LGBT

Book Review: Thunder Snow by Owen Keehnen

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Thunder Snow
Author: Owen Keehnen
Heroes: Jim/Glenn
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 43 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Available at: Wilde City Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Thunder Snow is a gay love story set in academia during the 1980s. When Jim Franklin goes away to Windsor College, he is hoping to leave his former life, and lifestyle, behind. Jim has had enough of feeling like an outsider. By all practical purposes he is succeeding at Windsor, at least until his third year. Jim has joined a fraternity and is dating a nice sorority girl. Love blindsides him when Jim meets Glenn who has relocated to the town of Windsor from New York City. Glenn has come to town as the kept lover of wealthy Windsor resident Raymond Channing. Bored by the lack of stimulation in small town, Glenn soon enrolls in college at the university and meets Jim in a Romantic Literature class. When Jim asks for assistance with an assignment, Glenn agrees. Sparks soon ignite and passion ensues. Despite their respective situations, both men fall madly in love, but will it be enough to sustain them in the long run.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Saint Martin’s Day by Kim Fielding

Reviewed by Nikyta

SaintMartinsDayLGTitle: Saint Martin’s Day
Author: Kim Fielding
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Neno & Toby
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 31 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Five years ago, Neno Kova fled California, graduate school, and his lover, Toby Cowan, to return to his native Croatia. Since then, he’s led a quiet life as a librarian—until one November afternoon when Toby, who has never stopped loving Neno, shows up in Zagreb. When he left the United States, Neno wasn’t ready to give up his home and family to take a chance on a long-distance relationship. But Saint Martin’s Day has arrived, the day pressed grapes turn to wine and autumn turns to winter. Perhaps it will be a day when other changes are possible as well.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Blood in the Water by Tami Veldura

Reviewed by Heather C

23299178Title: Blood in the Water
Author: Tami Veldura
Series: An Act of Piracy #1
Heroes: Kyros Vindex/Eric Deumont
Genre: MM Historical Romance
Length: 101 pages
Publisher: Oldwolff Alternascents
Release Date: December 19, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Kyros Vindex, treasure-hunter, has a problem. He’s carrying a torch for a fellow pirate with the sexual awareness of a teaspoon. Rumors say the man has killed hundreds. He’s determined to knock some sense into the work-a-holic that captains the Midnight Sun, but damned if he knows how.

Eric Deumont has more pressing concerns than the treasure-obsessed Kyros. There’s a creature inked into his chest that no witch in the seas will lay hands on for all the gold in the world. He knows it gives the Midnight Sun a cursed reputation and that doesn’t make living any easier. He has heard stories of spirits trapped for lifetimes inside spelled puzzle jars. Eric tracked down three of the pieces for such a jar with a lead number four. The fifth is still out there.

Even then, the spirit of vengeance that lives in Eric’s skin has no intention of giving up such easy access to the mortal realm. It craves blood and the light of the moon allows it to wreak unchecked havoc. Cursed is an insult. This is madness.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger Piper Vaughn: Best Gifts Ever

Honorary_Blogger_Post

Best Gifts Ever

by Piper Vaughn

Hi, all! Thanks to The Blogger Girls for having me today!

Over the years it’s gotten to the point where my family defaults to giving me an Amazon gift card for just about every special occasion. Not that I’m complaining—I do love Amazon and my Kindle—but it occurs to me that it’s been ages since I got a personal gift from someone that both surprised me and really fit me as an individual. Recently, as hedgehogs have become one of my obsessions over the last few years, I’ve gotten a few hedgehog themed gifts, and occasionally, I’ll get a cute pair of socks from those who know about my sock fetish.

But I think one of the best gifts I ever got came from my parents about a decade or so ago. I was visiting from Alaska for Christmas. They surprised me with a pair of second-row tickets to see the “Hairspray” musical. Why did this make such a great gift? Well, I’ve been obsessed with the John Waters’ movie since childhood. I would watch “Hairspray” constantly. I loved the dancing, the actors, the music. Just everything about it—and at the time, I didn’t even know the “Hairspray” musical existed. It was a surprise in numerous ways, and still stands out in my mind as one of the best gift-opening moments ever.

In The Working Elf Blues, Garnet gives Wes a very special Christmas gift. It’s one he doubts throughout the story, worrying it might seem silly or childish, but it’s highly personal, and when he finally works up the courage to give Wes the gift, well, it’s one of my favorite moments in the story. If you read it, you’ll see why. 🙂

So, what was the best gift you ever received for the holidays? One that really fit you and your personality? I’d love to hear about it. And if you’re interested in winning a copy of The Working Elf Blues, along with an adorable pair of elf-themed holiday socks, check out my blog post. The giveaway is open until December 21st.

Happy holidays to those of you who celebrate. Keep safe and warm! 🙂

~Piper

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About The Working Elf Blues

The Working Elf BluesGarnet Evergreen has never heard of an elf abandoning the North Pole for a human, but he yearns to be the first. Ever since he saw Wes, the boy with sorrowful eyes, Garnet felt an undeniable kinship. Over the years, he’s watched that boy grow into a man, and now he’s determined to give Wes a Christmas he’ll never forget. If only Garnet had thought to test his father’s sleigh before leaving…

Orphaned as a child, Wes spends every Christmas alone at his cabin. When he’s woken by a suspicious boom and finds a wrecked sleigh and an unconscious elf, he doesn’t know how to react. Wes isn’t fanciful. He doesn’t give much credence to the stories about Santa Claus and flying reindeer. But a part of him wants desperately to believe when Garnet promises forever, even if life has taught him that no one ever stays…

Available at: Less Than Three Press, All Romance eBooks, Amazon & BookStrand

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About Piper Vaughn

Piper Vaughn wrote her first love story at eleven and never looked back. Since then, she’s known that writing in some form was exactly what she wanted to do. A reader at the core, Piper loves nothing more than getting lost in a great book—fantasy, young adult, romance, she loves them all (and has a two thousand book library to prove it!). She grew up in Chicago, in an ethnically diverse neighborhood, and loves to put faces and characters of every ethnicity in her stories, so her fictional worlds are as colorful as the real one. Above all, she believes that everyone needs a little true love in their life…even if it’s only in a book.

Find out more about Piper on her Website, Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Categories: Book Promo, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas by Jackie Nacht + Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

Blogger_Exclusive Excerpt

An Exclusive Excerpt from A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas

by Jackie Nacht

Chapter Three

Gunner groaned, feeling his brain try to fire up and wake. He was groggy and swore if he ever took another motion sickness pill, he would follow the directions to the letter. He rolled over and promptly fell off the bed, knocking into containers. There was a sound from above, and then Gunner felt his whole body being covered.

“What the…” Gunner covered his head, blind to the tiny objects falling all over him.

He was in utter darkness, and his brain was having an impossible time catching up as the stuff kept falling on him.

The door opened, and a ray of light appeared. “Gunner!” Phillip cried out.

Gunner stayed where he was as Phillip ran to him, shielding himself. The falling objects stopped, and Gunner sat up a little to get a look at what was going on. He was surrounded by acorns and various nuts.

Gunner stared up wide-eyed at his mate. “I’m buried.”

“Oh my God! One of the boxes opened.” Phillip scurried over and began to push the acorns away from him. Gunner glanced up at his mate, the remaining nuts falling down his back and onto the floor below.

“Where am I?” Gunner felt like someone had just tried to bury him alive. He was going to have nightmares about this for sure.

“My bedroom,” Phillip murmured.

“This is your bedroom? These are yours?” Gunner asked as he pointed to the boxes that stacked and lined the walls.

Phillip blushed as he plucked an acorn off Gunner’s shoulder. “Well, it was. I think my parents renovated it after I moved to White Pine.”

Gunner blinked. Then he blinked again. This was always a delicate topic with Phillip. Phillip called it being prepared, but his old bedroom was fucking full of nuts. Gunner wondered what they were preparing for, the apocalypse?

“Are we staying in here, or is it…” Gunner coughed as he said, “storage?”

“Well, I know the twin is a bit tight, but it’s only for a couple of nights.” Phillip smiled sweetly at him.

Twin? He couldn’t fit in a twin by himself, let alone two of them. How the hell were they going to sleep in there? Not to mention that the walls—err boxes were closing in on him.

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About A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas

23688954It’s time for the chipmunk brothers to take their bear and wolf home to meet the family for the holidays.

A vicious horde of chipmunks? Dallas and Gunner knew that meeting their mate’s family wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. How could it be when they had eighteen brothers and sisters? This bear and wolf are about to be put to the test, surviving this family holiday. Will they be able to escape just the four of them or will they be taking some of the siblings back to White Pine…involuntarily?

Available at: MLR Press

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About Jackie Nacht

Short, sexy and sweet— where a little love goes a long way.

That’s the best way to describe Jackie Nacht’s stories. She was introduced to M/M Romance through her sister, Stephani, and read it for years. Then, she thought it was time to put her own stories on paper. Jackie began writing short and sweet stories that ended with a happily ever after.

Thinking back to her own book addiction, where there were many nights Jackie stayed up way too late so she could read just one more chapter— yeah, right— Jackie decided to write short romances for young adults as well as adults. Hopefully, they will give high school and college students, or working men and women something they can read during their lunch hour, in between classes or just when they want to briefly get away from the daily stresses of everyday life.

You can find out more about Jackie on her Website, Blog, Facebook or Twitter.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

As part of this blog tour, Jackie is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , | 10 Comments

Book Review: Icon Men by Cat Grant

 

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: Icon Men Box Set (The First Real Thing, Appearing Nightly, A Fool for You)
Author: Cat Grant
Series: Icon Men #1-3
Heroes: Cameron/Trevor, Mike/Ryan, Brian Barclay/Chase Aubrey
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 362 Pages
Publisher: Cat Grant Books
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The First Real Thing

Cameron is the best—and most sought-after—escort in New York. He has only rule: never let anyone in. But when he picks up ad man Trevor Barclay in a hotel bar, Trev’s shy smile and soft green eyes have Cameron forgetting all the rules. Their steamy encounters leave Cameron shaken, breathless – and falling in love for the first time in his life. But how can he tell Trevor the first man he’s been with in sixteen years sells himself for a living?

Appearing Nightly

Diva Michelle is the hottest drag act in the Manhattan bar scene. But behind the diva is Mike, a lonely man nursing a crush on the Icon’s hot new employee. Ryan’s not just another pretty face – the skittish, fearful young man’s holding back secrets. He may find comfort in Mike’s bed, but he’s not sure if he can trust Mike with the pain of his past.

A Fool for You

Brian Barclay is trying to make it in the New York music scene, but he doesn’t count on his boyfriend Kit stealing all the songs they wrote together. Kicked out of his own band, Brian has no choice but to ask his estranged father Trevor and his partner Cameron for help. Brian and Cameron quickly clash, and when tensions at home escalate, Brian finds himself leaning on sexy blues guitarist Chase Aubrey. Chase and Brian make beautiful music onstage and off, but when Chase’s past threatens their newfound happiness, Brian fears he’s about to be played for a fool yet again.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ariel Tachna Week Review: Out of the Fire

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Out of the Fire
Author: Ariel Tachna
Heroes: Evan/Patrick, Rhys/Takoda
Genre: MM BDSM
Length: 286 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Evan Nichols likes his nice, quiet life in Boston. An established and respected Dom in the BDSM scene, he isn’t looking for a sub, a slave, or a 24/7 relationship. Then a phone call from his best friend and fellow Dom, Rhys Calhoun, shakes up his comfortable routine. Rhys needs Evan’s help to rehabilitate an abused sub-a sub Rhys has fallen in love with. Evan has misgivings, but he could never say no to Rhys, any more than Rhys would ever refuse to help him. Before he knows it, Evan finds himself at Rhys’s home in Las Vegas with a sub who can barely stand to be in the same room with him and a Dom whose emotional involvement threatens his control. Add in the sexual attraction that’s always simmered between Evan and Rhys, and it’s a situation that has the potential to go very, very wrong. Determined to heal both Takoda and Rhys, Evan doesn’t realize how many assumptions about his own life will be called into question as he tries to help them find their way forward together.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published Before 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: When the Planets Align by Kate McMurray

Reviewed by Heather C

WhenthePlanetsAlignLGTitle: When the Planets Align
Author: Kate McMurray
Heroes: Michael Reeves/Simon Newell
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance
Length: 220 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 19, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Best friends Michael Reeves and Simon Newell always lived within ten minutes of each other, but somehow they’re never in the same place at the same time.

Brash, outgoing Michael’s unwavering confidence that he and Simon are meant to be carries him through some hard times. When Simon moves to New York, Michael dutifully follows. Quiet, practical Simon loves Michael as a dear friend, but he’s not ready for anything romantic.

Several years and several failed relationships later, Simon realizes he’s been in love with Michael all along. Only now Michael has moved on. Though Simon offers everything Michael’s ever dreamed of, the timing is all wrong. Confusion, betrayal, and secrets from the past threaten their friendship until it might be time for them to go their separate ways. Or maybe the planets will finally align, and Michael and Simon will find themselves in the right place at the right time to take the next step.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: The Working Elf Blues by Piper Vaughn

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: The Working Elf Blues
Author: Piper Vaughn
Heroes: Garnet Evergreen/Wes
Genre:  MM Fantasy
Length: 53 Pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Release Date: December 17, 2014
Available at:  Less Than Three Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Garnet Evergreen has never heard of an elf abandoning the North Pole for a human, but he yearns to be the first. Ever since he saw Wes, the boy with sorrowful eyes, Garnet felt an undeniable kinship. Over the years, he’s watched that boy grow into a man, and now he’s determined to give Wes a Christmas he’ll never forget. If only Garnet had thought to test his father’s sleigh before leaving…

Orphaned as a child, Wes spends every Christmas alone at his cabin. When he’s woken by a suspicious boom and finds a wrecked sleigh and an unconscious elf, he doesn’t know how to react. Wes isn’t fanciful. He doesn’t give much credence to the stories about Santa Claus and flying reindeer. But a part of him wants desperately to believe when Garnet promises forever, even if life has taught him that no one ever stays…
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Wait for Me by T.S. Morgan

Reviewed by Nikyta

23640942Title: Wait for Me
Author: T.S. Morgan
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: TJ & Jamie
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 21 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: To fulfill his grandfather’s final request, TJ Barclay travels to Scotland over Christmas to bury his ashes next to his lost love, so they can be together at last. While there, he meets Jamie, the orphaned grandson of the man his grandfather loved sixty years ago, before circumstances tore them apart. Concerned for Jamie, TJ can’t leave Scotland without knowing he’s all right. Neither man expected a love story from the past to ignite a new one in the present.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.

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Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment