An Alisa Release Day Review: Love You So Special by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Can a man’s secret yearnings be revealed in a tank full of fish?

Artie Haynes knows he’s nothing special, with just-your-regular-brown hair, a solid plumber’s job, not much education, and a family that can barely get off the couch. But Artie has quirks—like his love of tropical fish, a landlord who’s a professor of existentialism, a passion for the amazing piano music he hears at a concert hall while he’s fixing the bathrooms—and the fact that he’s never come out as gay and probably never will. But when he’s hired to build a guesthouse for the pianist whose music enchanted him, Artie is swept up into an unimaginable world.

Francois Desmarais may be famous, rich, and revered as one of the world’s great classical composers and pianists, but he’s soothed and challenged by the inquisitive, stalwart, protective man in his back yard. When Francois’s terrible fear of crowds turns into a dangerous plot, Artie can stay in the closet or prove just how special he is.

This was such a nice story, it’s only loosely connected to the last books but it allows those who haven’t read them to jump right in. Artie appreciates many things but doesn’t really allow others to see the real him and even allows himself to be pushed down by others expectations. Francois has been sheltered from many things but hasn’t really had anyone in his corner no matter what until he walks in to his new house and meets Artie.

Both of these characters were great and for many different reasons. I felt bad for Artie that he thought he needed to hide himself from those around him but was relieved when he wasn’t really hurt when he finally did come out. Francois felt safe with Artie which gave him some freedom from his fears that kept him back but he also supports Artie to be himself and vows to show him how great he really is. My only hang up is Francois’s mom, she was an ice queen at the beginning and had a sudden change of heart after Francois is put in danger and Artie helped rescue him; I just can’t see such a sudden change in anyone.

The cover art by Reese Dante is great and I love how it follows the style from the previous books.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 141 pages

Published: September 28, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-961-1

Edition Language: English

Series: A Love You So Story

A Lucy Audiobook Review: Love You so Hard (Love You So Stories #1) by Tara Lain and Narrator: Ry Forest / Stephen Kurpis (Vitruvian Sound)

Rated 3.5 stars out of 5

Craig is having a really bad month. He is a strategic planner for an IT company and he’s very good at his job. He was up for a promotion that he didn’t get because an office sleezeball stole his ideas and took all the credit so got the promotion instead. When he decides he needs to take time away from work after hearing this news0, he starts a vacation that immediately is crappy when a well-known slimy slut tries to hit on him and ends up hitting him instead. His beloved mother is battling Alzheimer’s and of course that isn’t getting better. It’s just not a good time.

The only bright spot is the beautiful man he has been seeing at the coffee shop. The one with the “I would bottom you so hard” t-shirt that has featured in many of Craig’s dreams. All that has happened to him has brought him to the realization that he needs to make some changes in his life. When Jesse, the beautiful man, approaches Craig to talk, this is his chance. Craig is going to make those changes and he is going to start with learning to top. He’s always been a bottom, “…no one ever let Craig top. In thirty-two years of life, he’d never once topped.” He also realizes that “He wasn’t even sure he bottomed hard.” Changes, changes need to be made.

So he asks graduate student Jesse to teach him to top. He was astounded to find out Jesse had noticed him before and even more shocked to find out Jesse is attracted to him and is willing to tutor him in the art of the top (from the aspect of an awesome bottom). And so they begin.

I have to say – I really liked both Craig and Jesse. Craig, he is such a good person who really thinks so little of himself. “I mean, you don’t mind being with me? You know. Having people think I’m, like, your date or boyfriend or something.” While Jesse is the younger of them at 21, Craig at 32 comes across as the younger one. As part of their tutoring, Jesse declares that Craig’s final exam will be getting the promotion he deserved or one like it. So he’s going full out to help Craig make changes. Jesse is confident, sweet and knows what he wants; he is just what Craig needs.

I liked the two of them together as well. I liked how Jesse teaches Craig it’s okay to be yourself. “We have as much right to be lovers as anyone.” I loved the changes that Craig was able to make and how he started to look at himself. This was a sweet short story that made me smile. It’s not angsty or overly serious, just some sexy fluff.

I do have to mention that narration by Ry Forest/Stephen Kurpis was really good, the voices being very close to what I would expect by the description of the characters. Except for Ida, the waitress at the coffee shop, who for some reason had a deep gravelly voice!

Cover art: Reese Dante. It’s a great cover and works perfectly for the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio, 3 pages
Published July 17th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press (first published June 2nd 2013)
Original TitleLove You So Hard
ASINB07FMCDX34
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesLove You So Stories #1

An Alisa Release Day Review: The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean (The Middlemark Mysteries #1) by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Dr. Llewellyn Lewis leads a double life, as both an awkward but distinguished history professor and the more flamboyant Ramon Rondell, infamous writer of sensational historical theories. It’s Ramon who first sets eyes on a gorgeous young man dancing in a club, but Llewellyn who meets teaching assistant Blaise Arthur formally at an event held for wealthy socialite Anne de Vere, descendant of Edward de Vere, seventeenth Earl of Oxford—who some believe was the real Shakespeare. Anne wants Llewellyn to prove that claim, even though many have tried and failed. And she’s willing to offer a hefty donation to the university if he succeeds.

It also means a chance for Llewellyn to get to know Blaise much better.

Not everyone thinks Llewellyn should take the case—or the money. Between feuding siblings, rival patrons, jealous colleagues, and greedy administrators, almost anyone could be trying to thwart his work… and one of them is willing to kill to do it.

When Anne de Vere turns up dead, the police believe Blaise is the murderer. Only the shy, stuttering professor who has won his heart can prove otherwise….

This was a fascinating story. Llewellyn is adorably shy and when he is himself he prefers to hide away in his office behind books and research. Blaise easily draws everyone in and wants nothing more than to catch Llew.

Llew if trying to decide what to do with pressure from all sides and no one really caring how he feels about it. But Blaise stands by him and throws everything he ever thought about himself out the window. But the truth about why Blaise is at MIddlemark may keep them apart.

I loved Llewellyn, even though he is crazy shy he can stand up for himself too and it was easy to understand him as most of the story is through his eyes. It was great to see him find someone who wants to care for him and doesn’t see him as a burden. Only a small portion is seen through Blaise’s eyes and when we do see his thoughts it’s easy to see how conflicted he is about what he is doing but his actions really show how he feels. I can’t wait to see what else happens around Middlemark.

I love the cover art by Kanaxa is give so man little visuals from the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages

Published: July 31, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-486-9

Edition Language: English

Series: Middlemark Mysteries #1

Release Day Blitz: The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean by Tara Lain (excerpt and giveaway)

A cozy mystery with a tongue-tied nerd of a history professor tempted by a gorgeous graduate student and millions of dollars if he can solve one of history’s greatest mysteries — who was Shakespeare really?

The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean

by Tara Lain

Blurb:

Dr. Llewellyn Lewis leads a double life, as both an awkward but distinguished history professor and the more flamboyant Ramon Rondell, infamous writer of sensational historical theories. It’s Ramon who first sets eyes on a gorgeous young man dancing in a club, but Llewellyn who meets teaching assistant Blaise Arthur formally at an event held for wealthy socialite Anne de Vere, descendant of Edward de Vere, seventeenth Earl of Oxford-who some believe was the real Shakespeare. Anne wants Llewellyn to prove that claim, even though many have tried and failed. And she’s willing to offer a hefty donation to the university if he succeeds.

It also means a chance for Llewellyn to get to know Blaise much better.

Not everyone thinks Llewellyn should take the case-or the money. Between feuding siblings, rival patrons, jealous colleagues, and greedy administrators, almost anyone could be trying to thwart his work… and one of them is willing to kill to do it.

When Anne de Vere turns up dead, the police believe Blaise is the murderer. Only the shy, stuttering professor who has won his heart can prove otherwise…

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

About the Author

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and more. Readers often call her books “sweet,” even with all that hawt sex, because Tara believes in love and her books deliver on happily-ever-after. In addition to writing dozens and dozens of romance novels, Tara also owns an advertising and public relations firm. Her love of creating book titles comes from years of manifesting ad headlines for everything from analytical instruments to semiconductors. She does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. Together with her soulmate husband and her soulmate Dog, she recently realized a vision to live where there were a lot more trees and a lot fewer cars by moving to Ashland, Oregon. She hasn’t stopped smiling since.

You can find Tara at Lain

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Presented by

A Lucy Audiobook Review: Hearts and Flour By Tara Lain/ Ry Forest (narrator), Stephen Kurpis (narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

In a word, I thought this story was adorable. Micah is a raw vegan food evangelist who owns a vegan cafe, making up for a childhood of poisoning (alcohol) that finally killed his mother. He is rabid about all things healthy and wants his customers to take it as seriously as he does. He gets upset when they “mostly” follow healthy guidelines. To top it all off, he goes home early and finds the cheating, pathetic loser he calls his boyfriend having sex in their bed with someone else. Very classy guy, who is then shocked that Micah is kicking him out. Dharmaram is such a user it is ridiculous. But poor Micah. “And here he sat. Alone. Dharmaram didn’t want him. His customers didn’t want him.”

When he begins to realize even his most loyal customers may be following some of his advice but certainly not all of it (as evidenced by the giant cupcakes he keeps catching them eating), its demoralizing for him. He decides to attend his friend Yancy’s anti-Valentine’s Day party (orgy) to get laid and forget the cheater. Here, he meets Queen, who is so pretty in a fire engine red dress that Micah first thinks he is a woman, and hot sex ensues. Queen is very reticent about meeting up again but Micah can’t forget him. When he calls Queen, they go out again and sparks again fly.

It is when Micah realizes who Queen really is, i.e. Quentin the evil cupcake baker, that the problem starts. Despite the obvious attraction, “So masculine and ladylike at the same time. So brazenly sexy and so innocent. You turn me on like a Ferrari ignition”, Micah can’t get past the “poison” that Quentin is selling to his customers. As a vegetarian, even I was thinking “Micah, calm down!” but poor baby, he had a rough week.

There is more drama with Dharmaram, who really just is a piece of work. There is Queen’s lovely Southern grandmother, Mary Beth, who is gentile and the typical Southern lady. Or is she? The love she has for Quentin and he for her is so wonderful.

There is quite a bit of sex for the length of the book and the rest really is fluffy and cute. I did want to get to read Micah having an orgy of cupcakes (SUGAR cupcakes) but that will have to wait. I am positive he will succumb to Charismatic Cupcakes sooner or later. Recommended for a light, quirky read.

Interestingly enough, there are two narrators, Ry Forest and Stephen Kurpis, but I would have sworn it was all the same person. I was a little worried at first because the voice seemed melodramatic but as the book progressed the voices fit. Quentin is given that South Carolina drawl, sexy as hell.

Cover art by Amanda Kelsey shows Micah holding a fluffy pink cupcake and I felt that was a great fit to the book.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible |

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook
Published June 19th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published January 30th 2013)
Original TitleHearts and Flour
Edition LanguageEnglishsettingCalifornia (United States)
Laguna Beach, California (United States)

An Alisa Release Day Review: Love You So Madly (Love You So Stories #2) by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Ben Shane has it all… and he’d like to give some of it back. While he loves his job heading a foundation that funds worthy causes around the world, his engagement to one of America’s wealthiest men leaves him feeling more like a trophy wife than a valued partner. The first warning that his relationship might not be designed to last is his irresistible lust for Dusty Kincaid, the golden-haired, bright-eyed handyman for his company.

Though Dusty is odd for a twenty-three-year-old—no liquor, no sugar, and he can’t even drive—the more Ben gets to know Dusty, the more he admires him. But is Ben going to give up a guy who drives a Ferrari for one who takes the bus? He must be mad. Dusty knows he and Ben can never work. After all, Ben’s perfect… and Dusty isn’t. But Ben might surprise everyone with proof that he’s only mad in love.

I read the first book in this series when it first came out years ago and loved it, I was excited to see the author is now continuing the series because I love a sweet shorter story almost all the time. Ben is drawn to Dusty when he first sees him and finds that he enjoys his company much more than his fiancé. Dusty has been a bit sheltered due to his health concerns but embraces the chance to spend some time with Ben.

I still can’t figure out why Ben said yes to Alan’s proposal, he doesn’t seem to really have anything in common or enjoy spending time with him, it may just have been flattery at the time. I did love his openness to Dusty and how willing he is to adapt his life to someone who actually matters to him. I loved seeing Dusty finally get something good in his life and you could see how he didn’t want anyone to feel bad for him. Both of these characters were wonderful and it was easy to connect and see what they were feeling. I can’t wait to read more of these stories as they come out.

The cover art by Reese Dante is great and I love the visual of Dusty.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 120 pages

Published: May 29, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-448-7

Edition Language: English

Series: A Love You So Story

A Lila Release Day Review: Hearts and Flour by Tara Lain

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Can a raw food enthusiast find love with a guy who bakes cupcakes?

When Micah Truveen’s devoted health-food customers start showing up with white flour, Micah wants to chew nails! To make his misery worse, he finds his yoga teacher boyfriend in bed with another guy the day before Valentine’s Day. Micah decides to drown his misery at a friend’s anti-Valentine’s Day orgiastic hookup party—and meets the beautiful Queen, a gorgeous cross-dresser who’s got Southern sugah in his mouth and the right equipment under the dress. But when the hookup turns serious, Micah has to compromise to protect Queen’s secrets from his beloved grandmother. With everything against them, can two hearts rise above the flour?

Hearts and Flour is a non-traditional anti-Valentine’s day story and the main characters have non-traditional jobs to go with the story. It has a cross-dressing baker and a grumpy raw vegan in need of loving.

This is a lite-hearted sweet short with several funny moments and some interesting characters. It’s an opposites-attract romance with two men finding something they didn’t know they were looking for. Queen’s grandma adds the comedic relief to the story and a group of helpful friends is perfect for such a short story.

There are several miscommunication moments that took away from the story and some of the wording needed updating; especially since this is a second edition. Overall, this is a typical Tara Lain story; quirky, sweet, and hot.

The cover by Reese Dante follows the style of other books by the author. It goes with the theme and the Laguna Beach stories.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner| Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 87 pages
Published: February 14, 2018, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781640805170
Edition Language: English

A Jeri Release Day Review: Bleu Balls (Balls to the Wall #7) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

I was looking forward to this book. Bobby and Robin aka “Double Trouble” have been fun background characters in several of the books in this series. Twin brothers equals twice the fun, romance and sex right? Not so much.

When Robin and Bobby are in the running to paint a huge mural in an office, they really want the job. But one of the men has an instant disliking for Robin and insists that Bobby do the painting. This bugged me, because that is so utterly unrealistic. And then they agree to it and assume the 3rd grade tactic of taking each other’s places. Just silly.

Enter Micah- the son of their doctor who is taking over the practice. More confusion ensues as to who he is really attracted to and what he should do about it. Well, he just won’t be their doctor anymore! Simple! Again, just silly.

The charade of the brothers pretending to be each other were just a little too much. Because of that I didn’t feel like the romance between either couple was genuine.

As with the others, there are lots of appearances by previous book couples which is always nice. Much like the book. It was just….nice. I was hoping for and expecting a bit more.

Cover Art by Reese Dante is adorable and works for both the story and series.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Expected publication: January 9th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBalls to the Wall #7, Balls to the Walls (DSP) #7

A Lila Audiobook Review: Fool of Main Beach (Love in Laguna #5) by Tara Lain and K.C. Kelly (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Merle Justice wants to reach for the stars, but it’s tough to get respect when playing a teenybopper vampire on TV. Then he meets a famous director anxious to give him all he thinks he wants—and maybe a bit more. Everything’s looking up until a life-threatening encounter with some homophobes on Main Beach puts Merle face-to-face with a Sasquatch-sized hero in a pink puffer coat.

Tom Henry defies description. As unsophisticated and simple as an angel, he walks through life content with who he is and asking for very little except to care for his sister, Lily, and the dogs he loves. Then he meets Merle, the embodiment of dreams he barely knows he has. Merle knows the people who hold his future in their hands might love Tom—but they’ll never understand Merle and Tom together. Tom knows it too. With lives this far apart, who’s really the fool of Main Beach?

Fool of Main Beach is a sweet story about simple love and friendship. As with the rest of the books in this series, it’s also sexy and interesting. It takes a minute to get reacquainted with Merle and to remember him from previous books, but after that, it’s easy to follow his story.

This is a hurt/comfort book and Tom and Justice complemented each other with all their differences. Tom’s truthful ways are refreshing in comparison to Justice’s jaded views. In their case, taking the time to talk helped their relationship and allowed them to recognize what they needed from each other.

We get enough time with each main character to understand the decisions they take and how they move forward. All the individual events and conversations are important to understand the MCs’ reservations. Overall, they work as a couple.

There’s a lot happening and the plot goes beyond the main romance. It ties the series together and shows Tom’s and Justice’s family relationships. In Justice case, he learns more about himself and what he needs. And Tom finally sees all his positive qualities. Plus, we can’t forget how all the characters from the previous stories helped guide the new couple.

K.C. Kelly has done a nice job keeping all the characters from previous books up to par and adding new ones. It’s easy to hear the differences between them, bringing all the stories together. Plus, we get to learn more about the main character through his interpretation.

As always, the cover by Reese Dante fits the book. It’s simple but interesting enough. And it makes more sense after reading the story.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: K.C. Kelly
Length: 9 hours and 17 minutes

Published: November 4, 2016 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B0774TGFHW
Edition Language: English

Series: Love in Laguna
Book #1: Knight of Ocean Avenue
Book #2: Knave of Broken Heart
Book #3: Prince of the Playhouse
Book #4: Lord of a Thousand Steps
Book #5: Fool of Main Beach

A Jeri Release Day Review: Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Another in the Balls to the Wall series by Tara Lain. While it was an ok read, it definitely wasn’t my favorite.

Ultimately it had a good message: be true to yourself and who you are. And that went for BOTH of the main characters.

Even though his friends warned him not to, JJ pretended to be who he wasn’t. The big football player type guy was really a queen who loves pink and is deathly afraid of spiders. But he doesn’t think that newly transplanted cop Ryan went for femme guys. So he gets a crash course on football, does everything not to flail his arms around when he is talking and tries to act super masculine. And Ryan falls for it.

But Ryan has his own secret. He doesn’t want his coworkers to know that he is gay. And while he had a reason for this, this still kind of bugged me. They were in Laguna which is kind of known as a having a large gay community. If you are going to move from NYC to Laguna, be yourself! But alas, he wanted to stay in the closet.

Inevitably the truth comes out for both. And both men need to learn to love and accept themselves so that others will love and accept them as well.

Fairly fluffy with a couple of dark points- mainly the past rearing it’s ugly head for both characters- it was an ok read. It felt like it jumped around a bit and for Ryan who was determined to stay in the closet, he rationalizes hanging out with JJ in public. Even going away for the weekend.

They were a cute couple who reversed the “norms” (big guy alpha, smaller guy beta) and we got to see most of the previous characters in the series which was nice. Ultimately I am glad it was a short book.

Cover art by Reese Dante is cute and fits in with the rest of the series.

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 121 pages
Published December 6th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published December 5th 2012)
ISBN139781634773669
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBalls to the Wall #4, Balls to the Walls (DSP) #6

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: