Published in 2014

Book Review: Liesmith by Alis Franklin

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: Liesmith
Author: Alis Franklin
Series: Of the Wyrd #1
Heroes: Sigmund Sussman/Lain Laufeyjarson
Genre: M/M Urban Fantasy
Length: 308 Pages
Publisher: Hydra Publication
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Random House and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Working in low-level IT support for a company that’s the toast of the tech world, Sigmund Sussman finds himself content, if not particularly inspired. As compensation for telling people to restart their computer a few times a day, Sigmund earns enough disposable income to gorge on comics and has plenty of free time to devote to his gaming group.

Then in walks the new guy with the unpronounceable last name who immediately becomes IT’s most popular team member. Lain Laufeyjarson is charming and good-looking, with a story for any occasion; shy, awkward Sigmund is none of those things, which is why he finds it odd when Lain flirts with him. But Lain seems cool, even if he’s a little different—though Sigmund never suspects just how different he could be. After all, who would expect a Norse god to be doing server reboots?

As Sigmund gets to know his mysterious new boyfriend, fate—in the form of an ancient force known as the Wyrd—begins to reveal the threads that weave their lives together. Sigmund doesn’t have the first clue where this adventure will take him, but as Lain says, only fools mess with the Wyrd. Why? Because the Wyrd messes back.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Test of Endurance by Kora Knight

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Test of Endurance
Author: Kora Knight
Series:  Up-Ending Tad: Volume 2
Heroes: Tad/Scott
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 69 Pages
Publisher: Kora Knight
Release Date: October 8, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The last time Tad saw Scott, the ripped physical trainer left him with quite a lot to think about. And that’s pretty much all Tad’s been doing for nearly two weeks straight. At his wit’s end, he seeks Scott out, voluntarily, on his own terms. Will the completely different setting offer what he’s seeking; proof that their exchange’s unexpected turn was just a random mishap? Hormones run amok and truly nothing more? Or will being in Scott’s presence suggest something different… their newest encounter tempting Tad’s resolve while testing his ultimate limits.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cover Reveal: Grif’s Toy by Joseph Lance Tonlet + Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Grif’s Toy

Tease and Denial, Book 1

by Joseph Lance Tonlet

Blurb: Grif believes he’ll live his life as a virgin. After all, who would want him? How could anyone find him, a guy who came with less than man-sized equipment, worthy of their love?

What he hadn’t counted on were the two amazing men who entered his life. Tate, a fun-loving, wealthy college kid and Wes, a handsome, rugged ex-marine who runs his own security firm.

Both men lead Grif through a twisted mesh of pleasure, pain, and denial, as they force him to see his value, despite his size and insecurities.

Now available for pre-order on Amazon and Smashwords

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And the moment you’ve been waiting for! Grif’s Toy cover reveal…

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Categories: Book Promo, Cover Reveals, Debut Authors, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Book Review: Stranded Anthology + Giveaway!

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Stranded
Authors: Alina Popescu, Michael P. Thomas, Kim Fielding, Asta Idonea, Rob Colton, Nephylim, Lily G. Blunt, Eric Gober, Nikka Michaels, Louise Lyons, Kirifox, Sarah Hayes, and J.N. Olsen
Genre: Various
Length: 247 Pages
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Release Date: October 10, 2014
Available at: Wayward Ink Publishing and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Stranded contains thirteen stories from a range of sub-genres. We have dystopian futures, historicals, contemporary romances, sci-fi and paranormal. We have angels, time travelers, and Vikings. We have it all!

STRANDED – DEFINITION:  adjective · (of a boat, sailor, or sea creature) left aground on a shore.  “a stranded whale” · left without the means to move from somewhere.  “he offers a lift to a stranded commuter”

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The boys in this collection of short stories have most definitely been left STRANDED!
They’ve been shipwrecked and abandoned.
Marooned and cast away.
And left helpless and high and dry.
But you should never underestimate the tenacity of the human heart…

STORIES INCLUDED:

Craving Stains by Alina Popescu
Say Cheese by Michael P. Thomas
Standby by Kim Fielding
The Raider by Asta Idonea
The Buckle by Rob Colton
Ari by Nephylim
Opposites Attract by Lily G. Blunt
Out of Order by Eric Gober
Dating for Deafies by Nikka Michaels
One Snowy Night by Louise Lyons
The Climb by kirifox
Did You Leave Any For Me by Sarah Hayes
Sweetness and Strength by J.N. Olsen
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Giveaways, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: Bone Dry by Kim Fielding

Reviewed by Heather C

23206076Title: Bone Dry
Author: Kim Fielding
Series: Bones #1
Heroes: Ery & Karl
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Length: 214 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 10, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ery Phillips’s muse is MIA. He’s pretty sure his job as a graphic designer is to blame, because let’s face it, what kind of muse wants to draw grocery store logos and catheterized penises?

When Ery’s friends Dylan and Chris head off on a European vacation, Ery jumps at the chance to stay on their farm, hoping a stint in the country will encourage his muse to reappear. To be sure, the farm has attracted a few oddities—Dylan is a werewolf and the place was recently haunted—but Ery isn’t canceling his plans just because his friends warn him that there’s something strange going on in their pond. What he doesn’t expect is Karl, a beautiful naked man who appears at the water’s edge.

With Karl as his inspiration, Ery creates amazing paintings and begins to achieve the success he had previously only dreamed of. But Karl comes with certain challenges, causing Ery to question his own goals. Creating the life of his dreams with an unusual beloved may be more challenge than Ery can handle.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger Cardeno C.: Family Series Inspiration Songs + Giveaway!

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Family Series Inspiration Songs

by Cardeno C.

The titles in my Family series are inspired by song lyrics I feel fit the characters and their journeys. I think each song is pretty different and that it fits its book. I’ll share them with you to see if you agree.

 

The Half of Us by Cardeno C. eBookThe Half of UsSomeone to Fall Back on by Jason Robert Brown

I heard a groom sing this song at his wedding as part of his vows to his new husband and immediately thought of Jason Garcia, the arrogant, temperamental heart surgeon in The Half of Us. Jason has made his fair share of mistakes in life and he’ll probably make more. He’s the first person to tell you he’s nobody’s wildest dream. But, remarkably, the things Jason can offer are exactly what optimistic, earnest Abe Green needs.

When Jason meets Abe, he thinks about a hot night with a guy who’s probably out of his league. But one night turns into two and then more, and Jason realizes that with Abe, he can have a future he’d long since given up on. And by becoming the half of “us” with Abe, Jason becomes someone to fall back on for Abe and for a family that needs Jason as much as he needs them.

 

More Than Everything by Cardeno C. eBookMore Than Everything – Pictures Of You by The Cure

I absolutely love this song, have since it was released, and I couldn’t imagine a more perfect song to keep me company as Charlie/Chase Rhodes put together a scrapbook of his life.

Charlie sits at his table and tells the story behind pictures of his great loves – Scott Boone and Adan Navarro. He remembers the kisses, the tears, the love that felt too big to keep, and the pain of losing it. Charlie remembers his past step by step and through the pictures he puts into his scrapbook, he shares his heart, his world, his wants, and ultimately, his happy ending.

 

Something in the Way He Needs by Cardeno C. eBookSomething in the Way He Needs – Something by the Beatles

Asher Penaz is rough and unemotional. He has no interest in relationships and frequents leather bars to find men to control sexually. Asher’s intensity and harshness make him a hard man to like. But good-at-everything, dynamic Daniel Tover is the ying to Asher’s yang and he has no trouble falling for Asher.

Asher is irresistibly drawn to Daniel, which throws him for an emotional loop (not an easy thing to endure for a man unused to emotions). But there’s just something in the way Daniel needs to be held tightly that attracts Asher. To most people, what Asher offers would be frightening and controlling. To Daniel, who has spent his life running from place to place, Asher’s intensity and passion represents security and home. So for the first time in their lives, Asher wants somebody to stay and Daniel doesn’t want to go.

Strong Enough by Cardeno C. eBookStrong Enough – Strong Enough To Be Your Man by Travis Tritt

University math professor, Spencer Derdinger is a kind, intelligent man tormented by events in his past that have made it difficult to maintain a relationship. Spencer’s ego has taken a beating by the people that fade away from him.

And then vibrant, confident, kind Emilio Sanchez struts into Spencer’s life insisting he is strong enough to hold Spencer through the storm. Looking at Emilio’s close-knit family and the future he can have with a man he feels is too good to be true, Spencer finds the strength to vanquish his ghosts.

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About Cardeno C.

Cardeno C. – CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few “awwws” into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

You can find Cardeno at these sites: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Page & Blog.

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Cardeno is giving away an eBook copy of winner’s choice from his backlist to one lucky person! The giveaway starts now and ends October 15, 2014 at 11:59 pm. 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, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry.

Don’t forget to check out Gyn’s review of The Half of Us to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | 24 Comments

Early Review: The Half of Us by Cardeno C.

Guest Reviewed by Gyn

6Title: The Half of Us
Author: Cardeno C.
Series: Family #4
Heroes: Jason Garcia/Abe Green
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 206 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 10, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it’s a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.

Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn’t dimmed Abe Green’s optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.

For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Forgiving Thayne by J.R. Loveless

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: Forgiving Thayne
Author: J.R. Loveless
Series: True Mates #2
Heroes: Nicholas Cartwright/Thayne Whitedove
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 290 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Nicholas Cartwright has done everything in his power to forget that night six months ago in Senaka, when his true mate rejected him, leaving him shattered and disillusioned. Burying himself in his work, he pushes himself to the point of exhaustion while finding the touch of another unbearable. Suddenly his mate needs his help, and he may be asking for more than Nicholas can find it in himself to give.

Thayne Whitedove has always been a wanderer, spending his days on the road and his nights wrapped in the arms of whatever random hookup he meets, until a fateful mistake sends him rushing for the comforts of home. To his utter dismay, the only way to correct his error in judgment is to accept the one thing he’s never wanted… his mate. Thayne must decide whether to keep running or to stay and fight for Nick’s forgiveness.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Laurel Heights 2 by Lisa Worrall

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Laurel Heights 2
Author: Lisa Worrall
Series: Laurel Heights #2
Heroes: Scott/Will
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 143 Pages
Publisher: White Stiletto Press
Release Date: October 1, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Will and Scott are now out and proud and living together in Scott’s tiny house. So everything is perfect, right? Wrong…

Scott has a new partner, a new male partner, and Will is not happy about that at all.

A sadistic serial killer is at large, torturing his way through the gay community, but Will and Scott have no leads.

And one of the residents of Laurel Heights has been arrested for murder.

Review: What a great, freaking ride…Wowza!!! I must admit that I was a bit concerned I would be lost reading this story as it had been so long since I’d read book one, but nope, I was instantly right back on the Scott and Will bandwagon and loved every minute. Scott and Will are two of the hottest MM characters ever, and when they slam each other against the walls, the doors, the back of the couch, or on floor and then go at it, it’s some of the steamiest sex you will ever read about. Lisa Worrall nailed it…pun intended.

Will and Scott are now in a committed relationship, living together, and out & proud at the police station where they work. They are not partners on the force though, and Will is not thrilled with Scott’s new partner Kelly…a man, not a woman…and a man that he is convinced has his eye on Scott. Will and Kelly have a battle of words throughout the story and you wonder when they will come to blows. However, all is not as it appears, and more than once, we get a surprise twist where Kelly is concerned. Can’t give anything away, but I will tell you that I was wrong about him…more than once.

Laurel Heights is once again in the middle of an uproar. And even though I initially forgot who was who in that little cul de sac, it didn’t take long to put a name with a crime or scene. Jay is still the bad guy in prison, and Todd is still the victim…just not like you would think. Scott and Will are driving themselves nuts trying to keep their friends together and safe, but that’s hard to do when they can’t even wrap their minds around the issues still plaguing that exclusive enclave.

If you love hot alpha males who are devoted to each other deeply and exclusively, but fuck like it’s their last time together, then this book will be for you. If you enjoy a great mystery involving a sadistic serial killer, the violence is not a hard limit, and it’s impossible to even guess who it is, and then freak out when you finally learn…and it’s the last person you imagined…then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about strong secondary characters, get pleasure from amazing dialogue, and hope that another book is in the works…then this book will be for you. My heart was in my throat all through the last chapter and the epilogue…that speaks volumes on how great this book turned out to be.
I can’t recommend this story highly enough. It was amazing and worth the wait and I think you will love it too.

Overall Impression: It was amazing!

*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger Sophie Bonaste: Why Write About the Grim Reaper? + Giveaway!

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Why Write About the Grim Reaper?

by Sophie Bonaste

Hello! My name is Sophie Bonaste and I will be taking over this corner of The Blogger Girls today. So before I go any farther I want to send a big thank you out to the amazing people at The Blogger Girls for letting me come by today.

So today I am here to talk about my latest novella release Death Gets a Boyfriend, which is now available from Dreamspinner Press. And, yes, the title is accurate. It is the story of how the embodiment of Death (aka the Grim Reaper) gets a boyfriend. So, of course, this leads to the natural question.

Why would anyone want to write about Death?

Well, it’s actually not as much of a stretch for me. You see, at my day job, I have a bit of a strange nickname. They call me the Grim Reaper. I am feared at my work. But there are times when I don’t understand why. After all, while I am smart, I only weigh 135 pounds and am only five foot six tall. I am super nice and not scary at all. So why the fear? Why the terrifying nickname?

It got me thinking. If I and my lovable personality are deemed so scary, then why is the Grim Reaper always seen in such a scary way? I understand that death is a scary thing, but sometimes it is a necessary thing. And because of little is known about it, who’s to say that the person doing the killing has to be bad. Maybe he is just stuck with a brutal job like so many of us.

And so my muse was born. Death was no longer a shadowy being in a long black robe carrying a large sickle, but rather a nerd wearing Star Wars T-shirts and blue jeans. He is not some man who hangs in the shadows waiting to cause mayhem and destruction, but rather a small man with a love for human culture and a desire to end the pain that the end can sometimes bring.

In short, Death is portrayed as a human. He has his strengths and he has his weaknesses. Not to mention his many quirks. I am pretty sure that the traditional Grim Reaper doesn’t have a problem rambling every time he opens his mouth. But I can tell you that my Death definitely has that problem.

I think one of the best qualities in my book is the fact that my Death is completely different from any other portrayal of the Grim Reaper. He challenges the idea that Death has to be a scary being. He is just a normal being with an extraordinary power. Which is what makes him special.

I admit that my version of Death may be slightly controversial, but I think he is one of the best characters I have ever written. I want to thank the Blogger Girls once again for letting me show everyone my version of Death. To read more about Death, check out the information on Death Gets a Boyfriend which you can find below. Thanks for reading!!

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About Death Gets a Boyfriend

Death Gets a Boyfriend by Sophie Bonaste eBookDeath is in a lonely business. Since the beginning of time he’s been reaping souls then returning home to his little condo in the sky. It’s not a bad job. There are perks. But Death would kill to meet his soul mate, no pun intended.

Tommy Neilson is the next human slated for death. But when he can see Death, Tommy turns his whole world upside down. Curious, Death seeks Tommy out. The chemistry between the two is immediate and soon an unlikely romance starts to form. While Death may not be lonely anymore, he isn’t allowed to interact with humans. Consequently, he must make a choice: billions of souls or the one that makes being immortal worth it.

Available at: Dreamspinner Press

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About Sophie Bonaste

Sophie loves to hear from readers! You can reach her by e-mail at sophiebonaste@gmail.com, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SophieBonaste or on Facebook as Sophie Bonaste. You can also check out updates on Sophie’s writing and other musings on her website at sophiebonaste.blogspot.com.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

As part of this blog tour, Sophie is giving away TWO copies of Death Gets a Boyfriend! 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.

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Death Gets a Boyfriend to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment