review

Rabi and Matthew by L.A. Witt: New Release Review

November 6, 2018 by Denise

A queer retelling of Romeo & Juliet, except no one has to bury their gays.

A decades-old family rivalry is reaching a boiling point as the patriarchs vie for a seat in Congress. Democrat vs Republican, Muslim vs Christian, Hashmi vs Swain — the Midwestern town of Arbor Hills is one spark away from an explosion of violence. So when two men find themselves irresistibly drawn together at a party, only to discover they were born on opposite sides of a bloody battle line, Matthew Swain and Rabi Hashmi know they should leave well enough alone.

The pull between them is magnetic, though, and it’s too strong to ignore. Unable to resist, they meet again in secret. Generations of hatred can’t temper the passionate love growing between them, but two men falling for each other in the middle of a war zone can’t hold back the inevitable clash.

And when decades of political, religious, and personal strife finally come to a head, there will be blood.

Word count: 59,800; page count: 237

Amazon

Riptide Books

Wow. This book was brutal and heart breaking and still gave me hope.

How these 2 guys didn’t know who each other were already, I’ll never know. I am also going to let that slide because the rest of the book was just so good.

This book is filled with racism and homophobia and Islamaphobia. Just so you know. There are passages that are just vicious. Dialogue that is just so mean you can’t imagine people saying it. But they do, everyday.

This modern, gay retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Political adversaries, Rabi and Matthew’s fathers are running against east other for political office. And it is the bible thumping, super conservative white guy versus the Muslim, leftist liberal. The discord between the families goes back 1 or 2 generations. It’s ugly. It’s also very topical.

There was still a lot of focus on Rabi and Matthew and their blooming romance. It was so sweet. So romantic. It was a bit swoony. When they are found out though, it is really, really ugly. I don’t understand hate like that. Hate because someone is a different color, different religion, different sexuality. And it is so real. I think that is what gut punched me the most. Knowing that these people are out there with their vile hate.

I’m sure you all know how Romeo and Juliet ends. But no so with Rabi and Matthew. Because as the author says, too many gays have died. Time for them to live.

Fire and Agate by Andrew Grey: Release Day Review

November 6, 2018 by Denise

When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screwups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.

Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now the safe houses he’s placed in are being threatened and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.

Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin… and stay there. Soon they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly Pavle comes out of his shell and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. But even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.

Title: Fire and Agate
Series: Carlisle Deputies: Book 3
Author: Andrew Grey
Release Date: November 6, 2018
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 193

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I love this series and all the guys we’ve met so far.

I don’t think anyone will top Donald, Carter and little Alex for me, but Pavle and Chris are a very close second…. In this one, we get Chris’ POV, which I’m grateful for, because I don’t think I could’ve handled all of the things that Pavle had gone through, being brought to America four years ago and sold into sex slavery….which is a very real thing in our country and I can’t believe it isn’t talked about more. While it’s true that women and children are more likely to be victims, boys and men aren’t safe either… as is proof with Pavle.

When Pavle gets a note to his neighbors, he’s finally freed from captivity, and Chris is selected to keep an eye on him since someone is out to make sure he can’t testify. There’s a bit of a language barrier there, but Pavle’s English isn’t terrible. He’s picked up a bit being held in America, though originally from Serbia. He’s very untrusting at first, with very good reason, but the more Chris shows him that he’s safe, and gives him choices that he’s never had, he slowly starts trusting and opening up to Chris.

There are so many amazing people that help too; Chris’ Nanna, who also came from Serbia, once upon a time… the social worker, Marie, Briggs, who works with Chris, the Reverend and his wife and son, Red and Terry make a few appearances, and just everyone who fell in love with Pavle when meeting him. It was so easy to do. I loved loved loved watching him get comfortable and learn how to live happily. Sighhhhhhh, loved it.

Of course, being that these hot cops were there to look after Pavle, the threat is still very much out there. We don’t find out the why’s or really the who’s, but just know that justice is served with them and they get what’s coming to them. I love karmic justice and though I feel like they got off easy, I try to tell myself they’re fictional people and wishing them a slow and painful death, doesn’t reflect on me as a person LOL…. Okay, maybe it does, but I’m okay with it.

Through slowly gaining Pavle’s trust and watching him come into his own, Chris falls in love with him… cuz, of course he does, and though he’s wary about Pavle’s feelings for him are coming from the wrong place…. They aren’t, and Pavle falls in love with him too. It’s a rocky road for sure, but they get there in the end. Together.

What an awesome addition to an already awesome series. I can’t wait to see who’s next!

5 pieces of eye candy from me

Remote Access by Rinda Elliott: New Release Review

November 6, 2018 by Denise

Blackmail turned Lane Becker into a thief at the age of fourteen.

After ten miserable years, he’s finally free. To make reparation for his crimes, Lane plans to steal back a priceless Metropolis poster and return it to its rightful owner. But to find it, he has to break into the home of Hayrick Letsen, the man who turned his life into a living nightmare. The last thing Lane expects to encounter is Letsen’s nosy but crazy-hot security guard.

Quincy Holt’s life has been ruined. He’s infamous in Oklahoma as a cop on the take, but what no one knows is that he was unofficially undercover, trying to get the goods on Letsen — the most wanted fence in the business. When that failed, he was left with no other option but to take a job as Letsen’s security guard.

Lane and Quincy are on the run from their mutual enemy while trying to right past wrongs. Neither expected a thief and a cop to have the kind of wild, off-the-charts chemistry that could very well end up breaking their hearts.

Amazon-Kindle Unlimited

What can I say? If Rinda Elliott writes it, I’m gonna need to read it! And this being her first solo book in several years (and with this awesome amazing cover!), I really wanted to see what came running out of that brain of hers! She did not disappoint in the least.

As with any book this author has a hand in, mayhem is going to ensue, and it does, almost instantly, but with a very creative twist. A (former) cop falls in love with a thief with a good heart, and they bring along a group of people who show their own big hearts, but were up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

First, I must say, DAMN, this woman can write some seriously HAAAAWWWWWWTTTTTTT sex scenes. I’m fairly certain I’ll be requesting a new kindle for Christmas this year, as she melted the thing right up. Whew!!!!!

One of the things I absolutely loved about Lane was that even though he was small, he was confident in himself, and confident in his attraction to Quincy. He flirted shamelessly with Quincy…and even the poor waiter…when they first met. He didn’t hide behind his concerns, or even question the age difference. He knew what he wanted, and he let Quincy know with certainty.

Quincy meanwhile, a good cop, who tried to make as much right as he could for the people he cared about, didn’t even try to question his feelings. He was all in…once he got past the “kid” thing. 😉 They were good together, supportive of each other, and even though they knew they would have to end their fling at some point, it was obvious they respected each other for all their talents as well as what they were trying to accomplish.

There were several twists and turns, lots of suspense, and a few gut wrenching moments as Lane dealt with the grief and guilt he would carry the rest of his life. So, finding an HEA wasn’t easy for them. Many bad things had to happen, but once they realized they could make it work, they didn’t just wrap themselves up, they brought those they loved into their fold, setting up quite a few HEA’s ahead for other characters, with little hints of what’s to come.

Oh, and the title…once you find out what it’s for…brilliant way to bring it full circle. The series name too, just love it! Fits so perfectly.

Can’t wait to see what’s next in this new series!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Alaska (Sawyer’s Ferry Book 1) by Cate Ashwood: Quick Review

November 5, 2018 by Denise

Nobody says no to a Prescott.

Not even one of their own.

Holden:
Living up to expectations had never been easy, but when I went after something, I got it. Success. Money. Victory. I was standing on the doorstep to having it all. There was only one thing standing in my way.

Gage:
Power and prosperity are overrated. Especially when they come at a price. When enough became enough, I walked away. Nothing had ever tempted me to look back, until one day the past showed up in my back yard.

I’m not so sure I can walk away a second time.

Title: Alaska

Series: Sawyer’s Ferry

Release Date: April 26th, 2018

Author: Cate Ashwood

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Length: Novel

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Goodreads Link

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I have to admit, I was a little bit adamant in the beginning, after reading how Holden’s dad treated him.
I could literally write an entire monologue about how awful this man is, but in no way would I do him justice… He’s that terrible and you will hate him. Be prepared for that.

Holden Prescott is a skilled surgeon with his own department and lab to study chemical trials and everything he thinks he’s ever wanted. Only problem is, his dad – the older, other Dr. Prescott is holding his strings because he was financially helpful making sure Holden got to where he is thus far….
So, when the older Dr. Prescott wants the partner he sold out to come back and work for him, he does what he does best and threatens to take everything Holden has unless he brings him back to New York to work.
Sending him to Sawyer’s Ferry, Alaska is his only shot to get Gage to come back and if he doesn’t, his whole life is ruined. No job, no money, no home, nothing…. Yep, that’s how evil his father is. Did I mention how badly I hated him?

Gage was happy to leave New York two years ago when his mentor and partner got money hungry and sold out…
Finding a home in the tiny town of Sawyer’s Ferry, he liked the small community and having his best friend close… even if the two of them were 2 of the only few surgeons at the small hospital they ran. So, imagine his surprise when the younger, gorgeous Prescott shows up unannounced because he’d ignored the older Dr’s attempts to contact him.

It’s a little rocky at first, what with Holden having everything riding on him getting Gage to come back and Gage not wanting anything to do with anything that has to do with either Dr. Prescott’s or their business.
What neither man was expecting was their instant attraction to one another and the way they made each other feel.
Their chemistry was immediate, and I loved it. No matter how hard the both of them knew it couldn’t be anything, except maybe a night or two of fun… it was fun to watch them go back and forth, learning about each other and going from enemies to bone buddies, to friends, to in a relationship, to being in love.

Gage is sweeter than I expected him to be, and Holden is charming and nothing like his father. They were perfect for each other, and I loved their back and forth as well as their steamy times…. which were indeed, really hot.
When an emergency situation has Holden staying in town longer than he planned, he not only falls in love with the temporary job and the charming little town…. but he falls in love with Gage too… And it…. is…. SWEET!

I kind of figured that Holden’s dad was up to something, after being so desperate to get Gage back after he’d bought him out two years previous… but it was a little twist when we got to why.
I liked that Holden got closure and a tiny little piece of karmic justice… but I’m petty in a way that I wish he’d have done more damage, and his father would’ve gotten it rubbed in his face that not only did he land on his feet, but that he was actually happy, doing well and WITH Gage. That would’ve been fun to see…
And then if he could’ve just beat him up or something equally as painful…. that would’ve been nice to see too…
But, ya know… it was more realistic the author’s way, I reckon LOL Not everyone is all about Angry Vengence Life, like me haha

I also loved the secondary characters, both Frankie who Holden’s best friend and Logan who was Gage’s….
I loved the townspeople and the guys’ co-workers.

And I loved, loved, loved the ending! I cannot wait to see more of these two and I really hope something great happens with Logan and Frankie…. even if it’s not together.
This was an excellent start to what I hope will be an even sweeter series.

5 pieces of eye candy from me!

Who We Were by Melissa Collins: Release Day Review

November 5, 2018 by Denise

Who We Were…

Two awkward teenagers – the loner and the nerd, trying to find our place in the world. Paired in wood shop, we knew nothing of each other, except that we wanted to know everything. Then one life altering moment changed it all and we were left with shattered dreams and broken hearts.

Who We Are…

Two grown men – braver and smarter than we used to be, trying to heal the damage from that irrevocable moment. Even though the past was behind us, dead and buried long ago, we found it impossible to move on without ripping open the scars of our deep wounds.

With twelve years of unanswered questions fueling our desperate need for the truth, we must figure out if who we were will destroy who we are.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I am a pretty big fan of Melissa Collins. I will admit that her last book kind of fell flat for me. But, one flat book doesn’t keep me away. So I went in with eyes wide open on Who We Were. And…a lot of the old storyteller I liked so much seems to be back.

Ryan and Quinn were the typical awkward teenagers. Ryan who totally kept to himself and had no friends was now navigating a friendship with Quinn. Who he might definitely have a crush on.

Ryan and Quinn were the opposite in so many ways- from personality to family life. Ryan wanted the happy family life that Quinn had. But instead he had miserable parents who only paid attention to his jock twin brother.

There were a lot of painful family dynamics here that were well written. And being that the first half of the book takes place when they are 17, there was quite a bit. Because Ryan’s family life is the catalyst of who he becomes in the second half of the book.

Flash forward about 10 years (I think?). Ryan’s twin brother is getting married to Quinn’s sister. And even though Ryan left home as a teen, he has never returned. But his mother guilts him into it. And Quinn.

Their chemistry is off the charts. But when confronted about what happened 10 years ago, Ryan runs away. AGAIN. Ugh, I hate runners. So Quinn chases him. And Ryan wants to run again, but Quinn won’t let him.

Ryan and Quinn getting back together and finding their happy place was fairly angsty. And Ryan had no reason to be upset with Quinn, so it was a little odd to me.

Throughout the book there is a BIG SECRET. I won’t tell you I figured it out (mostly) even though I did. But it still left a lot hanging for me. But since I don’t spoil, sorry, can’t explain.

I feel like we are on the road back to the author of Let Love Live, the book that got me hooked on her work. And that’s a good thing.

3.5 Pieces of Candy

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

Frostbite by JM Wolf: New Release Review

November 4, 2018 by Denise

Cyrus Winters, an omega wolf and an ice mage is dangerous to others. After running away from his birth pack at an early age, Cyrus traveled from place to place in hopes of finding a pack that would accept him. But once they realized that he was no ordinary omega wolf, they quickly turned their backs on him. Alone and shunned as a monster, Cyrus has kept himself hidden at the top of the Wichita Mountains where nobody would reach him. That is, until he hears the song of his fated mate.

Dorian Lovell once had the family he’d always dreamed of, but after the death of his son, his whole world fell apart. When he begins having dreams about a white wolf at the top of a mountain, howling for him, Dorian realizes that he may have found his fated mate. Joining his friend Tobias’ pack in the Wichita Mountains, Dorian sets out to find the wolf from his dream; but once he meets Cyrus, he quickly realizes that mating with the frosty omega won’t be as easy as he thought it’d be.

An omega with a heart of ice, and an alpha who’s destined to thaw him out. With a threat to Cyrus’ life approaching, the two must learn to come together as one. Can Dorian’s pack accept the gifted omega, and can Cyrus trust his life and future to his new pack, and the alpha the fates paired him with?

TRIGGER WARNING:
This book contains sexual and verbal adult content, MPREG, violence, bloody gore, death, and talks of loss and heartache. No babies were harmed in the making of this book.
*** This is Book 1 in the series, but can be read as a standalone story – no cliffhangers ***

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

JM Wolf is a new to me author but I believe he has several books out. This is his first foray into mpreg and shifters and I decided to give it a try.

It was a little messy, but overall I liked it. Enough that I want to read book 2 when it comes out.

Why messy? Well there seems to be all kind of worlds in one and it got confusing. There are shifters- wolves being the main one in this story- but also bears, jaguars, hawks, etc. Among the shifters there are alphas and omegas. But not just men. I thought it was only men because mpreg, but one of the omegas gives birth to a girl. But that is the only female wolf that is talked about.

THEN there are also just regular people. Men and women. With these alpha omega shifters living with them, marrying them, having children with them. It was just too much.

Oh! And one of the wolf shifters is also half “mage”. A spellcaster, warlock, has magic, whatever you want to call it. I really liked this angle because he is a real rarity. So that was cool and added to the story.

Now, onto the story. Yes, I liked it. It wasn’t a super strong story, but it was strong enough to keep me reading. Cyrus is the half wolf half mage shifter who is a loner because he is outcast from not only his born pack, but every pack he tried to join since.

Dorian is searching for his fated mate who he sees in his dreams. After being married, having a child who died and then divorcing, Dorian seems eager to find his fated mate. (another kind of messy part- he was married to a human woman, they had a seemingly human child but now he lives as a gay wolf shifter).

I suspect the series will get “neater” as we now know most of the main characters and the world that they live in. But it was still a bit huh? for me. Like I said at the beginning though- I liked it enough that I want to read book 2!

3 Pieces of Candy