Tag: Mandingo’s Reviews

A Cup of Latte by Bebe Burnside

latteTitle: A Cup of Latte

Series:   N/A

Author: Bebe Burnside

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (104 pages)

Publisher: Seventh Window Publications (October 10th, 2013)

Heat: None

Heart: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Tall, dark and handsome, Michael Stafford is one of the biggest names in business. His job is to take struggling companies under his wing and do what it takes to make a profit from them, even if the people working for the company have to suffer from the consequences.

 

Alan Weissman is a journalist hired to write a fluff piece on Michael Stafford. The only problem is, Alan would rather rip out his eyes than sit across from a soulless creep like Michael Stafford. It isn’t until the interview begins that Alan notices something different about the deeply handsome businessman. Something unexpected and attractive that makes him second guess his opinion of the man with the dreamy brown eyes.

 

Sometimes all it takes to change your mind about someone is good conversation and a hot cup of latte

Purchase Link:   http://www.seventhwindow.com/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&cPath=65&products_id=205&zenid=65i6k38g5e2desl3vbnppehnt6

Review: Okay, let’s start with the good stuff. This is a great story premise.  I like the idea of how the two men meet and the pace of their relationship, that’s seems very, very real.  No insta-love, instead the reader meets two professional men who develop a mutual respect, which turns into a romance – realistic and believable. The story goes well as the reader navigates the relationship that the two men are building while also working on their careers.

Then we get to the conflict/crises moment.  That’s where the story derails for me, which is sad since it’s so close to the end.  There is no warning that the conflict is coming and as such, it jars the reader out of the calm existence that they’d been experiencing. You’re left with “huh”? The behaviour is first out of character; and then, second, followed by some very blurry moments.  These blurry moments were meant to mirror the view of one of the characters, which while an interesting literary strategy, doesn’t help the reader, who simply wanted to be ‘told’ not only what was happening but more importantly why it was happening.

Because the story seemed to need to conclude, the details of the conflict are recounted and as such they lose some of the dramatic punch they would have had they been revealed by using the characters themselves to showcase how the conflict was resolved. For example, the real culprit who created the issue should have been able to openly discuss the issue with the main characters and ask for forgiveness rather than the reader hearing a second-hand recount of her tale of woe and apology. Because of this, the reader is left feeling ambivalent about many of the secondary characters who while they should have moved the plotline along, seemed to have been thrown in haphazardly to simply get to the end.  Another example – Why mention Alan’s parents when we’ll never meet them?

Two other minor issues I had were that first Michael’s name kept being misspelled as: Michale, Michel or Michal. One error I can manage, once we get to three, now it’s a distraction. The second was the title. The title should have played up the whole financial/reporter angle, because that’s what the story is REALLY about.  I know authors have creative license, but the title really did throw me, I kept expecting more from the coffee front and all I got was two meetings at Starbucks.  Maybe Reporting on the Financier or something might have been more apropos.  I’m not a writer. I can only say the title didn’t do the story justice.

Finally, what was my overall impression?  I liked the story. I had some issues with plot development and the end seemed rushed, but apart from that, the story was very believable and I liked Alan and Michael, despite Michael behaving like a douche nozzle, which was needed to create the conflict.  Interestingly all the issues I had with the story are probably solvable with maybe another twenty pages of content. 

Smoke in My Eyes by Becky Black

91LSerLRJOL._SL1500_Title: Smoke in My Eyes

Series:   NA

Author: Becky Black

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Short (45 pages)

Publisher: JMS Books (October 16th, 2013)

Heat: Mild

Heart: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: After a decade together, death took Daniel’s lover away in an instant. A year of grieving kept him from thinking about the future. But now fearing loneliness, fearing aging and its effects, he’s ready to find someone new before it’s too late. Filled with good intentions, Daniel joins a gym. He plans to work hard to keep what time is all too quickly taking away from him. But are good intentions enough against the many distractions and temptations of life? Is he really prepared to make the sacrifices required? Meeting gym owner Chris may be the extra boost his motivation needs — if only he could figure out why Chris keeps blowing hot and cold on him.

Death claimed Chris’s lover too, but took much longer about it. The memory of watching the man he loved suffer has left Chris terrified of getting close to anyone again. He likes Daniel a lot, but there’s a problem and Chris can’t fix it, only Daniel can. If he’s serious about being with Chris. It’s a straightforward ultimatum. Daniel smokes and Chris will not date a smoker. Daniel has a choice. It’s Chris or the cigarettes.

Daniel has to prove to Chris that he’s ready to make changes and he’s not all mouth. But can he do it? Are the sacrifices he’ll have to make worth it? Should he even be changing himself to suit a man who’s made him no promises and who might still back off later? Chris has to learn to accept Daniel’s imperfections and mortality. Only once he gets past the grief and fear can he take a risk on loving Daniel, even knowing he could be hurt again.

Daniel takes on the biggest physical challenge he’s ever faced to prove he’s serious about Chris. But in the end, he has to decide if he wants to make the changes for himself and his own future, whether Chris is part of that or not.

Purchase Link:   http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=945

Review: Well the blurb is going to be much longer than the actual review.  The blurb left little for the reader to actually experience because the entire plotline is revealed. The only thing left to really discover is if you liked ‘how’ the author told the story. The theme of the story is change and one’s motivation to change.  Daniel must find his motivation to become healthy and live a new life and Chris must find his motivation to simply move on from the past.  Both men have to prove things more to themselves than to each other.  This is accomplished through Daniel’s eyes since this is his story.  He moves himself to a new reality and is thus able to move Chris to a new reality as well. 

The story takes place over six months and the interaction between the men is real to what one would or could expect with men both grieving and needing to come to grips with their new reality. Daniel’s journey to physical fitness was interesting to read, but I’d have liked to have read more about his interaction with his fellow athletes and any hook ups he might have had.  But the key is that his journey focused on him and not on his pining for Chris.  It is only after he found himself that Chris returned to the picture.

The best part of the book is the end when both men are able to accept the changes that they’ve each made and you are able to envision what a future for them could be like.  Not a bad short read, I recommend in between flights at an airport.

His Papparazzo by Hollis Shiloh

71iR8hyXcDL._SL1500_Title: His Papparazzo

Series:   N/A

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (146 pages)

Publisher:  Spare Words Press; 1st edition (May 10, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Movie star Colin Colton has a contentious relationship with the press–especially that pushy paparazzo, Zach Jarlson.  He certainly doesn’t expect to ever feel sympathy for the little bugger…much less anything more.  But circumstances conspire to change his mind.  They go from enemies to friends and lovers…and then back again, when their world is turned upside down and each thinks the other betrayed him.  Colin tracks Zach down to a private cabin in the middle of a snowy winter’s day and confronts him.  But even once they learn the truth, can a relationship between an actor and a paparazzo survive? 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQOV4IK/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B00CQOV4IK&linkCode=shr&tag=portispass-20

Review: Colin and Zach meet because Zach is a photographer who is constantly taking pictures of Colin.  The friendship between them blossoms into a romance and despite their obvious differences Zach learns to both accept himself and to be more himself with Colin. However, like any good story there must have an issue which creates friction.  This is a story about Hollywood, the paparazzi and betrayal, so the reader can surmise what the issue might be which arises between the men, it’s fairly common in today’s market of consumerism and lack of privacy.

Most people know the paparazzo to be almost blood thirsty in their need to get the picture and thus the paycheck. In this story, however, Zach shows a vulnerability that makes him both likable and sympathetic.  However, even after their initial trial is overcome, Zach must now overcome his own insecurity if he and Colin are to forge a path together. It is Zach who is the stronger character who does what is needed to fight for their relationship. What started out as Zach needing answers or even revenge leads him ultimately back to Colin and the ability for them to both heal.  Once the reader gets to this point, the story then explores what it will take for the lovers to maintain a relationship with each other and that ultimately leads to an ending which is very satisfying for anyone who’s a romantic at heart.

Single Use Only by Pender Mackie

18308785Title: Single Use Only

Series:   NA

Author: Pender Mackie

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (286 pages)

Publisher: Loose ID (September 30th, 2013)

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Mike Strenton is tired of the hook-up scene. All the men he meets in the Las Vegas gay bars are interested in only one thing and only one night. Been there done that. About to turn thirty-eight, Mike avoids casual sex until his need for contact is too great to ignore. He secretly longs to meet someone who sees beyond his laugh lines and broad shoulders to the sensitive lover underneath. A man who’ll chose him over the walk of shame.

Twenty-seven year old Chris Bennington has never even been to a gay bar though he’s into men as well as women. He sees the funny side of just about everything, even his first time with Mike. Chris wants a lover who doesn’t have a problem with his quirky sense of humor, his inability to cook or his bisexuality and he thinks Mike fits the bill. All he has to do is convince the big guy he’s not just sticking around for breakfast

Purchase Link:   http://www.loose-id.com/single-use-only.html#product_tabs_description

Review: So many m/m stories paint the picture of man meets man, man falls for man and they live happily ever after. If that were the case then more people would be in HEAs instead of out constantly trolling for their next conquest or someone to spend their lives with.  Single Use Only explores the themes of what it means to be gay after the age of 30, and what happens to a man after his preconceived ‘use by’ date?  By the time the reader grapples with this first notion, the author introduces a second conundrum: How does a gay man relate to a bi-sexual man? How do they overcome their differences to build a life of trust and acceptance with each other?  Having now been presented with the main characters, the reader is sucked into the meat of the story – How does a man, Mike, riddled with poor self-esteem begin to believe that he is worthy and deserves a HEA? 

These are the issues which Chris and Mike must navigate if they are to build a life together. First they must overcome their own insecurities and prejudices before they can even begin to think about how they can be together.  The author creates a very real tale told from both men’s perspectives.  Their relationship has a natural progression and the reader is able to see how each of the men feel and what it will take for each of them to overcome their obstacles.

As with any good story, there is angst, misunderstanding and then the final drama which creates the conflict which the lovers must overcome.  You don’t actually ‘see’ the big drama coming, but when it happens, it seems natural and organic and not contrived and it allows you to root for Chris and Mike even more; because at this point, they’ve both overcome their own personal demons and must now battle the external ones in order to be worthy of their HEA.

A thoroughly realistic and enjoyable read.

One Good Man by Talia Carmichael

18455009Title: One Good Man

Series:   Book 4 in the Impressions Series

Author: Talia Carmichael

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (116 pages)

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (October 11th, 2013)

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:   When a man who has lost his belief that there are any good men meets a man who sees inside his hidden depths, he’s unsure what to do…

Gabriel Simmons loves his work at Vaughn Choppers. Building custom bikes and restoring cars is his passion. He has a knack for it and for bringing out their hidden depths. The man he meets while doing a favor for his boss and friend tests him, drawing him out of his shell. He wants to find out what makes Mace tick. The man resists him yet looks at him as if he wants all Gabe has to give. Gabe is more than willing to take him up on the offer he sees in his eyes. But first, he needs to get Mace to verbalize his desires.

Mace Hutton is being driven daft by a man who is nothing like any other man he has been attracted to. Gabe is a danger to his hard-fought plan to keep free from entanglements. The contrast of his big bear of a man size and his gentleness makes Mace long to feel Gabe’s touch. He can’t take the chance…yet Mace cannot get the man out of his mind. He’s been burnt enough to know there are no good men out there. Or have his assumptions been wrong? Is there one good man who is just right for him?

Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/one-good-man

Review: If you are a gearhead, you will love this book. There are lots of great descriptions of cars and renovations and all the things that gearheads like. This serves to create the connection between Gabe and Mace. In betwixt and juxtaposed within all the gearhead information, there is a story about trust and acceptance. I’m never one to recommend shorter, but I think that this could have been more effective had it been shorter. Yes it would mean cutting out some of the car discussions and some information that didn’t move the story forward.

I loved the interaction with some of the secondary characters, especially Gabe’s family.  Mace’s mother, Susan, was also a key secondary character and both Gabe’s and Mace’s interaction with her was well written and pivotal to Gabe and Mace’s HEA.

The development of the relationship between both men is believable and you do feel that both men want to be together, but that there is something holding them apart, ergo Mace. The final conflict is understandable and comes so late in the story, but that must be resolved quickly to lead to the HEA and so it seemed a little rushed rather than being something the reader could anticipate. However, the author had already set up the reader to want to root for the couple so all’s well that ends well. So grab a beer and some pretzels and you’ll be ready to enjoy this ride.

Fated for Forever by Alanea Alder

18627859Title: Fated for Forever

Series:   Kindred of Arcadia 03

Author: Alanea Alder

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal

Length:   Novel (180 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc., October 2013

Heat Level:   Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli (Mandingo)

Blurb:  Ashby Fairfax has always looked for love in the wrong places. His last attempt left him running from an abusive boyfriend. Since coming to Arkadia, life has been great. He finally has the family he has always craved. Only one thing is missing, his mate. But how can a small-town fox shifter be mated to a vampire prince? Prince Gabriel has led his people through the ages and into the twenty-first century. He is on the verge of losing his soul when he catches the scent of what may be his mate. Once Ashby is confirmed as his, it seems their troubles begin.  Someone is after Ashby. Gabriel’s entire coven rallies around their new prince and for the first time in his existence, Gabriel experiences bone-numbing fear. Can he find the strength to send Ashby to Arkadia to ensure his safety? And will he be able to eliminate the threat before he loses his reason for living?

Purchase Link:   http://www.bookstrand.com/fated-for-forever

Review: And these are the kind of series books I like. Ones that can stand alone, but that give the reader enough information so that all the secondary characters make sense within the context of the current story. This glimpse into the lives of the secondary characters often make a reader want to read the other stories – great author strategy.

I am endlessly fascinated by the rules that authors come up with for paranormals.  Most of us were raised with basic vampire and werewolf stories. However, authors in the paranormal genre have played with the rules by creating new norms and archetypes.   As such, writers have been able to create endless plotlines of love between paranormals.  At the heart of many paranormal love stories is the theme of love overcoming prejudice and opposites attracting as the key conflict and crisis.  This story is no different. A fennec fox shifter who represents the small quintessential twink mated to the world’s oldest vampire, the larger more powerful dominant partner.  In this story, however, the strength of the smaller man is really the key to the couples HEA.  It is he who must find his inner strength to save his immortal lover’s humanity and ultimately the coven. In doing so, the final theme of acceptance and inclusion is achieved. The themes of love, friendship and that you create the family that is important to you, is really what makes this book heart warming.  And of course, there are hot men, lots of monkey sex and you couldn’t have a paranormal story without there being the bad guys who have to be taken down by any means necessary, so that the main characters can battle their way back to each other and a life of eternal bliss.

I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore by Jet Mykles

18463421Title: I Can’t Fight this Feeling Anymore

Series:   N/A

Author: Jet Mykles

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (203 pages)

Publisher: MLR press, September 27th, 2013

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Mandingo

Blurb: Can a party boy and a responsible businessman really make it work? Bryce is the adorable young thing that Dustin knows he shouldn’t want. He should be looking for a man his own age. Someone with a future. Someone with a real job. But no matter how hard he tries, no matter how much he knows that it just won’t work, he can’t resist those big blue eyes. Dusty is an adult. So unlike any of the party crowd that Bryce hangs around. But after just a brief taste of Dusty’s so-called boring, normal life, Bryce is more surprised than anyone to find out that that’s the life he wants. No wonder they just Can’t Fight This Feeling.

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

Review: Okay, so to read about the world I inhabit part-time (the world of older straight women who love and write for the m/m genre) gave me a chuckle.  I think readers will enjoy that aspect of the story since they are in large part the writers and demographic of this genre.

So with that said. I LOVED this book. Why? It rang true. It felt real like the men would really act this way.  In many books, we watch the arc of the protagonist or antagonist and we revel in the massive leaps they take to become better people. In real life, we make small incremental changes to become better versions of ourselves. This book demonstrates that well. It shows Bryce struggling at 22, when he suddenly realizes that there is more to life than he previously knew. Those of us who are older get that, since we’ve all been there. when we suddenly realize that dinner with friends or home with family can actually be more fulfilling that a night of drunken debauchery.  Dustin learns that sometimes life offers you a gift in an unexpected package and you need to accept the package and not ask too many questions.

Women fall in love and then revel in sex. Man have sex, which then leads to love.  This book clearly demonstrates that. Their sex is epic and will have readers both fanning and writhing in their seats – so hang on for that! But, the men both navigate their feelings, while engaging in torrid sex – very true to how men operate in their physical love lives. Often many m/m romances tend towards having the men behave with feminine tendencies with feelings of angst and things that most men are rarely burdened with.  This story however, does none of that which makes it very real and true to how a gay man would act. This is now the fourth book I’ve read by this author and I continue to be pleased with the results.

Dustin and Bryce…adorable. You root for them to be together and understand that what the universe puts together, is meant to be together. Bring on the popcorn and Merlot and let’s get to reading.

We are Daddy by Evelise Archer

1e45f0c7e356b0136e5f6f8c350992ee6b34fbe3Title:   We are Daddy

Series:  Weekend Getaways

Author: Evelise Archer

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (31 pages)

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing (September 19th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Cyril Eona always had a hard life; born with a deformity and growing up in the system until he meets Devon Haley; the man of his dreams, who becomes the love of his life. Soon, their wonderful world gets turned upside down by an unexpected arrival, a daughter.

Life changes; a couple becomes three and fatherhood looms. Can Cyril get past all his insecurities and allow Devon to show him that although life as two was wonderful, life as daddy can be ultimately fulfilling?

Purchase Link:   http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=33&products_id=712

Review: This is a short erotic tale that opens with Cyril struggling with learning he’s to become a father and Devon immediately rushing in to assure him through love, understanding and physical expression that life changes need not spell the end or doom and gloom. 

Becoming a parent is a daunting task for anyone. Most people have months to get used to the idea of becoming a parent and then slowing learning who this new person in your life will be. Cyril becomes overwhelmed at becoming a parent and it takes Devon’s reassurance to help him realize that parenting does not come with a manual or a guarantee, it’s a day-to-day exercise and that mistakes and mishaps happen along the way.

This story short reaffirms that love comes in all shapes and sizes and that the love two people share can be intensified and magnified when a child is added to the mix. Additionally parenting can dramatically alter your life and you can choose to make that choice a good or bad one or one that will enhance or encumber your life.

Wolf's Bounty by Shannon West

18486748Title: Wolf’s Bounty

Series: Love Slaves to an Alpha, 06

Author: Shannon West

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novella (99 pages)

Publisher:  Secret Craving Publishing (September 12th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts ~ Liked it

Reviewer:   Mandingo

Blurb:   Larsson Balenescu is trying hard to get over the fact that his fated mate is not only a Tygerian, and one of the Alliance’s most bitter enemies, but also the fact that he’s Tarr Bonnet, one of the worst pirates and sex slave traffickers in the known galaxies. When Larsson discovers that Tarr has put a price on his head, he’s furious, and vows never to mate with the man, no matter how painful it is for him to stay away from him. Soon he’s captured by Tarr’s men and taken to his ship where Tarr sets out to claim him as his love slave. An accident en route forces them to crash on a strange moon, where Larsson is captured by the inhabitants. His only hope lies in Tarr’s ability to save him. But, who will save him from Tarr?

Purchase Link: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=704

Review:   Quintessential Shannon West paranormal fare. Larsson and Tarr are wolves and tigers respectively. This is a story about two dominant forces colliding in the futuristic tale of two men who are locked in both personal battle as well as the battle to literally save themselves from slavery. If you like this genre, and want a read that is all about finding mates and succumbing to those desires, then this will appeal to you.  Author West presents the reader with more of the Balenscu clan and Larsson is delightful in his need to be his own man and not succumb to his desire for Tarr Bonnet, a disreputable pirate involved in the sex trade.  The reader gets to enjoy the jog from Larsson’s resistance to its inevitable futility; when both men will end up together while also skipping through issues and crises as they arise that stem from kidnappings, misunderstandings, the need to mate, and then fights to near death. *phew*

The fact that Author West has created an entire alternate universe in which same-sex love is seen as normal is wonderful.  She manages to find other avenues of human conflict that makes us understand that while we struggle here on earth with same-sex love, even if we lived in an alternate realm, human(oids) would still find a reason for strife and discord.  Tarr’s meeting with those who are like him, yet different illustrates how humanity can be different, but we are ultimately still the same.

I also find the novel’s ability to blend fantasy and paranormal with a blend of the future adding a dash of the past.  The gladiator style fights and clothing when juxtaposed with the futuristic nature of space travel should seem unrealistic, but it works well.  A nice addition to Ms. West’s already impressive roster of paranormal m/m fiction.

The Trouble with Trouble by Kathleen Lee

18232681Title:   The Trouble with Trouble

Author: Kathleen Lee

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (39 pages)

Publisher: Kathleen Lee (July 23rd, 2013

Heat: Moderate

Heart: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts Liked it

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: When trouble strolls in, common sense walks out.

After a lifetime of rejection by those he loved, Gary returned to the one place that once made him happy and resigned himself to a life alone. Opening his bar–aptly named ‘Trouble’–was his way of building a future and reminding himself, what he needed to stay away from. So when Trouble–AKA Brock–walks into his bar one night, he’s determined to keep his distance. No good could come from falling for Brock’s adorable smile and handsome face. Except, Brock seems just as determined to win Gary over, as Gary is to stay away. And when Gary realizes Brock may be the real deal, he must choose between protecting his heart or taking the ultimate chance on love.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3UW03S/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B00E3UW03S&linkCode=shr&tag=portispass-20

Review: This is a well-written short story. This is the story of Gary’s metamorphosis and Brock is the instrument for change. In 12,000 words, the author conveys how one man has deliberately chosen to hide himself away from life and how another man can open a window and allow him to see that his life can change.  Gary will need to get past himself and his own issues if he’s to find his HEA; and the author deftly demonstrates how Brock can show him how to do that.

Gary’s bar is a very apt setting for the tale and when the reader is introduced to Brock’s living situation, it is a foreshadowing of Gary’s impending character development and accepting the things that could change his life for the better. The conflict when it occurs is fitting, providing reader angst and changes the trajectory of the plot to bring about the final resolution to end the story.

All in all, this is a very satisfying short read.  Characters are as well-developed as they can be in a short story, great use of language and dialogue, nice descriptions and a HEA to leave the reader with a smile.

Nine Weeks with Griff by Richard Natale

81WUwvXFL3L._SL1500_Title: Nine Weeks with Griff

Author: Richard Natale

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: 24 pages

Publisher:   Torque Press (September 3, 2013)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: Marcus moves to New York to party and have sex with every man he’s attracted to. Then he runs into Griff and his killer smile and is drawn into an all-consuming affair. He tries to break it off several times, but while his mind says “go”, his feet say “stay.”

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3977

Review: Well the story is in 24 pages so one cannot expect much story, character or plot development to occur. Stories of this length are usually about a single scene or occurrence. This story, however, occurs over the course of a year.  Now the title is clear in that the key elements occur in 9 weeks.

The story is set in New York City in 1975. Marcus has left Pittsburgh and his best friend to pursue life in the big apple.  Enter Griff and his interactions with Marcus.  Marcus has plans like all young men to conquer the city and to sleep his way through all five burrows.  However, his plan is derailed by Griff. The pages detail the nine week relationship which the two men share and how Marcus moves from singlehood into couplehood without even realizing it.

The story reads more like a magazine article chronicling how two men meet more so than a novel type story about two men. Instead of ‘seeing’ the interaction between the characters, it’s related to the reader through third-party narration, which is what gives it an article feel. The author uses language well and the overall feel of the story was hazy, almost like reading the story through a filmy veil.  It gave a nice ‘feel’ to the story even if you feel like you needed more substance to hold on to.

The best part of the story is actually the interaction between Marcus and his best friend where the author uses dialogue very well to accomplish explaining Marcus’ feelings for Griff.  The story would have been fuller had the author used the same technique between Griff and Marcus.

I liked the plot premise immensely and being set in 1975 could have been an amazing backdrop for the story. I hope the author goes back and makes this into a full novel and explores the relationship between Marcus and Griff, and continues to use the secondary characters to aid in the character development for both Marcus and Griff. The author takes great pains to ‘tell’ the reader how Griff is rather than showing us through is interaction his Marcus and his friends.  He’s also civic-minded and that could have added great texture to the story.

All in all, it’s a GREAT story idea, but at 24 pages, it’s really a summary.  I REALLY hope the author makes this a longer novel; even doubling it could accomplish spectacular things.

Pudding Jones by D.C. Juris

18273070Title:   Pudding Jones

Author: D. C. Juris

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: Novella (58 pages)

Publisher: Wilde City Press, July 31, 2013

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Award-winning reporter Emmer Richfield is the kind of guy who covers wars, the kind of guy who asks the hard-hitting questions. He is not—and he’s certain about this—the kind of guy who does sappy human-interest stories about homeless people. But, his newest assignment is not just any human-interest story. It’s a mandate from the mayor: convince the people of Dodson that Foxton Industries’ plan to build a mall—and oust the homeless population—is a bad idea by way of a feature on a homeless man named Pudding Jones. But Pudding quickly goes from just another story to a man who changes Emmer’s life. The question is, can Emmer return the favor before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:   https://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/pudding-jones/#.UkiiuIYWL-Q

Review:  Okay so the blurb doesn’t give away plot lines and I certainly will not as I talk about this story.  This is a well-written and heart-felt short story about a man, Emmer, who is irrevocably changed by meeting another man, Pudding Jones. The story is about a sweet and tender relationship and there are many dips and turns that will surprise you as you read. Learning about Pudding is heart-breaking. Watching Emmer evolve is awe-inspiring.  Seeing them together is touching. This is also a story that peels back some of the fallacies of our homeless population and makes them real people instead of indispensable ‘things’ whom the larger population chooses to ignore.  The story makes you think about who you are as a person and if you are really doing enough and if you are really as good as you think you are. This is a story that will end leaving you thinking about the possibilities of what was and what could have been. While I didn’t expect the ending, it was fitting.

I wanted to give the story a 4 and then realized that I was doing so because of an expectation that I had. That would be totally unfair to the ‘story.’ The story is an extremely good and well written one.  So as an honest reviewer, it has to get a 5.  Not OMG because I SO loved everything about it, but a 5 because oh so well written and I believe the author meant for us to think and question and well, DC … achieved that in spades. Nicely done!

Elided Cadence by T.C. Blue

91got6Bu2BL._SL1500_Title:   Elided Cadence

Author: T. C. Blue

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (251 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press, September 10, 2013

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts ~ It’s one of those books that you want to climb into the pages … 5 OMG!

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: The last thing Alan Freemont is expecting when he finishes his latest makeup gig and heads to Oak Grove, Arkansas, for a long-deserved vacation is to discover a wrecked tour bus. No. The last thing he’s expecting is for the tour bus to belong to part of Andrew Lyon’s band. Wait. No, again. The LAST thing he’s expecting is to meet Andrew Lyon and discover that the man is more than just pretty, but smart, too. And needy, because three of Andrew’s closest friends were on that bus. Only two of them made it.

Andrew Lyon has been having a relatively good year. Sure there have been disagreements between him and his record label, but what else is new? Then he gets an early morning call that changes everything. One of his closest friends is dead and two others might be following soon after. Alan Freemont, the man who discovered the accident, turns out to be a Godsend.

Can the men — one on the periphery of celebrity and the other a favorite media target — find their way to something real when intense emotions, paparazzi and an abundance of fans descend on the small town? Andrew isn’t sure. He’s already suffered enough loss already, hasn’t he?

Maybe. Maybe not. If Alan has his way, he’ll see to it that Andrew doesn’t lose anything more

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3985

Review:   Okay so within the first chapter of the book, the word ‘minions’ is used. This Despicable Me reference should have let me know that the author was going to take me on a joyride.  So, let’s just find some adjectives to describe this book.  Sultry.  Erotic.  Heartfelt. Gripping. Gut-Wrenching.  Author blue manages to take you through all of these emotions on the roller coaster ride that is Elided Cadence.

The novel opens by focusing on the themed of grief, loss and guilt. The author expertly made Andrew’s grief real and palpable and his emotions raw. This grief fives way to the need for a human connection hat has nothing to do with the joy of sex, but more the need to acknowledge life through one of life’s most powerful forces and to anchor oneself to life.  Once the reader becomes attuned to this, the author then shifts the focuses to the themes of pain, sacrifice, what it entails to be gay and famous and to lose one’s anonymity. 

This story begins with a climax and then the reader gets to ride the roller coaster of emotions that the climax creates.  Many m/m novels present men as one dimensional while this novel allows the reader to see the full spectrum of gay men and life by demonstrating their full spectrum of career, friends, lover, confidante, parent and protector. The novel also differed because it focused so much on how the men felt, and communicated more so than on the superficial aspects of looks and hotness, although these were also there in good measure.

I’m a book buff and I love m/m romances so I really didn’t think that I could be surprised by anything new in this genre.  Well colour me surprised!  The book is told from multiple perspectives like a Chinese telephone game. And while that strategy should be confusing by jumping from thought pattern and perspective to another, it isn’t.  Each time the story changes perspective, it is because that character’s viewpoint s actually what propels the story forward. All the events that Alan and Andrew experience are seen and felt through that of many of the secondary characters and reflects a very real-life depiction of how tragedy is experienced and overcome and how a relationship can begin, grow and develop in that atmosphere of emotional devastation.

The story however feels more like Alan’s story than it does Andrew’s and the author’s ending while very satisfying allows the story to continue and to explore Andrew in a way that was not done in this book.  Alan is a very complete character and a ‘whole’ man. Andrew is still on a journey and it is meeting Alan that allows that journey to begin and it begins with his discovering human compassion, warmth, empathy and understanding in. This he adds to the deep friendships he’s already learned how to build, develop and sustain.

In closing, this reviewer’s most eloquent comment about this story is that it feels real.  The emotions are real and they do sometimes leave you reeling or needing to take a reading break to get a grip on how you are feeling.  The dialogue is also very real. It will have you laughing at the snarkiness of Alan and then crying at the angst of Andrew as he struggles to communicate. You can hear his very pause, gulp and uncertainty in his tone.  So grab a tissue and some tea – you will need it.

 

Waiting for a Spark by Lillian Francis

18215197Title: Waiting for a Spark

Author: Lillian Francis

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: Short (24 pages)

Publisher: JMS Books (August 19th, 2013)

Heat: None

Heart: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Liked it!

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Jerome’s life is humdrum, mundane even. Every day he catches the bus to work, listens to his best friend, Nav, rants on about the latest crisis in his life and tries to stop his attention from wandering to the gorgeous guy at the back of the bus too often. After all it would be embarrassing to get caught staring.

Friday morning had been no different. Except that the object of his blatant attention was definitely making eye contact, his Asian best friend had involved the entire bus in a racist rant against the East Europeans and Jerome appeared to have been struck dumb.

Now two days later Jerome’s run out of milk and all the local shops are shut except for the Polskie Delikatesy. Jerome’s hanging about on the pavement, studying adverts in the window which appear to be made up of far too many Zs & Ks, and wondering if he could do without milk for the evening. Stepping through the door brings Jerome face to face with the realisation that racism isn’t just about rants and rallies, but is inherent in thoughts and deeds, things said, or even in silence. That being a target for other people’s prejudice because of his sexuality, doesn’t mean he’s immune from false and pre-conceived notions. If he can come to terms with that and accept that everyone — even a gay liberal trainee journalist — might be just a little bit racist, then maybe, just maybe, he could be going home with more than a pint of milk.

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=902

Review:   This review could be summed up with the following three words. Sigh, Smile, Happy! 

However, a reviewer should do due diligence and report correctly. So here goes. This is a short story that illustrates with textbook accuracy exactly how a short story should be written.  The story is set in London and tells the tale of two boys, one of Jewish descent and one of Polish descent.  The story takes place over three days. The story opens with the author establishing the premise and back story using the monologue in Jerome’s head on day one. She then switches to dialogue to set the scene for the conflict. This then sets the scene for the next two days where the two boys establish a friendship and begin a relationship.  The fact that the author is able to accomplish all this in 24 pages is testimony to understanding the basic mechanics of good storytelling – (a) set the scene (b) present the characters (c) establish the conflict (d) use interesting, well-constructed dialogue to show rather than tell and then (e) move from conflict to climax/resolution. The fact that the dialogue is littered with British slang only serves to further cement the setting which is always a good thing. The reader will actually begin to hear the British accents in their head as they read.  How exciting. To read and actually be transported across the pond. Yay!

The end result of this short story – A cute couple whom the readers are able to bond with and root for. The story is well paced, nicely written and throwing in British slang lends it an air of being a ‘different other’ which is always nice to see in either short or long form.  The story starts on a bus so I’d suggest this for one’s commute on either a bus or train and have life imitate art.

The Quiet Game by Willa Okati

2370005019580Title:  The Quiet Game

Author: Willa Okati

Genre:   Comedy/Humor/Contemporary

Length: Novella (59 pages)

Publisher: Total e-bound (September 12th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Mandingo

Blurb: Flirtatious Rhys loves nothing better than chatting up handsome strangers on the job—until quirky Jareth, a player with unique moves, captivates him with absolute silence.

Server and bartender at Rook’s, a restaurant rumoured to be lucky for lovers, Rhys enjoys his life to the fullest. A playful social butterfly, he revels in flirtation and flights of fancy. Though he’s never been one for settling down, after seeing so many happy couples in action he’s started to wonder if it’s about time.

Then Rhys meets Jareth. Or, more properly, Jareth meets Rhys, jumping the terrace fence at Rook’s when they’re closed and there’s no crowd to be lost in. Quirky and compelling, Jareth catches the loquacious Rhys’ attention with deliberate, absolute silence. No matter how Rhys may tempt him, Jareth refuses to speak a word—but there are other ways to get his point across, and Jareth has no problem making his intentions and desires for Rhys crystal clear.

Communicating with the captivating charmer is a challenge, but Rhys is having the time of his life playing the quiet game. He might even—much to his surprise—have started falling for Jareth, a man who makes his own luck when it comes to love

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2302

Review:   I loved the premise of the story, hence why I chose to review it. But, I just couldn’t get into it for some reason.  Rhys is clearly the kind of guy that everyone man loves to love – literally. And Jareth is a quite mysterious sort, who every man would want to get to know. His air of mystery is appealing and you want to know he’s ‘chosen’ not to talk.  The reader must assume that the story will be revealed and that the jig will be up eventually.  And, since it’s a short story, it’s not going to take that long to get to the point. Spoiler alert:  In a noisy world, sometimes the best means to be noticed is to simply remain quiet – sort of the ‘pregnant pause’ notion.

The story progresses and the reader’s questions are answered, but the only missing piece is ‘why’ should we care about Rhys and Jareth? What is it about the two characters that should make the reader want to root for them?  A quirky, sexy, mysterious man is not enough to make me think that the pro and antagonist should end up together. I took solace in the notion that The Rook is meant for lovers and that this is the premise behind why Jareth and Rhys must get together.

The author’s use of non-verbal cues is nicely handled and so from a writing standpoint, that is very, very clever. Jareth leading Rhys along “the quiet game” is interesting to read even knowing what the end will eventually be. The men only know each other a few days and the end should seem contrived, but it doesn’t. The reader can assume that the capitulation has its precedent in the unusual progress of their relationship.

This is a fun short read for anyone not seeking a deep story, but instead a quick romp, maybe over a lunch of curry and dark beer (a feature at The Rook).

The Price by Dominique Frost

18372700Title:   The Price

Author: Dominique Frost

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: Novella (80 pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (September 10th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb: Cale is a serving-boy at a high-class brothel in the city of Havisham. He isn’t one of the courtesans, largely because he’s too clumsy to manage seducing anyone, but he does his best as a servant, keeping the wine-glasses filled and the guests happy.

Everything changes when the warlord Darren Kaine visits the establishment. Darren is the new ruler of Havisham and is a brusque, commanding man. Fresh from a war that’s lasted over six months, Darren is in no mood for frippery, and chooses Cale to accompany him for the night, rather than any of the courtesans on display.

Indeed, Darren so prefers Cale’s straightforwardness and simplicity that he decides to make Cale his concubine and to have Cale visit him at the palace, every night. Stunned by this new turn of events, Cale is further confused by his body’s reactions to Darren. Darren is darkly handsome, sexually demanding and absolutely committed to giving his partner pleasure – a fact that has Cale looking forward to his time with Darren, perhaps more than he ought to.

Darren, too, is in danger of forgetting that Cale is just a tool he uses to slake his lust. For a new ruler, every action comes with a price. Will this one be too steep to pay?

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

Review: This is Cale and Darren’s story. It is told in the third person and so it takes some of the connective intimacy (note not sex) out of the story.  While the author jumped right into the plotline, which is good since this is a short story, use of first person might have allowed for a greater connection to the storyline.  The story moves from both Cale and Darren’s viewpoint – but in the 3rd person and so it’s harder to connect with either character.  Instead, the reader is always on the outside looking in. If that is the writer’s aim, then it was achieved.

It’s a great plotline complete with leader, concubine, and intrigue.  Think coup d’ etat. All formulas for a great and riveting story – and while something so short doesn’t allow for much development,  Ms. Frost does as well as she can in the 80 pages she uses.

It is unclear as to ‘when’ in time the story takes place. Based on the clothing and customs, it appears to be somewhere in the 17th century, since she references the use of ‘flagons.’ And this is where the reader will need to employ suspended disbelief, because while the story is set in what appears to be the 17th century, the language and ‘feel’ of the story is pure 21st century.  However, because this is the ‘fantasy’ genre, I will not hold the story to historical or fantastical accuracy since the author is free to create her own world. If this were the case, then it would help to develop that world more clearly, so that the reader is clear about this – for there is an acceptance of man on man love in this story that doesn’t jive with the historical period. Also, it’s hard for the reader to picture the setting since there’s very little description of the world which Cale and Darren inhabit.

Okay, so now let’s talk about the actual plot line.  Not bad! The relationship between Cale and Darren slowly grew on me until by the end of the book, I was rooting for them. What started out as a concubine and master relationship began to alter and within the short 80 pages, Ms Frost did a good job of allowing the reader to see how a sexual relationship eventually became an emotional one.  There is a HEA, albeit an untraditional one, but the reader is left feeling that the two men are happy with their life.

So even while I had some issues with the book due to lack of setting and tone, I did like the relationship between the men. Moreover, I liked reading how they both evolved.  This could be a great read if you are waiting for a plane in an airport and need a quick pick me up … BUT I would suggest to Ms. Frost that she go back and add some key factors and take the page count up by a few pages to add some elements and then it would be a solid short story.