Tag: InterMix

Out of Frame by Megan Erickson

51S3gSiSgnL._SX308_BO1,204,203,200_Title: Out of Frame

Series: In Focus, #3

Author: Megan Erickson

Genre: New Adult Romance

Length: 203 pages

Publisher: InterMix (March 15th 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Romance trades the open road for the high seas in the latest from the author of Focus on Me and Trust the Focus…

Perpetually shy, Quinn Mathers is content to remain in the shadow of his brash best friend Jess Hartman. But before their college graduation, he and Jess have planned one last hurrah: a spring break Caribbean cruise.

And it won’t be just any cruise. On board are members of the reality show Trip League, which follows young twenty-somethings on adventures around the world. Since the show’s beginning, Quinn has been fascinated by J. R. Butler, with his amazing body, warm eyes, and killer grin. Unfortunately, he’s straight—or so the world thinks.

At nineteen, J. R. signed a contract to play straight for the show, and there’s no way to get out of it now. Yet with each passing day, Quinn and J. R. find it harder to keep their hands off each other and to keep out of the camera’s frame. But when the lens finally focuses on them, J. R. must decide if he’s willing to risk his career by admitting his bisexuality, and Quinn must determine if he’s bold enough to stand in the spotlight with the man of his dreams…

ISBN: 9781101988602

Product Link: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536725/out-of-frame-by-megan-erickson/9781101988602/

Reviewer: Aerin

Review: This is my least favorite of Megan’s books to dat., which is a pity considering how much I liked the previous stories in this series. I’m not exactly sure what happened or why the book didn’t leave an impression, it’s mostly a mixture of things.

First of all, the whole reality show J. R. was part of was what mostly put me off this book. I don’t make a habit of watching reality shows, so I’m not familiar with the type of show this was. But I could easily imagine something along the lines of Jersey Shore. Ugh!

J. R. Butler (I hate that name and the space between the initials, which bugged the hell out of me) is part of the Trip League reality show, whose producers made a habit of stereotyping and hiding the true nature of the participants.

J. R. is the black, angry kid on the show, the heterosexual who’s in a committed relationship with his girlfriend Andrea. If the public only knew J. R. is not as angry as he comes across, Andrea exists only in his imagination, and he’s not exactly straight. Admitting to his bisexuality would mean a breach of contract and would make his brother’s much-needed surgery that much harder to get.

Quinn has lived his whole life in a bubble of parental protection. He’s been the good boy who never crossed any boundaries and has never broken any rules. Spending a week away on spring break on a Caribbean cruise with his best friend Jess opened his eyes to how much fun the real world can be. But it also brought him face to face with J. R., the TV personality he’s always had a crush on.

There’s instant chemistry between them and as hard as J.R. tries to ignore his attraction towards Quinn, it isn’t happening. Trying to take advantage of the time they have together and avoiding the cameras in a desperate attempt to stay out of focus puts a lot of pressure on J. R.

There was something off when it came to Quinn and J. R. and I can’t put my finger on it. The whole teenager vibe and the fact that J. R. was thinking of Quinn as a kid was irritating as hell since he’s on 19 years old himself. I guess something didn’t click for me because I wasn’t crazy for them as a couple and I found their story to be too predictable. I felt some of that chemistry but I didn’t get the feeling that they were made for each other.

There are a lot of secondary characters. From the guys we met in the previous books to the fellow cast members, but my favorite of them all is Levi. Oh my god, I love him so much and can’t wait for his book because I bet it’s going to be awesome.

This was a nice, easy read, low in angst and very predictable, but I wasn’t blown away. This was a solid 3 Hearts for me.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Yours All Along by Roni Loren

9780698411036Title: Yours All Along
Series: Loving on the Edge, #7.5
Author: Roni Loren
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (135 pages
Publisher: Intermix (June 16, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Four years after an accident tore their friendship apart, Hunter and Devon are living separate lives. Hunter is now the all-America hero—a congressman’s son and a pro pitcher in Houston preparing to marry his beauty-queen girlfriend. Devon is in Dallas running a new restaurant.

But when Hunter unexpectedly shows up in Devon’s bar, Devon can’t turn him away. Damn it if the man isn’t still gorgeous. But engaged? Hell no. All he’s doing for Devon is bringing back memories of their college-roommate days, and the night their relationship went too far. Turns out Hunter has never forgotten it either.

Now Devon can’t help but be drawn in all over again by the only guy who’s ever gotten close enough to break his heart. Maybe one more night together would be enough for both of them to finally move on.

Or maybe one night will change everything

ISBN: 978-0-69841-103-6

Product Link(s): http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/319077/yours-all-along-by-roni-loren/

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: This is a new author for me, but I must admit that it was pretty damn good. I was amazed that an author that usually writes MF stories can write a MM book as well as she did. It actually turned out better than I had thought. My problem was that I had not read any of the other books however I don’t really read MF books any longer, so it was my fault.

It starts out with Hunter and his girlfriend, which almost had me changing my mind about reading it. I always try to skip over parts that involve anything female. However I kept on knowing that in the end it would be a story that would have my attention. During their time trying to deal with the weddings, she sends him to Dallas. He goes there to get away from it all. Then he walks into where he sees Devon once more.

Devon is not so sure about any of it, since Hunter is engaged. However he can’t turn the man down. The memories of their past time together comes back full force. He hasn’t forgotten the man, and it turns out that Hunter hasn’t forgotten either.

It is a bit confusing though, but it doesn’t take away from the story itself. I wasn’t sure whether to cry or laugh though. There is a lot of depth to the story and the characters are well written with a lot of heart. In fact you can usually tell when a writer writes for the readers or for money and this author definitely had the readers in heart.

I was captivated with it and look forward to seeing more stories from this author. I just hope that there are many more male on male romance stories coming our way.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Yours All Along by Roni Loren Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Roni Loren - Yours All Along Tour Banner

Hiya guys, we have Roni Loren and her debut MM romance Yours All Along, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the book, read the excerpt and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Yours.indd

Yours All Along

(The Loving on the Edge 07.5)
by

Roni Loren

The new Loving on the Edge romance from the New York Times bestselling author of  Nothing Between Us turns on the heat between two men who wonder how much they’re willing to risk in the name of love.

Four years after an accident tore their friendship apart, Hunter and Devon are living separate lives. Hunter is now the all-America hero—a congressman’s son and a pro pitcher in Houston preparing to marry his beauty-queen girlfriend. Devon is in Dallas running a new restaurant.

But when Hunter unexpectedly shows up in Devon’s bar, Devon can’t turn him away. Damn it if the man isn’t still gorgeous. But engaged? Hell no. All he’s doing for Devon is bringing back memories of their college-roommate days, and the night their relationship went too far. Turns out Hunter has never forgotten it either.

Now Devon can’t help but be drawn in all over again by the only guy who’s ever gotten close enough to break his heart. Maybe one more night together would be enough for both of them to finally move on. Or maybe one night will change everything…

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1eZ5E1i

Continue reading “Yours All Along by Roni Loren Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway!” →

Takeover by Anna Zabo

81NEJezNkvL._SL1500_Title: Takeover
Author: Anna Zabo
Genre: Contemporary/BDSM
Length: Novel (198 pages)
Publisher: InterMix (August 19th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate to Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4.5Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: An exciting new voice in romance proves that giving in can be the best way to let go…

Michael Sebastian thought Curacao would be the perfect place to have a little fun in the sun—and between the sheets. So far, no one has struck his interest, until Sam Anderson walks into the bar. With one look at his tense body and expensive suit, Michael knows that this is a man in need of release. And Michael is more than willing to lend a hand.

Shattered by the most intense sex he’s ever had, Sam has to face the facts—one night with a handsome, dominating stranger is all he gets before returning to the closet he’s been suffocating in for years. But when Sam starts his new job as the CEO of a failing technology company, he discovers that Michael is one of his new employees.

While Michael is desperate for another night with Sam, he knows he shouldn’t get involved with his boss, let alone another man who can’t accept who he is. But as they’re forced to work together to save the company, the desire sparking between them becomes impossible to ignore…

Purchase Link: http://www.penguin.com/book/takeover-by-anna-zabo/9780698182134
Review: Sam Anderson just got a new job as interim CEO for a Company he means to save from financial ruin, which he’s quite good at, and to celebrate he’s off to Curacao for a break. Sam wants to go somewhere to relax, somewhere away from prying eyes where he can be himself. It doesn’t take long for him to catch the eye of someone, someone who can tell how high-strung Sam is, and someone who can take control of Sam.

Michael Sebastian has been in Curacao on vacation for a week and yet to find anyone that caught his eye. That is until the sexy suit with the silver cufflinks stumbles into the bar. The man is wound tighter than a drum, and Michael is more than willing to help him release some tension. Imagine his surprise when the man is ready, willing and able to submit to Michael in every way. The attraction is intense and the sex is mind-blowing, but both realize it can only be the one time. No names, no titles, no strings.

S. Randal Anderson and Mike Sebastian only know of each other on paper, or so they think. The shock to both men would be apparent to anyone paying attention the first time Anderson meets with all the employee’s. No names, no titles, no strings just went right out the window. Sam and Michael are forced to work together in order to save the company that Michael built from the ground up with his two best friends. To say the tension is thick would be an understatement of gargantuan proportion! As hard as they try to stay professional, they are only human, and it’s not often that a Dominate finds not only the perfect Submissive, but also the perfect man for him.

The push and pull is unnerving at times. They don’t want to jeopardize the buyout or their jobs, but they can’t deny the way they make each other feel. Sam is not out at work, hence the reason he had to hide to find Michael in the first place. And Michael has a troubled past with a partner that was closeted, so he refuses to go there again. But these two men are seriously like magnets, they can’t not hover, sway toward each other. Once the company looks to be secure in a buyout the cost just might be clear for them to endeavour a relationship. Sadly, there is an underlying threat that neither man anticipated that wants to destroy not only their relationship, but their business as well.

Okay, there was a lot of story in this story. And what I mean by that is the business jargon and explanation of what the company is, what it does, how Sam is trying to save it. At times, that was a little tedious, but other than that, this book was a delightful treat. The BDSM aspect was explained in such a way that it wasn’t rude, violent or a turn off. I actually was enthralled with the Dominate and Submissive traits and how I perceived that each man became that way. And let me tell you, this book hits the ground running with Michael pounding Sam into submission in the first chapter!

And even though the attraction to each other was immediate and intense, this wasn’t an insta-love story. The relationship, the trust and the communication was built over time, with a few roadblocks along the journey. Sam is very much in charge when he has his suit on, but Michael is the dominate in the relationship. They have to navigate that and figure out how that works on both sides before they can commit. There’s a part in the story where Sam takes too much at once, in the bedroom, and even though his mind and his feelings are saying give me more, Michael knows that his body can’t take anymore right then. It was fascinating seeing the story through their eyes, seeing this different side to the BDSM explained this way. It was at the heart of what made this story different and appealing to me.

I’m babbling, I’ll stop, go grab this book! Seriously, it is a BDSM story at the heart of it, but it’s not abusive I promise. It’s just really, really sexy as hell!

My Heartache Cowboy by Z.A. Maxfield

18338605Title:My Heartache Cowboy

Series: The Cowboys, 02

Author:  Z.A. Maxfield

Genre: Contemporary Western

Length: Novel (288 pages)

Publisher: InterMix (Penguin Group) (January 21st 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Cat

Blurb:Can love conquer all?

Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together. So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey. 

Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth

Purchase Link: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781101633496,00.html

Review: I’m going to admit I read the first chapter after finishing the first book My Cowboy Heart.  I was hooked from the get go. I was also in shock when I saw who the book was about. Very pleasantly shocked since I had  thought I caught  hints  from Eddie and I will say  when Eddie took Jimmy to detox him, I thought to myself  how much I’d like to see what went on there. As if the author read my mind, here it was. Jimmy and Eddie’s story.  I was ecstatic. You do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one. I do suggest you do since it was awesome too and once you read the excerpt in the back I’m sure you will rush to get it.

A quick rundown: Jimmy has been having some issues and Eddie has taken it upon himself to dry Jimmy out.  Jimmy had always been a heavy drinker, but lately as things changed around the Jbar he had gotten worse and the timing was terrible. 

The story started out with a bang. Literally. The first line had me.  And dam was it hot… and made me have a few questions about Jimmy. I love the first person view and that it’s from Jimmy as he goes through his forced detox.  The story is very well written with lots of heart, emotion and a touch of humour. When Eddie’s friend is introduced, I have to say my heart plummeted. I was like oh no, not another one of those ménages.  Well it wasn’t.  This was like no rollercoaster ride.  Not a lot of ups and downs, just curve after curve. I promise you it’s not predictable.  At least for me it wasn’t. Sure, there were a few things I saw coming but I wanted them to come and at times, it was snapped out of my grasp.  Did I get the ending I wanted?  I’m not gonna tell you. You will have to get the book and see for yourself!

I highly recommend this book if you like cowboys, older characters, men with problems, alcoholics, threesomes, hot mansex and a very good heartfelt story with lots of action, emotion and humour. Did I mention the hot mansex and cowboys?

My Cowboy Heart by Z.A. Maxfield

81OBY-iTH5L._SL1500_Title:My Cowboy Heart

Series: The Cowboys, 01

Author:Z.A. Maxfield 

Genre: Contemporary Western

Length: Novel (266 pages)

Publisher: Intermix (August 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:A cowboy’s heart has room for anything…

J-Bar ranch foreman Malloy pretty much keeps to himself—slinking around the edges of everybody else like an old coyote, doing his job and staying private. That is until Crispin Carrasco shows up. 

Lean, muscular, and with a motor mouth that won’t quit, Crispin sparks something in Malloy—something the foreman didn’t know was there. But how does a lone coyote approach the warmth of a fire? And more important, what would happen if that fire burned?

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/My-Cowboy-Heart-Intermix-ebook/dp/B00AMOODZM/ref=pd_ybh_1

Review: Malloy has been Foreman of the J-bar for a long time, but more than that, he was raised since he was fourteen by Crandall Jenkins and his wife Emma.  J bar was more than a job it was home.   Mr Jenkins has a way of helping out people and he left Malloy in charge of the ranch as usual when he and Emma go off to Florida, to spend the winter and holidays with the girls. This year however he had another request. To watch out for Emma’s friends nephew Crispin Malloy, whom Crandall had given a job for the winter.

Crispin was unlike any other man Malloy had ever met. Not only was Crispin out and proud, but also compassionate and having a way with animals as well as people.  Malloy had no idea just how much Crispin would change his life and turn things at the ranch upside down doing so.

His book was amazing! Awesome isn’t even close to describing how good.  I love a good character driven story but this had both characters and an intriguing storyline.  All the characters even the sub characters had so much personality. I won’t call the men broken since though each one has had a bad past that left them broken. The Jenkins had taken them in, giving them jobs, home and love, mending them a little.  Let’s start with Malloy.  He is the typical, quiet cowboy, with his cowboy charm and drawl a loner and man of few words.  He likes his privacy and to stay on the outside looking in.  Crispin… he is a character all right; talkative, creative, caring, compassionate and empathetic. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for man or beast. And he is gay and proud of it.

This story is written with such wit and charm that you can’t put it down. There were places I laughed until I thought I’d die and a place or two I nearly cried.  The names alone are enough to put a smile on your face.

If you like, cowboys, ranch hands, three-legged dogs, lots of laughs and some tears, family drama and some smoking hot mansex this is for you