Posts Tagged With: Closeted

Book Review: Out of the Blues by Mercy Celeste

Reviewed by Susan65

27782190Title: Out of the Blues
Author: Mercy Celeste
Heroes: Mason Foxworth/Kilby Adams
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 219 Pages
Publisher: MJC Press
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Whoever said you can’t go home again should change that to should not go home again. As in EVER!

Mason Foxworth swore on his grandmother’s bible never to return to the small Georgia town he sort of grew up in. And for eight years he’d succeeded in keeping that promise. Until his twin sister decided she needed to get married…back home…and she’d invited their parents. Wasn’t this going to be a just a fabulous weekend?

Since leaving the Marines, Kilby Adams rarely ever left his farm and now here he was in Georgia, as best man at his stepbrother’s wedding. Out of his comfort zone and with too many people that he doesn’t know Kilby has nothing to keep his mind off the past except the gorgeous brother of the bride.

And wouldn’t you just know it, there was only one room left at the Inn and Kilby would have to share it, with Mason, who was straight and….yeah, this was going to be one hell of a weekend.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2015, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Strong Medicine by J.K. Hogan

Reviewed by JustJen

unnamedTitle: Strong Medicine
Author: J.K. Hogan
Heroes: Cameron Fox/Jonah Radley
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 278 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: May 11, 2016
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Two men who meet in a psychiatric institution couldn’t possibly find happiness together—could they?

The world seemed to be telling disgraced former child star and singer Cameron Fox that he would never be happy again. A drunken car accident gets him sentenced to a work-release at Riverbend Behavioral Health Facility.

Reclusive, traumatized writer Jonah Radley has an entire graveyard of skeletons in his closet. Jonah regularly hospitalizes himself for psychotic episodes caused by a horrific childhood trauma, his biggest secret—one he refuses to speak about in therapy.

Jonah and Cameron form a bond inside the hospital, forged in mutual pain and hope for a better life. Once they leave the hospital, they must decide if they are brave enough to explore the intricacies of living with mental illness—and find a new normal together.
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: True Blue by R.J. Jones

Reviewed by Susan65

29771480Title: True Blue
Author: R.J. Jones
Series: Out of the Blue #3
Heroes: Brandon/Mason
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 184 Pages
Publisher: Vivid Blue Press
Release Date: May 13, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When being true to yourself means denial is no longer an option.

On the heels of a tragedy, Brandon White shaved his hair, adorned his body with tattoos, and concentrated on his attraction to the opposite sex. Fifteen years later, Brandon is a protective son and a loyal and respected member of the San Francisco Fire Department, bedding anything in a skirt that promises not to stick around afterward.

When his past and present collide in his dreams—including his best friend and fellow fireman, Mason—Brandon knows things are never going to be the same again. He starts to recall that fateful day years before, and the long-forgotten feelings that preceded it. The most important thing he remembers—he’s not as straight as he’d thought.

With help, Brandon learns to accept who he was always meant to be. But when tragedy strikes again, Brandon must reconcile his past and present and deal with his grief if he is to ever be true, not only to himself, but to Mason as well.

**This can be read as a standalone, however it is best enjoyed after reading the first two stories as side characters play a major role.**
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Starstruck by L.A. Witt

Reviewed by Morgan 

51PxLsjgDXL__AA300_Title: Starstruck
Author: L.A. Witt
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Series: Bluewater Bay #1
Heroes: Levi Pritchard/Carter Samuels
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 7 Hours, 1 Minute
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: April 26, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi’s.

Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf’s Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn’t so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn’t stick, either, because he’s offered a part on the show-exactly the kind of complex role he’d always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet-no matter how attractive he finds his costar.

Carter Samuels is the critically acclaimed male lead on Wolf’s Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting-and made him realize he’s gay-is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.

Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi’s disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can’t have but both desperately need.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: In His Defense by Shane Keleher

Reviewed by JustJen

30026092Title: In His Defense
Author: Shane Kelleher
Heroes: Aidan Hill/Jaxon Kane
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 148 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: April 25, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Aidan Hill, a shrewd lawyer, has success written all over him. He has worked very hard to construct a promising career and cares a great deal about his professional image–perhaps too much. After making partner before an unprecedented thirty-five, he is handed one of the firm’s most challenging cases. However, when he inadvertently sleeps with the lead investigator for the case, Jaxon Kane, his world turns inside-out. The passion between them is overwhelming and all consuming. He can’t get enough of Jaxon, but he has to stay away or the conflict of interest could tank the case of a lifetime. That can’t happen. A woman’s freedom is in jeopardy.

Jaxon Kane is a man who, when he sees what he wants, goes after it without hesitation. And he wants Aidan. He’s a strong, formidable man who believes that he can do his job and build something meaningful with Aidan. But, how does he convince him when Aidan is focusing solely on his career and winning this case? As much as he wants Aidan, he won’t be anyone’s secret. He knows Aidan wants him. Will Aidan do what it takes to prove it to Jaxon?
Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: After the Snap by Peyton Miller

Reviewed by JustJen

29995887Title: After the Snap
Author: Peyton Miller
Heroes: Seth Mercer/Colby Larsen
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 334 Pages
Publisher: Peyton Miller
Release Date: May 9, 2016
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Seth Mercer is at the top of his game when a secret threatens to topple him. Lust draws him into a dark pit and he’s unsure how to break away from a destructive force. Angry at himself, and his mistakes, he vows to never enter into another relationship again, until he has a special hook up with Colby.

Colby Larsen learns the truth about his ex and is devastated. He throws himself into his work, vowing to never get emotionally involved again. When he meets Seth, Colby is unprepared for how connected they become.

Seth has a secret and he can’t tell Colby. Colby can’t accept betrayal of any sort after being fooled by his cheating ex. When he finds out Seth has been hiding important information from him, will it end their relationship or draw them closer together?
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Safe in His Heart by Renae Kaye

Reviewed by Susan65

29625071Title: Safe in His Heart
Author: Renae Kaye
Series: Safe #2
Heroes: Andrew/Paul
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 270 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 2, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Andrew and Paul learned about God and Jesus in different churches and realize their views of spirituality are worlds apart.

Andrew was raised Catholic and was told his homosexuality was a sin. For his entire life, he hid the truth. He married and had children to present a façade to the world—that of a straight man. It’s not until he has an affair with Paul, who shows him a different side of Jesus, that Andrew realizes he can be gay and still believe in God. Paul’s Jesus is one of acceptance and love, and in Paul’s church, being gay is not a problem.

For Paul and Andrew, falling in love is the easy part of their journey. They must make it through the fires of cheating, being discovered, Andrew’s wife leaving, the necessities of childcare and family life, the demands of their jobs, and working on their commitment to each other. Only then can they be safe in each other’s heart.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Too Stupid to Live by Anne Tenino

Reviewed by Morgan 

29622982Title: Too Stupid to Live
Author: Anne Tenino
Narrator: Tobias Silversmith
Series: Romancelandia #1 / Whitetail Rock #3
Heroes: Sam/Ian
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 7 hours, 19 minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: March 25, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It isn’t true love until someone gets hurt.

Sam’s a new man. Yes, he’s still too tall, too skinny, too dorky, too gay, and has that unfortunate addiction to romance novels, but he’s wised up. His One True Love is certainly still out there, but he knows now that real life is nothing like fiction. He’s cultivated the necessary fortitude to say “no” to the next Mr. Wrong, no matter how hot, exciting, and/or erotic-novel-worthy he may be.

Until he meets Ian.

Ian’s a new man. He’s pain-free, has escaped the job he hated and the family who stifled him, and is now—possibly—ready to dip his toe into the sea of relationships. He’s going to be cautious, though, maybe start with someone who knows the score and isn’t looking for anything too complicated. Someone with experience and simple needs that largely revolve around the bedroom.

Until he meets Sam.

Sam’s convinced that Ian is no one’s Mr. Right. Ian’s sure that Sam isn’t his type. They can’t both be wrong . . . can they?
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Time: Wounds All Heal by Princess S.O.

Reviewed by JustJen

29765171Title: TIME: Wounds All Heal
Author: Princess S.O.
Series: Teddy Bear Collection 4
Heroes: Channing Maroussas/Chris Sayer
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 220 Pages
Publisher: Princess S.O.
Release Date: April 1, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The Skeptic: “If all this had truly been staged, people would’ve figured it out and demanded the government come out about it.”
The Journalist: “It’s easy to fool a person— It’s quite another to convince them they’ve been fooled.”

Even with the blanket of tattoos that covered both his arms and most of his upper chest, or the face hidden under the hair that constantly fell over his eyes, Channing Maroussas was likely the most beautiful man Chris Sayer had ever met. He was thankful they were close friends as it excused him for any lingering glances. Channing was a bird of brightly lit feathers perched in a world of darkness. But his gift wasn’t just about being beautiful; it was what he could see. He could be in a room full of people, a field emptied of life, reading a newspaper, or overhearing a conversation on the bus— and what was unseen and unheard by others spoke volumes to him. Channing saw what the rest of the world never slowed down long enough to notice, though once pointed out, furies and passions flourished. It was voices like Channing’s that broke the silence of ignorance. His voice just happened to be recorded between the pages of TIME magazine.

Chris Sayer has known Channing for years. But not even that can broker some rules of silence. Chris’s government job is so secretive he can’t even tell his best friend who he works for, which doesn’t help his disagreement over Channing’s journalistic views on global current events. He likes it even less when he finds out Channing left for Syria to cover a story. After Channing accusing the leading presidential elective Nolan Prumpt of inciting hate mongering and fascism, a trip through the greatest hot zone on the planet was like wanting to wash a pill down with poison. But when news got out that Channing had gone missing, Chris knew better than to believe the accusations that his best friend may have changed sides and was now considered an enemy of the state. The one thing Chris did know was he needed to do everything in his power to find Channing before anyone else did. If for no other reason but to let him know how he feels about him.
Time— it’s not long enough — yet with enough of it, wounds all heal.

TO THE READERS: You’re not going to like this one. In fact, you might even hate it, because its theme is going to challenge your political beliefs— it’s going to make you question who is whom— make you think about things you don’t want to think about. It’s going to mess up your pretty little organizer box of uncrushed bows. You’re not going to like it because it’s easy to fool a person— quite another to convince them they’ve been fooled—
In the end, it will either piss you off or open your eyes, because its story is based on factual recorded statements of key members of the US Department of Foreign Policies.
A conspiracy is out there, it’s only a conspiracy because we haven’t the evidence to connect all the dots yet.
But don’t worry, this story isn’t all about politics and conspiracies, it’s about two men and how they live and survive in all that mess we call our country and the media. And how love manages to squeeze past all of that and find them
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Clouded Hell by J.R. Gray

Reviewed by JustJen

29146326Title: Clouded Hell
Author: J.R. Gray
Heroes: Remi/Dante
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 300 Pages
Publisher: J.R. Gray
Release Date: March 23, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  I survive on avoidance. Physical pain to avoid the mental. Disposable flesh to avoid relationships. Work to avoid attachment.

My club became my empire of avoidance. Inside the ring millions are won and lost. The fight is confined to breaths, actions and reactions, fists and pain. Rules don’t exist. Only my opponent exists.

I’d been avoiding my needs for far too long when Remi stumbles into the Inferno and I’m hungry. The promise of a submissive with no attachment is far too tempting. I can’t resist him.

He was only supposed to be a distraction, but I know I’ll never get over him. There isn’t a chance in this clouded hell.
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment