4 Star Ratings

Book Review: From These Ashes by Davidson King

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: From These Ashes
Author: Davidson King
Series: Haven Hart Universe #4
Heroes: Black & Quill
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 204 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 28, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A product of his past, Black spends half his time saving lives and the other half taking them. Every day, a hard choice must be made and he’s the man to make it. Long ago, he vowed to never love again; one-night stands with a willing body was all he ever needed. But along came Quill, and Black’s life is irrevocably changed. He never expects something as simple as Quill’s persistence to alter the way he not only sees the world, but how he lives it.

Quill has bad taste in men and equally horrible luck. Growing up wasn’t easy, surviving is even harder. When his past and present collide, he’s convinced he’ll finally witness his own destruction. But when an unlikely antihero steps in to protect him, his life is turned on its head. He’s spent months flirting with the man of his dreams and hoping he’d take notice. But it turns out, being on Black’s radar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and his idea of protection varies greatly from Quill’s.

Unknowingly sharing the same goal—burying their own pasts deeper than the fires of hell can reach—they’re both unaware that jumping into that fire will do more than ignite their feelings, it could lead to their own demise. Will Black and Quill be consumed by the flames, or from these ashes, will they find their own happily ever after?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Operation Toy Rescue by Sarah Hadley Brook

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Operation Toy Rescue
Author: Sarah Hadley Brook
Heroes: Felix & Jules
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 29k words
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: December 15, 2018
Available at: JMS Books & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When Jules Evergreen lands in trouble at the North Pole and gets shipped off to Snow Hope Island for ninety days, he never expects to take up the cause of the forgotten toys waiting for new homes. Falling for his new boss is not on the agenda either, but his heart has other ideas.

Felix Winterson has grown up on Snow Hope Island and now runs the place. He isn’t thrilled when party boy Jules arrives, and Felix tries hard to ignore the man’s charms. He has other problems, anyway. For years he’s tried to get Santa to look at the growing inventory of damaged toys in the warehouse, to no avail.

When Jules comes up with a plan to save the toys, the men find themselves working closely together. As Christmas Eve looms, there’s a lot at stake. Can they save Snow Hope, convince Santa to rescue the toys, and fall in love all at the same time?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Make a Circle by Elliot Joyce

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Make a Circle
Author: Elliot Joyce
Series: Warmest Wishes – 2018 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Lucas & Oliver
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 33 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Pagan punk musician Lucas is fully prepared to spend this Yule with the rest of the band and his beautiful bass guitar when Oliver, his boyfriend of almost a year, asks if he wants to join the rest of the Han family for their annual winter celebration. It comes as a shock since Ollie has gone to great lengths to keep the two apart, and Lucas always assumed he was the reason. Since they’re planning to be together long-term, Lucas can’t say no to meeting Ollie’s parents, but he better brush up on his manners and his Mandarin because this is going to be a holiday season like no other—and it has some surprises in store for both of them.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Meik & Sebastian (Obsessed #4) by Quin Perin

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Meik & Sebastian
Authors: Quin Perin
Series: Obsessed 4
Heroes: Meik & Sebastian
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 77 ages
Publisher: Quin Perin
Release Date: December 13, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: After ruining his chances with Sebastian, Meik is plagued by the past and haunted by the present. His escape: booze and sex. But the memories of Gabe continuously well up and never ebb. They become an ever-present companion he cannot escape.

Will he hoist himself out of depression to seal the past and face the present or will he lose himself in the bottom of the bottle? Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu by Cy Blanca

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu
Author: Cy Blanca
Series: 2018 Advent Calendar – Warmest Wishes
Heroes: Grant & Will
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 25 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Grant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.

Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Showers, Flowers, and Fangs by Aidan Wayne

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Showers, Flowers, and Fangs
Author: Aidan Wayne
Heroes: Darren & Vlad
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 190 pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Release Date: December 11, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Darren’s a pretty normal teenager: high school, exams, hanging out with friends, puberty. The whole half-fae thing adds some complications and being a trans guy makes his life a little more difficult, but he can’t complain. That is, until a newly turned vampire moves in with the witch down the street. Vlad, surly and standoffish, doesn’t seem to like Darren very much, so Darren is content to give him a wide berth—at first. As they grow closer, Darren realizes Vlad is having a hard time adjusting to his newfound vampirism, and since Darren knows how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin, he thinks he can help. While it turns out Vlad is pretty great, his problems are deeper than Darren realizes, and more dangerous.

Despite the dangers, feelings begin developing between the two young men.

Darren just hopes he’s not in over his head. Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Chasing Forever by Kelly Jensen

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Chasing Forever
Author: Kelly Jensen
Series: This Time Forever #3
Heroes: Malcolm & Brian
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 353 pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 10, 2018
Available at: Riptide Publishing & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Old wounds, new directions, and a forever worth chasing.

Malcolm Montgomery was a history teacher and track coach until an accident left him with two broken legs. He’ll recover, but life has knocked his feet out twice now. He’s not sure if he’s ready to try again, especially when it comes to love—and slick guys like Brian Kenway. Still, he needs help mentoring the school’s LGBTQ society, so he asks Brian to take some responsibility.

Brian has been hiding behind his reputation as a liar and a cheat for so long that he actually believes he’s that guy—until his nephew, Josh, turns up on his couch, tossed out for being gay. Brian has never considered being a father, but he knows all about being rejected by loved ones. Now Brian wants to be more: a partner for Mal and a role model for Josh.

But when Mal’s recovery is set back and the sad truth of Brian’s past is revealed, the forever they’ve been chasing seems even further from their grasps. It’ll take a rescue effort to revive their sense of worth and make Brian, Mal, and Josh into a family of their own. Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: An Everyday Hero by E.J. Russell

Reviewed by Ami

Title: An Everyday Hero
Author: E.J. Russell
Series: 2018 Advent Calendar – Warmest Wishes
Heroes: Adam & Garrett
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 54 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When Adam Tyler’s sister announced she was pregnant, Adam decided to move from Portland, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona, to fully embrace the uncle experience. However, he didn’t count on the move being delayed until three days before Christmas—and three days before his sister’s due date. And he definitely didn’t count on finding a scorpion in his bedroom. Cue the panicked calls to exterminators.

Garrett Strong doesn’t consider himself at all remarkable—his ex certainly didn’t think so—and Garrett’s pest-control business is circling the drain. Although Adam is his first new client in months, that isn’t the only reason Garrett goes above and beyond for him. He feels a real connection to the younger man and intends to do everything in his power to make sure Adam feels safe and welcome in Phoenix—venomous intruders notwithstanding.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Evolved by N.R. Walker

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Evolved
Author: N.R. Walker
Heroes: Lloyd & Shaun
Genre: M/M Scifi
Length: 242 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 21, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It’s in every household.

Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise, mess, and he’s uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, Lloyd thinks he may have been right.

SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN.

Shaun is compatible with Lloyd’s every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis. But Lloyd soon realises Shaun’s not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe.

No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he’s evolved.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Second Chance Ranch by RJ Scott

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Second Chance Ranch
Author: RJ Scott
Series: Montana #5
Heroes: Rob & Aaron
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 201 pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: August 25, 2018
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Rob runs to Crooked Tree determined to find a safe place for his nephews. A family for them is the final thing on his list, and then he can vanish completely. Falling for a local paramedic along the way is a disaster in Rob’s otherwise perfect plans.

Paramedic Aaron, the middle of five brothers, would like someone to love. A great believer in fate he is convinced though, that one day he’ll find someone. He just never thought it would be a man in so much pain, or that children would be part of the package.

Rob is ready to leave. Aaron wants him to stay. Their love has an expiry date, and it’s tearing them apart. Can they find a way to save what they have?

The Final book in the Montana Series Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2018, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment