Category: Age Group

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Extreme Bull Audiobook by Catt Ford Narrated by Paul Morey

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5949

extreme bullBlurb

 

Inside and outside the rodeo arena, Jeff Stratton and Clay Harris are rivals with tempers worse than the bulls they ride. So Clay is shocked when Jeff taps that wild energy and kisses him, sparking an undeniable urge for more of each others’ bodies. But when they discover they might want more than casual sex between competitions, Clay’s greatest fear is recognized: He is scared of being identified as gay. He’ll have to cowboy up if he hopes to hang on to Jeff on the circuit of love.

 

Review

This is a double GFY! Jeff and Clay have had some “experience” with other guys (circle jerks count, right?) but are basically two straight bull-riders who are neck in neck competing on the rodeo circuit. They aren’t even friends, maybe frenemies if anything, when one day Jeff gets overwhelmed by … something… and kisses Clay! Instead of getting punched in the mouth like you’d expect from a straight guy, Clay welcomes the change in their relationship and pushes for more.

The next morning Clay has some serious recriminations and bolts. Jeff, understandably, is both hurt and relieved, because he doesn’t exactly understand these feelings and doesn’t want any sort of “reputation” as a gay cowboy to tarnish his chances for rodeo success.

The bulk of the story is Clay and Jeff dancing around their feelings and experimenting with the physical side of their relationship. They get some great advice from the only “out” gay cowboys on the circuit but it isn’t enough to keep the boys from fretting (and frotting ;).

When push comes to shove they decide that their relationship is worth working on and we are left with a pretty satisfying HFN.

**

I was really loving this story – planning on at least a 4 heart review-  up until the end. I didn’t like the vague way the boys left it and I was disappointed that they didn’t get a chance to really “go all the way” in terms of completing their commitment to one another.

I enjoy Paul Morey as a narrator and he did a good job with the country twang in this story. But, there were a few voices that were just “odd” and didn’t really seem to fit, so I don’t consider this his best work.

Overall, both the story and the narration are a 3.5 of 5 hearts.

If you need the “L” word, or penetrative sex you’ll be disappointed, but if you like cowboys who have no gay experience experimenting with both their bodies and their hearts – I think you’ll really like this story.

3.5

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A Night Never Forgotten by SJD Peterson


Dreampsinner Presents: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5861

NightNeverForgotten[A] (1)Blurb
An infection leaves Braylon unable to make his annual trip to Toronto, but a stranger’s gift might be the miracle he needs.
After a one night whirlwind romance, Braylon returns to Toronto on the first of December every year in the hopes of seeing the man of his dreams again. Instead Braylon meets a strange man who tells him Christmas is a magical time, and one never knows what unexpected gifts he’ll receive. Braylon takes a chance and makes a Christmas wish, but instead of getting what he wants, he contracts an infection, leaving him dependent on dialysis and unable to make the journey the following year. But the stranger just might be right; an unexpected gift may be the miracle Braylon needs most of all.

Review
This was a delightful story about tenacity, hope, love and karma. Two boys meet and then years later an absolutely unbelievable connection is formed between the two that leads them to a very happy future – together, forever.
Though short (as all these Advent Calendar stories are) it was gripping and had me on the edge of my seat for a moment! I really got involved in this – more than some of the other Advent stories – and thought it was a great short story. It was complete and full and though I would have loved more – I didn’t go away feeling short-changed. SJD Peterson is an excellent writer and this was an excellent story.
I highly recommend this and give it 5 of 5 hearts

5

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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 

kimisig

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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