Review: Bullet (Blue Boy #1) by Garrett Leigh

Levi Ramone entered the gay porn market for one reason, and one reason only–he needed the cash to pay his momma's spiraling gambling debts. Seven years later, he's a veteran with a reputation as one of Blue Boy Studio's most ruthless tops, and when his boss suggests it's time for a change, he finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Figuratively speaking, at least. Enter Sonny Valentine, a go-go dancer at Blue's sister club, Silver's. Levi has secretly admired Sonny from afar for years, but there's one problem–he can't stand Sonny and the feeling is entirely mutual. When Levi learns Sonny is to play the third part in a scene he considers his worst nightmare, he figures things can't get any worse. But when preparations for the scene from hell collide with tragic events in his personal life, he finds his fast growing, red hot attraction to Sonny the one thing left between him and a bullet.

I first discovered Garrett Leigh’s work from a review I read on GR from the always awesome Isaac. He had reviewed Gypsy Rain and I bought and read it right away. I fell in love with the story and the writing style immediately. Since then I’ve been reading anything that Garrett publishes as soon as it comes out and this was no exception.

This was a great novella that I would have loved to have been twice as long. It’s the story of Levi, Sonny and the working boys over at Blue Boy Productions. It focuses mostly on Levi and the epic cluster his life has become. Levi is a very popular top in Blue Boys videos and he keeps busy. He also has a full time business of his own, but his life is not an easy one and he spends an enormous amount of energy caring for his self-destructive mother. He works his day job, works the porn job and takes care of his mom. Who, by the way, is a bitter angry bitch who doesn’t deserve Levi and all the sacrifices he makes.

So, I may have accidentally stumbled upon some porn once so I recognize the type of porn top Levi is. He’s the stereotypical alpha male, rough around the edges and definitely aloof. Not cruel, but not engaged at all, just disconnected. He was there to do a job. Nail a twink rough and hard, give the people what they want and be done. There was no kissing, no cuddling, no afterglow. Get the job done and move on to the next. That worked for Levi, he didn’t have the time or energy for complications. He even says he had, “been stuck in limbo for most of his adult life.”

Queue Sonny’s entrance into Levi’s life. Sonny is a go-go boy, sometime porn actor and the two of them don’t even give each other the time of day. They’ve never worked together and don’t have a desire to. Jon, the owner of the bar where Sonny dances and Blue Boy Productions makes Levi an offer he can’t afford to refuse. A three way shoot with Sonny and Rex, the most hung and rough top in the Blue Boy stable. The kicker is, Levi would have to bottom for Rex. Levi doesn’t bottom, ever! Frankly he’s completely freaked about the whole thing, but he needs the money for his worthless mother. The sum offered would take a huge amount of pressure off of Levi and his mountain of responsibilities.

While this could follow what you think is a formula of alpha porn star and twink go-go boy, this is where you’d be wrong. It does start that way, but then the wrench of the 3 way bottoming scene gets thrown in and is when the story gets completely unique. Turns out, Levi has more friends than he thought who are concerned about him and one of them just may be Sonny Valentine.

Sonny approaches Levi and offers to help him ‘train’ to be a bottom. Sonny explains there is no way Levi will make it through this unless he’s prepared and learns how to control the scene from the bottom. Sonny is speaking from experience and he calls Levi on his disconnected ways and makes him start to realize that there is an actual person in the scene with him, not just another twink to top. So, these training sessions start and may I just say, WOW and DAMN, just WOW and DAMN! Levi is pretty surprised and totally unprepared for the feelings he starts to have for Sonny. Actually connecting with another person, much less Sonny Valentine was not in his plans. Throw in all the drama with his mother and poor Levi is overwhelmed with emotion and responsibility. The responsibility he’s used to, it’s the emotion he has trouble dealing with.

When the day of the big scene arrives, Levi has pretty much had the worst couple of days in his life. He is a man of his word though and is determined to follow through, even if he isn’t exactly sure why at this point. There is no way to go on with a review of that scene without going all kinds of spoilery, but suffice it to say, all manner of crazy went down and Sonny emerges the hero. Sonny was willing to take a figurative bullet for Levi and that means the world to him. No one has ever protected Levi before, ever. It changes everything.

You know what broke my heart about Levi? This,

“Though he’d had more sexual encounters this year alone than he could remember, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d kissed a man. It had been years.”

That’s just too sad, seriously sad. The author is good at putting those little thoughts and moments in there that convey a lot without having to tell me in a ton of words about Levi’s loneliness. It kept him from seeming too angsty, that would have felt out of character for him.

Being that this is the start of a series, I’m kind of overlooking what seemingly might be missing. Because it might not actually be missing, just not told yet. I want to know more about Sonny, a lot more. He’s pretty amazing from what I know so far. But ultimately, this was Levi’s story and that was consistent throughout. He taught Levi so much, and not just the sweet heat of the training sessions, but how to actual feel something, a connection to another person.

“Feel that Levi? Feel it all. This is what it’s supposed to be. This is what’s real.”

Who doesn’t want more of that?

I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next installment of the Blue Boys and thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Review: KC, at Bat. A Novel by Tom Mendicino

Charlie Beresford would rather be doing anything this summer than hauling furniture for a moving company. Come September, he’ll be leaving for college, away from the awkwardness of Augustinian Academy, away from his father’s constant hints about prospective girlfriends. Then Kevin Conroy—the Mighty KC—joins the moving crew. A star baseball player bound for the big leagues, Charlie is shocked when cool, confident KC suggests hanging out, especially when KC asks him to stay over—and the happiness their connection brings Charlie.

But the summer is changing Charlie—putting muscles on his skinny frame, compelling him to face hard truths, showing him how it feels not just to lose your heart but to break someone else’s. Funny, sweet, and moving, Tom Mendicino’s insightful coming-of-age story perfectly evokes that moment when you stop living life from the safety of the bleachers—and finally step up to home plate.

KC, at Bat is a snapshot into the life of Charlie Beresford over one summer (mostly). The strange thing about this book is that I came to appreciate it more once I'd finished it than I did as I was reading it. Honestly, while I was reading it I kept waiting for the storyline to kick in - I mean it was there really, there was plenty of story, but I felt like I was being told something that would then kick start the story of the book, rather than the actual story itself. Confused? Yeah me too. Okay, you know that Indy film you watched last week/month/year, the one without the traditional Hollywood beginning, middle and end - that is this book, a fact that I fully appreciated once I'd finished it.

We see the events of Charlie's last summer before college. He was supposed to be a camp counsellor with his best friend (and experimental boyfriend) Larry. However his mum was in the middle of cancer treatment so instead he stayed home to help out and his dad's friend offered him a job with his removal firm. It is at this removal firm Charlie meets the legendary (at least in their school) KC. Sporty and an excellent baseball player KC is the stuff Charlie's dreams are made of, so he can hardly believe it when KC invites him back to his for the evening. An evening that turns into all night - a pattern that is repeated weekly and ends up as full weekends together.

I liked the relationship between Charlie and KC. We saw Charlie's insecurities but we also saw KC's too, as Charlie himself came to recognise them. It was true to life, that feeling of someone popular not having any problems or difficulties and the slow realisation that maybe their life is just as complicated and confusing. This isn't a book that you see a relationship develop from mumbled beginnings to an HEA. It is, as I said, a snapshot into Charlie's life. The choices he makes, good and bad, the reasons behind those choices, selfish and considerate, Charlie isn't a polished Hollywood version of a person, he is very real and this is evident in his decisions and actions.

Parts of this book made me sad, some bits made me angry. KC's coach - well that story line was horrible. The boys reactions to what happened made me want to throw my reader across the room, then I realised the sad truth was they acted in the way a lot of people do. It might not be the way we'd want them to act, certainly not the way things would happen in an ideal world, but it is a real reaction, for many, many people. An uneasy reminder of how life is.

Though the story didn't have a fairy tale ending, it was honest. Tom Mendicino could have written this differently, it could all have worked out in a happy little bubble but in a way I'm glad it didn't. It showed this portion of Charlie's life as it happened, warts and all. Was it a perfect book - no, but I'm glad I read it. It seemed to me its aim wasn't to be perfect but to be real and that, I think, it achieved.

 This copy was provided by the author for a fair and honest review

Review: Turbulence by Lyn Gala

Corporal Jacqs Glebov is a simple soldier who wants a bunk, decent food and the company of other battle-hardened men and women who understand the realities of fighting. Instead he's stuck patrolling a remote corner of the border with cadets straight out of boot camp. They don't understand him, and he sure doesn't have an ounce of respect for them.

After a field promotion, Earth sends Commander Zeke Waters to the Candiru for some practical experience in a leadership role. Instead, Zeke falls in lust with the adamantly heterosexual Jacqs. The way Jacqs fights and the way he sees the world draws Zeke closer, even if common sense tells him to walk away.

Even if they can find a way to find to reconcile their sexual differences, they are both still soldiers. The war will eventually take them away from each other unless they can find a way to escape the rules that have defined their lives.

Wow.  Oh, wow.

I didn’t intend to write a review for this book.  I was just going to link my review to Xing’s and call it a day.

But then I read some more. 

Here we have Jacqs.  Jacqs is unapologetically gruff and honest to a fault.  He has pretty much alienated everyone around him with his rude behavior and stand-offishness (I made a new word!).  What makes him so amazing is that he is so incredibly self-aware.  He knows exactly who he is and if no one else likes it, well that’s just too bad.  He will tell you exactly what he thinks without an ounce of guilt.  And he’s 100% heterosexual.  Or so he thinks.

Jacqs is settled in his life.  He understands that he’s been placed on the Candiru with no intention of him ever leaving.  He’s accepted his fate and is content for the most part.  He doesn’t like change so his current way of life is just fine with him.

Then he meets Zeke.  His new commander.  His new intriguing commander.  His new sexually arousing commander.  And everything gets tilted on its head.

But does Jacqs balk at the idea of being attracted to Zeke?  Does he lash out and push him away?  Does he run?  NO!  After some careful introspection, he does what he normally does whenever something new comes at him.  He meets it head on.  He doesn’t back down.  He actually seeks out Zeke and tells him what he’s feeling.  He explores his new desires without any fear or trepidation.

This book was a breath of fresh air.  The perfect balance between character driven storyline and action/adventure.  A fine example of the classic space opera.  And all the secondary characters were fully fleshed out as well.  I was sucked into the story from the first word and wasn’t let go until the end of the epilogue.  I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I even shouted at my screen a time or two. 

And it was all because of Jacqs.  He made this alluring story all the more fascinating just by being who he was and having no regrets on how he as well as his life turned out.  I wish I could meet someone like Jacqs in real life. 

Lyn Gala gets top marks from me and now and forever will be an auto-buy for me.

Picture Guessing Game

Hello patrons of BMBR blog,

We're starting a fun, monthly game called Picture Guessing Game. This game will happen approximately once a month (or whenever) and will be a series of silly illustrations from an M/M book and you lovely people get the joy of guessing which book!

The answer will be posted Sunday afternoon. For those of you who would like to participate in a more interactive way, if you know which book it is, you can PM me (Natasha) on GoodReads with the book name and author, and I will draw you a picture of you as a cat.

Without further ado... guess away!

Review: Glitterland by Alexis Hall

The universe is a glitterball I hold in the palm of my hand.

Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on love, hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations.

Then a chance encounter at a stag party throws him into the arms of Essex boy Darian Taylor, an aspiring model who lives in a world of hair gel, fake tans, and fashion shows. By his own admission, Darian isn’t the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he cooks a mean cottage pie and makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety.

But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can’t see past the glitter to the light. Can a man who doesn’t trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can a man who doesn’t believe in happiness ever fight for his own?

 




Lesson of the Day: Glitter Pirates are hot as hell.

I think this book was written specifically for me. No, really. Alexis Hall, did you write this for me? I think you did. Thanks, pal. Few things are hotter than big, quiffed out pirates wearing silver nail polish (fingers and toes, thank you very much). Maybe if said pirates talk silly, have orange skin, and are obvious hopeless romantics who throw around the word ‘donut’ like ‘idiot’.

He was a ridiculous creature. A vulgar, glittering pirate of a man, all jewellery and fake tan, gold glinting in his ears, on his fingers and round his wrists.

Things I Will Forever Associate With Glitterland:
- Glitter (duh)
- Silver nail polish
- Lie-kit
- Donut
- Babes
- “You must be clever!” surprisingly not as an insult
- Epaulettes (I even had to Google what they were)
- Minger

Let’s chat about the writing.
This book was written like an LSD trip. This writing style, if it were a collection of tangible things, would be a blue rabbit with six arms playing saloon music on the organ in the corner of a ball room, while a giant sombrero danced the tango with a pictorial representation of gamma rays. It wasn’t the scenarios that were a little whacky, it was the writing. I can’t think of a specific case in which I’ve read a book where the writing was like this, or even similar. And how does someone explain a style? Especially a style of writing? It’s faux-poetic modern drug-trip (fauxetic?). I’m coining that shit. Have you ever done drugs? No, really, have you? I’m asking because I’m a cop and if you have, I’ll be at your house in 20 minutes. The writing style reminds me of the way a person on a heavy drug trip thinks: in patterns and colours and feelings and an abundance of emotions from one thought to another until the previous thought is completely forgotten. And you know what? I think it’s perfect for this book. It’s called Glitterland, so duh, obviously there’s a little bit of SHAZAM in this here book. It’s full of glitter and sparkles and over-thinking and under-thinking and just straight-up emotion. So yeah, I liked the writing a lawt.

This book crawls under your skin a little and let’s you (even the non-romantics) wish for a happy ending, I think. The best part of the book was the line where Ash told Darian that he didn’t need him, but he wanted him, and even without him, he’d miss him and think of him, but he’d be okay. That’s personal growth, my friends, and that is love. You read a lot of books about co-dependence in the romance, one character fixing another. If you need someone else to fix you, you’re not fixed. They’re the duct-tape that’s holding you together. Needing another person is unhealthy, wanting another person is normal, and acknowledging that what you’re feeling (in a relationship sense) is a want and not a need, is ideal in the romance novels I read. So yes, this was perfect for me. It was slow building, but romantic and sweet. Neither of the characters were perfect, even for each other.

The ending. I loved that shit. I eat endings like this for breakfast. It’s a HEA technically, but I don’t need to know about their 20 kids they’re going to adopt 4 years down the road of the type of tiled they picked out for their first house together. I just needed that one special ending moment. And I got it. Ash got Darian’s name tattooed on him and up until the last few words, I was expecting that to become some sort of big deal. But it wasn’t, and that’s another part that worked well for me. It’s the left unsaid part that I eat for fucking breakfast. Give me 80% of what I want. Don’t give me the whole 100% because then I’ll lose interest. Leave me wanting more. And I do want more. Would I read about book about Darian and Ash? Fuck yeah I would, because now I have a thing for glitter pirates.

Why, in all the vastness of the world, did a sparkly idiot from Essex make me feel alive?

This story reminds me of being young and hopeful, and hopeless, and romantic and silly, and completely flabbergasted with life and all it has to offer. And I love that. I’ve been young and stupid and wanted people I shouldn’t, and said things I didn’t mean, and lived one day to the next, hoping for a little bit of magic in my life. I started saying ‘wif’ the other day by accident and tried to explain the allure of ‘lie-kit’ to my boyfriend yesterday. This pretty little book is one that I’m sure is going to stick with me for a long time.

Thanks for the really sweet read, Alexis Hall. Now come on over so we can paint each other’s nails silver.

And just because I can... enjoy this picture.

Review: The Lord of Twink's Bottom by Danni Keane

Twink's Bottom - Just a typical English village...

Tracy Richards has no idea what to expect when he takes the job of caretaker at the mysterious village of Twink's Bottom. The locals are happy to tell him about the part he will have to play in the annual erotic topiary event, but when it comes to the reclusive lord living in the dilapidated manor house on the hill, they are far more reluctant to talk.

Lord Reeves lives an isolated life, only venturing from the grounds of Twink's Bottom Manor to walk his beloved dog, Reggie. But Lord Reeves has a vision—a beautiful, majestic topiary phallus soaring towards the sky from the top of Twink's Bottom Hill. He believes its creation will lay old ghosts to rest, and bring him the peace that has alluded him for so many years.

Could Tracy be the man to bring Lord Reeves' phallus to life, and by working together will they finally reclaim Rory's rightful place as The Lord of Twink's Bottom?

Twink's Bottom is a village located past The Arse End of Nowhere, past the village of Twink and after Morning Wood. Twink's Bottom is a village with a long tradition of eroticism and the annual topiary competition is something the villagers take very seriously. You see topiary is more than mere bush trimming, it's an art form. And before this year’s competition is over, there will be laughter, heartbreak, tears, a budding romance and a disaster of epic proportions you won’t want to miss.

I really needed this story. I'd just finished a very dark and depressing book that I struggled with the entire time. Then I download The Lord of Twink’s Bottom and the party began. This is what I would call a romantic comedy. It is laugh-out-loud funny and full of erotic innuendo and double entendres.

My favorite part takes place as Tracy and Lord Reeves, aka Rory, were about to make love for the first time. With Rory being a virgin, Tracy has to tell him what to do. So Tracy squeezes some lube onto Rory’s finger and asks Rory to get him ready. Rory is hesitant…..

“What if there's something ... ” Rory lowered his voice to a whisper, “ ... up there?”


Tracy couldn't help the giggle that bubbled its way out of his mouth. “Bloody hell, Rory, I don't use my arse for storage, you know!”

Oh my, I thought I was going to wet my pants I was laughing so hard.

This book may not be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is not a book to be taken seriously but it does have a sweetness to it. Rory and Tracy make an adorable couple and I wish them a long and happy life together in Twink’s Bottom.

If you enjoy movies like the 1980 hit Airplane staring Leslie Nielson

or the outrageous comedies like Dumb and Dumber staring Jim Carrey

then you should definitely read this book. If those aren’t your type of movie, you might just find Rory and Tracy’s story adorable anyway.

Thank you, Danni Keane, for sharing this story. For such a delicate British flower, you sure do write a remarkable erotic tale.

Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Find on Goodreads!

WINNERS: James Cox Giveaway & Unicorn Erasers Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to visit the blog! It's been a really amazing first few weeks around here, and we're so glad to have all of you guest unicorns with us. =)

We have winners for two giveaways to announce:

- The winners from the James Cox author chat who will receive an ebook from James Cox's backlist (winner's choice!) are...

~ Penumbra ~

~ Leilani ~

- The winners from the kickoff event who will receive unicorn erasers (or, if international, a personalized unicorn drawing) are...

~ Wendy Hoffman ~

~ Jen (this comment) ~

~ Kindle Alexander ~

Please contact us at contactBMBR(at)gmail(dot)com so that we can coordinate your prizes. Thanks!

Review: Yours by Kim Alan

Kyle is a lost boy. “Freed” for his own good, he’s doing his best to follow through on promises made. But he’s struggling, there’s no doubt about it. That is, until he suddenly finds himself in a place he least expected.

Beau is an independent man, answering to no one but himself. If he’s lonely, it’s a small price to pay. That is, until a beautiful, lost young man stumbles into his bar on Valentine’s Day. He can’t turn him away. The boy needs him. Or is it the other way around?

This short story is so good! It's like a slice of chocolate cheesecake: decadent and delicious with a hint of sweet. I think it would make a perfect bedtime story.

The lost boy sub, Kyle, is so easy to picture. His blond hair and nice clothes really stand out in the leather biker bar. It is here he was pushed out of a car and abandoned very late at night on Valentine's Day. Kyle is nervous and feels very out of place when he approaches the bar to use the phone to call for a ride. He is met with a less than friendly attitude from the bartender but is immediately attracted to the brawny, dark haired man anyway.

The bartender, Beau, is a rugged but good looking man. He can't take his eyes off of the twink newcomer, Kyle, but he tries to put up a front and not show how much he is affected by the gorgeous young man. There is so much sexual tension between Beau and Kyle you could practically feel it crackling in the air.

The author, Kim Alan, does an outstanding job creating this scene and these characters. I felt like a fly on the wall witnessing the events as they unfolded. And the little twist to the plot, well that was just brilliant.

The story is short and takes place over the course of one evening/night. As is the case with most short stories I wanted more. More of these two guys. I didn't feel cheated though, and my want for more is just pure selfishness.

Don't let the length of this one put you off. It may be short but this hot little number lacks nothing.

Highly recommended!

Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Lay Me Down to Sleep by James Cox

Beneath the ice and crystal lies the future of mankind. The entire population was sent to sleep in hibernation chambers underground so that the earth could re-grow. When Glenton wakes, it’s to a shaking chamber and screams. He’s saved by Aric, and together they rescue all those they can as the chambers suffocate the remaining humans. Was it a horrible mistake or a cruel government? Six survivors now try to endure beneath the ice in what remains of the hibernation center, waiting for the day they can return to the surface. Glenton is among them, troubled by his strange feelings for Aric. When their home loses power, they must go to sleep once more. The future of our species depends on their waking. Will they make it to the surface?

Over at BMBR, when we first decided to approach James Cox to be our Author of the Month, I had already chosen this book as one I would read and review for the blog. I really like a good sci-fi story and the level of sci-fi James uses it perfect for me. The world building is interesting but not overdone. I don’t feel like I need a map, a search light and to pack a lunch to just figure out the dynamics. At the same time the environment created isn’t patronizing, it strikes a good balance. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep was no exception.

The year is 2999 and Earth is beyond repair. The toxins have become too much and in order to ensure the survival of the planet a plan is formed to wipe out all life on earth and regrow a new, untainted healthy environment via the Cultivator. The plan is basically to enlist a man made “great flood a la Noah” in the form of fire. All of the most important people of earth will spend the time it takes for the Cultivator to do its job orbiting the earth while the world’s workers will spend the regrowth period underground in crystal hibernation chambers.

Glenton was 13 when his father tucked him into the hibernation chamber. He was scared, but having his father hold his small hands while they say their goodnight prayer, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, gives Glenton comfort as the hibernation chamber does its job and puts him into the strange stage of stasis that will hold him until it is safe for them all to go back to the surface.

Sci-fi being what it is, things go awry one year into the hibernation phase. After a rather rude awakening from hibernation, Glenton is saved by an older boy, Aric. Aric, Glenton and a handful of other young people are the only survivors left in their chamber. They had been left to die when the system failed and Aric had been their savior. They turned into a very resourceful group, depending on one another for survival and comfort as they became a family. Glenton knew his father couldn’t have left him behind, but he also has no idea what happened to him. All he has is faith that he will be reunited with this father again one day.

There are a couple of pretty strong themes in this book that really add to the emotions that Glenton, Aric and the rest have got to be feeling, trapped underground with no real idea of what is to come. The ideas of faith and the need for comfort. If you have haven’t read the Q&A that James was so kind to share with us, I highly recommend you take a minute or two to read it. I’m so glad I did before I read this book. Knowing a little backstory and inspiration can really give a reader a whole new level of connection with the story and its characters. This is one of those times.

Really, all these people have is faith, faith in a high power that will watch out for them and help them survive. It’s human nature and helps keep them going. Circumstances are hardly comfortable, or even that hopeful, but faith that they will survive and see the sky, the grass, feel the breeze and the sun again gets them through some cold nights and hard working days. They need to clear the path to the exit, it’s blocked with rubble and ice and the work to clear it is hard and slow going.

The offering of comfort, manifested through touch, through the comfort of the simple act of holding the hand of someone you love was strong in this story. When Glenton was younger, it was holding his father’s hand and as he grew he would hold the hand of his best friend Rawn. She and Glenton were as close as two people could be, but Glenton couldn’t really understand why he didn’t feel for her what he thought he should. All they knew was what they remembered from their childhood before, so as they grew and Glenton realized he felt for Aric what he thought he should have felt for Rawn, he became so confused and so scared that if the others found out, they would make him an outcast. When your whole world boils down to a handful of people, that thought is terrifying. But, when Aric takes Glenton's hand in his, Glenton knows that Aric is the one for him, no question.

Aric knows what happened to Glenton’s father and that knowledge keeps him from letting himself get completely attached to Glenton. He feels guilty and responsible. This and Glenton’s fears are really the extent of any angst. That is something I like about sci-fi and apocalyptic stories, the BS angst is kept to a minimum as there is survival that needs to be worried about, so characters have a tendency to cut to the chase, I like and appreciate that especially if the balance is done well. It is done well here and Glenton gets the closure he needs about his father while getting another level of appreciation for Aric.

As the weeks passed and they came closer to their time to escape the underground chamber, Glenton discovers that Aric feels the same for him. The tension between these two was great and the signature James Cox heat was there, but it was different. The times when these two could get together was both hot and sweet, but what really got to me too was the intimate moment of a hand being held and whispers of love in the dark. That was a swoon-worthy moment right there. So, as I said, the heat was there but it also had the added bonus of true love, hope and faith.

A highly recommended read.

Review: Spokes by P.D. Singer

Pro cyclist Luca Biondi lives for the race. For the star of Team Antano-Clark, victory lies within his grasp—if he can outdistance 200 other hopefuls, avoid suspicion from race officials, and keep his lieutenant more friend than foe. Luca also has secrets, and eyes for amateur cyclist and journalist Christopher Nye.

Christopher understands Luca’s need to keep their relationship under wraps, but chafes at hiding in the shadows of his lover’s career. He’s ready to cheer Luca’s victories, but he knows too well how triumph can turn to tears. While Christopher’s heart sees Luca the man, his inner journalist—and his editor—sees the cycling world’s biggest scoop.

From the jagged curves of the Colorado Rockies to the viciously steep Belgian hills, Luca can ride out any bumps—except rumors.

A few words in the wrong ear could crash everything. With miles between them, hints of scandal, and Luca’s fierce need to guard his reputation, a journalist might have to let go of the biggest story of his career or risk forcing his lover to abandon the race. Christopher and Luca face a path more treacherous than any road to the summit in the Italian Alps.

When reading a book there are so many reasons for feeling a connection to the story or characters. Sometimes they touch our hearts, other times our souls and then we have books like Spokes which tweak the curious part of my brain... that analytical part of us that wants to know more even on a topic I had zero knowledge or interest in before I started reading. The story was good and I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between professional Italian cyclist Luca and Christopher who is a part-time journalist for a cycling magazine. Luca (bellissimo) slight clue as to what I said but totally sexy right... that was Luca through the whole story.. he talked and I heard broken Italian accented English that had me sighing through most of the story like those silly tween girls at boy band concerts. That is why I love my literary crushes all of my silliness is only witnessed by me.

P. D. Singer did an amazing writing job not only did I  understand all of the cycling references I  wanted to know more about all of the intricacies involved in the sport. I felt like I was in some holographic image following along through all the beautiful trail rides in Colorado and in Europe Singer's words let my imagination soar through those mountains with the riders.

I do have to admit though at one point in the story she has Christopher struggle to keep up with the professionals and stated that it felt like he was using training wheels on a tricycle in comparison ......which made me laugh as I looked at my exercise bike currently being used as a coat rack... I did feel the urge to clean it off and use it.... Urge people not actual intention... let's keep this real.

Singer also includes a glossary of terms, but honestly I really didn't need it past the first chapter she does an amazing job of allowing the reader to figure what is what while reading without instructing or breaking character. It is like you are taking cycling for dummies and you get a great romance story while learning.

The story though is not diminished in any way. Luca is closeted, and yes like other athletes, if he comes out he risks losing his family, fans, career and teammates but unlike other sports in this one it could also mean his life. All it would take is one elbow or wrong push and he could literally go off a cliff. I had no idea how dangerous cycling was... I mean come on it is riding a bicycle. Yeah at over 40-50 miles per hour down mountain sides with no guardrails...not to mention deaths due to carless motorists. There is even a shrine to cyclists in Italy - il Santuario del la Madonna del Ghisallo-pilgrimages are made in remembrance of those who have fallen.. by the description of plaques and other items it is way too many.

There is also a thread to the story in which I thought Ms. Singer made a character error. She had Christopher constantly ask if he could quote Luca on a comment he made regarding his training or products he uses. I kept thinking this could be misinterpreted as someone who is using Luca for a story. It doesn't make Christopher look good and I couldn't tell if that is what Ms. Singer intended but I should have had faith it all makes sense to the storyline.

Two of the most fascinating things I discovered thanks to Ms. singer was that cyclists have to use lube to prevent bicycle shorts from chafing their nether region... in fact all activities in that area are delicate because they can not be sore while racing or it could impact their performance... that blew my mind.. it makes sense and yet... wow... like I had all kinds of questions regarding relationship activities especially for gay cyclists since professional cyclists seem to tour , train and compete almost constantly.

Even if you do not like or understand cycling you should read this book, it opened up a whole new venue of interest for me and for any cycling aficionados this will be pure nirvana.

Sunday Funday!!!!

A Great Game to Play

OR

Stuff I Did When I Should Have Been Working

I was at work the other day and the power went out in our building. You really don’t realize that you can’t do anything work-wise without power until you don’t have any. We all circled around for a while, a little lost and basically seeing who would be the first to say, “Fuck it, I’m outta here.” Then, my dear friend, we’ll call him X, said, “Hey, I’ve got a game in my car we can play while we wait for the power to come back on.” Sounded like a fun idea, why not?

The game X brought in was Cards Against Humanity – a Party Game for Horrible People.

I was like, “Hey, we’re horrible, let’s do this.”

Here’s the blurb straight from their site:


What is Cards Against Humanity?

Unlike most of the party games you've played before, Cards Against Humanity is as despicable and awkward as you and your friends.

The game is simple. Each round, one player asks a question from a Black Card, and everyone else answers with their funniest White Card.


Sound like fun? It IS! It basically offends any and all people. When we played we had just about every race, religion and orientation at the table. No one was off limits and it was awful and it was great. It started out a little awkwardly, I mean, we were at work. One girl was a little uncomfortable reading the cards out loud. I suppose when the card you have to read says “Pac-Man uncontrollably guzzling cum” you might get a little squicked out. I volunteered to read for her, I’m a giver that way. It didn’t take long though to get over the uncomfortable and pretty soon cards were being acted out and read in an epic voice-over manner.

My absolute favorite part was when these cards were played.

Who’s white card was that??? . . . . This gal!

It was like kismet. Because you see, I had just finished reading this story.

Lovingly recommended to me by our own Rainbow Stallion. I kind of feel bad for the guy on the cover. I don’t have the words to go into that book here, but I did here . . .

Of course, I could not stop laughing. There was one guy at the table who couldn’t stop cracking up either. We then had to explain to everyone else what tentacle porn was. My poor fellow chuckler started describing before he realized he was actually talking out loud and revealing to us all his expansive knowledge of tentacle porn. I kept giving him the side-eye just to make him uncomfortable, which was also fun. I like to think we all learned a little that day.

So, Cards Against Humanity, highly recommended fun times.

• Should you play at work? Probably not.
• Should you play with family? Depends on your family, but also, probably not. (I’m totally playing with mine though.)
• Should you play if you are easily offended by anything ever? No, this is the part where you run away like you’re on fire.
• Should you play while drinking with your friends? F’ing A right you should! That is exactly when you should play!

Enjoy!

Bonus stuff from RJ Scott, be a dear and do the poll, thank you!

"Readers... I have a question for you... I am planning 2014 and have been speaking to fellow authors about marketing plans and so on... The question I have is... How do you know when I have a book going onto Amazon & other third parties? Or indeed how do you keep an eye on any of your authors?

Do you check specifically for the authors you like? See what books are on review sites? Do you find out direct from me via FB or my blog? Do you see what goes on a publisher's site and wait for it to go to Amazon? Is it word of mouth?

How can authors communicate better with you?

From the answers I received I came up with a simple tick box questionnaire."

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