Cut & Run (Audiobook) by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Cut&RunAud600Title:  Cut & Run (Audiobook)

Series:  Cut & Run series book #1

Author:  Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Narrator: 

Sean Crisden

Genre:   Suspense/Mystery

Length: 

9 hours and 38 minutes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (06-07-2010)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably, the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, its hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliché: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2180

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  The story opens with the reader in the mind of the killer and his next victim. There is mention of her liking his shiny badge, so when the agents come in and take over, you aren’t surprised that they suspect one of their own. This serial killer is meticulous and precise. And in the wake of his killing spree, a strained love story blooms.

Special Agent Tyler Grady (Ty) is pulled off his undercover operation after things go seriously wrong. Pulled into his commanders office, assigned a new case and a new partner are not Ty’s ideas of fun. And then he meets the pristine agent brought over from Psy Ops, Zane Garrett, and doesn’t think his day could get any worse.

Zane Garrett has had one mess up after another during his time in the bureau. A recovering alcoholic, still bitter from his wife’s death five years ago and generally does not play well with others. So he’s never had a partner to deal with, until now. Of course, he would get the most arrogant, foul-mouthed, sexy FBI agent with mood swings from hell. Oh yes, I can smell the lust brewing a mile away!

Trying hard to focus on the case and ignore their immediate and overwhelming dislike for each other, coupled with an intense and underlying attraction, they head to New York to take down a killer. Little do they know said killer is ready and waiting, for them. Ty and Zane quickly realize they are dealing with either a cop or a fellow agent gone bad, who has a penchant for Poe novels. Tempers flare and passion ignites one night when they damn near kill each other in an alley, only to end up ravishing each other later in the shower. Fore play! And, they are versatile, YES!!

The clock is ticking with Ty and Zane trying to track down the killer before he claims his next victim, or successfully claims one of them. If they can survive this chaotic attraction that they have for one another, will they survive the killer that is hot on their trail and bound and determined to make them his next victims? They will have to do the one thing they are no good at, trust each other.

The mystery and suspense of the psychotic serial killer who turns out the be the LAST person you would have suspected almost overshadowed the relationship of the would be lovers, for me at least. I absolutely loved that there was this insane story going on parallel to Ty and Zane first trying to outdo each other and then trying to out screw each other. They grow closer and gain a mutual respect for each other while they fight for their lives. By the end of the book, the reader will know exactly where each man stands, because you go back and forth in their minds while reading. The question is, will they tell each other?

The sex isn’t an overabundance in this novel, but it is overwhelming. They definitely make do with the time they find. But that’s not really, what this story is about. The is an action packed, suspenseful, murder mystery with a side dish of hot sexy alpha males that have to find a balance in order to have a working partnership. Highly recommend this series, off to start the next book!

Oh, yes, narration. Not too shabby actually. The first two audios are narrated by Sawyer Allerde. He changed his tone for different characters and managed to pull of the gruffy, pissed off Ty pretty damn well. Along with the more refined and pristine Zane. I do enjoy listening more when a narrator actual narrates the story and changes his nuances along with the urgencies of the scene. Good job.

*I received a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review from Dreamspinner Press for MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela by Felicia Watson

WhereAllegMeetsMonAUD-lgTitle:  Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela

Author: Felicia Watson 

Narrator:  Jeff Gelder

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  9 hours and 13 minutes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (06-13-2012)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Logan Crane’s life changed dramatically the day a blind fit of temper resulted in him accidentally injuring his wife. Although he’s now in an abuser counseling program, Logan cannot face the real source of his unhappiness: he’s always been attracted to men but has refused to accept it since witnessing an act of violence.

During his therapy, Logan meets Nick Zales, a counselor at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Nick is understandably suspicious of Logan despite an immediate attraction to him. Logan feels the same attraction and faces a critical internal struggle as he finds himself falling in love with this enigmatic man.

Both men are haunted by unacknowledged ghosts and abuse in their pasts. How can they help each other heal if they continue to ignore their own wounds?

Product Link Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3039

Product Link Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Where-the-Allegheny-Meets-the-Monongahela-Audiobook/B008AYQDC2?ref_=sr_1_1

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Logan Crane has hidden his sexuality since he realized he was gay, after witnessing his brother severely beat up a friend when he was in high school because the guy was gay. Now married with two daughters, he and his wife struggle to make ends meet which only adds stress to their already strained relationship. After an argument leaves his wife in the hospital, by Logan’s hand, the family is torn apart and Logan is in therapy.

Nick Zales is an abuse counselor at the shelter where Logan is assigned for therapy. Nick is out and proud, which shocks Logan from the start. Nick is an abuse survivor and fulltime caregiver for his aging mother who still suffers the long-term effects of the abuse she suffered. The two are instantaneously attracted to one another, but don’t act on it from the start. Nick mentally berates himself for being attracted to an abuser, and Logan berates himself for being attracted to a man.

Forced to spend time together for an outreach program for the shelter, they slowly break down the walls each of them hide behind and learn that neither of them are who they think they are. Both Nick and Logan have some serious issues to deal with, personal demons, before they have any chance at a relationship. But when faced with facing their equally damning pasts, can they overcome that pain in order to secure a future, together?

I loved the basis in reality of this storyline and the depth of the characters. Both were extremely flawed and emotionally scared. They find the strength to heal through their love for one another. There was a lot of angst though, and the majority of the story read almost like a mature YA novel. That coupled with the horrid narration of Jeff Gelder knocked off a couple stars in my rating. Had I read this book, or had it been narrated by someone with a pulse, the rating per chance would have been higher.

I think I will recommend this book if you are going to READ it. The writing, storyline, and characters were fantastic. I’d definitely read more from this author.

*I received a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review from Dreamspinner Press for MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Vamp Camp (Audiobook) by Wynn Wagner

Vamp-Camp-audible-MJ-1024x1024Title:  Vamp Camp

Series:  Vamp Camp book #1

Author:  Wynn Wagner

Genre:   Historical Paranormal Romance

Length:  8 hours and 11 minutes

Publisher:  Mystic Ways Books (12-9-13)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Did Mårten Larsson want to be a vamp? Not so much. He wanted it as much as he asked to have a sissy circle over the å in his name. He just woke up dead one day with a piece of paper that said, “Dude, you’re a vampire. Drink some blood. Don’t suntan.”

Luckily, another vampire finds Mårten and agrees to teach him how to live (well, not live, exactly) as a vampire. And so Mårten goes to Vamp Camp, where he has to survive without getting staked or baked, learn how to work with fangs and blood lust while spending time with his boyfriend, and employ his wicked wit as he masters the art and science of vampirism.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/search?advsearchKeywords=Vamp+Camp

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Mårten (pronounced Morton) is a good ole boy from Texas. He has a stable home life and parents that love him and they know he’s gay. In fact, when he was a teenager, his mother gave him a three-dollar bill to show him how queer he was. Although his parents are caring and understanding, they aren’t always emotionally available. When he graduates college, he joins the Navy and ends up in a POW camp after he is captured by the Germans. Mårten has never been one to shy away from a fight, and his defiant behavior lands him in solitary confinement, of sorts. It’s while he’s confined that one of the guards rapes, assaults and bites him. Mårten wakes up in a cave with a note pinned to his shirt, “You’re a vampire, drink some blood, and stay out of the sun.”

Mårten is trying to decipher why it is the sun hurts him, he can fly and jump really high, and likes to drink animals dry when he meets another vampire. Menz is a centuries old vampire that lives on an estate that he runs much like a gay Peyton Place. Filled with lots of young, beautiful, sexy men (both gay and straight) that are willing blood donors. In exchange for their donation, these men live a life of luxury under the protection of Menz.

Menz takes Mårten under his wing and trains him to be a proper vampire. Menz himself is gay so he recognizes the trait in his new young trainee. On Mårten first night at the estate, Menz sets him up with a tall, handsome donor with long black hair and gorgeous blue eyes. Oberon and Mårten are instantly and insanely attracted to each other, and though they actively participate in all manners of threesomes, foursomes and orgies, they only have eyes for each other. The two start making plans to be together forever. But when one of the donors winds up slaughtered on the front lawn, their plans are put on hold. Mårten and his newfound family are forced to face his demons together, and not everyone will make it out alive, much less get a ‘Happy Ever After’.

Okay so, the narration was so terrible that it was good. This kid that tells Mårten’s story goes so overboard with the Texas twang, that it’s at times laughable. But I couldn’t take out my earplugs! The storyline was so engrossing, and Mårten’s dry, witty sense of humor coupled with Menz’s proper British appearance made for some very intriguing reading. The sex scenes between Mårten and Oberon are some of the tamest, yet hottest scenes I’ve ever read. The story at times was a bit disjointed and the fact that it was obviously an adult book, but the main character would teeter between the words but and ass drove me a little crazy, but for whatever reason I just loved this story!

This was just a fast, fun read with a young spitfire of a main character that was forced to grow up way too soon. Seriously, his favorite curse is ‘Holy!’ That’s it, just Holy! I can’t wait to see what happens next for Mårten, Oberon and Menz. Not sure if I’ll grab the second book, or wait for it to come out on audible. Stay tuned.

Woke Up in a Strange Place by Eric Arvin

WokeUpInAStrangePlaceAudLG*Note*  Winner of the 2012 Gaybie for Best Speculative Fiction

Title:  Woke Up in a Strange Place

Author: Eric Arvin

Genre:  Contemporary Spiritual Romance

Length:  7 hours and 37 minutes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (6-28-13)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Joe wakes up in a barley field with no clothes, no memories, and no idea how he got there. Before he knows it, he’s off on the last great journey of his life. With his soul guide Baker and a charge to have courage from a mysterious, alluring, and somehow familiar Stranger, Joe sets off through a fantastical changing landscape to confront his past.

The quest is not without challenges. Joe’s past is not always an easy thing to relive, but if he wants to find peace— and reunite, with the Stranger, he is so strongly drawn to—he must continue on until the end, no matter how tempted he is to stop along the way.

Product Link Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3960

Product Link Audiobook: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3960

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  The blurb really does say it well for this book. The story follows Joe as he traverses what can only be perceived as the afterlife. He woke up butt naked in a field with no recollection of who he is or how he got where he is. As the story unfolds Joe along with his guide, Baker, face a series of realities and challenges that Joe must face in order to find his way. Peppered throughout are memories that keep rising to the surface. Memories of a lover that are shadowed that blend with the stranger he met when he first woke up.

And then that final memory of how Joe got to this strange place. A choice he made that he will have to come to terms with if his spirit is going to survive. This book reminded me a lot of the movie What Dreams May Come. It was very poignant and prolific almost. Definitely, a spiritual message there for those who are willing to see it. What I was most drawn to while listening to this book was the scenery. Arvin painted a picture in words that could rival any artist on display in a gallery.

Narrated by the master storyteller himself, Mr. Charlie David. I just love his voice, and I especially loved the Nashville edge he added to not only Baker’s voice, but also his entire persona. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed the print version of this book as much as I did the audible. My day just flew by listening to this one, I seriously lost track of time.

*I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Loving Lucus (Audiobook) by Lisa Marie Davis

LovingLucasAUD-LGTitle:  Loving Lucas (audiobook)

Author: Lisa Marie Davis 

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length:  1 hour 55 minutes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (01-08-2010)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:   Lucas Kiefer has lived through hell. Assaulted and nearly murdered by a man obsessed with him, he now lives with horrible scars inside and out. Abandoned by his boyfriend while trying to recover, Lucas withdraws into himself. Building a new life, he focuses only on running his bookstore. But his nightmare returns when ten years later, his attacker is released from jail on a technicality. Sheriff Nicholas Demetris has known and loved Lucas for five years. He doesn’t care about physical scars; he’s attracted to the silently strong man inside. He knows Lucas feels more for him than he’ll admit. Despite being well aware of Nicholas’s feelings, Lucas won’t allow anyone close, regardless of the feelings in his heart, especially now when he’s once again the focus of unwanted and deadly intentions. Lucas can’t stand the idea of anyone being hurt for him, but Nicholas is determined to protect him and earn Lucas’s love no matter what.

Product Link Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1663

Product Link Audible: http://www.audible.com/search?advsearchKeywords=Loving+Lucas

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Lucas Kiefer has spent the past ten years rebuilding his life. A former teacher, he was attacked and assaulted by a student that had delusions of them as a couple. Lucas moved to a new town and opened a bookstore. But he never stopped looking over his shoulder, and he never let anyone in. Until Nick.

Nicholas Demetris is the openly gay sheriff of Cedar Point. He’s been in love with Lucas for years, but Lucas has always kept him at arm’s length. So Nick settled for a friendship, hoping the day would come when he could break down the barrier Lucas hides behind. It would seem that a phone call to notify Lucas that Riley is being released from prison places a crack in his well-placed concrete wall. Nick steps through the crack determined to show Lucas how he truly feels, and to protect the man he loves.

Action packed, well paced and sadly realistic. The storyline was so intriguing, as were the characters, including the machinations of the bad guy. Riley has irrevocably convinced himself that Lucas wronged him, and he will make him pay with his life. As fiercely as Riley hates Lucas, Nick loves him. That balance of love and hate kept me on the edge of my seat.

The narration, however, left more than a little to be desired. Terrible, no change in nuance or adjustment to his voice for different characters. If it weren’t for the engrossing plot and characters, I would have stopped five minutes in. That should be a testament to the author! So, I recommend you READ this one and pass on the audio. It is a really great story, but the narrator is off-putting.

*I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

18% Grey by Anne Tenino (Audiobook)

51pCu3vStVL._SL300_Title:  18% Gray

Series:  Task Force Iota book #1

Author:  Anne Tenino

Genre:   Dystopian Romance

Length:  9 hours and 1 minute

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (07/20/2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate to Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   In a future where the United States has split along party lines, Agent Matt Tennimore’s job is to get people out of the Confederated Red States, whether they’re captured special ops agents from his own country or gay CRS citizens who’ve petitioned for asylum. He never expected to have to retrieve his high school crush, aka the guy who ostracized him for being gay.

Rescuing James Ayala isn’t going to be easy: he’s crawling with tracking nanos and has a cybernetic brain implant that’s granted him psychic power he isn’t sure how to control. That’s the good news. The bad? The implant is compromising James’s mental stability.

So they’re on the run, avoiding surveillance by AI aircraft and hiding from enemy militia. Then James confesses he tormented Matt in high school because James wanted him. Matt can’t resist the temptation James offers, but he wants so much more than sex, assuming they ever make it home alive. Is James really a good bet when he’s got a ticking time bomb in his brain and there’s the question of how much he’s actually changed?

Product Link Dreamspinner:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3118

Product Link Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/18-Gray-Audiobook/B008N0F3LU/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1383422624&sr=1-1

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  I loved this book!! My three favorite genres are dystopian, m/m and zombie… so when I can get any combination of the three I am usually in heaven. Add to that the expert narration of Paul Morey and this book was pure bliss. Seriously, the guy could read the phone book and make my toes curl!

A century from now the continent is divided into two parties. The Confederated Red States which is run by a strict protocol, a military state if you will, where being gay or lesbian will get you killed, if the vigorous reconditioning camp they assign you to doesn’t make you straight. And the Blue States where you are still allowed the freedom to be yourself, to be who you are. Matt Tennimore and his family are blue’s and their job is to rescue gays and lesbians from CRS and give them asylum. Matt’s latest mission is a CRS agent gone rogue, James Ayala, who also happens to be his high school crush.

The story follows Matt and James and their cross-country escapades trying to reach the safety of the Blue States. It takes a little time before James becomes comfortable enough with Matt to tell him about the implant. As they dodge CRS soldiers in a fight for their lives, they quickly learn that old feelings long ago buried are resurfacing with a vengeance. James psychic abilities are morphing along the way as well, he goes from being able to sense Matt’s feelings to hearing his thoughts and eventually, feeling what he feels as well.

When Matt is seriously injured, they find sanctuary in a convent that is run by two lesbian nuns, and then the secret of their sexuality is discovered by a horny straight nun. Her interests are more in watching than exposing though. Once Matt is healed they continue their journey for safety within the blues with said horny nun and a talking horse in tow. Did I forget to mention that during their journey they happened upon a horse that James can communicate with telepathically?

This book was the perfect balance of seriousness and comedy. They are, in fact, on the run with the threat of death if found because they are gay. But Tenino mixed in enough comic relief to balance the story out perfectly. Whether it was Miz Horse who would huff and puff if she didn’t like what James or Matt told her to do. Or the horny nun that was bound and determined to turn the gay boys straight, at the expense of her virginity gladly. Or James himself with the faces he would make and his extremely overprotective nature when it came to Matt’s safety.

Narrated by the god of narration, Paul Morey, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The nine hours listening blew by, I was so sad when I came to the end. I didn’t want it to end! Morey can read the lusty, passionate scenes like a top-notch high dollar porn star. And I assure you, there were plenty of said scenes between James and Matt.

This is a must read for fans of dystopian, m/m, strong overbearing alpha males and sci-fi nuts!

American Love Songs (Audiobook) by Ashlyn Kane

AmericanLoveSongsAUDlgTitle:  American Love Songs

Author: Ashlyn Kane 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  6 hours and 49 minutes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (June 1st 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Jake Brenner has too many wild oats to sow to fall in love—or so he claims. Besides, he’s much too busy with his band, the Wayward Sons, to go looking for romance. His reticence has nothing to do with his embarrassing crush on Chris, the band’s lead singer and Jake’s erstwhile best friend. But that was before enigmatic wanderer Parker McAvoy signed on as the band’s new lead guitarist.

He can only deny his attraction to sweet, dorky Parker for so long before the urge to do something about it becomes impossible to ignore. The trouble is, Parker knows all about Jake’s philandering ways—and oh, yeah, he’s not gay. Or so Jake thinks until a string of related events provides encouraging new insight. Can he convince Parker to overlook his colorful past and give him a chance? Or will this love song fade out before it even begins?

Product Link through Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3025&cPath=201

Product Link through Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Erotica-Sexuality/American-Love-Songs-Audiobook/B0087S9CFG?productID=BK_DRSP_000035

Reviewer:   Tams

Review: Jake Brenner is a guitarist with the up and coming rock band, The Wayward Sons. He also runs the bands blog, so he is the voice for the other members of the band. The openly gay twenty year old college dropout is the glue that holds the band together. He’s held a secret crush for his best friend and lead singer, Chris, for as long as he can remember. The threesome has an odd and quirky friendship that is put to the test when Chris sleeps with Jimmy’s girlfriend. Said girlfriend is also their guitarist. Bros before Ho’s! So the band is in need of a new guitarist.

Parker is enigmatic and shy, but he is one hell of a guitarist. He stumbles upon Jake one afternoon and a case of mistaken identity makes Parker the newest member of TWS. Parker and Jake soon become roommates and best friends, and somewhere along the way Jake’s feelings for Parker grow into so much more. But Parker is straight, right? A heavy petting session and a kiss that curls Jake’s toes leave him thinking that Parker may not be as straight as he seems. When a secret from Parkers past is uncovered and Jake’s true feelings are made known, will their friendship withstand the aftermath?

The narrator’s high pitches and excitability as the character of Jake really brought him to life for me. Most chapters started out with a blog post, as Jake keeps the bands fans posted on their current whereabouts and escapades. The guys in the band bond over Xbox, beer and various relationships throughout the book. It was such a joy to listen to Jake tell the story of TWS as they fought their way up from a garage band to a major headliner and eventually award-winning band.

I was a little disappointed that it took Jake and Parker until damn near the end of the book before they seriously consummated their relationship. The fact that they were absolutely adorable along the way made up for some of my aggravation at the anticipation. Perhaps that was the authors point though. They do have a couple of extremely hot and sexy make out sessions before they finally do the deed. And when they do finally let themselves go with each other, it is utterly fantastic!

Fans of Rock & Roll love stories will adore this book. I’m saving this one to my iPod to go back and visit with these characters again.