Hi guys! We have Eli Easton popping in today with her new release Shattered Boy, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $25 Amazon GC or one of 3 ecopies of Superhero giveaway, so guys, check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Shattered Boy
by
Eli Easton
Brian
You’ll make it out of here, Brian. I swear.
I had everything—school quarterback, popular with girls, and my dad was proud of me. I told myself it didn’t matter no one knew the real me. And then I nearly died. Landon saved my life. He’s the bravest guy I know. He came out a few years ago, proud and fierce, and he ran into gunfire to help others. Me, I’m a mess. Can’t even stand to be in a room with the curtains open. But here’s the thing about losing it all: You get a chance to start over and be someone new. Only how can I move on when the two shooters who attacked our school were never caught? And why do I feel like I’m still in the crosshairs?
Landon
Will you kiss me?
When I came across Brian Marshall,the hottest guy in school, dying on the cafeteria floor, I did what anyone would do. I tried to save him. His request surprised me, but I figured he needed comfort, so I kissed him on the forehead. When he survived and came back to school, he was broken in body and mind. He still needed me, and soon we were unlikely besties. But what I saw at school that day woke me up. I want to demand action on gun control, lead protests, raise my fist. I’ll tear the world down if I have to. And if I can get the man of my dreams and save the world at the same time? I’ll take it. Only I didn’t understand that the horror at Jefferson Waller High wasn’t over.
Hi guys! We have Eli Easton popping in today with the tour for her new release Robbie Riverton: Mail Order Bride, we have a brilliant guest post where Eli shares an exclusive excerpt and we have a fantastic $25 Amazon GC or one of three ecopies of Five Dares giveaway, so guys check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Robbie Riverton: Mail Order Bride
by
Eli Easton
Being a fugitive in the old west shouldn’t be this much fun.
The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run–all the way to Santa Fe. When he still hasn’t ditched his pursuers, he disguises himself as a mail order bride he meets on the wagon train. Caught between gangsters that want to kill him, and the crazy, uncouth family of his “intended”, Robby’s only ally is a lazy sheriff who sees exactly who Robby is — and can’t resist him.
Trace Crabtree took the job as sheriff of Flat Bottom because there was never a thing going on. And then Robby Riverton showed up. Disguised as a woman. And betrothed to Trace’s brother. If that wasn’t complication enough, Trace had to find the man as appealing as blueberry pie. He urges Robby to stay undercover until the danger has passed. But a few weeks of having Robby-Rowena at the ranch, and the Crabtree family will never be the same again.
Hi guys! We have Eli Easton stopping by for a visit today with her new release Five Dares, Eli shares with us who she’d cast if Five Dares became a movie, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so guys, check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Five Dares
by
Eli Easton
Andy Tyler has been the class daredevil since middle school. Over the years, he’s convinced his best friend, Jake Masterson, to perform some dangerous-looking stunts with him. But the dare they attempt on the night of their college graduation goes sideways. The firecrackers explode too soon and both of them end up with badly burned palms.
But hey, nothing gets the “terrible two-o” down for long, and they recuperate in style at Andy’s family cottage in Cape Cod. As the weeks go by, both Andy and Jake grow frustrated over the inability to use their hands for all sorts of daily activities—including getting off. So Andy begins a new series of dares that don’t just cross the friendship line, they obliterate it.
But what might be mere sexual relief to Andy is serious business to Jake, who only recently got over years of secret pining for his straight best friend. Inevitably, the burns heal, summer ends, and hearts are broken. To fix things, Andy will have to face the greatest dare of all.
The latest snowstorm carries something unexpected to the doorstep of Hutch’s secluded Alaskan cabin: a stranger named Jude, the most beautiful man Hutch has ever seen. Jude says he’s in the area for a ski trip and that he fled a domineering lover, thinking he could make it into town. But Hutch is a suspicious SOB and treats his unwanted guest warily. The problem is Jude isn’t just gorgeous, he’s funny and smart and flirtatious.
Two gay men snowed in for three days—things happen. Really good things. By the time the storm clears, Hutch finds himself a little too attached to Jude Devereaux, San Francisco-based male model. But is Jude what he claims to be? Or is he entangled in the secrets Hutch moved to Alaska to escape?
Review: I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I didn’t outright dislike the book, but at the same time I didn’t love it. I think it had more to do with the depth (or lack thereof) of the plot rather than the writing style. I’ve read and enjoyed books by Eli Easton in the past. So I think, for me, this is one of those books where it was good enough but certainly not my cup of tea.
The blurb for this book really only covers the first half of the book. The second half of the book is only addressed by two questions at the end of the blurb. The story opens with Hutch, who lives isolated in Alaska, finding a man stumble upon his cabin. Jude is basically hypothermic when he finds his way to Hutch’s cabin, but with his “sob story” (as I like to call it), with the two hot men snowed in for a few days the stage is set for a fun time. But not everything is as it seems. When the snow begins to clear reality brutally comes crashing down and Hutch has to face that not only can he not run from his past, but not everything is as it seems in the present.
I really can’t say anything else because there is no hint in the blurb and I don’t want to spoil things. However, suffice to say if you like a bit of intrigue – spies, military and whatnot – then you might well enjoy this story. For me, I think, something about the flow of the story didn’t go well for. Everything just happened – bam, bam, bam – we were told the facts but I never fully felt the emotions of the MCs despite the fact that I really, desperately wanted to.
Hiya guys, we have Eli Easton popping in today with her new release Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles, we have a brilliant exclusive excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Merry Christmas. Mr Miggles
by
Eli Easton
Toby Kincaid loves being the junior librarian in his hometown of Sandy Lake, Ohio. He spends his days surrounded by books and chatting with the library patrons. He especially adores the head librarian, Mr. Miggles, who is kind, witty, knowledgeable about everything, and hopelessly addicted to Christmas. Sean Miggles is also pretty cute, especially for an older guy who wears ties and suit pants every day.
But Sean keeps himself at a distance, and there’s a sadness about him that Toby can’t figure out. When Sean is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he gives up without a fight. Toby realizes that he alone can save the library, and their head librarian.
Toby will need to uncover the darkness in Sean’s past and prove to him that he deserves a second chance at life and at love too. And while Christmas miracles are being handed out, maybe Toby will get his own dearest wish, to love and be loved by Mr. Miggles.
Blurb: David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.
Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.
But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.
Christie challenges the boundaries of David’s closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.
Review: First thing I need to say is… thank fuck there are only TWO points of view in this book, and they belong to the main characters! I was getting worried there for a while since Eli seemed to give us multiple POVs that weren’t wanted and didn’t belong in these fantastic books; I probably shouldn’t be so excited about this, but A Second Harvest is a religious-heavy book and one of the secondary characters is a nut for a while, so imagining his POV made me shudder. David Fisher is a 41 year old widower who lost his wife over 2 years ago. David is a Mennonite, a religion that sounds very similar to the Amish, from the way of life, to the religious beliefs (although I don’t know much about different religions since I’m not a religious person myself). David is a farmer who’s spending his days and nights alone on his farm; he isn’t interested in finding another wife, no matter how much his children Amy and Joe would like to see him remarried. David is content if not happy, and doesn’t think his life needs any changes.
Too much partying and almost losing his best friend to ODing has taught Christie Landon a lesson: it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate everything, because life is short and Christie realized he has nothing to show for his 30 years other than a lot of partying and slutting around. Inheriting his aunt’s house in a little town in PA came at the perfect time, and it gives Christie the opportunity to remove himself from New York and all its temptations.
Christie and David are so different, it was hard for me to see what they could have in common. Christie is out and proud while David is just now admitting to himself he might be gay; Christie slept with half of New York while David only ever had sex with his wife; Christie is young and in his prime, while David is middle aged and stuck in a life and community that doesn’t give him much chance to be himself. But as they start hanging out and having dinner together, David and Christie have those things every successful relationship does: admiration, respect, and a good dose of attraction.
Once David accepts that he is gay and decides he wants Christie to be part of his life, there is no second guessing. He is ready to face anything, do anything, ANYTHING at all to keep feeling this happiness and joy, because Christie makes him feel right, happy, HIMSELF for the first time in his 41 years. Joe (David’s son) was a real bastard for a while, and there’s nothing I want more than for him to get his own book, because I’m a vindictive bitch. Joe becoming a big cock slut would be my dream come true!
This book is a little heavy like all religious books are, but it isn’t overly angsty. Best part of all, we didn’t have to listen to any full sermon on homosexuality and yada yada, blah blah. When the community didn’t accept David for who he was, he removed himself from the situation and was an active participant in finding his HEA. I wish that whole part wasn’t blacked out and that we got to see how everything went down, but I’m not going to grumble too much about it. Because that HEA is so real and tentative, it’s absolutely beautiful. David and Christie are doing great and are happy together, and David is working on fixing his relationship with Amy and Joe.
This book was great, I truly enjoyed every single page! Recommended!
Blurb: Sheriff Lance Beaufort is not going to let trouble into his town, no sir. Tucked away in the California Mountains, Mad Creek has secrets to keep, like the fact that half the town consists of ‘quickened’—dogs who have gained the ability to become human. Descended on both sides from Border Collies, Lance is as alert a guardian as they come.
Tim Weston is looking for a safe haven. After learning that his boss patented all of Tim’s work on vegetable hybrids in his own name, Tim quit his old job. A client offers him use of her cabin in Mad Creek, and Tim sees a chance for a new start. But the shy gardener has a way of fumbling and sounding like a liar around strangers, particularly gorgeous alpha men like Sheriff Beaufort.
Lance’s hackles are definitely raised by the lanky young stranger. He’s concerned about marijuana growers moving into Mad Creek, and he’s not satisfied with the boy’s story. Lance decides a bit of undercover work is called for. When Tim hits a beautiful black collie with his car and adopts the dog, its love at first sight for both Tim and Lance’s inner dog. Pretending to be a pet is about to get Sheriff Beaufort in very hot water.
Review: Tim Weston’s youth and naiveté have caused him a lot of pain in his life. He is in his early twenties and never had a positive role model. His father was abusive, his former boss a worthless liar and a thief.
So Tim quits his job, packs up and heads to Mad Creek where a friend is lending Tim her house for six months so he can work on some hybrid seeds for plants and vegetables. Right away he draws attention, since Mad Creek is a town full of shifters, Tim sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sheriff Lance Beaufort has his doubts about Tim’s intentions from the start, so he befriends Tim in his shifter form, a border collie that Tim names Chance. In his shifter form, Lance can spy on the newcomer to see if he is up to no good.
The more time Lance spends with Tim, in both forms, the more attached he becomes. Things can’t help but end badly when Tim discovers that someone else he could care for has been lying to him.
Let me tell you how refreshing it was to read a story about something other than wolves. I love Easton’s unique take on the shifter world with the dogs, how some don’t manifest their first shift until later in life, and some have issues acclimating to the real world after being in their dog form for so long.
Even better than the unique story was the narration.My first listen with Matthew Shaw and I loved his take on the story. He literally dove into the characters, right down to every growl, howl and bark.
If you are looking for a fast, fun story that is both well written and entertaining, you should give this story a go.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: The Stolen Suitor Series: N/A Author: Eli Easton Genre: Contemporary Western Length: 270 pages Publisher: Dreamspun Desires, Dreamspinner Press (February 1st, 2016) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts Blurb: All of Clyde’s Corner, Montana, knows local dandy Chris Ramsey will marry Trix Stubben, young widow and heir to the richest ranch in the area. But one woman isn’t too keen on the idea. Mabe Crassen wants to get her hands on that ranch, so she sets her older son to court Trix, and her younger son, Jeremy, to distract Chris and lure him astray.
Jeremy Crassen thinks his mother’s scheme is crazy. But he wants desperately to go off to college, which Mabe will agree to—if he seduces Chris. How will shy, virginal, secretly gay Jeremy attract Chris, who seems determined to do the right thing and marry Trix? Jeremy can’t compete with a rich female widow.
Review: Yikes, I usually love Eli Easton’s books, but like the most recent release (Midwinter Night’s Dream), this one fell short for me. I know exactly what the issues were, and I’m going to address every single one.
Chris’s best friend and Trix’s husband was killed in a freak accident, leaving behind a heartbroken wife, a confused, needy 4-year-old daughter, and a father who lost his only son. Chris is bisexual, but he’s leaning heavily towards the gay side of the scale. His decision to marry Trix is not derived from sexual attraction or love, but more from heartbreak in his personal life and the need to be the support system for his best friend’s broken little family.
Mabe Crassen has other plans in store for Chris and Trix, and none of those end with them happily married to each other. Eric, her older, lazy, couldn’t-give-a-fuck about anything son is to charm the pants off Trix, while Jeremy, her youngest, is given the task to distract Chris by any means necessary. Jeremy and Eric are very different from each other.
While Eric doesn’t really have any passions or motivation to become someone successful, Jeremy is a very smart, quiet and a talented writer who never had the opportunity to go to college and follow his dreams. Jeremy has always kept his sexuality a secret for fear of being treated like a freak. His relationship with Chris seemed forced to me, especially since there wasn’t much focus on it and the chemistry was pretty much nonexistent for most of the story.
There are two things that have absolutely no place in a book, and those happened both in Midwinter Night’s Dream as well as in this book: multiple POVs and a MF relationship thrown into the mix (it was a FF relationship in Midwinter Night’s Dream, but it was unwelcome nonetheless).
The multiple POVs distracted from Jeremy and Chris’s story to the point where I didn’t feel like they were the main characters anymore. Everyone and their cat had a POV, including Trix, Eric, Mabe (Jeremy and Eric’s mother) and Mabe’s old sweetheart Billy, who’s also Trix’s father in law. They all got a lot of page time people, and I was disappointed by that!
The writing was pretty good, and I’m happy that’s one thing that doesn’t change in Eli’s books. I sincerely hope that future books will be MM only, with only two POVs that belong entirely to the main characters.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: The Lion and the Crow (2nd Edition) Series: N/A Author: Eli Easton Genre: Historical (Medieval England) Length: Novella (144 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 19th, 2015) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: In medieval England, duty is everything, person honour is more valued than life itself and homosexuality is not tolerated by the church or society.
Sir Christian Brandon was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers are, he learned to survive by using his wits and his gift for strategy, earning him the nickname the Crow.
Sir William Corbett, a large and fierce warrior known as the Lion, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of gallant knight. When he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to enlist the help of Sir Christian.
It’s a partnership that will test every strand of moral fibre, and, eventually, his understanding of the meaning of duty, honour, and love.
Review: This is not your usual historical romance. Sure, it has all the elements of one (hunky knights, noblemen, damsels in distress, cunning plans, archery and swordplay – the kind with metal weapons), but the way the story was told meant that it didn’t come out exactly like “the rest”. In addition, yes, it also had some tender love scenes and some grittier scenes. I won’t tell you at which point, but yes, I did find myself crying.
William sees Christian, a young man who excels in just about everything. He is known as the Crow because he has learnt to retreat is how to survive in a hostile family of older brothers. William is desperate to help his much beloved sister out an abusive marriage and in the end it is Christian’s help and strategy that gets him closer to his goals. Both these guys are knights in shining armour – just not to each other, which I thought was pretty cool.
Christian starts off as almost the damsel in distress but as he learns more and more about his character, we know he is not. He isn’t naive either, which William assumed (Christians account of a confession he made probably highlights this point the best). William is a very loving and caring brother and his family has had its own fair share of tragedy, which is why he needs to get his sister and nieces out of a bad situation.
He is also the epitome of a noble knight, he is muscle-bound, strong, and handsome and has a sense of honour you think couldn’t happen in real life. However, it is quickly evident that their positions among the peerage are what leads them to do what they do.
I think what I admired most was the lack of angst in this book. These guys knew that in their society, they were morally wrong but they just got on with doing what needed to be done as well as exploring their attraction. As I said, both these guys are nobles, but they aren’t the type that can abuse any sort of power and damn the consequences.
These guys even spoke out their sins and pushing away their urges, but in the end, a minor character tells them, there are different kinds of love and the love they have is the best kind of love. It is a wonderful moment where our heroes can come to terms with things before the happily ever after-type of thing. Ultimately, they know society would not see them so kindly, this point is thankfully not over killed.
In saying all that, the journey William and Christian take together, with the sexual tension hanging between, them is great because we do see these characters change – or how we see them is change. Not only in how they interact with each other but how they, individually in their minds, reminisce of their respective pasts, we see who they are and where they came from.
Final note: the epilogue. In a word, it’s great. I loved it because of what it told me, yet at the same time I found myself questioning “why?” I won’t say anymore so I don’t ruin the surprise. Well written, loved the historical context and both characters are just more than the average earl, duke, or knight.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Author: Amy Rae Durreson, Eli Easton, Bell Ellis, Kim Fielding, Anka Grace, R.D. Hero,
Mark Lesney, Augusta Li, Mary Pletsch, Angelia Sparrow, Layla M. Wier
Blurb: Inventors, pilots, tinkers, and soldiers; magical metals to replace an aging heart or a ruined limb; steam-powered fantasy worlds of clockwork nightingales, automatons, dirigibles, and men. The stories in this anthology visit diverse times in the history of modern man, and the men who populate these tales face war and cruelty, masters and autocrats, illness and poverty and greed. Yet the heat of romance outmatches even the steam engines, and time and again, the gears of love rule the day.
Review: Steamed Up is yet another anthology I not only don’t regret but actually loved reading. Steampunk has a special place in my library, I will devour everything that belongs to the genre, but this anthology was more than just that, it was really well written, with wonderful stories that beg to be read. I think you’ll agree with me when I say that there are all kind of themes among these stories, the constant being that romantic flirtation and love in times that come with their own challenges. In my opinion, this is an anthology you don’t want to miss.
Five to One by Angelia Sparrow ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
I absolutely loved this one. Yes, it gets all my 4 Hearts effortlessly and oh, how I wish I could read the rest of Johnny and Dee’s story. What happens when they reach San Francisco, do they win the race, and do they get their hearts’ desires?
But I’m running ahead. In this little story Dee is a lovely red-haired Irish boy and tinkerer, and Johnny his roommate and friend for the past five years. Their friendship going stronger and stronger with each passing day neither man can imagine a life different from what they’d been living unless it’s slightly more comfortable in the financial department. And there comes the race. Manmade machines that can run 25 miles per hour and race from Boston to SF and the winner win one million dollars.
Can Dee create such a device? Can Johnny pedal it through the country? Can they win their prize?
While trying to make ends meet and make their dreams come true another prize must be fought for and won when in his enthusiasm Johnny realizes he’s in love with his best friend. Fears because such acts are illegal, fears of rejection, all must be put aside and risk if he wants his hearts true desire.
This story was romantic and I loved it, because it was so well described and written, I had no way to avoid getting sucked in it. I loved both characters here and they managed to make an impression on their individuality in such a short little story. The romance between them is not gradual yet it’s definitely not instant either. A brewing love was hidden beneath layers of friendship and when it took form it was not only gratifying but also sweet and tender and yet sexy and adorable at the same time.
I loved this pair and their story and yup, I want more.
The Clockwork Nightingale’s Song by Amy Rae Durreson ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Oh how lovely a story this one was. The second in this anthology and the second I loved reading. It’s wonderful how nicely the balance between romance and tinkering plot was woven. There is this slight emotional tinge between words as the main characters of this story are divided by class and rank.
Lord Gabriel Marchmont is an inventor and Shem a mechanic. While working the Flying Garden – which was a stunning description of a flying mechanical garden – Nightingale Nr 48 ceased to function properly and the inventor had to be called in to fix it, as it was quite a complex little thing. While Shem is a good enough mechanic, he had to call defeat and endure the arrogant Lord and his sneering comments.
But behind the arrogance was hidden a lonely enough heart and when both men find out that their mechanical little bird had fallen in love, hence he ceased singing when he was supposed to – they both fell into a pattern of working/thinking of ways to make the poor bird find a chance to happiness.
The real challenge for Gabriel though was making Shem let go of his safe net and risk his way for his own happiness.
It was lovely I tell you. Gabriel was an adorable character and I felt a little bit sad for him and how lonely he truly was in all that big house of his filled to the brim with brass and gears yet not a soul nearby to care for him. And poor Shem, so much scared of the rank difference and the dark side of things that he didn’t dare making that one last step and find a match for his own lonely heart.
I loved the writing style this author has. The mannerisms of her characters, the way they approached each other, the descriptions of the world where the story is set, and the way she made everything work. Yes, it was indeed a very enjoyable story.
Quite sentimental and sweet this read is a must for lovers of the genre in my opinion.
Ace of Hearts by Mary Pletsch ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Ah, a war! Boches against Albians, aeroplanes against dirigibles, and a man against his own fears.
Aeroplane Mechanic First Class William Pettigrew is well aware he is good, yet not good enough. A childish mistake cost him his eye and now his dream of being a fierce pilot is lost forever. He contains himself with being a mechanic for his mother’s lovely planes and spends his days tinkering and fixing and making modifications on them to fit the warfare’s demands. At the same time he contains himself with ogling from afar the gorgeous pilots never daring make a move on them, resenting his weak personality and the fear of rejection that weakens him every time.
But when hero Captain James Hinson makes a turn on his career leaving the dirigibles behind in favor of aeroplanes William dares dream of making a move, of reaching for something rather than lying in wait behind the shadows. As much as he pushes himself though old habits die-hard and it’s only when James is lost behind enemy lines that William is faced with his life’s dilemma: Be daring and charge in the rescue or stay hidden forever behind the shadows and perhaps lose his one chance at love…
That’s the story in a nutshell and I loved it. I loved the language and the words used in it. They were so in balance with this books setting and genre. I loved the action part of this little story so much that I didn’t mind at all the lack of romance, though it was there, subtly poking you with even subtler flirting between our characters.
What I mostly loved was the passion William displayed for his work and his planes. The description of them and the fascinating way they came into the read it was almost catching all that enthusiasm and it managed to hook me in this story so easily. Well, that along with the fact this was warfare had me enthralled within the blink of an eye.
Well what is there more to say; yet another one I loved.
Caress by Eli Easton ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Oh dear me, what a wonderful, wonderful story totally deserving all 5 Hearts.
The story is set in London 1857 going back in time as our genius main character Tinker remembers his life and what has happened. This character, oh my, such a lovely work from this author to gift us with such a delightful character. He’s a genius and you can see his unique mind at work when his inner thoughts break in the narration of the story. It makes you want to squeeze him tight if it weren’t for the fear of breaking him in half due to his slight and tender form. His childlike appearance has his poor heart to thank for which was way too weak to support his growth. It replacement with a machine pump, a work of art and gift from his former master didn’t help Tinker grow more, but it did give him endurance…
It is lovely seeing/reading this character. He is so bright and so lovely. His genius is of course taken advantage of and used to create weapons during the war. The deaths they cause haunting his dreams and conscience, but it is also the cause for him finding the one person who ever saw him for himself, for Tinker.
The second character of the story and Tinker’s obsession is Colin. Colin is a musician in his head though he never heard his music being played. The war took him and somehow, despite hating killing people he made to Captain only to be blown to pieces and come to Tinker’s part of the war to make a “laboratory rat”. A voluntary human for killing prosthetic arms to attach. An undoable feat yet one look at Colin’s eyes and Tinker will do whatever he can to save this man from the cruel fate of a crippled soldier, even if it means he’s turning him into a more fierce killer.
“A composer and a maker of miniatures, made to dance to the song of death.”
“An artificial heart, artificial hands, a love outside the lines.”
I just had to add these two lines from the story, they made such an impact with me. I loved this read, it was not only fascinating, it was moving and sweet, and brilliant and I simply adored it. The whole start to finish it was a fantastic read, so totally my kind of cupper, so erotic without any sex scenes in it, so sensual in its sub-lines, so beautiful a love story. I wonder if I’ve been starving for real romance because I’m utterly taken by this read. And there’s nothing more to say than go read it, it’s bound to take you for a lovely ride.
The Galatea’s Captain by Anka Grace ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Ah, the mysterious Galatea’s Captain who remained a second throughout the read to Kamil’s claim for main character. In this read, we have a philosopher, a scholar, and a pacifist Kamil who has had a bad trip overseas resulting in him losing his foot. The Duchess of Althea and her husband the Duke find the most promising man to fix him a prosthetic leg made from a rare organic metal.
This whole story takes place at Galatea, Captain Tales’ ship, but what we mostly read about is how Kamil passes his days and how he slowly begins to fall for the charming young Captain who is a master tinkerer as well.
There is no real romance here and most of the flirting between the two of them was simply mentioned rather experienced so we miss this contact with the characters, the attachment if you will. To top it all, it remains a flirt and nothing else till the day Kamil leaves the ship with his prosthetic in hand to go to the hospital and have it attached. They say good-bye there and I really felt lost at that. There is no more budding and strengthening a relationship, the pair is apart and when the end of this story came it simply held no power over me even as it had a happily ever after.
Atop all the lack of romance there was a lack of real tinkering as it happened behind closed doors and we only had a slight glimpse of a little mouse chasing a lovely bird. Other than that, though the whole Steampunk feel was a bit crippled here and in general, the read felt a bit lacking.
However, I still liked it, not only it wasn’t bad, but also it was quite decent and well I do have a love for these read. I simply wish there had been a better focus and development of the characters.
Screws by R.D. Hero ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts
A wanna-be inventor young Julius has to first go to University and learn tinkering. If only his father would agree and forego his dreams of seeing his son a lawyer. In an attempt to disparage Julius from his “pipe-dreams,” his father arranges a job at the screw factory for his young son.
Appalled at first Julius soon find consolation at his working buddies, especially Hank who is more than handsome and so very the material of wet dreams for young Julius. Drawn to this man, literally bewitched by him Julius gets into the routine of hard work and months go by without him noticing, his dream no longer being the obsession it once was. But Julius forgot that his father only meant to scare him with hard work, believing that Julius would soon relent and succumb to his will. Now daddy dear wants to take his only son out of the low rank factory and sent him off to higher education even if it’s that dreary engineering.
As his dream comes closer, Julius realizes he might be losing something even more important and he might never have the opportunity to chase it down again. His love for Hank needs him to be bold and finally go ahead and spell it out.
So this read is totally lacking the Steampunk quality, but it’s quite good on the romance side of the equation. Julius is young, naïve and arrogant at first verging on obnoxious even, but soon changes his tune as lust first and love later hit him head on. The classic sentence-turning-prize theme and it was quite lovely. Now if only there was some inventing happening there to balance this out and give it a bit more depth, some more story to it. I honestly expected the kid to make something and drive himself out of the slum, but the author had other intentions here.
So, while not a fascinating read to make your head spin, this was not bad either and well, Hank had a certain appeal, even as I never found out why he tolerated the little prick at the beginning.
The Clockwork Heart by Kim Fielding ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Sweet, foolish perhaps in its romantic approach my cynical side says, but sweet and lovely read.
To fall for a golem, to have your hear thaw out of its ice and to finally feel emotions but not toward other human, toward a golem, a machine.
Dante is a man lost and forgotten. His father threw him away because he couldn’t stop adding his imagination to the uninspiring clocks his father fixed or made, turning them into ornaments. His imagination crushed by his own blood and other masters, Dante preferred living on his own, resembling a beggar and quite poor, rather than being further oppressed.
He made his life searching through the scrapheap’s at the wasteland and finding, repairing, and reselling broken things. Until one day, he stumbles upon a real treasure, a golem.
Badly abused the golem at first seemed un-repairable. But a weird thing about those automatons, they were made to resemble a human a bit too much and Dante slowly succumbed to the machines moaning and pleas and put all he could to fix him up. Talon now became a source of joy and even though he could make a great deal of money out of him the very thought of selling Talon has Dante’s heartache. Weird that his heart would feel something after being convinced for so long that it might have been a clockwork instead of flesh and blood, all due to a lovely imperfect golem…
As I said, a sweet and romantic read and a very enjoyable one at that, this story is quite nicely written focusing more on emotions and a slowly growing trust/love relationship. The inner works of Talon were never closely viewed as Dante was not his creator and he didn’t know how he worked at all, so Talon retained that air of magic about him throughout the read. I actually like that, as I liked the imperfections both characters had. It made them somewhat more approachable even as I was a bit apprehensive of the human/machine relationship that unfolded.
