Tag: GLBT Contemporary Romance

Charlie, Rentboy by J.P. Barnaby

18399948Title: Charlie, Rentboy

Series: Working Boys, #1

Author: J.P. Barnaby

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: Novella (81 pages)

Publisher: Wilde City Press (September 4th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Got two hundred and fifty dollars for an hour of fun? Then say hello to Charlie, a hot little rentboy working his way through an engineering degree on his back. He’s got shaggy blond hair that’s great to hang on to while you fuck him from behind, and sweet innocent blue eyes that look very enticing when he gazes up at you with your cock in his mouth. That is, until he’s hired by innocent rich boy John Middleton, head of Middleton Communication. John is so far in the closet he could find Narnia. But when John and Charlie get together for an explosive weekend of sex, everything goes to hell.

Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-erotica/charlie-rentboy-working-boys-book-one/#.UkumsYanqU5

Review: So, how about a story that contains steamy hot scenes, a pretty-woman-like romance, and a story that surprises you with its twists and turns? Sounds good? Yeah, thought so.

So basic stuff: this is a rentboy story – just in case you missed that from the title – and a few things are given, highly erotic characters and sexual scenes. I loved all of it from the introduction as the story begins and continues with Charlie’s voice, the tone, and personality that leaks through it, the dirty/slutty talking/thinking to the actual scenes that had me hot and bothered in no time.

These kind of characters are highly appealing anyway (to me at least), but Charlie, oh my dear, dear Charlie. He’s a whole different level of appeal. He’s not so much cocky as he’s self-assured and content in his ways. He loves sex; he knows it and shows it without a segment of self-consciousness, he has a sense of humor underlying everything he does or says, and he’s as much sensitive as he is erotic. Put him together with John and they make an explosive pair, for John is quite the character himself. As a matter of fact, John surprised the heck out of me as the story went on; he had too many secrets in that closet of his.

And that brings me back to the romance plot of this book. It resembles in many ways “Pretty Woman” because the characters, while not meaning to, fell in… not love exactly, but in a situation where the possibility of more was glaringly there. The rentboy let his guard down, the client overlooked many things, and the one way path that was crystal clear in the beginning of the story suddenly split in half leaving the choice of what is to come to the characters and their willpower. By the end, the story was a “dare you to go that way?” kind.

Now, some parts of this story had me questioning a bit too much. Why did John chose to do what he did when he could achieve the same result with simply coming clean..?

Why chance ridicule when he could go the simple forward way and make the decisions he eventually made with a head held high and without the drama..?

Was it something, I missed or was this plot not thoroughly considered?

The questions were somewhat quite heavy on my mind by the end of the read that they managed to effect my total abandon and enjoyment of this book. However, in its entirety I cannot help but admit that this was a very satisfying read and I had a hot time reading it. If rentboys are your thing, this book is strongly recommended.

 

The Trouble with Trouble by Kathleen Lee

18232681Title:   The Trouble with Trouble

Author: Kathleen Lee

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (39 pages)

Publisher: Kathleen Lee (July 23rd, 2013

Heat: Moderate

Heart: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts Liked it

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: When trouble strolls in, common sense walks out.

After a lifetime of rejection by those he loved, Gary returned to the one place that once made him happy and resigned himself to a life alone. Opening his bar–aptly named ‘Trouble’–was his way of building a future and reminding himself, what he needed to stay away from. So when Trouble–AKA Brock–walks into his bar one night, he’s determined to keep his distance. No good could come from falling for Brock’s adorable smile and handsome face. Except, Brock seems just as determined to win Gary over, as Gary is to stay away. And when Gary realizes Brock may be the real deal, he must choose between protecting his heart or taking the ultimate chance on love.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3UW03S/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B00E3UW03S&linkCode=shr&tag=portispass-20

Review: This is a well-written short story. This is the story of Gary’s metamorphosis and Brock is the instrument for change. In 12,000 words, the author conveys how one man has deliberately chosen to hide himself away from life and how another man can open a window and allow him to see that his life can change.  Gary will need to get past himself and his own issues if he’s to find his HEA; and the author deftly demonstrates how Brock can show him how to do that.

Gary’s bar is a very apt setting for the tale and when the reader is introduced to Brock’s living situation, it is a foreshadowing of Gary’s impending character development and accepting the things that could change his life for the better. The conflict when it occurs is fitting, providing reader angst and changes the trajectory of the plot to bring about the final resolution to end the story.

All in all, this is a very satisfying short read.  Characters are as well-developed as they can be in a short story, great use of language and dialogue, nice descriptions and a HEA to leave the reader with a smile.

Making the Pass by Cheryl Dragon

18365454Title:  Making the Pass 

Author:  Cheryl Dragon

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length:  Short (75 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound (August 30th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  On the field and in bed, Aiden and Jack are a perfect match. But when reality and pride interfere, will they be able to become a team.

Aiden and Jack are both hot, gay men and play weekend football for the Griffons. Their similarities end there. Jack is blue-collar and sees both the attraction to Aiden and the divide between them. His career is delivering packages to fancy offices, including the one where Aiden works. On the field, they spark and win, but it takes a friend’s nudging before Jack turns the mutual macho posturing to passionate sex.2179

The physical connection between Aiden and Jack is easy, but they’ll need extra practice for the relationship part. Aiden tries to fit in with Jack’s friends, but when Aiden invites Jack to an office party, Jack refuses. Thankfully, the rift won’t stop the game from progressing, and neither man is a quitter!

Title originally published in the Out of Bounds Anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2262

Review: As a major sports lover and a football fan, I loved this book. This is another one that is part of a fun little series set in the football world of the Griffons and done by this author, as well as Stephanie Burke and Megan Slayer. In this book, Aiden and Jack, the executive and blue-collar worker, come together in the same locker room that we meet Dolton and Dean from In the Red Zone.

In this story, one of the issues dealt with is the perceived differences between blue collars versus white, studs versus geeks. Teammates, Aiden and Jack have danced around their attraction to each other for a while. Aiden sees Jack as a love them and leave them type, while thinking that Jack never sees beyond the geek in him. Jack wonders why a smart man like Aiden would or could ever be interested in him and he deals with his attraction to Aiden by pretending that it’s another teammate Aiden is attracted to. Aiden tries very hard to live up to what he thinks Jack’s world would want him to be instead of being himself.

I loved that Aiden and Jack have to work at making their relationship work. They have ups and downs, and insecurities for both that pop up along the way to love between them. Aiden’s testing of Jack when he invites him to a company function is real life. Something we’ve all done, a ‘prove to me that you love me’ type thing. The interaction and play with toys between the two as they work on taking their relationship farther is well written sex and incredibly hot to read.

What I loved was that all of the books in this series dealt with a rocky road to love, the building of relationships and hot wild sex. The cast of surrounding characters, such as coach and her red heels, are as much fun to read about as Aiden and Jack.

In the Red Zone by Stephanie Burke

18365451Title:  In the Red Zone 

Author:  Stephanie Burke

Genre:  Contemporary

Length: Short (76 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound (August 30th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb: Can Dolton and Dean withstand the rain of opposition when they come together and cross the line of scrimmage?


Dolton is a strong black man, confident in what he wants in life and how to get it. The adjunct professor at Northeastern University has multiple degrees and has travelled the world, learning from the people he observes. So why is it that blond hunk Dean Majors has his mind twisted, his cock hard, and his reactions all out of whack? Dolton knows he has to have the beautiful man, and will do anything to get the longhaired god in his bed and in his life.

Dean Majors is a construction worker by trade and the heart of Team Griffon. He is not closeted gay man, but he doesn’t advertise his orientation, either. Something he is happy about when his old friend Robbie Keton joins the Griffons. Robbie’s negative attitude is something he has to distance himself from, especially when he realises he has a more than man-sized crush on the team’s uber-intelligent and exotic middle linebacker, Dolton Pride.2179

Together the two men are a potent fire, their lust burning hot. But can it withstand the bitter rain of opposition and threats that threaten their happiness when they cross the line of scrimmage?

Title originally published in the Out of Bounds Anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2264

Review:  This is one part of a fun little series set in the football world of the Griffons and done by this author as well as Cheryl Dragon and Megan Slayer.

In this story, opposites do attract, get a bit kinky and fall in love. Dolton is a well-educated professor, a top, Dean is a stereotype hot construction worker, and self avowed pushy bottom. And while they’re both gay, neither is advertising the fact. The two of them have been eyeing each other for some time, creating fantasies for their alone time, wanting to see where a real relationship could lead. These fantasy scenes dreamed by both men were of some of the hottest written sex I’ve read.

They have to deal with playing a perceived macho man’s game as gay men, in the real world. It’s a real world that includes Dean’s homophobic friend, Robbie an ex-NFL player who seems to want to keep his glory days going by imparting his “wisdom” to his new teammates. Dean figures his best action is to just tune Robbie out now, because this Robbie isn’t the guy he knew back when. The rest of Dean’s teammates have had just about enough of Robbie too, for which Dean has some guilt since he was the one who brought Robbie onto the team. The final confrontation between Dean and Robbie grows during the course of the season and is in a lot of ways a really a sad thing to read, knowing that in real life there are people that intolerant.

The pursuit of each other was a fun thing to watch, the writing is well done. The secondary characters in this book do show up in the other stories, and are a great rounding out of the cast of teammates.

One of the funnier lines of the book was when a teammate was talking to Dolton and calls Dean the “ass of death”. There are these moments of humour; hotly written sex and the relationship between Dolton and Dean make this a great read.

Elements of Retrofit by N.R. Walker

17901475Title: Elements of Retrofit

Series: Thomas Elkin Book #1

Author: N.R. Walker
Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (89 pages)

Publisher: Total-E-Bound (October 4th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Book one in the Thomas Elkin series.

Even the strongest of buildings start out as plans on paper, and every architect knows that sometimes plans need to change. Sometimes, these lessons are learned on the job.

A successful New York architect, Thomas Elkin almost has it all. Coming out as gay and ending his marriage before his fortieth birthday, he needed to start living his life. Now, four years later, with his relationship with his son back on track, and after a few short-lived romances, this esteemed traditional draftsman thought he knew everything about architecture, about life.

Cooper Jones, twenty-two years old, is about to take the architect world by storm. Talented, professional, driven, and completely infuriating, Cooper is the definition of Generation Y.

Starting an internship working with Thomas, Cooper is about to knock Tom’s world off its axis. Tom can teach Cooper about the industry, but Cooper is about to teach Tom a few things about life.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2332

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: What a fun chase and a slow build between newly single Thomas Elkin and intern Cooper Jones. Tomas has been closeted for his entire adult life, married, then divorced with a grown son and has a successful career as an architect. After the big D, he’s had his flings and one-offs, but can’t control his newfound desire for his intern of all people! And to top it off, his new attraction is one of his son’s best friends from school. Thankfully, they are able to keep it professional in the workplace, even though the secretary sees right through them! This delightful story is full of interesting architectural design facts, and a great tease between the two MC’s. I love it when they finally snap and the floodgates open! Then it’s a sexual marathon that shows the two are very compatible! It’s a fun read, and Cooper Jones is definitely strong enough to hold his own against the experienced and talented Thomas Elkin. I love it that Cooper doesn’t let the experienced and controlling Thomas take over. He keeps the reins of his own career and life, while still driving new passion into Thomas’. I look forward to finding out what is in store for this dynamic duo next!

New Love by Kol Anderson

18246513Title:  New Love

Author: Kol Anderson  

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Short (43 pages)

Publisher:  Secret Cravings Publishing (July 23rd, 2013)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Blurb:   Even as a teenager Cameron always had a crush on the much older Tyler Finn, who might just be the hottest heartthrob the gay world has seen. Cameron is now older, and has a boyfriend with whom he’s in a long term relationship, and he thinks this is his life. But the minute Tyler gives him some attention, sparks begin to fly and inhibitions are thrown away… just when things couldn’t get more confusing for Cameron, his boyfriend starts having some issues. Should Cameron stay and correct what’s wrong or just move on with his life along with the unreliable Tyler?

Product Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/339972

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Short… where are my other two colors? *sniff*

Cam has been in love with his brother’s best friend, Tyler, for as long as he can remember. The fact that he’s in a steady relationship right now doesn’t detour his impending infidelity. Neil has been distant and borderline abusive and Cam finds solace with the man he’s wanted since he was a boy. But Tyler is not boyfriend material and reminds Cam of that at every turn. When Tyler realizes who Neil is and that the man has a mean streak, he does a complete 180 and tries to convince Tyler to dump Neil and move in with him. Cam is so confused he doesn’t know what to do, or who to choose.

There were so many issues with this novella that it took away from the overall story. It was a mass of major topics crammed into forty something pages, and the story suffered. I could see underlying potential for a great novel, and I’d be eager to view this title again if Anderson did just that.

 

Nine Weeks with Griff by Richard Natale

81WUwvXFL3L._SL1500_Title: Nine Weeks with Griff

Author: Richard Natale

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: 24 pages

Publisher:   Torque Press (September 3, 2013)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: Marcus moves to New York to party and have sex with every man he’s attracted to. Then he runs into Griff and his killer smile and is drawn into an all-consuming affair. He tries to break it off several times, but while his mind says “go”, his feet say “stay.”

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3977

Review: Well the story is in 24 pages so one cannot expect much story, character or plot development to occur. Stories of this length are usually about a single scene or occurrence. This story, however, occurs over the course of a year.  Now the title is clear in that the key elements occur in 9 weeks.

The story is set in New York City in 1975. Marcus has left Pittsburgh and his best friend to pursue life in the big apple.  Enter Griff and his interactions with Marcus.  Marcus has plans like all young men to conquer the city and to sleep his way through all five burrows.  However, his plan is derailed by Griff. The pages detail the nine week relationship which the two men share and how Marcus moves from singlehood into couplehood without even realizing it.

The story reads more like a magazine article chronicling how two men meet more so than a novel type story about two men. Instead of ‘seeing’ the interaction between the characters, it’s related to the reader through third-party narration, which is what gives it an article feel. The author uses language well and the overall feel of the story was hazy, almost like reading the story through a filmy veil.  It gave a nice ‘feel’ to the story even if you feel like you needed more substance to hold on to.

The best part of the story is actually the interaction between Marcus and his best friend where the author uses dialogue very well to accomplish explaining Marcus’ feelings for Griff.  The story would have been fuller had the author used the same technique between Griff and Marcus.

I liked the plot premise immensely and being set in 1975 could have been an amazing backdrop for the story. I hope the author goes back and makes this into a full novel and explores the relationship between Marcus and Griff, and continues to use the secondary characters to aid in the character development for both Marcus and Griff. The author takes great pains to ‘tell’ the reader how Griff is rather than showing us through is interaction his Marcus and his friends.  He’s also civic-minded and that could have added great texture to the story.

All in all, it’s a GREAT story idea, but at 24 pages, it’s really a summary.  I REALLY hope the author makes this a longer novel; even doubling it could accomplish spectacular things.

Turn Him On by Marie Medina

18461591Title: Turn Him On

Series: Sequel to Switch Him Up

Author: Marie Medina

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (48 pages)

Publisher: Evernight Publishing (September 16th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Alec and Christian have been back together for a year. Christian wants to celebrate this milestone because they’ve both been busy and stressed out for weeks. However, one thing after another keeps adding more stress to their situation. Christian knows they’ve come a long way and wants to keep moving forward in their relationship.

Alec loves how much Christian has changed and how much having Christian back in his life has changed him. They’ve worked through so many problems, and they’ve both grown in their relationship, but each time they find a moment to breathe, something else demands their attention. Alec just wants to build a home with Christian so their love can continue to grow, but he can’t help worrying that the pressures of life will never stop coming between them. When a new source of stress threatens to push him to the breaking point, Alec has to take action as he holds to his belief that their love is worth fighting for.

Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/turn-him-on-by-marie-medina/

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: I really loved Alec and Christian. They are so much in love that it makes me dream good thoughts. Alec worries that he isn’t enough to hold Christian and Christian helps him to understand that he will always love him no matter what. This story is a wonderful sequel to Switch Him Up. I would love to hear more about them and their life together. Great story line and great men make a wonderful read.

I like this story because it is so tender and sweet. It starts with Christian preparing a meal to celebrate the anniversary of when they got back together, after a misunderstanding that led them to a six-month breakup. Christian worries about Alec’s reaction to the meal, where as Alec’s worries about Christian. Christian struggled with his jealous tendencies and Alec worries that Christian will continue to overreact. They loved each other so much that they are willing to work through everything. Communication was their friend they just had to remember that.

Another problem is Alec’s wanted Christian’s domination. Unfortunately, the silent agreement between them had always been that Alec would top. He had wanted to feel control, now he wanted Christian’s to control him sometimes in the bedroom.

Add in a new stressor that has Alec feeling angry. He has to remind himself that he is very much in love with Christian, and that Christian is very much in love with him. To really appreciate this you should read the first book of this sequel. I love that both men are strong in one way, but in another, they are vulnerable in themselves and their love. It shows a side that every man and woman has, you just have to look for it.

I wished that this book was a little longer, but the story line was perfect in its own way.

 

Taking Pride by Lorne Rodman

18518351Title: Taking Pride

Author: Lorne Rodman

Genre: Romance

Length: Short Story (16 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Newly out of the army, and out of the closet, Paul finds himself at the local gay pride parade. Imagine his surprise when he discovers he knows one of the men walking with the military float. Paul and Dev attended Basic Training together years ago when they were both in the closet. Now that they’ve found out that they’ve got being gay in common, can they discover what else they both like?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=3988

Review: There is only one word to describe this hookup, awkward! But that is what made it perfect. Confused you a bit, didn’t I?

Well, here we have Paul, fresh out of the army and that means only one thing… he’s still getting used to civilian life. And he’s also getting used to the lack of DADT. Pushing himself into a normal life and being out Paul attends Pride where he sees a guy he finds familiar.

And Dev is familiar as they went through basic together once upon a time. Finding out he’s gay, that they both are gay, and now they can actually act on it without fear that is a high on itself, but the chemistry between them also helps a great deal literally forcing them dump the parade and go to Dev’s place.

Nothing weird until this point, but once they get there and after they eat dinner that awkwardness that follows a first hook up set in. You know the one where you constantly say the wrong thing, or don’t know what to say. That was weird for me to read, I felt like squirming in my seat while reading the book, and you know what? I loved it! It made this little short story climb a whole new level on my eyes. It became a bit real. The scene that follows was so damned perfect I was nodding my head and thinking, “Yeah, this author nailed it.” And it was hot, horny even. This pair got to me nice and easy, despite the fact that I didn’t like their first kiss at all, as it was hidden from us.

In the end, weighting pros and cons I found this book great. Recommended!

 

Knights in Silk by Julia Talbot

18518351Title: Knights in Silk

Author: Julia Talbot

Genre: Romance

Length: Short Story (18 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: When Army Golden Knight Derek is assigned to tandem jump with an old flame, he tries to get out of the assignment. Former CIA operative Kane is nothing but trouble, after all. Now an activist for the environment, Kane knows a man can change. Can he convince Derek to take a new leap of faith?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=3994

Review: Now this was an interesting short story. Derek and Kane had once upon a time been lovers, but Kane had his sights on his career and made a choice. A choice that left loud and clear the fact that he’d Lost Derek forever. Now many years later Derek founds out that his tandem jumper is none other but the infamous Kane.

At this point, we get the impression that the tension is going to skyrocket the moment these two are going to get in the same room. Secretly I was expecting a bit of a fight, some punches flying, you know. That didn’t happen, but the author made a good job with the tension thing. Their first meeting after so many years was a bit of a rocker as Kane was nothing Derek expected. Kane had turn a one-eighty and the trouble Derek expected came in a completely different way.

A point that drove itself home once the jump took over.

The story being so short did not have much of a romance, but we got the feelings and what would be pretty loud and clear. I wished at some point for a small flashback in the days when this pair was together. I wished at some other point for a glimpse in the near future. I also wished for that chemistry that was all around the place to have taken a more solid outlet. While those wishes remained moot points, I did enjoy this read a lot. It was fast, it was solid, and it made my heart beat a bit faster.

Recommended!

Ranger's Luck by Serena Yates

18518351Title: Ranger’s Luck

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Romance

Length: Short Story (12 Pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3~3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Ethan Turner never liked living in a city, and his job as park ranger at Glacier National Park is just what he dreamed of. He loves protecting the animals and land under his care, and dealing with the occasional tourist — well, all jobs have their drawbacks.

Caleb Sagan, a recent journalism graduate, works at the Billings Tribune. He got stuck with a two-month assignment at Glacier National Park to write a series of articles extolling outdoor life meant to draw more tourists to Montana.

Can these two men overlook their differences long enough to make it to their first date?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=3992

Review: Well there are several ways meeting a guy, but nothing beats saving him from distress. There are also many types we like in a guy, but nothing, nothing beat that one and only type that you don’t like surprising the heck out of you.

So when Ranger Ethan was tasked with finding the city-guy, dumb-lost journalist, Ethan was not too happy about it. And I just love reading about the shock these types of characters get when they face their so-called nemesis. And if Caleb were a bit more confident making Ethan lose it a bit more, it would have made my day.

As it was, it was a pretty nice read, quite enjoyable albeit way too short. It leaves you with the wish of more, of being behind a plant when they have their first date, or in the closet when they have their first… uhm yeah, you get me.

So if you like a nice, quick read, settled in the wildness with two gorgeous guys, give this one a try. 

Pudding Jones by D.C. Juris

18273070Title:   Pudding Jones

Author: D. C. Juris

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: Novella (58 pages)

Publisher: Wilde City Press, July 31, 2013

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Award-winning reporter Emmer Richfield is the kind of guy who covers wars, the kind of guy who asks the hard-hitting questions. He is not—and he’s certain about this—the kind of guy who does sappy human-interest stories about homeless people. But, his newest assignment is not just any human-interest story. It’s a mandate from the mayor: convince the people of Dodson that Foxton Industries’ plan to build a mall—and oust the homeless population—is a bad idea by way of a feature on a homeless man named Pudding Jones. But Pudding quickly goes from just another story to a man who changes Emmer’s life. The question is, can Emmer return the favor before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:   https://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/pudding-jones/#.UkiiuIYWL-Q

Review:  Okay so the blurb doesn’t give away plot lines and I certainly will not as I talk about this story.  This is a well-written and heart-felt short story about a man, Emmer, who is irrevocably changed by meeting another man, Pudding Jones. The story is about a sweet and tender relationship and there are many dips and turns that will surprise you as you read. Learning about Pudding is heart-breaking. Watching Emmer evolve is awe-inspiring.  Seeing them together is touching. This is also a story that peels back some of the fallacies of our homeless population and makes them real people instead of indispensable ‘things’ whom the larger population chooses to ignore.  The story makes you think about who you are as a person and if you are really doing enough and if you are really as good as you think you are. This is a story that will end leaving you thinking about the possibilities of what was and what could have been. While I didn’t expect the ending, it was fitting.

I wanted to give the story a 4 and then realized that I was doing so because of an expectation that I had. That would be totally unfair to the ‘story.’ The story is an extremely good and well written one.  So as an honest reviewer, it has to get a 5.  Not OMG because I SO loved everything about it, but a 5 because oh so well written and I believe the author meant for us to think and question and well, DC … achieved that in spades. Nicely done!

Elided Cadence by T.C. Blue

91got6Bu2BL._SL1500_Title:   Elided Cadence

Author: T. C. Blue

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (251 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press, September 10, 2013

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts ~ It’s one of those books that you want to climb into the pages … 5 OMG!

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: The last thing Alan Freemont is expecting when he finishes his latest makeup gig and heads to Oak Grove, Arkansas, for a long-deserved vacation is to discover a wrecked tour bus. No. The last thing he’s expecting is for the tour bus to belong to part of Andrew Lyon’s band. Wait. No, again. The LAST thing he’s expecting is to meet Andrew Lyon and discover that the man is more than just pretty, but smart, too. And needy, because three of Andrew’s closest friends were on that bus. Only two of them made it.

Andrew Lyon has been having a relatively good year. Sure there have been disagreements between him and his record label, but what else is new? Then he gets an early morning call that changes everything. One of his closest friends is dead and two others might be following soon after. Alan Freemont, the man who discovered the accident, turns out to be a Godsend.

Can the men — one on the periphery of celebrity and the other a favorite media target — find their way to something real when intense emotions, paparazzi and an abundance of fans descend on the small town? Andrew isn’t sure. He’s already suffered enough loss already, hasn’t he?

Maybe. Maybe not. If Alan has his way, he’ll see to it that Andrew doesn’t lose anything more

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3985

Review:   Okay so within the first chapter of the book, the word ‘minions’ is used. This Despicable Me reference should have let me know that the author was going to take me on a joyride.  So, let’s just find some adjectives to describe this book.  Sultry.  Erotic.  Heartfelt. Gripping. Gut-Wrenching.  Author blue manages to take you through all of these emotions on the roller coaster ride that is Elided Cadence.

The novel opens by focusing on the themed of grief, loss and guilt. The author expertly made Andrew’s grief real and palpable and his emotions raw. This grief fives way to the need for a human connection hat has nothing to do with the joy of sex, but more the need to acknowledge life through one of life’s most powerful forces and to anchor oneself to life.  Once the reader becomes attuned to this, the author then shifts the focuses to the themes of pain, sacrifice, what it entails to be gay and famous and to lose one’s anonymity. 

This story begins with a climax and then the reader gets to ride the roller coaster of emotions that the climax creates.  Many m/m novels present men as one dimensional while this novel allows the reader to see the full spectrum of gay men and life by demonstrating their full spectrum of career, friends, lover, confidante, parent and protector. The novel also differed because it focused so much on how the men felt, and communicated more so than on the superficial aspects of looks and hotness, although these were also there in good measure.

I’m a book buff and I love m/m romances so I really didn’t think that I could be surprised by anything new in this genre.  Well colour me surprised!  The book is told from multiple perspectives like a Chinese telephone game. And while that strategy should be confusing by jumping from thought pattern and perspective to another, it isn’t.  Each time the story changes perspective, it is because that character’s viewpoint s actually what propels the story forward. All the events that Alan and Andrew experience are seen and felt through that of many of the secondary characters and reflects a very real-life depiction of how tragedy is experienced and overcome and how a relationship can begin, grow and develop in that atmosphere of emotional devastation.

The story however feels more like Alan’s story than it does Andrew’s and the author’s ending while very satisfying allows the story to continue and to explore Andrew in a way that was not done in this book.  Alan is a very complete character and a ‘whole’ man. Andrew is still on a journey and it is meeting Alan that allows that journey to begin and it begins with his discovering human compassion, warmth, empathy and understanding in. This he adds to the deep friendships he’s already learned how to build, develop and sustain.

In closing, this reviewer’s most eloquent comment about this story is that it feels real.  The emotions are real and they do sometimes leave you reeling or needing to take a reading break to get a grip on how you are feeling.  The dialogue is also very real. It will have you laughing at the snarkiness of Alan and then crying at the angst of Andrew as he struggles to communicate. You can hear his very pause, gulp and uncertainty in his tone.  So grab a tissue and some tea – you will need it.

 

Winner Takes All, 2nd Edition by Elizabeth Silver and Jenny Urban

18398032Title: Winner Takes All, 2nd Edition

Series: N/A 

Author: Elizabeth Silver and Jenny Urban

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (112 pages)

Publisher:  Musa Publishing (July 26th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb: Dominic Taylor and Matt Harris have been friendly rivals – with occasional benefits – for a few years. With the downturn in the economy, though, Matt’s business is struggling. Dom, whose company is doing well, offers Matt a bet that could help save Matt’s company. But the terms of the bet would literally put Matt’s ass on the line and change the dynamic of their friendship.
As the deadline approaches, they graduate from making out to making love, raising the stakes as they each come to terms with what they really want, and what really matters.
No matter who wins, there will be no going back for either one of them. Because the winner takes all.

Product Link:  http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=633

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:   I absolutely loved this story. Great story line and wonderful characters. Dominic has wanted Matt since he has known him. He offers to help Matt when Matt’s company looks like it would be folding. The help actually comes in the form of a bet. If Matt can convince his board to sell to Dominic, Dominic get’s Matt for one week.

Winner Takes All caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it till the end. Dominic and Matt are pure magic together. Dominic could teach classes in seduction. Poor Matt didn’t stand a chance. Not that he really wanted one. But, it was fun to watch him struggle with his attraction to Dom…and really, really hot.

I loved that it wasn’t a short story or a long story, it was the perfect length. I would re-read this story many times over.

 

 

Waiting for a Spark by Lillian Francis

18215197Title: Waiting for a Spark

Author: Lillian Francis

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: Short (24 pages)

Publisher: JMS Books (August 19th, 2013)

Heat: None

Heart: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Liked it!

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Jerome’s life is humdrum, mundane even. Every day he catches the bus to work, listens to his best friend, Nav, rants on about the latest crisis in his life and tries to stop his attention from wandering to the gorgeous guy at the back of the bus too often. After all it would be embarrassing to get caught staring.

Friday morning had been no different. Except that the object of his blatant attention was definitely making eye contact, his Asian best friend had involved the entire bus in a racist rant against the East Europeans and Jerome appeared to have been struck dumb.

Now two days later Jerome’s run out of milk and all the local shops are shut except for the Polskie Delikatesy. Jerome’s hanging about on the pavement, studying adverts in the window which appear to be made up of far too many Zs & Ks, and wondering if he could do without milk for the evening. Stepping through the door brings Jerome face to face with the realisation that racism isn’t just about rants and rallies, but is inherent in thoughts and deeds, things said, or even in silence. That being a target for other people’s prejudice because of his sexuality, doesn’t mean he’s immune from false and pre-conceived notions. If he can come to terms with that and accept that everyone — even a gay liberal trainee journalist — might be just a little bit racist, then maybe, just maybe, he could be going home with more than a pint of milk.

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=902

Review:   This review could be summed up with the following three words. Sigh, Smile, Happy! 

However, a reviewer should do due diligence and report correctly. So here goes. This is a short story that illustrates with textbook accuracy exactly how a short story should be written.  The story is set in London and tells the tale of two boys, one of Jewish descent and one of Polish descent.  The story takes place over three days. The story opens with the author establishing the premise and back story using the monologue in Jerome’s head on day one. She then switches to dialogue to set the scene for the conflict. This then sets the scene for the next two days where the two boys establish a friendship and begin a relationship.  The fact that the author is able to accomplish all this in 24 pages is testimony to understanding the basic mechanics of good storytelling – (a) set the scene (b) present the characters (c) establish the conflict (d) use interesting, well-constructed dialogue to show rather than tell and then (e) move from conflict to climax/resolution. The fact that the dialogue is littered with British slang only serves to further cement the setting which is always a good thing. The reader will actually begin to hear the British accents in their head as they read.  How exciting. To read and actually be transported across the pond. Yay!

The end result of this short story – A cute couple whom the readers are able to bond with and root for. The story is well paced, nicely written and throwing in British slang lends it an air of being a ‘different other’ which is always nice to see in either short or long form.  The story starts on a bus so I’d suggest this for one’s commute on either a bus or train and have life imitate art.

Gray and Burnished Granite Seas by Tray Ellis

18518351Title: Gray and Burnished Granite Seas

Author: Tray Ellis

Genre: Romance/Bittersweet

Length: Short Story (13 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Frank Ross is ninety-eight years old, and he’s come to the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. to pay his respects and remember his remarkable lover, Tom Willard, who died at sea during World War II while stationed on a battleship. Except that there’s familiar music in the air, and Frank suddenly isn’t as alone as he’d thought, standing amidst the granite sea of the memorial, with the bronzed metal of the Lone Sailor statue just an arm’s distance away.

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=3998

Review: This was such a melancholic read it made me a bit sad and slightly unnerved me.

Frank had once a best friend, who eventually became his lover too. Considering he is now ninety-eight years old (that’s a lot), back when he and Tom were together things were not so easy for gay men, so their relationship must have been tight and closely guarded. However, his memories are quite vibrant and pretty much alive in his mind.

He lost his Tom in the war, but no one ever took his place. Now-days Frank is simply waiting. He’s been waiting an entire life to get back together with his only love.

It is apparent that his time is running out, but when the Lone Sailor’s statue turns into his Tom, Frank is certain that he is dying.

Yet, as a song plays in the background Frank is granted a few minutes with his loved one, he is assured they will be together, and he’s also granted the time to say his goodbyes.

As I said, this is a rather melancholic story, deeply romantic, and tugs to your heart. I liked it, the way it was told was very good and you could easily get lost in this, but I suppose I was rather unprepared for it.

However I don’t hesitate to recommend this to romantic hears out there.

It's Good to be Home by Delilah Storm

18518351Title: It’s Good to be Home

Author: Delilah Storm

Genre: Romance

Length: Short Story (28 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 13th 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: During this last 14-month tour of duty, Jason has missed a lot, including the adoption of his and Ridley’s baby girl, Barbara. While Ridley is ecstatic to have his husband home again, Jason’s remark that he has something they need to discuss has Ridley’s insides all knotted up. How can he convince Jason to stay home with him and their baby and be a part of loving family, just the way they’ve always dreamed?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_111&products_id=3996

Review: This is a sweet story about a Marine who comes home from his last deployment to his husband and little baby daughter.

Jason has never seen in person their little girl, as he was already gone when they got her. He has missed everything about her life thus far and his husband’s. As for Ridley, well there’s nothing worse than to have the man you love far away from you, missing out on your child’s life, and not knowing if he’s coming back this time. Thus, when Jason is finally home his emotions are overwhelming him, but a mere word has him dreading tomorrow. Jason wants to talk to him and Ridley hopes with every fiber of his body that Jason isn’t to leave again soon.

This story is indeed sweet. The plot is emotional and urges you into some sweet and sour feelings. The scene where Jason meets Ridley and their daughter at the airport though felt a bit lacking, I expected some more emotional charge there and didn’t quite feel it. However, the story in its entirety was quite decent with characters that demanded respect and attention even as I felt it had room for improvement.

If you’re in the mood for a romantic sweet read though this is quite the story for you.