Shiny! by Amy Lane

20613854Title: Shiny!

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Contemporary/Humor

Length: Novel (200 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-62798-655-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 21st, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.75 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Will Lafferty and Kenny Scalia are both having sort of a day. Will is fired for letting fifth graders read Harry Potter, and Kenny finds his boyfriend and his sex toys in bed with a complete stranger. When Will knocks over Kenny’s trash can—and strews Kenny’s personal business all over the street—it feels like the perfect craptastic climax to the sewage of suckage that has rained down on them both.

But ever-friendly, ever-kind Will asks snarky Kenny out for a beer—God knows they both need one—and two amazing things occur: Kenny discovers talking to Will might be the best form of intercourse ever, and Will discovers he’s gay.

Their unlikely friendship seems like the perfect platonic match until Will reveals how very much more he’s been feeling for Kenny almost since the beginning. But Kenny’s worried. Will’s newfound sexuality is bright, glittery, and shiny, but what happens when that wears off? Is Will’s infatuation with Kenny strong enough to stay real?

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4722

Eric’s Review:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

I LOVED this novel. The more I read into it, the more excited I became. Amy Lane truly has the talent to write a fantastic novel.

I found this novel to be so addicting. The characters were realistic and true to the humanity. Every character stood true and amazing. With every situation, I found myself either laughing or smiling. The characters truly understood what it was like to be in a state of mishaps.

The storyline was genuine! The more I read into it, the more I smiled. Amy Lane showed true understanding for writing using transitions from one chapter to the next. She showed just how it was to write a story people would love and enjoy. In the end, I found myself laughing and happy with how it turned out.

Honestly, I would highly recommend her novels. They are great, well written, and beautiful. Go out and get a copy of her novels!

Thommie’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ~ 4.5 Hearts

Shiny! is the newest book from Amy Lane and I had the most wonderful time reading it.

Now I know I’ve said this again and again in the past but seriously, one can’t simply not mention the fact that this author is brilliant. Her mind, her imagination, her view of the world and concepts at large and her incredible penmanship are beyond awe and praise. I have long been a fan of her work and personality so this might sound biased, but every other book I read from her is just another brick in my worship wall.

With this work, Amy Lane delivers an astonishing humoristic romance. Astonishing because “Shiny!” is not merely a title, it is a whole notion, ideas and perceptions people have, and reactions that revolve around those perceptions. Shiny! is the shallowness that we all have deep inside us, especially when we’re young and naïve. Shiny! is what we’re all after, forgetting that it won’t stay like that forever. Shiny! is that temporary glamor that will fade away once it gets used a bit, and it will take with it our investment and interest. Shiny! is an incredibly profound book hidden in the lines of a hilarious romance between two fantastic characters, who manage to charm you with their unique personalities and take you with them through their memories and the story of how they met.

Yes, the narration of Kenny and Will’s love story is a flashback through memories while they tell their favourite friends of what exactly transpired when they met. Trust me when I say that I had a real workout of my belly muscles, I laughed so hard the tears would not stop. This book starts with a shocking bam! It continues to feed you incredible events, takes you through some steady paces so that you can take a breather and enjoy the sweetness it provides, and then it hits you with hilarity and intensity yet again so you can grab you heart for fear it will run wild. No there is no angst here, at least not of the Amy Lane’s kind of agonising angst, though the characters do feel real enough to have their own troubles and stresses. They overcome all of that though with a charming fashion, a sweet and joyful declaration, feelings and emotions that make you swoon.

And if you’re wondering about the “sexy stuff”, come on people, we all know how effortlessly Lane writes love, passion, and pure unadulterated sex. Between the hilarity, the sensuality, and the passion dripping like honey through every line I honestly don’t know what I liked more. It was all fascinating and delightful. Then again, I expected nothing less!

Recommendation: Do I really need to? It’s one hell of a book people. Go grab it and have some quality fun! It was absolutely a most captivating and entertaining read.

On Archimedes Street by Jefferson Parrish

OnArchimedesStreetLGTitle: On Archimedes Street

Author: Jefferson Parrish

Genre: Contemporary/Humor

Length: Novel (350 pages)

ISBN: 9781627982238

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Description:

Just across the river from New Orleans, people cook, eat, ply their trades, pursue their hobbies, and live out their lives in the insulated bubble of Archimedes Street, lined with centuries-old live oaks. Honoria Abbott and Rita Simmons, Redemptorist professors and neighbors, are the salty matriarchs who rule the roost in this small fiefdom. Connoisseurs of M/M romance and aspiring matchmakers, they hatch a plot to awaken two of Honoria’s students to each other’s charms. The first step is to make Dutch and Flip roommates in Rita’s shotgun-double apartment.

Dutch Abbott, a coddled, narcissistic rich boy, is drawn to the down-to-earth Flip, a transfer student with good looks and a pugnacious attitude. Secure in his self-esteem, Flip Abbott starts to question everything he ever believed about himself after he meets the arrogant but undeniably brilliant Dutch.

Little do Honoria and Rita know that their matchmaking will swirl Archimedes Street into the eye of a domestic hurricane, complete with lost cats, teenage longing, shrewd trading of sexual favors, fierce culinary competition, and environmental activism sprinkled with a little white magic.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4380

Review: I found this book to be quite intriguing. The plot was very interesting. The novel actually reminded me of Downtown Abbey and the drama soap operas we find on television when they are mixed together. 

This book just got more and more interesting. The more I read, the more I wanted to know about them all. The beauty of it is how one boy Flip Abbott manages to find out how things work and at the same time he challenges every aspect of what he knows. The more he faces, the more he questions. And it ends up being that much more addictive for the reader.

If you like, society novels, humor, and the life of those that can afford to live in such a life, and then I would recommend it.

Paulie by John Inman

20440302Title: Paulie

Author: John Inman

Genre: Erotic Romance / Humor

ISBN: 978-1-62798-481-2

Length: Novel (200 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 6th, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5~4 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: To the casual observer, Paulie Banks lives the perfect life. After all, he’s young, handsome, and rich. But Paulie has a secret. He’s madly in love with Ben, his old college roommate—and Ben is straight! Now Paulie has arranged a two-week reunion with his three closest friends to rehash their college years and get to know each other again. Jamie and Trevor are coming, along with their new lovers. And to Paulie’s amazement, even Ben has accepted his invitation.

Beautiful Ben. The one non-gay apple in the old college barrel. Paulie will soon find out if Ben has forgiven him for overstepping the bounds of friendship on the last drunken night they spent together.

With his La Jolla mansion spotless, a stunning new houseboy hired for the duration, and his heart pounding in both fear and anticipation, Paulie welcomes his old friends back into his life. Thanks to a whole lot of liquor and a clothing-optional dress code, boy, do the festivities begin!

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4546

Review: And it starts with a humor punch. Did I mention this is a John Inman novel? No? Well, this is a John Inman novel people. It’s hilarious! Period!

The main idea behind the story is one that has been told a lot. Four college friends inseparable, two already in a relationship, the other two can’t ever be because one of them is straight. Yes, this is a pinning for my straight friend story and while I dislike the drama sometimes this concept brings this is not the case.

Paulie has had a crush on his best friend/roommate for years. On the night before graduation, he and his friends get nearly shitfaced, making him lose all inhibitions. The result, an amazing intimate moment between he and Ben, a moment Paulie will never forget because it’s his dream come true, yet a moment that will turn this night of wonder into a night of misery in his memory from that point on. Because that was the last time his spoke with his best friend, the last time he saw him too for the rest of two years.

So Paulie isn’t sure Ben will accept his invitation for two weeks on his mansion two years later. A reunion with his best college friends, and a chance to clear things between him and Ben. A second chance to regaining their lost friendship.

What seems like a heavy idea, an emotional read that might drag you into tears even, is masterfully turned into one hilarious read that will make you laugh hard, gasp for breath, hurt your face with the permanent grin and shake your head to the surreal and overwhelming sexual antics of seven gay men in a wealthy mansion with free pass to booze. The emotional parts are balanced excellently with laughs and giggles, the sexual heat is turned on high, and the satirical vibes spice things up making you have one hell of a ride and thinking hell yeah, I needed this book by the time it’s over.

So here, you have it in a nutshell; you want a book to make you smile and laugh your head off while also being damned hot and sporting some stunningly gorgeous men? This is that book. My only hang up is the fact that the author has a special love about oral, and while that is described adequately, there is not much other action going on, and if there is it’s skipped with light descriptions. Yeah, it’d be nice to see something more on that area in future books.

Overall, this was yet another freaking hilarious book, one I strongly recommend and ensure it will put a smile on your face.

Tread Marks and Trademarks by S.A. McAuley

Title:19096770 Tread Marks and Trademarks

Series:   Team Maker Jock, #1

Author: S. A. McAuley

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novel (200 pages)

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

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Alex Maddox may be a genius. Or not. In thirty-four days, he’ll know for sure. The robot he’s been perfecting for the last four years is finally ready. Alex won’t accept anything less than perfection—if he can keep a broken air conditioner, a flaky twin brother, a thirtieth birthday, and falling for the Norse god of advertising from derailing him.

Christian Lawson is an advertising god. A blond hottie with the beautiful brains to match. He’s worked hard to move past the accident that nearly took his legs, but it’s been years since he let any man get close enough to see just how deep his scars really go.

Christian isn’t the advertising executive Alex expected, and Alex isn’t the coolly confident inventor Christian’s had his eye on for years. But what they discover in each other may just be better than what either of them could have hoped for

Purchase Link:   http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/tread-marks-and-trademarks/#.UtwbWhAo6M8

Review: Two very imperfect men who create a very perfect union. The notion of opposites attract abounds in this story; yet, it didn’t take very long for both men to know that despite their differences, their attraction was more than just physical. Alex is the quintessential science nerd who’s been blessed with more than his fair share of smarts.  He has dedicated his life to a task and now he’s realized it.  Christian is surprising for the reader because who one would expect him to be is not who he is.  And while both men are so different and have not been successful at their relationships, they approach their relationship with a maturity that is refreshing.  Arguments are quickly resolved and they lay their feelings on the table so that they can resolve issues and build a lasting relationship.

The themes of family, trust and loyalty are the ties that bind this book together with the secondary stories of the relationship between Alex and his brother and his partner as well as with Christian and his former lover. These sidebars add layers to the story, which allow Alex and Christian to grow as a couple.  The author uses the strategy of telling the story from the perspective of both men.  He starts first with Alex because their relationship is forged based on a need that Alex has.  The second half of the story is told from Christian’s perspective since it is the obstacles in his life that must be resolved if they are to have a lasting relationship.

The characters are warm and quirky yet serious and lovable at the same time. The story is well paced and very believable. The reader will love Alex and Christian as well as the other couple that provides texture in the story. All in all – a good read.

The Gospel According to Cher by S.A. Garcia

18667365Title:  The Gospel According to Cher

Series:  Cupid Knows Best: Book Two

A Spin-off of Cupid Knows Best

Author:  S. A. Garcia

Genre: Contemporary/Humor

Length: Novel (314 pages)

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (October 18th, 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Hindy Nardella, gallery owner and tidy leather diva, isn’t sure about love anymore. His most-recent ex-lover said “sayonara” and headed for Japan despite a week of Hindy begging him to stay. The man before that bid Hindy “namaste” before heading for Nepal seeking salvation. Hindy will accept advice from anywhere, even a tacky Cupid music box which only plays Cher’s “Believe,” and vivid dreams that compel him to leave NYC and head for the Adirondacks.

Cupid leads Hindy straight to a leather bar in the mountains and an exotic drag queen named Patrice O’Malley. For Patrice, whose near-perfect beauty belies his lack of confidence, its lust at first sight, but Hindy has doubts born of his recent run of bad luck in romance. But when Patrice saves Hindy from death by a falling chunk of airplane blue ice, Cupid slams into Hindy’s heart, and Hindy begins to believe in miracles again. Dangers and challenges arise, involving, among other things, crazy ex-lovers, rampaging mosquitoes, and a phantom moose. But life together waits back in NYC, if they can survive, trust in each other, and believe in life after love.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4280

Review: Hindy hasn’t been too lucky in love. He thought things were great with Tim but then, he started noticing signs of problems. Then one day he saw a cupid in the window of a shop and thought it was giving him signs. Then the dreams started about the mountains making him want to go in the worst way.

After Tim leaves, Hindy goes on an expedition led by his dreams and the broken cupid music box that only plays Believe by Cher. His trek leads him to Patrice a lovely flamboyant drag queen that though isn’t Hindy’s usual type sweeps him off his feet and saves his life. Perhaps more than literally. You must read the book and see for yourself what all they go through it’s a laugh a minute!

This was one of those surprises that grab you and won’t let go. The title didn’t grab me, but after much deliberation and reading the description, I was like why not, sounds cute.  I am so happy I took the leap. This is now one of my favourite feel good stories. I will definitely read this one again and that’s not something I do a lot of since I have so many books on my kindle.

I love Hindy and Patrice. Both men are so out there and funny, not your run of the mill characters. Hindy is flamboyant and very and quite the Diva.  Then in waltz’s Patrice, a drag queen, even more flamboyant than Hindy. The two men were a match made in heaven, though getting there is not that simple. Both men have had bad relationships and problems that come up throwing obstacles in their paths.

I thought the cupid thing was so hilarious. The entire story was funny, sweet sexy and feel-good. I laughed so much I thought I’d cry. I loved Marcel and Carl too. I loved everything about this story. I will be buying Cupid Knows Best, the book this spun off, very soon!

If you like, drag queens, divas, funny, feel-good stories, sweet sensuous and pretty hot mansex and of course, Cupid and Cher this is definitely for you! If you want a story to make you laugh and smile and sigh, to get away from the turmoil’s of real life this is it.

Pen Name – Doctor Chicken by K.C. Burn

PenNameDoctorChickenLGTitle: Pen Name – Doctor Chicken

Series:  N/A

Author: KC Burn

Genre: Contemporary/Comedy

Length: Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 22nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:
♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Sometimes Stratford Dale feels like Doctor Chicken consumes his life. It’s his pen name for a series of wildly popular children’s books. They were his brainchild; he meant for them to be a way to pay his many bills while he pursued his dream of publishing graphic novels. But the Doctor Chicken contract was a raw deal. Instead, he churns out book after book for a pittance, leaving him broke and no closer to his dreams.

Stratford’s dreams of love have fared no better, but he’s still trying. After yet another disastrous date, he’s intrigued by a man going into a cooking class—so he takes the class too. Vinnie Giani is a successful, self-made man, who is charmed by Stratford’s bow ties, sharp humor, and clumsiness—which leads to an opportunity to take Stratford in for stitches. Vinnie is, above all, responsible, having taken on the care of his mother and sisters from a young age. Perhaps it’s natural when he begins to treat Stratford more as a child who needs a parent than as an equal partner. But when Vinnie tries to “fix” Stratford’s career woes—including the Doctor Chicken problem—and ends up making the situation worse, their fledgling relationship may not withstand the strain created by blame and lies.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4395

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: I needed a good sweet contemporary romance with plenty of laughs and this hit the spot. No huge drama here, no major angst, but plenty of humor, dating disasters, bosses that you love to hate, a hot Italian, and an underpaid artist trying to protect his heart.

There were many moments that I laughed out loud, and then later found myself saying “Oh no, he didn’t!” IF I found myself dating some of the jerks Stratford has, I’d give up! A big change from KC’s more serious Toronto tales series, Pen Name Doctor Chicken is all about family, friendships, and finding love. Though I have to say, Stratford’s workplace environment and colleagues leave much to be desired!

Need a Pick Me Up? Pick up this book!

Abracadabra by Christopher Stone

81qOk0D9dHL._SL1425_Title: Abracadabra

Series:  N/A

Author: Christopher Stone

Genre: Contemporary/RomCom

Length: Short Story (40 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (October 29th, 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating:
♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Magic, metaphysics, and a chance encounter with a gypsy fortuneteller, coalesce to irrevocably change three lives.
Christopher Hartman and his live-in, Beau, can’t understand why their successful magician friend, Marco, “Abracadabra,” Scarpucci, is insecure in his personal life. For months, he has been crushing on Sam, a dancer, several years his junior. But Marco can’t screw up the courage to ask him out. Christopher plots, but fails, to successfully intervene.

But when Marco intervenes, convincing Christopher and Beau to see a gypsy fortuneteller, the lives of the three men are irrevocably altered; in a way that changes their beliefs about the very nature of reality.

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

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: A cute short story with a surprising twist of fate! At first, I thought this trio of friends was going to lead to a story of polyamory, but I was way wrong!

When a fun afternoon outing of live theater, lunch and fortune-telling turn into shockingly accurate predictions of Christopher and Beau’s future, they both can’t wait to find out what the gypsy wrote in the note that foretold Marco’s! Only Marco promised not to read his fortune until he arrived home…but before he does, the twists and turns begin with a bang!

A fun short story with a lot of cheekiness packed in.

Twelve Tasks by Theresa Woodson

TwelveTasksLGTitle: Twelve Tasks

Series: N/A

Author: Theresa Woodson

Genre:  Romantic Comedy

Length: Novel (211 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 5th, 2013)

Heat Level: Very Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Routine makes Eliot Taylor happy. He think’s. He goes to work, goes to school, and lives with his two best friends. Except lately, something’s missing. While he’s hangover from New Year’s Eve, Eliot’s friend Jen coerces him into a New Year’s resolution. They agree to try one new activity per month for an entire year.

Each new experience checked off his list, like singing karaoke and bungee jumping, destroys more of Eliot’s comfortable routine. He meets new people. He falls in love. And despite how much it scares him, he learns to love life a little out of order.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4350

Review: It was a nice surprise when I chose this book to read. It took me most of the day to read but it was hard to put down. It was that good of a read. It had a mixture of humor and a sense of desperation and pain that I found easy to get into.

Eliot was basically a sweet guy who had taken to staying home and not dating. That all ended when his roommate and friend Jen had come up with a plan to get him back into real life. The first stop was the gym, where he meets Matt. Now Matt comes off as a complete jerk who doesn’t seem like he could get any better. The more I got into the story the better Matt started looking, and oh boy do you have to really look.

Eliot is a shy and innocent young man who comes off as a clumsy goof that one would make fun of, but he shows the signs of someone you could fall in love with in a snap. He is caring and tender with a heart of gold. Matt when the story gets going he is one that you would follow for sure, that is as soon as you realize he is just hiding how insecure he really is. When Eliot gets hurt, Matt shows a different side of himself, by rushing to help him and take care of him.

I loved that Eliot’s friends Jen and Pete. The connection and friendship they have with Eliot and their desires to see their friend happy. And Matt’s friends and stepsister gets into the whole thing when they realize Matt’s got it bad for Eliot.

I look back, as I do with most of my books, to see if the characters are just as strong after reading a story, as they were when I was reading the book. I conclude that Eliot and Matt will always be in my mind. This story came off so strong and was written with such a flare that I loved it. Even after a rough time in his life, Eliot was willing to make his friends and roommates happy. Their New Year’s resolution is really almost an intervention — one that ends up working.

The characters come off so real and just believable. It is just so sweet and tender, with a bit of humor added in. Actually, the whole story was funny as all get out. Eliot’s fear of getting close and Matt’s own fears are a way that pulls them together. There are kisses and touching but not much in the sex, which actually makes this an even better book.

This story amazes me and I will definitely be reading this story more than once.

Serenading Stanley by John Inman

SerenadingStanleyLGTitle: Serenading Stanley

Author: John Inman

Genre: Contemporary / Humor

Length: Novel (234 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 14th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Welcome to the Belladonna Arms, a rundown little apartment building perched atop a hill in downtown San Diego, home to the city’s lost and lovelorn. Shy archaeology student Stanley Sternbaum has just moved in and fills his time quietly observing his eccentric neighbors, avoiding his hellion mother, and trying his best to go unnoticed… which proves to be a problem when it comes to fellow tenant Roger Jane. Smitten, the hunky nurse with beautiful green eyes does everything in his power to woo Stanley, but Stanley has always lived a quiet life, too withdrawn from the world to take a chance on love. Especially with someone as beautiful as Roger Jane. 

While Roger tries to batter down Stanley’s defenses, Stanley turns to his new neighbors to learn about love: Ramon, who’s not afraid to give his heart to the wrong man; Sylvia, the trans who just wants to be a woman, and the secret admirer who loves her just the way she is; Arthur, the aging drag queen who loves them all, expecting nothing in return—and Roger, who has been hurt once before but is still willing to risk his heart on Stanley, if Stanley will only look past his own insecurities and let him in.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4258

Review: So, this is the second work of Inman that I’ve picked up – first being Shy – and the main character here is also shy, imagine that! So I think I have to pick up more of this author’s work to determine if he has a thing for shy guys.

 As it is, I loved this story. It had all the humor and hilarity I expected. The story was a mix of events waiting to happen and the main idea here is either that love is catching, or that Belladonna Arms had something about it (it must have been the heat) that made people coupling like crazy.

But let me start with a way that will make sense (if that is even possible). This is the story of how Stanley, a shy guy that has been suffering for twenty-two years in his mother’s loving arms (she is a bit suffocating) has finally made up his mind to go and live on his own. The apartment he finds is on the sixth floor of a lovely building that has no elevator and is hot as hell. The landlord is an enormous mount of a man who could very well be a truck driver (he had the bear look down to a T) if not for the equally enormous taffeta dress. By the time they make it to the sixth floor for Stanley to see the apartment, a rather alarming event occurs causing Stanley to scream for help and the fifth floor tenant who happens to be a nurse come up the stairs running.

There, I said it. That’s how this incredibly hilarious story begins. At this point I want to add that this story is told by an omniscient voice, a storyteller if you will, giving it more the feeling of a tale being told by a very hilarious guy. It also gave you the power of knowing everything that went around as well as people’s emotions and thought. That in itself was not bad for the hilarity of the plot however; I didn’t quite like it when it came down to the romance of the story.

And that bring me to this couple and to the fact that I disliked the hell out of them by the end of the book. It actually started fine, more than that really. Stanley was this funny guy (without him meaning to of course) and the shy persona appealed to. But oddly enough, I didn’t get to see that persona, except when it came to Roger, the astonishingly handsome, gorgeous nurse. Now, I just felt that Stanley had this huge case of tongue-tied when it came to Roger, because with everybody else he displayed no such thing as shyness. It was explained of course the how’s and the why’s, but he just lost that appeal for me there. The second reason I disliked him by the end was the dragging of the story caused by his antics. A gorgeous guy hits on you and you reject him for fear you might fall in love? No, just no. As for Roger, this character was awfully charming till the moment he said I love you and they weren’t even dating yet. Yes! We have a serious case of instant love here, and that was the only reason this book didn’t work so well for me, or should I say the romantic part. I just couldn’t get with this couple at all. Some might say, but you had no problem with instant-love when reading Shy. And yes, I didn’t mind it there because that couple was way above the real of real and the story simply took you in a hilarious ride where you were too busy gasping for oxygen between laughs. As it is the case, while the rest of this story is awfully good – I loved the characters and the Belladonna’s tenants – but it wasn’t enough to take me with it and keep me spellbound.

If however you don’t mind the love at first sight thing, that this book is a lovely romance with a great hilarious backstory to keep you on the balance between love and laughs.

 

Shy by John Inman

16128083Title: Shy

Author: John Inman

Genre: Contemporary/Romantic Comedy

Length: Novel (256 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 30th 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Dating is hard enough. Throw in an incontinent Chihuahua, an unrequited love affair, a severe case of social anxiety disorder, a dying father, and a man-eating hog and it becomes darned near impossible. Still, it takes two to tango—and when Tom Morgan, a mild-mannered assistant bank manager with a debilitating case of shyness, meets Frank Wells, who is straight off the farm and even shyer than he is, sparks start flying.

Just when Tom and Frank’s burgeoning love affair is rolling along nicely, Frank must return to Indiana to oversee the farm while his father battles cancer. Tom tags along to help Frank out and finds himself slopping hogs and milking cows and wondering what the hell happened to his orderly citified existence. And what’s with all the chickens? Tom hates chickens!

With Frank’s help, Tom grits his teeth and muddles through. Funny what a couple of guys can accomplish when they’re crazy about each other. Not even nine hundred chickens can stand in the way of true love.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3424

Review: I remember this book when it was published; I remember thinking “what a nice bum” in reference to the cover – which by the way is a very nice cover – and I remember having too many books to review to pick this one up too.

So months pass and Shy makes its way onto my hands and I start reading it. From the first line till the end, too many feelings and emotions pass through me. Only now that I’m a bit calmer, I am thinking that when a book winks its eye to me I should pick it up ASAP no matter how long my TBR pile is. At this point though there are so many reviews out there for this book that one more won’t make the difference, so instead of a classic review I’m going to go and dissect this book, while I’ll try and hold off the spoilers.

So I’m going to start with the characters of this book.

Tom, our main character and the person whose point of view this story is narrated from, is of course my favorite. He suffers from SAD (social anxiety disorder) and he has a very wandering mind. Why is that important? Well because all those wandering thoughts make it to narration, and while at one moment we’re reading about this very serious event happening, those wayward thoughts make an appearance and ridicule all seriousness. The effect; laughter till you feel the need to change your panties… literally. So back to Tom, who is obsessed with his cheating ex, Jerry, while hates the guts of his ex’s current boyfriend Stanley (the home wrecker/dick), while knowing all the time that he doesn’t stand a chance getting Jerry back, what with his extreme bouts of debilitating shyness. The fact that his “pecker” is huge makes no difference.

Frank: now Frank is Stanley’s brother (can you see the irony and hilarious possibilities?) and he suffers from a more severe SAD situation than Tom. Frank is also gorgeous and really, really nice guy. In short, he and his brother have NOTHING in common.

Jerry; the cheating ex who as the story goes on turns out to be quite stupid as well – that is completely my opinion, others might find him a jerk and so on.

Stanley. The dick! Not my words, I’m simply quoting Tom here for he repeats that quite a lot. Stanley is also known as asshole, but his most outraging characteristic is “mean.”

Now there are other characters in this story, but the one’s that make a strong impact are mostly non-humans.

Pedro, the Chihuahua, whom I would not mind to see strung up from a tree or stomped down by some cow hoofs. I totally hated that Rat-Hellhound so much so that while I don’t want a sequel on this book I wouldn’t mind a short story when Pedro finds a gritty death and not out of old age. The little bugger! Now you might think I’m a bit overacting or mean, you might find redeeming treat for Pedro once you read the story – and grudgingly I admit there are – you might think I don’t love dog (you’d be dead wrong), I don’t really care. This one character came straight from Hell as far as I’m concerned.

Moving on, there was Samson, the hog. I will not comment this character except to say that damn that HOG! He gave me the shock of my life. Or the author did masterfully using Samson for his deviant plans. It worked!

There were also blood-drinking chickens, nasty bumblebees, Grace, the momma-pig and her little piggies (a case that had me thinking “hmmm bestiality? Nahhhh! He wouldn’t…”) and many, many more.

Next stop chemistry and relationship mechanics.

Both main characters here had SAD, so the immediate question that arises is, how realistic is this?

For me this story was so NOT about being realistic that I didn’t even go there. It was pure comedy, sarcasm, and escapism. So if there were exaggerate elements involved (there were) it suited me just fine. It’s what comedy is made of and they made me piss my pants laughing on more occasions than I care to remember.

And that leads to the other issue I usually feel so uncomfortable with, instant love. Tom has this epiphany the very first time he lays eyes on Frank. All his previous obsession with Jerry instantly gone, his panic attacks, while still happening, have become less important because Frank is worse than Tom, and he feels the need to take care of him, ground him/each other facing their common enemy. So while it was quite ludicrous the fact that they saw each other and everything moved in lighting speed, I honestly didn’t notice it. The plot was so full with things happening right and left, the hilarity dripping from every single word I read was so overwhelming, I suppose the tears made it quite hard for me to “see” and get annoyed with the instant little thingy.

At that point, in the book, the plot takes so many turns it would have had my head spinning if it wasn’t so wonderfully written. The ex turns jealous, the brother turns devil incarnate, the setting turns rural from urban, and a whole new range of characters are introduced. The story makes high and lows in the blink of an eye. One moment you’re crying and your face feels like it’s going to have the Joker’s smile for the rest of your life, and the next you get emotional and even a bit sad, because life is just like that, only to get elated once again with the most ludicrous twists you could ever think of.

Now I’m not forgetting the romantic part here. No sir, not at all. It is here where that half heart/star was kind of lost. As I mention at the very start, Tom is quite gorgeous, so is Frank. And while Frank is by no means lacking in the “pecker” department, Tom is constantly pointed out as very, very well endowed. Now, pay attention. The chemistry between these two is brilliant. I loved it. For me it was beyond perfect. But why? Why dear author would you have such a well-endowed character and have him limited to fellatio and hand-jobs? What was with that? The only sex scene that involved penetration in this book was the one between Stanley the dick and Jeff (Frank’s once upon a time hook up). Really? Really? Didn’t that slut have enough he had to get the fun as well? And while we’re reading and reading and patiently waiting for the BIG BANG between Frank and Tom, and personally speaking, I was dying to see them in (anal) action, you go ahead and give us Stanley? What was up with THAT? Ok, so it obviously annoyed me, but rant over.

And all this brings us to the end of this lovely, hilarious story.

Oh My God! No freaking way! That gritty end! I just can’t believe I read that. Oh, God! I freaking LOVED it!

Tell Me It's Real by T. J. Klune

TellMeItsRealLGTitle:  Tell Me It’s Real

Author: TJ Klune

Genre:  M/M Contemporary -Humor

Length:  Novel (350 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 15th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts – More if Portia would let me 😉

Blurb: Paul Auster doesn’t. Paul doesn’t believe in much at all. He’s thirty, slightly overweight, and his best features are his acerbic wit and the color commentary he provides as life passes him by. His closest friends are a two-legged dog named Wheels and a quasibipolar drag queen named Helena Handbasket. He works a dead-end job in a soul-sucking cubicle, and if his grandmother’s homophobic parrot insults him one more time, Paul is going to wring its stupid neck.

Enter Vince Taylor.

Vince is everything Paul isn’t: sexy, confident, and dumber than the proverbial box of rocks. And for some reason, Vince pursues Paul relentlessly. Vince must be messing with him, because there is no way Vince could want someone like Paul.

But when Paul hits Vince with his car—in a completely unintentional if-he-died-it’d-only-be-manslaughter kind of way—he’s forced to see Vince in a whole new light. The only thing stopping Paul from believing in Vince is himself—and that is one obstacle Paul can’t quite seem to overcome. But when tragedy strikes Vince’s family, Paul must put aside any notions he has about himself and stand next to the man who thinks he’s perfect the way he is

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3581

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:   I’m just going to start off by saying how hilarious this book was. It is the funniest book I have read in a long time. I probably laughed out loud over one hundred times and spent almost the rest of the book smiling. I’ve told all my friends it’s a must read. I loved it!  😀

It starts off will a brilliant ramble from Paul in which he basically lays it all out on the table for us. He’s so over the top in the best way possible.  The cast from this book is amazing: Paul superstar drag queen best friend, the beautiful but not so bright love interest, the crazy parents who go way too far with trying to support their gay son, the Homo King jock, and Paul’s nana and her parrot who is totally offensive. Seriously, nobody but a parrot named Johnny Depp would get away with saying the things he says and still manage to make me laugh. There was some serious content but nothing so heavy to weigh down the humorous tone of the book. I’m sure I’ll read and reread this book because I gave up on highlighting every funny thing I came across. There was just too much!

Reading the story from Paul’s POV was so much fun. The way he thinks is so outrageous! His character could have easily been too much but Mr. Klune never let that happen. Paul is little self- conscious and sometimes shy. He has no problem being overly open and vocal with the loved ones in his life but not with sexy stranger way out of his league who won’t stop staring at him at the one gay club in Tucson.  His embarrassing attempt to stay hidden away from all the action doesn’t go so well when his drag queen best friend, Sandy, drags him to the stage for his thirtieth happy birthday song. Up close the stranger is more perfect than he could have imagined and way out of his league. Thinking it will never work out he slips out of the club without talking to him. Apparently the universe is dead set on them meeting because Monday morning the man he can’t stop thinking about from the other night is his new trainee, Vince.

Vince isn’t dumb, but he says some things that would make people think that. He just has his own way of viewing the world. He’s beautiful and kind. Every animal in the book loves him. Vince is totally enamored of Paul from that first glimpse in the club. Every hilarious moment with Paul after only captivates him more. Vince is very open and persistent about wanting a chance with Paul but Paul thinks someone like Vince is too good for him. The only thing standing in Paul’s road to happiness is him.

I’m hoping there is a sequel to Tell Me It’s Real. I just have to know what happens between Sandy and, well, you’ll know who when you read it. This ensemble is just too good for one go around.  I want more! This book will be added to one of my favorites list. It’s an absolute feel good book. I would recommend this book to everyone.

 

too Stupid to Live by Anne Tenino

16149703Title: Too Stupid To Live

Series: #3 of Whitetail series/ #1 of Romancelandia series

http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/series/romancelandia

Author: Anne Tenino

Genre: MM Romance / Contemporary

Length: Novel+

Publisher: Riptide Publishing

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: It isn’t true love until someone gets hurt.

Sam’s a new man. Yes, he’s still too tall, too skinny, too dorky, too gay, and has that unfortunate addiction to romance novels, but he’s wised up. His One True Love is certainly still out there, but he knows now that real life is nothing like fiction. He’s cultivated the necessary fortitude to say “no” to the next Mr. Wrong, no matter how hot, exciting, and/or erotic-novel-worthy he may be.

Until he meets Ian.

Ian’s a new man. He’s pain-free, has escaped the job he hated and the family who stifled him, and is now—possibly—ready to dip his toe into the sea of relationships. He’s going to be cautious, though, maybe start with someone who knows the score and isn’t looking for anything too complicated. Someone with experience and simple needs that largely revolve around the bedroom.

Until he meets Sam.

Sam’s convinced that Ian is no one’s Mr. Right. Ian’s sure that Sam isn’t his type. They can’t both be wrong . . . can they?

Product Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/too-stupid-live

Review: In between battling off the heat and nursing my poor abs that got hurt from excessive laughter this book was a perfect hit in the romance genre for me.

I met Anne Tenino’s writing style with the first book in this series Whitetail Rock and I loved her. It was a short story but it was good. Then came The Fix and even though it was even shorter than the previous one (more like a filler) it was still good. And we meet Sam and Ian there, shortly, but if someone told me that this author would make such a good story out of them I’d laugh and wave it off. As it is, I’m the fool for this story was perfect.

Sam, as I met him, was a weird guy, too much into romance novels, too much expecting life to be like one. He was so encompassed in them I never thought he could see reality, if it hit him in the face. And that was that is somewhat true. Sam is this very tall, very skinny, very awkward guy with a load of issues trailing him. His romantic past, not so romantic, you could even say he’s been awfully used. But then again, the way he sees himself no wonder he doesn’t expect good things to ever happen to him. Yeah, sure, he dreams of mister perfect, and while I roll my eyes at that, mister perfects hits him right in the head… with a rugby ball… and his semi naked…

The moment Sam lays eyes on Ian he’s mesmerized. How could he not when Ian runs toward him half-naked, with only his shorts looking like he came down from the Highlands. Only thing missing is the damn kilt and a sword on his hand. Before Sam could think twice he asks Ian for a cup of coffee… Big, big mistake. A Demi-God like Ian would never, ever, ever go out with him… Right?

Right! Ian is anything but relationship guy. Sam is not even close to being his type and he bluntly tells him so. Better be cruel now and save the kid a heartbreak, cause Ian is far from perfect. Issues with his family have left Ian trying to find his emotional balance and in order to do that he has vowed to stop the pure sex hook-ups and try to find a guy he’d want to be in a relationship with. Not yet, but someday. But Sam? Nah, he’s so not his type.

It’s a stereotype in romance I know, and the plot is pretty much what you think in the beginning. Hot guy meets not so hot guy and falls in love despite him wanting to. That’s the general idea, but, and it’s a big but, Ms. Tenino has an Ace under her sleeve. Her ability to transform a stereotypical romance plot into a perfect, romantic, hot to the boiling point, dipped into humor that is so exquisite you almost never stop laughing your heart out the entire duration of the book, is absolutely, freaking amazing.

Her men are gorgeous and brilliant. Ian is this hard-assed, totally handsome, almost a model guy, ex-fireman with some scars on his back that make him even more sexy, who turns from a guy with emotional/commitment issues to the perfect boyfriend in an almost surreal way. And Sam? Oh God, Sam was a damn crown jewel. Never would have thought it that weird kid could be so funny in his awkwardness and that low self-esteem could be turned is such a cute waiting-to-happen disaster. I laughed with him, I felt sad with him, I felt anxious with him and hell, I felt it all with him along the best ride toward love I’ve recently read. And I’m not even approaching the steaming hot sexual experiences those two had. It’s too hot to touch or even get close. Even the role-playing scene with Ian actually wearing a kilt was perfect (I thought it’d be such a cliché, but then again I already admitted being a big fool judging before reading).

There are probably too many things I want to add in this review that are currently tangled in my brain and won’t come out, but bottom end is I truly enjoyed this book. It was interesting, entertaining and so very romantic that it made it easily in my “to read again” list. Highly recommended for the fans of the genre.

An Elf for All Centuries by S. A. Garcia

Title: An Elf for All Centuries

Author: S.A. Garcia

Genre: Fantasy, Time-Travel, Comedy

Length: Super Novel (421pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (26th May 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Elf Prince Fabion enjoys the perfect supermodel lifestyle until wizard Matradorian chucks him back in time to save Henda, the sexy, powerful elf king. Since the death of his lover, Henda has lingered in a half-alive, half-dead state. Surprisingly, Fabion is a spiritual match for Henda’s dead lover, so only he can save the dying king.

Fabion uses his sexy bod and sweet lovin’ to revive the elf king. All seems well until he realizes that by saving Henda, his own timeline was destroyed and he must stay in this ancient land forever. Fabion pitches the biggest temper tantrum of any century.

Soon a new threat emerges which puts his life in fresh danger. Now who wants to kill him?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/865/?zenid=157979c3989ddc4f0ee6e84f520ef54d

Review: Fabion lives in the thirty-ninth century. The world is a foul place, with toxic seas, smoggy air and a dying land.   The elves are a protected species. Fabion lives the life of a supermodel that is dragged kicking and screaming to the nineteenth century to help save the planet and the Elf King Henda.

Well. Damn, this is a funny, chuckle worthy, giggle making story, which was a pure joy to read. Henda lost his love Fabion and is now fading, as a last ditch attempt to save him, Matradorian (Mattie) travels through time to find Henda’s perfect soul mate and reunite them. But, what he finds is so not what he would have imagined. Fabion is a supermodel elf who is adored by millions and wanted by all, his beauty is breath-taking and he has an ENORMOUS ego. When he is dragged back in time to change history, he takes all his uncouth ways with him… including hand gestures, curses and insults, along with a diva temperament… and may the White Gods have mercy on them all. Now they have to discover who put the spell on the original Fabion, and work together to bring a better future for them all.

This is a funny loveable story and I found these characters to be loveable and thoroughly enjoyable as they bantered about. The storyline was quite good, although, it was a bit anti-climactic at the end as I expected something more explosive. Fabion is a character like no other… he is just too much diva to be true and has some wicked thoughts. I found his reaction to landing in the nineteenth century quite funny, especially when he realizes he has been conned and is now stuck. I also thought that the way he reacted to Henda was sweet, but, damn he really is a diva.

There is a lot for Fabion to come to terms with, and a lot of maneuvering for him to do as he slots into the previous Fabion’s life. He also has to deal with their souls merging, as he experiences some of the old Fabion’s memories and feelings. The elves in the nineteenth century accept the new Fabion as the old Fabion, although they all realize he is a different Fabion… seriously, if you want to truly understand you have to read the book. There are several really funny bits and a lot of sex going on (which is really hot). We also see Fabion drunk, drinking elves under the table, teaching them new insults, but also bringing life and joy into the family. He has an interesting way of phrasing things and it livens up the story no end.

So, if you enjoy fantasy, comedy, time-travel, hot sex, hunky elves, a mystery, saving the world, lots of chuckling and giggling and a happy ever blissful after with lots of sex, then this is the book for you and I highly recommend it for a fun filled afternoon.

 

 

Bunyip by A. J. Llewellyn

Title: Bunyip

Series: N/A

Author: A. J. Llewellyn

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Comedy

Length: Novella (22k words)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (January 15, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Forensic audio specialist Steve Maddox is a busy guy who has no time to date. Balancing a strenuous work schedule and time for his cat and dog, he’s ecstatic when his best friend, Silvana, organizes a gay speed dating event, bringing into his life the magnetic and handsome criminal defense attorney, Alexio Manolis.

The two men hit it off instantly, with sparks bouncing off the walls of the Petersen Automotive Museum where the event is being held. Their conversation crackles until Alexio says he has a pet a bunyip named Norman. Steve feels a little stupid. What the heck is a bunyip? He has no time to ask, though, since he’s onto his next “date.”

Alexio, however, pursues Steve and the two men start dating. Meanwhile, Steve Googles bunyips and discovers they are mythical Australian creatures of Aboriginal legend. It’s just impossible. Does this smart and sexy attorney really have an imaginary, violent pet? Or is “bunyip” slang for something else?

Alexio is tight-lipped and keeps putting off the meeting between Steve and his elusive pet. Soon Steve starts to worry when Alexio disappears into his basement all the time and has savage scratches on his body he says Norman gave him by accident.

Is Steve’s fantastic, hot new lover absolutely crackers, or does the cantankerous bunyip actually exist?

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Bunyip.html

Reviewer: Thommie

Review: Steve and Alexio meet on an “Animal lovers” speed date event and from the minute they lay eyes on each other they feel a deep connection between them. Alexio seems to be everything Steve has ever wanted. He’s loving with animals (very, very important quality); sweet and caring for him, extremely sexy and when they make love it is beyond passionate. He even seems to know exactly what Steve is thinking or wanting every single moment. Everything is extraordinary easy and beautiful with Alexio, it feels almost too good to be true. Almost! Alexio is the proud owner of a bunyip named Norman… Yes, a bunyip! That mythical creature we hear on old Australian Aboriginal legends. Steve finds himself in an odd situation; he can’t believe that the perfect man of his dreams might not be so perfect after all. He looks so normal, well “perfectly” normal that the bunyip must be something entirely different, a new breed of animal perhaps…

While their relationship advances and they discover to be perfectly compatible for each other Steve starts to feel the “one” emotion he’s been looking for. Love!! He loves Alexio, he loves his cat, he loves his brother and sister-in-law and they love him back. Except Norman. Steve still hasn’t met Norman and the fact that Alexio keep canceling it is itching Steve’s mind. He decides he should see Norman one way or another, with or without Alexio’s permission… Will he find this creature in the basement where it’s supposed to live or is it all a figment of Alexio’s imagination and the love he’s been hoping for is about to be lost forever..?

A great story from A. J. Llewellyn, sweet, passionate, with lots of suspense and a good notch of magic, it captured me from the very beginning. I loved Alexio and his “magical” family, admired Steve for his courage, got a bit pissed off with Silvana and envy eats my heart for Norman. I want one too!!

So, fans of paranormal/romance/magic animals and all sorts of animals I recommend this story to you and I am sure you will enjoy reading it.