Posts Tagged With: Grief

Book Review: Ice by R.J. Scott and Chris Quinton

Reviewed by Susan65

28550515Title: Ice
Authors: R.J. Scott and Chris Quinton
Series: Salisbury Stories #2
Heroes: Greg Drakowski/Jonathan Ellis
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 297 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: July 1, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: With millions in diamonds at stake, can Jon make Greg see that some things are not worth dying for?

Footloose adventurer Greg Drakowski used to live for the moment but these days shadows of grief and guilt cling to him. Recklessly following one lead to the next, Greg crosses oceans at the very hint of treasure, and doesn’t care that he rushes into danger.

This time his quarry is a cache of diamonds, hidden away decades ago. When the clues bring him to the ancient city of Salisbury, he knows he’s close to success.

Renovations expert Jonathan Ellis is part of Ageless Wood Restorations – three generations of knowledge and trade. Focused and hard-working, Jon finds value in recreating the elegance of the past with his own hands, and it will take something – or someone – extraordinary to break into his enclosed world.

When Greg drops into Jon’s lap he finds it impossible to refuse him. Even when the bad guy appears and Jon isn’t sure whom he can trust, he knows he has to stand by Greg, if only to save the idiot from himself.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Bootleg Diva: Confessions of a Quarterback Princess by Levi Brody by Mercy Celeste

Reviewed by Susan65

30298306Title: Bootleg Diva
Author: Mercy Celeste
Series: Southern Scrimmage #4
Heroes: Levi Brody
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 232 Pages
Publisher: Mercy Celeste
Release Date: June 5, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A Southern Scrimmage Biography

All heroes need an origins story.

From trailer park to the Super Dome.
Everybody’s All-American quarterback by day.
Infamous exotic dancer by night.

Levi Brody is one of the undisputed greats of the game. With two Super Bowl rings, one MVP, three Pro-Bowl appearances, three National Championships, three SEC Championships and four State High School championships Levi has indeed left his mark on the sport, but it’s all a load of crap.
This is my origin story and like all good origin stories, this one lies somewhere-
Between the helmet and the tiara.

The story of the rise and fall of the first fictional gay quarterback in the NFL.
Continue reading

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Burning Desire by Cree Storm and Maggie Walsh

Reviewed by Susan65

30296230Title: Burning Desire
Authors: Cree Storm/Maggie Walsh
Series: Eternal Flame #1
Heroes: Daytona/Ethan
Genre: MM Fantasy
Length: 176 Pages
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: May 25, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Centuries ago the Phoenix and Dragons were a force no one could penetrate. They fought together, mated together, and worked side by side, and then all that changed. The children of the leaders were dead and war had practically destroyed them all. The fighting stopped and they both went their separate ways.

Daytona was the Captain of the Crystal fire department. He loved his small town and he loved his job. However, what none of the small town knew was that he was also a dragon. Crystal was a small location just outside Denver, and it was also the home to the Phoenix. He had lived amongst them for years, hiding his scent, until the day came that he could no longer keep his secret.

When a fire claims his mother’s life, Ethan rushes home. Having your mother being a victim of an arson is not something he was prepared to face, but discovering he wouldn’t have to do it alone, should have been a relief. The thing is…that relief came in the form of a dragon, and the town believes that his mate is the cause of all the fires around town.

When the arsonist strikes close to home, Day knows he must clear his name and find the culprit that is now trying to kill his mate.
Continue reading

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

Audio Until September by Chris Scully

Reviewed by Morgan

UntilSeptember_AudiobookTitle: Until September
Author: Chris Scully
Narrator: Michael Pauley
Heroes: Archie/Ryan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 7 Hours, 51 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: June 13, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: As a teenager, Archie Noblesse clawed his way out of the poverty, heartache, and abuse of the reservation and left his family behind. Desperate to shake the shadow of his past, he reinvents himself as Archer Noble, an outspoken blogger and controversial author who lives only for himself. But when his beloved sister dies, Archer is saddled with guardianship of his niece and nephew.

Elementary school teacher Ryan Eriksson is devastated when his best friend Marguerite is killed, leaving her two young children orphaned. Helping Archer with his new responsibilities eases his grief, but when Archer offers him custody of the children, Ryan’s left with an impossible choice: get the family he’s always wanted, or respect Margie’s wishes and convince Archer to give parenting—and his heritage—a chance.

To buy time, Ryan promises to stay for the summer, hoping that Archer will change his mind and fall for the kids. But Archer’s reluctant, and the growing attraction between him and Ryan complicates matters. Legal decisions must be made, and soon, before Ryan returns to school. But with hearts involved, more than just the children’s future is on the line.
Continue reading

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Life After Living by Max Vos

Reviewed by JustJen

30408089Title: Life After Living
Author: Max Vos
Heroes: Vance Spence/Wade Farmer
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 333 Pages
Publisher: Max Vos
Release Date: June 16, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Two men: each trying to cope with PTSD.

Vance Spence is suffering from yet another loss. The episodes are becoming more and more frequent. Only time will tell if he will be able to cope with yet another person leaving him.

Wade Farmer recently returned from Afghanistan only to have his family disown him for loving another man. He also is suffering from loss.

When the two are put together, neither are comfortable with the situation, but agree to give it a try. Two different lives. Two different men. Two different experiences, but common ground gives each of them understanding. Are they strong enough to battle their own demons as well as the others? Only time will tell.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: 24/7 by J.A. Rock

Reviewed by JustJen

26174748Title: 24/7
Author: J.A. Rock
Series: The Subs Club #4
Heroes: Gould/Kel/GK
Genre: MFM BDSM
Length: 283 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: June 4, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  We started the Subs Club to make the kink community safer for subs. Except now the others are so busy chasing their happy endings, it’s like they’ve forgotten what Bill did to Hal and the fact that he got away with it. They used to think I was betraying Hal’s memory by hooking up with the owners of the club where he died. Now they don’t seem to care about any of it anymore.

Maybe I am sometimes angry with GK and Kel for giving Bill a second chance, but they’ve been mentoring me for a year now, and whatever else they’ve done, they make me feel incredibly safe. So I want to try something: I want to offer them my complete submission, 24/7. To serve the people who forgave Bill. That’s the way I want to hurt.

Except I’m starting to care about them in a way I never meant to—and I think they feel the same way. But after Hal, I don’t know if I want to be in love again. Because what I really need, more than anything, is to see Bill brought to justice. Even if I have to do it myself. Even if it means losing GK and Kel.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: Dear Kane, What I Wish We Would Have Said by S.K. Angelici

Reviewed by JustJen

28953561Title: Dear Kane, What I Wish We Would Have Said
Author: S.K. Angelici
Heroes: Kane
Genre: LGBT Contemporary
Length: 66 Pages
Publisher: Write and Light Publications
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Are the words that we say in front of our children something that builds them up or tears them down? This short story explores the consequences of hatred and bigotry when it applies, unknowingly, to someone that you love.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: His Wolven Warrior by Kelex

Reviewed by Susan65

HisWolvenWarrior-002Title: His Wolven Warrior
Author: Kelex
Series: Bloodlines #3
Heroes: Takeo/Tanner
Genre: 137 Pages
Length: MM Paranormal
Publisher: Twisted E Publishing
Release Date: May 30, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Born a mixed blood amongst the strict Hokkaido, Takeo has always been seen as an outcast. The shadow warrior has remained on the fringes, called on from time to time to do the jobs no one else would do. When he’s commanded to New York City to steal a token item from an Eastern Gray Wolf, he begrudgingly goes as bidden.

Once he arrives, he’s tempted by his mark’s twin brother. Losing focus, he’s almost caught somewhere he does not belong and hides—leading him to unwittingly play voyeur. Unable to get the male out of his mind after, he struggles with the desire beating in his heart.

Tanner McManus has a fresh face in his bed nearly every night. When he meets a sexy, mysterious male who nearly demands to be taken to that bed, Tanner willingly obliges—and has a night neither can forget. For once Tanner wants more than one night, and it ends up being with someone he shouldn’t want.

When Tanner is charged with murder—it’s up to Takeo to prove Tanner is innocent. That is, if Tanner’s willing to look past who Takeo is long enough to help him find the truth.

And maybe find themselves with each other.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: A Time to Rise by Tal Bauer

Reviewed by Susan65

29853904Title: A Time to Rise
Author: Tal Bauer
Heroes: Alain Autenberg/Cristoph Hasse
Genre: MM Paranormal
Length: 319 Pages
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: May 2, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: History says the Knights Templar were destroyed in 1307.
History is wrong.

Vampires haunt the sewers beneath Rome, revenants desecrate graveyards, ghouls devour helpless passersby, and incubi stalk dark alleys and seedy nightclubs in Italy’s capital. Deep in the Vatican, a brotherhood exists, sworn protectors of the earth, and they stand firm against monsters from the dark depths. Operating in secret and silence, they protect our world from the sinister, the etheric, and from the evils that exist beyond the Veil.

But it’s a lonely life, and Alain Autenberg knows that more than most. His lover was ripped from him years ago and he vowed never to get close to another soul again. Even when the loneliness presses down on him, and his empty heart cries out for something more.

Something more comes in Cristoph Hasse, a new soldier arriving in Rome to serve in the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Young, brash, and fitting in at right angles everywhere he goes, Cris struggles in the murky, deceptive labyrinth of the Vatican. Propelled forward by a past he can’t understand, Cris collides with Alain, and both men crash headfirst into the darkest secret of the Vatican… and of the world.
Continue reading

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

Audio Review: In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish

Reviewed by Susan65

29622939Title: In the Middle of Somewhere
Author: Roan Parrish
Narrator: Robert Nieman
Series: Middle of Somewhere #1
Heroes: Daniel Mulligan/Rex Vale
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 13 Hours, 31 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: March 25, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Daniel Mulligan is tough, snarky, and tattooed, hiding his self-consciousness behind sarcasm. Daniel has never fit in—not at home in Philadelphia with his auto mechanic father and brothers, and not at school where his Ivy League classmates looked down on him. Now, Daniel’s relieved to have a job at a small college in Holiday, Northern Michigan, but he’s a city boy through and through, and it’s clear that this small town is one more place he won’t fit in.

Rex Vale clings to routine to keep loneliness at bay: honing his muscular body, perfecting his recipes, and making custom furniture. Rex has lived in Holiday for years, but his shyness and imposing size have kept him from connecting with people.

When the two men meet, their chemistry is explosive, but Rex fears Daniel will be another in a long line of people to leave him, and Daniel has learned that letting anyone in can be a fatal weakness. Just as they begin to break down the walls keeping them apart, Daniel is called home to Philadelphia, where he discovers a secret that changes the way he understands everything.
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment