because Emery was Negative.  He was doing to Emery what other men had done to him… rejecting someone for their HIV status. I mean, yeah, you can see where he is coming from and that his fears are valid, but damn he was irritating at times. Emery is fantastic and you root for him to break down Sean’s walls.  But, the best moment in the book for me was when Sean was sat on his bed collecting his courage to make that phone call and he has an epiphany about what he truly wants and needs. The relationship between both men was wonderfully written and the fears are very real, but sometimes you have to take a chance and Sean nearly loses Emery before he can take his wholeheartedly.

I have to recommend this to those who love overcoming obstacles, breaking down walls, accepting love, protecting children, great characters and the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Friends to Lovers by Sedonia Guillone and D.H. Starr

Title:  Friends to Lovers

Series:  N/A

Author:  Sedonia Guillone and D. H. Starr

Genre:   Contemporary, Historical and Romance

Length:  Anthology (177 Pages)

Publisher:  Ai Press (October 27, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:   What do an advertising executive, an Olympic skater and an 18th century samurai have in common? Each is in love with his best friend and knows he’s found his soul mate. But is Fate destined to give him his heart’s desire? A timeless theme explored in three sizzling M/M stories by two of today’s favorite authors, D.H. Starr and Sedonia Guillone.

It Was Always You (D.H. Starr) A drama club geek and a consummate jock—hardly a formula for friendship. Yet Caleb Richards and Kevin O’Brien have been best friends since high school. Kevin’s free spirited ways brought Caleb out of his shell, and Caleb introduced Kevin to a world outside of sports. When Kevin came out to Caleb as gay, all the things he’d thought were wrong about himself suddenly seemed right…except for his inability to say the four words that could open the door to his ultimate happiness: I love you, Kevin. Years later, when Caleb finally faced his fear and plans to finally tell Kevin, “It was always you,” he’s a bit too late: Kevin tells him he’s found someone. How will a friendship ever become more now?

Blind Love (Sedonia Guillone) After a harrowing seventeen-year separation, Hirata Morimasa leaves his home and secure future to search for his childhood friend, Sho. Blinded by illness when they were children, Sho was sent away, apprenticed to a blind masseur (an anma) to learn his trade, and then disappeared. Desperate to find the other half of his heart and soul, Hirata willingly sacrifices the prestige and security of his father’s dojo to find him. When an anma who looks exactly like Sho crosses his path in front of a gambling parlor one day, the man flatly denies he is Sho. Hirata knows better and is determined to get the truth…and to rekindle what he’d lost with his friend. However, even though Hirata knows in his bones this man is his soul mate, Sho has…changed…in ways Hirata could not have prepared for in his wildest imaginings, changes that could continue to keep them apart…forever.

Skating For Gold (D.H. Starr) Joined by sorrow, Olympic figure skating hopeful Devon Hayes met champion Lance Dawes at a time when both their worlds were falling apart. Devon lost his mother to cancer and Lance’s family rejected him for being gay. When Devon leaves for college, a door seems to close on any hopes for something more than friendship…until Fate provides a second chance. Devon returns home to train with Lance. As the Olympic trials draw closer and their love grows stronger, the tug-of-war between desire and ambition threatens to ruin everything. If they can’t discover what matters most, they might end up with nothing

Product Link:  http://ai-press.net/2012/10/29/now-available-friends-to-lovers/

Reviewer:   John

Review: 

It Was Always You by D.H. Starr ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Caleb Richards and Kevin O’Brien are best friends since high school. Unbeknownst to Kevin, Caleb has always been in love to him, but he had not found the courage to share his feeling with him since Kevin has a reputation of sleeping around with a lot of guys. However, everything changes one day when Kevin wants to introduce to Caleb the guy he calls The One. This is where things get interesting.

I loved Caleb. He was smart, funny and a very nice guy. He has always been in love with Kevin, but has not dared to confess it to him. I absolutely loved Kevin since he was a real bad boy and a player. I was happy and shocked to know that Kevin loved Caleb as well, thus the name of the novel fits perfectly. On the downside, the story felt a little too long, even though it was a short story. It would have been better if the story was cut straight to the point or reduce the pages of internal conflict of the main character.

Blind Love by Sedonia Guillone ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Hirata Morimasa was a Samurai in training and his father owned a dojo. His best friend was Sho, a blind child who was the son of his father’s servants. But everything is not perfect since at just ten years old, Sho has to leave with a Blind Guild. Against Hirata and Sho’s wishes, he leaves and is never seen again. Before he is taken away however, Hirata promises that he will look for him someday. When Hirata is seventeen years old, he leaves his home and finds Sho ten years later. Everything should have been perfect, but it’s not since Sho does not recognize him.

This novel is not my type, but it was a masterpiece. The author clearly shows knowledge about this era and culture beyond my expectations. At first, I was sad by Sho’s rejection to Hirata since the guy had been looking for him for TEN years. For ten solid years, he looked far and wide for his one and true love. Now, that’s true love! After Sho told us his side of the story, I fell for the kid even more. He was a lost little boy who was force to grow up away from his family, friends and love. I knew then why he behaved that way. Everything about this story was perfect and story line was believable. The author did an amazing job with this short little story.

Skating For Gold by D.H. Starr – ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Devon Haynes is an ice skater who has been training with Lance Dawes. They have been in love with each other, but neither of them have had the courage to say it out loud to each other. When the Olympic Trail nears, they become closer and shared their troubling conflicts.

D.H. Starr is an amazing author. There is no doubt about that. His writing style comes alive on every page, but this was my least favorite story. Don’t get me wrong, the characters and story were great and believable. Everything flew well, but I don’t know why this story felt too long like the first one. Maybe, it was the amount of pages given to the troubling thoughts surrounding the characters. This would have been much better if it was cut straight to the point or reduce the number of pages of internal conflict of the main characters.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read three amazing little stories about how friends become lovers and one in the same.

Meant For Each Other by D. H. Starr

Title:  Meant For Each Other

Series:  N/A

Author:  D.H. Starr

Genre:   Young Adult/MM contemporary

Length:  190 Pages

Publisher:  Ai Press (November 7, 2010)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:   Sometimes your first love is the one that was meant to be. Craig Harper and Jeremy Finn were best friends growing up. They attended the same school, spent all of their time together, and hung out with the same group of people. It wasn’t until the day before Jeremy and his family moved across the country that they discovered their attraction to one another. Fifteen years later, they reunite by chance in New York City. Both are in relationships and have established a routine in their lives. But routines and relationships are shaken as they begin to spend time together once again. Old feelings and connections are still strong and the passion that pulls them together is a powerful, soul-searing call neither man can deny. As each deals with the issues in their own relationships, they begin to question whether the comfort of what they know is more powerful than the pull of what they could have been…and what they might become. Struggling to find the answer, only their hearts can reveal if they are meant for each other.

Product Link:  http://www.dhstarr.com/meant_for_each_other.html

Reviewer: John

Review:  I have to be honest. When I got this novel to review, I wasn’t looking forward to it because I am not a fan of MM contemporary novels. They tend to be more about adults and their problems. But, I’m so happy that I did.

This love story revolves around Craig Harper and Jeremy Finn, who grew up as best friends in Newton, just west of Boston. One day at age fifteen, they share a kiss and Jeremy moves across the country the following day. Slowly, they begin to lose contact with each other and grow apart. Fifteen years later, their paths cross once again, but things are not perfect. Why? Craig is with Robert and Jeremy is with Andrew. This is where things get a little interesting.

I loved the main characters and I absolutely loved the concept of the story. Some may find it hard to believe that you will lose contact with a friend over time, but that has happened to me so I found credibility in this story. With that said, I get where these two are coming from.

The only character I disliked was Robert. There was something about him that I hated so much. He was just a bastard. I loved Andrew and I was torn because I was cheering for Craig and Jeremy. Andrew was just too sweet and at some point, I was cheering for him and Jeremy. What made me change my mind about Andrew was the fact that he placed his needs first and cheated on Jeremy. I loved Jeremy. He was perfect and deserved someone better or in other words, Craig.

In a nutshell, the story was perfectly written and well thought out. It was an amazing read that made me enjoy a genre even though I was not a fan. I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a sweet love story full of tears and real life scenarios.

Wrestling With Desire by D. H. Starr

Title:  Wrestling with Desire

Series:  Wrestling #1

Author:  D.H. Starr

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  301 Pages

Publisher:  Featherweight Press (November 26, 2011)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Derek Thompson is a senior, a wrestler, and has a secret. He’s gay. Scott Thayer is a new student who has just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts from Iowa. On the first day of school Derek and Scott meet and their lives change in an instant. As Derek and Scott discover the things they have in common, they enter into one of the closest and most loving relationships either of them has ever experienced. When unexpected circumstances threaten their relationship, they both have to make a decision. DO they protect their secret and separate? Or fight for what they want…each other?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Desire-D-H-Starr/dp/1608202216

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Wrestling with Desire is a very touching and emotional coming of age novel that is probably one of the most realistic I read so far. The story revolves around Derek Thompson, a very reserved teenager. On the first day of classes of his senior year, he meets Scott Thayer who recently moved to his hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Derek, who is secretly gay, is intrigued by Scott’s charming good looks and the fact they both wrestle. There is an instant connection between the two that they can’t deny. Soon, they become friends and allies in the sport that they love. At first, Derek was unsure of Scott’s sexual orientation, but he soon sees a new side of him that he loves. Without giving away too much of the plot, they fall in love and their struggles begins.

I loved Derek. He was smart, funny, sensitive, caring and compassionate. I absolutely adored his relationship with his best friend, Beck (Rebecca). Their friendship is everlasting and they are there for each other when they need someone to cry on. Scott was a dream. He was tall, charming and the perfect guy. His relationship with his parents is not the best in the world because they move a lot and that puts a strain on their relationship. The secondary characters are very intriguing and in no way overshadow the main cast. I also loved the fact that in this story, no one found out about their secret love affair. I found that to be new and fresh since on many other YA novels, that is a main issue. I also loved that the novel was real and raw. It did not have any bizarre scenarios or fake plots. It was simply and clean.

There are two things that I didn’t like. One was the fact that the story was too long. I think that it could have been shorter. I also disliked the wrestling scenarios. I am not a fan of the sport, so I found them to be dull and boring, but if you are a fan, you will love them. Those scenes did not set well with me.

Overall, this novel was an amazing read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys wrestling and wants to read a sweet love story of two boys, as they become aware of who they are and what they want in life.

Premonition by D. H. Starr

Title: Premonition

Author: D.H. Starr

Genre: Suspense, Paranormal

Length: Novel (213pgs)

Publisher: MLR Press (28th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Martin Proctor has been on the Boston Police Force for ten years. His record is impeccable and he’s helped his precinct and captain maintain one of the best crime records in the city. But no one knows Martin has premonitions which help him solve cases others find impossible.

Justin Franklin is also on the Boston force. Justin may not have supernatural abilities, but as an openly gay man, he possesses a courage that draws Martin in.

When Martin has a premonition about the death of Justin’s brother and fails to save him, their lives become intertwined. As they work together to discover the truth behind Larry’s murder, Martin foresees Justin’s death.

The closer they come to cracking their case, the less time Martin has to piece together his fragmented visions and save Justin before it’s too late.

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DHSPREMO

Review: Martin is a hard-working detective who borders the line at work sometimes as he has premonitions.  Premonitions which he just can’t ignore. So sometimes he dodges trouble by the skin of his teeth. Justin is also a detective who has just suffered the loss of his brother.  As the two men work together they are drawn into danger even as they become more than just partners on the force.

This is a really great suspense/romance/paranormal story that at times will have you chewing your fingernails and perched on the edge of your seat. Martin has a heavy burden to bear, he has premonitions and although he does his best to change the outcome of those premonitions sometimes his best just isn’t enough.  The guilt of those failures weighs heavily on his soul.  He can’t share his knowledge without fear of being thought of as crazy so he stands alone without anyone to share his burden. Justin feels betrayed that Martin kept a secret from him and he finds it difficult to let it go and forgive him.  The pressure is also affecting their working partnership and Justin struggles to trust Martin to do the right thing with the case. We get to experience both these men’s’ emotions; which is brilliant as they both experience anger, frustration, despair, love, hope, fear, betrayal and shock so you get the whole range of feelings.

This story-line is brilliant, the plot fantastic and the characters were incredible. This story will have you wondering and pondering, it will have you frustrated and miffed off and it will have you empathizing with both main characters. With both Martin and Justin, you can’t help wanting to choose sides and pick a favorite, but you can’t because you can see the problem from both points of view and they are both right… and wrong.  Their relationship progresses well and they also share secrets early on but it doesn’t feel too soon.  They both have an instinct to trust each other and you get the feeling that they were meant for each other. The sex between them is hot and erotic and there was one scene where Martin undressed when he was by himself that I found really erotic *pant pant, wiping drool from my chin*.

The suspense and mystery are great and moves along smoothly, it also keeps you guessing as the story pulls together.  Warning:   there are one or two strings left untied. So I have some questions that I’d like answered… who was Mouse? How did… (Oh that would give the story away), What about… damn everything I want to know will give the story away. Okay D.H. Starr at least please promise me that there is a sequel planned so that I can find out the answers.

So fantastic story, great hot sex, a wonderful mystery, lots of suspense, hot men, danger, paranormal, angst, and a great ending… I don’t know why you are still sitting there reading this review and not already clicking the link to get this book?? Honestly some people can’t take a hint. I recommend this story to everyone who loves any of the above.

Variant Breed: Chris and Zach by D. H. Starr

Title: Chris and Zach

Series: Variant Breed 01

Author: D.H. Starr

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (83pgs)

Publisher: Ai Press (23rd August 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Across time, two hot immortals find each other. But is mutual passion enough?

Chris Molina is a MAP, a molecularly advanced person. Rejected by his family in the 18th century and sent out into the world alone at the age of twenty-five, he wanders through time, craving love and companionship. He finally settles down and establishes a homestead in Virginia where he meets the first of his own kind, Abigail DuMonte. Together they start a life, one where they can live openly and honestly. However, in spite of the love and friendship they share, something else important is missing: Soul-searing passion. Until…

When Chris meets Zachary Bishop, he’s found everything he’s ever wanted. Zach is handsome, intelligent, sweet, and craves the same things he does. However, Chris soon realizes that his dreams may come true at a cost. Although Abby is not his lover, they have a long and close history together that Chris doesn’t want to jeopardize. Is there room in his life for both Abby and Zach? What if he can never really find the family he’s longed for? Will Zach become simply a memory of erotic passion and unfulfilled longing? Three immortals on the brink of change…

Review: This is an incredible paranormal romance.  Chris has been longing for a family for over two hundred years and even though he has his good friend Abigail who has been with him for a hundred and fifty years, he yearns for more.   For that one man to complete him.  Zach also longs for a family of his own, for someone to accept all of him and to be there for him.

The complex relationship of Chris and Abigail confused me at times; it felt like there was more to their relationship that we weren’t seeing. The tension between Zach and Chris is palpable, the longing to have someone who is the same as you, who understands and accepts you, is tangible, the attraction scorches the air and the friendship is deep and unbreakable.

The struggle these two men have as they realize that they can have everything they have always wanted, for Zach to overcome his fear of rejection and for Chris to balance out having his best friend and rock Abigail and the love of his life Zach without taking anything from either of them.

When these two men come together to make love it is intense and explicit. Feelings, longing, touch and taste are described in such detail that you could almost be there and you feel like you want to weep at the beauty before you.

The storyline was inspired, human beings who are more advanced with abilities from empathy to healing but are also immortal, and that some of these immortal’s can’t handle it and can become mental unstable because of it, is a brilliant turn and completely refreshing.

So I recommend this to everyone, so what are you waiting for …don’t just sit there.