Category: Hurt/Abuse

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Getting It Right by AM Arthur

Carina Press Presents:  http://ebooks.carinapress.com/6D174924-1060-4B31-8A76-1BD338605A4E/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=6683E311-33F0-4252-B4A8-2E5502D530A5

getting it rightBlurb

Detective Nathan Wolf might just be a junior detective, but he tackles every case with the passion that he lacks in his personal life. A series of failed relationships with women has left him still single at thirty-four—because he’s too scared to admit to his longtime crush on his best friend James.
Dr. James Taggert likes to keep his profession as a psychiatrist separate from his party-animal persona. Known around the gay clubs as Tag, he’s the guy who screws them, leaves them, and never looks back. But James’s drinking is getting heavier, and when bad memories from the past resurface, he’s close to becoming the worst version of himself.

After a drunken blackout ends in a hot and heavy make-out session with his very straight best friend, James has no memory of the steamy affair. But Nathan isn’t sorry for the kisses that James can’t remember. Nathan finally musters the courage to tell James how he really feels, but a life-altering event might force them apart before they can ever be together.

Review

James is an alcoholic psychiatrist who is dealing with his own tragic past by living at the bottom of a bottle and mindlessly hooking up in bars.

At first Nathan is a just James’ best friend who may or may not be sexually interested in James (his first and only man-crush) but then he gets attacked and now he’s also suffering from PTSD.

There are also some secondary characters who are going through A LOT of really bad stuff and this stuff gets interwoven into James and Nate’s story as well.

Nate and James dance around their attraction and then finally commit to trying things out, but there are still obstacles to be overcome.

In the end we get a pretty solid HEA.

**

This was my first book by this author and I’m not sure if this is representative of all her work or not, but for me it was way too much angst and not enough fluffy, sappy, loving to reward me for living through the drama.

I did NOT like the fact that James is a black-out drunk to the point that he has some questionable sexual encounters of dubious consent, especially AFTER he and Nate are beginning to hook up with one another.  Because I couldn’t really like James (he’s a shrink who can’t realize he’s an alcoholic?  Sure, he’s in denial, but really??) I didn’t like him for Nate.

I liked Nate well enough, but thought his straight to gay-for-James was a little bit too quick given all the other drama in his life.

The smexy times were great, but it bothered me that James was seen (on page) with Elliott, too.

Perhaps this is a more “real” type romance in that life isn’t always kittens and rainbows, but for me, I look for books that are chock full of glittery-unicorn-rainbow-filled-love-fests and when those moments happen after an angst filled journey they are the highest reward.  In this case I got the angst but not nearly enough romance to compensate.

The writing was good and the story was interesting, but I was so tired of the drama by the end that I was honestly glad to see the story over.

Writing/Editing  4

Romance  2

Sex/Heat   4

Storyline  2

World Building/Characterizations  2

2.8 of 5 hearts

3

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Lucky Man (Heated Beat #2) by Garrett Leigh

Dreamspinner Presents:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6144

lucky manBlurb

As a diehard music fan, a dirty, smoky gig is Vice Squad Detective Danny Jones’s idea of heaven. While watching one of the most popular bands in Northern England, the sight of gorgeous rock star Finn McGovern changes his life forever.

Beneath the tattoos and leather jacket, Finn is kind and sweet, but when he confesses a dark secret to Danny, it tests their fledgling bond. Danny digs deep to accept Finn, but before long, a terrifying trail of death threatens to tear them apart before they’ve even got started.

A monster is killing prostitutes on Danny’s patch, and when a dead girl turns up too close to home, Danny discovers a heartbreaking link between the girl and his bright new life with Finn, a life he’ll do anything to protect.

Review

Danny is a “sort of in the closet” vice detective who meets Finn one night after Finn’s gig. There is instant attraction and some hot sex that leads to an entire weekend of fun. But…

Finn has a secret that keeps him from finding a boyfriend who lasts. When Danny finds out, he’s not really too concerned, but it does make things more difficult.

And… Danny is working a case involving dead prostitutes and it keeps him away from Finn for days at a time.

Ultimately, Finn learns to overcome his fear of rejection and Danny manages to solve the crime and we end with a very solid HEA.

**
This is a short book FULL of subject matter. I really enjoyed the take on Finn’s medical condition. I found it fascinating and a unique subject for the genre.

There was very little angst surrounding Finn and Danny’s relationship. It sort-of flowed forward at a moderately quick pace with spikes of uncertainty mostly rising from Finn. Danny is more of a black box, not nearly as much introspection, but you can tell he cares for Finn deeply.

In a way, the book is almost too full. Since the subject of Finn’s illness is so big, I’m not sure adding in the other “heavy” subject of the dead prostitutes was necessary. To me it detracted from the romance and from the exploration of a disease that hasn’t been covered in this genre much, if at all. I don’t think the sad prostitute stories added enough to justify the neglect to the main theme. I wanted to see Danny interact more with Finn and to see them evolve more as a couple, dealing with the illness and ultimately winning.

I know I am definitely in the minority when I say this, but I loved book one because it was so light and fun, so the return to the darkness was a bit disappointing. I enjoyed the writing, the character building and the emotions Garrett Leigh is so good at drawing from us (she doesn’t disappoint on those fronts) but I had been hoping for a lighter story, similar to book one.

I really enjoyed seeing Will and Jack again – it was funny hearing them described as a couple who didn’t know where to go from here.

Overall, if you’re a Garrett Leigh fan you’ll love this. If you are (like me) a recent reader who loved the light hearted-ness of book one, you may be disappointed in the return to a more dark theme.

4 of 5 hearts

4

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Caged Sanctuary-Tempest O’Riley

Published by Dreamspinner Press

Kaden Thorn, a dental surgeon who lives a quiet life, has no hope of finding the love he craves. A vicious gay bashing cost him the use of his legs and confined him to a wheelchair. He has given up hope of finding a Dom or even a non-kink partner to love him. When his best friend practically forces him to attend a dinner party, the last thing he expects is a strong Dom who can see beyond his wheels.

Deacon James is an architect and a demanding Dom, but he has spent the past couple of years without a sub or partner. When an employee invites him to a dinner party to meet his girlfriend, Deacon smells a setup but agrees anyway. He prides himself on being an excellent judge of character, and when he meets the younger dentist, he sees past the chair and finds a sweet submissive man who more than piques his interest.

Kade’s fears and demons continue to haunt him, challenging Deacon to use everything he’s learned as a Dom to earn Kade’s trust and submission. Deacon’s determined, though, willing to battle all of it to have Kade by his side and at his feet.

I really liked the direction the author took with the book, I truly did, but something about this story felt a little off to me. The characters were actually pretty good, the story was nice, but the feel of it felt a bit Harlequin-esque. The Dom was way too stuffy and formal. I can’t put my finger on it, but this story felt as if it should’ve been in a different time period almost like it should have been one of those Harlequin historical romances.   

I loved the idea that this author had a disabled sub. I think she did a really good job of showing that the wheelchair didn’t take anything away from his desirability.  

Okay, moving along…the book had quite a few nice sex scenes. The author did a lovely job of being creative with the sex with respect to Kade being in a wheelchair.

Now, these men and their relationship was sweet and perfect. Too perfect, in fact, and it moved way too fast for me. I’m not one to go for a snail’s pace, but I felt that the pace could’ve been a bit slower.  Everything fell into place way too quickly for me; there was no natural progression, if you will. I found it hard to believe that Kade would trust Deacon so quickly after meeting him, especially given his past.  Also, I felt that these men should’ve had more…flaws. They were just way too perfect! Almost…formal with each other. They were way too serious with each other. I know that BSDM isn’t that serious all the time, surely the Dom and his sub are playfully affectionate with each other?  They took themselves way too seriously, they were more focused on making the D/s relationship absolutely perfect and relationships are anything but. These men were definitely the poster guys for BSDM perfection.

In all, this book was good, but I felt it could’ve been better. The author’s writing style is nice, the characters well thought out and dialog neat. I just wish that the book would’ve been better if she got the characters to loosen up a bit.  The author should’ve…I don’t know, gone for it. I just felt like she was holding back just a bit with these characters and her writing. 

Would I recommend this story? Sure, I would. It was nice. I would definitely like to read more of her work. I just hope that she’s not as ‘buttoned up’ in her other books. This was a good read.

Rating:❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Return To The Mountain Audiobook (The Mountains Book 5) by PD Singer Narrated by Finn Sterling

Dreamspinner Presents:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6114

return mountainBlurb

Caddy Gary Richardson hungers for the lush life of the wealthy golfers he escorts around the course at Wapiti Creek. The contrast between his tiny trailer at the edge of a mountain town and the luxurious ski and golf resort is something he’s learned to live with but not like. Gary wants the fancy condo and late-model car not just for himself but for his childhood friend turned lover, Seth Morgan. He’d settle for security for the two of them, but even that seems out of reach.
Seth is content with Gary and enough spare cash for greens fees at municipal golf courses. Going pro is beyond his means, even if he plays well enough to win on the championship resort courses. Gary would do anything to fulfill Seth’s dreams, even things he’d rather keep to himself. When an unheard of opportunity knocks, Gary can answer or resign himself to living on tips from affluent tourists.
But Seth can’t live with that answer when it means his trust has been betrayed. He has to let go and hope the man he loves will find his way home.
Review

Gary and Seth are high school friends turned lovers. Gary had an exceptionally sucky childhood with an abusive father. Seth’s mom is wonderful but Seth is a bit “slow” and though he has a lot of natural golf talent he doesn’t quite have what it takes to go pro.

Gary sees the world and wants to experience all it has to offer in terms of luxuries and things he never had as a kid. He wants that for him AND Seth. Sometimes he’s even willing to do morally ambiguous things for opportunities to make things better for him and Seth.

Seth only ever wants to love Gary.

After high school Seth and Gary do various jobs (caddy, waiter, etc.) but Gary has those dreams of riches driving him. When some New Yorkers come to the mountain to golf and Gary overhears them talking business, he wants in.

The business “project” involves some more moral ambiguity, and moving to New York for a bit, but Gary classifies it all as getting a foot in the door and a leg up in business and since all he has ever wanted is to take care of himself and Seth, it feels “okay”, if not “good”.

Things do manage to take off for Gary (briefly) but the financial success is countered with romantic failure when Seth learns of what Gary has been doing to “help” things along.

Eventually Gary learns that money isn’t the answer to everything, that honesty and love are more important than financial success and that Seth is the most important thing of all.

**

This is quite different from the previous books in the series. There is still the attention to detail (Golf and Finance) that PD is so good at providing. There is still Wapiti Creek, the small mountain community we’ve seen before. There is still two boys in love.

However… in terms of “feels” this diverges from the path. In my opinion, Gary is really, really hard to like. I never felt good about how he handled his relationship with Seth. He was sorta like a big brother/parent at times and then sometimes like an adoring fan/boyfriend. I really, really didn’t like his justifications for cheating and the fact that all he could focus on was money. I think I understand WHY he felt that way and it was explained well, but I just never LIKED him as a result of his choices.

I really liked Seth and since I had a hard time with Gary I had a hard time rooting for them as a couple. Part of me hoped a new character would be introduced who was worthy of Seth.

Since the relationship between Seth and Gary is established early on, the slow burn is gone from the story.

Though Gary “redeems” himself by the end of the book, I still didn’t feel comfortable with his “turnaround” and so didn’t feel great about the longevity of them as a couple.

Overall, I would have to say this is a book in the series I’d skip, especially if infidelity is a trigger for you.

Audio

Finn Sterling did another great job with the narration, giving us a New York accent and growly old businessmen. My only complaint was that Gary’s voice seemed consistently pre-teen and that didn’t fit with his personality of a “do anything to move forward” kind of guy. I get that he’s got an “angelic” face, but his voice and tone could reflect the hard edges he earned at the hands of his dad and in the business world.

Writing/Editing 5
Romance 2
Sex/Heat 2.5
Storyline 2
World Building/Characterizations 5
Audio 4

Overall 3.4 of 5 hearts

3.5

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P.S.  Kudos to REESE DANTE for another beautiful and perfectly matched cover!

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Ever The Same by BA Tortuga

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6096

ever the sameBlurb

Audie Barrack is in it up to his elbows with a sick calf when his son’s school calls. Seems Grainger has gotten into yet another fight. When he walks into the principal’s office, he’s shocked to find his son has been fighting with a little girl named Randi.

A little girl with one blind dad and one dad who recently passed away.

Goddammit.

Dixon has lost his sight, his career, and his husband. Thank God for his brothers, Momma and Daddy, and his little girl, or he would simply give up. The last thing he needs is for Randi to start trouble at school, especially trouble that puts him in contact with another dad who might expect him to be a functional human being.

Dixon is struggling to live as a blind man, Audie is terrified someone might see he has a closet to come out of, and everyone from the school to both men’s families is worried for the men and their children. Unless they get themselves together and commit to change, neither of them stands a chance.

Review

Dixon has had to move in with his parents after losing his husband and his sight. His parents are supportive – to an extent – but there is an underlying tension in the house that keeps Dixon on the edge of miserable.

Audie is a young, single father, working his family ranch because he knows nothing else. His mother is somewhat supportive of him, but doesn’t approve of his being gay and isn’t shy about letting him know it.

Dixon and Audie meet when Randi (Dixon’s daughter) punches Grainger (Audie’s son). Audie pretty much immediately falls for Dixon but it takes awhile for that to play out.

The romance between Dixon and Audie is fairly easy going, their relationship is not. Dixon is a widower, well meaning friends and family worry Audie is a rebound man. Dixon is blind, family members worry that he won’t be able to contribute and that he might not be the best man to raise his own daughter, much less two children. Audie is a landless cowboy (he’s mother won’t put a gay boy in her will) with a child of his own.

Despite all the various obstacles and reasons why this shouldn’t work… it does and it does so beautifully.

**

I really enjoyed this country mouse/city mouse story. The immediate attraction and the acceptance of their romance between themselves let the rest of the story be about each of their own growth.

For all intents and purposes, one wrong decision led to Audie being a single dad, trapped on his family ranch at the age of 25. He’d never gotten to be a single gay man or do any of the other stuff that we do when we are young and carefree. As a result he’s older in some ways but still has a lot of that youth and inexperience in him that was a perfect mix for Dixon.

Dixon had been there and done that. Though he was only 33, he’d had a much more varied life, though not on a ranch! He was a bit jaded, a bit spoiled, a bit insecure, a bit self involved, but so brave. His family didn’t support him – not really – and he felt totally lost.

What I loved was that both men saved each other and the kids helped too. It’s hard to write kids because no two kids are a like and it can be hard to represent that mix of surprisingly mature things that sometimes come out of a young mouth along side the more immature tantrums and such. I think Randi and Grainger are excellent examples of kids done well. Though there were times I thought they were a little too mature, most of the time I really thought they were great.

I loved how the families were represented. They both felt very “gray” to me, meaning not all good and not all bad. So often the family is this all or nothing evil villain when in reality there is usually a mix. Dixon’s parents are well meaning if not fully supportive. Audie’s mom isn’t all bad, though she is pretty judgmental and petty.

Dixon’s reaction to being blind felt pretty appropriate as well, though I did wonder at his relative ease at getting over Ron. I also wondered why Ron’s family was so intent on keeping Randi when Dixon was the biological father, why weren’t his parents taking over?

Overall I thought this was a riveting and wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

Writing/Editing 5
Romance 4
Sex/Heat 4
Storyline 5
World Building/Characterizations 5

Overall 4.6 of 5 hearts!

4.5

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The Chauffeur (Workplace Encounters #2) by Serena Yates

Dreampsinner Presents

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/pages.php?pID=6&CDpath=0

chaufferBlurb

Chauffeur-slash-exotic dancer Kyle and forklift operator Nick connect, but family pressure and unemployment might ruin everything. 2nd Edition A Workplace Encounters Book Scarred former model Kyle Anderson leads a double life. By day, he works as a chauffeur for his uncle’s limousine rental company. Since his wages are too low for him to become financially independent, he works nights as an exotic dancer, donning a mask to hide his identity and the facial scars that got him rejected by his parents. Kyle catches the attention of Nick Giddings, a forklift driver who visits the club to let off steam. Nick is stuck in a low-skilled dead-end job after being kicked out of school for a prank he didn’t commit. The two men immediately connect, but when Nick is laid off and Kyle’s uncle pushes him to date a woman, everything comes crashing down.

Review

Nick sees Kyle dancing and convinces Kyle to go on a “date”. Though they are instantly attracted Kyle feels Nick won’t like him if he knows he’s scarred.

Nick sort of stalks Kyle when he meets him again without the costume, and convinces him his interest is sincere and they begin to date.

Nick is about to lose his factory job, Kyle is worried about coming out to his uncle, and both worry they may end up homeless and jobless soon, but they have each other.

**

This is the second short story in Serena Yates Workplace series. It has a similar pattern to book one in that these are men who find themselves on hard times and need the support of the other to become better men and have better lives.

If you enjoyed book one you will probably enjoy this as well.

However, I enjoyed book one a bit more than book two because I just didn’t bond as much with either MC in this book and found the ending with the uncle a bit much to take.

I think the writing is good and the smexy times were hot, but I didn’t connect with this story as much as I have in the past with Serena’s books.

Writing/Editing 4
Romance 2
Sex/Heat 4
Storyline 2
World Building/Characterizations 2

2.8 of 5 hearts

3

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A Better Man (The Men of Halfway House #1) by Jaime Reese

Romandevor presents:   http://jaimereese.com/a-better-man/

better manBlurb

Matthew Doner is starting over. After a five-year prison term that alters every aspect of his life, he receives a bequest from his aunt with the stipulation that he use the money to make things right. Breaking free of the long-standing role he’s played and inspired by the few who support him, he decides to create a safe place where people like him can find purpose and start a new life.
Julian Capeletti likes challenges. He is confident, brash, stubborn, and just what Matt needs. Desperate for work after a downturn of luck, he accepts the job to renovate Matt’s crumbling building.

Over the course of a year, romance simmers between them as they restore the house. But there’s a bigger renovation that must take place in their hearts. To become better men, they need to learn to trust each other even with secrets and painful memories they fear may rip them apart.
Review

Matt went to jail for a white collar crime (he didn’t commit) and now wants to establish a halfway house for criminals because he has seen what happens to men who are faced with no prospects after serving their time in jail.

Julian is hired as Matt’s contractor and he and Matt start setting sparks off one another right from the start.

The romance between them is a slow, but oh-so-hot, burn and when they come together – it is awesome!

There are a lot of obstacles in Matt’s way to having the halfway-house of his dreams and Julian is there to help him through the rough patches.

What I loved about this (and all Jaime’s books) is the sizzling hot chemistry between J and Matt AND the deep emotional connection she gives them without losing their personalities to the mush. They are still “tough guys” who love deeply and as we see J in the sequels to this book you can see he’s still rough around the edges but ever so smoothed out by Matt’s presence.

I just love this book, and the entire series.

6 of 5 hearts!

amazing

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Tame a Wild Human by Kari Gregg

tamehumancvrDrugged, bound, and left as bait on the cusp of the lunar cycle, Wyatt Redding is faced with a terrifying set of no-win scenarios. Best case: he survives the coming days as a werewolf pack’s plaything and returns to the city as a second-class citizen with the mark—and protection—of the pack. Worst case: the wolves sate their lusts with Wyatt’s body, then send him home without their protection, condemning him to live out the rest of his short life as a slave to the worst of humanity’s scorn and abuse.

Wyatt’s only chance is to swallow every ounce of pride, bury his fear, and meekly comply with every wicked desire and carnal demand the wolf pack makes of him. He expects three days of sex and humiliation. What he doesn’t expect is to start enjoying it. Or to grow attached to his captor and pack Alpha, Cole.

As the lunar cycle ends, Wyatt begins to realize that the only thing to fear more than being sent home without the pack’s protection is being sent home at all.

Reader discretion advised. This title contains the following sensitive themes: dubious consent, explicit violence, heavy kink, non-consent, non-consensual drug use.

Kimi’s thoughts:

This was 80 pages of missed opportunity. Wyatt lives in some dystopian version of our world where humans are seen as sexual prey by wolves. Jut who the weres are is secret and there is a stigma attached to becoming their property. In fact, once taken by the wolves, the best scenario you can possibly hope for is to earn a token so that you have SOME standing in the human world afterwards, albeit seemingly at the very bottom. You lose everything else except your job, but you no longer get to keep your salary or any of your possessions. That token though does keep you from being raped at will by non wolf raped human males though. You read that right. If Wyatt doesn’t get killed and doesn’t earn a token, he’ll go back home only be raped by any man who wants to have a quick fuck. We know Wyatt’s father suffered this way for years until one day he simply disappeared. We know Wyatt is dumped trussed up and naked because his own greedy brother wanted Wyatt’s earnings and possessions in order to pay off gambling debts.

These things could have made the framework for some fascinating worldbuilding, particularly if expanded into a novel. Instead, what we get is a straight man who becomes gay for the alpha werewolf after being gangraped repeatedly and then fed some of the alpha’s blood to make him a lust driven plaything for said alpha. That’s it. Lots of hard core rape with Wyatt suffering and not enjoying it, talking himself into taking it as submissively as possible so that he can make it out alive. Praying he pleases them enough that he’ll at least be left a token so he can have some semblance of his old life once it’s all over. Only it doesn’t end. The alpha is very pleased and decides to knot him with consequences Wyatt has neither forseen or while his mind was chemically unaltered, would he have consented to.

We do get some chatter by the wolves that gives glimpses into what is really going on with the weres and humans, and it’s not quite when the humans seem to think. It’s brutal stuff though, as we witness what happens when a claimed human doesn’t please them, and it’s definitely not for the faint hearted. Poor Wyatt was forced to watch in excruciating detail, so we get to see it too. I don’t mind reading push the envelope stuff, but this just didn’t sit well. There was no romance, nothing to really redeem what is happening to Wyatt and the other humans at all. It’s simply lust driven brutality. It left me feeling disappointed, having read Gregg before and really enjoyed the depth of her previous works.

Rating:2

kimisig

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How to Howl at the Moon (Dog Shifters of Mad Creek #1) by Eli Easton

Pinkerton Road Presents:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Howl-Moon-Eli-Easton-ebook/dp/B00T12QQOW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425344629&sr=8-2&keywords=howl+at+the+moon

Howl moonBlurb

Sheriff Lance Beaufort is not going to let trouble into his town, no sir. Tucked away in the California mountains, Mad Creek has secrets to keep, like the fact that half the town consists of ‘quickened’—dogs who have gained the ability to become human. Descended on both sides from Border Collies, Lance is as alert a guardian as they come.

Tim Weston is looking for a safe haven. After learning that his boss patented all of Tim’s work on vegetable hybrids in his own name, Tim quit his old job. A client offers him use of her cabin in Mad Creek, and Tim sees a chance for a new start. But the shy gardener has a way of fumbling and sounding like a liar around strangers, particularly gorgeous alpha men like Sheriff Beaufort.

Lance’s hackles are definitely raised by the lanky young stranger. He’s concerned about marijuana growers moving into Mad Creek, and he’s not satisfied with the boy’s story. Lance decides a bit of undercover work is called for. When Tim hits a beautiful black collie with his car and adopts the dog, its love at first sight for both Tim and Lance’s inner dog. Pretending to be a pet is about to get Sheriff Beaufort in very hot water.

Review
Lance is a fourth generation “quickened” shifter, hailing from a long line of Border Collie shifters and the Sherriff of Mad Creek. A “quickened” shifter is a dog (born a dog) who was so beloved by his or her master that they receive the “gift” of turning human at will. That ability is then transferred to their off-spring and thus a shifter is born.

Tim is a horticulturist whose hybrid plant ideas were ripped off by his ex-boss. He’s currently living on the last of his money and hopes to build back his business with the help of a friend.

Tim also is very nervous in front of alpha-males and Lance is ALL alpha.

At first, Lance thinks Tim is growing an illegal crop and stoops to using his shifted form to spy on Tim. But the lonely and sad and socially inept Tim cracks through Lance’s tough shell until both the dog and the man can’t get enough of Tim.

But before they can be together many questions must be answered.  How is Lance going to break it to Tim that the dog he loves is really the man he fears? And… Is Tim’s boss going to make trouble for Tim in his new home? And… If not Tim, who is growing illegal drugs near Mad Creek and how can they be stopped?

**

Through a combination of amazingly astute observations on the various dog breeds and imagining them as humans, Eli has done the unbelievable – created a unique shifter story! Sure, there are some common threads, but by and large this is a truly unique look at shifter lore.

Because they were dogs first the transition to being human is both touching at times (Roman’s devotion to his past master) and hilarious (the friendly and chatty Mr. Beagle).

You know that since it’s Eli Easton, the writing is impeccable. The sex is hot. The emotion is deep and abiding. And the humor is sharp and witty.

If I could describe a perfect book it would be this: Eli Easton writing a shifter book. And yet, it gets even better because it’s going to be an entire SERIES! It’s true – there is a heaven!

The slow burn between Tim and Lance is delicious and when Lance finally “comes out” to Tim it is both hysterical and touching.  (Did I mention that this is Lance’s first male love interest – yes, you guessed it – GFY, too!)  It really doesn’t get any better than this!

I loved the meddling mother and the “vindictive” vet scene. Superb!

All in all I can’t wait for the next book, am so excited the audio book is on it’s way and will likely have read this book at least three more times before I get my hands on the audio version.

6 of 5 hearts!

amazing

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PS
Look here for fun facts about writing the book and a sample of the audiobook due out in mid March. http://elieaston.com/

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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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