Category: Hurt/Abuse

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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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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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A Restored Man (The Men of Halfway House Book #3) by Jaime Reese

Romandeavor presents: http://jaimereese.com/a-restored-man/

restored manBlurb

Cole Renzo thinks his greatest challenge is to behave for the remainder of his term at Halfway House. Until he meets his new boss, Ty Calloway, a man who ticks off every box on Cole’s list of interests.

A sought-after restorer and customizer of exotic and collectible cars, Ty had enough confidence to command what he wanted in life, until one fateful night changed everything. Almost two years later, he’s slowly rebuilding his life with great control. He’s defied the odds and works tirelessly to be the man he once was—but he still feels broken.

Cole’s candor and unfiltered personality awaken Ty’s barely-remembered desire to greet each new day with a smile, while Ty’s unwavering acceptance of Cole’s quirks and brash humor makes Cole feel as if he fits in for the first time in far too long. When a nemesis threatens Ty’s personal restoration and the things he holds dear, Cole is determined to protect their relationship, even if that means sacrificing everything he’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ty will have to let his guard down, surrender control, and admit he needs Cole first, even if that puts himself at risk of breaking beyond repair.

Review

This is book three in The Men of Halfway House series. I think, technically you could read this as a standalone with no problem, but why the heck would ya? The other two books are amazing and really give you the background for this book. So… I’m going to assume you’ve read books one and two…

We met Cole in book two. He’s loud, impetuous, impractical, mouthy and in a word – Trouble. He’s also an (ex) car thief who is at the HH after spending 2 years in prison for stealing a car and refusing to “rat out” his co-conspirators.

Cole has a hard time transitioning to a legit life because of his impetuousness. Finally, Aidan comes through with the perfect job for him, doing custom restorations for his brother Ty. The deal is this: Hunter gave Cole a sweet car if Cole can manage to do his time at the HH in four months. Nobody thinks that will be easy.

Ty is Aidan’s brother. He’s in the family business (Aidan is the black sheep!) of car restoration but he’s still recovering from a serious car accident that took the lives of his parents and put him in a coma for 6 months. Ty is the opposite of Aidan. He’s shy, reserved, blushes at the drop of a hat and has a dark cloud hanging above his head.

When Ty meets Cole there is instant attraction on both sides. So much so that Cole puts his foot in his mouth – again – and Aidan puts his fist in Cole’s face for it! Though Ty makes Aidan apologize for it later, Aidan makes it clear that if Cole hurts Ty in any way losing the car will be the least of his worries.

Well, as it turns out, Cole took to the work at the shop like a fish to water. He’s found his groove at last and things look great from that perspective. His only glitch: Ty. Ty turns Cole on like nothing else and makes him crazy.

Ty wants to keep things between him and Cole professional – of course – but he just can’t stay away. Cole attracts him like a moth to a flame. They dance around each other for weeks until finally giving in to their mutual desires.

There is more than just the romance going on in this story. Cole has some family issues to resolve and Ty is dealing with survivor’s guilt, physical limitations and an ex-employee trying to blackmail him.

And then there’s Aidan… I’m hoping his story is next… he’s got something going on with Hunter’s former partner Jessie and it looks to be a great story!

**

So I am a huge Jaime Reese fan. Her first book was amazing and frankly every book since has only gotten better. The thing that amazes me about this book in particular is the length. It is a fairly long book and there is not one word that could be edited out! All of it is wonderful and important to building this beautiful story.

The romance between Ty and Cole is both a slow burn and an instant wildfire. They flirt and tease and touch and torment each other endlessly, but the final coming together takes weeks and when it does happen it is really moving and powerful.

I love seeing J and Matt again (wish we could hear about Cam and Hunter too, but seeing as they’ve disappeared…). I love the “hint” that maybe J and Matt might one day expand their little family!

Cole has to be my most favorite character so far. Man! He’s funny, honest, charming, adorkable, can do ANYTHING (and he knows it), cocky, insecure, sweet, raunchy… just a perfect mixture of everything. Ty is his perfect foil because he’s so shy, yet subtly aggressive, confident but tentative… another delightful mix.

I have to admit, in a lot of books the “non romance” part is just boring to me and it takes effort to pay attention to those parts. Not true here. The blackmailing, the family drama, the events in the shop… these are all captivating.

I really feel that Jaime’s writing has gotten better and better as the series has progressed and her world building and characterizations are top notch.  I had to stop and slow down several times when I was reading this because I just wanted to savor how good it was.

I really appreciate how Jaime handles the sexual tension and the sex itself in her books.  It’s so romantic and yet scorching hot at the same time.  Her word choice, especially, helps to create this setting and I love that I’m not ever thrown out of the story by phrasing that doesn’t seem to match the characters for the sake of “making the sex hotter”.

Overall a truly amazing book that I know I’ll read again and again. I can’t wait for Aidan’s story and I am ever so hopeful that we will see the entire series on Audiobooks soon.

(And giant Kudos on the cover… so adorable!)

6 of 5 hearts

amazing

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Us Three (One Voice book 1) by Mia Kerick

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4857

us threeBlurb

A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

In his junior year at a public high school, sweet, bright Casey Minton’s biggest worry isn’t being gay. Keeping from being too badly bullied by his so-called friends, a group of girls called the Queen Bees, is more pressing. Nate De Marco has no friends, his tough home life having taken its toll on his reputation, but he’s determined to get through high school. Zander Zane’s story is different: he’s popular, a jock. Zander knows he’s gay, but fellow students don’t, and he’d like to keep it that way.

No one expects much when these three are grouped together for a class project, yet in the process the boys discover each other’s talents and traits, and a new bond forms. But what if Nate, Zander, and Casey fall in love—each with the other and all three together? Not only gay but also a threesome, for them high school becomes infinitely more complicated and maybe even dangerous. To survive and keep their love alive, they must find their individual strengths and courage and stand together, honest and united. If they can do that, they might prevail against the Queen Bees and a student body frightened into silence—and even against their own crippling fears.

Review

I had avoided this title for a long time because the subject of bullying is such a hard one. When I saw the sequel had come out I just knew I had to put on my big-girl panties and read it and boy am I glad I did.

Casey is a small, effeminate boy who gets tortured by the popular GIRLS at his school. The opening passage happens his freshman year and it takes him one and a half years before he’s comfortable attending public school again. It’s hard to read, no doubt about it, but only because you just know stuff like this happens EVERY DAY – or worse.

We meet Casey again as a Junior. He’s still the object of subtle bullying almost every day but his sincere and honest faith and hope in humanity keeps him from giving up on high school all together. He’s taking a French survey course and is assigned two very disparate partners to work with on a project.

Nate is a “loser, burnout, druggie” who is barely holding on to his family and struggling not to drop out of high school all together. He doesn’t talk much but when he does it always leaves an impact.

Zander is a jock. He’s a great soccer player with a fairly absent mother and a beloved older brother who is away at college. Zander knows he’s gay but is deathly afraid of being out. As a result he feels complicit in the bullying that Casey (and others) face simply because he doesn’t stop it.

When the three boys get together something about them clicks. Both Zander and Nate feel protective of Casey. He’s this bright and shiny beacon of hope and it hurts them to see him so pummeled by the mean girls in school. They have a wary respect and attraction for each other as well, but neither knows what to do with all these feelings.

As the weeks progress it becomes clear that in addition to being friends, these boys mean something to each other in a way far deeper.  Casey, surprisingly, is the instigator and glue that drives the relationship.

Their first call to action is to simply be together as partners in class and face the hostility of the popular girls on that front. Later, this expands to protecting Casey (and themselves) from jealousy and hate on many fronts.

So much happens that it can’t really be summarized easily. The boys finish their project, proceed delicately forward on their romantic relationship, begin to fight for Casey and later to fight for the bullied everywhere.

In addition to that, both Nate and Zander have to deal with their own home lives and this, too, is difficult.

Finally, after Casey faces a climactic and nearly crushing blow, the boys and the school rally together to do what’s right and we end up with a very solid HFN which leads us to book two.

**

I won’t lie to you. This is a hard book to read. I found myself rushing through the painful passages because they are just SO painful to read. But when you get to the other side it is so beautiful.

I was skeptical of a three-way relationship in a high school setting, but it just works for these boys. They are all absolutely integral to the relationship’s success and for the success of the anti-bullying campaign.

The other part I really liked, and we see in the subsequent sequel, is how the relationship also strengthened each boy individually and gave him strength to fight on the home front as well.

I absolutely adored Casey’s family. At first I was so frustrated with them, but as the story progressed I realized their naiveté is what makes Casey the pure shining light that he is and if they’d been different so would have he. When they rally around the boys and their relationship at the end it just made me want to cry it was so sweet.

I applaud Mia Kerick for the sex in this book. It felt honest and real and touching and was absolutely age appropriate.

I was so glad to have the sequel on hand because I was NOT satisfied with the ending. Yes – it is hopeful and leaves the boys in a good place, but I was dying to know what happened next. As a result I had to dive into book two and ended up with a book hangover because I couldn’t put that book down either!

I highly recommend this book and the series, even if you aren’t a YA fan, you will find you can appreciate this book for what it is.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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The Last Guy Breathing Novel and Audiobook by Skylar M Cates narrated by Matt Baca

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5747

last guyBlurb

Henry Clueley doesn’t want to be in Glamour, not after moving far away to overcome a difficult, if privileged, childhood. He’s no longer that pudgy kid desperate to escape his hometown, but it still holds painful memories. When his recently widowed mother needs him, however, “dependable Henry” does the right thing—even if it means leaving the IRS to take a boring corporate position. Things don’t stay boring for long. Soon Henry helps the local sheriff’s department unravel a crime. Posing as half of a fake couple seems like a fun idea… until Henry learns he already knows the deputy playing his other half.

Deputy Locke may be new to the Glamour Sheriff’s Department, but he’s fought his way up in the world and is determined to make a good impression. He keeps his private life quiet, even from his beloved younger brother. Locke knows better than most the need to protect what’s his.

Henry resents the arrogant, gorgeous cop, and Locke thinks Henry is sheltered and spoiled. Their secret and steamy encounter only adds to the animosity. As they join forces, Henry thinks a relationship with Locke would be catastrophic, but the white-hot passion between them makes it hard to resist.

Review

Henry is an accountant who moved back to Glamour to help his widowed mother. He used to be chubby and now strives hard to keep his new, more fit shape. His dad was a giant jerk, and he’s had real rotten luck with relationships. Until now.

Locke is a hard-nosed cop who moved to Glamour when he got in trouble for whistle-blowing in Phoenix. His family life was also less than stellar and the only family he knows now is his younger brother. He’s gay, but not out and he doesn’t “do” relationships. Until now.

Locke and Henry get together for the first time at Dean and Anthony’s wedding. (Yay!!!) They have a hot round of sex then Locke treats Henry like crap and they don’t see much of each other except when Locke is handing out speeding tickets to Henry.

There is a suicide and a subsequent investigation into the woman’s place of work, which happens to be where Henry works, conducted by Locke’s police department. It’s decided that Locke and Henry must pose as lovers to gain inside information about the financial planners Henry works for to try to expose the cause of the suicide.

At first things are terrible… well terribly HOT… between Henry and Locke. The sexual tension is nearly unbearable, but outside of the physical, they can’t stand one another.

As they work closely with one another on the case, little by little the defenses crumble and they begin an active “no strings” affair… but Henry is seeing strings and maybe… maybe Locke is too.

There is a lot of intrigue. Some family drama on both sides. Lots and lots of hot sex. Some personal drama with Dean and Anthony. Some more hot sex. And finally… a very HEA.

**

This, by far, is my favorite of the “Last Guy” series. It is a really sweet, very sexy, very exciting, very well-written novel. I can really see the improvement, book to book in Skylar Cates’ writing. Her characters are by far her best asset – they are interesting and well-developed and easy to love, both the MCs and the secondary characters as well.

I think the story line in this was by far the most interesting of the three, the mystery and the drama and all the extra stuff that can sometimes overwhelm a romance really did a nice job of show-casing it instead and keeping the reader enthralled.

I am a definite fan of the series and hope we see more from Skylar soon!

Audio

Matt Baca did the other narrations for this series and like the author’s writing, this is the best of the three. I really like his grumpy Locke and his sweet Henry.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 5

Sex/Heat 6

Storyline 5

World Building/Characterizations 5

Narration 4.5

Overall 5 of 5 hearts!

5

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The Last Thing He Needs by JH Knight

Dreamspinner presents:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5262

last thingBlurb

Tommy O’Shea is raising his seven younger brothers and sisters without any help from his drug abusing father and stepmother. Since he was fifteen years old, he’s managed to keep the children fed and out of foster care. It takes up every ounce of his energy and the last thing he needs is romance complicating his life further.

Rookie cop Bobby McAlister doesn’t belong in Tommy’s harsh world, but Tommy can’t push him out. As their unlikely friendship turns into a tentative relationship, they weather the daily storm of Tommy’s life with a lot of laughs and more than a few arguments.

Tommy isn’t used to trusting outsiders, and he’s never asked for help in his life. But when a tragedy strikes the O’Shea family and threatens everything he’s fought for, he’ll have to learn to do both to recover from the brutal hit.

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Review

Tommy O’Shea has a rough, rough life. He’s in charge of his 6 younger siblings, didn’t finish high school, has drug-addled parents messing things up, and he’s very, very poor.

Bobby McAlister has been around for most of Tommy’s life. He’s an only child who lives at home with his recently widowed mother. He’s a gay cop who only wants to love and be loved.

It isn’t easy for Tommy to trust, everyone he knows has let him down, so when Bobby comes around, he is immediately treated with a heavy dose of skepticism.

Through time, perseverance and a lot of love, Bobby worms his way in and the result is this amazing love story written by JH Knight.

JH Knight a new author to me, but she now goes on my “must read” list.

I was blown away.

The story is so sweet, so tender, yet tough and gritty at the same time.

The problems Tommy and his family face are realistic and heart-breaking and I really loved that the “gay” part was really the least of their worries.

This was a story about trust, devotion, optimism and most of all, family. Despite all the odds and all the reasons why things really should not have worked out, family prevails, and in ways we could never predict.

I really loved the relationship between Bobby and his mother, June. I just think her involvement in the story added that the icing to this delicious cake of a book. She rounded out the family and brought everyone in that much tighter. She reminded us that you’re never too old to need a “Mommy”.

I felt the love scenes were erotic and touching and just numerous enough to add texture to the story without being the focus. The kids were amazing and I really hope we see more of their stories in the future.

I fell in love with this book and will definitely be reading it again.

I highly recommend it, giving it 6 out of 5 hearts!

amazing

 

JH Knight gave us a WONDERFUL present with this “Epilogue”:  https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/7586073-have-yourself-a-merry-little-free-short-read

 

SO WONDERFUL!

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The Trouble With Tony (Sex in Seattle #1) Audiobook by Eli Easton Narrated by Tommy O’Brien

Dreamspinner Presents: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6109

trouble tonyBlurb

As part of the investigation into the murder of a young woman, Seattle P.I. Tony DeMarco poses as a patient of Dr. Jack Halloran, the therapist who treated the victim at a Seattle sex clinic. This isn’t the first time Tony has gone undercover, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to go under covers with one of his suspects. He can’t help it –Jack Halloran is just the kind of steely eyed hero Tony likes. But he’ll have to prove Halloran’s innocence and keep the doctor from finding out about his ruse before he can play Romeo.
Dr. Halloran has his own issues, including a damaged right arm sustained in the line of duty as a combat surgeon in Iraq and the PTSD that followed. He’s confused to find himself attracted to a new patient, the big, funny Italian with the puppy-dog eyes, and Tony’s humor slips right past Jack’s defenses, making him feel things he thought long buried. But can the doctor and the P.I. find a path to romance despite the secrets between them?

Review

Jack is a Doctor and a war hero who has had to re-train from surgeon to sex therapist due to debilitating injuries.

Tony is an ex-cop, PI on the case of a murder of one of Jack’s former patients. Tony “pretends” to have a sex addiction and comes to Jack for “help” so that he can assess Jack as a suspect. Jack sees through the ruse and calls Tony’s bluff. Tony admits, finally, to having “a picky dick”. Meaning that he has trouble getting erections except with a very small pool of men who manage to stimulate his “picky dick”.

Jack agrees to take Tony on as a patient, though he is concerned because he is not sure Tony is still being honest and Jack is already too attracted to Tony for professional purposes.

Together Jack and Tony research possibilities for Tony’s “problem” and at the same time build a smoldering sexual tension.

Tony essentially rules Jack out fairly early as a suspect, but still must investigate the clinic and it’s employees as well as following other leads.

Finally, when Tony thinks he knows whodunit, he faces the task of convincing Jack to give their relationship a try.

**

So – you know – I love Eli Easton. I am a huge fan. This was one of the first books I read of hers after falling in love with Blame it on the Mistletoe. There are several things I loved about this book (especially listening to it again after having read it several times). I love the characters. They seem so real and down to earth. I love that I get to learn something about sex therapy and yet it was still a bit kinky at times too. Totally professional and not at all demeaning to the profession, but still acknowledging the sexual edge that is involved in such an intimate form of therapy.

I also loved the gradual exploration of the feelings between Tony and Jack. It felt real and natural. My only complaint was that after Jack and Tony got together we didn’t get to see much of them as a couple. There was definitely enough to believe in a HEA (and we see them in future novels as an established couple) but I wanted to see more of them here.

Narration

I had listened to Tommy O’Brien narrate before and thought he did a fine job.

I was so disappointed with this. There was little emotion and the very slight difference between Tony and Jack’s voices was not satisfactory. Tony is this great East Coast Italian guy and it would have been so fun to hear that come out in Tommy’s narration. There is some inflection and in fact Tony’s voice is the only emotion I felt in the story.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 4

Sex/Heat 4.5

Storyline 5

World Building/Characterizations 5

Narration 3

Overall 4.5 hearts

4.5

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Undercover Addictions (Secret Sin #2) by Hayley B James

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5546

undercoverBlurb

Working Vice for the Seattle PD, Connor Bishop’s favorite part of the job is going undercover. His current assignment is to get close to Riley Drapeau, a human trafficker backed into a corner by the FBI and turned informant. Connor needs to milk him for information on his organization, but while doing so, sees an entirely different Riley than he expected.

Caught off balance, Connor relies heavily on Lucas, his outside man and only link to the real world, but he gets sucked in by Riley and his attempt to clear his name and prove his partners fabricated evidence to frame him.

Up to his eyeballs in the dark world of trafficking, Connor finds it easier to believe Riley than what the FBI is saying, especially when a leak is uncovered within the Bureau. The choices Connor has to make become even more difficult when Lucas admits he has feelings for him and promises a safe life far from harm. But Connor can’t deny the only man he wants to be with is Riley. Which forces him to decide if his addiction to the dangerous side of life can include loving a criminal.

Review

(This is book two, and I didn’t read book one, but this can be a stand alone.)

Connor is an undercover cop who is supposed to get information on human trafficker Riley. They end up having an affair. Riley ends up getting caught and tries to convince Connor to stay away from him and stay with Lucas, his cop friend – a “good guy”.  But is Lucas really all that good? Is Riley really all bad? Does Connor care?

**

It took me a very long time to make it through this book. At first I was really captivated by the premise: undercover, vice, bad guys who might not be bad guys… but as I started to read and realized that – no – the bad guys are really bad guys – it got harder for me to stay with the story.

The writing is excellent. Hayley James does a great job developing her characters and telling a fast paced, gritty story.

My main issue with the book, which unfortunately shaped my overall opinion, was that I never felt attached to either Riley or Connor. I know that I was supposed to see the “good” seeping through the “bad” but I just never got that hook that made me to see things from their point of view and I was never really rooting for either of them. I know others who have reviewed this did not feel this way and thought that Riley was really a good guy in a bad situation so it might be that it just didn’t rub me the right way.

I think that if you have read book one, and enjoyed it you will definitely enjoy this. (There are some recurring characters and I know I always like re-visiting past couples.) If you are intrigued by the seamier side of police work and enjoy that “gray” area of good and bad and some pretty hot sex,  this will really hit your buttons.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 3

Sex/Heat 4

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterizations 4

Overall 4 of 5 hearts

4

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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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