Category: eBooks

A Jeri Recent Release Review: Living Out Loud by Nyrae Dawn & Christina Lee

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

After being raised in a super religious family and town, Ben finally strikes out on his own in San Francisco. Even though he is finally free to be himself, the conditioning he received to “turn him straight” makes it so that he cannot really be free. After garnering the courage to reach out to his childhood friend, Xavier, they meet up. Ben is in awe of how Xavier is his authentic self, unafraid of what anyone thinks of him. So he hatches a plan…..
So, wow. This book is a co-written work between Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn. Nyrae Dawn is the young adult author name of Riley Hart. So being a half written Nyrae work, I did not expect it to be as hot as it was. HOT.
I pretty much adored Xavier. People who don’t care what anyone else thinks about them, living however they want, I just think is amazing. And even though he lived that way, he still was afraid of falling in love. If anyone should have been open to love, it was Xavier. But he is open to sex.
Ben was cute. His shyness, not only with Xavier, but in life, is a bit heartbreaking but also understandable with his upbringing.
Xavier and Ben together were swoony. They really challenged each other. Xavier challenging Ben to grow sexually and Ben challenging Xavier to grow emotionally. Throughout the book you can see why they were so easily best friends as children. They just come together so easily in all ways. They constantly lift each other up, make each other laugh and are just generally comfortable with each other. And they seem more comfortable with themselves when they are together.
Friends to lovers, second chances, a quirky older woman (another fave of mine. because I may or may not be a quirky 40 something woman), two authors I adore. Recipe for a delicious book.
Cover Design by X-Potion Designs. I seriously wanted to lick the cover.
Sales Links:  Amazon
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 250 pages
Published September 6th 2017 by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn
ASINB075FRXF2Z

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Maybe This Time by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating 4 stars out of 5

This was a delightful story!  As thirty-year-old Ryan is moving into his new apartment building on his birthday, he’s very pleased to see the tall, gorgeous silver-haired man who comes jogging up the road and heads into his building.  Though he at first thought he was an older guy in great shape, when he gets a closer look, it’s easy to see the man is not much older than he is, even though prematurely gray. 

Matt Thomas doesn’t stop to acknowledge his hot new neighbor but he gets a good look, nonetheless.  At thirty-eight, he keeps in top physical condition so it’s easy to pull new guys into his bed whenever he’s horny.  Never one to spend more than one night with a guy, his best friend and hair stylist, Sam, will testify that Matt is firmly committed to two things: leaving his hair silver and never having a relationship. Never more than one night—that’s Matt’s motto. 

So when he finds himself lusting after Ryan one night, he justifies his thoughts about having a one-nighter with a neighbor by thinking that maybe they can be friends.  Ryan agrees and then next thing he knows, Matt wants to be friends with benefits because one night is not enough, after all.   Okay, Ryan can do that, although as his best friend, Josh, reminds him he hasn’t been successful at this in the past. 

The two go along as friends with benefits, while jogging together, eating meals afterward, and becoming friends, until one day when Matt’s dad is hurt and Ryan goes with him to the hospital. He realizes afterward that Ryan means more to him than simple friendship but now he’s afraid to admit it and is afraid that maybe this time he’s willing but Ryan might not be. 

There’s more to the story than this surface summary of the romance, but on the whole, it’s a basically a sweet and simple love story, filled with some very heated moments as well as some tender times between the two engaging MCs. 

If you’re looking for a light read that will make you feel good, by all means, consider this one. 

~~~

The cover by Natasha Snow features a photo of a very handsome and smiling thirtysomething man wearing jeans and a T-shirt and running his fingers through his hair.  It’s very attractive but I would have liked it much better if the man had lighter, more silver-toned hair, as it was one of Matt’s strongest features and frequently mentioned in the story. 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 246 pages
Published August 30th 2017
ASINB0755P7B55

Review Tour & Giveaway – Annabelle Jacobs’ Maybe This Time

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 60,000 words approx
 
Cover Design: Natasha Snow
 
Blurb


Moving into a new home starts with a bang when Ryan Blackwell celebrates turning thirty. Being hungover means he’s bleary-eyed and clumsy the next day, but even in that state, he can appreciate how sexy and fit his neighbour is.

Matt Thomas isn’t looking for anything long-term—one and done is usually his life rule. Why settle down early, like his sister, when casual relationships are so easy? With Ryan living in the same building, chance encounters are inevitable. When one night together becomes two, a friends-with-benefits deal seems a natural progression.

There’s only one problem: sex with no strings relies on matching expectations, so Ryan can’t help worrying. His huge heart always wants more, but Matt’s been clear about his limits. As passion leads to caring, they’ll have to make some tough decisions—maybe this time, breaking some rules will be worth it if that means they’ll get to share a future.

Look for Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’ Review here!

August 30 – Au Boudoir Ecarlate
September 1 – Zipper Rippers, MJ’s Book Blog & Reviews, The Geekery Book Review
September 4 – Gay Media Reviews
September 6 – Jessie G Books
September 8 – Sexy Erotic Xciting, Southern Babes Book Blog, My Fiction Nook, Making It Happen, MM Good Book Reviews
September 11 – BFD Book Blog, Diverse Reader
September 13 – RAM PA Group, Padme’s Library, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Sarandipity Book Reviews, Jim’s Reading Room
September 15 – Bayou Book Junkie, V’s Reads, Wicked Reads

Author Bio


Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Twitter : https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction
Website : www.annabellejacobs.com
Email : ajacobsfiction@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction

Giveaway

Review Tour & Giveaway – Con Riley’s Be My Best Man

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 260 pages
 
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
 
Blurb


Will Jason’s third time as a best man lead to first-time love for Vanya?


After fleeing violence in Moscow, student teacher Vanya Petrov winds up lonely in a run-down London hostel. At least visiting the Bond Street store where his roommate works lets him practice his English, but as Vanya’s vocabulary expands, so does his isolation, especially when he sees happy couples planning their perfect weddings.


According to Jason Balfour, weddings are a waste of time and money. After all, he’s been best man for his brother twice already. Saying that a third marriage will end in divorce too leads to an angry ultimatum: to save his relationship with his brother, Jason must meet his fiancée, at last, and make a good first impression.


Jason’s need to dress to impress brings him and Vanya together. Language is no barrier to falling in love with the young and fragile Russian, and neither is their age difference. But Vanya’s bruised soul carries secrets that could rip them apart. As the wedding draws near, Vanya must confess, and soon, or risk losing Jason—his own best man in Britain.

 

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 5 star review here.


 

September 7 – Back Porch Reader, Mikku-chan
September 9 – The Geekery Book Review
September 11 – Urban Smoothie Read
September 13 – V’s Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Making It Happen, MM Good Book Reviews
September 15 – Diverse Reader, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Sarandipity Book Reviews, Slashsessed, My Fiction Nook
Author Bio
 

Con Riley lives on the wild and rugged Devonshire coast, with her head in the clouds, and her feet in the Atlantic Ocean.


Injury curtailed her enjoyment of outdoor pursuits, so writing fiction now fills her free time. Love, loss, and redemption shape her romance stories, and her characters are flawed in ways that makes them live and breathe.


When not people watching, or wrangling her own boy band of teen sons, she spends time staring at the sea from her kitchen window. If you see her, don’t disturb her—she’s probably thinking up new plots.

 
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A Stella Recent Release Review:Of Gods and Monsters: Komainu (Of Gods and Monsters #3) by Wulf Francú Godgluck

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Hades

His innocence was the fire that blighted the deepest dark, but even he can’t save the King from a past stained so black, the devil won’t even touch it.

Years creep up on you, like a rotting hand: cold and wet, it will drag you down into your grave.

Life will hand you eternity only to rip it away from you.

Love will slaughter you in the most beautiful way and still manage to nail you in the ass, bareback, when you see him choose the heart of another man.

But Death… He is a patient soul. He waits, and he waits, and he waits.

‘Cause the bastard knows he will always have the last laugh when he knocks at the door.

Kemono

Memories were all I had, all I had clung to as my heart turned to stone and finally to dust.

Now he is mine and I will hold him, and I will kiss him. We will dance and we will laugh, and we will cry… We will be human together…

I did not know heaven until I knew him.

There is no greater power that can tear and rip your world apart as when their lips finally kiss yours again.

But being human comes at a fatal price.

Sometimes you have to let go of the hand you hold onto so tightly that it brought pain, because that is the only way you can save them from Death.

Rex

Why did she take them away, hand them back, then force me to choose?

Is love really that cruel, that she would enjoy tormenting you as you watch the two men you love with your whole heart, kill each other…?

And then, my worst fear, my deepest darkest nightmare became a living breathing thing.

Death had come to take from us what we could never replace.

I’m not sure what to write in this review and the reason is pretty simple: I loved the story even if I should not have. I was desperately waiting for this new release to come out. I begged for it. And I was satisfied, well until a point, because the author went where he shouldn’t have and he knows it. And I can’t talk about it so I have no clue how to well explain why I have mixed feelings about the story.
Let’s start saying I spent a lot of days on this book, it took me a while to finish it and of course I savoured every single word but I struggled with them too. It wasn’t simple to read, maybe because I felt it more violent, maybe because I’m too used to other themes in my “usual” books, I don’t know. Yes the story is dark but if you already are familiar with the series you know what to expect. Although in this new installment things went ballistic and more than once they were uncomfortable to me.
I loved the structure of the narration,, how the author decided to tell me what was going to happen, I adored how I had time to know the characters better, especially to see Rex alone by himself and then Hades and Kimono together. They were nutcases but they were so deeply connected I couldn’t wait for Rex to be with them and get their HEA.
I can’t say more but if you are reading the series you need KOMAINU now. I’m waiting for more to come and truly hope the author will give me and the characters some deserved peace.
Cover art is dark and menacing.  Exactly what I’ve come to expect.
Sales Links:  Amazon
Book Details:
Published 2016 by Self
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesOf Gods and Monsters #3

A MelanieM Pre-Release Review: Enter the Dragon (The Bestiary) by Jamie Sullivan

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Since a ceasefire was called on the Dragon Wars, dragons and humans have lived in an uneasy partnership. To help humans understand dragons and prepare future dragon trainers, the Academy was created. Jac Conway is an eager student, long enthralled with all things dragon. But even he, with all his hopes and ambitions, never dreamed of just how close to them one night would bring him …

For a short story I found myself totally sunk into this world in a short amount of time.  The author throws us and Jae down a scary tunnel on mating night and the rest of the story just carries us away.  Yes, I wish to know more about the past history, how the dragons decided it was worth it to come together with humans.  The tantalizing elements here raise so many questions that a mere 50 odd pages can’t begin to answer.

But the promise, the characters, small and large, the glimpses I saw of something bigger…well, if this is the start of a series I can’t wait to see what the author brings next.  I hope to see these characters again as well.  What a way to shake up an  academy!

Cover art by Kirby Crow is pretty, but the blue is distracting.

Sales Links:  Pre order Links at Less Than Three Press

Book Details:

ebook. 56 pages
Expected publication: October 4th 2017 by Less Than Three Press (first published November 21st 2012)
ISBN13 9781684311057
Edition Language English
Series The Bestiary

An Alisa Review: His Secret Admirer by Edward Kendrick

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

 

When the first note shows up at the restaurant where he works — when he isn’t designing costumes for a local theater — Jim Foster laughs it off. When the notes keep coming, he doesn’t find the fact that he might have a secret admirer quite so amusing.

 

Alan North, a lonely, bookish customer at the restaurant, is too shy to even think of talking to Jim — as much as he wants to.

 

Then the killings begin. Two of Jim’s friends are murdered in what appear to be muggings. However, the detective in charge of the cases believes they’re more than that, and that Jim is either the killer … or being stalked by one.

 

When Jim and Alan finally connect, can they help find and stop the stalker, or will Alan end up dead before their budding relationship can become more than friendship?

 

This was an interesting story.  Jim is lonely and isn’t sure what he thinks about having an admirer and fears that it could be a woman.  Alan is sure that Jim will never notice him but they connect by coincidence.

 

This story is told from both MCs points of view so it gives us the opportunity to see what both of these characters are thinking.  Jim doesn’t have the time or much inclination to find a partner between his two jobs.  He is flattered by the notes but isn’t sure what to think.  Alan is terribly shy and knows he isn’t a catch so he decides to stay in the shadows but once they actually talk and get to know each other he opens up pretty quickly.  The mystery of the stalker was interesting but while important didn’t add much to the story and it seemed that even though they went “slow” their relationship built pretty quickly.

 

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is nice and gives great visuals of the characters.

 

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 151 pages

Published: August 5, 2017 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634864497

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review:The Ides of March (Seasons of Change #3) by Michelle King

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

A spot of Irish Magic, the kiss of a leprechaun, and a love is reborn. Years ago Colin and Kelly had parted ways in the most painful of ways. Years passed, thousands of miles stretched, yet the pain caused by those hard words refused to ease.

Adulthood brought opportunity.

Colin returned to the place of his teenaged years, Portland Oregon. And there, at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, he heard a familiar sound. An Irish ballad he’d once taught to his young love. He followed the sound…to his Kelly.

The song Kelly’d been requested to sing did nothing but rub the unhealed scab that was his heart. Colin had taught it to him, and he could only think of Colin when he sang it. Still, money was money so he sang…wishing all the while that his love was not half a world away. Or was he?

Could that be true? Could that really be Colin? Could he believe in March Magic?

But Kelly’s lover wasn’t the only thing that arrived from the past.

Kelly is still trying to get on his feet from everything that happened to him after Colin left years ago.  It seems that he hasn’t had a good life and his parents made it even worse for him and it continues to this day.  He can’t even begin to hope for anything to go his way.

I felt like I was missing a lot of back story while I was reading.  We see little glimpses of what has happened in the past through Kelly and Colin’s thoughts but I didn’t feel that I could put it all together.  Colin seems determined to stay in Kelly’s life but the story is left very open ended so anything could happen.  At the end we see the connection to the characters from the last book and I hope that a future story can put it all together for me.

Cover art by GD Leigh is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

Sales Links: Loose Id | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 81 pages

Published: August 7, 2017 by Loose Id

ISBN: 978-1-68252-354-4

Edition Language: English

Series: Seasons of Change #3