Cop Out by K.C. Burns ~ Audiobook

Title: Cop Out
Series: Toronto Tales, #1
Author: K.C. Burn
Narrator: Tristan James
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 7 hours and 3 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (03/27/2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Detective Kurt O’Donnell is used to digging up other people’s secrets, but when he discovers his slain partner was married to another man, it shakes him. Determined to do the right thing, Kurt offers the mourning Davy his assistance. Helping Davy through his grief helps Kurt deal with the guilt that his partner didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth, and somewhere along the way Davy stops being an obligation and becomes a friend, the closest friend Kurt has ever had.

His growing attraction to Davy complicates matters, leaving Kurt struggling to reevaluate his sexuality. Then a sensual encounter neither man is ready for confuses them further. To be with Davy, Kurt must face the prospect of coming out, but his job and his relationship with his Catholic family are on the line.

Can he risk destroying his life for the uncertain possibility of a relationship with a newly widowed man?

Product Link(s): https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4947

http://amzn.to/1Rep2I0

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Detective Kurt O’Donnell is having a very bad week. First he and his partner are blown up on their way to a scene, then Kurt wakes up in the hospital with the details of the event blurring in his mind. Out of the hospital and trying to heal both mentally and physically, Kurt attends his former partner’s funeral only to find out that after 3 years working side by side almost daily, putting his life in the hands of his partner, he didn’t know the man at all.

Davy spent 10 years under the thumb of a controlling lover. He wasn’t abusive per say, but he kept Davy hidden away all but ashamed to admit his sexuality, going as far as to urge Davy to cut all his friends out of his life. Still, Davy loved the man and mourns the loss when he is killed on the job. What’s odd and unnerving is when his dead lover’s partner on the force starts showing up unannounced with groceries, dinner and movies.

The two grow closer and more comfortable with each other with each passing day, both of them almost ashamed that they actually look forward to spending time together watching hockey games, eating dinner and drinking a few beers. When Kurt starts to explore the idea that his arrow may not be so straight, Davy pulls away and cuts off all contact. That is until Kurt is hurt during a drug bust and Davy rushes to his side, but is it too little too late?

This story was so engrossing that I didn’t even mind the angst. You really get to see Kurt and Davy meet, become friends, grow closer and slowly, excruciatingly almost, fall for each other. The elephant in the room, Kurt’s dead partner, Davy’s dead lover, threatens to suffocate the slow burning flame growing between them though.

I really felt like I was there, riding shotgun with these two, the depth of storytelling and engaging the reader with the plot and twists was that good. Tristan James narration only added to the appeal of the story. He is multi-vocal and holds an army of tones and accents in his arsenal. My favorite from him is always the Irish accent, it’s so perfect and he also has the ability to change each character, even if only a fraction, so you always know whose head you are in at the time.

If you like stories with action, suspense, intrigue and slow building love, then this is a must listen!

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

Jesse's Diner by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

Title: Jesse’s Diner
Series: Hope, #2
Author: Cardeno C
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: May/December Romance
Length: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC (12-22-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another. All they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

Product Link(s): http://amzn.to/1Psw4TT

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/jesses-diner-hope-book-2-unabridged/id1071035789

Reviewer: Tams

Review: What would you do if you knew your time here was about to expire? Jessie knows he won’t beat the cancer, so with his son Mike’s help.

He sets out to make sure the things he cares about most will be taken care of once he’s gone. He wants to make sure the diner is taken care of so he leaves it to Tanner, Mike’s best friend, and somewhat of an adopted son to Jessie. Making sure that his husband Steve doesn’t fade away to depression once he’s gone, well Tanner is key to that as well.

This is a super short story so the review will be as well. Let me just say if the fact that Cardeno C penned the story isn’t enough to make this one an auto buy, then the fact that Paul Morey narrates should make it a no brainer. Need more convincing?

Okay then. The story almost seems like insta-love in the beginning, but as the story unfolds you learn it is anything but. The feelings are mutual and a long time coming. Morey really translates each character from paper to audio well, I especially like the way he totally immerses himself into not just conveying the characters, but conveying the emotions.

Definitely a must listen, as I said it’s super short, super sexy and well worth the couple of hours to give it a listen.

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

Newton's Laws of Attraction by M.J. O'Shea ~ Audiobook

Title: Newton’s Laws of Attraction
Series: Newton’s Laws of Attraction, #1
Author: MJ O’Shea
Narrator: George Somerset
Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: 4 hours and 57 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (01-27-15)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Rory was Ben’s oldest and best friend until senior year of high school, when they confessed they’d harbored feelings for each other all along. They enjoyed only a few months of happiness until Ben chose closeted popularity over true love… and he’s regretted it ever since.

Eight years later, Ben is out and proud and teaching art at the same high school he graduated from. When he learns the chemistry teacher is retiring, he’s excited to meet her replacement until he finds out the brand new teacher is none other than Rory Newton—the first love he’s never quite gotten over. Despite a painfully awkward start, it doesn’t take Ben long to realize he’ll do whatever it takes to win Rory back.

But it’s starting to look like even his best might not be enough.

Product Link(s): https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6107

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Newtons-Laws-of-Attraction-Audiobook/B00SNSDYOK

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Rory and Ben have been friends ever since the day Rory moved in next door to Ben when they were still kids. Over the years they grew up together and something more than the simple bond of friendship developed between them.

Just before their senior year, both young men came clean about their mutual feelings and swore they would love each other forever. But high school, peer pressure and the need to fit in got in the way. A decade later and Rory winds up in Ben’s path again, just like before, but he wants nothing to do with giving Ben a second chance.

I was drawn into the story from the start when a very young Ben got jealous and kicked Rory in the shins. When forced to apologize it was the first of many times Ben would be mesmerized by Rory’s smile.

Then the story jumps to present day and, I was a little confused at first, but the time jump quickly clears itself up and Ben explains to his now best friend exactly what a tool he was in high school. Ben feels like he is being given a second chance at that first love, the one that got away, and the one no one has ever been able to compete with. But Rory is stand-offish and resistant from the start.

As the story progresses, the friendship slowly slides back into something similar to the past and the two men become inseparable again. Ben goes into the situation realizing it’s just a friend’s with benefits type of situation, but is no less heartbroken when that nail is forcibly hammered home.

There was a lot of angst, but both men are still in their late twenties, so it is to be expected. What I enjoyed the most about this audio was getting to watch Ben and Rory navigate through all that pain, anger and hurt and try to find their way back to each other. Neither having been whole since they have been apart. But Rory doesn’t make it easy, and why should he? Ben broke his heart.

Narrated by George Somerset, my first party with him, but I’d be willing to accept another invitation. I loved the voices he gave the characters and I could literally feel Ben’s pain there toward the end of the story. This was a fast, emotional, slightly angsty read and overall, I really enjoyed it.

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

Pura Vida by Sara Alva ~ Audiobook

Title: Pura Vida
Series: N/A
Author: Sara Alva
Narrator: Joseph Northton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 2 hours and 23 minutes
Publisher: Sara Alva (08-14-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Simon has found himself in an open relationship for the summer – though not by choice. Instead of wallowing, he’s decided to make the most of a family vacation to Costa Rica by hooking up with the first hot guy available. The trouble is, he has no clue how to go about doing that.

Luckily, he runs into someone with a little more experience. But when the moments of lust turn into something more, Simon isn’t so sure he’ll be able to return to his old relationship. And there’s no way to hold onto this new one, either, as thousands of miles will separate them in only a few short weeks. Either way, he’ll have to learn to let go.

Product Link(s): http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Pura-Vida-Audiobook/B013U1K68G

http://www.amazon.com/Pura-Vida/dp/B013Y8T6NQ/

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Pura Vida has a simple English translation but a far more profound meaning to the people of Costa Rica and anyone spending any amount of time in this majestic country. Pura Vida. Pronounced POO-rah VEE-dah, in English means, “Pure Life”.

Vacation is supposed to be a happy, relaxed time where you can forget your troubles and just enjoy the peace. But for Simon this vacation is racked with stress, worry and a nosey sister. He and his long-term boyfriend are taking a “break” for summer break.

Translation: boyfriend wants to be able to screw anything in a pair of pants and not feel guilty about it. Simon sits on the beach soaking up the sun and drinking margaritas while mentally lining up all the possibilities that surround him. The one that catches his attention turns out to be a local with a lot of character.

Juan sells bags, sunglasses and hats around town and down the beach by day. But at night he camps out at a local reserve for turtles. He watches the sea turtles; helps protect them and their eggs from poachers and find their way back to the sea. Simon is intrigued with what it is Juan does with the turtles, even more intrigued with Juan.

The two decide to “pass the time” together, both fully aware it is nothing more than that, until feelings grow and hearts get involved.
I really loved the message behind this story, Pura Vida. And I enjoyed the way the romance wove its way around the scenery of Costa Rica, helping to shape and mold both young men, especially Simon.

The sea turtles were an odd secondary character, but it worked so well in the storyline. Those turtles are what brought these two unlikely lovers together. There was a little bit of danger added to the mix, giving the story just a little bit of suspense. But overall it is a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be, then making it happen.

Narrated by Joseph Northton who really brought Simon and Juan to life. Simon was sort of wistful and unsure and that really conveyed will the way he was voiced. Northton did a great job of bringing Juan to life with an authentic accent, especially the way he pronounced Simon’s name.

It was a fast, fun read that kept me entertained and engaged from start to finish. My first from this author and this narrator, but I’ll be looking for more from both.

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

Here For You by Skylar M. Cates ~ Audiobook

Title: Here For You
Series: Sunshine and Happiness, #1
Author: Skylar M. Cates
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 7 hours and 35 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (07-17-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Cole Gannon arrives in the seaside town of Ocean Vista to work as a bartender and finally find a place to belong. Determined to make a home for himself, Cole lives happily with his four colorful roommates, whom he considers brothers. The only problem is Cole’s attraction to Ian Stark—a guy all wrong for him. He wishes he didn’t keep running into the sexy lawyer.

Ian knows Cole is attracted to him, but the younger man keeps him at arm’s length. It only makes Ian more determined to be with Cole and learn all his secrets. But while Ian has built a successful law practice, he hasn’t done too well with relationships.

When a sudden and devastating tragedy occurs, it shatters Cole’s world and throws Cole and Ian together in unexpected ways. In an instant, everything between them changes forever.

Product Link(s): https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6753

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Here-for-You-Audiobook/B011S473LA

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Life is a thread connecting us. One pull and it all unravels.

After being basically abandoned by his mother in his youth, Cole Gannon has always longed for a family. Together with his four roommates, he has finally found the family atmosphere and love he always wanted. Then tragedy strikes and threatens the foundation of Cole’s nuclear family. The one person that wants to be a shoulder for Cole to cry on, to lean on, is the one person Cole has spent the last several months pushing away.

Ian Stark has been enamored with Cole since the first day he saw him at a BBQ his intern Brandon invited him to. Brandon is Cole’s best friend and one of the four roommates. He is also slightly smitten with Ian. It’s this conflict of interest and Cole’s devotion to Brandon that stop him from acting on his mutual attraction to Ian. That is, until Brandon is hurt and the only person Cole can think of to find solace with is Ian.

As Cole and Ian grow closer, Cole’s little family drifts further apart. While Cole has always been the glue holding them all together, Brandon was the roots that kept Cole grounded. Without him, Cole is confused, lost and hurting. Cole is torn between two worlds he wants to merge that refuse to blend.

This was a dark and emotional story. There were a lot of tears and anguish, but there was also love, beauty and hope. The little bit of angst that dotted the story was not only necessary, it was well done. Cole is in pain and confused about the rift growing between him and the three remaining roommates.

How fucked up is it that life hands you the man you have always wanted, wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but demands such a hefty price in return. Ian is steadfast and loyal though, forever patient with Cole and his mood swings and random outbursts. The story was a series of ups and downs and learning that while life is brutal and demanding, there is beauty in hope and love.

Narrated by Paul Morey and I just loved the voice he gave these characters, he truly brought them to life. Ian is a high power attorney, sort of a no nonsense kind of guy, and Morey captured that with his gruff, no arguments tone of voice. Oh but when Cole was on one of his tangents, Ian became soft-spoken and tender and it made him that much more endearing. Cole was sort of flighty and a bit air headed, Morey gave him an easy-going lighthearted tone. When push came to shove and Cole got upset though, you could hear the anger and pain in his voice. Fantastic job on telling the story.

If you like slightly angsty but still adult stories with one of those hard-fought happy ever afters, then this is the perfect book for you. I can’t wait to start the next book, and I so hope that Mark and Thomas get a story at some point.

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

Hands On by Aria Grace ~ Audiobook

Title: Hands On
Series: More than Friends, #5
Author: Aria Grace
Narrator: Tim Todd
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 3 hours and 47 minutes
Publisher: Aria Grace (07-06-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Patton is new to town and hasn’t met a lot of people outside of the salon he works at as a masseur. He wants a relationship but he’s quick to fall in love and even quicker to scare away most men he’s interested in.

When he meets an outgoing bartender named Caleb, he is immediately attracted but isn’t sure he can date someone who has to flirt for tips all night long.

Unfortunately, that’s not the worst thing Caleb does to make a living.

More than Friends #1 (Free)
More than Friends #2: Drunk in Love
More Than Friends #3: Choosing Happy
More than Friends #4: Just Stay
More than Friends #5: Hands On

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Erotica-Sexuality/Hands-On-M-M-Romance-Audiobook/B010TK91HI

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Caleb is working his way through college by any means necessary. He is a good guy, smart, with attainable goals. He never factored in considering someone else’s feelings on how he made his money. When he meets Patton at the bar where he is a part-time bar tender, full-time, off the books, rent boy, there is a definite mutual attraction.

And when Caleb accepts an offer for a massage at the salon Patton works at, he starts to consider the possibility of something more for the first time in a long time. Then Patton makes an off the cuff remark and sinks the ship before it ever leaves the docks.

This has to be my favorite story and coupling in this series thus far. The story unfolds at the perfect pace, each piece of the puzzle being turned at the right time. The struggle Caleb faces was not only real, believable, it was painful. I loved the fact that he realized selling his body wasn’t the best line of work, but refused to be put down or looked down on because he pursued the only option he was given.

Patton pissed me off early on, but then Grace did a fantastic job of humbling him and showing how he struggled with his attraction to Caleb, equal only to his disdain of Caleb’s choice of profession.

Narrated by Tim Todd, and though it was my first listen with this narrator, it won’t be my last. He really captured the true voice for the characters. I could feel Caleb’s frustration and Patton’s indecision throughout the story. I thought it was poetic justice that Patton’s lying, cheating ex was read as a sniveling jackass, much like his character!

Emotional and engaging with a small dose of angst. Definitely a must read if you are a fan of Aria Grace and/or this series. Perhaps it will become your favorite as well.

I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table for the next couple in this series.

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

Paint the Sky by Lily G. Blunt Audiobook Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Lily G. Blunt - Paint the Sky -facebook-cover-art-copy

Hiya guys, we have Lily G. Blunt visiting today with the tour for her audiobook Paint the Sky, we have an audio excerpt and an ebook excerpt, Lily has a fantastic giveaway for you to take part in and we also have Tams review, so enjoy the post and follow Lily’s instructions to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

Paint the Sky

Lily G. Blunt

Narrated by Joel Leslie

A love of art…

A mutual interest in art draws two shy university students together. Ben admires Vinnie’s painting of the university building, so Vinnie invites him to an exhibition of his artwork. From a wealthy family, Ben purchases some of Vinnie’s art and arranges for the artist to personally hang the paintings in his apartment.

Starry, starry night…

Ben commissions Vinnie to paint his portrait, in order to spend more time with the artist. On the night of the sitting, Vinnie fingerpaints the starry night on Ben’s chest… and they kiss. They begin a relationship beneath the night sky, God’s own canvas.

But every relationship has its ups and downs and so it is with theirs. When Ben thinks Vinnie spends too much time with a fellow artist, his jealousy drives a wedge between them and forces Vinnie into the very thing Ben dreads.

Hold tight to your dreams…

Ben and Vinnie will have to walk through fire before they can find one another again. But if they believe, and if they keep their faith in the night sky and each other, just maybe they can make their dreams of love come true.

Audible.com / Audible UK / Amazon.com / Amazon UK / iTun

Continue reading “Paint the Sky by Lily G. Blunt Audiobook Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →

Walk With Me by Cardeno C. ~ Audiobook

Title: Walk With Me
Series: Home, #7
Author: Cardeno C
Narrator: Alexander Collins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 6 hours and 40 minutes
Publisher: The Romance Authors LLC (8-28-15)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Blurb: When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi.

Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.

When Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Walk-With-Me-Audiobook/B014JYSDYC

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Eli Block has known who he is and who he wants since he was eleven years old. Six years later that person is not only back in his life, but in his living room. Too bad Seth doesn’t even remember young Eli. Not one to give up when he sets his mind to it, Eli pulls out all the stops in an effort to make Seth notice him.

Eventually Eli takes a step back and goes through the motions of living his life. He graduates, goes to college and gets his degree in Music and Teaching, has a series of boyfriends, but nothing or no one every truly replaces the longing he holds for Seth.

Seth Cohen has always kept Eli at arm’s length, always tried to convince himself that he is not gay. When Eli extends an olive branch, asking to be friends, Seth graciously accepts and the two become best friends. They talk about everything, and when the time comes, Eli helps Seth pick out his home.

As the years pass and Seth stands on the sideline watching Eli grow, make mistakes and try to learn from them, he also watches Eli become a man. A man who Seth is starting to think he wants to be more than just friends with.

I really adored Eli Block. He was tenacious, loyal and unwavering in his love for Seth. It took Seth a while to get on board, and early on I could completely understand why. Seth wasn’t in a place to openly admit or accept being attracted to another man, and there was the age difference.

But once Seth’s feelings started to change, it annoyed me that he went out of his way not to talk to Eli about it. I loved the chapter headers in this book, the comic relief with the various weddings and the shenanigans that people got up to. I think the fish graveyard reception was perhaps my favorite.

This is the first book narrated by Alexander Collins I’ve listened to and I wasn’t really impressed. At times I couldn’t tell who was talking, Seth or Eli, he chose such similar tones for the two main characters and that was confusing and frustrating. He seemed to put more effort into the secondary characters than Seth and Eli. I won’t say I wouldn’t listen to another book he voices, but I don’t think I’ll go out of my way to grab something of his either.

The story itself was pretty good, as I said, the sort of angst aspect with Seth figuring out his sexuality and keeping Eli in the dark bothered me, but overall I thought the writing and concept were great… the narration, not so much.

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

Walk With Me by Cardeno C. Audiobook Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C - Walk With Me Audio Banner - Walk With Me copy

Hi peeps, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with her audio release Walk With Me, we have a snippet of the book for you to listen to, there’s a fantastic giveaway and Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Walk With Me

Cardeno C.

When Eli Block steps into his parents’ living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances. As a tenuous and then binding friendship forms between the two men, Eli must find a way to move past his unrequited love while still keeping his best friend in his life. Not an easy feat when the same person occupies both roles.

Professional, proper Seth is shocked by Eli’s brashness, overt sexuality, and easy defiance of societal norms. But he’s also drawn to the happy, funny, light-filled man. As their friendship deepens over the years, Seth watches Eli mature into a man he admires and respects. When Seth finds himself longing for what Eli had so easily offered, he has to decide whether he’s willing to veer from his safe life-plan to build a future with Eli.

*Walk With Me is set in the Home series where the books are linked by theme or world. They are independent and can be read in any order.

Amazon | Audible

ebook links: Amazon / iTunes / ARe / Smashwords / Kobo / B&N

Continue reading “Walk With Me by Cardeno C. Audiobook Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway!” →

My Hero by Max Vos Audiobook Tour, Review & Giveaway!

Hi guys, we have Max Vos stopping by today with the tour for his audio release My Hero, Tams reviews My Hero and there’s a great giveaway so enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

My Hero

Max Vos

This is a gay male romance with explicit sexual situations between men.

When he was 16 years old, Rich Miller saved a young man from drowning at his local pool. Little did he know that years later, as a senior in college and Olympic diving hopeful, Rich would meet up once again with Johnny Milloway, now a big football player – and when Rich says big, he really means “bear”. The shy jock remembers his saviour, and the two men become friends.

Johnny isn’t put off by the fact that Rich is gay. In fact, the more time he spends with Rich, the more curious he becomes. Johnny wants to know all kinds of things – what it’s like to kiss a guy, for instance. Only it doesn’t stop there…

Rich finds it difficult to believe that this relationship can go anywhere. Johnny is straight, and Rich isn’t prepared to deal with the heartache he knows will come his way in the future. He has enough on his plate as it is – the worlds are just around the corner. His father would rather watch a football game than spend time watching his son dive. What he doesn’t count on is Johnny, who can be very determined. And having Johnny in his life proves to be a catalyst for some pretty earth-shattering changes.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK

Continue reading “My Hero by Max Vos Audiobook Tour, Review & Giveaway!” →

Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C. Audio Tour, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - Perfect Imperfections Audio Banner

Hiya guys, Cardeno C. has popped in again for a visit and this time it’s with her audiobook Perfect Imperfections, we have an audio sample for you to listen to, there’s also a fantastic giveaway where you can win your own audiobook of Perfect Imperfections and we have Tams review, now Tams has reviews for both the ebook and the audiobook so see what she has to say. Well guys, enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Perfect Imperfections

(Audiobook)

Cardeno C.

Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.

Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.

Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon / iTunes / ARe / Smashwords / Kobo / B&N

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Ever the Same by BA Tortuga ~ Audiobook

Title: Ever the Same
Series: N/A
Author: BA Tortuga
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 7 hours and 32 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (07-06-15)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Audie Barrack is in it up to his elbows with a sick calf when his son’s school calls. Seems Grainger has gotten into yet another fight. When he walks into the principal’s office, he’s shocked to find his son has been fighting with a little girl named Randi.

A little girl with one blind dad and one dad who recently passed away.

Dixon has lost his sight, his career, and his husband. Thank God for his brothers, Momma and Daddy, and his little girl, or he would simply give up. The last thing he needs is for Randi to start trouble at school, especially trouble that puts him in contact with another dad who might expect him to be a functional human being.

Dixon is struggling to live as a blind man, Audie is terrified someone might see he has a closet to come out of, and everyone from the school to both men’s families is worried for the men and their children. Unless they get themselves together and commit to change, neither of them stands a chance.

Product Link(s): https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6711

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Ever-the-Same-Audiobook/B010WHD2DC

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Audie lives his life under the radar. A single father to a young son whose mom abandoned him, practically at birth, he keeps his sexuality a secret from everyone but his family. Everything changes when Audie gets a call from school that his son, Grainger, has been fighting with another student.

Dixon and his daughter Miranda, Randi for short, are still in mourning over the loss of a loved one. Not only did Dixon loose his lover in the wreck, Randi lost her other daddy and Dixon lost his sight. Now he spends every day in darkness, just trying to put one foot in front of the other and learn how to live again. Imagine having everything you ever dreamed of; love, life, happiness and a family; and in an instant, it’s all taken away.

Audie winds up befriending Dix, inviting him and his daughter to Grainger’s birthday party in an attempt to help his son make new friends. It’s a rough start at first, Grainger determined not to like the little girl who socked him a good one. Eventually though, the four of them become inseparable. Audie begins teaching Randi how to ride horses while Dix teaches Grainger how to play guitar. And the two men, well they teach each other how to love and live again.

I was completely engrossed in this story five minutes in. The storyline was totally fun and care free. Of course there are some bumps in the road. Dix is bitter and lonely but once he opens his heart and lets Audie in, everything changes. Audie hasn’t lived in the closet per say, everyone just assumes that since he has a son he is straight; he does or says nothing to change their minds. But meeting Dix awakens something inside him he didn’t think he would ever experience again.

The difficulty these two face is merging their different life styles and blended families. The most strife and discord comes from their own mothers. Now that they’ve found happiness and a man who not only accepts them, faults, blindness, small children and all, they aren’t about to let anyone keep them apart.

Narrated by Paul Morey and if you follow my reviews, you know I adore his voice. He has this country gentleman tone that he uses for Audie and it is absolutely perfect. I especially liked that I could feel Dixon’s frustrations in the way Morey voiced him, it gave the story and the character so much more depth.

Tortuga definitely did her research into the specifics of living life without site. Little details like the other senses becoming stronger, the anger and frustration over not being able to visualize something… I really enjoyed that she went that extra mile for the story.

I would recommend this audio book to anyone that likes cowboy romances, hopeless romantics and fans of Morey’s work.

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

Housekeeping by Kim Fielding ~ Audiobook

Title: Housekeeping
Series: N/A
Author: Kim Fielding
Narrator: KC Kelly
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 2 hours and 42 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11-25-14)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Blurb: When Nicky Hauser walks in on his restaurant-owner boyfriend having sex with a waiter, Nicky loses his lover, his job, and his home all in one night. Although he’s nearly thirty, he’s never settled on a true career, and he has nothing to show for his years with Tom. Depressed and unable to find work, Nicky ends up couch-surfing with friends until he lands a house-sitting gig for a wealthy family.

When Nicky’s clients discover that he loves to clean, demand for his services skyrockets. Word of mouth leads him to Spencer Cartwright, a busy computer consultant and a slob. Spencer and his wife divorced when he came out, but he’s never found the time or courage to settle down with a man. As Nicky sets Spencer’s house to rights, the two men find friendship.

But Nicky’s past experiences make him wary of risking everything on love.

Product Link(s): http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5875

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Housekeeping-Audiobook/B00Q3HEP8C

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Nicky Hauser has spent the last five years with a man who not only didn’t appreciate him, but cheated on him more than once. When Nicky walks in on his partner, the man he shares his life and home with, banging one of their waiters in his office, Nicky can no longer pretend not to know what Tom is doing. He couch surfs for a while until the opportunity to house sit falls into his lap. The couple is so impressed with how immaculate their home is upon their return, that they start suggesting Nicky to their friends, and Nicky turns it into a solid income from there.

That is all Spencer Cartwright is supposed to be, his employer. But all bets are off when Nicky takes a fulltime, live in job for Spencer, keeping his home in order. Quiet nights spent watching TV together, Spencer helping Nicky study for his college math class and evenings out with Nicky’s friends, slowly turn their friendship into something more. But can Nicky open up his heart to another man after the lost one broke it?

This was just a fast fun read. The storyline was okay, the characters were a little distant though. I never really felt drawn to either of them until toward the end, and then the story was over. I did like how Nicky took his circumstance and turned it to work in his favor, but I really wanted him and Spencer to get together a little sooner and perhaps have a little more romantic time.

Kelly’s narration of the story was great. I liked that each character had a different voice, whether it was tone, pitch or nuance that changed, you always knew who was talking at the time.

If you are looking for something quick to pass an afternoon with a decent storyline and a tease at romance, grab a copy of Housekeeping.

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

The Heart of the Race by Mary Calmes ~ Audiobook

Title: The Heart of the Race
Series: Daily Dose 2013 – Make a Play
Author: Mary Calmes
Narrator: Greg Tremblay
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (07-06-2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Varro Dacien spends his life riding toward the next adventure. Brian Christie, his best friend and touchstone, the one person who’s always truly seen him, plays sidekick on these madcap adventures and subsequent trips to the hospital until he can’t take it anymore. While Brian can see Varro, Varro has never caught on that he’s breaking his best friend’s heart.

Without Varro, Brian builds himself a life that’s all about just getting by, doing his best to ignore the hole in his heart and his life. Without Brian to balance him, Varro pushes harder and takes more risks to reach that ultimate high. His job racing high-octane bikes on suicide-level courses makes it easy to get that rush… until it’s no longer enough and Varro realizes it’s not the race, but who’s waiting at the finish line that truly matters.

Now he just has to convince Brian to be there.

Product Link(s): https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6708

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Heart-of-the-Race-Audiobook/B010TCEIN8

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Brian Christie and Varro Dacien have been best friends since the day Brian watched Varro launch a homemade contraption off his roof and subsequently wind up in the hospital. That day set the stage for their lives moving forward.

Varro is the daredevil and Brian is his conscious. Best friends and foster brothers, the two were inseparable until Brian realized he was in love with Varro. While Brian tried to put distance between them, Varro continued to pull Brian closer all while tearing his heart in two with constant trysts with random women and groupies.

When Brian finally has enough and completely pulls away, both men are left in stasis, not really moving on and constantly thinking about each other, both too damn stubborn to do anything about it. There is nothing like a little competition to make a man admit his feelings, in abundance.

Calmes is the queen of sexy short stores, and Greg Tremblay is her court jester. The only reason I’m giving this one 4 instead of 5 stars was the pain in my ass miscommunication and stubborn resolve to forever wallow in self-pity, miserably that Brian wore like a badge of honor. I seriously wanted to snatch him up by his hair and slap him a couple of times.

I tell you what though; the conversation on the phone toward the end, Tremblay used some amazing vocal chops during that part of the story. He gave voice to every word and emotion and had me hanging off every syllable and frustrated groan. And who knew that Tremblay could pull of an Irish baroque?

Great story for fans of the author and narrator, angsty but fun and I think the last thirty minutes was my favorite part.

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

Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C. Audiobook Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Cardeno C. - Strange Bedfellows AUDIO - banner L

Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. stopping by today with her newest audiobook release Strange Bedfellows, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Strange Bedfellows

Cardeno C.

Can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

As the sole offspring of the Democratic United States president and his political operative wife, Trevor Moga was raised in an environment driven by the election cycle. During childhood, he fantasized about living in a made-for-television family, and as an adult, he rejected all things politics and built a highly successful career as far from his parents as possible.

Newly elected congressman Ford Hollingsworth is Republican royalty. The grandson of a revered governor and son of a respected senator, he was bred to value faith, family, and the goal of seeing a Hollingsworth in the White House.

When Trevor and Ford meet, sparks fly and a strong friendship is formed. But can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK | iTunes

Continue reading “Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C. Audiobook Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!” →

Just Stay by Aria Grace ~ Audiobook

Title: Just Stay
Series: More Than Friends, #4
Author: Aria Grace
Narrator: Chris Chambers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 3 hours and 54 minutes
Publisher: Aria Grace (05-12-15)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: When Spencer agreed to help take down the leader of a Portland crime family, he didn’t realize he’d end the night with the bloodied body of an unknowing accomplice in his arms. His initial interest in Dylan was purely physical but when Dylan stepped in front of Topher’s gun and saved Spencer, the lust quickly turned into something more. Something he wasn’t sure he’d ever find in the fast-paced dot com world he was from.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Just-Stay-More-Than-Friends-Book-4-Audiobook/B00XIQE2E8

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Dylan and Spencer meet and fall for each other under the strangest of circumstances. Spencer is working undercover trying to take down a Mafioso type family and Dylan is the targets friend and bodyguard. Dylan has been growing tired of Topher’s manipulations for a while, so when Topher pulls a gun on Spencer, Dylan steps in the way.

Over the next several weeks, Dylan and Spencer exchange phone calls and get to know one another better through long distance calls and occasional phone sex. When Topher’s sins fall back on Dylan and Spencer winds up sideways involved, Dylan will do whatever it takes to keep the man he’s fallen for out of harm’s way.

I was surprised by where the storyline in the book went, pleasantly surprised. There is a mystery that slowly unravels and I was kind of on the edge of my seat throughout. I loved the chemistry between Dylan and Spencer, but Grace also took the time to let them get to know each other before they fell into bed, and eventually in love.

They were sexy and passionate and sometimes surprising with where they went intimately speaking.

This is the first book I’ve listened to with this narrator and he wasn’t half bad. There were a few characters that had the same vocal tone, so that was a little confusing, but the main characters all had their own voice, so he is forgiven. I’ll be looking for more of his work, that’s for sure.

If you are looking for a short, suspenseful, sexy story then this one is a must read.

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

My Big Fat Southern Gay Wedding by Sara York ~ Audiobook

Title: My Big Fat Southern Gay Wedding
Series: A Southern Thing, #3
Author: Sara York
Narrator: Jason Frazier
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 6 hours and 2 minutes
Publisher: Sara York (04-17-15)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Blurb: When he was a kid, Jack Miller thought life would be a certain way, then he figured out he liked boys and not girls, changing the course of his future. Jack has spent the last few years learning that life doesn’t always give you what you expect, in both good and bad ways.

Andrew’s gone missing and Jack’s parents have split. He’s made it through high school, but the future is nothing without Andrew. To be complete, Jack knows he needs to find Andrew and bring him home. But Andrew has disappeared.

Lost doesn’t even begin to describe how Andrew Collins feels. Homeless and destitute, he’s ready to end it all. Thinking that Jack is dead, Andrew returns to Sweet to end his life on Jack’s grave. Instead, he finds lies were told that drove him to a path of destruction.

After not seeing each other for almost a year, Jack and Andrew come together, but their problems don’t end there. They must work hard to make it to their big fat Southern gay wedding or risk losing it all.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/My-Big-Fat-Southern-Gay-Wedding-Audiobook/B00W8FRA5I

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Andrew is finally out from under his abusive parent’s control, but his life is in a tail spin. You see, Andrew has not only hit rock bottom, he believes his soul died along with Jack, so he returns to Sweet one last time to say goodbye to his love. I swear, angels were rejoicing when these two were reunited but time apart and life’s hard knocks have left lasting marks on both young men, both body and soul.

Andrew is honest with Jack about where he has been and what he has done. And while Jack understands the limited choices Andrew had, there is still a sting when he thinks about his beloved being with anyone other than him. Jealously leads to discourse and trust issues and Jack often misunderstands a situation as the two of them try to navigate the mine field they now call life. It’s a long, hard road to recovery and happiness, but by god they both know they deserve and very much want their happy ever after.

It was hard for me to listen to the pain in Andrew’s voice when he was away from Jack. But you could also hear the understanding, pride and love under the pain. Andrew understood that Jack had to go to college and unfortunately it caused them to live apart for a while, but I love how York explained all those thoughts and internal conversations Andrew had with himself while they were apart. It really showed how he was growing as a person, determined to make lemonade out of the lemons life had dealt them.

Then you add in Frazier’s narration and it was the perfect blend of thought and sound, really bringing the characters to life.

Jack though, he did the most growing up in this installment. He’s now in college, has the love of his life back, his hateful father is out of the picture and yet, he’s still suffering. His thoughts betray his heart a lot while he struggles to come to terms with everything that has happened to him and Andrew.

Again, York not only shown the growth with her words, but she wrote it in such a way that it was completely different from following Andrew on his journey. Jack and Andrew are obviously soul-mates; they literally went to hell and back to be together. But they stand on their own as individuals as well.

I had one teensy issue with this installment of the series, Jack’s father, Nathanial. He does this complete 180, like stopping on a dime and reversing course in the blink of an eye. No, sorry, I do not buy it. That man is evil incarnate and makes my skin crawl. Kudos to Frazier for having the ability to capture so much vitriol and disdain with just a tone of voice for this character, and perhaps that is why I absolutely loath the man. I did, however, love the scene where Andrew has to face his parents and does it standing tall and proud with Jack by his side.

A Southern Thing is one of the most emotionally wrought series I’ve read. But for all the darkness in these stories, there is light, there is hope and most important, there is love. I encourage everyone to give this series a chance; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. York’s writing is intense and emotional while bringing this story and these characters to life. And Frazier only amplifies the intensity and emotion by giving them a voice.

I highly recommend this series, it is a must read but it also must be read in order.

Teach Me by Sloan Johnson ~ Audiobook

Title: Teach Me
Series: N/A
Author: Sloan Johnson
Narrator: Christopher Rain
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 6 hours and 51 minutes
Publisher: Sloan Johnson (05-22-15)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Two words stripped Austin Pritchard of the privileged life he’s used to. The moment he uttered the words, “I’m gay,” he realized there is no such thing as unconditional love. Now, he’s gone from traveling the world with his family to living on the streets trying to figure out how he’s going to stay in school.

A chance opportunity changes everything. Austin impresses the foreman and lands a job, but even more, he catches the eye of David Becker, who is determined to teach him that true love doesn’t come with strings.

The only thing David had as a child was love. His family struggled to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. That has driven him to stay focused on his goals; become a tenured professor at a university and save enough money to build a home of his own.

It’s not until he sees an insecure college student working on his new house that he realizes that he hasn’t planned on someone to share his life with. He’s about to learn that everything he’s already accomplished is nothing compared to the task of making Austin see that he is worthy of love.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Teach-Me-Audiobook/B00Y1410QE

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Austin Pritchard has his whole life ahead of him. He is young, smart and focused on his college education. Until he tells his parents he is gay and his dad responds by dropping him off at the bus station with nothing but the clothes on his back and a few words of disdain. As if disowning his own flesh and blood and telling him not to come back until he learns the error of his ways and taking away his car weren’t enough, dear old dad stops paying for Austin’s tuition.

Broke, homeless and depressed; Austin winds up living in the park and desperately trying to find work to save money so he can return to school in the fall.

When a day job brings David into Austin’s life, he doesn’t dare hope that the smart, sexy, older college professor could ever fall for the likes of him. That is his first mistake. David Becker never thought that landing the perfect job and building his dream home would be followed up by meeting the love of his life. But Austin barrels into David’s otherwise perfectly manicured life, like a tornado and turns it upside down.

The two are instantly smitten but there are concerns. Austin doesn’t want anyone’s pity, least of all the man he’s falling for, so he doesn’t share the fact he is homeless. David’s friends are concerned about the fifteen year age difference between them, there is definitely a level of maturity that Austin has yet to achieve and it could drive a wedge between them.

I was engrossed in this story from the start, but the narration took some time to get used to. This is Rain’s first audio and there is room for improvement. I love a good May/December romance when the Author can draw me in and make their love story endearing and believable, and Johnson surely accomplished that.

Austin is only twenty years old and has had everything he holds dear jerked out from underneath him. He is in pain and confused and unsure about where he is going in life. That was evident in not only the way he was written, but the way he was voiced by the narrator.

David is mature, worldly and handsome. He also has the patience of a saint, and though he is instantly drawn to Austin he doesn’t immediately act on the attraction of that draw. In fact, it is months of long talks, heavy make out sessions and constant refusals to consummate the relationship before David finally makes love to Austin. Unfortunately, the tone Rain chose to tell David’s voice in was too deep and nasal, it was forced and I never did get used to it.

There was a ton of emotional highs and lows and a lot of angst, but here’s the thing, the angst didn’t bother me too much because it was expected for Austin to be confused and unsure of himself both as a person, and as half of a couple. David truly teaches Austin what it means to be loved, to be cherished and protected. He also helps Austin learn valuable tools on how to cope, communicate and deal with life and all the curve balls it throws at you.

My first point of note would be if you are listening to this book and you think, this narrator is going to kill me, hang on, it gets better as the story progresses. There are some tone and nuance issues, but the story itself should keep you enthralled in the book. This would have been five stars easy but the narration was an issue for me, sadly.

Still, I’d recommend this book.

It’s intense, emotional and angsty… but it’s also passionate romance and the story of a young man who may struggle finding his way in life, but he is determined to make his mark on the world. And the ending, oh my goodness, if you don’t shed a tear at the ending of this book, we can’t be friends.

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

Midsummer Curse by Megan Derr ~ Audiobook

Title: Midsummer Curse
Series: Midsummer book #2
Author: Megan Derr
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: Paranormal
Length: 2 hours and 51 minutes
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (09-02-2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Brayton is a jack of all trades. He travels from one end of the country to the other, fixing problems of all shapes and sizes for the many supernaturals who call him for help. When a friend calls in a favor, he travels to the town of Midsummer’s night.

It should be an easy job: find out who cursed a gremlin and why, break the curse, over and done. But Midsummer’s Night is like no town he’s ever seen, and the gremlin he’s come to help is definitely not what he expected…

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Midsummer-Curse-Audiobook/B00N4DX87W

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Brayton is a natural-born shifter, a lone wolf and a jack of all trades. He winds up in the mostly supernatural inhabited town of Midsummer at a friend’s request to help a cursed gremlin find out who and why he was cursed, and hopefully, break it. The last thing Brayton expected was to fall for the sexy little shy gremlin that he lovingly nicknames ‘Itty Bitty’ five minutes after they meet.

Ferdie is a gremlin, mechanically inclined by nature, but someone has cursed the poor guy so that every time he tries to tinker, everything he touches falls apart. This, in and of itself, is pure torture for a gremlin. It doesn’t help that his ex-boyfriend is a tool that is trying his damnedest to get Ferdie to forgive him and take him back. And then he finds himself insanely attracted and drawn to the shifter that was sent to break his curse.

This was just a fast, fun read. Megan Derr and Paul Morey have become somewhat of an unstoppable team in the MM romance audio book department. She writes these intricate stories, usually shifter and/or magic oriented, and Morey tells those stories with flawless narration. His voice is like honey dripping off the vine. It’s mesmerizing, sexy and fluent.

While I enjoyed this audio, I did have one issue with the storyline. At least a dozen times, if not more, in less than three hours; Brayton talked about wanting to bang his itty bitty. I don’t think the man went more than fifteen minutes without talking or thinking about it. But they never do.

There is one two-minute scene at the very end where a couple heated blow jobs are exchanged, but that’s it. I felt cheated in that aspect. But aside from that, it was an awesome story and I can’t wait to hear more from the town of Midsummer.

On the Right Track by Sam Kadence ~ Audiobook

Title: On the Right Track
Series: Vocal Growth, #1
Author: Sam Kadence
Narrator: Michael Stellman
Genre: Young Adult
Length: 5 hours and 59 minutes
Publisher: Harmony Ink, Dreamspinner Press (10-29-2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Ryunoski “Ru” Nakimura knows all about the trappings of fame. Expelled from a boy band for coming out as gay, he still wants to continue his career in music. Too bad his ex finds nothing better to do than exploit their relationship in the press, so Ru leaves California behind to lie low in Minnesota for a while.

Adam Corbin attends a Minnesota high school and wants to coast through as a typical student. He’s friends with an openly gay student, Bas Axelrod, but while Adam plays football, he also stays away from much socializing. Blending in and not outing himself has been easy because he’s never really been seriously interested in any of the guys he’s encountered.

When Adam meets Ru in a library, Adam begins to think he’s found that special young man who might make it worthwhile to just be himself. And for Ru, Adam looks like someone he might trade his fame for, if they could be together. Ru and Adam will both come to realize that courage and love must go hand in hand if they are to have a future.

Product Link(s): http://www.audible.com/pd/Teens/On-the-Right-Track-Audiobook/B00OZ4XCBQ

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5741

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Seventeen year old Ru Nakimura has few people in his young life he can trust. His mother is an absentee parent in every way, unless she needs money. His father who lived and breathed turning Ru into the best musician he could be, walked out and abandoned Ru at just thirteen when Ru confided in his father he liked boys instead of girls. Recently outed by his fame hungry ex-boyfriend and subsequently kicked out of his band for refusing to go back into the closet, the only person he can rely on is his best friend and former band mate, Tommy.

Sixteen year old Adam Corbin has coasted through life virtually unscathed. He’s not a jock, or a brain, or emo, he is just Adam. Until the afternoon he sees the intriguing young man with black hair and beautiful eyes in the library, Adam never really realized he was gay because he never put much thought into it.

His mission in life is has to been to make as small an impression as possible, coast under the radar, it’s safer that way. These two young men that have gone out of their way to be invisible, start to shine and glow once they meet each other. Adam is participating more in school, he is more confident and secure in his own skin now that he has Ru in his life.

But being a gay rock star in the world today doesn’t come without its pitfalls. Ru has to go out-of-town a lot for appearances and shows, which is hard for Adam to deal with at times. And then the mixture of a power-hungry, former band mate of Ru’s and a deeply closeted former friend of Adams, becomes dangerous and volatile. Adam and Ru will have to grow up way too fast and sacrifice part of their youth on their journey to happiness.

This just might be the best contemporary gay YA story I’ve ever listened to. For starters, it was rich with content, for just over five hours it felt more like I’d been listening for days I got so much content. The characters were perfectly penned for their ages, the situations they faced, the decisions they had to make included some immaturity arising occasionally and played out perfectly.

Adam is very young a little bit naïve, his parents have been kindly strict. He has a curfew and rules and consequences, and most important, he is not allowed on social media. This placed him inside almost a protective barrier, so his reaction to things that happened in the story was so innocent and natural.

Ru is almost polar opposite. For someone only seventeen years of age, he has experienced more pain and disappointment than some grown ass men. His father shaped and molded him into the best musician he could be and then in one night’s time, walked out of Ru’s life forever rather than raise a gay son. His ex-bandmate is so insanely jealous of Ru, his talent and his accomplishments. So much so, that he makes it his life mission to make Ru’s a living hell. Including getting Ru’s ex to out him publically, but he crosses a line when he goes after Adam.

And while I loved everything about this story from start to finish, I think that the conversation at the breakfast table when Adam told his mom he was gay and she just reinforced her unconditional love, barely blinking, was the best thing about this story. Parents of LGBTQ young adults and teenagers should have to spend a day with Adam’s mother, so she can teach them how to react to your child telling you he is gay. There is no reaction! You love them without strings, the way god intended it to be when he loaned you that precious soul to raise.

As I said before, there is a lot of content. Life, love, bullying, brief thoughts of suicide, friendship and tolerance. The balance between the hate, anger and abuse of some people that surround Ru and Adam is perfectly balanced with love, understanding and support from the people in their life that truly matter. Definitely an age appropriate story about two young men that find each other in the strangest place, fall in love, and fight ignorance and intolerance in order to be together. But the story is so well written I think it will appeal to listeners of all ages.

Narrated by Michael Stellman who was able to immerse himself into the various characters of the story easily, changing tones and nuances from the start to match the way the different characters were written. I could hear the innocence Adam carried in the way Stellman told his story, and while Ru was wiser in the ways of the world, he is only seventeen, and Stellman captured that worldly smart but sometimes confused characterization.

I cannot wait for the sequel, Unicorns and Rainbow Poop, to become available on Audible. Bass was such an eccentric character. I can’t wait to listen to his story.

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

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