Tag: An Alisa Recommended Story

An Alisa Review: Exploration (Kinky In The City #1) by Quinn Ward

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

The reluctant manager of his family’s restaurant, Frankie attempts to live up to the legacy of his father and grandfather. Running a business that isn’t his passion and trying to do it without asking for help leaves him turning to less-than-legal means when he wants to surrender control.

Newly divorced, Calvin no longer lives in the closet, leaving him searching for what he most desires- control. So when he finds Frankie on his knees in the back room of a local bar, Calvin sees the sub he’s only ever fantasized about having.

Can Calvin find the confidence to explore his dominant side while showing his younger roommate that submission isn’t only about whips and pain?

This was a nice story.  Frankie and Calvin have been roommates for a few months but when Calvin finds him in the back room of his friend’s bar it pushes them to change their circumstances a bit. Frankie has felt trapped in the family business and doesn’t make the best decision when he is feeling so stressed.  Calvin has spent a lot of time contemplating the type of relationship he wants and Frankie hands it to him on a silver platter.

Calvin’s number one priority is his son, Ryan, but he longs for someone to love and to love him in return.  Frankie adds stress to his life by hiding from his family and not opening up but with Calvin’s help he sees how that’s not what he needs to do.

Seeing this story from both of these characters’ points of view made it easy to understand them both and connect with them.  Frankie loved Calvin taking charge but has trouble accepting that Calvin would want him all the time.  Calvin’s love and caring for his son and Frankie was wonderful to watch.  This is a great start to a new series and hope to read more in the future.

The cover art by Cover Me, Darling is perfect for this story and I love the visual of Frankie.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 224 pages

Published: April 24, 2018

Edition Language: English

Series: Kinky in the City #1

An Alisa Review: Rended Hearts by Riza Curtis

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

After a life on the run, witch Gabriel just wants to enjoy having a home. He’s perfectly happy pottering around his garden and using magic to quietly help people. Then the Alpha of the local wolf pack is attacked by a member of the local coven, and everything changes. There’s no love lost between the witch and the wolves, but Gabriel saves the life of the Alpha in an attempt to keep the peace.

 

Simon finds his mate in the witch that saves his life, but the coven is coming for Gabriel, and they don’t care who gets in their way…

 

This was an enjoyable story. While I say that there seemed to be a lot of background information that felt glossed over or not really given, I felt like I was tossed into a world that was historical but not and a lot of prejudices that we were just supposed to accept.

 

Gabriel has been running for what feels like forever, we were never really told when his mother died so I’m not sure how long or how old he is, and just when he starts to have a place that feels like home he is thrown another curve ball. Simon has been quietly leading his pack for years hoping that someday he will find his mate but that seems hard when he doesn’t leave his pack often, I mean Gabriel has been in town for two years and they had yet to meet. Gabriel doesn’t really accept their connection until late in the story and tries to protect Simon and his pack but it backfires.

 

I liked the story but didn’t feel like I really knew the characters or what they were doing. Simon was simple with the wolf’s mate bond and connection but Gabriel pushed and didn’t seem to understand their connection. Gabriel went through a lot of changes that I didn’t feel were described to me.

 

The cover art is nice and I like the “starry” wolf.

 

Sales Link: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 150 pages

Published: March 30, 2018 by Riza Curtis

Edition Language: English

 

An Alisa Review: Corked by Brigham Vaughn

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

Originally published as the “Wine Tasting Series”.

 

“Corked” is an expanded re-release with new editing and over 8,000 words of additional content!

 

Sean Powell is having a terrible day. When he walks into Bistro Argent, ready to unwind over a glass of wine with the sommelier, he’s stunned to discover his friend has been replaced by a hot young guy with big ideas. Lucas Spencer is determined to liven up the staid and stodgy wine list, but his brash approach alienates the wine distributor during their first meeting.

 

There’s no avoiding each other though and the more they butt heads, the hotter the tension between them gets. As they work together and their relationship progresses, they have to figure out how to blend their professional frustration and personal attraction without risking their careers.

 

Lucas is eleven years younger than Sean, and despite their sizzling chemistry and compatibility, Sean can’t quite believe the feelings are mutual. A wine tasting trip to Traverse City, Michigan threatens their fledgling relationship. Sean’s insecurities rise to the surface as Lucas’s fears of losing Sean lead to jealousy.

 

Does the relationship have legs or will they find out it’s corked?

 

Man did these two start out on the wrong foot but eventually got past their initial hostility. Lucas wants to prove himself in his new dream job and Sean rubs him the wrong way at their first meeting. Sean is really good at making assumptions and he makes some of the wrong ones immediately.

 

I liked seeing these two navigate the portions of their relationship we were shown. Once they actually sat and talked like adults they found out common interests and goals. I liked that we got to see them get together, after they have settled a bit into the relationship and in the future when they are getting their HEA. Though these are separated into separate stories they flow together with only some time gaps in between.

 

I liked both of these characters, while they could seem a bit self-important at times they really have some deep insecurities and want someone to love them. Lucas works hard to show Sean how important he is to him. Sean has trouble voicing his feelings without any hostility and needs some reassurance and though they can push each other’s buttons make each other happy.

 

I really like the cover art and the visuals of the characters in their elements.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

Book Details:

ebook, 42,000 words

Published: April 28, 2018 by Brigham Vaughn

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Release Day Review: As I Am by Melissa Collins

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Chase Hansen. Broke. College drop out. Male stripper.

My life wasn’t at all what I imagined it would be. I should have been finishing up college, interning with a well-respected business, partying with my friends. But instead, I was raising my seventeen year old brother, struggling to make ends meet. Love wasn’t even on my radar. Besides, what did I have to offer? A few crumpled singles pulled from my G-string? Defeated and exhausted, I knew I had zero chance of finding someone to love me just as I am.

Noah Carpenter. Angry. Betrayed. Doctor.

Just when I thought my life was going exactly as it should, everything turned upside down. With my final rotation in medical school complete, I finally achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. What I never expected was to catch the man of my dreams in our bed with the man of his. Beyond infuriated, I struggled to piece together the remnants of my life. Just when I’d decided to give up on love altogether, I found a man who loved me just as I am.

Oh man, both of these guys and everything they have been through, they totally deserved to find love and that it’s together is even better!  Chase had to make some hard decisions after his parents died and hasn’t really had any support or help.  Noah has given himself over to being a doctor and after his last relationship ended he doesn’t really see the point in trying again.

Chase is at the point where he is just trying to survive and in his own mind he knows that no one would want him if they really knew everything he had going on.  Noah has a great group of friends around him but is quick to think the worst after catching his ex cheating.

I couldn’t help but feel for these guys.  I was easy to relate to Chase because I know what it’s like to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders even if I couldn’t in other ways and I loved watching Noah just take care of and support him when he needed it, it was just what his fragile heart needs.  I still couldn’t really like his friend Gavin though, even if at times he thought he was helping he didn’t do much and thought about himself first.  Noah is very cynical in his assumptions but I loved that he was willing to apologize and accept when he was wrong and the unconditional support from Chase was just what he needed.  I loved these guys so much and the only reason it’s not 5 stars is that there were just too many points that I felt the characters didn’t fully resolve what they were talking about or doing.

The cover art by Sommer Stein is great and I love the picture of these characters together.

Sales Links:

Amazon
iBooks
Nook
Kobo
Google Play

Book Details:

ebook, 320 pages

Published: April 25, 2018 by Melissa Collins

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Life Is A Stevie Wonder Song by V.L. Locey

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Authors know that their muse is a fickle creature. Best-selling spy novelist Stephen Ramsey has been in a hate-hate relationship with his inspiration for months. When Stephen’s publisher lays a legal ultimatum upon him, with a rapidly approaching deadline, he knows he must do something to kick-start his creativity or face the unemployment line. His daughter comes up with a possible answer: a summer camp for the creative soul. With nothing to lose, Stephen packs up his laptop, phonograph and beloved record albums and heads from Greenwich Village to the Catskill Mountains.

There, among a horde of college students attending for extra credits, is Declan Pomeroy, a photographer of fey creatures who is twenty-two years younger than Stephen. The woods are a magical place, and he quickly finds himself falling under the spell of the free-spirited photographer. Confusion wars with desire inside Stephen as he succumbs to the feelings welling up inside. But, sadly, summer camp always has to end. Can a man who has just found himself really leave the person that makes his heart sing?

This story just pulled me in and I really enjoyed it all the way though.  I love seeing guys have and accept a life altering change and see how it makes their lives better.  Stephen has succeeded as an author even as he has had multiple marriages come apart.  Declan is a free spirit who for the most part is very patient with Stephen’s slow acceptance of their connection.

The story is told from Stephen’s point of view which makes it easy to see his frustration with his writer’s block and confusion in regards to Declan.  When he gave himself the chance to let go and see what would happen it was freeing for him.  I was able to see Declan’s emotions through Stephen’s eyes even when he didn’t always seem to understand.  I loved Declan’s determination to stay true to himself and make Stephen make the big change of moving but it was for the better for both of them.

The cover art by Sloan J Design is nice and I love having visuals of both of the characters.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 87 pages

Published: 2nd edition, April 18, 2018 by VL Locey

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: The Contingency Plan by Addison Albright

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

A sheltered prince. A sudden death. An unexpected choice. How will Prince Marcelo react to discovering he’s The Contingency Plan?

For eighteen years, there has been peace between Sheburat and the kingdom of Zioneven. The untimely death of a princess throws the marriage arrangement — the final phase to complete the terms of the treaty — into disarray, and the contingency plan is put into motion. Now the Crown Prince of Zioneven gets to make his own choice from among the princess’s younger siblings.

As a rare royal son in the matriarchal sovereignty of Sheburat, Prince Marcelo grew up knowing he would never marry. Never. Royal sons did not marry. Period. Except, Prince Efren isn’t from Sheburat, and he has other plans.

I really enjoyed this story.  Marcelo was drastically sheltered in his life and doesn’t know much outside the castle and not even much there.  Prince Efren throws his entire world for a loop.

I was happy and angry for Marcelo throughout this story, angry that his family hadn’t allowed him to know about the work or even their own history and happy that Efren is more than willing to give him the world.  Seeing the relationship he had with his family it’s likely that he wouldn’t see them again after he leaves with his husband but I think that may be for the better.  I just wish this story were longer and I would have been able to see how Marcelo and Efren build their life together.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is typical for a romance but I love the setting within the words.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 30 pages

Published: April 14, 2018 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634866118

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review :Precious Moments by Casper Graham

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Blake Hill is a twenty-five-year-old omega who’s too old to be single. No alpha wants to mate with him. He’s prettier than most omegas and he smells just as sweet as any of them, but he’s too tall and too muscular. Alphas prefer smaller-built omegas, and not a freak like him.

Mason Armstrong and Kian Evans have been alpha-mates for years. They’re ready for a third mate, preferably an omega they can agree on. Both men are thirty-seven and stable enough in their careers to not worry about their financial future.

When mutual friends set up a blind date between the three men, sparks fly, but the alphas insist on the ancient courting ritual before claiming the omega.

Do they have a future together? Or will the fire burn out before they reach the mating stage?

This was a sweet story.  Blake has been rejected by way to many alphas and doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.  Mason and Kian think Blake is the perfect omega for them as long as they can convince him.

This was an interesting world that these characters live in which many of the relationships have three people.  I loved how supportive Kian and Mason are and the old fashioned courting they did with Blake to show their intentions.  These guys seem to build a very stable family and I loved to watch it.  The only thing I didn’t like about the world they lived in was the focus on omega’s being mated younger and alphas being older.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is nice and it a typical romance cover of the three men in the story.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 87 pages

Published: February 24, 2018 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634865937

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Captive Hearts (Deviant Hearts #1) by A E Ryecart

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

“Too young, too blond, too skinny. Billy Grace was everything my head told me I didn’t want. Too bad my heart had other ideas.”

When Dashiell Slater uses his fists to stop a vicious assault, the last thing he expects is to be offered a job as reward for being a Good Samaritan. Out of work and short of cash, all he has to do is chauffeur Billy around. It’s easy money so saying yes should be a no-brainer. And if the offer’s not quite legal, so what? Dashiell’s smart and savvy, and knows how the world works. But there are strings attached, and Dashiell doesn’t want to get entangled. He’s ready to say no and walk away – until he sees the fear, despair and fathomless sadness in Billy’s jade-green eyes.

“He was everything I wanted, but couldn’t have. What was the use in dreaming when I was already bought and paid for, the property of another man?”

Billy’s life is a daily round of fear and abuse. One wrong word or one wrong look can mean a beating, or worse. Dashiell’s everything Billy’s heart craves – a man who’ll love and protect him, who’ll keep him safe and catch him when he falls. But Billy can’t have what he yearns for, because to give in to his heart means breaking a promise he’s vowed to keep at all costs.

A soul-searing kiss, a whispered promise, and the chance of a future together is there for the taking. But life is never that simple and danger surrounds them at every turn. Imprisoned by devotion, duty and obligation, Billy’s heart is captive, but can falling for Dashiell finally set it free?

It took me a little bit but once this story got going I didn’t want to put it down.  Billy has pretty much been living in hell the last two years.  Dashiell gives him the opportunity to hope for more while Dashiell’s heart breaks every time he has to bring him back home.

I felt for Billy and the predicament he ended up in, wanting to keep the care for his grandma going while he is essentially being beaten and raped for that.  While Billy has become a little jaded he still seemed quite innocent on how the world works.

I loved Dashiell’s determination to get Billy out of the situation he was in and for them to make a life together.  These two had chemistry from the beginning and did pretty well with keeping it toned down but the more time they seemed to spend together the more trouble they had doing that.  I loved to see that they were able to build a life outside of all that happened and continue on, I just wish we would have known if Dashiell were able to keep in touch with his existing friends as at least Andy seemed important to him.  I look forward to reading more in this series.

I like the cover art love the picture of Dashiell.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 210 pages

Published: February 23, 2018 by AE Ryecart

Edition Language: English

Series: Deviant Hearts #1

An Alisa Review: No Rulebook for Flirting by Laura Bailo

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

When Gabriel goes to the annual gaming convention, planning to play as many games as he can during the next three days, he doesn’t expect to be glared to death in the parking lot by a really cute guy. So when the same guy joins the game Gabriel is playing, Gabriel is determined to make him smile, even if it takes some awkward flirting.

When Aitor makes it inside the convention center after someone steals his parking spot, he doesn’t expect to be so attracted to the man he decided to hate just a few minutes earlier. But as he gets to know Gabriel through gaming and flirting, he just can’t look away.

The game of flirting has no rulebook, but for Gabriel and Aitor, it may just have two winners after all.

This was an adorable story.  Gabriel ends up inadvertently taking Aitor’s parking space at the gaming convention and they quickly end up at the same table.  They flirt over the games and let it overflow outside the convention center.

Gabriel and Aitor both seem mostly reserved and their awkward flirting is cute.  I loved watching their interactions and how both of the characters acted with each other.  I felt so bad for Gabriel, I don’t quite know why but he had pretty much decided that he would be off the market forever since no one could want him and pretty much gives up any of his free time to be with family.  We didn’t get to see any of the story from Aitor’s point of view but were able to learn a little bit about him.   I loved seeing these two the next year at the end of the story.

I love the cover art by Written Ink Designs and I think it’s perfect for the story.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 48 pages

Published: February 10, 2018 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634865753

Edition Language: English