mmromance

A Day Makes by Mary Calmes: Release Day Review with Giveaway

April 19, 2017 by Denise

Mob enforcer Ceaton Mercer has killed a lot of people in a lot of different ways – he stashed the last two bodies in a toolshed belonging to a sweetheart marine researcher in an idyllic island community – but he’s really not such a bad guy. Over time he’s found a home of sorts, and he even learns he’s found a place in the hearts of the people he works with…at least enough so that they won’t put a bullet in his head because he’s outlived his usefulness to the boss.

But he never thought he’d find one day could change his life, and he’s about to discover how wrong he is.

Because in a single day, he meets the man who looks to be the one, the love of his life. It’s an improbable idea – a man who deals in death finding love – but it’s like it’s meant to be. That single day gets weirder and troubles pile up, forcing Ceaton to take a hard look at his dreary life and accept that one day can change everything, especially himself. His future might be brighter than he expects – if he can stay alive long enough to find out.

Title: A Day Makes
Author: Mary Calmes
Release Date: April 19, 2017
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 200

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Dreamspinner Press

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First… I just gotta say that I would’ve begged for this book without knowing anything about it. I knew who wrote it and that was enough for me. I have read and re-read every book by Mary Calmes and there are even a few that I’m obsessed with… Okay, more than a few, a lot… a whole lot.
In saying all that, let’s get into why this one was amazing.

First, we have Ceaton. Former Marine, now hired “enforcer” for a pretty scary dude. He, along with the three guys he works with, are technically bad guys… but are they really bad guys if they only go after bad guys? It’s easy to overlook the morally questionable things that they do because, it’s for the greater good, right?

I absolutely adored the family loyalty between Ceaton and the men who stood at his side. Their banter was cute and familial and I loved them all. I was a little upset that some people were able to turn on each other at the drop of a hat, but his brothers… they were ride or die. Ceaton needed that, he deserved it.

So, okay, once his boss has little use for him; he sends him on a dummy mission to protect a family member of someone he does dealings with. That’s where he meets Brin. You will fall in love with Brin, just accept it now. Like, Jory Harcourt or Ian and Miro, or Stefan, or Aaron, or Landry or Professor Quells… or any of the adorable men that these badasses fall for… It’s inevitable. He’s smitten immediately, has been since the day he laid eyes on Ceaton. He’s sure and confident and although this is the insta-type love that Mrs. Calmes has perfected, it really doesn’t feel rushed, because we go through so much with Ceaton before we even get to meet Brin.

I was flipping through pages of this book so fast, I was sucked into the action of it. The betrayl and heartache and hopefulness. I gasped and EFFED and whaaaaaat… several times… I was that on edge. It all played out like a movie and I feel like I need a cigarette after finishing and I quit almost 2 years ago! It was that intense. Intense but amazing and the ending was beautiful and something I DID NOT see coming at all but was fist bumping as it all played out….

What an amazing read. No spoilers, no cliffhangers and the cutest HEA. I would love, love, love to read more about these two and their extended family. Fingers crossed.

5 well deserved pieces of eye candy from me!
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Louder Than Words by Siryn Sueng: Release Day Review

April 11, 2017 by Denise

Derrek is a local teacher in Clearwater, Florida. He frequents a nearby coffee shop before work every morning, where he finds himself enraptured with a young barista, Alex. But Alex never seems to notice him, even when he’s handing Derrek his morning coffee.

After weeks of hiding in his corner under the pretense of working, Derrek finally gains enough courage to ask Alex on a date. He’s crushed when all he gets for an answer is complete silence. He thinks it’s the end, until he finds out that Alex has a disability that has paralyzed his vocal cords.

Sign language is Alex’s way of communication, and it’s something that Derrek knows little to nothing about. With renewed determination, Derrek asks Alex to teach him sign language. Derrek wants to be able to talk to Alex, to tell him how he really feels, and find out if Alex feels the same.

But more than anything, he longs for a relationship that goes deeper than just words alone.

Louder Than Words is an 18,000-word novella.

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Hmmm, okay…

So, first… I understand that this is a novella, so, of course, it’s going to be short…. but it ends so abruptly, like literally, in the most random place, I thought for sure there would be another page or two or something, but nope… it just ended. This is my first story by this author, so I’m not sure if that’s the norm, but it took me a bit by surprise in this one.

Other than that, though… it was a cute story. Alex is a barista at the coffee shop that Derrek frequents everyday… sure for coffee but also because he’s smitten with the cute barista with a tongue ring and dark hair. Although he kind of botches his attempt in asking him out… Derrek’s obnoxious (and he seriously, ridiculously obnoxious), co-worker helps him out in asking him out again… That’s when he realizes that Alex doesn’t speak.

Alex, is adorable… tattoo’s, piercings, adorable smile… got me swooning over here! Derrek is a little cheesy but he’s sweet in a “clueless” kind of way. I didn’t take either of them for being particularly experienced but once they got comfortable with each other, they settled into a pretty cute relationship.

When asked to help a new fellow co-worker to learn sign… Alex and Derrek agree, since Alex had also taught Derrek and was a good teacher. However, it didn’t go quite as planned and the kid seemed like kind of a jerk. He’s with the abrupt ending though so don’t get used to him…. I wonder if they’ll be another book or another story involving any of them… I wouldn’t mind reading more about them… like I said… Alex was adorable and well worth the read of this short story…

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Imagines by N.R. Walker: Release Day Review and Giveaway

April 10, 2017 by Denise

Jack Brighton and Lawson Gale have been together for six months and are very much in love. Lawson’s work ensuring the survival of the Tillman Copper is demanding as ever, and Jack’s work with the regeneration of the bushfire-ravaged national park is just as hectic.

When Jack suggests they take a short trip, Lawson agrees. But then he is offered a two-week research position in tropical Queensland to help determine why the Ulysses butterfly is on the decline. Figuring they could combine work and pleasure, Jack and Lawson go on their first vacation together.

Working alongside renowned professor Piers Bonfils isn’t easy. But personal and professional differences aside, Lawson is offered a more permanent role in Queensland. Torn between his new life in Tasmania with Jack and a dying species of butterfly he feels compelled to save, Lawson has to decide where his fate lies.

But fate changes the rules. On a research expedition into the depths of the rainforest, suddenly it’s not only the butterflies’ existence that hangs in the balance

A butterfly’s life cycle never changes. From larvae to imago, their course is plotted by design. Jack and Lawson need to determine where they stand, if they live through it. Because the only thing more incredible than one imago is two.

Amazon

Sigh…I adore this couple and the brilliant mind that writes them. Imago, even though I’m terrified of butterflies and moths… I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. It was hands down, one of the top 5 best reads for me so far, this year. This one was no different. And seriously…. Do you see how hot this cover is?

So, we pick up where we left off with Lawson and Jack. It’s several months after the brush fire they’re still together and going strong.

Lawson gets invited to the rainforest to try and figure out why a certain butterfly is dying off. Don’t ask me to recall it, because they all have such weird names, even if I could remember it, I’d never be able to spell it… So, of course, he’s going to go and try to help and as luck would have it, Jack is up for some annual vacation time, so they make it a planned trip together.

I have to say I was a little weary of Pierce, he’s the man they see about the endangered butterflies. He feels hot and cold to me at first and I just wasn’t sure how to take him. Of course, if it was my life’s work, I’m sure I’d be as defensive and protective. Because Lawson needs to do research, Jack is often left to his own devices during the day, but when he and Lawson are together, they’re all about each other.
I love the way these two love each other. There is no one better than Jack, he’s so patient and kind and caring and attentive. I just adored him. Lawson is perfect for him, especially with his dirty mouth and those suspenders lol. How cute is that?!

Of course, Lawson, being Lawson… it wouldn’t be right if he didn’t unintentionally find himself in a dangerous situation. The side of Jack that we see when Lawson is in danger…. Sigh…. Goals! The love he has for him is so beautiful and I found myself just as nervous as he seemed to be. That never happens to me… I was “in it”…. Just hooked from the beginning.

Of course, everything ends up being okay in the long run and Lawson is a butterfly miracle worker and Jack is a Lawson miracle worker and we end on the most perfect note!

I loved everything about this story. I love Jack and Lawson and I really hope Pierce finds himself his own Jack, or his own Lawson because he just seemed so lonely at times and I like for everybody to just be all loved up and together!
Overall, another perfect read and I can’t wait to read more about these guys and their adventures….. and of course… the butterflies.

5 pieces of eye candy

For a copy of N.R. Walker’s Imagines (or Imago if you don’t have that one yet), tell me who your favorite character of hers is. She has so many memorable characters, but you have to pick ONE (or it can be one couple).

Save The Date by Annabeth Albert & Wendy Qualls: Release Day Review with Giveaway

March 31, 2017 by Denise

Randall Young has one duty as his sister’s “man of honor”: to ensure she has the best wedding ever. That includes an epic bachelorette pub crawl, leading him to Portland’s most popular gay bar… and into Hunter Mitchell’s well-muscled arms. A one-night stand with a sexy soldier is the perfect way to ditch that pesky V-card and get himself in the mood for a weekend of flowers, cake, and nuptials.

Hunter wants to blow off some steam before he stands up as his best friend’s best man. He’s already married to his military career, not looking to settle down. He certainly doesn’t intend for the one guy he met (and, okay, got off with) in Oregon to be his counterpart in the wedding party. Or a virgin. Definitely wasn’t intending that. Luckily, they have the rest of the weekend for Hunter to show Randall what he’s been missing.

The more they’re thrown together by the wedding, the more Randall and Hunter grow together outside the bedroom… which is dangerous because there’s a lot more than 2500 miles standing between them and a happily-ever-after. If they want a future beyond their wedding weekend hookup, both must find the courage to take a chance on love.

FREE!!!!

Amazon

Cute!

First, we meet Randall who is at his sister’s bachelorette party just before her wedding weekend of fun and togetherness with the wedding party. A night out, pub crawling the gay scene, they run into Hunter, who Randall doesn’t know is his sister’s soon-to-be-husband’s childhood best friend. He’s rough and broody and a massive, muscled, army man….which Randall finds really attractive… who wouldn’t?
One night together, where Randall semi-loses his V-card and he’s slinking away before Hunter wakes up. I don’t even think they even exchanged names. Meeting again for wedding stuff was awkward to say the least, I wasn’t sure I was going to like Hunter, really. I mean, he’s sexy and has a filthy mouth, that part was hot, but he was a bit standoffish, I guess in the beginning. Understandable, but… you know….
Anyway, the guys are forced to be around each other and naturally, being attracted to one another, they keep hooking up….

I’m not real sure when it went from hookups to wanting a relationship, but I figured it would be Randall being the one wanting it, but we get more feelings and internal thoughts from Hunter, surprisingly. He made up for his macho, manly attitude and I really liked him by the end… I really liked them together by the end. It was sweet and a little fast, seeing how it all derived from one weekend together, but we get a glimpse into the very near future and see that they have a cute HFN. I wouldn’t mind reading more about this couple, they were good together.
It wasn’t angsty and there was little to no drama, I liked that. It was just a cute, sexy, quick read.
Would recommend 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

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Talking In Code by Ariel Tachna: Quick Review with Giveaway

March 27, 2017 by Denise

Some things crumble under pressure. Others are tempered by it instead. For three former soldiers, a tragedy might be the catalyst that binds them together—stronger than ever.

Richard Horn and Timothy Davenport met in the SEALs twenty years ago and have been lovers ever since. Now running their own paramilitary organization, Strike Force Omega, they work in the shadows to protect their country and its people. When Tim falls for Eric Newton, a deadly sniper and strategist on their team, Richard accepts that Tim’s heart is big enough for two men. He respects, admires, and even desires Eric enough to accept him into their relationship—and their bed—but he’s never been fully a part of what Eric and Tim share.

Then Eric is captured by terrorists and Tim is gravely injured in an op gone wrong, bringing Richard’s world crashing down around his ears. Even if he gets his men out alive, Eric must face the aftermath of months of physical and psychological torture—and without Tim to lean on, Eric’s PTSD is tearing him apart. Richard has to figure out the third leg of their triangle fast, or Tim won’t have a life to come back to.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

One of my all-time favorite tropes is ménages. For me, it doesn’t matter if the ménage starts out as a couple who adds a third, or 3 men coming together at the same time. If the story is done right and the feelings are there than I will love it. As soon as I saw the cover (not the blurb) I knew I had to try it.

Ariel Tachna is a new author to me (my New Year’s resolution was to try new-to-me authors). With every new author I read I go in expecting nothing while hoping for everything by the time I am done reading the story. With every new ménage story I go into it expecting everything and hoping the author can pull off the dynamics it takes to be in a relationship with 3 people. So here’s what I thought about Talking in Code…

I LOVED IT. Granted there are things I wish were done a little different but I really enjoyed the story. Richard and Tim were together for years and then Eric comes into the picture. Of course there is going to be misunderstandings and lack of communication but it’s how well the author gets them back to a ménage relationship….And that is why I love this story so much. We get to follow them from their new beginning as 3 instead of 2 – to the middle when it all goes to shit – to the wonderful end when they come out better than before.

Tim has a connection with both men inside and outside the bedroom while Richard and Eric’s only real connections is inside the bedroom. It is not until a tragedy happens that Richard and Eric start to communicate better. Once these 3 realize how short life is and how quickly everything you worked so hard for could be taken away did they start to move as one solid unit.

The writing was flawless and Tachna kept me engaged the entire time. Did I mention I am a sucker for military men in my stories? We get a little bit of action and a little bit of sweet. I really adored this story. Another wonderful M/M/M for those who are a fan of ménages. I would love to have a book 2 to see them in the future.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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