Hi guys, today we have Stevie Woods popping in for a visit with her upcoming re-release Another Secret, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and my review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Another Secret
by
Stevie Woods
After yet another bad dream, Leland accepts he can no longer keep his secret; the time had come to confess all to his best friend, Drew. He sets out early in the morning, determined yet fearful of Drew’s reaction to what he must tell him. Leland has loved Drew ever since they were teenagers and together they experimented with their sexuality, but Drew has only ever been his best friend. He dreads maybe even losing that when Drew learns the truth.
However, when halfway through the forest to Drew’s home, Leland is forced to take cover when he sees a large grey wolf tailing another man. His concern turns to shock when the man abruptly shifts to become a wolf and attacks the grey wolf.
The fight is swift and bloody and ends when the man-wolf runs off. Leland gets his second shock of the morning when the grey wolf abruptly shifts to become human. To become Drew. Too surprised to do more than watch as his now very naked best friend rushes off, Leland is in for yet another surprise when he finally confronts Drew later that morning.
Blurb: After yet another bad dream, Leland accepts he can no longer keep his secret; the time had come to confess all to his best friend, Drew. He sets out early in the morning, determined yet fearful of Drew’s reaction to what he must tell him. Leland has loved Drew ever since they were teenagers and together they experimented with their sexuality, but Drew has only ever been his best friend. He dreads maybe even losing that when Drew learns the truth.
Halfway through the forest to Drew’s home, however, Leland is forced to take cover when he sees a large grey wolf tailing another man. His concern turns to shock when the man abruptly shifts to become a wolf himself and attacks the grey wolf.
The fight is swift and bloody and ends when the man-wolf runs off. Leland gets his second shock of the morning when the grey wolf abruptly shifts to become human. To become Drew. Too confused to do more than watch as his now-naked best friend rushes off, Leland is in for yet another surprise when he finally gathers the courage and confronts Drew later that morning…
Review: Leland is struggling with his guilt over a long ago incident and has finally decided to confess everything to his best friend, Drew. But, on his way to Drew’s, in the early hours of the morning, he comes across a sight that scares and shocks him. Gathering his courage, he decides to confront Drew and learns all about Drew’s secret. But, he still has to confess his own secret and it isn’t the only one that comes out.
This is quite a good shifter story that is pretty basic, but many secrets are revealed and true love is found. Leland and Drew have been friends for many years. They experimented together and have shared everything together, but Leland has a secret and the time has come for his to confess all to Drew. Drew has a secret of his own, which Leland discovers by mistake. Drew thinks his secret will drive Leland away, but he forgot how stubborn his friend could be.
I enjoyed this story for its simple shifter aspect and for the relationship between the two main characters. Drew and Leland are great friends and both of them have secrets that could destroy that friendship. revealing their secrets to each other shows them both that their friendship and love for each other is very strong. Things aren’t easy, as they bare their souls and a figure from Drew’s past tries to destroy what they have found. The shifter storyline is very bare bones, no pack, no instructions, just being bitten and left to fend for yourself and a feeling of vengeance wanted on the one who turned you. Drew and Leland both have a huge well of understanding, forgiveness, and love.
I recommend this if you want a basic shifter story, forgiveness, hidden love, hot sex, a touch of danger, vengeance sought and a happy ending when the secrets are revealed.
Author: C.C. Williams, Kayla Jameth, Tilly Hunter, Julian Siminski, Stevie Woods, Jeff Mann, Kenzi Mathews, James Thorpby, K. Vale, Michael Roberts, Salome Wilde, Steve Rudd, Barry Brennessel, Richard May, Landon Dixon, Rob Rosen
Genre: Historical, Erotica, Anthology
Length: 77, 000 words
Publisher: MLR Press (February 22nd, 2013)
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Heat: explicit- overall though a few have little or no sex.
Blurb:History and fiction meet at the crossroads in these erotic tales of love and lust. From ancient Israel and Greece and Rome, to the time of the Vikings, the Wild West, Woodstock, and all points in between, witness the steamy encounters, lurid battles, raucous clashes, and tender moments of couples who span the centuries. Get swept up in the lives of the biblical David, Emperor Hadrian, barbarians from Britannia, a 19th Century physician, Jewish immigrants, cowboys World War I soldiers, hippies, and so many more, all in search of adventure, passion, and, yes, even fame.
Recommendation: I highly recommend this to anyone that likes Anthologies, stories that date back in time, Vikings, Warriors, Civil war, Cowboys, Indians, time travel, friends to lovers, Sad stories, true love, and much, much, more.
Review: Overall. This is a fabulous mix of stories ranging in heat levels and genres. Plenty to choose from, but I suggest you read them all. Here are my individual reviews for each story.
1000 B.C. by C.C. WILLIAMS
David is a Shepard and loves playing his Lyre. He is summoned to go play for King Saul. When he goes, he meets Jonathan King Saul’s son and a great warrior. He will do anything for Jonathan even risk his life to fight a giant named Goliath.
I found this a very sweet and sexy take on the biblical story of David and Goliath. It was interesting, sweet, and loving. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
496 B.C. by Kayla Jameth
Galen was Alexio’s slave and lover. Alexio freed Galen so other kings couldn’t order him to pleasure them. Alexio loved Galen and wanted him for himself. Alexio was put under tutorship to King Lyko’s and King Lykos had designs on Alexio. Galen was jealous though Alexio said his heart was only for him. Galen’s jealousy gets him into a lot of trouble since the other men do not respect him though he is no longer a slave.
I liked this story a lot. It showed hints of a love triangle, but nothing really happened threesome wise. More of one of the men was just a voyeur. This was a sweet and sexy story. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
27 A.D by Tilly Hunter
Lucius was defeated and captured by Barbarian Finian. Lucias likes the rough treatment and finds himself wanting Finian’s humiliation and more. Finian is very rough on Lucias.
I found this story very intriguing if a bit hard to read. The rough treatment was tough but it was sexy in its own way. If you like rough and not loving BDSM this one is for you ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
130 A.D. By Julian Siminski
Antinous is Hadrian’s servant and lover. He is turning twenty and no longer a boy. Antinous fears he will be cast aside since men are not allowed to serve. Sabina Hadrian’s wife is jealous of Antinous and cuts his hair showing he is now a man. Hadrian and Antinous are both very upset. They visit the Oracles and each of the three gets their futures. Antinous sacrifices himself for Hadrian.
I loved this. It was absolutely beautiful. I loved the way it showed Antinous ’love and passion for Hadrian and how they came to be together. I loved the way Hadrian fights for Antinous and the end is so sweet and sad. You definitely need a box of tissues for this! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
794 A.D by Stevie Woods
Aland and Garrick had been friends since boys. They also have been lovers but must keep this secret. It is highly looked down upon for two men to be lovers. They go on a battle together and were very worried for each other. After the battle, they return to Garrick’s and make love. Garrick knows that Aland must take a wife and Aland Knows Garrick needs one to help him on his land. Though the two men know, they shall always love one another.
I loved this story it was sexy and sweet. It shows that sometimes though love is hard it does overcome all obstacles. My heart went out to the two that they could never show their love publicly yet would always find a way. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1066 A.D by Jeff Mann
Thorir is a Viking. He and Eirik are lovers in a time and among men, this is just not heard of so they must keep their secret. Thorir goes to visit Eirik to spend time before their next trip to plunder and raid a village. Their families think they are hunting.
This story was very good. I loved it. There are many twists and surprises. It’s extremely hot but I warn you the sex is very brutal. This is a good rough and tumble BDSM story and be sure to have your box of tissues. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1576 A.D by Kenzie Mathews
Cesare is a very spoiled rich boy. His father has a close relationship with Jewish family the Montefiore as there accountants. Cesare has seen a mistake in the books and knows the Montefiore’s have been stealing form them. He also has designs on his personal advisor Tuviya. He spots Tuviya with a servant girl laughing and it makes him jealous so he grabs Tuviya and tells him he knows his father has been stealing form his father. He gets rough with Tuviya.
I liked this story. It is a bit rough the way Cesare handles Tuviya and could almost be considered rape. Though Tuviya is confused by the rough treatment he also finds he doesn’t really want the debt settled and be discharged from Cesare’s services. This story is rough and nothing sweet at all about it but it shows that sometimes love isn’t always sunshine and sugar. It’s much deeper. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1822 A.D by James Thorpby
Charles is a doctor to the King and is very glad the king is leaving the next day so he can get some rest. He has a thing for Mosby one of the servants and that is the one thing he doesn’t want to see leave.
This one is very hot and sexy. I loved the story how both men have such feelings and was glad for a sweet story to break up some of the macabre ones, though the sex here is pretty rough and tumble yet loving also. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1865 A.D by K. Vale
Ben and Ammon have to keep their love for each other a secret from the Calvary men. They steal some time away before a battle.
I loved this. I loved how Ammon n had surprised Ben by setting them up a sort of romantic place to have sex and share their love. It was sad when they were separated. Another you will need tissues for but it is bittersweet. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1881 A.D. by Michael Roberts
Eric is a time traveler and he has just brought back Billy the Kid with him.
This one was so funny. I laughed until I about cried at the banter between Billy and Eric the sex was pretty hot. I loved it. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1889 A.D by Salome Wilde
This is an account from a Yiddish Journal. It is a rather sweet tale of a man on a trip to start a new life he meets a stranger on the trip and they fall in love though the man decides he can’t defile his religion and faith and he decides to not pursue the relationship after the trip. It’s sweet romantic and very bittersweet. Beautiful. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1890 A.D by Steve Rudd
One night Shem drunkenly wanders into Wayne Smiths tent. They both work for the buffalo bill traveling show. Wayne is busy tending to himself when Sham walks in and they end up in some frisky sex. Wayne asks if he’d be interested in doing it again and adding another bull. Shem hasn’t done a threesome, but accepts the offer. It turns out to be an Indian.
I loved this it’s another funny and hot story. I loved the banter between the two and how the Indian was so silent and submissive to them. It’s super-hot and sexy with a bit of charming wit.♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
1909 A.D. by Barry Brennessel
Jesse is taking his parents to the train station in their new car. A blizzard is coming and he is worried that he will ruin the car and get in trouble. He finally makes it home, but gets the car stuck. A group of boys comes by and one helps. It turns out to be his old friend and first lover Fig.
This is a sweet sexy story of friends to lovers and love lost and reunited. I loved it! ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1916 A.D. by Richard May
Henson is under jacks command. Henson reminds him a lot of his lost love Alex. Alex had been killed in battle a few years back. On leave, Jack runs into Henson. They are form two stations in life. They find a bond between each other.
This was a lovely yet heart-wrenching story. I am a sucker for a good tearjerker and this one does that. Very sexy, very sweet and very sad. ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
1957 A.D by Landon Dixon
A young private Dick was sent in to investigate if Bert was fixing the game show. The young man knew how to use all his skills to manipulate both his boss and the game show master.
This was a cute sexy story. I loved the twists, though the language and sex is very pornish, it is still funny and an enjoyable read. ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
1969 A D by Rob Rosen
This is a very sexy escapade of two men in the 60’s at Woodstock. It is hot and sexy with a bit of a twist. If you haven’t ever read any Rob Rosen, you should. His style and wit are so much fun to read!
If you like a short story to break the monotony of waiting in lines or appointments or just want a bunch of quick to read stories and like stories with angst rough sex and not all happy endings. This is a great collection.
Blurb: After an injury, Audin desperately needs the help of a healer, and is shocked to discover the one recommended to him is Tener, a man he hasn’t seen since their split following a blazing argument a dozen years earlier. Since those days, both men have experienced much during their years apart, and life has tempered them. Even though Tener is now a healer rather than the doctor he ought to have become, and Audin is an engineer working for an authoritarian government department, they realize they still have much in common. Including a fierce sexual attraction to each other.
Upon learning that Audin’s life is at stake from an implant placed inside him by the government, and with his own career at risk due to Audin’s position, Tener confesses his secret involvement with an underground organization fighting to bring down the corrupt and dangerous regime.
The men quickly comprehend that they must work together, hoping to solve Audin’s problem and, in consequence, that of others infected by the vicious piece of technology. But can Tener remove the evil device from Audin without killing him in the process?
Review: First, I have to say the website where this book is found, from the publisher, calls this book fantasy; there is nothing fantasy about it. It is Sci-Fi, or Science Fiction, whichever you would prefer to call it. Second, it is a great story and I enjoyed reading it, though I do feel it could have been fleshed out a great deal. However, it fits fine, until you reach the ending. There is no end. It just kind of, peters out and you are expecting more to happen in the next chapter, or lacking that, at least an epilogue finishing what was started. Seriously, where did the whole thing lead to? Apart from that, and some minor grammar, spelling and punctuation issues, it was overall a very good story. However, if you are looking for a book with an ending, this is not it.
Publisher: Amber Quill (Amber Allure) (4th December 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: On Alkya, a planet a long way from Earth, the Division of Investigation – Other Worlds, has set up a base where hundreds of personnel live and work. Among them are two men, Major Joshua Marsden and Lieutenant Matthew Ronson, who are part of one of the survey teams.
Dropping through the atmosphere to land on Theta for their latest survey, the ship is disabled by a strange energy force and crashes in an immense ice field. Matt awakens in the debris of the control room to find Josh and Dennis injured and the ship badly damaged. He does what he can for his colleagues and attempts to repair the tear to the ship’s skin. They struggle to keep warm in the freezing temperatures and when it transpires their communication unit isn’t working, it becomes a fight for their very survival.
This story is the sequel to Other Worlds 02 – Lightning Strike
Review: Josh, Matt and Dennis are on a mission to find out more about the geology scans and the minerals the scans discovered. Unfortunately, as they drop through the atmosphere they are hit by something that their scans missed; now it is a fight for survival and time is running out.
This is quite a well written science fiction novella that has a few edge-of-the-seat moments. Josh is trying his best to keep up appearances despite his injuries for the sake of Matt. Josh knows that the situation is dire and he is the only one who can fix the communication unit to get a message to Alkya Base to send a rescue team. Matt has done his best to treat Josh and Dennis and fix the breach in the ship but his skills are limited and he feels helpless as he hands parts to Josh and checks on Dennis as the temperature drops to a dangerous level.
This story flicks between the prospective of Josh and Matt so we get the feelings of both men as they struggle to survive. We feel their fear and hopelessness as they realize that rescue might not reach them in time and we feel their love as they both remember better moments.
I will recommend this to those who love hot sex, pure love, a struggle for survival and a really good story.
Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (26th June 2011)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rting: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When Prince Liander and his Guardian, Hollis, are captured during a raid while visiting the south coast of Tesla, they find themselves chained in pairs to other captive villagers. Once taken aboard ship, they realize they’re prisoners of their country’s ruthless enemy, and for his protection, it’s vital Liander’s identity is kept secret.
The new slaves are horrified to learn they’re to be trained in the use of swords, other weapons, and unarmed combat so they can fight in an arena for the entertainment of their captors. The situation is made worse because Fortil, to whom Liander is chained, has no respect for his prince and has only one goal—to force the young man to have sex with him. Yet there is only one man Liander is interested in, and it certainly isn’t Fortil.
Hollis worries about his charge, wishes to whisk Liander to safety, but there’s nothing he can do as they are kept separate in different training halls, chained to other slaves, and seeing each other only rarely. Escape seems impossible, and desperation grows when it becomes obvious they may be forced to one day battle each other for their very survival…
Review: Okay, I’ve labeled this Historical Fantasy because even though it is a fantasy world it kinda reminded me of Viking raids where they raided our coastal towns and carried our people away and of Romans training slaves to fight in Arenas. Liander is the youngest Prince of Tesla who is checking some historical research in a coastal town. On his last night there he is captured when the town is raided. Hollis is a Guardian (bodyguard) to the Prince and the only reason he too is taken is because the leader of the raiders says his ‘spirit is that of a warrior’; he is glad as it means he can stay near his Prince.
This book has an incredible strong story-line and plot, its characters are good and the world building and descriptions are great. Hollis has deep feelings for Liander and although he knows that Liander would be able to take physical abuse he worries about the psychological effects that Liander may suffer. Liander loves Hollis but has never acted on it but now being in danger with no way of escape he takes the plunge and tells Hollis how he feels; Hollis swears that some way they will escape.
These two main characters are brilliant together, they have known each other for years, they have kept their feelings to themselves and even when their passion threatens to overtake them, they can rein it in because they know they have to survive. I really enjoyed this story because even though there are flashes of intense longing and passion there is a lot of focus on the story-line so it’s the story that counts and not the sex. But speaking of sex… oh yeah, it’s hot! There is some slight rope-play so you receive a dose of kink and its gooooood.
So… if you want a historical feel to your fantasy, some intense longing and passion to your sex, soft touches and glances to your love and a bit of danger and torture to your story then this is the book for you.
Blurb: Can two men build a relationship when one must tear down each stone that the other has worked so hard to build?
In the year 1535, after a misspent youth, Brother Mark is a hardworking Benedictine monk toiling as a stone mason at Tavistock Abbey. There, he finds himself irrevocably drawn to one of the men sent by King Henry to audit the monasteries prior to closure.
Andrew Cheyne is fascinated by the handsome young man and breaks down the monk’s boundaries with an ease that neither expected. When Andrew returns four years later to finally close the Abbey, each man must also come to terms with their past to attempt to plan a future they can share.
But fate plays a cruel trick on them. Or, as Mark wonders, is it God teaching him a lesson?
Attempting to forget Mark, Andrew commences a brand new life, but fate has more lessons in store for him yet…
Review: This is exactly how I like my historical fiction served. History and romance are woven together so tightly that you don’t realize just how much research and effort went into its creation. In this case, the era of religious reformation in Europe and all the political ramifications that came along with it, is brought to life without feeling like you’ve fallen into a history textbook.
This story is as much tragedy as romance. What else would you expect when the main characters are firmly on two opposing sides of such a heated issue? Mark and Andrew recognize their mutual attraction, but both feel obligations; Mark to the Church, Andrew to the Crown.
Woods did a nice job of breaking this story into three parts; each part another opportunity for the lovers to meet only to be separated again by circumstances. I don’t know if Woods being British gave this story a more authentic flavor, but I know it didn’t hurt. I only hope the author revisits this time period in future books. I find I have a real appreciation for sexy monks, political intrigue and clandestine meetings. If that sounds like your cup of tea…I highly recommend this book
