Quick Reviews

A Wish Upon the Stars by TJ Klune: Release Day Review

March 27, 2018 by Denise

Nearly a year ago, blinded by grief and betrayal, Sam of Wilds made a desperate decision to follow the Great White into the Dark Woods. Now, he emerges to a world changed.

The City of Lockes is a prison. The King has been locked away in the dungeons. The Kingdom of Verania has fallen, and the Dark wizard Myrin sits on the throne.

But soon after his return, Sam learns of a resistance fighting in his name, led by a courageous knight, a defiant prince, a pissed-off unicorn, and a half-giant who wants to smash everything in sight. If he has any hope of defeating the villains who have taken their home, Sam must face the consequences of his choices—and the friends he left behind.

Title: A Wish Upon the Stars
Series: Tales from Verania: Book 4
Author: TJ Klune
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 440

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

It’s hard writing a review for a series-ending book. For those who’ve been reading the series all along, nothing anyone says should deter them from finishing it out. And I don’t want to spoil the series for those who haven’t read it yet. So, let me first address those who haven’t read any of the books yet:

You can read the first book, The Lightning-Struck Heart, and be happy and satisfied and a little angsty, but not really afraid of anything. And you’ll laugh and think and be happy at the end because non-HEAs make me very, very angry and that book will not make you angry at all unless you hate happiness and love and romance and unicorns and half-giants that are incredibly endearing and a delicious knight and a wizard-hero that everyone loves and is powerful and sweet but who’s full of self-doubt, yet confident, who loves his parents and friends and King and giving hugs. You can read that book and never pick up another in the series and it will be fine. I gave a brief thought to not reading the remaining books because I don’t want to fall in love with characters and they die or turn into jerks or whatever plus can I handle 3 more books of crazy people? Is it too much? But no, it’s not too much because while the 3 later books keep to the same level of insanity as the first, the higher story arc comes into play as Sam’s destiny is revealed, long buried secrets come to light and Sam and company have to figure out how to deal with it all. I would say the bantering is evenly balanced with the actual story and action. And yes, I got afraid after book 1 because I love Sam and Ryan together (I am all about the ‘ship), and things are said, and stuff happens, and visions are seen. And other characters I love are threatened, and hurt and I’m scared for everyone at some point. And I cried more than once. But I also laughed and laughed, and smiled and thought about stuff and fell in love with more than one character, and squeed with my friend who was reading this at the same time and my heart grew two sizes.

Oh … and if you’ve already read the first 3 books, I have nothing to say because what kind of weirdo wouldn’t finish?

Anyway, I really loved this series. I am such a fan now of Klune’s story telling. The characters are real; I care about most of them, while others I really don’t like because of the shit they’ve pulled. The story sucks you in and doesn’t let go. There is a lot of just crazy dialogue and situations. But there’s also serious and poignant moments and whatever the action is on the page, it all rings true for me. I love when he steps back from the straight up ridiculous and kind of weaves the words into a nice rhythm and covers a lot of ground in a short space. One thing that kept sticking out to me throughout the series is how a situation would arise, and the story zigs where you might expect it to zag.

It’s sort of a disgrace that these are the only books I’ve read so far of Klune’s, but I will be seeking out his other things right away. The one spoiler I will give is that Klune hints at **possibly** revisiting Verania to tell Justin’s story. Crossing fingers for that!!

5 pieces of eye candy for the book and series

Confessions: Robbie by Ella Frank: New Release Review

March 26, 2018 by Denise

Relationships are complex.
Love ever-changing.
And when it comes to rules of the heart,
they were made to be broken…

That’s what Robert Antonio Bianchi was telling himself, anyway.
Otherwise, he really had no excuse for what—or who—he’d done.

No excuse, except for his lonely heart, a pitcher of margaritas, four Bitter Bitches, and the apparent need to confess all his weaknesses to the two men he knew would bring him nothing but trouble.

But trouble was nothing new.

Just ask his crazy sisters or any of his friends, and they’d be the first to tell you:
If there was a bad decision to be made, Robbie always had a knack for making it.

And thus begins the story of the priest, the princess, and the prick.

Amazon

Truth be told, I don’t always jump on the popular band wagon. When books get super hyped, it gives me pause. There is nothing wrong with having a big fandom- I think it is fab. But I also think that same fandom will read anything their favorite author(s) put out.

But……………….I needed to read this. Robbie has intrigued me since we met him in Try/Take/Trust (I can’t remember which) and he just seemed so sad. So needing love and affection and attention. So I was ready to jump in. And this book did.not.disappont.

Menage is a difficult trope. Some are ok, some are good and some are truly terrible. This one though? So effing good. Add into the mix of bringing a third into a well established relationship and this could have gone all sorts of wrong.

And Robbie deserves this. This guy held a torch for Logan for so long. But Julien and Priest snuffed it right out. I loved how they wooed him. They took the time to wine, dine and romance him. Robbie probably would have easily slept with Julien (and maybe even Priest. Maybe) after the drunken text. But they didn’t take advantage of him like that.

And yes, they do take care of him in ways. But never in a way that seems like he can’t take care of himself. They are both just so ALPHA, they need someone to allow them the pleasure of caring for someone like that.

And Julien and Priest. YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! I need and want more! Of course I really REALLY want more Priest and he will be book three. **Pouts** But I need Julien as well.

Yes, the sex scene were literally the hottest I have ever read. Menage can get clumsy. Who’s hand is where, body positions, etc etc. But that was not a problem at all with this book. Whew.

Robbie, Priest and Julien do not disappoint. I cannot wait for more

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Runner by Parker Williams: Audiobook Review

March 23, 2018 by Denise

Matt Bowers’ life ended at 16, when a vicious betrayal by someone who he should have been able to trust left him a shell of himself, fighting OCD and PTSD, living in constant fear, and always running. When he buys a remote tract of land, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to hide from the world and attempt to establish some peace. For 10 years, he believes he’s found a measure of comfort, until the day a stranger begins to run on Matt’s road.

He returns every day, an unwelcome intrusion into Matt’s carefully structured life. Matt appeals to the local sheriff, who cannot help him since the jogger is doing nothing wrong. Gradually, after tentatively breaking the ice, Matt begins to accept the man’s presence.

But when the runner doesn’t show up one day, it throws Matt’s world into chaos, and he must make the hardest decision of his life.

Audible

Amazon Ebook

Dreamspinner Press

After suffering an attack at 16, Matt suffers from extreme OCD and PTSD. He has locked himself away from the world in a cabin miles from town. He has turned his land into a self-sustaining oasis. He grows his own food, he fishes and hunts on his last and has almost no contact with the outside world. Then one day his world is turned upside down when someone starts jogging past his house everyday. The first sighting sent Matt into a panic attack to rival all panic attacks. Matt tried calling the sheriff to see if he could stop him, but the runner isn’t breaking any laws. Slowly, Matt comes to expect the runner at the same time everyday. One day when he doesn’t show up Matt’s world tips again. Can he leave his carefully constructed world to find out what happened to his runner?

My heart broke for Matt so many times throughout this story. His reaction to the attack was extreme, but how could it not be? He was 16, with very little if any coping skills. His mom did him a great disservice, she wan’t strong enough to get him the help he needed and so he retreated into himself where he knew he was safe and then eventually to his compound.

The runner, Charlie was an intriguing character. I love that he pushed Matt’s boundaries without being pushy or mean. He knew when to push and when to back off. He was so caring and understanding.

I loved the amount of detail in Matt’s compound. When Parker Williams described it I could actually visualize it and Patrick Zeller brought it to life with his perfect narration. From the greenhouse to the lake and all the gardens.

The thing that made me love this story was that Matt fell in love with Charlie and that made him want to get help to fix his issues, but Charlie made his see that he loved him issues and all and if he was getting help it was for himself. That he was loved either way, warts and all.

The story line was not at all predictable, as soon as I thought I knew what was going to happen something else would. I love that. The characters and the setting were well developed and rich with detail.

I fell in love with this story when I first read the book. I didn’t think I could love it any more than I already did, but Patrick Zeller has a great talent for narration. He took the story to the next level.

5 pieces of eye candy

Ten Mile Bottom by Teodora Kostova: Release Day Review

March 21, 2018 by Denise

Hitting rock bottom is just the beginning…

I’m a son, a brother, a friend.
A writer.
An addict.
Dead.
Cardiac arrest isn’t enough to keep me dead, though. The doctors brought me back, but for what?

At twenty four I’ve already achieved what most people do in a life time. I’m a successful author, own a flat in the heart of London and drive my dream sports car.
Or at least that’s what people see.
Once the spotlight fades, I’m left alone with my overactive mind, alcohol and drugs the only way to quiet down the noise.
Until an overdose nearly kills me and drags everyone I love down with me.
With the help of my best friend, I leave London and its toxic influence behind, moving to a small town in the outskirts of Cambridge to try and put my life back together again.

If only it were that easy.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I finished this book a few days ago and had to sit and let it work in my head before I could write the review. I’ve read quite a few- maybe even most- of this author’s books. I’ve enjoyed them all. But nothing like this one.

This was, by far, her most character driven story. Finn, at the very center, broke my heart in so many ways. An addict with a toxic mother, fame that came too early and a best friend who enabled and participated in the worst of his behavior. And Ben, the forever do gooder trying to make up for one mistake he made as a kid.

Although Finn is technically on the road to recovery, he is stuck in a pattern of helplessness that he brings on himself. And although Ben sees the good, Finn can’t get past the bad. Ultimately, Finn has to face his fears, his life, his mother, in order to move forward.

Never did the author fall back on plot devices we see so often-the giant fight caused by a simple misunderstanding, running away from the other person, the big break up. Which just made the story all the stronger for me.

There were definitely scenes- even sentences- that hit me right where it hurts. But isn’t that one of the reasons to love a book? Because you can connect with it in some way on a personal level? And knowing that aspects of the story were completely personal for the author is what made it so compelling.

Without spoilers, there were small things that kept this from being a 5 POEC for me. But really, 5 POEC is ridiculously rare for me. This book was incredible.

4 1/2 Pieces of eye candy

Livingston by J.M. Dabney: Exclusive Excerpt and New Release Review

March 20, 2018 by Denise

He was the Beast without the escape clause

Francis “Liv” Livingston was a beast. No matter if he wore a perfectly tailored suit or if he was in his tactical gear, people avoided looking at him. He was always first to volunteer for the jobs only a person with a death wish wanted. Tomorrows weren’t guaranteed. His boss had come to him and told him he needed him for a job. Linus knew the jobs he liked, but when he opened the file, it all went to hell.

Beauty was only skin deep.

Fielding Haskell made his way in the world on his looks. He’d earned his first film role before he could read a script. He didn’t want the fame. He wanted to go to college. He wanted a man who didn’t look at him and see how pretty he was. Unfortunately, a so-called fan only cared how attractive he was, and it earned him a personal bodyguard and a vacation. He looked forward to the break until he met the man in charge of his safety and wondered if the danger he left was worth dealing with a sudden attraction to a man who was colder than ice.

LIVINGSTON

TRENTON SECURITY BOOK 1

J.M. DABNEY

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 03.06.18

Cover Design: RESSE DANTE

AMAZON

B&N

KOBO

He turned in a circle in the junk food aisle. Chips, cookies, and candy lined the shelves. Livingston told him before they exited his vehicle that they were there for supplies. He twined his fingers so he wouldn’t reach for anything. It had been two years since he’d had chocolate. His mother was always there to smack his hand or say something about his weight. He glanced over his shoulder to find the huge man watching him. Livingston’s face was expressionless.

The one-sided conversation he’d overheard between Livingston and Little still played in his mind. Spankings, subs, and he wasn’t so naive that he didn’t know what those meant. He didn’t know what a lifestyle like that entailed, but it had made him blush when he’d met Little and Pure, he’d barely been able to talk when he was introduced to Raul. Livingston had mentioned if he was Raul, Pure would be tied up and punished. He banished the ideas before he started blushing and drew attention to himself. His thoughts about Livingston were already more detailed than they should be and he’d only spent a week with the man.

“Did you want something?”

“What can I have?”

“I think one bag of chips, a pack of cookies, and candy will last you until we come back in a few weeks, do you believe that’s fair?”

“I can have that much?” He hadn’t dared hope for one thing, but he was allowed three different things. He glanced down at the toes of his shoes and tried to hide his excitement.

“I won’t abide you getting sick from too much, so we’ll discuss how much you can have per day.”

“Yes, sir, but could I have two bags of candy instead of the cookies. I never really liked those.”

“You may. I’ll finish shopping for what we need; then I’ll be back.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Livingston’s presence was so overwhelming that he knew the minute the man left the aisle. What was he supposed to get? What if he didn’t choose before Livingston was back and he didn’t let him get anything. He darted his gaze around, twisted his fingers until they hurt.

“Man, you okay? You look like you’re getting ready to have a panic attack.” A feminine voice came from his left, and he spun to see a black woman in coveralls watching him.

“He told me I could have chips and candy and I don’t know what to get. Maybe if I don’t choose he won’t let me have—”

“Who’s he, and why is he telling you what you can and can’t have? That’s bullshit.”

The anger radiating off the woman made him nervous. He didn’t want her to think bad of the big man.

“Livingston doesn’t want me to get sick.”

“Livingston, that explains it. Come on, little man, let’s find you junk food before your Daddy comes back. Uncle Liv can be a bit of an ass, but he’s fair. I’m Juvie.”

“Fielding.”

“Nice to meet you. You’re new in town. Liv works quick if he got you already.”

He remained silent because he didn’t know if it was safe to explain even to someone who was apparently close to Livingston enough to call him Uncle. He was curious about the big man but refrained from asking questions.

“Okay, why would junk food make you sick?”

“I haven’t had it in years.”

“No wonder you’re too skinny. Princess!” The woman’s voice boomed, and a pretty, full-figured girl ran into the aisle.

She wore a flowing hippie style dress that emphasized her curves rather than hid them. She stopped in the aisle, tilted her head to the side, and slammed her hands on her hips.

“You bellowed, Juvie?”

“My new friend Fielding here hasn’t had junk food in years. He needs help.”

“Oh, hi, I’m Princess. So, what’s our budget?”

“Oh, I—I don’t know, Livingston said I could have two bags of candy and one of chips.”

“Uncle Liv is around. Bossy bastard.”

“He’s not, he just—”

“Relax, no need to defend him,” Juvie assured him.

For the next fifteen minutes, Juvie and Princess helped him settle on chips and his candy.

“Shit.” Livingston’s voice made him spin, and Livingston was caught in a two-way hug.

It looked as if Juvie and Princess were squeezing the air out of his lungs. He barely kept from smiling, but then he frowned as Princess jumped up and wrapped her legs around Livingston to press kisses to the scarred side of the big man’s face. An odd sensation bloomed in his stomach, and he didn’t like it.

“Uncle Liv, miss you.”

“Princess, you saw me two weeks ago on our last run.”

Livingston wore a smile, a real smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. He wanted that smile for him.

“You don’t spend enough time with the Crews.” Princess pouted.

Juvie laughed as she peeled Princess off Livingston and hugged Princess around the waist.

“Hands off, Princess, you’re making his boy jealous.”

“Oh shit, sorry, Fielding. When did this happen?”

“It’s a job, Princess, nothing more.”

“Oh, so, the allowing him things, but discussing portions is just what you do with jobs now?”

“Princess…” Livingston’s tone warned the subject was off-limits.

“Fine, we helped him find things, he thought you wouldn’t let him have anything if he didn’t choose before you got back.”

He felt the weight of Livingston’s stare, and he didn’t like that it caused him to feel guilty for disappointing Livingston.

“Fielding, is this true?”

“Yes, sir.” Juvie and Princess whispered what sounded like Daddy and Livingston swatted at both of them.

“We’ll talk about this when we get home.”

Princess let out a loud sigh and laid her head back on Juvie’s shoulder. “Home, Liv, sounds so…domestic.”

This is a new series, from a spinoff of the other two series…. If you haven’t read them, it should still be okay, but I ask you, why… why haven’t you… they’re AMAZING…. You should stop what you’re doing, and go do that right now…

In this one, we have Livingston.. he’s on Linus Investigations team… And they’re even more messed u than even the twirled world AND Executioners crew, if that can be believed! It seems like all of her guys just keep getting more damaged as she goes on, and that holds so true with Livingston.

Livingston, like most of these guys, had a troubling past, so troubling in fact, this mother tried to kill him in the most unbelievably heartbreaking way when he was just 8 years old. And because of that, he wears the scars like a constant reminder why love is nothing but pain to him. He feels like he doesn’t deserve good, because other than the giant family that is all the crews, he doesn’t know any differently…

Forced to babysit a new up and coming young actor, cuz the poor kid is being stalked and threatened…he knows he’s going to hate every second of it.

Fielding has no control over his life. At 22, his parents dictate literally every single second of his life. What he eats, how much he eats, when he works out, when he sleeps, literally not one second is his own. Using him for his money is about all he’s good for to him, and their cash cow is being threatened, so they send him to Linus… who gives him to Liv to look over…. He also knows that Liv wont be able to resist him, and….good call, Linus, because despite everything… these two fall hard and quick.

My heart broke for both of them, Fielding because the kid thought he couldn’t have anything for himself… no kind of life without his parents dictating literally everything. Liv, just didn’t think the deserved anything at all.

One thing that surprised me, that I loved so much, was the way Peaches was with Liv. Now, I know she’s soused to be awesome and all that, but she gets on my nerves a lot, she’s a little TOO much, and even though she was still so extra, and kinda annoying, I loved everything she said to Liv, in all the ways she loved him and wouldn’t let him hide from it. Go Peaches!

And of course through it all, Fielding falls for Liv, and wants him to be his daddy, and you guys… Jenny did not know that shed be into all that, but let me tell you how much Im learning about myself… cuz, oh-em-gee! I like it almost as much as Liv and Fielding do, I think! It was hot… like, hot, hot! Seriously…

And then the art I didn’t like, was how set Liv was on pushing and pulling and pushing and pulling. Its like, hed push and say he couldn’t keep Fielding, but then he would, but hen hed tell Fielding he couldn’t, but then he did. Then, when I finally thought he got his head out…. He didn’t, even when Fielding begged, repeatedly. Grrrr!!!

We got there in the end though, and it was worth every second of all of it. I cannot wait to see what happens with Little, I truly hope he’s next! It just keeps getting better and better.

5, amazing pieces of eye candy from me!

J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre author who writes mainly LGBT romance and fiction. She lives with a constant diverse cast of characters in her head. No matter their size, shape, race, etc. she lives for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure she does them justice and give them the happily ever after they deserve. J.M. is dysfunction at its finest and she makes sure her characters are a beautiful kaleidoscope of crazy. There is nothing more she wants from telling her 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.

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Living On Air by Susan Mac Nicol: New Release Review

March 19, 2018 by Denise

For aerialist, Cary Stilwell, aside from performing forty feet in the air, life holds little comfort until he meets Rhys McIntyre, who punctures all of Cary’s defenses.

PIERCING THE NIGHT
Cary Stilwell has been existing since he was ten years old, and each year it gets harder to find meaning in his bleak life. The only exception – his work. As a top-billed aerialist in a popular travelling circus, he enjoys accolades and applause, but little else. When notable photographer, Rhys McIntyre, joins the circus to catalogue its inner workings, Cary fights the attraction that hits him from the moment they meet. But a kind soul wrapped in a beautiful body has a way of battering all the walls Cary has built around his cold, dark heart.

WITH LIGHT
Rhys McIntyre is on his third iteration of reinventing himself. Once a hotdog financier, he embraced his passion for photography and became an eminent war photo journalist. Until one too many bullets lodged in his body, and he gave up the front lines for the softer side of chronicling life. When he accepts the assignment to record life in a circus, the last thing he expects is to find the man crush of his dreams. Except Cary Stilwell is a cold, tortured man who seems incapable of any warm emotion, never mind love. But Rhys is known for his persistence, and this time the pay-off might be more than he could have ever imagined.

This book delves into subjects some people may find disturbing. There are elements of the main characters’ pasts that include paedophilia, the dark side of religion, and the horrors of war. Aspects of the story include self-harm, depression, and suicide, and the book is set in a circus where clowns are featured.

None of these elements are gratuitous, but instead are included because they are part of the human condition, and are essential to our main characters’ journeys. I hope you join Cary and Rhys as they navigate their way to love.

Title: Living On Air

Author: Susan Mac Nicol

Released on February 22nd 2018

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Smashwords

Kobo

iTunes

Barnes and Noble

I don’t give 5 pieces of eye candy easily, or even very often. Not even if a book makes me cry (and by the way, why am I not used to this? EVERY SINGLE TIME I pick up a Susan Mac Nicol book, I don’t just cry, I cry buckets, and my heart rips out…), or laugh a ton. It has to be a book that I would read again, without hesitation–well, I do hesitate at crying over and over, but that’s a story for a different day. But Susan Mac Nicol puts so much into her books, hits the feels so hard, and tells a story that you may not think you are going to love, based on the topic, but that will make you root for the one who is hurting so very much. And once again, she does it.

Living On Air is one of those books for me. It was hard to read in many places. I just wanted to Cary up in a cuddly blank and take all his pain away. And there was so much pain! And so many reasons for it. (Small spoiler ahead) Cary harming himself was difficult to read, seeing how he felt the physical pain of cutting helped him to ease the emotional pain that he couldn’t escape from. He literally ran away to the circus to hide.

Rhys had his own pain that he brought into their relationship, but generally was able to keep a sunny personality. He also didn’t allow Cary’s pain and lashing out to make him forget the man he was. He wasn’t willing to give up the person he was, in order to allow Cary to emotionally beat him up. He wanted Cary to know that no matter what he would be there for him, whenever he called, but wouldn’t allow their relationship to be one where he was dragged down. I had so much respect for Rhys for that. That isn’t easy to do, especially when you see how much someone you care about is falling apart.

The ending was literally an HFN, and the characters even described it that way, and it was exactly as it should have been. There could be no expectations with someone who was as demon-ridden as Cary that he would be reading for an HEA after a few months. That kind of pain takes years to scab over, and likely would never fully heal. As a reader, I am always looking for the HEA, but if that was there it would have seemed shallow and unrealistic. However, as a reader, I will also beg Sue to please, please write a short at a later time with a follow up to these men, to see how they have progressed as they start a new life together (hopefully).

5 pieces of eye candy, and an entire box of tissues for Living On Air.

https://bit.ly/2ojsmHx

Susan Mac Nicol is a self-confessed bookaholic, an avid watcher of videos of sexy pole dancing men, geek and nerd and in love with her Smartphone. This little treasure is called ‘the boyfriend’ by her long suffering husband, who says if it vibrated, there’d be no need for him. Susan hasn’t had the heart to tell him there’s an app for that…

She is never happier than when sitting in the confines of her living room/study/on a cold station platform scribbling down words and making two men fall in love. She is a romantic at heart and believes that everything happens (for the most part) for a reason. She likes to think of herself as a ‘half full’ kinda gal, although sometimes that philosophy is sorely tested.

In an ideal world, Susan Mac Nicol would be Queen of England and banish all the bad people to the Never Never Lands of Wherever -Who Cares. As that’s never going to happen, she contents herself with writing her HEA stories and pretending, that just for a little while, good things happen to good people.

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