Book Reviews

Educating the Professor by Sean Michael: New Release Review

February 19, 2019 by Denise

Kenneth Brannigan is a small-town history professor. He’s happy with his life, loves the classes he teaches, and lives in a tiny apartment in a converted house with his best friend, Tim, next door. He’s still recovering from a bad breakup and is content to stick to his comfortable routine. It’s Tim who insists he come to the Queer Alliance’s Rainbow Mixer.

At the mixer, Kenn meets David Burgundy, a new-to-town TA who is working on his masters. Dave is drawn immediately to Kenn and is thrilled when Kenn offers to show him the best pizza place in town. One meal leads to two, which leads to Dave and Kenn spending most of their free time together… and Kenn loosening his self-imposed rules regarding dating and sex for some kinky fun.

Kenn’s ex isn’t going to just let Kenn be, though, and the happier Kenn is with Dave, the less the ex likes it. Will Kenn continue to run away from his past, or will his relationship with Dave help him face it head-on?

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Love this story!

This story has it all: a little bit of kink, a little bit of drama, one hell of a good story. The characters are well developed with great backstory. Even the secondary characters were entertaining. The story is believable and thoroughly enjoyable.

Once I picked this one up I couldn’t put it down which is why Sean Michael has become one of my favorite authors.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy from me!

Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper by Carole Cummings: New Release Review

February 18, 2019 by Denise

When unassuming college student Emery Sutton wakes up in the morgue, it takes him a few minutes to remember he has magic (superpowers, damn it!) and free himself from the refrigerated drawer. And the body bag. (God.) It doesn’t take long, though, for him to remember the hot guy with wings he ran into just before a city bus ran into him.

Junior Reaper John must explain to his supervisor how his first solo assignment went so wrong. All he knows is that he happened upon Emery quite by accident, that Emery saw John when he shouldn’t have been able to, and when they accidentally touched, a bus came out of nowhere and plowed Emery under. (John really does feel bad about that.)

Hot angels, annoying demons, hijinks, absurdity, drunk siblings, a dash of silly romance, an inordinate attachment to wings, and a highly disorganized bid for world domination—Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper follows Emery and John down the rabbit hole where they find that moms are scarier than demons from hell, a goat is not a puppy no matter what Emery’s sister says, and awkward romance can happen anywhere.

Title: Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper
Author: Carole Cummings
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Category: Paranormal
Pages: 62

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This is a short novella that I grabbed not knowing what to expect. Initially, I was a little confused as to what was happening, but it kicked in quickly.

What a fun story. I laughed out loud several times.

He’s luckier than most–actually any–who might find themselves in this ludicrous situation, though, because Emery is a little bit magic–

God, Dad, they’re superpowers, okay?

Emery, turning your sister’s hair green and purple is not a superpower.

I felt bad for John, finding himself in a rather odd situation, and falling in love with a human with superpowers. However, it made for some additional awkward situations that you couldn’t help but enjoy as a reader.

If you are looking for a fun little read, this is a great one for it.

4 pieces of eye candy

Cronin’s Key IV: Kennard’s Story by N.R. Walker: New Release Review * 2

February 18, 2019 by Denise

Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.

Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey like they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.

But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems…

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Cronin’s Key I

Cronin’s Key II

Cronin’s Key III

Confession time. I read books 1 and 2 a long time ago. And I remember being like, meh, whatevs, about them. I never read book 3. So when this was coming out, I figured I would give them another go. And I am so glad I did. I love NR Walker. Before this there wasn’t a book of hers I didn’t like. I must have been in a bad place or something.

Anyway…the first three focus on Cronin and Alec. Kennard was a side character who helped them on their “adventures”. He deserved his own story. And he got it. Although he met his fated mate in book 3, so book 4 was really more about the adventure than the romance. Which was still super fun, but not really a romance in my eyes.

That being said, I think their adventures (for lack of a better spoilery term) are awesome. The way the author ties together real history and changes the perspective is so clever. I honestly don’t know how she gets her brain to do those things.

This one was shorter then the previous and I think that really had to do with skipping over the first 6 months of Kennard and Stas together. But since they were holed up together in a remote cabin in Russia with no outside contact, it was just a lot of sex.

We still get Cronin, Alec, Eiji and Jodis. There is still a ton of cool history and lots of vampire goings on. And as fun as these adventures are to read about, these guys need a break to just relax for a bit.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

I love NR Walker‘s work, everything she writes. When I first hooked into Cronin’s Key, I had to be pulled and dragged to read it because “I don’t read paranormal”, “I don’t want to read vampires”, blah blah. I was wrong, just plain wrong. I loved this series, just loved it. In fact, before I read Cronin’s Key IV, I went and listened to all three of the audiobooks back to back first (that review is ahead, as well), to get re-acquainted in preparation for this one. This series proved to me I should read anything and everything NR Walker writes, without question.

I have to admit, I was a bit perplexed by this book initially. Because Kennard met his fated in Book 3, and clearly realized it immediately, it was hard to see how it would be Kennard’s story. And for a portion of the book, I thought that it was feeling like it was still Alec’s story, just from Kennard’s point of view. Again, I was wrong. Yes, it did have a little of that feel initially, but as the reader got into the story, you realized that it went much deeper than that, and really was Kennard’s story–and a great one at that.

I don’t know how the author is able to mix all that history with a different perspective on what actually happened, but it is amazing, and as a reader, very engaging. She keeps it fresh and inventive, and makes the reader wonder if it really could have happened the way that these adventurous vampires know it to be true.

As usual with this group, there were lots of laughs, lots of harassing, even as they faced their villains, but they fought together with everything they had to get each other out of it all.

I’m not sure there is more story here for this group, but I could see a few more adventures ahead. Maybe not additional romances, but definitely some adventures. Doesn’t matter…as I said, I’ll read anything NR Walker writes. Grocery list anyone?

4 pieces of eye candy

Milo (Finding Home Book 2) by Lily Morton: Release Day Review

February 15, 2019 by Denise

Once upon a time a brave knight rescued a young man. Unfortunately, he then spent the next few years bossing the young man around and treating him like a child.

Milo has been burying himself at Chi an Mor, hiding from the wreckage of his once promising career and running from a bad relationship that destroyed what little confidence he had. For all of that time, Niall has been there for him. An arrogant and funny man, he couldn’t be any more different from the shy and once stuttery Milo, which has never stopped Milo from crushing wildly on him.

However, just as Milo makes the decision to move on from his hopeless crush he and Niall are thrown into close contact, and for the first time ever Niall appears to be returning his interest. But it can never work. How can it when Milo always needs rescuing?

From the bestselling author of the Mixed Messages series comes a story about a man who needs to write his own happily ever after.

This is the second book in the Finding Home series but it can be read as a standalone.

Content warning: There are descriptions of domestic abuse in this book.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

So, I had to go back and read Oz, because really… this is one series I’ll revisit often. I am so in love with all of these guys! I’m not sure anyone can top Oz and Silas, but I was so excited to know that we’d get Milo and Niall, and I honestly couldn’t put it down. (Literally, I got nothing done the entire day)

In the beginning we get to see what brought Milo to the estate. We get kind of the idea in Oz’s story, but seeing it and understanding what made Milo kind of, turn in on himself was so heartbreaking. He spent so long being dragged down by this ex boyfriend that it completely changed his view of himself. I really hurt for him.
Luckily, his brother’s best friend and friend of the family, Niall, goes to check on him when his brother Gideon can’t reach him for a couple of days and walks in on the abuse as it’s happening and gets Milo out of there.

Niall is amazing. There were bits of him that turned me off, most definitely, (like being friends with benny’s with Milo’s brother, Gideon…as short as a month prior, uhm, ewww)… but it was obvious to everyone, (except Milo), that he adored Milo and always had. He was kind of his self-proclaimed protector and he was like a little brother to Niall….. until he wasn’t. Until he started seeing him as a man instead of the little boy that used to follow him and Gideon around all the time…

When an accident takes Oz and Silas away for the week, they leave their baby with her uncle’s Niall and Milo… Watching their back and forth was just as entertaining as Oz and Silas’ was. Milo was getting himself back to the before the ex, self…. Milo and with the help of his friendship with Oz and Silas, and Niall giving him encouragement, endless patience and really just everything he needed, it was fun to see him come out of his shell and tap into his inner- Oz… they were really two peas in a pod. I loved seeing more of Oz and Silas, too…I’ll never turn down a chance to catch up with them…

And then Niall coming to the realization that Milo is a man…. And a man that makes him feel like no other man, or woman ever has before… he see’s him in such a new light, and he runs with it… albeit slowly… cuz hello.. he needed Milo to trust him and see him in the same way….

I will also say, I did not like Gideon (Milo’s brother) until the very end. He grew on me, but I haaaated the little tests and pettiness that he put Niall and Milo through, and I wanted so badly for Niall to tell him to just stop, I wanted him to stick up for Milo… I don’t feel like he ever did. He stayed loyal to him, but didn’t put a stop to the way Gideon treated him and the way he talked to him, all the snide remarks and hurtful comments and that drove me crazy. Especially when he told Milo that HE needed to try because he was his brother… UGHHH I’d have knocked Gideon in his teeth a time or two… BUT, I’m thinking maybe he might be next? I’m not sure about that one… he seems selfish and self-absorbed. It’d be interesting to read…. We shall see.

Overall though… I loved it. I love the series, I love the couples and I love their little families. I cannot wait to read more of all of them…. Even if it is Gideon up next. Best series I’ve read so far this year. Hands down.

5 pieces of eye candy from me!

Grounded by Teodora Kostova: New Release Review

February 12, 2019 by Denise

A chance encounter.
A passionate night.
An intense connection.

When medical student Shane Sanford and RAF pilot Greg Becker meet the air between them sizzles with mutual attraction. There’s nothing holding them back as they give in to their desire. But once their paths lead them into a different direction, neither of them can forget the intense connection they’d shared.
When fate brings them together again a year later, they have a choice to make: try and make a long-distance relationship work or let this be a one-night stand again.With war, tragedy and fear standing in their way, can Shane and Greg overcome the challenges life keeps throwing their way?
Is their bond strong enough to survive?
Is love enough?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

It’s been a while since Cookies (the precursor to Grounded) came out. Like almost 3 years a while. I had been waiting and it did not disappoint.

There are tons of military books out there. I don’t know if I have missed them or what, but it seems most are US military. This is set in England with Greg being an RAF pilot. He meets Shane at a bar and then again by chance a few weeks later.

What was so different about this book was that we witness this couple go through deployment and visits home, etc. So we get the highs of them reuniting and the lows of the separations. And with those, all of the emotions and feelings that go with them.

We also see the effects of PTSD while someone was still in the situation causing PTSD. War is destroying Greg. Following orders to bomb various places without regard to civilian casualties. His everyday job is giving him PTSD and he has to continue doing his job.

And even though this is the follow up to Cookies, there are parts that happened before, during and after Cookies took place. Again, it was different. And I like wandering from the beaten path.

All of these things together kept me really engaged with the story and the characters. The only thing I was missing was real closure with Greg and his parents.

Excellent book, you don’t have to read Cookies before this but you will want to because it is so good as well.

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

* Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review – nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. *

Noble Hops by Layla Reyne: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

February 12, 2019 by Denise

Layla Reyne stopped by today with the final book in her Trouble Brewing series, Noble Hops. She brought an exclusive excerpt only for TCO readers, and a fantastic book and swag bag giveaway. Make sure you check it out! Noble Hops is available in ebook and audiobook now, so pick it up here!

Everything Dominic Price has worked hard to uphold is about to come crashing down on everything he holds dear.

So much for the quiet life. Just as assistant US attorney and brewery owner Dominic Price is settling into a comfy new chapter with his partner, FBI agent Cameron Byrne, the sudden death of Nic’s father puts their happily-ever-after in jeopardy. Nic immediately suspects foul play, his prime suspect a notorious gangster his father was indebted to—only now the loan shark is out for blood.

Cam has been longing for Nic to finally let him in on this very personal case. But when Nic’s belief that he’s the sole Price heir is upended, the line between personal and professional starts to blur, leaving Cam unsure of where he stands.

Nic is depending on Cam’s kidnap and rescue expertise to save his recently discovered family member before it’s too late. But with a dangerous threat closing in, the ghosts from Nic’s past cast long shadows. Any relationship could crack under the pressure, but for Nic, finding his family might mean losing the love of his life.

Noble Hops (Trouble Brewing #3) by Layla Reyne

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): Ebook/Audio: February 11, 2019; Print: February 26, 2019

Length (Print & Ebook): 320 pages

Subgenre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Layla Reyne says: Nic and Cam have to fight for their lives and their happily ever after in this exciting, action-packed conclusion to the Trouble Brewing series.

“Well-matched protagonists fueled by love and purpose risk everything to bring a slick gangster down in a thriller both hot and sweet, wrapping up a well-done M/M series in style.”

— Library Journal

“I adore this series, and I can’t wait for more Nic and Cam!”

— Author of The Fall, May Archer, on Craft Brew (Trouble Brewing #2)

Amazon

Audible

Thanks for having me on the blog today to celebrate the release of NOBLE HOPS, the final book of the Trouble Brewing series. The Whiskey Verse gang is all back together – and indulging in Cam’s favorite treat – in this exclusive excerpt. Enjoy!

Cam entered the conference room with a pink, brown and orange box on each hand, skirting past Nic who held the door open for him. “We come bearing doughnuts.”

Despite his vow in Boston to never eat Dunkin’ Donuts again, once Cam had learned there was a new one on their way from the house to the office, all bets were off. His colleagues had reaped the rewards ever since, as Lauren did today, looking up from her computer with a tired smile.

“My heroes.” She took one of the boxes from Cam and dug right in.

“You’re lucky he didn’t eat them all on the way here,” Nic said, as Cam slid the other box onto the table.

With his free hand, Cam shot Nic the bird. “Well, if someone hadn’t kept me up all night.”

Lauren clapped her hands over her ears. “Earmuffs!”

Cam laughed around a bite of blueberry-glazed doughnut.

“It was nothing that fun,” Nic said, headed for the coffeemaker. “He pretended to be Vaughn, and I grilled him for hours.”

“Waste of a night. You’re ready.” Cam reached for a second doughnut, and Nic shoved a cup of coffee in his hand instead.

“That’s four already, and as for last night, I want to be prepared.”

“I think I can help with that,” Lauren said, losing the battle with a powdered one, her navy blazer from yesterday taking a sugar beating.

“You cracked Harris’s computer?” Cam asked.

The slim MacBook had been locked away in a wall safe, hidden behind the framed alphabet poster in the nursery. When Lauren had carried it out last night, Vaughn’s eyes had flashed with what looked like fear, the first crack Cam had seen in his shiny, too-cool veneer.

“I did.”

“Then what am I here for?” came a familiar voice behind them, the drawl unmistakably Southern.

Cam twisted to see his best friend entering the conference room ahead of Aidan. He was half out of his chair when Jamie pulled him the rest of the way up and into a back-slapping hug. “Brother,” Cam said, feeling like the missing piece of the team, of his support system, was back where it belonged.

Jamie drew Nic into a hug next. “Whatever you need.”

“Thank you,” Nic replied.

This is the final book of Cam and Nic’s story. The guys are pretty much settled into their relationship and how they feel about each other. But Nic is still waiting for the other shoe to drop as he tries building a case against his father’s — and now his — arch enemy. As Nic’s reeling from a family tragedy, a stunning secret is revealed to him that will change everything.

This book felt very much like a wrap up. We know where the guys stand with each other, and there are a few bumps but they come through for each other — no surprises there. Nic confronts parts of his past and reveals things he’s been keeping from Cam which serves to bring them closer while giving the reader some closure. And the theme of family, both blood and who you choose for yourself, is woven throughout and always gives me warm and fuzzies.

I’ll miss these guys for sure, but with new characters introduced, it won’t surprise me to see them show up again sometime.

3 pieces of eye candy

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs.