Tag: A Stella Review

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

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

different-names-for-the-same-thingThe 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

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BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 54 pages

Expected publication: October 31st 2016 by NineStar Press

ISBN: 978-1-911153-93-1

Edition Language English

A Stella Review: A Selfless Man (Men of Manhattan #6) by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

RATING 3,5 out of 5 stars

a-selfless-manRyan Carter always hoped his life would turn around for the better. He has a job that he loves, and another one that he hates. Becoming a rent boy was never his life plan, but circumstances forced his hand. When his life falls apart, hunky firefighter Michael Callahan comes to his rescue. Ryan knows better than to believe someone as wonderful as Michael would ever want to be with someone who sells his body. But spending time with Michael gives Ryan something he’s never had before.

Hope.

For months, New York firefighter Michael Callahan has been thinking about the hot guy he rescued while working crowd control during a robbery standoff. His brother is very happy dating a man, and Michael wonders if he’s finally ready for a relationship of his own. An apartment fire brings him face to face with the young man who’s been haunting him for months. Their friendship starts strong, but will Ryan’s alternate life put out the flicker before it has a chance to flame?
Can Michael convince Ryan that he wants him no matter who he is? Or will the relationship turn to ash before it even begins?

I read the previous books in the Men Of Manhattan series and I was very curious about this new installment, A Selfless Man. I don’t recommend to read it as a standalone cause here we found a lot of the couples of the previous stories, so reading the series in the right order would  be a wise choice.

I love firefighters’ stories, especially when they have some action in them and in this sense the book was a winner (even thought there is a little cliffhanger at the end, not related to the MCs story but to the mystery part). Plus firefighter and rent boy together? I couldn’t resist.

I adore when my characters fall in love at first time but the insta love needs to be supported by more elements, at least some knowledge of each other. In A Selfless Man the insta love was too much to me, really over the top;  it’s a shame because it took away credibility and I found it hard to feel Michael and Ryan as real persons.

That’s the only reason I didn’t rate it more than 3,5 stars. But in general I enjoyed the book. In fact I liked the plot, I liked how the relationship between the MCs developed and how many friends they have. Yes I admit if you haven’t read the previous books, too many characters can overwhelm your reading but if you follow the series, it will be a pleasure to meet them again and see how supportive and protective they are of their friend.

Now I just have to jump to the seven  book hoping for Bobby (Ryan’s bestie) to find his HEA and for the serial killer to be stopped.

The cover art by Wilde City Press is hot and well done. Too bad this pic has been over used, I saw it on so many covers it became boring to me.

Sales Links

Wilde City Press

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BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 132 pages
Published September 14th 2016 by Wilde City Press
ASIN B01LW4DAWM
Edition Language English

Men of Manhattan series

A Stella Review: God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylov

RATING 5 out of 5 stars

the-god-of-jazz-fugueAfter years struggling to realize his dream of directing a feature film, on the final night of his fundraising campaign Godard is on the cusp of having everything he ever wanted. The man he loves is upstairs waiting for him, and he’s just a few dollars short of his GoFundYourself goal.

Then everything falls apart.

His personal and professional life in ruins, when his old nemesis from film school offers to fund his dream project if he’s willing to shoot it in Spain, Godard knows it’s a deal with the devil. But he also has nothing left to lose.

Among the labyrinthine streets of Barcelona’s Barrio Góthico, the city’s vibrant music scene, and the sun-gilt beaches of the Costa Brava, Godard begins shooting his dream project and putting his life back together, largely under the domineering gaze and deft touch of Ángel, the god of jazz.

But Ángel is keeping a secret, and a deal with the devil always comes at a price.

The God Of Jazz: Fugue, Concord is not the usual Varian Krylov book. I was grateful for the choice of stay away from all the pain I went throught when I read Dangerously Happy or Bad Things. I need stories like this new release. Of course there were some parts a little hard to take but nothing too heavy. Definitely sweeter, unexpectedly sweet and so hot, but nothing new in this.

IMO the story was very good, it engaged me from the start and it was impossible to put it down. I soon felt a connection with the characters. Although it wasn’t exactly love at first sight with Godard, I actually needed some time to warm up to him, still not sure why, but I was able to see the best part of him only when he met Angel. And then there was no coming back. To me it was a crescendo, each scene I like Godard a little more. Instead I soon fell in love with Angel and no one can blame me. He is an amazing character, mysterious at the beginning, perhaps as a way to protect himself, and so open and powerful in his feelings later. A perfect man, caring, gentle and sexy as hell.

Apart from the plot which I quite liked, what deeply took my interest, was how the author did a good job at showing me the characters’ emotions. I didn’t miss one little bit of what went into their hearts, the fear of letting go and trusting the person beside them, the hope for a future for their dreams, the hope for a future together when they finally overcame themselves and opened their souls. The connection between them was unbelievable and it was beautiful to see how they made each other happy. And of course the sex scenes were hot how only this author can describe them.

A mention about the secondary characters cast, each of them was well portrayed and had an important (to the plot and to the MCs’ lives) role. How they worked and spent the days together and the fierce protectiveness and support they treated each other often brought little tears in my eyes.

I feel to recommend The God Of Jazz: Fugue, Concord to everyone. If the author scared you in the past, I totally understand you but no need to be afraid of this story. One of the best book I read this year.

The cover art by Bey Deckard is the only little thing I don’t like, it just doesn’t work for me. At all. I admit I wouldn’t have picked it if it wasn’t for the author.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

Published September 25th 2016
Kindle Edition, 326 pages
ASIN B01M1S6BNI
Edition Language English

A Stella Review: Resistance (Village Love #1) by Lillian Francis

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

resistanceHow long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is…

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.

Resistance is the first book in a new series by Lillian Francis called Village Love. I recommend to read the short prequel Resonance, first, just to better enjoy the story of Mal and Rick and to see how they met in a MRI scan room.

I liked this book so much for many reasons. First of all I found in Lillian Francis, once a new to me author, an amazing talent and I soon put her among my favorite authors. I’m pretty sure I’m going to read more of her stories in my next future.

Rick and Mal and their relationship is exactly what I like to see in my books, it was sweet and sexy, but most of all was realistic, in the fear of being out of the closet, in the fear of lose someone cause you don’t want to close that closet you opened years ago. I saw the deep hope in a possible future made of uncertainties and at the same time full of the desire to be beside your love one even if you are miles away from him. I saw how much they tried, just like we do everyday in our real lives.

The bonus was the setting. I adore romance set in small villages like Slopy Bottom, the peace, the people, the nature and the sceneries Lillian was great at describing.

I can’t wait to know more about these boys and a couple more of guys I fell in love with while reading Resistance. I’m so happy to know (cause I’m stalking the author and I’m not sorry about it) there is so much coming soon.

I feel to recommend it especially if you’re looking for an angst-free, light and well written story.

The cover art by Garrett Leigh follows the style of the series covers, different and so welcomed.

Sales Link

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BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 150 pages
Published July 5th 2016 by Finally Love Press
ASIN B01HBWHLZ6
Edition Language English

Village Love series

  • Resonance #0,5
  • Resistance #1

A Stella Review: Daring the Wolf by Skylar M. Cates

RATING 3,5 out of 5 stars

Daring the WolfCan a human ever dominate a werewolf?

Living in a strict world of paranormal dos and don’ts is exhausting for Gabe Ryan. After fleeing his home when he became a werewolf, Gabe attempts to forget his family and the young boyfriend he left behind. But he is still haunted by his memories—until a birthday wish leads him to an unexpected confrontation.
A busy emergency room doctor, Ethan Dunn has closed off his heart. He sure as hell does not trust Gabe Ryan, not after the way he abandoned Ethan. If Gabe wants a second chance, he better be ready to risk everything and break all the rules between humans and wolves.

I’m a huge fan of Skylar M Cates, when I say huge I mean enormous. I love her writing and I truly enjoyed what I read by her so far. Daring The Wolf  is not the usual Skylar book. Totally different from her previous works and this is the reason why I picked it. I was curious to see what else she could engage me with. For some ways it is what I was expecting. Still it missed that little more that made Skylar books unforgettable.

The story is a second chance at love which I adore. Gabe is back to the town he left when he was sixteen, now thirty he’s ready to forgot the pack rules and he’s back to see his parents, the ones he let believe their son was dead instead of telling them he is a werewolf. He’s back to see someone else too, his ex-boyfriend Ethan. Their meeting in the emergency room where Ethan works is not what Gabe was hoping in but he is determined to have him back, although it seems Ethan can’t trust him anymore.

I liked the chemistry between the MCs, it was clear from the start and from the various very hot sex scenes. There were some violences in the plot, which were unexpected but I didn’t dislike in this case. The second characters were so interesting I’m already begging the author for more about Sebastian, I’m sure he has too much to tell me.

There were a couple of elements that left me dubious. First of  all, after so many years the reconciliation between the MCs was too easy to be believable and took away space from the development of a new relationship which was non-existent, they basically meet and then are together. Then I was waiting for more from the mystery and action part, I hope the author will give me answers in a next book cause here I found almost nothing.

That said, Daring the Wolf was to me an okay read from a great author and I will surely read a sequel if she decides to write it.

The cover art by Dar Albert is not a winner to me cause it doesn’t fit the story at all.

Sales Link

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BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 161 pages
Published July 25th 2016 by Treading Water Productions
ASIN B01HVHARRK
Edition Language English

A Stella Review: Strong Medicine by JK Hogan

RATING  4 out of 5 stars

Strong MedicineTwo men who meet in a psychiatric institution couldn’t possibly find happiness together—could they?

The world seemed to be telling disgraced former child star and singer Cameron Fox that he would never be happy again. A drunken car accident gets him sentenced to a work release program at Riverbend Behavioral Health Facility.

Reclusive, traumatized writer Jonah Radley has an entire graveyard of skeletons in his closet. Jonah regularly hospitalizes himself for psychotic episodes caused by a horrific childhood trauma, his biggest secret—one he refuses to speak about in therapy.

Jonah and Cameron form a bond inside the hospital, forged in mutual pain and hope for a better life. Once they leave the hospital, they must decide if they are brave enough to explore the intricacies of living with mental illness—and find a new normal together.

Strong Medicine was my first book by JK Hogan and it really surprised me. Reading  the blurb I have to admit I was a little scared at the start, afraid it was going to be hard to take. It was exactly what I was expecting, I hurt  so much through all the story. Still it was so worthed.

Cameron and Jonah are completely different: the first is a former child prodige, just being excluded by his whole big family from their band and sent by a judge to a behavioral health facility, where he will work for a year and learn to never drive after having drinking. Here Cameron is soon attracted to Jonah, the young man who will later steal his heart (and mine). Jonah is a survivor, each time he needs to committee himself, afraid to hurt not only himself, he comes back to life, sure he is more shattered than ever but he is working on his illness.  And hoping for a better life.

I think what I loved more were the characters, they were real and flawed just like us. And this is something I really need in books like Strong Medicine, true and painfully beautiful stories. Yes it scared me and brought tears to my eyes more than one, following Jonah in his psychic breaks wasn’t easy, seeing through his eyes what he was seeing. But I have to say everything, every single detail, was IMO well delivered, I enjoyed a lot.

This book is not for everyone, if you like sweet and romantic stories, it is really none of that. It’s  almost unbearable in some parts but the changes in Cameron and Jonah’s lives were emotional and believable. I feel to recommend Strong Medicine to everyone but please keep in mind my previous words.

I like the cover art by Wilde City Press, the style and colors are different from the usual covers and so it’s a winner to me.

Sales Links:  Wilde City Press | ARe | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 289 pages

Published May 18th 2016 by Wilde City Press (first published May 11th 2016)

ASIN B01FEH1GL0

Edition Language English

A Stella Review: Picked Fresh (Naked Organics #2) by Posy Roberts

RATING  4,5 out of 5 stars

Picked FreshIs five thousand miles far enough to say I love you?

Hudson Oliva loves stability. He was a throwaway teen before finding Kaleidoscope Gardens, but has since thrived at the commune. When Jude Garrity moves in, life gets even better, but Hudson still craves more. He knows he has to be satisfied with their exclusive status being temporary and that Jude will eventually navigate his full sexual awakening with their other housemates.

Hudson has a journey of his own to make. It might only require going home to settle his grandmother’s estate, but he plans to use his time away to figure out how to temper his feelings for Jude and bury his jealousy once and for all. But when Jude joins him on his trip, Hudson falls even deeper in love, especially after Jude stands by his side when he finally confronts his mother for rejecting him.

However, it’s not all hearts and flowers while they travel. They’re over two thousand miles from home when Hudson learns a ruthless corporate farm threatens the commune they both love. In order to save their way of life, Hudson must ask his mother for help. And if he wants a chance at a stable future with Jude, he has to tell him the truth about his feelings, no matter if it ruins the harmony he’s tried so hard to preserve.

I’m sure I already said this but I want to repeat myself, Posy Roberts never disappoints me. I don’t know, I just love what she writes. Simple. I was waiting for Picked Fresh since January when I first read Farm Fresh. I was dying to know how the story between Hudson and Jude would evolve. I got my wish fulfilled.

Picked Fresh is very different from the first book, because the majority of the story develops on the journey Hudson needs to begin in order to come back to his grandmother’s land and settle her property after her death. Journey that will lead him to his mum, the one who did nothing to forbid her husband from throwing out her son from their house. Moreover it is unbearable to Hudson to leave behind the commune, Leo and Charlie, most of all Jude, the young man who took his heart in the previous months. The same man who is working like crazy on his school assignments so he can join Hudson aboard on a peculiar VW camper. Unexpectedly this journey will lead Jade to his family too and he will finally get some closure and some love from his brothers and sister.

The book is really well done and written, I liked the plot, I loved how both characters were able to be so close and open to each other, on so many levels their journey is so intense and strong, it was very simple to connect and relate with their happiness and all the fears they are afraid of meeting at the end of the journey. But no worries, there is an HEA, sweet, brave and needed.

I’m very satisfied with Picked Fresh and I can’t wait for the next book in the Naked Organics series, I’m ready to leave Hudson and Jude’s love behind, and follow a new couple and their life in Kaleidoscope Gardens commune.

Just a note, the series needs to be read in order.

The cover art by Natasha Snow follows the style of the cover of Farm Fresh and it is simply and beautiful

Sales Links:  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 269 pages
Published June 23rd 2016 by Labyrinth Bound Press
ASIN B01GT530U6
Edition Language English

Series Naked Organics