Pants Off Reviews

Audio Review & Giveaway: Changing Lines by R.J Scott and V.L Locey

2018-08-31T10:52:00.000-04:00

Length: 5hrs 10mins

Narrated By: Sean Crisden

Blurb

Can Tennant show Jared that age is just a number and that love is all that matters?

The Rowe brothers are famous hockey hotshots, but as the youngest of the trio, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, and against their advice, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers, where he runs into Jared Madsen. Mads is an old family friend and his brother’s one-time teammate. Mads is Tennant’s new coach. And Mads is the sexiest thing on which he’s ever laid eyes.

Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. When Ten is traded to the team, his carefully organized world is thrown into chaos. Nine years his junior and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows his heart could get him into trouble again.

Review

First I’m gonna start off by saying I care nothing for Hockey in RL, and this book didn’t change that. My first time reading R.J Scott with writing partner V.L Locey.

The Story: 3.5 Pants Off

Tennant Rowe is a superstar in the making and when he decides on an up and coming team a few eyebrows were raised. Of course he could have gone with superstar teams most likely to win the Stanley Cup but Ten decides on the Railers with big disapproval from his family, but Ten is a big boy and he’s making his own decisions. While the Raiders aren’t cloaked in history it’s the team he wants to join and the upside is that the team has Jared Madsen. An old family friend and someone Ten is looking to get up close and personal with. Yeh, they have history and Mads is a bit older but age ain’t nothing but a number after-all.

Downside, you can’t be gay in hockey. So when Ten finds himself telling his coaches that he’s gay he’s expecting the worst but what it gets him is a secret relationship with Mads and things are almost perfect. All that’s left is coming out to his family and maybe one day even publicly. Ten’s got hockey, love, and Mads, what more could he even want?!

First, things moved pretty fast from the get go. Ten is the new to the team and next things he’s sharing he’s gay, and professing his attraction to Mads. Their relationship moves pretty fast, and most of their loving happens off page so I sort of felt like I was filling things in. The hockey was too much of the story, and the romance felt like a backdrop but again I have no particular feelings for hockey. Ten spent most of his time dwelling on his brothers, and everyone else on the fact that he plays for a unknown team.

Throw in some conflict involving Mads and that pretty much made the entirety of the story. I was a bit more interested in a few side characters actually, so the rest of the series is peaking my interest.

Overall, an alright read. I can’t call it sexy or amazing but I can say I found it sweet. I enjoyed Ten a lot more than I did Mads. There’s still so much of the story that I feel needs to be explored, and I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. Changing Lines wasn’t horrible but I fear that it’s quite easily forgettable for me.

The Narration: 4 Pants Off

Sean Crisden did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I’m in love with his take on Tennant, listening to his voice was far more enjoyable than the story and because of his narration I enjoyed it more. I’m positive if I’d read Changing Lines instead of listening I wouldn’t have liked it at all.

Sean was dramatic where he needed to be and sweet in others, definitely enjoyed that. Also brought a new voice to each character which strongly made them individuals. Sean Criden does an amazing job with whatever story you give him.

Overall Rating: 3.5 Pants Off

RJ’s goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

RJ is the author of the over one hundred novels and discovered romance in books at a very young age. She realized that if there wasn’t romance on the page, she could create it in her head, and is a lifelong writer.

She lives and works out of her home in the beautiful English countryside, spends her spare time reading, watching films, and enjoying time with her family.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit and has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the following links below:

Email RJ (rj@rjscott.co.uk)

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, Dr. Who, Torchwood, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.

When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.

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Audio Review: Retribution by Sloane Kennedy

2018-08-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Retribution (Protectors #3) by Sloane Kennedy, Narration by Joel Leslie
Audible, Amazon, Goodreads
Time: 8 hours and 3mins

Blurb: Ex Special Forces soldier Michael “Hawke” Hawkins has spent every day of the last ten years waiting for the moment he would get to watch the life fade from the eyes of the men who brutally murdered his wife, but when he finally gets the break he’s been waiting for, the trail leads him to someone he wasn’t expecting.

After nearly two years of running, 24-year-old Tate Travers has become an expert at hiding…until the day a dangerous stranger shows up looking for vengeance and threatens to destroy the fragile life Tate has managed to build for himself and his five-year-old son. Except the life Tate has been struggling to hold on to started unraveling long before Hawke showed up looking for the same men Tate has been running from…his own father and older brother.

Retribution – it’s all Hawke has wanted since the day he held his wife’s hand as she took her last breath. And he won’t give that up for anything or anyone…not even the tormented young man trying to give his little boy a better life. Because Tate is the only one who can lead Hawke to the men he’s been searching for. And if it means forcing the young man to confront the past that nearly destroyed him, then so be it.

Only the last thing Hawke expects to feel is something besides the hatred that has driven him. And he definitely never expected to feel it for a man.

But when it comes down to choosing between the unwanted feelings Tate stirs in him and the revenge he’s finally close enough to taste, will Hawke be able to give up the one thing that has kept him going for a second chance at a future he gave up on ever having?

Review

The Story: 3.75 Pants Off

Michael “Hawke”Hawkins lives for the day he catches his wife’s killers. That’s his only mission, and when he gets evidence that could finally lead him to his killers Hawke is more than ready to lay down the law. What the evidence leads to is someone he never expected. Tate Travers the link to his revenge and Hawke will be damned if he lets the man out of his sight. But Tate comes with responsibility, in the form of a son who has just been diagnosed with a serious illness. It’s time for a little manipulation and promising Tate that his son will get the best medical treatment on the condition that he takes them to the men responsible for the death of his wife, his father and brother.

Tate has been running from the very men Hawke wants him to help find but his sons health on the line at this point he’d do anything, and that includes helping the asshole who had a gun on him in front of his son but there is something about him that Tate just can’t deny. Maybe this thing between them will lead to something but Tate knows it won’t because Hawke is very much a straight man still madly in love with his life.

Thus begins a love story between a man who held another man at gunpoint in front of his son and who needs him to help catch his murdering father and brother. Tate has fallen hard for Hawke but the man has whatever left of his heart locked away tight but Tate is willing to take scraps if it means only having Hawke for just a moment.

What can I say about this except nothing really happens, just whole bunch of the same same. Like there was some heartwarming story mixed in with doom and angst but I feel like we’ve gotten the same type of feel as the previous books. With that being said I happen to like this story a lot more than the previous books. Hawke is a bit of an asshole but I liked his character and the reason for his pain is very understandable. Tate I also liked, he stepped up and took care of his son and was willing to anything at any cost to himself.

I didn’t really like the conclusion but I get it, things needed to be tied up and a lot of things explained but overall an alright entertaining book. I found this to be the least sexy of the books and it should have been hella sexy with Hawke catching his first feelings for a man but there was just some questionable shit there and the fact that Tate took that really pissed me off.

The Narration: 3.5 Pants Off

Now this was a better job from the previous book and there was no random burst of laughter from me. Still some emoting especially when Ronan came in, seriously that voice for that character is a freaking mess.

Not really a fan of his voice for Tate, he ended up sounding like a gentile southern lady. Which I wasn’t really feeling but I didn’t hate it. I feel there were a few scenes there that needed just a little bit more emotion and it wasn’t quite delivered. Also after awhile a few characters started sound exactly like each other, except for Ronan his voice will be a tattoo on my brain and will have me bursting into giggles whenever I think of it.

It was a passable job but nothing to really rave about 🤷🏽‍♀️

Review: Book #1 Absolution

Review: Book #2 Salvation

Review: Sin and Tonic by Rhys Ford

2018-08-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

SIN and TONIC (Sinners #6) by Rhys Ford
Dreamspinner Press, Goodreads, Amazon
Novel: 270pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Miki St. John believed happy endings only existed in fairy tales until his life took a few unexpected turns… and now he’s found his own.

His best friend, Damien, is back from the dead, and their new band, Crossroads Gin, is soaring up the charts. Miki’s got a solid, loving partner named Kane Morgan—an Inspector with SFPD whose enormous Irish family has embraced him as one of their own—and his dog, Dude, at his side.

It’s a pity someone’s trying to kill him.

Old loyalties and even older grudges emerge from Chinatown’s murky, mysterious past, and Miki struggles to deal with his dead mother’s abandonment, her secrets, and her brutal murder while he’s hunted by an enigmatic killer who may have ties to her.

The case lands in Kane’s lap, and he and Miki are caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. When Miki is forced to face his personal demons and the horrors of his childhood, only one thing is certain: the rock star and his cop are determined to fight for their future and survive the evils lurking in Miki’s past.

Review

NOW ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!

And an era has come to a close. Our boys are now men (well…) and people are still out here trying to kill everybody.

Miki St John haven’t had the best run at life, and while there has been really good things like falling in love with the man of his dreams Kane, and having his best friend back who he thought had died Damien. So yes, shit has hit all the proverbial fans with him but there’s so much good he’s been given and yet his past is always behind him like a shadow of death following him everywhere and now someone wants him dead once and for all. While he's lived in his bubble over never facing his mental issues and ignoring all the things that got him to where he is right at this very moment, the jig is up and it’s time to face the music, the songs of his past and the beats of his future. Miki St John will not go out without a fight and he’s got family, he’s got friends, he’s got Kane.

If you’re like me and have been with the boys from the beginning then you know all this was meant to happen. People have been trying to kill Miki from way back when and now we finally know why, now Miki finally knows why. Done in Rhys Fords usual dramatic flair and Sin and Tonic kept you on your toes and had you anticipating when the final shoe will drop.

What worked for series at one point, kind of worked against this story. Don’t get me wrong I love Miki and Kane but by the middle of the book I was like “his ass gon die just now”. Miki being stubborn was no longer cute and just downright annoying. He knows if he moves something blows up, so I don’t know why he couldn’t just understand to keep his ass at home. I get it, he’s independent and does what he wants but he forever be putting himself and innocent people in harms way. The big climax was a bit of a disappointment because I saw it coming. Like people out in the streets trying to kill Miki but you gon leave him at home all by his lonesome (oh bad guy what a big gun you have).

Upside, I love seeing his growth. Forever he been avoiding everything and in the process pushing people away and unraveling, so to see him getting the help he finally needs is just “bless up”. Lots of loose ends gets all tied up and finally we know how Miki St John came to be and how his past lead him to the future he has now.

Overall, a nice wrap up to a wonderful series. From Sinners Gin to to Sin and Tonic the entire series has been a wonderful series filled with violence, music, and most of all heart. What a ride it has been to watch all these men fall in love and find family in the process. Regardless of past and situations music brought them together and music kept them together. It’s been a pleasure Miki St John, Kane, Connor, Forest, Damien, Rafe, Quinn, Sionn, and the entire Morgan clan.

Review: Book #1 Sinners Gin

Review: Book #2 Whiskey & Wry

Review: Book #3 Tequila Mockingbird

Review: Book #4 Sloe Ride

Review: Book #5 Absinthe of Malice

Review: Alpha Heat by Leta Blake

2018-07-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

Alpha Heat (Heat of Love #2) by Leta Blake
Amazon, Goodreads
Novel: 424pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: A desperate young alpha. An older alpha with a hero complex. A forbidden love that can’t be denied.

Young Xan Heelies knows he can never have what he truly wants: a passionate romance and happy-ever-after with another alpha. It’s not only forbidden by the prevailing faith of the land, but such acts are illegal.

Urho Chase is a middle-aged alpha with a heartbreaking past. Careful, controlled, and steadfast, his friends dub him old-fashioned and staid. When Urho discovers a dangerous side to Xan’s life that he never imagined, his world is rocked and he’s consumed by desire. The carefully sewn seams that held him together after the loss of his omega and son come apart—and so does he.

But to love each other and make a life together, Xan and Urho risk utter ruin. With the acceptance and support of Caleb, Xan’s asexual and aromantic omega and dear friend, they must find the strength to embrace danger and build the family they deserve.

This gay romance novel by Leta Blake is the second in the Slow Heat universe. It’s 130,000 words, with a strong happy ending and a well-crafted, non-shifter Omegaverse. It features alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting. No cheating. Content warning for brief sexual violence.

Review

ALPHA SIZED OMEGA

All the ways I was excited to read this after falling truly, madly, deeply in love with the first book Slow Heat. Alpha Heat was very much on my radar featuring two characters that really pissed me off but who I eventually grew to like. Alpha Heat brought the sexy but it also brought heart.

Xan Heelies is a young Alpha who doesn’t feel like an alpha. For his entire life Xan has known that he doesn’t fit the make and model of what an alpha should be. His desires are forbidden and will never be looked at favourably because you see Xan knows with every fibre of his being that he’s an Omega and though the world sees Alpha it’s the one thing he can never be truly. Xan slates his desire in the worst way possible and it often leaves him bloody and bruised. He once felt loved when he was with his best-friend but his friend found his own omega, his one true mate. Yet, Xan has to live an Alpha life and that means having his own omega and producing children regardless of what he feels inside. Then there is Urho, all that is Alpha and man Xan yearns for but what Alpha would want a man that’s broken and is only an Omega in feeling.

“I don’t think what’s wrong with me is something that can ever heal.”

Urho lost his true mate (erosgape) a long time ago and his long time lover not too long ago. His life is pretty much picturesque and he’s fulfilled by his job and friends. He’s old fashioned and set in his ways and that does cause some strife between him and his friends but no one gets to him like Xan, Xan the mouthy Alpha who invokes feelings in him that he has no business feeling. And mostly it makes him angry because the things he wants is not allowed.

A chance meeting between the men lead to some awful truths and also some inevitable ones. If Urho can give Xan what he needs then he can also keep him safe and besides he’s realizing that it’s also something he craves and one things for sure his alpha sized omega will be his undoing.

Together they navigate a forbidden attraction and pair that with Xans contracted but asexual omega and you have a unique story filled with many delights. For me the first 50% was hot as hell and so incredibly sexy. The push pull dance between Urho and Xan was done so well I think I almost passed out from holding my breath for a few minutes. That part was done amazingly and yet it really started to fizzle out for me, not so much where it wasn’t enjoyable but enough for it to lose what made it exciting.

As I mentioned I didn’t much like Xan when first introduced but he turned out to be a multilayered character, and Urho was just Urho (which is surprising because I couldn’t stand him in book 1. He was a obnoxious, condescending prick) a great fit for Xan and an even better alpha for him. Throw in characters that I’ve come to love and new ones that I’m starting to appreciate and you have a solid second story in the ABO verse.

I did have a few things I didn’t like. First, I caught Xan in many lies and then he sorta just brushed it over. Second, how you gon feel it’s ok to be beaten to an inch of your life and think that’s ok because you “need” sex, I’m sure there’s many avenues he could have gone and I’m trying to understand why it had to be him 🤔. Third, how Mr abuser was conveniently handled but also how it felt like what he did was no big deal (The he was a problem, we made him more of a problem and then snipered him out). Fourth, and this really bothered me. The description of Urho being dark skinned but I’ve been trying to figure exactly what that means. Dark skinned as in black man, dark skinned as being south Asian or just dark skinned as being tanner than the other characters? Representation is an important thing and I found that with not saying exactly what he was just felt like avoidance, but that’s just my opinion. Last but not least the crazy ending there. It followed the same pattern of the first book where all the crazy just happen at once and I wasn’t checking for that..

Overall, I still very much liked this story and while I didn’t fall in love like I did the first book, I still really liked it. It missed it mark by trying to follow the same steps or setup and what worked for a Slow Heat didn’t work for this one but it’s still an enjoyable story. If you’re like me and love Mpreg and Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics then this series is definitely something to check out.

SideNote: I need this on Audio asap. Michael F. I’m looking at you baby 😁

Review: Book #1 Slow Heat

Audio Review: Salvation by Sloane Kennedy

2018-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

Salvation (The Protectors #2) by Sloane Kennedy, Narration by Joel Leslie
Audible, Amazon, Goodreads
Time: 7hrs and 56 minutes

3 Pants Off

Blurb: "I lifted my gaze to tell Seth no but then I saw it. The thing I'd feared I'd lost. It wasn't hero worship or the wayward emotions of an innocent child. And it wasn't some distorted reflection of a man who no longer existed. All I saw was me...the way he saw me." (Ronan)

Trauma surgeon Ronan Grisham lost everything the day the man he loved was stolen from him in a brutal attack. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he turns his hatred into building an underground group that can do what he couldn't that fateful day...take the lives of the guilty to save the lives of the innocent. But years later, he's forced to confront the one link to his past that he can't sever.

Seven years after the loss of his parents in a violent home invasion that left him permanently scarred both inside and out, 21-year-old Seth Nichols is trying to put his life back together so he can take over the reins of his father's global shipping empire. But the last person he expects to come back into his life is the man he drove away with one innocent, stolen kiss.

With one brush of his lips, Seth managed to do to Ronan what no other had since the day Ronan watched the light in his fiancé's eyes go out forever. He made him need again. But Ronan can't need anyone, least of all his dead fiancé's younger brother. Because even one touch from Seth could shatter Ronan's carefully constructed world and Ronan knows there's no coming back from that a second time.

But when a series of escalating attacks against Seth forces Ronan back into his life, Seth knows it's his last chance to show Ronan he can be the man the broken surgeon needs. Only the Ronan who returns isn't the Ronan Seth fell in love with so long ago....

Can Seth be Ronan's salvation or will he end up destroying them both?

Review

The Story: 3 Pants Off

What in all the drama was this?

Ronan Grisham. Trauma Surgeon, lover, and a fighter. Ronan had it all with the man he loved until tragedy came in and took everything from him. When he was given the opportunity to seek revenge he took the path he now walks as a Protector. Ronan is in charge of elite bunch of killers who rid the world of the worst type of scum. He’s very much detached from life but is all about his job. Then there’s Seth, beautiful innocent Seth the little brother of his slain lover.

The things Ronan is feeling for Seth is a complication he doesn’t need but when Seth is assaulted Ronan makes his grand appearance into his life once again. It seems Ronan is here to stay when the violence against Seth starts to escalate to the point of dangerous 😜 and he needs to protect him. But sparks are flying and Seth has made it quite clear his feelings for Ronan hasn’t changed, and Ronan has never been able to deny Seth.

This begins a push and pull of a man falling for his dead lovers little brother, and protecting him from harm.

Seriously, this book had so much stuff going on and by stuff I mean all the bad happening that have happened to Seth. His parents are murdered and he was violently hurt in the process, his brother gets murdered and he’s left alone, then someone is trying to kill him now. It was just all a little too much and it just kept getting more ridiculous. This is only my second book in the series but it’s the most ridiculous so far and that’s counting that in the first book a man almost shot another man because he thought he was a pedophile 😩.

Overall, ridiculousness x10 and Seth and Ronan didn’t really do anything for me 🤷🏽‍♀️

The Narration: 2 Pants Off

🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😭😭😭 those emojis are my reaction to my listening experience. There was just so much emoting especially on Ronan’s part. Who in the world thought this was acceptable? I’d like to have a word please.

Joel Leslie you did a bad job here sir, and while the story should have been angst ridden I found myself laughing at random points and I couldn’t take anything seriously.

What a complete and utter disappointment. The story was already lacking and the narration just made it all the worse.

It’s a no for me dawg.

Audio Review: Jack: Grime and Punishment by Z.A Maxfield

2018-06-06T14:00:00.000-04:00

Jack: Grime and Punishment (The Brothers Grime #1) by Z.A Maxfield
Audible, Goodreads
Time: 5hrs and 52 minutes

4 Pants Off

Blurb: The Brothers Grime is Jack Masterson's way of helping people in crisis after disability ends his career as a firefighter. Jack's people get to a scene long after the physical trauma ends. They don't solve crime or rescue the victims. They help people move on. The new job is all Jack wants or needs, until he gets the call about old flame Nick Foasberg's suicide. Ryan Halloran's cousin Nick has been on a downhill slide for a long time. Despite that, Ryan does everything he knows to help. Ryan only understands part of what happened between Nick and Jack in high school, but after Nick's suicide, Ryan agrees both he and Jack need closure. They work together to clean the scene and despite the situation, heat flares between them. Jack is keeping a painful secret and fighting his attraction to Nick's lookalike cousin, Ryan. Ryan calls himself a magnet for lost causes and worries Jack might be the next in a long line of losers. Despite his misgivings, despite the past and the mistakes they've both made, Jack gives Ryan something to look forward to, and Ryan gives Jack a reason to stop looking back, in Grime And Punishment.

Review

I enjoyed this just as much the second time around. Z.A offered up a story with a profession that I’ve never read in m/m before and it just makes it so interesting, and plus I really enjoy the authors writing.

The Story: 4 Pants Off

Jack is one of the owners in The Brothers Grime, a crime scene clean up service. Once a firefighter, an accident left him unable to continue the job of his heart but was able to find another way to help others. One wouldn’t think about what happens after the cops leave but Jack and his crew think about all that comes. They make it easier to clean up so the family, or maybe a spouse won’t have to deal with the hard reality of worrying about getting blood off the walls and out of a carpet.

When he gets the heads up from his detective on and off lover that his first love Nick from his teen years committed suicide Jacks knows he needs to bid for the job no matter that he’s too emotionally connected to the case. How he and Nick ended was very tragic and Jack still carry the scars of it all but deep down he knows he needs do the cleanup even though it will bring old hurts to the forefront. All that’s left is convincing his cousin Ryan who happens to be Nicks lookalike. Cleaning up what’s left of Nick while looking into eyes and face that’s a dead ringer to his once lover now dead is a bad idea of epic proportions.

As I said. I love the crime cleanup part of the story. No one ever thinks about what happens to crime scenes and the care that’s needed to cleanup. Thinking about blood born pathogens and all that isn’t even on people’s radar but Z.A brings it up here and gives you something to think about.

The relationship between Jack and Ryan wasn’t hot fire but I liked it well enough. What bothers me is how Ryan viewed Jack in the beginning without knowing anything and how Jack took everything on like it was his fault. I also didn’t understand why the story revolves around Nick and yet I know nothing about him expect he was a drug addicted asshole. He obviously was dealing with somethings and his story intrigued me because I just wanna know “why”.

Overall, another solid book by ZAM. I’ve never really disliked a book by this author and this one had that dark morose element that doesn’t exist much in the other author’s work. It was a new type of pace.

The Narration: 3.5 Pants Off

The narration wasn’t horrible but I did find it forgettable. It’s a good thing the story is so enjoyable. The was no strong difference between the voice of Jack and some of the other characters. While not incredible I still enjoyed Joe Arden's narration. There was a lot of emoting and no actual strong emotions coming across and that stopped it from getting a higher rating.

Review: Absinthe of Malice by Rhys Ford

2018-06-06T11:30:00.000-04:00

Absinthe of Malice (Sinners #5) by Rhys Ford
Dreamspinner Press, Goodreads, Amazon
Novel: 200pgs

3.5 Pants Off

Blurb: We’re getting the band back together.

Those six words send a chill down Miki St. John’s spine, especially when they’re spoken with a nearly religious fervor by his brother-in-all-but-blood, Damien Mitchell. However, those words were nothing compared to what Damien says next.

And we’re going on tour.

When Crossroads Gin hits the road, Damien hopes it will draw them closer together. There’s something magical about being on tour, especially when traveling in a van with no roadies, managers, or lovers to act as a buffer. The band is already close, but Damien knows they can be more—brothers of sorts, bound not only by familial ties but by their intense love for music.

As they travel from gig to gig, the band is haunted by past mistakes and personal demons, but they forge on. For Miki, Damie, Forest, and Rafe, the stage is where they all truly come alive, and the music they play is as important to them as the air they breathe.

But those demons and troubles won’t leave them alone, and with every mile under their belts, the band faces its greatest challenge—overcoming their deepest flaws and not killing one another along the way.

Review

A STORY WAS ABSINTHE

So the 5th book in the Sinners series and like the 4th book I didn’t like it a hell of a lot. While I understand the reason for this book because of course it’s the setup to the finale. There was just a whole lot of nothing IMO.

The band is back on. Made up of the lovers of the Morgan family Miki St John and Damien decide to put the old band back together. No longer Sinners Gin but Crossroads Gin And their tour is one of rebirth and moving forward. Too bad the past won’t stay dead and someone is dead set on hindering their future.

What I like: I loved getting glimpses into the lives of the boys and their significant others. Life on the road can be tough and so I just really enjoyed seeing their vulnerability and the strong sense of family they all have.

A realistic approach to their issues. Especially dealing with Miki and Rafe, it was great to see them face their problems head on and finally start asking for help. Miki has been a head case since the beginning of time and I for one am hella happy he’s realizing that his thought process is a tad bit unhealthy.

Throw in the mystery, the crazy that comes with most Rhys Ford book, and some steamy scenes and you have a nicely balanced book.

I’d like to make this Public Service Announcement…I live for Forest and Connor. They have captured my heart and their book is my fave, Connor is my fave Morgan and I need an invite to the wedding.

What I didn’t like: How easily I know that things will go boom. For once I’d like to be surprised and things don’t go the expected OTT route.

I feel like a whole lot of nothing happened until the very end here and then I was excited again. I am looking forward to the final book in the series and I already know it’s going to go down. I’m gonna need everything wrapped up in a neat little bow, and for Miki to get his basket of a mind weaved a little tighter.

Overall, another entertaining read which was just a nice little glimpse into the lives of the men we’ve grown to love.

Review: Book #1 Sinners Gin

Review: Book #2 Whiskey & Wry

Review: Book #3 Tequila Mockingbird

Review: Book #4 Sloe Ride

Release Blitz & Giveaway: Out, Proud, and Prejudiced by Megan Reddaway

2018-06-06T09:33:00.000-04:00

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 85,000 words approx.

Blurb

One’s proud, one’s prejudiced, and they can’t stand each other.

Quick-tempered Bennet Rourke dislikes Darius Lanniker on sight. Darius may be a hotshot city lawyer, but that doesn’t give him the right to sneer at Bennet, his friends, and their college. It doesn’t help that Bennet’s restaurant job has him waiting at Darius’s table. So when his tutor recommends him for an internship at Darius’s Pemberley estate, Bennet isn’t sure he wants it. He’s also not sure he can afford to turn it down.

Darius is a fish out of water in the small college town of Meriton, but something keeps pulling him back there. He’s helping out a friend with business advice, nothing more. If he’s interested in Bennet, it’s not serious. Sure, Bennet challenges him in a way no other man has. But they have nothing in common. Right?

Wrong. Their best friends are falling in love, and Bennet and Darius can’t seem to escape each other. Soon they’re sharing climbing ropes and birthday cake, and there’s a spark between them that won’t be denied.

But betrayal is around the corner. Darius must swallow his pride and Bennet must drop his prejudices to see the rainbow shining through the storm clouds.

A standalone novel—a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Note: contains mention of past abuse.

About The Author

MEGAN REDDAWAY lives in England and has been entertained by fictional characters acting out their stories in her head for as long as she can remember. She began writing them down as soon as she could.

Since she grew up, she has worked as a secretary, driver, barperson, and article writer, among other things. Whatever she is doing, she always has a story bubbling away at the same time.

For news of Megan’s gay romance releases and two free stories, visit her website: http://meganreddaway.com
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Review: Shiver by Jocelyn Drake & Rinda Elliott

2018-05-31T10:03:00.000-04:00

Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds #1) by Jocelyn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Amazon, Goodreads
Novel: 330pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Lucas Vallois is always in control. He’s building an empire in the glittering city of Cincinnati and created his own family from his three close friends. The self-made millionaire has everything he wants within his tight grasp. But his world starts to crumble after he’s jumped by a trio of thugs late one night after leaving a club. The warning is clear—give up his new property venture or end up dead.

Caving to the demands of his friends, Lucas accepts the help of bodyguard, Andrei Hadeon, as as he hunts for the source of this new threat. But as Lucas gets closer to uncovering the danger, he realizes the sexy Romanian bodyguard poses an even bigger risk to his carefully constructed world. Trapped by a need he never expected, Lucas must find a way to deny the shiver of longing he cannot control.

His brother. His warrior. His heart. Four friends. Unbreakable bonds.

Review

SHAKING AND QUAKING

Well, well, well what have we here? I was never expecting to enjoy this book so much so I went in with little expectations. The last time I went in thinking I’m gonna love a book (ahem Try) I was very disappointed so I went in to Shiver expecting nothing and man was I surprised. The book was hella enjoyable and I am so looking forward to reading the entire series. Let the hot man fucking commence.

Lucas Vallois, hot man and millionaire. He doesn’t have many things that he loves in life. His love boils down to his three best-friends and his job. Life is good until Lucas finds himself being jumped on a night out with his friends. In a fight Lucas can most definitely handle himself but against 3 seasoned fighters it’s a bit of a stretch, plus the men have intent to do some serious damage. He gets away (barely) and land in the hospital with some serious injuries. Seems someone wants him to hold out on his business ventures and Lucas doesn’t take threats easily. But it seems his life is in danger and needs to protected, in comes Andrie Hadeon bodyguard extraordinaire.

Andrie Hadeon knows how to do his job but Lucas is making it hard. First he’s got him all tied up in knots, and second he can’t seem to do his job properly. Lucas Vallois is a problem, a serious problem. Andrie has never been this attracted to a man before and it’s messing with his head, add to the fact that he’s supposed to be protecting his body not effing watching and drooling over it. Complicated shit is complicated. Lucas is more dangerous than the crazy situation they’ve landed in.

When I say I wasn’t expecting this level of story telling and enjoyment, believe me because I wasn’t expecting it. A few pages in I knew I found a new series to get lost in and fall in love. I really enjoyed Lucas and Andrie together they were cute as hell, and Lucas’s makeshift family is already the best.

I love the push and pull dance both men do. Is it just fucking? Is it a relationship? Is it just a strong feeling of like? I love that I got to figure it out with them. The plotty device of the thugs trying to stop Lucas’s shine was enjoyable but it was my least fave part of the story. The bad guy reveal had me giggling cus I was like “look at this fool”. While I was a little surprised, his ass was effing amateur.

Overall, really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Unsure if Shiver is the authors first foray into M/M and if it is, I gotta say, job well done. While it still has that hyper masculinity that some new m/m authors who predominantly write m/f books possess, I find that I didn’t mind that much and there was a nice balance. These new to me authors have found a fan in me and I am looking forward to reading about my man Snow. I’m Canadian so I can handle the cold 😈

Audiobook Review: Slow Heat by Leta Blake

2018-05-29T09:57:00.000-04:00

Slow Heat (Heat of Love #1) by Leta Blake, Narration by Michael Ferraiuolo
Audible, Amazon, Goodreads
Time: 14hrs and 7 minutes

4.5 Pants Off

Blurb: A lustful young alpha meets his match in an older omega with a past.

Professor Vale Aman has crafted a good life for himself. An unbonded omega in his mid-30s, he's long since given up hope that he'll meet a compatible alpha, let alone his destined mate. He's fulfilled by his career, his poetry, his cat, and his friends.

When Jason Sabel, a much younger alpha, imprints on Vale in a shocking and public way, longings are ignited that can't be ignored. Fighting their strong sexual urges, Jason and Vale must agree to contract with each other before they can consummate their passion.

But for Vale, being with Jason means giving up his independence and placing his future in the hands of an untested alpha - as well as facing the scars of his own tumultuous past. He isn't sure it's worth it. But Jason isn't giving up his destined mate without a fight.

This is a stand-alone gay romance novel, 118,000 words, with a strong HFN ending, as well as a well-crafted, non-shifter omegaverse, with alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting. Content warning for pregnancy loss and aftermath.

Review

SLOW HOT FIRE

Squeeeeeeee!! This review will probably just be all gushing cus of reasons. What a surprise to my senses and my feels Slow Heat was. I’ve read a lot of non-shifter omegaverse in fanfic and I don’t see it a lot in published works and when I do they’re not that great. But this book and the narration was a slam dunk.

Micheal Ferraiuolo is the TRUTH!!

The Story: 4.5 Pants Off

Jason Sabel is a young Alpha not yet into maturity. He attends universiy to learn how to finally care for his Omega when they meet. As an Alpha he’s got urges but Omegas are to remain pure until they meet their one true match so he’s getting no love on that part. But that doesn’t stop Jason from getting himself into something warm. So he gets off with his best-friend Xan another Alpha, which is a forbidden complication, but horny growing boys.

When Jason meets his much older omega Vale, a professor at his university it’s quite unexpected and everything is set to work against them but instinct is a hard thing to deny. To the world their union would be a disaster because Jason is a young Alpha, and to everyone else Vale is a used up Omega who has been through many heats but Jason will not be denied his true match and he’s very much willing to risk it all for Vale.

Vale Aman has his hang ups, after going through two very traumatizing heats. An omega is required to bare children and that’s something he can never do. So, he will not let Jason suffer a childless union no matter how much his heart will hurt. For each day he spends getting to know Jason, it’s a little bit of himself that he loses to the young man. Walking away will be hard but it’s for the best even though it will break him.

So like wow, what a rollercoaster this was. I’m all about the older guy poking younger dude, but this one had a case of younger guy poking older dude. Along with heartache and miscarriage, a very bloody sounding miscarriage.

Things I Liked: Pretty much everything. The story is entertaining, while a bit on the very long side it really kept me entertained all through.

I enjoyed Jason and Vale as characters and their slow burn coming together.

The writing is amazing. Leta Blake delivered a complex and very unique novel with so much undertones about serious topics like gender, and society norms. There’s a richer meaning, and it’s so much more than dudes who get pregnant.

I enjoyed all the supporting characters and they added more spice to the story (but sometimes they were there just a little too much).

Things I didn’t Like: Jason’s sexual relationship with his best-friend. Initially I really disliked Xan but there is so much to his character that I’m looking forward to his story. I just find their relationship contradicting, especially after Jason meets Vale. Like the Alpha/Omega bond is this undeniable sacred thing so Jason and Xan together just seemed wrong.

So much story about other people that wasn’t Jason and Vale. The most intense and heartbreaking moments in the book really had nothing to do with the main MCs and that really bothered me. Their entire story could have been wrapped up in 150pgs or less.

It also didn’t need to be so depressing and angst filled through out. For once I needed something to go easily, but every aspect just had to have some obstacle to get over.

Vale! At a certain point his negative thinking and woe is me attitude really started to irk me. He was way too into his feelings and by the end I was over him. I would have been on board if Jason said “adios you whining omega”.

It’s not a perfect 5 ⭐️s because it really did get draggy and Vale got super whiny and I swear he became the one with the lower mental age.

Overall, I really loved the story and there is just so much more to discuss but then this review would be a 10pg review and ain’t nobody got time for that. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The Narration: 5 Pants Off

Michael Ferraiuolo is my favourite narrator ever!! While I am new to the whole audiobook movement, Mr Michael is the best I’ve ever heard. He made the story so freaking epic and I am convinced I love it for the sole reason of his narration (Maybe).

Each character voice was unique and exciting and there was never a moment where I was confused about who’s who. He really brought his a-game and I want to dive into any audiobook he’s done.

Even if the story wasn’t very good Michael Ferraiuolo would have made it enjoyable regardless, he brought Slow Heat alive. This is one story I will be listening to over and over again and eagerly anticipating the second book in audio form.

Audiobook Review: The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

2018-05-25T09:38:00.000-04:00

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1) by KJ Charles
Amazon, Audible, Goodreads
Time: 7hrs and 56 Minutes

4.5 Pants Off

Blurb: A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

Warning: Contains hot m/m sex between a deeply inappropriate earl and a very confused magician, dark plots in a magical version of Victorian England, family values (not the good kind), and a lot of swearing.

Review

THE LORD ASSHOLES

So I’m so glad I decided to listen to this on Audio. The story is already magnificent and the narration made The Magpie Lord all the more magnificent.

The Story: 5 Pants Off

I really do love the heck out of this book. I am a fan of things creepy and a story filled with twists and turns and The Magpie Lord had it all. The characters are deeply rich, the storytelling topnotch, and the sexy time is definitely sexy.

Lucien Vaudry aka Lord Crane on more than one occasion has tried to kill himself while deeply asleep and each time becoming more successful than the last. He knows he needs help and so he calls in local magician that comes highly recommend. Seems the title of Lord is deeply cursed which has Lucien feeling some sort of way because the sins of his father and brother shouldn’t fall on him since he’s been exiled for quite sometime. But in order to stay alive he will the need the help of Stephen Day, the tiny feisty magician who also hates his guts (sins of his father and all).

What then transpires is next level creepy shit, ghosts of old, and magpies. Crane and Stephen clash in a most delicious type of way and they make the story all the more worthwhile. They got so much chemistry I was in flames. While I would call this a slow burn you won’t mind cus it burns so good and it’s quite delicious enjoying it for a second time.

Let me also mention it’s freaking hilarious. The greatest balance of creepy with hilariousity.

The Narration by Cornell Collins: 4 Pants Off

Yes, yes, and yes. Having read the book previously, listening to it brought a very different level of excitement. The narration was so on point, each character so very well developed in both uniqueness and personality.

I am all for this and I’m so much looking forward to listening the rest of the series.

I am both happy in my pants and my ears.

Review: The Charlatan's Conquest by Vivien Dean

2018-05-23T10:45:00.000-04:00

The Charlatan's Conquest (Phantom Fixers #1) (Dreamspun Beyond #2) by Vivien Dean
Dreamspinner Press, Goodreads, Amazon, Audible
Novel: 216pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: A Phantom Fixers Story

With love and ghosts, the challenge is figuring out what’s real.

Software engineer Cruz Guthrie needs money for his sister’s cancer treatments. He needs it so badly he’s willing to stand in for a ghost hunter friend and investigate a millionaire’s supposed specters. It should be an easy gig—after all, nobody thinks the haunting is real.

Neurological researcher Brody Weber is furious that Cruz would take advantage of Brody’s father. But his mind changes when spirits manifest—and he realizes Cruz genuinely wants to help. When they learn the paranormal activity centers on Brody, Cruz is willing to fight to free Brody from the entities determined to make his life miserable. With a little help from friends and family—both living and dead—they must figure out why Brody is attracting spirits and how to banish them. Only then can they pursue a future together.

Review

The Charlatans Conquest is the second book in the Dreamspun Beyond series and quite a disappointment for me. I really wanted to like it because ghosts man but failed to wow me…

Cruz Guthrie has decided to fill in for his ghost hunter best friend. While he isn’t 100% behind the idea he would greatly benefit from the twenty thousand payout that would help with his sister medical bills. He doesn’t like the idea of doing a job that Etienne has already proven the lack of ghosts but the client is sure that he is being haunted and won’t take no for an answer. So spending 2wks doing a house cleansing seems like a money making vacation. What should have been a super easy job comes with some complications when the clients son Brody Weber shows up, and clearly Etienne was wrong because the house is haunted and there is more than one ghost.

Brody doesn’t want anyone taking advantage of his father and clearly this charlatan is. Pretending he’s a ghost hunter and feeding his father s disillusionment, but Brody has got a secret that makes him a hypocrite and also a tad bit on the stupid side. Brody knows his father isn’t being haunted and he knows the strange happenings have everything to do with him. For someone who deals in neurology his brain is real slow on the uptake. Now he has to deal with his attraction for Cruz and also realize for all these years his ass has been haunted by some trouble-making possible malevolent ghosts (who knew).

Now it’s up to Cruz and Brody to figure out how to rid Brody of his hitchhikers while also falling into serious like. Cruz is this sweet family orientated guy who really wants to help Brody and Brody just wants to have a little bit of normalcy. Things are moving forward but first they’ve got to exercise some ghost.

I wanted to like this a lot more because umm ghost and creepy are my thing but this really failed to spook or keep my interest. The writing was good, and the story was nice but overall I became bored and lost interest. The relationship between Cruz and Brody is hella sweet and Cruz’s friend Etienne offers up some intrigue as to how he started seeing ghost and made it his job, so I’m definitely interested in that. Otherwise there wasn’t much here for me.

Overall, an alright read but it missed its mark with me….

Review: Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen

2018-05-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen
Carina Press, Goodreads, Amazon
Novel: 451pgs

4.5 Pants Off

Blurb: Only love can heal an impossibly broken heart

There’d forever been a thread running through Trevor Estes’s life—his son, Riley, strong and constant like a heartbeat. But when Riley is killed in combat, everything in Trevor’s life unravels into a mess he doesn’t know how to mourn.

Then Jesse Byrne, Riley’s friend and platoon mate, arrives on Trevor’s doorstep with a box of Riley’s things. Jesse’s all-too-familiar grief provides an unlikely source of comfort for Trevor: knowing he’s not alone is exactly what he needs.

Trevor never imagined he’d find someone who fills his heart with hope again. As the pair celebrate Riley’s memory, their unique bond deepens into something irreplaceable—and something neither man can live without.

But diving into a relationship can’t be so simple. Being together means Trevor risking the last link he has to his son…leaving Jesse to wonder if he’ll ever be enough, or if Trevor will always be haunted by the past.

Review

Note to Self: The next time you see your GR friends saying how a book made them bawl and breakdown please effing take it at face value and realize that they were actually bawling their eyes out and not playing around.

This book broke my heart, broke it again, and then broke it one more time while putting it a tiny bit together. Melanie Hansen didn’t come to play with us when it comes to Point of Contact, she really didn’t come to play.

Trevor Estes is scared, he’s very scared. He’s dealing with the fear of a parent whose only child is in the army and he’s about to do his first deployment. His fear is bone deep and he wants to stop Riley from leaving but when your children grow up they make their own decisions, and sometimes you can’t protect them. So, Trevor will support his baby and send him of with a smile and wave but with a prayer in his heart for his boy to comeback to him, for his boy to comeback to him safe.

A going away party for Riley and his young friends is the last thing Trevor can give these boys because they are going to fight a war that will make them men far sooner than need be. A hostile run in with Jesse one of Riley’s friends almost brings the party mood to a standstill but there is far bigger things to worry about. Trevor will have to say goodbye to his little boy, the baby he had way too young and a time when it was them against the world.

The story then gives you glimpses of father and son time apart. Riley’s time in the army and also counting down to D-day (death day). The fact that its coming is there from the beginning. It the author does a thing where you get to know Riley, you get to see him as a son and as a friend and he’s not just the man you’ll know will die. This is also his story and when the moment happens you realize you were never prepared and it will wreck you. I can’t remember the last time I cried for a book like this (well not since Protection by S.A Reid).

We then move into the after where his dad Trevor and his best-friend Jesse have to learn to live without him. Trevor’s grief is crippling and every word of every chapter made me super weepy. As a mother (or as someone who just loves a person) I can only imagine and also as a mother your mind goes to places that is sobering and running amuck with fear. It was sometimes too much.

The love story is a slow progress and it never implies that it’s a way to heal. Yes, two men suffering from grief come together to get through it but feelings went and snuck in. They celebrate the life of a loved one and embraces a love so fresh and new.

Trevor through out the entire book made me sad his love for his son was very real, their connection was beautiful and I just enjoyed reading about their relationship. Jesse, while his first impression was a bad one, you get to know him and eventually fall in love with the man he is and the man that war has shaped. While falling in love with your deceased friends father might not be what he had expected but it was everything he needed. Together they walk the steps to healing and yet Riley remains an intricate part of their relationship.

Seriously, this book had me wrecked and at the time I was upset with myself for reading it because it made me so sad but I’m happy I did read it because it was a beautiful well written story. Point of Contact has filled my quota for emotional reads for the rest of the year, I can’t be out here in the streets with red eyes and runny nose.

I am irrecoverably wrecked and I will be thinking about this one for a long time.

Review: Cash Plays by Cordelia Kingsbridge

2018-05-19T17:24:00.000-04:00

Cash Plays (Seven of Spades #3) by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Riptide Publishing, Goodreads
Novel: 339pgs

4.25 Pants Off

Blurb: The Seven of Spades is back with a vengeance—the vigilante serial killer has resumed their murderous crusade, eluding the police at every turn. But a bloodthirsty killer isn’t the only threat facing Sin City. A devious saboteur is wreaking havoc in Las Vegas’s criminal underworld, and the entire city seems to be barreling toward an all-out gang war.

As Detective Levi Abrams is pushed ever closer to his breaking point, his control over his dangerous rage slips further every day. His relationship with PI Dominic Russo should be a source of comfort, but Dominic is secretly locked in his own downward spiral, confronting a nightmare he can’t bear to reveal.

Las Vegas is floundering. Levi and Dominic’s bond is cracking along the seams. And the Seven of Spades is still playing to win. How many bad hands can Levi and Dominic survive before it’s game over?

Review

PLAYED AND LEFT BROKEN AS HELL

Pardon my language for this review because I have feelings. TOO MANY RAGEY FEELING 🤬

This book…

This fucking book…

This motherfucking book…

I don’t even have the words right now. I feel like love is dead, everything is a lie and I wanna cry over a bag of hot Cheetos and a plate filled with delicious fried foods.

Cash Plays, the third book in the Seven of Spades ♠️ series and what a whopping play of crazy, disappointment, and hot man love this is. If you have no clue about this I suggest checking out my review Kill Game and see the delights of this vigilante killer who kills with flair on the crazy street of Las Vegas as a form of justice for those who escape justice form the police. The killer has fixated on Levi Abrams a detective and his partner Dominic Russo a PI. Together they are piano keys being played by a ruthless killer that is always one step ahead.

Now, the streets of Las Vegas are caught in a gang way and Levi and Dom is smack dab in the centre. The Seven of Spades has been on a killing spree and their crimes is escalating in ruthlessness. The calm killer is gone and the violence is at high level, seems SoS ♠️ now likes the taste of killing and is basking in the violence. Levi is frustrated that he’s no closer to catching the killer but he’s happy in his relationship and so somethings are looking up. But the thing is when you’re up the only left to do is fall and like playing Pyramid with a deck of cards, it all falls down.

Dom is on a case to rescue a girl but the case comes with complications and before he knows it, he’s caught with no escape. He’s putting everything he loves in danger but the rush is so palatable and Dom lives for it. He’s ashamed but now he’s trapped and everything is on the line.

Can I just say…what the fuck man. This book has ruined my entire month or longer until I get the next book. I don’t love it like I did the first two books and that only because of how ridiculous some of the story was. Especially with Dom (slight spoilers ahead).

This fool is doing his PI case and hears something about a password being involved. He lives in Las Vegas 🤔 ummmm excuse me sir. Why else would you need a password? and while reading I was just like “it’s all over now”. And it really was. Shit spiralled and now I can’t even with anything.

My love Levi is strong as ever. I love that he’s just so badass, violent, and destructive. If you didn’t know bad ass is my aesthetic. His relationship with Dom is so pure sometimes that it makes my heart ache and to see it unravel just has me so ragey. I really just want to cry because it’s too pure and…no words.

The FBI (Fucking Bitch-ass Investigator) agent. I don’t why his ass is there but I hope he’s just there to annoy me. Goodbye Rohan!!

The action is awesome. I was so entertained through the entire story. It’s like watching a crime drama with a new episode each week. I’m so invested in this story and while I have some idea who the SoS ♠️ is some new details make the operation so much bigger than anticipated and it literally could be anyone in the police station right now. Like what is happening??

The Ending: I’ve already started my fanfic to rewrite, because fuck no!! Dominic sir, please get it together (a bitch is on her knees here 😭).

Overall, highly entertaining, but Ms. Kingsbridge fun is over. Let’s get it together and stop playing with my emotions. No man shall stray and love will conquer all, pretty please. Cash Plays was the book I needed but I really don’t want. Putting in my request for book 4 pronto!! Another highly entertaining book in a series that is hand down one of my faves ever (little competition).

A magnet designed as a seven of spades playing card was stuck to his refrigerator, securing a piece of paper on which a message had been scrawled in black marker: YOU HURT HIM, I HURT YOU DON’T PUSH YOUR LUCK

Review: Book #1 Kill Game
Review: Book #2 Trick Roller

Release Blitz & Giveaway: Exploration by Quinn Ward

2018-05-18T12:29:00.000-04:00

Universal Buy Link

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Marisa @ Cover Me Darling

Blurb

The reluctant manager of his family’s restaurant, Frankie attempts to live up to the legacy of his father and grandfather. Running a business that isn't his passion and trying to do it without asking for help leaves him turning to less-than-legal means when he wants to surrender control.

Newly divorced, Calvin no longer lives in the closet, leaving him searching for what he most desires- control. So when he finds Frankie on his knees in the back room of a local bar, Calvin sees the sub he’s only ever fantasized about having.

Can Calvin find the confidence to explore his dominant side while showing his younger roommate that submission isn't only about whips and pain?

Quinn writes LGBTQ romance with a kick. Their stories center around the relationship building between the characters, but also shows how compatible they are in the bedroom (or wherever else the urge strikes).

Goodreads Page
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Email Quinn at: quinn(at)quinnwardwrites(dot)com
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Audiobook Review: Permanent Ink by Piper Vaughn & Avon Gale

2018-05-16T09:37:00.000-04:00

Permanent Ink (Art & Soul #1) by Piper Vaughn & Avon Gale
Narration: Kirt Graves Audible, Goodreads, Amazon
Time: 7hrs and 7 minutes

3 Pants Off

Blurb: At twenty-three, Poe Montgomery is going nowhere. He still lives in his father’s basement and spends most of his time tagging with his friends. When an arrest lands him in debt, Poe accepts the front desk job at Permanent Ink, the tattoo shop owned by his father’s best friend, Jericho McAslan. Jericho is nearly twice Poe’s age, but with his ink and prematurely graying hair, he quickly takes the starring role in Poe’s hottest fantasies.

Jericho is known for his ability to transform poorly designed tattoos into works of art, but he was once as aimless and misdirected as Poe. Wanting to pay it forward the way someone once did for him, Jericho makes Poe his apprentice and is determined to keep things strictly professional. Easier said than done when Poe makes his interest—and his daddy kink—abundantly clear.

Jericho can’t resist Poe or their intense chemistry for long. But between the age gap, tension with Poe’s father, and Poe’s best friend calling him a sellout, they’ll need to ensure they’re both on the same page before they can rewrite their rocky start into something permanent.

Review

PERMANENT FAILURE

I’m going to lead off with this is my first audiobook review so don’t hold it against me. So here goes…

The Story: 3 Pants Off

I was very excited to listen this one and I am just sad that it didn’t deliver.

Poe Montgomery lives the life of a punk ass kid. He’s got crazy artistic talent but he spends his time tagging private property with his best friend. He’s been in trouble before but what he fails to realize that he’s older and a more slip ups will have him serving time. His dad has had enough of getting him out of jail, and getting on his dads bad side is a bad move since he’s basically supporting him. But Poe is an artiste 👨‍🎨 and his talent cannot be contained. When his fathers best-friend offers him a job at his tattoo parlour he accepts grudgingly. Poe soon starts to realize that setting a foundation isn’t selling out, and the talent that he has can be used to make many people happy and it’s legal too.

Jericho owner of Permanent Ink decides to take on his best friends son as an apprentice to keep him out of trouble. What Jericho never expected was to be getting lust filled for the brat, and Poe is strictly of limits because 1, the boy is young enough to be his kid and 2, he’s the son of a friend and that alone puts him in the no fuck zone.

I was hoping to really like this one a lot. It has some of my fave things. The daddy kink (supossebly), tattooed dudes, and that whole disciplinary type of feel but the story didn’t quite deliver. It wasn’t as hot as I’d hoped and Poe and Jericho lacked chemistry. In the end I just had meh-ish feels. The plotty device with Poe’s best-friend failed to add excitement it only highlighted Poe’s immaturity and that brought down my enjoyment of the story.

Also Daddy Kink!! Bitch where???

The Narration by Kirt Graves: 2.75 – 3 Pants Off

I think if I had read the book I might have liked it more, because the narration wasn’t working for me. I felt like Jericho needed a stronger voice, something amidst that of a Vin Diesel level; strong and commanding. I have this weird thing with voices and sounds, I get annoyed enough that there are people I just don’t want to hear speak. While I didn’t hate the narration, it wasn’t doing me any favours. I listen to audiobooks when I’m doing errands and such, so I get to enjoy sexy scenes in the outdoors and usually sometimes I be blushing or smirking but for this one I felt nothing. The sexy times was read like the regular stuff and I felt nothing.

Permanent Ink was a total letdown in the story and for my ears!!!

SideNote- In a weird way I’m kinda looking forward to book 2 but I think I’ll go ahead and read the book for that one.

Guest Post & Giveaway: Plummet to Soar by Z.A Maxfield

2018-05-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

Plummet to Soar by Z.A Maxfield

Blurb: Feckless, luckless, and charming, Mackenzie Detweiler is the author of a self-help book one reviewer calls “the most misbegotten motivational tool since Mein Kampf.” He’s maneuvered himself into a career as a life coach, but more often than not, his advice is bad. Really bad.

It’s even getting people hurt… and Mackenzie sued.

It falls to Mackenzie’s long-suffering editor, JD Chambers, to deliver the bad news. He chooses to do so face-to-face—to see if the spark he senses between them is real when they’re together in the flesh. Unfortunately, a snowstorm, a case of nerves, a case of mistaken identity, and finally a murder get in the way of a potential enemies-to-lovers romance.

There are many, many people who have good reason to want Mackenzie dead. JD must find out which one is acting on it before it’s too late for both of them.

Release Date: 5/8/2018

Five things I learned while writing “Plummet To Soar”

* Last year I was overcommitted, stressed out, and deeply depressed, so when it came time to decide what kind of book I wanted to write, I asked myself what kind of book would make me feel better if I read it. All books include conflict. Without conflict it’s not a story. I was working on a difficult family saga on one hand, so I gave myself permission to get National Lampoon levels of silly in Plummet to Soar. Basically, I started my day with angst and ended with humor. I highly recommend that as a stress release!

* There’s always a reason why I write a book, even if I don’t know what it is at the time. Although you’ll see very little of this in the text, I did a lot of reading about different types of meditation and stress relief breathing. I tooled around on the web checking out life coaches. I read Super Better by Jane McGonigal, and reread Jon Kabat-Zinn. I watched Ted Talks on Flow. Nothing is ever wasted. As 2017 rolled into 2018, I found myself needing every single one of these things every time I looked at the news on my phone.

* I prefer to write ensemble comedy. I like to create characters and allow them to play off against one another. It’s a kind of writing that goes fast, and if you’re clear on each of the characters, they move the plot along and create conflict “all by themselves.” I don’t mean that I’m not in control of them, I am. It’s just that I’m so used to the free for all of a large family, I don’t know if I’ve ever written a book where characters don’t interrupt one another all the time. The EM dash is my crutch.

* I love writing sex, and reading sex, but not every book needs massive quantities of (even awesomely written) sex. This is a romantic-comedy suspense and the entire book comes in at around 60K, so I couldn’t squeeze too much in, as it were… For my money, there are two reasons to include sex in a book that is not erotica: to tell the reader something about the characters, or about the world, that we could not tell them without sex in the book. Three penises? By all means, we need to see that play out… Lifelong fear of pubic hair? We probably won’t find that out until someone drops their pants. Still, don’t worry! Despite my reticence, between JD and Kenzie sex is a foregone conclusion, I give them the on-page happy ending they deserve! (Note the word deserve, and email me later if you laughed at that point, at all.)

* The characters in the books I’m writing these days aren’t all awesome people. Sometimes they’re selfish, or prideful. Some make bad mistakes. I started out writing flawed characters in the beginning, and I think that concept still drives every story I write. But lately, I’ve been writing characters that can be kinda unlikable. Now I find pleasure in creating a character in one book, *Cough*OfficerHsu*Cough who seems like a douche canoe, and in the next book, I make him a better offer. I have already discovered the certain someone for whom my erstwhile douche canoe wants to be a better man… Stay tuned.

I can’t thank everyone enough for giving this book a try. Look forward to more books loosely based around the concept of Plummet to Soar. Thanks again!

*ZAM*

Book Links:

Goodreads Dreamspinner: eBook: Paperback

Kindle

Nook

B&N

Kobo:

iTunes

Excerpt

DESPITE THE white noise generated by the heater and the hum of someone’s television, silence threatened to overwhelm JD after Mac left. The room was nice—super-dated decor, traditional furniture. The linens, though, had that “international chain hotel” look—white on white with a colorful runner and fancy round bolsters to go with ample standard-size lumps for sleeping on. And right next door, lying on his back, among all those many pillows….

JD,

You can call me anything you want. You contracted the book, man. People have called me everything—Mac, Mackenzie, Z, and shit-for-brains.

I’ve never let anyone call me Kenzie.

Mac

Why’s that? Breathlessly curious about the odd new writer—the goofball his colleagues laughed at and jokingly called Humpty Dumbass behind his back—he switched to text.

Mac texted back, Dunno. I think I’ve been saving that one for someone who loves me.

JD thumbed, I love being inside your head during the journal entries. A long hesitation. Oh, God, was that too much? He always gave away too much, goddammit. He typed like lightning—I mean that’s how I felt when I first read it. I love these ideas, finding resilience. It resonates with me in a way I can’t really explain. I loved being in your head, reading words as you thought them. Wrote them.

My book is me, distilled. Maximum me. Call me Kenzie.

Like whisky, the words, the book, the man went to his head. All right, then, Kenzie.

JD loved their secret nicknames, loved knowing what it meant. He connected with Kenzie daily, over the minutiae of publishing his book and well beyond that, into late-night emails and intimate text conversations about the meaning of life. But while he coyly obscured all but a few details and kept his face, even his voice, hidden for no reason but his fear that if he broke the fantasy, he’d lose it, Kenzie was transparent. Since Kenzie Detweiler had become the single most important thing in his life, and since JD had nothing in his life to compare the experience to, he was ill equipped to handle such a thing.

Kenzie was made of minutiae, it turned out. He’d spent endless, generous time explaining how he saw the world and why he saw it that way and what it all meant.

Chambers Lighthouse Publishing published books by authors with whom JD had never spoken a single word. His name was on the door, but he had people for interacting with the authors. But the Lamplight line was his sole purview. He was its acquisitions editor and its executive editor.

Lamplight, started by his grandfather, put out almanacs, books of prayerful sentiment, and the journals of thoughtful, barely known but highly influential men. He’d kept his output to three or four titles per year. The authors were thought-provoking but never controversial—Norman Mailer and Truman Capote and Joan Didion need not apply.

His father changed all that, publishing astonishingly sexy memoirs and books by people who really set society’s hair on fire, becoming the enfant terrible of the legacy publishing world for about five minutes. And now, no matter how many pairs he tried, JD could fill neither man’s two-tone, lace-up, wing-tipped oxfords. Shortly after he took over, he vowed to publish books he liked, and people called him sir, or Mr. Chambers, or they got out of his way.

But not Kenzie, who called him JD.

Somewhere between the contract and the first marketing campaign, Douglas—oh, who was he kidding with the fake name and this ridiculous trip—Jacob Douglas Chambers IV—fell in love.

That Kenzie didn’t know who he was? Was both a godsend and a curse. A godsend because he could choose the perfect time for The Big Reveal, and a curse because if he was wrong about this? There was no perfect time.

He really expected Kenzie to know him. That was the thing. He told Kenzie that he was allergic to cameras, but who stops there? There were exactly five pictures of him online. One in a morning coat, top hat, and tails at a wedding, even. JD could have told Kenzie who he was at any time.

Why hadn’t he?

He’d foreseen the moment for so long. What was he protecting himself from? He’d developed a deep, unhealthy emotional attachment to the man who was taking a shower—if the running water was anything to go by—in the room adjacent. There was a gap under the connecting door, and every sound was amplified through it.

Kenzie, singing “Despacito.” The sexy slap of water on the tub floor. He didn’t dare take his imagination further than that. He’d believed in Mackenzie Detweiler, trusted his words, his thoughts, his heart.

And it seemed as though he’d been deluded, along with all the other saps who bought Mackenzie Detweiler’s spiel. But maybe that wasn’t fair, because even tonight, even in pain from an injury he got—not while following Kenzie’s very well-meaning advice, but Kenzie didn’t know

that—right up until the moment he’d seen Kenzie face-to-face, JD wanted to believe that what they had was foreordained or somehow magical—celestial.

He wanted to believe there was some sort of there… there.

I’d ask your definition of freedom.

Kenzie always had a comeback. There was another reason not to get sucked into the happy complacency of letting someone else do his thinking for him. JD had tasted the Kool-Aid, siphoned a little to see how it felt, and then guzzled it. And when the unthinkable happened, and the scythe came too close to miss him, he didn’t have the revelations he’d been promised. He simply felt… pissed.

Yes. That was it. Pissed, because in no way did he believe Mac lied in the book. In Mac’s case a near-death experience solidified who he was. He seemed happy. Fulfilled and content. His weird personality traits and his inchoate yearnings had incubated—hatched into someone fierce and proud and unfailingly kind. JD would stake his life on the fact that Kenzie was legitimately happy.

JD was pissed because he felt goddamn nothing.

Stupid for hoping that, if he embraced the worst, his fears would go away.

Stupid for asking for more than he had when he was arguably the richest, luckiest person he knew.

Stupid for trying out any advice he got from a dumbass like Mac, who had turned out to be just another fucked-up human being after all—even if he was a delightful one.

They were all lucky no one had gotten killed. Yet.

Everyone from editorial to corporate had put in a word. Plummet was going to be pulled off the shelves the following Monday. Press releases had been written. Lawyers were on standby. And he had to tell Mac about that too.

Sorry. I’m the man you trusted with your career, and I’m here to pull the rug out.

It wasn’t right to keep it from him. Years back, they’d pulled a book on canning while the author reworked the section on food safety. Those things happened. But they wouldn’t offer Mac a chance to rewrite and rerelease. The ideas JD had embraced so fully only alarmed them after his ludicrous brush with death, though it had nothing to do with the book.

No. The board didn’t want anything to do with Mac anymore.

JD had argued at first. Thrown his weight around. What happened to him didn’t result from Plummet to Soar. All he’d done was attend a contentious co-op board meeting. Those were a bore but not normally dangerous. It wasn’t like he’d run with the bulls in Pamplona. No one could have foreseen his ex catching him in the parking garage alone.

JD absently rubbed his knee. And why, when his leg was broken on one side, did the other knee hurt so much? JD made a mental note to call his doctor and find out.

His eyes snapped open when the water shut off. From the other side of the door came the sound of more humming and rustling noises. Curiosity was killing JD truly. Killing him.

How did connecting doors in hotels work, anyway? Were there two doors or just one? It seemed kinda old-school—a knob, a dead bolt.

Is the lock engaged?

As though it heated before his eyes, the lock seemed to glow with some inner fire. The knob was the only thing he could focus on. God, his leg hurt. The buzz from the flight, from the bar, was fading. If he took a pain pill, it would knock him out too hard.

JD laid his cheek against the door and put his hand on the knob. Nope. Nope, Nope. Nope. The door between their rooms felt cool. He let go of the knob, as though it would brand him, but that was just more melodramatic bullshit. He could hear his mother’s voice telling him to get a grip on himself. Which, really, anyone who ever met him would have known that having a grip on himself was part of the goddamn problem.

Try the door.

It was almost as though the door were talking to him—or was that wishful thinking?

He wanted to try it anyway, and what was it they said about confirmation bias? You generally fall in with the data that supports what you already believe?

No. It wasn’t all a scam.

The doorknob turned in his hand. The door opened in his direction. He had to step back to get out of its way. And then he was standing there, staring at Kenzie Detweiler, who wore nothing but a towel.

Author’s Bio

Z. A. Maxfield started writing in 2007 on a dare from her children and never looked back. Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. Three things reverberate throughout all her stories: Unconditional love, redemption, and the belief that miracles happen when we least expect them.

If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four can find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you give up housework.”

Readers can visit ZAM at her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

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Review: Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews

2018-05-11T10:45:00.001-04:00

Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
Amazon, Goodreads, Audible
Novel: 259pgs

4.5 Pants Off

Blurb: Will a virgin captive surrender to this pirate’s sinful touch?

Nathaniel Bainbridge is used to hiding, whether it’s concealing his struggles with reading or his forbidden desire for men. Under the thumb of his controlling father, the governor of Primrose Isle, he’s sailing to the fledging colony, where he’ll surrender to a respectable marriage for his family’s financial gain. Then pirates strike and he’s kidnapped for ransom by the Sea Hawk, a legendary villain of the New World.

Bitter and jaded, Hawk harbors futile dreams of leaving the sea for a quiet life, but men like him don’t deserve peace. He has a score to settle with Nathaniel’s father—the very man whose treachery forced him into piracy—and he’s sure Nathaniel is just as contemptible.

Yet as days pass in close quarters, Nathaniel’s feisty spirit and alluring innocence beguile and bewitch. Although Hawk knows he must keep his distance, the desire to teach Nathaniel the pleasure men can share grows uncontrollable. It’s not as though Hawk would ever feel anything for him besides lust…

Nathaniel realizes the fearsome Sea Hawk’s reputation is largely invented, and he sees the lonely man beneath the myth, willingly surrendering to his captor body and soul. As a pirate’s prisoner, he is finally free to be his true self. The crew has been promised the ransom Nathaniel will bring, yet as danger mounts and the time nears to give him up, Hawk’s biggest battle could be with his own heart.

This May-December gay romance from Keira Andrews features classic tropes including: a tough alpha pirate too afraid to love, a plucky virgin captive half his age, enemies to lovers, first-time sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending. 85,000 words.

Review

POUNDED IN THE BUTT BY THE PIRATE (Do you think Chuck Tingle will come sue me?)

This is the pirate book I never knew I need. Kidnapped by the Pirate was everything I wanted in a pirate gay romance, with enough sizzle to singe my arm hairs and leave me with a smile on my face.

Nathaniel Bainbridge wants a life where how could live and enjoy the things he’s good at. He’s never been one for the books and no amount of tutors have helped with the fact that he’s unable to read. Yes, he speaks like a gentleman and one would never be able to tell that he isn’t educated or was unable to be educated. Running, climbing, and swimming is where Nathaniel interest lies, along with his interest in men. He dreams of the day he can be mounted, he gets lost in cock fantasies quite a lot. So when his dad demands he marries and moves to the new world, Nat knows he’s very much screwed. He’s not meant to be a husband but he will do what he’s told, and make the journey to a place he will never belong and marry a woman he doesn’t want.

The journey is tedious on the ship because Nathaniel is a man that needs to move, needs to do and so he’s looking forward to getting his land legs back. His trip gets cut short when his ship is boarded by pirates and Nathaniel is kidnapped for ransom by the legendary Sea Hawk.

He’s expecting to be cruelly treated on The Damn Manta but his treatment comes as a surprise and also his feelings for the pirate that has kidnapped him. Captain Hawk is the type of man that would give Nathaniel a good seeing to, and his virgin everything is intrigued and both scared by the feelings the pirate invokes. Nathaniel has no disillusions that Hawk can be a cruel man but he’s also seen that he is a good man, and he wants to experience everything with this man before he returns to his father and becomes a proper married gentleman.

First, I really freaking loved this for the sole fact that Captain Hawk is a real effing pirate. There are no rose coloured glasses when it comes to who he is. He walks the walk, talks the talk, and dresses like every dream I’ve ever had in my teenage years about being captured on the sea by a pirate and ravished.

Secondly, Nathaniel and Hawk are hellfire hot. They did the things and introduced Nat to the wonderful world of man love and Nathaniel soon starts, to realize that now he’s had cock he can never lift a frock. Hawk cares for him start to transform his feelings and he’s dreaming of a life together but everyday aboard the ship proves that he’ll never be accepted and he’s the ticket to a lot of money.

“Why did I think better of you because you read to me and were kind about my deficiencies?” Hawk tore his gaze away. “I don’t know, since apparently I must remind you I’m a fucking pirate!”

Thirdly, the wonderful age gap. Isn’t it just true classic historical romance with the naïve virgin and the worldly older man. It’s trope as old as time but there is just something about it that’s works so well in a historical setting, and man did it deliver here. Captain Hawk is forward and brusque and Nathaniel’s innocence adds fire to an already burning super hot flame.

Overall, I really enjoyed the shit out of this. Giving me all I need in pirate feels, delivering amazing fucking on a pirate ship, and giving me a beautiful HEA. I love it, I love it, and am so glad I decided to give it a read. Keira Andrews you most definitely have the sauce (no ketchup). If you’re like me and spent many a days reading Johanna Lindsey, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Lowell, Christina Dodd, Kat Martin etc…in your youth (or even now). Then this book will give you such a delight, and is not to be missed.

SideNote- I need more freaking gay historical romances in my life!!

Review: Forgive and Forget by Charlie Cochet

2018-05-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Forgive and Forget (Dreamspun Desires #7) by Charlie Cochet
Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Goodreads
Novella : 194pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: He's hot. He's dangerous. And he can't remember anything.

As the owner of Apple’n Pies, Joe Applin leads a quiet, uneventful life, content to spend his days serving customers who come from all over to eat his delicious homemade pies. Along with his motley crew—Bea, Elsie, and Donnie—Joe couldn’t be happier in his little kingdom of baked goods and java.

Experience has taught Joe that love is overrated—and at times dangerous. He has no intention of repeating past mistakes. But then he meets a mysterious, handsome man with amnesia, and Joe can’t deny something sweet is in the works. He isn’t one to take risks, not with his heart and certainly not with his life, but the more time he spends with the man he knows as Tom, the closer he is to losing both.

Review

In all the years in all the lands this is my first time reading Charlie Cochet and I won’t hold this story against her because I know what to expect when reading the Dreamspun Desires imprint. Forgive and Forget is exactly how I’m feeling when it comes to this story.

Joe Applin likes his quiet life running his pie shop with his eclectic friends that make up his family. Baking is what he does best and he gets super happy when people get happy eating his pies. While life might not be super exciting, it’s really quite fulfilling. Well things take a turn for the exciting when Joe finds himself caring for a strange beautiful man with amnesia. He has to help the man that he named Tom figure out who he is while keeping his heart in check, because Tom might be married and living a full life somewhere else and when he regains his memories Joe worries about just becoming another memory.

Seems Tom wasn’t living the white picket fence life and suddenly cops and sketchy dudes are invading Joe’s space. All of Joe's protective instincts are going off and he knows he has to keep Tom safe during the recovery of his memories. Apple n’ Pies just took on more than they can bake.

Mostly I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped. The story is hella cute but the delivery was a let down. There was way too much story packed in here and close to the ending it all started feeling rushed. Joe and Tom lacked spark for me, and the little surprise about their meeting each other was just too cliché. The writing and flow is good so I got through it quite quickly and was never bored. I just wanted more, and overall it all felt very cheesy.

As I said, this won’t set the tone for me when it comes to reading Charlie Cochet and will check out her other works. In this instance I’m willing to forgive and forget 😈

Review: Wheels and Heels by Jaime Samms

2018-05-04T09:34:00.000-04:00

Wheels And Heels (Stories from the Hen & Hog #1) by Jaime Samms
Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Goodreads
Novel: 265pgs

3.25 Pants Off

Blurb: As a teenager, Ira Bedford fled a troubled home life and people who didn’t understand his penchant for feminine things. In the city, he fell in with Cedric, who found him work as an underage stripper. It took him years to escape Cedric’s influence and try to build a life of his own.

Now, he just wants to be left alone to create his art. But Cedric’s on-going harassment means Ira had to drop out of art school, is squatting in a friend’s apartment, and is still relying on his allure as a sexy, skirt-wearing exotic dancer to pay his bills.

Then he meets Jed. Part-time bartender and the apartment building’s superintendent, Jed is just the right mix of strong, kind, and protective to pull Ira out of hiding. He also welcomes Ira into his chosen family at the Hen and Hog Pub. But Ira yearns for more. Still, he doesn’t dare to hope that Jed will want him and his questionable past, his skirts and high heels, his hang-ups, and the profession he seems unable to escape. But Jed will do anything to prove him wrong.

Review

HEELS AND FEELS

A part of me likes this story and another part of me is in my “meh-ish” feels. While it was cute and all that, for me it’s also easily forgettable.

Ira, struggling art student and exotic dancer. He loves the prettier things in life, and while he remains true to himself by wearing his heels and skirts it gets him a lot of flack. Throwing the dancing for money in the mix and people generally just stereotype him for a tweaked out whore. Ira has his quirks and he’s also got his demons that he’s trying to get away from. Then there’s Jed who came to his rescue on his bike. Jed who is the epitome of a nice guy, and what Jed needs to understand is that Ira doesn’t need saving (or so he keeps insisting).

What I really was hoping for, was to enjoy this story a lot more but alas that wasn’t the case. I didn’t not like it but it’s a sort of “meh” like. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t very good either. Ira’s contradictory personality made it sometimes irritating to read, and some of the fool choices both men made could have been easily avoided. The villain in the story could have easily been handled and way too much time was spent on his unnecessary story-line. I found that part to be hella weak and everything could have been handled quickly. Between Ira and the over exaggerated mean guy, I didn’t want any more.

I did enjoy the setting of the story, the very own streets I’ve walked here in Toronto. So kudos for a strong sense of place. Also, the supporting characters were quite interesting and there are a few people that I’m very interested in and would love to read their story.

Overall, I liked it but still felt a tad bit disappointed. Which is darn shape because it had the makings of a really good book but the delivery was off and I found the book to be contradicting itself sometimes. Ira wanted to be seen as strong and that he didn’t need a protector but would feel happy about being protected and got mad when Jed failed one time to come to his rescue. The fact that Ira likes to dress up was a great part of the book but sadly it didn’t help my enjoyment.

Review: Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen

2018-05-02T13:00:00.000-04:00

Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen
Amazon, Goodreads
Novel: 200pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: A tale of pirates, lost love, and the fight for a happy ending.

After he’s set adrift and left to die by his mutinous crew, the last person Royal Navy officer Daniel Horton expects to come to his rescue is Captain Merric. An infamous pirate, Merric is known as much for stealing his victims’ hearts as their jewels. Daniel’s world is about to be turned upside down when he recognises Captain Merric as none other than Edward Merriston, someone he thought he'd never see again. Edward can’t believe Daniel Horton is aboard his ship. While Edward is willing to do anything he can to get a second chance at their happy ending, Daniel isn’t interested in digging up the past. But Daniel is one priceless treasure Captain Merric isn’t about to let go of without a fight.

Captain Merric first appeared as short story in a pirate-themed anthology. Now completely rewritten and extended he is ready to set sail again.

Review

CAPTAIN NOT A PIRATE

When I saw that this book was a pirate love story, best believe I was on it like white on rice or brown on rice 🤔. Let’s just say I was hella excited and your hope is that when you’re super excited about a book it doesn’t go and let you down. While Captain Merric wasn’t a letdown per se it really wasn’t a hard hit and it crumpled all the amp I was feeling for it.

Daniel Horton. Captain in the Queens Navy spending most of his life at see battling against the French. His life is being on the open waters and love and family falls behind his duty. When his scheming ass crew commits mutiny and leaves him at sea to die. Daniel surely expects to waste away on the open sea without food and water but fate has other plans. Those plans includes a pirate, his ship, and a long lost love.

Captain Merric pirate extraordinaire. He enjoys life on the open sea and has more money than he knows what do with. Life on the sea is harsh and Merric longs for a quiet life farming and just living. When they spot a person on the open sea close to death, Merric never expected it to be his long lost love Daniel. As boys they were so in love with each other but circumstances separated them where Merric thought Daniel had forsaken their love, and Daniel thought Merric his real name Edward dead.

Now Daniel is aboard a pirate ship faced with his love of old and feelings he thought long gone. While Edward is not the man he remembers he is still the man he loved deeply. They are now two men changed by death and the sea, and while Daniel lived a life of celibacy Edward got his dick wet a lot and it had nothing to do with the sea. Edward wants to pick up where they left off but Daniel is afraid he won’t be enough for him since he moved on so quickly without him. Also he has a mutinous crew for him to see hanged.

This is a story of love lost and gained again. I can’t on good authority call this a pirate tale because I’m still waiting for the pirate stuff. There was a lot of telling and no showing and I didn’t get the pirate feels at all. Edward and Daniel (well mostly Daniel) did a lot of push and pull and angst over unnecessary things. He wanted then he didn’t want, he was upset but then he wasn’t upset, he couldn’t make up his mind on his feelings.

I think my biggest problem was that it was just too sweet and it lacked excitement. While the writing is pretty good, I always find myself having a hard time connecting to Rebecca Cohen’s writing. It’s like the story is always on the precipice of being great but it never quite crosses the line to greatness. Captain Merric felt safe and I really just wanted more. If Daniel and Edward had no former connection I would have enjoyed it more.

Overall, it was an alright story. I wanted to like it a lot more cus pirate and that cover but it didn’t quite impress me. I found Daniel whiny and Edward (Captain Merric) so not very pirate like. As I said a lot of telling no showing and so the pirate life on the open see didn’t quite come across.

Review: Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

2018-05-02T10:27:00.000-04:00

Sloe Ride (Sinners #4) by Rhys Ford
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 246pgs

3.5 Pants Off

Blurb: It isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it.

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart.

Rafe Andrade returned home to lick his wounds following his ejection from the band he helped form. A recovering drug addict, Rafe spends his time wallowing in guilt, until he finds himself faced with his original addiction, Quinn Morgan—the reason he fled the city in the first place.

When Rafe hears the Sinners are looking for a bassist, it’s a chance to redeem himself, but as a crazed murderer draws closer to Quinn, Rafe’s willing to sacrifice everything—including himself—to keep his quixotic Morgan safe and sound

Review

~The Slowest of Rides~

I think this might be my least favourite Rhys Ford book ever and that’s saying something since I also kinda really liked it. The books before in the series was just so entertaining, charming, and really fleshed out. Sloe Ride was lacking something and its overall feel was just all over the place.

Quinn Morgan is the odd child out of the Morgan children, he walks to a tune of his own. As a professor he already went far right of being a Morgan, an intellectual among his macho badge carrying older brothers and father. He lives in his own little world, and while his family can be very overbearing it doesn’t stop him from living life how he wants to. Life can be anticlimactic for him, until he’s almost run off the road by a crazy driver which causes an accident. Quinn lets it go as road rage incident and thinks nothing more of it until the bodies start to pile up around him. Throw Rafe Andrade in the mix, the man he’s been lusting after since he was a teenager and his quiet life just became a storm. Rafe is someone he’s always wanted, someone is killing those around him and Quinn has had enough of his overprotective family.

Rafe Andrade has got his own demons. Once a successful musician playing with his very successful band living his dream life, but he couldn’t stay away from the booger sugar and the pills and potions. A fatal accident leaves him questioning all his decisions, and needing to take a look at the man in the mirror. It’s time he gets clean and begin life a new because he’s already lost so much and he doesn’t want to lose himself. No matter the how crazy his life got, the Morgan’s have always been constant. Their friendship and love have kept him going. He’s got his eye on Quinn but it’s a step he can never take because he’s damaged goods and Quinn deserves better.

What ensues is something I like to call “steroids with a side of crack”. It gets crazy folks and I mean crazy, and that is saying something when it comes to a Ford book. Someone is really out for Quinn, or should I say someone is out for anyone who gets close to Quinn whether it be romantically or friendly. The killer is unhinge and Quinn is just out there living his best life. From the get go it’s quite clear that Quinn has some sort of neurological disorder, it’s without name in the book but you come to an understanding as the reader. Brain being wired differently and all that, he’s a big ole fool. His whole persona is that he’s an intelligent guy, but somehow he forgot the intelligent part and regressed into being a foolish child. He really grinded my gears and I would have accepted his death.

The romance…I don’t get it, I don’t understand it, and I really don’t care about it. Quinn and Rafe have no real substance and their story is lukewarm hotdog water. I was totally reading for the story, supporting characters, and the bodies dropping like flies. The “who done it” also kept me reading and I can’t say I was surprised by the psycho killer because of course it was that dude (made total sense).

Overall, my least fave book in the series and my least fave book by the author. The writing and story here was so disjointed and all over the place I couldn’t get a proper feel for it. Quinn and Rafe really let me down as a couple which is quite disappointing because Quinn has been a very interesting character through the series and his magic got lost in his very own book. There’s so many wonderful places this book could have gone but it remained stagnant and I’m feeling the sad feels. Upside, the big amazing Morgan family is present and they carry the book and I ain’t mad it. Rafe and Quinn definitely didn’t have enough time here for them to shine here and…that was the downfall.

Review: Book #1 Sinners Gin

Review: Book #2 Whiskey and Wry

Review: Book #3 Tequila Mockingbird

Release Blitz & Giveaway: Ice on Fire by G.R Lyons

2018-04-30T19:54:00.000-04:00

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Cover Design: Designs By Dana

Blurb

Zac Cinder is on the verge of making his dream come true. His punk rock band, Inferno, might have a shot at an audition for a record deal. Fame and fortune would mean he could finally help his parents. They'd raised eight kids in a loving household while barely scraping by, so Zac is determined to give back in any way he can.

Keeping Inferno together, though, means keeping his biggest secret. His bigoted bandmates would drop him in an instant if they found out Zac was gay.

Then he meets Adrian Frost, and Zac can't resist the shy man. Adrian gives up everything to be with Zac, but Zac can't bring himself to do the same. He doesn't want to lose Adrian, but he can't give up Inferno, either. Not when he's so close to realizing his dream.

When one cruel decision rips Adrian from his life, Zac will have to decide if ambition is worth the price of the greatest happiness he's ever known.

(Note: This story takes place in a fictional world, the same as in the Shifting Isles Series. There are multiple gods, different names for the days of the week, etc. A glossary is included.)

WARNING: Contains scenes of self-harm that may be disturbing for some readers.

Author Bio

While daylighting as office manager for the family auto repair business, G.R. Lyons can often be found working on one of multiple manuscripts or desperately trying to keep up with the TBR pile.

Anarcho-capitalist, quietly ‘out’ trans guy, former belly dancer, coffee guzzler, highly-sensitive introvert, CrossFit enthusiast, and lover of m/m romantic fiction.

Email: grlyons@grlyonsauthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/grlyonsauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/grlyonsauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/grlyonsauthor
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Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/author/grlyons

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: The Perfect Whore by Josephine Myles

2018-04-27T10:30:00.001-04:00

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Cover Design: Lou Harper

Length: 58,000 words approx

Blurb

Being the object of everyone’s sexual fantasies ain’t all it’s cracked up to be…

On a mining colony planet a long way from Earth, bandit Jedd Lightning dreams of making enough money to get his ship space worthy again. During a robbery at a high-class brothel, he meets gorgeous alien rentboy Storm and is instantly smitten—but the heist goes south and Jedd has to high-tail it out of there with only half the loot.

Enslaved by a fierce Madam, Storm’s shapeshifting talents make him the most sought after whore on Talmak. He literally can’t stop himself becoming his client’s fantasy lover. Sick of enforced transformations, he wants to escape, but he’s closely guarded and has no experience of the unfamiliar city outside the brothel.

Storm is willing—and eager—to do anything to persuade Jedd to break him out of his gilded prison. Lucky for him the arrogant outlaw needs Storm’s help to free his crewmate, held as hostage by a vicious mob boss who wants Jedd to complete the theft he was hired for. Storm keeps blowing away Jedd’s expectations—but with both the law and the mob against them, they could end up with nowhere left to run.

Excerpt

“Stick ’em up, people. This is a raid. I want all your valuables, right now…” The last words trailed away as Jedd took a really good look at the naked, sweaty couple on the bed. His target, the Right Honorable Senator Artaxico Thrublet, was on his knees behind one of the most gorgeous bodies Jedd had ever clapped eyes on.

A body on hands and knees. A most decidedly human and male body…
Shit, had he gotten the wrong room? Jedd squinted at the client, trying to work out if it really was the senator. He was definitely Talmaki, with his lizard-like body, orange, hairless skin and bulging eyes . But no, he’d studied footage of Artaxico and recognized his large nose and the ridiculous looking rows of diamond studs up both his pointed ears.

“Hold on, just let me finish. Uh!” Artaxico shuddered to a stop, his belly wobbling as he panted obscenely. Jedd winced at the sight. He knew interspecies mating went on—everyone had heard the tales—but intellectual knowledge wasn’t the same thing as having it thrust in your face. Talmaki just weren’t his idea of sexy.

Okay, there had been that one time he’d got drunk enough for a fumble in an alleyway, but the alien’s cock had been kind of scary, and things hadn’t got very far. But maybe the gorgeous young whore was used to those luminous, scaly shafts of meat. Maybe he even enjoyed them.

Was he enjoying Talmaki cock right now? He was certainly hard enough.
Right now Jedd couldn’t see the expression on the whore’s face as it was buried in the mattress, but maybe that was for the best. There was no way he could be handsome enough to do that incredible body justice.

No wonder the senator had decided to try him as a change from the celebrated Divine. The rentboy moaned through his own orgasm, just moments after the senator, and drenched the sheets below him in spunk.

Artaxico withdrew, revealing an intimidating length of glowing scarlet cock, then collapsed back onto the bed. He reached out to pat a perfectly formed buttock. “Run along now, sthweetie. I wouldn’t want you to get caught up in any of this nasty business.”

The lad scooted down to the end of the bed facing Jedd, exposing an equally impressive prick which was filling up again in what must be a record-breaking time.

And as for his face… Suns above! Those were lips Jedd would give anything to see stretched around his dick. But no, he had a job to do, and he wasn’t about to get sidetracked by some hyper-sexed rentboy, no matter how astoundingly gorgeous he was.

“The boy stays,” Jedd ordered. Artaxico gave him a puzzled look, but Jedd pressed on. “I want your datapod and passcode, now!”

“Not a chance in hell. That passcode is top level sthecurity,” Artaxico lisped. “I really don’t imagine there’s anything an ignorant monkey like you could do that could force me to sthpeak.”

Okay, just as he’d feared, but Jedd had his back-up plan. “Oh yeah?” Jedd strode over to the bed and grabbed the lithe young man under the arm. There was a brief moment where he was distracted by the sensation of naked skin against his own, but he couldn’t afford to lose any time so he pulled the whore upright, holding the charge gun to his temple.

“Your strumpet gets it if you don’t talk. And don’t think this is a bluff. I never bluff.” He pulled the lad tighter to him for emphasis, but this had the unfortunate effect of bringing more of his own body in contact with those taut muscles, and his face even closer to the thatch of chestnut curls.

His nose was on a level with the top of the whore’s head, and he pulled in a lungful of the most divine, arousing musk. Feeling a familiar tightening in his pants where he brushed up against those pert buttocks, Jedd cursed his over-active libido. “I’m warning you! The code, now!”

Artaxico just laughed, a mocking bray that wound Jedd up worse than finding a firebug had crawled into his beer. “Utter nonsense! I’ve stheen killers before – by the sthuns, I employ enough of them, and you really don’t have that look in your eyes. You’re just an overgrown wassat, aren’t you?” The senator twitched his nose in a near perfect imitation of one of the pesky rodents.

Jedd fumed. First a monkey, now a wassat. He turned the gun on the senator. “Okay then, if you don’t give me that passcode this instant, you get it. I mean it!”

“Like you’ll ever be able to get it off me if I’m dead. Does that antique piece of crap even have the power to kill? Looks more like something my wife would carry to stun any overconfident admirers.”

Goddammit, how could the man tell? Jedd waved the gun as threateningly as he could. “You willing to take that risk?”

Artaxico laughed again, getting up to his feet. “What risk? There’s security everywhere in this place, you know? I’m just going to stroll out of here and call the guards, and you’re not going to do a thing to stop me.”

Oh, wasn’t he? Jedd aimed at Artaxico’s head and pulled the trigger. “Ha! Not so clever now, are you?”

“Is he going to be all right? That was just a stun, wasn’t it? “ The godlike young man had a voice to match his physique—a rich and sultry baritone that rumbled against Jedd’s breastbone.

The senator snored before Jedd had a chance to answer, and the lad melted back against him, sighing with what sounded like relief. Their close contact made a certain part of Jedd’s body grow stiffer while the rest seemed to want to melt into a puddle.

Would the rentboy mind sneaking in a quickie? Jedd would even pay if he had to, the lad was that gorgeous. Or would the stun charge have set off the internal alarm system? Probably best not to risk dawdling too long.

Still, seemed a shame to waste a moment like this now that Artaxico was unable to interfere. Jedd loosened his hold and let the young man turn in his arms. Holy fuck, Jedd could feel the whore’s massive erection prodding his thigh.

He took a deep breath, forced it out. Focus. Not here. Not now. Just gather information. “Captain Jedd Lightning, at your service. And who might you be, gorgeous creature?”

The man chuckled, stepping away from him and turning to fix him with a pair of intensely soulful deep green eyes. “My working name’s Divine, but you can call me Storm.”

“Divine? But… You’re meant to be a girl!” Jedd spluttered.

The young man gave a maddening, secretive smile. “Divine can be whoever you want, Captain. Divine is simply the title of your ideal lover.”

“So they swap you around depending on what the johns want? There are other Divines?”

“Something like that. But please, call me Storm.” A plaintive note sounded in his voice and his lower lip jutted in an almost-pout. “No one ever does these days.”

Storm. It suited him, as there was a wildness in those eyes that Jedd thought he recognized, something he glimpsed in his own reflection every morning. Focusing on Storm’s eyes proved a challenge, though, when there was all that naked flesh to feast his gaze on.

Smooth, bronzed skin, with just enough hair between those dark nipples to make him want to run his fingers through it. Jedd’s gaze followed the trail down all the way to the most majestic cock he’d ever seen. It reached up invitingly, as if seeking Jedd’s hand.

“You have quite an imagination, don’t you?” Storm said, staring down at himself as if in fascination.

English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance, and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. Jo blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. She's beginning to suspect he enjoys it.

Joís novel Stuff won the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Bisexual Romance, and her novella Merry Gentlemen won the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Gay Romantic Comedy. She loves to be busy, and is currently having fun trying to work out how she is going to fit in her love of writing, dressmaking and attending cabaret shows in fabulous clothing around the demands of a preteen with special needs, an incessantly curious pre-schooler, and a bun in the oven!

Website and blog: josephinemyles.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/josephine.myles.author
Twitter: @JosephineMyles
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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=8383406

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Review: Souls for Sale by Asta Idonea

2018-04-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

Souls For Sale by Asta Idonea
Nine Star Press
Novella: 139pgs

2.5 Pants Off

Blurb: When demon Saul persuades comic book artist Tom to sign over his soul in exchange for a night of passion, little does he know what lies in store. Demons can’t fall in love—or so he’s been told—but he finds himself smitten and attempts to destroy the contract, desperate to save Tom from an eternity of torture.

With Saul and Tom forced to run, a showdown between Heaven and Hell ensues as the angels and demons argue over who owns Tom’s soul. But does either party have a stronger claim than Saul?

Review

NO RETURNS. NO REFUNDS

I can say I was intrigued by the cover of this book and the blurb also pulled me in. A rogue demon who falls in love and goes back on a soul deal (gasps). It had me at hello but I wanted to be telling it goodbye way quicker than anticipated.

Saul is in the soul buying business and he’s the best at it. He wins them over with sophistication and killer looks and without any real push, people just sign their soul over to spend one night in the sack. What can he say he’s just that good (rolls eyes). When he spots the geeky looking guy in a bar Saul knows he’s gonna land himself another soul without lifting a finger. He’s gonna go finesse the shit out of him because who can turn down a night of carnal delights with him? He’s got this dude hook, line, and sinker.

Tom dear old Tom. Looking for love, looking for lust, just out here looking for whatever. He can’t even bring himself to talk to the waiter he has a crush on, so he spends his time just staring at him. When he’s approached by a very handsome man Tom can’t believe his luck, but he realizes that something is up because in no way would a man like Saul ever be interested in him. When talks of soul selling pops up It doesn’t surprise him but he’s set in his conviction that a night with Saul is worth a eternity in hell (rolls eyes x2).

Then the crazy ensues!! Saul realizes that he can’t let a sweet guy like Tom have an eternity burning, plus he’s starting to feel things in his demon heart for Tom and he wants to keep experiencing it. They find themselves on the run trying to out maneuver demons but also trying to live their best life and the icing on the cake is that Heaven has also taken notice. Can Tom soul be saved and can our men have their happily ever after?

This book was just…I don’t even have the words. Can I call it pretentious? Because it really freaking was. The writing is first person and crazy because you’re invited to be apart of the world and by apart of, I mean Saul tries to drag you into his crazy. Sorry dude, all that shit is most definitely on you alone.

You’re just as culpable as me, you know—you stayed for the show, after all. You wanted excitement, wanted to see me in action.

Look, I can sense you rolling your eyes, making out you’re not convinced, but who’re you to talk? You keep following me around like a stray dog. We both know you can’t get enough of little old moi

I would go to the ends of the earth for that boy. I would attempt impossible deeds for his sake. Not that I’ve been horsewhipped or house-trained. I’m still the man, still wearing the pants, still in control. Don’t think for one second that Tom has neutered me.

There’s something about the writing that’s just too formal and I couldn’t get as caught up in the story as much as I wanted to. It also gets too OTT which really suck because if there was ever a story with potential, Souls for Sale is it. A demon falling in love and going rogue that’s the making of something sexy, but alas I didn’t get any of that here.

I just kept reading to see where it would go and it didn’t go anywhere I truly enjoyed. The idea behind Soul for Sale might have been a good one but the executing was weak, and the characters forgettable, and the writing way too pretentious. The boys did get their HEA but by then I had stopped caring.