Category: Contemporary fiction

A Sammy Review: The Hush-Hush Crush by Liberty Lace

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5
The Hush Hush Crush coverScott and Sawyer Tate may be identical twins, but they’re otherwise pretty different. Sawyer likes to work out and is a firefight, while Scott would prefer a cold beer and to relax after work. But no matter how different they are, Scott can’t help his feelings for Sawyer, so when he calls him in need of a place to stay, Scott’s world is rocked. He moved to get away from his brother, but there’s no where you can move when you’re stuck inside the same four walls.
So this is my first story by Liberty Lace, and I was really hoping for some sparks of magic, but in the end, it was more of a brief flicker. I adore the tabooness of brocest, especially when an author plays on that, but this one didn’t feel like she played on it enough. It was neither here nor there, and the tension was talked about, but in terms of actually being there, it lacked.
There was a nice amount of steam, but besides that, this short didn’t really work for me. I wanted to love it, especially since brocest is hard to find, so I’m especially bummed that it just wasn’t right for my tastes.
In addition to the lack of a good story, build up of tension, and a magical spark, there were some editing issues. There was an overlap in British English and US English, as well as some random commas where they didn’t belong. Add that to the totally random ending of the story that left me rolling my eyes, and I just can’t give this a good rating. But, the author has potential. So, that’s why I gave it a bit more than I may have normally.
The cover art by Wilde City Press is pretty generic. I suppose it fits with them being twins, but other than that, it could be for any story.
Sales Links:  Wilde City Press |   Amazon | Buy It Here
Book Details:
ebook, 2nd
Published by Wilde City Press (first published August 14th 2015)
original titleWhen A Twin Peeks
ISBN139781925313413
edition languageEnglish

A Stella Review: Greater Love Hath No Man by Tinnean

Rating:  4 stars out of 5   ★★★★

Greater Love Hath No Man coverJames Trevalyan came from a long line of men who served the British Crown with their gift of a voice with compelling power, and kept that tradition going while he loved and lived with Jeremy Waters. When Jeremy died in his arms, James resolved to live without love. His family keeps him connected to life — Jamie, his son from his brief marriage to an American, and Pamela, his beloved little sister, caught in a loveless marriage to a cold, cruel man.

Then Tanner comes into his life, a clever and handsome agent who joins him in an ongoing undercover mission. How long will it take James to realize he and Tanner are meant for each other? And can Tanner survive the assignment that’s thrown him in with mobsters who want him dead simply because he knows too much?

Tinnean is one of my favorite authors even though I had read only one book written by her when I first began my obsession with m/m books, called The Light In Your Eyes. Theo aka Sweetcheeks is been in my heart all these years. She created a story and characters simply unforgettable.

In Greater Love Hath No Man I was really glad to find her beautiful writing style again. I enjoyed this book greatly. It was well written but it was no surprise and the characters were all were likeable and well defined, each of them with some background to let us know them better.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. I was ready for something like a “second chance at love” story, because reading the blurb it was clear James was going to lose his lover Jeremy and then meet Tanner during one of his works. I was thinking the most part of the book was going to focus on this second relationship but it wasn’t like that at all. In a way it was better, because Tinnean gave me a story that I define “complete”: I read the love story between James and Jeremy (and it wasn’t a snippet, but a long one) and I began to love both of them. Then she took Jeremy away and left (me and) James with a broken heart to mend. I followed James in his darker years when he was trying to glue the pieces of his life together again. I saw him struggling with his family and needing to be a beautiful father for his smart and sweet son. I saw him work 24/7. It was painful to see him alone in his pain but I was able to really know him. Then I met Tanner and read about the friendship he started with James.  And  finally James had his deserved HEA. It’s a story that takes place over a long period of time.

Although it is sad in some parts, everything is faced as a matter of fact, with no much fussing or drama, evolving the book to a light read. That’s one more reason why I love Tinnean’s work. These kind of books can make me emotional and happy and teary and satisfied all together.

There is  only thing that bothered me and it’s about the love story between Tanner and James. Even if their friendship was well developed, the switch to lovers wasn’t elaborated cause we get really few pages about them together, reducing their story to almost a secondary one and rushed through the ending. I’d have simply preferred a little more.

I was happy to read Greater Love Hath No Man, to me it was a huge reconfirmation of Tinnean’s talent after so many years from my first love with her works.

Cover art by Written Ink Designs. I couldn’t not love this cover cause they put the beautiful Fountain of Trevi on it, so it was a winner at first sight.

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

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 281 pages
Published July 12th 2015 by JMS Books, LLC
ASIN B00Z97YASM
Edition Language English

April Kelley on “Writing What I Know” and her latest ‘Unrelenting Feelings’ release (guest post,excerpt & giveaway)

 

 

Title: Unrelenting Feelings

Series: Pickleville Series

Author: April Kelley

 
Publisher: ExtasyBooks
Cover Artist: Carmen Waters
Length: 30,062 words
Release Date: September 15, 2015

Writing What I Know by April Kelley

Like Caden in Unrelenting Feelings, I grew up with two siblings. Two sisters and I was in the middle. I was raised by a single parent so we were at home alone a lot and my oldest sister was always in change. In a lot of ways my relationship with my siblings growing up was a lot like Caden’s is with his.My oldest sister is bossy and can be fiercely protective when she thinks someone she loves is getting hurt. Just like Brad she often times didn’t think about the consequences of her actions when she got angry, he just started punching. I remember her fighting with a girl on a bus because the girl was teasing my younger sister. When she became an adult she had a lot of stereotypes to debunk. Seems like people put her in a box more than they did others. And just like Brad she’s the most kind-hearted person I know.

My younger sister is just like Caden in that she’s not afraid to make a decision, even spontaneously. She was always braver than the rest of us. Sometimes that bravery got her in trouble. More times than not it worked out for her. And just like Caden she doesn’t apologize for her choices, unless they effect other people. The rarely have effected other people though.

I guess that makes me like Luis. Yeah, I am. I can be a basket case sometimes and I know what it feels like to suffer from depression. I also like adventures and need that solitary time. I suppose writing is that hike around the lake Luis took in his book, Getting Back to Good (Pickleville #5).

They say to write what you know. Well, that can be different for everyone. I’m sure if you ask my two sisters they’ll tell you they don’t see themselves the same way that I see them. Their truth is just a little bit different, I’m sure. I like the way I see us though.

AboutTheBook
 
Blurb:
Robyn Heath has made a pretty
good life for himself away from Pickleville. He loves his job as a paramedic,
has a best friend who he adores who also happens to be his partner at work, and
he even gets laid every once in a while. Life couldn’t be better. Until the man
who broke his heart comes back into town.
 

Caden Flynn has been gone for a long time. Five years
fighting for his country has taken its toll and changed him in some fundamental
ways. One thing he wants more than anything is to right the wrongs he’s caused
Robyn. Robyn proves to have a very stubborn heart.



 
Caden stopped breathing the instant he saw Robyn again. His Robby was so fucking pretty, just like he
always had been. He had filled out slightly and his hair was styled differently, longer on top and shorter all the way around. Caden wanted to run his fingers through all those loose curls on top.
 
“I fucked up so hard, man,” he whispered to Brad, who still stood beside him. He watched as Jaron took Robyn’s elbow. They exchanged some words and then Jaron let Robyn go. Robyn went inside and it took everything in Caden not to follow, to make Robyn listen to him as he explained himself, even though there wasn’t a damn
thing he could say without sounding like an asshole.
 
“Yeah, you did,”Brad said.
 
“He hates me, now.”
 
“He used to love you,” Brad pointed out.
 
“Well, he acts like he doesn’t even care now.”
 
“He cares. He’s trying not to though.” Brad looked at him, holding his gaze. “He slept in your room every time I would let him. I heard him cry on your pillow, Caden. When you stopped calling him, he would beg me to make you call him. Even after
he moved with Neil and Owen, he still begged to talk to you. He would even call me specifically to ask after you until a couple years ago.”
 
“Why didn’t you tell me this before now?”
 
“My point is that you never asked about him. Not once.”
 
“You’re saying I didn’t care as much as he did.”
 
“I don’t know if you did or not. The undeniable fact is that man loved you with everything he had.”
 
“You’re saying I can’t fix it?”
 
“I don’t know if you should even try. My gut tells me you should let him go,” Brad said.
 
“I give up. I’m not talking to you anymore. You sound like Yoda and it’s driving me crazy. I need
advice on Robyn not on how to use the force.” Caden started to fold his
arms, but then winced at the pain it caused. He remembered the crushing force
of the truck as it rolled over him, pinning his arm down. The worst part was
turning his head to find Yarborough’s lifeless eyes next to him, the lower half
of his body was gone. The vehicle had shifted, moved off its side and when it
did Caden’s arm was freed. Not before crushing the bones and leaving a scar
that ran from his bicep to just before his wrist.
 
Caden felt a hand on his back and turned to see Luis. “Thank god. I need advice and Brad is being
cryptic.”
 

Luis shrugged. “You probably just need to pay
attention to what he said.” Luis pounded him on the back. “Have fun.
This is supposed to be a party. Now, where is Owen?“



 
Extasy
Books
Amazon
All
Romance eBooks
 
 
Living
in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids.  She has been an avid reader for several
years.  Writing her first story at the
age of ten, the characters in her head still won’t stop telling their
stories.  If April isn’t reading or
writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk
in the woods.
 
||  Blog  || Website  ||  Twitter  ||
 
 
Winner’s
Prize: E-copy of “Unrelenting Feelings”.
 
 
 
September 15:
Bike
Book Reviews
 
September 16:
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
The Purple Rose Tea House
 
September 17:
Diverse
Reader
Wicked
Faeries Tales & Reviews
 
September 18:
Prism
Book Alliance
Man2ManTastic
 
September 21:
Gay
Media Reviews
Bayou
Book Junkie

A Stella Review: Beyond the Surface (The Breakfast Club #1) by Felice Stevens

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Beyond the Surface coverOn 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

“I see the real you, the man underneath the scars at the surface. Those mean nothing to me. I’ve looked beyond that. A person’s body is merely a place card for their soul, their heart, and their mind. And in that respect?” Julian bent down and kissed him softly. “You’re the most perfect man I know.”

Beyond The Surface was my first Felice Stevens book and it will not be my last. I know it sounds rhetorical but I really loved her writing style a lot.

This story was a joy to read, a hurt/comfort book hard to ignore since it’s well written and so full of good feelings. I was afraid it was going to be more angsty since Nick being there on the 9/11. Instead everything was showed us in the perfect way, delicate and thorough. It simply filled my heart.

I love “second chance at love” stories and this one was amazing. After being left by Nick without a second though in high school, Julian met him again almost twenty years later; Nick who, in spite of everything, is still the man of his life. Both their lives have changed so much, but the chemistry is still there waiting for them to act on it, especially for Nick to finally be brave and come out. Pretending to be straight is what Nick has done all this time, afraid to disappoint his family, already wounded by his injuries and impossibility to work as a firefighter anymore. He’s afraid when he shouldn’t be cause his family is really great. That’s one more thing I liked, the acceptance and the no drama his coming out was met with. Beautiful and light to see.

“I’m gay.” Julian expelled a long breath and leaned his forehead against Nick’s.
“Thank God.” He kissed Nick then, a soft sweet brush of his lips like the wing of a bird. “It’s the first step. I’m so proud of you.”
Nick kissed Julian back, and he knew he’d finally come home.

There is a great second characters’ cast, some made me laugh, others, the boys and girls at the burn center, broke my heart with their pain and their courage, but they represented the turning point in the MCs’ relationship. In a couple of scenes that played around these young people, I admit I shed some tears, almost of all them were happy tears. It’s an emotional book so it was inevitable.

Beyond the Surface is the first book in a new series called The Breakfast Club, set around three young friends who are used to meet for breakfast. Julian is one of them, then there’s Marcus, club owner always looking for the next man to seduce, and the sweet and shy geek Zach. I’m dying to get their stories too. With this first installment, Felice made me fall in love with her talent and her boys and I’m waiting for the next couple.

Highly recommended!

Cover art by Reese Dante is sweet and simple, it fits the book perfectly in every little detail.

Sales Links:  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details;

Published August 17th 2015 by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Kindle Edition, 229 pages
ASIN B013JB97QY
Edition Language English

 

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

Banner300x250

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.

BannerTemplate

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.

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

 

WillPride

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

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