Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Lights! Camera! Cupid!
Authors: S.E. Jakes, Amy Lane, Z.A. Maxfield, Anne Tenino and L.A. Witt
Narrators: Nick J. Russo and Dorian Bane
Series: Bluewater Bay #6
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 6 Hours, 22 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: September 26, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Cupid is visiting Bluewater Bay, and he’s leaving chaos in his wake.
Nothing’s been the same in this sleepy little logging town since Hollywood came to shoot the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing—especially Valentine’s Day.
In L.A. Witt’s Just Another Day, beloved actors Levi Pritchard and Carter Samuels have an announcement for their fans, while in Z.A. Maxfield’s I’ll Be There, actor Spencer Kepler and his boyfriend Nash Holly brave a blizzard and a fan convention to spend their first February the 14th together.
Of course, it’s not just TV stars celebrating the day. In Anne Tenino’s Helping Hand, an aspiring artist eager to escape Bluewater Bay decides he just might have a reason to stay: lust-inspiring logger Gabriel Savage. In SE Jakes’s No Easy Way, a local teacher reconnects with an old lover working security on the film set. And in Amy Lane’s Nascha, a Bluewater Bay elder recalls how his own unconventional family used to celebrate the holiday.
Real life may be nothing like TV, but when Cupid comes to town, there’s plenty of romance and drama to go around.
Review: Just Another Day by LA Witt narrated by Nick J. Russo
This is a SUPER CUTE “epilogue” to Starstruck with Levi and Carter NOT celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s light-hearted and sexy and reminds us that relationships still take work even though the ILYs have been said. This was easily my favorite in the bunch!
**
Nick Russo did a great job with his narration, just as he did with the original Startstruck. He gives Levi a gruff, rumbly voice and Carter a lighter, but not effeminate voice and it works PERFECTLY!
Overall Impression: It was amazing!
Helping Hand by Anne Tenino Narrated by Nick J. Russo
This, by itself, is a very unsatisfying look at first love and coming to grips with one’s sexuality until you realize it’s the prequel to Wedding Favors and helps to set the tone for that story. By itself it’s kinda sad (romantically ) but very hopeful in that it lays the groundwork for Lucas’ own growth and that of his family. Since we get to see their HEA later, I still give it good marks.
**
Nick is great at giving us manly men and Gabe is VERY manly. I hope he narrates the full length novel as well.
Overall Impression: I loved it!
I’ll Be There by ZA Maxfield Narrated by Nick J Russo
If you enjoyed the original story, Hell On Wheels, you’ll like this little peek at our couple later on in their relationship. It shows some really heartwarming moments between our guys and gives us a peek at Healy and Ford, too.
**
Nick, who also did the original, did another wonderful job and I was so, so glad he got to do these continuation stories!
Overall Impression: I loved it!
Nascha by Amy Lane Narrated by Nick J Russo
This is a prequel to Amy’s The Deep End of the Sound and while it gives a lovely look into the background of Cal’s family, it was sad and hard to read/listen to (especially given the overall light-hearted nature of the other stories and it being a Valentine’s Day book and all…) While I love Amy’s writing and her angst, this just wasn’t my cup of tea.
**
Nick did a great job – especially with the heartrending emotional moments in this story.
3 stars for the story, 5 stars for the narration
Overall Impression: I really liked it
No Easy Way by SE Jakes Narrated by Dorian Bane
This is it’s own story and the longest in the anthology. It’s about two lovers who re-unite and learn that history isn’t always what we remember. It’s got the most “steam” of all the stories and in S.E. Jakes’ way – it’s HOT!
Because it’s a short story there isn’t nearly as much relationship building as most of it is devote to explaining their past, but by the end we get a solid HEA. I’m hoping we see these guys again in a full length novel.
**
Dorian Bane narrates this (his only in the anthology) and he does a great job with the dialog and giving each character their own style.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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