3.5 Star Ratings

Book Review: For Rent or For Real by Terry O’Reilly

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: For Rent or For Real
Author: Terry O’Reilly
Heroes: Ted Davis
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 100 Pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: November 23, 2014
Available at: JMS Books and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  College student Ted Davis is desperate for money. Without a source of income he’ll be forced to quit school and return home to his homophobic stepfather who cut him off when he was caught fooling around with his best friend.

While working as a waiter, Ted meets suave, handsome Trace Morrison, who offers Ted a job as an escort. Ted is reluctant at first, as he doesn’t believe himself to be gay. However, when Trace seduces him, Ted realizes his stepfather’s assessment of him was correct.

Ted quickly discovers that working as an escort is not as glamorous or satisfying as it appears on the surface. He becomes disillusioned with his life as a rent boy and seeks to find a way out of his situation — to escape the world of shallow, impersonal sex to find a relationship that has real depth and meaning.

Will Ted be trapped in this life of sex for hire until he’s too old to attract the attention of the parade of rich and needy clients that rent his body to fulfill their fantasies? Or will his own fantasies of a real, loving and monogamous relationship be realized when someone from Ted’s past re-enters the picture?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott

Guest Reviewed by Ami

1Title: The Devil in Denim
Author: Melanie Scott
Series: New York Saints #1
Heroine/Hero: Maggie Jameson/Alex Winters
Genre: MF Contemporary Romance
Length: 342 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Available at:  St. Martin’s Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Life Just Threw Her A Curveball.

As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium—glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.

Will Love Be A Home Run?

Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field—and get the Saints back in the game—Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Out of CTRL by S.A. Welsh

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Out of CTRL
Author: S.A. Welsh
Heroes: Andrew/Teddy
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 160 Pages
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: November 14, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Andrew had no intention of ever going back home. But circumstances force him to face his painful past and the friend who betrayed him.

Andrew Finley has no intention of going back to his hometown—ever. After he gets caught hacking the CIA, he builds himself a new life as a computer guy for the very government agency he tried to hack. But over the past few months something has been bothering him, and his boss is acting more paranoid than usual. Every time an operation failed, Andrew collected information that could prove someone was selling secrets and now he’s pretty sure his boss is trying to kill him, so he has no choice but to go back home to buy some time. Going home may be more dangerous than facing his boss, though, considering his former best friend and first crush Teddy had betrayed him and let his evil sister and her minions send him running nine years ago.

But he’s back now and not everything is as clear-cut as he thought. Teddy may not be a Judas but can Andrew catch his fireman without getting burned, or is coming home going to kill him?

One corrupt boss, one evil sister, enough family drama to fill a dozen daytime chat shows and an ex-best friend who he’s been in love with for half his life makes for one hell an interesting trip home.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Vines by Christopher Rice

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: The Vines
Author: Christopher Rice
Heroine: Caitlin Chaisson
Genre: MF Horror
Length: 214 Pages
Publisher: 47 North
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The dark history of Spring House, a beautifully restored plantation mansion on the outskirts of New Orleans, has long been forgotten. But something sinister lurks beneath the soil of the old estate.

After heiress and current owner Caitlin Chaisson is witness to her husband’s stunning betrayal at her birthday party, she tries to take her own life in the mansion’s cherished gazebo. Instead, the blood she spills awakens dark forces in the ground below. Chaos ensues and by morning her husband has vanished without a trace and his mistress has gone mad.

Nova, daughter to Spring House’s groundskeeper, has always suspected that something malevolent haunts the old place, and in the aftermath of the birthday party she enlists Caitlin’s estranged best friend, Blake, to help her get to the bottom of it. The pair soon realizes that the vengeance enacted by this sinister and otherworldly force comes at a terrible price.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Your Wish, My Demand by J.D. Walker

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Your Wish, My Demand
Author: J.D. Walker
Heroes: Clint Beck/Kyle Rivers
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 9,102 Words
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: November 16, 2014
Available at: JMS Books and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Clint Beck has been best friends with Kyle Rivers for over ten years. They went to college together, and now they share a successful boutique landscaping business. Clint usually takes the lead, and Kyle tends to follow.

Kyle is naturally submissive and has suffered a lot of abuse from overly aggressive ex-boyfriends. Clint has always loved Kyle, and he longs for the day when he can move their friendship to something deeper. He knows he can be the caring Dom Kyle yearns for in order to become whole again.

One afternoon, Clint suggests they go to Ties That Bind, his favorite BDSM club. Kyle is usually reticent, but he agrees. Clint knows this is the chance he’s been waiting for. Once at the club, Clint uses all his skill to show Kyle how it can be with a Dom who can meet his partner’s every need in a safe, loving environment. Is Kyle ready to choose the one man who can give him exactly what he needs in every way?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Brokedown Hearts by Cameron Dane

Reviewed by Susan65

7Title: Brokedown Hearts
Author: Cameron Dane
Series: Foster Siblings #4
Heroes: David Joyner/Ben Evans
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 332 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Available at: Loose Id, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ex-con David Joyner returns home knowing he must atone for his past sins. Working at an animal shelter, David keeps his head down, desperate to prove to a hostile town he’s a new man. The one time David looks up, he spots fellow motel dweller Ben, and is terrified by his attraction to the man. David doesn’t want to feel anything. He can only damage what he loves.

On a forced vacation, PI Ben Evans accepts a job to tail a recently released prisoner. What begins as an easy gig turns complicated when Ben, a controlled man, can’t deny the pang of empathy he feels for his subject, David. Ben can’t suppress his gut-deep sexual desires whenever he’s near David either.

Repeatedly crossing paths, David and Ben do their best to fight their growing attraction. When passion explodes, and secrets are revealed, both men have to conquer inner demons in order to accept the others love.

Someone has turned the tables on David, though, stalking him and leaving threatening notes. Will anyone believe David if he tells? And when David’s stalker raises the stakes, can Ben find the man who has become his world in time to save their love?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Two Steps Back by Lyn Gala

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Two Steps Back
Author: Lyn Gala
Heroes: Dallin/William
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 196 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Available at: Loose Id, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The poor economy has forced Dallin to return to prostitution to avoid homelessness, but when his old pimp hooks him up with a wealthy Dom, Dallin figures it’s too good to be true. William is older, wealthy, experienced, and a complete dominant. He’s the sort of man who can go to a club and pick up a dozen subs, and yet he wants to hire Dallin.

William knows how to succeed in finance and the bedroom, but trying to keep a relationship going is a far more difficult proposition. Instead of dealing with the messy reality of the club scene or dating, he decides to hire a sub. While William would like to have a long-term relationship develop, he’s not expecting anything. However the longer he plays with Dallin, the more he realizes that he wants more.

Dallin is willing to give his body to William—he enjoys the bondage, the games and ropes and toys. He’s more wary about trusting William with his heart. William is a master of domination, but for Dallin he wants to learn to love.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Prince of Faith by Belinda McBride

Guest Reviewed by Gyn

4Title: Prince of Faith
Author: Belinda McBride
Series: An Uncommon Whore #3
Heroes: Markus Dayspring/Caius
Genre: MM Sci-Fi
Length: 224 Pages
Publisher: Loose ID
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Available at:  Loose ID, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Held captive in a whorehouse, Markus Dayspring wakes every morning with a thirst for revenge, and collapses every night with a prayer for strength. He lives on in spite of deadly addictions and a crippling, shameful secret. When he’s rescued by a man from his past, his reawakened love threatens to crush his damaged soul.

Caius also has a secret, one that could ultimately kill him. But his vow to rescue Markus is stronger than guilt, fear and even his loyalty to King Helios. Too many have died because of Caius and rescuing the missing prince might allow him to sleep without nightmares.

Old habits are hard to break and new pain threatens their growing love. Yet one gleaming ray of hope continues to guide them to safety, even in the face of an unexpected violation of trust. With the stakes growing higher by the hour, Markus and Caius must learn to have faith before they can heal and face the future together.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Scarred Hearts by Bonnie Dee

Reviewed by Heather C

Scarred HeartsTitle:  Scarred Hearts
Author: Bonnie Dee
Hero/Heroine: Shadow Robeson/Lettie Calloway
Genre: MF Historical Romance
Length:  167 Pages
Publisher: Bonnie Dee
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Two wounded souls find salvation in each another.

At the close of WWI, moonshine and bootlegging rule the night in the Kentucky hills, but two damaged souls manage to find light and love amidst the darkness. Nearly destroyed by a grenade blast, Shadow Robeson returns home from war only to be trapped by family expectations he has no energy to fight—until a secret romance with a loving woman sets him on a new course.

Bound by poverty and a ruined reputation, Lettie Calloway seems destined to spend her days serving at the local tavern. It takes a kind and gentle man entering her life to expand her dreams to the horizon.

Shadow plans to escape the backwoods with Lettie for a new start, but his violent family threatens to destroy the fragile growth of new love. As the couple struggles toward freedom, will they escape this dangerous country before their lives explode?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Choices & Changes by K.L. Belanger

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Choices & Changes
Author: K.L. Belanger
Narrator: Jonathan Waters
Heroes: Bo Sanford/Erick
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: Book – 253 Pages / Audio – 6 hours, 43 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – Feburary 1010, 2013 / Audio – September 22, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: On the cusp of his twenty-fifth birthday, Bo Sanford grows frustrated with his directionless life. Slaving away at his father’s construction company all week and partying every weekend leaves him little time for introspection, but he knows it’s time for a change. When his best friend, Mac, drags him to a college party, Bo catches sight of a girl. But not just any girl—the girl of his dreams: a delicate blonde-haired beauty with a pink scarf and a smile that promises warmth and humor. There’s just one problem: she isn’t a girl.

Even after Bo discovers the truth, he keeps seeing Erick, and the choice to follow his heart despite the obstacles has profound repercussions on not only his sense of self but his relationship with his family and even his job. Being with Erick makes him all the more determined to be his own man and claw his way out from under his father’s thumb.

But Erick faces choices of his own: the choice to get involved with someone redefining his sexuality, the choice to trust again, and even the choice to believe love can last beyond the temporary.(
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, Debut Authors, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment