Posts Tagged With: Contemporary

Book Review: Canning the Center by Tara Lain

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Canning the Center
Author: Tara Lain
Series: Long Pass Chronicles #2
Heroes: Jamal Jones/Travor Landry
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 250 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 17, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Six foot seven inch, 300 pound Jamal Jones loves football, so when he finds out the ultra-conservative owner of his new pro football team fired their current center because he’s gay, bisexual Jamal decides to stay in the closet and hang with the females. Then, at a small drag show, he comes face-to-face with his sexual fantasy in the form of Trixie LaRue, a drag queen so exquisitely convincing she scrambles Jamal’s hormones — and his resolve to nurse his straight side.

Trevor Landry, aka Trixie LaRue, hides more than his genitals. A mathematician so brilliant he can’t be measured, Trevor disguises his astronomical IQ and his quirk for women’s clothes behind his act as a gay activist undergrad at Southern California University.

To Trevor, Jamal is the answer to a dream — a man who can love and accept both his personas. When he discovers Jamal’s future is threatened if he’s seen with a guy, Trevor becomes Trixie to let Jamal pass as straight. But Trevor risks his position every time he puts on a dress. Is there a closet big enough to hold a football pro and a drag queen?
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Business or Pleasure by Michael Cross and Emma Michaels

Reviewed by Nikyta

23656595Title: Business or Pleasure
Author: Michael Cross and Emma Michaels
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Ian & Alex
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 36 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When American Ian lands a secretarial job in the United Kingdom, he thinks he’s set for life. Admittedly, he’s still a bachelor living in a small apartment and working for a complete jackass, but other than that, his life is everything he ever hoped for in an enticing city full of beautiful people. When Alistair Security is robbed during the Christmas Fundraiser, the last thing Ian expects is to end up locked in with his boss, Alex Alistair, and to realize he might have mistaken his resentment for something else. The two men find common ground throughout the night, but when morning comes and the news hits the headlines, their connection will be tested. Ian might find himself at the start of a hot office romance—or he’ll spend the holidays browsing the classifieds.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.

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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Stardust by Andrew Grey

Reviewed by Nikyta

23640713Title: Stardust
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Duncan & Georg
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 62 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Duncan is an ocean from home over the holidays and expects to spend them alone. To his pleasant surprise, one of his European co-workers, Georg, befriends him and includes Duncan in the holiday traditions of his homeland: cutting a Christmas tree under starry skies at Georg’s country estate, decorating it at the family’s city home, and shopping at the Christmas market in Munich. Both men are lonely and realize they have much in common. But Georg’s life is in Germany and Duncan’s is in Boston. With the project they’re working on nearing completion, any chance for more than a holiday fling seems as elusive as stardust.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.

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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: Thunder Snow by Owen Keehnen

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Thunder Snow
Author: Owen Keehnen
Heroes: Jim/Glenn
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 43 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Available at: Wilde City Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Thunder Snow is a gay love story set in academia during the 1980s. When Jim Franklin goes away to Windsor College, he is hoping to leave his former life, and lifestyle, behind. Jim has had enough of feeling like an outsider. By all practical purposes he is succeeding at Windsor, at least until his third year. Jim has joined a fraternity and is dating a nice sorority girl. Love blindsides him when Jim meets Glenn who has relocated to the town of Windsor from New York City. Glenn has come to town as the kept lover of wealthy Windsor resident Raymond Channing. Bored by the lack of stimulation in small town, Glenn soon enrolls in college at the university and meets Jim in a Romantic Literature class. When Jim asks for assistance with an assignment, Glenn agrees. Sparks soon ignite and passion ensues. Despite their respective situations, both men fall madly in love, but will it be enough to sustain them in the long run.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Saint Martin’s Day by Kim Fielding

Reviewed by Nikyta

SaintMartinsDayLGTitle: Saint Martin’s Day
Author: Kim Fielding
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Neno & Toby
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 31 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Five years ago, Neno Kova fled California, graduate school, and his lover, Toby Cowan, to return to his native Croatia. Since then, he’s led a quiet life as a librarian—until one November afternoon when Toby, who has never stopped loving Neno, shows up in Zagreb. When he left the United States, Neno wasn’t ready to give up his home and family to take a chance on a long-distance relationship. But Saint Martin’s Day has arrived, the day pressed grapes turn to wine and autumn turns to winter. Perhaps it will be a day when other changes are possible as well.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Icon Men by Cat Grant

 

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: Icon Men Box Set (The First Real Thing, Appearing Nightly, A Fool for You)
Author: Cat Grant
Series: Icon Men #1-3
Heroes: Cameron/Trevor, Mike/Ryan, Brian Barclay/Chase Aubrey
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 362 Pages
Publisher: Cat Grant Books
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The First Real Thing

Cameron is the best—and most sought-after—escort in New York. He has only rule: never let anyone in. But when he picks up ad man Trevor Barclay in a hotel bar, Trev’s shy smile and soft green eyes have Cameron forgetting all the rules. Their steamy encounters leave Cameron shaken, breathless – and falling in love for the first time in his life. But how can he tell Trevor the first man he’s been with in sixteen years sells himself for a living?

Appearing Nightly

Diva Michelle is the hottest drag act in the Manhattan bar scene. But behind the diva is Mike, a lonely man nursing a crush on the Icon’s hot new employee. Ryan’s not just another pretty face – the skittish, fearful young man’s holding back secrets. He may find comfort in Mike’s bed, but he’s not sure if he can trust Mike with the pain of his past.

A Fool for You

Brian Barclay is trying to make it in the New York music scene, but he doesn’t count on his boyfriend Kit stealing all the songs they wrote together. Kicked out of his own band, Brian has no choice but to ask his estranged father Trevor and his partner Cameron for help. Brian and Cameron quickly clash, and when tensions at home escalate, Brian finds himself leaning on sexy blues guitarist Chase Aubrey. Chase and Brian make beautiful music onstage and off, but when Chase’s past threatens their newfound happiness, Brian fears he’s about to be played for a fool yet again.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Fire and Water by Andrew Grey

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: Fire and Water
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Related to Bronco’s Boys
Heroes: Red Markham/Terry Baumgartner
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 200 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 15, 2014
Available at:  Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Officer Red Markham knows about the ugly side of life after a car accident left him scarred and his parents dead. His job policing the streets of Carlisle, PA, only adds to the ugliness, and lately, drug overdoses have been on the rise. One afternoon, Red is dispatched to the local Y for a drowning accident involving a child. Arriving on site, he finds the boy rescued by lifeguard Terry Baumgartner. Of course, Red isn’t surprised when gorgeous Terry won’t give him and his ugly mug the time of day.

Overhearing one of the officer’s comment about him being shallow opens Terry’s eyes. Maybe he isn’t as kindhearted as he always thought. His friend Julie suggests he help those less fortunate by delivering food to the elderly. On his route he meets outspoken Margie, a woman who says what’s on her mind. Turns out, she’s Officer Red’s aunt.

Red and Terry’s worlds collide as Red tries to track the source of the drugs and protect Terry from an ex-boyfriend who won’t take no for an answer. Together they might discover a chance for more than they expected—if they can see beyond what’s on the surface.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Arctic Absolution by Lynn Kelling

Reviewed by JustJen

15825603Title: Arctic Absolution
Author: Lynn Kelling
Heroes: Dixon Rowe/Jaye Larson
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 240 Pages
Publisher: Forbidden Fiction
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Available at: Forbidden Fiction and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  In the frozen expanses of remote Alaska, Dixon Rowe is a good man and a good cop who keeps finding himself in bed with the enemy. After he picks up a young ex-con named Jaye Larson for stealing food, Dixon gets seduced by the possibility of helping someone truly in need. Though he tells himself he’s assisting young Jaye out of the goodness of his heart, not because of how sexy Jaye is under all of the tattoos and defiance, the temptations of sin entangle them as their hostile environment threatens. Both of their pasts are filled with malicious ghosts that haunt every step, and while Jaye’s demons are less tangible that Dixon’s, they are all powerful enough to put both of their lives in danger.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: A Snowman Made of Sand by J.J. Carroll

Reviewed by Nikyta

SnowmanMadeofSand[A]LGTitle: A Snowman Made of Sand
Author: J.J. Carroll
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Ethan & Tristan
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 37 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Last year in England, Australian Ethan Harvey not only met his “perfect” man in Tristan Lewin-Jones, Ethan shared a wonderful Christmas with Tristan’s “perfect” family—an ideal British holiday full of genteel good cheer and all the traditional trimmings.

Now Tris and Ethan are living in Sydney, and Tris wants the quintessential Australian beach Christmas, with sun, sand, surf, seafood… and the Harveys. But Ethan didn’t mention the Harveys are politically incorrect, rude, crude, and loud. He worries his family will drive Tris away. Giving Tris the perfect beach Christmas with the imperfect Harveys is going to take a holiday miracle.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ariel Tachna Week Audio Review: Inherit the Sky

Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Inherit the Sky
Author: Ariel Tachna
Narrator: William James
Series: Lang Downs Series Book 1
Heroes: Caine Neiheisel and Macklin Armstrong
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: Book – 206 Pages / Audio – 6 Hours, 53 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – February 20, 2012 / Audio – January 31, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Caine Neiheisel is stuck in a dead-end job at the end of a dead-end relationship when the chance of a lifetime falls in his lap. His mother inherits her uncle’s sheep station in New South Wales, Australia, and Caine sees it as the opportunity to start over, out on the range where his stutter won’t hold him back and his willingness to work will surely make up for his lack of knowledge.

Unfortunately, Macklin Armstrong, the foreman of Lang Downs who should be Caine’s biggest ally, alternates between being cool and downright dismissive, and the other hands are more amused by Caine’s American accent than they are moved by his plight… until they find out he’s gay and their amusement turns to scorn. It will take all of Caine’s determination—and an act of cruel sabotage by a hostile neighbor—to bring the men of Lang Downs together and give Caine and Macklin a chance at love.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, Author Week, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment