Review: To Stand Close by Faith Ashlin

Can love grow and survive for two men on opposite sides of the deepest of chasm—slavery?

In this world one country has cut itself off, and is closed and mysterious to everyone else. What's the secret it's hiding? Magic? Monsters? No, just the cruel reality of slavery. But inside its borders life goes on as normal, and it competes with the rest of the world at sport just like everyone else, just to prove that it's the best.

Nicky accepts that, and is happy in his own small, simple life as a gymnastics coach. He accepts it because he's never known anything else, but he stays as far away from the brutality of slavery as he can, until he's given a present he doesn't want and isn’t allowed to refuse.

As for love? Well, he loves his sport, isn't that enough?

Faith Ashlin has a secure spot on my list of must read authors. It's my third unputdownable read by her. Also, the third AU slave fic, but hey, she does it so well.

To Stand Close was thought provoking, engaging and just fucking good.

Nicky, who is a girls gymnastics coach, was given a gift from all the girls' moms. There was certainly a hidden agenda behind the gift, but even so, Nicky is stuck with his new slave, Michael. Being the decent human that he is, he refuses to treat Michael as such.

The country where Nicky lives is cut off from the rest of the world. Nobody really knows what happens behind their walls, since once you're there, you don't come back out. Even though readers don't get the chance to really see the government at work, there's still a real sense of fear when it comes to what they're willing to do to keep the status quo.

So, Nicky's decision to treat Michael with equality is not only frowned upon, but, most likely, not safe.

The development of their relationship is slow, thoughtful and realistic. Nicky is trying to do the right thing by Michael, which means hands off. No matter what his slave says. I loved the sort of reversal of roles in private. It took some time for Michael to trust Nicky, but once he does, he kind of becomes the aggressor in the relationship. Nicky, with his doubts and insecurities, isn't willing to take a risk with someone as beautiful as Michael, even though he's the slave. I liked it. It was different and made the characters more genuine. I've read my fair share of slave romances and this one stands out. They won't be forced into roles the government pushes on them. In public yes, but when they're alone, they're just Michael and Nicky.

To Stand Close isn't fast paced, full of sex or action. It's just the love story between Michael and Nicky, who end up in this crazy Master/slave situation together. If you don't read much slave stories or are new to the genre, this is a good choice. There's a dark undertone, but Nicky and Michael's romance is the focus.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

Review: Trust the Focus by Megan Erickson

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

All the stars, this book gets all the stars.

It is fair to say I devoured this book, after reading a couple of BDSM orientated books this was exactly what I wanted to read. My favourite ever storyline in any book, show, film etc is friends to more. There is something so special about two people who have that basis of friendship, of trust and love, to letting things - or needing things - to move a step further. I can't explain how much I love it. When the friendship is there first and it's not all just crazy wanna get in your pants lust, it turns me to marshmallow. I've always, always wanted friends to fall in love - or admit they're in love maybe..Anyway, this book completely fulfilled my FTM urges.

*happy, happy sigh*

Justin is taking one last trip - bid for freedom really - with his best friend Landry straight after graduation. Justin is retracing the steps of his father from years earlier and spreading his fathers ashes on the way. This is more than just a trip though, it really is that junction in Justin's life where he has to decide whether to follow the path that has been decided for him or to follow his heart, his gut, and choose the life he actually wants.

On one hand everything is clear-cut, he'd be the person his mom wants him to be, make her happy and follow the narrow little path set out for him. It's all so...certain and definite and it is what he has been working for the last four years. It could be considered the easy option (if you think going against what you wan,t to keep those you love happy, easy), it is probably the safe option...but it's not what Justin wants. On the other hand is the possibility of everything he desires, if could just have the guts to admit it. The fact that he's hidden who he really is from everyone, including - especially -his BFF, does not make for an easy decision.

The story line here was pretty perfect as far as I was concerned. Justin had his decisions to make, but he's not the only one. Megan Erickson writes in such a way that I fell so into the story, into the lives of these two men that I couldn't put it down. I had that feeling inside when my stomach tightens and my heart squeezes. I so wanted an HEA but the journey was truthfully bumpy. It felt like the forever the characters got was a real forever and the right choice.

Simple truths are sometimes the hardest to acknowledge. They can be the most fragile, the ones kept closest to the heart and therefore the ones that can hurt the most. I felt this with Justin - how much he wanted to tell Landry everything and yet how scary that prospect was. To carry on as he is, he might not be happy but (as far as he could see) he hadn't lost anything. To admit to the truth, well then he really could lose everything and end up alone. And it wasn't just Justin who had these choices, but Landry too. As the story develops it is equally hard for Landry. What is the price of love? How do you know if you'll both end up unscathed?

Of course his mom is portrayed as a bit of a mini monster...I think by the end she has redeemed herself but I always have to remind myself when I read stories like this that there are people out there who can't accept their son or daughter as gay. As a mum myself I truly can't imagine how anyone can cut off their child because of who they love or chose to have sex with. I think this is why I find these story lines so difficult to comprehend and they are the ones that hurt me the most. It could have been so easy for the mom in this story to have grown into an even bigger monster...but the author didn't let that happen. Although I didn't like the woman to start with I appreciated her own journey and liked who she had become at the end.

I can't think of anything I didn't enjoy about this book...I suppose all I would say is that, at times, they felt a little younger than their twenty-two years. I'm not sure why, maybe it's just a reflection on my own life and that by that age I had a mortgage etc already so...yeah, they felt more eighteen/nineteen to me but it didn't detriment my enjoyment of the story in any way, shape or form.

If friends to more is your thing this book IS for you. At about 90% my heart stopped. It really did and there was definitely tissue needed. Just when I thought everything was sorted...it was a...twist I didn't expect, but I still adored this book. Looking out for more from this author for sure.

For more about this book check out Goodreads
This book was given in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Pluck and Play (With a Kick #5) by Clare London

Everyone knows Curtis Wilson around the Soho business scene: a hard-working, budding young entrepreneur, who can get you supplies of whatever you need, and always with a joke and a laugh. Only Curtis knows that’s a purely public persona. Secretly, he’s still licking his wounds after being beaten up by his ex-lover, and he’s not about to let his guard down again.

Handsome Riley Richmond was born to be a cowboy, on his father’s side at least. But after his parents’ deaths, he finds himself stranded this side of the Atlantic, an anachronism in the bustling capital, and without financial capital. His consolation is his music, albeit he’s not a very successful busker and he loses his only decent piano gig after standing up for Curtis against a homophobic bully.

After that, they keep meeting, partly by accident, partly by Riley’s design. He’s smitten, and doesn’t mind letting Curtis know. Their music brings them together – Riley’s guitar playing and Curtis’ sharp, sexy poetry are a powerful combination. But Curtis still has some unfinished business with his ex-lover that he’s struggling to handle on his own. Riley intends to be the man Curtis calls on for help, whether he likes it or not. He’ll do whatever it takes to show Curtis that people can still be trusted to be honest and caring – even if it means walking them both into danger.

I’ve read all three contributions by Clare London to the With a Kick series and I think this one is my favorite. Is it the strong American singing cowboy MC, the bourbon and chocolate over ice cream or the cluelessly charming, completely British MC? Ummmm, yes! Honestly, this story may have well been called Pluck and Play for Ann.

Riley was exactly the kind of cowboy, or just character in general that I swoon for. He’s charming and has a quiet strength that belies the passion underneath that Stetson. He’s deceptively wise and patient and he’ll protect those he loves, or even likes super hard, *ahem, Curtis, ahem* with no thought to his own well-being. Curtis is the character I want to hug and make everything better for, even though he would hate that. He’s kind and good by nature, he doesn’t even know how much positive influence his presence brings to his friends because he doesn’t know any other way to be.

So, these two charming cats meet and Curtis is coming out of an ugly relationship. He makes it clear to Riley that he’s not interested in anything with strings attached. Riley ‘agrees’ but Riley is not one to shy away from what he wants. Curtis is charmed and confuzzled by Riley’s insistent attraction and blatant honesty. Neither of them are forthcoming about their pasts and what has brought them to the point where they meet, but it was a perfect setup as they got to know one another. It didn’t feel secretive, it read naturally and I got to know them as they got to know each other.

I loved the banter between these two and the time spent together at Riley’s place. It was in turn adorable and hot. They were soooo meant to be together and they brought out the best in each other and made each other better men. I also appreciated how the author balanced out how they needed one another, but they still maintained their pride and independence. They were together because they wanted to be and there was no ridiculous angst or stubbornness that kept them apart.

The caper-y shenanigans at the end were perfect fun and I loved seeing the characters from the previous installments. And all these folks coming together for Curtis was just what he needed.

I could definitely read more about Riley and Curtis, maybe a trip home to the ranch? Also, Lee and Patrick? They are killing me to death. Holy hell I need to know all the things. Lee is breaking my heart and I know there is so much story to tell for Patrick. Did I mention that I need to know? Please Clare, give me some Lee and Patrick. With more Riley and Curtis too. On the ranch.

Ok, I’m done.

Sorry, I don’t mean to be pushy.

#notsorry.


For more info on Pluck and Play, check it out on Goodreads.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: Life Under New Management by Jane Davitt

Working for a perfectionist like strict, sexy-as-hell Ethan isn’t easy. Falling in love with him? No problem at all.

Taking a bar job in an exclusive hotel is a stopgap for Andy. He’s an actor and his big break is coming soon—he knows it. His hot new boss Ethan is strict, demanding and totally off-limits but Andy can’t stop thinking about him.

When Andy learns of Ethan’s need to be in control of his partner—in bed and out of it—he’s stunned by the intensity of his reaction. He wants Ethan guiding him, bringing order to his chaotic life. And he sees that Ethan needs him too, though they can’t be open about their feelings.

Ethan deals out deliciously perverse consequences for misbehaving, but when it comes to incentives, he knows just what to offer to have Andy on his knees begging for more.

But some secrets can’t stay that way for long. And when difficult choices arise, for once Andy can’t turn to Ethan for guidance. This time, he’s on his own.

I’ve been Davittized! 

I ain't even ashamed either.

Did I like this book?

No. 

I LOVED IT!

Why?

The complexity. Both these characters are complex. Their relationship is complex. The writing is complex. The way Davitt deftly develops their relationship and stirred in the eroticism to keep it interesting was complex. The whole thing was like a breath of fresh air.

It took me several days to get through Life Under New Management due to RL stuff and every time I picked it back up I was excited to see where Andrew and Ethan would go. In fact, I liked it more and more each time I picked it up and I don’t even like brats! At all. Quite the coup to get me to love a book with a bratty MC. 

Andrew is a bratty brat brat that's bratty, but he’s also floundering, without direction or purpose. My time was divided equally between wanting to strangle, gag and hug him. It was a wise choice to tell the story entirely through him otherwise I might have gagged my kindle every time he opened his mouth. He’s an aspiring actor minus the life or organizational skills to accomplish his goal of fame and fortune. He goes from bed to bed, club to club never satisfied and not even truly realizing how unsatisfied he is. Between acting jobs, he applies for a job as a bartender at a swank hotel and is gobsmacked by Ethan, his future boss. His attraction is instant but Ethan is like ice and shuts down Andrew repeatedly. In the dictionary under the word 'control', way at the bottom in the fine italicized print is a note that reads, *see Ethan. 

Hot. So fucking hot. Power and authority and sternness in one package and he didn't need to fantasize about Ethan now that he'd experienced the reality. 

Punish me. Show me the consequences. All of them. Right here. Ignore Joel. Send me to my knees. Make me serve you. Make me beg.

Ethan takes pity on Andrew when he finds him sitting on a bench one night unable to go home after walking in on his roommate in flagrante delicto. Andrew isn't giving up without a fight and he keeps coming back again and again because it's clear at least part of Ethan is interested in him. I'm not sure an ordinary ego could've withstood the pummeling his took. I have to hand it to the guy, he was determined. Begging may have been involved. You know how I feel about begging. Ethan, apparently, shares my Achilles' heel. Their relationship progression rang true for me not simply because its trajectory was filled with miscues, but their origins.

"Knowing why you're not talking will drive me crazy and I want to feel that way. I want to hurt from it, ache with it and know when I get you home, I can make it stop for both of us." 

You sadistic, beautiful fucker.

Not only do they have to traverse being employee/employer but they’re trying to navigate a new relationship AND their kinks don’t precisely match up. So, they have to accommodate, adapt and adjust; a daunting prospect for anyone and I enjoyed every stumble and reconciliation along the way. Andrew's emotional growth is subtle yet tangible, though he will probably always struggle with word vomiting. Then again, he does so enjoy those consequences of Ethan's. Mostly.

