Tag: Serena Yates

Helping Harry by Serena Yates

Title: Helping Harry

Series: Men of Riverside 08

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (91pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (9th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Tim’s attraction to his friend Harry flares up once again when they run into each other at their ten-year reunion, but will it be enough to build the lasting relationship they’ve both longed for?

Tim Jacobi, who owns and runs his parent’s car dealership, is professionally successful but lonely. When his high school reunion brings his best friend Harry back to Riverside after a ten-year separation, he realizes he is still attracted to him. And this time around, he can admit it to himself.

Harry can’t believe the strong feelings his best friend awakens in him. Despite being afraid of rejection, he opens up and tells him the truth about the intervening years-why he is now divorced and has sole custody of his two children.

When Harry’s ex-wife reappears-demanding not only visitation rights, but threatening to sue for custody-Tim find himself facing more obstacles than he’d expected. Will he run for cover or help Harry get the relationship and life he has always wanted?

Reader Advisory: This story is the eighth in this series and the stories, while they can be read on their own, are best read in sequence.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1502

Review: Tim and Harry meet up at a re-union after no contact for ten years. When they sit down to reconnect they make a discovery as to why they lost touch. It’s not long before sparks are flying between them. But, when Harry’s ex-wife turns up, wanting the children and making threats, Tim begins to wonder if it will work out.

This was a great story of two friends reuniting after ten years and discovering an attraction that they had never really noticed before. Harry had the great misfortune of being snared into marriage, after many years he is finally free to be himself. Tim has a new opportunity with Harry and he has hopes that things will work out between them, but if it comes down to it he will be satisfied with being just friends.

I really enjoyed this story and even though some will say I am wrong… I really enjoyed Harry putting Lisa in her place and that he stuck to his guns by not backing down and also not giving up Tim. That Tim cared so much for Harry and his children shone through in the sacrifice he was willing to make and that Harry cared for Tim in refusing to let Tim walk away. I really enjoyed the way that Tim and the kids interacted, it was very sweet. I think my only complaint would be that they didn’t sit the kids down and discuss their relationship or of them moving in together. I know that the kids discussed Tim and Harry and how they felt like a family again but it would have been nice just to clarify it.

So, honestly this is a very enjoyable story, with hot sex, a bit of conflict which is well written and has a good solid story-line… I’d highly recommend this to those who love any of the above and a nice family ending.

Sins of Autumn anthology by DJ Manly, AJ Llewellyn and Serena Yates

Title: Sins of Autumn

Author: D.J. Manly,  A.J. Llewellyn, Serena Yates

Series: The Seven Deadly Sins

Genre: M/M contemporary

ISBN: 978-0-85715-775-1

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (November 7, 2011)

Format/length: ebook 463 KB

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Artemis

From the Publisher:   The Sins of Autumn weaves a general thread of revelation loosely tying these tales together. Wrath, gluttony and pride are explored in these hot m/m tales involving action, burning hot sex and out-of-this-world adventures that will leave you hoping for cooler weather—soon!

About the Authors:

D.J. Manly:   I write not only for my own pleasure, but for the pleasure of my readers. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t written and told stories. When I’m not writing, I’m dreaming about writing, doing something wild and adventurous, or trying to make the world a better and more open-minded place to live in.

A.J. Llewellyn:   A.J. Llewellyn lives in California, but dreams of living in Hawaii. Frequent trips to all the islands, bags of Kona coffee in the fridge and a healthy collection of Hawaiian records keep this writer refueled

Serena Yates:   I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

My Review:   The first book of this anthology really grabbed me right from the start. In Hail Storm by D.J.Manly, Chance and his friends absolutely worship the rock band Hail Storm and form a tribute band in their honor. Chance doesn’t realize that he has a connection to the lead singer until they meet face to face. It turns out that Hail, the lead singer, is actually Chance’s brother and the two quickly form quite a deep bond. A little thing like falling in love with the same guy (Storm, a key member of the band) might just tear them apart.

From the very beginning of this book, I could feel the hormonal angst of a young guy and his passionate obsession with his favorite rock band. There is a lot of hero-worship going on and he cannot believe it when Hail tells him they are really brothers. Chance is torn between the loyalty he feels towards his brother and the deep feelings he develops for Storm. Hail is obsessed with Storm and Chance knows that by falling in love with him, he will bring Hail’s wrath down on both of them.

I loved the way the author portrayed the conflict in this story. Hail gives Chance everything…opening his home to him and helping him achieve his own success, but in return Chance falls in love with the man Hail wanted to claim as his own. There was no malice involved, just circumstance, and as the pages turned and the conflict was resolved I had to smile at how right things ended up in the end.

The second book of this anthology, Full by A.J.Llewellyn didn’t grab me quite like the first one did. Barney Calloway is an extremely overweight voice over actor in Hollywood. He has struggled with his weight his whole life and after a particularly embarrassing party mishap he finds a business card tucked under his windshield wiper saying one word. Full. On the back is a phone number (which he calls) and miraculously the next morning he wakes up at his ideal weight. Family members and old flames react oddly to the new Barney and he isn’t sure that being overweight was really his only problem.

The message that the author portrays here is a powerful one….our happiness cannot be achieved by being physically perfect. Barney is overweight at the beginning, yes, but after the weight comes off, he starts to realize that maybe he had a ‘fuller’ life than he thought he did. While I liked the story, I think the writing was a bit choppy. I would have liked for the pace of the story to slow down a bit, maybe have the author pick a few key characters to focus on, and still keep the same storyline. Great message, though and one Barney finally understood in the end.

In Autumn Quest by Serena Yates there is a parchment thief stealing books and scrolls from the Royal Library and he must be stopped. The Khan decides to put his youngest son, Bayar, in charge of solving the mystery of the thief’s identity. Bayer chooses an assistant…Chinux, a bounty hunter…to help him in this quest.

The contrast between the scholarly Bayer and the rough and tumble bounty hunter is quite evident. Even though Bayer should be in charge (being royalty and all), it is clearly Chinux that is leading this expedition. They are shocked to learn the true identity of the thief, but their combined strengths and talents allow them to overcome evil in the end. There is a nice bit of adventure, intrigue, and passion all wrapped up in this story. These two characters really complement each other well and I was rooting for them to not only find the thief, but maybe find a life together in the end as well.

Overall, the Sins of Autumn Anthology is a nice collection of stories that illustrate the sins of wrath, gluttony, and pride and how passion can play a part in all of them.

 

Mihael's Trial by Serena Yates

Title: Mihael’s Trial

Series: Celestial Justice 06

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary

Length: Novella (128pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (2nd June 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: What if you’re the angel of loyalty and have to choose between doing your job supporting the greater good and making a life with your newfound soul mate?

Mihael is the angel of loyalty and knows right from wrong better than most. He is shocked when he is put on trial for upholding loyalty over compassion. A mysterious assignment on Earth is supposed to help him understand…

Francis Portillo is a teacher struggling to support himself and his sister’s twin toddlers. Helping others is what he does, be it a bullied student or the somewhat confused stranger who signs up for his Spanish class.

Can Francis help Mihael learn the meaning of affection and compassion before it is too late?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1087/?zenid=99178972070034ec2cf49bb951bc8eda

Review: Mihael is the angel of loyalty, but what happens when loyalty means breaking the law? Mihael is given a trial to see where his loyalties will lie. Francis is struggling to work two jobs and support his sister and her twins, when a mystery man, who can’t remember much, crosses his path he lends a helping hand.

Another great Celestial Justice installment. This time we have Mihael, the angel of loyalty, who has to learn the art of compassion and tempering loyalty, so you don’t compromise your moral compass. Mihael is completely clueless when he is dropped in a conference room in Santa Fe. Especially since he had been told that he would be in Wyoming. Francis is running night classes teaching Spanish, when a stranger who seems to have amnesia signs up for his class, he is surprised when he is asked out on a date.

I enjoyed watching as Mihael realized that there are different types of loyalties now. As he began to understand that in this day and age loyalties could be conflicted and it is about standing up for the loyalties you believe in and not loyalties that are forced or expected. Francis is a wonderful gentle man who encourages people to stand up for themselves, to believe in themselves and not to take abuse off other people. When Mihael walks into his life, he is extremely happy to meet him and although he is slightly cautious, they make a great couple. There isn’t much that I can say for the storyline, as, if you have read the other books in this series (which you should have *scowl*) then you already know that God is trying to bring the angels to work closer to humans and bring a bit of flexibility to the rules (all without tipping middle management off too soon).

I have to recommend this to those who love angels, compassionate men, revelations, hot sex, sweet loving and a happy ending.

Sachael's Test by Serena Yates

Title: Sachael’s Test

Series: Celestial Justice 05

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novella (122pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (7th April 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: What if you’re the angel of water and suddenly face more droughts and floods than even you can bring back into balance?

Sachael has been the angel of water for centuries. He used to love his job, but humans have caused serious droughts and more suffering than he can stand. He performs a miracle which brings rain to East Africa, but is caught and appears before the judicial panel. His boss intervenes, hinting at new ways of doing things and sends him on a ‘vacation’ to Earth.

Victor Lomack didn’t want to inherit the family farm in the most drought-ridden depths of Kansas, but is the only child. He isn’t able to sell the farm, and taking in a mysterious stranger who appears on his doorstep is the last straw.

Will Sachael make the right decision? Or will he fail the test and lose everything?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/826?zenid=d0497fa87d6d8b9ecd5b4f5ab7ba005b

Review: Sachael has reached a point where he can no longer just sit back and watch the suffering of innocents.  So he performs a miracle and lands in serious trouble.  His boss steps in when he appears before the judicial panel and he ends up on vacation on Earth to find more joy. Victor is in a situation that he hates.  His hands have been tied by his father’s will and now he is stuck with a farm, in drought ridden Kansas, with no way to make money or sell it.  When Sachael appears and saves him with a minor miracle, Victor begins to have hope of rescue.

This is a sweet little novella that gives us more of a broader spectrum of what is happening in the celestial hierarchy. Sachael has difficulty controlling his tongue when he is confronted with his actions and tells his boss exactly what he feels; that Heaven is out of date with its rules and regulations, when it comes to what the angels are allowed to do to keep balance.  He is surprised when he hears of a plan to take a different approach. Victor has a lot to push through; as he accepts that he is stuck at the farm.  His memories are painful and he just wants the farm off his hands.

I loved this story in a lot of respects.  I loved Sachael’s pure innocence and the way he reacted to everything and his wonder at new feelings and the way he reacted when Victor tried to pressure him into helping him out. I liked the way that Victor was so desperate that he was begging Sachael to help him and I loved the fact that he lambasted himself for letting his desperation get the best of him and running Sachael off. Even though I felt it was done very quickly their attraction and beginning of the relationship was sweet and I really liked how they both said that even though they didn’t know where it was going between them they wanted the chance to try.

Sachael’s reactions are so cute that I could go on about them for ages, but I won’t ‘coz that would bore you.  So, I will just say, his reaction to kissing is wonderful and Sachael and Victor are a great couple that burn up the sheets.

And I will recommend this to those who love angels, miracles, sweet men, hot loving and a happy ever after. I also can’t wait for more in this series to see what will happen to the celestial panel.

 

 

Developing the Counselor by Serena Yates

Title: Developing the Counsellor

Series: New Horizons (#7)

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Author: Serena Yates

Publisher: Total-E-Bound (October 17th 2011)

ISBN: 978-0-85715-788-1

Format: ebook short story

Heat Level: Moderate

My Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

From the Publisher:   Emilio Scarpino is a self development counsellor who can’t seem to lose the extra pounds he believes stop him from finding love. He likes eating and hates perfectly fit men like his personal trainer – until he meets ex-Army man Ivan Macer. The man is not only a hunk but very interested in Emilio.

Ivan became a security specialist when he left the Army two years ago and now co-owns a small company with his friend Leo. Part of the reason he left the Army was that he couldn’t be himself – and he still hasn’t come out, but would for the right man.

Can Ivan convince Emilio that he cares more about who he is than what he looks like? Can Emilio believe him and develop a new sense of self?

About the Author (from the Publisher):   I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

My Review:   I had a friend when I was younger that constantly battled his weight and as a result, he had some serious misconceptions about himself. In a similar fashion, Emilio firmly believes that no one could possibly be attracted to him because of his excess weight. He suffers from a serious case of low self esteem and also some inward hostilities towards people he believes look ‘perfect’.

Emilio is in serious need of a vacation and is envious of his friend Felix’s blossoming relationship with his new boyfriend. He decides to takes some time off from his counseling job to go visit him. When he shows up at Felix’s office he discovers the absolute physical perfection of Ivan Macer. Exercise buffs, personal trainers, and ex-Army men all get his guard up so he just has no clue how Ivan could possibly be attracted to him!

We were first introduced to Ivan in Ms. Yates previous book ‘Saving the Bodyguard (New Horizons, #5)’ when he suggested that his partner go for anger management training. He feels an instant bond of friendship and camaraderie form as soon as he meets Emilio and is quick to admit that he is physically attracted to him as well.

This is the part that I sort of had a problem with…in the earlier pages, Ivan says multiple times that he cannot admit that he is gay (although there are some allusions to brief M/M encounters?) but he grabs Emilio, pushes him up against a wall and dives into bed with him without one ounce of hesitation. I have to be a bit skeptical of this situation. I would think there would be a bit more resistance to getting physical if he is as ‘not gay’ as he suggests.

The author does a great job with Emilio’s character. We are given quite a wonderful and emotional look into what drives him, his insecurities, and his dreams. Leo’s character didn’t really come together for me. He is sweet and encouraging to Emilio but went from dominant and aggressive to insecure and hesitant depending on the scene.

The interactions between Emilio and Ivan were well written and there was both passion and tenderness in their relationship. I would have liked to see the story keep going a little bit more, I thought maybe it ended a little too abruptly.

Overall, not a bad story. Tender and passionate with a real look at what weight problems can do to a person’s self confidence. I just would have preferred Leo’s character be a bit more defined.

 

The Truck Driver by Serena Yates

Title:  The Truck Driver

Series:   Workplace Encounters 05

Author:  Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Silver Publishing (October 8, 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:  Joshua Becket enjoys being a truck driver and the independence it brings. All he wants is to save enough money so he can buy his own rig. But the bad economy and his company being sold stand in his way.

Robert Oldfield has completed the takeover of his estranged parents’ trucking company and moved back to Nashville, Tennessee. He hopes making Gordon Trucking a success will give him the recognition in his home town that he’s so far only found in New York.

The two men take one look at each other and fall in lust. They soon want more. Can they make a relationship work? Will it survive the attacks from a jealous competitor–or will they lose sight of what’s really important?

Reviewer:  Portia

Review:  I love Serena Yates; and I loved this story.  I love hot steamy sex as much as the next reader, but it’s always nice when intimacy is woven seamlessly into a nice little mystery.

At first, I expected Joshua to be some kind of damaged soul.  That seems to be a pretty common character flaw in MM romance, recently.  Instead, he turned out to be so much more than his past hurts.  Sure he’d been hurt, who hasn’t, but he doesn’t allow his past to define him.  He has definite goals and is a hard worker.  When Robert takes an interest in him, he’s all for the amazing sex, but isn’t sure if he’s ready to jump into the murky possibility of a relationship.  Not to mention that he’s sleeping with the BOSS.

Robert, on the other hand, is almost too good to be true.  Once he found Joshua, he was willing to do anything to make their relationship work.  It is so cool how he shows Joshua, in little ways, that he loves AND respects him, despite the huge differences in their bank account balances.

This was a really sweet romance that left me with a smile.  It unfolded at a nice pace and I found myself rooting for them the whole time.  Nice work, Ms. Yates.

The Blancmange by A. J. Llewellyn and Serena Yates

Note:  A digital copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review.

Title: The Blancmange

Series: Elemental Superpowers 02

Author: A.J. Llewellyn & Serena Yates

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery

Length: Novel (164pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (10th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Finn wants justice in the Water Court’s controversial murder trial – but two jurors have already been killed and now an assassin is after him and won’t give up…

Finn Garrison is a Water Mage who lives in Bermuda and teaches swimming to water-phobes, assists in the salvage of ship wrecks and rehabilitates local wildlife in his spare time. When he gets called to be a juror in a high-profile Water Court trial and his life is endangered, he knows he needs help.

Ty Anglin is an experienced Water Marshal who doesn’t really want to become someone’s glorified bodyguard. When he meets Finn, he’s not only attracted to him, but also suddenly very protective. Two attempts on Finn’s life later, they are both sure there is more going on than meets the eye.

Will they be able to find out who is behind the assassinations? Was the sea monster on trial really framed? And are freshwater people really being discriminated against by their saltwater cousins?

(Reader advisory: Do Not drink while reading)

Review: This book is part of a series and best enjoyed reading in order. Finn is a Water Mage who lives in Bermuda teaching swimming, discovering shipwrecks and saving people’s lives. when he is called to jury duty in San Francisco for a high-profile Water case, after an attempt on his life he is assigned a Water Marshal. Ty is the Water Marshal asked to protect Finn; he finds his hands full with stopping people from killing him and investigating the source of the assassination attempts.

Oh My God, this is a fantastic paranormal; magic, sexy men and an incredible cupcake story. Finn doesn’t want to be in San Francisco. He wants to be home in Bermuda but knows that it is a futile wish.  He’s had enough of the trial that is dragging on which has seen jurors injured and threatened.  You really feel his despair at the situation. Ty protects Finn as best as he can while admiring the man and the two start falling for each other. The storyline is brilliant, the plot fantastic and the characters are great. We are re-introduced to characters from the previous book The Cake and we find out more about the Superpower Courts.

This story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster, more ups and downs than a yo-yo and some surprising unexpected laughter (causing me to snort tea out of my nose lol). I have to say that this is one of the best Paranormal/Magic stories that I have read this year as the magic isn’t overdone, the mystery doesn’t unravel until near the very end. You might suspect people but you WILL be wrong and the incredible sex is actually incredible love-making and the danger is quite unique and disturbing (A.J., Serena whichever one of you came up with the attempt on Finn’s life in Ty’s bedroom… then you are seriously scary).

Now I don’t want to say this but I have to… I think A.J. Llewellyn and Serena Yates have shot themselves in the foot because now they have to produce the third and fourth books in this series and there is just no way that they will be able to beat this one. It’s fantastic. Everything was done perfectly and I think it will be one of my all-time favorites. So what’cha gonna do to top this one, huh?

I am going to recommend this to everyone.  there is something in this that everyone will enjoy whether it’s the danger, the mystery, the hot lovin’, the laughs, the magic, the twists or the storyline and this is definitely a duo of authors that I hope we see a lot more work from.

The Cake by A. J. Llewellyn and Serena Yates

Note:  When one of the co-author’s found out that their new release, Elemental Superpowers 2:The Blancmange was in queue for review they notified MM Good Book Reviews that the series is a better read if read in order.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Elemental Superpowers series, here is a review to catch you up to speed.

Title: The Cake

Series: Elemental Superpowers 01

Author: A.J. Llewellyn & Serena Yates

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel (158pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (4th April 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Baking the best cupcakes in San Francisco is Daine’s true calling…who knew that the tastiest cakes could lead to a talent for danger?

Phillip Sedgwick is a lawyer who works for an unusual law firm: Arden, Bainbridge, Chinook and Damek is the supernatural world’s most prestigious company, protecting, and often prosecuting, members of the supernatural world for various crimes and infractions. His latest case involves the owner of Fabulous Cupcakes, Daine Paradis, who has been accused of abuse of his superpowers.

Daine is proud that he’s been able to keep his father’s bakery going and has made it a huge success. Weird things start happening, and hard work no longer seems enough to stay in business. When he meets Phillip the sparks fly, but will the two men be able to solve the case before everything goes up in flames?

Reader Advisory: This book contains mouth-watering descriptions of cupcakes and hot references to other foods.

Review: Daine is an owner of a bakery and loves to bake.  Someone is trying to sabotage him and he doesn’t know why.  Phillip has been sent to investigate claims that Daine is using his superpowers but he soon suspects that Daine is being set up.

Oh I loved this one.  There is nothing better in the world than hot men, magic and fabulous cupcakes. This storyline and the world building are brilliant.  The mystery that Daine discovers about his father and mother and the truth about superpowers is good and his bewilderment at someone sabotaging him and accusing him of having superpowers is great. I thought the court scenes were incredibly cool and Daine’s discovery of his powers funny.

I thought that they made a cute couple and they seemed to strike sparks off each other that could start an inferno.  Seriously hot. Daine is a sweetheart, a very likable character who surrounds himself with nice but slightly whacky people. Phillip is charming, dedicated and honest; when he finds out the truth he does everything to clear Daines name.

I will recommend this to those who love magic, paranormal, hot men, hot lovin’ and a penchant for mystery. Now I’m off to read the second book so make sure you read this one.

Noticing the Finance Manager by Serena Yates

Note:  When Ms. Yates noted that Noticing the Finance Manager was in queue for review, she graciously submitted Saving the Bodyguard for review.  Each can be read as a stand-alone, but she feels that reading them in order will add to the reader’s enjoyment.  Both can be found on the publisher’s web site or wherever quality MM romance titles are sold.

Title: Noticing the Finance Manager

Series:  New Horizons 06

Author: Serena Yates

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (August 15th 2011)

ISBN: 978-0-85715-627-3

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Format/length: eBook (46 pages)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Artemis

From the Publisher:  Felix Oakden loved his work as a finance manager…before a spiteful ex-boyfriend used false accusations to not only get him fired, but also blackball him throughout the health care industry. Forced to work as a waiter to support himself, he met Leo and the two fell in love.

Returning to the real world means making a decision about his future professional life. Felix discovers several alternatives he would have never considered before Leo noticed his talent for financial analysis.

When an old enemy begins to make life difficult for him, can Felix fight back and win – even when the situation seems hopeless?

About the Author:  I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

 

Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there’s more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.

I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.

My Review:  This book is the second part of Felix and Leo’s story. In book 5 of the New Horizons Series (Saving the Bodyguard) we learn a lot about Leo and the beginning of their relationship. Noticing the Finance Manager (Book 6 of the New Horizon’s Series) is more about Felix’s development and the deepening of the feelings between these two men.

With the financing of Leo’s security company taken care of, Felix needs to figure out what he is going to do with the rest of his life. While he loves his new partner and their relationship is deeply emotional and fulfilling, he needs to get back to work and start focusing on his career! His ex blackballed him with just about every health care firm in the area so he is floundering without much of a plan.

Getting his career straightened out requires Felix to think outside the box a little bit, settle some issues with an old enemy, and get a little bit more aggressive than he has been in the past (both in the bedroom AND the boardroom!) All this is accomplished with Leo’s support and their increasingly intense feelings for one another really play a major part in the story. Without giving away any spoilers…Felix will end up with both the man of his dreams AND an awesome career by the end of the book!

I found the relationship between Leo and Felix to be both sweet and hot at the same time. They are at times fiercely passionate but there is always an undercurrent of love between them that is very obvious. This is a quick but enjoyable read with great characters and I enjoy Ms. Yates’ writing style. The storyline is simple but believable and I could certainly see another book highlighting these characters.

 

Saving the Bodyguard by Serena Yates

Note:  When Ms. Yates noted that Noticing the Finance Manager was in queue for review, she graciously submitted this title for review.  Each can be read as a stand-alone, but she feels that reading them in order will add to the readers enjoyment.  Both can be found on the publisher’s web site or wherever quality MM romance titles are sold.

Title: Saving the Bodyguard

Series:  New Horizons 05

Author: Serena Yates

Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (June 13, 2011)

ISBN: 978-0-85715-573-3

Format/length: eBook 135 Kb

Genre: Contemporary M/M fiction

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer:  Artemis

From the Publisher:  Leo Taber is an ex-bodyguard who now runs a security company with a good friend. Business does not go as well as expected, and he soon faces anger management issues. He is very skeptical about the ten-day course his friend recommends, but feels he has no choice but to go. Once at the retreat, he meets Felix, who works as a waiter there, and all his issues seem forgotten when the sparks start flying. Giving in to his feelings has never been so easy.

But is this temporary peace going to last – even when the real world starts intruding into their temporary idyll?

About the Author:  I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.

Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there’s more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.

I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.

My Review:  At the very beginning of this book, Leo is not particularly ‘likeable’ as a character…mainly because he has some serious anger management problems. When he almost takes down a little old lady in a grocery store and nearly beats a vending machine to death, you start to see some serious issues with his temperament! However, his friend and co-worker encourages him to take a little time out to get a handle on things and he ends up at a weeklong retreat for some soul-searching and relaxation. He doesn’t have much hope that it is going to work for him until he meets Felix! I liked Felix’s character right away….even if he does seem a little scattered at first. He is just recently out of relationship with a total jerk who got him kicked out of the accounting field and he is stuck waiting tables until he figures out what to do.

When the two characters first meet they are total opposites but strongly attracted to each other. They spend quite a bit of time getting to know one another in every way humanly possible and Felix is a huge help when it comes to getting Leo to understand what his anger issues do to the people around him. With a crisis happening at work, Leo’s vacation retreat is cut short but Felix has a solution that might just work for everyone!

Ms. Yates does a really great job getting the readers to understand her characters, what motivates them, and their emotions. This is a relatively short and fast paced story so things move along pretty quickly. The one thing I would have slowed down just a little bit is how quickly Leo and Felix got physically involved. I admit I like a little bit more of a buildup between my characters before they start having sex! The scenes are fairly well written, however, and there is a definite emotional connection between the two.  Despite being two very different types of men, they seem to balance one another quite nicely!

Overall, the author created a sweet story with enjoyable characters and some very steamy bedroom scenes. Very nicely done!

 

Sam's New Family by Serena Yates

Title: Sam’s New Family

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short Story (31pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (17th September 2011)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sam is free of his meddling family but hardly manages to make ends meet working as a waiter. A hungry kitten in the restaurant’s back alley distracts him into missing two thugs until it’s almost too late. When Theo, Sam’s old neighbor, saves him and offers a ride home it is almost too good to be true. Sam has admired Theo for years but is afraid to become dependent again. But Sam’s apartment has been trashed and Theo insists on taking Sam home with him. Will the two men be able to build a future together?

This story is part of the 2011 Charity Sip Blitz collection. More than thirty authors have written short fiction pieces and have agreed to donate all proceeds of the sales of these stories to the It Gets Better Project. Torquere Press Inc. will match the authors’ donations completely.

Review: Sam is a down on his luck waiter who empathizes with a  starving little kitten as he knows what it’s like to be cold, lonely and hungry. Theo breathes a sigh of relief that he has finally found Sam again.  he’s wanted him from afar for some years and missed him terribly when he moved out of his brother’s house two years ago.

This is an incredible sweet gentle romance that makes you ache with its sweetness.   these two men have yearned for each other and finally find each other in a dark dingy alley where Sam needs a white knight and Theo is that knight. You feel a compassion for Sam in his predicament when all he wants is happiness.  you can’t help comparing him to the little kitten and just wanting to put your arms around him and giving him a big hug.  with Theo you are rooting for him to be a complete gentleman and the white knight that Sam deserves.

I recommend this if you want a story that has sweetness, love, compassion and a need for family, a definite ‘feel good’ story that leaves you with a warm glow.

 

 

 

Loving Vicente by Serena Yates

Title: Loving Vicente

Series: Men of Riverside 06

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (90pgs)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (26th September 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: William loves Vicente with all his heart, but can he give him the life he deserves, free from financial worries and danger, without making Vicente lose his self-respect?

William Fortin is a forensic scientist who has returned to Riverside after six years for his first job. He wants a social life and to settle down, and when he runs into his old crush from high school, Vicente Vasquez, he knows he has found the man of his dreams.

Vicente is a shy Mexican American who works hard so he can pay for the medical care his wheelchair bound father needs. He is a courier by day and a bartender by night, just to try to make ends meet. Dating the man who was his science tutor in high school is a dream come true.

But how can they possibly be partners when Vicente is struggling just to keep the creditors at bay and his traditional family can’t possibly find out he’s gay?

Review: Yet another incredibly touching story by Serena Yates. Vicente is struggling to cope after his life took a turn for the worse when his parents were involved in a car crash.   He still clings to one dream though… William Fortin the man he’s had a crush on for over six years. William has returned to Riverside after a six-year absence and is overjoyed when at his welcome home party he spots Vicente Vasquez across the room.

This is a charmingly sweet romance that warms your heart. We fall in love with these men as they fall in love with each other and we hope that everything works out for them as they have to hide their relationship from Vicente’s family because they are homophobic and would cause serious problems for them. This storyline is a realistic one where they have to balance their love with reality and family. Vicente’s independence and family duty are to be admired and so is William’s honor and support.   These two men were made for each other and complement each other well.

We fully understand Vicente’s fear of discovery when his brother finds out about them and his reaction is terrifying, I thought it was really well done.  I only wish that there was something about Vicente’s father finding out as I thought it left the story a little unfinished.

So I would recommend this for those of you who love sweet romance, hot sex, family in dispute, hunky men and a sweet happy ending that leaves you feeling warm and happy.

Israfil's Future by Serena Yates

Title: Israfil’s Future

Series: Celestial Justice 03

Author: Serena Yates

Genre: Contemporary/Fantasy

Length: Novella (120pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (6th August 2011)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 1/2Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: What if you’re a police angel used to taking orders but suddenly find yourself facing a situation where you need to think for yourself?

Israfil is an excellent police angel. He doesn’t like checking up on other angels to make sure they follow the dictates of Heaven’s middle management, but he’s very good at it. When a mission goes painfully wrong and he’s faced with prosecution, he’s sure he will be severely punished. Instead, he’s sent to Earth and told to ‘get a life’.

Chris is a professor of psychology at Buffalo Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, who is taking a much needed vacation in the Coconino National Forest. When he goes hiking one day he finds a very naked, very confused man with amnesia in a clearing. The only thing the stranger remembers is that his name is Israfil.

Will the two men be able to solve the riddle of Israfil’s past? And once they do, can they decide what to do about Israfil’s future?

Review: Israfil is a police angel.   When he fails on one of his missions, he knows he is in trouble. But, before middle management can get to him the Big Guy intervenes. Chris is taking a well-deserved camping vacation when he comes across a naked man in the middle of a clearing, a man who can only remember his name.

This is an entertaining story that moves smoothly along and doesn’t rush the sex between these two men, the chemistry sparks off them and they suit each other well. I loved Israfil’s innocence and how he wanted to experience everything and I thought Chris was cool with the way he just accepted what Israfil told him. I also liked seeing Zuriel and Araton again, however briefly.

I recommend this for the hot sex, the hot men, and the storyline and also for the pure love between these two men.

Portia’s Two Cents:  This was my first book in the series.  I was a bit apprehensive about reading about gay angels.  Yeah, I went to parochial school.  But, it didn’t take long for me to get caught up in this story.  This was a very sweet story despite the steamy sex scenes.  I will definitely go back and find the other books in this series.