Blurb: After a near fatal car crash leaves him scarred both physically and emotionally, Matt Harmon finds the solitude of his huge, lonely house too much to bear. Hiring Nurse James Hayden to look after him seems like the best idea for Matt, whose fierce independence has been compromised by his injuries.
The two men clash from the start as James struggles to help Matt rebuild his shattered body and heal his crushed soul. The bond they form is forged in fire and ice, and the wounds they inflict on one another can only be erased by Matt’s admission that he can’t live without James’s loving touch.
Will Matt realize too late that James is the only one who can rescue him from himself?
Review:(Warning. This book does contain some violence and harsh language. The blurb above pretty much explains the story so I won’t repeat it.
Matt has some deep-seated anger issues. He is spoiled, conceited, homophobic, and downright mean. I can see why after the accident he is like this but it is evident that this isn’t new for him.
James is almost too good to be true and can see inside Matt something no one else can.
I absolutely loved this story. Yes, I know Matt is a horrible person and mean, but I love a good, bad boy antagonist and Matt fits the bill. He had to have some good in him for his friends to be so loyal.
I love a story where the knight in shining armor is the underdog that comes in to save the big bad meanie. And James was a wonderful example of this. James may have been almost too good to be true but he shows us later on that he can hold his own.
Once you start reading this book you can’t put it down. I was up to the wee hours of morning to see what would happen next. There was twist after twist. I will say I was pleased with the ending.
If you like angst. Lots of angst, mean antagonists, spoiled rich brats, sexy sweet male nurses, and lots of very hot mansex this is definitely for you.
Title: Nine-One-One, 2nd edition Author: Scarlet Blackwell Genre: Contemporary/Men in Uniform Length: Novella (18K words) Publisher: Totally Bound (December 19th, 2014) Available for early download 11/21/14 Heat Level: Low
Blurb: Damon can’t forget 9/11 and all the precious things he lost…
It’s been ten years after the horror of 9/11. Former NYPD cop Damon Summerfield was there. He lost his fire fighter partner, Justin, in the collapse of the Twin Towers and fled to Canada to attempt to rebuild his shattered life. Now he is back in New York for Christmas with his family for the first time since his loss.
Still in deep mourning with no end in sight, he visits Justin’s favourite bar near Ground Zero and there he meets Simon, a fire fighter with the FDNY and a fellow survivor of 9/11. Simon is smitten by him from the start, but despite feeling the same way, Damon can’t bear to give them a chance, not when he thinks Simon’s job will tear them apart someday too…
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released by another publisher. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound Publishing.
Prime’s Review: I’m going to be completely honest and admit that I cried like a baby at the beginning and although the tears slowed down considerably, I didn’t stop until I finished.
We meet Damon wallowing in the depths of despair at the site of the Twin Tower Memorial, where he still mourns the loss of his partner ten years before. Simon, like Damon’s deceased lover, is also FDNY, but he was lucky enough to survive 9/11 just as Damon had. Simon also has a survival tale of his very own. We see both Damon and Simon’s individual stories in flashback, which is probably what made me cry more.
One thing is for certain, though: Damon needs counselling or something and is in a worse position than Simon in terms of dealing with grief. But, that is only my personal opinion since I’ve never experienced the death of a spouse. This mindset also made Damon’s character rather irritating at times to me, because he acted like a brat towards Simon. Hence, my opinion that Damon needs counselling, even with the help of Simon. That is off topic.
The rush of emotions was almost violent, tossing between grief, despair, happiness and guilt in this heart-wrenching story. Despite the fact that there wasn’t a true happily ever after, it was still an uplifting ending where there was hope for both of the characters.
Cat’s Review: ♥♥ 2 Hearts
Damon is still in morning after losing his long-time lover of 6 years to 9-11. Damon was a cop there and Justin was a fire fighter. Damon hasn’t been home since he left New York shortly after and his parents talked him into Christmas this year. He has lived like a monk all these years, but a handsome green-eyed man gets his attention in Justin’s favourite bar on Christmas Eve.
Simon wanted Damon as soon as he saw him and didn’t give up. They keep running into each other the next few days. Could it be fate?
This story had so much premise and started of really good. My heart went out to Damon though ten years seems so long for a young man to go without wanting sex, but then again I preferred tis to the opposite and usual running to every man for one night stands. Then he met Simon.
I really wanted to like this story. I really did. The more I read the more I disliked Damon and then near the end the twist with Simon floored me and I liked him even less. I am not saying the story was bad. It’s not. It’s a good story about two men that lost a lot in 9-11. It just wasn’t for me. I will say I did like how we got the backstory of Justin and Damon and I would have loved to see that in a full story.
If you like lots of angst, firemen, cops and stories about the tragedy of 9-11 you may like this.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Sheriff Brandon Schofield and Finn Austen are still struggling to overcome the ghosts of the past and Finn’s torture at the hands of his abusive partner, Dominic Bateman. Meanwhile an adult movie company has moved operations to an abandoned warehouse in Clear Water Creek and its stars are vanishing.
Soon Brandon’s investigation leads him to Iowa and he finds the men involved have ties to Finn’s past…
Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/Fade-to-Black/?keyword=scarlet%20Blackwell Review:CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains scenes of dubious consent, rape, and excessive violence. Warning: extreme content—has snuff films and violence
I really liked this book. I actually read this book before the others, and I was able to follow a long and enjoy it even though there are two books ahead, which I may say I just had to go read.
I am a hopeless romantic and the love between Brandon and Finn is sweet, sincere, and passionate. Finn has a lot of issues and Brandon is a caring respectful lover and is doing his best to help Finn work through his past.
Brandon is a sheriff and alerted that there may be an illegal adult filmmaker in his town doing snuff films. He finds the warehouse and stops a film in progress. He makes some enemies that know about his lover’s past and intend to take revenge on him,
So, does Brandon find this filmmaker? Do the bad guys get their revenge? Does Finn survive? Does Brandon find out what he needs to further his relationship with Finn? I’m not telling you. Go read the book. It’s worth it.
If you like hot sex, angst, loving intense relationships, stories that are out of the box and push your limits, and some mystery, maybe even some BDSM, try this! Oh yeah! How did I forget men in uniforms?
Blurb: Scarlet Blackwell’s first collection of short stories is a mixture. Mostly contemporary, with a fantasy story and a Victorian setting thrown in for good measure, the stories feature lovelorn m/m couples from every walk of life some sportsmen, some porn stars, some mentally challenged. The common theme is love, as always and the finding of that one special person.
Review: Overall, this was a very intriguing collection of stories. There were a few I absolutely fell in love with some I liked a lot and a couple that I felt were ok. There is a bit of something for all tastes.
In My Darkness, I Found a Light ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Robert is in a bad place in his life. He is unhappy. He doesn’t like being around people. Day to day life and loneliness is getting to him. He bumbles through life each day, depressed, sad, and alone.
This is a very morose story with a happy ending. A tragedy brings two men together. My heart went out to Robert. I see this in so many people these days. I love how the author makes the tragedy and eye-opener for Robert and hopefully anyone in that dark place.
A Tale of Two Halves ♥♥2 Hearts
Luke is a footballer and he is playing against his arch nemesis Dieter. The German is up and coming and everyone loves him even though he has come out as gay. Luke hates him and wants to do him bodily harm. In one attack, they land on top of each other and Dieter taunts him, saying he knows he wants him thrusting his hips into Luke. Luke becomes confused. They get into a fight and both penalized. They both go shower while the game goes on.
Ok. This wasn’t a bad story it just wasn’t for me. There were a lot of football terms. I didn’t quite get and I just didn’t get the violent nature. Having said that, there was a lot of sexual tension and it was hot if you like a rough and tumble type sex.
Guilt ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Evan is in a bar. He is use to one nightstands and hook ups. He sees a sexy man and approaches. One thing leads to another and he is in Stevens. Evan thinks it’s time for a change. He likes Seven. Suddenly Steve turns on him and makes him leave. Angry Evan goes back the club later and finds Steven again to confront him.
I really liked the premise of his story. This is he sort of story that need t to be longer. I would love to rad more about both of these men. The twist through me for a loop and I sure would like to see what becomes of these two men.
RoMANce ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Fox Reed is a major name in porn stars and works exclusively for RoMANce studios. He doesn’t like porn for porn sake and only does films with story lines. Jamie Warner is an up and coming actor at a competitor’s studio and has signed to do a movie with Fox. Jamie is always a top and Fox is surprised that Jamie is going to bottom for this film. As soon as he meets Jamie, sparks fly between them. But is there attraction more than just a job?
I have to say that normally the porn type stories aren’t my thing but having said that, this one is an exception. There is a lot of storyline in this short tale and oh, man is the sex smokin hot. It’s a wonder my kindle didn’t catch fire!
This Wave Always Breaks ♥♥♥3 Hearts Karl is faced with his past when his boss hires Daron his ex from 15 years ago as assistant manager.
There is a lot of angst and sadness in this story. There was a lot of potential. This one just fell a bit short for me. I really didn’t connect with Karl. He seemed so whiny and like a teenager not a grown man. I will say that I did find the end to this very satisfactory. There are a lot of characters for such a short story. I do think that if this were a full-length story so that we knew more about the characters and more about Karl, that it would be a pretty good story.
Happy Birthday♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts It’s Lewis’ birthday and he is alone in the office working. A man comes in and proceeds to strip. Being a loner, he can’t figure who would hire him a stripper but he is glad.
Wow. Was this hot! Then the twist came at the end turning a very graphic story into a very sweet one. I loved it.
The Long Road Home♥♥♥3 Hearts Kester has been infatuated with Melek for 5 years though he hasn’t even gone to speak to him. A stranger comes to town and things escalate.
I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but it was a sweet story.
The Rent Collector♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Jacob lives in a slum and can barely make enough to eat little less meat the rent. The collector comes by and is new. He begins having Jacob perform favors in order to stay since his rent is so far behind.
I really liked this. It is a bit angsty and could be considered dubious consent, but once the twist comes at the end, I felt a bit more like I could empathise with William. I felt it was a very sexy story with a satisfying ending. It’s not going to be for everyone but I really liked it a lot.
Homeless♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
This is one of my favorites of the collection. Michael is a straight man who just broke off with his girlfriend he is rich, handsome and really doesn’t have to have a steady girl. Walking home drunk he stopped in the alley and a young homeless man propositioned him. He gave in and paid but only had $100, so Poe said he owed him another service. Michael swears he won’t be back.
I loved this. It is a bit angsty but it just pushed all my buttons right. I loved the feelings of confusion from Michael and Poe both. It’s sexy with a very good ending. I would have loved more of this story.
Rematch ♥♥♥3 Hearts
This is a second part to the Tale of Two halves. I have to say I liked this one somewhat better. I think if all these parts were combined and this made into a full-length story, it has potential to be very good. I would like to see what happens with Luke and Deiter.
Charlie ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
I fell in love with Charlie. If I had to pick one favorite of the batch, it would be this one though there a couple close seconds. Charlie is mentally handicapped. He is very childlike but very handsome. Jude is shopping for stuff to make a Charlie Chaplin costume when he meets Charlie and is taken by his looks and charm, though he realizes that Charlie is handicapped and tries to stay away.
Jude has to be applauded for accepting Charlie as the man he is and eventually seeing that he is a wonderful man with needs. I applaud the author for touching on such a topic.
My Love is Me and I am Him
This is more like a poem or flash it’s so short I can say too much but I will say it intrigued me and I’d love to see these men’s story… Controversial… Yes… Intriguing idea? Absolutely.
Blurb: You never forget your first love, even if you didn’t realise he was.
Sheriff Sean Keller hides a terrible secret – he watched a heinous crime committed eighteen years ago and did nothing to prevent it. Now he finds himself face to face with Eden Gray, the victim of that crime, who is now not so much the boy anymore, but the man. Eden makes Sean sit up and remember those forbidden desires he thought he had locked away forever and the guilt, which has blighted his life.
Review: Sean Keller is the Sheriff of Clearwater Creek. He witnessed a crime involving Eden 18 years ago. He has hidden his secret for all this time since Eden left town. Now Eden has returned and he doesn’t plan to let Sean forget.
I really love this book. It is a bit dark and angsty. There is a deep storyline filled with emotion, twists and suspense.
I loved Sean figuring out his feelings and his love for Eden Gray. I actually was happy at first that Eden and Sean got together, wanting Sean to have happiness and to make peace with his past. I commended him for that and finding how he had loved Eden all these years and carried this burden endeared me to him more (yes, I love the stubborn butthole types).
Eden I wanted to shake sense into him on more than one occasion. I found this story so romantic and even heart wrenching at times. (I am a sucker for heart wrenching romances.) It is definitely not a love at first sight kind of story.
I recommend this story to anyone that loves sexy small-town sheriffs, a nice well-paced character driven romance, some mystery and suspense, lots of angst and some hot mansex. I highly recommend this book.)
Publisher: eXtasy Books (September 7th, 2014) This is a previously published book. The title remains unchanged.
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb: When the love of Austin Bale’s life—Rupert the German Shepherd—is critically injured in a car accident, he has to find seventeen hundred dollars and fast. Austin lives alone, works a minimum wage job and has no one he can turn to. The only thing he can offer vet Lynton Brooke, by way of payment, is himself.
Lynton takes him up on his offer and is soon smitten by the reclusive Austin. Both men recognise a kindred spirit, a lonely soul that needs a mate, but Austin is too aware of their different backgrounds. Can he ever hope that Lynton could be the one?
Purchase Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/Lonely/ Review: Austin is barely making ends meet when his beloved dog is hit by a car. He takes it to the vet not expecting it to be over $1,800 dollars. He will do anything to save him since Rupert is all he has, even if it means selling himself to the sexy vet.
Lynton is a good man at heart and a great vet. He loves his patients and it kills his soul to have to euthanize them when clients can pay. He is also extremely lonely. He knows the minute he sees Austin that he won’t be able to afford the care and his heart goes out. He wants to do it for free but if he does one when will it end. He has to make a living too. But, something about Austin tears at his need and loneliness. When Austin offers himself up for payment, can Lynton stick to his guns and be a good man or will his loneliness make him do something he may regret?
I loved this book. There is a lot of angst and the way it goes back and forth between Austin and Lynton’s feelings is like watching a fast-paced tennis or volleyball match. I sat on the end of my seat to see how this one ended!
If you like, Scarlet Blackwell, angsty stories, vets, and men down on their luck, dogs, cats and a very hot, steamy romance this is for you!
Blurb: He lost his heart once. Is it too damaged for love to find it again?
In the five years since the love of his life abandoned him at the altar, Jake Morgan hasn’t left his house. The locals in this small, English town have dubbed him “Mr. Havisham”, but he’s too preoccupied wrestling his demons to care about Dickensian comparisons.
Forced to admit he’s losing the battle to keep up his large estate alone, he reluctantly places an advert for help. The striking young man who answers his call shakes him to the core.
When Darius answers the ad for the position at the mysterious mansion, the bitter, lonely master of the house tugs at his heartstrings. Setting aside his own run of bad luck, Darius batters at Jake’s emotional walls with kindness and determination that defy all attempts to drive him away.
Just as tendrils of new love begin to intertwine, though, a terrible voice from the past intrudes. And threatens to drive Jake back into the shadows where Darius can never reach him.
Review: Against reason is a story about a man who is very broken and another that is going through a lot of personal issues, such as finding a job to make ends meet and keeping a roof over his head.
I am going to start by talking about characters. Jake had been left at the altar five years ago and was still reeling from it. He is very heartbroken, the town talks about him and calls him Mr. Havisham (from Great expectations), and he has suffered physically and emotionally for the tragedy. Aside from the jilting, he is also a recluse, and has a severe case of OCD. I liked Jake since i do relate. Some people that aren’t experienced with OCD may not understand some of the references to numbers, and the need to keep his personal space.
There were things I didn’t like about Jake, such as he sometimes bordered on being plain mean and cruel to Darius in my opinion.
Darius, I would have liked a little more information such as why he was having such employment issues, why he was fired, since he seemed to be a very hard worker and easy to please. Marc… I won’t even go there… Nope didn’t like him but I am sure we aren’t supposed to.
I actually liked the storyline, but I have a thing about broken main-characters, especially if they can overcome whatever broke them. I like a lot of angst and there is tons of it in this story.
One of my favourite things was the dining room. This was a big shocker and I won’t tell you what was there, but I liked the description, I found it slightly macabre and felt it really emphasized the pain Jake was suffering from.
I am not sure a wedding cake left out would even be standing in five years, but I myself let the reality go from that and liked the effect it served. After all this is fiction. I also would have liked to know where Jake go his money, had such a huge house and grounds and why he didn’t have to work
If you like, a good romance full of angst, dark, sad stories, broken men and some relatively hot mansex this is for you!
Blurb: Dexter is a rent boy falling for his new client. Logan is a homicide cop falling for his rent boy. Now madly in love, Logan discovers Dexter is dangerously in thrall to a gangster whose clutches he can’t escape. When the gangster finds out about the two of them, he targets Dexter’s friend in revenge. The quickest answer is a safe house, but how long will it be safe?
Review: For those of you that have never read anything by Scarlet Blackwell, most of her stories a quite dark and Angsty, deal with at least one broken character usually both the hero and main Character are broken or have a dark past, and the story is very suspenseful, sometimes dealing with touchy subject. I absolutely love her books, because I do love Angsty stories and touchy subjects.
Kiss me is very dark and Angsty, and a real page-turner. Be sure you figure how long it will take you to read it and clear your schedule, because you won’t want to put it down. I was biting my nails until the last word. The story has lots of suspense and moves fast with several twists and turns, a couple I didn’t see coming. Wow! It is about a high-class rent boy (Dexter), a cop (Logan) that didn’t like being touched and had some issues from his past, and of course being a gay cop, and a mobster (Ivan) that becomes infatuated and possessive of the rent boy. The story is written in first person, which is one of my favourite styles, since to me it really delves deep into the character. This one was only in Dexter’s view and the unique thing I found was it was as if Dexter was actually telling us his story. Occasionally he would ask us a question, such as “You’re probably thinking at this point that I used someone else to make me feel better, that those nights spent in bars were spent picking up ass, spent taking money for cheap sex which would only make me feel worse. Well, you’d be wrong. Not this time.” I felt as if I were right there with Dexter through it all and trust me there was a lot to go through.
Speaking of characters, I found them all very well-developed. You could tell easily who was speaking, and doing what, since each has their own distinctive personality. I liked Dexter a lot, though I have to say he grew on me. Logan, I don’t think I ever really fell in love with him. There were so many times I wanted to slap the crap out of him, and Dexter both. Daron I did like and felt so sorry for him. Ivan the mob boss, now he was evil and I really disliked him (aren’t we supposed to dislike the villains though?)
I know I went on and on but I could keep going. It was an awesome story with lots of twists and turns, some real nail-biting moments, some very touching ones( be sure to have tissues handy) and some very hot sex.
I highly recommend this if you like Angsty stories, broken men, a love that doesn’t come easily, good friends, twists and turns, suspense and hot mansex( did I mention a cop in uniform and his nightstick*swoon*.
Blurb: King Kavan, ruler of the kingdom of Decius, wants to kill all vampires in the land. What he hasn’t reckoned on is his second-in-command running off with one of the winged creatures or that he would fall in love with the beautiful Harben. Keeping Harben locked in his tower, with orders to maim the vampire’s wings should he escape, isn’t conducive to receiving Harben’s love in turn, but what happens when Kavan’s forbidden feelings are tested? Would he save Harben’s life at the expense of his own?
Review: As far as paranormal love stories, this one ranks up pretty high on the want list. It is a very bizarre story, with two human’s and two vampires. Hatred and love come hand in hand. It is a bit hard to get into and actually understand however, it is a good story nonetheless.
King Kavan hates vampires with a passion. He comes off cold and evil. He captured Harben to torture and eventually kills him, however something amazing happens. He starts to see the compassion that Harben has, the fact that he is gentle and kind. The king starts to fall in love with Harben. As does his truth seeker Lucius. Lucius falls in love with Eachan after capturing him for his king and tortures him. All Harben ask for is true freedom, with many chances to escape he stays for Kavan. Kavan sleeps with about anyone in the castle. However, it takes him a bit of time to realize that there is more to his life than the cruelty and pain he gives to those around him. He would give up his life to save this vampire from death, protect him with all that he has. They have all found love, now they just have to survive. The sex is hot, sensuous, and full of passion. It will set the sheets on fire.
Scarlet has a wonderful gift of telling stories. She gives you characters that you want to hate but end up loving. I have always loved to lose myself in a good romance. She gives me that chance when I read this story. I wanted to hate Kavan, but in the end, I wanted him to be with Harben. To realize love will win over every other choice. I love the paranormal world especially with sexy men to fantasies about, however this book was missing quite a bit for me to really love it. It just came off a bit wrong. Don’t get me wrong it is a good book with a wonderful world to live in, well despite the hunters trying to kill the vampires.
Blurb: Love at first sight doesn’t just happen in the movies…
Winter in the most inhospitable of environments. Lost in a small South Dakota town during a snowstorm, Hayden Berry is rescued by Deputy Sheriff Dylan Hubble after crashing his car. The attraction between the two men is instant. Dylan takes him to spend the night at his own house. One night turns into two when they are snowed in and something blossoms between them.
Something that can’t possibly happen because Hayden isn’t free to be with Dylan. But love at first sight doesn’t just happen in the movies and Hayden’s feelings for Dylan cast a shadow over the rest of his life…
Review: Most romance stories that I read don’t come off as real life or even close to it. This story actually made me sad when I read it. To love someone at first sight but to be tied to someone else. I have always hated a person who cheated and hid things from another, always thinking that they get what they deserve in the end. However, this story makes you forget that, well parts of it.
Hayden is lost and stranded when his car crashes into a wall of some sort. It is thirteen below zero and he has no idea of what to do, but to his luck, a cop shows up. Dylan knew he wanted to kiss this man from the start, wanted him for all time. The only problem was Hayden was married to a woman and lived in a different state. Two hot nights full of sex, passion and fire was all they thought they would get. Then they got on with their lives, till twelve years later.
This story was well written with characters who had strengths and weaknesses that they mix together. However, I just couldn’t get into it, maybe because Hayden was leading a double life, where Dylan gets hurt. This story makes me wonder why someone hides themselves so easy just because it isn’t easy to be another way. To betray and hurt to people you love just isn’t my way of life. It was a good story, just not one for me.
Blurb:Lonely office worker Neil wanders around Manchester in the last-minute Christmas rush when he spots Kai soliciting for money. Neil wants company, Kai wants money, both love the sex–can they find common ground?
Lonely office worker Neil finishes at work for three days. Wandering around Manchester in the last-minute Christmas crush, he spots Kai soliciting for money. After buying him a sandwich, he invites Kai home looking for company.
Kai tells him he’s doing it for the money but the sex is great and suddenly he is in no rush to leave. Do they have a future?
Review: Neil is all alone at Christmas. Walking home from work he decides to pop into a shop for a couple of items and end up buying a beggar some food. He invites the beggar home just so he will have some company. Kai will do what he has to, to survive living on the streets, taking the offer of a roof over his head for the night. Both men alleviate a need in the other, but will it last longer than Christmas?
Scarlet Blackwell lays it out in black and white the lengths that some will go to just to not be alone or to have a roof over their heads just for one night. Neil is just so alone that he asks a complete stranger who lives on the street to come home with him. Kai, the young beggar, mistakes his offer and offers him sex, but between the two of them they just might discover a happy Christmas.
This story really is too short to get to know either character. all we really discover is that they are both alone and that they both enjoy hot sex with each other. It would have been nice to discover why they were in the situations that they found themselves in, but for a short story they made the most of it. The sex between them is really hot and there is some kinky spanking, but nothing too heavy. for all that though there was a deeper connection that drew them together. The descriptions of Manchester were well written and brought the area to life, although fingers crossed for that snow.
I will recommend this to those who want a short sharp happy ending, with hot sex and realistic settings but with that touch of unreality that makes it work.
Blurb: It’s just casual sex with no strings attached…or is it?
Nate and Ronan have hooked up for mind-blowing sex every Monday for the past two years, but when Nate meets Shane in a bar, he thinks he’s found ‘the one’. Shane owns a chocolate shop and loves to bring his work into his personal life, and after a night of chocolate-coated sex Nate will never forget, he decides to break off his casual arrangement with Ronan to give the relationship a chance.
There’s only one problem—Ronan is intelligent and irresistible, and he knows Nate better than anyone else. To make matters even more complicated, lately Nate can’t get enough of his kisses, whether they lead to sex or not. Can Nate figure out what—and who—he really wants, before he loses both of the men in his life?
Review: Wow! I’d give this story five times five stars! I was so hooked from the first page I couldn’t stop until I was done. Then, I was tempted to read it again!
Nate and Ronan were just casual hookups for two years. They met every Monday night for the best sex of their life. Nate was looking for something more though and he let Ronan know. Although none of his new lovers ever made it longer than what he expected and even when he said ‘this may be the one’, Nate never gave up Ronan. Then, he meets Shane. Shane doesn’t compare physically to Ronan or even in the bedroom, but for some reason, Nate is sure that Shane is the one. As he decides to give Ronan up, he begins to think more and more of him. Their relationship seems different and Nate knows that he has to end it.
The tension in this story is amazing! I was on pins and needles the whole time. I felt so bad for Ronan. Then, Nate and then, Brian. There were several times that I wanted to slap Shane and Nate. The sex scenes were all hot and erotic, yet sensual.
I recommend this book to EVERYONE! If you love Scarlet Blackwell, loving romance, chocolate, hot men, less than perfect men, M/M Romance, and really, really, mind-blowing sex, this is a must read!
Blurb: Sam Campbell is a struggling artist and playboy beach bum who pretends to be a taxi driver to take a good-looking blind man home. Blondie is not impressed and calls the cops on Sam…
Artist and playboy beach bum Sam’s life is turned around when he meets blind Kieran and falls hard for him. Kieran is fiercely independent and doesn’t need a man like Sam in his life. But Sam needs a man like Kieran and it’s up to him to persuade Kieran he’s worth a shot.
Review: Sam is a man on the lookout for an easy lay. But, when he picks up a good-looking blind guy who is looking for a taxi, he decides it’s too much and drops him off at the animal hospital. He is then surprised to get a visit from the police. Sam’s life takes a drastic turn when he becomes obsessed with getting Kieran to go out with him, but Kieran is having none of it and it leads to Sam trying his best to convince Kieran, that Sam can be the man who Kieran needs.
This is a story that quite surprised me with the drastic change in its characters and such an incredible change it was. Sam just wants to laze around in the sun and pick up hot guys. He does just enough art to let him live by and he is perfectly happy with his life. But, when Kieran walks into his life, he wants to change so he can be the type of man who deserves a man like Kieran. Kieran doesn’t need a man like Sam in his life and he doesn’t believe that any man would stick around for long anyway. Kieran finally gives in to Sam’s pursuit. But, the true test of Sam’s new character is when Kieran needs him the most.
This is one of those stories that make you believe that a leopard really can change his spots. Sam is a character that is very carefree and lives his life how he wants to. But, when he is confronted with Kieran, it shakes his very foundation and makes him rethink how he lives his life. Kieran is a guy who has had a hard time and giving in to someone like Sam is just asking for heartache. But, Sam manages to break through Kieran’s defenses and Kieran is later thankful that he gave Sam a chance or three. I really wasn’t expecting Sam to change as drastically as he did, but it makes a powerful impact later in the book.
I must admit to thinking early on that Sam deserves everything that Kieran dishes out. But, as with Kieran he broke down my defenses and I finally saw just what a wonderful man Sam was. The relationship is interesting and I found that they were well suited. The sex between them is really hot and there is some heartache for Sam later in the book, but he comes through with a true heart and with true love.
I recommend this to those who love difficult beginnings and rocky starts, life changing realizations, standing by the man you love and a very happy ending and plenty of hot sex.
Washed-up American TV star Dexter Summerfield is adrift in the UK with no friends and a career full of more scandal than highlights. His boss throws him one last lifeline: searching for the elusive Scottish wildcat as part of a nature documentary. But taking on the job means taking on reclusive, dangerously sexy cameraman Kade Macbeth, just the two of them, alone for a week in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Kade’s out and proud but Dexter’s straight… isn’t he?
Review: Dexter is a man who believes that he is owed what he wants. But, that attitude has brought him to the brink of disaster for his career. now he has one last chance to turn his fortunes around and he hates the very thought of a job which he feels is beneath him. Kade is a well-known wildlife cameraman who likes the simple things in life. On his search for the Scottish wildcat, he finds himself attracted Dexter who is nasty, boorish and straight… isn’t he?
Well, this one will definitely get the emotions racing as you try to figure out just how you really feel about the MC’s as the book progresses. Dexter is one of those men who you admire and pant over from afar, but if you got to know him you’d be planning his disappearance and where to bury the body. Kade is the one that you root for, wanting him to shatter the shell that surrounds Dexter and to break down all Dexter’s defensives and to find the man inside that is truly worth loving.
Dexter is a character that you will hate in the beginning and although at times you want to sympathies with him you can never quite reach that emotion, and although he does make you wince a lot you do eventually come to like him but that is solely Kade’s doing. Without Kade, then Dexter would never find redemption in anyone’s eyes. Kade is a great character and you do wonder what he sees in Dexter besides his good looks, because there had to be something to keep Kade wanting the man after he opened his mouth.
Is this a love story that you understand? Will you relate to the characters? Will you be able to fathom the attraction between the two men? And finally will anyone ever understand the ways that love works? I can’t answer any of these, but this story shows two completely different men who somehow fight their way through how they feel and stand up for what they truly want. With one of them managing to change his life around completely in the process and becoming a man that he is proud of.
I am recommending this to those who love difficult relationships, clashes of headstrong men, passionate sex, facing who you truly are and finally a very happy reunion and a happy ever after.
Blurb:In Inferno, passion burns hotter than hell… After a string of murders in gay nightclub Inferno, cop Zack Stewart begins to chase down prime suspect Dante Jardine, the club’s owner, a path that can only lead to disaster…
In Inferno, passion burns hotter than hell…
After the murder of a notorious rent boy in the relatively new gay nightclub Inferno, Moonlight Cove cop Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are presented with a bewildering array of suspects, all with links to the dead man.
Zack’s chief suspect is arrogant club owner Dante Jardine, a man not so easy to unravel, and even more difficult to pin down. Soon the cops are knee-deep in bodies and Zack’s priorities become more muddled the longer he is around Dante.
When his professional and personal lives begin to merge, Zack finds himself walking a dangerous road between being a good cop and giving in to his growing desire…
Review: Zack and his partner, Claire, are the detectives in charge of the murder outside the club Inferno. Jack pegs club owner, Dante, as the murderer and is determined to bring him in. but, against all odds he can’t fight his attraction to the dark sexy man.
This is a wonderful novel from Scarlet Blackwell where the characters are as complex as they are interesting. Zack takes an instant dislike to Dante when he interviews him about a murder behind his club. Is it because he really believes him to be the culprit or because of his fierce attraction to the man? One thing Zack knows for sure is he won’t rest until the culprit is behind bars and he will do everything he can to prove Dante is that man. But, his attraction blindsided him and puts him in a position where everything falls apart and he only has one thing left to hold onto… Dante.
This is one of those books that grip you from the beginning. It pulls you into the complex world of two strong stubborn men and gives you an array of twists and turns you truly don’t see coming and all the while it is feeding us with hot sex, complex characters, an interesting police investigation and two sexy stubborn men. This so didn’t follow the formula that I have got used to in crime stories, I was gobsmacked by some turns of events and wondered what the hell Zack would do next. His relationship with Dante always seemed to hit a brick wall and it takes some deep determination from Zack to begin to crack Dante’s ice encased heart.
Dante is one of the coldest characters I have come across, but there is vulnerability that we catch glimpses of. he truly thinks he doesn’t deserve happiness and that he is no good to anyone. Jack has his hands full proving otherwise, so there are clashes between them, but when they are together there are sparks between them that become explosive and passionate when they have sex. It is far from easy for Zack, mostly because of how Dante treats him, but also because he has no control over how he feels for Dante.
The writing, storyline and plot are brilliant. Actually seeing a MC paying for the consequences of his actions is pretty rare, but damn it was done well. Dante has some deep-seated issues which we just catch snippets of and Jack is deep in the closet at work. A character I liked, which surprised me, was Claire, we see things from her POV a couple of times and that actually added to the story.
So, I am going to recommend this to those who like hot broken men, crime dramas, mistakes made and paid for, conflicting emotions and a surprising happy ending.
Blurb: Cop Damon is a 9/11 survivor, still traumatized and still grieving the loss of his firefighter soul mate. Will Christmas in New York ten years after the tragedy bring him closure and perhaps a new future?
Ten years after the horror of 9/11 and the loss of his firefighter partner Justin, former NYPD cop Damon Summerfield is back in New York for Christmas with his family. Still deep in mourning with no end in sight, he visits Justin’s favorite bar near Ground Zero and there meets Simon, a member of the FDNY and fellow survivor of 9/11. Damon can’t bear to give their attraction a chance, not when he thinks Simon’s job will tear them apart someday…
Can Simon help Damon with his grief and can they build a future together?
CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a HFN ending.
Review: Damon has spent the last 10 years grieving the lover he lost in 9/11. Now, on his first trip back to NY in as many years, he meets a man who ignites a part of his soul he assumed was buried with his dead lover.
911 is pretty intense for a novella. Both Damon and Simon lost men they loved in the terrorist attack. But, where Simon had a wonderful support system to help him heal, Damon isolated himself in Montreal; existing, but never really dealing with his loss. 911 is as much about Damon letting go as it is about his moving on. By going to his dead lover’s favorite NY bar, visiting Ground Zero, even just talking to his family, Damon finally begins to heal. I loved the ending of this book… It’s more a promise of a future, then a HEA. This is exactly how it should be until Damon is emotionally stronger and ready to be a full partner in a healthy relationship. Any relationship. But, especially in a relationship, where his new partner is in the same high risk profession as his last lover. Very well written; intense on several levels and highly recommended.
Blurb: Bring together the unlikeliest of couples–a car thief and a librarian–and watch the sparks fly. Darren and Rhys are ill-matched but their hearts aren’t listening.
Bookworm Rhys lives in the idyllic town of Hawks Bridge and spends his days working at the local library, his evenings quietly reading. He thinks it’s all about books and even the occasional interruption ‘real life’ throws his way cannot change his beliefs.
When car thief Darren arrives to do his community service, Rhys’ world is turned upside down. Rhys thinks the man is uneducated, only to find him reading classics. He expects him to behave like the criminal he is, only Darren doesn’t. While Rhys isn’t exactly out and proud, Darren is in denial about his sexuality.
Review: Rhys is a librarian’s assistant. He spends his days filing books and helping patrons. He loves his job and is content to spend his evenings reading alone in his apartment. Darren is a youthful offender assigned to Rhys’ library for community service in lieu of jail time. He just wants to do his hours and get the hell away from Rhys.
This book is wonderful. Darren and Rhys start in on each other from the very beginning. Darren sees Rhys as a pretentious geek and Rhys sees Darren as an illiterate Philistine. Neither is really aware that all that animosity is masking a whole heap of sexual tension.
Rhys is out and proud and tends to gravitate towards men who are only interested in casual hook-ups. Darren has never been with another guy, but he can’t seem to keep his hands off of Rhys. I loved that these two are from a different space than usually found in UK romance. They’re young, working class stiffs; they cuss, drink and are absolutely beautiful together. The lovin’ is hot and the overall tone is kinda gritty and urban without falling into that genre fully. It would have been nice to see more of their home lives, but we get enough to know where each is coming from.
Darren is a bit of an idiot…at first. But, he manages to make it to happily ever after in one piece. He might not have started the book “gay, but admits, by the end, he’s “bent as fuck.” J Highly recommending.
Blurb:Finn Austen is settled with Brandon Schofield, Sheriff of Clear Water Creek, and trying to move on. That’s not so easy when ghosts of the past are around every corner…
Sheriff Brandon Schofield and Finn Austen are still struggling to overcome the ghosts of the past and Finn’s torture at the hands of his abusive partner, Dominic Bateman. Meanwhile an adult movie company has moved operations to an abandoned warehouse in Clear Water Creek and its stars are vanishing. Soon Brandon’s investigation leads him to Iowa and he finds the men involved have ties to Finn’s past.
As Brandon battles to bring down the crew behind the films and fight the demons–both real and those haunting the halls of Finn’s mind–he hopes to slam the door on the past forever and claim the joy he and his lover deserve.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains scenes of dubious consent, rape, and excessive violence.
Review: Finn and Brandon are still finding their way in their relationship as Finn struggles with his demons. Brandon discovers an adult film set with dubious goings on and a ghost from Finn’s past emerges to haunt him.
This story continues six months after Smashed to Pieces and we see the struggle of Finn as he tries to shake long ingrained habits and as a new threat from his past emerges. Finn is desperate to move forward in his sexual relationship, but his fears and ingrained habits are making it difficult. But, with Brandon’s love, he is getting there slowly. Brandon is walking on eggshells when it comes to sex with Finn. He is terrified of suggesting something that might trigger a flashback for Finn, but he wants to move forward sexually with Finn. When he discovers an adult film company that is suspected of making snuff films it leads a man from Finn’s past to Finn.
There’s a good reason for the content advisory on this book and it is mainly for the disturbing videos of Finn that emerge and for the making of the snuff film. The excessive violence is also for Finn’s flashbacks of his life with Dominic. None of the scenes are done for titillation and there is nothing erotic in any of them. It is to mainly show exactly how much Finn suffered at the hands of a man who said he loved Finn.
The storyline is quite good; as it shows the continued suffering of Finn and that he hasn’t been magically healed with the love of Brandon. It also shows how he is beginning to heal and his revelation that he is still looking back over his shoulder instead of looking forward to his love for Brandon and the life he can now lead. Brandon’s patience with Finn is inspiring, but he is also just a little bit overwhelming in his need for Finn. I must admit that there were one or two moments that his disregard of Finn’s feelings was a puzzle, i.e. when he brought a porn star who had been attacked home without even bothering to check with Finn first.
There are some slimy characters in this book and I hate to say one of them is the near victim of the snuff film, Zakes. At first, I felt sorry for him, but then he showed his true colors and he was an intensely dislikeable man and I can’t say that I had much sympathy for him in the end either. Brandon understandably wants to know more of what happened to Finn so that he can help more, but his determination to watch the videos falters as he sees what Finn suffered. His dodging of Finn’s question was well done, because he never let anyone see the videos so he never actually had to lie to Finn.
I have to recommend this to those who love conflict, danger, mentally scarred men, strong partners who would do anything for the man they love and an ending that is happy for them.
Reviewer: Cat
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Review: I really liked this book. This was my first of this series and I was able to follow a long and enjoy it, even though there are two books ahead, which I must say, I will be going to get now. I am a hopeless romantic and the love between Brandon and Finn is sweet, sincere and passionate. Finn has a lot of issues and Brandon is a caring, respectful lover and is doing his best to help Finn work through his past.
Brandon is a sheriff. He is alerted that there may be an illegal adult filmmaker in his town doing snuff films. He finds the warehouse and stops a film in progress. So he makes some enemies that know about his lover’s past and intend to take revenge on him.
So does Brandon find this filmmaker? Do the bad guys get their revenge? Does Finn survive? Does Brandon find out what he needs to further his relationship with Finn? I’m not telling you… go read the book. It’s worth it.
If you like hot sex, loving intense relationships and some mystery, maybe even some BDSM try this!
Blurb: Children’s book writer Jacob Bailey has retreated to Scotland to die in solitude, tormented by the loss of the love of his life and wishing for an end to his suffering. In the remote house on the cliff, he is visited by an angel with history and pain of his own, a being who brings far more to Jacob’s final days than he could ever hope for.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a bittersweet ending.
Review: Jacob is a man who knows that the end is coming. He knows the cancer has come back. He doesn’t need a doctor to tell him. Now, at a remote cottage away from family and friends, he has choices to make and as the pain gets worse, he is visited by angels.
This really is a bittersweet story that tugs at your heart-strings. Jacob has had one gay experience in his life and he hasn’t really been happy since the love of his life sailed for America. Now knowing that the dreaded cancer is back he isn’t sure if the angels he sees are real or not but he believes that they are. There are three underlying stories twisted together, we have Jacob and his lost love Lucien, we have Lucifer and his lost love Raphael and we have the comfort that Jacob and Lucifer offer each other.
This story is bittersweet all the way through. There are sparks of happiness or joy, but all the way through, we know that there will not be a happy ending. as we read, we can see Lucifer trying to give Jacob comfort and Jacob trying to understand what Lucifer could want with him, if not his soul. We also have Lucifer and Raphael hashing over the past and what they both felt. Raphael knowing that spending any time with Lucifer will get him punished and Lucifer *sigh*, Lucifer feeling hurt that Raphael had denied his love.
This is a story that is not your usual Fallen Angel/Lucifer story. There is a unique reason for Lucifer’s fall from Grace and what his duties are. And this story is all about lost love and at the end maybe new beginnings. The way this story is written is brilliant. It is the touching, agonizing drawn out last weeks and months of a man’s life as he reflects on what he has done, but Lucifer feels a certain kinship for him and tries to ease some of his pain and to keep him on the right track.
Scarlet Blackwell has written a story that makes you live the agonizing, pain-filled moments of Jacob’s last weeks and months. the descriptions of the agonizing hell he goes through while his Guardian Angel stands by his side watching, makes you question why is suicide a sin , when Angel’s won’t give them respite from the pain?
This for me was a great read… a different reflection on Heaven and Hell and Heaven doesn’t come out smelling of roses. I recommend this to those who want a slightly whimsical, reflecting, regretting, and truth facing, longing and forbidden love.
Publisher: Silver Publishing (10th September 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Traumatized by the nightmare of trench warfare in France, Robert Blake turns to rent boy Jack Anderson for solace. Neither man expects their business relationship to go quite so far.
It is 1919, less than a year after the end of the First World War with a recovering Britain in the grip of the influenza pandemic. Crippled veteran of the Somme battle, Robert Blake, is looking for someone to ease his nightmares of France and his guilt over what happened to his commanding officer. He turns to educated rent boy Jack Anderson for physical solace, not expecting how deeply the two soon become immersed in each other’s lives.
Review: Robert is a war veteran who was severely wounded. He now only sees himself as half a man but he has decided to find a little human comfort in the form of a companion. Jack is a book store worker but he also works as a discreet escort providing companionship and comfort to those who request it.
This is a well written story that pulls at the heart strings. We have Robert who has shut himself off from the outside world because of his injury and guilt; guilt over his lover and commander who didn’t survive the war. We have Jack who has turned to being what rich men want (discreetly) so that he can survive in post-war England.
The arrangement between these two men quickly becomes something more for both of them but they both put up obstacles as Robert fears that he cannot give Jack what he needs because of his condition (he can’t walk and can’t get an erection), while Jack worries that he can’t be in Robert’s life because Robert knows all about his profession as an escort/companion and that he isn’t good enough for Robert.
I think this was a very charming story that gave us a great happily ever after for the time of 1919. I do think that the setting and the reactions of the time were realistic, I also liked that Robert didn’t become magically healed by Jack but that Jack started the healing process instead, all in all well worth reading.
Title: Rescue Me
