Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Room 1024 by Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae

Rating: 1 star out of 5

When Cameron takes his submissive boyfriend Noah to a gay men’s leather convention in San Francisco, Cam expects to spend the week exploring their relationship and experimenting with non-monogamy. What he doesn’t expect is to run into his own former dom, Lou, in an embarrassingly public reunion.

While Noah is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play with the former international leather title-holder, Cam is more wary. He and Lou have unfinished business. A four-way encounter with Lou and his sub Stephen could be great fun—or it could show Noah that Cameron can never quite be the dom he wants and needs.

As Cameron and Noah work through the uncertainties in their relationship, Noah is offered everything he ever wanted, in a completely different way than he ever expected, leading all four men to discover that sometimes the only way forward is to revisit the past.

I failed to read the official blurb before reading the book because I didn’t want to be influenced, I just wanted to experience the story. For reasons, I’ll state later, it’s important to include the blurb above.

I included it now, because I did not get all the points listed above from reading the story and, in fact, it wasn’t until I went back and read the blurb that the story made some sense to me. Conclusion? The author did not convey the message she had planned to deliver. My review follows:

Noah convinces his boyfriend, and supposed Dom, Cameron, to take him to a leather convention in San Francisco. While picking up their registration forms and heading back to their room, Cam hears his name called by the speaker at a pre-conference workshop. He’s immediately embraced by big and burly Lou, the Dom doing the workshop. He’s then introduced to the attendees by his full name and profession—Dr. Cameron Beck, professor of queer studies at Boston University. (Is there such a major?) Lou then declares that Cameron used to be his boy and gives him a big smack on the cheek.

When he finally gets back to his room, he tells Noah about seeing Lou and informs him that they are invited to dinner with him. Noah’s enthusiastic response includes the statement that Lou is someone that they can try their “non-monogamy thing” with. When Cam questions him about doing it with Lou, Noah tells him that someone has to take the initiative.

So at this point in the story, I already found myself questioning the protocols at a conference where a former “leather title holder” would grab his former boy and introduce him by his full professional title without permission. And the “non-monogamy thing” Noah mentions is never explained the way it is in the blurb. It’s just stated and we’re never given background about the decision, nor is it really addressed later in the story.

As the story unfolds, it appears that Cam and Lou separated prematurely, and now Cam is longing to get back together with Lou, and Lou, though happy with his new sub, Stephen, doesn’t close out the possibilities for the future with Cam. I would have thought that if Cam is now a Dom, Lou may have been his trainer, but Cam just acts submissive and training is not addressed, so I wonder how Cam ended up being a Dom if his behavior is submissive.

To be honest, I was confused throughout the story in several different settings since Cam is supposedly Noah’s Dom but continually looks to Lou and even outright submits to Lou, going so far as to have alone time in which they have sex, and he submits again. Noah isn’t collared throughout most of the story and does seem to continually ask for more than Cam is willing to provide, even though he has thoughts about how proud he is of Cam and how he hopes that Cam will demonstrate his dominance in a scene. Noah and Cam do end up in Lou’s room (1024), however it’s more of a Noah and Stephen sex scene, with Cam and Lou coaching them than it is all four men together.

By the end of the book, which takes place over the course of the week-long conference, I still felt that the story was disjointed and choppy. I also found use of the present tense in the writing style annoying and confusing. The fact that twenty-four hours later, after reading several of the chapters twice, I’m still confused and having difficulty writing out the review leads me to the conclusion that I need to give the story no more than one star.

Cover by BSClay is a photo depicting a hand gripping a sheet and is symbolic of the BDSM content of the story.

Sales Links: Torquere Books All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It here

Book Details:

Expected publication: April 8th 2015 by Torquere Press
ISBN139781610409001
edition languageEnglish

settingSan Francisco, California (United States)

A MelanieM Review: Ever the Same by B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Audie Barrack is in it up to his elbows with a sick calf when his son’s school calls. Seems Grainger has gotten into yet another fight. When he walks into the principal’s office, he’s shocked to find his son has been fighting with a little girl named Randi. And that’s not the only shock. The little girl his boy has been fighting with has a blind dad, a widower when his husband recently passed away.

Dixon has lost his sight, his career, and his husband. Thank God for his brothers, Momma and Daddy, and his little girl, or he would simply give up. The last thing he needs is for Randi to start trouble at school, especially trouble that puts him in contact with another dad who might expect him to be a functional human being.

Dixon is struggling to live as a blind man, Audie is terrified someone might see he has a closet to come out of, and everyone from the school to both men’s families is worried for the men and their children. Unless they get themselves together and commit to change, neither of them stands a chance.

It’s no secret to those of you who have read my reviews that I am a huge fan of B.A. Tortuga. She has one of the finest ears for regional dialects and culture in the genre as well as the ability to write memorable characters. And that gift is apparent here in Ever The Same. In fact this book has so many elements that are hooks for me, that it has taken a while, and another reading to think about what I was going to write.

Why? Because some of the parts of this story that I find alluring are ones that other readers might not connect with, something not unusual in a B.A. Tortuga story. Let’s start with the characters, who, yes, can be defined by their conversational style and wording. Audie is rooted in the soil of his family’s ranch and the horses he loves almost as much as he loves his son. He is a plain speaker, full of the regional euphemisms and colloquial speak of the area. This is Audie, in a capsule of speech:

He gave Momma a call as he pulled his shirt on. “Momma, I got to run up to the school. Can you get Sister to keep an eye on the calf?”

“Is he sick? Grainger, I mean, not the calf.”

“Nope. It’s no big deal. I’ll be back in a jiff.” He hoped.

“Okay, Son. Your daddy’s due in off the road next weekend. He wants to take that boy of yours to a picture show. Tell him if he ain’t good, PopPop won’t take him.

Audie is a man filled with family and its obligations. A person with a huge heart, open mind, and realistic view of himself and his situation. I fell in love with him immediately.

The father of the little girl his son has been fighting with at school, is so very different from Audie…at least on the surface. Dixon is a musician blinded in the same car accident that killed his husband and he’s lost in his grief while trying to maintain a life for his adoring daughter. And she is not coping well either with the changes in her life and the loss of one of her dads. It’s country meet city in the most unusual way. Dixon and his daughter have moved from the city into the small town where his mother and step dad raise llamas. It’s round peg trying to fit into a square hole for both of them. This is a small scene from the principal’s office where the initial meeting about their kids hasn’t gone very well.

“I’ll talk to her. If it happens again, I’ll… shit, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll make it up as I go along.” The guy stood, and his mom handed him a cane. A white cane.

Oh Jesus fucking Christ. Seriously? Seriously, Grainger picked the kid with a blind dad and a dead….

Wait.

Her other dad was dead. Jesus. This guy was blind, had lost his man, and his kid was a shit? That sucked hugely. “I can try to get Grainger to help. I promise.” He had no idea why that popped out, except this guy’s life had to suck, and because it had been a long time since Audie had met anyone who would openly admit to being queer like he was.

“Take us home, Mom. Please.” Now that he could see the White guy, he kind of wanted to wince. Lean, tattooed—this guy wasn’t made to be here, and obviously he wasn’t a local. Hell, his parents weren’t that local; Audie didn’t know them.

“Of course, Son.” She stood and offered Audie a frosty smile. “Thank you for being so, er, understanding.” She put a hand on her son’s arm, and he turned her way, the cane tapping as they left the room.

Audie glared at Shannon Shields as soon as they were out of earshot. “You couldn’t’ve had Miz Laws warn me?”

“I assumed you knew, Audie. Everybody knows.”

The conflicts have been established, as well as some of their backgrounds and family circumstances and we are still early in the book. What a great job Tortuga has done to bring the readers into the various situations, letting us empathize with each “faction” and the small children involved. The need for understanding that is born out of this meeting will set the stage for the relationship and attraction to follow.

As with most of Tortuga’s plots and stories, no character exists as a isolated individual. Audie (25) is surrounded by his family, which includes along with his son, Grainger, a sister, Gracie, her kids, his “Momma”, and long haul trucker father. All on the family farm. Gracie’s husband is in the Army and is on tour abroad. This family has its own tensions, expectations, and stress along with the love. Dixon’s family is equally large and imposing, even more so. For Dixon (33) has brothers Damon 20, Dalton 18, Dan 31, along with his daughter Randi. Most are close with each other, and Dixon and Randi are now living with his upscale mother and step father on their llama farmette. I loved that while the two families have a foundation in agriculture they still couldn’t be farther apart in approach and style. Yet both sides are believable, layered and authentic. You can like them even if you aren’t fond of their actions.

The story winds through multiple stages of Audie and Dixon’s relationship and that of their kids, a major factor here just as it should be. For readers not fond of children or gay families in their stories, this element will put you off. Those of you, like me, with kids and who love to see them in stories, you will love following their growth and increasing closeness to each man. In this case, these two men and their children really do complete each other. It’s heartwarming and real. And yes, I loved it. Because the author makes every part of Audie and Dixon’s journey intimate and heartfelt. We are there along side them as Dixon starts to deal with his blindness and Audie becomes sure enough of himself to be openly gay in town. There are some very tough spots and situations to deal with but that’s pretty real and reasonable as well.

Tortuga includes a epilogue that stops the story just where it should. It’s funny, heartbreakingly alive, and leaves the reader satisfied as to how it all came out. How much do I love this story? Enough that when I want to smile and leave myself in a happy state, this will be one of the books I pick up. I highly recommend it and hope you will love it as much as I do.

Cover Artist: Christy Caughie did a beautiful job with the cover. I loved the colors and the composition. It easily draws the reader in. Great job.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 256 pages, also available in paperback

Published February 27th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN139781632168313

edition language English

A Mika Review: Ever The Same by B. A. Tortuga (A Double Dipping STRW review)

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5:

A little girl with one blind dad and one dad who recently passed away.

Goddammit.

After reading Say Something and The Terms of Release, I was so enthralled with B.A. Tortuga. She had this way with her words that just brought out all type of emotions within me. Both books were 5 star reads. Reading this my expectations was super high. I really wanted to like that. It was okay for me. I didn’t feel connected to the characters or the circumstances in the story.

This had all the elements of things I love. Hurt/comfort, children, disabilities and cowboys are all my happy spots, and I did enjoy some of them tremendously. I liked that both mc’s had children in not the most conventional way. I did like that both guys were good parents and had flaws. Parenthood isn’t easy.

What bothered me the most was the writing, and while both her previous books had locations in Texas this one felt different. I don’t know if they talk different, but it felt choppy when they talked. It felt disjointed in the writing and I had a hard time finishing it. I enjoyed both guy’s support system. I do feel like it just happened between one day and the next for the two guys. It was no level of attraction but bam it happened. I got confused when the point of view changes happened suddenly. All in all it was okay for me. I’m not thrilled by it and I will continue to read her work.

Cover Art by Christy Caughie. I don’t know if either of these guys are Audie & Dixon, after reading the story I just didn’t feel it was them. Where were Audie’s glasses at? They made that an important thing for a cowboy to be wearing. Dixon has tattoos, and his hair braided a lot. This didn’t really feel like them.

Sales Links: See full sales links here.

Book Details:

ebook, 256 pages
Published February 27th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632168313
edition language English

Book Url:http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6096

Heat Up with Never Too Early: Finding Their Way by Chris Owen and Tory Temple (excerpt and contest)

Combine Cowboys and Firefighters and what do you get? Finding Their Way (Never Too Early #2)

by Chris Owen and Tory Temple!

Finding Their Way (Never Too Early#2) by Chris Owen and Tory Temple
Should not be read as a standalone
Release Date: April 15, 2015

Chris Owen has been a favorite of mine since Owen’s Bareback books introduced us to Tor and Jake. And Tory Temple’s Firefighters have been heating up things for 6 novels. The combination in Never Too Early: The Beginning, it was explosive. Now both Tor and Jake and Chance and Tucker are back in a book you won’t want to miss! Check it out below and don’t forget to enter the contest too.

Never Too Early: Finding Their Way (Never Too Early#2) by Chris Owen and Tory Temple

When Jake Taggart fell from the roof of his barn, Tor had only one thought — to reach out to Chance Shanahan and Tucker McBride for support. In this follow-up to Never Too Early: The Beginning, the first book in the Cowboy/Firefighter series, the two couples are reunited in their mutual concern for Jake. But how far will that concern go?

A strong friendship begins to explore the boundaries of something else; something all four men never looked for or expected. Emotions and attraction are difficult to deny, try as they might, but giving in has the potential to destroy everything both couples have worked so hard for. How will they handle something that none of them set out to find?

Pages or Words: 54,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Menage/Poly, Cowboy, Romance

Jake reached out and touched the back of Chance’s hand. “Thank you for coming all this way to be with me. Thank you for coming to sit next to me, and for helping Tor. Thank you for everything you and Tucker have done around here, but mostly thank you for being someone I can count on.” Jake nodded firmly and looked up into Chance’s face, studying his eyes. “Thanks for caring so much.”

Chance’s gaze was steady and direct. “I didn’t mean to,” he said quietly. “I thought you were a good guy, that’s all. I thought you were nice and funny and smart and easy to talk to. I didn’t mean for there to be more than that.”

Jake nodded. “I know. We all know. But there is, and I’m okay with that. Thankful for it, really. And so is Tor. And Tucker sent me upstairs to talk to you, and said not to let you overthink it.” He smiled, trying not to shake with nerves. “So sit down here next to me and stop thinking.”

Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay

Sales Links: Torquere Books

About the authors:

Chris Owen: I live and write in eastern Canada. I went to a bunch of schools, learned a lot of things, and now make stuff up because not to do so is unthinkable. I’m fond of fountain pens, Levenger’s Circa system, and Steampunk fashions. Lately I’ve been watching a lot of Discovery channel. I’ve seen every episode of CSI Las Vegas and New York, but I’m not terribly keen on CSI Miami. It might be due to weather envy. I have a crush on the whole cast of Criminal Minds, and fondness for wool. The two are not related. Hoarders keeps me honest. I’m inspired by the day to day minutia of life, and find beauty in the way words go together. I like texture and richness of experience. I’m not shy. I’m happy, I’m learning, I’m living.

Tory Temple: Tory lives and works in southern California, where she spends a lot of time around firemen. She visits the beach frequently and wears flip flops even in the winter. Tory likes television, salted pistachios in the shell, and chenille socks. She dislikes cauliflower, not being able to find the right shoes in the morning, and not having enough free time. She shares her space with numerous pets, including but not limited to cats, dogs, and tortoises.

Where to find the authors:

Websites: http://www.chrisowen.net http://www.torytemple.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Owen/362850963876393
https://www.facebook.com/torytemple
Twitter:
Chris Owen: https://twitter.com/chris_owen
Tory Temple: https://twitter.com/ToryTemple

Tour Dates & Stops: April 9, 2015

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Molly Lolly, Inked Rainbow Reads, Cate Ashwood, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Love Bytes, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Chris McHart, 3 Chicks After Dark,

Multitasking Mommas, Divine Magazine, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, The Blogger Girls

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of the story. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and Prizes provided by the authors and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Mika Review: More than Anything by T.T. Kove

Rating: 4.5 star out of 5 stars

Arriving home after work one evening, Jørgen sees a young man who looks adrift and out of place—and who promptly has a seizure on the sidewalk. Jørgen takes care of him until the seizure passes and then, not knowing who to contact, takes care of him for the night. After giving the kid, Geir, a ride home the next morning, he expects that to be the end of it.  He doesn’t expect Geir to be a student at the vocational school where Jørgen works as an electrician. He definitely does not expect to be drawn to Geir time and again, to want things that will never be possible for two people with more obstacles between them than can ever be overcome.

This was a first for me by this author. I truly enjoyed this book. I was taken aback by some things, but I have to remember that there are rules outside North America. LOL.   I didn’t know how I would feel about a 16 yr old being in a relationship with a 22 yr old, but T.T. Kove surely wrote it beautifully.

Geir was so amazing; all he wanted was a mate. I found myself tearing up whenever he would talking about being lonely, hell they didn’t tease him for being gay, no, these insensitive ass children teased him for having Epilepsy something he has no freaking control over. I was so pissed off at every push, hit, taunting. I know a book has affected me when I want to step inside Geir’s school and deal with the bullies instead of him. I was mad as hell his father left his 3 weeks out the month for work. I understand him having to have a job, but not noticing anything about your only child until he got hit in the face was crazy.

I don’t have children yet, and I am the first to not judge a parent but really liked he was super lonely, and the first person to show him an ounce of kindness outside of family was the tragic boy himself Jorgen. I know he isn’t a boy, but when he was, no one protected him at all. Reading that letter he wrote to Geir literally broke me in to pieces.   Both of these guys stepped outside themselves and decided to trust each other.

I like Daniel & Thomas. I wish we had more fathers, uncles, and role models like this in the world.   I had a couple of issues but they were my personal beliefs so I couldn’t factor those into my rating. Why not 5 stars? Well I really wanted to know more about Kay, since he was brought up more times. I also would have liked an epilogue. What is happening since Geir moved it? At the end of the day I truly loved this book, I devoured it and surely I want more. Can’t wait for book 2.

Cover Art by T.T. Kove. I actually liked the cover a lot. I liked that it showed Geir right in his moment; it showed him going forward in his life.

Sales Links: Less Than Three Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here
Book Details:

ebook, 380 pages
Published September 24th 2014 by Less Than Three Press LLC
original titleMore Than Anything
ISBN139781620044292
edition languageEnglish
seriesMore Than Anything #1
charactersJørgen Lister, Geir Berger settingSmall town (Norway) (Norway)

A Sammy Review: A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) by Keira Andrews

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Anna stepped back just as Eli appeared. She nodded to David and dashed back upstairs with an apologetic smile to Eli, who sighed.

“She reminds me of a horse I once had. Wouldn’t pull the plow no matter how much I coaxed or threatened.”

“What did you do with it in the end?”

Eli shrugged. “Let it run free. What else was there to do? Come now. I’ll take you where you want to go.”

In the third and final (for now) book of the series, tragedy forces David and Isaac to return to Zebulon, a place they’d left behind just months earlier.

The city has taken a toll on their relationship, but coming back to a place they once called home is even scarier than the chaotic streets of San Francisco. Here, they once again face their parents and loved ones, all who struggle to understand their decision to leave not only their family, but the Amish way, and in turn, lose their ticket to Heaven.

Between family pressure, repairing their relationship, and the threat of losing Nathan for good, this place in their journey is sure to be a difficult one.

He knew they had problems they needed to face, but there was a sense of certainty growing deep inside him that felt sturdy and right. A certainty that despite whatever mistakes they made, this thing between them was solid and sure, rooted deep into the earth like the roots of a tree. No matter what happened, they’d face it together.

This book couldn’t have been more aptly named. It truly was a lot about finding a way home, but more than that, figuring out what home really meant to each of them.

I complained about a loss of something magic in the previous book, and this book gained some of that spark back for sure. There’s just something about the forbidden nature of love in Zebulon and how it all relates to their family that adds a dimension to it. The family, though we did see Aaron, was missing in the last book. Not here, though. They’re all back.

And speaking of family, I can honestly say one of my favorite aspects of this story was feeling like I got to know them a bit better, especially Isaac’s mother. My heart absolutely broke for her and that the author allowed us to see her struggle and be so emotionally raw was truly a gift. One particular scene between her and Isaac felt so incredibly genuine that I almost was afraid to read it, like I was invading a personal moment between them. I had a rough idea of her as a woman before, but now I feel like I know her so much more.

I also really enjoyed getting to see Aaron and Jen come into this world. Like with Isaac’s mother, I feel like I got to know Aaron so much more in this book. Hearing about the love he has for his family, even now, and seeing it, are two completely different things, and we definitely see it here.

And of course, Isaac and David – this wonderfully enticing pair that kept me coming back for more. Love conquers all is such a cheesy thing to say, but in their case, I’d say it’s true. Throw in a dash of patience and understanding, and they really have something beautiful. They grow both apart and together in this book, and it’s a great thing to see. Sometimes in a series, the characters become kind of stagnant. There’s just a new plot line with the same old person, but that’s not the case here. They evolve more with each page.

What keeps this from being a full five stars to me is the ending. While I was mostly satisfied, something still felt off to me. The epilogue just seemed to jump to a random point in the future and try to wrap things up so quickly. The books rolled out so slowly and evenly, and then it’s just thrown together at the end, and I think that’s what left me a bit off. I felt like they all deserved more of a full ending, but hopefully we get to see more of them in the future.

The cover art is very nice and flows well with the others in the book. The only thing I can pick at is that the guy on the left has this skin roll thing happening, which is completely shallow, but it simply sticks out to me in a not-so-great way. He’s attractive, it’s just the angle that’s causing the problem for me.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages
Expected publication: April 8th 2015 by KA Books
ISBN139780993859892
edition languageEnglish
seriesGay Amish Romance #3

Gay Amish Romance Trilogy:

A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance #1)
A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2)
A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) by Keira Andrews

In The Spotlight: Keira Andrews and A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) (interview and contest)

A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) by Keira Andrews

The end of the Trilogy

Here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, we fell in love with Keira Andrews from the moment we picked up A Forbidden Rumspringa, the first in her Gay Amish Romance trilogy. And now with A Way Home, the trilogy is over but not our romance with this author and her stories. We invited her here today to talk about the inspiration behind her stories and what’s next in line for Keira Andrews.

Our Interview with Keira Andrews on A Way Home and her Gay Amish Romance Trilogy

1. Did you know this was going to be a trilogy from the start?

Yes. Well, initially it was going to be a novella, but I soon realized Isaac and David had a LOT more to say. Once I started writing, it quickly became a planned trilogy.

2. Why the Amish as a main story element?

It started out as a chuckle with an m/m blogger who mentioned that she got a lot of hits for “sexy Amish men.” It started my mind working, and I took out a book on the Amish from the library. It’s a fascinating culture so different from mine, and I thought readers might find it interesting as well. I’m also a huge fan of forbidden love.

3. I found the scenes within the Amish community so effective and real, how much research did you do in order to accomplish that?

Thank you! I read a lot and also connected with some former Amish. Their stories and recollections were incredibly helpful.

4. Coming out is hard enough, to do so in such a closed and restrictive community must be shockingly difficult. You got that across in the stories. Was there a key to finding your way inside such characters and moments in their lives?

I think it was just to put myself in their shoes as firmly as I could. Leave all my prejudices and experiences behind, and imagine that world and their experiences as authentically as possible.

5. Parts of these stories just broke my heart and others made it soar, do you find yourself as emotionally affected when writing the scenes?

Totally. If I make myself cry, I know it’s an effective scene!

6. What is the first word that enters your mind when thinking about this series?

Gratitude. I’m so grateful to readers for embracing Isaac and David and loving them as much as I do.

7. What is next for Keira Andrews?

My next book, Kick at the Darkness, is coming in May. It’s a contemporary romance about a college student and the TA he hates (who is also a secret werewolf) being stuck together on the run as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse. So it’s just a little different from the Amish series! A lot more blood and adventure, and fewer barn raisings. I like to challenge myself in a variety of genres, and this one was really fun. But I do have an idea for a fourth book about Isaac and David that would take place down the road, so I’ll be working on that as well.

More About A Way Home:

Will returning to their Amish roots renew their faith in each other?

Isaac and David never thought they’d go back to the Amish world. But when Isaac’s younger brother is stricken with cancer, they don’t hesitate to return. Their relationship is on the rocks after insecurity and fear drove a wedge between them in San Francisco, and David is determined to make things right. Yet if they thought navigating “English” life was confusing, being back in Zebulon is even more complicated.

Their families are desperate to bring them back into the fold, and pressure from the community builds. Isaac and David yearn for a future together, but each day it becomes harder to hide the truth about who they really are. They’re caught between two worlds, and if they’re not careful it could tear them further apart.

Can Isaac and David make their way back to each other—and find a place to call home?

This is the final chapter in a trilogy of forbidden Amish love.

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

Book Details: ebook, 240 pages
Expected publication: April 8th 2015 by KA Books
ISBN139780993859892
edition languageEnglish

The rest of the Trilogy:

A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance #1)

When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?

In a world where every detail of life—down to the width of a hat brim—is dictated by God and the all-powerful rules of the community, two men dare to imagine a different way. At 18, Isaac Byler knows little outside the strict Amish settlement of Zebulon, Minnesota, where there is no rumspringa for exploration beyond the boundaries of their insular world. Isaac knows he’ll have to officially join the church and find a wife before too long, but he yearns for something else—something he can’t name.

Dark tragedy has left carpenter David Lantz alone to support his mother and sisters, and he can’t put off joining the church any longer. But when he takes on Isaac as an apprentice, their attraction grows amid the sweat and sawdust. David shares his sinful secrets, and he and Isaac struggle to reconcile their shocking desires with their commitment to faith, family and community.

Now that they’ve found each other, are they willing to lose it all?

Note: Contains explicit sexual situations and graphic language. This is not an inspirational/Christian romance.

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

A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2)
They’ve escaped to the outside world—but can they really be free?

David and Isaac have found happiness in each other’s arms. In faraway San Francisco, Isaac’s brother Aaron helps them explore confusing “English” life and move beyond the looming shadow of their Amish roots. For the first time, David and Isaac can be openly gay, yet they struggle to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. At least they don’t have to hide their relationship, which should make everything easier. Right?

But while Isaac thrives at school and makes new friends, David wrestles to come to terms with the reality of the outside world. Haunted by guilt at leaving his mother and sisters behind in Zebulon, he’s overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city as he works to get his carpentry business off the ground.

While David and Isaac finally sleep side by side each night, fear and insecurity could drive them miles apart.

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

About the Author:

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

You can find Keira Andrews at http://www.keiraandrews.com/

To celebrate the end of the Gay Amish Trilogy and the release of A Way Home, Keira Andrews is giving away a copy of A Forbidden Rumspringa, the wonderful novel that started it all. Please leave a comment below as well as an email address where you can be reached, that’s part of the entry process.

To enter to win, you must be 18 years of age or older. Use the link provided to enter and for all additional contest details.

Contest ends midnight, April 30th, EDT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A MelanieM Review: Gavin & Morgan (Storming Love: Blizzard #5) by Nicole Dennis

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Drained from forecasting both hurricanes and twisters, Gavin Larson, a meteorologist, accepts a request to become the head forecaster for a Philadelphia television station. He goes for a trial time during winter. A calm, quiet winter where he can recharge. Until he discovers a series of potential events ready to clash.

Taking over his family’s position, Morgan Rylee Whittaker III feels the pressure to follow their lofty attitude, he can’t stay hidden in the executive suites. He jumps into the chaos. Bumping into the meteorologist, Morgan feels a thump of arousal, but listens when Gavin locates a dangerous blizzard heading up the coast.

Together, they protect and prepare Philadelphia from the incoming nor’easter. They dance around the steady beat of attraction brewing between them as the storm rages.

Gavin & Morgan by Nicole Dennis brings up the end (for me) of MLR’s Storming Love: Blizzard collection and it’s fitting that it goes out with a romance between a meteorologist and the owner of a tv station during the blizzard of the century. Gavin Larson is an intense, “owned by his job” man. His passion is the weather but that passion has taken him into jobs such as hurricane and then tornado forecasting that has left him burned out. The offer of a job at a station in Philadelphia holds out the promise of less meteorological drama and some much needed down time. After all, says his old college friend that hires him, nothing huge ever happens weather wise in Philly. Of course, Mother Nature and a Polar Vortex have other ideas.

Also trying out a new position is Morgan Rylee Whittaker III, stepping into the manager shoes at his family media company. When he meets Gavin, its due to the fact that Gavin sees unstable and dangerous fronts forming and wants to start alerting the community around him that a huge snow storm is headed their way. It doesn’t help that newcomer Gavin is the only meteorologist with this forecast or that the “on camera” old school weatherman refuses to use Gavin’s forecasts. It’s a clash of old established ways of doing business against the new “youngsters” at the station, even if one happens to be the son of the owner.

It’s a great storyline and one I enjoyed immensely. Dennis makes her characters and their passions for their jobs believable and grounded in authenticity of the forecasts heard nightly on the weather forecasts. The weather patterns and the buildup, from equipment to the various fronts forming to build the “storm of the century” felt plausible and real. The same goes for the attraction building at the same time between the men during this stressful time. I liked that this is no instant love sort of story, more instant attraction and respect that might grow into something larger and deeper down the line.

In fact, Gavin and Morgan could easily have been written as a much larger story. The men and their backgrounds were not only complicated and interesting but the present position that each found themselves in could have been made more layered by adding the background that was only hinted at. I wanted to know more about Gavin’s past stressful jobs and the life style that brought him to Philadelphia. Same goes for Morgan and his strained relationship with his father.

The clash of personalities of the station was also well done as was the “wear and tear” of a 24 to 48 hour non-stop working situation during a “storm of a lifetime” broadcast. That aspect of the story was fleshed out beautifully and felt as real as any other element here.

What hurt the story? The editing and incorrect word choices not caught by either the author or editor. At one point in the story, Gavin is said to be ” the finest meteorologist and one of the most facetious researchers” in the country. Uh, no. Facetious would be if he “treated serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor” or was flippant about his job. That is the opposite of Gavin. Further along, poor Gavin got the brunt of even more malapropisms when it talks about his calm “facade” when I suppose the author meant demeanor or mien. Façade which is actually the spelling Dennis used means ” outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality”, definitely not what the author intended. I think Dennis wanted to get across that Gavin had a strong, calm presence in front of the camera in face of this dangerous storm. But that’s not what she said. Oh, for a Funk and Wagnalls. These inappropriate word choices had pulled me straight out of the story because I was so dumbfounded that the errors had not been caught before publication. There’s more but I think I made the point needed. Poor editing hurts a story, it stops the flow of the narrative and makes the reader start concentrating on structural elements rather than the plot. This should have rated a 4 star or higher rating. But the inaccuracies and inconsistent editing pulled it down.

I liked this story, and thought the major elements were well crafted. Perhaps I’m too picky and the things that bothered me about the story aren’t as important to you. Pick it up and decide for yourself. For me, its spring and I’m looking forward to flowers, and higher temperatures while putting the snow, Polar Vortexes, and all things similar away for another season. If you find yourself missing the cold, and snow and ice of the past months, pick up any of the six stories that form the Storming Love: Blizzard collection. There you will find a story sure to bring those months and romance alive once more.

Cover art by Kris Jacen. A simple cover that serves to brand the series as a collection.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 81 pages
Published February 22nd 2015 by ManLove Romance Press
ASINB00TXELCB0
edition languageEnglish
seriesStorming Love: Blizzard

Stories in the Storming Love: Blizzard Collection are:

Jens & Elliot (Storming Love: Blizzard #1) by Sara York
Kimo & Mike (Storming Love: Blizzard, #2) by Neil S. Plakcy
Seth and Casey (Storming Love, Blizzard #3) by R.J. Scott
Layne, River & Damion (Storming Love: Blizzard #4) by Vicktor Alexander
Gavin & Morgan (Storming Love: Blizzard #5) by Nicole Dennis
Stokes & Ford (Storming Love: Blizzard #6) by Jackie Nacht

A Sammy Review: Slasherazzi by Daniel A. Kaine

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Alex Beckman, newly promoted to detective, already has the case of his career, no, his life. The serial killer dubbed Slasherazzi is like nothing anyone’s seen before. With each murder, the killer is getting more and more daring. At first, the bodies were found his slashes all done postmortem, but now the killer is torturing them first, and takes it even a step further when he picks high-risk targets.

It seems nothing can be done to catch him. He’s too careful, too precise. To top off the theme of failure seeming to seep into Alex’s life, he’s also maybe-somewhat back on with his on-again off-again boyfriend, Vincent Fairfield, a journalist who got his first big break by breaking Alex’s trust.

With the bodies piling up and suspicion brewing, there’s no telling who the killer may be, or where he’ll strike next.

Hello, mind fuck, how are you today? Good, that’s great. Me too.

I had hunches along the way and they often went back and forth. It’s this person, no it’s this person, oh man, what if it is that person. This story got me so twisted with theories and when it finally revealed the truth, I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks.

First of all, I have to commend Mr. Kaine on his delivery of the reveal. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it was the most perfect way to do it. I was speechless and actually had to reread that particular part a few times. My first thought was “He’s jerking my chain, right?” Nope, no chain being jerked by Mr. Kaine. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

I was literally at 92% and still had no idea what was going to happen, so when it did, yep. Stunned. I’m still cruising on that misty dafuq feeling. I feel like I’m floating, or maybe I just lost my brain for a bit.

Okay, so, the rest of the story. It was good too. I’ve never made it a mystery that I love all things dark and delirious. This hit all those buttons, and then some. As an editor or beta reader, I’ve always encouraged authors to push more, just a little more, reach that much more. Well, I think that this author reached that far and then reached some more. He truly exposed some of the most raw, fucked up imaginations I’ve read in a long time, and I ate it up. Completely, totally, ate it up. If you’ve read the book, that will probably make you throw up in your mouth a bit, but so be it.

This story is not for someone who can’t handle explicit details of mutilation and torture. When I say that, I don’t mean the kind of torture we read in BDSM. This torture is so twisted and depraved, it left even me speechless.

So, Mr. Kaine, may I have a ticket to the darkest parts of your mind? I think I rather like it there. Until then, I think I may have to reread this with new eyes.

The cover art by Wilde City Press fits the story nearly perfectly. The only exception is that I wish the knife had been made of a different material (as to resemble a certain weapon in the story). All in all, though, it represents the story quite well.

Sales Links: Wilde City Press Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 189 pages
Published June 11th 2014 by Wilde City Press
ISBN139781925180152
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.danielakaine.com
settingTampa, Florida (United States)

A Mika Review: Defined by Deceit by A.E. Via

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Life isn’t always fair, and that’s something that Llewellyn Gardner knows about first hand. His life was on the fast track until one night of extreme passion changed everything. Now eight years later, he’s still living with the aftershocks of that night. Everywhere he turns or runs, there’s another reminder. What the hell do you do when you try to drown your demons only to find out they can swim?

Shane Smith, Jr. owner of Smith Construction, could see the emotional turmoil within his new employee — it’s why he hired him. There was something about the gorgeous, misunderstood man with the overly expressive eyes that came to their small town with a past no one was willing to overlook. Shane could see the good in Llewellyn, and those eyes of his were a clear window to his soul. Shane wasn’t going to let the man live a future of solitude because his past had been plagued with deceit.

Llewellyn wasn’t sure what to think about Shane. After years of protecting himself from being tricked twice, he was now faced with worry again. What would happen to him if Shane didn’t believe his truth, and walked away? Llewellyn wasn’t sure he’d be able to survive being left alone. Again.

I’m shocked and in awe of this book. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t read this author for her writing skills or plots at all. I strictly went into reading this book because she writes good SMUT. OMG, Tamika, be still with your tongue until you know next time. She has surprised me, with emotions that I haven’t gotten out of her yet. Man the first 50% of this story had me in constant tears. I literally wanted to go to inbred, backwoods Virginia (Just my personal opinion, excuse me if this isn’t you =) ) and rip a new hole in Moss the sixth! I literally wanted to destroy him with everything I had in me. After my initial shock and treatment of Llewellyn I wanted to try to see where this was going to go.

I can’t really say much without giving up the plot. A.E. Via, if you are reading this please write a book for Ace & Big Waldo!!! Please, I’m begging you. Back to the story, Llew has to get his life together and it’s not easy. I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes. It was so heartbreaking what he went through, but he is a survivor. One thing that surprised me was when he was confronted with his past. He let it go, and his reasoning made sense. Whereas I wanted what Shane wanted, revenge, anger and everything else, but that didn’t matter because Llew is an awesome guy.

Let’s talk about Shane Smith Jr, he gave a guy a chance when the entire world turned his back on him. Shane’s spirit was just a breath of fresh air. Honestly I didn’t think he had a mean bone in his body but he definitely isn’t a pushover. I liked how the relationship between the two progressed. I absolutely loved the scene between Big Daddy and Shane. Their relationship made sense in a way, which I would like to see in more m/m books with the southern states as the setting. The supporting cast was good. Leslie is a great brother; Ms. Pat was good as well. I really am impressed with this book, and can’t wait to see if we get a follow-up!

. Cover Art by.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 300 pages
Published March 26th 2015 by Via Star Wings Publishing
original titleDefined By Deceit
ISBN139780990608981
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.authoraevia.com/new-release

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Combine Cowboys and Firefighters and what do you get? Finding Their Way (Never Too Early #2)

by Chris Owen and Tory Temple!

Finding Their Way (Never Too Early#2) by Chris Owen and Tory Temple Should not be read as a standalone Release Date: April 15, 2015

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) by Keira Andrews

The end of the Trilogy

Our Interview with Keira Andrews on A Way Home and her Gay Amish Romance Trilogy

A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance #1)

A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2) They’ve escaped to the outside world—but can they really be free?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Finding Their Way (Never Too Early#2) by Chris Owen and Tory Temple
Should not be read as a standalone
Release Date: April 15, 2015

A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2)
They’ve escaped to the outside world—but can they really be free?