Category: Contemporary

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Loving an Absentminded Astrophysicist by TN Tarrant

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6072

loving astroBlurb

At twenty-three, Dr. Liam McGregor is a well-respected astrophysicist, astrobiologist, and geologist. With no family, few friends, and no romantic prospects, he’s used to being alone. Focusing on his various scientific projects and taking care of his decidedly unusual cat help keep the loneliness at bay.

Jareth Manning is starting life over—new town, new job—after the loss of his husband. The last thing he expects is for the most absentminded, and beautiful, man he’s ever seen to take up residence in his heart. Nor did he expect to find himself a willingly humble slave to Her Imperial Highness, Empress the Cat. But Jareth has learned that love doesn’t come around often and to hold on to it when it does. Jareth is willing to be patient if Liam is willing to take a risk after being burned before. They just have to survive Liam’s past returning.

Eight years after Liam and Jareth marry, they want a child. Things don’t go well when they try to adopt, with terrible accusations thrown at Jareth. After recovering, they proceed with a private adoption, bringing home a beautiful little girl, Carinae. Then things get ugly, endangering not only Liam’s life, but Carinae’s.

Review

I want to say first and foremost : This. Is. Fiction.

Ok, now that we set the mood…

Liam is super-brilliant and gets lost in his work, thus he runs into things, knocks things over, misses social cues, breaks things, falls down… he’s a mess. His childhood sucked. His parents are in jail for their abuses of him. His work is mostly wonderful except when the other geniuses get jealous. But… he’s very lonely. He hasn’t had a great romantic history and doesn’t know what to do about that. But… he has an awesome cat and some pretty amazing friends.

Enter Jareth. Jareth is a widower. (Can I get an awwwww?) He lost his husband a couple of years ago and though he loved him dearly, he is ready to move on when he meets Liam who just hits all of his buttons. Jareth is hired as security for Liam after Liam gets attacked at work.

Jareth straight out adores Liam and Liam is entranced by Jareth.

Their romance is a slow build from simple friendship to lovers over time. While their romance is building there are things happening at work that keep Jareth busy protecting Liam and add some spice to our romantic storyline.

The second half of the story is in fact an entire second book (This is really a book one with a couple of cute novellas and then a sequel all wrapped into one novel.)
In the second half we are several years down the line and Jareth and Liam are married and looking to adopt. But… there are lots of road blocks and danger and Liam is still in need of protection.

We end with a glorious HEA and the possibility for expanding the family to four!

**

Like I said at the beginning of the review, this is fiction. There are some ridiculous things that happen to this couple that are just plain … fictional. Jareth is constantly being hauled in on accusations of spousal abuse. Numerous people (including his parents, three times!) come after Liam with guns and knives and brass knuckles. Their little tiny cat has litter after litter of sweet Siamese kittens with no other health concerns. The adopted baby’s mother inherits $263 million but still wants to give up her baby because she doesn’t want to be a single mom.

Ok. It’s a lot. But I gotta tell ya – I still loved this story. I adored Jareth and Liam together as a couple with their “science” arguments. I loved the over the top drama. I loved the ooey gooey love story and the almost super hero like qualities Jareth had. I thought the sex was hot! I loved that Liam had a pudgy belly! I loved that Jareth goes gray!

I just plain loved this book!

If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and enjoy the geeky magical love fest- this is the book for you!

5 of 5 hearts

5

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Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny’s Lair Audiobook by Amy Lane Narrated by Philip Alces

Dreamspinner presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6106

blackbirdBlurb

Sequel to Knitter in His Natural Habitat

A Granby Knitting Novel

After three years of waiting for “rabbit” Jeremy to commit to a life in Granby—and a life together—Aiden Rhodes was appalled when Jeremy sustained a nearly fatal beating to keep a friend out of harm’s way. How could Aiden’s bunny put himself in danger like that?

Aiden needs to get over himself, because Jeremy has a long road to recovery, and he’s going to need Aiden’s promise of love every step of the way. Jeremy has new scars on his face and body to deal with, and his heart can’t afford any more wounds.

When their friend’s baby needs some special care, the two men find common ground to firm up their shaky union. With Aiden’s support and his boss’s inspiration, Jeremy comes up with a plan to make sure Ariadne’s little blackbird comes into this world with everything she needs. While Jeremy grows into his new role as protector, Aiden needs to ease back on his protectiveness over his once-timid lover. Aiden may be a wolf in student’s clothing and Jeremy may be a rabbit of a man, but that doesn’t mean they can’t walk the wilds of Granby together.

Review

We start this book with Jeremy in the hospital after having been beaten up by the mob guy who was after Stanley. He’s in and out of surgery and in and out of consciousness, worrying about Aiden, Craw, the animals, Ariadne, and what his future holds now that he’s no longer “pretty”.

Aiden is struggling with his anger at Jeremy for putting himself in danger and his love for him and his desire to coddle and comfort him. He’s worried about what this means for their future.

Ariadne is struggling with her pregnancy and then later with her new baby. So the Granby crew has to deal with Jeremy’s, Ariadne’s and now the new baby’s medical bills.

They decide to throw a fund-raiser and we get to meet a few more of the men of Granby – I’m pretty sure there’s a book in there! – and the whole town shows its support.

Of course by this time you’ve read all the previous books, this won’t make too much sense as a stand-alone. We see a little bit of Ben and Craw, learn a whole lot more about Ariadne and Rory, but most of all this is about Jeremy and Aiden.

I love the analogy of Jeremy as the rabbit and Aiden as the wolf. Though Aiden is the younger man in this relationship he is clearly the growly, possessive and protective wolf watching over and “herding” Jeremy. Jeremy is settling in and learning to accept all the wonderful things in his life as “his” and as “real”. It’s not too much of a spoiler to say that we finally get rid of that damn safe!

The angst in this story (come on, it’s an Amy Lane story!) comes from “listening in” on Jeremy’s thoughts – his doubts and self-deprecation. Mostly, however, this is a book that shows the relationship cementing and the Granby family fighting for its own.

I hope there is more to this series (Aiden’s friend needs his own book!) but if there isn’t, this was a lovely wrap up.

Audio

Philip Alces is not my favorite narrator, but he does a nice job. I like him for Jeremy’s voice. I think the deeper, more growly voices are a little out of his range, but he has a great sense of timing and does a nice job overall.

Book 5 of 5 hearts

Audio 3.5 of 5 hearts

Overall 4 of 5 hearts

4

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Jess Buffett Always Been You Tour with Interview, Excerpt and Giveaway

AlwaysBeenYouSM1 – Something unusual about Jess Buffett that most people don’t know.
I have an addiction to fanfiction. Specifically Sterek fanfiction. LOL

2 – Of all your characters, who is your favorite?
It’ always been Riley from Hunter Clan I think, but I have created a new character in the Second Chances series named Skye and I am really loving him right now.

3 – If you could collaborate with any author – past or present – who would it be and why?
Stormy Glenn. She really frigging rocks. J I love everything she has every written, and on top of being an awesome author she is a pretty amazing person.

4 – Something from your childhood you wish you could play with today.
I’m actually pretty lucky because my mum kept all my good stuff and I now have a daughter…which equals a reasonable excuse to play with them again. J

5 – How does it feel to be a literary rock star?
LOL I don’t know if you could call me that, but it is pretty mind blowing when people contact me just to say, hey I loved that book. I had a woman approach my table at a convention last year and she not only knew who I was but was excited to meet me. I felt like I had to ask her if she had the right person. LOL

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Excerpt:

Straightening his back, he met Jared’s gaze.
“Fine. Let’s take a seat and get this over with, shall we?”
“Is that the way you talk to all of your clients? Cause I have to say, I’m surprised you get much business then,” drawled Jared.
Ignoring the comment, Seth led them to one of the booths. He cast a glance towards the kitchen, but Sal seemed to be preoccupied. Maybe telling the man to just ‘go for it’ hadn’t been a smart move. Something told him things were going to cost more than he thought.
Taking a seat opposite one another on the old scuffed booth with weathered red leather seating, that he absently noted to himself had to be added to the ever growing list of things that needed replacing, Seth launched straight into professional mode. He needed details to come up with something that the future bride wanted and that’s all he was focused on. At no time did he notice how good Jared looked, or how muscular he had gotten. Seth hadn’t even taken note of Jared’s soft pink lips or his large firm hands.
Really.
Not at all.
Dammit.

Pages or Words: 45,680 words, 206 pages
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-alwaysbeenyou-1739

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T76WJOI


Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00T76WJOI 

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00T76WJOI

Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00T76WJOI
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Passing Through by Jay Northcote

Available February 20th!

Jay Northcote Presents:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TIGJ88W

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-passingthrough-1742934-149.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518978

PassingThrough_FINAL

 

Blurb

Don’t waste a chance at happiness…

Leo is a lonely workaholic with no time for romance in his life. His job in London takes all his energy and commitment. When he goes to Cornwall to stay with his terminally ill uncle, Edwin, love is the last thing Leo expects to find.

Tris lives in a cottage on Edwin’s land. Gay, but still half in the closet, he and Leo bond over their affection for Edwin, and the pull of attraction between them proves too strong to ignore. In Tris’s arms, in the wilds of Cornwall, Leo finds a peace he’d forgotten existed.

On his return to London, Leo finds himself grieving for more than just the loss of his uncle. When some unexpected news gives Leo the chance to return to Cornwall, he’s afraid it will be too late to rekindle things with Tris. But having learned much from his stay with his uncle, Leo doesn’t want to look back and wish he’d done things differently.

It’s time to seize the day—if it’s not already too late.

Review

Leo temporarily moves to Cornwall to spend time with his dying uncle. While there he meets Tris, a closeted gardener who is renting a house from Edwin, Leo’s uncle.

The premise of this story is simple: boy meets boy, boy kisses boy, boy loves boy, boy leaves boy, boy misses boy, boy returns to boy.

But….

There is way more to this story. Each of the men in this story has a history they need to wrestle with in order to become the happiest they can.

Tris needs to come out of the closet, forgive himself for his divorce and for deceiving himself and his family for so many years.

Leo needs to realize that he is more than his job and that happiness cannot be found working 80 hours a week.

Edwin, probably the most touching story of all, gets to finally tell his story and embrace the life he couldn’t for all these years.

**

On the one hand this story has very little angst for our two MCs. Their love story moves fairly quickly and without a lot of drama.

On the other hand, what I loved about this book was Edwin’s story. It’s both heartbreaking yet romantic and sweet at the same time. I loved how his love story helped Leo and Tris appreciate what they have (or could lose). He was an amazing character.

All in all this was another very well written story by one of my favorite authors, Jay Northcote, who consistently gives us wonderful, three-dimensional characters and a tender and sweet love for them to find.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 4.5

Sex/Heat 4

Storyline 4.5

World Building/Characterizations 5

4.6 of 5 hearts!

4.5

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Excerpt:

On the beach they crunched along the shingle to the edge of the rocks, then turned to look out over the sea. It was almost completely dark now, and the moon was rising, casting streaks of bright silver on the oil-black water.

They stood in silence, watching and listening to the crash of the waves. Leo’s heart felt suddenly too large for his chest. He was overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, a place that had barely changed since his childhood. The sea came and went with the tides, the sands shifted, but the rocks were constant. Yet here Leo was, an adult now rather than a boy, and his uncle reduced to an echo of the man Leo remembered—physically, at least. Unexpected tears prickled the backs of Leo’s eyes as a rush of emotion so strong that it made him draw in a sharp breath assaulted him. He swallowed hard, forcing the feelings back down.

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Tris turn towards him, but Leo carried on gazing out at the gentle, rolling movement of the sea. Tris shifted his feet in the sand, bringing him closer. The warm skin of his arm brushed Leo’s, and Leo ached for more contact. He needed human warmth and touch to chase away the cold emptiness in his heart.

 

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.

 

http://www.jaynorthcote.com

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Duty & Devotion Audiobook (Faith, Love & Devotion book 3) by Tere Michaels Narrated by JP Handler

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6105

duty & DevotionBlurb

A year after deciding to share their lives, Matt and Evan are working on their happily ever after–which isn’t as easy as it looks. As life settles down into a routine, Matt finds happiness in his role as the ideal househusband of Queens, New York, but he worries about Evan’s continued workaholic–and emotionally avoidant–ways. Trying to juggle his evolving relationship with Evan and his children, Matt turns to his friend, former Seattle homicide detective Jim Shea.
The continued friendship between Matt and Jim is a thorn in Evan’s side. Jealous and uncomfortable with imagining their brief affair, Evan struggles to come to terms with what being in a committed relationship with a man means and the implications about his love for his deceased wife, the impact on his children, and how other people will view him. His turmoil threatens his relationship with Matt, who worries Evan will once again chose a life without him. But now,the stakes are much higher.

Review
(Though this is book 3, it follows right after book one and you don’t need to have read book 2 to read this.)

Matt and Evan are starting to get used to being a couple. Matt is more or less a house-husband and this is both wonderful and somewhat alarming for him to accept. It’d be easier if Evan wasn’t being so difficult – working all the time, jealous of that one time affair with Jim, unwilling to call himself “gay”.

The in-laws aren’t making things easier either. They are threatening to take the kids from Evan.

Luckily, Jim and Griffin give great advice to the couple. Evan finally figures out his priorities and Matt finds something else to do with his time.

**

I really loved this installment of the series. These are real problems these guys are facing – whether you are gay or straight – we all face similar issues.

I loved the intimacy and the closeness the couple now shares. It’s very satisfying to see how their emotional and physical relationship evolves.

Having this “sequel” really adds to the series and helps to cement these guys in the hall of fame of m/m MCs as far as I’m concerned. I really feel like I “know” them and am part of their familes.

Audio:

JP Handler narrates this as well. I still feel that, for me, he’s not to my taste as far as narrators go. I find his narration too emotional and it sounds like he’s on the verge of tears throughout the story.  He excels at dialog, however, and does that very well.

Overall

Book 5 of 5 hearts

5

Narration 2.5 of 5 hearts

2.5

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Burning Up (Fitting In book 3) by Silvia Violet

Smashwords presents: http://silviaviolet.com/book/burning-up/

burning upBlurb

Bryce has been a firefighter for ten years, but when a horrific house fire leaves him reeling, he moves to a new city, hoping to shove those memories behind him. As he adjusts to his new station, Bryce keeps to himself until Matt and Toby, two hot young men in his unit, throw temptation in his path. Bryce knows better than to mess around with men he works with, especially two newbies who are in the closet. But after a difficult day, Matt and Toby offer him compassion and friendship, which slips so easily into sex Bryce finds the combination irresistible.

Matt and Toby want to expand their relationship to include a third, and they’ve set their sights on their sexy bear of a lieutenant. Their first night together is a scorcher, and, more than that, it feels right, to all of them. But since Bryce refuses to hide who he is, and dating men on his shift is against the rules, all three men are going to have to make some tough choices if they want to stay together.

Review

(This can absolutely be read as a stand-alone book.)

Bryce is a friend of Mason (from books one and two) and a fireman. He meets two new guys on his crew (they are clearly a couple already) and is enthralled.

Matt and Toby subtly begin to flirt with Bryce, and though he thinks this will all end horribly, he can’t say no.

They begin a month long affair and everything seems wonderful when there is an accident that puts Matt in the hospital. Suddenly Bryce feels worried that they are all about to sacrifice their careers and breaks up with the boys.

When push comes to shove, Gray (of all people) gives Bryce some great advice and we get a very happy HFN/HEA.

**

This was a lot different than books one and two. It has MUCH less BDSM in it, more commanding and less humiliation.

The emotions were very sweet in this book and though there are some hot sex scenes it wasn’t the main focus.

I really enjoyed this and was rooting for this threesome to make it!

All in all 4 of 5 hearts

4

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Drive Your Truck by Julia Talbot

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5988

drive truckBlurb

Home on compassionate leave for his brother’s funeral, Navy SEAL Garrison Matthews needs to blow off a lot of stress and grief before he returns to active duty. In honor of his brother, he takes Bettie, the brothers’ souped-up vintage truck, out for a spin. A bit of an adrenaline junkie, Garrison has no problem finding trouble. This time trouble’s named Walt, and he happens to be Garrison’s sister-in-law’s brother.

Neither man expects their fun to amount to anything else, but after an injury sends Garrison home for good, he turns to Walt, hoping to start a new life. Walt is a closeted sheriff’s deputy, and while he adores Garrison, he isn’t sure he’s ready to come out… or for such a big commitment. Being fresh out of the service isn’t easy on Garrison either. To find their happy ending, Walt and Garrison must overcome their trust issues and get ready to settle down together.

Review

Garrison meets Walt at Garrison’s brother’s funeral. Walt is Garrison’s brother’s wife’s brother. Phew. Got that?

Basically they are sorta, kinda, in-laws-ish.

Garrison is still a SEAL but he’s out. Walt is a cop, and he’s NOT.

At first they hook up and it’s nothing but letting off steam. But as time moves on, they become closer and closer. Garrison gets out of the military, injured, and Walt lends him a hand his guest room. But when things start to look too “suspicious” to the locals, Walt essentially kicks Garrison out.

Garrison wants more. Walt is worried about his reputation and getting hurt if Garrison dumps him and leaves him “out” and alone.

But when someone nearly dies, things become clear.

**

I really liked this book. There were times when the writing, especially the dialog, got a bit clunky and in the middle of the book I was a bit annoyed with Walt for all his waffling, but overall, I thought it was a good romance and it felt pretty realistic to me.

I liked that the boys communicated like boys. Short sentences. No outpourings of devotion. They were honest about their attraction right from the get-go. I also liked that the “drama” was mostly in Walt’s head, which I also think is realistic. So many times we are our own worst enemy.

The sex was pretty hot and when the “I love yous are exchanged” they felt sincere, if anti-climactic.

The name is a bit of a misnomer – the truck really doesn’t play much into the story, though it is a cute/sentimental part of the story.

PS Any story where the dog gets some page time is a good one! ☺

Writing/Editing 3.5

Romance 4

Sex/Heat 4

Storyline 3.5

World Building/Characterizations 4

Overall 3.8 of 5 hearts

4

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Faith & Fidelity Audiobook (Faith, Love and Devotion book 1) by Tere Michaels Narrated by JP Handler

Dreamspinner presents:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5660

faith & fidelityBlurb

Reeling from the recent death of his wife, police officer Evan Cerelli looks at his four children and can only see how he fails them. His loving wife was the caretaker and nurturer, and now the single father feels himself being crushed by the pain of loss and the heavy responsibility of raising his kids.
At the urging of his partner, Evan celebrates a coworker’s retirement and meets disgraced former cop turned security consultant Matt Haight. A friendship born out of loneliness and the solace of the bottle turns out to be exactly what they both need.
The past year has been a slow death for Matt Haight. Ostracized from his beloved police force, facing middle age and perpetual loneliness, Matt sees only a black hole where his future should be. When he discovers another lost soul in Evan, some of the pieces he thought he lost start to fall back in place. Their friendship turns into something deeper, but love is the last thing either man expected, and both of them struggle to reconcile their new and overwhelming feelings for one another.

Review

The blurb sets this up nicely. Evan and Matt are two lonely cop/ex cops who become friends. Then, very slowly, they become more. Neither has ever been with or thought about being with another man, so their feelings hit them from out of the blue.

They have their own doubts and insecurities and then they face the challenge of telling others about their partnership and that threatens what little peace they’ve managed to find.

Suddenly Evan is shot and Matt is in charge of the family. He’s doing great, but Evan’s inlaws want to take over. When Evan finally heals, he runs, scared, away from Matt and their relationship, back to familiar territory.

Both are miserable. It takes Miranda getting into trouble to show them what they were missing.

By the end, they’ve decided to officially “try” this relationship on for size… but there’s still a lot to overcome.

**

Tere Michaels is an amazing writer and her character development is so thorough and so well done.  All the players, the MCs and the secondary characters are all very three-dimensional and real people.  The romance is spectacular and moving and the real life issues are authentic and believable.

This was one of the first m/m books/series I’d read and it set a very high standard. Double GFY. Family drama. Slow, slow burn. Intense emotions. Two cops. Very hot, very sweet sex. Real emotions and real problems.

Fortunately the next book was already out when I had read this or I’d have been so impatient to see what happens next. The real nitty gritty of being a couple starts in book 2.

Book: 6 of 5 hearts – one of my all time favorite series

amazing

Audio:

I was so psyched when this came out on audio! I love the series so much! However… I know from reading other reviews that JP Handler is a very polarizing narrator. Some people just adore his work, others hate it. For me, he’s too much. His voice sounds like he’s on the verge of tears the entire time. There are times I really appreciate the emotion he puts into his work, especially the dialog, but for the rest it is hard to listen to.

 

Audio: 2.5 of 5 hearts. Because the book is so good I can tolerate the narration, otherwise I’d have returned this and never gotten the rest in the series.

2.5

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Lou Sylvre’s ‘A Shot of J & B’ (Vasquez Security: The Next Generation #1) Cover Reveal with Excerpt and Giveaway

 

LS600x600Banner

 Excerpt:

“So, anyway, Brian,” he said, ending a not uncomfortable lull in the conversation. “I’m looking forward to the ride to airport. I want to hear more about your work, and London, and whatever. But,” he gestured toward the window, “here comes Sonny and Luki and Bear. I’ll get more coffee on.”
He rose, but before he turned toward the kitchen, he faced Brian and leaned forward, kissed his cheek swiftly and softly. He intended to step away, but Brian caught first one of his hands, and then the other, and held them both in one hand.
“Jackie, thank you for that. But what I’d like even more is if you were to kiss me—” Brian lifted the index finger of his free hand and touched his own lips. “—just here. Will you?”
“Yes,” Jackie whispered, and without any conscious decision to do so, added, “Yes, sir.” He leaned forward and touched his open lips to Brian’s, found them soft when he added a bit of pressure, and sent his tongue darting just inside for a taste. They broke the kiss together, but as it ended, Brian sucked and then nipped at Jackie’s bottom lip.
Brian smiled, and after he let go of Jackie’s hand, stroked once over Jackie’s shoulder and arm—a comforting touch, Jackie thought. “Thank you, Jackie,” Brian said, his eyes sparking with something like mischief. “That was lovely.”

Author Bio:
Lou Sylvre lives and writes on the rainy side of Washington State, penning mostly suspense/romance novels because she can’t resist giving her characters hard times but good love. Her personal assistant is Boudreau, a large cat who never outgrew his kitten meow, and he makes a point of letting her know when she’s taken a plot tangent too far. He (Boudreau) invites readers to give their feedback as well!
Where to find the author:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LouSylvre
Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLouSylvre
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sylvre
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

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Rafflecopter Prize: Any Vasquez and James book, plus a $10 Dreamspinner gift card
Rafflecopter Code:
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Sorting Out (Fitting In book 2) by Silvia Violet

Smashwords presents:
http://silviaviolet.com/book/sorting-out

sorting outBlurb

Sequel to Fitting In.

Jack, Gray, and Mason have accepted that loves comes in many flavors and settled into a three-way relationship. Things haven’t been easy, and now that Mason has gone back to school and Gray is interested in a detective position, Jack is feeling lonely. His lovers aren’t around very often, and he misses lying around in bed, enjoying the benefits of living with two hot men. But Jack has secrets. He’s uncomfortable every time he puts his uniform on. He’s never recovered from seeing Mason held hostage, and he’s no longer sure he was meant to be a cop.

While stressing over his own future and facing pressure from Gray and Mason to bring their relationship out of the closet, Jack is severely wounded in the line of duty. His recovery, both physical and emotional might be more than their unconventional relationship can bear. Jack is going to need all the courage and support his lovers can give him if he’s going to bring himself back from the dead and create the life he wants to live.

Review
In this, the sequel to Fitting In, the boys have been living together for a few months. Mason is in school, Gray wants to become a detective and Jack gets injured and has to re-evaluate his life.

There is a lot of angst in this book (as compared to book one), almost all from Jack. He’s feeling insecure in his life, his work and at times his relationship.

There is more BDSM sex, ménage style, and some tender moments between the guys.

Jack finally gets some good advice – from a seventeen year old kid! – and the guys out themselves at last.

**

I didn’t like this as much as book one, simply because there seemed to be only two main foci in this book: aggressive sex or Jack’s angst. I wanted to see more from the other guys’ perspectives and maybe a bit more tenderness and less whips and ropes.

But… if you’re a fan of BDSM you will really like it and I try not to judge the story based on that aspect alone.

Props to the cover, it’s HOT!

Writing/Editing 3.5

Romance 3

Sex/Heat 4

Storyline 3

World Building/Characterizations 3

Overall 3 of 5 hearts

3

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