Posts Tagged With: Contemporary

Book Review: A Twist and Two Balls by Clare London

Guest Reviewed by Trish

1Title:  A Twist and Two Balls
Author:  Clare London
Series:  With a Kick #1
Heroes: Eddy March and Nuri
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 66 Pages
Publisher: Jocular Press
Release Date: August 29, 2014
Available at:  Jocular Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Eduardo Mancini is going to be a star of the London stage and screen. Or that was the plan. His alter ego Eddy March hasn’t got further than the chorus and a bit part in a TV series. His parents aren’t supportive, his agent can’t place his particular skills, and he’s finding it hard to hang onto his young dreams. Things go from bad to worse when he’s late for an important audition, hasn’t got enough to money to pay the taxi fare, and is chased across the streets of Soho by the irate driver.

Eddy reaches what he believes is sanctuary – With A Kick, a store where ice creams are blended with alcohol and imagination, and where his friends can help him. But Nuri the taxi driver is persistent in his steady pursuit, above and beyond the money he’s owed. Despite their very different characters and background, Eddy and Nuri’s relationship goes from a complete unknown to a wary balancing act. There are still mistakes to be made, and hurdles to clear. And both of them have to admit that their life so far hasn’t gone the way they planned.

But maybe being caught by Nuri was just what Eddy’s career needed – both for his job and his heart.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Test of Endurance by Kora Knight

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Test of Endurance
Author: Kora Knight
Series:  Up-Ending Tad: Volume 2
Heroes: Tad/Scott
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 69 Pages
Publisher: Kora Knight
Release Date: October 8, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The last time Tad saw Scott, the ripped physical trainer left him with quite a lot to think about. And that’s pretty much all Tad’s been doing for nearly two weeks straight. At his wit’s end, he seeks Scott out, voluntarily, on his own terms. Will the completely different setting offer what he’s seeking; proof that their exchange’s unexpected turn was just a random mishap? Hormones run amok and truly nothing more? Or will being in Scott’s presence suggest something different… their newest encounter tempting Tad’s resolve while testing his ultimate limits.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Stranded Anthology + Giveaway!

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Stranded
Authors: Alina Popescu, Michael P. Thomas, Kim Fielding, Asta Idonea, Rob Colton, Nephylim, Lily G. Blunt, Eric Gober, Nikka Michaels, Louise Lyons, Kirifox, Sarah Hayes, and J.N. Olsen
Genre: Various
Length: 247 Pages
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Release Date: October 10, 2014
Available at: Wayward Ink Publishing and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Stranded contains thirteen stories from a range of sub-genres. We have dystopian futures, historicals, contemporary romances, sci-fi and paranormal. We have angels, time travelers, and Vikings. We have it all!

STRANDED – DEFINITION:  adjective · (of a boat, sailor, or sea creature) left aground on a shore.  “a stranded whale” · left without the means to move from somewhere.  “he offers a lift to a stranded commuter”

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The boys in this collection of short stories have most definitely been left STRANDED!
They’ve been shipwrecked and abandoned.
Marooned and cast away.
And left helpless and high and dry.
But you should never underestimate the tenacity of the human heart…

STORIES INCLUDED:

Craving Stains by Alina Popescu
Say Cheese by Michael P. Thomas
Standby by Kim Fielding
The Raider by Asta Idonea
The Buckle by Rob Colton
Ari by Nephylim
Opposites Attract by Lily G. Blunt
Out of Order by Eric Gober
Dating for Deafies by Nikka Michaels
One Snowy Night by Louise Lyons
The Climb by kirifox
Did You Leave Any For Me by Sarah Hayes
Sweetness and Strength by J.N. Olsen
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Giveaways, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Early Review: The Half of Us by Cardeno C.

Guest Reviewed by Gyn

6Title: The Half of Us
Author: Cardeno C.
Series: Family #4
Heroes: Jason Garcia/Abe Green
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 206 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 10, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it’s a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.

Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn’t dimmed Abe Green’s optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.

For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Laurel Heights 2 by Lisa Worrall

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Laurel Heights 2
Author: Lisa Worrall
Series: Laurel Heights #2
Heroes: Scott/Will
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 143 Pages
Publisher: White Stiletto Press
Release Date: October 1, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Will and Scott are now out and proud and living together in Scott’s tiny house. So everything is perfect, right? Wrong…

Scott has a new partner, a new male partner, and Will is not happy about that at all.

A sadistic serial killer is at large, torturing his way through the gay community, but Will and Scott have no leads.

And one of the residents of Laurel Heights has been arrested for murder.

Review: What a great, freaking ride…Wowza!!! I must admit that I was a bit concerned I would be lost reading this story as it had been so long since I’d read book one, but nope, I was instantly right back on the Scott and Will bandwagon and loved every minute. Scott and Will are two of the hottest MM characters ever, and when they slam each other against the walls, the doors, the back of the couch, or on floor and then go at it, it’s some of the steamiest sex you will ever read about. Lisa Worrall nailed it…pun intended.

Will and Scott are now in a committed relationship, living together, and out & proud at the police station where they work. They are not partners on the force though, and Will is not thrilled with Scott’s new partner Kelly…a man, not a woman…and a man that he is convinced has his eye on Scott. Will and Kelly have a battle of words throughout the story and you wonder when they will come to blows. However, all is not as it appears, and more than once, we get a surprise twist where Kelly is concerned. Can’t give anything away, but I will tell you that I was wrong about him…more than once.

Laurel Heights is once again in the middle of an uproar. And even though I initially forgot who was who in that little cul de sac, it didn’t take long to put a name with a crime or scene. Jay is still the bad guy in prison, and Todd is still the victim…just not like you would think. Scott and Will are driving themselves nuts trying to keep their friends together and safe, but that’s hard to do when they can’t even wrap their minds around the issues still plaguing that exclusive enclave.

If you love hot alpha males who are devoted to each other deeply and exclusively, but fuck like it’s their last time together, then this book will be for you. If you enjoy a great mystery involving a sadistic serial killer, the violence is not a hard limit, and it’s impossible to even guess who it is, and then freak out when you finally learn…and it’s the last person you imagined…then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about strong secondary characters, get pleasure from amazing dialogue, and hope that another book is in the works…then this book will be for you. My heart was in my throat all through the last chapter and the epilogue…that speaks volumes on how great this book turned out to be.
I can’t recommend this story highly enough. It was amazing and worth the wait and I think you will love it too.

Overall Impression: It was amazing!

*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Evil’s Embrace by L.M. Somerton

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Evil’s Embrace
Author: L.M. Somerton
Series: Investigating Love #2
Heroes: Alex Courtney/Conor Trethuan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 178 Pages
Publisher: Totally Bound
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Available at: Totally Bound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Kobo
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Never underestimate the power of obsession.

After the trauma of the Rasputin case, Detective Inspector Alex Courtney and his boyfriend, Detective Constable Conor Trethuan, are in desperate need of a holiday.

The peace and tranquillity of Cornwall can’t eradicate Conor’s nightmares, though, and the unbearable prospect of losing Alex drives him to confess feelings that he isn’t sure are reciprocated. Alex responds in the best way he knows how—by issuing orders and claiming Conor’s body as well as his heart.

Prematurely recalled to work, they are thrown into a dangerous trafficking case focused on a leather bar with a hardcore reputation, Spikes. Conor is sent in undercover, not knowing that he is only a decoy. When Alex learns that the motivation behind his team’s involvement in the case might not be as straightforward as it seems, he realises that his actions might jeopardise not just their relationship, but Conor’s life, too. A shadowy figure from Conor’s past is about to step into the light.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Butterfly King by Edmond Manning

Guest Reviewed by Trish

1Title: The Butterfly King
Author: Edmond Manning
Series: The Lost and Founds #3
Heroes: Vin Vanbly/Terrance Altham
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 350 Pages
Publisher: Pickwick Ink Publishing
Release Date: September 20, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Terrance Altham doesn’t know why he’s been arrested. He’s committed no crime and the cops aren’t talking. Sadly, the man sharing his holding cell talks too much. Known only as Ghost, he is a young grifter, apparently familiar enough with this police station to convince Terrance a break out is possible, and pushy enough to leave Terrance no choice but to follow Ghost into the underbelly of New York City.

Terrified by the unjust imprisonment and the possibility of a life behind bars, Terrance searches for proof of his innocence while Ghost seeks the elusive Butterfly King. But neither man seems in control of the weekend’s direction and the consequences of missteps are life-changing. As Ghost’s manipulations come to an explosive head, each man must decide amid danger and street violence what kind of man will triumph, lost or found?

Narrator Vin Vanbly (a.k.a Ghost) returns in the most revealing King Weekend yet, where he faces the dark side of his dangerous manipulations, and learns mistakes can be deadly. Vin must confront sinister dealings from his past—and a future promising disaster—as he waltzes Terrance across Manhattan in spring, searching for the elusive and charismatic, Butterfly King.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Walls of Troy by L.A. Witt

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: The Walls of Troy
Author: L.A. Witt
Heroes: Iskander Ayhan/Troy Dalton
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 255 Pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Samhain Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Just when the pieces begin to add up, danger blows them all apart…

MA1 Iskander Ayhan’s orders are simple: stay with Admiral Dalton’s son as a plainclothes bodyguard while the kid attends university classes. So typical—a high-ranking officer abusing Navy resources for unnecessary security.

It isn’t long before Iskander realizes there’s more to his assignment than protecting the kid from benign harassment by homophobic classmates. Behind those piercings, eyeliner, and bad attitude, Troy Dalton is scared. Truly, deeply, scared.

Troy is indeed hiding something. Iskander is the only one who’s ever taken his fears seriously, which gives him hope. Yet Troy isn’t sure one lone, armed-to-the-teeth bodyguard is enough to keep him safe, especially since he can’t risk telling Iskander the truth.

As Iskander slowly gains Troy’s trust, the walls start coming down. And before they know it, the warmth between them explodes into real heat. Until suddenly Iskander realizes he’s a magnet for danger, not a shield.

Now he doesn’t know how to keep Troy safe—stay close, or get as far away from him as possible.

Warning: Contains a younger man with a thing for older men, and an older man who doesn’t usually have quite so much trouble resisting younger men. Author is not responsible for any bad academic habits that might result from watching these two “study” for their exams

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra

Guest Reviewed by Ami

20949468Title: Carolina Blues
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Dare Island #4
Heroine/Hero: M/F Contemporary Romance
Genre: Lauren Patterson/Jack Rossi
Length: 304 Pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Berkley, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Jack Rossi is Dare Island’s new police chief. The laid-back North Carolina community is just what he needs to recover from a rocky marriage and a big-city police department. He’s learned his lesson: no more high-profile women or high-pressure jobs. The last thing he wants is an unconventional alt girl rocking his world.

Grad student Lauren Patterson made headlines when she kept a bank robbery from going bad. She’s fled to Dare Island to clear her head and focus on writing her story. However, sexy Jack Rossi is a distraction that’s too hot to ignore, and it’s igniting an affair too combustible to resist—or quit.

But when their pasts come looking for them, Jack and Lauren find themselves fighting for the future they deserve, whatever the price.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: No Such Thing by A.M. Arthur

Reviewed by Nikyta

1Title: No Such Thing
Author: A.M. Arthur
Series: Belonging #1
Heroes: Alessandro Silva/Jaime Winters
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 221 Pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: February 17, 2014
Available at: Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Twenty-two-year-old Alessandro Silva knows that returning to tiny Perch Creek to help his foster mother was the right thing to do. With no degree and a delinquent’s reputation, he’s lucky to have landed a job waiting tables. But not everyone is happy he’s back, and the only thing keeping his move home from being a total bust is his boss’s hot brother.

Jaime Winters spent most of his life watching the world go by, first from a series of hospitals and then from behind big stacks of textbooks. Studying is easier than facing the fact that years of heart failure means he’s still a virgin at twenty-three. Until the new waiter in his sister’s diner awakens desires he’d long ago given up on.

The last thing Alessandro wants is to fall for someone as fragile as Jaime. And Jaime may have a new heart, but he’s scared of what giving it to another person would mean. Their no-strings-attached, instructional approach to sex keeps emotion safely at bay, until a secret from Alessandro’s past forces them to confront their feelings in the present…
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment