A BJ Review: Prelude to Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (Claimings 0.5) by Lyn Gala

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 ★★★★★

Before Liam had a new commander who openly distrusted him, before Ondry earned his ka status, there were two traders. Ye Ondry wants to earn status, and he is curious about this new human. Liam has just arrived on the planet and he’s trying to figure out these aliens who supposedly have good metals to trade. Neither of them suspects that a chance trade and a few pots knocked off a table could lead their lives and their fates to intertwine.

Note: This free story is a prequel to the story of Ondry and Liam that details how they met. As such, it’s not a romance.

Despite the note, I did find this very romantic and sweet. No sex, yes, but there is budding feelings and loving care enough to make me swoon. The book includes the following stories, some which have been published elsewhere (web) and some new. We get Liam’s POV, Ondry’s POV, and even one from a Grandmother’s POV. All of which give extra depth and dimension to the beginning of an already awesome story.

Even though this is a prequel, I think it’s best read after having read book one of the series at least… although it was just as good for me having read the complete series already. I absolutely adored the addition insights into Liam and Ondry’s. The first and longest story in the anthology is aptly titled “The Beginning,” and it shows us their initial meeting! This one shows Liam as he was when he first arrived on the planet and began to learn about Rownt and trading. I adored the way the trading worked, and the details of it we are given fascinated me to the point I wanted more. Plus the words Liam used to describe Ondry phyiscally the first time he met him were quite enlightening. I won’t say more on that, but if you are as curious about Ondry’s appearance as I am, I highly suggest you read this now.

The next story, “First Sight,” we get cover the same time period and, indeed, some of the same events, but this time from Ondry’s POV. I found this perfect. Even though the same things were going on, seeing them from the other side gave the scenes so much more depth and understanding. Reading these back to back also made it very clear the difference in these two’s thinking, and in Rownts and humans. Explanations of why Ondry reacted as he did to what Liam said and did in the first story, as well as the difference in language between what Liam thought he was saying in Rownt to the way Ondry actually heard it. And nuances of both Ondry’s action and the reactions of those around them of which Liam was only vaguely aware. I loved this so much.

Story three, “Slow Attractions,” shows an integral event from book one which was written all from Liam’s POV now in Ondry’s POV. Again, the amount of additional depth and understanding this gives is phenomenal, and I loved it. Despite the note on the blurb, I felt like in this one we do see romance… not sex or even a touch, but the caring that Ondry displays touched my heart big time. Oh to have someone take note of feelings and moods and to just care that much. Perfect and a must read for fans of book one.

The final short is from a Grandmother’s POV and is titled “Headstrong.” Again this goes over events from the first book but from a different POV that adds depth. The title itself refers to how the grandmother thinks of Ondry, and we learn early on that this particular Grandmother really is Ondry’s genetic grandmother and gain insight into Ondry though knowing something of his mother’s personality which he has obviously inherited. This is short, but yet it let me see how the Grandmothers think of both themselves, their duty, and how they see humans. Her wisdom and caring came across quite clearly. And the whole scene was so very touching that it had me in tears. No romance? I beg to differ with that statement.

If you’ve read any of this series before, I cannot recommend this free anthology more. It adds so much depth, and I adored each and every story. Five stars across the board.

I adore what we see on this cover… never all of Ondry, but the delicious peeks this time of that tail and his neck tie in wonderfully with the additional insights into him we get in the book.

Note:This free story is a prequel to the story of Ondry and Liam that details how they met. As such, it’s not a romance

Free at: Loose id

Book Details:

ebook, 79 pages
Published February 9th 2016 by Loose Id
ISBN139781682520888
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesClaimings 0.5

A VVivacious Review: Hoofbeats by A.J. Marcus and Nicole Godfrey

Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5

Cole Frasier, a famous horse trainer, has had a troubled year, so when he is offered work at triple his asking price. He jumps at it. But the horse he is working with is much more than just a horse.

Derek Dancing Hawk is stuck in his horse form, but something about Cole makes him want to shift. While the bond between the two men strengthens, the shift is brought on when Cole ends up in a fight. But shifting might have just made things worse for both Derek and Cole.

While their boss uses the secret to force the two of them in a money-making gimmick, the Enforcers who ensure that the secret is kept are not going to take Derek prancing about as a horse lightly. What fate awaits these two as they find themselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place…?

The beginning of this story is bogged down with too many descriptions, most of them unnecessary which makes getting in sync with the book a little harder. As such the first chapter tries too hard to get everyone on the same page. But the moment we get to the second chapter things get infinitely better and the story becomes quite interesting.

As such what captured my imagination was Derek as Midnight Blood, there was something about his mannerisms as a horse that were true to both aspects of his being, as a horse and as a human. I commend the authors on getting Derek spot on. Because as a horse he is really able to get across the fact that he is a horse-shifter and a human being. All in all what works is that Derek really gets you on his side from the beginning, with his attitude and his personality.

While Cole who has his own issues, finds a challenge in Midnight Blood. But it soon becomes quite clear that Midnight is not just his outside facade of a horse but a remarkable being on the inside. As such Cole comes across as a well-mannered guy who stands up for his beliefs.

What I loved about the book was how the story weaves in and out of Derek and Cole’s relationship. How circumstances bring them closer. Also all the little moments they share together are adorable. More than anything seeing them together is the best part of this book and how the story brings about new aspects in their interactions with each other.

The story hits kind of a slow patch around the half way mark which seems to drag on forever. In fact this is where story fails to make a mark, the story builds up to a point where circumstances need to be resolved to ensure a future to Derek and Cole’s relationship and personally I don’t think things got handled so well. What should have been quick, decisive and a major relief becomes prolonged with too many unnecessary situations during which Derek and Cole who are the strength of this book hardly spend any time talking and things drag for a quite a long time and ultimately don’t bring a lot of relief.

As such a lot of things go unexplained in this book. A major chunk of side characters in this book are the villains. We have the head honcho Mr. Lopez who is a perfect example of a scumbag, Joe who has more brawns than brains and assorted body-guards who are just pains in the ass. And then there is Elizabeth whose character seemed quite unhinged from the very start and seems to be dealt with in the worst way possible and I never understood Cole’s sympathy towards her. While the side characters on the side of good are not much better, there is Mike who would have been a cute addition except he has no role in the story and is just unwanted baggage in the book. I didn’t quite understand Jean she just didn’t give off grandmotherly vibes. The side characters best depicted were the various enforcers Sebastian, Gabriel and Avorial they get the job down without tagging on when not required.

What the story needed was a tighter plot, fewer side characters and a bit more background on the retained side characters. But what convinces me this book is worth a shot is Cole and Derek, I mean seeing them together living their life is charming, seeing them tackle challenges and just enjoying life in each other’s company was worth reading the book.

The cover is by L. C. Chase. I loved the horses on the cover but the men on the cover didn’t quite match my idea of Cole and Derek.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published February 12th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634768122
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Ali Review: A Frost of Cares by Amy Rae Durreson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★

Military historian Luke Alcott leaps at the chance to live in the seventeenth-century country mansion of Eelmoor Hall, home of the Royal Military School of Medicine, after being offered a job cataloging the school’s archives. Luke believes he chose the perfect place to start a new life and put his broken past behind him. But soon after settling into the old house, he hears strange noises—like footsteps—and he begins to suffer from terrible nightmares.

The only person Luke can turn to for help is the taciturn caretaker, Jay, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who carries an old battle wound. Together they try to understand Eelmoor Hall’s history and decipher what could be causing the haunting. As the weather grows colder and snow dusts the countryside, a child goes missing. Luke needs to deal with his own demons and learn to trust in love again if he hopes to face down the angry spirit and find the missing girl.

I loved this. This was a surprising hit out of the ballpark for me. I had never read this author before. In fact I had never heard of her before. The blurb sounded interesting so off I went. This book surpassed all my expectations. I love a good gothic romance but I don’t come across them all that often in the m/m genre. This one though was perfect. The haunted manor, the ghost stories, the footsteps in the hallway, the cold spots, the breath on the back of your neck, the bad dreams, the paralyzing fear. It was all here and was creepy as can be. It was turn the lights on and look over your shoulder creepy. In addition to this there was a beautiful love story. It’s a story about forgiveness and letting go of the past and going on with the future.

The story is told in first person pov as Luke tells us, the readers, a story about how he and Jay met. He’s immediately personable and you felt drawn in right away. It was like sitting down with a good friend while they tell you a story. He tells you Jay’s comments and one liners and he’s goes along so you get a feel for Jay quickly also. A part of the story is how Luke came to let go of Danny, a love from his past. This is an important part of the story and was both touching and heartbreaking. Jay and Luke are great characters and I liked them both a lot. They had good chemistry and you can feel what makes them good together right away.

I think first person pov narration is hard to do well but again, I thought this was excellent. In the course of this story this author had me laughing, had me scared to death and had my eyes filling with tears of emotion. I felt so much for Luke and every event, every emotion, he went through. This is a must read in my opinion.

Cover art by Garrett Leigh. I liked the cover. I think it conveys the haunted, almost gloomy period Luke is going through in the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 153 pages
Published January 27th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB01AFW3XJM
Edition LanguageEnglish

Cowboy Up with BA Tortuga’s ‘Refired’ Keep Me In Mind Tour and Giveaway (excerpt and giveaway)

Refired (The Recovery Series #1) by BA Tortuga
Release Date: January 18, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer

Blurb

When Kris Cerny walks back into Two Spirits, the art gallery he owns with Josh McPhee, all he wants is a clean break. Austin’s booming real estate market means the building he bought years ago is worth a fortune, and with the sale, he and Josh can finally go their separate ways. They won’t be reconciling, right? Josh may be sober now, but an addict is always going to be an addict, and Kris can’t take that chance again.

Josh isn’t willing to sell. Not yet. He’s discovered a new artist in Santa Fe he knows will put Two Spirits in the black, and if he can just make a success of the gallery, maybe he can earn Kris’s respect, if not recapture his love. He needs Kris to give him time for one more buying trip, one more gallery show. Josh wants nothing more than a final chance to make things right. Kris agrees to let Josh have this last ditch effort on one condition– he wants to go along for the ride. On the way Josh hopes they’ll find the next big thing in the art world as well as peace, forgiveness, and a love he thought was lost forever.

Pages or Words: 65,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Western/Cowboy

Excerpt

Josh sat there in the office that had been his for seven years, two months, and three days, looking at the cowboy who he’d thought, once upon a time, was going to be his one and only, feeling a little like he was drunk.

He rolled the five-year-sober token between his fingers, letting it settle him. Not drunk. Not even a bit.

“What? What did you say to me?” He left off the you sorry son of a bitch part.

“We got a buyer for the gallery.” Kris stared at him, calm as could be, one hip settled on the edge of his desk.

“The gallery isn’t for sale.” He owned half, dammit. Still.

Kris nodded easily. “Frankly they just want the building. Quite an offer. I don’t see how we can pass it up.”

“The gallery isn’t for sale.” He was fairly sure the words were succinct enough for Mr. Business.

“The neighborhood has changed, Josh. It’s not a boho, arty area anymore. It’s all high-priced condos and tapas bars.” Kris’s expression softened just slightly. “I think it’s time to let it go.”

This wasn’t about the gallery. This was about them. Him and Kris.

“No.”

“Josh, please at least look at the offer.” Kris stood, straightening his fancy cattleman’s. God, he looked like a stuffed suit. Kris looked better in beat-up Wranglers.

“I’m not interested.” Josh felt like sitting down and pounding the floor with his fist. This wasn’t right. None of it. He knew he was a fuckup. Had been a fuckup. But he was working his shit out.

The gallery was back to breaking even, if not making a profit. Josh thought he deserved a chance to get some good new artists in for a show.

“Then are you going to buy me out?” Kris asked.

Fuck. Kris knew he couldn’t do that. The business finances were an open book. Josh wasn’t even taking a salary for another three years to pay back Kris’s initial investment.

“I don’t have to. We’re equal partners. All I have to do is say no.”

Kris frowned, dark brows drawing together over his bright green eyes. “Dammit, Josh, how long are you going to pretend this is going to work?”

He touched the coin again. Five years. Five years sober. Five years proving he could be trusted. Five years and it wasn’t enough.

“This gallery is my life.” Simple as that. He had no friends anymore, no one. He came to work and went to meetings. He hadn’t gone out to dinner with Kris since…. Christ. Christmas? Maybe? Had they even done Christmas?

“Then what do you want me to do? The building is really the only asset.”

“I’m going on a buying trip. Santa Fe area. Why are we even talking about this?” Why are you even here? Go find another project.

Kris was, like, the king of finance now or something. He had investments all over, could probably walk away from the gallery without even taking a money hit.

“Buying? With what? Your good looks?”

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Press eBook & paperback | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Meet the Author

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing porn sites in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife (still amazing to say that), Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has gone to the high desert mountains and fallen in love. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery ménages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BATortugaBooks?fref=ts
Twitter: @batortuga
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/batortuga/
Other: http://batortuga.blogspot.com
Blog: http://www.batortuga.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/batortuga/

Tour Dates & Stops:

19-Jan

The Novel Approach, My Fiction Nook, Book Lovers 4Ever, Nautical Star Books, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Gay Book Reviews

21-Jan

MM Good Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Emotion in Motion, KathyMac Reviews

26-Jan

Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Bonkers About Books, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Decadent Delights

28-Jan

Open Skye Book Reviews, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Boys on the Brink Reviews, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, A.M. Leibowitz

2-Feb

Louise Lyons, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Love Bytes, Bayou Book Junkie

4-Feb

Chris McHart, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Unquietly Me

9-Feb

Caraway Carter, QUEERcentric Books, Joyfully Jay

11-Feb

Happily Ever Chapter, Molly Lolly, Nic Starr, Book Reviews and More by Kathy

16-Feb

Cathy Brockman Romances, Gay Media Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming, Prism Book Alliance

18-Feb

V’s Reads, Iyana Jenna, Parker Williams , Lee Brazil

23-Feb

The Hat Party, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Alpha Book Club, BFD Book Blog

25-Feb

Rebecca Cohen Writes, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Making It Happen, Charley Descoteaux, Nephy Hart

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: PDF of the The Terms of Release and Articles of Release. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Cover reveal for ‘6 Days to get Lucky’ by LE Franks (excerpt and giveaway)

6 Days to Get Lucky ( A Nick Valentine Story #2) by LE Franks
Release Date: March 2, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Cover Artist: Wilde City Press

Blurb

Mixologist Nick Valentine never thought love was in the cards, but after a scorching Valentine’s Day kiss from bouncer Davis “FatBoy” Newman, he’s beginning to think it’s possible. After four weeks of dry spell, Nick’s losing patience—it’s time FatBoy stop acting the gentleman and just throw him over the bar or Nick may just change his mind.

All FatBoy wants is a shot at winning Nick’s heart. As long as meddling bosses, an Irish hurling team and a bar riot don’t ruin his chances forever, he might just get lucky and take the man of his dreams, home.

Pages or Words: 72,000 words
Series should be read in order for maximum enjoyment
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt

Reaching across the empty bed next to me, I rode out the last waves of my dream alone. I could still feel his phantom kiss on my lips and the sensation of a hand stroking along my thigh.

The rest of it was just a blur of emotions and sticky residue on my sheets—though I could guess at it without much effort. FatBoy Newman had been a specter haunting me at work so it was no great leap to assume he’d shouldered his way into my dreams as well.

In fact, he was at the root of my problem: I’d been having a hell of a dry spell.

Four weeks of near misses had done nothing but stoke my bad mood and turn my balls a lovely shade of indigo that matched my jeans…

Four weeks of dashed hopes…

Four weeks since the most romantic kiss of my life…

Four weeks of nothing.

Fuck the South and its mythology of the Southern Gentleman—if FatBoy Newman didn’t stop treating me like a delicate flower and throw me up against a wall soon, I was going to explode.

It was six days until St. Patrick’s Day, and FatBoy had until then to make his move, or I was moving on.

Buy the book: Wilde City Press

Meet the Author

LE Franks lives in the SF Bay area and writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated and sometimes a little bit dark. LE Franks is a best selling author and finalist for 2013 & 2014 Rainbow Awards. Her books are available through her publishers at MLR Press, Dreamspinner Press and Wilde City Press and Pride Publishing and online bookstores.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LE.Franks1
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor/
Twitter: @boxtersushi
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lefrankswriter/le-franks-books/
Tumblr: http://boxtersushi.tumblr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxtersushi/

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, Making It Happen, Open Skye Book Reviews, , Full Moon Dreaming,

Molly Lolly, Happily Ever Chapter, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, The Hat Party, A.M. Leibowitz, Outrageous Heroes, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Alpha Book Club, EE Montgomery, MM Good Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, V’s Reads, Inked Rainbow Reads

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 6 Days to Valentine e-book & $5 amazon gift card for three total winners. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

A Paul B Review: Quentin Heart, Vampire Bounty Hunter by Amber Kell

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★

Quentin Heart basically has no time for a social life. Between finishing up his wizardry degree and taking care of his mother who has had a relapse with cancer, life seems to pass him by. To make matters worse, bill collectors are demanding payment for his mother’s treatments, none of which seem to be working. Quentin spots a flyer advertising bounty hunting services for paranormals. As he is entering the wizardry lab at the university, his best friend Glenn calls him and demands that Quentin joins him at the club that evening. After several hours of research, Quentin leaves the lab building only to find a pack of bone wolves (werewolves made from the hides of dead animals) that lead him to the body of his friend Glenn. After dealing with authorities,

The next day, after guest lecturing for a class at the university, Quentin visits his mother at the hospital. She explains that his father was a fae who was part of the royal family. One of the wolves that has been following him around is actually his father trapped in a spell along with his uncles. Quentin next goes to claim the body of his friend to arrange for burial when he is informed that it is no longer in the morgue. It has walked away. Pissed that a reckless vampire turned his friend, Quentin decides to work for the bounty agency in the hopes of making sure no one else suffers Glenn’s fate.

His first assignment is to bring in the leader of the local vampire clan. Quentin marches into the clan’s mansion, casts a spell and transports the vampire to the local police station. The clan’s second, who has now become leader due to Quentin’s actions, thanks Quentin for getting rid of the leader nobody liked. Jakinson, the new leader, states that since the bounty hunter has done him a favor, he owes a favor in return. He gives Quentin a necklace that Quentin would later find out marks him as Jakinson’s mate. Quentin must now deal with a very possessive vampire on top of finding his wayward newly made vampire friend, the rogue vampire that attacked Glenn, and deal with his mother’s declining health and the bills that are associated with her care. If you throw in somebody who seems to be after him, life just got a lot more complicated for Quentin.

Amber Kell is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint me. She has a way with books about powerful wizards. Quentin Heart is your typically preoccupied nerd researcher that has his world turned upside down but circumstances that are beyond his control. He shows his strength in that he makes Jakinson realize that he will not be the submissive mate that most vampire leaders expect. He is faced with some tough decisions that involve his family but comes through them in the end. I also enjoyed the fact that the author has given Quentin enough possible enemies that there should be several more books in the series to come. I highly recommend the first book in this new series.
The cover art by Meredith Russell shows our hero wearing his glasses holding one of his spell balls with the city landscape in the background. It is how I would picture Quentin would look like. It is an excellent cover for the book.

Sales Links: ARe | Amazon

Book Details

EBook, 314 pages
Published: January 29, 2016
Edition Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-311-09104-8

A MelanieM Review: The Fire King (The Evolin Series #3) by Kay Ellis

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Sully is summoned back to Maestraad by the entity who took control of Tylan’s body when Tylan perished. This Fire King—now calling himself Okhela—offers Sully a bargain he cannot refuse: if, after six months, Sully fails to fall in love with him, Okhela will return Tylan. The trouble is, as much as Sully wants to hate Okhela, the Fire King rules with wisdom and generosity… and Sully cannot resist the attraction he feels toward the handsome king. Though his heart will always belong to Tylan, Sully gives in to his body’s demands.

But can Sully trust Okhela to keep his word? With assassins on the loose, can Sully keep the Fire King alive long enough to find out? With the future of the kingdom—as well as his heart—at stake, Sully must call upon old friends and new to protect the Fire King, who might hold the keys to both.

The Fire King was a novel that called out to me for several reasons. A love severed, and a lover perished. A chance with terrible odds to get that lover back, a fantasy and a new author. How could I pass that up?

Kay Ellis did a wonderful job with this story, she held me spellbound throughout her story, balancing the need to lay out her world-building for the series and books to come with the powerful story of a lover with a mission of impossible odds that had to have our focus at all times. The strength of this story is Sully. A man whose heart will always belong to his lover, the Fire King yet not the Fire King. Someone the Fire King has stolen the body from and might still able able to give it back. Its a complicated tale worthy of a fantasy series.

There is a fire entity that lives inside the rulers, its consumed Sully’s lover, Tylan, but says it can give him back. What a pack. All it wants is six months to see if it can make Sully fall in love with him, if not then Sully gets his lover back. But nothing is ever that easy. Especially when its someone else wearing his lover’s body.

Ellis gives us several astonishing perspectives here, and not enough, in my case, of the back history of the fire entity. But maybe that’s coming in the future stories. But this is a rich story, dramatic, romantic, and magical. I couldn’t put it down. Also it has a horse character, Blackheart, that I loved as much as the rest. Irresistible. Now I can’t wait for the next installment. I wasn’t aware it was to be a series. Who will it feature? I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

Cover art by Paul Richmond. I adore this cover. Fiery, rich and so wonderful. Its perfect in every way for the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published February 17th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634768580
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesThe Evolin Series #3

A MelanieM Review: When Adam Fell (Foothills Pride #4) by Pat Henshaw

Rating: 3.75 (rounded up to 4) stars out of 5

When his lover Jason’s drug addiction spiraled out of control, TV celebrity chef and cookbook author Adam de Leon walked away from him. Adam also abandoned his renowned restaurant in San Francisco to start a small bistro in the Sierra Foothills.

Five years later Adam is battling the conservative leaders of Stone Acres, California, to open a new restaurant in historic Old Town when Jason turns up on his doorstep—a recovered Jason, now going by the name David and claiming he’s overcome his addictions. What’s more, he begs Adam to take him back and says he’s ready for their happily ever after.

Adam has enough on his plate with problems plaguing the opening of his restaurant. And now he’s having a hard time deciding which to follow—his head or his heart.

Another in the wonderful Foothills Pride series, When Adam Fell brings us the broken love affair of celebrity chief Adam de Leon and his lover Jason, two men together since childhood who allowed the past and fame to destroy their love and relationship. Now its five years later and Adam has removed his restaurant and home to the foothills, and closed down his heart. Then Jason reappears asking for a second chance.

Pat, Pat, Pat. You only give us 92 pages when this story cries out for double that! These are such complicated, wounded men and you have given them a wonderfully layered past, one you could pick at from so many angles. I loved that. The “beautiful boy” stuff? Great! I could have sunk myself into chapters alone with their past history and relationship. But that was not to be. Sigh.

The Jason that reappears has remade himself down to a new name. Its a shakeup for Adam and the reader who now have to adjust their perspective on this man. To Pat Henshaw’s credit as a writer, we do. She makes the case that Adam has never lost the feelings he had for Jason and is now rebuilding them in a new, healthier way. And this time Adam has a strong support system (Stone, Fredi and the rest of his friends) to help him make the transition.

As much as I loved this story (and make no mistake, I do), I felt that some parts were still missing for me, more of their past perhaps, more of Jason, I’m not sure, but there’s a hole here somewhere. Its too short for the scope of the story and the men involved. And that restaurant, the new one? Loved that. I hope we see more of it and the new people they are hiring to work there So many great possibilities for new stories on the horizon.

I love this series and each couple that has come about. The Foothills Pride series is rich with wonderful stories, believable people and moving romance. When Adam Fell is the fourth, grab them all up! I highly recommend them all.

Cover art by AngstyG is perfect for the story, characters and place.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 92 pages
Expected publication: February 24th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769709
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Foothills Pride

A BJ Review: Bright Star by Talia R. Blackwood

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

“I am his guardian angel. I don’t know who he is. I know every line of his face—the curve of his lips is carved in my soul—but I don’t know his name. I always called him just Prince.”

Tasked to watch over a young man in suspended animation, Phae, a clone, spends his life alone on an empty spaceship, focused only on the protection of his ward. Prince isn’t scheduled to wake for another twenty years, but an attack on the ship starts the automatic awakening procedure. Prince relieves Phae’s loneliness and teaches him the meaning of love. However, the mission becomes more complicated than either man was led to believe—and far more dangerous. Their destination is a world held hostage, where clones are disposable and Phae is scheduled for “recycling” when his duty is done.

I love sci-fi, and this one had an excellent premise and the potential to be a five star read for me. Very intriguing concept with some interesting and unique elements.

I enjoyed and was hooked into both of the characters. Prince/Kian’s backstory made me fully invested in him but I wish it had been more complete. I found some elements and motivations left a bit vague, but it was intriguing nonetheless. I felt Phae’s loneliness/emptiness very poignantly, to have been left alone at just nine and also, poor Blasius to have lived nearly all his years alone. At least he did have Phae for his last nine. I adored Phae’s innocence, gentleness and single-minded dedication to his duty and his Prince very sweet. But the way he thought of himself as a “just a stupid clone” or “poor stupid clone” over and over got to me. I couldn’t fathom why he thought of himself that way since he’d been born on the Ship rather than on Earth around humans who would have treated him in a manner to have caused him to think of himself that way. And he’d been raised by another clone. Had Blasius whom he thought of as a father and cared for taught him that? It wouldn’t seem likely based on other things he’d shared about Blasius’s words to him.

The story is written in present tense (not my favorite) and is in dual first person POVs, which threw me a bit as I’m used to dual POVs being in third person. And it has insta-love, which works for me in some cases and not in others. In this case, I could understand their attraction and attachment based on who they were, their past, and their circumstances… but I’d have loved it if a bit more foundation to the relationship based on more than sex and gratitude to have been laid before jumping into the years of waiting that came later on both of their sides. I mean, they were together a few short hours, then apart for many years, then together again just for a brief few minutes, then apart again for many years. It seems so very little to base all those years of dedicated love on.

The way they progressed to sex so very quickly, right after Prince had just struggled to waken from a ninety plus year cyrosleep, and while in such dire circumstance of having been hiding from aliens, and considering Prince indicated he’d not cared for clones before, been afraid of them even. A slower development of the relationship, of trust and understanding and the physical as well, would have given more depth to the story for me.

Despite all this, I still did very much enjoy this story. I feel it could have been longer, even twice as long (I love long, well-developed sci-fi stories!) as there was so much more of this world and these two amazing guys that I would have loved to have explored.

Overall, a very moving and touching story that had me close to tears at parts. Even though it covers a timespan of many years, the pacing is quick and satisfying. If you enjoy sci-fi and insta-love, then I can highly recommend this story.

Cover art by Anne Cain

Sales Link: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 172 pages
Published October 8th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1632162784 (ISBN13: 9781632162786)

A Jeri Review: The Law of Attraction By Jay Northcote

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

When a professional relationship turns personal, it’s impossible to resist the law of attraction.

Alec Rowland is a high-flying lawyer in a London firm whose career is his life. He doesn’t have time for relationships and his sexuality is a closely guarded secret. After picking up a cute guy on a Friday night, Alec’s world is rocked to its foundations when his one night stand shows up in the office on Monday morning—as the new temp on his team.

Ed Piper is desperate to prove himself in his new job. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by a crush on his boss. It’s hard to ignore the attraction he feels, even though Alec’s a difficult bastard to work for.

Both men strive to maintain a professional relationship, but tempers fray, passions ignite, and soon they’re both falling hard and fast. If they’re ever going to find a way to be together, Alec needs to be honest about who he really is because Ed won’t go back in the closet for anyone.
This was my first book by Jay Northcote and it won’t be my last! (For the record- 3 ½ stars means I really liked it!)

Alec is a closeted lawyer at a very successful law firm. His goal to become partner is becoming a reality- but he feels like he has to stay in the closet for it. His best friend acts as his arm candy/ girlfriend at various events to keep questions at bay. But sometimes his needs are too much.

Ed is out and proud and ready to start his new job. A night on the town leads to a seriously hot encounter with a stranger. Until he finds out the stranger is his new boss. They agree to be platonic work colleagues but you know the saying, the best laid plans….

The chemistry between Alec and Ed is off the charts hot. Alec turns into a jerk to try to deny the attraction to Ed, and honestly the way Ed just kind of accepted that but then also fell into his arms at the same time put me off a bit. But Ed’s strength to NOT go back into the closet. That made me want to cheer.

Watching Alec come to terms with who he is and accepting himself was a page turner. Even though he was a jerk, you knew why and you were cheering for him to own his truth. And Ed- standing up for himself- for HIS truth- was awesome. I just wanted to high five him!

Definitely give this book a read. Although there is the closet/no closet thing, the angst level is fairly low and the hotness level is very high.

The cover art with the smirking guy is such a perfect representation of Alec!

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 173 pages
Published February 5th 2016 by Jaybird Press
ASINB01B6NSXD0
Edition LanguageEnglish

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Refired (The Recovery Series #1) by BA Tortuga Release Date: January 18, 2016

Goodreads Link Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Bree Archer

Dreamspinner Press eBook & paperback | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Giveaway

Share this:

Giveaway

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Refired (The Recovery Series #1) by BA Tortuga
Release Date: January 18, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer