Nikyta’s Reviews

Book Review: Sons of the Countryside by Jenni Michaels

Reviewed by Nikyta

SonsoftheCountrysideTitle: Sons of the Countryside
Author: Jenni Michaels
Heroes: Knox & Cailean
Genre: M/M Fantasy
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 3, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: In the kingdom of Ailis, the Council removes all magicians from their family at the onset of their powers. All except one—Knox Cane, whose father hid him to keep him safe. But when Knox’s skills become known, the Council captures his father and gives him an ultimatum: use his abilities to help them locate and kill the last prince of the Phela line, the royal family the Council overthrew twenty years before, or never see his father again.

When he was just a child, Cailean Phela lost most of his family in a senseless slaughter perpetuated by a power-hungry group of men. His race—the Mac Tire—were banished to the nearly uninhabitable northern mountains of Cairn, where their numbers have dwindled. Luckily for the Mac Tire, the rising resistance is finally ready to make a move. If they can harness the magic the land holds for them before time runs out, they might find the strength to take back their kingdom.

Cailean knows he is a hunted man. He anticipates a difficult battle to free his land from the Council’s tyranny, but he never expected to fall in love with the man charged with ending his life.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Where There’s Smoke by Nico Jaye

Reviewed by Nikyta

WhereTheresSmokeTitle: Where There’s Smoke
Author: Nico Jaye
Series: 2015 Daily Dose – Never Too Late
Heroes: David & Zach
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 58 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 1, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: If he can make room in his life and his heart, an isolated medieval history professor might find a real life knight in shining armor.

A terrible breakup in his early thirties left David shying away from relationships. For years he’s been content with his solitary life, finding fulfillment in his career, books, television show marathons, and his cat’s companionship. When David meets his neighbor Zach, he can’t tell if Zach is just being friendly or if the handsome fireman might actually be interested in him. The more time they spend together, though, the more David questions his resolution to remain single. If Zach can extinguish the flames left by David’s past, David might finally break away from his structured life and take a chance on love.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Family and Reflection by Anne Barwell

Reviewed by Nikyta

FamilyandreflectionTitle: Family and Reflection
Author: Anne Barwell
Series: The Sleepless City #3
Heroes: Lucas & Declan
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 226 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 6, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Flint—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Flint for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early Review: Tower of the Ice Lord by Anne Mok

Reviewed by Nikyta

25706908Title: Tower of the Ice Lord
Author: Anne Mok
Heroes: Arius & Loren
Genre: M/M Fantasy
Length: 77 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 1, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Don’t you believe someone can love enough to die for another?

Arius the sorcerer has lived in solitude for centuries, watching over his frozen tundra and sending his ice wolves against the kingdom of Evernesse. Only a sacrifice of royal blood can end the war, and it comes when Loren, son of the king of Evernesse, arrives at the Ice Lord’s tower, willing to die to procure peace. Though stunned and mistrustful, Arius agrees. But as the fateful day draws nearer, Arius learns Loren’s bravery and commitment run deeper than he suspected, and Loren begins to see the lonely man beneath the Ice Lord’s mask. Arius’s god demands a sacrifice, Loren might be his people’s only hope, and both men must choose between the conflicting demands of duty and love.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Cherish the Land by Ariel Tachna

Reviewed by Nikyta

CherishLandTitle: Cherish the Land
Author: Ariel Tachna
Series: Lang Downs #5
Heroes: Seth & Jason
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 220 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 8, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Seth Simms never wanted to be a cowboy, although to listen to his best friend, Jason Thompson, tell it, he isn’t one. He just happens to have lucked out in coming to live on Lang Downs with his brother ten years ago. He found enough stability to finish high school and go off to university, but he never really believed Lang Downs would be the same haven for him that it had become for so many others. He’s too messed up in the head. No one would accept someone with his issues.

All his life, Jason has had one goal: to come home to Lang Downs as resident veterinarian when they need his skills and jackaroo when they don’t. And it means he gets to spend time with Seth during his occasional visits, even though his dream of going from friends to lovers is hopeless since Seth is straight.

When Seth unexpectedly comes home to stay, Jason takes it as the boon it is. But juggling a relationship with another jackaroo and his friendship with Seth isn’t easy, and that’s before Jason realizes how deep Seth’s issues run and how dangerously Seth chooses to cope with them.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C.

Reviewed by Nikyta

25734007Title: Strange Bedfellows
Author: Cardeno C.
Heroes: Ford & Trevor
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 57,995 words
Publisher: The Romance Authors
Release Date: June 26, 2015
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

As the sole offspring of the Democratic United States president and his political operative wife, Trevor Moga was raised in an environment driven by the election cycle. During childhood, he fantasized about living in a made-for-television family, and as an adult, he rejected all things politics and built a highly successful career as far from his parents as possible.

Newly elected congressman Ford Hollingsworth is Republican royalty. The grandson of a revered governor and son of a respected senator, he was bred to value faith, family, and the goal of seeing a Hollingsworth in the White House.

When Trevor and Ford meet, sparks fly and a strong friendship is formed. But can the billionaire son of a Democratic president build a family with the congressman son of a Republican senator? Forget politics, love makes strange bedfellows.

**WARNING: THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS – PROCEED WITH CAUTION**
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Book Review: Aiding and Abetting by Nora Roth

Reviewed by Nikyta

25585994Title: Aiding and Abetting
Author: Nora Roth
Series: 2015 Daily Dose – Never Too Late
Heroes: Evan & Beau
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 59 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 1, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When cynical forty-three-year-old police officer Evan Andrews finds his home broken into, he quickly learns there’s more to Beau Toliver than meets the eye. Injured and afraid, Beau mistrusts Evan and the police every bit as much as Evan mistrusts Beau. As affection slowly grows between them, Evan discovers the real threat might come from the colleagues he’s considered friends for over two decades. When the truth comes out, Evan races to save Beau’s life at the risk of his own. His actions could mean the end of his career, but he might finally realize there are more important things in life.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Scent of the Heart by Parker Williams

Reviewed by Nikyta

Scent-400x600 2Title: Scent of the Heart
Author: Parker Williams
Series: Shifting Needs #2
Heroes: Casey & Sev
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 214 pages
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 15, 2015
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Casey Scott grew up being told he’d never amount to anything, and despite the unwavering love and support from his best friend, Jake, the idea sticks in the back of Casey’s mind. When he discovers he has a unique destiny in an enclave where shifters and humans live together, he seizes the chance, wanting for once in his life to be someone special.

Tsvetok Yerokhin lost his parents to the evil ruler of the enclave when he was a boy. The responsibilities of raising his two younger brothers nearly overwhelmed him and self- doubt took over. When the new Alpha and his Protector arrive in time to save his life, Sev is grateful, but he’s even more shocked when he scents his mate with them.

Casey isn’t prepared for the feelings that sweep over him when he meets Sev, but he refuses to act on them because he’s straight. Still, there is something so alluring about Sev that Casey can’t help being drawn to him.

As the two explore the edges of their new discovery, an evil returns, determined to control the enclave or destroy it. The Alpha and Protector are powerless to stop it, but Casey holds the key to victory. If he can discover what it is, he has a chance to save them all. To be the hero.

Unfortunately, the hero has to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for Casey that means losing his heart.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Early Review: In the Distance by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin

Reviewed by Nikyta

{EEB8C335-52AD-4057-8FE3-8DA4E98AB89B}Img100Title: In the Distance
Author: Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin
Series: In the Kitchen #3
Heroes: Tyler and Trevor
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 104,230 words
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: June 15, 2015
Available at: Carina Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Tyler Mitchell has worked hard to rebuild his life after his family kicked him out. A culinary student and sous chef who spends his spare time volunteering with kids, he’s happy enough even though he has no time to consider a relationship.

Trevor Pratt is finally getting over losing the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but it’s taken screwing every cute guy in Manhattan to get there. He’s vowed to repair the friendship he broke along the way, but that’s hard to do when his friend’s new employee catches his eye. Despite being warned to stay away from Tyler, Trevor turns on the charm.

Romance is a terrible idea. Trevor is ten years older and a relentless playboy. Tyler is still unsure of his place in the world. Neither of them is ready for life-changing love, but as things heat up, their chemistry in the bedroom might just take that decision out of their hands.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Book Review: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh

Reviewed by Nikyta

17159943Title: Shards of Hope
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #14
Hero/Heroine: Aden & Zaira
Genre: M/F Paranormal/Fantasy
Length: 484 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Available at: Penguin/Berkley & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.

And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.

This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough—because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken…like Zaira.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment