Hi guys, we have Tara Lain popping in today with the cover to her upcoming release Cowboys Don’t Come Out, we have a great excerpt so you can get a taste of the story, so check out the cover and enjoy the excerpt! <3 ~Pixie~
Cowboys Don’t Come Out
by
Tara Lain
Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad, and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.
Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.
Hi guys, we have Tara Lain stopping by with her new re-release Spell Cat, we have a great excerpt, some fantastic teasers, a briliant giveaway and Lisa’s review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Spell Cat
(The Aloysius Tales 01)
by
Tara Lain
When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.
Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle — convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.
With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
Hi guys, we have Tara Lain popping in with the pre-order blitz for her upcoming release Death Dancer, we have a great new excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy the excerpt! <3 ~Pixie~
Death Dancer
(Dangerous Dancers 02)
by
Tara Lain
A tattooed dancer and a by-the-book detective dance with death in the ego-fueled halls of ballet.
Bad boy of ballet Valentin ‘Val’ Aalto stands poised on the verge of huge success—except for one big obstacle. Influential lead dancer Harry Hardesty hates Val and cheats him out of the lead in Romeo and Juliet.
When Hardesty winds up dead, Val looks like a prime suspect—and gets thrown under the detailed and methodical inspection of the handsome NY detective with the stick up his butt, Andrew Preston. At first, Preston believes Hardesty may be the victim of the chilling Dancer Killer who’s struck three victims, but evidence stacks up against Val.
Still, Andrew can’t seem to keep his hands off his suspect and when the Dancer Killer starts stalking Val, Andrew is forced to choose between his dedication to a job he loves and his growing passion for his beautiful dancer. Together Val and Andrew discover that chaos can be beautiful, one should choose desserts wisely, and love can even trump death in the rehearsal halls of ballet.
Reader Advisory: This book contains descriptions of murder scenes, brief allusions to past child abuse and a scene of violence.
Blurb: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.
Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle—convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.
With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
Review: I have read a couple of this authors work and was not really impressed so when I was given this story I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to even give it a chance. However I will be the first to admit that this story rocked. I am talking rocked my entire world.
Killian is a very powerful witch who was basically being forced to marry a female. Now the problem was not only was he gay but the female witch didn’t want to marry him either, she was in love with someone else. That was all Killian wanted someone that loved him with their entire heart. However witches were told that if they had sex with humans that they would lose their powers.
When Killian met Blaine, the sparks flew the moment their eyes met. Too bad Blaine was human. Now I have never really been a fan of having females in a story, but let me tell you that she was a blast as well as Jimmy. I loved the twists that this story had going on. Although I could have done without the sex, power play and such. It felt like the author just threw it in for word filler. That was the only part that was a bit disappointing. Ok maybe Blaine’s reaction when he finds out Killian is a witch was a bit overdone. However there was one scene in this book that made up for all that.
Other than those reactions the story made my attention stand up. I hope that the next book is just as good. If the author keeps writing like this, then she will soon become a favorite, although I hope her sex scenes get a bit better. It is a fun, light, sexy little story that kept my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I had fun with it and can’t wait to read book two.
Hi guys, we have Tara Lain popping in with the fantastic cover to her upcoming release Death Dancer, we have a great excerpt, so check out the stunning cover and enjoy the excerpt! <3 ~Pixie~
Death Dancer
(Dangerous Dancers 02)
by
Tara Lain
A tattooed dancer and a by-the-book detective dance with death in the ego-fueled halls of ballet.
Bad boy of ballet, Valentin “Val” Aalto stands poised on the verge of huge success — except for one big obstacle. Influential lead dancer Harry Hardesty hates Val and cheats him out of the lead in Romeo and Juliet. When Hardesty winds up dead, Val looks like a prime suspect – and gets thrown under the detailed and methodical inspection of the handsome NY detective with the stick up his butt, Andrew Preston. At first, Preston believes Hardesty may be the victim of the chilling Dancer Killer who’s struck three victims, but evidence stacks up against Val. Still, Andrew can’t seem to keep his hands off his suspect and when the Dancer Killer starts stalking Val, Andrew is forced to choose between his dedication to a job he loves – and his growing passion for his beautiful dancer. Together Val and Andrew discover that chaos can be beautiful, one should choose desserts wisely, and love can even trump death in the rehearsal halls of ballet.
Hiya peeps, we have Tara Lain stopping by with the tour for her newest release Lord of a Thousand Steps, we have a brilliant character bio, a great excerpt for you to check out and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~
Lord of a Thousand Steps
(Love in Laguna 04)
by
Tara Lain
To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.
Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.
When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.
Blurb: To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.
Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.
When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.
Review: Braden and Ian are my absolutely favorite couple in this whole series!! I loved the first book but I have to admit I’ve been slightly disappointed by books 2 & 3. This book however was amazing!
There are so many things that stand in the way of Braden and Ian’s relationship: age difference, a messy divorce and a couple of kids, the fact that Braden is Ian’s boss, and let’s not forget Rico, the cheating bastard who didn’t deserve Ian’s loyalty. But none of those things seem to matter because the chemistry between Ian and Braden has no limits.
Braden’s kids were cute and lovable, especially JoJo, but at times I thought his 5 year old daughter was way too smart for her own age (too precocious to be believable). However, I LOVED Ian’s relationship with both kids so much; I was able to overlook certain details.
The sex is smoking hot (although not enough of it for my tastes), this couple has everything going for them while simultaneously having many things going against them; I’m telling you, there’s not a dull moment to be found! And if you’re a fan of pets in your stories, like I am, you’re going to love Anderson, the cat with enough personality to steal your heart. Anderson almost feels like one of the main characters with the way he dictates a substantial part of this story.
Great addition to this series, I’m wondering what’s coming next!
Hi peeps, we have Tara Lain stopping by with the cover to her upcoming release Lord of a Thousand Steps, we have a great excerpt for you to check out, so enjoy the cover and the post! <3 ~Pixie~
Lord of a Thousand Steps
(Love in Laguna 04)
by
Tara Lain
To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.
Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.
When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.
Chemist Dr. Robert “Belle” Belleterre loves flowers, green trees, his best friend Judy, and “his baby”: the new face cream he developed to help put his father’s small cosmetics company on the map. Sadly he gets no help from his alcoholic, gambling-addicted father who loses Belle in a poker game to Magnus Strong, the CEO of Beauty, Inc. the largest American cosmetics company—a man infamous for his scarred ugliness.
Belle finds himself uprooted from his home, living in a wildly crazy apartment in New York owned by Mr. Pennymaker, and completely unprepared for his mad attraction to the charismatic Strong. Feeling like a traitor, Belle fights his passion only to see more and more of the goodness and humility hidden by Strong’s ugly face. But when Belle’s family starts manipulating his life again, the odds turn against happiness for beautiful Belle and his beloved beast.
Review: When I first started reading this I did not even connect it to the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast”. Actually I admit it, it didn’t connect till after I read the story. I have not really read any stories by this author, so you can imagine my surprise. This was one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever read. There is a touch of humor in it that was quite pleasant but most of the story has a serious tone to it.
It is not very often that an author takes me by surprises, but Tara Lain has found a spot in my heart. She gives her readers sexy men who have a hard story to tell. In this one, it is about their loved ones and friends who are battling cancer. The heart ache that it felt can actually be felt by the readers. I loved the pace to this story; it came off perfect to me. The story might not be long, but there was so much meat to it that surprised me. Small packages can hold such sweet dynamite surprises in them.
Belle’s family are not what I would call family. He is a sweet young man who is brilliant when it comes to work. He is a scientist and helps make beauty creams that are perfect for women. His dad is an alcoholic who gambles, whereas his brothers are just asses. They own a beauty company but their dad is gambling the money away. Then he committed the worst crime, he lost all of his stock and turned around and gave Belle away to their biggest competitor.
Magnus lost his mother not to her cancer, but to a car accident. The same car accident that scarred his face. He felt guilty and felt that he deserved what had happened to him. He gave so much to charity and helped women who were in need. He had seen Belle and wanted him in more ways than one. So he made a big gamble to get what he wanted. He just had not expected Belle to want him, the way he wanted him.
This move took Belle away from his family, away from Oregon and away from his best friend. Despite his fears and reservations he starts to love where he was living. Not always does a job come with not only his own driver but an apartment that has not only beautiful atrium but amazing people. However he is pulled in two directions. His father wants him to still help his company, while Belle doesn’t want to cause issues with his new job. Now he has to deal with his feelings for his boss and a very jealous man who has it out for him. Drama just seems to keep coming for him.
I loved the twists that this story seems to have. Which as I have already admitted, I didn’t realize the theme. I loved how Magnus has a heart of gold and a sparkling personality. He was amazing and so was Belle. I even loved how they interacted with everyone. I had not had a chance to read the first two books in this series, but nothing was missing at all.
I absolutely loved this story and cannot wait to read the next story. What an amazing job this author has done with this book.
Blurb: Young Snowden “Snow” Reynaldi is brilliant, beautiful, and alone. Though he’s shy, weird, and tolerated by the NorCal University students because he’s a renowned whiz at chess and helps put the school on the map, that doesn’t keep him from dreaming of the object of his desires: Riley Prince, championship quarterback.
When Riley needs a physics tutor, Snow jumps at the chance, and their relationship heats up—but Riley has to come out of the jock closet to get anywhere. Meanwhile, Snow’s one true friend and mentor, Professor Kingsley, marries a woman who secretly wants the chess tournament glory and money for herself. Soon after, the professor collapses and Snow finds himself underwater—literally. In a car!
Seven frat brothers from Grimm College rescue Snow just in time for his life to get even worse, and Snow discovers the one relationship he always wanted slipping away. With evil looming at every turn, Snow must survive if only to prove he’s the fairest of them all and regain the trust of his handsome prince.
Review: When I first started reading this I did not even connect it to ‘Snow White’, actually I admit it, and it didn’t connect till after I read the story. I have not really read any stories by this author, so you can imagine my surprise. This was one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever read. There is a touch of humor in it that was quite pleasant but most of the story has a serious tone to it.
It is not very often that an author takes me by surprises, but Tara Lain has found a spot in my heart. She gives her readers sexy men who have a hard story to tell. In this one, it is about their loved ones and friends who battle jealousy and greed. The heart ache that it felt can actually be felt by the readers. I loved the pace to this story; it came off perfect to me.
I loved how this story was full of amazing characters and our very own fairy godparents were a big hit for me. You also have the evil villains who are always trying to overthrow our heroes. I also did not think chess would be so interesting and so costly. The humor was a big hit for me, but the serious tone made the story just so damn fun. The characters were fully developed and it felt like I knew them all.
Snow is a sexy young man who is not only one of the smartest men that I know but is a master at chess. He has a game that would be the biggest win of his life, if someone wasn’t trying to kill him. He lost his parents when he was but a small child, raised by his grandmother who also passed on, he was always alone. The only one he could call family was his chess mentor. That is until he is asked to tutor the one man that makes his toes curl.
Riley is the star of football and pretty damn smart on his own. He only has problems in one class, and he needs someone to help him. He has one secret that he has hidden from almost everyone. However he has wanted Snow from the first time he had seen him and he now has a chance to make the man his.
This story unfolded perfectly for me and the characters were beautiful and strong. I loved the suspense you get from it as well as the excitement and drama. This story kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more.
I loved this and can’t wait to read more from this author. I loved the twists that this story seems to have. Which, as I have already admitted I didn’t realize the theme. I absolutely loved this story and cannot wait to read the next story. What an amazing job this author has done with this book.
If you love fairy-tales, sweet stories, and some amazing heat, plus excitement, danger and suspense then this story will be for you.
Blurb: Driven by his desire to become a successful fashion designer and concerned with hiding his questionable past, Ru Maitland lets his obsession with action movie star Gray Anson on the big screen replace his social life. Then obsession and reality collide when Ru is asked to design fashion costumes for a special performance of Hamlet at the Playhouse in Laguna starring none other than Gray Anson. Gray turns out to be a compelling mix of shy and brash and, despite a high profile engagement to a female socialite, the signals Gray sends Ru have his libido doing the salsa.
Gray Anson has what most people only dream of—great wealth, huge fame, a job he loves. For that, he’s given up any semblance of privacy and the right to say no to the thousands of people who depend on him and the millions who love him. He sees everything he’s ever wanted just outside the bubble of his life, but how can he make the compromises needed to embrace it? When Ru’s shady past crashes into Gray’s paparazzi-haunted present, both men have to learn that sometimes the only acceptable compromise is the truth.
Posed to finally have his fashion designs recognized and shown at Spring Fashion Week, he doesn’t have time to give to anything else. Until, the owner of his community theater asks him to design the costumes for a summer play, staring…(gasp) Gray Anson.
I LOVE this series. The stories weave together seamlessly. So, whether you read them in order, or as standalones, you are guaranteed an enjoyable experience. No one creates characters like Tara Lain.
For me, this was Gray’s story. Ru was already on his second lifetime, and despite his little quirks, is happy with his life. Gray, on the other hands, feels like he is living a lie. A very lucrative lie, but a lie nonetheless.
And for me it was about much more than coming out. Professionally, Gray learns so much about himself. And I loved watching Ru support him.
Truth be told, with a name like Portia, I probably would have loved any Shakespearean story that Tara had chosen.
If you love sweet romance, well-developed characters, enough intrigue to keep you turning pages, and a crash course on Hamlet…The Prince of the Playhouse is a must read.
Aerin’s Review: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
I’ve been looking forward to Ru’s story ever since I first met him, because I have a certain weakness for flaming, artistic types and Ru is definitely that. One thing I can say with 100% certainty is that Ru didn’t disappoint at all! The other main character, Gray Anson, is who I had big problems with; his behavior was disappointing and infuriating, and I wanted someone else for Ru because Ru deserved better than being someone’s dirty little secret.
The writing was great, I can’t complain about that at all, and while some parts were totally ridiculous, they blended perfectly with the overall sense of silliness and amusement this series as a whole has. I really loved the complexity of Ru’s character, because what you see is a flaming, effeminate, in-your-face clothing designer, but what you get is a former gangbanger, slightly domineering guy who likes to give orders in the bedroom and who’s definitely a top. I just love the contradictions and the fact that they all fit together perfectly to make Ru a character who’s charming and who makes a lasting impression.
Ru has been fantasizing about actor Gray Anson for a few years now, and he couldn’t believe his luck when fate puts them in each other’s path. Gray Anson has taken the opportunity to expand his acting repertoire by accepting a role as Hamlet in a modern-day Shakespeare production. The instant attraction between them is obvious (to them at least), but Gray is so deeply closeted, his closet has a zip code of its own and Gray can’t imagine ever finding his way out; Gray is an action hero and we all know that gay men can’t play action heroes….do you detect a hint of sarcasm? Well maybe this is a real issue but I can’t imagine that people would refuse to watch a spectacular action movie just because the main character is gay; unless the actor has no talent for acting and is mediocre at best, which comes back to talent and not sexuality. But let’s suppose I’m that naive and have no clue what I’m really talking about.
There were a few plot problems that I couldn’t really believe no matter how much I wanted to. One of them is the reason Gray and Ru started spending so much time together; Gray couldn’t understand his character in the play and therefore completely sucked at acting. Let’s say that could possibly happen and nobody on Gray’s staff made sure Gray knew what he was getting into to start with. On what planet is Ru a professional acting coach? I get that there needed to be a reason for Gray and Ru to spend time together, but why couldn’t it be due to an inexplicable need to be around each other? Or the fact that they maybe enjoyed spending time together?
Also, I wanted to tell Ru numerous times that he should seek emergency medical services because an erection that lasts more than a few hours is extremely dangerous. Ru got so many erections that the current one didn’t even go completely away before the next one popped up again, that I became bored with his erections. That never happened before, but there’s always an opportunity to experience new things I guess. All these things I’ve been complaining about weren’t really all that bad considering I’ve started this book prepared for this level of silliness.
What I wasn’t prepared for and couldn’t really get past was Gray’s constant struggle with hiding his sexuality. I thought that Ru deserved better than having to see Gray with women all the time and being denied his true status. And the denial went all the way until the last chapter or so, and it really was disappointing and frustrating. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes I thing two characters are not well suited together. This was one of those cases where I wanted someone else for Ru, and I believe Bernardo would’ve been a much better fit.
Overall a nice story, humorous and even a little fluffy, but despite Ru being my favorite character in this series, this was my least favorite book.
Title: Sinders & Ash, 2nd edition Series: A Pennymaker Tale Author: Tara Lain Genre: Modern Fairy Tale Length: Novella (145 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 14th, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts Blurb: Housekeeper Mark Sintorella (Sinders) works diligently at a resort hotel while designing clothes anonymously, hoping to get into fashion school.
Then his carefully planned life is upended with the arrival of Ashton Armitage, son of the fifth richest man in America—and the most beautiful guy Mark has ever seen. Ash must find a wife or he’ll lose his grandfather’s inheritance, and he settles on Bitsy Fanderel. But secretly Ash is gay, and the guy who cleans the fireplaces sets his heart ablaze.
Further stirring the pot is the little elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who has Mark wearing his own designs and masquerading as a girl to impress the fashion investors in the hotel. When the clock strikes twelve, two beautiful princesses line up for the wedding—but one isn’t a woman.
Will the slipper fit?
Only Mr. Pennymaker knows for sure.
First Edition published by Amber Quill Press, LLC, 2012.
Review: I have stated publicly that I am Tara Lain’s biggest fan, and lovely reads like Sinder & Ash are why.
Mark is ambitious. He knows he wants to work in high fashion, and his job at the resort gives him the opportunity to save most of his salary and a quiet space to work on his designs.
Love is not on his agenda.
For that matter, it’s not on Ash’s either. He just needs a nice woman to marry him, so he can inherit his grandfather’s money. Money that he plans on putting to very good use…as soon as the marriage certificate buys him more money than he could hope to earn in this lifetime.
Enter Mr. Pennymaker. Gawd. What I wouldn’t have done to have this little man in my corner thirty years ago. Hell, if he retires, I wouldn’t mind taking over his job. Unlike over at Disney, Mr. Pennymaker does his magic without fairy dust or a wand. He somehow knows the desires of a person’s heart and finds ways to make that happen.
I loved every thing about this book. The plotting is sharp. The dialogue is crisp and the in-laws are meddling. Oh. And the boys do find time to get in a bit of sheet time, which is oh, so hot!
If you haven’t read any of Tara’s work, you are missing out on a gem of MM romance. Fans of Amy Lane and Andrew Grey will appreciate both her contemporary and paranormal titles. Happily Ever Afters are guaranteed.
Highly recommend.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Knave of Broken Hearts Series: Love in the Laguna, #2 Author: Tara Lain Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (224 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (August 3rd, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate/Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.25 Hearts Blurb: Jim Carney has a full-time job—running from himself. Since he walked out on his wealthy family at sixteen because he’d wrecked his best friend’s life over some yaoi graphic novels, Jim has lived a macho, blue-collar existence of too much booze and too little responsibility.
Then Billy Ballew, the man Jim most admires, gives Jim a chance to come through as his construction supervisor. For once, Jim is determined to make someone proud. Then Jim goes in for a physical for his new job and his yaoi dream comes to life in the form of cardiologist Ken Tanaka.
Jim discovers he has two heart problems—a wonky mitral valve and a serious attraction to his doctor. But Ken is a major player, and Jim might be just a notch on the doc’s stethoscope. To Ken, Jim is unforgettable—but the living embodiment of his traditional family’s worst nightmares.
How come the minute Jim decides to be responsible, he finds himself taking care of his kid brother, getting a proposal from a wealthy woman, making a deal with the devil, and winding up in the hospital—when all he really wants is the Knave of Broken Hearts?
Review: This book is part of a series and I recommend it to be read in order, because many characters from the first book are present in this one as well. I liked this book a lot more than I liked the first one, and that one was pretty good to start with.
I was looking forward to Ru’s story, so imagine my surprise when I realized I wasn’t going to get it this time around. This is Jim’s story; remember Jim from Love in the Laguna? He was very supportive of Billy and I liked him; in this book we get to know him very well. He’s a closeted man, to the point where he fools himself on a daily basis when it comes to his sexual preferences. I must admit he became aggravating at times in his determination to not accept his sexuality, and I might have felt the urge to smack him around.
Ken Tanaka is the sexy Asian doctor who takes care of Jim’s heart; he was my favorite character! I have a weakness for pretty Asian characters and Ken definitely is both. The chemistry between him and Jim is pretty easy to see, although if you’re looking forward to steamy, intense, melt-your-brains sex you might be a little disappointed. We do get the sex, but the steam factor is affected in a negative way by the constant humor and by Jim’s issues.
Whoa! Did I just complain about humor? But I love humor in my books! In this case humor was both a good thing and a bad thing. You know that invisible line when it comes to humor, which when crossed, makes a book too silly and less intense? That’s exactly how I felt about it. The sex had the possibility to melt by brains, but it was too silly and it felt short. Even so, this book was a solid 4.5 to 5 stars….until we got to the end.
The last two chapters were too cheesy, too silly and hard to believe. A very traditional Japanese mother MIGHT accept her son is gay, but she still insists on marrying Ken the traditional way to a husband of her own choice. Except all of a sudden at the end, she’s impressed with Jim, but not because of his shiny personality of his great quality of life. She came across as a materialistic, socialite, selfish person and I didn’t like her at all.
But hey, next book IS going to be Ru’s book and I’m so excited to read it! Is it here yet? * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Knight of Ocean Avenue Series: Love in Laguna, #1 Author: Tara Lain Genre: New Adult Romance Length: Novel (254 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 1st 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ¾ Hearts
Blurb: How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor’s license he so desires, and fear of his mother’s judgment blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.
Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, and brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?
Review: I liked this book a lot, it was humorous and adorable! I loved Shaz, he was my favorite, such a sparkly personality in a small but magical package. Can you say Shazam?
The first half of this book was 5 stars, it was addicting! I loved Billy and his clueless ways, I mean he could’ve tripped and fell face first on a dick, love it and still not think he might be gay. I got a good laugh out of him, that’s for sure! And he even had gay cats, isn’t that so darn cute?
Shaz was just….Shaz! Never afraid to show who he is, Shaz was very brave in a town where it seems most of the population had homophobic tendencies. I loved Shaz (I know I said that before but it bears repeating ☺), which it’s a bit weird for me because normally very effeminate, outspoken, outrageous, in-your-face gay men are not my favorite. But somehow Shaz was effortlessly fabulous and he brought a lot of spark to this book.
The second half of the book was too cheesy for me, so maybe 3 stars. I needed some angst or something; I’m not sure what was missing, but I felt I needed something more. I found Shaz’s teaching ways very innovative; we’d all ace our tests if we had some Shaz magic in our lives.
However, I couldn’t stand Billy’s mom. What a freaking bitch! She was fine with Billy working his ass off to pay her bills, but she didn’t miss any opportunity to criticize him and do what she did best throughout the whole book: BITCH! I wanted to duct tape her mouth shut! She ruined this book for me, that’s for sure!
This was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to book #2, where Jim is going to mend his broken heart (literally). I was hoping we’d get Ru’s book sooner, but I guess some waiting didn’t kill anyone.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But sadly, Killian walks away. He doesn’t do physics professors. In fact, he doesn’t do humans, because Killian is the most powerful male witch in 10 generations and, though gay, he’s expected to save his declining race by reproducing.
He can’t even have sex with Blaine, because he’s been taught that sex with humans depletes his power. But if that’s true, why can young human, Jimmy Janx, dissolve spoons with a thought? Somebody’s a lying witch.
With his powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
Review: A fun, sexy fantasy that is fast reading full of grins and moans, in a good way! This is the beginning of an enjoyable series about a growing community of witches and para-normally abled, surrounding Killian, and of course that all-knowing, naught and mischievous, protective cat Aloysius. Watch out for that cat, he knows everything, and he knows when he’s needed even if his unknowing victims do not!
Poor Killian is just trying to go along with his duties, to continue the blood line and strength of a pure witch, by breeding, but that’s until Blaine, the hard and fast scientist throws a wrench in his plans and makes him question the yoke of tradition he was about to carry.
You have to enjoy quirky, fantastical, reading to like this series. Spell Cat is light and fun, the sex scenes dear and a bit silly at times, but it is fun, whimsical light reading. Yes there is a mysterious plot, a plan to foil the bad guy’s actions, and a smart kitty familiar who knows just how to put two people together.
If you enjoy YAOI, you’ll enjoy Spell Cat and the entire The Aloysius Tales series. Pull up this light-hearted, quirky book and prepare to have some sexy fun.
Title: Canning the Center Series: Long Pass Chronicles Author: Tara Lain Genre: Contemporary/Sports/Coming Out Length: Novel (250 Pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 17th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Six foot seven inch, 300 pound Jamal Jones loves football, so when he finds out the ultra-conservative owner of his new pro football team fired their current center because he’s gay, bisexual Jamal decides to stay in the closet and hang with the females. Then, at a small drag show, he comes face-to-face with his sexual fantasy in the form of Trixie LaRue, a drag queen so exquisitely convincing she scrambles Jamal’s hormones—and his resolve to nurse his straight side.
Trevor Landry, aka Trixie LaRue, hides more than his genitals. A mathematician so brilliant he can’t be measured, Trevor disguises his astronomical IQ and his quirk for women’s clothes behind his act as a gay activist undergrad at Southern California University.
To Trevor, Jamal is the answer to a dream—a man who can love and accept both his personas. When he discovers Jamal’s future is threatened if he’s seen with a guy, Trevor becomes Trixie to let Jamal pass as straight. But Trevor risks his position every time he puts on a dress. Is there a closet big enough to hold a football pro and a drag queen?
Review:Canning the Center, book #2 in the Long Pass Chronicles, by Tara Lain has become my favorite so far. Of course, this is only the 2nd book into the series but there are so many good things going on in this story. I’ve been a fan of Tara Lain for quite some time and I’m always thrilled when she has new release. She writes with so much passion and she is not afraid to allow her characters to feel love or express their love. Her writing style is smooth and effortlessly, or so it seems to me, the reader.
I don’t think it is mandatory to read the first book in order to enjoy this one. However, with that said, Noah and Will, from book 1 play a pretty big role in this story. They are friends with Jamal and they want the best for him and they want to help him find his happy ever after just like they did. So…
Jamal is now playing for the NFL and since he is bi-sexual, he decides it’s best to continue dating girls. His family knows all about his sexuality and are super supportive of him. They are also very close and want the best for him but Jamal knows his father is not very pleased with him remaining in the closet. Until he gets a little more situated in his new career, he wants to keep some things private. Especially if some of the rumors around the locker room are true.
He has been training hard and has had no personal time so when Will, his best friend comes to sweep him away to a nightclub, he is more than ready to go. Noah and Will have a little surprise up their sleeve for their buddy. Turns out the nightclub is having Drag Queen night and wow, when she walks out on the stage Jamal is completely smitten. She is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Trixie LaRue, aka, Trevor Landry is kind of an enigma. She performs as a drag queen in order to put herself through college. She/he was kicked to the curb by his mother when his sexuality became known and he hasn’t seen her since. Trevor is super smart and doesn’t need the classes he’s taking at school. He is genius that he downplays to others. He just wants to get his education, live his life, and no fuss no muss. He is also a very private person with trust issues. He doesn’t share either aspect of his life with anyone.
Coming out onto the stage to perform he sees Jamal and immediately takes notice. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. Everything Trevor loves and wants in a man. IF he dated, which he doesn’t.
Jamal leaves the first night but can’t get Trixie out of his mind. He decides to show up one more time, by himself, just to see if, by chance, she may be performing. When he finds out she is, he takes his chance to introduce himself. She is going to be one tough cookie because she has no qualms in letting him know she is not interested. She doesn’t date nor is she going to start. Of course, these are things she tells herself as well but she really wants to see what this guy could offer.
From here, the story really takes off and will keep you consumed until the end. If Jamal plays his cards, right he may just turn out to be someone Trixie could really like. Someone also he could begin to trust and tell his secrets too. Trevor would love to find someone who accepts him for himself and as Trixie. For Jamal, it’s the perfect partner. He could still be seen with Trixie in public and his teammates would think he was dating a girl but as Trevor, he will have the man that he wants. How much better could it be?
As things begin to get heated between the two, misunderstandings will happen, and honesty and trust will become a major factor in their relationship. If they plan to have one, and they do. They may not tell the other but they both want the same thing. Hopefully, Jamal will come to his senses and put his true feelings out in the open. What started out as fun and games in the beginning will soon turn into heartache and despair as they both try to do right by the other.
This is such an enjoyable, gratifying story. There is humor and laugh out loud moments that will keep a smile on your face. But, with laughter sometimes come tears and many will be shed as they try to figure out what is most important to each of them. Will they realize they are stronger and better as a team? Will Jamar’s dreams finally come true where he has everything he wants?
Only reading this amazing story will give you those answers. As I said above, there is a lot of goodness in this story. The originality of the storyline along with Ms. Lain’s unique writing style will certainly leave you with a smile. I would definitely recommend Canning the Center, and Outing the Quarterback, to anyone who loves romance, passion, laughter, great sex, and a true feel good story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Outing the Quarterback Series: Long Pass Chronicles, #1 Author: Tara Lain Genre: Contemporary/Coming Out/Sports Length: Novel (216 pages) ISBN: 978-1-63216-205-2 Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 19th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts Blurb: Will Ashford lives in two closets. He meets his wealthy father’s goals as both the quarterback for the famous SCU football team and a business major, but secretly he attends art school and longs to live as a painter. And he’s gay. But if he can win the coveted Milton Scholarship for art, he’ll be able to break from his father at the end of his senior year.
In a painting master class, Will meets his divergent opposite, Noah Zajack. A scarred orphan who’s slept on park benches and eaten from trashcans, Noah carefully plans his life and multiple jobs so he has money and time to go to art school. Will’s problems seem like nothing compared to Noah’s. Noah wants the scholarship too and may have a way to get it since the teacher of his class has designs on him, a plan Will isn’t happy about.
Review: I have been a fan of Tara Lain for quite a while. When Outing the Quarterback showed up I was extremely excited. Getting a new story from Ms. Lain is always a nice surprise. Also, football was involved and that only added to the appeal for me. I am familiar with the writing style of this author. She has a big precedence for happy endings, and her overall knack for nailing a story is spot on. This one did not disappoint and IMO, she scored a touchdown bringing me much enjoyment from start to finish.
As the blurb accurately describes the story, we are introduced quickly to Will, who is a star football player. He lives his days trying to please his father. Always has the girl on his arm and is studying business like his Dad wants. But, what he wants is to be a painter. He is really good at it, which pulls him that much more into finding any way possible to make it his reality.
He is gay, has known he is gay for several years. Even though he dates and keeps a steady girlfriend, the girls cannot give him what he needs so desperately. He has been paying a prostitute to meet him in a bathroom, near the park, so he can get some much needed release. He knows this will more than likely blow up in his face but he needs this. Also, on the down low he is taking painting classes on the side. He is hoping he may win a scholarship, which would cover his tuition, therefore, allowing him to break away from his father.
On the complete opposite side of the track is Noah. He has also applied for the same scholarship as Will. He has no family to fall back on. He was in the foster care program for years leaving no one to help him except himself. He works more than one job to be able to pay his rent and his tuition. He has been spending some time with the professor of the class but has reservations about it. The professor makes it quite clear he wants to pursue Noah and take him to bed.
Noah, on the other hand, is afraid what may happen in regards to the scholarship if someone found out. Or, more importantly, if things didn’t work between them. Continually refusing his advances is only getting harder for Noah, and it’s not making the professor very happy either.
When Will and Noah come face to face in class, there is an immediate connection. He thinks Noah is the most beautiful person he has ever seen, and he may have said that loud enough for everyone to hear, including Noah. Will tries hard to get to know his infatuation, but Noah is not so free with his time or his patience. He recognizes immediately that Will is from the upper side of town and that he is a jock. His nickname for Will is Jockoid, which is pretty funny. He is, however, interested in having a little fun with Will, in the bedroom.
No way could anything ever work between them as they have too many differences. Plagued by another problem he still has no solution for and that is the Professor. Noah has worked long and hard to pay for school and get his education. He will not let anyone come between his goals. He has learned Will has also applied for the scholarship and that worries him. He’s worried because Will is actually someone who could take away his chances at winning because he is that good.
As Noah juggles his school, work, and suitors, he may realize too late that the professor is not happy about Will. What that means for either one of them, he doesn’t know. It’s not looking good, and that just won’t work.
This story is so funny and had me laughing aloud in a few places. The storyline is one that always pulls my attention and the author definitely had it with this one. The two MC’s exhibit some wonderful qualities and they both seem to mature as the storyline unfolds. The author gave each one a voice and together or apart, I connected with both of them. The issues they faced are issues that so many people face today. So, not only could this be real, but also she puts a lot of emphasis on the dialogue setting you in the scene. You find yourself cheering both boys on.
The story moved along at a fast pace keeping me glued to the pages from start to finish. Smiling from ear to ear on many occasions helped to keep me grounded never losing interest within the story. When Will and Noah take off to the bedroom, they have incredible chemistry. Their sexual encounters are not only passionate, hot, and sexy, but there is humour, which, for me, is a big plus.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone because it’s fun, it’s fast paced, the sex is very hot, and the storyline flows effortlessly. This is not my first book from Ms. Lane and this story only cements her works even further into my psyche that says to me, Get this, must read.
Hi guys, we have Tara Lain joining us today as she lets everyone know about her latest audio release Wolf in Gucci Loafers. Tara lets us have a peek at an excerpt and she has a brilliant giveaway where you can win your own audio copy or an ebook of the story. I’ve added my own review of the ebook for you to enjoy so what are you waiting for 😉 check out the post and then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Wolf in Gucci Loafers
(Tales of the Harker Pack 02)
by
Tara Lain
Socialite Lindsey Vanessen wants someone to love who will love him back—an impossibility for a gay, half-human, half-werewolf. Too aggressive for humans, too gay for wolves, and needing to protect the pack from human discovery, Lindsey tries to content himself with life as a successful businessman. But when someone starts kidnapping members of wealthy families, Lindsey meets tough cop Seth Zakowsy—the hunky embodiment of everything Lindsey wants but can’t have.
Seth has never been attracted to flamboyant men. What would the guys in the department think of Lindsey? But intrigue turns to lust when he discovers Lindsey’s biting, snarling passion more than matches his dominant side. It might mean a chance at love for a cop in black leather and a wolf in Gucci loafers.
Blurb: Super cat, Aloysius, may be the most powerful witch’s familiar in the world, but when he takes a blast at the hand of an evil witch he loses it all — power, memory, and his feline form — to become the ethereal human beauty, Alain Bellarose. When Alain wakes up naked on the floor surrounded by dogs and cats, his eyes first set upon Luke Elliott, the handsome and mysterious veterinarian. Suddenly, the prospect of being human doesn’t seem so bad.
Luke has a lot to hide and he likes animals way more than people, but he can’t resist the flamboyant boy who washes his face with the side of his hand and tries to lick his own privates! The loss of Aloysius depletes Witch Master Killian Barth’s power and that of his “secret weapon” Sammy and leaves their coven sitting ducks for two very nasty women. When Alain discovers that he’s really a powerful cat, he’s faced with the ultimate choice. To protect his community, or surrender his power and stay with the man he loves.
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Aloysius is a powerful witch’s familiar but when he saves Blaine and Killian from a witch’s attack he loses everything – his power, his memory and his cat form – he wakes up human surround by cats and dogs with a vague memory of his name, Alain, and not much else. Luckily, for Alain he is in the hands of attractive vet Luke who helps him out with clothes, a place to stay and a job. Luke is shocked when he comes across a naked man in his vet clinic but the innocence in the man’s eyes has him helping him out, but Luke is hiding from his past, which could bring down all he has built and Alain nearly is dragged into danger. Killian’s power is greatly depleted with the loss of Aloysius, with evil witches determined to take over the coven Killian needs Aloysius now more than ever but with Aloysius stuck in human form the prospects look dire.
Ah damn what a twisted tale this series has become, with the European covens determined to rule and a nasty man from Luke’s past, we are also treated to a dilemma when Aloysius/Alain regains his memories. Luke is a great character who hides from his shady past, it took him years to get where he is as a vet and he does not intend to ever revisit his past. When Luke meets Alain, he is bewitched by his beauty but he resists the pull of attraction for as long as he can, especially as Alain has no real memories of his own. Alain is drawn to Luke and can be quite persuasive and although he is enjoying his new life to the fullest, he knows that he has forgotten something important. Bring in Killian, Blaine, Sammy, and Ryder as they try to protect their coven and discover how they can get Aloysius back but then a dilemma happens when Alain falls in love with Luke, how can they ask him to give up his love to give them back their power?
I loved this story as the threads were drawn together, weaving a tale that pulls us in different directions as we want Alain and Luke to get their happily ever after, but we also want Killian and the coven to win against the attacks. Luke is unaware of magic so his part in the story is of a very human aspect that Alain also gets dragged into, their relationship is pretty incredible and Aloysius as human is both sweet and funny and they make a delightful couple. We then have the magical aspect with Killian and Sammy being affected by the loss of Aloysius and being attacked by witches wanting power for themselves. This was beautifully done and you are pulled in from the very first page, we see their plight as Aloysius/Alain is torn in different directions and Luke’s heartbreak and devastation upon learning the truth. There are some very amusing scenes as Alain still has some very cat-like traits.
I recommend this to those that love magical dilemma’s, falling in love, danger from both human and magical attacks, a great story and a brilliant surprising ending.
Blurb: A raw food fanatic and a cupcake baker—can two hearts rise above the flour?
Healthy, vegan food is Micah Truveen’s religion. So when his devoted customers start showing up with white flour cupcakes, Micah’s ready to scream. When he discovers who’s been spreading the cupcake poison to the community, there’s going to be trouble. And to make a bad day even worse, Micah comes home to find his boyfriend in bed with someone else—on the day before Valentine’s Day! In frustration, he throws the rat out and agrees to go to his friend’s orgiastic Anti-Valentines party. Not his style, but lately, his style seems to be crumbling around him like stale baked goods.
Southerner Quentin Darby wishes he could stop wearing women’s clothes. He desperately wants to live up to the glowing opinion his grandmother holds of him, so he’s never even told her he’s gay. And now there’s this guy from the party who makes him wish he could just be who he is—a man who likes women’s clothing, loves to bake, and thinks everything’s better with cupcakes. Until a man with an axe to grind decides the time to grind it is now…
Review: Micah Truveen’s life is just about perfect. The openly gay, devoted vegan runs a successful raw food restaurant, teaches classes on how to prepare raw food and has the best boyfriend a guy could want. Or so he thinks. First he catches his supposed vegan customer’s eating cupcakes, and then he walks in on his boyfriend with another guy. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Quentin Darby leads a double life. By day he takes care of his grandmother and together they make the cupcakes that have Micah seething; by night he’s the cross dressing Queen. While Quentin is a closeted gay, trying to keep up appearances with his grandmother, Queen waves her freak flag, proudly! In her skimpy red dress, sky-high stilettos and sexy undies that drive Micah crazy and make him see double.
Micah spots Queen at a friend’s Anti-Valentine’s day party and he’s instantly enamored with her… him. It doesn’t take long for Micah to figure out Queen is a guy, and it takes even less time before these two are trying to devour each other! When Micah finally learns that Quentin is the infamous cupcake baker, is the relationship doomed before it even starts?
All along the way Lain gives us not only some knock your socks off romps in white sheets, but she also touches on hatred, bigotry, blackmailing and stupidity. When Micah finally figures out he’s no better than everyone else by being completely closed-minded about the cupcake issue with Quentin, will it be too late for him to have a second shot at happiness with him?
Title: Spell Cat (2nd Edition)
Title: Lord of a Thousand Steps
Title: Beauty, Inc.
Title: Driven Snow
Title: Prince of the Playhouse
Title: Sinders & Ash, 2nd edition
Title: Knave of Broken Hearts
Title: Knight of Ocean Avenue
Title: Spell Cat
