A Stella Release Day Review: Mascara & Bandages (Mary’s Boys#3) by Brandon Witt

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

Ariel Merman is a new drag queen who’s already finding a family at Hamburger Mary’s. After a performance as Ariel, Zachary Cooper walks home in his makeup and is assaulted by homophobes. Zachary’s worry that the attack has thrown a wrench in his good fortune is eased when he looks into the eyes of his doctor.

Dr. Teegan Chau is a little lost after divorcing his wife and coming out of the closet, but he can’t deny the pull he feels toward the young man he patches up. Luckily, Zachary takes the initiative and asks Teegan out. But attraction is the easy part of their blossoming relationship—as they deal with an ex-wife and child, being a drag queen in a heteronormative culture, Zachary’s lingering trauma from his attack, and Teegan acclimating to life as part of an out-and-proud gay couple.

The challenges seem daunting at the start of a romance. Can Zachary and Teegan make it through the rough patches and take a chance on the love that’s been missing from both their lives?

The Mary’s Boys series by Brandon Witt has truly conquered me, I’m enjoying every new installment the author releases. I think Mascara & Bandages is my favorite novellas so far, maybe because I’m a huge fan of the Little Mermaid and so I was gone for Ariel Merman since I first saw her. Maybe because I like my characters to be a little bandaged and here, apart from the physical healing Zachary will need to do, both MCs had gone through rough phases in their lives, and their suffering made them more real. I felt Zachary be scared, be lonely and then be loved and protected. And I saw him being fabulous when he is Ariel. I liked to see Zachary and Teegan together, how they were soon attracted to each other but wait to tumble in bed because no sex on first date, per Zachary’s rule. And they were surrounded by new small characters like Kelly, Teegan ex-wife, an amazing woman, supportive and funny, and their little daughter.

Apart from the well done writing, which it’s not a surprise, by now I think everyone is pretty aware the author can write, I adored I was able to meet again my favorite people in the series, ManDonna, Pat, and all the people who took care of Zachary and act as his family like they already did with Cody in Nachos & Hash. I hope there will be more chances to meet all of them together again, who will be the next person to get his HEA?

The cover art by AngstyG follows the style of the cover of the previous book, it’s well done and fitting the story. I like it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 121 pages

Expected publication: July 12th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN13 9781635336603

Edition Language English

Series Mary’s Boys #3

A Stella Release Day Review: Nachos & Hash (Mary’s Boys Novella One) by Brandon Witt

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Darwin Michaels is living his dreams in the Mile High City. While Denver offers the perfect job, scrumptious dining, and whirlwind dating options, Darwin is losing hope he’ll find the right man to spark his interest for more than a one-night stand—until he sets eyes on Cody Russell.

Cody has just accomplished his life’s goal—get the hell out of Kansas. In one fell swoop, he lands a job at Hamburger Mary’s and gets a newfound family and the chance to be with other gay people! All that’s missing is someone special. But when Darwin shows his interest, Cody is sure it’s too good to be true. After all, what can Darwin possibly see in the high school dropout serving him nachos?

As Darwin falls in love, Cody struggles to realize his worth. When his past threatens the fragile life he is building, Cody spirals into a moment of dark desperation. But Darwin is determined to show Cody that love and family and home are there for him… will Cody accept what is offered?

Darwin is on a cheap date with (the awful) Mark and after two seconds with the boring and nonsense man found on Match.com, he starts planning his escape until ManDonna helps him getting rid of his date. While swearing off online dates, Cody happens in his life. Cody, the waiter who can’t shut up for a moment. Cody who has just moved to Denver where he is living his dream, go away from Kansas and finally be himself in a safe place like Hamburger Mary’s with people who actually care for him. Darwin has everything he wishes from his life except a boyfriend, a real one, someone to find a HEA with and Cody seems to be the right one.

Brandon Witt is one of my favorite authors, I adored everything he wrote so far, this novella, the beginning of a new series called Mary’s Boy was awesome in the writing, in the dialogues, in the setting, in the characters. I loved not just Cody and Darwin, but most of all the second characters, like Pat and Stevens, the owner, who have become Cody’s new family.

In Nachos & Hash I truly adored how I soon and easily was able to feel and see the love between all the characters. It wasn’t necessary the use of “I love you”, it was clear in their thoughts, words, actions. I saw their strength, I sadly saw their weaknesses and their unfounded inadequacy.

As always, Brandon entertained me with an emotional reading full of real persons. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, I’m so excited for Vahin to have his own HEA.

The cover art by AngstyG is lovely, I like it.

Sales Links

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 122 pages

Expected publication: January 25th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ASIN B01N1Z5WDW

Edition Language English

Series Mary’s Boy #1

A Stella Review: Different Names for the Same Thing by Francis Gideon

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

different-names-for-the-same-thing The last time Joël Paquet was in New York City, he nearly died. Too distracted by his problems, he didn’t look when he crossed the street and was nearly made into a pancake by a transport truck in the downtown core. The only saving grace of this trip, other than the cute person working as a living statue who saved him and then took him out for coffee, was the fact that his near-death experience finally gave him the courage to come out as trans.

Five years later, Joël Paquet is one of the most in-demand horror writers in North America. Going to New York City from his current Montreal home for the Black Markets Horror Con should be exciting, but when he gets an email that uses his birth name, he nearly cancels the trip altogether. The only thing that keeps Joël going is the thought of that living statue who saved his life once before.

Different Names for the Same Thing was my first book by Francis Gideon and it deeply conquered me. I found it to be well done and the writing so good. In just fifty pages the author kept my full attention on the MCs’ thoughts and desires. I followed Joël and the struggles with his fears and anxieties, I was able to emphasize with him on some level and that was a great success for my reading. Plus this is a second chance at love story. Double winner!

The first time Joël and Theo met, they spent a couple of hours in a bar talking about books and writing. Both of them were at an important point in their lives, still both of them were not who they wanted to be on the outside. Five years later neither of them has forgotten that chat. Surely Joël can’t forget the living statue who saved his life. The same that captured his interest even if it was called Tracy and he was still Violet. The second time they meet is the right one and the freedom and happiness they are experiencing is evident and it warmed my soul. I enjoyed their moments together, especially the ones spent with a hordes of cats. And the ending was unexpected but so beautiful and deserved.

I feel to recommend Different Names for the Same Thing to everyone who is looking for a light but poignant second chance at love story, a quick reading that will leave you with a smile on your face.

I like the cover art by Natasha Snow, well done.

Sales Links

NineStar Press