Tag: Mandingo’s Reviews

With His Yoga Instructor by Morgan King

WHYI__11051.1384206393.300.450Title:  With His Yoga Instructor

Series:  Moving on…

Author:   Morgan King

Genre:  Erotic Romance

Length:  Novella (88 pages)

Publisher:  Evernight Publishing (November 11th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Blake is the yoga instructor of Jamie’s dreams. He’s gorgeous, funny, smart, and has a body to die for. There is no way he’d be interested in someone like Jamie, or so the voice inside Jamie’s head says. The same voice that believed all the nasty things his ex, Dan, said.

 

Jamie is so cute, and shy. Blake just wants to give him a big hug, protect him and then fuck him in that very sexy arse of his. How can he convince Jamie to give him a chance, especially when it becomes clear Blake has his own insecurities that he’ll need Jamie’s help to overcome?

 

When Dan decides he was a fool to let Jamie go, do Blake and Jamie trust and love each other enough to be what the other needs?

Purchase Link:   http://www.evernightpublishing.com/with-his-yoga-instructor-by-morgan-king/

Review:  Jamie is insecure from having just broken up with his douche nozzle boyfriend.  Blake harbours a secret crush. The men get together and the physical attraction is instant and sizzling. There is a significant amount of man on man loving in the story, and at first blush it may appear to be gratuitous, but as the story progresses, the sex becomes a way for Jamie and Blake not only to bond, but it’s also the metaphor for Jamie moving on by becoming more forceful and uninhibited.  The sex is freeing between the two men and is symbolic of their relationship. Both men must come to new realizations – Jamie, that he is worthy and can be assertive if he needs to be; and, Blake that he needs to let go of some of his inhibitions regarding commitment if he wishes to have a life with Jamie. Blake, while a dreamboat, does have his own issues with personal space and acceptance which must be worked out as well.

Stories told from multiple perspectives are always interesting.  Both Jamie and Blake’s versions are told simultaneously which is always good for the reader because they get to experience both characters PoV. There was even a portion, where the douch nozzle ex-boyfriend, Dan, was given the opportunity to showcase his thoughts.  The pacing of the story was great and believable and when the men had their two crises and were able to resolve them, the reader is pleased.  As shorter stories go, this one was well written, interesting and held the reader’s attention.  The characters of Jamie and Blake are likable and you root for them to work through their individual issues in order for them to be together. When the HEA occurs, the reader is happy.

Blame it on the Mistletoe by Eli Easton

81E9jvrOfAL._SL1500_Title: Blame it on the Mistletoe

Series:   N/A

Author: Eli Easton

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (99 pages)

Publisher: Eli Easton (November 16th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: When physics grad student Fielding Monroe and skirt-chaser and football player Mick Colman become college housemates, they’re both in for a whole new education. Mick looks out for the absent-minded genius, and he helps Fielding clean up his appearance and discovers all the silly pleasures his strict upbringing as a child prodigy denied him. They become best friends. 

It’s all well and good until they run into a cheerleader who calls Mick the ‘best kisser on campus.’ Fielding has never been kissed, and he decides Mick and only Mick can teach him how it’s done. After all, the physics department’s Christmas party is coming up with its dreaded mistletoe. Fielding wants to impress his peers and look cool for once in his life. The thing about Fielding is, once he locks onto an idea, it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind. And he just doesn’t understand why his straight best friend would have a problem providing a little demonstration. 

Mick knows kissing is a dangerous game. If he gives in, it would take a miracle for the thing not to turn into a disaster. Then again, if the kissing lessons get out of hand they can always blame it on the mistletoe. 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GQHCBI0

Review: Okay all of us are a sucker for any variation of the Ugly Ducking or the Cinderella story. No matter how many times we see it or read it, we still love it. This story takes that theme and then adds the friends to lovers theme with straight guy realizing he may not be as straight as he first thought  – put all together, it’s an irresistible combination.  Then you throw in a vampy harpy and a kiss under the mistletoe – what’s not to love? The book is not a long read, but in the 99 pages, we get a very good character sketch of both Fielding and Mick and it becomes very clear to the reader that they two men care deeply about each other way before they develop romantic feelings.

Fielding Monroe exhibits some classic Asperger’s type behaviours, which makes his literal and very black and white personality and approach to getting his very kiss extremely believable.  Mick’s confusion and his reluctance to change his relationship with Fielding is also equally as understandable.  Mick has created a life and reality for himself that includes Fielding but seeking to disturb that status quo is not one, which Mick is ready to make.  The insertion of Fielding’s father into the story, which serves as the catalyst for Mick to move to a new reality, is perhaps the most heart-warming paragraph to read.

The underlying theme, however, is that Fielding, who many would consider odd, was actually quite essential to Mick’s happiness and thus reinforces the idea that there is someone for everyone.  At its core, this story is really about Mick and his discovering that perhaps what he thought he wanted out of life and what it will take to make him happy may not be the same thing; and thus for him to find love it will require him to readjust his current perspective and be willing to accept a new one.

A very quick and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Love and Salvage: Loving Emmett by Mathew Ortiz

814C91lWtOL._SL1500_Title: Love and Salvage: Loving Emmett

Series:   N/A

Author: Mathew Ortiz

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (154 pages)

Publisher: Mathew Ortiz (October 17th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Tatesville was a quiet little town just east of Atlanta, home to the Gaither clan. Emmett Gaither loved his family and his life. It was perfect. Being the only gay son had its challenges but his family stood by him and loved him all the same. He never dreamed that his world would be turned upside side by the new banker in town. The sexy blonde man made Emmett’s blood boil. But he wouldn’t be interested in a redneck man like Emmett? Would he? 

Alex King had lived a gypsy life. Leaving the northwest, he thought he wanted to live in the bustling city of Atlanta. Still he wasn’t happy, so he jumped on the change to move to a quieter life in Tatesville. He was sure he’d never meet a good guy in the little southern town. Imagine his surprise when one of his customers wanted to fix him up with her SON! Had he move to the Twilight Zone? If so, he was happy to live there when the customer’s tall, dark and handsome walked into his bank…now what? 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/Love-Salvage-Loving-Mathew-Ortiz-ebook/dp/B00G07B4GQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384564947&sr=1-1&keywords=love+and+salvage

Review: I started reading and felt like I’d stepped into the written version of a reality show. Mr. Ortiz has a very vivid way of writing which makes the reader feel that they are sitting in the room and watching the interaction that is happening on the page. While the setting may be a small town – the real setting is The Gaither family – everything in this story is spawned from the members or interaction of the family. The Gaither clan is a fascinating one – they would make a great addition to TLC or another such network, right beside the Duck Dynasty family.  As a result of his writing style, the characters are sharply drawn and thus three-dimensional in nature. So thumbs up on the writing style.

Unlike many m/m main characters, Emmett and Alex are not broken men; lonely and with their insecurities, but certainly not broken –that was a welcome change. They are well-adjusted men who meet and grow to like and then love each other. They must, however, deal with the outside world which presents itself in the way of jobs, friends, and of course the prejudices that come with them.  The men demonstrate beautifully what it means to resolve to make a relationship work and what has to happen for that to occur. The men are vastly different, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t a good fit. Check! On character and plot development.

The supporting cast of the story are also very entertaining, a trait Mr. Ortiz excels at as seen with other series books he’s written.  In this story, he clearly outlines the other stories that may be spawned from this tale, by weaving several interlocking tales. This is an exceptional plot tool not just for spawning stories and characters, but ensuring that the reader gets a 360 degree view of the characters by seeing their full lives and how they interact with the world they live in.  I look forward to reading more from this author, especially more about the Gaither clan who are loud, colourful and the perfect setting for any story. It’s nice to know that we’ll see Emmett and Alex again. Round of applause on use of secondary characters to advance the plot line!

And to conclude – There is of course a major conflict in the story. It happens close to the end and helps to propel the readers and the main characters towards the HEA, because love must always conquer all. Kudos to following the time-honoured tradition of how to ensure that the reader is hooked and notions of the romantic standard are followed.

When all is said and done, Emmett and Alex are great characters, we enjoy their love story and their journey, we root for them and when the story is done, we are happy and satisfied.

Collide by Riley Hart

91lbmDAVm1L._SL1500_Title: Collide

Series:   Blackcreek Series

Author: Riley Hart                     

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (258 pages)

Publisher: Riley Hart (November 8th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: At ten years old, Noah Jameson and Cooper Bradshaw collided mid-air when they dove for the same football. For three years, they were inseparable…until one day when Noah and his parents disappeared in the middle of the night. 

Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to each other. Now, seventeen years later, after finding his boyfriend in bed with another man, Noah returns to Blackcreek looking for a fresh start. And damned if he doesn’t find his old friend grew up to be sexy as sin. Coop can’t believe Noah—the only person he trusted with the guilt over his parents’ death—is back. And gay… Or that Cooper himself suddenly wants another man in his bed for the first time. 

There’s no denying the attraction and emotion between them, but can they overcome the ghosts of their pasts to have a future together? 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/Collide-Blackcreek-Riley-Hart-ebook/dp/B00GK9L2XO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384390577&sr=1-1&keywords=collide+riley+hart

Review: Finally a book with a realistic look and take at what it must take for a man who has never before found himself attracted to a man dealing with the myriad of emotions that comes with redefining yourself when you already thought you were fairly well-defined. The story allows the reader to learn about the characters of Noah and Cooper so that they understand how both men could perhaps move from one reality to another. Both men are scarred by their childhoods and the overwhelming theme of the book is how love, friendship and understanding can help to heal wounds and start new beginnings.

The author makes good use of flashbacks to help the reader understand the nature of Noah and Cooper’s relationship which makes their journey from friendship to lovers easier to understand and highly believable. It’s also realistic in that first comes sex, and then comes emotions. The sex in the book is both erotic and healing; and, while there is a LOT of it, it is not gratuitous, but rather serves to help the men become closer and heal from past hurts. For Cooper, experiencing sex with Noah allows him to realize that he feels more for his friend that the simple love one has for a friend, the sex binds him to the man who will become his partner.

The story follows the men’s friendship, to their sexual encounter, to their break up and then to their eventual understanding that their feelings for each other are not fleeting and that they must work together if their relationship is to succeed. And then when the reader feels that the HEA is now accomplished, a new crisis is thrown into the mix and the two men must now overcome this crisis together in order for them to not just have their HEA, but to build the foundation that will become their lives.

Noah and Cooper are a very believable couple. The movement from their friendship to their relationship builds a climax in the story which pulls the reader in. Both men love each other and the things they do for and with each other clearly demonstrate that. The reader wants them to succeed and even when Cooper struggles, the reader understands why and continues to root for him. Why? Because the reader understands that it is in Cooper admitting his feelings for Noah that he will be able to begin to heal.

The story is very well told and nicely paced and is quite an enjoyable read.

Coming to Terms by A.R. Moler

811c+lDayfL._SL1425_Title: Coming to Terms

Series:   N/A

Author: A. R. Moler

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (63 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (November 7th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:Sometimes, inevitably, life hits a snag. What if love turns up at the same time? Aidan Sterling’s life has hit one of those moments-the times when things might just change whether he wants it to or not. Outside of the inherent paranoia of his active career in covert ops, he’s recovering from some serious physical and emotional trauma from a mission gone disastrously wrong. His bosses aren’t sure if he’s up to returning to active fieldwork—and neither is he.

And Kris Jameson is the kind of guy who’ll take the time to understand and care about Aiden. He’s a regular guy with a large heart. Kris is a carpenter and a part-time bouncer, easy-going and hardworking. But not all danger can be found overseas, and nice guys aren’t always safe even here at home.

Purchase Link:   http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ALRTERMS

Review: I wondered how such a short book could do justice to such a very involved topic.  The issue of PTSD is one which is well documented and has been focused on quite heavily in this genre as many authors tackle DADT and its aftermath for gay men in the military. Aidan is struggling with PTSD but meets and begins a relationship with Kris. Aidan is uncertain what the relationship between them will mean as he’s trying to get his life together in order to return to active duty. He is surprised when Kris is not put off by his PTSD in the form of nightmares and flashbacks.  However, when Kris is attacked, Aidan feels guilty that his condition could have had serious repercussions.

The story focuses on how Aidan must manage his PTSD which is the reality of many service men.  His relationship with Kris, who has experience with PTDS, illustrates that there are always people who will love you and support your despite an issue you may have. The story while short focuses on clear, distinct situations and scenarios that allow the story to move forward without seeming rushed. You empathize with Aidan and you want him and Kris to be able to forge a relationship. The end of the story is a nice solution for everyone and provides the reader with the hope that there can be normalcy after trauma.

The story is short but well written, moderate heat, but realistic and believable.  While PTSD is a heavy topic, the story provides a good look into what they could look like within a relationship but is not so depressing that the story of the men is not explored. A good short read.

A Christmas Memory by Max Vos

18802130Title: A Christmas Memory

Series:   N/A

Author: Max Vos

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (21k)

Publisher: Max Vos (November 15th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:J.J. has always hated the holidays.  Presents, decorations, the traditional family Christmas…It’s all his colleagues in the staffroom can talk about.  J.J. avoids these conversations like the plague.  He’d do anything to keep his co-workers from seeing the real J.J, the gay man who doesn’t want to be noticed.  When he slips up and reveals that he is all alone with no plans for Christmas, the well-meaning ladies of his high school want to take him in for the holidays. 

Oh hell….

Enter Coach Adam Sutton who comes to his rescue—and now J.J. is trapped by this hulk of a man who won’t take no for an answer. And he would have to be someone J.J finds attractive, wouldn’t he? Too bad he’s straight and J.J’s not about to step out of the shadows and make a move on him. He likes his arms where they are, thank you very much. But Adam has a secret, one which is going to turn J.J’s world upside-down. Adam wants to give J.J. a Christmas to remember, but as it turns out, both men’s lives are never going to be the same again…

Purchase Link:   https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-achristmasmemory-1348342-149.html

Review: The reader meet J.J. and Adam in their work environment, where J.J. has transformed himself into the quintessential nerdy history professor. Adam on the other hand is the larger than life, popular coach. On the surface, opposites should not attract, but J.J. is clearly attracted and Adam’s insistence on their interaction gives the reader a clue that Adam may be more than simply a ‘nice guy’ hell bent on rescuing J.J. from an uncomfortable situation.

Adam’s pursuit of J.J. is adorable in its relentlessness, and when J.J. finally succumbs to Adam, the reader is pleased.  The story is more than just a simple Christmas love story. It’s about a man who’s life has not been a happy one, allowing someone to show him how full and meaningful life can be when surrounded by love. The undercurrent of stereotypes and not judging a book by its cover are themes also interwoven into this light-hearted tale.

As we approach the holiday season, this is a great stocking stuffer. It’s a lovely little read filled with love, hope and laughter. J.J. and Adam are sexy and there’s both heart and heat enough to keep the home fires burning.

Bullet by Garrett Leigh

18745179Title: Bullet

Series:   Boy Blue 01

Author: Garrett Leigh

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (114 pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (November 4th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Levi Ramone entered the gay porn market for one reason, and one reason only: he needed the cash to pay his momma’s spiraling gambling debts. Seven years later, he’s a veteran with a reputation as one of Blue Boy Studio’s most ruthless tops, and when his boss suggests it’s time for a change, he finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Figuratively speaking, at least.


Enter Sonny Valentine, a go-go dancer at Blue’s sister club, Silver’s. Levi has secretly admired Sonny from afar for years, but there’s a problem. He can’t stand Sonny and the feeling is entirely mutual. When Levi learns Sonny is to play the third part in a scene he already considers his worst nightmare, he figures things can’t get any worse.


But when preparations for the scene from hell collide with tragic events in his personal life, he finds his fast-growing, red-hot attraction to Sonny just might be the only thing left between him and a bullet.

Purchase Link:   http://www.loose-id.com/bullet.html

Review: There are many who believe that those in the porn industry are inherently broken people.  This remains a hotly debated topic. This book focuses on a broken man, Eli, who’s found himself in porn as a way to make money.  The most connecting human experience is for him often devoid of emotion.  Levi literally detaches himself from his sexual experiences as a porn star and doesn’t seem to enjoy the experience much. For him the sex trade is really a means to an end. A financial end. He has learned to straddle the world of his life and being a porn star.

Sonny enters the story to help give Levi a conscience and to allow him to heal from his brokenness. Every single one of their encounters moves Levi from his current place to a place where he can begin to begin to live rather than just exist. The story focuses on Sonny helping Levi prepare for what is to become the most challenging experience of his porn career. Sonny is Levi’s catalyst for change.  However, while Levi must manage this professional challenge, his personal life and demons are also causing him angst. The collision of these two realities creates the crisis in the story, which both Levi and Sonny must overcome.

The story is about the porn industry so there are a number of very racy and explicit scenes if the reader is looking for heat. However, the scenes between Levi and Sonny are transported to being more because sex between these characters is more about them needing a human connection even in the midst of their sex trade. The overriding theme, however, is about delving into Levi’s psyche and how Sonny can help him achieve a sadly lacking balance. Sonny’s presence and his growing connection to Levi is what will allow Levi to dodge the bullet so to speak. This is not your typical love story, but then set in the porn industry – how could it be?

Absinthe by Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga

18747087Title: Absinthe

Series:   (Not yet)

Author: Julia Talbot & B. A. Tortuga

Genre: Paranormal

Length:   Short (38 pages)

Publisher: Torque Press (October 30th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:Bartholome would give anything to get his young lover Rene to stop running away from him. Years ago, he made a stupid mistake, letting the rest of their wolf pack come between them, but he knows better now. Rene’s not sure he can believe Barthe will ever want him. Can they come back together before they lose their chance forever?

Purchase Link:   http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_106&products_id=4052

Review: WoW.  It’s amazing exactly how much heat can be packed into 38 pages!  The story is very short and actually has two plotlines. The first story is about Bartholome and Rene and Rene accepting that he and Bartholome are meant to be together.  There are some small insecurities to overcome for said acceptance to occur. Once that acceptance happens, the second story begins which is about Bartholome’s best friend and what (no the what is not in error) appears might be his mate as well.  The author is clearly setting the reader up for the next story that will follow this one.

At first, I thought that this as a light BDSM sex romp type of book and then I realized that the author had snuck in a theme of belonging and creating your own family that you are comfortable with.  Not only do Bartholome and Rene find each other and begin their HEA, but also his BFF is apparently well on his way to doing the same.  The four will create their own pack and begin a new reality.  So there’s lots of steam as we have come to expect from a paranormal romance and a solid literary theme thrown in for good measure.

Unexpected Rescue by Silvia Violet

18713972Title: Unexpected Rescue

Series:   N/A

Author: Silvia Violet           

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (95 pages)

Publisher: Silvia Violet (November 4th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Shrapnel from an explosion tore up Jackson’s leg and ended his career as a Navy SEAL. Being forced into the civilian world was bad enough, but being told he’s crazy is intolerable. No matter what the doctors or anyone else tells him, he knows a supposed ally was responsible for his injury, and that same man is determined to shut Jackson up for good. 

When Jackson sees a kayaker clinging to his boat from the balcony of his beach house, his instincts tell him something dire is about to happen. Jackson rescues the injured man and insists on hiding him until a former SEAL teammate arrives. As Jackson struggles with separating reality from soul-shattering flashbacks, the injured man’s compassion and growing trust tear down his barriers, and Jackson begins to wonder if his heart is as dead as he’d assumed. 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Rescue-ebook/dp/B00GEA51KY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383788716&sr=1-1&keywords=unexpected+rescue+silvia+violet

Review: Unexpected rescue is a good read on two levels. It offers the reader a bit of an action adventure with a two strong romantic leads. Jackson is a man on the edge, barely holding on to his sanity with an equally tenuous hold on reality. Addy, the man rescued from the boat by Jackson is Jackson’s unexpected rescue; but it is Addy’s emotional rescue of Jackson that is the true unexpected rescue and what provides this story with its heart and its core.

The secondary character of Jackson’s bff is wonderfully scripted and it is his love and unconditional acceptance of and for Jackson that will help to propel Jackson to finding the parts of himself he believes he’s lost and to begin to build a new life with a new reality. 

There are some books you read where the sex is gratuitous. The general premise is that since it’s a love story with two hot men, the two hot men have to have sex. Then you have the other books and sex scenes where the sex/love scene is as essential to the book as air is to breathing.  It’s the scenes where the sex isn’t really about sex. Instead the sex is about loving and healing and making the character realize that there is life out there, if they are but willing to grasp it. When the sex scene does appear in the story, the reader has been craving it, but more importantly, the reader recognizes its necessity to the story.

A wonderfully compelling read.

Hard Ass is Here by S.C. Wynne

18664778Title: Hard Ass is Here

Series:   N/A

Author: S.C. Wynne

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (103 pages)

Publisher: Loose ID (October 15th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:Senior Analyst Taylor Williams knows there’s an embezzler at Peterton Financial, and he’s been doing everything he can to catch the crook. Unfortunately the numbers keep adding up to him being the thief. 

When corporate sends in Regional Manager, Phillip Daniels to catch the crook, it’s obvious he suspects Taylor right off the bat. Phillip is gorgeous, sexy as hell and a hard ass. But when it comes to sexual attraction logic can’t compete. Even though Phillip suspects Taylor might be the thief, he can’t keep himself from bringing him into his bed, time and time again. 

Will the numbers add up to a happy ending for these two?

Purchase Link:   http://www.loose-id.com/authors/q-t/s-c-wynne/hardass-is-here.html

Review: This is a variation on the office romance. Phillip is the boss and Taylor is the junior employee.  They are working together to locate the embezzler in the office and along the line they become involved in a pseudo relationship. Both understand the office politics of them being in a relationship and so there’s that issue for them to contend with. Then throw in some personal issues which Taylor has that complicate his life, and you have the makings of a very complicated coupling.

There is a realism to the story as the reader gets to see both Phillip and Taylor struggle with their personal issues and crossing the boundaries by being involved in an office fling. This is Taylor’s story so his motivation and issues are fairly well-defined.  Phillip by contrast seems very normal when viewed through Taylor’s lens. However, the story is about Taylor’s struggle and arc and his coming to grips with his issues of control and trust, Phillip serves as a catalyst to get Taylor to move forward in his life.

The story is well written and believable. There is a clear, well-defined story line and the characters are believable in their roles. The men have an amazing physical connection so there’s enough sizzle and heat for the reader to enjoy as well. All in all a pleasant read.

Family Connections by N.J. Nielsen

18690198Title: Family Connections

Series:   The Connelly Chronicles (I’m assuming)

Author: N J Nielsen

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (254 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (October 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3.5 Hearts (Should really be two stories)

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Thrown into circumstances beyond their imagining, Ray Connelly and Christopher ‘Viv’ Vivvens must step beyond their own lifestyles to survive the future. What started out with a small white lie and two men becomes more than either of them ever dreamed. 

Ray and Viv learn that love isn’t always what they expect but in learning to deal with the road ahead, they realise change can be so worthwhile as they become a family in the greatest sense. 

When an ex makes an appearance and tries to destroy their happily-ever-after, the guys need to find out if they have what it takes to beat the odds. With the help of family and friends, Ray and Viv fight their past demons to make their future even better than they ever thought possible.

Purchase Link:   https://spsilverpublishing.com/family-connections-ebook-p-59261.html

Review: Let me start with the point that this is a long story.  It is 451 pages and is much more than just a simple love story between two men. When it states that, it is the Connelly Chronicles, which is exactly what this is.  Ray and Viv meeting and falling in love is the tip of the iceberg.  There is a LOT of family in this book and readers should not for a minute lose track or they will be lost.  I suggest a pad and pencil to keep all the players straight (so to speak). I will admit to an initial confusion when first reading. My disorientation was due to the story moving backwards and forwards between Viv and Ray’s perspective in the beginning which was a tad confusing.  Novels in a single character’s voice are easier to follow; OR if using multiple voices, separate them by chapter or some other indicator, so that the reader is cued as to when the story will be in another character’s perspective.

So let’s summarize quickly then shall we. Viv is straight, or so he thinks and claims, and Ray has not come yet out the closet; but, they embark ‘fake’ relationship for reasons which I’ll allow the reader to explore. I experienced a believability issue here because both inexperienced men seemed too “okay” with the fake relationship, especially Viv, the straight man who can’t seem to keep his hands off the NOW newly out Ray.  Yeah, issue with believability here. But it’s cute and so I kept reading.  Ray is the super nice guy who allows the sexually oriented confused Viv to take advantage of the pretend boyfriend situation way too long. On the surface the pretend situation is cute until you realize that in Viv refusing to come out and admit his feelings for Ray, Ray is left in a situation where he’s marching to Ray’s tune.  That is not a nice thing to do to anyone – but for the sake of literary love, we accept that this is part of the courting game of the two men. Then we move to my second bout with suspended disbelief: there is a LOT of hot kissing and making out between these two man-love virgins but it never leads to sex. Really? There is no way two sexually active and aware men are going to be naked in bed and sex isn’t going to happen EVEN if one claims to be straight but is wrapped around the other like a spider monkey.  Men are basic – naked beside naked equals sex – Simple as that.

Finally we get to where Ray and Viv are in a “real” relationship and suddenly we throw in Viv’s ex trailer trash girlfriend who’s trying to create problems.  Now I cannot even understand how she’s still in the picture with criminal act she committed. Thankfully someone got a clue and the law finally caught up in the story when she aimed to commit the same crime twice.  By the time we wrap our brains around that, suddenly there are additional siblings, surrogate babies and families. Did I mention that it’s Ray’s ex and best friend who are the surrogates? The family confusion and cross-pollination friend dynamics I will leave to each reader to unravel, remember to keep the note pad handy; and, just be warned that even while there is an ‘ick’ and ‘squick’ quality to it all, it’s still sickeningly sweet. 

There is a LOT going on in this book. Quite frankly it’s enough for two books.  If this is a series, then the first book should have focused on Ray and Viv becoming a couple and then the second book on them becoming a family with all of the ensuing drama, especially since the second half of the book is written almost entirely from Ray’s perspective. There are several stories running concurrently but they all blend since the core of the second half of story is about Viv and Ray building the Connelly family. There appears to be a sequel to the story called Beautiful Goodbyes, which I’m sure will begin with the cliff-hanger left at the end of this book (no spoiler alert here); and continue to be about Viv and Ray continuing the Connelly empire and the large group of friends and allies they’ve developed.  The book is clearly a … saga.

The story has two distinctly different feels to it. The first half of the book is clearly the typical coming out story of two men who must find each other and their HEA. The second half of the book is what happens after the HEA when life happens and these men must manage some very fantastical situations. It felt a bit like I was living in a soap opera, with the number of over-the-top things which happen to this couple; yet through it all their love and family prevail. I have only one spoiler for readers: Think John and Kate plus 8. The whole story has an air of unbelievability to it, but its sweetness and the readers desire to see Ray and Viv together as they build this remarkable family make you forgive it and chalk it up to it being entertainment so realism can be tossed out the window.

A Melody in Harmony by Ashley Chunell

71vHNafq+9L._SL1500_Title: A Melody in Harmony

Series:   N/A

Author: Ashley Chunell

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (87 pages)

Publisher: Ashley Chunell (July 10th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts Okay

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Henderson is a small, old-fashioned town. Growing up here proved tough for Noah Nash, as he knew the truth he lived would never be accepted in this town, even by his family. To him, all he had was his keyboard.

Until one day, that all changed when Noah met Ronan Shea. Ronan’s confidence, wisdom and pride inspires Noah to finally, happily live his truth for the entire town to see. 

This is a story of two young men and their journey to a relationship, fighting for equality and listening to their melody while striving to live in harmony.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/A-Melody-in-Harmony-ebook/dp/B00DVN3TF6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383429643&sr=1-1&keywords=a+melody+in+harmony

Review: This is a basic coming out, coming of age story.  Noah is a young man who’s acknowledged he’s gay and been disowned by his mother, and has a nomadic father who wanders in and out of his life, which sets the stage for Noah to feel uneasy in his own life.  Enter Ronan who is confident, self-assured, out and proud. The two men will become friends, roommates, business partners and then lovers. They do all of this while building a business, battling homophobia, a gay bashing, the death of a family member and long kept family secrets. 

This is a very easy story to read and follows a standard formula, boy meets boy, boy falls for boy, boys have issues, issues are resolved, HEA ensues – which makes it predictable. However, you like Noah and Ronan and you enjoy watching Noah come into his own and their quest to become a couple and remain a loving couple amidst all the things that are happening around them.

What I enjoyed most about Noah and Ronan was how their relationship always had them always being complements of and to each other all through the story, which allowed their friendship and romance to continue despite issues, and others getting in the way. So all in all, while this follows the tried and true formula, there is nothing new or earth shattering here, but it was an engaging read.

Love on Site by Neil Plakcy

18468305Title: Love on Site

Series:   N/A

Author: Neil Plakcy

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (230 pages)

Publisher: Loose ID (October 7th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit ~ LOTS of action between the Main Characters

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:It’s mid-May, and Manny Garcia has just graduated from Florida University (FU) with his bachelor’s degree in construction management and landed his dream job, working for handsome Walter Loredo on a warehouse project just west of downtown Miami. He’s living in a condo on South Beach with two of his brothers from the gay frat at FU, Lambda Lambda Lambda.

Manny has a thing for older men, particularly construction workers, and he’s got a real crush on Walter, even though he thinks the boss is straight. At first Manny’s able to keep his South Beach life and his work separate. Then he runs into one of his co-workers on Lincoln Road when he is out with his roommates, and he’s outed. Can he keep his job and win his boss’s love?

Purchase Link:   http://www.loose-id.com/love-on-site.html

Review: I love the title of this novel. I just wish I could connect more with the story.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the story line. There is a clearly developed plot and characters and they are laid out very simply and methodically for the reader.  The writing is very clear, clean and well constructed. It’s a very easy story to follow. The problem I had was that I kept waiting for the ‘oomph’ to jump off the page at me and to connect with the characters. For some reason I couldn’t find that elusive connection with the men.  The story was laid out for the reader rather than allowed to develop and enfold the reader.  And, while Manny and Walter feature heavily in the story, you don’t feel them as characters – they don’t do anything to really resonate with the reader so that their personalities are not just described but rather also shown. For a book to sparkle, it must ‘show’ not ‘tell’ the reader.

Halfway through the book, my strongest connection was to a reprehensible character, Camilo, because his actions and speech while that of a douchnozzle, was clearly designed to have an impact on the reader and it did.  I really wanted to care about Manny and Walter, but I kept feeling like I was on the outside looking in, rather than being side by side with them in their love affair. Case in point was their first elicit trip to Naples which should have been fraught with tension and excitement for both them and the reader, but instead it was flat, even their sex seemed slightly wooden (no pun intended).   

There are several great plot developments. On paper this is a flawless story with good characters, even paced development and while there’s no major crisis, there is enough conflict woven through the storyline to keep the reader interested in wanting to know what would happen.  The issue is the ‘sizzle’ – there simply isn’t any, even though there is LOTS of action between Manny and Walter. There is a lot of reference to ‘Cuban drama’ and the plot does call for that drama, but it’s never delivered.