review

Save The Date by Annabeth Albert & Wendy Qualls: Release Day Review with Giveaway

March 31, 2017 by Denise

synopsis

Randall Young has one duty as his sister’s “man of honor”: to ensure she has the best wedding ever. That includes an epic bachelorette pub crawl, leading him to Portland’s most popular gay bar… and into Hunter Mitchell’s well-muscled arms. A one-night stand with a sexy soldier is the perfect way to ditch that pesky V-card and get himself in the mood for a weekend of flowers, cake, and nuptials.

Hunter wants to blow off some steam before he stands up as his best friend’s best man. He’s already married to his military career, not looking to settle down. He certainly doesn’t intend for the one guy he met (and, okay, got off with) in Oregon to be his counterpart in the wedding party. Or a virgin. Definitely wasn’t intending that. Luckily, they have the rest of the weekend for Hunter to show Randall what he’s been missing.

The more they’re thrown together by the wedding, the more Randall and Hunter grow together outside the bedroom… which is dangerous because there’s a lot more than 2500 miles standing between them and a happily-ever-after. If they want a future beyond their wedding weekend hookup, both must find the courage to take a chance on love.

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jennifer

Cute!

First, we meet Randall who is at his sister’s bachelorette party just before her wedding weekend of fun and togetherness with the wedding party. A night out, pub crawling the gay scene, they run into Hunter, who Randall doesn’t know is his sister’s soon-to-be-husband’s childhood best friend. He’s rough and broody and a massive, muscled, army man….which Randall finds really attractive… who wouldn’t?
One night together, where Randall semi-loses his V-card and he’s slinking away before Hunter wakes up. I don’t even think they even exchanged names. Meeting again for wedding stuff was awkward to say the least, I wasn’t sure I was going to like Hunter, really. I mean, he’s sexy and has a filthy mouth, that part was hot, but he was a bit standoffish, I guess in the beginning. Understandable, but… you know….
Anyway, the guys are forced to be around each other and naturally, being attracted to one another, they keep hooking up….

I’m not real sure when it went from hookups to wanting a relationship, but I figured it would be Randall being the one wanting it, but we get more feelings and internal thoughts from Hunter, surprisingly. He made up for his macho, manly attitude and I really liked him by the end… I really liked them together by the end. It was sweet and a little fast, seeing how it all derived from one weekend together, but we get a glimpse into the very near future and see that they have a cute HFN. I wouldn’t mind reading more about this couple, they were good together.
It wasn’t angsty and there was little to no drama, I liked that. It was just a cute, sexy, quick read.
Would recommend 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

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My Dragon, My Knight by John Inman Release Day Review with Giveaway

March 30, 2017 by Denise

synopsis

Danny Sims is in over his head, torn between his abusive lover, Joshua, and Jay Holtsclaw, the bartender up the street, who offers Danny the one thing he never gets at home: understanding.

When Joshua threatens to get rid of Danny’s terrier, Danny knows he has to act fast. Afraid of what Joshua will do to the dog, and afraid of what Joshua will do to him if he tries to leave, Danny does the only thing he can do.

He runs.

But Danny isn’t a complete fool. He has enough sense to run into the arms of the man who actually cares for him—the man he’s beginning to trust.

Just as their lives together are starting to fall into place, Danny and Jay learn how vengeful Joshua can be.

And how dangerous.

Title: My Dragon, My Knight
Author: John Inman
Release Date: March 31, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

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Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

michelle review

WOW is the first words that come to me while I sit here to put a review together. Another new author to me, John Inman, has blown me away with this story. I was expected a little “dark” considering the blurb but what I got was a story full of heart ache and eventually new love. I don’t feel there is a need to recap what the blurb already states so I will focus on the story without giving spoilers away.

There are books that make you feel the emotions and then there are books that demand you to feel the emotions. My Dragon, My Knight demanded that I sit up and listen to the story that is being told. I was enthralled with this book and could not put it down even though there were times I couldn’t see past the tears. Anytime I read a book about abuse I generally can hold it together and not let the tears flow but then there are times when I let them fall just to finish reading. I generally am not a big sap when it comes to reading books including those with huge triggers. It’s more the emotions that are bouncing off the pages than the actual action being done (although they are gut wrenching) that gets me emotional.

Inman’s writing is impeccable and the flow of the book was perfect. The character development (as hard as it was to see an abusive character) made this book 10 times better than I could have imagined. My Dragon, My Knight will be a book that stays with me for a very long time. Inman turns a tragic situation into one of love and beauty – So to Mr. Inman – Thank you for such an engaging, heart breaking and beautiful story. I will be checking out more books by this author.

5 pieces of eye candy

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Momo: My Everything by Posy Roberts: Quick Review

March 30, 2017 by Denise

momo synopsis Brave the spotlight for the man he loves, or stay alone in the shadows…

William Harris is a reserved man, private and guarded. He has no one to go home to. He’s never found a man worth sticking around for. He’s never been in love. And he’s convinced he’s happy with his lone-wolf life.

Nate Kelly is William’s opposite, social and easy going. He comes into William’s life as the elegant geisha Momo. When William realizes Momo is a man in drag, he’s captivated.

From their first date, William’s world changes. Nate is nothing like his usual type. And William soon finds out being with this carefree man means always being on display and attracting attention, which makes him want to retreat. He tries to keep Nate at arm’s length, but it’s no use. Nate’s transformed his life in a matter of months and keeps drawing him back in.

If they stand a chance, William has to be comfortable standing next to someone so at home in the limelight. Their future together and William’s happiness depend on it. Is Nate the man finally worth giving up William’s solitary existence? Is he worth sticking around for?

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michelle review

Home run for my first Posy Roberts story. I read the blurb and thought “what-the-hell” I’ll give it a try. I am so very happy that I did. I generally bypass stories that are less than 100pgs. Nothing against those that write them I just don’t like them. The few I have read were rushed (beyond the fast pace that is needed for a short story) and have always fell flat. I will say that I was extremely surprised about how much I loved this.

Nate and William are the epitome of opposites and Roberts did an amazing job with their story. The only thing that would have made this story better (for me) was to have it as a dual POV as I would love to be inside Nate’s head. He’s personality was outstanding and fun.

The writing was fantastic. The story was well paced and for once did not feel rushed to get to the steamy scenes. Even though it is a short story there was a well-developed plot and character development. I am sure Nate is everyone’s favorite as William was a little bit more to handle but I wouldn’t change William’s character at all. He was exactly what (IMO) worked best for this story.

I highly recommend this book. I see a reread in the near future. I have now added all of Posy Roberts books to my TBR.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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Fangs Like Me by Lyssa Dering: Quick Review

March 28, 2017 by Denise

synopsis Lane, a newborn vampire, still feels the pain of betrayal. Two years ago, a faithless boyfriend took his life, and now, Lane’s Maker has also left him behind. The pain of separation burns strong when all Lane wants are arms to hold him and enough warm blood to satisfy his voracious appetite. At a shifter party, Lane is drawn to a hunky Alpha werewolf who tries to console him.

Parker is more than a thoughtless hookup. Since his family disowned him for finding boys just as hot as girls, all he wants is someone to love and look after. The sweet little vamp calls to his protective instincts, but he sure is jumpy. Cuddling with boys is new and delicious, but when this boy also wants him as a food source, things get complicated.

Vampires and shifters aren’t supposed to get along, and Parker’s rough dominance triggers bad memories for Lane. But Parker’s wolf wants Lane, and he knows he can give Lane what he needs. Can Lane learn to navigate his past and give the thing growing between them a chance? Or will the very real possibilities of heartache, abandonment, and even death, keep them apart?

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michelle review

Shifter and vampire books are starting to become my drug of choice. I love how every author does the world building and characteristics differently but also stays within the “norm” of Paranormal. Lyssa Dering does it a tad different than I am use to with Vampires so it took a bit to get into the blood as sweat and tears.

Lane is a “vamp baby” who is still dealing with how he was changed. He was bitten and left for dead by his vamp boyfriend. Theo, his maker, turned him instead of leaving him to die. Parker is an Alpha wolf shifter who left his pack to do to his family not approving of his choice of men over females. Lane & Parker meet at a party and from there we follow them through their story.

The writing was good and the story flowed smoothly. The issues I had were that Lane was depicted as more of a child losing his parent as Theo, the maker, is never around. He wants to be loved and be part of a family but he feels he doesn’t have anyone. Parker wants everything that comes with mating but without the actually relationship. Of course there is hot steamy scenes, knotting, biting and claiming but it wasn’t in the form of a growing romance until towards the end. Lane has certain “tastes” in the bedroom whereas Parker is a lover and caretaker. It was nice to see them work around the issues.

I enjoyed the book but wished there was less aggression and more romance. I am excited to check out other books by the author.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Talking In Code by Ariel Tachna: Quick Review with Giveaway

March 27, 2017 by Denise

synopsis Some things crumble under pressure. Others are tempered by it instead. For three former soldiers, a tragedy might be the catalyst that binds them together—stronger than ever.

Richard Horn and Timothy Davenport met in the SEALs twenty years ago and have been lovers ever since. Now running their own paramilitary organization, Strike Force Omega, they work in the shadows to protect their country and its people. When Tim falls for Eric Newton, a deadly sniper and strategist on their team, Richard accepts that Tim’s heart is big enough for two men. He respects, admires, and even desires Eric enough to accept him into their relationship—and their bed—but he’s never been fully a part of what Eric and Tim share.

Then Eric is captured by terrorists and Tim is gravely injured in an op gone wrong, bringing Richard’s world crashing down around his ears. Even if he gets his men out alive, Eric must face the aftermath of months of physical and psychological torture—and without Tim to lean on, Eric’s PTSD is tearing him apart. Richard has to figure out the third leg of their triangle fast, or Tim won’t have a life to come back to.

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Dreamspinner Press

michelle review

One of my all-time favorite tropes is ménages. For me, it doesn’t matter if the ménage starts out as a couple who adds a third, or 3 men coming together at the same time. If the story is done right and the feelings are there than I will love it. As soon as I saw the cover (not the blurb) I knew I had to try it.

Ariel Tachna is a new author to me (my New Year’s resolution was to try new-to-me authors). With every new author I read I go in expecting nothing while hoping for everything by the time I am done reading the story. With every new ménage story I go into it expecting everything and hoping the author can pull off the dynamics it takes to be in a relationship with 3 people. So here’s what I thought about Talking in Code…

I LOVED IT. Granted there are things I wish were done a little different but I really enjoyed the story. Richard and Tim were together for years and then Eric comes into the picture. Of course there is going to be misunderstandings and lack of communication but it’s how well the author gets them back to a ménage relationship….And that is why I love this story so much. We get to follow them from their new beginning as 3 instead of 2 – to the middle when it all goes to shit – to the wonderful end when they come out better than before.

Tim has a connection with both men inside and outside the bedroom while Richard and Eric’s only real connections is inside the bedroom. It is not until a tragedy happens that Richard and Eric start to communicate better. Once these 3 realize how short life is and how quickly everything you worked so hard for could be taken away did they start to move as one solid unit.

The writing was flawless and Tachna kept me engaged the entire time. Did I mention I am a sucker for military men in my stories? We get a little bit of action and a little bit of sweet. I really adored this story. Another wonderful M/M/M for those who are a fan of ménages. I would love to have a book 2 to see them in the future.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

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One Bullet by Casey Wolfe: Release Day Review

March 27, 2017 by Denise

34382246 synopsis When Ethan Brant was shot, he found himself dealing with severe PTSD and unable to do his job as a police officer any longer. With the aid of Detective Shawn Greyson, the man who saved his life, Ethan not only finds himself again but discovers love as well.

Shawn’s life growing up was less than ideal, however, he overcame that to become who he is today. That doesn’t mean he isn’t missing something in his life. What Shawn hadn’t realized, upon first meeting, was that Ethan could give him all that and more.

Can one bullet really change two lives? I was intrigued by the synopsis and wanted to see when the author would take it and overall I was impressed.

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deanna review

Ethan, a police officer was shot while off duty and rescued by police detective Shawn. Shawn saved his life, keeping pressure on the wound until help arrived, visiting the hospital while Ethan recovered. The two struck up an easy friendship even after Ethan had to leave his job on the force due to PTSD. Shawn has been helping Ethan work through his PTSD by going to his weekly therapy appointments with him and suggesting new treatment options he’s read about. At some point the line between friendship and relationship was blurred and the two need to figure out if heading forward together is where they want to be.

I really enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship. I love the way Shawn was so supportive of Ethan’s recovery.

The one point of confusion I had was with the opening scene. Ethan is trying to avoid the police looking for him and at one point he’s flat out running from them. To the point that the police use the taser on him. Shawn runs to rescue him and the storyline drops. If the police wanted to question him to the point of pursuit and taser use the storyline can’t fall flat. There needs to be some sort of conclusion. If the author was using this idea to introduce Shawn as the hero it would totally work, but the conclusion needs a little beefing up.

That said, I really did enjoy the book. The story was well told, the slow build up was great and the character development was on point. It was entertaining and an enjoyable read. I can’t wait to see where this author takes us next.

3 pieces of eye candy