3 stars

Inhale by DP Denman: New Release Review

August 10, 2023 by Denise

What can you do when love takes you by surprise? Just breathe.

Cole Rinne is a model with an impossible problem. An invasion of his privacy ends up in the hands of a blackmailer, and the details could go public any day. His only hope is to ditch the spotlight and hide in the shadows. Then he meets someone with a solution.

Gage Marx is a PI who specializes in impossible problems. He’s used to solving the unsolvable. The only thing he’s ever declared a lost cause is himself.

From the start, Cole’s case holds more surprises than Gage expects. The most shocking is that for the first time in over two years, Gage’s broken heart is showing signs of life.

Their plan to wade slowly into love comes apart when an unexpected opportunity threatens to turn it all into a long-distance relationship. Will occasional reunions be enough to keep them together, or will their separate careers tear them apart?

cw: grief

– damaged lead finds love
– professional model
– learning to love again
– private investigator stories
– hurt/comfort

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Well, I didn’t not like it. It was just a bit disjointed with several things going on at once and none of them getting the attention- or resolution- they deserved.

Cole is a model and social media influencer being blackmailed over video of him and another guy having sex. Cole freaks out. Which, ya, totally freak out worthy. BUT, he is a low level model and SM influencer. He still earns extra cash working under the table for his sister. He never hid the fact that he was gay. The other person was a willing of age participant. So all of his angst about it ruining his career just sounded hollow to me.

Gage is a workaholic private investigator hired by Cole’s sister when he goes off grid. Gage finds him and decides to help him try to find out who the blackmailer is. Gage has been nursing a broken heart for 2 years, so burying himself in work is his favorite avoidance ploy. Gage admits his broken heart to Cole when the flirting is turned up. Cole doesn’t listen and they decide to take it slowly.

Then Cole gets sent to NYC to work. And he stops talking to his sister because she clearly doesn’t know what boundaries are. Gage is now nursing a double broken heart because Cole is 3000 miles away.

Gage also gains some local infamy after he finds a stolen dog and gets a feel good story on the news. Which floods his business with potential clients. Enter the perfect assistant for him. Honestly, I think this was thrown in so that he could visit Cole in NYC without completely leaving his business unattended.

Anyway. We do get a HEA. But there’s just so much that wasn’t resolved or was resolved as an afterthought. It’s mentioned more than once that the black mailer is probably a different person from who set up the cameras. Well they were all happy that they found who did the recordings and never mentioned the black mailer again.

Cole had a big fight with his sister and it’s mentioned that they will have a family get together to work things out, but we don’t see it.

The other person in the sex video is barely mentioned.

There’s a few other things, but way too spoilery.

It was very surface told story which way too much introspection and not enough well thought out plot and resolution.

3 pieces of eye candy

Kicking it with the Best Man (Out and Kickin’ Book 1) by Riley Long: New Release Review

July 4, 2023 by Denise

I’ve been out and proud for years, happily living my truth. Never did I imagine I would be asked to step back into the closet.

Until that night at the club.

After one too many cocktails, I ended up in a bathroom stall enjoying a hot and steamy tryst with a super sexy guy named Nate. We exchanged numbers and indulged in some spicy sexting.

But when I asked him to meet up again, he ghosted me.

I tried distracting myself by acting as a friend’s plus one to a wedding. Who do I see standing next to the groom, looking like a snack? Nate. He claims no one knows he’s gay and asks me to be discreet. Still, my years of hiding are behind me. Can I help him find the strength to come out to his family and friends? Or will his reservations be too big an obstacle to overcome?

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Fun and low angst. A little silly, a lot sexy. Good beach read overall.

One character is out and proud but getting over a break up. The other is closeted and scared to come out. But they have an encounter at a bar and then actually text each other for a while without meeting up. Closeted guy panics and ends whatever it is.

Till they meet again unexpectedly and after a little stumbling it’s all happy roses and sunshine.

Like I said. It’s cute. A little far fetched, but cute. Perfect no thinker for a beach day

3 pieces of eye candy

Rookie Mistakes by Beth Laycock: Release Day Review

June 27, 2023 by Denise

Can a rookie mistake lead to love?

Mitch Griffiths is an ordinary man just trying to make ends meet. He lost everything thanks to his ex: his restaurant, his partner, his home. So, when his dad gifts him a ticket to the British Grand Prix and a Silverstone Driving Experience, well, a change of scene for the weekend couldn’t hurt, could it? Even if Formula 1 is kind of boring.

Robert Andilet is a veteran F1 driver on his returning season after a six-year absence. He has a lot to learn, not least of which is how to deal with the media attention, a “rivalry” between him and his rookie teammate, as well as his attraction to a man who readily admits he thinks F1 is tedious. It was a rookie mistake to let Mitch walk away after their first meeting, will Robert make the same mistake again?

This M/M romance from Beth Laycock features a famous/ordinary man, older MCs, and is set in the high-octane world of Formula 1 featuring fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, an HEA

Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.

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The final book in the Lights Out shared world gives us a veteran driver who gets a second chance with a new team and a guy who is licking his personal wounds and knows nothing about F1.

This one sounded interesting. But alas, I found it a little boring.

Mitch is such a wet noodle. Apparently he had a catering business with his ex who drove the business into financial ruin and Mitch had no idea until it was too late. So he is back home with his parents temporarily, while they go on vacation.

His dad leaves him tickets for F1 that is racing locally as well as a driving experience. It’s just odd because Mitch has no interest in F1 and his father knows that. But, whatever.

Robert lost his position with a team a few years ago, but was invited back by a brand new team. And a brand new team means doing all of the non-racing things he hates. Until Mitch ends up in the passenger seat during the driving experience.

In books 1-5, the characters really worked to keep the fact that they were gay or bi private. Besides the fact that they depend on sponsors who might not like one of their drivers being gay, but they also raced in countries where being gay is a literal crime. And while Robert and Mitch certainly didn’t flaunt their relationship, they didn’t stress out or go out of their way to hide it either.

And while other drivers on the circuit are fighting for podium wins, Robert just wants a top 10 finish to get some points and get his contract renewed. Besides mentioning his diet here and there, there was no other mention of the conditioning that goes into driving. If this was my first F1 book, I wouldn’t have even noticed. But it seems like such a huge part of their training that was just ignored.

And Mitch, I think late 30’s? is just so blah about his career. He’s a chef. But when Robert asks him something like “Oh you like to cook” he says it is his dream. Just really weird.

Overall the book was fine I guess. Just kind of boring and the characters didn’t seem real.

3 pieces of eye candy

Black Flagged (Lights Out) by Emma Jaye: Release Day Review

June 20, 2023 by Denise

Will a Black Flag end love before it leaves the starting line?

Dren is a mercenary, not a babysitter, yet protecting an F1 “bad boy” from his own recklessness is his next contract. The media darling everyone loves to hate is annoying as hell and a target both on and off the track.
Staying close is the only way to protect Karl from himself and others, but the forced proximity reveals the man behind the uncaring, flippant mask. In public and private, Karl craves attention, but it’s not Dren’s job to provide it. But Dren can’t help falling for Karl’s provocative passion, and he shouldn’t because when the contract ends, he’ll return to the organization that holds his soul.

Karl avoids people he can’t trick, charm, or buy, and his new bodyguard falls into that irritating category. But before he knows it, Dren’s imposing presence becomes his seatbelt in the rocky, perilous world of F1 because there’s genuine concern and interest behind the gruff exterior.
When a fiery crash gets Karl suspended for dangerous driving, can the pair find his mysterious enemy before Karl loses his career and Dren?

This M/M romance from Emma Jaye features an arrogant F1 driver with a hidden past and a bodyguard who is in way too deep. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.
Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

If you’ve been reading along with this shared world series, you know that Kurt is the driver who people like to punch. I mean, it’s not without merit, but still.

He’s a jerk. Cocky, attention seeking, unrepentant jerk. We first met him in Team Orders when he was the driver responsible for (directly or indirectly) a serious crash that almost killed another driver. He walked away.

Besides his punchability, it seems that someone wants him dead. Or at least seriously maimed. So his team owners hire him a body guard. One of those lethal, blood oath to the brotherhood type deals. (FTR- the author has several books with this group, the orta, but I’ve not read them). Kurt does not want a bodyguard.

We get to know Kurt better throughout the book. And don’t get me wrong, he is still pretty much a jerk, but his background explains a lot. Dude needs some serious therapy.

Dren is a dutiful bodyguard. He also wants to figure out who is trying to kill Kurt. And resist Kurt’s not so subtle sexual invitations. Of course that last one didn’t last long.

This was a good read. While reality certainly had to be suspended for some things, it was entertaining and kept me reading. It was fun to have a main character that you already didn’t like from previous books. And he didn’t even get a big redemption arc. Which I appreciated. Some guys are just the way they are. Sometimes making them see the error of their ways just shouldn’t happen.

4 pieces of candy

Prowl (The Game Series Book 12) by Cara Dee: New Release Review

March 28, 2023 by Denise

The Game Series • Book 12 • Sequel to Apex Predator • MM+MM • Primal Play • D/s • ADHD in Romance • High-Protocol Kink • Age Gap • Second Chances • Ethical Non-Monogamy
The vacation is over for the four men you met in Apex Predator, and now it’s time for Ty and Walker to be on the prowl to secure their happily ever afters.

What do you do when you come home from a vacation that changed your life?

Walker McKenna was finally back with his husband and beloved submissive, Macklin. They had their work cut out for them, and they were ready. Walker had spent four years trying to get over the love of his life, and it just wasn’t happening. He couldn’t go back to that life-sucking void of an existence. But that didn’t mean his new path was paved with roses and unwavering confidence. When the ghosts of past hurt and insecurities grabbed hold of both men, Walker had to go on a hunt once more—and this time was different. This time, he found support in a new friend. A man with a fresh take on life, devilish charm, and a mission of his own.

Ty Madison returned home to DC and the blizzard of the year. He had one goal. To make Lane his—permanently. Ty couldn’t just write off the insane week they’d shared down south as a vacation fling. They belonged together. But before he went after the young man, who had his reasons for avoiding attachments at all costs, they had a storm to weather, and Ty found himself alone in his house with Walker. A man with insight, incredible charisma, and troubles of his own.

Maybe some missions were best executed as a team.

The Game Series is a BDSM series where romance meets the reality of kink. Sometimes we fall for someone we don’t match with, sometimes vanilla business gets in the way of kinky pleasure, and sometimes we have to compromise and push ourselves to overcome trauma and insecurities. No matter what, one thing is certain. This is not a perfect world—and maybe that’s why the happily ever after feels so good.

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This one is tough for me. For the most part, I have really enjoyed this series. BUT, I feel like the focus is moving from couple (or throuple or quad) dynamics to events at McLean House.

For many books now we have know that Macklin was married but separated and his husband was in Boston. There wasn’t a ton of info given, but there was big time animosity on Macklin’s side- the only side we really saw. But in the book previous to this one, Macklin and Walker faced each other AND their issues. It was a little too easy for me, but *shrug*.

Now they are back together, albeit slowly. And one of their biggest issues was consensual non monogamy. And Walker jumps right in with Ty without talking to Macklin first. Like DUH! Yes, it was a blizzard and there was no power or cell service but come on. You’re grown men. Keep it in your pants.

Besides that, Ty was drawn to Lane. But he gets naked with Walker. Yes, I know this is the start of a fabulous foursome. But the lack of communication bothered me. And they even seemed to taunt Macklin and Lane by “connecting” on the kink website.

So Walker and Macklin are primaries and Ty and Lane are primaries, but Macklin and Lane are boyfriends and Walker and Ty are boyfriends. And that’s all well and good but there just wasn’t enough growth within the primary couples for me.

There’s also a demonstration at McLean House about high protocol and TPE. Kind of interesting…but too much. I got bored. I also got bored reading about all of their different thoughts on their dynamics without doing a lot about it.

And I was really looking forward to the big, all four guys sex scene. But it was kind of ruined for me by taking place in a hot tub outside while it is freezing out. Sorry, you can’t fully explore when you want to be shoulders deep in the warm water.

I need more intimacy. More of the men being together. Not talking about reptiles. Not explaining TPE. Not voting on the hottest photos (yes, in epilogue 2? 3?). I want the men. Together. Discovering each other. Learning about each other. INTIMACY.

I guess that is really what is missing for me. Intimacy.

3 pieces of candy

Drive by Courtney Maguire: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 2, 2023 by Denise

. .

Red has all but resigned himself to a life in the closet when he’s propositioned by the dashing, wealthy Victor Itachi. The small East Texas town of Black Creek isn’t the most hospitable environment for those who are different.

His secrets keep him–and more importantly, his sixteen-year-old half-sister, Katie–safe. But Victor’s dominance challenges everything Red thinks he knows and he finds himself swept up in an intense sexual relationship that forces him to confront his deepest desires, both in and out of the bedroom.

When an unlikely friendship with the only out gay man in town triggers Victor’s jealousy, Red must make a choice: submit fully to the relative safety of Victor’s control or risk it all for a chance at something real.

Title: Drive
Authors: Courtney Maguire
Length: 228 pages
Genre: BDSM, Kink.
Tropes: small town, rich love interest, friends to lovers.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, reaching for a beer out of the bucket perched between us. “How was your sister’s first day at school?”

“Good. Kind of amazing, actually.” Now, I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ve never seen a kid so excited about homework.”

“Where is she going, now?”

“Oak Forest Charter School.”

He whistled. “It’s hard to get in there. And expensive. How’d you manage it?”

“I manage,” I said with faux indignation. “Just because I’m not heir to a lumber fortune doesn’t mean I’m impoverished, ya know.”

“First of all, I’m not heir to anything. My father saw to that,” he said, jabbing a finger in the air. “And that’s not what I meant. I just—”

“Relax, I know it’s not.” I picked at the label on my bottle. “We…had help.”

“Oh. I see.” He took a long pull off his beer and eyed me shrewdly. “You got a sugar momma, Red?”

I coughed violently as my drink nearly came out my nose. “Jesus Christ, Sean.”

“Hey, I don’t judge,” he said, laughing and holding up his hands. “A man has needs. So, who is she? An old widow who inherited a fortune? The wife of a rich oil man who hates her husband, but just can’t get enough of the hunk who rotates her tires?”

I threw a chunk of sod at him and he rolled out of its path, laughing like a hyena. “There’s no sugar momma, all right.” I wrinkled my nose. “And I’m not a hunk.”

“You kind of are, actually.” He shrugged as I arched an eyebrow in his direction. “So, sue me. I noticed.”

The heat on my neck spread to my whole face and I prayed he couldn’t see it in the dark. The beehive turned into a full-on hornets’ nest. He noticed? What did that mean? That he found me attractive? If I was honest with myself, I would admit I’d noticed him too. The moment he peeled off his sweaty shirt was the best part of my day. But I’d shoved it down deep, down into the same place I put all the other inappropriate emotions I couldn’t act on.

But what if I did?

I nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone lit up with that chorus of barking dogs. Sean rolled on the grass laughing as I fumbled in my pockets, kicking and swearing until I managed to rip it out and silence the ringtone. Victor. Shit.

“Speak of the devil?” Sean asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“It’s nobody.” Nobody? Fuck. I swiped across my phone until I reached his message, not that I needed to read it.

Heel.

I glanced at the time. Nearly midnight. He’d never called so late before. With a knot in my stomach, I tapped out a quick response.

Can’t. Busy.

“If you need to go…”

“I don’t.” I flinched as it went off again.

“You know, some girls might find that ringtone offensive.”

I rolled my eyes and checked the message.

Now.

A sliver of fear slid up my spine. Do I dare say no?

“Seriously, it’s fine,” he said, giving me a friendly punch in the arm.

“Really?”

“Yeah. At least one of us is getting laid.”

I groaned and pushed myself to my feet. Normally, a call from Victor would leave me electrified with desire, but my muscles were heavy and sore. I wanted to stay here, curled up on the grass in front of a fire that was too hot.

But my Master called.

This is a new to me author, but the blurb sounded good so I figured I would go for it.

The story started out well enough. Mechanic, in the closet, raising his teenage sister, small town Texas. Seemingly ultra rich guy gets his car serviced there and surreptitiously invites him for a night at an exclusive club.

The mechanic, Red, also ends up befriending the only out gay man in town when he needs help getting graffiti off of his car.

And from there, it was so much surface stuff. It takes forever to know why Red is raising his sister. He seems to fall into and accept the Dum/sub situation Vincent offers. He is too afraid of people seeing him with Sean, the out gay man. We know Vincent is a lawyer, but basically that is almost it until toward the end. I never really connected with the characters because they didn’t go deep enough.

This is hard without spoilers, but I will do my best.

Big ole plot twist. I was like, wha? And then, The End. I was mad. Mad. Build up this and then we get that. And we get that without any real satisfying story or conclusions or happily ever after or anything! GAH!

This seriously should have been two separate books. Instead of the plot twist, that should have just been a separate book. Because nothing was fleshed out at all.

3 pieces of eye candy

Courtney Maguire is a University of Texas graduate from Corpus Christi, Texas. Drawn to Austin by a voracious appetite for music, she spent most of her young adult life in dark, divey venues nursing a love for the sublimely weird. A self-proclaimed fangirl with a press pass, she combined her love of music and writing as the primary contributor for Japanese music and culture blog, Project: Lixx, interviewing Japanese rock and roll icons and providing live event coverage for appearances across the country.