Hi guys! We have Jeff Erno stopping by today with his upcoming release Slim Chance, we have a fantastic guest post where Jeff chats about his story and his characters, and we also have a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Slim Chance
by
Jeff Erno
Can a man improve his appearance without losing everything good inside him?
Oliver has always been obese and suffered from a negative body image. He’s tried diets before, failing time after time, but he vows this time will be different. As he begins an exercise program, his confidence increases—and so does his interest in his friend and coworker Benjy. Though they bonded long ago over a love of online gaming, it takes a lot of courage for Oliver to share his new body and be intimate with another man.
A passionate romance blooms, but as Oliver nears his goal, it seems he doesn’t need Benjy—with his chronic anxiety and troubled past—now that he’s made attractive new friends at the gym. But not all relationships are equal, and Oliver realizes that Benjy, who loved and supported him when no one else did, is more than a reminder of his old life.
A pleasing appearance means nothing when it hides a lonely, empty heart, and if Oliver cannot decide what’s truly important, he’ll lose what he cherishes most.
Blurb: Some say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but how can a heart that’s broken feel anything but pain?
Waking one morning to learn Trey had been whisked away, transferred to another facility, Jeremy fears he and Trey might never see each other again. When he learns from the local news that Trey has been sent back to county to face a retrial, he doesn’t know whether to pray for his acquittal or to hope for his return. Jeremy has to forge a new path, discover a way to move on with his life without Trey. The two will likely never see each other again, but Jeremy can’t forget so easily. He turns to others for support and falls into the arms of another man, but will his new love ever really take the place of Trey?
Review: With Trey’s second trial looming before him it sets Trey on a collision course with his memories and the reason why he pleaded guilty. Jeremy knows that Trey did not abandon him yet and seeks the protection of another inmate named Darrin, the preacher. I never liked Darren despite his preacher ways. He seemed fishy and shady to me. That became even more prominent when he finally got his hooks in Jeremy.
We are also introduced to CO Corey Levine who is gay and finds himself very much attracted to the new prisoner Robert “Bobby” Howard. The feeling is mutual with Bobby and Bobby flirts every chance he gets with the Cory.
This is such a good yet emotional and tense series. Most of the characters have their own agendas for why they do what they do in prison be it for love or protection. The whole series so far is an enjoyable read into what prison life may be like.
Title: My Dumb Jock Series: Dumb Jock, #6 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (200 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 6th 2015) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: The final book in the Dumb Jock series brings us back to Jeff and Brett thirty-plus years after their “happily ever after.” Jeff, now a university professor, and Brett, CEO of a sporting equipment company, prepare to celebrate Brett’s fiftieth birthday.
Suddenly, a devastating emergency derails all plans. Fear and unknown questions force the couple to look back on a lifetime of struggles as an openly gay couple just starting out in the 1980s.
My Dumb Jock chronicles their life together, beginning after the sports banquet at the conclusion of book one, continuing through their college years, engagement, wedding, and the birth of their children. Together they shoulder homophobia and rejection and build their own family in the face of many crippling losses and temptations.
This final book of the series brings together an entire cast of characters from five books, all connected by one remarkable couple, a couple not quite ready to say good-bye.
Review: All of the guys we have come to love in this series are back for a grand finale in the form of Brett’s 50th birthday. It’s only fitting that this series that has spanned the thirty plus year love story of Jeff and Brett, started and ends with them. As Brett gets ready for the party and visits with all his and Jeff’s kids (adopted both on paper and in heart), he takes us on a trip down memory lane, sharing memories both good and bad with the reader before he blows out the candles.
The only glimpse we have gotten into Jeff and Brett’s lives over the course of the series since high school was the parts that related to the story being told at that time. In this final book, Brett shares his memories of college, marriage, when he a Jeff decided to start a family, and of course all the ups and downs that any couple that has spent over three decades together would experience. I was reminded again why I fell in love with them in Dumb Jock. We got to meet some new friends and say hello to old friends as well.
There were a few times the story drug along and it wasn’t quite as passionate as I wanted Jeff and Brett’s final chapter to be. But overall I thought it was a wonderful send off to this series and this large group of characters, fans have come to love, these last six books. I do suggest that if you have not read the other books in the series that you start at the beginning, that way you can appreciate the entire experience of the Dumb Jock world.
A light-hearted, fun, sweet love story that withstood the test of time… and cassette tapes.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hiya peeps, we now have Jeff Erno stopping by with his newest release Speedy Rewards, we also have a great excerpt for you to enjoy. So check out the post and enjoy! ~Pixie~
Speedy Rewards
(Working Class 01)
by
Jeff Erno
Phil Mitchell pours his heart and soul into his job as manager of Speedy Mart, a local convenience store. He loves his work and he loves his fellow employees, but when it comes to his personal life, Phil is lonely and depressed and still pining for his long-departed ex.
He embarks upon the week from hell where anything that can go wrong does. It begins with a truck crashing into his outdoor sign and only goes downhill from there.
Add an asshole homophobic boss hell bent on seeing him fired and Phil realizes he needs to put into place a plan to save himself and his job.
First step in his plan… do something about his love life.
Meanwhile, Ezra, one of Phil’s team members, is dealing with his own roller coaster ride of a week.
As is Brandon, the local cop…
And Mark, the homophobic boss…
Perhaps, with a little… luck, the next week will be better.
Title: Teacher’s Pet Series: Full Nelson, #3 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Mystery/Suspense Length: Novella (100 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 7th, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: Detective Chris Nelson faces another murder investigation. This time the victims are educators—a college professor and a high school teacher—and both are gay.
Jared Bressman, the first victim, is found strangled in his apartment. A few days later, Stephen Hayes is found in his home, a victim of the same type of assault. Chris must piece together the clues to find a connection—if there is one—between the murders and stop the killer before he strikes again.
Once he discovers that the killer also has a link to someone close to him, Chris races to beat the murderer to his final victim.
Review: Chris Nelson is trying to solve a murder when another happens. Very well-written story with amazing details at the way Chris investigates every angle he can think of. Although he thinks he’s caught the killer, he’s wrong.
The identity of the killer was actually a surprise to me and the circumstances surrounding the reasons were heartbreaking. I just don’t get how someone could subject a family to their own beliefs in that manner. In my opinion, his grandmother abused his trust.
The crime scenes were very detailed and the detective scanned everything and made sure not to miss anything. Fantastic read.
Highly recommended.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: Glitter Series: Full Nelson #2 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Mystery/Suspense Length: Novella (148 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 19, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 1/2Hearts Blurb: Full Nelson: Book Two
When Detective Chris Nelson catches a police call at a gay bar, he finds a murdered drag queen in the alley behind the building. Andrew Brooks, the victim’s co-worker at Bambi’s, claims he found her. Because she is sprinkled in the same red glitter Andrew uses in his act, Nelson takes him in for questioning.
Forensics clear Andrew but reveal the victim was into hardcore kink. Following a trail of evidence, Nelson arrives at his next suspect: Andrew’s brother. Todd Brooks is an avowed neo-Nazi racist homophobe, but Andrew is still devastated. After the near-mistake with Andrew, Nelson isn’t ready to rush to judgment again. Taking his time, he digs deeper, intent on apprehending the actual murderer.
Review: Well-written mystery about Detective Nelson looking into the murder of a drag Queen named Roxie. I could not stop reading until the very end. Of course, I was wrong about who the killer actually turned out to be but I really enjoyed reading it. Though some things had me cringing.
Andrew, Glitter, is a drag queen performer and is the one who found Ramon’s, Roxie, body and call the police. He also ends up telling his mom he’s a drag queen and showing her which did not turn out well. Andrew seemed like a sweet young man.
Loved this story. Amazing details in the case as well as some hot sex.
All in all, it was a great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: Secrets Series: Full Nelson, #1 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Mystery/ Suspense Length: Novel (190 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 03, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: Detective Chris Nelson and his husband Ethan are about to go on a weekend getaway to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Instead, a case comes in for Chris. The brutally murdered body of a swim coach at the local military academy was found in the pool. Seventeen-year-old cadet Alex has already confessed. It looks like an open and shut case.
However, when Chris interviews Alex and reviews the forensics, he becomes convinced Alex is innocent. Searching for the truth behind the actual murderer and why Alex would take the fall, Chris follows a trail through a series of students. He discovers they all experienced sexual abuse at the hands of the murdered swim coach. Digging deep, Chris finds further links between the school administration and the district attorney’s office covering up the allegations. When he finally solves the case, it will blow the conspiracy wide open.
Review: Detective Chris Nelson is given a murder case to look into on the weekend of his anniversary with Ethan. After reviewing the files, he realizes that a lot of things don’t make sense so he proceeds to investigate it to get to the truth and to prove that the accused, Alex, is innocent.
Alex is a senior at a prestigious military school who admits to killing the swim coach. But further evidence shows that he didn’t do it and that something sinister is going on at the school.
Well written, intense, nonstop action into a supposed open and shut case. With twists and turns, I never saw coming. Just when you think, you’ve figured things out something else turns up to make you rethink your assumption. Loved the dedication the detective showed to finding out the truth. Then when you think it’s the end something else happens.
Absolutely amazing mystery story. I was on the edge of my seat while reading this, as I didn’t want to stop until the very end. Heartbreaking details of abused trust. Cover ups by the school, deceit by people who should’ve been protecting the students.
Title: Two Dumb Jocks Series: Dumb Jock, #5 Author: Jeff Erno Genre: New Adult Gay Romance Length: Novel (210 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 18th 2014) Heat Level: Moderate to Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Reviewer: Tams Blurb: Rejected by his family for coming out, Bryan Helverson boards a plane for Tampa, Florida, where he plans to attend college. Brett and Jeff’s family embrace him when he arrives, and his new “brothers,” Adam and Trevor, help him assimilate into the community.
While playing tennis with Trevor at the country club, Bryan meets aspiring pro tennis player Greg Lewis. But after a few minutes, it’s easy to see the arrogant jock is not on Bryan’s menu, and he quickly dismisses the man. Forgetting he ever met Greg is not an option, though, when Bryan is hired as a waiter at the country club’s restaurant, and Greg is assigned to train him. An unexpected romance blossom just as Bryan discovers one of Greg’s ex-boyfriends also works at the restaurant.
Greg is not the person Bryan first took him for, though. His true ambition is to become a doctor. And as their romance grows serious, Bryan discovers Greg’s mom suffers from the same debilitating depression that plagues Bryan. Unfortunately, just as Bryan is making giant strides with managing his depression, Greg’s ex—as manipulative as he is abusive—takes a battered Bryan back to point A and threatens to destroy his relationship with Greg.
Review: This is the fifth and final book in a series that really should be read in order.
Bryan Helverson suffers from a severe form of depression that is only compounded by his parents ostracizing him because he is gay. On his road to self discovery he made a few mistakes along the way (hence, why you have to read the series in order) but he’s gotten away from his religious fanatic parents, and hopes to build in new life in Tampa with the help of Brett and Jeff (and you’ll know who Brett and Jeff are if you’ve read the series).
Bryan is pretty athletic, he loves basketball, and so once he arrives in Tampa, he decides to try his hand at Tennis. That is when he first meets Greg. Another jock, Greg is gorgeous but conceited, or so Bryan thinks. When he finds a job and winds up working with Greg, getting to know him better, he realizes his first assumption was wrong. Greg Lewis is truly a nice, decent guy at heart. When his father died, his mother took it pretty hard as she suffers from depression like Bryan does, and Greg has stuck by her side getting her the best care possible. As a result, he has decided he wants to be a doctor when he graduates. He is very assured and headstrong, the kind of guy that goes after what he wants. And what he wants now is Bryan. But he is also a kind soul… generous, loving and patient, which is exactly what Bryan needs.
Bryan’s own worst enemy is himself though. Because of his past and his demons, his emotions are a wreck. He goes from happy-go-lucky to sad panda at the drop of a hat, but Greg is ever-present and patient with him, even when he tries to push him away. Right about the time that it looks like Bryan may have a hold of his emotions, making some headway with his depression. Greg’s jealous ex does something so extreme in an attempt to damage the relationship between Bryan and Greg, that it may send Bryan over the edge for good.
The book was a roller coaster of emotions, especially with Bipolar Bryan. I wasn’t even joking about his mood swings, the door to them should be on hinges as wide as it swings! But that is the reality of the disease that Bryan has to live with every day. I loved the sessions with his therapist and how we saw a different side of Bryan there. Also, how he had to learn the hard way that just because he felt better and had a better grasp of his emotions, moods and life didn’t mean he could stop his medications. The consequences were dire. Kudos to Erno for doing the research for this story and making sure every little detail was accurate. It added depth and reality to the story.
I feel though that the synopsis should include a trigger warning. There is a brief rape scene, dealt with in the content of the story more so as Bryan has to tell the man he loves what happened, which broke my heart. But none the less, it has to be mentioned. There is a lot of love woven into the darker aspects as well though. Bryan is surrounded by it, even if he doesn’t always realize it, or constantly questions it, it is there. Erno did a bang up job of taking a previously hated character and explaining his machinations and turning him into someone you could not only like, but also relate to.
The passion and romance between Bryan and Greg is pretty intense, they definitely steam up the pages a time or two. But there is drama and just the right amount of angst as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I was taken aback by the severity of Ian’s actions, but everything was pretty well-balanced by the end. I’d recommend this series. It starts out on the YA end of the genre and as the books progress, so does the sexual aspect. But the characters are all growing up, so it makes sense that the situations they face would be more mature. Just remember to read the books in order.
Blurb: Whoever said business and pleasure don’t mix has never been to New Orleans.
Chad Curtiss, a thirty-five year old private equity investor, is a ruthless businessman. He believes it’s a dog-eat-dog world and doesn’t understand people not driven by the desire to acquire their own happiness. Life’s about personal responsibility and making the right choices.
Chad travels to New Orleans on occasion for business and while there, he likes to visit The Men’s Room. The hottest gay club in the city has the hunkiest dancers, the cutest bartenders and the kind of service a man like Chad knows he deserves. While at the bar, he runs into young Richard Foster, a desk clerk from the hotel where he’s staying. He has no intention of becoming involved, but there’s something about the kid Chad can’t dismiss, and that something just might change his entire outlook on life.
Review: The plot was predictable, but the temporary escape both men provided for each other, all hot and steamy, was a lot of fun. We’ve seen this primetime movie before, bedraggled do-gooder meets handsome prince, well handsome business shark, and even though he tries not to, falls head over ankles on shoulders.
Chad is the perfect bad guy we love to hate, and hate to lust after, but the fireworks between he and Richard are hot and fast.
Richard is getting walked on by everyone in his life from his slutty ex to his boss, and all he’s trying to do is hold it together for his family, save his sister’s life, and hopefully keep his job.
When all the cards come tumbling down and his mother loses her job, Richard has to walk out on his, and his sister’s surgery might not happen, he discovers the person behind the curtain is the sexy executive Richard didn’t even want to fall for.
Can Richard and Chad possibly salvage what has just started to bloom between them? Yes, there is a predictable, but aw shucks, kind of ending. This is a romance after all, can’t have a sad ending right. So all’s well that ends well. Predictable, but it is what it is, hot sexy fun for a short time.
Title: Forever Fearless Series: Forever Vampire Author: Jeff Erno Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance/Vampire Length: Novel (260 Pages) ISBN: 978-1-937796-61-7 Publisher: Ai Press (March 24, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: In the aftermath of unspeakable slaughter, Robbie and Colt have escaped to the wilds of Alaska to face their immortal future. Things aren’t so certain for their sworn enemies, Dylan and Issa, Matarian soldiers sworn to hunt them down and slaughter them.
Dylan is poised to begin his first vampire hunt and wants Issa as his partner, but Issa is far more concerned with finding his brother and tracking down the blond boy who nearly died on the battlefield. The entire cast from book one reunites in this thrilling continuation of their story, joined by a host of new faces–friends and foes–whose lives somehow weave together as they cross paths in their efforts to battle evil and attain their own happiness. Humans, Shifters, Daywalkers, and Purebloods confront each other with the guidance of three enigmatic sisters–one a Maenad, one a necromancer, and the other a human witch. Plot twists and surprises mark the paths of these diverse characters, forever fearless in their quest to cling to all they hold dear. Purchase Link: http://www.ai-press.net/forever-fearless/ Review: The Forever Vampire saga continues and they need to be read in order. This story seems a bit dark to me. Hate, bigotry, disillusion seem to be throughout the book but you also can see compassion, loyalty and love. It was a bit hard for me to follow though. I don’t know if it was all the jumping around at first that you see or that something is missing.
There is a war going on between the Matarian soldiers, vampires, and werewolves. When many children are killed at a church camp, many are angered by it. Everyone wants blood and death. The problem with it is they were killed by vampires who only went in to get their captured men back. Issa was not sure who to follow or who to believe any more. He had a chance to talk to two of the vampires that were being held hostage and realized that they were just the same as everyone else. The Matarian soldiers killed them shortly after. Issa’s heart was being torn in too many pieces. He was to be a soldier but just couldn’t stomach some of the things that were happening. He had found out that his missing brother Shadi was indeed alive and turned. He had met and mated a vampire.
Then Robbie and Colt have escaped from the Matarian soldiers. They love each other with all their hearts, but with one being vampire and the other human it was not allowed. Many were questioning all of that as well but Issa just doesn’t know where to turn. Normally he would turn to Dylan. However, when he finds out that he didn’t graduate he thinks that he will never see Dylan again. Then his father turns on him for being gay. He thinks the only way is to leave like his brother.
Dylan is Issa’s mate. He is to go on his first vampire hunt and when you graduate, you are allowed to choose the partner you want. He wants to work with Issa, the only problem with that is his brother against it. He thinks that Issa will get Dylan killed. Many questions that I have were not answered in this story.
In this story, you will get all the characters from the other book into this one. So to be able to keep up you will need to read book one. It is a good story but to difficult for me to get into. It came off as a dark fantasy story. I have not really understood them but this one was a bit better. I did understand Issa though. He wanted to find his brother and the young boy that was missing. In his heart, that was what was right. I can understand the reactions some have towards others, but it seems to me that had they taken the time to understand them that they might have a different reaction. Issa saw that with the two vampires that were killed.
Blurb: William Austin has always wanted to be a nurse, though he’s no longer sure the gratification is worth the pain of losing a patient. For now, he’s a nursing student and works two jobs—barista and private nurse. Will meets Blaine Coventry at the coffee shop, and when the altruistic young attorney offers him a job caring for his Uncle Elliot, Will accepts. Will finds that Elliot’s stroke has left him unable to walk or talk, and Elliot’s husband, James, says the goal is to keep Elliot comfortable until he passes. But Will starts rehabilitation, and his patient soon begins to make progress. When James resists, Will realizes something isn’t right, and investigates. Then he discovers a chilling secret that threatens to forever change Will’s life… or perhaps end it.
Review: Mysterious, suspenseful, and intriguing. This is not at all like the usual work that Erno gives us and I was pleasantly surprised.
Will Austin struggles to make ends meet, working full-time at Starbucks in dreams of becoming a nurse. He is a good-natured person that is passionate about helping people. When a kind and sexy stranger helps him with his broken down car one afternoon, sparks fly and the two are soon enough in a committed relationship. Blaine is a tall, dark, and handsome attorney and he took to Will immediately. He’s just as kind and generous as Will for the most part, but there is something about his domineering side in the bedroom that nags at Will.
When Blaine learns that Will has hospice experience and experiencing the patience that radiates off of the man, Blaine asks Will to help care for his ailing uncle. Will isn’t with Blaine’s uncles more than a day before he is able to make a difference for the better. But Elliot bounces back and forth between coherent and almost comatose and it confuses Will. As Will unravels the cause of Elliot’s apparent illness it clashes with his beliefs and it may cost him his life.
I do love a good story about soul mates, even more so when a new twist is introduced. Magic and mayhem mixed with some hot sweaty sex, yes please! The core of this story is an age-old belief in the Wiccan culture, the use of magic when it comes to personal gain. I myself am fascinated with Wicca and witchcraft as well as the afterlife. Erno has taken all these elements and added in the soul mates twist and the hatred homosexuals have had to deal with for centuries. This book is a little bit of The Skeleton Key and a little bit of Charmed, but with gay men. I loved it!!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: Evan Drake needs to be a role model to his younger brother Brandon, and although he’s a star on his high school basketball team, there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s interested in many things, including drama and singing, and when he joins drama club, he meets Noah Sheridan, and he’s pretty interested in him, too. Noah is a super smart, cute but nerdy kid who has written a high school play about two gay students who attended Boyne City High twenty years ago, and who in real life, fell in love with each other. When the drama department elects to use the play for their high school musical, Noah urges Evan to audition for the lead role. Evan ultimately decides he wants to be in the play, but when he shows up to audition, it sends shockwaves throughout the school. His teammates are furious, and so is his best friend Bryan. As Evan and Noah grow closer, Bryan gets more traitorous, and it seems he wants nothing more than to see his former friend broken down.
Review: Evan and Noah know each other from school, but they’ve never been friends per say. That all changes when Evan tries out for the lead in the school play. Noah has done his research and written a play based on the story of two former Boyne City High students and the prejudice they had to endure when they came out as gay. Noah would love for the object of his obsession to play the lead, Evan. But Evan is not so sure he wants to play the role of a gay jock.
The more time Evan spends with Noah he comes to realize he wants to be more than friends. When he’s pushed to the limits by his best friend and fellow teammate, Bryan, Evan comes out. What he hoped would be a positive affirmation is quickly turned into an all out witch-hunt by his supposed teammate. An ultimatum is issued. Evan can be in the school play and have Noah for his boyfriend, but he has to quit the basketball team.
Evan not only has to deal with the pressure of being a gay high school student, but he has to deal with bigots and a best friend that is now his worst enemy, and will stop at nothing to destroy him. When everything comes to a head, Evan will learn that the love of his family, friendship, and tolerance run deeper than he initially thought. And the bond he’s formed with Noah only strengthens his resolve and their love for another.
I have not read the other books in this series, but I didn’t feel like I was missing something by not having read them. I loved that Evan was an all around great guy from the start, even defending Noah before they became friends because it was right, and Bryan was wrong. Evan came out early on in the book so there was not any of that back and forth angst with that aspect of the story. In fact, there wasn’t much angst in this book at all. It was just a well-written, gay take on high school musical.
And the boys mothers, oh my god, hysterical! Noah has always known he was gay and his parents are very accepting. Evan only recently admitted he was gay not only to himself, but his friends and family. His mother and brother are less worried about his sexuality and more worried about the assholes at school trying to kick him off the basketball team for being true to himself. These were a couple of very passionate women and that passion was evident within the story.
What I loved most about this book was that for every negative, there was a positive. Erno dealt with some dark issues. Homophobia, bullying, and suicide by leveling that playing field with love, support, understanding, and compassion. There weren’t any naughty bits per say, but there was definitely some heavy petting. Evan and Noah were absolutely adorable! If you are a fan of Glee and High School Musical, I think you’ll really enjoy this book.
Blurb: In less than a summer, shy and introverted Robbie Myers goes from eighteen and never been kissed to the passionate intensity of first love that could last forever. Literally…
Eighteen-year-old Robbie Myers has difficulty talking to people. Not only is he shy, but he seems to say the wrong thing every time he opens his mouth, especially to the mysterious, handsome stranger who shows up at his supermarket job, defends him from an aggressive colleague and then asks him on a date. He can’t believe a hot, worldly badboy like seventeen-year-old Colt Abernathy is actually interested. Yet he can’t deny that the ardor burning in Colt’s dark eyes is just for him. In the space of one breath, Robbie is launched from his plan to attend community college while living at home with his mom and saving up for a car to the tender yet passionate exploration of intense first love. Little does Robbie know…
Brought across during the height of the Civil War, Colt has remained trapped in the body of a lonely seventeen year old. When he spots the slim, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man, pushing a line of shopping carts across a parking lot, Colt knows instantly they’re destined for each other. There’s just one major problem: if he survives the impending battle between vampires and the Matarians – an army of brutal vampire slayers – he’s going to live forever. Robbie isn’t…
Review: I absolutely loved this novel! Forever Young stars Robbie and Colt. Now, Robbie is very hardworking and sweet kid. He lives with his mom and works at a local grocery store in Boyne City, Michigan. He’s living a normal and boring life, but everything changes when he meets Colt. Why? Because Colt is a hundred and sixty-seven year old vampire.
I loved Robbie’s innocence and shyness. That made him appear weak, but I found him to be a fighter and believer. Colt, on the other hand, was freaking sexy and mysterious. He was a gentleman trapped inside a seventeen-year-old’s body. I loved Jeff Erno’s version of a vampire novel. Twilight had completely destroyed it for me and Mr. Erno made me love vampires once again. This book is filled with several intriguing characters that I found myself wanting to know more of. I really hope that Mr. Erno pens a part two for this amazing and intriguing novel.
I recommend this novel to anyone who loves supernatural novels, a good young love story fill with mystery. Trust me; you won’t regret sitting down and reading this fresh work of fiction.
At age sixteen, Todd Hoffman is a social outcast. He lives with his mother in a rundown mobile home and doesn’t wear the nice clothes or drive fancy cars like the other students. He has one outlet: he secretly writes fan fiction about a boy falling in love with another boy he’s crushing on, and posts it online.
When Galen Caulfield, Todd’s real life object of affection, notices him and asks him out, Todd feels like he’s living his fantasy. Soon enough he realizes that fantasy and reality are two very different propositions.
Galen is the high school soccer team captain, clearly out of Todd’s league. On top of that, he’s popular, good-looking, and confident, so everyone thinks he’s straight. Now it’s up to Todd to decide whether Galen is the boy of his dreams or just another dumb jock.
1st Edition published by Amazon Digital Services, Aug 24, 2012.
Length: Novel (210p.) | Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age| Release Date: August 12, 2013
Taren Laxley has never known anything but life as a slave. When a lusty pirate kidnaps him and holds him prisoner on his ship, Taren embraces the chance to realize his dream of a seagoing life. Not only does the pirate captain offer him freedom in exchange for three years of labor and sexual servitude, but the pleasures Taren finds when he joins the captain and first mate in bed far surpass his greatest fantasies.
Then, during a storm, Taren dives overboard to save another sailor and is lost at sea. He’s rescued by Ian Dunaidh, the enigmatic and seemingly ageless captain of a rival ship, the Phantom, and Taren feels an overwhelming attraction to Ian that Ian appears to share. Soon Taren learns a secret that will change his life forever: Ian and his people are Ea, shape-shifting merfolk… and Taren is one of them too. Bound to each other by a fierce passion neither can explain or deny, Taren and Ian are soon embroiled in a war and forced to fight for a future—not only for themselves but for all their kind.
Length: Novel (214p.) | Genre: High Fantasy, Paranormal, Shapeshifter, M/M/M or More
What happens after “happily ever after”? No matter how long they’ve been together, the couples in this anthology find that keeping a relationship alive takes work. Whether it’s job conflicts or family issues, the seven-year-itch or just plain stuck-in-a-rut routine, these men face the challenges of keeping the spark alive with humor, creativity, and romance.
At First Sound by G.S. Wiley
Change of Heart by Rhidian Brenig Jones
Cupcakes for Two by K. Lynn
Dream Lover by Nico Jaye
Happy Holidays by Anna Butler
Home on the Range by Anna Martin
How to Date Your Husband by AC Valentine
Like an Old Sweater by Elizabella Gold
Looking Back by Rob Rosen
Quarter Moon Over a Ten Cent Town by Stephen Osborne
Even after a decade, the life that journalist Brent Walsh and Milwaukee homicide detective Shawn Mackey have made together is far from boring. But when a new case cuts a weekend getaway short, they aren’t quite prepared for how it will impact their personal lives. Suddenly there’s too much to juggle: Shawn will be working the case of the sharpshooter who is trying to infect random people with HIV, Brent needs to cover the story but fears a conflict of interest, one of Shawn’s colleagues is attracted to him, and Brent sincerely needs to mend the painful break with his childhood best friend, Ollie, and heal their broken hearts.
Though the case comes to a close, it’s not the end of their troubles. Shawn and Brent still face a past of old white lies, a present possibility of inviting another man to their bed, and a future with children, not to mention health issues and national fallout from the case. It’s enough to make them want to run away—until they realize they have to face those challenges head-on so they can get on with the life of love they’re hoping for.
Length: Novel (204p.) | Genre: Mystery/Suspense, M/M/M or More | Release Date: August 14, 2013
When Madison “Matty” Ward finds himself out of work and without a place to live, his cousin comes through with a job on the Gates cattle ranch. Despite not knowing anything about herding cattle or taking care of horses, Matty does his best to impress the older hunky foreman, Baxter Hollingsworth. Baxter is drawn to the new young hand, but he’s deeply closeted, and after an openly gay veterinarian shows he’s interested in Matty, Baxter’s repressed feelings lead to an explosive encounter. Baxter then withdraws—leaving Matty feeling angry and used—until an accident forces him to confront his fears.
Length: Novella (120p.) | Genre: Western | Release Date: August 14, 2013 | Buy as eBook ($3.99 ISBN: 978-1-62380-066-1)
Dominic Holland leaves behind in London the shattered remains of a dishonest relationship and sets about rediscovering himself across the pond, exploring New York City and two widely different possible futures. Through a series of increasingly public encounters with a mysterious silver-haired man, Dominic gets a tantalizing taste of a new kind of freedom. But it’s fellow journalist Alex Everton who attracts Dominic, making him yearn for a real and honest love. But Alex is working on a story that is linked to his past, leaving Dominic unsure of whether he will be the one to heal his heart.
Length: Novella (208p.) | Genre: Contemporary | Release Date: August 14, 2013 | Buy as eBook ($5.99 ISBN: 978-1-62380-778-8)
Summer School by Tam Ames
Jeremy Decker’s recent split with his long-distance boyfriend has left him lonely with a mountain of debt. His only practical source of extra cash is to teach summer school, even if it means teaching history—not easy for an English teacher. To support him, the school hires Lucas Van Sloan, a much-younger college history student.
Lucas, with his swimmer’s physique and optimism, not to mention his determination to get what he wants, both attracts and annoys Jeremy… and what Lucas wants is Jeremy. The heat flares between them, but when Jeremy’s ex, a high-powered attorney with plenty of experience turning things his way, shows he wants Jeremy too, it threatens to snuff out the flame of passion and new love.
Matt Dixon, a young firefighter, is the golden child of his family, and he never dreamed that coming out would challenge more than the way his church sees him.
For years, Matt has led a double life hoping to avoid ridicule. When a self-righteous pastor’s statements provoke him to defend his recently deceased best friend’s honor and subsequently out himself, he suffers the brutal aftermath of his revelation. Everyone in his life, including his family and his new lover, Darian, must deal with the ramifications as Matt struggles to come to terms with guilt, shame, and his very belief in God.
Darian Weston lost his fiancé when Jamie took his life, and his feelings for Matt added guilt to his burden of grief. Confused and lonely, Darian clings to Matt despite his inner strife. But small-town realities keep intruding, and if Matt and Darian hope to make a life together, they must first take a stand for what they believe in, even if they fear the cost.
When small-time thief Timmy Harwell recklessly “borrows” a Cadillac for a joyride, he doesn’t expect to find a cool $100,000 in the trunk. His elation turns to terror when he realizes the SUV and the dough belong to Miguel Garcia, aka El Poco, a Tijuana drug dealer with a nasty reputation. Timmy sees only one way out: leave the stolen car behind and run as fast as he can.
His getaway is cut short when a storm strands him outside Jasper Stone’s secluded mountain cabin. Jasper finds Timmy in his shed, unconscious and burning up with fever, and takes care of the younger man, nursing him back to health. The two begin to grow close, but Jasper, a writer who seeks only solitude, is everything Timmy isn’t. Straightforward, honest, and kind.
Timmy needs Jasper’s help—and wants his respect—so he hides his dishonest habits. But when El Poco comes after him, Timmy realizes he’s not the only one at risk. His actions have also put Jasper in harm’s way. Honesty now could mean Timmy loses the man he’s come to love, but not being honest could mean far worse.
Harmony Ink Press’ releases for the week of August 12, 2013
On the Right Track by Sam Kadence
Ryunoski “Ru” Nakimura knows all about the trappings of fame. Expelled from a boy band for coming out as gay, he still wants to continue his career in music. Too bad his ex finds nothing better to do than exploit their relationship in the press, so Ru leaves California behind to lie low in Minnesota for a while.
Adam Corbin attends a Minnesota high school and wants to coast through as a typical student. He’s friends with an openly gay student, Bas Axelrod, but while Adam plays football, he also stays away from much socializing. Blending in and not outing himself has been easy because he’s never really been seriously interested in any of the guys he’s encountered.
When Adam meets Ru in a library, Adam begins to think he’s found that special young man who might make it worthwhile to just be himself. And for Ru, Adam looks like someone he might trade his fame for, if they could be together. Ru and Adam will both come to realize that courage and love must go hand in hand if they are to have a future.
Length: Novel (184p.) | Genre: Contemporary, Gay, YA | Release Date: August 15, 2013
Publisher: Amazon Digital Publishing (August 25, 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Todd Hoffman, age sixteen, doesn’t have an easy life. Not only does he live with his alcoholic mother in a rundown mobile home, but he’s also a bit of a social outcast at school. He doesn’t have the nice clothing, shoes, and car the other students have. He has only one really close friend, Shannon, but even she doesn’t understand him completely. He knows he can never confide in her his deepest secret. He can’t tell anyone, not even his favorite teacher.
But Todd finds a way to express his feelings when he learns about fan fiction. Being a gifted writer, Todd begins to write stories–gay stories–about another boy he’s secretly crushing on. He posts the stories on a fan fiction website.
When the object of Todd’s affection one day notices him and asks him out, Todd feels like he is suddenly living a dream, that his literary fantasy is becoming real. Soon, however, he realizes that reality and fantasy are two different things, and he has to determine if Galen, the high school soccer team captain, is the boy of his dreams or just another dumb jock.
This is book three of the Dumb Jock series, and the story is linked to the previous books by featuring several common characters. Jeff and Brett are present as are Adam and Trevor. Book three is a continuation of the first two installments, but also serves as a standalone read.
Review: I love a good nerd/jock novel. I find them fresh and interesting even though some people claim that they have been retold a hundred times. But have they? If you go looking for them, you could only come across one or two. So, when Jeff Erno came out with the third installment of the Dumb Jock series, I had to read it.
The story starts with Todd Hoffman. He has had a pretty rough life since his mom is an alcoholic and they basically live in a trailer park. He is an outcast of life who finds comfort in writing gay fan fiction. His life completely changes after he wins an essay contest at school and his secret crush, Galen Caulfield, notices him and asks him. Galen is the local high school soccer team captain and heart robe. Sparks fly and soon, they find themselves madly in love with each other. But, things are not perfect since their relationship is forbidden by several factors. You have to read this story to find out what they are.
I loved the fact that several previous characters of the series are featured and are linked perfectly well. The one think that I didn’t like was the ending. It was just too sudden. I was expecting a few more chapters, but that left me wanting to read part two of this tale. Overall, Dumb Jock 3:Appearances Matter was an amazing read. I highly recommend this novel to everyone who has read the previous book in the series and for those who enjoy a good nerd/jock theme novel.
Blurb: For six years, Rex Payton has focused on two things: keeping his late father’s small-town Kentucky bar afloat and raising his nephew, Tyler. After the tragic loss of his parents and sister, Rex has no interest in romance. He’s respected in his community and regarded as one of Carlisle’s most eligible bachelors, but he’s accepted that his life isn’t conducive to a romantic relationship, especially as a closeted gay man.
Enter Josh Billings, a veterinary student who’s serving an internship in town. Josh’s deepest passion is helping animals. Romance is the furthest thing from his mind… until the night he meets taciturn, handsome Rex Payton. Chance and an after-hours dance conspire to forge an intimate connection neither man looked for—one neither man can ignore after the dance leads to a kiss.
Suddenly romance isn’t so insignificant, but it’s also not without complications. For this relationship to work, Josh has to decide if he can cope with dating a single dad, Rex has to open his heart, and Ty has to learn to share his dad’s affection.
Review: Okay…confession time. I was itching for this book since it popped onto Dreamspinner’s Coming Soon page. The little boy on the cover was absolutely adorable and I couldn’t wait to read his story. But, when I got We Danced in my hot little hands and started to read I almost didn’t make it through chapter one.
No. It wasn’t that the writing was that terrible. Jeff Erno is a fabulous storyteller. I had no trouble picturing a tired barkeep cleaning up at the end of the night. The smell of Pine-sol, the music playing in the background, the timid knock on the door, all set a wonderful mood that sucked me in. Then we came to the dance. I may have mentioned in the past that I strongly disapprove of instalove unless werekin are involved. So for two sober, absolute strangers to slow dance in an empty bar almost had me running for the hills. Then Mr. Erno nicely let Josh have the perfect reaction and I was hooked. No way was I putting this book down, until I reached The End.
Turns out, rather than the sappy mess I feared, We Danced is one of those books that I will go back and re-read again and again. It was absolutely brilliant. Neither Josh nor Rex was looking for a love match. Hell, they weren’t even looking for a hook-up. And Josh is a bit leery of getting involved with a single dad. Their romance unfolds ever so nicely. It’s sexy, it’s funny and Ty is a little angel. I loved that despite their apprehensions, they were both so honest and supportive of each other. Rex and Ty show Josh that there is room in his life for more than just his academic dreams. And Josh helps Rex remember, he had dreams of his own, before his life was tragically altered and Ty became his sole purpose for being. Did I mention the hot,steamy sex…;-) And there is enough blood pressure raising drama to justify me taking extra dose or two, while I read. *smdh* Family…too bad you can’t hand pick them.
I have one more confession…this was my first Jeff Erno read. I know you are probably shaking your head and wondering how I could own a M/M review site and failed to read one of the biggies in the biz…I have no excuse. But, now that I have been introduced properly to this fabulous writer, you can bet, I’ll be begging for his entire backlist.
I am recommending this book to readers who love seeing single dads find love, little boys who are wise beyond their years and sexy young men who have sense enough to alter their dreams to include falling in love.
Title: Abandoned Angel
Title: My Dumb Jock
Title: Teacher’s Pet
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