Blurb: When Vincent Anderson returns from eight months in Florida helping his dad train racehorses, he expects a peaceful homecoming. But the initial happiness over the reunion with his boyfriend Dustin doesn’t last long. Chris, a disgruntled stable hand, causes a riding accident that sends Dustin to the hospital—then Chris disappears.
The fear of Chris’s return hovers over the stable like a dark cloud while Vince and Dustin build their relationship and Vince works with his own horse, Xander, to begin trying for the United States Olympic equestrian team. The competition becomes the last of Vince’s concerns when Chris shows up at the barn brandishing a gun and demanding money. Vince faces his former employee alone, and what happens next changes everything.
Review: This is part of a series and you do need to read By Chance first. Vince is finally coming home. He had to go with his dad to Florida for work for the winter. It was a bad time for him to leave (I can’t say why, since it would be a spoiler for the first book) Now he is home but trouble is just beginning.
This was so good. I really like Vince more after this book. He has really grown up. It’s also a very good romance. I loved the beauty of Dustin and Vince learning their new love. I will say though I don’t mind off age sex I would have liked a little more of their intimacy. But overall, it was awesome.
If you like horses, a bit of mystery and suspense, and a very sweet romance this is definitely for you!
Title: Return to Me Series: N/A Author: James Oliver French Genre: Contemporary/Drama/Suspense Length: Novel (326 Pages) Publisher: Kaituhi Press (November 23rd, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb:What would you do if the man you loved vanished without a trace?
Kyle and Todd meet at a party in their freshman year at college. They fall in lust at first sight, then deep in love. In spite of Kyle’s melancholy past, their future together looks bright. Then Kyle disappears, leaving Todd heartbroken and alone, and their dreams in ruins.
Fifteen years later, Todd is a successful but lonely psychiatrist. He still hasn’t come to terms with the loss of his first love. When a dangerous amnesiac arrives at the hospital, Todd is forced to confront the past, and is driven to find answers to the questions that have haunted him all these years.
Return to Me is a tragic love story that stands out in a genre dominated by M/M romance. It’s a story about love, loss, heartache, acceptance, and hope that will stay with you long after you’ve reached the end.
Review: The author, James Oliver French, gets it right when he says, Return to Me, is a story about love, loss, heartache, and acceptance. It’s all of those things and I’ll add determination, strength, and perseverance. This story does not have what I would call a happy ever after, but it certainly has a happy for now feel to it. Mr. French is a newly published author and thanks to the world of Facebook and bloggers, I may not have found this touching story, otherwise.
As the blurb states, Todd and Kyle, find each other during their first year at college and quickly became instant friends. It wasn’t long into the friend status that they realized they were already becoming much more than close friends. Taking their relationship to the next level just cemented what they already knew.
They were falling in love with each other. Both, virgins, take time and care with each other learning all the ways to have sex and feel good while doing it. They stumble and fumble their way through giving and receiving. It’s quite humorous and I can’t help but laugh out loud at their misfortunes trying to lose their virginity.
I lie there, patiently enjoying all the attention, but Kyle’s efforts are proving fruitless. He keeps stopping to jerk himself off, but his poor penis has deflated to a shadow of its former glorious self. It looks like he’s trying to shove a marshmallow through a keyhole. Losing your virginity shouldn’t be this hard.
Every time I read this line I get tickled, although, they probably don’t find it funny. They, eventually, work everything out but I could so relate to their distress. The nerves and fear of the unknown will play havoc with your mind but Kyle and Todd are persistent and victorious. The joy they feel is definitely contagious because you, the reader, will more than likely be smiling from ear to ear, just as they are.
The story continues from here chronicling their time together, focusing on their relationship and friends and family. Kyle, however, doesn’t have any family (none that want to see him) so he quickly forms an attachment to Todd’s family, his friends, and they to him.
Kyle is a wrestler and a good one. He travels with the team frequently and is always practicing to be the best he can be. Road trips with the team are a common occurrence so when Todd doesn’t hear from Kyle right away he’s not too alarmed. Hours later, Todd is desperate for answers. He and his friends are scurrying to find any information they can. They reach out to the police but to no avail and you just know…you just know that the story is getting ready to crush you.
The story is told in two parts…Jump ahead 15 years and Todd, now a Psychiatrist, focuses too much on his job. He has never gotten over the disappearance of Kyle, also his first and only true love. Finding dates and keeping them is not on his list of importance. He knows he needs to put himself out there but he’s not ready. If he ever will be, he doesn’t know.
I felt like the story took a slow turn at this point. The author goes into quite a bit of detail outlining the day-to-day accounts and actions of Todd, his patients, and his life, which Todd admits himself, is pretty boring. He still has close contact with Felix and Georgina, his best friends from school. They, now married to each other, are his sounding board and his voice of reason. Thank goodness, he has them both because without their help and guidance I don’t think Todd would have been as productive as he is. It’s with their encouragement and advice that Todd tries a little harder in the dating world.
The author tells us up front that Todd will have to face a dangerous amnesiac patient. You automatically assume that patient will be Kyle. I already had scenarios in my head of what would take place and how the story would play out. How I hoped it would play out. Wouldn’t that be awesome after all these years for Kyle to come back, walk into Todd’s outstretched arms, and have the life together they should have had?
Well…that would’ve been awesome but this is Mr. French’s story and he had his own ideas. The story takes on a new excitement and suspense because you don’t know, at this point, what is going to happen. Where has Kyle been all this time? What happened fifteen years ago when he disappeared? Will they eventually be able to be a couple and love each other for all eternity?
These questions will all be answered and I have to admit that even though the story fell a little flat for me in the middle it soon picked back up again keeping my attention focused solely on what was taking place. You need the answers as much as Todd does but unfortunately, just like real life, things don’t always work out, as we would hope. Todd hires a private investigator to help reach some of these answers. The author takes you on this journey with Todd and the creativity and imagination of the details as they unfold were truly mesmerizing. I felt gut-punched with the horrific accounts that Kyle, alone and afraid, had to endure.
I admire James Oliver French for writing the story as it was meant to be. It would be so easy to write Todd and Kyle a happy ever after wrapping the story up with a nice little bow. I think sometimes authors are afraid to step outside the “norm” of what is expected and do what is intended. I’ve heard authors say this as well validating my thoughts in this respect. Mr. French doesn’t conform to expectations and even though the story is heartbreaking and disappointing, at times, it was much more believable.
The overall execution of the story progressed nicely and every facet of Todd’s journey was met with consideration and care. The originality of the storyline was refreshing and unique. There were a few chapters I felt could have been left out mainly because they didn’t really add anything other than filler, but regardless, I was already hooked and couldn’t have walked away without knowing what was going to happen. The author gave the side characters such as Felix, Georgina, and Todd’s family a voice that impacted the story considerably. They all played an important and vital role in Todd’s life.
I would definitely recommend this story if you like first loves, suspense, and angst. This story is not about hearts and flowers and more than likely tears will fall. It is a story of perseverance and realizing life goes on. Maybe not as originally planned but love can be found. Todd is hanging onto Kyle, hoping for a spark, a memory to resurface, any kind of recognition, but whether that happens or not, Todd finally realizes he has a life to live. How he chooses to live, it will be up to him and I think he knows it’s time to do just that.
This is the first published book by James Oliver French and I am happy that I found it. I would definitely read more from this author. * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Tequila Mockingbird Series: Sinner’s Gin, #3 Author: Rhys Ford Narrator: Tristan James Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: 9 hours and 11 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11-04-14) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT division wasn’t looking for love. Especially not in a man. His life plan didn’t include one Forest Ackerman, a brown-eyed, blond drummer who’s as sexy as he is trouble.
His family depends on him to be like his father, a solid pillar of strength who’ll one day lead the Morgan clan.
No, Connor has everything worked out—a career in law enforcement, a nice house, and a family. Instead, he finds a murdered man while on a drug raid and loses his heart comforting the man’s adopted son. It wasn’t like he’d never thought about men — it’s just loving one doesn’t fit into his plans.
Forest Ackerman certainly doesn’t need to be lusting after a straight cop, even if Connor Morgan is everywhere he looks, especially after Frank’s death. He’s just talked himself out of lusting for the brawny cop when his coffee shop becomes a war zone and Connor Morgan steps in to save him.
Whoever killed his father seems intent on Forest joining him in the afterlife. As the killer moves closer to achieving his goal, Forest tangles with Connor Morgan and is left wondering what he’ll lose first—his life or his heart.
Review:Tams e-book review from May 2014…
Conner Morgan is the eldest of the eight Morgan children and with that, he holds himself to a higher standard. He feels the burden of having to project a certain persona to everyone because of who his father is. Everything he thought he was is about to be called into question on his latest case. When one blonde haired, brown eyed, barefoot musician barrels into his life.
Forest Ackerman has had a very hard life. Used, abused and tossed out like trash by his own mother… unless she needed something from him, of course. He was saved by a man who saw the innocence of a child that needed to be protected. Forest found solace in his drums and the studio his dad owned, until an explosion tears his world apart and throws him right into the arms of a large, in charge and sex on a stick Irish cop. Conner Morgan.
Both men struggle with the attraction from the start, sort of. Forest doesn’t want to fall for a straight guy, but said straight guy keeps showing up at the coffee shop Forest works at, every day, making him impossible to ignore. And I don’t think Conner struggled so much with his attraction to Forest, as he did with this persona he had created for himself and a fear of not being what he thought his family wanted him to be.
After the initial explosion and the coffee shop bombing and then the hit and run, Conner finally admits his feelings for Forest. And once Forest is released from the hospital, Conner doesn’t give him much choice but to stay with him. So Forest gets a crash course in Morgan family politics 101 before these two even have a chance to define their relationship.
Now this alone would send most men running, screaming and searching for the nearest EXIT. But not Forest. I think Brigid Morgan, the spitfire pixie matriarch of the Morgan clan, nails it when she tells Forest that his mother simply gave birth to him for her, for Brigid, that he was hers now. And unlike Mickey, Forest relishes the attention.
There was a lot more interaction with various members of the Morgan clan in this book, and I loved that. Classic Rhys Ford with drama, suspense, a mountain of bodies, a psycho killer and some hot, steamy, sweaty gay man sex dripping off of every page! I love the Irish and Gaelic terms that are used throughout this series and the strength of the family unit that is the Morgans. Every last one of them is fiercely loyal, stubborn, outspoken, full of piss and vinegar and carries an exorbitant amount of love.
Yes, if I really need to say it, this is a must read. You must read them in order as well to appreciate the Morgan family as a whole. As well as Mickey/Sinjin and Damien/Damie who it looks like will be staring up a new band, now that they found themselves a drummer. They just need a bass player. Oh, wait, Sionn’s best friend Rafe is a bass player. And this story ended with Quinn Morgan making his way up that tree!
Tams Audio review addition from December…
It is such a joy to listen to an Audio of a book I’ve already read, and find something new within the story. The relationship between Connor and Forest was so much more powerful when the characters were given a voice. To “hear” Connor call Forest a ghrá with so much emotion behind the word added even more depth to this story for me.
Don’t get me wrong, Ford did a great job of conveying emotions with the written version and I devoured that copy. But to hear the strain in Connor’s voice when he is calling out to Forest after the bombing, to hear the love in his voice when he uses the Irish Gaelic term of endearment, hell, to hear the struggle in Forest’s voice as he slowly falls in love with his big, brooding, Irish cop, it was a thing of beauty.
Narrated by Tristan James who is fluent in the Irish brogue that is the Morgan Clan. And you will never be confused as to which Morgan is talking at the time, he has mastered the art of nuance and tone inflections so you always know when there is a shift in character. If you are like me and love to put a voice with the words on paper, then you are really going to get a treat with this one.
This is one of the best M/M series you can get your hands on right now, written by a well-rounded author and narrated by a talented storyteller. Definitely a must read and/or listen, but either way you chose to experience these stories, do so in order or you won’t understand a lot of what is happening from one book to the next. While each story is for a different couple, the core of the stories is a continuation of the characters relationships and how they develop as a whole.
* I received a copy of this book and this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Copping an Attitude Series: Sin City Uniforms, #2 Author: Morticia Knight Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (144 pages) Publisher: Totally Bound (January 9th 2015) Available for early download Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Vegas is filled with human cast-offs, yet officer Parker McLean sees something special in hustler Slade Wolfgang. Unfortunately, so does Slade’s pimp who wants to sell him overseas in the sex trade.
Hustler Slade Wolfgang has little choice over his fate. At the age of twenty, he’s had to survive any way he can since being thrown out of his home for being gay. As soon as he hit Vegas, Slade was lured into the hopeless world of prostitution where he’s become a virtual prisoner to his pimp, the ruthless Julio Estevez. His evil keeper has even threatened to sell Slade overseas as a sex slave.
It’s another typical night on the Strip when Parker comes across Slade. His heart breaks every time he sees someone so young being exploited. Something in Slade’s eyes tells Parker the young man might be in real trouble though—especially after the recent spate of sex worker killings from a rival prostitution ring.
The two men’s lives become intertwined when Slade is almost beaten to death. The danger grows, but so does the relationship between Parker and Slade. Parker helps Slade to heal from the horrific attack and their bond deepens. But the human traffickers are still out there – and they’re still looking for Slade.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence and a brief scene of sexual abuse.
Review: Slade Wolfgang succumbs to the lure of the big city lights of Vegas after being thrown out by his family when he comes out to them. He didn’t realize the struggle it would be to make it on the strip, and now he is under the thumb of a ruthless pimp that whores him out to the highest bidder. Slade wants out, he wants his life back, but Julio has other plans for his hot, young hustler.
Parker McLean is drawn to the fear that permeates off Slade when he attempts to arrest him. All he can think about from that moment on is saving and protecting the gorgeous young man from whatever it is that has instilled that fear in him. When Slade is shot and then attacked in his hospital room by his psychotic pimp, Parker moves him into his home, and into his bed. All the time Slade spent on the streets and under the thumb of Julio has made him hard and untrusting and when he misinterprets something he sees at Parker’s apartment, he runs, right into the clutches of Julio.
Julio plans to sell Slade to a human trafficking ring, but one Vegas city Cop has different plans in mind for the scared shitless former hustler, that just wants to be loved. Will Parker find Slade before he’s sold and shipped off to parts unknown? Or will their romance fade like Slade’s hopes and dreams when he came to the city of lights?
Knight is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the M/M genre, that at times can be tedious and repetitive. She continually brings fresh and gritty storylines and characters to her books. Sin City uniforms promises to be a gripping series full of sexy cops, firemen, hustlers and pimps with the backdrop of the beautifully deceptive city of lights we call Vegas. The scenes on the strip are so well written and described that I can literally visual myself being there with Parker and Slade. Then there is the character development and emotions that jump right off the pages and really endear the reader to the characters.
If you are a fan of sexy men in uniforms, drama, suspense, insta-love and some pretty smexy romance then this is a must read series for you. This is the second book in the Sin City uniforms series, but if you won’t be lost if you haven’t read the first book. I do suggest reading it though as it’s the story of the emotional beat cop and his brooding, sexy fireman.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Men. Women. Drugs. Dima Zhirkov’s favorite things. Add in the element of danger and he should be right as rain. But not today. It’s not working, hasn’t for a long time. He’s grasping at the flimsiest of straws to prove he’s indeed strong enough to run his streets. Until he sets eyes on him. In the midst of a room full of strangers, Dima is drawn to a man as cold and dangerous as he’s beautiful. Captivated, Dima embarks on a ruthless campaign to get his new toy into bed.
Here comes the danger…
Xavier “X” Storm is content to pull the strings while someone else handles the day-to-day dealings of his gang, The Rude Boys. He’s after what Dima holds closest—the Coney Island streets. He contracts out the job of killing the Russian, except Dima isn’t that easy to kill. When he suddenly shows up in X’s path, tempting him to indulge in the dirtiest play, he finds Dima isn’t all that easy to shake, either. His cocky attitude and rough submission tempts X to go where he’d vowed to never return, and they plunge head first into an affair fueled by possessive obsession.
Run for cover
Sex and pain Dima can handle, and X delivers the most depraved kind. Their connection is explosive, their games addictive, but Dima can end it whenever he wishes. He doesn’t see that X is breaking him down, giving Dima everything he wants and even more than he ever thought to need. By the time, he realizes who X is and what he wants, Dima is raw, and bullet riddled. It’s run or fight. And Dima doesn’t back down. Neither does X. Warning: Includes strong BDSM elements.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Watch-Break-This-Town-Book-ebook/dp/B00MWMQYHC Review: I will start with a warning. This isn’t for everyone. There is lots of violence, sadism and masochism, breath-play and rape. This story isn’t for the faint of heart.
Dima is a Russian mob boss, tossed in after his father’s death. His brother wants his position and the elders want his brother in position since he is their puppet. They don’t like Dima’s gentler ways or ideas for change.
Xavier is a complicated man. He likes giving pain and is highly sought in the club scene. Dima is given a pass by Mateo to go here when he finally decided to get his hidden needs met. Dima see Xavier in action and is stricken with obsession to get Xavier to hurt him. Be his new toy. Xavier finally is cornered and one taste of Dima and he is hooked. He can’t get enough of the man. But if Dima finds out that Xavier is more than a high-class lawyer it could end everything.
I don’t know who I liked the most or pitied the most, Xavier or Dima. I found them both hot, intriguing, powerful yet intriguing and sexy. I could see a vulnerability in each man’s strong interior and see how each fit the other so perfectly.
I absolutely loved every terrifying, intriguing, breathtaking, sexy minute! This story is hotter than a forest fire in California! There are so many twists and turns it’s hard to second guess it.
If you like stories out of the box, pain, violence, breath play, fetishes, gangsters, ad mobs, lots of angst, twists and turns and love that can triumph it all you really should read this! !
Title: A Wedding to Die For Series: A Brandt and Donnelly Caper: Case File Three Author: Xavier Mayne Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (249 Pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 15, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: When a high-profile gay celebrity couple asks two of the city’s most established vendors to provide cake and flowers for their wedding and they refuse, a resulting boycott threatens to shut them down. It’s up to the next generation in the family-owned businesses to save them from ruin. Justin Capella, baker’s son, and Roman Montgomery, floral scion, work together to plan the gay wedding of the year.
Justin and Roman haven’t seen each other since that fateful day in third grade when a single kiss shocked Justin and sent Roman to boarding school. As fate would have it, Justin and Roman rediscover love while working on the wedding. But disaster might pry them apart again.
Troopers Brandt and Donnelly are working with a statewide task force for the rights of LGBT citizens—all while searching for a killer wedding planner. As guests at the “wedding of the year,” they are the first responders when all hell breaks loose. In investigating, the troopers are led to a shadowy figure they believe seduced Roman into doing his bidding. But the real murderer will cover his tracks at all costs, including Roman and Justin’s lives. ISBN: 978-1-63216-470-4
Reviewer: Lisa Review: This is part of A Brandt and Donnelly Caper series. Each book focuses on Brandt and Donnelly but always has a new couple hooking up in the stories. I am not one for mysteries and suspense, but when Xavier is the author then you can damn well bet, I am one of the first ones in line to get it. He always gives a person amazing stories with two very hot guys who just happen to carry guns and badges.
The story has such a serious tone to it but there is always a hint of humor when it comes to these two guys and when they include their best friends it is a given. They have the perfect plots to them, always has the romance going but there is usually murder and danger present. My attention gets caught with the first paragraph and is kept there till the very end. It always gives me what I ask for and want in a story.
Brandt and Donnelly are engaged and want the best wedding possible. Although they don’t want to go overboard with it. Now there is a great couple out there that wants to get married but they were told by the bakery and the florist that they could take their ideas of getting married somewhere else. The bakery and florist were not going to participate in gay marriage. So Donnelly and Brandt were asked to get them to change their minds. That is when they meet Roman and Justin. Roman’s family owned the florist shop and Justin’s owned the bakery.
Justin and Roman had been caught kissing when they were in third grade. Roman had taken the blame and was forced to go to a catholic school to get over his ways. The thing was they probably fell in love back then, but it hadn’t been till now that they had seen each other. Now someone was trying to cause damage and pain at a wedding, a wedding that caused a lot of people to get sick. Then one of the grooms die, and the questions were starting to be asked. Roman had a lot of answers for those questions but he has to admit to himself what happened and get it all in to the open.
Now it was up to Brandt and Donnelly to get the answers to the problems coming up, stop the dangers that were out there, help Justin and Roman and plan their own wedding.
This story always has such wonderful twist and turns that will catch you at the end. I loved this story and cannot wait to get my hands on the next one. It gave me gorgeous men, a fight worth fighting, a sadness brought on by one of the characters, excitement, adventure, action, and danger. I can guarantee that if you read this story you will be captivated. I know that once I start reading I can’t stop until I get to the end. Xavier’s books are probably the only mystery and suspense stories that I read, and they are the reason I might check out others. Wonderful story lines and plots, gorgeous characters, lots of heart and soul added in and some very hot sex.
I would recommend reading this book. If you love gorgeous men who carry guns and badges then this will be perfect for you. Not to mention other sexy men finding love and having sex is usually added in. I also hope that those who read it realize that this really does happen in real life. Even if one can marry doesn’t mean that other places take it seriously. That you need to protect each other from the simple things to the harsher ones. It also will have you in tears to see how some parents treat their own children just because they choose to sleep with ones that they don’t approve of. I loved the ending to this book and look forward to another book from Xavier.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Target Acquired Series: N/A Author: DJ Liamson Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Short (41 pages) Publisher: Dark Hollow Press (October 31st, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Blurb: Declan Bordeaux is the President of the United States’ gay, closeted son. Forced to stay in the closet due to his father’s political career, Declan is unhappy with his life. When his Secret Service detail,
Agent Grant Dwyer who also harbors secret feelings for Declan, pushes him too hard with his mandated schedule, Declan flees for an extended vacation in New York. Debauchery on his mind, Declan is all too eager to start meeting guys, and is ecstatic when Jefferson, an older, mysterious stranger shows interest in him. After hitting it off, Declan goes back with the older man to Jefferson’s place, where he discovers that Jefferson is not what he seems. Jefferson is actually a terrorist and an anti-President Bordeaux opponent. He plans on outing Declan to humiliate the President’s legacy.
Declan’s only hope is for Agent Dwyer to rescue him—but how can he expect a rescue when Agent Dwyer doesn’t even know he’s been kidnapped?
Review: This story is essentially just an erotic romp between characters, with a little twist thrown in. Due to the length and the fact a probably about half of the book is actual sex scenes, there isn’t a hell of a lot of plot, so basically what you read in the blurb is what you get in the book. I like both Declan and Grant as characters, but Grant seemed slightly robotic to me and I also would have liked to more about Grant too because he is likable.
Another point is that I read this book without reading all of the blurb (I know, I’m odd), so I missed the part about Jefferson and because of that I feel I received the book a lot better than I would have if I had read the book and got one good plot twist given away to me.
If you want a good, hot read and don’t want to read too much into plot and motives, this is a good option.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Arctic Absolution Series: N/A Author: Lynn Kelling Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (240 pages) Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing (December 16th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: In the frozen expanses of remote Alaska, Dixon Rowe is a good man and a good cop who keeps finding himself in bed with the enemy. After he picks up a young ex-con named Jaye Larson for stealing food,
Dixon gets seduced by the possibility of helping someone truly in need. Though he tells himself he’s assisting young Jaye out of the goodness of his heart, not because of how sexy Jaye is under all of the tattoos and defiance, the temptations of sin entangle them as their hostile environment threatens.
Both of their pasts are filled with malicious ghosts that haunt every step, and while Jaye’s demons are less tangible that Dixon’s, they are all powerful enough to put both of their lives in danger. (M/M)
Review: I get excited every time Lynn Kelling releases a new book. She has teased us with the prospect of Arctic Absolution for quite a while, but the wait is over. Lynn has a natural writer’s ability to take words, form them into sentences, and pull you into whatever world she has created. Arctic Absolution, as with all of her novels, has characters that you quickly form an attachment with. She allows both of her MC’s to have a voice, giving you, the reader, an inside connection to both. The frozen landscape of Alaska will set the scene and become a place that Dixon and Jaye will begin to heal and set their roots.
Living with many secrets, most too humiliating to share, even those closest to Dixon, has finally became too heavy for him to carry. Living with an abusive boyfriend who does nothing but degrade and demean has taken its toll on Dixon. Marcus (long-time boyfriend now ex boyfriend) took great pleasure causing chagrin in Dixon.
Marcus, a fisherman at sea for long periods of time, is gone and Dixon, no longer feeling the need to dignify his position, moves out and in with his sister. He knows when Marcus returns there will be hell to pay for his actions. In the meantime, being an Alaska State Trooper, keeps him occupied and busy.
On a late night call, Dixon responds to a robbery in progress. Arriving just in time to see the culprit flee and make a run for it, Dixon takes chase and tackles him to the ground. He is immediately taken back by the gorgeous, slim, dark-haired beauty with dark eyes staring back at him. Recognizing fear and defeat, he feels guilty for hurting him and quickly tries to analyze the situation and the predicament this kid is in.
Being alone, starving, and extremely cold are things Jaye had hoped were far behind him. He thought the small Alaska community might be the solace he was looking for. So far, it too has failed him and left him to fend on his own.
Just released from a 2-year prison sentence and being the only living relative to his deceased grandfather, he was appointed the old man’s cabin set back in the woods of the desolate Alaskan town. No food, no money, and no prospects of getting either, he steals from the local gas/food mart. More out of desperation than anything else, he runs when he sees the cop coming towards him. Jaye has been around the block a time or two and he sees the reaction the cop is having towards him. Always ready to offer his body for favors he is surprised when this good-looking, well-built cop, who btw Jaye knows is gay, orders him to the car for a ride home. Come morning, Trooper Rowe will see to it he has food, heat, electric and job contacts.
Even though Jaye is adamant he is no one’s charity case, he suffers horribly, night after night, with nightmares. Having light will go a long way in giving him some peace. He and Dixon work out a plan of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. The town has little to offer as far as finding sexual pleasure so this agreement should benefit them both.
They don’t want to admit what they both know, but they have a strong connection. They both are damaged souls, both suffering abuse from others, both tortured by nightmares and both feeling as though they have nothing worthwhile to offer anyone. Their attraction and sexual chemistry is immediate and the catalyst for some sex-filled nights. Their relationship is tumultuous in the beginning, always on guard, and always expecting the worst.
As guarded secrets begin to unravel the more their relationship begins to grow and strengthen. They both have been through some horrible events but together they are trying to overcome their past and work on building their future, together.
Reaching out, Jaye touched Dixon’s face, brushing the pad of his thumb over his cheekbone, the backs of his knuckles pushing gently back over his ear and hair. Fingers tangling there, Jaye asked, “Take me home? I’m yours, whatever you want, okay? Whatever you need, you can have it. You don’t have to be alone.”
They knew the day would come when Marcus would return. Now, as fear runs amuck in both Dixon and Jaye, they promise to be each other’s protector. Jaye loves when Dix takes on an authoritative, dominant, alpha, badass persona, but secretly, Dix likes to be manhandled. He likes rough and dominating sex with a bit of fear mixed in. He has been brainwashed by Marcus, a sadistic, evil bastard, who takes great pleasure forcing Dixon into humiliating, demeaning positions that make him feel worthless, and a disgusting human being.
As Jaye continues to fight his own inner demons, he has vowed to take on Dixon’s also. With skeletons still lingering in both closets, will they trust each other enough to tell all their secrets? Dixon has considered going back to Marcus in order to keep Jaye safe. How will Jaye react if he leaves him for Marcus? To Dixon, he is protecting Jaye, but to Jaye, it will only confirm his convictions of unworthiness.
This story will keep your guts twisted and in knots. There is a lot of stuff going on in the open and behind the scenes that will have your full attention. Both guys have been wronged, seen more abuse and torture than anyone should have too. Lynn, brilliantly, writes dialogue that flows seamlessly… encompassing you to the storyline. The characters consume your inner thoughts and fears and for the amount of time it takes you to read their story, they are your friends. Your heartstrings are pulled. You shed tears for their pain, but also smile for their joy and happiness.
Lynn Kelling always gives us, the readers, and an all-inclusive story full of originality, mystery and suspense, and toe curling, hair-pulling sex. Dixon and Jaye have a compatibility that works for them. They complement each other well and the 10 yr age difference is of no consequence. It’s so easy to fall in love with them and want the best. They have some rough times ahead, they still have a lot to work through, but the author doesn’t cut corners to finish up a story. She doesn’t add filler for the sake of word count.
Each and every page is relevant to the growth of the story.
The content consists of many twists and turns. The suspense has all the elements of keeping you alert and on edge. I, personally, like that in the stories I read. I like to feel as though I know something is going to happen but just have no clue as to when or what. This ^^ is why I love and connect so easily to her writing. Her style is her own, as it should be, and it’s unique in the sense that it is addicting and captivating. You soak up her words. You sink your teeth into the story, and stay there until the end. These elements keep you invested in the story and Lynn does that effortlessly.
Pick up Arctic Absolution for your very own and when you finish that, I strongly encourage you to read her other stories. They will suck you in and make you a Lynn Kelling fan for life.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Here Comes Trouble Author: AE Via Series: Nothing Special, #3 Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (298 pages) Publisher: Via Star Wings Publishing (November 28th 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Detectives Mark Ruxsberg and Chris Green are very good at their jobs. Being the enforcers for God and Day’s notorious Atlanta PD Narcotics Task Force causes the crazy duo to get into more trouble than they can often get out of. The pair never misses out on an opportunity to drive their Lieutenants crazy with their dangerous, reckless, and costly stunts, landing them in the hot seat in front God… often.
Ruxs and Green love their jobs and they don’t mind the very demanding schedule that leaves them little time for socializing or dating. It was fine with them. They enjoyed hanging out with each other anyway.
However, most of the men in their close circle of friends and colleagues are pairing off and settling down. God has Day, Ro has Johnson, and their Sergeant Syn has Furious.
For the past several years, Ruxs has only sought out the advice and company of one person, his partner and best friend Green, and vice versa. Both of these alpha males are presumed straight, but neither can deny the heat that’s building in their once ‘just friends’ relationship.
Review: Detectives Ruxsberg and Green are a force of nature. As the enforcers for God’s elite Atlanta PD task force, they usually wreak havoc at a crime scene leaving a wake of damages, much to God’s dismay. The most difficult tasks they take on are not in the line of duty though.
After years of working together, they’ve become a well-oiled machine, anticipating each other’s moves. But somewhere along the way, Ruxs started to feel a different kind of love for his best friend and partner, and it’s tearing him up inside. He is afraid to admit his feelings to Green for fear of losing his friend when he rejects him. When Ruxs shows up on Green’s doorstep bloody and broken after a confrontation with his addict mother and her much younger dealer boyfriend, those feelings he has been trying to hide come spilling out and he learns his best friend has a few secrets of his own.
The transition from best friends to boyfriends is almost flawless. The trouble comes when a young man Green takes care of like a son loses his mother and Green has to decide whether or not taking on the actual duties of being a father is something he and Ruxs are ready for.
What a wild ride this book was. What I love most about Ruxs and Green is how they are the same people in every aspect of their lives. The havoc that they wreak on the job doesn’t stop at the bedroom door. They are just as insane and wild in the sheets as they are in the streets. They transitioned well from partners to best friends to lovers seemingly overnight, which might seem unrealistic to some readers, but they have been together for so long that it’s completely believable when they decide to take things to the next level. In fact, the little bit of drama leading up to their maiden voyage kind of drove me a little crazy. I was like, would you two just get it on and get it over with already!
My favorite part of this particular story was not the danger, suspense, and smexy time when Ruxs and Green decided to play tag team in the bedroom. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics of the fathers and son relationship that developed between Green, Ruxs, and Curtis. Both men, hell the entire team, is fiercely protective of young Curtis and I loved how the wide array of emotions between them played out on paper. And am I the only one who is anxiously anticipating Curtis and Gen’s story?????
Via has created a wildly visual motley crew of Alpha male arch types that have found a way to coexist and not only love, but also support each other with her Nothing Special series. If you follow my reviews you know I’m a hopeless romantic, I love ‘Gay for You’ stories and I am exceptionally partial to hot alpha males that have a habit of tripping over each other as they vie for dominance in the bedroom. This book delivers all that and so much more. Definitely a must read. But start at the beginning so you are familiar with this world and these characters.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: …and then there was…one Series: N/A Author: GA Hauser Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (200 pages) Publisher: The G.A. Hauser Collection, LLC (September 27, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: Working as a medic for the army special forces, Dan G. Wilson and his team came upon a troop of their own men, well behind enemy lines in a ‘safe zone’ all with symptoms of being exposed to poison gas. When Dan’s team reported their findings to their commanding officers, nothing was done about it, and the group remained baffled as to how US military troops were exposed and died if the gas did not come from the enemy.
Once his tour of duty was over, Dan did not reenlist, and neither did the men from his unit.
Back in civilian life, struggling from PTSD as well as a head injury Dan cannot function and is placed on disability. When he tries to contact the other members of his unit, he finds one by one, each of the men has died from ‘accidents’. Panicked he will be next, Dan changes his name to ‘Rudy Apollo’, leaves his home state of Indiana, and moves to New York City, where he hopes to blend in with the large population, and vanish from sight.
Darius Benson is a New York City firefighter/paramedic, who had lost his parents in the terrorist attack on 9/11. One evening before his shift ends, he is called to the scene of an accident, where a car drove on a city sidewalk and hit one man. Darius and his partner rush the man to the emergency room. On the way, Darius holds the man’s hand, trying to give him comfort, and Darius can tell something else is going on with this handsome victim of a mysterious hit and run. Off shift, Darius stays in the hospital until the man is out of surgery to see if he survives, only to witness two men in suits, also waiting for the victim.
When Darius realizes their intention is to inject this man with a syringe since he was not killed from the hit from a car, Darius intervenes and prevents the men from coming near the victim. Terrified to leave this man alone, Darius, with the help of his paramedic partner, move the man to Darius’ apartment in the Bronx. It’s then, as the man recovers with Darius’ care, that his story begins to reveal itself.
And now, both men’s lives are in the balance because of a cover-up that began on the battlefields in Afghanistan; a cover-up which has now become a fight to stay alive and find someone to trust in the Big Apple.
Both men know it is up to Rudy, the last surviving witness, to expose the incident to the media…
But in reality, it’s one man’s word against the war machine.
…And Then There Was…One
One lone medic from a squad of heroes trying to bring justice to murderers. And with the faith and love of a devoted fireman named Darius, Rudy realizes, anything is possible.
Review: Rudy is an ex medic for the army special forces. After witnessing a terrible event and telling his commanding officers, he and his men decide not to reenlist. One by one, his men are killed in “accidents.” The story starts with him being rushed to hospital after being hit by a car. Rudy struck me as someone who is tough and does what needs to be done yet is hurting inside as he suffers from what he’s been through.
Darius is one of the responding firemen who help Rudy after he’s been hit. After realizing that someone is trying to kill Rudy, he protects him at the hospital, and then secretly moves him to his home. Darius seemed like a very caring individual who is also still trying recover from things in his past.
Rudy and Darius seemed to help one another cope with their pasts as well as trying to bring down a huge company. Amazing story of the lengths a group of people will go to prevent what they’ve done to become public knowledge and escape justice. I couldn’t believe what the chemical did and was disgusted by them.
Great story with drama, mystery, action, and suspense. The intimate scenes between Rudy and Darius added a delightful pause between the seriousness of the story. Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: The Arsonist’s Apprentice, 2nd edition Series: Some Like It Hot Author: India Harper Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novella (62 pages) Publisher: Liquid Silver Publishing (October 20th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Blurb: For Josh Brooks, fire fighting is in his blood. Unfortunately, for him, Dylan Anderson was working the other side of the fire, having served eight years in prison for arson. The two are thrown together against everyone’s better judgment when Josh’s role in the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit and Dylan’s role as an insurance investigator bring them together to investigate a string of suspicious fires.
Despite Josh’s reservations and the long-held belief that firemen and arsonists shouldn’t mix, he can’t seem to keep out of Dylan’s bed. But just when Josh starts to overcome his preconceptions, he becomes Dylan’s prime suspect. Losing Dylan and his career are the least of Josh’s worries. If he can’t find the real culprit, he’ll be following in Dylan’s footsteps.
Review: After reading the blurb, this book wasn’t quite what I expected it to be. Firey Josh Brooks has gone up the ranks to finally become a fire investigator, on his first assignment he runs into rehabilitated arsonist and ex-prisoner, Dylan Anderson. I really enjoyed Dylan’s character, just the fact he was sent to prison for arson was interesting. He also has an interesting back-story which I’m afraid has been constrained by the word count. Josh, on the other hand, is your average type of fire fighter and he severely lacks in the love life area. I get the impression, too, that he is lonely with probably only one best friend outside of work and a family who don’t talk to him anymore.
The plot seemed to me as if it should have had more suspense than there was, particularly considering the blurb. Then again, that’s probably just me wanting to know as much as I can. In saying that, the conclusion comes extremely quickly in the final pages and with little warning, as if saying ‘I know it’s near the end, let’s get a move on’. I say this because all of a sudden, Dylan down Josh’s throat (not in the good way), Josh catches some shit at work and then a dejected Josh is off drowning his sorrows where he suddenly solves the crime and has the evidence. A majority of the book’s action in the last eight pages!
Honestly, this is a good story to read. I just found myself unsatisfied by the conclusion. To me it felt like it needed to be longer.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: NYPD Heat Series: The Complete Streets of Fire Trilogy Author: Jenna Byrnes Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Single Author Anthology (202 Pages) Publisher: Books We Love Ltd. (November 18th, 2013) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts ISBN: 978-1-77145-017-1 Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/NYPD-Heat-Jenna-Byrnes-ebook/dp/B009CLM4ZW Reviewer: Lisa Review: When I first started reading this, I had thought it was just one story, but to my surprise, it is in fact the whole Streets of Fire Series and I was captivated by them. I had an absolute blast reading them and cannot wait to check out the rest of Jenna’s stories. The characters were absolute sexy and you can’t help but falling in them.
Dancing In the Dark ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Detective Nick D’Amato has always been content with his lack-of-commitment love life. For a gay cop in the don’t ask-don’t tell N.Y.P.D., free and easy always seemed the least complicated route.
William, the new man in his life, has Nick rethinking his priorities. Will’s perspective on life and love is different from anything Nick has ever encountered, making him that much more desirable.
The two men are compatible in every way except one, and it’s a huge divisor. Both are stubborn, neither willing to compromise, until a serial slasher enters their lives. A growing stack of dead bodies has the police running in circles, sending Nick and Will into a nightmare that could change their lives forever.
I have got to say that this was one hell of a good story. Although, I was not too sure about Will, at first, he turns his whole attitude around in the end. I did get the little twist when a cop is with a male prostitute. It was amazing and I had such a good time reading this book. I wished that it were longer because I didn’t want to stop reading this book. It captured my attention and kept it all the way to the end. It gave me everything I could possibly want in a book except for more stories.
Born to Run ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Detective Sam Nielson has always been a casual, no strings type of guy. He loves New York City and the diversity of men it offers him. He also loves his job in South Bronx’s forty-first precinct, affectionately nicknamed ‘Fort Apache’ for its violent history.
Sam’s caught off guard when handsome detective Bobby Rodriguez transfers to Fort Apache. The two are immediately thrown together on a high profile murder investigation. Their fast brewing passion makes concentrating on work difficult. It becomes even tougher when Sam discovers what type of relationship Bobby has in mind. He’s a Dominant, looking for a Submissive. It’s a whole new world for Sam, who has to decide if that’s the type of life, he wants to live. But first, he has to survive the murderer they’re tracking, who’s now after them.
I loved this book although I must admit that it was a bit bizarre. I can see how people are dominates and submissives but it seemed that Bobby basically pushed Sam into it. There was no warning for the poor guy and then to have him need it, well it made it a bit harder to understand.
However, I loved this story and can’t wait to start reading the next book. It caught my attention and kept it all the way to the end. It was a blast to read.
Hungry Heart ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Captain Gil Gates is a proud member of the N.Y.P.D. and enjoys his position running a North Bronx precinct. When an incident with grave repercussions rocks the department and the whole community, Gil’s otherwise spotless record is suddenly in jeopardy.
Brian Knight is Channel Nine’s star news reporter, following the most exciting story the Bronx has seen in quite some time. In his line of work, as with Gil’s, being gay no big deal unless someone finds out about it.
Brian is the sexiest guy Gil’s been with in ages, but certainly not someone he can confide in as his career spins out of control. Yet Brian offers something the department can’t–something that’s been missing from Gil’s life for too long. If only he can clear, his name and solve a double homicide while he’s at it.
I think this one was the best one yet. Gil had been in a relationship that had lasted awhile then they had agreed that it was over. Here he was looking at his best friends finding love and was wishing it was there for him. Then in walks Brian a very sexy reporter, but was he wanting information or was he truly wanting him. Things get out of hand, but love wins in the end.
Overall
I have got to tell you that this was one of the best books I have come across. Here you are given three stories with gorgeous men who have badges and wear guns. Three friends find themselves with the loves of their lives. They had met in training and had a little time together the three of them but realized that they were better as best friends. Now they have found the men who were suppose to be with them.
I love it when a story comes together and you can feel the love building. I like that they were three gay cops who didn’t see the package but what was in the eyes of their men. Although to each story there is a bit of pain it was overcome in all. I also liked that none of them really gave up on the other one in the end. They fought for what they wanted. I loved this book and cannot wait to check out more by this author.
I would definitely be recommending this book to everyone. What is better than sexy men, men with guns, boyfriends who have their problems, a little angst, some pain, true love in the end and some very hot sex?
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Corey Byrne loves his family—as long as he only has to see them once a year. Since he’s not out to them, it makes things… tense. Returning to his job at a homeless shelter after Christmas, he finds someone has left him a very expensive present. Soon, he begins to get messages from the anonymous gift giver. Then Corey’s friend Brad is murdered in Corey’s apartment and undercover detective Scott
Reed is assigned to protect Corey. As they work together to find the killer, they realize they’re starting to care about each other. However, Scott is unwilling to act on his feelings unless Corey comes out to his family and co-workers. As the threats from the stalker intensify, Corey is forced to admit that love is too precious to hide from.
Perhaps now is the time to be honest about who he is and accept the possibility of love in return—before it’s too late
Review: Corey is keeping his sexuality from his family. He returns to his work after Christmas with his family to find a very expensive gift left there for him. He realizes after a few letters from his secret admirer that he is being stalked but doesn’t report it since he has no real proof. Things get out of hand when one of his lovers is found dead in his apartment and he becomes a suspect. He seeks his brother, Kerry’s help and has to confess to him his secret. Kerry knows the detective in charge of investigations and they send in an undercover specialist to help catch the stalker.
This is a great combination of romance and also mystery/ suspense. I loved all the characters and details in the story. I really like Corey and felt so sorry for him. I kept checking out each new character to see if I could find the killer. I was kept on my toes throughout the story.
I will say that I wish there had been a little more on the killer as that came out of the blue and the explanation of why fell a bit odd for me. But having said that I loved the story. Its sweet, clean, romantic, and a good mystery as well.
If you like sweet romance, family, mystery/suspense, drama and an all-over interesting story check this out!
Title: Biking Bad Series: part of the Hard Riders anthology Author: Morticia Knight Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novella (67 pages) Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (January 2nd, 2015) Available for early download Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: When Dylan, a young wannabe investigator, stumbles into the Mojave Sidewinder’s MC bar, he finds all kinds of trouble—especially in biker Luc ‘Zero’ Villarojas.
The Mojave Sidewinders is the largest gay MC club in Southern California. They’re also one-percenters, which makes them alluring to those looking for trouble and a danger to those making it. Luc ‘Zero’ Villarojas has been a brother ever since the club’s prez took him in as a runaway. At thirty-four years of age, he’s content to ride his hog, chase tail, and run his tattoo and piercing parlor, Zero to Sixty.
Dylan has had to take care of himself since his aunt died when he was still a teen. Even though he’s barely twenty-two years old, the small spitfire has made his way in the world as best as he can and has even started his own would-be investigative agency. He’s proud of himself, even if his agency is on the edge of town in a ramshackle building.
Working his first big case involving a missing young man, Dylan barges into Road Rage, the Mojave Sidewinder’s exclusive bar, and starts asking questions. When it looks as though he’s about to get beaten up, a large, muscled biker covered in ink comes to his aid. Dylan’s incredibly attracted to him—even if Zero is pretty scary and Dylan’s still a virgin. But is there something Zero knows about the missing man that he’s hiding? And is Dylan in more danger than he realizes?
Publisher’s Note: This story has been previously released as part of the Hard Riders anthology by Totally Bound Publishing.
Review: This was an amazing story of one man determined to find out the truth and another man determined to protect him by any means necessary. Dylan is a private investigator hired to find a young man named Jason, who was last seen being dropped off at Road Rage. While there, he is saved from being roughed up by Zero. Zero is a sexy biker who is instantly attracted to Dylan. Once Zero learns who Dylan is searching for he knows he has to protect him while finding out the truth about another club member who is likely to kill to keep anyone from finding out his secret.
Very well written story with mystery, danger and action that grabs your attention from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end. Loved the chemistry between Zero and Dylan. It seemed as though they had both gone through some tough things as they were growing up and seemed to understand one another. Dylan seemed like the type to find out the truth no matter what. Fantastic read.
Highly recommended.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: A Conspiracy of Fear Series: A Tom and Scott Mystery Author: Mark Zubro Genre: Police Procedural/ Mystery Length: Novel (230 pages) Publisher: MLR Press (October 24th, 2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: After a vicious attack at the opening of an art exhibit, Tom and Scott must navigate a maelstrom of death and destruction where they may be the killer’s next victims.
When an elderly gay man with a lifetime of fear and pain behind him approaches Tom Mason with an intriguing story, Tom has no idea that he and his husband Scott Carpenter will be plunged into an anti-gay conspiracy and a maelstrom of death. They race against time and a deadly killer who may have both of them in his cross hairs.
Review: This was a story about how one man’s hatred and fear that span decades, set into motion a terrible event and had Tom going all over talking to different people to get the facts of a story Fulhem told him, but you don’t find that out until the end. Amazing details about the shooting as sad as that was. The reasoning behind it and the people involved seemed strange to me.
Tom is a teacher who also loves to investigate things. His partner and husband Scott is a professional baseball player. These two seemed very in love and deeply committed to each other. I was glad they had one another while they each tried to deal with a horrific event.
Conspiracies about who knew what and why things were covered up. People making death threats, fighting, arguing, and a lot of drama are all throughout this book. I personally have never understood that kind of hatred because we’re all different in some way or another.
Well written day-to-day investigative account of events that happened through the years leading up to the finale that I never saw coming.
Title: Gemini Series: N/A Author: Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (223 pages) Publisher: Loose Id (September 30th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: Cass Manning is a serial monogamist, grad student, and identical twin to Paul, a drug-addicted prostitute. Fleeing his unfaithful boyfriend, Cass returns to Houston after years away only to be drawn into danger before he’s out of the airport.
When Paul dies under suspicious circumstances, Cass must rely on one of Paul’s clients, Kilo, a mercenary willing to protect Cass in exchange for sex. Together they have a chance to bring justice to the corrupt heart of Texas’s political power structure, but Kilo’s mysterious past may tear him from Cass when he needs him most.
Even if they outlive their untouchable adversaries, how does a polite academic find lasting love with a soldier of fortune?
ISBN: 978-1-62300-539-9
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/gemini.html
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Well written story with mystery, danger, intrigue, suspense, action, and drama. Cass goes to visit his twin Paul after catching his boyfriend cheating on him with his best friend. But before he gets to his brother’s house he mistaken for his brother by a creepy older man who tries to get him to service him after the man threatens him he calls his brother to warn him He is shocked to discover that his brother is a prostitute to some very influential people. Paul calls someone to help with the problem but Paul is murdered is murdered before they get there.
Kilo is a mercenary who used to be in the military and has been on the run ever since. When he meets Cass, the sparks fly and he agrees to help Cass. The two men grow closer in spite of the danger. They discover that Paul was trying to stop the governor and the coaches from corrupting and abusing minors at a juvenile detention center.
Intense, powerful, this story keeps your attention from start to finish. I felt disgusted with the coaches and the governor for what they were doing and was glad someone was trying to put a stop to it. Kilo I found mysterious with air of danger to him yet intriguing in that he seemed like a lost young man at times.
Hot intimate scenes between Kilo and Cass added to this wonderfully written story. Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: The Snow Garden Author: Christopher Rice Narrator: James Daniels Genre: Mystery/ Thriller Length: 12 hours and 20 minutes Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (originally published 9-11-2008 this is a re-release for 12-9-2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: A shocking death exposes dangerous forces of seduction, obsession, and vengeance lurking beneath the idyllic surface of a prestigious New England university.
It is more than just the late November weather that has cast a chill over the campus of Atherton University. When the wife of respected professor Eric Eberman is killed in a tragic accident, his secret student lover, Randall Stone, fears the professor tried to avert career suicide by committing homicide. Or do the dead woman’s haunting last words point to an even more damning crime?
Fearing the truth, Randall digs into his lover’s hidden history. But what he finds draws him and everyone he cares for into a dark dance of sexual manipulation, twisted retribution, and murderous rage where nothing is as it seems. And no one will escape from it unscathed…if they escape at all.
In this emotionally gripping tale from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice, the past may seem buried, but it can come back with a deadly vengeance.
Review: Atherton University, freshman year. Kathryn, Randall, and Jesse come from different worlds, but find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways. For each of them, college promises a bright future and a way to disconnect from a dark, haunted past. But as winter sets in, their secret histories threaten to disrupt the layers of deceit that protect their fragile new lives.
Kathryn along with her roommate April, her openly gay best friend Randall, and his roommate Jesse who gives new meaning to the term promiscuous are just a few months into their freshman year at the prestigious Atherton University. The backdrop is a picturesque New England college town fraught with murder, mystery, mayhem, snow, and random college hookups.
The story opens twenty something years in the past with a chilling memory of lies, deceit and death that sets the stage for the series of events that about to unfold.
Kathryn, Randall and Jesse… the troublesome trio, have all come to college in an attempt to escape their own individual realities. All three haunted by their pasts and all three determined to make a fresh start and own their futures. The secrets they don’t share are the ones that could get them all killed though. When their Art Professor’s wife dies under somewhat mysterious circumstances, leaving behind and broken trail of clues as to what may have happened that dark, snowy night, Randall sets out to discover the truth behind her death.
What his friends don’t know is that Randall was having a torrid, secret affair with Eric Eberman, Art Professor and widower to the late Mrs. Eberman that just died in said crash. And he is just as determined to keep that secret under wraps. Kathryn and Jesse can sense the unease, the change in attitude and demeanor of their friend. They just can’t put their finger on the why.
With the Holidays approaching, Kathryn’s parents are hounding her to fly home, the last place she wants to be. And Jesse’s dad, who is in rehab, is looking for money from the same person he always looks to for cash, his son.
These three “friends” have to deal with normal, everyday college antics, studies, demanding families, a lover with a dead wife, their own psychotic tendencies and the discovery of another death that happened on campus over two decades ago that is directly linked to Eric. With danger around every corner there is a darkness lurking in the shadows that surround these three young adults, a darkness that could devour them all if they aren’t careful.
This book was a total mind f*ck! So many twists and turns with an ending that I didn’t see coming, not at all. The story started out a little slow, but once the pace picked up it didn’t stop. And regardless of the slow start, I was completely enthralled after that prologue, taking a look back to the past at Atherton University. That one chapter set the tone for the story and is directly linked to everything that is happening in the present.
There are several stories slowly unfolding throughout this novel that converge in the last few chapters, and Rice did an amazing job of slowly weaving each thread together from one chapter to the next, that when it all explodes at the end it makes perfect sense.
It’s hard to truly describe this story and not give anything away. I will say that it is one of the best books I’ve ever listened to. The writing was so intricate and personal, the spine was the suspense as it held the story up, the bones was the mystery as it flowed underneath the skin, a never-ending current. And the skin was the storyline that was strengthened by flawed, literally f*cked up characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat long after the story ends. I recommend this read to fans of mystery, suspense, psychological thrillers, and just a well-written story that is anything but predictable.
As for narration, this was my first listen with James Daniels leading the way. It will not be my last. I love a good storyteller, someone who can embody the words the author has written and deliver them in a way you can easily follow and recognize changes in tone and character. Daniels did just that with his re-telling of The Snow Garden.
Title: Royal Street Heist Series: N/A Author: Scotty Cade Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novel (206 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 9th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: When valuable Civil War era art is stolen from a popular New Orleans gallery, NOPD Lead Detective Montgomery “Beau” Bissonet and his partner set out to solve the crime. When the gallery’s insurance company sends Tollison Cruz to the Big Easy to conduct their own independent investigation, personalities clash and battle lines are definitely drawn.
The heist quickly becomes a politically driven high profile case, and Detective Bissonet is furious when he’s ordered to work alongside Investigator Cruz to assure a timely arrest. The heat index soars to new levels when the two investigators discover they have a lot more in common than originally thought.
With the tension between them temporarily sated, Bissonet and Cruz finally start to work together, on more than just a professional level. But everything comes to a screeching halt when Beau discovers his cohort in crime has been withholding information regarding the investigation and has been concealing a very questionable past.
What happens next rivals the scorching summer heat.
Review: Have you ever had a favorite author, that you swear got into the Christmas spirits a wee bit early and decided to write a book outside of their normal genre. I’ve had this happen with mixed results. I always give the new series a try, but most of the time, it just doesn’t work for me.
Except with Scotty Cade.
Scotty Cade won my heart with his Unconventional series. I loved how he portrayed grown men lovin’. Employed, mentally healthy grown ass men. A refreshing change in a genre where half the characters are twinks and the other half are broken. Of course, I love his Love and Sunrise over Savannah series. Pure romance. And I was a bit nervous when he dipped into Historical Romance with TheMystery of Ruby Lode. But, that has proven to be one of my favorite titles. So I shouldn’t have been nervous when Scotty decided he wanted to try his hand at Romantic Suspense. Which is truly my favorite genre, regardless of MC pairing.
Well, I need not have worried. Scotty may be a Southern gentleman, but he has a deliciously twisted mind. The Royal Street Heist was an absolute joy to read.
I’ve read it twice, and I still don’t know who I like better, Bissonet or Cruz. Separately, they are both fine detectives with smart mouths, but together they are magic. Their mutual attraction is instant and hot. It was almost comical to watch them. Outwardly, they can’t stand one another, but they also can’t keep their hands of each other. This made for some pretty raunchy scenes.
And the suspense was well plotted. Like I said, I’m a real suspense junkie and I can usually pick out the killer early on, but Scotty kept me guessing, right up until the end. Speaking of the end, the end of Royal Street Heist left room for a series, and if I have a literary fairy godfather anywhere, he will hear and grant my wish for this to be just the first of an ongoing series.
Step aside Sherlock and Watson, Bissonet and Cruz are in the house…and they rock!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Glitter Series: Full Nelson #2 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Mystery/Suspense Length: Novella (148 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 19, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 1/2Hearts Blurb: Full Nelson: Book Two
When Detective Chris Nelson catches a police call at a gay bar, he finds a murdered drag queen in the alley behind the building. Andrew Brooks, the victim’s co-worker at Bambi’s, claims he found her. Because she is sprinkled in the same red glitter Andrew uses in his act, Nelson takes him in for questioning.
Forensics clear Andrew but reveal the victim was into hardcore kink. Following a trail of evidence, Nelson arrives at his next suspect: Andrew’s brother. Todd Brooks is an avowed neo-Nazi racist homophobe, but Andrew is still devastated. After the near-mistake with Andrew, Nelson isn’t ready to rush to judgment again. Taking his time, he digs deeper, intent on apprehending the actual murderer.
Review: Well-written mystery about Detective Nelson looking into the murder of a drag Queen named Roxie. I could not stop reading until the very end. Of course, I was wrong about who the killer actually turned out to be but I really enjoyed reading it. Though some things had me cringing.
Andrew, Glitter, is a drag queen performer and is the one who found Ramon’s, Roxie, body and call the police. He also ends up telling his mom he’s a drag queen and showing her which did not turn out well. Andrew seemed like a sweet young man.
Loved this story. Amazing details in the case as well as some hot sex.
All in all, it was a great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: Dirty Deeds Series: A Cole McGinnis Mystery, #4 Author: Rhys Ford Narrator: Greg Tremblay Genre: Mystery/ Suspense Length: 8 hours and 5 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (08-12-2004) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Sheila Pinelli needed to be taken out.
Former cop turned private investigator Cole McGinnis never considered committing murder. But six months ago, when Jae-Min’s blood filled his hands and death came knocking at his lover’s door, killing Sheila Pinelli became a definite possibility.
While Sheila lurks in some hidden corner of Los Angeles, Jae and Cole share a bed, a home, and most of all, happiness. They’d survived Jae’s traditional Korean family disowning him and plan on building a new life—preferably one without the threat of Sheila’s return hanging over them.
Thanks to the Santa Monica police mistakenly releasing Sheila following a loitering arrest, Cole finally gets a lead on Sheila’s whereabouts. That is, until the trail goes crazy and he’s thrown into a tangle of drugs, exotic women, and more death. Regardless of the case going sideways, Cole is determined to find the woman he once loved as a sister and get her out of their lives once and for all.
Review: Cole McGinnis has been through hell and back in search of a little piece of something to call his own, to have a family, and to just be happy. But there always seems to be some deranged psychopath hell-bent on destroying Cole and those he holds dear. The last person he expected to come after him, or try to kill his lover Jae was his dead partner’s wife, Sheila.
In the world of Cole McGinnis you will learn, whatever can go wrong will and as tough as Cole claims to be, the man is not bulletproof. All that he can handle, what he can’t handle is the threat of losing the person that means more to him than anything, again, and that is threat that Sheila Pinelli poses. All Sheila did when she pulled that trigger was bring down the wrath of the one man that will hunt her to the ends of the earth to make her pay for her sins.
Of course, this is Cole we are talking about, so the situation has to be more involved than just a bit a revenge. A very bad man is paying young Asian men that want to be women to come to America with the promise of hormones and surgery. The price is for his generosity is unquestioned allegiance with the pills and the operations dangled in front of them like a carrot.
Cole is quickly neck-deep in bodies trying to find Sheila and a very elusive transsexual. And while he and Jae are finally living their lives openly as a couple, both of Cole’s brothers are having a little trouble adapting to the danger Cole deliberately puts himself into. To make matters worse, there is something weird going on with Bobby.
Murder, mayhem, and madness are an everyday occurrence in the life of this Private Dick. But this case may uncover one too many secrets for Cole to come back from.
This is the best Cole McGinnis book to date! Everything was more grandiose and extreme in this story, but at the same time, it was not overwhelming as one might think. Both Ford’s writing and Tremblay’s narration kept an even, steady pace that built from the first line to the last, and what an ending. I mean, I saw it coming it was just so direct that it left me cracking up and oh so anxious for that particular story to unfold.
I have always been completely enamored with the relationship between Cole and Jae, it would seem that Jae finally being able to live his life out loud was just what the doctor ordered. The passion and innate sexual energy between these two literally exploded in this book. I’m talking toe curling, eye blurring, ears ringing, off the charts sexy! It’s not JUST their animalistic attraction to one another and the way they can tear up a bedroom though, it is the way they love each other with no apologies, the trust and the admiration they have for one another that just make them that much more endearing.
As usual, Ford builds a masterpiece full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue that is bathed in blood and bodies then wrapped up nicely with a sexy little bow. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into Down and Dirty and see where she takes Cole’s big, brooding best friend and the brother he swore he wouldn’t take skinny-dipping. A note to the author… please write faster! I need more Cole and Jae, and Miki and Cain, and Damie and Shion and isn’t there a naughty little tease you put out there for Quinn Morgan?! Hustle woman, hustle!!
Oh, right, narration. It’s fantastic. Greg Tremblay really has given Cole and Jae their own voice through Ford’s writing and his translation of how these characters would sound. The beauty of it is, I can literally picture them in my mind and think of them as real people because of his talent. Must read series people, Must Read!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: By Blood
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