Tag: gay fiction

A MelanieM Review: Murder Between the Pages by Josh Lanyon

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

murder-between-the-pages-by-josh-lanyonFelix Day, author of the Constantine Sphinx mysteries, and Leonard Fuller, author of the Inspector Fez mysteries, are bitter rivals and the best of enemies. Both happen to present when a notorious author of roman à clef is shot by an invisible assailant during a signing at historic Marlborough Bookstore.

Even if they weren’t both suspects, it’s the perfect opportunity to match wits and sleuthing skills.

If only the murderer was equally amused.

Murder Between the Pages by Josh Lanyon combines so many of my  favorites elements.  You have two main characters who happen to write murder mysteries of the type that were popular in the 40’s (and now, they never go  out of style).  They both have incredible past histories, war experiences that have marked them severely enough that neither feels suited to a “typical” return to normal life after the war.  And of course, you have the murder (sometimes murders) mysteries to be investigated and solved by the end of the story.  Romance too, lets not forget.

All wrapped up in a story that involved snappy dialog, beautifully layered characters, and an historical tone and feel that has the post war era all over it.  I loved  it all, from the author hostilities at the book club over their very similiar detectives to the terms used by gay men to signal their sexuality to each other in the 40’s.  Just so well done.

Of course, Josh Lanyon is a favorite author of mine for exactly the same reasons I loved this story.  Its short but doesn’t feel that way.  Its concise and yet at times, I could slow my reading down and admire the language and descriptions of the men and locations.  There’s my regret of a lost character who came and went too soon.  He was so well written even for one so briefly known, full-flavored and believable.

And then there’s the mystery. It comes with just the right amount of angst and flair for the dramatic.

I adore stories like this, can’t get enough of them.  Luckily I have Josh Lanyon who seems to love writing them as much as I love reading them.  Now I can’t wait for the next one to flow off Lanyon’s pen or what have you.

Cover art is superb.  Love it too.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 144 pages
Published November 8th 2016 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.
ASIN B01K2M0QXG
Edition Language English

A Paul B Review: Heart Scarab (Taking Shield #2) by Anna Butler

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

heart-scarab-by-anna-butlerIt’s been a year and a year and a half since Bennet returned from T-18.  Eighteen months since he last saw Fleet Lieutenant Flynn.  Things with Joss are just as rocky as ever since his return from that mission.  So Bennet was half relieved when Rosie, his second in command picks up him for his next mission, the evacuation of illegal settlers on the planet Telnos.  The religious sect that settled there believes it is just a government plot to control them.  However, the Maess drones and ships do show up while Bennet and crew are trying to convince one settlement to leave.  Several are killed during the attack, including children, which Bennet sees as a senseless waste of life.  As the Shield team moves the survivors toward the cutter, Bennet is hit in the helmet with a laser blast.  Rosie gets the remaining survivors on board and leaves the planet, unable to retrieve Bennet.

Back on Albion and the Gyrfalcon word spreads of Bennet’s death.  This news hits the family hard, along with Bennet’s partner Joss.  Joss goes into a depression because of the way he has treated his relationship with Bennet over the past nine years.  He regrets the dozens of affairs that he had while Bennet was off on missions.  He makes an ancient sacrifice to the old gods to help guide Bennet’s soul into the afterlife.  Among the pieces he buries is a heart scarab, the symbol of a heart place keeper of a mummy, which Bennet particularly liked.  When the family attends the midnight watch (the equivalent of a memorial service), Rosie suggests to Caeden, Bennet’s father, that they send another mission to rescue whatever survivors were left to honor Bennet.

When his family does not know is that Bennet survived the attack.  He has been living with a group of miners that failed to get off the planet when the Maess attacked.  He and the chief miner Ifan round up what is left of the human population on the planet that they can find and bring them into the mines for safety.  When his comm link buzzes, he realizes that against all normal protocol, Shield has returned and that he will be rescued.  During the rescue however, he suffers a direct laser blast to his knee, once again putting his life in danger.  His family, Joss, Flynn and Rosie must now deal with the consequences of Bennet’s return. 

This second book in Anna Butler’s Taking Shield series deals with the emotional and psychological effects of relationships and war.  Bennet is still trying to process his reunion with his father.  Joss, having used different men to deal with the loneliness of Bennet’s absence, finds that they were all pointless.  When he learns of Bennet’s affair with Flynn, the question becomes if it is worse to have several different affairs that mean nothing or one affair that means something.  Flynn is all confused as to why Caeden is so interested in helping him with Bennet.  After all is said and done, it seems no one escapes this drama without some heartache.

The cover art by Wilde City Press has Bennet superimposed inside a Shield badge against a star filled sky.  I think it is very appropriate for the book.

Sales Links

Wilde City Press

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Book Details

EBook, 396 pages

Edition Language:  English

Published:  July 22, 2015 by Wilde City Press

ISBN:  978-1-925313-25-3

Series:  Taking Shield

Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield #1)

Heart Scarab (Taking Shield #2)

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Heart & Soul by Shae Connor

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

heart-soul-by-shae-oconnorUnder a hundred pages, this story seems much longer due to the author’s crafty way of weaving us into this tale of a very slow burn romance.  There’s so much character development in an interesting story arc that I simply couldn’t believe it was so short.  And though I would love to read more of this couple, the story ended on a perfect note (pun intended).

Kellen is a pianist in a local bar a few nights a week and weekends as needed. In addition, he teaches piano lessons and has a degree in music education with a concentration in jazz piano, so he’s in the perfect position to help out the new owners who want to mix in some R&B and jazz with the current music selections.  Not one for casual sex, or for relationships for that matter, Kellen is attracted to men but rarely acts on that attraction. So it comes as a surprise to him when his friendship for one of the new owners gives him little tingles in more than just his heart.

Terrence Harvey, former pro football player, finally has a chance to use his business degree when he and his attorney brother purchase the bar together. Though out to his family, the bisexual man has remained closeted to the public due to his career choice, but he finds Kellen fascinating and is more than willing to act on that attraction. Regardless, it isn’t until after the 60% mark in the story that they finally have more than a simple kiss, and oh my, what a scorchin’ hot, complex kiss it is when these two finally set off rockets together.

I enjoy the author’s writing style and appreciate the sense of family, warmth, and connection she brings to her books, not to mention the light touch of humor and a load of romance.  I highly recommend this one to lovers of romance, slow burn, and/or stories featuring musicians.

The very attractive cover by AngstyG features Kellen playing the piano in the bar—a perfect representation of his character.

Sales Link

7104e-waxcreative-amazon-kindle

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 87 pages
Expected publication: November 14th 2016 by Shae Connor
ASINB01LX2XSXW
Edition LanguageEnglish

Cover Reveal for Nobody’s Home by Dev Betham (cover reveal, excerpt and giveaway)

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Title: Nobody’s Home
Author: Dev Bentham
Release Date: November 15th 2016
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

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BLURB

Second chances can appear where you least expect them.

An artist: You can’t go home again—that was Nick’s motto for the past twenty years. He was a teenager when he left his abusive, mentally ill father back in Lacland, a small town in the northwoods of Wisconsin.

Nick’s made a successful life for himself in New York. Then comes the call—his estranged father has killed himself. Nick flies home to a house crumbling from years of neglect, and one very fat bulldog.

And a veterinarian: Jonas doesn’t love his job enforcing university research protocol. His passion is working with dogs, especially volunteering for his boyfriend’s behavioral studies projects. But when he discovers his so-called “life partner” is messing around, he leaps at a job offer in a small town miles away.

In spite of the grief swirling around Nick and Jonas, their first meeting is electric. But Nick will be in town for only a short time and Jonas is still stinging from the betrayal. The men try to keep their distance, but that’s easier said than done, especially in a small town where misery and hope share the same address.

This poignant story about two mature gay men will warm the hearts of readers who believe happy endings are within anyone’s grasp.

**This is an author’s version of the original story first printed in 2013 by Amber Allure.**

Pre-Order: Amazon

Goodreads

EXCERPT

“Nicholas Alsteen?” A man. He couldn’t place the voice. A buyer? Nick hoped so. Selling one of his few remaining finished pieces might take the edge off that damned financial drip.

“Yes.” The familiar stairwell mix of mold and stale cooking enveloped Nick as he waited for the man to go on.

There was a pause and then, “I’m calling about your father.”

“My father?” Nick stopped, one foot halfway to the next step. “There must be some mistake.”

“You’re Nicholas Alsteen, the artist, correct? Your father was Robert Alsteen, he went by—”

“Buddy.” Nick finished. “But whatever you want, I can’t help you. I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He’s dead, son.” Despite the harshness of the words, the voice sounded kind.

Nick sank onto the step.

“My name’s Dan Osborne of the Lacland Sheriff’s Department,” the voice continued. “I’m sorry to spring it on you like this but I’m afraid you’re going to have to come out here. You’re his closest relative. He didn’t leave a will so you’ll need to figure out what to do with his stuff. It isn’t much, the house, a truck. And there’s the…you’ll need to make arrangements for his remains.”

“I think there’s more family somewhere, but he cut himself off.” Nick stared at the dirty stairwell wall, picturing his father’s angry face.

“Doesn’t matter. You’re his legal next of kin.” When Nick didn’t say anything, the sheriff continued, “If you want I can put you in touch with folks who could do it all for you but given everything, it would probably cost more than the estate is worth. And besides, it’s the right thing to do, son. I know Buddy wasn’t easy, but he was your father.”

Some father. But Nick wasn’t exactly in a position to hire out his dirty work. “Okay.”

“When can you come?” Osborne sounded relieved.

Nick looked at his watch, as if that would tell him anything. His calendar was as simple as it could be—big scary opening in nine months, nothing until then. He mumbled something about soon and hung up. A woman was yelling a few floors down. Horns honked outside. A cold blast of air filled the stairwell as the front door opened. Nick stood and climbed back up the stairs, feeling a hundred years older than when he’d started down.

Life stops for death. Nick booked an expensive flight—whatever happened to bereavement rates? He texted Connie at the gallery so she’d know he hadn’t bolted town. He glanced through his phone contact list and decided there wasn’t anyone else who’d really care. He’d always told himself he had to stay detached to have time for his art. But maybe he was more like his father than he wanted to admit. Nick tried to wrap his brain around the thought that the old man was dead. Violent? Yes. Unpredictable? Yes. Crazy? Absolutely. Dead? That was hard to imagine.

Giveaway: Win a copy of Dev Bentham’s Tarnished Souls series

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About the Author

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I write contemporary gay romance. My characters are flawed and damaged adult men who may not even know they’re looking for true love, but when they meet their bershert, their true love, their lives are transformed. My stories are set in the real world where gay men have gay friends, families who do or don’t accept them, personal histories they’re not necessarily proud of and a myriad of experiences that have made them who they are.

I live in Northern Wisconsin with my Boston Terrier and Chicago spouse. I’ve published short stories, poetry, newspaper articles and academic papers and have worked in nearly every profession from restaurants to retail to open-water diving and now write m/m romance out of my fascination with love, courage and gender.

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

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Posy Roberts is Talking Inspiration Behind the ‘Stroke of Luck’ by Posy Roberts (guest post and excerpt)

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Stroke of Luck by Posy Roberts

 

My best friend has an upcycling business. That means she takes sturdy, old furniture that is ugly as sin, because of dated finishes, and turns it into something fabulous that people fight over when she sells it. So this last September, I went to Goodwill with her to hunt down pieces with good bones. I found treasure of my own: dishes. As I was driving away, a woman crashed into the back end of my car. Bye-bye tail light and bumper.posycar

Hello story!

That experience was the impetus for Stroke of Luck. That, and one of my fave holidays: Halloween. And fate. And small worlds. And destiny pushing people together over and over again to give them multiple chances to get it right.

Marc and Cas meet at Goodwill while Cas looks for Halloween costume ideas. It doesn’t go well since Marc laughs at Cas’s choice of jackets. Cas is a defensive sort, a guy who flies off the handle, and he’s a bit of a hothead. Marc, on the other hand, is laid back and cautious. He’s even more cautious than usual at the start of the story because everything he owned burned in a fire and he’s essentially living off the charity of others. That’s why Marc is at Goodwill, furnishing a kitchen on a scant one hundred dollars. And he comes up short.

Despite their attraction for each other, they don’t get it right the first time they meet. Or the second. But the world keeps shoving them back together with one unfortunate situation after the other, which ends up doing something wonderful. Both men learn a great deal about each other before they’re finally given a chance to get it right. Marc learns how loyal and protective Cas is about his best friend, Maisie, and Cas learns Marc is helpful and kind, with all the rough edges he’s used to in a man already worn away.

Can you tell I’m a little bit in love with both of these men? This was so fun to write. It was exciting to write about two bisexual men who also practice what I try to practice in my own life: never assuming a person’s sexuality. Being bi, myself, I’ve been labeled straight because I’m married to a man, and when I get together with other bi and pan people, we often talk about how frustrating this is. So to be able to write about two men who refused to have their sexuality defined by their bed partners and who are also unwilling to make those assumptions about each other… yeah, it was like coming home, which is why I dedicated it to those who refuse to make assumptions.

This is a feel-good book that should leave you smiling and ready to head for your local Goodwill to put together costumes for whatever Cosplay you’re into. But consider backing into your parking spot so when you leave, you don’t get your tail end bashed in.

For those of you who follow along with my flavor ratings on books, this is sweet with a little bit of kink involved.

You’re gonna fall in love with me. You’re already halfway there.

strokeofluckf1After everything Marc owned burned to a crisp, he’s living off the kindness of others. A model condo is his temporary home, and his last dime went to essentials. He doesn’t need another distraction, but the fates conspire against him, setting up a chain of encounters that bring him face to face with Cas.

Cas’s love life has been in limbo for years, lovers moving on as soon as they discover how close he is to his best friend, Maisie. Then he meets Marc. The attraction between the two men can’t be denied, but Cas isn’t sure he can risk his friendship for a guy who will only end up leaving when he sees how close he and Maisie are.

When Marc and Cas discover they live in the same building, it’s kismet. But Marc has to invite chaos into his life if he and Cas stand a chance, and Cas faces a choice between friendship and love. Luck may be on their side… if they’re willing to risk it all.

Genre: MM Romance, contemporary, bisexual, LGBT, Halloween, friendship, love, fate
Length: Novella, 25,000 words
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Buy Links (On KU for 90 days)

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M29RHHU
Universal Amazon: myBook.to/StrokeofLuck
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32790522-stroke-of-luck

Real. Genuine. Love.

image009Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is a Jill of all trades and master of the drill and paintbrush. She’s married to a partner who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep during her writing frenzies. Her daughter, a budding author and cinematographer, helps her come up with character names. For fun, Posy enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make regular life more interesting.

Amazon | Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Tumblr | Facebook

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An Alisa Review: Night Train to New Orleans (Night Train Series Book 2) by Carolina Valdez

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

night-train-to-new-orleansIn New Orleans, the killer still stalks, and confusion and passion heat up the reunion of human and vampire lovers.

 

In this sequel to Night Train to Naples, confusion, danger and passion heat up the reunion of Italian diamond courier Dante Rocco and his once business rival, then lover–the vampire Alexandros Nicolaides. Alex has never wavered in what Dante means to him, but Dante arrives in New Orleans suddenly unsure of his feelings and the impulsive promise he’d made to leave Italy and move to America. In the historic richness of the French Quarter, Dante must decide how he really feels about Alex even as the powerful ruler of the Louisiana vampires complicates their lives, and Giacomo, an unstable vampire, arrives with their murders on his mind.

 

This was a wonderful continuance of this series.  Dante is now doubting his feelings and pledge to move to America to be with Alex after their time apart and all the confusion and people trying to undo their relationship is not helping.  Alex takes things into his own hands to show Dante how important it is for them to be together.

 

Dante continues to be thrown in the deep end of the immortal world while interviewing for a new job with the courier that Alex works for.  He begins to see that he can belong just as Alex begins to fear for his safety more than ever.  Alex struggles with his desire to keep Dante close while also keeping him safe from anyone who means harm.

 

We once again get to see the story from both characters’ points of view and can see what each character is struggling with.  Dante fights with himself over his feelings for Alex, but after Alex forces him to feel unbidden their relationship just blossoms.  This was a nice ending to these characters’ story, I can’t wait to read the next book to see what is in store for Malcolm.

 

Cover art is very nice and follows the pattern for the series.

 

Sales Links: MLR Press | Amazon | ARe

 

Book Details:

ebook, 258 pages

Published: 2nd Edition, September 24, 2016 by MLR Press

ISBN: MLR1020160618

Edition Language: English