Publisher: Silvia Violet (December 14th 2013 by Silvia Violet Books
(first published December 10th 2011)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo
Blurb: Jake Sanders comes home for Christmas after a dreary semester filled with sleepless nights and a cheating boyfriend. Finding a new man is the last thing on his mind until he discovers that Ben Swinburne now owns the bakery where they both once worked.
Five years ago, Jake and Ben shared a single kiss, and Jake has never forgotten the way Ben’s lips felt against his. When Ben catches Jake under the mistletoe, passion ignites between them.
This time around, Ben wants more than one kiss, but Jake isn’t sure he’s ready for another relationship. He must find the strength to move past his pain and open his heart, or will he miss out on a second chance with the man of his dreams.
This title has been previously released by another publisher.
Review: This is all about love the second time around. Jake shared a mind-melting kiss with Ben five years earlier. However, Ben with his ethics did not wish to be involved with a young Jake. Now, however, that they are both older and more mature, Ben is hoping to pick up where they left off. Jake, however, is scared having just had his heart-broken. After not just a searing kiss, but also a night of hot passion, Jake back pedals leaving Ben broken-hearted.
However, in the spirit of Christmas and families, Jake’s family steps in to help him see the error of his ways, and he runs back to the one man who he’s never ever forgotten.
There’s nothing like heat in a kitchen to lend heat to a relationship and that is what Jake and Ben provide for the reader. The men reconcile in the best of ways and the Christmas miracle is achieved as they both realize just what they’ve always meant to each other.
For those who see Christmas as a time of healing and reconciliation, this story is all about that. Happy Reading – you won’t regret it.
Clay is alone with a new job in a new city. Shy and reserved, he has always had a hard time putting himself out there.
Noah is an aggressive businessman, but is reserved when it comes to matters of the heart. When Clay entered his office building three weeks earlier, Noah felt an immediate attraction to the gorgeous man and has been waiting for the right time to approach him.
When the two end up on the patio together during the company Christmas party, it is the perfect opportunity for them officially meet. When Noah suggests they get away from the chaos of the party, Clay surprises himself by agreeing.
The two men spend a night of passion, exploring and getting to know each other and allowing their attraction to each other overshadow their own vulnerability, but will the sensual connection they felt at night still be there in the morning?
This is a short Holiday romance that is sure to warm your heart.
Review: Clay and Noah meet at a party. There is instant attraction between these two men who do not do one-night stands. Their lovemaking is epic for both of them, but Clay feeling out of his ken does a runner much to Noah’s annoyance. Noah confronts Clay about his behaviour and then retreats to his office to pout, as one is wont to do when one is upset. By the time Noah realizes that he would have behaved similarly to Clay in the circumstances, Clay has already come to him to apologize for his behaviour. He brings his favourite holiday food of Gingerbread cookies as his peace-offering.
Sometimes a one-night stand can turn into something so much more when it’s wrapped in the guise of the Christmas holiday spirit. Two very nice men who meet and hit it off. Great little read.
Blurb: Kit Jefferies, a part-time department store Christmas elf, is an artist who loves life and his family. Unfortunately, his car dies at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere as he is heading home for Christmas. Enter Nick St. George.
Nick is a very unhappy man—he’s achieved his professional goals only to find the rest of his life bleak and empty. Deciding there was only one way to make everything right, he is on his way to San Francisco on a dark mission, and even the horrible sleet storm that blocked his path won’t deter him. That’s when he found Kit.
At first, Nick is pretty sure rescuing Kit was a big mistake. Kit’s personality is just too, well, effervescent. But as the miles go by, Kit begins to bring light to his dark heart. It might even be bright enough to illuminate a Christmas miracle.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming.”
Review: Nick is a douche when you first meet him and most people would have written him off altogether, but for whatever reason he’s kindly towards Kit and so they embark upon an unlikely road trip, which will lead Nick into spending time in Kits’ infectious presence. Kit’s inability to curse or be mean is representative of the true meaning of Christmas and what Kit does for Nick is in every way what we expect to see in a Christmas miracle. Nick is finally able to see that there is more to life than he first thought and that he must have the courage to not only save himself but to reach out and capture happiness when it is facing him.
Kit is able to see the Nick that Nick himself is not able to see. When Kit gives Nick his Christmas gifts, Nick is finally able to see himself in a way he’d never seen himself before and it is that single act of kindness and compassion which will change the trajectory of both their lives.
This is a lovely and heart-warming story about the holidays and the true meaning of Christmas, complete with the Christmas miracle that Kit will give to Nick.
Blurb: Javier Torres was a sweet, plump, and very unpopular child. But over the years, he turned himself into a gorgeous gym god. The problem is he’s also become an egotistical snob. But one day his arrogance pisses off the wrong little old lady, and he wakes up to find that, like the Prince in Beauty and the Beast, he’s been transformed into something from his personal nightmares. Javier has nowhere to go but back home, where to his surprise. He is greeted with open arms, not just by the family he remembers, but also by his new brother-in-law, Cole. Cole suspects there might be a pretty heart to go with the pretty face locked inside that new body, but has Javier learned enough to earn Cole—instead of coal—for Christmas?
A novella from the Dreamspinner Press 2011 Advent Calendar package “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Review: So what we have here is a slightly altered version of Beauty and the Beast, or better yet, Beauty and the Beast meets A Christmas Carol. And for a community that is youth and beauty obsessed, this is certainly apropos. This is about what happens when you allow the outside to overshadow the inside. The moral of the story is that it’s all good and well to try to get the outside to look pretty, but at what cost will you do this? Are you willing to sell your soul and self-respect? What does it say when people only like the package, but don’t really know what is really inside the package or even care about the package’s contents.
This is a very short, spicy tale of Christmas so it moves along quickly but without feeling overly rushed. The characters are nicely drawn and you have clear pictures of everyone, even the bit players who are Javier’s family. They add colour and dimension and help to make the story even more believable and relatable. Once Cole enters the picture, Javier will learn that being beautiful on the inside is just if not more important than external beauty. He will find that the people who love you will always love you and not care about things like looks or money. Most of all he will learn the importance of love and how important it is to love and be loved. What better Christmas message could there be?
So you have a tale of goodwill and rebirth all with a sprinkling of some lovely fairy, or maybe elves’ dust along with a gust of wind from the North Pole. A lovely little Christmas story that helps us remember the important things at this time of the year. Very charming!
Blurb: Professionally, Dr. Alec Johnson has almost reached his goals. As this year’s recipient of a humanitarian award with his ex, Dr. Tyler Hall, Alec’s work with the homeless is about to be recognized. Unfortunately, his personal life sucks because now he has to attend several events alongside Tyler—with his ex’s new boyfriend in tow. In an attempt to lift his mood and break out of his rut, Alec purchases a motorcycle he has no idea how to start.
Dylan Booth doesn’t have time for Dr. Clueless and his fickle 1964 Harley, but the cocky mechanic can’t say no to the request for help. Having spent his teen years on the streets, and losing his best friend to HIV, Dylan decides teaching the do-gooder how to ride is the least he can do. But watching Alec flounder in his ex’s company throws Dylan into protector mode, and the confirmed hetero introduces himself as Alec’s new boyfriend.
The ex suspects Dylan is lying.Alec claims Dylan’s plan is insane.And Dylan’s not sure he can fake being gay.
But Dylan’s a master bullshitter, and the phony PDA soon turns ultra-hot. Alec can’t afford to get attached, and Dylan’s learned everyone eventually leaves. Unfortunately, playing the backup boyfriend is starting to feel way too real…
Review: Let’s just get my bias out the way. This is my favourite type of m/m story to read. With that said, while this is my favourite ‘type’ – I often find many leave me wanting more. This was so NOT the case here and I’m able to do my happy dance complete with a twirl. No judging! So let’s begin with the key players. Dylan and Alec are written flawlessly and the reader is able to understand both characters and why they act the way they do. The secondary characters of Noah, a joint friend between Dylan and Alec; and, Alec’s ex, Tyler, are also cleverly written to add colour and texture to the story. They allow the reader to see Dylan and Alec as whole and three-dimensional characters.
Both Dylan and Alec are men that are searching; yet none of them know what they are searching for until they find each other. Somehow they click. But, they must both be willing to give up some things and then to claim others if they are to make a go of a successful relationship. While their relationship begins as a gag, they both soon realize, that there is something very real amidst the fake. And this is done without losing the sense of masculinity with either character. Their vulnerability feels extremely gender appropriate. The reader is allowed to experience their pain, uncertainty, fear and self loathing until they are both able to accept what they mean to each other and what they need to do to remain together. There is no insta-happiness for these men. Additionally, it was refreshing to read a novel where the author took the time to actually make the timeline of this realistic to how men would actually react – once again gender appropriate.
So let’s talk about the heat index shall we? The sex – Lord have mercy – the sex. EPIC! You can hear and feel every zipper pull, every button pop and every suck and slap of skin. And not one bit of it was gratuitous. It was woven so cleverly and meaningfully into the storyline that when it happens, the reader is literally hanging on by a thread waiting for the hookup. The reader is almost able to open the drawer and hand over the Astroglide or KY, they are so entrenched.
Final words: The story feels very real. Dylan and Alec are very believable and the reader thoroughly enjoys watching both men come apart in each other’s arms. And, the way they come back together (yes there are bust ups and breakups) rings true to how two men would try to overcome their issues. Somebody has to be the bigger man to allow the other to not lose face or his sense of masculinity. This is an excellent read. Its length is excellent because it allows you the time and space to meet, get to know and enjoy these two men, their friends and their lives; and, to root for them to find each other, knowing that what they can have together will fulfil each of them.
My favourite words for any review – Buy the book, support the author!
A week before Christmas, Alex Bancroft’s bakery goes up in flames. When he runs back inside after a dog, firefighter Kevin Flint has to rescue Alex—and Quincy—from the smoldering building, endangering them, and inflaming Kevin’s resentment.
Now Alex can’t create the elaborate gingerbread house he donates to a foster-kids charity each year. Fire Station 7 again comes to his rescue, offering their kitchen and their manpower.
Everyone but Kevin Flint, that is. A third-generation firefighter, he’s fearful of stepping too far out of the closet. So when his powerful physical attraction for Alex ends in a sizzling secret encounter in the firehouse, Kevin can’t push Alex far enough away, and Alex returns the cold shoulder.
After a change of heart, Kevin risks his life to prove he’s worthy of Alex’s affection, but without a Christmas miracle, their chances at sweet romance might go up in smoke.
Like all Delectable stories, Gingerbread Palace includes recipes used in the book.
Review: I think the timing I chose to read this story was simply perfect. I picked it up yesterday and finished it by the time I needed to sleep, thus my dreams were delectable. E.M. has a way of making your mouth water with her men just like she does with her cooking images. This time around, she gifts us a Candyman and a Fireman.
Let’s take a sneak peek on the story here. A bakery is on fire and the fire-team arrives to the rescue. The delicious chef gets himself in trouble trying to save the dog he was sitting and the equally – if not more – delicious firefighter saves his life, literally. And sparks cause a whole different brand of fire.
What? You thought the sexy fire didn’t you? Well, that most certainly comes later on, but the first sparks are darker than you might expect. You see Kevin, the firefighter, is deep, deep in the closet besides being a third generation fireman and one that sticks to the rules like he has tons of glue on his a$$. He thinks the sexy baker is a dumbass and actually goes ahead telling him so right after he’s rescued him. Talk about a bad start. To make it worse, they end up having angry sex only for Kevin to treat Alex like trash, triggering the most hurtful memories Alex has.
The characters are fascinating, both of them having multiple layers and hidden things that trigger their behavior. The author did a very nicely balanced job with this novella, as she managed to get lots of dark and cruel events in the middle of the light and vice-versa. This is not your typical happy and cheery read, even if it seems that way in first sight. I liked it so a lot and no, it didn’t feel heavy at all.
What I felt weird about was the abrupt change of heart Kevin suffered. It was a bit fast for me; one moment he’s a complete jerk, the next he’d a damned angel, and it caused me a feeling akin to vertigo. However, it still didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
As for the erotic part of the book, what can I say; it was as expected delicious, sensual, sexy and hot, and not nearly enough. This pair worked out so well, I’d have loved a couple more scenes for them to explore themselves through the different phases of their relationship. In fact, the entire book evoked strong cravings and made you wish for more.
Overall GingerbreadPalace is yet another lovely book in the series that will leave you drooling after having a fantastic time with its men and candies. Strongly recommended for fans of the genre and those of you who wish for a delectable Christmas read.
Eli’s Review: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Alex and Kevin literally strike sparks off each other. Each meeting they have with each other is fraught with tension and angst, largely due to Kevin’s fear of being outed. The story progresses with this tension until Kevin and Alex hook up. But once again, Kevin allows his personal issues to get in the way of a potential relationship with Alex; and, he burns his bridges with the man. In the meantime, he’s beginning to learn more about Alex and he regrets his decision but there is little he can do to fix the situation.
When Alex goes out on a date and Kevin gets hurt on the job, this provides a powerful tool, which can move these men to finding each other. The story moves between Alex and Kevin’s perspectives which is good, but the story would have been more powerful had this been Kevin’s story for the reader to see the arc of his growth which began with his and Alex’ interaction in the hospital, which is where the book ends. Had the story gone on to have Kevin come out and embrace who he was not just to Alex but also to the world, especially his father and co-workers, and then end with he and Alex embarking upon a relationship, this story would have vaulted to perfection. Kevin spent so much time hiding and being a douche, that the simple transition is anti-climatic.
However, this is not to say it wasn’t a good read, it really was, hence the rating of a 3.5, it was just that it built up to a climax that didn’t quite happen and it left the reader feeling a little let down that there wasn’t just a tad more. This story has enormous potential to be a solid 5 and I hope the writer goes back and does a few minor adds to vault this book into the stratosphere which is where it could really reside. Kevin deserves to have his full growth explored and Alex deserves that man that Kevin will become.
Buy the book, support the author and let her know what you think.
Blurb: Tattooed, pierced, tough-boy, Muay Thai champion battles poverty and murderous foes unaware that a rich American guy visiting Thailand has fallen in love with him.
Khit, a twenty-three-year-old championship Muay Thai boxer, fights his way out of poverty while a vengeful boxing promoter and a murderous cousin plot attacks. Raising a younger brother, caring for a pair of otters, and fathering twin sons complicate his challenging life. The son of a Scottish father with a mysterious past and a Thai mother, Khit meets a rich English-American, Rad, in his beautiful hometown of Krabi, Thailand. Rad falls in love with him. Khit remains unaware of Rad’s love as their friendship deepens. When illness strikes, Khit comes to a new understanding of his true self.
Review: Two boys meet in the aftermath of the tragedy of a tsunami, and a bond is forged between them through their shared loss. Many years will pass and the men will take on vastly different paths in life before they are to come together again. Khit is a talented sportsman who has stunted his emotional growth in lieu of taking on the responsibility of caring for his sibling. Rad, also an accomplished sportsman, has had to overcome his feelings of loss and inadequacy and has finally come to terms with himself and where he is in life and where he’d like to go.
The book is a rich tapestry and a cornucopia (like that word?) of many things. It starts out as a coming of age story of a young man who is a Muay Thai boxer and the reader is introduced to the history and customs of the sport and thus the Thai culture. Then the story moves to understanding the politics and the seamy illegal and corrupt underbelly of the sport and how it can destroy lives in its wake. The two young men, Rad and Khit, are then reunited and the story then takes on a more philosophical feel as the reader experiences Thai life, and the philosophy of Buddhism and how you can improve your life through meditation and constant awareness. The young men coming full circle back to each other is not fully understood until the end of the story, but the influences of Buddhist philosophy foreshadow many of the occurrences in the story.
The story covers a lot of ground. The boys have to meet, overcome a myriad of obstacles and issues, often involving life threatening and altering situations. In other circumstances, it should appear far- fetched and fantastical, but there is something that grounds the story and makes it seem not quite so fairytale-like and keeps the healing, redemptive spirit alive. As the story progresses from being a sports story to being a coming of age story to being a love story and then finally a mystery, the piece that glues it all together is that Khit and Rad are soulmates. The Buddhist teachings do not have any negative teachings against same-sex love and so it makes Khit once he fully focuses on his Buddhist teachings able to embrace his feelings for Rad and the ground they must cover as they move along in their relationship. The phrase, Sometimes you have to die in order to live, is very apropos here.
But even after the men acknowledge their feelings for each other, the drama continues as the action-adventure and mystery portion of the story heats up. The reader is taken to exotic locations and allowed to enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous as Rad and Khit bond. The story ends with some amazing revelations and the coming full circle, as was foretold by Khit’s aunt when she did a reading on him. The story closes with a neat bow being wrapped around the whole plot.
The story moves quickly, but the writing is choppy and disjointed in some places – almost seeming rushed. However, either the reader gets used to the style or the writing appears to smooth itself out about half way through. It was nice, however, to not have some of the story elements drag on forever and be brought to quick fruition and resolution. This works since there is so much going on in the story, the author however, does them sequentially, which allows the reader to easily follow along and not get too lost in the various events.
Because this story covers so much, there is more focus on the spiritual and emotional bond between the men than the physical one. There are love scenes in the book, but they are not as steamy as with other books in the genre. This, however, does not detract from the relationship between Rad and Khit. A plot twist that allows the reader to identify with the two men is their shared love of music and singing and they spend a significant amount of time using this as a communication tool – Taking the time to YouTube the songs throughout the book does help to add a dimension to the book that lends to the romance and the mysticism of their relationship which is very much aligned with the whole Buddhist philosophy which underpins the entire story.
Blurb: Alan Randall Liebowitz is a man stuck in a pattern: right before the holidays his current significant other goes walkabout, leaving him alone … again.
Jacques Lambert is an up and comer chef with a bright future. Until his partner with benefits runs off, leaving him bankrupt and relying on the kindness of his family.
The local college holds night cooking classes, for seniors mostly. Jack’s sister talks him into applying for a teaching spot. Alan’s neighbor talks him into expanding his horizons.
When a lonesome foodie meets the chef of his dreams, more than the scallops are flambéed.
Review: This is a Christmas story that combines two broken-hearted men who’ve both been betrayed by love but who both have a love of food, one a foodie, the other a Chef. It’s clearly a match made in heaven.
Alan is a very realistic and likable character. We all know Alan, especially the Alan who’s booting his horrible lover from his life and wrecking his apartment in the interim. We also know Jack, the man who’s been hurt and is lying in the corner like a whipped dog licking his wounds and looking at the entire world like it’s out to get him. Then …
There’s the meeting, the insta-attraction, the flirtation, the trip home, the deserted soup and of course the huge internal crisis resulting in a run worthy of Usain Bolt’s world record. This, of course, is followed by the literal and metaphorical slap on the head and the realization that love at first sight is very much real. There is grovelling, hot sex and what do you think? Exactly, the happily ever after – it’s Christmas and miracles are very very real.
Publisher: Silvia Violet (November 30th, 2013) First published December 2012 by Silver Publishing
Heat: Moderate
Heart: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo
Blurb: Discovering his boyfriend’s affair with a co-worker wrecks Eli’s holiday plans. With his parents on a cruise and his brother and sister out of town, he’s on his own. His mother insists he escape to her friend’s mountain cabin. Eli reluctantly agrees, but he takes off unprepared and ends up driving into the worst snowstorm the area has seen in years.
He survives the trip, but he’s stuck with no logs for the woodstove and little food. Fortunately, he gets the number for Mac’s Wood Delivery. Mac doesn’t mind riding to the rescue, and his deep, sultry voice has Eli eagerly anticipating the delivery. Is Mac the little bit of Christmas cheer Eli has been needing?
This book was previously released by another publisher.
Review: A delightful little story about a brokenhearted man who embarks upon a trip to make his parents happy and ends up finding some happiness himself. Eli does not expect to go to the back of beyond and find a handsome gay neighbour only too happy to come and service not only providing him with logs for his fireplace, but also his own personal log (erhem!).
But Mac is a true neighbour and he wants Eli to enjoy Christmas so he makes sure to bring Christmas with him when he comes to visit for Christmas day. What ensues is a great day and perhaps a great start to a new phase in Eli’s life, if he’s willing to make some minor adjustments.
This story is all about how life can take you to some unexpected places when you least expect it, but it’s up to each person to see the gifts they are being given and to take advantage of those gifts when they appear in these unlikely places. And, what better time to receive great gifts than at Christmas? A cute and cuddly Christmas tale.
Blurb: On Christmas Eve, nearly ten years ago, Jacob, a third year med student had his heart completely broken by Luke.
All this time on, after a string of failed relationships and a career that hasn’t exactly soared Jacob has worked hard on himself and is now ready to return to the ER where, as a junior doctor, he struggled. Shy and sensitive, Jacob had trouble asserting himself in such a demanding role but he’s determined to show his peers how much that has all changed. He just never expected Luke to be on the interview panel and, given that Luke’s supposedly straight, Jacob assumes that he hasn’t got the job. It is Luke who rings him to tell him he has, and it is Luke who is entirely capable of again breaking Jacob’s heart, yet it is Jacob who stays strong.
Ten years on, he likes himself now and isn’t about to be used again. With Christmas, fast approaching things are particularly tense between them and there are some heated exchanges. Luke tells Jacob he has issues with Jacob dating and flirting with fellow colleagues. Luke has issues, period, Jacob tells him. Maybe it’s time for Luke to sort out his own life.Preferably in time for Christmas…
Review: What would the m/m genre be without broken, misunderstood, hiding in closets and men full of fear? Well this story brings all these together. Jacob is the broken one, unable to move past the love of his life who broke his heart ten years ago, despite being in a relationship with the perfect man. Luke is the afraid, hiding in the closet, refusing to admit his feelings, misunderstood man. Both these men try to unsuccessfully to navigate their feelings while working with each other. And when Jacob takes a stand it, all comes to a head.
Jacob vows to move on and Luke must make a decision if he’s to be happy and be with Jacob despite what his past and his life tell him he should do. When Luke does take action, it has disastrous results and he must turn to Jacob and his family for help. Jacob, knowing that he’ll never really be over Luke, steps in to help the one man he will always love. The true miracle of Christmas is when the improbable happens or when you get your heart’s desire. This is the culmination of this story. What started ten years before and ended amidst fear and misunderstanding now comes full circle when both men are better prepared to handle their relationship and any subsequent fallout. A story about true love, that rings very warm and very true. Great little read.
Blurb: Unable to move on after the death of his lover, British expat Niall Ahern clings to Nolan’s dream of living in the Caribbean by moving to Tortola. Once there, he finds that not even the beauty of the island can fill the hole in his heart. Broke and spent in nearly every way imaginable, Niall wants out of the lonely, miserable, guilt-ridden life he’s carved out for himself.
When Ethan Bettencourt, a wealthy tech guru, shows up in British Virgin Islands looking to purchase a second home, he gives Niall hope that he can move on. Both men fall hard and fast, but Niall finds piloting his yacht in the midst of a hurricane is nothing compared to weathering life’s simple misunderstandings. As their troubles come between them, Niall is left to wonder if he and Ethan are over before they’ve begun.
Review: What do you do when you have suffered a life altering loss? How do you make the decision to move on? What will prompt you to move on? And do you have the courage to step away from the prison you have put yourself in to begin living again? These are the central themes in this novel. While this is essentially a love story between Niall and Ethan, there are a myriad of other love stories floating in the background – The love story between Niall and Nolan, the man whom Niall mourns, and the love story that Niall must create for himself in order for his HEA with Ethan to occur. Ethan as presented is an enigmatic character that the reader will need to follow carefully and get to know. At first blush, he’s not loveable, but as the story goes on, the reader will learn to like this stoic man.
Niall is broken and Ethan has the opportunity to rescue and help Niall to save himself. The story really focuses on Niall’s journey and how he moves from stagnation to life when he meets Ethan and decides to finally move on and re-start the life he stopped when Nolan died. In the story, the reader is introduced to a host of excellently cast secondary characters in the forms of neighbours, friends and in-laws. The reader may get frustrated with the interaction with all these secondary characters, but they serve the important role of giving unique insight into Niall and allow the reader to fully understand Niall’s pain and guilt and why he feels unable to move on.
The story has a series of conflicts, which the characters must navigate; but the final crisis in the story when it occurs is surprising and provides a huge stumbling block for Niall and Ethan to navigate. The way that Ethan handles the crisis is evidence of just how decent a man he is (and the reader is now fully in love with his character) and foretells how Niall and Ethan will be able to have their HEA. The reader may not love both characters at all times, because sometimes they do annoying things, BUT the reader will want them to find their happiness and is more than willing to hang on while they find their way.
Blurb: Senior Financial Analyst, Taylor Williams survived the embezzling scare at his firm, Peterton Financial, with the help of the gorgeous new Regional Manager, Phillip Daniels. Although Phillip suspected Taylor at first, their undeniable chemistry soon cut through those unfounded suspicions.
Now the two of them have embarked on a passionate sexual relationship during the holiday break. Holidays should be relaxing, stress free, but when you throw in ex-boyfriends, snowstorms and bears, things get a little messy, and you might need to be a hard-ass just to get through them.
Review: This book begins where its predecessor ends. Taylor and Phillip have just begun their relationship and are now going away on vacation. There is a clear indication that Phillip is clearly invested in the relationship, but Taylor is still afraid of being too open with Phillip because the relationship is so new. Phillip doesn’t want to rock the boat and his issues from the prequel bleed into this book. As such, he keeps some information about his former boyfriend secret and this leads to an argument, a walkout and then an accident.
Phillip and Taylor end up stranded in the snow and they must rely on each other to survive despite a very annoying bear who’s trying to make life difficult for everyone. Fortunately, Taylor and Phillip have hardy outdoorsy friends who will rescue them and take them back to civilization where they can work on their communication skills, which will help to improve their relationship.
Once the high-octane struggle to survive ends, the men once again settle into seeing where their relationship will head. I’d be curious to follow-up with these boys on Valentine’s Day to see what sixty days of a relationship has done with them.
Blurb: High school history teacher, Jake Salvatore has been in love with champion bull-rider Dusty Parker for years but has never found the courage to tell his friend how he feels. To enjoy some down time, Dusty comes back to his small hometown during his winter break, but Dusty’s stay is anything but restful. An unexpected snowstorm strands Jake and Dusty together and despite the cold winter night things heat up. Jake has to face his shyness and his apprehensions from a traumatic childhood. Can Dusty convince his lover that their relationship is worth the work so that they can both experience the ride of their lives?
Review: Okay, so I started reading the story thinking it was going to go one way, and then it took me onto a silently different path. The blurb suggests that the story is simply about one man pining after another and the reader assumes that through some predictable plot twists, the men will end up together. Well that’s true, but it’s only part of the story.
Jake is the quintessential broken man. The book opens with the reader catching a glimpse of Jake’s inner pain, and knowing that it will play a pivotal role in the romance to come. What the rest of the story reveals is the cause of Jake’s inner turmoil and how Dusty is the man who will come along and help Jake to save himself. But these men will have to work at their HEA. Jake will need to make some tough admissions to the man he’s loved for years and Dusty will need to learn to forgive when Jake makes bad decisions. The story will take the men from being snowbound in Canada to being in tropical balmy Nevada. They will need to employ the use of best friends and siblings in order for them to navigate their way back to each other.
There is lots of steam in the book to make anyone’s hair curl pleasurably. The sex in this story, however, serves as both good and evil; and, for Jake to come into his own and heal himself, his sex with Dusty must not only be hot and steamy, it must also be healing and restorative.
In a nutshell, this is the story of how Jake will find his peace from his inner demons and allow himself to trust and be happy with the man whom he’s loved for years and who will love him back if given the opportunity.
Blurb: Cash McCord loves his life. He owns the family ranch, works hard and invites the occasional cowboy into his bed. All that changes when his brother Jack and Jack’s wife Val are killed in a car crash, leaving behind six kids.
Cash is made guardian along with Val’s brother Brad Rafferty. Brad couldn’t be more different than Cash. A Yankee, Brad is a video game developer who works twelve to fourteen hour days at his desk. The two men lock horns on sight, neither man happy to have the other around, but neither willing to give up guardianship of their nieces and nephews.
Can they manage to keep the kids together, and keep from killing each other at the same time?
Originally published in the Family Matters anthology
Review: Okay so let me state the first thing I liked about this book. It is authentic to how men behave. Often in m/m romance books, there is an element of men behaving in ways that are slightly out of character. In this book, the men meet, have some misgivings about each other, but recognize an attraction and immediately act upon it without any romanticized notions. BRAVO! Okay so let’s move on from there.
The book opens with the men having to navigate a horrific tragedy while trying to assume the role of parents all at the same time. I think this is a phenomenal story idea, I don’t, however, think that all the themes could be addressed in a satisfactory fashion in only 100 pages. What themes do you ask? First, there is the loss of family, which is in itself a book. Second, there is how the SIX children (the sheer number is mind-boggling) must navigate the loss of BOTH their parents and then be third taken care of uncles who have never taken care of children before. Then add to that the challenge of assuming all those responsibilities while juggling careers. It’s a lot!
Now don’t get me wrong – this is very real and could happen – but to attempt to do justice to all these themes in 99 pages is ambitious. But I will say that there is a genuine approach to dealing with it all, it’s just that themes like these require deeper exploration than could be accomplished in 99 pages.
Oh and there is clearly some unresolved personal drama with Brad and his family – that is also brought into the story. This is the first insight we get into Brad, but neither Brad nor Cash are fully developed characters so the reader wants to get the inside scoop, but it never happens. The references in the story to the departed parents (the respective brother and sister) provide some insight, but not enough for the reader to become fully invested in the coupling of Brad and Cash. The reader doesn’t see any real connection between the men except a strong physical attraction and their commitment to the children. As such, the reader wants them to succeed not because of wanting to see them as a couple, but really more to provide a stable foundation for the children.
If the intent was to establish the quick and intense heat the men felt towards each other due to the tragic circumstances, then that’s established. However, since these previously mentioned themes are very artfully brought into the picture, the reader will want to see those themes further developed. Since they aren’t, the ending appeared rushed and unfinished.
Here’s my wish – that this author revisit this story one day and continue to develop all the themes. This is NOT a short story – tackling all those themes is really about coming face to face with the human experience in its full capacity – now THAT’s a story. Think about it? These men become insta-parents to emotionally wrecked CHILDREN – six of them, how do they manage this? How does Brad handle this when his own childhood seems to have been fraught with issues of abandonment? How do these men adjust to change their lives and create a new reality from the debris that they’ve been left to manage? And what happens to them as men when they must now reinvent themselves? What is it that will make Brad and Cash become a stable couple to provide these children with the life they so clearly wish to give them? Why should the reader root for them as men and lovers and not just as potential parents? And most importantly – How do Brad, Cash and the children learn to grow and love each other and become a family?
Blurb:The man of your dreams could be sitting right next to you…
Former boy band member Justin Hayes isn’t looking for a man. He just wants a quiet, scandal-free Christmas at home in Chicago, out of the public eye. But his best friend and bandmate is subjecting everyone to his destination wedding, and Justin can’t dodge the “best man” bullet. All he has to do is get to the island on time, survive the reunion, and get Chuck to the altar with as little drama as possible. What could possibly go wrong?
Jack Basinger’s own plans for a quiet Christmas have been dashed by the summons to his daughter’s hasty wedding with a man Jack has hardly met. On the bumpy flight to the island, he finds himself comforting a nervous—and extremely attractive—young man. One hasty sexual encounter in an airport bathroom later, they both feel much better. No one ever has to know, after all.
Now Justin and Jack must find a way to explore their attraction, despite the distractions of disapproving family members, unexpected announcements, an impromptu concert, and an island paradise that proves there’s no place like home
Review: I wish this book were longer. Why? Because there are so many ideas here that really needed to be explored that would have made the story so much better. The story premise is excellent and the characters are introduced and interact well together. The problem is that the love story between Justin and Jack just never has an opportunity to shine. Instead, it is buried amongst the other sub plots. This felt more like Justin’s story and how he’s to navigate his way from being the boy band guy into being a man who’s ready to have a relationship. If this is the intent – perfect! This then is what needed to be showcased much more. More so than his interaction with his former band members. The time spent exploring that really needed to be sent on his interaction with Jack.
The notion I assume is that the background noise of the former band mates and the wedding are to enhance the relationship with the men. What, however, ends up occurring, is the overshadowing of the romance. The reader has to deal with the former life of the boy band, the relationship between the band members, the obvious communication issues between Jack and his two children, the lack of relationship between Jack and his son-in-law, AND the reason for the shot-gun wedding (spoiler alert).
The solution would have been to KEEP all of these sub plots but insert Jack and Justin not as players in the plot but rather as pivotal to the development of these sub plots so that we learn more about ‘who’ these men are and how they will react to these issues and how together they build a relationship. Now of course, the story takes place over two or three days so accomplishing all that in itself is ambitious.
The title pretty much tells you what the end will be so you know it’s coming – what you then WANT to see as the reader is how they got there. The reader keeps get glimpses of the Justin and Jack story and of course you get to the ending and KNOW that, this is what is going to happen, but you never got to go along for the ride.
Blurb:A trip home for Thanksgiving goes from dreaded to weird to downright hot when Paul finds that his date for dinner is none other than his cousin (by marriage, of course), Roger. And there’s certainly a lot to be thankful for once the two discover that they’ll also be sharing Paul’s boyhood bedroom for the night. But just who gets the bigger half of the wishbone, and will the wish come true and make this holiday season one to remember?
Review: I am NOT usually a fan of a short read and I seriously couldn’t fathom what the writer could possibly achieve in a mere 13 pages. Well, I was just shut the hell up! To quote the young people – Oh my gawd!!! This is a cute, funny, quirky, quixotic, irreverent, pithy and witty story. The blurb says it all. Here’s all you need to do. READ the STORY – you will be cracking up.
It will probably be the best 10 minutes of your day and will leave you smiling and wishing for a Thanksgiving much like Paul and Roger had.
Blurb:Doctor Jacob Davison has outgrown the hookups of his younger days and wants to settle down. When he’s abandoned by the side of the road, a leather-clad stranger stops and offers him a ride. Chance Renton is different from anyone Jay’s ever met. He’s caring and helpful, yet cynical and world-weary.
From the first moment of their shared motorcycle ride, an attraction begins to simmer between them. Between Jay’s ex-boyfriend showing up and the misconceptions they have about each other, does this relationship have a chance?
Originally released as a part of the 2012 Charity Sip Blitz
Review: Okay, so what’s the basic formula for a romance? Boy meets boy, boy falls for boy, there is a conflict, followed by a resolution and then a happily ever after. There is no rule that says that all these things cannot happen in a single day, date or within 26 pages. Jacob and Chance are hot, they are compatible and when they meet between the sheets, it’s combustible. The fact that the romance formula is captured within 26 pages with characters which are likable and believable is not an easy feat, but is one accomplished well in this story.
A very fun little read. You need a quick fifteen to twenty-minute pick me up? Then this will definitely do the trick.
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.
Blurb: Cancelled flight, car breakdown and Black Friday—Quinn has a Thanksgiving that is one example of Murphy’s Law after another, but then, there’s the handsome twin Mitch…
Quinn has the worst luck. His flight home for Thanksgiving is cancelled due to the weather, and now an unexpected invite has him spending the holiday with his frat brother Sawyer and his sexy twin brother Mitch. Between a car breakdown, a family member who is a militant shopper and preparing the holiday meal, somehow Mitch and Quinn find themselves having a romantic fling. The only problem is: hearts begin to get involved. And once they get back to campus, can the two somehow become more?
Review: Okay so we have a ton of handsome well-adjusted gay men in this story. Hip, Hip, Hooray! However, three brothers – all gay- a little unlikely. Not impossible or even improbable, just unlikely! It made this reviewer curious to read the story about the parents and how they dealt with three gay sons, but I digress. However, the story is really about Quinn and Mitch, who are both in college, their meeting, discovering they like each other and pursuing what one does in college – dating and having fun.
The way the two fall quickly into bed with each other is very reminiscent of how boys behave in college and it is clear that Mitch is well on his way to being a pretty aggressive, but lovable top. The story is very realistic and the interaction between all the men seems honest and believable. Two young hormone ridden men hit it off and then proceed to have lots of sex and follow it up with more sex when they get back to campus. There is no allusion here to happily ever afters, because this is clearly a college relationship – but what is pleasant to see is that these young men are happy, living their lives with supportive parents and friends in a healthy atmosphere.
So if you are looking for a short feel good romp about good-looking young men who are having lots of sex – then this is definitely for you.
Blurb: Paul knew Nico was special the moment they exchanged that first glance at Termini station in Rome late one hot summer afternoon. And when it was announced their train had been cancelled and travel suspended until further notice, they explored their feelings over dinner and spent one perfect night of passion in a nearby hotel.
Early next morning, when Nico found a flight cancellation and took off, all Paul knew about him was his first name.
Two years later, Paul hasn’t forgotten Nico, and now when they meet again at another train station in London, the chemistry is still there. Nico believes Fate brought them together, and is ready to close his eyes and jump into a relationship. Paul, however, believes they need to be sensible, to first check the water, and then take it one-step at a time. Which man’s strategy will prevail?
Review: So this is Paul’s story since he provides the narration and it’s told from his point of view. The premise of the story is one of two men who are like ships passing the night who then miraculously get a second chance. It builds the premise for an epic love story. The men have a very strong physical attraction to each other, which they indulge in whenever they meet. However, after the second meeting, which is two years after the first, they both seem to realize that they’d like to see where they can take the relationship.
The relationship between the men progress VERY quickly – more quickly than most people would consider healthy, but the reader must bear in mind that this is an epic love story based on fate making sure that Paul and Nico will find eternal love. The HEA is spelled out in the story and you know the men have strong feelings, but you get the feeling that there may be issues down the road because the two men really don’t know each other at all – the love they feel may very well be chemistry and sex induced.
There is a lot of discussion of Paul’s job that seems to fill space rather than really contribute to the story, and then there is an entire scene written about Nico’s job and I’m not certain of the purpose of that either. With that said, the story is not a sit on the edge of your seat page turner, but it is fun to watch the two men meet for the second time, and to see the story of their first meeting in flashbacks offered by Paul.
Title: One Kiss
