Tag: Douglas Black

Highland Gathering by Douglas Black

Douglas Black - Highland Gathering CoverTitle: Highland Gathering 

Series: Abducted Hearts 02

Author: Douglas Black

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal 

Publisher: Loose ID (December 27, 2016)

Length: Novella (112 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Recently widowed Stewart Robertson agrees to spend New Year’s Eve with Gary James, a man he only met a few days before Christmas. There’s a lot they don’t know about each other, and despite Stewart still reeling after discovering Gary’s big secret, he remains undeniably drawn to the American parapsychologist.

Gary is keen to make things work with Stewart, but he doesn’t know if the man will be able to accept his unconventional job, let alone his belief in all things paranormal. Gary hopes to show the man that his work is more normal than it might first seem by bringing Stewart and Stewart’s daughter, Havana, to a haunted castle in the Scottish Highlands.

Stewart is excited by the prospect of spending more time with Gary. He’s also excited to not spend New Year’s Eve alone in the house he used to share with his husband.

Accompanied by Eleni, a skeptic who takes an instant dislike to Stewart, and Phoenix, Gary’s crazy ex, their ghost-hunting adventure promises to be one hell of a ride. Whether Gary and Stewart are still hanging on at the end of it remains to be seen.  

ISBN: 978-1-68252-244-8

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/abducted-hearts-2-highland-gathering.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: With this type of story you must always start with the first book.  Otherwise you will be lost in most of it.  I am still not too sure what to really think about this book, but I am still thinking bizarre and twisted.

Stewart is still a non-believer when it comes to the paranormal worlds such as ghosts.  However he wants to see where things are heading with Gary.  He gets to meet Gary’s ex and a wicked woman named, well who cares what her name is.  She is the twisted one in the group a very big skeptic but she is also downright nasty towards Phoenix.  Where Gary is slowly falling in love with Stewart but afraid of what Stewart thinks most of the time.  

Like I said above about this story being bizarre is still there.  It has a serious tone to it and very little humor.  It is like this dark tone that just doesn’t make the story any better in my eyes.  It even feels like the author himself is a believer of these types of worlds and is writing about an experience.  Like I said weird and bizarre.

I am not a big fan of this book but will hold most of my thoughts until I read the final book.  It is a slow paced story so for me it seems very drawn out and a bit on the boring side.  To top it off there is another cliff hanger with this one.  Right now I am afraid that this book is definitely not for me.

Haunted Hearts by Douglas Black

Douglas Black - Haunted Heart CoverTitle: Haunted Hearts 

Series: Abducted Hearts #3

Author: Douglas Black

Genre: Fantasy 

Publisher: Loose ID (February 14, 2016)

Length: Novella 

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Widower Stewart Robertson hasn’t known Gary James long, but he doesn’t want to let the man out of his sight. Gary wants to be with Stewart, but he knows Stewart is going to find it hard to accept entering into a new relationship so soon after the death of his husband, Archie. With Valentine’s Day approaching, Gary wants to make things official, but life is never easy.

Even if Gary can convince Stewart a new relationship isn’t going to tarnish Archie’s memory, he also needs the man to accept his beliefs and his job investigating everything from aliens to the paranormal. On top of that there’s the stress of selling Stewart’s house and the weird phone calls Stewart has started receiving that are verging on harassment.

In the end, the question seems to be not do they want to be in a relationship, but will they be able to overcome all the obstacles in their path, and leave behind Stewart’s past so they can have a future together.  

ISBN: 978-1-68252-245-5

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/abducted-hearts-3-haunted-heart.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: With this type of story you must always start with the first book.  Otherwise you will be lost in most of it.   

Well we have finally concluded why Elani is plain nuts and nasty.  You will be surprised by this little twist, but I have to admit that I kind of figured it out earlier.  She knew too much about Stewart and Havana.  Things are progressing quite nicely between Stewart and Gary but paranormal not so much.  Selling his home, weird phone calls, strange feelings are just a bit of what he is going through, suppose it could explain his kooky attitude.  

This is the strangest story I have ever came across, better than the first two but not by much.  At least there is some humor in it that balanced it out.  Gary is still a bit worried about how Stewart will take things and afraid that he still might call an end to it.  However he is holding on just like Stewart.  Havana is a little girl with a big girl sight I suppose.  She definitely doesn’t act her age, but then again neither does Phoenix. 

It is a very strange story but still a good read.  I can’t say that I like it, because I really don’t but it is still a fun read. All though there is still that next cliff hanger and ghost to find.  You would think that by now they would have proven to Stewart about ghosts and spirits, but nope.  That part of the story just seems a bit dull.  They are doing all the talking but still haven’t proven that they are not crazy to me nor to Stewart. I can tell from the ending that there will be another book in this series but I am not really sure I want to read it.  I will though because I want to see what happens next.  Guess I might just be as crazy as them. 

Left Behind by Douglas Black

Douglas Black - Left Behind CoverTitle: Left Behind

Series: Abducted Hearts #1

Author: Douglas Black

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal

Publisher: Loose ID (December 12, 2016)

Length: Novella (115 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb:  Faced with the prospect of spending Christmas alone with his daughter, Havana, in the house he used to share with his husband, widower Stewart Robertson heads north to a campsite in Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands. There, he meets Gary James, an American parapsychologist with beliefs very different to Stewart’s own.

The sexual attraction is instantaneous, and overwhelming, and when Gary asks Stewart to spend Christmas with him and his friends in Fort William, Stewart agrees. Knowing next to nothing about each other, the two quickly start a physical relationship.

Stewart, emotional, angry and still reeling from the recent death of his husband, doesn’t know if he’s ready to start dating again, but he can’t deny that he wants Gary, a man who is keeping a secret that threatens to derail any chance of a happy ending before they even get started.

ISBN: 978-1-68252-243-1

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/abducted-hearts-1-left-behind.html

Reviewer:  Lisa

Review:  When I chose this book I was thinking on a different line to what this story is about.  I knew I should have read the blurb but nope I decided to just grab and read.  

Stewart lost his husband over a year ago to cancer.  He is left behind with their daughter to figure out how to make life good again.  He is a weird guy who doesn’t believe in anything that can’t be proven.  He decides to take his daughter to a campsite instead of doing Christmas with her.  Like I said he is weird.  Anyway he meets Gary and Gary’s nephew Lucas.  If Stewart doesn’t believe in some things such as religion or heaven, can you imagine how he is going to feel about what Gary does for a living.

Gary is a parapsychologist but he has a secret that he is not telling Stewart about.  Something that is bizarre enough to get Stewart to run.  Something that is hard to believe, but Gary is scared that it might just end what is becoming love.

I am sorry but this book is so damn slow paced that it was just off to me.  To top it off ghosts and alien abduction, I am with Stewart on this.  However it is a fantasy book and the story was pretty good even if it was slower then what I would have liked.  I hate to admit that it was just a tad bit boring also.  I hope the next book sparks a bit more interest than this one did. To top it off, it ends in a cliff hanger, not one of my favorite things. 

The Bucket List by Douglas Black

db_thebucketlistTitle: The Bucket List
Series: N/A
Author: Douglas Black
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (108 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-62300-067-7
Publisher: Loose Id (August 4th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: When Kade Doherty gets dumped, he expects sympathy from his friends. Instead, he gets a bucket list. His friends want to help him enjoy life again, but Kade isn’t convinced a list of outlandish leisure pursuits will help much with that. To keep the peace he goes along with the plan and in the process, he meets Blake. Blake’s Australian accent and surfer-boy looks are the stuff of sexual fantasies and Kade surprises everyone – including himself – when he wastes no time making a move.

Kade goes with Blake into the Scottish highlands, but just as he is beginning to get used to life with his very own Mr. Australia, reality comes knocking. Kade’s newfound happiness falls apart when his abusive ex demands they meet. Blake senses something is wrong and he wants to help, but Kade knows he can’t confide in Blake.

After all, Kade hasn’t exactly been honest. He might feel like a different man when he’s with Blake, but Kade knows he’s still just an accountant from Glasgow with slight obsessive compulsions and a bucket list that someone else wrote. He knows Blake won’t hang around, let alone help, when he finds out the truth.

Or will he?
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/the-bucket-list.html
Reviewer: Tootsie
Review: Douglas Black was a brand new author for me. Picking up The Bucket List was a good move on my part. Not being familiar with the author, or his writing style, I was only too eager to get started. It wasn’t long into the story that I knew I had a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. It was refreshing with lots of humour and a plot that pulled you in for the duration.

Kade has just recently become single again after being with the same partner for 8 years. To say he was shocked when it ended, abruptly, would be putting it mildly. He hadn’t realized how much his life was every day routine with no variation. His friends take matters into their own hands and write Kade a bucket list. They are trying to get him exposed to new surroundings. Lighten up his mood and maybe have a good time while doing it. The bad thing for Kade, his friends pick things he wouldn’t do in a million years. Being alone, nothing better to do, he decides to visit an Asian supermarket. It’s on the list, sort of, close enough for him. What could it hurt to go in and check it out?

The supermarket is nothing like Kade assumed it would be. As he strolls through the aisles making his selections, he notices a tall, blond, gorgeous man. Maybe it was not such a bad idea going there after all. He gets bold, for him, and winks at the guy as he goes around to the next aisle. That wink is all Blake needs to pursue his conquest.

And pursue he does. Dinner arrangements are made, a spark and connection is formed and the guys can’t seem to get enough of each other. Kade doesn’t have the guts to admit to Blake how boring his life really is. So when Blake suggests doing some of the things on his list, Kade lies about his previous adventures. Their chemistry will have you smiling from ear to ear. Blake is an easygoing guy who really likes Kade. He wants to do things for him, cook for him, and he finds himself falling fast. Of course, just when things seem to be going smoothly, the ex drops the bomb that he has been having second thoughts.

Completely taken back by Kade’s reaction pushes the ex into showing his true colors. It doesn’t take much for Blake to see what a jerk this guy is. He may need to have a little one on one. Kade is not too keen on that idea, but Blake gets it done, regardless. It’s time that Kade comes clean with Blake. Will Blake drop him at the nearest intersection or stick with him for the long-term?

Douglas Black is an incredible author that I am so happy I came across. This story has an interesting plot that keeps you invested. It’s not an overly long story. However, there is a lot of detail and information inside. The author does an amazing job of getting the story off the ground and keeping you there. I really enjoyed the banter between the guys, the friends, and laughed aloud on more than one occasion. The sex is hot, passionate, and emotion is definitely felt.

The character growth was evident and there was always an undercurrent of feelings playing out on the pages. This is a feel good story with two hot, sexy, and intriguing characters. I will definitely be looking at the other titles in this author’s backlist and would not hesitate to read his next book.

Business or Pleasure by Douglas Black

Image.ashxTitle: Business or Pleasure

Author: Douglas Black

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (81pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (20th April 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Jack Campbell is unceremoniously dumped by his long term boyfriend, he knows a fresh start is in order. Against his better judgment, he heads to Marbella to take a job house-sitting, but finds pleasure, rather than business, waiting for him.

When Jack Campbell is dumped in favor of his high school best friend, he decides he needs a fresh start. He spies an advertisement in The Times. Clark Thomas is looking for a house sitter for his villa in Marbella. In a slightly inebriated state Jack sees this as the perfect chance to get away from his troubles but when he lands in Spain, he finds a lot more than a job opportunity waiting for him.

There must be something in the Spanish air; the heat is doing strange things to Jack. He’s behaving in ways he never has before and certainly never with an employer, but knowing what he’s doing is wrong doesn’t stop it from feeling right.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title is an erotica title and contains a HFN ending.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/business-or-pleasure-ebook-p-1436.html

Review: Jack needs a break after his ex-boyfriend dumps him. applying for a house sitting job he spotted in a newspaper, Jack is now heading to Marbella for nine months and wondering if he has done the right thing. Clark is still out of sorts after his own breakup and although Jack isn’t the usual sort he’d hire to house sit, he does so because Jack’s side note made him laugh. The attraction between them is mutual and Clark briefly shows Jack around, but nothing can come of their attraction as Clark is jetting off and Jack will be house sitting. But, the attraction is stronger than either thought.

This is a great hot novella that scratches several itches. Jack has shaken up his life now that he is single. Rather than hanging around moping, he has an opportunity to have the time of his life in Spain and it starts just after he has landed at the Spanish airport. Even though it is far from his normal behavior he seizes the moment, but wishes he had the chance to clean up before he meets his new boss. Clark is pleased with Jack and can’t help but offer to show him around, although it is something he has never done before, and it isn’t long before he can no longer resist and acts on his attraction.

Jack and Clark seem to be great characters. the story is set over just a couple of days so we don’t get to know them well. They connect to each other very quickly and they do spend time getting to know each other a bit, but it is very sexual between them and when it comes time for Clark to leave neither of them wants it to end. It isn’t an instant love match, but it is the beginning of something between them. I will admit that Douglas Black has a way with his characters, even the ones on the peripheral like the woman on the plane, she was a hoot. There is a brief sexual encounter between Jack and a random stranger in the airport, but the encounters between Jack and Clark are way hotter.

I will recommend this to those who want a touch of storyline with a potential relationship, with hot sex and a happy for now ending.