Reviewers

Book Review: Blood Vow by J.R. Ward

Reviewed by Susan65

29496208Title: Blood Vow
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #2
Heroine/Hero: Elise/Axe
Genre: MF Paranormal
Length: 459 Pages
Publisher: Random House Books/Ballantine Books
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.

Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.

As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Audio Review: Caged: Love and Treachery on the High Seas by Bey Deckard

Reviewed by JustJen

32929819Title: Caged
Author: Bey Deckard
Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo
Series: Baal’s Heart #1
Heroes: Jon/Baltsaros/Tom
Genre: MMM Historical Fantasy
Length: 13 Hours, 55 Minutes
Publisher: Bey Deckard
Release Date: November 8, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Sheltered and lonely, Jon’s life changes drastically when a strange ship sails into the harbor of his small port town one day. Trapped between the possessive pirate captain and his murderous first mate, he must learn to adapt or he will lose himself completely. An epic tale of love, treachery and revelation, this first installment of the Baal’s Heart series brings you into the lives of three men so bound together by jealousy and lies that they must sail to the very ends of the earth to find forgiveness.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: How the Supervillain Stole Christmas by Charles Payseur

Reviewed by Nikyta

how-the-supervillain-stole-christmasTitle: How the Supervillain Stole Christmas
Author: Charles Payseur
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Rex & Sanjay
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 30 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Rex Devious (Dr. Devious to meddlesome do-gooders everywhere) can go toe-to-toe with superheroes without blinking an eye. So picking out a Christmas present for his new boyfriend should be no problem. After all, he and Sanjay seem perfect for each other. But with a terrible track record for finding gifts that won’t scare his potential partners away, Rex is paralyzed with insecurity. Until, of course, he decides to change tactics. Instead of having to pick out that perfect present, why not just destroy Christmas altogether? If his nemeses (or his conscience) can’t stop him first, he might just become the supervillain who stole Christmas.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Bait by Elizabeth Noble

Reviewed by Nikyta

baitTitle: Bait
Author: Elizabeth Noble
Series: Circles #5
Heroes: Tyler & Linden
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 94 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Tyler McCall has made mistakes. He was a teacher—before he fell for a student in his school. That misstep cost him his job and everything he’d worked for. He moved to the Black Hills of Wyoming to start his life over, and he’s happy working at the Big Rock Inn near Devils Tower.

Linden Bourne, a no-nonsense FBI agent Tyler had met before, returns to Wyoming hot on the trail of a killer. The previously unexplored attraction between them grows—which is good considering they’ll be spending a lot of time together when a blizzard strands them at the inn. Cut off from the outside world, with no power, they’ll need to rely on their wits and each other to survive.

Especially when it becomes clear they’re not alone—and the danger they face comes from more than the elements.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Love’s Opening Night by Jeff Adams

Reviewed by Ami

33100525Title: Love’s Opening Night
Author: Jeff Adams
Heroes: Jeremy Steele/Ty Beaumont
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 54 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 28, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Can an onstage love story lead to a real-life romance?

Jeremy Steele is a veteran Broadway performer. For his latest role, he’s dancing alongside a man he’s fantasized about for years, TV star Ty Beaumont. Jeremy knows better than to get involved with a castmate, but when Ty has trouble learning the complicated choreography, Jeremy offers to lend a hand. When a rehearsal kiss turns into something more, Jeremy can’t help but wonder what a celebrity like Ty could ever see in a Broadway chorus boy like him. Will a relationship with his crush make it past previews, or can it become a long-running hit?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Chosen Pride by Mary Calmes

Reviewed by Nikyta

chosen-prideTitle: Chosen Pride
Author: Mary Calmes
Series: L’Ange #3
Heroes: Jon & Kelvin
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 26, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Jon Slade finally met his mate, but instead of it being the happiest day of his life, it became the saddest when wolf shifter Kelvin MacCurdy chose his obligations over their fated bond, leaving Jon to pick up the pieces of his shattered dreams. Lucky for him, Roman Howell, his boss and the owner of L’Ange, saw promise in the forlorn lion and put him to work so he wouldn’t have time to sit around and lick his wounds while he waited for his wounded spirit to heal.

Then the wolves make an official visit to L’Ange, and Jon finds out Kelvin’s pining for him is taking its toll on his position as the king’s champion. Though Kelvin’s training and the expectations of others steer him toward an intended mate, Jon has an unbreakable hold on his heart, and it’s no longer possible for Kelvin to keep himself from where he truly belongs.

But the conclave brings more than Kelvin to the château. It also brings a challenge to jackal alpha Quade Danas, a threat that Quade and Roman, Arman and Linus, and Jon and Kelvin may have to fight in order to keep L’Ange’s family intact. Jon never wanted to lead a pride, but the loyalty and devotion to one is ingrained in him. Kelvin was raised to punish anyone who questioned his king, but the calling to protect others runs through his veins just as deeply. To come out on the other side of the battle together, Jon and Kelvin will have to hold the darkness of solitary pride and broken hearts at bay—and find strength in belonging to something bigger than themselves.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Scrooged Over by David Connor

Reviewed by Nikyta

scrooged-overTitle: Scrooged Over
Author: David Connor
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Deke and Dudley
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 69 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: For dueling radio hosts Deke and Dudley, the battle over Christmas starts the day after Thanksgiving. Deke hates the whole season. Dudley is a yuletide overachiever. They put their debate to a vote, inviting audience members to weigh in. The loser must go on a blind date of the winner’s choosing. Dudley decides he wouldn’t mind taking the loss, if his blind date, picked by Deke, turns out to be Deke himself. As Christmas gets closer, not only does that fantasy seem unlikely, but everything that can go wrong for Dudley does, including malfunctioning decorations, rancid cookies, and a lost pile of hundreds of handwritten Christmas cards. Just days before Santa’s arrival, Dudley’s about to throw in the red and green towel and join all the haters. It’ll take a miracle to change his mind….
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Nikyta's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Counterpoint by Rachel Haimowitz

Reviewed by Morgan

counterpoint_audiobook2400Title: Counterpoint
Author: Rachel Haimowitz
Narrator:  Craig Beck
Series: Song of the Fallen #1
Heroes: Ayden/Freyrik
Genre: MM Fantasy
Length: 11 hours, 55 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: September 8, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It is the twilight of mankind. Depleted by generations of war with a race of dark beasts, humanity stands on the brink of extinction. The outlands are soaked with the blood of the fallen. The midlands are rotting with decadence and despair.

Elfkind, estranged by past crimes, watches and waits for nature to run its course.

And then the two collide.

Ayden’s life has long been guided by two emotions: love for his sister, and hatred of all things human. When he’s captured in battle, he is enslaved in the service of a human prince, Freyrik Farr. Freyrik’s always known elves to be beautiful and dangerous, but never has one affected him as deeply as Ayden. Teetering on a dagger’s edge between duty and high treason, Freyrik discovers that some choices can change a life, and some an entire world.

Between prejudice, politics, pride, and survival, Ayden and Freyrik must carve a new path, no matter how daunting. For nothing less than the fate of both their peoples rests on the power of their perseverance—and their love.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Don’t Let the Light Go Out by L.A. Merrill

Reviewed by Nikyta

dont-let-the-light-go-outTitle: Don’t Let the Light Go Out
Author: L.A. Merrill
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Ray & Josiah
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 34 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ray Fine would like to forget Hanukkah even exists. The holiday holds too many sad memories for the young widower. When he’s paired with new convert Josiah Wilson in a year-long welcoming program at his synagogue, he doesn’t know how he’ll get through eight days of celebration, let alone twelve months of guidance.

Josiah has enough on his plate—school, conversion, the holiday concert season—without becoming someone’s shoulder to cry on. But when he discovers there’s more to his new synagogue buddy’s sadness than a case of the “Hanukkah Blues,” he sets out to show Ray how much there is to live for.

The first blizzard of the season has other plans, though, and Hanukkah might be a lost cause if Ray and Josiah can’t plow through the snow—and their differences. Determined not to lose Ray to his own darkness, Josiah plans to teach him a lesson about the real Miracle of Light—and love.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: All I Want for Christmas… Is No Christmas by Colton Aalto

Reviewed by Nikyta

all-i-want-for-christmas-is-no-christmasTitle: All I Want for Christmas… Is No Christmas
Author: Colton Aalto
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Alec & Hayden
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 36 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Alec Ryder’s arrest in Aspen, early on the morning of December twenty-fifth, is the latest disaster in his series of unhappy Christmases. He’s dreaded the holiday since being subjected to endless church services as a child. Being kicked out on Christmas Day after he came out to his parents, followed by an improbable series of yearly yuletide trips to the emergency room, haven’t made his Christmases any merrier. But getting busted for prostitution is the worst catastrophe; it means Alec’s dream of a college degree is gone, replaced by the specter of jail time.

Just when Alec thinks things can’t get worse, Hayden Adler shows up to interrogate him. Hayden is a glamorous attorney who also happens to be Alec’s college roommate’s cousin. Alec’s had a crush on Hayden for years, but whatever miniscule chance Alec might’ve had is now history—just like the life he’s been trying to build for himself.

But things aren’t quite what they seem. In a long line of miserable Christmases, Alec will never forget this one, although not for the reasons he suspects.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment