Tag: eXtasy Books

A Paul B Review: Not a Line of Bull (A Loving Nip #6) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Not A Line of Bull coverCassium Jones is a vampire that has lived nearly 400 years. During his forced seclusion from society, he is tending to a small ranch owned by his coven. One day while he is riding checking the property, he notices that the fence line has been compromised and in need of repair. While repairing the fence, he notices blood around the area. He goes to check his herd of cattle to see if any of them have been hurt. When he reaches the heard, he notices an injured bull laying about the cows. When he checks on the injured bull, he discovers that not only is he a bull shifter but also his beloved.

Garth Omicron has been driven from his shifter herd. Having refused to mate with the mother of his second calf because he doesn’t love her and she is a terrible mother to his two children, Garth is beaten and gored by the inner circle of the herd. He wanders into a field some miles away from his herd territory and finds an Angus cattle farm. When the owner confronts him as to why he is vampire territory, he thinks things have gone from bad to worse. However, contrary to how he had been taught, this vampire seems to want to help him for some unknown reason.

While Cassium suspects that they might be mates, Garth has no concept of the idea. In his herd, people of paired together based on bloodlines to prevent inbreeding among the herd. Outsiders are rarely brought into the group, which for the most part live a self-sufficient life. The only people allowed to have contact with the outside world are the inner circle. When Cassium hears of the treatment of most of the shifters, he promises to help them out, especially Garth and his two children. The big question is whether or not Garth will accept Cassium as his mate despite all that his herd has been taught and accept the proffered help.

This sixth book in the Loving Nip series is another satisfying read in the author’s paranormal universe. Garth is an interesting character as he is a bull shifter but is not one of the dominant shifters in his herd. Having a somewhat submissive bull plays against stereotypes. I was somewhat surprised that the resolution to the herd’s mess occurred mostly off the pages of the book with one major exception. However, the resolution did provide a hint at one of Ms. Richard’s upcoming books in her universe.

The cover art by Carmen Waters shows Cassium as a well-built farmer in an open plaid shirt in front of a valley vista during sunset. It is another well done cover in the series.

Sales Links:   Extasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details

Ebook, 89 pages
Edition: English
Published: September 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0477-2
Series: A Loving Nip
A Nip of Good Cheer (A Loving Nip #1)
A Rose for Paul’s Protector (A Loving Nip #2)
An Unforgettable Bite (A Loving Nip #3)
More than Patient (A Loving Nip #4)
Sharing a Demon’s Blood (A Loving Nip #5)
Not a Line of Bull (A Loving Nip #6)

A Paul B Review: Craig (Gillham Pack #3) by Catherine Lievens

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars  ★★★★

Craig coverCraig used to work for Glass Research Company as a security guard.  However, was also working for the local lion pride to rescue shifters being held by Glass.  Can he make a new life after his final rescue attempt while staying with the local wolf pack?

After his last rescue effort that brought Gillham pack alpha mate Zach home, Craig has decided to stick around the wolf pack in order to disappear from his former employers.  He has developed a special friendship with Jago, the elephant shrew shifter that was among the last of his rescues.  During a pack gathering in which the nearby lion pride is also invited, both men notice a man walking from the woods.  Craig could see himself in bed with the man if it weren’t for the cheesy moustache the man has.

Thomas is a member of the inner circle of the Gillham pack.  His pack alpha Kameron has noticed that Thomas has not been behaving normally the last few months.  To get his mind off his troubles, Kameron assigns Thomas to befriend the human Craig in order to convince the man to make the pack a permanent home.  It would not be so bad except that he gets jealous whenever Jago is hanging around Craig.  After meeting the man, Thomas realizes that Craig is his fated mate.  There are only two complications.  Craig seems to already have a boyfriend in Jago and Thomas has a wife and family.  Thomas must decide whether he wants to fight for his mate and possibly break several hearts in the process or walk away and have his broken instead.  When Thomas sees what appears to be kiss between Craig and Jago in the pack house, Thomas takes an action that answers his question.  But what will be the ramifications of it?

This is the third book in Catherine Lievens’ Gillham Pack series.  She does a nice job in bringing a minor character in the previous book and gives him the main story in the next.  Thomas must deal with his marriage that has been falling apart for a while before Craig ever shows on the scene.  He must also deal with his brother who does not understand how after years of marriage Thomas decides to mate with a man.  The scenes with Thomas’s son Eli talking to both his father and Craig are heart warming.   I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows the shirtless torso of a well build man who is wearing blue jeans along with a wolf howling.  It fits the motif of other books in the series.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Ebook, 137 pages
Edition:  English
ISBN:  978-1-4874-0404-8
Published:  August 15, 2015 by Extasy Books

Series:  Gillham Pack

  • Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)
  • Zach (Gillham Pack #2)
  • Craig (Gillham Pack #3)

A Paul B Review: Yummy Indulgences (Men of Charlestown #2) by Andi Anderson

Rating:  4 out 5 stars

Yummy Indulgences coverWhen Allen (AJ) Gardner is talked into sampling cakes for his parent’s anniversary party, little did he know that he would fall for the sweet owner of the bakery.

Allen Gardner has just finished his shift at the meat rendering plant where is the supervisor.  When his sister is unable to keep her appointment at the local bakery. He is to meet Shiloh, the owner of Yummy Indulgences.  After initially mistaking the owner’s sister for Shiloh, Allen is surprised that not only is Shiloh a man but one of the prettiest men he has ever seen.

Shiloh Ballard is the owner and baker at Yummy Indulgences.  Always nervous around good-looking apparently straight men, he starts to fidget around Allen.   After Allen has sampled the variety of cakes that Shiloh has prepared, Shiloh takes a chance and asks Allen if he could cook him dinner one night.  Allen readily accepts.

The date goes well and things begin to get more serious.  The one thing that puts a damper on things is the fact that Allen is not fully out of the closet at work.  Shiloh says that as long as Allen is honest with him, things will work out, as they should be.

As the relationship progresses, Allen begins to seriously consider his options as to his employment and whether or not he can stay in the homophobic work place.  Will he take advantage of an opportunity that suddenly arises that might solve his problem?

This is a reissue of the first book in Andi Anderson’s Men of Charlestown series.  When I first read this book, I feel in love with the sweet, shy Shiloh.  I loved the way that his relationship with Allen seems to bring Shiloh out of his shell somewhat.  And while Allen does not suffer from outright workplace harassment, the author displays the overly heterosexual attitudes that would make a closeted gay man uncomfortable.   This is a good start to her series.  I am glad to see this in publication again.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters depicts our two men kissing in what appears to be a kitchen setting.  I thought this cover missed the mark a bit.  The model who is suppose to be Allen does not appear to be as well built as the author describes him.  Meanwhile, the major feature of Shiloh, his long black hair is missing as the model portraying him has short hair.  I know that covers may not be perfect representations but I would expect at least the major characteristics to be accurately reflected.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details

Ebook, 100 pages
Edition:  English
ISBN:  978-1-4874-0386-7
Published:  July 2015 by Extasy Books
Series:  Men of Charlestown

  • Yummy Indulgences (Men of Charlestown #1)
  • His Christmas Wish (Men of Charlestown #2)
  • Daniel’s Dream (Men of Charlestown #3)
  • Angel’s Redemption (Men of Charlestown #4)

A Paul Review: Pint-Sized Protector (Wolves of Stone Ridge #30) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4 out of 5 starts    

Pint Sized Protector coverReturning home from a negotiation mission for his wolf shifter pack, Cayden Rochette smells the scent of his mate upon entering the house he shares with his brothers.  Can he convince the skittish cat shifter that his problems are behind him and to accept Cayden as his mate?

Ajax has recently been rescued from a group of scientists.  Having spent most of his life in his Andean mountain cat form trying to survive in the wild after the death of his mother, he prefers that form to his human one.  Currently staying with a wolf pack that helped attain his freedom, Ajax is waiting for the time to leave the wolves behind and return to his favorite pastime of climbing trees away from civilization.

Cayden Rochette is a negotiator for the Stone Ridge wolf pack.  He has been away talking with a local coyote pack about expanding the wolf pack’s territory.  He arrives back home and is met by his brothers.  When he goes to introduce himself to the shifter that is staying in their collective home, he realizes that the Andean mountain cat is his mate.

After Cayden convinces Ajax to shift and tells him that they are mates, Ajax has no idea what he is talking about.  However, Ajax is drawn to Cayden because of the mate pull.  Afraid that hunters might take him again, Ajax expresses his concern to Cayden.  Cayden assures him that they are on pack lands and nothing will happen to him.  However, one of the coyotes of the pack that Cayden negotiated with is not happy with the deal that he made with the coyote alpha and comes to renegotiate the terms of the deal.  When Cayden says he will deal only with the alpha, the coyote shifter promises to be back.

This is the thirtieth edition of the Wolves of Stone Ridge series.  As with a few of the books in this series, it deals with a rescued shifter who meets their mate because of their rescue.  Ajax’s innocence and naivety comes across as sweet even though it has been used before in this series.  However, Ajax does show he is not to be messed with later in the book.

The cover art by Angela Waters shows Cayden in his human form with Ajax in his mountain cat form in the background.  It is a pretty standard cover for the series.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books  | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon |  Buy It Here

Book Details

Ebook, 104 pages,
Edition:  English
ISBN:  978-1-4874-0473-1
Published:  August 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
Series:  Wolves of Stone Ridge

Find the list of all 30 books to date 

  at eXtasy Books  or at Goodreads Wolves of Stone Ridge Page

A Paul B Review: Sharing a Demon’s Bond (A Loving Nip #5) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sharing a Demon's Bond coverPeople have been found dead with a smile on their face. Rumors of a demon being in the area have the local vampire coven nervous. When Peter Connelly, human blood donor and protectorate of the coven goes missing, the search to find him begins.

Peter Connelly has lived in a vampire coven since he was six years old. He has spent the past 20 years in the company of different paranormal species. Surely, he knows all there is to know about other beings. When he meets a sexy man in a diner, he feels an instant attraction to him. He begins to wonder if this man might be a paranormal and he might be his mate. After all, he has seen all the signs when members of the vampire coven have found the beloved.

Balthazar is a demon. He has spent the past millennium serving his master bringing him souls. After such a length of service, a demon may find his amina, his soul. He must complete his bonding within a three day period before he must wait another thousand years for the chance to find his mate. Balthazar spots Peter in a local diner. He follows Peter in the restroom. Knowing that Peter is at least aware of vampires from his smell, Balthazar informs Peter that he is his amina. He convinces Peter to offer himself and whisks him away to his cabin in the woods.
Toni Bastille has been Peter’s lover for the past 7 years. Although they are quite close, Toni knows that Peter is not his beloved. So they keep their relationship open in order to allow each of them to find their mate. When Toni realizes that Peter has not returned from his errand, he begins to worry. With the possibility of a demon on the loose, he wants to find Peter as soon as possible.

After the vampire coven has found the hideout and the three men come to an understanding as to what will happen in the future, outside forces kidnap Peter. Balthazar, who knows he must complete the bonding ceremony soon or else lose his chance forever with Peter, seeks the aid of the vampire coven. Will they find Peter in time for Balthazar to find his soul?

This is the fifth book in the Loving Nip series by Charlie Richards. This series focuses on the various vampires that have been introduced into her Stone Ridge universe. I like the introduction of demons into the series. It could give Ms Richard’s an avenue of another series within her universe. I found myself pleased that Peter has finally found his mate yet ache for Toni as he has lost his companion for the last few years through no fault of his own. I hope that Toni will soon find his own beloved to soothe his broken heart.

Carmen Waters’ cover once again strikes the right tone for the book. It shows a shirtless Peter in the foreground with what looks like Balthazar’s demon in the doorway of the local vampire coven or his cottage in the woods.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook: 87 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0437-6
Published: July 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
Edition: English

Series: A Loving Nip
• A Nip of Good Cheer (Loving Nip #1)
• A Rose for Paul’s Protector (Loving Nip #2)
• An Unforgettable Bite (Loving Nip #3)
• More than Patient (Loving Nip #4)
• Sharing a Demon’s Bond (Loving Nip #5)

Catch a Thrill with The Minder by Catherine L Byrne (excerpt and giveaway)

theminder

The Minder by Catherine L Byrne
Release Date: July 15, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Extasy Books
Cover Artist: Latrisha Waters

Sales Links: Amazon  |  Amazon UK |  eXtasy Books

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Our Mini Interview with Catherine L. Byrne

• Do you have a favorite recipe that you are willing to share?
CLB: This is a recipe for starving students, invented when I was a student—take one tin of tuna, one tin of sweetcorn and one tin of chopped tomatoes. Put into a saucepan and heat gently for at least 20 minutes until it all thickens. Then eat with crusty bread.

• Tell us something that people would be surprised you know how to do.
CLB:  Drive a rally car. My husband treated me to a Rally day at Brands Hatch a while ago for a special birthday and I learned oversteer, understeer and how to get out of a 360 degree spin!

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The Minder Blurb:

When down-on-his-luck minder Chase takes on a job for a fading gangster, the job and his charge both turn out to be very different to what he expected. Someone is trying to sabotage the mobster’s business and doesn’t care who they hurt in the process. Soon Chase finds himself on the run with his charge, trying to carry out a friend’s last wishes before their pursuers catch up with them.

Pages or Words: 92 pages

Categories: Gay fiction, M/M Romance, Mystery, Thriller

Excerpt from The Minder

They sneaked down the stairs and along the corridor like ghosts, the voices of the killers shouting in the distance. Chase went first and they reached the long, white kitchen. The spare sets of car keys were in a box by the back door so people could take or return them on the way out. He had just grabbed one when Jody clutched his arm.

“I have to go back for my phone,” he hissed.

“Really? You little—” But Jody had a point. They needed phones to communicate. “I’ll come with you. Just a sec.”

He pointed the key through the window blinds at the parked cars lining the driveway by the garage and the red Ferrari 458 flashed its lights. “Nice.”

“Come on.” Jody pulled his arm again and they crept out of the kitchen towards the stairs and Jody’s bedroom.

They reached Jody’s room and it only took him a few minutes to locate the phone and shove it in his pocket. Then Chase remembered something.

“Quick, come with me.” He steered Jody into Tony’s office, unlocked the safe, took out stacks of notes and put them in his rucksack.

“What are you doing?” Jody glared at him. “Stealing?”

Chase pushed him against the wall—no time for pleasantries. “Listen, we’ve got to go or they’ll kill us too,” he snarled in Jody’s face. “Understand? Come with me or I’ll leave you to them.”

Jody gulped and nodded, his brown eyes wide.

“Good.” Chase let him go and dragged him out of the office and down the stairs.

About the author:

Catherine L Byrne writes stories about relationships which push buttons and provoke reactions from readers. She writes about both gay and straight relationships, depending on which characters in her books shout the loudest to have their stories told.

An inquisitive author, she prefers writing about different situations in each book rather than writing a series about the same one—her stories range from 10th century Viking Britain, to modern educational settings and from mystery to romance.

As she was born and bred in England and lives there with her family, this infuses her books with a distinctly English tone. She has been writing since as long as she can remember and Extasy Books have published her novels since 2014.

Where to find the author:
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineLByrne
Blog: https://catherinelbyrne.wordpress.com/
eXtasy Author Page

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘The Minder’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Tour Dates & Stops:

Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Charley Descoteaux, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Havan Fellows, Inked Rainbow Reads, It’s Raining Men, Jessie G. Books, Michael Mandrake, Mikky’s World of Books, MM Good Book Reviews, Parker Williams, Prism Book Alliance, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, The Hat Party, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Velvet Panic, Wake Up Your Wild Side

A Paul B Review: More Than Patient (A Loving Nip Book 4) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

More Than PatientGarner met his beloved at a holiday party months ago. Even the taste of bagged blood is not enough for the vampire. What will convince his beloved that they are meant to be together?

Brock Sanchez has a problem. Several months ago, he was at a holiday party that was hosted by a friend. The plan was to bed the two sexy female vampires he had been chatting with most of the evening. Instead he became fascinated with a male vampire by the name of Garner. Their night of lovemaking was the hottest that he had ever had. Since then, no matter how often he tries to get himself laid, nothing can come close to Garner. The only relief he can find is through pleasuring himself and thinking of the sexy male vampire as he does it. He cannot be gay. After all, his mother expects grandbabies from him and his wife.

Garner Vorzman has a problem. He has met his one and only beloved some months ago at a holiday party. Since he had met his beloved, blood directly from donors that live at the coven no longer appeals to him. He survives on bagged blood. However, even that is beginning to leave a sour taste in his month. He must convince his beloved that he belongs at his side. But first he must convince Brock that maybe he is not as straight as he thinks he is. He decides to use Brock’s reluctance against him. He decides to have Brock allow him to drink his blood on a regular basis or he will tell everybody what the two of them after the holiday party. If Brock still decides he does not want a relationship, he will leave him alone.

While I enjoyed the story for the most part, I tend to disagree with Garner’s solution to Brock’s reluctance. This is his beloved that he is trying to woo. What better way to start a lifetime commitment than to essentially blackmail your lover into doing what you need. Other characters in the author’s books have found creative ways to entice a reluctant mate/beloved in the past. Luckily, with the help of Brock’s friends explaining the need of a beloved to a vampire that Garner’s plan does not backfire. There had to have been a way to convince Brock to see with without the threat of outing, especially for beings who value their secrecy. So I deduct a half a star on that basis.

The cover art by Carmen Waters depicts a well build young man standing shirtless in either a study or library of a house. This is what I would picture Brock would look like and is well done. Ms Waters does the covers for different series for Ms Richards and has developed a unique style for each one.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books  |  All Romance (ARe)  |  Amazon  |  Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook,: 89 pages
Edition: English
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0416-1
Series: A Loving Nip
A Nip of Good Cheer (A Loving Nip #1)
A Rose for Paul’s Protector (A Loving Nip #2)
An Unforgettable Bite (A Loving Nip #3)
More than Patient (A Loving Nip #4)

A Paul B Review: Xavier (Gillham Pack #1) by Catherine Lievens

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Xavier coverXavier’s life has gone to hell. He has broken up with his boyfriend. A stalker after his ex has attacked him. Now people change into animals. It’s enough to make one pass out.

Xavier has ended his relationship with Andrew, who is dating someone new. However, a stalker who has taken an obsession with Andy does not know this and attacks Xavier. When friends of Andrew find a job for Xavier in the nearby town of GIllham, Xavier’s world is about to turn upside down. Xavier finds out that not only are Andrew’s friends shape shifters but also the men that he will be working for in Gillham.

Andy is a member of the Gillham pack of wolf shifters. When his alpha and best friend Kameron asks Andy to watch over a man sent by the local cat pride for his protection, Andy reluctantly agrees. When he meets Xavier, he recognizes the man as his mate. Making moves to confirm his suspicions, Andy scares Xavier worse than the stalker that is after his ex Andrew. Making matters worse for Andy is that Xavier wants to talk to his ex for some sort of explanation.

Once mates are explained to Xavier, he goes into a depression since he figures the only reason Andy would want an overweight accountant is because Fate had put them together. Andy assures him that despite the mat e pull that he could walk away if he wanted to do so.

Andy agrees to give Xavier time to settle into the world of the paranormal and mates.

As things begin to settle down for Andy and Xavier, outside forces start to put a strain on their building relationship. Some members of Andy’s family are not happy about him taking a human male as a mate. Also, news about some former pack members who were sold by the former alpha to scientists is brought to the pack’s attention. When Andy returns from the rescue mission, his and Xavier’s lives will be changed.

This is the first book in a new series by Catherine Lievens. The author has incorporated characters from her Whitedell pride series to help kick off this new series. While it would be helpful to have read the Whitedell series to understand some of the overall plotting between the two series, it is not essential. She has set up the scene for future books especially that of Kameron, the wolf pack alpha and Zach. I believe that Zach’s refusal to mate with Kam has something to do with the scientists or associates of the former alpha. I look forward to seeing how this series progresses, especially with Zach.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows a build man who I assume is Andy and his wolf. It is a good cover except that the man doesn’t quite match the description of Andy. It is noted that Andy is tattooed and pierced and those could be seen from his work clothes. The man on the cover has neither that I can see. It is a small quibble on my part.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books  |  All Romance (ARe)  |  Amazon  |  Buy It Here

Book details
Ebook, 121 pages
Edition: English
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978- 1-4874-0301-0
Series: Gillham Pack
Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)

A Paul B Review: Bound to Brody (Shifters and Lovers #1) by Ali Atwood

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Bound To Brody coverWhen Zac McQuade comes home for his niece’s baptism, his college crush Brody Maitland pays him a visit. Hoping for a social call, he is disappointed when he wants his help tracking a missing patient. As the two investigate, things heat up both for them and in the mystery. Will secrets past and present separate them permanently?

Zac McQuade spent several years in the military after school. Upon his release from the military, he is contacted by a government agency to become an elite assassin. As a cover, he informs people that he is in the foreign investigations division of the FBI. After having completed his last assignment, he heads home to attend the christening of his niece and take a much needed breather from work.

Brody Maitland is a psychiatrist at the local university. He is worried when one of his patients disappears with no explanation. Having heard that his former crush is home to visit his family, he contacts Zac in hopes that he will help to unofficially investigate the disappearance of his patient. Zac, knowing that he isn’t trained for this despite his professed credentials, agrees to help Brody out if only to spend some time with him.

As the investigation progresses, they find that the missing student might be victim of a serial killer. While tracking down information, they come to realize that they had feelings for each other while in school. As this bond grows, it serves not only to bring them together but also will be used against them. The killer uses this growing bond to put the protagonists in jeopardy. Will the secret that Brody is keeping which could save them from the killer also destroy the building romance between the two heroes?

This is the first book in the new Shifters and Lovers series by Ali Atwood. There is much that I liked about the book. First, other than the fact the series name, the fact that one of the protagonists is a shifter is not revealed until near the end of the book. To extend this point, our shifter did not grow up knowing about paranormals as he was adopted at an early age. Another difference is that this is not a story of destined mate. It starts out as a story of unrequited love that soon evolves. The author sets up further books in the series as our heroes decide to find out if there are others like him.

I also am interested to see if Zac’s occupation will play in the hunt for more shifters. This is a good start to a new series in my opinion.

The cover art by Scott Carpenter is simply gorgeous. Two well built shirtless men dominate the top two thirds of the cover. The bottom third has a cougar ready to pounce. Nicely done.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books –   All Romance (ARe) –  Amazon   Buy It Here

Book details:
Ebook, 78 pages
Edtion: English
Published: May 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4847-0329-4
Series: Shifters and Lovers
Bound to Brody (Shifters and Lovers #1)