Jackie Nacht Shifter Blog Tour with Interview, Giveaway & Review

Hey my little minions… er I mean readers, today we have a huge treat for you, we have Jackie Nacht visiting with her shifters books, a great giveaway and Thommie has her own special interview with Jackie! So I will leave you to enjoy our Jackie Nacht Shifter Post and don’t forget to click the Rafflecopter link for a chance to win some great prizes 🙂 ~Pixie~

Peanut Butter and Jelly For Two:

The sexy chipmunk shifter isn’t afraid of the dentist; he’s in love with him.

Phillip has the best job working at the Paranormal Dentistry for the Fanged and Friendly. As a chipmunk shifter, Phillip has seen handsome men walk through the door but none so gorgeous as his boss and wolf shifter, Dr. Gunner Samuels. When he finds himself being manipulated by his best friend to ask the big bad wolf over for dinner, Phillip realizes his biggest dilemma, he’s never cooked a day in his life, let alone meat. Can Phillip pull off a fabulous dinner for two? And has Gunner had his eye on the sexy shifter all this time?

BuyLink: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=JN_PBJF2

Review:

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/peanut-butter-and-jelly-for-two-by-jackie-nacht/

Moon Compound 01: Full Moon Lockdown:

Can surviving the horrors of the night lead Colin to find the one that was meant to love him and bring him back to the light?

Colin Brantford is an Omega wolf. When his pack is destroyed by hellhounds, he and his brother are transported to Moon Compound. There, Colin must enter into a world where all wolf shifters are sent to learn to shift. Two years prematurely.

Sloan Atwater has been at the compound for three years and still has no control of his wolf. That is until he spots Colin, making Sloan crave the slightest touch. Will he be able to claim Colin for his own? And when Colin needs Sloan, will he be able to control his wolf?

Buy Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/full-moon-lockdown/

Review:

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/full-moon-lockdown-by-jackie-nacht/

Moon Compound 02: Full Moon Feral:

With all great sacrifices for love, there must be consequences.

Brendan has been at Moon Compound and gone through his first shift. He feels like hell when his mate walks into his life in chains. Devastated that his mate is feral, he mourns for the mate he is bound to lose before he ever has him. Desperate not to lose his mate, he does something that will forever change his life. Will Brendan be able to save his feral?

Buy Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/full-moon-feral/

Review:

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/full-moon-feral-by-jackie-nacht/

Moon Compound 03: Full Moon Gamma:

When Rayce finds he has two paths before him, the unknown consequence is the only alternative to help the man he loves survive.

Rayce is sent on a recon mission to find out if hellhounds are in Lansing. What he discovers on his way is his mate, Peyton, has followed him into the very heart of danger.

Peyton has loved Rayce from the moment Rayce saved him. He knows he probably shouldn’t be following Rayce, but the instinct driving him to protect the man he has already fallen for causes him to go recklessly into the city. All is not as it seems, and Peyton will have to find strength to survive for not only himself but his mate and friends as well.

Buy Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/full-moon-gamma/

Review:

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/full-moon-gamma-by-jackie-nacht-review-giveaway/

Title: Full Moon Hellhound

Series: Moon Compound #4

Author: Jackie Nacht

Genre: Paranormal / Action

Length: Novella (126 pages)

ISNB: 978-1-77111-905-4

Publisher: Extasy Books (April 1^st 2014)

Heat: Moderate~Explicit

Heart: 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Feeling emotions for the first time, this hellhound must let go of his hate to learn to love.

An Omega at Moon Compound, Oren’s life was irrevocably altered after being bitten by a hellhound. When the hellhound returns after saving Oren’s friends, Oren can’t forgive the enemy who mated the two of them that one fateful day.

Daegal is forever changed. As a hellhound, he never felt any emotions except hate until he bit a wolf on the day the horde attacked. Now giving up everything to see Oren again, he finds himself at the mercy of his enemies. Will he be able to let go of the hate to learn about love, or will he forever be lost to the shadows?

Authors note: This may be read as a standalone book however for better reading enjoyment, it is adviced to read the series in order. Thank you

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/full-moon-hellhound/#.UzqlJdDAXjM.facebook

Review: I have been waiting for Daegal’s story it seems FOREVER and finally, finally I got to read it. To say I’m not disappointed would be the understatement of the year. I remember saying on my review for Full Moon Lockdown (book #1) that this was exactly what I loved and craved when searching for paranormal/werewolves stories, but little did I know then the magnitude of the treasure I had in my hands lore-wise. Every book we’ve read so far in the series has been a little stone on the road to an incredibly gripping story. Each instalment focuses more on each individual couple and gives us time to get to know them, get accustomed in their abilities/roles, while the background story develops rather slowly. In the previous book we met with a cruel and raw and vicious dark side of the lore, it shocked us and gave us exactly what was needed to comprehend the villains and perhaps gave us a hint of what to expect on the upcoming war that is boiling right underneath the surface. But this book, this really is the opening scene of the main story, veiled under the lines of Daegal and Oren’s mating. A Hellhound and a Werewolf who will begin the ultimate battle between two eternal enemies; the brothers Geri and Freki.

Daegal, a Hellhound who unknowingly claimed a Werewolf as a mate and irrevocably changed his life. His soulless existence died a horrible death when he stole half of Oren’s soul with that fatal bite. Now he’s assaulted with a vast range of emotions he never knew, and coping with them is driving him nearly insane. On top of that his mate hates him, those feeling burning everything in between them, every bridge driving them both toward destruction. Until one day something changes, turning everything upside down. What was known until then lost meaning and new things come to light…

I can’t say how intense this mating is, I can’t say how heavy the feelings between the pair are. It nearly brought me to tears when Daegal’s past was revealed through his memories, it nearly broke my heart as he felt the horrors done to him with this new set of emotions he doesn’t even know how to deal with. I nearly screamed in frustration as for the best part of it Daegal had to go through it all alone while his mate hated his guts. Yes, Rayce and Peyton’s story in book #3 left me raw, but this one was simply so very intense and emotional and sweet somehow inside all that darkness that it blew my mind away. I’m overwhelmed and okay, so I’m a bit in love with Daegal and might be biased, but this was one incredible ride with highs and lows and a scary kind of love. *wink*

So, I stand by my opinion that this instalment was the best of them yet in many ways. Wonderfully written it brings the reader to the edge and then takes him back only to make our heart beat when the action picks up, surprises sprouting from every corner and the end blowing your head away with its twist and promise that the next book full-fledged war will take place right before our eyes. In the end of the instalment I was left with a deep satisfaction for how Daegal and Oren turned out, and full of anticipation and excitement for book five.

Do I really need to recommend it? If you haven’t picked up the series I ensure you, you’re missing out. Grab it and dare dive in this fantastic world where imagination has no boundaries and fiction can steal your sanity away.

Giveaway!

Click for a Chance to WIN!

Four Awesome shifter books by Jackie Nacht

$10 Gift Card to Amazon

$10 Gift Card to AllRomance

Jackie Nacht Rafflecopter giveaway

Thommie & Jackie Interview!

One hour playing with Jackie Nacht

Hello guys! I’m back this time with one of my favorite authors Jackie Nacht and I intend to drill her on her fascinating Moon Compound Series. So hold on tight, this might be a tough ride.

Assembling the team

T: Jackie darling. Whenever you’re ready we can begin.

Oh and Pixie? Are you eavesdropping behind the closed doors? LOL!

J: I’m here! I’m sure Pixie is hiding somewhere lol

I was afraid I didn’t have the right place lol

T: Ah good… evening? Is it evening there?

And no, you’ve got the right place alright *smiles*

So are you comfortable?

Got your coffee and drinks ready? I’m gonna make you sweat it a bit.

J: LOL kind of… it’s 4p.m. here. Are the twins down and ready to go. I bribed mine with cookies and octonauts lol

T: Oh my, bribery. I’ve never thought of that. But yes, I’ve got them all in bed and an eerie quiet around the house.

J: I’m comfortable. Have my hazelnut to my right and I’m a few feet from the ice packs to cool down lol. Be careful when its quiet that’s the time to worry.

Pixie: *Secures hidden camera* Okay girls enjoy yourself, just be gentle.

J: Pshaw gentle! What fun is that lol

T: And the kink just started!!! lol

Pixie: I have to think of our reputation… too many bruises and we won’t ever get another author in here LOL

J: Lol Pixie…what’s happens in the M/M interview…stays in the M/M interview room.

Let the games begin

T: So, Jackie. I know that you are a relatively newly published author, but have you had the urge to write when you were younger? If so what did you wrote about?

J: Oh good question and honest answer; Nope. I never imagined being a writer. Growing up, you could barely keep me inside. I was very athletic growing up and that was my tool that I focused on to get a scholarship to further my education. I wanted to get into college and running was my source for that.

Does that answer frighten you? Actually my sister is what drew me to writing. I give her all the credit and the books she suggested for me to read and wanting to make something of my own.

T: Oh my, so it was your sister that “hooked” you into the genre and writing literally. What about the rest of the family? How do they react to your writing and the chosen genre?

J: My sister definitely hooked me to reading and writing. I wasn’t a big reader and Steph brought paperbacks to me saying “Try it.” Funny but it really brought us super close, and while when growing up we were polar opposites, now we are inseparable. Our family…that’s funny. Our immediate family is definitely supportive. My mom reads all our books and yes, even our grandmother has read a few.

T: That is astonishing indeed. Many authors keep this “part” of their life hidden because family doesn’t comprehend it. It’s amazing that yours is not only accepting but supporting as well.

J: LOL! I do write under a pen name, but I would do the same if I wrote a children’s book.

T: I suppose that is for your own privacy and not due to your immediate environment.

J: LOL! Yep, for my own privacy and my family as well. Before I started, I heard about people being searched and it made me a little nervous lol.

T: So, what is better for you; writing with company or without? Do you feel freer to create when alone or with a co-author? And does it limit your range writing with someone else, do you feel as if you can’t go places you perhaps could have gone if alone?

J: That’s a tough question and I would say writing with company has its pros as well as writing alone.
With my sister, she brings things to the table I would never have thought of. With a co-author you create an amazing path through two shared minds. The weaving process of that is a lot of fun.
Now with writing on my own; I don’t know what it is but I love to challenge myself. I know I have a certain “writing style” I can’t escape. However, there is always a new wall to break down, a new edge to sharpen. I love trying to tackle that and creating my own adventure and hopefully give readers a wild ride.

T: God I love your answers!
Your work has been, as you yourself have admitted on previous interviews, on the fluffy and romantic side. What made you come up with the Moon Compound? (It is one edgy series after all) Where did the idea come from?

J: I love writing light and fluffy. No angst. There was times I had a bad day, didn’t want any more stress and have my to-go reads for light and fluffy. I guess I wanted to create a series that would be my comfort and something similar with what has brought me comfort.
As for Moon Compound, I always wanted to write about wolf shifters. I’ve told people before what I thought about it though. If I was going to write about a wolf shifter, I better bring something new to the table or be prepared to be lost in the shuffle. Or heck no one wants to be thought as unoriginal. Plus it had to be dark and edgy…a challenge. The way I came up with Moon Compound was take a real look at the basic rules of wolf shifter lore, amped them a lot, and then throw a bunch of rules out the window. LMAO! I love breaking the rules in the series and actually cackle when I do it. Very unattractive lol. I also wanted to have the wolves be from somewhere original so I researched Geri and Freki (Odin’s wolf pets and changed the lore on it.)

T: Hahaha, I love you more for breaking the rules. *muah*

And damn, there went my next question out of the window: The Moon Compound has a pretty solid background story, the spine/core of it resides in ancient myths; what lead you there? So basically why Odin’s pets?

J: LOL! Sorry about that. As for Odin’s pets, I had been searching wolf lore and came across them and found two wolf pets that could not only be loyal to one God but fought side by side. I loved to take the myth and make a force push them apart and twist them to be enemies. That’s about all I can say because there is a lot of the backstory that hasn’t been mentioned yet lol but…some will be revealed in Hellhound.

T: I’m actually anxious to hear the answer to this question:

So, I have preferences in a vast number of genres, but it is no secret I adore dark and gritty, thus my absolute adoration for this series. Rarely though do authors let go and touch that “dark” side. What it hard for you to do that? Were there times where you thought going too far might hurt your work or your fans responses? And how have your fans reacted to your edgy side?

J: I know what you mean about the dark side. It was a little difficult to go there especially in Gamma. It was really tough to write some of those scenes and there are ones in this that while not in the physical moment, are emotionally draining. I do question myself if I go too far a lot of times, but I don’t want to pull back. I think if I did, the series would begin to fall flat and the characters would lose that edge of what brought them to that point. I know not everyone will like Moon Compound based on the darkness of it, but I try to make other series that will meet those readers’ needs. Hang on I have more…boy am I long winded lol.
Some fans have enjoyed it, some haven’t. However, from what I’ve seen, I think most of the readers understood why all of it happened. There is no unnecessary torture or pain. It really is to make the story and characters richer.

T: As I’ve said I adore your Moon Compound series. The reason is stated above and I don’t mind repeating that I simply love the fact that you give more and more into the “darkness” as the story progresses. One other reason is that you don’t only focus on each couple individually, you also develop the main storyline with each new installment keeping your readers constantly captive and enticed and wondering how is it going to be next. Do you have the background story, the war raging between the Hellhounds and the Werewolves, already set in your mind, or do you create it as you go?

J: The entire backstory is set up and I know the war, central characters roles. However, there are a few things that plop up outside of my main outline. I have a lot of stories planned in this series and even have it plotted out to raise it to another level.

T: I love what I’m hearing for the series so far. I can’t wait for them and honestly it’s been since the Vampire Academy that I’ve felt in love with a series so much.

J: Thank you! That means so much Thommie!

T: But how about your characters. Have they gone beyond the limits you set for them, did they took on a life of their own after they were born in your thoughts?

J: Some of the characters have really written themselves. There was a few that I was like, “How in the hell am I going to be able to write him?” but when I got to that point, he kind of just did it for me. A few examples I had a tough time with was Ripley. How do you write about a man whose mind is lost?
Daegal – A demon experiencing emotions for the first time? Daegal has definitely taken on a life of his own. Stinking Hellhound! Lol
With Ripley and Daegal, I had to take a break from writing the book just to wrap my mind around the characters before pushing back in. Then when I had a grasp of them, the story flowed on its own.

T: Omg! Don’t you dare! After Ripley, Daegal is my favorite character in the whole Moon Compound. I think he is plain brilliant and really challenging.

J: All I’m going to say about Daegal is he is unique. He’s tough and with him you get a lot of backstory and therefore get a real insight to the hellhounds. It was planned all along to get that info on the hellhounds. I just needed Daegal to do it.

T: Damn you woman. It’s only another half month to go, but you’re making it really hard to wait.
Moving on: If I have an issue with novellas is that the couple and their story don’t have enough time/place to settle and deeply satisfy me. I often feel I want more. Then there is the fact that we do get to see them passing by as supporting characters in the future installments, but not merely enough to satisfy my hunger. I think I miss them, lol.

Do you intend to bring some of the former/main couples in the spotlight and give us a bit more of their current relationship as it morphs through the different events? I’ve never seen an author do that so I was wondering if those thoughts ever get into your head at all.

J: Yes! I have a big plan with for that. Ripley and Brendan will be huge secondary characters in a future installment. I plan on doing a holiday installment with the brothers as well. I have a lot more but those are the two examples that shot straight out of my head first lol.

T: Yeahhhhh!!!!!! Oh dear! See, this is why I love you. It’s like you’re in my brain and picking up my fantasies.

J: haha! *hugs*
Well with the way the series is written and the plot, these characters can’t just disappear. Each character has a meaning.

T: So, time has come for my final question!

How many books are you planning on writing in this series? And have you thought of your BIG BAM ending installment yet or am I rushing ahead too much here? And even more, when the time comes to wrap it up are you going for the classic HEA for everyone, or do you intend to challenge yourself and go for the reminiscing of everything that’s happened resulting into one bloody battle with uncertain results..?

J: Oh you went there lol.

T: Hahaha! Yup, I am THAT reader. Lol!

J: The plot is a little thicker than I imagined when I began. I know there will be at least a dozen books and I know what the last book will be and who it will be. As for a big bam ending…it’ll be big…war will be huge and there will be a huge battle! The results will be uncertain…for a reason.

T: Oh God, you’re planning a spin-off aren’t you?

J: What was that? *whistles*

T: Lol! Never mind *shakes head*

J: LOL! So tell me, how do you feel about hell?

T: Oh now you went there. I love Hell, it’s hot down there. Lmao!

J: LOL! Hell is pretty darn hot.

T: So the way I see it we should settle for a long wild ride in this bloody, war ridden world.

J: Yep, I would say this is definitely a project that will take more than a couple years.

T: I’m somehow happy to hear about that, even as I generally avoid series with a passion. My patience gets challenged a lot you see.
But this is one of those worlds where the struggle, war, emotions, and myth mesh together and it’s pretty exciting for me as a reader.

J: Lol…a lot of people aren’t series readers. You’re not alone. Thank you!

T: You’re welcome. It’s only the truth. And it is I that must thank you for indulging my curiosity tonight. *smiles*

J: I’m trying to make it interesting and keep everyone on their toes.
LOL I’m having fun…curiosity is a wonderful little troublemaker.

T: That you have certainly achieved.

So, I know I only went around the Moon Compound (I’m obsessed, I know), but is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

J: LOL I don’t mind talking Moon Compound. I have a few books I’m really hoping to get out this year. One for sure will be dark and edgy like Moon Compound but it is a shorter standalone. I want to have it finished by the end of the summer because I’ve been dying to write it for a year now and have the first chapter done. Very shocking! My next Paranormal Dentistry book will be out April 18th.
Oh and I have sugar cookie on my shoulder lmao.

T: Hahaha! I wonder with you and how you manage your time. I’m looking forward for your future work hon, you’ve been a gem for my “dark cravings” so far.

J: Thank you. be sure to check out the M/M free read. That will be dark, edgy and vampires. Delicious. *hugs*

T: Thank you so much for coming and having fun with me today. It was exciting doing this with you and well, not as scary as I thought it’d be.

J: Thank you! You made my first ever live interview fun and not scary. If it wasn’t you, I would have been terrified lol

T: *muah*

J: Have a good night Thommie. *hugs*

Pixie: Good interview guys… it was fun watching you.

J: LOL! Pixie peeks out! Thank you Pixie.

Game over

So, that was it guys. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, and I also hope we’ve shed some light on the future of our favorite Moon Compound Series.
Many hugs, until next time.

Thommie!

About Jackie Nacht:

Short, sexy and sweet—where a little love goes a long way.

That’s the best way to describe Jackie Nacht’s stories. I was introduced to M/M Romance through my sister, Stephani, and read it for years. Then, I thought it was time to put my own stories on paper. I began writing short and sweet stories that ended with a happily ever after…and sometimes more than one, in the case of my YA Fork in the Road series, which has interactive endings.

Thinking back to my own book addiction, where there were many nights I stayed up way too late so I could read just one more chapter—yeah, right—I decided to write short romances for young adults as well as adults. Hopefully, they will give high school and college students, or working men and women something they can read during their lunch hour, in between classes or just when they want to briefly get away from the daily stresses of everyday life.

If you want to send me a message, email me at Jackie.nacht@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear from you! Or I love to chat with readers on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy links:

Purchase/pre-order links:

eXtasy:

http://www.extasybooks.com/index.php?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=961

MLR Press:

http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowAuthorBooks.php?list=_ABKLIST191&author=Jackie!Nacht

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Nacht/e/B00BSWQ9Y0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1392872576&sr=8-1

All Romance eBooks:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Jackie+Nacht

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/jackie-nacht

Bookstrand:

http://www.bookstrand.com/jackie-nacht

Grand Adventures by Various Authors, Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Hey guys, a bunch of us bloggers have got together to show our support for T.J. Klune and Eric Arvin by joining up for the Grand Adventures blog tour. This blog tour is to bring to attention the wonderful authors who donated a story and Dreamspinners Press who are donating 100% of the income from the sale to Eric & T.J. and there’s even a great giveaway for you to enjoy! I know the people in this genre are just incredible! So check out what the authors have to say, visit Dreamspinners Press and have a look at the great Grand Adventures goodies and click our Rafflecopter link to win some of those great goodies 🙂 ~Pixie~ p.s. I’d like to give a shout out to Brandilyn from Prism Book Alliance for pulling us bloggers together and organizing our roles in this tour 😉

Description:

On September 1, 2011, TJ Klune wrote, “…it’s not about the ending, it’s about the journey…” in a review of Eric Arvin’s Woke Up in a Strange Place. With those words, two men began a journey of love and invited us to ride along. TJ and Eric have shared so much with us: their wonderful books, their smiles, their humor, their lives, and their inspiring devotion to each other. In December of 2013, their journey took a detour when Eric was taken to the emergency room. He survived the surgery to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem, but the challenges TJ and Eric face are far from over.

The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eric’s continued recovery, to help bring strength to TJ, and to show both of them just how much love surrounds them. Grand Adventures is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love. We’re going on some grand adventures for a great cause. Thank you for joining us.

One hundred percent of the income from this volume goes directly to TJ and Eric.

Foreword by S.A. McAuley

An Unexpected Thing by John Amory (Sequel to Protection)

The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk

When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste

Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown (A Missing Moment from Isle of Waves)

The Jogger by KC Burn

Holding Court by Cardeno C.

For Dear Life by Mary Calmes

Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington

Stripped by Shae Connor (2nd Edition)

That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado

Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys

Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford

Last First Kiss by LE Franks

Tomorrow by John Goode

From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano (A Companion to For You)

Witness Protected by Dawn Kimberly Johnson

Water Under the Bridge by Mia Kerick (Sequel to Not Broken, Just Bent)

A Gentle Shove of Human Kindness by Amy Lane

Air (Roads #1.75 million) by Garrett Leigh (A Companion to Slide; Roads: Book 1.75)

An Atheist and a Yoga Instructor Walk into a Bar by Rowan McAllister

Stalking 101 by Moria McCain

Simple Desires by Tempeste O’Riley (A Spin-off of Designs of Desire)

Object of Care by Zahra Owens (A Clouds and Rain Story)

Kid Confusion by Madison Parker (A Companion to Play Me, I’m Yours)

Fall Train by Jaime Samms

The Exhibition by Andrea Speed (An Infected Short; Infected: Roan and Dylan)

What You Will by Tinnean (A Companion to Two Lips, Indifferent Red)

Prologue by Brandon Witt

Ebook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4873

Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4874

Small Print of cover: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4890

Large Print of cover: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4891

John Amory:

Hello everyone! My name is John Amory, and my contribution to the Grand Adventures anthology is titled “An Unexpected Thing.” This short is actually a sequel to a story that Dreamspinner published last June in its Daily Dose compilation called “Protection.” The new story picks up about two years after Jamie and Ben met; both are back from London and traveling the West Coast. Jamie is en route to a shooting competition with Ben in tow, but when their plane is diverted, they are forced to find their own way through the Cascades to Seattle. They, of course, find something else along the way.

I have never met TJ or Eric, but I was struck by their struggle like everyone else. We are all a family of authors and readers in this genre, and it felt like someone in our family had suddenly fallen ill. I wanted to help, especially since TJ’s book Into This River I Drown had such an effect on me. When “Protection” was accepted for publication last year, it was the first book I chose from Dreamspinner’s catalog to read, so that I could get a feel for their audience, their authors, the style of stories they publish, etc. I was blown away by River, which is, in so many ways, a really atypical (but still brilliant) M/M romance. There was so much else going on: grief, redemption, faith, closure, all of these things played into the book’s themes, and they’re all things I think TJ handled beautifully. So I began “An Unexpected Thing” as a sequel to “Protection” that contained a guest appearance by two of TJ’s characters from Roseland, which seemed only appropriate given its ties to River. I eventually re-edited the story to not include TJ’s characters (since, if all the authors did that, it would be taxing on TJ to edit and approve each story), but the essence that those characters brought to the story is still there, as well as some other Easter eggs for fans of TJ’s book. “An Unexpected Thing” is about finding love in places you never thought you would, with people you never thought you would. That’s something I got from Into This River I Drown and from TJ and Eric’s personal story, and I think it’s something universal: keep your eyes and heart open, because The One might be someone you’d never notice otherwise.

Thanks for reading and for supporting Grand Adventures! You can find me on Twitter (@JohnAmory) or on GoodReads. Feel free to drop a line! Happy reading!

About John Amory:

John Amory is and always will be a hopeless romantic, which he blames on watching too many episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 growing up. He began writing stories and poems as a child, continuing through high school. He put writing on the backburner for a number of years, during which time he finished both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English, and is thrilled to be creating again now that he knows what “free time” means.

In another life, John is a newly minted college professor, as well as an actor/director/choreographer/playwright whose work has been performed in New York City and elsewhere. He is also obsessed with television and keeps two blogs on the subject: one for general reviews and comments (faketvcritic.blogspot.com), and one devoted solely to So You Think You Can Dance (cuttingsytycd.blogspot.com).

Feel free to drop a message here or on Twitter to say hi!

Twitter: @JohnAmory

Goodreads: John Amory

Sophie Bonaste:

1. Tell us about your contribution to the anthology.

My short story is called When Friendship Becomes More.

Here’s the official blurb, because it explains the story better than I could:

Despite their differences, Jamie and Roy are not only college roommates, but best friends. What Jamie doesn’t know is that Roy has had a crush on him for years. When Jamie realizes Roy’s feelings during a camping trip with friends, the attraction will either prove mutual, or it will tear their friendship apart.

I’m really proud of this short story. It has moments that will make you laugh and cry. I hope everyone out there loves it as much as I do.

2. What is your favorite TJ and Eric memory?

Well, I haven’t been lucky enough to meet TJ or Eric in person. But I remember reading the news of TJ’s proposal in October of last year. I was instantly touched by the obvious love between the two men. It may not have been a showy proposal like that Home Depot one that went viral a few months ago, but it was one of the most love-filled proposals I’ve ever seen. And isn’t that what’s really important?

3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?

When I heard about the anthology it was a no-brainer. I knew I had to help TJ and Eric in any way I could. And since writing is one of my favorite things to do anyway, it was a win-win.

4. Do you have anything to say to TJ and Eric?

I just wanted to say that you two are both some of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I wish you only the best as you go forward. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!!!

About Sophie Bonaste:

Sophie Bonaste is a novelist who never set out to be a novelist. As a child, she wanted to be a Broadway actress and spent her childhood in numerous productions. But when adulthood set in and reality took over, Sophie chose to up the theater for a steady paycheck and instead turned to writing as a creative outlet. She stumbled into the M/M genre through fanfiction and never looked back. Sophie is quite happy with her change in artistic expression and doesn’t plan to stop writing for a long time.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Sophie is an avid fan of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. (Sophie is a member of the Slytherin house, for those who were wondering.) Sophie also spends many hours watching and re-watching nerdy television shows. When she is not obsessing over the latest and greatest in nerdy entertainment, Sophie can be found screaming at her television during American football games. (Go Pack Go!) Sophie currently lives in Pennsylvania, about twenty minutes from her childhood town of The Middle of Nowhere.

E-mail – sophiebonaste@gmail.com
Twitter – @SophieBonaste
Facebook – Sophie Bonaste
GoodReads – Sophie Bonaste
QueerTown Abbey – Sophie Bonaste
Amazon Author Page – Sophie Bonaste

If you don’t want to talk, but you want to read more about my works, please use these links.
Harmony Ink – Sophie Bonaste
Dreamspinner Press – Sophie Bonaste

GIVEAWAY!

20″ x 26″ (image size: 16″ x 24″) signed & matted print of the Grand Adventures cover
Grand Adventures Paperback
$30 Dreamspinner Press Giftcard

Starts: 12:01 AM EDT on 29 Mar 2014
End: 11:59pm EDT on 8 April 2014

Just click the link & enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to visit the other blogs on the tour!

Holding on to Hope by Sid Love, Promo Spotlight, Giveaway & Review

Hey guys, today we bring you new author Sid Love and his first release Holding on to Hope. Sid is even doing a great giveaway where five lucky winners throughout the blog tour will have a chance to win an ebook of Holding on to Hope and there is even the chance for one really lucky reader to win $25 (about £15 in UK cash) Amazon Gift Card, so stick around and have a gander at the book and review… oh and don’t forget to click on the Rafflecopter link for a chance to win! 🙂 ~Pixie~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sid Love grew up in one of busiest cities in the world, Mumbai, listening to the excerpts of Indian epics from his father every night. While it served as an inspiration back in time, he has always had an ambitious mind. In 2007, when he had just turned sixteen, he decided that he would make his lifelong dream come true—to become a well-known, respected author some day.
Ask him and he would refuse to accept that he is obsessed with books. Or movies. Or TV shows. Addicted may even be the right word. He is a die-hard fan of Jane Austen’s romance novels and loves to reread them time and again.

You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sid.love.16?ref=tn_tnmn or tweet him anytime: https://twitter.com/FatefulMercy, or simply e-mail him at sidlovethewriter@live.in.

BLURB: Bradley Parker has waited twenty years for Mr. Right, and on Valentine’s Day, he finally finds him. It’s love at first sight, and Brad even loses his virginity to the man of his dreams. But when he wakes up the next morning unable to remember anything—even what the man looked like—his best friend, Leslie, is convinced he imagined the whole thing. Brad knows he didn’t make up the best night of his life, but he has no idea of the danger he’s putting himself in as he struggles to recall the details of his perfect man. His search may lead him to parts of New York City he never dreamed existed and a war being waged in the shadows.

EXCERPT:

“Okay, remember how I said it is huge?” Brad finally spoke, and Leslie nodded her head to let him know she was all ears. “Well, it is. Last night, something happened, something unimaginable… beyond any of my wildest dreams. I never thought….”

“Brad.” Leslie yawned. “To the point, please. I don’t have all day.”

“Okay, all right! What happened is….” He paused, plastering a big grin on his face. She tried very hard not to roll her eyes, letting him tell her at his own pace. “Last night, my dear, I finally got laid!”

When he broke the news to her, Leslie’s subsequent yawn was cut short by the initial shock she went through. Her body jerked forward, now fully awakened. There wasn’t any amount of caffeine that would have made her feel as lively as she felt at that moment.

This was definitely huge, and not just for Brad. Over the years, Leslie had constantly tried and consequently failed in hooking him up with several guys. Bradley Joseph Parker had the arrogance of a drag queen, she thought. He was too picky when it came to dating and relationships; never wishing to settle for anything less. He dreamt of a guy whose mere presence would take his breath away, who would be so handsome that every girl and every gay guy in the world would yearn to have him in their lives. “Such a guy would only belong to me, holding my hand in a roomful of envious people,” he would say with a smirk. “I would look around and say to them ‘Suck it up, bitches! He is mine!’”

Brad had wasted years with these stupid fantasies, and he had remained a virgin. So Leslie never thought the day would come when Brad’s whining would ever end.

But it had. And Leslie thought she would faint, even with the adrenaline rushing through her veins.

“Wha—?” She became aware of the fact that she had left her mouth hanging open for too long and shut it immediately. A smile crept across her lips, getting bigger by the second, and it turned into a cheek-hurting grin. “Oh my God! Shut up. Seriously?” She quickly sat up, hopping on the bed to cross her legs.

“Very seriously, Les.” Brad’s cute face beamed with wonder and excitement. Leslie couldn’t blame him. She remembered the day she had had sex for the first time, and even though it was a while back, she couldn’t forget the bliss she’d felt after finally losing her virginity or the hunger she felt for getting some more. Leslie was ready to bet that Brad was experiencing similar whirls of emotions in him.

“Last night, on Valentine’s Day…?” she asked.

Brad gave a nod. “On Valentine’s Day.”

“That’s so funny.” Leslie laughed out loud. Even though Valentine’s Day never meant anything to her, something this huge happening to her best friend did force her to consider it a special day. “Okay, you have to tell me everything, dude! Don’t leave out a single detail. I don’t care if it’s too much information. I just have to know. How long has this been going on between you two?”

Brad laughed. “Not too long. I just met him yesterday.”

“And you slept with him already?” Leslie’s mind was drawing up the picture of the perfect guy in her imagination, a guy who had managed to entice someone like Brad in such a short time. She was sure he would be down-to-earth, with an impeccably charming personality. “Way to go! I won’t deny it; I like the spontaneous Brad. Who is this guy, by the way? Do I know him?”

“No, you don’t.” His smile wavered a bit.

“Well, what’s his name?”

Leslie watched him hesitate for a moment. “I… don’t know.”

It took her by surprise.

“I think my devilish side just had a mind-blowing orgasm. You not only have sex with a guy for the first time, but you are also telling me it was simply a one-night stand?” She put her hand over her heart and mockingly said, “Mama Les is so proud of her boy!”

“But Les,” he knitted his eyebrows together as he stood up and came over to sit by her side. He took hold of Leslie’s hand, and she felt his grip tightening when he said, “It wasn’t a one-night stand. Definitely not, uh-uh.” He shook his head, and she immediately wondered if he was trying to convince her or himself. “It was special to me, and I could tell it was special for him too. Why else would he go to extremes to make that night an unforgettable memory? He lit up hundreds of scented candles in the room for me, and there were rose petals all over the bed where we did it.” Leslie didn’t miss the blush forming on his face again as he spoke. “There was champagne, sweet music, and he was a perfect gentleman. He kept asking me if I was sure about this.”

“WOW! Sounds utterly cheesy to me….” Leslie said, although she was quite impressed by all of it and maybe a bit jealous too.

Brad let go of her hand and sighed. “It was damn romantic.”

Leslie moved her gaze around the dorm room, scrutinizing it. “I am guessing it wasn’t here you did it then?” She inquired, turning to face him and watched him slowly crossing his legs like she had.

“No, he took me to his place.” Brad had his mouth open to probably add something more, but he stopped abruptly, scrunched his nose up, and glanced at her with some doubt. “I think it was his place… I don’t know. Where else would he take me?”

Leslie noticed uncertainty, even when he shrugged. What Brad was saying didn’t make any sense to her. “The champagne! Did you have too much of it?”

He frowned. “God, no! Why would I want to give him the impression I’m an idiotic drunkard on our first meeting?”

Of course she didn’t believe him. “Right, says the one who’d put Britney Spears to shame with his underage drinking. Seriously, dude, I’ve had to pick you up in a drunken state from God knows how many parties by now. So don’t shit me by saying you didn’t have any amount of alcohol in you last night.”

Brad reddened and carefully said, “I may have had a little bit of alcohol.”

Typical. Leslie rolled her eyes. “Weren’t you at Ian’s party last night?” She tried to keep her face straight as she asked. The party he had gone to was for all the single men and ladies from their college. Leslie knew exactly how that turned out every year by the end of the night.

He gave a nod in reply.

“Well, maybe you did it at his place?”

“No, it can’t be because we were partying at a nightclub last night.”

“Since when do nightclubs allow in a bunch of twenty year-olds?” she asked, certain they must have been stopped at the door for IDs. She couldn’t say about the others, but Brad’s cute baby face did give away his age.

“They don’t, but Ian somehow knew a few guys working at this nightclub that we went to, so we were able to sneak in.” He grinned.

Leslie suddenly wished she could have joined them. “Lucky you!” Now she couldn’t wait for May to arrive; that was when she turned twenty-one. She had been planning it in her mind forever. “So you met this mysterious guy in that club?”

“Yes, I think so.” Brad chewed on his lower lip.

“Well, what did he say to you? What did he look like?”

Brad turned sorrowful. “If I only knew….” He hung his head down and began to pull on his hair. “Fuck, Les!” He yelled, then looked up, scowling at her. “I can’t seem to remember any of it. The only thing that has managed to stay stuck in my memory is the mind-blowing sex that I had with him. I even remember all the positions we did it in, and God, that guy has the stamina of a wild lion, I tell you.”

BUY LINKS: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4633

Title: Holding on to Hope

Author: Sid Love

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Short (68pgs)

ISNB: 978-1-62798-612-0

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14^th February 2014)

Heat Level: Nil

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 – 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Bradley Parker has waited twenty years for Mr. Right, and on Valentine’s Day, he finally finds him. It’s love at first sight, and Brad even loses his virginity to the man of his dreams. But when he wakes up the next morning unable to remember anything—even what the man looked like—his best friend, Leslie, is convinced he imagined the whole thing. Brad knows he didn’t make up the best night of his life, but he has no idea of the danger he’s putting himself in as he struggles to recall the details of his perfect man. His search may lead him to parts of New York City he never dreamed existed and a war being waged in the shadows.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4724

Review: Leslie’s best friend, Bradley, has saved himself for the man of his dreams and he finally finds him on Valentine’s Day. Bradley falls head over heels for the man but all Bradley can remember is the fantastic sex, and with the little clues he can remember he convinces Leslie to help him track the mysterious man down. Leslie isn’t thrilled but helps her friend and when Bradley heads into danger as he searches for his perfect man, Leslie isn’t sure if Bradley’s perfect man really is perfect.

This is a great little short story that takes Vampires back to being the scourge of the Earth; it gives us a fresh twist for the dhampir’s and it has a love story with a forgotten man and a desperate search for true love. Brad seems to be a character full of life and when it comes to the love of his life he strives for perfection, when he half remembers the night before he knows that his perfect man is within reach. Ronan wants what Brad could give him but the danger is too great so he does what he has to do to keep Brad safe, even if it means being forgotten.

This story has great potential which was missed out on because of character perspective; the paranormal storyline could have been much more exciting and effective if the perspective had shifted to the characters directly involved. The love story aspect was really good (but again slightly missed its mark with character perspective) with two men longing for the other but circumstances preventing their love from being fulfilled, with Ronan always having to watch as Brad walks away forgetting him and Brad always longing for his perfect man, never knowing he had already met him.

So I should let you all know that this story is all from Leslie’s perspective which I found dampened the story, we never once really get any emotions or feelings off either Brad or Ronan; what we get is Leslie’s interpretation of their feelings and I also felt like I was missing out on the paranormal aspects of the story because it was from Leslie’s view point. Never once did I feel the rush of emotions that Brad must have felt about finally finding his perfect man, I didn’t feel his despair over not remembering his face and I never felt the fear he must have felt over the situation he found himself in… and all that was also mirrored by Ronan… I felt cheated by only having it from Leslie.

I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, an interesting paranormal storyline, a new relationship with a twist, brilliant friends, and looking at a new relationship from the outside.

GIVEAWAY

Tourwide – 5 E-copies of the book

$25 Amazon GC!

Click for a chance to win a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE TOUR SCHEDULE
10th – The Blog of Sid Love – Spotlight
     – Andrew Q. Gordon – Author Interview
11th – MM Good Book Reviews (Pixie) – Promo Spotlight + Review
     – Sue Brown – Guest Post
12th – Joyfully Jay – Guest Post
     – Rhys Ford – Promo Spotlight
13th – Live Your Life, Buy the Books – Promo Spotlight + Review
     – Rick R. Reed – Guest Post
14th – The Novel Approach (Lisa Horan) – Review
     – RJ Scott – Promo Spotlight
17th – Mrs. Condit & Friends – Promo Spotlight + Review
     – Madison Parker – Guest Post “Valentine’s Day”
18th – Prism Book Alliance – Author Interview
     – Alicia Nordwell – Promo Spotlight
19th – Pants off Reviews – Review
     – JP Barnaby – Guest Post
20th – Elisa Rolle – Guest Post
     – Cate Ashwood – Author Q&A
21st – Kimi-chan – Review
     – Cody Kennedy – Promo Spotlight
24th – My Fiction Nook – Promo Spotlight + Review
     – Charlie Cochet – Guest Post
25th – Book Reviews & More by Kathy – Interview
     – Elin Gregory – Promo Spotlight & Interview
26th – Sinfully Sexy – Monique – Guest Post
     – Michael Rupured – Guest Post
27th – The Blogger Girls – Promo Spotlight
     – Z A Maxfield – Promo Spotlight
28th – Fallen Angel Reviews – Spotlight + Review

Full Moon Gamma by Jackie Nacht, Review & Giveaway!

Well today we have a special treat for all you readers, Thommie has been doing some schmoozing and has Jackie Nacht stopping by for a brief visit with an incredible giveaway, I will leave it up to Thommie and Jackie to tell you all about Full Moon Gamma and what you can win. So read the review and enter the Giveaway and good luck guys. *hugs* ~Pixie~

Hello everyone, Thommie here. I’m here today with the help of my Book Goddess and aspiring Universe Conqueror, Pixie, to introduce you to my favorite series Moon Compound and the release of its new installment Full Moon Gamma.

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Now all of you, who know me, know that I have a serious love for wolves and shifter stories. One of my favorite ever since they started was Moon Compound with their first knock out the Full Moon Lockdown Full Moon Lockdown review. It was apparent that this series was going to be my undoing, but then again I said to myself “Thommie, wait it out, they usually get boring”.

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So I waited and out came Full Moon Feral Full Moon Feral review and while the pace there went a bit slower, the story didn’t fail to intrigue and make me bounce on my toes in anticipation of the next one.

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Still I felt reserved, but now came the newest baby, Full Moon Gamma, and ok, I’m throwing my towel and pledging my eternal servitude because I’m officially well and truly captivated by this series. That said I’m going to leave you at the hand of the wonderful Jackie Nacht and her special surprise for you today.

Jackie Nacht:

Hi Everyone!

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First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thommie, Pixie and Portia for having me on today. Second, I’d love to have some fun and do a giveaway today to celebrate my new release of Full Moon Gamma. Plus shhh, this is a secret, but it’s my birthday today as well. Don’t tell anyone! Here’s the prize and how to enter. Winner will receive a $10 Amazon card and choice of pdf backlist of one of my books. How to enter: Just leave your email addy and name below to enter. I’ll pick the winner on January 21st.

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Have a great day and good luck!

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Jackie Nacht

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Where a little love goes a long way.
YA LGBTQ and M/M Romance Author
Published at Devine Destinies and eXtasy Books
http://www.jackienacht.com/

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Excerpt:

Malach, Ripley and Lukas were waiting for him at the front door. Malach opened the door.

“Ready?”

Rayce nodded and led the team out.

They climbed into the vehicle and drove off. Malach drove while Ripley sat in the passenger side, giving directions to the bar. He should be focusing, watching where the hell they were going, but his mind was back with Peyton. Gripping his hair, he felt like pulling the damn strands out.

Malach stared back at him in the rearview mirror. “Do I need to turn around?”

Rayce really fucking thought about it. “No, but tonight, get someone else down here. I’m a weakness.”

Ripley turned in the front seat. Rayce remembered how powerful that feral was. “You better get your head out of your ass. We’re all counting on you, and my mate is counting on you. Hell, yours, too. Think of that and that’ll be all the focus you need.”

For someone thrust into this world, Ripley had more insight than anyone else in the car. Ripley knew the right words to say to bring Rayce’s mind back on the mission.

The drive was short, a mere five minutes. The place was off to the side of a road and there was a guy standing outside checking identification. They all exited the vehicle as one.

“That normal?” Rayce nudged Ripley.

“That’s the same guy I’ve seen every damn time I come here. Can’t believe he’s still working here.” Ripley cracked his neck. “Are we ready?”

Malach stared at the bouncer as well. “Is everyone armed?” he whispered.

“Just knives and daggers,” Rayce murmured.

Lukas nodded. “Same here.”

Malach eyed the door again. “Be ready for anything.” He turned and led the group and Rayce took up the rear.

The man at the door was human, but to Rayce, he appeared crooked as hell. Ripley nodded and handed over his ID. Thank gods, Malach had thought to get one made up for him when they planned the recon mission last week and that they had the connections to get one made.

“Ripley, been awhile.” The bouncer handed Ripley’s identification over.

“Yeah, been busy,” Ripley said smoothly. Rayce was impressed. The guy didn’t so much as pause.

The bouncer checked all their licenses and then they were waved in the bar. The lighting was shitty, and voices could be heard even in the hallway. They walked as a group and turned the corner.

Malach halted in his tracks, and Rayce immediately stopped and scanned the area.

Holy fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned and focused on them. All black soulless eyes. The entire room was hellhounds. The entire fucking room.

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Title: Full Moon Gamma

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Series: Moon Compound # 3

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Author: Jackie Nacht

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Genre: Paranormal / Werewolves

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ISBN: 978-1-77111-797-5

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Length: Novella (142 pages)

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Publisher: eXtasy Books

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Heat Level: Low~Moderate

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Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts

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Reviewer: Thommie

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Blurb: When Rayce finds he has two paths before him, the unknown consequence is the only alternative to help the man he loves survive.

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Rayce is sent on a recon mission to find out if hellhounds are in Lansing. What he discovers on his way is his mate, Peyton, has followed him into the very heart of danger.

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Peyton has loved Rayce from the moment Rayce saved him. He knows he probably shouldn’t be following Rayce, but the instinct driving him to protect the man he has already fallen for causes him to go recklessly into the city. All is not as it seems, and Peyton will have to find strength to survive for not only himself but his mate and friends as well.

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Authors note: This may be read as a standalone book however for better reading enjoyment, it is advised to read the series in order. Thank you!

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Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/full-moon-gamma/

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Review: I am NOT going to reveal this story or talk about the blurb or give away spoilers. One must read it and feel the full impact of this story without anyone spoiling it or taking away from the tension that surrounds you the entire read. But I am going to tell you my opinion on Full Moon Gamma.

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I knew it, I knew it the first time I laid eyes on the series that I’m going to get hooked. I knew it. But Sweet Mother of Hades, this is beyond good. I love, love, LOVED this book. It was painful, it was horrible even, it was explicit to the point I felt the welts on my own flesh and the pain wreaking havoc on my own body. Add to that the emotional break-down of a mating pair being slowly torn apart and I had a lump the size of an elephant on my chest for mostly half the read, and yet I loved every single moment of it. But it was incredibly painful reading the story as it unfolded. Even as I knew it’s all going to be well in the end, even as I saw how and where the help was going to come from. And oh my god, can you believe I felt sorry for the “helper”? At some point I wished for him not to be able to feel, because damn, his inner turmoil dealing and coping with those emotions must have been HELL, which by the way I can barely stand to wait for his turn and story.

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I just, oh dear me, don’t you just love it when a book makes you forget everything and lets you immerse in its clutches and just get lost in it. There are no words to describe the wicked idea behind this story and how brilliant I found the Gammas. You know, up until now we’ve only seen the Alphas and Omegas. In Brendan’s case we literally witnessed how important the Omegas are for balancing their Alpha mates. But the Gammas are seriously incredible. They just plain rock, and the possibilities they bring in the overall lore are numerous. They are like superheroes. Yay for the Gammas people! In a way this book feels like a crossroad or a stopping light after which the party begins. It’s like all three books together up until now slowly gathered they basics of the core story while simultaneously introduced us with the core players and now that the chess game is set up and every piece and pawn taken its place the battle can begin. It’s plain brilliant, it’s amazing how a series can evolve with each installment, how it’s not only about the “couples” and their sex life/mating, but there is a deeper story in there, one that hooks you, and drives you crazy, enthralls you and makes you a slave of it without you even knowing it until it’s too late. Yeah! I’m a captive of this series and never want to escape.

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Have I gone on too much? I feel like I can talk and talk forever and words will keep on coming. Not so sure they make sense though. If you haven’t read the series, you probably have no idea what the heck I’m babbling about, but there I can help. I strongly urge shifter-lovers out there to go ahead and make the jump. Dive in the murky and dangerous waters of Moon Compound series, let this lore take you in an incredible journey filled with action and adventure, love and want, and a tale that will rock you and make you see shifters with a whole different perspective. You might get a bit addicted and feel differently for other shifter books out there after this, but that’s not a bad thing.

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Now I seriously need to stop reading for a while and get my brain back in track, or go and re-read the series from the beginning… Hmm, choices, choices…

Strongly, wholeheartedly, blindly recommended!

p.s.
Daegal and Oren… ugh… uhm… yeah, their story is going to be… fun? Well, it does start with a heartfelt “I hate you”.

A big Happy Birthday to Jackie and may you have a fabulous day!

And with that I leave you to the fantastic world of Moon Compound! Have fun!

Thommie!

Samhain by Pelaam

Title: Samhain

Author: Pelaam

Genre: Fantasy/Halloween

Length: Novella (64 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (Oct 26^th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb Robert must care for his niece, Aimee, who is unaware he’s a witch of light. Darkness seeks to use her against him. On Samhain, the forces of light and dark will clash. Who will be the victor?

Robert unexpectedly finds he has to care for a niece he hasn’t been allowed to see in over a decade. Aimee is unaware that he is a Witch of Light, or that he even has a male lover, Leander, who is also his familiar. As Samhain approaches, they have to find a way to complete their ritual while not revealing their true selves to Aimee.

Angry at being sent to stay with a man who hasn’t been in contact with her since she was a baby, Aimee is a target for the dark forces that seek to destroy Robert’s forest sanctuary.

On Samhain, darkness and light will clash. Who will emerge victorious?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/samhain-ebook-p-60438.html?zenid=36fcaf8575303c405ca23e2a0f608ea9

Review: Robert’s sister sends his niece to stay with him a few weeks on a blood-bond, that he can’t let his niece know he is gay. This is a problem’s since his lover and husband lives with him they live in the middle of the woods and there is another reason I won’t tell you but it has to do with Samhain.

I loved this story. It was fun intriguing and sweet. I loved the intrigue that ensued between him and the witch of darkness. I also liked the way Aimee just fit in as much as she rebelled. I think this is a very fun story for a quick, fun, Halloween read. So grab a popcorn ball, cup of cocoa, and enjoy!

I recommend if you like Dark witches, light witches, familiars, fairies, rebellious teens and sex-magic.

Peek-A-Boo by Andrea Speed

Title: Peek-A-Boo

Series: Josh of the Damned #2

Author: Andrea Speed

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Short (12 pages)

Publisher:Riptide Publishing (January 9^th, 2012)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:As night-shift clerk at the go-to Quik-Mart for monsters with the munchies, Josh Caplan believes he’s seen it all. Battling lizard men, werewolves chasing cars in the parking lot . . . nothing fazes Josh anymore.

Or so he thinks, at least, until a yeti with poor communication skills drops a dead skunk on the checkout counter. Josh can’t figure what a living, breathing shag carpet wants with him, or why it won’t leave him alone no matter how hard he ignores it. But hey, at least it seems harmless . . . if perhaps a little slow on the draw.

But Sasquatch is plenty fast when two of Josh’s human customers try to out-monster the monsters. Times are strange when creatures from the hell portal save the day, but in the protective hands of a lovesick yeti and a sexy vampire boyfriend, Josh realizes that maybe his new normal isn’t so bad after all.

Purchase Link: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/peek-boo-josh-damned-2

Review: This is the second story in the Josh of the Damned series. Its only 12 pages but wow what an awesome 12 pages. Warning! You will definitely want to go and get the entire series…

Josh works at a Quickie Mart on the night shift. Not many people will take the night shift since all the night creatures started pouring through the portal. But josh loves his job and met his sort of boyfriend a vampire from it so all is good. He also likes the weirdness, which is a good thing since it’s a lot of weird stuff going on.

This particular night a Yeti comes in and tosses a skunk on the counter. Yes I said Yeti and I don’t mean a sexy man that morphs into a pretty and hot Yeti. This is a real, ugly, Yeti that eats people and skunks and swamp stuff. And one that is crushing on Josh *sighs at the sweetness*

I loved this story. I liked that it wasn’t all sexy shifters and the creatures were real creatures. I like the subtle humours tone. I will definitely be checking out this series since it made me want to see more of why the creatures were coming into the world and oh yes I want more of Josh and Colin!!

If you’re looking for a fun, crazy, sort of sweet, unusual short read filled with Zombies, and other creatures of the night this is definitely for you!

Cruce De Caminos by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

Title: Cruce De Caminos

Series: A Rent Boy Tale (Riptide Rentboys: The 2012 Collection)

Author: Heidi Belleau & Violetta Vane

Genre: Horror, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: Short (51pgs)

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (21^st May 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Addiction drives Sean O’Hara to a critical crossroads. Will he make the right decision, or will the floodwaters bound for New Orleans sweep him away?

Street kid Sean O’Hara never had it easy, but New Orleans has driven him to his knees. His girlfriend’s broken up with him for a sugar daddy, a gun-toting pimp has robbed him of everything but the clothes on his back, and he’s down to his last two OxyContin. Sean’s no seasoned streetwalker, but he’s not above it either, not when he’s already itching for his next fix.

A familiar-seeming stranger named Ángel may be his ticket to some quick cash, but only if Sean’s willing to help him indulge a high-class john’s weird fetish for the night. As Ángel tells him, in this city and this business, you have to get a little weird to survive.

When night falls on the French Quarter, Sean realizes Ángel and the john want more from him than he was expecting to give. What once seemed merely strange soon crosses the line into supernatural and sinister. And Ángel, the man Sean had viewed as a partner and protector, might also be his otherworldly judge and executioner.

Purchase Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/cruce-de-caminos

Author note: “Cruce de Caminos” is erotic horror, not romance, and contains an HFN only by the furthest stretch of the imagination. However, it’s also a prequel to The Druid Stone, coming from Carina in August, which is very much a romance.

Review: Sean is basically living on the streets with his girlfriend and any money they get usually goes towards drugs, food and a bed for the night… in that order. But, then his girl goes off with a sugar daddy and Sean ends up turning tricks for some cash when he loses his belongings. Just when he is beginning to get desperate, Ángel turns up and makes him an offer.

I found this one to be a bit smoky/misty around the edges. As though, you can tell right from the start that this story is going to be different and will have a quality about it that is slightly mystical. Sean comes across as only seeming to do certain things to keep his girl happy. When he meets Ángel, he is given options to maybe turn his life around. But, Sean seems to be on a destruction course, but finally he begins to recognize the signs of his impending doom.

I have to say that I found one or two aspects of this book to be disturbing. Like how Sean was drugged and then he can’t remember anything the next day and then later his girl finds flecks of wax on him… yeah strange. Ángel does pop up a few times seeming to steer Sean, or rather trying to steer Sean in the right direction, but it takes Sean facing his mortality before he takes the first steps.

This isn’t a romance, although there is some m/m aspects in it and some m/m foreplay, there is no sex. This story is actually a prologue for another story for Sean. So, we just get the bit where events change is life and he decides to get clean and do something with his life and obviously it has to do with Ángel and his mystical qualities.

So, I would recommend this to those who like horror, urban fantasy, mystical, the breaking point in a young man’s life and the promise of more in the future.

The Demon Waiter by Laura Tolomei

Title: The Demon Waiter

Author: Laura Tolomei

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal, M/M, M/M/F, M/F

Length: Novella (127pgs)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (15^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Now he had the place. He had the lovers. He had the simultaneous come. And tonight was Halloween

He hadn’t expected it. Not at all. And yet there it was, Laurent De Berger’s heart wish was a…impossible! And to think he had done it by the book, have sex in a dusty ghost town saloon with Anthony and Renée on Halloween night, only to find out…no, he still couldn’t believe it! But since there was no going around it, what to do now?

Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/the-demon-waiter/

Review: Laurent has one true wish and he decides that on Halloween, after searching long and hard for what he needed to perform the ritual, he can now perform it and get his heart’s wish.

I thought this book was okay. The story-line was really good and so was the premise of the plot. I liked that Laurent was starting to want more than just sex and he went about finding a solution in a paranormal way; which left him open to the Demon realm. There is plenty of hot sex with a multitude of partners but even when he meets his soul-mate it doesn’t end happily for him.

Now my problem with this book is that on the publisher’s website it says GAY romance. Yes, that’s right GAY. Now to me GAY means that it is men having sex not m/f or m/f/m but just Gay men having man on man sex. I knew from the blurb that there was a chance of m/f/m for the ritual but honest to god until half way through it was mainly m/f and m/f/m with a tantalizing bit of m/m thrown in. This was a major let-down as I was expecting a gay story. Now that you all know that, it may hit your spot just right but at least you’ll know what to expect. For me by the time it got to the best part I’d already lost interest.

Now that isn’t to say it isn’t a good book because it is. It is interesting to find out why Laurent is so addicted to sex with Renée and Anthony and to see the paranormal world being woven into a great story-line. I also liked the way the story ended leaving it open enough for a sequel, if the author wanted to.

So I will recommend this to those who love m/f/m, dark fantasy, paranormal, m/m, hot sex (and loads of it) and an ending that has you pulling your hair out.

The Regent's Capture by Rebecca Leigh

Title: The Regents Capture

Author: Rebecca Leigh

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal, BDSM/Kink, Vampires

Length: Short (30pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (21^st September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Raden’s heard all the tales about the vampire known as the Regent. As infamous for his power as for his irresistible good looks, the Regent doesn’t care about Vampire Law—he makes his own law. No one dares defy him. He does what he wants, when he wants, and what he wants now is Raden. Captured and dragged to the older vampire’s underground lair, Raden is about to discover the truth behind the tales… and what the tales don’t tell.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2514

Review: Raden’s been taken captive by the guards of the Regent. As he’s forced to walk underground for hours he imagines what will happen to him when he reaches the Regent’s lair… nothing could prepare him for what he discovers.

This is a hot erotic short that gets you hot under the collar. There really isn’t that much that I can tell you without giving the entire story away, so all I will say is that Raden has a submissive’s want that he has never had fulfilled until one night with a human and another vampire. That night comes back to haunt him and now he fears eternal death or eternal servitude await him.

I enjoyed this story as it gives you a bit of suspense in the build-up to the arrival at the Regent’s lair and a good idea as to why Raden is dreading the end of the journey. The Regent has surrounded himself with secrets and lies but longs for that one person who matches his intensity. I felt that even though this is a short story it has a lot of potential if the author ever decided to make it into a novella or novel. Now yes it’s a short and yes you don’t really get to know the characters but the sex scenes more than make up for it and so does the suspense and build-up.

Now who to recommend this to… hmmm… well there is some BDSM and some fantastically hot erotic sex with vampires and some angst, so really what are you waiting for?

Ravyn's Heart by Jana Downs

*A digital copy of this title was submitted to MM Good Book Reviews by the author for review*

Title: Ravyn’s Heart

Series: Ravyn Warrior’s 02

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Alternative World, Demons, Vampire

Length: Novel (176pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (27^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Allasandro, also known as Ally-cat, is a demon warrior with a sense of humor. He’s a legend among his Ravyn warrior brothers and the Demon Prince they guard for his expert pursuit of both male and female admirers. An admitted commitment-phobe, the last thing he wants in life is a “forever” kind of relationship.

The vampire Damian has long since given up on finding true love. Then he meets the cocky Ravyn warrior who ignites his passions like nothing else. He shouldn’t want Allasandro, but he can’t seem to help himself. After living the past decade alone, he’s ready for forever, and the only one who will satisfy him is the one man he shouldn’t desire.

Ally has agreed to look for a boy toy for the vampire on behalf of Damian’s son, Dageus. But the powerful, brooding man that he’s agreed to set up is everything he’s ever wanted in a mate. Damian is breaking his limits faster than he can erect them, and duty and propriety are interfering ever more heavily in their affair. Can Ally commit to the relationship, or is their taboo romance just too much for the warrior to handle?

Siren Allure: Erotic Fantasy Romance, M/M, demons, public exhibition, bondage, sex toys

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/ravyns-heart

Review: Allasandro is doing a favor for his fellow Ravyn Dageus (Kal) when he meets a man who pushes all his buttons. Unfortunately, he also happens to be Dageus’s vampire dad. Damian becomes intrigued by the Ravyn Allasandro and it isn’t long before the sparks and clothes are flying, it’s just a shame that Dageus is against it happening.

This is a great story-line where Ally-Cat finally finds someone who he wants to spend more than just a night with. Ally has been attracted to men in the past but never acted on it; he loves to be the centre of attention and has an out-going personality. Damian is controlling and seems dour, he no longer sings, always having his head buried in spread-sheets, he put his love life on hold when he adopted Dageus and now Dageus wants to find him a boyfriend. What we get from the first with these two men (Damian & Ally) is passionate, intense and kinky, they hit it off great but then a couple of spanners are thrown in.

I must admit I thought that after everything that had happened that Damian’s reaction was quite rational while being un-rational. Ally’s reaction was to be expected as he didn’t want to hurt his best friend or team and then he felt betrayed. Dageus can be a right spoiled brat including throwing royal temper tantrums that really made me wonder if he was really a Ravyn or a Diva in disguise. A well written plot that has left a little something for us to dwell on which hopefully we find out more about in the next installment of Ravyn’s Warriors.

So, if you want conflict, emotional conflict, hot sex, slightly kinky hot sex, tantrums, hints of secrets and a bit of danger thrown in, then I really don’t know what you are waiting for; because this has it all so, go read it and enjoy.

Coyote's Creed by Vaughn R. Demont

*****Favorite Cover Art of the Week*****

Title: Coyote’s Creed

Series: Broken Mirror 01

Author: Vaughn R. Demont

Genre: Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Alternative World, Urban Fantasy

Length: Novel (218pgs)

Publisher: Samhain Publishing (11^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: If con games were taught in high school, Spencer Crain would be on the honor roll. As it is, he’ll be riding the edge of failure to graduation next month. Then Spence gets the news that his long-gone father is not only dead, but was a Coyote, one of three clans of tricksters in the City.

With a near-catatonic mother on his hands, Spence couldn’t care less about the Coyotes’ on-going feud with the Phouka and the Kitsune—until it lands on his doorstep. Suddenly he’s thrown headfirst into a dangerous world he knows next-to-nothing about. His only guide is Rourke, dashing King of the Phouka, plus a growing pack of half-siblings, a god, and Fate herself.

As Spence embarks on a journey to learn the Coyote’s creed, the truth about his heritage, and how to handle his growing attraction to Rourke, he wonders when his life turned from TV sitcom to real-life danger zone. And what price must he pay to survive the next roll of the dice…

Warning: Contains PG-13 rated violence, R-rated language and X-rated hotel scenes. Meta-humor, pop-culture humor, utter disregard for the 4th wall abound.

Purchase Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/coyotes-creed-p-6485.html

Review: Well hmmm what to say, what to say… I loved it, thought it was brilliant, so go out and get it… what? You want me to tell you why, geeze there’s no pleasing some people. Okay here goes… Spencer is an eighteen year old who is failing his classes, he gets the news that not only is his deadbeat dad dead, but he is half coyote as well and that’s when everything changes for him. Rourke is like an uncle to Spencer keeping an eye on him when he was growing up and being there for him if he needed it, when suddenly things change between them when they both least expect it.

This is a well thought out story-line and plot that, to be honest, if someone asked me to describe it I’d make a hash out of it and mess it all up. So I will just say this: there are twists inside twists and plots inside plots, there’s back-stabbing, intrigue, puzzles, tricks and pranks some for the long game but some for the quick pay off. We have the Fates and a God, an ex-Sorcerer, the Phouka, Kitsune and Coyote, a troll and… well I think the only thing that I didn’t read something about was Vampires but I might have missed it (don’t think I did but you never know).

The way this story is told is great, there is always something going on and sometimes you think you are being led astray but it always comes back around and makes perfect sense (sort of like a light bulb moment), it is brilliantly written and I am amazed that there was so much going on that Vaughn R. Demont didn’t lose his way or forget to tie something off. Brilliant.

The relationship between Spencer and Rourke is kinda like May to December in looks anyway as Rourke is described as looking in his fifties but is soooo much older than that… I wonder if that is his real appearance though because he’s the King of the Phouka and it says they are basically immortal. Hmmm, I wonder…, so anyway getting back on track, Spencer doesn’t love Rourke but wants to still be with him. I think that’s for the future books, yeah!!

So if you like any of the above and some really, really hot sex then you need to read this book. I highly recommend this book but as I have said in previous reviews this is my favorite type of genre.

The Cake by A. J. Llewellyn and Serena Yates

Note: When one of the co-author’s found out that their new release, Elemental Superpowers 2:The Blancmange was in queue for review they notified MM Good Book Reviews that the series is a better read if read in order. For those of you unfamiliar with the Elemental Superpowers series, here is a review to catch you up to speed.

Title: The Cake

Series: Elemental Superpowers 01

Author: A.J. Llewellyn & Serena Yates

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel (158pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (4^th April 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Baking the best cupcakes in San Francisco is Daine’s true calling…who knew that the tastiest cakes could lead to a talent for danger?

Phillip Sedgwick is a lawyer who works for an unusual law firm: Arden, Bainbridge, Chinook and Damek is the supernatural world’s most prestigious company, protecting, and often prosecuting, members of the supernatural world for various crimes and infractions. His latest case involves the owner of Fabulous Cupcakes, Daine Paradis, who has been accused of abuse of his superpowers.

Daine is proud that he’s been able to keep his father’s bakery going and has made it a huge success. Weird things start happening, and hard work no longer seems enough to stay in business. When he meets Phillip the sparks fly, but will the two men be able to solve the case before everything goes up in flames?

Reader Advisory: This book contains mouth-watering descriptions of cupcakes and hot references to other foods.

Review: Daine is an owner of a bakery and loves to bake. Someone is trying to sabotage him and he doesn’t know why. Phillip has been sent to investigate claims that Daine is using his superpowers but he soon suspects that Daine is being set up.

Oh I loved this one. There is nothing better in the world than hot men, magic and fabulous cupcakes. This storyline and the world building are brilliant. The mystery that Daine discovers about his father and mother and the truth about superpowers is good and his bewilderment at someone sabotaging him and accusing him of having superpowers is great. I thought the court scenes were incredibly cool and Daine’s discovery of his powers funny.

I thought that they made a cute couple and they seemed to strike sparks off each other that could start an inferno. Seriously hot. Daine is a sweetheart, a very likable character who surrounds himself with nice but slightly whacky people. Phillip is charming, dedicated and honest; when he finds out the truth he does everything to clear Daines name.

I will recommend this to those who love magic, paranormal, hot men, hot lovin’ and a penchant for mystery. Now I’m off to read the second book so make sure you read this one.

Kade and the Captives by Gale Stanley

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

Title: Kade and the Captives

Series: Symbiotic Mates 05

Author: Gale Stanley

Genre: Shifter, M/M, M/M/M

Length: Novella (94pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (15^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A drunken bet with his boyfriend leads Noah to the Wolf Den and a night of wild sex he’ll never forget. But he gets more than he bargained for, when he ends up in the middle of a war between Lycans and vampires.

The pack Alpha orders Kade to seduce the human male drinking in the Wolf Den. Noah is easy on the eyes and Kade agrees, but sparks fly and the Lycan finds himself wondering if he’s been seduced as well. When the Alpha reveals his plans for the blue-eyed blond, Kade wonders if he’ll be able to carry them out.

Review: Hmmm, well errr… Noah lands in more trouble than he thought possible when he is goaded into a dare by his lover and he visits the Wolf Den. Kade is given the task of taking care of the human but it doesn’t take long for him to realize that he cares what happens to the little human. Jesse is worried about his lover when he doesn’t come home and goes looking for him only to find trouble.

This is a great story that is hot in all the right places and keeps you wanting more. Noah feels a connection to Kade but feels guilty for cheating on Jess. , Jesse admits that Kade is hot and Kade admits that both these men turn him on. We have a kidnapping, drugging, danger, a chase through the woods and then a bit of conflict with vampires and I enjoyed all of it.

But… even though this is set in Arcadia City and the Colony, it is more like a side story than a true Symbiotic Mates book as I thought only Lycans and Vampires could have a Symbiotic bond (if I am wrong please let me know). I have a feeling that there will be more of these three men’s story still to come as I really can’t see Christophe leaving it like it is now.

My recommendation is… a definite must read for paranormal fans, those who love hot sex and a semi happy ending? (As they are together but… what does the future hold for them?)

Snakeskin Boots by Xara X. Xanakas

Title: Snakeskin Boots

Series: Were Menagerie 01

Author: Xara X. Xanakas

Genre: Shifter, Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novella (170pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Jeff Cordata has always known wolves can be dangerous. Not that his luck with snakes has been any better. It’s not easy being a were-boa constrictor in a world that worships werewolves.

When the customer he’s been watching for months turns out to be an interested wolf, his first instinct is to flee, but his attraction to Brad Cannidy is undeniable despite the strained relations between their families. Then Jeff’s anaconda ex-boyfriend re-enters his life as a pair of snakeskin boots, the hunt begins for the murderer who is turning weres into accessories, and Jeff will have to decide if a boa and a wolf can really mate for life.

Review: What can I say about this book except it is a fantastic, funny read? Jeff is a Were-Boa who works in a bookstore where he has noticed a certain gorgeous customer for months. Brad is a Were-Wolf who has been haunting a bookshop where the man he fancies works. He finally decided that today will be the day that he asks him out.

Jeff seems to be quite confident except for when it comes to his looks or his love life. He knows he isn’t anything much to look at and thinks that when Brad asks him out has to be on a dare. He also had a very bad relationship with his ex-boyfriend which has left mental scars. Brad wants Jeff and he works to convince him that he is serious.

These two are fantastic characters and they have a great camaraderie and witty banter between them. It’s not instant love but it is quite quick. The sex is spectacular and the feelings are described brilliantly. The storyline is brilliant, the plot is great. We have an assortment of shifters from scorpions to spider monkeys to elephants and then there are the wolves; the majority of which think that they are the best and all other shifter types should be wiped out.

I have to admit that for the majority of the book I chuckled, giggled and laughed and there were one or two moments that were pretty gross (really Xara’s imagination should be kept on a leash) but they added a bit of grit to the story.

I will recommend this to lovers of shifters, hot men, and hot sex, a bit of danger, funny stories and inter-shifter romance.

Maverick's Mate by Lynn Hagen

Note: Review copy of this ebook provided by author

Title: Maverick’s Mate

Series: Brac Pack 01

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal

Length: Novella (94pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (25^th February 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Maverick Brac has formed a pack of his own, naming them the Brac Pack. With fourteen men under him, they all have one thing in common, the preference for men.

Cecil Walter was living a life no one would wish on their enemy in an abusive relationship with his partner with no way out.

Getting away from pack problems and a migraine, Maverick indulges in his one secret love, Chai tea. While in the coffee shop trying to forget the world outside exists for five minutes, Maverick has found what he never thought to have, his mate, his very human mate. Rescuing Cecil from his abusive boyfriend to finding out who in his pack is trying to take Cecil’s life, Maverick has his work cut out for him, but the largest challenge is getting Cecil to come out of his shell and be the man he once was.

Review: Okay, before I start the review I just want to point something out. I am a huge Lynn Hagen fan, I have all her books and I actually pre-order them so I don’t miss one. Now saying that, just because I am a huge fan doesn’t mean that I can’t see the flaws ‘cause I can.

Cecil is stuck in a relationship that he isn’t sure how to get out of when he is rescued. He doesn’t realize that he has just jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Hmmm, maybe towering inferno is a better description. Maverick is thrilled to have found his mate and will do everything and anything in his power to protect him.

I really liked the storyline and thought the characters were brilliant and fun, Maverick is the typical Alpha male and Cecil is not quite as sweet as Maverick believes. Cecil loves his independence and doesn’t want some hulking man to take care of him. These two come together in passion and hot sex and yes, it’s insta-mates and insta-love (very quick indeed). The danger was ok and I thought it was great that we got to meet the mates from the next book. The interaction between all the pack mates is good and I love that the books are fun and cheerful with just a little bit of danger thrown in.

Now although I liked this book some things let it down… namely the proof-reader and editor. I am sorry but the story is choppy in places like there were big bits taken out or inserted in and everything felt like there should have been more to it. There was also spelling errors that wouldn’t get caught by the spell check but should have been caught by the proof-reader. I know that this was Lynn Hagen’s first published work and to expect it to be a little sloppy and I made allowances for that but that does not excuse the editors or proofreaders at all. Seriously, did you read the book or just spell check it?

But after all that, I will recommend this to people who love shifters, hot sexy men, a bit of danger, scorching hot sex, giggling and laughing and a happy ever after. This is a great light read that will have you giggling to yourself like a loon.

Bayou's End by Lynn Lorenz

Title: Bayou’s End

Series: Rougaroux Social Club 02

Author: Lynn Lorenz

Genre: Shifter, Paranormal

Length: Novel (173pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (4^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Peter Graham’s pack threw him out when they discovered he was gay. Ever since then, Peter’s been adrift. Denying his wolf and being the boy toy of a string of older men is all Peter knows. But when his lover brings another man to their bed, and that man abuses Peter, there’s nothing left for Peter but to run, all the way back to St. Jerome, a small town on the edge of the bayou, where he once painted. He meets Billy Trosclair, a deputy and a werewolf, and discovers the town’s secret — the Rougaroux wolf pack. They have a gay man as their alpha who is mated to a gay man. To Peter this looks like home, but he’s not the type of man either Billy or the pack would want.

Not everyone in the pack is happy about the inclusion of gay werewolves, and Peter joining the pack is seen by some as a threat. Can Billy keep his mate safe until he claims Peter in front of the pack?

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, sex in shifted form, violence (date rape, beating).

Review: Peter flees from Darcy after he is abused by a man who Darcy brought to their bed. Peter looks to the only person that might help him, Ted. Billy is covering while the sheriff and Alpha Scott is away with his mate Ted, when a man who has been beaten comes looking for Ted. Billy steps in to help and is shocked to learn that the man is his mate.

I have got to say that this is a well written story with a good plot and a very good resolution at the end. Peter has lost all his confidence, his pack didn’t want him, all the men he has hooked up with dumped him as soon as they got bored with him and now he has been abused and beaten. meeting Billy gave him some hope but he knows that if he wants to have Billy then he needs to do things for himself and getting a job and a place to stay makes him feel proud of himself.

You will love Peter. He is sweet, kind and unsure of himself and you ache for him when he is having his nightmares and when someone tries to set him up. Billy is just the sort of man who you would pick for Peter someone who is strong, sure and understanding; who will stand by Peter and support him and give him the encouragement that he needs, *sigh* a truly loving mate.

The slight danger in this wasn’t over the top and neither was the storyline. The way that it was resolved at the end without a fight or bloodshed was a breath of fresh air. I must admit that Peter’s solution was brilliant and insightful and that Bobby’s level head helped to temper Billy’s rage.

What do I recommend… for those of you who love shifters, hot sex, hot men, a good storyline and a perfect ending to a story then this is the book for you. I also recommend that Ms Lorenz write a story for Bobby and Darcy because I could see that being like a clash of the Titans lol.

Ben in the Shadows by Ellen Ginsberg

Title: Ben in the Shadows

Series: Dreamcatcher 02

Author: Ellen Ginsberg

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novel (160pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (24^th September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ben, a werewolf, has spent a decade being experimented on by a mad scientist. Retreating into a fantasy world to cope with his pain, he eagerly awaits a hero to save him. Jasper, a lifelong screw up, proves heroic in rescuing him, but is convinced of his own ill-worth and terrified he won’t be able to live up to the romantic fantasies Ben has of him.

Once mated, the two broken men gain access to each other’s dreams, where neither man can hide from the shadows of his troubled past, and the skeletons in both their closets threaten to overcome the love they both need so badly. Jasper and Ben are bound together for eternity, but will they find in each other their destruction…or their salvation?

Review: Ben is trapped in the basement of a scientist and dreams of a hero to come and save him. He has it all worked out in his head about how everything would progress… after all he’d seen enough films to know. Jasper stumbles across Ben when he visits Dr. Pierson ex-PHD and Bio-revolutionary about a Miracle drug of epic proportions and discovers the Dr’s test subject is a werewolf and rescues him.

Another fantastic story where we are given more world-building for the other plane, Morgana. We get a closer look at Ben and Jasper this time round. With Ben, you wonder how he isn’t a quivering wreck curled up in a corner rocking back and forth after being held for ten years having experiments done on him. And you really have to admire his determination to have a hero even if that hero is flawed because that was the only thing that kept him going for so long; your heart breaks for him. Jasper is an emotional mess and you really feel for him. What with how he pushed his feelings away after what happened to his parents, it’s not surprising; he tries his best not to give into any of his feelings. and it makes you want to weep at how much shame and disgust that he holds for himself after he went off the rails and how it affects him now with his mate.

A truly wonderful story where you can empathize with the characters and know that it isn’t all a bunch of roses for them but that they actually have to work at it and let go of their own fears and worries. Some fantastic hot sex scenes and angst, and some danger that is pretty freaky.

This has a strong storyline with a good plot that leaves us open for the next book which I guess with be Alex and Jacob’s story. Hopefully, we will find out what happened to their parents for the last 10 years (pretty pleaseJ).

So I recommend this for those who love shifters, hot sex, angst, danger, hot men, a brilliant storyline and a promise of more to come.

The Link that Binds by Dawn H. Hawkes

Title: The Link That Binds

Series: Solomon’s Pride 02

Author: Dawn H. Hawkes

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal

Length: Novel (182pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (24^th September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Jace, a Shapeshifter, is held captive by vampires after a mission gone wrong. A turn of events puts him in close contact with Link, the very same human that facilitated his capture. With Link working for vampires, can Jace cope with the fact that Link just might be his mate?

Link never wanted to work with vampires, but led astray by his curiosity and the promise of money, he is now stuck in a dangerous arrangement he can’t escape. Meeting Jace might be his ticket out. He sure as hell isn’t going to do what the vampires tell him to when they request he find a “cure” that will eliminate all shifters… and use Jace to do so.

Review: Jace is a leopard shifter; he has an M.D. and is currently being held hostage by an insane, off their rocker Vampire. Link is a bar owner who just happens to have his own chemistry lab in the back rooms so he can make special drugs for the insane, off their rocker Vampire.

Jace is a cool character who is snarky with a get stuffed attitude. So what if he has a gun pointed at his head, he’s pissed and will let everyone know it. Link has landed in it up to his eyeballs and must do what the Vamps want to keep others safe. He has no intention of following through with some things though, after all what the Vamps don’t know won’t hurt him.

I thought these characters matched well and suited each other to a ‘T’. I loved the fact that their mating wasn’t easy or all tied up with a pretty bow. I liked that they both struggled with it and that Jace didn’t let Link off scot-free for what he did. The sex between the two is passionate and intense and Jace might be the shifter but didn’t always come out on top. We also got to know more about Jace’s and Solomon’s background which fleshed the series out nicely. So we will hopefully see more conflict in the future.

The storyline and plot were ok but there were a few things that niggled at me and left me unsatisfied, where was the concern for Casey and Zane? Were the Vamps just driving around when they happened upon the kids? And why did it take so long for Link to confess his secret to Jace?

All in all though this is a good read and I’d recommend this to those who love shifters, conflict, danger, a bit of angst, hot sex and a storyline which promises more to come.

Forbidden Mate by Toni Griffin

Title: Forbidden Mate

Series: Holland Brothers 04

Author: Toni Griffin

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal

Length: Novel (173pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (1^st October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: On a trip for his Alpha, Jake is forced into close quarters with the one man he has kept at a distance for ten years. While so close to the man he secretly loves, can he keep his mind on business and off his forbidden mate?

Rick Holland has watched as his brothers settled into mated bliss, quietly dying inside knowing he will never have the same. Rick has lived for the last ten years with the knowledge his mate doesn’t want him. When his brother and Alpha asks him to take a trip, will Rick have the courage to forget his hurt and move on with his life?

Jake Richmond has watched from the sidelines as his mate grew from a surprisingly sexy sixteen years old into a stunningly handsome man. He’s done everything within his power to keep that man safe–aware that his mate believes he’s not wanted but unable to reveal the truth. Can Jake finally let go of the man he loves or will everything come crashing down when the pair are thrust together in their search for much-needed answers?

Review: Jake has stayed as far away from his mate as shifterly (is that a real word? Lol) possible trying to protect him and keep him safe. All the while longing that he could claim him. Rick has accepted that his mate won’t claim him even as he still longs for the other man. Now they are thrown together to do a task for their Alpha. Can they both survive the longing to be together?

A well written story that answered many of our questions… well mine anyway, but still left a few to be answered (maybe a new series involving the Alpha of all of Australia (hint hint)). Rick has waited for Jake to claim him since he was 16 years old and after ten years knows it’s just not going to happen. Jake wants nothing more to claim his mate but knows that if he does his mate’s life will be in danger.

I think this storyline was strong. One mate protecting the other mate, although I was disappointed that Jake took it all onto himself but really what can we expect he’s male lol. I liked that it seemed a bit angsty for the two men and it wasn’t easy for them to spend time together. and I thought that Rick has a core of steel and a very forgiving heart to be able to forgive his mate so quickly. Jake, on the other hand, I thought he was a bit spineless at first because there were a lot of people that he could have turned to who would have helped him out. I found that I began to admire him though and he kinda grew on me.

As for the twist from the last book, yeah the explanation was good but the reasoning for keeping it secret from the packs especially the Alphas is stupid and causes more harm than good. But, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s fiction and to let it go… it’s just a story. That’s how good Toni Griffin’s writing is.

So what do I recommend… this is for those who love shifters, hot men, hotter sex, a good storyline, a bit of angst and a bit of danger.

Chasing Seth by J. R. Loveless

Title: Chasing Seth

Author: J.R. Loveless

Genre: Shifter/Paranormal, Interracial

Length: Novel (215pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (30^th September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Veterinarian Seth Davies comes to Senaka, Wyoming, looking for peace and anonymity, trying to escape his past. He’s always been a target for trouble and pain, and Seth has had more than his share of both. Kasey Whitedove takes one look at Seth and assumes the worst. No white man could love animals the way the mostly Cheyenne population expects, and Kasey makes Seth’s first days in Senaka more than unpleasant.

Then an accident puts Kasey in the uncomfortable position of eating crow—and helplessly desiring Seth—despite the danger of Kasey’s life as a werewolf and Seth’s stressful secrets. Chasing Seth down and keeping him safe from his past has just become Kasey’s most important job.

Review: Another touching angst filled book by J.R. Loveless. Seth has only now started having a semblance of balance after a traumatic event over two years ago. He has come to Senaka for the peace it brings him; little knowing that his life is about to change again. Kasey is the Sheriff of Senaka and he really can’t believe that the old vet sold his practice to a ‘white man’ I mean come on what would a ‘white man’ know about animals except how to hurt, hunt and kill them.

This is quite a controversial story as it has racism and a bigoted attitude by the Cheyenne but not about being gay (no everyone is fine with that). What we have in this story is a firm belief that only the Cheyenne or a Native American could be a werewolf and any person who was white that could change into a wolf is one of the Created and to be hated and feared as well as killed, as they would eventually give themselves over to the wolf and become a monster. Fantastic absolutely fantastic. J.R. Loveless has given us a great story to chew on; one to make us think and to give us a story that isn’t all sweetness and light when it comes to werewolf abilities. A fantastically written storyline and plot that doesn’t give us an easy ride as you will hate and love these characters in equal measure. Although, there is just a little extra sneer from you for Kasey’s father for not telling his pack the truth years ago.

The characters aren’t immediately loveable. They grow on you as you get to know them. With Seth your heart aches when you learn that he has been sheltered from the wolf-shifter world and not even told the most important facts that would keep him safe, the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Created or the prejudice of non-white wolves. I think that after everything that he has been through and now finding a mate who is disgusted with him, that his breaking down and crying every now and again is understandable. He has fear; anger and depression with little hope or joy to look forward to. With Kasey you have a bigot who thinks that the whites are a waste of space and you see his struggle when he finds out that his mate is white and according to him must be a Created One because he’s white. When he accepts the truth you then see his struggle to get his mate to accept him and to be patient while his mate overcomes his fears.

I fully recommend this to everyone who loves shifter and interracial stories because the conflict is good. For those who love hot sex, as it’s scorching and those who love angst and danger… danger with a twist that is.

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