Tag: A Mika Review

A Mika Review: The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

The Winter Spirit coverNathaniel O’Donnelly likes his life quiet, his guests happy, and his ghosts well-behaved.

Although a boyfriend wouldn’t go amiss. Someone to share his beautiful B&B with, even if it is in the middle of nowhere and he’s long past the wrong side of thirty. Problem is, Nathaniel’s living with a ghost who thinks he’s cupid, and whose arrows fly a little too straight.

Gabriel Wickfield had the unfortunate luck of dying before his time, and now he’s stuck trying to make romance happen to earn his right to move along. Not that he’s bored in the meantime–Nathaniel is just too easy to tease. And also a little bit scrumptious…

With the curse reaching its expiration date, Gabriel needs to make this final match this Christmas. Without it, nothing but darkness awaits.

Love can conquer all, but can it beat death?

I thought the The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn was an okay holiday novella. This author did a pretty good job with the character of Gabriel. I liked him, but I wish we would have had more information on him. I didn’t understand Owen’s involvement in the story at all. I felt like if we were going to focus on Nathaniel and Gabriel’s “relationship”, then the Owen parts could have been cut and we have more viable information on those two. I have so many questions; it’s a couple of holes in the plot. I see where she was trying to go, but I don’t understand how it was executed without any explanations.

Nathaniel’s character is someone who I’m on the fence about. I can’t tell if I like him or dislike him. On one hand he did really good things with his guest, Elisa, as well as Gabriel. On the other hand, how he handled and reacted towards Owen left a lot to be determined for me. They speak of a past knowing each other, but from the little that is given I’m kind of lost on what actually happened. I wish we would have had a few more chapters of this story. I was really getting into it at the end. I really do like the author’s writing style; it’s very easy to read and flows nicely.

Cover Art by: Wicked Smart Designs, This was a nice cover. It fits with the title, and I love the colors that were used in the design.

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon

Book Details:

eBook, 125 pages,
November 18, 2015, 2015 by Indra Ink Publishing

A Mika Review: Twinks in Bearland by Kendall Morgan

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

The friends of pretty blue-eyed Dustin Garber are about to find out that he has a secret. He loves bears, big hairy gay men. None of them know it, but he’s just booked them all into the annual Gay Bear Ski week.

Twinks in BearlandCraig, beautiful, black and Jewish, is initially indifferent to the fact that he is spending a week with big hairy men. He already has a hook up planned of his own, although that man turns out to have a bizarre secret.

Patrick and Ethan, two bear-hating twinks who have been secretly in love with each other for years, take much longer to come around to the idea that bears can be good guys too. Dustin isn’t so sure his friendship with them will survive the trip.

And then Dustin meets Nate, a big blond bear who is forever single but ready for something a little different. Nate’s friends, Casey and Ryland, are fighting about Ryland’s porn career. Nate’s friend Gil is busy with a Canadian couple, but together Dustin and Nate get lost on a backcountry trail. Deep in the snow away from everyone they may just find the love they’ve been seeking and the understanding they didn’t know they needed.

Twinks in Bearland is the first book in the Bearland Tales series, but each book can stand alone. This gay contemporary love story includes graphic sex and is intended for adults only.

 I will admit the title of the book was the biggest reason why I wanted to read it. This was a new to me author. I liked the premise of the blurb, but the execution did not hold up well for me. It started off funny, and I learned some new terms with dealing with hairy guys. Another element I liked was the idea of a week filled up with Bears. The story was told from multiple character point of views. I found the sex ran similar  one to another. It wasn’t a distinction between characters for me. The twinks were alike, as well as each of the bears that had a point of view in the story. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. It was very one-noted plot wise.

I appreciated the diversity that the author was able to give to the readers but even that couldn’t peak my interest. I found myself wanting to finish the story immediately. Sorry just too one note for me.

 Cover Art by:  3 Rusted Spoons. I really like the skis, the mountain and the bear paw print. It sold the story based on the resort. As for the models, I can’t put their faces with anyone in the story.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Read an excerpt here at the Twinks at Bearland Goodreads link
Published November 1st 2015 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN139781310919053

A Mika Review: Unbreak Broken (Coming About #3) by J.K. Hogan

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Unbreak Broken coverRory Donovan’s life is a hot mess. His marriage is failing and he’s in intensive psychotherapy, working through the unfortunate side effects of memories from a childhood trauma. The only thing good in his life right now is his job—teaching photography to gifted high school students.

Harbor Patrol officer Bennett Foster is co-parenting his teenage daughter with his high school best friend Jessie. When he meets Addison’s teacher and realizes they’ve met before, he can’t get the sexy stranger out of his head.

Striking up a sexual-tension-filled friendship, together they must help an angsty teenager deal with a dying friend. Bennett must keep his little family from falling apart while Rory struggles to come to terms with his new reality. Somewhere along the way, most unexpectedly…love happens.

 

I really like  J.K. Hogan’s writing. I like the realness to it, I like the difficulties she brings, I like the tragedy surrounding her characters, and I like that someone out there in the world is going through this or went through it. I knew she was working on a book three for the series, but there was next to nothing clue wise on whose book it will me.

Goodness she gave us sweet Rory from book one. You know Rory, the one whose wedding to Maia brought the entire crew together. Yeah him, who introduced Justice & Nic and Rich & Paddy. Straight Rory, well folks he isn’t so straight. He’s definitely on his No labels kick this book. This book was way heavier then the other two. It dealt with some soul-wrenching discussions about some of the characters past. I think Rory’s situation is the first I read about in m/m books, and I loved the way the author went about it. 

I felt like her information on his past was spot on. It was nicely done, as well as the clinical aspect was done well. I loved Rory’s relationship with his therapist. I know each person is different, but I think he was finally able to be himself with the understanding and help from his doctor.

We saw some familiar faces, and I’m really happy Rory was able to have that support he needed. Bennett was great; I liked him as a character. I wish we would have gotten some of his back-story. While his issues weren’t heavily dictated, I felt like he was closed off majority of the story. I don’t know if he wasn’t opening up because of a past relationship or because that’s who he was.



Why not 5 star rating then? Well certain story lines I did not particularly care far. The whole triangle with Rory, Maia and her crazy brother. I did not really find that believable. I mean it could happen, and here is where I’m at. It was a point made in the story about Rory and perceptions. He’s written as this solid big guy 6’3 or 6’4, and he allows someone to get the jump on him. I’m having a hard time believing that he couldn’t take action or stand up for himself. I guess because book 1 Rory was totally different. While he wasn’t a main character his presence was very big. So I’m having a hard time as seeing him as a victim. That’s not the author’s fault, and that’s totally my own issue. 

I can’t wait to see if we get some continuation on the series. So many people have been introduced, and I’d like to see John Michael get his story. Can’t wait for more from this author.

Cover Art by J.K.Hogan, did a great job with the cover. Like the cameras as an added bonus, its something that Rory is very passionate about.

Sales Links:  Wilde City Press |  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 357 pages
Published September 16th 2015 by Wilde City Press
ISBN139781925313505
edition language English
series Coming About #3
Series with Goodreads links:
I Survived Seattle (Coming About, #1)
Love and the Real Boy (Coming About #2)
Unbreak Broken (Coming About, #3)

 

A Mika Review: All Man by Jay Northcote

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars   ★★★★

“You’re the sleek little sports car to my Land Rover.”

All Man coverFrom the moment Gareth walks through the door of the salon to fit some new sinks, Jules can’t take his eyes off him. Jules has always been attracted to men who are his polar opposite, so burly Gareth is Jules’s fantasy man.

At the weekend, Jules gets into a tough situation with another bloke in a gay club and Gareth comes to his aid. Gareth rejects Jules’s subsequent advances but leaves him with the hope that his attraction isn’t completely one-sided. Fantasy could become reality.

With Gareth’s work at the salon nearly done, he’ll soon disappear from Jules’s life for good. Time is running out. Jules needs to prove to Gareth that he’s tougher than he looks and that his feelings run deeper than gratitude.

I did not want it to end. Why??? Because it was really good. Jay Northcote knows how to write her guys. I love the contrast between the men that she puts together. I don’t like reading about the same type of men being attractive to each other. I like versatility in my guys. Plus I love a guy wearing make-up and loving themselves while wearing it. I’m so happy that Jules got his story. He was definitely a stand out character from [book:Top Me Maybe?|25548075]. He is this charismatic, flirty, guy who has a crush on the bear-like Gareth. That’s swoon like right there.

Up until this book we’ve only seen confident Jules, s0 just seeing him nervous and vulnerable about Garreth was really sweet. Gareth was a great guy, and I liked how he used his voice to state that anyone can go through something traumatic and look different. I think Jay Northcote did a good job with the assault scenes. She wrote it from a character who if we seen on the street most people wouldn’t think that they would be a victim. I really liked them together. It was some steamy and sweet scenes. I didn’t want it to end. I really like the author’s British writing voice.

Cover Art by Jay Northcote, spot on presentation of Jules. I really like seeing him on the cover with all his beauty.

Sales Links:   Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Published August 8th 2015 by Jaybird Press (first published August 6th 2015)
original title All Man

 

A Mika Review: Ink and Shadows (Ink and Shadows #1) by Rhys Ford

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Kismet Andreas lives in fear of the shadows.

Ink & Shadows coverFor the young tattoo artist, the shadows hold more than darkness. He is certain of his insanity because the dark holds creatures and crawling things only he can see—monsters who hunt out the weak to eat their minds and souls, leaving behind only empty husks and despair.

And if there’s one thing Kismet fears more than being hunted—it’s the madness left in its wake.

The shadowy Veil is Mal’s home. As Pestilence, he is the youngest—and most inexperienced—of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, immortal manifestations resurrected to serve—and cull—mankind. Invisible to all but the dead and insane, the Four exist between the Veil and the mortal world, bound to their nearly eternal fate. Feared by other immortals, the Horsemen live in near solitude but Mal longs to know more than Death, War and Famine.

Mal longs to be… more human. To interact with someone other than lunatics or the deceased.

When Kismet rescues Mal from a shadowy attack, Pestilence is suddenly thrust into a vicious war—where mankind is the prize, and the only one who has faith in Mal is the human the other Horsemen believe is destined to die.

More solid writing from Rhys Ford in Ink and Shadows. I love her writing style. I think this is the lowest rating I’ve given one of her books. Well it’s not the writing or the story, it was me. I could not get into it, and I’m sad that I wasn’t able to grasp it like I would have liked to. I went into this book knowing UF  (urban fantasy) is not really my thing. I liked a lot of the story. I loved the introductions of all the characters. I liked the religious aspects of some of it. I wish the world building and I would have gotten along more. I don’t have the patience for UF, and a lot of this story was slow paced, and just reading about the foundation of how everything has come about.

At the 50% I felt an inkling of joy for the romance portion of this book. Just inkling. There NO romance in the story. I really like Rhys Ford and picked this story up expecting some romance but didn’t realize that DSP Publications is an imprint that doesn’t publish romance stories. Being that this is not a romance story I felt like the emotional part was lacking a lot in the story. Kismet and Mal both had the potential that I like when it comes to her guys, but again it’s UF and that was  the focus for the story. I know she wrote the characters to be built up for a series. It makes sense to have the introductions, and characters relationships out in the opening. I just wanted a smidge more.

I think for myself when it comes to Rhys Ford I’m very biased about her characters. I want them all to have that Cole & Jae love aspect, but it doesn’t work like that. My favorite thing about this book was Mal. Reading about him, he just seemed so young, and innocent in the beginning, but he has this protective streak a mile long with Kismet. I love that name as well. I thought the Four is a really good concept; it’s something I’m familiar with. I loved Death; his entire persona had me thinking of Supernatural’s Death who is my favorite Horseman ever. I’d recommend this to readers of UF. This is a perfect book for them. Great intro to the story, as well as characters.

Cover Art by Anne Cain: This cover is definitely one of my favorite out the year. I loved it, such a in your face representation of what Kismet is in the book. Very beautiful.

Sales Links:  DSP Publications |  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 304 pages
Published July 7th 2015 by DSP Publications
original titleInk and Shadows
ISBN139781634760171
edition languageEnglish
seriesInk and Shadows #1

A Mika Review: Beyond the Scars by Louise Lyons

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Beyond the Scars coverAfter years of physical and mental abuse, Tommy Chadwick finally finds the strength to leave Colin, his tormentor. But Tommy soon finds that escaping his violent boyfriend was only the first step on his path to recovery.

Now he must overcome feelings of worthlessness in order to rebuild his battered self-esteem. Tommy’s lack of self-confidence prevents him from going out… at first, but then has him ricocheting from one man to another, desperately trying to please them in his search for love and acceptance.

After being rejected on New Year’s Eve, and then beaten after leaving the gay bar, he agrees to accompany his best friend, Sarah, to a martial arts club. There Tommy meets Marcus, a strong older man, who at first becomes his friend, introducing Tommy to new interests, and later, tentatively asks him on a date.

Will Marcus be the man to help Tommy put his past behind him and fall in love for real?

I really like Louise Lyon’s writing style. I’m happy that one of the elements was domestic violence, it’s not something we see a lot of in m/m writing. Most guys who are victims of D.V are ashamed to come forward and get help, at least it seems that way to me.

At first  I was certain that Beyond the Scars was going to be a DNF for me because I did not feel like Tommy was acting like a victim. Then I had to stop and think as I’ve never been in this situation. I can’t judge him for how he decided to deal with himself after getting away from his abuser. I can only speculate on what I would do, but then again unless you are living with this then you really can’t speak on it. 

Tommy is a young guy, barely 23 and the last two years of his life has been hell. Being in an emotional and physically abusive relationship took a toll on him. He described his abuse in ways, and early on we got to see it. I’m happy he took his life back, and I’m glad that he was able to overcome his abuser when so many people can not. I really enjoyed Marcus. I thought he was a good guy, and I liked how the author described his emotionally abusive past as well. We can’t judge people based off their looks. Marcus was a man’s man and no one would have ever thought he’ll be a victim of domestic violence.

The story itself was okay to me. I wanted this story to pull more emotions from me, and that’s something the story wasn’t able to do. In fact, I feel like it did the complete opposite, and left me feeling contempt instead of compassion. I wanted Tommy to fight more, I wanted tears and anguish. I wanted emotional turmoil. I didn’t get that, and okay I’m happy that they were able to find themselves together. I just wish it  took more of a toll on the heartstrings.

Cover Art by: Jay Aheer, I really like this cover. First the model looks like the guy who plays Jimmy Durmondy from Boardwalk Empire. It’s very beautiful and eye catching. I like the natural light as well it’s the shifts of shapes as Tommy is reclaiming his life back.

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

Book Details:

eKindle Edition, 176 pages
Published July 24th 2015 by Wayward Ink Publishing
original titleBeyond the Scars
ASINB011H33IOS
edition languageEnglish