Category: M/M Romance

An Ali Review: Frost by Isabelle Adler

 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The end of the world as they knew it had come and gone, and the remnants of mankind struggle to survive in a barren landscape. Twenty-three-year-old Finn sets out on a desperate mission to scavenge for the much-needed medicine to help his sister. He knows better than to trust anyone, but when a total stranger saves him from a vicious gang, the unexpected act of kindness rekindles Finn’s lost faith in humanity.

The tentative friendship with his rescuer, Spencer, gradually turns into something more, and for the first time in years, Finn lets himself yearn for joy and hope in the dead of nuclear winter—right until Spencer goes missing.

They say love is the greatest power of all, but it seems it would take nothing short of a miracle to overcome the dangers that threaten to destroy Finn’s only chance for happiness and the lives of his loved ones.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author in the last month and it was another hit for me. (I also highly recommend her book Adrift).  I am a sucker for apocalypse settings in books and read them a lot.  This was the first time though that I have read a book when the apocalypse caused a constant snow and cold temperature.  I thought it was unique and since it would be mine own personal hell I was totally drawn in to it.
The book was relatively short but still did a good job with the world building.  It set a tone of bleakness and fear and I could immediately understand Finn’s desperation to help his sister.  Spencer was intriguing and I liked him immediately.  The bad guys were well done too.  You have to have bad guys in apocalypse stories but if it’s too heavy handed it can be over the top.  This was just the right mix in my opinion.
 
I really liked the romance and I thought the guys were great together.  It was a bit insta-love and while I don’t generally like that, I will always give that a pass in this sub genre.  It’s the end of the world….. you gotta get your loving when and where you can.  
 
As I previously stated I have read two of this author’s books this month and have really enjoyed them both.  She was a new to me author and I’m really excited to have found her stuff.  I will definitely be reading more by her.
 
Cover:  This cover was done by Natasha Snow and I just love it. I think it’s really well done and sets the feel of the story perfectly.  I think this cover artist and publisher have the best covers in the genre right now.  They set a high bar for book covers.
Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon
Book Details:
ebook
Published March 4th 2019 by NineStar Press
ISBN 139781950412143
Edition Language English

An Alisa Review: Radical Hearts (Deviant Hearts #2) by A E Ryecart

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

When the past shatters the present, how can their future be saved?

 

Taking shelter from a storm in an off-beat, alternative bookshop, security consultant Lee Adams only wants to wait out the weather. Wary and cautious following the collapse of his long-term relationship, Lee’s got no time and even less interest in having a man in his life. Or that’s what he tells himself as he works long, exhausting days in a futile effort to deny his crushing loneliness. But when the flirty, dark-haired assistant invites him to a campaign meeting to save an old pub from being bulldozed out of existence, Lee finds himself saying yes when everything tells him he should be saying no.

 

For Dominic Russell, the Save Charlie campaign is personal. Charlie’s was where the frightened teenager he’d once been found a safe haven to be himself without fear or shame – until the events of a long-ago night ripped his world apart and forced him into a decision that changed his life forever.

 

Both are wounded by betrayal, let down by those who should have loved them unconditionally. It’s only when they find the courage to open their hearts to one another that Lee and Dominic understand what each of them wants and needs to make them whole and complete.

 

Against the background of Lee and Dominic’s unfolding love story, the campaign to Save Charlie is falling apart. Nobody’s interested and nobody cares – until a stranger with vision, passion and conviction arrives. He’s the shot in the arm the campaign needs, and he’s come with a full syringe. But something about Charlie’s saviour doesn’t add up, and Lee’s determined to find out why.

 

A whispered revelation, an angry confrontation, and the campaign takes a dark and disturbing turn. As Dominic’s new-found trust is tested to the breaking point, everything he’s trying to save threatens to destroy him.

 

For Lee and Dominic, preserving the past might just tear down their future.

 

This story had so many little twist and turns, it felt like there was something coming at them from all angles.  Dominic is living his life according to his rules, he just wants to be himself but can’t seem to break free of the hurt his father caused years ago.  Lee hasn’t been ready to put himself out there since his relationship collapsed but can’t help being drawn to Dom when they meet.

 

Hmm, I liked this story a lot, not as much as the previous one but it was good.  I loved getting to know these characters as the book went on though they tried to keep themselves at a distance for a while.  I liked how these two really took it slow and got to know each other more before they jumped in too much, even if it wasn’t always intentional.

 

My only real gripe with the story is it seemed that every time they started to make headway something else get in their way and the reality of that many things or people causing problems is mind boggling.  Though at times it was themselves that got in their own way.

 

I liked the cover art with the pictures of the characters, though Dom’s pink tips would have been a nice touch.

 

Sales Link: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 248 pages

Published: June 20, 2018 by AE Ryecart

Edition Language: English

Series: Deviant Hearts #2

Don’t Miss Out on A Hitman and a Giveaway with the SPEAK NO EVIL by J.R. Gray Blog Tour

Speak No Evil by J.R. Gray

Publisher: Gray Books

Release Date (Print & Ebook): March 28th

Length (Print & Ebook): 70,000 words

Subgenre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Learn more: https://jrgraybooks.com/speak-no-evil/

 

Book synopsis:

Weston doesn’t believe in voodoo but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t believe in him. His life and family were steeped in the stuff and it was fine, until voodoo took everything from him, ripped his life from his grasp. And when it swallowed whole the person he loved most he had to escape.

But there were consequences. His voodoo goddess wasn’t going to let go of him so easily, and her revenge was the pinnacle of evil. He could have dealt with something like impotence or boils, but this was purely depraved. She came for him and hit him where it hurts. She might as well have taken his guns.

Weston found himself unable to lie. A hitman who can’t lie. What a joke.

When his handler throws him a bone, a job that requires no interaction only observation, Weston takes it. He should be able to do this in his sleep, but he’s off his game. He gets way too close. Nothing is as it seems, and someone else, maybe someone worse than him, is stalking his mark. But he can’t leave the kid high and dry. Not when Eli is all he can think about.

About J.R. Gray: Gray is a cynical Chicago native, who drinks coffee all day, barely sleeps, and is a little too fashion obsessed. He writes realistic and damaged characters because everyone deserves a happily ever after.

Connect with J.R. Gray: Website | Instagram | Twitter – Personal | Twitter – Books | Facebook | Facebook Group | Tumblr | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page

Blog Tour Excerpts:

Slightly NSFW Teaser #1:

Eli wobbled but didn’t back off. “You know what I’m talking about.” He stabbed a finger into Weston’s ribs. “I saw the way you stared in there.”

Weston shook his head. The gleam in Eli’s eyes, that slight edge to his voice, made Weston decide to go for broke. Straight military guys seemed to be the most homophobic people he’d met, but Eli seemed to be into this—into him. He would end up getting hit if he was wrong, and his excuse to get close to his mark might blow up in his face, but he couldn’t stop the words that came out of his mouth. 

“You liked it.” He had a few inches on him and was thicker all around. He wasn’t worried.

“If I did?” Eli challenged, reaching up and fisting a hand in Weston’s shirt.

“Then I guess you won’t mind this.” Weston grabbed Eli’s neck, using the leverage to press his lips against the mouth that had haunted him for a week and taunted him for the past hour. He fully expected to be shoved into the wall or hit in the face, so he kept his eyes open and his hand near his knife just in case.

Using the grip on Weston’s shirt, Eli did just that, shoving him against the wall. Weston gripped the hilt of his knife, inching it out of its sheath, but Eli leaned further into Weston and parted his lips, giving into the assaulting kiss. He flicked his tongue over Weston’s bottom lip to lure his tongue out to play. Weston’s stomach turned with nervous energy, and he groaned. His cock tightened behind his zipper. Eli tasted better than he looked, cloves with a hint of jet fuel, tinged with bourbon.

He released his hold on the knife and slid his hand around Eli’s waist. Eli kept his grip on his shirt and used his free hand to cup Weston’s face, groaning into his mouth. They stayed locked together in the dim alley, exploring each other.

Weston flushed with heat. Desire flooded through his veins. He let himself forget that Eli was a mark. Kissing Eli was better than any sex he’d ever had. He kept Weston on his toes, nipping and biting ‘til his lips were swollen, only to delve his tongue into Weston’s mouth to twist and battle with his own.

Weston was breathless when they finally broke apart. His lungs were on fire as he tried to breathe normally and regain control of his pounding heart. “Well, that wasn’t what I expected.”

“I think it’s better to keep your type off balance.” Eli grabbed Weston’s hair, bringing their mouths together controlling the speed and direction

Weston’s lips parted, welcoming Eli’s persistent tongue into his mouth again. Eli pulled them apart again but lingered against Weston as his chest heaved. “Nightcap?”

Weston’s heart stopped in his chest, and he swallowed hard. His fingers reached for his holster, needing to feel the metal, but Eli’s body pressed against his made it impossible.

“Lead the way,” Weston said with his cock.

NSFW Teaser #2:

Sex in clubs was easier. This Weston was sure of. But he wanted Eli naked and sprawled out under him, and now he had to figure out where to put all the guns he was wearing. Which, if he was honest with himself, was a bit excessive. Too late to have regrets now. He had to stash them and fast.

Eli was on him as soon as he passed over the threshold into the bedroom. He was unrelenting in trying to get Weston’s clothes off. So enthusiastic he seemed almost sex starved, which didn’t make any sense considering how good he was with his mouth.

“Are you planning on wearing those all night?” Eli asked.

“Feisty little fuck, aren’t you?”

“I know what I want.” He renewed his effort to get Weston out of his clothes.

Weston loved the fight for dominance. It was cute how Eli actually thought he was in control here. Weston ate guys like him for breakfast, and he sure as hell didn’t do anything without wanting to.

Giveaway: Enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card from J.R. Gray! Must be 18 to enter.

Enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKU-Fs-Ac1Vdo13_PeT_Dz2SbCS5-Qk6kFP7iPsMLZMNkP0g/viewform

If You Love Gay Murder Mystery Don’t Miss Out On the Blog Tour for At A Stranger’s Mercy (Badge and Bullets #1) by Brittany Cournoyer (excerpt and giveaway)

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At A Stranger’s Mercy

Badge and Bullets Book 1

Brittany Cournoyer

Gay Murder Mystery

Release Date: 03.22.19

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Blurb

Making eye contact with a killer wasn’t exactly how Bradley Danforth had planned to start his day. As an accountant, he craved structure and routine. What he hadn’t anticipated was being part of a real-life murder mystery with him cast in the starring role.

Death and sorrow were part of Max Donohue’s job description, leaving the detective hardened after years on the job. On his latest case, he’s the one stuck protecting the only witness in a sadistic homicide.

One death becomes two… then three. And soon Max and Bradley find themselves playing a deadly game of cat and mouse. Can Max save Bradley from the clutches of a serial killer? Or will the killer finish what he started?

At a Stranger’s Mercy is the first installment of a continuing series featuring the same two characters. It’s a suspenseful murder mystery that depicts detailed crimes, strong language, and adult situations. While this series will include a romance, it’s a slow burn that develops throughout the series.


getbook.at/AtAStrangersMercy

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Excerpt

I shut the door, making sure to lock it behind me, and started the engine after clicking my seatbelt into place. After checking my rearview and side mirrors, I slowly backed out of the driveway then pointed my car in the direction of the coffee shop—and work. Only then did I realize I’d have to drive by the man who was still digging around inside his car.

He must’ve heard my car approaching because I watched out of the windshield as he straightened to his full height and pulled his car door partly shut so I wouldn’t hit it when I drove by. While a nagging voice inside my head told me to keep my eyes on the road, I couldn’t stop myself from looking and locking eyes with the man standing by his vehicle.

I felt like time reduced and my car was moving in slow motion as I drove by. The anger I could see in his eyes had me gasping aloud, and I felt my blood run cold. The black, cold eyes burned into mine, and I couldn’t bring myself to turn away, no matter how much I knew I needed to. The unease I felt earlier intensified, and even though I wanted to press my foot down harder on my accelerator to get the hell out of there, my body felt nearly paralyzed with fear. It was only when I was past his car I could finally breathe easier.

I didn’t even bother to stop and get coffee; the mood for it had completely gone. Instead, I went straight to my office in hopes of getting lost in my work so I could shake the weird feeling that had settled over me. But it didn’t happen. The unease clung to me all day, and my mind was plagued with flashes of black, angry eyes. My hands shook as I punched numbers into the calculator. My handwriting was barely legible thanks to the tremors as I tried to make notations, and it was incredibly difficult to concentrate since I was so off-kilter.

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Brittany was born in a small town in Alabama and moved to Indiana when she was thirteen years old. She currently resides there and works as an operator at a local hospital. When she isn’t working, she loves to spend her free time writing stories, playing with her puppy, Delilah, watching television, and spending time with loved ones.

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Love a Drag Queen Mystery? Check Out the Release Blitz and Giveaway for Fault Lines by Shane K Morton

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
 
Length: 63,000 words approx.
 
Blurb
 

Drag goddess, Ursula Moolay, left Kentucky as fast as her size twelve pumps could carry her and has created a new life for herself in Los Angeles. Here, she has found herself surrounded by a group of people with their own secrets and lies:



A daytime Soap stud hiding in the Hollywood closet.


A reality television producer prepared to destroy his star.


An aging showgirl- the complex’s mother hen, fighting to survive.


A married male escort desperately hiding his profession from his pregnant wife.


And finally, Ursula, pulled into a terrifying ordeal of drugs, murder, and deception as she grapples with her own identity.


Enter the world of red carpet meltdowns, sex tapes, shopping with drag queens, earthquakes, mortgages and murder.


Can they survive or will they each fall into the cracks of LA’s fault lines?
 
Author Bio
 

Shane K Morton lives in Studio City, CA with his husband Jody and their fur baby Slayer. His first novel, The Trouble With Off-Campus Housing was published in 2016. When not writing, Shane can be found at a film festival or performing cabaret somewhere in a dark dive bar in LA.


Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

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An Ashlez Review: Off the Ice (Hat Trick #1) by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn

Rating : 4 stars out of 5

Tristan Holt is nothing if not pragmatic. Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire—if an injury doesn’t force him to hang up his skates first. His backup plan? Finishing his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.

Sebastian is on the bottom rung of the Sociology Department at Georgia State. He has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least not until summer classes end. After that, everything is fair game.

But Sebastian lives loud and proud, and Tristan is terrified of being the first out player in the NHL. Neither of them can afford to risk their hearts when they can’t imagine a happily ever after. The problem is, unlike hockey, when it comes to love, there are no rules.

 
Perhaps it’s the Canadian in me, but I loved the hockey-centric learning of this book.  It was hockey focused as it should be, and normally in a hockey romance you get a few game play/practice references and nothing more – if you’re a fan of hockey this is a definite must read.
 
It was very “coming out” focused as well, and honestly I get each side of the story.
 
Tristan was adorably written – Ryu was too – which I hope is the next in the series – their descriptions their descriptions, their lives, their jobs, I just was engrossed.
 
I thought Seb was pretty bossy from the beginning – makes sense throughout the book, honestly – his actions in the beginning though kind of ticked me off a lot!
 
Personal distaste aside, Seb grew on me, of course, not as much as Tris I like the big floppy grinned character more than anything else!
 
Excited for the next book in the series.
Cover Art – typical hockey book art – I love the colours though and clearly it’s super relevant to the book
Book Details:ebook
Published March 25th 2019 by Carina Press (first published October 30th 2017)
ISBN 1488053758 (ISBN13: 9781488053757)
SeriesHat Trick #1
CharactersTristan Holt, Sebastian Cruz, Ryu Mori, Trevor Morley, Daniel Bellamy
settingAtlanta, Georgia (United States)

Release Blitz and Giveaway for This Is Not A Love Story by Suki Fleet

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited
 
Length: 96,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Aaron Anderson
 
Blurb
 

When fifteen-year-old Romeo’s mother leaves one day and doesn’t return, he finds himself homeless and trying to survive on the streets. Mute and terrified, his silence makes him vulnerable, and one night he is beaten by a gang of other kids, only to be rescued by a boy who pledges to take care of him.


Julian is barely two years older than Romeo. After running away from an increasingly violent homelife, he makes some difficult choices and ends up selling himself on the street to survive. Taking care of Romeo changes him, gives him a purpose in life, gives him hope, and though he tries to be strong and keep his troubles with drugs behind him, living as they do is slowly destroying him, and he begins to doubt he can be strong enough.


This is the story of their struggle to find a way off the streets and stay together at all costs. But when events threaten to tear them apart, Romeo knows he must find the strength within himself to help Julian (and not let their love story turn into a tragedy).

 
About Suki
 

Award Winning Author. Prolific Reader (though less prolific than she’d like). Lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.


Suki Fleet writes lyrical stories about memorable characters, and believes everyone should have a chance at a happy ending.


Her first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards.


Email: sukifleet@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/suki_fleet/
https://www.facebook.com/suki.fleet.3
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7919609.Suki_Fleet
http://sukifleet.tumblr.com/
http://sukifleet.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/SukiFleet?lang=en

 

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A MelanieM Review: Scott (Owatonna U Hockey #2) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

What happens when you try to fix the past and end up threatening your future?

Scott is struggling. Grieving the loss of his brother, carrying the weight of his father’s expectations, and getting his ass kicked in the rink, he’s in a downward spiral. He needs a solution and fast, but when his steroid use is exposed, he’s close to losing his place at Owatonna and more importantly, on the Eagles Hockey team. Thrown out of his house, with nowhere to go and no future in sight, he only has one choice; agree to mandatory counseling, random drug tests, and get his act together. Only then will he have a chance at normal. Meeting Hayne, a senior connected to the world through his art, is a shock to the system. Moving in with him is his only option, but falling for the shy artist leaves Scott in an impossible situation, and one he can’t escape.

Hayne has always been that quiet, creative kid who sat in the back of class drawing instead of listening to the teacher. A talented artist, the shy and sensitive young man is struggling with the loss of his childhood friend. Seeing his sadness reflected in his usually colorful paintings, he decides to attend grief counseling and meets Scott, a lost soul in desperate need of light and color in his life. Taking in a homeless hockey player certainly was never part of his carefully orchestrated ten-year plan. But now that Scott is in his life, he’s discovering the joy of this man’s loving smile and tender touch is one of the most beautiful palettes on earth.

Scott is the second in the Owatonna series which started with Ryker, a story I loved.  These characters and novels are connected with the much loved Harrisburg Railers Series by the same authors (Ryker is the son of two of the main mcs).  So yes, hockey, both the game and a team, is the framework for this series as well.  Owatonna is the college and team that both Ryker and Scott play for.  Except in Scott’s case, that’s about to come to a  crashing halt.

And that’s where this book deviates from most of the other stories.  Hockey plays a decidedly lesser role here.  The laser focus is on Scott, the trauma behind his actions, the deep set grief and guilt he has never dealt with, along with Hayne, the young artist who has struggled with his own crucial loss.  It’s a mighty combination of gripping emotional issues, moving characters, and a study in relationships and fractured families.

Truly, grab those tissues.

From that first shocking bloody punch, Locey and RJ Scott reel us into the pain, grief stricken world of Scott.  Even as we deplore his actions, something about him broadcasts his fragility, his wounds, and we’re hooked.  And when Hayne comes into the picture, well, the power of that small character completes the story and the connection to both men and the hope for their relationship.

I’m with them every angst filled step of the way and wanted this story to continue because I fell so in love with them both as they felt their way towards love and recovery.

What I love about this and the other series is that the authors bring back the characters in each others stories so we can see how their relationship is progressing.  I look forward to that with Scott and Hayne too.

Bring on the next book!

If you haven’t started this series, rush out to get Ryker, and then Scott.  You will be all caught up and ready for the next one!.  I highly recommend them all.

Cover art: Meredith Russell.  Love that cover.  Perfect and matches the series style.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book Details:

ebook
Published March 27th 2019
Series Owatonna U Hockey #2

Ryker

Scott

Benoit coming soon