Friday, March 23, 2012

A HELPING OF LOVE – ANDREW GREY A REVIEW


Price: $6.99
ISBN-13:  978-1-61372-393-7
Pages:  200
Cover Artist:       Reese Dante
Categories:         Novels, Contemporary, Andrew Grey, The Taste of Love Stories by Andrew Grey
Book Type:         eBook
File Formats Available:   .epub, .prc, .prc, html, pdf
Part of THE TASTE OF LOVE Series
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BLURB
If Peter Christopoulos has learned one thing from his last three years in a wheelchair, it’s that people have a hard time seeing past the hardware. When he asks out Russ Baker after giving him a quote on equipment for a new Greek restaurant, he’s disappointed but not surprised to be turned down.
Russ has been covering for his abusive boyfriend for so long it’s almost automatic, but with a little help from his friends, he finds the courage to break it off. To his surprise, Peter is still interested, and soon they’re falling hard and fast. But then their world is thrown into turmoil: Peter finds an old letter indicating he has a half-sister he's never met, and Russ's past interferes when his ex makes it clear he'll do anything to get him back.
_____
REVIEW
This was a first in several arenas for me; my first Andrew Grey novel, my first book with a handy-capable partner (never liked the word handicapped), well, I guess just two firsts.
It was an excellent book.  The length was about right for the type of story the author had to tell;  The characterizations were spot on and I really fell for Russ and Peter.  The sex was nice and hot, just like I like it and it was appropriate to the relationship and placed in the story in the places that felt right, not just thrown in for the sake of having a sex scene.  
 Andrew Grey handles the M/M romance with the hand of a pro and has earned his praises with years of good books to show for it.  Long may he continue.  I look forward to reading more in the Taste Of Love series.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

CINDER – MARIE SEXTON – A REVIEW



Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Gay, Romance

ISBN: 9781614952565

Format: eBook

Pages: 133 pp.

Word Count: 27254

AVAILABLE FROM SILVER PUBLISHING:

$4.99 SALE Price: $4.74

Save: 5% off

You Earn: 5 Reward Points

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BLURB

A CinderFella story--it's all fun and games until somebody loses a shoe...

Eldon Cinder would give anything to see Prince Xavier one last time, but only women are invited to the royal ball. When the local witch offers to make Eldon female for just one night, he agrees.

One spell. One night. One dance.

What could possibly go wrong?

_____

REVIEW

    This was my first time reading a gay twist on the Cinderella story.  I must admit I approached this book with trepidation but as I started I began to relax and enjoy the ride.  I was afraid it was going to be a drag queen type of thing but man was I wrong and glad for that error.

    The book actually followed the original with some closeness but veered off at just the right spots.  I think the twin cousins were meaner than the ugly step-sisters in the original and Eldon was much less sappy than the original Cinderella.

    I think the “chosen” cousin may have been borrowed from Shakespeare’s TAMING OF THE SHREW, only didn’t get tamed, she got tossed out on her ass.

    There are NO descriptive sex scenes in this one and it doesn’t need them as far as I am concerned.  She plays at it and lets you know something happened between them but to me she could have just closed the door on it and left it all to the imagination and it would have been just as pleasing.

   Overall a very easy and fun read.


Monday, March 19, 2012

LEILAND DALE’S PAUL D’MARCO – A REVIEW


Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Genres: Contemporary, Crime (police/detectives/PI), Gay, Paranormal/Alternate World
ISBN: 9780986981883
Format: E-Book
Pages: 72 pp.
Word Count: 16913
$2.99 SALE price: $2.84
Save: 5% off
You Earn: 3 reward points
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BLURB
Matt D'Marco has happily settled in his routine for years. Now with a pending divorce, recently promoted Matt's life is about to take an entirely new direction. Matt's first case as detective turns out to be a challenge. Desperation sets in when all leads in the child serial killer case leave the police department empty handed. Paul Whittington, psychic and medium, may be the only solution in finding a break in the case.
Matt and Paul are forced to work together. But when a work relationship turns into something more, it challenges everything Matt's known about himself, his life, and desires. Then, a turn in the case could put everything at risk. In the end, can Paul win over Matt's resistance and claim him as his own?
___________
REVIEW
PAUL D’MARCO is a short but sweet mystery by Leiland Dale.  I enjoyed the development of the main characters as well as those of the secondary players.  All were believable and easy to fall for.  Paul and Matt didn’t fall into bed at first meeting as happens in so many M/M books I’ve read, but developed a growing passion, rather than romance.  After the mating occurs we see that the relationship will go on and be a lasting bond for both of the characters.
The only minor issue I had with the book was that the mystery part, which was really the main thing that brought them together wasn’t developed as fully as I had hoped.  This was the author’s first novel though and for that fact it was an excellent first effort by someone who has grown into an excellent author.  


Sunday, March 18, 2012

SECURITY BY MIKE SHADE – REVIEW



 Price:  $6.99



Author: Mike Shade



Also available in paperback from amazon.com - $14.95 / Kindle $5.79




E-book:




 166 pages / 50000 words

ISBN: 978-1-60370-723-7, 1-60370-723-9

 Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback

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NOTE OF WARNING

This book features subjects that are considered uncomfortable by some people.  There is incest between twin males as well as inter-racial homosexual relations.  Then again this is a M/M review site so you kind of figure there will be gay sex, right?   

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BLURB

Ken and Bay are rich young men who like to party, make love together, and party some more. They also happen to be twins. Estranged from their father since their mother died when they were small children, they've learned to rely only on each other and not depend on anyone else. When their father hires a pair of bodyguards, Rick and Simon, to watch their every move, they think it's just a bid on his part to keep them under his thumb, and Ken and Bay do their best to get rid of their babysitters. Rick and Simon aren't thrilled with the assignment, either. Their break-up went badly, and they have one last job to do before they can get rid of the company they run together. Then an all too real explosion rocks the mansion, and their bodyguards split the twins up, running in a different direction to keep them safe. Will Ken and Bay survive the threat that hangs over them? Will they survive being apart for the first time in their lives? And will Simon and Rick learn to deal with the twins, and with each other, before the threat is over?
____________

REVIEW

Some of you may think it is a little soon for me to be doing another review of a book with content involving incestuous brothers, well after reading Leiland Dale’s UNBREAKABLE BONDS series I was curious as to whether there were other books with the same type of set up; research and the suggestion of a friend, l was led to SECURITY by Mike Shade.

This book is amazing in its unusual length, 310 pages on my Nook, and it has a solid story with very deep emotional depth of characterization and layers of suspense.  Normally I’ve only found these characteristics in the novels from Dreamspinner Press and Silver publications. Torquere is a fairly unfamiliar publisher for me and this is the first of their books I have reviewed.

The twins, Ken and Bay have a loving relationship yet bring others into the mix at times, mostly for Ken’s pleasure as Bay would be happy for it to be just them.  Ben has epilepsy which is triggered by stress or injury but can be controlled with pills he often forgets to take.  The connection between the brothers is so intense they are wildly different when separated for a long period of time.

Rick and Simon were once lovers, now apart; they can barely speak to each other but are forced to work together again to protect the twins from a death through brought on by the stupidity of their greedy father.

High action and sex are brought together for a raging ride and raging hard-ons as the “pages” turn, well, real pages if you decide to go with the paperback from Amazon.com, everybody else will be turning the pages of their e-readers, like I did.

Read it, enjoy it, and come back to see what I’m reading next.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

CAROL LYNNE – JOEY’S FIRST TIME – A REVIEW


PUBLISHER: TOAL-E-BOUND
PRICE: $2.96
Book Details:
Genre: Contemporary/ Gay
Book Length: Short Story
Erotic Rating: Total-e-burning
ISBN# 978-1-906590-90-1
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BLURB
Living in the small town of Lymon, Oklahoma didn't afford twenty-four year old Joey much of a sex life. Actually, it afforded him no sex life. Joey decided to change his virginal status with a trip to Tulsa, and Club Maverick sounded like just the kind of place he'd been looking for.

Stepping into the place, Joey's eyes zero in on the tall bartender.

Oh yeah, this was definitely the place to sow some wild oats.

__________

REVIEW
For such a short story, this E-book said a great deal.  The story was romantic and sweet; nothing like what I was expecting from the provocative title. 
The story of Joey’s romance with Curt is a true love story.  They have some minor ups and downs but the love remains.  It is nice to see such a sweet romance from Carole Lynne and Total-E-Bound.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Portrait of a Kiss

Southern Beaus # 1
Yet again I have delved into my bookshelf of favourite re reads and pulled out one of the very best. T.D. McKinney & TerryWylis are fantastic authors. I have read many of their works and have loved them all.

Portrait of a Kiss holds a special place in my heart. This book has you laughing, crying, getting mad as hell (well it did me). I loved every moment I was in this wonderful world these talented authors have created.

Southern Beaus is an exceptionally well written series and I can honestly say if there were typos and grammatical errors in Portrait of a Kiss then I missed them, as the storyline itself had me sucked in from the very first word until the very last.

WARNING: If you are anything like me you will definitely need a box of tissues. I bawl my eyes out every time I read this book. It even had my daughter who doesn't cry very often tearing up.

I will end with my favourite lines from this book just because I love them so damn much.

"Wh-what is that thing?" A rich voice, but breathy and shaky...and coming from right next to the hutch. David didn't so much as hear it as feel it, a tremor over his inner ears. "Y-you brought a...a dragon into my house?"

BLURB:
The painting's compelling blue eyes fascinate former police detective David Schaeffer . Those beautiful eyes,that gorgeous face, couldn't possibly belong to a killer. But according to all the evidence in this small, sleepy river town in Alabama, that's exactly who the man in the portrait is... or was...

David never expects his inherited mansion to come with it's very own ghost. And certainly not the ghost of handsome, mischievous Brian Terhune, the man in the portrait, chained for eternity to his family home and accused of a horrific double murder he didn't commit.

When Brian's ghost proves to be not just a pretty face on a canvas but a wonderful, sensitive man, David's fascination turns to passionate love. Deeply enamored, he vows to clear his adored Brian's name, wading through fifty-years-cold web of hatred and suspicion.

But clearing Brian's name comes at a price. Acknowledged as innocent, Brian will be freed from this world, able to pass into the afterlife to the peaceful rest he deserves. Breaking Brian's shackles could very well break David's heart...

SOUTHERN BEAUS SERIES:





Book One
Portrait of a Kiss








Book Two
The Wolfe Proxy








Book Three
Copperhead Road








Book Four
Tensaw Blues






AVAILABLE AT:

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sleeping with the Past

Sleeping with the Past... I am going to say it, you know I am - I love this book.

In my humble opinion Cassidy Ryan has outdone herself. I know I should be telling you all about new books, but at the moment I am in re read mode - and this book is one of the first I always reach for. Nathan and Asher are just two of the fricken awesome-est characters ever.

I would have to say this is probably the second M/M book that I got my daughter to read, and she absolutely loved it as well.

This story made me go out and buy more of Cassidy Ryan's work, and I can honestly say I have enjoyed everything that I have read. I can guarantee you will enjoy Sleeping with the Past just as much as I do.

BLURB:

Nathaniel is a cop, assigned to protect professor and well-known writer Asher Munro. Asher has been receiving threats, and as the situation gets worse and worse, Nathaniel and Asher have to spend a lot of time together, for Asher's protection. Their attraction goes far beyond what a policeman should feel for someone under his care, so Nathaniel deny's what he feels,even when Asher confronts him with his own needs. Someone wants Asher dead, though, and Nathaniel wants the man very much alive. Can they keep Asher and deal with what they feel for each other?

AVAILABLE AT:



Friday, March 9, 2012

MY THANK YOU NOTE TO N. J. NIELSEN

Me in the early 1990's


As you may or may not know, I have been absent for a while recovering from several medical issues.  Well, I am back now but don’t worry, N. J. will be with us for a while as a guest blogger & reviewer.  She actually has Monday & Friday and the occasional Saturday or Sunday.  That’s right, we are going back to my originally planned daily schedule.  No one ever plans for medical issues to set forth and muck up plans.

To the authors I owe reviews too, you will see them as soon as possible.  You may want to drop me an e-mail to nudge me because my memory kind of went zap like a bad hard drive the last few weeks. Sloan Parker is next on my list as in another Erica Pike and an L.M. Brown, more Leiland Dale and last but certainly not least a new Kaje Harper.  Like I said, if I left you out, please e-mail me a reminder. I didn’t overlook you purpose.

Now, the point of this note; thanks you ever so much for standing guard and not running wild with my little `ol blog. LOL

Seriously though, Norma has been the backbone of this blog alone with a solid helping hand from Erica Pike and Laurie Goudge, and Judie Stewart.  My ladies have done miraculous work to boost a sagging writer’s morale about himself.  Maybe I should have said his sagging moral about his work, not that I’m sagging? Oh well. Lol

Norma, you are one of my best friends, thank you so much for all your help and encouragement.

This wouldn’t have happened without you and those mentioned above.  I owe you all more than I can repay.



Thanks folks and see you with a new review on Tuesday!



Randy


Thursday, March 8, 2012

REVIEW OF LEILAND DALE’S UNBREAKABLE BONDS BOOK 1 & 2

BROTHERS WITHOUT BORDERS (UNBREAKABLE BONDS # 1)


Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Genres: Contemporary, Family & Relationships, Gay, Romance
ISBN: 9780986981821
Format: eBook
Pages: 82 pp.
Word Count: 15525
Price: $3.95 On Sale currently for $ 3.75



NOTE OF WARNING
This book contains subject matter than some find disturbing so if you have a problem with incest you may want to avoid this book. If you do though, you will miss a special kind of love story.

______


BLURB

For Avery Grey, life wasn't easy. He was smaller than most guys and nerdy, a real prize winner. And, as if this wasn't enough, he was gay and in love with the one person he knew it was wrong to desire. Rather than deal with the heartbreak, he chose to dedicate himself to medical school.

Hunter Grey, the tough guy athlete tried to focus on everything other than the one person who caused the ache inside his heart. For years, he had managed to keep his secret locked up inside him. Although some of his teammates didn't know he was gay, this was the least of his worries. His biggest secret haunted him and had him waking up in the middle of the night soaked to the bone in sweat. The guilt and disgust within him tore him apart each day.

When secrets are exposed, how will an unconventional love between brothers change the lives of these two men? Can their bond and love for each other survive and flourish, or will it ultimately rip them apart?

________

 
    In doing reviews for this blog I have found some great books and authors to fill many hours of reading time.  While I was laid up recovering this past two weeks I discovered the amazing word work of Leiland Dale.  I had known who he was for a while but had commitments for other reviews.  I picked up BROTHERS WITHOUT BONDS, well picked up doesn’t really work anymore since we’ve ventured into the land of the e-book but you get my drift.
     This book is AMAZING!  It’s a bit short but that is cool, the sex is romantic and the relationship between the two brothers, Hunter and Avery is handled with tender loving care.
I know that a lot of people are turned off by stories about incest, but most of that is from al the father molesting the kid stories which disgust me as well.  Siblings falling in love, while rare can happen.  Look at the wildly famous FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by the late V.C. Andrews, for example.
     Anyway, back on track now.  Hunter and Avery are college students who try to hide their feeling from each other until the time comes when they can’t hide it anymore.
     Also introduced in his book are Blythe and Sterling Gold who will be the leads in book 2 of the series.
 ======================

STERLING GOLD (UNBREAKABLE BONDS # 2)

Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Genres: Contemporary, Gay, Romance
ISBN: 9781920468637
Format: eBook
Pages: 89 pp.
Word Count: 15281
Price: $3.99

 



NOTE OF WARNING
This book contains subject matter than some find disturbing so if you have a problem with incest you may want to avoid this book.  If you do though, you will miss a special kind of love story.
_____
BLURB

Growing up, Blythe Gold did everything a big brother should do. He did his best to protect Sterling and was always there, looking out for him. One night of shared passion with friends, opens Blythe’s eyes to a future he never thought possible. For Blythe, life would never be the same. For as long as he could remember, there’s only been one man for him. A man who, according to society, should be out of his reach. But society's expectations couldn't stop his heart from falling in love with Sterling.
Sterling Gold grew up to believe that love was unconditional. Never could he have imagined, the person he would love most, was the only man he should never love. After years of trying to hide his feelings, transferring universities and moving out of state, events begin to unfold that would change his future forever.  Would society standards rip them apart or will the love between brothers prove stronger?
_____________
REVIEW

    The story of Blythe and Sterling Gold takes place some months after the events of BROTHERS WITHOUT BORDERS.  The young men are now working in the hospital and living together but things are still somewhat strained between them.  Blythe is still in protective mode and Sterling more the annoyed sibling waiting for big brother to make the first move.
    About mid novel everything changes when near tragedy strikes during a visit to Avery and Hunters for a BBQ.
    The romance is still solid and the sex sedate and loving.  This is a true romance that is touching in many ways, though not intended for prudes or Bible thumpers who are easily offended by incest.
Then again if you are offended by incest, you are also offended by homosexuality so what are you reading this for anyway? Lol

   Leiland Dale is a very talented writer who works far too hard with the Silver Publishing empire he is in the process of building.  Long may the Silver flag wave and be a true sign to the gay community and to those who just like a good story for people with a little more open minds.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Family Unit

Okay it is time for another of my favourite of all time books... it is Z A Maxfield's - Family Unit. I must admit that I bout this and put off reading it for so long. I glossed over the fact that it even resided on my kindle - But holy crap when I did read it I was absolutely blown away.

This story was the most brilliant and beautiful book that I have ever read and it soon became one of my top 5 favourite books of all time. This book has it all... It has the reach for the tissues moments... It has the hold your side laughing moments... It has the Awww moments... It even has the wanting to reach through the book and slap people moments.

So you can probably already know that this book is on my constant re read list and I will be happy as... the day it comes out in print form. I keep asking ZAM all the time is it out yet - swear to god when I see her at GRL she will just up and slap me one - LOL - only joking.

Mind you I think if you haven't read this book then you need to run out and get yourself a copy and don't put off reading it like I did. And if you already have a copy than I think you should pull it out for a re read.

BLURB:


A retired marine, Logan is methodical and conservative. Richard is a liberal pacifist who is pathologically afraid of guns. Yet the minute Logan sets eyes on Richard, his heart turns over like an old car engine and it isn't long before his motor is revved and Richard is in the driver's seat - even if it seems like each man is driving a different car.

Richard Hunter is  parenting his grandson, and the kid-Nick-has had it rough. Richard vows nothing will stop him from creating a loving and stable home. Not even a tempting, red-hot relationship with a very attractive man. However, when Richard looks into Logan's blue eyes it's tough to stay focused.

It's never easy to become a family, what with a temperamental eight-year-old, disapproving outsiders, and outright extortion attempts. But when push comes to shove, Both Logan and Richard are committed family men who want to make a loving home for a little boy who needs them.

AVAILABLE AT:


If I remember correctly this book has just come back to ZAM so you may have to wait for a bit to purchase it so I will have to come back and fill this bit in later.


Monday, March 5, 2012

Love Means... Courage

This would have to be my favourite series of all time. The Love Means Series, (or Farm Series as it is really known as) is one that just tugs at your heart and doesn't let go.

In this book Love Means... Courage. My favourite Character is Len Parker, and he remains my favourite throughout the whole series. This is technically number 2 in the series but being a prequel I always read it first.

This is the book that I take with me when I travel (as I have it in print as well as ebook) It is one of my comfort books that when I am feeling down I read this and it seems to  make everything all right. Not only do I love this book but my daughter does too.

WARNING: Tissues will be needed throughout this series. If you are anything like I am you will start crying before the sad part starts. Andrew Grey does a wonderful job of sucking people into his worlds.

BLURB:

Len Parker is laid off during the recession in the early eighties and decides to go back to college at home in rural Michigan, where he reconnects with his best friends from high school, Ruby. he's overjoyed when she marries  Cliff Laughton and overcome with sorrow when she dies an untimely death, leaving behind her husband and two year old son.

Out of work again, Len finds a job at Cliff Laughton's sorely neglected farm. Cliff is still mourning his wife, struggling to raise his son, and has little enthusiasm or energy left to work. Len immediately begins to whip the farm - including the two Laughtons - into shape. Working side by side, Len and Cliff grow ever closer, but loving another man takes a lot of courage. They'll have to stand together as they face faltering business, threatening drought, misguided family, and Midwestern prejudices to protect what might be a lifelong love.

Love Means Series: my preferred reading order.






# 1 Recommend reading second.




#2 Prequel to book 1 Recommend reading first.










# 3 recommend reading fourth.











# 4 Recommend reading fifth.










# 5 Recommend reading sixth.









# 6 Recommend reading third.










# 7 Recommend reading seventh.





AVAILABLE AT:



Saturday, March 3, 2012

A Little Bit Of Angel Martinez

I must admit that I am a huge Angel Martinez fan... This isn't my favourite  of Angels book as Aftermath is but  Aftermath is a very intense book with some very difficult scenes to read - so I can only imagine what they were like to write.

The Endangered Fae series is fricken Awesome I have loved them all and I hear there is another one in the pipelines. (Don't bother asking angel to write faster  - as I am doing enough of that for all of us).

Endangered Fae Series:

FINN BLURB:
Finn wakes to a poisoned world, lost and starving, but a man comes to save him, a white light in the darkness. Can a centuries old pooka find what he needs with a heartbroken, modern man.

When Diego rescues a naked man from the rail of the Brooklyn Bridge, he just wants to get the poor man out of the traffic and to social services. He gets more than he bargained for when Finn turns out to be an ailing pooka, poisoned by the pollution of the city. To help hi recover, Diego takes him north to New Brunswick where Finn inadvertently wakes an ancient, evil spirit, the wendigo.

While Finn and Diego struggle to find a way to destroy the wendigo before it can posses Diego or kill nearby innocents, Diego wrestles with his own growing feelings for Finn. Can they succeed in killing the



monster and in navigating a relationship between a modern man and a centuries-old Fairy?

MY TAKE:
I think that these books need to be read in sequence, They are books that will suck you in. I also recommend that you may need tissues (I did).

I think that Finn is very well written as are all the stories in this series or anything that Finn has written. I was over on Angel's blog looking at the WIPS and what is to come and all I can say is WOW!!!

Angel Martinez is an author that you all need to check out  - you won't regret it - I bout Angel by accident and have been hooked ever since.





Thursday, March 1, 2012

Talking - Carol Lynne

Book 3
Carol Lynne - Where do I start? I had so much trouble choosing one of her books because I love them all - In the end I did my daughters favourite - Sweet Toppings.

BLURB:

Wheelchair -bound, Kyle Brynn loves his home above the bakery he owns and runs. He's proud of everything he's managed to accomplish since the accident six years ago took the use of his legs. At the age of twenty-six he's an independent man living on his own, despite the protests from his family. However, with his independence comes loneliness. It's not the townspeople's fault that they see him as less of a man, it's his.

Darshawn 'Gill' Gilling quit football at the height of his career without a word to the press as to why. Now settled in Cattle Valley, Gill's happy running his garage and gas station. His life is much easier since coming out of the closet to his friends and family. he just wishes he'd had someone to come out for. Most folks in town tend to be a little awestruck when Gill comes around, but if he wanted fans he'd have stayed in football. What he really wants is that cute little baker down the street.

My Take:

Okay, I am going to say this - If carol writes a series, then I definitely recommend that they be read in sequence,  or you will be out of the loop. Mind you, I am the type of person that is a bit OCD about reading things in order.

Sweet Toppings, is wonderfully written and I loved it. this is an inter racial love story that just grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go. Again I don't go into the ins and outs (no pun intended) because you will just have to read it to find out how wonderful it really is. My daughter loved it and is about to be onto her second print version because her's is falling apart - and she can't have mine. This is Em's comfort book - even though we have it in ebook as well - she still prefers to snuggle up with Kyle and Gill in print form. (Mind you Em thinks the whole series could be renamed Kyle & Gill).

So do yourself a favour and get to reading anything that Carol has ever written - you won't be sorry.

Available at: