Blood Run Cold

by Aleksandr Voinov and Raev Gray

624 Page PDF, May 2010

Lucian Dalca, an ancient vampire, takes an interest in Frederik Berg, a financial advisor with a shady past. Lucian's son, Emil, joins forces with Frederik's enemies and finds love with both of them. Family tensions come to a head, and soon it becomes clear that not everyone will survive the conflicts. Blood Run Cold is a m/m vampire novel with strong BDSM themes and an m/m/m triad.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART
• Reminds me of Bourne Identity or a Gritty James Bond


PARANORMALITY
• Vampire


SEXUALITY
• M/M
• Rough Sex


REVIEW

• The head hopping drove me crazy in the beginning making the characters fill out in a very fuzzy way.

• These men are bad, very bad. I don't think I have come across protagonist quite this bad ever without some sort of redeeming character trait. The darkness is just plain wonderful. An indulgence of our inner predator.

• Didn't manage to hold my attention... I intend to pick it back up, but as of yet I have not finished it.


PERSONAL LURES
• Amara raves about these authors, had to try them.

Promises

by Marie Sexton

Jared Thomas has lived his whole life in the small mountain town of Coda, Colorado. He can't imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the only other gay man in town is twice his age and used to be his teacher, so Jared is resigned to spending his life alone.

Until Matt Richards walks into his life, that is. Matt has just been hired by the Coda Police Department, and he and Jared immediately become friends. Matt claims he is straight, but for Jared, having a sexy friend like Matt is way too tempting. Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s co-workers, Jared fears they'll never find a way to be together—if he can even convince Matt to try.

REVIEW-ETTE

• Not just about the initial formulation of the m/m relationship, but delving deeper into the happily every after and all the complications that go with life.

Hajiri's Pet

Midnight Rain #1

by Auburnimp & Michael Barnette

Hajiri is a zonewarrior. A former gunwhore who once sold his body for money, he’s looking for the job that will let him move up in the live and die world of the Shinjuku Containment Area.

A chance meeting outside a popular Shinjuku club leaves Hajiri in the possession of a corporate high roller’s battlepet. A young human/snow leopard cross genetically engineered to be the perfect sexual partner and bodyguard.

The last thing Hajiri needs is a complication in his life. But how can he turn away a person who had been tossed out like so much trash, especially when that man just saved his life?

Hajiri doesn’t want responsibility. What Hajiri gets is a lot more than he bargained for when the young man shows him what it means to be a battlepet’s Master.

REVIEW

• Scifi M/M romance with battlepets and zonewarriors.

• Takes a little bit to get into the world with all the new vocab thrown at you (including shortened versions of words you aren't familiar with yet) but it is worth the small initial struggle.

• Will be a re-read for me and the series is on my radar.

• Thanks to Chris for putting this on my radar eons ago!

THE TRADESMAN’S ENTRANCE

From Vagabondage Press, A sweet and hilarious gay romantic comedy novelette by London author Cameron Vale.

Virginal Stephen Patterson is suffering from writer’s block on his latest money-spinning bodice-ripper, and his mood can only get worse when Dave the plumber shows up two hours late, mocks him, and plunders his pantry.

But first impressions can be deceptive; Dave is a highly unusual tradesman with an odd line in biscuit-based philosophy, an open-minded approach to sex, and a cast-iron certificate in unblocking all sorts of pipes.

When Dave decides that it’s long past time for Stephen to unclog years of fear and insecurity, Stephen may finally discover who he really is.

REVIEW

• I had never heard it used before, but being fairly new to reading m/m romance I wondered if the title had a dual meaning... YUP!

• Heavy on the London accents (for this New Yorker). Took me a while to decipher the slang though I will admit it pulled me into the story 'cause I had to THINK about what I was reading and comprehend the humor. What does, "ASBO-d reject" mean?

• Example of the slang - Quote from page 19:
"Clock ’em giving yer the old sideways glance when they think yer not looking. Sidle over. Sound them out. Bit of safe footie or music chat to kick things off. Keep it neutral and blokey to start with, then drop in the odd innuendo, see if they take the bait. If they don’t and start to get angsty, pull the innocent card, call them a queer first and walk off in high dudgeon."

• Ms. Vale has a definite style to her writing; full of detail and the oddly distracting adjective suggesting sentient presence to inanimate objects. (Ok, so maybe a quote would better help you understand, since my mimicry will most likely confuse rather than inform.)

• Example of style - Quote from page 2:
"Having witnessed this particular breakdown on a plenitude of occasions, the front door waves goodbye to patience and lets rip a series of short, staccato bangs, jumping the needle from the stuck record of Stephen’s soliloquy."

• Protagonist Stephens' bodice-ripper characters breaking into the story remind me of Ripping the Bodice by Inara Lavey.

• Stephen mouthing off to the characters in his head is totally on par with the way my amateur scribblings evolve. (My husband just watches me with an odd smile on his face when he catches those one sided conversations - indulgent hunk.)

• Unique and creative phrasing: "pneumatically heaving breasts" and "Yer such a panic-merchant"

• Awesome powerplay, trippy philosophy, hot messy sex. It's all good.

• Fun and quirky, I couldn't stop grinning the whole time I read this story.

• Oh! And why is it that this m/m romance understands that anal sex doesn't happen on the first time when erotic menages just plunder that virgin ass? /rant

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I'm partial to old wild west cowboy accents meself, "I reckon you ain't got no 'shine round these parts, eh?"

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GFY Cops get into hot water and leather together.

The Assignment

by Evangeline Anderson

190 Page Trade Paperback, Original Publication 2006

The first in a series of adventures of Detectives Valenti and O'Brian
Detective Nicholas Valenti, tall, dark and stoic, has been best friends with his partner, Sean O’Brian for six years. The two men have seen each other through divorce, disaster and danger and saved each other’s asses more times than Valenti can count. Exactly when he started seeing his blond, intense partner in another light, Valenti isn’t really sure. He only knows that he wants O’Brian in a way that had nothing to do with friendship and everything to do with possession. It is a desire he will have to hide forever because O’Brian is undeniably straight.

Just as Valenti is coming to grips with his new, unacceptable feelings for his partner their police Captain puts them on a new case that could blow Valenti’s cover once and for all. He and O’Brian are going undercover at the country’s largest and most infamous gay resort to bust a notorious drug lord and stop the shipments of poison cocaine that are flooding the gay bars all over the city.

Now Valenti will have to make a choice between friendship and desire. He and O’Brian will play the roles of gay men that will push the limits of their relationship to the breaking point. Will their time at the RamJack forge a new bond between them or destroy their partnership forever?

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART
by April Martinez
• Generic. Where is the crisp mat of red blond chest hair? Cute and fuzzy! The cross necklace is the only hint as to who is who.


NORMALITY
• Detectives
• Drug Dealers
• Goons
• Daddies & Boys


SEXUALITY
• M/M
• Gay Resort
• Exhibitionism


REVIEW

• This one went so fast! I didn't want to put it down, not to shower, not to work, not to eat.

• This Gay-For-You story goes both ways. A nice twist that strings out the mental hurtles of the protagonist's thoughts we inhabit, Nicky.

• Nicky has a hell of a time coming to terms with his love for his partner. We missed the near death experience that triggered this epiphany, but we are waist deep in the fall out. And just when I'm sure Sean reciprocates, Nicky flips it all around in his head and jumps into a downward spiral that I'm willing to agree with (for the moment.)

• Quite angsty (if you couldn't figure that out from the above bullet) and probably a good thing the story isn't longer. I might have felt the need to kick Nicky in the head a few times.

• One spot totally didn't make sense to me at all - Nicky falling asleep in the glass bedroom. It doesn't matter how tired I am, that shit ain't happening in those circumstances.

• My copy has the next short story in the series, I'll Be Hot For Christmas. A pseudo-kidnap fantasy that digs deep into some relationship problems. Overall, a lovely addition to the story but not anything that stands alone.


PERSONAL LURES
• Cops!


WANT MORE?

Read a Tuesday Teaser with a butterfly.

Read an excerpt as they check out their cushy rooms at the RamJack

Dom creates the perfect sub morphing from moody professor to pierced and inked.

Bent

by Sean Michael

634 Page PDF, Published July 2008

Hammer Series Book 1
Marcus knows Jim is his minutes after meeting the snarly, jumpy ex-professor at the local bookstore. He thinks Jim is a natural submissive, someone who needs order and discipline in his life to help with Jim's anxiety and bad health habits. So Marcus decides to pursue Jim relentlessly, because even if Jim's mouth is saying no, his body is saying yes.

There's a lot more to Jim than meets the eye, and Marcus will have to be careful. Jim knows what it means to lose everything, knows what it's like to be without friends or family. Jim feels broken, and knowing that he likes the kinds of weird things Marcus wants to do to him only makes him scared that he's losing his mind.

Their chemistry is so real, so genuine, that Jim lets Marcus wear him down, lets Marcus take control. Eventually, his trust grows, allowing them to enter into the BDSM lifestyle together, learning about each other every day, with every scene. Jim is still uncertain sometimes, though, and he thinks Marcus might just want him because he's cracked. Can this top and bottom pair find a way to understand their wants and needs, and make a life that works for them alone?

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART
• Totally love how there are no naked torsos and the cover art is consistent throughout the series. This is a print book I wouldn't mind reading in public.


NORMALITY
• College Professor / Author
• Leather Crafter


SEXUALITY
• BDSM
• Rape Accusation
• Spanking
• Fisting
• Sounding


REVIEW

• Moves very fast in the beginning, skipping through the initial courtship to get right to the meat of relationship development.

• The smexing is always hot and integral to the plot. Some new boundary is pushed or an emotional hurtle jumped. Oh, and there is like a mega ton of it. Lots of kinky gay sex.

• I was totally freaked out by the torn vocal cords. I did NOT know that could even happen! Oh, and is it just me or would orange juice on torn vocal cords suck?

• Marcus treats Jim like his very own toy doll. Before he even knows Jim, he is envisioning what he wants in his ideal sub... and I see very little consideration to what would be good for Jim. Tattoos, piercings, chores. Very odd to see it all predetermined and Jim just falling into the mold.

• I forced myself to flash finish this book. These stories grab right a hold of me and I get sucked into the character's minds. I could see it influencing my daily moods! I'm pretty sure that is a complement to the author and an insult to my mental capacity.


PERSONAL LURES
• Newbie BDSM
• Author I've read before


WANT MORE?
Read a Tuesday Teaser with a spanking.

Read an inexcusably rude excerpt set in a bookstore.

I've also reviewed Push, another Hammer Series Novel!

A stubborn sub-in-denial needs more than one push.

Push

by Sean Michael

303 page PDF ebook

A Hammer Novel: Gordon's a retired Drill Sergeant who's enjoying his life. He has his garden, his friends and access to the subs at the Hammer Club whenever he wants to indulge his Toppy side. When Billy and Marcus insist on introducing him to Frank, he has to admit, he's intrigued.

Frank is a cop turned private investigator who often helps out the men of the Hammer Club. He thinks they're all just a little bit off, but they're good guys for the most part, and he's happy to take their business. When he's introduced to Gordon at a party at the Hammer to welcome Oliver home after the events in Owned, his world is turned on its head.

Very much a loner, and self-contained, Frank must deal with having a partner who cares about him as more than just a good fuck. Frank also doesn't believe he's like all those little subs at the club, so he's not sure that a man like Gordon, a 'Top', is going to want him for more than the occasional make-out session. Can Gordon convince him he's wrong?

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART
• Simple and punny, in keeping with the rest of the Hammer series covers.


NORMALITY
• Retirement
• Repressed trauma


SEXUALITY
• M/M
• D/s, subtle at first
• Sounding
• Restraint
• Delayed gratification


REVIEW

• The subs at the club are like some kind of amorphous pack of wild fluffy hyenas. Weird, just not entirely fleshed out.

The man was well liked, the subs flocking to him for hugs, the Doms looking on the man with an indulgent fondness.

Gordon pushed his way through the subs. "You ready to head out?"

"Sure thing. Call me if you need me." Frank waved to the little pocket of subs and headed toward the door.

pg. 10

• Intense. Frank is struggling with discovering new things about himself that are in contradiction with his self image.

• The utilization of a safe word is a primary tool, allowing Frank to say "No" as much as he needs to without really meaning it. Part of the process of realigning his mental self with his true self.

• Finding out the nature of Frank's on-the-job trauma is a kick in the gut! I wish that had been explored more. So much there to spin off of!

• Went from finishing this story to wanting to know more about Oliver and Jack. Moved onto Owned, but not finding the story I was looking for.


PERSONAL LURES
• BDSM
• M/M
• Stubborn Sub


FAVORITE SCENE QUOTE
Frank and Gordon at the Hammer eating dessert and testing boundaries.

He ate a few more bites, waiting for Frank to ask for more. It took a few minutes, then Frank's fingers nudged his knee.

He turned, smiled at Frank. "Yeah, babe?"

"Another bite?"

"Sure." He made sure this one was extra gooey and made sure some of the chocolate from the fork coated Frank's lower lip. Frank's lips parted, tongue sliding out to clean it.

"Don't!" He leaned in and ran his own tongue along that tempting lower lip.

"Gordon..." Frank's eyes flashed to Oliver and Jack, the two busy.

"You know nobody cares what we do, Frankie. They're all too busy with each other."

"I don't really belong here, though."

"You belong with me, that's all that matters."

"I want another bite."

He grinned. "Say please."

Frank's eyes twinkled. "Now."

"Oh, babe. You aren't going to make this easy, are you?"

"I'm not known for easy."

"I know. And you know that's why I love you."

Frank looked at him, smile slowly growing. He put a forkful of cake in Frank's mouth, held that gaze as they both chewed and swallowed.

pg. 190

Read a Tuesday Teaser with a scar.

Read a party excerpt. And a First Kiss excerpt.

I picked up this book on Tam's recommendation and the hellacious MC Hammer earworm she gave me.

This review will be slightly spoiler-ish in the revelation of paranormal elements.

His Hearth
Warder Series, Book 1
by Mary Calmes
140 page ebook PDF

Julian Nash should be excited: he’s just earned a huge promotion at work and is going out to celebrate. But his happiness fades when he discovers his date cheating on him an hour before.

Suddenly alone when everyone knows he’s supposed to have a plus one, Julian is set for a long night until longtime acquaintance Ryan Dean bails him out of the embarrassing situation. During dinner, they discover they have more than just friendship between them: there is mutual admiration and heated attraction.

But getting to know Ryan better—and finding a place in his life—will bring Julian frightening surprises and paranormal danger he never expected or dreamed existed.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART

• I didn't even realize that was a Katana on the cover until I looked really hard.
• Nice cityscape with generic men to suggest a vague setting.


PARANORMALITY

• Sentinals
• Warders
• Demons
• Marketing Professionals (Hey, I'm one!)


SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Playful D/s
• Intense Kissing (AKA Cocktease)


REVIEW

• Due to the nature of this plot, this review will be slightly spoiler-ish.

• The story begins as a love story. Cute with predictable twists and turns and only the tiniest hint of suggestion at the paranormal. Tiny! But midway it all flips. Ms. Calmes did a wonderful job telling us the story of the heart before the otherworldly stuff hits the fan. You are already devoted to the characters when the world tilts on its axis for Jules.

• At times I found myself getting confused by all the characters (especially at dinner), also sometimes I lost track of who was talking to who. Minor editing and flow details.

• A creative partnership that has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with marketing and advertising reeled me in. I love reading about the world I work in! Makes the story that much closer to my heart. The way Cash and Jules finish each other's sentences while pitching an idea... well, that is almost as exciting to read about as sex for me. The ultimate creative partnership!

• And as for the sex, well the foreplay is out of this world. Each little action and reaction spelled out so you can create the scenario in your mind and feel the breathlessness for yourself. Ms. Calmes does a suburb job of edging you. *wicked smile*

• The relationship moves at lighting speed but that is integral to the story line. I would have gotten sick of Ry's neediness REAL fast, but Jules is a much better man than I.

• Put Japanese swords in a storyline and I gobble it up. Yum.

• I was totally not expecting Ry to be the submissive one. He feels slightly bi-polar, his fighting self vs. his loving self.

• Jules, on the other hand, fits the role of large silent Dom perfectly. He's not too pushy but knows what he wants and he is so not arrogant.

• I kinda want to know more about the demons. I mean, they are ugly and apparently aggressive to warders, but what the heck is the threat? Guess I better read on in the series to figure that out.

• I totally want to know more about Miles. (In a convoluted way, that is why I am reading this book. I won Tooth & Nail, which is Malic's story. But it was recommended to me that I read this book first to get my head into the world. Thanks Chris!)


FAVORITE SCENE QUOTE
First and second kisses.

He was messing with me, I thought, a second before he stepped forward and wedged his thigh against my groin. Hand on the back of my neck, he pulled me close.

I slowly parted my lips, and Ryan’s mouth was on mine, his tongue darting inside, the kiss hard and urgent. His hands were on my face, making sure I didn’t move.

He had no idea about what kissing could be, how hot and consuming. I changed my stance, straightened, and decided to show him what he was missing.

I tipped his head back, stilling him completely under my hands before I exhaled. He shivered just once before I sealed my lips down over his...

The second kiss was even better than the first. His lips parted instantly as he submitted to me. I put my hands on his face, my mouth slanting over his, kissing him thoroughly, deeply, making sure I didn’t miss anything...

I kissed him until I heard the sweet whimper I was after, the telltale sound of surrender.

pg. 36 and 37

Read a sentence from page 56 with uncomfortable furniture.

Read a hormonal excerpt HERE.

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From horses to fatigues, this emotional rollercoaster shows what family is all about.

Keeping Promise Rock
by Amy Lane
10hrs 51min Audiobook

Carrick Francis has spent most of his life jumping into trouble with both feet. The only thing saving him from prison or worse is his absolute devotion to Deacon Winters. Deacon was Crick's sanity and salvation during a miserable, abusive childhood, and Crick would do anything to stay with him forever. So when Deacon's father dies, Crick puts his college plans on hold to help Deacon as Deacon has helped him.

Deacon's greatest wish is to see Crick escape his memories and the town they grew up in so Crick can enjoy a shining future. But after two years of growing feelings and temptation, the painfully shy Deacon finally succumbs to Crick's determined advances and admits he sees himself as part of Crick's life.

It nearly destroys Deacon when he discovers Crick has been waiting for him to push him away, just like Crick's family did in the past. When Crick's knack for volatile decisions lands him far away from home, Deacon is left, shell-shocked and alone, struggling to reforge his heart in a world where love with Crick is a promise, but by no means a certainty.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART

• Hand Illustration ties in beautifully to the story
• Cursive font fits with the internal love story
• Missing horses or army fatigues


NORMALITY

• Horse ranch
• US Army
• Small town


SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Cherry Vaseline Lipbalm
• Statutory Rape, M/F


AUDIO REVIEW

• Weird to listen to all the dedications in the beginning. And there were a lot of them.
• The speaker's tone messes with the story, feels like it's all inconsequential.
• The speaker's voice for Deacon is deep and sends shivers down my spine.
• Needed a little more pause in between paragraphs. My ears had a hard time changing subjects with the orator.


REVIEW

• The jumping around in time confused me. Lots of backflashes in the middle of thoughts. I got the rhythm eventually but still stumbled a bit.

• Odd random gay sexual innuendos used as descriptors of platonic things "the horse's walk was as smooth as lube".

• I was a bit baffled as to why Parish would take in stray children. And also as to why Deacon would care so much as a teenager.

• Never thought to use cherry Vaseline lip balm for lube. Creative and clever and super cute because he was too shy to buy real lube.

• Totally astounded at the alcoholism.

• Crick is playing with fire by keeping the love letter in his pocket, but I'm pretty sure I would do that too.

• Long distance relationships are very difficult, add in the fear of death and *shudder* Ms. Lane does a very good job of making those emotions real.

• Amy and John are freakin' awesome freinds!

• The Tweeting was cool. I didn't even know that was an option in the military!

Read a sentence from page 56 HERE.

Read an excerpt of childhood infatuation HERE (click the expand link, midpage).

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Comment with your link!

Short and bittersweet deathstory.

Master Bear
by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks
78 Page, PDF

William Davis battled down his cancer three times, but he has no energy left for a fourth round. Now, he must make provisions for his sub, Chris. But Chris loves his master and doesn't want a new one. Through their last summer, as William slips away a little at a time, they interview new tops, looking for the one who will take in Chris and care for him.

As man after man fails to meet their standards, each leaves with a warning about the mysterious and dreaded Master Bear. Yet as time grows short, Chris falls for William's hospice nurse, Mike, who was once in the leather scene himself. When William's life winds down in a haze of pain and drugs, and with no firm dom to care for him, Chris is left with the terrifying prospect of Master Bear, and never seeing Mike again...

My review guidelines can be found HERE.


COVER ART
by Trace Edward Zaber

• Striking cover
• After reading the story, would have expected it to be a bit darker
• Nice use of typography, makes the title stand out
• Author names had the potential to fight with the title (just a little bit smaller would have been perfect)
• Good choice to leave the leather bear mask OFF the cover, it's not all about the bear.


NORMALITY

• Death
• Dependency
• Grieving for the living


SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Master & slave, 24/7
• Painslut


REVIEW

• Hardhitting, gutwrenching decisions. Who do you trust to take care of the one you love when you're gone? Especially if the one you love can't take care of themselves?

• The interviewing of possible masters was tense and awkward, as interviewing for a replacement for your lover should be.

• Master Johnathan's interview taught some of the basic display poses for slaves, news to me.

• I saw the reveal coming at the end, but it is such a sweet happily ever after that I couldn't let it distract me too much.


FAVORITE SCENE QUOTE
The Hospice nurse discovers Chris was accidentally injured and proceeds to doctor the wound.

The needle pricked his skin and he got hard from the sensation rather than yelping. He lay quietly, breathing, wondering how much of a top Mike was. Mike sent him into subspace with three words when even a spanking from Ian couldn’t manage it...

...Chris relaxed under Mike’s hands, not really listening, just letting the sounds of dominant voices wash over him. He’d not been this deep for a long time. Mike felt right touching him. He wanted more touches.

“Come up, boy,” Mike said softly. “I’m done. You did just fine.”

“Thank you, Master Michael,” Chris said, adding the honorific automatically. He blinked a couple times, then covered his mouth.

pg. 30-31

Read a Tuesday Teaser with Tears HERE.

Read an friendly pizza excerpt HERE.

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Comment with your link!

Holding your breath is not advised during this off-kilter romantic thriller.

Breathe
by Sloan Parker

Lincoln McCaw lost everything -- his home, his job, his partner -- after he caused a fatal accident. A year later, he's drowning the guilt and despair in whiskey, but he needs to move on. His sister and her kids are counting on him. Then he meets a man who ignites a passion Lincoln thought he’d never find. Too bad one night is all they can have together. Now he needs to figure out how to turn away from the only person who makes him feel alive…before whoever is sending him threats decides Lincoln needs to suffer more than he already has.

Jay Miller is surrounded by grief and misery until he finally gives in to all those years of sexual fantasies about being with another guy. Realizing he’s ended up in the arms of the man who caused his wife’s accident, he tries to pull away. But how can he give up a friendship he needs more than anything -- a friendship and a love that could save him? He may not have time to make the choice before someone else destroys it all.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
• Totally generic. Could at least have a cemetery or the flaming motorcycle.


SEXUALITY
• M/M
• First time
• Coming out


REVIEW
• The grief is a suffocating blanket on Jay, with his family wrapping it tighter and tighter... not willing to let it go.

• The guilt is a weight dragging Lincoln like an anchor in the mire and muck.

• At least Lincoln is honest with his sexuality, where Jay is suppressing himself.

• The overheard conversation with the rednecks in the bar makes me cringe. I'm afraid that would be a common sentiment where I live out in the backwoods. Acceptance does not usually come from the ignorant or isolated mind.

• Totally intense! In the beginning, no one is good or bad. They are real people with real conflicts. Get sucked in and feel their pain and confusion.

• Jay's realization, perfect. I can imagine the butterflies in his stomach at finally getting to give in to his forbidden desire, and then it all curdling.

• Jay is conflicted but I'm not sure I would be that quick to see almost both sides of the fence... but I could certainly imagine his family's extended grieving getting the best of him and kicking him out of the hole because the are so deep in it.

• Absolutely awesome that Katie was cool with his tendencies, loved him AND them, and didn't make him feel guilty and even played to them. She would have been a wicked wife for ever and ever.

• Constantly wondering "Who dunnit?" and I didn't guess right! The end climatic scene is awesome with the integration of multiple elements and emotional twists. Well played, Sloan.

• The forgiveness was a bit unbelievable to me but it is integral to the main character's personality and is supported throughout.

• The whishy washyness IS believable and an absolute must in this coming out roller coaster and traumatic thriller.

• I just wish I could have witnessed Mitch getting his ass kicked.


Read a sentence from the bathroom stall on page 56 HERE.

Read the first two chapters HERE.

Read an dark flirty bar excerpt HERE.

I received this ebook through a contest over at E-romance Reader. Thanks again, Janna!

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Say "Hi" to the dingo shifters and get a little curious.

Shifting Perspectives
Book 1: Oliver and Angus
by Nerine Petros

As the only butcher in his outback town, Oliver knows the locals well. After all, most of them are shifters. When a new group moves into an abandoned ranch nearby, Oliver is more intrigued than worried, especially once the strangers place a standing order for a cow per week.

The town pack decides to live and let live, but Oliver wants to know more about these Waangoo newcomers. Why are there just five men? Why does the pack beta make Oliver's assistant so belligerent? And above all, why can't Oliver look away from the strangers' alpha, Angus?

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
• The rainbow shot glasses put me off every time, but I know they are a Toquere Press thing.


LOCATION
• Australia


PARANORMALITY
• Shifters


SEXUALITY
• M/M
• Virgin


REVIEW
• Fast at under 50 pages.
• First novel for Ms. Petros. Also, first in her dingo shifter series.
• Needs more backstory so I don't feel so lost. I kinda felt left out of the loop like they were talking behind my back.
• No Lube? Ouch.
• Character development is stereotype heavy. I couldn't decide if Angus was a big dumb ox or just strong and silent.
• Totally intrigued by Oliver's assistant...
• Nice touch with the definitions at the end of the story to help out the aboriginal language.

Read a sentence from page 56 HERE.

Read an short speechless excerpt at the bottom of THIS PAGE.

I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

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Wicked Gentlemen
Part 1: Mr. Sykes and the Firefly
by Ginn Hale

Belimai Sykes is many things: a Prodigal, the descendant of ancient demons, a creature of dark temptations and rare powers. He is also a man with a brutal past and a dangerous addiction.

And Belimai Sykes is the only man Captain William Harper can turn to when faced with a series of grisly murders.

But Mr. Sykes does not work for free and the price of Belimai’s company will cost Captain Harper far more than his reputation.

From the ornate mansions of noblemen, where vivisection and sorcery are hidden beneath a veneer of gold, to the steaming slums of Hells Below, Captain Harper must fight for justice and for his life.

His enemies are many and his only ally is a devil he knows too well. Such are the dangers of dealing with the wicked.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
• Indie feel, with beautiful illustration

PARANORMALITY
• Demons

SEXUALITY
• M/M

REVIEW
• 1 paperback containing 2 books. The first a introduction to the cruel world while light meets dark. The second to be reviewed at a later date.

• The beautifully descriptive writing sings to me. See the first sentences below.

The night hung in tatters. Gas streetlamps chewed at the darkness. Candles cast dull halos through the dirty windows of the tenements across the street. Heavy purple clouds pumped up from smoke stacks and patterned the sky like ugly patches on a black velvet curtain. A few fireflies blinked from what corners of blackness remained.

• A dark world of where good and evil appears segregated but viciously mingles within each race.

• Oppression of the powerful by the weak to create a downtrodden and broken race of Prodigals.

• Humans cloak themselves in the robes of faith to hide the fear of darkness within their hearts.

• I enjoyed this read, a new flavor on my literary tongue. Do not be deceived by my concise review. Part II calls to me and I WILL answer the siren song, but only when I can adequately savor those fresh pages.

Read the first two chapters HERE.

Read a sentence from page 56 HERE.

I received this book from Melissa, she accidentally bought two! Whoot—Thanks again!

Did you review this book too? Comment with your link!

Classic D/s gay erotica from the 70s, sour on the outside with a hint of sweetness in the center.

Mr. Benson
by John Preston

The classic S/M novel from the Master of Gay Porn.

Jamie wears his tightest jeans to the leather bar and makes sure the handsome, unsmiling top across the room gets a good view of his assets. But this is no ordinary leatherman, no weekend daddy: this is Mr. Aristotle Benson. Lucky Jamie is about to get an education and to begin his journey from a cute but forgettable clone to a compliant, hard-bodied slave, sensitive to his Master’s every glance and gesture.

John Preston’s classic S/M story was first published in the heady, post-Stonewall sex boom of the late 1970s and quickly became an underground favorite, inspiring T-shirts that declared: "Looking for Mr. Benson."

Read the book that launched the gay erotica genre and epitomized an era of sexual freedom and thrilling, limit-pushing exploration.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
• Awesome, and "Yes" nipples are very important.

Era
• 1970s NYC

SEXUALITY
• M/M
• Master/slave
• Fisting
• Piss drinking & golden showers
• Belting
• Branding
• Piercing
• Anal
• Boot licking

REVIEW
• Told as a story, a memory from Jamie's point of view. The narration is nice as you get bits of "hindsight is 20/20" commentary every once in a while. Due to the intensity of this story, this style added a string of hope to the darker parts.

• Intense! Not my personal cup-of-tea for sexual playtime but very eye opening (once I stopped cringing).

• I drew a blank on some words. After a quick search, I think, "Amyl" and "popper" refer to a drug used to relax muscles during sex. (Yes, I know. I'm showing my age.)

• Piss play is extremely prominent. He loves to drink "manwater" and is not very concerned about hygiene.

• The branding threw me back to Story of O, but I think that is just because it is the only other story I have read about it in. Right? Humm...

• In the inital encounter, the kiss made it all better, so sweet and special. It made me forgive the whole night.

• Jamie gives us a clear look into the psyche of a true slave,

"stripped of my ability to care for myself in the world ... taught not to make decisions ... needing his master's cock." pg 145-146

• Once over the hurtle of the SM gays scene exposed in all its extremes, an engaging plot line ensues.
 
• Jamie has some very dramatic ups and downs as he is sculpted to Mr. Benson's preferences but makes friends along the way and even gets involved in some intense drama!

• A side character that I really enjoyed was the mafia boss daddy. When that oddly comforting scene started I thought for sure I would be appalled but I would easily deem it the mellowest of the scenes in the book and perfectly positioned in the time line to balance out the anonymous leather knight that put Jamie in a hood.

• Most of the narration is from Jamie's perspective, a clone bottom that learn he was only role playing before and his true purpose lies with Mr. Benson.

• The epilogue balances the extreme emotions out with an overview in Mr. Benson's voice. Correcting some of Jamie's misconceptions and adding important missing pieces.

• As I read the final page I realize the ride was not as horrific as I initially thought. A love story resides within this SM tale. I am not scarred from this adventure and will most likely enjoy thinking about the story and the characters in the future. Not a light read, but certainly one that ends on a positive note.

This book was spotlighted on my Tuesday Teaser HERE.

I received this book through the Great Yaoi Swap, and have since sent it on to the next lucky reader.

Did you review this book too?
Comment with your link!

Sweet and fast with a twist - soft serve in a chocolate lined waffle cone.

Ice Cream on the Side
by Wren Boudreau

Dylan Forest is really pretty happy. He's a successful architect, lives in a great little town, and has good friends. More than ten years ago, Dylan’s first boyfriend betrayed him. Since then he’s learned to appreciate men briefly and intensely, with no lingering complications. But Dylan finds himself wanting something more with Michael Gilmore, the new art teacher in town.

Michael moved to Raven Pass to get away after a bad break-up. He just wants to teach and he's got an exhibit of his own work coming up. He doesn't expect to find himself attracted to anyone just yet. He has to give up his fear so he can explore a possible relationship with Dylan.

The guys manage to get past their insecurities and into bed, where they find out just how compatible they are. Before their romance gains momentum; however, life gets complicated. An old dead body and a new murder are both connected to Dylan’s love life, and if the guys can't stop it Michael will be next.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
by P L Nunn

• A favorite illustrator of mine 
• This pose is about as sweet as the story

NORMALITY

• Architect 
• Painter

SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Intense kissing
• Realistic sex

REVIEW

• Starts out as a sweet modern love story only to have "exploding baggage" intensify the drama.
• When Michael doesn't call Dylan for a week, I totally can relate to the range of emotions, anticipation to fear to anger - except I go through them in like an hour when my husband is late home.
• I thought I knew who the bad guy was, but I was soooo wrong.
• The sex is hot and has great detail, even a few awkward bits that really bring it to life.
   
• I really appreciated the step back Dylan and Michael took when they started living together. It was a very smart thing to do and showed a desire by both of them to keep the relationship going long.
   
• Constantly had me guessing and flew by!

Read a suspenseful sentence from page 56 HERE.

Read about a very hot and very confusing first kiss HERE.

Did you review this book too?
Comment with your link! (Usually at the top of the post.)

Sweet daydreams...

Hot and Sticky: Spicy m/m romance with a hint of taboo.
Hot and Sticky
by Keta Diablo

It’s been extremely difficult for Hugh Landon, an up-and-coming lawyer in Washington, D.C., to control his sexual fantasies about his paralegal, Milan Vassar.

When his career hangs in the balance over a missing file, Hugh must call Milan at the midnight hour and plead for assistance. Hugh’s determination not to mix business with pleasure disintegrates when Milan arrives at the office not only to help him, but to confess he’s held the same secret desires for his boss...

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
by Trace Edward Zaber

• Simple and suggestive
• Would have liked to see the serpent tattoo
• Clear use of typography for title and author
• Nice use of transparency for title bar

SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Violent rape, suggested

REVIEW

• A contemporary 40 page short story.


• Exotic descriptors used consistently for Milan, added a unique flavor.


• A backstory of tension and secret lusts frame the first scene and it's explosive culmination.


• Life goes on and the primary characters' struggle with their taboo actions... creating an interesting chain of events that go nowhere but hitch up the anticipation and possibility of danger.


• Perfect pace to compliment the length, providing a nice taste of the character dynamic and smooth flow to the relationship development.


• Spicy quick read, perfect to pass the time on the subway on your way to the club. Will certainly get your heart rate going!

Black Wade: The Wild Side of Love
by Franze & Andaerle

Black Wade shows the entertaining love story between a rough, square-edged pirate and a young fine officer finely detailed and brilliantly colored. dreaded pirate Black Wade has a cruel mind and an explosive sexuality. His mercilessness is legendary, but it wavers when he encounters the young and warm-hearted english officer Jack Wilkins. these two absolutely different men are prisoners to their fate. overwhelmed by their passion they unite in a fight for freedom and love.

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

ERA

• Colonial America

SEXUALITY

• M/M
• Non Con
• Gang Rape

REVIEW

• Savage content. Male prisoners raped, no blood illustrated.


• The hardcover edition is beautifully bound, a pleasure to handle with thick semi glossy pages and a picture book feel - adult picture book, of course.


• Illustrated on all pages including the inside covers with a nice character index at the end.


• Artwork is full color, high detail... very much an XXX Disney feel.


• My favorite scene is the water, feels out of place but gorgeous to look at.


• Shallow story line, simply a means to transport the illustrations.


• Vague suggestion of a sequel with the father's proclamation.


• A very quick read - but you will be blushing the whole time and hoping no one looks over your shoulder!

I received this book through the Great Yaoi Swap and shall be sending it on to the next person in the list to enjoy.

Did you review this book too?
Comment with your link! (Usually at the top of the post.)

Sweet nightmares...

All Play and No Work
Cattle Valley Series, Book 1
by Carol Lynne

When a three man partnership becomes too much for their small Texas town, Ryan Blackfeather knows it’s time to head for greener pastures. With a new job awaiting him in Cattle Valley, Wyoming, he convinces his men, Nate and Rio to make the move.

A community built on tolerance, Cattle Valley’s one of the few places in the country where the residents won’t bat an eyelash at the threesomes relationship. Nate, Rio and Ryan fit right in. However, with Ryan busy in his new job as town Sheriff, Rio and Nate are left to wonder how they’re supposed to make a living. What use are a highly trained mercenary and a private detective in a peaceful community the size of Cattle Valley?

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART
By Anne Cain

• Good classic design
• The three men easily suggest the menage
• Nice integration of the series title with the cowboy bar on top, though I would suggest making it 30% smaller
• Subdued colors do not accurately reflect the tone of the story

SEXUALITY

• M/M/M, long term relationship
• M/M, abuse suggested

REVIEW

• Three gay men in a committed relationship travel to Cattle Valley, Wyoming; a community founded for gays. Reminds me of the Desire, Oklahoma series. (See my reviews here) But that is it for similarities.


• While reading I had to check and see if this was a Stormy Glenn story. The characters would fit right into the Tri Omega Mates mold. (See my reviews here)


• Shallow character development. I have no idea why certain characters do certain things. A solid picture of each main protag does not form in my head.


• Random character variations. Stoic at one moment, playful the next... just doesn't ring true due to the shallow character development.


• Mild plot development. Stuff happens, bad stuff. But none of it is explored in depth.


• I find myself very confused on character motive.


• Suggestive backstory that I would have liked to know more about


• Obvious set up for a series


• My favorite part was the interaction around snow. Childlike and fun.


• Sex was totally irrelevant and lacking explicit extended detail.


• This was an anticlimactic read. While skimming the sex, I would be anticipating the plot. While reading the plot I would be hoping for more development. It never came. And the ending, well, It just ended. No new unabusive possible lover interaction for the victim either.

Carnival
by Elizabeth Bear

In Old Earth’s clandestine world of ambassador-spies, Michelangelo Kusanagi-Jones and Vincent Katherinessen were once a starring team. But ever since a disastrous mission, they have been living separate lives in a universe dominated by a ruthless Coalition—one that is about to reunite them.

The pair are dispatched to New Amazonia as diplomatic agents Allegedly, they are to return priceless art. Covertly, they seek to tap its energy supply. But in reality, one has his mind set on treason. And among the extraordinary women of New Amazonia, in a season of festival, betrayal, and disguise, he will find a new ally—and a force beyond any that humans have known...

My review guidelines can be found HERE.

COVER ART

• Striking
• Dual, the back art is just as important as the front (Back is not shown, it is a female version of the front)
• Dual meanings as well: Masks to hid behind physically, politically, emotionally

PARANORMALITY

• Science Fiction
• Postapocolyptical
• Alien ecosystems
• Dragons, perhaps
• Ghosts, perhaps
• AI
• Biomechanicals

SEXUALITY

• M/M
• M/F
• Voyurism

REVIEW*

• Political & emotional machinations are the moving force throughout this story.


• Not a light read. I fully intend to re-read this in the hopes that I will catch more of the underlying plots the second time around.


• I found myself confused an embarrassing amount of the time and attribute it to reading outside of my usually genre. I have no problems grasping power plays between werewolves, but it has been quite a while since I have delved deep into futuristic outer space. I found I have missed it, more science fiction is in my future. It tickles a part of my brain not usually stimulated.


• I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out what the pseudoscience meant and how the alien mechanics worked.


• This is not a book you read minutes at a time. Set aside chunks measured in hours for I found I spent the first 10 minutes remembering what webs were spinning in which direction before advancing in the story line.


• The love story is integral but not blatant. Sexual intimacy is striking limited, though the single encounter I remember was enticing in the way of lovers, not pornographers.


• The thickness of this novel may be a deterrent to some, but if you brave the weight of pages you will find yourself invested in a rich world with phantom stories flanking the past and the future... an echoing call for more, the history of this strange new world she has created.