Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

A MelanieM Review: The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Jeremy Warsh has been in off-mode ever since his grandpa’s death a couple years ago. He set aside their shared passion, comic art, and hasn’t looked back. As an introvert from the other side of town, he fully expects to spend his boring life bagging groceries until, maybe one day, he’s promoted to store manager.

Yet, his two best friends, Kasey and Stuart, are different. They’re not afraid to demand more out of everyone. When Kasey comes out, Jeremy’s inspired. He picks up his colored pencils and starts drawing comics again, creating a no-nonsense, truth-talking character named Penny Kind. Who speaks to him. Literally.

The friend group set in motion Stuart’s plans for a huge Homecoming prank, and if they can get Penny’s comic trending, they might be able to pull it off. Could this be a stepping-stone to a future Jeremy’s only dreamed of? And after he kisses a boy at a college party, will Jeremy finally face what he’s been hiding from?

I don’t know why I  haven’t found or heard of this author before but Jess Moore is now firmly on my radar based on the absolute  brilliant storytelling I found in The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore.  This novel just blew me away on so many levels that I hardly know where to start and I’m certain not to do it justice.

All the trials and tribulations of high school can be found here, as well as the angst and anxiety that seniors face that final year going forward into an uncertain future.  All these unformed young humans, trying to figure out who they are, how to be not only the best person they can be but what type of person that is, including the sex of the person they are attracted to and want to date.   Frame that within the even larger framework of telling their friends, family, and horror, the school network finding out…all before the homecoming? It’s stress by the truckload on teenage shoulders trying to do homework, tame their hair, skirt bullies, and find love.

And Jess Moore has delivered us into a world full of characters that we recognize immediately as so realistic that we lose our hearts to them, bleed for them, and cheer them on as they slowly find their paths forward.  Sometimes it’s a wonder any of our young survive high school.

Jeremy Warsh is such a memorable young man.  When we first meet him, he’s still grieving over the loss of his grandfather, the other person, other than his mother, who really raised him, who was his foundation.  He’s got a white boy’s “fro” with his frizzy hair, sort of pudgy, tall, intelligent, responsible, kind, and about the change the course of his life.  He’s our narrator and window into his world and life.  I couldn’t have wanted anyone finer or more complex.  Kudoes to Moore on his creation.

Jeremy’s best friends Stuart and Kasey each have their own journeys to go on while still being part of Jeremy’s and he a strong partner in their decisions as well.  Especially Kasey’s. But Jeremy has an unusual support from a cartoon he’s started to draw, a sassy girl called Penny Kind.  She offers up all kinds of advice on herself, Jeremy’s life, and how the cartoon is being drawn.  How I loved this aspect of the story!

Another deeply moving and heartfelt portion?  The mother/son relationship between Jeremy and his mother.  It never feels anything but real. It contains its natural flaws of any such familial relationship , but the support and love that flows between them is something that’s a joy to read.  I just adore the dynamics here.  In fact that goes for all the relationships as laid out by the author for Jeremy and his family and friends.  It all has a truly vivid and authentic ring to every thread and character set down in the story.

That includes Jeremy finding Matt and his discovery that he’s gay.

And the manner in which he deals with his lifelong school bully.

This book is amazing!  This review  doesn’t begin to go into the many layers of storyline and the nuances of life these young characters face with determination, grit, tears, and laughter.  And the reader will be there with them every gripping step of the way.

Just be aware that once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down.  So pull out that ice cream, get comfortable and be prepared to settle in until this astonishingly moving story is over and you’re cuddling your Kindle close to your heart.  Because that’s how The Evolution of Jeremy Warsh by Jess Moore makes you feel.  About Jeremy, his future, and this story.

It’s one of my top ten of 2018.

Cover art: Natasha Snow.  I like this cover and don’t.  Because both eye catching in its portrait of a teenager but clearly not Jeremy.    I ‘m not sure anyone could capture Jeremy or Penny KInd!

Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published November 26th 2018 by SunFire Imprint of NineStar Press
ISBN 139781949909487
Edition Language English

An Ashlez Review: Dedicated (Rhythm Of Love #1) by Neve Wilder

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Our greatest hit is a love song I wrote for my bandmate. And he has no idea.”

Messy-haired, soulful-eyed, off-kilter lyricist Les Graves holds tight to the hedonist’s credo of consumption in every avenue of life. He has trouble staying still, trouble staying sober, trouble turning down a good time—but put a pen in his hand, and he’ll set a page on fire.

Music was Evan Porter’s ticket out of the backwater mud puddle he was born in, the passion keeping him warm as he busked on street corners, fueling him through a dead-end bartending job. Every chord, every song, every ounce of sweat has been devoted to making Porter & Graves a success. He’s the level-head, the quiet maestro, the seatbelt that keeps Les from flying too far out of control. And he’s getting pretty tired of playing savior.

Their chemistry onstage is electric, but offstage it’s another story.

Angst, snark, and nuclear levels of unresolved sexual tension combust in this tale of two rockers, a handful of secrets, a bombed album, and a publicity nightmare thrown in a remote cabin with one shot at redemption. Can Evan and Les find harmony or will they—and their music career—go down in flames?

Dedicated is a 92k standalone bisexual friends-to-lovers romance that also plays on the fake relationship trope, contains a cockblocking greenhouse, really poor decisions involving social media, and a borderline over-the-top HEA.

I loved Les – he was such a spunky personality to read – his troubles were relatable (have a brother that had the same issues) and holy man it was accurate (mostly, I think reality is a lot more rough) but damn what a good book to read.
Evan was a bit on the reserved and slightly too cautious side, I think he was a sweetheart in his own way but his emotions were just sometimes a bit weird to read.
The progression of the band, life on the road, being in the public eye, has to be hard for anyone – this shows just how hard it can sometimes be.
Steamy but not over the top – was so good to read.  Definite recommend.
Cover Art:  delicious – and 100% relevant and shows what the book is about
Sales Links:  Amazon
Book Details:
ebook, 340 pages
Published December 11th 2018 by Wilder Press, LLC/ Neve Wilder (first published December 9th 2018)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesRhythm of Love #1

 

An Alisa Review: Meik&Sebastian – Obsessed #4 by Quin Perin

Rating:  3.5 stars out of 5

After ruining his chances with Sebastian, Meik is plagued by the past and haunted by the present. His escape: booze and sex. But the memories of Gabe continuously well up and never ebb. They become an ever-present companion he cannot escape.

Will he hoist himself out of depression to seal the past and face the present or will he lose himself in the bottom of the bottle?

This is the fourth and FINAL book of the Gay Erotic Romance “Obsessed”. It features explicit adult m/m content as well as romantic elements. Warning: mentions of illness and death.

Man, Meik is in quite the hole when this book starts up, Sebastian is gone and he can’t get away from his memories of Gabe.  Oddly enough it seems that him being completely unable to work is what finally kicks him into gear.

This book at least has a decent ending.  I have got to say it was very satisfying for Meik to admit that he was wrong but as his reunion with Sebastian was a bit glossed over I don’t know if he accepted his apology right away.  I did like to see hat Sebastian seemed to be standing up for what he wanted a little more and they seem to be actually having a real relationship.

The cover art by Vanessa Rödiger is nice and typical of serials matches the other stories.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 77 pages

Expected Publication: December 13, 2018

Edition Language: English

Series: Obsessed #4

New Release Tour for Meik&Sebastian (Obsessed #4) by Quin Perin (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Meik&Sebastian – Obsessed #4

Author: Quin Perin

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Genre/s: Gay Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length:  18 000 words/ 75 pages

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Amazon Link

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

Blurb

After ruining his chances with Sebastian, Meik is plagued by the past and haunted by the present. His escape: booze and sex. But the memories of Gabe continuously well up and never ebb. They become an ever-present companion he cannot escape.

Will he hoist himself out of depression to seal the past and face the present or will he lose himself in the bottom of the bottle?

This is the fourth and FINAL book of the Gay Erotic Romance “Obsessed”. It features explicit adult m/m content as well as romantic elements. Warning: mentions of illness and death.

Excerpt

Meik checked his hair in the rearview mirror. One more time before slipping out of his father’s car. He’d pulled it up to the curb in front of Gabe’s house about ten minutes ago; he’d spent all of those ten minutes fixing his hair. Again and again. It was obsessive, and he knew it, but he wanted to look his best for Gabe.

Smoothing down his shirt, he headed to the front door and rang the doorbell. He waited for a beat before pushing the door open. Gabe’s mother paused in the doorway, eyeing Meik. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, not remotely surprised to see him.

“Well, nice to see you too.” Meik snorted.

She waved her hand, looking up at the stairs. “Gabe! Meik’s here!” she called before facing Meik again. “Where are you two going?”

Meik stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “There’s a new movie, and we might go get something to eat after.” He left out that they’d probably end up making out in the car at some point. They’d agreed to keep the date thing a secret, and they were definitely keeping the making out and heavy petting to themselves as well.

Nodding, she headed back to the kitchen. “Don’t stay out too late and let me know if you’ll spend the night.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned.

“Don’t call me ma’am!”

Meik’s comeback died on his tongue when he heard footsteps on the stairs. His eyes fixed on Gabe, heart throbbing madly in his chest. Neither of them had dressed out of the ordinary. They didn’t want to raise suspicion, but Meik still thought Gabe looked breathtaking. His dark eyes glittered, and a rose petal pink blush adorned his cheeks. The clothes he wore were a bit tighter than normal, jeans clung to slender thighs, and a fitted t-shirt emphasized his thin, narrow chest. Meik’s palms itched with the desire to touch, to grope. He wanted to see what that ass looked like without those pants on.

Swallowing, Meik turned towards the door. “Ready to go?” He was surprised at how calm he sounded. His mouth felt dry, tongue heavy.

“Yeah,” Gabe replied, a thud signifying that he’d jumped down the last two steps. He always did that, and his mother always said he was going to break an ankle one day. “Bye, mom!”

“Bye, honey, be careful!” She didn’t even peek out again.

Meik almost felt bad. They weren’t lying. Not really. They were going to hang out, just as more than friends. It had been Gabe’s idea not to tell his parents and telling Meik’s had never been an option. Gabe thought if his parents—especially his mother—found out, Meik wouldn’t be allowed to come over and stay the night anymore. It made a lot of sense, and if things progressed with them, the cover of being friends would make it so much easier to get Gabe into bed.

Not that Meik had spent way too much time fantasizing about that lately.

About the Authors

This is Quin&Perin. We are a team of Sultry Gay Romance writers who focus on detailed, toe-curling, and realistic smut scenes with a fair share of dirty talking (Oh, boy). Unlike other authors, we write without the goal of publishing anything. Publishing is just the cherry on top of a cream-covered bubble butt.

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Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win the complete final series (part 1-4) in one book.

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Book Blast for Blessed (The Matawapit Family #1) by Maggie Blackbird (excerpt and giveaway)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title:  Blessed

Author:  Maggie Blackbird

Publisher:  eXasty Books

Cover Artist:  Martine Jardin

Genre/s:  M/M, Contemporary, Spiritual, Religious, Multi-Cultural, Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 92,784 words/330 pages

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Tagline  

A mixed-blood Catholic seminarian struggles to discern his true calling: the priesthood or his ex-lover, a proud but damaged Ojibway man.

Blurb

It’s been ten years since Emery Matawapit sinned, having succumbed to temptation for the one thing in his life that felt right, another man. In six months he’ll make a life-changing decision that will bar him from sexual relationships for the rest of his life.

Darryl Keejik has a decade-long chip on his shoulder, and he holds Emery’s father, the church deacon, responsible for what he’s suffered: the loss of his family and a chance at true love with Emery. No longer a powerless kid, Darryl has influence within the community—maybe more than the deacon. Darryl intends on using his power to destroy Deacon Matawapit and his church.

Hoping to save the church, Emery races home. But stopping Darryl is harder than expected when their sizzling chemistry threatens to consume Emery. Now he is faced with the toughest decision of his life: please his devout parents and fulfill his call to the priesthood, or remain true to his heart and marry the man created for him.

An erotic spiritual journey…

Buy Links

 eXasty Books  |  Amazon US    |  Amazon Canada   |  Amazon UK    |  Amazon AU  

Kobo    |  Nook    |  Google   |  Smashwords

Excerpt

The putter of a diesel engine carried to where they stood at the side of the house.

“Sounds like the priest’s clunker.” Clayton puffed on the cigarette.

Knots formed in Darryl’s stomach. Did Emery accompany Father Bennie? What the heck was the priest doing up at Long River? Darryl lived at the reserve’s most northern district, far from Grassy, where the Matawapits resided.

Don’t watch them go by.

The car slowed and then turned into the driveway. Black, wavy hair appeared in the windshield. Hot tingles shot through Darryl’s arms and legs. He’d better get himself under control. Running into the coward was expected. It was the reason why he’d raced around the reserve like a fool earlier, trying to figure out what to say when they eventually crossed paths.

Had Emery come to apologize? Maybe reconnect? Wait a second. Someone had probably sent him. In the past, he hadn’t possessed the testicular fortitude to initiate anything. Father Bennie and Deacon Matawapit were up to something.

“Is that Emery?” Clayton frowned.

“Yeah. Gimme a second.” Darryl marched around the side of the house. When the car door opened, he froze.

Emery’s long legs appeared. He straightened to a towering six-foot-something. His red lips, smooth, pale skin, and high cheekbones melted Darryl’s insides. Tight muscles filled out Emery’s blue polo shirt and white dress pants. His hair curled around his square shoulders. This wasn’t a skinny seventeen-year-old kid who’d favored worn jeans, hiking boots, and t-shirts, but a twenty-seven-year-old elegant man.

“Hello. I was hoping to catch you at home.” Emery doffed his sunglasses, exposing his thick black lashes and bright green eyes. He tapped his shades against firm thighs Darryl had caressed during the best time of his life.

Although Emery’s voice was deeper, the feathery tone still stroked Darryl deep inside his jeans. Quivering, he spat out a, “Hel—hi…” He cleared his throat of the damned frog making him sound like an idiot. “Hello.”

“I-I planned on stopping by sooner.” Emery’s gaze roamed in every direction. “I was busy… unpacking”

Darryl motioned to the side of the house. “I was heading out for a drive once I finish talking to someone.”

“Oh…” Emery’s gaze settled on Clayton, who appeared around the corner. “I’ll come back another day when you’re not busy.” Disappointment lined his voice. “Have a good night.”

When Emery turned for the car, Darryl’s frozen heart churned into overdrive. The question jumped from his mouth. “Where’re you going?”

Emery pivoted. “Back to the rectory. It’s where I’m staying during my visit.”

Darryl stifled his groan. Call him a sucker for asking. “You came here for a reason. Why?”

“Uh… I—” Emery held a fist to his mouth and coughed. “Do you have time for a walk?”

A shiver careened along Darryl’s spine. Instead of being prodded, Emery, of all people, had initiated something.

Clayton’s slim brows twisted downwards. “I guess we’re done?”

Everyone knew how tight Emery and Darryl had once been. The cunning coyote had better not think of Darryl as a traitor who’d lose focus on the Traditionalists Society’s mandate now that Emery was back. “We can finish our convo tomorrow. Stop by my office in the morning.”

“Never mind. I’m outta here.” Clayton stamped to his pick-up parked on the side of the road. He glowered at Emery, who returned the frown with a nod.

Fire crackled through Darryl’s veins. Hostility and rudeness to another wasn’t the purpose of the Traditionalists Society.

“We can meet at the Treaty Grounds.” Darryl used an even tone, though his pulse points raced faster than a bear chasing down dinner. “Right now my road’s pretty much the Trans Canada.”

A truck pulling a skiff rambled by.

“Everyone’s heading out for the evening fish.”

“Okay.” Emery’s mouth remained closed while his full lips moved upward. He had the same shy smile capable of melting Darryl’s limbs. “I’ll meet you there.”

“Sure.” Darryl slid on the four-wheeler.

Emery opened the car door and got in. He drove off and left a trail of dust in his wake.

Darryl turned the key. The machine’s engine roared to life. This couldn’t be happening. Someone must have plopped him in the middle of a dream. Who was the courageous man who’d come of his own accord?

He steered the four-wheeler down the driveway. People changed. Before entering St. Michael’s Seminary, Emery had lived in Thunder Bay to attend university. Being out from under his father’s thumb had probably given his confidence a much-needed boost.

His dad’s here and he sought me out.

Had Emery told Father Bennie his intentions for the evening? Where would their talk lead to? There was only one way to find out—drive faster to the Treaty Grounds.

About the Author

An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

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Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $15.00 eXasty Books/Devine Destinies gift card and one e-copy of Blessed.

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Love Rockers in Love Stories? Check out the Review Tour and Giveaway for Dedicated (Rhythm Of Love #1) by Neve Wilder

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 92,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations
 
Blurb
 

“Our greatest hit is a love song I wrote for my bandmate. And he has no idea.”


Messy-haired, soulful-eyed, off-kilter lyricist Les Graves holds tight to the hedonist’s credo of consumption in every avenue of life. He has trouble staying still, trouble staying sober, trouble turning down a good time—but put a pen in his hand, and he’ll set a page on fire.


Music was Evan Porter’s ticket out of the backwater mud puddle he was born in, the passion keeping him warm as he busked on street corners, fueling him through a dead-end bartending job. Every chord, every song, every ounce of sweat has been devoted to making Porter & Graves a success. He’s the level-head, the quiet maestro, the seatbelt that keeps Les from flying too far out of control. And he’s getting pretty tired of playing savior.


Their chemistry onstage is electric, but offstage it’s another story.


Angst, snark, and nuclear levels of unresolved sexual tension combust in this tale of two rockers, a handful of secrets, a bombed album, and a publicity nightmare thrown in a remote cabin with one shot at redemption. Can Evan and Les find harmony or will they—and their music career—go down in flames?


Dedicated is a 92k standalone bisexual friends-to-lovers romance that also plays on the fake relationship trope, contains a cockblocking greenhouse, really poor decisions involving social media, and a borderline over-the-top HEA.


*Please note: This book contains reference to and depiction of a MMF scene*



Dec 11 – OMG Reads, Dec 13 – Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Dec 15 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Dec 17 – Book Corner Reviews, Wicked Reads, Dec 19 – Valerie Ullmer, Lillian Francis

 

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review here.  We highly recommend it!

Neve Wilder lives in the dirty South, where the summers are hot and the winters are…sometimes cold. She is a mom to three rambunctious weebeasts who have joined forces in a mission to carpet the family home with toys and small items that really suck to step on at six in the morning.


She reads promiscuously, across multiple genres, but her favorite stories always contain an element of romance. Incidentally, this is also what she likes to write. Slow-burners with delicious tension? Yes. Whiplash-inducing page-turners, also yes. Down and dirty scorchers? Yes. And every flavor in between.


She believes David Bowie was the sexiest musician to ever live, and she’s always game to nerd out on anything from music to writing.


And finally, she believes that love conquers all. Except the heat index in July. Nothing can conquer that bastard.


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A Lucy Review: Shrewd Angel (The Christmas Angel #6) by Anyta Sunday

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Pax Polo is the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.

Correction: Was the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.

Now he sports a black eye and his bros have kicked him out of their band—three weeks before Christmas. It’s an unfamiliar kick to his over-inflated ego, but . . . whatever.

No problem.

Thanks to some stellar eavesdropping, an unexpected angel ornament, and a bribe to open for his favorite band ever, Pax will weasel his way back into his mates’ good graces.

All he has to do is friend Clifford, the neighborhood man-shrew, for the summer. Distract him a bit so Clifford’s younger sister can sneak around.

It sounds like a piece of beginners Beethoven. Jolly good fun.

Easy.

Because, Pax totally knows how to friend people. He has heaps of friends. This shrew’s no match for his shrewd ways. Or is he?

I don’t know what my issue was but it took me multiple tries to get this book started.  It says to be loosely based on the Taming of the Shrew.  I feel ignorant to admit I’ve never read that, so for me this was an all new experience. 

This is part of a series of books connected by the Christmas Angel.  They are stand-alone, so no need to worry about missing anything.  In this one, Pax is a guitarist and he’s just been ousted from his band, mainly because he acts like a jerk. But he has a plan – he’s just going to get on the good side of Clifford, the crabby neighbor, so that his sister, Biance, who is 17, can go out with two men, Henry (a neighbor) and Luca (Pax’s roommate).  Both of whom I really liked, just by the way.  Clifford is a pretty protective big brother and this is the only way Bianca can get around her brother.  A carrot dangled by Henry makes Pax jump at the chance.

You just know between Pax’s sharp tongue and Clifford’s even sharper one, there’s going to be some excellent back and forth happening, and it does.  “If you love him, he’ll always be in your heart.  If you hate him, he’ll always be in your mind.”  I loved that line.  Clifford isn’t the grump or nag he can seem and he has his reasons for being protective.   Pax is charming, yes, but he’s also more fragile than he appears.  When they start to turn from enemies, to friends, to (slowly) more, you really see how they are made to fit together.  We get to see Pax grow up some and Clifford unthaw a lot.

I am a fan of Anyta Sunday’s work and this one, while not my favorite of hers, has her signature style, humor, snark, banter, wit, all of the above.  I would recommend this one for holiday fans and enemies to lovers fans. 

Cover art by Meredith Russell shows Pax and his guitar set against a golden background and captures the holiday feel.  I only wish Pax had been smiling, because he’s really not such a serious person.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

ebook, 293 pages
Published December 2nd 2018
Edition Language English
Series The Christmas Angel #6

The Christmas Angel Series

Christmas Angel – Eli Easton – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Summerfield’s Angel – Kim Fielding – Amazon US | Amazon UK
The Magician’s Angel – Jordan L. Hawk – Amazon US | Amazon UK
A Soldier’s Wish – N.R. Walker – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Shrewd Angel – Anyta Sunday – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Christmas Prince – RJ Scott- Amazon US | Amazon UK