Duck Duck Ghost Audiobook by Rhys Ford Narrated by Tristan James

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6030

duck audioBlurb

Paranormal investigator Wolf Kincaid knows what his foot tastes like.

Mostly because he stuck it firmly in his mouth when his lover, Tristan Pryce, accidentally drugged him with a batch of psychotropic baklava. Needing to patch things up between them, Wolf drags Tristan to San Luis Obispo, hoping Tristan’s medium ability can help evict a troublesome spirit haunting an old farmhouse.

With Wolf’s sister handling Hoxne Grange’s spectral visitors, Tristan finds himself in the unique position of being able to leave home for the first time in forever, but Wolf’s roughshod treatment is the least of his worries. Tristan’s ad-hoc portal for passing spirits seems to be getting fewer and fewer guests, and despite his concern he’s broken his home, Tristan agrees to help Wolf’s cousin, Sey, kick her poltergeist to the proverbial curb.

San Luis Obispo brings its own bushel of troubles. Tristan’s ghost whispering skill is challenged not only by a terrorizing haunting but also by Wolf’s skeptical older cousin, Cin. Bookended by a pair of aggressive Kincaids, Tristan soon finds himself in a spectral battle that threatens not only his sanity but also his relationship with Wolf, the first man he’s ever loved.

Review

Wolf starts off with a bang and a new assistant in the swamps of Florida and instead of a ghost almost loses a limb to an alligator! We find out he as totally effed up things with Tristan and ran out on the guy after a bad episode of hallucinogenic honey consumption.

Tristan meanwhile is not happy because a) Wolf is acting like an ass and b) the ghosts seem to have left the Grange.

A little time passes, Wolf comes to his senses and returns to Tristan. The two call a truce because Wolf’s cousin Sey is in need of some ghost experts and they realize they aren’t quite through with each other.

Sey operates a toy repair service and it seems as though one of the toys has come with its own poltergeist. Tristan and Wolf, then later cousin Cin, must rid Sey’s ranch of the ghost of a horrifying little girl before the entire place (literally) goes up in flames.

Ok. Rhys, I admit it. I was pissed at first. How could you cause trouble between Tristan and Wolf when they had just found each other?!

(Whining over) They quickly get back together and manage to work through some pretty important emotional stuff. In fact Tristan ends up really coming up to bat for Wolf against Cin, who holds Wolf in contempt for “abandoning” the Hellsinger family traditions. That was pretty awesome. Their make-up sex is also super amazing, so I pretty much forgave Rhys for everything and she continues to be my hero.

Besides the love story, (which, as previously mentioned, rocks!) the ghost story in this book was way scarier than in the first. Maybe it’s the scary kid ghost, (I kept getting flashes of Chuckie, IT, and Poltergeist) but those porcelain doll heads are plain creepy all on their own. Now imagine them haunted. Yeah. Creepy as hell. Thanks for the nightmares Rhys!

I loved Ray and Petal, though. They reminded me of Beetlejuice’s football team ghosts. Nice, funny, kinda clueless. They were great assets to the story.

I thought Cin was a douche-bag, but he was kinda supposed to be, and I’m hoping we’ll see more of him, more evolved, hopefully in love with someone…

It was nice to meet Ophelia Sunday and to learn more about Wolf’s history and I really liked where the couple ended the story even though it looks like Rhys is going to put them in hot water… again!

I just love this ghost series by Rhys Ford and am excited to see where their adventure takes us, even though it might just give me more nightmares!

Audio:

Tristan James, one of my all time favorite narrators, does another great job with this. His Wolf Kincaid voice is growly and delightful and Tris is just a shade light to give him a more delicate air. I love the family and Mara and all the secondary characters.  I like listening to this even more than reading it.

 

“You PEED on my foot!”  – classic!

 

5 of 5 hearts

5

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I give it 5 of 5 hearts, I highly recommend it!

 

Heart by Garrett Leigh

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5551

heartBlurb

Cornish pastry chef Seb Wright dreads the summer tourist season. The cash injection to his artisan fudge pantry is more than welcome, the extra work, less so. Then one summer, a shadowy Good Samaritan catches his eye. Irish Traveller Dex is bewitching, a beautiful sullen enigma who turns Seb’s world upside down until he disappears in the night, vanishing like a mystical summer rain.

Twelve months later Dex is in the midst of a dark storm. A slave to his master, ‘Uncle’ Braden, he spends his days cleaning caravans and his nights working in Braden’s other businesses. His short summer with Seb seems a lifetime ago. Lost in the savage violence of the murky underworld, he doesn’t dare dream he’ll ever find his way back, until one night, a brutal crime opens the door for a chance escape. A new life beckons, old faces emerge, and immersed in the heady vibe of London’s East End, new love begins to heal his fractured heart.

Review

(Sort of spoilery…)

I kept putting this off, not because it’s not a wonderful book, but because it is so… hard.

Seb is a normal guy, he inherits a fudge shop from his grandfather. It’s a bit boring and lonely but he feels obligated to carry it on for his grandfather’s memory. One day he meets Dex.

God. Dex.

Dex is a Traveller (Gypsy) who is being sold as a prostitute by his uncle (and beaten, tortured, etc.). Dex and Seb have one night, a beautiful interlude where Dex learns what love feels like, then Dex disappears.

(There are several chapters here in the middle I skimmed because they were too hard to read. Stories of Dex being abused and used… too much for my sensitive heart.)

Dex manages to escape his uncle and goes into hiding in London, where a kind restaurant owner teaches him the trade and then, as luck would have it, hires Seb to be his pastry chef.

For months Dex and Seb dance around their attraction but when they give in it looks like Dex is really on the road to healing. He’s learning a trade, learning to read, earning money, opening up (a little tiny bit) about his life. When suddenly he is re-captured.

UGH!

Fortunately, this part of the story is quick and we find Dex in a hospital recovering from wounds and now, finally, he’s free forever of his uncle’s influence.

**

There is no denying that Garrett Leigh is an amazing writer. Her characters are well developed, her writing flawless, her storylines deeply moving and always able to elicit a deep emotional response.

Though I can’t say I enjoyed this (it was so, so hard to read), I was glad I had. Dex and Seb deserve their very HEA and I was so happy to be part of it.

(Warning some animal abuse mentioned.)

Writing/Editing 5/5
Romance 4/5
Storyline 4/5
World Building Characterization 5/5

Overall 4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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Black John (Johnnies #4) by Amy Lane

Dreampsinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5982

black johnBlurb

John Carey is just out of rehab and dying inside when he gets word that Tory, the guy who loved him and broke him, has removed himself from the world in the most bitter way possible—and left John to clean up his mess.

Forced back to his hometown in Florida, John’s craving a hit with every memory when he meets Tory’s neighbor. Spacey and judgmental, Galen Henderson has been rotting in his crappy apartment since a motorcycle accident robbed him of his mobility, his looks, and his boyfriend all in one mistake. Galen’s been hiding at the bottom of an oxy bottle, but when John shows up, he feels obligated to help wade through the wreckage of Tory’s life.

The last thing John needs is another relationship with an addict, and the last thing Galen wants is a conscience. Both of them are shocked when they find that their battered souls can learn from and heal one another. It doesn’t hurt that they’re both getting a crash course on how growing up and getting past your worst mistakes sure beats the alternative—and that true love is something to fight to keep if your lover is fighting to love you back.

Review

Where to start….
Well, first we all know Johnnies right? – the made up porn studio that introduced us to Chase and Tommy, Dex and Kane, Ethan and Jonah and in a related way, Alejandro and Donny. We LOVE Johnnies. John… we didn’t love so much. He was a coke-head-douche in Dex in Blue and though he had glimmers of the kinda guy Dex might befriend, by the time we actually meet him, he’s gone over the edge.

This is his story.

We start out with John getting out of rehab, he’s still pretty shaky, but determined to stay clean, only to find out that this newly sober John has to fly to Florida (across the world practically) to help clean out the apartment and distribute the remains of his first love, Tory, who has committed suicide.

Uh…Thanks Amy for taking it easy on us. NOT!

Tory and John grew up together, realized they were gay together, started doing porn together but I can’t really say they loved each other because Tory never treated John like someone he loved.

As time passes Tory descends down a spiral of sex and drugs and after several years and three trips to rehab John decides Tory needs to try things on his own, because whatever John is doing, isn’t helping.

Thus the birth of Johnnies.

Flash back to today, John is at Tory’s apartment where he meets the neighbor, Galen. Galen is a lawyer who had a terrible accident three years ago, and has since been caught up in a cycle of depression and pain med addiction.

So… of course John is super attracted to Galen, but really – Can he? Should he? Is it remotely smart for him to take on another addict?

**

If I were to rank my favorite Johnnies books the order would be Dex, Super Sock Man, Chase, John, Ethan…. Black John is a good book, Amy doesn’t write anything bad. The angst is so painful. Tory hurt John so much. Dex (inadvertently) hurt John so much. But… the one piece I missed with Black John that Chase and Dex and even Super Sock Man had was a bit more of a connection between the lovers.

I loved that John could finally help Galen and that Galen wanted to be strong enough to show John he deserved someone whole. But I didn’t see them as a couple long enough to feel as attached to them as I have in other Amy Lane books.

On the other hand I absolutely loved that we got to see more of Dex and Kane again and I hope to see more in this series — Bobby and Reg perhaps???

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 3.5

Sex/Heat 3.5

Storyline 5

World Building/Characterizations 5

Overall, 4.5 hearts!

4.5

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The Wrong Man (Right and Wrong #2) by Lane Hayes

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6000

wrong manBlurb

Successful owner of an upscale boutique in fabulous West Hollywood, Brandon Good swears by his personal edict to “live in the present.” After a bad breakup, he agrees to dog-sit to keep his mind off his ex. Never did he expect the dog to belong to a man from his past, the only man to ever truly break his heart.

When Jake Westley relocates to join the WeHo fire department, the last thing he anticipates is reuniting with his secret high school love. Thrilled with the prospect of reconnecting with Bran, Jake feels no guilt in using his charming old dog as an unwitting matchmaker. As he and Bran rekindle their friendship, it becomes clear the intense attraction they once felt is stronger than ever. But as hard as they try to leave the past behind, painful memories resurface. Bran will have to confront his fears and consider the possibility that the man he swore was absolutely the wrong one might be perfect after all.

Review

Jake and Brandon have a past. Jake was Brandon’s closeted high school boyfriend who was too scared to come out back then, so he lost Brandon.

Twelve years later he runs into Brandon again and lots has changed. Brandon is now out and proud, a fireman with a great old dog, and an ex.

Their relationship starts off as friends. Brandon helping Jake with his dog, Mack. Jake helping Bran with his ex, Trevor.

It gets steamy and more involved from there fairly quickly.

But… it’s not that easy. Bran is pretty walled off. He’s been hurt in the past and is unwilling to let anyone in. Jake, however, is more than ready for the challenge.

**

Oh man. Call me a sucker, but the dog totally did it for me. He was wonderful. He acted as a catalyst for these guys in more ways than one. First, he was the entrée for Jake back into Brandon’s life. Then, he was the four legged chaperone that gave them common ground and an excuse to be together without pressure. Finally, he represented that age old dilemma that to have love, you have to be prepared for potential loss and complications and that nothing great comes without risk.

We get to see the boys from book one, but this is definitely a stand-alone novel. The writing is excellent and the sex is really hot.

Be assured though you may cry anyway, the dog makes it!

I really enjoyed this book and all Lane Hayes novels.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 4.5

Sex/Heat 4.5

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterizations 5

Overall 4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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This is Not a Love Story: A Hacker and his Hero by AE Lawless

Loose Id presents: http://www.loose-id.com/this-is-not-a-love-story-the-hacker-and-his-hero.html

HackersBlurb

Ever since Gran’s death, Zander’s been using his skills as an elite computer hacker to help put criminals behind bars. Surprisingly enough, there’s also another vigilante running around his city helping folks out in the more traditional way. The press likes to pretend they’re rivals, but Zander likes to think that he and the Night Angel are working together; they want the same things at least.

When a tough case forces the two vigilantes to actually work together, Zander’s insistent fascination with the Night Angel becomes powerful attraction. It wouldn’t be a problem, except Zander’s also fooling around with his boss at the day job, Reese. They both give him something the other can’t, but both of them are also holding something he needs back from him. Zander knows he has to choose, but he just doesn’t see any way to make a good choice.

A break in the case reveals not only the master plot, but more about Zander’s true nature than he ever expected to learn. Afterwards, Zander is seeing the world in a new light and realizes he may not have to sacrifice anything he needs; he may not have to make a choice after all

Review

I don’t want to give a re-cap of the story because it’s a “mystery” and any summing up could give away key elements.

In deciding if this is the book for you, you should consider the following:
Do you mind on – page violence/torture?
Do you need lovey dovey emotional scenes and “I love yous”?
Do you mind long-winded tales, with perhaps a bit too much writing and not enough editing?
Do you want a romance that is more about the relationship than the mystery?

If you answered yes to the above, this is not the book for you.

On the other hand:
Do you like complicated, dark characters?
Do you like intelligent writing and complex plotting?
Do you like twists and turns and a romance that relies heavily on the “mystery”?
Do you like longer stories?
Do you like flawed MCs?
Do you like rough, hot sex?

If so this is the story for you.

As for me – it was ok. There were parts I liked (the alpha characters, the sex scenes, the intelligence of the characters, their flaws). There were parts I didn’t (the length – I felt an editor would be a great thing here), the “mystery” didn’t compel me, the violence wasn’t my taste and there weren’t enough emotions between the MCs for my taste, either.

These are preferences, however.

So, to rate it:
Writing/Editing 3.5/5
Romance 2.5/5
Storyline 4/5
World Buidling/Characterization 5/5

I will definitely look for more from this author in the future.

Overall 3.75 of 5 hearts

3.5

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The Devil Will Do Blog Tour With Excerpt and Giveaway

TheDevilWIllDo_cvrIn a land unforgiving of indulgent, dangerous sex, merchantman Eryn does his best to keep his desires in the dark…until the plight of a beautiful prince leads him out of the shadows and into adventures both sensual and terrible.

Capture, curse, and torture litter Eryn’s road to true love, along with carnal delights beyond his most wicked imaginings. His strengths and limitations are exposed—and the hard truth, that nothing holds him back more than the monster of self-loathing in his heart. Prince Wyn might be everything he’s dreamed of in a man—and master—but before Eryn can accept the exquisitely wicked affections of his one true love, he must first save himself…from himself.

This novella was originally published under the title Sweet Son and has been significantly revised.

Buy links:

Wilde City    Amazon

my prince Quote Pic

Excerpt:

Slim fingers trailed across Eryn’s brow, down his nose. “I was correct. You are, without question, meant to be my royal consort.”
The fingers traced Eryn’s lips. He had to work not to suck them into his mouth. “Oh?”
“Indeed. In fact, without you, I cannot rule at all.” He shifted to face Eryn more fully, displacing the cloak. He appeared unconcerned with his nakedness—in fact, if
anything, he was bolder. He shifted so his knees straddled Eryn’s thighs, his semi-erect cock resting confidently on the hem of Eryn’s doublet.
Eryn didn’t know where to put his hands. Or his gaze. He stared at Wyn’s throat, the faint, fuzzy stubble of his beard.
“Not that I would want you to feel obligated.” Deft fingers skimmed Eryn’s buttons. Unbuttoned the top one. “We don’t even know if we’re suitable. Likely we should explore that issue further.”
Certain he couldn’t speak properly, Eryn settled for a whimper.
Wyn caught Eryn’s chin, stroking the underside with his thumb so gooseflesh broke out along Eryn’s arms. His gaze, sharp as knives and full of heat, commanded a pull from Eryn’s groin. “You’ve ridden me several times now. It’s well past time you return the favor.”
The last bones left in Eryn’s body evaporated. Wyn, still straddling him, caught Eryn, held him upright.
So much stronger than he appears. Eryn’s cock hummed with joy.
Wyn suckled Eryn’s bottom lip once, then nuzzled his chin. “Don’t worry, darling. This first time, I’ll be gentle.”
Eryn’s cock gave up humming and sang a full-blown shanty. Seizing his last gasp of lucidity, Eryn clamped a hand on Wyn’s sleek, bare ass. “Don’t.”
For a moment, Wyn’s pretty mouth split in a wicked grin. Then he lowered those lips to Eryn’s neck and sucked hard, digging his fingers into Eryn’s back as he went boneless again.
Eryn had been fucked by many men. With that considerable experience, plus the delights and debauchery he’d discovered with the pasha and his men, he felt fairly certain he could keep up with Wyn, who had spent most of his life in hiding. He quickly learned never to underestimate his lover again.
Wyn had him on his back so hard and fast Eryn lost his breath—and while he recovered, Wyn peeled him out of his clothes with the precision of a surgeon. Well, partially— after hefting Eryn up long enough to hike up his undershirt, he tangled it at Eryn’s wrists.
Then he tied it in a knot.
Eryn gaped at him.
Wyn’s chuckle made Eryn’s balls tuck higher.
“There’s not much to do, when one is in hiding.” Wyn nudged Eryn’s thighs wide with his knee before grinding gently—but insistently—against his groin. “And my godfather keeps such big, handsome, obedient bodyguards.”
Eryn’s belly quaked as Wyn licked his way down his sternum. “Y-yes. I n-noticed.”
“Hmm.” Wyn made this sound against Eryn’s nipple before teasing it with his teeth. “I should like to watch them fuck you.” When Eryn’s cock twitched, Wyn caught it in a grip that was blissfully almost too tight. “One after another. With your mouth on me, your mouth spread wide with a gag forcing it that way.” When Eryn moaned, Wyn kissed his nipple. “But perhaps, when you told me not to be gentle, you meant something different.”
It was difficult to speak, even more work to make his bound arms work enough to drag Wyn to his face, but Eryn did it. He looked into those beautiful eyes, the handsome face, and he bared his soul.
“All my life.” He stroked Wyn’s cheeks with his thumb, his bound wrists resting at the base of his lover’s neck. “All my life I have wanted, yearned for the touch of men. I never wanted gentle. Sometimes not even kind.” He swallowed the old fear of unworthiness—only a ghost now, but it had more power over him still than he would like. “I thought it made me wrong. That I could not yearn that way and know love. That it made me monstrous, a thing fit only for a devil.” He tried to laugh, but it came out almost as a sob. “Certainly I never thought it my destiny to rescue and marry a prince.”
Wyn tucked his chin enough to kiss first one of Eryn’s hands, then the other. “I have it on the authority of the most powerful witch and wizard I know that I will love you more deeply and passionately than I have capacity to understand. As for who you are fit for…” Eyes dancing, he bit, not very gently, at the meaty flesh of Eryn’s palm. “Allow me to show you what this devil will do to you.”

Author bio:

Heidi Cullinan head shot

Heidi Cullinan has always loved a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. She enjoys writing across many genres but loves above all to write happy, romantic endings for LGBT characters because there just aren’t enough of those stories out there. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, listening to music, and watching television with her husband and teenaged daughter. Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and is proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality. Find out more about Heidi, including her social networks, at http://www.heidicullinan.com

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riding Quote Pic

Shadowboxing (Arbor Heights #9) By Diana DeRicci

MLR Press Presents http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DDRSHADO

shadowboxingBlurb

Wayne Hightower has lived with a secret since he was a teenager. Debilitating to relationships, his condition stands in the way of his father’s ultimate expectation: Finding a woman to marry. Of course, if he could do that, he’d have the grandchildren his mother was craving. And everyone would be happy happy happy. Or so he’d been raised to believe. If he could find her. If he could get over his problem.

Ditched by his brother for their planned night of sibling bonding, Erich Villalobos invites Wayne out instead as a simple act of friendship. One night that throws Wayne into an environment he’d never been exposed to and revealing a playfully animated side of Wayne Erich had never imagined. One that he quickly learns he’s actually attracted to.

Secrets. Everyone has them. Wayne. Erich. Even Wayne’s parents. If Wayne’s brother Curtis were still alive, he could tell Wayne the cause of his condition and how to cure it. But dead men don’t talk.

Review

Erich and Wayne are friends and co-workers. On the night Wayne gets dumped (yet again) by his girlfriend, Erich invites him to a night on the town to drown his sorrows. Since Erich is gay, he invites Wayne to a gay bar and tells him, “Just tell any man who might hit on you that you are straight, they’ll leave you alone.” Right.

As the night progresses, Wayne does get drunk, and ends up both telling Erich his big secret (he thinks he’s impotent) and asking Erich to kiss him.

We only see things from Wayne’s POV, so I can only guess at Erich’s motivations, but he then later invites Wayne to go camping, and the two become closer friends. Yes, still friends. But after another night on the town and some definitely more-than-friends groping and kissing, Wayne freaks out and forces Erich to leave. But… after a few minutes, Erich returns and the two have sex.

Erich has some of his own secrets and we learn more about why Wayne never once “considered” he might be gay. (Huge, ugly family drama.)

In the end the couple finds their way, stands up to Wayne’s folks and we get a pretty solid HEA.

**

So – the first thing you have to do is ignore the elephant in the room. Why in the world didn’t Erich and WAYNE not even consider he might be gay when Wayne can masturbate but fails to get an erection in the presence of women. And really, no doctor suggested this?! Ok. Fiction. Just accept it and move on.

Once we get past that, the rest of the story is sweet and the sex is steamy. I though the drama with the family was a little too… dramatic, but again… fiction… move on.

I liked Erich and Wayne as a couple and enjoyed this book. (I haven’t read anything else in the Arbor Heights series, and I think this stands well on it’s own, but I am interested in looking at the others in the series now that I’ve read this.)

All in all I enjoyed this and give it 3.5 of 5 hearts

3.5

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Wrestling Demons by Xavier Mayne

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4854

wrestling demonsBlurb

Jonah Fischer’s high school wrestling career has been stellar, but now he’s the unwilling star of a series of videos that have hit the web. The whole world may have seen the evidence that his best friend turns him on. Jonah’s conservative family wants him cured, and his conventional town and school want him normal. The only person who still wants him just the way he is is Casey Melville, the same best friend who turned him on for all the world to see. Meanwhile, Casey begins to wonder if there’s more to his feelings for Jonah than he thought.

Officers Brandt and Donnelly—lovers as well as partners on the job—have been assigned to find the culprit who posted the video. While investigating the case, they also help Jonah and Casey find their way through their feelings, and steer them toward refuge when Jonah’s family turns against him. But the mystery remains: who wants to hurt Jonah badly enough to post those videos, and why? Thank goodness Jonah and Casey have found friends—they’re going to need all the help and support they can get.

Review

Jonah is the target of a malicious campaign that exposes his “interest” (read: boner) for his best friend, Casey. Both are high school seniors and have been best friends forever.

When the video hits the internet, Jonah almost ends his life in front of a train. Brandt and Donelly and Casey help him to see that though this is tough, it’s not worth dying for.

Casey stands steadfastly beside Jonah so far as to even allow himself to be open to the possibility of a relationship with Jonah. Casey helps Jonah to learn more about being gay and takes him to visit our friends in “the gay part of town” where we meet Bryce and Nestor again. (Yay!)

Brandt and Donelly investigate the video and uncover corruption.

Casey and Jonah realize they are more than friends and explore their relationship.

Brandt and Donelly are amazingly lovey dovey and move their relationship onto more permanent grounds.

Bryce and Nestor provide continuous and hilarious back-up support.

**

This is another great book in the series. I love how we see more of Brandt and Donelly and their relationship. I thought the boys’ relationship was handled appropriately (for their ages) and was really sweet and touching.

Of course I giggled outrageously every time Bryce and Nestor were on page and really enjoyed their contribution – especially the room of sex that they offer to Jonah and Casey when they are “on the run”.

I can’t recommend this series enough and hope all the books (now 3) will soon become audio books.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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The Mercant of Death (Playing the Fool #2) by Lisa Henry

Riptide Presents (On Feb 2nd)  http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/merchant-of-death

merchantBlurb

All’s fair in love and war.

There’s something rotten in the state of Indiana. When con man Henry Page takes it upon himself to investigate the death of an elderly patient at a care facility, he does so in true Shakespearean tradition: dressed as a girl.

FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness has more to worry about than Henry’s latest crazy idea. Someone is trying to send him a message—via a corpse with a couple of bullets in it. He needs to figure out who’s trying to set him up before he gets arrested, and he really doesn’t have time for Henry’s shenanigans. Then again, he’d probably be able to focus better if Henry didn’t look so damn distracting in a babydoll dress and a wig.

But when Mac discovers that Henry has been keeping a secret that connects the cases, he has to find a way to live on the right side of the law when he just might be in love with the wrong sort of man.

Review

OMG this series just gets better and better. In this book we see Mac and Henry still dancing around their attraction. The bad guy is in jail, but there’s still danger following Mac, and Henry just might end up saving Mac this time. In addition, we learn about Henry’s sister Viola and through a series of hysterical “mini-cons” we solve another little mystery but not before Henry goes in drag and Mac has to save him from a syringe wielding “angel of death”.

**
This is not a story you skim. It is fast paced and rich in detail and every line is important.

I love the depth with which the characters are drawn and though my heart bleeds for all the sad life stories in this story, I am rooting for them wholeheartedly.

The romance moves forward in a very satisfying way as does their emotional bond.

I am really enjoying this series and I’m grateful I can move right on to book three!

5 of 5 hearts

5

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Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4) by Charlie Cochet

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5933

rise and fallBlurb

After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies—however well intentioned—begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.

Review

Wow. Just wow. This book is sooooo full of good feels.

Sloane and Dex are so wonderfully gushy and sweet in this book. Their relationship is definitely cemented by the end.

We get a peek into the mystery that is Hobbs and an amazingly sexy and funny scene between him and Calvin.

Ash is looking like less and less of a hard ass and more and more like the love of Cael’s life.

All of the relationship stuff is amazing. The dialog, like always is hysterical. The spying done is both naughty and funny. The danger… well this isn’t really that “tense” of a book.

The biggest “hurdle” in this story is Dex trying to avenge Sloane’s attack. Predictably, Sloane doesn’t want him involved, and in fact, the team has been ordered to stand down. But… Dex is determined to capture the culprit himself, in Sloane’s name.

I kinda wanted to shake Dex, and totally understood Sloane’s feelings about it. I liked, however, that this was the first time we saw Dex as the guy who might screw up the relationship, and Sloane was doing everything “right” for a change.

All in all this totally appealed to my every romantic sensibility and tickled my funny bone.

I can’t wait for the next installment and I really hope Calvin and Hobbs get their own book J

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 5

Sex/Heat 4.5

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterization 4.5

Overall, 4.5 of 5 hearts!

4.5

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