Tag: GLBT Interracial romance

New Beginnings by Edward Kendrick

51XNr3fw9zLTitle: New Beginnings

Series: Phoenix Rising 04

Author: Edward Kendrick

Genre: Contemporary,

Length: Novella (171pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (29th December 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Rome, a police detective, and Jeff, a closeted construction worker, become friends and then much more. Then Rome joins Vance Montgomery’s team of covert ops. Soon afterward tragedy strikes and the team must deal with the aftermath as Vance implodes.

Rome, a police detective, and Jeff Reynolds, a closeted construction worker, have maintained a loving relationship for four years while keeping their sexuality hidden. Then Rome is outed, quits the force, and finds a new job as part of Vance Montgomery’s covert ops team. He and Jeff move to New Orleans to begin their new life together.

When a job goes bad, Van goes off the deep end, hiding in the bottle, unwilling to see anyone. Eventually his associate, Rico, faces him down and makes him accept he cannot continue on the way he’s been going. With the help of his friends, Van straightens out his life, and goes after those who caused his grief.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title includes a bittersweet ending. 

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/903

Review: Rome (Roman) and Jeff have maintained a secret relationship for four years before Rome’s new Captain begins giving him trouble, Rome is approached and offered a job with Vance’s covert ops team which would also allow him and Jeff to move and be out as a couple. When a job goes wrong for one of the team Vance sinks into the bottle but the knowledge that the perps are still out there forces Vance to clean up his act and with the help of his friends, he goes after those who caused his grief.

This is a story of two parts; the first part is about Rome and Jeff, while the second part is mainly about Vance and his struggles. Rome and Jeff meet when Rome moves cities to work at the Denver Police Department, Jeff is a neighbor and works for his father’s construction company and the two strike up a friendship, both men admitting that because of their respective circumstances they can’t be out and it isn’t long before both men fall in love and embark on a secret relationship, years later the opportunity to move cities and be out in their relationship comes up and it is an opportunity that Rome doesn’t want to turn down. Vance has sunk low, the pain he feels can only be numbed by alcohol and he is drowning in it just now, having a moment of clarity he begins to clean up his act, he has an enemy to hunt down and with the help of friends he makes his plans… but just how far will Vance go for justice and when does justice turn into revenge?

This book is more like two stories in one, in the first part we see the progression of Rome and Jeff’s relationship, from where they meet and become friends to their relationship progressing to more and then we have flashes of times through the next four years right up until they start their new life together. Then the story changes with Vance being the focal point and we follow him through a trying time as he also has to weigh what is best for him as he boarders on full-out revenge, with only his friends Rico and Roger to pull him back with coaxing words.

I must admit to liking this story even though I was confused as to the way it lay out, first we have all Rome and Jeff and then as soon as Phoenix comes into play we see Rome very briefly… I felt like Rome and Jeff’s story was cut off abruptly. Vance’s story is shocking and really makes you want to smack the crap out of the bosses of Phoenix… ‘The job needs to be completed’, that’s twice they have done that to him now. Vance’s story has soul-searching and plans for vicious revenge and it is only his friends that advise Vance that stop him from doing something that would later destroy him.

I will recommend this to those who love devastation and loss, determination and justice, new love and relationships and an ending that pulls at your heart.

Arresting Behavior by Morticia Knight

1372369182000-arresting-behaviour-1306271740_3_4_r343_c0-0-340-450Title: Arresting Behavior

Series: Uniform Encounters, Book #2

Author: Morticia Knight

Genre: Men in Uniform/Romantic Suspense/Interracial

Length: 142 pages

Publisher: Total-e-bound (June 20th, 2013)

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Heat Level: Explicit

Blurb:   Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.

The Bondage Butcher has just claimed his third victim, and newly promoted homicide detective Jake Gutierrez is anxious to speak to the one man who has been intimate with all three victims—Quinn Verdugo. The reclusive and mysterious artist and poet stays just out of Jake’s grasp, until one night when they catch him trespassing at his ancestor’s ancient ruins.

Quinn is devastated by the recent murders, and for the men he once dallied with. Not trusting his heart to anyone since a cruel rejection in his teens, he trusts the police department of Mesa, Arizona even less. He is determined to find the bastard who is committing these gruesome murders, and take care of things himself.

When Jake and Quinn finally meet face to face in the interrogation room, both men are startled at the direction things take. Agreeing to work together, they have no idea the dangers they have yet to face. But what is more dangerous – the murderer, or the spark that has been created between the two very combustible men?

Reader Advisory: This book contains mild BDSM elements, graphic murder descriptions
Reader Advisory: Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2176

Reviewer: Cat

Review: Jake is assigned to a serial killer case. The prime suspect is Quinn an artist that lives on the Rez and isn’t very cooperative.  All three cases have been ex-lovers of Quinn.

Quinn is upset about the murder of his ex-lovers. He wants justice but doesn’t like cops much, until he meets Jake. Both men are tired of being alone and now just getting laid isn’t enough. Will their meeting become more than professional?

This was a pretty good murder mystery. There were lots of suspects and motives, the stories moved fast and the romance helped to ease some of the gruesomeness of the killings. I loved Quinn and Jake and I really loved their romantic interludes, very sexy, very romantic, and very hot. The mystery was good I felt there were a few things not quite resolved such as a couple of the men rather dropped off the radar by time the story finished. I would have liked a little more closure with those characters and with His female partner. But overall it was a very good story and I will definitely be following this series.

Recommendation: If you like, men in uniform, artists, Native American, mystery, and suspense with some pretty hot sex and a little bondage this is for you.arrestingbehaviour_image_2_vs2

Love Lies Bleeding by Remmy Duchene

LoveLiesBleeding400x600Title: Love Lies Bleeding

Author: Remmy Duchene

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Multiracial

Length: Novel (247pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (8th June 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Anderson’s life changes when he discovers his father murdered. Then solving a complicated serial murder case only gets worse with the intense, growing feelings.

Literature professor Anderson Williams has a date with his father but arrives to find him dead. When he meets NYPD officer, Leo Sung Kim, he doesn’t expect his body’s reaction and he tries to keep his hands off. But as a deranged killer gets closer, he’s forced into a tight space with the sexy cop.

Leo’s seen horrible things as a cop. But the latest serial killer is worse than anything he’s encountered. He’s instantly smitten with Anderson and tried to stay professional. But how does one avoid a brainy, sexy man with sad brown eyes?

Even as Leo fights his emotions, the killer gets bolder. When the smoke clears, Leo could not only lose his heart but his life.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This is a re-edited re-release of THE ORCHID MURDERS.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-p-1480.html

Review: Literature professor Anderson has a standing Friday night date with his dad, Jazmon. This week though, he is running late and when he arrives he makes the devastating discovery of his father’s body. Homicide detective Leo is taking the case; Jazmon had been a friend of his. Finding the killer is his first priority, but he has a fierce attraction to the son, Anderson. Anderson and Leo are thrown together when the killer seems to be targeting both of them. They also have a mutual attraction to work out, as they become close the killer gets more daring and it ends up with both men fighting for their lives and their love.

This is a great mystery, suspense story that has loss, love and hope threaded throughout. Anderson is smart, sexy and suffering from a devastating loss. Leo is dedicated, hot and suffering the same loss. Both men come together in a time of need and while Leo is stumped in his investigation he becomes close to Anderson. Anderson finds it hard to believe the sexy detective is serious about him and tries to shield his heart. But, when Leo is in danger he realizes he has to take a chance. Leo just wants to find the killer of his friend. He doesn’t want it to overcast the relationship he wants to have with Anderson, but his own feelings might just drive them apart.

I really liked how this story was written and the mystery of who the killer was and why. I must admit to constantly thinking back to the opening scene and wondering what part it played in the story. Anderson and Leo are great characters who both deal with a lot as they tentatively embark on a relationship. Both of them unsure of what the other really wants from them. Then we have the hunt for the killer and the mystery of why he is killing his targets and why Leo and Anderson are in his sights. It has just the right amount of puzzle so you try to fit the pieces together and you end up with a strong idea of who the killer is. But, the reason has you scratching your head until it is fully revealed.

I recommend this to those who adore mystery, suspense, hot men fumbling with a relationship during trying times, high tempers and confused feelings, hot sex and sweet love and a very climatic ending.   

 

 

Falling In Love With Crazy by Dane Waters

dw_fallinginlovewithcrazyTitle: Falling In Love With Crazy

Author: Dane Waters

Genre: Contemporary, Multicultural

Length: Novel Plus (240pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (15th May 2013)

Heat: Moderate – Explicit  

Heart: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie 

Blurb: Economics professor Ryuu Tanaka suffers through the embarrassment of playing softball with his students to get closer to the man sitting under a nearby tree. Ryuu finds Daniel to be more attractive, more intelligent, and more mysterious than any human being has a right to be. Despite the fact Daniel isn’t gay, possibly isn’t all there, and isn’t interested in any future conversations, Ryuu has no intention of letting Daniel walk out of his life for good.

Avoiding arrest as a stalker is only the first hurdle Ryuu must overcome to be with Daniel. Once he does, their friendship quickly turns into a love that has Ryuu planning long nights with the perpetually horny and submissive Daniel bound and at his mercy. But Daniel’s failing mental stability forces Ryuu to delve into Daniel’s past. Ryuu learns Daniel’s real last name, the possibility of a child and that the man in his bed may not be Daniel at all.

Ryuu is desperate to keep the certifiably insane Daniel from slipping into his fantasy world with Armor, the version of Ryuu Daniel has created in his mind, but a homicidal student with a crush has other plans.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/falling-in-love-with-crazy.html

Review: Ryuu goes to great lengths to meet the beautiful man in the park. Plays softball with his students, follows him, and hangs around a coffee shop until he finally gets a date with the man. Ryuu finds Daniel fascinating and interesting even though Daniel says he isn’t gay, isn’t interested in coffee or conversation and has just a slight problem with reality. Ryuu is put through his paces as he tries to get Daniel to fall in love with him in five days, but Ryuu believes Daniel is worth every second. But, as Daniel’s mental stability fails Ryuu has to dig into his past and makes several discoveries. And that isn’t Ryuu’s only problem when a student who has a crush on him shows his true colors.

This is an absolutely brilliant story that has huge doses of humor, light-hearted teasing and then crashing reality. Ryuu is a very confident man, he knows he is attractive and appeals to many men. So when he sees a man he likes, nothing will stop him from at least talking to him once. Daniel has a past that is shrouded in mystery, with mental health difficulties and preferring to be alone. Daniel isn’t really ready for a man like Ryuu to burst into his life, but as the two get to know each other, Daniel needs Ryuu to help to keep him tethered to reality. 

Oh. These characters are fantastic. They had me chuckling throughout the book. Ryuu and Daniel are brilliant. they strike sparks off each other and when they finally come together physically they are perfect and sexy. Ryuu is a man who won’t give up on Daniel, no matter what obstacles are thrown in his path, even those that are put there by Daniel. Daniel is a much more complex character. He is honest and pretty open, but some things he just won’t talk about, and he has a nasty habit of getting lost in his head. Daniel has plenty of ghosts in his past, many of them terrible and each one has left its invisible mark on him, God, you just want to smother him in love and protect him from the world and his own mind.

Although much of the book is written with humor towards the end of the book it becomes more somber as someone who wants Ryuu for himself gets nasty and Ryuu sees the reality of Daniel’s mental health problems. This book is wonderfully written. It draws you in with its great characters. It keeps you entertained with its humor and keeps you reading with the mystery of Daniel’s past. Oh and the ending, it was so wonderful that I am hoping for an update of Daniel and Ryuu in the future.

I have to recommend that this story be put on everyone’s must read list, especially if you love confused young men, finding a way for love, humor, great sex, a touch of mystery, a touch of danger, determination never to give up, great characters and a brilliant storyline with a wonderful ending.

 

 

Helping Harry by Serena Yates

Title: Helping Harry

Series: Men of Riverside 08

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (91pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (9th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Tim’s attraction to his friend Harry flares up once again when they run into each other at their ten-year reunion, but will it be enough to build the lasting relationship they’ve both longed for?

Tim Jacobi, who owns and runs his parent’s car dealership, is professionally successful but lonely. When his high school reunion brings his best friend Harry back to Riverside after a ten-year separation, he realizes he is still attracted to him. And this time around, he can admit it to himself.

Harry can’t believe the strong feelings his best friend awakens in him. Despite being afraid of rejection, he opens up and tells him the truth about the intervening years-why he is now divorced and has sole custody of his two children.

When Harry’s ex-wife reappears-demanding not only visitation rights, but threatening to sue for custody-Tim find himself facing more obstacles than he’d expected. Will he run for cover or help Harry get the relationship and life he has always wanted?

Reader Advisory: This story is the eighth in this series and the stories, while they can be read on their own, are best read in sequence.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1502

Review: Tim and Harry meet up at a re-union after no contact for ten years. When they sit down to reconnect they make a discovery as to why they lost touch. It’s not long before sparks are flying between them. But, when Harry’s ex-wife turns up, wanting the children and making threats, Tim begins to wonder if it will work out.

This was a great story of two friends reuniting after ten years and discovering an attraction that they had never really noticed before. Harry had the great misfortune of being snared into marriage, after many years he is finally free to be himself. Tim has a new opportunity with Harry and he has hopes that things will work out between them, but if it comes down to it he will be satisfied with being just friends.

I really enjoyed this story and even though some will say I am wrong… I really enjoyed Harry putting Lisa in her place and that he stuck to his guns by not backing down and also not giving up Tim. That Tim cared so much for Harry and his children shone through in the sacrifice he was willing to make and that Harry cared for Tim in refusing to let Tim walk away. I really enjoyed the way that Tim and the kids interacted, it was very sweet. I think my only complaint would be that they didn’t sit the kids down and discuss their relationship or of them moving in together. I know that the kids discussed Tim and Harry and how they felt like a family again but it would have been nice just to clarify it.

So, honestly this is a very enjoyable story, with hot sex, a bit of conflict which is well written and has a good solid story-line… I’d highly recommend this to those who love any of the above and a nice family ending.

For Your Entertainment by Remmy Duchene

Title: For Your Entertainment

Author: Remmy Duchene

Genre: Contemporary, Kink, Interracial

Length: Short (76pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (26th May 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: It’s been years since Ashton fell in love with a boy, but now that boy is a man who makes Ashton burn for more.

Ashton Clarke is a stripper. Some nights he dances on stage at the Nuts and Bolts, other nights he gives private dances to the club’s rich patrons. When he is sent to give a private dance to a birthday boy and he turns around to see J.C. Sparta sitting there, he runs. Nobody from Ashton’s past knows that his parents cut him off from the family fortune when he came out, forcing him to strip to make ends meet.

But that’s not the only reason Ashton runs.  J.C. Sparta was the one man he loved but never confessed it. When J.C comes back again and makes him an offer, how can he possibly refuse?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/864/?zenid=157979c3989ddc4f0ee6e84f520ef54d

Review: Ashton was disowned when he told his parents he was gay. Now, he makes his living stripping. It’s a job that pays the bills, but one night he turns around and his client is none other than J.C., the boy he once fell in love with. J.C. is celebrating his birthday with a lap dance bought for him by his best friend, but when the dancer turns around he’s startled to see Jeremy (Ashton). Jeremy who he remembers from school, but what was he doing stripping? J.C. needs to see him again and hopes he can give him an offer he can’t refuse.

This is a lovely short story of seeing past the trappings surrounding a man and to the person they really are. Ashton lost everything when he came out to his parents, only his best friend Bo stood by him and helped him navigate the real world and now J.C. has walked into his life. But, Ashton is wary of trusting him, after all the only person he knows he can trust is Bo. So does he take a chance with his heart? J.C. has been bitten in the past and he is wary of jumping in with a man again, but when he sees Jeremy (Ashton) again after all these years he throws caution to the wind and takes a chance that Ashton wants him and not his money.

Both Ashton and J.C. are wary men, but as they come together both of them seem to realize that they have found just what they need in the other man. You can understand Ashton’s cautiousness, because of how he lost not just his parents, but all his friends when he came out. only one person standing beside him and being there for him, so when J.C. comes to him it makes him wonder what J,C, really wants. J.C. is willing to take the chance that Ashton wants him, the man, and not the businessman, he knows it’s a risk, but he wants Ashton and wants to show Ashton that they would be good together.

The dynamics of the relationship is fluid, although Ashton likes to be spanked by J.C., he also takes control as well. The sex between them is very hot and at times feels desperate, as though they must have it now. Although the relationship felt a bit rushed, it seemed to suit both their personalities and worked well for them. Although they make an interracial couple, there is no real focus on that; they are just two men who want each other.

So, if you want a story of seeing beyond the surface, new beginnings, hot passionate sex and trusting your instincts, of realizing that the timing is perfect for you and no lost regrets, then this is the book for you.

 

 

Naked Dragon by G. A. Hauser

Title: Naked Dragon

Author: G.A. Hauser

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Action, Thriller, Interracial

Length: Novel (209pgs)

Publisher: The GA Hauser Collection LLC (13th August 2010)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: In the worst serial killer crime spree in Seattle’s history since the Green River murderer, the ‘Dragon’ is hunting young Asian men as his victims. FBI Agent Robbie Taylor has been assigned to use his skills as a psychic to help solve the case and find out the identity of the madman. Seattle Police Officer Dave Harris, a rookie black cop meets up with the handsome FBI agent on one of the gruesome crime scenes. The two are immediately sexually attracted to each other and begin a secret affair that keeps them sane in the middle of all the madness. As the corpses keep piling up, their passion and love grow. Will they outwit the Dragon? Or will he get away with murder? The two men hope they survive the battle of wits and come out of the crisis alive.

Purchase Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nakeddragon-448520-145.html

First published September 2007 – Linden Bay Romance

Review: Dave is going about his job when he gets a call to another crime scene; it’s the third murder in three days.   As he is getting information, the FBI turn up and he is instantly attracted to one of them.  as the case progresses he embarks on his first gay relationship and he is loving it. Robbie is an agent called in on the case of a horrific serial killer, Dave immediately catches his eye and Robbie can only hope that when the case has ended they will still be around.

This is an incredibly brilliant, suspense, mystery and action story. It has been one of my favorites for years and I can’t see that changing anytime soon. Dave has always been in the closet and has never acted on his desires… until he meets Robbie.  Robbie is confident, observant and usually right, when he sets his sights on Dave during the investigation, they both end up falling hard.

This book is not for the faint hearted, it’s for those readers who love gritty, slightly dark, gruesome, bloody stories where love blossoms. It’s a brilliantly written book that keeps you gripped as you read, there is no pussy footing around in the opening scenes and it starts as it means to go on.  so just be thankful that the opening scene is pretty mild compared to later ones. Both Robbie and Dave’s characters are well portrayed and have great personalities.

The relationship between Dave and Robbie is wonderfully done for the situation. Because of Dave being in the closet there is a lot of sneaking around and trying to hide how they both feel.  Although when Robbie’s colleagues find out Robbie puts them in their place with a few well-chosen words. Even though it is interracial other than their descriptions it isn’t focused on.  It’s just two men who work together who fall in love. There are several action scenes that are brilliantly written and I really enjoyed that it wasn’t an open and shut case and that they got frustrated with their lack of progress.

This book I will recommend this book to everyone , but especially those who love thrillers, mystery, action, suspense, chases, cat and mouse games, hot sex and (finally) a happy ending. P.S. when I say gruesome I mean GRUESOME.

Bergdoff Boys by Scott Alexander Hess

Title: Bergdorf Boys

Author: Scott Alexander Hess

Genre: Contemporary, Inter-racial

Length: Novel (199pgs)

Publisher: JMS Books LLC (25th December 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When Neal Tate, a just-out-of-rehab NYC party columnist, falls for Dewalt, a Harlem drug dealer he meets at a gay bathhouse, he discovers that navigating an honest relationship is a lot more difficult than chasing down the perfect pair of skinny jeans.

Neal finds support from his fashion-loving friends: Rovvy, a blond boy-toy married to Andres Palamos, the shady millionaire owner of Pop magazine where Neal works; Nick, “It-boy” style writer for the New York Times whose fab job and rich hubby are smothering his desires to design; and Annie, straight-girl art director at Pop who gives Neal’s life a smidge of balance.

The success of Neal’s “Bergdorf Boy” column and his growing love for Dewalt lead him to question his capacity for intimacy and his obsessive commitment to both the latest trend and anonymous sex, and to wonder if a monogamous gay marriage could be in the cards.

These Bergdorf boys hop from Madison Avenue shopping sprees to Fire Island photo shoots, dipping their manicured toes into the dizzy underside of the gay nightlife scene hunting for lust, love, and designer must-haves.

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=413&zenid=ojancinmkhngbdh7sq1ag27fu0

Review: This is a nice little story about Neal and his life and lifestyle; his friends and family and his new lover and how they both deal with each other’s lives.   They come from very different backgrounds.

Neal was a party boy before it all got to be too much and he went into rehab.  He is now trying to stay off the booze and drugs but one addiction he won’t give up is the sex. Dewalt meets Neal at a bath-house. They hit it off and begin a relationship; both men keeping secrets from the other. In this story we see the progression of their relationship, as well as Neal’s friends as they try to progress through the field of landmines that is life.

This is quite a well written story that is from Neal’s POV and seems to delve into the seedier side of life; bath-houses, sauna/steam rooms, orgies etc. of gay casual encounters, fidelity and the difficulties of gay marriage and Neal’s fear of just being himself and being truthful about his past.

Dewalt hasn’t quite let his past go as he has led Neal to believe, which is a problem for Neal as he still fights the temptation of drink and drugs. When both of these men meets the others friends, it shows Neal just how different they really are and Neal really does come across as a snob sometimes. Neal’s friends marriages are also not what they seem at first glance and it makes him think about the perils of marriage and the farce that some of them are.

I think that with this book it will be hit and miss with readers because although it is a romance it is not the traditional romance that we have become used to in the M/M genre.  It is more down to earth, slightly more realistic about doubts and fears and the fact that not all relationships are like fairy-tales. I have to strongly recommend that you give this one a go, because to be honest with you it was really quite good.

 

 

Pele's Tears by Kiernan Kelly

Note:  Digital review copy of this title was provided by the author.

Title: Pele’s Tears

Author: Kiernan Kelly

Genre: Contemporary, Interracial, Multi-Cultural

Length: Short Story (41pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (2nd August 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Who says you can’t go home again? After living a lifetime of regret, thinking he’d never see Kaimi again, John decides to fly to Hawaii to try to recapture a love that slipped through his fingers during an endless summer of surfing and sex in 1964. Will John find what he needs, or he will have to settle for just memories and Pele’s Tears?

Review: John is returning to Hawaii where he found love in 1964.   It’s now nearly fifty years later but he still has hope of recapturing something that he thought he’d lost forever.

This is a beautiful poignant story that I admit left me with tears in my eyes. This story flicks between the present day and August 1964 as it tells the story of two young lovers and the love they both thought they lost forever. This has got to be one of the most touching short stories that I have ever read and I really can’t believe that Kiernan Kelly got so much feeling and emotion into so few pages…absolutely brilliant!

The setting is beautiful, the romance sweet and the love that made John hold on to his Pele’s Tears for so long is pure and perfect. This has got to be a perfect read and it was a pleasure to read.

I will recommend this to those who want lost loves, romance, poignancy and a happy ever after that has you smiling through a film of tears.

Devotedly His by Shawn Lane

Title: Devotedly His

Series: His 04

Author: Shawn Lane

Genre: Contemporary, Interracial

Length: Novella (59pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: For years, Spencer Lyons has been a devoted best friend to Max Ramirez, helping him through break up after break up. And also for years, Spencer has never let Max know his true feelings—he’s been in love with his best friend.

It doesn’t occur to Max that club-hopping Spencer has deeper feelings for him. Yet when he finally learns of Spencer’s love, Max begins to wonder…should he admit to the love he also feels toward Spencer and risk losing his friend if the relationship ends in yet another break up? And whether or not he voices his feelings, will Spencer always be devotedly his?

Review: Spencer has been in love with Max for years but Max has never looked his way so he has filled his life with clubs and hook-ups.  Max is looking for a lasting committed relationship and although he thinks Spencer is hot and sexy he knows that Spencer isn’t the settling down type.

This is a sweet friends-to-lovers story that makes you wish that you could knock the MCs heads together so they would both know what was right in front of them. Spencer has been there through every break-up that Max has had and supported him as only a best friend could.   And Max has tried to ignore Spencer’s nights out and supported him when he has opening nights at the theatre.  Something happens to make Max question Spencer’s feelings for him and his fear of Spencer’s lack of commitment has him rejecting Spencer.  Only for Max to realize that he might have made a mistake.

The storyline is good and the characters are great, you can empathize with both characters and the sex is hot.  I gotta say though, you do wish that you could give Max a good smack to knock some sense into him.

I recommend that you give this one a shot as its short, sweet and a happy ever after (with some hot sex thrown in).

 

 

 

All Shook Up by J. M. Snyder

Title: All Shook Up

Author: J.M. Snyder

Genre: Historical (1883), Interracial

Length: Novella (74pgs)

Publisher: jms books (re-released 25th September 2011 or 1st October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The year is 1883. Eduard van De Lier is a Dutchman overseeing a spice plantation on the island of Java, in the South Pacific. His obsessive attraction to dark-skinned men is just one of his many secrets. His wife Marien knows of his indiscretions, but as she’s content with their Colonial lifestyle, she stays silent.

Until a former lover of Eduard’s shows up in their parlor with thoughts of blackmail.

Reza was a crewman on the ship that brought the van De Liers to Java. During the passage, Eduard spent many a night in the younger man’s arms. Two years have passed, and the last person Eduard expects to find in his drawing room is Reza, a letter in hand that could destroy the life he and Marien lead.

Seeing him again ignites Eduard’s lust for his first dark lover. He hopes to retrieve the letter, either through seduction or subterfuge, and the longer Reza eludes him, the more his desire grows. But they’re on shaky ground, and before things can heat up between them, their world explodes — literally — when the unstable island of Krakatoa erupts.

Review: Eduard is a man of deep passion; a passion for the native men of Java. Reza is a sailor who Eduard seduced on the voyage to Java and has come to demand what is his.

I thought this was a brilliant historical novella and it really drew me in from the beginning… because really who doesn’t love a seduction on the first pages.  Having Reza come back into his life really shakes Eduard’s world but that doesn’t stop him from being determined to seduce Reza again.   Seeing the realization dawn on Eduard as he begins to understand that his lovers of the past two years have been pale imitations of Reza was nicely done and Reza’s determination to have Eduard all to himself and the way he manipulated the situation was brilliant.

I thought the setting was good and the descriptions of the earthquake’s and the volcanic eruptions and the subsequent tsunamis were detailed and scary, very well written. I know that the eruption of Krakatoa was a real event and I thought the author has done a good job of bringing it to life in a fiction story.

I recommend this to those who love historical, delicious and erotic, a male nymphomaniac and a man who knows what he wants. A definite good read.

 

 

Loving Vicente by Serena Yates

Title: Loving Vicente

Series: Men of Riverside 06

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (90pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (26th September 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: William loves Vicente with all his heart, but can he give him the life he deserves, free from financial worries and danger, without making Vicente lose his self-respect?

William Fortin is a forensic scientist who has returned to Riverside after six years for his first job. He wants a social life and to settle down, and when he runs into his old crush from high school, Vicente Vasquez, he knows he has found the man of his dreams.

Vicente is a shy Mexican American who works hard so he can pay for the medical care his wheelchair bound father needs. He is a courier by day and a bartender by night, just to try to make ends meet. Dating the man who was his science tutor in high school is a dream come true.

But how can they possibly be partners when Vicente is struggling just to keep the creditors at bay and his traditional family can’t possibly find out he’s gay?

Review: Yet another incredibly touching story by Serena Yates. Vicente is struggling to cope after his life took a turn for the worse when his parents were involved in a car crash.   He still clings to one dream though… William Fortin the man he’s had a crush on for over six years. William has returned to Riverside after a six-year absence and is overjoyed when at his welcome home party he spots Vicente Vasquez across the room.

This is a charmingly sweet romance that warms your heart. We fall in love with these men as they fall in love with each other and we hope that everything works out for them as they have to hide their relationship from Vicente’s family because they are homophobic and would cause serious problems for them. This storyline is a realistic one where they have to balance their love with reality and family. Vicente’s independence and family duty are to be admired and so is William’s honor and support.   These two men were made for each other and complement each other well.

We fully understand Vicente’s fear of discovery when his brother finds out about them and his reaction is terrifying, I thought it was really well done.  I only wish that there was something about Vicente’s father finding out as I thought it left the story a little unfinished.

So I would recommend this for those of you who love sweet romance, hot sex, family in dispute, hunky men and a sweet happy ending that leaves you feeling warm and happy.