Tag: Dare Empire eMedia Production

Drive Shaft by Geoffrey Knight

Title:  Drive Shaft

Series:   N/A

Author:  Geoffrey Knight

Genre:   M/M Contemporary

Length:  519 KB (68 pages)

Publisher:   Dare Empire eMedia Productions (August 25, 2010)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts-liked it

Blurb:  Jensen Rivers wasn’t looking for trouble. As the new kid on the block at Clyde’s Body Shop, all Jensen wanted was a job, a place where he could put his head down and ass up. Young and handsome, he was the kind of simple, honest guy who was happiest when he was working hard, with oil smeared across his chest and grease up to his elbows.

But Dean ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson plans on getting more than just Jensen’s hands dirty! Reckless and arrogant, drenched in sweat and dripping with a masculinity that cannot be tamed, Hutch challenges Jensen to a series of perilous night races. The prize: sexual domination!

Night after night, wheels burn, passions flare and the no-holds-barred lust between two testosterone fuelled daredevils ignites. But losing a race is one thing. Losing your heart is something altogether more dangerous.

Will Jensen risk everything to find the love trapped behind Hutch’s fearless façade? Will Hutch bury the secret tragedy of his past before he throws away his last chance at a future?

Product Link:    http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/40787

Reviewer:   Artemis

Review:  Drive Shaft is a fast paced, aggressive and very sexy short story that provides a rush of adrenaline and some instant gratification.  Jensen has hired on as a mechanic at his Uncle’s auto shop.  Hutch is fellow mechanic and definitely a bit rough around the edges.  He is full of anger and passion and is looking for a little bit of excitement.  The author hints at loss in his past that causes him to push others away, but readers won’t find out til the end of the book exactly what is traumatizing him.

Jensen and Hutch get along like a house on fire and both have a passionate love of a good automobile.  Hutch challenges Jensen to a race with the prize being full control of that night’s loving.  The race is fast, dangerous, and ends in a rush…as does the sex that follows!  A repeat of the race (and the sex) leaves the reader with the understanding that these are BOTH very strong men with a need for control.  The last race is a tad bit different…the race is just as fierce, but Hutch and Jensen are starting to realize that the connection between them is more than just a battle for the winning position.

I really liked this book and think the character development was done very well, especially for a story as short as this one.  While I have little understanding of the mechanics of a car or motorcycle, I could appreciate what fine pieces of machinery they were.  I was a little skeptical that guys with that much pride in their automobiles would treat them quite as aggressively as Hutch and Jensen did, but they certainly knew how to handle them.  If you are looking for a fast paced and aggressive love story, this is certainly a good choice.

 

Surviving Elite High by John H. Ames

Title:  Surviving Elite High

Series:  Surviving Elite High 01

Author:  John H. Ames

Genre:   YA romance

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Dare Media eMedia Production (June 19, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:   John Henry Ames is a sixteen-year-old boy from a small New Jersey town. John is humble, shy and studious. He lives as an outcast in the shadows of an elite high school where he is tormented by two psychopathic bullies. On the verge of dropping out of school due to overdue payments, a teacher enrolls him in a tutoring program where he meets the school’s star quarterback and hero, Nick Anthony Hawking. Since he was doing poorly in several subjects, Nick needs John’s help to pass and graduate high school.

As John becomes closer to the jock, he develops a strong affection towards him even though Nick has a strong reputation of sleeping around with a lot of women. Nick becomes his friend and protector in school. Their sincere friendship helps to bring out the best in each of them. Several tragedies, like a school shooting, threaten to change their young lives forever. Will they follow their own voice or return to the safety of their own shadows? Surviving Elite High is a breathtaking saga that illustrates a flourishing same-sex love, family, and friendship.

Product Link:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/173907

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  I’m not going to waste time restating the blurb above.  It’s a pretty good overview of Surviving Elite High.  But, what it doesn’t reveal is just how fabulous this book really is.  I’ve never been a big fan of the whole 90210 vibe of some YA romance novels.  Somehow, the poor guy always gets screwed and the rich guy is never as good as we want him to be.  But, reading Surviving Elite High was like watching the pilot of a new TV series (with its growing pains) and watching the growth of the actors and the entire crew as they grow together as the season progresses.

The first couple of chapters weren’t earth shattering, but the writing was interesting enough to keep me reading.  But, as we get to know John and meet, first his tormentors and then his friends, you couldn’t help but want to get to know this kid more.  At this point, his sexuality wasn’t even an issue.  He was just trying to get from point A to B without getting his ass beat by dumb jocks.  His first person POV was quite interesting.  Despite all the negativity in his life, he has a great attitude.  He is really thrown off kilter, when he meets Nick and finds his secret crush is really a nice guy…most of the time.

So like I said, after that slow start, this book is really fast paced. It really is like watching a soap opera…there is so much going on.  But, somehow, it wasn’t too much.  And even with all the drama going on, it wasn’t maudlin.  The secondary cast is great.  John’s best friends, Madison and Kitty are two little rich girls that have kinda adopted John.  But, rather than being the typical teenage bitches, like on Pretty Liars, they are genuinely nice girls.  Hell, even Nick’s competition is a nice guy.  It was really cool, to see them all supporting each other through the chaos of high school.

Now, I know for a fact that this is supposed to be John’s story.  It’s written from his point of view, but for me…Nick is the bomb.  From the minute that John makes a blip on his radar, Nick is unwavering in his devotion; first as a friend and later as a lover. To everyone else, he can be a bipolar dickhead, but not with John.  With John he is always protective and emotionally open and I loved him.  There were several times, throughout the book, where I could have just reached in a hugged him for his choices.

John H. Ames/Juan Alvarado is a fabulous fresh voice in GLBT YA fiction.  I can’t wait for the next book in this series.  Senior year at Elite High promises to be another rollercoaster ride and I can’t wait!!  And in a perfect world, Jacob will find someone just as amazing as he is. Highly recommending this title for readers who hate bullies, love enemies falling in love and young men growing up nicely.

X Bar by Michele L. Montgomery

Title:  X Bar

Series:  N/A

Author:  Michele L. Montgomery

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Self-published – Cre8ive Inspirations: Imprint of Dare Empire eMedia Productions (May 30, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts                                                                          

Blurb:  “Unless things have changed since the beginning of time, it’s not even remotely possible for two guys to make a baby. A family of two, yes, but not three.”

Being a straight, single man wanting to adopt in today’s society is hard enough. Not being straight? Whole new level. Red tape, classes, interviews, not to mention the expense, drive so many away with shattered dreams.
Steven comes from money, has a degree in business management, even though he’s chosen to work as a bar tender, he believes making a family can be done. He’s determined to do it, with or without long time lover Jorge.

At thirty-four, it’s time. Fate, of course, has other plans. His haunting past, and the brutal grind of daily life all have the power to destroy both the life he has with Jorge and the family he’s trying to build. Determination might not be enough to keep his dream of a family alive.

X Bar is about a man finding the truth in lies, lies in truths, and learning how to be stronger than he ever thought possible.

Product Link:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167443

Reviewer:   Cat

Review:  X Bar is a beautifully written story of a gay man trying to fulfill his life’s dreams. He wants a bar of his own, to be with the man he loves and most of all to adopt a child. For most of us, that is easy to accomplish, but for a gay man it’s like fighting a losing battle.  His battle is a struggle and keeps us the edge of your seat, page after page, as he hit many obstacles and setbacks.

All Stephen wants is to adopt a child and live his life, like a normal person. He lives with three roommates, his best friend Cassidy, and another friend Simon and sometimes Cassidy’s lover Jackie. Stephen is in an open relationship with a much younger man Jorge. He loves Jorge very much, but has commitment issues after being in a long-term abusive relationship with Clay.

Even with things going well in Stephen’s life, Clay tries to control him. Clay’s father has a stroke and he talks Stephen into breaking the restraining order he has on Clay and helping him with his father. Trouble ensues with Jorge. Stephen still has feelings for Clay, but is in love with Jorge.  As if the triangle of Jorge and Clay and the trauma of Clay’s father’s coma isn’t enough, a woman, Jasmine, shows up accusing Cassidy of getting her pregnant. More drama ensues… So,does Stephen ever get to adopt a child? Does Jorge leave him because of the time he is spending with Clay? Does Clay win Stephen back? Does Clay’s father die? I‘m not gonna tell, you will have to get the book… You won’t be sorry.

I recommend this book to anyone that loves a great heartfelt romance. There are several here.  D/s relationships, which here was the only thing in the book I didn’t quite get, was how submissive  Stephen is with Clay, to an obsession. But, he was more a Dom with Jorge. But, it really didn’t hurt the story.  If you love hot man-sex and  hot bartenders that dance  provocatively ( my favorite parts and it was in there a few times…Michele you should make us a video of this it was amazing I go to sleep dreaming about Cassidy and Stephen’s dancing!!