Tag: A Stella Highly Recommended Read

A Stella Review: Crossing Borders (Crossing Borders #1) by Z.A. Maxfield

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Two dudes walk into a bookstore…

Crossing Borders coverTristan knows he’s got issues. His latest ex-girlfriend knows it too. He can’t blame her for dumping him—even though she gets her brother to do it for her. Since he can’t stop staring at said brother’s package, he figures it’s about time to put a label on those issues. He likes guys.

He heads to a local bookstore with what he’s sure is a foolproof plan to find someone to show him what he’s been missing. But who should crash his little adventure? Officer Michael Truax, who gave him a really expensive ticket back in high school for skateboarding without a helmet.

Michael has been trying to catch Tristan for years…to give him a second ticket. Suddenly faced with “Sparky”, all grown up and looking to get laid, Michael’s protective instinct kicks in—and presents him with an opportunity that’s hard to resist. After all, the kid must know what he’s getting into, so why not? 

But when a man with a plan connects with a man with a hunger, the result is nothing short of explosive.

Crossing Borders is the first book written by the talented ZA Maxfield in the 2007 and the first published work. This second edition by Samhain pub is not so different from the first one. I liked the author’s note at the start of the book, she was right, it was fun to see how things has changed in almost 10 years.

I didn’t read the first edition and I can tell you why. Honestly I didn’t like the old cover, at all. I know I’m a totally cover whore so I couldn’t pass the book anymore when I saw the amazing new one made  by Kanaxa. It’s simply beautiful or better, HE is beautiful. And I’m not going to talk about freckles or red hair, my truest weaknesses.

It was a while when I didn’t read a ZAM’s book, I forgot how well she can writes and creates amazing characters. And how hot too her stories are! I loved the chemistry between Tristan and Michael, or as they call each other, Sparky and Officer Helmet. Crossing Borders went straight to my fave shelf. It has everything I want in a story. First of all well defined characters. Tristan and Michael were perfect, their story was, i don’t know how to say better, almost dissected and told us in detail, just how a real relationship would have developed. They were adorable in their bickering, in their loveable loving.

The story was sweet too and if you have read other reviews I wrote you know I need my books to be sugary (this one just a little bit). There were some really hilarious parts, that lightened it even more. Moreover I enjoyed the second characters too a lot, especially their moms, supportive, caring and loving.

The age difference, which I love in my books, wasn’t so huge as I was expecting. Considering Tristan is so young, just 19 years old, it could have been more evident but I didn’t feel it at all.

What I loved more in the story was the feeling of belonging I got from the MCs even when they weren’t full aware of it yet. It kept me from put the book down for a minute.

There was some drama but no angst in the book; the only thing that bothered me a little was the part just before the ending, it ruffled something that was too smooth to upset to me, I could have done without easily. That’s why I haven’t give Crossing Borders a full five stars rating but it’s there, I am just being a nit picker! So highly recommended.

COVER ART by Kanaxa.I already said it was this cover that pushed me to finally read Crossing Borders but I want to add that I love her art style, especially in some m/m series she’s working on, like The Plumber’s Mate or The Shamwell Tales by JL Merrow, or the Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan but most of all the Bend or Break by Amy Jo Cousins. I find them clean but always fitting the stories in their simplicity.\

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

BOOK DETAILS

Published August 4th 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Kindle Edition, 271 pages
ASIN B00YE202W6
Edition Language English

previously published story, 2nd edition

A Stella Review: Silver Scars by Posy Roberts

RATING 5 stars out of 5  ★★★★★

You need people to love you, especially when you shove them away.

Silver Scars coverA bomb destroyed high-powered lawyer Gil Lemieux’s seemingly perfect life, and PTSD has ruled every decision since the explosion that left him scarred inside and outside. Moving home with his mom is meant to be a temporary measure, just like proofreading for a medical editorial firm is meant to be a stopgap. But two years after taking on the wrong court case, he’s still living in fear.

Keith Kramer might be based 1,500 miles away from Gil, but their shared work brings them together—a chance meeting that’s life-changing. Gil is drawn to Keith’s good looks and intelligence, but it’s his innate understanding that Gil is more than the scars on his skin that is truly attractive. He’s everything Gil used to be and more. It blows Gil’s mind that his attraction might be returned.

Only doubt could widen the distance between them. Keith’s hopefulness, borne out of surviving some tough challenges of his own, isn’t enough to bridge the distance alone. Gil will need to believe he has as much to offer as Keith if they’re to build a life together.

Silver Scars is my first book by Posy Roberts, but surely not my last. I loved it so much I can’t wait for more by the author. The North Star series is already on my august shelf. Have you read Mika’s “Discovering New Authors”? Check it here https://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2015/07/06/discovering-new-authors-mika-on-posey-roberts/

This book was special for many reasons but first of all I want to point out something that won me over and made me appreciate the author a lot. I was halfway through it when I realized that  where almost every other author would have chose to end the book, in Posy Roberts’ Silver Scars,  Gil and Keith’s story together had just began. It felt to me like two books, after what could have been considered a HFN at half book, there are still 150 pages to read, almost like a sequel. These pages gave a sense of completeness I ‘m awe over and led me to a beautiful HEA.

Moreover  I want to add I’m usually bothered by the use of a single POV and of the present as a verbal form,  absolutely not my favorite writing style but in Silver Scars it was perfect and I couldn’t even tell you why. So hat’s off to Posy to making me love something I normally wouldn’t read.

The book has a lot of good qualities: most important it is well done, thoughtful, sensitive, full of feelings and with a lot of emotional moments that pretty much broke my heart too many times. Luckily all of these were balanced so well with super hot scenes and some funny ones, all mixed with a complete and satisfying plot and so real characters, unlucky in their lives like us.

Gil is a 38 years old ex lawyer that went through a life changing incident when a homemade bomb was left in his house by the husband of a client. It could have killed him but he was lucky he got just shrapnel on his face and head. After the accident he came back to live with his mum, struggling with a serious PTSD. He meets Keith on a brief stage in a new city. Keith is not just Gil’s beautiful new coworker, he has a  lot of baggage too, in fact due to some physical damage in his leg he was where Gil is now, with the PTSD.

They soon hit it off. Keith is gentle and sweet and supportive and helping, he is the switch that freed all the emotions Gil kept inside of him since the incident. They spend one night together and then  have to go to their lives,  in two different states. But they are able to create a connection that will bond them together and force them to be in a long distance relationship. Maybe is too soon to fall for someone but they went through too much to ignore a change at happiness.

This is just the start of their story, I followed Gil and Keith in their (beautiful) ups and (heartbroken) downs. The book is a journey in Gil’s panic attacks, in his various attempts to overcome all his fears; it was beautiful and painful at the same time to see him working himself in bad mental states but he is so brave too when Keith will go through some very hard times, Gil will be there to support him and help his boyfriend to heal. And maybe heal himself too.

There are some great second characters, especially Frankie, Gil’s best friend since forever, supportive in every way he can, especially with his smartass mouth.he’s the perfect friend, the one who support you, help you stand on your feet standing by your side always, most of all the one to kick you away when the time is right for you to finally live your life, even if is away from your bestie.

I couldn’t find a flaw to this book so it’s a full 5 stars rating to me. Highly recommended!

Cover art by Natasha Snow reflect a scene in the book when Gil is outside Keith house to start living their life together. Fitting and beautiful but it’s Natasha so I wasn’t waiting for nothing less.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 282 pages
Add Silver Scars to Goodreads
Published June 22nd 2015 by Labyrinth Bound Press
ASINB00ZPT6Y6K
edition language English

A Stella Review: When Will I See You Again (Crescent Bay Chronicles #1) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

When Will I See You Again coverRaoul Marchand is the crown prince of Charisma, the infamous night club in Crescent Bay, renowned for its supernatural clientele. He has the pick of any and all men, but he cares for none. He uses them and throws them away again, and has done so for some twenty years, in the aftermath of a tragedy that robbed him of what he loved most in the world.

Alexx Jameson is an idealistic would-be reporter with the Crescent Bay Chronicle. Presented with an opportunity to write a story on the Marchands, he eagerly grasps the chance to be a real reporter. His friend, Chronicle receptionist Miller Fenwick, suggests they go to Charisma to do a little research. Alexx isn’t sure that’s such a great idea. After all, he’s still under age, being only twenty. No problem, Miller can fix that! Added bonus, there’s a full moon tonight.

When Alexx first encounters Raoul, it isn’t exactly in the way he dreamed of, and he’s sure he made a terrible first impression. But Fate throws them together under unforeseen circumstances, and the attraction between them can’t be denied.

Can Raoul let go of the past long enough to find his future with Alexx, or is he doomed to repeat past mistakes?

When Will I See You Again by Julie Lynn Hayes is one of what I call “feel good” books, the kind of book, when I finish reading, I feel so satisfied. This book has everything I like to read, lovely characters, hot steamy sex, good plot and great HEA, plus a welcome (to me) amount of sugar. It hit one of my softer spot, the sweetness. That’s exactly why I enjoy Julie Lynn Hayes’s work so far so much. She can write stories that stay in my mind and my heart for so long. The one between the innocent, mouthy Alexx and rough Raul is unforgettable and the attraction is strong and compelling. There’s a little supernatural aspect that bring our heroes together that make this book almost a second chance at love story and it just add a special touch to their love.

I read this book a couple of times and every time I like it more, every time it was hard to put down. I can say it’s my favorite by the author.

It’s not just a simple paranormal story between a wolf shifter and a human. Of course it’s romantic, sexy and real in the unrealistic world it is set in, real in the romantic love between MCs and the power of friendships. Moreover there’s a mystery to solve that will affect their lives greatly.

So if you enjoy a book with a well developed plot as well as a good romantic story with some paranormal throw in it, When Will I See You Again is exactly what you are looking for. It’s well written and there is a sequel I begged for, called When Will I Be Loved, beautiful too.

Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber. I love this cover, the solitude I can feel coming from the lonely wolf will be rewarded at the end.

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

Book Details:
Published February 6th 2013 by Amber Quill Press, LLC
Kindle Edition, 292 pages
ASIN B00IA6Q77Q
Edition Language English

Crescent Bay Chronicles series
When Will I See You Again #1
When Will I Be Loved #2

A Stella Review: For Real by Alexis Hall

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

For Real coverLaurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the BDSM scene is all played out. Six years on from his last relationship, he’s pushing forty and tired of going through the motions of submission.

Then he meets Toby Finch. Nineteen years old. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable. Everything Laurie can’t remember being.

Toby doesn’t know who he wants to be or what he wants to do. But he knows, with all the certainty of youth, that he wants Laurie. He wants him on his knees. He wants to make him hurt, he wants to make him beg, he wants to make him fall in love.

The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won’t surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they have—no matter how right it feels—can’t last. It can’t mean anything.

It can’t be real.

Usually I don’t read books this long (this one is 437 beautiful pages), cause they always dragged at some point during the story. Not For Real by Alexis Hall. I was caught in the MCs’ lives till the end, there wasn’t one little moment of boredom. I didn’t want to put it down and I could have going on for another 400 pages. I felt everything Laurie and Toby felt, almost if I was there in their amazing world.

Of course I didn’t expect anything other than perfection from Alexis Hall. Recently I realized that he could simply write my favorite pie recipe and turn it in a masterpiece. He not “just can write”, there a lot of authors that can really write, he writes magically, everything is so poetic, even the smallest and stupid description of something you could have thought useless for the purpose of the story. The use of words in the descriptions and the reality of this story were two elements that made this book a winner to me. Even if the story flows easy, still I found it complex and that was what I appreciated more.

For Real is definitely not the usual BDSM story, the way in which the roles were defined plus everything was one continuous discovery. And not just for the young Toby, too young to know how to express himself in his desire of dominate Laurie. This was a dynamic I hadn’t read yet, at first it almost sounded strange to me but then I got it. I understood that the author gave me Toby and Laurie, two real characters, both full of flaws but true in their feelings. Their story was complicated, sweet and hot. Moreover I so appreciated to be able to know every little detail that went on in their minds.

As I said a complex book with a beautiful happy ending. I already know I’m going to reread it very soon because the positive, happy vibes it gave me are addictive. For Real deserves absolutely a spot on my fave shelf. Not a crumble less than 5 stars!

Cover art by Simoné. I love this artist style, it’s magical and dreamy. This cover is perfect and fitting in every detail. I especially love the colors and all that light coming from the windows. Just like the book, it’s real.

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

Book Details:
Published June 1st 2015 by Riptide Publishing
ebook, 437 pages
ISBN13 9781626492790
Edition Language English

Spires Universe:
Glitterland
Waiting For The Flood
For Real

What’s this “Spires” thing?

Author Alexis Hall: My feeling is that even contemporary-set romance stories to an extent take place in imagined worlds. So even though they’re not direct sequels to each other, my contemporary romances often have overlapping characters, ideas and settings. Spires is how I refer to this collection of thematically linked but otherwise standalone stories.

Need Some Spice In Your Life? Christine D’Abo Delivers with “The Dom Around The Corner” and a few Recipes! (giveaway)

The Dom Around the Corner cover

The Dom Around the Corner by Christine D’Abo
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist: L. C. Chase

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to welcome Christine D’Abo here today to talk about her latest release The Dom Around the Corner and a few recipes to make our mouths water.

~

 

Thank you for having me here today! Let me introduce myself. I’m Christine d’Abo and I’m an author and lover of erotic romance. I’ve been writing seriously for ten years and have been published for the last eight of those. I love video games, superheroes, and anything that will mess with your mind. I’m also a secret ninja, but I’m unable to discuss those matters. Shhh…

In The Dom Around The Corner, Gavin teases Simon about his ability to cook. There’s nothing worse than your accountant knowing how often you eat out! I’m totally going to come to Simon’s defense and tell you right now that the boy really can cook! Here is one of his favorite recipes to make. If Gavin is really lucky, then maybe Simon will make it for him.

Skillet Chicken Divan (Dairy-Free)
Ingredients:
2 cups diced chicken breasts or thighs, raw (skinless/boneless is best for this recipe)
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup raw cashews (not the roasted kind!)
2 cloves garlic
1 cup white or yellow onion, large dice
1 cup organic chicken stock
1 tsp kosher salt
1.5 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground coriander
10 grinds fresh black pepper
Lard or your preferred Paleo-approved fat
Optional: 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
Click here to visit the website for complete instructions!

And for dessert!

Easy Decadent Truffles
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,
softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips,
melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.
Click here for the original site reference.

If you would like to learn more about me, please pay a visit to my website -www.christinedabo.com. I’m also very active on Twitter as @Christine_dAbo and have a monthly newsletter. If you’d like to sign up, simply click here to fill out the form.

Now About The Dom Around The Corner

The Dom Around the Corner cover

Simon is jaded. His bookstore is failing, his personal life is nonexistent, and he’s tired of the local scene. He’s desperate for a change, and hopes to find it at Escape, the hot new BDSM club in town.

What he finds there is Gavin. One look at the sexy submissive is all he needs to know that his trip to Escape was the right decision. And their night of no-holds-barred kinky sex feels like only the beginning . . . until his promising new sub vanishes with the dawn.

Then Gavin walks through the door of Simon’s bookstore—for business, not pleasure. To both of their surprise, he’s the consultant Simon hired to help save the store. As they work together, Simon realizes that he might have another shot at happiness, if only he can convince Gavin that he’s worth sticking around for.

Author Bio

A romance novelist and short story writer, Christine has over thirty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her family and two dogs.

Connect with Christine:

Website: christinedabo.com
Blog: christinedabo.blogspot.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorChristinedAbo
Twitter: @Christine_dAbo
Tumblr: christinedabo.tumblr.com
Pintrest: pintrest.com/christinedabo
Goodreads: goodreads.com/christine_d_abo

DomAroundCorner_TourBanner

Giveaway

Leave a comment at each tour stop along the way. One lucky winner will get tea from David’s Teas! Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on June 20. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget to add your email so we can contact you if you win! Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Contest prizes provided by the author and Riptide Publishing. 

A Stella Review: No Matter What (Sex & Mayhem #4) by K.A. Merikan

Rating:  4.25 stars out of 5

 

— A gentle heart has no place in an outlaw’s chest —



No Matter What coverGhost. Not a member of the Coffin Nails MC. Not a doctor anymore. Not gay.
Luca. Bent, not broken. Will not let go of Ghost. No matter what.

Ghost finds out the hard way that people you meet online aren’t always who they seem to be. When he met ‘Zara’ five years ago, they became inseparable. She’s been with him through the rough and the smooth. He’s been there for her when her abusive boyfriend had her in tears.

She is The One, and despite all his friends considering him crazy, Ghost is about to propose.

But ‘Zara’ turns out to be Luca, and Luca is most definitely a guy. Yet Luca is the same person with big dark eyes, so desperate to be saved that Ghost can’t help but fall head first.

Luca’s so-called boyfriend is not just abusive. He is a Sicilian drug lord, a man dangerous and ruthless. If Ghost is to ever save the person who wreaked havoc on his heart, he has to make a deal with the Coffin Nails MC. But being a member is a destiny he’s always tried to avoid. And when a life of violence becomes too much to bear, he might be the one needing Luca to catch him when he falls.

 

Ghost: I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Please don’t be angry…

Zara:…Angry? Wow, I’m just… I’ve had feelings for you for a while now.

Ghost: I just didn’t want you to feel like it’s the only reason I stick around. I’m not a creep.

Zara: I know you’re not 😉 You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.

Zara: I love you too…

First of all please read the warning. It’s important you know what you’re going to read. Kat and Agnes don’t write easy books. There’s one scene in particular in this one where I truly wondered for a minute why I was even bothering myself with KA’s books knowing there could be some really “hard to take” parts. I should have known since I’m a huge fan. My hesitation lasted just the length of the scene.

No Matter What is the fourth book in the Sex & Mayhem series and the sweetest one I read by these authors, considering it’s my eighth and considering the setting and the dark plot with a couple of heavy scenes. It was definitely unexpected but so welcome. It was interesting cause I’m used to KA’s dark and hard worlds and now I know they can write something a little different.

It was strange at the start looking at Ghost, grown up in the club, not wanting to live that life and searching for a way out. But falling in love with Luca will bring Ghost to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the club to save and protect his lover.

I loved how there was not so much fussing about Zara being a man, Luca. Apart from the obvious initial shock, Ghost slowly realizes he loves Luca and tries to act on it, cause they already were in love for five years. They supported each other in their dark times, when Ghost loses his medical license or when he was shot in Syria, or when Luca saw suicide as the only solutions to all his problems.

There were great second characters, but my favorite couple in this series is Tooth and Lucky and I met them again in No Matter What. I wanted to kill Tooth, he really is a better person with Lucky, here he was (almost always) a fucker!
About the choice of lightly mixing this series with the Guns n’ Boys one, I appreciated it, don’t expect Dom or Seth in it, but someone I was so hoping to be killed here but nope, I have to meet him again soon.

I particularly loved the ending, I wasn’t so sure I could have this kind of HEA. It will be impossible cause I’m aware these girls have a busy writing time coming (we readers are really happy of it, of course), still I’d so love to know more about them, even in a little story, living their deserved happy ending.

I can’t recommend this book or this series or other ones by KA Merikan enough. When I first started reading their books, I was sure they weren’t for me. Well I was so wrong, I was caught in their amazing words’ web. Give them a try!

Cover art by Natasha Snow. Short version, there isn’t a cover made by Natasha I don’t love.

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

BOOK DETAILS

Published April 25th 2015 by Acerbi & Villani ltd.
Kindle Edition, 307 pages
ASIN B00WHBI318
Edition Language English

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes:Outlaw motorcycle club, criminal activity, hurt/comfort, abuse, catfishing, independence, sexual orientation issues, mafia, PTSD

WARNING: Adult content. Explicit gay sex, strong language, violence, potentially triggering sexual abuse scenes. Reader discretion advised.

Sex & Mayhem series
Road Of No Return #1
The Devil’s Ride #2
Stripped Raw-Coffin Nails MC California #3 (MF book)
No Matter What #4