Tag: Melanie Tushmore

Phoenix by Melanie Tushmore

22692929Title: Phoenix
Series: Death Rose, #1
Author: Melanie Tushmore
Genre: New Adult Gay Romance with a Rock & Roll edge
Length: Novel (103,000 words)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (September 17th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Young painter Alex Tatton has always loved music. When a tragic accident takes away his parents, he turns to a darker style of music and discovers the rock band, Death Rose. Feeling isolated from his own life, Alex develops a crush on guitarist Danny Death who, despite the name, is vivacious, full of life, and has a reputation for being ‘the nicest guy in rock n’ roll’.

After a gig, Alex finds Danny to give him a signed painting. Danny is everything a star should be: charming, sexy, a beacon of light in Alex’s otherwise dark life, and after meeting him Alex is determined to see him again—and this time he wants more than just an autograph.

Excerpt: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/excerpt-phoenix/
Purchase Link: Note, this title is available for pre-order for 15% off http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=90&products_id=656&zenid=9otm727ei1qr2dfhioepv8b6m2
Review: Alex Tatton is loner. Young and awkward, he has kept to himself since his parent’s death, living in London with his aunt and uncle. The only joy in his life is his painting. Sometimes his aunt has to remind him to eat, his constant caregiver. His appearance however, is far from an artwork. He keeps his hair long, something to hide behind, which cause slight acne. When he starts school, all he wants to do is hide behind his hair and fly under the radar. When he makes new friends they introduce him to the band Death Rose, and from the start, Alex is entranced with their music and the artwork they used for their CD cover.

Venturing out to see and listen to the band in person, Alex is quite taken with their guitarist, Danny Death. Over time, Alex attends several shows and makes friends with a few people that are close knit with the band members, and his crush on Danny continues to grow. After some of the shows, Alex has special gifts for Danny. A comic book rendition with Danny as the star, a unique piece of artwork, he even goes so far as to paint his leather jacket with a semblance from the band. Over time, Alex begins to make some changes to his appearance as well. Buying nicer clothes that make him stand out more, cutting his hair and cleaning up his acne. And it doesn’t go unnoticed by Danny.

The two begin meeting at shows, go out on a couple dates, and share a few stolen moments and kisses. When Death Rose tours Germany, Danny flies Alex out to attend the show. From that night on, the relationship is solidified. Alex makes love and falls in love for the first time. There are a few bumps in the road though. It’s not a rock steady courtship from the start. Alex tends to over analyze things and it takes Danny some time to prove his intentions are true. When the time comes to tour America and they will be forced to spend months apart, will their newfound love be strong enough to withstand the separation?

The book was a little slow to start, setting things up and giving Alex’s back-story, not really picking up the pace until they were in Germany. But it was a steady slow, if that makes sense. We had to learn about Alex’s art and why he loves it, how it moves him and makes him the person he is. He’s not really that comfortable with the crowds or with recognition, but then there is Danny. Danny is a force of nature, blowing into Alex’s life and kind of turning it upside down. Enamoured or Attracted are two strong words to describe how Alex feels about Danny, but they really aren’t strong enough, it goes way beyond that.

It was nice to see that these two young characters were written that way as well. They were awkward, insecure and inexperienced. They feed off each other in a way, emotionally and physically. Danny is hyperactive, a wild child, while Alex is more subdued and laid back. Together they balance each other out somewhat. They faced their share of problems and issues while they learned more about each other and how to be a couple.

If you like, Rock & Roll stories with an edge and just the right dose of angst and some pretty passionate trysts, then you’ll love Phoenix. I’m excited for the next book. I hope I don’t have to wait too long!

Goblins: Book 1 by Melanie Tushmore

18158120Title: Goblins: Book 1

Author: Melanie Tushmore

Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy / Fae

ISBN: 9781620042373

Length: Two Novellas (189 pages)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC (September 25th, 2013)

Heat Level: Low ~ Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: In the 17th Century, the ancient sprawl of Epping Forest is bursting with magic and those who go unseen by human eyes: the elves who rule the summer court, and the goblins who rule the winter court. It is said that if a human catches the eye of one of the fey, they are either doomed or blessed.

Wulfren & the Warlock
When Wulfren wakes from a strange dream of a human captor with long silver hair, and grey eyes, his brothers tell him they rescued him from a warlock, and take Wulfren back home to the goblin king’s palace. But Wulfren isn’t so sure the matter is that simple. Why was he missing so long? What are the strange dreams of the beautiful man with the silver hair? Dalliances with humans are severely frowned upon, especially by Wulfren’s father, but Wulfren is willing to risk the scorn of his family to find the human who haunts his dreams.

Quiller & the Runaway Prince
After a hard winter, Quiller is sent deep into the forest on a family errand, and is surprised when a human stumbles into his path. Quiller swoops in to pester him, perhaps even eat him, but there is something special about the human: his scent is royal, though he protests that he is not, and soon Quiller finds himself agreeing to help the human with his troubles—in exchange for a kiss.

Product Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=502

Review: I can’t believe I hadn’t read this one earlier really. What an enthralling read these two stories were. I absolutely adored them. But here, let me walk you through each one separately.

Wulfren & the Warlock

Oh how I loved this story. It was fascinating, the goblins just to die for, and their personalities so much of what I’ve always fantasized them to be. Playful and pure trouble they very well could be the little terrors of the forest. I think this is one of those rare stories about the fae that makes a decent and relatively logical approach to their magic and life. It just awakens that fire inside you whenever you think about the magic of the forest and Mother Nature herself.

Wolf is the seventh son of the Goblin King, and though he plays around with his brothers, there is something missing in his life. When one day he awakens dizzy and without memories he feels out of place and terribly irritated. His brothers explanation that he was captured and enslaved by a warlock makes no sense as dreams show him memories of his time with Ash, and though he was enslaved the first time he met him, he was set free after that.

So what happened? Why has a season gone by, one he doesn’t remember? What happened in between and why does his heart feel cold and his arms empty?

A fantastic story filled with magic, naughty goblins that cause lots of trouble, and love. Mostly love, for this is a wonderful, brilliant love story where one willingly would give everything he has, even his own life for the privilege to be loved back.

Quiller & the Runaway Prince

The second story actually picks up where the first left and follows Quiller, Wulf’s brother. Half Goblin half Bird spirit, Quiller finally has two seasons off. Spring and summer are perfect as the Rotten Ring’s dwellers rest. But on his very first day off Quiller finds himself tasked with chores yet again. Irritated he sees to it nonetheless and his reward is a beautiful runaway prince. A human prince but royalty nonetheless, one that smells deliciously and has Quiller’s imagination sparkling with mischief. This is the perfect opportunity for some meddling and fun, but alas, as Quiller goes through the bargain and helps his Charming Prince, he falls into the oldest trap of them old. He falls in love…

So both these stories have this thing in common. They made me recall old tales told in hushed whispers from my great-grandmother in order to scare us children into behaving. The fear of the dark when the spirits rise and the little people come out to startle us. Tales of spells and magic cast to the fools who aren’t wary enough, and so on. Yes, these tales had an old touch in them, one that made me literally melt and enjoy them wholeheartedly.

Quiller’s story is fascinating too, a bit more intense action wise, a bit more entrancing as he sets out to save his distressed Prince. I loved it, I enjoyed it immensely, but the end left me wondering. Having met the Goblin King and with the happy for now sort of end, I couldn’t help but wonder how would Quiller and his Prince’s future be like.

Other than that though, both stories were so very worth reading that I couldn’t recommend them enough. I hadn’t thought it possible to like Goblins as much, but here you have it, I’ve been yet again surprised and fell yet again a little bit more in love.