Release Day Review

Somebody to Die For by Kris T. Bethke: Exclusive Guest Post and Release Day Review

September 5, 2018 by Denise

Dying is easy. New love is terrifying.

Avery Wagner quit ghostwalking when he lost his beloved anchor to cancer. Now teaching others who have the ability, he’s beginning to live again—but he’s not looking for another lover, not now, maybe not ever.

But then he meets Jameson… younger, talented, dedicated, almost perfect, even though his mouth sometimes opens ahead of his brain. And Jameson wants Avery desperately, though he’ll settle for friendship if he can’t have more.

When an emergency demands they work together in the field, Avery discovers just how perfect Jameson is. But he had a perfect love once before, and he’s scared to even consider that he might have a chance at another. Can he trust Jameson with his newly healing heart?

Title: Somebody to Die For
Series: Requiem Inc.: Book 3
Author: Kris T. Bethke
Release Date: September 4, 2018
Category: Paranormal: Ghosts, Dreamspun Beyond
Pages: 212

Amazon

Dreamspinner

Hey there! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and I’m here to bring a little insight into my latest release, Somebody to Die For. The third book in the Requiem Inc. series and part of the Dreamspun Beyond line.

When I wrote the first book in the Requiem Inc. series, I didn’t actually know it was going to be a series. Writing that first book, though, gave me secondary characters who started screaming for their own story.

Avery Wagner was one character whose story needed to be told.

The challenge with a series is to make each book different. No one wants to read the same story twice, even if they have different MCs. So I needed to find a different angle. And really, once Jameson Parker came into the picture, I knew exactly what the story should be.

Avery had the One True Love. But that doesn’t mean he can’t love again. It doesn’t even mean that the new love isn’t as amazing as the first. But Avery has baggage, and he’s been through a lot. So he had to have a different kind of love this time around.

Ghostwalking is integral to Avery’s life. But he just doesn’t know how much until he’s forced to do it again. With Jameson at his side, the experience is different than when Avery ghostwalked with his anchor and bonded. Jameson is everything Avery needs at this stage in his life. And at the same time, Avery is everything Jameson needs.

I packed this book with some of my favorite tropes: hurt/comfort, age gap, friends to lovers, and new love after loss. But I only used them because they fit the characters I had created and the story that needed to be told. It’s not an easy journey, to be sure. There’s definitely a slow burn going on. And there has to be. Avery has healed a lot since he lost his bonded and husband. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to jump in with both feet. He and Jameson get off to a rocky start, and it’s just the sort of push they need to get going. First as friends, and then as so much more.

For Jameson, the attraction is instant. He knows the moment he sees Avery that he wants him. For Avery, on the other hand, things progress much slower. He has to come to terms with his feelings for Jameson, and what that means for his heart.

I loved writing this story, and continuing in the world I created. I hope you get a chance to check it out. Somebody to Die For is out now!

Once again, I will say, as I said in the last two reviews I did of the books in this series…I don’t normally read these types of books. And yet, I have enjoyed the world of this series so much. The author created a parallel world to what we live in, giving us characters to care about, and ones to root for.

This one is a bit different than the last two books.

**Side note** In Kris’ guest post she talks about how writing this series, and writing all of the character’s with different stories was important. As I was reading this third book, I had actually been thinking how very different she had made the stories for each of these books. And I’m so glad she did!

This one is different because Avery doesn’t ghostwalk anymore, after his bonded love and anchor died of cancer. His grief was so all consuming the thought of doing it was just too much. Meanwhile, he was slowly falling in love with someone who was in training to be an anchor, with no ghostwalker as a match. Perfect scenario for Avery to freak out…again and again. And he did, and yet Jameson was so patient and loving with Avery, never giving up on him, even when Avery continued to push him away.

A couple things that I really appreciated about this book are often not portrayed in other books. The first…books often have the “I love you” before the end. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love that moment, it makes me so happy. But in the case of this book, it was so appropriate for Avery as he continued to deal with grief and guilt over moving on from his bonded, Luke. Even at the end, (and this is a tiny tiny spoiler) there is a comment about Jameson “staying” with Avery, versus living with him, purposefully so that Avery could get used to the idea. It was exactly what this relationship needed.

Second, the author didn’t write to pretend that Avery’s bonded hadn’t died, and there wasn’t still grief and fear. She wrote Avery as someone who fought against the idea of “replacing” Luke. Yet, the author created a world where it was okay to love again, even as you wonder and question. And it is. Humans need to love, and Avery found the chance again, despite all his efforts to the contrary. The time when Avery goes to his bonded’s cemetary…yeah…I was crying…on my way into work. I need to pick and choose the times when I am reading something I am sure will make me cry much better. 🙂

I highly recommend this series…even if you aren’t necessarily a paranormal fan. It is grounded in the real world, and in real life emotions, and at the heart of it is finding love in all its varieties.

4 pieces of eye candy

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her site https://kristbethke.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Kris-T-Bethke/100014524539852 or on Twitter https://twitter.com/kristbethke

* 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. *

Feel: An Omegaverse Story (Breaking Free Book 6) by AM Arthur: New Release Review

September 5, 2018 by Denise

Single omegin Brogan Dale is jealous of the loving, stable relationships his omega friends have with their alpha mates. For years, he’s longed to find his own bondmate and create a family, but that hasn’t been in the cards. Just when he’s determined to take the first alpha who’ll provide for himself and his young son Peyton, Brogan scents him across a crowded coffee shop. Too bad his bondmate is the unstable alpha who nearly killed Brogan’s best friend last year.

Mikel Tovey is taking it one day at a time, adjusting to life on his own, away from the oppression and abuse of his cruel sire. All he wants is to complete his probation, make sure his omegin and brothers are safe, and find a way to live with all the mistakes he’s made. When he scents his omega bondmate, Mikel is initially terrified of the older omegin and his adorable toddler. But Brogan is handsome, kind, and Mikel is completely enamored of little Peyton.

With his bondmate in his sights, Brogan does everything in his power to prove Mikel can be a good alpha, a good mate, and a fantastic father to Peyton. But when Brogan’s past comes roaring into his present and puts Peyton’s future at risk, Mikel’s resolve is shaken. He wants to love and support his omega during this crisis, but he doesn’t know how. With Brogan surrounded by friends and chosen family who love him, he doesn’t need Mikel’s insecurities weighing him down, too—but Brogan has found his mate, and he isn’t letting Mikel walk away without a fight.

This time, Brogan has too much to lose…

NOTE: This is a non-shifter Omegaverse story with alpha/omega/beta dynamics, heats, knotting, and mpreg. In this world, omegas are second-class citizens with few civil rights and almost no protections under the law—although times are changing for the better. Trigger warnings for physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. This series is best read in numerical order.

Amazon

AM Arthur has me completely sucked into her Omegaverse books! I had only ever read one before hers- and wasn’t impressed- but since I love her books, I gave book 1 a shot as soon as it came out. Or maybe I had an arc. Either way, I fell in love with these guys. And I am still in love. Even though she makes me cry every. damned. time.

Brogan was the last Omega from the fight ring who hadn’t found his mate. Although he and his son were living with amazing beta guardians, Brogan was ready to mate and move on. He was even flirting with placing an ad for a mate, even if he wasn’t his bondmate.

We met Mikel in the previous book as a hook up of Jaysan’s. There was a lot more to that story but I won’t go into it in case you haven’t read it. I mean read it YET. Mikel is a broken man and he wants to fight his bond with Brogan but he just can’t.

Brogan and Mikel decide to pursue a friendship at first. I love that Brogan was totally ok with that. As much as he wanted a mate, and then to find his bond mate but still be willing to wait- I thought it was great.

It wasn’t all roses though with Brogan’s group of friends because of what had happened between Mikel and Jaysan. But they were all willing to give him a chance. They were wary, but willing. They call Mikel out when he has shades of being an alphahole, but some of the other alphas explain to Brogan where Mikel is coming from.

And for those who like seeing cameos, every single previous character makes an appearance. These guys are interwoven and can’t be separated.

I have a couple of nit picky things- but nothing that takes away from the story at all. And I really really enjoyed this story. And of course I want the next book RIGHT NOW!

You cannot read this as a stand alone. Trust me. I’ve read them all and I still have to think back at times to what happened when. Start with book 1. Even if you’ve never dove into the Omegaverse pool, you will really enjoy these stories.

4 Pieces of Candy

Their Ruthless Sadist (Office Intrigue Book 5) by Nicole Edwards: Release Day Review

September 4, 2018 by Denise

By definition, a Sadist is one who receives sexual gratification from causing pain and degradation to another.

That’s me to a T.

I only play with those who understand what it means, those who are willing to indulge my devious desires.

Any masochist who seeks me out knows that if they trespass, I will gladly shatter them and walk away, leaving them for someone else to put back together.

Yet the cowboy and the pretty boy have given themselves to me. They have agreed to play by my rules and there is only one: THERE ARE NO RULES.

I have warned them. I’m not looking for companionship or love. I don’t want to be their friend, their confidant, or their lover. I’m in it for pleasure only. In the form of pain.

I am ruthless.

I am a Sadist.

And I make no excuses for it.

Amazon

Let me start by saying that I’ve not read the previous books in this series because they are either MF or MMF. I just don’t read “romance” with a female lead any longer. I am fairly competent about extrapolating information from what I am given though.

But I have some questions:
Not only are their BDSM lifestyles openly discussed at work, you can bring your subs to work? And play with them? Because Zeke had to make sure he could bring his dog to work, but no mention of bringing two subs?

Moving on.

This book was a big nope for me. And not for the reasons you would expect. I really enjoy reading BDSM books and so few of them focus on the S&M aspect. So I went in knowing what was ahead and looking forward to it. But it was honestly, so blah.

There is zero emotional connection. Not only between any of the characters, but between me, the reader, and the characters. Part of that is because Brax goes along with this for Case and Zeke walks away after a scene. No aftercare at all. Apparently that is his “thing”. I think it is BS.

Beyond that, the devil is in the details. Brax and Case move to Chicago so Brax can be the head chef of a new restaurant the PR firm is opening, (a pr firm is opening a restaurant?) but says he has nothing to do really until it is almost open. So wrong. A head chef given carte blanche would be at that restaurant 24/7 making sure things were exactly as they wanted them.

Case at least seems to still do his job of personal training at times.

The dialogue could be so incredibly cheesy at times.

“Well, ladies,” Case said with a smirk. “That’s our cue. It seems our Sadist is ready to inflict some pain.”

Quite often Brax complains in his head about being “forced” to do something, but then says how much he loves it.

Basically, for me, this book was a hot mess. From the story line, to the details, to the characterizations and complete lack of emotion. Nicole Edwards shouldn’t give up on MM books or even MMM or MMF. But stick to more romance and away from BDSM. Because if the previous 4 books were anything like this “I have to go see what my Master wants! I hope my ass hurts after!” (ok, not a direct quote, but similar), just no.

2 Pieces of 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. *

Safe Place (Rainbow Place #2) by Jay Northcote: Blog Tour and New Release Review

August 31, 2018 by Denise

Where do you go when your home is no longer a safe place?

Alex is about to turn eighteen and is firmly in the closet. He’s been biding his time, waiting to escape to uni, and finally come out away from the oppressive influence of his homophobic father. When he flunks his exams, he’s stuck in the small town of Porthladock—and what’s worse is that he’s working for his dad. The only thing that makes it bearable is Cam.

Cam’s comfortable with his bisexuality, but he doesn’t broadcast it. Young, free, and single, his social life revolves around playing rugby and hanging out with his mates. He’s attracted to Alex, but with the six-year age gap, Cam’s wary of getting involved. Plus, he thinks Alex needs a friend more than he needs a lover, and as their friendship grows, Cam decides he’s not willing to risk ruining it for casual sex.

When Alex’s dad finds out about his sexuality, Alex is suddenly both jobless and homeless. He finds work at Rainbow Place, the local LGBT-friendly café and Cam lets Alex stay in his flat for a while. But Alex would rather be sleeping in Cam’s bed than on his sofa. With them both living under one roof, their feelings for each other grow stronger, and the sexual tension is hard to ignore. Will giving in to it ruin their friendship and complicate things for Alex even more?

Although this book is part of a linked series, it has a satisfying happy ending, and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Length: 48,000 words approx.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

So, I loved Seb and Jason in book one, though I did want to strangle Jason a time or two. I was glad to see things had worked out so well with them. Not only that, but remembering Alex from their story had me really hoping for his own story.

Alex is young, only seventeen with a very influential father in town; he’s kept his sexuality a secret from everyone apart from the people at Rainbow Place. It’s his sanctuary of sorts, the only place he can really be free to be himself. If you’ve read the first one, you know that Rainbow Place is a place coffee shop for both the LGBT+ community AND their allies. I love the concept, I so badly wish every place had someplace like that. Especially smaller towns where it could be dangerous for people to be themselves. Alex and his friends though, they fit right in thanks to Seb…

And then there’s Cam, a part of the rugby team that helped Seb when the shop was vandalized. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that they were taken with each other…However, just when Alex gets the nerve to acknowledge Cam and Cam makes a move…he discovers who Alex’s father is.

A bit about Alex’s dad…not only is he a terrible father, he’s also a bigoted, hateful and controlling man. He wrote the letter in the paper that no doubt had everything to do with Seb’s café being vandalized, if he wasn’t behind it altogether, I’m still not sure; but the things that come out of his mouth…He’s just an ugly person. My heart broke for Alex having to grow up around that…His mother too, but I felt that maybe she just more uneducated…stupid to what she didn’t understand, and she got there in the end, and I was glad for that for Alex’s sake.

When Alex’s dad finds out his secret, he not only tells him how much he does not approve but he also physically hurts him… Alex knows he can’t go back to living under his dads roof and working under his thumb, luckily, he’s got lots of friends and of course Cam. Cam tries to keep things platonic, he doesn’t want to lose the friendship he’s built with Alex, but the attraction to each other goes deeper than either of them expected. It’s nice seeing Alex stand up for himself and learn to depend on himself. I love Seb for his help and the way Cam and his roommate step up for Alex.

Overall, it was a great addition and I’m curious to see who’s next.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

August 31 – Mikku-chan, Gay Book Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed, My Fiction Nook, Lelyana’s Reviews, My Mind’s Landscape, September 3 – Katie’s Book Corner, Cupcakes & Bookshelves, September 5 – Bonkers About Books, September 7 – Queerly Reads, September 10 – Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, The Way She Reads, The Day Before You Came, September 12 – Wicked Faerie’s Tales, Wicked Reads, September 14 – BooksLaidBareBoys, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Geekery Book Review, September 17 – Nicole’s Book Musings, September 19 – Xtreme Delusions, Book Lovers 4Ever, September 21 – Drops Of Ink, Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold, Lillian Francis, Making It Happen, OMG Reads, Bayou Book Junkie

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.

Facebook author group

Newsletter

Jay’s books

*** 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. ***

Private Charter by N. R. Walker: New Release Review

August 31, 2018 by Denise

Stuart Jenner’s job is high stress, high stakes, and everything he’s strived for. So why, when the apex of his career is within reach, does he stumble? At his doctor’s insistence, he books a privately chartered yacht to sail around the Whitsundays for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex. When his friend-with-benefits bails on him at the last minute, Stuart decides to go alone.

Foster Knight left the rat race behind six years ago, bought a yacht, and now calls the Great Barrier Reef his home. Sailing tourists around tropical waters is all in a day’s work, and he’s never been happier. When his next client arrives alone, the two-week charter will be the most private job he’s ever had.

Foster can see how stressed and exhausted Stuart is, and he promises him extensive rest and relaxation. Stuart slowly realises his original plan for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex might not be lost yet. Confined to a yacht, isolated by aqua-coloured oceans and the sweltering sun, Stuart and Foster are about to find out just how hot the tropics can get.

Tagline:
Just how hot can the tropics get?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I am a big fan of NR Walker, as are a lot of readers. And rightly so. Yet I will admit that this blurb gave me just the tiniest of pauses. Two characters, alone, on a boat for 2 weeks? I was afraid of it being either really boring or really repetitive. It was neither.

The book jumped right into the story. I think the first chapter was about the one day leading up to his vacation and why he needed it so badly. And why he ultimately went alone. No wasting endless chapters watching this guy fall apart plodding away at a job that was killing him. Refreshing.

Although Stuart- the guy on vacation- pretty much jumped right in with the flirting, Foster- the yacht captain/owner- was hesitant. For a lot of reasons, but the biggest was fraternizing with a client. He finally gave in with a little help from everyone’s friend tequilla.

From there the sex ramped up quickly, but so did the relationship. The men really getting to know each other. And how could they not when they were the only two there?

There was substance as well. Discussing the coral reefs and the damage they have incurred, learning about a lot of the outlying islands of Australia and of course, Foster tried teaching Stuart about sailing. So while I wouldn’t trust me sailing a boat, I can probably pretty confidently answer a few questions on Jeopardy the next time sailing is a category.

And without spoilers, because I just don’t do that, I loved the ending. And the epilogue.

A solid read with plenty of sex and a bit of romance, you absolutely will enjoy this book.

4 pieces of eye candy

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.

She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

Contact N.R. Walker

Email:

nrwalker@nrwalker.net

* 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. *

Threepeat by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams: Exclusive Guest Post and New Release Review

August 29, 2018 by Denise

Can two Doms open their hearts again for a young man desperately in need of their help?

Two years ago, Aaron Greene and Sam Thompson were devastated when their submissive broke the contract that bound the three of them together. They still wonder what happened and whether they can find a way to move forward. When Aaron finds a sick young man by the curbside, his protective instincts kick in, and after consulting Sam, he takes Tim home.

After being thrown out of his home, Tim Waterman finds himself on the street, doing whatever he needs to survive. Until a bear of a Good Samaritan scoops him up and saves him. Then one bear becomes two, and a chance discovery gets him thinking about what might be, if he’s bold enough to make a move.

So what happens when Aaron and Sam wake up one morning to find Tim naked in their bed? Will they get a new chance at life, or will history Threepeat itself?

Title: Threepeat
Series: Secrets: Book Three
Authors: K.C. Wells and Parker Williams
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Category: BDSM, Contemporary
Pages: 330

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Vic Prentiss

What is the best gift you ever gave?

After Sebastian broke the contract he had with Aaron and Sam, the two men sunk into a deep funk. They stopped going out, stopping having friends in. It was like they just stopped existing. While I was out of town working on a project, I saw a painting in a shop. It was a young man, facing the sea, looking for something. It called to me, and I knew I had to get it for Aaron and Sam, because they needed to find someone who would complete them. They loved the picture, and it led them to finding a new young man.

Rob Daniels

What was your favorite subject in school?

You’re kidding, right? I hated school. They always wanted you to do things a certain way. I…had issues following rules. Jamie and I would get up into trouble all the time. To be honest, I wish I had paid more attention, especially in Maths class. It might have helped when I got the new job.

Ellis Mann

What’s the last thing you tell your partner before bed?

What do you mean you can’t go again? LOL. Just kidding. Rob told me he said that to Vic, which got him corner time. I thought it was hilarious. When Wayne and I go to bed, emotions I’ve suppressed for so long rattle around in my head. Wayne brings them out, and helps me to find out who I am and how badly I need his guidance. Of course, the only thing I can possibly say is ‘I love you, Sir.’

Maggie Pierce

What is your motto?

My motto is simple. Love your family with your whole heart, because they’re the ones who will take care of you when you’re old. And one day, when I’m old, I hope Jarod remembers the good things I did for him, and not some of the… not so good things. (If you read Threepeat, you’ll see what I mean.)

Wayne Dwyer

What is your biggest strength?

Believe it or not, my biggest strength is Ellis. I know people tend to think of the submissive as the weaker partner, but that’s never the truth. In fact, Ellis has far more strength than I do. When he got shot, I fell apart. All I could see was him on the ground, bleeding out. My heart could have stopped in that moment, because if he’d died, I wouldn’t have wanted to go on without him. He’s doing his best to handle what happened. Sometimes I’m the one with the issues, because he’s my sub, and I want to take care of him. What happens when you have no power to fix his problems, though?

The house we based Aaron and Sam’s home on. Check out that theater!

I usually don’t read menage romance. I think it’s because my brain has a hard time wrapping around how three people can be in a relationship and there isn’t any jealousy or conflict from the aspect of a triad relationship. I really had a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea of two Doms with one sub, after those two Doms had been alone together in a relationship for several years. However, sometimes as a reader it’s good to challenge yourself, and read outside your box. I also had read and loved Books 1 and 2 in the series (as well as the previous series by these two authors). So, I decided to give this one a go. In the case of Threepeat, I am glad I did.

One of the things that I appreciated about the beginning of this book was that it focused on Aaron and Sam, before they ever meet Tim. The story begins by showing how the two men were still grieving the loss of the sub that had left them two years prior with no explanation. They were still partners, still had some types of sex, and still went about their daily routines, but it was obvious that the strain between them was there, and it needed a good strong kick from an outsider to bring them out of that grief.

Tim had everything ripped away from him, and had spent a few months on the streets getting sicker and sicker, until he couldn’t take care of himself. He had resigned himself to not living. What a sad, tragic mindset he was in. When Aaron found Tim, it was as if he needed Tim as much in that moment as Tim needed Aaron and Sam. He needed something to focus on, someone to bring him out of his grief, and out of his own personal hell, and taking care of an ill person will do just that.

The fact that Aaron and Sam never once brought up BDSM, or even the dynamics of their relationship was so important to the relevance of this story. If any of that had happened, it would have felt as if they were pushing Tim into a relationship, and even into a BDSM relationship, when he was young, vulnerable and had nowhere else to turn. Instead Aaron and Sam both declared that there was no need for a relationship, that they wanted Tim healthy, and happy, and they would do whatever was necessary to assist with that. They asked what he had wanted to do with his life, offered to help him with classes, finding friends, etc. All of that outside of the boundaries of any sort of romantic and/or BDSM relationship. This is exactly as it should have been, and as a reader, it made the book so much better for me.

This book wasn’t about the sex, or the BDSM, although there was plenty of it…including things I hadn’t ever thought of from a BDSM perspective, but most of all it was about taking a young man who had once had a family (loving or not) and showing him he could have a new one, even outside their home, and still be important to himself. It was truly heartwarming from that perspective. Just like Maggie, I wanted to wrap up Tim and keep him as he worked through his pain.

There had to be a big conflict, and there was. The reader could see it coming. However, I will say I was pretty shocked at how Aaron and Sam reacted in the moment. That I DID NOT see coming. But it reinforced the reality of life that you never know how someone is going to act in a given situation. And their repentance after the fact was perfect. Doms are not perfect, they are human beings and they eff up, and they acknowledged that right away.

All in all, so much better than this “no, thank you, I don’t really read menage” reader was expecting. (Side note…at the time I was reading this one, I happened to be listening to an Audible book that was also an mmm book…that’s never happened!).

Highly recommended.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

K.C. Wells started writing in 2012, although the idea of writing a novel had been in her head since she was a child. But after reading that first gay romance in 2009, she was hooked.

She now writes full time, and the line of men in her head, clamouring to tell their story, is getting longer and longer. If the frequent visits by plot bunnies are anything to go by, that’s not about to change anytime soon.

If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT

You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld

https://www.facebook.com/kcwells.WildWickedWonderful/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6576876.K_C_Wells

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00AECQ1LQ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.c.wells/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/K_C_Wells

Blog: http://kcwellsworld.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: http://www.kcwellsworld.com/

Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to move on and try new things. He’s enjoying his new life as a stay-at-home author because work always frowned on naps.

Connect with Parker on:

Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641

Or you can visit his website: www.ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com

* 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. *