Month: December 2014

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The Holiday Hoax by Skylar Cates

Dreamspinner Presents: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5801
HolidayHoax[The]Blurb

I’m Evan Goodman, budding actor, future star, college freshman. Oh, and let’s not forget—recently dumped. If only my family wasn’t expecting to meet my new boyfriend over the holiday break. Enter JD Laurens—a sweet and quiet science major who mostly keeps to himself. When he gathers the courage to come out, poor JD gets abandoned by his only family right in front of me, and now he has nowhere to go for Christmas. But I have a proposition for him: pretend to be my boyfriend for the holidays so I can take him home. It’s a win-win. What could go wrong?

Review

Evan is “dating” this self-centered, cheating, popular guy from his major who drops him right before Christmas. He goes to the Donut Shop to fuel up for his trip home for the holidays and sees JD “out” himself to his very mean, hateful brother, who tells JD never to come home – ever. (And it turns out JD’s brother is his ONLY family- big jerk!)

Evan hatches a plan to save both JD and himself from a horrible holiday. JD can play Evan’s boyfriend, Tyler, (who the family was expecting to meet) and JD can have a place to go over Christmas.

Needless to say – the tricking doesn’t fool anyone, and mom is suspicious of Tyler/JD. But – as you can imagine – JD is a far better boyfriend to Evan than Tyler ever was and what started as a hoax ends up as a HEA.

**
Your heart will bleed for JD and the way he just shines in the face of Evan’s family is so touching. Neither Evan nor JD have much “experience” so the smexy times are pretty tame, but very sweet. This reads almost like a young adult title, but that doesn’t stop it from being a really sweet and fun book full of goofy holiday games and sappy moments.

I really enjoyed this and didn’t miss the smexy times.

I give it a 4 of 5 hearts

4

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And the Children Shall Lead (The Knight Cycle #4) by Michael J. Bowler

23205951The campaign to save California’s children was only the beginning. Now King Arthur and his Round Table of teenaged knights set their sights on fixing something even bigger – the entire country. How? By targeting America’s most sacred document – The Constitution.

Native American teens Kai and Dakota, despite harboring secrets of their own, join the team, and swear undying loyalty to Lance. They carry the hope of their people that the crusade will better the lives of Indian children, who are the most neglected by government. This new campaign will take the young people to The White House, the halls of Congress, and beyond in their quest to change the prevailing opinion that children are property, rather than human beings in their own right.

But an unseen nemesis stalks Lance and Arthur, and ratchets up the attacks on New Camelot, promising to kill them and destroy all that the king has put in place. Lance, Ricky, Kai, and Dakota become the enemy’s favorite targets, and barely escape with their lives on more than one occasion. Who is this mysterious stalker, and what is the motive for these attacks? Lance has no idea, especially since he’s never intentionally hurt anyone.

“You were right, little boy, death is coming for you, but slowly, and only after it takes out the people you love.” That chilling promise haunts Lance, but also strengthens his determination to protect the people he loves at all costs. Or die trying.

The Knight Cycle continues…

Kimi’s thoughts:

This is one of those series that you see kicking about and then one day, decide, “I keep seeing this about, winning awards and what not, but it doesn’t seem to be that huge. I’m gonna check it out and see what the deal is.” So you pick it up, and read the first volume. It makes you stop and think. It challenges you, and you see something that you never maybe really saw before. You rad the next one, right away, never mind the book’s length.

You think, Holy cow, I’m not sure about some of their ideas, but man, this is one compelling read. Then you come to understand that you were not supposed to necessarily side the way you assumed. Also, that the issues being dealt with are a lot more complex than you had possibly wanted to know. But what has been seen cannot be unseen, so now, moving pell mell onto volume three, you have to face it head on.

You find you object to issues you had thought you stood firmly on the other side for, perhaps. You find that if you stood against what they fought, your ideals  do not match up with what actually needs doing. You see the youth you dismiss as thuggish as who he is, inside. It’s disquietening. It also makes you feel great joy as you see the power of hope and personal effort.

Then you come to this volume. The Constitution? Really? But while this is fantasy, it again makes you give pause. The rights of children, these are things we’ve al fought for, in one way or another The right for children to go to school. the right for them not to slave away in factories and sweat shops. Basic human rights. And all through this, there is an exciting action adventure with modern Knights of the Roundtable, male and female alike, righting wrongs, helping the needy, and fighting back against those who wish to do evil.

It’s a great read, and I’m going to say this once, if you have kids, 11 or older, buy them these books. Gay, straight, bi, white, black, Latino, male, female, young old…they are ALL in this book and they are ALL heroes. It’s a nice self affirming read for youth, and the subplot with young Lance coming to accept his orientation is beautiful.

Rating: 4.5

Buy from Amazon 

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Krampusz by Lou Harper

Dreamspinner Presents: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5835

KrampuszBlurb

In Budapest, Brian might find himself in the arms of Krampusz, who punishes bad boys.

Freshly out of college, shy and introverted Brian Preston travels from LA to Budapest to teach English, ready to embrace life and spread his wings. It’s early December, and the air is heavy with the scent of roasting chestnuts. Getting involved with his new roommate, native Hungarian Zoli Park, promises to be the adventure Brian always wanted. But all is not as it seems, and Brian might find himself in the arms of Krampusz, demonic companion to St. Nick, who punishes bad boys.

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Review

This holiday story shows us a bit of Hungarian tradition and we meet two “new adults” ready to tackle the world. Brian and his Hungarian/American roommate, Zoli flirt a bit and when it looks like they might just be ready to take things to the next level, Zoli remembers something from the past that might keep them apart.

I enjoyed learning about another holiday custom and really enjoyed Lou Harper’s character building but I was a bit confused by the direction the story went at the end.

Overall, I give it 3.5 of 5 hearts.

3.5

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Neighbors by Emma Wilson

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5843

NeighborsBlurb
With some help from friends, Eric and Rhys might finally move beyond watching each other through their windows.
Ever since he moved to London, shy editor Eric has been watching his neighbor, Crooked Smile, jog every morning. Aspiring restaranteur Rhys eats breakfast by the window so he can see his neighbor, Bed Head, help the old woman downstairs clean off her car. When Eric’s roommate unexpectedly returns home for the holidays, she realizes their idiocy and, with the help of Rhys’s business partner, Andreas, tries to help both men see there might be more in their futures than they’re seeing through their windows.

Review

Eric has been spying on his super cute neighbor, but afraid to talk to him because he thinks he’s in a relationship. Instead, he stares at him blankly every time they come across one another and feels lonely.
At Christmas, they are forced together with the help of their friends and they realize they both had been crushing on the other all along.
Very sweet, light holiday story. My only wish is that we’d gotten to see them together – if only for a little bit.

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3.5 of 5 hearts

3.5

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Knitter in His Natural Habitat: Granby Knitting Series, Book 4 Audiobook by Amy Lane Narrated by Phillip Alces

Dreamspinner Presents  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5937

knitter habitBlurb

Stanley’s life took a left turn at a knitting shop and hit a dead end. The closest thing he’s had to a relationship breaks things off to date a “nice boy,” and none of the pretty young things in Boulder’s limited gay scene do it for Stanley. He needs to reevaluate whether working as a floor designer for a series of craft stores is really where he wants to be.
Then Stanley does a peculiar thing: he starts to live the life he fell into. Stitch by stitch, he knits his life into something meaningful. Just when he does, Johnny, the store’s new delivery boy, walks in.
Johnny is like no one Stanley has ever met: he doesn’t believe in quickies in the bathroom and has a soft spot for theater and opera. There has to be a catch. When Johnny’s dark past comes back to haunt them, Stanley realizes how much he loves his cushy life in the yarn store – but he’ll give it all up to keep the man who makes his ordinary life extraordinary.

Review
Depending on your ordering system this is either book 3 or 4 of the knitter’s series. This is one of the more intense books in the series. Stanley is an aging “bottom boy” and Johnny is in the Witness Protection Program after ratting out the mob. Johnny is also the guy who saved Jeremy from being killed in mob related activities.

After Craw “dumps” Stanley for Ben, Stanley is forced to re-evaluate his life and he comes to the conclusion that he has a full, if somewhat lonely, life and that he values himself too much to continue to “give away” his body in back rooms as before. He turns to knitting and friendship to fill the gaps.

One day Johnny makes a delivery to Stanley’s shop and the two are instantly attracted to one another. Johnny is nothing but sincere and almost immediately in it for the long haul.  They begin with a date.  *sigh

Stanley takes some convincing, but after a couple of proper “dates” he’s convinced Johnny might be “the one”.

Of course Amy can’t leave us with a simple, happy love story like that. Oh, no. She has to add in mob violence and danger and the worst thing imaginable happens and the mob comes calling, threatening Stanley’s life and those on Craw’s farm.

When the dust settles, we are left with Stanley and Johnny hoping to make a go of it and Jeremy and Aidan now facing a long road to recovery. (The lead in to the next book.)
**

I had forgotten how intense this book was. I love older characters and Amy tends to write mostly about the younger men in early adult hood. This proves her immense talent and flexibility in that these guys are just as rich, deep, loveable, flawed and easy to root for as her younger characters.

Though I would have rather nothing bad happen to anyone, I can see what the violence did for Jeremy, Aidan, Stanley and Johnny and it was amazing. It also helped cement the bond between Stanley’s family and Craw’s in a way that is irrevocable.

Audio:
This was Philip Alces’ best yet! His Johnny interpretation was fantastic but he excelled with the swishy yet cranky Stanley. This is his range, as it were, at its best.

I really enjoyed this audiobook (by far the best of the series) and highly recommend it.

5 of 5 hearts for both book and audiobook.

5

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My You by Tamer Lorika


Dreamspinner Presents: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5838

MyYouBlurb

Adrian’s life in Mongolia is very different from Texas, from the holiday celebrations to… dating.

Adrian Delgado’s time in the Peace Corps has been rewarding, but with Christmas around the corner, he is starting to get homesick. Life in Mongolia is very different from Texas, from the holiday celebrations to… dating. Take his coworker Batbayar, for instance—they’ve slept together several times and spend most time outside of work in each other’s houses. But are they “together,” or friends with benefits? Maybe a Mongolian Christmas and a sheep’s head in the bathtub can lead to the answer.

 

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Review

This incredibly short story (17 pages) is very interesting and sweet. We learn a bit about Mongolia and their holiday traditions. The main issue is Adrian isn’t sure what’s going on between him and Batbayar but “Bata” shows Adrian in his own way, that they are in a relationship.

This was pretty cute and showed us a different culture. I give it 3 of 5 hearts.

3

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First Class Package by Jay Northcote

Free Read Offered by Jay Northcote : https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-firstclasspackage-1700282-149.html  or
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/501280

FirstClassPackage_finalBlurb

A geeky science writer has a crush on his postman—but will he ever make a move?

Working from home suits introvert Jim until he gets a special delivery—an extremely cute, temporary postman called Patrick. Jim’s drawn to his wide smile and sexy legs, while Patrick can’t keep his eyes off Jim’s package.

Their doorstep attraction seems mutual, so asking Patrick out on a date should be easy. There’s just one problem—Jim could fit all the pick-up lines he knows on the back of a postage stamp.

As Christmas approaches, Jim knows the end of Patrick’s postal-delivery contract is looming. Taking a chance might be worth it if it keeps Patrick coming to his door.

Excerpt

The sound of the doorbell jarred Jim out of the article on climate change he was working on. Having barely started his first draft, with a deadline forty-eight hours away, he wasn’t too chuffed about being pulled out of the zone. Sighing heavily, he set his laptop aside. As he moved to answer the door, he realised how stiff he was. How long had he been sitting immobile on the sofa? It must have been at least a couple of hours. He was still wearing the ratty old T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms he’d slept in, he realised. But that often happened when he was writing. Getting dressed was just another distraction he didn’t need.
He spotted the flash of a red and navy uniform through the frosted glass panel in the front door and opened it, expecting to see his usual postman Keith.
But on opening the door, he found himself facing a stranger—an attractive stranger with a cheeky grin and twinkly blue eyes under dark spiky hair.
“You’re not Keith,” Jim said.
“Um… no.” Not-Keith’s grin slipped a little. “He’s off work for a few weeks. Had an op on his knee.” He gestured down and Jim’s eyes followed the movement, getting stuck on a delightful pair of muscular legs that emerged from beneath the postman’s navy shorts.
Shorts, in the middle of December? Jim shivered at the thought of it. It was bloody freezing out there, but sunny at least, he supposed.
Jim realised he was still staring like an idiot at the poor bloke’s knees. He quickly looked up again.
“I’ve got something you need to sign for.” Not-Keith pressed a few buttons on his electronic signature gizmo and held it out. A rainbow braided bracelet slipped out from below his sleeve. “Give us your autograph then.”
Jim squiggled something that looked completely unlike his signature, then took the parcel Not-Keith offered him. “Cheers.”
Not-Keith flashed him another devastating smile that did funny things to Jim’s belly. “You’re welcome. Have a good day!”
He turned and hurried off.
Jim’s gaze dropped back down those bare legs: furry, muscular calves over thick socks and boots. The sight of those did funny things a little further south than Jim’s belly.
He shook his head as though to clear it. He didn’t have time to indulge in dirty fantasies about his postman today. There was work to do.

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Review

This is a super cute heart warmer!

Jay Northcote excels at giving us lovable yet flawed characters that fill your heart with joy and Jim, the shy workaholic is that guy. He can’t make himself ask out the cute delivery guy, so he buys stuffed animals every day until he’s got himself a virtual zoo! Finally, the delivery guy, Patrick feels sorry for him and does a little asking himself.

Luckily the two are well matched and it looks like they’ll end up seeing a lot more of each other, even after the holiday package season.

I love nerds and Patrick and Jim are two of the cutest you’ll find!

I highly recommend this very sweet holiday treat and give it 4.5 hearts!

4.5

Author Bio

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.
She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

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Green the Whole Year Round by Rowan MacAllister

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5782

greenBlurb

Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to regain his personal and professional confidence.

Neil Kelly is a computer programmer who just got promoted to full time and is celebrating over Christmas by going on his first real grown-up vacation at the Cabins in the Pines Inn. When he runs into Ted, his longtime crush, Neil can’t believe his luck, and he vows to do whatever it takes to make Ted see him as something other than the dork next door.

Neil wasn’t part of Ted’s plan for the holidays, but he might turn out to be exactly what Ted needs.

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Review

Ted is 6 months out of a bad break-up and spending Christmas alone at a cabin he had reserved for his partner and himself before the break up. He’s evaluating not only his break-up but his career choice, since he’s a couples therapist who didn’t see his own break-up coming.

Neil is Ted’s neighbor who’s been crushing on Ted for years, but always gets tongue tied in front of the hot guy and his douche of a partner. He buys himself a holiday getaway package (not knowing Ted will be there) to reward himself for getting his degree.

When Ted first spies Neil, he’s really mean because he doesn’t want company and he’d always thought Neil was a bit too scatter-brained for his tastes. Neil is crushed, but he’s a forgiving sort and when Ted apologizes nicely, they agree to spend some of their holiday together.

Neil’s fresh-faced optimism is just the breath of fresh air Ted needs to see things from a new perspective. In addition, Neil pushes all his buttons sexually, and makes him laugh like he hasn’t in years.

Though Neil is a few years younger and Ted is a bit more jaded, there may be a match made in heaven between these two neighbors after all.

**

I really enjoyed this short holiday story about finding love where you don’t expect it.

I really, really, really liked Neil and though Ted was a bit of a downer, he did turn around a bit toward the end and got to a point where I thought he just might be good for Neil.

Since this is a short-story we really only get a HFN but it looks very promising.

The sex is pretty steamy and the story is pretty sweet. I give it a 3.5 of 5 hearts.

3.5

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A Scout is Brave Tour with Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

ScoutIsBraveIn the months following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, fourteen-year-old Joshua, a half Native American boy, is new to a Boy Scout troop and spending a week camping in northern Wisconsin. The weaker kids in the troop soon realize Joshua is not afraid to stand up to the troop’s ruthless bullies. Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly find their own inner strength.
Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he realizes he has feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s harsh and puritanical Scoutmaster. The two discover they have more in common than Scouting as they share their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship. That friendship faces its greatest challenge as the homophobic bullies claim a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. As if struggling to come to terms with his sexuality while dealing with hatred and bigotry isn’t enough, Joshua discovers the camp holds another dark mystery, one that will make him summon all his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.

Excerpt:

Joshua didn’t know how far or for how long he had run. He desperately gasped for air but didn’t stop running. It didn’t matter to him where he was going. As he ran, he pushed his body to its limits.

When he felt tired, he increased his speed. When cramps gripped his chest, he ignored them. The harder he pushed his body, the more he had to concentrate on moving it and the more willpower it took to compensate for the overwhelming instinct to stop. The harder Joshua pushed, the less room there was in his head to contemplate what had just happened. Total concentration went into continuing his physical exertion.

All the willpower in the world, however, would not allow Joshua to continue to exceed his body’s natural limits. Eventually, it began to weaken. His rapid speed finally slowed to a crawl, and his steady course was replaced by recurrent stumbles. Joshua tried to correct his performance, but ultimately his body gave in, and he tripped on his own feet, tumbling to the ground. A moment of elation overcame his body as it enjoyed the sudden relaxation in tension. Then everything rushed back to him, and Joshua felt the full force of reality drag him desperately back down into an inescapable dark void of despair.

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Author Bio:
Jay Jordan Hawke holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in history, as well as a second master’s in Outdoor Education. He loves everything sci-fi, especially Star Trek, and hopes to be on the first starship out of here. In the meantime, he teaches at a college prep school and anxiously awaits the day when he can write full time. In addition to all things sci-fi, his hobbies include camping, reading, running, and writing. He has lived in several Midwestern states and currently resides in Indiana. Ugh – get me out of here!
Author Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/jay.hawke
https://www.facebook.com/JayJordanHawke
https://www.twitter.com/@JayJordanHawke

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain

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Miracle on Mistletoe Lane Derrick Knight Tour with Giveaway

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Excerpt:
When Joe lifted his head, he saw the man he had been fantasizing about since Joey was discharged from the hospital. He quickly stood up then nervously swayed back and forth. Partly because he was nervous seeing the man whom he secretly desired, but also because he did not want Sidney to know that he was living here at a homeless shelter. He did not want Sidney’s pity.
“Oh, I…” Joe struggled to find the right words.
“The church hired Mr. Koehler to finish remodeling our library,” Emily said smoothly. “We needed someone right away and by the Lord’s work Mr. Koehler was available. My assistants and I think he is a Godsend.” Emily’s cell phone began to ring. “I need to take this call. It’s my husband.” She looked at Joe. “Would you be willing to give Mr. Maier a tour of Hope House while I take this call?”
Before Joe could respond, Sidney interjected.
“I would like that very much.”
The excitement in Sidney’s voice did not go unnoticed by either Joe or Emily.
“Good,” Emily said, taking her husband’s call as she walked away.
For a few moments Joe and Sidney just stared at each other, both men wanting to say something but too afraid. Finally, Joe mustered up the courage to start the conversation.

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Author Bio:
Derrick Knight was born and grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. Derrick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration from University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. For the last seventeen years, Derrick has been employed as a neonatal nutritionist in a neonatal intensive care unit at the largest teaching hospital in Illinois outside of Chicago.
Growing up Derrick was an avid reader of mystery novels. Agatha Christie was his favorite author. Ever since childhood Derrick dreamed of becoming a writer. He planned on writing mystery novels until a couple of years ago he read his first gay romance novel and he became hooked on the genre.
When Derrick is not writing, he is working on restoring his Arts & Crafts home, tending to his garden, and being an advocate for improving infant nutrition. Currently. Derrick resides in Peoria, Illinois with his two cats Iris and Madison Grace.

Author Contact: Twitter   Facebook

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