Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

A Lucy Review: Whatever Comes First by MK Lee

Rating: 3 stars  out of 5

Matthew isn’t looking for a relationship. Ask him, and he’ll say it’s because between work and studying there’s just no time. Ask his best friend, Sarah, and the story is a little different, and involves a failed relationship that left him raw.

Enter Joel, a childhood friend of Sarah’s recently back in the area. He’s not looking for love, either, but he’s not adverse to the idea of a little fun. Uncomplicated and on the same page: what could possibly go wrong?

Matthew and Joel have been introduced by their friend, Sarah. Matthew hasn’t been with a man yet but he’s realized that he is bisexual, so he’s ready to come out and be with a guy.  As Joel is gay, Sarah figures he is the perfect one to teach Matthew the ropes.  They hook up and Joel is on board to teach Matthew about gay sex. Which he does. Repeatedly. It’s a novella and there are many sex scenes in this. This is really less of a romance and more of sex. Lots of sex. While I am a fan of sex in my books, this really was all about it and after a while I found myself skimming. 

What saved it for me was that the two of them are by turns snarky and funny when they are talking to each other.  We do have some trouble with Matthew ending up falling for Joel even though this was supposed to be a string-free thing but keeping it to himself for fear of losing him.  There is some angst about putting yourself out there again.

The two of them are good together in bed but also funny and good together out of it. Knowing it started with a hookup, I should have expected all the sex but I was looking for a little more connection as well.  It’s a novella so perhaps the length was detrimental to the romance being fleshed out more.  The focus here is on the erotica.

Cover Art by Aisha Akeju:  Light and airy.  It works.

Sales Link:  Less Than Three Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published May 16th 2018 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN139781684312856
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Stella Review: My Anti-Boyfriend (My Anti-Series #2) by D.J. Jamison

RATING 3 out of 5 stars

Brad has everyone fooled. He’s the casual, sexy friend. The fun-time guy who sleeps around. Except not really. There’s one man who holds his heart: his best friend — with benefits — Riley. Too bad Riley has no interest in a relationship, and as far as Brad can tell, never will. But once Brad acknowledges his freelings for Riley, he can’t continue to ignore them. He pulls back, trying to find a way to shut down his hurting heart so he can remain Riley’s friend.

Riley has everything he needs: a decent job, plenty of hookups, and his wingman Brad, who also makes for great fun in the sack. He’s happily oblivious, until Brad starts avoiding him. Riley is baffled when Brad starts skipping regular nights at the gay club, fails to return calls and otherwise ignores him. He can’t imagine what he’s done wrong, and when he finally corners Brad and learns the truth, he’s scared to death one more person is going to abandon him. He misses Brad like crazy — both the friend and the lover — but he’s never even considered a relationship.

Now Brad and Riley have a choice to make: friends or lovers. Riley’s days of having his cake and eating it too are over. Then again, maybe Brad is tasty enough to keep a man satisfied.

I wasn’t expecting for these two young men to have their HEA together and the author surprised me with this choice but it was clear from the beginning they were made for each other. The chemistry between them was explosive and the feelings Brad had for his friends known to everybody except Riley. It took some time to Riley to see what was in front of his eyes and in his heart too but eventually he realized he didn’t love Brad as a friend, he was in love with him.

I have to say I liked this second installment in the My Anti Series by DJ Jamison,it was well written, engaging, quick to read. But I didn’t enjoy as I did with the first book. In my opinion there were too many sex scenes for a short story like this one. Sure, Riley and Brad were hot together but with so few pages, it would have been better to fill them with more informations and backgrounds about the main characters, rather than just put them in bed. That’s why their romance felt to me a little rushed and I think it should have been more developed.

Overall, I liked it and can’t wait for the third novella and Chris to find his soul mate.

The cover art by Lucas Soltow is simple and unique, I like it

Sales Link:  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 58 pages

Published June 30th 2017 by DJ Jamison

ASIN B073B5W8S2

Edition Language English

Review Tour and Giveaway – Made In Portugal by Ana Newfolk

 

 
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 68,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Jay Aheer
 
Blurb
 

At 10 years old Joel was uprooted from his home and everything he knew in Portugal to start a new life in the States. At 26 he finds himself returning for the first time in thirteen years. So what if looking into the eyes of his childhood best friend again still makes his heart race out of his chest?

Living in sunny, laid-back Portugal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. For David, dreams of being a pastry chef come second to working in his family’s café where his renowned custard tarts draw in the crowds. Seeing Joel brings old feelings back. Feelings he’s not sure he’s brave enough to acknowledge to anyone other than himself.

With the inspiration of an old travel journal, the two friends embark on a real journey through memories in a country where looking back into the past runs as deep as the blood that courses through their veins.

Falling in love was never meant to be a stop along the way, but maybe inevitable when you have the adventurous spirit and courage to pursue what you want, make love under the stars, and even figure out how to jumpstart an old Citroen 2CV in the middle of the Alentejo countryside.




Ana Newfolk was born in Portugal where she grew up surrounded by sunshine and countryside. She has always had a deep love of reading, and ever since she can remember her favorite presents and treats have always been books. She would often be found in her not-so-secret spot reading her favorite adventure books (when she was younger) and romance novels (when she discovered boys). At 20 years old she moved to the UK where she has lived since.

In 2015 Ana stumbled across her first MM romance novel by chance, and she was hooked. She loves reading about men falling in love, hard, fast and ever so sweetly. This new found love for LGBTQ+ romance has opened a new world for Ana, and in 2017 she decided to finally listen to the voices in her head and write them down.

In addition to the time she spends reading and writing Ana has a full-time job that involves meeting lots of people with interesting stories to tell. She also loves baking as much as she loves watching people eat what she creates, much to the delight of family, friends and work colleagues alike.

You can follow Ana on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or through her blog for up to date news of her book releases.


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Release Blitz and Giveaway for West Coast (Up In The Air #2) by George Loveland

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 55,220 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Ethereal Ealain
 
Up In The Air Series
 
Book #1 – Johannesburg – Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Blurb
 

Max Cooper has never known love and uses drink to numb the feelings of rejection he’s faced with. It doesn’t help him in his career as an air steward when after a very drunken night his best friend swaps their flights over so Max can keep his job.


When Max flies out to Los Angeles, his patience is tested when he offers to help fellow air steward and rising drag queen, Dai Zee, with her costume changes at the best drag club in LA, Flamingos. While he watches Dai Zee perform, he catches the eye of a guy in the corner, but fails to find him when the performance ends. An ill-timed text message sends Max back to the bottle, and into the bed of a man he doesn’t know, and doesn’t want to be with.


The next night at Flamingos he finds the man he was searching for, but it’s not as easy as he’d hoped. Antonio Baldini isn’t interested in a drunken Max and rejects his advances until another drag queen, Miss Crystal, plays a hand in getting the two of them together. As Max and Antonio step past the initial confusion, they tread carefully with each other, neither one wanting to get hurt.


Even when Max is back in London, the late-night video calls don’t stop, but it’s when they are reunited in Las Vegas that things turn serious.


Max can’t shake his past, and someone is out for him and his job – trying to stop him from flying altogether. He’s worried about what it will mean for his new relationship if he can’t fly; and whether he can stay away from the drink long enough to be with a man who seems to care for him.

 

Author Bio 


George was about eighteen when he told his friend that he was going to be a writer. It took him another eighteen years before he finally did anything about it and wrote his first short story. A typical Englishman, he drinks buckets of tea with milk—but no sugar, because he is sweet enough. His Nan told him so.George lives just outside of London, but close enough to enjoy Soho and the West End, where you will find him in a bar with a pint, in a club dancing into the early hours of the morning, or enjoying a musical in the theater; but more than likely he will be in a coffee shop reading a book or writing a new story. Currently single, but taking applications for future husband position, George enjoys crafting romantic stories in which he hopes that one day, life will imitate art.Facebook
Website
Twitter

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A Stella Review: My Anti-Valentine (My Anti-Series #1) by D.J. Jamison

RATING 3,75 out of 5 stars

 

Jaded by relationships gone wrong, Bret throws an anti-Valentine’s Day party to celebrate being single and burn his ex-boyfriends belongings. Who needs a commercialized holiday that only serves to make you feel bad about your relationship status, anyway? But not everyone at his party agrees. The cute blond guy who could be a member of a boy band challenges Bret, calling him bitter, and the truth comes spilling out: Bret’s low interest in sex has destroyed every relationship he’s had and tarnished his view of romance.

Harry is tired of fast hook-ups and meaningless sex, but finding a guy who wants a serious commitment has been a challenge. When he meets the cute hipster throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day party, he’s immediately charmed. But when he learns Bret is graysexual — willing to have sex only occasionally in the right circumstances — he’s leery of making promises he can’t keep. He doesn’t want to break Bret’s heart or his own, but can he really walk away from a chance at real love?

 

My Anti-Valentine was a lovely surprise. I like stories and series like this one, short, sweet and funny. And with a different main couple for each book. This first novella is about Bret and Harry, both of them looking for the right guy and not someone who can’t accept and stay with them. Especially Bret has resigned himself to be alone, sure no one will ever want to understand him and his newfound greysexuality. But when Bret meets Harry at the anti-valentine’s party Bret has organized, something click between them and new beginnings can be built.

I found this novella well written and super easy to read, quick and with positive vibes. It was a joy to read it and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. It’s short and although I have to say too many times I am not satisfied with what I get from short stories, My Anti-Valentine worked great and I can’t wait to meet these guys in the next installment and the new couple too, who will be?

The cover art by Lucas Soltow is different, that’s why I like it.

SALES LINK:  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 66 pages

Published January 21st 2017 by DJ Jamison

ASIN B01MSA8Q13

Edition Language Engli

An Ali Review: Behind the Lights (Social Sinners #1) by T.L. Travis

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Joey Hayes, Ricky “Stoli” Branson, Mickey Payne and Ethan “Diamond” Taylor are the members of the metal band Social Sinners. They’re a tight knit group. They fight like brothers, they love like brothers, they even share like brothers. When one of them hurts, they all hurt even when it comes to matters of the heart.

Unfortunately this book did not work for me at all.  It was filled with details of what ( at least to me) was completely unnecessary information.  It goes back in time to when the guys are little and then how they eventually meet and form a band.  I understood what the author was trying to do but it was not holding my interest.  It went on and on about what they ate, what toys they played with, what their Halloween costumes were, etc.  It was very slow and I felt myself getting distracted multiple times.  I would not have finished this had it have not been a review book.   I was hoping that it would pique my interest more towards the end was they were grown but it didn’t.  The writing style just did not work for me.

Cover:  I like the cover a lot.  It was what caught my eye and made me want to read this book.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 172 pages
Published June 9th 2018 by Encompass Ink
ASINB07CX4PKPK
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSocial Sinners #1

SERIES REVIEW TOUR for Shoes and Ties by Jena Wade (excerpt and giveaway)

SERIES REVIEW TOUR

Book 1

Book Title: Shoes & Ties (Shoes and Ties #1)

Author: Jena Wade

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Silver Heart Design

Genre/s: gay contemporary romance

Length:   33 000 words

Goodreads 

Blurb

Ashten Brody is a chef fresh out of college. He lands his dream job working as a personal chef to Trent Cole, local luxury hotel owner. As it turns out, Trent is also his dream man.

After working together, the two are unable to deny their attraction. One late night they can’t hold back any longer. Too bad Ashten rushes off soon after. 

In the weeks that follow, it appears to Ashten that he has landed his dream man and his dream job. He and Trent appear to be on the path to a serious relationship and life-long happiness. Life seems to be just too perfect…

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Excerpt

Ashten Brody smoothed his hands down the front of his suit one more time. He hadn’t expected Trent Cole’s security guards to frisk him at the door. The man ran a luxury hotel in North Carolina. It wasn’t like he was a celebrity. Though he had the appearance of one.

As flustered as he was now, Ashten was confident that he was the right person to be Trent’s new personal chef. He was not confident, however, that Mr. Cole would hire him. He’d only just finished his degree in culinary arts and hospitality management. He was young and green, but he wanted this job and would do anything to get it. Well, that was a slight exaggeration, but he would wear a bland, conservative suit complete with a tie and jacket if it helped him beat out the competition.

The elevator pinged, and he took a deep breath as he stepped out, still in awe that he had gotten an interview. The main office was located on the top floor of the ten-story hotel—convenient if Trent ever worked late and needed to crash at the office.

Finding the secretary easily, Ashten stood next to her desk and patiently waited for her to finish her phone call. The lobby area was comfortable, with decor that matched the rest of the hotel. Doors lined the walls, and a few windows revealed the insides of conference rooms and small offices. Ashten rested his hands on the mahogany horseshoe desk. It was large enough to fill his old apartment.

“May I help you?” Annette, as her nameplate said, asked as she hung up the phone.

“I have an interview scheduled with Mr. Cole. I’m a bit early. My name is Ashten Brody.” His voice sounded calmer than he felt. It was important to make a good impression on the secretary, though; they were the ones who ran the whole office.

The secretary raised her brow. She opened her mouth to speak, but the elevator at the opposite end of the room dinged, and Mr. Cole stepped onto the floor, a deep scowl etched on his handsome face. Ashten’s breath hitched in his throat. He bit his lip, pain stopping any reaction his cock might have had to the man capturing his attention. The pictures he’d found in his Internet search hadn’t done the man justice. Trent Cole oozed confidence. Ashten’s eyes followed him as he crossed the floor. A touch of afternoon stubble shaded his strong jaw, and his tailored suit outlined his broad shoulders perfectly. The open jacket revealed lean hips, which brought Ashten’s tongue out to wet his lips. Trent walked directly past the desk, not bothering to glance at Ashten or Annette. Everyone in the office moved faster and looked busier now that the boss was in the room.

“Annette, please send in the applicants as they arrive. The sooner I get these interviews over with, the sooner I can get back to real work. Thanks.” Without waiting for a reply, he stepped inside his office, leaving the door wide open.

Ashten’s face heated, and his heart pounded. He rolled his shoulders back to try to get ahold of himself.

“Go right in, dear. Good luck.” Annette gave him an encouraging grin.

Ashten flashed a broad smile. “Thank you, ma’am.” He turned and walked toward the open door.

Book 2

Book Title: Lumber & Law (Shoes and Ties #2)

Author: Jena Wade

Publisher: Self-Published 

Cover Artist: Silver Heart Design

Genre/s: gay contemporary romance

Length:  29 000 words 

Goodreads  

Blurb

A few months after his brother’s accident, Jesse Brody can’t stop thinking about Troy Evans, the police office that helped solve the case. Even though Troy almost had to arrest him, Jesse is sure he has a shot at a date.

The two meet by chance and share a nice dinner at Jesse’s apartment, which ends with Jesse all over Troy’s lap. Though he isn’t out at work, Troy agrees to give a relationship with Jesse a chance.

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Excerpt

Jesse settled onto his usual park bench. The warm sun beat down on his back through his T-shirt as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. Runners and walkers passed him without a glance. The happy chatter of Frisbee games and families sitting on outspread picnic blankets filled the air.

Taking a deep breath, he touched the tablet in his hand, pulling up today’s news. He checked the time and tapped his foot against the concrete of the running path. His reason for being here today and every Sunday for the past six months had yet to show.

Any minute now Troy Evans would jog by, his golden retriever following closely behind him.

Jesse ran his fingers though his hair and glanced around the park. Annoyance prickled at his skin. Until his twin brother, Ashten, had been attacked three months ago, he hadn’t even known Troy’s name. It was just by chance that Detective Evans had been on duty when the police were called to investigate Ashten’s hit-and-run assault. In the week that followed, Jesse and Troy had spoken over the phone and occasionally met at the precinct to discuss the case. Since the woman responsible for hitting Ashten had been arrested, Jesse hadn’t spoken with Troy.

A knot formed in Jesse’s gut as he remembered why he never tried to contact the man again. When he’d found Trent, Ashten’s boyfriend, and Troy together, he’d assumed the worst. Jealousy and anger had spurred violence in him he didn’t know he had. Anger because it appeared as if Trent could replace Ashten so easily, and jealousy because he’d replaced him with the one man Jesse wanted.

Jesse had punched Trent square in the jaw.

Shame filled him at the memory. He’d read the situation completely wrong, and he’d looked like a fool because of it. Had Troy not threatened to arrest him, he might’ve messed up their little sting operation further, and Ashten’s assailant wouldn’t have been arrested that day.

It had only been a few months earlier that Jesse had seen Troy jog by at the park. He’d been mesmerized by the man’s movement. Troy had worn blue basketball shorts and a tank top that stretched nicely across his chiseled chest and abs. Jesse hadn’t hidden his admiration for the man very well. His neck craned until he had to stand in order to continue watching his magnificent form.

The man never noticed him.

Book 3

Book Title: Forever & Always (Shoes and Ties #3)

Author: Jena Wade

Publisher: Self-Published 

Cover Artist: Silver Heart Design

Genre/s: gay contemporary romance

Length: 8 000 words 

Goodreads 

Blurb

Now that they’re living in their Happily Ever After, Ashten, Trent, Troy, and Jesse are ready to take the next step. 
But what happens when the twins choose the same wedding date? May the best couple win…

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the Author 

Jena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year’s Resolution–and so far she has stuck to it!

She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website

Twitter

Giveaway

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Release Blitz – Behind The Lights (Social Sinners #1) by TL Travis

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 172 pages
 
Blurb
 

Joey Hayes and his best friend Ricky Branson have been together through the good times, as well as the bad. Attending their first concert as teens set the path for their futures in motion. Shortly after, the pair joined band class where they meet Ethan and Mick and the foursome formed the metal band, Social Sinners.


Things were going according to plan until Lucas Shane entered their lives, disrupting the flow and testing the strength of their friendship.


When Joey spirals down a dark path after catching his cheating boyfriend, this tasked the other three band members with making a difficult decision that could end his career as their lead singer.


Book 1 is the only book in the series that can be read as a stand-alone.
Book 1 – Behind the lights (MM)
Book 2 – In the shadows (MM)
Book 3 – A heart divided (MMM)
Book 4 – Beyond the curtain (MM)
Book 5 – After the final curtain (MM/MMM)

 
Author Bio
 

TL Travis is the author of The Sebastian Chronicles along with numerous other erotic novelettes (and many more in the works), The Elders Trilogy – an erotic paranormal (Vampire) romance novel series and many non-fiction articles.


In her spare time she likes to fish, enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer, spin spicy erotic webs for readers to enjoy, and rescue any 4 legged lost souls she comes across. Since her children are grown and have flown the coop, she’s taken to spoiling her two deaf white boxers even more so than they were before.


To view TL Travis literary and photography works please visit her website at www.tltravis.com
TL Travis can also be followed on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tltravisauthor
Or via twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tltravis1

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