Book Review

Purple Method by Victoria Milne: Release Day Review

July 9, 2019 by Denise

An up-and-coming heavy metal singer and a martial artist desperate to join a top MMA gym must decide how hard they’re willing to fight—for their dreams and each other.

Max Diaz is firmly in the closet, and as unbearable as that’s becoming, he can’t risk his only remaining family—his brother, Tony—or his band Purple Method’s chance to make it big.

Rick Bernstein dreams of rising in the ranks of the MMA circuit and securing a training career at a top gym, but with rejections coming thick and fast and his financial future in dire jeopardy, starting a relationship is the last thing on his mind—especially with someone who isn’t out.

But when Purple Method returns to Elfinbrook after a six-month tour, one kiss changes everything. Now Max and Rick face decisions that will change both of their lives forever.

Title: Purple Method
Series: Purple Method
Author: Victoria Milne
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 244

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Sorry, this book was just a mess.

Max is the lead singer to a up and coming heavy metal band. And he is in the closet. And he is only 20.

Tony, his older brother, plays drums in the band and pretty much knows Max is gay, but is fearful that if he comes out he will be so miserable he will kill himself as a few other guys in bands he knows of.

But Tony isn’t concerned at all at the amount of drinking they all do. Especially Max who is only 20.

But then Max meets Rick, an MMA fighter. Max denies it for a bit, but then jumps in with both feet with a relationship with Rick. Who really doesn’t want a relationship. Oy.

And omg the pages and pages and pages describing the MMA fights…

And then someone in the band quits. But no big- Max can take over that instrument. Because if he can play guitar, playing slap bass is no big, right?

And then they get invited to play at clubs in England. But only Max knows and doesn’t tell the rest of the band until like 3 days before. WHAT???

Ooops, sorry, there was also some kind of jamboree where Max and his bff entered the bbq contest.

There’s more, of course there is. But seriously, this book was such a mess. I kept finding myself scrolling through Facebook when I should have been reading because it was just boring.

Don’t waste your time.

2 pieces of eye candy

Triple Threat by Davidson King: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

July 8, 2019 by Denise

Lee, Jones, and Ginger deal with dangerous situations and mounting stress daily working for the most powerful assassin organization in the world. All of those things seem like a walk in the park compared to the friction that sparks between them. When all three are assigned to the same job, ignoring the heat from the inferno of desire becomes impossible.
Lee is a master at deciphering codes, skilled in hacking complicated systems, and never misses a target, even from over fifty miles away. His feelings for Jones and Ginger, however, may be the first code he’s unable to crack.

Jones deals in absolutes, but the road to his past is paved with bodies and regrets. Getting Lee to acknowledge the pull they both feel toward Ginger may be the hardest mission he’s ever had to face.

Ginger struggles to cope with the overwhelming guilt that accompanies this new job. Falling for these hired killers will be a risk—one that could wind up with him losing in the end or gaining everything he’s ever wanted.

As the three work together to take down a human trafficking ring—and save a desperate soul—time is of the essence. Their lives are on the line as mysteries unfold and unexpected encounters throw them off course. Will Lee, Jones, and Ginger let doubts come between them, distracting them from their mission and blocking any hope of love? Or can they face the toughest challenge of their lives and become…a triple threat?

Triple Threat

Haven Heart Series, Book 6

Davidson King

Release Date: June 27th

M/M, Suspense, Romance, Action, Menage

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Writing Ménage

Ménage is my most favorite trope to read, and probably not for the reasons you think. While sex is lovely it’s not on the top of my list. Because it’s my favorite, I find myself as a critical reader when it came to ménage. I have found exceptional books that tackled the dynamic perfectly. And others that were just either a big orgy or something felt like it was missing.

Triple Threat is a ménage and the first I’ve ever written. Going into it I was nervous partially because it’s following a story arc and I was tossing in an MMM where some don’t like them, and also because I was writing the one trope, I am somewhat judgmental with.

It was important to me while pushing the story arc forward, to also bring the elements of each character out and connect them in a way that was believable and realistic. I felt I accomplished that but recognize where I find the strengths of a throuple, others may not.

The psychology of a three-person relationship is vital. I need to feel it, believe it, know it in my bones to be true. Yes, sexually— if that’s even their preference— they must work as well. But more than anything you need to say, “Yeah they were never supposed to be two, always three.”

Writing ménage was so very hard because sometimes getting my thoughts out isn’t easy but in the end, I felt I did it justice and wrote Jones, Lee, and Ginger exactly how they were meant to be portrayed, and pushed the story along.

With Lee and Jones busy, I popped my earbuds in, hit play on my Spotify, and drowned in the sounds of Pat Benatar. I loved the ‘80s, some of the ‘90s, but damn the ‘80s had amazing music. As with every time I listened to my music, I started swaying in my seat. I closed my eyes, let my hands tap, my feet slide, and that chorus in “We Belong”… it possessed me, and I couldn’t help myself but to sing. I sang softly as to not disturb Lee and Jones.

“What the absolute fuck!” The sound of Jones’ voice broke through. I opened my eyes and pulled my buds out. The van had stopped and now Lee was standing, staring at me, too.

“Hey,” I said meekly. “What’s up?”

“You scared the crap out of me,” Jones said, and Lee nodded in agreement.

“How?”

“One second it’s all quiet, then it’s like opera cats or something,” Lee answered, and this time Jones agreed.

“Wow, that’s harsh.” I drew my legs up to my chest, hearing the faint sounds of Tiffany singing that she thinks we’re alone now.

“Just warn us when you’re going to break out into song is all,” Lee grumbled, and then got back into the driver’s seat. I slipped the earbuds back in.

A tap on my leg had me pulling out my earbuds again.

“You listen to all ‘80s or you got some not shitty crap in there?” Jones asked, and I gripped my phone like he just shit on my dreams.

“Nothing of what I have is shit!”

Lee started to laugh as he pulled back onto the road and Jones had a huge grin. It was a change I hadn’t really seen in a while. Those two actually enjoying each other. I knew there was history there, everyone did.

If they wanted to be that way, okay. “Just for that,” I said as I put the phone on speaker and hit play. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts started singing about loving rock and roll, and because they love it so much, I sang with them.

Jones’ eyes widened and Lee once again pulled to the side of the road and turned in his seat. Seemed I was entertainment. I knew I didn’t have the best voice, but I had rendered these two dangerous men speechless. I was loving the power, the control.

Feeling daring, I inched over to Jones who looked positively terrified, and began drumming on his legs.

“Sweet Jesus,” Lee said and laughed so loudly I lost track of my words and watched him. Tears ran down his face, and he had his arms wrapped around his middle. It was a contagious laugh, and suddenly the three of us were in hysterics.

Finally we get Lee and Jones! And Ginger!

I loved the entire story line of this book regarding the human trafficking. The “romance” and start of the throuple, meh. Left me wanting a bit as it definitely took a background role.

Lee and Jones have refused to work together for a while. But now they have to. King is making them partner up to take down a human trafficking ring. And when Ginger sees that one of the boys up for auction is is brother, he is all in as well.

This book definitely gave all of King’s employees a heart. Showing that they aren’t just assassins. Like I said, it was a great story with a lot of twists and turns and tons of characters and even a few other incidental storylines in there.

What I really wanted as well was a good juicy love story between the three guys. But honestly, it seemed like they just kind of fell into it. Lots of flirting and and then BAM! They were a throuple. Very little discussion, Lee and Jones are all happy again like nothing happened between them in the past. Ginger questions his role in the throuple in the beginning, but then he is also all in with very little thought.

Don’t get me wrong, I think they are great together. But they needed to be together without the human trafficking assignment looming as well. They were so busy focusing on their assignment that they really didn’t have time to focus on themselves.

Knowing this author, we will definitely see more of these three. And I hope it is them living together happily.

We also got another fairly big hint as to the entire enigma that surrounds Poe. GAH!

So yes, really good book, fair love story. But if you are a fan of these books, you have to read this one to help connect all the dots leading to the next.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

When she’s not writing you can find her blogging away on Diverse Reader, her review and promotional site. She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

LinkTree to ALL links: https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor

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Nothing Special by Jay Northcote: New Release Review

July 3, 2019 by Denise

When Noah’s insecurity threatens their fledgling relationship, can Sol convince Noah that he’s enough?

Noah thinks he’s nothing special. Average height, a bit on the skinny side, and cute but rather geeky, he’s relentlessly ordinary. He certainly doesn’t expect to be noticed by Sol, the gorgeous dark-haired stranger Noah usually sees on his commute home.

When a friend persuades Noah to take a big risk in a bid to get Sol’s attention, things turn out better than Noah dared to hope. But Noah doesn’t believe he’s interesting or sexy enough to hold Sol’s attention.

As Sol tries to get closer, Noah tries to protect his heart by pulling away. If their relationship is going to survive, Noah needs to accept that Sol sees him very differently to how Noah sees himself. Because to Sol, Noah is something very special indeed.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Ahh… this book was a pure and simple love story. It was incredibly refreshing to read about two young men, with their own sets of insecurities, finding each other, loving each other, and just being happy together.

Noah is a tall, skinny, too pale (all in his own words) and shy book nerd. Every evening, on his way home from work, he sees a man who is golden skinned, handsome, and exudes confidence. Noah yearns to find the confidence to approach his golden stranger, but fears rejection, or worse, a beating if the man happens to not be gay. With some urging from his best friend, Noah takes a huge risk and catches his golden stranger’s attention in a somewhat unusual manner.

Sol is a golden skinned, slightly short, well muscled ex gymnast turned zookeeper. Every evening, on his way home from work, he sees a cute, skinny, shy bespectacled man. Sol yearns to make a connection with his pale bookworm, but isn’t quite sure how to approach the adorable man. Then, one day, he opens his favorite newspaper and finds a very interesting advertisement..

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this book. Noah and Sol build an extremely realistic relationship, quickly falling head over heels for each other. Everything is going well until both men’s personal insecurities begin to get the best of them. In a classic romance novel twist, the issue all comes down to that ever present lack of communication. I loved the fact that there wasn’t this massive and dramatic plot twist that pulled the characters apart. Everything that happened in this book is such a mirror to what comes between so many real life relationships, that I found myself identifying with both men from the first word!

I give this book 5 pieces of eye candy!!

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

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Waited So Long by J.M. Dabney: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 2, 2019 by Denise

What happens when your best friend’s son comes home and he’s all grown up?
Devon Hoffman has a secret. He’s wanted a Daddy all his own, but when you’re pushing fifty, you’re completely over the hill. Newly divorced and trying to be single again after an almost thirty-year relationship, he’s lost and needs someone to ground him. Except he’s anxious and his depression intensifies until Bern returns after leaving the service and the younger man suddenly takes interest. Can he let his guard down and risk losing his best friend or should he do whatever is needed to keep his secret safe?

Waited So Long

J.M. Dabney

Genre: MM Daddy Kink/Light Age Play/Domestic Discipline Romance

Release Date: 06.18.19

Cover Art by J.M. Dabney

Cover Image – Golden Czermak/Furious Fotog

Cover Model – Caylan Hughes

Amazon

“Bern.”

“You know you want to say it, just say it.”

“Daddy,” I whispered the word and marveled at the freedom I felt. As if decades of weight lifted from my chest with a few syllables.

“Yes, baby?”

“Don’t hurt me.”

“There is plenty I want to experience with you, give you and none of them has anything to do with hurting you. I’ve waited way too long.”

I loved his gruff voice and the conviction I heard in it. I truly believed he wanted me and that shocked me. Bern could have any man he wanted and he freely admitted that it was me. No one had desired me in years, I’d always been lacking because of what I required. But I’d hidden those needs and the opportunity was right there, offered freely to me.

“I’ll be there when you get off the plane and then we’ll come home, I’ll hold you and you can ask me all the questions you want.”

“Okay.”

Devon and his Daddy.

What would it be like to love a married man and wait for him for over a decade? I couldn’t imagine it. Devon had been with his husband for almost thirty years and he treated him awful. There were things that Devon needed that he never put a voice too, but he also withheld the little things, like his love and affection. I’m not sure how everyone stayed quiet over the years, especially when they all saw how unhappy he was. I’m a big mouth, if my friend seems unhappy, I’ll be the first one to say it… especially if it’s so blatant that they’re unhappy and being cheated on. I didn’t understand why nobody said anything…

But, when Bern got wind that Devon’s husband up and filed for divorce, he knew he couldn’t stay away any longer. Having been in love with Devon since he was 15, every fantasy he’d ever had included Devon and the kind of relationship he wanted with him. An overheard experience opened up a whole new world for Bern, and he loved what he now knew Devon needed.

I loved the way Bern took care of Devon, because he’d spent so much of his life not getting what he needed from anyone else. He deserved all the happy. I feel like the age play, like cartoons and playtime was sprinkled in just for effect, because it wasn’t paid attention to much, but the way Bern took care of Devon and D/s aspect of their relationship wasn’t BDSM’y, which I’m really not a fan of, so I appreciated that… and it was just about being what the other needed and showing each other that they loved each other in the way that they both needed, and I loved that.

My heart broke for Bern’s dad, but I’m glad things started getting better for him at the end. I like when everybody gets their HEA, and though nothing could bring the love of his life back, he was doing what he could now to move on and keep living, all while remembering this big love that he’d have forever. I adored that.

Overall though, this is just yet another short and sweet read by an author that’s an instant one-click for me. I’m never disappointed….and hello…. Bern was hot when he got all growly and Daddy-like. I’d have read it for that alone…. Having all the love and feels was just a bonus!

I’m also glad the ex got to see Devon being treated the way he deserved. I’m glad it made him mad and I’m glad it got rubbed in his face a little bit. I’d be interested to see if Jeff could get a story, I’d be all about that !!! Hopefullly this is just the beginning of another great series. Would love to read more.

5 pieces of eye candy

J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. They live with a constant diverse cast of characters in their head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. J.M. lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure they do them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and they makes sure their characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more they want from telling their stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be amazing.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/J.M.DabneyAuthor/

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Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/J.M.-Dabney/e/B006QZIFLE

Mailing List – http://eepurl.com/dzWnIn

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Change of Heart by K.M. Neuhold: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

July 1, 2019 by Denise

Does my husband’s heart still miss me now that it beats in the chest of another man?
Lub-dub
A heartbeat more familiar than Easton’s own

Lub-dub
He vowed to love his husband until death do they part. And then the worst happened.

Lub-dub
His heart kept another man alive. River. A stranger in the world with Easton’s husband’s heart pumping the blood that warms his skin. Does his heart ever miss Easton without knowing why?

Lub-dub
Sweet, kind, beautiful, River. Easton never meant to meet him…never meant to know him…never meant to fall for him.

Lub-dub
Easton loved River’s heart long before he ever met him, but is it possible he’s falling in love with his mind and soul too?

***Change of Heart is a stand alone story with strong hurt/comfort themes, mild bisexual awakening themes, and a HEA

Change of Heart

KM Neuhold

M/M Romance

Release Date: 06.17.19

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

The cool night air wraps around me, the din of the bar fading as soon as the door closes behind me, leaving only the scattered sound of cars passing and the occasional drunken laugh escaping into the night. An overwhelming emotional exhaustion hits me, and the task of walking the half-block to my car seems insurmountable. I lean against the rough brick outside of the bar and tilt my head back, looking up at the expansive night sky. The light illuminating the bar entrance flickers, and I close my eyes as an inescapable feeling of loneliness hits me square in the chest and nearly brings me to my knees. I drag in a harsh breath, putting a hand over my heart, and wonder for the millionth time about my heart donor. Did he love someone so much he could hardly breathe? Is there someone out there still who loved him the same?

I drag my fingers to the center of my chest, tracing the raised edges of my scar through the soft fabric of my shirt. I can feel the beat, steady and even against my palm, and I think about the man who saved my life. I don’t know a damn thing about him, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering who he was, what kind of a life he lived, who loved him but selflessly made the sacrifice to save the life of a complete stranger?

Change of Heart is an amazing story involving two men and one very special heart. Easton lost his husband, the love of his life, in a tragic construction accident. River nearly lost his life due to a virus that attacked and weakened his heart. When River was days away from death’s door, he received the miraculous news that a heart was available for transplant. Fast forward five years… River is questioning whether he’s living his best life and Easton is stuck in a horrible cycle of grief and wondering just what happened to his husband’s heart.

OMG! This story was beautiful from start to finish. Ms. Neuhold took us on a journey through grief, love, betrayal, and ultimately happiness. River is a bisexual man who has never explored the same sex aspect of his bisexuality. Easton is a man who, even five years later, is still deeply mourning the loss of his husband. When Easton makes the decision to find out who received his husband’s heart, he discovers River. This story is about how one heart manages to bring two men together. River and Easton’s relationship grows slowly but surely through the entire story and both men also begin to grow and heal in their personal lives.

There is, of course, a moment of reckoning in this story, but as Ms. Neuhold is known for an HEA is most definitely on the horizon. The journey River and Easton complete in this book takes you through all of the emotions. I enjoyed this story immensely and while I didn’t cry (I am not a crier) I did feel all the feels with this story. I give it five gold and shining stars!

5 pieces of eye candy

Author K.M.Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she’s not writing she’s a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero…just kidding, she’s likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.

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Aftermath (Ever After book 3) by Tanya Chris: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

June 27, 2019 by Denise

The Ever After series concludes in Aftermath. Tragedy, redemption, love… Ever After

Once upon a time, Casey flirted with a pretty boy at a bar, and that changed everything. Recently released from jail, he’s starting to rebuild without the family who raised him to hate himself. He’s got a new job, a room at his aunt’s, and community service hours at an LGBTQIA community center. But his biggest challenge is figuring out how to live as the one thing his father and brother drilled into him he could never be: a gay man.

Once upon a time, Brooks was a confident Dom with a particular taste for bigger men. But since his run-in with a dangerous homophobe, he’s lost his touch. Big, buff guys are hot but scary, and hurting people isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

Until he meets Casey, the big guy with the problematic past. Casey’s willing to do anything, but does his submission stem from healthy kink or from an unhealthy need to be punished? And is Brooks doling out release or revenge? Two people who share a past as violent as theirs could never fall in love. Unless, somewhere in the aftermath, there’s forgiveness.

Content warning: internalized homophobia, homophobic language, and references to homophobic hate crimes that have occurred in the past

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Casey.” Brooks waited until Casey glanced up at him. “I’m not shaming you, okay? I’m just saying there’s safer ways of getting that feeling. Assuming you liked the feeling.” He wouldn’t ask if Casey had liked it. It wasn’t his business, and besides, he could guess.

Casey still didn’t say anything, so Brooks stood up. “All right, good talk. If you ever have any questions….”

“You’ve done it?” Casey’s words stopped him just as he was about to escape from the room. Apparently they were going to talk, after all. He shut the door and leaned back against it.

“I don’t choke people. There’s really no way to do that safely. Safer, but never safe. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

“But other stuff?” Casey asked his boots. They were work boots, well-worn and hideous. Huge. Which of course didn’t mean anything.

“I’ve been in the scene since I turned eighteen, so yeah, I’ve done stuff. I could point you to some resources, give you a few links.”

Casey shuffled those large boots of his across the floor. “Which one are you?” he asked with a quick upward glance, curiosity brimming in his eyes. “Are you the one who hits people or the one who gets hit?”

“That’s personal.”

“Oh.” And there went the eyes back to the floor again.

“Fine. I’m a Dom. Does it matter? I’m going to point you to the same resources either way.”

Casey opened his mouth, and Brooks suddenly knew what was about to come out of it.

“No,” he said, before Casey could ask. “Definitely not.”

“Why not?”

For a moment, Brooks was tempted. God, imagine laying into this slab of a man, putting his marks all over him. Or just getting him to kneel. It didn’t even have to be physical. The emotional high of having his enemy kneeling at his feet would carry Brooks for a month.

But, God. No. Enemy. That wasn’t at all what BDSM was about. He couldn’t go into a scene literally wanting to hurt the person subbing for him.

“You said it wasn’t safe,” Casey said, “what I did. So show me safe.”

Book 3 of a trilogy. Yes, you absolutely need to read the first two books.

A super quick recap: Book 1, brother of man accused of murdering his boyfriend and the brother’s lawyer fall in love. Even though the lawyer is a hard core sub and masochist and the other might be but fights it.

Book 2: Newly acquitted Dom/sadist and lawyer’s assistant lawyer- who isn’t a sub or masochist fall in love.

And book 3. This one centers on one of the guys, Casey, who actually was responsible for the murder (and more). Although really it was his brother. Whatever. This kid needs a smack in the head.

He wants to make amends, so when he sees one of his victims, Brooks, in a bar, he follows him home. BRILLIANT. Also, he only ever tries to make amends with this one guy.

Brooks was a dom until the gay bashing and now he is afraid. Totally understandable. So you know the best way to get over it? Get in a relationship with a baby gay/ baby sub who helped beat you up. *eye roll*

I’m sorry, I am all about redemption and I could have really rooted for Casey’s redemption. If it wasn’t with their first victim. It just made no sense to me.

The book was definitely the BDSM’est of the three books, but it was for all the wrong reasons. Casey wants to be beaten as punishment and Brooks wants to do the beating as retribution. COME ON. No dom worth his weight in floggers would do that.

I did really enjoy the other story line involving the LGBT center and the kids- especially one kid- there. I liked seeing such a positive portrayal of an LGBT center and that it wasn’t just for runaways, but also for LGBT kids who were totally accepted but wanted to hang in a safe space.

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t.

3 Pieces of Eye Candy