Publisher Description: Danny is young, gay, and homeless. He lives in the park, preferring to avoid attention, but when thugs confront a stranger, Danny rushes to his rescue. He and the would-be victim, Harry, form a cautious friendship that deepens months later, when Harry persuades Danny to visit his home. Daring to believe he has found happiness, Danny finds his world turned upside down yet again when tragedy strikes.

Until he runs out of options, Danny won’t trust anyone. Finally he has to accept the offer of a home, and Danny becomes David, but adjusting to a new life isn’t easy. When he meets the mysterious Jack, it stirs up feelings he thought were long gone. Can David dare to allow himself to love? Or will the truth bring his new world tumbling down around him?

This is a beautifully written story that tackles some tough material. Author Sue Brown has written a beautiful and compelling love story. I highly recommend you read it. Digest it. I think you’ll love it too, but to be honest, I have an ulterior motive.

I hope this book gets you thinking about the homeless youth who survive on the streets near where you live.

What happens to Danny in this story, happens to kids everyday. Not in some far abstract corner of the world, but near you. Find out what you can do to support homeless youth in your area.

For those of you in my neck of the woods: Minnesota, USA, studies show that on any given night there are 2,500 homeless youth in Minnesota. There are only around 50 beds in shelters for homeless youth in the entire state. See a bit of a gap there? Plus, it’s Minnesota, so it can get really cold. It snowed over six inches here yesterday, and it’s the end of April.

Here are some places I know of in Minnesota that do help homeless youth, including LGBT youth.

The Bridge for Youth
Avenues for Homeless Youth – Avenues also has a GLBT Host Home Program

Look – donate to your local shelters. Send socks, or underwear, or bus passes (in the Twin Cities Metro area, if there aren’t enough beds, they give the kids bus passes so they can ride the bus at night and stay warm), if you can’t donate money. You can also help by hosting a homeless youth in your home, or by becoming a foster parent. We need to do better for these kids. I hope you find a way to help.

By Sue Brown

ebook, 232 pages, Published April 17th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN139781623806088

Edition Language: English

url: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Without further adieu, these are the books that made me laugh, cry, dream, and yeah, turned me on. Some of them were so good, I read them over and over again. All of the books posted below link to their respective books descriptions on Goodreads.com, and contain average ratings from Goodreads.com readers.

Favorite Fiction Read in 2012

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 155,138 ratings — published 2001 — 4 editions

Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 2,139 ratings — published 2011 — 5 editions

Who We Are (Bear, Otter, and the Kid #2) by TJ Klune (Goodreads Author) 4.57 avg rating — 893 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

King Perry by Edmond Manning (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 100 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

hidden by Tomas Mournian (Goodreads Author) 3.44 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions

Favorite Historical Romance/Fiction Read in 2012

A Private Gentleman by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 459 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Favorite Romances Read in 2012

Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 1,319 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions

Discovered (Little Boy Lost, #4) by J.P. Barnaby (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 175 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Escaped (Little Boy Lost, #5) by J.P. Barnaby (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 148 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

Sacrificed (Little Boy Lost, #6) by J.P. Barnaby (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 119 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,085 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Talker’s Graduation (Talker, #3) by Amy Lane (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 515 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions

What Child Is This? (Crossing Borders, #2) by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 390 ratings — published 2010 — 2 editions

Secret Light by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 276 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions

Hard Tail by J.L. Merrow (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 667 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

After Ben (Seattle Stories, #1) by Con Riley (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 455 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Between Sinners and Saints by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 1,673 ratings — published 2011 — 1 edition

Promises (Coda Books, #1) by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 3,545 ratings — published 2010 — 6 editions

Strawberries for Dessert (Coda Books, #4) by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 1,775 ratings — published 2010 — 5 editions

One Small Thing (One Thing, #1) by Piper Vaughn (Goodreads Author), M.J. O’Shea (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 1,036 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

The Angel of 13th Street by Eden Winters (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 388 ratings — published 2010 — 6 editions

Super Steamy Fave’s Read in 2012

The Strongest Shape by Tessa Cardenas 3.92 avg rating — 417 ratings — 5 editions

Special Delivery (Special Delivery, #1) by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 1,560 ratings — published 2010 — 5 editions

Double Blind (Special Delivery, #2) by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 806 ratings — published 2010 — 5 editions

Chase in Shadow by Amy Lane (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 1,104 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Dex in Blue by Amy Lane (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 539 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

Crossing Borders (Crossing Borders, #1) by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 2,193 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions

Drawn Together by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 1,849 ratings — published 2009 — 4 edition

Favorite Cowboy/Western’s Read in 2012

Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 1,338 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Bareback (Bareback, #1) by Chris Owen 4.12 avg rating — 1,866 ratings — published 2003 — 5 editions

Favorite Mystery/Suspense Read in 2012

A Matter of Time, Vol. 1 (A Matter of Time, #1-2) by Mary Calmes (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 648 ratings — published 2010 — 3 editions

A Matter of Time, Vol. 2 (A Matter of Time, #3-4) by Mary Calmes (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 493 ratings — published 2010 — 3 editions

Life Lessons (Life Lessons, #1) by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 1,484 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Breaking Cover (Life Lessons, #2) by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 1,058 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Home Work (Life Lessons, #3) by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 372 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run, #5) by Abigail Roux (Goodreads Author) 4.62 avg rating — 1,611 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Stockholm Syndrome (Stockholm Syndrome, #1) by Richard Rider (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 271 ratings — published 2009 — 3 editions

Favorite Paranormal/Alt-Universe/Sci Fi Read in 2012

Unacceptable Risk by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 463 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Burn (Elementally Evolved, #1) by TJ Klune (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 366 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

Song of Oestend by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 482 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions

Saviours of Oestend (Oestend, #2) by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 108 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

A Chip in His Shoulder by L.A. Witt (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 251 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions

Static by L.A. Witt (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 305 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Favorite Young Adult Read in 2012

Kamikaze Boys by Jay Bell (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 349 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Trust Me by Jeff Erno (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 566 ratings — published 2009 — 3 editions

Tales from Foster High (Tales from Foster High, #1-3) by John Goode (Goodreads Author) 4.47 avg rating — 53 ratings — published 2012

End of the Innocence (Tales from Foster High, #4) by John Goode (Goodreads Author) 4.68 avg rating — 93 ratings — published 2012

Intervention by Kira Harp (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 56 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions

The Evolution of Ethan Poe by Robin Reardon (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions

Favorite Free Reads of 2012

Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 329 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Like the Taste of Summer by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 459 ratings — published 2011 — 1 edition

The Promise (Coda Books #3.5) by Marie Sexton (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 388 ratings — 1 edition

When Angels Fall by Z.A. Maxfield (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 216 ratings — published 2011 — 1 edition

Captive Prince: Volume One (Captive Prince, #1) by S.U. Pacat 4.58 avg rating — 718 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Captive Prince: Volume Two (Captive Prince, #2) by S.U. Pacat 4.83 avg rating — 88 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions

Heart in Hand by salifiable 4.21 avg rating — 305 ratings — published 2011 — 1 edition

Pretty Shade of Grey by A.D. Truax (Goodreads Author) 4.47 avg rating — 53 ratings — 1 edition

Sixty Five Hours by N.R. Walker (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 142 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume One by Stephani Hecht (Goodreads Author) 4.73 avg rating — 37 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Two by Belinda McBride (Goodreads Author) 4.73 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Three by Jane Davitt (Goodreads Author) 4.77 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Four by Megan Derr (Goodreads Author) 4.79 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Five by Kate Sherwood (Goodreads Author) 4.93 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Six by Sara York (Goodreads Author) 4.91 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Seven by S.J. Frost (Goodreads Author) 4.75 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Eight by Kim Dare (Goodreads Author) 5.00 avg rating — 9 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Nine by Andrea Speed (Goodreads Author) 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Ten by Jeff Erno (Goodreads Author) 5.00 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Love Is Always Write: Volume Eleven – Bonus Volume by Kaje Harper (Goodreads Author) 5.00 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2012 — 1 edition

Young Adult Free Reads Read in 2012

To Wish for Impossible Things (Tales from Foster High, #3.5) by John Goode (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 65 ratings — published 2012

Invisible by Jeff Erno (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 351 ratings — published 2010 — 1 edition

View Penny’s read shelf:

Other authors in Love Is Always Write: Volume Nine include: Andrea Speed, Jaime Samms, N.R. Walker, A.J. Jarrett, Anna Birmingham, Dusk Peterson, Tam Ames , Tami Veldura, Gina A. Rogers, and Vicktor Alexander.

TELLING JASE tells the story of Sean Taggert, who has been in love with his best friend and former college roommate Jase Shaw for the last two years and nine months. He’s never told Jase how he feels, though. There were always other people in the way. Up until six months ago, Jase was shacked up with his cheating college boyfriend Marcus. Up until last night, Sean was engaged to the mother of his two-year old child, Cody. Cody may have been the result of a drunken one-night stand, but Sean would do anything for his son, including marry a woman he doesn’t love. But when Sean’s fiancée Lisa, calls him from her New York vacation to say that she’s left him and Cody for good, Sean calls Jase, the only person he knows who can get him though this.  Now that they are both free, maybe it’s finally time for Sean to tell Jase how he really feels.

The entire eleven volumes of the Love is Always Write series is available HERE. I highly recommend downloading all of them. There are some truly amazing free stories in there. Especially be sure to check out the #11 BONUS volume! Happy reading!

This is my first time reading anything in author Shannon Hale’s Austenland series, but it totally appeals to the Jane Austen obsessed nerd in me. The people in this book go on vacation to a historic estate in the English countryside, and proceed to dress up and act like people from… well, a Jane Austen novel, of course! All I could think when I started this book, was how much I would freaking LOVE to actually do that. This is the second book in the series, but this book can be read as a stand alone without any confusion.

Publisher Description: “When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen’s world. How could it not turn out right in the end?”

This is a cute light read. Total chick lit. The whodunnit murder mystery was a little over the top. If you read this style, you know that is pretty typical. Charlotte’s unexpected romance, was sweet and nice, but honestly, it didn’t do a lot for me. Truthfully, for me the appeal of the story was the whole Austenland experience, because as I stated before, I am a huge Jane Austen nerd. I was reading this book and daydreaming dragging my husband to England for a similar vacation experience for the sole purpose of escaping from formal “balls” to have assignations in the garden. So in that respect it was fun to read about Charlotte’s assignations, and watch her come into her own as she tries to catch a killer. If you are a fan of all things Austen, this is worth a read.

I don’t know if I ever read a novel before where the two main characters had such a hard time communicating with one another. It was like they were different species from different planets, and even though it was infuriating at times, I loved that. Author R. Cooper beautifully wrote two people who are super attracted to each other, but are seriously so different that they often don’t even “get” what the other is saying. In real life, you see this dynamic all over the place, especially in casual relationships, but I have never seen a story where this dynamic was explored so completely, or written so well.

Publisher’s Description: “After an accident left him broken in body and spirit, Charlie Howard retired from the police force to teach at a community college. Life has taught him that he’s unlikely to get what he wants, so he’s stopped asking. Instead, he hides from the world in the apartment complex he manages. After all, no one can leave him if he doesn’t let anyone in.

Will, a sexy, classic-film-loving twink, moves into the apartment across from him and—to Charlie’s surprise—makes it clear that he’d like nothing more than to hole up with Charlie and get kinky. Will has no problem expressing what he wants in bed or out of it, but he’s never dated anyone long-term, and Charlie isn’t sure Will’s ready for anything serious.

Charlie is a serious kind of guy. He wants Will and everything a relationship could mean, even if he doesn’t have any experience in that scene—even if that makes him vulnerable. As they grow closer, Charlie realizes that it’s time to start asking for what he wants, and if he wants to be happy, he’ll have to risk everything and ask Will to stay.“

Cooper writes these two so well. I found myself fascinated by the conversations between Charlie and Will. They had so many layers to them. I did feel like at times they each needed a translator though. I realize that may not sound like a good thing to some of you, but I loved that this was not your typical fluffy one-dimensional “easy” romance. That being said, there are probably some people who will find the communication issues between Charlie and Will to be a turnoff, but for me, they worked.

“I only understand you half the time.” “I know, right?” Will answered, deadpan, then he twirled his finger around by his temple in the elementary school gesture for crazy. “I figured that out yesterday. The thing is, well, forget the thing, it’s not important.” 

“Are you talking to yourself?” Charlie couldn’t tell if he’d had too much coffee or not enough. Strangely, Will blinked and looked just as lost in the second before he rolled his eyes at the ceiling. 

“Charlie.” He breathed and then wet his lips. “Charlie,” he tried again, and he moved away from the wall. He didn’t get close this time, only straightening before he stopped. Whatever he said to himself this time was too quiet for Charlie to understand. “I’m normally not the one doing this, and trust me, I am totally confused, except that there’s just something hot in how stern you get, and I’ve seen you so, so gentle, and sometimes you say the best things, but….” Will cleared his throat, then took a deep breath. “What are you doing tonight? Well, this afternoon. Evening-ish, I guess. Today,” he added with one hand out, while Charlie was still processing the first part, which had to be a joke or a misunderstanding. His pulse was thundering either way, a chill in his chest despite all the hot coffee. “What are you doing today?” (Play it Again Charlie, R. Cooper, page 73)

There are also a ton of old movie references throughout the book, some more obscure than others. Will is an old Hollywood movie buff, and frequently references many, many movies including such classics as Casablanca, Sabrina, one of my favorite movies Stage Door, which is an early Katherine Hepburn pic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and more. I’m including the following conversation pertaining to Breakfast at Tiffany’s as an example.

Will’s eyes narrowed, then dropped.  “Cat knows a good thing when he sees it,” he declared, considering for a moment, then relaxing. “He’s very fluffy. Does Sergeant Howard brush all that nice fur?” Will put out his hand again before Charlie could admit to brushing Sam, then quickly snatched it back.

Charlie barely heard the hiss.  “What are you doing to him?” He started to bend down to look, but Sam had apparently recovered enough to sneeze at him and stalk a few feet away. He hobbled for the first step, and then his gait was smooth. “You can barely see where his leg was broken,” Charlie added, since they were both watching, and turned around. Will stood up but kept his eyes on the cat. His mouth was crooked, as though he could have laughed. “Not unless he’s had a bad day.” 

“He’s all right.” Will was quiet. “Aren’t you, Cat? Poor cat! Poor slob without a name.” He looked up, his eyes very green. “Hardly a wild thing, though. Do you think he likes me?” 

“He hissed at you,” Charlie pointed out. Then Will’s words clicked. “And his name isn’t “Cat.” It’s Sam. This isn’t Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’m hardly going to toss Sam out and run off to another country.”

“You brought it up first,” Will shot back without pausing. “Maybe I could get him to like me.” It was on the tip of Charlie’s tongue to ask why Will would bother, but Will was still talking, quick but thoughtful.  “Wait, what are you talking about? She doesn’t run off to another country. And I thought I was Holly Golightly in this scenario. That’s what you said when you… the other night. This is what comes of too much banter. I get confused.” He scratched his chin, and Charlie decided there wasn’t enough coffee in the world for anyone to keep up with Will. 

“In the book, she runs away,” he explained around the smile fighting to slip out.

“In the book!” Will nodded wisely. “Ah. The movie, Charlie, I’m talking about the movie.” Will said the word “movie” with reverence. Charlie shut his mouth, and Will leaned his head to one side. “You have seen the movie, right?” he asked suspiciously and then put a hand to his heart. “Oh my God, you haven’t!” 

“Call the police,” Charlie offered, waving his hands in a vague impression of excitement, and Will’s mouth fell open. Charlie cleared his throat and kept his expression even when Will slowly cracked a smile. It was a warm smile, almost delighted, and Charlie ducked his head. It hadn’t been that big of a joke, but he felt like his ears were stinging.  He coughed. “Anyway, I can’t stand around discussing movies with you all day. I have to get started outside before it gets too hot.” (Play it Again Charlie, R. Cooper, pages 75 & 76)

How freaking cute is that? Anyway, I found it to be meaty, fulfilling, satisfying, and devastatingly sexy. Not only did I root for Charlie and Will every step of the way, but the chemistry between the these two is knee weakening!

It’s adorable, and heartwarming, and will make your toes tingle. Go read it.

Hard Head by Damon Suede- As far as I am concerned, Damon Suede wrote one of the best damn books of 2011, Hot Head. Hard Head is book #2 in the Head series, and it is slated to come out in the Fall of 2012. I loved the characters in Hot Head, and can’t wait to visit the Head world again. I have been waiting for this one ever since I fist discovered Hot Head in December of 2011.

Second Hand by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton- That’s right. two of my favorite authors teamed up to write what I hope will be an outstanding story, book #2 in the Tucker Springs series. So far I’ve loved everything I’ve read from both Heidi and Marie, and the idea of them doing a book together is just sexy awesome. Book #1 in the Tucker Springs series Where Nerves End, is by L.A. Witt (aka Lauren Gallagher), another one of my faves! This book is slated to come out on September 10, 2012.

?????? (Elementally Evolved, #2) by T.J. Klune- Nope, no title yet. Don’t know when the sequel to T.J. Klune’s Burn (Elementally Evolved #1) is coming out, my guess is probably not till 2013, but I am really really looking forward to this one. Seven and Felix, I am waiting.

Pressure Head by J.L. Merrow- Okay, this one is coming out on September 18, 2012. Merrow is a great m/m romance author from across the pond. I have really enjoyed some of her other contemporary stories, and Pressure Head has a bit of a paranormal twist to it, so I am looking forward to that.

Conduct Unbecoming by L.A. Witt- An enlisted man getting involved with an officer? In Okinawa? Yum. Noms. A love forbidden due to military rank? What’s not to love? This one is slated to come out October 23, 2012.

My Regelence Rake (Sci-Regency #3) by J.L. Langley- I never thought that my obsession with cheesy regency romance would carry me into outer-space to the planet of Regelence, where the wealthy genetically engineer their male children to prefer males. I have thoroughly enjoyed Langley’s other two books in the Sci-Regency series, and eagerly await the antics and hijinks of the Townsend royal family once again, while watching Prince Colton fall in love. This new Regelence romance is slated to hit the shelves on October 2, 2012.

Home Work (Life Lessons #3) by Kaje Harper- I LOVE this series. This is book #3 of Harper’s Life Lessons series, a Twin Cites based mystery/romance series featuring high school teacher Tony Hart and Detective Jared MacLean. Harper’s writing is gorgeous and satisfying, so I am really looking forward to this one. This book was slated to come out sometime in August, but there is no solid release date. So, here I am, waiting…

Saving Sean (Seattle Stories #2) by Con Riley- Riley’s debut novel After Ben (Seattle Stories, #1) was just published in July of 2012. I read it and was amazed and thoroughly impressed. It is a beautiful story. So I was delighted to discover that a sequel was on its way! Saving Sean is slated to hit the shelves in October of 2012.

Not So Innocent (Shattered Glass #2) by Dani Alexander- Alexander took the self-publishing world by storm in January of 2012 with the release self-published title Shattered Glass (Shattered Glass, #1). Thanks to Alexander, I will never ever be able to look at bunny slippers the same way again. The release for Not So Innocent has been pushed back to Winter-ish of 2012, and will feature the now grown-up manic artist Cai. Dani- I know you are still writing. Don’t give up. We’ll wait longer if we have to.

BOATK #3 Bear, Otter, and the Kid #3 by T.J. Klune- Okay, no that is not the title, and I’m not even sure if Mr.Klune has decided to write a third book in this series. If he has, it’s not coming out in the near future. I adore both books in the Bear, Otter, and the Kid series, and having recently finished Who We Are (Bear, Otter, and the Kid #2), book #2 in the series, it’s killing me to not know what happens to Tyson and Dominic when Tyson grows up. Please write it T.J.? It needs to be done, for vegans and PETA supporters everywhere. Pretty please? I know you’ve got other projects in the works, and I will wait, just let us know if you plan to write it.

So that’s my list of what I want to be reading RIGHT NOW, but can’t because they are not out yet. I’ll add-on if I think of any others!

Penny’s Rating: C

I was not enamored of this book. It falls somewhere in the middle of the plethora of historical romance novels I have read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I was actually impressed by first time writer, one Alyssa Everett, but have to acknowledge that this book just isn’t my thing.

Publisher Description: “Dogged for years by painful gossip about his father’s homosexuality, the Marquess of Beningbrough—Ben, to his friends—has protected himself by becoming the ultimate man’s man. Passed over by suitor after suitor in favor of her pretty but vapid younger sister, clever, forthright Lady Barbara Jeffords has reached the disappointing conclusion most men are shallow, boorish clods. When a philandering footman turns up dead, the two square off: he’s sure she’s determined to pin the crime on his hapless young cousin, while she thinks he means to shift the blame to her sister. To find the real killer, Ben and Barbara must declare a truce that threatens to expose both their buried insecurities and their growing desire for each other.”

Penny’s Rating: A+

Please Be Advised: This review contains Mature Content. 

My safe word will forever be Violet, and it is all Heidi Cullinan’s fault. Oh. My. GOD. Oh my freaking GOD! I can honestly say that I have loved everything I have ever read by Heidi Cullinan, but this book, oh my GOD. This is the hottest book I have read so far in 2012. I absolutely LOVED it! I read Special Delivery back in May, immediately followed by: Double Blind (Special Delivery, #2), which is equally awesome and hot, and a perfect companion to the story from SD #1. Anyway, I knew I needed to do a review for Special Delivery so I could rave about how freaking amazing, awesome, and sexy I think this book is. I also apologize for the number of times I am going to say “Oh my God.” in this review. It will probably get old by the end of it, but you can just deal.

Here’s the description from Dreamspinner Press: Sam Keller knows he’ll never find the excitement he craves in Middleton, Iowa–not while he’s busting his ass in nursing school and paying rent by slaving away in a pharmacy stockroom. But before his mother died, he promised her he’d grow up to be a good man, so he needs a stable career and a good husband, not a dead-end job and empty sex. Then Sam meets Mitch Tedsoe, an independent trucker who makes a delivery to a shop across the alley. Innocent flirting quickly leads to an affair, and when Mitch offers to take Sam on a road trip west, Sam jumps at the chance for adventure with his fantasy man… but Mitch also comes with a past. A threesome with the other man in Mitch’s life would have been just another kinky ride, but somewhere between the Mississippi River and the Colorado Rockies, Sam falls in love. But can a relationship born out of escape and indulgence become something that lasts? Will a fantasy man be willing to settle down into reality, or is the adventure and excitement Sam finds with Mitch just another stop on a delivery man’s journey? For better or for worse, eventually Sam is going to discover the answer, because no matter how far away he travels, eventually all roads lead home.

Okay, back to my review. The Characters: I love Sam Keller (aka Peaches, aka Sunshine). He is quite possibly the most adorable imaginary gay man on the planet. I want to keep him. He is absolutely the perfect match for rugged trucker Mitch Tedsoe. Together they have some of the hottest sex that I have ever read in a novel. Even Mitch’s past lover, Randy, is impossible to hate, even though you really want to kick his ass when Sam and Mitch ride into town, (a little over halfway through the book), and everyone is forced to deal with Mitch and Randy’s past history.

The SEX: (I realize I am repeating myself, but…) Oh my God, OMG the SEX! I’m having palpitations just thinking about it. The sexual adventures in this book contain what, for me anyway, was the perfect amount of kink. With a capital K. For the purposed of this review, I’m calling it: Goldilocks kink. I’m calling it that because even the scenes that get a bit intense, (i.e. tied-up, cum-spattered-everywhere, vibrating-plug-up-thoroughly-spanked-ass intense) are filled with love and passion. Every encounter is fully consensual, and everyone feels safe, which for me personally is a big deal. There are incidences of spanking, tying up, and use of several toys. There are also multiple scenes that include menage, which to be honest, isn’t always something that works for me, but WOW. All I can say is there are some very hot scenes, and that even the stuff that I was a little f#$ked up for me was mind-blowingly hot. P.S.- The storyline surrounding the menage stuff works too. Beautifully. Those of you who have read other stories with menage scenes know how contrived, trite, gratuitous, and poorly written they can often be. This is not one of those. This is poetry. Poetry with Goldilocks kink.

I think one of the reasons I found this book to be so freaking hot, is that I fell head over heels in love with the characters, and was cheering for them every step of the way. Heidi writes them as real people, and I got completely wrapped up in the world she created. It is a beautifully told story about people finding each other, finding themselves, and falling in love, all wrapped up with a Goldilocks kink bow. With whipped cream. And Peaches.

I am not telling you anything else that happens in the story. Go get it already! This is a must read for all M/M romance fans. What are you waiting for? Also, thank you to rock-star Heidi Cullinan for writing such a freaking epic sexy novel.

ISBN13: 2940043319852
edition language: English
original title: Special Delivery (Special Delivery, #1)
url: http://www.heidicullinan.com/books/special-delivery
literary awards: Rainbow Awards for Best Gay Erotic Contemporary & Best Writing Style (2010)

Penny’s Rating: B+

Publisher Description: “The first time Henry Hughes and Cameron Jameson meet, it’s an unmitigated disaster. Cameron reminds Henry of all he left behind when he stopped making adult films, and he cruelly rejects Cameron. When Cameron discovers Henry’s porno-thespian past, he assumes he’s dodged a bullet.

But circumstances continue to throw the two together. Though the physical attraction between them grows, they cling to first impressions, even as a slow dance reveals just how good they could be.

Henry finally realizes how wrong he was, but Cameron can’t cope with “sleeping with the enemy”. It will take a confrontation for Cameron to realize just how wrong he’s been, but unfortunately, he may have lost his chance.”

ebook, 300 pages
Published April 16th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN13 9781613724804
edition language: English

If someone had told me before I offered to review this book for Net Galley that First Impressions was a gay contemporary romance novel that follows the plot of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I would have told you that there was no way that would work as a novel. So I am glad I didn’t know that when I started reading. You would think that the title, First Impressions, which was Austen’s original title for Pride and Prejudice would have tipped me off, but no. Perhaps I was distracted by the yummy shirtless man painted on the cover, but I was a few chapters into the novel before I noticed the familiar Austen plot. Yes, I am an Austen fan, and P&P is one of my favorite novels of all time. I do not think you have to be a Austen fan to enjoy Mr. Koehler’s novel, but for me, being a fan of all things Austen added a whole other level of enjoyment to Koehler’s tale.

The characters that Mr. Koehler created for this tale are endearing and hilarious, and work beautifully in their roles as P&P characters. Cameron, who takes the part of Elizabeth Bennett, and Henry, who plays a very well endowed ex-porn star version of Mr. Darcy, are prefect in their roles. Their encounters are both wonderfully awkward, and increasingly adorable as their attraction for each other builds, but neither has the courage to admit their true feelings.

As for the rest of the Austen’s characters, Koehler made brilliant choices and created some really funny character’s as a result. Who would have ever though that Lady Catherine could be a wealthy porn empress drag queen? Or that Wickham could work as a slut friend and meth user? Or that Mr. Collins could be a crazy gangster who takes Cameron along for a drive-by shooting while on a date? Plus, don’t even get me started on the hijinks of Cameron’s completely inappropriate roommates and best friends, aka the Bennett sisters.

More than anything else, I loved the fact that even though I knew the overall plot of the novel, Mr. Koehler’s tale continually surprised me. He managed to write an amazing modern-day version of one of my favorite novels, plus it’s humorous, and to top it off, unlike an Austen novel with its sexual tension and longing glances, this tale has some pretty hot sex as well! This is a must read for any M/M fan who loves Jane Austen. Thank you Mr. Koehler, and if you ever decide to tackle a re-telling of Persuasion, I am so there.