Tag: Talya Andor

A Touch of Mistletoe ~ Less Than Three Press Holiday Anthology

91c09estryL._SL1500_Title: A Touch of Mistletoe
Series: Less Than Three Press presents a collection of stories about people brought together by the magic of mistletoe…
Author(s): J.K. Pendragon, Talya Andor, A.F. Henley, E.E. Ottoman, Megan Derr

Genre: Paranormal/Contemporary/Holiday
Length: Anthology (182 pages)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (December 17th 2014)
Heat Level: Mild to Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Product Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=125&products_id=840
Reviewer: Tams
Review: Five different authors came together to share these five distinctly different stories with a little holiday flare.

Blurb:

Here for You by J.K. Pendragon
Warren’s life has been shrinking ever since his wife passed away. Blind, and finding it difficult to adjust to life on his own, it’s easier to hide away in his house. When his friend Missy invites him to a Christmas party, an unexpected kiss with a stranger under the mistletoe leaves him confused and wondering…

JK Pendragon set the stage for the stories with her gay for you tale that all started with a kiss under the mistletoe. Warren is still recovering from his wife’s death when he attends his best friends Christmas party. Not really in the mood to socialize, he finds himself in the library seeking solace from the festivities, but he is not the only one to need a little peace and quiet.

Warren is confused and almost argumentative with Kyung about his sexuality, but when a second kiss leaves him wanting more, Warren quickly deals with his newfound attraction to another man.

The Christmas Spirit by Talya Andor
Christmas in Japan is no big deal for Ash Harmon, with his family half a world away and supernatural problems that have no respect for the holidays. When he picks up a bodyguard job for a rising star of figure skating who seems to be encountering trouble with a restless spirit, he stubbornly resists the unexpected attraction to his charge, wary of the risks that come with relationships. But the mistletoe has other ideas…

Talya Andor turns the tables with spooky ghost story set in Japan with a burgeoning romance between a paranormal investigator and the skater he is assigned to. This shot story has a lot of content with the PNR, multi-cultural romance and mysterious aspects all vying for equal attention.

A Beautiful Thing by A.F. Henley
Sometimes, Fate gets tired of being ignored. And some nights, Fate decides something will just have to be done about it. Enter Drualus, Senior Correspondent for the Collective Assembly of Christmas Fae, working with the Night Before Reach Out Program. He’s got a few short hours to change Scott Misener’s outlook on life, love, and understanding. Lucky for Scott, Dru knows a tried and true trope that might just do the trick…

AF Henley confused me with her sci-fi story that included what I think were a fairy and a guardian angel, perhaps these two thoughts of a character in my mind were one in the same? I’ll be honest, I skimmed this one, didn’t quite catch my attention.

Ad Meliora by E.E. Ottoman
It’s Christmas Eve and An-An and M.C. have plans to spend Christmas in Texas with An-An’s family. But their plans are cut short when M.C. takes on a last-minute case. Thankfully, though, it should be an easy exorcism.

Until they arrive at the snowbound lodge where trouble resides, and come face to face with a demon wolf unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.

EE Ottoman transcends normality with this transgender sci-fi nod that delves into something sinister, exorcism, murder and mayhem all while one of the female leads is transitioning into her new-found identity as a male. This one calls for a girly bits warning, including the terminology for said bits.

Two Parts Mistletoe by Megan Derr
Kingston has worked hard to get where he is: owner of his own shop, master potion maker, well-respected… and lonely, too busy with life to enjoy more than his regular visits to Acacia House. If he wishes his loneliness might be eased by Hux, the man he meets at Acacia twice a month, well, someday he’ll work up the nerve to ask. Maybe.

Then Hux unexpectedly visits his shop, distressed and in desperate need of help to save his employer from a love potion…

Megan Derr rounds out this stellar casting with her magical tale with a historical feel. Kingston is a potion maker that Hux has called on to help him with a potion gone wrong. As it turns out, Hux’s boss is the unfortunate recipient of unrequited love that resulted in a love potion gone wrong. But that is just the backdrop for the story, the real focus here is on the relationship between Kingston and Hux, which has been a long time coming you learn as you read the story.

As I said at the start, these are all five distinctly different stories with one common interest, love. While I skimmed through the Henley and Ottoman stories due to subject, all five stories were very well written regardless. My favorite was the budding romance between Warren and Kyung. I would love to read a full-length novel for them.

If you are looking for a variety of stories from several well-versed authors then this steamy Christmas themed anthology will be perfect for you. Romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal activity and healthy dose of passion all underneath the Mistletoe!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Rocking Hard: Volume 1, edited by Samantha M. Derr

rockinghard1_400Title: Rocking Hard:  Volume 1, edited by Samantha M. Derr

Series: Anthology Volume 1

Authors: Sol Crafter; Diana Sheridan; Talya Andor; Lacie J. Archer; Angel Propps

Editor:  Samantha M. Derr

Genre: MM; FF; Contemporary; Romance; Paranormal;

Length: Anthology containing Short Stories (371 pages)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC; (October 2nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate to Sizzling

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Seeker

Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/362222

Blurb: CENTRIFICAL by Sol Crafter 

Marty Sheer, one of the stars of a B-rated sci-fi show “Centrifical,” receives a phone call letting him know that his old friend Jim Sheppard, who left years ago and has since become

an acclaimed rock star, has bought a new home close by. Renewing their friendships is easy—becoming something more is a challenge that makes fame look easy.

FRINGE BENEFITS by Diana Sheridan

Depressed after the death of his lover, and having lost his job at the same time, Dale distracts himself by going to see one of his favorite rockers. But a simple concert and trip backstage lands him an unexpected job as her new assistant, and brings him into the path of her intriguing, appealing make-up artist and hairdresser, Luis. But if there’s one thing that Dale has learned, it’s that life is never easy and love doesn’t always last.

COURAGE WOLF NEVER SINGS THE GORRAM BLUES by Talya Andor

Bailey Kravitz, lead singer of Courage Wolf, is a high-strung, perfectionist diva of a front man. Gunner Lansing, bassist of Courage Wolf, is a laid-back, hang loose ladies’ man who is only serious about guitars and sex. They say opposites attract, but Bailey’s terminal crush on oblivious Gunner is tearing the band apart. Meanwhile, his longtime friend, quiet but intense

guitarist Tor Macleod, helps him pick up the pieces yet again. Between annihilation of everything, they’ve built or reeling from total rejection, there may be a third option Bailey has been overlooking all this time. Problem is, Bailey’s always been more than a little difficult when he’s out to get his way, and that may ruin his prospects after all.

PUT YOU IN A SONG by Lacie J. Archer

Ten months ago, on a whirlwind New Year’s Eve, Garrett and Rich enjoyed a wild night together. Back in town for the final performance of his band’s tour, Rich can’t wait to see Garrett again, unable to forget him. But a wild night and a lifetime are two different things, and the first real challenge they face may be more than their fragile new relationship can take.

A HAUNTED MELODY by Angel Propps

A decades old tragedy, an old guitar, and a bright new star … A struggling musician on the verge of losing her band, Kara spies a guitar in a pawnshop that she can’t resist. One year later she’s on the verge of fame, and meets a woman who not only can help her get there, but introduces Kara to an intriguing, beautiful woman … But bad history is coming back to haunt, and Kara stands to lose not just fame and love, but her life.

Review:  Like a CD or Playlist instead of Chapters Rock Star has Tracks.  Edited by Samantha Derr, overall the first volume of short story collections in the Rock Star Anthology is bang on.  We, the reader, are treated to contemporary slices of life from the current mega Rock Star, to the musician, to the assistant, to the Legend Taken Too Soon. 

♥♥♥♥4 out of 5 Hearts CENTRIFICAL (Sol Crafter) – A wonderfully written story of friendship between long time friends Marty and Jim.  The story seemed familiar I must admit.  And then I realized why.  I have read the and-then-this-happened sequel to this story one time too many times. I must say, I loved Sol Crafter’s prequel.   

♥♥♥♥3 1/2 out of 5Hearts for FRINGE BENEFITS (Diana Sheridan) – Music hath charms…. should be one of the tag lines for this short.  Dale and Luis, the romantically entwined, are overshadowed by the rocker in this story, Diva Granny Glam.  Even though this is Dale’s story of love lost and found, I wanted more Granny Glam!!! Sorry.  I’m back.  Fringe Benefits is well crafted, though at times moves along at jerks and starts.

♥♥♥3 out of 5Hearts for COURAGE WOLF NEVER SINGS THE GORRAM BLUES (Talya Andor) –  Band mates Baily, Gunner, and Tor (Yes… yes – I truly gave ½ a star for being able to keep the characters straight because they seemed to come out of the woodwork after awhile) grapple with indecision and complications while touring.  Talya Andor gives us a short with meat but without the sides or even a nice bit of beverage to wash it all down.  

♥♥♥3 out of 5 Hearts for PUT YOU IN A SONG (Lacie J. Archer) Rich and Garrett’s complicated relationship needs a bit of rearranging. A sizzling slice of life short from Lace J. Archer crafted with long time friends with Rich as the Rocker and Garrett needing something more. 

♥♥♥♥4 out of 5 Hearts for A HAUNTED MELODY (Angel Propps) – How else does one end an Anthology other than with an ending?  Angel Propps (if this is a pen name it is well chosen, especially for this tale) gives us a wonderful and believable ghost story.  Well done, done well.  So well that it crosses cultures.  Cudos.    

Convergence by Talya Andor

18313477Title: Convergence

Series:  Proud to Be A Vampire

Author: Talya Andor

Genre: Paranormal/ Vampire

Length: Novella (20K)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (Oct 9th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Chris and Ling travel the world in search of rare, exquisite curiosities, but treasure hunting is rife with danger and comes with a price. In order to retrieve a lost treasure deep within a perilous mountain, Chris hires on a vampire. But traveling with a predator comes with its own risks, and their venture may collapse into absolute loss unless they can each find the opportunity in one another.

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106_117&products_id=506

Review: A quick rundown: Chris runs his Dad’s curiosity store with his friend Ling. They go on trips and find rare items for the shop. This particular journey requires a Vampire. They place an ad and Dorran applies for the job.

I expected a lot more from this story. It had such a great premise somehow it just never got there for me. The plot was a bit Indian Jones like with booby traps and clues. I actually liked the cryptic messages and clues, I just with there had been a bit more action. The traps weren’t all that exciting very basic and didn’t go into much detail I would have liked to have actually seen what Dorran was up against on some of his parts. I also couldn’t really tell if the story was modern-day or past, though I’m thinking it was supposed to be past.  The romance between Dorran and Chris was pretty good and the end was actually satisfying.

If you like mystery, clues, booby-traps, curiosities, and a sweet romance this one is for you.

 

From the Inside Out by Talya Andor

16117130Title: From the Inside Out

Author: Talya Andor

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Super Novel Plus (520pgs)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (26th December 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Shy, closeted college student and part-time barista Soren prefers to keep to himself, despite the urgings of family and friends to break out of his routines and live a little more. He likes things exactly as they are; school is going well; he has his study-buddy Sloane, long-distance best friend Liz, his online friend Tru, and a ridiculously hot boss to stare at longingly. It might not work for everyone, but it’s working for him.

Comfortable routine is upended the day Tru suddenly suggests they meet, and Soren finds himself uncharacteristically agreeing to coffee. When his date proves to be the last person he expects, a simple date is only the start of all the complications Soren has always tried to avoid.

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=90&products_id=403

Review: Soren is shy and quite; he has his job as a barista, he has his close friend Sloane and he has his school, but he breaks out of his shell one day and agrees to meet with his online friend Tru. The meeting doesn’t go as planned and Soren is left wondering just what he should do next. Lucas is a shift supervisor barista and has never really noticed Soren before, but after arranging a date with an online friend, he realizes just how much Soren appeals to him.

This is a wonderful finding yourself story for these two young men, both main characters discover themselves as we progress through the book, and they discover the courage to face everything head on. Soren is a character that is very quiet; he will back down or dodge when questioned head on and has made avoiding decisions an art form, when he finally gives Lucas a chance, he discovers that he has to take control of his life and to start standing up for himself. Lucas is a character that is very sure of himself; he knows what he wants and goes after it, when he does notice Soren, he discovers that he wants much more than he ever thought he would.

This story is a journey of discovery for Soren and Lucas, both of them grow as the story progresses, and they face the challenges that are thrown at them. Soren is a slow developing character; he has slow progress as he comes out of his shell, but he makes huge leaps and bounds as he starts to stand up for himself and what he wants. Lucas has his own confusion to work through as he faces the inner struggle to get to grips with how he feels. Both Soren and Lucas face the turmoil of coming out to their parents and the hostility of a co-worker.

I have to say that this is a very involved story, you get to know the characters very well and you become invested in them. The romance is very sweet and is drawn out throughout the book, there is no rushing in this story; it is all drawn out really well. There’s love, romance, angst, misunderstandings, a near miss with danger and some conflict, but most of all there is growth and finding the person you can be.

I will recommend this story to those who want a true finding yourself story, developing love, some parental conflict and a very sweet happy ending.