Trust and Control by Remmy Duchene (2nd Edition)

Remmy Duchene - Trust and Control CoverTitle: Trust and Control

Author: Remmy Duchene

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (162pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14th November 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Wealthy real estate mogul Christophe Lafavre has everything—except any love life to speak of. Though he has a brilliant head for business, when it comes to relationships, he’s often left fumbling in the dark.

To put a stop to the whispers about his pitiful social life, Christophe takes a suggestion from a friend and goes to a club on masquerade night. There, he meets an elusive hottie who calls himself Raj, and though Christophe cannot see Raj’s face, there’s definitely a connection. Over the phone and online, Christophe and Raj get to know each other. Their conversation is easy and arousing. It’s hard for Christophe to believe the strength of the feelings he’s developing toward a man who is still essentially a stranger, but he can’t get Raj out of his head. They eventually give in to their physical longing—but still Raj refuses to show his face or divulge his identity.

When it comes, the revelation will rock Christophe’s world and redefine more than one relationship in his life.

First Edition published as If I was Your Man by Breathless Press, 2013.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-911-1

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/trust-and-control-by-remmy-duchene-7790-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: I absolutely love Friends to Lovers stories, and after reading the excerpt for this story, I was so hyped up to read this, but the first half of the book is all hot and steamy, and I was breezing through this, until it started to drag on for me. Christophe and his business partner, have been best friends for years, they also co-own a thriving company together. The idea behind the Masquerade piece injected into the story is brilliant. Christophe has everything that he can want in life, except for a significant other. His past lovers are nothing to speak about, because they don’t stay around long enough.

A friend told Christophe that the club they frequent will have a Masquerade night and that he should check it out. He’s free that night, and he goes. There he meets Raj, but Christophe thinks that he’s egotistical. They dance together, and then Christophe reluctantly leaves the bar, but not before they exchange information on how to contact each other. Couple days past and they started messaging each other. Now Raj knows everything there is about Christophe and he wants him, but Chris is the cautious type and doesn’t want to be hurt again by another man. Further into the story, the sex scene in the restaurant is so steamy and hot, but the moment froze over fast when Raj reveals himself to Christophe and that he’s in love with him. Christophe freaks out now, and says some pretty hateful things to Raj and then runs out of the restaurant.

At the office, things are very strained with Christophe and Raj/Jas. Chris doesn’t want to see or talk to Jas, so he hides out in his office, Jas decides that he can no longer work at the company with the way that Chris feels about him with the deception. He works from at home, and then he leaves the country without letting anyone knowing. So after talking with an employee and family members, Chris decides that he can’t live without Jas, and the way that he makes his body sing in bed. So he goes looking for Jas to beg for forgiveness. It then drags out for me, but hopefully for Christophe, he can convince Jas to give him another chance.

Do Not Disturb by Chris Scully

Chris Scully - Do Not Disturb CoverTitle: Do Not Disturb

Author: Chris Scully

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Length: Novella (99pgs)

Publisher: Chris Scully

Heat level: Moderate

Heart Level: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Check-in for a night at the boutique Benton Hotel, where the motto is “we’re not satisfied until you are”, with this collection of three sweet and sexy short stories.

In Watch Me, a hotel clerk makes a surprising discovery about his colleague’s personal life, and an even more unexpected discovery about himself when he borrows a uniform, while a married man looking to spice things up finds a night of passion when he meets a stranger in a hotel pub in Wedded. Finally, in Wanted, a young man exploring his sexuality gets more than he bargained for from his hook-up.

ASIN: B01NCROTM5

Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Do-Not-Disturb-Stories-Romance-ebook/dp/B01NCROTM5

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: First time reading from this author, and I gotta say. I love these three short stories. The Hotel setting description is beautiful and it makes you think that you are there watching everything. With these short stories, there isn’t much romance, but the sex scenes are hot and steamy.

In Watch Me, you have two hotel clerks, Win, works the late-night shift and is a CPA, and Lucas the flirt, works the shift before him and is always a popular with the staff and guest. Win is dealing with a stressful matter at home and doesn’t know how to handle the situation and it’s stressing him out.  Win’s jacket has a coffee stain on it and Lucas is nice enough to loan him his. He finds a note in the pocket which leads to a website and he’s shocked at what he sees. In this story, Win is attracted to Lucas but doesn’t want to do anything about it, he is a jealous twit and can’t get past all the rumors that he hears about Lucas.

In Wedded, there is Dave, who was told to be there for 8 o’clock, is sitting in the hotel’s bar having a drink. He’s been married for 25 years, but doesn’t want to think about that or his husband. He’ll suffer the consequences of this night tomorrow, he says. He takes off his married ring and feels that by taking it off, he doesn’t appreciate the years that he had while the ring was on. He loves his husband, but can’t discount that their married life lately has been boring, and he doesn’t know what to do. He sees this handsome man in the hotel’s bar, tall and broad shouldered. Dave is about to go on a clandestine meeting in one of the hotel’s room. I was hoping for and got the twist that this story took. I loved it.

In Wanted: Evan is under a table hiding from a shootout in the Mall, where he literally saw his life flash before his eyes. Months later, he wants to tick some things off his bucket list, the biggest one is having sweaty sex with a man, and he makes sure that his anxiety attacks won’t stop him. He puts up a notice on Craig’s list for a hook-up, but the person that he meets is a shock for him. Graham, was expecting to meet his sister, not knowing that his sister set him up on a blind date. I love the interaction between Evan and Graham. I loved the way they talked with each other.  They’re open and honest with each other. Graham tell his about his cancer, and having one of his testicles removed. Oh wow, I absolutely love the connection that these two have and was sorry that their story ended. This author did not disappoint and I would gladly recommend this story.

Power Bottom? by Rowan McAllister

Rowan McAllister - Power Bottom? CoverTitle: Power Bottom?

Author: Rowan McAllister

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (236 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (19th September 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Can a pickup line from a stranger completely change the way an ordinary man sees himself?

Adrian wouldn’t have thought so, but after an ugly breakup where his self-esteem took a serious beating, he’s willing to try just about anything to repair the damage… even return to a secluded bar in rural Maryland and the intriguing stranger whose words have been on his mind since they met.

Biker, bouncer, bartender, and tattoo artist, Wyatt is a rolling stone. After fifteen years, he is tired of a life on the run, but he isn’t sure he knows how to do anything else or if he has anything besides a physical relationship to offer.

What’s supposed to be a one-off turns into another and another, and the relationship looks promising until the mob and the FBI come knocking on Adrian’s door.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-686-8

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/power-bottom-by-rowan-mcallister-7538-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: This story started off great, and I was getting into the story and then it gets very confusing. It starts out with Adrian and his then boyfriend, who are out in the mountains trying to reconnect their relationship and having a picnic. Their car breaks down and they’re stranded in the mountains. They set out to find help or someone with a telephone, when they get a Bar and Adrian elects to go inside. While talking to the bartender, Adrian is hit on by a patron, but lets him know that he has a boyfriend.

Days later, Adrian boyfriend returns home from hanging out with friends. Adrian sees a hickie on his neck and calls him on it. Oh boy, he offloads on Adrian and tears him apart. He tells Adrian that he’s cheap, and that he’s extremely boring in bed. He criticizes his home and his clothes. Adrian puts him out. Days later, he goes back to the bar, where the guy hit on him to find out if he can prove to himself that he’s nothing his ex said he was.

He gets together with Wyatt and he’s amazed that someone as big and handsome as Wyatt is interested and wants to spend time with him. They meet up every other weekend and have steamy sex in a Motel. Now Wyatt is keeping things about himself from Adrian. He’s on the run and hiding from his past. But when he thinks that people are following him, and thinks his past has put Adrian’s life in danger, he comes out of hiding. With whatever is going on at Adrian’s workplace and Wyatt’s friend showing up at Adrian’s place telling him about the reason why Wyatt is running, have Adrian feeling as if he’s in a twilight zone.

I like the thriller and all the drama in this story, and if you are interested in that I gladly recommend this story is for you. 

One Night With You by Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer - One Night With You CoverTitle: One Night with You

Author: Megan Slayer

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 54 Pages (short story)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (21st February 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Stars

Blurb: One night to find the man of his dreams in the least likely place…

Airman Tate Gibson thought going to a party at the local college with his friends would take his mind off of his troubles. He’ll head back to Korea in two days time—after the funeral of his baby sister. He’s always taken responsibility for her and he’s not ready to deal with her being gone. He wants a man to help him deal with his sadness and give him a reason to get through his deployment.

Raine crushed on his neighbor across the hallway, but once he spots the hunky airman his thoughts center on Tate. He wants to strip the handsome blue-eyed man down and lick him everywhere, but geeky guys like Raine never get the man. He’s stuck playing the perpetual wallflower.

Will one night tear them apart before things get hot or will it be enough to bring these two wounded souls together for a long-term engagement?

ISBN: 9781786515254

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/one-night-with-you

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: The day before the funeral, he decided to go visit his best friend, who is still in college. He needs a friendly shoulder to cry on. Someone that he can talk o about his loss, and the way his family is treating him. When he reaches his friend’s dorm, he’s hosting a very loud and boisterous party. He doesn’t stay, and decides to leave. He meets Raine in the hallway.

Raine considers himself a geek, and not someone that other guys want to have a relationship with. He was on the way to the party, when he meets the handsome Tate. They started talking and ends up in  Raine’s dorm room drinking beer. They start making out and have sex. Raine just can’t believe that someone as hot as Tate wants him. Tate spends the next couple days with Raine, and the he have to report back to work in Tokyo. Will the time that they spent together show Raine that yes, he’s worthy of Tate’s love, and although they keep in touch with each other. Will the distance bring them closer together?

This author did a good job on this story; it told the pain of losing a sister and the heartache of a parent blaming him for his sister’s death. A parent should never put that blame on anyone. Tate is on leave from the Air Force for a week for his sister’s funeral. She died in a vehicular accident, and his mom and family members blame him for her death. His mom had asked him to take care of his little sister, and he also blames himself, although he wasn’t the cause and wasn’t in the country.

Resuscitating Love by Devon Rhodes

Devon Rhodes - Resuscitating Love CoverTitle: Resuscitating Love

Author: Devon Rhodes

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (40 Pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (31st January 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: If Hill keeps putting cowboys ahead of his marriage, even being a cardiologist won’t help David fix their broken hearts.

Hillard ‘Hill’ Pearson, the new events director of the American Royal, has worked hard to get to where he is. This is his first year as director, and the huge responsibility of the more visible position has taken over his life. Yes, he could be considered a workaholic, but he’s put fifteen years into the event he’s loved since he was a kid, and now is his chance to shine.

