Hi guys, we have the JMS Books anthology 2016 Top Ten Gay Romance stopping by today to celebrates it’s release, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
2016 Top Ten Gay Romance
by
Becky Black, T.A. Creech, Rebecca James, Shawn Lane, J.L. Merrow, A.R. Moler, Terry O’Reilly, Michael P. Thomas, Tinnean, J.D. Walker. Edited by J.M.Snyder
2016 Top Ten Gay Romance brings together the best-selling short stories published by JMS Books that year.
From first love to true love, from submission to sensual, from heat to sweet and everything in between, the couples in these stories are sure to keep you turning the pages as you fall in love with them. The 10 stories in this head-over-heels collection go beyond bedtime reading. Whether happily ever after or happy for now, there’s an ending for everyone in here!
Blurb: Thomas MaCaffrey never expected to see his high school crush, Noah Petrie, again let alone have him start working at the same restaurant as Thomas. Noah is hotter than ever and just as annoying, ingratiating himself with the staff and patrons alike. But when Noah becomes the restaurant’s new darling, the war is on.
Review: This is a nice and quick read. I generally enjoy Shawn Lane’s books and this was different. I think the only downfall that this is a short, past paced book because part of me wanted to know more about the characters.
The story follows waiter, Thomas and his infatuation/hate for new waiter, Noah Petrie. However, these guys have a past history. They went to the same high school but Noah does not even recognize Thomas, in fact Thomas was barely a blip on Noah’s radar. That is especially where I would have loved to have seen more between the guys.
While I enjoyed the story, I just wanted more of it enjoy.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Just His Series: His #10 Author: Shawn Lane Genre: Contemporary Length: Novella (67 pages) Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (10 May 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts Blurb: After his boss at the hospital suggests he take a sabbatical for a much-needed rest, neurologist Geoff Spencer ends up at his friend’s cabin in Big Bear, California.
But to Geoff’s surprise, his former lover is also there—his friend’s brother, the beautiful Adrian Michels, a brooding artist and a “commitment-phobe” who broke Geoff’s heart years earlier before leaving unexpectedly for Europe.
Now, Adrian suggests a no-strings affair while Geoff is with him in Big Bear. Although torn, Geoff eventually agrees. But what he really wants is for Adrian to be his—just his—for eternity…
Review: So I’m going to reiterate what I wrote when I first picked one of Shawn Lane’s “His” series. Yes, this book is part of a series. However, I had read books 8 and 9 before even realising that. So let’s just assume that with the exception of some past characters possibly popping up here and there, these are largely standalone book.
Now I’m going to add to that caveat. This story was very satisfying for me to read because Geoff, the doctor whose professional life as a doctor is far better than his personal life, was introduced back in Hopefully His and Impossibly His (His books 8 and 9). I went back to read what I wrote about Geoff in my review for the previous book and I had picked up that in one book he started out nice and then in the next he was a dick. I was happy to find out that this was somewhat explained, although I would have preferred more detail than the vague description of his breakdown, of sorts.
Now, the guts of the story: it’s a rather simple and uncomplicated story. The love of Geoff’s life, Adrian, broke up with him years before because he wanted to be able to sleep with other men and Geoff wanted a total commitment. I can’t help but think that Adrian is given a rather stereotypical artist persona. The two guys are thrown together once more it’s clear that the years have changed Adrian more so than they have Geoff.
I would have preferred a bit more from the minor characters, which only really counts for Geoff’s friend and her husband, who happen to be Adrian’s family (I might have missed something but I’m not sure which is Adrian’s biological brother). I feel that they could have had more say to the guys, particularly Adrian who really was selfish in his earlier years. They didn’t need to intervene with Geoff and Adrian’s relationship but I just wanted a bit more.
Despite what I wanted more of, which is essentially a longer book, I really enjoyed this addition to the series. It’s a charming story about reconnection and I’m most especially glad that Geoff got his own story.
I hate to reuse a paragraph I’ve written before for this series (Hopefully His), but this is just equally applicable to this book. I’ve been drawn to Shawn Lane books because they are quick, satisfying reads. Although she does have a tendency for abrupt endings and usually right after the characters get together or the HEA, everything before is always good to read.
I particularly enjoyed it because it was a nice, light story to read after I had just finished reading an intense full length novel.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Impossibly His Series: His #9 Author: Shawn Lane Genre: Contemporary Length: Short (34 pages) Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (December 20th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: Sexy nurse, Micah Florentine, is not Dr. Linus Montgomery’s type. Micah just wants to have fun. Linus, however, is the serious type. When Micah suggests they’d make excellent BFFs, Linus is willing to indulge him, since he’s interested in a fellow doctor anyway and figures nothing more will come of their friendship.
Yet as impossible as it seems, their friendship works, and soon, Linus actually finds himself interested in Micah as more than just a friend.
Can Linus convince the flirty nurse to give romance a chance? Or is it impossible for Micah to truly become his?
**This title is part of the A Cure For What Ails You AmberPax™ Collection.
Review:Impossibly His is book 9 in a series (named His), but as I said in my review of the previous book in this series, these are stand-alone books and you don’t need to strictly read these books in order. In fact, going through my files I discovered I already had the first book in the series and read it when it first came out three years ago.
Nonetheless, I always enjoy a Shawn Lane book. She always writes something short, sweet and to the point, which is also interesting with a satisfying ending, even if the ending is often abrupt. This book focuses on Linus (like from Peanuts), who is a new doctor to the hospital where Micah is a nurse. Micah has a bit of a reputation because he is often flirting with other nurses and doctors. Linus is very sweet, but his shyness and polite nature is often seen as him being a snob. Micah and Linus don’t immediately get into a sexual relationship. Instead, they start a friendship where both Micah and Linus share an attraction to another doctor, Geoffrey Spencer.
One thing I have to pick at, though: Geoffrey Spencer was a bit of a dick at the end of this book, but the impression I got in the beginning of this and in Hopefully His where he also appeared, was that he was a lot nicer. I had almost suspected that there was going to be a ménage between Geoffrey, Micah and Linus. And that just makes me wonder what the hell is going on with that character and does he get a story of his own.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Hopefully His Series: His #8 Author: Shawn Lane Genre: Contemporary Length: Novella (61 pages) Publisher: Amber allure, Amber Quill Press (October 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts Blurb: In Southern California, aspiring actor Tyler Larson works in his aunt’s diner while awaiting his big break. One day, to his surprise, Tyler recognizes a customer, a local doctor named Jack Ridgley with whom he’d had a hot-as-hell one-night-stand. At first, Jack claims not to remember Tyler, but later reveals he hasn’t truly forgotten him either.
Since Jack has a long-distance lover, however, the men embark on developing only a friendship, but they soon have trouble keeping their thoughts—and their hands—to themselves.
Just as Tyler’s acting career starts to take off, Jack begins to find Tyler too tempting to resist and resolves to make the handsome actor his…hopefully…
Review: Firstly, this book is part of a series. However, I had read books 8 and 9 before even realising that. So let’s just assume that with the exception of some past characters possibly popping up here and there, these are largely stand-alone book. A majority of the focus of the story is on the main characters too, Tyler and Jack, and except for some conversation with some minor characters all the vital plot solely involves the main characters.
Jack and Tyler had hooked up in college and years later, where Tyler is now an aspiring actor and Jack a doctor, they meet again. Both men have grown since college and begin a friendship – Tyler expressly states that sleeping together is off limits, for good reasons. I liked the fact that this story happens over a period of almost a year, it wasn’t quite love at first sight and the obstacles and issues to overcome definitely had to take more than days or weeks for this to be believable.
I’ve been drawn to Shawn Lane books because they are quick, satisfying reads. Although she does have a tendency for abrupt endings, usually right after the characters get together or the HEA. Everything before is always good to read. I particularly enjoyed it because it was a nice, light story to read after I had just finished reading an intense full-length novel.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Beyond the Norm. 2nd edition Series: N/A Author: Shawn Lane Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novella (102 Pages) Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (April 9th, 2013) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: After closing his bar one night, Dave Johnson rescues Kyle, who is on the run after witnessing the murder of a federal agent in San Francisco. Dave knows Kyle is trouble but can’t help falling in love; Kyle loses his heart but fears he’s bringing danger to Dave’s doorstep. When Kyle’s pursuers close in, the two men are at an impasse.
They can either separate and live in safety and loneliness, or find a way to stay alive and together.
NOTE: This book was previously published under the ISBN: 978-1-61581-050-5. This reissued version of the book has been reedited.
Review: This was an amazing story and I was glad to have been able to read it.
It had a bit of humor to the story but mainly it was told with such a serious tone. I loved the guys in the story. They just come off as someone you would want to meet. If I was in a dangerous situation then these are the two that I would definitely want. Although more David than Kyle. Kyle is strong in his own way but you can tell that there is a hint of innocence there although there is probably no way he could have kept his innocence after a life like his.
Kyle had been kicked out of his home at the age of fifteen and he did what he could to survive. At one time, that had even meant selling his body for a place to stay or food in his belly. However, after a night with a rough john he had been saved by a man named Dex. Dex had been working for a drug king, but one night Dex had come to him and told him to run. Told him that he was a DEA agent and he wanted Kyle to live. Kyle had seen him gunned down and now he was on the run. He had been on the run when two men jumped him. If it hadn’t been for a gorgeous man saving his ass, again he would probably be dead.
David owned a bar in town and had just closed down when he saw two men attacking a third. He knew he had to help, but what he had not expected was the gorgeous man in front of him. Deciding to take him home and care for him, or at least that was his intent was the only way to get the kid fixed. He knew in his heart that something was up with Kyle. Now all he had to do was to get his man to trust him enough to let him know what is going on. He will do everything he can do to protect the man he had fallen in love with.
I loved this story and can’t wait to check out more by this amazing author. It was told in such a way that it flowed off the pages. I would definitely recommend this book especially if you love gorgeous men, dangerous situations, excitement, surprise, a bit of suspense and a hint of kink. The sex was so hot that I just had to turn on the air conditioner in the middle of winter. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. It gave me everything I could want in a story. You have got to check out this book.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Ryan Callahan’s parents died in a boating accident off Sutter’s Bay when he was five years old. Now, Ryan is back in the bay and ready to live in the Victorian reproduction house his father built for his mother. And he’s also ready to get his dream job as a chef. The job of head chef seems to fall into his lap when the bay’s newest restaurant, Mabry’s, is short-staffed, but when the sexy-as-sin owner, Chris Mabry, returns from vacation, he fires the inexperienced Ryan on the spot.
Ryan’s dream seems to be over before he gets a chance to prove himself. Yet when Chris quickly realizes his restaurant is truly falling without the help of a creative and talented chef, he rehires Ryan.
As Marbry’s prospects for success takes a turn for the better, things start to sizzle between Ryan and Chris. And soon, Ryan is cooking for Chris…personally….
This title is part of the Tasty Treats AmberPax™ Collection. To purchase this title individually, use the shopping cart below. To purchase this title as part of the entire AmberPax™ and receive a 25% discount off our normal price, use the shopping cart on this page.
Review:This title is part of the Tasty Treats AmberPax Collection. However, it can be purchased separately. It is also part of The Sutter Bay Series and should be read in order.
I absolutely loved this story. It caught my attention from start to finish. I loved Ryan and Chris, they made me laugh and want to strangle them at the beginning. More Chris than Ryan though because he comes in and acts like a real snobby jerk to Ryan. However, he did realize that night that he had made a mistake in firing Ryan.
Ryan’s family had died in a boating accident and he had been away for most of his life, but now he figured it was time to go home. He gets there and right off, the bat knows he needs a job. So going out for some food, he comes across a restaurant with a help wanted sign. Chris’s brother was the one that hired him, thinking his brother would be cool with it. Then Chris got back that night from Mexico and terminated him on the spot.
Things start to heat up and they were mixing it up what with work and their personal lives. It was tender and so very hot. I loved how forgiving they both seem to be, even standing up for each other. Especially when the ex shows up. I would recommend this story to anyone who believes in true love, cool foods, sexy men, and hot sex.
Blurb: Tim Olfander escapes his busy, hectic life in LA at his ten-year high school reunion in the city he left behind years ago, Lincoln Hill. There, at the resort the reunion has booked, his gaze falls almost instantly on the sexy, pretty guy behind the check-in counter. He chats up the guy only to learn he is the assistant manager, Brandon Collins.
Tim instantly sets in motion his plan to spend the week at the resort with Brandon’s sweet body under his. He has no clue Brandon knows him from their high school days.
Back then, Brandon was a shy, closeted nerd who had a big crush on Tim, following him around at school. Now it seems fate has thrown Brandon’s former crush at him in the form of the now hotter than ever Tim, who also seems to have sex with Brandon on the brain. Brandon gives into his baser needs, not to mention his old fantasies, for a weeklong smoldering affair with the crush he never dreamed he’d revisit.
Review: Brandon Collins has had a crush on Tim Olfander since grade school. Tim has always been openly gay, comfortable in his own skin, and popular even. Brandon was the nerdy, skinny geek with glasses that Tim never gave a second thought. When their 10-year high school reunion is held at the resort where Brandon works, he will come face to face with his high school crush. Brandon is no longer the geeky teen he was 10 years ago, and Tim definitely notices. But Tim doesn’t remember who he is, and Brandon is disappointed to find out his long time crush is an egotistical prick wrapped in a sexy package.
The chemistry is instant and flammable as these two begin a ‘no strings attached’ affair that can’t do anything but end badly. Sex isn’t a problem, they have no issues whatsoever in that department. Communication and distance are what drives a wedge between these two. Will they be able to find a happy medium and continue to build the relationship they so desperately want to succeed? Or will stubbornness and a few thousand miles be the end of a rocky start?
I really loved the concept of the high school geek landing his long time crush. And although Tim was a slight prick to start, he came around as he got more attached to Brandon and realized that love was more important than material things. The sex in the book kind of put me off a little though. It was the same thing over, and over and over… a little variety would have made this one a higher rating for me. Overall, though it was a quick, fun read with a great moral story.
Blurb: From the moment nurse Skylar meets the very sexy Detective Trevor Stanton at the hospital where he works sparks fly. Too bad it never seems to work out between them. Former relationships, near misses, and even after a hot night of steamy sex- it’s one opportunity after another slipping away from them. Maybe it’s not meant to be for them. Or maybe with just a little effort they’ll both find the right time for love.
Review: Short, Sexy and Steamy… my three favorite colors! When Detective Trevor Stanton takes a fly ball to the head at his sister’s softball game, he wakes up in the ER in the capable hands of an extremely attractive male nurse, Skylar. Both men are recently single, Trevor’s ex cheated on him, leaving him slightly jaded. Skylar’s ex is a doctor at the hospital who conveniently forgot to mention he was married, to a woman.
Sparks fly immediately and Skylar makes his move, only to be turned down flat. But as luck would have it, detective Stanton has a knack for head injuries, and he ends up back in the ER under Skylar’s care, once again. This time they seem to have gotten their chance and plans are made for a date. Chemistry cannot be denied though, and they end up in bed before they even make it out the door!
When Skylar is called home indefinitely for a family emergency it would seem that three strikes and your out is the outcome for this relationship. Will they let love slip away? Or try to find a balance in order to be together.
At only thirty pages, this is a pretty intense novella. I could definitely see a full length novel with these characters. If you are in the mood for something short with a good storyline and some oh so hot, steamy sex between two oh so hot mens, I suggest you grab yourself a copy of this one!
Blurb: Gay, dramatic, and flamboyant, Avery Jennings first fell in love with Joe Gunderson back in their sophomore year of high school when Joe asked Avery to tutor him for an English Lit class. Avery didn’t think he stood a chance with straight Joe and therefore hid his attraction to the handsome football player. When the tutoring ended, so did Avery’s time with Joe. The years pass and both men go off to college. When Avery’s boss at the diner introduces him to his new co-worker, he’s shocked to come face-to-face with Joe.
Review: Avery fell in lust with Joe when he first spotted him in his sophomore class, but put his feelings aside when it became clear that Joe was straight. Meeting again in the diner where Avery works during his time in college, brings new discoveries for Avery. because Joe has a boyfriend, Jeff. When Joe is dumped by Jeff, Avery comforts him. But, life gets in the way and they lose touch. They meet again and this time will they be able to figure it out?
This is a brief short that tells the tale of two young men who miss the secret longings and whose timing is off. Avery and Joe pass through life as ships, passing each other at ports before separating again and neither knowing what the other one feels for them. When they do finally have a shot at finding out what they could have life gets in the way, and it takes family to bring them together again. The POV is from Avery. So, although we know how he feels and what happens to him, with Joe we haven’t got a clue and I suppose that’s why it just didn’t feel right between them. There didn’t seem to be a connection between them, no lingering glances when they worked together and no secret yearnings.
I must say that when I read the blurb that I was expecting a very different sort of character than the Avery we got. he is described as Gay, dramatic and flamboyant… well he‘s gay, he was in the drama club and he had rainbow badges on his bag, so I suppose you could say I wasn’t entirely misled if I used a very loose definition for dramatic and flamboyant. Although this story had great potential it came across flat, there was no oomph, no life and that surprised me because it’s a Shawn Lane story.
I will recommend this to those who want a short high-school crush into adulthood love, getting the man you long for and a happily ever after.
Blurb: Vermont is the last place Dane Westerfield has any desire to go. He left a decade ago and has no desire to go back. California is now home. Or rather, his partner of six years was home. Yet when the unexpected death of his partner and the revelation of secrets kept send Dane reeling, he returns to the Vermont town he grew up in to help deal with his grief.
Before he even reaches his sister’s home, he runs into Theo Mason, his first love and his well…first. Theo had been one of the reasons Dane had been eager to leave Vermont a decade ago, and Dane’s definitely not eager to see him again. Yet the sexy, rugged police officer makes it clear he wants another chance with Dane. Theo’s patience and understanding catch Dane off guard, and Dane finds himself unable to resist the once familiar heat that generates between them. But is his time with Theo just a rebound fling or can Dane move past his grief for a new chance at love?
Review: Dane is lost in dread, after his partner’s death. Not only is he alone and hurt, but he’s confused by new revelations of his partner’s life. Secrets he kept from Dane, that Dane is incapable to process; secrets that had him thinking the man he spent 6 years with was a complete stranger. In this emotional state, his sister makes a stand for Dane to go back in Vermont to cope with the situation among family. Vermont, the place that Dane gladly ran from when his first love broke his heart, the last place he wants to be. Yet, he goes nonetheless.
The shock and surprise to see Theo the first moment his steps into his home-town is nothing in front of the fact that Theo wants to reacquaint with him, and if possible to have a second chance with him. His past memories and new scars that his late partner left him with make it hard for Dane to trust and let go. Theo is more than he’d want, if only he could dare and let himself trust him a second time.
I really liked this book. Perhaps I found Dane a bit assuming to the point of getting me screaming on my pc and yelling at him that he’s overreacting (yes, I tend to talk to the characters while I read a book) at the beginning. But, I liked him…a lot. He was a very sweet character and at some point I was only wishing that he’d give Theo a second chance. And Theo, OMG, what a man. His patience and strength was lovely. The two of them were a very good pairing and their sexual encounters too sexy.
I loved the plot too; it gave the story some spice. Dane’s family and their behavior made a good point, giving Dane some reasons behind his reluctance to go back to his home town and made for the perfect circumstances for Theo to claim Dane back by way of supporting him, standing by his side and providing him the time and place so he could cope with his partner’s death and secrets.
This was a very nice written story, easy to read and enjoy despite the drama at the beginning. A light romance you could describe it and if you’re into romance I recommend you read this one.
Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: For years, Spencer Lyons has been a devoted best friend to Max Ramirez, helping him through break up after break up. And also for years, Spencer has never let Max know his true feelings—he’s been in love with his best friend.
It doesn’t occur to Max that club-hopping Spencer has deeper feelings for him. Yet when he finally learns of Spencer’s love, Max begins to wonder…should he admit to the love he also feels toward Spencer and risk losing his friend if the relationship ends in yet another break up? And whether or not he voices his feelings, will Spencer always be devotedly his?
Review: Spencer has been in love with Max for years but Max has never looked his way so he has filled his life with clubs and hook-ups. Max is looking for a lasting committed relationship and although he thinks Spencer is hot and sexy he knows that Spencer isn’t the settling down type.
This is a sweet friends-to-lovers story that makes you wish that you could knock the MCs heads together so they would both know what was right in front of them. Spencer has been there through every break-up that Max has had and supported him as only a best friend could. And Max has tried to ignore Spencer’s nights out and supported him when he has opening nights at the theatre. Something happens to make Max question Spencer’s feelings for him and his fear of Spencer’s lack of commitment has him rejecting Spencer. Only for Max to realize that he might have made a mistake.
The storyline is good and the characters are great, you can empathize with both characters and the sex is hot. I gotta say though, you do wish that you could give Max a good smack to knock some sense into him.
I recommend that you give this one a shot as its short, sweet and a happy ever after (with some hot sex thrown in).
Title: Restaurant Wars
Title: Just His
Title: Impossibly His
Title: Hopefully His