Overall, I was left with pleasant feelings from this story going as far as saying I liked a lot. Definitely recommended.
The Golden Goose by Mark Lesney ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Oh hilarious read this one. A thief whose luck failed him mid-robbery goes through a series of events that make you laugh and laugh, only to end up in the backyard of a crazy inventor’s house the moment he was about to be… violated. On one hand the cops chasing him on the other a gorgeous young gentleman about to be molested and possibly killed, our thief who is totally against violence manages to save his gentleman in distress.
Viscount Gordon Dennis has sold everything he had for his invention and is nearing his goal. With his former footman being a near murderer he’s left hanging and in need of help. So what better choice than the man who saved his life, even if he’s a bit shady with the police on his tail and stolen jewelry upon his clothes.
I loved the story. The plot easily captivates you and the action comes fast and furious at you. Gordon is a lovely character, a bit naïve yet so adorable and our thief, Joshua Clarridge – whose name is only mentioned once, once in the whole read – is one of those characters that are brilliant and smart and cocky and have the world against them yet they prevail only to fall for the most unlikely situations all over again. When he falls in love with the mad/naïve penniless scientist, it only made sense that it would be his luck to have a Viscount at his feet worth nothing valuable. What a thief hah!
Romance wise unfortunately, this read didn’t quite have me there. It was too fast and came out of nowhere. No grounds to base those feeling and all that risk. But in the chaos of unfortunate events it went amiss and one could easily overlook it, I think.
Overall, I loved it and had some serious laughs.
Spindle and Bell by Augusta Li ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
An exquisite story this one traces the life of Spindle-Reed, a mix of a man from of several races, unwanted, cast off. In the times when a terrible disease plagues the country, when air is filtered and people have to walk around with masks to protect themselves, the same mask hides Spindles ugliness, or so he’s made to believe from his “charitable” caretaker who controls Spindle’s life by way of doping him with opium. As a thank you for his caretaking, Spindle uses his special talent to climb like a spider and flow through rooftops like an uncanny night-bird to steal from wealthy houses and return for more of the same. Day in, day out until one night everything changes.
When Spindle meets sick, genius, and astonishingly beautiful Bel his entire life changes and everything gains a meaning. Bel doesn’t see a mix match of an ugly man in Spindle, rather a gorgeous, marvelous creature, and he’s in awe of how could Spindle ever think he’s ugly in first place. Bel shows him a new life, gifts him with the precious gift of all, love, and yet another, freedom. But Bel is too sick, and while his genius has managed to find a cure to the plague, it’s too late for him to survive the illness.
There is nothing that can be done, but live the life that he has remained best he can, and what he wants is to spend a night, a single night free of his golden cage. That Spindle swear will gift his precious Bel no matter what. But the shadows of his life aren’t far behind and are always watching Spindle, ready to jump at him when he least expect it and drag him back to the dreamlike fog of drugs and dead-end life.
An astonishingly beautiful story, made even more so for the short length it has yet lacking no detail or development. The characters are stunning, adorable, and appealing. They make you want to read and read and hope that the story never ends. There is no happily ever after for them and indeed the story leaves you with a bittersweet taste, but it’s that that makes it so worth reading. The utter realistic approach in this total fiction is fascinating and though it could be dark and heavy, it is neither.
I also loved the take on the disease. It felt like the 18th century England with the industrial revolution thrown in there, the mankind suffering from its greed for progress with citizens being either too rich or too poor, making for a huge social gap. There is simply so much to this story without putting a burden or making it a heavy read. I loved reading it and even though the ending was near heartbreaking, I loved it more for it.
Untouchable by Lela M. Wier ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Going after Capone? Not an easy feat, that sneaky son of a bitch is slippery like eel. But Federal Agent Rawson has it in his mind to get him and shut his business down.
Meanwhile green Federal Agent Aldis is sent to “help” him and at the same time keep an eye on him and report back for any misgivings.
As things would go, the silent brooding older man is as strong an appeal as booze for an addict for young Aldis, and he can’t help being charmed by this “heartless” man.
The plot quite simple yet engaging as it gets. The stalking and observation of the suspects, finding the missing puzzle and finally getting to the bottom of the mystery while not overly complex it was still enticing, with the final big BAM giving the entire plot an increase of intensity.
The romance between the agents is subtle, hints and quiet flirting, secret and unvoiced seduction. Everything hidden in the deepest layers of the heart until the big blast makes them reckless enough to dare a move. Even that is quite slight, feather-like even and all that surrounds you is this huge sense of manly eroticism, stoic and hard, with a romantic flair you can’t help get lost in. I loved it really, Rawson being my favorite, all this macho persona with his clockwork heart and steely attitude. His softening to Aldis gentler ways was gradual and made for a lovely quality when they finally decided to move on to life together, even as there were not much said if any at all.
Overall, it was a lovely story and strongly recommended.
Swiftsilver by Bell Ellis ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Aww! Yes, this is one of those stories that drag that “aww” out of you no matter if you want to or not.
Seamus, oh my, what a character. An apprentice for a cruel master indeed. Not a day went by that he wasn’t reminded he was in debt to his master for taking him out of streets and given a home. Not once was he praised for his work. Not once was he given the slightest of freedom. Even his creation when sixteen, swiftsilver, had to remain in shadows, well hidden for fear of punishment. Everything that happened, from the sky pouring rain to the heat of summer was his fault, and could very well be punished for no reason at all. Yet he endured.
Thio; you simply can’t love him enough. Exuberant, overly optimistic, adventurous, and a dreamer. The cherry on top, the son of a Baron. And he went on crashing with his invention and dreams right on Seamus’ doorstep, marking the start of a unique friendship and a love like no other.
These two characters are marked by innocence, both of them but Seamus the most as he was not allowed nothing at all in his nineteen years of life beside the apothecary work. Their entire relationship at the beginning is that of two utterly different boys in station, lonely in their own way, finding a real honest friendship in each other, matching each other’s personalities and balancing them. Seamus giving steadiness and slowing Thio down a bit from his fast and furious motions, helping and smoothing his crashes, while Thio fueling Seamus’ dreams and giving him freedom he hadn’t dared dream of.
When they made that final step into being lovers, I must say it was almost magical. All their innocence was so very adorable and lovely to read while they explored each other. Youth’s enthusiasm was no match for the feeling that flowed through the text so easily and made you float with them to the wonders of lovemaking. Together they experimented with science by day and with love by night and made you feel young again, excited and happy.
This was a story that actually covered twenty years so as you imagine it was quite wholesome, the end melting you like butter on a hot pan. I feel boneless right now and so very languid, sated with reading for the time being and I’m just so satisfied with this read. A wonderful, wonderful love story.
Blurb: Ben Rivers always was a showman. He won awards in 4-H and rodeo competitions from the time he could walk, and he’s happiest in the spotlight. So when he got the chance to be a star—in porn—he took it. He still loves Montana and everything about being a cowboy, but when news of his alternate identity leaks out, he figures he’s lost the town’s goodwill forever. Clyde’s Corner would never accept an openly gay cowboy, even a hometown boy born and bred.
Joshua Braintree always had the notion that he and his best friend’s kid brother, Ben, would end up together. Ben’s always been a diehard cowboy, just like him: they need the land and its freedom as much as they need air. So when Joshua learns Ben moved away from their small Montana town to be a porn star in Vegas, he can hardly believe it. He’s determined to finally declare himself and bring Ben home.
Despite his longtime crush on Joshua, Ben won’t be as easy to tame as Joshua’s “lost cause” horses. It will take a lot of heart and holiday spirit for Joshua to convince Ben that even old prairie dogs can learn new tricks in the name of love.
Review:A Prairie Dog’s Love Story is exactly what I expect a ‘Holiday story’ to be, sweet, charming, and sappy. The main love interests are like warm caramel, hot and sweet. Though the town gets more description than the sex, and the ending is quite implausible; you still feel yourself smiling in the end for the ‘hope’ of it all.
All in all, if you like the sweet, syrupy side of a love story, Eli Easton has definitely built a Wonka land for you!
Blurb: When physics grad student Fielding Monroe and skirt-chaser and football player Mick Colman become college housemates, they’re both in for a whole new education. Mick looks out for the absent-minded genius, and he helps Fielding clean up his appearance and discovers all the silly pleasures his strict upbringing as a child prodigy denied him. They become best friends.
It’s all well and good until they run into a cheerleader who calls Mick the ‘best kisser on campus.’ Fielding has never been kissed, and he decides Mick and only Mick can teach him how it’s done. After all, the physics department’s Christmas party is coming up with its dreaded mistletoe. Fielding wants to impress his peers and look cool for once in his life. The thing about Fielding is, once he locks onto an idea, it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind. And he just doesn’t understand why his straight best friend would have a problem providing a little demonstration.
Mick knows kissing is a dangerous game. If he gives in, it would take a miracle for the thing not to turn into a disaster. Then again, if the kissing lessons get out of hand they can always blame it on the mistletoe.
Review: Okay all of us are a sucker for any variation of the Ugly Ducking or the Cinderella story. No matter how many times we see it or read it, we still love it. This story takes that theme and then adds the friends to lovers theme with straight guy realizing he may not be as straight as he first thought – put all together, it’s an irresistible combination. Then you throw in a vampy harpy and a kiss under the mistletoe – what’s not to love? The book is not a long read, but in the 99 pages, we get a very good character sketch of both Fielding and Mick and it becomes very clear to the reader that they two men care deeply about each other way before they develop romantic feelings.
Fielding Monroe exhibits some classic Asperger’s type behaviours, which makes his literal and very black and white personality and approach to getting his very kiss extremely believable. Mick’s confusion and his reluctance to change his relationship with Fielding is also equally as understandable. Mick has created a life and reality for himself that includes Fielding but seeking to disturb that status quo is not one, which Mick is ready to make. The insertion of Fielding’s father into the story, which serves as the catalyst for Mick to move to a new reality, is perhaps the most heart-warming paragraph to read.
The underlying theme, however, is that Fielding, who many would consider odd, was actually quite essential to Mick’s happiness and thus reinforces the idea that there is someone for everyone. At its core, this story is really about Mick and his discovering that perhaps what he thought he wanted out of life and what it will take to make him happy may not be the same thing; and thus for him to find love it will require him to readjust his current perspective and be willing to accept a new one.
Blurb:Luke Schumaker designs computer games, working from his home. Every day he walks his dog in the woods nearby, never suspecting that someone who is completely smitten is watching. The watcher is Alex Shaw, and he too works from home, designing logic and crossword puzzles. Alex’s options are limited: he’s too shy to approach Luke and his wheelchair won’t let him follow into the woods. His solution? Secret messages for Luke in the crosswords he writes for the local paper. When Luke decodes them, romance begins, but then they face greater puzzles, like Alex’s interfering sister and what commitment to a man in a wheelchair really takes. And, most puzzling of all, how do you know if love is real?
Review: Luke is a computer games designer, works from home, he takes his dog out walking everyday, and soon realizes that someone is watching him from the message he deciphers from a crossword puzzle. Alex has watched his neighbor for a while now and decides to test the waters in a unique way, his idea works and the two begin a sweet romance. Luke things he has got it all now, but begins to have doubts about having a relationship with a man in a wheelchair, Alex begins to pull away, and Luke has to prove to both of them that he is in it for the long haul.
This is quite a sweet story of overcoming doubts and making amends. Luke is lucky. He has been able to relocate closer to his family when his firm started a ‘work from home’ policy. He has fallen into an easy routine, which is interrupted one day when he finds a newspaper on his doorstep. It leads to him meeting a man that he has an instant connection to. Alex designs crossword puzzles and he develops a crush on a neighbor, he would love to just approach the man but he is slightly shy and also doesn’t want to be rejected because he is in a wheelchair. Sending coded messages in his crossword puzzles is his way of feeling Luke out and he is delighted that Luke seems genuinely interested in him.
This story gets off to a great start with Luke trying to figure out who the messages are from, it picks up more when Luke and Alex meet with their attraction being obvious between them. They hit it off and seem well suited with Luke not caring that Alex is in a wheelchair, although Alex is a bit wary at first he quickly accepts that Luke really wants him. And then the relationship wobbles a bit…. what was going great suddenly becomes strained because Luke begins to think about all the things Alex will never get to see or do, and he is under strain at work.
I really liked this story for both Luke and Alex, Luke is someone who just accepts things, as they are, dating Alex never even brings up questions until someone mentions the difficulty it could bring, and it suddenly hits Luke all the things that being wheelchair bound means. He has things bouncing in his head but it isn’t until he nearly loses Alex that he realizes what a prat he is being. Alex is a sweetie, he hasn’t had much love from men in his past and he hasn’t much hope with Luke, but he gives it a go and is really hurt when Luke begins to act distant. Alex is great though because he refuses to be treated badly and puts his foot down. They are both great characters, with some laughs and confusion, hurt feelings and forgiveness and plenty of making up.
I recommend this to those who love relationships with their ups and downs, sweet loving, great characters, sorting through feelings and a really cute ending.
Spring struggles against winter in the mountains of Montana as Aiden Cermak and Daniel Schrock settle into their new life together. Aiden, a journalist from the East Coast, wants to make a rustic home for them and their adopted dog, though he continues his reporter’s quest for the truth. Daniel’s roots are traditional Amish, and though he’s become a successful carpenter with his own shop, the modern world still baffles him.
When Aiden’s former boyfriend, Conrad Barringer, ill and alone, asks Aiden and Daniel for help, they agree and welcome him, but with misgivings that persist and grow. Aiden finds fulfillment in nursing Conrad, yet worries that the closeness he shares with Daniel will be lost, as Daniel isolates more and more. Then Daniel learns of an ugly revelation that could change everything, and he grapples with whether to tell Aiden the truth, or carry it with him to his grave.
