Ginger Snaps by John Inman

Title: Ginger Snaps

Series: The Belladonna Arms 05

Author: John Inman

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (240 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 24, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Even with a string of earthquakes jarring the tenants of the Belladonna Arms, rattling nerves and smashing dishes, life still manages to plod along as usual. Love pollen continues to fall, romances continue to flourish, and Arthur, the grand Pooh-bah in residence, continues to plan his upcoming wedding extravaganza.

In the midst of all this drama fall Gideon Chase and Reed Kelly, two redheaded losers at love who find themselves regrouping under the auspices of the most incorrigible matchmaker in heels.

Arthur sees hope for the two right away. He leases them adjoining apartments, then continually tweaks their budding friendship in the hope it will slip into love. Just as Arthur’s plans are coming along nicely, Reed’s past shows up to toss a monkey wrench into his and Gideon’s blossoming romance.

With Arthur’s wedding ceremony nigh, and Reed and Gideon on the verge of heartache yet again, Arthur faces one inescapable conclusion.

It will take more than love pollen to sort this mess out.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-587-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in The Belladonna Arm’s collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

Arthur is getting married and it had better be perfect. He has found to gorgeous ginger men who he knows are going to just hit it off or they are going to find the grand pooh-bah upset. Let me tell you know one wants to see him upset.

Gideon has had his heart broken one to many times, this time it was by a cheating snake. So he was starting over. The creep had also dumped all his stuff in goodwill, so starting over was all he had. Thank god for a good friend who had a place lined up just for him. However his new and crazy landlord saw love in the air for him. He had not believed it, that is till he met the guy who lived in the apartment next door.

Reed has finally been honest with himself and his wife, soon to be ex-wife. He had come to terms with him being gay, but he wasn’t really sure how to start over. He moved in a few hours before Gideon and things were going to get real interesting, that is as soon as they realize to red heads could hit it off. To top it off every time the earth shakes you could hear Arthur screaming bloody murder. How are to cats suppose to survive these crazy humans. Then there is an ex-wife who just can’t get her head straight on, and oh you have just got to see where this will go.

This series was what introduced me to this author and lets just say it has my attention all the way. There is adventure, excitement, some crazy characters and lots of love, not to mention the pollen of love just floating around. You also get one crazy group of characters that will charm you and keep you entertained through out. It is a very well developed story with so much to offer you. I always look forward to one of these books and hope that they will continue to lighten my day.

I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to get my hands on some more of John’s work. A gifted author is all I have to say about him. His worlds will always keep you smiling. This is one story that I would definitely be reading more than once. I would also recommend it and the previous books in the series.

Ben and Shiloh by John Inman

john-inman-ben-and-shiloh-coverTitle: Ben and Shiloh

Series: The Belladonna Arms #4

Author: John Inman

Genre: Contemporary, Humor

Length: Novel (204 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 10, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts 

Blurb: Shiloh Smart is alone and looking for a fresh start. Convinced he’s finished with love forever, he signs a lease at the Belladonna Arms, a tacky, run-down apartment building situated high on a hill in downtown San Diego.

Determined to turn his back on romance, Shiloh works hard at carving out a life for himself where love doesn’t stand a chance and staying single is all that matters.

Then his drag queen landlord’s nephew, Ben Moss, moves in. Thanks to a rumor Ben has heard since childhood of a fifty-year-old crime and a fortune in stolen money, he sets out to find the loot supposedly hidden decades ago in his uncle’s apartment building.

The minute Ben spots a kilted Shiloh toddling off to work at the Scottish restaurant up the street where he waits tables, he falls hard and fast for the aloof young redhead. Even a hidden treasure can’t compete in Ben’s eyes with the beautiful waiter with the fiery copper hair.

But even while he diligently works to break down Shiloh’s defenses, Ben doesn’t give up his quest for buried treasure. Soon, as their friendship deepens, the two young men join forces in a search for the stolen cash.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-146-7

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/ben-and-shiloh-by-john-inman-7622-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in The Belladonna Arms collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. 

I wished that there was an apartment complex like this one with people just like the ones that live at the Belladonna Arms. I love the world that this author created almost as much as I love the characters that are in it. I laughed so hard through some parts that I thought I would need mouth to mouth. 

John became a favorite author of mine when the first book in this series came out. I never even really thought that I would find a male author could do that. I have always focus on the quirky funny books that many authors write, but when I came across John’s stories I knew he was going to be one of my favorites with the way he spins a tale. My attention was caught from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. 

Shiloh had thought his boyfriend loved him, till his boyfriend’s new boyfriend kicked him out. Thank god Arthur let him rent an apartment in the building he owned. Everyone there was quirky as hell. The rumor was that those who moved in found true love soon after. Too bad Shiloh never wanted to find love again, but damn was he in for a good surprise.

Ben moved to his uncle’s apartment complex for two reasons. One was he was gay and his family other than his uncle Arthur hated anything gay. The second was he had heard that fifty years ago several thousand dollars had been stolen, and the guy who did it died two days afterwards. The money had never been found, yet for some reason he knew it was there. Then he met Shiloh and it would seem that the number one reason for staying was he was falling in love.

I loved this book and the quirky, funny characters in it. I sure hope that the author has plans for many more in this series, because they are a big hit for me. They gave me everything I could ask for in a story. I had so much fun reading it and would definitely recommend it. 

Coming Back by John Inman

john-inman-coming-back-coverTitle: Coming Back

Series: The Belladonna Arms #3

Author: John Inman

Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary, Humor

Length: Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 17, 2015)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts 

Blurb: Barney Teegarden knows what it’s like to be alone. He knows what it’s like to have a romantic heart, yet no love in his life to unleash the romance on. With the help of a friend, he acquires a lease in a seedy apartment building perched high on a hill in downtown San Diego. The Belladonna Arms is not only filled with the quirkiest cast of characters imaginable, it is also famous for sprinkling love dust on even the loneliest of the lovelorn.

At the Arms, Barney finds friendship, acceptance, and an adopted family that lightens his lonely life. Hell, he even finds a cat. But still true love eludes him.

When his drag queen landlord, Arthur, takes it into his head to rescue a homeless former tenant, he enlists Barney’s help. It is Barney who shows this lost soul how to trust again—and in return Barney discovers love for the first time in his life.

It’s funny how even the hardest battles can be fought and won with laughter, hugs, friends, plus a little faith in the goodness of others. All it takes to begin the healing is the simple act of coming back.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-232-8

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/coming-back-by-john-inman-2398-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in The Belladonna Arms collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. 

I wished that there was an apartment complex like this one with people just like the ones that live at the Belladonna Arms. I love the world that this author created almost as much as I love the characters that are in it. I love how even the story has some sadness and a touch of pain; it also has a lot of humor stashed in it. I laughed so hard through some parts that I was waving my arms around and bouncing. It is a good thing no one was looking in the mirror. 

John became a favorite author of mine when the first book in this series came out. I never even really thought that I would find a male author could do that. I have always focus on the quirky funny books that many authors write, but when I came across John’s stories I knew he was going to be one of my favorites with the way he spins a tale. My attention was caught from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end, so much that as soon as I finish writing this I am going to go start on the next book in this series. 

Barney’s apartment was going condo, and he was strapped for money as it was. So when a friend told him that he could get him an apartment he jumped at it. There is something very magical about the Belladonna Arms and the people that live there. When Arthur, his landlord, wants him to help him find a friend that was in need, Barney agreed to help; he had not expected that friend to be a very sexy young man whose heart had been badly broken.

Ramon and Chichi had been known at the Belladonna Arms as a young couple deeply in love. However there was a darkness instead. When Chichi died, so did Ramon in away. He ran and lived on the streets thinking it was what he deserved, thank god Arthur had it in his head he was going to bring the young man home. Arthur is the fairy godmother in this tale that is for sure. 

I loved the subplot with Sylvia and Pete as well. They can definitely hold onto a secret. I felt so bad for what Ramon had gone through before. Then I felt like laughing my ass off at how everyone else felt when Ramon cut their hair. Let’s just say you need to read it to find out. This is probably my favorite out of the whole series and I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to get to reading the next book. John made another winning story for his readers.