Published in 2017

Book Review: Homemade from the Heart by Bru Baker

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Homemade from the Heart
Author: Bru Baker
Series: 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers
Heroes: Grant/Josh
Genre: M/M Contemporary Holiday
Length: 55 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:Craft store owner Grant has always been a sucker for a pretty face, and that goes double for a pretty face with an adorable sidekick. When seven-year-old Aubrey has her heart set on taking Grant’s already-full holiday craft series, he caves and gives up his one day off a week so she (and her hot guardian, Josh) can take private lessons. Their flirting ramps up week after week, and even though Josh isn’t with Aubrey’s mother, Grant can’t be sure the man isn’t straight. Maybe he’s just being friendly. And Josh, who most definitely is not straight, is afraid of being the creepy guy hitting on the teacher.

Frustrated by their stubbornness and cluelessness, Aubrey takes matters into her own hands. She decides the best gift to give Josh is something homemade and from the heart—a boyfriend they’ll both love.   Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Sometimes the Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped by B.G. Thomas

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Sometimes the Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped
Author: B.G. Thomas
Heroes: Ned Balding/Jake Carrara
Genre: MM Contemporary Holiday
Length: 131 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 25, 2017
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ned Balding used to be a decent man—until the stress of seemingly countless responsibilities changes him, and he becomes cold and driven—the kind of man who considers firing an employee days before Christmas. The kind of man who kicks a dog…. But Ned’s transgressions haven’t gone unseen. A Salvation Army Santa witnesses his misdeeds and decides Ned needs to be taught a lesson.

When Ned wakes up the next morning, he’s stunned to discover he’s been transformed into a dog.

In the past year, Jake Carrara has lost his mother, a lover… even his dog. His boss came close to firing him just before the holidays. He isn’t sure he’s ready for another pet when he’s asked to foster a dog, but Jake’s good heart won’t let him refuse. Little does he know, this isn’t just any dog.

Through a twist of fate, two people with little reason to be friends might teach each other to rediscover the good—and the love—in life.
Continue reading

Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Candy Canes and Cappuccinos by Elizabeth Coldwell

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Candy Canes and Cappuccinos
Author: Elizabeth Coldwell
Series: 2017 Advent Calendar – Stocking Stuffers
Heroes: Kyle & Steven
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 24 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Kyle is struggling to run his coffee shop on his own after his partner walked out on him. He has his eye on Steven, who comes into the shop each day, but hasn’t worked up the nerve to express his interest. When Steven asks Kyle to help out with Christmas lunch at the homeless shelter where he works, Kyle is too exhausted to agree. He donates his tips but still feels he’s blown his chances with Steven and made himself look like a selfish jerk.

On Christmas Day, Kyle sees a way to make amends—to both Steven and the needy people depending on his kindness. It’s the right thing to do, and Kyle hopes he can clear up the misunderstanding and show Steven the type of man he really is. Maybe then they can consider some dessert when the lunch at the shelter is over…. Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday: Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

Blogger_Exclusive Excerpt

Exclusive Excerpt from Gemini Keeps Capricorn

Music started, and Wesley grabbed Lloyd’s hand. Warm, tingly static skipped up his arm. After recovering from the shock, he tugged Lloyd and threaded him through the dancers.

They only made it halfway to Caleb before the director stopped the music.  “One-hundred-ninety-eight and ninety-nine. Why aren’t you dancing?”

The other dancers and band gawked at them. Caleb’s gulp was visible, and he almost dropped his flute.

The spotlight beamed down on Wesley and Lloyd, and Wesley quite liked it. He grinned. “We’re better in the background, by the band.” He glared at his brother, who at least had the decency to blush. Caleb lifted his hand and mouthed, “Five minutes.”

“Your partner is tall,” the director agreed, unconvinced.

Wesley nicked his head in Lloyd’s direction. “I worry he’ll outshine your main actors. You know, because of all the hotness.”

Lloyd laughed, and when Wesley whipped his head around to catch him, Lloyd’s lips settled into a teasing flat line. He lifted one eyebrow, though, and Wesley drilled him with a playful glare.

The director barked. “No, you’re good right there. When the music starts, we’ll pick up at the countdown. Draw close to your partners and it’s kissy-kissy time. Hooray, hooray, New Year’s is here. You know the drill.” He cued the band, who knocked out a beat in time with the crowd joyfully shouting a countdown.

Ten. Nine. Eight.

Lloyd’s gaze dropped to Wesley’s lips, and Wesley’s heart lurched into his throat.

Seven. Six.

Wesley licked his lips and laughed. “Well, this is something.”

“It’s something all right.” Lloyd rubbed a thumb over Wesley’s knuckles where Wesley was choking the life out of Lloyd’s hand. He lessened his grip with a sheepish grin.

Five. Four. Three.

Wesley shifted his feet around one of Lloyd’s and rested his shaky hand on his chest. “Kissy-kissy time.”

Lloyd dipped his head. Wesley’s stomach dropped to his knees and through his feet. Lloyd spoke into his ear, voice calm and steady. “It’s an audition. We shouldn’t.”

Two. One.

Lloyd shifted away, but Wesley looped his hand around Lloyd’s neck, gave him a diabolical grin, and kissed him. His lips met Lloyd’s with humored insistence, but he wasn’t ready for the warmth of Lloyd’s mouth. The taste of maple syrup from breakfast clung to the bow of his lip.

Wesley stilled his roaming hands against Lloyd’s shoulder blades, lips grazing off—

Lloyd slid his fingers through Wesley’s hair and cradled his head, drawing him closer.

Wesley’s veins sang with a surge of electricity. He listed against Lloyd’s strong chest, and Lloyd teased Wesley’s lips with his tongue.

Heat rocked through Wesley, and he kept kissing Lloyd well after the music had stopped.

When they parted, Wesley blinked, and blinked again. He only realized he was staring at Lloyd’s swollen bottom lip when Lloyd spoke, “Wesley?”

Wesley looked up into his questioning gaze.

The director yelled their numbers. “You two are out. Bye-bye.”

Wesley whirled toward the director. “You’re casting us out because of that kiss?”

“Yes. Go.”

“Are you completely off your rocker? That kiss was incredible.”

The director ignored him and rolled his finger at the band to wrap up. “Flute, thanks for coming in on short notice. Violin and trumpet, you’re up.”

Wesley scowled at the director. “Serious nut-job that needs glasses,” he muttered.

“He’s wearing glasses.”

Wesley threw his hands up. “See. Sight impaired.”

Lloyd regarded Wesley with amusement, and his face beamed. Wesley’s breath stalled.

The director shouting numbers yanked him out of his fog. Wesley snagged his brother and hurried the hell off stage.

 

Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Beauty and His Beast
Author: Bey Deckard
Heroes: Juniper Bo/Marrex
Genre: MM Sci-Fi
Length: 151 Pages
Publisher: Bey Deckard
Release Date: December 2, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: They call him Marrex the Monster.

Deformed and wretched, Captain Marrex roams the black of space with only a pair of eccentric AIs for company. The curse in his DNA means a long, bitterly lonely life for the Ghelyxian, and it’s a fate Marrex knows he can’t change.

After a long sleep in stasis, Juniper Bo wakes to discover he’s an unwelcome guest aboard Captain Marrex’s ship. Though he tries to stay away from the surly Ghelyxian, he just doesn’t get why the curse is such a big deal—then again, Juniper knows his tastes are rather… unusual for a Human.

When friendship blooms between Marrex and Juniper, they realize they face a future that neither could have predicted in their wildest dreams.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Freckles by Amy Lane

Reviewed by Morgan

Title: Freckles
Author: Amy Lane
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Heroes: Carter Embree/Sandy Corrigan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 4 Hours, 42 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 4, 2017
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Carter Embree has always hoped to be rescued from his productive, tragically boring, and (slightly) ethically compromised life. But when an urchin at a grocery store shoves a bundle of fluff into his hands, Carter goes from rescuee to rescuer—and he needs a little help.

Sandy Corrigan, the vet tech who helps ease Carter into the world of dog ownership, first assumes that Carter is a crazy-pants client who just needs to relax. But as Sandy gets a glimpse into the funny, kind, sexy man under Carter’s mild-mannered exterior, he sees that with a little care and feeding, Carter might be Super-Pet Owner—and decent boyfriend material to boot.

But Carter needs to see himself as a hero first. As he says good-bye to his pristine house and hello to carpet treatments and dog walkers, he finds that there really is more to himself than a researching drudge without a backbone. A Carter Embree can rate a Sandy Corrigan. He can be supportive, he can be a hero, he can be a man who stands up for his principles!

He can be the owner of a small dog.
Continue reading

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: ‘Tis the Season by Alex Jane

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: ‘Tis the Season
Author: Alex Jane
Narrator: Michael Fell
Heroes: Aaron/Dylan
Genre: MM Holiday
Length: 2 Hours, 57 Minutes
Publisher: Alex Jane
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Aaron has spent the past 10 months alone. When he meets a sad, yet strangely familiar man on a cold Halloween night, he impulsively invites him home. But the intimate connection they share lasts only until morning. Aaron wakes up alone – wracked with guilt and devastated to have lost his chance. Or so he thinks.

Thanksgiving brings Aaron another shot at happiness, but letting go of an old love and accepting a new one isn’t as easy as everyone keeps telling him. And by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, it becomes clear that Aaron’s not the only one struggling to let himself love again.

Christmas miracles are all well and good, but it’s going to take more than the Holiday Spirit for Aaron to get his happy ever after.

A story of grief, sadness, and letting it go; and finding love when you least expect it.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2017, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Wreck the Halls by Jessica Payseur

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Wreck the Halls
Author: Jessica Payseur
Series: 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers
Heroes: Paul & Nick
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 46 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Business has been good at Paul’s Café in Madison, Wisconsin—until a few months before Christmas. When Nick opens Nick’s Restaurant next door, Paul watches his customers leave for cheaper food and an owner who smiles more. With his livelihood at stake, Paul lashes out, trying to drive away Nick’s customers, but Nick won’t go easy, and escalating sabotage threatens to ruin the holidays for both of them.

Paul thinks all he wants for Christmas is to see Nick’s Restaurant go under, but the more he tries to drive Nick away, the less he’s sure he wants him to go. Nick is everything Paul secretly craves, but by the time he realizes Nick is all he really wants for the holidays, he might have ruined any chance for them to get together. And there might not be a present in the world that can fix that. Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blood’s Song by Tempeste O’Riley: Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

Blogger_Exclusive Excerpt

Exclusive Excerpt from Blood’s Song

by Tempeste O’Riley

Hello Blogger Girl Reviews peeps and thank you so much, Nikyta, for having me over to share about my newest release. I’ve done something a little different this time. You see, I feel it’s important to write what you feel and for teens to have more than just the het options that are out there, so I have a new YA book. Yes, I wrote a non-sexy book, lol. Well, there are some yummy scenes, but no sex on page (there is biting though 😉 ).

With that in mind, I thought I’d share a little something from Blood’s Song that it’s anywhere else but inside the book. Yep, just in the book and right here! So, without further ado, here’s your super-secret sneak peek…

*****

How does he do it? I can see the fear in his eyes, but his words….

“Nicholas, I did have trouble at first, and I still have confusion over how I feel and crave you as well.  Also, his scent makes me want him when he gets close. I tried to explain before, the perfume of his skin, of his essence, warm and blazing, makes me want to touch, to taste. I don’t want to hurt him, but I’m afraid that’s exactly what will happen. And, I literally have no idea what I can and can’t do without risking his life.”

“Your rants would be cute if your voice weren’t so frightening, you know.”

At that, I was ashamed. I worked extra hard to compose my voice. Nicholas shouldn’t suffer because of my fears.

“Anya, you can do with him anything a human can. Or are you worried about biting him?”

“All of the above,” I cried, throwing my hands up in frustration. Why was that so hard to understand?

“We can bite without killing, so even if you did break his skin, it would be all right. As long as you were careful not to take too much or to bite too deep. Our blood can repair their wounds, though doing that can be dangerous in other ways. You increase your risk of exposure, among other things. There’s more danger from your strength than your teeth, honestly.”

“Really? Neither you nor Star has ever mentioned this before.”

“You break his skin, a drop of your blood will heal the wound, you crush him, and that’s a very different matter. I have faith in your control, though.”

“Knowing that I have no experience, Nicholas, would you say the same if he was your human?” He couldn’t have the same level of concern, he didn’t love Declán.

Love?

He was somber as he spoke. “I’ve never been involved with one of them like this, but yes, I would say the same. Don’t forget that you are a part of me, and what hurts you, pains me as well. I don’t want him harmed. I can’t bear the thought of you carrying that burden.”

Gently caressing his face, I murmured, “I believe you. I know you wouldn’t lead me wrong. I worry about him, but I do not doubt you.”

Smiling at me wryly, he teased, “Everything physical comes easy for us, your human instincts will kick in when you’re ready. Just remember, they exhaust quickly and need sleep and food regularly.”

I wanted to wipe that arrogant look off his face so badly, ugh! “Smug little brat.”

“Yeah, but you wouldn’t have me any other way. Now, tell me something, when you bind him, are you going to mark him?”

I couldn’t decide if I was more confused, or repulsed, at the idea. “Mark him? What are you talking about, Nicholas?”

“Well, people, both humans and immortals, often give each other a token to mark friendship or love. I was just wondering if you were going to do that, for him, that’s all.”

“A token? Like the rings and necklaces I see the kids give each other?” An interesting idea.

I could do that, but what to give him?

Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, M/F, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments

Early Review: Roger by S.J.D. Peterson

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Roger
Author: SJD Peterson
Heroes: Colt & Killian & Roger
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 51 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 20, 2017
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Texas native Colt Burrow isn’t happy about his third cold, lonely Christmas in frozen Michigan. But when fate sends him a gift in the form of an abandoned puppy, he can’t keep his heart from melting. With the puppy’s companionship, he doesn’t feel so isolated anymore, and the holidays don’t seem as bleak. He even finds enough Christmas spirit to take Roger tree shopping. But just when Colt’s starting to hope Roger’s owner doesn’t show up… he does, and Colt doesn’t want to say goodbye.

Will Roger end up being Colt’s Christmas heartbreak… or his Christmas miracle?

Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment