A Gentleman's Agreement by J. Roman ~ Audiobook

51CtRhxPXmL._SL300_Title: A Gentleman’s Agreement
Author: J. Roman
Narrator: Paul Morey
Genre: Historical/Holiday
Length: 2 hours and 24 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10-22-2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Thomas Derrik is about to have the worst Christmas of his life. Three days before the holiday, he finds out the father he doesn’t get along with is arriving on Christmas Eve, his ex-lover and new brother-in-law will be staying at his estate until the New Year, and his beloved brother, Edmund, has died.

Luckily, Edmund’s last holiday scheme may well save Thomas’s Christmas: Henry Appleby, a young lord fresh from the Continent, has arranged to court Thomas. But the family tragedy and jealous exes may put an end to the romance before it begins.

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/A-Gentlemans-Agreement-Audiobook/B00OQI2JZG

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Thomas is considered a miscreant in his era. A place and time where attraction to the same-sex is punishable by death. Not long ago he ended a relationship with his best friend of many years after learning the man had a man in every port, Thomas wasn’t as special to him as Thomas had been led to believe. Now with the Holiday fast approaching Thomas is alone, surrounded by family he doesn’t much care for and to make matters worse, he has just learned of his beloved brother’s death.

Edmond, Thomas’s younger brother, was a true friend and ally, very understanding about Thomas’s choice in partners. So much so that it would seem even in death, he is still looking out for his brother. A gift, of sorts, arrives along with Thomas’s father in the form of one Lord Henry Appleby and his sister. It would seem that Henry and Thomas have many things in common, including the same best friend, Edmond, and a proclivity for other men.

A deal brokered by Edmond and Henry to ensure Thomas both happiness and stability is set in motion, but Edmond’s untimely death and Thomas’s clingy ex could destroy even the most intricately detailed plan.

For such a short story, there was a lot of attention paid to even the finite details of descriptives and characters. Set in a time where a Gentleman’s word was his bond and an agreement carried as much weight as a contract. But the relationship between Thomas and Henry becomes much more than just a means to an end, they truly care for one another. The narration was the perfect complement to the characters and the storyline, Morey is so well spoken and has sort of this aristocratic air to his voice that blended perfectly with the written words of this novella.

A perfect story for the season, and very inexpensive for either the audible or the e-book version. I highly recommend for fans of historical romance or just fans of romance in general.

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

Burnt Reflections by J. Roman

BurntReflectionsLGTitle: Burnt Reflections

Series: N/A

Author: J. Roman

Genre: Contemporary/Coming Out

Length: Novel (152 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 19, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5

Blurb: For Scotty Riesen, hiding his sexuality in Ma’s Trick, Louisiana hasn’t been easy, given his secret relationship with his next-door neighbor, football star, and fellow closet case, Jean Lafitte. One night he decides that living in the closet is no way to go through life. He comes out, but he isn’t prepared for the backlash from his parents and friends.

Scotty takes a bus to New Orleans to make a new life for himself. Playing janitor and dancing boy at the gay bar Burnt Reflections is a lot better than living on the street, but he can’t forget Jean Lafitte no matter how many men throw themselves at him.

Despite everything, Jean Lafitte may yet prove just how far he’s willing to go to make a relationship with Scotty work. Traveling down to New Orleans to find Scotty is just the start of a courtship that won’t be stopped by anything less than a Louisiana hurricane.

ISBN # 9781632162601

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5698

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: I really love this kind of story. Plenty of drama, angst, struggle, and two great role models for Scotty and Jean to learn from and find shelter with.

Burnt Reflections is the name of the bar where Scotty finds refuge after he finds himself fleeing from home, hatred, betrayal, and abuse. I, like Scotty, thought Butch and Tony might be too good to be true, but the owners of the bar pulled through.

Bitch and Tony are two gay partners who run a bar together. Butch is the softhearted bear who takes in strays, and Tony is the tough bouncer who worries that his lover will get burned by his generous heart.

To back up a little, the general theme of this story is all about coming out, feeling the rejection of family, being betrayed by a closeted first love and doing the only thing you can to survive…flee…to an unknown future in a dangerous world for someone so young and inexperienced.

What I love most about this story is that it contains an important element in any life journey, mentors and heroes who provide a safe, informed environment for a young person do discover who he is, make a few mistakes, and grow into a strong man. Maybe it’s the mother in me.

The sexual content is raw, honest, and intimate. I feel like Burnt Reflections could easily become another series though the story stands alone, I want to follow these guys further.

A wonderful read by J. Roman. I highly recommend.

Clueless by J. Roman

Clueless (2)Title: Clueless

Series: Keeping Secrets 02

Author: J. Roman

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Length: Novella (109pgs)

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (1st February 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Out jock Tommy Johnson and former bully Jason Strummer have settled into a surprisingly comfortable routine. They’re even planning a special camping trip for just the two of them for their one-month anniversary. Tommy doesn’t think things can get any better—until Jason’s past catches up to them.

Jason’s stepdad will stop at nothing to put Jason back in his place. As Jason spins out of control, Tommy tries desperately to hold the edges of their world together. But the pressure of dealing with Jason’s increasingly erratic behavior and keeping a growing number of secrets under wraps may prove too much for Tommy to handle.

Then Jason blows it and their comfy world falls apart. When he finally texts Tommy for help, they both learn some secrets aren’t worth keeping.

Purchase Link: http://harmonyinkpress.com/new-release-clueless-by-j-roman/

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Tommy and Jason are coming up to their one-month anniversary and they have plans to celebrate. But, Jason reacts badly when his step-father confronts him. As Jason reacts to his pain, Tommy is left to pick up the pieces and trying to be supportive, but just how much of a burden can a seventeen year old take?

This story continues with Tommy and Jason’s relationship from Heartless. We see how the two boys are handling their relationship and the horrors of Jason’s past. Things are going well between Tommy and Jason and they are planning some alone time for their one-month anniversary, but Jonathan (Jason’s step-father) wants Jason back and it sends Jason on a course of self-destruction that Tommy is desperate to contain and stop. The burden becomes too much when Jason turns to Tommy and Tommy feels used and just when they begin to get back on an even keel Tommy has no choice, but to tell the adults what has been happening.

J. Roman has yet again written a story that tries to rip your heart out. She has written a story that gives us the hardships that these two young adults are facing, the pressure they are under and the heartache that they suffer. This story is all from Tommy’s point of view, so we see the true pressure he is under as he tries desperately to be the rock that his boyfriend needs; to keep a devastating secret that is destroying the one he loves and trying to corral his boyfriend before he self-destructs. Jason acts out, driving the ones who want to help and support him away, refusing the help he needs and he ends up placing himself back in the way of danger.

I have to recommend that everyone reads this book; it is filled with anguish, angst, fear, heartbreak, love, and hope. It has two young adults who are trying to deal with a secret that would bring adults to their knees, but it also shows that it is better to place a secret that devastating into the hands of the ones who can do the most good.

A Gentleman's Agreement by J. Roman

GentlemansAgreementLGTitle: A Gentleman’s Agreement

Author: J. Roman

Genre: Regency, Christmas

Length: Novella (100pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st December 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Thomas Derrik is about to have the worst Christmas of his life. Three days before the holiday, he finds out the father he doesn’t get along with is arriving on Christmas Eve, his ex-lover and new brother-in-law will be staying at his estate until the New Year, and his beloved brother, Edmund, has died.

Luckily, Edmund’s last holiday scheme may well save Thomas’s Christmas: Henry Appleby, a young lord fresh from the Continent, has arranged to court Thomas. But the family tragedy and jealous exes may put an end to the romance before it begins.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3411

Or purchase the entire 2012 Advent EVERGREEN collection: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3476

Review: Thomas is facing a horrid Christmas. His brother has died, his lover married his sister and his father is heading home for the holidays. But, Edmund, his brother, had put a plan into action and it looks like Christmas just might be a merry one after all. Henry knew Edmund well and agreed to the plan along with Henry’s sister and Thomas’s father. Now, they just have to see if they can charm Thomas, but with a bitter ex on the grounds and Thomas being hurt once it just might take a miracle.

This is a wonderful regency romance with a twist to the happiness and a very broadminded father. Thomas is dreading Christmas, his father is coming home, he has just received news that his brother has died and his sister and her husband (his ex-lover) are staying over Christmas. But, when he meets Henry and his sister, things start to look up. And, they nearly get damn right happy, when he discovers his late brother’s plan. Henry is delighted when he meets Thomas. He can see his friend’s plan working well. But, when Thomas’s ex throws a spanner in the works, Henry decides to give Thomas a night he will never forget.

I really enjoyed this story. I have to admit to having a huge soft spot for Regency men and their clandestine relationships and this is a perfectly clandestine courtship. Thomas has been severely hurt in the past by a callous lover, but when Henry comes on the scene he shows Thomas of a new way to live and they just seem so well suited. I loved both these men and thought that Thomas was well rid of his ex-lover, Darrow. The storyline was great and I loved the twist and I especially loved Edmund’s plan. While I loved this story I am going to have to demand a story for Jonah and one for the other couple in this book… or maybe they could be combined *wink wink*.

I am recommending this to those who love Regency romances, great characters, passionate kisses, a jealous ex-lover, a miracle with a very interesting story and a very happy ending.

Heartless by J. Roman

Title: Heartless

Series: Keeping Secrets 01

Author: J. Roman

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Length: Novella (130pgs)

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (30th June 2012)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: For gay teens in the South, Erwin High School is as good as it gets. The prevailing liberalism means being gay doesn’t have to be the focus of your life—which frees up seventeen-year-old Jason Strummer to take on the role of bully. Jason understands his beauty and power and has a reputation to match his attitude. No one but his best friend suspects the cruelty Jason hides behind is a ruse to keep his hellish private life out of the public eye.

Jason has only loved one boy in his life, and that crush on Tommy Johnson ended so badly that they’re no longer on speaking terms. When an ex-lover threatens Jason and Tommy steps in to help, the heartless playboy can’t help but fall a little bit back in love with him—but Jason will have to choose between keeping Tommy or his secrets.

Young Adult Age Range: 14 to 18 years old

Warning: Some scenes may cause distress.

Purchase Link: UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heartless-Keeping-Secrets-ebook/dp/B008GHJKSC/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343291116&sr=1-2

USA: http://www.amazon.com/Heartless-Keeping-Secrets-ebook/dp/B008GHJKSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341188223&sr=8-1&keywords=9781613725528

Review: Jason is living a hellish existence in his home life, so he puts on a front at school and with his friends. He has a hard shell and doesn’t care who he hurts. But, when he is attacked by his ex-lover, Tommy steps up to the plate and rescues him and it is the start of something new between them. But, Jason once humiliated Tommy; can they really forgive and forget? And can Jason admit his secrets and become the person Tommy thinks he can be?

This is quite a hard-hitting story, that has your emotions swinging with desperation to save Jason and to beat the crap out of his mother and kill his step-father, and yes there are also times you want to smack sense into Jason. But, when you fully understand what he has gone through and is still going through you can empathize with his actions. I can only read this book as a mother, but I am sure there are some of you out there that will see it from different perspectives. For me I was sick to the stomach for poor Jason, for what he was going through and for what his mother knew he was going through.

Jason hits out at people before they can do it to him, in retaliation for an offense and so people don’t see the real him. This means he comes across as shallow and self-centered. It takes Tommy to begin to get through to Jason that he doesn’t have to be that person, that he can be less defensive and that there are people who will help him. Tommy and Jason have some touching moments and they are wonderful together, they both secretly loved the other when they were younger, but, a careless word from Tommy hurt Jason more than he thought possible and so he enacted his revenge.

This is a sweet love story that is angsty, with a lot of emotional upheaval for these teenagers. Tommy and Jason have their misunderstandings, but they are at the beginning of their new relationship and at a new juncture in Jason’s life. Jason has had a lot to live with and hide, he has his reasons for how he acts but it isn’t always easy to forgive his actions. Tommy has lived through his humiliation and come out the other side, now he wants another chance with Jason.

I will recommend this to those who love young adult stories that are as hard-hitting as they are sweet with young love, for those who can see past the surface mask to the hurting boy underneath, who want a happily ever after and a new start for two young men.