Posts

Posted on

Gambling Men by Amy Lane

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2916

GamblingMenBlurb

Quent Jackson has followed Jason Spade’s every move in business and in poker since their first day as college freshmen. Eight years later, when Jace finally decides Quent is the one man he can’t live without, he sees no reason for that to change.

But as much as Jace believes that poker is life, no one gave Quent the same playbook. After their first passionate night, the real game of love and trust begins, and Jace has been playing alone too long to make teaching the rules easy. Jace only speaks two languages: one of them is sex, and the other one is poker. Between the two, he needs to find a way to convince himself to take a chance on love—and Quent to take a chance on him. It’s a lucky thing they’re good at reading the odds, because they’re playing for keeps, and this is one high-stakes relationship that’s definitely worth the gamble.

Review

Quent and Jace have been friends and roomies since college. Quent is the easy going type, content to let Jace lead, but not afraid to tell him off if he strays. Jace is the stoic, quiet type – strong, bull-headed and almost always right.

One day – seemingly out of the blue – Jace hits on Quent and suddenly their relationship has changed from friend to lover.

It turns out that both men have been pining for the other. Though Quent has never had a male sexual partner before, he’s always had eyes for Jace and is quite happy to explore that further.

**

First – this is my all time FAVORITE Amy book. I love these boys and have re-read this book over and over and over. (I PRAY they will make it into an Audio book – so please – go out and buy this!)

What I loved about this book is the sideways “non”conversations that the boys have with one another. They manage to navigate their relationship with a series of poker metaphors and pointed looks. It’s hysterical. The sex is phenomenal – neither is inhibited and Jace is so growly then cuddly – it’s a perfect blend.

Quent is both the social follower but their emotional leader in the relationship. Jace has so much to learn about expressing himself but when he does it just tears your heart out and makes you want to hug him.

I also LOVED Jace’s family – Mike and Jefferson were such great role-models and I loved their life lessons through poker.

In relative Amy terms – there is almost no angst in this book – but there is lots of deep emotional bonding and lovely relationship building and some fantastic “newbie” sex to be explored. Not to mention that it is hysterical.

If you haven’t read this wonderful book by Amy Lane I highly recommend it.

6 of 5 hearts

amazing

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Transparency Audiobook by Ethan Stone and Sara York narrated by John Solo

Troy Daulton Presents http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Transparency-Audiobook/B00M4DGE9C/ref=a_search_c4_1_4_srTtl?qid=1430671811&sr=1-4

transparencyBlurb

Charlie is the quintessential bear. Big, muscular and hairy. But that isn’t the type of men he’s attracted to. He is drawn to men like Taylor – short, smooth, and sexy. Taylor is Charlie’s idea of the perfect twink. But there’s something about Taylor Charlie doesn’t know.
Taylor is unsure about a lot of things, but when he sees Charlie, he instantly knows he wants him. The only issue standing in his way is how Taylor views his own masculinity. He’s afraid that Charlie will leave once he knows the secret Taylor wants to keep hidden. Can he be transparent with Charlie and allow him to look behind the image he’s so carefully constructed?

Review

Taylor meets Charlie at a glory hole and is afraid to make further contact because he’s been burned in the past by guys who can’t see past his past. Charlie is Taylor’s dream guy, big, hairy, tough… and unlikely to want someone like Taylor. Transgender.

But… Taylor doesn’t know Charlie and when Charlie convinces him to give their relationship a chance, Charlie surprises Taylor with the depth of his heart and his willingness to see past the body to the person underneath.

**
This is a short story and it maybe would have been better had it been longer. Since it moved so quickly from meet to love to forever it was a bit hard to swallow. I just didn’t fully appreciate that Charlie’s friends would vilify Charlie’s taste in men and Taylor so violently and I would think the whole transgender thing would need more discussion and would have really made for a lovely educational story about the challenges faced by such a romance.

The narrator, John Solo, did a great job and I enjoyed listening to this more than I would have reading it, I am sure.

Overall 3 of 5 hearts for the audiobook.

3

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Family Jewels by MJ O’Shea

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6318
FamilyJewelsBlurb
Corbin Ford, aka the Nightwatchman, named for the antique pocket watches he leaves behind at jobs, has been in the cat-burgling business for years. His father was. His grandfather was. His mother is still one of the most renowned thieves. Corbin likes his high-profile heists, priceless paintings from private collections, artifacts from museums, but his favorite? Jewels. Sparkly, beautiful jewels. If they’re famous, better yet.

Interpol agent Luke Eldridge has one goal and one goal only: to catch the Nightwatchman. Luke’s been after him for months, but getting the slip time and again is getting embarrassing. Luke has never even laid eyes on the bastard, but he’d happily strangle him. And then arrest him.

When Luke meets Corbin, the man of his dreams, he falls hard and fast… only to catch Corbin red-handed with his hand in a jewelry case at the scene of the highest-profile murder that’s rocked the international world in years.

Review

SPOILER WARNING AT THE END OF REVIEW

Corbin is a thief, he meets Luke in a bar, they hook up and find each other irresistible. Their one night stand goes on and the next thing you know – boyfriends! But… Luke is not the businessman he pretended to be and is in fact a policeman on the lookout for Corbin!

When Luke finds out Corbin agrees to help the police solve a murder in exchange for leniency but when the time comes to face the trial can Corbin go through with it?

**

I really enjoy MJ O’Shea’s writing. I loved Corbin and Luke and really loved their bumbling attempts at being emotional with one another. The sexual tension and the tension surrounding the mystery were great. I don’t know how believable the interactions were (in terms of cops and robbers) but it wasn’t a stumbling block.  Up until the very end I really, really loved this book.

For me the big stumbling block was this………(SPOILER ALERT)

*

*

*

*

There is a huge cliff hanger at the end of the book that gives us neither a HEA or HFN! I hope and pray there is a sequel but none has been listed as far as I can see.

To me – if there is no sequel – I have to lower the rating of this from a 5 to 3 (maybe even lower) because I was devastated by the ending!

I couldn’t believe we were left hanging there with our dear couple separated – possibly never to be together again.

What we are left with is not nearly satisfying enough and it was painful.

So….

I generously give this a 3 in the hopes that there is a sequel awaiting us.

3

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Knight of Ocean Avenue by Tara Lain

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6281

KnightofOceanAvenueBlurb

How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor’s license he so desires, and fear of his mother’s judgement blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.

Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?

Review

Billy can’t find a woman who “sticks”. He’s been involved, seriously, three times and they all sort of fizzle out. One day he “rescues” a beautiful redhead from a bully only to find out he’s the stylist hired to help his sister for her wedding to a rich guy.
Chase, aka Shaz, sees the hunky Billy and falls into lust. But Billy is straight, Shaz has a boyfriend and a vision of his future and that future doesn’t include blue-collar straight boys.

When Shaz and Billy spend time together “sprucing” Billy up for potential future dates with a socialite pegged to be Billy’s next girlfriend they find a mutual attraction. When Billy ends up in the same bar as Shaz one night, the attraction goes from potential to realized and now the pair have some serious decisions to make.

**
I loved Billy! He was a sweet, gentle soul. His heart is so big and he is just in need of someone to recognize his diamond in the rough. Shaz was the perfect shiny foil to his understated Billy’s fabulousness. The couple had amazing chemistry and the story felt real and authentic. I totally bought in and loved every minute of it.

5 of 5 hearts

5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

The Music Never Dies by Rain Carrington Blog Tour with Excerpt, Giveaway

Amazon Pre Order Buy Link

 Blurb:

In this the 6th and final installment of the Apishipa Creek Chronicles, we find out the fate of Rebel Marino, who in the last book was in a terrible accident, left to the ghosts of the past and the tenacity of his fiancé. 
This gripping look at the lives of all of the couples we have grown to love is a testament to hope, faith and endearing strength that they have found in each other and the friendship that holds them all together as they face maybe the hardest trials yet. Each of them come up against past demons and future fears as one of their own must stand against sickness and pain. 
Rebel, Jack, Lonnie, Travis, Binx, Nathan, Pappy, Sidney, Brandon, Joey, Andy and Lin as well as the people of the town of Apishipa Creek and the leather club Manacle band together to save a new love that none of them saw coming as well as fight the evil of the young men who left Rebel to die. 
Come once more to the town tucked in the mountains of Colorado and fall in love again… 


Warning: This book contains BDSM and scenes of consensual sex between two or more men

Excerpt:

Lin set the phone down and slid his eyes over to Andy and Joey, who were sitting together on the bed reading a gay romance novel and laughing like kids. Andy was positively blushing and Joey was sporting wood, but still giggling like a girl. They were beautiful, they were special and they were his. He’d never felt so lucky before in his life and he’d had a very blessed life. Now he would have to hurt them with this news. Neither was terribly close to Rebel. They were only beginning to get to know the other subs besides Sid and Lonnie, but they were friends nonetheless and perhaps more importantly, they were other subs. That made him one of them and when one of their own was hurt or in any sort of pain, it seemed to affect them all.
“Boys?”
Joey looked up at Lin and immediately lost his smile. Smart Joey, he could read people well, but his sweet Andy was still grinning and said, “Daddy Lin, this is absurd and so sexy! You must read with us, yes?”
“Maybe later, baby. Come here to me, both of you.”
They slid off of the bed and walked over to him, Andy sensing his tone and sobering from his laughter. Joey took Andy’s hand and then took him from behind, holding him as he told Lin, “Tell us, Daddy Lin. Please, Sir.”
“Boys…There’s some bad news about Rebel.”
Joey tightened his grip on Andy. “His leg, Sir?”
“Yeah, Joe. The doctors told them a little while ago. Rebel’s not taking it well, of course. If either of you pray, this may be the time.”
“Raised Catholic, Daddy, I haven’t prayed in a long time, except to get you and Andy. I’ll go light a candle.”
Andy turned his head to Joey and asked, “Can we go with you?”
Lin answered, “Yeah, let’s leave this unpacking and head to St. Martin. We’ll swing by the hospital and then go to one of the churches there. Pappy might not be back yet.”
“They probably have a chapel,” Joey offered, and Lin nodded while he took them both into his arms.
They were surrounded by boxes, bags, and there was newspaper everywhere, but it was already home. They’d decided to take down some of Candace Perry’s colorful decorations to make the place their own, but the one wall would always hold the collage of rock and roll posters most of the men thought were signs from the great beyond that each of the couples who’d lived one time or another in that house were meant to be.
As they walked through the dining room, Lin’s eyes sought and found the one poster that started it all. Rebel Yell. Rebel…the nephew of the former, late owner. The one who’d come to Apishipa Creek to sell a house and move on as fast as he could before he’d met Jack Colton and had fallen in love. Where the story begins, Lin thought, is sometimes how it ends. Coming full circle.
Suddenly, as they all headed to Lin’s F150, he grew worried. If for some reason this drove a wedge between Rebel and Jack, if they parted ways for good, would that mean the rest of the relationships made there would be doomed as well?
It was superstitious nonsense, of course. Lin hadn’t believed there were any signs from the spirits or planned destiny for love lives. Still, that nagging worry carried him all the way to the hospital.

Books in this series

Book 1  Amazon Buy Link

Book 2 Amazon Buy Link

Book 3Amazon Buy Link

Book 4 Amazon Buy Link

Book 5 Amazon Buy Link


 Author Bio


 Hi I’m Rain and I write contemporary M/M romance some with a BDSM slant. My book Honky Tonk, is the first I am publishing but not the first I’ve written. I have a whole library full that are about to be rewritten and revamped a bit and published as well. Please enjoy my books and let me know what you think!

Rain Carrington Author Web Page

Amazon Author Page

Rain Carrington Goodreads

Win one of these great Prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 7th

http://galestanley.blogspot.com/ 

 http://undercoverbookreviews.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OutrageousHeroes

http://www.kimichanexperience.com

May 8th

http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/

http://allaboutabookreviews.blogspot.com/

May 9th

http://rustysreading.blogspot.com/

May 10th

http://bikebookreviews.blogspot.com

May 11th

https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

http://literaturelitehouse.blogspot.com/

May 12th

http://divinemagazine.net

May 13th

http://parkerwilliamsauthor.com

May 14th

http://upallnighteadallday.blogspot.com

http://bfdbookblog.net/

http://onceuponanalpha.com

http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com/

http://mollylollyauthor.wordpress.com

http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com

http://iyanajennaauthor.wordpress.com

Posted on

Shira Anthony Running With The Wind Cover Reveal

600x600Banner

 

About the author:
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “i Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.
Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs, and when she’s not writing she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel.
Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthony
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shira-Anthony/177484618974406
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriterShira
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anthony0564/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641776.Shira_Anthony
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ShiraAnthony/posts

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24027250-running-with-the-wind
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain

RunningWithTheWind-colorsREV

Posted on

Winging It by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James

Dreamspinner Presents  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6081

winging itBlurb

Gabe Martin has a simple life plan: get into the NHL and win the Stanley Cup. It doesn’t include being the first out hockey player or, worse, getting involved with one of his teammates. But things change.

Dante Baltierra is Gabe’s polar opposite—careless, reckless… shameless. But his dedication to the sport is impressive, and Gabe can overlook a lot of young-and-stupid in the name of great hockey. And Dante has a superlative ass in a sport filled with superlative asses.

Before Gabe can figure out how to deal, a tabloid throws him out of his comfortable closet into a brand-new world. Amid the emotional turmoil of invasive questions, nasty speculation, and on- and off-ice homophobia, his game suffers.

Surprisingly, it’s Dante who drags him out of it—and then drags him into something else. Nothing good can come of secretly sleeping with a teammate, especially one Gabe has feelings for. But with their captain out with an injury, a rookie in perpetual need of a hug, and the race to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995, Gabe has a lot on his plate.

He can’t be blamed for forgetting that nothing stays secret forever.

Review

First Gabe is outed to the NHL, he survives and then makes friend with a new teammate, the young Dante. Soon their friendship turns into Dante’s exploring his sexuality, and becoming Gabe’s lover.

Dante is funny, bumbling, not good at keeping secrets and very, very loud in bed. Soon the entire team knows Gabe and Dante’s “secret” and then the couple has to make some decisions. Do they want the nation to know and if they do what does that mean for them, their team, Dante’s life?

**
This book was both really good and really long. For me, the hockey stuff was ok, but I mostly skimmed it. For some – it will be a treat because these ladies sound like they know what they’re talking about! I loved the relationship between Gabe and Dante because it felt so authentic. They are terrible at sharing their feelings, make silly mistakes, they have super hot sex and they sort of stumble along until they realize that they’re in this deep relationship.

It was a fun book, well written, maybe a bit too long, but overall a great ride!

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

Just Desserts by Mary Calmes

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6326

JustDessertsBlurb

Boone Walton has tried hard to create some distance between himself and his past. He’s invested in his new life, his New Orleans art gallery, and his friendship with Scott Wren. Things finally seem to be settling down to normal, and Boone couldn’t be happier.

Chef Scott Wren wants much more than normal with Boone. He wants to raise things to the next level, but Boone is terrified—and not because of the ghost in Scott’s apartment or Scott’s relatives. No, Boone’s past is about to pay him a visit, and the only thing that can get between Boone, Scott, and a hinky recipe for chocolate mousse found in a curious cookbook is the river of pain Boone had to swim across to get to this side of The Big Easy. There’s a secret behind the ingredients, though—one that might reveal the trust and love that have been missing from Boone’s life.

Review

Boone’s heart was broken years ago and he hasn’t let anyone in since. His buddy, Scott, captures his interest, but he’s a player and Boone can’t risk that kind of hurt again.

When it finally looks like the player might settle down, Boone realizes he can’t let Scott go to someone else and together they embark on the relationship both had been pining for, for years.

This is another wonderful Mary Calmes love story, full of clueless MCs, tough guys, friendship, laughter, well structured secondary characters and hot sex. Add to it the Yakuza, NOLA and some amazing chocolate mousse and you have Just Desserts!

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

Posted on

The Enlightenment of Daniel (Sex in Seattle Book 2) Audiobook by Eli Easton Narrated by Tommy O’Brien

Dreamspinner Presents  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6363

EnlightenmentOfDaniel[The]AUDMEDBlurb

Business tycoon Daniel Derenzo lives for his work until his dying father reminds him life is short. When Daniel starts to reevaluate his world, he experiences a startling revelation: He’s attracted to his business partner and best friend, Nick, even though Daniel always believed himself to be straight. In typical type-A fashion, Daniel dissects his newfound desires with the help of the experts at the Expanded Horizons sex clinic. He goes after Nick with the fierce determination that’s won him many a business deal.

Nick Ross was in love with Daniel years ago, when they were roommates in college. But Daniel was straight, and Nick patched his broken heart by marrying Marcia. Two kids and 14 years later, they go through the motions of their marriage like ships passing in the night. But Nick’s kids mean the world to him, and he’s afraid he’ll never get joint custody if they divorced. If he can trust his heart to an awakening Daniel, they all might find their way to a happily ever after.

Review

Daniel and Nick have been friends and business partners for years.  One day – really from out of the blue – Daniel sees Nick as a potential lover.  Daniel has never had feelings for a man before so he goes to see our favorite sex therapist who helps him to understand his feelings better.  (This was one of the hottest and funniest scenes in the book!)

Once decided – after finding out his dad has a terminal disease – Daniel works hard to get Nick (who is still married to a woman) on board.

Nick’s wife, unfortunately, is not a nice woman and she has quite a bit of baggage.  Luckily Daniel knows a PI who can help us figure out just what makes her tick.

Eventually the truth comes out about Daniel and Nick and Marcia and Nick and though it was hard – everyone ends up deliriously happy in the end.

**

Of course this was wonderful!  Eli Easton is an amazing author!  I loved Daniel’s character so much.  He was both brash yet trepidatious and though Nick sometimes bugged the crap out of me – I loved them as a couple.

Audio

Tommy O’Brien did a nice job with the narration.  He didn’t do very much with the voices but let the story tell itself.

Overall a wonderful story and audiobook.

4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

10805469_1500047746947637_197599976_n

 

Posted on

Liz Borino- Secrets of Nothing Tour with Excerpt & Giveaway

SONAfter several months overseas, Rhett and Kaden O’Neil fantasize about a return to their version of normalcy. However, the FBI mission shows no signs of completion and the men are forced to wait. 
Just when Rhett reaches the end of his patience, a single phone call shatters his world. His beloved grandfather’s plane disappeared. No tracking. No landing. No crash site.
Nothing.
Rhett now must unravel the lies in place to protect him so he can help his family. And not even the risk to his own life will stop him.

Pages or Words: 192 pages

Excerpt:
Rhett shook his head. With a deep breath, he logged onto the employee portal and typed Pop’s flight number into the tracking system. Rhett blinked at the screen.
“What the fuck?” Kaden whispered, peering over his shoulder.
Without answering his husband – because he couldn’t – Rhett dialed Jasper. One ring. Two rings. Please answer.
“Hey, Rhett,” he answered after the third ring. “Isn’t it early there?”
“About six a.m. Annabelle called, though, and I told her I’d try to get some information to help her relax,” Rhett said.
Silence. “About your grandfather.” Statement, not a question.
“She call you, too?”
“No, I’m not the person she goes to for comfort,” he answered with an unfamiliar edge to his voice that Rhett didn’t have time to explore. “But I’m waiting for him, too.”
Right… “Would you run a track on Trixie for me, please?”
“Can’t you?”
“Yeah, but I’d appreciate you confirming what I found. I think there might be a glitch on my end.” I hope.
Jasper typed on the other end. “Um, can you confirm the plane number?”
Rhett swallowed hard and his heart raced. “Why?”
“Please?”
He blew out a breath and recited the plane’s registered number.
More typing. “And he left on Friday morning at four-thirty?”
“Yes, why? What are you seeing?”
An unmeasurable moment of silence preceded Jasper’s sharp inhale. “Nothing.”
“What the hell do you mean, ‘nothing’?”
“After Lou cleared him for takeoff we have nothing. No tracking. No communication.”
Nothing. The word cleared every other thought from Rhett’s head and sucked the moisture from his mouth. If he could count on one thing with his grandfather, it was his adherence to safety. To get nothing meant his navigation system was disabled, which meant…
“I’m sorry, man.” Jasper’s voice yanked him from his thoughts. “Want me to call the FAA or Annabelle?”
“Definitely not Annabelle. Yes, I’m going to be an asshole and wait until we have some answers before talking to her.”
“No arguments there,” Jasper said. “FAA?”
Rhett leaned on Kaden, who had appeared at his side somewhere around the time he lost all the air from his lungs. “Let me ask the FBI. If they don’t know anything, we’ll start a full investigation. Can you send me a screen shot of the flight?”
“Um,” Jasper started, “sure, but why would the FBI track flights? I know he used to run missions for them, but he can’t anymore.”
“He and Stuart are friends, and I have to exhaust all possibilities before involving the FAA.”
More silence. “You know best.”
No, I don’t, but we’ll pretend.
“Keep me updated.”
“Will do. Thanks, Jasper.”

Sales Links: Amazon

BannerTemplate

About the author:

Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and shares it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz published fifteen books since 2012. Visit lizborino.net to learn more!

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.borino.1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lizborino?fref=ts

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25406174-secrets-of-nothing
Publisher: Liz Borino
Cover Artist: Sean Hayden

a Rafflecopter giveaway