Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

In the Book Spotlight: Chris McHart ‘Small Steps’ (excerpt and contest)

Small Steps Ebook Cover

Small Steps by Chris McHart
Release Date: September 21, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Rawmance Publishing
Cover Artist: Meg Bawden/Bawd Designs

Buy the book:  Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon DE  |  All Romance (ARe)

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Blurb

Ben Amann currently hates everything: The accident that temporarily put him in a wheelchair, the fact that he has to go for rehab and live in an assisted living home as well. Sebastian Hofers, the good looking but equally bad-tempered new assistant to his rehab therapist changes that.

Sebastian has two choices after causing an accident while driving drunk: community service hours or go to jail. The decision is a no-brainer, and so he meets Ben at the rehab center. The two of them hit it off and slowly, Sebastian sees more than just a patient in Ben.

But their growing relationship faces hard trials, not only because of Sebastian’s heavy drinking, but also because of the truth: The two of them already met on an icy street, eight months ago.

Can love and forgiveness overcome the overwhelming guilt and resentment?

Contains: Two ill-tempered men, a lot of hang-ups, a shared hope, and a destroyed dream.
Trigger Warning: deals with alcohol abuse and alcoholism

Pages or Words: 76,800 words
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt

Sebastian stepped out of the sticky bus. It was hot for that time of the year, and Germany was melting under a heat wave. Munich was no exception. The temperature was somewhere around 35°C and the air conditioning in the bus was either non-existent or not working. The fact that everyone and their mother seemed to have agreed to take this bus didn’t help to make it more bearable.

Sebastian took a deep breath, but it did nothing to cool him down. All he got was a lung full of heat, his sweat, and fumes. Fuck this shit. He could be at a bar right now, sipping a cold beer. But he wasn’t, thanks to that fucking judge.

He had to be here, the last place he wanted to be. Okay, a few meters more, then he reached the place. The sign was unmistakable: Rehabilitation Center. Fucking shit. That judge had had way too much fun sentencing him. Wasn’t there a law against such things? The urge to kick something, anything in his way, rose, but Sebastian grit his teeth. He was no sixteen-year-old anymore. Instead of kicking something, Sebastian peered into the windows. An empty desk sat near the entrance door. Nobody was there.

Sebastian took another deep breath, which did nothing to quell his anger, and slowly pushed open the door. He wouldn’t get his Community Service hours done by standing in front of the building. And if the judge had his way, Sebastian was going to be here quite a few hours. Two-hundred, to be precise. Fucking two-hundred hours of work in a rehab center. He should kill that judge.

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About The Author

Meet Chris McHart:
Chris McHart lives in Germany, with her husband, slave, Dom, partner in crime, and muse (all in one person, not even she’s that kinky!). She loves her husband, men in kilts and Scotch Whiskey. Her idea of a perfect evening is to curl up with her laptop and write (the other options are not suitable to post in public).
Visit her blog or friend her on Facebook, where you can join her author group.

Where to find Chris McHart:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008256641886
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chris_mchart
Facebook Author group
Blog: www.chrismchart.com

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Paperback copy of ‘Small Steps’ by Chris McHart.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
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Its Hot & Sexy, The Manchester Ménage Collection with Nicole Colville ‘Discovering Dalton’ (excerpt and giveaway)

1Discovering Dalton E-Book Cover

Discovering Dalton (Manchester Ménage Collection #2) by Nicole Colville
Release Date: August 28, 2015

Goodreads
Publisher: Nicole Colville
Cover Artist: Kellie Dennis, Book Cover by Design

Manchester M+®nage Collection Poster

Buy the book:  Amazon Only     Amazon US  |  Amazon UK |  Kindle Unlimited included

Nicole Colville is here and we asked the author to tell us a little something about her, facts that other bios don’t cover. And Nicole choose to tell us about her pets.

“Those are my two fur babies. The big creamy one, that’s Marius. He’s around 11 now and he’s grumpy, stuck up, lazy and fussy, but we love him, even though I get the feeling he’s suffering our presence until something better loki blk and white kittycomes along lol He’s huge and likes to lord around the house making sure he’s the centre of attention.Marius cream kitty

The iccle b&w baby is Loki. Never ever call your cat Loki and expect her / him to be well behaved. She’s true to her namesake and causes no end of mischief. She’s also partially deaf, and can’t meow – or she chooses not due to her hearing. She purrs super loud though. She adores the kids and because of her deafness she isn’t scared by the noise or high pitched screaming that goes on in the house. She likes to sleep on my desk under the monitors while I type and occasionally walks over the keyboard to gain my attention and randomly type tons of bbbbbjjjjjj,zasd into my WIP.”

1Discovering Dalton Facebook Cover Art - Copy

Blurb

At fifteen, Troy and Liam were fostered by the same family, and although they hated each other at first, they gradually became solid friends. As adults, the two foster brothers live together. Both experience tough times, each being a rock for the other, but their love had never been anything other than brotherly. 

Until they both fall for the same guy, and things get… complicated. 

Dalton is fresh out of a ten year marriage. Feeling lost, he concentrates on the only thing he can control—his body. Developing from a chubby, unfit police officer into a lean, mean inked one, Dalton has never looked better, but inside, he’s never felt worse. A relationship is far from his thoughts, and one with another man makes Dalton even more confused. He takes time to get to know Troy and Liam separately, but Manchester isn’t that big, and sparks fly when fate throws the three together. 

Together, these three fight it out between them. Both Troy and Liam demand Dalton choose between them, but what if he didn’t have to choose? What if it could work between three? 

The things in life we fight for are never the easiest, but they’re the ones worth holding onto forever.

Pages or Words: 382 pages
Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Menage/Poly, Romance

Excerpt

Liam chatted with Milo, but Dalton was too busy trying to stop hyperventilating and not staring at Liam’s body, seeing it as he last saw it—wet and tense, excited and looking sinful in that shower cubicle. Those types of thoughts weren’t going to help him calm down. Why oh why did that have to happen?
Blue leaned in, calming strokes running up and down Dalton’s back, sweetly spoken words whispered against his neck, and Dalton’s tension eased a little. “Is he an ex or something?”
“No,” Dalton choked out.
“Oh, I just thought there was some history there.” Blue’s glossy red lips curled into a smile.
“There’s no history of that kind.”
“But there is some to speak about?” Blue opened his green eyes wider and nodded. “It’s obvious. Maybe it’s time you resolved this tension between the two of you somehow.”
“What?” Dalton stiffened.
“Well, there’s obviously something happening between you two.”
“Yeah, but not what you think.”
Blue bit his lip while he thought. “Hmm, there’s a few different things going on from where I’m sitting.” He nudged his thigh against Dalton’s dick, and for the first time, he realised he was excited. “Or is this for me?”
Dalton truly had no idea. He was confused by his own body, not understanding why he was reacting at all. But it had happened in the showers while he watched Liam. Maybe it was those moments replaying in his mind which caused his cock to stiffen in his jeans.
Maybe it was the fact he had someone sitting on him, caring about him, someone with long legs and big heels, who was wearing make-up and who was confusing Dalton’s body by being more feminine than he was used to in a man. But then, Dalton was close to Samuel. He was beautiful and more feminine than Blue and this had never happened, and hadn’t Samuel been sitting on his knee earlier? Maybe he was losing his mind. Maybe he’d already lost it.
“I don’t… I really don’t know,” he whispered into Blue’s hair. “I just… I have to go.”
“Wait, sexy.” Blue pressed his body more into his, meeting his eyes, those black lashes coated thickly in mascara. “Don’t run off just yet. There’s no need.”
“I’m not gay,” Dalton rushed out as low as he could make his voice, darting his gaze to Liam, his tight V-necked vest showing off those big muscles, jeans encasing his firm arse, that bottle hanging in between his lips.
This time, when Blue rubbed his thigh over his cock, Dalton grabbed Blue’s slender calf running up his leg and just held it, not moving him away but not pulling him closer—just frozen, not knowing what to do.
“You don’t have to label yourself with anything, Dalton.” Blue took hold of his chin, fingertips gently caressing his skin and making Dalton shift his gaze from Liam back to him. “I think…” He eased closer still, his thigh now pressed against the rigid length encased in Dalton’s jeans. “If your body needs something, it lets you know. If your eyes find something pleasing, they look more. If your heart beats faster for someone, then you follow it. I’m not gay. I’m a person. A human being. That’s the label I want to be tagged with. Hashtag Human.” He clicked his fingers with a bright smile.
Dalton smiled through his fear and understood what Blue was saying. He just wasn’t ready to think the same way. “That’s nice.”
“It’s the truth. The truth is always a good thing. I always think our brains confuse us. They have all this bullshit ‘learned’ behaviour which they pick up over the years and it tells you to think one way, your body saying another. It takes time for those two to work together and come to some sort of an agreement, but we all get there eventually. Just don’t pressure yourself, hon.” Blue leaned in, kissing the corner of his mouth, Dalton’s cock now crushed against his thigh. “Of course, I would like to think this is for me, but I know better.” Blue pulled back with a heavy sigh. “If you change your mind though…” He winked with a chuckle.
“Blue.” Samuel was beside them, looking between them both. “Dalton’s a bit…” He drifted off, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth, obviously not wanting to spill too much personal info about Dalton’s bad day and emotional state.
“Confused, sweetie?” Blue offered brightly.
“Yeah.” Samuel looked to the sky, then took hold of Blue’s hand. “You go get some air, Dalton.”

