Tag: An Alisa Recommended Story

An Alisa Review: Dating Ryan Alback by J.E. Birk

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

datingryanalback_500x750Ryan Alback has almost everything he’s ever wanted: a successful acting career, a dog who adores him, great family and friends, and a life outside the closet. The only thing missing is a boyfriend—but Ryan’s been burned by Hollywood relationships before, and he’s not eager to try one again.

 

Jason Santos has almost everything he’s ever wanted: a fulfilling career teaching middle school, a house in a city he loves, and parents who support him in every way. Too bad he can’t seem to forget the ex-boyfriend who rejected his marriage proposal.

 

When a talk show host launches a dating contest to find Ryan a boyfriend and Jason accidentally wins, neither of them expect anything to come from it. Yet somewhere between a disastrous massage and a mud sinkhole, they both start to wonder if this date could be more than just a public relations stunt. But before they can move into the future, they’ll both have to learn to let go of the past.

 

I enjoyed this story quite a bit.  Ryan was hurt by a previous lover and since hasn’t looked for love again and spends his life with a few friends and his dog.  Jason has spent the last year trying to get a nonprofit off the ground and ignoring his personal life.

 

Both of these characters have others who want them happy and look out for them.  How putting someone in a national dating contest without their permission can be a good idea I don’t understand.  I will admit that it is very unlikely that Ryan and Jason would have met otherwise but that someone thought this was the way to do it is beyond me.

 

We get to see both of these characters’ thoughts and feelings through their own points of view.  Ryan is so scared of trusting anyone and letting someone in he lives alone with only his dog for company most of the time.  Seeing him hurt himself by pushing others away is quite sad, he has to learn to that not everyone wants to use him.  Jason pretty much hides behind his job and nonprofit to avoid getting hurt again in his personal life.  I hated seeing him be hurt when Ryanmakes assumptions based on past experience.  Both of them have to learn to trust, but it takes both of them making mistakes before it can happen.

 

Cover art by LC Chase is adorable and we get a nice visual of the characters.

 

Sales Links: Riptide Publishing | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 250 pages

Published: February 20, 2017 by Riptide Publishing

ISBN: 9781626495364

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Releases Day Review: Warlock in Training (Studies in Demonology #1) by T.J. Nichols

 

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

warlock-in-training-by-tj-nicholsAngus Donohue doesn’t want to be a warlock. He believes draining demons for magic is evil, but it’s a dangerous opinion to have—his father is a powerful and well-connected warlock, and Angus is expected to follow the family tradition.

 

His only way out is to fail the demon summoning class. Failure means expulsion from the Warlock College. Despite Angus’s best efforts to fumble the summoning, it works. Although not the way anyone expects.

 

Angus’s demon, Saka, is a powerful mage with his own need for a warlock.

 

Saka wants to use Angus in a ritual to rebalance the magic that is being stripped from Demonside by warlocks. If Angus survives his demon’s desires and the perils of Demonside, he’ll have to face the Warlock College and their demands.

 

Angus must choose: obey the College and forget about Demonside or trust Saka and try to fix the damage before it’s too late. Whatever he does, he is in the middle of a war he isn’t qualified to fight.

 

This is wonderful and thought out story.  Angus has been struggling with himself since his father placed him in Warlock College and has been trying to figure out how to get out without just quitting like he wants to.  When Saka takes him back to Demonside most of his beliefs and research about the use of demons in his world are confirmed.

 

Both Angus’s and Saka’s worlds were well developed and I wasn’t questioning the actions of the characters throughout the story as can often happen with little things seem to be missing.  While the “relationship” between Angus and Saka is not the main focus of the story it is important for this story for the future in this series.  They both have a deep connection to the other, but are unable to actually voice this to others or really themselves.

 

We see the views of both Angus and Saka in this story.  Angus is trying to figure out how to help Saka while also not being a rogue on his side; unfortunately he has more confrontation than he planned on.  I couldn’t help, but feel his desperation and how hopeless his situation felt at many points throughout the story.  Saka has never fully agreed with what many on his side deem the proper solution for bring the worlds back into balance, but as long as he is able he will work to do what he thinks is the best solution.  This is a great start to this series and I look forward to more of these stories.

 

Cover art by Catt Ford is wonderful and shows both of the worlds Angus is trying to live in.

 

Sales Links: DSP Publications | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 226 pages

Published: February 14, 2017 by DSP Publications

ISBN-13: 9781635332674

Edition Language: English

Series: Studies in Demonology #1

An Alisa Review: Fire Triangle by Iyana Jenna

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

fire-triangle-by-iyana-jennaWhile investigating a house fire, Detective Miles Tucker uncovers a similar case twenty years prior. Digging deeper, Miles learns that a survivor from the earlier fire might have some answers to his questions.

 

As a boy, Devin Treadwell survived a fire that wiped out his entire family. The trauma he suffered left him in a mental institution, but he has since made a full recovery and, though partially deaf and mute, now lives an independent life as a music teacher.

 

Devin’s life is disrupted when the handsome Miles suspects him of being a serial arsonist. But he wasn’t the only survivor. A boy named Sebastian who had been adopted by Devon’s family also survived the blaze.

 

Then an attempt is made on Devin’s life. Can Miles keep Devin safe from an arsonist who will stop at nothing to silence him? Or will the attraction between them jeopardize the investigation?

 

This was an interesting story.  Devin is quite young when his family died in the house fire and has come a long way since it happened.  Miles comes in and throws a wrench in his perfectly ordered life, not that he is too upset by the final outcome.

 

This story had quite a few twists and turns.  We saw some of Devin’s childhood when Sebastian came into their lives and some of Sebastian’s actions and thoughts during that time.  Miles is going through a tough time when he begins the arson investigation, which causes him to make a few rash assumptions that are quickly found incorrect once he meets Devin and learns what really happened when he was a kid.  Seeing things through Devin’s, Miles’ and even Sebastian’s eyes goes a long way towards understanding the story, though there is still a twist at the end that I didn’t expect and I always like some surprise in my stories.

 

The cover art is nice and eye catching giving a nice visual of Devin and Miles.

 

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 87 pages

Published: January 7, 2017 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634862974

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: The Gift of Casey by Shawn Lane

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

the-gift-of-caseyCasey Mackenzie unexpectedly finds himself in need of a “boyfriend” for his Thanksgiving dinner. For several months, Casey has been putting off family questions and invites with talk of his boyfriend “George.” Only now they actually expect to meet George at the holiday dinner.

 

George Accardo is Casey’s sexy neighbor who also happens to be an actor Casey once had a rather drunken rendezvous with. Casey has avoided George ever since. Until now.

 

Casey offers George fifty bucks to pretend to be his boyfriend for the duration of the Thanksgiving dinner. George has been intrigued by Casey since their first meeting but gave him space when Casey freaked. He accepts the job, though Casey assures him they will “break up” before Christmas.

 

Casey finds himself still charmed by George as Christmas approaches. Can George convince Casey he’s the gift he’s been hoping for before the holiday arrives?

 

This is really one of my favorite Christmas stories I read this year, just wonderfully heartwarming.  Casey gets in a jam when his best friend questions why his boyfriend won’t be attending Thanksgiving dinner.  The only logical answer is to have his neighbor, George, play his boyfriend, coincidently named George, right?

 

I loved these characters connections with each other.  Both Casey and George are really down to earth, attracted to each other but not quite knowing what to do about it.  George was wonderful just grabbing on to the opportunity to woo Casey with both hands now that he has it and Casey is willing to give him the chance so they can find when has been missing in both of their lives.  These two play off each other beautifully without having to be living in a perfect world bubble that is often seen in these types of stories.

 

The cover art is adorable and I love it.

 

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

 

Book Details:

ebook, 51 pages

Published: December 10, 2016 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634862905

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Unlikely Companions by Harold Mason

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

unlikely-companions-by-harold-masonRobert Saddler is drowning in debt, so he decides to join the United States Army. His aim is to experience the world but also make some money to pay off his college debts and get a GI Loan to further his education. After basic training, he’s deployed to Germany, where he joins a unit where his skills as a draftsman are in demand. He also has to serve as driver to First Lieutenant Tony Stryker.

 

Tony Stryker is not an easy man to get along with. The word in the barracks is that he is a spoiled brat. Their first encounter isn’t auspicious, but once the two men get to know each other better, things improve drastically.

 

Tony is a career Army man, but Robert eventually wants to go back to San Francisco to study architecture. What will happen to their budding relationship when Robert’s tour of duty ends in eighteen months?

 

This was a nice story.  Robert and Tony meet Robert’s first day of deployment in Germany and things don’t get off to a great start.  The next day is even worse until Robert snaps back at Tony for his attitude.  Unfortunately they both know there is an end date to their time together.  Tony is probably the only pacifist army lieutenant to exist and it takes him getting the courage to speak to his father (another career army man) for their future to be possible.

 

This story is told from Robert’s point of view which helps show how hard Tony is to get to know (as everyone in barracks says).  They open up with each other when they are stranded away from base during a storm and have to stay in a hotel overnight.  I liked the fact that they became good friends before anything is a big help to making it a last relationship.

 

The cover art is cute and shows the characters connections to each other.

 

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | ARe

 

Book Details:

ebook, 86 pages

Published: November 12, 2016 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634862233

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: One Too Many (Mystic Tattoos #1) by Bailey Bradford

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

 

one-too-manyDon’t discount the mystic powers in the world…

 

Casey has spent most of his adult life building a successful business. His mother has been on him to settle down with a good man. Casey would, but he hasn’t had time to look for one. On his fortieth birthday, he goes out with friends and gets drunk—and has one too many.

 

When he wakes up in the morning, there’s a sexy, strange man in his home and a new, kind of painful tattoo on Casey’s chest. He doesn’t remember what happened the night before, but it doesn’t take him long to realize that the stranger, Ed, is someone he wants to get to know much better.

 

Now, if the fates and stars and all that mystical stuff will align, Casey and Ed might have their Happily Ever After, with the help of a mysterious tattoo artist and a vanishing tattoo shop.

 

This story was an interesting concept and turned out to be one that I liked.  Ed was Casey’s Uber ride home after his fortieth birthday celebration with friends.  Casey doesn’t remember much of the night, but has a permanent reminder in the form of a tattoo on his chest and the opportunity to have something meaningful with Ed.

 

In this story we see both characters’ points of view which helps understand what they are feeling and thinking.  Casey has basically been a workaholic for the last decade to get his business going, but he sees an opportunity with Ed that may make him change his ways.  Ed is afraid to push too far, but knows what he wants.  The genie that initially and finally brings them together is interesting.  I kinda wish there would have been a bit more of the story for him and how the characters really grew their relationship.

 

The cover art is nice and catches your eye.

 

Sales Links: Pride Publishing | Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 70 pages

Published: November 29, 2016 by Pride Publishing

ISBN: 9781786515162

Edition Language: English

An Alisa New Release Review: A Christmas for Oscar by ​Alex Whitehall

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

a-christmas-for-oscarOscar has never liked the holidays and all the surrounding rigmarole, but that doesn’t stop his best friend from dragging him along for her Black Friday shopping spree. The only perk of the day is that he meets Nathan while he’s there.

 

With sparkling blue eyes, curly blond hair, and a smile that won’t stop, Nathan is a Christmas elf in the flesh. He even spends his days in a workshop! But Nathan is more than his bright smile, and he may be just the right person for Oscar. Assuming, of course, Oscar doesn’t drive him and his holiday spirit away first.

 

This was a nice story.  Oscar is forced into Black Friday shopping, but  while at Another Store (isn’t that a great name) he meets Nathan it doesn’t seem quite so bad when he is looking into his bright eyes.  He goes back the next day just to try and see him again and they have an impromptu date to get to know each other a bit more.

 

I loved the interactions between Nathan and Oscar as they showed such openness to each other; however Oscar continually held something back until the end.  Oscar has been hurt so much by his childhood that he has a lot of trouble separating how his parents behaved with how others celebrate the holiday.  Nathan is the perfect counterpart to Oscar and even though Nathan grew up in the foster care system he didn’t have a bad childhood and has turned out wonderfully.

 

From the very beginning we can see how uncomfortable Oscar is with anything related to the holidays even if we don’t know the reason until the end of the story.  Seeing him realize how in order to have a lasting and honest relationship with Nathan he will have to do to some compromising and how he works thru it is wonderful.  Both characters were well put together and great for each other.

 

Cover art by Natasha Snow is beautiful and shows Oscar presenting his gift to Nathan.

 

Sales Links: Nine Star Press | Amazon | ARe

 

Book Details:

ebook, 46 pages

Published: December 19, 2016 by Nine Star Press

ISBN: 9781945952326

Edition Language: English