Speaking of consequences and reconciliations…

These two are on fire!! F.I.R.E. That Wartenberg/lemon scene… I swear my kindle started to smoke a little or maybe that was me. The non-bondage bondage was hot as fuck. The discipline was ultra satisfying and you know how much I like

"Move for me." Ethan slapped Andy's thigh, urging him to respond. "No, come for me. You wanted pain? You've got it. Use it. Fuck my cock. Show me you want it."

Inventive sadists are a delight to read about, aren't they? 

I have nothing else to say except if you don’t read this, you’re missing out.  

Don’t be that person.

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Perfect Match (Playmates, #1) by Cecil Wilde

What if your first Dom was your second chance at love? Hunter’s not sure what to expect when he goes to the BDSM partner-matching service, Playmates, but he certainly didn’t expect to meet sexy, confident Milo, the male Dom who may turn out to be exactly what he needs. Cecil Wilde brings you Perfect Match, Book 1 of his new GLBT romance series.

After years of thinking about it, Hunter’s finally taking the plunge into BDSM by going to the partner-matching service, Playmates. He’s not sure what he wants, but his answers and interview get him matched with Milo, an experienced Dom whose lack of interest in S&M makes him unsuitable for many, but perfect for Hunter—even if he’s never slept with a man before. Their sessions make Hunter realize that this is exactly what he’s always needed, but when his ex—the one who got away—comes back on the scene, Hunter finds himself faced with an impossible decision. Will he go back to her or take a chance on the man who might just be his perfect match?

Content Notes: Hot, Anal Play, Anal Intercourse, D/s Elements, Contemporary, GLBT, M/M, BDSM

Perfect Match is the first in the Playmates series. This series is about a BDSM partner matching service.Written in present tense, we are introduced to Hunter a 37 year old white collar straight man who is bi-curious and wanting to explore the submissive side in him that he's never explored. He works a boring job, he struck out in the love department five years ago and just wants someone to help him explore that side of himself. Through Playmates, he's matched with Milo, a Dom who likes mostly D/s and doesn't like to inflict pain. My kind of guy.

"I kind of went from bi-curious to bisexual in the space of time it took you to agree to fuck me."

Oh, Milo was such a sweet Dom. I loved that he didn't know everything and was willing to adjust himself to the needs of Hunter. I love caretaker Doms. And Milo was not above showing his emotions in this story. I really liked that aspect to him. I like that he made Hunter feel comfortable. Hunter was insecure about his body and Milo made him feel body positive through cute ways. He was adaptable, knew how gauge a scene. And his other job as a sex blogger was pretty cool.

"He has a perverse urge to Make Hunter come all over the dark leather and leave friction burns on his thighs that's be tender for days."

I especially liked the two spoke through their gadgets as well. It raised the quirky level some. And some bits the snark was also cute. 

Why wasn't this a 5 heart review?

I had two quibbles. My positives for this story outnumber my quibbles but they are major things that could've knocked this out of the park for me.

- I love you/falling in love bits: WAY too soon. I'm reading these moments before the 50% mark and it's a short story to begin with. Hunter goes from being a straight man who is finally getting over the love of his life (Lisa) five years later and after a few weeks/months he's in a relationship with a man and the ILY comes so soon? I can't but it. If there was more length for explore Hunter's and Milo's feelings, I wouldn't even be mentioning this.
- The first time anal sex scene: Where was it it? It was ignored. We go from fingering (I love) to their second time having anal. When I read about a man's first time discovering his asshole, I'd like all of it, please - I want to read about the first time he thinks about his partner's penis going in. Is he going to cringe? Pretend to take it like a champ? Cringe? Cry out? That was a missed opportunity for me.

But the story was still pretty good. I really enjoyed the concepts brought to the table: a smaller, sensitive and sweet Dom who does not know it all, a bi-curious to bisexual older sub with a normal body (not fit or looking like a cardboard cutout), D/s elements that were great for readers who like sugarkink and are hesitant to try the BDSM genre.

There wasn't a lot of kink: minor bondage, more praise kink than anything, though the brief mention of puppy play got my motor going. ;) Wish that was explored. I'd have like Hunter really prove that he was a "good boy".

Good story, solid enough characters just needed more length.
But I loved the couple hence my rating. :)

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: Chaos Unchained (Outlaw MC #1) by James Cox

What if bad guys ruled the world and the good guys were the outlaws?

I’m Chaos, patch member of Outlaw MC of Mars. We fight against the government’s warped rules under the guise of hover bike enthusiasts. Gays are put to death. Women are used for breeding. Dark skinned men are considered slaves. I told you our world is messed up and the battle is going to be bloody.

I’m currently on my way to earth for a six-month prison sentence. Level six is for sex, a twisted buffet of ass and mouth. Level five is for the fights. That’s where I shine. Beau is a sexy Hispanic man that’s too goofy to play with the big boys. He’s a follower that was loaned to me for some quick, naked fun. But it turned into something else. I didn’t do relationships because of my past. My father was a serial killer, childhood trauma, blah, blah. But it seems that now, I had a boyfriend. It’s all confusing.

Beau is released from prison before me. Can I survive three months without his calming touch? Will he survive on Mars with my dangerous and violent club without me?

An awesome book to start a new COX series.

One thing that the COX is really good at (well he's good at A LOT of things) but my point here is, he's really good at world building. Especially for a novella length story. Just enough and not too much. It's not over complicated, it's told in a way that easy to follow and there is a ton of information in a few words. I love it. I felt the tension that Chaos had to deal with as he was sent away from his home to serve his sentence on Earth. The travel from Mars to Earth in the pod was crazy stressful and that embodies how well the author can convey other worldly tension all through showing. He doesn't have to go into a ton of descriptions because everything that goes on in Chaos's head is so very descriptive.

Chaos is a bad ass sexy beast and he establishes his place in the pecking order of prison pretty quickly. It isn't long before he meets Beau and Beau is pretty much adorable. I loved how Chaos wasn't overly impressed with him at first glance and then Beau smiled and that was it. Chaos wasn't the only one who fell for Beau's dimples. He's charming and loving and a perfect fit for Chaos and his lonely heart. Considering the setting and the struggle to survive, Chaos is really one romantic outlaw. He's just the sort of bad boy MC that I love.

Beau gets released and sent back to Mars before Chaos is and it's a tough transition for Chaos as he waits out the last of his sentence. There is a final fight that could have ruined everything, but prison justice is a different animal. Doesn't mean it wasn't a stressful time until Chaos actually was on the shuttle and on his way home.

Chaos coming home really read like the beginning of the series. It was a homecoming, the end of a stressful period and a beginning all at once. The rest of the club was introduced and I can't wait to read their stories. There are some intriguing characters there and I can tell everyone of them has a unique bad boy vibe that is going to be fun to read about. That being said, I've already mentioned to James that I want more of Chaos and Beau. I'm not ready to let those two go just yet.

For more information about Chaos Unchained check it out on Goodreads.

Chaos Unchained (Outlaw MC #1) by James COX, GIVEAWAY FUNTIMES!

Resident bad boy author and Stallion topper James "The COX" Cox has a new series out.

THE OUTLAW MC SERIES

Who's excited????

This Unicorn!!!!

The series starts with Chaos Unchained and no one can sum it up better than the COX himself:

"What if bad guys ruled the world and the good guys were the outlaws?"

I love the premise, love it! I have a Goodreads shelf dedicated to the theme, 'Good Bad Guys and Bad Good Guys'. I love when the line between good and bad is blurred but the inner compass of the MC has the greatest good at heart and he'll accomplish it by any means necessary. That sums up Chaos right there.

I asked James what his favorite bad boy is and where the inspiration came for the Outlaws. Here's what he had to say:

After watching Sons of Anarchy and seeing the thriving MC book genre, I jumped in. We've all read about badass bikers cheating the law and getting the girl/guy. But I wanted to write something different. Being that I’m an absolute nerd when it comes to space and star travel, I decided to place my bikers on Mars. Was that enough? No. No, my guys had to be more unique, more explosive, more...bad guys? So, I came up with the idea to literally spin everything around. Outlaws were the good guys. The government were the bad guys. And the battle took place on mars. This will be an eight book series. They’re will be massive explosions, bdsm toys, unexpected prison sentences, tattoos, piercings and sexy men willing to risk their lives to change humanity.

Will you join the Outlaws or fight for the peacekeepers? Choose wisely, because the battle is coming...

Being the benevolent honorary unicorn that James is, he brought presents to the clubhouse for you!!!!

James is giving away TWO books from his back list so we'll have TWO lucky readers here! 

So, now it's your turn, in the comments below, tell us about your favorite bad boy. Is it a particular character? Or just a type in general? Is he a biker? A 'reformed' gangster? Tell us! The UniCOX needs to know.

AND

Don't forget to leave info on how to send you your presents, email is preferable and which COX gem you want to add to your library.

Thanks for playing along and commenting to win closes on Friday March 27th.

For more information on the COX check out his website and blog!

Blog Tour & Giveaway for the re-release of His Client by Ava March

Look at this cover!!!!!!

Let me tell you. I've read this book and I have one word for you, corset.

You're welcome.

Blurb:

Love wasn't supposed to be part of the bargain…

On every visit to Madame Delacroix’s brothel, Nathaniel Travers requests the same man. Stunningly handsome and highly skilled, Jasper not only shares Nate’s fondness for wickedly erotic games and black leather corsets, but he has become a trusted confidant. And Jasper’s the only person who knows Nate longs for a committed relationship with his childhood friend, Peter Edmonton.

Unrequited love hurts, but it hurts even more when the object of affection is in love with another. Jasper Reed has been working at Delacroix’s for a decade. He’s saved enough to retire, yet he remains at the decadent London brothel. Leaving would mean leaving Nate and the hope someday the rugged gentleman would stop pining for his best friend and realize he loves Jasper, just as Jasper loves him.

Edmonton’s impending marriage looms before them, causing Jasper to take another look at his stubborn heart. Yet Jasper’s a bastard whore, and Nate’s the nephew of a viscount. Surely there can’t be any hope for them…

Note: This is a previously published work. This second edition has been edited with minor changes. For readers who purchased the original edition, this second edition is not substantially different.

Excerpt:

“You’re wonderful, Nate. Any man who wins your heart should count himself very fortunate.”

Jasper’s pulse skipped a beat. But judging by the way Nate arched his brow in sardonic disbelief, the man hadn’t read anything more into Jasper’s statement, nor had he heard the longing hidden behind it.

“Really?”

“Indeed.” Jasper threw him a playful smile. “Who wouldn’t count himself fortunate to be guaranteed a lifetime of orgasms of amazing proportions?” He bumped Nate’s knee with his own. “And very interesting nights.”

Nate rolled his eyes, a hint of smile teasing his lips. “A damned fool, when put that way.”

“Exactly. It’s just that sometimes…” Jasper let out a breath, and when next he spoke, the levity was gone. “Sometimes people are better suited as friends than lovers.” He held Nate’s gaze. “You need to let him go,” he said, just above a whisper, hoping beyond hope Nate could not detect the heavy plea behind his words.

“I know.” His lips barely moved, his voice even softer than Jasper’s. More a low, reluctant rumble from his broad chest than actual words.

Jasper felt himself lean forward, slowly closing the distance between them, pulled by the all-encompassing need to press his lips to Nate’s mouth. To erase that hard, melancholy line.

The kiss started with just the lightest brush of skin against skin, but Jasper felt it down into his bones. Nate opened, and the first brush of Nate’s tongue against his pulled a moan from his throat. He pressed up against the hard bulk of Nate’s side, needing more. A large hand grabbed his hip and tugged. Jasper quickly shifted to straddle Nate’s lap, their kiss unbroken, their tongues stroking together, mouths hungry and eager.

Jasper ground his hips, rubbing his rapidly hardening cock against Nate’s, fueling the flames of lust even higher. Nate gripped his arse, hard enough to leave bruises, but Jasper could not have cared in the slightest. All he wanted was Nate. The man’s body beneath him, behind him… It didn’t matter, as long as he was with him.

His fingers threaded into Nate’s hair, held on tightly to the short strands. He dragged his lips down to the other man’s jaw. Nipped hard and then flicked his tongue over the spot. An inch farther down and he encountered starched linen instead of hot skin.

Starched linen that refused his attempts to free it from Nate’s neck.

He pulled back, glared down at Nate. “Did you use a bloody square knot?” He tugged again on the offending knot.

“Hardly.” Nate chuckled. “I’ll strike you a bargain. I’ll see to mine if you see to yours.”

“Agreed.” The word had barely left his lips before his own cravat was fluttering to the floor. The next moment, he pulled his shirt over his head, flicking it behind him to join the cravat.

He felt the force of Nate’s hot gaze swept over his bare chest as the man undid the intricate knot on his own neck cloth.

“Do you know what would be interesting tonight?” Nate asked, pulling the white linen free and revealing the strong lines of his neck. “The second option.”

“Pardon?” Jasper’s fingers paused, hovering over the fabric-covered buttons on Nate’s dove gray waistcoat. He dragged his gaze up to meet Nate’s.

“The second option from last night.” Nate swept his hands up Jasper’s chest, leaving a path of tingling skin in his wake. “You wear black leather so well.”

*growls*

Author Bio:

Ava March is an author of sexy, emotionally intense M/M historical erotic romances. She loves writing in the Regency time period, where proper decorum is of the utmost importance, but where anything can happen behind closed doors. With over fifteen works to her credit, her books have been finalists in the Rainbow Awards and More Than Magic contest, and deemed 'must-haves' for Historical M/M romance by RT Book Reviews readers. Visit her website at www.AvaMarch.com to find out more about her books or to sign-up for her newsletter.

Available through Amazon for $3.99 as of March 17th!

Find out more on Goodreads.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest starts on March 15th at 12:15am and ends on March 21st at 11:59pm. The prize is a $50 Amazon gift card, which we will send to the winner electronically. The contest is being offered tour-wide.

Review: Yuletide Knights by Johnny Miles

Political activist and comic book shop owner, Michael Cooke has issues. The former college professor struggles between his fight for equality, a new business, and the yo-yo relationship established seven years ago with Beauregard Isiah Guilford. And breaking up for the sixth time may just be the last straw. After dating a younger man however, Michael realizes his heart and soul still belong to Beau. He must now find a way to get his man back for Christmas.

Trouble is, as aggressive as Michael is in his continuous battle for civil rights, he’s just as ashamed by the depth to which he enjoys being humiliated and dominated. His inability to accept his sexually submissive nature has been a lifelong conflict and easy to hide…until Beauregard. All it takes is a single look, a touch, a kiss, and Michael is a quivering, cowering mess. Will he be able to get back what he’s thrown away and rebuild what Beauregard now threatens to withhold?

With everything at risk, their only salvation is Kris Kringle who's about to bring them some Christmas cheer they'll never forget!

Hokey Christmas Jizz.

My last post-holidays Christmas jizz experience was ultra satisfying and this one promised to be kinky Christmas jizz. Win, win, right? Welllllll… 

Political activism is all well and good, however I do not read romance to gain perspective on sociopolitical issues. I have other avenues that are more informative and entertaining for my sociopolitical rhetoric, thankyouverymuch. I can handle a mention here and there but this felt like agenda pushing and bogged the story down as well as hindered my ability to buy into these two being a meant-to-be couple.

Yuletide Knights is labeled BDSM. There were some handcuffs used once………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. sorry, I dozed off just typing that. There are BDSM catchwords bandied about like, "Top", "Daddy" and "submissive" that really have no bearing on the relationship between Beauregard and Michael whatsoever. Michael is the bottom in their rocky, on again/off again relationship and is physically smaller than Beauregard neither of which equates to being submissive. He talks about being humiliated by Beauregard manhandling him and wanting to get on his knees and suck his cock. Sucking a cock does not make one submissive either. You can't just use the verbiage and tag it BDSM. I want you to show me submission and dominance and neither were accomplished here nor was there any discernible heat between them. There was more heat between Beauregard and his twinky partner than with his lost love. Furthermore, the amount of cock talk to cock action was vexing. Talk about a kinky chain yank. I had to wait til 85%! By that point, I'd been drained of my care by all the weirdness and agenda pushing. Thankfully, because it wasn't titillating.

The random appearances of ole Saint Nick in different incantations I think was meant to be charming, but missed the mark. Really, he made appearances in the oddest places and left strange, somewhat cryptic notes. His last incantation being a giant bear with a "gargantuan" cock that got put to good use, but was still somehow unsatisfying. It's not quite porn and not quite romance which left me in a murky, grey soup of 'meh'.

Adjectives abound in the writing style, most of which are awkward and/or cockamamy. "Incredibly lubricating saliva", "fuzzy" tongues, and my personal fave, "worshipping the immense landscape that was his thick, long cock". I might like to see an immensely landscaped cock. Does it have those hedges that are shaped like Christmas trees or maybe Edward Scissorhands got in on the act and put a squirrel here or there? Maybe a UNICORN!!!!! Putting a unicorn on anything makes it better, ammIright?

If you want some awkward and hokey Christmas jizz, you've just hit the jackpot. 

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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