M/M Romance

Negotiating A PRINCE’S RANSOM–Review and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-1Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a new M/M sci-fi romance from Mary Newman. A PRINCE’S RANSOM is a complete tale of deception, flight, connection and redemption–all in a handy novella format.

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win a copy of the book below.

A Prince's Ransom ebook coverAbout the book:
Prince Itu Graus thought coming out in front of the entire royal court was bad. Being exiled by his father to the frozen wastelands where he struggled just to survive was harsh.

But, running for his life is so much worse.

His planet invaded and the royal family assassinated, Itu leaves his world one step ahead of a death squad. Hiding from those who want him dead and just trying to survive are now his only goals.

Loka Chalce is known as a trader who travels the galaxy to buy and sell goods, but he has a secret life known only to a few as a licensed enforcer for the Interplanetary Council. When a contract comes across the com for a deposed prince who is running directly towards those Loka loves, he only stops long enough to be certain it is genuine before accepting the job.

But what happens when the man you have been hired to keep from ever returning to his world turns out to be someone you would much rather protect?

How about a little taste?

“Not getting in the middle of an established relationship, Salio,” Loka grumbled. “Stop matchmaking. You and Bira are terrible at it.”

“Fine,” Salio huffed. “Find your own boyfriend. I was only being helpful.”

“This discussion is over with,” Loka stated, flatly.

“Uncle Loka, will you help me move another bed from the storage room out to the guest house?” Alor asked as he stepped through the back door. “We can put one in Pop Pops old office and move the desk and chair out.”

“Well, well,” Salio looked at him, eyes gleaming. “I guess that answers that question.”

“Shut it, Salio!” Loka growled, pointing a thick finger at her. “I don’t need or want your help.”

Salio’s laugh was pure evil as she flounced towards the front of the store.

“Hey, Bira, guess what?” she called out.

Loka sighed and scrubbed his face with both hands.

“Oh man, Uncle Loka, you better run now. They’ll have you married and settled before morning,” Alor cackled.

“Gods, why can’t they keep their wedded bliss to themselves?” Loka grumbled. “Come on, Alor, let’s go haul out the desk and chair first.”

My Review:
Itu is an exiled prince of the planet Bergradi when an invading army executes his estranged royal family. Escaping the planet with the help of his manservant, Grekor, Itu wants to settle somewhere far away and be safe. While he loves his planet he never planned to rule there–men of his type (those favoring men) had no change of authority.

Finding work on Outpost Sema, Itu and Grekor attempt to build a new life. They have no idea a Galactic Enforcer, Loka, is stationed nearby. Loka receives the contract on Itu’s life–which he notes is amended from execution to observation and notification–if Itu seems poised to return to Bergradi. Loka accepts the contract and befriends Itu, never anticipating falling for the beautiful, compassionate man who is his target.

As the political state of Bergradi continues to degrade some big galactic players come to the fore, and Itu must choose whether to accept the meager terms of the invaders, or be bold, as his true father had been. I really enjoyed this story. The plot had excellent pacing and a logical progression. There is a nice bit of intrigue, and some harrowing moments, but it never felt melodramatic. I liked how the romance built, with Loka being a considerate and patient partner to his younger and less-experienced lover. I think, however, the dialogue could have been a bit better written. There was too much of our everyday slang, for me, which detracted from the otherwise excellent sci-fi world-building and political thriller elements.

Interested? You can find A PRINCE’S RANSOM on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of A PRINCE’S RANSOM.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Meet the author:
I’m a self-published writer of stories set on worlds that live only in my mind. If you think it can’t happen, well, I do my best to prove you wrong. I mainly write romance because I like to take the most unlikely of couples (or trios) and give them a happily ever after. My characters quite often pick up the personalities of my family and friends – which can lead to the most interesting of conversations, believe me.

I live in the wilds of Northeast Oklahoma with Mija, a rescued hound of unknown mixed heritage, and a rose point Siamese named Kiko who delights in tormenting both Mija and me when we’d rather be relaxing or sleeping.

You can catch up with Mary online on Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

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Adulting in MANTIES WITH A TWIST–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M BDSM book that it totes out there from J.A. Rock. MANTIES WITH A TWIST is an absotively posilutely entertaining ride through the brain of a (possibly ADHD) 27 y/o sub named Kamen who has finally begun adulting in earnest, by moving in with his boyfriend/Dom of 4 months, Ryan. I honestly cannot count the times I burst into chuckles, giggles and straight-up guffaws while reading this one.

Manties in a Twist (The Subs Club, #3)About the book:
Look, I’ll never stop missing Hal, but this Subs Club my friends started to review suck-ass doms isn’t gonna bring him back or give him justice. For me, it’s just another chance to hang out with my friends, even if they think I’m too dumb to understand the important work we’re supposedly doing.

But maybe I’m not as dumb as they think—at least I know when I’ve got a good thing going. Which is why I just moved in with my dom. Ryan’s awesome possum. He’s really short, never makes me feel stupid, and is up for anything. One word: costumes. Two more words: women’s underwear. We’re all about the lace, no leather.

Except when we do pony play. We first tried it as a joke, but turns out I’m ballin’ at it. Now PetPlayFest is coming up, and I wanna take down the Subs Club’s archrival, Cinnamon the ponygirl, in the horse show.

My friends think I’m spending too much time with Ryan and ignoring my obligations to the group. But since when is friendship an obligation? Ryan’s my first serious relationship, and I want to take it . . . seriously. At some point I need to think about my future, not my past.

—Kamen

My Review:
This is the third book in a series and I’ve not read the two previous, but that was fine. I slid right into Kamen’s head, which is an extremely busy, yet paradoxically simple, place.

Kamen is one of four childhood friends, and he’s still close to Dave, Miles and Gould–the other principals of the Subs Club. They started the club to raise awareness within their community about bad Doms and much of that was due to the death of their dear friend, and fellow sub Hal, who choked in a public rope-play scene. Dave and Gould are still traumatized by this, as is Miles and Kamen, but Miles and Kamen seem to be getting past the grief–which upsets Dave and Gould.

Kamen’s happy with his live-in Dom, Ryan, who is far smaller than Kamen, a burly athletic man. It’s part of Ryan’s attraction, actually, Kamen loves feeling like a dragon at the end of his diminutive Dom’s leash. I seriously dug their dynamic. Kamen is totally gaga for Ryan, and gets frustrated that his peers are not so enthusiastic. It was bittersweet for him, and I thought it poignantly reflected that break in life, where that first serious relationship intrudes and makes a person less-available for the “buds” than they have ever been before. That resentment was clear between Kamen’s bros and Ryan.

Within their apartment Kamen and Ryan indulge in play they have never considered previously. An errant pair of panties sparks a whole new level for them, with Kamen dabbling in not only manties but also drag. Then, a nasty altercation with ponygirl Cinnamon launches another new phase for them: pet play. (This type of play requires one of the partners to dress and act the part of an animal, while the other behaves as a trainer. It is not always sexual.) Cinnamon was present when Hal had died, and the Subs Club considers her to be Public Enemy #1, so joining the PetPlayFest competition with the intent to best Cinnamon at her own game is a vengeful step.

All of this seems odd and sordid, and I’ll be honest, it is and isn’t. It’s fun and free and flexible and still damn funny, because Kamen is a rock star and does absolutely nothing by halves. He’s never been into pet play but he dives in with and enthusiasm that is unquenchable. He and Ryan invest a ton of cash to purchase all the accoutrements, they build a cart (for the cart race, natch…) Kamen learns all about dressage and how to be the most graceful Thunder Canyon (that’s his stallion name, yo) that he can be.

Through all of this, Kamen has to come to terms with his mostly adult life, and it seems to work out. I had some Whoa! moments where Kamen’s awesome possum insight struck very close to the bone, and it made me love this book. The voice took me a bit of time to enjoy, because Kamen speaks like a twitter account, and I had to acclimate. After that, it was off to the races.

Interested? You can find MANTIES IN A TWIST on Goodreads, Riptide Publishing, Amazon, AllRomance, Barnes & Noble, Kobo , and iBooks. I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.

About the Author:
J.A. Rock is the author of queer romance and suspense novels, including BY HIS RULES, TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME, and, with Lisa Henry, THE GOOD BOY and WHEN ALL THE WORLD SLEEPS. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Alabama and a BA in theater from Case Western Reserve University. J.A. also writes queer fiction and essays under the name Jill Smith. Raised in Ohio and West Virginia, she now lives in Chicago with her dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.

You can catch up with her online on her website, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Coming Soon! AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY–Review & Giveaway!

Erie Garden Party Banner v2Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a contemporary M/M shifter mystery/romance from V.L Locey. AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY is the third book in the Lake Erie shifters series and features copious cross-species lovin’, a bit of revenge, and some dead bodies… This novella releases 4/13.

Catch my review and enter to win a copy for yourself below.

An Erie Garden PartyAbout the book:
Spring has finally arrived along the shores of Lake Erie and no one is happier than skunk shifter, Templeton Reed. Now that the snows have melted, he can frolic and play on the grounds of Lupei Manor, the formidable home that he shares with his life partner, Mikel Lupei, the alpha of the Lake Erie pack. What a pity that his joy is short lived.

Not only does a stranger appear to shake things up in the manor, bodies begin showing up on the grounds as well! Could the newcomer to the pack be the one viciously killing innocent humans and shifters? Or is there a more nefarious force at work lurking just outside the boundaries of the ancient manse Templeton, Mikel, and their LGBT friends call home?

How about a little taste?

“Son of a human,” Mikel snarled.  He stripped and shifted. I stood with his clothes over my arms, watching the wolf work the scent. He padded to the lake, snuffled the shore intently, and then slowly made his way back to the corpse. I turned my head to stare at Erie when he shoved his head under the bloody sheet to smell the body. The water seemed almost tranquil today. How I wished we were planning our spring fete instead of standing here beside a dead man. Mikel tapping my arm brought my attention from the Great Lake back to him. I handed him his pants.

“So, what can you tell us about this poor man’s fate?”

“He’s human.” Mikel zipped his trousers vehemently. “And he was killed by a large animal, either wolf or bruin. Whoever did this dragged him through the lake to mask the scent. I’ll have to gather the pack to scour the woods. Damnation.”

“Oh dear me,” I sighed. “I suppose the call must be made then.”

Mikel threw his head back and stared at the soft white clouds ambling past. “Yes. We have to notify the Elder counsel. That is standard operating procedure when a human is involved in mystical matters. Damnation!”

I reached out to pat his thick bicep. I wasn’t sure he wanted consolation but I offered it anyway. He placed his hand over mine.

“Let me know when they plan to arrive. I’ll take a long stroll through the woods.”

Mikel’s lip rolled as he turned to look down at me. “I hate that as well. You should be at my side. This mansion is as much your home as it is mine.”

“Yes, well, the times they aren’t a changing as rapidly as needed,” I smiled then snuggled into his wide chest. His arms cinched around me tightly, his smoky shirt smashed between us. My ear rested over his strong heart. “If one of the Elders saw me here it would raise questions. I know we have a lie all in place, but I for one do not wish to put that lie to the test. Better I enjoy the forest for an hour or so while they attend to this mess.”

“I love you beyond words, Templeton,” Mikel said into my black hair. “Someday, I swear, we shall not have to hide our love for each other.”

“From your mouth to the Elders’ ears,” I whispered, then tipped my head up for a kiss. We both needed one. Pity it couldn’t be a longer one, but it was tender.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series, and I’d advise readers to begin in order for best enjoyment.

Templeton Reed is a skunk shifter in love with Mikel Lupei, the Alpha of the Lake Erie wolf pack. The feeling is very mutual, and they co-habitate in Mikel’s mansion on the banks of Lake Erie with a few misfit beings: A gay vampire and his thrall, a bisexual wolf and his best pal who happens to love a mer, and the house staff of half-Elves. Mikel, Templeton and Vincente (the vamp) are all agents of OTTER, an underground shifter organization that keeps its eyes on the supernaturals, making sure they’re staying undercover, I believe. This was likely explained in an earlier book in the series, and not really touched upon here until I was half finished with the book.

At the opening, Mikel’s cousin from the Puget Sound pack, Havel, arrives literally in tatters. He’s been kicked out of his pack by his father for behavior unbecoming, which we later learn has to do with Havel’s predilections for beautiful dresses. Coincident with Havel joining the group at Lupei Manor, a murdered human’s body washes ashore on their beach. It’s clear that the man’s life was taken by a beast, but the water has washed away the scents of the perpetrator.

The Elders must be called to investigate, and Templeton’s not above sticking his nose out to find the guilty party–mostly because Mikel’s too moon-crazed to give proper attention to the problem. When a second body comes ashore, however, and Havel seems to be squarely in the mix, Templeton’s really got his work cut out. Also, lots and lots of sex. Mikel’s response to the full moon is running with his pack and rutting with Templeton, with a few nap and food breaks in between.

This is a fun story, and I wished I’d read the previous books in the series so I could have enjoyed it more. I was able to catch up quickly, though there were moments of confusion for me that I know would not have existed if I’d read the first two books. That said, the mystery portion was interesting and Templeton has a great voice, so I did like the story. I am a fan of odd shifter types, and Templeton–as a skunk–was so fun. Poor man was often scared nearly-muskless, and yet his tenacity to discover the murderer, knowing how outmatched he was, was charming. He’s also brave when it comes to his personal relationships. Mikel and Templeton must keep their love affair secret, or risk retribution from the governing Elders. Yet, Templeton hates lying to his parents. Is there a coming out party planned? Maybe…

Interested? You can find AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY on Goodreads and pre-order it in advance of the April 13th release on Torquere Press and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of AN ERIE GARDEN PARTY.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, 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, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and three Jersey steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. You can find her on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and tsú.

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Captivated by SIMON Vs. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M YA romance form Becky Albertalli. SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is a book that has met with critical acclaim, and for good reason. It’s fantastic. As a YA romance it’s not steamy, but it’s got so much heart, and a beautifully told coming-out story. Today is this is the First Book-iversary, as it was originally published 4/7/15, so I thought I’d give it a shout out.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens AgendaAbout the book:

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

My Review:

I just adored this YA contemporary coming out M/M romance.

Simon is a 17 y/o junior growing up in a suburb of Atlanta. His school is mixed and he has friends of color, notably Abby his close friend. His longtime friends Leah and Nick are kind and fun, but a bit more sedate than Abby who is a cheerleader and the object of admiration of many males–firstly, Nick, who is simultaneously the crush of Leah. Makes for an awkward dynamic for Simon. Secondly, Martin Addison, a goofy, lanky boy in the drama club who is infatuated with Abby enough that he blackmails Simon to ingratiate himself into their “group”.

See, Simon is a closeted gay teen, and he has an anonymous email pen pal–another gay teen (calling himself Blue) at his high school. They have been in contact for the past few months, using pseudonyms and decoy email addresses in order to safely explore their places in the world. The emails serve as a sounding board/confessional/journal for the boys and Martin intercepted these communications one day when Simon neglected to completely log out of the library computer. Martin’s an (almost) decent kid who makes some seriously d-bag decisions, and Simon has to decide if he wants to go along with Martin’s plans, or come out. And this is something he can’t reveal to Blue because he’s afraid that Blue will stop communicating with him to protect his own secrets.

It’s a beautifully written teen romance with no steam and some real fun. There is limited angst, and when it does exist it’s not all about the gay thing. Simon’s nervous about the status of his friendships in general. Leah’s frustrated about Nick liking Abby, and Simon always feels in the middle of that. Plus, Leah’s disappearing more and more from their hang out time, and Nick’s not helping by being ignorant to Leah’s feelings.

On the homefront, Simon’s got a rather supportive set of parents, even if his dad makes some off-color jokes regarding gays. Words he’s later sorry for. I loved the family dynamic, and how close-knit it is. Simon makes a “choice” (under duress pretty much) to come out and that causes a bit of a ruffle, but not in the expected way.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but I believe even if I gave a verbatim account of the book it’s STILL a worthwhile read. Simon’s character is a fantastic sketch of today’s youth. He’s not quite sure why he has to come out as “gay” when all those around him don’t have to reveal, or explain, their straightness. And, that’s an interesting idea. When Simon becomes a “topic” at the high school his friends aren’t just in his corner, they are ready to do battle. Even people who aren’t his particular friends are willing to step forward on his behalf. It’s a heartening scene, especially as it’s set in the Deep South. that said, expect some instances of homophobia.

Also, I nearly wet myself when they all went to the “gay”-borhood in Atlanta and Simon was a bit too adventurous. So sweet and cute and endearing.

In all, Simon’s dearest wish is to meet Blue. After five months of sharing his most secret and personal self online he just wants to meet the boy he considers his boyfriend. Blue’s so resistant, and when Blue discovers Simon’s identity and still won’t meet?  It’s more than a little crushing.

Don’t fear though. The books sings with an HEA. It’s just the right amount of tenderness, and there’s no doubt that Blue is just as smitten with Simon. This is a book that I’d recommend to all readers of contemporary YA. It’s completely innocent sexually, and has only a tiny bit of alcohol use. There is strong language at times, including f-bombs, which were not a trouble for me, especially as I was reading a 17 y/o boy’s perspective.

I loved the diversity here. There are a few prominent black characters, and a couple who are Jewish, and others who have no religion and some who are religious and some who are gay, straight or bisexual. The mix was refreshing and fun and awkward and whole. I loved the meddling and the machinations, and the high school antics and hi jinks and the blessed union of Simon and Blue and an end that I never wanted to reach. I’d read about Simon and his life for volumes, probably.

Interested? You can find SIMON Vs. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and goodness knows how many other discount outlets and your local library.

About the Author:

You can find out all about Becky Albertalli on her website, which is really, really something. She’s also on twitter and There are some notes in the webspace that she’s working on a loosely-connected sequel-of-sorts to SIMON, and people are clamoring for it. Me among them.

Five Star Reads: TEMPEST by Cari Z

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a link to a review I wrote for Joyfully Jay Reviews for a book that came out yesterday. I’ve been reviewing there for a year now, and every now and again I come across books that I just adore and want to share with my readers, too.

For those who are not familiar with Joyfully Jay, the site pretty much exclusively reviews LGBTQ books, with a heavy emphasis on M/M romance.

I’ve chosen TEMPEST by Cari Z, a high fantasy adventure, to share because it knocked my socks off with fantastic world building and a compelling plot.

TempestAbout TEMPEST by Cari Z:

Love can change a soul. But can it save one life?

Colm Weathercliff is a simple fisherman with an uncanny (some might say preternatural knack) for his trade. He thought leaving his small village to take his father’s ashes to the capital city of Caithmor for a proper burial would be the grandest adventure of his life.

At first, all his hopes seem to be fulfilled. He finds a home where he s accepted without question, the freedom to use his talent to its fullest effect, and love with Nichol, a man with a longing for the sea as powerful as Colm’s.

But Caithmor holds as many dangers as it does attractions. Colm’s greatest secret turns out to be a dark revelation that gets him and his family shunned and changes everything he thought he knew about himself.

The truth about his parentage, his gift, even his physical form could poison his chance for love. And doom both him and Nichol to a gruesome, inescapable fate.

Warning: Contains graphic violence, explicit sex, and scenes of torture that may not be for the faint of heart. These mermen bear no resemblance to those you might have seen in a certain animated film

My entire review can be found here, but these are the highlights:

This is a fantasy and adventure with a romance that grows naturally. I was so intrigued throughout, because the world building is excellent. The elements of magic are considerable, with selkies and mer and curses and priestly charms. I think everyone will know the secret of Colm’s magic from the blurb, but the reveal is so different from my expectations that I was completely blindsided by the next several plot turns. I found the juxtaposition of religion and magic to be unique, with the priests and royalty full practitioners of magic, while even innate magic was forbidden to the regular folk.

It’s an HEA, mostly, and I hope to see another book set in this beautifully-written world.

Interested? You can find TEMPEST on Goodreads, Samhain Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

 

Book Birthday and Giveaway for BETWEEN THE LIES

BannerTemplate-5Hi there! I’m excited to share this sexy new cover for a contemporary M/M romance from Draven St. James. BETWEEN THE LIES is the first in Draven’s new erotic Club Syn series and looks to be a steamy one, for sure!

Catch the tasty tidbit and enter to win the $20 Amazon gift card below!

Club Syn 1 - Between the Lies-FINALAbout the book:
Professor Graham Darrius leads a double life, everyday he enriches the lives of students, but at night he struts the stage as Ebony Powers at Club Syn. The two personas cannot mix, which is an easy rule to follow until a sexy man from Iowa stumbles through the door.

Spencer Neil has never stepped foot into a gay bar and holy shit did he get more than he’s ever imagined. What did he know about drag queens, go-go boys and heated exchanges in dark corners? The world he lives in is academic and predictable. At least until he meets Graham, and sees that sometimes all is not what it seems.

Beneath the shock of discovery, misunderstandings, silk stockings, and wicked instruction Graham finds himself falling for Spencer and Spencer finds he’s getting a whole different kind of education.

A little taste…

“You’re giving off some mixed signals with your silence, hon.”

The touch of fingers along his back had him tensing with need but chained by confusion. He bit his lip to hold in whatever whimpered plea might have escaped. He’d spent years suppressing his sexual nature, so the tendency toward silence was automatic by now. It was far more difficult to make himself let out noise of any kind, much less anything intelligible.

“I may be a lot of things, but I don’t seduce unwilling men.” Ebony’s soft caress left his body, and Spencer swayed toward the touch.

“Stay,” Spencer whispered before he could rethink the word, but he knew he meant it. Whatever Ebony had to offer him, his body sure as hell wanted…needed.

The warmth of Ebony’s body caged him in the small space, like a furnace. The click of the lock being set into place had his heart speeding. What am I doing?

Oh, wow. Sounds like a steamer!

Interested?  You can find BETWEEN THE LIES on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
I’m a born and raised Oregonian. I’ve traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill my books.  My ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories both sexy and humorous.  It gives me a great excuse to do some crazy stuff in the name of research. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where I find my peace.

You can find Draven online on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and blog.

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Friends-to-Lovers: CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL–A Review

Hi there! As you may remember, I’m a big fan of Charlie Cohect’s THIRDS series. Shifters, M/M romance, contemporary alternate world, police romance, interspecies dating…those are all hooks to catch me, I swear. For people who haven’t jumped in a read the whole series, CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL is a book you can still enjoy, mostly on its own. Want more info on the previous books?  Click THIRDS, RACK & RUIN, RISE AND FALL, and AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, #6)About the book:
Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs have been best friends since childhood, but somewhere along the line, their friendship evolved into something more. With the Therian Youth Center bombing, Calvin realizes just how short life can be and no longer keeps his feelings for his best friend a secret. Unfortunately, change is difficult for Ethan; most days he does well to deal with his Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. Calvin’s confession adds a new struggle for Ethan, one he fears might cost him the friendship that’s been his whole world for as long as he can remember.

As partners and Defense Agents at the THIRDS, being on Destructive Delta is tough at the best of times, but between call-outs and life-threatening situations, Calvin and Ethan not only face traversing the challenges of their job, but also working toward a future as more than friends.

My Review:
This book is set in the THIRDS world which is contemporary America with a twist; fifty years ago there was a virus that caused some of the population to evolve into animal shifters. These people are called Therians, and after much civil unrest there is some level of peace between Humans and Therians. THIRDS is the Human/Therian defense organization that keeps the peace and apprehends rogue Therians, as they are very strong, and THIRDS squadrons are made up of equal numbers of humans and Therians.

Calvin and Hobbs are two twenty-fiveish best friends who are also in love with one another. Ethan Hobbs is a large tiger Therian who has Selective Mutism and crippling social anxiety. He is the youngest of three sons, and his father suffers a Therian-virus-related pain disorder. Watching his father suffer seemed to trigger Ethan’s mutism. Some of his own family haven’t heard his voice aloud in twenty years…

Calvin is human, and one of the only people that Ethan is able to regularly speak with, and even then only in close company, and still–only sometimes. They are partners in THIRDS and live together. Calvin has always loved Ethan, as a best friend, and later as a lover, but never told Ethan until recently–when Ethan was critically injured on a mission. It’s been several months, and Ethan’s not sure what to do. He returns Calvin’s feelings, but he struggles to convey his love, being hampered by both his mutism and his anxiety. It was so poignant to be in Ethan’s head, feeling his exasperation with himself, and wishing he could be a better (loving) partner to Cal. His eyes are opened in a new way while they sort things out–Ethan gets the full scope of the suffering Cal has endured by remaining his steadfast friend–some of which was intense bullying by humans at their low-income, low-quality high school.

Cal is a great guy, and partner, to Ethan, and makes his needs and wants, as normal and small as they may seem, known. It is Ethan who commits himself to bridging the gap. Working tirelessly, Ethan begins to expand his group of people with whom he can speak. It was so rewarding for him, and the reader, to observe these progressions. I think this book will certainly appeal to readers who have special needs persons in their lives, as the communication issues Ethan has mirror, to a degree, those present in many kids and adults on the autism spectrum. I loved having such a window into Ethan’s condition.

The setting of working with THIRDS is interesting always on account of the police aspect. There danger is ever-present, and there is bloodshed in this book. People very close to both Ethan and Hobbs get injured and bad guys must be found. Also, loving must (and does!!) happen. While a new reader to the series may not know the full backstory on every character, there is certainly enough in this book to portray Calving and Ethan’s love story and to pique interest for further reading. I’m looking forward to the next one!

Interested? You can find CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press (eBook or paperback), All Romance eBooks, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

BDPB About the Author

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Out Now! THE SARRAN SENATOR–Excerpt and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-4Hi there! Getting the word out on a new book in the M/M, menage/poly sci-fi Sarrans series from A.C. Katt. THE SARRAN SENATOR looks to be an intense read.

Catch an excerpt and enter the giveaway for a four-book Sarrans set below.

The_Sarran_Senator_400x600About the book:
The Sarrans return home from Earth in triumph, having gained many new Earthen fems, coffee, chocolate, and cats.

Senator Samuel Johnson joins his grandson Michael, his daughter Sara, and her WarriorPair on Sarran. To his delighted surprise, he bonds irrevocably with Tarin, one of Sarran’s top engineers. Tarin had been bonded before and thought he would never experience a bond again, yet Sam’s love gives him a new lease on life. Now they only hope the Goddess has a fem for them.

Then the Sarran Elders host a mixer for Sarran warriors to meet the Earthen fems. Margaret Mary O’Neil, Meg to her friends, is a talented woman who fled to Sarran like so many Earth women looking for a new life. When she meets Sam and Tarin, her life changes forever.

But while things are looking up for the Sarrans, with new babies being born and WarriorPairs settling down, their enemy the Zyptz are relentless in their efforts to wipe them out. When the Zyptz attack both Sarran and Earth, the mutual dependence between the two becomes ever more evident.

How about a little taste?

::We will need to get our promise rings and Asta glasses, but we can decide where to live and get our rings and glasses later. Right now I want you under me.:: Tarin pushed Sam’s shoulders down into the softness of the couch pillows. Sam turned on his side so they faced each other.

::I foolishly didn’t bother to ask, although I should have consulted Mark, but now that I’ve taken the vial, does my equipment work the same way?::

::Yes and no. Externally you will see the slick that pours from under your foreskin. This enables one of us to penetrate the other and our fem without pain when we bond. Internally, there will be a type of a tube, a Secondary Sperm Valve that connects your channel to the seminal vesicle in your partner. When a Sarran Warrior receives sperm from his bonded, it opens the valve. The sperm goes through the valve to connect to the seminal vesicle where they mix with the sperm of your bonded. It is only when they mix that we can impregnate our fem. Our offspring are born with half of our fem’s DNA and one-quarter of each of ours. After we form the bond with our fem, we may make penetrative love with her or without her, as the Triad chooses.::

::I feel foolish asking for such basic information. I had the whole voyage to research this aspect of Sarran physiology. I was concentrating on helping Michael adjust to Sara’s Warriors.::

::You did the right thing, my fox. From the holos you showed me, Michael had reason to be wary.::

::Now I feel like a pre-pubescent offspring in health class, not knowing how my body is supposed to function.:: Sam blushed. ::How do I please you?::

::All the ways you’d please yourself without penetration. Let me show you.:: Tarin sat up, got off the couch, and knelt in front of Sam, removing the boots Mark and Juraens had fabricated for him on board the Brightstar. Tarin kissed the inside of Sam’s knee. Sam moaned. He never knew he had a hot spot there.

Tarin removed his own boots and then attacked Sam’s flightsuit. The one-piece garment came off quickly, giving Tarin access to Sam’s body.

Sam looked at his lover in appreciation. “You have a beautiful, hard form. I love your wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. You are everything I ever looked for in a man. If I had met you before Mary, I doubt I would have joined the army. I’d have become a college professor and lived in a house very much like this with you always at my side.”

Sam ran his palm down Tarin’s side from his shoulder to the curve of his ass. “Beautiful … I can’t believe how lucky I am and it seems even our dreams are in alignment.”

Tarin blushed. ::I keep in shape because any Sarran Warrior can be called to battle at any time. You were in governance, how did you train? You have a hard and well-made body, my fox.::

::In the Senate Gym. I exercised and had a trainer. If I were going to be the President, I had to be in the best shape I’d ever been in my life. The job is debilitating. Although the United States is only one country on Earth, the President of the United States carries the weight of the world on his shoulders because we act as the planet’s police and are the only major power left on Earth. Russia and China have the land mass and China has population, but the United States still has the upper hand in weaponry. We, like the Sarrans, also have fierce Warriors.::

::Being on council is much the same as you describe the presidency. The Elders aged quickly during the war and later when the Zyptz took our fems, the Elders bore the brunt of finding a solution. Our population is dangerously low, a mere twenty-thousand WarriorPairs. If you add the unbonded Warriors and offspring, it is another ten thousand. We need all of these bebes our fems are carrying and we must keep them safe.::

::You have too much open land to police properly. What you need is a type of radar that lets the government know immediately if the atmosphere has been breached, or better still, something that shields the planet from all but our own vessels.::

“I’ve been working on that project with Bron. It’s almost ready.”

Sam was about to speak and Tarin put a finger on his lips. ::My fox, I want to know everything about you. We could talk until dawntine but right now, I want to love you. We’re naked and wanting. Can we make love?::

Sam smiled and kissed his bonded’s eyes. “I was counting on it.”

Interested? You can find THE SARRAN SENATOR on Amazon and JMS Books.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win the four-book Sarrans series set from author AC Katt.

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
AC Katt was born in New York City’s Greenwich Village. She remembers sitting at the fountain in Washington Square Park listening to folk music while they passed the hat. At nine, her parents dragged her to New Jersey where she grew up, married and raised four children and became a voracious reader of romantic fiction. At one time she owned over two thousand novels, until she and her husband took themselves and the cat to New Mexico for their health and its great beauty.

Now, most of AC’s books are electronic (although she still keeps six bookcases of hardcovers), so she never has to give away another book. AC is a late bloomer, however, she claims to have found her niche writing LGBT romance.

She hangs out at ACKatt.com and ackattsjournal.com; where she keeps her blog. To get snippets of new releases and Works in Progress subscribe to AC Katt’s Kattery by sending an e-mail to mlhansel@gmail.com.

You can reach AC online on her website, blog, Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest.

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Figuring Life Out on THE ROAD TO AMAZING–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new book in the Futon Years contemporary M/M romance series from Brent Hartinger. THE ROAD TO AMAZING is a fantastic book, and I think it can even be enjoyed with out reading the two previous books in the series, THE THING I DIDN’T KNOW I DIDN’T KNOW and BAREFOOT IN THE CITY OF BROKEN DREAMS. That said, I know I enjoyed it most because I have read those two books. Russel Middlebrook and Kevin Land are getting MARRIED!

The Road to AmazingAbout the book:
“I think gay guys like weddings more than anyone. And it’s not because we want to destroy marriage, like some people say. It’s because we really, really want to get married!”

Russel Middlebrook is gettin’ hitched!

The wedding is taking place in a remote lodge on an island in Puget Sound. Russel and his husband-to-be have invited all their close friends to spend the whole weekend together beforehand.

And for the first time in his life, Russel is determined to not be neurotic, and not over-think things.

But that’s before things start going wrong. Who expected a dead killer whale to wash up on the beach below the inn? And what’s this about a windstorm approaching? Then there’s the problem of Russel’s anxious fiancé, who is increasingly convinced the whole thing is going to be a disaster.

Meanwhile, the wedding is taking place near the ruins of a small town, Amazing, where, a hundred years earlier, the people supposedly all disappeared overnight. Why does it feel like the secret at the end of the road to Amazing has something to do with Russel’s own future?

Can Russel’s friends Min, Gunnar, Vernie, and Otto somehow help him make it all make sense?

The Road to Amazing, the final book in the Russel Middlebrook Futon Years trilogy, is a story about endings and beginnings, and also about growing up and growing older. But mostly it’s a story about love and friendship—about how it’s not the destination that makes a life amazing, but the people you meet along the way.

My Review:

Sometimes a book just sucks me in so hard that I almost cannot break away to do anything functional, like eat, or use the toilet. This book was close to that status. Russel Middlebrook’s voice is one that can take adjusting to, mostly because he’s a plain talker. He’ll speak his truth all day long, even if that truth is unreliable. And neurotic. I think I have a tiny crush on him.

Okay, enough of the fangirling. Russel and Kevin have known each other since middle school. Their on-again-off-again relationship has been documented in several books but they’ve been full-on for the past few years and are engaged to be married, and this book is all about the wedding weekend, and the zany bits that go totally wrong.

They rent a beautiful house, the Amazing Inn, on Vashon Island, Washington, and invite their closest friends: Min, Gunnar, Otto, Vernie and Nate, plus Min’s girlfriend, to arrive on Friday evening and stay for the whole weekend until the wedding ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin and Russel have been living in LA for the past couple of years and they really miss their good friends who still all live in Seattle, for the most part. This weekend is all about reconnecting, but soon it becomes calamitous. Like the forecasted storm that’s going to shove the ceremony from the epic deck overlooking the Puget Sound into the living area, or the dead orca that seems to take over the beach with its rotting stink, among other issues that nearly cause cool-headed Kevin to flip his wig.

See, Kevin has always been the grounding force in their relationship. Russel tends to get locked into his head, imagining a million worst-case scenarios, and this book flips that script. Kevin agonizes over each misadventure while Russel becomes the problem solver. And Gunnar. That certified genius expands his out-of-the-box strategy to save the day, literally, time and time again.

I felt like I was on a sun-dappled raft floating along a warm vista-filled river while reading this book. I was so engaged with Russel, and his determination to be positive and productive. His connection to all his friends, Min, Gunnar, Vernie and Otto particularly, was really special. He was in the zone, speaking to them from his heart, and learning about them and himself in the same moment. That’s the cool thing about deep friendship, being able to reveal your insecurities and know that you’ll be taken seriously. Russel had several “movie moments,” as Vernie calls them, of connection in the course of the weekend. Except, not with Kevin.

Kevin is determined to make the right show of his wedding, to prove that he’s serious about Russel, and his adult life, to all they’ve invited to assemble. Let’s remember that both Kevin and Russel are 25 years old. This is their first super-serious relationship, and they both have a sense of needing to prove themselves. Each issue that erupts to derail Kevin’s perfect wedding plans seems to also erode Kevin’s confidence and makes him a bit prickly. Russel does his best to assuage these concerns, but he’s still figuring life out, too. And his missteps make for delicious make-ups. Public (secluded) sex, anyone?

I’ll be honest, when I read the blurb for this book–after reading the actual book–I felt wistful and melancholy. I’m not ready to be done with Russel and Kevin. The Futon Years may be over, but I’m crossing my fingers for a Pacifier Years series where Russel has an unforeseen and equally dramatic change of heart and perhaps agrees to adopt some shrill and stinky youngins he cares for with his wide and deep love. A girl can dream.

Interested? You can find THE ROAD TO AMAZING on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

About Brent Hartinger:
I am Brent Hartinger, and I live to write.

For the last twenty years, I have made my living writing just about everything that involves words.

My most famous book is probably my 2003 gay teen novel, Geography Club, which has been adapted into a feature film starring Scott Bakula, Marin Hinkle, Ana Gasteyer, Justin Deeley, and Nikki Blonsky. It was released in selected theaters and on VOD on November 15, 2013.

You can find Brent on his website, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Trying to Create SOMETHING FROM NOTHING–Excerpt and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-3Hi there! Today I’m sharing a peek at a new book and fantasy M/M romance series from Nicky James. SOMETHING FROM NOTHING sounds like a suspense-filled read.

Catch the excerpt and enter the book giveaway below.

Nicole-James-customDesign-JayAheer2016-ebook-smallpreviewAbout the book:
With an impending war breathing down his neck and an ornery group of councilmen trying to keep him on track, accidental and unlikely King, Alistair Ellesmere, struggles to find a balance between being young, having fun, and ruling his realm his way.

Alistair befriends Brandon, one of his prodigy new recruits, whose smart-ass personality drives him to the brink of insanity when he shows him up at every turn. Through an unexpected bit of witty manipulation, Alistair finds himself drawn down a forbidden path where he shares more than just a similar past with this man. Terrified at the idea of loving another man, but unable to tear himself away, Alistair is faced with the trials of secrecy, jealousy and the law.

How about a little taste?

His dark blond hair falls in waves in front of his eyes, covering them again. I want to see those eyes. Need to see those eyes. He is no longer the scrawny kid who stood before me last spring. He has been working with Corban on strength training, as I suggested a while ago, and is showing much progress. His shirt is pulled tight over his newly developing muscles and my eyes move over his body, taking in his stunning appearance. My breath hitches in my throat as though I have forgotten how to breathe, which is ridiculous since I’ve been doing it all my life without a problem until now.

Ka-Thump, Ka-thump, Ka-thump.

It had started out as a challenge. Did I have the balls to match Brandon’s crazy antics? I thought so, but then, I ran away. Something happened that night to make me run and I have buried it deep, refusing to see it. Refusing to admit it. But it is there, undeniably there, and now as I stand before this man, heart ready to jump out of my chest, I know why. What Brandon suggested is crazy. It’s insane and was completely unexpected, but…It excites me, sends a thrill sparking through my body.

Bloody hell. I’m losing it. This is nuts.

Brandon risked a lot that night. The man all out admitted how he felt about me and I’m standing here, right now, because I need to know, as twisted and confusing as it is, if I feel the same.

Interested? You can find SOMETHING FROM NOTHING on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win an ebook of SOMETHING FROM NOTHING.
Good luck and keep reading my friends.

About the Author:
I live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and I am a mother to a wonderful teenage boy (didn’t think those words could be typed together…surprise) and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn’t think I’m crazy.

I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.

I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.

You can find Nicky online on her blog, Goodreads, Facebook, and twitter.

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