Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford

17970372Title: Ropes and Dreams

Series: Mossy Glenn Ranch 02

Author: Bailey Bradford

Genre: Contemporary Western

Length: Novel (136 pages)

Publisher:Total-E-Bound Publishing (July 12th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:Ian McCain’s always been one cold, hard man, but a sexy little cook is about to melt his heart.

Drake loves his job as a cook at the Mossy Glenn Ranch. He just wishes he wasn’t scared out of his mind. His ex has him convinced he’s never going to be loved again, so he vows to remain alone.

Officer Ian McCain doesn’t play well with others—unless he’s got a whip or paddle in his hand and a sub at his feet. Control is all he’s had for years now, and he doesn’t think he’s capable of having a relationship.

Then he pulls up at the Mossy Glenn and sees a sexy man with a cute puppy on a leash. From that moment on, Drake might as well have Ian on a leash too, or at least his heart. Ian breaks down Drake’s walls almost as fast as Drake destroys his.

But their chance for a happy life together is something they’re both going to have to fight for as Drake faces his fears and Ian faces losing everything.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2193

Review: This is book two in a series I do recommend you read the first one plus at least book 9 in the love in Xxchange series also to get the full idea of who these men are.

Drake is the cook at Mossy Glenn Ranch. His employers are in a Ménage. The ranch hires mostly Gay or gay friendly people.  Ian is a young cop and a Dom. He comes to the Mossy G to talk to Troy about a fight in town (stuff from the last book) and the moment he sees Drake he wants him, though another Cowboy at the ranch seems to want to lay claim also.

I liked this one much better than the first one. There is still a lot of sex but it doesn’t quite overshadow the story so much. The storyline here between Ian and Drake is very hot and sexy. My only real issue with this book is  they see each other than  the first day they meet for dinner they are talking about Ian’s dominance and sex life and Drake confides he may have HIV yet Ian drops and gives him a blowjob(he does use a condom). Other than the moving so fast, the story was pretty good.  The sex is hot, Ian and Drakes story merge with the actual Mossy Glenn Ranch story well and it moves pretty smooth albeit fast. The BDSM was hot but with Drakes insecurity issues he accepted it and dropped into it pretty fast for a stranger.  I loved the twists and the banter between Will and Drake is so funny and makes the story fun.

I recommend this if you like ménage, BDSM, sweet love at first sight romance, hot sex, dogs and of course Cowboys. Oh yeah sexy men (a Dom at that) in uniforms also!

Justice by Bailey Bradford

4906867 Title: Justice

Author:  Bailey Bradford

Genre:  Gay/Paranormal/Shifters

Length:  Novella (145 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (October 4th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Recovering from his past might cost Paul Hardy his life. 

Paul Hardy has been rescued from a human trafficking ring, but he isn’t free. The experience has left him traumatized and unable to dig himself out of his past. He’s learned things no one ever should—including that shifters exist and are every bit as vicious as the beasts they become. 

Snow leopard shifter Justice Chalmers spent ten years in the Marines before moving back to Phoenix and working hard to get his dream job. Being a cop is all he’s ever wanted. When his younger sister needs someone to drive her to their Grandma Marybeth’s place in Colorado so she can try to help a human man with her new therapy license, Justice steps up to help her out, never imagining that he’ll meet his mate. 

Justice and Paul won’t have it easy. Not only does Paul have serious issues from his ordeal, his fear of shifters makes him a leery mate. 

And someone wants to silence him permanently…

Reader Advisory: This book contains reference to past sexual abuse.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2330

Review:  In this story, the author deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse, showing that any person can need some help at some point in their lives. While Paul wasn’t necessarily a very easy character to like, you did understand what had made him the way he became. Bailey gives you a very real and gritty look at the physical and psychological changes that a person goes through to deal with long-term abuse. I loved that she had someone there to help Paul, someone who had his or her own issues to deal with.  Life is messy but can be dealt with when you have lots of love and people who care.

Paul thinks he’s dealt with or is dealing with what has happened to him. If he’s in constant control of the sex, then he’s not a victim anymore. Except he’s not dealing with it, he’s just existing from day-to-day, taking no joy from anything left in his life. Not even the sex. Putting himself in danger for sex that he doesn’t even enjoy, and getting lax in the precautions he’s taken, he realizes that maybe he does need the help his brother, Preston says he does. When his past abuse catches up with him in the form of the wolf shifters, he escaped from, he’s in more trouble and now he knows it.

Justice is an officer of the law and a snow leopard shifter who just happens to live in Phoenix. When his sister who’s just gotten her degree in psychology is asked to help the brother of one of their long-lost relatives, well you can’t say no to family. And asked to drive her to help Paul, since because of her own drama, Justice does.

The road to love and a happy ever after is going to be long and painful for both Paul and Justice.  Paul has to work through his disengagement of feelings and need for control in sex. And he needs to deal with his fear of shifters, since Justice is one and his mate. Justice needs to stay patience and be there for Paul.

In the mix of all this is the relative who’s mated to a wolf, which Paul still has an uncontrollable fear of. Add a Shaman, who is hunting down the shifters who kidnapped and abused Paul, long-lost relatives and Grandma Marybeth, who is a feisty hoot in all of these Leopard Spot books.

This is book ten, and these do need to be read in order to understand the background and the building of the relationships.

Crossing the Line by Megan Slayer

2263Title:  Crossing the Line 

Author:  Megan Slayer

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  Short (76 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound (September 18th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Opposites can attract and sometimes come together with explosive results.

Ryan Malone punts for the Dragons and likes his life as an art restorer. Love isn’t in his game plan—unless Paul Toth is involved. They’ve known each other forever but have never taken the next step. Ryan’s not sure if Paul can accept his kinky needs. All it takes is one chance to see if sparks will fly.2179

Paul’s ready and willing to snag the sexy punter. He doesn’t care what team Ryan plays for as long as he’s got Ryan at night. But Ryan’s holding something back. Can Paul unlock whatever he’s hiding before their burgeoning affair gets struck down by penalties?

Reader Advisory: This story has been previously released as part of the Out of Bounds anthology by Total-E-Bound

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2263

Review: This is the last part of a fun little series set in the football world of the Griffons and done by this author as well as Cheryl Dragon and Stephanie Burke. One of the things I loved about this series, it gave me two of the things I love most in reading, sports and hot guys. This story was as well written as the others, and continued with the amazing cast of supporting characters.

In this story, not only do opposites attract but also opposing teammates are attracted to each other. We met Paul as part of the workings in “Making the Pass”, as he pushed Aiden and Jack together, gets his story here. He has longed for and lusted after Ryan, the punter for the Griffons worst rivals, the Dragons. Ryan has had the same feeling as Paul, but just like Paul, he doesn’t pursue a relationship because Paul is on that other team. Ryan also has a side to him that he’s not sure someone like Paul would be able to handle. He’s a dominant in bed, and love to play with toys. In fact, some of his best fantasies have been using his toys on Paul. And a past relationship has put Ryan in fear of ever leaving himself open for being hurt again.

Jack and Aiden goad Paul into finally taking the chance and going after Ryan. Ryan think he has his heart well protected and can take the hit if Paul runs when he finds out about Ryan’s kink. Surprise, Paul has a natural submissive side. Things are taken to another level when Ryan admits to his kink and Paul decides to take the chance and see if he can handle what Ryan dishes out. Ryan’s faith in his ability to read a lover and his insecurities keep him from wanting to commit fully, but Paul has no problem with saying I love you almost from the first.

Along the way Ryan is injured to the point where he can no longer play football, will that affect the way Paul feels about him? It did to his last lover, Duke. Duke was about the lime light and money that Ryan had because of his career in the NFL and put up with the kink because of that. Then when Ryan and Paul have their first scene, complete with spanking, nipple claps etc., Paul enjoys it but freaks afterwards because he did enjoy it and leaves. Ryan decides that he has to be true to himself, even if that means no Paul in his life.

I enjoyed watching the two of them work their way into the loving relationship they both wanted and needed. Paul realized he needed to give up control and Ryan helped him to understand that what happened between them was okay, because it was just between them.

This was well written, making it easy to see how the relationship worked between the two of them. The sex, while kinky and hot, was more about the trust and love working between the men. I would love the authors to visit this world again, and to write more stories about the Griffons football team.

Making the Pass by Cheryl Dragon

18365454Title:  Making the Pass 

Author:  Cheryl Dragon

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length:  Short (75 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound (August 30th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

BlurbOn the field and in bed, Aiden and Jack are a perfect match. But when reality and pride interfere, will they be able to become a team.

Aiden and Jack are both hot, gay men and play weekend football for the Griffons. Their similarities end there. Jack is blue-collar and sees both the attraction to Aiden and the divide between them. His career is delivering packages to fancy offices, including the one where Aiden works. On the field, they spark and win, but it takes a friend’s nudging before Jack turns the mutual macho posturing to passionate sex.2179

The physical connection between Aiden and Jack is easy, but they’ll need extra practice for the relationship part. Aiden tries to fit in with Jack’s friends, but when Aiden invites Jack to an office party, Jack refuses. Thankfully, the rift won’t stop the game from progressing, and neither man is a quitter!

Title originally published in the Out of Bounds Anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2262

Review: As a major sports lover and a football fan, I loved this book. This is another one that is part of a fun little series set in the football world of the Griffons and done by this author, as well as Stephanie Burke and Megan Slayer. In this book, Aiden and Jack, the executive and blue-collar worker, come together in the same locker room that we meet Dolton and Dean from In the Red Zone.

In this story, one of the issues dealt with is the perceived differences between blue collars versus white, studs versus geeks. Teammates, Aiden and Jack have danced around their attraction to each other for a while. Aiden sees Jack as a love them and leave them type, while thinking that Jack never sees beyond the geek in him. Jack wonders why a smart man like Aiden would or could ever be interested in him and he deals with his attraction to Aiden by pretending that it’s another teammate Aiden is attracted to. Aiden tries very hard to live up to what he thinks Jack’s world would want him to be instead of being himself.

I loved that Aiden and Jack have to work at making their relationship work. They have ups and downs, and insecurities for both that pop up along the way to love between them. Aiden’s testing of Jack when he invites him to a company function is real life. Something we’ve all done, a ‘prove to me that you love me’ type thing. The interaction and play with toys between the two as they work on taking their relationship farther is well written sex and incredibly hot to read.

What I loved was that all of the books in this series dealt with a rocky road to love, the building of relationships and hot wild sex. The cast of surrounding characters, such as coach and her red heels, are as much fun to read about as Aiden and Jack.

In the Red Zone by Stephanie Burke

18365451Title:  In the Red Zone 

Author:  Stephanie Burke

Genre:  Contemporary

Length: Short (76 Pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound (August 30th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb: Can Dolton and Dean withstand the rain of opposition when they come together and cross the line of scrimmage?


Dolton is a strong black man, confident in what he wants in life and how to get it. The adjunct professor at Northeastern University has multiple degrees and has travelled the world, learning from the people he observes. So why is it that blond hunk Dean Majors has his mind twisted, his cock hard, and his reactions all out of whack? Dolton knows he has to have the beautiful man, and will do anything to get the longhaired god in his bed and in his life.

Dean Majors is a construction worker by trade and the heart of Team Griffon. He is not closeted gay man, but he doesn’t advertise his orientation, either. Something he is happy about when his old friend Robbie Keton joins the Griffons. Robbie’s negative attitude is something he has to distance himself from, especially when he realises he has a more than man-sized crush on the team’s uber-intelligent and exotic middle linebacker, Dolton Pride.
2179

Together the two men are a potent fire, their lust burning hot. But can it withstand the bitter rain of opposition and threats that threaten their happiness when they cross the line of scrimmage?

Title originally published in the Out of Bounds Anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2264

Review:  This is one part of a fun little series set in the football world of the Griffons and done by this author as well as Cheryl Dragon and Megan Slayer.

In this story, opposites do attract, get a bit kinky and fall in love. Dolton is a well-educated professor, a top, Dean is a stereotype hot construction worker, and self avowed pushy bottom. And while they’re both gay, neither is advertising the fact. The two of them have been eyeing each other for some time, creating fantasies for their alone time, wanting to see where a real relationship could lead. These fantasy scenes dreamed by both men were of some of the hottest written sex I’ve read.

They have to deal with playing a perceived macho man’s game as gay men, in the real world. It’s a real world that includes Dean’s homophobic friend, Robbie an ex-NFL player who seems to want to keep his glory days going by imparting his “wisdom” to his new teammates. Dean figures his best action is to just tune Robbie out now, because this Robbie isn’t the guy he knew back when. The rest of Dean’s teammates have had just about enough of Robbie too, for which Dean has some guilt since he was the one who brought Robbie onto the team. The final confrontation between Dean and Robbie grows during the course of the season and is in a lot of ways a really a sad thing to read, knowing that in real life there are people that intolerant.

The pursuit of each other was a fun thing to watch, the writing is well done. The secondary characters in this book do show up in the other stories, and are a great rounding out of the cast of teammates.

One of the funnier lines of the book was when a teammate was talking to Dolton and calls Dean the “ass of death”. There are these moments of humour; hotly written sex and the relationship between Dolton and Dean make this a great read.

Elements of Retrofit by N.R. Walker

17901475Title: Elements of Retrofit

Series: Thomas Elkin Book #1

Author: N.R. Walker
Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (89 pages)

Publisher: Total-E-Bound (October 4th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:
♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Book one in the Thomas Elkin series.

Even the strongest of buildings start out as plans on paper, and every architect knows that sometimes plans need to change. Sometimes, these lessons are learned on the job.

A successful New York architect, Thomas Elkin almost has it all. Coming out as gay and ending his marriage before his fortieth birthday, he needed to start living his life. Now, four years later, with his relationship with his son back on track, and after a few short-lived romances, this esteemed traditional draftsman thought he knew everything about architecture, about life.

Cooper Jones, twenty-two years old, is about to take the architect world by storm. Talented, professional, driven, and completely infuriating, Cooper is the definition of Generation Y.

Starting an internship working with Thomas, Cooper is about to knock Tom’s world off its axis. Tom can teach Cooper about the industry, but Cooper is about to teach Tom a few things about life.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2332

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: What a fun chase and a slow build between newly single Thomas Elkin and intern Cooper Jones. Tomas has been closeted for his entire adult life, married, then divorced with a grown son and has a successful career as an architect. After the big D, he’s had his flings and one-offs, but can’t control his newfound desire for his intern of all people! And to top it off, his new attraction is one of his son’s best friends from school. Thankfully, they are able to keep it professional in the workplace, even though the secretary sees right through them! This delightful story is full of interesting architectural design facts, and a great tease between the two MC’s. I love it when they finally snap and the floodgates open! Then it’s a sexual marathon that shows the two are very compatible! It’s a fun read, and Cooper Jones is definitely strong enough to hold his own against the experienced and talented Thomas Elkin. I love it that Cooper doesn’t let the experienced and controlling Thomas take over. He keeps the reins of his own career and life, while still driving new passion into Thomas’. I look forward to finding out what is in store for this dynamic duo next!

Knights and Butterscotch by Faith Ashlin

18365572Title: Knights and Butterscotch     

Author: Faith Ashlin     

Genre: Alternative World    

Length: Novella (177pgs)    

Publisher: Total E-Bound (20th September 2013)    

Heat Level: Moderate    

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 4½ Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: A story of modern-day knights, paint-splattered artists and a lightning bolt of attraction that hits hard enough to make a knight think he’s going crazy. And then things get complicated.

The year is now, the place is somewhere like here, but the feeling is very different. Matti Elkin is a modern-day knight and, while he may not have a horse or a suit of shining armor, he’s brave and true, has a sense of duty, and honor a mile wide and a passionate belief in his king.

There’s a war on and the knights are fighting hard, but while on R&R Matti is hit hard with an overwhelming attraction for Jamie, a tall, handsome painter.

Jamie makes his head spin and his cock harden, and has him acting in ways that make him question his own sanity. But when the war takes an appalling turn, they are both thrown into a world of confusion that has them questioning everything they thought they knew.   

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2320    

Review: Matti is a modern-day Knight, fighting for his King and the safety of his country. On a rare day off and at a co-worker’s wedding, Matti meets a painter who rocks his world and has Matti acting in ways he never has before. Jamie is astounded at the attraction he feels for Matti, but he grabs the feelings Matti evokes and embraces the moment. But when the war takes a bad turn Matti discovers that he might never have really known the true Jamie, and Jamie has to convince Matti that he is really the only one who knew the true him. Jamie has no choice but to embrace a duty that he turned away from, but with Matti by his side he can be the person that the country needs while being the man he really is in private. 

This is a brilliant story in an alternative world, with two strangers acting on their instant attraction leading to a love that can withstand any shock or surprise. Matti has dedicated his life to his King, he is loyal and fiercely dedicated, as a Knight, he protects the country, and with a war against the Northern invaders, he has little time off. Jamie left his old life behind to become a painter; he loves his life of painting and just wants recognition in the Gallery’s. When the two meet sparks fly and before they part they ensure they will see each other again. With Matti fighting a war their visits are brief and just as they are getting to know each other better disaster strikes and Matti has difficulty in seeing Jamie as the man he fell in love with.

I loved this story, the way that the story was written so the old world values were brought into the modern-day war was brilliant and the attraction between Jamie and Matti seemed to leap off the page. While their relationship started off with a high and while they were happy, they still had things to sort out to become closer and get to know each other better in the short flashes of time they had together. When Jamie’s secret come out I was surprised, there was no hint just a sudden revelation. Matti’s reaction was brilliant and I loved the way he struggled with the revelation but managed to find a way to help and support Jamie in his desperate time of need. 

This is a really good storyline which flows smoothly showing a great couple who manage to conduct a relationship even though they are apart for a large amount of time, it also shows us the difficulties they both face as they come to grips with the truth of their situations and the love and support they both offer the other. We only get a little information on the world they live in, but it reminded me of long days past when counties invaded each other for land. We see both Matti and Jamie stepping into roles they aren’t quite comfortable with but with them standing together, they dig deep within themselves and shine. 

I recommend this if you love alternative worlds where Knights still roam (in armor-plated vehicles), painters proving to be more than they first seem, hot sex in snatched moments, a love that can stand a shocking revelation and a great cheeky ending.

The Quiet Game by Willa Okati

2370005019580Title:  The Quiet Game

Author: Willa Okati

Genre:   Comedy/Humor/Contemporary

Length: Novella (59 pages)

Publisher: Total e-bound (September 12th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer:   Mandingo

Blurb: Flirtatious Rhys loves nothing better than chatting up handsome strangers on the job—until quirky Jareth, a player with unique moves, captivates him with absolute silence.

Server and bartender at Rook’s, a restaurant rumoured to be lucky for lovers, Rhys enjoys his life to the fullest. A playful social butterfly, he revels in flirtation and flights of fancy. Though he’s never been one for settling down, after seeing so many happy couples in action he’s started to wonder if it’s about time.

Then Rhys meets Jareth. Or, more properly, Jareth meets Rhys, jumping the terrace fence at Rook’s when they’re closed and there’s no crowd to be lost in. Quirky and compelling, Jareth catches the loquacious Rhys’ attention with deliberate, absolute silence. No matter how Rhys may tempt him, Jareth refuses to speak a word—but there are other ways to get his point across, and Jareth has no problem making his intentions and desires for Rhys crystal clear.

Communicating with the captivating charmer is a challenge, but Rhys is having the time of his life playing the quiet game. He might even—much to his surprise—have started falling for Jareth, a man who makes his own luck when it comes to love

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2302

Review:   I loved the premise of the story, hence why I chose to review it. But, I just couldn’t get into it for some reason.  Rhys is clearly the kind of guy that everyone man loves to love – literally. And Jareth is a quite mysterious sort, who every man would want to get to know. His air of mystery is appealing and you want to know he’s ‘chosen’ not to talk.  The reader must assume that the story will be revealed and that the jig will be up eventually.  And, since it’s a short story, it’s not going to take that long to get to the point. Spoiler alert:  In a noisy world, sometimes the best means to be noticed is to simply remain quiet – sort of the ‘pregnant pause’ notion.

The story progresses and the reader’s questions are answered, but the only missing piece is ‘why’ should we care about Rhys and Jareth? What is it about the two characters that should make the reader want to root for them?  A quirky, sexy, mysterious man is not enough to make me think that the pro and antagonist should end up together. I took solace in the notion that The Rook is meant for lovers and that this is the premise behind why Jareth and Rhys must get together.

The author’s use of non-verbal cues is nicely handled and so from a writing standpoint, that is very, very clever. Jareth leading Rhys along “the quiet game” is interesting to read even knowing what the end will eventually be. The men only know each other a few days and the end should seem contrived, but it doesn’t. The reader can assume that the capitulation has its precedent in the unusual progress of their relationship.

This is a fun short read for anyone not seeking a deep story, but instead a quick romp, maybe over a lunch of curry and dark beer (a feature at The Rook).

Till Mercy by Arvil Ashton

2326Title: Till Mercy

Author: Avril Ashton

Genre: Paranormal/Multicultural

Length: Novella (94 pages)

Publisher: Total E Bound Publishing (September 27th 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:A suicide mission to avenge the death of his family brings an outspoken professor face-to-face with his worst enemy, and a new chance at life and love.

He’d topped the Paranormal Security Council’s hit list at one time, but Professor Nathan Valte has been given a second chance. Instead of moving on, Nathan is pedaling backward. Consumed with guilt and grief, he sets out for revenge, hunting the leopards who brutally murdered his wife and child. Armed and ready to die, he heads into the Colorado Mountains.

In Nathan’s way, preventing him from achieving his goal is one of them. The enemy. In the arms of his worst nightmare, Nathan finds forgiveness and acceptance. In the arms of a leopard lies hope for a future, if only Nathan is brave enough to embrace mercy instead of retribution

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?CAT_ID=&P_ID=2326

Review: This is book three of the Paranormal Security Council series, yet stands alone ok. You do know more about the past and why Nate is like he is if you read Till Surrender.

Nate is still suffering from his loss, even though he realizes not all paras are responsible for his wife and daughter and not all are bad. He feels he has no reason to live and just wants to get his own justice by killing the leopards that killed his wife and daughter and joining them. Yes, the poor man is on a suicide mission.

Pres has problems of his own, he is dealing with personal issues with is long-time lover Ian, One of the council leaders has come up missing and another is ill, and he has another secret that doing this mission with Nate will force him to look at some skeletons in his closet he doesn’t want to see.

I love, love, love this series. I like the diversity of genres. Some books are M/M, some are M/F, and all are amazing

I love the depth and connection of the story and characters. You can feel the pain, the need, the frustration. It’s amazing!

I’ve been waiting what seems forever for this story and was not disappointed! I will warn you these stories do end with cliffhangers!  Bites nails waiting for the next one!

I highly recommend this if you like paranormal series, shifters of all breeds, unique types of paranormal characters, suspense, some very hot mansex and cliffhangers!

Whirlwind by Bailey Bradford

2276Title: Whirlwind 

Series: Southern Spirits 08     

Author: Bailey Bradford     

Genre: Paranormal, M/M/M     

Length: Novella (87pgs)     

Publisher: Total E-Bound (16th September 2013)     

Heat Level: Moderate     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥ 3½ – 4 Hearts    

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Dying sucks, but the afterlife is one hot place to be.

Stefan wasn’t physically perfect in life, and his search for someone to love him resulted in his murder. Now he’s been dead for years, and he’s lonelier than he ever was when he was alive. His physical problems might have vanished when his body ceased to live, but his spirit has to deal with the memories of the past.

Jordan and Gideon are friends who share eager guys when they can find them. But, being in a war zone hasn’t allowed that to happen often. One roadside stop puts an end to their lives. Jordan and Gideon are at a loss to understand what happens to them, why they stay behind when others go up into the light. Searching for answers, they head to Jordan’s hometown—McKinton, Texas—but a hell of a lot of things have changed in the decade and a half since Jordan left.

Namely, the arrival of one wicked, joyful spirit named Stefan.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of voyeurism.     

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2276    

Review: This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Stefan wasn’t mentally perfect when he was alive but now with his spirit free of human restrictions he has grown in leaps and bounds, and with everyone around him, both living and spirit, finding love he begins to long for love himself. Jordan and Gideon lose their lives in a war zone, still stuck on Earth the friends go to Jordan’s hometown puzzled and confused as to why they haven’t moved on. In McKinton they discover more than they bargained for in the form of sweet and sexy Stefan but first they have to prove their worth to Conner, Stefan’s protector. 

Ah sweet Stefan’s story, this is one book that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. We first met Stefan in Aftermath and discovered what had happened to him. If you haven’t read Aftermath, then there is a brief summation from Stefan so you wouldn’t feel like you are missing something. Now, Stefan has friends and for the most part loves his new circumstances. But, he now longs for love like all his friends have. Gideon and Jordan head to McKinton when they find themselves spirits, they have been friends for years and have shared men but have never confessed to each other the longing they both have for the other. Meeting Stefan has both men longing for the sexy mischievous spirit but they get off to a bad start and Stefan has them both confronting their feelings for each other.

This is a great little book with some mischievous high-jinx from Stefan, a spirit brawl, sexy men admitting how they feel and a very protective spirit making sure his friend is treated right. Gideon and Jordan have always fancied each other but decided their friendship was too important to chance more, but now they decide to explore their attraction but they both have their eye on sexy Stefan. Once Stefan overcomes the first disastrous encounter with Jordan and Gideon, he begins to think that he could find love, but when both Gideon and Jordan find it hard to confess how they feel for each other Stefan thinks he has lost his chance. 

I really enjoyed this story and was so glad to see Stefan getting his dream and he is as wonderful as ever. Jordan and Gideon make a great addition to the spirits of McKinton and Stefan sure knows how to handle them. The way the story played out was great with the three of them sorting their problems out under the watchful eye of Conner, although I was surprised that Stefan managed to end up in so much trouble. 

I will recommend this to those who love spirits finding love, some great action, some mischief and fun, hot sexy men having steamy sex and a sweet ending. 

 

 

Journey To Hope by J.P. Bowie

2334Title: Journey To Hope

Series: Sexy Snax/Ride ‘Em Cowboy

Author: J.P. Bowie

Genre: Contemporary/Cowboy

Length: Novella (84 pages)

Publisher: Total-E-Bound (October 4th, 2013) Available as a Buy Now, Read Now

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:
♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb: An ex-con finds a new life and love in a place called Hope.

This time Royce and Parker are worried that their friend Brett Taylor has made a big, big mistake in hiring a new man to help run Hope Ranch. Joel Harper, the local sheriff, is especially concerned as he’s been notified by the authorities that the man has only recently been released from Wyoming State Penitentiary.

Josh Kenyon has spent eight years behind bars for a crime he says he didn’t commit, and that he was framed for. Brett believes him, and when the feelings they have for one another become much more than mere attraction, he is determined to find someone who can prove Josh’s innocence.

But his good intentions cause unforeseen chaos when a man from Josh’s past arrives with only one thing in mind—silencing Josh forever.

Reader Advisory: This story contains some of the characters from the Ride ‘em Cowboy books, however it stands alone.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2334

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This book lives up to its expectations as a short sexy snack. It has some predictability in that whole sexy ranch hand becomes hot lover theme, but has a fun twist the whole whodunit and how did they get away with it murder plot. I like how many of J.P. Bowie’s other characters from the Ride Em Cowboy series appear in this book to regroup as friends and a dream team of individuals that come to help Josh and do a little detective work for Brett. Of course Brett and Josh eventually have an unbelievable amount of hot sex, but that’s part and parcel to this type of book, so if that’s what you’re in the mood for, then by all means have some fun reading this hot little cowboy lust story.

At First Touch by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes

18054624Title:  At First Touch

Series:  International Men of Sports, Book #3

Author:  T. A. Chase and Devon Rhodes

Genre:  Gay/Multicultural/Athletes

Length:  Novella (65 pages)

Publisher:  Total-E-Bound Publishing (August 9th, 2013)

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Laurie

Blurb:  Excelling at the game he loved was everything to King, until Lukas showed him at first touch how much better his life could be…
Ewansiha ‘King’ Kroenig is at the pinnacle of his professional football career, even with a problem knee. He keeps his cool and keeps his head down, and that control has served him well. King is bisexual and has been known to date beautiful women, while he also occasionally satisfies his craving for men with the team’s trainer. It’s a good life, but starting with one bizarre and personal request from his ex, Silvia, his orderly life goes spinning out of control.

Lukas has no problem admitting he’s gay, but with a loudly homophobic team captain, he knows better than to go there around the team. He has his whole career ahead of him and is being groomed to take over for their star player, King Kroenig. If he admires King for more than his athletic prowess, what can it hurt?

No harm, no foul…until a certain trainer who knows them both well decides to play matchmaker, then all bets are off. And once they’ve experienced that first taste, they want more. But it’s not as simple as hooking up or dating when you’re team-mates, with high profiles and little privacy. And when they each suddenly gain responsibilities they never expected, they must figure out a way to reconcile their personal lives with the expectations of others.

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2277

Review:  Let’s start by saying that as an American when I hear football, I think of our version of it. Not the football most of the rest of the world plays. And this book is about the version the rest of the world plays. The references to the football are generic enough for non-sports people to understand most of.

I love how the authors have addressed homophobia that still exists within the world of sports, professional sports especially. King Kroenig is actually bi-sexual, always having one of the world’s most beautiful women on his arm. He keeps the need for the occasional man well hidden. He knows that most of his team just wouldn’t understand and he’s afraid of what it would do to his career if that knowledge came out. While the team’s trainer Sergio is gay, nothing is ever confirmed so the team doesn’t seem to have a real problem with it. King and Sergio have scratched each other’s itches on occasions unknown to the team. However, King has his eye on a teammate; too bad, he can’t do anything about it.

Teammate Lukas is gay; he and Sergio have also scratched a few itches between them. Therefore, Sergio reads Lukas’ lusting from afar after King. But Lukas believes the man is straight, so from afar is all it’s ever going to be. Also, he doesn’t want to deal with the ugliness that would happen if his homophobe Captain found out he was gay. So, nothing is ever going to happen unless Lukas gets a little help from his friendly know everyone’s secrets team trainer. Which Sergio is more than happy to set up for them.

Added complications arise when one of King’s ex-girlfriends want him to make a donation to expand the numbers of her family with her steady girlfriend.  Also added to the mix also it the teen kid Lukas rescue from the gay club the guys go to and takes him home. Lukas is going to let the kid stay as long as he needs to or forever he hopes.

Things become a mixed up mess between the set up of King and Lukas, a needy teenage boy, sperm donations, an ex-girlfriend and her ladylove, a gay trainer, homophobic teammates, camera phone pictures and injuries. It’s a fun mix to read and sort though. I loved the characters or most of them anyway. This was a great read, very enjoyable for me a sports fan.

Dominant Predator by S.A. McAuley

17402451Title: Dominant Predator

Series: Borders War, #2

Author: S.A. McAuley

Genre: Dystopian-Futuristic

Length: Novel (137 Pages)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (September 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: A relationship is the least of Merq and Armise’s concerns…

With one bullet, Merq Grayson set the wealthiest citizens of the world on a collision course with the poorest—with those fighting for their freedom. As the Borders War reignites, the Revolution faces heavy losses. They scramble to maintain their advantage, to strike at the Opposition and crumble their power structure before they are able to rally.

But Merq is in the midst of an internal battle that shakes him to the core. For the first time in his life, Merq will have to reconcile the inherent tragedy of war and decide just how much vengeance can be justified by spilt blood. How much can he trust the men and women around him? The President, Neveed, his former soldiers, his parents…and Armise.

Merq and Armise find themselves off grid and on the hunt for Committee members. Merq is just as unsettled with Armise at his side as he was with Armise as an enemy, but they will have to learn how to fight together—or they may just die together.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence.

Product Link:http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2319

Review: I am left speechless with this book. It was remarkable to say at least, and while I expected it to be good, I honestly didn’t think it’d be this good. McAuley can definitely write war and reading this futuristic humanity’s huge cluster-fuck was a hell of a ride.

In book two of the Borders War series, we view Merq going through so many changes. Subtle at first yet gaining intensity as the story moves forward, Merq finds himself in unknown territory for the first time in his life. Everything he was, everything he knew, everyone he trusted, or not, everything around him changes making it extremely difficult for Merq to cope.

The Olympics are over thanks to him and his bullet hitting true, and while Merq never expected to make it out of there alive his world shakes up big time when his former nemesis and secretly lover Armise helps him escape the stadium alive. And Armise comes with this huge revelation that he doesn’t want to keep living anymore if Merq isn’t alive and in his life, thus changing sides not because he believes in the Revolution, but because his one and only loyalty lies with Merq. And is what really shocks Merq to the core.

Now this might not make an impact for you who are not acquainted with the series, but Merq is a very peculiar person. He was “created” for the sole purpose of being a soldier, the perfect soldier at that. An indestructible weapon that will do anything and surpass any obstacle to complete his given mission. Even he doesn’t view himself completely human, his emotions long ago beaten out of him, and his entire being built within walls, shut down until nothing at all existed except his job and his President.

To have Armise make such a declaration and follow it up with turning sides and coming to life, like that, is such a great life-altering change for Merq, that he finds it impossible to deal with. Yet he has to, as he just set the world on fire and the aftermath is bloody and violent unlike anything he has yet seen.

Point is my thoughts are quite scattered. I don’t know what to address first. The world this author has built is just awesome. The differences between the poor and rich people, the ugliness of the citizens’ reality right there for you to see and feel, the world and power order, the dynamics, and the balance between lost knowledge and new technology was amazing. The war that issued was brilliant, the fact that the Revolution was losing more than one would think made for credibility and gave authenticity to the story, even as I wondered how on Earth they went through that plan that had no solid backup for the aftermath.

Then there were the characters; all of them had this uniqueness about them. You could distinguish them from each other with ease, each of them making an impact. I can actually remember every single character in this book, even the lowest soldier, and that is quite an achievement. It was a distinct difference from the first book, that this time around each character was more visible, prominent, and their mission a bit clearer in this book.

As for our main characters, what is there to be said for them and not be an understatement? I don’t know who I loved more; I don’t think they could be better. Their relationship is a war in itself, a fight that has been going on and on for years and we only saw a glimpse of that in book #1. The feelings and emotions emerging from this couple are enormous and so, so raw. The fact that they literally kept trying to kill each other in the past, leaving permanent marks on each other’s body that are described in graphic detail, make their growing intimacy much more potent. The fact that both of them are trained killers used to work alone, and now making a team and trying to fit with each other while not letting those unnamed feelings in the way was a textbook on intensity. Absolutely delicious! They are simply perfect together; the unstoppable Merq and the unmovable Armise. Two pieces that when joined make the ultimate death-machine. But I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the best of them yet, and that the next installment will be glorious.

 And I’m not even mentioning the erotic part between them. Meh, that was near perfect. Brutal, vicious, and most times almost deadly. The feelings running deep without even being mentioned at all, so refreshing and so utterly hot.

I just loved this book; I really, really was knocked out from this read, and I really, really can’t wait for the next one to come. Totally recommended!

 

Dancing on the Edge by L.M. Somerton

2300Title: Dancing on the Edge

Series: Tales from the Edge #3             

Author: L.M. Somerton

Genre:  BDSM / Action

Length: Novella (112 pages)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (September 13th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3~3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Life is a dance. Whether you lead or follow, the passion of it should sweep you away.

Carey and Alistair have the kind of relationship that is the envy of their friends. Carey is an old-fashioned Dom who appreciates quiet obedience. Alistair is a sub who is comfortable in his skin and finds peace in his submission. Needless to say, their happiness is too good to last.

When Alistair’s powerful father chooses his reputation over his son, all hell is let loose. Forcibly committed to a clinic for reversion therapy, Alistair can only hope that his lover will save him.

Carey calls on his friends from The Edge and they band together not just to rescue Alistair but also to protect his future. They’ve all flirted with danger in the past – but friendship is worth any risk. As the tension mounts and the stakes get higher, new bonds are forged but will Carey and Alistair’s love survive?

Reader Advisory: This book contains the use of restraints, the pushing of boundaries and edging, kidnap, forceful imprisonment and forms of visual torture along with scenes of prolonged physical torture. It also contains characters with extreme prejudiced views. This book is best read in sequence as part of the series.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2300

Review: Here I go back to the Tales from the Edge series and book three was actually quite appealing for me. Unlike the previews one, the relationship followed here was a solid one and both characters were equally charming and comfortable in their love.

Carey is a near forty years old man, and while the fear that his young lover will one day leave him for a younger one is there lurking in the corner, he is in a most delightful relationship with Alistair. Everything is quite sweet for them and I admit that this is one of the few D/s relationships I’ve read that managed to give me a sense of normality. I found everything, everything, about Carey and Alistair perfectly normal, sweet, and damn it like the relationship next door. They seem like an old marriage couple, that good, that comfortable, and that easy on the eyes and mind.

But life is never easy and when things were the most calm, that’s when the storm hit suddenly and violently. The plot is not a hard one; a bigoted father who for the sake of his fame and name puts his son into a “curing” clinic. We’ve seen this before and admittedly this story was kind of fun even if the subtext was a dramatic one.

That’s what made me like this read so much, beside the small length, and the many invasions. The time our main characters spent on letters here is yet again too little since Carey and Alistair are separated. But the story is filled with (surprise!) Olly and Joe, and Heath and Aiden as they came to the rescue. And while I was pissed in book #2 for not having much time with Aiden and Heath, well my wish was granted and we witness this pair in quite many scenes here as they do absorb quite a big chunk of space. And there’s of course Olly… you know… the little brat… No comment about his shenanigans, he is just a hurricane of a character bound to turn everything upside down in his pass.

So even as the story is not something hard or difficult, and even as there is again not much going on with the main characters, I still liked this one. It was fun, and it was funny. The bad guy was a bit of a surprise in the end. The second bad guy vanished and that pissed me off a bit, I mean, he deserved some jail time, but never mind. We got to meet some new characters that are probably going to feature on the next installments; I’m pretty sure Becket and Christian (how sweet as Olly said) are going to have their story and I’m quite interested into reading that one. So all in all, it was an enjoyable, easy-going read, with a nice pace and lacking the overwhelming drama.

 I liked it!

 

Dance of the Wolf by H.C. Brown

81d0Hb-Z+RL._SL1500_Title: Dance to the Wolf

Series: Tull Pride #1

Author: H.C. Brown

Genre:  Paranormal (Shifters)

Length: Novel (175 pages)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (September 5th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥1.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Sold as a pleasure slave to a werewolf, Eton’s survival depends on the love of Raz. Can the tiger shifter rescue him before certain death on the full moon?

In love with a slave from another realm, the Tull Alpha, Raz, plans to free Eton and take him for his lover. However, politics cause a delay and Raz arrives late at the auction to find Eton’s master has sold the handsome young man as a pleasure slave.

Six months later, Raz discovers Eton dancing to entice customers in the infamous Den of Depravity at Tennabolt Gate. The knowledge that the Beast of Darktrees has bought Eton for his own form of wickedness throws Raz into an impossible position. To rescue his young man means war between the shifters and the werewolves. He must regain Eton’s affection because his love is all the slave has to sustain him in the hands of the Lycaon.

Reader Advisory: This book contains forced, non-consensual sex, whipping, prostitution, torture, and voyeurism, which readers may find distressing.

Product Link:http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2292

Review: I did not like this book. The reasons don’t lie in the fact that there were forced, non-con, torture scenes etc. It was rather the other way around.

Now I find great pleasure in well-written fiction that contains abuse of all sorts, what can I say? I’m a perv. I find a deep interest when the tortured character is depicted rather realistically, and I thrive in scenes that contain explicit sexual acts of all sorts.

This book failed at all the above, even as the implication was there. The distress of being a pleasure slave was implied on behalf Eton, his despicable life was also implied, his shattered mind was somehow implied, and his pain from being betrayed by his loved one and left to rot in a hellhole was implied indeed. Not once did I felt any of the above. Even the inner thoughts of a slave forced to sex with numerous men with no consideration for his life or wellbeing were mild at least. I can’t even say Eton appeared detached, or shell-shocked, or hardened by his life. He was plain, simple, bland, and quite normal. Oh yes, he “said” he was affected, many times at that, but did he show it? No!

And there was Raz, the Supreme Alpha of the Cat. I cannot say how displeased I am with this character. This entire book revolves around the fact that Eton is a slave, and while Raz wants to rescue him because he’s his mate, he can’t, so Eton must rescue himself. The only real action we saw from a “powerful” Alpha was in the end when he managed to kill the Beta Werewolf who’d been using his mate, while leaving the “spawn of the devil” the creator of werewolves himself escape… You cannot image my distress at that scene. Even there this character managed to fail every idea of an Alpha I’ve gathered through the years reading about shifters. I suppose the bad guy had to survive in order for a reason this series to continue, but that bad judgment on behalf of Raz after failing again and again to save his mate was the final point in weakening his image even more in my eyes.

As for the bad guy here, Alverez, the Cursed One, the creator of all werewolves, he is often described in the book with not so flattering adjectives. He is supposed to be evil beyond imagination. People talk about him in hushed voices, and are afraid of the very mention of the strong Alpha. The sex slaves dread the chance of being bought by him, and rumors of the Leader Werewolf killing his slaves by splitting them open with his big appendage and driving into them till they die cause even the braves of them to faint in horror. What I actually read though, was this very considerate werewolf who feared he’d damage his new slave if he used him directly, thus started using different sizes of plugs to slowly make the new slave used to bigger ones. What I also saw is that although this horrible evil werewolf bought the slave Eton specifically for his pleasure and had all guards stay the hell away from him, he allowed his Beta to keep Eton for himself as a mate since his Beta seemed so much in love with Eton and Eton always said it was his pleasure to be near the Beta…

I might be the crazy one here, but according to the realm’s laws about slavery, that damned Alverez guy seemed pretty decent and extremely lonely to me. Heavens but I felt bad for the bad guy.

Anyway, despite the sometimes hilarity of certain events the whole of the book did not do it for me. The narration, the characters, the story as it unfolded didn’t do their magic and left me not liking this book at all.

 

Carlyle's Crossing by Chris Quinton

17974430Title: Carlyle’s Crossing     

Author: Chris Quinton     

Genre: Other Paranormal     

Length: Novella (182pgs)    

Publisher: Total E-Bound (13th September 2013) Available from 16th August 2013 with TEB VIP club.    

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Jubal must face a primordial evil with only an ancient flint knife, two ancestral spirits and Sal at his side. If he fails, more than lives are lost.

Jubal is the last Carlyle, and lives near Seattle, far away from his Abenaki ancestors. A letter from a lawyer draws him and his best friend, Sal, to Vermont and the town of Whitewater. Soon they are right in the middle of the old conflict that drove Jubal’s parents away just before his birth.

Whitewater is suffering and not just from the economic downturn. Unleashed by one man’s obsession to call back the spirit of his dead wife, and by the well-meaning but flawed actions of another, dark forces are bringing depression and hopelessness.

Jubal’s father had neither the talent nor the wish to attempt the task of driving back the incursion, but Jubal knows he has to try. He must find a way to reverse the process before the malaise spreads. But he has no knowledge, no training, just instinct – and Sal. Always Sal, who is rapidly becoming far more than a friend with benefits. The dangers they face are insidious, and more than their lives and sanity are at risk.

Reader Advisory: This book contains language some readers may find offensive.     

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2301    

Review: Jubal has always been different, he has been able to see ghosts ever since he was a child but he doesn’t really have a clue about his heritage, his Abenaki heritage, and he soon discovers that his gift is much more important than he thought. A letter from a lawyer and a persistent spirit has Jubal and his best friend, Sal, heading for Whitewater and answers and they discover a family history and an old man with an obsession. Sal is just along for the ride, his relationship with Jubal has always been more than friendship, but it deepens further as Sal stands by Jubal’s side, as Jubal tries to drive away the darkness, which clings, to Whitewater because of an old man who wants his wife returned to him. 

This is a great paranormal story that blends the Native American’s and First Nation’s into protectors of the flow between the spirit world and the living world. Jubal is drawn back to his father’s birthplace when a letter, an accident, and a break in seem to be too much of a coincidence. Sal and Jubal set off to discover what is going on and they go from f**k buddies to admitting their feelings for each other as they try to discover just what Jubal is supposed to do with the ancient knife his father had hidden. Jubal doesn’t know whom he can trust, but knowing Sal is there for him as he unravels the cryptic messages from his long deceased ancestor means more to him than anything.

Jubal and Sal make a brilliant couple, they have been friends since they were young boys and f**k buddies for a number of years but neither man has ever admitted to wanting more, until a journey to Whitewater brings them closer together than ever. The storyline is great although you are as much in the dark as Jubal, you can piece together what is going on quite well. We see the story unfold, characters come in to play at a good pace, and we do get one or two surprises along the way. The spiritual aspect of the story is great and the spirits are colorful characters, the easy acceptance of Jubal’s gift is wonderful but even Jubal and Sal become uneasy in Whitewater.

I recommend this to those who love spirits, grief-stricken old men, fighting the undesirable blackness, great characters, danger, discovering love, hot sex and a great confrontation and ending. 

 

Living on the Edge by L.M. Somerton

18114637Title: Living on the Edge

Series: Tales from the Edge, #2

Author: L.M. Somerton

Genre: Action / BDSM

Length: Novella (112 pages)

Publisher: Total E-Bound (August 16th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Sometimes it takes willpower to resist temptation but courage to give in.

Aiden Keller is a brilliant and intriguing young man. When he’s convicted of hacking, his sentence takes him to The Edge, a high-end corporate training company with a mysterious sideline. There he is given into the custody of its owner, the enigmatic and demanding Heath Anders, and his business partner Joe Dexter.

From the moment Heath takes charge of Aiden, he recognizes the boy’s submissive nature, even though it is well hidden beneath a veneer of snarky attitude. But for twelve months, Aiden will be his responsibility and Heath cannot allow himself to get involved whilst the boy is obliged to obey him.

Aiden settles into his new life with the help of Olly, Joe’s pretty, submissive boyfriend, who is very perceptive when it comes to noticing the sparks of attraction flying between Aiden and Heath. Slowly and gently, he teaches Aiden that submission is not a weakness and to accept his desire to be dominated.

Unable to resist, Heath starts to test Aiden’s willingness to be obedient, and against all the odds, love (and lust) start to bloom. Aiden, however, is not quite what he seems and his past is about to endanger all their lives.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of BDSM, including D/s, bondage, chastity play, masturbation, and voyeurism. It is best read as part of a series.

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2242

Review: Again, I run into a love-at-first-sight type of book, and again it did not sell itself to me. In addition, the BDSM scenes lost their appeal and magic with the hasty and almost forceful way they were put in the plot. But I liked the action part of the story, quite a lot I might say.

Aiden is a charming character, how can he not when besides being utterly beautiful, he is also quite intelligent. That brilliance though causes him some real troubles when he’s caught by the police and sentenced into twelve month of public service for hacking. His sentence takes him to the Edge and under Heath’s care.

It is right here were the two characters meet and the instant wanting/longing/lust hits the scene. I don’t mind lust, far from it. I find lust one of the best emotions if depicted right. What really weirded me out was the fact that Aiden was a virgin who deep down knew that he was a submissive at twenty years old. Sometimes I don’t know how realistic that thing is. Submission still is a very complex idea to me, and the fact that one pass of the eye was enough for Heath to not only recognize a sub, but going into full possessing/controlling mode, unnerved me.

Rarely, and I mean quite rarely you’ll find me uncomfortable with a book, but this one effectively managed to get me in such state. I felt uncomfortable with the fact that Heath spied Aiden through the cameras in his room. That was blatant voyeurism and dare I say some serious breach of privacy? I was uncomfortable with the fact that these guys just met, Aiden is supposed to serve a sentence, yet Heath goes on a full controlling mode with huge sexual innuendos in there. I was wondering for half the read, should I shelf this as dubious consent?

Anyway, the action plot moved to a more appealing route when Aiden’s story appears not to be what it was made to seem, criminals go after him and Olly once again gets himself in the middle of the fire zone. And while there were some plot holes in there, at least it made up for the implausible romantic D/s relationship between Aiden and Heath. I don’t know how to describe it really, besides the fact that a virgin gave himself to a seasoned Dom without any conversation about what it entails, with no experience whatsoever and in general was expected to behave as if he’d been trawling the leather clubs for years. And the chemistry between the two of them simply did not convince me.

So in the end there were parts I liked and parts I didn’t about this book.

 

The Barman and the Seal by R.J. Scott

17935116Title: The Barman and the SEAL     

Series: Ellery Mountain 06 

Author: R.J. Scott     

Genre: Contemporary     

Length: Novella (99pgs)     

Publisher: Total E-Bound (27th September 2013) Available from 30th August 2013 with TEB VIP club.    

Heat Level: Low – Moderate    

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts   

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: A Navy SEAL with PTSD, a Barman starting a new life. Maybe they can find love in Ellery.

Travis Baranski, Navy SEAL, is the first veteran to attend the Ellery Mountain Veteran Center. He is having a hard time coming to terms with what he had seen and what he has done. When he has a very public meltdown in Ellery stores, Avery Gideon steps up to the plate and helps him.

Avery Gideon, a man cut off from his family for being gay, runs the only bar in town – The Alibi – and listens to many a person’s problems whilst trying to forget his own. He sees something in the wounded warrior who needs a friend and very soon finds himself falling in love with Travis.

Nothing will deter him from helping Travis, or from making Travis see he’s still capable of loving Avery in return. 

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2322     

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Travis is the first veteran at Ellery Mountain Veteran Center. Travis was a SEAL and after a mission gone wrong has several scars inside and out, trying to recover mentally is much harder than he hoped but the Veteran Center is slowly helping. When Travis has a meltdown in the grocery store Avery is the man who steps in and helps. Avery runs The Alibi; he listens to people’s problems as he serves them their drinks trying to forget his own problems with his estranged family. When he meets Travis he sees something in the other man who has him wanting to help him and it isn’t long before he’s head over heels in love and determined to show Travis that he is worthy of that love. 

This is a wonderful addition to the Ellery Mountain series introducing us to more incredible characters and their story of love. Travis is struggling with PTSD and nightmares, his time in hostile hands has scarred him badly, and he knows he has a long journey ahead of him before he can really begin to cope with the past. Avery loves his life in Ellery; he has put his overbearing father behind him and carved out a new life for himself as the barman every talk to. When Avery and Travis first meet, it isn’t in the best of circumstances but both men feel an attraction and they begin a slow dance of courtship. 

Ah hell, this has to be my favorite Ellery Mountain book so far with both Travis and Avery being incredible characters tugging at your heartstrings as their story unfolds. Avery is wonderful, so patient, and loving and he is the perfect man for Travis. Travis is a man torn by suffering, but he is incredible with his understanding of his own limitations but doesn’t let them rule him. Their relationship is slow but oh so powerful and the love they develop is especially strong because of the time they take as Travis begins to heal. While they fall in love, we see how well the Veteran Center is doing, we catch up with the characters from previous stories, and we see how Mikey is recovering from the brutal attack in The Paramedic and the Writer. 

I really can’t tell you how much I love this series and the development of each and every character, and I can’t tell you how much I love the support that shines through the pages as we continue to discover more love in Ellery, but we also see a touch of bigotry coming through from the ignorant which makes you grit your teeth. 

I recommend this to those who love damaged men pushing through their demons, support and love, a slow romance, incredible characters and a great ending that has you wanting Mikey’s story in The Agent and the Model

 

The Case of the Dragon's Dilemma by Amber Kell and R.J. Scott

17447081Title: The Case of the Dragon’s Dilemma    

Series: End Street Detective Agency 03 

Author: Amber Kell & R.J. Scott     

Genre: Paranormal     

Length: Novella (102pgs)    

Publisher: Total E-Bound (20th September 2013) Available from 23rd August 2013 with TEB VIP club    

Heat Level: Moderate      

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts  

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Dragons, battles, a Siren attack and a deal Sam may come to regret leave Sam and Bob in danger…and result in Mikhail finding a mate.

Bob and Sam take their kind-of-adopted-now vampire daughter Mal to look at new schools. Mikhail is left to babysit the last of the remaining rescued children whilst they are away. When Sirens appear to steal her away, he is left facing the attack alone until a mysterious hero comes to his aid.

Ryujin, or Jin to his friends, is a dragon shifter and his role as Captain of the Dragon Guards puts him in direct conflict with Mikhail. The minute he sees Mikhail he knows what he wants. Now if he can only get Mikhail to see the same.     

Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2318    

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Mikhail is babysitting the last of the rescued children when they are attacked by Sirens; rescue comes from an unexpected source in the shape of a sexy dragon shifter Jin. Bob and Sam come back from dropping Mal off at her new school to find the bathroom destroyed and a new quest to undertake…. returning the little dragon shifter princess home and discovering who was behind her kidnapping. Jin is surprised to discover his mate is a vampire/siren hybrid, but Mikhail isn’t sure if he could be a dragons mate. 

Dragon’s *sigh* I just love dragon’s, and this story is an excellent paranormal with a horrid new enemy. Mikhail is left in charge for only a short amount of time when Siren’s attack with the intention of snatching the last remaining child, Eliza, when Jin comes to the rescue they realize that a dragon must have been involved with the original kidnapping. Jin, Mikhail, Sam, and Bob along with Eliza head back to the Dragon Mountains to return Eliza to the safety of her father and to discover who would want to get rid of her. Mikhail and Jin also have to find out if their mating stands a chance, because Mikhail doesn’t have much hope of anyone really wanting a vampire/siren hybrid. 

This story is a wonderful addition to the End Street Detective Agency continuing the kidnapped children/ siren storyline while weaving slightly darker elements into it to give us an exciting dangerous story. While we have met Mikhail in previous books, this book gives us insight into his life and you can’t help but admire him, as his past is unfolded. Jin is a very sexy new character who is also tough, but sweet and vulnerable at times. We see both men instantly connect but because of Mikhail’s mixed heritage, Mikhail doesn’t recognize, at first, that Jin is his mate. Jin is so understanding of Mikhail’s qualms and they really are a fantastic couple when they finally get it together. 

The rest of the storyline reveals more than just the siren’s involvement and we discover that someone, who Jin thought was a good friend, is a traitor. We see Sam make an ill-advised deal in his desperation to save someone, and he is delightful in his worry for Mal. Bob and Sam’s relationship continues to develop and they are brilliant together in this story, as well as the support they show their friend. We also get an excellent ending with hints for the next case. 

I recommend this to those who love brilliant paranormal investigations, danger and mad dragons, new storyline directions, great characters, incredible hot sex and a brilliant ending that leads us to the next book. 

 

Turning Over by Sue Brown

2248Title:   Turning Over

Series: The Arches, Book #3

Author: Sue Brown

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novella (69 pages)

Publisher:  Total E Bound Publishing (August 23, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer:  Cat

Blurb:   Book Three in The Arches series.

Milo has a history of screwing up his life. He meets David at The Arches gym and realizes this is his chance to start afresh.

By some miracle, Milo, Matt’s ex-boyfriend, has managed to hold down his job at The Arches gym, and keep his room in Jimmy’s house, despite being a total slob. But Milo is really bored of cleaning and the menial jobs he does every day. Then David St. Giles walks into the gym, he’s in London for two months and looking for temporary membership. Tall, dark, and handsome David has Milo’s dream job as a political lobbyist and the contacts to get Milo finally into the career he’s always wanted.

Milo has a history of using his boyfriends and friends to get what he wants, and Gabe, Matt’s current boyfriend, is determined to warn David away. David doesn’t take the hint and invites Milo out. Milo is attracted to David, even if the man keeps trying to top him. This time he doesn’t want to take advantage of David, but he’d be stupid not to, wouldn’t he?

Purchase Link:  http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=2248

Review:   Milo is working at a gay gym called the arches. His friend gets him the job when he once again was down and out. Luca gave him job as janitor and Jimmy let him have two months free rent to get on his feet. He meets David and his life changes. Milo is always in control and always a top. But which man will give if either?

I was really loving this story. The banter between David and Milo was Interesting and hot. I was on pins and needles to see the D/s action between them and see if David finally managed to get Milo to submit or if Milo got David to switch. However, I was greatly disappointed when things looked like it was just heating up, I turn the page and it says epilogue…. What the heck?
I will say the story was interesting, the characters were great, the sex pretty good, the ending sweet, but I would have liked one good D/s scene with David and Milo. The end came way too soon, and to me the story felt rushed.

I recommend this to anyone that likes gay gyms, lobbyists, a man set on getting what he wants, awesome friends, and a sweet ending.