Giovanni Boca was destined to go down in history as an opera legend until a vocal chord injury abruptly ended his career. Now he teaches voice lessons at a prestigious New York City music school. During auditions for his summer opera workshop, he finds his protégé in fourteen-year-old Emma McPhee. Just as intriguing to Gio is Emma’s father Mike, a blue-collar guy who runs a business renovating the kitchens and bathrooms of New York’s elite to finance his daughter’s dream.
Mike’s partner was killed when Emma was a toddler, and Gio mourns the beautiful voice he will never have again, so coping with loss is something they have in common. Their initial physical attraction quickly grows to something more as each hopes to fill the gap that loss and grief has left in his life. Although Mike wonders if he can truly fit into Gio’s upperclass world, their bond grows stronger. Then, trouble strikes from outside when the machinations of an unscrupulous stage mother threaten to tear Gio and Mike apart—and ruin Emma’s bright future.
One Night Ever After by Elizah J. Davis, Elle Brownlee, Tere Michaels
Just a Drive by Tere Michaels
After weeks of flirting, “One Night” Wyatt Walsh spends a fabulous night with his shy coworker, Benji Trammell. As Wyatt tries to sneak out the next morning, he receives a call from his frantic, very pregnant best friend Raven—she needs him immediately. With no other way to get from New York City to the Pennsylvania town where Raven and her husband live, Wyatt accepts Benji’s offer to drive him there. Wary and unsure of each other, they start the trip at odds, but as time goes on, the barriers that usually keep people at a distance fail. And what started out as “just a drive” becomes a step toward romance.
Just a Stranger by Elle Brownlee
The excitement of meeting a stranger in a club can’t be beat. Loud bass sets the rhythm to Michael Wiercinski’s primal urges as he flirts with Andrew, a cute guy offering the promise of a hot night with no strings, no complications. Still, when their night is done, Michael admits there was something about Andrew that left him wanting more. Months go by with no sign of Andrew until Michael moves back home to help after his father’s heart attack. Once there, Michael is completely amazed to find Andrew Lucas living in his hometown. Despite surprising “complications” in Andrew’s life, Michael vows to take advantage of this second chance to make Andrew more than just a stranger.
Just a Weekend by Elizah J. Davis
James is a homebody in a predictable, if not altogether comfortable, rut. He’d rather stay in with a book than brave the Seattle bar scene. One night, after allowing his friend Kara to coax him out for drinks, he meets Devin—charming, gorgeous, and way out of his league.
With a little bit of help from Kara, James leaves with Devin to indulge in a night together, which is as much time as he’s bound to get with a guy as hot as Devin. He doesn’t expect the easy rapport that quickly develops between them, and when the weather conspires to keep them together, James wonders if this could be more than just a weekend fling.
Jilted at the altar when his best man ran off with his fiancée, Craydon “Cray” Wright trades in his Mexico honeymoon for a vacation in Aruba. When godlike Stone Ferris walks onto the plane, sits next to Cray, and makes his interest known, Cray decides to act on desires he’s felt since high school but ignored.
He agrees to let Stone show him the island, but what starts as fun-filled and casual turns earth-shattering for Cray. When his time in Aruba ends, Cray realizes his feelings for Stone have grown beyond fun, but he worries that it might not translate to real life in LA. Can he convince himself and Stone their love can be paradise at home?
Length: Novella (128p.) | Genre:Contemporary | Release Date: October 2, 2013 |Buy as eBook ($4.99 ISBN: 978-1-62798-163-7)
Puzzle Me This by Eli Easton
Luke Schumaker designs computer games, working from his home. Every day he walks his dog in the woods nearby, never suspecting that someone who is completely smitten is watching. The watcher is Alex Shaw, and he too works from home, designing logic and crossword puzzles. Alex’s options are limited: he’s too shy to approach Luke and his wheelchair won’t let him follow into the woods. His solution? Secret messages for Luke in the crosswords he writes for the local paper. When Luke decodes them, romance begins, but then they face greater puzzles, like Alex’s interfering sister and what commitment to a man in a wheelchair really takes. And, most puzzling of all, how do you know if love is real?
Length: Novella (88p.) | Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Humor | Release Date: October 2, 2013 |Buy as eBook ($3.99 ISBN: 978-1-62798-162-0)
My Only Sunshine by Rowan McAllister
Tanner Wallis is nearly at the end of his rope the night Mason Seidel finds him lying next to the mangled body of a cow on the back pastures of the Seidel family’s Wyoming ranch. Recently out of the hospital after he and his boyfriend were brutally beaten, Tanner is jobless, homeless, and almost penniless. His desperate hope is that Mason will believe he’s innocent of the senseless crime and give him a place to heal, both physically and emotionally, until he can get on his feet again.
But Mason already has enough on his plate. He’s only been back on the ranch a few months, ten years after his father kicked him out for being gay, and only because his sister begged him to come help after the man’s disabling stroke. With all his responsibilities—running the struggling ranch and keeping his sister and father off his back—Mason can’t really afford the distraction Tanner represents. But he can’t just abandon the attractive young man either. There’s trouble in spades on the ranch, but if they face it together, Mason and Tanner might find a future with a little sunshine.
Evan Costa learned from a very early age that there was no such thing as unconditional love and that it was better to settle for what you could get instead of expecting the world to give you what you need. As Ethan, porn model for Johnnies, he gets exactly what he wants—comradeship and physical contact on trade—and he is perfectly satisfied with that. He’s sure of it.
Jonah Stevens has spent most of his adult life helping to care for his sister and trying to keep his beleaguered family from fraying at the edges. He’s had very little time to work on his confidence or his body for that matter. When Jonah meets Ethan, he doesn’t see the hurt child or the shamelessly slutty porn star. He sees a funny, sexy, confident man who—against the odds—seems to like Jonah in spite of his very ordinary, but difficult, life.
Sensing a kindred spirit and a common interest, Ethan thinks a platonic friendship with Jonah won’t violate his fair trade rules of sex and touch, but Jonah has different ideas. Ethan’s pretty sure his choice of jobs has stripped away all hope of a real relationship, but Jonah wants the whole package—the sexy man, the vulnerable boy, the charming companion who works so hard to make other people happy. Jonah wants to prove that underneath the damage Ethan has lived with all his life, he’s still gold with promise and the ability to love.
Length: Novel (350p.) | Genre:Contemporary| Release Date: October 4, 2013
Following the death of their sub, the former owners of the Guards of Folsom, Robert “Bobby” Alcott and Rig Beckworth, were left to pick up the pieces as best they could. After seven years, these two Doms are ready to move on and find the boy who will complete them. Their painful past comes crashing back when they meet Mason Howard, a submissive who just weeks ago lost his Doms in a car accident.
Reeling from overwhelming grief that’s complicated by a severe social anxiety disorder, Mason can barely leave his home. When Rig and Bobby find him, he’s hit rock bottom, believing life is no longer worth living. Bobby and Rig set out to prove the younger man wrong. Fate has brought the three men together, but they’ll have to face the pain of fear and loss head-on before they can all truly live again.
Length: Novel (220p.) | Genre:BDSM/Kink, M/M/M or More | Release Date: October 4, 2013
Harmony Ink Press’ releases for the week of September 30, 2013
The Sacrifices We Make by Sophie Bonaste
Adam Jameson has always felt like an outsider in his own home, where his parents’ constant efforts to instill religious fervor have instead filled him with fear. Most of the time, he just wants to stay out of everybody’s way. But when Adam is forced to volunteer at a homeless shelter his senior year in high school, everything changes. He’s introduced to people who care about more than religion and, as a result, he starts to come out of his shell. For the first time in his life, Adam finds people who he wants to be around.
Mickey Stafford lives on the streets, a teen kicked out by his parents for being gay. He comes to the shelter for food and medical care, and after they literally run into each other, the two boys strike up a friendship. As Mickey introduces his new friend to the world he lives in, Adam starts to question everything: his parents, their religion, even his own beliefs. Once Mickey kisses him, Adam starts soul-searching and finds his heart, which is full of love for Mickey. But these two young men will have their love put to the test as they face a future of uncertainty and fear.
Length: Novel (190p.) | Genre:Contemporary, Gay, YA | Release Date: October 3, 2013
Blurb: As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under cover with one of his suspects. He can’t help it—Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely-eyed hero Tony goes for. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.
Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?
Private Investigator Tony has been asked to look into the death of a young woman, a young woman who apparently committed suicide; it leads Tony to go undercover as a patient at a Seattle sex clinic and getting him help for his own little problem. Tony doesn’t believe that the doctor who treated the young woman, Jack Halloran, was involved but he wants to make sure he doesn’t miss anything and that it isn’t his attraction to the doctor clouding his judgment. Jack has his own issues, injured in the line of duty as a combat surgeon; he has lost all confidence in his own appeal and becomes confused by his attraction to his new patient, Tony.
This is a great story that has some brilliant humorous moments including an Italian mother who has no boundaries. Tony is a great character who puts his all into solving his clients cases, his newest case is a puzzle though, and no matter the alibi, he still suspects the husband. Going undercover Tony wants to discover just what treatment the dead woman received, but he gets a surprise of his own when his own little problem rears its ugly head. Jack is a man who has had his confidence knocked, forced to change his specialty he is now a sex counselor and is intrigued by his new patients problem, but he also find himself attracted to the man.
This is a great novella that has some incredible sexual tension and a pretty good investigation. Tony is a character that you fall in love with, he is so cute with his blushes and embarrassment and his intense attraction to Jack. Jack is a man who has had some hard knocks, but he is so nice that you want him to break the rules for Tony. Tony’s investigation is great but the budding relationship with Jack is better, both of them entwine and I loved Jack’s reaction to the truth about Tony.
I recommend this to those that love humorous private investigators, hot doctors, great sex, an interesting storyline and a very amusing ending.
Tams’ Review: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
I do love a good love story. PI Tony DeMarco is on the case when he meets Dr. Jack Halloran. You see, Tony is in his late thirties and yet only really ever been attracted to 4 men, in his life. And he’s just met number 5! But the Doc is a suspect in the case Tony is working for the White family. Their daughter “overdosed” but her parents aren’t buying it, and the investigation led Tony to the clinic where Jack works.
Jack Halloran is an Iraq war vet that joined the military right out of medical school, and his body carries the scars from an IED. He realizes his job isn’t the most conventional, a doctor at a sex therapy clinic, but he enjoys his work. He’s never, ever gotten involved with a patient, but Tony pushes all the right buttons. Can the sexy Doc keep things strictly professional when a tall, dark, and handsome Italian man is hovering over him telling him how bad he wants him?
This book was just all kinds of fun and not too long to weigh it down. There was a little bit of suspense while Tony really did try to keep it professional and do his job. But then there was the constant sexual tension that was sizzling between him and Jack that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Let’s just say, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a pair of stirrups the same way again!
If you like strong male leads that give as good as they get, really give each other a run for their money… this is a must read for you.
Publisher: Harmony Ink (Dreamspinner Press) July 25, 2013
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Heat Level: Low
Blurb:It’s not easy for a young gay artist like Jordan Carson to grow up in Jefferson, Wisconsin, where all anyone seems to care about in middle school and high school are the sports teams. But Jordan was lucky. He met Owen Nelson in the second grade, and they’ve been BFFs ever since. Owen is a big, beautiful blond and their school’s champion wrestler. No one messes with Owen, or with anyone close to him, and he bucks popular opinion by keeping Jordan as his wingman even after Jordan comes out at school.
Their friendship survives, but Jordan’s worst enemy may be himself: he can’t seem to help the fact that he is head-over-heels in love with a hopeless case—his straight friend, Owen. Owen won’t let anything take Jordan’s friendship away, but he never counted on Jordan running off to find a life of his own. Owen will have to face the nature of their relationship if he’s to win Jordan back.
Review: Jordan is a young gay man; actually, when the story begins he is in Junior high or younger. He has two loves in his life. One: drawing and creating comics. Two: Owen Nelson, the star wrestler and his best friend since he was seven.
Owen has had two things in life that he couldn’t live without one wrestling the other his best friend Jordy. The only problem is Joey is gay and he isn’t. This is such a sweet story of two best friends that truly love each other. They have been inseparable since they were seven. It’s also a story of denial, but a feeling so strong that nothing can put a wedge between them. It’s rare to read a story of youth with such convictions and no drugs, alcohol or anything with clear heads on their shoulders and such strong feelings. All we ever hear is the stereotypical bad stuff when there are kids that are actually good, and confused. It’s sweet, pure, clean, funny, and very sensual. I highly recommended this to any true romance lover.
Recommendations: if you like young adult, clean, sweet, yet sensual stories, varsity wrestling, comics, super heroes, and fulfilling endings this is for you.
Series: Love Has No Boundaries (Goodreads) Author: Eli Easton Genre: Historical/Medieval
Length: Novella (32,000 words)
Publisher: Goodreads (June 4th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: This is a tale about two medieval English knights—Sir William Corbet, aka the Lion, and Sir Christian Brandon, aka The Crow. In a time when duty was everything, personal honor was more valued than life itself, and homosexuality was not tolerated by the church or society, how can these two men reconcile their deepest, most secret yearnings to love another man?
Sir Christian was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for the sake of his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers are, he learned to survive by using his wits and developing a gift for strategy. He feels little loyalty to the system that’s abused him since birth.
Sir William, a large and fierce warrior, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. But when he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to undertake a journey with Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, even his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.
This story is offered free as part of Love Has No Boundaries Event
Review: I’ve always enjoyed a good medieval romance about knights, kings, conquerors and the rough times they lived. This is a wonderful and convincing blend of those gallant men and how an m/m romance may have played out. There is deceit, adventure, bloodletting, battle scenes, heroic rescue, and of course daring love scenes. I won’t give it away, but I love the scheme the MC comes up with to save the day and attempt to rescue the damsel in distress. If you love tales of knights and castles, you’ll love this gem of a story.
Title: A Second Harvest
Title: How to Howl at the Moon![StolenSuitor[The]LG](https://mmgoodbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/stolensuitorthelg.png?w=300)
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Title: The Lion and the Crow (2nd Edition)
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