A Stella Review: A Healing Man (Men of Manhattan #5) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Rating 4 stars out of 5

A Healing Man coverDario Ramos thought he’d left the fighting behind in the war zone when a life-threatening injury sent him home. But a certain Irishman crossing his path everywhere he went convinced him that his biggest battle might be ahead. Tiernan Callahan is a bigoted jerk. Ramos finds himself constantly in the man’s orbit, even in a city as big as New York. The wounded warrior knows all about pain and loss — and that sometimes anger is the only form of release. When Tiernan once again crowds Ramos’ space, his eyes are opened to the possibility of other forms of release.

Tough NYC cop Tiernan Callahan is still mourning the death of his beloved youngest brother, Mason.

Fearing his close-minded family’s reaction, the young soldier never got to tell them his secret — that he was gay and engaged to the love of his life. Tiernan is surviving on anger and guilt. When he continues to run into Dario Ramos, who continues to push his buttons, something inside him snaps. Suddenly, anger isn’t the only emotion he feels.

Two very different men, still trying to heal: Can they come to an understanding and heal each other?

A Healing Man is the fifth book in the Men of Manhattan series by Sandrine Gasq-Dion and so far my favourite. It was sweet funny and sexy. I loved every single word. It’s a beautiful story about loss.

Tiernan is a cop in the NYPD, he lost his brother in war four years ago. Mason was in the closet and when he died Tiernan discovered he was gay and engaged to Casper. He feels betrayed by Mason cause he didn’t trust him to know the most important thing about his life. He’s so angry he is becoming distracted at work and an homophobic asshole. Since his brother died, Tiernan has put his carrier in danger one time too much. His captain decides to assigned him a new partner, Danny, a gay man. Danny is the first one to think Tiernan could be gay, or at least bi.

“Oh God, you’re one of those.”

“What?”

“A paranoid penis. A guy who thinks each and every one of us gays wants in your ass. Trust me, Callahan—I don’t want your ass.”

Dario loses his leg in duty and he is still recovering for alcohol abuse too. He drank to forget all about the years he spent on the field. Now he’s been sober from years and he’s working for the Wounded Warrior Project and as a model. He lives with his girlfriend Maria, until one day he goes home and finds her packing, tired of being with him just for pity.

Tiernan and Dario keep running into each other and what was “hate at first sight” in time become lust/love.
I loved these characters so much, they are amazing, I liked how in the story they grow to be better men, especially Tiernan. He was really hateful in the previous books and I was so proud of him for admit and make up for his mistakes. Of course his parents really sucked but he’ll have a great cast of second characters to support and love him no matter who he’s chosen to love.

There are some very funny scenes, for example when Dario asked gay sex tips to Danny, it was hilarious. And really? Bacon lube? No idea it existed, I’m already hungry.

There are some guys I really want to know more about. I’m hoping in a couple more of books at least in this series. They deserve to have their own HEA.

Highly recommended, this book and the whole series.

COVERT ART by Wilde City Press. I don’t like this series’ covers. They are pretty much the same with a different model for each book. They are good to look at but nothing more.

Sales Links:  Wilde City Press    All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 137 pages
Published January 21st 2015 by Wilde City
edition languageEnglish
url https://www.facebook.com/authorsandrine.g.dion
seriesMen of Manhattan #5

The Men of Manhattan Series:

A Betting Man (Men of Manhattan, #1)
A Marrying Man (Men of Manhattan, #2)
A Fighting Man (Men of Manhattan, #3)
A Working Man (Men of Manhattan, #4)
A Healing Man (Men of Manhattan, #5)

A Stella Review: A Working Man (Men of Manhattan #4) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

A Working Man coverMatthew Hawke’s professional life is soaring as high the powerful bird of prey whose image is inked on his back. He’s at the top of his game as the owner of an advertising agency that is scooping up prime accounts like a mighty hawk wrapping its talons around an unfortunate ground rodent. Yes, work is good. Too bad his love life has more in common with the dying rodent than the triumphant hawk.

When the thought of a sexy man trumps actually being with a sexy woman, Matthew thinks it might be time for a change. And there IS a gorgeous man at the gym he’s noticed.

Drakon Mavros is working his shapely ass off to make ends meet. His administrative assistant job at a messenger service is steady, but the money he gets from his more creative job pays most of the bills. An ex-boyfriend took his confidence, his trust and his self-esteem and Drakon is afraid to take another chance at love. When an adorably goofy man at his gym actually hurts himself trying to flirt with him, Drakon can’t resist falling under Matt’s spell. He makes Drakon feel good about himself again and praises his artistic talent – neither of which his ex ever did.

As the men begin to fall for one another, it appears nothing can go wrong – they seem to be soul mates. Secrets and lies can crack even the firmest foundation, though. It takes a true master to shore it up so that it never crumbles. Is love the mortar that can restore trust and faith and bind men forever? Only time will tell. Can Drakon and Matt take that chance?

A Working Man is the third book in the Men of Manhattan series by Sandrine Gasq-Dion.

Not one of my fave so far, cause honestly? I found it a little unrealistic.

Matthew is 38 years old, the owner of an advertising firm who for the first time in his life is starting to be attracted to men, especially to a particular dark haired man he met at a masquerade party. He decides to try a sex hotline because he needs to know if he’s still attracted to women. But on the other side of the phone there’s a man with a sexy voice. It seems he’s not so straight after all.

Drakon is a 25 years old addicted to twinkies and colored sneakers, he started working for a sex line as Drake, while looking for a new job. He meets Matthew at the gym (not one of the finest moment for Matt, he was trying to flirt with Drakon and fell off the treadmill!)

Matt wants Drakon but keeps speaking with Drake at the hot line and thinking of the man with the mask. At the same time Drakon wants Matt but has fantasies with Roy(Matt)’ s voice.

Fortunately this big misunderstanding didn’t go to far in the story, but as I say I found it so unlikely, it was hard to me to really love this story, and in a way to me this situation smelled like cheating. I know it’s an extreme point of view, but I got this feeling that I couldn’t overcome. At the end it was like both of them has three men in his mind, the gym one, the party one and the sex line one. Not for me.

What I love about this series is that each book can be read as a standalone and you will miss nothing. But in each one of them you’ll find the characters you loved in the previous books, so for example if you want to know more about Matthew and Drake you just need to read the next book.

Well, I’m going straight to read A Healing Man, hoping to see these MCs again and learn to like them a little more.

Cover Art by Wilde City Press. I don’t like this series’ covers. They are pretty much the same with a different model for each book. They are good to look at but nothing more.

Sales Links:  Wilde City Press     All Romance (ARe)     Amazon       Buy It Here

 

Book Details:

ebook, 129 pages
Published September 24th 2014 by Wilde City Press
ISBN139781925180497
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.wildecity.com/
series Men of Manhattan #4

The Men of Manhattan Series:

  • A Betting Man (Men of Manhattan, #1)
    A Marrying Man (Men of Manhattan, #2)
    A Fighting Man (Men of Manhattan, #3)
    A Working Man (Men of Manhattan, #4)
    A Healing Man (Men of Manhattan, #5)

A Stella Review: Neon White E3 (A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle #3) by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Rating: 4,75 stars out of 5.

(Note:I subtracted 0,25 from the full 5 stars cause in the book there is an het sex scene too detailed for my taste)

Neon White 3 coverThis is going to be a bloody shit day.
The Alpha is missing, for one thing. Raven’s partner Jessy is still struggling to deal with his death. Finding out that his body is missing from the morgue is a big enough shock, so what happens next is going to be unbelievable…
Especially for Raven

This review contain spoilers on the Episode 2, so if you still haven’t read the previous books and don’t want spoilers, please don’t read this review. Still, you can go straight and buy this series, you don’t regret it.

In Episode 2 we left Raven and Bla’Gar at the Winter Ball, finally hoping for a future together. Bla’Gar tells our sweet Enforcer that he fell in love with him since the first time they met. Raven is still recovering from the incident with the hound in his parents’ home, an incident maybe not so casual, that left him probably destined to a desk job.

Raven and Bla’Gar parted ways because the demon is called by his pack. Once alone, Raven is assaulted and bitten by a vampire. Jessy, Rave’s partner, is the one to find him after the vampire’s attack. Jess is convinced that the responsible of Rave’s death is Bla’Gar, so she goes to him, but he has no idea his lover is dead and he can’t believe it, he needs proves. When Jess takes the demon to the morgue where Rave’s body is, they will find no one.
Where is Raven? He was murdered so he’s dead, right?

Everything we knew about the characters we learned to love changes again in this new chapter.This new episode was simply fantastic. Apart from the main story with Rave and Bla’Gar as MCs, we have two more stories that will catch your attention and will make you hungry for more.

More or less the first part is focused on Bla’Gar dealing with the kidnapping of Seth, the Alpha of the lycan pack, who just mated with Lucas. We learn more about the lycan pack and his dynamics, and most of all we’ll learn more about Seth’s life, which I suspect (and I hope) will be really important in the next book.

Another part shows us the new relationship between Jess and his mysterious boyfriend James. I say mysterious cause of course you can’t expect him to be human.

As I already said in the other reviews, being so short, I didn’t think to read a series with so well developed second characters, but I was wrong. Especially in this new instalment I learnt a lot about them and I met some new characters.
Loved it! All the way through the story the details are so perfect and brilliant and every new word was full of tension.

Highly recommended!

Cover art by Wulf Francu Godgluck. The covers of the three episodes are pretty much the same with just some little details that fit that episode completely. You’ll understand and realize it if you’ll decide to read the series. Well done Wulf!

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 62 pages
Published January 11th 2015
ASINB00S5BM3OW
edition languageEnglish
seriesA Tooth Claw an

A Stella Review: Renounced (Southwestern Shifters #10) by Bailey Bradford

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 (just cause the sex scenes are really hot)

Renounced Book CoverNothing is as simple as it seems, or as safe.

Dallas Smith just wanted a nap in the hammock but he ends up being abducted by a jaguar shifter named Tiago. They have a distinctly different take on several subjects, and Dallas is shocked to learn just what Tiago really is.

Tiago thinks the wolves in the rainforest are an invasive species that need to leave.

Meanwhile, there’s a threat to the rainforest that no one saw coming. Marcus Criswell has had more losses in the past year or so than he can deal with. He has to, though, because he’s the Alpha Anax of the North American packs. The only reason he’s in South America is because his guard was kidnapped, but now Keegan is safe.

There’s still the matter of the man who tried to abduct Keegan. He can’t go unpunished. Then another shifter goes missing. Dallas, gone from the hammock in a heartbeat.

And on top of that, Maarten is missing.

It just got hotter than hell in Brazil.

Renounced by Bailey Bradford is the 10th book in the Southwestern Shifters series and the 1st I read. I can suggest you start reading this series from book #1, cause you’ll need a lot of background so you can’t lose yourself in the reading, as I did.

Tiago is a jaguar shifters, he lives in the Brazil’s rainforest. He’s keeping an eye of all the wolves that have invaded it, screwing up the ecosystem with drugs, guns fights and crashed planes. He has just one problem: he’s attracted to one of them. He’s never been so attracted to anyone as to this wolf. Maybe he could just have some fun with him and be over this obsession.

Dallas is a wolf shifter, smart and funny, he likes sex (a lot), he isn’t a good fighter but he’s good to please others. He got a hit in the head that messed with his sense of smell, so he can’t go hunting (a drug dealer/kidnapper/murderer) with his pack and decides to rest on a hammock. Here he is “kidnapped” by Tiago.

Dallas is soon attracted to Tiago and when he tries to leave him, Dallas realizes the jaguar is his mate. They can speak telepathically, just how only mates can do. But jaguars don’t have destined mates, they are solitary creatures. Can this two shifters find a common ground to be together? Can Tiago help the wolves find the bad jaguar who’s kidnapping pack members?

So far it seems everything is great. But…

My biggest problem with Renounced is that Dallas and Tiago story isn’t the only one in the book and most of all, I don’t get the feeling it is the main one. Even in series, I’m used to read a story about two MCs with second characters as a support cast. In Renounced each character is a lead actor in his story. We have the lust story between Tiago and Dallas, the love story between Marcus and Nathan, the rescue mission of Maarten. It’s like reading different stories, all at the same time. Just when I was starting to know more about one of them, the writing switches to another story, making each one of them (especially Tiago and Dallas’ one) approximate and incomplete. Honestly I’m not sure I like this writing choice.

For example, since the rescue mission takes a good first part of the book, maybe the author should have found a way to put Tiago and Dallas in it too. He would give use a chance to know this two characters better.

On top of this, the POV shifts between each characters and it confuses me.

Last thing I didn’t like at all (and this is totally a personal taste) was the use of the word tits. I can totally blame the fact that I’m Italian and maybe in English it is a synonym of nipple but in my crazy mind only women have tits. So here I am, reading a really hot sex scene, YES! finally something I liked in this book, the sex is hot as hell and recurrent. Anyway here I am, at that very moment, then I read “tits” and bye bye steamy sex. I couldn’t stop giggle. I read a ton of mm books and I’m almost sure I have never found this word in any of them.

Still, I need to read more about this author, me and this book are not destined mate, but I’m sure I’ll find another one to like.

Cover Art by Posh Gosh I can only say it’s gorgeous, very well done.

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

Book Details:
Southwestern Shifters series #10
Published January 9th 2015 by Totally Bound
ebook, 147 pages
ISBN13 9781784303549

Southwestern Shifters Series:

  • Rescued (Southwestern Shifters, #1)
  • Relentless (Southwestern Shifters, #2)
  • Reckless (Southwestern Shifters, #3)
  • Rendered (Southwestern Shifters #4)
  • Resilience (Southwestern Shifters, #5)
  • Reverence (Southwestern Shifters #6)
  • Revolution (Southwestern Shifters, #7)
  • Revenge (Southwestern Shifters, #8)
  • Reluctance (Southwestern Shifters, #9)
  • Renounced (Southwestern Shifters #10)

 

Side Stories:

  • A Happy Fourth
  • Hearts and Tails

A Stella Review: A Fighting Man (Men of Manhattan #3) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A Fighting Man coverArmy Ranger Slater Cassidy has a very special – very sexy – target in his sights. Meeting gorgeous, smart, uber-snarky Casper Kennedy was the highlight of Slater’s last trip home to New York. The soldier in him carefully plans his conquest. Unfortunately, Casper’s wearing some seriously strong armor and Slater’s charm offensives bounce right off. Casper’s refusal to fall for him is puzzling – not to mention incredibly annoying. When Slater gets leave again after grueling back-to-back tours in Afghanistan, all he wants is another shot at wooing Casper. He jumps right into the battle for the other man’s heart, but Casper does not intend to entertain the troops.

A heartbreaking revelation changes the rules of romantic warfare, and Slater suddenly realizes he doesn’t just want Casper. He wants to capture his heart, too.

 Casper Kennedy is fighting a losing battle. A certain outrageously demonstrative Army Ranger has been a thorn in his side since his last trip home – and the main character in his steamiest dreams. Now he’s back. He launches an all-out sensual assault and no matter how hard Casper pushes Slater away, the man somehow manages to inch closer. So close, in fact, that Casper’s once-impenetrable defenses are in danger of collapsing. Should he throw up the white flag and take a chance at love? Or start firing back and keep his heart protected? When the handsome Ranger shows his true colors, Casper just might have to surrender the fight

A Fighting Man is the third book in the Men of Manhattan series. You can’t help but love this series. These books are all well written and the characters (main and second ones) are so enjoyable and well depicted, I had the feeling of knowing them forever.

Casper Kennedy is a 25-year old administrative assistant. He lost his lover, Mason, three years ago, they were engaged when Mason died in the field. He’s still missing Mason badly, so it’s hard to him to fall for the stubborn Sergeant that has his eyes on Casper.

Slater Cassidy is an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, and from the first time he saw Casper, he knew he had to have the man. Now is coming home on leave for a month. Can it be enough to conquer Casper? He will try everything, from sending him a fake police officer to made a striptease, to a serenade with the Casper film’s theme song.

After losing Mason, Carter is afraid to fall in love again, specially with a military guy, but thanks to an ad campaign and a little jealousy, Slater is slowly making his way into Casper’s life. Will Casper surrender to Slater?

As I already said at the start on this review I really loved this book. First of all it’s a funny and easy reading, I particularly liked the dialogue parts, they were fast paced and entertaining. The double POV use is my fave, cause I need to know what goes through my characters’ mind and in this case, seeing them both struggle with their feeling till almost the end and overcome their fears was heartbreaking and hard to watch without being able to hug and reassure them, but so worth it.

Some parts were really emotional, I’m thinking for example at the family aspect in this story. I ached for Casper, he was very unlucky with families. His parents don’t speak with him since he came out, Mason’s family didn’t even let him know Mason was dead. Finally he has found a new family in Slater’s mum, Raquel,(she rocks!) and in Blaine and Spencer.

There’s a great support cast, funny and strong as Casper and Slater. I can see more couple in the future books.

Highly recommended!

Cover artist by Wilde City Press. Nothing special in this cover and all the others in this series. They are nice to look at but nothing more.

Sales Links:   Wilde City Press     All Romance (ARe)     Amazon      Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 103 pages
Published May 7th 2014 by Wilde City Press
ISBN139781925180022
edition languageEnglish
seriesMen of Manhattan #3

 

The Men of Manhattan Series:

  • A Betting Man (Men of Manhattan, #1)
  • A Marrying Man (Men of Manhattan, #2)
  • A Fighting Man (Men of Manhattan, #3)
  • A Working Man (Men of Manhattan, #4)
  • A Healing Man (Men of Manhattan, #5)

A Stella Review: Wrong Number, Right Guy (Celebrity #1) by Mia Watts

Rating 2 stars out of 5

Wrong Number, Right Guy coverA wrong number with a sexy voice on the other end… What are the chances a regular guy has just hooked the hottest actor on the silver screen?

 Ryan Pierce is in town shooting the latest romantic action movie and attending all the right publicity parties. He wasn’t expecting to pick up the phone to an easy laugh and real conversation. So, when he discovers that his caller has misdialed, it surprises him even more that he doesn’t want the man to hang up.

Dar Phillips is the last man to get star-struck, yet his best friend drags him out to be an extra on a movie set. It’s a chance to meet the guy on the set who he accidently called, but he has to admit the lead actor is hot stuff. Could the loping mega-star be his phone-a-friend? And, when they kiss, is Dar ready for the paparazzi and accusations of betrayal by the man who now stars in Dar’s every dream?

 Who did Dar fall for?  The elusive Ryan Pierce, who can’t be seen with him, or the quiet, gentle man who’s just a phone call away?

This book is one of my few two stars. This review will be really short because I admit I’m a little uncomfortable writing it. I’m sorry to say I don’t even know where to start, there isn’t a thing I liked.

Reading the blurb I thought the story looked interesting, too bad it wasn’t delivered in the writing. Instead, I found the book boring for most of the story and the other times it was just surreal. Some dialogues between the main characters seemed childish. And everything in the relationship went so fast, they talked on the phone, they fell in love, then they meet, Ryan comes out of the closet, they split up, they’re back together. Wow.

I enjoy a lot insta-love/lust stories but this one was so unlikely, I couldn’t even understand why they were attracted or in love with each other. It makes no sense at all.

As I already said a thousand times I love my books to be sweet, in this case it was too much. I was waiting for something to change all the way to the end, but it continued to be disappointing and flat.

Cover Artist by Posh Gosh. I like everything about this cover, even the font. Really well done. Finally something in this book fits the blurb.

Sales Links:   Totally Bound       All Romance      Amazon      Buy It here

Book Details:

ebook, Second Edition, 83 pages
Published January 30th 2015 by Totally Bound
(first published March 25th 2011 by Amber Allure)
original title Wrong Number, Right Guy
ISBN139781784303907
edition languageEnglish
Series:  Celebrity

 

A Stella Review: The Biker’s Pup by Sean Michael

Rating 3 stars out of 5

The Biker's Pup coverWhip came to the Gay Riders Carnival fundraiser weekend looking for a good time, but what he found was infinitely better.

Whip always has a good time at the Gay Riders Carnival, and this year he’s hoping to meet up with some studs and top last year’s festivities. The last thing he expects when he walks into his cabin is to be nearly bowled over by a skinny lad with a bruised jaw.

Nick came to the Carnival with his so-called Master Dirk, but instead of having a good time, things moved quickly from bad to worse and Dirk responded to his safeword with a punch. Running away and hiding was Nick’s only option.

 Broke, alone and not entirely sure how he’s going to get home, Nick thinks Whip is a dream come to life and he’s just waiting for the other shoe to drop. For his part, Whip is drawn to the sweet pup and falls hard for Nick over the course of the long weekend.

But what’s going to happen when the weekend is over?

 

Being a huge Sean fan, I try to be objective in the rating and not going with 5 stars, so I give this book just 3 stars cause I have to complain with the author about the sex part. I’m used to high levels of hotness and unfortunately The Biker’s Pup wasn’t so hot. And I want to add that if you have some issues with the BDSM world, you don’t have to worry, in this book it’s very light. There’s just a short demo of a figging (I had no idea something like that existed, if you are curious have a look http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figging).

Speaking of the sex aspect, can I have a rant moment please? Some people like to define some of the Sean’s books using the PWP acronym (Porn Without Plot). I know I’m biased cause I’m a Sean fan but I really hate this description, although I’m the first to say there isn’t a lot of plot in this book and in other ones. That’s one of the the reason I read them. The other reason is that I don’t like watch porn, I prefer to read about it. A couple of weeks ago I read Guns, Leather and Tinsel and that was so hot and sexy, I found it compelling. Then a week ago I start the Mannies Incorporated series and there was a plot, not just steamy sex, but a sweet and funny story. I love this author’s writing cause, looking at all his works, I can find the perfect book that fit my day mood.

The Biker’s Pup by Sean Michael is not one of that dark biker’s stories I lately read. What I read was a sweet and tender story, sometimes a little too much, but it was very welcome.

Whip goes to the Gay Riders Carnival weekend to enjoy some fun times with a friend or a sub and to join the Mr Leatherman contest. When he comes to the cabin he rented, he finds Nick, a young man abused by his ex dom, the worst dom ever, who actioned Nick as a slave and beat him frequently. The poor Nick is lonely, without money and without a future.

“…just tell me what you want.”
“A place,” Nicky finally finished. “Like somewhere I belong.”

But Whip is sweet and protective of this scared twink. They soon feel a bond that will lead them to hope for more. Whip will find his pup and Nick an angel, who will help him to straighten out his life.

“Oh… Are you for real? You’re like an angel in leather who showed up just when I needed you.”
Whip snorted. “I’m not an angel, pup.”
“You’re starting to seem like my angel.”

They will spent a weekend together at the Carnival, having fun and some (not too hot) sex and Whip will try to convince his pup to come home with him. But Nick is used to people treating him badly and wanting him just for the sex. Can he convince himself that Whip is for real and for the long haul?

“I’ll hold on tight.”
“I’m counting on it, pup.”

So, if you like some light BDSM with a caring dom and a sweet sub, I can totally recommend The Biker’s Pup to you.

Cover art by Posh Gosh. I’m sorry to say I don’t like it. Of course it’s well done and surely could have been used for another book, cause in my opinion it doesn’t fit the story, or better the characters. The models on the cover really aren’t how I imagined Nick and Whip in my mind.

Sales Links:   Totally Bound Books   All Romance (ARe)      Amazon     Buy it here

Book Details:
Published January 9th 2015 by Totally Bound
ebook, 74 pages
ISBN13 9781784303556
Edition language: English

 

A Stella Review: Neon White E1 (A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle #1) by Wulf Francu Godgluck

 Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Neon White 1 coverIt’s been a weird day for Detective Raven White, which is really saying something, as he is the only detective dealing with Paranormal and supernatural cases in Quebec. First there was the stranger in the coffee shop who sucked Raven’s finger and then licked him. Then there was the missing person’s report.
 Which is how Raven finds himself paying a visit to Freshán Chetlér, with no clue as to what awaits him…
Raven’s life is about to undertake a monumental shift.

I discovered this author reading Of Gods and Monsters: Menoetius ( a free, over 200 pages story, here’s the download link if anyone is interested.

The A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle series is really different from what I’m used to read but I liked it so much.

Episode 1 is just 22 pages, 22 amazing pages. It’s not like all these fluffy paranormal stories I like. It’s dark, mysterious and it kept me on the edge till the end (a super hot end!). I honestly have no idea how Wulf could put so much in so few pages. He created a world so interesting I’m hungry for more.

I can’t tell you much about the plot, being so short I would inadvertently add in some spoilers.

What I can talk about is the writing. I found it perfect, as if every word was weighted and put in that spot to give it the right importance and worth. The writing flows on the pages beautifully.

I liked the characters so much. They are very detailed, Raven with his sneezes and Bla’Gar with his possessiveness and all his fears. The chemistry between them is strong and really hot.

I can suggest you to buy Episode 1 and 2 together cause after reading the first one, you’ll need the second so badly you can’t wait to push the one-click button !

COVER ARTIST by Wulf Francu Godluck. Yep he can draw too! The covers of the three episodes are pretty much the same with just some little details that fit that episode completely. You’ll understand and realize it if you’ll decide to read the series. Well done Wulf!

Sales LInks:   All Romance eBooks (ARe)         Amazon   Buy It Here

BOOK DETAILS
Published August 21st 2014 by Smashwords
ebook, 22 pages
ISBN13 9781310312298
Edition language English

Books in the A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle series

Neon White E1
Neon White E2 All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here
Neon White E3 All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

 

A Stella Review: Drive Your Truck by Julia Talbot

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

Drive Your TruckHome on compassionate leave for his brother’s funeral, Navy SEAL Garrison Matthews needs to blow off a lot of stress and grief before he returns to active duty. In honor of his brother, he takes Bettie, the brothers’ souped-up vintage truck, out for a spin. A bit of an adrenaline junkie, Garrison has no problem finding trouble. This time trouble’s named Walt, and he happens to be Garrison’s sister-in-law’s brother.

Neither man expects their fun to amount to anything else, but after an injury sends Garrison home for good, he turns to Walt, hoping to start a new life. Walt is a closeted sheriff’s deputy, and while he adores Garrison, he isn’t sure he’s ready to come out… or for such a big commitment. Being fresh out of the service isn’t easy on Garrison either. To find their happy ending, Walt and Garrison must overcome their trust issues and get ready to settle down together

Drive Your Truck is pretty simple story, not too angsty but unfortunately to me not sweet at all. Reading the blurb, I liked the premises of it, so I was enthusiastic when I started reading it. Sadly some things didn’t work for me.

Gar and Walt hooking up on the wake for Gar’s brother was the first thing I didn’t like in this book. I’d be so pained to losing my brother, I honestly couldn’t think about sex. I didn’t see the act as a way to forget for just a moment a deep grief. It came to me as a shallow scene.

And going on in the story, this feeling of levity is a steady point in the book. I couldn’t feel emotions, between Gar and Walt, neither in the second characters. The author made me wait till the end to see Gar and Walt really into each other, making plans for a future together. I’d have liked to have that kind of emotions from the start. Moreover, I didn’t appreciate the author’s choice at the end of the book. Spoiler-  click here to view.

I’m still wondering about the title. Ok, Gar and Brandon bought a cherry red 1966 Ford pickup when Gar was seventeen. They called it Bettie and Brandon fixed it whenever he could. The author showed us some scenes where Gar took Bettie for a ride while looking for adrenaline and a way to ease the stress. Still I don’t think the title fits the story. Maybe I missed something.

I have a word for this book: craving. Drive Your Truck left me craving for more. More background about the characters, more moments between Gar and Walt, more scenes with the second characters, more sweetness, more hot sex and more courage.

It seems I didn’t enjoy this book, it isn’t true. I gave it three stars because I liked the story, but it didn’t live up my expectations. I heard great things about Julia Talbot. I think I simply chose the wrong book to start reading her works. I’ll definitely check her books, I’m sure I’ll find the one to love.

Cover Artist Brooke Albrecht.
The cover was eye catching to me, absolutely well done, it fits the title but as I said earlier, in my opinion not the story

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

Book Details:

ebook, 130 pages
Expected publication: January 28th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632163981
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.juliatalbot.com

 

More Winner Announcements and this Week’s Schedule

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We have more winners to be announced from our Down Under Author Showcase:

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_Split-Apple-Rock NZ

Authors                                             Winners

Penny Brandon                                Julie Small
Pelaam                                             H.B.
Renae Kaye                                      Michael Thompson
N. R. Walker                                    Lesi Koho
L.J. Harris                                        Serena
Michelle Rae                                    Ashley
Isabelle Rowan                               Jen F
Lily Velden                                     Alaina
Maggie Mitchell                             Sula Holland
Ellen Cross                                     Paul Wright
RJ Jones                                          Sula Holland
Nic Starr                                         Roger Grace
Bette Browne                                 Michael Thompson
Cecil Wilde                                     Gigi
Wayward Ink Publications          ardent ereader,Amanda Raifsnider, Dawn Mayhew

 This Week’s Schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 8:

  •  Cover Reveal for Con Riley’s True Brit!
  • More Winner Announcements and This Week’s Schedule

Monday, February 9:

  • Love is a Mess Anthology Book Tour
  • Lights Camera Cupid – Bluewater Bay Anthology Book tour and contest
  • A Stella Review: Drive Your Truck by Julia Talbot
  • A Sammy Review: Take the Long Way Home by J. A. Rock
  • P.D. Singer’s A New Man Book Tour and Contest

Tuesday, February 10:

  • AM Arthur’s The Truth As He Knows It Book Tour and Contest
  • A Stella Review: Neon White 3 by Wulf Francu Godgluck
  • A PaulB Review: The Vampire’s Geek (Wolves of Stone Ridge #26) by Charlie Richards
  • A MelanieM Review: Chance to be King by Sue Brown

Wednesday, February 11:

  • Cover reveal ‘Everything Changes’ from Melanie Hansen
  • Pat Henshaw ‘What’s In A Name’ Book Tour and Contest
  • A PaulB Review: Spearmint Warning by John Amory
  • A Stella Review: The Biker’s Pup by Sean Michael
  • AF Henley’s Road Trip – Blog Tour & Giveaway

Thursday, February 12:

  • Rare by Garrett Leight Audiobook Tour and contest
  • Series Banner Reveal:Storming Love: Blizzard from MLR Press
  • A MelanieM Review: The Truth As He Sees It by A.M. Arthur
  • A Sammy Review: The Way Things Are by A.J. Thomas
  • A Stella Review: Wrong Number, Right Guy by Mia Watts

Friday, February 13:

  • Journey to England for Trowchester Blues by Alex Beecroft (tour and contest)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Take Heart by Willa Okati
  • A MelanieM Review: Shadows and Ashes PF2014 Finale Novel
  • A Mika Review: The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton
  • A Stella Review: A Fighting Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Saturday, February 14, Happy Valentine’s Day:

A MelanieM Review: Conscious Decisions of the Heart by John Wiltshire