Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

A Caryn Review: Sebastian & Owen (Storming Love: Tsunami #3) by Nic Starr

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

sebastian-owen-cover-200x300-pxThis is a sweet novella about an established couple, Owen and Sebastian, living and working together in Tasmania for the past 6 years.  After an injury leaves Owen, who is 6 years older, with chronic pain, disability, and depression, he starts to doubt his worthiness to be partnered with Sebastian.  It is a typical trope:  “I’m not good enough for you, so why would you want to be/stay with me?”  I usually see it written in the beginning of stories, when it hinders a couple from getting together in the first place.  This couple, however, has a very strong foundation, which makes it all that much harder for Sebastian to accept that Owen could possibly doubt his love and faithfulness.  And although it is a fairly tired theme, I liked how the author worked it into an established relationship, which actually made it more fresh and certainly more realistic.

With those misunderstandings in place, arguments ensue, and ultimately Sebastian ends up at their island house while Owen stays in their city apartment.  Owen has an epiphany about their relationship and wakes up determined to fix everything, and that is when he hears about the impending tsunami – about 75% of the way through the book!  Now he just has to get to Sebastian, and he races against the countdown for the wave to impact the island.

The story was predictable, but that did not lessen its sweetness.  It is always nice to see a couple facing the ups and downs that come with being together, and finding a way through them.  And of course they come through the tsunami closer than ever, as fear and danger make them see that loving each other is the most important thing, and everything else they can work through.  I also liked the description of the tsunami itself – not a monster wave crashing to shore, but a deceptively peaceful looking swell of the water that hides its destructive power.  If the author hasn’t seen one in person, she certainly did her research well!

The cover art by Kris Jacen is for all the novellas in the series, a picture of that monster wave that looks like something to make surfers salivate rather than devastate a shore, but it is pretty.  And very appropriate for the book.

Sales Links

MLR Press 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 79 pages
Published October 6th 2016 by MLR Press, LLC
Original TitleSebastian & Owen
ASINB01LZERZEJ
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesStorming Love: Tsunami #3

A Lila Review: Twice in a Lifetime (Sutter’s Bay #2) by Shawn Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

twice-in-a-lifetime-by-shawn-laneFive years ago, British transplant, Jude, left San Francisco after the tragic murder of his lover, Martin. Heartbroken, he settled in Sutter’s Bay and opened a small flower shop, hoping that surrounding himself with bright colors and pretty things — living things — would somehow lessen the anguish he felt over his loss.

Jude never expects to find a love like he shared with Martin ever again. Certainly a love like theirs won’t come along twice in a lifetime. But then Jude meets sexy Rex Warner, the new veterinarian in Sutter’s Bay, and he can’t help but wonder if his luck has changed.

Will Rex be able to stop Jude from dwelling on the painful past and look toward a promising future instead?

Twice in a Lifetime is a solid romance story. We first met Jude in book #1 in the series, Sweet Reunion. There was an air of mystery about him that make him interesting enough to have me reading this story; to learn more about him. Plus, I can’t resist a man with an accent. 🙂

I loved the opening scene. The author did an excellent job letting us in Jude’s past without breaking our hearts over and over again. I’m glad the angst didn’t carry on. The reader’s able to appreciate the relationship between Jude and Martin without taking away from Jude and Rex.

Both MC have bigger than life personalities that blend well. They might look like polar opposites, but in the end, they complemented each other. They didn’t try to change the other. They loved their differences and celebrate their quirkiness. The way they first met marks the tone for the rest of the story–sexy, funny, and interesting.

The plot twists and scenes made the book flow quickly and keep the reader engaged. There are several smexy scenes that go with the overall structure of the romance. And, many more funny, everyday moments in which we see the characters interact with family and friends.

This series is growing on me. Twice in a Lifetime is definitely better than the first book. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

The cover for this story is beautiful and goes well with the theme. The colors are soothing, but I don’t think the models resemble the characters’ descriptions.

Sale Links: JMS Books | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 97 pages
Published: October 8, 2016, by JMS Books
ISBN: 9781634861410
Edition Language: English

Cover Reveal for Nobody’s Home by Dev Betham (cover reveal, excerpt and giveaway)

nhcr-banner

Title: Nobody’s Home
Author: Dev Bentham
Release Date: November 15th 2016
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

nobodyshome-1800

BLURB

Second chances can appear where you least expect them.

An artist: You can’t go home again—that was Nick’s motto for the past twenty years. He was a teenager when he left his abusive, mentally ill father back in Lacland, a small town in the northwoods of Wisconsin.

Nick’s made a successful life for himself in New York. Then comes the call—his estranged father has killed himself. Nick flies home to a house crumbling from years of neglect, and one very fat bulldog.

And a veterinarian: Jonas doesn’t love his job enforcing university research protocol. His passion is working with dogs, especially volunteering for his boyfriend’s behavioral studies projects. But when he discovers his so-called “life partner” is messing around, he leaps at a job offer in a small town miles away.

In spite of the grief swirling around Nick and Jonas, their first meeting is electric. But Nick will be in town for only a short time and Jonas is still stinging from the betrayal. The men try to keep their distance, but that’s easier said than done, especially in a small town where misery and hope share the same address.

This poignant story about two mature gay men will warm the hearts of readers who believe happy endings are within anyone’s grasp.

**This is an author’s version of the original story first printed in 2013 by Amber Allure.**

Pre-Order: Amazon

Goodreads

EXCERPT

“Nicholas Alsteen?” A man. He couldn’t place the voice. A buyer? Nick hoped so. Selling one of his few remaining finished pieces might take the edge off that damned financial drip.

“Yes.” The familiar stairwell mix of mold and stale cooking enveloped Nick as he waited for the man to go on.

There was a pause and then, “I’m calling about your father.”

“My father?” Nick stopped, one foot halfway to the next step. “There must be some mistake.”

“You’re Nicholas Alsteen, the artist, correct? Your father was Robert Alsteen, he went by—”

“Buddy.” Nick finished. “But whatever you want, I can’t help you. I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He’s dead, son.” Despite the harshness of the words, the voice sounded kind.

Nick sank onto the step.

“My name’s Dan Osborne of the Lacland Sheriff’s Department,” the voice continued. “I’m sorry to spring it on you like this but I’m afraid you’re going to have to come out here. You’re his closest relative. He didn’t leave a will so you’ll need to figure out what to do with his stuff. It isn’t much, the house, a truck. And there’s the…you’ll need to make arrangements for his remains.”

“I think there’s more family somewhere, but he cut himself off.” Nick stared at the dirty stairwell wall, picturing his father’s angry face.

“Doesn’t matter. You’re his legal next of kin.” When Nick didn’t say anything, the sheriff continued, “If you want I can put you in touch with folks who could do it all for you but given everything, it would probably cost more than the estate is worth. And besides, it’s the right thing to do, son. I know Buddy wasn’t easy, but he was your father.”

Some father. But Nick wasn’t exactly in a position to hire out his dirty work. “Okay.”

“When can you come?” Osborne sounded relieved.

Nick looked at his watch, as if that would tell him anything. His calendar was as simple as it could be—big scary opening in nine months, nothing until then. He mumbled something about soon and hung up. A woman was yelling a few floors down. Horns honked outside. A cold blast of air filled the stairwell as the front door opened. Nick stood and climbed back up the stairs, feeling a hundred years older than when he’d started down.

Life stops for death. Nick booked an expensive flight—whatever happened to bereavement rates? He texted Connie at the gallery so she’d know he hadn’t bolted town. He glanced through his phone contact list and decided there wasn’t anyone else who’d really care. He’d always told himself he had to stay detached to have time for his art. But maybe he was more like his father than he wanted to admit. Nick tried to wrap his brain around the thought that the old man was dead. Violent? Yes. Unpredictable? Yes. Crazy? Absolutely. Dead? That was hard to imagine.

Giveaway: Win a copy of Dev Bentham’s Tarnished Souls series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

dev-author-pic

I write contemporary gay romance. My characters are flawed and damaged adult men who may not even know they’re looking for true love, but when they meet their bershert, their true love, their lives are transformed. My stories are set in the real world where gay men have gay friends, families who do or don’t accept them, personal histories they’re not necessarily proud of and a myriad of experiences that have made them who they are.

I live in Northern Wisconsin with my Boston Terrier and Chicago spouse. I’ve published short stories, poetry, newspaper articles and academic papers and have worked in nearly every profession from restaurants to retail to open-water diving and now write m/m romance out of my fascination with love, courage and gender.

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

embrace-button-small

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Love on Location by Lucy Felthouse and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

love-on-location-audiobookShort and sweet, this story is narrated by the very talented Joel Leslie, thereby increasing my enjoyment exponentially.

Theo Samuels is an actor, filming on location in the village of Stoneydale. There he meets Eddie Henderson, who’s working the set in a minor job, but Theo can’t seem to keep his eyes off Eddie and it appears the attraction is mutual.  That’s actually the last thing Theo wants because he’s deeply closeted and worried that coming out would affect his career.  But the two can’t deny their attraction and when they are caught in the rain one day while out sightseeing, they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Bemoaning the fact that Theo lives in London and Eddie lives in Stoneydale where he’s hoping to find a better job, they decide that they’ll just stay together temporarily and deal with their separation the next time Theo takes off to do another role. Knowing they’ll find it difficult to part, now or in the future, they take a chance and Eddie heads to London with Theo.

Without revealing any more of the fairly short plot, I can say that they do get their HEA. This story is low level angst, with two sweet MCs and an outstanding narrator. Thinking of picking up the audiobook? Don’t hesitate.

The bright, attractive cover depicts two handsome men, well representing the story.

Sales Links

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook
Published September 30th 2016
ASINB01M0XWJKU
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/love-on-location/

An Alisa Audiobook Review: Lights, Camera, Cupid, the Bluewater Bay Anthology

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

lightscameracupid_audiobook-1Cupid is visiting Bluewater Bay, and he’s leaving chaos in his wake.

 

Nothing’s been the same in this sleepy little logging town since Hollywood came to shoot the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing—especially Valentine’s Day.

 

In L.A. Witt’s Just Another Day, beloved actors Levi Pritchard and Carter Samuels have an announcement for their fans, while in Z.A. Maxfield’s I’ll Be There, actor Spencer Kepler and his boyfriend Nash Holly brave a blizzard and a fan convention to spend their first February the 14th together.

 

Of course, it’s not just TV stars celebrating the day. In Anne Tenino’s Helping Hand, an aspiring artist eager to escape Bluewater Bay decides he just might have a reason to stay: lust-inspiring logger Gabriel Savage. In SE Jakes’s No Easy Way, a local teacher reconnects with an old lover working security on the film set. And in Amy Lane’s Nascha, a Bluewater Bay elder recalls how his own unconventional family used to celebrate the holiday.

 

Real life may be nothing like TV, but when Cupid comes to town, there’s plenty of romance and drama to go around.

 

This was a nice collection of stories; it was nice seeing a few characters again along with a few new ones.  These stories can mostly be read as stand-alone, but events from the characters books could be helpful and, after looking ahead, some of the other stories are kind of a pre-quel to some more books later in the series.

 

Just Another Day by LA Witt – 5 stars out of 5

It was great to see Levi and Carter again.  Levi learns that Valentine’s Day isn’t always about a token expensive gift, but being with the one you love.  Levi continues to struggle with being in an actual relationship, but can see everywhere he turns how perfect it is to have Carter in his life.

 

Nascha by Amy Lane – 4 stars out of 5

This was a nice, but very depressing.  We get a look at the life of Nascha and his family.  He gave up a lot to take care of his niece and her family, but in the end gets the chance to re-connect with his lover Raw.  I loved Nascha and my heart broke when he had to give up his lovers and then the death of one after they had reconnected.

 

No Easy Way by SE Jakes – 3 stars out of 5

Cary has pretty much been just been existing since his boyfriend, Dylan, left.  Dylan has been in the military for years and finally got the courage to come home and try to win Cary back.  That Dylan was willing to take the verbal abuse from Cary for so long without explaining was a miracle.  Though this was an interesting story, I had trouble connecting with the characters.

 

Helping Hand by Anne Tenino – 3 stars out of 5

Lucas cannot wait for the chance to get out of Bluewater Bay, he has nothing to keep him here.  He feels like the outsider in his family and the town.  It isn’t until after he is pretty much forced to come out to his family that he finds out he isn’t quite as different as he thought.  When Lucas and Gabe connect and then Gabe pushes Lucas away my heart just absolutely broke for him.  I am interested to see what happens to them when I get to their book.

 

I’ll Be There by ZA Maxfield – 5 stars out of 5

I loved Nash and Spencer in their book and it was great to see them again.  They both need and love each other so much, it’s wonderful.  I loved the look we got at Nash’s twin, Healey, too.

Nick Russo and Dorian Bane did a nice job narrating these story.  They really brought the characters to life through the voices and emotions they portrayed.

 

Cover art by LC Chase is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

 

Sales Links:  Riptide | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

 

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 6 hrs 22 min
Published: September 26, 2016 (ebook first published February 9, 2015)
Edition Language: English

Series: A Bluewater Bay Story