Category: Book Reviews

A Sammy Review: Cronin’s Key II (Cronin’s Key #2) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Cronin's Key II cover“I am forever by your side.”

“As are we,” Jodis said.

Finally, Alec smiled. “Just like the musketeers, huh? All for one and one for all.”

Cronin pulled back a little so he could see Alec’s face. “They weren’t vampires.”

Life hasn’t been a picnic since Alec MacAidan had his world turned upside down. Finding out you’re fated to a vampire, have pretty much been stalked by another since your birth, and are some kind of mysterious key that could save the world is a lot to swallow. But now that he’s started to embrace it, Alec wouldn’t change a thing.

But if he thought there would be rest for the wicked, he was wrong. With rumors of vampire covens fleeing Russia and disappearances in China, there’s no mistaking that Alec’s job as the key has come into play again. But this time, it’s not his life on the line, it’s his forever.

Completion.

Alec understood now what that really meant. It wasn’t some prudish, polite way to describe an orgasm. It was to be at one with Cronin, to be whole, to be complete.

To be fated.

I was beyond excited to read the second book in this series. The first set a great stage for world building and a lifelong (and then some) romance between Cronin and Alec. In this book, we get even more of that world building and romance, and let me tell you, Walker cranks up the steam.

One of my favorite aspects of the first story was the alternate history, and we got even more of that here. Hell, I’d have loved for pages of it (though most readers wouldn’t, so I understand her limiting it.) The author did a nice job of balancing the copious amounts of information with humor and the rest of the story so that it didn’t feel to heavy or like a huge info dump.

And that humor… oh that humor. It was just spot on. I adore Alec and in this book we got to see more of some past favorites and meet some new ones. I hope to see more of Jorge, and even when Alec and Cronin’s story concludes, I’d love to see what Walker could do with Jacques or Kennard. They both have a lot of potential as stars in their own stories.

But… I do have a bone to pick. Or, well, a few. First, the editing. I literally cringed at some of the mistakes. Commas were missing at points, commas were thrown in where they shouldn’t be, words were wrong… it’s a shame, because someone should’ve picked up on those things before it was published. Normally I can get over a few mistakes, but there were enough in this one that I was actually distracted a few times when reading.

Another issue I had was luckily resolved, and that was the portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder (or DID, as most people in the field would call it.) I was glad things changed at the end, because I was pretty unhappy with how this was written.

And then my last issue was with how quickly things happened at the end and the lack of emotion I felt for those parts. It was like two books of build up to that moment and… well, it basically went out with a little whimper instead of a bang. I’d love to see Walker push for more emotion in those parts of her story. Make it less of the motions and more of the feelings. In the end, it just felt too neat and clean. And when we found out who was behind stuff… it literally was like “huh? Oh… okay.” I was totally bummed by that.

Still, I love the world building and the characters, and I can’t wait to read more of these two.

The cover art by Sara York is a nice compliment to the first. It’s still not the prettiest thing in the world, but it ties in with the story and the series.

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 195 pages
Published May 22nd 2015 by N.R. Walker
edition language English
series Cronin’s Key #2

Early Morning Coffee Sip and Book Break with See You In The Morning by A. T. Weaver (excerpt and giveaway)

SeeYou 2

See You In The Morning by A. T. Weaver
Release Date: March 4, 2014

Goodreads Link
Publisher: A. T. Weaver
Cover Artist: Ken Clark – Photo from Dreamstime

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Buy the book:  Amazon  |  Smashwords

Blurb:

Jake wonders if he’ll ever find a long-term, loving relationship like his parents have. After all, same-sex marriage is a pipe dream. Then he meets Dave. From the first kiss, they know they belong together. For over fifty years they’re together, living their happily ever after in spite of bigotry. They raise four wonderful children, always counting on the promise they give each other every night – “see you in the morning.”

Pages or Words: 336 pages, 71,733 words
Categories: Fiction, Gay Fiction, Love Story, M/M Romance

Excerpt

(hankie alert)

Jake walked into the cottage, laid the rose on the hall table, removed his jacket and hung it on a hook inside the hall closet. He took Dave’s green sweater from a hanger, slipped it around his back and hugged himself with the sleeves. The scent of Dave’s favorite aftershave filled his nostrils. My dear one, what will I ever do without you? He picked up the rose, stuck the stem through a buttonhole on his shirt and went into the kitchen. He took two glasses from the cupboard and pushed a button on the refrigerator door. Ice and green tea flavored with honey and ginseng poured into the glasses. He frowned at the glasses and set one on the table. I guess I only need one glass.

His shoulders drooped and his feet shuffled as he walked to the living room. He felt much older than his seventy-six years. He set the glass on the table next to his favorite chair, sat and pushed a button on the arm of his chair. Across the room a huge screen nearly the size of the wall rose up and displayed a menu. He pushed another button and an old-fashioned photograph appeared on the screen. Memories flooded his mind.

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About the Author

Meet A. T. Weaver:

              A. T. Weaver is the pen name of a divorced grandmother of eleven, great-grandmother of one. She lives with her cat, Cleopatra, in downtown Kansas City, MO.

When she was growing up, the word gay meant happy and carefree and homosexuals were called queer or ‘one-of-those’. However, she never heard those terms until she was married and a mother. When two men moved in down the street from their mobile home, her husband had to explain they were queer. As far as she was concerned, they were just a couple of men sharing a trailer.

In 2003, through a TV show called Boy Meets Boy, using the sign-on of ‘alixtheweaver’ she ‘met’ over 3,000 gay men in a Yahoo group. These men called her ‘grandma J. and educated her as to the inequalities suffered by the LGBT community She became a staunch ally. She visited one of the men in San Francisco who lived just up the street from the Castro. As he showed her around, they stopped in front of what was once Harvey Milk’s camera store. Her question, “Who was Harvey Milk?” started her education into Gay history.

After the passing of Prop 8 in 2008, she attended her first ever protest rally at the ripe age of 65 where she held a church flag across the street from WBC protesters.

A. T.’s aim is to move you in some way. Whether you laugh or cry, love it or hate it, she welcomes all comments, whether good or bad.

Where to find A. T. Weaver:

RC


Tour Dates & Stops: September 14, 2015

Parker Williams, Jessie G. Books, Mikky’s World of Books, Havan Fellows, Bike Book Reviews, The Jena Wade, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, 3 Chicks After Dark, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, The Hat Party, Divine Magazine, Three Books Over the Rainbow, MM Good Book Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon. Molly Lolly, Kimi-Chan, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My

Final AT Weaver Revised

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 2 Print copies and 3 ebooks from back list.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Cover Reveal for Blind Redemption by Denise Dearth and Amy Gillen (giveaway)

BlindRedemption-banner

A woman is missing, paths are misleading. Can Psychic Detective Jackie Vaughn see through the veil of lies to find her?

Synopsis

Kidnapped and sold into the Chinese slave trade the survival of Annette Freder, the wife of University Chancellor, Charles Freder, depends on struggling psychic detective, Jackie Vaughn.

Crippled by grief over the unexpected death of her wife, Jackie deals with her anguish through pills and booze. While these coping mechanisms numb her pain, the growing addiction hampers her abilities, and places her health and livelihood in jeopardy.  The missing personís case of Annette Freder shifts Jackieís focus, challenging her psychic abilities.

Blind Redemption Cover

While on the job in China, Jackie finds herself with limited access to medication, resulting in bouts of withdrawal and depression. But that is just one of the many hurdles hindering Jackie in her quest to find Annette and return her to safety. Will corrupt police, maxed out credit cards, an ousted Greek intelligence officer assassin, and a revelation from an unexpected source prove too much for her?

Entangled deceit and unravelling lies Blind Redemption captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of redemption

Pre-order Links

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/blind-redemption-by-denise-dearth-and-amy-gillen/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014U2PX9G
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014U2PX9G
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014U2PX9G
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B014U2PX9G
ARe:  https://www.omnilit.com/product-blindredemption-1887377-243.html

Giveaway

Enter to win a Prize: $10 WIP Gift Card.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link  and prize provided by the authors and Eyes on Books Promotions.

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About the authors

DENISE DEARTH is a novelist and songwriter.  Blind Redemption is the first novel in the compelling Jackie Vaughn detective series. She is a member of Broadcast Music Incorporated, a music performing right organization, and the National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981. Whenís sheís not writing she may be seen riding a two-toned, sky blue and white Victory Vegas Steel horse into the Midwestern sunset.

Denise Dearth can be found at:

Website: www.fictioncorner.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JackieVaughnPI

AMY GILLEN is a co-creator of the Jackie Vaughn detective series.  She earned a Bachelorís degree in English Literature from Indiana University.  She is a poet, photographer, and entrepreneur with a passion for kayaking and travel.

Amy Gillen can be found at:

Website: www.fictioncorner.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JackieVaughnPI

An Aurora YA Review: A Hard Day’s Night by Mia Kerick

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:  ★★★★

A Hard Day's Night coverHigh school senior Kalin (Lennon) Macready knows several facts for certain: John Lennon is his hero. Beaumont Finley Danforth (Fin) is his best friend. And—this is the complicated one—he feels more for Fin than mere friendship.

For weeks, Lennon pesters Fin, who like Lennon admits to questioning his sexual orientation, for a commitment to spend twenty-four hours together exploring “the gay side of life.” Each boy will seek to answer the terrifying question, Am I gay? Fin reluctantly agrees. Lennon pre-plans the day, filling the hours with what he assumes “gay life” is all about: funky hairstyles, fancy coffee drinks, shopping for fashionable clothing, boogying to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”, and yes, listening to show tunes.

However, Lennon quickly realizes that in creating his plan he has succumbed to the most common and distorted gay stereotypes. Can he be gay and not fit them? And more importantly, is it possible that spending twenty-four hours together will convince Fin that he’s gay, too? If so, maybe Lennon has a shot at winning the heart of the boy of his dreams.

This book isn’t a huge revelation, but it doesn’t pretend to be, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The result is a charming book about charming – if occasionally annoying for the mere fact that they are still teenagers – characters. It’s a fun read, it sends a good message to teenagers that are likely to read a YA book, and it definitely offers some reassurance to LGBT teens who feel that they don’t necessarily fit into the boxes of their gender or sexuality. Even non-LGBT teens or even adults who might be reading the book will hopefully learn from the book to be more accepting and much less reliant on stereotypes to try to figure out someone else’s gender or sexuality.
With that being said, the book does a very good job of getting the message across in a very succinct way without seeming like an after school special. I had a fun time reading it, and although there were some things that weren’t exactly to my tastes, I would definitely recommend it. And as a lifelong fan of the Beatles, it was pretty interesting to read a book that takes place in our modern times and yet has a teenager who is such a fan of the Beatles. I’ve spent a lot of time around fellow teenagers, and it’s pretty difficult to find young people who are still interested in older pop culture.
I think, all in all, this book seems very real, it had an incredibly original concept behind it, and it has a good message without being too preachy. It was a fun read for me, and especially for people who prefer contemporary YAs to fantasy, I think they would really enjoy this book even more so than I did.
Louis C. Harris is the cover artist. For me, this cover was honestly a little much. It isn’t badly done or unappealing, exactly. But my personal preference is a more understated cover, and I will readily admit that I am a minimalist as far as that goes. But, that being said, I do think the cover is well matched to the actual tone of the book. I don’t think someone is going to pick up this book based on the cover and be in any way surprised by what they see. So, although it’s not exactly for me, the cover does its job.
Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 1st, 114 pages
Published September 1st 2015 by YoungDudes Publishing
ASIN B013O1V2OE
edition language English

A Jeri Review: Not Safe for Work by L.A. Witt

Rating: 3 stars out of 5  

They’re a match made in the dungeon…until their secret gets out.

Not Safe For Work coverBored senseless in a meeting, architectural modeler Jon McNeill amuses himself with a kinky dating app on his phone. Then the app matches him with another user…who’s six feet away. Suddenly Jon finds himself on the same page as someone way above his pay grade: millionaire property developer Rick Pierce. His firm’s biggest—and hottest—client.

The app isn’t kidding either. They’re a perfect match. Jon’s a Dom, Rick’s a sub, and bondage is their thing. Both guys are well into their forties, know their way around the bedroom, and definitely appreciate a good suit. And the best part? They’re a match outside the bedroom too.

But office relationships aren’t easy to keep a secret. When the truth comes out, Jon is certain he’s about to get fired. Instead, his bosses throw him a curve ball—an ultimatum that puts both his job and his relationship in jeopardy.I love that so many books are bringing modern technology and phone apps into their story lines. This book has a fictional app called “Leathr” which is like Tindr, but for the kinky set. During yet another boring meeting, Jon quickly checks Leathr and finds a match, not in the same zip code, but in the same room. A quick glance around the table and he figures out his match- his firms newest and biggest client.

They meet for a drink to see if they are compatible, there are definite sparks and they begin a relationship that they both think is about the kink only. But it isn’t.

While I really enjoyed the relationship between Rick and Jon, especially the covert nature of keeping it a secret at work, the BDSM part of the book left a bit to be desired, in my opinion. I hate to say it, but I feel like this is another case of jumping on the BDSM bandwagon without knowing enough about it.

If we leave the BDSM in the background (which is a bit difficult since that is what their relationship is built on), it was a really good story. I liked that they were both in their 40’s. That their knees ached and their bodies took a bit more time to recover.

They also really talk to each other. Like, honest conversations about life. I feel that this is lacking in so many books. I liked reading an adult conversation. And while they both had their histories- of course, they are in the 40’s- they both willingly and openly went into a relationship together.

While the cover art is definitely hot, I don’t see either character looking like that. But it would still pull me in enough to at least read the blurb.

Sales Links:  Samhain Publishing  and other links coming soon.

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 341 pages
Expected publication: December 15th 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ASINB013HUV8RI
edition language English

A MelanieM Review: Winter Wonderland (Minnesota Christmas #3) by Heidi Cullinan

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

Finding Mr. Right can be a snow lot of fun.

Winter Wonderland coverPaul Jansen was the only one of his friends who wanted a relationship. Naturally, he’s the last single man standing. No gay man within a fifty-mile radius wants more than casual sex.
No one, that is, except too-young, too-twinky Kyle Parks, who sends him suggestive texts and leaves X-rated snow sculptures on his front porch.

Kyle is tired of being the town’s resident Peter Pan. He’s twenty-five, not ten, and despite his effeminate appearance, he’s nothing but the boss in bed. He’s loved Paul since forever, and this Christmas, since they’re both working on the Winter Wonderland festival, he might finally get his chance for a holiday romance.

But Paul comes with baggage. His ultra-conservative family wants him paired up with a woman, not a man with Logan’s rainbow connection. When their anti-LGBT crusade spills beyond managing Paul’s love life and threatens the holiday festival, Kyle and Paul must fight for everyone’s happily ever after, including their own.

I have always found the writings of Heidi Cullinan to be something special but in her Minnesota Christmas series with its generous helping of warmhearted bears, human bears that is, and their unique, loving counterparts, she has conjured up stories  not only distinctive but that contain  sparks I like to think of as narrative magic.  In Winter Wonderland, that mojo is working overtime with characters like Paul and Kyle.  What charms this story has in store for the reader!  And snow sculptures shaped like penises too.  Let’s get to the particulars.

Paul is one of those characters  Cullinan  does so well.  Paul is a man whose mean-hearted, conservative family’s constant belittling and derision has lead Paul to a poor self image and inability to imagine a happy future for himself.  But little of that is shown to others in their small town.  Only to Paul’s small circle of friends (see the other stories) is his unhappy family dynamics known as well as his  penchant for Hallmark movies, especially Hallmark’s Christmas movies.  The author brings in such well known movies like Hallmark’s  “The Christmas Card” and uses them to make a point about Paul, the damage done to him by his family, and makes it and the other Christmas movies provide a way to heal Paul’s pain.  Its a beautiful touch, one among many, and it feels believably so as a panacea that others have found.

I love the character of Kyle as well.  He too contains so many truths of his own.  Kyle is the town “man child”, the one people remember so well as a charming adolescent that they can’t see the man he’s become.  Kyle is tired of fighting his past image because he never seems to overcome it.  Especially with the one person he’s  been crushing on for most of his life.  Paul.   Kyle wants to capture Paul’s attention and desperate times calls for desperate measures.  Or in this case, anatomically correct snow sculptures.  I have a vivid imagination and Heidi Cullinan’s descriptions cracked me up.  Even if you don’t, you won’t need them, because her words and the pictures they paint will be more than enough to leave you with the giggles. But Kyle is not all fun and snow.  He has his own depth of character and responsibilities, one of which is his sister.

One of the things I love best about the Minnesota Christmas series is that the town of Logan is populated by characters who are so real, so darn human.  Some have reading disabilities, others face other physical challenges,  some have their own hot, unexpected sexual kinks, and some with family issues so profoundly wounding that it almost costs them a future. Nothing is really “normal”.  Perfection has no role here.  But authentic happiness? Small town joys, long term loves  and relationships? Yes, they most certainly do.  With Logan you get the best as well as the worst of small town mentality, Cullinan is blunt about that.  I liked that as well.

We’ve had 3 stories so far.  The 3 bears of Logan and each has found their own Mr. Right for Christmas.  Paul was the baby bear.  Will there be more Christmas stories for us coming out of Minnesota?  I can only hope so.  What I’ve read so far has had that winter white glitter sparkle that speaks of joy, and hope, and love.  And Christmas is coming.  What a wonderful present it would be to have Minnesota  Christmas story number four!

I highly recommend  Heidi Cullinan and her Minnesota Christmas series, including this very special story, Winter Wonderland.   Pick this and all of them up as a early holiday present for yourself.

Cover art by Angela Waters.  I love this cover.  I think the artist has the men and the landscape exactly right.

Sales Links:  Samhain Publishing | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: November 10th 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
original titleWinter Wonderland
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.heidicullinan.com/WinterWonderland
Series: Minnesota Christmas

Let It Snow (Minnesota Christmas, #1)
Sleigh Ride (Minnesota Christmas, #2)
Winter Wonderland (Minnesota Christmas, #3)

 

A Jeri Review: The World As He Sees It (Perspectives #2) by A.M. Arthur

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Love knows no limits…but fear could keep them from seeing it.

The World As He Sees It CoverGabe lives a double life. As Gabriel Henson, he works multiple jobs to support his remorseless, alcoholic mother. As Tony Ryder, he does internet porn for extra cash and regular safe sex without complications.

Yet when he encounters a scared young man freaking out in a night club, he’s compelled to reach out. Ever since then, the memory of that young man has haunted him.

Tristan Lavelle lives his life thirty minutes at a time. After a traumatic brain injury three years ago, he gets through his day recording his life in spiral notebooks and sticky note reminders.

A month after Tristan’s embarrassingly public meltdown, another chance meeting with Gabe sparks a warm, emotionally fulfilling email relationship. Both men crave more, but fear of the next step stands between them.

Until Tristan gets the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial that could improve his memory—if the side effects don’t kill him. But for Tristan, the possibility of a real life with Gabe is worth any risk…

I have been waiting, not so patiently, for this book. We met Tristan in the previous book,The Truth as He Knows It (Perspectives #1) , as he was the main character’s best friend. We also meet Gabe at the end of that book, setting the scene for this book. That being said, this book absolutely can be read as a stand alone.

Tristan and his best friend Noel were gay bashed several years ago. While Noel was left with extensive scarring on his chest, Tristan was left with severe short term memory problems. He remembers everything from before the “accident”, but can only retain about 30 minutes of time after the accident. He lives in a care facility, disowned by his parents, logging everything in his notebook and on post it notes to remember everything. From who his friends are to what time to eat his meals.

Gabe is a part time waiter, part time porn star trying to take care of his alcoholic mother. He turned to porn not only for the money, but for uncomplicated, safe, no strings attached sex. But he can’t stop thinking about the guy who came into his fathers’ bar and freaked out because he lost his notebook and couldn’t remember where he was or why he was there.

A chance meeting at the same bar- and a mutual friend- brings Gabe and Tristan together again.

One of the things I really love about AM Arthur’s books is that they all take place in the same fictional area of Pennsylvania. So while different stories may not cross over, places and people do.

I really liked how these characters became friends first. Through many emails- so Tristan can read them over again- they really get to know each other. And while both have some seriously obvious issues in life, they both go into the relationship wide open. There’s no “breaking down walls” or anything like that. They are both so open to the intimacy and love that it just feels so much more real, more romantic.

If you read this book (please do!), go back and read her other books.  They really are a treat.

The cover art by Lyn Taylor really conveys not only how each of the main characters look (save for the beard that Gabe doesn’t have but the model does), you can really see Tristan’s pain and Gabe’s shyness.

Sales Links:  Samhain Publishing | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon (not yet available) | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: October 20th 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
original title The World As He Sees It
ISBN13 9781619230132
edition language English
series Perspectives :
The Truth as He Knows It (Perspectives #1)
The World As He Sees It (Perspectives #2)