Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit and Giveaway: M.J. O'Shea

 

To kick off our month long anniversary celebrations we're welcoming the lovely M.J. O'Shea! aka Queen of The Cute (titled by me, Breann) because OMG, she writes some seriously cute boys. And enter to win an ebook copy from her backlist!

BMBR: What are your favorite M/M themes? 
MJ: I'm always a huge fan of first love. I even try to incorporate it in my own writing when I have older characters (who may have not been in love before). It's fun to watch characters experience that for the first time. As far as general themes, I love musicians and chefs, I never get sick of paranormal, and I looove spies!

BMBR: What books do you consider Desert Island Keepers?
MJ: I'm not going to name and MM books (since I know a lot of the authors in person and I hate to pick between friends!!) But for me any and all of harry potter, Ender's Game, Stardust and my book of fairy tales.

BMBR: What's your go-to tasty beverage?
MJ: I really love coconut water, actually!

BMBR: Do you have any secret talents? Inquiring minds want to know.
MJ: Ummm probably not so secret is my music thing. I started playing the piano when I was five and flute at 9 and still play both. I can wing it on a couple other instruments and I was in choir... I'm pretty much the quintessential music geek lol.  And I do love to paint, although that's more of a hobby:) I've never done it professionally.

BMBR: MJ was kind enough to share some of her work with us and wow! That's gorgeous!
If you had to choose to be one magical beast, what would it be and why? (you don't have to say unicorn...but we won't say neigh either)
MJ: If by beast you mean animal in nature.. does mermaid count since they're half animal? If I can't pick that I'd be a pegasus. They can fly!

BMBR: Mermaid totally counts. Maybe you could be a mermaid shifter that turns into a Pegasus. Why not!
Who's your favorite porn star?
MJ: I actually don't have one... Sorry, that's probably a super lame answer:(  I've heard brent corrigan talk a few times and he seems really interesting and intelligent so I'll go with him!

BMBR: Do you have author envy? Whose words do you read and think, "GAH, I wish I wrote that!"?
MJ: Again, I'm going to stay out of MM. There are a ton of super talented authors but I wouldn't want to pick just one! As always, my answer is JK Rowling. I can't imagine being able to say that I came up with the whole harry potter universe. I'm sure there are more profound things out there, but that changed the lives of so many kids (and not kids!) it would be amazing to have been the creator of that.

BMBR: Any new projects you're currently working on?
MJ: Always :)  I'm in process of finishing a book I'm calling Family Jewels about very talented jewel thief and an interpol agent who is head of the department who has been tasked to track him down. Of course they meet and fall in love:) I've been having a great time mixing romance with a background set of thriller/mystery. That's the second of my books like that. The first, Corkscrewed, is out in December. It's about two con artists competing for the same mark (the owner of an extensive vineyard and wine collection), and of course falling in love even if they don't want to:)

I'm also in the middle of writing three books about different pastry chefs with my friend Anna Martin. The first, Macarons at Midnight, is already out but the next two are in different stages of production and coming soon! I love writing about chefs just as much as I love to read about them. Not very good for the ol' healthy diet though!

BMBR: Sounds awesome! Can't wait to be my hands on them.

Thanks so much for visiting & chatting with us today!

About M.J. O'Shea: 

M.J. O'Shea has been writing romance since algebra class in sixth grade (when most of her stories starred her and Leonardo DiCaprio). When she's not writing, she loves listening to nearly all types of music, painting, reading great authors, and on those elusive sunny days in the Pacific Northwest, she loves driving on the freeway with her windows rolled down and her stereo on high.

Author Links: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

We have FIVE ebooks to give away! To enter to win an ebook copy of your choice from M.J. O'Shea's backlist please leave a comment on this blog post and let us know (1) your name and a means of contacting you (e.g., email, Twitter handle, link to Goodreads account, etc.) and (2) What mythical creature would you want to be?

The giveaway is open until 10:00PM (Pacific time) on November 8th. Shortly thereafter, we will contact a winner whom we will select using a highly scientific "names in a hat" method (or, you know, an internet randomizer). Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hours or we will choose another winner.

Thanks for celebrating with us and GOOD LUCK!

Fangirl Review: The King by Tiffany Reisz (The Original Sinners #6)

Cunning. Sex. Pure nerve. Only this unholy threesome can raise him to his rightful place as a rule of Manhattan's king kingdom.

Bouncing from bed to bed on the Upper East Side, Kingsley Edge is brilliant, beautiful and utterly debauched. No carnal act of chemical compound can relieve his self-destructive heartache—only Søren, the one person he loves without limit or regret. A man he can never have, but in whose hands Kingsley is reborn to attain even greater heights of sin.

Kingsley's plan to open the ultimate BDSM club—a dungeon playground for New York's A-list—becomes his obsession. His expertise in domination can't subdue the one man who wants to stop him. The enigmatic Reverend Fuller won't rest until King's dream is destroyed, and so the battle lines are set; it's one man's sacred mission against another's…

FIRST WARNING:  I'm about to fangirl the bejesus out of this book.

SECOND WARNING:  Girl parts ahead.

Let me clear two things up right quick. See that blogger name? That "King" isn't just any ole king. This is my King. Kingsley Edge as he's known throughout his kink empire or Kingsley Theophilé Boissonneault, his given name or King as he's commonly referred to. Mon Roi. I could list all the reasons why I love him but why? It should speak volumes that part of my blogger universe name includes him. Secondly, I know there will be some tempted to just read this one. That's a mistake. The backstory of how King, Søren and Nora came to be was built in books 1-5. Starting here will be out of context and won't resonate. Alright. Enough about that let's talk about this book!

This book! 

#Team King fans get ready. Ms. Reisz pulled out the big guns on us. The ongoing debate/feud/divide regarding Søren and King gets put front and center. I'll be the first to admit I've been part of that debate more than once and I had an epiphany of sorts while read this-it doesn't matter. Why? Because I'm always going to choose King. I'll always be on his side, so you see it doesn't matter if Søren's always loved him, or if Søren sacrificed his wants and his needs for King's safety or if he only used him. It matters not. Having said all that, I needed this book. I needed to know that Søren suffered. I needed to see this one on one relationship between them. I needed to see Søren's hunger. I needed to hear Søren say Jeg elsker dig to King.

The King bridges the gap between #Team King and #Team Søren by focusing on their relationship after Søren comes to King for his help with Nora. King is spinning out of control-drinking too much, having reckless sex with too many people and is on a fast track to an early grave. He has no focus, no goals, nothing. Søren helps him define his goals and facilitates his becoming the king of the kink that we all know and love. They've been each other's family, they've been lovers, here they become friends. I was delighted to see Søren's sense of humor. He's always struck me as stiff, aloof, distant, unemotional, and intimidating. He seemed less so here. We also got to know Sam. Sam and King make quite the odd couple, but they're endearing together. I never realized just how much he loved her. They form a largely business relationship built on trust with the mutual goal of bringing down Reverend Fuller and his evil empire.

The whole Original Sinners series marries kink and religion. It sounds like a marriage doomed to fail, I know, but it works. Normally, it's centered around Søren's priesthood, but in The King it's centered on Reverend Fuller's evangelical empire trying to secure a base of operations in New York City to rid it of it's debauchery. Fuller buys an old hotel, The Renaissance, that King decides is the perfect setting for his kink sanctuary. And so it begins… As events unfold, we learn that not only does Fuller's wife write bestseller after bestseller on Christian values to include how to "un-gay" your child through starvation and exorcism, but they run reorientation camps wherein queer kids are tortured. How very Christian of them. 

Really shouldn't underestimate King or his friends. They're all loyal and versed in chicanery. Thus, The 8th Circle was born. A place where all those who are kinky are welcome. Gay, straight or somewhere in between but, most importantly, for Søren. King built it to give Søren a place to… retain his sanity.

"Søren was Kingsley's king."

Was I disappointed that we didn't get La Legion King?
Yeah, for about thirty whole seconds.

Was I disappointed that we didn't get updated on the Nico/Nora situation?
Yes, actually. But I simply cannot complain after having been given this gift of an entire book about King from King's perspective.

Momma taught me not to look a gift horse in the mouth and I would like to thank Ms. Reisz for this gift.

Now, I often talk about writing style and world building. Sometimes plot is thin but characters are great. Sometimes the writing is good but it lacks emotionality or I don't connect with the characters. There are so many things that authors get tasked with, but this author has built a world and characters that aren't just three-dimensional, but real to a fairly large, and at times rabid, cult following, myself included. These characters are all flawed except for Michael who's a perfect angel. They're all capable of sending me through the emotional wringer. That's skill. Undeniable skill in my book. Every book in this series has surprised me and confused me and made me cry and made me think and made me want to re-read them. Some have even taught me a few things. No, not those things. Get your head out of the gutter. That's my spot.

They also bring the kink. Ms. Reisz knows her kink and all of her characters are kinky to some degree. Søren is THE sadist. King and Nora are switches in this bizarre love triangle, though Nora's not in this one. We get to meet a couple Dommes that have been mentioned a few times. We get flashbacks of King and Søren when they were kids and… mmmmmmmmhhhppppfffffff!!! King is a card carrying member of #teampain.

When he thought about it, it made no sense to him that he felt the freest and the strongest when on his knees and being hurt.

King hides his masochism. He's only ever submitted to Søren up until this point and won't to anyone else for fear of being judged weak. Heartbreaking but likely true. I respect what I think Ms. Reisz is trying to do by creating all these male submissives who are badasss motherfuckers you would not want to cross. And Michael. Sweet, precious Michael. I digress. There is an unexpected and delightful surprise here which I won't spoil, but it was very, VERY satisfying. I don't mind saying that it threw me for a loop. Naturally, there are submissives both male and female. The man is temptation personified and proud of it. He's French and vain as Narcissus himself. God, I love him. At any rate, King makes excellent use of all of them. Sexy beast that he is. AND what's more King put on a corset!!!!!

WAY!!!!

I might have reacted in an altogether embarrassing manner. Possibly. *side eyes*

I have one quibble which clearly isn't changing my rating, but it seems to me all the female characters are starting to sound alike. All witty and snarky and pithy and… like Nora.

Pish posh! Who cares? 

I GOT A WHOLE BOOK WITH NOTHING BUT MY MAN!!!!!!! 

Je t'aime, mon Roi. Je t'aime.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Find out more on Goodreads.

BMBR's Anniversary!!! We're turning ONE!

Guess who's one?

WE ARE, WE ARE! :D

It's the one year anniversary of Boy Meets Boy Reviews! Yes, we can hardly believe it ourselves, but our little book blog has reached a wonderful milestone. Exactly one year ago today, the first Happy Hour Chat debuted right here on BMBR with a clubhouse favorite of ours, the COX (or rather, James Cox, as he's more commonly known). :)

To celebrate, we have a humongous giveaway MONTH planned.

That's right - a MONTH of giveaways!

In November, we have authors visiting ALL month and....there'll be...

*drumroll*

A GIVEAWAY A DAY.

Um, give or take a day or two? We're pretty casual around here. ;)

So please keep an eye out for author visits from some of the biggest names in the m/m romance world! Authors like Amy Lane! RJ Scott! Cardeno C.! Ava March! Rhys Ford! Heidi Cullinan! Jay Bell! And...as some of the unicorns like to call her...MARY FREAKING CALMES!

*heavy breathing*

We are SO excited to be celebrating our first year together, and we hope you'll check in throughout the month for more on the giveaways and celebration shenanigans!

Thank you so much to all of our readers for helping us make Boy Meets Boy Reviews so much fun!

♥

Heart by Garrett Leigh Blast AND Giveaway!!!!

Cornish pastry chef Seb Wright dreads the summer tourist season. The cash injection to his artisan fudge pantry is more than welcome, the extra work, less so. Then one summer, a shadowy Good Samaritan catches his eye. Irish Traveller Dex is bewitching, a beautiful sullen enigma who turns Seb's world upside down until he disappears in the night, vanishing like a mystical summer rain.

Twelve months later Dex is in the midst of a dark storm. A slave to his master, 'Uncle' Braden, he spends his days cleaning caravans and his nights working in Braden's other businesses. His short summer with Seb seems a lifetime ago. Lost in the savage violence of the murky underworld, he doesn't dare dream he'll ever find his way back, until one night, a brutal crime opens the door for a chance escape. A new life beckons, old faces emerge, and immersed in the heady vibe of London’s East End, new love begins to heal his fractured heart.

Do y'all have ANY idea how excited I am for this story?? The first Garrett Leigh work I read was Gypsy Rain and I feel in love. Hard and fast, I fell in love. Many moons ago Garrett teased she was going to write about Seb and Dex again and it's HERE!!!!  Enjoy ALL the things here and thanks to Garrett for the wonderful stories, breaking our hearts repeatedly and making us fall in love with all her heroes.

Excerpt from Heart:

Seb took a drink of his beer and set it down again with undue care. “You can’t read, can you?”

“Can.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Dex slid off his stool and shoved his hands into his pockets. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected when Seb had ambushed him, but it wasn’t this. So what if he couldn’t bloody read? It wasn’t like he’d ever been to school to learn.

Seb caught his arm. “Don’t go, Dex. I’m sorry, okay? I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

Seb’s hand engulfed Dex’s wrist, his touch as charged and heated as it had ever been. Dex felt his resolve melting, ebbing away until it was all he could do to fall back onto the bar stool. “I can read some,” he said mutinously. “I can read numbers, and names. Knew the name of your shop, didn’t I?”

“Can you write?” “Never tried.” Dex looked down. Lying to Seb felt all wrong. He’d heard the name of Seb’s shop on the street, and the only name he could read was his own.

Seb was silent for a moment, then without warning, Dex felt his fingers brush through his shower-damp hair. “It really is brown. I thought it was just wet.”

Dex fought for the strength to shy away from the soft gesture, but nothing happened. “The bleach grew out.”

“It was dyed?”

“Couldn’t you tell?” Dex had forgotten his brief stint as a blond was all Seb had ever known of him.

“No, not at all. You look totally different now. Not sure I would’ve recognized you without the scowl. You just about shocked the shit of me. I… I thought I’d never see you again.”

OH MY GAWD RIGHT?!?!?!

A little info on Garrett and where to get your copy of Heart:

Author Bio: Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Black Jazz Press. Her protagonists will always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh. For cover art info, please visit blackjazzpress.com

Author Contact:

garrettleighbooks@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighbooks
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garrett-Leigh/484336074987986?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

Get your copy of Heart here! from Dreamspinner

or from Amazon Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA

ON TO THE GIVEAWAY . . . . 
 ENTER HERE TO WIN A COPY OF HEART!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Blood Slave by Kim Dare

From a kinky brat to a vampire's perfect blood slave.  Keats's education starts tonight!

Keats may have reluctantly agreed to admit that vampires are fantasy and not reality. And he may have promised his friend that he would stop searching for them. But people who merely think they are vampires are still fair game for a fun night out.

Leland has been resisting the temptation to bite his friend for months, but when he sees Keats wander calmly into the middle of a Halloween feeding frenzy, he no longer has a choice. He has to claim Keats as a private blood slave before he ends up becoming the community property of his clan.

Everything rests on his ability to convince his clan he can bring the bratty submissive to heel. It's going to be very long night…

I think any review I wrote for a Kim Dare short story would say the same thing...wonderful characters, so much showing, perfectly chosen words, and way too short!

In Blood Slave, all that holds true, but I'll add more since Kim is our Author of the Month and we take that very seriously here at BMBR.   :D

Keats was a brat. An adorable brat I couldn't resist.  

Keats looked just a tiny bit repentant—like a puppy that had been caught chewing a slipper and now regretted displeasing his master. 

On Halloween, he attended a gathering of vampires and their blood donors, believing it was just a group of people playing pretend. Luckily, his friend Leland happened to be at the gathering and stepped in to protect him. The world building was a bit thin there, and I didn't understand all the rules/paperwork for blood slaves, but it didn't bother me for long as I got caught up in the relationship dynamics between Leland and Keats.

Leland was a vampire who was attracted to Keats but, until that point, had been hesitating over making a move, concerned about Keats' reaction to Leland being a vampire.  Seeing the other vampires around Keats caused him to step up fast, though, and step up he did, in a very possessive manner.  He would have preferred a different way to reveal the truth, but Keats handled it well, only challenging Leland when he didn't appreciate certain aspects of vampire culture. Leland got a little flustered by those challenges, but managed to deal with Keats. I liked how he was also willing to listen to Keats and adjust to his expectations and limits, appreciating the difference from normal vampire/human relationships.

Their interactions were sweet, humorous, and hot. Even though I wanted more, I'm very happy with this addition to my Kim Dare collection.

Side notes:
Keats had very nice fantasies...about Leland, and about cages :)

While Keats didn't appreciate  some aspects of vampire culture, he definitely appreciated the biting, and so did I ;)

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

Find more info on Goodreads.

Review: The Pining of Kevin Harding by Devon McCormack

Kevin Harding wanted an exciting life. Now, he’s a vampire and wishes he could go back to his average, boring one in the suburbs. His master is furious that he refuses to hunt, but Kevin knows it’s only a matter of time before he caves. The longer a person is a vampire, the more compliant they are to their master’s will.

When Kevin decides to give the hunt a try, he’s kidnapped by vampire hunters. Rather than endure their severe torture, he agrees to help them kill his master. The hunters’ plan goes horribly awry, and they flee the scene with Kevin. But they have to restrategize quick. The longer he’s away from his master, the more painful his life becomes. He craves his master. He hungers for him. He pines for him. And as they get close to enacting their plan, Kevin isn’t sure if he’ll be able to follow through.

Happy Halloween from BMB Reviews!!

I figured I'd review something in the paranormal genre in honor of today and this was a great choice! I've noticed themes for the last couple of my reading years and this year it's been the year of the man, or should I say, the year of the male authors. I've come across a number of new-to-me male authors that have impressed me enough to actually read more than one book from them. And I'm talking about a range with my new found male authors, angst ridden to smutty to interesting as hell.

This author, Devon McCormack, I think he's one to watch. Romance writer? *tilts head* Not really. Sometimes it's there but it's on the back burner. What this author does well is tell a story. One I want to read; wish it could be performed on screen because I would be a fan.

The story is told from Kevin Harding' POV. Kevin was a high school senior, eighteen years-old with acting aspirations. Sadly his dreams were cut short by his Master. A sadistic vampire who set his sights on Kevin, turned him into a creature of the night (without his consent) and added him to his meager vampire family which consists of the deranged and even more sadistic Alyssa and the ever-horny jock vamp, Dax. Vampires crave two things above all else, their master and blood. It's deeply ingrained. But Kevin wants to be human. He was happy being human. Being a vampire was thrust upon and he struggles with that. He's pissing off his mater and his partner. Luckily he finds consolation in the form of cock in the ever charming (yet shallow) Dax.

This leads Kevin down a path riddled vampire hunters, a duo of self taught vampire hunters to be exact - cowboy Ride and the young, gay Morgan. They add to this ensemble of characters. They also have real life issues that interplay with trying to rid the world of bloodsuckers.

Kevin is an exception as he is still new and the human side continues to war with that paranormal beast inside. This is not a vampire who revels in being a vampire. He's disgusted with that side of himself and tries to humanize more often than not. The book does get gory and bloody. I mean, this is Devon McCormack. He doesn't pull the punches.

Why I think this book rocks? There's a sense of realism that the main characters face while dealing with the paranormal tint. This is new adult - there are life changes that Kevin deals with and he handles it appropriately for his age. And just because there is no actually on page sex does not mean it is not had nor discussed. We are brought into the mind of an 18 year old male...sex is on there a lot. Along with sex, there's the awkwardness of that age, dealing with the vampire physiology (it sucks because you have to kill your victim to feed). The characters are descriptive and have normal features - big heads, eyes too close to their big noses, balding...no hot models in here. Well maybe Dax but he has some minor self hate/body image issues.

This is gay fiction, with minor romance. There is minor suspense and action, it gets better as the story progresses. I always find learning about the vampire world an author creates fascinating - the rules  and society - vampires are night dwellers, are immortal, and survive due to a vampire virus. There is a HEA of sorts. I am happy with how it is played out. It read a little rushed toward the end. But the key parts are answered. This author excels at creating a scene. This could have been a movie.

Do I recommend? *nods effusively*  After reading hundreds of books, this author is just different. The writing is simple, easy to relate, not pretentious and gives good story. 

And I'm a story girl. Give me a great one no matter what the subject is, make me forget any reservations I might have and you have a fan in me.

Find out more information on Goodreads and Booklikes!

Review: Sarge (F.I.S.T.S., #1) by Bey Deckard

Sometimes it’s just about being in the right place at the right time… with the right person.

Sarge is the short story of a burgeoning D/s relationship between two space marines stationed on an alien planet where an endless war drags on.

Sergeant Wilkes is a hard man with a long, celebrated military career. Brawny, tattooed, and utterly submissive, Murphy is just an interesting diversion… until Sarge realises he has found something truly rare.

"You're a good boy, Murph," he says softly to me."You get me home, get me patched up, and you'll see what good boys get."

That was the line that hooked me when I first learned about this story.

There's nothing like great dirty talk. And when it's paired with great D/s? It's like there's a jackpot to be read. And "Sarge", the first in the F.I.S.T.S. series, definitely has that in spades. In less than sixty pages, it gets the job done to portray a burgeoning relationship between two space marines who are fighting a losing battle on an alien planet.

Murphy is a 6'8" soldier that doesn't speak much (not because he can't, he's quite intelligent) that does not fit the norm because he's submissive. Pause. Let me roll around in this moment for a few more seconds. Submissive big guy bottoming. *nods* That's my shit.

And he's lusting over his senior officer, Sarge, for quite sometime. The elder, Sarge, has picked up on these feelings and acts upon them in quite an erotically charged fashion. He reads Murphy's needs very well and gives his boy the partner he craves.

"So are you completely proportionate?" It takes me a second, maybe two, before I realise that he's asking whether I'm packing a peashooter or a rocket launcher in my shorts. 

The story is told in alternating first POV which I love because I think you get the best handle of a main character and their mindset with first POV. Don't lump this as PWP due to the length, this is a well fleshed out story that paints a great setting - it's a desolate alien planet, where the last dregs of human soldiers are losing but still giving their all. Sarge and Murphy share near death experiences, an understanding and a common bond.

The part that really solidified these two men to me were the little things. The responses, the looks, the little gestures. It is more romantic than I expected while still not being overly mushy. I love reading the small things that make for a bigger picture.  The story ends with a cliffhanger (with a promise for something more) but since this is book #1, I won't get too antsy. I enjoy Sarge and I think I'm halfway in heavy like with tattooed, doesn't know his worth, Murphy. (What is it with this author creating these brawny as hell subs that I just need to root for?)

Do I recommend? YES, especially D/s fans and unconventional relationship fans.
Will I read more from this author? Of course, He's not a one trick pirate pony and I am so happy to read what else he has brewing in his brain.

So I'll pretend to wait patiently for the next installment while reveling in what I just read...

For more information on Goodreads and Booklikes!

Review: Neon White Book 2 by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Belail felt the tension in Bla'Gar's mansion the moment he appeared in the demon's bedroom.

Such a shame, Bla'Gar had royally fucked up with his pet.

He played the Komboskini back and forth in his hand for a second time. The souls forced into amber beads heated and smoked, a wailing scream rang from them before two of the beads burst.

Glowering at the shattered souls on the carpet, white smoke dancing towards him. Belails’s stomach cramped at that very moment.

What was foretold would soon unfold. The little one perceived it.

Breathing in the white smoke Belail could not pinpoint it but he could smell…shortbread cookies, hollies, spruce and snow? Christmas? No…with a sly chuckle he silently whispered. "The Winter Ball."
But the smells were tainted with blood—human blood. The ball would not end in all white glory, this time in blood and death.

Well, this was all very exciting. And I was pleasantly surprised (I know, you'll all hate me for this) but the cliffhanger at the end. As it just so happens, I like cliffhangers. I have a hard time reading series' that end with the characters in their happily-ever-after already.

Firstly, I'd like to say that I think the writing improved a great deal since the last book. There are still some editing issues that need to be dealt with, but the overall writing is much better. Bravo.

The drama is this story is, well, dramatic. Maybe a little melodramatic, but that just so happens to be a favorite of mine. There's jealousy, some snarky comments, some fun secondary characters. I was hopeful for a while there might've even been a love triangle, but alas, I can't have everything I want.

I kind of want to smack Raven sometimes because of his whiny attitude, but that doesn't deter me from liking him as a character. The romance between Raven and Bla'Gar is quite... teen drama, and I love it. Some "L" bombs were dropped pretty hastily, but the characters themselves admitted it, and this is, after all, paranormal romance, so there's always that 'mate' feeling you can attribute these things to.

I liked this book more than the first, perhaps because I'm more invested. Oh, and I quite enjoy Niko. Can't help it. I love them whiny and full of lemon juice.
Oh, but I don't like Jessy. She seems like a royal pain in the ass. Don't invite your date out and call him a prick, girlfriend, that's just plain rude.

The lackage of some serious sexytimes didn't bother me at all. I can read romance with no sex and still enjoy it just as much. That being said, I wouldn't, exactly, have said no to some raunchiness like in the first book. But that's okay. There will always be the third.

Overall, very enjoyable read. In the first review I said that the first book should be bought with the second, but now knowing the third has a cliffhanger, I might recommend waiting for the third as well, if you don't like cliffhangers. :)

But yes. Interesting new author who, I believe (although this isn't exactly my area of expertise *cough* JL*) will make a name for himself in the m/m rom paranormal category.

Review: Handsome Men Blow (Handsome Heroes #4) by James Cox

Horns, tail and rainbow cum...

What happens when a thief, posing as a king, gets his own harem? Malvern is a fake king, just trying to survive long enough for a ship to whisk him away to another planet. He never expects to get a ragtag harem of near rejects. One is a human that volunteered, that guy makes Malvern long for domination. Then there’s the redhead with scars on his back, red eyes and oh yeah, his cum glows in the dark. The last man in this messed up harem is in chains because he’s too violent.

When a wicked storm hits he’s forced to make a hard decision, stick with his own survival or save their lives. He also has limited time to make that choice because the real king is on his way to claim the throne.

How the hell is this going to end well?

Oh Malvern, you fascinating and incredibly horny scoundrel you. And he is a scoundrel in the truest sense of the word and he owns the descriptor with pride. He lies, cheats and steals to survive but he does it with such style I couldn’t help but be charmed by him. We met him briefly in Handsome Men Suck (remember Kendrew’s big fall from grace?) and in Handsome Men Blow we get all of Malvern along with his horns, his tail and his rainbow cum. How can you not be intrigued by his description alone?

Malvern is what I like to think of as a “good bad guy”. I mean, he does bad shit, he’s selfish and narcissistic. But, when you get into his head you see he’s really not the asshole he presents to the world. He’s alone, he’s lost everything and now he just gets by the only way he knows how, conning and charming his way through the galaxy. So, Malvern gets into some shenanigans and hijinks and before you know it, he’s got himself a merry band of misfits, his very own harem. Oh, and they think he is their new king because, shenanigans. Malvern can totally get behind this plan and would be enjoying it a hell of a lot more if he didn’t have to plan his escape at the same time. He’s a scoundrel but he’s not stupid, he knows the real king is going to be gunning for him and he needs to tuck tail (literally) and be long gone before that happens.

But, he doesn’t expect to enjoy his harem as much as he is. He’s got three men who couldn’t be more different at his beck and call and the idea is pretty intriguing. Malvern isn’t that kind of scoundrel though. He sees these guys for the pained misfits that they are. He knows because he’s one of them more than he’s a king. Instead of forcing anyone to do anything, he actually gets to just be himself (except for the whole lying about being a king thing) and these guys are slowly drawn to him and him to them. He’s got Shay, the shy human who volunteered to become a slave to save his family. Malvern has a serious soft spot for Shay. Then there is Norcon, the red eyed, red haired slave with the scars and the secrets and finally, Rykna, the “crazy, scary bastard” who has to be kept in chains and is a total angry mystery. Oh yeah, Norcon’s cum glows in the dark and Rykna’s cum turns into snow. Throw that in with Malvern’s rainbow cum and you have got yourself the setting for one hell of a harem after party cleanup. And a pretty awesome visual!

In the short time that Malvern has been king he discovers he’s actually pretty damn good at it. He’s fair, he’s kind and he puts his people first. Not something you may necessarily expect from the character in the beginning but his realization that he’s a good guy after all, given the opportunity, is completely natural and was fun to read. It’s like once he starts doing the right thing, he can’t stop, he’s always wanted to be this guy and finally has the chance.

When a natural disaster strikes Malvern is put to the true test, escape while he can or stay and save his harem and his people? The excitement that comes next was a total fantasy adventure that was fun to read. The celebration after that was even better. Malvern is really good at multi purposing his tail. It’s not just another pretty appendage and it’s not just a weapon. It’s a hell of a sex toy too and I’m in awe of its many uses.

A happy ending was had by most and I really hope to get more Rykna in the coming stories. That crazy bastard has a story to tell and I want to know it. One of the things I really like about James’ characters is that they are total cocky badasses on the outside and then when you get to spend some time in their heads you get to appreciate the real feelings and fears they have and they are just big softies covered in swagger. My favorite kind of hero.

Malvern, Malvern, Malvern. How I love your cocky ways. This guy seriously pretended to be king with his own harem and totally pulled it off. I think this is my favorite of THE COX (<- yes, he gets all caps) and that's mostly because I loved all the awesomeness that Malvern had to offer. Beneath his badass-all-about-me exterior he really has a good heart. Pretending to be king was the best thing he could have done for himself! And he just slipped right on into that role, flawlessly. It was priceless, I tell ya! He had a slight WTF moment, but he mostly went with it right from the get go. And it cracked me up.

I must talk about Shay. Shay is one of the men in his harem and he is the sweetest little thing. *pets Shay* Yes, he's such a sweet and naughty boy. I loved that he brought the selfish, hardass Malvern to his knees! Literally and figuratively. I love the macho guy turning into melting goo and Shay pretty much did that to Malvern.

Of course, the sex was off the charts. Like, duh. There was a harem with lots of dicks and so many different variations of cum that there should be a COX encyclopedia with all the things. All the different aliens is probably my favoritest part of this series. What will he think up next? It's always fun and surprising!

I really enjoyed this. Beneath all the rainbow cum and tails, it really was very sweet. I especially liked the townspeople and their reaction to their king. It's a surprisingly heartwarming erotic story.

Read more about Handsome Men Blowing over at Goodreads :D

Review: With a Kiss by Kim Dare

When Liam Bates volunteered to visit lonely patients at his local hospital, he expected them to be able to talk back when he chatted to them. But, when he’s assigned to visit a comatose man, he soon finds himself spilling out his whole life story in an effort to fill the silence. It’s not long before the peace and comfort he finds in the man’s hospital room becomes Liam’s refuge from an increasingly hostile world.

Vampire Marcus Corrigan has been trapped inside his paralysed body for over three years, unable to communicate with anyone. The chatty young man who visits Marcus quickly captivates him, and Liam’s softly spoken words soon have him determined to rescue the boy from his current life, but, unable to move a muscle, all Marcus can actually do is lay there and listen.

There’s only one thing that can wake up Marcus. There’s only one thing that can save Liam’s sanity. Everything is about to change for them both, and it will change with a kiss.

Please note: This story centres around a relationship that incorporates elements of BDSM. It also includes references to an entirely separate relationship which contains violent and abusive behaviour, perpetrated by a secondary character.

I definitely enjoy a good story with an abused character. The hurt/comfort element is tops...well for me anyway. In Kim Dare's "With a Kiss", she delivers the most sweetest, kinky story between a human, Liam and a vampire, Marcus.

Don't worry, no lame vampires here. The world that Dare created features a contemporary UK where paranormal beings are known and accepted. Liam is in an abusive relationship, his shitty partner - Ralph controls nearly every aspect of Liam's life...except for one thing. Liam volunteers to talk to vampire coma patient, Marcus, once a week.

This setup lasts for months and sweet submissive, Liam finally has someone to listen to his problems and hard life without judgment. The story starts on New Year's Eve and like the title states it starts "with a kiss". A kiss to change both their lives.

What Dare is magical with is creating simple yet complex characters that show D/s in such a positive light. She gives great power exchange. And you're immersed in the mindset of both main characters that I could understand why Liam was nervous about embracing his submissive side, yet he couldn't help to explore. Or understand Marcus's predatory nature always remained first.

"If all I wanted was convenience I'd get a take-away--pick up a cheap rent boy in a bad part of town and receive everything I wanted from him in the back of my car."

But...this is pure romance. The men take time to fall in love. Liam had to learn to trust in a partner, to trust in himself. Marcus is used to fucking his food, not to viewing a human more than a source if his pleasure. He had to learn how to care for his human and Liam his Master. The hook of their D/s relationship and how their dynamics play into their roles made this story quite the experience.

"In other circumstances, Marcus may well have used and discarded Liam like he would any other human. But, while he was in his coma he had no choice but to listen to Liam--to get to know him the way he's never known another human and learn to see him as something other than a blood supply."

Why not 5 hearts? I wanted to know more about the paranormal world created. Are vampires only born? Can they change humans into vampires? I want these two to be together forever and ever.

This story is definitely 5 hearts up until 40% then it goes to about 4 hearts until 80%. The last 20% was yummy and definitely 5 hearts worthy.

The sacrifices Marcus made, the patience and care...all while being an alpha Dominant. He's never considered anyone else but himself so reading him fall was everything.

"Liam didn't need freedom. He didn't need independence. And he didn't need a master who was willing to give him those things either. Liam needed protecting."

Solid writing, excellent relationship, definitely one of my favorite Dare couples...right up there with Ori and Reynard.

Highly recommended!

We'd like to thank Kim Dare once more for being out October AOTM. We hope you checked out her giveaway and interview!

Find out more information on Goodreads and Booklikes!

Review: The Roommate Situation by Zoe X. Rider

College freshman Shane Hahn finds himself unexpectedly shuffled to a new dorm room--which is fine by him, but his over-involved mother takes one look at toothpick-chewing, motorcycle-riding Derek McClain, his new roommate, and gets on the phone with the school. The school requires that Shane be the one to file the room-change paperwork, but Shane's reluctant.

He's attracted to Derek's independence, even though that independence means Derek has to pay his own way through college, which he does by making leather products (you know: belts, wallets...bondage gear) and selling it online. Shane isn't even allowed to work while he's in school, much less join a band, which is what he really wants to do with his life. Unfortunately, his parents are holding his guitar hostage until he can prove he's taking his future seriously.

When he decides he needs a way to come up with cash--the kind his parents won't find out about--so he can buy a guitar his parents can't take away from him, he turns to Derek with what sounds like a win-win solution: he'll model bondage gear for Derek's online store photos, Derek will get more sales, and Shane will get a cut. The one thing he doesn't factor into his plan is the giddy stomach-flip feeling Derek McClain causes whenever he walks in the room--and what that might mean for them when Derek starts locking leather cuffs on his wrists.

I read this book because a friend was reading it and I couldn't ignore her goodreads updates any longer! Sara has great taste in books and when she loves something that much, I'm pretty sure I will too. The thing is, even with those tempting updates, the cover and blurb nearly put me off! I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm turning into a cover snob (I know exactly which designer I blame for that) and the blurb - while it does tell you what the book is about, it really doesn't do it justice. IMO anyway *shrugs*.

This book is so good. It has the best build up of sexual tension and that first kiss O.M.G. While the blurb makes it sound like it's going to venture into quite raunchy ground (or at least, that was my interpretation) this manages to be hot, with a bit of kink, but not downright porn. Not that there is anything wrong with reading some pornier work but this, this beats that hands down.

I completely fell for Shane and Derek. One hundred percent in love with them both. In fact, I was not ready for it to be the end of their story, not by a long shot. I even found Derek being a smoker sexy and I loathe and detest smoking (I know, I know). The secondary characters are fantastic - particularly Derek's family. I swear I could read more about the whole lot of them. 

The writing is great, it pulls you into the story and leaves you unable to put it down (or apparently find the authors backlist and read every damn thing on it, as anyone who gets my goodread feed will attest to - sorry :/). This is Zoe X Rider's only full length novel to date and IMO it's the best - but I couldn't get enough of her shorter pieces too. If I fall for a writing style I fall hard and this author has made it to my auto-buy list. I would highly recommend if you like NA/college stories, I promise this won't disappoint.

Review: Shiny! by Amy Lane

Will Lafferty and Kenny Scalia are both having sort of a day. Will gets fired for letting fifth graders read Harry Potter, and Kenny finds his boyfriend and his sex toys in bed with a complete stranger. When Will knocks over Kenny's trash can—and strews Kenny's personal business all over the street—it feels like the perfect craptastic climax to the sewage of suckage that has rained down on them both.

But ever-friendly, ever-kind Will asks snarky Kenny out for a beer—God knows they both need one—and two amazing things occur: Kenny discovers talking to Will might be the best form of intercourse ever, and Will discovers he's gay.

Their unlikely friendship seems like the perfect platonic match until Will reveals how very much more he’s been feeling for Kenny almost since the beginning. But Kenny’s worried. Will’s new-found sexuality is bright and glittery and shiny, but what happens when that wears off? Is Will's infatuation with Kenny strong enough to stay real?

Ahhhhhhh.

Amy Lane Lite is my favorite. *explodes*

There's just something so comforting about knowing I'm going to get a great story, super interesting characters, and a lovely HEA...minus Amy Lane's trademarked Angst and Pain.

After pulling myself out of a year-long vortex of freebie fanfics and online fiction, I decided to tackle the plethora of books I hadn't yet read, but that were waiting for me on my Kindle. Shiny! was right there...all shiny and new and eager to please.

And please it did! I really enjoyed this story, and the way Will and Kenny went from friends to lovers was lovely and magical. The characters felt real, and their struggles, while not super duper angsty, were touching and thoughtful. This is feel-good Amy Lane, and damn, did I feel good after reading it.

Will is my boo. (Side note: Sorry, the phrase "my boo" has been in my head ever since watching the blind auditions on "The Voice" recently. Pharrell called Gwen his boo, and Blake had no idea what that meant. ANYWAY...uhhh...back to my review. heh.) Yes, so...Will! He was awesome. I wanted to wrap him up and hug him close. He was just so genuine, authentic, sweet, and kind. I don't blame Kenny for being skeptical about how Will could possibly be real. He was Prince Charming, and I absolutely LOVED how he stood up for himself and his feelings later on in the book. He has a backbone, and he'll fight for what he believes in. The way Will accepted his sexuality--embraced it, really--was refreshing, and seeing him explore sex and loving with Kenny was sweet and emotional.

My only quibble was the structure of the story, which begins at a wedding with the guys (already a couple) telling the tale of how they met. When the narrative bounced back to the wedding at intervening points towards the end of certain chapters, the listeners' comments/reactions/etc. and Will and Kenny's own thoughts in "present day" pulled me a little out of the story.

Otherwise, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to fellow readers who aren't as much into the angst, but still appreciate and have fun with the characters Amy Lane creates. Super charming, super cute, super fun and shiny!

Also, isn't that cover kinda sorta just flat out adorable?? =)

More info on this book available at Goodreads!

Cover Reveal: Neon White Episode 2 by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Exclusive Cover Reveal for Neon White Episode 2 by Wulf Francu Godgluck!

We at BMBR are very happy to announce, and show you, the awesome new cover for Neon White Episode 2! We feel like it goes perfectly with the first cover of the series, and definitely draws the reader in!

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Belail felt the tension in Bla'Gar's mansion the moment he appeared in the demon's bedroom.



Such a shame, Bla'Gar had royally fucked up with his pet.



He played the Komboskini back and forth in his hand for a second time. The souls forced into amber beads heated and smoked, a wailing scream rang from them before two of the beads burst.



Glowering at the shattered souls on the carpet, white smoke dancing towards him. Belails’s stomach cramped at that very moment.



What was foretold would soon unfold. The little one perceived it. 



Breathing in the white smoke Belail could not pinpoint it but he could smell…shortbread cookies, hollies, spruce and snow? Christmas? No…with a sly chuckle he silently whispered.
"The Winter Ball." 

But the smells were tainted with blood—human blood. The ball would not end in all white glory, this time in blood and death.

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And don't forget to check out the awesome book trailer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Lhdz13Iv0

Review: The Knife of Narcissus VI & VII by Carolyne Chand

The cargo Lucius has smuggled into Rome for his brother-in-law Aulus is enough wealth to power an army, bringing them both to the attention of the imperial family. Now Lucius stands in a precarious position between two dangerous princes, poised to be either a favored courtier or an inconvenience marked for disposal—and forced to navigate his way through the same sexual intrigues Aulus has hinted that Trio, the man Lucius loves, has joined.

Trio is still a Gordian Knot Lucius intends to cut open. Knowing now that Trio is caught in more than an unmanly, un-Roman love for a friend, Lucius sets out with him and their two attendants on the search to find Velleia’s missing slave.

In the remoteness of the Campanian countryside, under looming, smoke-shrouded Mount Vesuvius that commands the skyline, Lucius intends to devote himself to refueling the flame he knows still burns between him and Trio. Nothing will stand in the way...except perhaps Arpalycus, the handsome and tempting slave who has become for Lucius much more than servant, far more than confidante.

Lucius Sentius, along with most people in the city of Rome, assumed that the debauched days of Nero were long behind them. He was wrong.

Swept into the sexual games of powerful men, he has had to navigate intrigues, lies, and rumour on his path to status and respectability. Torn between reputation and love, ambition and obligation, his heart still lies somewhere not at all respectable: a very un-Roman love for his very Roman friend Trio, the sort of relationship that only the most powerful—or the most ignored—may have.

In the course of a summer Lucius has gone from curious innocent to devoted worshipper of Venus, following both his heart and other instincts. But his dedication to the goddess stands between him and what he truly hopes to win. In the remoteness of the Campanian countryside, Lucius tries to refuel the flame between Trio and himself.

He is no longer the person who fell in love. But neither is Trio...

Includes a preview of the sequel novella: Saturnalia.


What is it about human nature that inclines us to reflect back to the beginning when we reach the end? That's where I find myself at the end of this saga.

Did I enjoy it?

Overall, yes. I think Ms. Chand wove her story together well. I loved Lucius and that love only grew as the series progressed. He's randy as all get out, has a heart of gold and he's generous to a fault. He's also intelligent and shrewd. 

I also love Rome especially ancient Rome and Ms. Chand seems to have done her research. She paid attention to the details and I even learned a couple things along the way and I like Ms. Chand's writing style; it's descriptive and evocative.


Was there anything I didn't like?

The ending. Well… let me clarify. It's not that I "didn't like" it per se. I was disappointed by Lucius' decision. I don't think it was the right decision for him, but I will say it ends ambiguously. I'll let you translate that for yourself.

Also… *side mouths* it could've used more… 

I am just saying.

It's my understanding that the whole thing is to be released as one book which makes this seven part series thing an odd marketing strategy to my mind, but it also made the story a bit disjointed. Then again, the storyline that I'm interested in may not be the same for all. What I'm trying to say in a nutshell is, I think the story will flow better as a whole rather than seven pieces.

How was the sex?

Copious. Lucius is a devotee of Venus and he worships often with fervor and a fair number of partners to whom he's quite generous. He's also very enthusiastic which ratcheted up the heat level.

Would I read something else by this author?

Depends. I'd read other things in this theater particularly anything having to do with Lucius. I'm not certain I'd be interested in any of the other characters. Unless they were gladiators. That's a whole different ballgame there.

How would you rate it?

I'm in between 3 and 4 Hearts, so I'll settle for 3.5 Hearts for the entire experience.

I would like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of the series in exchange for my honest opinion.

Read more on Goodreads.