Tag: Showme’s Reviews

Let It Go by Mercy Celeste

Title: Let It Go

Author: Mercy Celeste

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 214 pages

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (September 24, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:  Eli had a temper. Creed seemed to be the main focus of that temper. For ten years the two of them left a trail of destruction in their wake. Rodeo, beer, and fists were all they had in common. Until the judge in Eli’s hometown had enough and sentenced them to house arrest. In the same house. They’d learn to get along or they’d kill each other. Either way it was a win for the tax payers.

Trapped alone on Eli’s rundown Florida ranch, Creed discovered Eli’s secret, one that he shared. But he didn’t count on Eli learning all of his secrets, especially the one that would shatter their newfound truce.

Scarred to his bones, Eli avoided relationships like the plague. But there was always something about the quiet Creed that pushed his buttons. Falling in love with him was never part of Eli’s plan. When it happens he’s unprepared and out of his league.

But when a shared enemy comes calling Eli can only think of keeping Creed safe. He never dreamed that their lives were linked or that Creed’s former life could destroy them both. Will love be enough to save them both or will they return to their bitter rivalry

Product Link: http://www.lsbooks.com/let-it-go-p704.php

Reviewer: Showme

Review: I really wanted to like this book.  I love cowboys and the enemies become lover’s trope so this sounded good to me. It didn’t however come with a rape warning and it absolutely should have. There was on page and off page rape, so if that’s not something you can stomach to read about I’d skip this one because there is a lot.  Honestly, I read slave books and love a good hooker story but this was way beyond my comfort zone. I need something to balance out the awful or at least leave me feeling the journey was worth the pain. Sadly I didn’t feel that way about this book.

Creed’s life hasn’t been good one since his mom died when he was eleven. His father was a rodeo rider and an addict and neglected his fatherly duties while dragging Creed around the country.  Creed loves horses. He has a natural connection with them and becomes a star the rodeo circuit riding them. His father however takes his money and he’s forced to sell his body for food from the age of twelve. He’s ashamed but somehow comes to terms with the fact he’s got nothing but his horse and rodeo because what else does a whore deserve? He’s a survivor and hides away the pain. He doesn’t feel capable of love but that all changes after he’s forced into house arrest with a man who proves every time sees Creed he hates him by starting fight.

Eli hasn’t had the easiest life either.  His family is killed in a car wreck and his uncle takes over his care. He’s a truly despicable man. I will say that I thoroughly hated him.  He beats Eli often and Creed showing him up in the ring just fuels his uncle’s fire. Eli can’t seem to control his temper when Creed walks into the room even though he’s never actually done anything. The guys quickly realize all that hate was a masquerade for lust and give into the lust. Is it just lust and taking advantage of the opportunity for good sex or is it more? Can Creed feel love or will he bail when he’s released from house arrest?

The forced cohabitation could have been an enjoyable read if not for the, what felt like, constant abuse flashbacks. I have a hard time falling in love with the guys if I’m pulled out of the love fest   and into a nightmare. Initially I thought I’d like Creed the most because his story is so incredibly sad but I enjoyed Eli’s willingness to love and hope. My stomach actually hurt throughout the book and I couldn’t get into the sexy scenes because my mind was still whirling around one of the abuse scenes. My suggestion is if you think the blurb sounds interesting and are okay with the rape warning, check with a friend who has read it and see if it’s something they think you would like.  In the end this was way too much for me and I wished I’d been warned.

The Healing Hands of E'Lan by Leigh Jarrett

Title: Healing Hands of E’Lan

Author: Leigh Jarrett

Genre:  Gay Erotica

Length: Novelette (12,476 word count)

Publisher: Steambath Press (February 23rd. 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2½Hearts

Blurb: The sound of wolves howling in the distance only served to raise the already alarming rate of Zarum’s heart. He’d been waiting for longer than usual, and there was no sign of anyone approaching through the underbrush. If he hadn’t been held back for the past few nights to discuss clan politics with his father, the chief of clan Sil’na, he wouldn’t be scurrying around in the thick dark of a moonless night either; it was too dangerous to be out here alone. Zarum’s gut twisted with need, reminding him of why he was there in the dark, risking his life. It would only take one, and he needed more than a hand to satisfy him tonight.

Content Information: This book contains graphic depictions of male/male sexual practices, graphic language and other content that some readers may find objectionable.

Product Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/135527

Reviewer: Showme

Review:  E’Lan is a healer for her people’s tribe. She’s held above most in her tribe and choosing her mate falls to more than just her.  There is supposed to be a sign and her elders must approve. So she waits patiently while the others in the tribe are mated. She’s free to bed whom she wants but only a small few know her secret. E’Lan is a man. Once a year a mating ceremony takes place and this E’Lan sees the one. He knows right away and sets to seducing him. Problem is Zarum has a secret also. He prefers men.  Zarem sees E’Lan as the rest of the people would, as a woman, so he fights the attraction he doesn’t understand since he’s never wanted a woman before.

I enjoyed E’Lan’s bold character.  His true self must stay hidden but he’s sexually aggressive when he sees something he wants or when opportunity presents itself. He’s good at what he does and is willing to spend his life alone to do his duty of being a healer.

Zarem’s character never really became real to me. He spent most of the page time in a sexual act or being confused. He admitted to liking and being able to be turned on by E’Lan, while all the while denying any possibility of a relationship with E’Lan. He even tells his dad he won’t mate with her even though it is a true honor to be a healer’s partner.

This story had some possibility but it was just too short and ended so abruptly.  Zarem’s character never coming to life made this just an okay read.  I don’t mind insta love stories, but this was instant insta-love.

The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

Title:  The Druid Stone

Series:  N/A

Author:  Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

Genre:   Urban Fantasy

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Carina Press (August 6th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:   Sean never asked to be an O’Hara, and he didn’t ask to be cursed by one either.

After inheriting a hexed druid stone from his great-grandfather, Sean starts reliving another man’s torture and death…every single night. And only one person can help.

Cormac Kelly runs a paranormal investigation business and doesn’t have time to deal with misinformed tourists like Sean. But Sean has real magic in his pocket, and even though Cormac is a descendant of legendary druids, he soon finds himself out of his depth…and not because Sean’s the first man he’s felt anything for in a long time.

The pair develop an unexpected and intensely sexual bond, but are threatened at every turn when Sean’s case attracts the unwelcome attention of the mad sidhe lords of ancient Ireland. When Sean and Cormac are thrust backward in time to Ireland’s violent history–and their own dark pasts–they must work together to escape the curse and save their fragile relationship.

Product Link:  http://ebooks.carinapress.com/DA5F1C32-B217-45C4-9A08-834C2CB13486/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID={89DB7CC1-2E21-4135-93E6-12A17571A2B5}

Reviewer:   Showme

Review:  This book had a little of everything,  M/M romance, wicked Fae, alternate worlds, magic and druids, time travel and a history lesson.

Sean O’Hare has horrible nightmares about being tortured. Are the things he’s living through in his dreams something that happened in a past life or has he been cursed? Either way he’s taken all the pills recommended by multiple therapists but nothing is taking away the nightmares. He wakes up injured and feels he may slowly be losing his mind. Desperate and willing to try anything he finds an online advertisement for a Druid in Ireland whom may be able to help.  Problem is the Druid doesn’t want to help him. Sean decides to fly to Ireland and plead his case.  Cormac Kelly is from generations of druids and takes his duty seriously but has preconceived ideas of Americans with Irish ancestry and why they’d be coming to him for help.  He calls them plastic paddies, which is exactly what he thinks Sean from America is when he shows up on his doorstep.  Sean tries to explain what’s happening to him and begs for help but Cormac is bitter and sees something from his past in Sean’s possession. Even so his temper gets the better of him and he manages to make Sean mad enough to leave.

Since Cormac was no help Sean goes with his back-up plan and manages to draw the attention of the King of the Fae, who likes to keep lovely or talented humans to use for his pleasure.   I can tell you Cormac does save him this time and thus realizes Sean and his situation is real. So the guys start their working relationship to save Sean.

I did enjoy this book. I liked all the pieces but sometimes the romance and adventure didn’t mesh well for me.  Sean and Cormac as a couple were sexy and sweet but sadly I didn’t fall in love with them.

The book had multiple endings and could have easily been more than one book. Just when you think it’s over. They go back for more! Kind of made crazy and I’d put the book down to take a break.

Tons of research had to go into this and I felt like I should have done some too. Not a bad thing but be warned. I just accepted I didn’t know who they were referring to and just kept reading. Worked for me J Most of the imagery was beautiful and I love being able to picture what the author is describing.

Cormac’s family was adorable and quirky. I’d love to be invited to a get together. I had a big WTF moment somewhere in the middle. I was so confused I had to reread and phone a friend. Well, ask her on FB, but you get the point.  It came out of nowhere for her, too.

The ending was nice, but was drawn out. I guess it worked for me because even though it wasn’t what I wanted, both men had to reconcile their pasts before they could work out a present life together.  I’d recommend this book but be patient and know that it’s more adventure than your normal m/m romance.

 

 

 

 

Patient Privilege by Allison Cassatta

Title: Patient Privilege

Author: Allison Cassatta

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novel (286 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (August 18th, 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts-liked it

Blurb: Dr. Erik Daniels hasn’t had it easy. He lost love and fought addiction to get where he is, one of the best substance abuse counselors people with no money and no insurance can get. Not the dream life he had in San Francisco, but at least he has something to call his own. Everything seems to be on the right track until Angel, a heroine addicted male prostitute, and the kid’s lover happen to cross his path.

Erik not only sees a lot of himself in Angel, but he also sees a lot of potential in the kid and he quickly realizes he’s willing to sacrifice a lot to get him on the right path, even his own love life.

Product Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/1185/?zenid=b79494e51cf262ea6f78b46bcdbc383c

Reviewer: Showme

Review:  I expected to shed tears, at some point while reading this book, after reading the blurb. Addiction, prostitution, broken hearts and homes sounds like it should come with a box of tissues, if you ask me.  I never did cry. There were plenty of situations that screamed for me to but I just never connected with characters to produce tears.

Most of the story is told from the POV of Dr. Erik Daniels, a counselor and recovering alcoholic at a free clinic.  He knows what it’s like to lose everything to addiction. He used to have a committed partner whom he loves, private practice and a beautiful home in San Francisco, but lost it all to his addiction to alcohol.

Angel is a drug addicted prostitute with no place to call home. His only reason for being is to get his next high and pay for someplace to crash after shooting up. He has one true friend named Jon who loves him, but Angel isn’t capable of loving himself much less anyone else.  Every day is the same for Angel.  Selling his body and relieving him of the grotesque memories through drugs. It’s a vicious cycle that he has no desire to get out of until one night he ODs.  A night in the ER brings him in contact with Erik and a very dramatic blow up gets Angel in Erik’s rehab center.

There are three different love stories going on in this book. I was kind of into the two going on in the first 2/3 of the book and I was looking forward to seeing everyone get their happy ending.  Then everything changed and I didn’t really like how it did. It seemed to happen all at once without any subtle hints or working up to it. Until this, I thought I knew how the book would play out. I wish there had been less time getting me invested in couples that were never going to happen and more time showing me how the couple at the end of the book fell in love. Maybe the author will write the other guy’s stories next and if so, I’d give it a try.

Room to Grow by Kate Sherwood

Title:  Room to Grow

Author:  Kate Sherwood

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novella (81 pages)

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (August 7th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Cole Wheaton is a high-end garden designer just getting out of a difficult relationship with a deeply closeted architect. David McLean is just coming out of the closet himself. Cole befriends him, but won’t get any more involved, because David is a risky proposition, and Cole wants something stable. They finally get close enough to try for something more, but then David’s ex-wife pulls him back into her life, and it may end up pushing Cole away.

Product Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/room-grow-p-6957.html

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  First off, let me say, I adore Kate Sherwood and her writing. Her Dark Horse series are the only books about three men in a relationship I have ever truly enjoyed.  She writes real characters that I fall in love with. So yeah, she’s on my automatic buy list. If all that wasn’t true then the beautiful cover on Room to Grow would have drawn my eye.

Cole Wheaton designs beautiful landscapes for a living. He’s creative, successful and openly gay. Cole is just coming out of a relationship with a man who isn’t coming out of the closet anytime soon. He hurt Cole and treated him like he was a dirty secret while Cole had real feelings for him. So the last thing Cole needs is to be attracted to a married man who is just admitting to his preference for men.

David McLean is married to his best friend, Stephanie. He loves her, but he just can’t make himself love her like a husband should love his wife.  Her latest project, the backyard, is an attempt to find some common ground with her husband, but brings Cole Wheaton into their lives.  Cole and David find they enjoy each other’s company and David is strongly attracted and develops feelings for Cole. Cole doesn’t want to get involved with a newly out of the closet man coming out of a marriage to a woman. He’s still doing Stephanie’s yard and would prefer to keep it professional but Stephanie asks him to help David through his transition. Things start out friendly, but the attraction proves too much for the guys.

I was a little worried in the beginning that I’d find it strange for Cole to get together with his clients soon to be ex-husband, but Kate made me want a HEA for them. The book does move at a slower pace, but that may be what makes the progression of the relationship between Cole and David more palatable while working for his lover’s soon to be ex-wife. She’s not demonized either, which I appreciated.  I loved the descriptions of the yards and Cole’s descriptions helped me get to know him better. It was almost too short and I would have liked a little more fleshing out the guys going from resisting the temptation to falling in love. In the end, this was not my favorite Kate Sherwood book, but well worth the time and money.

 

Cooper's Promise by Timothy Jay Smith

Title:  Cooper’s Promise

Author:  Timothy Jay Smith

Publisher:  iUniverse (January 16th, 2012)

Genre:  Action/Adventure

Length:  Novel (220pages)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Heart

Blurb:  Army sharpshooter and deserter Cooper Chance is trapped. Recruited from Iraq to fight in an African country ravaged by a chronic civil war, Cooper wants nothing more than to go home. Unfortunately, the only thing waiting for him in America is jail, and Cooper is acutely claustrophobic. Whether he likes it or not, he now leads the life of a mercenary, in a gritty world filled with thugs, prostitutes and corrupt cops.

To survive his desperate circumstances, Cooper trades diamonds. One day he wanders into a diamond shop, where he meets Sadiq, a young merchant as lost in the world as he is. As they fall in love, Cooper has no idea Sadiq has ulterior motives. Meanwhile huge oil reserves are discovered nearby, and the CIA offers Cooper a way home without jail time if Cooper agrees to carry out a risky, high-stakes mission.

Cooper will do anything to get home – except sell his soul to the devil. But when a teenage prostitute he has promised to save suddenly disappears, Cooper finally relents. Unfortunately, he has no idea that unexpected consequences wait.

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Coopers-Promise-Timothy-Jay-Smith/dp/1462084087

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  I should start off by saying this was a more somber read than my normal books of choice. That being said, I was compelled to read it and the sad truths it held. I was wary about starting it, but once I did, Mr. Smith hooked me. Cooper is a soldier trapped in Lalanga.  He’s forced to leave his post because of an affair with his CO, who is in denial of his preference for men.  The situation was life or death for Cooper. Leaving meant he was a deserter. So he’s trying to survive when he happens upon one of Lalanga’s many brothels and meets a girl name Lulay whom he has an instant need to protect. She says she seventeen, but it’s closer to fifteen.  It’s not like there aren’t hundreds like her, but this one girl gives him a purpose beyond surviving the hot hell that is Lalanga.  He’s in no position to save her so he does the best he can. Buys her time, condoms and protects her when he can. To make money he buys stolen blood diamonds from the children who work the mines. It’s dangerous to steal from the Colonel Diamond, but the living conditions are so poor they risk the danger.

Cooper sells the diamonds to diamond business man in town. One day he walks into the shop and sees a beautiful boy named, Sadiq, the owner’s son. Cooper is immediately intrigued by the boy and seeks him out whenever possible. They develop a friendship while Cooper secretly hopes for more. The duties expected of Sadiq as the only son of his family make admitting his preference for men impossible. So they steal away moments of passion where they can.

When Cooper is busted by the local dirty police chief, he’s pushed into a situation needing the help of an annoyingly ever-present CIA agent. The agent requests Cooper’s help with a major task based on his special skills. Cooper refuses until the situation with Lulay is dire. Her owner has plans to sell her to a possibly worse situation. Cooper can’t buy anymore diamonds to sell. When he goes to find her he learns she’s been sold. Frantic with worry he goes to the CIA agent to make a deal for finding Lulay. The tension builds as the books final pages play out.

I, of course, won’t give away the ending, but it’s safe to say this wasn’t an easy read. The conditions these people lived in hurt my heart. This is a tale of girls and boys being sold or tricked into prostitution, ruthless evil men doing as they please and a lovely but tragic possible romance between two men hoping for the chance to love.

 

Beyond Complicated by Mercy Celeste

Title:  Beyond Complicated

Series:  N/A

Author:  Mercy Celeste

Genre:   Contemporary (Incestuous elements)

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Silver Publishing (May 5th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts                                                                               

Blurb:   For former porn star Liam McGuire, life is pretty tame, except that his twenty-one-year-old son is now dating the love of Liam’s life. At the ripe old age of thirty-eight, Liam’s entire world is collapsing around him, his past catching up with him, his secrets and his lies are coming back to bite him. All because Kel had to go and fall in love with Seth.

Product Link:   https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/835/?zenid=dbbd6a2ced8a9829319a4b6643be2568

Reviewer:   Showme

Review:  Liam is a thirty-eight year old man barely living. He works, goes home to his crummy apartment, and wakes up to do it all again. One day he gets a phone call from his son, Kel, after seeing something upsetting about Kel’s new man on Kel’s Facebook page. Liam avoids Kel as long as he’ll let him, but eventually they agree to meet for lunch and Liam has to face whatever his son has to tell him that he doesn’t want to hear.  He never expects his son is going to surprise him with the new boyfriend and it sure as hell never crossed his mind that the “new boyfriend” would be the love of his life and ex porn partner, Seth. Seth has no idea Kel’s father is the man he lived and breathed for years ago. The reunion turns into a fight over who did who wrong, but the old fires quickly explode in one of the hottest scenes ever. You can feel the passion, love and anger between Seth and Liam. It steams off the page.  However, the next morning reality sets in that Seth had plans to commit to Kel and they’re back to the freak out stage. Kel is rightfully angry after he finds out about the night his father and boyfriend spent together. He tries to put his feelings aside because he’s finally told of Liam and Seth’s past and can see his father’s still hopelessly in love with Seth.

Liam tries to stay away, but Seth won’t let him. Seth persists and they agree they need to talk, but the irresistible pull these two have, brings them together again. They’re both shocked to hear Liam scream Kel’s name during his climax. Liam tries to deny it, but that night due to alcohol and a secret burning desire, Kel  seduces Liam. Liam and Kel realize they love each other and not in a traditional father and son way. They’ve always been closer to friends. Kel feels his stepfather has taken on the role of his father, and hates him. After their night together they try to fight it but the guys realize what they really want is for the three of them to be together.

Now, I truly enjoyed Seth and Liam’s relationship. I bought and invested in it. Like I said, they smoked up the pages and the back-story was heartbreaking and beautiful. Kel   joining the mix was a little hard for me to swallow. One scene had Liam being mad Kel’s stepfather was worried about his gay father touching him inappropriately, while the next scene had them touching everywhere! I don’t know that I would ever feel comfortable with this particular situation, but there were a few things besides the uncomfortable three-way love fest that didn’t work for me. Just when I thought I had a feel for the guys, they’d go the complete opposite way that I would have expected their characters to go. Kel never really added to beauty that was Liam and Seth IMO. However, they sure enjoyed Kel. I’ve read  some threesome books and some family lovin’ situations in books, but never have I read one quite like this.