Tag: Stephani Hecht

Latitude Extreme by Stephanie Hecht and Jackie Nacht

latitudeTitle:  Latitude Extreme

Series:  Latitude 02

Authors:  Stephani Hecht & Jackie Nacht

Genre:   Contemporary, Adventure

Length:  Novella (85 pages)

Publisher:  eXtasy Books (January 15, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:   Craig and his sister Lana have officially been recruited for season two of Latitude on the famous LGBTQ network. The only problem is that Lana is now going to be teaming up with her new boyfriend, former camera man Angel. So why are they contacting him to come on the show this season with no teammate? And after what happened last season, he feels a trap coming.

Luke Nolan knows that this probably isn’t the way to reunite with Craig. In fact, it’s probably a terrible mistake after the debacle of a fight they had five years ago before graduating from high school. However, after seeing him on the show last season, he knows that he hasn’t gotten over Craig. He will do anything to get him back, even go to the extreme. But will Craig listen long enough to rectify the misunderstanding that has been haunting Luke these past five years?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Latitude-Extreme-ebook/dp/B00B4XSUUO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360588123&sr=8-1&keywords=latitude+extreme

Reviewer:   Any

Review:  An amazing race around the world.

This book was all go-go-go and I went-went-went with it—and with a smile, too. In this book, teams race against each other for clues that lead them to the million-dollar finish line. The big question pushing me through the novella: who will win?

This was a satisfying action-adventure read with a nice twist of conflict. Craig is teamed up with a guy he hated from his high-school days. They must work together not only to complete each challenge, but to overcome their past issues as well. In the first half of the book, the tension between Luke and Craig is strong and held my interest, however, I did feel it wane in the middle when Craig was very quick to forgive Luke. I would have loved to see that step taking a bit more time and emotion.

Still, the romance was enjoyable and, coupled with the race—and the other awesome team characters—this made for an enjoyable evening read.

 

Left in the Darkness by Stephani Hecht

Title:  Left in the Darkness

Series:  Haven Coffee House Boys #2

Author:  Stephani Hecht

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  73 Pages

Publisher:  Devine Destinies (June 1st, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   While mostly physically healed from a gay bashing that almost left him dead, Taylor is still an emotional mess. Not only does he have to deal with the fact that his own brother was one of the attackers, but Taylor has been disowned by his father as well. The only bright spot in Taylor’s life is his small group of friends, but even they have their own issues. Christian is now angry all the time. James is having to deal with his own homophobic father. Devlin is wondering if he’ll ever be able to measure up to other’s expectations. Worst of all, Andy seems to be walking down a path that will only lead to his destruction. Can the Haven Coffee House Boys overcome all their obstacles? Or will the darkness overcome them?

Product Link:  http://www.extasybooks.com/left-in-the-darkness-5/

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Left in the Darkness is the second installment of Haven Coffee House Boys series by Stephani Hecht. The first novel, if you have not read it, focuses on Christian, Taylor, Devlin, Andy and James as they try their best to overcome the bullying that Taylor endures at home and school. At the end of the first novel, we see that Christian and Taylor suffered a brutal attack by Tommy, Taylor’s twin brother, and a group of jocks. Taylor got the worst of the attack and ends up pretty bad.

Left in the Darkness deals with the aftermath of the attack as the Haven Coffee House Boys try their best to piece their lives back together. Taylor moves in with Christian, Christian deals with his mixed emotions, James with his homophobic father, Devlin with his insecurities over his relationship with Christian, and Andy with the lack of attention. Each storyline develops as the book progresses and the cliffhanger at the end leaves you wanting more. That’s the only negative thing about the book, the dreaded cliffhanger.

Stephani Hecht did an impeccable job when piecing this story together since it is full of friendship, drama, love, and suspense. I cannot wait for the third book in this amazing series where we will find out what happened to Andy and what will happen to the Haven Coffee House Boys as their lives shift and turn for the better or worse.

Light Outside the Closet by Stephani Hecht

Title:  Light Outside the Closet

Series:  Haven Coffee House Boys

Author:  Stephani Hecht

Genre:   YA LGBT, Contemporary

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Extasy Books (March 1, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Sometimes the dark feels safer than the light.

Being a gay teen is hard enough, but when Christian’s strict father is transferred to a different city and Christian has to go to a new school, he discovers how much worse things can get. Fortunately, before he sinks into depression, Christian finds a new group of friends, who are also gay. Christian soon learns that his friends have their own problems, from desperately seeking attention to abusive family members.

Product Link:  http://www.extasybooks.com/light-outside-the-closet-5-2/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Christian is the new kid in school.  But, as a military brat, he’s used to that.  Luckily, even before school starts, he makes friends, other LGBT teens just trying to make it through senior year.

I hated this book.  Hate that in this day and age, teenagers are still having to deal with bigots and bullies at school.  My mama-heart spent much of this book pissed as hell.  Pissed because the issues and concerns of the characters were a bit too real for me.  Real in that they reminded me of my teenagers’ friends who are struggling with their sexuality, sometimes with little or no support at home.

No, Light Outside the Closet is not a maudlin survey of adolescent psychology.  Life Outside the Closet introduces, what I’m calling, the many faces of gay adolescence.  Taylor is effeminate and “out”.  Christian is out, but looks straight enough to pass.  James is so deep in the closet, he’s practically in Narnia.  One character is bi-racial and you might not know it, but RuPaul is the only acceptable gay man in the minds of many African-Americans.

This basically is Christian’s story.  Well, maybe not.  It is very much an ensemble cast.  Stephani did a good job introducing their world.  But, back to Christian, he has a crush on James, but James’ cousin, Devlin has a crush on Christian.  All very Pretty Liars.  But, when James makes a decision that affects other lives, well…let’s just say feelings change.  More than anyone, I think James learns about himself. And, honestly, I worried that he might not make it to the end of the book alive.

This is labeled YA romance, but don’t let that stop you from reading it.  The emotions are so well-written that anyone who enjoys romance will enjoy this story.

So, yeah, I hated Light Outside the Closet.  And I hope Stephani is cuddle up somewhere with her computer, writing book two.  I can’t wait to hate that one, too. 😉  Highly recommend.

Night Terrors by Stephani Hecht

Title:  Night Terrors

Series:  Night Wardens 01

Author:  Stephani Hecht 

Genre:   Paranormal/ Action Adventure

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  eXtasy Books (November 1, 2011)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:  Since the beginning of time, an elite group of human warriors called Wardens protected mankind from all supernatural threats. Born into this destiny, a Warden’s duties passed from father to son…until the supernaturals made peace and the Wardens were no longer needed. Since then, knowledge of their existence has faded into myth and legend.

Recently, the peace has been broken as civil wars and infighting fragment the supernatural species and the Wardens are needed again. One Warden, Rev, could not be more unprepared for what lies ahead. In an instant, he goes from college student to literally fighting for his life as he’s forced to enter a dark world he wants no part of. To make matters worse, his stubborn, by-the-book mentor, Jess, has little patience for a Warden who’s inexperienced and bumbling at best.

Just as Rev thinks things couldn’t be worse, he realizes he’s falling for his hard-ass mentor. Will Jess return the feelings? Or will Rev be dealing with a broken heart while trying to save the world?

Product Link: http://www.extasybooks.com/night-terrors/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Stephani Hecht has done it again.  She has created a series that is absolutely Chocolicious.  In this first book, she does quite a bit of world building.  The peace that allowed the warrior protectors, known as Night Wardens, to go into semi-retirement is broken.    Rick, a Warden, has been allowed to go off to college; an activity he thinks is a complete waste of time.

When evil shows up on campus, Rick’s calm little world disintegrates in a heartbeat.  He is thrust into a role he was literally born to fulfill.  Luckily, he has a sexy Guardian to watch his back.

I loved every aspect of this story.  Stephani Hecht took her time building up sexual tension between Rick and Jess.  But, damn…when she finally let them tangle in the sheets…damn!

One of the nice things I like most about Hecht series is how she introduces main characters from later books as secondary plays in the current book.  I’m dying to know if Ari and Adam are going to be a couple of if she has other plans for them.  And what kind of man could tame Brad?

All in all, Night Terror is a fabulous read.  It is gritty and nasty, funny and sexy and absolutely perfect.

 

Chance's Vindication by Stephani Hecht

Title: Chance’s Vindication

Series: Lost Shifters 13

Author: Stephani Hecht

Genre: Shapeshifter/Paranormal

Length: Novella (117pgs)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (15th September 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Sometimes your biggest enemy can be the love of your life.

Raised in complete isolation, Raven shifter Chance knew little of the shifter world. While he realized that the Ravens were at war with feline shifters, he didn’t understand just how deep the hatred went until he took refuge with a coalition of felines – felines who sometimes seemed more likely to kill him than protect him from the Ravens hunting him. Living among his enemies, while being hated by his own kind, Chance withdraws into himself and begins to lose hope that he’ll ever be happy. To make things worse, Chance finds himself drawn to Thomas, a Lion shifter who despises all Ravens.

When Thomas is assigned to guard Chance, he’s not happy. His job is to kill Ravens, not babysit them. But as time passes, Thomas realizes he’s attracted to the shy, sweet man. But years of war against the Ravens, along with his own personal demons, lead Thomas to resist the draw he feels for Chance. Then Chance is taken captive and Thomas realizes how much his little Raven means to him. Will he find Chance in time, or will they both lose all hope of ever finding a happy ending?

Review: Stephani Hecht has done it again; she has brought us yet another sweet, sexy romance from the coalition of cat and hawk shifters.

Chance knows full well that nearly every shifter in the coalition hates him and all because he had the misfortune of being born a Raven, the coalition’s hated enemy.   He just wishes that one shifter in particular would like him. Thomas is a lion shifter who despises the Ravens for what they did more than twenty years ago and for making his brother feral.   But, that still doesn’t stop him from wanting the raven shifter Chance, who doesn’t smell or act like any other Raven he knows.

I loved these characters as they both have internal struggles as to what to do. Chance feels guilty because he’s a Raven and he takes a lot of crap for it but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt him. I thought he was the bigger character for it and admired him for being able to have such an open heart even after the way others treat him. Thomas understandably hates Ravens and it’s nice to see his character work through his attraction to Chance along with his guilt at that attraction (because his brother is locked in a cage due to the serum the Ravens made) and come out the other side a better shifter.

These stories don’t have to be read in order as they are easy to pick up but for you to understand everything going on it is best if you did.   As there are ongoing storylines throughout, we also get to see several shifters from several of the other Lost Shifters books and I have got to admit that my favorite is Shane and he always adds a bit of danger to every book he’s in. (I love you Shane!!)

So what would I recommend?   This is yet another sweet romance with danger, intrigue, hope, crossed-wires, hot men, hot sex and a happy ever after (well as much as you can when you’re fighting the Ravens), so I have to say read it, love it and adore it.

 

 

In His Hero's Shadow by Stephani Hecht

Title:  In His Hero’s Shadow

Series:  EMS Heat #10

Author:  Stephani Hecht

Genre:  Contemporary

Publisher:  Extasty Books

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Astrid

Blurb:  Trauma nurse Chauncey and paramedic Brody have only ever agreed on one thing in life—that they share a mutual hatred for one another. While they may have to work together, they’ve never gotten along. Brody sees Chauncey as nothing more than a bossy, jerk whereas Chauncey thinks Brody is a cocky, brat who needs a good slap on the nose. What neither one of them is willing to admit is that they share a secret mutual attraction.

One night they lose control and give into their passion. When they find themselves waking up in each other’s arms, they have to face one of the biggest decisions of their lives—do they give love a chance or are their differences just too big to overcome?

Review:  The EMS Heat series is one that I’ve enjoyed and this new title is a great addition. I love the way the author creates a new story while letting you check in on previous characters without cluttering the current storyline.

Chauncey and Brody have been circling around each other, trading jibes and insults for the past year. Each has their own set of preconceived notions about the other. Chauncey is the arrogant and entitled rich boy. Brody is the mouthy bottom only interested in a good time. Neither guy actually believes the crap they spew about the other; it’s akin to boy’s picking on their playground crush – silly but effective in getting a rise.

When Brody looses a patient, his pain from a past lost is compounded and Chauncey finds himself called in to lend a hand by meddling friends. Now I wouldn’t say that either man does an about face in regard feelings for the other, merely giving in to their true desires. It does happen on the fast side, but it isn’t entirely hard to swallow. What I did appreciate was how neither character immediately turned into a mushy ball of goo. Sure you saw their soft bellies as they left themselves vulnerable, but the snarky commentary persisted. The tension that made them interesting didn’t collapse once they made a connection.

I do wish the epilogue wasn’t used to clear everything up and make all nice, that we’d been able to tag along in some of the cleaning up of the loose pieces, namely Brody’s mom. But then again, that’s probably more about me and my pension for angst.

On a side note, I’d like to commend the author for her tribute to 9/11 EMS workers. She did a lovely job of bringing our focus to those left behind while honoring the sacrifices of the men and women called into duty that tragic day.

Portia’s Two Cents:  Okay, I confess…EMS Heat series is my guilty literary pleasure.  I love watching these guys fall in love.  But, for me…it’s all about trying to see if I can catch Stephani in a medical error.  I spent a lot of years as an ER nurse and this series always makes me feel like I’ve come home.  I can honestly say…I know these guys; the nurses, medics, firemen…even the doctors.  The language, the medical scenarios…even the back coffee in the break room is spot on. 

So far it’s Stephani/10; Portia/0…but, I’m still on the job.  That’s right, Hecht…I’m watching you. 😉