Tag: GLBT Paranormal Romantic Suspense

The Red Thread of Forever Love by Nicole Kimberling

NK_TheRedThreadofForeverLove_coverlgTitle: The Red Thread of Forever Love

Author: Nicole Kimberling

Genre: Gay MM paranormal

Length:  Novella (96 pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (December 28 2012)

Heat level: Explicit

Heart rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: A “Not Quite New Year” Story!

Folklore researcher and PhD candidate Hank Caldwell has a problem. He’s come to Japan to get information for his book on supernatural creatures called yokai. Along the way he discovers that yokai are not only real, but one of them is determined to make Hank his forever lover.

Translator Daisuke Tachibana knows all about the shadowy figure in a business suit who keeps accosting Mr. Caldwell. He knows the creature must be stopped, but how? Their upcoming research trip to a remote, hot springs resort will be exactly the opening the yokai is looking for. Now if only Tachibana could stop thinking about Mr. Caldwell’s naked, freckled body submerged in steaming water long enough to formulate a plan to keep the amorous creature at bay.

Product link: http://www.loose-id.com/The-Red-Thread-of-Forever-Love.aspx

Reviewer: Heart

Review:  With this first experience when it comes to Nicole Kimberling, I was faced both with more than I expected as well as less. She spins a very good tale, focuses on the details but skims on certain parts that I would have preferred as the focal point of the story.

Hank is a Canadian writer researching supernatural creatures called yokai for his newest book. He’s traveling through the country with his translator, Daisuke and discovering that the subject of his researched is not only real, but embarrassingly so.

The story is told from both points of view and while Hank is direct and easy-going, Daisuke is the perfect opposite in his reservation. Everything Daisuke desires when it comes to Hank isn’t coming through him directly and if that isn’t completely wrong, the fact that Hank is getting used to it just makes it worse.

This short story is full of facts about Japan. From descriptions to customs and just for that it’s certainly an experience. Personally, I didn’t really connect with the supernatural theme, and while it was rather funny at the beginning, by the end it was just too consuming and other parts of the story suffered for it.

I’m all about romance, something that was at first glance the essence of this story. While it might still be interpreted that way, once you finish the book, the actual ‘real’ romance was in fact completely pushed to the background and eventually quickly concluded. I knew more about Hank than Daisuke, but their eventual relationship lacked the romantic aspect of it as well as moments that would have made it genuine.

The Red Thread of Forever Love is something most people will most certainly like. It has a bit of everything and makes for a good light entertainment.

Palehua by A.J. Llewllyn

palehuaTitle:  Palehua

Series:  Last Warrior #2

Author: A.J. Llewellyn

Genre:   Supernatural Mystery

Length:  Novel (155 pages)

Publisher:  Silver Publishing (January 26, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:  Lio Paikai is adjusting to both his new, extremely passionate relationship with his lover, Kord Ashley, and his status as ‘Ailani, the reincarnated, loyal warrior who fought for the last king of the Hawaiian islands Oahu and Maui. Having severed his ties with his mother, Kalani, Lio grows closer to his father and his new family, but Kalani won’t leave them alone.

Violating a restraining order of protection, Kalani is arrested. Hours later, when Lio accompanies his stepmother to a birthing class, a strange woman falls from the sky landing on the hood of his SUV. Old wounds, old curses and the demand for retribution threatens to destroy his entire family. Lio must uncover the identity of the fallen woman and soon learns her heartbreaking connection to his mother and the damage it has caused Kalani her entire life. Lio must right an ancient wrong and appease the old island gods that demand an immediate Palehua: blood sacrifice.

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/palehua-ebook-p-1365.html

Reviewer:   Any

Review:  A mysterious read with an exotic backdrop.

Not having read the first in the series, it took me a while to connect to Lio and Kord, and to understand exactly what it was Lio could do. As I read on, this became clearer—and more interesting. I really liked the imaginative set up in the Last Warrior world.  I was particularly drawn into the “reliving the past” moments that Lio finds himself in, as the mystery of the dead Monday woman is revealed.

The writing is quick-paced, full of banter, and easy to read. That being said, I found there were a few too many harmonious scenes where my concentration waned. This came partly because of the romance. Lio and Kord’s attraction to each other is passionate and sexy, but filled with neither tension nor conflict, and I felt the book would have benefitted to see these two lovers being tested in some way.

Things did become really gripping at the climax of the book where, through Lio, we learn the truth about the terrible murder of the Monday woman. . . .

Westford Hall by Lisa Worrall

17238890Title: Westford Hall

Author: Lisa Worrall

Genre: Paranormal, Ghosts, Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novella (98pgs)

Publisher: White Stiletto Press (17th January 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Westford Hall lies back from the quad, quiet and empty. A dark reminder of the horrific murder of six members of the Tri Delta brotherhood thirty years ago, and the subject of Ethan’s thesis.

Ethan Reece is in his second year of Professor Allen’s paranormal psychology class, and is hoping to be the first to establish documented proof that Westford Hall is haunted. Hiring the university’s best photography student to help with the investigation, Ethan is disappointed when he has to be replaced after an accident. Which is how he finds himself saddled with the university’s best stoner instead.

Daniel Cartwright comes from money. He won’t deny it. Why should he? More than aware of the reputation he has on campus, he ambles through life with the help of his parents. At least that’s what everyone thinks. When his friend breaks his leg and volunteers him to assist the biggest nerd on campus with his spooky investigation, Dan is not exactly ecstatic.

Thrown together by fate; to their surprise the two young men find they are drawn together by mutual attraction, but that’s not the only surprise awaiting them in Westford Hall. Coming face to face with an actual ghost, they uncover a story of murder, deceit and despair that leaves them facing a danger they were not prepared for.

Purchase Link:

US: http://www.amazon.com/Westford-Hall-ebook/dp/B00B2DT9BA

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Westford-Hall-ebook/dp/B00B2DT9BA

Review: Ethan is hoping to find proof that Westford Hall is haunted for his paranormal psychology class.  all set for a night in the reputed haunted house on campus with a great photography student, he is disappointed when he ends up with the man’s friend as a replacement instead. Dan helps his friend out by taking his place at Westford Hall, being stuck with nerdy Ethan in a supposed haunted house isn’t his idea of fun, and when things start to happen all he wants is to stay the hell away from the place. But, a mystery unfolds that Ethan and Dan get caught up in.  just how do they help put to rest a ghost who wants the truth to come out?

This is a great ghost story that is in parts funny and others poignantly sad with a great twist at the end. Both Ethan and Dan are great characters; Ethan is a nerd who is surprisingly judgmental, but who is quick to admit his mistakes. Dan is rumored to be a slacker, but is in truth the opposite, his reputation as a slacker was earned protecting a friend, he is an absolute gem with his reactions and he plays nicely off Ethan. The ghost is wonderful with his poignant story and his wicked sense of humor, and with his determination over the years to get the truth of his death in the open.

Westford Hall is a great combination of fun, love, mystery and suspense. The elements have been woven together to give a delightful tale of a ghost who wants justice. The relationship between Ethan and Dan was sweet, them finding common ground when at the start they clashed. I found Dan’s reactions to the events in the haunted Westford Hall to be both funny and realistic. While you could see Ethan’s scientific excitement and his eagerness to dig deeper, I had to agree with Dan’s reactions.

There are some flashbacks to the events of the past, but they are beautifully slotted into the story and they add a touch of knowing to the suspense. There was only one thing that confused me though… just when did the young men die? I ask because when Ethan was telling the story of the murders he said it happened in nineteen seventy-four, but then later during a flashback it described the house from nineteen eighty-two. Other than that small discrepancy I have to admit that after finishing this book I am left with the hope (and praying) that Lisa Worrall will give us more from Dan and Ethan in the future, *sigh* well I can only hope.

I am recommending this story as a must read if you love ghosts finding justice and discovering their lost love, a new love developing, mystery, suspense, a great twist and a very happy ending for young men and ghosts alike.

Big Cypress Crossroads by Bren Christopher

Title:  Big Cypress Crossroads

Author:  Bren Christopher

Genre:   LGBT Paranormal Suspense

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Loose Id

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer:  Pixie

Blurb:  From the deep swamps of the Everglades to the glittering night clubs of South Beach, Miami-Dade police detective Scott Chandler is hot on the trail of the drug running cartel that killed some good officers in a firefight and left him with a steel rod in his leg. The last thing he expected to find was love in the form of a seemingly innocent wilderness guide–a guide who inexplicably knows more than he should.

Noah Taylor lives for the wild backwoods, spending days camping alone and only returning to town on the weekends to lead kayak tours through the dark waterways of the Everglades. But when he finds the remains of a ritually sacrificed body hanging from the twisted limbs of a mangrove tree, his life’s going to change in ways he can’t possibly predict–or can he?

Now Scott must untangle a web of deceit while struggling with his passion for Noah. Because loving him is easy. But trusting him could be deadly.

 Pixie’s Review:  I really enjoyed this book, the main lead characters Scott and Noah hit it off straight away but their relationship is not a bed of roses. Noah knows thing’s he shouldn’t and hide’s his secrets close, Scott wants to trust Noah completely but can’t shake the suspicion that Noah’s more involved than he is letting on.

The suspense in this book is worked really well, drug runner’s, a psychotic bodyguard, a twisted high priest and gun battles in the Everglades… really what more you could you ask for. How about explicit hot sex, yep it’s got that too. You also have these two hot men trying to make a go of it in the middle of a dangerous investigation and when the investigation has ended what will these two lovers do, because it’s a close call when Scott finds out the entire truth .

So my recommendation is this if you love anything from above then you need to read this book, because it is enjoyable to read.

 Natasha’s Review:

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5

Big Cypress Crossroads is a great story of mystery. And unlike other stories, the romance does not occupy a secondary role. He is an integral part of the story.  The story begins with Noah finding a body hanging in the Everglades and going to report to the sheriff who is his uncle. When he arrives at the station he is informed that his uncle is busy in a meeting with two detectives that are in town looking for a drug dealer who possibly fled to the region.
Scott and his partner Rivera are after the drug dealer that injured Scott and killed several policemen in a disastrous raid.

During the investigation to determine, if the body  found by Noah, is of the drug dealer wanted by detectives, more bodies are found, putting Noah in the midst of the investigation and around Scott.

I was sucked into the story from the first page. When I started reading, I could not stop and turn down the book. The story has a good pace, not too fast or too slow. And managed to hold my attention at all times.  The two main characters are believable. Both have issues that need to be addressed before they conquer their happily ever after. Noah has to overcome a loss in the past that is influencing his present life and dictating his actions. And Scott has to recover physically and mentally from the injured that he suffered.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery with a twist (I kinda figured the end but not completely). And for those who need more encouragement, do not forget the romance and the hot sex scenes.