review

The Pet Stylist and The Playboy by Rebecca James: New Release Review

July 17, 2018 by Denise

Swish has been in love with Dante since the day the tough biker found him homeless and miserable in a gas station restroom, but Dante’s never shown the younger man anything more than brotherly affection. Deciding it’s time to move out of the MC’s clubhouse and away from Dante, Swish takes a live-in job working in a privately-owned animal shelter where he can continue his pet stylist business. What he doesn’t realize is he’s not going to be as far away from the object of his affection as he thinks.
Dante’s time of being a playboy biker is fast coming to a close. At summer’s end he turns 30, and that means fulfilling his promise to his parents and returning to high society in the Hamptons. That dim prospect should be all Dante can think about, only Swish is moving out, and suddenly Dante can’t do anything but obsess over the kid he’s always thought of as a younger brother. Telling himself he’s only making sure Swish is doing okay on his own, Dante takes a summer job landscaping at the animal shelter where Swish has taken a job. There he learns a few things about the young man he’s never bothered to find out before, including that Swish’s real name is Isaac, and he enjoys wearing a certain something under his jeans–something that Dante’s surprised to find he would really like to remove–preferably with his teeth.
When Dante gives in to his need for Isaac, the playboy biker quickly finds that disentangling himself from the man he once thought of as a kid brother proves harder than expected, and that perhaps after years of one-night-stands and partying, his priorities need to change. Only not in the way his wealthy and controlling parents want them to.

Amazon

I read book 1 of this new to me author because one of the main characters was a ballet dancer. And while I didn’t love it, I wanted to read book 2 because the supporting character, Swish, really drew my attention and I wanted more.

And I really enjoyed getting to know Swish more. Dante though. Dante was kind of a dick.

For whatever reason, he is keeping a secret from EVERYONE except for one guy in the MC. His big secret is that when he turns 30, he has to go work for his father and eventually take over the family business. He feels that he owes it to them. His cold, unfeeling parents. Makes no sense. But what was even more out there to me is that the family business is several high end car dealerships. I wasn’t expecting that. AT ALL. I don’t see how owning car dealerships gave his parents to prestige they had on Long Island in their circle, but ok.

Anyway. Swish was awesome. He took care of himself. When he is offered a place to live and a job doing something he loves- he takes it. I cheered for him. But Dante just had to encroach on that as well.

Basically Dante was a selfish jerk through most of the book. And Swish tried to fight it, but ultimately he couldn’t. He had been crushing on Dante for too long.

But Swish had his new job. His new place to live. New clients with the pet styling. Things were looking up for him.

But Dante keeps coming back.

Yes, he finally gets his head on straight and all of that- but it was pretty outlandish. Kind of silly, like the title. Seriously. Poor, poor title.

Swish kept me reading definitely. AND figuring out who the next book is about will make me read the next. And as much as I love a HEA, I really would have liked it if Swish had told Dante to ride off into the sunset.

3 Pieces of eye candy

Smoke in the Mirror by Aimee Nicole Walker: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

July 12, 2018 by Denise

Memphis Sullivan thought he was coming to Blissville to help his cousin out, but instead, he gained three meddlesome females, a tribe, and a permanent home. More than a year later, he owns a popular comic book and vinyl record store and doesn’t think his life could get any better. That all changes when the star of his favorite television show and bad-boy fantasies rides into town and spices up his vanilla world.

Lyric Willows’ decision to visit an old friend in Blissville will change his life in ways he never dreamed possible. The paranormal investigator is immediately drawn to the mysterious disappearance of the town’s founder in 1850 and rumors that his former home is haunted. More alluring to Lyric than the history of Bliss House is the immediate connection he feels to the adorably geeky owner of Vinyl and Villains, who also happens to be his friend’s cousin.

Lyric becomes Memphis’s houseguest when he decides to stay in town to conduct a paranormal investigation. Tight spaces lead to sexy encounters, and before long, ghosts aren’t the only things that go bump in the night. The more they unravel about Anthony Bliss’s disappearance, the more tangled in one another they become. How is it possible for two virtual strangers to feel like they’ve known each other for their entire lives? Was their love written in the stars, or is it nothing more than an illusion?

Smoke in the Mirror is the fifth book in the Road to Blissville series. Each book can be read as a standalone book or part of the series. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adults 18 and older.

SMOKE IN THE MIRROR

A ROAD TO BLISSVILLE STORY

AIMEE NICOLE WALKER

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 07.12.18

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: WANDER AGUIAR

MODEL: TRAVIS

Amazon

Memphis’s entire body tensed, but he didn’t turn around. “Oh my God,” he said for the second time. His head fell forward and hung like he was ashamed, and I felt horrible for saying anything.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” I said, trying to smooth things over. “We all need to come.” Memphis released a strangled groan-sigh combo, letting me know I failed to ease his worry. “At first, I thought it was part of the amenities at Casa de Memphis, but then I remembered you weren’t expecting me last night.” Memphis’s shoulders began to shake, and I worried that he was crying. “Fuck, I really know how to screw things up.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and turned him around to look at me. I got lost in his big brown eyes and forgot what I was going to say.

“I should be humiliated but remarks like ‘we all need to come’ and ‘amenities at Casa de Memphis’ just won’t let me.” I relaxed a little when I saw the tears in his eyes were from laughter and not humiliation. “Thank you for that.”

“Don’t thank me,” I replied dryly. “If I were a good person, I would’ve pretended not to see it, not hung my washcloth over it and cracked jokes the next morning.”

Fun, fun, fun. Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Especially when the story isn’t scary at all?

This is part of a series that includes a traditional male/female romance but the author wrote them in such a way that you can really read this one as a stand alone. Just a head’s up.

Everyone has a famous person crush- Shannon Leto, I’m waiting for you- but Memphis has the distinction of crushing on someone who will be helping his good friends with a ghost. AND he somehow offered up his spare bedroom to the guy.

Chemistry is IMMEDIATE with Memphis and Lyric and it is HOT. Neither man wants a relationship and they are very open about that. But fate, of course, has a different plan.

As fans of both the Curl Up and Dye series and the Road to Blissville series, we couldn’t wait for Memphis and Lyric to get their story. And it didn’t disappoint. They were FUN. I think that is one of the reasons I like these books so much. When they are in a super hot sex scene, they are still having fun.

We also finally get the entire story of the ghost. Who his is, what happened to him and how to help him. It was so sweet and not nearly as tragic as was hinted at earlier in the story.

All of these books were really good and even though they are a spin off of the Curl Up and Dye series, those characters aren’t used as a crutch in this series. In fact, I think we only saw one of the originals once in this story.

This is a fun vacation/beach read. Dive in and enjoy.

4 pieces of eye candy

I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees. I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever- after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.

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Ricochet by Reese Knightly: Excerpt and New Release Review

July 11, 2018 by Denise

WITSEC victim Noah Bradford knows secrets that could get him killed, and staying hidden seems like a good plan. What he didn’t plan on is losing his heart to a man who is sworn to protect him.

Battle scarred US Marshal Robert “Mac” Mackenzie has a job to do, and guaranteeing the safety of Noah Bradford is at the top of that list. Mac will do whatever it takes to keep Noah safe, even if it means walking away.

Mac and Noah, brought together during extreme circumstances, have been separated by evil. It’s been six years, give or take, and Noah is coming for vengeance against the men who killed his mother. He’s on a collision course with Mac, who has no idea of the man Noah has become. Sparks fly and the heat sizzles when these two powerful men are reunited, but will they survive the passion the past created?

RICOCHET

Out for Justice, Book 1

REESE KNIGHTLEY

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 07.07.18

COVER DESIGN: Morningstar Ashley @ Designs by Morningstar

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

After the day at the beach, Mac would steal him out of the house to eat burgers and fries or go to the lake, if not the beach again. Sometimes, Noah imagined he saw affection in Mac’s eyes, but the look would disappear as quickly as it appeared. The man certainly didn’t realize he starred in every one of Noah’s fantasies.

“How long do I have to stay in WITSEC with you?” Noah shifted in his seat, keeping his voice low. They were currently sitting at a coffee house, hours from the safe house.

“You’ll need to stay until you can testify. Then you’ll get a new identity. But all that won’t be until we catch Stevenson and Manning,” Mac said.

“So I won’t always be Noah Bradford?” Noah tested out his new last name. It felt funny saying it, but it wasn’t too far from Brown, so it grew on him quickly.

“No, not if you go to the trial.”

“Well, at least I get to keep my first name.”

“Mmhmm,” Mac agreed.

“And I really have to testify?” Noah licked the whipped cream from his lips and swallowed more mocha.

“Yes,” the man replied, nodding and shifting in his chair. “You’re the only one.”

“I’m the only one willing,” Noah pointed out since Jenny was wavering on testifying. Currently, his best friend was with Jake, trying to find a new outfit to wear to the movies. She’d stopped using heroin and the withdrawal had been brutal. Jake had taken her to the doctors and they had a plan to help people like her. As a result, Jenny had gained some much-needed weight, and to stop her from complaining about her clothes being too tight, Jake had offered to take her shopping today.

Mac sighed and pointed his straw at him. “Quit that. I have a surprise for you.”

“What?” Noah couldn’t help the feeling of excitement.

“Come on.” Mac smiled and stood.

A short drive away, Mac parked the SUV and entered a small warehouse-style building through the back entrance.

“Whoa,” Noah drawled, walking into the wide room until he stood beside a thick wrestling mat. The room was a massive gym, but only a few people were using machines in the far end of the room.

“Ever learn any self-defense?”

“Nope.” Noah grinned, putting an extra emphasis on the P, causing Mac to grin back.

“Well, you are now.”

After that, Mac brought him there as much as possible and taught him street fighting.

Noah loved every minute of it. Even though he got his ass handed to him more times than not, at least he got to do some hands-on with Mac. And hands-on with Mac made Noah’s day.

The day Noah knew he was getting better at fighting was when he managed to trip Mac to the mat and get the marshal in a headlock. Mac tapped out and Noah jumped to his feet and bounced on his toes, doing the Rocky Balboa dance.

“That was good. Let’s do it again. Remember, stay focused.” Mac’s deep voice grounded him, and Noah drew in a long, slow breath and then just as slowly, pushed it out. Mac cautioned him to stay calm and not get overexcited. The man said that keeping his cool would help him win a fight.

“Mind over matter,” Noah stated, reciting Mac’s words back to him.

Mac chuckled. “That’s right,” he agreed, and then lifted one hand and gave Noah a come-at-me gesture.

Noah willingly dodged in and then jumped back. They circled each other, waiting for the other to show weakness. Or, as Mac had told him many times, wait for your opponent to take the step that would put him off-balance.

Noah craved the times they were close. The sweaty marshal was so freaking hot. He smelled so good; like sweat, soap, and masculine power.

Frustratingly, Mac never gave any indication that he was interested in having more with him than a friendship. Mac pointed out that a nine-year age difference separated them. Plus, he was a minor. It wasn’t a big deal to Noah. In fact, he preferred older guys. Well, he hadn’t actually dated any guys, but when he looked at pictures, he had always been drawn to older men.

This one was tricky for me….I’m not sure how I feel about it just yet.

Noah, had a very messed up start in life. After his mother was killed and his step-father, the leader of some drug running, compound living, very abusive situation, camp… I was surprised Noah had survived it. Everything happens so fast in the beginning and there are a lot of people to try and keep straight. It was abuse and gunfire straight away. It kind of made me sick to my stomach if I’m honest.

However, US Marshall Something Mackenzie, I honestly don’t remember his name and I just finished it; they just called him Mac, was on the SWAT team that rescued Noah and his friend Jenny, who’d also been held captive by this life on the compound. She was just as abused as Noah… I believe they were seventeen, but when Mac first looked at him, he guessed 14, which was kind of weird because he had this instant attraction to Noah….. why would you if you thought he was 14? I mean, 17, I get it, but I found that a little weird.

Now, because it was a surprise raid, they didn’t catch Noah’s step-dad or the people who helped keep him captive, they all got away… so Noah stayed in Mac’s custody until they could get him into witness protection…. Then we somehow jump to 2 months later, then 2 years later then the next chapter five years later, where now Noah isn’t this twinky little abused kid, he’s now a BA, super secret elite team member fighting war crime, named Ghost?? Seriously?? I found that incredibly unbelievable and way off character from the kid I’d been reading about for the first third of the book….

All the while… Noah and Mac had no communication for six years but were still in love with each other. Mac dreaming of Noah and Noah saying he let his love for Mac go, but, he’s all he thinks about, ever….Then, we get more people that we have to keep straight, different characters just popping in and out, I couldn’t keep them all straight….and then Mac’s ex Ben and his boyfriend were around popping in and out and it all just seemed to unbelievable and far-fetched with them, I was glad to see the karmic kick-back that they got. I wish Ben would’ve gotten a bullet in his head too.

Meanwhile, while Noah and Mac just forgot years of being apart and get together, they go on the hunt for all the bad guys together and with the help of both teams, and a surprise visitor…. They get them all and it’s all over. For a long book, it really went by quickly.

I believe there will be other books in the series, probably with the super secret elite team that Noah is on, but I honestly don’t think I can be bothered to keep up with them….even if Frost seems kind of broody hot….we’ll see I guess….

All’s well that ends well, and I can’t hate a happy ending…so…

3 pieces of eye candy

A native Californian, Reese spends her time creating stories from the characters rattling around in her head, which has caused her to talk to herself on more than one occasion. Her love for reading mystery, fantasy, action and adventure, and contemporary romance led to her love of writing, which keeps her up day and night. Next to writing comes her love for coffee and wine, in no particular order. When not writing, Reese can be found working a part-time job where she day dreams of writing. She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted at Reeseknightleyauthor@gmail.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Reese_Knightley

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/reese.knightley.90

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reeseknightleyauthor/

WEBSITE: https://reeseknightleyauthor.blogspot.com/?zx=f0f192b0bec208c

Tight Quarters (Out of Uniform #6) by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

July 9, 2018 by Denise

Petty Officer Bacon, a navy SEAL and ace sharpshooter, has been on the front lines of more than his fair share of dangerous ops. Yet when a minor injury relegates him to the beta team, he’s tasked with what may be his riskiest assignment yet: the silver fox journalist he’s babysitting is the hottest, most charismatic man he’s ever encountered.

Award-winning journalist Spencer Bryant may have been named one of Pride magazine’s most eligible bachelors of the year, but he’s not looking to change his relationship status. He’s a consummate professional who won’t risk his ethics or impeccable reputation by getting involved with a source. Even a sexy-as-hell military man. But while Spencer can resist his physical attraction to Bacon, he has less control over his emotions—especially when the mission goes sideways and the two men are trapped alone.

Getting out of the jungle alive turns out to be easy compared to facing the truth about their feelings for one another back in the real world. And whether or not they can build a future is a different story altogether.

Title: Tight Quarters

Author: Annabeth Albert

Series: Out of Uniform #6

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: ebook: July 9, 2018 | print: July 31, 2018

Subgenre: M/M Contemporary Military Romance

Amazon

Audible

Enjoy this look at the danger Bacon and Spencer face in their race against time to find safety in TIGHT QUARTERS!

***

“Your turn. Go slow. The drop’s more than it looked.” Bacon’s voice was pained. “I did a Shiny and turned my ankle landing.”

“Hell. Think it’s broken?” Spencer slowly lowered himself over the edge, dangling from both hands, trying to sense the ground and failing.

“Not broken. You can do it.”

Spencer wasn’t so sure, and he feared for his surgically repaired knee, but he had no choice but to let go and trust the universe wouldn’t punish his blind faith.

“Ooof.” He landed hard, jarring both knees and ankles and scraping his palms, but otherwise survived.

“Gonna need to use you as a crutch to get over this last bit.” Each word of Bacon’s was strained. “Fuck. I better not need to shoot.”

“Lean on me.” Spencer could live happily for the rest of his life without Bacon shooting anything again, but even as he had that thought, he knew it was damn unrealistic. Bacon grunted softly as they made their way across the rocky shore, and judging by the way he was gripping Spencer, he was in more pain than he wanted to admit to.

“Boat.” Bacon pointed ahead of them to a murky shape hidden between boulders. It was small, just a hull with an outboard motor and two oars. Barely enough space for both of them. And they were about to leave the relative safety of shore and go out on the ocean in that? “Help me get it in the water. We’ll want to row out before risking the motor.”

The water was colder than Spencer had expected as they worked together to get the craft into the churning sea. The weather did not seem to be cooperating for a launch—stiff winds were kicking up and the waves were unrelenting.

“Maybe we should hunker down on the shore, wait—”

“We have orders.” Bacon’s tone left no room for alternate plans. “And besides—shit.” Behind them, somewhere up on the ridge, gunfire sounded. “In. Row hard. Now.”

They tumbled into the boat, and Spencer manned the oars while Bacon crouched low with his gun. Long, desperate moments passed as Spencer strained, grateful for every hour he’d spent on the water as a teen and young adult, while Bacon scanned the shore. Spencer braced, expecting a boat to give chase any moment or shots to ring out.

“Oars in. I’m gonna gun the motor now,” Bacon said tersely. “Turning on our beacon too.”

He did something with the outboard motor but nothing happened. Fuck. Spencer found himself holding his breath, willing the engine to catch. But nothing happened. They were alone in a turbulent sea, shore rapidly retreating, nothing but glimmering stars to light their way. For the first time that night, Spencer knew true fear, chilling him through his soaked clothes. They might not make it. They had each other, but that might not be enough.

Oh how I love the guys from Annabeth Albert’s series, and in this case the Out of Uniform books. These stories focus on Navy SEALs in southern California and I’ve loved all the couples and their stories. This one is no different.

The last book I’d listened to, Squared Away, set Bacon up for being the next bachelor and sure enough, this is his story. Bacon is a sharpshooter for the SEALs and with all of his buddies beginning to settle down, he’s starting to feel the pressure of his loneliness. Spencer’s a serious investigative reporter who’s managed to get assigned to a SEAL team for a story he’s working on. Naturally all the guys are wary of a reporter, but Bacon is especially aggravated since he’s been assigned to “babysit” Spencer throughout his time with the team — while finding himself attracted to the silver fox hottie. Meanwhile Spencer is trying for a meaty piece on how SEALs are treated after injury — or whatever else he can uncover — and as he gets to know Bacon better, he begins to feel conflicted between being a professional getting the story, and the close bond he’s forming with the attractive, grumpy SEAL assigned to him.

I always snap up Annabeth’s Out of Uniform stories, and I’m not disappointed here. They’re just fun, but they always get me with the angst and other issues the guys bring to the table. Bacon can’t forget his first love and how he lost him, and the divorced Spencer is haunted by the memory of a Navy vet he befriended who later committed suicide. I don’t know the first thing about what actually goes on in the military, but I think Albert does a lot of research and nothing seems glaringly out of place when I read these books, so I’m happy. And really, her characters and stories always boil down to the relationships between the heroes, their baggage (which varies in intensity) and how they find their way to each other after some conflict arises. It also never ever hurts that the sexy times are seriously hot … and sweet. I always love her guys and their relationships with the other heroes of the series.

If you’re an Albert fan, and especially an Out of Uniform fan, this will be a must read. I liked this one.

4 pieces of eye candy

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.

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Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together by Ari McKay: Release Day Review

July 6, 2018 by Denise

When a Christmas shopping expedition brings Tomy Peralta into Jason Winters’s yarn store, both men feel an immediate and intense spark of attraction, but dance instructor Tomy intends to propose to his boyfriend, Sean, at Christmas. Unfortunately for Tomy, marriage isn’t on career-minded Sean’s agenda. Heartbroken, Tomy throws himself into his work until his mother convinces him that learning to knit might help take his mind off his failed romance.

Jason falls hard for Tomy, but he knows Tomy needs time to heal and to trust in love again. As Jason teaches Tomy to knit, Tomy teaches him to dance in return. Just when it seems Tomy is ready for a new romance, Sean shows up, wanting Tomy back. Will Tomy give his heart to Sean once more, or will Tomy finally see Sean for who he truly is, and choose the man who helped him knit his heart together again?

First Edition released 2014 with Torque Press

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I absolutely loved where this story started…and ended, and the in between was quite enjoyable too. This was a slow burn from the storyline, but as a novella it covered a year fairly quickly. What a sweet story!

Seeing how Tomy was before his big breakup, a man who clearly loved life, loved his job, and his selfish boyfriend. Then watching as he went through all the stages of grieving a broken relationship, while Jason simply befriended him allowed the reader to fall in love with Jason as Tomy did. Tomy went through all the sadness, projecting it outwardly for those closest to him to see, then the slow turn around as he began to see Jason for the gentle sweet man he was. Jason didn’t pretend to be anything other than a man waiting for his forever man, Tomy just wasn’t clear on it being him, even if his family was.

It’s always refreshing when an LGBT book doesn’t focus on one of the characters coming out, or the family hating them for being gay. There was none of that here. Tomy’s family adored him, and Jason. This story truly was simply about finding love after having your heart broken. It was a sweet summer read, that started and ended in winter. I’d read it again, in either season.

4 pieces of eye candy

Love’s Magic by Janice Jarrell: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

July 3, 2018 by Denise

If you love gay romance that contains both heated passion and steadfast love, Love’s Magic is for you! Professor Nate Reese rushes to protect a female student and is severely injured at the hands of her assailant. Traumatized by the attack, Nate sets his feet on a no-holds-barred path of activism designed to force university officials into addressing the issue of on-campus assault. At the same time, terrified of losing his hard-won status at the university, his partner, David Gardener, a veteran of 12 years as a very popular Professor, is reluctant to support Nate’s militant efforts. Seemingly abandoned by his partner, Nate sees David’s aversion to his activism as indifference to the trauma he suffered. Day by day they watch as their relationship disintegrates, while still struggling to resolve the disruptive issues engulfing the school they love.

In the meantime, Irishman Colin Campbell, handsome and charismatic Sergeant for the campus police force, fights his own on-going war against campus assault. But behind his obsessive desire to gain justice for victims lies a devastating secret which could forever destroy his fiercely independent facade and expose his deepest fear. Ultimately, it is Colin’s powerful connection to a steady, dark-eyed Title IX consultant which threatens to tear down his defenses and shatter the barriers protecting his heart.

Cocky and irresistible, the dynamic police officer was everything Joshua Abrams had ever longed for in a man, but Colin simply didn’t ‘do’ relationships. Unless Joshua would settle for a one night stand, or a very short-term liaison, there was no room for him in Colin’s life. Yet even knowing this, he couldn’t keep himself from falling hopelessly in love with his ‘magic man’. Despite the passion between them, he knew his quiet, reclusive nature could never hope to entice the vibrant, freedom-loving Irishman, so eventually he begins to back slowly away.

Eventually, a disagreement over an oddly disturbing case causes Colin’s hot Irish temper to erupt and their relationship is irrevocably shattered. Heartbroken, and convinced that Colin is gone forever, Joshua flees Charlottesville without a word, leaving Colin adrift and inconsolable.

But Joshua Abrams hadn’t merely stepped over the indelible line Colin had drawn between his heart and the dangers of real love, he had burned through it like hot lava. Finally forced to acknowledge his love for Joshua and his desperate need to have the quiet, Jewish man by his side, Colin must now face the dark and long-suppressed memories which are irrevocably linked to his love for the handsome consultant. Without even a forwarding address to guide him, he vows to find Joshua and bring him home. Colin’s struggle to conquer his pride and fear in order to find the love of his life and achieve their happily ever after will touch your heart.

Four lives in turmoil fighting for the relationships they cherish, and at the heart of the struggle, a great university struggles to survive its most harrowing challenge.

Length: 82,406 words

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Love’s Magic is about two couples, Nate and David, who live together and Colin and Josh, recent friends with benefits. All four work at the university but only meet each other after Nate thwarts a would-be rapist on campus and is sent to the hospital badly beaten. From there, the conflict between Nate and David arises from Nate’s determination to have the school acknowledge the security issues on campus and implement real change for student and staff safety. David is afraid it will affect both his and Nate’s careers and the two grow increasingly estranged. Colin finds himself falling for Joshua, but refuses to commit further than casual dating.

This book was just okay for me. It had some yummy angst between both couples, and I admit I was sad when it looked like Nate and David were caput. The issues I had were the mechanics of the writing. There were many typos, mistakes or misused words (advice vs. advise) or incorrect homonyms (peaked vs. piqued). String enough of those together and it can drive me mad. There are also odd word choices, for instance, the author chose to use “quarreled” almost exclusively and that’s just an odd word for people to use today. There’s mention of a fax machine — what? There are many, many exclamation points which prevent me from feeling the characters and their conversations are real. It isn’t until several chapters in, after we’ve met Nate and David and learned the mechanics of their relationship, that we learn David has an ex-wife and two children. It seemed completely out of nowhere. The plot itself was okay, and I was happy when David finally realized why Nate was slowly being driven away, because David’s dick behavior was getting on my nerves. Colin and Joshua are perfectly fine together though they have their own angst as the two fight about the future of their relationship and Joshua leaves town without telling Colin or leaving him any forwarding information. Angst like that, I like. But it was a little slow going with all the problems I found with the writing itself.

3 pieces of eye candy

June 25 – Mirrigold, June 26 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, June 27 – MM Good Book Reviews, June 28 – Bayou Book Junkie, July 2 – Love Bytes, July 3 – Two Chicks Obsessed, The Novel Approach, July 4 – Joyfully Jay, July 5 – Drops Of Ink, Sarandipity

My name is Jan Jarrrell. I am a 74 year old retired grandmother who lives in Seattle, WA. I have been a writer of Lord of the Rings slash fan fiction for almost twenty years under the name Rakshi. I have written both RPS fiction and FPS and my list of works stands at three hundred and thirty seven, including stories as short as drabbles (stories of 100 words) and a series entitled ‘Time’ that was 119,012 words long. I have never had a work officially published, though two of my stories, Char ar’ I’ear (Earth and Sea) and ‘To The Distant Shore’ were included in the Vilya II fanzine. You can find my works on Archive of our Own and on LiveJournal under the username Rakshi.

I began writing original character fiction about a year ago and found I love it more than anything. I tend to fall in love with my characters and always want to give them that happy ending that I just know they deserve.

Reach me at: jjarrell@lovesmagic.online

Facebook: Revolutionary Heart- Love’s Magic

Goodreads Author Profile Page

Follow me on Twitter @Revolut35174972

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