A Jeri Review: Wolf, WY (Wolf #1) by A.F. Henley

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

There’s nothing like a fresh start, and for Randy, still nursing wounds left by a cheating ex and harboring a deep mistrust for all things corporate, Wolf, Wyoming seems like the perfect place to start over. Secluded, quiet, and self-sufficient, Wolf is bound to not only inspire, but to bring Randy the peace he needs. The view’s not bad, either.

Vaughn O’Connell and his family are Randy’s only neighbors for miles, and while Randy knows it’s somewhat unlikely that a man with three kids is gay, it doesn’t hurt to look. When a misunderstanding brings Randy face to face with both Vaughn and his eighteen year old son, Lyle, Randy’s not sure what to feel about either of them.

But things are not what they appear in Wolf, and the closer Randy gets, the stranger the O’Connell family seems…

Although I tend not to be a big fan of paranormal, I decided to give this one a go. Overall, I am glad I did.

The paranormal part of it (wolf shifters) really didn’t come to fruition until about ¾ of the way through the book. Before that we got to know the main character Randy, his potential love interest, Vaugh, and Vaughn’s three kids.

Randy moves to Wolf, WY to escape a life he wasn’t happy with. Working as a lawyer, he was defending people who were probably guilty and his conscience wouldn’t let him live with it any longer. Add to that an ex-fiance who not only dumped him, but was also cheating on him, made the move easy.

Vaughn and family are his closest neighbors by far. He tries to engage them with smiles and waves hello but is ignored. He does notice that Vaughn and his son are quite good looking, although he feels like the father is a jerk and the son is a bit too young for him.

This book is VERY descriptive as far as the scenery, what Randy is thinking and feeling and Wyoming in general. While it absolutely sounds beautiful, it could have been trimmed a bit. I would have enjoyed reading a bit more about Randy’s back story or even Vaughn’s back story. We actually get NONE of Vaughn’s story which disappointed me.

I did really enjoy the fact that Vaughn’s son was making a play at Randy. It added a dynamic that isn’t often seen in books like this. Vaughn’s youngest children were a delight and charming. They added to the story without unnecessarily upping the “cute” factor.

An enjoyable read with enough sex to make it steamy and enough imagery to take your mind to that house in Wyoming.

Terrific book cover.

Sales Links: Less Than Three Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 223 pages
Published October 21st 2015 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN139781620046180
edition languageEnglish
seriesWolf #1

A Jeri Review: Hollywood Secrets (Hollywood) by T.S. McKinney

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Ethan Weatherby. Well…Vic and Grayson are smackdab in the middle of their happy-ending, loving each other with so much sugary sweet sap and disgustingly dirty sex that it’s turning my stomach…or making me green with jealously. Magnus and I broke up months ago, making me the laughing stock of Hollywood and leaving me drowning in a big black pit of despair. In an attempt to hide away from all the Hollywood glitz and gossip, I accompany Vic to Florence, Alabama for her latest movie. In my messed-up mind, I tell myself that I’ll get me a little Southern Boy Nookie that will miraculously make me forget all about Magnus. As it turns out…I get so much more than nookie.

Jeremy Michaelson. He’s hands down the hottest, most innocently beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Every alpha instinct in me comes to life the first time I see him and the overwhelming desire to make him mine comes roaring to life. After our first encounter, I’m pretty sure he feels the same way about me.

At least I thought he did…until I realize there is so much more to my Southern heartthrob than what he wants me to see. He has secrets, potentially deadly secrets that risk putting an end to us before we even have a chance for our beginning. The more I try to unravel his past, the harder he pushes me away.

Here’s the deal…when I want something, I don’t give up easily…and I want Jeremy Michaelson.

This is another tough one for me to review. I thought I would like it more than I did. Admittedly I haven’t read the first in the series (it’s MF and I pretty much exclusively read MM), so perhaps this is just the writing style.

Everyone in the book seemed quite over the top. But at the same time, except for the supporting character of Victoria, no one seems to really work or have a real life outside of this romance.

After hearing about Jeremy’s back story, I expected him to be a lot more worldly, more jaded. He comes across as almost virginal in the book which makes no sense as he is ready to jump into bed with Ethan straight after an injury.

Ethan is portrayed as very stereotypically gay. Tiny dog, screams like a girl, perfect hair and wardrobe, girl best friend. But when it comes to sex he turns into this super toppy alpha which just doesn’t seem to fit his personality at all.

The story just moved far too quickly for me for it to be believable. But if you like fluffy full of sex for sex sake, this is definitely the book for you.

Even the cover art seemed a bit generic for me.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published September 3rd 2015 by Smashwords Edition
(first published September 2nd 2015)
ISBN139781944054014
seriesHollywood

A Jeri Review: The Making of Matt (Souls of the Knight #3) by Nicola Haken

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Matt Carter, self-proclaimed sex-god and drummer for world renowned Souls of the Knight, didn’t have the time or inclination for planning his future, preferring to fill his days with music, women and alcohol. He didn’t want or need anything else in his life.

Until the band parted ways and he found himself no longer living the dream.

Bored and lonely, with too much time and money on his hands, Matt turns to his best friend, Alex Clark, to help devise a new direction to take his life in. Together, they embrace their newfound venture, as owner and manager of one of L.A.’s hottest gay clubs – Kaleidoscope. For the first time, Matt has a plan. He knows where life is heading.

Until a devastating phone call turns his whole world upside down, sending him straight into the comforting arms of his best friend and leading him to doubt everything he’s ever known or believed about himself.

Alex had always been content with his unrequited feelings for his rockstar friend, but as Matt starts to question if he might actually feel the same, he runs as fast as his feet will allow.

Has Matt gone too far? Has his reputation as an irresponsible womanizer who refuses to take life seriously, finally managed to push his best friend away for good?

Or is Alex hiding secrets of his own?

I discovered Ms Haken with her book Being Sawyer Knight (Souls of the Knight, #1). I could be wrong, but I believe before that her books were all M/F romances. I loved Being Sawyer Knight and the second in the seriesTaming Ryder (Souls of the Knight, #2) so I was very excited to read Matt’s story.

Matt’s story begins after the demise of their popular and famous rock band. He is aimless, living on the money he made and not knowing what to do with himself. Luckily, his best friend, Alex, is the rock he needs in his life to help keep him grounded. But Matt doesn’t realize that Alex is half in love with Matt even though Matt is straight.

Cue the typical drunken kiss, misunderstanding and broken friendship. While this is happening we get the voice of reason Sawyer, the fabulousness of Ryder and the rest of the band and their mates. I love when a series brings back former characters, not just as short mentions, but solid pieces of the story.

Matt and Alex make it back together and while Matt thinks Alex is hesitant because Matt has never been with a man before, he is shocked to learn the real reason. Honestly, I was too. But the way that the subject was treated, with respect, honesty and care really made it so much more heartfelt.

Being that I refuse to spoil anything in the book, I will have to leave that there for you.

*evil laugh*

This book made me literally laugh out loud on one page, cry on another and swoon on yet another. This book absolutely had it all and I loved it. If you haven’t read the first two- READ THEM! Then read this as well.

The cover art is a perfect depiction of Matt and the life he is moving toward after Souls of the Knight.

Sales Links: Amazon | “>Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook

Expected publication: October 19th 2015 (first published October 14th 2015)

edition language English

series Souls of the Knight #3

Series Souls of the Knight:

Being Sawyer Knight (Souls of the Knight, #1)

Taming Ryder (Souls of the Knight, #2)

The Making of Matt (Souls of the Knight #3)

A Jeri Review: Let the Wrong Light In by Avon Gale

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Avery works hard as a junior architect but nothing is good enough for his project manager Malin. After spending weeks on a brilliant design, only to have it red lined again, Avery confronts his boss. What he doesn’t expect is to be attracted to his boss. Sure he is bisexual, but his boss is as cold as Avery is warm.

I’m going to start with what I didn’t like about the book and why I gave it 2 ½ stars. Although it is told in the third person, it was VERY one sided. Almost the entire book was from Avery’s point of view which showed how he does anything and everything to make Malin happy but gets nothing in return. We as readers get nothing in return either.

It isn’t until almost the end of the book that we get Malin’s back story to explain why he is the way he is and while that does explain most of his “personality” (or lack thereof), I wish we had gotten it a lot sooner. By the time it does come up, it took a bit of work to conjour up any sympathy for him.

And sorry, but this is another example of an author playing at BDSM. It is brought up and dropped several times, was far from genuine and never came to a solid conclusion.

The biggest redeemer is Avery himself. He is so funny and likable. Even his one sided conversations made me smile when reading and he kept me turning the pages.

Overall it was ok but left me wanting more.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson. I could absolutely picture Avery as the man on the cover of the book- hipster glasses and all.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 210 pages, paperback

Published September 25th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC

original title Let the Wrong Light In

ISBN13 9781634763165

edition language English

A Jeri Review: Charlie’s Hero (Heroes #1) by Nic Starr

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Schoolteacher Charlie Matthews returns to his hometown, looking to regain a sense of community, reconnect with friends, and settle down. It looks like his dreams have come true when paramedic Josh Campbell attends an accident at the school. It’s love at first sight, and a romance begins.

But Josh’s reluctance to come out to the brother who raised him, puts pressure on their fledgling relationship. While Charlie understands Josh’s concerns, he can’t help growing impatient. After all, Charlie came out years ago.

It’s not until Charlie confronts his own parents and realizes he hasn’t come to terms with their rejection that he fully understands what Josh has to lose. But Josh is Charlie’s hero, and Josh will do anything to prove to Charlie that to be part of a family, he doesn’t need his parents.

This book was super sweet and low on angst. A happy read.

Josh is a paramedic called to a school for a hurt child. Charlie is a teacher on the playground that day and spots Josh immediately. He never thinks he will see him again, until the day the paramedics come back for a show and tell type event.

Josh is in the closet to almost everyone- especially his brother who raised him after their father died. Josh refuses to be in the closet. He is who he is, even though his parents rejected him. They begin a tentative relationship, but Charlie doesn’t realize that Josh is hiding.

Their relationship is organic and sweet. No insta-love or insta-sex. Which is nice. They are romancing each other. Until it is time for Josh to set the record straight with his brother.

I really liked Charlie’s best friend in the story. I really love when a gay character has straight friends. Especially straight best friends that aren’t women. That stereotype is getting old. But this was refreshing. The guy was really funny as well.

Josh’ brother seems like a jerk, but, well…you’ll see. Things definitely change there.

For a light hearted romp with just a little heartbreak and angst, definitely read this one. And the follow up “Andrew’s Promise”. That review shortly…

The cover art by Bree Archer drew me in immediately. I love a cover that depicts the characters as written in the book. Well done.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published June 17th 2015 by Dreamspinner
original titleCharlie’s Hero
ISBN139781634760959
edition languageEnglish
seriesHeroes #1, Heroes #1

A Jeri Review: Unsaid (The Manhattanites Book 3) by Avery Aster

Rating: 2.5 Stars out of 5

For fans who loved the snarky wit of Will & Grace and the epic love drama found in Brokeback Mountain comes Avery Aster’s new full-length, standalone contemporary erotic M/M romance novel, Unsaid.

Chelsea’s hottie Blake Morgan III has reemerged from a nasty breakup. His marriage was a frigid disaster beyond repair, and he vows to be single—forever. Bruised, but still hot in Prada, he creates his Seven Desires wish list, his sexiest imaginings. Blake soon realizes there’s only one man he may trust to make these uninhibited intentions come to fruition: his best friend Miguel Santana.

Lower East Side multimedia artist extraordinaire Miguel Santana may be known as the cocky Latin stud in the city, but all he’s wanted since college was Blake’s hand in marriage. He was livid when Blake walked down the aisle with the wrong guy. Miguel has his own list titled the Seven Needs, which are quite contrary to Blake’s dirty-boy deeds. They involve serious commitments, which may leave his new-to-the-singles-scene buddy sprinting for the door, destroying any hopes Miguel has for happiness.

Can these two hunks conquer their intimate fears and love one another as only best friends can? Join

While the cover of Unsaid (The Manhattanites Book 3) by Avery Aster is hot and would draw me to it immediately, it is a bit misleading. The “main” story is about 2 guy friends getting together, but really there are several interconnected stories throughout the book involving their group of friends.

Because this review is for a blog about LGBT books, I am going to review it as such. Had I read this book for a het blog, there would be some differences.

Blake grew up wealthy, as did his group of friends. All he wanted was to get married and have a family. He thought he was on his way to that dream when he married his boyfriend. Five years later, he is watching the ink dry on his divorce papers.

One of his friends, Miguel, has had a crush on Blake since college. But Blake chose Miguel’s friend over him. He carried his torch silently for years. Until their friends start to push them together.

There are several story lines in this book. And while they are all connected because everyone is friends, I feel like they could have been separated into their own books and their stories fleshed out more.

I did enjoy the friendship of all of the characters. They really stuck by each other in life and were willing to do anything for each other. Usually a character has one, maybe two, close friends in a book. These guys were lucky enough to have a diverse crowd of friends.

A word of warning- there is het sex in the book! Teehee, just had to throw that out there. There is also a BDSM scene that will have people who are really in the lifestyle rolling their eyes at how wrong it is.

While I liked all of the stories, I wish there was more. More depth, more romance, more back story. It was just a bit too much like a soap opera for me to give it more than 2 ½ stars.

Cover is hot. It pulled me in but I thought it was misleading.

Sales links: Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook

Expected publication: September 2nd 2015 (first published August 3rd 2015)

edition language English

series The Manhattanites #3

A Jeri Review: The Long Slide Home (The Rainbow League #3) by Kate McMurray

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Nate and Carlos have been the best of friends since their childhood playing baseball together in the Bronx. For the last few years, Nate’s been in love with Carlos, though he’s never acted on it, and Carlos has never given any indication that he returns Nate’s feelings. Nate has finally given up, determined to move on and find someone else, especially now that Carlos has shacked up with his boyfriend Aiden.

Carlos doesn’t understand why Nate has suddenly gotten weird, acting cold and distant at team practice for the Rainbow League. But if that’s how things are going to be, Carlos is done trying to figure Nate out. But then Aiden starts to show he might not be the man Carlos thought he was, and Carlos needs his best friend’s support. Worse, he starts to realize his feelings for Nate might not be limited to friendship. But in the aftermath of his relationship with Aiden, and with Nate having problems of his own, the timing is all wrong to make a real relationship work. As emotions run high, both have hard time figuring out what is real and what is just convenient.

Sometimes it takes something to open your eyes to the possibilities. For Nate, it was watching Carlos dating Aidan.

Nate and Carlos have been friends since they were kids. Growing up in the same neighborhood of the Bronx, their mutual love of the Yankees and baseball in general, and Nate practically growing up in Carlos’ Puerto Rican family since he only had a single working mother.

They played on the same team in the league and were both out of the closet. Everyone assumed they were together until Carlos started dating Aidan.

Nate is losing his chance to have Carlos as his own- but he is also losing his friendship with Carlos. He never hangs out after games with his friends, he leaves directly after practice and doesn’t say much to anyone. Until he shows up at Nate’s door with a bruise on his face.

Watching these two navigate through their friendship to something more was really beautiful. They struggle to find the balance between friends and lovers, while navigating baseball, Carlos’ huge family and a rebound situation. You just want to cheer for them to make it through.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson who did the covers for the first two stories as well.I loved having both main characters on the cover of the book, which again, follows the same art as the previous two.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages

Published August 14th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC

original title The Long Slide Home

ISBN139781632169723

edition language English

seriesThe Rainbow League #3

Books in the Rainbow League Series are:

The Windup (The Rainbow League, #1)

Thrown a Curve (The Rainbow League, #2)

The Long Slide Home (The Rainbow League, #3)

A Jeri Review: The Windup (The Rainbow League #1) by Kate McMurray

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Ian ran screaming from New York City upon graduating from high school. A job offer too good to turn down has brought him back, but he plans to leave as soon as the job is up. In the meantime he lets an old friend talk him into joining the Rainbow League, New York’s LGBT amateur baseball league. Baseball turns out to be a great outlet for his anxiety, and not only because sexy teammate Ty has caught his eye.

Ty is like a duck on a pond—calm and laid-back on the surface, a churning mess underneath. In Ian, he’s found someone with whom he feels comfortable enough to share some of what’s going on beneath the surface. The only catch is that Ian is dead set on leaving the city as soon as he can. Ty works up a plan to convince Ian that New York is, in fact, the greatest city in the world. But when Ian receives an offer for a job overseas, Ty needs a new plan: convince Ian that home is where Ty is.

Generally, when a book is about the main character reluctantly returning to his hometown, it is usually some Midwestern or southern small town. Not in The Windup. Ian left Brooklyn as soon as he was able. His job takes him all over the country and around the world. So when his next assignment is in NYC, he doesn’t want to take it, but he knows it is only for a year or two before he moves on.

A high school friend convinces Ian to join The Rainbow League, an LGBT summer baseball league. Most join for the hook ups, some join for the game, but Ian joins to meet other people. Naturally, he is immediately drawn to the league “slut” Ty.

Ty and Ian slowly get to know each other, but they both hold back knowing that Ian is only in NYC for a short time. Ty still sees the magic that is NYC since he was born and raised in Texas. So he wants to convince Ian to stay in the city- and with him.

I loved how, that even though they both had emotional walls up, they did slowly let each other in. Neither one was a jerk- which I have seen time and again as a defense mechanism- they were each just guarded. Watching Ty’s romantic streak come out and letting his reputation as the team slut disappear was refreshing.

The sex was hot, the romance was sweet and the baseball was fun! I’ve read a lot of pro baseball books, this is my first with a league for fun and I loved it.

The cover by Aaron Anderson is a beautiful combination of NYC as an urban back drop and (I’m guessing) Ian as a bit of a loner. It really illustrates the overall book

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

Book Details:

ebook, 214 pages

Published April 24th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press

original title The Windup

ISBN13 9781632169686

edition language English

series The Rainbow League #1

A Jeri Review: Against the Grain (THIRDS #5) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta’s Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash’s skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash’s secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what’s in his heart.

Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he’s ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn’t the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.

As a rule, I am not the biggest fan of PNR (paranormal romance). Vampires, werewolves, etc. There are a couple of series that I do absolutely love and Charlie Cochet’s THIRDs series is at the top of the heap.

Against the Grain is book 5 in the THIRDS series. While you *can* read this book as a stand alone, I highly highly recommend you start with the first book. If not, you are missing a lot.

This book starts the story of Cael and Ash. Two Therian shifters who are on the same team with the THIRDS Destructive Delta. Cael and Ash have tip toed around their attraction to each other for years. Ash because he didn’t think he was good enough for Cael, and Cael because he didn’t know that Ash was gay. Their flirtation and friendship in the previous books finally comes to a head in this book.

One of the many reasons I am a fan of these books as that there is a good story behind the sex and romance. These guys never seem to catch a break, but that is what makes the books so exciting!

To add to the great story line, the romance and the sex there is humor. OH is there humor! So witty and funny, you will find yourself cracking up out loud more than once.

For followers of the series- don’t worry, our original Destructive Delta couple Dex and Sloane have a great presence in the book so you won’t be disappointed at all.

Cover artist:

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

Book Details:

ebook, 220 pages

Published August 3rd 2015 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN13 9781634763752

edition language English

series THIRDS #5

A Jeri Review: On Solid Ground by Melissa Collins

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When Jacob “Dax” Daxton returns home from war, he has to fight a new battle – the one to find his place in the world. The man who normally has a clear path to victory surrounded by brothers in combat is suddenly lost and alone. After meeting Beckett Ridge, a bearded tattoo artist, Dax’s journey begins winding down an unexpected path.

Still reeling from events that shook his foundation, Beck has never been part of anything meaningful. Now faced with responsibilities foreign and daunting, Dax’s broken spirit mends Beck in ways he never even knew he was destroyed.

As both struggle to find balance, they are healed by the comfort they find in one other. On the other side of chaos, they hope to find themselves On Solid Ground

You know when you finish a book, you smile and sigh? Yep, Melissa Collins did that to me. Again. Even the cover of this book screams love and romance. Sigh again.

I believe this is only her second or third M/M book but you would never know it. Her characters are flawed and real- just as their relationship is.

Jacob “Dax” Daxton is home from war and adrift. He never felt that he could live up to his “perfect” older brother, especially since he was gay and his family didn’t know. He meets a tattoo artist, Beckett Ridge, and is instantly attracted. Beck has his own set of issues to deal with- including a niece he has custody of and a drug addicted sister.

Watching the love bloom between these two characters was beautiful. Neither of them were “jerks”, as is often the case in M/M (at least to start off), they leaned on each other when they needed to and gave each other space when that was warranted.

Of course there was turmoil and angst. What great love story doesn’t have that? It was at times intense, emotional, romantic and sexy. This book has everything you are looking for in a love story without the sticky sappiness that often goes along with it.

Both of these men struggle to find their way, and luckily for us, they find their way with each other.

Cover art by

Sales Links: Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 253 pages

Published January 13th 2015 by M Collins Author LLC (first published January 2nd 2015)

original title On Solid Ground

ASINB00S88Y534

edition language English

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