Tag: Margie Church

Boston Boyfriends by Margie Church

81qL2uEJcKL._SL1500_Title: Boston Boyfriends
Series: N/A
Author: Margie Church
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (250 pages)
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (December 15th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Reviewer: Aerin
Blurb: A hot hook up at a celebrity wedding leaves Porter Campbell wanting a whole lot more of gorgeous Stiegen Lange. Unfortunately for Porter, Stiegen’s career as a voice over actor is skyrocketing, and a serious relationship isn’t in his plans. Their hours together in Miami were more than a booty call for Porter, but what can he do?

Stiegen finds solace in Porter’s arms when his best friend nearly dies. Then, he organizes an unforgettable weekend of passion with Porter back in Boston. His feelings deepen. Saying good-bye to Porter gets harder every time, leaving him wondering whether his career can remain the center of his universe.

Because Porter’s in it for love and won’t settle for less.

ISBN: 978-1-62300-814-7

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/boston-boyfriends.html

Review: This was my first book written by Margie Church and while it was well written, it wasn’t what I expected.

We first meet Porter, one of our main characters, at the beginning of the book when he attends his sister’s celebrity wedding. I liked Porter; he was a pretty laid back character who was content with the direction his life was taking. Stiegen is the best man at the wedding and Porter ends up in his bed for a one-night stand.

There was no major chemistry between them at the time, which was fine by me, because it was only supposed to be a hook-up.

The main story line in this book was the way Porter dealt with his family, the way he made important decisions when they needed to be made, and the way he interacted with his co-workers and the kids at the education center he owns. The relationship between him and Stiegen is a secondary story line, and thank God for that, because I didn’t feel it at all.

I expected the chemistry between them to take off, or maybe I thought I’d feel some connection between the two of them, but there was no such thing. All their interactions seemed scripted, including their sex life, to the point where I had the feeling I was in the middle of a bad porn movie, complete with all the cheesy porn talk.

The secondary characters were flawed and diverse, which made them more real to me. Porter’s sister was a doll, she was supportive and down to earth, and she never once used her “married to a celebrity” status as a way to make people feel less than her. I also liked Porter’s co-workers, they were a bunch of great people who supported each other and gave their all in an effort to help the kids at the center. And sadly, those were the only nice secondary characters.

We also have the assholes and Porter’s family (aside from his sisters) all falls into that category. What a bunch of bigoted homophobes! We also have the villain, the realtor from hell who made this book more interesting. His stalkerish (I know that’s not a real word but so what?) ways gave us some much needed anticipation, and his final actions gave Porter a reason to start his life over.

I wish there was another way for Porter to make those important decisions about what to do with his life. In my opinion, what happened to that education center didn’t need to happen; a resolution could’ve been reached based on Porter’s feeling for Stiegen and not thanks to the actions of a deranged person.

Overall, this was an OK book, but if you expect a real connection between Porter and Stiegen, you might be left feeling disappointed.

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

The Camera Never Lies by Margie Church

51GfMZyh8NLTitle: The Camera Never Lies (Previously Hard as Teak)

Series: Hard as Teak #1

Author: Margie Church

Genre: Contemporary/Coming Out

Length: Novel (190 Pages)

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave (July 25th, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: Having sex with his girlfriend has begun to feel like a job to nature photographer Kevin Marks. A year of sexual ennui prompts him to head for the solitude of his Minnesota cabin, in search of his lost passion-which he finds in the form of Teak Hidalgo.

Kevin can’t resist the gorgeous Texan. Their fateful meeting takes Kevin’s life in a new direction, professionally and personally. Before long, Teak resuscitates Kevin’s flat-lined libido, becoming the perfect tour guide to a sexual territory Kevin has only fantasized about. Teak provides the safety Kevin needs to finally be who he truly is, and the men embark on a romance better than anything Kevin ever imagined. But their sexy seclusion can’t last forever.

All too soon, reality, obligation, and envy threaten to sever the couple’s fledgling connection.

ISBN # 1419991027

Product Link: http://www.ellorascave.com/the-camera-never-lies.html

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: An interesting proposition, one escapee photographer, seeking answers to life’s unsolved mysteries up north at his cabin refuge. He’s battling a nagging feeling in his gut, that his attraction to men mean more than just the admiration of beauty. He finds not just one but two hot male muses as he puts the lens of his camera back to work photographing not just nature, but these hot men in their natural habitat.

I was a bit confused about the relationship dynamic between Teak and his female friend with benefits, Teak and Drew, and eventually Teak and Kevin. While the sexual heat was scorching at times, and the whole “model for me” scenario was fun, I felt the relationship between Teak and Kevin progressed too fast with too much uncertainty.

The twist with Kevin’s manager Gail, and her machinations to “expose” him, was a bit over the top, and who really cares anyway? Who is actually going to put this in a gossip column? Photographers, unless you’re Ansel Adams or Annie Liebovitz, are not really all that famously recognized anyhow. Maybe that’s why it is hard for me, I come from the art world, and poor photographers are lucky if people put the right name with the right image, let alone actually recognize them personally.

The story was fun, who doesn’t like a bit of sexy-fun-time in the wilderness? Something is lacking, but I did find myself entertained for an evening. I’m sure there will be more to come from this trio of characters in the future.

Hard as Teak by Margie Church

Title:  Hard as Teak

By:  Margie Church

Catagory:  Contemporty romance

Rating:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb

Something is wrong with Kevin Marks.  What else could explain the fact the he needs to fantasies about dream lovers… male lovers, to make love to his girlfriend?  A woman who is everything he ever thought he wanted.  She’s smart, successful and beautiful.  Sex is okay, but where are the fireworks.  And it’s not just his love life that sucks.  Professionally, he’s creative juices have all dried up and his successful art gallery just isn’t  fun anymore.

Before he settles into his “perfect” life,  Kevin decides to take an extended vacation to his northern cabin.  Maybe, a little time away will give him some clarity.

Kevin doesn’t even make it to his cabin before he finds himself attracted, first, to a guy working at the local gas station.  His reaction shocks him, but nothing that sends him into any type of sexual identity crisis.  Not like the intense lust that hits him when he meets Teak Hidalgo.  No.  Teak is definitely a of a different color. A horse Kevin wants to ride like a Kentucky Derby jockey.  Kevin has never been with a man, he’s thought it but who hasn’t?    Suddenly the idea of being intimate with the beautiful man is a very good idea.

Review

This is Ms. Church’s first MM release.  All in all, I think she did a pretty good job. But, that is what I would expect from a writer who claims to write “Romance with SASS; Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle.

From the minute Teak and Kevin  meet there is intense sexual chemistry.  These two get hot and heavy fast.  But, their interaction has a realism that is touching.  Teak really wants to get into Kevin’s pants, but he isn’t sneaky or manipulative.  He’s honest with his intentions and allows Kevin to explore his curiosity without pressure.

Loved watching these guys fall in love.  Kevin confused me a few times.  He wanted to be an alpha dog, then would turn around and act like a little *itch ( can I say bitch on this site…).

My only complaint would be that near the end of the book Teak kinda disappeared.  Not physically, but for a he became more of an accessory than a partner.  But, that’s only in the end.  For most of the book they share a respect that is sweet.  But for a while there, Teak  faded into the background while Kevin got his shit together.  I’m not saying Teak should have gone caveman or anything, but I would have respected him more if he directed traffic, instead of catching a ride on Kevin’s emotional roller coaster.

This story is well written with equal parts sweetness and sensuality.  I hope Ms. Church dips into the MM pond again.