Tag: Showme’s Reviews

Outcast by Alek Douglas

41zXjcQxnTLTitle:  Outcast

Author: Alex Douglas

Genre: M/M Sci-Fi

Length: Novel (221 pages)

Publisher: Torquere Press (January 9, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥3.25 Hearts

Blurb: Prez has been in the arms—or tentacles—of one too many brothel workers in his time. The memory of long-lost love is all he has, and it’s not enough. But no one in the Belaar-Andra system wants an alien half-breed for a partner, so life is as good as it can be. He’s making money, he’s going places, he’s got friends and a spaceship he loves,—a decrepit cargo ship named Outcast. And now he’s got a new co-pilot, from the remote world of Aldor. Lan’s mysterious and doesn’t say a lot, but as they get to know each other, Prez starts to feel something he hasn’t felt in a long time—hope.

But the past hasn’t quite released him, and the Outcast isn’t done yet. On its final mission to deliver a mysterious cargo for the Belaari government, long-buried secrets start to stir. When his old co-pilot—and best friend—is finally himself again, Prez has a difficult decision to make, but Lan has other ideas about his own destiny. A rich man at last, can Prez finally get the things he really wants?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3778

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  This was a little strange for me. That’s good and bad. I like unique stories and worlds, which this definitely had, but I just can’t get worked up about creature-type alien sex. Yes, there were tentacles, and I’ll let you use your imagination about how they were put to use 😉

Prez loses his co-pilot, Fleck, when he’s turned into a spider following a disagreement during a card game. It couldn’t come at a worse time, since his crew has the highest paying job of their career coming up. He hires Lan to be the new co-pilot of the Outcast until they can find someone to return Flack to his human self.

Unfortunately, for Prez, it’s all happening while he’s having a little downward spiral. Can’t really blame the guy with the past he has had. Prez was kidnapped from his home planet, and used as a lab rat to create a cure for a race that’s dying out. He’s free now, but the memories creep back in. He knows everyone looks down on his kind, and will probably always have to pay for sex with no affection since nobody wants a Ku-tah for a lover. The crew and Prez spend weeks out in space, so when they get to a port, they spend most of their time drunk and in brothels. This is how the first few days between Lan and his new coworkers are spent.

Lan comes from a more traditional planet. They don’t drink. They don’t speak out loud since they are all telepaths. They’re smart and super strong. Lan flees his home planet and is very happy to find a place on the crew of the Outcast. He doesn’t exactly understand them, but they seem nice and welcoming, if not a little bizarre. He’s especially drawn to Prez. Something about the man comforts him. Makes him feels things he’s never felt before.

Outcast had some ups and downs for me. I found the beginning a little confusing with all the aliens and their histories. The alien sex was imaginative, but odd. Some parts of the book were very clever, while some seemed overdone. I had hopes for the love story but it was missing something for me. I enjoyed some of the twists throughout the book and the characters kept me entertained. Over all I’d say I liked it but didn’t love it.

Charming Monsters by Kannan Feng

417bFmtK39LTitle:  Charming Monsters

Author: Kannan Feng

Genre:  M/M erotic horror

Length:   Novella (45 pages)

Publisher: Torquere (January 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Wesley is a college professor with a deep and unhealthy fascination the darker side of things. When he starts writing a book on a series of serial murders, he comes to the attention of some very dangerous people. Jack is sent to silence Wesley, but discovers that he is far more interested in Wesley himself.

When Wesley looks up after his first class of the semester, he notices a very avid, very handsome student who asks all the right questions. When Jack follows him to an isolated study room in the library, it is only the beginning of a journey that will have unexpected consequences for both of them.

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=3783

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: So I’ll just start of by saying this was not really my type of read. I like dark but this pushed my comfort zone and left me a little squeamish. I however, don’t want to penalize the story for my uneasiness at the rough sex and fascination with inflicting and receiving pain. I guess everybody has their thing that gets them off.

Wesley has always been fascinated with monsters of the human variety. Maybe a little too fascinated. Researching the murder of four boys brings a dark stranger into his life. Though Wesley has is finally admitting his desire for pain he’s never actually acted on it. Jack, the dark stranger, sees what Wesley wants and the idea of giving it to him excites him. Jack acts on the desire in a bordering non-consensual way and thus begins this twisted romance.

Jack scares Wesley often but behind the fear is desire and the author makes a point of telling us Wesley is right there with Jack in the moment. Enjoying the rough sex and demeaning talk. I can try to understand all of that even if it’s nothing I’d ever enjoy, but the part that I found creepy was how both men liked to look at pictures of tortured boys. It was just too much for me once I knew that. Overall, the writing was good and I liked how aggressive Jack was to a point but this book isn’t for most. Not your average m/m read that’s for sure.

Forget Me Not by Adrianna Dane

6335018Title:  Forget Me Not

Author: Adrianna Dane

Genre: Contemporary

Length:    Novella (65 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (March 25th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥ 2.5 to 3Hearts

Blurb: It was a friendship that forged their relationship. It was passion that bound them together. And tragedy that tore them apart. Yet time and distance could not destroy their yearning. A failed marriage could not quench the memories. Nothing could make either forget what they had once shared…

Boyhood friends, now mature men reunited after eighteen years apart. One had saved the other’s life. Cooper Lynch is a man locked by his mer blood to the town of Raven’s Cove. He cannot leave. Ever. Bound by cursed blood and by ancient duty. Ian Lynch is a man who feels rootless, now at the crossroads of his life, when fate brings him back again to Raven’s Cove and the only person he’d ever desired. It was a love they had tried to deny. A love that was never meant to be. But one that changed both their worlds with a night of passion they could never forget.

Different worlds, different lives. Will this forbidden love defy the demands of fate?

Product Link:http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ForgetMeNot.html

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: Cooper and Ian have regretted the paths they chose in life ever since their one desperate night together. Both men were obviously confused by the intense attraction they felt for each other after years of friendship. Cooper is worried he took advantage in Ian’s moment of weakness and Ian isn’t sure he remembers things being as amazingly passionate as the dreams he has about his one and only time with another man. Fate or Ian’s need for closure puts both men on the island together again. Their kids from failed marriages meet and become good friends forcing the men to confront each other and the feelings they’ve held onto for eighteen years.

This was a short, sweet and angsty story. I thought the mermaid lore was interesting and would have enjoyed more about it. It felt a little rushed at times. Everything happened rapidly and it felt that way. Some of the dialogue switched from modern to historical sounding at times, which threw me because that wasn’t how the character spoke in the beginning of the book.

Not bad but not great.

A Hero of His Own by Susan Laine

17258805Title:  A Hero of His Own

Series:  Sailor’s Knot, 03

Author: Susan Laine

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (117 pages)

Publisher: Siren Publishing (January 30th 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥2.5Hearts

Blurb: Dan West is on his way to his friends’ place for some R & R from the Navy. But before he makes it to the small fishing town in Maine, a car accident changes his destination.

The injured young man, Patrick Prescott, turns out to be the mayor’s troubled son. He needs help, and Dan offers it. As a result, the lives of the two men become entwined. The old adage of saving someone’s life giving you responsibility over them seems to hold water.

Patrick is haunted by inner demons. His closeted life pushes him to recklessly pursue Dan at all costs, as though he actively sought his own ruin. But Dan has his own reasons for coming to meet his former CO, and that does not include getting in bed with Patrick, since he’s not in town to stay.

When two different worlds collide, even two men who are oceans apart in every sense must find a way to cope—together

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/a-hero-of-his-own

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: This book started off promising. The blurb was intriguing, but I didn’t love it. Dan, the XO of a submarine for the Navy, stumbles upon the wreck in the country while on vacation. He calls his friends for assistance and they let him know it’s probably Patrick the town screw up. Dan goes to check on the man and quickly realizes the man is wasted and is indeed Patrick.  Dan tries to do the right thing by denying some pretty strong advances at the crash site, but a few kisses occur and Patrick dubs Dan his fiery Angel.

Dan feels some strange need to take care of the man after the strange moments they shared at the crash site. He can tell Patrick is scared and prepared to be ridiculed for another failure, but Dan tells him it’s just a bad day. Patrick knows he’s out of control. He’s has his own dreams but they’re being crushed under his father’s guilt and vicarious expectations. Dan instantly brings a calm to Patrick’s life. No judging or lecturing. He’s just there for Patrick who seems to need him. Patrick is drawn to Dan and after his kindness he wants him near while he fights the hangover and injuries. Dan takes him to his friend’s home to recuperate. Patrick and Dan quickly give into their lust, but Dan is leaving in a week and Patrick isn’t out in his town. So what does this mean for their budding romance?

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it weren’t for the continuity problems. A person shouldn’t be able to speak of the character of someone they’ve known for less than a day so strongly. If it was one time I could have over looked it but it just kept happening. If someone has repeatedly crashed their car drunk enough to have a reputation then police should be called regardless of the person’s stature in the community. Dan stating early in the book he’d always wanted to be in the navy then saying he just followed his brother. I feel like if I can see these things, someone else should have.

Also, all conflict in the book was resolved too easily.  Years of problems are reconciled after a few minutes of talking and it just wasn’t realistic at all.  I liked the premise of the book but sadly will probably remember the faults far outweigh the positives here.

Something New Under the Sun by L.A. Witt

n424997Title:  Something New Under the Sun

Series:  Falling Sky (Book 02)

Author:  L.A. Witt

Genre:  M/M Cyberpunk

Length:  Novel (212 pages)

Publisher:  Riptide Publishing (January 21, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:  Liam Lansing is heir to a prominent family of bio-modified vampires. That is, until he chooses the wrong lover and is cast down to the Gutter to scrape for his life.

Daniel Harding is heir to Cybernetix and a prince of the corporate Sky. That is, until his ideology drives his father to put a price on his head, forcing him into the Gutter.

But Daniel and Liam won’t vanish meekly into the smog. Together, they plan to rip open the hidden corruption that runs the Sky—for vengeance, for justice, and for hope. They strike against the corporations in a daring raid. When everything goes wrong, Daniel must betray his core beliefs to save the man he loves and protect his dangerous secret. Only through courage in the face of death—or worse—might he and Liam change the world they live in and create something new under the sun

Product Link:  http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/something-new-under-sun

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  If you haven’t read A Chip In His Shoulder by Witt, the first book in this series, then I’d highly recommend you’d do so before starting this. The Falling Sky series takes place in a world where the rich and powerful live in the sky, and the poor lower class lives in the gutters. They aren’t just separated by neighborhoods, but one lives above and one lives below.

People in the Sky buy mods, alterations to themselves, for almost anything you can think of, while the people below make these mods, while living in poverty and smog fanned down from the Sky.

In the first book, Liam, once an elite of his race, has become a cyborg vampire assassin after falling from his father’s graces. Five years in the gutter changes Liam. He’s hired to kill Daniel, the man he used to love, and the man who betrayed him. Daniel, has learned a lot since he made the biggest mistake of his life, so he’s not all that surprised to learn that his father has hired his lover to take him out.

Book two of the Falling Sky series picks up where the last one left off, with Daniel and Liam in trouble. They’ve escaped the Sky, but the danger continues. Neither man is under the illusion getting to the smog and crime ridden Gutter means they’re safe from Daniel’s father. There’s also the discovery that the UV mod does in fact exist. Since both men are wanted by the authorities, and Daniel, is a known member of the anti-mod movement, they need to get their hands on that mod for proof, and that means breaking into Cybernetix. To do this, they need the help of some friends like Gizmo, a mod and tech genius working out of a secret lab in the gutter with a mechanical arm and a great sense of humor. Daniel’s friends lend knowledge and through them, Liam and Daniel learn that Cybernetix is planning something far more diabolical than withholding the UV mod. They’ve developed a mutated biomod that threatens lives. This makes their mission about more than taking Daniel’s father down.

This world is wonderfully vivid. The picture is clear without long wordy descriptions. The storytelling keeps you comfortably on edge throughout most of the book. It is action packed and the love story feels real. The on-page sex in this book is sensual and intense. You can tell the guys don’t know if they’ll make it, and savor every moment they spend together.  There’s no angst. Liam and Daniel know they love each other.

Liam’s feedings seemed inconsistent, and the vampire lineage was kind of skimmed over. I would have liked to know more about them. Why were they created?  I wasn’t lost at any time but they were an interesting element that wasn’t explored much in the books. Gizmo was a fascinating character that I’d love to read more about.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading about alternate realities and nonstop action where good battles evil with a love story.

Midnight Clear by Mercy Celeste

midnightclearTitle:  Midnight Clear

Author: Mercy Celeste

Genre:  Contemporary Holiday Romance

Length:    Novella (20,600 word)

Publisher: Self-published (November 29th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: Jake has lusted after his college roommate for four long years. Undeniably straight, Logan was out of reach. But was he? After the loss of his first love, Jake discovers that maybe Logan wasn’t as straight as he seemed.

Jake Benefield knows he has to let go of the crush he’s had on Logan Riley for four long years. He leaves to pursue a graduate degree only to discover love and loss. Home again, the last thing he expects is for Logan to confess his feelings for him. Can their friendship survive a cold Christmas one night stand or is Logan looking for more than Jake is ready to give him?

Note from author: Midnight Clear is a re-release formerly titled Need You Now. Other than title there are no significant changes to the story.

Product Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260138

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  Jake Benefield takes a job teaching in his home town after a tragedy forces him to make a change in his life. He just wants to work and try to go on with his life, but his friend Logan has plans for him. Logan throws a welcome home party and all the usual friends are there.  Jake has changed, but everyone else seems the same. Although Logan and Jake are still “friends”, a sexual encounter with a female friend years before caused a rift in that friendship and things have never been the same since. So, it’s a little awkward when Logan begs Jake to stay after and talk.

Luckily for us, the boys work through their issues and Jake finds out his secret about being gay is something Logan has already figured out. Jake has wanted Logan since the moment he saw him and had no idea Logan might feel something similar. Will giving into their lust mean ruining their on again friendship?

As always Mercy Celeste can write some hot sex. There was almost too much sex since the boys had a lot to work through, but they managed to have discussions between the teasing and biting. The ending was a little easy, but the boys didn’t really need more angst. There was plenty! I actually enjoyed some of the sappier moment from Jake’s former lover and that isn’t always well done. If you’re in the mood for a sexy holiday read with just a little heartache I’d recommend this.

New York Christmas by RJ Scott

15979878Title:  New York Christmas

Author: RJ Scott

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:    Novella (112 pages)

Publisher: Love Lane Books (December 1st, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts ~ liked it

Blurb: Christmas, and the man of his fantasies is back in Chris’s life.

It’s been far too long since Christian Matthews has seen Daniel Bailey. In fact the last time they met Chris was a senior in college and he was the TA tasked with helping Daniel who was a way too confident freshman.

Some years down the road, Chris is licking his wounds after being asked to leave the private school where he was teaching. He has no job, no money, and has to rely on his friend Amelia for the job and a room to live in. He needs a freaking Christmas miracle to make this Season anything other than a total loss.

Then Daniel comes back into his life and suddenly everything seems possible. Not only is Daniel still the man Christian wants more than anything, but this time Chris may well actually tell Daniel how he feels

Product Link: https://www.lovelanebooks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21:77efb23a90bf630795cfff356beaffd1

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: This was my first Christmas read of the season and it’s a good one! It’s a sweet holiday story with just a little angst. RJ, of course, gave us a HEA wrapped in this lovely cover to enjoy this holiday season.

Chris is a little lost. He’s quietly let go from his prestigious teaching position at a private school. The threat of a scandal scares Chris into running, but the only thing he did wrong was trust a lover who betrayed him and now he’s paying the price. Ashamed and scared of what his future holds he hides out at his best friend Ame’s coffee shop. She needs the help and he needs to decide what to do with his mess of a life.  Chris seems to be at an all time low and what a time for the man he’s been holding a torch for since his senior year of college to walk back into his life.

Daniel is finally at a place in his life where he’s happy. He bucked his job at his father’s company and has a great partner in the NYPD, who has no problem with him being gay. Now, he needs to find Chris, the guy he’s wanted since freshman year, but knew he wasn’t a good enough man for at the time,  Daniel is a little shocked to find him  working behind a counter of a coffee shop, but he’s so happy to finally see him it doesn’t matter. The first meeting doesn’t go as well as he’d wanted, but he won’t give up. He can’t let go of his hope that he’ll finally get his chance with the one he let get away. Nobody has ever made him feel the way he did about Chris. His persistence pays off and the guys start seeing each other and lucky us that we get to read all about it.

This really was a sweet little read. The pace was nice. The guys didn’t fight their attraction, but took things slow at first, so it has a nice sexy build to their reunion. I guess if I had a complaint it was Chris’s lack of confidence at times. Although understandable considering his situation, but if a guy like Daniel keeps telling you how wonderful you are and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted to hear from him, don’t question it so much! Barely worth mentioning because this story left me smiling and happy with a little holiday cheer. New York Christmas is another great Christmas story from RJ Scott.

Catching A Bit of Irish by Charlie Richards

Title:  Catching A Bit of Irish

Series: Wolves of Stone Ridge #13

Author: Charlie Richards

Genre:  M/M Shifter romance

Length:   Novella (113 pages)

Publisher:  eXstasy (October 1st, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts ~ Liked it

Blurb: Out of the Cage: A bit of Irish magic isn’t always a good thing!

Frederick Reb Drunger is accompanying his alpha and the alpha’s mate on vacation. He’s one of the wolves charged with protecting them while they all enjoy the sights of Ireland. He never expects to discover his mate is a human friend of the local Irish pack. That should make him easy to claim, since Daithi Murphy knows all about shifters. Except Daithi already has a boyfriend, Evan, who’s extremely possessive and not at all happy when Reb wants to get to know his mate. When an Irish goblin targets Reb, can he find the culprit behind the attacks and convince Daithi it’s worth uprooting his life and moving to Colorado with him?

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/index.php?route=product%2Fsearch&keyword=catching+a+bit+of+irish

Reviewer:  Showme

Review: This was the first book of the series I’ve ever read. Yes, I know it’s the thirteenth book but I like sexy tattooed shifters. I think I may have missed some of the back story that endeared me to the packs but followed along fine.  So you could read this as a standalone.

Reb is on bodyguard duty in Ireland at a pack party when Daithe catches his eye. He’s obviously with someone else, but doesn’t look happy. Reb is feeling an attraction and need to claim he’s never felt before. The sexy human with another man is his mate.

Daithe has stayed with his boyfriend for way too long. He knows he’s just passing the time but he’s comfortable and his family doesn’t accept him so he stays with him. Until at a pack party one night, a sexy American shifter claims Daithe is his mate. He feels the strong attraction to the man, but he’s sworn off shifters. Daithe can’t deny the pull between the two of them and decides to get to know Reb. Problem is, something is out to get Reb before they can see where those feelings take them.

I enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet. The bad guy was obvious, but didn’t take away from the romance. Not a ton of world building but I guess that’s not really needed with a series this long. I like the other supernatural beings thrown in with the shifters and the set up for the next couple. I’m not always a fan of the insta-love mate thing, but the guys did try to get to know each other. I honestly don’t know that I’ll seek out more books in this series, but I did find another book by the author to try.