Second Bite of the Cherry by Louise Lyons

SecondBiteoftheCherryLGTitle: Second Bite of the Cherry
Series: Celebrate! 2014 Advent Calendar
Author: Louise Lyons
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Length: Short (28 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: When Daniel Berrisford reluctantly agrees to accompany his best friend Kate to the New Year’s Eve celebrations in London, he doesn’t expect to enjoy himself. Daniel is pleasantly surprised to see his first boyfriend, James Allison, among the merrymakers. The pair hasn’t seen each other for four years, but as they talk and midnight approaches, it becomes clear the spark between them is still there.

The New Year is a time for new beginnings, and for Daniel and James, it might be the time to give love another chance.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-765-1

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5868

Reviewer: York

Review: I don’t think I have ever read a story with so few pages pack so much punch. It’s no secret that if faced with the choice of a 40-page novella or a 400-page novel with no time constraints, I will choose the novel every time. However, the novellas are growing on me and this is a perfect example of why. Second Bite takes you from heartbreak to the promise of lifelong love from 0 to 60 in 28 pages flat.

I can certainly understand Daniel’s reluctance to open his heart again and I appreciate his best friend, Kate’s determination to enjoy the ringing in of the New Year despite her very recent break-up. When she uses her “bestie wiles” to get him out of the house, you can’t help but shout out “You go, girl!”

The plotline may be a bit of a holiday cliché but, Miss Lyons writes it so well with a perfect blend of humor, lust, and the promise of a better year ahead that you don’t even realize the oft-used scenario.

Just Stay by Aria Grace Book Blast, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Aria Grace - Just Stay 600x600Banner

Hi guys, we have Aria Grace popping in with her latest release Just Stay, we have a great excerpt and a fabulous giveaway and we have York’s review for you to enjoy. Enjoy the post guys then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~ 

Aria Grace - Just Stay 800

 Just Stay

 (More Than Friends 04)
 by

Aria Grace

When Spencer agreed to help take down the leader of a Portland crime family, he didn’t realize he’d end the night with the bloodied body of an unknowing accomplice in his arms. His initial interest in Dylan was purely physical but when Dylan stepped in front of Topher’s gun and saved Spencer, the lust quickly turned into something more. Something he wasn’t sure he’d ever find in the fast-paced dot com world he was from. 

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Just Stay by Aria Grace

911c6mDh+kL._SL1500_Title: Just Stay
Series: More Than Friends, #4
Author: Aria Grace
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (240 pages
Publisher: Surrendered Press (October 7th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderately Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: When Spencer agreed to help take down the leader of a Portland crime family, he didn’t realize he’d end the night with the bloodied body of an unknowing accomplice in his arms. His initial interest in Dylan was purely physical but when Dylan stepped in front of Topher’s gun and saved Spencer, the lust quickly turned into something more. Something he wasn’t sure he’d ever find in the fast-paced dot com world he was from.

ISBN: 9781310343285

Product Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/478627

Reviewer: York

Review: One of my problems when reading a series that features a different couple with each entry is that I am just not ready to let go of the previous couple. This was no different. I went into it wanting to know more about Steve and Joey from Choosing Happy so it took me a few chapters to really get my hooks in.

I won’t lie. I didn’t feel the same emotional pull towards either Spencer or Dylan as I did for Steve and Joey in Choosing Happy. Having said that, I did find them intriguing and interesting, just not to the same caliber. Dylan steps into Topher’s role as boss very well. Almost as if he was born for it, without the sadistic tweaks that his former boss had. As for Spencer, well, he doesn’t really fit in Dylan’s world at first, but the author does an excellent job of blending the pair.

Before I end my review, I should make comment to the fact that it’s said that even though this is a series, these are standalone stories. I guess that’s true to an extent. I read the first entry, More Than Friends, last year. I have not read the second one. I did read the third entry, Choosing Happy, which I reviewed here earlier. I have to say that I am glad that I read Choosing before this one. Yes, it could be read by itself but personally, I would have felt lost not having understood why Dylan took a bullet for Spencer, which is where #3 ended and this one began.

So it is in my opinion that you should read Choosing Happy before reading Just Stay.

The Best Corpse for the Job by Charlie Cochrane Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway!

Charlie Cochrane - Best Corpse for the Job banner
Hiya guys, today we have Charlie Cochrane popping in with her newest release The Best Corpse for the Job. Charlie answers a couple of questions and there’s a fantastic giveaway, we also have York’s review so you can see what she thinks of Charlie’s new book, so enjoy the post and then leave a comment with your emails 🙂 <3 ~Pixie~ 
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The Best Corpse for the Job

by

Charlie Cochrane

Tea and sympathy have never been so deadly.

Schoolteacher Adam Matthews just wants to help select a new headteacher and go home. The governors at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s have already failed miserably at finding the right candidate, so it’s make or break this second time round. But when one of the applicants is found strangled in the school, what should have been a straightforward decision turns tempestuous as a flash flood in their small English village.

Inspector Robin Bright isn’t thrilled to be back at St. Crispin’s. Memories of his days there are foul enough without tossing in a complicated murder case. And that handsome young teacher has him reminding himself not to fraternize with a witness. But it’s not long before Robin is relying on Adam for more than just his testimony.

As secrets amongst the governors emerge and a second person turns up dead, Robin needs to focus less on Adam and more on his investigation. But there are too many suspects, too many lies, and too many loose ends. Before they know it, Robin and Adam are fighting for their lives and their hearts.

http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/best-corpse-for-the-job

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Choosing Happy by Aria Grace Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Aria Grace - Choosing Happy 2ChoosingHappy600x600Banner
Hiya guys, we have Aria Grace stopping by with her tour of Choosing Happy, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and York’s review for you to enjoy. So enjoy the post and then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~ 
Aria Grace - Choosing Happy CH

Choosing Happy

(More Than Friends 03)
by

Aria Grace

Book 3 of the More Than Friends Series. Can be read in sequence or as a standalone.  (Book #1 is free)

Steve is living in Portland with many regrets. He has alienated the people he cares most about by making bad choices that continue to haunt him. When he meets a kid that’s in a bad relationship and needs some help, Steve reluctantly offers it, knowing it’s his chance to redeem himself. What he doesn’t expect is to find happiness. It’s there, all he has to do it choose to accept it. 

For mature readers.

Categories: Contemporary, Gay fiction, M/M Romance

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Permanent Moonlight by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly

RR4_PermanentMoonlightTitle: Permanent Moonlight
Series: Rough Riders, #4
Author: A. J. Llewellyn / D. J. Manly
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novella (116 pages)
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (July 30, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ Hearts
Blurb: When Diego Champagne realizes that he can’t live without Colby Young, he comes up with a plan that will free him from the Banni motorcycle gang forever. He’s prepared to leave everything behind and make a new life for the man he loves and the children for which Colby is now responsible. But he can tell no one, not even Colby, if he hopes to carry it off.

Colby’s having problems accepting that if he’s to remain the guardian of his niece and nephew, he must stay clear of the Banni, and that means Diego. Given Colby’s past, he’s being watched like a hawk, and not just by Child Protection Services. Then Colby’s world spirals out of control when a member of the Banni informs Colby that they found Diego’s body burnt beyond recognition, along with his vest and bike. Miserable and angry at the world, Colby ends up in more trouble, his entire world held together by a thread.

Meanwhile, Diego must fulfill a promise to the leader of the Texas Crushers, who ironically helps him escape from the Banni life. Putting miles and time between him and the man he loves, Diego sets the wheels in motion that will prepare the stage for a crime-free life with Colby and the children. Question is, how will he tell Colby he’s not dead, and will Colby ever forgive him for keeping the truth from him?

ISBN: 978-1-61124-675-9

Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2041-Permanent-Moonlight.aspx

Reviewer: York

Review: I probably should have added this to my review of book 1 in the series, Artificial Moonlight, I’m not drawn to the Sons of Anarchy/ biker gang genre. That said, I’m not against the genre it’s just not usually a topic I seek out. I will say that the plotline is incredibly intriguing and it stayed that way right to the end of this one. I loved the whole idea that not only Diego and Colby but many of the supporting characters, Nuts and Jerry to name a couple, are a perfect blend of stereotypical and outside the box for bikers. Reading those inconsistencies grabbed my attention and held it right till the last page of Moonlight.
As for the writing style of the series, it could use some assistance. It’s not poorly written by any means but it definitely felt rushed. As I said in the other reviews for the series and that seems the easiest way to put it, it felt as if the authors were facing a deadline and weren’t given the time to expand certain parts. For me, that isn’t really a problem but I know that those kinds of holes can be an issue for some.

I don’t know if the authors intend to write anymore of Diego and Colby’s story but this is a perfect ending for the pair. I was pretty sure this is where the storyline was headed even before I was ½ way through the second book but expecting this outcome didn’t lessen my enjoyment of seeing how everyone got there

I will most certainly putting the authors on my “watch for” list.

This is Not a Love Story: the Hacker and His Hero by A.E. Lawless

hackerandhishero2Title: This is Not a Love Story: the Hacker and His Hero
Series: NA
Author: A.E. Lawless
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel (350 pages)
Publisher: Loose Id (September 30th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderately Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Ever since Gran’s death, Zander’s been using his skills as an elite computer hacker to help put criminals behind bars. Surprisingly enough, there’s also another vigilante running around his city helping folks out in the more traditional way. The press likes to pretend they’re rivals, but Zander likes to think that he and the Night Angel are working together; they want the same things at least.

When a tough case forces the two vigilantes to actually work together, Zander’s insistent fascination with the Night Angel becomes powerful attraction. It wouldn’t be a problem, except Zander’s also fooling around with his boss at the day job, Reese. They both give him something the other can’t, but both of them are also holding something he needs back from him. Zander knows he has to choose, but he just doesn’t see any way to make a good choice.

A break in the case reveals not only the master plot, but also more about Zander’s true nature than he ever expected to learn. Afterwards, Zander is seeing the world in a new light and realizes he may not have to sacrifice anything he needs; he may not have to make a choice after all.

ISBN: 978-1-62300-538-2

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/this-is-not-a-love-story-the-hacker-and-his-hero.html

Reviewer: York

Review: I enjoyed this story. It’s a bit of a superhero concept with the hero having no real “super powers” other than pure intelligence and genius tech savvy. I love long stories and this is definitely a long story, however, I do think it would have been an even better tale if it were about 50 pages shorter. There is a lot of Zander’s inner monologue weighing in on whether he’s being too obvious about his genius that could have been shortened.

There is a plot twist that really is not that much of a twist. I was able to see it coming almost immediately but it didn’t take away from the story. For me, it was even more intriguing to see just when the characters would figure it out as opposed to whether or not my guess was right.

I definitely enjoyed the extremely well written banter/flirting between Zander and Reese, not always something easy to convey. The sex is definitely hot but just like Zander’s genius inner monologue, his thoughts during sex could have been lessened and made the scenes even hotter, especially their first encounter in Zander’s office.