The Island by M. Rose Flores Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

The Island

Series: Abnormal/Variant, Book Two

Author: M. Rose Flores

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: May 4, 2020

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 86300

Genre: Horror/Thriller, LGBTQIA+, YA, PNR, bisexual, dark, horror, zombies/undead, postapocalyptic, family drama, found family, San Francisco, Alcatraz

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Synopsis

Two years after the end of the world, Cate and Marco have finally found a place for their people to start over. Sustainable and safe from zombies, the island is everything they hoped it would be. It seems the worst may finally be over; they can stop surviving and begin to live again. But the arrival of two new people sets in motion a chain of events that throw the island into unrest, and Cate must fight for her love, her people, and her sense of self. Can the inhabitants of Alcatraz Island find a way to come together when everything around them is falling apart?

Almost two years before their arrival on the island, just after the event that ripped their family apart, Marco began an aimless journey. With his foster family gone—some dead, some vanished—once again, Marco was on his own and sure it was for the best; other people only slowed you down, ended up as liabilities, or worse. Alone was good. It was what he was used to. But on his journey south, he collected other wanderers and began to consider the idea of a cooperative group or, maybe, a found family. There was, after all, safety in numbers.

Finally, together on the island, everyone assumes they are safe. But assumptions in a world run by zombies can be dangerous. Deadly. There is something going on in the city, terrifying and unnatural. Something that will change everything they think they know about zombies. And it’s coming to the island.

The Island is not a stand-alone. It’s advised that book one, The End, be read first.

Excerpt

The Island
M. Rose Flores © 2020
All Rights Reserved

Cate

Those are not people. The way they move, the fact that when we wave, they don’t wave back, and the way they are all shambling toward us down the paths to either side. It all collectively spells zombie.

“Hello,” calls Calvin.

No answer. Damn it.

None of us has the energy to fight any more. We spent the whole night fighting to get to the island. We watched our people get maimed and die; Calvin’s Nana Mae sacrificed herself to save him, my sister Mel, and their new babies. Five other people died too, though I didn’t know any of them well. They were all Marco’s people. Now we’re all one another’s people. What a way to make a family.

Toby is looking pale. His younger brother Jax, though much smaller than Toby, is doing his best to keep him upright. The place where Toby’s hand used to be, before it was clawed by an Abnormal zombie and then cut off by me to prevent infection, is wrapped in a bandage from what I’m guessing is a very limited supply. I think everything is probably limited. There wasn’t much time to pack or prepare after Mel’s labor screams drew in the horde last night. It’s not her fault. Birthing twins with nothing stronger than ibuprofen must be agony. But we had to leave in a hurry. We made it all the way to Alcatraz, barely. And now, apparently, we have to fight again.

I’m too exhausted to cry. We are broken, for the second time since this all started. It’s cold and drizzling. There’s a thick fog rolling in. At least it isn’t dark anymore.

“What do we do?” asks Sylvia, holding her kids close to her body.

“Same thing we’ve been doing,” answers Marco.

When he doesn’t offer anything else, Calvin steps in. “We should get the injured and the kids somewhere safe, right?”

Marco nods.

“They’re still far enough we can probably slip by them on that road—” Calvin points to the right. “—and come back out once you’re all safe inside. Shouldn’t take long to clear the island; there don’t seem to be many here.”

“It’s a big island,” says Marco. “There will be a lot more up there than you think.”

“Can’t say I’ll be much use,” says Captain Jacob, stepping forward through the group. He’s cradling his arm. I can guess what comes next: He edges his sleeve up, wincing, to reveal a definite bite near his elbow. The veins around it are black, all the way up and down his arm, peeking over the collar of his shirt.

“Captain,” breathes Amy, our doctor, “why didn’t you say something?”

“Call me Jacob; I told you. I knew it wouldn’t do any good. Happened so fast. Had to get us here either way.”

Amy examines the wound, touches his arm where the veins disappear under his sleeve. “There’s no way this hasn’t reached a main vessel by now,” she says, feeling his face for fever and shaking her head. “I’m so sorry, Jacob.”

“I appreciate it, Amy. But there’s no need. I’ll have to show someone how to drive the ferry. Murray?”

“Of course, Jacob.”

“It has been an honor to know all of you,” Jacob says. “Marco, you take care of these people. You got us this far. Soon you’ll all be safe.”

“I’m sorry, Jacob,” says Marco, who looks on the verge of tears.

“Don’t be. I did my part. I can live with the result. Or, I guess I can’t.” He chuckles at his own dark joke, but it turns into a coughing fit that makes his whole body tremble. “Come on, now, Murray. We haven’t got all day.”

Murray follows Jacob, catching him as he stumbles getting back on the boat. Jacob looks back and lifts a hand in goodbye to all of us. He doesn’t have long. Another family member lost, claimed by the infection.

“We should go,” says Ana, ever the stoic. “They’re getting closer.”

We move up the wider path as quickly as we can, although every one of us is exhausted and several of us are in some way incapacitated, so we’re not as fast as we need to be. The path switches back and forth as it ascends.

“Stay together,” Calvin whispers as the first few zombies notice us.

We do as we did last night, shuffling the less capable into the middle of our huddle as we move. However, now, so many more of us can’t fight than can. When the zombies get to us, we are less efficient than we have ever been. It takes me two hits to take down one zombie, even though I sharpened my axe the other day, and I have to put my boot on its head to get the axe back. I haven’t had to do that in ages. Calvin gets one on the first try, but it takes him a second to pull his knife free. Somehow, we escape. But just up the path, more swarm toward us. Not many, but there are always more.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo

Meet the Author

M. Rose Flores has enjoyed writing since she learned how to string letters together. She grew up in the vast green Pacific Northwest of the United States, which with its dense forests, four seasons, and proximity to the ocean made a perfect setting for The End. When she isn’t writing on her computer or in a notebook (though scraps of paper and the palm of her hand will do in a pinch), she works as a professional dog trainer and loves every part of it, even the copious amounts of drool. She believes everyone should be represented in literature and all other media. The End is her first novel.

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The End by M. Rose Flores Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have M. Rose Flores popping in today with her new release The End, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway!❤ ~Pixie~

The End

by

M. Rose Flores

On Cate Mortensen’s seventeenth birthday, her family is scattered in a fight for survival, and she and her sister Melody are catapulted headfirst into a world where their phones are just hunks of plastic, they must scavenge for every bite, and they sleep with weapons in their hands. Traveling alone, and then not so alone, they follow the route their family planned to Alcatraz Island where the hope of safety and a real life awaits.

After more than a year on the road, Cate has found three things to be true. One: Zombies are a thing now. Two: Not all zombies are just zombies. Three (the game changer): Cate is immune to the infection.

Continue reading “The End by M. Rose Flores Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

Dead Fall by Meredith Russell

Title: Dead Fall

Series: Dead Things 02

Author: Meredith Russell

Genre: Zombie, Post-Apocalypse, Science Fiction

Length: Novel (239pgs)

ISBN: B078T1XZ1Y

Publisher: Love Lane Books (31st January 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Since the events in Chicago, Devin and Noah dare to believe that a future is possible, and there is hope. For them and humanity.

Noah struggles to find his place at Devin’s side. Stricken with survivor’s guilt and a driving need to make a difference, Noah leaves his lover to investigate the only lead he has to stop the undead. Himself.

Devin has fought to stay sane in a world of horror for too long and his one shining light is Noah. When Noah heads off on some misguided venture to search for answers, Devin knows he can’t bear to be the one left behind again.

They are two men who have nothing, and everything, to lose.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Dead Fall picks up less than two months after Dead Things so the stories must be read in order.

While Devin has settled back into life at the prison he’s still keeping his distance from Noah, he might have decided to give Noah a chance but letting go of the past is hard. Noah is still struggling with what his immunity could mean for so many people but life goes on with him unable to really help. Trying to fit in and find his place is not easy but at least he has Devin, well the little that the man gives him.

When news reaches them of Chicago the survivors at the prison become restless, and with Corden gone his little followers can only think about themselves and what they can get. With the prison in turmoil Noah thinks there’s only one place he can get answers, and to save the others he heads off alone.

This is a great addition to the Dead Things series. The story moves along at a fast pace, with lots of things going downhill. Devin is trying to help Jack keep control as there is a murmuring of trouble from those who had Corden’s favour, but that’s the least of their problems when they hear what has happened in Chicago. When Noah tears off trying to find a reason behind the cure Devin quickly follows refusing to let the one man who means so much to him go. But what they return to shocks them to the core.

We met new people in Dead Fall, new people who might know more about the outbreak than anyone knew. Noah heads face first into danger with Devin following very close behind. This story follows the in same vein as Dead Things with some pretty gruesome scenes with lots of blood… lots and lots of blood. We also discover that sometimes we readers wish we could be one of the characters because at one point I wanted to grab a gun and march some selfish gits out the prison and feed them to the zombies *grrrrr*

We find that without a strong manipulative personality in charge that some of the survivors are really just out for themselves and couldn’t give a damn about the others. Seriously there was one point my jaw dropped and I could only shake my head in disbelief at the selfish evil actions of some people.

Devin and Noah’s relationship progresses a tiny bit, just always remember that this series isn’t so much about romance but about surviving and discovering something special from the ashes. Their relationship is being developed in a time of hell, with zombies, disgruntled survivors and a military/scientist group who have been looking for someone like Noah for a long time.

I recommend this to those who love grisly zombie apocalypse, a hint at the truth, facing danger at every turn and still a hint of hope for the future.

Dead Things by Meredith Russell (2nd Edition)

Title: Dead Things (2nd Edition)

Series: Dead Things 01

Author: Meredith Russell

Genre: Zombie, Post-Apocalypse, Science Fiction

Length: Novel (288pgs)

Publisher: Love Lane Books (27th August 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Devin thought fighting a war in Afghanistan had shown him the worst kind of horrors.

It turned out he was wrong.

A deadly virus has infected the world population, leaving only a few survivors and creating monsters. Devin is part of a group who have found refuge in a secure place. He risks his life daily to scavenge the cities and highways for food and supplies.

On one fateful venture, Devin finds a man with the potential to change the dark future of blood and heartbreak into one of hope and second chances.

He finds Noah Weber.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Devin is part of a small group of survivors living in a prison after a deadly virus outbreak. On a scavenging trip, Devin comes across another survivor, Noah, who has managed to survive living out in the open, who the zombie bites doesn’t infect, and who could just be humanities savior. But the journey to survival is harsh, with blood, loss of life and an egomaniac leading the way. Will there be a future for any of them?

This is a very grim and bloody zombie story, which has a glimmer of hope and maybe developing new relationships after you have lost your whole world. Devin nearly lost everything when the virus struck, but with himself and his sister safe in one of the only safe places in the country, he at least has life. But, when he comes across another survivor he is made to face the fact that although he has life…he is not living. Noah lost everything when the virus struck, he has survived by himself since those first bloody days and now he has been dragged to ‘safety’ where they inject him and want his blood. The only one he trusts is Devin, but Devin holds him away at arm’s length. Can Noah crack the shell that Devin has built around him?

I really enjoyed this story as it has a slightly darker outlook on life, after a virus outbreak that turns the population into zombies. Both the characters of Devin and Noah are really well written, with both of them reacting differently to how the disaster has affected them. Devin draws into himself and continues on, because he has people relying on him. While Noah, grips life with both hands and tries to get as much joy as possible or it could just be that he is around humans who aren’t trying to eat him.

This isn’t a huge romantic, sex-filled story, far from it. It is a story of new hope and maybe new beginnings. It is a story of starting to lay old ghosts to rest and of a glimmer of happiness in the future. This story also isn’t for the faint hearted as it has some pretty gruesome scenes with lots of blood, some with characters we are just getting to know and we don’t get a hearts and flowers happy ending. What we get is the beginning of something that could be special, and a new hope for all humanity.

So, I am going to recommend this to those who love grisly zombie stories, finding the beginning of new love amid harrowing times, of an egomaniac who just hasn’t got a clue and of hope for the future.

Dead Fall by Meredith Russell Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hiya guys, we have Meredith Russell stopping by today with the tour for her new release Dead Fall, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and my reveiew, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

Dead Fall

(Dead Things 02)
by

Meredith Russell

Since the events in Chicago, Devin and Noah dare to believe that a future is possible, and there is hope. For them and humanity.

Noah struggles to find his place at Devin’s side. Stricken with survivor’s guilt and a driving need to make a difference, Noah leaves his lover to investigate the only lead he has to stop the undead. Himself.

Devin has fought to stay sane in a world of horror for too long and his one shining light is Noah. When Noah heads off on some misguided venture to search for answers, Devin knows he can’t bear to be the one left behind again.

They are two men who have nothing, and everything, to lose.

Continue reading “Dead Fall by Meredith Russell Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Dead Fall by Meredith Russell Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Meredith Russell - Dead Fall RBBanner

Hiya guys, we have Meredith Russell stopping by today with her new release Dead Fall, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

Dead Fall

(Dead Things 02)
by

Meredith Russell

Since the events in Chicago, Devin and Noah dare to believe that a future is possible, and there is hope. For them and humanity.

Noah struggles to find his place at Devin’s side. Stricken with survivor’s guilt and a driving need to make a difference, Noah leaves his lover to investigate the only lead he has to stop the undead. Himself.

Devin has fought to stay sane in a world of horror for too long and his one shining light is Noah. When Noah heads off on some misguided venture to search for answers, Devin knows he can’t bear to be the one left behind again.

They are two men who have nothing, and everything, to lose.

Continue reading “Dead Fall by Meredith Russell Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

Assumed Dead by Becky Black

Becky Black - Assumed Dead CoverTitle: Assumed Dead

Author: Becky Black

Genre: Horror, Zombies

Publisher: Loose ID (June 14, 2016)

Length: Novel (294 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: The zombie apocalypse left twelve people trapped, but safe, at a scientific research base on an Arctic island. Three years later, with supplies critically low, they know they can’t survive another harsh winter. But all of them fear what awaits them on the mainland.

Former grad student, Matt Warner, has retrained as a nurse under the group’s doctor, Peter Lane. Training is not the only thing Matt wants to be under Peter for, but Peter has always resisted responding to Matt’s interest in him. Before all this started Peter had a husband, Harrison, back home. A husband he desperately hopes is still alive.

Despair finally weakens Peter’s resolve and he and Matt begin sharing a bed. It’s Matt’s dream come true, even if he knows Peter’s feelings for him aren’t as strong as his for Peter. But everything changes, when the group learns of the existence of a vaccine against the zombie virus and they escape the island to search for the people distributing the vaccine. Matt fears their relationship won’t survive, because Peter wants to search for his husband—even if only to confirm his death. And Peter knows if he goes looking for Harrison, he’ll lose Matt forever.

ISBN: 978-1-68252-148-9

Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/assumed-dead.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Ok I am done laughing now; I really should pay attention to more than just the title or the hot men on a cover when I choose a book.  However this was one of the good choices.  I have never been a fan of horror books or even movies, but for some strange reason I love to read or watch anything with zombies.  

I would have never thought during the zombie apocalypse to head to the Arctic’s but then again these guys were there when the whole thing went down.  Twelve people surviving and learning to live with one another.  However you can only eat caribou and eggs for so long.  Peter has been married for some time but three years they have not seen one another.  He has no idea if Harrison is even alive.  He kept pure for that bond, but damn if Matt is not getting to him.

Matt is a former grad student and is being trained by Peter to be a nurse.  He also has the hots for Peter, but the man doesn’t return his feelings.  Then the zombie’s start showing up on their island and Peter realizes that he does have feelings for Matt.  However he still needs to know if Harrison is alive or dead, he has to make choices.  

I love the little twist to this story, although I have to say I kind of knew the outcome for both of my questions before I got to it in the story.  It was a fairly easy step to take.  I normally don’t like to read books by author’s that I have not heard of or read, but damn if this author is not going to be a favorite of mine.  I can’t wait to see what other stories she has out.  Danger, zombies, freezing temp’s, fear and hot sex is just a bit of what you get in this story.  Let’s just say that it rocked and I hope to see more stories like this one from this author.  Way to go!  

This is How It Ends by Nick Wilgus

nick-wilgus-this-is-how-it-ends-cover-sTitle: This Is How It Ends

Series: Deadworld #1

Author: Nick Wilgus

Genre: Science Fiction, YA, Zombies, Horror

Length: Novel (301 Pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (May 3, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: High school juniors Billy Gunn and Rory Wilder return from a weekend camping trip to find a mysterious plague has wiped out their small town of Port Moss, Mississippi. The question of why is only the beginning—especially when the dead refuse to stay dead. 

Figuring out what happened is job one for Billy and Rory. But complications quickly set in. Not only do the dead rise, but a freak storm threatens torrential downpours as winter looms. And enormous ships appear in the sky, bringing with them alien visitors with technology never seen before. 

Left without electricity and modern conveniences, Billy and Rory must figure out a way to navigate horrific zombies, advanced alien life forms, and apocalyptic storms, as well as deal with their growing love for each other in a world gone mad.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-827-6

Product Link: https://www.dsppublications.com/books/this-is-how-it-ends-by-nick-wilgus-248-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Nick Wilgus is a new author for me and let’s just say I was definitely not expecting this book. At first I knew it was going to be about zombies, I mean dead who are not dead usually leads to zombies. However this one is way out there, I am talking aliens. I am not usually a fan of horror, science fiction or even young adult type stories, but this one is very unique and entertaining. Although I have to admit it is also very creepy. I could have done without all the religious crap out of Rory’s mouth though; it was what almost made me put the book down.

Billy has always been in love with Rory, but had never told him. This story starts with them camping out and skinny dipping. However Rory’s reaction to Billy’s erection, leads this whole story in a bit of strange land for me. He was raised by a mom that didn’t really give a damn about her boyfriend’s extra special love for him. I hope the rat ass bastard is dead let me tell you. It shows you why he is the way he is though. Both of these boys are fifteen and fighting their attraction to each other, well Rory is through most of the story. 

Then they come home to everyone in the town dead. However they don’t seem to stay dead. Then they meet up with Leisha and Mark; well let’s just say it is a unique group to say the least. This group has been thrown into a dystopian and post-apocalyptic type of world but then you add in the UFO’s and aliens, well let’s just say it keeps getting even crazier.

I got to figure that this had to be one story that was difficult to write, but the author did it perfectly. I would have liked it better had the kids been older and not so much religious crap flowing, however it was fun to read. This is one fast paced story and it was like the author just threw it into full gear going in. The build-up, the description, details and twists were something to see. It felt like I was right there with them. Although if this really did happen, give me a guy who really knows how to shoot and survive. 

I didn’t care for the ending, what a cliff-hanger this author has given us. However it makes me hungry to get my hands on the next book. It is a very dark and creepy story with a little bit of love in it. However little Jack is going to be one interesting little character I can tell. It is a page turner that is for sure. It kept my attention from the get go and wouldn’t let go till I got to the end. I just wonder what is going to happen in the next book. This author might just change my thinking about horror books and zombies. I would definitely recommend it. 

Zombie Boyz – A Wilde City Press Anthology

18126254Title:  Zombie Boyz

Series:  A Wilde City Press Anthology

Author:  TJ Klune, Eric Arvin, Ethan Stone, Daniel A Kaine, Ethan Day and Geoffrey Knight

Genre: M/M Zombie Romance 

Length:  Anthology (93,000 words)

Publisher: Wilde City Press (July 17th 2013)

Heat Level:  Mild to Moderate

Heart Rating:  The sex is a 3Hearts. The scare factor climbs from a 3 to a 5 by the end.

Blurb:   Board up the windows, push an old dresser against the door and load your shotgun. A zombie apocalypse is about to hit Wilde City, and if you want the best survival tips, six of Wilde City’s boys are here to help.

You’ll never want to exercise again as Eric Arvin and TJ Klune turn a gym full of hunks into a smorgasbord of terror in GHOUL’S GYM.

Gather your friends and fight for the man you love, as Ethan Stone and Daniel A Kaine turn Vegas into a zombie nightmare in SURVIVING SIN CITY.

And bring a date to dinner to celebrate Grumpy Grampy’s 90th birthday and introduce your family to your new zombie boyfriend in Geoffrey Knight and Ethan Day’s GUESS WHO’S COMING AT DINNER.

You’ll scream with terror and howl with laughter as Wilde City’s boys bring you our first undead anthology ZOMBIE BOYZ.

Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/zombie-boyz/#.Ufgdt74o45s

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Guess Who’s Coming at Dinner is more comedy than sexy M/M Romance with some fantastic one-liners and an absolutely hysterical chapter around the dinner table. 19-year-old Chandler has crushed on Zane for as long as he can remember. When Zane is infected by the recent zombie pandemic, it doesn’t stand in the way of true love. Knight and Day weave a tale that is so farfetched it’s actually believable with GWCAD. Chandlers ongoing commentary will have you giggling and Zane with steal your heart (figuratively speaking, of course). Flesh eating zombies, mad cows and sexiness are kept to a minimum in this first part of Zombie Boyz.

Surviving Sin City is more the traditional zombie story, with two consenting adult males pounding each other into oblivion as an added bonus! Cooper is a Brit on vacation in Las Vegas when he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. While trying to get out of Vegas and back to England he runs into Kaleb, an American trying to stay alive and hide while he looks for his brother. The sexual chemistry is evident from the start and it doesn’t take long for Kaleb to find a safe place to bury himself, if you catch my drift. Can these two find Kaleb’s brother as well as safety while surrounded by hoards of zombies that get smarter with each brain they eat? This second story of Zombie Boyz is definitely more hard-core with lots of blood, guts, brains and some sexy guy on guy action when Cooper and Kaleb redefine the term “mile high club”!

Ghouls Gym is full on zombie bloody and scary. There is a wee bit of sex and a whole lot of naked men throughout the story. A manipulated strain of a virus goes rogue resulting in a gym full of naked, horny, gay zombies. There wasn’t nearly enough sex in this part for me, and although I loved the concept that Klune and Arvin were aiming for the story was slightly chaotic and disjointed. Ghouls Gym is “B” horror movie meets gay movie.

I’d recommend fans of the M/M genre give this one a go. If you like zombie stories as well that is a definite plus! I’d love to see a full story for Chandler/Zane and Cooper/Kaleb, sadly I’d have to pass on Uly and Jake.

Relay for Life by Jana Downs

mem-jd-d-relayforlifeTitle: Relay for Life

Series: Deadzone 02

Author: Jana Downs

Genre: Paranormal, MMM

Length: Novel (180 pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (20th April 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Andrew Ainsley is a Deadzone-sponsored runner participating in the most intense cross-country race of his life. However, a double marathon through the wilds outside the safety zones will bring trouble he didn’t anticipate.

Marcel Carter has been in love with Andrew since he started running for Deadzone five years previously but never had the courage to ask him out. It isn’t until Andrew is lost that he realizes he’s been wasting time.

Matthew Gibson volunteers frequently for dangerous field missions, leaving little time for real relationships. He thinks he’s ready to put that life behind him until his cousin, Brooklyn, asks him to help rescue Andrew. When the three meet, sparks fly, and Matthew thinks he’s finally found what he’s been missing.

As they fight to survive zombies unlike any they’ve faced before and uncover dangerous government conspiracies, they’ll have to determine if their newfound love is real or if it only exists in the dead zone.

Note: This book contains double anal penetration.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/relay-for-life

Review: Andrew is a runner preparing for the most intense run of his life, a fifty-two mile run through the wilds for his sponsors, Deadzone. Andrew has had a crush on Marcel since he joined Andrew’s run security team, but Marcel only seems to see him as a brother. Marcel has wanted Andrew for years, but has always been reserved. But, now with Andrew missing Marcel is determined to tell him how he feels when they find him. Matthew volunteers to be a member of a small team sent in to find one of the most famous athletes of their time. Finding himself attracted to his fellow rescuer, Marcel, he has no qualms in letting the man know he is interested. Finding himself also attracted to Andrew, Matthew makes it his mission to get Marcel and Andrew to accept how they feel and all three find what they have been missing. But, getting out of the wilds is dangerous, especially when they uncover a government secret. Can the three men protect their new-found love?

This story is a great addition to the Deadzone series, giving us a mysterious government conspiracy and the love of three men. Andrew lives to run. it is what he is good at and he loves it. Marcel works as a field agent at Deadzone. His first assignment was for the run team and he has stuck with it ever since. Matthew worked for SCAB, but after a traumatic assignment he isn’t sure what he will do next. The three men come together when Andrew’s run goes horrible wrong and he is running for his life in an area overwhelmed by zombies. Andrew, Marcel and Matthew make a startling discovery as they make their escape, a discovery UFM doesn’t want to get out.

Although this story still has zombies, chases, escapes and new discoveries, it is mainly focused on the relationship between Andrew, Marcel and Matthew. As they explore their new love and relationship, they also discover where they fit together in the relationship; Matthew and Andrew have to put their fears to rest. Marcel is the most well-balanced and is a calm influence who will push his men when needed. Matthew is losing himself to depression when his dad disappears and he is unable to get a job. and Andrew has a fear of crowds and prefers his solitude life, although he opens up enough for his two lovers to share his life.

I really enjoyed this story and its new discoveries. The characters are excellent and I found their relationship to be loving, with just a few difficulties thrown in to shake it up a bit. The storyline moved well and I liked that they had normal worries like finding a job to think of. Their relationship slotted together perfectly and while they were in the wilds they had some really hot sex that only gives you a slight niggle about appropriate places. The support they showed each other was wonderful and I was happy that they waited before declaring their love. I really can’t wait for future stories from Deadzone because the discoveries that are made are really tantalizing and have really got me intrigued.

I will recommend this to those who love threesomes, zombies, chases, hunting, government secrets, hot sex, great characters and a very happy ending.             

 

Here I Am by Evelyn Shepard

es_mt1_iamhere_coverinTitle: I Am Here

Author: Evelyn Shepherd

Genre: LGBT M/M/M Apocalyptic

Length: Novel

Publisher: Loose Id (October 30, 2012)

Heat level: Explicit

Heart rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: Sawyer never it saw it coming. He never expected Jesse to finally respond to him. He never expected the meteors to take out LeVeque tower. He never expected an old woman to try to eat his face off.

Sawyer thought that when he went into work that night it just be another boring evening at the bookstore. But the impromptu quickie in the bathroom is just the beginning. Sawyer, with his gorgeously infuriating boss Jesse, his best friend Chloe and her little brother Jaden are in for more than a boring night.

The undead are rising up and they will have to find their way through the aftermath. With the aid of Jesse’s wryly sexy ex-lover/best friend Topher, they will attempt to head south to find a safe haven in a world turned to bedlam. But with the government keeping secrets and the infected turning, it’ll prove that the nightmare is far from over.

As Sawyer struggles to come to terms with his new world, he’ll also face the conflicting truth that he is in love with not one, but two, men.

It leads him to ask life’s great question: can you find love in a zombie apocalypse?

Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/m), violence.

Product link: http://www.loose-id.com/i-am-here.html

Reviewer: Heart

Review:  As a big zombie fan who had a positive experience with one other book from this author, I had to see what I Am Here was all about. An attractive cover and particularly three men on it, worked like a charm and as soon as I got it, I jumped into the zombie apocalypse.

Sawyer works in a bookstore and has the hots for his boss Jesse. Their attraction comes to its peak on the night when there is a meteor shower everyone else just has to see, but instead of solving their boss/employee relationship they end up defending themselves from biting old ladies and the still walking dead. The action, both plot related as well as the sexual, starts right away, and before you know it, you have two guys who are crazy about each other killing zombies. Personally, I really like fast paced stories with well-developed fight scenes and well thought through plot, both of which I found here.

As they run, they rescue Sawyer’s best friend, Chloe and her little brother and eventually meet up with Topher, Jesse’s ex and still a very good friend.

The ménage itself develops rather late and even then I thought it lacked the chemistry which was obvious between Sawyer and Jesse as well as Sawyer and Topher. It’s really hard to incorporate romance into something as gore filled as a zombie story and there were plenty of times where I either noticed the inconsistencies or rolled my eyes at inappropriate situations where the main characters decided to have sex. I suppose it’s a curse when you watch as many zombie related movies/shows as I do, to pick apart each action and pay attention to details.

Anyway, my main issue here was the amount of sex, which frankly pulled me out of this fast paced story. I feel there’s just no room for it when each minute is danger filled and you’ve just spent your day killing people you used to know and actually still have their blood in your hair and clothes.

Sawyer as a character was someone I liked the least. He had his good moments and I do like bratty characters, but his outbursts seemed more acted out than a part of his personality. Topher was my definite favorite and I can’t get over how little there was of him in the story as well as the relationship. Maybe its partially just my impression because I liked him so much, but the story had involved him to a bigger extent.

As apocalypses go, this was a good one. From losing your loved ones, to military involvement it probably falls under ‘classic’ category, but the author has a flair for action and it shows. So if you lack zombies in your life, pick this up and read about what’s it like to find yourself surrounded by people who want to eat you and all the imaginative ways how to escape that fate.

End Game by Jennifer Brooks

Title: End Game

Author: Jennifer Brooks

Genre: Futuristic (2017) Science-Fiction, Zombie

Length: Novel (171pgs)

Publisher: Musa Publishing (10th August 2012)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After his cousin is murdered, journalist Jessie Canning reunites with his estranged lover to investigate it.

Jessie was on the phone when his cousin, Ben, was attacked. Fifteen minutes later, when Jessie arrived at Ben’s condo, his cousin was dead. With life and death as close as a minute away, Jessie must work with his estranged lover, Mathew, to learn why anyone would’ve wanted to kill Ben.

Purchase Link: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=351

Review: Jessie receives a phone call from his cousin Ben, but as Ben is asking him to come around as soon as possible the line goes dead after a series of thumps. Now with his cousin dead and his estranged husband/lover by his side they have to discover the truth and just what Senergine is trying to hide.

This is quite a unique nanotechnology, zombie suspense story that is quite gruesome, violent and bloody… whoop! Jessie has been dwelling on the separation between himself and his husband. Hoping that Mathew will phone him and they can make things right between them. When he receives a call from his cousin Ben, and Ben seems to be in trouble he drops everything to go help him. But, when he arrives his cousin is dead, the police are there and men in haz-mat suits… could it have anything to do with the company Ben works for? With the help of his estranged husband, he begins to delve into what has happened and discovers what Senergine is trying desperately to hide.

The two main characters in this are Jessie and Mathew, who are married, but have been estranged for a couple of weeks. Their relationship seems a bit stilted and although they do have a wonderful reconciliation scene and incredible make up sex, you still feel like you are missing something in the relationship. The nanotechnology mutating and going wrong was brilliant and scary; something that could be a medical breakthrough turning into something out of a horror story and the developers trying to hide it was really well done.

Combining both story lines into one was well done, as was the emotional turmoil that Jessie goes through throughout the book. We don’t really get a real feel from the other characters like Mathew, Gabriel and Nathen, as the story is all from Jessie’s POV, but we get to know them enough to make us care what happens. This story is violent and bloody and near the end it gets a bit horrific, as you realize the lengths that some scientists will go to, to cover things up and also to discover answers.

I will recommend this to those who love futuristic, nanotechnology, zombie/infected thrillers, with blood, gore and danger and a reconciliation of two stubborn men in love.

 

 

Dead Things by Meredith Russell

Title: Dead Things

Author: Meredith Russell

Genre: Zombie, Contemporary

Length: Novel (284pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (11th August 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A deadly virus creates hungry monsters. Devin Reid, a survivor, risks his life scavenging food and supplies. One day, Devin finds someone with the potential to change a dark future into one of hope and second chances, Noah Weber.

A deadly virus rages indiscriminately across the United States and then beyond. The survivors face a new terror–the undead creatures created in the wake of the infection.

Devin Reid is part of a group surviving out of a high-security penitentiary near Kansas City. Resources are limited and it’s down to a handful of people like Devin to meet the demands on food and supplies. The newly-made monsters are hungry, and the survivors risk their lives scavenging the cities and highways.

On one fateful venture, Devin finds something, someone, with the potential to change a dark future, destined for blood and heartbreak, into one of hope and second chances. He finds Noah Weber.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1179

Review: Devin is part of a small group of survivors living in a prison after a deadly virus outbreak. On a scavenging trip, Devin comes across another survivor, Noah, who has managed to survive living out in the open, which the zombie bites doesn’t infect, and who could just be humanities savior. But the journey to survival is harsh, with blood, loss of life and an egomaniac leading the way. Will there be a future for any of them?

This is a very grim and bloody zombie story, which has a glimmer of hope and maybe developing new relationships after you have lost your whole world. Devin nearly lost everything when the virus struck, but with himself and his sister safe in one of the only safe places in the country, he at least has life. But, when he comes across another survivor he is made to face the fact that although he has life…he is not living. Noah lost everything when the virus struck, he has survived by himself since those first bloody days and now he has been dragged to ‘safety’ where they inject him and want his blood. The only one he trusts is Devin, but Devin holds him away at arm’s length. Can Noah crack the shell that Devin has built around him?

I really enjoyed this story as it has a slightly darker outlook on life, after a virus outbreak that turns the population into zombies. Both the characters of Devin and Noah are really well written, with both of them reacting differently to how the disaster has affected them. Devin draws into himself and continues on, because he has people relying on him. While Noah, grips life with both hands and tries to get as much joy as possible or it could just be that he is around humans who aren’t trying to eat him.

This isn’t a huge romantic, sex-filled story, far from it. It is a story of new hope and maybe new beginnings. It is a story of starting to lay old ghosts to rest and of a glimmer of happiness in the future. This story also isn’t for the faint hearted as it has some pretty gruesome scenes with lots of blood, some with characters we are just getting to know and we don’t get a hearts and flowers happy ending. What we get is the beginning of something that could be special, and a new hope for all humanity.

So, I am going to recommend this to those who love grisly zombie stories, finding the beginning of new love amid harrowing times, of an egomaniac who just hasn’t got a clue and of hope for the future.