Tag: Leta Blake

Training Complex by Leta Blake

512QvcHY33L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Title: Training Complex
Series: Training Season, #2
Author: Leta Blake
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (362 pages)
Publisher: Leta Blake (May 11, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Figure skater Matty Marcus didn’t capture Olympic gold, but he won rancher Rob Lovely’s heart.

After Rob sold his ranch and Matty hung up his skates, they started a new life together in New York City. Now Matty has taken on a fresh challenge as a figure skating coach, and Rob’s second career as a physical therapist should be everything he’s dreamed of. But in the brutal heat of their third summer in the city, Rob yearns for the wide-open country, and the intensity of city life awakens Matty’s demons.

Matty asks for increasingly intense BDSM scenes, and his disordered eating and erratic behavior ramp up the stakes. Rob struggles to stay in control, and after a well-intentioned anniversary gift goes awry, he still thinks he can handle the fallout. But the concrete jungle is closing in and his coping skills are unraveling.

Their love is deep, but Rob will have to admit the truth about what he really wants before they both tumble into chaos.

ISBN: 978-1-62622-727-9

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Training-Complex-Season-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00XIDBMNA

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: I came across Leta when her first book in this series came out. I must admit that it was hot. I have never been in to books that involve sports but this one just grabs your attention that is for sure. The guys are so damn hot and leaves you panting for more. Although they had to go through some pretty big hoops to get to the happy ending.

Now I am also not one for the BDSM life style, but damn after reading this I wasn’t sure about that in the end. Matty is back for more. He was a figure skater who had captured Rob’s heart. Now that they have both settled into their new lives, things are about to change. Matty is going to be teaching the darlings in how to skate and Rob is going to be a physical therapist. However Rob is missing his life in the country.

Matty is getting to deep into the scenes and his life is going out of control. Robbie is trying his hardest to keep Matty grounded, but he is not sure what is going to happen. He needs to step up and make Matty see that things needed to change.

There is so much pain in the story that you wonder if they are going to make it. However one must have faith that love beats all. Now for me I wanted to smack Matty upside the head. Now it is missing something for me to truly love, but it was a fun read. I had a blast reading it and look forward to reading the next book.

I would definitely recommend it.

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

Vespertine by Leta Blake and Indra Vaughn

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00075]Title: Vespertine
Series: N/A
Author: Leta Blake and Indra Vaughn
Genre: Contemporary / Religion / Rock-Stars
Length: Novel (420 pages)
Publisher: Lendra (September 10th 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?

Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.

Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.

As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.

Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.

ISBN: 9781626227385

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Aerin

Review: I promised myself I would stay away from books where the main character is a priest, because the last one I read was a major disappointment. But when I realized Indra was one of the authors, my promise went to hell in 3 seconds flat. I’ve read all of Indra’s books and I loved every single one of them, so I went ahead and requested this one for review.

I’m now emotionally exhausted, I have a major book hangover, but I’m smiling like a lunatic because I simply LOVED this book! I’m a big fan of books where the MCs are childhood friends, I love books in which a couple gets their second chance to get it right, I adore rock star books; this book had it all, and it’s now one of my favorite books ever.

Leta Blake is a new author to me even though I’ve heard about her… I know, how outrageous! The only explanation I have is that I was never drawn to her books, but I think maybe that’s about to change. Leta and Indra together are simply brilliant!

The writing in this book is done in such a beautiful way. I could picture every detail, every landscape, without being bored to death by overly descriptive scenes. The characters are complex, riveting, fascinating, easy to relate to, and written is such a way, that I found myself emotionally invested with them from the very first page.

I’m not gonna lie, this was a very long book, but the story flows beautifully, and there was never a moment I thought this book should have been shorter.

Make sure to be mentally prepared for a ton of angst, because there’s so much emotional angst in this book, I drowned in it at times; and yet I didn’t think it was too much. It was touching and it evoked many emotions, I was smiling and crying, I got goose bumps and in the last half I was certain I was going to catch fire.

Nico Blue aka Nicky (to friends and family) broke my heart but he was my favorite character. Abandoned as a baby by his birth mother and left to die alone in a dumpster, Nico now suffers from attachment disorder and keeps the whole world on the outside, unable to make emotional connections with his adoptive parents or anyone else…..except Jasper (aka Jazz).

Jazz and Nicky were best friends since childhood, became lovers as teenagers, and separated and both went their own way when they were 17. Nicky became Nico Blue, a guitarist and song writer idolized by fans, a drug addict who couldn’t live a day without the drugs that helped him cope with a life without Jazz in it.

Jazz felt his spiritual calling from a very young age, and even though he loved Nicky with all his heart, there could never be a choice between God and Nicky. He’s very passionate about his job, but nothing is more important than the homeless LGBT teen shelter he runs. Those kids are his life, and he would do absolutely anything to keep them safe.

When Nicky returns to their hometown and they reconnect for the first time, all the contentment Father Jazz in his current life was blown away by the powerful connection and attraction he still has for Nicky. I loved their interactions, from the innocent, vulnerable friendship they rekindled, to the passion and love that refused to be ignored.

And holy crap, who would’ve thought the proper innocent Father Jazz, could turn into a sexy, filthy, dirty-talker??? The sex doesn’t happen until the last third of the book, but when it does, you’ll see it’s worth the wait. It was so hot and passionate. I thought I was going to go up in flames.

The secondary characters are complex and beautifully written; Nicky’s parents were incredibly supportive and loved him unconditionally, their relationship with Nicky was very touching. The band, the congregation, Father Andrew, the LGBT kids, they all came together in a flawless way that brought depth and complexity to the story.

This was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

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

Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake

Title: Smoky Mountain Dreams

Author: Leta Blake

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (412 pages)

Publisher: Leta Blake Books (November 13, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Sometimes holding on means letting go
After giving up on his career as a country singer in Nashville, Christopher Ryder is happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee. But while his beloved Gran loves him the way he is, Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. Even when he’s center stage, he aches for someone to see the real him.

Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children’s mother. He doesn’t want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn’t want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Portia

Review: Christopher is an understudy singer at Smoky Mountain Dreams. It’s one of those cheesy places, like Dollywood, where singers who could make it in Nashville go to perform.

He’s not happy, but he’s not unhappy either. He has a job that he enjoys and a Gran who adores him. But, he wouldn’t mind being someone’s first choice to love.

This was such a sweet story. Christopher just melted my heart and I wanted nothing more for him, than a happily ever after. And I was surprised by both Jesse and his family. Because he was married, I kind of assumed he would be this closeted guy, who wanted to keep Christopher a secret. But, that wasn’t the case. If anything, Chris was the one pushing for discretion.

What really made this book for me, were the sub-plots. Christopher’s interaction with Jesse’ daughter neared to break my heart. While Jesse thought he understood his daughter, Christopher really got her. And the in-laws were amazing people, another nice change from some many similar stories.

Jesse and Christopher romance has a nice slow burn. Which sounds weird when you consider their first interaction was kinda hot. But, even when they became more physical, it takes some time for them both to figure out if this is a forever love or not.

I have a list of hopelessly romantic authors…and Leta Blake just made the cut. There is tension, drama, misunderstanding and hope, all the things I like in my HEAs.

Highly recommend.

The River Leith by Leta Blake

61rfAcuv5iL._SL1101_Title:  The River Leith

Author:  Leta Blake

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novel (215 pages)

Publisher:  Leta Blake (May 14th, 2014)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Blurb:  Memory is everything.

After an injury in the ring, amateur boxer Leith Wenz wakes to discover his most recent memories are three years out of date. Unmoored and struggling to face his new reality, Leith must cope anew with painful revelations about his family. His brother is there to support him, but it’s the unfamiliar face of Zach, a man introduced as his best friend, that provides the calm he craves. Until Zach’s presence begins to stir up feelings Leith can’t explain.

For Zach, being forgotten by his lover is excruciating. He carefully hides the truth from Leith to protect them both from additional pain. His bottled-up turmoil finds release through vlogging, where he confesses his fears and grief to the faceless Internet. But after Leith begins to open up to him, Zach’s choices may come back to haunt him.

Ultimately, Leith must ask his heart the questions memory can no longer answer.

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/The-River-Leith-Leta-Blake-ebook/dp/B00KCR6LXQ

Reviewer: Tams

Review: This book reminds me of one of my favorite piano accompaniments, A River Flows in You. A river is a body of water that is constantly in motion, grounded to the earth by something encasing it, encouraging and allowing the flow to continue. Leith is very much the river, and Zach is what surrounds him, protects him, and allows him to flow. Without each other, neither would be complete.

Leith Wentz wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of the past three years. Three years ago, Leith was in prison for a fight gone badly, his father was still alive, and he hadn’t yet met the love of his life. All of those precious memories were wiped out with one blow to the back of the head. Leith’s recovery is long and painful. He’s angry and lashes out at everyone and everything, and who is the man named Zach that visit’s him? His brother says they are best friends but Leith just can’t remember. But his soul can. From that first look into Zach’s frightened eyes, Leith is drawn to him, inexplicably, and he has no idea why. The more time they spend together, the stronger the pull becomes. And when Zach isn’t there he misses him, and it only confuses him more. Something is going on, Leith’s family and friends are keeping secrets, and it’s only making him madder.

Zach is broken and spent. The man of his dreams, the man he’s spent the last three years loving, fighting with, growing closer than possible to doesn’t remember him. The man, in fact, assures his doctor that he is straight. Can you imagine? In the blink of an eye, your entire life, everything you’ve lived for and loved is wiped away with the ease of an eraser on a chalkboard, leaving behind only dust and a musty smell. Zach’s only solace is his job at the bar he co-owns with Arthur, Leith’s brother, his lesbian roommates and his online vlog. Zach can’t tell his best friend and lover about his pain and misery because that person doesn’t remember him, so he pours his heart out to his online followers.

In the aftermath, Leith is welcomed back into a life that is anything but a distant memory. He has to acclimate into situations that are above his comprehension, and learn to love a man he can’t remember, but deep down in his soul, he knows he belongs with Zach. And Zach will have to learn to stop comparing this Leith to the Leith before the accident. That Leith basically died, because this one not only can’t remember, but also refuses to continue to be compared to that shell. If these two obvious soul mates are going to find their second happy ever after, they are going to have to love each other in the now, start a new life, and make new memories.

Do you remember that movie The Vow, with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams? This is the gay version! I am a huge fan of soul mates whether it is in books or movies, and Leith and Zach are definitely soul mates. It was both painful and beautiful to watch both men dredge through the pain and turmoil of getting past Leith’s accident and moving forward together, overcoming every obstacle that was thrown into their path. Blake did an excellent job of making sure the reader was right there with both men as they dealt with the pain and love every damn day. We were there inside Leith’s mind as he would analyze, verbalize, and sometimes act out in his mind with the utter helplessness he felt at not being able to remember. And Zach’s vlog posts kept us inside his mind as he dealt with the same issues, just in a different way. I highly recommend this book, especially to those hopeless romantics out there that love an epic love story that transcends the mind and digs down deep into your soul.

—