Review: Just One Night by Sebastian Carter

A hot body will only take him so far...

Theo Cooper just wants to find his place in life, but despite his outer veneer of confidence, he’s filled with doubts about whether he can truly find happiness. A homophobic father and an ex-fiancé who likes to sleep around have shaken his faith in himself. Walking in on his ex in bed with Theo’s replacement is the last straw, and now Theo is ready to do whatever it will take to scrape together the cash for a new place to live.


Self-doubt keeps holding him back...

Elliot James is too shy, too smart, and too socially awkward to do anything about his desire to meet a man. So far, his best friend, wealthy socialite Brianna LaFontaine, is the only person he’s had the courage to come out to. Despite her best efforts to push him out of his comfort zone—which is behind a computer screen—he has successfully avoided any chance of finding love.


When a mutual friend pushes them together...

Brianna cares about her friends, and when Theo won’t take the money she offers to get him out of his financial mess, she comes up with a simple proposition: help shy Elliot break out of his nervous shell to experience one night of passion, and Theo can name his price. It’s the answer to Theo’s money problems and an easy way for some fast cash. But one night brings both men more than they expect, and leads both to wonder...

Is it possible to fall in love after Just One Night?

Just One Night is a steamy gay romance with a happily-ever-after ending and no cliffhangers.

I hated Theo.

I know, I know. I'm meant to feel bad for him, since we meet him coming face to face with his ex and ex's new fling in their bed. But he's so damned full of himself that I lost all sympathy for him by page 6.

He didn't blame them. He had a nice ass. He had pictures of it on Instagram with thousands of Likes and a ton of reposts on Tumblr. Guys had pictures of his naked torso and rock-hard abs posted to their virtual walls with captions such as "Goals!"

and

A lot of guys on the streets here walked arm in arm. None of them looked as good as Theo and Chip (the random back alley hook up)

Elliot, on the other hand, is sweet and shy, and has the geek chic thing down pat. He puts himself down in almost every thought he has, and blushes more than an 11th century maiden, but he's endearing and deserves good things.

Shortly after we meet Elliot, we see him having a friendly catch up with his good friend Brianna. He laments that he's just too shy; he can't see himself ever being able to get a boyfriend, or even the opportunity to have sex. She's nothing but awesome and supportive. Those are the actual words I had written in my notes. Awesome and Supportive.

So what does an awesome, supportive friend do? She hires her friend Theo for the $5000 he needs to get a new place away from his cheating ex, if he'd sleep with an unbeknownst Elliot, and give him a night to remember.

Show someone you care with the gift of prostitution!

Now I'm like: Awesome and supportive Wtf?!

When all three meet for drinks, Elliot stares a hole through the floor, Brianna's quick to skedaddle so Theo can get with the seducing, and Theo comes across as a creeper.

Theo seriously needs to work on his seduction game, because he's so aggressive and persistent in his seduction that he came off as a whole bag of creepy.

To calm Elliot down some from the nerves wracking his body, they play video games, and Theo sees a different side to Elliot than the absurdly shy man he's seen all night. Theo encourages Elliot to take that confidence into his everyday life.

One short, motivational speech later and Elliot is blowing Theo.

Which leads to lots of sex.

Now Elliot feels that He was suddenly decadent and part of a new world, a world denied to him before. And thanks to Theo's magic dick and breathtaking beauty, he's in love. For real.

Then the trainwreck we could all see coming happens and Elliot finds out it was a set up. And for a hot second he's justifiably mad and all

And then he's inviting Theo to move in with him and live happily ever after.

I feel like the bad guy for saying this, but I would have DNF'd this if it weren't for the smut. I hated Theo, I hated how the premise played out, and I hated the super awesome best friend. I liked the Stormtrooper replica in Elliot's computer room, but everything else was a wash for me. I found it all a bit flowery and overly descriptive, and just not my cup of tea.

But if you're looking for a quick afternoon read and are in the mood for some smut over plot, than this could be the book for you.

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

Find out more on Goodreads.

Audiobook Review: Fish Stick Fridays (Half Moon Bay #1) by Rhys Ford

Deacon Reid was born bad to the bone with no intention of changing. A lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge suits him just fine—until his baby sister dies and he finds himself raising her little girl.

Staring down a family history of bad decisions and reaped consequences, Deacon cashes in everything he owns, purchases an auto shop in Half Moon Bay, and takes his niece, Zig, far away from the drug dens and murderous streets they grew up on. Zig deserves a better life than what he had, and Deacon is determined to give it to her.

Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu, blows into his bookstore, and then he’s left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid, walks in hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe, but Deacon tempts him to step over the line… just a little bit.

More than a little bit. And Lang is willing to be tempted.

Unfortunately, Zig isn’t the only bit of chaos dropped into Half Moon Bay. Violence and death strike, leaving Deacon scrambling to fight off a killer before he loses not only Zig but Lang too.

Listening Length: 6 hrs 58 mins
Narrator: Spencer Goss

The narrator, Spencer Goss was a good choice for this audiobook. Great vocal range, and convincing performance as all the characters. Lang’s voice was a little on the high side for what I imagined, but the rest of the characters were spot on.

This was not my favourite Rhys Ford, but it was entertaining. I enjoyed the banter between Deacon and Zig, and the relationship between Deacon and Lang. I thought the story was well balanced where it revolved around Zig. Zig and her uncle seemed to come from a pretty tough background, and the rough edges of that lifestyle poked through; fairly obviously with Zig, and a little less obvious with Deacon.

I wouldn’t call Deacon a reformed criminal mastermind. Maybe a petty criminal, or victim of poverty and circumstance. I wouldn’t call him bad, nor edgy, nor dangerous. I found him to be just another normal guy, whose past was one thing, but is now doing what he needs to ensure he provides for Zig. As such, I found the blurb to be misleading. While I enjoyed Deacon, I was expecting someone a lot rougher. He was not as damaged as I was expecting him to be.

I liked both characters, and thought their courtship was sweet. I liked that Lang was open and was willing to turn to Deacon when he needed him. He seemed to be doing okay, and that was important. Deacon only just getting on his feet really didn’t need an emotionally broken man in his life, but Lang was mostly patched up, and handled himself well.

The mystery-suspense portion of this story was meh. It seemed that there was a lot going on for a small town situation. I wasn’t wholly convinced by that part of the story, and in this case, less would have been more.

I am glad I read it. This story was a comfort. Rhys Ford is one of my favourite authors, and while this wasn’t exceptional, it was still Rhys Ford’s style. Like a warm blanket, or a familiar friend. I would recommend this to everyone who enjoys Romance and Suspense.

Trigger warning: Mention of off-page spousal abuse and attempted murder.

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

See our review for the eBook here!

Check out on:

Dreamspinner Press

Goodreads

Review: The Valet and The Stable Groom by Katherine Marlowe

Hardworking and ambitious, Clement Adair has his career planned out: a steady rise from a mere personal valet to the head butler of a grand noble house. When a new baby causes a split in his employer’s estate, Clement is packed off to the country where he has little hope of ever advancing his station. Clement plans to resign and return to London as soon as possible, even though it means leaving his friends, his endearingly silly employer, and the charming and kind stable groom who has made overtures of friendship... and perhaps more.

The longer Clement stays, the more complicated leaving becomes, as the estate's economic circumstances grow dire and Clement feels like he is the only one holding the household together. Somehow, impossibly, he must reconcile the future he's determined to bring to pass and the life he didn't know he wanted. Clean romance, no cheating, no cliffhangers, standalone novel.

This was a clean-romance and feel-good read. Yes, with fade-to-black scenes.

Strangely enough, I didn’t care. The love story is cute and adorable. The kind of “May I kiss you?” before daring with further actions.

What I liked the most, however, is the country life. Or, better said, Clement’s change of lifestyle when his employer’s older brother decides it’s no longer acceptable to be all living under the same roof in the house in London, as he has just secured his male heir with his newborn. That’s how Clement’s masters are “exiled” to a cottage close to the Welsh border, with all that it implies.

Clement is a conscientious valet, but full of ambitions. He hopes to become the butler of an important house one day. The prospect of moving to the country shatters his plans. He sees how his goals slip through his fingers, and he ponders resigning in order to come back to London to achieve them.

But once they reach their destiny, there is always something that has to be done. Let’s see to the employers to get settled. Let’s see to Hildebert Devereux, his master, to find a new hobby. Let’s see to his master make acquantainces worthy of his social class. Let’s see to the maintainance of the household with an apathetic butler and to reach its self-sufficiency after the new acquisitions in people and expenses.

Let’s see to that stable groom with the nicest smile he had ever seen.

Hugo is the (only) stable groom, but he also trains dogs and has some notions of herding. Since the very beginning, Clement feels a pull towards him and is anxious in his presence, wanting to become his friend and not let him down. But that’s easier said than done, as his innumerable duties and his poor abilities to lead a conversation keep him from forming a strong bond with him.

The longer he stays, the harder it is to leave. Clement simply can’t stand the idea of his master getting hurt/killed in his varied attempts not to get bored. His master is rather eccentric and with a plain lack of self-preservation. Every time Hildebert sets his mind into doing something, Clement is there trying to give sense to (or to fix or distract from) his scandalous ideas, which gave me plenty of occasions to laugh out loud and pity poor Clement and his anxiety at Hildebert’s wardrobe to get stained or his reputation of a gentleman being called into question. Whether Hildebert performs his silly actions or not, Clement’s voice of reason is always there discouraging in the kindest of ways, or negotiating for a safer option when there is no way around it.

Hildebert’s wife, Jane, is more sensible and mature, but that doesn’t mean she’s not capable of mischief. In the company of her maid (and also Clement’s friend), Letty, she tests Clement’s patience more than once.

Clement’s decisions lead him to take more and more responsibilities, and soon he is so overwhelmed he neglects Hugo’s interest. And he can’t have that.

The first aspect that drew my attention was Clement’s appearance. He’s described with “dark brown hands” and “a blush that cannot be seen with this skin color”. I don’t remember the last time I read a proper historical British book with a character of African descent, if ever. I was really curious about his origins and his family history, but we were only been told they are from Wales. I was surprised to know his mother was an actress, for once.

I got the feeling the homophobic sense was erased from this book. It’s not that the MCs are obvious about it in front of everybody. In fact they try to control themselves and not show any public display of affection. But when Clement talks with Letty about his feelings, there is no rejection. I guess this alternative reality is even cuter because of that.

Anyway, the book was subtle in every sense of the word. Nothing was strikingly noticable. There was a certain balance in it all, written in a very good taste and with a great sense of humor.

This is an amusing M/M Regency tale. In the rigid English society, there are indeed multiple chances to lose the stiff and find outlandish and memorable tales to tell. At least in this book.

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

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: A Second Harvest (Men of Lancaster County #1) by Eli Easton

David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David’s closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.

Eli Easton nails it, once again. I love everything she writes and when she has a new release, it's a no-brainer for me. I'll grab it, devour it and love it. Every. Time.

David is a widowed farmer who grew up in the Mennonite church. His kids are off doing their own thing, living their own lives. David keeps on keepin' on with the same old routine every day. He's a little lonely, but things change for him when his new neighbor, Christie, moves next door.

Christie is living in the city and is tired of it all. The bars, the parties, the meaningless sex... he's over it and wants a change. He decides to take a break from everything by moving to a small town in Pennsylvania.

So, after the "Hello, how do you do's" they set up a little arrangement with each other. No... not that kind of arrangement. Not yet, at least. Christie makes home cooked meals for them both and David helps out with the groceries. Simple enough. They both gotta eat, right? And why eat alone when you can have company? Gah! Their dinners couldn't have been cuter. What was even cuter-er was the fact that David was oblivious. He didn't know Christie was gay. He didn't know why he liked being around Christie so much. And he didn't know that they were practically dating every time they ate together. But, poor Christie. He knew. And had to hang around the sexy, oblivious man. I don't think it was too much of a hardship for him, though.

Everything about these two is adorable and endearing. They couldn't be more likable. Was I surprised? No. Because, Eli Easton. 

Things did progress and there was tension. Thick, amazing, they-need-to-have-sex-right-now tension. Good-NESS, Eli Easton can crank up the heat without so much as a kiss. There are some spectacular sex scenes. I mean, really, just... UNF.

I really loved Christie, but David was the star of this book for me. I loved how he went for what he wanted. He had some obstacles to overcome being from the Mennonite church. It wasn't easy for him, but he wouldn't give up on Christie and I simply adored that about him.

Yup. This was so, so good. I already can't wait for more from the series and more from Eli Easton. 

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review. 

Check it out at Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads! 

Review: Junk Mage by Elliot Cooper

When technomancer Quillian Defote crash-lands on remote planet Marutuk, he has limited time to repair his ship and get off world. If he fails, he’ll forfeit his position as professor of mechanical transmutation at the prestigious Ivy Arcanarium and ruin his employment prospects in yet another sector.

Hunter, a cyborg guarding a junkyard that holds what Quill needs, is charmed by the wayward mage and wants to help him. But Hunter is bound by honor to dutifully guard his mistress and her possessions, no matter how cruelly she treats him.

Together Quill and Hunter stand a chance of starting a new life together if carnivorous wildlife, a violent necromancer, and stubborn pride don’t keep them apart.

Soooooo . . . . . . FUN!

I am officially in love with Quill, Hunter and Elliot Cooper. I had a great time reading Junk Mage from the very beginning and my only niggle is that it wasn’t longer. I wasn’t ready to let these characters go and I wouldn’t be mad if the author decided to conjure up a sequel. I know Quill has some more snark in him that I need to read.

I read Junk Mage in one sitting and got caught up in the story so quickly I didn’t even look at my locations in the book until it was about over and I was all, “NO, not ready!”.

Quill is not selfish by any means, but he is so chill and the overall lack of fucks he gives about most everything have earned him a bit of a reputation and made it a smidge tough to get a job. He’s managed to secure a position at a prestigious magical university through an old friend, but said friend is a rule follower and pretty adamant that Quill gets to his post on time, or he’s out. Of course, Quill being Quill, he cuts a few corners and gets himself stranded on a planet known to be populated by criminals and the dregs of the universe.

Quill’s got skills though and he’s off in search of parts to cobble together using his technomancy strengths so he can fix up his ship, appropriately named Lemon, and get to school on time. The author built the setting around Quill really well. There was plenty of detail to picture his challenges but not so much that Quill’s character got lost, his personality stayed front and center, just where it belonged. 

He’s pretty stoked when he comes across what seems to be a junkyard and figures he can get the parts he needs and get back in the sky pretty quickly. Problem is the cyborg guarding the yard is more junkyard dog than friendly shopkeep and he gives Quill the brushoff without ceremony. Quill is curious though and he needs parts so he’s not giving up easily. They begin a real conversation tentatively and I loved reading the evolution of their friendship.

Turns out Hunter doesn’t own the yard, he doesn’t even really manage it, he’s purely there for his muscle and to protect his mistress. Quill is familiar with Hunter’s mistress’s work in the illegal magic she dabbles in and his heart breaks for Hunter and the life he’s leading out of loyalty to his mistress. Quill really is a big softy as is also evidenced by his protective instincts for the native creature that attaches to him, Junior the cannibalistic Narl, even though the critter could literally suck the bones out of his bod. But, Junior was being bullied and Quill just couldn’t let that be a thing. So, it’s no wonder his heart goes out to Hunter too.

Quill’s second visit to the yard, and to Hunter, was seriously precious. When Quill presented Hunter with his “gift” I swooned. Just like any self-respecting book lover would. I was developing a soft spot for Hunter and his reaction to the gift was. It. It was subtle, but it was so important and Quill knew it. The second visit also led to all manner of magical shenanigans and adventure. It was fun to read without being over the top and not too much so that the story lost its fun.

There’s implied steam at the end of the story, but the romance that was all about support and hope, not hearts and flowers was perfect for the characters. I’ve got no problems believing that these two could live happily ever after. Quill is just wired that way and I don’t think Hunter will ever lose his sense of wonder of Quill.

I’d recommend this to anyone who loves their sci-fi with a healthy dose of humor and accidental heroes. Those kinds really are the best. They read realistically and make the MC’s accessible to the reader, which, in the case of fantasy and sci-fi reads is so important. Again, wouldn’t be at all upset to read some more about these guys.

Also, the cover is made of awesome. :D

For more information on  Junk Mage and Elliot Cooper, check them out on Goodreads.

Did you see Elliot Cooper and NineStar Press' giveaway today? See here!

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

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Junk Mage by Elliot Cooper

Elliott Cooper brings his fantasgasmic cover, details on his latest story (cyberpunk and tech geeks...this one's for you) and his charming personality to celebrate, "Junk Mage" where tech meets magic! Stick around, read Elliot's hilarious interview and...check out the awesome discount code from NineStar Press (hurry it'll expire soon)

Plus...there's a GIVEAWAY! We know, we hear the squees all the way over here!

See our review for Junk Mage here!

Author: Elliot Cooper
Title: Junk Mage
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: July 4, 2016
Genre: Sci-fi/Cyberpunk
Category: Romance
Pairing: MM
Sex Content: NA
Orientation: Pansexual, Gay
Identity: Cisgender
Length:
Words: 17400
Pages: 49
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30297466-junk-mage
Purchase Links:
NineStar Press: http://ninestarpress.com/product/junk-mage/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Junk-Mage-Elliot-Cooper-ebook/dp/B01HC246XK/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1123954544?ean=2940153358055
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-junkmage-2061100-145.html

COUPON CODE: Get 20% off preorder on NineStar Press website with coupon code “Junk Mage”
****(Good until July 3rd)

Book Blurb

When technomancer Quillian Defote crash-lands on remote planet Marutuk, he has limited time to repair his ship and get off world. If he fails, he’ll forfeit his position as professor of mechanical transmutation at the prestigious Ivy Arcanarium and ruin his employment prospects in yet another sector.

Hunter, a cyborg guarding a junkyard that holds what Quill needs, is charmed by the wayward mage and wants to help him. But Hunter is bound by honor to dutifully guard his mistress and her possessions, no matter how cruelly she treats him.

Together Quill and Hunter stand a chance of starting a new life together if carnivorous wildlife, a violent necromancer, and stubborn pride don’t keep them apart.

Author Bio

Elliot Cooper is a creativity addict who enjoys writing stories that embody adventure, a hint of the taboo, and shadows that are deeper than they appear at first glance. He also enjoys video games and knitting, and lives in the southern US with his human and feline family.

Website: www.elliotcooperwrites.com
Twitter: @elliotwrites

Speed round of serious questions with Elliott. Ready! Set Go!

Interviews can be so formal, so we decided to do something a bit different. Ready? First, let’s settle a serious debate. What comes first, the chicken or the egg?
The chicken of course - evolution and all that. You can't have a chicken egg without a chicken first :)

What punctuation mark best describes your personality? Why?
I'll go with the apostrophe because it's a bit of a jack-of-all-trades like me. Also it's a fun word to say!

Let’s stick with the personality thing for a minute. If your personality could exist in the form of a dog, what dog breed would you be and why?
A pug! Lazy but loving, and can be excitable when it comes to certain things.

So say you’re a superhero. What would your superhero name be? And please, tell us what your costume would look like.
I'd be The Procrastinator! My costume would be street clothes because I'd never get around to making an actual costume.

Okay, we’re going to be serious now. I swear. Do you write naked?
While pants are overrated in the home, I always stick to boxers.

Sorry. But seriously now. An oversized penguin waltzes into the room right this second wearing a hot dog costume. What does he say and do?
He asks me to squirt hot mustard all over him and makes lewd gestures. (This probably says more about me than any other answer :B )

If you were a brand, what would your motto be?
Please feed me sushi.

Any ideas for selling hot chocolate in Hawaii?
Give the branding a volcano theme. Chocolava!

What do you think cats dream about?
Hunting, eating, cuddling, and having their every whim catered to :)

So now that we’re gotten the important stuff out of the way, where can we find you on social media?

Facebook: http://facebook.com/elliotcooperauthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/elliotwrites
Website: http://elliotcooperwrites.com

Thanks for having me! :D

Excerpt

Elliot Cooper © 2016

All Rights Reserved

I fiddled with the controls on my binocular goggles, one of my own handy creations, and panned the tree line beyond the open, greeneryilled expanse stretching out on the other side of the road. Nothing caught my eye, even at higher magnification. I went left, following the road, jetbike blowing dirt and gravel up into a chalky cloud behind me.

The road curved around a section of deep, dark forest, and I saw my savior. Like a beacon of rusting hope, the hulking bodies of old ships, bikes, boats, and wheeled vehicles hunkered in a huge, fencedff ring at the end of the road.

It was the most beautiful pile of junk I’d ever seen.

A lone figure moved among the wreckage, and I knew I had no time to lose. If I played this right, I could cut a deal, get some parts to work with, and be back to old Lemon before sunset. The bug-eyed critters liked to ease out of the forests, slow and sloth-like, as soon as the light began to fade. No way did I want to figure out why they made those creepy chittering, gnashing noises all night.

I parked my bike and hopped off near the gate, flipping my goggles up and wiping my forehead with my sleeve as I went. It was never a good idea to sneak up on someone who was openly armed, and I definitely wanted the guy’s full attention. I waved in greeting and smiled with all the warmth and excitement I could muster.

“Hey! Hi! You there! With the gun!”

He marched over—huge, bald, and muscled—the brown coveralls tied at his waist and his tight tank top leaving very little to the imagination. It looked like he’d been given hand-me-downs from a scrawnier brother.

“State your business,” he demanded in a rich voice, his rifle in sight but lowered. Half of the hand beside the trigger was polished silver metal.

“I’m interested in buying some parts. Are you the owner?” His expression turned quizzical. Armed guard, then.  “D’you guys take universal credits? Please say you take them.” I didn’t have anything else. I hadn’t intended to take a side trip to a backwater thieves’ den that didn’t even seem to have any thieves in it. But here was captain beefcake, potential business partner, hero, and temporary social life. If he didn’t shoot me.

“Nothing’s for sale. Move along.” He gestured with his gun.

“I can’t interest you in a barter? Something?”

He stood there like a human wall. He didn’t even blink.

“Go away.”

“Look, I crashed on the beach. I just want to get what I need and… well, go away. From this whole weird planet. But to do that, I need some parts. Please.”

“In ten seconds, if you’re still standing there, I’ll shoot.” The cyborg raised his rifle and peered down the sight.

I wondered if he had bionic eyes, too. I wondered if the fence was electrified. I wondered what I could say to change his mind. Whatever it was, it’d take more than ten seconds to work out.

My hands up defensively, I motioned—thoughts working the gun’s barrel up at a ninety-degree angle with a loud creak. The cyborg jerked his head up and stared at the gun, then at me.

“I’m sure we can work out a deal, mister,” I said and put on another of my charming smiles. It usually worked, but this guy was a tough nut to crack. “You have to need something. Everybody needs something or other.”

“Another junk mage.” His brows furrowed over his deep set eyes. It wasn’t a good look for him. His face went impassive again as he tossed his rifle aside and reached behind his back with one hand. There had to be a pistol or some other weapon tucked into his coveralls, but he was smart enough to know if I couldn’t see it, I couldn’t easily ruin it.

“Huh. I’ve never been called that before,” I told him, even though he’d been talking to himself. Maybe that’d get Ry to crack a smile on our next call. Quillian Defote: junk mage extraordinaire. “Is your boss a technomancer? Can I talk to them? Mage to mage?”

“She doesn’t like strangers I don’t shoot.”

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Review: Seeing Red (Scorched, #1) by T.C. Orton

Down the twists and turns of the London alleyways, where Chinatown meets the highstreets, lies a small venue where unknown rock bands often play to crowds of less than one-hundred.

Isaac is nineteen, living on the sofa of his best friend’s brother – Eric – after his bible-loving parents tossed him aside because of his sexuality. After two years of struggling to make sense of his life, Eric and Charlotte convince Isaac to attend Red’s gig; an up and coming rock band with a small cult following.

All hell breaks loose and Isaac is left injured, with the whereabouts of his friends unknown and his body crippled on the ground. It’s then that the four members – Troy, Nicolai, Kyle and Moss – aid Isaac by infecting him with a ‘magical’ virus that grants immortality in exchange for consuming blood.

The ‘Paranorm’ world is exposed to Isaac. Vampires, werewolves and warlocks lurk in the depths of the city he has lived in his entire life, but he won’t become one with the night until he completes his nine-month transition, leaving him in the hands of the band and at the mercy of vampire politics.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

This story is part of the Omega Moon universe, but is a standalone tale.

This story is a gay vampire romance featuring intimate scenes.

Isaac is a sweetheart, and of course isn’t at all prepared to find himself in transition to be a Vampire. But with Nicolai’s loving care, along with his new friends Kyle and Troy, who all share a nest with the steely Moss, he will get through this.

I thought this was fun. The world-building was thorough. I understood what was going on from the beginning, and I really enjoyed how Isaac transitioned on his journey.

His relationship with Nicolai was sweet and nurturing, and as Isaac develops a darker side, the relationship becomes a little less shiny.

I like that Isaac had enough presence of mind to wait to be with Nicolai. I liked getting to know Isaac and the other characters. His interaction with Kyle brought out a more playful side to him, and I thought the dynamics in the nest worked well, even with Moss who was reclusive and unapproachable.

The UST was sexy, and I really enjoyed where the relationships went. It was pretty perfect actually. Saying more would be spoiler-ish.

I haven’t read any other stories in this world, or by this author so I can say with certainty that this can be read as a standalone. I did not feel lost at all, and there were no real references to any other story. This world was developed fully in this book.

Recommended for those who enjoy Urban Fantasy and slow burn romance.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review

Add to Goodreads!

Review: Out for a Hero, Edited by Amanda Ching

It's not easy being a superhero. Sometimes it's even harder when you're super and queer. In Out for a Hero, LGBTQ heroes find themselves in tight spaces, moral quandaries, and sometimes heated romance.

In The Integrals, Kaveri, the daughter of two super dads, struggles to conceal her possibly criminal crush. But when Morning Glory clashes with her parents' team, she has to decide how to work with her own developing powers to save the day, and her girl.

Sparks highlights the complications of an after-hours club where both superheroes and villains go to mingle. When Ignition meets Fusion, the leader of a supervillain group, she's forced to dig deeper into the group's activities to discover just who's being wronged.

Patrick has a reluctant grasp on his own gift of fire extinguishing, and he recalls the day it took his lover, Victor, away in Firebreak. As he tells the story to Nissa, clues emerge that indicate that Victor might not be so lost after all.

In DVDRW, a hero with the ability to rewind and replay time falls in passionate love, or lust, with Michael, a normal human with bad connections. What starts as fixing horse races escalates into military exercises, until it's almost too late to back out.

The hero of Pedal to the Mettle finds that transitioning is hard enough, but doing it when you're a super-powered alien brings a whole set of troubles, until Floyd, another alien who just wants to go back home, makes him an offer he can't refuse.

Lastly, in A Memory of Wind, Yeni investigates the secret of missing passengers and empty quarters on the starship that is her home. Her search for answers leads her to Wind, a flying woman who can help her learn what she needs to know.

The Intregals by Chrysoula Tzavelas ♥♥♥½

Kaveri has been secretly talking to (and crushing on) an enemy of her two super hero dads. Both her and Danica have kept their real identities secret met online and started chatting on a regular basis. They both started having feelings for each other, but couldn't let anything move past texting at the risk of exposing themselves. But when Danica was being attacked, Kaveri and her dads had to step in.

This was a cute little story. The super hero world-building was a bit vague, but it worked well for the length of this novella. It was just enough to keep me engaged without creating too many questions. The texting and flirting between Danica and Kaveri was fun, but didn't move beyond a couple sweet kisses. They were left with a HFN at best, but it did leave me feeling a little giddy and hopeful for them. A nice introduction to this anthology.  

Sparks by Lana Drake ♥♥♥

Bri has been outed to the world as a lesbian and she's less than happy about it. Luckily, there is an LGBT super hero nightclub that is more than happy to welcome her with open arms. It's here that she finally meets her arch-nemesis, Kristy, face to face. 

Again, there was just enough background info to keep me interested in the story. I would have loved more between Bri and Kristy. I liked Kristy and her Robin Hood thing she had going on. Bri was a little less likable. I get she was outed by someone else, but she seemed like an angry person in general. It was hard to warm up to her in such a short story.

Firebreak by Sean M. Locke  ♥♥♥

Gah! This one left me wanting more. So much more than the tiny glimpse we got.  

Patrick thought he had been the cause of his best-friend-turned-lover's death, but with the help of another superhero, he finds that there may be more to the story and maybe Victor is alive after all. 

There's so much potential here. I liked Nissa's "power" and how she's able to help people find what they've lost through art. But there are so many unanswered questions. I've forgiven a lot in the anthology, given how short the stories are, but I think too much was left unfinished here. No HFN, not even the heroes in the same damn room...

DVDRW by Elyan Smith ♥♥♥½

Uhhhmmm, -er... I have no idea what to think about this.

So, our hero has the ability to rewind time. Unfortunately (fortunately, maybe?), he fell in love with Michael. Michael, who knew they wrong kind of guys and told of his boyfriend's special little talent. They used this talent for gambling, the stock market and eventually for mass murders. By the time he wanted to back out, things had gone too far and it was too late.

This story was very fast paced. Very. A lot happened in a small amount of pages. There were quite a few time jumps which were confusing. I don't know if it was only my copy, but there wasn't any indication that the timeline had moved. No page breaks or anything. It took some time for me to figure it all out and by the time I did... the story was over. I did go back and reread a bit to help me get my bearings.

It ended on a somber note, which I guess was fitting for this dark and twisted tale. I never liked Michael. For me, he had zero redeeming qualities and I have no idea what our "hero" saw in him. I wish the time jumps were clearer, just a bit of formatting would have helped. I definitely liked the story overall and the pacing.

Pedal to the Mettle by Gretchen Crane ♥♥

Our hero is trans, but because of his superhuman power he is unable to go through any treatment. It simply doesn't work on him. But he finds a way he just might be able to be who he wants to be.

Here's the deal: I read romance for the HEA. There was no HEA here. I suppose if you count the character fulfilling his personal needs... but I don't. I want an ending with kissing and touching with a couple together.

If not for the ending, I would have really liked this one. I loved all the characters; especially Floyd and his perspective.  But that ending... totally killed it for me.

A Memory of Wind by Susan Jane Bigelow ♥♥♥½

Yeni lives on a starship where everyone forgets important events, except for her. She meets Wind, who helps her uncover the truth and help the people she lives with remember.

This is probably my favorite in the anthology. The idea of implants and memory erasing by the powers that be is interesting... and scary. The story starts at the beginning of the end with a group of people who are able to overcome these implants. They gather and help the people have a life they're able to remember. Not much a romance with a couple chaste kisses here and there, but there is a feeling of hope for more.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

Review: Street Magic by Raven de Hart

Sometimes magic tricks are more than mere illusions. Street magician Axel Rye understands that better than most -- his magic is /real/. If a mundane ever learns the truth, the Magisters will show no mercy. Getting close puts everyone at risk, which is why Axel knows he's in it deep with his latest crush.

Nick works in a tattoo shop on Axel's favorite busking pitch. If there's one thing Axel has learned, it's that magicians and mundanes don't mix, but he can't seem to stay away. It's only a matter of time before his magic is exposed, and his budding romance might lead to an even bigger problem. Drawing the wrong kind of attention might be the last mistake he ever makes, and it will put his powers, his lover, and his very life on the line.

Magic!

I was super pumped to start this book. I love magic stories. I love seeing the different ways authors make common ideas unique, and how they set up their individual world of magic. Of course it helps if the world building is well written. In Street Magic, it certainly was. The magicians of this world use different runes that they touch to choose what magic they can use. It was really cool to see how they placed these runes around themselves so they could be easily accessible. For example Axel, our main magician has numerous runes stitched into his hat and coat for easy access.

Axel is a Magician who works the streets pretending to be a normal slight-of-hand magician to the ‘mundanes’ (humans). He finds himself working in front of a particular tattoo parlour quite often in the hopes of seeing a man he's taken a fancy too, Nick.

Now, an awful lot happens in this story and honestly it all became a bit too messy for me. One moment I was enjoying the pace of the book as we were getting slowly introduced to the mystery man Axel was interested in. Nick and Axel decide to go on a first date and it was really sweet seeing Axel so unsure of himself. Then all of a sudden there's a massive chase scene and death threats thrown at Nick and Axel from the magical government and double crossing and my goodness (takes a deep breath)... Any chemistry that was building between the two was just lost.

Unfortunately I can’t say they got it back either. Nick was a very 2D character, who was there to provide us with some hot sex scenes and something for Axel to protect, but he had no real depth or personality. I didn’t care about him at all and the relationship between him and Axel felt rushed at best. One moment they were getting to know each other on a date, the next they're having sex to distract themselves from imminent death and have a ‘connection’. Just messy.

I’ll give it points because the plot was very exciting and well thought out. I think trying to throw a relationship that we were meant to care about into the mix is what ruined it.

This was a very clever and well thought out story. The world building was really good, but the relationship between the two MCs really lacked chemistry.

More info on Goodreads!

Review: Dirty Angel by Barbara Elsborg

Dying Sucks

Particularly when you discover there really is a hell. Aden thinks there’s no way he can avoid going down, but when an angel and demon can’t agree over his fate, Aden is given one more month to gain redemption. He doubts he can find a way to become a better man in so short a time. But it’s worth a try, right?

Living sucks 

Particularly when you can’t shake free of an obsessive ex. Brody might be managing to hold down his job as a vet, but his personal life is a mess. If he doesn’t pull himself together soon, he’s going to be sliding downhill too fast to stop. 

One wet night, on a dark country lane, two worlds collide and destinies change forever.

What a surreal reading experience. I'm not sure if Elsborg is some sort of precog or what, but I do know this was written and released pre-Orlando, but reading it post-Orlando inspired some existential feels. When did terrorist attacks become accepted as a part of the fabric of our existence? When did they become a plausible happenstance when leaving our homes? Back in the day the number one fear of going out was not getting picked up by the popo on the way home from the club not whether or not you'd make it home ALIVE. 

Aden goes out for an innocent night of fun and never gets to go home again. Instead he finds himself in a weird place with lots of ether about to stand judgment for his life. At first he thinks he's dreaming and can't wake up, but the fact that he can't remember going to sleep is troubling. Naturally, this got me thinking about those 49 people who maybe found themselves in a similar situation.

Needless to say I had some... moments but the level of romance Elsborg injected into Dirty Angel balanced out a lot of them. I found the experience soothing to an extent in the wake of yet another avoidable tragedy. 

Aden is given a second chance-one month to prove himself worthy of Heaven, to find out the meaning of love which will decide his fate. Heaven or Hell. He has the power to impact how his eternity will be spent. 

No money.
No lying.
No friends.
No phone.
No going home.
Seven chances at redemption.

Aden's truly not a bad person. He's been dealt a shit hand that has colored his worldview. He doesn't allow himself to get close to other people because they've repeatedly disappointed him. He has a tendency to be opportunistic and has used people, but he's far from diabolical.

"I've been lost all my life," Aden replied quietly. 

"Not lost," Brody squeezed his fingers. "Just undiscovered."

Brody and Aden meet almost immediately when Brody hits him with his car. Aden takes off for fear of having to explain things to the police/EMTs and is discovered camped out in Brody's horse's stall the next morning. I really loved that horse. Captain is fussy, kind of intimidating and highly intuitive. That horse is a keeper.

Brody's a veterinarian who's trying to keep a low profile due to a past abusive/obsessive relationship, so he's moved to the country to live on the family farm. Brody has also developed a rather unhealthy addiction to anonymous sex which has gotten out of hand.

Both men have pasts that have shaped them and continue to affect them in many ways and both must battle their pasts to a certain extent to gain what they want most.

"They prefer to swim in pairs with their tales linked. Sounds like fun, linking tails."

Elsborg is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors for a  couple of reasons. First and foremost, I appreciate that she doesn't sugarcoat life. Her characters usually have to contend with awful childhoods or tragedies or what have you, be able to come to grips with that before getting to the HEA which I find makes the reading experience more rewarding. Second, DAMN! can she bring the romance and the heat. This was swoony-I'm-gonna-pass-out romance. Sooooo much kissing and wanting and desire and sexiness.

Also, I liked getting my learn on with all the miscellaneous animal knowledge. The psycho ex-boyfriend storyline is predictable and the pieces fall together quickly, but that's not the focus of this book. Dirty Angel is about two men who have been knocked around in life figuring out if they're right for each other and trying to figure out how to get the love thing right. Or at least right enough to be with each other and make the most out of a second chance.

If you're looking for a romance that'll put a smile on your face and a swoon in your step, give this a try.

Trigger Warnings:  on page violence, mentions of childhood sexual abuse, on page rape and terrorist attack

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.