3 Star Ratings

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.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Hook, Line, & Sinker by Piper Vaughn

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: Hook, Line, & Sinker
Author: Piper Vaughn
Series: Hard Hats #2
Heroes: Castor McCormick/Blake Kowalski
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 181 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 19, 2014
Available at:  Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  When they were teens, Castor McCormick was the bane of Blake Kowalski’s existence. Their mutual animosity led to summers filled with rivalry. Now, nearly two decades later, Cas is moving back into the neighborhood to live in his grandmother’s old house. Blake tells himself he isn’t interested in seeing how snarky little Cas grew up, but when his mother dupes him into visiting his former nemesis, he finds out “pretty” can evolve into “sexy as hell” on the right man.

Cas didn’t think he wanted to see Blake again. No one has ever pushed his buttons like the arrogant boy he remembers from their youth. Turns out, the adult version of Blake still gets him hot under the collar—and everywhere else. With Blake on leave from work to nurse an injured leg and Cas taking time to move and unpack, they form a tentative friendship that turns into a sexual affair neither man can deny. But when Cas’s job sends him out of state to deal with a difficult client, their new relationship will be tested, and if they fail, Blake’s broken leg might not be the only thing to end up scarred.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: A Weekend Unbound by S. Dora and A. Moore

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: A Weekend Unbound
Authors: S. Dora and A. Moore
Heroes:  Derek and Tyler
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 144 Pages
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: October 17, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  How much can a Dom ask of his submissive? And how much of himself?
For Derek and Tyler, Dominance and submission have been part of their love right from the first hello. But now Derek wants his submissive to go as deep as he is physically and emotionally able to. During two days and two nights, there are no safety words and very few limits. This is their chance to demonstrate their love for one another through the most extreme scenes they’ve ever played.

There is, however, one rule to trump all others for Tyler—to protect Sir’s most loved possession, even if it means disobedience or going against his own need to submit to his Master without question or complaint.

This weekend will open up levels of their relationship they’ve never dreamed of before.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: When Ryan Came Back by Devon McCormack

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: When Ryan Came Back
Author: Devon McCormack
Heroes: Steven/Ryan
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 230 Pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Release Date: October 16, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Steven’s life changes forever the day he discovers his childhood friend and lifelong crush, Ryan Walters, standing in his bedroom. The problem? Ryan Walters committed suicide just days earlier.

Ryan tells Steven that he didn’t kill himself. He believes he was murdered and that his death is linked to an article he was working on for the school paper. Steven sets out to solve the mystery, but as the story unfolds, so does Ryan’s secret life of sex with guys and depression. Steven realizes suicide is more plausible than Ryan’s conspiracy theory, but he struggles to convince Ryan of the real cause of his death. And despite revelations of his friend’s closeted life, he must face the truth that Ryan doesn’t—and never will—love him.

*This review may contain spoilers. Proceed with caution.*
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: Walkabout by Jack Byrne

Reviewed by Heather C

1Title:  Walkabout
Author: Jack Byrne
Series: Bushrangers #2
Heroes: Jim Kelly/Mark Turner
Genre: MM Historical Romance
Length: 70 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 27, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: In New South Wales, Australia, in 1876, sweating out a living from the savage, dry wilderness tests a man’s worth. Cattleman Jim Kelly gave up everything he knew to outrun the law with his lover Mark Turner. Struggling to survive, the two turn to crime and venture farther into the harsh outback. And while Jim is enthralled by Mark’s almost paranormal strength and physical power, he starts to question his love after seeing Mark’s explosive temper first hand.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: A White Coat is My Closet by Jake Wells

Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: A White Coat is My Closet
Author: Jake Wells
Narrator: Randy Fuller
Heroes: Zack Sheldon/Sergio Quartulli
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: Book – 358 Pages / Audio – 13 Hours and 36 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – October 24, 2013 / Audio – October 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Zack Sheldon doesn’t have time to be lonely. He’s in his last year as a pediatric resident, almost married to the job, and busy with the joys and sorrows that come with providing medical care to children. Professionally, he’s confident, accomplished, and respected. But personally he’s too insecure to approach a sexy man like Sergio Quartulli, or even to imagine that Sergio might be attracted to him.

Zack spots Sergio from across the gym, and then a chance meeting poolside somehow turns into a date. Before Zack knows it, they’ve become a couple, but Zack’s white coat is his closet at the hospital, and committing to a relationship with Sergio makes it difficult for Zack to continue hiding behind it. On the other hand, he grew up in a small town where being gay was shameful, and he works in an environment that can sometimes be homophobic, so it’s hard for him to open up about who he really is. Before Zack can make a choice on his own terms, circumstances force him to make a decision. He can continue to hide, or he can step out from behind his white coat and risk everything for love.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Audio Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vampire Week Review: The Kiss of the Dark Prince by Jade Astor

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: The Kiss of the Dark Prince
Author: Jade Astor
Heroes: Luke/Georg
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 170 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 26, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: American exchange student Luke Martin is surprised to meet a member of royalty while attending a British university. Though Luke is skeptical of a mystical Gothic castle wedged between Austria and Hungary where gargoyles come to life and the supernatural is the norm, Boris von Schatten and his tales of a tyrannical half-brother ignite Luke’s curiosity. Attracted to Boris, Luke jumps at the offer to spend summer break in Schattenberg. But when he arrives at the castle, he is met by Georg, the mysterious and darkly seductive half-brother, and he learns that Boris has disappeared.

Despite two deaths and increasing evidence that Georg may have murdered Boris, Luke is drawn to Georg. Surely he isn’t as demonic as everyone believes. Luke continues to trust him until blood-soaked clothing belonging to Boris is found in a nearby ravine.

Georg may be the victim of a curse, but he assures Luke he is no murderer and Boris is truly the cruel one. Though Luke flees the castle, the secrets follow him, and while he ponders Georg’s supposed madness, Luke discovers that Boris’s disappearance may be even more sinister than it appears.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014, Theme Week | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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”

###

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
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Giveaways, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: Evil’s Embrace by L.M. Somerton

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Evil’s Embrace
Author: L.M. Somerton
Series: Investigating Love #2
Heroes: Alex Courtney/Conor Trethuan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 178 Pages
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Kobo
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Never underestimate the power of obsession.

After the trauma of the Rasputin case, Detective Inspector Alex Courtney and his boyfriend, Detective Constable Conor Trethuan, are in desperate need of a holiday.

The peace and tranquillity of Cornwall can’t eradicate Conor’s nightmares, though, and the unbearable prospect of losing Alex drives him to confess feelings that he isn’t sure are reciprocated. Alex responds in the best way he knows how—by issuing orders and claiming Conor’s body as well as his heart.

Prematurely recalled to work, they are thrown into a dangerous trafficking case focused on a leather bar with a hardcore reputation, Spikes. Conor is sent in undercover, not knowing that he is only a decoy. When Alex learns that the motivation behind his team’s involvement in the case might not be as straightforward as it seems, he realises that his actions might jeopardise not just their relationship, but Conor’s life, too. A shadowy figure from Conor’s past is about to step into the light.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra

Guest Reviewed by Ami

20949468Title: Carolina Blues
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Dare Island #4
Heroine/Hero: M/F Contemporary Romance
Genre: Lauren Patterson/Jack Rossi
Length: 304 Pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Berkley, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Jack Rossi is Dare Island’s new police chief. The laid-back North Carolina community is just what he needs to recover from a rocky marriage and a big-city police department. He’s learned his lesson: no more high-profile women or high-pressure jobs. The last thing he wants is an unconventional alt girl rocking his world.

Grad student Lauren Patterson made headlines when she kept a bank robbery from going bad. She’s fled to Dare Island to clear her head and focus on writing her story. However, sexy Jack Rossi is a distraction that’s too hot to ignore, and it’s igniting an affair too combustible to resist—or quit.

But when their pasts come looking for them, Jack and Lauren find themselves fighting for the future they deserve, whatever the price.
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment