Posts Tagged With: Contemporary

Book Review: And to All a Good Night by Felicitas Ivey

Reviewed by Nikyta

and-to-all-a-good-night.jpgTitle: And to All a Good Night
Author: Felicitas Ivey
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Kobbi & Wytt
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 50 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Kobbi Aackers was excited to have a traditional family Christmas with his younger sister Franzi, a famous rock star. But instead of the peaceful holiday he had planned, she’s turning it into a televised musical extravaganza, in a desperate bid for publicity.

Kobbi can adapt, especially since the show’s host Wytt Kanard is easy on the eyes and easy to work with, even if he doesn’t believe in Christmas at all. Wytt is alternatively amused and horrified at the simplicity that is Kobbi’s life and the enthusiasm he has for the holiday, all while taking care of his houseful of unexpected guests.

Maybe Kobbi can convince the cynical Wytt that Christmas isn’t an event to be managed, but something special to be shared. Maybe he can muster the courage to confess his attraction and offer Wytt a surprise present.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Broken Pieces by Riley Hart

Reviewed by Susan65

32056692Title: Broken Pieces
Author: Riley Hart
Narrator: Jack Dupont
Series: Broken Pieces #1
Heroes: JOsiah Evans/Mateo Sanchez/Tristan Croft
Genre: MMM Contemporary
Length: 11 Hours, 3 Minutes
Publisher: Riley Hart
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Can three broken pieces make a whole?

Josiah Evans is the orphan who lost both his parents. He’s sweet, shy, and all heart. He wants nothing more than to be loved.

Mateo Sanchez is the son of a gang leader. He’s seen it all, and never hesitates to do what needs to be done, no matter what it is.

Tristan Croft is the wealthy attorney who clawed his way up from the bottom to rule his own world. He’ll never depend on anyone but himself again.

Three men who couldn’t be more different…and yet, as their lives intersect they find an uncommon balance that calms the storms inside each of them, and ignites fires hotter than they ever thought imaginable.

Told uniquely in three parts and spanning over ten years, BROKEN PIECES is a journey of healing for three fragmented souls, finding love in the unlikeliest of places—with each other
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Champagne Kisses by Lynda Aicher

Reviewed by Morgan

champagnekisses_audiobookTitle: Champagne Kisses
Author: Lynda Aicher
Narrator: Tobias Silversmith
Heroes: Evan Cleary/Richard Patterson
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 1 Hour, 56 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 2, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The Christmas Eve wedding Evan Cleary pulled together in four weeks is crashing down around him and taking his fledgling event planning business with it. With an empty altar and over a hundred guests arriving soon, he turns to the resistant, gorgeous brother of the runaway groom for help.

When Richard Patterson’s flamboyant brother storms out hours before he’s scheduled to marry his equally dramatic partner, Richard is left dealing with the fallout. The last thing he wants is more drama, yet he can’t deny his attraction to the effeminate event planner trying to salvage the wedding.

Evan thinks his crush on Richard is a lost cause, but one steaming kiss later, he learns different. What starts as a night of hot sex turns into a connection neither expected. But Evan knows their relationship is hopeless unless the ultra-conservative Richard can embrace every part of him—both in private and in public.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Guardian Angels by Geneva Vand

Reviewed by Nikyta

guardian-angelsTitle: Guardian Angels
Author: Geneva Vand
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Jake & Eli
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 36 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: One snowy evening, a car wreck in front of his toy store triggers terrible memories for Jake. Suddenly, he is in the midst of another winter storm—and another accident, one that not everyone walked away from. When he returns to the present, Jake is on the ground, being watched over by a guardian angel in the form of a kind man named Eli. Eli is no stranger to panic attacks and PTSD, and he’s happy to help Jake get home—where the weather forces him to remain for the night. For Jake, it could be the first step toward a life free from fear and loneliness.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton

Reviewed by Morgan

winteroranges_audiobookTitle: Winter Oranges
Author: Marie Sexton
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Heroes: Jason Walker/Benjamin Ward
Genre: MM Contemporary/Fantasy
Length: 8 Hours, 4 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 7, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Jason Walker is a child star turned teen heartthrob turned reluctant B-movie regular who’s sick of his failing career. So he gives up Hollywood for northern Idaho, far away from the press, the drama of LA, and the best friend he’s secretly been in love with for years.

There’s only one problem with his new life: a strange young man only he can see is haunting his guesthouse. Except Benjamin Ward isn’t a ghost. He’s a man caught out of time, trapped since the Civil War in a magical prison where he can only watch the lives of those around him. He’s also sweet, funny, and cute as hell, with an affinity for cheesy ’80s TV shows. And he’s thrilled to finally have someone to talk to.

But Jason quickly discovers that spending all his time with a man nobody else can see or hear isn’t without its problems—especially when the tabloids find him again and make him front-page news. The local sheriff thinks he’s on drugs, and his best friend thinks he’s crazy. But Jason knows he hasn’t lost his mind. Too bad he can’t say the same thing about his heart.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dual Book Review: Traditions by Ann Anderson

Reviewed by Ami and Nikyta

traditionsTitle: Traditions
Author: Ann Anderson
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Marcus & James
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 35 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When Marcus and James started dating a few years ago, James invited Marcus home to spend the holidays with his close, Christmas-loving family. Marcus quickly realized once was enough, and since then, he’s stayed behind.

But this year will be different. Though the festivity and chaos make Marcus uncomfortable, he loves James, and he’s decided to put aside his unease so they can spend Christmas together—even if it means losing his hotel room to one of James’s siblings, braving the cold to go caroling, and battling the crowds so the children can visit Santa. It’ll all be worth it if Marcus can take his place in the family’s traditions—and maybe begin a new tradition for the two of them.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Extraction by Lex Valentine

Reviewed by JustJen

33010762Title: Extraction
Author: Lex Valentine
Heroes: Shane Cullen/Elliott Hutchens
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 82 Pages
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: November 17, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Two soldiers, former lovers, each think they are saving the other from a South American drug cartel, all the while rehashing their broken relationship.

Green Beret Shane Cullen has been undercover for the DEA with a South American drug cartel. Eighteen months into his assignment, and unbeknownst to Shane, the cartel’s number two man is captured by the U.S. Marshals and starts to talk. Shane’s mission becomes endangered. His Special Forces commander calls in a favor and pulls in Shane’s former lover and teammate Elliott Hutchens for an extraction.

Elliott hasn’t seen Shane in almost two years, since his lover walked out on him. But Shane’s in trouble and doesn’t know it, so Elliott can’t refuse the mission. Getting himself captured by the cartel in order to force Shane to rescue him is the easy part. The hard part comes when Shane discovers he’s the real extraction, not Elliott. Shane’s bad temper ended their relationship once before. Will it get in the way again or can these two soldiers work through their issues and find their way to a happy ever after?
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: True & False by Megan Linden

Reviewed by Ami

33129054Title: True & False
Author: Megan Linden
Series: D.C. Files #4
Heroes: Pascal Tirado/Jeremy Callan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 165 Pages
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: November 24, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Senator Pascal Tirado’s last relationship has ended years ago and he blames his busy schedule for the lack of dates ever since. His pull towards Jeremy is unmistakable, though, so when he discovers it’s mutual, Pascal wants to try to make it work. Whatever “it” is.

He thinks he knows what he’s getting himself into, but his patience will be stretched to the limits.

Jeremy Callan is so deep in the closet that even people closest to him have no idea he’s gay. It has suited him all his life…in and out of the Corps…and he’s set in his ways even when he gets a new start in D.C. But then he starts sleeping with Pascal, and things get…complicated.

Openly gay US senator and the guy who has spent all his life in the closet…is the disaster imminent or can they come up on top?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Rebound Remedy by Christine D’Abo

Reviewed by Morgan

reboundremedy_audiobookTitle: Rebound Remedy
Author: Christine D’Abo
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Heroes: Cole/Owen
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 3 Hours, 43 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The last thing Cole expects to get for the holidays is dumped. But there he is, in the airport on his way to Banff for a romantic getaway, helplessly watching as his boyfriend’s ex declares undying love, proposes—and is accepted. With a few weeks to go until Christmas, Cole’s mood dives from jolly to jaded. But instead of sitting at home alone and feeling sorry for himself, he goes to his favorite bar, McGregor’s, for a pint and some company.

The moment Owen McGregor sets eyes on Cole, he knows there’s something wrong. So he takes it upon himself to ensure that Cole has a happy holiday: twelve outings for the twelve days before Christmas. Even if he can’t quite think up twelve activities that don’t involve getting the forlorn hunk into his bed.

With each outing they take together, Cole realizes that the love he thought he’d shared with his ex was less than perfect. And that Owen might prove to be more than just his rebound remedy.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Crashing the Party by Ginger Streusel

Reviewed by Ami

33003449Title: Crashing the Party
Author: Ginger Streusel
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Kale Green/Wes Armstrong
Genre: MM Holiday
Length: 24 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Retail workers and evil never get a day off, and traveling printer salesman Kale Green is no exception. He might look like a Jolly Green Giant, but he can be a real Grinch. Working on the holidays can dampen anyone’s spirits, and on top of that, a sleepy Georgia town has it out for Kale and his car. From fender-benders to flat tires, Kale and his trusty company car Bessie suffer through it all.

While everyone else enjoys holiday parties, Kale drives down south to demo printers. Business is good, but on Christmas Eve, the weather turns bad. A few patches of ice put an end to Kale’s Christmas plans—a night alone with his video games. While Kale waits for the police, his only consolation is the company of fellow driver Wes Armstrong. As festive as a Christmas tree and as jolly as Kris Kringle, Wes proves unexpectedly charming. Kale never thought he’d crash right into a crush.

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Review: Okay, first of all KALE Green?!? Seriously, I need to question his parents’ idea of a name *laugh*. Poor Kale. His childhood was probably not fun. Anyway, this was a cute established relationship story – but the structure of it threw me off in the beginning.

See, the story opens with Kale calling his boyfriend’s house, and telling Wes that he will be there soon. But then then the scene changes to the previous year when Kale first met Wes. I was really confused because there wasn’t any ‘sign’ that it would switch into the past. In fact, I had to re-read the story from the beginning to make sure that it wasn’t a glitch somehow.

However, after I was familiarized with the structure, I was able to enjoy it. Kale has the worst luck when it comes to his car whenever he goes to South Georgia. But it also gives him the chance to meet Wes, who co-owns an automotive shop.

I thought they were cute together. Wes has a sunny disposition so it is easy to believe how Kale was charmed by him. Wes also teaches Kale a lot about cars! That part where Kale is so proud of being able to change the tire by himself amused me so much. Now that is a good relationship. *laugh*

In conclusion, I enjoyed this – and since Ginger Streusel is a new-to-me author, I might check out her other (or future) stories.

Overall Impression: I liked it

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*

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