Posts Tagged With: Grief

Book Review: By That Sin Fell the Angels by Jamie Fessenden

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: By That Sin Fell the Angels
Author: Jamie Fessenden
Heroes: Terry Bachelder/Jonah Riverside
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 210 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 29, 2012
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It begins with a 3:00 a.m. telephone call. On one end is Terry Bachelder, a closeted teacher. On the other, the suicidal teenage son of the local preacher. When Terry fails to prevent disaster, grief rips the small town of Crystal Falls apart.

At the epicenter of the tragedy, seventeen-year-old Jonah Riverside tries to make sense of it all. Finding Daniel’s body leaves him struggling to balance his sexual identity with his faith, while his church, led by the Reverend Isaac Thompson, mounts a crusade to destroy Terry, whom Isaac believes corrupted his son and caused the boy to take his own life.

Having quietly crushed on his teacher for years, Jonah is determined to clear Terry’s name. That quest leads him to Eric Jacobs, Daniel’s true secret lover, and to get involved in Eric’s plan to shake up their small-minded town. Meanwhile, Rev. Thompson struggles to make peace between his religious convictions and the revelation of his son’s homosexuality. If he can’t, he leaves the door open for the devil—and for a second tragedy to follow.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: A Healing Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Guest Reviewed by Gyn 

1Title: A Healing Man
Author: Sandrine Gasq-Dion
Series: Men of Manhattan #5
Heroes: Dario Ramos/Tiernan Callahan
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 137 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: January 21, 2015
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Dario Ramos thought he’d left the fighting behind in the war zone when a life-threatening injury sent him home. But a certain Irishman crossing his path everywhere he went convinced him that his biggest battle might be ahead. Tiernan Callahan is a bigoted jerk. Ramos finds himself constantly in the man’s orbit, even in a city as big as New York. The wounded warrior knows all about pain and loss — and that sometimes anger is the only form of release. When Tiernan once again crowds Ramos’ space, his eyes are opened to the possibility of other forms of release.

Tough NYC cop Tiernan Callahan is still mourning the death of his beloved youngest brother, Mason. Fearing his close-minded family’s reaction, the young soldier never got to tell them his secret — that he was gay and engaged to the love of his life. Tiernan is surviving on anger and guilt. When he continues to run into Dario Ramos, who continues to push his buttons, something inside him snaps. Suddenly, anger isn’t the only emotion he feels.

Two very different men, still trying to heal: Can they come to an understanding and heal each other?
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Angel in a Book Shop by R.J. Scott

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title:  Angel in a Book Shop
Author:  R.J. Scott
Heroes: Joshua/Michael
Genre:  MM Contemporary
Length: 120 Pages
Publisher:  Love Lane Books
Release Date: December 12, 2014
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: What happens when a broken man has to trust in the impossible?

Chapter One is an antique book shop and is the last tangible thing Joshua Blakeman and his mom have left of his father. Nestled in a quiet square a few steps from London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, it is boarded up with whitewashed windows and no new stock. The place is a sad reminder of loss and it has to go, but destroying a business that has been in his family for generations is not a role Josh is looking forward to.

Michael is the owner of Arts Desire, the shop next door. With his rainbow pride mugs and his sunny outlook, he is the complete opposite of what Josh thinks he needs in his life.

But, when Josh and Michael become friends, Josh learns that finding true love starts with making big decisions—and that everyone deserves their own Christmas miracle sometimes.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: Bringing Home the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon

Guest Reviewed by Ami

1Title: Bringing Home the Bad Boy
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Series: Second Chance #1
Heroine/Hero: Charlotte Harris/Evan Downey
Genre: MF Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 Pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing/Forever
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Available at:  Grand Central Publishing/Forever, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  The Bad Boy Is Back
Evan Downey needs a new beginning. Since the death of his wife five years ago, the brilliant tattoo artist has shut himself away in a prison of grief that not even his work can break him out of-and what’s worse, Evan knows his son Lyon is bearing the brunt of his seclusion. Moving back to the lake town of Evergreen Cove where he spent his childhood summers is his last chance for a fresh start.

Charlotte Harris knows she owes it to her best friend’s memory to help Evan and his son find their way again, but she can’t stop her traitorous heart from skipping a beat every time she looks into Evan’s mesmerizing eyes. Charlotte is determined to stay strictly in the Friend Zone-until a mind-blowing night knocks that plan by the wayside. Now, if they’re brave enough to let it, Charlotte and Evan might just find a love capable of healing their broken hearts . . .
Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, M/F, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: The Fight Within by Andrew Grey

Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: The Fight Within
Author: Andrew Grey
Narrator: Andrew McFerrin
Series: The Good Fight #2
Heroes: Bryce Morton and Paytah Stillwater
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: Book – 206 Pages / Audio – 7 Hours, 7 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – March 4, 2013 / Audio – December 15, 2014
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Bryce Morton needs a change of scenery. Since his partner’s death a year ago, he’s become withdrawn and quiet, so his friends, Jerry Lincoln and Akecheta (John) Black Raven, convince him to go camping with them on a Sioux reservation. Though he’s not immediately sure he’s done the right thing, Bryce becomes more interested when he meets Paytah, the man who owns the reservation’s trading post.

Paytah Stillwater’s life is filled with hurt, and sometimes the only thing he has left is pride. After being abused as a child and disbelieved when he spoke up, he has withdrawn into himself—but he can never truly put his past behind him, because the source of his pain still lives on the reservation. Paytah is proud of his heritage and careful with his heart, but when Bryce commits a selfless act of kindness for one of the reservation’s children, the walls around Paytah’s heart begin to melt.

Bryce and Paytah each fight the pain within them. When Paytah’s abuser sets his sights on one of the reservation youngsters, Bryce and Paytah must set their individual fights aside. Finding a way to stop the abuser unites them to fight their way forward—together.
Continue reading

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: My Brother’s Lover by Lynn Kelling

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: My Brother’s Lover
Author: Lynn Kelling
Series: Twin Ties #1
Heroes: Evan and Brennan / Alek and Luka
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 267 Pages
Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Growing up gay in a small town with no mother, Evan Savage learned the hard way to cherish his secrets above all else. Now he’s 18, not even his father can hurt him anymore. When his long-lost twin brother Brennan shows up out of nowhere looking for a new home, Evan’s world, and his very identity, comes crashing down around him all over again. Brennan treats nothing as sacred in his search for a family connection after their mother’s death.

Frustrated and reckless, anonymous sexual encounters are just the first step on a journey of self-discovery for both Evan and Brennan. The sweetness of first love with twin brothers Alek and Luka leads them find in each other things they never knew they had lost…

…and lures them all into danger.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Take the Long Way Home by J.A. Rock

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Take the Long Way Home
Author: J.A. Rock
Heroes: Dresden/Caleb
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 225 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Dresden Marich has failed out of high school three months shy of graduation. He’s infatuated with his online friend, Evan, alienated from his family and former classmates, and still trying to recover from his father’s death six years ago. He’s also keeping a troubling secret about his older brother, Gunner, who is away at boot camp.

Then Dresden meets Caleb, a judgmental environmentalist who’s hardly Dresden’s fantasy come true. But Caleb seems to understand Dresden’s desire for rough sex, big feelings, and, ultimately, safety. As Dresden becomes embroiled in a farmers market drama involving Caleb, a couple of bullying tomato enthusiasts, and a gang of vigilante vegans, he discovers he might be willing to trade a fantasy relationship with Evan for a shot at something real with Caleb.

But Dresden fears telling quick-to-judge Caleb his secret, and the news that Gunner is coming home sends him fleeing to California for a chance to meet Evan in person and hopefully fall in love. When the encounter doesn’t go as expected, Dresden faces a choice: stay in California and carve out a new life, or take the long road home to his family, Caleb, and a past he must face if he has any hope for a future.
Continue reading

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Saints United by Rhiannon Ayers

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Saints United
Author: Rhiannon Ayers
Series: For Love of Authority #3
Heroes: Ryder/Lyss/AJ
Genre: MMF Contemporary
Length: 106,811 words
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Release Date: December 31, 2014
Available at: Siren-Bookstrand
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Andre “AJ” Johannes fell in love with his college roommate—he just didn’t realize it until it was too late. After spending one unforgettable night in Ryder St. Claire’s arms, fate forced them apart. But Ryder still haunts his dreams, and AJ’s always wondered what might have been.

Eight years later, AJ is starting over. New job, new city, new life—and all of it without his wife and son. Marian divorced him and took sole custody, leaving AJ to wonder if the rest of his life will end up as useless as his shattered marriage.

Little does AJ know he’s got a couple of Saints looking out for him. Ryder St. Claire married Lyss three years ago, and the two of them have been searching for their third— the man who will offer his submission and give them everything they cannot give each other. But can they overcome years of emotional abuse to convince AJ he deserves to be happy?
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: On Deaf Ears by Penelope Rivers

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: On Deaf Ears
Author: Penelope Rivers
Heroes: James/Vince
Genre: MM Paranormal
Length: 113 Pages
Publisher: Sugar and Spice Press
Release Date: November 13, 2014
Available at: Sugar Spice Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When James Brandon, writer for Paradigm Shifts magazine, is sent to Port Coquitlam, Canada to do a research article on a werewolf, he is eager to write yet another skeptical piece about the supernatural. After all, that’s what sharp tongued James is known for—skepticism, and disdain to boot. But when he arrives in Canada, he realizes he’s going to be more than hunting a werewolf. He’s also going to be hunting the sexy innkeeper, Vincent Tyrone. James is turned on by the man’s strength and the fact that the man never lets his deafness get in the way of his dreams.

Soon, though, James’s life is turned upside down when he realizes that werewolves may exist after all—and that the man he’s now calling his lover may just be one of them.
Continue reading

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

Book Review: Safe in His Arms by Renae Kaye

Reviewed by Susan65

1Title: Safe in His Arms
Author: Renae Kaye
Heroes: Lon/Casey
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 208 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 28, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: In the late-night quiet of the caravan park shower room, Lon Taylor washes away the filth of the Western Australian mines. He’s not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn’t turn him down.

Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon’s not sure he’s ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves.

But perhaps Lon can risk opening his heart again and hoping for a brighter future. Casey has some pretty big skeletons in his past to deal with. And Lon wonders what Casey will do when he finds out how badly Lon failed at protecting the ones he loved eight years ago.
Continue reading

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