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About The Author

Meet Nicole Colville:
Nicole Colville was born and currently lives in Leeds, England. She is a wife and mother of two young girls who somehow manages to fit in being a full time author of m/m romance and erotica. She loves writing complex characters in bittersweet romances which will leave you addicted and craving more from her men.

Although best known for her popular series, Hidden and Knights to Remember, she also enjoys writing with friend, and fellow author, E.M Leya. Together they have published two books in their Sinful Temptation Collection with more planned.

Her new menage collection based in the popular city of Manchester, England is her first solo full length novel outside of The Hidden Series and has three books planned for release in 2015 & 2016.

 

Where to find Nicole Colville:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicole.colville.the.hidden.series
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/The.Hidden.Series.Nicole.Colville
Twitter: @NIKKIECOLVILLE

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Discovering Dalton’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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A Mika Review: Unbreak Broken (Coming About #3) by J.K. Hogan

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Unbreak Broken coverRory Donovan’s life is a hot mess. His marriage is failing and he’s in intensive psychotherapy, working through the unfortunate side effects of memories from a childhood trauma. The only thing good in his life right now is his job—teaching photography to gifted high school students.

Harbor Patrol officer Bennett Foster is co-parenting his teenage daughter with his high school best friend Jessie. When he meets Addison’s teacher and realizes they’ve met before, he can’t get the sexy stranger out of his head.

Striking up a sexual-tension-filled friendship, together they must help an angsty teenager deal with a dying friend. Bennett must keep his little family from falling apart while Rory struggles to come to terms with his new reality. Somewhere along the way, most unexpectedly…love happens.

 

I really like  J.K. Hogan’s writing. I like the realness to it, I like the difficulties she brings, I like the tragedy surrounding her characters, and I like that someone out there in the world is going through this or went through it. I knew she was working on a book three for the series, but there was next to nothing clue wise on whose book it will me.

Goodness she gave us sweet Rory from book one. You know Rory, the one whose wedding to Maia brought the entire crew together. Yeah him, who introduced Justice & Nic and Rich & Paddy. Straight Rory, well folks he isn’t so straight. He’s definitely on his No labels kick this book. This book was way heavier then the other two. It dealt with some soul-wrenching discussions about some of the characters past. I think Rory’s situation is the first I read about in m/m books, and I loved the way the author went about it. 

I felt like her information on his past was spot on. It was nicely done, as well as the clinical aspect was done well. I loved Rory’s relationship with his therapist. I know each person is different, but I think he was finally able to be himself with the understanding and help from his doctor.

We saw some familiar faces, and I’m really happy Rory was able to have that support he needed. Bennett was great; I liked him as a character. I wish we would have gotten some of his back-story. While his issues weren’t heavily dictated, I felt like he was closed off majority of the story. I don’t know if he wasn’t opening up because of a past relationship or because that’s who he was.



Why not 5 star rating then? Well certain story lines I did not particularly care far. The whole triangle with Rory, Maia and her crazy brother. I did not really find that believable. I mean it could happen, and here is where I’m at. It was a point made in the story about Rory and perceptions. He’s written as this solid big guy 6’3 or 6’4, and he allows someone to get the jump on him. I’m having a hard time believing that he couldn’t take action or stand up for himself. I guess because book 1 Rory was totally different. While he wasn’t a main character his presence was very big. So I’m having a hard time as seeing him as a victim. That’s not the author’s fault, and that’s totally my own issue. 

I can’t wait to see if we get some continuation on the series. So many people have been introduced, and I’d like to see John Michael get his story. Can’t wait for more from this author.

Cover Art by J.K.Hogan, did a great job with the cover. Like the cameras as an added bonus, its something that Rory is very passionate about.

Sales Links:  Wilde City Press |  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 357 pages
Published September 16th 2015 by Wilde City Press
ISBN139781925313505
edition language English
series Coming About #3
Series with Goodreads links:
I Survived Seattle (Coming About, #1)
Love and the Real Boy (Coming About #2)
Unbreak Broken (Coming About, #3)

 

A BJ Review: The Complications of T (The Actor’s Circle #1) by Bey Deckard

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

The Complications of T coverStuart Leandro is a movie actor who has been taking roles for money rather than art and has recently faced that his marriage is breaking up. One night on the road in a foreign country, he winds up drunk in the gutter. Lucky for him, there’s someone’s there to rescue him before his face ends up plastered all over the tabloids. But is his rescuer male or female? His drunken senses aren’t at all sure, especially after a semi-coherent kiss enters the mix.

When he wakes in a strange apartment the next day, his rescuers gender still isn’t clear. Wary of the motives of the reclusive stranger, Stuart nonetheless can’t deny his curiosity or his attraction. He’s surprised when beneath the mystery, he discovers someone whose life has actually been intertwined with his own for years. But Tim White is unlike anyone Stuart has met before.

Tim’s simple act of kindness soon leads the two men into one of the most intense encounters of both of their lives—but are these two very public individuals willing to weather the media storm their extraordinary relationship will cause?

This story is a bit different than what I’ve come to expect from this author; less dark, lighter and most definitely sweeter. But I enjoyed it immensely.

Stuart and Tim’s romance moved from a strong attraction to sex that sent sparks flying and quickly coalescing into insta-love. It was Stuart’s first gay experience, yet he took it very much in stride. I admired his acceptance and open-mindedness, and the hesitant but determined way he dealt with discovering Tim right alongside experiencing emotions and attractions that were new to him. The sex was light rather than detailed, which actually disappointed me since unlike other trans books I’ve read, it was clear that Tim didn’t eschew taking pleasure by using his remaining female parts.   

After its breakneck start, the relationship slowed down (actually came to a rather screeching halt) at Tim’s request. And I actually liked that. I was enthralled with the hopeful direction it was heading, and then it ended.

Yep, it ended way too abruptly for my liking. I wanted to experience those absence-made-the-heart-grow-fonder moments, wanted their physical reunion right there on the page, wanted to know if the reactions of others that they’d both worried over and dreaded turned out as expected, and if so, how they handled it together. Wanted more.

Sometimes life is all about being in the right place at the right time. Tim White was there just when and where Stuart needed him to be. How he came to be there wasn’t quite clear to me. Coincidence? Or was Tim stalking his favorite actor?

Despite all those nit picks, I couldn’t rate this less than four stars, because I enjoyed Tim’s character so much. His wit, intelligence, self-assurance and strength and low angst level were perfect. And his reclusive lifestyle rang very true to me. And then there’s this:

“You want to know if I have a penis?”

“Yeah,” I confessed, a little embarrassed.

“I do!,” said Tim, but when he saw the look on my face, he just tugged my hair again with a playful smirk. “I was, however, unfortunately born without it, and seeing as what science can offer really, and I mean really, doesn’t appeal to me, I’m forced to keep it in the top drawer of the bedside table. Why? Do you want to see it?”

So yeah, I love Tim, and really, really hope there will be a second book that’s from Tim’s point of view… just as in the F.I.S.T.S. series we got the second from Murphy’s. Please, with puppy dog eyes, can you give me that dear author?

The lovely and sensual cover does this story justice. Love it.

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here


Book Details:

ebook, 53 pages
Published August 20th 2015 by Bey Deckard (first published August 18th 2015)
ISBN13 9780994790026
series The Actor’s Circle #1

What are you all reading now – part I- and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

What are you all reading now?

I was over at J Scott Coatsworth’s Queer Sci Fi Facebook group (if you love fantasy, science fiction, the discussions held there will blow you away).  Any how, that day authors of  some gay graphic novels were there talking about their latest couples and releases.  I thought the pictures and storylines were hot, hot, hot.

Now I love anime’, cut my teeth on comic books and early graphic novels.  Found Yaoi, never looked further, which was a mistake.   So I took a quick “run” around the web and found some pretty neat LGBTQIA graphic comics out there. ALEX WOOLFSON and ADAM DEKRAKER: Queer Sci Fi ran interview/chat with the creators of The Young Protectors as part of their wonderful Graphic Novel Week.  That started August 25.  Check out the entire week’s contributions when you have the time.  But that made me wonder?

Do you all read graphic comics?  If so, which ones? Which authors? I’ve included a small poll to see how much we  read and follow graphic novels.  Please feel free to chime in with your comments as well.  Thanks.

Now on to this week’s schedule after the poll.

 

 

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 20:

  • KC Wells ‘First’ book blast and contest
  • What Are You All Reading and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 21:

  • Enter the Dystopian World of Bane by Amelia C. Gormley (Riptide Tour and contest)
  • Beany Sparks ‘Shades of Power’, book blast and giveaway
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Lisa & TJ Oliver’s ‘Uncaged’ (excerpt and contest)
  • A BJ Review: The Complications of T (The Actor’s Circle #1) by Bey Deckard
  • A Free Dreamer Review: The Demon You Know by Barbara Elsborg

Tuesday, September 22:

  • In the Spotlight: Draven St. James ‘Lost in the Fire’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Special Cheryl Headford Guest Post with Character Interview (giveaway and excerpt)
  • A Barb The Zany Old Lady Review: Fit To Be Tied by Mary Calmes
  • A Mika Review: Unbreak Broken by J.K. Hogan
  • A PaulB Review: Not A Line of Bull by Charlie Richards

Wednesday, September 23:

  • Whistlestop Book Blast for Alyssa Astra ‘Fiery’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • In the Book Spotlight: Chris McHart ‘Small Steps’ (excerpt and contest)
  • Its Hot, Its Sexy, Its the Manchester Ménage Collection with Nicole Colville ‘Discovering Dalton’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Barb The Zany Old Lady Review: Other Side of the Line by Marguerite Labbe
  • A PaulB review: Kissed by Nemesis by Andi Anderson
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Such a Dance by Kate McMurray

Thursday, September 24:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Fai Marie Dawson ‘Please Understand’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Time to Heat Things up with H.C. Brown ‘Stalked’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Stella Audiobook Review: Going Up by Amy Lane (Audiobook)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Empty Nests (Nested Hearts #1) by Ada Maria Soto
  • A MelanieM Review: Tequila Mockingbird (Sinners #3) by Rhys Ford

Friday, September 25:

  • Its Release Day for RJ Scott’s Texas 7 (contest)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Theresa Hissong’s It Takes Two Tour (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Jeri Review: Beautiful Thunder by Louise Lyons
  • A MelanieM Review: Sloe Ride (Sinners, #4) by Rhys Ford
  • A Stella Review: ACID by Wulf Francu Godluck

Saturday, September 26:

A MelanieM Review: Texas Wedding (Texas #7) by RJ Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Stella Review: Daddy’s Boy by Vicktor Alexander

Rating 4 stars out of 5

Daddy's Boy coverMy name is Tyler Simpston. I was introduced to the darkness and sex at a very young age. Those are two things I know quite well. They are my constant companions. I’m used to the inky tar squeezing the life from my soul, the joy from my spirit, and the light from my life but I know that I have no one to blame but myself. It is all a result of my job as a paid… “companion.” And no, I don’t need to be “redeemed” from my profession. I like my job, love it actually. It’s my past I need to be saved from. My past and a man named KuJoe who is hell-bent on blackmailing me.

When my benefactor passed away I had to find someone new. Someone who would take care of me and keep me in the life to which I’d grown accustomed, so I set my sights on Dodger Vanderbrook, the wealthiest and most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life. But there’s something different about Dodger. Not only is he interested in more than just my body, but he makes me long for something more as well. Something more than just trips to foreign lands, fancy clothes, and checks with lots of zeroes written on them. It wasn’t long before Dodger had me wanting to be with him without money even being a part of our interactions. We weren’t having “appointments” we were having “dates,” and Dodger wasn’t a “client” he was more like a… “boyfriend.” But here’s the thing, I still have to take care of KuJoe because not only is KuJoe threatening to reveal my deepest darkest secret but he’s threatening to pull the most important person in my life into the world of prostitution: my little girl, my daughter, Stella.

I will do anything to prevent that from happening. Even turning my back on what could possibly be the greatest love of my life, my only chance at happiness, and returning to pay-by-the-hour prostitution. But in the end will I just let Dodger let go or will I finally fight back and stop being a Daddy’s Boy?

I already knew I was going to love Daddy’s Boys so much because I have a soft spot for Vicktor Alexander,  I adore how he can write. The book has everything I loved reading about  and everything I’m scared of reading about. There’s a lot of abuses, dark scenes, sometimes a little too much to take. I had to stop twice cause I couldn’t take it anymore. The pain, the suffering, just the thought of what little Tyler went through made me cringe often. His memories were the parts I was more afraid of. It’s not a simple book, there are a lot of facets to discover. And I know for a lot of people will be uncomfortable with it. I can say now, having spent some time thinking about it, that I’m surely going to re read it, not in the next future, but one day I will, cause it’s staying in my heart.

As I already said the writing was really great, it wasn’t a surprise cause Vicktor is too good with words, especially in the way he can make me feel and see every little detail. I’m honestly not sure how much I appreciated this quality in Daddy’s Boy when he made me feel sick, but all the emotions Tyler and his story with baby Stella infused in me were worth it.

I’m not going to talk about the specific in the story cause the blurb is very eloquent, there are a couple of things that will be revealed only later in the book, some were predictables others not. One more reason to stay glue to my kindle.

This next part of the review has been removed as it contains elements that might be considered “spoilers”.  To continue reading, click here.

That said, I’d love to recommend Daddy’s Boy cause I loved it very much. It’s dark and it’s sad, but it was too emotional and too well written to be ignored. I gave it four stars and I would probably given more but what I talk in the spoiler prevented me from doing it.

Cover art by Vicktor Alexander. The more I look at the cover the more I think it fits the book, in all the grey and the model’s look. Nothing special but well done.

Sales Links:  The Rooster and The Pig | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 180 pages
Published August 14th 2015 by The Rooster and The Pig
ASIN B013Y1SEZY
Edition Language English

A Wynter Review: Training Complex (Training Season #2) by Leta Blake

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Buckle up – Matty’s back!

Training Complex coverFigure skater Matty Marcus didn’t capture Olympic gold, but he won rancher Rob Lovely’s heart.

After Rob sold his ranch and Matty hung up his skates, they started a new life together in New York City. Now Matty has taken on a fresh challenge as a figure skating coach, and Rob’s second career as a physical therapist should be everything he’s dreamed of. But in the brutal heat of their third summer in the city, Rob yearns for the wide-open country, and the intensity of city life awakens Matty’s demons.

Matty asks for increasingly intense BDSM scenes, and his disordered eating and erratic behavior ramp up the stakes. Rob struggles to stay in control, and after a well-intentioned anniversary gift goes awry, he still thinks he can handle the fallout. But the concrete jungle is closing in and his coping skills are unraveling.

Their love is deep, but Rob will have to admit the truth about what he really wants before they both tumble into chaos.

I walked into this novel without knowing anything about the author, much less that it this was actually Book 2 of a series. I never read the first one, so this one left me a little bit overwhelmed.

It was difficult getting into this book. While I do enjoy erotic fiction, starting out with an erotic scene without knowing the characters made following the story an uphill struggle for the first half of the book. It took me a long time to get past the half-way point, and I needed to take plenty of breaks in between.

The horrible Kindle formatting and the lack of cutting conversations so I can follow easier aside, I’m one of those readers who pick up a book to get away from reality. While this novel may be fictional, the main characters – Rob Lovely and Matty Marcus – were too real-life real. These are two people who have issues as deep and numerous as any one of us could have – deeper, in fact, for Matty. Rob’s fight to keep Matty afloat is a struggle too many of us may identify with, and that is where the overwhelming realism hit me over the head.

I’ve come to think, as I finished the book, that the numerous erotic parts in the story was a way to show readers the subtle and not-so-subtle changes that happen to Rob and Matty as the story progresses. However, I felt they were too numerous, and the BDSM scenes may be too heavy-handed for some readers. While the in-between had very entertaining conversations involving other people in the characters’ lives, sometimes the information may have been a little too much.

If there was one thing I absolutely appreciated about this book, it was the information that is exchanged between Sato and Rob. I’m glad Leta Blake shared with her readers the different ways and avenues one can utilize as support if money wasn’t available – and money was tight for her main characters.

I think, as a reader, you’ll either love this or hate it. Check it out. Hate or love, there’s something to be learned from it.

The cover artist is Dar Albert over at Wicked Smart Designs. I think the men in the picture matched the characters of the book quite accurately, and if I was looking at a “Recommended Shelf” full of books, this cover would have been one of the first eye-catchers that get my attention.

Whether or not the novel would pass the interest test as one reads the excerpt on the back cover is another story altogether, but getting the attention of a passerby first and foremost is a very good start for a new book on the shelves!

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon|  Buy It Here

Book Details:

  • Author: Leta Blake
  • Length: 345 pages, ebook
  • Language: English
  • Series: Training Season, Book 2
  • Published: May 11, 2015
  • ISBN-13: 9781626227279

A Mika Review: Fret (The Rock #1) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars 

Fret coverFormer Navy SEAL Axel Blaze lives a solitary life. He doesn’t do emotions, and he doesn’t do babysitting. Used to being on his own, his job consists of Wetwork (a charming term coined by the KGB) for his former Master Chief, Mac. When an out-of-the-ordinary job lands on his doorstep, Axel heads down a path that includes a famous heavy metal rock band and one quiet, vulnerable, guitar-shredding virtuoso named Gareth Wolf.

Gareth Wolf’s life changed in an instant when a car he was a passenger in crashed, hurting his brother’s best friend and the band’s lead guitarist. They created the band, Skull Blasters, as kids. Gareth had always been happy in the background, playing roadie. With the lead guitarist’s injury, Gareth is suddenly thrust into the limelight and into a frenzied life he never imagined for himself. Finally fed up with living a lie, Gareth comes out as gay in a newspaper interview and finds himself in the bulls-eye of a crazed stalker. Somebody wants Gareth hurt – or worse – and Mac has been hired to be sure that doesn’t happen. Babysitting duty is NOT Axel’s strong suit, but Mac won’t be budged.

Enter Axel Blaze.

Against his better judgment, the big man takes the job to protect the shy musician. The more time he spends with Gareth Wolf, the more he admires the man. Where’s a simple assassination when you need one? The situation becomes more volatile for each man as the attempts on Gareth escalate just as Axel finds himself falling for the quiet lead guitarist.

Strong, funny, smart-ass — and kinda sweet Axel is everything Gareth has ever wanted in a man. Too bad he’s off limits. As the stalker grows bolder, Gareth and Axel move closer emotionally – but is it too late? All Axel knows is that they don’t stand a chance if he can’t find the maniac trying to kill the man he’s come to care about. A lot. 
Everyone knows that relationships that begin in pressured or volatile situations eventually fizzle out. 
Or do they?

I’m used to  Sandrine Gasq-Dion‘s bodies of work. I’m sure I’ve read 98% of her published catalog. I know what to expect out of her stories before I start reading them. Be it the Men of Manhattan Series, or my obsession with her Assassin/Shifter series. I can expect pure smut, unadulterated sweetness, a lot of gyrating, some closeted a-holes, a lot of acceptance from straight guys, and just fun reading them. You can say I’m familiar biblically with her work. I wrote that to say, this seemed like a first draft for me. I don’t think I ever had an issue with the editing, and proofreading of her stories. It took a toll on the rating for me. You know a handful of errors is doable, the entire story is unacceptable. The writing errors, speech errors, and the constant point of view changes made the story unexciting.

It was very monotonous to have to go over what I read. The plot wasn’t a mystery. I think it was a good concept, but conception wise it fell very short. This does not feel like a SGD book at all. I wasn’t happy with it. I liked the characters, but I felt like it could have been more. I think Axel and Gareth could have been better characters if they were developed more. I never got attached to them. I felt like we were treading water throughout the story. Of course I’ll continue to read her work, but this one left me unsatisfied and disappointed.

 Cover Art by unknown:  I think the cover was nicely done. It fit well with the blurb and plot of the story.

Sales Links:  Amazon  |  Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 232 pages
Published September 1st 2015 (first published August 28th 2015)
series
The Rock #1