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Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Barbara Elsborg

Hold On (Fate We Make Book 2) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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Sixteen long years behind bars. Almost half his life. But finally, freedom and a future Dominic can see. Yet as he steps into the world, a whispered threat shatters his hopes of a fresh start. He’ll never be able to stop looking over his shoulder.

Ren narrowly survives the most dangerous situation of his life, but at least his attackers think he’s dead. Spending the summer stuck on his brother’s archaeological dig isn’t his idea of fun, but it beats being fussed over by his mother. It’s as good a place as any to heal physical and mental scars, and he has plenty of those.

The roar of Ren’s motorbike is his lifeline, the one thing that makes him feel truly alive. But a moment’s lapse in concentration and he knocks Dominic off his feet. The accident brings together two damaged souls whose pasts won’t stay buried. With danger on their tail, hanging on to hope—and to each other—won’t be easy.

Join Dominic and Ren as they fight to keep the shadows of the past at bay and their future bright. In a world where love is fragile, two hearts learning to heal may just discover love is worth the risk.

WARNING
Please note that one of the main characters in the story is in prison for murder. Sexual, physical and psychological abuse of a child is mentioned but no on-page detail is given. Sexual abuse of an adult is also mentioned but not shown on-page. Suicide is also mentioned in passing but not part of the story. There is some graphic violence.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

If you read book one, you know about Col’s brother serving time in prison. First for killing his parents and then taking the fall in what was clearly self defense. So you have to know going in that this story is going to be hard to read at times. But then we also have Ren, recovering from nearly being beaten to death by a career criminal he was working undercover to catch. Two very broken men, yet they find each other.

There are definitely moments of levity in the story. The more comfortable Ren and Dominic become with each other, the cuter they get. I found their humor and way of joking around with each other was probably rather healing.

Letting themselves let another person close to them took a little warming up. But it was so worth it. I loved when they just hung out without anything sexual at all. Getting to know each other and accept each other. I almost gasped when they told each other the true horrors of what they had each been through.

But Dominic. Wow. For a man who has spent half his life in prison, when he really probably shouldn’t have spent any time in prison, was strong without being unapproachable. As much as his brother Col and Col’s boyfriend Theo wanted to help, he needed to slowly work his way back into life. While he was always looking over his shoulder and planning his way out because he was told another criminal would be looking for him. I can’t imagine his pain.

What Ren went through was brutal, but not nearly to the extent of the long lasting abuse Dominic had or the years in prison. I was a little surprised that Ren wasn’t on guard from the men who tried to kill him. By all accounts he should have been dead and he figured that they assumed he was dead. Until they realized he wasn’t.

Even bringing the story to closure, Ren and Dominic had to go through so much. Finally getting some redemption and validation was so satisfying. They make such a great couple.

I think the only thing I didn’t like was what they chose to do as a job after the dust settled. I don’t see Dominic doing that job at all. Seems a waste of all of his knowledge.

I’m going to repeat this- there is some heavy stuff in here. Take heed with the trigger warnings.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

He’s The One (Fate We Make Book 1) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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Col’s world is falling apart. His relationship has been exposed as a sham, he’s lost his home, and been fired from his job as a stonemason. Who says bad luck doesn’t come in threes? With no option but to move back in with his parents, and with his efforts to find a new job hitting a brick wall, Col’s life is going nowhere.

Theo, unwilling heir to the ancient Asquith Hall estate, is desperate to gain some independence from his overbearing family. Despite his efforts to live up to the role he never wanted, he’s constantly battling to earn his family’s respect. Being made to feel lacking takes its toll, and sometimes, it’s hard to stay happy.

When a near fatal accident forces their paths to cross, Col and Theo discover in each other the connection both have been craving. As their love story unfolds, so do the secrets and sadness hidden at the heart of Asquith Hall. The past can’t be changed, but with Col’s stonemasonry skills and Theo’s determination, they might just be able to restore what’s broken and find happiness.

Warning – past child abuse of a secondary character (no on-page detail), descriptions of violence, horrible parents and lovely parents, wayward brothers, a man who mends stone and hearts, and a young man who never has an unspoken thought.

The feeling of this story brought me back to my first reading of The Making of Jonty Bloom, which I *think* was my first book by her that I read. Interesting setting, story, characters and backgrounds. The story wasn’t rushed nor was there any suspension of reality necessary. There was even a bit of a subplot surprise that I totally didn’t see coming. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I read quite a few British authors, so this wasn’t the first to feature an old castle or estate with aristocracy as main characters. It does always surprise me how these people generally aren’t wealthy and it takes A LOT to keep their estates running.

Lord Theo, Theo to most of us, is actually “the spare” as his older brother disappeared years ago. And for someone who takes the brunt of his parents depression and general unhappiness as well as the snide remarks he gets from the estate manager who is supposed to be training him, Theo is a pretty happy guy. He’d be happier if his parents weren’t trying to force him to marry a woman knowing he is gay.

Col has had a fairly difficult life. Abusive, neglectful, drug addicted parents. An older brother he practically worships in prison for killing them. He was in the system for a couple of years before ending up with the couple he lovingly calls mom and dad, although they never formally adopted him. And then he finds out his live in boyfriend is actually married and not taking care of his parents on the weekends, but going home from London to his wife and children. Ouch.

Theo and Col find each other when Col is working at the estate. There are quite a few obstacles in front of them but they take them one at a time and knock them down. Each wonder if they are good enough for the other. Each taking the others concerns to heart. Col really doesn’t mind that Theo talks. A lot. And Theo doesn’t care that Col comes from an ugly background. They worked to get to know each other AND unravel a bit of a mystery.

Then there are two epilogues which are very satisfying.

This one is fighting Jonty for my favorite Elsborg book.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Kind Hearts At Christmas: An M/M Romance Charity Anthology: New Release Review

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.                                .

Kind Hearts At Christmas is an mm romance anthology in support of HIV / AIDS charities.

It’s Christmas…it’s snowing, there are gifts to give and receive, trees to decorate and all the great food to enjoy. It’s a time to spread kindness where men are falling in love, lust and everything in between.

From a school reunion, a morning after a one-night stand, university friends, a secret agent, an ex-husband in a coma, an unemployed truck driver, a naked man in a snowstorm, a village policeman, a motherless boy, Kind Hearts At Christmas has something for everyone. Each story features romance between men during the Christmas holidays, as they express their desires, from sweet kisses, up to spicy so-much-more.

Kind Hearts At Christmas has all the tropes including: snowed in, cowboys, holiday, forced proximity, fairy-tale folklore, established couple, adult film star, only one bed, return to hometown, hurt/comfort, school crushes, opposites attract, good boy/bad boy, found family & enemies to lovers.

Grab some hot chocolate sprinkled with marshmallows, indulge in a mince pie or a slice of Christmas cake, curl up and escape into the Christmassy romance. With thirteen stories by some of your favourite mm romance authors, you’re sure to find something to help you rediscover the joy and kindness of Christmas!

Stories are between 7,000 words (22 pages) to 27,000 words (86 pages) the anthology features stories by:

Sue Brown
Joanna Chambers
Barbara Elsborg
Suki Fleet
Amber Kell
Liam Livings
Clare London
Susan Mac Nicol
Louisa Mae
Jackie North
Jack L. Pyke
Ali Ryecart
K C Wells

AIDS United’s mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Half the profits from the sale of this anthology will support AIDS United’s work to ensure access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the United States.

This charity anthology is in support of Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), with 50% of profits from its sale going to THT. THT is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. We support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using our services to achieve good sexual health. Our mission is to end new HIV transmissions in the UK by 2030, and to bring an end to stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. By purchasing this anthology, you are supporting us, alongside AIDS United, as we work towards our vision of a world where people living with HIV lead healthy lives free from prejudice, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

My intention in reading and reviewing this was to do 2 of the novellas, maybe 3. I mean, there are so many great holiday novellas out there this year, it’s hard to read them all. Instead I ended up reading 8 of them…so far. I absolutely loved this anthology. So, I will give an overall review, versus for one or two different novellas.

First of all, I loved the theme behind this. All the novellas involved helping someone in need, in some way. From KC Wells story about a man learning to deal with a loss he never expected to Ali Ryecart’s choice of helping those who society (and one of our MC’s) have forgotten, or never acknowledged to begin with. To Susan Mac Nicol’s story of helping a group of homeless musicians with some comfort at the holidays, or even finding their way home. The humor that was displayed in Clare London’s novella…I laughed hard at the MC’s inner monologue. Or the one that absolutely captured my heart…with some tears thrown in there…Amber Kell’s, Kissing the Winter Wizard. These all had to do with helping people who just needed a hand, or an ear, or a little bit of healing of their heart. These stories really captured the reader’s emotions with the Kind Hearts that were displayed on every level.

The other theme that I loved was taking the idea of the Kind Hearts, and then using it to help REAL people living with AIDS and HIV. Giving back to those charities to help people who just need that hand, ear, or heart. I received an arc to review this anthology, but I still purchased the entire anthology. I hope you will too. Such a worthwhile cause.

Overall, these stories just touched my heart, and kept me reading long after I told myself I would stop, and definitely after my bedtime. 🙂 I really hope to see a second version of this anthology come around again. I would definitely review it, but more importantly, I would purchase it to support such a worthy cause. Thank you to the authors for the fun, emotions, and generosity.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Jonty and Devan’s Big Day by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review

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It’s going to be the day of their lives—their wedding, their way, where it all started: The Dunes Hotel in Northumberland. But from the moment the planning starts, Jonty is overwhelmed. When Devan’s mother starts making suggestions, Jonty’s mouth runs away with him and his inner Groomzilla is in danger of escaping. But it’s when Jonty goes quiet that Devan knows he’s in trouble.

Devan’s not going to let his mother spoil their perfect day. Suddenly, he’s a man on a mission. The venue? Booked. The guest list? A secret. The stag do? In Cato’s somewhat dodgy hands. Devan’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure Jonty gets what he wants. Even if that includes alpacas and penguins and the Northern Lights in the middle of summer. Now it’s time to prove he is the Best Fiancé in the Entire Multiverse.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

First, don’t even bother reading this review or book unless you read their origin story, The Making of Jonty Bloom.

Ok, moving on.

This is the third short with Jonty and Devan. And while they are fun and a bit silly, they basically focus on an event. Christmas, vacation and now their wedding.

Sadly, this one was the weakest of the three. I mean, the cover alone kind of gives away the big surprise. When Jonty was getting overwhelmed with the wedding plans Devan’s mother wanted to make, Devan took over. And that was sweet, but really Devan should have put his foot down. Because ultimately, Jonty didn’t get the wedding he wanted. It was ALMOST what he wanted, but not quite.

That’s all I’ll say because spoilers. Except the cover is a spoiler. Sigh.

So, yes. I am glad they got their happily ever after. I’m glad they still joke around and have fun with each other. But Devan should stand up to his mother and Jonty needs to grow up and not make so many ridiculous jokes during sex.

Read it for the happily ever after wedding if you are invested in Jonty and Devan. I was, but I’m definitely done with them now.

3 pieces of eye candy

What If? (Lost and Found) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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When 16-year-old Crispin stumbles across Kennedy’s Emporium, he’s transported into a magical world of the impossible. Unicorns, snow globes where the snow never stops falling, bubbles that never pop, paper fireworks that explode and refill, and most magical of all—Garrett Kennedy, youngest son of the owner, who makes Crispin’s heart leap in new and exciting ways. Crispin promises he’ll never forget Garrett, but when he loses Garrett’s gift of a jewelled bee, he also loses his memories of the time he spent with him.

Eight years later, the bee is returned to Crispin, along with memories of Garrett and his amazing world. But how can any of what Crispin now recalls be possible?
And yet…

What if it wasn’t a dream?
What if Kennedy’s Emporium exists?
What if magic is real?
What if Garrett’s been waiting, wondering why Crispin never came back?

And what if Crispin takes a chance on the best thing that’s ever happened to him, assuming he can find Kennedy’s Emporium again?

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Book 2 in this new magical/paranormal romance series. You don’t have to read book 1 as this stands alone.

I had just come off of reading two highly emotional, angsty reads. So I say to myself, yes this one will be good. It’ll probably make me giggle a bit like Jonty did. It’s Christmas-y, it won’t be sad. FALSE! Sigh.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t ALL sad and there is definitely a happily ever after but getting there led to tears. Many tears.

The book is set in modern day London, but faeries, shapeshifters, werewolves, etc are all real. But regular people don’t know they are real. A human, Crispin, stumbles across a shop he shouldn’t have been able to see but he did. And he spent 24 hours immersed with Garrett in that world. When he left, the shop disappeared, everyone thought Crispin had disappeared and he was left with no recollection of what had happened.

Crispin’s life isn’t fabulous. His family is wealthy, but his mother is very cold and his older brother tortures him, even as adults. The only family member he is close to is his father. And his father tends to hover because he had a brain tumor as a child and he is always worried that it will come back.

Through a series of events, Crispin gets his memory of those lost 24 hours back and is determined to find Garrett again. A little magic helps him find his way back.

Garrett is ready to leave the fae world behind to stay with Crispin. But Garrett believes that Crispin must have some fae in him that let him see the shop all those years ago.

While Crispin and Garrett unravel a mystery with many connected threads, they are inseparable. Love at first sight, soul mates, whatever you want to call it. It is so sweet how Garrett wants to figure out a way to be together but Crispin wants Garrett to go back to Fairyland and forget him. I won’t say why. But remember all the crying I did? Uhuh

I want to hug Crispin’s dad and smack his mother and brother. As well as Garrett’s brother. We did get to check in with characters from the first book which was fun. And at least that part made me giggle.

All of the tears were redeemed although there were quite a few twists that I didn’t expect. What started as a sob fest ended up being a feel good Christmas story. Mostly.

4 pieces of eye candy

Double Trouble (Lost and Found, Book 1) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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Seven years ago
Fifteen-year-old Raffety’s freaked out from the moment he arrives at summer camp. Something isn’t right about the place, parents, kids and the counsellors. The only good thing is Jonah—and their first kiss.
Trouble is Jonah’s middle name. He can’t just ignore that Raffety clearly doesn’t belong at the camp, and risks everything to help him escape, even their budding friendship.
Jonah’s actions have damaging repercussions for both boys. Raffety returns to a very different world than the one he left, one where his mum is terrified of strangers who insist they’re pack. As for Jonah, his father decrees he’s gone too far. His memories of Raffety are wiped and Jonah’s exiled to Faerieland.

Present Day
Breaking cover for his mum’s funeral lands Raffety back in the claws of a pack that never stopped searching for him. The alpha is claiming Raffety’s an omega, and prime breeding material. Erm, no way. Raffety would rather eat his own eyeballs. He needs to figure out a way to escape—and quick.
Indentured to Paranormal Resolutions for his sins, which are many, Jonah’s ordered to extract a mark from the clutches of a pack of werewolves. The mission fills him with dread: the wolves know he stole their gold and if they catch him, they’ll eat his guts, with or without ketchup―gulp! But defying his boss isn’t an option. Not if Jonah wants to live.

Is it chance that Jonah and Raffety end up in the same trap, or is it more? Could fate be giving them both a helping hand, or have they just landed in the worst trouble of their lives?

NOTE FROM AUTHOR
A few scenes in this story appeared in a book that is no longer in publication.
In addition, it is not an Omegaverse story but the possibility of a male shifter getting pregnant is part of the plot. No on-page detail is given.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I only started reading Barbara Elsborg a year or two ago. Her books just weren’t on my radar. But now that they are- I want them all! Everything I have read so far from her has been contemporary romance. But this one is very different. This one explores paranormal beings- werewolves, vampires, fairies, shapeshifters, some without even an identity that we know. I don’t normally gravitate to that trope, but since I am a fan of her work, I decided to give this a try. Glad I did!

Starting when they are teenagers and meet at a summer camp that Raffety thought was for music but is really for paranormals to learn about each other and get along. Raffety has an instant connection with Jonah who befriends him, kisses him and then helps him escape.

There are a couple of time jumps. One going 5 years in the future and then 7 years. Raffety escaped the summer camp, but not the werewolf pack that wants him. Until his mother helps him escape again.

He lives in anonymity until news from home brings him back. But he gets the attention of his old pack, and some vampires. Jonah is also tasked with getting Raffety back to London. Jonah’s memory of Raffety at summer camp was wiped from his mind by his father. So Raffety remembers him, but he doesn’t remember Raffety.

Turns out Raffety and Jonah are both then on the run together. The pack wants them both- but for very different reasons. But they stick together, mostly because the chemistry they had as teens hasn’t waned at all and they can’t keep their hands off of each other.

The various inventive ways they get into and out of trouble is fun to read. There is definitely some excitement involved as well as danger. They also learn a lot about each other and Raffety learns more about other paranormal beings.

There was great world building in this book and it just makes me want more. It seems most of the different species aren’t necessarily friendly with each other, several wanting to claim control. It was fun to read about them all.

Even if paranormal/supernatural whatever isn’t necessarily your jam, I think you will still enjoy this if you are a fan of the author.

4 pieces of eye candy