Category: LGBTQ Book Reviews

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Fireman and the Cop by RJ Scott (Ellery Mountain #1) 2nd Edition

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When Max Harrison arrives on scene at a raging fire at the police station in Ellery, though it’s only his second day on the job, he doesn’t hesitate to run into the burning building to rescue the cop who’s apparently trapped inside. He manages to get Finn Ryan out just before the building collapses and that’s likely only due to his size and strength as he was able to free Finn and then throw him over his shoulders to race ahead of the flames.

Though there’s an immediate attraction on both sides, Finn’s primary concern is in solving the arson crime, but then his brakes fail on his trusty pickup truck and the odds swing in favor of Finn being a target. Back in the hospital again, Finn refuses to believe he’s a target but he accepts Max’s help, and the two attempt to keep trying to build a relationship around their different schedules and busy lives.

But the man who wants Finn out of the way permanently is closer to Finn than he thinks and it looks like he might be successful the next time. Can Max get to Finn in time? Will Finn finally agree that Max might be in his life for more than a quick rescue and a quick night in bed? This story is fun and adventurous and lays the groundwork for future stories set in this small US town.

I recall reading the first edition of this story long ago. In fact, it may have been one of the first I ever read in the MM genre, and it led me to an appreciation of RJ Scott’s writing. Sometimes fluffy, always sweet, and often just the perfect touch to brighten a dreary day, this one is a delicious sample of how pleasant it can be to spend the afternoon with her heroes. Though it doesn’t have the depth of some of her longer novels, it certainly provides enough to fill my sweet tooth. And the best news is that it’s the first of a series so we’ll get to read the stories of Finn’s friends, Dylan and Kiernan, among others in the balance of the series. I’m looking forward to it. This one is definitely recommended.

The second edition features a new, bright blue cover by Meredith Russell. The lower pane is a panorama of the Ellery Mountain area and the upper pane features two very handsome rugged-looking men, one with dark hair, and one with light. It’s attractive and attention-getting and gives us a good idea of what the MCs look like.

Sales Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2q4jat1

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2plna9D

Book Details:

ebook, second, 115 pages
Published May 10th 2017 by Love Lane Books (first published January 14th 2013)
ISBN139781785640667
URLhttps://www.rjscott.co.uk
SeriesEllery Mountain #1 settingEllery, Tennessee (United States)

Retro Review Tour and Giveaway: Ellery Mountain 1,2 & 3 by RJ Scott

Ellery Mountain Series
 

Fireman & The Cop (Book #1) :Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2q4jat1  Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2plna9D

The Teacher & The Soldier (Book #2) Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2q6M89I Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2pl6IX4

The Carpenter & The Actor (Book #3) Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2plC1kk

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2r307xx

 
The Doctor & The Bad Boy (Book #4) Amazon US | Amazon UK
The Paramedic & The Writer (Book #5) Amazon US | Amazon UK
The Barman & The SEAL (Book #6) Amazon US | Amazon UK
The Agent & The Model (Book #7) Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Cover Design: Meredith Russell
 
The Fireman & The Cop



Rescuing a cop from a burning precinct is in Maxís job description; falling in love was never part of the deal.


Max Harrison moved from the city to take up a role as assistant to the mayor, while also a volunteer firefighter. When he meets Finn Ryan in Ellery, he falls in lust that burns as hot as the fires an arsonist is setting in town.


Finn Ryan is a cop, and somehow heís attracted trouble. Going back into a fire to rescue the town drunk is just the start. Now he has to rely on the man heís falling for to make sure it doesnít end with him dying.

 
The Teacher & The Soldier



Soldier, Daniel Skylar, falls hard and heavy for school teacher Luke Fitzgerald. How can he make him stay in Ellery?


Luke Fitzgerald left Ellery Mountain for college and vowed never to come back. When his abusive father is murdered, he has no choice but to return. Luke only goes home to sell off his share of the Ellery Mountain Cabins, but everything changes when he meets the son of the other owner. Daniel Skylar lives every day to the limit and sees a future in Luke.


It doesnít matter what Daniel says, or how much he needs Luke. Luke isnít staying once everything is sold off. Surely Daniel can understand that what they have between them is just a two-week fling; there is no way it could be love.


Can Daniel persuade Luke that they are in love, and they can build a future together?

 
The Carpenter & The Actor
 

Jason is running from tragedy, hiding in Ellery, but itís only when he meets Kieran that he finds love.


Jason McInnery, hounded by the paparazzi after his brotherís death, runs to the one place where he hopes people wonít sell him out. The place where he was born. Hiding in the tourist cabins at Ellery Mountain Resort out of season, he thinks he finally has room to breathe.


Kieran Dexter is a man who knows what he wants; gorgeous actor Jason tied up and begging. When the hottest sex heís ever had turns to feelings of love, heís faced with convincing Jason to give them a try and stay in Ellery.

 

May 10 – Reading In Sarah’s Corner, Bonkers About Books, MM Good Book Reviews
May 12 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, Foxylutely
May 13 – Padme’s Library
May 15 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
May 17 – The Geekery Book Review, Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books, Keysmash
May 19 – The Romantic Fanatatic, Making It Happen, Jim’s Reading Room, Bayou Book Junkie, Xtreme Delusions

 

Author Bio


RJ Scott is the bestselling romance author of over 100 romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men and women who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.


The last time she had a weekís break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldnít defeat.


mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk
www.rjscott.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/author.rjscott?ref=ts&fref=ts
www.goodreads.com/author/show/3432558.R_J_Scott
twitter.com/Rjscott_author
www.librarything.com/author/scottrj

 Giveaway

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

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

Release Blitz and Giveaway: Maelstrom by Kass Barrow

Buy Links: JMS Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK


Length: 69,000 words


Publisher: JMS Books 


Blurb


When Kylor Knightley, a multi-millionaire nightclub owner, is out talent-spotting at an open mic event in Londonís Limehouse district, the last thing the stiff-lipped Brit expects is to fall head-over-heels for a devastatingly handsome singer ten years his junior.


Born in New York, twenty-two-year-old Eden McFadden now calls London home and has ambitions of making it big in the capitalís music scene. In the meantime, the feisty free spirit is secretly rocking it as a stripper at a gay club in Soho. But when fate brings him and Kylor together in Limehouse, it starts a chain of events that tears both of their worlds apart.


Itís going to take some serious attitude adjustment for the smart-mouthed stripper and the arrogant British gent to find common ground, but the attraction is too strong to ignore. Sometimes you have to trust in fate and see where it takes you.


Excerpt

Eden was so pumped about meeting the guy with the sparkling turquoise eyes that he couldn’t wait to tell someone. He wasn’t usually one to gossip, but he’d pulled up a chair alongside Blade, who was busy removing his guyliner. Eden was talking to Blade’s reflection in the mirror, relating the moment he’d looked down and seen the gorgeous guy staring back up at him.

Just then someone shouted, “Which of you is green?” and there was the stranger; standing in the doorway next to a security guard.

Eden sat gawking at his visitor and all the strength drained out of his body as if someone had pulled his plug. Blade nudged him. “Don’t just sit there. That’s your guy, isn’t it? God, he really is gorge!”

Eden slowly got to his feet, praying his knees wouldn’t give way, and shoved a shaky hand in the air. “That package is for me.”

The weak attempt at humour was his way of handling the embarrassment he felt because he knew that if the token had been black or pink the security guard wouldn’t have needed to ask whose it was. Everyone knew Stemmy’s tokens were black and Oberon’s were pink. But this was only the second time Eden had handed out a token. The last time he’d invited a guy backstage, his guest had been under the mistaken impression the token entitled him to instant sexual gratification, but Eden hadn’t been that into the guy.

The guard nodded at Eden’s visitor and left.

Still in just his pink briefs, Eden scurried back to his own station and rummaged around in his duffel bag for a clean top. The first thing to come to hand was his old Keep Calm and Carry On Funking T-shirt. He quickly pulled it on and rolled it down his sweat-dampened chest and abs. Then he stood by his dressing table, ready to greet his guest, with one hand resting on the table for support. Eden knew he shouldn’t be getting this worked up over someone he’d only just clapped eyes on. He had no idea what the guy was like. I haven’t even spoken to him yet. Maybe he’s just a good-looking asshole in a suit.

As the guy approached, Eden’s eyes widened in awe. It felt like he was watching the scene through a slow motion filter. He was entranced by the rhythmic sway of the guy’s narrow hips and everything else in the room faded to a blur. The guy’s suit jacket was unbuttoned and his left hand rested inside the trouser pocket, while his right arm hung loose by his side. It was like a breath of self-assured elegance had wafted into the room.

And then there was his hair. It was glorious. A flame-coloured shock of tumbling waves, its hue changed as the light danced over it, like an abstract of wildfire and scorched earth. It jarred with the image of the sophisticated city gent in the cool blue suit. It was hypnotising, the way the picture was so wrong and yet so right.


Eden could tell straight away this guy was no bit player on life’s stage. He had a starring role. You could tell from his arrogant swagger that the only rules he ever played by were his own. He was like a dream come true to Eden. A guy with “Fuck Me” written all over him and a seriously hot “Fuck You” attitude to compliment the looks.

Eden swallowed hard. Where have you been all my life?

 

Author Bio


Kass Barrow lives 100 miles north of London in a small town in the farming county of Lincolnshire. Despite always having lived in the same area she has seen a fair bit of the world, from the eerie innards of the Kingís Chamber in the Great Pyramid, to the majestic vistas that come with snowboarding in the Rockies.


However, none of these life experiences prepared her for the emotional roller-coaster ride of penning a novel. Now she has become so accustomed to having four handsome gents in her life ñ her husband, her dog and her two main characters ñ that she canít imagine life any other way.

 

 Giveaway

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

 

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

Review Tour and Giveaway :My Highland Cowboy by Alexa Milne

Buy Links: Pride (Early Download) | Amazon US | Amazon UK (General Release Date: 6th June 2017)


Publisher: Pride Publishing


Length: 69,000 words


Blurb


Duncan McLeish owns a ranch. Unlike most ranches, this one is in the Scottish Highlands. Having inherited a failing farm from his grandfather, he turns it into a successful business. He has friends and he loves his home, but heís lonely, and not even infrequent trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh slake that thirst to find someone. Then Drew Sinclair walks into his life.



Drew Sinclair is tantalizingly close to getting his clothing brand noticed in the industry. He and his business partner, Joy, create individual dresses, while, on the side, Drew produces a line of menís lingerie. He visits Scotland to design a bridal gown for his sister, Jenna, who is marrying Duncanís best friend at Christmas.


Duncan and Drew have nothing except their Highland upbringing in common, but they say opposites attract, and the attraction is immediate. Is this simply a summer fling, or can two men who live such opposite lives miles away from each other find a way to love?

May 9 – The Novel Approach
May 15 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Making It Happen, Books Laid Bare Boys, Sarandipity, Keysmash
May 23 – Bayou Book Junkie
May 30 – V’s Reads, BookLove, Padme’s Library, The Geekery Book Review, My Fiction Nook, MM Good Book Reviews
June 6 – Love Bytes
June 8 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, Oh My Shelves, The Way She Reads, Engaging Secrets, Book Lovers 4Ever
June 10 – Diverse Reader

 
Author Bio



Originally from South Wales, Alexa has lived for over thirty years in the North West of England. Now retired, after a long career in teaching, she devotes her time to her obsessions. Alexa began writing when her favourite character was killed in her favourite show. After producing a lot of fanfiction she ventured into original writing. She is currently owned by a mad cat and spends her time writing about the men in her head, watching her favourite television programmes and usually crying over her favourite football team.

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway

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

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

Review Tour for LA Witt’s Nine-Tenths of the Law



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK


Length: 61,000 words


Blurb

Without trust, common ground can get pretty shaky…

“I believe you have something of mine, Zach.”

The stranger’s accusation throws Zach Owens for a loop. He’s never seen this man in his life, and he’s not prepared when he finds out what they have in common—their boyfriend, Jake.

Make that ex-boyfriend. With the jerk out of the picture, Zach hurries after the stranger to apologize… which quickly leads to some sizzling hot revenge sex.

Despite starting on the wrong foot, Nathan Forrester can’t get enough of the sexy movie theater owner. Still, he’s jaded and distrustful—especially when Jake keeps materializing in Zach’s presence despite Zach insisting that relationship is over.

With a devious ex-boyfriend trying to sabotage their fledgling relationship, Zach and Nathan need to learn to trust each other, or they’ll both wind up with nothing.

This 61,000 word novel was previously published, and has been revised to include an extended ending.

May 9 – MM Good Book Reviews, Diverse Reader, Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books, M/M Book Addicts
May 11 – Sanaa’s Book Blog, Keysmash, V’s Reads
May 13 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, Sarandipity, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
May 15 – Southern Babes Book Blog, Joyfully Jay, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, BFD Book Blog
May 17 – Rainbow Gold Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews, Making It Happen


Author Bio


L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…



Website: http://www.gallagherwitt.com
E-mail: gallagherwitt@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GallagherWitt
Blog: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

 Giveaway

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

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

Release Blitz for The Hot Floor by Josephine Myles (giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK


Length: 62,000 words


Cover Design: Harper by Design


Blurb

Two plus one equals scorching hot fun.


Dumped by his boyfriend and reduced to living in a grotty bedsit, Josh Carpenter lives for his job as a glassblower. That and occasional glimpses of his sexy downstairs neighbours, Rai Nakamura and Evan Truman.


Whenever he overhears the diminutive academic and the hunky plumber having loud and obviously kinky sex, Josh is whipped into a state of frenzied lust… and a longing for a relationship like theirs.


To his amazement, Rai and Evan find his embarrassing tendency to blush utterly charming, and the three men grow closer over the course of the long, hot summer. Despite enjoying Rai’s charming flirtation and Evan’s smouldering gaze, Josh is determined never to do anything to split them apart.


However, when a naked Josh falls—quite literally—into the middle of one of Rai and Evan’s marathon sex sessions, the force of their mutual attraction takes over. But just as Josh dares to hope, he senses a change. If the three of them can’t renegotiate the rules of their new relationship, Josh risks losing their friendship—and any chance at love—forever.


Warning: Contains one well-endowed stud with a sexy accent, one improbably toppy bottom boy with an unfortunate owl obsession, and one blushing naïf who can’t believe his luck. Also, the occasional indulgence in mathematical spanking and some shameless armpit sex.


Bonus Christmas Hot Floor short story included in this edition!

Originally published by Samhain Publishing, September 2012


Originally
published by Samhain Publishing, September 2012



Author Bio

English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance, and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. Jo blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. Sheís beginning to suspect he enjoys it.

Joís novel Stuff won the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Bisexual Romance, and her novella Merry Gentlemen won the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Gay Romantic Comedy. She loves to be busy, and is currently having fun trying to work out how she is going to fit in her love of writing, dressmaking and attending cabaret shows in fabulous clothing around the demands of a preteen with special needs and an incessantly curious toddler.

Website and blog: josephinemyles.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/josephine.myles.author
Twitter: @JosephineMyles
Newsletter: eepurl.com/hrQ4s

 Giveaway

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

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

A Stella Review: The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

RATING 5 out of 5 stars

Having long-wondered what lives beyond the ice shelf, nineteen-year-old mermaid Ersel learns of the life she wants when she rescues and befriends Ragna, a shield-maiden stranded on the mermen’s glacier. But when Ersel’s childhood friend and suitor catches them together, he gives Ersel a choice: say goodbye to Ragna or face justice at the hands of the glacier’s brutal king.

Determined to forge a different fate, Ersel seeks help from Loki. But such deals are never as one expects, and the outcome sees her exiled from the only home and protection she’s known. To save herself from perishing in the barren, underwater wasteland and be reunited with the human she’s come to love, Ersel must try to outsmart the God of Lies.

I fell in love with this book since the first time I saw its cover, too cute and well done to be ignored by a cover whore like me. Then I read the blurb and guess what? The first cartoon I remember from my childhood, which videotape I still save, is The Little Mermaid, that’s why I was so curious to see how a new to me author would turn this fairytale into a FF retelling.

I have to say I loved The Seafarer’s Kiss a lot. I took my time at reading it and each time I put my eyes on a new chapter, I was surprised and satisfied. First of all the characters were awesome, each of them, they were beautifully delined and the growth they went throught was clear and always positive. Ersel in particular was beautifully done, she was fierce and brave, as Ragna was too. And that was the reason why they were a match made in heaven.

Nothing in the plot has been left to the chance, how and why our MCs met, why they needed to be parted, how they were together again, and the lovely happy ending. Mixed with these, a lot of things happened, event after event that took me engaged till the end. I got to know some great characters, like Ersel’s mum, who broke my heart with her huge love for the daughter she is ready to let go, and then Havamal, the ex-bestfriend who betrayed Ersel, and the dreams they made together, to join the guards of the evil king.

The story took place in a well craft world and it surprised me, I wasn’t waiting for so many details, I was able to understand and emphatize with not just Ersel but with Vigdis too, the popular girl. I felt the despair they had in their souls, how both of them, differently, were ready to do everything it was possible to fullfill their dreams. The writing was perfect for a book like this, where I so wanted to be able to see in my mind this magic world and its ihnabitants. It’s an evocative writing, I could picture every word I read, every new character I met. And I fell for all of them.

I don’t want to say more about the plot because I don’t want to spoil your reading, but I was deeply conquered, all the little twists the author gave to me, were little steps to the success The Seafarer’s Kiss was to me. In this book you can find a contemporary story, with some young adult elements and a fairytale with some mythology added. All blended together.

I have to say, I would so love to read the same story told by Ragna, it would be a copletely different story. I think following her in her travellings and mis/adventures would be incredible and truly exciting. I have just to try and convince the author.

The cover art by CB Messer is so fitting, the same scene can be easily find in the story, exactly like this. And it’s cute, and the style and the colors just perfect.

Sales Links:  Interlude Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 224 pages

Published May 4th 2017 by Duet, an imprint of Interlude Press

ASIN B01MUJHWTO

Edition Language English

A Kai Review: Nate And The New Yorker (Nate and Cameron #1) by Kevin Klehr

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Cameron had it all. He was rich, lived in Manhattan, and even had a cross-dressing butler. But then he met Nate, an Australian who was bitter about love. Cameron was determined to turn this realistic into a dreamer by sharing his world of classy restaurants, Broadway shows, and fabulous parties. And while Nate’s friends saw the makings of a fantasy romance, it was Nate who had to learn that in order to open his heart, he had to face a painful secret.
 
Well, It wasn’t easy to start this review. Actually, when I finished the book I had mixed feelings. But after thinking about everything I’m pretty sure this book didn’t work for me as it could.
 
Although I liked the writing style, I didn’t like the rhythm of the story. It was so fast paced and the situation was rushed and unclear. 
 
I also didn’t like Cameron. He was a total dreamer, spoiled and unrealistic. He fell in love with Nate after a week, and ok, I would buy it if I had seen their interaction. But the author skipped these parts. He just showed the first and the last day of them together in New work, and even that was short and rushed. How can the reader relate to a love so fast if the situations where they interact with each other was out of the book? Needless to say, I couldn’t buy them as a couple. Even when they were together I didn’t feel the connection between them. The story was told in Nate POV and in any moment it felt like he was in love with Cameron. 
Although not loving Nate, I liked him. He was a lot more down to earth than Cameron and his interaction with his friends was great.
 
Almost in the end of the book, I realized the story wasn’t really about Nate and Cameron as a couple. This book was about Nate trying and moving on from his past. He had a secret and was stuck in the past and couldn’t break free. It made my eyes tear up when I learned his story. That realization was why my feelings were a little mixed about this novel and why I had, at first, problems rating this book. 
But in general, the book just didn’t work. The plot had so much potential, could be a so great story but the development was lame. I think if the author at least hadn’t cut Cameron and Nate interaction and the story hadn’t been so fast paced, I could have enjoyed it.
 
Even though I didn’t like this book and wouldn’t read it again, I’m looking forward to the next one in the series. Just because I’m curious and want to know if the next will be less rushed. 
 
The cover art by Natasha Snow is nice and suits the book. The image of a gray city can represent the way Nate couldn’t really enjoy New York city because of his past. And in front of it, Cameron as a powerful man and in color, who was supposed to help Nate to let the past behind. I like it.
Sales Links
 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nate-New-Yorker-Cameron-Book-ebook/dp/B071DCJCSJ

 
Book Details:
 
Ebook: 85 pages
Publication 2 edition: May 1st, 2017 by NineStar Press
Séries: Nate and Cameron
 
Main Characters