Title: Restoring the Past Series: N/A Author: M. Durango Genre: Contemporary Length: Novella (92 Pages) Publisher: Torquere Press LLC (March 11, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: Home for the first time since a broken heart drove him away 13 years ago, Cal Brewster is faced with the daunting task of settling his father’s estate. Cal finds himself confronted by a dilapidated house in desperate need of repairs, greedy family members looking for a windfall, a nosy neighbor with time on her hands, and an ex-boyfriend who’s around too often for comfort.
Just as his relationship with his ex, Andy, starts to heat up, Cal’s world is thrown into further disarray when he discovers his parentage might not be what he’d thought.
Is this a chance for Cal and Andy to start over–or is it a disaster in the making?
Review: This is the second book that I have read by this author and I have to tell you that I love it. They are cute stories, although a bit short for my liking. There are a few problems that are noticeable but it doesn’t really take away from the book itself. It just kind of makes it a bit off. I took one look at the title and cover knowing that I would find a book that comes off a bit more believable them many others do. Then I read the blurb and knew I had to read it.
Cal had basically run away from home after his relationship ended. He stayed away for close to thirteen years and only came home when his father passed away. He just wasn’t expecting all the chaos around him when he got there. A nosy neighbor, an idiot ex, stupid family members and a home that needed repair. Talk about a bit daunting.
However Andy is also there, and there just might me a chance of their past being welcomed into the future. That is if his new-found information doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into their plans. I felt Cal’s pain though, it came through pretty well. Andy was a breath of fresh air.
Now as I said there were a few problems that I found but did have a blast with it. I would definitely recommend this book. It was fun to read and I loved the guys. They are sexy as hell and damn I wouldn’t mind hearing about them in the future.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Author(s): edited by Elizabeth L. Brooks with stories by M. Durango, Lynn Townsend, Genna Donaghy, Lazuli Jones, Racheline Maltese, Erin McRae, Sean Michael, and Berengaria Brown
Genre: Anthology
Length: 129 pages
ISBN: 1610407687
Publisher: Torquere Press (June 18th 2014)
Heat Level: Low to Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb: There’s nothing like a wedding to make things interesting, for the grooms, the wedding party, the family, the friends, and even the caterer!
Sean Michael’s Hammer Club favorites Billy and Montana are back in “Put a Ring On It”, a tale that begins with the celebration of their best friends’ first anniversary. In “Building Us,” by Lynn Townsend, Eric and Temple discover that, for want of a nail, a ring is lost. In “Hold Your Peace” by Lazuli Jones, Terrence’s best friend (and best man) Michael makes a confession hours before Terrence’s wedding. In “Tony’s Tiara” by Berengaria Brown, Tony’s sister’s wedding is a never-ending saga of disasters, but Josh is there to support Tony through them all.
In “Having His Cake” by Genna Donaghy, Matty Strauss is about to cater the biggest wedding in his career, but the last thing he expects is for the groom to be his former one nightstand. In “Always a Groomsman” by M. Durango, best men Doug and Garth have to keep a wedding-day disaster at bay. In “Lake Effect” by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese, Kyle and Daniel return to their hometown to get married only to find themselves facing an obstacle course of family drama and small-town misadventure in their quest to make it down the aisle.
Review: Overall—This was a very enjoyable story. There were many that I absolutely loved. All of them were worth the read. The stories range from hot, steamy to mild, and sweet. There is something for everyone.
Put a Ring on It by Sean Michaels ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts Billy is hoping that his boy Montana wants to step up and get married like his friends have. He brings it up at the anniversary party but Montana doesn’t seem as interested as Billy had hoped.
This was a hot and sexy romp with a bit of D’s relationship and some worry between two men that have been together for a long time. I liked the fact that it showed both the emotional angst of taking the next step. My only problem with the story was that to me the dialogue seemed to be a bit juvenile at times, but having said that it was a hot and sexy story and I loved the end! A very creative and unique engagement ring.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4211
Building Us by Lynn Townsend ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Eric has a surprise for his lover Temple. He has finished building the dream home for Temple that both are supposed to be moving into together starting a new life for themselves. He is having Temple go on the top of the roof to drive the last nail in as a symbol of their new life together and has a surprise for him while there.
This was such a lovely story. I loved the surprise and then them losing something on top of the roof. I also liked having such a complete conclusion. The only thing is at first it seemed as if this may be part of a series and I wanted to read their story of how they met, but then again it went on and went several years in the future with the conclusion so I am not sure if it was part of a series. Whether it is or not this is a very good story. It is easy to follow and left me smiling and content.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4205
Hold Your Peace by Lazuli Jones ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts Michael is Terrence’s best man at his wedding that is to take place in a few hours. He has been in love with Terrence since high school and has decided to take one last chance to win Terrence away from Brandon. Will Terrence join Michael in his car and drive away or will he go through with the wedding?
This was awesome! I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for Terrence’s decision! I loved the characters and the tension inn this story I will definitely be looking for more from Lazuli Jones!
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4207
Tony’s Tiara by Berengaria Brown ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Tony is helping his sister with her wedding and it’s a living nightmare. She makes Bridezillas look tame. His lover Josh is helping him handle the stress the best he can. He also would like to marry Tony but isn’t sure if Tony will want to after this wild event.
I really liked this story. I loved Tony and Josh and how they handled the nightmare of Tony’s sister’s wedding. There was a bit of twist, but it all worked out in the end. I would love to see more of Tony and Josh, though I will say I am not sure I saw the significance of the Tiara, to me that sort of went over my head, unless we knew more about Tony.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4212
Having His Cake by Genna Donaghy ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Matty is happy to have landed the contract for a very upscale and public wedding. Though with the Grooms father being a senator against gay rights other gays have been turning them down. Matty is taking a chance with his peers but wants to better his business and the bride is very sweet and pleasant to work with. Things really seem to be looking up when at the club he has a hook-up with a sexy man that is until he meets the groom.
I loved this story. It was sweet and charming with a bit of a twist. It’s hot and sexy too. A great story and I loved Matty!
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4212
Always a Groomsman by M. Durango ♥♥♥3 Hearts Doug and Garth are groomsmen at their best friend’s weddings. It seems as if they have been doing this for a while and they have forged a very good friendship. Everything is going good then the flowers don’t show up throwing one of the grooms into a panic Garth tries to console his friend while Doug finds out the problem.
This story was short and sweet. I will have to say I kept expecting more. The main focus was on the wedding and I felt the thing with Doug and Garth was thrown in as an afterthought. I would have loved to seen more with them.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4204
Lake Effect by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese ♥♥♥3 Hearts Daniel and Kyle have returned home to get married. Kyle’s parents aren’t happy at all about this. Not only because Kyle is gay but that Daniel is 9 years older.
This story was about the conflict between Kyle and his family and a little about Daniel and his. To me it seemed like it was a part of a series so I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. I will say I would really like to see Daniel and Kyle’s story and how they got here. I love older men/younger men relationships.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=4208
Blurb: Matt and Christian from Where You Least Expect It are back! It’s Fourth of July and Christian wants to go to the fireworks show; Matt’s hot and bothered and wants to stay home. Christian promises to make it up to him later and they head off to the park to watch things explode. Christian might be focused on the fireworks, but Matt’s still focused on Christian. Lucky for them, the night is chilly and no one looks twice when they cuddle under a blanket. Even luckier, no one can see what Matt’s hands are doing to Christian.
Review: I usually don’t go for short stories, but this one was hot.
Matt and Christian are from Where You Least Expect It. They are so cute and funny. Matt is the alpha of the two, but when it comes to Christian he is tender and very loving. Christian is very sweet, loving, caring, and hot. When they come together it sets off all the fire alarms, they are so hot together. The story line is cute and funny, and will make you smile through the book. It kept my attention from beginning to the end.
I wish it were a longer book because it left me wanting to hear more, but I loved this little story. These two are the best characters I have read about in a while. I read it and just enjoyed it so much that I will be reading it again.
Blurb: To make up for his aborted Thanksgiving trip, Curt travels to Chicago to spend Christmas with his family, but even the whirlwind of activity can’t keep him from missing Bailey. Once he’s back home, he invites Bailey for a quiet dinner, which leads to a lusty reunion. Is Curt alone in thinking this is the start of something special, or was Bailey missing him, too?
Review: For a very short story, it was very adorable.
Curt and Bailey had a weekend together, but each want more it would seem. Curt can’t get Bailey out of his head, thinking about him while at his family’s home. They are both very independent and really good at what they do. They have the strength and loyalty with just a bit of mischief in them. You hear about Bailey through Curt’s thoughts and you can’t help but want them to end up together. It doesn’t have much of a story line or plot, just a really cute little story that would be great to read the night before Christmas. You hope that they both find love with each other and are making the wish for them yourself.
I like longer stories that I can lose myself into, but this one ranks up there as pretty good.
Blurb: Bailey occasionally fills in as a substitute bartender at his friend’s airport bar as a favor. He strikes up a conversation with Curt, a professor on his way to a family Thanksgiving in Chicago. They hit it off, and make plans to meet up after the holiday, but when the flight is delayed and then canceled, Bailey jumps at the chance to move up the timetable. He invites Curt back to his place for a drink and more, but he has the feeling this is more than a one-night stand. Will Curt feel the same?
Review: Once again, this is an example of a well-written short story. Two men meet in a bar, hit it off and then decide to go home and hit it off even better between the sheets. The story focuses largely on the interaction between the two men and that intense focus pulls the reader in. Bailey and Curt are obviously attracted to each other and decide to meet up at a later date until fate intercedes and they move their tryst up. As expected, both men burn it up between the sheets. What the reader gets is that they are viewing what is possibly the beginning of something more, and that peak inside is what makes the story so appealing.
The characters are very likable and believable and you can see the two men are very much in character.
Title: Restoring the Past
