Month: September 2015

Posted on

My Hero by Max Vos Audible Edition Tour

 

Max Vos Tour Banner

When he was 16 years old, Rich Miller saved a young man from drowning at his local pool. Little did he know that years later, as a senior in college and Olympic diving hopeful, Rich would meet up once again with Johnny Milloway, now a big football player – and when Rich says big, he really means “bear”. The shy jock remembers his saviour, and the two men become friends.

Johnny isn’t put off by the fact that Rich is gay. In fact, the more time he spends with Rich, the more curious he becomes. Johnny wants to know all kinds of things – what it’s like to kiss a guy, for instance. Only it doesn’t stop there…
Rich finds it difficult to believe that this relationship can go anywhere. Johnny is straight, and Rich isn’t prepared to deal with the heartache he knows will come his way in the future. He has enough on his plate as it is – the worlds are just around the corner. His father would rather watch a football game than spend time watching his son dive. What he doesn’t count on is Johnny, who can be very determined. And having Johnny in his life proves to be a catalyst for some pretty earth-shattering changes.
©2014 Max Vos, Inc.; (P)2015 Max Vos, Inc.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Audible

My Hero is also available on Itunes.

Trailer 

About the Author:

Max Vos is a classically trained chef with over 30 years of food service experience. After retiring in 2011, Max found himself with time on his hands and was urged to turn his talents to writing. ‘Cooking English’, a short story, was his first published work, and has four other short stories currently in publication with Ravenous Romance. His first novel, My Hero was a number one best seller on Amazon. He continues to challenge himself with varying topics, from Marine Vampires to taboo subjects. The one thing you will always be guaranteed to find in his writing is hard, gritty, man-on-man sex.

Max loves hearing from readers. You can keep up with him by reading his weekly blog posts on his own blog page: http://www.maxvos.com/

or his Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/max.vos.393?fref=ts

Email him at: [email protected]

GIVEAWAY

Max is giving away
An audio code for a copy of My Hero
3 Ecopies of My Hero
2 Ecopies of a Backlist Title ( winner’s choice)

Rafflecopter Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d51793e098/?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Narrator’s Bio

Jared Bradford has been a nation-wide gay nightlife icon, actor, go-go dancer, singer, model, classically-trained pianist, yogi, and educator in physics and mathematics. He is originally from Louisiana, but now lives very happily in New York City with his partner of three and half years, Seth Fornea, and adorable Chihuahua, Miley. As a debut narrator and producer, Jared is proud to present his performance of My Hero as his first introduction to the audiobook world.

Jared has always had a strong interest in music and the theater and has starred in several productions of plays and musicals including Hay Fever, Old Wicked Songs, The Exonerated, Godspell, and A Grand Night for Singing. He also recently portrayed Chandler in the daytime web series La Fleur de Mai. Now, he is delighted to be able to bring his interests in music recording and acting together to produce quality audiobooks.

Like most, Jared loves to enjoy life, and always tries to find the FUN in everything. If you have the chance to see him twerking it on a box somewhere around the world, don’t be shy and come say hi!

Connect with Jared online at:

https://www.facebook.com/jbradford.inc?fref=ts

http://www.soundcloud.com/Jared-Bradford

 

http://[email protected]

heart dani elle 4

Posted on

Truth & Tenderness (Faith, Love & Devotion Book 6) Audiobook by Tere Michaels Narrated by Ron Herczig

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Truth-Tenderness-Audiobook/B01436DYKO

truth tenderness audioBlurb

Newly promoted police captain Evan Cerelli takes command of his own precinct as Matt Haight’s security business begins to expand at a rapid rate. Both of their careers require more and more of their time—away from home and each other. When his most famous clients, Daisy and Bennett Ames, suffer a traumatic breakup, Matt is drawn into a dangerous and dramatic situation. With attentions diverted, Evan and Matt’s tight-knit home life begins to unravel.

As Griffin Drake’s movie nears final edit, his thoughts turn toward building a home with his new fiancé, Jim Shea—and maybe even starting a family. Before he can think of a new family, Jim is caught up in his past. The possibility of putting Tripp Ingersoll in jail once and for all beckons, and Jim wants the closure that has long eluded him. As a new lead spurs him on, Jim begins to lose sight of the future by chasing an old ghost.

Both couples struggle to remember that “happily ever after” requires hard work, trust, and tender, open hearts.

Review
Book Review found here:
https://kimichanexperience.com/truth-tenderness-faith-love-devotion-book-6-by-tere-michaels/

Audio

Ron Herczig is SUCH an improvement over the narrator from the previous books in this series. I am in FULL APPROVAL of this change. I had a bad experience with this narrator before, but I was so very pleasantly surprised with this narration. Ron did an excellent job with the guys’ chemistry (all four!) and did a nice job of trying to keep the voices somewhat unique. Nothing over the top, but enough to give us an idea of who was who. His growly voice fits Evan and Matt so perfectly and I really love how he handles their banter (and their fights…). I loved his interpretation of Casper – so snarky! I really appreciated the change and enjoyed listening to this very much. All in all I highly recommend this narration!

4.25 of 5 hearts

4.5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City: Book Three) by Anne Barwell

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6464

FamilyandreflectionBlurb

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Flint—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Flint for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

Review

This is book three in the series and can be read alone, but really should be read in order in the series.

We’ve met Declan before – Forge’s longtime vampire lover. He’s a very old vampire, a thief, and a man of mystery.

Then there’s Lucas, the werewolf that doesn’t quite fit in with his pack but who has formed his own pack with his friends, the vampires – even though werewolves and vampires don’t mix!

Declan has been out of town for these last 10 years and when he returns he finds himself immediately drawn to Lucas. Lucas is equally attracted and both think the other might be “the one” but neither thinks the other feels anything but friendship.

When they finally admit they have feelings for one another their chemistry is explosive. They realize they are mates, despite the astronomical odds of such a pairing.

In the meantime – of course – there is another mystery to be solved (this time Declan is the accused) and a werewolf plague as well and a trickster is involved.

We get to see a bit of Blair and Forge, Simon and Ben and meet a new human PhD student, Ange.

**

Just as with books one and two the mystery and the life in Flint plays an important (central, really) role. Lucas and Declan’s romance is almost too easy and though it is interesting, there isn’t a lot of angst in their relationship.

Most of the drama is surrounding the mystery to be solved.

I think that this series is very well written. Both authors have given us terrifically well rounded MCs, well designed and clever mysteries and world building that is very thorough and interesting.

If you like a lot of mystery with your romance, some interesting twists on the werewolf/vampire mythos, and a little bit a dry humor – this is the series for you.

I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to the audio version as they have all been excellent.

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

A Hard Day’s Night Tour by Mia Kerick with Excerpt and Giveaway

RCPages or Words: 21,500 words

 

Excerpt:
“Fin and I have managed to get locked into what I will refer to as a repetitive pattern of affable behavior, and, in my opinion, it’s working out splendidly. We are the dearest of friends.”
Scratch that. Starting over.
And since I know it’s well past time for some brutally honest self-talk, I sit up in my bed, and by the warm glow of my Yellow Submarine nightlight, study my frayed picture of John Lennon. To complete the visual, it’s the photo from Mom’s retro record set, The White Album, that I pinned to the wall beside my bed and have worshipped regularly since I was in the seventh grade. Behind those round wire glasses, the man’s piercing eyes don’t lie—John was a brutally honest sort, often to his detriment. After all, back in 1966 didn’t he assert that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ? Now, that is certainly calling it exactly as he sees it.
Not that I necessarily agree with the sentiment, I respect that kind of direct- ness in a person.
I owe him this much.
Out of respect for John, I revise and reissue my previous assertion.
“The Finster and I are stuck in a rut of pleasant compatibility… an unusually
deep rut, at that.”
This attempt at telling-it-like-it-is is definitely an improvement, but it’s still
not right on the money, and I’m nothing, if not specific.
I prop up my pillow and lean hard against the creaky antique headboard (call it like you see it, Lennon—the headboard is just plain old), with the certain knowledge that I’ve completely outgrown this flimsy, twin size bed of my childhood.
So maybe it’s more like this….
“Fin and I each have one leg semi-submerged in a muddy ditch, and we’re in it well past our knees. This is the kind of murky and dark, seemingly bottomless, pit that will suck the rubber boot right off your foot with a single, hollow, slurping sound, and then belch with satisfaction.” For the third time I speak aloud in an effort to make my declaration official. “It appears that the two of us are gonna be stuck here in this mucky BFF-swampland for the long haul— bootless and slowly sinking into the sludge—unless, of course, I act decisively and with haste. And with great vigor—because, to accomplish the task I have in mind, I’m most likely going to have to shift into full-hyper-dunk-mode, possibly coupled with the drama-queen-approach. Neither of which poses a problem for me, other than that they require an excessive expenditure of energy.”
That was most definitely a mouthful, but an accurate mouthful.
And all I need is one day. Just one gay day.
Thankfully, ever proud of the open-mindedness he hides so well from his ultra-conservative family, Fin has granted me my greatest wish. On Saturday, March 21st, Beaumont Finley Danforth II (IMHO this BFD is a Big Fucking Deal) is mine for the day to do with as I please. I sincerely hope that a single day is sufficient to help Fin figure out what I already know.
Um, Lennon…maybe now is not the right time to start suffering with a debilitating bout of self-doubt.
Confidence is of key importance in this endeavor.
No, I do not have any worries, and yes, I do have twenty-four feminine-side-ex- ploring, team-switching, relationship-igniting hours to make my homeboy see the rainbow-hued light. Starting bright and early tomorrow morning.
On that note, I’ll get started with my beauty sleep. I sure hope I’m gonna need it.
I wiggle down so I’m flat on my back with my feet sticking six inches over the end of the bed, pull the covers up to my chin, and listen to my mental arrangement of “Imagine” until I fall asleep.

image1

Buy the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Days-Night-Mia-Kerick-ebook/dp/B013O1V2OE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/mobile/details.html?pid=1870086

https://gumroad.com/l/AAVuw
About the author:
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty-two years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young people and their relationships, and she believes that physical intimacy has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press, and CreateSpace for providing her with alternate places to stash her stories.
Mia is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights, especially marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaKerick
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=mia+kerick
Publisher: Cool Dudes Publishing
Cover Artist: Louis C. Harris

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

What No One Else Can Hear? By Brynn Stein

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6685

WhatNoOneElseCanHearBlurb

Young Stevie Liston is diagnosed with autism, but is really an overwhelmed empath who mentally called out for help. Jesse McKinnon heard him in a dream from clear across the country, and that dream sent him on a six-year search to find Stevie. Once they meet, they think everything will work out and Jesse will help Stevie cope.

Stevie does improve immensely, but a disgruntled coworker of Jesse’s conspires with Stevie’s estranged but politically powerful father to keep Stevie and Jesse apart with trumped-up legal charges claiming Jesse sexually abused the boy. Jesse must watch helplessly as Stevie loses all the advances he’s made.

If it wasn’t for his growing relationship with his coworker Drew Ferguson, Jesse knows he wouldn’t have the strength to fight for his rights and Stevie’s future. Drew just might be the real thing, but with the very real possibility of serving jail time for a crime he didn’t commit, Jesse’s hopes for a future with Drew might be doomed.

Review

Jesse has been finding 10 year old Stevie lost in the woods for the last six years – in his dreams. He finally finds him in the real world in a home for special needs children. Stevie is both autistic and an empath and Jesse has been able to reach through to him in a way nobody else has, ever.

Together, Jesse and Stevie work to help make Stevie’s world livable by creating mental barriers to all the emotion that bombards Stevie at every moment.

As though that weren’t tough enough… Chuck, an attendant in the children’s home, has it out for both Stevie and Jesse. Stevie’s long lost father is suddenly back in the picture and making waves that could separate Stevie and Jesse. Someone wants to cause trouble and nearly kills Stevie in a fire. Suddenly, Jesse is facing a law suit for child endangerment and worse!

Oh, and Jesse and Drew are friends who become lovers.

**

I find myself having a hard time reviewing this book for several reasons. I try very hard to be as constructive in my criticism as possible and to allow for all sorts of tastes and interests to create a wide variety of styles and tastes.

First and foremost, this is only very, very loosely a romance. Jesse and Drew do become lovers and later partners but that occupies less than 10% of the story’s breadth. That in and of itself brings the book down in my estimation ONLY because I thought I was reading a romance and that is really not the main point of this story.

Though the story about Jesse and Stevie finding one another and connecting is a beautiful one – it is not a romance. I did love this part of the story. The vaguely supernatural elements driving Jesse to find Stevie was intriguing and the way Jesse could reach Stevie and help him navigate his challenges was wonderful and very touching. For this I’m willing to give the story some credence because the writing about this was wonderful and the relationship Jesse and Stevie formed was amazing.

What made me give this story such a poor rating was the absolutely ludicrous plot line surrounding Stevie’s biological father and his cohort. I never understood how someone as foul as Chuck would have ever gotten nor retained a job working with challenged children. Nope. Never. He was a douche-nozzle extraordinaire and no way would anyone allow him near a kid – ever. Then there’s the dad. Why did he even buy into Chuck’s line of BS? What could he possibly gain by ruining Jesse? How would that help his campaign? And who in their right mind would believe Jesse was ever doing anything to hurt Stevie? That entire plot just didn’t make any sense and it brought this lovely story about love and learning and disability to that of a second-rate soap opera.

While the writing was fine and the characters (for the most part) were engaging and the storyline between Jesse and Stevie was awesome – I could not let go of my disbelief in the rest of the story – and that overshadowed my enjoyment of this story. Add to it that the “romance” was barely a thing at all and I was thoroughly disappointed with this book.

If you ignore the romance aspect and are willing to take the rest of the story with a giant grain of salt then the lovely story of a relationship that we see develop between two empathic individuals is a good one.

2 of 5 hearts

2

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Bowerbirds (Nested Hearts Book 2) by Ada Marie Soto

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6773

BowerbirdsBlurb
Sequel to Empty Nests
Nested Hearts: Book Two

Two very different men have a chance at happiness, but only if they can let go of their painful pasts and allow love to take precedence.

After spending his teens and twenties raising his son, James Maron is now dating Gabriel Juarez, the wealthy and sophisticated CFO of the TechPrim technology empire. But after a life of proudly holding his head above the poverty line with the ethos of work, priorities, responsibility, and thrift, he is not looking for a Sugar Daddy, he does not need to be rescued, and Gabe’s wealth is as terrifying as feeling love for the first time.

Gabe has never been good at balancing his high-pressure job with his relationships. Money usually clears most of the bumps, and when a boyfriend walks away, Gabe figures it’s for a good reason. But James isn’t like other boyfriends. He doesn’t want Gabe’s money for one, and if Gabe wants to keep his relationship together, he will have to finally face the ghosts of his own past and reconsider his priorities.

Review

So… we met James and Gabe in Empty Nests. Gabe is a billionaire IT mogul and James is a single father who works with computers and is barely scraping by. The two are at once completely different yet totally the same and manage to find themselves dating in book one.

In book two things are nowhere near “settled”. James is having panic attacks because his son, Dylan, is turning 18 and graduating. This is a huge thing for a guy who worried every day that Dylan could be taken from him.

Gabe is stressed because he’s got a huge “world-changing” deal going down and it’s taking every moment of his life – BUT… he wants to keep James and keep him happy.

In this book there is only a little smexy times, but lots and lots of feels.

Both James and Gabe are finding that they want, more than anything, to be together – but love isn’t always enough, it takes a lot of work to make things stick.

**
I loved this book even more than book one. For one, I really felt connected to the characters. There was a lot of time spent in both their heads and hearts and I really feel that their love – though not going to be easy – is more than just a “Cinderfella” story.

I also really liked Dylan and his involvement in the story. What an amazing kid! It will be fun to see where the next story takes him, too.

The tamales, the telenovelas, and most especially the scene with James’ budget really touched me and I am so excited to see where these guys end up. I think I want Gabe to make James’ life easy almost as much as Gabe does!

I highly recommend this to fans of the first book, and if you missed the first you should get it so that you can read this one!

5 of 5 hearts

5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Look here for my review of Empty Nests : https://kimichanexperience.com/empty-nest-by-ada-maria-soto/

Posted on

Waiting for the Rain Audiobook by Susan Mac Nicol Narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6639

WaitingForRainAUDMEDBlurb

The village of Stamford, the quintessential chocolate box English scene, seemed an impossible dream for foster kid Toby Prentiss. Now he’s found a home among the haystacks and village fairs as the general manager for the Duck and Drake Hotel. With the fears and demons from his youth hidden away in this bucolic oasis, he’s very protective of who he lets in. Until he stumbles across shirtless carpenter Rain Engel building the hotel’s new custom-designed bar.

Working in the countryside, Rain prepared to face his biggest fear: sheep. He didn’t expect to deal with his second biggest fear: commitment. Toby’s controlled, tough guy façade coupled with his “find happiness where you can” optimism calls to Rain like nothing before. While Rain may be an exhibitionist, his romantic history forces him to hold his emotions close. As their relationship develops, secrets from their pasts drive a wedge between them: the ex-boyfriend who tore apart Rain’s trust and Toby’s history with the law. But can the secrets hiding among the quirky villagers bring them together? With missing sheep, pole dancing at the winter festival, and a crippling drought, everyone is waiting for Rain.

Review

Toby is the manager of a hotel. He’s just booted his last boyfriend for smacking him around, he’s not necessarily looking to get involved with anyone right now.

Rain – not his real name – is working at Toby’s hotel in construction – he’s newly single and definitely not looking for any relationship. But… Rain is super hot for Toby, from the first moment they meet and vice versa.

Toby and Rain start a furtive relationship of handjobs and BJs – they aren’t even really sure they like one another. But… as time passes Toby wants more. He asks for and gets a date.

The “date” shows them both there is more to their ‘relationship’ than just quick getting-off.

Rain has a past – where he’s been hurt, so he’s guarded. Toby doesn’t trust easily and has a confusing relationship with his current boss that muddies the waters.
Then there’s the sheep…

In the end these guys make their way to a HEA and there’s stripping!

**

I have to tell you that this story just didn’t do it for me. I kept starting and stopping and putting it away, hoping for inspiration at another time.

Finally, I just pushed through and though there are some moments that are funny, some hot sex scenes and some tender declarations, I was never “moved”.

For me there just wasn’t that “hook” where you get invested in the characters or the story and just “have to keep reading/listening” to find out what happens next.

I just didn’t really care all that much. The writing was fine and the narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies did a fine job – in fact he did a great job – but I was just never that caught up in the story. Matthew gives everyone a different voice and that really added to the overall enjoyment.

I think the other thing that made this story hard for me was it’s length. There is a lot of side-story going on: the exes, the boss, the sheep, the fathers, the town drought… it got distracting.

So… I would definitely look to this author again – I can see that she has definite talent, but this story just didn’t flip any of my switches.

I give it 3 of 5 hearts for the narration because he did such a great job and the story wasn’t bad, just not terrific.

3

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Here For You Audiobook by Skylar Cates Narrated by Paul Morey

Dreamspinner Presents

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6753

HereForYouAUDMEDBlurb

Life is a thread connecting us. One pull and it all unravels.

Cole Gannon arrives in the seaside town of Ocean Vista to work as a bartender and finally find a place to belong. Determined to make a home for himself, Cole lives happily with his four colorful roommates, whom he considers brothers. The only problem is Cole’s attraction to Ian Stark—a guy all wrong for him. He wishes he didn’t keep running into the sexy lawyer.

Ian knows Cole is attracted to him, but the younger man keeps him at arm’s length. It only makes Ian more determined to be with Cole and learn all his secrets. But while Ian has built a successful law practice, he hasn’t done too well with relationships.

When a sudden and devastating tragedy occurs, it shatters Cole’s world and throws Cole and Ian together in unexpected ways. In an instant, everything between them changes forever.

Review

Cole’s biological family was never there for him, so he created his own family with a group of friends in a house of their own. It wasn’t always easy but they were there for one another.

Tragedy strikes and Cole loses one of his “family” – Brendan. He takes the loss hard. As does the rest of the “family”.

Ian was Brendan’s boss, and is older than Cole or his friends. Complicating things is that Cole had a crush on Ian, as did Brendan, before Brendan passed.

Ian, however, has only ever had eyes for Cole.

When Cole turns to Ian for comfort, the couple begins their long dance of courtship. It’s a slow burn, there are a lot of emotional hurdles to be jumped before they can achieve their HEA. But… they do.

This is the first in a series and there are many roommates who undoubtedly will have their story told in the future, they are well developed and each add their own unique flavor to this tale.

**

Skylar Cates is a phenomenal writer. Her prose is crisp and clear, without a lot of unnecessary clutter. I enjoy her characterizations and she has a real knack for the “slow burn” style of romance. By the time our MCs finally “commit”, the reader is as invested as they are!

I do recommend that you prepare for the long haul, because there is all that sadness to wade through – it’s not a quick, light or fluffy read. For me, I had to be in just the right frame of mind and so it took quite awhile to get through. (And I was listening so that made things more complex – see Audio part of review.)

I also warn that since it is the first in a series be prepared for a lot of background information – there are a lot of guys we need to meet.

That being said, it’s a really well done book about love and loss and friendship and family.

Audio

I love Paul Morey. I think he’s one of the better narrators out there, and I always enjoy his reading style. This book definitely challenged him because there are so MANY characters and he has to keep in mind that they are gonna keep showing up. I think he did a valiant job in giving them distinguishing voices, though I did have to go back and forth between book and narration if I stopped for any stretch in time to get re-acquainted again with who is who.

I also didn’t like Tomas’ “voice” it was a bit like a mix between a Hispanic accent and Paul’s Russian accent.

For the Audiobook I’d give this a 4 of 5 hearts, with the book maybe earning a 4.5 on it’s own.

4

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n