When David Weinstein finally convinced his long-time partner, Hill, to marry him, he thought it would bring them closer together. Instead, they’re not even to their first anniversary and their relationship is suffering. David’s finally at a stage in his medical career where he has regular hours, but he can’t seem to connect with his husband when he’s free. Now, with the event that he’s sick of hearing about underway, he feels like he’s making all the effort with no return.

Can Hill and David resuscitate their love before David gives up on the promise of forever?

ISBN: 9781786515056

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/resuscitating-love

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Who doesn’t to read about Cowboys? The Boots, the snug jeans and the swagger in their walk. David and Hillard, ‘Hill’ has been together for about fifteen years, but married only one year. As much as they love each other, they’re drifting apart, and David wants to do anything that he can to stop that. Hill was promoted in his job and he is now the Events Director, and the job is so time consuming, that he misses lots of important dates with his husband David. On this particular day, David is waiting for Hill, way past the time that they had agreed upon. David wants to celebrate the anniversary of their first date, but Hill forgets, and therein lies the distance that David feels is growing between them.

 Yes, Hill loves his job, and has worked very hard for his position in the company, and he doesn’t want to do anything that can jeopardize it, but he have to compromise or he will lose the best thing in his life and it isn’t his job. Will a talk from his Boss convince him to pull up his boots, and find his priorities where his husband is concerned, or will he lose his husband to his work?

I love this author’s work, and I would recommend this story to anyone that wants a quick read about a couple and the heartfelt emotions the author showed in this story.

By My Side by Jennifer Wright

Jennifer Wright - By My Side CoverTitle: By My Side

Author: Jennifer Wright

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 55 Pages (short story)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (12 January 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Noah has suppressed his urges for other men for years, but when a sexy bartender comes crashing into his life, all bets are off.

Due to his career as a lawyer and his father’s strict ways, Noah has always ignored the side of him that craves the touch of another man, not wanting to upset the calm waters of his life. But when he’s out one night celebrating his friend’s first win in a courtroom, Noah is taken aback by the raw lust that consumes him when he meets Shea. He wants to ignore what he feels for the man, but when Shea introduces a tantalizing side of sex that Noah has been dreaming of, he finds it impossible to keep Shea out of his life.

Shea’s been heartbroken before by a man who wouldn’t come out of the closet for him, and he doesn’t think he can go through that again. Can Noah let go of his fears of coming out to the world? Will the pleasures Shea gives him in the bedroom have Noah seeing what really matters in the long run?

ISBN: 9781784309428

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/by-my-side

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: The author did a good job on this story, and I like it, but was somewhat puzzled, at the way the part of the BDSM section was just injected into the storyline, without it even being talked among them as it being a part of their sexual preference. Noah is attracted to men, and have been for years, but he doesn’t want anyone to know, so he hides behind the women that he hook up with, so his secret won’t be revealed. He was in a relationship with a guy in college, and when his dad found out about it, he was read the riot act, that with his family name and prestige, he shouldn’t be carrying on like that to sully the family’s name.

Noah and his best friend are out one night at a bar celebrating his friend’ first courtroom case, he’s at the bar waiting to order his drinks, when he sees the bartender, and has an instant attraction for the guy, but he tries to shrug it off. It doesn’t happen, as he secretly spies on him all during the night that he’s at the bar. Shea is an out and gay man, and he refuses to go back into the closet for anyone. He was in love with a guy years ago, and was hurt badly, when the guy denied they relationship.

Days go by, and Noah is still thinking about Shea, debating with himself, if he should go ahead and approach Shea, and what would happen when his family and best friend find out. Noah and Shea finally hook up, and the sex is steamy hot, and everything that Noah has been missing in his life. Will his feelings for Shea finally convince him to live his life without worrying about others opinions, or will he forever continue to live the rest of his life hiding who he is.

I would recommend this short story for anyone looking for a quick read with a little BDSM.

Bunkhouse Boys by Marie Piper

Marie Piper - Bunkhouse Boys CoverTitle: Bunkhouse Boys

Author: Marie Piper

Genre: Historical

Length: 18 Pages (short story)

Publisher: NineStar Press (4th April 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Ratings: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Kenny and Blue, two hands at the Tate Ranch, find distraction in each other from sleepless nights and days filled with hard work. Keeping their relationship a secret might be essential, but with their growing need for each other, it sure won’t be easy.

ISBN: 9781911153412

Product Link: https://ninestarpress.com/product/bunkhouse-boys/

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: The author did a good job on this story. There’s not much too this story as I read it in thirty minutes. Kenny and Blue are ranch hands sharing close sleeping quarters in a bunkhouse on the ranch where they live. Kenny has always been a terrible sleeper, you can even say that he’s an insomniac. On this particular night, he’s thinking about the guy that sleeps in the bunk beside him, Blue, when he walks in, returning from the saloon that he was at in town.

Blue gets comfortable in his bed, and starts to indulge in a bit of ‘self love’ while Kenny watches.  Blue isn’t a shy guy and doesn’t care who watches him. One thing leads to another and they both end up outside behind the Bunkhouse having sex. After, they both agree to keep it between them. However, as the days and nights go by, Kenny can’t forget the night that he and Blue were together, and wants a repeat performance.

He watches Blue during the day when he’s working and is feeling jealous when he sees him interacting with the other guys on the ranch. When working in an isolated area on the ranch, Kenny is cornered by Blue and he gets exactly what he’s been thinking of from Blue.

I’m sorry that that this story wasn’t a bit longer, but it is a good read. Anyone looking for a quick short cowboy story, I would surely recommend this one.

Beyond the Grill by Tracey Michael

Tracey Michael - Beyond the Grill CoverTitle: Beyond the Grill

Author: Tracey Michael

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult

Length: 96 Pages (Novella)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: Justin Walker is used to being the hookup but never the boyfriend, and that’s okay. Justin has goals—he might sling burgers by night and work on his car by day, but he has plans to go to school and make a life for himself. He also has a few friends and loving parents. 

What more could a guy ask for?

Hot, muscular, manly Shane Steel is a walking wet dream. Justin fantasizes about having Shane as more than a casual acquaintance, and one night he works up the courage to flirt with Shane. To his surprise—and terror—Shane is interested. Very interested.

As they bond over their love of cars and drag racing, Justin begins to believe he can be more to Shane than a side guy. Too bad Shane’s manipulative and dangerous ex is dead set against letting that happen. 

ISBN: 978-1-63477-753-7

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/beyond-the-grill-by-tracey-michael-7596-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Justin just wants someone to love and for someone to love him, and not only for one night stands. With the insecurities and lots of uncertainties in his life, it’s hard to put himself out there without getting hurt. That doesn’t only mean in relationships, he’s been abuse by guys that he thought he had something good with. Justin and Shane have been friends for a while now, and they usually hang together enjoying each other’s company. Shane is a Mechanic, who has his own business which he loves. Justin is a Supervisor in a fast food joint slinging Burgers. His job is a means to an end, because it helps to pay the bills, and he wants to go back to College to pursue his dream.

Hanging out at the Arcade and playing games. Justin realizes that he’s developing feeling for his friend and starts to panic, because he thinks that Shane is straight because he only ever sees him with women, and he doesn’t want to risk putting himself forward only to be shot down like a couple other times with other guys. Shane likes Justin as well and wants things to go further with him than just friends. Things are developing for both of them and it all takes a bad turn, when Shane comes across an old school friend that wants to insinuate himself between him and Justin. Once again, Justin ends up getting hurt, but will Shane figure out that not all the screws are connected in his old-school mate’s head, before he loses Justin for good.

Looking at the cover of this book and reading the blurb is what got me reading this book. Bald head mechanic, and shy younger guy that is looking for someone to love, or as he said it, ‘Cuddle’. But the blurb is lots more exciting than the book. Yes, I love friends to lovers’ stories, but this short story really didn’t do much for me. With who the dedication in this book is for. This story in no way compares, the only racing in this story is when they go to the track.

After the Romance Novel by Susan Laine

Susan Laine - After the Romance Novel CoverTitle: After the Romance Novel

Author: Susan Laine

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Friends to Lovers

Length: 63 Pages (short story)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (22nd February 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Romance novels always end with a happy ever after. Right?

Evan and Adam are best friends, but they don’t know everything about each other. For one thing, Adam doesn’t know Evan writes and publishes gay romance novels until he discovers one while snooping on Evan’s laptop.

This revelation changes their relationship in ways neither could’ve imagined. Adam’s reaction to reading Evan’s stories is not what he expected, nor is the new way he’s looking at his lifelong pal. After all, Adam is straight, or so he’s always thought, and that is what Evan believes about Adam as well.

When Evan admits he might be bisexual, Adam suggests he try dating girls to find out for sure, but when Evan follows his advice, Adam is caught off guard by his feelings of jealousy. And when the date proves Evan isn’t bisexual, but gay, Evan’s request that Adam find him a guy might be the last straw.

How can Adam admit he wants that guy to be him? His epiphany will either end their relationship—or change it into something wonderful in their very own friends-to-lovers romance. 

ISBN: 978-1-63533-275-9

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/after-the-romance-novel-by-susan-laine-8177-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Oh WOW. I absolutely love Friends to Lovers stories and this author nailed it for me. I’ve never read from this author before, but if all of her books are like this. I’ll be reading more of her works. From beginning to end, she was consistent with her story line and it didn’t veer off into anything else, but the two main characters. The title however threw me for a loop, and was looking for something else entirely, but she kept me hooked from the beginning, and that’s a plus for her and me.

Evan and Adam have been friends like forever it seems and they’ve always had each other’s back. They live next door to each other and enter through each bedroom from a branch on a tree between the two houses. One morning as usual, Adam climbs through Evan’s bedroom and got the shock of his life when he snooped, and saw the contents on his best friend’s laptop. Evan writes gay romance stories.

In some parts of this story, I was really wondering if these two friends would end up together with all the obstacles that they went through when Evan decided that it was time that he started dating. He always thought of himself as being bi-sexual, but after his first date, he knew without a doubt that he was gay. That is when everything changed between him and Adam. I was so rooting for the two of them to hook up, but what Adam did left Evan feeling very hurt, and it seems as if he had lost his best friend for life.

I would definitely recommend this light short story for anyone that is looking for friends to lover’s stories.

A Sound Beginning by Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams - A Sound Beginning CoverTitle: A Sound Beginning

Author: Jeff Adams

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (36 Pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (8th March 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts 

Blurb: Voice-over artist Harry Moore has decided to take his business to the next level by hiring contractor Diego Ramos to renovate his San Francisco loft into a state-of-the-art home office and recording studio.

They hit it off immediately and Harry is soon hoping to make their business relationship a little more personal, but Diego has responsibilities to consider before he can date anyone, especially a client.

Can Harry and Diego design a sound future for themselves?

ISBN: 9781786513830

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/a-sound-beginning

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: This is a very nice short story and I really enjoyed reading it. It was well written and I’ll be looking for this author’s work again. Everyone wants to find that one person that completes them. It’s been a year since Harry became single again and he’s lonely. Yes, he has a thriving business that keeps him busy, but he wants to start fresh again, and he has a strong attraction towards his contractor.

Harry wants to do some improvement and renovations to part of his home, and he has hired Diego and his team for the job. Diego feels the same attraction to Harry, but doesn’t want to start anything until he’s finished the job that he was hired to do. Plus, he’s raising a teenage son, and doesn’t want any fallout because of it. The relationship growing between them is great and I love the flow of it. No drama or interference. I was sorry there wasn’t more of it. I would definitely recommend this light read.

Beautiful Liar by Lexie Davis

Lexie Davis - Beautiful Liar CoverTitle: Beautiful Liar

Author: Lexie Davis

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Length: Short (55 Pages)

Publisher: Evernight Publishing (25th November 2015)

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Noah Reese is used to attending to the needs of the rich and famous gay bachelors of New York City. When he’s paid to attend a charity gala with a rich businessman, the client doesn’t show. It isn’t normal for escorts to get stood up, but before he can really complain, Tanner Lachlan catches his eye. 

Tanner Lachlan is a billionaire that doesn’t need a relationship to complicate his already full life. However, when he sees Noah admiring an erotic painting, he can’t help but wonder about him. The beautiful man is exactly his type and they share an intense passion unlike any other. 

With scandal surrounding Noah, the deeper he gets involved with Tanner the more lies he needs to tell to keep his secrets at bay. Neither are prepared for the flood of explosive emotions that can tear them apart for good. 

ASIN: B018CVQZWK

Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/beautiful-liar-by-lexie-davis/

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Noah is a paid Escort and he have a clientele with the rich gay men of NY. The agency that he works for had booked him for the evening and he had a dinner engagement with a client at an Art exhibition, but the client stood him up and Noah felt like a fish out of water mingling among the wealthiest patrons of NY. He’s thinking of finishing off his drink and then leaving. His mindset isn’t with the job like when he first started. While looking at a painting, he is approached by a very handsome gentleman.

Tanner is a billionaire and hasn’t been interested in a relationship in a long time, but while talking to Noah, he realizes that he’s different and he convinces Noah to stay a little longer and join him for a meal. After dinner, they end up at Tanner’s apartment where they have a very passionate night together and they both can’t stop thinking about each other after that night. Noah tells Tanner that he’s a Model but doesn’t say what he does for a living. Days later Tanner seeks Noah out and offers him a job, at his company for an Ad promotion as a Model. They continue the steaming relationship. Noah is enjoying himself very much with Tanner, but it doesn’t look good for Noah when Tanner finds out exactly what type of job Noah has and the lies that he told him.

I can’t remember if I’ve ever read a book from this Author before and I’m very sorry about that, because I absolutely love this story and I’ll definitely be reading their work again. If you’re interested in a short fairy tale story about meeting prince charming, then this is it.

A Christmas for Oscar by Alex Whitehall

Alex Whitehall - A Christmas for Oscar CoverTitle: A Christmas for Oscar

Author: Alex Whitehall

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (46 Pages)

Publisher: NineStar Press (19th December 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Oscar has never liked the holidays and all the surrounding rigmarole, but that doesn’t stop his best friend from dragging him along for her Black Friday shopping spree. The only perk of the day is that he meets Nathan while he’s there.

With sparkling blue eyes, curly blond hair, and a smile that won’t stop, Nathan is a Christmas elf in the flesh. He even spends his days in a workshop! But Nathan is more than his bright smile, and he may be just the right person for Oscar. Assuming, of course, Oscar doesn’t drive him and his holiday spirit away first. 

ISBN: 9781945952326

Product Link: http://ninestarpress.com/product/a-christmas-for-oscar/

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Oscar hates the Holidays with a passion and especially hates it more that his best friend has dragged him along with her, so she can shop for her Black Friday sales. With instructions for him to find out if the store there’re in have an item in a smaller size, Oscar looks for a sales assistant, and that’s where he meets the handsome Nathan, dressed in an Elf hat. Talking with him made all the pushing and rude people bearable, if he can continue to look at the beauty in front of him.

Days later, he goes back looking for Nathan and they agreed on lunch together. Their conversation and lunch leads to more dates, and then a relationship. However, this relationship proceeds, Oscar is hiding the reason that he hates the holidays and hopes that it doesn’t scare Nathan away, because he has come to care deeply for Nathan. With Nathan loving the Holidays as they coincide with his work and business, and Oscar being s Scrooge about them.  It all falls apart when Nathan springs a surprise on Oscar, and he thinks that it’s the ultimate betrayal. Will Oscar open up to Nathan on the reason that he hates the Holidays and restore their relationship, before he loses the man that he loves.

This is a beautiful short story and I’m honored to have read this author’s work. He did a wonderful job creating these characters showing just how some people are around the Holiday seasons. People go crazy during the holiday sales, the crowds, and most of all the annoying traffic, where you can never find a decent parking space that are all taken up due to the shoppers.

Bad Idea by Lily Harlem

Lily Harlem - Bad Idea CoverTitle: Bad Idea

Author: Lily Harlem

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Shorty (43 Pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (16th August 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Roughneck Riders are not an MC club you mess with, least of all their rough and tough gang leader Heavy. But Heavy has a secret that has to be kept, no matter what—his heart belongs to a man. It shouldn’t. He’s supposed to be into women, like the other guys in the club. Junk is just too cute to resist, though. Add in his delectable body, his sweet submission and his willingness to accept Heavy’s sadism, and the couple are a perfect match.

Junk’s a probie, proving his worth to the club and demonstrating his mechanical know-how. He’s lived on the edge for a long time, flitting from one place to the next. But now that he’s settling in as a Roughneck, life is looking up. Not least because he’s in love—soul-eating, cock-thickening obsessive love. He can’t tell anyone about his desire for Heavy, but what he can do is push his lover’s buttons, all day, in full view of everyone, until he’s damned sure the night will bring a whole host of sinful delights and wicked punishments that will leave him marked, bruised and most of all, wholly satisfied.

ISBN: 9781786514417

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/bad-idea

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: When you hear about a Biker gang, they are believed to be tough, no holds barred men and they’re proud of that status. Heavy, being the leader of the Roughneck Riders is brutal and private in his business dealings concerning their club, and also with his relationship with the club’s mechanic, Junk. For them, being gay in a gang as dangerous as the Roughneck riders can mean death for both of them.

The way that this story ended was very much expected on my part, because for them. There is no happy ending. They have to keep their relationship secret and go with the status quo. Heavy have to keep up his persona that he can have the pick of any woman in the club, but who he really wants in his bed is Junk. He’s jealous that he has to stand and watch Heavy with the women. When they do find the time to sneak away from the club and be together, Heavy makes sure to show Junk who is, and forever will be the his Boss.

Inheritance by Sean Michael (3rd Edition)

Sean Michael - Inheritance CoverTitle: Inheritance (3rd Edition)

Author: Sean Michael

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Length: Short (80 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st February 2017)

Heat Level: Hot

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Cash McCord’s life is pretty much perfect. He owns the family ranch, loves his work, and invites the occasional cowboy into his bed. But everything is turned upside down when his brother Jack and Jack’s wife Val are killed in a car crash, leaving behind six kids.

Cash is made guardian of the children, along with Val’s brother, Brad Rafferty—a man who couldn’t be more different from Cash if he tried. A Yankee, Brad is a video-game developer who works twelve-to-fourteen-hour days at his desk. They lock horns as soon as they set eyes on each other. Neither man is happy to have the other around, but neither is willing to give up custody of his nieces and nephews.

It’s up to these two polar opposites to keep the kids together and give them a family again. But first they’ll have to keep from killing each other.

First Edition published as Inheritance in Family Matters by Torquere Press, 2008.

Second Edition published by Torquere Press, 2013.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-636-3

Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/inheritance-by-sean-michael-8115-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: It’s very sad knowing that kids are always dealt the bad end of the stick when both parents have died in an automobile accident. The sadness, the questions (why?) and what will happen to us? Cash’s brother and Brad’s sister have both died in a car accident and have left 6 kids behind and their will stipulates that both of them are now co-guardians of the children. Cash owns the family ranch in Texas and Brad works as a Video Game Developer and lives three thousand miles away from Cash’s home in Texas.

Cash wants to take the kids back home to his ranch to live and Brad wants them to live in the house where they lived before the accident that killed their parents. He doesn’t want to up root their lives. Neither men can come to a decision regarding the kids and one night after a heated argument and they fought, it leads to a night of passion. After their passionate night, they’ve decided how and where the kids will live, but they still have a big obstacle in their way. Brad’s mother. Will they be able to dismantle the plans that Brad’s mother have to take the kids from them, or will the kids loose another set of parents to their grandmother’s bigoted hatred.

All The Way To Shore by CJane Elliott

CJane Elliott - All The Way To Shore CoverTitle: All the Way to the Shore

Author: C.J. Elliott

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (181 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb:  Jonathan Vallen has never felt good enough. A gentle musician who loves to garden, he’s woefully unsuited to running Vallen Industries, the family business. When his father hires a hotshot executive, Marco Pellegrini, to save the company, Jonathan moves away and leaves his humiliation behind. A year later and forty pounds lighter, Jonathan runs into Marco on an LGBT cruise. Marco doesn’t recognize him, the sparks fly, and Jonathan pretends to be someone else for the week—Jonah Rutledge—someone good enough to be loved.

Marco Pellegrini has always been driven. He rose from poverty to the pinnacle of business success, and he’ll do anything to protect his reputation—including hiding his bisexuality. Having saved Vallen Industries, he’s weary of the rat race and ready for a more meaningful life. When Marco meets his soul mate for that new life—Jonah Rutledge—on an LGBT cruise, he prepares to stop hiding and start living.

Back on land, the romance crashes when Marco discovers his perfect man is not only a lie but the son of his boss, Frederick Vallen. Jonathan resolves to win Marco back, but Frederick takes vengeful action. Jonathan and Marco must battle their own fears as well as Frederick’s challenge to get to the future that awaits them on the horizon.

ISBN:  9781634778190

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/all-the-way-to-shore-by-cjane-elliott-7789-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Jonathan Vallen has always been trying to prove himself to his father since his older brother died, and he thought that he can take the place of his brother, so that his father can be proud of him. But it’s never happened and it never will. His father is trying to groom him to take over the Family Business, but all Jonathan want to do is to live his life in peace and go back to what he loves best. Music. He can’t do that, with his father berating him at every turn.

His father hires hotshot executive Marco Pellegrini to save the company. Marco has always been driven. After rising from poverty to the pinnacle of his business career, he’ll do anything to protect his name and his past. He’s in the closet and dating a woman so no one would know his real sexuality.

After a year at Vallen Industries and the company is in the “Black” he decides that it’s about time that he takes some time for himself. He goes on a Gay cruise and takes his sister with him. There he meets the handsome Jonah Rutledge/Jonathan Vallen. Right away Jonathan recognizes Marco and he remembers when they first met, Marco was cold and calculating.

Jonathan is now forty pounds lighter and thanks to his cousin, he’s had a complete transformation from the person Marco saw a year ago. When Marco introduces himself, Jonathan pretends to be someone else, and although he doesn’t feel right about deceiving Marco, he continues with the charade. Halfway through the cruise Jonathan’s lie is revealed and Marco feels betrayed and he leaves the ship. Will Jonathan have to courage to find Marco and explain to him the reason for lying about who he is and why he lied.

The typical romance story, but I loved it.

Kiss Me, Cowboy by Carol Lynne

Carol Lynne - Kiss Me, Cowboy CoverTitle: Kiss Me Cowboy

Author: Carol Lynne

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (59 Pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 3rd, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: For Eli Barron, Jesse Clooney has always been the one. From their first day of kindergarten through their high school graduation, the pair were inseparable.

So, when a situation arises that splits the two men apart, it’s up to Eli to keep the home fires burning as Jesse sets off to follow his dreams on the rodeo circuit.

But how long can a man continue to stoke the fire before the flames die out?

ISBN: 9781786515049

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/kiss-me-cowboy

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: I have read many books from this author and I love all of her books. Eli tells us his life story about his family and the Love of his life Jesse. They’ve both known each other and have been friends from kindergarten through High school and are now lovers. Jesse doesn’t have a good relationship with his family and decides that he wants to leave the town that they live in and go follow his dreams on the rodeo circuit and wants Eli to go with him.

Eli can’t go with Jesse as he has to take of the family ranch and his mom and siblings. I found that Jesse is very self-centered, he’s off living his dreams, and wants Eli to wait for him and doesn’t care that he’s breaking Eli’s heart. Eli decides that the time has come that he will either have to talk with Jesse about their relationship, that is if they still have one together, or let Jesse go so that he can live his life on the circuit.

As with all of this author’s books, I would gladly recommend this book to whoever wants a short story about partners that have to find the way back together.

Iced by Jon Keys (Bah Humbug Giveaway!)

Bah Humbug MMGBR Giveaway gifJon Keys - Iced CoverTitle: Iced

Series: Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar Bah Humbug.

Author: Jon Keys

Genre: Holiday, Contemporary

Length: Short Story (46 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (21st December 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 hearts

Blurb: Keith Walker, a mall bookstore employee, is struggling to get through another miserable holiday season while trying to preserve a crumbling long-term relationship. One of his few comforts is his morning coffee made by a good-looking, younger barista. Austin Novak felt an attraction when Keith started frequenting the coffee shop, but he doesn’t think the older man has any interest in him or his graphic novel collection.

A Christmas week snowstorm buries the city and locks Keith’s car into its parking spot. Keith decides to show Austin his gratitude for helping free the car from the ice with a dinner invitation. The meal becomes complicated when Austin meets Keith’s boyfriend, Shawn, and things go downhill from there when Shawn announces he’s heading to Cancún with his coworkers. Keith is caught between keeping his boyfriend happy and keeping his job. But Keith might not need a plane ticket to find the happiness that’s been missing from his life.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-183-7

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/iced-by-jon-keys-7977-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Keith Walker is NOT a fan of Christmas, and he’s in a relationship where his Boyfriend has a negative look on everything to do with Keith. The only thing that makes Keith’s days bearable, is getting his coffee and seeing Austin. His coffee Barista.

Leaving work early one day to go home, completely changes Keith’s life in a way that he never expected. This is the first story from this author and I absolutely love this short story. I however felt like thumping Keith’s boyfriend for the emotional abuse that he gave Keith.

Jon Keys - Iced Square gif

1st prize $100 DSP credits!
2nd prize $50 DSP credits!
3rd prize $25 DSP credits!
4th prize $25 DSP credits!

Jon’s Question!

What are the animals Ethan raises that give Peter no end of trouble? (Hint: Home Grown)

(Just leave a comment with the answer on this post)

Catch up with the previous questions: MMGBR Bah Humbug Giveaway!

(Winners will be picked by a dart on 1st January 2017)

Jon Keys - Iced Banner gif

Popcorn Garlands by Ariel Tachna (Bah Humbug Giveaway!)

Bah Humbug MMGBR Giveaway gifAriel Tachna - Popcorn Garlands CoverTitle: Popcorn Garlands

Series: Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar Bah Humbug.

Author: Ariel Tachna

Genre: Christmas, Contemporary

Length: Short Story (26 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11th December 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥ 2 Hearts

Blurb: Carlos Mendez spends all year working hard at his Houston-based landscaping business, and he sends every spare penny he earns back to his family in Mexico. By the time the holidays roll around, he doesn’t have much patience for the unadulterated greed and consumerism paraded past him. But a chance meeting with his neighbor, Ned Williams, and Ned’s cancer-stricken daughter, might help to remind him of the real meaning of the season—something beyond the gaudy lights and extravagant displays—something he wants to be a part of. 

ISBN: 9781635331738

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/popcorn-garlands-by-ariel-tachna-7967-b

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Carlos Mendez considers himself a Scrooge. He hates Christmas because people use the Holidays for more of the receiving of Gifts than what it’s meant to be. The Love, Charity and the Selfless acts that people give to others.

 He meets his new next-door neighbor Ned and his 5-year-old daughter after he sees the type of Christmas decoration that he has up. Carlos sees the struggle Ned is going through to put a smile on his sick daughter’s face. Carlos sets out to help them both any way that he can, so they can both enjoy Christmas.

Ariel Tachna - Popcorn Garlands Square gif

1st prize $100 DSP credits!
2nd prize $50 DSP credits!
3rd prize $25 DSP credits!
4th prize $25 DSP credits!

Pixie’s Question!

In which country does Santa have his own personal postcode HOH OHO? 

(Just leave a comment with the answer on this post)

MMGBR Bah Humbug Giveaway!

(Winners will be picked by a dart on 1st January 2017)

Ariel Tachna - Popcorn Garlands Banner gif

Faded Into You by Remmy Duchene

Remmy Duchene - Faded Into You CoverTitle: Faded Into You 

Series: Intoxication #2

Author: Remmy Duchene

Genre: Contemporary 

Length: Novella (113pgs)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (1st November 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Fighting love is futile…

Ravinder Raja never saw himself as a jealous person, but when his best friend, Alfred, begins preparations to get married, Ravinder can’t help feeling alone. While kicking his best-man duties into high gear, he finds a job in India working as the PR rep for a wounded security company. He just wants is to get away from all things ‘wedding’ until he has to face the music. He never expected Thaddeus Mastersons and the way his body will betray him when it comes to the sexy ex-hacker.

Thaddeus Masterson got into some serious trouble when he was young. But now, reformed and fresh off working with the FBI, he’s decided to go back into business for himself—legally. When a friend’s company is brought to its knees by hackers, Thaddeus reluctantly packs his stuff and jets off to India. It’s the last place he expects to find love. But as they say, love always finds a way.

ISBN: 9781786514837

Purchase Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/faded-into-you

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: I’ve read a few books by this author already and I’m always in-love with the characters. I ABSOLUTELY love this series. Was very sorry when the story ended.

Ravinder and Alfred (from Intoxication 1) are the best of friends, they’ve known each other for years and share most of the same interests. Now that Alfred is getting married Ravinder is doing his Best man duties for Alfred’s up-coming Wedding and Ravinder is seeing the Green eye-monster. Ravinder never saw himself as the jealous type, but it is raring it’s head to see how happy Alfred is and he is still alone with no love interest in sight.

Ravinder has accepted a job offer, but it is in India. He starts his new job, and there in Mumbai is where he meets the ex-hacker Thaddeus Masterson. On first sight. Ravinder isn’t impressed, but Thaddeus is totally infatuated at the sight of Ravinder and wants to possess him body and soul. As they work together to complete the job that Thaddeus is hired to do, they can’t resist the heat between them. Will Ravinder find his Cum Whisperer?

I love this series and recommend that it should be read in order.

So Into You by Remmy Duchene

Remmy Duchene - So Into You CoverTitle: So Into You

Series: INTOXICATION #1

Author: Remmy Duchene

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novella (125 pages)

Publisher: Pride Publishing (15th March 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb:  Alfred Leung’s life is in the crapper. From his gold-digging, racist mother and a cheating ex-boyfriend to his hang-ups about sex—everything in his existence depresses him. Add to it spending his days serving faux French food in a diner. It isn’t how he planned on spending the rest of his life—the fates have definitely conspired against him. Just out of a relationship, he decides to focus on work and going back to one of the things that makes him happy—photography. Then Darius Stark in his Armani suit walks through the door of the diner, and Alfred’s world is about to take on a spin he never saw coming.

Darius Stark hasn’t been with a man in years. Men see the suit and run screaming in the other direction or they tear-ass toward him because they see dancing dollar signs. He decides to focus on his business, but soon he’s buried himself so deeply in his work that years goes by without someone to love. Finally, he sees Alfred and wants him, but Darius is about to find out not everyone thinks he’s almighty and that some men are flawed.

ISBN: 9781786513878

Reviewer: Veronica

Purchase Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/so-into-you

Review: Darius Starks is a man that have given up on Relationships and Love. He’s tired of people looking at him and seeing Dollar signs, being with him only when they want something or they’re afraid of him. Alfred not to long got out of a bad relationship, where his ex cheated on him, and another having hang-ups about Sex. They both want to be Loved for who they are on the inside, and not for their outer appearance.

Alfred’s mother is a piece of work, she’s Racist, she doesn’t approve of her son being Gay, but yet she wants him to stay in a bad relationship because it benefits her, money-wise. She doesn’t care if her son is happy or not.

From the moment, Darius walked into the Diner that Alfred works in, Alfred becomes weak in the knees and has an instant attraction to Darius, but thinks that there’s no way that Darius would look at him in a sexual way. After a misunderstanding at their second meeting. Darius sets out to change Alfred’s mind about him.