Published in 2014

Book Review: Awake and Alive by Garrett Leigh

Reviewed by JustJen

Awake and AliveTitle: Awake and Alive
Author: Garrett Leigh
Heroes: Jed Cooper/Max O’Dair
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 34 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: April 11, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A Missing Moment from Only Love

After a successful surgery relieves Jed of the illness that nearly killed him, he returns home to slowly recover with Max. With time to reconnect, Max shows him a new way to love. Now at a crossroads and facing a new life, Jed must listen to his friends and family to learn how to move forward.

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Only Love by Garrett Leigh

Reviewed by JustJen

Only LoveTitle: Only Love
Author: Garrett Leigh
Heroes: Jed Cooper/Max O’Dair
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 274 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner
Release Date: April 11, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, All Romance eBooks & Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: The diagnosis of a chronic stomach condition leaves thirty-two-year-old Sergeant Jed Cooper with little choice but to call time on his Army career. Then on the dusty streets of Kirkuk, an ambush gone tragically wrong decimates his team, and he returns to the US with a shattered leg and the memory of his best friend dying in his arms.

Life in his sleepy hometown proves intolerable until he finds solace in a lakeside cabin with vivacious young carpenter, Max O’Dair. In the shadow of the epilepsy that periodically plagues Max, he and Jed form an unspoken bond. After a late night episode, Jed realizes how much Max means to him, and life has taught him not to waste time.

But the lines between contentment and complacency are blurred. Things left hidden resurface to tear through their world, and before they can repair the damage, death comes to call again. Faces, past and present, rally around them to weather the storm, but before long, they are left with only love.

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Awakening by Cassandra Carr

Reviewed by JustJen

AwakeningTitle: Awakening
Author: Cassandra Carr
Heroes: Vanessa Clark/Will Astin
Genre: M/F BDSM
Length: 248 Pages
Publisher: C-Squared Publishing
Release Date: March 19, 2014
Available at: Smashwords, Amazon, All Romance eBooks & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Vanessa Clark is doing a research paper for one of her last classes – Psychology of Sex – before receiving her Bachelors’ degree. Once she discovers the topic of BDSM, everything else pales in comparison. But where will she learn about it? The Internet has its limits, and Vanessa needs to talk to real-life practitioners of BDSM to really understand the lifestyle and write about it.

Will Astin, who serves as a dungeon master at a local BDSM club, doesn’t expect to find a gorgeous, irresistible young woman when he agrees to a meet and greet with a college student as a favor to the club’s owner. Even better, she’s interested in learning about BDSM for what he suspects are more than scholarly reasons, and Will decides he’s just the man to teach her about it, hopefully claiming her for his own.

Will and Vanessa begin a journey which teaches both of them there’s more to BDSM than meets the eye. In the process, they grow closer, but when Will’s job puts him in the line of fire – literally – their roles are reversed and Vanessa has to take charge. Can they handle the rapid shift in their burgeoning dynamic, or is their relationship doomed?

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gay For You Week Review: Fireproof by Hollis Shiloh

Reviewed by Nikyta

FireproofTitle: Fireproof
Author: Hollis Shiloh
Heroes: Jett & Levi
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 170 pages
Publisher: Spare Words Press
Release Date: March 1, 2014
Available at: Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Jett used to be a firefighter. He gave it up when he developed the terrifying ability to make fire with his mind. Panicked, he fled—also leaving behind his best friend and secret crush, Levi.

Two years later, they meet again. And somehow, Levi can forgive Jett for leaving and never saying goodbye. But now Levi’s getting married, and that hurts more than Jett thought anything could.

How will Levi take the news of Jett’s weird fire magic—or the news that he’s gay?

Two men navigate the waters of magic, changing relationships, and danger in this contemporary, sweet and slightly angsty paranormal gay firefighter-themed romance.

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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Honorary Blogger Annabelle Jacobs: Torsere + Giveaway

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Torsere

by Annabelle Jacobs

Firstly, I love fantasy. I love dragons and elves and all mythical creatures–basically anything that lets me escape into a different world. I’m so happy to have had the chance to create one of my own.

When I first starting writing this series, way back in February 2013, my original idea was for one book. But as I began to plan it out, and actually start writing, I suddenly found myself with far more story than I could fit into one book.

And so one became three.

Capture introduces the two main characters, Nykin–a dragon rider in the Torserian Army, and Ryneq–the King of Torsere. It details the start of their relationship when they get taken prisoner, and are forced to work together. The interaction between Nykin and his dragon, Fimor, features heavily in this first book, and also throughout the whole series. They are bonded through a telepathic link, and Fimor is very opinionated.

Union, the second book in the series, carries on the story but is based around how the dynamic between the two main characters changes. Nykin has to deal with keeping his position in the king’s army, while also being involved with the king. Their relationship deepens, but with the threats to the kingdom looming on the horizon, they struggle to find time to explore the physical side. But they manage, somehow.

The third and final book, Alliance, has loads of action mixed in with romance. Everything that’s been building in the previous two books comes to a head, and Ryneq has some difficult decisions to make. Nykin doesn’t agree with some of them, and with all that’s happening around them, emotions run high. I’ve literally just finished writing this one.

It’s taken me a little over a year to complete the whole series, and I’m really going to miss writing about these two, and of course Fimor. I think one of my favourite things has been imagining what a snarky, old, interfering dragon might have to say.

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About Union

UnionAfter the defeat of the Lowland Army at Torsere and with King Seran on the run, King Ryneq and his sister, Cerylea, continue their journey to the Elven City of Alel to proceed with the union of the two realms. Fully recovered from his injuries and newly announced as King Ryneq’s Consort, Nykin returns to his duty as a Dragon Rider in the King’s army. He and Ryneq have little opportunity to celebrate their union, but make the most of their time together before leaving for Alel. Since the ambush at Neest River destroyed the main bridge, traveling by ship is the only option. An unusual storm threatens their crossing, making Ryneq wonder if some new magic is rising against them.

As the wedding between Cerylea and the Elven prince Morkryn approaches, the dragons sense a malevolent presence. To protect the young couple’s fragile bond, Nykin and his dragon, Fimor, take to the skies, setting up a patrol along the border of the magical city. But as the evil grows more potent, the enchanted boundary grows weaker. Ryneq and Nykin must combine their strength to protect their people from Seran’s extreme plot for revenge.

Available at: Dreamspinner Press

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About Annabelle Jacobs

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her husband, three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

You can find Annabelle on Facebook, Twitter or her Website.

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In honor of her new release, Annabelle has kindly offered to give away an ebook copy of Capture to one luck winner!

The giveaway starts now and will end next Wednesday, April 16th, 2014, at 11:59 pm EST. After which the lucky winner will be randomly picked.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address and you’re in!

Make sure to follow the blog for the winner’s announcement post or check back next Thursday, April 17th, 2014, to see if you’ve won.

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Union to see what she thought of it! You can also pre-order your own copy at Dreamspinner Press!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | 12 Comments

Early Review: Union by Annabelle Jacobs

Reviewed by Nikyta

UnionTitle: Union
Author: Annabelle Jacobs
Series: Torsere #2
Heroes: Nykin & Ryneq
Genre: M/M High Fantasy
Length: 230 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: April 11, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: After the defeat of the Lowland Army at Torsere and with King Seran on the run, King Ryneq and his sister, Cerylea, continue their journey to the Elven City of Alel to proceed with the union of the two realms. Fully recovered from his injuries and newly announced as King Ryneq’s Consort, Nykin returns to his duty as a Dragon Rider in the King’s army. He and Ryneq have little opportunity to celebrate their union, but make the most of their time together before leaving for Alel. Since the ambush at Neest River destroyed the main bridge, traveling by ship is the only option. An unusual storm threatens their crossing, making Ryneq wonder if some new magic is rising against them.

As the wedding between Cerylea and the Elven prince Morkryn approaches, the dragons sense a malevolent presence. To protect the young couple’s fragile bond, Nykin and his dragon, Fimor, take to the skies, setting up a patrol along the border of the magical city. But as the evil grows more potent, the enchanted boundary grows weaker. Ryneq and Nykin must combine their strength to protect their people from Seran’s extreme plot for revenge.

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Finding Peace by T.A. Chase

Reviewed by Nikyta

Finding PeaceTitle: Finding Peace
Author: T.A. Chase
Series: Nowhere Diner #2
Heroes: Chad & Zane
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 41,000 words
Publisher: Amber Allure
Release Date: March 24, 2014
Available at: Amber Allure, All Romance eBooks & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Chad Mitchell is on a downward spiral and he’s not sure how to stop it. Between the flashbacks of fighting in Afghanistan and the alcohol, he feels like he’s losing his mind. And if he’s not careful, he knows he might lose more than that. Working at Cookie’s Diner is a chance at working through his problems, yet his demons are stronger than he thinks.

Sergeant Zane Smithson comes to the diner in the middle of nowhere to check up on Chad. The men had served together in Afghanistan, and even back then, Zane had been interested in Chad, who had served under him. But when Zane got home, he had his own demons to beat before he could help his troubled comrade. Now, once Zane finds Chad, he sees there is more to the man’s problems than just flashbacks of war.

When a confrontation between them leads Chad to the depths of a bottle, Zane realizes they both need help to find peace in their lives… Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: The Ophelia Prophecy by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Reviewed by Nikyta

The Ophelia ProphecyTitle: The Ophelia Prophecy
Author: Sharon Lynn Fisher
Hero/Heroine: Asha & Pax
Genre: M/F Post Apocalyptic/Sci-Fi
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Available at: Tor Books, Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Our world is no longer our own. We engineered a race of superior fighters — the Manti, mutant humans with insect-like abilities. Twenty-five years ago they all but destroyed us. In Sanctuary, some of us survive. Eking out our existence. Clinging to the past. 

Some of us intend to do more than survive. 

Asha and Pax — strangers and enemies — find themselves stranded together on the border of the last human city, neither with a memory of how they got there.

Asha is an archivist working to preserve humanity’s most valuable resource — information — viewed as the only means of resurrecting their society.

Pax is Manti, his Scarab ship a menacing presence in the skies over Sanctuary, keeping the last dregs of humanity in check.

Neither of them is really what they seem, and what humanity believes about the Manti is a lie.

With their hearts and fates on a collision course, they must unlock each other’s secrets and forge a bond of trust before a rekindled conflict pushes their two races into repeating the mistakes of the past.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gay For You Week Review: Katastrophic Decisions by R.L. Rushing

Reviewed by Heather C

20633113Title: Katastrophic Decisions
Author: R.L. Rushing
Series: Cursed Existence Collection
Heroine: Katarina “Kata” Redford
Genre: F/F Paranormal Romance
Length: 184 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 17, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Katastrophic Decisions serves as the back story of Katarina Redford, a healer. It takes place before she was ripped from her life and forced into Ledger chaos.

Some people would kill for the chance to be endowed with the ability to heal. However, Kata Redford and her few remaining family members have spent the past several years hiding in the rugged Oregon mountains from religious zealots and other crazies who seek to either punish her for her inherent ability or possess it for themselves. Now, at twenty eight years of age, she’s reached a pivotal moment in her life. Realizing that something she’d wanted so badly was not meant to be, with an open mind and an aching heart, she sets off to find her own path in life.
Unexpectedly, Kata is enraptured by the beautiful Levin Chase, an intriguing drummer for the band, Stage a Revolt. Through their equally undeniable attraction, Kata finally learns what it means to live life to the fullest. Thanks to Levin’s strong determination, they begin to build a rock solid future on the heels of a nearly catastrophic decision. But as usual in her life, just when everything starts looking up, her world falls to pieces.

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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014, Theme Week | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The King by J.R. Ward

Reviewed by Susan65

The KingTitle: The King
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #12
Heroes: Wrath, son of Wrath and Beth Randall
Genre: M/F Paranormal
Length: 592 Pages
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Available at: Penguin, Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle–with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything–and everyone–at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response–or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out… or tortured legacy take over?

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments