Book Review

J.L. Merrow Week Review: Permanently Legless

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Nikyta

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: Permanently Legless
Author: J.L. Merrow
Heroes: Chris/Josh
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 25 Pages
Publisher: Amber Allure
Release Date: January 22, 2012
Available at: Amber Allure, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The Taliban may have taken both of Chris’s legs, but he came back from Afghanistan with his sense of humour and his lust for life firmly intact. The one thing that can shake his confidence, however, is meeting Josh, the one-night stand from before his tour of duty he hasn’t been able to forget.

It turns out Josh hasn’t forgotten Chris, either. But with Chris such a changed man, can they still have a future?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

J.L. Merrow Week Review: Caught!

Posted on September 21, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Guest Reviewed by Gyn

11Title: Caught!
Author: J.L. Merrow
Series: Shamwell Tales #1
Heroes: Robert/Sean
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 276 Pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Available at:  Samhain Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  You can run from the past…but the past runs faster.

Behind Robert’s cheerfully eccentric exterior lies a young heart battered and bruised by his past. He’s taken a job teaching in a village primary school to make a fresh start, and love isn’t part of his plans. But he’s knocked for six—literally—by a chance encounter with the uncle of two of his pupils.

Sean works in pest control, rides a motorbike, and lives on a council estate. On the face of it, he shouldn’t have anything in common with Robert’s bow-tie, classic-car style and posh family background. Yet Robert is helpless to resist Sean’s roguish grin, and a rocky, excruciatingly embarrassing start doesn’t keep the sparks between them from flaring.

Despite Robert’s increasingly ludicrous attempts to keep his past where it belongs, his past hasn’t read the memo. And soon his secrets could be the very things that drive Sean away for good…

Warning: Contains the alarming misadventures of a pest control technician, a stepsister with a truly unfortunate name, and a young man who may have more bow ties than sense.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

J.L. Merrow Week Review: Light the Fire

Posted on September 21, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Reviewed by JustJen

3Title: Light the Fire
Author: J.L. Merrow
Heroes: Kurt/Matt
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 22 Pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: January 28, 2013
Available at: JMS Books, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Learning to live—and love—again

Two years after the death of his lover at the hands of bigots, Kurt’s still not looking for another relationship, even though the big old house he bought with Raoul seems cold and empty these days. But there’s a perky kid at his gym who just won’t take no for an answer.

Matt can tell there’s more to Kurt than just a great set of pecs. He’s drawn to the big guy’s caring, protective attitude as much as to his muscles. But when push comes to shove, can Matt show Kurt he’s not just a big mouth in a small package?

This story first appeared in the Someplace in this World anthology, now out of print.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

J.L. Merrow Week Review: Muscling Through

Posted on September 21, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Muscling Through
Author: J.L. Merrow
Heroes: Larry Morton and Al Fletcher
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 87 Pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: July 19, 2011
Available at: Samhain Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The bigger they come, the harder they fall… in love.

Cambridge art professor Larry Morton takes one, alcohol-glazed look at the huge, tattooed man looming in a dark alley, and assumes he’s done for. Moments later he finds himself disarmed—literally and figuratively. And, the next morning, he can’t rest until he offers an apology to the man who turned out to be more gentle than giant.

Larry’s intrigued to find there’s more to Al Fletcher than meets the eye; he possesses a natural artistic talent that shines through untutored technique. Unfortunately, no one else seems to see the sensitive soul beneath Al’s imposing, scarred, undeniably sexy exterior. Least of all Larry’s class-conscious family, who would like nothing better than to split up this mismatched pair.

Is it physical? Oh, yes, it’s deliciously physical, and so much more—which makes Larry’s next task so daunting. Not just convincing his colleagues, friends and family that their relationship is more than skin deep. It’s convincing Al.

Contains comic misunderstandings, misuse of art materials, and unexpected poignancy.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Buck Baxter, Love Detective by Geoffrey Knight

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Heather C

Reviewed by Heather C

3Title:  Buck Baxter, Love Detective
Author: Geoffrey Knight
Hero: Buck Baxter
Genre: MM Historical
Length: 90 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: September 3, 2014
Available at: Wilde City Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Welcome to Wilde City, 1924—a crane on top of every skyscraper, a party in every club, a romance on every dance floor, a shooting every night, a broken heart on every street corner and a dirty secret behind every window with the curtain drawn. It’s the kinda town that keeps Buck Baxter, private detective, in business.

For despite his fondness for a cold gin and a pipe stuffed with cannabis, Buck is the best gumshoe in Wilde City. Why? Because he has rules: never make friends, never make enemies, and never ever fall in love. That is until the day playboy nightclub owner Holden Hart swings into town. He’s suave, he’s charming, he’s chivalrous… and he’s exactly the kinda man that Buck will break all the rules for.

From the romance of the Rainbow Palace atop the Wilde City Tower, to the dazzling debauchery of the gentlemen’s parlor The Velvet Viper—from the history surrounding the sinister convent on the hill better known Hell’s Bells, to the lantern-lit opium barge, The Peking Empress, run by the mystical Madame Chang—could Buck be about to unravel the greatest mystery of them all…

The mystery of love?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Paused by Bryan Keating

Posted on September 20, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Reviewed by JustJen

3Title: Paused
Author: Bryan Keating
Heroes: Taylor Quinn/
Genre: MM/FF Contemporary
Length: 320 Pages
Publisher: Bryan Keating
Release Date: July 28, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  After ditching a flight for a new adventure, former, reality television star, Taylor Quinn, is scrambling the colorful streets of Chicago with notorious addictions. Taylor quickly begins dating a privileged drug dealer who unknowingly provides him with the necessities he desires. Just as he starts to better his future, Taylor’s destructive roommate reenters his life and the two struggle to feed their addiction to addictions. Unfortunately, Taylor consistently causes chaos into the lives of his loved ones as he strives for an escape.

In separate but intertwined stories, Taylor’s best friend, Adrienne Ponziano and his favorite frenemy, Lynn Riley, have impulsive adventures of their own. Adrienne, while unhappily engaged, romances numerous men in hopes of gaining the true love she desires. Her actions activate her hidden family history sending her on a chase around Illinois. Closet, lipstick lesbian Lynn turns towards online dating websites to explore her hidden sexuality. Her double life leads her to a mischievous woman connected to everyone she seems to know.
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Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Loser Takes All by Kora Knight

Posted on September 19, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Reviewed by JustJen

12Title: Loser Takes All
Author: Kora Knight
Series: Up-Ending Tad: A Journey of Erotic Discovery #1
Heroes: Scott/Tad
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 63 Pages
Publisher: Kora Knight
Release Date: September 5, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Tad’s weekend started out like any other; hitting a college frat party with a handful of buddies. But just as the evening hits its peak, things get up-ended fast. Ditched by his drunken, trolling friends, Tad winds up getting hustled by three jocks playing poker. Now he’s forced to pay his dues in the most outlandish of ways; accepting a couple broken bones or spending an hour with his victors’ favorite flogger, Scott. But the guy’s tantalizing torture quickly proves to be the least of Tad’s worries… and the kickoff to a night of raw, shocking lust.

Experience the graphic, minute-by-minute account of that hour spent at the hands of Tad’s insatiable tormentor. Addicting chemistry lights the stage as Scott ignites Tad’s reluctant desires into a frenzy of forbidden need.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Evernight by Kristen Callihan

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Heather C

Reviewed by Heather C

13Title:  Evernight
Author: Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #5
Hero/Heroine: William Thorne/Holly Evernight
Genre: MF Historical Romance; Steampunk
Length: 385 Pages
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Once the night comes . . .

Will Thorne is living a nightmare, his sanity slowly being drained away by a force he can’t control. His talents have made him the perfect assassin for hire. But as he loses his grip on reality, there is no calming him—until he finds his next target: the mysterious Holly Evernight.

Love must cast aside the shadows . . .

Holly cannot fathom who would put a contract on her life, yet the moment she touches Will, the connection between them is elemental, undeniable—and she’s the only one who can tame his bouts of madness. But other assassins are coming for Holly. Will must transform from killer to protector and find the man who wants Holly dead . . . or his only chance for redemption will be lost.

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Bedtime Stories Anthology by Various Authors

Posted on September 19, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Bedtime Stories
Authors: Anna Martin, B. Snow, Blaine D. Arden, Kit Mullender, Liam Livings, M.J. O’Shea, Tia Fielding
Series: Anthology
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romantic
Length: 261 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: August 20, 2014
Available at:  Wilde City Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: From supernatural tales of intrigue to a curious modern romance, a thoroughly British relationship and a classic fairytale all twisted up, Bedtime Stories is a collection of short stories designed to be read one at a time, at bedtime. Let us wish you goodnight with gay romances that are sure to leave you ready for a night of sweet, lingering dreams.

Whiskey Wishes by Anna Martin – Jamie O’Shaughnessy and Aiden Rooney find love in a tiny town in Ireland despite all the odds.

Flickers by Tia Fielding – A ghost leads a man to the house of an artist where the three of them find long-term happiness.

Click Your Heels Three Times by Blaine D. Arden – A story about a magical Prince in love with a leatherworker, who gets cursed when he rebuffs the General’s son for an arranged marriage.

Frangipani Kisses by Liam Livings – Not a romance, but a gay man on “welfare” finding his place in life and in society with his husband’s support.

Charmed by MJ O’Shea – A snarky bitch of a bartender meets his match one night and breaks all his dating rules.

Torch by Kit Mullender – A doctor in a sweaty apartment listens to Jazz each Thursday and dreams of its singer. One night he learns just who that singer is and boy is he happy!

Miles to Go by B. Snow – A 32 year old married man with a son faces divorce when his wife accuses him of being gay and forces him to go out on several dates to test the theory.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Capture the Sun by R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell

Posted on September 18, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Guest Reviewed by Kristy

13Title: Capture the Sun
Author: R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell
Series: Stories from Sapphire Cay #5
Heroes: Isaac Bailey/Mitch Stone
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 105 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: August 30, 2014
Available at: Love Lane Books, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Model, Isaac Bailey wants to break into the world of fashion design. Under his father’s company name, he is set to debut his new collection—summer wear. He has the models, the clothes, what he needs is a location.

Mitch Stone is a trouble shooter. His latest client needs an exotic location and he happens to know someone with the very thing—Sapphire Cay. Having underestimated Isaac as nothing more than an airhead model, Mitch soon discovers there is much more to the young man than he first thought.

As the fashion shoot gets underway, Mitch has to contend with his feelings for his old love, Dylan, and the very new and growing affections he has for Isaac. What starts as just another job, turns out to be more fruitful and exhilarating than winning any multi-million dollar contract.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment