Blurb: Over thirty and at a crossroads in his life, freelance writer Chris Thorne is searching for himself. At odds with his traditional family and chafing from the expectations of a close female friend, Chris faces more than the isolation of a life spent in front of his laptop, it is more the loneliness of his true self-struggling for acceptance against the judgment of those around him.
When Tony Costanzo, the handsome son of Chris’s Italian neighbors, comes for a two-week vacation from New York to help his father with renovations, Chris and Tony form a close bond that extends beyond mere friendship. Discovering that they are two souls constrained by tradition, they take the first step in moving beyond the isolation of their lives.
Review: Wasn’t sure about this book. The author did tend to ramble a bit and give more description of people and things than necessary. However, I did like how he described what Chris was feeling about Tony and gave a little background information about his experiences that helped him to discover his sexuality. I loved the chemistry between Tony and Chris and how Tony just took control and swept Chris away.
The ending left an opening for a possible relationship between the two. I liked that also. Rooting for them if there is another book
Publisher: Peter Jason Payne (February 21st, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Heart
Reviewer: LeeAnn
Blurb:Ambriel’s father died in a car wreck, leaving him the man of the house. It’s a heavy responsibility for a teen still in high school.
To make matters worse, Ambriel has a deep, closeted secret that sets him apart from his carefree peers.
When Ambriel finds a kindred soul in his fellow classmate Jack, his difficult life takes a turn for the better.
However, there are dark forces at work in Ambriel’s hometown. Witchcraft and demonology have taken root and demons have been summoned, their infernal presence a threat to everyone. Ambriel is particularly vulnerable, because he isn’t just an average teen boy.
Ambriel is an angel.
What is holiness? What is goodness? Are they false constructs created by an hypocritical society? Or are they real, powerful virtues deep inside of us, waiting to be unleashed?
Holy is an M/M paranormal romance that explores the concepts of righteousness and wickedness, and seeks to challenge our preconceived notions of what is good and bad, right and wrong. At 6,000 words, this YA micro-novelette is the first entry of the Angels & Demons series.
Review: OH my! This book had me right from the start! Ambriel is an angel. He is drawn to Jack who is also one but doesn’t know it until Ambriel shows him. They connect instantly and are drawn to each other. Samael is a Demon or a God and is called forth by Jude. Although Jude doesn’t believe it until he, himself is revealed to be a Demon. Just when it’s getting to where we will be told what Jude’s true name is…..the book ends! So good. Even though I was left hanging…will have to look for another book connected to this
Blurb:It’s been twenty years since Rockford Fielding’s father punished him for kissing another boy. Now a grown man with a military career behind him, Rock continues to deny his true desires, even while working security at The Den, the most decadent sex club in town. But after a year of watching gorgeous Carter Montgomery come and go on the arms of other men, Rock can no longer resist the cravings he’s denied for so long.
Carter has just four months left on his contract with an escort agency, and he doesn’t know whether to feel relieved or afraid. Being an escort is all he knows. Adding to his confusion is the way his latest client, the sexy but stoic Rock, makes him feel things he hasn’t wanted in years.
One charmingly awkward date turns into two and soon the men are meeting off the clock. But with Rock in the closet and Carter unsure how to pursue a real relationship, how can they build a future both in and out of the bedroom?
Review: After having read Bonds of Desire, I really wanted to have a go at this title as well. After all, how could I deny myself the story of Carter and the mysterious Rock? I thought at first that with Carter being a rent-boy and Rock the security for The Den this was going to be BDSM related, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the author taking it on a completely different area and going strictly for erotic romance. So let me give you the main idea for the set up and who’s who in the background.
The Den is an exclusive BDSM club and has recently become multi-partnered. One of the partners is Rock (Rockford) and he’s always been a bit mysterious. We didn’t know much about him beside the fact that he is silent like a tomb, with a military background, and hot as hell. In this title, we get to meet him and see all the reasons behind his stoicism and silence. We get to see how freaking deep he is in the closet, how much denial defines him, but most of all we get to read what it takes to make him not only come out of Narnia, but do it with a big freaking BANG! (I kept having Alex Minsky in mind)
The reason for Rock finally taking steps to get his own happy ending is the equally mysterious Carter. Carter is a highly paid escort and we met him briefly at Bonds of Desire, when he gets in the last-minute and saves Tyler from himself. Unfortunately, you know what they say; those that give the best advice are the ones to not follow them.
So this is the story of how Carter saves Rock and vise-versa, each battling their own demons, and obstacles toward their hunt for happiness. It has a lot of growth happening, too many intense scenes when fears and insecurities strike over, and at some point it has a big heartbreak as well. It is a lovely story overall but I really loved the intimate scenes most. They were the best-written parts in this book, highly intense and sensual, and perfectly describing each character’s unique treats and personality, the difference between the virgin and the escort right there.
However, I had a bit of an issue with the repetition of sentiments. I can’t remember how many times the author went over in repeating the same thing over and over again, in a different line, on a different paragraph. In addition, most of the time the two characters’ personality kind of “meshed”, meaning their reactions and feeling about something were near identical making hard to separate them. As I said above, the only parts that they shined separately were the sexual scenes, otherwise they were a bit blurred. It didn’t help much the fact that they both went back and forth in this relationship almost in the same way. Many times giving the impression of shallow people acting like twelve graders, and that put me off a bit. For me it would have been a great read if this story was more polished and ¼th of the text that said the same things over and over was chopped off.
Overall, though I liked it and had a fun time reading it. Despite the blurs in the lines, the characters draw me in and the growth Rock especially showed in the story put a smile in my face for most of the read. If you’ve been following this series, you’re going to love this instalment, and if you’re new, you can read this title as a standalone and have a great time reading it. Recommended!
Blurb: Kyle Dean spent nine months of his life in a coma after being turned into a werewolf against his will. His body had a negative reaction to the bite, but fortunately, the first person he sees when he wakes up isn’t the man who bit him, but his mate.
Colt Armstrong owes Lawrence everything. Lawrence saved Colt’s life and turned him into a werewolf. He would never betray the man. Except when he’s given the chore of guarding his comatose mate, and within minutes of stepping into the room, Kyle is not only awake, but also telling him that he is not mated to Lawrence.
Colt doesn’t want to betray his alpha, but he can’t leave the new and frightened omega in a pack that would force him to mate with Lawrence. He will do anything to keep Kyle safe and protected, even going to a pack of Luna werewolves, the most dangerous of all werewolves, and asking for sanctuary.
Review: Once again, Marcy has blown me away with another wonderful story. It has so much description, details, and great emotion that will captivate you. It has the mixture of danger, pain, fear, and love that makes it a great read.
To understand such a great pain takes such compassion that Colt has for his little mate. Kyle had a truly hard life that ended with him in a coma after being raped and turned by an alpha who was out to destroy all Luna werewolves. Colt was one of the alpha’s other pack members, told to watch and care for Kyle he started slowly feeling things for Kyle. Thinking Kyle belonged to Lawrence, he did as his alpha order. But when Kyle tells him what Lawrence had done to him, he knew he had to keep him safe. Kyle had very little self-confidence because he thought himself to be a whore who got paid. But in truth, he was a victim also. He is truly adorable with an attitude that just fits him. He has the humor to make his mate smile, the love to keep him happy and the attitude to drive him crazy with. Colt was also known to being a werewolf, but he has the strength of will to go against his alpha, the courage to stand up for someone he loves and the love to prove his commitment.
I was intrigued by their strength and weaknesses actually making them stronger. I loved the way this book just comes across just as I do most of Marcy’s books in this series. I am glad to add this to my library and will definitely be reading it again. It captured my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.
Blurb: The vampires, serial killers, and shape-shifters in the three novellas in this companion volume to Horror Lite will drain the blood from your heart. Where it goes from there is no one’s business but your own.
“Val” — For years, Brad has been obsessed with the memory of his dead lover, Val. His obsession takes over his life when he meets another Val, a hustler who looks exactly like the first.
“Slasher” — A man is found in a cubicle at a gay bathhouse with his throat slit. Then another victim turns up. Only Lou’s lover, Jamie, can identify the most likely suspect.
“The Matador” — Soledad de Riquer feels certain that her brother, the celebrated matador El Valiente, has his eye on her young boyfriend, Adulio.
CONTENT ADVISORIES: This title contains subjects of rape or near rape, extreme violence, and sex in partially shifted form. “Val” is a re-edited, re-release story.
Review: The first story in this book is Val and damn it if I know what to make out of it. Sex! Everything revolved around sex. A creepy kind of sex that started from Brad’s obsession with his long dead ex-lover. Truly, it’s a fascination story the way it was told. Brad once had a lover, Val, and then they broke up, amicably. Years later, he stumbles upon him but this time Val is dying from AIDS. After his death Brad’s obsession begins and for years he vainly attempts to clone hustlers into his ex-lover, not the way he looked like when alive, but sick, pale, dying…
Creepy? You have no idea. Reading this brought shivers down my body, yet it’s not horror or anything like that. It’s simply the re-enacting a dead lover, the idea is skin crawling.
All this endless stream of hustlers takes an abrupt end when Brad stumbles upon a real double of Val. He looks just like him, but it’s no longer role-playing. The new hustler’s name is Val, he talks, walks, and does pretty much everything like the original Val. Somehow though, while they are having sex, something happens and reality merges with fantasy, the line blur, a dreamlike blend occurs and Brad end up making passionate love, animalistic even to this new Val. He no longer longs for what was lost, he simply want this new thing never to end.
And from that moment on there is sex on all forms, anything you can imagine (no kinks). The plot, if there even is one, completely revolves around the sex. The relationship Brad and Val share has nothing more. What contributes more to the creepy/unknown factor is that we never really get to understand who or what Val – this new one – is. There are hints that he is perhaps not a real person, but nothing concrete. Brad surly never figures out that there might be more to his Val, not even when surrounded at some point by dozens of Val’s clones.
As the story moves along – a good eighty pages – the feeling of the text changes from creepy to dreamy. I kept thinking that the character was dreaming everything that happened to him and he’d wake up any moment and bring us with him into a scary reality. No it didn’t happen so, but the end, the epilogue did leave me wondering what on earth happened and who the Hell was Val?
. It was weird and I kept expecting the vampires to come, but the slight relation to vampirism was Val’s supposed illness and that was not what I’d call horror/paranormal. So in the end I read a story that even though it made no sense to me at all, as I so no real purpose to it, I still somehow liked.
P.s.: There are some serious similes all through the text. No scratch that, the entire text was simile after simile, the most overwhelming of all was the horse/rider one. Interesting how I still can’t get some images off of my head.
Immediately follows the Slasher, a story that had a serial killer going after gay man. Lou is at the baths when the slasher first hits, leaving behind him a bloody room and the police trying to find out whom among the clients might have seen something. Jamie, one of the attendants, noticed someone suspicious and that marks the beginning of a hide and seek sick game. During the hours they spend, waiting to be questioned Lou and Jamie hit it off together and made plans for a future date. Two months later and they still haven’t made it so Lou starts searching for him. Apparently, he’s not the only one because the moment our pair reconnect the slasher makes an appearance as well killing yet another man right outside Jamie’s former work place. Convinced he’s being haunted by the slasher Jamie tries to survive, make a blossoming relationship work, and prove that the slasher is not a made up character of his imagination or drama.
This story is suspense and more or less not a bad one. However, the entire plot, connection with characters and intrigue were at a loss. The dialogues were stilting and quite boring, the chemistry between the pair was lacking and the intimate scenes between them didn’t appeal at all. The eroticism expected was missing and made the entire read drag, as there was nothing more to keep you interested. On top of that, we had Lou going in an instantly serious relationship with Jamie. One moment they are still relative strangers the next they’re moving in together. Their entire relationship was a bit surreal.
Plot-wise I didn’t see the reasons behind the attacks and stalking on Jamie. The villain was just a presence who took a face at the very end, but his intentions and the how’s/why’s were never explained. Overall, I didn’t quite enjoy this one.
Third and last story in this book is The Matador.
In this story, the plot is quite simple though again it drags on quite a while. Soledad lives in a world that is filled in bigotry. Her parents disown her for having not only lost her virginity, but also managed to get pregnant and secretly have an abortion. Her sins in their eyes are too great to have her in their home and with their other children.
Her only ties with her family now is her big brother Luis (the matador) and her bitterness shows a lot, because while she is disowned by her prude family, Luis who is gay is not and his little sin his overlooked because he’s famous and made a life for himself.
So even though she’s happy that she at least still has family to call her own, things slowly change when she introduces him to her lover Adulio.
Honestly, the story was not so very attracting. It took forever to reach to a point and when it did, it ended too quickly. There was a pattern on the dialogues with them dragging on and on while the two characters argue or find endless reasons to rebuke the other’s demands. It was the same on all three stories and made the text quite tiresome. You simply couldn’t get attached with any of the characters and the sense of depression was overbearing.
In the end, there was an abrupt merge with the paranormal in this story. The Shapeshifter seemed to come from nowhere. One could say that there were grounds to make this blend and put this idea to work, but after all that happened and after all that drama the paranormal addition left me thinking “what the Hell?” It could have been better exploited in my opinion, but in this case, it was just surreal.
Overall, this book didn’t meet with my expectations. I expected horror, dark, or light, but there was no such thing in none of the three stories. They were odd and weird sure, but nothing to make you scream or put them in the horror genre, therefore they failed for me.
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…
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.
Blurb: The humans are tired of living in fear of the vampires. Hawke West, a skilled assassin, is sent on a mission to kidnap any important member of a rich vampire house in the hopes of finally starting an open war instead of allowing the vampires to pick them off. The problem is that the vampire he kidnaps is the very one who freed him from slavery as a child, and now he finds himself not only protecting him from his vampire-hating village, but also falling for him.
William Delany was running from an arranged marriage when Hawke came back into his life. Though their former relationship was of a master and servant, they were still children together, and he hasn’t forgotten the man, and Hawke has become very handsome indeed. Now, Will’s only concern is whether he should escape or stay with Hawke where his future, and the length of his life, will be uncertain.
Review: Pretty much raised by vampires as slaves, Hawke had managed to escape when he was a child with the help of a vampire child William. Now Hawke was a grown man and a very skilled assassin and he had just kidnapped William to be a pawn. The only problem was he was slowly falling in love with William. Hawke is a human with the strength and loyalty to his clan. He has hated the vampires for their superiority but was starting to care for a vampire. William is the youngest son, and was about to be sent to an arranged marriage, so he had attempted to escape his family only to be captured by Hawke. William was tender, caring and had the capability to love those around him.
This story seem like it was in the old days, but every once in a while it seems like the future term. Each character has their strengths, their weaknesses, differences but they seem to fit just right together. I really love the paranormal romances, especially with different types but this story was just a bit harder to get into for some reason. It was still a very good read though. Especially the sexual scenes and the danger surrounding them. Even with the difficulties of getting into it, once I started reading I didn’t put it down.
I have always loved Marcy’s stories and once I got into the story this made my list. I can see myself reading it more than once.
Blurb: Sometimes the thing you hate the most takes you to the love of your life.
Dire Wolf Shifter, Angel, may be the youngest of four brothers, but that doesn’t make him the stupidest. He knows that Valentine’s Day is nothing but one big joke. It’s just a way for candy and card shops to make extra money. How does he know this? Because there is no such thing as true love. Every man he’s met has proven this by stomping on his heart, leaving him bitter and jaded. Fellow Dire Wolf, Baily, has always had a crush on Angel, but he never acted on it. As one of Angel’s older brother’s best friends, Baily had never thought the time was right or appropriate. But as he sees Angel hurting, Baily can’t stop himself from reaching out to the younger man. Will Baily be able to show Angel that there is such a thing as true love? Or had Angel’s heart grown too hard?
Review: I love Stephani’s books. She has such a gift of storytelling. She gives you wonderful characters that you will fall in love with. A world you can lose yourself into when times get rough.
Almost everyone that lives in Angle’s hometown are Dire Wolves. Wolves that have given up all the old ways believing that they are myth’s. Bailey had left home to get his business taken care of, had come home without warning because it was where he believed to be. He also knew that he wanted Angel. He also wanted him to be old enough to claim. Although he didn’t realize that the claiming was because they were mates, for the old ways were long gone. Thinking that mates didn’t exist he was in for a surprise. Angel had always wanted Bailey, but he had not expected Bailey to be at his home when he got there. He had always hated Valentine’s Day for many reasons, but the one major reason was he didn’t want to be alone. So when Bailey told him that he wanted to be with him, he was a bit surprised, confused, and wary. However when they did make love, it was with tender care, love and passion. When the hunters come for them, they start believing in the old ways. Angel will do anything to save his mate when the danger comes for them. There are going to be a lot of changes coming and they were going to be ready for them.
I love almost anything paranormal however when it comes with two very sexy men, you can count that I will read it. I loved this story, just wished it were a lot longer to lose myself into for the day. It has gone on my favorite list. If you love sexy men, danger, and excitement, you will love this story.
Blurb: A heavy burden rides the shoulders of young Gregory Hilliard—to discover the fate of a father he never knew. Did the elder Hilliard die with Hicks Pasha’s army at El Obeid in 1883 or, as his mother fervently hopes, did he somehow escape the massacre there by the fanatic Mahdist Dervishes?
And then there is the puzzle of his real name. Is he who he thinks he is? Born and raised in Cairo, fluent in native languages, Gregory is pitched into the heat of war after his mother dies. The teenager makes his way by joining General Kitchener’s Nile campaign to retake the Sudan from the Khalifa’s Mahdist armies. In doing so, Gregory hopes to find out what happened to his father. Two spies—Edward and Richard Rainbow—help in his quest, brothers with their own dark secret. But his greatest support comes from the Ja’alin Zaki, the love of his young life, his friend, and soul mate.
In a world that refuses to recognize the right of young men to love and in an era that looks down on the “inferior” natives, Gregory faces his most difficult battle for personal happiness. Success will bring him and Zaki fulfillment but also unravel a tragic and at the same time life-enhancing mystery with its roots in far away England… and in the solving of it, one which might yet rip the two lovers apart.
Review: While this story stands alone as a novel, the events are greatly enriched by having read “A Life Apart,” which features Edward and Richard Rainbow, who appear as Gregory’s companions. I will admit that this story is hard to follow, but it also fascinates me.
Gregory lost his father at a very early age, but never truly learned what happened to him. When his mother passes away, she had asked him to make something of himself before learning about his father’s family. He is of English ancestry but born and raised in Cairo. He decides to join the military to help free his birth country. Having grown up with Zaki, he doesn’t want to leave him behind. At sixteen, he seems more grown up than most teens of today. He also knows that he loves Zaki and wants to be with him for the rest of his life.
Now in the 1800’s you can understand the dangers that face them if it should ever get out that they are lovers. By him being very fluent in many of the native languages, he can be an interpreter for his country and England. Jaki has loved Gregory since they were children and now loves him even more. He will do anything to stay with his true heart. They both have such strong will and the strength that would amaze even the hardest Generals. They however have compassion, gentleness and care for their people and others. The sex is pretty hot once you get past the fact that they are so young. Gregory is amazing in the war and finds himself promoted pretty fast. All though many can understand the reason for fighting in a war, Gregory has another agenda he wants to fulfill and that is to find out what happened to his father. He also learns about who he truly is, and what it means to belong to a family of prestige and honor. He finds the answers to the questions he had during the journey of his life. Jaki and Gregory’s love for each other gets stronger each day but they still have the fears that follow all young men who love each other.
I love the way Roger mixed the diary of Gregory’s father in to the story, but it did make it a little harder to follow the story itself, but once you get to the end you catch on pretty easy. I also loved how he managed to mix the war itself with the way Jaki and Gregory loved each other. I enjoyed the way they found each other sexually. It starts off slow like teens just finding themselves to the heat of adults. Even knowing the dangers of being caught they still loved each other deeply. All in total, this story was told with such a flare that amazed me. This story comes off as so real to me, it is like you are right there along with them through their ups and downs. To be so young and to decide this life at such a time of war is probably one of the most heroic things about this book. I loved the strength each character has for what needs to be done during the war and to be faithful to each other. I can actually see myself sitting down and reading it again. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hey everyone, today we are bringing you a great new anthology Foolish Hearts, each story was carefully chosen by editors Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane and our Gigi was pretty impressed with this collection of stories so take a look at what she had to say! ~Pixie~
Take a Chance on Love!
Following the critically acclaimed anthology Fool for Love, editors Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane bring together a new compilation to appeal to sensual appetites. Foolish Hearts: New Gay Fiction is a collection of seventeen passionate yet lustful gay romance stories, ranging from the adrenaline-pumping days of youth to the heartbreaking nights of middle-aged romance. Readers are taken on a joyride through the wild memories and fantasies of well-known erotica writers, such as Felice Picano, Andrew Holleran, and Greg Herren. Escape to new worlds while rediscovering the intense and beautiful emotions associated with falling punch-drunk, head-over-heels in love.
“Every once in a while a book comes along that completely bowls me over. It shakes me out of any reading ennui I may be experiencing and reminds me once again of the reasons for my love of the written word.”
—The Indie Reviewer, (praise for Fool for Love)
About the Editors
Timothy J. Lambert is an accomplished gay erotica writer. His stories have been appeared in Best Gay Love Stories and The Mammoth Book of New Gay Erotica.
R. D. Cochrane has published short stories and two novels, Coventry Christmas and Coventry Wedding. Together they have co-published several written works, including The Deal; Three Fortunes in One Cookie;and Someone Like You. Both writers reside in Houston, TX, and can be found online at timothyjlambert.com and beckycochrane.com.
Foolish Hearts
New Gay Fiction
Edited by Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane
$15.95, Trade Paperback
240 pages, 5 ½ ” x 8”
978-1-62778-005-6
Publishing on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2014
Contact: Eva Gantz at egantz@cleispress.com, 510-845-8000
Title: Foolish Hearts: New Gay Fiction
Series: Anthology
Author: Edited by Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane
Genre: Contemporary/Coming of Age/Aging/Fools In Love
Length: Novel/Anthology <
Publisher: Cleis Press (2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: The Exhilaration of Love. As gay marriage bells are finally ringing out around the world, bestselling editors Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane celebrate with a collection of gay romance that will incite love—and lust—in every reader. A thirty-something realizes the man sleeping beside him every night is his real Prince Charming in Steven Reigns’ “On These Sheets.” Love, youth and age bump up against each other at a gay guesthouse in “Symposium,” by Andrew Holleran. A hopeless romantic finds his heart’s desire amid the temptations of Hollywood in Felice Picano’s “New Kid in Town: 1977.” Men who love men abound in this dazzling collection of deliciously sexy, romantic and tender stories.
Review: This is a collection of stories that contain honest thoughts, emotions and experiences. These authors create stories that share growing pains, relationship woes, sexual enlightenment, frustrations, unrequited love and so many more foolish and not so foolish moments of love and life. Some are sweet, some are sad, some are cute and others funny. As a collection this anthology is for the romantic, without the erotic. All are very well written, and many have touched my heart!
Hello Aloha by Tony Calvert: Being the single man out during a vacation wedding at the Magic Kingdom could stress anyone out. As best man, Chad does his job and tires not to grumble at the perky grooms-to-be, but the pressure they apply to get him to sample the sexy seven singles they invited for him gets on his nerves. Chad gives in to the whole fairy-tale theme and decides to stop grumbling when a large an irritating “Goofy” character comes up to him and begins a conversation of sorts, or as much as a nonspeaking man in a dog costume can! Funny thing is…Goofy and Chad share sympathies, secrets and it turns out attraction…one of my favorite sweet stories in this anthology!
How To Be Single at A Wedding by David Puterbaugh: Natalie and Peter, both single, and as Nat says, “Always A Bridesmaid and Never A Bride,” are once again helping their friends plan and execute their Cape Cod wedding. Natalie suggest that they should write a blog: How To Be Single at a Wedding. Throughout this short story they both grumble about singledom…about weddings, and relationships past….but by the end of this short they leave us with hope..and belief in true love after all.
Three Things I Pray by Trebor Healey: A beautifully poetic and surreal trilogy of short stories following the thoughts and lives of circus clowns, an amorous trapeze artist, and other side show lovers. A retired and lovesick clown retreats to the forgotten land of Buenos Aires, and seems haunted or hunted by angels, whom he saves, he has sexual encounters and whom he sets free. He recollects his past life and his past lover, wondering at his future, it’s relevance, and its possibility of holding love. This is an odd little story in three parts, all of which create surreal images, flowing one into the other, never really knowing for certain if we’re in the present or in a dream state. Also a bit esoteric when it comes to the exotic locale, when it comes to literary references, and cirque in general. I enjoyed it, but was also left questioning what I just read was all about.
On These Sheets by Steven Reigns: A story about true relationships. “I’m glad you got new sheets,” Timothy says when we walk into my bedroom….I ask him why he’s glad, “You’ve been with other men on that old set.” This leads to an internal struggle with the MC, does he resent his new man’s feelings, is his new man trying to make his earlier experiences shameful? What does he imply by that comment. And so the internal debate proceeds, and he decides he is happy for his earlier sexual encounters in this bed, happier to have discovered what he enjoys and that he brings experience to bed with his new lover, not shame. The question is, does Timothy feel bad about his partners past, or is he trying to say something else…a clean slate…a new adventure together ahead instead?
Victoria by Erik Orrantia: One of my favorites in this series. An older couple, both vaqueros living in Mexico having worked the same ranch together for over twenty years. Gay marriage becomes legal throughout Mexico and it brings the subject up Osvaldo’s mind. He begins to pressure Daniel into getting married, citing the reasons they need to protect themselves and their assets. Daniel can’t imagine it and sees no point, in fact he fears public recognition of their relationship, when right now the small community they live in has plausible dependability…so he ignores Aldo’s hints and please for him to consider it. But I enjoy Daniel’s epiphany, and the resulting trip to Mexico City and the experience the couple has there. A sweet story, love these two old cowboys and their simple life together!
Nude Beach by Paul Lisicky: Everyone needs a rebound after a failed relationship, something to make them believe in love again, something to make them feel worthy of that lust and love. Matthias’ passions and motivations are sparked by a chance sexual encounter on a nude beach. The sparks fly with this new mysterious man, but will Matthias jump right into the next relationship, or perhaps will he lose the man’s number and take time to consider his future options? All about reigniting passion and confidence after a broken heart and crushed ego.
Tea by Jeffrey Ricker: A coming out story, and a tragic loss of new found love. Tea is poignant, and a beautiful illustration of love, loss and acceptance. A wonderful example of understanding between mother and son.
A Royal Mess by Taylor McGrath: Another favorite in this collection! What I like the most is not that Graham is still curious, and tracks down his former lover after a breakup and resulting disappearance. It’s not the fact that he finds his lover, confronts him and finds that Ferrin has been wondering and longing for him also. It’s the fact that Ferrin found a way to look after himself, heal himself through what he was struggling with personally and is able to come back together with Graham as a healthier partner in their future instead of a needy and dependent lover. But enough of that, there are some interesting surprises in store and some beautiful honesty.
Struck by Nathan Burgoine: It’s so damn cute! Poor Chris is struggling with his infuriating manager, she’s condescending and homophobic, and if that isn’t enough he has to deal with another level of crazy when Lighting Todd comes into his store and tries to drop hints at predicting his future. While Chris deals with telling off his boss, shrugging off his crush on a friendly security guard, can he hope that Todd is right and good things are coming for him? I wont’ give away more…because I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this short treasure!
Touch Me In The Morning by Greg Herren: Greg’s sick on empty one night stands where is lover sneaks out before sunrise. He wishes just this once that his new paramour and long time friend Dennis, would be there to hold him and share the simple pleasures of a lover in the morning light. Unfortunately is doesn’t appear to be the case, and he’s just about to give up. But is he reading Dennis all wrong?
Foundations by Timothy Forry: It takes two to tango, successes and failures have two sides in every relationship. David’s partner Clause has cheated, he’s remorseful and repentant, but can David look past the hurt, the betrayal, the distrust? When a severe storm threatens their home and their lives David takes a closer look at what he holds dear and what went wrong. He realizes that his long stretches away from home, his focus on his own career, and his lack of care and communication for his lover could be the biggest part of the problem. But what’s the best way forward, revenge, dissolution? Does their relationship and their home have a strong enough foundation to weather the storms of life?
New Kid In Town:1977 by Felice Picano: Kid flees east coast to find love, fame, sex and fortune on the west coats only to be disillusioned and finds a love interest who ironically flies back home to New York, but he’ll follow too finding nothing but superficiality in WeHo.
The Green Sweater by Mark G. Harris: Man finds a note in a downstairs bathroom at a party he’s attending that’s an SOS from someone who is being bored out of his gourd by a man in a green sweater…the same color of sweater he is wearing. Man’s confidence takes a kick to the balls and he avoids the cutie he’d been hanging out with, opting for the lonely deck instead. The ending is sweet, and I was glad I kept rooting for him.
Rochester Summers by Craig Cotter: This story is another one of my faves and just melts my sentimental little heart. It’s a reflection of fond memories involving his first sweet summer crush, lots of slow admiring glances, time spent skinny dipping, whiling time away until summer and innocence ends. I don’t’ want to give away more, it’s too good to spoil.
Bothered, Bewildered by Rob Williams: Another coming of age, or at least coming to terms story complete with a sweet crush, unrequited admiration, and secret kisses in the dark by a visiting nocturnal witch! This story made me smile, warlocks and all!
Meditation by Timothy J. Lambert: A poor frustrated stressed soul searches for understanding and relaxation at a meditation retreat, only to suffer through silence, painful positions,and his attraction to Corn Fed Guy. Funny that even though he finally settles into the routine of silent meditation, and begins to focus on his life, he totally misses that it worked. His silent reflections held meaning. I was so excited, until the end….then I laughed.
Symposium by Andrew Holleran: A couple of gay authors recall the glory days and share their woes and concerns of the present and future of the gay writing scene while presenting at a writers retreat. Electronics have ruined everything! They contemplate love, sexuality and writing with a younger writer at the retreat, and confess that life as a writer has very little excitement, and very cold and lonely hotel rooms even with success. Cute, sad and probably very honest! An interesting choice of closer for this collection, the hopeless romantic in me wanted the two men to find their way home…together!
Blurb:Twenty years after a deadly pandemic ravaged the world, Darragh Fergus Anluan and the people of his village have carved out a hard but simple life in the Irish countryside. But with winter comes sickness, and Darragh must travel to Dublin in search of medicine. What he finds there is a ruined city ruled by a madman, where scavenging is punishable by death . . . or conscription.
Ciaran Daly came to Ireland with aid and optimism, but instead was enslaved by the so-called King of Dublin. After months of abuse from the king and his men, he has no reason to believe this newcomer will be any different. Except Ciaran finds himself increasingly drawn to Darragh, whose brutish looks mask how sweet and gentle he really is.
The tenderness Darragh feels for the king’s treasured pet is treason, but it’s hardly the only betrayal brewing in this rotten kingdom. Rebellions and rival gangs threaten the king’s power, but not nearly as much as Darragh and Ciaran—whose only hope for freedom is the fall of the king.
* This title contains the following sensitive themes: dubious consent, explicit violence, and non-consent.
Review: In this exquisitely written dystopian story we follow the path different parts of human’s society take when the world ends. In some way this story answers the question “what happens after all hell breaks loose?” and these authors give us their opinion from three different scenes.
One of the protagonists comes from a secluded village in the Irish country. The sickness that has wiped out the world reached Darragh’s village and took all the adults leaving the young children to fetch for themselves. So immediately, we have an innocent soul living in the aftermath of the apocalypse. Darragh is strong and hardened from the country life, but he is a genuinely good guy, a nice and kind soul. He is something of a miracle that pops out of nowhere in this book and literally brightens the story with his inner light.
Quite the opposite of him is Ciaran, the son of a politician raised among the powerful and educated with the expectation to follow on his father’s steps. When chaos erupted Ciaran was dragged to safety up in the North and he has been pampered his entire life. Something he detests with a vengeance. His ideology brings him in the heart of Dublin with aid for the poor and starving people, but what he gets there disillusions him from those noble notions. While the characteristically naïve guy in this story appeared to be Darragh, I think Ciaran was more and suffered it badly. From the prince to be he was stripped of all dignity and humanity, soul-drained and abused to the extreme by the monster of this story.
And that brings me to the King of Dublin, Boru. What a brilliantly written character. A mad man, a complete psycho, an insecure sick and perverse man who rose from the shitpile when chaos erupted, gained power over the unfortunate by sheer violence and suffered the headiness that comes with it. Insanity and constant fear of the shadows, seeing conspiracies everywhere, killing friends and foes in his madness. Add to that a great dose of sadism and you have a true nightmare coming alive. I adored this character for he was written in a golden pen. I really, really dislike books that focus on the “heroes” while their villains are utterly ridiculous. This book made up for so many badly written “bad guys” out there.
This story takes your breath away… literally. I picked it up and I was entranced by its beauty. Yes, of course it was dark and brutal. Yes, it made me cringe and it made me scared shitless at some points, it caused me agony from fear for the characters, it enraged and made me furious and most of the time I wanted to rip Boru’s heart and stomp on it. And good God it made me live this story with an intensity that had me panting and tearing up and taking deep breaths to cool myself. Never once did I feel the need to put it down though. From its first line, there wasn’t even a moment where I felt the storytelling drag. It kept me constantly on my toes, captive of every written word.
The best part of all for me though was the way the authors wrote the love blooming in this freaking desperation and bloodthirsty world. I loved the fact that while the attraction was there instantly, the mistrust and fear did not allow it to bloom naturally but rather in a twisted way, between lies and manipulation where pure feeling are so easy to wither and die before they are even born. This love was so beautiful because it really had to overcome many, many obstacles, not merely a psychopathic tyrant and the constant death threat hanging above the characters’ neck, it had to overcome the very difference in the characters’ personality and bitter new selves. Darragh and Ciaran had to survive this Hell, but they also had to cope and survive what they’d become ever since they stepped foot in Dublin. In the end, though Darragh is the knight in shining armor, each one of them had to save themselves on their own in order to truly get on the other side and start living the future they so often dreamed about.
I could keep writing and talking about this book forever it seems, but I’m simply ending this here. Those of you who follow my reviews know how hard it is for a book to claim my 5 hearts, but this book, this story, the writing and the presentation, everything about King of Dublin earned each and every heart I gave it. It was a brilliant title in the Post-Apocalyptic genre and if this is one of you preferred genres, I strongly recommend this book to you. Not to be missed!
Blurb: Operation Danny…that’s all bartender and recent college graduate, Julian Hallowell has had on his mind the past year. Julian may have no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he definitely knows he‘s in love with the boy next door: The one in next room to be exact, his roommate Danny Wallace.
Danny owns a used text-book store just off campus and while Julian has done his level best to make Danny fall for him, all his hard work appears to have been in vain. Danny doesn’t seem to view Julian as anything other than that…a roommate and friend. So when new guy in town Andy Baker asks him out on a date, Julian can’t seem to think of a good reason to say no.
Julian has already instituted a Reverse Operation Danny plan, which he’s positive, will purge all thoughts of love, and lust for his roomie out of his head. He’s ready to move on and start looking for his next Mr. Right, and Andy just might fit the bill.
Review: Oh wow, I’m surprised that I liked this book so much. I don’t tend to be all over 4+ hearts for a rom-com but wow. See this book if you take the general idea you know nice handsome guy falls for super-hot roommate, the know-all mom, the girlfriend that is always there and if a guy doesn’t like her, it’s the deal breaker. Let’s face it, this story has been told and has gone so freaking old.
But I literally started reading and never stopped till I reached end. I went through the haze of my everyday routine with my kindle on my hand and chuckling, giggling, and outright laughing with this book. What was it that captivated me so much?
I think it was the voice, the narration. I loved Julian! Yes, he was wrapped up in his own ideal world with his ideal romantic ideas and the fact you couldn’t shake him from them did frustrate me, but God I loved him. The underlying humor during the entire book was fantastic, made for such a light, fun feeling that even when shit hit the fan I was still reading with a smile on my lips. And that is the core. Beside the gorgeous men, the romantic plot, the ultra-funny scenes, and the sensual erotic scene between our lovebirds, the main reason I loved this book so much was the writing that was exquisite and never stole a smile from my face.
I could go on one the story, but I will probably kill it if I so much as touch it. What more is there to say? If you love reading a romantic story between a guy set on how the ONE should be and a guy who is afraid of relationships and avoids them like hell, if love good writing and want to read a book that will expand your heart with joyous feelings, if you want to close the book in the end and have the Cheshire grin on your face, satisfied and content, then this is definitely the book for you. I enjoyed it immensely and strongly recommend it.
Blurb: Flynn Tomlinson has drifted for several years, working odd jobs when he needs the money and moving on when he doesn’t. He’s content with his freestyle life, not tied down, not responsible for anyone but himself. Then he comes across a Help Wanted ad in a post office in Idaho and meets Gable Sutton. Gable can’t pay Flynn until he sells his horses, but a serious accident has left him unable to work his ranch alone.
Working with horses beats stacking shelves at the supermarket, and so Flynn agrees to Gable’s terms. What Flynn doesn’t bargain for is being captivated by this gentle, lonely man who captures his heart and moves Flynn to take on an incredible burden: saving Gable’s ranch.
Review: Flynn Tomlinson is a young free spirit that makes a living working odd jobs that he finds wherever his feet take him. He has no home to speak of as his family turned their back on him when they learned he was gay. The only true lover he’s ever had died, leaving him alone again. When he answers a help wanted ad that takes him to the ranch of Gable Sutton, he has no idea this one job will turn his life upside down.
Gable Sutton is an aged and crippled ranch owner. He’s standoffish, a loner and quite bitter. His former ranch hand slash lover left him after a fight, and Gabe’s reaction to this left him permanently injured. There really is a beautiful soul hiding underneath all that bravado, the question is… is there someone out there that can love him enough to see beneath it.
Flynn accepts the job on Gabe’s ranch, knowing full well he won’t be paid until they can sell some horses. The attraction is mutual and almost immediately, these two are putting the barn to good use! But there is something missing. Gabe is very attractive and he definitely gets Flynn’s blood boiling, but the sex is almost clinical, and Flynn wants more. When an accident leaves Gabe in intensive care, he will learn the true meaning of love. Gabe stands by him through it all from start to finish, including his horrendous mood swings in the aftermath of another accident. Can they save their rocky romance AND Gable’s ranch?
There is a lot of push and pull in this book. It’s an emotionally intense read. Flynn’s love for Gable is blinding and unwavering, to a fault. From the get go his attraction to Gable will leave you unsettled. Because you, the reader, can see just how bitter and jaded Gable is so you don’t think it can possibly end well for Flynn. And when Gable goes kind of bat shit crazy after his second accident, it seems as if the writing is on the wall. But like I said, blinding and unwavering, he will love his brooding older man into submission if it’s the last thing he does!
Narrated by Paul Morey! We all know I just LOVE Paul Morey!! He captured the innocence of Flynn as well as the bitter undertones for Gable, perfectly. The written work was a solid 3.5 for me, but Morey knocked it up a notch. Owens has created such an adverse group of friends and lovers with this new series. I can’t wait to read more. I have high hopes for Hunter and Grant!! Must read for all those cowboys and cowgirls out there, and it really is a beautiful love story that isn’t full of fluff. These guys have to work for it, and it’s SO worth it in the end!
*I received a copy of this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*
Blurb: The name’s Lio, and I’m a Cupid working for the Gay Division of the Inter-Dimensional Association of Cupid’s. An Aztec god, whose modern name, Ethan, doesn’t make him any less scary, just busted me shooting a closeted human with a gay lust arrow. I might find him sexy with all those tattoos and piercings, if I didn’t have a rule against getting it on with other supernatural’s—especially ones working for the Straight Division. Now, to save my butt I’ll have to strike a bargain with this tough god. But what I didn’t see coming was my little wager not only risks my career, but also places my broken heart completely in Ethan’s hands.
Review: There seems to be more than just a wager going on, well at least on Ethan’s side. Lio is a Cupid for the Gay Division however, he seems to use his gifts for more than he should and Ethan is there to put a stop to it. I would say the stopping just got hotter. The sex between these two can burn a building down from the heat alone. It has just the right amount of humor to it and I actually laughed my ass off. However, it did leave me hanging and that I did not like. I want to hear more about these two. Both sexy and hot with just amount of humor makes great men.
I loved this story and can see myself reading it every holiday.
Blurb:When the flames of passion are kindled between Brendan and Aeric, it gives a whole new meaning to c’mon baby, light my fire.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…
Brendan Tierney, a fireman, lives quietly in the outback Australian town of Greenhill. On the eve of his thirtieth birthday, when he and his crew respond to a fire, he is trapped by the flames. Rescued from death by something he cannot—dare not—believe, he returns home, expecting his lonely life to return to normal. He makes a birthday wish, never suspecting that wishes and dreams can come true—with a little help from his sister and grandmother and a wizard…
When Aeric walks into Brendan’s shop, the fireman’s world is turned upside down, because the sexy guy is not what he appears. Ric has spine fur. Bren hopes that the guy is long overdue for a waxing. No such luck. He discovers that his unwelcome guest is a firecat, the rarest of shifters, who can harness fire.
Aeric recognizes Brendan as his forever-mate—for him, its love at first sight. True love is never easy when a human is involved. Bren knows nothing about cat shifters or magic. But worse—he’s been betrayed by love, and denies his own deep, burning passion for Aeric. How can Ric convince Brendan to open his heart to believe in a cat’s forever promise? Or will the past come between a fireman and his cat?
Review: This is book two in this series and should be read in order, but does not have to be. Astrid has a way with words. She gives you such a mystical world to lose yourself into. With wonderful characters, you will fall in love with. The way they mix with each other and show their love to one another. The way they overcome all challenges and turn them to the blessings, they deserve.
Brendan is a fireman and Aeric is a firecat. A firecat can make fire and move it to way they want it to. In this case, Aeric uses to keep Brendan safe. That is his major goal, to keep his mate protected at all cost. They have the abilities to overcome all their pain, anger, and heartache and turn them into love, fulfillment, and passion. They have gifts to help each other but the most powerful one is their love for each other. The sex is hot, sensuous, and full of fire. Pun intended there. On the day they met Aeric used his gift to keep Brendan from dying in a fire caused by an arsonist. From that day forward, they are inseparable.
This story is told with a bit of humor mixed in with a touch of seriousness. It gives you a place to lose yourself when the times around you are too hard to get over. It caught my attention from the start and kept my attention to the end. I loved this story and can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (December 27th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Eric
Blurb: Can one night define your future?
When Cory offered to work for his cousin’s estate sale and auction house, he never expected his first assignment to be helping a drop-dead gorgeous man settle his father’s estate. Much to his dismay, the day starts off badly and only seems to get worse, until Cory has finally had enough of the arrogant man. Gorgeous or not, Cory lets him have it.
Andrew just wants to tie up the loose ends of his estranged father’s estate and get back home, that is until the stunning Cory shows up at his door to help. Instead of turning on the charm and impressing Cory, Andrew seems to screw up every encounter with the man. It doesn’t take long for Cory to call him out on his surly attitude, making Andrew only want him that much more.
After an apology and an unexpected kiss, the two men can’t seem to stay away from each other which leads to one life-changing night full of passion, but when Cory overhears Andrew on a phone call the next morning, he jumps to conclusions and leaves without giving Andrew a chance to explain or a way to get in touch with him.
Can these stubborn men overcome their own insecurities and find a way to be together?
Review: Interesting, fresh and addictive, this story provided me with everything I liked to read. A good set of characters that remain as real as you and I. the storyline is strong, solid even. I found the character of Andrew to be rather interesting. He has suffered a bit of trauma and does what he can to make sure things are squared away. But he doesn’t expect to come across Cory.
The story remained strong the whole way through and I found it to be fresh. Despite the whole tough past and facing a bit of grief, I found this story to be strong in storyline. Most people don’t understand that short stories can be just as strong or well written like novels and novellas. And this author proves it.
Blurb: Sheriff Jesse Brown tells his restless cowboy lover, Clayton Jennings, a bedtime story….
Snow Lake, 1883. Sheriff Lincoln “Linc” Redding is tracking an escaped prisoner through the wilderness of Wyoming. The young man, Edward “Ned” Dove, is accused of theft, his victim a military officer staying at Bernadette’s Boarding House. Dove was being transported to Fort Laramie to stand trial when he somehow managed to flee.
As Lincoln follows the trail and finally catches up with Dove, he learns things aren’t quite so black and white. Lincoln is forced to accept that a tin star on his chest doesn’t mean he has all the answers, or that just because a man wears a striped prison uniform doesn’t mean he’s guilty. It seems illicit conspiracies exist in the seedy underbelly of his town.
Lincoln’s loyalties are divided between doing his duty and falling for a man he shouldn’t.
Review: This is a book six in a series but it stood alone fine, since it was actually a story being told by another character to his lover.
I liked how this was told by a character as a bedtime story. I like a good historical type cowboy story and this was one.
Lincoln was one of the first gay Sheriffs of Snow Creek. This is the tale of how he met his deputy, Ned Dove. Ned was accused of being a thief and was being transported to Fort Laramie for a trial. His was a bit strange for Lincoln as to why a thief was being sent there for a trial instead of in town but he wasn’t one to argue. Until he actually met Dove and heard his story, then things really didn’t set right with Lincoln.
The story was a good old west story, set in an old west time. It was also a good love story and fairly hot. I liked the dynamics between Ned and Lincoln but the relationship seemed a bit too out for that time period.
If you like cowboys, old west eras, a bit of mystery and intrigue and some fairly hot mansex this is for you!
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Inc (October 5th, 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Eric
Blurb: The future of planet Earth is bleak. Two warring gods have decimated the planet. Fanatical religious cults, cannibals and cat/human hybrids are just some of the dangers out there. A young boy called Ben Casper lives in a crumbling shopping mall called The Glass Palace with his family. He’s just come back from a rites of passage into the brutal outside world that officially makes him an adult. Now he must get married and be trained to take over from his father as Mayor. Except he sees things differently now. He doesn’t want responsibility. The only things he truly wants is to go back out into the world and win the love of Brian, who happens to be his best friend’s brother. Only he might have responsibility thrust upon him when he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to kill the gods and save the world; a plot that could lead everyone he loves into mortal danger…
Review: Interesting, fresh, a brand new take on Gods and Goddesses, this book is everything perfection when it comes to science fiction. It truly is the next Hunger Games and as long as The Stand essentially. I found this novel addicting, strong, and well written.
David Dawson truly does have a vision when it comes to writing science fiction. He truly does have a strong understanding on what it means to be out of this world. The author provides very strong characters that face so many complications it will make your head spin. I couldn’t get enough of it once I started. I stayed up into the late hours reading this novel.
The characters were fantastic. I couldn’t get enough of how well this book is written. He shows how powerful it can be when it comes to writing first person perspective. He shows—the author—what can happen if we set our minds to something. The more I read, the more immersed into the storyline I became.
Altogether, this novel is just beautiful. Strong writing, strong storyline, and excellent characters this is a book well worth the time you put into it. He truly does have the power to take you away from your problems. I highly recommend this book.
Blurb: While performing as Cupid on Valentine’s Day, Josh has the unpleasant task of delivering a break-up message to Dallas from his girlfriend, Jess. Jess is convinced Dallas is gay, and when Josh tries to comfort him, he finds she may very well be right. When Dallas’s best friend Austin arrives, it’s up to Josh to show both young men the love and acceptance they’ve always had in each other.
A part of the “A Valentine Rainbow” set of 14 holiday stories. Get all 14 stories on Feb. 1 when you purchase the set.
Review: Uhm… I liked the poem. Really, I saw nothing wrong with it since sometimes it’s hard to face the truth. So she wrote it instead, so what? Harsh? Hmm, I just can’t see it, more like a huge freaking favor. So now that that’s stated, let’s move on shall we?
Dallas is getting ready to propose to his girlfriend of two years, but Jess has other ideas. So on Valentine’s Day she hires Josh, who is working a gig as Cupid, to deliver a message to her boyfriend. It turns out that the message was a break up poem that leaves Dallas devastated. To top it all he really thinks he’s not gay, but Cupid bring the truth home easily enough. What should have resulted to a spectacular coming out event though, get a bit ruined when Dallas’ best friend and roommate, Austin, comes in.
Awkward situation? Yes! Hilariously delivered? Hell yes! Hot and mouth-watering? Oh just kill me, yes!!! While the story is a bit of overkill with things that immediately make you think, “Can’t happen,” it was fun and funny in its way. Our Cupid was a brilliant perv who despite his clumsiness in this whole mess, managed to do one hell of a job and urging these two utterly perfect men toward each other. Albeit they were too perfect and the virgin-awkwardness was distinctly lacking, replaced by an overwhelming enthusiasm to catch up for lost times, still I liked it, made me smile and shake my head at the jerk-off material that followed.
So yeah, this was a true to Valentine’s Day erotic story that might make you go a bit “aww” and smile or even laugh a bit. I did feel sorry for our Cupid though as he was left out of the “fun,” containing himself with the knowledge of a job well done. But that doesn’t change the fact that if you like a fast and fun read for this year’s Valentine’s then this story might do it for you.
Blurb: Six months after nearly losing their lives to a serial killer in New York City, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are suffering through something almost as frightening: the monotony of desk duty. When they’re ordered to take a vacation for the good of everyone’s sanity, Ty bites the bullet and takes Zane home with him to West Virginia, hoping the peace and quiet of the mountains will give them the chance to explore the explosive attraction they’ve so far been unable to reconcile with their professional partnership.
Ty and Zane, along with Ty’s father and brother, head up into the Appalachian Mountains for a nice, relaxing hike deep into the woods… where no one will hear them scream. They find themselves facing danger from all directions: unpredictable weather, the unrelenting mountains, wild animals, fellow hikers with nothing to lose, and the most terrifying challenge of all. Each other.
Review: Book 2 in the Cut & Run series and should be read or listened to in order.
So, at the end of Cut & Run things were kind of up in the air for Ty and Zane. It’s been six months now since they squared off against a relentless serial killer and almost paid with their lives. Ty has spent time in and out of the hospital as a result of that spectacular concussion, and is in the final stretch of his forced time off. Zane has been working undercover in Miami, and not a day has gone by that he hasn’t thought about Ty. What they could have had and what he has probably lost.
When they are finally called back home to meet their new partners, both are shocked to learn it will be each other. After all, their boss isn’t certain anyone else could take on the job without serious bodily harm. They are both ordered to take a couple more weeks vacation, and Ty having Zane so close again doesn’t want to let him go. So he takes Zane home with him to meet the family. A few things you should know about Ty and Zane. Wherever they go, trouble follows. And vacation time for them is more like a real life scenario of Modern Warfare!
While hiking in the Appalachian Mountains with Ty’s father and brother they are subjected to bad weather, wild animals, the danger of the mountains themselves and a group of hikers that are up to no good. Add to that their insane attraction to each other that is causing problems within their professional relationship and this is sure to be one hell of a memorable vacation. There will be biting, an attempt at a quiet blowjob in a dark tent, and someone is kidnapped by treasure hunters. If Ty and Zane can survive their surroundings and circumstance, can they survive each other?
While the sexual chemistry was still there for this two, there was a lot more angst within this storyline that drove me a little bit crazy. Of course, it’s expected to have a minimal amount, after all these are two very strong-willed, Alpha males that are going at each other as partners in more ways than one. A little too over board though this time around. I have seriously fallen in love with these guys though. They remind me of Sam and Jory from the Matter of Time series, but both personalities are more in line with Sam.
Narration was okay, that could have been a little better as well. But overall, this is a really well written series with nonstop action and suspense. You never know where these two will end up, but there will be trouble, and the chemistry between these two is blindingly evident; passionate and sensual is what they are. This is surely a must read series, and although I didn’t quite like this installment as much as the first, I did still enjoy it very much.
*I received a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review from Dreamspinner Press for MM Good Book Reviews*