Tag: Vivien Dean

Stranded With Desire by Rick R. Reed & Vivien Dean Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Stranded with Desire

Author: Rick R. Reed, Vivien Dean

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: November 30, 2020

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 55400

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, businessmen, friends to lovers, plane crash, wilderness survival, slow burn, m/m romance

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Synopsis

CEO Maine Braxton and his invaluable assistant, Colby, don’t realize they share a deep secret: they’re in love—with each other. That secret may have never come to light but for a terrifying plane crash in the Cascade Mountains that changes everything.

In a struggle for survival, they brave bears, storms, and a life-threatening flood to make it out of the wilderness alive. The proximity to death makes them realize the importance of love over propriety. Confessions emerge. Passions ignite. They escape the wilds renewed and openly in love.

When they return to civilization, though, forces are already plotting to snuff out their short-lived romance and ruin everything both have worked so hard to achieve.

Excerpt

Stranded by Desire, Rick R Reed and Vivien Dean © 2020, All Rights Reserved

Prologue

Colby LaSalle never dreamed his life would end in a plane crash over the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. But here he was, whispering fevered petitions to the Lord as the plane screamed, plunging downward…faster, faster.

Out the windows, all he could see was white. And the only outcome he could imagine was that once that white cleared, the last thing he’d take in would be towering pine trees and the cold side of a mountain hurtling toward him. It was almost too horrific to comprehend.

In those few moments, as Colby braced himself in his seat, head down near his knees, he found himself thinking what a loss this was. The man across from him, his boss, Maine Braxton, would never know the most important thing about Colby. And that thing was not his proficiency as an administrative assistant, keeping Maine on track and on schedule in all his business affairs, but that Colby was passionately—and secretly—in love with him. With all his heart and soul.

That fact, and the unspoken words that hid it, seemed tragic to Colby, maybe even more tragic than the life he was about to lose. What kind of life, Colby wondered, did you really have if you’d never truly loved and been loved in return?

Colby, at twenty-eight, had never been in love before. And now it looked as though he would never have the chance to act on his desire, on that feeling that made his heart flutter whenever Maine walked by his desk. Was love like a tree falling in the forest? If the object of that love never knew of it, did it really exist?

Colby looked up for a moment, maybe to have a final look at Maine, but was distracted by the view through the cockpit window of the six-seater plane they were traveling in—a Beechcraft Bonanza. The opaque fog of white cleared for a moment, and Colby could see, to his horror, that his imagination was correct.

They were hurtling toward the side of a mountain. The view was surreal. Shock kept him from thinking it was anything other than a very vivid nightmare.

He then looked over at Maine and saw he had slid from his seat to the floor. The strong, powerful man cowered there, hands over his head. His lips moved in what Colby could only assume was silent prayer.

Colby longed to slide over, to cover Maine with his own body and shield him from the impact, but he was paralyzed, a butterfly pinned to a board, and could only add his own whispered prayers to those of his boss.

“Please, God, help us get out of this alive. Let Maine know how very much I love him. Give me that chance.”

The private pilot, a blustery, gruff man named Gus Pangborn but whom everyone just called Rooster, shouted, “We’re gonna try and go up! We’re gonna try and go up!”

Colby didn’t know if he was talking to him, Maine, or himself, but the desperation in the pilot’s gravelly voice was clear. The despair in Rooster’s words communicated one thing to Colby and one thing only—he had no hope.

Colby squeezed his eyes shut tight and placed his head back down toward his knees again, covering it with his hands, although he wondered how much good it would do once the plane crashed, once it was consumed by a giant fireball.

What Colby LaSalle didn’t realize, though, was that the plane crash would signal not the end of his life, but the beginning.

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NineStar Press | Books2Read

Also available in Audio at Audible

Meet the Author

Real Men. True Love.

Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his husband, Bruce, and their fierce Chihuahua/Shiba Inu mix, Kodi.

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Vivien Dean has had a lifetime love affair with stories. A multi-published author, her books have been EPPIE finalists, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Nominees, and readers favorites. After spending her twenties and early thirties traveling, she has finally settled down and currently resides in northern California with her British husband and two children.

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A Soul Remembered by Vivien Dean (2nd Edition)

Title: A Soul Remembered (2nd edition)

Series: Reborn 01

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Science Fiction & Space Opera

Length: Novella (135pgs)

Publisher: Loose ID (14th March 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Blurb: The Reborn project began out of the desperate need to keep a dying man alive. It turned into a century-long hunt for his soul.

Then everything changed a single fateful night in a Bayside alley.

Bleeding out from an unexpected attack, prostitute Adam Silver is convinced he’s going to die again without finding the man he’s been looking for since his very first death over a hundred years ago. He gets lucky. Rescue comes in the form of Dr. David Bogart, but it’s in the ambulance on the way to the hospital that Adam sees the birthmark he created to designate the reincarnation of his long-lost love. For the first time in years, he feels hope.

But it turns out, finding Bogart was the easy part. Staying alive as he fights to help the man the media has dubbed “Dr. Death” is a hell of a lot harder…

Note:This book was previously released by another publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-68252-284-4

Product Link: Loose Id

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This story is an interesting read. From what I gathered Adam Silver is reincarnation of someone who invented the reborn project.

What is the reborn project: I was never actually sure as it started it was a chip implant or something like that. So how a chip was in someone different each reincarnation I have no idea.

Aside from that I loved the story. Bogart and Silver are two completely different people. Plus there’s the fact someone is killing those that Bogart are involved with.

I truly wanted to love this story but it fell flat for me. It needed more explanation for me.

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Vivien Dean (2nd Edition)

Title: Bridge Over Troubled Water (2nd edition)

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Vampires , LGBTTQ, Fantasy & Paranormal

Length: Novella (122pgs)

Publisher: Loose ID (17th October 2016)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Detective Brady Lindstrom deals in death, and not just because he’s a homicide cop with the slaughter of a century to solve. Ten years ago, vampires murdered his lover. Ever since, he’s looked over his shoulder, ready for vampires to strike again.

Exhausted and angry about the needless deaths he has to investigate, Brady worries that the killers he’s looking for aren’t even human. Those fears are compounded by an unexpected visitor, the battered and nearly broken Cole Singer, the lover he’d long ago given up for dead. When Cole offers to trade information on the killers in exchange for sanctuary, Brady realizes he doesn’t have a choice. It’s not about justice. He simply can’t turn his back on the only man he’s ever loved. Even if he’s a vampire.

Note:Bridge Over Troubled Water was previously released by another publisher but has been revised and reedited in this version.

ISBN: 978-1-68252-204-2

Product Link: Loose Id

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Brady’s dead lover, who was killed and turned into a vampire ten years prior, shows up on his door step. Despite his animosity he lets Cody in only to discover the case he is working on may come to a conclusion sooner than he thought as Cody has answers.

I understood Brady’s aggression to a point but after so long I found him to be a repetitive asshole to Cody. If he was so bothered by Cody why not send him packing?

The case itself was interesting. Especially when the suspects turn their sights on Brady and Cody.

Enjoyable read.

Savage Estate by Vivien Dean

25994603Title: Savage Estate
Series: Beware The Beast AmberSuperPax™ Collection
Author: Vivien Dean
Genre: Gay / Fantasy / Shapeshifter / Witchcraft / Magic / Exhibitionism / Public Places
Length: Novel (364 pages)
Publisher: Amber Quill Press (July 18, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: .For his twenty-fifth birthday, Alec Savage gets the gift of a lifetime—the chance to meet his father for the very first time. What he finds upon his arrival in Washington, DC, however, is a smashed window, an empty house, and a scrawled note with only his name and a phone number on it.

Panicked, he dials the number and talks to an uncle he never knew he had, one who insists Alec is in danger if he stays in the house. That’s when everything starts to get really weird.

Within minutes, he’s teleported all the way to nowhere Montana, in the company of the most gorgeous guy he’s ever seen, hearing about how he’s the latest mage in the Savage line. Alec doesn’t want to believe Rowan Bouchard, but it’s hard to argue with the reality of his new snowbound location or the confirmation from the uncle who greets him. He even thinks staying on the estate while they hunt for his father won’t be so bad if he has Rowan as eye candy.

Except Rowan is more than that. He’s a shifter, the most beautiful black panther Alec could imagine. And according to his Uncle Martin, he’s now Alec’s familiar, too…

ISBN: 978-1-68175-057-6

Reviewer: Shorty

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2225-Savage-Estate.aspx

Review: Alec finally gets the chance to meet the father he never knew only to find out about a world he never knew about. I loved Alec’s character. He was headstrong and stubborn. Most defiantly did not like being told what to do. When he meets sexy Rowan he’s instantly attracted to him.

Rowan is a familiar who can shift into a panther. I really felt bad for Rowan as it seemed he’s been sheltered all his life and has trained to be a familiar. I was really glad that he and Alec worked together when things were tense and that he demanded the others help when it was needed.

This was a really good story with a mystery that was years old. The lengths that were went to surprised me. Though I understood the reasoning to a point I felt that there was no need to let it go that far. I was a little disappointed in the ending as I felt it fell  a little flat after the way everything built up. I also would have liked more details into who was taking out mages before they came into their powers. That part was sketchy and I was not completely sure who was behind that part.

I loved the beautiful scenery descriptions of Montana and the Savage Estate was enormous. Rowan and Alec had their disagreements at times and at others ignored the other but when they came together it hot and electric. I thought it was sweet how both wanted to protect the other.

I was a little disappointed in not knowing the extent of Alec’s power and what all he could do. It was a very fascinating read with adventure, action and mystery.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Placeless by Vivien Dean

PlacelessTitle: Placeless
Series: Bay Wolves #2
Author: Vivien Dean
Genre: Paranormal/Shape shifters/ Werewolves/Suspense/Thriller
Length: Novella (123 pages)
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (October 31st, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: Keaton McGrath had been a werewolf for only a few weeks when he was kidnapped and put into service for anyone willing to pay for his company. Now, a year later and rescued from that life, he’s trying to figure out how to be both human and wolf in a world that doesn’t want him. His only escapes are nightly runs, a chance to let loose the energy of the animal within, but when one of those runs ends with him finding a hurt girl in the park, he can’t control his wolf’s fury when he smells her attacker nearby.

Barely keeping himself from killing the man, Keaton calls 911, and then leaves before he can be linked to the crime scene. His hopes to remain anonymous are dashed when Scotty Trumbauer, a local blogger and independent wolf activist, finds him out. Though Keaton’s warned that Scotty is bad news, the chemistry between them is too powerful to ignore, especially when Scotty leaps to defend him.

Keaton just wants to do the right thing without putting the people he cares about in danger. He has to learn, however, that a wolf is stronger when he’s not alone…

ISBN: 978-1-61124-687-2

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2052-Placeless.aspx

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I will admit, at the time of reading the book and writing this review, I’ve not read book 1 of the series (Boundless). This is a world that knows the presence of werewolves, but there is a definite fear about the werewolf population. I still understood the story without a problem, although it was easier once I realised that the main couple of Boundless, Elijah and Denny, are linked to bringing Keaton to the point he is at. Kidnapped as a sex slave, he found freedom but now he has to readjust to the real world and his wolf needs the same adjustment to this newfound freedom.

I didn’t feel the thriller or suspense aspect which the publisher filed as part of the book’s genre, particularly considering Keaton’s past and how he stops a sexual assault on a woman in the first chapter (as said in the blurb, too). Keaton seems to treat is past in a nonchalant manner despite telling Corey (the man who helped save him) that he was ready to get the necessary help.

Instead, it seemed he was just happy to move on by getting to know Scotty and also make sure he got out of escapade of saving the woman unscathed. After finishing the book, I’m now wondering if it’s more of a survival mechanism on his part to purposely not think on it. There a couple notable times where his defences fail to protect him from remembering his time locked up as a sex slave.

I have to admit, when Keaton meets Scotty, I was more concerned for Keaton being hurt (his heart mostly, but perhaps also physically again after his traumatic past). I don’t know how to frame Scotty, he immediately brought to mind some sort of hippie, but that is probably because of I’ve gone ahead and stereotyped him once I found out he was an activist for the rights of werewolves. He lost his job a couple of years before over an interview he did, that also set the werewolf cause back as well and now he works on his blog for the cause. The problem is, some werewolves think of him as a pest rather than a help. I found myself chuckling at his second big “scene” with Keaton, but he just seems so bossy and melodramatic.

Scotty doesn’t really seem to appear as much as Keaton’s friends, Corey and probably seen about as much as Elijah, a fellow sex slave from book 1. I can’t tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose it’s just as part of the couple stated on the blurb it would have been nice to hear from him more, but that is limited by the fact that the story is entirely Keaton’s point of view. Regardless, when we do start seeing more of Scotty, I have to say that the relationship he and Keaton share is quite cute.

I enjoyed this book. I think I need to read the first book now! This one kept me interested but some of the politics involved are probably explained in the first book and I’m intrigued, here we find out enough to understand what’s going on.

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

A Flight in Ice by Vivien Dean

22959814Title: A Flight in Ice
Series: Part of the Winter Games AmberPax Collection
Author: Vivien Dean
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (85 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-61124-647-6
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (August 18, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Life hasn’t turned out like Connor McClure hoped. His relationship is over, he lost his friends in the break-up, and nothing makes him happy anymore. All he wants is to hide from the world, but the only place available to him is his parents’ home in the rural Michigan community he abandoned thirteen years ago. And since his parents are in Florida for the winter, he’ll have the whole house to himself.

Except he doesn’t. In their absence, the McClures asked a young neighbor to look after the property. Jerry is young, energetic, and—oh yeah—gay. From everything he’s learned about Connor, he might be harboring a little crush, but Connor is in no place for dating. Right now, he needs a friend, someone to help him remember that second chances are always possible…and Jerry is more than willing to step in and help…

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2011-A-Flight-In-Ice.aspx

Review: This is part of the Winter Games AmberPax Collection and they can be read as a standalone. Normally, a short story always leaves me feeling like I have been cheated somehow. But this one was a very good story that I found myself loving. It tells about their past lives and what their future might hold for them. Connor had fled Michigan when he was younger, meeting up with his soon to be now ex-husband. They had survived basically until Connor could no longer put up with Sean’s drinking. He had come home.

Surprising to him, Connor’s parents had just basically told him to come home for however long he wanted. He was going there to lick his wounds and try to get over his failure as a married man. What he had not expected was to take a liking to his new friend and neighbor. Jerry was a fresh breath of air to a man in pain.

Jerry had always wanted to be a nurse, but his father would not allow it. Now past dead, he had achieved his goal with the help of his neighbors. Connor’s parents had helped him in a time of need and he would do anything for them. Including helping their son out. What he had not expected was the sudden attraction for this sexy man.

They were able to help each other out in more ways than one.
This story was not very long, but it was told in such a way that it seemed like it was a beautiful novel refreshing and very tempting. I was drawn to this story with the first sentence and it kept my attention all the way to the end.

I would recommend reading this especially if you love two sexy men, a tasty story with a bit of sadness and a touch of new happiness, excitement and a tender heart. I cannot wait to get the rest of Vivien’s books.

What the Heart Thinks by Vivien Dean

71jwiYh2iYL._SL1500_Title: What the Heart Thinks

Series: Vive La Différence AmberPax™ Collection

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Contemporary / Romantic Comedy / The Arts

Length: Novella (23K words)

ISBN: 9781611245905

Publisher: Amber Allure (April 20th, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Heats

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: On a scale of one to ten, DJ Joe Salinas considers himself a four, five on a good day. Actor/part-time stripper Fess Kedley is definitely a nine, however, though Joe’s sure that slides into a ten as soon as the clothes come off. So when the outgoing Fess recognizes a shy Joe at a bachelorette party from his midnight radio show and proceeds to ask him out, Joe turns him down, convinced he’s either crazy or stupid.

The only problem is, Fess takes rejection as reason to keep on trying.

The two become unexpected friends, so when the thought of trying a date comes up again, Joe decides to take a chance. Though he doesn’t understand what someone like Fess would see in someone like him, it’s hard to say “no” when everything else feels so right.

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/1950-What-The-Heart-Thinks.aspx
Review: What the heart Thinks is a very sweet story of a man who hides behind his voice as a radio DJ and meets a male stripper that has a crush on him.

Joe has a very low self-esteem and once he saw Fess at a bachelorette party his best friend was throwing, he knew he didn’t stand a chance. Fess was beyond hot and sexy. Luckily, he is as persistent as he is hot.

I loved the fact that Joe isn’t your typical hot and sexy person. I like that he is more average and Vivien did a fabulous job of showing us not only Joe’s feelings but that not all beautiful people are shallow either. I loved the deep-rooted emotions and the ending was amazing!

If you like, DJ’s with a sexy voice and snarky attitude, actors, male strippers, friends to lovers, and sweet romances with a happy ending I highly recommend this one!

Boundless by Vivien Dean

20580850Title: Boundless

 

Series: Bay Wolf, Series

 

Author: Vivien Dean

 

Genre:  Dark Fantasy/Werewolf/ Shapeshifter/ Suspense/ Thriller

 

Length: Novella (76 Pages)

 

ISBN: 978-1-61124-541-7

 

Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (January 19th, 2014)

 

Heat Level: Moderate

 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

 

Reviewer: Lisa

 

Blurb: Helping people is what Denny Patton does. Most of the time, it’s through his duties as a cop in San Francisco, but every once in a while, he steps in and aids his brother in an underground battle for those without any rights under the law-werewolves. Their latest mission is to rescue a group of wolves held captive and forced to do the unspeakable. The task will put Denny’s career at risk, but in his heart, he believes it’s the right thing to do.

Especially when one of the wolves turns out to be Elijah Garber, the man who disappeared from Denny’s life seven years ago.

Elijah and Denny were high school sweethearts, until Elijah disappeared from the Bay Area the summer after they graduated. The note he left behind told Denny and his family to move on without him, but Denny has never forgotten his first love. Now, he wants answers as to why Elijah left all those years earlier. But more importantly, he wants the future they were always meant to have…

 

This title is part of the Growl AmberPax™ Collection. To purchase this title individually, use the shopping cart below. To purchase this title as part of the entire AmberPax™ and receive a 25% discount off our normal price, use the shopping cart on this page.

 

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Boundless.html

Review: I have found another favorite story. Vivien has a gift for telling stories. It is amazing how the characters come together and the world just seems different when they are in it. I love how she made Elijah and Denny sound. They had fallen in love with each other while they were children. Then separated when Elijah had been bitten and turned into a werewolf. Elijah had been scared that Denny would reject him if he found out so he had run. Ran from the one person who loved him with all his heart.

 

Denny had searched for Elijah but never able to find him. He had at one time moved on or so he thought, but realized when him and his brother were saving a pack of wolves from evil men and found Elijah that he had in fact just pushed the love down. He was a police officer and always thought it meant to save people. Not just humans but wolves also, however the government thought different. So he and his brother did everything they could do to save them.

Now that they are back together, they will do everything in their power to stay together and never part again. Denny will do everything to keep Elijah safe as will Elijah. Once you start reading this, you will fall in love with them and cheer them on. Praying that they stay safe and be able to make their future one that is full of happiness.

 

This story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves two hot men, amazing sex, werewolves, and danger. Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes, and that is what this story is about also. They place their selves in danger saving those who are being hurt. I loved this story and cannot wait to read it again and again.

Threshold by Vivien Dean

71TfuQC4atL._SL1500_Title: Threshold

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Paranormal /Vampires

ISBN: 978-1-61124-519-6

Length: Extended Novella (115 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure (November 17th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Sutter is a vampire on the run. After barely escaping the hunter his sire sent after him, he makes it all the way to the middle of nowhere, Oregon, before the approaching sunrise forces him to stop. He intends only to rest, and then hit the road again as soon as night falls, but that plan falls apart when the motel’s maintenance man discovers him passed out on the bathroom floor.

Ex-Marine Max Rowell hasn’t had a purpose in life ever since coming home from the Gulf. Though he works at his father’s motel, drifting through days that bleed endlessly into each other, it takes discovering an unconscious guy who looks like an angel but has clearly been through hell to give him new purpose.

Max isn’t letting Sutter go anywhere until he’s healed, but Sutter needs more than a warm bedside manner to get stronger. Though they strike a deal, the clock keeps ticking, and sooner or later Sutter will need to run again, or risk putting Max’s life on the line when Sutter’s past catches up to him… 

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Threshold.html

Review: So this story started very interesting giving me a speedy little heartbeat with its intensity and anticipation. A vampire on the threshold of death gets saved by a living breathing man. Sutter has never been valued before, never once anyone cast his eyes twice on him. Even his sire didn’t really care much, beside the fact that Sutter’s actions deflected on him. Most importantly though, no one, no one ever has done something nice for Sutter just because… So, when Max comes along and saves his life because it wouldn’t be right not to, Sutter suffers a cultural shock shall we say it? A shock definitely it is because no human has ever seen Sutter and wanted to give him blood, on the contrary screams were usually the norm.

So this right here is where I start having my issues with the read. No matter how much of a good-doer Max is, his behavior when he learns that Sutter is a vampire is completely reckless at least and makes no sense. He understands that Sutter is a vampire, but he doesn’t want Sutter to kill people when hunting… He understands Sutter can’t ever have a “normal” job, but he doesn’t want him illegal either… Max as a character is a huge pile of controversies and the biggest one of them was the I want you to screw my brains out but not until you’re healed (Sutter has this huge hole in his body) but wait, once Sutter is healed oops, something happens and Max doesn’t want to have sex anymore…

Really, I understand he was supposed to be this good guy falling in love with the vamp and changing the vamp’s twenty undead years and making him “good” again… but for it didn’t work. It has been said and done before and this work simply didn’t distinguish itself for the rest of the rack.

The intimate scenes and romance were a bit weird. See the entire read was one big anticipation, for Sutter to heal and have he and Max finally got down to fireworks because yeah, the chemistry was exquisite between them two, only to have waited for nothing in the end. I really felt cheated there, I would so much rather not have that threesome that was not threesome and that was a bit of a pain to read, than not have the final sex scene between Max and Sutter. That was so the wrong call the way I see it. A huge disappointment if there ever was any.

As for the badies and the end itself… yep, the WTF ever did cross my mind once or twice. I don’t want to spoil it for those who are going to read it, but let’s just say the end brought up more questions and no closure so…

Overall, though I must admit that for half a read or more, I had a nice time reading this book and a silly grin on my face, and while it could be much, much better, it definitely wasn’t bad and fans of the genre might want to give it a go.

The Hearts of Yesteryear by Vivien Dean

51tduJ9XjeLTitle: The Hearts of Yesteryear

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novella (92 pages)

Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill (September 22nd, 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Throughout his career, actor John Paravati has stuck with the line he sold to the gossip rags—he’s been in like, been in lust, even been in respect once or twice, but never love. It works for him. After all, the only thing he’s ever cared about is performing, and if he’s stuck now doing commercials for cruise lines to pay his bills, at least it’s better than shilling adult diapers.

But people in Hollywood are pros at pretending, and John is the master of them all. Because once upon a time, in the world of his youth, he loved two things with all his heart—his best friend Frank and the movie palace he used as sanctuary.

More than fifty years ago, John ran away from his hometown, never to look back. Now, someone has decided to restore the theater he left behind, and they want John to be a part of its relaunch. Though the memories still sting, he swallows his pride and agrees to go, even if it means finally dealing with the heartache he’s ignored all this time. At seventy-seven, he’s too old to continue holding onto the hurt. The question is, however, is he too old to start over once it’s gone?

Purchase Link:  http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/HeartsYesteryear.html

Review: John left his hometown in his twenties after his heart was crushed. He became a successful actor and now 50 years later the memories are all brought up in an invitation to go back to the grand opening of the restoration of the theatre there.

This is a very well written sweet story about a man’s past coming back to haunt him. It’s also a starch reminder that so long ago gay lifestyles were less accepted than they are nowadays causing many young men to deny themselves of whom they really are and who they truly loved.

I also really loved that the characters were older men (in their seventies) and well established in their lives. It goes to show that love can be found no matter what the age, that all of us have needs and desires and hurts.  Well done!!

I highly recommend this to anyone that likes older characters, actors, military men and a very sweet love story.

Aria of the Eclipse by Vivien Dean

AriaEclipseTitle: Aria of the Eclipse

Series: N/A

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: MM / Science Fiction / Futuristic / The Arts

Length: Novella

Publisher: Amber Allure (April 21st, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Nothing has ever excited Tylen Merodine more than being invited by the Regent himself to celebrate the first solar eclipse in his planet’s recorded history. It’s the party of the millennium, and if he has to restrain his normal exuberant instincts to fit in, that’s what he’ll do to be a part of it. His good intentions vanish, however, the moment he’s presented to the Regent. Because there, in a gilded cage, playing music unlike anything Tylen’s ever heard, is the most beautiful alien he could imagine.

For more than twenty years, Dek has lived in captivity, performing at the whim of those who see him as an animal. The Regent is just the latest in a long line of owners, and while he’s kind, he’s still blind to Dek’s sentient nature. Only music gives Dek a voice, until Tylen breaks the rules and sneaks in to see and speak to him alone.

The time they have together is stolen and precious, the minutes ticking away until the eclipse is past and they have to go back to the way their lives were before. But when the Regent shows an unexpected interest in Tylen’s future, they begin to wonder if their worlds need to remain so separate… 

Product Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/AriaEclipse.html

Review: What a lovely, lovely book this was. I’m very fond of the sci-fi genre and the whole different species idea I admit, but this story was truly worth reading even if I was not partial to it.

As much as I crave my freedom, I’ve lived so much of my life

In a cage that I’m not sure what I’d do with it once it was mine.

This is how it starts and it comes from Dek’s point of view. Dek is a sentient species similar to humans, but also very different. Hunted down at age thirteen, he has spent nearly two decades in captivity. The first time he spoke to his “owner” it didn’t go well, hence his decision not to speak ever again to anyone that treats him like an animal. His only way of communication is through his music.

When the story begins I was fascinated. Not only by the new species introduced, but mostly from the melancholic tone as Dek narrated it. It was such a romantic way of writing I got lost in it from the first line and through it you get to understand Dek’s personality and admire the character Ms. Dean created here. He is melancholic due to captivity, yet not depressed. He has an understanding for his captors/owners, yet he hasn’t succumbed to his hopeless situation. Maintaining dreams, yet not getting overwhelmed by them or the fact that he might always be a slave. It is a beautiful character you instantly fall in love with.

And then Tylen comes in the scene and he has his own point of view. The writing while similar is also different, the voices between Tylen and Dek easily distinguishable and you can see how easily he falls for the “songbird” in the golden cage and feel his fury and emotions for said cage.

Being the first one to ever acknowledge Dek as a person, Tylen instantly earns the honor of being the first to hear his voice, too. The bond created between them is almost tangible for me as a reader, the emotions the come from the anguish of their fate easily traveled my way. When the pair came together it was almost magical and the writing once again took me within the dreamy intensity of their lovemaking.

In addition to the wonderful love story there was the romantic side of Dek’s owner, the Regent, who made things even more interesting with his behavior. A mysterious character in his doings, he had both characters and me wondering what on Earth is going on. Giving the plot that little something needed to raise it from a mere nice story to a great one. It was absolutely brilliant and I loved the conclusion. Expected, yet so very unique and romantic in its execution.

This is most definitely a read I’d recommend to those who love sci-fi and romantic stories. I loved it.

 

Moon-Touched by Vivien Dean

Title: Moon-Touched

Author: Vivien Dean

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Shifter

Length: Novel (155pgs)

Publisher: Amber Press (Amber Allure) (16th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Thomas Durling escaped his small-town upbringing for over ten years, until a single phone call draws him back. Told his mother has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, Thomas returns to the small northern Michigan town he once called home to find a mute stranger named Andre taking care of her in his stead. On the surface, Andre seems harmless enough, but Thomas has enough problems trying to deal with his mother’s illness. He doesn’t need a gorgeous young man to distract him, especially in a town that already drove him away once with its homophobia.

But Andre Nezat has nowhere else to go. A wolf without a pack, he’s been on the run since witnessing his father’s murder, always looking over his shoulder, never looking ahead. Taking care of Thomas’s mother has given him a welcome sanctuary, as well as a place he can call home for a couple months. He wants to stay, but more importantly, he wants to help, even if Thomas isn’t ready to accept that they can actually be friends…

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MoonTouched.html

This title is part of the Howling At The Moon 2011 AmberPax™ Collection.

Review: Thomas is back in town to ensure his mother’s well-being.  He doesn’t need the added complication of being attracted to Andre, the man who has been helping to care for his mother. Andre has been on the running from the past some time, his attraction for Thomas complicates his plans when his past begins to catch up.

This is a well written story that is different from the usual run of the mill shifter story. Thomas returns to his hometown that he couldn’t wait to get out of because of the small-minded bigotry. , he returns because of his mum; she has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.  We see him struggle with the effect it has on him, as he sees how Alzheimer’s is affecting her. Andre is helping Thomas’s mum as much as he can but he knows that he will have to move on soon as his past is always following him. We feel sorry for him as we learn the truth of his injuries and the effect it has on him.

I loved how being a shifter in this book is not easy and that the change is harrowing and painful.  I thought it was great that there wasn’t any instant mating and that they got to know each other quite well in the short amount of time that they had. Thomas’s reaction to Andre’s change was great and wasn’t overdone or overplayed. The sex was emotional and connected the two men together in a way that was more than just physical release.

This is a wonderful story that I will recommend to those who love shifters, emotional pasts, a difficult present and a hopeful future.