Posts Tagged With: First-Time

Book Review: Objects Of His Obsession by Jae T. Jaggart

Reviewed by Heather C

HIS_FINAL_TOTAL_HellfireVampires_inc1-3Title:  Objects of His Obsession
Author: Jae T. Jaggart
Heroes: Benedict & Evander
Genre: M/M Historical Romance
Length: 56,000 words
Publisher: Jae T. Jaggart
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Available at: Amazon & Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: London, 1898

Lord Benedict Yeats has two obsessions.

One of which has a definite pulse – the seductive and beautiful Evander St John, Duke of Casterwell. A man he has a certain history with.

A man who tells Benedict that he has spent too long amongst sand and dead things. He might not be wrong. Casterwell’s world is one of sexual sophistication and games that Benedict cannot hope to match.

But when Benedict returns from working on a famous dig in Cairo, Casterwell invites him to a country house party that will change his life. An Egyptologist of growing renown, Benedict will also catalogue the famous Casterwell collection of antiquities.

And almost certainly, will become one of Casterwell’s string of lovers. But will he be the one to break through that glittering façade? Or will the scars of Casterwell’s dark, bloody past and his complex and fiercely deceptive private life tear them apart?

Warning: Contains two men wildly obsessed, a lust too long denied, hot m/m sex between a naive Egyptologist and one very determined duke, and absolutely no cursed tombs. Approx. 56000 words.

Review:

Lord Benedict Yeats has long been obsessed with Evander St. John, ever since they crossed paths that fateful day in school…the obsessed archeology student catching the eye of the wealthy only son of a Duke.  Evander has played the lead role in Benedict’s fantasies for all these years, afraid to take that last step in confirming his sexuality.  That is, until Benedict is invited to spend the week cataloging the huge Egyptian artifact collection amassed by Evander’s grandfather, and Evander proposes to make Benedict’s obsession a reality.  The problem: Evander’s wife, Juliana, stands in the way of Benedict’s morals.  Of course that doesn’t stop Benedict from succumbing to his obsession.  

I really liked this story…

I really liked how the story was separated into parts designating Benedict’s vs. Evander’s POV.  It starts off with the large, beginning portion of the story being told entirely from Benedict’s POV, which left me wondering all about what Evander was really thinking; I wasn’t sure how he really felt for Benedict.  Was possessing Benedict just a goal?  Another notch on his bedpost?  Or did he really feel something for Benedict.  Oh he felt for him alright!  I’m not sure how realistic Evander’s I-always-knew-we-would-be-together-one-day speech was, but I still loved that scene and his admission.  

I really liked the setting.  From London, England to Cairo, Egypt to Paris, France.  Although, the setting doesn’t play a huge role in the story, I still liked seeing the different backdrops.  Actually, I would have liked for those locations to have been more descriptive and predominant in the telling of the story, but I concede because it wasn’t actually important to the plot.  

And speaking of the plot, I really liked it.  Yeah, I know its a bit cliched for a m/m historical…the I-want-to-be-with-men-and-my-wife-approves trope.  But that was actually one of my favorite factors in the story!  The relationship between Evander and Juliana and how there was never any betrayal.  I will say that I found that whole scenario to be very predictable and not at all surprising, but I still really liked seeing the entire thing play out.  

There was A LOT of sex!  Evander and Benedict get it on pretty early in the story and its totally hot!  Wow, those two together was just…umm.  They were only a little kinky, but I think it was the intensity between them that got to me.  On another note, I think this is the first time I’ve ever wanted the bedroom scene to turn into a menage, because that would have been HOT!  Unfortunately, that would have never been appropriate for any of these characters and I’m happy to see it will never happen…

I really liked the simplicity, but I think it may have been just a bit too simple.  I think there were plenty of places where the story could have been expanded, made a little more angsty.  Shared a little more about Benedict’s work.  Maybe add a little bit of mystery.  But no, its all sweet, romance and the only conflict is Juliana…and she’s not even a real conflict at all. 

Overall Impression: I Really Liked It

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

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: Stay With Me by S.E. Harmon

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Stay With Me
Author: S.E. Harmon
Heroes: Mackenzie William/Jordan Channing
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: April 28, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance Ebooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Private investigator Mackenzie Williams’s newest client is everything he’s looking for in a guy—charming, beautiful, intelligent, and successful. There’s only one itty bitty problem—the guy’s not exactly gay. In fact, Jordan Channing is looking for a PI to follow his fiancée. The smart thing would be to thank Jordan for his time, turn Mr. Perfect away (don’t let the door hit you on the rump, thank you very much), and forget he exists.

Of course, Mackenzie has never been accused of doing the smart thing. Being smart aleck is more his MO. Relationships aren’t up his alley, never have been. So why’s he so inexplicably drawn to his new client?

Jordan has always been the high achiever, a man who lives in a focused, controlled, and carefully constructed manner. But for the first time in his life, he has to admit the impossible—another man is getting his engine running on all cylinders. Despite Jordan’s denial, it’s not long before he can no longer resist the strong undercurrents pulling them together. Now Jordan must decide if he can go against everything he’s ever known to have the only love he’s ever wanted.

Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Pretty Poison by Kari Gregg

Reviewed by Susan65

19173721Title: Pretty Poison
Author: Kari Gregg
Heroes: Noah and Wade
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 147 Pages
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 15, 2013
Available at: AmazonAll Romance eBooks & Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Deadly poison…or exquisite cure?

Noah fell from an eighth story balcony as a toddler, cracking open his skull and shattering his body. The accident would’ve killed a human, but even shifter blood can’t heal some damage. After the pack recommended a mercy killing, Noah’s family ran. But there’s no outrunning the mating pact formed before Noah’s birth.

Wade, the new alpha, chooses an adult Noah to fulfill the pact. Wade believes the previous alpha was a fool to reject Noah as a weak and inferior wolf, but Noah’s family was wrong to hide him and starve his wolf, too. Human doctors with human medicines are poison to shifter physiology. Now that Noah is fully grown, halting his shift to retain the pins, plates, and bars holding him together hurts rather than helps him, and for Wade, more than Noah’s recovery is at stake.

Noah’s family sacrificed everything to keep him alive. Noah will do whatever it takes to save them—including mate with the alpha who is determined to correct past mistakes and defeat old prejudices contaminating the shifter community.

Too bad some still believe Noah is the true poison…and should be culled from the pack for good. Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2013, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

KC Burn Week Review: First Time, Forever

Reviewed by Susan65

First Time, ForeverTitle: First Time, Forever
Author: KC Burn
Heroes: Derrick and Trevor
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 24,000 Words
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: March 19, 2012
Available at: Carina Press, Amazon, All Romance eBooks & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Derrick and Trevor used to have an incredibly passionate relationship, full of spontaneity and sizzle. Now that their son is off to college, they want to put their days of routine, vanilla sex behind them and bring back some of that spark.

Realizing that they’re empty-nesters, Trevor begins to notice their age difference. He suddenly feels old and unsure of himself, and isn’t confident Derrick still desires him. When Trevor decides to keep his health issues and gray hairs down there to himself, Derrick is hurt by his partner’s secretive behavior and thinks Trevor must be having an affair.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2012, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Roped In by L.A. Witt & Marie Sexton

Reviewed by Heather C

21842323Title: Roped In
Author: L.A. Witt & Marie Sexton
Series: Vive La Difference Collection
Heroes: Graham & Kaz
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Length: 39,000 words
Publisher: Amber Allure
Release Date: April 20, 2013
Available at: Amber Allure
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Graham and his roping partner Jackson have ruled the rodeo scene for ten years running, but lately, Graham’s heart isn’t in the game. He’s tired of the bruises, the cowboy mentality, and the animal rights activists who picket every event. And then there’s Jackson.

Graham and Jackson have been friends since they were boys. But ever since their drunken sexual encounter the year before, things have been awkward. Graham’s accepted that he might be gay, but no matter how attracted he is to other men, he always panics and runs when the clothes start to come off.

Then Graham has a run-in with one of the rodeo protesters, and everything changes. Kaz is young, idealistic, and sexy as hell. And Kaz has an idea for getting Graham past his nerves and into bed.

All they need is a bit of rope.

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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gay For You Week Review: More Than Friends by Aria Grace

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: More Than Friends
Author: Aria Grace
Series: More Than Friends #1
Heroes: Ryan and Zack
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 76 Pages
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Available at: Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Tired of moping around after the breakup of his long term girlfriend, Ryan knew he needed a hookup to get him out of his funk. When he met Drea, he hoped she might be the one. But when he felt more chemistry with her gay cousin Zach, Ryan felt more confused and terrified than he had in his life. He wasn’t gay but he wanted to be with Zach. How could it possibly work? Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2013, Susan65's Reviews, Theme Week | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

L.A. Witt Week Review: Where Nerves End by L.A. Witt

Reviewed by Susan65

Where Nerves EndTitle: Where Nerves End
Author: L.A. Witt
Series: Tucker Springs #1
Heroes: Jason Davis and Michael Whitman
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 239 Pages
Publisher: Amber Allure
Release Date: June 3, 2012
Available at: Amber Allure, Amazon & All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Welcome to Tucker Springs, Colorado: Population, 70-something-thousand. Home to beautiful mountain views, two respected universities, and a ridiculously high cost of living.

Jason Davis can handle a breakup. And an overwhelming mortgage. And a struggling business. And the excruciating pain that keeps him up at night thanks to a shoulder injury. Handling all of it at once? Not so much. When his shoulder finally pushes him to a breaking point, he takes a friend’s advice and gives acupuncture a try.

Michael Whitman is a single dad struggling to make ends meet. When a mutual friend refers a patient, and that patient suggests a roommate arrangement to alleviate their respective financial strains, Michael jumps at the opportunity.

Living together would be easy if Jason wasn’t so damned attracted to Michael. Good thing Michael’s straight, or the temptation might just be too much.

Well, their mutual friend says Michael is straight…

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Author Week, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2012, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: King of Dublin by Lisa Henry & Heidi Belleau

Reviewed by JustJen

ARC fullcoverTitle: King of Dublin
Author: Lisa Henry, Heidi Belleau
Heroes:  Darragh/Ciaran
Genre: M/M Dystopian
Length: 382 pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date:  February 24, 2014
Available at: Riptide PublishingAmazonBarnes and Noble & All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Twenty years after a deadly pandemic ravaged the world, Darragh Fergus Anluan and the people of his village have carved out a hard but simple life in the Irish countryside. But with winter comes sickness, and Darragh must travel to Dublin in search of medicine. What he finds there is a ruined city ruled by a madman, where scavenging is punishable by death . . . or conscription.

Ciaran Daly came to Ireland with aid and optimism, but instead was enslaved by the so-called King of Dublin. After months of abuse from the king and his men, he has no reason to believe this newcomer will be any different. Except Ciaran finds himself increasingly drawn to Darragh, whose brutish looks mask how sweet and gentle he really is.

The tenderness Darragh feels for the king’s treasured pet is treason, but it’s hardly the only betrayal brewing in this rotten kingdom. Rebellions and rival gangs threaten the king’s power, but not nearly as much as Darragh and Ciaran—whose only hope for freedom is the fall of the king.

* This title contains the following sensitive themes: dubious consent, explicit violence and non-consent.* Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Kiss Me by Scarlet Blackwell

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Kiss Me
Author: Scarlet Blackwell
Heroes: Dexter Anderson and Logan Maden
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 237 Pages
Publisher: Extasy Books
Release Date: February 1, 2014
Available at: Extasy Books & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Dexter is a rent boy falling for his new client. Logan is a homicide cop falling for his rent boy. Now madly in love, Logan discovers Dexter is dangerously in thrall to a gangster whose clutches he can’t escape. When the gangster finds out about the two of them, he targets Dexter’s friend in revenge. The quickest answer is a safe house, but how long will it be safe? Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Last First Kiss by Diane Adams

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Last First Kiss
Author: Diane Adams
Series: Southern Comfort #1
Heroes: Trent Foster and Gage Harris
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 275 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: January 18, 2014
Available at: Love Lane Books, Amazon, All Romance eBooks & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Eighteen-year-old Gage Harris is not a part of twenty-five year old Trent Foster’s plans. He likes Gage but the intense attraction between them makes remaining just friends unlikely, and the young farmer with two small children is a complication Trent doesn’t need.

Despite all the reasons to stay away, Trent is pulled into the small family. Gage’s boys are delightful and the young man’s honesty and genuine affection impossible to resist. Trent is intrigued by a life so different from everything he’s known. As he struggles to reconcile his plans with his feelings Trent begins to suspect that his random offer of a ride in the rain might lead straight to his last first kiss. Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment