A VVivacious Review: Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran

Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

Wryler Glimmerveen is forced into an unsuspecting alliance with Lord Aeric Rouchet who is well feared for being a monster.

Aeric Rouchet is the Lord of Gryffon Hall, a sprawling castle at the edge of the Black Forest, a forest well known for the monsters it spawns.

As Wryler makes his journey to the Black Forest he can’t be anything but anxious about the things that await him at

Gryffon Castle but he has no clue as to the mysteries waiting to unfold.

This was an utterly delicious read. It was an amazing retelling of “The Beauty and the Beast” and I loved the author’s perspective on this particular fairy tale.

Wryler Glimmerveen was the perfect Beauty with a little bit of fae in him. What I loved about Wryler was that neither was he the stalwart hero nor the damsel of distress of fairy tales. He was just perfect, anxious to the point of no return but ready to stand his ground even against his beast of a husband.

Aeric Rouchet was an amazing Beast and proud of it. He was like a yummy hero just out of a historical romance and my God was he hot or what?

I loved Aeric and Wryler they had the perfect dynamic from the beginning and their chemistry was sizzling hot. They really had that going for them.

Personally I loved how this book spins the tale of ‘The Beauty and the Beast’. Here’s a Beauty ready to forge his own path and a Beast proud of his beastly ways, so wait… where is the wrench in the works well as you will know if you have read and seen a lot of faith tales, where there is a fairy tale there is a certain deal maker waiting to profit.

I loved how this book is written. It is well paced and all the elements are well established and play out really well as a whole. Overall this book was awesome, amazing and brilliant!

Cover Art by April Martinez. I didn’t like the cover as much as I loved the story. Personally the men on the cover in no way fit the Wryler and Aeric in my head.

Sales Links

Loose id LLC

Book Details:

ebook, 150 pages
Published August 30th 2016 by Loose ID
ISBN139781682521885

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Honesty (A Kind of Stories #3) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5 hearts out of 5

a-kind-of-honesty-by-lane-hayes Music is drummer Tim Chalmers’s great escape and the one thing that’s never let him down. But his band Spiral’s meteoric rise to fame has made it difficult for him to maintain a low profile. Unwanted press pesters him after a public breakup with a volatile ex-girlfriend who loves the limelight as much as he loathes it. Tim’s main goal is to avoid confrontation. However, when a handsome stranger in a dive bar turns out to be someone he might know, everything changes.

Carter Hamilton-Temple might be a successful financial consultant with more brains, sophistication, and charm than most, but he always falls for the wrong guys: closet cases or men with issues. He can’t fight his attraction to tattooed rock star Tim, but can he trust his own judgment? When the thrill of danger combined with a fierce physical connection proves too strong for either man to resist, a quiet liaison away from the public eye and curious friends seems like a safe bet. But some secrets are hard to keep. When rumors threaten to rock his world, Tim realizes it’s time to confront his fear with his own kind of honesty.

When Spiral’s drummer, Tim Chalmers, finally dumps his bat-shit crazy super model girlfriend, he finds solace in a seedy gay bar in LA. Disappointed that he can’t find what he needs, he’s preparing to go when he meets a gorgeous cowboy, though it’s evident that this cowboy with his designer label clothing is from somewhere other than “the range”.

It’s an unforgettable night of sex, but just that, nothing more. Until one night back in New York when Tim attends a party for friends Zeke and Benny, and there he is—his cowboy, but now in his true persona—a stunning man who’s self-assured, happy, and drop-dead gorgeous. Tim has to have him, and the feeling is mutual.

The two embark on a friends-with-benefits strategy that seems to work for a while to keep their connection under the radar, except that Tim slowly starts to realize he wants more with this man, and the demands of being in a band rising in popularity in a rock star world, plus the fact he’s never told his mother he’s bisexual, make it seem like an impossible dream.

I’ve always enjoyed Lane Hayes’s stories, and this one is right up there with the best. Tim is one of those guys that you sometimes want to hug and sometimes want to slap. But when I stayed with him, through his ups and downs, it was a treat to see the change in him that the love of a wonderful man brought out. He had to face reality or lose Carter, and believe me, Carter is not someone you’d want to lose. For all his outward appearance of an intelligent, confident, wealthy, and self-assured businessman, inside Carter was still the little boy with no mom and an elderly father who never participated in Carter’s youthful endeavors, leaving him lonely and afraid to reach out for love.

Tim, on the other hand, does have a family—a mom who he describes as crazy, a sister who is even crazier, and a nephew who adores Tim and vice versa. He doesn’t want to lose them until he reaches a wall. To get past that wall, he has to be honest, mostly with himself, but with his family and friends and the love of his life, Carter. Being there for his emotional tug of war, participating in his struggle, and witnessing the outcome make this one of my favorites of this series. Knowing the prize would be a HEA with Carter certainly fed my enjoyment. Featuring some secondary characters I loved to hate and two MCs who were engaging and endearing, I recommend this one to readers who love a good MM contemporary romance.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson. Works for the story and series.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages
Published October 7th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634777867 (ISBN13: 9781634777865)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesA Kind of Stories #3

A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

the-first-act-by-vanessa-mulberry Set in Elizabethan England, this is the story of how William, a young innocent country boy, schemes to win the love of the actor Richard Brasyer. Richard is older, worldly, somewhat jaded, and they come into contact when Richard’s troupe is performing in Oxford while the plague rages in London. William is enraptured, intensely attracted to Richard, and convinces himself he is in love. Through a combination of whining and appealing to his vanity, William bulldozes his cousin (who happens to be co-owner of the troupe) into letting him join as an apprentice, and travels to London where he hopes to end up in Richard’s bed.

Twenty-four hours after arriving in London, that’s exactly where William is. After Richard’s previous apprentice is conveniently dismissed. Now William just has to seduce the older man, who vacillates between being irritated with how naïve William is, and lusting after his body. Their relationship is summed up in this quote:

“William had been in Richard’s employ for several hours now, and already he was growing frustrated with the slow progress of their relationship”

I mean, there’s insta-love, and there’s this. And of course, the attraction is purely physical on both sides, and the next two days find William throwing himself at Richard and being repulsed for various reasons, or deciding he’s fed up with the whole thing and will go back to Oxford, but can’t because he’s just so in love, but really, Richard is not as good as William thought he was, but he still really wants to have sex with Richard, except when he doesn’t. Oh my God, make up your frickin’ mind! Richard of course does the same thing, alternating between admiring William and feeling that resisting him is futile, or wanting him to go home to Oxford because he’s an irritating prat, or feeling that he is not worthy of William’s devotion and must shelter his innocence from the big bad world, or some other repetitive hot and cold waffling.

And then there’s the spy aspect. Which basically just amounts to a little sneaking around. Finding whatever information they need usually takes about 30 minutes. The mastermind uber-spy, Bennett, is a silver fox who is an old lover of Richard’s, who still exerts a fascination that Richard can’t seem to walk away from, though there is some reason why he should. I never figured out what that reason was, other than lying to Richard, or having him followed for no particular reason. But what the hell, he’s sexy, and is able to give it to Richard like no other man ever has, so Richard says yes, then no, then yes, then walks out, then can’t make it past the bedroom door and goes back in, remembers he used to love Bennett, remembers that he actually loathes him now, remains conflicted but can see in Bennett’s eyes that he’s telling the truth this time, but actually he’s lying again…. Just get it over with already!!

I got the feeling that the author really wanted to write about some big cryptic conspiracy that would draw the MCs together via intrigue and danger, but what she actually did was pose some random vague mission about getting some list that was life or death to Bennett and the other spy masters for no particular reason. It was pretty boring. And the MCs are so inconsistent, so wishy-washy, and I felt absolutely no chemistry and frankly, didn’t care if they got together or not. And the purple prose was a little too much, like these examples as William and Richard travel to Cambridge to track down the mysterious list:

“Take me tonight, I don’t want to face danger without knowing what it felt like to have a man inside me”

“[My cock] will be hard all night and all day tomorrow, and it will distract me. Do you want me to die with this throbbing between my legs?”

I had to laugh, remembering how my husband used to describe trashy romances as “creamy thigh and throbbing member” books. Yep, this is one of those, just with two throbbing members. And admittedly I don’t know a lot about Elizabethan England, but I don’t think all these gay men were so open, and I just can’t see two Shakespeare era actors rimming each other.

Cover Artist: AngstyG. Great job, brings in an historical atmosphere.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 206 pages
Expected publication: October 17th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634777824 (ISBN13: 9781634777827)
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Review: CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Thirty people. Two hours. Only the strong will survive.

When Riddle decides to put on a slave hunt, the Subs Club is on board. Tops hunting bottoms in the woods with paintball guns? Yes. Captives strung up on whipping posts, at the mercy of their captors? Hell yes. But on the morning of the hunt, nothing’s going according to plan. Miles and Drix are at odds over Miles’s reluctance to move in together. Dave is determined to show up D, who thinks Dave won’t last two minutes in the woods. Gould finds himself torn between obeying his master’s orders and living out a longtime fantasy. And Kamen inadvertently becomes a double agent when he aligns himself with two different parties.

By the end of the hunt, alliances will be forged and broken, loyalties will be tested, relationships will be strengthened…and someone will barrel roll. Narrated by ten different characters, Slave Hunt tells the story of two hours in the woods that will change everyone forever. Or at least, remind them that love is the greatest victory of all.

In the last two years, I’ve read quite a few stories written to “tie up” the loose ends in a series, and this is by far one of the very best. In fact, it’s so good that I actually rated it higher than most of the other stories in the series. Highly enjoyable and extremely clever in its execution, J.A. Rock wrapped up the series and left me with a memory of the guys of The Subs Club that I’ll treasure for a long time.

After thinking about it for a day or two, I realized what I loved most about the story was the inclusion of the POV of the Doms of the four principal subs. There’s actually ten POV’s in this story, and at first I thought that would be bizarre, but it worked well because we got to see the boys through the eyes of their Doms and their friends. And although we saw some of the Dom’s introspection through interactions with their subs in the other stories, actually getting inside their POV in this one gave me a whole new appreciation of just how perfect each Dom is for his or her sub.

Miles, with his need for pain and his difficulty in sharing his feelings was never a particularly lovable character, and he’s still not in this story, however he does finally open up to a few people. The turmoil now is that, three years after meeting Drix, Miles still can’t vocalize a request for Drix to move in with him. Reflecting on how he should answer his son when the boy asks how many fathers he has, Miles thinks about responding that he has one father and “one charming guardian whom your father loves deeply” but isn’t in your life “because your adoptive father is fear’s own ward.” Even though I loved his recognition of his own weaknesses, it was Drix’s perspective on their coupledom and on his sub’s needs and desires that made me want to go back and reread their story, Pain Slut, once more.

Kamen’s story, Manties in a Twist, was originally one of my favorites, and though I enjoyed him in this book, it was RYAN who took the blue ribbon for best character. The little man wrote each of his POV chapters in CAPS. According to Kamen, “Ryan is the kind of guy, you see him, and you want to hold him with your whole soul…” I pretty much agree with Kamen after this story. It’s hard to recall my favorite scene between the two, but I certainly enjoyed the time spent at the post after Ryan “captured” Kamen and Ryan’s inner dialogue, “no shit, I loved calling this fucking giant my boy.” By the end of the book it was quite evident that these two were made for each other.

Gould and his Master, Kel, and alternate Dom, Greg, had a much more enjoyable dynamic in this book than in their first story, 24/7. That’s really attributable to the time that has passed, and how much Gould has worked on his issues, both with a psychologist and with Kel over the past few years. But he’s so much happier and well-adjusted now that it was easy to see how much he’s changed for the better. As his story ended he was right where he needed to be—content with his two lovers and ready to be made to “beg and mean it”.

Of all the couples in this series, it was really hard to pick the one I liked best, but I have to admit it turned out to be Dave and D, principally because of how well I got to know them during this hunt. If you had asked me before I started the book, I would have definitely said “No way!”

Within their POV’s and through observation in scenes told from the perspective of Drix and Kamen, I learned what really makes these men tick and was taken on a journey to the heart and soul of their relationship. David is a gregarious character, always willing to talk and joke and be sociable, while D is quiet and reserved and has a difficult time expressing his love out loud. One would think they wouldn’t mesh, but they certainly do.

Dave was one of the most well-prepared subs on this hunt. Despite wearing the most skintight camo pants ever invented—“my pants made balloon animals out of my intestines”—he and D had practiced being in the woods, with D showing him how to track and to evade capture. Thinking back about his practice times in the woods before the event, he gave quite a good summary of his and D’s personalities—“I’d killed a squirrel with the slingshot. Mostly by accident. I’d cried for twenty minutes over its body, while D eyed the carcass like he wanted to take it home and cook it. I made him help me hold a funeral instead.” I included that quote here because it really sums up how diverse/opposite their two characters seem to be, but as with many introverted, soft-spoken men, there’s more to D than appears on the surface. And in D’s final reflection, he reveals much of the depth of his love for David as he thinks about being given “the love of a man who gives me all of himself, even when I’m not sure what to do with it.”

If you’ve followed the Subs Club, this is a must read. If you haven’t, definitely pick up the first book. Each sub has a particular kink reflected in the title of their story and because the time frame is spread out over several years, we get to enjoy each sub as he meets his new Dom, or Master and Dom as in Gould’s case, and we also get to revisit the others and appreciate how much they’ve matured. But this finale is the epitome of that. It’s just too terrific for words, and I obviously highly recommend it.

Cover art by Kanaxa is typical of the series. Its simplicity is not only its hallmark but its finest feature.

Sales Links

Riptide Publishing

In the Spotlight: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock (giveaway)

Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Riptide Publishing
Cover by: Kanaxa

Read an Excerpt/Buy it Here

Hi! I’m J.A. Rock, and I’m touring the internet to talk about Slave Hunt, Book 5 in The Subs Club series. Thanks so much to the blogs that are hosting me on this tour, and be sure to leave a comment with your contact info for your chance to win a $15 Riptide Publishing voucher.

About Slave Hunt

Thirty people. Two hours. Only the strong will survive.

When Riddle decides to put on a slave hunt, the Subs Club is on board. Tops hunting bottoms in the woods with paintball guns? Yes. Captives strung up on whipping posts, at the mercy of their captors? Hell yes. But on the morning of the hunt, nothing’s going according to plan. Miles and Drix are at odds over Miles’s reluctance to move in together. Dave is determined to show up D, who thinks Dave won’t last two minutes in the woods. Gould finds himself torn between obeying his master’s orders and living out a longtime fantasy. And Kamen inadvertently becomes a double agent when he aligns himself with two different parties.

By the end of the hunt, alliances will be forged and broken, loyalties will be tested, relationships will be strengthened…and someone will barrel roll. Narrated by ten different characters, Slave Hunt tells the story of two hours in the woods that will change everyone forever. Or at least, remind them that love is the greatest victory of all.

Slave Hunt is available from Riptide Publishing: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/slave-hunt

About The Subs Club Universe

After the death of their friend Hal at the hands of an irresponsible dom, submissive friends Dave, Kamen, Miles, and Gould band together to form the Subs Club—an organization seeking to expose dangerous local doms. The club slowly evolves as romances blossom, loyalties are tested, and tensions mount in a community already struggling for unity in the wake of Hal’s death.

From domestic discipline to knife play to fashion paraphilia, and from family drama to new jobs to first loves, the members of the Subs Club explore life’s kinks inside and outside of the bedroom as they attempt to let go of the past and move forward.

Check out the universe at Riptide Publishing: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/universe/subs-club

About J.A. Rock

J.A. Rock has worked as a dog groomer, knife seller, haunted house zombie, standardized patient, cashier, census taker, state fair quilt hanger, and, for one less-than-magical evening, a server—and would much rather be writing about those jobs than doing them. A lover of m/m BDSM romance, J.A. lives mostly in West Virginia, and always with a beloved dog, Professor Anne.

Website: www.jarockauthor.com
Blog: http://jarockauthor.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jarockauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ja.rock.39

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Slave Hunt, one lucky winner will receive $15 in Riptide Publishing credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 22, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II). This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II)

Last week, we started our look at eBooks. How has the eBook changed reading, writing, and perhaps even publishing for you? Perhaps some people may share a view from the beginning, when eBooks started to flourish and others when the eBooks were already an established format as they are today. Where do we think this format might go next? I have no idea. Do you?

We’ve asked how do our readers find their stories and authors? What do you think about eBooks? How do authors feel about writing and then publishing their beloved books as ebooks? And we will be asking publishers the same questions too. How has the eBook changed publishing? And where do they see it going from here?

One reader, batchelorboy55 brought up an interesting point I’ve missed so far. Advantages of the eBook and eReaders. Normally, we talk of the amount of books we can now take with us. Some people enjoy the anonymity of it all…no covers to display, its all safely tucked away electronically. Other talk about the types of books we can now buy because the authors have a reader audience that can find them…us! But how about those other advantages? Batchelorboy55 said “I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.” Yes, that’s an important point. One I should have brought up before.Whatever the reason you may be having eyesight issues, being able to have a larger font and make the books easier to read? Its beyond marvelous. Same goes for the backlit readers. It eases the eyestrain. How about being able to look up a word without having to leave to get your Websters? All that should be factored in as well. These are all terrific reasons to use a eBook and eReader. What other advantages do you think I’ve missed?

So here is some of the last of our readers comments. Is yours among them? Be sure to read all the way to the end where we start to move into our authors posts for next week (and I’ve announced the winners) ….

From Theo:

I mainly purchase books from new authors at publisher site, so authors who go independent without publishers are seldom on my radar, except when they are recommended by multiple people/authors (Jordan L Hawk was recommended by Rhys Ford and KJ Charles, River Jaymes and Leta Blake was recommended by multiple friends). However, once I like books by certain authors, I follow them on social media or subscribe to newsletters to make sure I don’t miss their new works.

