Category: Book Reviews

A Lucy Review: Irises in the Snow by Isabelle Adler

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

It’s Christmas, and Justin’s life is fraying at the edges. The family business he took over instead of going to art school is bleeding money, and his boyfriend of seven months cheated on him. Under these circumstances, family gatherings can be rough, but Justin believes he has everything under control. That is, until Elliot, his former best friend (and the first guy to ever break his heart) unexpectedly shows up at the holiday dinner party.

With both of them still nursing the wounds of the past, it might take a real Christmas miracle for Justin and Elliot to learn to appreciate the art of second chances.

Justin is the best of sons, to the detriment of himself sometimes.  He has been trying his best to make his family’s hardware store a success but the arrival of a Big Box store (Tool Depot) just a little way from their store has hit the finances hard.  He doesn’t want to spoil the holidays so he puts on his best faux happy face. Add into this his boyfriend Mark was caught “I literally walked in on you with your pants around your ankles and some guy’s mouth around your d**k” and, well, it’s a rough holiday season.

For the icing on the cake he walks into his parent’s holiday dinner to find Elliot, the boy who had been his best friend and the man who had broken his heart, is there on visit from California, where he runs a successful art gallery.  He and Justin were supposed to go to art school together but when Justin’s father was diagnosed with cancer Justin stayed and Elliott left.

I was thoroughly in like with Justin but Elliott brought my rating down somewhat.  I understand continuing to follow your dream even when your boyfriend can’t, but to cut him off completely?  If nothing else, they had been best friends for years and Justin deserved better.  “It was selfish of me, I know.  I got everything I wanted, and I took it.”   I get that, but “You never called or responded to any of my messages. You ignored me on social media…”  He did that on purpose, “I thought it’d be easier that way…I figured at some point you’d give up.”  Do you do that to a friend?  Even if you want out of the romantic angle, do you just cut off your best friend who’s father is going through cancer treatment? When Elliott’s parents are killed in an accident and Justin tries to reach out, again, “The truth is, I was avoiding you.”  I’m not sure how we are supposed to view Elliott but I’ll be honest – I thought Justin deserved to be treated better.   

I very much appreciated they didn’t fall immediately into bed and the magic penis solved all problems.  The ex-boyfriend showing up helped with that but Justin himself didn’t think it was the best idea and I agreed. Elliott’s ham-handed attempt at a second chance just made me want to shake him.  “Mark’s betrayal had stung but this breach of trust cut so much deeper.” I am a fan of second chance stories and I was very glad Justin gets to have his HEA but I’m never going to be a fangirl of Elliott. 

This is a new author for me and I enjoyed the writing very much.  Characters were well fleshed out, even given the short length of the story (74 pages).  The connection between the story and the title was perfection.

The cover by Natasha Snow, two men facing each other as background to a single vibrant iris, fits the story perfectly.

Sales Links:

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Book Details:

ebook
Published November 4th 2019 by Nine Star Press
ISBN 139781951057695
URL https://ninestarpress.com/product/irises-in-the-snow/

A Lila Review: About Time by Carol Holland March

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Lou is married, in the closet, and facing bankruptcy in Carmel, California. It’s Christmas Eve and he must sell his house to pay his debts while he tries to cope with the mysterious voice in his head telling him it’s time to go home. He has no idea what that means, but he’s pretty sure the voice is a symptom of stress. His wife has left him for her longtime lover and when he goes to his favorite bar on Christmas Eve, all he’s hoping for is a friendly face to help him forget his problems.

About Time is a mix-match short story. The premise was interesting, even the pickup scene at the bar seemed promising. But in the end, this wasn’t enough to carry the book.

I had a hard trying to connect with Lou to begin with. I like his hesitation and enjoyed George persistence.

In the end, it lacks a cohesive plot with relatable characters. The fantasy part has no explanation for many details, including what changes after Lou’s return home. In the end, it was disappointing.

The cover by Written Ink Designs has some elements from the story, buy it felt too juvenile.

Sale Links: JMS| Amazon | Nook

Book Details:
ebook, 100 pages
ISBN: 9781646561360
Published: October 9, 2019, by JMS Books
Edition Language: English

Don’t Miss Out on the Blog Tour and Giveaway for Convicted” by Kim Fielding (A Bureau Story)

Convicted - Kim Fielding

Kim Fielding has a new MM paranormal book in her “The Bureau” series out – “Convicted.”

Vietnam veteran Kurt Powell’s addiction almost cost him everything, but a job as federal agent with the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs helped him find sobriety and purpose. Now he tracks down dangerous paranormal creatures as well as humans who abuse their magical powers in illegal ways.

Sent from Belfast to the United States as a boy, Desmond Hughes later fell into a disastrous relationship that led to horrific murders. He’s spent seventeen years in a bleak prison with few comforts and no hope of release.

A new mission throws Kurt and Des together in a desperate attempt to prevent disaster. Sometimes what’s long been lost can still be found, but the road to redemption is never easy—and a mutual attraction may not ease the way.

Series Blurb:

For many years the United States government has been aware that Homo sapiens is not the only sentient species inhabiting the country. Some other species were native to the continent, while others immigrated along with humans. Early on, these nonhuman species (NHS) were largely ignored when they lived peacefully within human communities. At other times they were deemed a threat and local efforts were made to eradicate them. The federal government was not involved in these early efforts.

By the early 20th century, some local law enforcement agencies expressed frustration with their inability to deal effectively with the special needs of NHS. Localized incidents of mass violence occurred in several locations, most notably the Omaha Zombie Epidemic of 1908, the Manchester (New Hampshire) Melusine Drownings of 1911, and the Eugene (Oregon) Sasquatch Riots of 1915.

In response to these incidents, as well as a heightened desire for increased federal control, President Wilson created a new federal agency in 1919 called the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs. The mission of this agency was to communicate with NHS, to control them, to investigate reported dangerous actions committed by them, and to bring them to justice or eliminate them when necessary. Since then, the Bureau has been quietly active throughout the United States. Its jurisdiction has expanded to include humans who engage in magical or paranormal activities.

Over the decades, a great many dramas have unfolded among the people who work for the Bureau. The Bureau stories are a collection of these tales. Each involves different protagonists and is set in a different era, yet all focus on the adventures and struggles of the Bureau’s agents. These novellas can be read in any order.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | Goodreads

Giveaway

Kim is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card AND an audiobook code for book one in the Bureau series – Corruption. Enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win:

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Author Bio

Kim Fielding

KIM FIELDING is very pleased every time someone calls her eclectic. A Lambda Award finalist and two-time Foreword INDIE finalist, she has migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States and currently lives in California, where she long ago ran out of bookshelf space.

She’s a university professor who dreams of being able to travel and write full time. She also dreams of having two daughters who fully appreciate her, a husband who isn’t obsessed with football, and a house that cleans itself. Some dreams are more easily obtained than others.

Author Website: http://kfieldingwrites.com/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/KFieldingWrites

Author Twitter: @KFieldingWrites

Author Instagram: @KFieldingWrites

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4105707.Kim_Fielding

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/kim-fielding/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-Fielding/e/B006FN2T78

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Release Blitz and Giveaway for Taking Shield Series by Anna Butler

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link


Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas


Hate buying books in a series until the whole thing is done? Then check out the Rainbow Award-winning Taking Shield series, just released as an e-book boxed set. Not only do you get the entire series, there’s a very nice saving on the cost of the individual books! Anna’s dropped in today to tell us more.


About Taking Shield


Earth’s a dead planet, dark for thousands of years; lost for so long no one even knows where the solar system is. Her last known colony, Albion, has grown to be regional galactic power in its own right. But its drive to expand and found colonies of its own has threatened an alien race, the Maess, against whom Albion is now fighting a last-ditch battle for survival in a war that’s dragged on for generations.


Taking Shield charts the missions and adventures of Shield Captain Bennet, scion of a prominent military family. Bennet, also an analyst with the Military Strategy Unit, uncovers crucial data about the Maess to help with the war effort. Against the demands of his family’s ‘triple goddess’ of Duty, Honour and Service, is set Bennet’s relationships with lovers and family—his difficult relationship with his long term partner, Joss; his estrangement from his father, Caeden, the commander of Fleet’s First Flotilla; and Fleet Lieutenant Flynn, who, over the course of the series, develops into Bennet’s main love interest.


Over the Taking Shield arc, Bennet will see the extremes to which humanity’s enemies, and his own people, will go to win the war. Some days he isn’t able to tell friend from foe. Some days he doubts everything, including himself, as he strives to ensure Albion’s victory. And some days he isn’t sure, any longer, what victory looks like.

Anna was a communications specialist for many years, working in various UK government departments on everything from marketing employment schemes to organizing conferences for 10,000 civil servants to running an internal TV service. These days, though, she is writing full time. She lives with her husband in a quiet village tucked deep in the Nottinghamshire countryside. She’s supported there by the Deputy Editor, aka Molly the cockerpoo, who is assisted by the lovely Mavis, a Yorkie-Bichon cross with a bark several sizes larger than she is but no opinion whatsoever on the placement of semi-colons.

 

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An Alisa Review: Rules to Break (Davey’s Rules #2) by Susan Hawke

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

Davey’s Rule #91: Daddy never loses faith in his boy.

 

Bryan Miller is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He’s a discipline Daddy who’s not in the market for any kind of permanent relationship. And why should he be? Like the waves he surfs in the small beach town he calls home, there’s always another body available to warm his bed when he tires of the current flavor of the week.

Preston Wallace is a snotty rich brat with enough attitude to keep all the Daddies from giving him a chance. He gets it… people are jealous of him for being rich, hot, and fit. It would take a strong Daddy to take him in hand.

A casual conversation on the night of Preston’s twenty-fifth birthday ties these two stubborn men together in a bet right out of the musical My Fair Lady. Can Daddy Bryan turn the obnoxious brat into a dateable boy within a ninety-day timeframe?

Strap in for a roller-coaster of emotions as Bryan takes firm control of a brat who might just need to know someone cares enough to try.

This is the second book in this series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for the death a background character.

I have mixed emotions about this book, I was glad that we were able to see Preston as an actual person and learn about him but I felt that he just continued to feel hurt and not really wanted throughout the book.  Yea he had Daddy Bryan but he knew their “relationship” had an expiration date and that would be the end of it and even though Bryan helped hold him up during their 90 days he always knew it was going to end.

Bryan is a Daddy but not one for relationships.  Preston is a brat but has some people in his corner but as Bryan slowly learns, Preston has learned to wear his attitude as a shield.

I liked that Bryan was able to show Preston that he is worth someone’s time even if it took until the very end of the book for Bryan to realize he was worth his time forever.  I hated seeing Preston just wish and hope for someone to love and care for him and unfortunately his attitude was just a byproduct of how he grew up.  I also got confused on the timeline, I know Preston and Bryan had 90 days in the bet but so much happened in the first week and then a couple weeks later and suddenly they were at the end of their time, I don’t know I just felt like I missed something and was trying to place when things were happening.

The cover art by Cate Ashwood is great and I like the visual of Preston.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 311 pages

Published: September 26, 2019

Edition Language: English

Series: Davey’s Rules #2

Check Out the Release Blitz for Crossing the Line: A Dirty Angels MC/Blue Avengers MC Crossover by Jeanne St. James (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Crossing the Line: A Dirty Angels MC/Blue Avengers MC Crossover

Author: Jeanne St. James

Publisher: Double-J Romance, Inc.

Cover Artist/Photographer: Golden Czermak of FuriousFotog

Cover Models: Austin Standage & Zach Fox

Release Date: November 2, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Forbidden love, Enemies to Lovers, Gay/Bisexual, MC

Themes: Coming out

Heat Rating: 4 out of 5

Length: 66 450 words / 296  pages

It is a standalone story in the Dirty Angels MC series

Add on Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK

 

When the wrong man turns out to be the right one…

Blurb

Nash, a longtime Dirty Angels MC member and lead singer of Dirty Deeds, has a secret. For years, he’s hidden his bisexuality from his brothers, fellow bikers, worried how they’d take the news. But Nash isn’t the only one keeping secrets from his brotherhood. So is Cross, a police officer and member of the Blue Avengers MC.

As opposite as they come, when Cross spots Nash across the bar, he can’t resist the unexpected attraction. Then lines are crossed, boundaries blurred. And they need to survive in two different worlds where men who like other men aren’t usually accepted, and where bikers and cops don’t mix.

Reality and fantasy are two different things. The fantasy being Cross and Nash can be together, that they can make it work. The reality being their situation is impossible. Cross will never give up being a cop. Nash will never give up being a biker. What either of them would have to walk away from is more than anyone should ask for. In the end, fighting reality could be a losing battle in a war they might never win.

Note: A standalone, Crossing the Line is a crossover gay romance involving a member of the Dirty Angels MC and one from the Blue Avengers MC. It includes forbidden love, enemies to lovers, cop vs biker, alpha vs alpha. As with all my books, it has no cliffhanger and an HEA.

 

 

Excerpt 

The man with the long dirty-blond hair, whose name he still did not know, jerked away from him and moved from the bar and through the crowd. Cross saw a few sets of interested eyes following him as he went. He understood that interest because he was feeling it himself.

The man they were watching had long, lean legs which could eat up real estate fast. His hair was a bit shaggy for Cross’s taste and his beard a bit haphazard, but his hazel eyes held a story Cross wanted to hear.

He doubted he’d ever get the chance, but he still wanted a shot at it.

How the man knew he was a cop, Cross didn’t know. He didn’t have a severe haircut like most, nor did he carry an arrogant air. When it came to his job, he tried to be fair. He treated others as he’d want to be treated if he was in their shoes when dealing with an officer of the law.

But the nameless man whose back he watched as he shifted through the crowd, didn’t seem to want to give Cross a chance.

Ignoring his beer, he quickly got to his feet and decided to follow. The more the man refused to give him his name, the more Cross was determined to learn it.

He wasn’t one to give up so easily.

He also wasn’t the one who gave up on his last relationship, his former boyfriend did. Being a cop, he didn’t want the hassle of coming out. Other cops usually didn’t like it when “one of their own” wasn’t quite “one of their own.”

And luckily, his department was one which pretty much stuck to “don’t ask, don’t tell,” so Cross kept that shit to himself.

But Jeff didn’t want to keep their relationship a secret. He didn’t want to go back in the closet. He wanted to go to Cross’s station functions, like the annual Christmas party, as a couple. Or attend their own parties and fundraisers.

He also wanted to ride on the back of Cross’s Harley when the Blue Avengers, the law enforcement MC Cross belonged to, did their monthly runs.

That was never going to happen because things with him and his career would never be the same again. He wanted to make corporal by the end of the year, and he figured if he was outed that might not come to fruition. Excuses could be made why Cross wouldn’t get that fucking promotion, even though he was qualified and had time enough on the job, but Cross would know the truth of why he kept getting passed up.

If Cross had to decide between getting dick and his career, he was choosing the one that would most likely last the longest. All he needed was another fifteen years on the job and he could retire with a nice pension and full bennies.

So why the fuck he was tracking the man who refused to give him his name and who had something against cops, Cross didn’t fucking know.

And even though he knew it wasn’t smart, his feet wouldn’t change direction.

No, instead he pushed out the front door of The Cockpit and into the late fall night. The paved lot was well lit, so he spotted his target immediately moving between two rows of cars.

Cross began to jog. He needed to stop him before he left. It would bug the shit out of him if the guy left before Cross ever got to know his name.

Cross was a detail type of guy. Being a cop, that was important. While he could easily see what vehicle the man got into and run his plate, that would be an abuse of power and if he got caught doing that shit, he could kiss his promotion goodbye.

He caught up with him a few vehicles down from the entrance.

“Wait. Hold up.” Cross reached out to grab his arm and stop him. But the man spun on him, taking a defensive position by planting his feet wide.

Cross stepped back giving them space in case the guy tried to take a swing at him.

“What the fuck do you want?”

This was a bad idea. A really bad fucking idea. Cross should go inside and find someone a lot more willing. But for some reason, he couldn’t let this go. He hadn’t had this strong of a reaction to anyone in a long time, even to Jeff. Which probably was why when Jeff broke it off, Cross didn’t give a shit. Yes, he’d miss the sex, but that was it.

The only time Jeff didn’t bore him was when they were in bed, which was another major problem between the two, as well. Cross should’ve known they were doomed from the start.

Not that Cross was looking for any kind of meaningful relationship with this guy. The one who clearly had a thing against cops, which was a big part of who Cross was. But they didn’t have to discuss their career choices or anything much personal at all.

He simply wanted a name.

 

 

About the Author 

JEANNE ST. JAMES is a USA Today bestselling romance author who loves an alpha male (or two). She was only thirteen when she started writing. Her first paid published piece was an erotic story in Playgirl magazine. Her first erotic romance novel, Banged Up, was published in 2009. She is happily owned by farting French bulldogs. She writes M/F, M/M, and M/M/F ménages.

Want to read a sample of her work? Download a sampler book here: BookHip.com/MTQQKK

To keep up with her busy release schedule check her website at www.jeannestjames.com

or

sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslettersignup

 

Social Media Links

Website  |   Facebook  |   Instagram  |   Twitter  

Amazon Author Page  |   Goodreads  |   Newsletter  |   Facebook Readers’ Group

 

 

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of two ebook copies of Crossing the Line.

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Cover Reveal for The Christmas Oaks (Laurel Holidays #1) by V.L. Locey (Giveaway)

 

ADD TO GOODREADS
 
Release Date: December 4 2019
 

Cover Design: Designs By Sloan

 
Blurb 
 

Can the magic of Christmas, and the soft voice of a man who has seen too much, show Bryan a future where anything is possible?


Bryan Graham is shocked to find he’s inherited a hunting cabin in north-central Pennsylvania. From his grandfather of all people; a stubborn man who went out of his way to make Bryan’s childhood miserable. He’d vowed never to go back to the small, rural community of Kutter’s Summit, not that he didn’t have fond memories of the place. It’s just that he’d rather be celebrating a quiet Christmas back in Nashville with his cat and his contracts.


A couple of weeks of hunting, cleaning, and handyman work, and he can hopefully put the place up for sale and move on with his life. He never expected to find his childhood friend Parson Greer living in the cabin. Parson is no longer a boy, but a handsome, wary man consumed by the demons of a faraway desert war. When a rekindled friendship shifts into something deeper, Bryan finds himself lost in emotions that a workaholic like him has never made time to experience before. 

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.


V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.


When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

 
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An Alisa Review: Wolf, in League (Wolf #3) by A.F. Henley

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

It’s been months since anyone at the Committee has had any contact from the O’Connell family or their pack members, and they are not happy. Suspicious of the activities that took place in D.C. and determined to find out what the wolves are up to, the Committee recruits one of their newest residents, Dr. Matthew Dietrich, to play the part of neighbor and infiltrate the family.

Matthew has always been a keep-to-himself kind of person. Though idealistic and optimistic, he prefers to work in solitude, at night, while he researches the findings that he hopes will one day change the world. When he’s approached by the executives of the Center, he has no idea why they’d choose him. And to say he is skeptical over the concept of men that can shift into wolves would be an understatement.

Okay, so this book wrapped up some of the loose ends from the previous book but let the ending with a few other questions. I had already guessed that the main people at the Committee weren’t all that great but after what they have put Gavin through and now Matthew really shows where their priorities lie and how they feel about paranormals.

But man, this book is all about overturning the control that the Committee has over the O’Connell family, Gavin and others like them. I loved that Matthew was just so innocent that he had so much trouble believing that the Committee would treat people the way they have but I’m glad that him and Gavin were able to figure out what needed to be done and the Matthew was able to help Gavin figure out what was going on with him.

The ending with paranormals (or at least vampires) coming out to the world was interesting. I liked the little news stories in the end but would have liked to see how this news affected the O’Connell family and those around them especially after Rafe’s vision.

Once again I really like the cover art and all those from the series are similar but different at the same time.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 233 pages

Published: 2nd edition, September 18, 2019 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781646561025

Edition Language: English

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review : First Priority (Priorities #1) by Este Holland

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

The blurb sounded very interesting so I looked forward to starting this book. Unfortunately, it fell far short of expectations.  Truman was obnoxious in his haughty conceit and demeanor and by 30% I was ready to DNF. But—and it’s a big but—I wanted to give this new author a chance to show me her work so I went on and, although Truman never became likeable (IMO), he wasn’t quite as bad once I got to know him.  An Oscar-winning actor, former model, and highly sought after bachelor, it’s no wonder Truman thinks he’s hot stuff, so it intrigues him when one of the young men he meets at the “after-Oscar” party isn’t all that impressed.

Yay for Adam. Smart man. And one of the only smart moves he makes in this story. Twenty-seven-year-old Adam suffers from social anxiety and is an introvert. He’s a writer of litRPG books and happens to currently be living with a (mean) stepbrother while his apartment is cleared of mold. Unfortunately, Adam comes across as childish and immature and there’s no way on God’s green earth I can see these two enjoying a date together or time hanging around the house, as they did in the book. It was like watching a shark and his little minnow-sized fish as the shark told the fish how compatible they were and the minnow alternated between nodding his head yes and then swimming away.  In addition, Adam’s character and actions in some situations was OTT fem and teen-girlish. I don’t think the author deliberately intended him to come across that way, since his fem side was never mentioned as such, but I was very put off by his reactions in certain situations since they reminded me of my daughter when she was in her late teens. And, most certainly, they were not the reactions of a twenty-seven-year-old adult man.

The plot consisted mostly of Truman trying to win Adam’s interest and then Truman whisking Adam away once their relationship becomes known in the media so that he can protect Adam, and as a side benefit, get to know him better, and vice versa. They fly to Ireland and boat out to Truman’s private island where they do indeed get to know one another better and the virginal, shy Adam eventually gives Truman what he wants. Because—here on the island is where Truman’s true self shows, and the real, non-actor comes out. This reader wasn’t really impressed. To me, the shark got his minnow and became sold on wanting more and more minnow. In any event, the threat eventually disappears, Adam loves Truman’s home, his extended family in town, and—surprise—Adam loves Truman and Truman loves Adam.  All is HEA in their world.

Sadly, this is not a story I can recommend. Of note: the cover features a bearded handsome man in a white T-shirt with a look of arrogance on his face—one eyebrow raised and an “I am the greatest” look about him. Sums up my opinion of him well, and if I’d seen the cover first, I may not have read the book.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 183 pages
Published October 15th 2019
ASIN B07Z7CVDCN
Series Priorities #1

A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Earthquakes (New Amsterdam #4) by Kelly Wyre

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This is the fourth book in the series focusing on Ellis and his crush on one of his customers from the firing range named Bryndon. Previously Ellis seemed enamored with Clark; there is definitely still hero worship involved, complicated by doing BDSM scenes with Clark and his husband, but Ellis knows the difference between what he has and what he wants. He’s decided that he wants Bryn.

I was irritated when Ellis “realizes” he’s in love with Bryn, even though he’s only spoken a few sentences with the guy. Having said that, in the same conversation Daniel was talking to Ellis about Clark, which I loved. So, while the recapping will let you read this as a standalone, it has more emotional impact if you’ve read book one, story 1.1, and book three. Once Clark, Daniel, and Lucien try to help Ellis get noticed by Bryn, their worlds crash together. Bryn’s friend Medea is annoying, but she is also a force of nature as she helps play matchmaker. It’s also nice to have wealthy friends Ellis can borrow a plane from whenever he wants. While this widens the friends as family cast, the focus is on the two main characters. The alternating points of view between Ellis and Bryn actually made me worry for both of them.

Bryn is a ballet dancer with mental health issues. The creepy parts of this are him being haunted by someone who’s dead. He keeps everyone at arm’s length, but Ellis sneaks into his thoughts…and then Ellis ignores all Bryn’s boundaries. Even though he is the submissive, it is Ellis that pushes this whole thing forward. The more the author reveals about Bryn, the less likeable he is to me. At the same time, I see why Ellis wants to save him. His mother has been emotionally abusive his whole life so it’s not any different when Bryn goes home for his father’s funeral, Ellis in tow. Unfortunately, most of this is about Bryn’s revenge on his Mom and a plot twist that seems to have been written to heal Bryn. For me, it all comes down to this: how can Ellis trust Bryn to tie him up, to hurt him? Ellis is basically a saint, but I thought he had a somewhat healthy view of the situation until he agreed to a scene when Bryn was angry, under stress and emotional duress, and had been drinking. This was just a big turn-off for me. I was not convinced that the cathartic release was worth more than having this be safe and sane.

While love will not cure mental illness, it can give a person hope and support. If that had been the focus, I would have enjoyed this more. Complex PTSD would make sense for this character, but the author chose to have Bryn be on antipsychotics. My understanding is that hallucinations can be suppressed, not cured–even his epiphany, his closure, wouldn’t stop real hallucinations that require antipsychotics. In the end, even though there is a happily ever after, it didn’t seem realistic to me. There was no follow-up about the state of Bryn’s mental health, no therapy, no mention of Ellis meeting Bryn’s therapist, no way to know if Bryn was still having hallucinations or still taking medication…the whole thing is just dropped out of the plot. I know this is fiction, and I applaud having mental health issues being represented, but it does a disservice to people if it’s not portrayed accurately or just used as a plot device until it’s no longer needed.

The cover design is by Natasha Snow. It matches the rest of the series with the city view, but this one shows Bryn–dancing, but to me also wrestling with his darkness

Sales Links:  JMS Books LLC | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 228 pages
Published September 28th 2019 by JMS Books LLC (first published February 29th 2016)
Original Title Earthquakes
ASIN B07Y3TL7XB
Series New Amsterdam #4