Mobster Week Audio Review: Sinner, Savior by Avril Ashton

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

eTitle: Sinner, Savior
Author: Avril Ashton
Narrated By: Renard Pasquale
Series: Brooklyn Sinners #2
Heroes: Pablo Castillo/Shane Andrew Ruskin (aka Devon McGhee)
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 8 hours and 47 minutes, unabridged
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Release Date: February 18, 2014
Available at: Audible and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Gun runner Pablo Castillo has cemented his reputation in the gun trade as callous and cold-hearted. Personal feelings no longer matter, not with everyone out to make him a sacrifice on their way to the top. He remains untouchable, until a meeting with a rival gang leader and a new deal brings him face-to-face with temptation.

Dev is the right hand to a sadistic bastard out for blood and glory. He hides his true feelings of distaste for his boss, not the least of his many secrets. He could’ve sworn those secrets were safe, but after meeting Pablo he’s not so sure. The two men come together in a heated affair neither can deny, battling themselves, each other and a deadly enemy bent on spilling blood. Pablo and Dev will have to stick together or walk away from a love neither man expected to find. The choice should be simple. It never is.

Reader Advisory: Contains brief scenes of gang-related violence.

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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014, Theme Week | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honorary Blogger Carol Lynne: About Writer’s Block – Excerpt + Giveaway!

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Do You Ever Get Writer’s Block?

How Do You Deal With It?

by Carol Lynne

There are definitely days when every sentence is a struggle, but I try not to give up. Even if I spend the entire day writing only five hundred words, it’s five hundred more than I had the day before. Sometimes when I’m stuck on a story, another story idea pops into my head, and I give myself permission to write it. I rarely finish those stories, though. I have dozens and dozens of books in my files that are just under 10k.

On occasion, I will go back, but for the most part, the diversion does its job, and my writer’s block retreats. I sometimes wonder what people would think of me if they saw some of my partially written stories. They are so incredibly varied. I have vivid dreams and so do both of my girls. I have several story ideas that I’ve written up based on dreams. I also have a couple that are based on what I’m most afraid of, waking up to find myself completely alone in the world, hearing there’s been a shooting at my girls’ school, dying before I have a chance to say goodbye to the people I love. You see a theme?

My story ideas aren’t always for other people’s entertainment. Often, they are a way for me to work through my own issues, and I have a bunch.

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About Snake Charmer

gSometimes it takes finding an opposite to show us the beauty within ourselves.

When security consultant and ex-mercenary, Gabrielo ‘Snake’ Barbas, thwarts an attack of one of his co-workers, Riley Banks, he takes it upon himself to keep the smaller man safe. His job is made harder when he discovers the attacker is actually Riley’s ex-boyfriend, a ruthless man from a very wealthy and powerful family.

After a night of passion, Snake decides to take Riley far away from Richmond, Virginia to a town in Wyoming for the annual Cattle Valley Days celebration. He should have known that sex with Riley wouldn’t be enough, but he feels he has nothing else to give such a nice guy. Riley is the sexiest man Snake’s ever taken to his bed despite Riley’s claim otherwise.

Riley knows he’s average-looking at best, so why does Snake continue to flatter him? It’s obvious he’s not going to kick Snake out of bed, even after Snake informs him that sex is all he has to give. Why does Snake see him so differently than the rest of the world?

While Riley is busy trying to figure out the man who touches him like no other has before, Snake is busy trying to protect him from a monster in a business suit.

Available at: Totally Bound

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An Excerpt from Snake Charmer

“We need to talk.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. “You’re not supposed to be here, Cal.” He hit the unlock button on the key fob and reached for the door handle.

Cal laughed. “I do a lot of things I’m not supposed to do.” He reached over Riley’s shoulder and slammed the door shut, almost smashing Riley’s fingers in the process. “We have some unfinished business.”

“I didn’t press charges. You’re the one who violated the restraining order,” Riley mumbled.

“And you’re the one who took out the fucking thing in the first place!” Cal screamed in Riley’s ear.

Riley closed his eyes and winced. The last time Cal had found him, he’d broken three of Riley’s ribs and given him one hell of a concussion, not to mention the bruises he’d sported afterwards. “Please leave me alone.”

“Problem?” a deep voice asked.

Riley bit his bottom lip. He’d been forced to get a full protection order against his ex after the preliminary order had lapsed while Cal was in jail for the last beating.

“No problem. We’re just catching up,” Cal answered. He put his hand on Riley’s shoulder and squeezed. “Isn’t that right?”

Riley tried to remember the reason he’d taken the job at Tisdale, even though it hadn’t paid as much as his previous job. “No.” He opened his eyes and tried to pull out of Cal’s grasp. “I’d like to go back inside the building.” He turned his head to the kind stranger who’d interceded and was surprised to see the scary, sexy guy he’d seen roaming the halls from time to time. “Would you mind walking with me?”

With a narrowed gaze, the hot tattooed hunk motioned at the car. “Lock up your car,” he instructed.

Riley tapped the fob again and heard the locks engage. He stared up at Cal. He couldn’t believe he’d once thought the man was gorgeous. “I was issued a protective order against you, and it’s good for two years. Next time you come near me, I’ll call the police.”

Cal, who was roughly the same size as the tattooed man, chuckled. “Good luck with that, and unless you plan to sleep at your desk, you have to leave sometime.”

Riley was knocked to the side as the hunk slammed Cal against the car.

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About Carol Lynne

An avid reader for years, one day Carol Lynne decided to write her own brand of erotic romance. Carol juggles between being a full-time mother and a full-time writer. These days, you can usually find Carol either cleaning jelly out of the carpet or nestled in her favourite chair writing steamy love scenes.

You can find more about Carol Lynne and her books on Totally Bound.

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Join Carol Lynne on her blog tour to celebrate the release of Snake Charmer. Find out more about her and her writing as each day she reveals answers to more questions.

Don’t miss out on the fun by entering for your chance to win a bundle of eBooks from Carol’s backlist with Totally Bound Publishing. The giveaway will be run from the July 28th to August 12th, celebrating the launch of Carol’s new title Snake Charmer, with winners being announced at Totally Bound’s Facebook release party on August 12th. To enter, just click the link below!

Click here to enter the giveaway!

Don’t forget to check out Susan65’s review of Snake Charmer to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Snake Charmer by Carol Lynne

Reviewed by Susan65

gTitle: Snake Charmer
Author: Carol Lynne
Series: Cattle Valley #31
Heroes: Gabrielo “Snake” Barbas/Riley Banks
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 30,229 Words
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Sometimes it takes an opposite to see the beauty within ourselves.

When security consultant and ex-mercenary, Gabrielo “Snake” Barbas, thwarts an attack of one of his co-workers, Riley Banks, he takes it upon himself to keep the smaller man safe. His job is made harder when he discovers the attacker is actually Riley’s ex-boyfriend, a ruthless man from a very wealthy and powerful family.

After a night of passion, Snake decides to take Riley far away from Richmond, Virginia to a town in Wyoming for the annual Cattle Valley Days celebration. He should have known that sex with Riley wouldn’t be enough, but he feels he has nothing else to give such a nice guy. Riley is the sexiest man Snake’s ever taken to his bed despite Riley’s claim otherwise.

Riley knows he’s average-looking at best, so why does Snake continue to flatter him? It’s obvious he’s not going to kick Snake out of bed, even after Snake informs him that sex is all he has to give. So, how can Snake see him so differently than the rest of the world?

While Riley is busy trying to figure out the man who touches him like no other has before, Snake is busy trying to protect him from a monster from his past.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: So Far Gone by Avril Ashton

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: So Far Gone
Author: Avril Ashton
Heroes: Jacob Donnelly/Cash Warner
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 130 Pages
Publisher: Sinner’s Haven Publishing
Release Date: August 1, 2014
Available at:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance Ebooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  One night? Feels like three years…

Jacob Donnelly wants something new. Something different. Which is why he’s got a one-way ticket to New York and his bags packed. One last night out to the bar finds him in a sexy stranger’s bed, giving in to an explosive chemistry Jacob had been searching for, but never found. Until now. It’s too bad he’s leaving town, although once he finds out his one night stand’s true identity, Jacob can’t get away fast enough.

Cash Warner made a mistake. It doesn’t matter that he’d never felt anything like the fire generated between him and Jacob. He doesn’t plan to ever see his one-night hookup ever again. Except he does. When the reality of what they’d done fully sets in, Jacob flees, leaving Cash struggling with how to deal with the bitter taste of betrayal he can’t escape. Because even with Jacob gone for years, Cash can’t stop wanting more of that one night. Fate conspires against them once again, bringing Jacob home after tragedy strikes, and they’ll find it near impossible to keep their distance despite being committed to other people.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mobster Week Review: Yakuza Courage by H.J. Brues

Reviewed by Nikyta

7Title: Yakuza Courage
Author: H.J. Brues
Series: The Way of the Yakuza #2
Heroes: Kinosuke/Brendan & Kotaro
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 336 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Ex-Navy SEAL Brendan O’Farrihy enrolls in kendo classes to investigate a Honolulu dojo acting as a front for a yakuza syndicate. Or at least that’s what Brendan’s client, Senator Harris, believes. Through his kendo instructor, the cocky, short-fused, gorgeous Kinosuke Yonekawa, Brendan learns the criminals who are supposedly using the senator’s son, Kenneth, to expand their activities into the US, seem to have severed any yakuza connections. The jaded, soul-scarred former soldier is captivated by the loyalty these gangsters show each other and the way they protect Ken like a tight military unit. Brendan wonders why the senator lied to him, and what the yakuza are shielding Ken from.

When Ken disappears, Brendan suspects foul play and decides to help the man he is falling for, Kinosuke, and his friends, find Ken. But when Kinosuke discovers Brendan has been on the senator’s payroll, all bets are off.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honorary Blogger Iyana Jenna: Three Wishes – Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Three Wishes

by Iyana Jenna

There is this song I like called 3 Wishes from Dave Thomas Junior. Some of the lyrics are:

If I had three wishes
You would be all three

I’m sure those are my wishes, too. This time, though, I would like to talk about other wishes, in my writing world.

However before I start I would like to say thanks to The Blogger Girls for the chance for me to visit again. 😀 Thank you, lovelies! Hope you and your readers like what I’m sharing today.

So. 3 Wishes.

First, I wish my native language is English. I’m not regretting the fact that in my daily life I use my mother tongue, Indonesian, instead of English. Don’t get me wrong. I love my language, but to write, I prefer to use English. I feel a bit awkward writing a story using my own language. Besides, it’s difficult to go international if my stories were published in Indonesian language.

Still, I have a lot of drawbacks in writing using a foreign language. Grammar, word choice, sense of words—those are just some of my weaknesses. Some of my sentences feel awkward because of the influence from my language. I hope my betas and editors will not give up on me. I’ve learned a lot and I hope my writing has improved. Another thing, I need longer time to write compared to others.

My second wish has something to do with the fact that I write m/m stories. I wish I were a boy. This thought came to me right after my friend who was also my BFF at that time (we hardly keep in touch right now since he left the office) told me he was gay. I loved hanging out with him and he was the source of all good songs, movies, and places to eat out. He is a brilliant man. I think he’s genius. He left the office because it wasn’t the right place for him. You see, he is a fashion designer. He is very good in teaching but English wasn’t the thing he wanted to teach. I think I fell for him. People at the office thought we were together. I don’t know if he’d like me if I were a man but at least my chance would not be zero. Well, no matter what, he is my main inspiration for my stories.

I wish my dad were still here to see me published. This is my third wish that is really my first. He watched me writing all the time every day and one day he teased me for it. But I know he would be proud if he knew I got to publish my work. He was such an open-minded man. I have no doubts he’d accept what I write.

So, what are your three wishes?

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About Ya Like That?

dEvan Foster is left with nothing after his father screwed up their family company. Evan’s father ended up in jail, his mother in a mental institution, and they lost all their possession to the bank. Evan dropped out of college and he still has to pay for his mother’s treatment. He has a job at a diner but it isn’t nearly enough.

Brian Donaghue is a millionaire with a multinational company but isn’t lucky in love. When he sees the picture Evan sends in with a resume, he’s immediately interested. But the way he ropes Evan into his company is far from conventional. Brian makes Evan an offer he can’t refuse.

Or can he?

Available at: JMS Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks

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An Excerpt from Ya Like That?


Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Evan’s heart constricted looking at the huge manor standing before him. It reminded him of his family’s former house although that wasn’t as big as this. He shook off the mental picture and strode to the security post, another thing different from his family’s home.

“Hi. I’m Evan Foster. I have an appointment with Mr. Donaghue.” The security guy looked him up and down, making him squirm.

“Can I have your driver’s license?”

Evan gave the man his driver’s license and got a visitor’s card in return.

“Thanks.” He turned toward the house.

“Wait. There’s a message for you.”

“Huh?” Evan took the envelope from the security guard’s hand and opened it. There was only one small piece of paper inside and he took it out.

Go into the house and come to the room at the end of the hall.

Evan frowned. It sounded like a line taken from a bad porn movie. Or perhaps Mr. Donaghue just liked to joke around.

Evan climbed up the short flight of stairs to the porch and reached out for the door knob.

“Hello?” His voice echoed in the large empty hall. Inside, it was dimly lit just like it was outside the house. Evan braced himself. He had permission to be there and instructions. He might as well do what he had to do.

Evan knew he had to get to the room at the end of the hall but he couldn’t help but feel intrigued and wanted to look around. Everything a mansion should have was here in this house: a vast welcoming area for guests, carpeted stairs spiraling up to the next level, and old portraits hung on the walls above the railing. Once he almost strayed, completely spell bound. He shook himself mentally and turned back to the hall.

After passing several rooms and doors, he got to the end of the corridor. He guessed it was the one on the left, for the one on the right was some feet before that. Evan tried the door. It was unlocked and dark inside. He felt around and found the switch. His breath hitched at the sight he was welcomed with. The room was bare, save for the thick red rugs on the floor and another piece of paper. Evan was written across it. He picked it up, turned it over, and read another message for him. Suddenly all of the air felt like it was being sucked out of his lungs. His sight blurred and his knees turned to jelly. He staggered until his back hit the wall, the pain throwing him back to awareness. He looked at the paper once more, hoping that it was just a figment of his twisted imagination. It wasn’t. The message still read the same.

Take off your shirt and shoes. Kneel on the floor in the middle of the room. Put your arms behind your head.

What was that supposed to mean? He signed a contract to be a personal assistant and not some … sex slave or something. Or was that what they meant by personal assistant? Bile bubbled up in his throat. So it was for this reason that they paid him high, huh? A high-class whore? Evan wanted to run away, not having anything to do with them or the man named Brian Donaghue, whoever he was. He just wanted to forget he’d ever brushed with this … this kind of stuff.

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About Iyana Jenna

Iyana lives in Jakarta, a city famous for its traffic jams, a lot of cars and motorcycles, and people selling stuff on the roads. You can spend two hours on the road going to a place you can reach in half an hour in a normal situation. Thanks to the traffic jams, though, Iyana can come up with a lot of stories, mostly shorties, as she prefers to spend the time during her trips writing into her cell phone rather than sleeping.

Another thing Iyana loves is kitties. Right now she has five of them. Their names are Larva, Nyil, Cil, Betsy, and Horus. When she doesn’t write, she plays with them, or they would play with her when she writes.

Visit Iyana on her Blog, Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Facebook Fan Page or Twitter.

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Iyana has graciously offered up an eBook copy of Ya Like That? to one lucky winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends August 9, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry.

Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s review of Ya Like That? to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | 19 Comments

Book Review: Ya Like That? by Iyana Jenna

Reviewed by JustJen

dTitle: Ya Like That?
Author: Iyana Jenna
Heroes: Evan Foster/Brian Donaghue
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 26 Pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: July 6, 2014
Available at: JMS Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Evan Foster is left with nothing after his father screwed up their family company. Evan’s father ended up in jail, his mother in a mental institution, and they lost all their possession to the bank. Evan dropped out of college and he still has to pay for his mother’s treatment. He has a job at a diner but it isn’t nearly enough.

Brian Donaghue is a millionaire with a multinational company but isn’t lucky in love. When he sees the picture Evan sends in with a resume, he’s immediately interested. But the way ropes Evan into his company is far from conventional. Brian makes Evan an offer he can’t refuse.

Or can he?
Continue reading

Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

August Theme Week + Giveaway Winners!

Another week, another dollar! Or, we guess in this case, another review! Hehe

This month we’ve got an exciting Theme Week that we are bursting to share!

So what’s this month’s theme, you may ask?

MOBSTERS! Or mafia… or yakuza… or ex-mafia… or ex-yakuza… or the mob… or gang related… or.. okay, we’ll stop there because we’re SURE you get the gist of it!

This week is all about the criminals (current or former) and organized crime and whatnot!

We are super excited not just because we all seem to love mobsters but also because we’re excited to include our guest reviewers, who will be taking more and more of a part in our Theme and Author Weeks.

So, stick around and check out what reviews will be part of our Mobster Week 😉

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Now, onto other news! We’ve got a TON of giveaway winners to announce!

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So, the winner of an eBook of Hideous by Devon McCormack is… Continue reading

Categories: Giveaways, Theme Week | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

Reviewed by Heather C

12104686Title: Firelight

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London #1

Hero/Heroine: Benjamin Archer/Miranda Ellis

Genre: MF Paranormal Romance, Historical

Length: 390 page

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: January 2012

Available at: Grand Central Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo

Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Once the flames are ignited . . . 

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family’s fortune decimated and forced her to wed London’s most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it’s selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can’t help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn’t felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: So I Married a Werewolf by Kristin Miller

Reviewed by Nikyta

So I Married a Werewolf (Seattle Wolf Pack, #3)Title: So I Married a Werewolf
Author: Kristin Miller
Series: Seattle Wolf Pack #3
Hero/Heroine: Carter & Faith
Genre: M/F Paranormal Romance
Length: 260 pages
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: July 28, 2014
Available at: Entangled Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Carter Griffin, enforcing officer for the Seattle Wolf Pack, has a problem. He’s been offered the promotion of his dreams…if he can find a wife to prove he’s over his playboy ways. But Carter’s already walked the matrimonial road and bought the stinkin’ T-shirt. Besides, a werewolf only gets one fated mate. Been there, done that.

All werewolf dog trainer Faith Hamilton wants to do is earn enough green stuff to put her younger brother through college. Okay, okay, so she also totally wants Carter, her sexy next-door neighbor, to look at her as more than a friend. It’s too bad size 12 and plain isn’t his type. At all.

The two friends strike a deal to help one another out. They must face a variety of challenges from a psycho ex-girlfriend to a Yorkie with a shoe fetish…and that pesky problem of only having one-fated mate in a lifetime. Will a relationship ruin their friendship…or spark a love neither anticipated?

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment