Tag: GLBT Contemporary Romance

At Piper's Point by Ethan Day

10433579Title: At Piper’s Point, 2nd edition

Author: Ethan Day

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Extended Novel

Publisher: Wilde City Press (July 24th, 2013) First published July 27th, 2010

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Ten years and many boyfriends later, Cassidy Winters finally returns to the ancestral home of his late grandmother, Sadie Hart, despite the best efforts of his father to prevent it. Cassidy’s plans of a quiet, seaside ceremony to wish a final farewell to Sadie quickly unravel. Interruptions run roughshod, beginning with Neil, who walks out of the ocean and straight into Cassidy’s bed. The dominos topple one by one when the little dog he rescues from the hounds of hell brings him to Ben, the hunky vet who rescues Cassidy right back. News of his arrival spreads faster than Cassidy’s legs, bringing his boyhood friend and first love Nate Sommers to his doorstep — leaving Cassidy spiraling into a multi-layered love snafu. As if the island wasn’t getting crowded enough for Cassidy’s good taste and bad decisions, best friends Ollie and Spencer arrive in time to witness the uninvited return of Cassidy’s most recent ex, Teddy, who’s refusing to stay dumped.

Fists fly and all hell breaks loose amid mojitos and martinis while Cassidy finds himself planning a huge party to celebrate Sadie’s life. Accusations are aimed as arguments and libidos boil over, but even through the chaos, Cassidy knows exactly who he wants. While he’s certainly willing, he isn’t sure if he’s ready or able for love and life at Pipers Point.

Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/at-pipers-point/#.Uj9Od4anqU5

Review: This was a very interesting story to read. I fell in love with it not in first sight, but in a steady pace as the story evolved. At first, I admit I thought it was a bit too melancholic for me. As I went on reading I had resigned myself for a bittersweet kind of book, hence the hilarity that followed caught me unaware. I am now thankful I wasn’t eating or drinking anything while reading, because I don’t think I would survive the gathering of Cassidy’s exes, old and new, unscathed.

And that brings me to the many characters of this book. I think I’m in love… with all of them – yes, even Tom, the last character to be introduced at the very end of the book. I think I love them all because each and every one of them was so very unique.

Cassidy is, ah, how should I put this, a man-whore you cannot fail to adore. He’s a natural charmer, irresistible, and insatiable, yet he’s also the most vulnerable creature in this little corner of the world.

Raised in richness Cassidy lack the love of his parents, who were both cold people, especially his father. Yet he was fortunate enough to spend his summer with his Sadie (she refused to be called grandmother) who loved him unconditionally. His grandmother’s unique personality and immeasurable love shaped Cassidy’s own character and gave him strength he otherwise might not have had to keep on fighting for her when she needed him to against his own father. Alas! His failure hunts him and guilt rides his heart. Finally, after years of legal fights Cassidy is able to bring his Sadie back home to Piper’s Point for the last goodbye. But he forgets one thing; Sadie was not only his, she belonged to Hart’s.

It is a journey really this book, a journey into growing up, owning yourself and the world around you, and finally finding and accepting love. Cassidy has to relive his past, own his present, and be open to his future, all the while Nate, his best friend, first lover, and first and only love stands by him through his journey. I think those two are the world’s greatest teasers I’ve ever seen in a book. The entire read was one great tease, and by God even I felt I was about to lose it with Nate’s antics.

Spencer and Ollie, Cassidy’s best friends (and both exes), were an incredible couple adding humor and fun to the mix, as were Neil (the new ex) and Teddy (the second to last ex) with their rivalry over our man-slut. These characters had a great effect in dispelling the melancholic situation this entire story revolves around. And Natalie (Nate’s mother) *groans* oh my God, Natalie; I will remember this character and her kitchen scene for as long as I live. I’m still wincing inwardly for them damned bite-marks.

But the greatest character of them all for me was the deceased Sadie Hart, the great Lady of Piper’s Point. She was simply brilliant, even dead!

This is such a multi-dimensional book and I could talk/write for it for hours. In the end, what you need to know is that it’s brilliantly written and that you will have the best time reading it. Strongly recommended!

 

At First Touch by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes

18054624Title:  At First Touch

Series:  International Men of Sports, Book #3

Author:  T. A. Chase and Devon Rhodes

Genre:  Gay/Multicultural/Athletes

Length:  Novella (65 pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (August 9th, 2013)

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Excelling at the game he loved was everything to King, until Lukas showed him at first touch how much better his life could be…
Ewansiha ‘King’ Kroenig is at the pinnacle of his professional football career, even with a problem knee. He keeps his cool and keeps his head down, and that control has served him well. King is bisexual and has been known to date beautiful women, while he also occasionally satisfies his craving for men with the team’s trainer. It’s a good life, but starting with one bizarre and personal request from his ex, Silvia, his orderly life goes spinning out of control.

Lukas has no problem admitting he’s gay, but with a loudly homophobic team captain, he knows better than to go there around the team. He has his whole career ahead of him and is being groomed to take over for their star player, King Kroenig. If he admires King for more than his athletic prowess, what can it hurt?

No harm, no foul…until a certain trainer who knows them both well decides to play matchmaker, then all bets are off. And once they’ve experienced that first taste, they want more. But it’s not as simple as hooking up or dating when you’re team-mates, with high profiles and little privacy. And when they each suddenly gain responsibilities they never expected, they must figure out a way to reconcile their personal lives with the expectations of others.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2277

Review:  Let’s start by saying that as an American when I hear football, I think of our version of it. Not the football most of the rest of the world plays. And this book is about the version the rest of the world plays. The references to the football are generic enough for non-sports people to understand most of.

I love how the authors have addressed homophobia that still exists within the world of sports, professional sports especially. King Kroenig is actually bi-sexual, always having one of the world’s most beautiful women on his arm. He keeps the need for the occasional man well hidden. He knows that most of his team just wouldn’t understand and he’s afraid of what it would do to his career if that knowledge came out. While the team’s trainer Sergio is gay, nothing is ever confirmed so the team doesn’t seem to have a real problem with it. King and Sergio have scratched each other’s itches on occasions unknown to the team. However, King has his eye on a teammate; too bad, he can’t do anything about it.

Teammate Lukas is gay; he and Sergio have also scratched a few itches between them. Therefore, Sergio reads Lukas’ lusting from afar after King. But Lukas believes the man is straight, so from afar is all it’s ever going to be. Also, he doesn’t want to deal with the ugliness that would happen if his homophobe Captain found out he was gay. So, nothing is ever going to happen unless Lukas gets a little help from his friendly know everyone’s secrets team trainer. Which Sergio is more than happy to set up for them.

Added complications arise when one of King’s ex-girlfriends want him to make a donation to expand the numbers of her family with her steady girlfriend.  Also added to the mix also it the teen kid Lukas rescue from the gay club the guys go to and takes him home. Lukas is going to let the kid stay as long as he needs to or forever he hopes.

Things become a mixed up mess between the set up of King and Lukas, a needy teenage boy, sperm donations, an ex-girlfriend and her ladylove, a gay trainer, homophobic teammates, camera phone pictures and injuries. It’s a fun mix to read and sort though. I loved the characters or most of them anyway. This was a great read, very enjoyable for me a sports fan.

Forever is Now by K. Vale

foreverisnowTitle: Forever is Now    

Series: Shooting Stars 01

Author: K. Vale    

Genre: Contemporary    

Length: Novella (101pgs)    

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (9th September 2013)   

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: If you love someone, set him free. If he steals something of yours, hunt him down and make him sorry.

Alex Bremen is over Chance Ralan. Ever since his high school boyfriend ditched him nine years ago, Alex has barely thought of Chance at all. Sure, Alex attended a concert or two when his ex’s band, Armageddon Showdown, was in the area, but that was more curiosity than anything else. Who wouldn’t want to see firsthand how his once clean-cut boyfriend transformed into a pierced and tattooed heavy metal god?

But when Chance has the nerve to record a love song Alex wrote for him years ago, Alex crosses the country to confront him. Revenge becomes a dish best served sizzling hot. The two men lock horns, but find the chemistry between them has only intensified with time, and occasionally love needs to do some growing up before it can be done right.     

Purchase Link:  http://www.lsbooks.com/forever-is-now-p827.php  

Review: Alex was madly in love with his high school boyfriend until Chance chose music over love and deserted him when he needed him most, now he barely thinks about Chance, but when he hears the song, he wrote for Chance all those years ago on the radio he decides it is time to get his revenge. Alex crosses the country to film a documentary about Chance’s band ‘Armageddon Showdown’ and to make Chance squirm, after all no one knows the heavy metal gods secret gay past or that he never wrote the song. The two men lock horns and the chemistry between them still burns strong and although the love is there, is it strong enough this time around to compete with the music career? 

This is a great story where revenge turns to love and choices are scary. Alex carried on with his life when Chance turned his back on him, he is doing great in his career and he can have any man he wants and he put Chance far behind him… until he heard his song on the radio and all credit being given to Chance. Alex acts fast to get his revenge on the closeted singer, but his feelings aren’t as far in the past as he hoped. Chance didn’t want to record the song but his manager forced him to, now he is facing his ex, Alex, the only man he has ever loved, the one he threw away for a music career and he has no clue how to handle the man. Chance can’t resist the sexy man but how can he love another man and still have a heavy metal music career? Will Chance take a chance on love with Alex or can he live without love as long as he has his music?

Both Alex and Chance are great characters who make this story slightly edgy. Chance denies his sexuality but is miserable and drinks too much, his music is all he really has, and now because of his manager he has his ex on his tail determined to make him even more miserable. Alex soon realizes that he doesn’t want revenge, but getting what he does want might be even harder when Chance still hides behind the music. Both men want something strong but Chance’s fear drives him, but as they get closer again and Alex is determined to give Chance the time he needs they fall foul of a jealous man. This really is a great story, you can see what hiding his sexuality has done to Chance and although he tries to deny it Alex never stopped loving Chance.  

I recommend this to those who love getting back at an ex, an explosive ‘outing’, hot sex, passionate secrets, lingering love, a bitter rival and an amazing ending. 

 

Loving the Astrophysicist by T.N. Tarrant

9fd9a46ea129da2e998176ccada560d7.image.300x450Title: Loving the Astrophysicist

Series: Sequel to The Absent-Minded Astrophysicist

Author: TN Tarrant

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (247 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (Sept 14th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Liam and Jareth have been married for eight years and want a child. They attempt adopting through agencies but have troubles. After time to recover, they proceed with a private adoption, bringing home a beautiful little girl, Carinae. Then things get really ugly.

Liam and Jareth have been married for eight years and realize they want a child. Things do not go very well when they try to adopt through agencies, with terrible accusations thrown at Jareth. After taking time to recover, they proceed with a private adoption, bringing home a beautiful little girl, Carinae. Then things get really ugly, endangering not only Liam’s life, but also Carinae’s.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/loving-the-astrophysicist-ebook-p-59065.html

Review: This is a sequel to the absent-minded astrophysicist.  You don’t have to read both books as this one tells the backstory quite well but you will want to anyhow.

In this one, Jareth and Liam have been married a round six years and Jamie, Jareth’s brother, and his wife is having a baby. This gets Liam to wondering if Jareth wants children and sets a very wild string of events in motion.  Liam is so smart and always thinking about his work and things, he doesn’t pay attention and is very accident-prone. This causes some serious problems for their relationship and their quest to adopt a child.

One of my favourite things about this author is the ability to pull off such an extremely sweet love story without it feeling over the top. There is enough suspense, mystery, and twists that this sweetness acts as a buffer. A perfect blend of emotion. I love the attention to detail with each character and I also love the interaction of the pets.  There is a sweet little bonus at the end for all you slaves of cats.

I highly recommend this if you like a sweet loving romance, twists, ex-military man, security guards, scientists, babies and cats.

Not So Different by A.K.M. Miles

18400218Title: Not So Different

Series: Average Joe Series

Author: AKM Miles

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (130 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (August 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:
When Clay is lamenting his boring life, Joseph comes by needing his help and they start a relationship that is certainly not short on excitement.

Clay is highly skilled but you couldn’t tell it from his dead end job. Then Joseph comes in late one night needing his help and it begins. They realize right away that they are interested in a relationship. What they are not ready for is all the danger and excitement that follows. They stand together, and handle everything that comes their way. As they face the unexpected, they find that as a unit, they are strong and their bond is real. They come from different worlds and then there’s the age thing. Maybe their differences aren’t so important after all.

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=AKMNOTSD

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: These two have to jump through a lot of hoops to finally find a way to come together! Not just their age and social status separate them, but murder and mayhem also stand in the way. The first half of the book seems cute, typical misunderstanding between the two men confront them, but then the attraction grows and there seems to be hope! I was surprised at the curveballs the author throws in with not only one but also two attempts at poor Clays’ life! But can he have it all? Will Joseph see Clay for the skilled and determined man he is, or just another shallow youth? The tender sexual encounters and romantic getaway are oddly balanced with life threatening situations like being held hostage and poisonous snakes. Not sure if this tension works or not. One other odd thing that was bothering this techie is that all Clay had to do was compress a file for Joseph and send it on in an email. This did not really require an in-depth session at Joe’s house. It really only takes a maximum of five minutes or less and not much technical skill at all! If I were writing the story, I would develop a slightly more difficult technical task for Clay to solve for Joseph. Like a problem with his website code, or a document that has all of its links broken, or font incompatibility, something that takes a bit more time and access to Josephs works station. But I digress; it’s a cute story with fantastical life threatening elements in it.

Adding It Up by Chris Owen and Tory Temple

18457281Title: Adding It Up         

Series: By the Numbers Book 2

Author: Chris Owen and Tory Temple

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (102 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (September 3rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: Trey and Deuce have settled into their lives as a couple. Dogs, Trey’s daughter, Lacey, and shift work make for an unpredictable and never boring life together. Trey has managed to keep his ex-wife at arm’s length, but Deuce is determined to make peace amongst them all for Lacey’s sake. When he attempts to establish a friendship with Holly, Trey vehemently protests. Holly is not somebody Trey wants more interaction with. Deuce persists, however, and tensions escalate between them.

Trey doesn’t see how the rift can be mended. Can they make it all add up again?

Product Link: https://www.torquerepress.com/fiction/addingitupbythenumbers2.html

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: A heartwarming continuation of book one, that follows Trey and Deuce’s journey through their growing relationship and growing family. Can one be “friends” with their ex? We will surely find out as both Trey and Deuce try to have a good relationship with Lace’s mom. This book also shows the growing pains of any long-term relationship, dealing with each other’s shortcomings, the stress of work schedules on personal lives, and how couples react to outbursts and hurt feelings. It’s also reaffirmed that you can’t just think of your own needs when in a relationship, and sometimes we’re just weak and selfish and need to make amends. The only real complaint I have, and its there, is that this book dwells too long on the issue between Trey, Deuce, and Holly. It’s kinda beaten to death. I also got a bit angry with Trey, I mean, either let Deuce be a parent or not, you can’t pick and choose exactly when that role is allowed him. But I do like seeing their family unit growing with the addition of Deuce’s dad becoming a bigger part, and hopefully even some of Trey’s family in the future. If you enjoyed book one, this is a nice continuation.

Unbroken by Larry Benjamin

perf5.250x8.000.inddTitle: Unbroken

Author: Larry Benjamin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel (266 pages)

Publisher:Beaten Track Publishing (September 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:My parents, unable to change me, had instead, silenced me. When they’d stilled my hands, they’d taken my words, made me lower my voice to a whisper. Later, I remained silent in defense, refusing to acknowledge the hateful words: Brainiac. Sissy. Antiman. Faggot.

Lincoln de Chabert’s life is pretty unremarkable until he comes home from kindergarten and announces he will marry his best friend, Orlando, when he grows up. 

His parents spring into immediate action, determined to fix him, igniting an epic battle of wills, as Lincoln is determined to remain himself, and marry whom he chooses, at all costs

Purchase Link: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?ref=unbroken

Review: Lincoln knew when he was seven, he was going to marry a boy. In fourth grade, when Jose the new boy walked and smile, he was sure that would be the boy he would marry, though his family always told him boys don’t do this, boys don’t do that. They couldn’t change him, but they silenced him. Over the years, he is picked on and all through high school and middle school; Jose always came to his rescue, even though Jose’s girlfriend Elsie didn’t like it… Lincoln chose a college he was sure no one from his school would choose and was surprised to find Jose coming to the same college.

Wow! This is a beautiful story. I have to admit once I started I couldn’t put it down. The writing style is absolutely captivating. Each chapter starts with a date and a bit of history from that year and is rather humorous. It helps to break the seriousness of the story.

Lincoln is quite the lovable character. He is effeminate, but no way is he weak and very determined.  He knows what he wants and lets no one not even his parents tell him what to do and he doesn’t hide who he is.

This is a beautiful story of coming of age, coming out and also one of the most amazing love stories I have read in a while.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age tale. A story that follows a character from a childhood to manhood and quite simply, an amazing love story!

Facing the Music by Sue Holston

ftm2__97450.1375410170.300.450Title: Facing the Music

Author: Sue Holston

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (160 pages)

Publisher: Evernight Publishing (August 2nd, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Ethan James, charismatic leader of the rock band Texas Madmen, only wants to play music, until he meets reporter Graham Henderson. Suddenly Ethan’s world isn’t just about music anymore. But Graham’s job is to write an exclusive that will make waves. That means digging up all the dirty laundry that the band has kept under cover for years—and deciding what to do with it.

Can Ethan and Graham’s love withstand the revelations? Will the band continue to dominate, or will the music die?

Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/facing-the-music-by-sue-holston/

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This book has all the things you might come to expect from a Rock’N’Roll romance: Drugs, Sex, Rock’N’Roll, problems with the law, and unfortunate acts by nearly all of the band members. The pace is fast, and as one character puts it, who really needs daytime dramas when this band lives real life drama around every corner. My favorite scene is still the opener when Gray gets caught falling into Ethan’s pool and first glances at his feet after surfacing and then peers up, it’s classic! As Graham travels along with the band on the tour bus, we see every secret, every nuance of the relationships between band members. Although some things are still left to be revealed. It is quite a roller coaster, and at times, I really do want to see Gray back off, go home, and leave these drama queens to their plight. But when the going gets tough, Gray sticks by his man, and boy does it get tough.

Though the main characters are strong enough themselves, I really found myself caught in the web spun between Lars and Aiden. I wanted to slap Lars upside the head and then have Aiden drag him back to the bus, tie him down, and whip a bit of sense into him! The writing is smooth, the tour is an adventure, and I was satisfied with the ending, even though I clearly see another book involving Lars and Aiden!

Return to Destiny, 2nd Edition by Vona Logan

17227093Title:  Return to Destiny, 2nd Edition

Series:  Moments in Time book #1

Author:  Vona Logan

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novella (16,000 words)

Publisher:  Wilde City Press (August 21st 2013) First published October 20th, 2012

Heat Level:  Moderate to Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Wade Summers is a decent guy… who happens to have a ghost taking advantage of his body at will. His attempts to escape it have failed, not that Wade is complaining. But while his body is teased, tantalized and taken to new heights of pleasure, his soul longs to know more about this enigmatic lover.

In 2022, erotic dreams and déjà vu of a gorgeous man are driving Michael Turner insane. When a strange old man convinces him he’s let Mr. Right slip through his fingers, Michael desperately tries to figure out at what point he missed getting the man of his dreams and will stop at nothing to return to his destiny.

Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/return-to-destiny/#.UjJ4hL4o45s

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Short, Sexy and STEAMY! Return to Destiny is an erotic novella about time travel and true love.

Wade Summers lives in the present day, 2012 to be exact. As of late he’s suffering from what he has come to call ‘episodes’ where a seemingly invisible man does with his body what he will, resulting in the most satisfying sexual experiences of his life. These episodes happen when he’s fully awake, and usually at the most inopportune moments.

Michael Turner lives in the future, 2022 to be exact. He’s unemployed, lonely, and confused. He has memories of dreams, remembering shadows of a man. It’s while he’s at a local bookstore he meets Li, the owner, who gives him a book that may offer a solution. Michael will have to search within himself to remember that moment in his past where he destroyed his future.

This book had passion, sensuality, steamy sex, and even some comic relief. With the help of Li, Michael figures out who he left in the past, and therefore, who is meant to be his future. I loved Wade identified him by his unique smell and touch. He recognized these things from their encounters, having never seen Michael’s face. If you’re looking for a quick, fun read with some fantastic hot man sex and a HEA… this is the book for you!

The Confession of a Rugby Player #3: Blood Sweat & Lust in Dublin by Patrick Darcy

ConfGayRugbyPlayer3_cvrTitle: Confessions of a Rugby Player, #3 – Blood, Sweat & Lust in Dublin

Author: Patrick Darcy

Genre: Gay Erotica / Kink & Fetish

Length: Novella (19K)

Publisher: Wilde City Press (September 11th, 2013)

Heat Level: Utterly Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: This should be the greatest moment in Conor’s rugby playing career. But falling in love and a loss of form have brought him to his knees, and led him to question who he is. It’s no fun, not being the centre of attention. Is he the man he thought he was? Replaced on the pitch and now replaced in the affections of his best friend Sean. What is it about Sean’s new boyfriend he finds so irritating? Why can’t he accept them being together? Conor’s heart is filled with rage by the thought of them. A rage that he can’t contain, and that leads him to cross a line that should never be crossed. And when Conor acts like a fool, there is only one thing for it. To be punished by two hot Doms. Maybe they will bring him to his senses, and take his mind off things that cannot be…

…or maybe not!

Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-erotica/confessions-of-a-gay-rugby-player-3/#.UjgzccanqU5

Review: Patrick Darcy comes back with his Confessions series and book #3, and I must admit this one felt the best of them yet. It is rare for me to like the next installment better than the previous, but it happened with book #2 and again now. In addition I’m left expecting the next one with much more excitement than before. In fact I was a bit pissed that Blood, Seat & Lust in Dublin ended.

What made the difference you might ask and it would be a very good question. The basic part, the erotic scenes were just as hot. The carnal way Conor handles his tricks is the same as always. We did get to see him as a bottom though this time, and honestly I couldn’t stop laughing and shaking my head at this character. Conor is just as pushy, cocky, and demanding as a bottom as he is as a Top. You just got to love him in any position he chooses to put himself.

Another difference this time was the fact that the Irish team lost the championship they were hosting. Naturally Conor was disappointed – that was not unexpected. What was unexpected was my reaction to the Irish losing the cup. The frustration and sadness I felt while reading it almost made me laugh at myself. I think I’ve grown attached.

But the most surprising thing of all was Conor’s realization of being in love with Sean. If you read my review of the previous book, I had the feeling that this was where the plot was leading; to Conor loving Sean. To have it come true though the way it did, God, I feel a bit sad.

Nothing in this tournament didn’t go well for Conor. First he’s had his injuries and been replaced, leading to Conor being pissed about it, leading to Conor being an ass to Sean about Sean’s boyfriend, leading to the moment of realization that he loves Sean, leading to Sean giving Conor the cold shoulder and not speaking to him at all… So while Conor is still the horny bastard that he is, hooking up and trying to get Sean off of his system resulting to a hot, kinky threesome, there was that little thing called love there in the background painting the entire read with a bit of aggression, sadness, and desperation.

In the end this was a very well done mixture of pure erotica and romance (though you can hardly call it romance, it was too raw for that) that makes you crave the series even more. It was almost like observing… life! Loved it! Got me hooked even more, and the end leaves you anticipating the next book so strongly, that I wonder at where the hell I’m going find the patience to wait.

Recommended? Hell, yeah!

 

One Two Three, Salvation by Joey James Hook

9a3311725de2d1d8b8b62099b766a405.image.300x450Title: One Two Three, Salvation

Series: Xander Book, 02

Author: Joey James Hook

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (269 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (September 7th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Kay Doyle feels plain and unworthy until he meets Van Nuys transfer, Johnny Collins who introduces Kay to his wild side. When fun turns dangerous, Kay wants Johnny to find salvation from the dark little world he’s made for himself.

Kay Doyle spends a lot of time feeling plain and unworthy. Due to his father’s debilitating illness, Kay lives with his mom’s best friend, Kaleb Xander, who raises Kay as his own. Unfortunately, Kaleb can’t keep Kay from feeling unwanted by his family. In senior year, Kay meets Johnny Collins, an enigmatic rebel. Johnny yanks Kay out of his shell and he discovers his wild side. When Johnny pulls Kay into a dark, little world of sex and hardcore drugs, Kay has to find a way out. More importantly, he wants to help Johnny find salvation from the harsh reality he lives in.

CONTENT ADVISORY: As part of a series, this title contains a HFN ending.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/one-two-three-salvation-ebook-p-59063.html

Review: This is the second book of this Series. This one stands alone as it is about a different character. I do love that we got to see more of Kaleb and Trent’s relationship and how Kaleb is faring now. This book is about Kay, one of Sid and Sam’s twins.  Kaleb raised Kay as his own son after Sam fell ill and they could not afford to raise both twins.

When the book begins, Kay is 13ish and dealing with his feelings about living with Kaleb and his relationship with his real mother and father and twin sister. As the book progresses it deals more with his personal relationships.

This book isn’t near as dark as the first one. I still really liked it. The author deals with emotions beautifully. The book deals with growing up, finding your sexuality, dealing with challenging relationships, and love.

It is absolutely beautifully written. It spans fewer years than the first but the flow is amazingly smooth as we go from day-to-day or year to year.

I highly recommend this if you like deeply involved relationships, strong ties with family, extended family, dealing with drug addiction, artists, coming of age and beautiful sensual man-sex.

 

A Little Too Broken by Brad Vance

young man imagine by laying on the sofaTitle:  A Little Too Broken

Author: Brad Vance 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance (PTSD, HIV couple)

Length:  Novel (129 pages)

Publisher:  Brad Vance (August 18th 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:   When Jamie walks through the door of the Humane Society, it’s not just an animal who needs rescuing that day. Tom is there to adopt another service dog into the Canine Comrade Corps, but its Jamie his heart goes out to. But each man turns away, walks away, from the potential pain, the rejection, the knowledge that it’ll all end in tears…

Jamie knows damn well that the HIV he contracted from an unfaithful lover has put him out of the dating game forever in the small town of Santa Vera. Tom lost his legs in Afghanistan, and got new ones, yeah, but with a side order of PTSD to go, he thought grimly. The real problem is that only now does he realize he’s gay, now that the revelation would be just one too many things to put his family through, after everything else they’ve had to deal with.

So both men grin and bear the loneliness, put their feelings on a shelf, even as Jamie’s volunteer stint at CCC turns into friendship and, despite their resolve, something more…

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/A-Little-Too-Broken-ebook/dp/B00EN2M37O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378680513&sr=1-1

Reviewer:  Tams

Review:  This is the story of two completely different men who never would have met under normal circumstances.

Tom is a war veteran who lost both legs serving his country in Afghanistan. He suffers from PTSD and he works as a trainer of service dogs. The dogs you see that visit soldiers in the hospital after they return home from war broken and battered. It’s through his job he meets Jamie when he comes to adopt a kitten, but changes his mind. Jamie is enamored with Tom from the moment he sets eyes on him, so he volunteers for Tom’s cause to be closer to him.

Jamie is young and bitter. He is HIV positive, infected by an ex that was selfish and didn’t use protection or disclose his disease with Jamie prior to consummating the relationship. Guys like him should be brought before the firing squad! But, I digress. Jamie falls completely in love with Tom while working with him and getting to know him better. The fact that he doesn’t have real legs never really registers on Jamie’s radar. He just sees the man who Tom is. When two men that are a little too broken are brought together, great things can happen. Like truly loving each other, as you already know what it’s like to be different, to live with the self-doubt and insecurity coupled with your disease or disability.

The book is a little slow in parts, but it came together nicely by the end. There was also an aspect to the sex in this book that bordered a dark side. Vance had some undertones of this perhaps being or becoming a dominant/submissive relationship and that’s not generally an aspect of M/M novels that I enjoy. That being said, neither Tom nor Jamie was ever disrespectful to each other, so that balanced it out for me. If you’re looking for something on the shorter side, that’s a little dirty, but still has a good base story, then give this one a peek.

Alabama Summer by C.K. Alexander

17903030Title:  Alabama Summer

Author: C.K. Alexander 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novel (125 pages)

Publisher:  C.K. Alexander (May 4th 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate to Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Chase and Jimmy have been a couple for years. When age begins to take a toll on Jimmy’s mother, both men head down to Jimmy’s native Alabama to help her out. They understand that they are walking into a town firmly planted in the Bible Belt, where Jimmy stayed in the closet because of his fear of judgment. But they don’t understand just how bad it can get, and how it will threaten to tear their good relationship apart.

Over the course of two weeks, old friendships rise up like ghosts and new problems rush in like a hurricane from the coast. Can Chase and Jimmy survive a town hell-bent on judgment? Or will they see their good relationship unravel under the strain?

Warning: Contains Steamy Male on Male Action Along With Mature Language

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNW3UQ4?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CNW3UQ4&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Jimmy hasn’t much been home in over ten years, but now he’s headed there to visit his ailing mother with his boyfriend, Chase, in tow. When Jimmy graduated high school, he couldn’t get out of Alabama fast enough. Surrounded by hatred and ignorance he always hid his sexuality, and to this day, no one but his mother knows the truth about Jimmy and Chase.

Jimmy’s mom is very old-fashioned, even giving them the “you can’t sleep in the same bedroom!” ultimatum. Her and Chase take to each other immediately, but she is still hesitant to admit to herself that her son is gay. So she tries to push him toward his ex girlfriend. This coupled with fact that Jimmy refuses to acknowledge their ten-year relationship around his friends pushes Chase away. Jimmy soon learns that his fear of coming out may cost him the person he loves the most.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Eventually we all end up back home and if something drove you away, you end up having to come to terms with that as well, if you haven’t already. Chase was already the mature male in their relationship, and Jimmy had issues he had to deal with on his own terms. Alexander made sure that Jimmy remained a likeable character, even when his head was up his ass. His insecurities and unassuredness made him the perfect guy for Chase who was confident and outspoken. 

The addition of just a couple of basic secondary characters really took this story up a notch for me. It was refreshing to see another side of the jilted ex girlfriend, Monica. Yes, she was pissed, at first, to learn of Jimmy’s sexuality. But only because she’d always thought something was wrong with her, to explain away his lack of interest. When the dust settles she stands by Jimmy and makes sure he knows he has a friend. And momma, although old-fashioned and slightly stubborn, eventually finds common ground with Chase. Jimmy. She sees the way they are with each other, stolen glances, and tender moments and realizes Chase truly does love her son. She can argue the right or wrong of being gay till the cows come home, but she can’t argue love.

This little book packs a lot in its pages. Love, compassion, ignorance, and understanding. And you know that Jimmy and Chase found a way around momma’s separate beds rule! I definitely recommend this book; it has a nice HEA, bonus!

The Best Ever by Deanna Wadsworth

18241947Title: The Best Ever

Series: (#3) One Night Stand Series

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella (54 pages)

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company (January 24th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Jason Lewis is a self-proclaimed nerdy guy who hates his red hair. Bullied most of his life, at 22 social situations still make him awkward. On a trip to the World Video Game Expo in Las Vegas, Jason decides to enlist the help of Madame Eve in his failed romantic endeavors. While at the con, he runs into sexy, professional baseball pitcher Blake Huntington, the guy he tutored in high school. Blake invites him to a party and after hanging out with his high school crush; Jason begins to regret booking his 1NS “encounter” later that night. But Madame Eve may have planned the best night ever.

Product Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=19&products_id=814&osCsid=7mulrc7838ej0g063ro7irdm51

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: It’s pretty cheeky that a story based on an arranged one-night stand becomes anything but. This looks to be a very fun and well-written series. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the other two! I really like the character of Jason who doesn’t quite fit into any of the persona’s he floats around in: geeks, the jocks, the computer nerds, or the stereotypical gay man. He seems all right as an adult, finding his own path in life and decides to take a risk to find romantic adventure as he says, “cut through all the bullshit and games”, and arranges an Encounter with the mysterious Madame Eve through her 1 Night Stand dating service. Why not? It worked for his friend.

His trip to Vegas to attend a gaming conference not only loads him with jitters of his planned “encounter” but he knows he may very well meet up with his high school crush, turned professional baseball pitcher, Blake Huntington. Huntington is in town for the conference to sign autographs and wow fans of the new video game he’s featured in. Jason doesn’t even know if Blake will remember him. But what happens when his meet-up with Blake turns into a great catch-up and attraction smolders between them both? I know I wanted him to cancel the date and jump Blake’s bones!

It’s a fun twist how the author plays these two characters and creates a very nervous, yet steamy encounter for them both! The writing is clear and the plot advances smoothly. The characters are colorful, even the supporting ones. The texting conversations between Jason, his sister and friends adds an interesting plot tool to the story. Though I’m not crazy about hash tags. But I am crazy about this book! Get it, read it, and read the rest of the series. You won’t’ regret it! This 1 Nightstand is definitely The Best Ever!