From Ami:

Independent Authors: Before, I got to know independent authors from Goodreads reviews. But these days, I don’t go to GR anymore for updates. Instead, I tend to go scrounge the ‘recommendation’ section from Amazon based on books I love. I found them to be useful. I also subscribed to few author’s newsletters, diligently keep track of upcoming sections from favorite publishers and ARe, as well as checking out Netgalleys.

batchelorboy55:

One comment that often gets missed is ‘readability’.
As a librarian (45+ years) we always struggled with how technology could help readers with eyesight issues, blind, aged etc.
The ebook seems to have made that much more accessible than the clunky magnifiers collecting dust in the back corner of the library, as no-one knew how to work them, nor did many come seeking it.
Just as cumbersome were the sets of cassette tapes (some 20 tapes or more), with braille stick-ons indicating playing order.
I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.
I have to admit though that Dragon Speaking still daunts me when it comes to shopping online for titles. Thankfully I’m not quite there yet, and I can guarantee that I’ll have a sizeable TBR collection to wade through first.

Jbst:

Mostly, I find them through review blog sites, known authors’ blogs whose books that I’ve enjoyed, Goodreads and Amazon reviews, Also, it may be through an ebook that I won in a contest or if the story or author was nominated and/or won awards. Sometimes, it’s just because I liked the cover, blurb, genre.

Forgot to mention about that sometimes a freebie book or MM group’s free stories have resulted in finding a new author which I’ve became a fan. Although, I’ve become much more picky about the freebies now.

mztikicat:

I get many referrals/recommendations from friends, group threads and updates at Goodreads. Also follow several m/m blogs, receive emails from Dreamspinner Press, ARe and a few other publishers. And I utilize Bookbub and Amazon, not just for the daily deals, but also for updates regarding new books being released by authors I follow.

And finally, ushering us into our blog next Sunday with the author’s point of view, someone who represents both the reader and author’s perspective:

Anna Larson:

As a reader: I don’t pick a book based on author or on publisher. If I like the Blurb and the reviews are decent, I’ll buy it. I get “recommendations” from BookBub, Amazon, Goodreads etc. I don’t check for publisher status at all so I don’t go looking for only from publisher x books. The blurb and a good cover is what will attract me to buy a book from anyone.

As an Author: My first short story was published in e-book format only from a small independent group as the publisher. My first longer book was both print and e-book, the second was e-book only for over a year. And my third is print and e-book from the start. All done independently.

Contest Winners!

I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. Here are our winners for the $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice) in no particular order. Notice that there are 5 not 3 winners. I have added two more because of all the wonderful comments. I will be in contact with you about your choice of gift card.

Fehu
Tex Reader
batchelorboy55
mztikicat
Monica

New contest starts next week with our Authors Perspective on eBooks so be here with us for that too!

Now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 16:

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II).
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A PaulB Review: The Promise (Sirius Wolves, #4) by Victoria Sue

Monday, October 17:

Riptide’s Tour and Giveaway: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Cover Reveal for Quarry by Elizabeth Noble
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
A Jeri Release Day Review: Guyliner by J. Leigh Bailey
A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes

Tuesday, October 18:

Love those Spooky Boys? Check out Katey Hawthorne’s WITCHY BOYS (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Day Tour : Sirius Wolves are back in Full Circle by Victoria Sue (excerpt)
Love Wins in ‘Touchdown (Game Day Book 1)‘ by T.S. McKinney Tour (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Witchy Boys by Katey Hawthorne
A Stella Review: Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams
An Ali Audiobook Review: Groomzilla by Tere Michaels and Nick J. Russo Narrator
A VVivacious Review: Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran

Wednesday, October 19:

In the Spotlight: Riptide’s Bluewater Blues by G.B. Gordon (giveaway)
Release Tour: Tempting Tristan: Tristan Brewer (Harborside Nights #3)by Melissa Foster (giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Bluewater Blues by GB Gordon
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Timing by Mary Calmes
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2 ) by Jordan L. Hawk
An Alisa Release Day Review: A-Viking by Kiernan Kelly

Thursday, October 20:

In the Series Spotlight:Mockingbird Place Series Tour by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Cowboy in Unit E by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Doctor in Unit H by Kris Cook
A Jeri Release Day Review: Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn
A PaulB Review: The Dilemma by Victoria Sue

Friday, October 21:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Friendly Fire by Cari Z
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach
Blog Tour and Giveaway:AF Henley’s Wolf in League
A Caryn Review: One Pulse Anthology
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Disciple (The Wheel Mysteries #4) by Susan Laine
A VVivacious Review: My Bare Naked Heart” by David Avery

Saturday, October 22:

Review Tour – Alyson Pearce – The Viscount And The Artist
A MelanieM Review: The Viscount and The Artist by Alyson Pearce
A MelanieM Review: Dragon Detective by Mell Eight

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Suddenly Yours (One Fine Day #2) by Jacob Z. Flores

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

suddenly-yours-by-jacob-z-flores What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Cody Hayes is having one epic morning-after. The hangover following a Vegas bachelor party is nothing new to him, and neither is the naked man in his bed.

His apparent marriage is a different story.

Carefully plotting every detail of his life carried Julian Canales to a Senate seat as an openly gay man. A drunken night of Truth or Dare isn’t like him… and neither is marrying a man he just met. He’d get an annulment, but the media has gotten wind of his hasty nuptials. If Julian’s political career is going to survive, he has to stay married to a man who’s his opposite in every way.

Now he must convince Cody that all they need to do is survive a conservative political rival, a heartbroken ex, their painful pasts… and an attraction neither man can fight.

If you are having a bad day and seriously need a lighted hearted, quick fun read to make the blues fly out the window? Here’s a story for you. Suddenly Yours by Jacob Z. Flores takes that workhorse of a plot, the wake up married in Las Vegas, and makes it adorable and warmhearted all over again. Cody Hayes is taking part of a drunken bachelor party celebration when a dare brings Cody over to Senator Julian Canales, enjoying a night off. What happens next is the sort of thing that movies and Las Vegas is famous or should that be infamous for.

But now post marriage equality, these stories can take on an entirely new spin and really, that’s also the joy here. There’s no hiding in the closet, no tragedy (yes, I know that still occurs) but now its equally possible for a happy ending, for people to blink and move on. Sometimes, I think we forget that. We get the absolutely adorable Cody with his buoyant personality, from his dress to his expressions. On the other side, we get the very serious politician, Julian Canales, whose determination to be a Senator and deliver the type of agenda that will help people most perhaps cost him a personal life and more a deep romantic one. Flores brings them together for one night of hazy, explosive sex and then more when reality sets in and they (and us) really get to know each other. Its the days that follow that seems believable, funny, and real.

Its a format that works when done right as its done here. The author’s execution carries us along quickly in the story, we connect to the characters and we root for their romance. Yes, its light and warmhearted. You know where the plots going but its ok, you like the couple and the secondary characters and the ride is immensely enjoyable. All that adds up to a satisfying romance.

This is book two in Flores’ One Fine Day series. I’ve loved them both. Can’t wait to see what book three brings. I recommend them all.

Cover art by Paul Richmond is just as adorable and cuddly as the story. I adored it.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 244 pages
Expected publication: October 15th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634776763 (ISBN13: 9781634776769)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series: One Fine Day

Storming Love: Tsunami Tales are Here with NIc Starr’s Sebastian & Owen (exclusive excerpt and giveaway)

Sebastian & Owen (Storming Love: Tsunami #3) by Nic Starr
MLR Press

Cover Artist: Kris Jacen

Release Date: 7th October 2016

Sebastian & Owen is book #3 in the Storming Love: Tsunami series from MLR Press. Three authors each contributed a story about a couple facing the same tsunami event.

Blurb

Owen’s eagerness to win Sebastian back turns to desperation as a tsunami threatens to tear them apart.

The last twelve months have been hard on Owen Hewitt and even tougher on his relationship. For six years, Sebastian Carmichael has been the love of his life, but that love is put to the test as Owen sinks into injury-induced depression.

Living with chronic pain and unable to do the things he used to do makes him feel like a failure, and causes him to believe he’s holding the younger Sebastian back.

When Sebastian takes some time out and leaves to stay at their holiday house, it could spell the end of the relationship. But as a tsunami bears down on the Tasmanian coast, it could spell the end of everything.

This book can be read standalone.

Exclusive Excerpt

It was only a couple of days into the new year and they were fighting already. Sebastian’s expression was thunderous —his eyes were narrowed and his jaw was clenched so tightly that Owen could see the muscle in his cheek ticking.

“I’m sorry —”

“Don’t.” Sebastian held up his hand.

Seeing Sebastian holding him back, putting that distance between them, tore at Owen’s heart. He felt the emotion prickle behind his eyes and blinked back the tears.

“I can’t take any more of this, Owen.” Sebastian thumped his chest, his voice breaking as he continued. “You know I love you. I love you with all my heart. For Christ’s sake, I’ve loved you since I was twenty-two. There is no one else for me —you’re it.” Sebastian ran a hand through his dark hair and shook his head before meeting Owen’s gaze head on. “What is it going to take for you to believe that you’re enough, that you’re all I’ve ever wanted? The last year… Well, before that, I never would have pictured us here, doing this, arguing all the time, or tiptoeing around each other.”

“I know and I’m —”

“Don’t say it.” Sebastian’s eyes flashed. “If you say you’re sorry one more time…”

Owen bit back the automatic apology that teetered on the tip of his tongue. “You don’t deserve the last twelve months. I know I’ve been hell to live with —short-tempered and angry. It’s not fair on you and you don’t deserve it. Plus I haven’t been able to do the things we usually do. It’s no wonder you’re pissed off with me.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows rose. “Pissed off? Are you kidding? I couldn’t give a shit about you not being able to do things with me.” He huffed in obvious frustration. “I mean, I miss being able to share the time doing the stuff we used to. Kayaking isn’t the same with Matt or one of the other guys, but that isn’t why I’m pissed. I understand you can’t do what you used to be able to do, but it’s physical, Owen. You aren’t choosing not to be with me when I want to go out and do something active. You have a physical limitation. A busted shoulder. I understand that.”

“But you shouldn’t have to.” Owen hated that Sebastian had to change his life to fit in with him.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re the one who’s concerned, not me. I worry about you, obviously. Do I wish you didn’t have the shoulder injury? Hell, yes. Do I wish you weren’t in pain and could sleep undisturbed through the night? You bet I do. And do I want you to enjoy an afternoon spent kayaking? Too right. But I want all those things because I know how much you love the feel of being out on the water. I want you to be able to run and swim and paddle, but not for me —for you. If we can never do any of those things together again, I’ll be okay, because there’s so much else we do do with each other. My happiness and desire to be with you isn’t linked to outdoor pursuits, it’s linked to being with you whatever we are doing —our morning chats over coffee, walks out on the island, watching those stupid comedies you love so much. Hell, even doing the housework.”

Owen stood speechless, unsure what to say as Sebastian sighed and turned away. He watched as Sebastian strode to the window and stared out at the city beyond. Owen gathered his thoughts, trying to work out what to say so he didn’t open his big mouth and say something he’d regret. He seemed to have a habit of putting his foot in it lately and he didn’t want to make the already tense situation worse. Before he could speak, Sebastian spun around and faced him again.

“Look, Owen. As much as it pains me to say this, I think we need some time apart. We’ve both said what we wanted to say.” — have we? — “Some distance will give you some time to digest what I’ve said, and I really hope you think it over. I mean every word. I love you, Owen, bunged up shoulder or not. It hurts me that you don’t trust enough in my love to believe that. That’s what causes me the most pain —that you doubt us. I thought we were past that, that we were strong, that we were more than…” His voice trailed off and the look of anger had been replaced with sadness.

Owen swallowed past the lump in his throat, arms itching to pull Sebastian into his arms, but Owen remembered the raised hand from earlier in their conversation and didn’t want to risk Sebastian pulling away. He didn’t think his heart could stand the rejection. Instead, his hand dropped to his wrist and he toyed with the leather wrapped securely there. “I —”

Sebastian didn’t let him finish. He offered a small smile. “It’s okay, Owen, really. I think if I stay we’ll just ending up fighting more. So I’m going to Bruny.” Sebastian put a finger to Owen’s lips. “Now before you say anything, it’s not for long. I’m not leaving you. I’m just giving you some space. I’ll stay there for a couple of days, maybe a week. I’ll work from the house out there. While I’m gone, maybe you can work out what you really want, perhaps see the surgeon and talk about getting the surgery you need.”

Owen finally reached out his arms —there was no way he wanted to let Sebastian go but Sebastian put his hands up again. “Owen, let me leave.”

Owen fought the urge to ignore the gesture and the words, to pull Sebastian to him anyway, but eventually nodded. As much as his throat ached and his heart felt heavy, he knew Sebastian was right and he did have to get his shit together. But that didn’t make it hurt any less when Sebastian only relaxed once he had Owen’s agreement.

He smiled gently, stepped forward and wrapped Owen in a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered against Owen’s cheek.

Given Owen’s recent worries about their age difference, why did it feel like Sebastian was the grown up in the relationship?

storming-love-tsunami-1

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About Nic Starr

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family-an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters-and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi.

Website & Blog: http://www.nicstarr.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nic-Starr/e/B00MAWRRQG/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicki.nicstar
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NicStarrAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicstarr_author
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nicstarr_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8139967.Nic_Starr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_starr_author/

Giveaway

I’ve created a Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the release of Sebastian & Owen. Here is the information in case you want to include it on your blog.

The prize is a $10 Amazon Gift card. The Rafflecopter will start shortly and close on 18th October.

Here is the link.

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Direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d18d078d9/

A Stella Review: A Selfless Man (Men of Manhattan #6) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

RATING 3,5 out of 5 stars

a-selfless-man Ryan Carter always hoped his life would turn around for the better. He has a job that he loves, and another one that he hates. Becoming a rent boy was never his life plan, but circumstances forced his hand. When his life falls apart, hunky firefighter Michael Callahan comes to his rescue. Ryan knows better than to believe someone as wonderful as Michael would ever want to be with someone who sells his body. But spending time with Michael gives Ryan something he’s never had before.

Hope.

For months, New York firefighter Michael Callahan has been thinking about the hot guy he rescued while working crowd control during a robbery standoff. His brother is very happy dating a man, and Michael wonders if he’s finally ready for a relationship of his own. An apartment fire brings him face to face with the young man who’s been haunting him for months. Their friendship starts strong, but will Ryan’s alternate life put out the flicker before it has a chance to flame?
Can Michael convince Ryan that he wants him no matter who he is? Or will the relationship turn to ash before it even begins?

I read the previous books in the Men Of Manhattan series and I was very curious about this new installment, A Selfless Man. I don’t recommend to read it as a standalone cause here we found a lot of the couples of the previous stories, so reading the series in the right order would be a wise choice.

I love firefighters’ stories, especially when they have some action in them and in this sense the book was a winner (even thought there is a little cliffhanger at the end, not related to the MCs story but to the mystery part). Plus firefighter and rent boy together? I couldn’t resist.

I adore when my characters fall in love at first time but the insta love needs to be supported by more elements, at least some knowledge of each other. In A Selfless Man the insta love was too much to me, really over the top; it’s a shame because it took away credibility and I found it hard to feel Michael and Ryan as real persons.

That’s the only reason I didn’t rate it more than 3,5 stars. But in general I enjoyed the book. In fact I liked the plot, I liked how the relationship between the MCs developed and how many friends they have. Yes I admit if you haven’t read the previous books, too many characters can overwhelm your reading but if you follow the series, it will be a pleasure to meet them again and see how supportive and protective they are of their friend.

Now I just have to jump to the seven book hoping for Bobby (Ryan’s bestie) to find his HEA and for the serial killer to be stopped.

The cover art by Wilde City Press is hot and well done. Too bad this pic has been over used, I saw it on so many covers it became boring to me.

Sales Links

Wilde City Press

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 132 pages
Published September 14th 2016 by Wilde City Press
ASIN B01LW4DAWM
Edition Language English

Men of Manhattan series

A Jeri Release Day Review: THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2 by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

thirds-beyond-the-books-vol-2 If you are a THIRDS fan, you get excited about the next book coming out. If you are a rabid THIRDS fan, you join fan groups and wait for Thursdays. Because on Thursdays, Ms Cochet gives us what she calls “THIRDS Thursday”. A snippet of a story that isn’t in the books. We love those magic words “THIRDS Thursday is up!” so we can run to her website to sate our thirst for all things Dex and company.

If you have no idea what I am talking about at this point- just move on. Or actually, go back and start with the first book Hell and High Water. Then you will understand. If you are wondering how you had no idea you were missing THIRDS Thursday- it’s your lucky day! Volumes I and II of Beyond the Books brings together all those shorts into one convenient place.

These stories are at times sweet, sometimes hot, very often funny, and when she really wants to torture us, they can make you cry. These shorts are almost like movie outtakes, or scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor. I know that there are “prompts” that she uses to get a story started- often sent to her by fans. Like me. But, sadly, my prompt hasn’t yet been deemed worthy of a story.

You can easily read the whole book at once- or you can savor it and read a few at a time. Because they are all the characters we know and love but they hold not great importance to the Books (the original series), you can pick it up and put it down.

Of course I recommend these books. Any THIRDS fan worth their Cheesy Doodles needs them in their library. And the proceeds go to Big Cat Rescue.

All royalties from this book will be donated to the Big Cat Rescue.http://bigcatrescue.org/

Cover art by L.C. Chase works perfectly, including the Cheesy Doodles.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 138 pages
Expected publication: October 12th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 163477308X (ISBN13: 9781634773089)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesTHIRDS

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Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock Riptide Publishing Cover by: Kanaxa

About Slave Hunt

About The Subs Club Universe

About J.A. Rock

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Sebastian & Owen (Storming Love: Tsunami #3) by Nic Starr MLR Press

Cover Artist: Kris Jacen

Release Date: 7th October 2016

Sebastian & Owen is book #3 in the Storming Love: Tsunami series from MLR Press. Three authors each contributed a story about a couple facing the same tsunami event.

Blurb

This book can be read standalone.

Exclusive Excerpt

Buy Links

About Nic Starr

Giveaway

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Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Riptide Publishing
Cover by: Kanaxa

Sebastian & Owen (Storming Love: Tsunami #3) by Nic Starr
MLR Press