A Mika Advent Story Review: Old Acquaintance by Avon Gale

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Andrew Starling thought when he sold his medical database software to a national corporation, it would finally give him and his wife the financial security needed to build their dream home in the exclusive, wealthy community of Ponte Vedra, Florida. But Andrew’s wife leaves him for another man before the ink dries on the contract, leaving Andrew to enjoy the fruits of his labors—and their sprawling, oceanfront home—all alone. Despite being convinced he has nothing much to celebrate, Andrew goes to the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club’s annual New Year’s Eve party… and meets Elias Rivas, the young, good-looking server who’s always had his eye on Andrew. It might be the new beginning Andrew didn’t even know he needed.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

Short and sexy story between two guys. I’ll admit the beginning was a little rocky to me. Andrew seemed boring, and a bit dreadful. He didn’t seem angry about his divorce at all. He seemed more perplexed by it. I thought that was funny, I can almost picture him face screwed up in frustration trying to figure out why. I liked Elias character, it was very sure of himself and I’m glad to see that for this age-gap story. I liked them together, they were hot. Seems like it’s a good HFN. I’d love to see more of them in the future.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 37 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RSH5M2
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A Mika Review: Breakaway (Scoring Chances #1) by Avon Gale

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, twenty-year-old Lane Courtnall’s future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He’s put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship.

Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most.

Clueless, sincere, and adorable. Those are the three words I would use to describe Lane Courtnall!!! I have a semi crush on him. Gawd he’s perfect, his naivety is so freaking adorable. I liked him a lot from the very beginning. I liked Jared as well, and I was happy how his character and Lane’s were able to mesh perfectly together. I really liked the story, the pacing as well as the writing. This is my first book by Avon Gale, and it will never be my last. I requested this book on the whim of all the great things that I’ve heard about her books. I’ve yet to read Let the Wrong Light In. I am going to wait as long as I can to. I’ve had it since it was released and it’s going on my holiday break to read.

If I can have one book wish, I would wish for Avon Gale’s Lane and T.J. Klune’s Gus to be in a book together!!! Total awesomeness is what that would be. I’m not a hockey fan at all. Sure I live in a hockey city, but it’s something I don’t understand. I really liked that she was true to her subject. I wasn’t as lost as I would have thought I would be. Avon did a really good job between the love of the mc’s and the game that they both love.

I completely read this book in one sitting. I liked the Teen Wolf reference; I loved Zoe as a character. She is a strong female secondary character. Both guys dealt with problems from their childhoods, and they kind of bonded over being solidarity creatures in their adult life. They thrive on being apart of a team. Together is better for these two, and I really appreciated how they were able to fall in love. I like grand gestures, and of course the support of being in a relationship; so I was really happy that Jared was able to find his happiness. I’m super excited for book two because Riley interests me a ton, and Ethan just seems like this great protector. I’m already gushing for book two.

Cover Art by Aaron Anderson: I think this cover is fantastic for sports fans; it’s nice to see to opposing teams fall in love. Definitely liked the lighting.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages
Published November 27th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634764865
edition languageEnglish
seriesScoring Chances #1

A Jeri Review: Let the Wrong Light In by Avon Gale

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Avery works hard as a junior architect but nothing is good enough for his project manager Malin. After spending weeks on a brilliant design, only to have it red lined again, Avery confronts his boss. What he doesn’t expect is to be attracted to his boss. Sure he is bisexual, but his boss is as cold as Avery is warm.

I’m going to start with what I didn’t like about the book and why I gave it 2 ½ stars. Although it is told in the third person, it was VERY one sided. Almost the entire book was from Avery’s point of view which showed how he does anything and everything to make Malin happy but gets nothing in return. We as readers get nothing in return either.

It isn’t until almost the end of the book that we get Malin’s back story to explain why he is the way he is and while that does explain most of his “personality” (or lack thereof), I wish we had gotten it a lot sooner. By the time it does come up, it took a bit of work to conjour up any sympathy for him.

And sorry, but this is another example of an author playing at BDSM. It is brought up and dropped several times, was far from genuine and never came to a solid conclusion.

The biggest redeemer is Avery himself. He is so funny and likable. Even his one sided conversations made me smile when reading and he kept me turning the pages.

Overall it was ok but left me wanting more.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson. I could absolutely picture Avery as the man on the cover of the book- hipster glasses and all.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 210 pages, paperback

Published September 25th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC

original title Let the Wrong Light In

ISBN13 9781634763165

edition language English

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