Category: Gay For You

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Fairytales for Modern Queers by Emily Reed

Dreamspinner Presents:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5996fairy tales

Blurb

Gay teenager Hart could finish his fairy tale for class if his horrible stepsiblings would stop harassing him. Talia’s depression is like a sleeping curse and may kill her if she doesn’t ask for help. Independent, overweight bisexual Sienna deals with her “nice guy” neighbor while visiting her grandmother. When a mysterious girl climbs up Rachael’s fire escape, Rachael might finally break free from her overprotective mother. Transgender Amelia is bullied regularly for her identity, but she’ll show everyone exactly who she is. Princess Rellyn must face down a dragon since she’s seventh in line and battle her father since she’s not a boy, and she’s not sure which one is scarier. An adventurous knight whisks away genderfluid Noll when all they want is a quiet life on their farm. Mermaid Astrid wants revenge on the man who betrayed her, but is confused by her attraction to the one sailor immune to her song. Asexual Myka might love Princess Lysandria, but Myka must learn to control her inner werewolf before the king marries her off to “cure” her. With the help of a witch, blacksmith’s apprentice Malcolm must find his missing prince.

You’ve never heard stories like these at bedtime

Review

These are short – sometimes way too short – little LGBTQ takes on the old fairly tales.  In each there is a character or character that falls into that community who takes on a more modern/unique role.  Each story is a different set of people, using an old fairy tale as a template for a modern story.

The writing is good.  The idea is magnificent.  I really think that for the YA audience these will really ring true and find a home in the heart of the LGBTQ YA community.

However, for me, it felt like just as I was invested in the story – it ended.  So it was a little off-putting and frustrating.  I’d like to see these stories more fleshed out, I definitely think there is more that they have to offer.

I really liked that it wasn’t just gay or trans but a variety of gender roles/sexual orientations.  There really is something for everyone in this anthology.

Overall, I give it high points for the attempt with a little bit taken off for brevity.

If you are a YA fan I’d give this a try, it really is remarkable.

4 of 5 hearts

4

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After the Sunset Audiobook (Timing #2) by Mary Calmes Narrated by Sean Crisden

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6134

after the sunsetBlurb

Two years after riding off into the sunset with ranch owner Rand Holloway, Stefan Joss has made a tentative peace with his new life, teaching at a community college. But the course of true love never does run smooth. Rand wants him home on the ranch; Stef wants an exit strategy in case Rand ever decides to throw him out. Finally, after recognizing how unfair he’s being, Stef makes a commitment, and Rand is over the moon.

When Stef gets the chance to prove his devotion, he doesn’t hesitate – despite the risk to his health – and Rand takes the opportunity to show everyone that sometimes life’s best surprises come after the sunset.

Review

Now that Stefan and Rand are together we get to see just how they manage to make things work between the city-boy Stefan and the recently-gay-rancher Rand.

This is a great look at a couple after the “happy ending”.  With Rand and Stefan there was so much keeping them apart that you have to wonder how things are going after the last kiss.

Well, it turns out that life hasn’t been that easy.  Stefan is still keeping himself distant and not fully committed to Rand and Rand senses this.  Rand is still being a controlling a**hole and driving Stef nuts.

When something comes up, taking Rand out of town, Stefan is left to handle some important ranch details and WOW does he screw up!  He ends up in a fight, riding a bronc, showing up on YouTube, and scaring Rand half to death.

Meanwhile, Stef is also finding out some “truths” about Rand’s history that just might shake up the entire family.

Interestingly, Rand isn’t in this story very much and though it’s all about him and his family, Stefan plays the more important role throughout.  In my mind there was too much time with them apart to call this story absolutely perfect, but since it’s Mary, it’s pretty damn close!

If you enjoyed Timing you will HAVE to read/listen to this as it absolutely cements the love Rand and Stefan share and gives you a much needed glimpse at their future.  I don’t think it’d make much sense as a stand-alone.

Audio

Sean Crisden narrates this and Timing.  He does an absolutely amazing job with Rand’s growly Texas drawl.  I adore Sean’s take on the Alpha Male and like I said, Rand is oh so Alpha.  I’m not sure if it was supposed to be this way or not, but Sean continually pronounces Stefan’s name as Stef-awn, where I always thought it was Stef-en.  In either case, he’s consistent, and I ended up finding it endearing!  The sex scenes are scorching and Sean does a great job differentiating all the other voices as well.  I particularly loved the Foreman’s voice – very, very sexy.

The listening definitely adds to the overall enjoyment of this story.

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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Timing by Mary Calmes

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1833

TimingBlurb
Stefan Joss just can’t win. Not only does he have to go to Texas in the middle of summer to be the man of honor in his best friend Charlotte’s wedding, but he’s expected to negotiate a million-dollar business deal at the same time. Worst of all, he’s thrown for a loop when he arrives to see the one man Charlotte promised wouldn’t be there: her brother, Rand Holloway. Stefan and Rand have been mortal enemies since the day they met, so Stefan is shocked when a temporary cease-fire sees the usual hostility replaced by instant chemistry.
Though leery of the unexpected feelings, Stefan is swayed by a sincere revelation from Rand, and he decides to give Rand a chance. But their budding romance is threatened when Stefan’s business deal goes wrong: the owner of the last ranch he needs to secure for the company is murdered. Stefan’s in for the surprise of his life as he finds himself in danger as well.

Review

Stefan and Rand hate one another. Right? Well, maybe not so much.

Stefan is Rand’s sister Charlotte’s BFF. Charlotte is getting married and needs Stefan in the wedding. Stefan and Rand have always butted heads, but since a few things have changed around the ranch (like Rand’s divorce, his homophobic dad’s death and the fact that Rand is now very financially protected from the bigory of Texas),  Rand is finally able to admit the attraction he’s had for Stefan for all these years.

This floors Stefan, but he admits his own attraction to the hunky cowboy.

The only problem is that Stefan doesn’t see himself as a one-man guy and definitely not a guy who lives on a ranch in Texas.

After a lot of super hot sex and some misunderstandings and a gun fight (!) the two manage to come together in a very HEA.

**

I love Mary Calmes’ alpha males and Rand is oh so Alpha! The sex between him and Stefan is super hot and then the love that gets declared super romantic.

We begin to understand more about Rand’s family here in this, book one, and this lays the groundwork for what we learn in book two, After the Sunset.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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Everything Changes by Melanie Hansen

Dreamspinner Presents:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6039

everything changesBlurb

What happens when friendship catches fire?

Former Marine and lower-leg amputee Carey Everett keeps a grueling schedule of counseling fellow war veterans and their families. The injury he received in Afghanistan forces him to rely on a reserve of strength he didn’t even know he had. A much deserved vacation will let him reconnect with his best friend, who saved his life and has been there for him through devastating injury and painful recovery.

Part-time EMT and aspiring singer Jase DeSantis has been in love with Carey for years, but he’s come to accept that his straight friend will never be able to offer more. Jase fills his days with band rehearsals, ambulance shifts, and willing groupies, all while trying to cope with debilitating PTSD.

A week of sun, fun, and music in San Diego changes Jase and Carey’s lives forever when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Jase has been longing for that change, but it leaves Carey reeling with confusion. As Jase fights to hold things together, Carey deals with doubts, fears, and his own preconceived notions about labels and the true nature of love.

Review

Carey and Jase are friends from the military. Carey is an amputee and dealing with a new body, Jase has PTSD and is dealing with leading a normal life. They lean on each other physically and emotionally until, one day, those emotions begin to change from friend to a more sexual relationship.

Jase has always identified as bi-sexual, so he is not surprised by his attraction to Carey. Carey, is a staunch “straight” guy, who is confused by the change in his feelings and his attraction to his best friend.

In a nutshell, Carey has to come to grips with his possibly being other than “straight” and Jase needs to find room in his busy life for a real relationship.

**

This is a new author for me, and I think this is her first full length novel in this genre. As such she did an excellent job. Her writing is clear and captivating. I was definitely hooked by the story line and though she did a great job with her character development and realism as regards her subject matter.

I loved the “hurt/abuse” part of this story. I thought the PTSD and the amputation was handled realistically and compassionately. It plucked my heartstrings and felt authentic and seemed well-researched.

I loved the idea of the GFY/friends to lovers part of this story, but it didn’t pan out for me. Their relationship started out with a real sensuous bang and I thought that having them “sort of “ hook up but then go back to being friends was a nice twist on the familiar story-line. I thought, “Yeah, that feels authentic. Carey needs someone, anyone and the low-level-of-commitment- hand-job wouldn’t necessarily make him “gay” but would get him started on that track of thinking.” So when they went back to being friends, though it was frustrating and hard to read (in terms of Jase) it felt – real. But when they do finally embark on a fully physical relationship (which Carey was weirdly eager for and not anxious about) and then Carey suddenly leaves again, both physically and emotionally, I was very put off. If it had been a quick bout of recriminations and worries, that would have been fine, but months?… and a new potential relationship for both MCs? I didn’t like it. I really felt Carey treated Jase poorly and didn’t do much to earn back his trust. The end was just too quick and didn’t feel solid enough for my tastes. I appreciated that no relationship runs smoothly, but after all the build-up, the quick apology and epilogue just felt rushed.

I liked this enough to read another by this author and truly liked, but didn’t love this story.

Writing/Editing 4
Romance 3
Sex/Heat 3
Storyline 3
World Building/Characterizations 4

3.4 of 4 hearts

3.5

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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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Murder on the Mountain Audiobook by Jamie Fessenden Narrated by Cliff Bergen

Dreamspinner Presents:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6102

murder mountainBlurb

When Jesse Morales, a recent college grad who aspires to be a mystery writer, volunteers to work on the summit of Mt. Washington for a week, he expects to work hard. What he doesn’t expect is to find a corpse in the fog, lying among the rocks, his head crushed. The dead man turns out to be a young tourist named Stuart Warren, who strayed from his friends while visiting the mountain.

Kyle Dubois, a widowed state police detective, is called to the scene in the middle of the night, along with his partner, Wesley Roberts. Kyle and Jesse are instantly drawn to one another, except Jesse’s fascination with murder mysteries makes it difficult for Kyle to take the young man seriously. But Jesse finds a way to make himself invaluable to the detective by checking into the hotel where the victim’s friends and family are staying and infiltrating their circle. Soon, he is learning things that could very well solve the case—or get him killed.

Review

Jesse finds himself in the right place at the wrong time and is suddenly embroiled in a murder mystery. His desire to solve the crime is rivaled by his attraction to the somewhat older detective on the case, Kyle Dubois.

Kyle, a bi-sexual who has only ever been with a woman, is immediately attracted to Jesse, but dismisses him due to his age.

Stuart is dead and pretty much everyone is a suspect. With Jesse’s help (Kyle reluctantly allows him to be part of the investigation) they manage to solve the crime, but not before Jesse is almost killed and Kyle has to admit his lust for Jesse might be more like love.

**

I admit right up front that this is not my typical book. I really like Jamie Fessenden’s writing style and have enjoyed previous works by the author, but I’m not a mystery fan. I like more romance than whodunit and this is definitely the latter.

As a result, my enjoyment of this book was less than it would be if you were setting out to enjoy a mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. Which is what this book is.

However, there were parts I adored. I absolutely loved Kyle’s exploration into gay sex and Jesse’s handling of the entire situation. I thought Kyle’s partner was a riot and the ease with which he accepted Kyle’s new love interest was fantastic.

I didn’t love the mystery and grew tired of the scenes with the “frat boys” involved in Stuart’s life.

If mystery is more your thing I think you will really enjoy this book, but if you are looking for a more “romance focused” book, you might want to take a pass.

Audio

Cliff Bergen is a new narrator to me and I thought he did a nice job with the narration. His vaguely East Coast accent fit the story well and it really seemed to fit the grumpy detective. I think my overall enjoyment of the book was enhanced by listening to the story and I’d look for him in the future.

Writing/Editing 4

Romance 2

Sex/Heat  4

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterizations 4

Audio 4

 

3.6 of 5 hearts

3.5

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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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Better Than Good Audiobook (Better Than Book 1) by Lane Hayes Narrated by Tyler Stevens

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Better-Than-Good-Audiobook/B00J5REHHQ/ref=a_search_c4_1_4_srTtl?qid=1424491337&sr=1-4#publisher-summary

better than goodBlurb

Matt Sullivan understands labels: law student, athlete, heterosexual. He has goals: graduate and begin his career in law. One fateful night, Matt tags along with his gay roommate to a dance club and everything changes. Matt finds himself attracted to the most beautiful man he’s ever seen. All labels go flying out the window.
Aaron Mendez doesn’t believe in labels, and he’s leery of straight curious men. He makes it clear that he’ll hide his fabulous light for no one. While Aaron can’t deny the attraction between him and Matt, he is reluctant to start anything with someone who is still dealing with what this new label means–especially when that someone has a girlfriend.

Review

Matt is a straight guy (ok, he’s maybe looked a time or two, maybe more…) who meets Aaron at a club one night. He’s immediately hooked. They dance and then … sort of date for awhile, but Aaron is skeptical. He’s been burned by men “experimenting” before and doesn’t want a closet case relationship either.

At first Matt is in agreement with Aaron. He’s straight, Aaron’s gay. What was he thinking? But as they get to know one another the feelings he’s feeling don’t go away, they grow stronger.

After what feels like a long time, they do finally agree to give things a chance and thus starts the beginning of a lovely relationship.

(There are many novellas Lane Hayes has updated us with – little stories about Christmas and Valentines day etc that showcase the couple later down the road.
https://lanehayes.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/better-than-candy-part-1-a-better-than-short-repost-nsfw/)

**

I just love Aaron. He’s a mostly, very self assured person. And, really, so is Matt. Once we get over the rocky start their romance is just so lovely and  very tender.  The smexy times are hot and them as a couple is great.

I loved the GFY/OFY exploration we get to see and the evolution as Matt identifies himself as gay.

As we get to see the couple evolve over time, they only get better and better!

Audio:

Tyler Stevens is an excellent narrator. I love the emotion and rhythm of his narrations. He does a tremendous job with this and makes the story really come to life.

Writing/Editing 5
Romance 5
Sex/Heat 4.5
Storyline 4.5
World Building/Characterizations 5
Audio 5

Overall 4.8 of 5 hearts!

5

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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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