Tag: A MelanieM Recommended Story

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Mild to Wild in Massachusetts by Paul Walkingsky

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Brett has spent twenty-seven years trying to be perfect for the Mormon grandparents who raised him. Unfortunately, doing so has meant missing out on lots of life experiences—and denying a major part of who he is. Now that his grandparents are gone, Brett is ready to make up for lost time, break out of the sedate façade he’s always presented, and do something he would have never considered before: attend a gay men’s spiritual retreat in rural Massachusetts.

While trying to infuse some spice into his life with workshops like Erotic Massage, Body Painting, and Drag 101, Brett meets Boston nurse Karl, and it’s hard to deny the connection between them. But will Brett’s lack of experience and Karl’s insecurities end their romance before it can really begin?

It might be a spiritual retreat, but Brett must learn to embrace his physical reality if he’s going to grab on to his chance at love.

Mild to Wild in Massachusetts introduced me to author Paul Walkingsky.  After finishing this story, I want to know more about this author and read more of his writings.  From the little I could find, this might be his first story.  If so, its a good one.

I’m unfamiliar with growing up Mormon or life in Utah,  or gay Mormon in Utah so when I say that Brett came off as a much older person at first, I’m not sure if that’s due to his religious upbringing or his mental framework but I was surprised to find out that he was only 27  not say 47 from the manner in which he was talking about himself, his clothing, and his lack of sex life.  There was a slight disconnect at first from his character and I’m at a loss to say why.  But then all of a sudden the story snaps together when Brett comes into some money and makes a decision to go to a gay men’s retreat in Massachusetts.  For Brett, that’s like going to Oz….plane ride, exotic place…its so far out of his comfort zone..its truly the land of Dorothy.

But what pours out of this story is so much kindness and heart.  To Brett from strangers on the plane as they see his rawness and apprehension even while appreciating his humor and intelligence.  And from Brett as he widens his outlook on people and starts realizing that maybe he had been more judgmental about himself and his life than he had thought.  Then he lands in the retreat and really begins a journey of exploration.  From erotic massage to Drag Queen 101 to art therapy, we take the journey with Brett, meet all the instructors and fellow explorers and potential love interest Karl.  Its slow, lovely,  and so heartwarming that you melt as Brett finds himself opening up, expanding as a person, finding acceptance as a gay man within himself.  Ah, lightning bugs always you bring magic!

There is a romantic component to this story but its not exactly a romance, unless its getting Brett to love himself and accept who he is, something he is unable to do at the beginning of the story.

Yes, there is Karl and at the end there’s a wonderful moment there for them.  But this story ends before Brett leaves the retreat.  It marks the end of just one section of an important path but just the beginning of his long journey.  I really hope that Paul Walkingsky picks up Brett’s story and takes it forward.  I want to know what happens next.  And how about his uncle?  There are so many wonderful characters here to pull from for more future stories. I’d like this author to tell them all.

Cover Artist: Maria Fanning.  I think its cute and appropriate for the characters.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 74 pages
Expected publication: April 12th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1635333962 (ISBN13: 9781635333961)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesStates of Love settingMassachusetts (United States)

A MelanieM Review: Patience (Dublin Virtues #1) by Helena Stone

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Patience is a virtue. But what if you wait too long?

While Xander Ekman’s dream of becoming a successful artist has come true, his love life has gone from bad to worse. Sick of the endless string of one-night-stands, he accepts the challenge when his best friend, Erik, bets him that he can’t be celibate for a month. Now all he needs is a reminder to keep his distance in the heat of the moment.

Troy Moriarty doesn’t have time for love. He’s too busy trying to keep his recently opened tattoo parlour afloat. Besides, ever since the man who was supposed to be his business partner abandoned him to run the shop on his own, he has a hard time trusting others.

When Xander turns to Troy for a tattoo that will remind him to be patient, the attraction is instant. But faced with Xander’s month of celibacy, Troy’s trust issues, and a nemesis lurking in the background, their relationship may be doomed before it has a chance to begin.

Patience (Dublin Virtues #1) by Helena Stone represents a new story, new series and a new author for me.  After finishing Patience, I considered it a win in all three categories.  Set in the city of Dublin, a place I dearly love (and captured here pretty well, especially the climate), we meet Xander an artist whose habit of one night stands has left him feeling empty and used.  Enter his old friend and a bet.  One month of abstinence.

I thought the author did a terrific job of making me feel empathetic towards  Xander immediately.  Under Erik’s  questioning, Xander starts to crumble, admitting to the feelings and walls he’s built up to hide the emptiness inside.  Seeing Xander’s pain and understanding the man brings us so close to him at the very beginning.  We’re there, liking him and rooting for his HEA.

When Troy is introduced, its so beautifully done, like the author quietly dropping a puzzle piece in place.  There’s linking threads between them, of course, from major to slim, which are revealed to us and them over the course of the story.  Troy is as immensely likable and real as is Xander, and equally broken in the same parts of his heart.  Biggest issue?  Trust of course, and communication about the important things.  How true to life and how sadly realistic.

The author must have a real love of symmetry for she has given each man a best friend here that acts as their support, confidant, and all around ‘kick in the pants’ when needed.  I fell in love with both of them as well, each as different as can be and, fingers crossed I’m hoping that the next book or books in the series revolves around them.

I had a couple of small issues one.  One was that Xander kept making a big deal over his anger issues but quite frankly we never saw any that seemed out of control or over the top.  Everyone gets angry and he was able to pull back and deal each time.  So either it should have been brought more fully into the story or really not made an issue of at all.

Also I felt the ending was a little rushed.  One bit left us hanging, although I suppose that was for the books to come.  Still it made me wonder because everything else in this terrific story is so well supported and all the foundations so lovingly laid out.  But that’s it.  I loved this story.

I will of course be anxiously awaiting the next story in the series.  I can’t wait to see where the author takes us and who the story will be about.

My one last little nod to Dublin and Ireland.  Surely another symbol other than a kanji character could have been used.  Maybe a celtic rune perhaps?  Just a thought.

Cover art by Emmy Ellis is ok but nothing that shouts storyline to me.

Sales Links

Pride Publishing 


Pre-Order: Amazon US | Amazon UK  (March 28)

 

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 170 pages
Published February 28th 2017 by Pride Publishing
ISBN139781786515360
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesDublin Virtues #1

A MelanieM Review: Necessary Medicine by M.K. York

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

necessary-medicineWith intelligence and humor, debut male/male author M.K. York delivers an emotionally charged slow-burn romance set in a prestigious Bay Area teaching hospital

In the high-intensity world of hospital residency programs, there’s no room for romance. So it’s a good thing for first-year surgical resident Neil Carmona that his crush on the gorgeous cardiologist Eli Newcombe is sheer fantasy. Not only is the sexy doctor Neil’s superior, he’s also recently divorced.

As Neil’s skill as a surgeon grows, so does his friendship with Eli, and his silent, hopeless longing for more. It isn’t until Neil’s final year that Eli at last admits his own deepest desires. But Neil’s joy is short-lived: Eli has no intention of pursuing a relationship. Their positions in the hospital would make it unethical, even if he was emotionally ready for someone new.

Wounded and furious, Neil is determined to forget about Eli once and for all. But when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?

Well, I just  adored Necessary Medicine by M.K. York, probably because it hit so close to home as a close family relative lived with us during his residency here. During that time period I got an up close look at his hours, his total exhaustion and the dedication it took to get him through those years (and all those rotations).  York knows that world intimately and brought it back to me so vividly I almost got on the phone to relive it  with my cousin again. Almost!

First-year surgical resident Neil Carmona felt so believable in every way.  From his fumbling through the different rotations, to his trying to find some semblance of ties to other people to ground him, I understood this man completely and loved him.  And when transplant surgeon extraordinaire appeared during one of his lectures, I could see the crush coming his way.  Neil’s world is an insular one and York does a fine job of describing its pressures and incredible around the clock adrenaline rush of procedures, stress, and Expectations that bombard residents so that we can see why he wants to reach out to someone he’s attracted to so badly even though it might be the worst idea ever.

Eli Newcombe is more of an enigma, at least at first.  Its when we meet up with him a second time that we get to know the man behind the reputation and realize that perhaps that, beyond the chemistry these two have, there just might be a future.

This is a slow burn sort of relationship that’s has its foundation in the reality of a teaching hospital.  York gives us not only Neil and Eli but Neil’s mentor (and Eli’s friend), other residents and Neil’s small circle of friends and the insular world of surgery and the transplant field.  I think this book is a marvel, and I found so many things about it fascinating. Yes, I did remember my cousin’s similar stories from his internship and they pretty much measured up to the ones here.  I wonder who  York has been talking to.

However, if you’re not a fan of things like tv medicine show dramas with ensemble casts and romances, this book might not be your thing.  But it was absolutely mine.  As I said I adored it.  I so hope M.K. York write more like this as the author has found a fan in me.

Cover art works but I’m not a fan of reds like this in cover art.  I find it offputting.

Pre Order – Sales Links

Carina Press

Other links to come

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 251 pages
Expected publication: April 24th 2017 by Carina Press
Original TitleNecessary Medicine
ASINB01MYM441N
Edition LanguageEnglish

A MelanieM Review: All Hallows’ Eve by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

all-hallows-eve-by-annabelle-jacobsWill a centuries-old broken heart ruin the promise of new love?

Dominic Ashworth is descended from a long line of witches, although the family practice of witchcraft died out generations ago. Forever connected to a dark history, the house he grew up in remained in the Ashworth family for generations until his estranged father sold it.

On a mission to check out the new owners, Dominic runs into Caleb Jones and gives the gorgeous man his phone number—but getting a date should be the last thing on Dominic’s agenda.

Caleb and his best friend, Zach Briceworth, are oblivious to the heartache and magic tied to the foundations of their new home. When strange things start to happen, the truth emerges and surprises them both, especially as everything revolves around Caleb’s new love interest.

After a shaky start, Caleb and Dominic settle into an easy relationship, falling faster than either of them expected. But with Halloween approaching, the possibility of danger increases. The past is not always as it seems, and the ripples of a tragic event threaten to put an end to everything between them.

Arriving just in time to satisfy our needs for some supernatural reads comes this terrific tale of thwarted love and hauntings of the heart from Annabelle Jacobs.  All Hallow’s Eve is a tale of two love stories, each separated by centuries but connected by family ties and one house.  The Ashworth witches and their family house has been tied together by a dark history…until one estranged family member sells it to unknowing new owners.

Its such a delicious plot.  A family of witches, ancient lands…and a new owner.  What could possibly happen?  In this case its, Dominic and his sister who own a local bookstore (plus a aunt) who are still keepers of the Ashworth history and as well as being witches themselves.  Too late to keep their father from selling their house, they need to get to know the new owner for any number of reasons.  That Caleb is gorgeous and gay?  A complication that Dominic hadn’t counted on.

Jacobs has to weave not only present  day characters and their stories into that time frame and mysterious goings on but also put into play the centuries old heartbreak and mystery at the core of this story.  An entire storyline, complete with characters, dialog, and history had to be created as well.  Realistically enough that we felt for them equally as we do for those in present times.  Its quite the accomplishment that we come to do so, especially so at the end of the story.

I thought the author  did a wonderful job of building the suspense and dread just through the house itself.  From the anticipatory walk down the stairs in the basement to the behavior of the cat, sometimes just the creepiness of the atmosphere was enough to make your skin crawl.    You were really waiting for the ghost to pop out and say boo.

While I wish more could have been made of the fact that the father’s role was short of disastrous in this, from selling the house to not supporting his kids, only to quickly return? Hmmm….I wished for more there.

However, the rest of the story absolutely satisfied.  I loved the rush to figure out how the past was going to return and  endanger those in the present and who was going to be affected the most.  It was chilling when it had to be, poignant when called for, and romantically heartwarming for all at the end. And at All Hallows’ Eve.  Amazing and quite wonderful.

I definitely recommend this story.  Its a terrific read at this time of year or anytime actually.  Grab it up and have a spooktacular time!

Cover art by Natasha Snow is terrific and works for the story.

Sales Links

7104e-waxcreative-amazon-kindle

 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 248 pages
Published October 5th 2016 by Annabelle Jacobs
ASINB01M1CXXUN
Edition LanguageEnglish